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Could bacteriophages isolated from the sewage be the solution to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

Tan CS, Aqiludeen NA, Tan R, Gowbei A, Mijen AB, Santhana Raj L, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2020 03;75(2):110-116.
PMID: 32281590

INTRODUCTIONS: The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria such as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) complicates the treatment of the simplest infection. Although glycopeptides such as vancomycin still proves to be effective in treating MRSA infections, the emergence of vancomycin-resistant strains limits the long term use of this antibiotic. Bacteriophages are ubiquitous bacterial viruses which is capable of infecting and killing bacteria including its antibiotic-resistant strains. Bactericidal bacteriophages use mechanisms that is distinct from antibiotics and is not affected by the antibioticresistant phenotypes.
OBJECTIVES: The study was undertaken to evaluate the possibility to isolate bacteriolytic bacteriophages against S.aureus from raw sewage water and examine their efficacy as antimicrobial agents in vitro.
METHODS: Bacteriophages were isolated from the raw sewage using the agar overlay method. Isolated bacteriophages were plaque purified to obtain homogenous bacteriophage isolates. The host range of the bacteriophages was determined using the spot test assay against the 25 MRSA and 36 MSSA isolates obtained from the Sarawak General Hospital. Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus sciuri and Staphylococcus xylosus were included as non-SA controls. The identity of the bacteriophages was identified via Transmission Electron Microscopy and genomic size analysis. Their stability at different pH and temperature were elucidated.
RESULTS: A total of 10 lytic bacteriophages infecting S.aureus were isolated and two of them namely ΦNUSA-1 and ΦNUSA-10 from the family of Myoviridae and Siphoviridae respectively exhibited exceptionally broad host range against >80% of MRSA and MSSA tested. Both bacteriophages were specific to S.aureus and stable at both physiologic pH and temperature.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the abundance of S.aureus specific bacteriophages in raw sewage. Their high virulence against both MSSA and MRSA is an excellent antimicrobial characteristic which can be exploited for bacteriophage therapy against MRSA.
Fulltext Angular Deformities of the Knee in Children Treated with Guided Growth

Jamil K, Yahaya MY, Abd-Rasid AF, Ibrahim S, Abdul-Rashid AH

Malays Orthop J, 2021 Jul;15(2):26-35.
PMID: 34429819 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2107.005

Introduction: The guided growth technique is an alternative to corrective osteotomy for treating angular deformities of the extremities. It has the advantage of being minimally invasive and is effective in a growing child. This study reports on the outcome of guided growth technique using a plate in correcting knee angular deformities.
Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of children with angular deformity of the knee treated by the guided growth technique from January 2010 to December 2015 in a tertiary centre. The guided growth technique was done using either the flexible titanium plate (8-plate) or the 2-hole reconstruction plate. Correction of deformity was assessed on radiographs by evaluating the mechanical axis deviation and tibiofemoral angle. The implants were removed once deformity correction was achieved.
Results: A total of 17 patients (27 knees) were evaluated. Twenty-two knees (81.5%) achieved complete correction of the deformity. The median age was 4.0 (interquartile range 3.0-6.0) years and the median Body Mass Index (BMI) was 26.0 (25.0-28.0). There were 7 unilateral and 10 bilateral deformities with different pathologies (14 tibia vara, 3 genu valgus). The median rate of correction was 0.71° per month. One patient (1 knee) had screw pull-out and two patients (4 knees) had broken screws in the proximal tibia. Three patients (5 knees) failed to achieve complete correction and were subsequently treated with corrective osteotomies. Out of five patients (8 knees) who were followed-up for at least 12 months after removal of hardware, two had rebound deformities. No permanent growth retardation occurred in our patients.
Conclusion: Our outcome for guided growth to correct knee angular deformity was similar to other studies. Guided growth is safe to perform in children below 12 years old and has good outcome in idiopathic genu valgus and Langeskiold II for tibia vara. Patients should be observed for recurrence until skeletal maturity following implant removal.
Fulltext Plant-Based Biosynthesis of Copper/Copper Oxide Nanoparticles: An Update on Their Applications in Biomedicine, Mechanisms, and Toxicity

