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Characterization of un-plasticized and propylene carbonate plasticized carboxymethyl cellulose doped ammonium chloride solid biopolymer electrolytes

Ahmad NH, Isa MIN

Carbohydr Polym, 2016 Feb 10;137:426-432.
PMID: 26686147 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.10.092

Two solid biopolymer electrolytes (SBEs) systems of carboxymethyl cellulose doped ammonium chloride (CMC-AC) and propylene carbonate plasticized (CMC-AC-PC) were prepared via solution casting technique. The ionic conductivity of SBEs were analyzed using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the frequency range of 50 Hz-1 MHz at ambient temperature (303K). The highest ionic conductivity of CMC-AC SBE is 1.43 × 10(-3)S/cm for 16 wt.% of AC while the highest conductivity of plasticized SBE system is 1.01 × 10(-2)S/cm when added with 8 wt.% of PC. TGA/DSC showed that the addition of PC had increased the decomposition temperature compared of CMC-AC SBE. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the occurrence of complexation between the SBE components and it is proved successfully executed by Gaussian software. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that amorphous nature of SBEs. It is believed that the PC is one of the most promising plasticizer to enhance the ionic conductivity and performance for SBE system.
COVID-19 - How prepared are emergency departments in embracing the new norm?

Iqhbal KM, Ahmad NH

Med J Malaysia, 2020 09;75(5):585-586.
PMID: 32918431

No abstract provided.
Catharanthus roseus Aqueous Extract is Cytotoxic to Jurkat Leukaemic T-cells but Induces the Proliferation of Normal Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Ahmad NH, Rahim RA, Mat I

Trop Life Sci Res, 2010 Dec;21(2):101-13.
PMID: 24575203

Research on natural products has been widely used as a strategy to discover new drugs with potential for applications in complementary medicines because they have fewer side effects than conventional drugs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic effects of crude aqueous Catharanthus roseus extract on Jurkat cells and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The aqueous extract was standardised to vinblastine by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and was used to determine cytotoxicity by the MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] assay. DNA fragmentation assay was employed to determine if cell death was due to apoptosis. The results showed that the aqueous extract induced cell death of Jurkat cells at 24, 48 and 72 hours post-treatment in a time- and dose-dependent manner. However, cells treated at 48 and 72 hours produced higher cytotoxic effects with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.55 μg/ml and 2.38 μg/ml, respectively. In contrast, the extract induced normal PBMC proliferation, especially after 24 hours treatment with 1000 μg/ml. This result indicates that the C. roseus crude aqueous extract showed differential effects of inhibiting the proliferation of the Jurkat cell line and promoting the growth of PBMCs. These data suggest that the extract may be applicable for modulating the normal and transformed immune cells in leukaemia patients.
One-step analysis of growth kinetics of mesophilic Bacillus cereus in liquid egg yolk during treatment with phospholipase A2: Model development and validation

Ahmad NH, Huang L, Juneja V

Food Res Int, 2024 Jan;176:113786.
PMID: 38163703 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113786

Liquid egg yolk (LEY) is often treated with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) to improve its emulsifying capacity and thermal stability. However, this process may allow certain pathogens to grow. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth kinetics of mesophilic Bacillus cereus in LEY during PLA2 treatment. Samples, inoculated with B. cereus vegetative cells, were incubated isothermally at different temperatures between 9 and 50 °C to observe the bacterial growth and survival. Under the observation conditions, bacterial growth occurred between 15 and 48 °C, but not at 9 and 50 °C. The growth curves were analyzed using the USDA IPMP-Global Fit, with the no-lag phase model as the primary model in combination with either the cardinal temperatures model (CTM) or the Huang square-root model (HSRM) as the secondary model. While similar maximum growth temperatures (Tmax) were determined (48.4 °C for HSRM and 48.1 °C for CTM), the minimum growth temperature (Tmin) of the HSRM more accurately described the lower limit (9.26 °C), in contrast to 6.51 °C for CTM, suggesting that the combination of the no-lag phase model and HSRM was more suitable to describe the growth of mesophilic B. cereus in LEY. The root mean square error (RMSE) of model validation and development was <0.5 log CFU/g, indicating the combination of the no-lag phase model and HSRM could predict the growth of mesophilic B. cereus in LEY during PLA2 treatment. The results of this study may allow the food industry to choose a suitable temperature for PLA2 treatment of LEY to prevent the growth of mesophilic B. cereus.
Fulltext Service innovation management practices in the telecommunications industry: what does cross country analysis reveal?

