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Synthesis, in vitro α-amylase inhibitory, and radicals (DPPH & ABTS) scavenging potentials of new N-sulfonohydrazide substituted indazoles

Rafique R, Khan KM, Arshia, Chigurupati S, Wadood A, Rehman AU, et al.

Bioorg Chem, 2020 01;94:103410.
PMID: 31732193 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103410

Over-expression of α-amylase enzyme causes hyperglycemia which lead to many physiological complications including oxidative stress, one of the most commonly associated problem with diabetes mellitus. Marketed α-amylase inhibitors such as acarbose, voglibose, and miglitol used to treat type-II diabetes mellitus, but also linked to several harmful effects. Therefore, it is essential to explore new and nontoxic antidiabetic agents with additional antioxidant properties. In this connection, a series of new N-sulfonohydrazide substituted indazoles 1-19 were synthesized by multistep reaction scheme and assessed for in vitro α-amylase inhibitory and radical (DPPH and ABTS) scavenging properties. All compounds were fully characterized by different spectroscopic techniques including 1H, 13C NMR, EI-MS, HREI-MS, ESI-MS, and HRESI-MS. Compounds showed promising α-amylase inhibitory activities (IC50 = 1.23 ± 0.06-4.5 ± 0.03 µM) as compared to the standard acarbose (IC50 1.20 ± 0.09 µM). In addition to that all derivatives were found good to moderate scavengers of DPPH (IC50 2.01 ± 0.13-5.3 ± 0.11) and ABTS (IC50 = 2.34 ± 0.07-5.5 ± 0.07 µM) radicals, in comparison with standard ascorbic acid having scavenging activities with IC50 = 1.99 ± 0.09 µM, and IC50 2.03 ± 0.11 µM for DPPH and ABTS radicals. In silico molecular docking study was conducted to rationalize the binding interaction of α-amylase enzyme with ligands. Compounds were observed as mixed type inhibitors in enzyme kinetic characterization.
Fulltext Improving Water Permeability of Hydrophilic PVDF Membrane Prepared via Blending with Organic and Inorganic Additives for Humic Acid Separation

Arahman N, Mulyati S, Fahrina A, Muchtar S, Yusuf M, Takagi R, et al.

Molecules, 2019 Nov 13;24(22).
PMID: 31766222 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24224099

The removal of impurities from water or wastewater by the membrane filtration process has become more reliable due to good hydraulic performance and high permeate quality. The filterability of the membrane can be improved by having a material with a specific pore structure and good hydrophilic properties. This work aims at preparing a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane incorporated with phospholipid in the form of a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, polymeric additive in the form of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and its combination with inorganic nanosilica from a renewable source derived from bagasse. The resulting membrane morphologies were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy was performed to analyze the membrane surface roughness. The chemical compositions of the resulting membranes were identified using Fourier transform infrared. A lab-scale cross-flow filtration system module was used to evaluate the membrane's hydraulic and separation performance by the filtration of humic acid (HA) solution as the model contaminant. Results showed that the additives improved the membrane surface hydrophilicity. All modified membranes also showed up to five times higher water permeability than the pristine PVDF, thanks to the improved structure. Additionally, all membrane samples showed HA rejections of 75-90%.
Fulltext Enhancement of Viscoelastic and Electrical Properties of Magnetorheological Elastomers with Nanosized Ni-Mg Cobalt-Ferrites as Fillers

Abdul Aziz SA, Mazlan SA, Ubaidillah U, Shabdin MK, Yunus NA, Nordin NA, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2019 Oct 28;12(21).
PMID: 31661837 DOI: 10.3390/ma12213531

