Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 106 in total

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  1. 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.
  2. Chitosan-Based Agronanofungicides as a Sustainable Alternative in the Basal Stem Rot Disease Management
    Maluin FN, Hussein MZ, Azah Yusof N, Fakurazi S, Idris AS, Zainol Hilmi NH, et al.
    J Agric Food Chem, 2020 Apr 15;68(15):4305-4314.
    PMID: 32227887 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b08060
    The rise of environmental and health concerns due to the excessive use of the conventional fungicide urges the search for sustainable alternatives of agronanofungicides where the latter is aimed to enhance plant uptake and minimize the volatilization, leaching, and runoff of fungicides. With this in mind, fungicides of hexaconazole and/or dazomet were encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles for the formulation of chitosan-based agronanofungicides. In the present study, chitosan nanoparticles (2 nm), chitosan-hexaconazole nanoparticles (18 and 168 nm), chitosan-dazomet nanoparticles (7 and 32 nm), and chitosan-hexaconazole-dazomet nanoparticles (5 and 58 nm) were synthesized and used as potent antifungal agents in combating the basal stem rot (BSR) disease caused by Ganoderma boninense in which they were evaluated via an artificial inoculation of oil palm seedlings with the rubber woodblock, which was fully colonized with the fungal Ganoderma boninense mycelium. The results revealed that chitosan nanoparticles could act as dual modes of action, which are themselves as a biocide or as a nanocarrier for the existing fungicides. In addition, the particle size of the chitosan-based agronanofungicides plays a crucial role in suppressing and controlling the disease. The synergistic effect of the double-fungicide system of 5 nm chitosan-hexaconazole-dazomet nanoparticles can be observed as the system showed the highest disease reduction with 74.5%, compared to the untreated infected seedlings.
  3. Fulltext Enzymatic and genetic characterization of lignin depolymerization by Streptomyces sp. S6 isolated from a tropical environment
    Riyadi FA, Tahir AA, Yusof N, Sabri NSA, Noor MJMM, Akhir FNMD, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 05 08;10(1):7813.
    PMID: 32385385 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64817-4
    The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into bioethanol or biochemical products requires a crucial pretreatment process to breakdown the recalcitrant lignin structure. This research focuses on the isolation and characterization of a lignin-degrading bacterial strain from a decaying oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB). The isolated strain, identified as Streptomyces sp. S6, grew in a minimal medium with Kraft lignin (KL) as the sole carbon source. Several known ligninolytic enzyme assays were performed, and lignin peroxidase (LiP), laccase (Lac), dye-decolorizing peroxidase (DyP) and aryl-alcohol oxidase (AAO) activities were detected. A 55.3% reduction in the molecular weight (Mw) of KL was observed after 7 days of incubation with Streptomyces sp. S6 based on gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) also successfully highlighted the production of lignin-derived aromatic compounds, such as 3-methyl-butanoic acid, guaiacol derivatives, and 4,6-dimethyl-dodecane, after treatment of KL with strain S6. Finally, draft genome analysis of Streptomyces sp. S6 also revealed the presence of strong lignin degradation machinery and identified various candidate genes responsible for lignin depolymerization, as well as for the mineralization of the lower molecular weight compounds, confirming the lignin degradation capability of the bacterial strain.
  4. Enhanced sensing of dengue virus DNA detection using O2 plasma treated-silicon nanowire based electrical biosensor
    Rahman SF, Yusof NA, Hashim U, Hushiarian R, M N MN, Hamidon MN, et al.
    Anal Chim Acta, 2016 Oct 26;942:74-85.
