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Fulltext Cardiovascular endurance fitness performance among Kedah Rugby Agong Cup’s players based on 20-meter multistage shuttle run pacer test

Syed Ahmad Ezahar Syed Ambon, Mohd. Foazi Md Nor, Syed Idrus Syed Mudayah, Junaidy Mohamad Hashim

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2017;6(2):55-64.
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The study was conducted to determine the level of cardiovascular performance for Kedah team rugby players who will participate in the national Agong Cup's rugby championship. The test instrument used was the 20-meter multistage shuttle run pacer test. The total sample of the study was 40 (n = 40) consisted of players between the ages of 19 and 39. Assessment of cardiovascular endurance levels can be performed with measurements of VO2max (ml • kg-1 • min-1) as the most accurate score can be obtained to measure the fitness level of individual cardiovascular endurance. Therefore min VO2max (ml • kg-1 • min-1) obtained from the 20- meter multistage shuttle run pacer test shows that the VO2max (ml • kg-1 • min-1) level of the study sample is good and is at high level.
Fulltext Fascicle behaviour analysis of step and jump forward lunge among badminton players

Ali Md Nadzalan, Chaowalak Rittisorakrai, Nur Ikhwan Mohamad, Ebby Waqqash Mohamad Chan

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2017;6(2):36-44.
MyJurnal

Journal of Sports Science and Physical Education 6(2): 36-44, 2017 – This study was conducted to determine and compare the fascicle behaviour during step forward lunge (SFL) and jump forward lunge (JFL) in badminton. Fifteen university badminton players (mean age = 22.07 ± 1.39 years old) were recruited and were assigned to perform SFL and JFL while holding a badminton racquet using their dominant hand. Fascicle length, pennation angle, lengthening and shortening velocity of their vastus lateralis muscle were analysed using ultrasonography method. In both dominant and non-dominant lower limb, FLmax, FLmin, PAmax and PAmin were all greater during JFL compared to SFL, p < 0.001. During both SFL and JFL, all the fascicle behaviour variables were greater in the dominant limb compared to non-dominant limb. To conclude, as the fascicle behaviour response would indicate more muscle adaptation, the stimuli were found to be greater during JFL compared to SFL.
Fulltext Electromyography analysis during lifting tasks: a pilot study

Siti Anom, Ahmad, Nor Hafeezah, Kamarudin, Mohd Khair, Hassan, Rosnah, Mohd Yusoff, Siti Zawiah, Md Dawal

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(1):201-210.
MyJurnal

Manual Material Handling (MMH) involves lifting, bending, and twisting motions of the torso. Poor
lifting technique is often considered a major risk factor in low back injury associated with manual lifting
tasks. Currently, there is little work on the effects of lifting on the Malaysian population. The MMH
activities that was designed with the different lifting heights, frequency, weight of loads and the effect
on of biceps and triceps muscle contraction of the subjects during the lifting tasks were studied. The
parameters involved are weight of the loads lifted, height of the loads lifted and lifting frequency as the
independent variables. Whereas the dependent variable is Electromyography (EMG) signal. The weight
loads are varying from 10kg up to 24kg and the heights of the loads travels from the floor to 70cm
and 130cm heights. The frequency of lifting is set to 1 lift and 6 lifts per minute. 14 healthy male and
female subjects were recruited in this study. The questionnaires and consent form were used to identify
the health condition of the subjects before performing the lifting tasks. The EMG activity was recorded
and collected from biceps and triceps muscles using the Shimmer EMG system. This method is used
in determining the maximum acceptable weight limit (MAWL) that can be lifted by the subjects in the
lifting tasks. This research aims to design a lifting equation that suits for Malaysian people. Therefore,
the effects of different manual lifting tasks on Malaysian physiological limits need to be identified.
Fulltext Synthetisation temperature-dependent cytotoxicity of bismuth oxide nanoparticles in vitro