Carbon-based particles, such as graphite and graphene, have been widely used as a filler in magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) fabrication in order to obtain electrical properties of the material. However, these kinds of fillers normally require a very high concentration of particles to enhance the conductivity property. Therefore, in this study, the nanosized Ni-Mg cobalt ferrite is introduced as a filler to soften MRE and, at the same time, improve magnetic, rheological, and conductivity properties. Three types of MRE samples without and with different compositions of Mg, namely Co0.5Ni0.2Mg0.3Fe2O4 (A1) and Co0.5Ni0.1Mg0.4Fe2O4 (A2), are fabricated. The characterization related to the micrograph, magnetic, and rheological properties of the MRE samples are analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and the rheometer. Meanwhile, the effect of the nanosized Ni-Mg cobalt ferrites on the electrical resistance property is investigated and compared with the different Mg compositions. It is shown that the storage modulus of the MRE sample with the nanosized Ni-Mg cobalt ferrites is 43% higher than that of the MRE sample without the nanomaterials. In addition, it is demonstrated that MREs with the nanosized Ni-Mg cobalt ferrites exhibit relatively low electrical resistance at the on-state as compared to the off-state condition, because MRE with a higher Mg composition shows lower electrical resistance when higher current flow occurs through the materials. This salient property of the proposed MRE can be effectively and potentially used as an actuator to control the viscoelastic property of the magnetic field or sensors to measure the strain of the flexible structures by the electrical resistance signal.
Synthesis of new S-substituted derivatives of 5-[3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylhydrosulfide as suitable antibacterial and anticancer agents with moderate cytotoxicity

Nazir M, Abbasi MA, Aziz-Ur-Rehman -, Siddiqui SZ, Ali Shah SA, Shahid M, et al.

Pak J Pharm Sci, 2019 Nov;32(6):2585-2597.
PMID: 31969290

In the study presented here, the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 5-[3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylhydrosulfide was carried out with different alkyl/aralkyl halides (5a-r) to form its different S-substituted derivatives (6a-r), as depicted in scheme 1. The structural confirmation of all the synthesized compounds was done by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and CHN analysis data. Bacterial biofilm inhibitory activity of all the synthesized compounds was carried out against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The anticancer activity of these molecules was ascertained using anti-proliferation (SRB) assay on HCT 116 Colon Cancer Cell lines while the cytotoxicity of these molecules was profiled for their haemolytic potential. From this investigation it was rational that most of the compounds exhibited suitable antibacterial and anticancer potential along with a temperate cytotoxicity.
Find the Missing Millions: Malaysia's experience with nationwide hepatitis C screening campaign in the general population

Md Said R, Mohd Zain R, Chan HK, Soelar SA, Rusli N, Nasir NH, et al.

J Viral Hepat, 2020 06;27(6):638-643.
PMID: 31997563 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13267

Approximately 2.5% of the Malaysian population is currently living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Yet, the public awareness of the disease is limited and under-screening remains a major challenge. With the support of international non-for-profit organizations, the Ministry of Health in Malaysia recently launched a one-week nationwide hepatitis C screening campaign in conjunction with the World Hepatitis Day. For the first time, the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for HCV screening was introduced in public health institutions. This campaign involved 49 hospitals and 38 health clinics across the country, targeting the adult general population with unknown HCV infection status. Of the 11 382 participants undergoing the RDT, 1.9% were found to be positive for hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) and were referred to on-site medical departments or nearby hospitals for confirmatory testing and treatment. Men, the Malay ethnic group, intranasal and injection drug users and ex-prisoners were shown to have higher odds of being positive for anti-HCV. In addition to serving as a model to educate the general population about the disease, this campaign demonstrates the feasibility of decentralizing HCV screening, particularly by promoting the use of RDT, and linking the HCV-infected patients to care in Malaysia.
Isolation and identification of salt-tolerant plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria and their application for rice cultivation under salt stress

Sultana S, Paul SC, Parveen S, Alam S, Rahman N, Jannat B, et al.

Can J Microbiol, 2020 Feb;66(2):144-160.
PMID: 31714812 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2019-0323

