MyMedR

Displaying publications 121 - 140 of 1094 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Extraction of protein from food waste: An overview of current status and opportunities

Kamal H, Le CF, Salter AM, Ali A

Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf, 2021 05;20(3):2455-2475.
PMID: 33819382 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12739

The chief intent of this review is to explain the different extraction techniques and efficiencies for the recovery of protein from food waste (FW) sources. Although FW is not a new concept, increasing concerns about chronic hunger, nutritional deficiency, food security, and sustainability have intensified attention on alternative and sustainable sources of protein for food and feed. Initiatives to extract and utilize protein from FW on a commercial scale have been undertaken, mainly in the developed countries, but they remain largely underutilized and generally suited for low-quality products. The current analysis reveals the extraction of protein from FW is a many-sided (complex) issue, and that identifies for a stronger and extensive integration of diverse extraction perspectives, focusing on nutritional quality, yield, and functionality of the isolated protein as a valued recycled ingredient.
Sero-prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women attending an ante-natal clinic at a teaching hospital in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Qamer S, Rizvi SSR, Raoof S, Kamal SM, Khan S

Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):186-193.
PMID: 33612729

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a zoonotic infection that may be transmitted to human beings either by consumption of raw or uncooked meat or by ingesting oocysts. Toxoplasma organisms can cross blood placenta barrier and may result in congenital toxoplasmosis. About 80% of immunocompetent individuals do not show any clinical manifestations and are silent carriers of this disease. Pregnant women especially in highly prevalent areas are recommended to be screened for this disease in order to prevent the potential vertical transmission. To our knowledge no such study has been conducted in this region of Saudi Arabia. This study attempted to carry out two objectives: first, to find out the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in pregnant women attending prenatal care services in our hospital; second, to find out risk factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence in our patients. It was carried out in Teaching Hospital in Al-Kharj over a period of one year. All 306 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic were involved in the study. A pretested selfexplanatory questionnaire was filled out by the patients and their sera were collected to be tested for IgG and/or IgM against T. gondii. The results were then statistically analyzed using SPSS software and p-value was calculated using Pearson Chi Square test. Out of the 306 blood samples tested, 99 (32.4%) were seropositive for specific anti T. gondii IgG antibodies and 3(1%) were seropositive for IgM. This show that seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was high among pregnant women and the prevalence showed a significant association with age. The study recommends conducting educational programs to raise awareness among women about risk factors and precautions to be taken.
Optimization of the humic acid separation and coagulation with natural starch by RSM for the removal of COD and colour from stabilized leachate

Ahmed Z, Yusoff MS, Kamal NHM, Aziz HA

Waste Manag Res, 2021 Nov;39(11):1396-1405.
PMID: 33928820 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X211012775

The removal of concentrated colour (around 5039 Pt-Co) and chemical oxygen demand (COD; around 4142 mg L-1) from matured landfill leachate through a novel combination of humic acid extraction and coagulation with natural oil palm trunk starch (OPTS) was investigated in this study. Central composite design from response surface methodology of Design Expert-10 software executed the experimental design to correlate experimental factors with desired responses. Analysis of variance developed the quadratic model for four factors (e.g. coagulant dosage, slow mixing speed and time and centrifugation duration) and two responses (% removal of colour, COD). The model confirmed the highest colour (84.96%) and COD (48.84%) removal with a desirability function of 0.836 at the optimum condition of 1.68 g L-1 coagulant dose, 19.11 rpm slow mixing speed, 16.43 minutes for mixing time and 35.75 minutes for centrifugation duration. Better results of correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.98 and 0.96) and predicted R2 (0.94 and 0.84) indicates the model significance. Electron microscopic images display the amalgamation of flocs through bridging. Fourier transforms infrared spectra confirmed the existence of selected organic groups in OPTS, which eventually signifies the applied method.
Fulltext High-Density Polyethylene Waste (HDPE)-Waste-Modified Lube Oil Nanocomposites as Pour Point Depressants