Nur Amirah Mohd Nor, Zanariah Mohd, Hairil Rashmizal Abdul Razak, Zolkapli Eshak, Wan Mazlina Md Saad

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(104):227-236.
MyJurnal

Bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi2O3 NPs) have gained a spot in the development of novel molecular
probes for in vivo biomedical imaging. It exists in six polymorphic forms and each of them exerts with
different stabilities according to its synthetisation temperature. The aim of this preliminary study is to
determine effect of different synthetiation temperatures on cellular viability in vitro. One hundred µg/ml
Bi2O3 NPs synthesised at 60, 90 and 120°C were characterised using scanning electron microscope (SEM)
and their cytotoxicity was evaluated using cell viability assay (MTT assay) upon 24 hours exposure to
Chang liver cells. Images captured by SEM showed an average diameter of 300 nm monoclinic-shaped
with high crystalline formation of all three Bi2O3 NPs. MTT assay revealed increase in liver cell viability
as the synthetisation temperature of Bi2O3 NPs increase. The outcomes suggested that synthetisation
temperature of Bi2O3 NPs plays a role in cellular viability, hence predictive to the biocompatibility of
these nanoparticles to be applied as in vivo radiographic contrast medium.
Fulltext Linkage of SSR markers with rice blast resistance and development of partial resistant advanced lines of rice (Oryza sativa) through marker-assisted selection

Nihad SAI, Hasan MK, Kabir A, Hasan MA, Bhuiyan MR, Yusop MR, et al.

Physiol Mol Biol Plants, 2022 Jan;28(1):153-169.
PMID: 35221577 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-022-01141-3

Rice blast disease is one of the major bottlenecks of rice production in the world including Bangladesh. To develop blast resistant lines, a cross was made between a high yielding but blast susceptible variety MR263 and a blast resistant variety Pongsu seribu 2. Marker-assisted backcross breeding was followed to develop F1, BC1F1, BC2F1, BC2F2, BC2F3, BC2F4 and BC2F5 population. DNA markers i.e., RM206, RM1359 and RM8225 closely linked to Pb1, pi21 and Piz blast resistant genes, respectively and marker RM276 linked to panicle blast resistant QTL (qPbj-6.1) were used in foreground selection. Calculated chi-square (χ2) value of phenotypic and genotypic segregation data of BC2F1 population followed goodness of fit to the expected ratio (1:1) (phenotypic data χ2 = 1.08, p = 0.701; genotypic data χ2 = range from 0.33 to 3.00, p = 0.08-0.56) and it indicates that the inheritance pattern of blast resistance was followed by a single gene model. Eighty-nine advanced lines of BC2F5 population were developed and out of them, 58 lines contained Piz, Pb1, pi21, and qPbj-6.1 while 31 lines contained Piz, Pb1, and QTL qPbj-6.1. Marker-trait association analysis revealed that molecular markers i.e., RM206, RM276, and RM8225 were tightly linked with blast resistance, and each marker was explained by 33.33% phenotypic variation (resistance reaction). Morphological and pathogenicity performance of advanced lines was better compared to the recurrent parent. Developed blast resistance advanced lines could be used as donors or blast resistant variety for the management of devastating rice blast disease.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01141-3.
Fulltext Introgression of the QTL qSB11-1TT conferring sheath blight resistance in rice (Oryza sativa) into an elite variety, UKMRC 2, and evaluation of its backcross-derived plants

Hossain MK, Islam MR, Sundaram RM, Bhuiyan MAR, Wickneswari R

Front Plant Sci, 2022;13:981345.
PMID: 36699836 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.981345