Growth and productivity of rice are negatively affected by soil salinity. However, some salt-tolerant rhizosphere-inhabiting bacteria can improve salt resistance of plants, thereby augmenting plant growth and production. Here, we isolated a total of 53 plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from saline and non-saline areas in Bangladesh where electrical conductivity was measured as >7.45 and <1.80 dS/m, respectively. Bacteria isolated from saline areas were able to grow in a salt concentration of up to 2.60 mol/L, contrary to the isolates collected from non-saline areas that did not survive beyond 854 mmol/L. Among the salt-tolerant isolates, Bacillus aryabhattai, Achromobacter denitrificans, and Ochrobactrum intermedium, identified by comparing respective sequences of 16S rRNA using the NCBI GenBank, exhibited a higher amount of atmospheric nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and indoleacetic acid production at 200 mmol/L salt stress. Salt-tolerant isolates exhibited greater resistance to heavy metals and antibiotics, which could be due to the production of an exopolysaccharide layer outside the cell surface. Oryza sativa L. fertilized with B. aryabhattai MS3 and grown under 200 mmol/L salt stress was found to be favoured by enhanced expression of a set of at least four salt-responsive plant genes: BZ8, SOS1, GIG, and NHX1. Fertilization of rice with osmoprotectant-producing PGPR, therefore, could be a climate-change-preparedness strategy for coastal agriculture.
Fulltext A panel of recombinant proteins from human-infective Plasmodium species for serological surveillance

Müller-Sienerth N, Shilts J, Kadir KA, Yman V, Homann MV, Asghar M, et al.

Malar J, 2020 Jan 17;19(1):31.
PMID: 31952523 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-3111-5

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a global health problem and accurate surveillance of Plasmodium parasites that are responsible for this disease is required to guide the most effective distribution of control measures. Serological surveillance will be particularly important in areas of low or periodic transmission because patient antibody responses can provide a measure of historical exposure. While methods for detecting host antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are well established, development of serological assays for Plasmodium knowlesi, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae have been inhibited by a lack of immunodiagnostic candidates due to the limited availability of genomic information.
METHODS: Using the recently completed genome sequences from P. malariae, P. ovale and P. knowlesi, a set of 33 candidate cell surface and secreted blood-stage antigens was selected and expressed in a recombinant form using a mammalian expression system. These proteins were added to an existing panel of antigens from P. falciparum and P. vivax and the immunoreactivity of IgG, IgM and IgA immunoglobulins from individuals diagnosed with infections to each of the five different Plasmodium species was evaluated by ELISA. Logistic regression modelling was used to quantify the ability of the responses to determine prior exposure to the different Plasmodium species.
RESULTS: Using sera from European travellers with diagnosed Plasmodium infections, antigens showing species-specific immunoreactivity were identified to select a panel of 22 proteins from five Plasmodium species for serological profiling. The immunoreactivity to the antigens in the panel of sera taken from travellers and individuals living in malaria-endemic regions with diagnosed infections showed moderate power to predict infections by each species, including P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi. Using a larger set of patient samples and logistic regression modelling it was shown that exposure to P. knowlesi could be accurately detected (AUC = 91%) using an antigen panel consisting of the P. knowlesi orthologues of MSP10, P12 and P38.
CONCLUSIONS: Using the recent availability of genome sequences to all human-infective Plasmodium spp. parasites and a method of expressing Plasmodium proteins in a secreted functional form, an antigen panel has been compiled that will be useful to determine exposure to these parasites.
Fabrication of Pt-Pd@ITO grown heterogeneous nanocatalyst as efficient remediator for toxic methyl parathion in aqueous media

Mahar AM, Balouch A, Talpur FN, Abdullah, Panah P, Kumar R, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2020 Mar;27(9):9970-9978.
PMID: 31933082 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-07548-y

In this study, nano-sized ITO supported Pt-Pd bimetallic catalyst was synthesized for the degradation of methyl parathion pesticide, a common extremely toxic contaminant in aqueous solution. On the characterization with different techniques, a beautiful scenario of honeycomb architecture composed of ultra-small nanoneedles or fine hairs was found. Average size of nanocatalyst also confirmed which was in the range of 3-5 nm. High percent degradation (94%) was obtained in 30 s using 1.5 × 10- 1 mg of synthesized nanocatalyst, 0.5 mM NaBH4, and 110 W microwave radiations power. Recyclability of nanocatalyst was efficient till 4th cycle observed during study of reusability. The supported Pt-Pd bimetallic nanocatalyst on ITO displayed many advantages over conventional methods for degradation of methyl parathion pesticide, such as high percent degradation, short reaction time, small amount of nanocatalyst, and multitime reusability. Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of reaction for degradation of methyl parathion.
Distribution of mercury in sediments, plant and animal tissues in Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia

Wolswijk G, Satyanarayana B, Dung LQ, Siau YF, Ali ANB, Saliu IS, et al.