Letchumanan D, Sok SPM, Ibrahim S, Nagoor NH, Arshad NM

Biomolecules, 2021 04 12;11(4).
PMID: 33921379 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040564

Plants are rich in phytoconstituent biomolecules that served as a good source of medicine. More recently, they have been employed in synthesizing metal/metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) due to their capping and reducing properties. This green synthesis approach is environmentally friendly and allows the production of the desired NPs in different sizes and shapes by manipulating parameters during the synthesis process. The most commonly used metals and oxides are gold (Au), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu). Among these, Cu is a relatively low-cost metal that is more cost-effective than Au and Ag. In this review, we present an overview and current update of plant-mediated Cu/copper oxide (CuO) NPs, including their synthesis, medicinal applications, and mechanisms. Furthermore, the toxic effects of these NPs and their efficacy compared to commercial NPs are reviewed. This review provides an insight into the potential of developing plant-based Cu/CuO NPs as a therapeutic agent for various diseases in the future.
Multivariate analysis for source identification of pollution in sediment of Linggi River, Malaysia

Elias MS, Ibrahim S, Samuding K, Rahman SA, Wo YM, Daung JAD

Environ Monit Assess, 2018 Mar 29;190(4):257.
PMID: 29600468 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-6632-4

Rapid socioeconomic development in the Linggi River Basin has contributed to the significant increase of pollution discharge into the Linggi River and its adjacent coastal areas. The toxic element contents and distributions in the sediment samples collected along the Linggi River were determined using neutron activation analysis (NAA) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques. The measured mean concentration of As, Cd, Pb, Sb, U, Th and Zn is relatively higher compared to the continental crust value of the respective element. Most of the elements (As, Cr, Fe, Pb, Sb and Zn) exceeded the freshwater sediment quality guideline-threshold effect concentration (FSQG-TEC) value. Downstream stations of the Linggi River showed that As concentrations in sediment exceeded the freshwater sediment quality guideline-probable effect concentration (FSQG-PEC) value. This indicates that the concentration of As will give an adverse effect to the growth of sediment-dwelling organisms. Generally, the Linggi River sediment can be categorised as unpolluted to strongly polluted and unpolluted to strongly to extremely polluted. The correlation matrix of metal-metal relationship, principle component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) indicates that the pollution sources of Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb in sediments of the Linggi River originated from the industry of electronics and electroplating. Elements of As, Cr, Sb and Fe mainly originated from motor-vehicle workshops and metal work, whilst U and Th originated from natural processes such as terrestrial runoff and land erosion.
Assessment of toxic elements in sediments of Linggi River using NAA and ICP-MS techniques

Elias MS, Ibrahim S, Samuding K, Rahman SA, Wo YM

MethodsX, 2018;5:454-465.
PMID: 30090704 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2018.05.001

Fourteen sediment samples were collected along Linggi River, Malaysia. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques were used in the determination of toxic element contents. The results showed that As, Cd and Sb concentrations were higher at all sampling stations, with enrichment factor values ranging from 17.7 to 75.0, 2.1 to 19.5 and 6.6 to 28.4, respectively. Elements of Pb and Zn) were also enriched at most of the sampling stations whilst Cu, Cr and Ni were shown as background levels. The sediment of Linggi River can be categorised as low (<8.0) to very high degree of contamination (>32.0). The mean concentrations of elements viz. Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn were lower than the threshold effect level (TEL) of FSQGs values except for As. The concentration of As (arsenic) was higher than PEL and PEC of FSQGs values.
The state-of-the-art system dynamics application in integrated water resources modeling

Zomorodian M, Lai SH, Homayounfar M, Ibrahim S, Fatemi SE, El-Shafie A

J Environ Manage, 2018 Dec 01;227:294-304.
PMID: 30199725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.08.097

In recent years, water resources management has become more complicated and controversial due to the impacts of various factors affecting hydrological systems. System Dynamics (SD) has in turn become increasingly popular due to its advantages as a tool for dealing with such complex systems. However, SD also has some limitations. This review contains a comprehensive survey of the existing literature on SD as a potential method to deal with the complexity of system integrated modeling, with a particular focus on the application of SD to the integrated modeling of water resources systems. It discusses the limitations of SD in these contexts, and highlights a number of studies which have applied a combination of SD and other methods to overcome these limitations. Finally, our study makes a number of recommendations for future modifications in the application of SD methods in order to enhance their performance.
Production of bio-hydrogen from dairy wastewater using pretreated landfill leachate sludge as an inoculum