Kamal RS, Shaban MM, Raju G, Farag RK

ACS Omega, 2021 Nov 30;6(47):31926-31934.
PMID: 34870015 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c04693

Sustainability metrics have been established that cover the economic, social, and environmental aspects of human activities. Reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) strategy targets solid waste management in the waste generation sectors. The purpose of this work is to study the possibility of using various plastic wastes containing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and high-density polyethylene nanoclay (PMON) as polymer additives to modify lubricating oil. The structure of these additives was elucidated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and the particle size of PMON was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The thermal stability of HDPE and nanoclay HDPE (PMON) was studied, which showed higher thermal stability, and these additives completed degradation above 500 °C. The performance of HDPE and nanoclay HDPE (PMON) in lubricating oil was evaluated as pour point depressants by standard ASTM methods. The results showed that the efficiency of these additives increases with the decrease in the dose of these additives and lubricating oil treated with HDPE at 0.25% dosage lowers PPT to -30 °C, while lubricating oil treated with nanoclay HDPE (PMON7) at 0.25% dosage reduces PPT to -36 °C. Photomicrographic analysis was conducted to study accumulations and modifications in the wax crystal morphology in lube oil without and with HDPE and nanoclay HDPE (PMON7). Photomicrographs revealed that wax morphology changes due to effective pour point depressants on crystal growth.
Fulltext A quasi-experiment on using guided mobile learning interventions in ESL classrooms: Time use and academic performance

Ng SF, Azlan MAK, Kamal ANA, Manion A

Educ Inf Technol (Dordr), 2020;25(6):4699-4719.
PMID: 32355450 DOI: 10.1007/s10639-020-10191-7

This quasi-experimental study examined a guided learning approach towards the use of mobile devices and investigated the performance of language learners who were guided in the usage. A total of 419 students from two faculties were invited to participate in this 8-week intervention, 155 participants in the control group and 264 in the experimental group. In the experimental group, the researchers incorporated guided activities Module Intervention Model (MIM) using mobile devices into the ESL lessons whereas the control group lessons were without guided activities. Participants from both groups were asked to record their daily mobile device use for activities related to English language learning using an online form. These data were compared to the results of the tests conducted pre- and post-treatment. At the end of the study, students who received guided language activities utilizing the mobile devices had significantly higher levels of language performance than control group students. However, treatment group students who spent more time using mobile devices to learn the language did not display better performance compared to those who spent minimal time. This finding re-established the importance of guided activities as intervention to facilitate students' learning and points to the need for curricular modernization and faculty development in the instructional use of technology. Due to the increased need for online instruction precipitated by "social distancing and isolation' required to overcome the coronavirus pandemic, the need for faculty to acquire skills in guided use of mobile devices for school-related learning is anticipated to be greater than ever.
Fulltext Investigations on the Role of N₂:(N₂ + CH₄) Ratio on the Growth of Hydrophobic Nanostructured Hydrogenated Carbon Nitride Thin Films by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition at Low Temperature

Khanis NH, Ritikos R, Ahmad Kamal SA, Abdul Rahman S

Materials (Basel), 2017 Jan 24;10(2).
PMID: 28772460 DOI: 10.3390/ma10020102

Nanostructured hydrogenated carbon nitride (CNx:H) thin films were synthesized on a crystal silicon substrate at low deposition temperature by radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Methane and nitrogen were the precursor gases used in this deposition process. The effects of N₂ to the total gas flow rate ratio on the formation of CNx:H nanostructures were investigated. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), Raman scattering, and Fourier transform of infrared spectroscopies (FTIR) were used to characterize the films. The atomic nitrogen to carbon ratio and sp² bonds in the film structure showed a strong influence on its growth rate, and its overall structure is strongly influenced by even small changes in the N₂:(N₂ + CH₄) ratio. The formation of fibrous CNx:H nanorod structures occurs at ratios of 0.7 and 0.75, which also shows improved surface hydrophobic characteristic. Analysis showed that significant presence of isonitrile bonds in a more ordered film structure were important criteria contributing to the formation of vertically-aligned nanorods. The hydrophobicity of the CNx:H surface improved with the enhancement in the vertical alignment and uniformity in the distribution of the fibrous nanorod structures.
Fulltext How Do Herbal Cigarettes Compare To Tobacco? A Comprehensive Review of Their Sensory Characters, Phytochemicals, and Functional Properties