INTRODUCTION: Sheath blight (SB) is the most damaging fungal disease in rice caused by a soil-borne pathogenic fungus, Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn (R. solani). The disease resistance in rice is a complex quantitative trait controlled by a few major genes. UKMRC2 is a newly developed elite rice variety that possesses high yield potential but is susceptible to sheath blight disease indicating a huge risk of varietal promotion, mass cultivation, and large-scale adoption. The aim of our present study was the development of varietal resistance against R. solani in UKMRC2 to enhance its stability and durability in a wide range of environments and to validate the effects of an SB-resistance QTL on the new genetic background.
METHODS: In our study, we developed 290 BC1F1 backcross progenies from a cross between UKMRC2 and Tetep to introgress the QTL qSBR11-1TT into the UKMRC2 genetic background. Validation of the introgressed QTL region was performed via QTL analysis based on QTL-linked SSR marker genotyping and phenotyping against R. solani artificial field inoculation techniques.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The QTL qSBR11-1TT was then authenticated with the results of LOD score (3.25) derived from composite interval mapping, percent phenotypic variance explained (14.6%), and additive effect (1.1) of the QTLs. The QTL region was accurately defined by a pair of flanking markers K39512 and RM7443 with a peak marker RM27360. We found that the presence of combination of alleles, RM224, RM27360 and K39512 demonstrate an improved resistance against the disease rather than any of the single allele. Thus, the presence of the QTL qSBR11-1TT has been validated and confirmed in the URMRC2 genetic background which reveals an opportunity to use the QTL linked with these resistance alleles opens an avenue to resume sheath blight resistance breeding in the future with marker-assisted selection program to boost up resistance in rice varieties.
Fulltext Synthesis and characterization of Mg-Zn ferrite based flexible microwave composites and its application as SNG metamaterial

Rahman MA, Islam MT, Singh MSJ, Samsuzzaman M, Chowdhury MEH

Sci Rep, 2021 Apr 07;11(1):7654.
PMID: 33828155 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87100-6

In this article, we propose SNG (single negative) metamaterial fabricated on Mg-Zn ferrite-based flexible microwave composites. Firstly, the flexible composites are synthesized by the sol-gel method having four different molecular compositions of MgxZn(1-x)Fe2O4, which are denoted as Mg20, Mg40, Mg60, and Mg80. The structural, morphological, and microwave properties of the synthesized flexible composites are analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and conventional dielectric assessment kit (DAK) to justify their possible application as dielectric substrate at microwave frequency regime. Thus the average grain size is found from 20 to 24 nm, and the dielectric constants are 6.01, 5.10, 4.19, and 3.28, as well as loss tangents, are 0.002, 0.004, 0.006, and 0.008 for the prepared Mg-Zn ferrites, i.e., Mg20, Mg40, Mg60, and Mg80 respectively. Besides, the prepared low-cost Mg-Zn ferrite composites exhibit high flexibility and lightweight, which makes them a potential candidate as a metamaterial substrate. Furthermore, a single negative (SNG) metamaterial unit cell is fabricated on the prepared, flexible microwave composites, and their essential electromagnetic behaviors are observed. Very good effective medium ratios (EMR) vales are obtained from 14.65 to 18.47, which ensure the compactness of the fabricated prototypes with a physical dimension of 8 × 6.5 mm2. Also, the proposed materials have shown better performances comparing with conventional FR4 and RO4533 materials, and they have covered S-, C-, X-, Ku-, and K-band of microwave frequency region. Thus, the prepared, flexible SNG metamaterials on MgxZn(1-x)Fe2O4 composites are suitable for microwave and flexible technologies.
Fulltext Real Time PCR-based diagnosis of human visceral leishmaniasis using urine samples

Rahim S, Sharif MM, Amin MR, Rahman MT, Karim MM

PLOS Glob Public Health, 2022;2(12):e0000834.
PMID: 36962767 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000834

Diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) through the detection of its causative agents namely Leishmania donovani and L. infantum is traditionally based on immunochromatographic tests, microscopy of bone marrow, spleen aspirates, liver or lymph node and differential diagnosis. While the first process has low specificity, the later one carries the risk of fatal hemorrhage. Over the last decade, multiple Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based diagnosis has been developed using blood and urine sample with a varying degree of sensitivity and specificity, an issue worth improving for precision diagnosis. Earlier, we reported a PCR-based diagnosis of L. donovani in peripheral blood using a novel set of PCR primers with absolute specificity. Using the same set of primers and PCR conditions, here we describe diagnosis of L. donovani from urine, for a non-invasive, rapid and safe diagnosis. Diagnosis of VL was carried out using urine samples collected from clinically diagnosed VL patients (n = 23) of Bangladesh in Real Time PCR. Test results were validated by comparing blood samples from the same set of patients. Sensitivity and specificity of this diagnosis was analyzed using retrospective bone marrow samples, collected earlier from confirmed VL patients (n = 19). The method showed 100% sensitivity in detecting L. donovani in urine and corresponding blood and retrospective bone marrow samples, as well as 100% specificity in control groups. A Real Time PCR-based molecular detection system using urine sample is hereafter presented what could be a, non-invasive approach for VL detection with precision and perfection.
Fulltext Conventional methods and future trends in antimicrobial susceptibility testing

Salam MA, Al-Amin MY, Pawar JS, Akhter N, Lucy IB

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2023 Mar;30(3):103582.
PMID: 36852413 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103582

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is an essential task for selecting appropriate antimicrobial agents to treat infectious diseases. Constant evolution has been observed in methods used in the diagnostic microbiology laboratories. Disc diffusion or broth microdilution are classical and conventional phenotypic methods with long turnaround time and labour-intensive but still widely practiced as gold-standard. Scientists are striving to develop innovative, novel and faster methods of antimicrobial susceptibility testing to be applicable for routine microbiological laboratory practice and research. To meet the requirements, there is an increasing trend towards automation, genotypic and micro/nano technology-based innovations. Automation in detection systems and integration of computers for online data analysis and data sharing are giant leaps towards versatile nature of automated methods currently in use. Genotypic methods detect a specific genetic marker associated with resistant phenotypes using molecular amplification techniques and genome sequencing. Microfluidics and microdroplets are recent addition in the continuous advancement of methods that show great promises with regards to safety and speed and have the prospect to identify and monitor resistance mechanisms. Although genotypic and microfluidics methods have many exciting features, however, their applications into routine clinical laboratory practice warrant extensive validation. The main impetus behind the evolution of methods in antimicrobial susceptibility testing is to shorten the overall turnaround time in obtaining the results and to enhance the ease of sample processing. This comprehensive narrative review summarises major conventional phenotypic methods and automated systems currently in use, and highlights principles of some of the emerging genotypic and micro/nanotechnology-based methods in antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Fulltext AMMI and GGE biplot analysis for yield performance and stability assessment of selected Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.) genotypes under the multi-environmental trails (METs)

Khan MMH, Rafii MY, Ramlee SI, Jusoh M, Al Mamun M

Sci Rep, 2021 Nov 23;11(1):22791.
PMID: 34815427 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01411-2

The stability and high yielding of Vigna subterranea L. Verdc. genotype is an important factor for long-term development and food security. The effects of G × E interaction on yield stability in 30 Bambara groundnut genotypes in four different Malaysian environments were investigated in this research. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with three replications in each environment. Over multiple harvests, yield component traits such as the total number of pods per plant, fresh pods weight (g), hundred seeds weight (g), and yield per hectare were evaluated in the main and off-season in 2020 and 2021. Stability tests for multivariate stability parameters were performed based on analyses of variance. For all the traits, the pooled analysis of variance revealed highly significant (p
Impact of chitosan composites and chitosan nanoparticle composites on various drug delivery systems: A review

Elgadir MA, Uddin MS, Ferdosh S, Adam A, Chowdhury AJK, Sarker MZI

J Food Drug Anal, 2015 Dec;23(4):619-629.
PMID: 28911477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2014.10.008