    PMID: 27720124 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2016.09.009
    Dengue Virus (DENV) has become one of the most serious arthropod-borne viral diseases, causing death globally. The existing methods for DENV detection suffer from the late stage treatment due to antibodies-based detection which is feasible only after five days following the onset of the illness. Here, we demonstrated the highly effective molecular electronic based detection utilizing silicon nanowire (SiNW) integrated with standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process as a sensing device for detecting deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) related to DENV in an early stage diagnosis. To transform the fabricated devices as a functional sensing element, three-step procedure consist of SiNW surface modification, DNA immobilization and DNA hybridization were employed. The detection principle works by detecting the changes in current of SiNW which bridge the source and drain terminal to sense the immobilization of probe DNA and their hybridization with target DNA. The oxygen (O2) plasma was proposed as an effective strategy for increasing the binding amounts of target DNA by modified the SiNW surface. It was found that the detection limit of the optimized O2 plasma treated-SiNW device could be reduced to 1.985 × 10-14 M with a linear detection range of the sequence-specific DNA from 1.0 × 10-9 M to 1.0 × 10-13 M. In addition, the developed biosensor device was able to discriminate between complementary, single mismatch and non-complementary DNA sequences. This highly sensitive assay was then applied to the detection of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) product of DENV-DNA, making it as a potential method for disease diagnosis through electrical biosensor.
  5. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of Lignin-Degrading Agrobacterium sp. Strain S2, Isolated from a Decaying Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch
    Faisal UH, Sabri NSA, Yusof N, Tahir AA, Said NNM, Riyadi FA, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2021 May 13;10(19).
    PMID: 33986086 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00259-21
    We report the draft genome sequence of Agrobacterium sp. strain S2, isolated from a decaying oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, which yields potential genes encoding lignin degradation enzymes. This genome of 9,722,071 bp exhibited 58.9% GC content, 10,416 coding genes, and 12 RNAs.
  6. Fulltext Rare but Potentially Fatal Presentations of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: Leukemic Phase or Hemophagocytic Syndrome in Bone Marrow
    Wan Mohd Zohdi WA, Ismail AZ, Yusof N, Ithnin A, Shuib S, Masir N, et al.
    Clin Pathol, 2022 01 09;15:2632010X211070774.
    PMID: 35036912 DOI: 10.1177/2632010X211070774
    Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma commonly presenting as a solid tumor either by nodal or extra-nodal manifestations. Here we describe two atypical presentations of lymphoma, finally resulting in the diagnosis of DLBCL. Case 1: A 53-year-old man with a previous history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presented with a two-week history of B-symptoms and hyperleukocytosis. Peripheral blood film showed 78% abnormal mononuclear cells. Immunohistochemical stain showing Ki-67 of 90%, negative c-myc, BCL2 and BCL6, and negative c-MYC with fluorescence in-situ hybridization studies on the trephine biopsy, concluded the diagnosis of CD5+ DLBCL of ABC subtype. He received intravenous cyclophosphamide and oral prednisolone for cytoreduction, followed by 6 cycles of chemo-immunotherapy. However, he succumbed due to severe sepsis after the completion of therapy. Case 2: A 56-year-old lady who was initially investigated for pyrexia of unknown origin was noted to have hemophagocytosis upon bone marrow aspirate examination. The bone marrow trephine biopsy revealed some atypical clusters of B-cells positive for CD20 which was inconclusive. PET-CT scan noted an enlarged hypermetabolic spleen without lymphadenopathy. Splenic biopsy with immunohistochemical studies revealed DLBCL of ABC subtype. The diagnosis was consistent with primary splenic DLBCL. She became unwell post splenic biopsy and was admitted to the intensive care unit where she passed away 2 weeks later from Candida and Sternotrophomonas septicemia. These cases highlight the atypical presentations of a common subtype of NHL in our center. Arriving at the definitive diagnosis can be difficult especially when patients are acutely ill, hampering the necessary invasive procedures for diagnosis. The outcomes of both cases are briefly discussed hoping to spread awareness among clinicians on the rare and acutely critical presentations of DLBCL.