Rahman SA, Taghizadeh SK, Ramayah T, Ahmad NH

Springerplus, 2015;4:810.
PMID: 26722630 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1580-8

Service innovation management practice is currently being widely scrutinized mainly in the developed countries, where it has been initiated. The current study attempts to propose a framework and empirically validate and explain the service innovation practices for successful performance in the telecommunications industry of two developing countries, Malaysia and Bangladesh. The research framework proposes relationships among organisational culture, operating core (innovation process, cross-functional organisation, and implementation of tools/technology), competition-informed pricing, and performance. A total of 176 usable data from both countries are analysed for the purpose of the research. The findings show that organisational culture tends to be more influential on innovation process and cross-functional organisation in Malaysian telecommunication industry. In contrast, implementation of tools/technology plays a more instrumental role in competition-informed pricing practices in Bangladesh. This study revealed few differences in the innovation management practices between two developing countries. The findings have strategic implications for the service sectors in both the developing countries regarding implementation of innovative enterprises, especially in Bangladesh where innovation is the basis for survival. Testing the innovation management practices in the developing countries perhaps contains uniqueness in the field of innovation management.
Determination and Quantification of the Vinblastine Content in Purple, Red, and White Catharanthus Roseus Leaves Using RP-HPLC Method

Abdul Rahim R, Ahmad NH, Al Azzam KM, Mat I

Adv Pharm Bull, 2018 Mar;8(1):157-161.
PMID: 29670851 DOI: 10.15171/apb.2018.019

Purpose:
To determine and quantify vinblastine in different varieties of Catharanthus roseus using reversed-phase HPLC method.
Methods:
The liquid chromatographic separation was performed using a reversed phase C18, Microsorb - MV column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) at room temperature and eluted with a mobile phase containing methanol - phosphate buffer (5 mM, pH 6.0) - acetonitrile with different proportion gradient elution at a flow rate of 2.0 mL min-1 and detection at 254 nm.
Results:
The HPLC method was utilized for the quantification of vinblastine in purple, red and white varieties of Catharanthus roseus leaves. The separation was achieved in less than 8 min. The peak confirmation was done based on the retention times and UV spectra of the reference substance. The method was validated with respect to linearity, precision, recovery, limit of detection and quantification. Results showed that the purple variety gives 1.2 and 1.5 times more vinblastine concentration compared to the white and pink varieties, respectively.
Conclusion:
The obtained results from different varieties are thus useful for the purpose of vinblastine production from Catharanthus roseus plant.
Para-Bombay Phenotype of a Pregnant Mother in Malaysia: Transfusion for an Extremely Premature Baby

Pei TP, Ahmad NH, Noor NHM

Oman Med J, 2022 Jan;37(1):e336.
PMID: 35136665 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2021.45

Para-Bombay blood phenotype is a rare blood group with limited cases reported worldwide. This blood group is characterized by the absence of ABH antigen on red blood cells but presence of ABH secretor substances in the body secretion. This rare phenotype is usually misinterpreted as O and may endanger the patient if urgent blood transfusion is required. A mother who was labelled as group O Rh D positive during antenatal follow-up was found to have ABO discrepancy during delivery. The newborn was admitted for extremely premature delivery at 25 weeks. As the baby required transfusion, problem arose during cross matching with the mother's sample. It was found that the mother was group O Rh D positive in forward grouping. However, the reverse grouping showed the presence of reaction (2+) in O cells. The baby was grouped as O Rh D positive. As transfusion was urgently needed due to baby's unstable condition, group O Rh D positive packed cell was found compatible with baby's serum, subsequently transfused. Bombay blood donor was contacted, and the donated blood was sent to the hospital for further management. Further investigations were performed, indicating that the mother is para-Bombay A. Due to recent transfusion to baby, we suggested to repeat baby's blood group after the baby is one year old. Para-Bombay was usually mislabelled as O if the sample was not tested with O cell in reverse grouping. Additional tests may be needed during antenatal follow-up to prevent complications during delivery, which requires emergency blood transfusion.
Fulltext mRNA transcriptome profiling of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2 treated with Catharanthus roseus-silver nanoparticles