J Hazard Mater, 2020 04 05;387:121665.
PMID: 31784131 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121665

Charcoal production activities at the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR) in Peninsular Malaysia have a potential to emit volatile compounds such as Hg back into the ambient environment, raising concerns on the public health and safety. The present study was aimed at analyzing Hg concentration from different plant/animal tissues and sediment samples (in total 786 samples) to understand clearly the Hg distribution at the MMFR. Leaves of Rhizophora spp. showed higher Hg concentration with an increasing trend from young, to mature, to senescent and decomposing stages, which was possibly due to accumulation of Hg over time. The low Hg concentration in Rhizophora roots and bark suggests a limited absorption from the sediments and a meagre accumulation/partitioning by the plant tissue, respectively. In the case of mangrove cockles the concentration of Hg was lower than the permissible limits for seafood consumption. Although the mangrove gastropod - Cassidula aurisfelis Bruguière had rather elevated Hg in the muscle tissue, it is still less than the environmental safely limit. Beside the chances of atmospheric deposition for Hg, the sediment samples were found to be unpolluted in nature, indicating that in general the MMFR is still safe in terms of Hg pollution.
Designing and evaluation of an antibody-targeted chimeric recombinant vaccine encoding Shigella flexneri outer membrane antigens

Kazi A, Hisyam Ismail CMK, Anthony AA, Chuah C, Leow CH, Lim BH, et al.

Infect Genet Evol, 2020 06;80:104176.
PMID: 31923724 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104176

Shigellosis is one of the most common diseases found in the developing countries, especially those countries that are prone flood. The causative agent for this disease is the Shigella species. This organism is one of the third most common enteropathogens responsible for childhood diarrhea. Since Shigella can survive gastric acidity and is an intracellular pathogen, it becomes difficult to treat. Also, uncontrolled use of antibiotics has led to development of resistant strains which poses a threat to public health. Therefore, there is a need for long term control of Shigella infection which can be achieved by designing a proper and effective vaccine. In this study, emphasis was made on designing a candidate that could elicit both B-cell and T-cell immune response. Hence B- and T-cell epitopes of outer membrane channel protein (OM) and putative lipoprotein (PL) from S. flexneri 2a were computationally predicted using immunoinformatics approach and a chimeric construct (chimeric-OP) containing the immunogenic epitopes selected from OM and PL was designed, cloned and expressed in E. coli system. The immunogenicity of the recombinant chimeric-OP was assessed using Shigella antigen infected rabbit antibody. The result showed that the chimeric-OP was a synthetic peptide candidate suitable for the development of vaccine and immunodiagnostics against Shigella infection.
Fulltext A dataset of tree heights in mangrove and non-mangrove trees in Malaysia derived from multiple measurement methods

Saliu IS, Wolswijk G, Satyanarayana B, Fisol MAB, Decannière C, Lucas R, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Dec;33:106386.
PMID: 33102654 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.106386

The dataset contains tree height data collected in 200 mangrove and non-mangrove trees sampled in various sites in Malaysia. Different height measurement methods were performed, including visual measurements (stick, thumb rule) and precision field instruments (clinometer, laser rangefinder and altimeter), which were compared against benchmark values obtained using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a Leica distometer. The core data have been analysed and interpreted in the paper by Saliu et al. ''An accuracy analysis of mangrove tree height mensuration using forestry techniques, hypsometers and UAVs '' [1], in which the accuracy of each method for tree height measurement was discussed.
Fulltext Synthesis of Benzimidazole-Based Analogs as Anti Alzheimer's Disease Compounds and Their Molecular Docking Studies

Adalat B, Rahim F, Taha M, Alshamrani FJ, Anouar EH, Uddin N, et al.