  7. Fulltext Co-inheritance of compound heterozygous Hb Constant Spring and a single -alpha(3.7) gene deletion with heterozygous deltabeta thalassaemia: a diagnostic challenge
    Azma RZ, Othman A, Azman N, Alauddin H, Ithnin A, Yusof N, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2012 Jun;34(1):57-62.
    PMID: 22870600
    Haemoglobin Constant Spring (Hb CS) mutation and single gene deletions are common underlying genetic abnormalities for alpha thalassaemias. Co-inheritance of deletional and non-deletional alpha (alpha) thalassaemias may result in various thalassaemia syndromes. Concomitant co-inheritance with beta (beta) and delta (delta) gene abnormalities would result in improved clinical phenotype. We report here a 33-year-old male patient who was admitted with dengue haemorrhagic fever, with a background history of Grave's disease, incidentally noted to have mild hypochromic microcytic red cell indices. Physical examination revealed no thalassaemic features or hepatosplenomegaly. His full blood picture showed hypochromic microcytic red cells with normal haemoglobin (Hb) level. Quantitation of Hb using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) revealed raised Hb F, normal Hb A2 and Hb A levels. There was also small peak of Hb CS noted in CE. H inclusions was negative. Kleihauer test was positive with heterocellular distribution of Hb F among the red cells. DNA analysis for alpha globin gene mutations showed a single -alpha(-3.7) deletion and Hb CS mutation. These findings were suggestive of compound heterozygosity of Hb CS and a single -alpha(-3.7) deletion with a concomitant heterozygous deltabeta thalassaemia. Co-inheritance of Hb CS and a single -alpha(-3.7) deletion is expected to result at the very least in a clinical phenotype similar to that of two alpha genes deletion. However we demonstrate here a phenotypic modification of alpha thalassemia presumptively as a result of co-inheritance with deltabeta chain abnormality as suggested by the high Hb F level.
  8. Nitrification of high-strength ammonium landfill leachate with microbial community analysis using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
    Yusof N, Hassan MA, Yee PL, Tabatabaei M, Othman MR, Mori M, et al.
    Waste Manag Res, 2011 Jun;29(6):602-11.
    PMID: 21447612 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X10397581
    Nitrification of mature sanitary landfill leachate with high-strength of N-NH(4) + (1080-2350 mg L(-1)) was performed in a 10 L continuous nitrification activated sludge reactor. The nitrification system was acclimatized with synthetic leachate during feed batch operation to avoid substrate inhibition before being fed with actual mature leachate. Successful nitrification was achieved with an approximately complete ammonium removal (99%) and 96% of N-NH(4) + conversion to N-NO(-) (3) . The maximum volumetric and specific nitrification rates obtained were 2.56 kg N-NH(4) (+) m(-3) day(-1) and 0.23 g N-NH(4) ( +) g(-1) volatile suspended solid (VSS) day(-1), respectively, at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12.7 h and solid retention time of 50 days. Incomplete nitrification was encountered when operating at a higher nitrogen loading rate of 3.14 kg N-NH(4) (+) m(-3) day(-1). The substrate overloading and nitrifiers competition with heterotrophs were believed to trigger the incomplete nitrification. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results supported the syntrophic association between the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. FISH results also revealed the heterotrophs as the dominant and disintegration of some AOB cell aggregates into single cells which further supported the incomplete nitrification phenomenon.
  9. Virtual counselling of tobacco cessation during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study on the experiences and perceptions of Malaysian dental undergraduates and their patients
    Roslan N, Yusof N, Md Bohari NF, Md Sabri BA, Mohd Radzi NA, Bakri NN, et al.
    Eur J Dent Educ, 2024 Feb;28(1):28-40.