Azhar NA, Abu Bakar SA, Citartan M, Ahmad NH

World J Hepatol, 2023 Mar 27;15(3):393-409.
PMID: 37034237 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v15.i3.393

BACKGROUND: The demand for the development of cancer nanomedicine has increased due to its great therapeutic value that can overcome the limitations of conventional cancer therapy. However, the presence of various bioactive compounds in crude plant extracts used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) makes its precise mechanisms of action unclear.
AIM: To assessed the mRNA transcriptome profiling of human HepG2 cells exposed to Catharanthus roseus G. Don (C. roseus)-AgNPs.
METHODS: The proliferative activity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and normal human liver (THLE3) cells treated with C. roseusAgNPs were measured using MTT assay. The RNA samples were extracted and sequenced using BGIseq500 platform. This is followed by data filtering, mapping, gene expression analysis, differentially expression genes analysis, Gene Ontology analysis, and pathway analysis.
RESULTS: The mean IC50 values of C. roseusAgNPs on HepG2 was 4.38 ± 1.59 μg/mL while on THLE3 cells was 800 ± 1.55 μg/mL. Transcriptome profiling revealed an alteration of 296 genes. C. roseusAgNPs induced the expression of stress-associated genes such as MT, HSP and HMOX-1. Cellular signalling pathways were potentially activated through MAPK, TNF and TGF pathways that are responsible for apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The alteration of ARF6, EHD2, FGFR3, RhoA, EEA1, VPS28, VPS25, and TSG101 indicated the uptake of C. roseus-AgNPs via both clathrin-dependent and clathrin-independent endocytosis.
CONCLUSION: This study provides new insights into gene expression study of biosynthesised AgNPs on cancer cells. The cytotoxicity effect is mediated by the aberrant gene alteration, and more interestingly the unique selective antiproliferative properties indicate the C. roseusAgNPs as an ideal anticancer candidate.
Fulltext Antibacterial potential of silver nanoparticles (SP-AgNPs) synthesized from Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp. against selected foodborne pathogens

Khan S, Rukayadi Y, Jaafar AH, Ahmad NH

Heliyon, 2023 Dec;9(12):e22771.
PMID: 38125456 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22771

Foodborne diseases continue to pose a significant global health concern, causing a considerable number of deaths worldwide. In response to concerns surrounding bacterial resistance and the limitations of traditional antibiotics, there is a growing interest in exploring natural antibacterial agents as potential alternatives for addressing foodborne pathogens. Nowadays efforts are being made on exploring the potential of natural antibacterial agents against foodborne pathogens. In this study, the antibacterial efficacy of silver nanoparticles synthesized using S. polyanthum leaves extract (SP-AgNPs) against selected Gram-negative and Gram-positive foodborne pathogens was investigated by using multiple assays, including the well diffusion assay (WDA), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill assay. The well diffusion assay demonstrated the inhibitory potential of SP-AgNPs against all tested foodborne pathogens, with inhibition zones ranging from 10.16 + 1.25 to 13.16 + 1.52 mm. Furthermore, the MIC values ranged from 0.008 to 0.125 mg/mL, indicating the potent antibacterial activity of SP-AgNPs across a broad spectrum of foodborne pathogens. The MBC values, ranging from 0.008 to 0.250 mg/mL, further confirming the bactericidal ability of SP-AgNPs against these pathogens. In the time-kill experiment, most foodborne pathogens were entirely killed after 4 h of incubation at 4 × MIC concentration. However, only E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. Typhimurium showed a reduction in population to 3 Log10 CFU/mL, indicating a strong bactericidal effect of SP-AgNPs on most tested pathogens. In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence that SP-AgNPs exhibit potent antibacterial activity against selected foodborne pathogens. The findings suggest that SP-AgNPs synthesized using S. polyanthum leaves extract hold great promise as a novel antibacterial agent for effectively controlling foodborne pathogens. These findings contribute to continuing efforts in developing alternative strategies to prevent foodborne diseases and enhance food safety.
Fulltext Run! This road has no ending! A systematic review of PLS-SEM application in strategic management research among developing nations