Molecules, 2020 Oct 20;25(20).
PMID: 33092223 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204828

We synthesized 10 analogs of benzimidazole-based thiosemicarbazide 1 (a-j) and 13 benzimidazole-based Schiff bases 2 (a-m), and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and evaluated in vitro for acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BchE) inhibition activities. All the synthesized analogs showed varying degrees of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory potentials in comparison to the standard drug (IC50 = 0.016 and 4.5 µM. Amongst these analogs 1 (a-j), compounds 1b, 1c, and 1g having IC50 values 1.30, 0.60, and 2.40 µM, respectively, showed good acetylcholinesterase inhibition when compared with the standard. These compounds also showed moderate butyrylcholinesterase inhibition having IC50 values of 2.40, 1.50, and 2.40 µM, respectively. The rest of the compounds of this series also showed moderate to weak inhibition. While amongst the second series of analogs 2 (a-m), compounds 2c, 2e, and 2h having IC50 values of 1.50, 0.60, and 0.90 µM, respectively, showed moderate acetylcholinesterase inhibition when compared to donepezil. Structure Aactivity Relation of both synthesized series has been carried out. The binding interactions between the synthesized analogs and the enzymes were identified through molecular docking simulations.
Fulltext Elevated levels of IL-8 in fatal leptospirosis

Wan Yusoff WSY, Abdullah M, Sekawi Z, Amran F, Yuhana MY, Mohd Taib N, et al.

Pathog Glob Health, 2020 03;114(2):99-103.
PMID: 32024441 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2020.1724356

Leptospirosis causes a wide range of clinical outcomes, including organ failure and death. Early treatment significantly increases the chances of cure. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemoattractant cytokine for neutrophil and is associated with multiple organ failure. Research has indicated IL-8 to be raised in severe and fatal cases of leptospirosis, but its suitability as a prognostic biomarker has yet to be confirmed. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of IL-8 with the clinical outcomes of leptospirosis patients. Plasma IL-8 was measured in fifty-two samples from hospitalized patients and nineteen healthy controls. The comparisons were made between mild, severe-survived and fatal groups identified by clinical or laboratory findings. IL-8 was significantly higher in fatal (p = 0.01) compared to mild cases. IL-8 was also significantly higher in fatal (p = 0.02) when compared to survived cases of leptospirosis. IL-8 levels in the plasma of fatal leptospirosis cases were significantly elevated compared to survived cases and may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in determining the possible outcome of leptospirosis patients.
Fulltext Deciphering the Association of Cytokines, Chemokines, and Growth Factors in Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using an ex vivo Osteochondral Culture System

Jafri MA, Kalamegam G, Abbas M, Al-Kaff M, Ahmed F, Bakhashab S, et al.

Front Cell Dev Biol, 2019;7:380.
PMID: 32010693 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00380

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disorder associated with degradation and decreased production of the extracellular matrix, eventually leading to cartilage destruction. Limited chondrocyte turnover, structural damage, and prevailing inflammatory milieu prevent efficient cartilage repair and restoration of joint function. In the present study, we evaluated the role of secreted cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors present in the culture supernatant obtained from an ex vivo osteochondral model of cartilage differentiation using cartilage pellets (CP), bone marrow stem cells (BM-MSCs), and/or BM-MSCs + CP. Multiplex cytokine analysis showed differential secretion of growth factors (G-CSF, GM-CSF, HGF, EGF, VEGF); chemokines (MCP-1, MIP1α, MIP1β, RANTES, Eotaxin, IP-10), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) in the experimental groups compared to the control. In silico analyses of the role of stem cells and CP in relation to the expression of various molecules, canonical pathways and hierarchical cluster patterns were deduced using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software (Qiagen, United States). The interactions of the cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors that are involved in the cartilage differentiation showed that stem cells, when used together with CP, bring about a favorable cell signaling that supports cartilage differentiation and additionally helps to attenuate inflammatory cytokines and further downstream disease-associated pro-inflammatory pathways. Hence, the autologous or allogeneic stem cells and local cartilage tissues may be used for efficient cartilage differentiation and the management of OA.
Fulltext Mercury concentration data from Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia

Wolswijk G, Satyanarayana B, Le QD, Siau YF, Ali ANB, Saliu IS, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Apr;29:105134.
PMID: 32016142 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105134