Abdel Rahman RT, Kamal N, Mediani A, Farag MA

ACS Omega, 2022 Dec 20;7(50):45797-45809.
PMID: 36570239 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04708

Herbal cigarettes, known as tobacco-free or nicotine-free cigarettes, are those recognized as being-tobacco free, being composed of a mixture of various herbs claimed to lessen the smoking habit hazards. However, controversial data regarding its properties occur in the literature with no comprehensive overview or analysis of its effects. Like herbal smokeless tobacco, they are often used to substitute for tobacco products (primarily cigarettes) regarded as a "nonsmoking" aid. This review capitalizes on herbal cigarettes with regard to their quality characteristics, sensory attributes, chemical composition, and health properties to rationalize their choice as a nonsmoking aid. Furthermore, the impacts of heat and/or pyrolysis that occur during smoking on its chemical composition are presented for the first time. Some herbal smokes may produce notable metabolic problems that increase the risk of several chronic metabolic diseases. In general, burning substances from plants can have a variety of negative effects on the body attributed to toxic chemicals such as carbon monoxide, polyaromatics, nicotine, and N-nitrosamines. This review compiles and discusses the phytochemical compositions detected in various herbal cigarettes alongside sensory and quality attributes and health effects.
Fulltext Kelulut Honey Regulates Sex Steroid Receptors in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rat Model

Kamal DAM, Ibrahim SF, Ugusman A, Mokhtar MH

Int J Mol Sci, 2022 Nov 25;23(23).
PMID: 36499085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314757

Reproductive and metabolic anomalies in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been associated with the dysregulation of sex steroid receptors. Kelulut honey (KH) has been shown to be beneficial in PCOS-induced rats by regulating folliculogenesis and the oestrus cycle. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate KH's effect on sex steroid receptors in PCOS. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of KH, metformin, or clomiphene alone and in combination on the mRNA expression and protein distribution of androgen receptor (AR), oestrogen receptor α (ERα), oestrogen receptor β (ERβ), and progesterone receptor (PR) in PCOS-induced rats. The study used female Sprague-Dawley rats, which were treated orally with 1 mg/kg/day of letrozole for 21 days to develop PCOS. PCOS-induced rats were then divided and treated orally for 35 days with KH, metformin, clomiphene, KH + metformin, KH+ clomiphene and distilled water. In this study, we observed aberrant AR, ERα, ERβ and PR expression in PCOS-induced rats compared with the normal control rats. The effects of KH treatment were comparable with clomiphene and metformin in normalizing the expression of AR, ERα, and ERβ mRNA. However, KH, clomiphene and metformin did not affect PR mRNA expression and protein distribution. Hence, this study confirms the aberrant expression of sex steroid receptors in PCOS and demonstrates that KH treatment could normalise the sex steroid receptors profile. The findings provide a basis for future clinical trials to utilize KH as a regulator of sex steroid receptors in patients with PCOS.
Fulltext Impact of cavitation on the structure and functional quality of extracted protein from food sources - An overview

Kamal H, Ali A, Manickam S, Le CF

Food Chem, 2023 May 01;407:135071.
PMID: 36493478 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.135071