Wong YM, Show PL, Wu TY, Leong HY, Ibrahim S, Juan JC

J Biosci Bioeng, 2019 Feb;127(2):150-159.
PMID: 30224189 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2018.07.012

Bio-hydrogen production from wastewater using sludge as inoculum is a sustainable approach for energy production. This study investigated the influence of initial pH and temperature on bio-hydrogen production from dairy wastewater using pretreated landfill leachate sludge (LLS) as an inoculum. The maximum yield of 113.2 ± 2.9 mmol H2/g chemical oxygen demand (COD) (12.8 ± 0.3 mmol H2/g carbohydrates) was obtained at initial pH 6 and 37 °C. The main products of volatile fatty acids were acetate and butyrate with the ratio of acetate:butyrate was 0.4. At optimum condition, Gibb's free energy was estimated at -40 kJ/mol, whereas the activation enthalpy and entropy were 65 kJ/mol and 0.128 kJ/mol/l, respectively. These thermodynamic quantities suggest that bio-hydrogen production from dairy wastewater using pretreated LLS as inoculum was effective and efficient. In addition, genomic and bioinformatics analyses were performed in this study.
Assessment of vaccination with gamma radiationattenuated infective Toxocara canis eggs on murine toxocariasis

Hafez EN, Awadallah FM, Ibrahim SA, Amin MM, El-Nawasera NZ

Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):89-102.
PMID: 33612721

Toxocara canis is a major parasite that infects many animals with high risk of human infections. This study aims at assessing the immunization with gamma radiationattenuated infective stage on rats challenged with non-irradiated dose. Level of vaccine protection was evaluated in liver and lung regarding parasitological, histopathological, biochemical and molecular parameters. Fifty rats were enrolled in three groups: group A (10 rats) as normal control; group B (20 rats) subdivided into subgroup B1 (infected control) and subgroup B2 infected then challenged after 14 days with the same dose of infection (challenged infected control); and group C (20 rats) subdivided into subgroup C1 vaccinated with a dose of 800 gray (Gy) gamma-radiated infective eggs (vaccine control) and subgroup C2 vaccinated then challenged on 14th day with same number of infective eggs (vaccinated-challenged). Tissues were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H and E) for histopathological studies. Biochemical studies through detection of nitric oxide (NO) and Caspase-3 were conducted. Extent of DNA damage by Comet assay was assessed. Vaccinated-challenged subgroup revealed a marked reduction in larvae in tissues with mild associated histological changes. In addition there was accompanied reduction of NO, Casepase-3 level and DNA damage compared to the control infected group. It could be concluded that vaccination of rats with a dose of 800Gy gamma radiation-attenuated infective stage improves immune response to challenge infection and drastically reduces the morbidity currently seen.
Fulltext Phylogenetically Diverse Escherichia coli Strains from Chicken Coharbor Multiple Carbapenemase-Encoding Genes (bla NDM -bla OXA-blaIMP)

Aklilu E, Harun A, Singh KKB, Ibrahim S, Kamaruzzaman NF

Biomed Res Int, 2021;2021:5596502.
PMID: 34660793 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5596502

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has been a public health risk in several countries, and recent reports indicate the emergence of CRE in food animals. This study was conducted to investigate the occurrence, resistance patterns, and phylogenetic diversity of carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CREC) from chicken. Routine bacteriology, PCR detection of E. coli species, multiplex PCR to detect carbapenemase-encoding genes, and phylogeny of CRE E. coli were conducted. The results show that 24.36% (19/78) were identified as CREC based on the phenotypic identifications of which 17 were positive for the tested carbapenemases genes. The majority, 57.99% (11/19), of the isolates harbored multiple carbapenemase genes. Four isolates harbored all bla NDM, bla OXA, and bla IMP, and five and two different isolates harbored bla NDM and bla OXA and bla OXA and bla IMP, respectively. The meropenem, imipenem, and ertapenem MIC values for the isolates ranged from 2 μg/mL to ≥256 μg/mL. Phylogenetic grouping showed that the CREC isolates belonged to five different groups: groups A, B1, C, D, and unknown. The detection of CREC in this study shows that it has become an emerging problem in farm animals, particularly, in poultry farms. This also implies the potential public health risks posed by CRE from chicken to the consumers.
Fulltext Batch growth kinetic studies of locally isolated cyanide-degrading Serratia marcescens strain AQ07