This paper presents the results of mercury analysis on 786 abiotic (surface sediments) and biotic (plant and animal tissues) samples collected from 10 sites at Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve in Peninsular Malaysia. Sediment samples were collected at the surface level from both river bank and forest understory. Whereas plant tissues obtained from Rhizophora apiculata Blume and Rhizophora mucronata L. consisted of leaves (in four stages namely young, mature, senescent and decomposing), bark and roots (divided into xylem, cortex and epidermis), the animal samples were represented by muscle tissue of the gastropod Cassidula aurisfelis Bruguière and the cockle Tegillarca granosa L. The mercury concentration measurements were obtained through a cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometer. The core data have been analysed and interpreted in the paper "Distribution of mercury in sediments, plant and animal tissues in Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia" [1].
Fulltext Predation of potential insect pests in oil palm plantations, rubber tree plantations, and fruit orchards

Denan N, Wan Zaki WM, Norhisham AR, Sanusi R, Nasir DM, Nobilly F, et al.

Ecol Evol, 2020 Jan;10(2):654-661.
PMID: 32015833 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5856

In human-modified landscapes, important ecological functions such as predation are negatively affected by anthropogenic activities, including the use of pesticides and habitat degradation. Predation of insect pests is an indicator of healthy ecosystem functioning, which provides important ecosystem services, especially for agricultural systems. In this study, we compare predation attempts from arthropods, mammals, and birds on artificial caterpillars in the understory, between three tropical agricultural land-use types: oil palm plantations, rubber tree plantations, and fruit orchards. We collected a range of local and landscape-scale data including undergrowth vegetation structure; elevation; proximity to forest; and canopy cover in order to understand how environmental variables can affect predation. In all three land-use types, our results showed that arthropods and mammals were important predators of artificial caterpillars and there was little predation by birds. We did not find any effect of the environmental variables on predation. There was an interactive effect between land-use type and predator type. Predation by mammals was considerably higher in fruit orchards and rubber tree than in oil palm plantations, likely due to their ability to support higher abundances of insectivorous mammals. In order to maintain or enhance natural pest control in these common tropical agricultural land-use types, management practices that benefit insectivorous animals should be introduced, such as the reduction of pesticides, improvement of understory vegetation, and local and landscape heterogeneity.
Fulltext Development and validation of the General Rehabilitation Adherence Scale (GRAS) in patients attending physical therapy clinics for musculoskeletal disorders

Naqvi AA, Hassali MA, Naqvi SBS, Shakeel S, Zia M, Fatima M, et al.

BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2020 Feb 01;21(1):65.
PMID: 32007095 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-020-3078-y

BACKGROUND: Non-adherence to physical therapy ranges from 14 to 70%. This could adversely affect physical functioning and requires careful monitoring. Studies that describe designing and validation of adherence measuring scales are scant. There is a growing need to formulate adherence measures for this population. The aim was to develop and validate a novel tool named as the General Rehabilitation Adherence Scale (GRAS) to measure adherence to physical therapy treatment in Pakistani patients attending rehabilitation clinics for musculoskeletal disorders.
METHODS: A month-long study was conducted in patients attending physical therapy sessions at clinics in two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. It was done using block randomization technique. Sample size was calculated based on item-to-respondent ratio of 1:20. The GRAS was developed and validated using content validity, factor analyses, known group validity, and sensitivity analysis. Receiver operator curve analysis was used to determine cut-off value. Reliability and internal consistency were measured using test-retest method. Data was analyzed through IBM SPSS version 23. The study was ethically approved (IRB-NOV:15).
RESULTS: A total of 300 responses were gathered. The response rate was 92%. The final version of GRAS contained 8 items and had a content validity index of 0.89. Sampling adequacy was satisfactory, (KMO 0.7, Bartlett's test p-value 0.95 while absolute fit index of root mean square of error of approximation was
Diabetic foot infection and surgical treatment in a secondary health care centre in Malaysia

Ng BW, Muhammad Firdaus A, Mohd Syafiqq Al Hakim HR, Nur Sa'idah MS, Loi KW, Ong KC, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2020 01;75(1):29-32.
PMID: 32008016