Shela V, Ramayah T, Aravindan KL, Ahmad NH, Alzahrani AI

Heliyon, 2023 Dec;9(12):e22476.
PMID: 38125546 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22476

Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) is emerging as a prominent methodological tool in strategic management research. Although it offers various advancements to stay relevant with growing research needs, the pace of PLS-SEM adoption may differ in different parts of the world. In this paper, we conducted a systematic review using the PRISMA framework and extracted from the top-ranking strategic management journals 120 articles published between 2011 and 2022 that presented a microscopic view on developing nations. Our findings reveal that despite the astounding methodological solutions offered by PLS-SEM, the studies from developing nations are still trailing behind developed nations in terms of fully exploiting the advancements of PLS-SEM to provide substantial insights to strategic management literature. This review identifies discrepancies in the current application of the method, discusses the most recent advancements and provides the best practices, standard guidelines and recommendations for the best use of PLS-SEM in strategic management research.
Modulating of microencapsulated virgin coconut oil-based creamer

Mohammed NK, Ahmad NH, Muhialdin BJ, Meor Hussin AS

J Food Sci Technol, 2024 Mar;61(3):528-538.
PMID: 38327854 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-023-05860-7

This work aims to produce a virgin coconut oil (VCO) creamer through two drying stages; spray drying followed by fluidised bed drying, and to examine its antioxidant properties and oxidative stability during different storage conditions. Evaluation of the physicochemical properties of spray dry VCO and oxidative stability of the VCO creamer were performed using peroxide value (PV), antioxidant activity (DPPH), and total phenolic content (TPC) at 25, 4, and 25 °C, respectively, for 8 weeks. Agglomeration process has improved the agglomerated VCO creamer's properties in terms of moisture content (4.34%), solubility (85.2%), water activity (0.32%), and bulk density (0.36 g/cm3). The morphology of agglomerated VCO creamer showed cluster and irregular shapes with enlargement in the particle size, (d32) 395 µm and (d43) 426 µm. The overall oxidative results showed stability for the agglomerated VCO creamer stored at 4 °C in terms of TPC, DPPH and PV over 8 weeks followed by creamer stored at 25 °C which had similar stability with slight differences. The creamer stored at 38 °C showed rapid degradation for all oxidation tests from week 2 onwards. Agglomeration technology has indicated to be effective in the stabilization of virgin coconut oil against lipid oxidation and prolonging its shelf-life.
Rapid and sensitive detection of Salmonella in agro-Food and environmental samples: A review of advances in rapid tests and biosensors

Oslan SNH, Yusof NY, Lim SJ, Ahmad NH

J Microbiol Methods, 2024 Apr;219:106897.
PMID: 38342249 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2024.106897

Salmonella is as an intracellular bacterium, causing many human fatalities when the host-specific serotypes reach the host gastrointestinal tract. Nontyphoidal Salmonella are responsible for numerous foodborne outbreaks and product recalls worldwide whereas typhoidal Salmonella are responsible for Typhoid fever cases in developing countries. Yet, Salmonella-related foodborne disease outbreaks through its food and water contaminations have urged the advancement of rapid and sensitive Salmonella-detecting methods for public health protection. While conventional detection methods are time-consuming and ineffective for monitoring foodstuffs with short shelf lives, advances in microbiology, molecular biology and biosensor methods have hastened the detection. Here, the review discusses Salmonella pathogenic mechanisms and its detection technology advancements (fundamental concepts, features, implementations, efficiency, benefits, limitations and prospects). The time-efficiency of each rapid test method is discussed in relation to their limit of detections (LODs) and time required from sample enrichment to final data analysis. Importantly, the matrix effects (LODs and sample enrichments) were compared within the methods to potentially speculate Salmonella detection from environmental, clinical or food matrices using certain techniques. Although biotechnological advancements have led to various time-efficient Salmonella-detecting techniques, one should consider the usage of sophisticated equipment to run the analysis by moderately to highly trained personnel. Ultimately, a fast, accurate Salmonella screening that is readily executed by untrained personnels from various matrices, is desired for public health procurement.
Fulltext Whole genome sequencing and analysis reveal insights into the genetic structure, diversity and evolutionary relatedness of luxI and luxR homologs in bacteria belonging to the Sphingomonadaceae family