Increasing protein demands directly require additional resources to those presently and recurrently available. Emerging green technologies have witnessed an escalating interest in "Cavitation Processing" (CP) to ensure a non-invasive, non-ionizing and non-polluting extraction. The main intent of this review is to present an integrated summary of cavitation extraction methods specifically applied to food protein sources. Along with a comparative assessment carried out for each type of cavitation model, protein extraction yield and implications on the extracted protein's structural and functional properties. The basic principle of cavitation is due to the pressure shift in the liquid flow within milliseconds. Hence, cavitation emerges similar to boiling; however, unlike boiling (temperature change), cavitation occurs due to pressure change. Characterization and classification of sample type is also a prime candidate when considering the applications of cavitation models in food processing. Generally, acoustic and hydrodynamic cavitation is applied in food applications including extraction, brewing, microbial cell disruption, dairy processing, emulsification, fermentation, waste processing, crystallisation, mass transfer and production of bioactive peptides. Micro structural studies indicate that shear stress causes disintegration of hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals interactions result in the unfolding of the protein's secondary and/or tertiary structures. A change in the structure is not targeted but rather holistic and affects the physicochemical, functional, and nutritional properties. Cavitation assisted extraction of protein is typically studied at a laboratory scale. This highlights limitations against the application at an industrial scale to obtain potential commercial gains.
Decoding the correlation between heart activation and walking path by information-based analysis

Kamal SM, Babini MH, Tee R, Krejcar O, Namazi H

Technol Health Care, 2023;31(1):205-215.
PMID: 35848002 DOI: 10.3233/THC-220191

BACKGROND: One of the important areas of heart research is to analyze heart rate variability during (HRV) walking.
OBJECTIVE: In this research, we investigated the correction between heart activation and the variations of walking paths.
METHOD: We employed Shannon entropy to analyze how the information content of walking paths affects the information content of HRV. Eight healthy students walked on three designed walking paths with different information contents while we recorded their ECG signals. We computed and analyzed the Shannon entropy of the R-R interval time series (as an indicator of HRV) versus the Shannon entropy of different walking paths and accordingly evaluated their relation.
RESULTS: According to the obtained results, walking on the path that contains more information leads to less information in the R-R time series.
CONCLUSION: The analysis method employed in this research can be extended to analyze the relation between other physiological signals (such as brain or muscle reactions) and the walking path.
Fulltext Requirements, Deployments, and Challenges of LoRa Technology: A Survey

Ayoub Kamal M, Alam MM, Sajak AAB, Mohd Su'ud M

Comput Intell Neurosci, 2023;2023:5183062.
PMID: 36654727 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5183062

LoRa is an ISM-band based LPWAN communication protocol. Despite their wide network penetration of approximately 20 kilometers or higher using lower than 14 decibels transmitting power, it has been extensively documented and used in academia and industry. Although LoRa connectivity defines a public platform and enables users to create independent low-power wireless connections while relying on external architecture, it has gained considerable interest from scholars and the market. The two fundamental components of this platform are LoRaWAN and LoRa PHY. The consumer LoRaWAN component of the technology describes the network model, connectivity procedures, ability to operate the frequency range, and the types of interlinked gadgets. In contrast, the LoRa PHY component is patentable and provides information on the modulation strategy which is being utilized and its attributes. There are now several LoRa platforms available. To create usable LoRa systems, there are presently several technical difficulties to be overcome, such as connection management, allocation of resources, consistent communications, and security. This study presents a thorough overview of LoRa networking, covering the technological difficulties in setting up LoRa infrastructures and current solutions. Several outstanding challenges of LoRa communication are presented depending on our thorough research of the available solutions. The research report aims to stimulate additional research toward enhancing the LoRa Network capacity and allowing more realistic installations.
Urbanization and energy consumption effects on carbon dioxide emissions: evidence from Asian-8 countries using panel data analysis

Abbasi MA, Parveen S, Khan S, Kamal MA

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2020 May;27(15):18029-18043.
PMID: 32170610 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08262-w