    PMID: 37132218 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12912
    INTRODUCTION: When dental institutions had to close down during the Movement Control Order (MCO) implementation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, dental students were faced with delays in completing their tobacco cessation schedule. An alternative was to allow students to conduct virtual counselling (VC) for smoking cessation for their patients to address their clinical requirements. This study aimed to explore Malaysian dental undergraduates' and patients' experiences undergoing smoking cessation counselling through virtual platforms.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of qualitative, semi-structured Focus Group Discussions (for students, n = 23) and in-depth interviews (for patients, n = 9); to phenomenologically describe the perceptions of participants involved in the VC. Each session was recorded with the participants' permission. The recorded session was transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using the qualitative data analysis software, NVivo™.

    RESULTS: The major themes that emerged were: (1) General opinions and experiences, (2) Content of VCs, (3) Remote access to counselling, (4) Patient-clinician relationships, (5) Technical issues, (6) Changes after VCs, and (7) Future application. Most students and patients were quite comfortable with VC as it is convenient, allowing students to be creative and avoid the hassle of transport and traffic. However, some of the students felt that it lacked the personal touch and guidance from lecturers who would normally be present during physical class.

    CONCLUSION: Virtual counselling enables remote access to counselling, but it is also subjected to some limitations, especially regarding lack of clinical assessments, human touch and internet issues. Though participants were optimistic about adapting it in the future, multiple factors must be considered. Ultimately, the behavioural change will depend on the patient's motivation in making a difference.

  10. Fulltext Mutations of pvdhfr and pvdhps genes in vivax endemic-malaria areas in Kota Marudu and Kalabakan, Sabah
    Sastu UR, Abdullah NR, Norahmad NA, Saat MN, Muniandy PK, Jelip J, et al.
    Malar J, 2016;15:63.
    PMID: 26850038 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1109-9
    Malaria cases persist in some remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak despite the ongoing and largely successful malaria control programme conducted by the Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Ministry Of Health, Malaysia. Point mutations in the genes that encode the two enzymes involved in the folate biosynthesis pathway, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) enzymes confer resistance to pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine respectively, in both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. The aim of the current study was to determine the mutation on both pvdhfr at codon 13, 33, 57, 58, 61, 117, and 173 and pvdhps genes at codon 383 and 553, which are potentially associated with resistance to pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine in P. vivax samples in Sabah.
  11. Fulltext Emotional Intelligence, Depression, Stress and Anxiety Amongst Undergraduate Dental Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Dasor MM, Jafridin AA, Azhar AA, Asma AAA, Manivannan PC, Bilal S, et al.
    Int J Public Health, 2023;68:1604383.
    PMID: 36846156 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1604383
    Objectives: This study aimed to measure depression, anxiety and stress (DAS) among undergraduate dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic, identify key contributing factors of stress and explore the association of emotional intelligence to DAS. Methods: A multi-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted across four universities in Malaysia. The study administered a questionnaire consisting of the validated Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), Dental Environment Stress (DES), Emotional Intelligence Scale (EI) and 10 statements assessing COVID-19 specific potential stressor factors. Results: Participants included 791 students across four universities. Abnormal levels of DAS were identified in 60.6%, 66.8% and 42.6% of the study participants, respectively. "Pressure of performance," "Faculty administration" and "Self-efficacy belief" were the highest rated stressors. On-time graduation was the main COVID-19 specific stressor factor. EI was negatively correlated with DAS scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The levels of DAS during COVID-19 pandemic in this population is high. However, participants with higher EI presented with lower DAS suggesting that EI may be a form of coping resource and should be enhanced in this population.
  12. Fulltext Antimicrobial resistance in methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
    Ali Alghamdi B, Al-Johani I, Al-Shamrani JM, Musamed Alshamrani H, Al-Otaibi BG, Almazmomi K, et al.
    Saudi J Biol Sci, 2023 Apr;30(4):103604.