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot infection is often associated with high morbidity, disability and poor quality of life. This study focuses on the demography, the number of repetitive surgery and length of stay in hospital of patients with diabetic foot infection.
METHOD: This is a retrospective observational study. Patients who were admitted to the Orthopaedic ward of Hospital Segamat (HS), Johor, Malaysia from January 2016 to December 2018 and required surgical intervention were included in the study. Data was collected from the computer system of HS and medical notes of patients.
RESULTS: 35.6% of the total orthopaedic emergency surgeries performed were for patients with diabetic foot infection, 25% of the surgical procedures performed were major amputations of lower limb and 40% of the patients with diabetic foot infection required more than one surgical operation.
DISCUSSION: The demographics of the patients is consistent with the demographics of Malaysia where majority of them are Malays followed by Chinese, Indians and others. Despite being only 10% of total admission to the department, this group of patients contributed to 35.6% of the total emergency surgeries performed. The amputation rate in the centre is comparable to the other local studies. The average length of stay in hospital was found to be shorter compared to overseas due to different rehabilitation protocols.
Fulltext Novel Activated Carbon Nanofibers Composited with Cost-Effective Graphene-Based Materials for Enhanced Adsorption Performance toward Methane

Che Othman FE, Yusof N, Yub Harun N, Bilad MR, Jaafar J, Aziz F, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2020 Sep 10;12(9).
PMID: 32927881 DOI: 10.3390/polym12092064

Various types of activated carbon nanofibers' (ACNFs) composites have been extensively studied and reported recently due to their extraordinary properties and applications. This study reports the fabrication and assessments of ACNFs incorporated with graphene-based materials, known as gACNFs, via simple electrospinning and subsequent physical activation process. TGA analysis proved graphene-derived rice husk ashes (GRHA)/ACNFs possess twice the carbon yield and thermally stable properties compared to other samples. Raman spectra, XRD, and FTIR analyses explained the chemical structures in all resultant gACNFs samples. The SEM and EDX results revealed the average fiber diameters of the gACNFs, ranging from 250 to 400 nm, and the successful incorporation of both GRHA and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into the ACNFs' structures. The results revealed that ACNFs incorporated with GRHA possesses the highest specific surface area (SSA), of 384 m2/g, with high micropore volume, of 0.1580 cm3/g, which is up to 88% of the total pore volume. The GRHA/ACNF was found to be a better adsorbent for CH4 compared to pristine ACNFs and reduced graphene oxide (rGO/ACNF) as it showed sorption up to 66.40 mmol/g at 25 °C and 12 bar. The sorption capacity of the GRHA/ACNF was impressively higher than earlier reported studies on ACNFs and ACNF composites. Interestingly, the CH4 adsorption of all ACNF samples obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model at low pressure (4 bar), indicating the chemisorption behaviors. However, it obeyed the pseudo-first order at higher pressures (8 and 12 bar), indicating the physisorption behaviors. These results correspond to the textural properties that describe that the high adsorption capacity of CH4 at high pressure is mainly dependent upon the specific surface area (SSA), pore size distribution, and the suitable range of pore size.
Fulltext Frailty Intervention through Nutrition Education and Exercise (FINE). A Health Promotion Intervention to Prevent Frailty and Improve Frailty Status among Pre-Frail Elderly-A Study Protocol of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Mohd Suffian NI, Adznam SN', Abu Saad H, Chan YM, Ibrahim Z, Omar N, et al.

Nutrients, 2020 Sep 10;12(9).
PMID: 32927741 DOI: 10.3390/nu12092758

The ageing process has been associated with various geriatric issues including frailty. Without early prevention, frailty may cause multiple adverse outcomes. However, it potentially may be reversed with appropriate interventions. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of nutritional education and exercise intervention to prevent frailty among the elderly. A 3-month, single-blind, two-armed, cluster randomized controlled trial of the frailty intervention program among Malaysian pre-frail elderly will be conducted. A minimum of total 60 eligible respondents from 8 clusters (flats) of Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) flats will be recruited and randomized to the intervention and control arm. The intervention group will receive a nutritional education and a low to moderate multi-component exercise program. To date, this is the first intervention study that specifically targets both the degree of frailty and an improvement in the outcomes of frailty using both nutritional education and exercise interventions among Malaysian pre-frail elderly. If the study is shown to be effective, there are major potential benefits to older population in terms of preventing transition to frailty. The findings from this trial will potentially provide valuable evidence and serve as a model for similar future interventions designed for elderly Malaysians in the community.

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