Gan HM, Gan HY, Ahmad NH, Aziz NA, Hudson AO, Savka MA

Front Cell Infect Microbiol, 2014;4:188.
PMID: 25621282 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00188

Here we report the draft genomes and annotation of four N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)-producing members from the family Sphingomonadaceae. Comparative genomic analyses of 62 Sphingomonadaceae genomes were performed to gain insights into the distribution of the canonical luxI/R-type quorum sensing (QS) network within this family. Forty genomes contained at least one luxR homolog while the genome of Sphingobium yanoikuyae B1 contained seven Open Reading Frames (ORFs) that have significant homology to that of luxR. Thirty-three genomes contained at least one luxI homolog while the genomes of Sphingobium sp. SYK6, Sphingobium japonicum, and Sphingobium lactosutens contained four luxI. Using phylogenetic analysis, the sphingomonad LuxR homologs formed five distinct clades with two minor clades located near the plant associated bacteria (PAB) LuxR solo clade. This work for the first time shows that 13 Sphingobium and one Sphingomonas genome(s) contain three convergently oriented genes composed of two tandem luxR genes proximal to one luxI (luxR-luxR-luxI). Interestingly, luxI solos were identified in two Sphingobium species and may represent species that contribute to AHL-based QS system by contributing AHL molecules but are unable to perceive AHLs as signals. This work provides the most comprehensive description of the luxI/R circuitry and genome-based taxonomical description of the available sphingomonad genomes to date indicating that the presence of luxR solos and luxI solos are not an uncommon feature in members of the Sphingomonadaceae family.
Suppressing growth, migration, and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells by Catharanthus roseus‑silver nanoparticles

Azhar NA, Ghozali SZ, Abu Bakar SA, Lim V, Ahmad NH

Toxicol In Vitro, 2020 Sep;67:104910.
PMID: 32526345 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2020.104910

Application of silver nanoparticles serves as a new approach in cancer treatment due to its unique features. Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant is advantageous since they are easily accessible, nontoxic and produce quicker reaction compared to other methods. To evaluate the cytotoxicity, mechanism of cell death and DNA damage of biosynthesized Catharanthus roseus-silver nanoparticles on human liver cancer (HepG2) cells. The antiproliferative activity of Catharanthus roseus‑silver nanoparticles was measured using MTT assay. The cytotoxic effects were further evaluated by measuring nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The mechanism of cell death was determined by annexin-FITC/propidium iodide, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell cycle assays. The assessment of DNA damage was evaluated using Comet assay method. The uptake of the nanoparticles were evaluated by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Catharanthus roseus‑silver nanoparticles has inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a time-dependent manner with a median IC50 value of 3.871 ± 0.18 μg/mL. The concentration of nitrite and ROS were significantly higher than control. The cell death was due to apoptosis associated with MMP loss, cell cycle arrest, and extensive DNA damage. TEM analysis indicated the presence of free nanoparticles and endosomes containing the nanoparticles. The findings show that Catharanthus roseus‑silver nanoparticles have produced cytotoxic effects on HepG2 cells and thus may have a potential to be used as an anticancer treatment, particularly for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Field study of pedestrians' comfort temperatures under outdoor and semi-outdoor conditions in Malaysian university campuses

Othman NE, Zaki SA, Rijal HB, Ahmad NH, Razak AA

Int J Biometeorol, 2021 Apr;65(4):453-477.
PMID: 33416948 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-020-02035-3