Karamba KI, Ahmad SA, Zulkharnain A, Yasid NA, Ibrahim S, Shukor MY

3 Biotech, 2018 Jan;8(1):11.
PMID: 29259886 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-017-1025-x

The evaluation of degradation and growth kinetics of Serratia marcescens strain AQ07 was carried out using three half-order models at all the initial concentrations of cyanide with the values of regression exceeding 0.97. The presence of varying cyanide concentrations reveals that the growth and degradation of bacteria were affected by the increase in cyanide concentration with a total halt at 700 ppm KCN after 72 h incubation. In this study, specific growth and degradation rates were found to trail the substrate inhibition kinetics. These two rates fitted well to the kinetic models of Teissier, Luong, Aiba and Heldane, while the performance of Monod model was found to be unsatisfactory. These models were used to clarify the substrate inhibition on the bacteria growth. The analyses of these models have shown that Luong model has fitted the experimental data with the highest coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.9794 and 0.9582 with the lowest root mean square error (RMSE) value of 0.000204 and 0.001, respectively, for the specific rate of degradation and growth. It is the only model that illustrates the maximum substrate concentration (Sm) of 713.4 and empirical constant (n) of 1.516. Tessier and Aiba fitted the experimental data with a R2 value of 0.8002 and 0.7661 with low RMSE of 0.0006, respectively, for specific biodegradation rate, while having a R2 value of 0.9 and RMSE of 0.001, respectively, for specific growth rate. Haldane has the lowest R2 value of 0.67 and 0.78 for specific biodegradation and growth rate with RMSE of 0.0006 and 0.002, respectively. This indicates the level of the bacteria stability in varying concentrations of cyanide and the maximum cyanide concentration it can tolerate within a specific time period. The biokinetic constant predicted from this model demonstrates a good ability of the locally isolated bacteria in cyanide remediation in industrial effluents.
Blood pressure profile in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

Cader RA, Gafor HA, Mohd R, Ibrahim S, Wan Haslina WH, Bain A, et al.

EXCLI J, 2012;11:116-24.
PMID: 27366136

Cardiovascular mortality is the leading cause of death in end stage renal disease. Despite being on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), blood pressure (BP) remains poorly controlled. A higher pulse pressure and non dipping are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. We studied BP control and the prevalence of non dipping in CAPD patients.
Fulltext Valorisation of medical waste through pyrolysis for a cleaner environment: Progress and challenges

Su G, Ong HC, Ibrahim S, Fattah IMR, Mofijur M, Chong CT

Environ Pollut, 2021 Jun 15;279:116934.
PMID: 33744627 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116934

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted great shocks and challenges to the environment, society and economy. Simultaneously, an intractable issue appeared: a considerable number of hazardous medical wastes have been generated from the hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities, constituting a serious threat to public health and environmental sustainability without proper management. Traditional disposal methods like incineration, landfill and autoclaving are unable to reduce environmental burden due to the issues such as toxic gas release, large land occupation, and unsustainability. While the application of clean and safe pyrolysis technology on the medical wastes treatment to produce high-grade bioproducts has the potential to alleviate the situation. Besides, medical wastes are excellent and ideal raw materials, which possess high hydrogen, carbon content and heating value. Consequently, pyrolysis of medical wastes can deal with wastes and generate valuable products like bio-oil and biochar. Consequently, this paper presents a critical and comprehensive review of the pyrolysis of medical wastes. It demonstrates the feasibility of pyrolysis, which mainly includes pyrolysis characteristics, product properties, related problems, the prospects and future challenges of pyrolysis of medical wastes.
An overview of groundwater chemistry studies in Malaysia