The developing world is facing pivotal challenges in recent times. Among these, global warming has ominous repercussions on every segment of society, thus tracing its underlying causes is imperative. This research attempts to investigate the impact of urbanization and energy consumption on carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) for a panel of 8 Asian countries (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) over the period 1982 to 2017. The analyses are executed using panel co-integration and Granger causality techniques. The main findings of panel co-integration reveal a long-run relationship between urbanization, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the results indicate a positive and significant impact of urbanization and energy consumption on CO2 emissions, indicating that urban development and high energy consumptions are barriers to improve environmental quality in the long run. The results also highlight bi-directional causality between energy consumption and urbanization, while unidirectional causality exists between energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Based on the obtained results, this study offers useful policy implications for plummeting carbon emissions.
Fulltext Changes in wet bulb globe temperature and risk to heat-related hazards in Bangladesh

Kamal ASMM, Fahim AKF, Shahid S

Sci Rep, 2024 May 06;14(1):10417.
PMID: 38710893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61138-8

The rise in temperatures and changes in other meteorological variables have exposed millions of people to health risks in Bangladesh, a densely populated, hot, and humid country. To better assess the threats climate change poses to human health, the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is an important indicator of human heat stress. This study utilized high-resolution reanalysis data from the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF ERA5) to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in outdoor WBGT across Bangladesh from 1979 to 2021, employing Liljegren's model. The study revealed an increase in the annual average WBGT by 0.08-0.5 °C per decade throughout the country, with a more pronounced rise in the southeast and northeast regions. Additionally, the number of days with WBGT levels associated with high and extreme risks of heat-related illnesses has shown an upward trend. Specifically, during the monsoon period (June to September), there has been an increase of 2-4 days per decade, and during the pre-monsoon period (March to May), an increase of 1-3 days per decade from 1979 to 2021. Furthermore, the results indicated that the escalation in WBGT has led to a five-fold increase in affected areas and a three-fold increase in days of high and extreme heat stress during the monsoon season in recent years compared to the earlier period. Trend and relative importance analyses of various meteorological variables demonstrated that air temperature is the primary driver behind Bangladesh's rising WBGT and related health risks, followed by specific humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation.
Fulltext Estimating the Risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Parents of Children with ADHD and the Association with Their Children's Disease Severity and Adherence to Medication

Ragadran J, Kamal Nor N, Ismail J, Ong JJ, Sundaraj C

Children (Basel), 2023 Aug 24;10(9).
PMID: 37761401 DOI: 10.3390/children10091440

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterised by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Up to half of the affected children have a parent with ADHD. In this study, the risk of ADHD among parents of ADHD children was estimated. The associations between parental ADHD and child ADHD severity and medication adherence were determined.
METHODOLOGY: Parents of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD attending the University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) were recruited between June to August 2022 and the administered Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) self-report short form, Vanderbilt ADHD Parent Rating Scale (performance section), and Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS).
RESULTS: Forty-five children with ADHD were recruited and 15 out of 45 (33%) parents were detected to have ADHD. ADHD severity was worse in children with ADHD parents for total severity (mean of 34.67 vs. 29.13, p = 0.047) and difficult behaviours at home (mean of 7.87 vs. 6.27, p = 0.036). The children's academic performance and behavioural challenges at home and school were positively correlated with the parental ADHD scores for 'inattention' and 'problems with self-care' subscales.
CONCLUSIONS: A total of 33% of ADHD children had parents with ADHD. ADHD children with ADHD parents were more likely to have behavioural problems at home and more severe ADHD. However, no statistical significance was noted with medication adherence.
Fulltext Massage manipulation and progression of osteosarcoma, does it really correlate: a combination of prospective and retrospective cohort study

Karda IWAM, Wan Ismail WF, Kamal AF

Sci Rep, 2023 Oct 29;13(1):18541.
PMID: 37899365 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45808-7