Difficulties in controlling the effects of outdoor thermal environment on the human body are attracting considerable research attention. This study investigated the outdoor thermal comfort of urban pedestrians by assessing their perceptions of the tropical, micrometeorological, and physical conditions via a questionnaire survey. Evaluation of the outdoor thermal comfort involved pedestrians performing various physical activities (sitting, walking, and standing) in outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces where the data collection of air temperature, globe temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, metabolic activity, and clothing insulation data was done simultaneously. A total of 1011 participants were interviewed, and the micrometeorological data were recorded under outdoor and semi-outdoor conditions at two Malaysian university campuses. The neutral temperatures obtained which were 28.1 °C and 30.8 °C were within the biothermal acceptable ranges of 24-34 °C and 26-33 °C of the PET thermal sensation ranges for the outdoor and semi-outdoor conditions, respectively. Additionally, the participants' thermal sensation and preference votes were highly correlated with the PET and strongly related to air and mean radiant temperatures. The findings demonstrated the influence of individuals' thermal adaptation on the outdoor thermal comfort levels. This knowledge could be useful in the planning and designing of outdoor environments in hot and humid regions to create better thermal environments.
Fulltext Offretite Zeolite Single Crystals Synthesized by Amphiphile-Templating Approach

Ng EP, Ahmad NH, Khoerunnisa F, Mintova S, Ling TC, Daou TJ

Molecules, 2021 Apr 13;26(8).
PMID: 33924655 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082238

Offretite zeolite synthesis in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr) is reported. The offretite crystals were synthesized with a high crystallinity and hexagonal prismatic shape after only 72 h of hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C. The CTABr has dual-functions during the crystallization of offretite, viz. as structure-directing agent and as mesoporogen. The resulting offretite crystals, with a Si/Al ratio of 4.1, possess more acid sites than the conventional offretite due to their high crystallinity and hierarchical structure. The synthesized offretite is also more reactive than its conventional counterpart in the acylation of 2-methylfuran for biofuel production under non-microwave instant heating condition, giving 83.5% conversion with 100% selectivity to the desired product 2-acetyl-5-methylfuran. Hence, this amphiphile synthesis approach offers another cost-effective and alternative route for crystallizing zeolite materials that require expensive organic templates.
Fulltext Knowledge and perception on blood safety issues among blood donors at the National Blood Centre: a pilot study [Abstract]

Tan PP, Mohamed Fauzi, H., Chang CT, Ahmad NH, Bahar B, Mangantig E, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(102):54-54.
MyJurnal

ABSTRACTS FOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL SCIENCES CONFERENCE 2019 (IHMSC 2019)
Held at Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, 8-9th March, 2019
Introduction: Unsafe blood products cause transfusion-transmissible infections among blood receivers. The knowledge and perception of blood donors is important as it is associated with their donation behaviour and hence the safety of blood products. There was no previous study that assessed the knowledge and perception on blood safety issues among blood donors to date. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and perception of blood
donors on blood safety issues.
Methods: This was a pilot study conducted to pilot test the self-developed questionnaire by the researchers. The questionnaire was available in the Malay language. One-hundred-thirty donors at the National Blood Centre were recruited to complete the self-administered questionnaire. Health sciences professionals, medical students and non-Malaysians were excluded in this study.
Results: A total of 130 donors comprising of 70 males (53.8%) and 60 females (46.2%) responded. The mean age of the respondents is 32.48±8.86 years. Most of the respondents were Malay (55.4%), single (49.2%), working in private sector (46.9%) and regular donor (68.5%). More than half of the respondents did not know that dengue, Zika and mad-cow disease can be contracted through blood transfusion. Ten percent of the respondents answered that bisexual people are eligible to donate blood. 40.7% of the donors agreed to check their HIV status through blood donation. Majority of the donors (60.7%) agreed that the donors’ blood is safe if the screening test is negative. Whereas, 33.9% of the donors disagreed that they shall be responsible if their blood causes infection.
Conclusion: Several knowledge gaps and inappropriate perception among the respondents were identified and these might affect the safety of the blood products. Targeted measures should be taken to rectify donors’ knowledge and perception in order to minimise inappropriate blood donor behaviours and reduce unsafe blood products.
BiFeO3 immobilized within liquid natural rubber-based hydrogel with enhanced adsorption-photocatalytic performance

Krishnamoorthy M, Ahmad NH, Amran HN, Mohamed MA, Kaus NHM, Yusoff SFM

Int J Biol Macromol, 2021 Jul 01;182:1495-1506.
PMID: 34019924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.104