Chitosan is a promising biopolymer for drug delivery systems. Because of its beneficial properties, chitosan is widely used in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. In this review, we summarize the physicochemical and drug delivery properties of chitosan, selected studies on utilization of chitosan and chitosan-based nanoparticle composites in various drug delivery systems, and selected studies on the application of chitosan films in both drug delivery and wound healing. Chitosan is considered the most important polysaccharide for various drug delivery purposes because of its cationic character and primary amino groups, which are responsible for its many properties such as mucoadhesion, controlled drug release, transfection, in situ gelation, and efflux pump inhibitory properties and permeation enhancement. This review can enhance our understanding of drug delivery systems particularly in cases where chitosan drug-loaded nanoparticles are applied.
Natural disasters and Malaysian economic growth: policy reforms for disasters management

Qureshi MI, Yusoff RM, Hishan SS, Alam AF, Zaman K, Rasli AM

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 May;26(15):15496-15509.
PMID: 30937745 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04866-z

The natural catastrophic events largely damage the country's sustainability agenda through massive human fatalities and infrastructure destruction. Although it is partially supported the economic growth through the channel of "Schumpeter creative destruction" hypothesis, however, it may not be sustained in the long-run. This study examined the long-run and causal relationships between natural disasters (i.e., floods, storm, and epidemic) and per capita income by controlling FDI inflows and foreign aid in the context of Malaysia, during the period of 1965-2016. The study employed time series cointegration technique, i.e., autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL)-bounds testing approach for robust inferences. The results show that flood, storm, and epidemic disasters substantially decrease the country's per capita income, while FDI inflows and foreign aid largely supported the country's economic growth in the short-run. These results are disappeared in the long-run, where flood and storm disasters exhibit the positive association with the economic growth to support the Schumpeter creative destruction hypothesis. The foreign aid decreases the per capita income and does not maintain the "aid-effectiveness" hypotheses in a given country. The causality estimates confirmed the disaster-led growth hypothesis, as the causality estimates running from (i) storm to per capita income, (ii) epidemic to per capita income, and (iii) storm to foreign aid. The results emphasized for making disaster action plans to reduce human fatalities and infrastructure for sustainable development.
Fulltext An updated and comprehensive review on the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity and toxicological profile of Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook. f. & Thomson

Haque E, Bari MS, Khandokar L, Anjum J, Jantan I, Seidel V, et al.

Phytochem Rev, 2023;22(1):211-273.
PMID: 36345416 DOI: 10.1007/s11101-022-09843-y

Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook. f. & Thomson (Menispermaceae) is a plant indigenous to Africa and South-East Asia. It is widely used in ethnomedicine to alleviate various diseases including hypertension, diabetes, rheumatism, jaundice, inflammation, fever, fractures, scabies, and urinary disorders. A total of 167 phytoconstituents, belonging to 12 different chemical categories, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds have thus far been isolated from various parts of T. crispa. Numerous in vitro and in vivo investigations have already established the antidiabetic, anticancer, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antipyretic, antihyperuricemic, and pesticidal activity of this plant, as well as its effects on the cardiac and the central nervous system. Most pharmacological investigations to date have been carried out on plant extracts and fractions. The exact identity of the phytoconstituents responsible for the observed biological effects and their mode of action at the molecular level are yet to be ascertained. Toxicological studies have demonstrated that T. crispa is relatively safe, although dose-dependent hepatotoxicity is a concern at high doses. This review presents a comprehensive update and analysis on studies related to the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity and toxicological profile of T. crispa. It provides some critical insights into the current scientific knowledge on this plant and its future potential in pharmaceutical research.
The association between temperature and cause-specific mortality in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

Yatim ANM, Latif MT, Sofwan NM, Ahamad F, Khan MF, Mahiyuddin WRW, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2021 Nov;28(42):60209-60220.
PMID: 34156627 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14962-8