Kura NU, Ramli MF, Sulaiman WNA, Ibrahim S, Aris AZ

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2018 Mar;25(8):7231-7249.
PMID: 26686857 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5957-6

In this paper, numerous studies on groundwater in Malaysia were reviewed with the aim of evaluating past trends and the current status for discerning the sustainability of the water resources in the country. It was found that most of the previous groundwater studies (44 %) focused on the islands and mostly concentrated on qualitative assessment with more emphasis being placed on seawater intrusion studies. This was then followed by inland-based studies, with Selangor state leading the studies which reflected the current water challenges facing the state. From a methodological perspective, geophysics, graphical methods, and statistical analysis are the dominant techniques (38, 25, and 25 %) respectively. The geophysical methods especially the 2D resistivity method cut across many subjects such as seawater intrusion studies, quantitative assessment, and hydraulic parameters estimation. The statistical techniques used include multivariate statistical analysis techniques and ANOVA among others, most of which are quality related studies using major ions, in situ parameters, and heavy metals. Conversely, numerical techniques like MODFLOW were somewhat less admired which is likely due to their complexity in nature and high data demand. This work will facilitate researchers in identifying the specific areas which need improvement and focus, while, at the same time, provide policymakers and managers with an executive summary and knowledge of the current situation in groundwater studies and where more work needs to be done for sustainable development.
An integrated assessment of seawater intrusion in a small tropical island using geophysical, geochemical, and geostatistical techniques

Kura NU, Ramli MF, Ibrahim S, Sulaiman WN, Aris AZ

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2014;21(11):7047-64.
PMID: 24532282 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-2598-0

In this study, geophysics, geochemistry, and geostatistical techniques were integrated to assess seawater intrusion in Kapas Island due to its geological complexity and multiple contamination sources. Five resistivity profiles were measured using an electric resistivity technique. The results reveal very low resistivity <1 Ωm, suggesting either marine clay deposit or seawater intrusion or both along the majority of the resistivity images. As a result, geochemistry was further employed to verify the resistivity evidence. The Chadha and Stiff diagrams classify the island groundwater into Ca-HCO3, Ca-Na-HCO3, Na-HCO3, and Na-Cl water types, with Ca-HCO3 as the dominant. The Mg(2+)/Mg(2+)+Ca(2+), HCO3 (-)/anion, Cl(-)/HCO3 (-), Na(+)/Cl(-), and SO4 (2-)/Cl(-) ratios show that some sampling sites are affected by seawater intrusion; these sampling sites fall within the same areas that show low-resistivity values. The resulting ratios and resistivity values were then used in the geographical information system (GIS) environment to create the geostatistical map of individual indicators. These maps were then overlaid to create the final map showing seawater-affected areas. The final map successfully delineates the area that is actually undergoing seawater intrusion. The proposed technique is not area specific, and hence, it can work in any place with similar completed characteristics or under the influence of multiple contaminants so as to distinguish the area that is truly affected by any targeted pollutants from the rest. This information would provide managers and policy makers with the knowledge of the current situation and will serve as a guide and standard in water research for sustainable management plan.
Assessment of groundwater vulnerability to anthropogenic pollution and seawater intrusion in a small tropical island using index-based methods

Kura NU, Ramli MF, Ibrahim S, Sulaiman WN, Aris AZ, Tanko AI, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2015 Jan;22(2):1512-33.
PMID: 25163562 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3444-0