Semiconductor materials have shown a good photocatalytic behaviour for the photodegradation of organic pollutants. In this work, maleated liquid natural rubber (MLNR) based hydrogel supported bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) as photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by crosslinking with acrylic acid (AAc) assisted by the ultrasonication method to study the efficiency for the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye in wastewater. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the parameters for adsorption of the methylene blue (MB) dye compound, whereby the effects of the initial concentration of MB and the adsorption time were examined to obtain a quadratic model for the respective hydrogel composite. The prepared composite sample was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Remarkable improvement for removal of methylene blue (99% removal) was found within 3 h adsorption time with a MLNR/AAc-BiFeO3 hydrogel composite as compared to the pristine hydrogel. A synergistic mode of dye removal by adsorption and photodegradation is proposed. Based on the isotherm and kinetic study conducted, it was found that Freundlich isotherm model and a pseudo second-order kinetic model was best fitted for adsorption of MB dye. The MLNR/AAc-BiFeO3 composite maintains its removal efficiency after 5 cycles without the necessity of post-treatment separation. Therefore, it is crucial to note that the resultant low-cost MLNR/AAc-BiFeO3 hydrogel composite in this study offers excellent potential for water and wastewater treatment applications with improved recyclability and recovery.
Fulltext Effectiveness of Quaternary Ammonium in Reducing Microbial Load on Eggs

Chan HY, Meor Hussin AS, Ahmad NH, Rukayadi Y, Farouk AE

Molecules, 2021 Aug 30;26(17).
PMID: 34500692 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175259

Table eggs are an affordable yet nutritious protein source for humans. Unfortunately, eggs are a vector for bacteria that could cause foodborne illness. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a quaternary ammonium compound (quat) sanitizer against aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast, and mold load on the eggshell surface of free-range and commercial farms and the post-treatment effect on microbial load during storage. Total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast, and molds were enumerated using plate count techniques. The efficacy of the quaternary ammonium sanitizer (quat) was tested using two levels: full factorial with two replicates for corner points, factor A (maximum: 200 ppm, minimum: 100 ppm) and factor B (maximum: 15 min, minimum: 5 min). Quat sanitizer significantly (p < 0.05) reduced approximately 4 log10 CFU/cm2 of the aerobic mesophilic bacteria, 1.5 to 2.5 log10 CFU/cm2 of the mold population, and 1.5 to 2 log10 CFU/cm2 of the yeast population. However, there was no significant (p ≥ 0.05) response observed between individual factor levels (maximum and minimum), and two-way interaction terms were also not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05). A low (<1 log10 CFU/cm2) aerobic mesophilic bacteria trend was observed when shell eggs were stored in a cold environment up to the production expiry date. No internal microbial load was observed; thus, it was postulated that washing with quat sanitizer discreetly (without physically damaging the eggshell) does not facilitate microbial penetration during storage at either room temperature or cold storage. Current study findings demonstrated that the quat sanitizer effectively reduced the microbial population on eggshells without promoting internal microbial growth.
Transfusion practice blind spot in para-Bombay: A case report

Abdullah MR, Faizli AA, Noordin SS, Lee CJ, Ahmad NH

Transfus Apher Sci, 2021 Jun;60(3):103076.
PMID: 33574008 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2021.103076

H-deficient phenotype individuals with absent or weak anti-H activity may remain undetected on standard routine blood grouping. We report a case of a 59-year-old-man presented with symptomatic anaemia secondary to upper gastrointestinal bleed with haemoglobin level of 68 g/L who required two units of packed red blood cells. He was previously grouped as O Rh D positive and had a history of uneventful multiple blood transfusions. His latest pre-transfusion investigations showed ABO discrepancy between forward and reverse blood grouping, pan-agglutination in both antibody screening and identification with negative direct Coombs test and autocontrol. Further testing including anti-H lectin test and saliva secretor study confirmed that the patient blood group was para-Bombay B RhD positive. This case highlights that the para-Bombay phenotype can be mistakenly labelled as "O" if further investigations are not performed.

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