In Indonesia, the challenge of osteosarcoma progression is further worsened by patients' dependence on traditional massage therapy, low socio-economy, and educational status. This study aims to analyze the differences in the characteristics, laboratory findings, surgery techniques, degree of histopathological necrosis, and metastasis between osteosarcoma patients with and without prior massage manipulation therapy. This research is an analytical observational study with a prospective and retrospective cohort design. Patients were treated and followed for one year to evaluate the occurrence of metastasis. Prospective data was collected through interviews, and secondary data was collected from the patient's medical record. Of 84 subjects analyzed, 69% had a history of massage. There was an increase in LDH and ALP in patients with massage manipulation (p = 0.026). The median time to metastasis from baseline in the massage group (4 months) was statistically significant compared to the non-manipulation group (12 months) (p
Fulltext Effect of Nigella sativa and its bioactive compound on type 2 epithelial to mesenchymal transition: a systematic review

Nordin A, Kamal H, Yazid MD, Saim A, Idrus R

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2019 Oct 30;19(1):290.
PMID: 31666058 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2706-2

BACKGROUND: Nigella sativa or commonly known as black seed or black cumin is one of the most ubiquitous complementary medicine. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of type 2 is defined by the balance between wound healing and tissue fibrosis, which is dependent to the state of inflammation. This systematic review is conducted to provide an overview regarding the reported effect of Nigella sativa and its bioactive compound on the type 2 EMT.
METHODS: A search was done in EBSCOHOST, OVID and SCOPUS database to obtain potentially relevant articles that were published between 1823 and August 2019. This review includes studies that focus on the effect of Nigella sativa and its bioactive compound on the events related to type 2 EMT.
RESULTS: A total of 1393 research articles were found to be potentially related to the effect of Nigella sativa and its bioactive compound, thymoquinone on Type 2 EMT. After screening was done, 22 research articles met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Majority of the studies, reported better wound healing rate or significant prevention of tissue inflammation and organ fibrosis following Nigella sativa or thymoquinone treatments. In terms of wound healing, studies included reported progression of EMT related pathological changes after treatment with Nigella sativa or thymoquinone. Alternatively, in terms of fibrosis and inflammation, studies included reported reversal of pathological changes related to EMT after treatment with Nigella sativa or thymoquinone.
CONCLUSION: Through this review, Nigella sativa and thymoquinone have been associated with events in Type 2 EMT. They have been shown to promote wound healing, attenuate tissue inflammation, and prevent organ fibrosis via regulation of the EMT process.
Melatonin and Sleep Disturbances in Alzheimer's Disease

Prodhan AHMSU, Cavestro C, Kamal MA, Islam MA

CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets, 2021;20(8):736-754.
PMID: 34348635 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666210804155617

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by sleep, behavioral, memory, and cognitive deteriorations. Sleep disturbance (SD) is a major disease burden in AD, which has a reciprocal relationship with AD pathophysiology. It aggravates memory, behavioral, and cognitive complications in AD. Different studies have found that melatonin hormone levels reduce even in the pre-clinical stages of AD. Melatonin is the primary sleep-regulating hormone and a potent antioxidant with neuroprotective roles. The decrease in melatonin levels can thus promote SD and AD neuropathology. Exogenous melatonin has the potential to alleviate neuropathology and SD in AD by different mechanisms. Various studies have been conducted to assess the efficacy of exogenous melatonin to treat SD in AD. Though most of the studies suggest that melatonin is useful to ameliorate SD in AD, the remaining studies show opposite results. The timing, dosage, and duration of melatonin administration along with disease condition, genetic, environmental, and some other factors can be responsible for the discrepancies between the studies. More extensive trials with longer durations and higher dosage forms and studies including bright light therapy and melatonin agonists (ramelteon, agomelatine, and tasimelteon) should be performed to determine the efficacy of melatonin to treat SD in AD.
Fulltext Risk of eczema, wheezing and respiratory tract infections in the first year of life: A systematic review of vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy and at birth

Mustapa Kamal Basha MA, Majid HA, Razali N, Yahya A

PLoS One, 2020;15(6):e0233890.
PMID: 32542014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233890