In this work, the DRASTIC and GALDIT models were employed to determine the groundwater vulnerability to contamination from anthropogenic activities and seawater intrusion in Kapas Island. In addition, the work also utilized sensitivity analysis to evaluate the influence of each individual parameter used in developing the final models. Based on these effects and variation indices of the said parameters, new effective weights were determined and were used to create modified DRASTIC and GALDIT models. The final DRASTIC model classified the island into five vulnerability classes: no risk (110-140), low (140-160), moderate (160-180), high (180-200), and very high (>200), covering 4, 26, 59, 4, and 7 % of the island, respectively. Likewise, for seawater intrusion, the modified GALDIT model delineates the island into four vulnerability classes: very low (<90), low (90-110), moderate (110-130), and high (>130) covering 39, 33, 18, and 9 % of the island, respectively. Both models show that the areas that are likely to be affected by anthropogenic pollution and seawater intrusion are within the alluvial deposit at the western part of the island. Pearson correlation was used to verify the reliability of the two models in predicting their respective contaminants. The correlation matrix showed a good relationship between DRASTIC model and nitrate (r = 0.58). In a similar development, the correlation also reveals a very strong negative relationship between GALDIT model and seawater contaminant indicator (resistivity Ωm) values (r = -0.86) suggesting that the model predicts more than 86 % of seawater intrusion. In order to facilitate management strategy, suitable areas for artificial recharge were identified through modeling. The result suggested some areas within the alluvial deposit at the western part of the island as suitable for artificial recharge. This work can serve as a guide for a full vulnerability assessment to anthropogenic pollution and seawater intrusion in small islands and will help policy maker and manager with understanding needed to ensure sustainability of the island's aquifer.
Fulltext Co-pyrolysis of medical protective clothing and oil palm wastes for biofuel: Experimental, techno-economic, and environmental analyses

Su G, Zulkifli NWM, Ong HC, Ibrahim S, Cheah MY, Zhu R, et al.

Energy (Oxf), 2023 Jun 15;273:127221.
PMID: 36942281 DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.127221

The ongoing global pandemic of COVID-19 has devastatingly influenced the environment, society, and economy around the world. Numerous medical resources are used to inhibit the infectious transmission of the virus, resulting in massive medical waste. This study proposes a sustainable and environment-friendly method to convert hazardous medical waste into valuable fuel products through pyrolysis. Medical protective clothing (MPC), a typical medical waste from COVID-19, was utilized for co-pyrolysis with oil palm wastes (OPWs). The utilization of MPC improved the bio-oil properties in OPWs pyrolysis. The addition of catalysts further ameliorated the bio-oil quality. HZSM-5 was more effective in producing hydrocarbons in bio-oil, and the relevant reaction pathway was proposed. Meanwhile, a project was simulated to co-produce bio-oil and electricity from the co-pyrolysis of OPWs and MPC from application perspectives. The techno-economic analysis indicated that the project was economically feasible, and the payback period was 6.30-8.75 years. Moreover, it was also environmentally benign as its global warming potential varied from -211.13 to -90.76 kg CO2-eq/t. Therefore, converting MPC and OPWs into biofuel and electricity through co-pyrolysis is a green, economic, and sustainable method that can decrease waste, produce valuable fuel products, and achieve remarkable economic and environmental benefits.
Fulltext Polyurethane Application to Transform Screen-Printed Electrode for Rapid Identification of Histamine Isolated from Fish

Munir MA, Jamal JA, Said MM, Ibrahim S, Ahmad MS

Scientifica (Cairo), 2023;2023:5444256.
PMID: 37051152 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5444256

The toxicity of histamine has attracted numerous researchers to develop a method for histamine determination purposes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unequivocally prohibits the consumption of histamine above 50 mg·kg-1. Thus, an innovation in histamine detection in fish has been developed in this research. The investigation of the histamine level in fish has been conducted by using an electrochemical sensor approach and producing a polymer via molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) on a screen-printed electrode. The technique was validated by assessing the shifts in electron shifting using the cyclic voltammetry (CV) approach and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), whereas differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was applied to validate the sensor method. The instruments showed a linear response ranging from 1-1000 nmol·L-1, with a detection limit of MIP/SPE at 1.765 nmol·L-1 and 709 nmol·L-1 for the NIP/SPE, respectively. The sensing technique was employed to determine the histamine level in selected samples at room temperature (25°C). The outcomes of this study indicated that the validated chemical sensor allowed accurate and precise detection of fish samples and can be categorized as a simple approach. The instrument is inexpensive and suitable for on-site detection.
Fulltext Inspecting Histamine Isolated from Fish through a Highly Selective Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor Approach

Munir MA, Rahmawati F, Jamal JA, Ibrahim S, Said MM, Ahmad MS

ACS Omega, 2023 Apr 11;8(14):13352-13361.
PMID: 37065053 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c00768