This study aims to examine the relationship between daily temperature and mortality in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, over the period 2006-2015. A quasi-Poisson generalized linear model combined with a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was used to estimate the association between the mean temperature and mortality categories (natural n=69,542, cardiovascular n= 15,581, and respiratory disease n=10,119). Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 10 μm (PM10) and surface ozone (O3) was adjusted as a potential confounding factor. The relative risk (RR) of natural mortality associated with extreme cold temperature (1st percentile of temperature, 25.2 °C) over lags 0-28 days was 1.26 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.60), compared with the minimum mortality temperature (28.2 °C). The relative risk associated with extremely hot temperature (99th percentile of temperature, 30.2 °C) over lags 0-3 days was 1.09 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.17). Heat effects were immediate whereas cold effects were delayed and lasted longer. People with respiratory diseases, the elderly, and women were the most vulnerable groups when it came to the effects of extremely high temperatures. Extreme temperatures did not dramatically change the temperature-mortality risk estimates made before and after adjustments for air pollutant (PM10 and O3) levels.
Fulltext Environmental impact assessment of tobacco farming in northern Bangladesh

Ali MY, Shahrier M, Kafy AA, Ara I, Javed A, Fattah MA, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 Mar;9(3):e14505.
PMID: 36967923 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14505

Tobacco farming in Bangladesh has significant and far-reaching environmental impacts, affecting the land, water, and air. While the country has implemented tobacco control measures, the lack of monitoring and enforcement has resulted in environmental degradation and public health concerns. This study aims to document the environmental impact of tobacco farming in Bangladesh, adopting a qualitative approach to collect and analyze data. The study used focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a structured questionnaire survey to gather data, assessing the impact of tobacco farming on the environment, socioeconomic conditions, and human health using a five-point impact assessment scale. Results illustrated that tobacco cultivation contributes to the ecosystem and natural resource degradation, leading to a loss of habitat diversity and domestic animal death. Soil erosion, water pollution, and air pollution from excessive plowing and pesticide usage have also been observed, causing skin diseases and other health issues. Despite some economic benefits, social conditions have worsened due to drug addiction and conflicts among tobacco workers. The study will help policymakers and environmentalists by highlighting the need to take action in reducing the environmental and social impacts of tobacco farming in Bangladesh. It also informs the public about the potential tobacco production and consumption risks. This study provides important insights into the adverse effects of tobacco farming in Bangladesh and emphasizes the importance of implementing appropriate measures to reduce environmental and public health impacts.
Fulltext Glibenclamide or metformin combined with honey improves glycemic control in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Erejuwa OO, Sulaiman SA, Wahab MS, Sirajudeen KN, Salleh MS, Gurtu S

Int J Biol Sci, 2011 Mar 14;7(2):244-52.
PMID: 21448302 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7.244

Diabetes mellitus is associated with deterioration of glycemic control and progressive metabolic derangements. This study investigated the effect of honey as an adjunct to glibenclamide or metformin on glycemic control in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in rats by streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were randomized into six groups and administered distilled water, honey, glibenclamide, glibenclamide and honey, metformin or metformin and honey. The animals were treated orally once daily for four weeks. The diabetic control rats showed hypoinsulinemia (0.27 ± 0.01 ng/ml), hyperglycemia (22.4 ± 1.0 mmol/L) and increased fructosamine (360.0 ± 15.6 µmol/L). Honey significantly increased insulin (0.41 ± 0.06 ng/ml), decreased hyperglycemia (12.3 ± 3.1 mmol/L) and fructosamine (304.5 ± 10.1 µmol/L). Although glibenclamide or metformin alone significantly (p < 0.05) reduced hyperglycemia, glibenclamide or metformin combined with honey produced significantly much lower blood glucose (8.8 ± 2.9 or 9.9 ± 3.3 mmol/L, respectively) compared to glibenclamide or metformin alone (13.9 ± 3.4 or 13.2 ± 2.9 mmol/L, respectively). Similarly, glibenclamide or metformin combined with honey produced significantly (p < 0.05) lower fructosamine levels (301.3 ± 19.5 or 285.8 ± 22.6 µmol/L, respectively) whereas glibenclamide or metformin alone did not decrease fructosamine (330.0 ± 29.9 or 314.6 ± 17.9 µmol/L, respectively). Besides, these drugs or their combination with honey increased insulin levels. Glibenclamide or metformin combined with honey also significantly reduced the elevated levels of creatinine, bilirubin, triglycerides, and VLDL cholesterol. These results indicate that combination of glibenclamide or metformin with honey improves glycemic control, and provides additional metabolic benefits, not achieved with either glibenclamide or metformin alone.
Fulltext Natural Compounds from Hatikana Extract Potentiate Antidiabetic Actions as Displayed by In Vivo Assays and Verified by Network Pharmacological Tools