    PMID: 36936699 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103604
    In the medical community, antibiotics are revered as a miracle because they stop diseases brought on by pathogenic bacteria. Antibiotics have become the cornerstone of contemporary medical advancements ever since penicillin was discovered. Antibiotic resistance developed among germs quickly, placing a strain in the medical field. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Since 1961, has emerged as the major general antimicrobial resistant bacteria (AMR) worldwide. MRSA can easily transmit across the hospital system and has mostly gained resistance to medications called beta-lactamases. This enzyme destroys the cell wall of beta-lactam antibiotics resulting in resistance against that respective antibiotic. Daptomycin, linezolid and vancomycin were previously used to treat MRSA infections. However, due to mutations and Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Open reading frames (ORFs) and SCCmec machinery of respective antibody, MRSA developed resistance against those antibiotics. The MRSA strains (USA300, CC398, CC130 etc.), when their pan-genomes were analyzed were found the genes involved in invoking resistance against the antibiotics as well as the epidemiology of that respective strain. PENC (penicillin plus potassium clavulanate) is the new antibiotic showing potential in treatment of MRSA though it is itself resistant against penicillin alone. In this review, our main focus is on mechanism of development of AMR in MRSA, how different ORFs are involved in evoking resistance in MRSA and what is the core-genome of different antimicrobial resistant MRSA.
  13. Marrow talaromycosis as the initial presentation in a case of Burkitt lymphoma
    Hasbullah NE, Raja Sabudin RZA, Asri AS, Yusof N, Leong CF, Mohammed F, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2024 Aug;46(2):325-329.
    PMID: 39207011
    Talaromyces marneffei is a thermally dimorphic fungus which causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. The diagnosis of T. marneffei infection rests on the microscopic demonstration of the fungus in the tissues and/or isolation of the fungus from clinical specimens. In this report, we discuss a case involving a 23-year-old man who presented with a history of intermittent fever, cough and constitutional symptoms. Clinically, the patient exhibited pallor, jaundice, generalized seborrhoeic dermatitis, hepatomegaly, and small palpable cervical lymph nodes. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen showed homogenous hypodense lesions in both liver lobes. HIV screening result was reactive. Microscopic examination of the bone marrow aspirate smear and trephine biopsy identified fungal bodies, and culture of the marrow aspirate confirmed the presence of T. marneffei. Notably, the liver biopsy revealed Burkitt lymphoma alongside fungal bodies. He was treated with intravenous Amphotericin B but ultimately succumbed to the illness due to severe metabolic acidosis and multiorgan failure. This case underscores the importance of presumptive diagnosis through morphological or histological examination of bone marrow samples, as microbiologic culture methods can be time-consuming. Timely diagnosis and aggressive treatment are critical in managing patients with T. marneffei infection.
  14. Identifying predictors of worsening glycaemic outcomes in prediabetes: a two-year cohort study in Terengganu, Malaysia
    Yusof NA, Idris NA, Abdul Aziz A, Naing NN, Oo SS, Aung MMT, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2025 Mar;80(2):212-220.
    PMID: 40145165
    INTRODUCTION: Prediabetes is a critical stage preceding diabetes mellitus (DM) which is also associated with an elevated risk of developing DM and related complications. Addressing predictors that influence the progression or regression of glycaemic outcomes in prediabetic individuals can enhance intervention strategies. This study aims to identify key predictors of glycaemic progression among adults with prediabetes in Terengganu, Malaysia.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 592 prediabetic adults from 28 health clinics in Terengganu between January 2019 and June 2023. Participants were selected based on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results indicating prediabetes. Sociodemographic, medical background, and clinical data, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and lipid profiles, were extracted from medical records. Glycaemic outcomes were classified into three categories: reversion to normoglyacemia, persistent prediabetes, or progression to DM, based on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels taken within two years of follow-up. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify the significant predictors influencing these outcomes.

    RESULTS: Analysis showed age, BMI, underlying dyslipidaemia, FBS, and triglyceride levels as significant predictors of glycaemic progression. Specifically, each additional year of age and each one-unit increase in BMI raised the likelihood of progression to DM by 3% and 6%, respectively. Participants with dyslipidaemia were noted to have a 67% higher risk of worsening glycaemic status, while increases in FBS and triglyceride levels were associated with 65% and 34% greater odds of diabetic progression, respectively.