BACKGROUND: Allergic conditions and respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are common causes of morbidity and mortality in childhood. The relationship between vitamin D status in pregnancy (mothers), early life (infants) and health outcomes such as allergies and RTIs in infancy is unclear. To date, studies have shown conflicting results.
OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to gather and appraise existing evidence on the associations between serum vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy and at birth and the development of eczema, wheezing, and RTIs in infants.
DATA SOURCES: PubMed, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Academic Search Premier databases were searched systematically using specified search terms and keywords.
STUDY SELECTION: Articles on the associations between serum vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy and at birth and eczema, wheezing, and RTIs among infants (1-year-old and younger) published up to 31 March 2019 were identified, screened and retrieved.
RESULTS: From the initial 2678 articles screened, ten met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. There were mixed and conflicting results with regards to the relationship between maternal and cord blood vitamin D concentrations and the three health outcomes-eczema, wheezing and RTIs-in infants.
CONCLUSION: Current findings revealed no robust and consistent associations between vitamin D status in early life and the risk of developing eczema, wheezing and RTIs in infants. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42018093039.
Fulltext Kelulut Honey Ameliorates Oestrus Cycle, Hormonal Profiles, and Oxidative Stress in Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats

Kamal DAM, Ibrahim SF, Ugusman A, Mokhtar MH

Antioxidants (Basel), 2022 Sep 22;11(10).
PMID: 36290602 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11101879

Kelulut honey (KH) has been proven to have excellent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties with unique physicochemical characteristics. Therefore, we investigated the isolated and combined effects of KH, metformin, or clomiphene in alleviating oxidative stress and reproductive and metabolic abnormalities in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given 1 mg/kg/day of letrozole for 21 days to induce PCOS. PCOS rats were then divided into six treatment groups: untreated, metformin (500 mg/kg/day), clomiphene (2 mg/kg/day), KH (1 g/kg/day), combined KH (1 g/kg/day) and metformin (500 mg/kg/day), and combined KH (1 g/kg/day) and clomiphene (2 mg/kg/day). All treatments were administered orally for 35 days. The physicochemical characteristics of KH were assessed through hydroxymethylfurfural, free acidity, diastase number, moisture content, sugar profile, metals, and mineral compounds. Additionally, we determined the semivolatile organic compounds present in KH through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. KH and its combination with metformin or clomiphene were shown to improve the oestrus cycle, hormonal profile, and oxidative stress in PCOS rats. However, KH did not reduce the fasting blood glucose, insulin, and body weight gain in PCOS rats. These findings may provide a basis for future studies to discover the potential use of KH as a complementary treatment for women with PCOS.
Humic acid recovery from stabilized leachate: Characterization and interference with chemical oxygen demand-colour removal

Ahmed Z, Yusoff MS, Kamal NHM, Aziz HA

Waste Manag Res, 2023 Oct;41(10):1584-1593.
PMID: 37154233 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X231160687

Heterogeneous combinations of organic compounds (humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid) are the prime factor for the high concentration of colour and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in semi-aerobic stabilized landfill leachate. These organics are less biodegradable and cause a severe threat to environmental elements. Microfiltration and centrifugation processes were applied in this study to investigate the HA removal from stabilized leachate samples and its corresponding interference with COD and colour. The three-stage extraction process recovered a maximum of 1412 ± 2.5 mg/L (Pulau Burung landfill site (PBLS) leachate), 1510 ± 1.5 mg/L (Alor Pongsu landfill site (APLS leachate) at pH 1.5 and 1371 ± 2.5 mg/L (PBLS) and 1451 ± 1.5 mg/L (APLS) of HA (about 42% of the total COD concentration) at pH 2.5, which eventually indicates the process efficiency. Comparative characteristics analysis of recovered HA by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared significantly indicate the existence of identical elements in the recovered HA compared with the previous studies. The higher reduction (around 37%) in ultraviolet (UV) absorbance values (UV254 and UV280) in the final effluent indicates the elimination of aromaticity and conjugated double-bond compounds from leachate. Moreover, 36 and 39% COD and 39 and 44% colour removal exhibit substantial interference.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links