Rahman MA, Uddin MN, Babteen NA, Alnajeebi AM, Zakaria ZA, Aboelenin SM

Biomed Res Int, 2021;2021:6978450.
PMID: 34725640 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6978450

BACKGROUND: Hatikana is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat inflammation, urolithiasis, goiter, cancer, wounds and sores, gastrointestinal, tumor, tetanus, arthritis, hepatic damage, neurodegeneration, and other ailments. The goal of this study is to investigate the antidiabetic properties of Hatikana extract (HKEx) and to construct the effects of its natural constituents on the genes and biochemical indices that are connected with them.
METHODS: HKEx was evaluated using GC-MS and undertaken for a three-week intervention in fructose-fed STZ-induced Wistar albino rats at the doses of HKEx50, HKEx100, and HKEx200 mg/kg bw. Following intervention, blood serum was examined for biochemical markers, and liver tissue was investigated for the mRNA expression of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD1) by RTPCR analysis. Most abundant compounds (oleanolic acid, 7α, 28-olean diol, and stigmasterol) from GC-MS were chosen for the network pharmacological assay to verify function-specific gene-compound interactions using STITCH, STRING, GSEA, and Cytoscape plugin cytoHubba.
RESULTS: In vivo results showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of blood sugar, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine kinase (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and increase of liver glycogen, glucose load, and serum insulin. Out of three antioxidative genes, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD1) were found to be few fold increased. Oleanolic acid and stigmasterol were noticed to strongly interact with 27 target proteins. Oleanolic acid interacted with the proteins AKR1B10, CASP3, CASP8, CYP1A2, CYP1A2, HMGB1, NAMPT, NFE2L2, NQO1, PPARA, PTGIR, TOP1, TOP2A, UGT2B10, and UGT2B11 and stigmasterol with ABCA1, ABCG5, ABCG8, CTSE, HMGCR, IL10, CXCL8, NR1H2, NR1H3, SLCO1B1, SREBF2, and TNF. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealed the involvement of 25 target proteins out of twenty seven. Cytoscape plugin cytoHubba identified TNF, CXCL8, CASP3, PPARA, SREBF2, and IL10 as top hub genes. Pathway analysis identified 31 KEGG metabolic, signaling, and immunogenic pathways associated with diabetes. Notable degree of PPI enrichment showed that SOD1 and CAT are responsible for controlling signaling networks and enriched pathways.
CONCLUSION: The findings show that antioxidative genes have regulatory potential, allowing the HKEx to be employed as a possible antidiabetic source pending further validation.
Fulltext Determination of Median Lethal Concentration (LC50) for Endosulfan, Heptachlor and Dieldrin Pesticides to African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus and Their Impact on Its Behavioral Patterns and Histopathological Responses

Islam MA, Amin SMN, Brown CL, Juraimi AS, Uddin MK, Arshad A

Toxics, 2021 Dec 08;9(12).
PMID: 34941774 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9120340