    CONCLUSION: This study identifies critical predictors of glycaemic outcomes in prediabetic adults, emphasizing the role of age, BMI, dyslipidaemia, FBS, and triglycerides in the disease progression. These findings support the development of targeted interventions that address these risk factors to curb diabetes progression in high-risk individuals, contributing valuable insights into diabetes prevention strategies tailored for Malaysian populations.

  15. Harnessing the photocatalytic potential of bismuth ferrite-activated carbon nanocomposite (BFO-AC) for Staphylococcus aureus decontamination under visible light
    Daub NA, Aziz F, Mhamad SA, Chee DNA, Jaafar J, Yusof N, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Mar;31(11):16629-16641.
    PMID: 38321283 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32261-w
    In response to the escalating global issue of microbial contamination, this study introduces a breakthrough photocatalyst: bismuth ferrite-activated carbon (BFO-AC) for visible light-driven disinfection, specifically targeting the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Employing an ultrasonication method, we synthesized various BFO-AC ratios and subjected them to comprehensive characterization. Remarkably, the bismuth ferrite-activated carbon 1:1.5 ratio (BA 1:1.5) nanocomposite exhibited the narrowest band gap of 1.86 eV. Notably, BA (1:1.5) demonstrated an exceptional BET surface area of 862.99 m2/g, a remarkable improvement compared to pristine BFO with only 27.61 m2/g. Further investigation through FE-SEM unveiled the presence of BFO nanoparticles on the activated carbon surface. Crucially, the photocatalytic efficacy of BA (1:1.5) towards S. aureus reached its zenith, achieving complete inactivation in just 60 min. TEM analysis revealed severe damage and rupture of bacterial cells, affirming the potent disinfection capabilities of BA (1:1.5). This exceptional disinfection efficiency underscores the promising potential of BA (1:1.5) for the treatment of contaminated water sources. Importantly, our results underscore the enhanced photocatalytic performance with an increased content of activated carbon, suggesting a promising avenue for more effective microorganism inactivation.
  16. Fulltext Exposure to environmental microbiota explains persistent abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome after a major flood
    Yusof N, Hamid N, Ma ZF, Lawenko RM, Wan Mohammad WMZ, Collins DA, et al.
    Gut Pathog, 2017;9:75.
    PMID: 29255490 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-017-0224-7
    Background: After an environmental disaster, the affected community is at increased risk for persistent abdominal pain but mechanisms are unclear. Therefore, our study aimed to determine association between abdominal pain and poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) practices, and if small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and/or gut dysbiosis explain IBS, impaired quality of life (QOL), anxiety and/or depression after a major flood.

    Results: New onset abdominal pain, IBS based on the Rome III criteria, WaSH practices, QOL, anxiety and/or depression, SIBO (hydrogen breath testing) and stools for metagenomic sequencing were assessed in flood victims. Of 211 participants, 37.9% (n = 80) had abdominal pain and 17% (n = 36) with IBS subtyped diarrhea and/or mixed type (n = 27 or 12.8%) being the most common. Poor WaSH practices and impaired quality of life during flood were significantly associated with IBS. Using linear discriminant analysis effect size method, gut dysbiosis was observed in those with anxiety (Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, effect size 4.8), abdominal pain (Fusobacteria, Staphylococcus, Megamonas and Plesiomonas, effect size 4.0) and IBS (Plesiomonas and Trabulsiella, effect size 3.0).

    Conclusion: Disturbed gut microbiota because of environmentally-derived organisms may explain persistent abdominal pain and IBS after a major environmental disaster in the presence of poor WaSH practices.

  17. Photocatalytic degradation of oilfield produced water using graphitic carbon nitride embedded in electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers
    Alias NH, Jaafar J, Samitsu S, Yusof N, Othman MHD, Rahman MA, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2018 Aug;204:79-86.