Numerous analytical approaches have been developed to determine histamine levels in food samples due to its health consequences. Consuming histamine over the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated 50 mg kg-1 limit would result in chronic toxicity. Consequently, the present study discusses a novel electrochemical approach to evaluate histamine levels in fish products via a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) on an electrode surface. The film was produced with electropolymerized polyurethane (PU), which maintained the histamine compound. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was applied to verify the MIP manufactured in this study. The capability of the polymer was measured by assessing its electron shifts with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was also employed to validate the sensing method. The MIP/screen-printed electrode (SPE) and non-imprinted polymer (NIP)/SPE recorded a linear response ranging from 1 to 1000 nmol L-1 at the 1.765 and 709 nmol L-1 detection limits. The sensing technique was subsequently utilized to determine the histamine levels in selected samples at room temperature (25 °C). Generally, the sensor allowed the accurate and precise detection of histamine in the fish samples. Furthermore, the approach could be categorized as a simple technique that is low-cost and suitable for on-site detections.
Knee measurements among children with normal alignment, physiologic and pathologic bowing aged 0-3 years old: a systematic review

Jamil K, Chew WY, Bohari NE, George S, Isahak NH, Boopalachandran B, et al.

J Pediatr Orthop B, 2022 Mar 01;31(2):105-113.
PMID: 34406160 DOI: 10.1097/BPB.0000000000000908

Distinguishing physiologic and pathologic genu varus is challenging among children below age 3. They can be assessed by measuring intercondylar distance (ICD), clinical tibiofemoral angle (cTFA) or radiologic TFA (rTFA). We aim to determine the knee measurement values among three groups of children. Medline (1946-) and EMBase (1947-) were searched until 31 July 2020 using a search strategy. Studies with original data which reported knee measurements among children with normal alignment, physiologic and pathologic bowing between the ages of 0-3 years were included. In total 1897 studies were identified, and 16 studies included after title and abstract screening. These studies involved 1335 patients with normal alignment, 286 with physiologic and 184 with pathologic bowing. Five studies provided data on ICD, seven on cTFA and eight on rTFA which were pooled for meta-analyses. Normal children had neither measurable ICD nor demonstrable varus on cTFA after 19 months old. The mean (95% confidence interval) ICD for children with pathologic genu varus at 18 months was 4.41 (4.19-4.63). The rTFA for children with pathologic compared to the physiologic bowing by age groups was; 11-20 months: 24.74°(23.22°-26.26°) vs. 19.44°(17.05°-21.84°), 21-30 months: 20.35°(18.13°-22.56°) vs. 14.72°(12.32°-17.12°) and 12-36 months: 32.60°(26.40°-38.80°) vs. 19.14°(17.78°-20.50°). Children above the age of 18 months with genu varus should be closely monitored clinically using ICD or cTFA. An ICD of more than 4 cm may warrant further investigation for pathologic cause. rTFA has limited use in the detection of pathologic varus.
Oilseed meals into foods: an approach for the valorization of oilseed by-products

Nevara GA, Giwa Ibrahim S, Syed Muhammad SK, Zawawi N, Mustapha NA, Karim R

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2023;63(23):6330-6343.
PMID: 35089825 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2031092

The excellent health benefits of oil extracted from seeds have increased its application in foods, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. This trend leads to a growing research area on their by-products, oilseed meals, to minimize environmental and economic issues. Examples of these by-products are soybean, peanut, kenaf seed, hemp, sesame, and chia seed meals. It is well known that soybean meals have wide applications in food and non-food industries, while other seed meals are not well established. Most oilseed meals are rich in health beneficial compounds and are potential sources of plant protein, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. Many studies have reported on the valorization of these by-products into value-added food products such as bakery and meat products to increase their nutritional and functional properties. These efforts contribute to the sustainability, development of novel functional food and support the zero-waste concept for the environment. This review aims to provide information on the composition of selected oilseed meals from soybean, peanut, hemp, kenaf, sesame and chia seeds, their potential applications in the bakery, meat, beverage, pasta, and other food products, and to highlight the issues and challenges associated with the utilization of oilseed meals into various food products.

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