Pesticides such as endosulfan, heptachlor and dieldrin persist in aquatic environments as a result of their resistance to biodegradation. However, there is no adequate information about the toxicity of endosulfan, heptachlor and dieldrin to the aquatic organism, African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)-a high valued widely distributed commercially interesting species. The current experiment was performed with the aim to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50) of endosulfan, heptachlor and dieldrin to African catfish (Clarias gariepinus); their behavioral abnormalities and histopathological alterations in several vital organs. A total of 324 juvenile fish were exposed for 96 h to six concentrations of endosulfan and dieldrin at 0, 0.001, 0.002, 0.004, 0.008 and 0.016 ppm, and to heptachlor at concentrations of 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16 and 0.32 ppm for dose-response tests. The study demonstrated that the species is highly susceptible to those contaminants showing a number of behavioral abnormalities and histopathological changes in gill, liver and muscle. The 96-h LC50 value of endosulfan, dieldrin and heptachlor for the African catfish was found as 0.004 (0.001-0.01) mg/L, 0.006 mg/L and 0.056 (0.006-0.144) mg/L, respectively. Abnormal behaviors such as erratic jerky swimming, frequent surfacing movement with gulping of air, secretion of mucus on the body and gills were observed in response to the increasing exposure concentrations. Histopathological alterations of liver, gill and muscle tissues were demonstrated as vacuolization in hepatocytes, congestion of red blood cells (RBCs) in hepatic portal vein; deformed secondary lamellae and disintegrated myotomes with disintegrated epidermis, respectively. These findings are important to monitor and responsibly manage pesticide use in and around C. gariepinus aquacultural areas.
Fulltext Differential responses to blood pressure and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar-Kyoto rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats: effects of antioxidant (honey) treatment

Erejuwa OO, Sulaiman SA, Wahab MS, Sirajudeen KN, Salleh MS, Gurtu S

Int J Mol Sci, 2011;12(3):1888-907.
PMID: 21673929 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12031888

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis and/or complications of hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus. A combination of these disorders increases the risk of developing cardiovascular events. This study investigated the effects of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg; ip)-induced diabetes on blood pressure, oxidative stress and effects of honey on these parameters in the kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Diabetic WKY and SHR were randomized into four groups and received distilled water (0.5 mL) and honey (1.0 g/kg) orally once daily for three weeks. Control SHR had reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), catalase (CAT) activity, and total antioxidant status (TAS). SBP, activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were elevated while TAS was reduced in diabetic WKY. In contrast, SBP, TAS, activities of GPx and GR were reduced in diabetic SHR. Antioxidant (honey) treatment further reduced SBP in diabetic SHR but not in diabetic WKY. It also increased TAS, GSH, reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio, activities of GPx and GR in diabetic SHR. These data suggest that differences in types, severity, and complications of diseases as well as strains may influence responses to blood pressure and oxidative stress.
Band gap tuning of perovskite solar cells for enhancing the efficiency and stability: issues and prospects

Miah MH, Khandaker MU, Rahman MB, Nur-E-Alam M, Islam MA

RSC Adv, 2024 May 15;14(23):15876-15906.
PMID: 38756852 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra01640h

The intriguing optoelectronic properties, diverse applications, and facile fabrication techniques of perovskite materials have garnered substantial research interest worldwide. Their outstanding performance in solar cell applications and excellent efficiency at the lab scale have already been proven. However, owing to their low stability, the widespread manufacturing of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) for commercialization is still far off. Several instability factors of PSCs, including the intrinsic and extrinsic instability of perovskite materials, have already been identified, and a variety of approaches have been adopted to improve the material quality, stability, and efficiency of PSCs. In this review, we have comprehensively presented the significance of band gap tuning in achieving both high-performance and high-stability PSCs in the presence of various degradation factors. By investigating the mechanisms of band gap engineering, we have highlighted its pivotal role in optimizing PSCs for improved efficiency and resilience.

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