    PMID: 29653325 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.04.033
    Separation and purification of oilfield produced water (OPW) is a major environmental challenge due to the co-production of the OPW during petroleum exploration and production operations. Effective capture of oil contaminant and its in-situ photodegradation is one of the promising methods to purify the OPW. Based on the photocatalytic capability of graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) which was recently rediscovered, photodegradation capability of GCN for OPW was investigated in this study. GCN was synthesized by calcination of urea and further exfoliated into nanosheets. The GCNs were incorporated into polyacrylonitrile nanofibers using electrospinning, which gave a liquid-permeable self-supporting photocatalytic nanofiber mat that can be handled by hand. The photocatalytic nanofiber demonstrated 85.4% degradation of OPW under visible light irradiation, and improved the degradation to 96.6% under UV light. Effective photodegradation of the photocatalytic nanofiber for OPW originates from synergetic effects of oil adsorption by PAN nanofibers and oil photodegradation by GCNs. This study provides an insight for industrial application on purification of OPW through photocatalytic degradation under solar irradiation.
  18. Hydrous ferric oxide nanoparticles hosted porous polyethersulfone adsorptive membrane: chromium (VI) adsorptive studies and its applicability for water/wastewater treatment
    Abdullah N, Yusof N, Abu Shah MH, Wan Ikhsan SN, Ng ZC, Maji S, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Jul;26(20):20386-20399.
    PMID: 31102226 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05208-9
    In this present study, adsorptive membranes for Cr(VI) ion removal were prepared by blending polyethersulfone (PES) with hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) nanoparticles (NPs). The effects of HFO NPs to PES weight ratio (0-1.5) on the physicochemical properties of the resultant HFO/PES adsorptive membranes were investigated with respect to the surface chemistry and roughness as well as structural morphologies using different analytical instruments. The adsorptive performance of the HFO NPs/PES membranes was studied via batch adsorption experiments under various conditions by varying solution pH, initial concentration of Cr(VI), and contact time. The results showed that the membrane made of HFO/PES at a weight ratio of 1.0 exhibited the highest adsorption capacity which is 13.5 mg/g. Isotherm and kinetic studies revealed that the mechanism is best fitted to the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order model. For filtration of Cr(VI), the best promising membranes showed improved water flux (629.3 L/m2 h) with Cr(VI) ion removal of 75%. More importantly, the newly developed membrane maintained the Cr(VI) concentration below the maximum contamination level (MCL) for up to 9 h.
  19. Fulltext Complete Genome Sequence of Lignin-Degrading Streptomyces sp. Strain S6, Isolated from an Oil Palm Plantation in Malaysia
    Yusof N, Abdullah Tahir A, Riyadi FA, Ahmad Sabri NS, Md Akhir FN, Othman N, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2020 Jan 30;9(5).
    PMID: 32001560 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.01332-19
    Streptomyces spp. are bacteria that are responsible for the degradation of aromatic compounds and produce secondary metabolites. Here, we present a complete genome sequence of Streptomyces sp. strain S6, which was isolated from an oil palm plantation, with a 7.8-Mbp liner chromosome, a GC content of 72%, and 4,266 coding sequences.
  20. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of the Prazosin-Degrading Bacillus sp. Strain PR5, Isolated from a River Receiving Hospital and Urban Wastewater in Malaysia
    Ahmad Sabri NS, Mohd Mohsi NF, Apandi A, Yusof N, Megat Mohd Noor MJ, Md Akhir FN, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2021 Mar 18;10(11).
    PMID: 33737348 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00025-21
    We report the complete genome sequence of Bacillus sp. strain PR5, isolated from a river receiving hospital and urban wastewater in Malaysia, which demonstrated a high capability for degrading prazosin. This genome sequence of 4,525,264 bp exhibited 41.5% GC content, 4,402 coding sequences, and 32 RNAs.
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