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  1. Association of CDKAL1 gene polymorphism (rs10946398) with gestational diabetes mellitus in Pakistani population
    Asghar A, Firasat S, Afshan K, Naz S
    Mol Biol Rep, 2023 Jan;50(1):57-64.
    PMID: 36301463 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-08011-x
    BACKGROUND: CDK5 regulatory subunit associated protein 1 like 1 (CDKAL1) encodes a tRNA modifying enzyme involved in the proper protein translation and regulation of insulin production encoded by the CDKL gene. Sequence variations in the CDKAL1 gene lead to the misreading of the Lys codon in proinsulin, resulting in decreased glucose-stimulated proinsulin production. Various polymorphic sequence variants of the CDKAL1 gene such as rs7754840, rs7756992, rs9465871, and rs10946398 are reported to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) incidence. One of these single nucleotide polymorphisms i.e., rs10946398 has been reported to impact the risk of GDM and its outcomes in pregnant women of different ethnicities i.e., Egypt, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Arab, and Malaysian. Numerous findings have shown that rs10946398 overturns the regulation of CDKAL1 expression, resulting in decreased insulin production and elevated risk of GDM. However, there is no data regarding rs10946398 genotype association with GDM incidence in our population.

    METHODOLOGY: In this study, 47 GDM patients and 40 age-matched controls were genotyped for rs10946398 CDKAL1 variant using Tetra primer Amplification Refractory Mutation System Polymerase Chain Reaction (Tetra ARMS-PCR).

    RESULTS: Analysis of the results showed the significant association of the C allele of CDKAL1 SNP rs10946398 (χ2 = 0.02 p = 0.001) with the risk of GDM development. Conclusively, the results support the role of SNP i.e., rs10946398 of CDKAL1 gene in GDM development in Pakistani female patients. However, future large-scale studies are needed to functionally authenticate the role of variant genotypes in the disease pathogenesis and progression.

  2. Fulltext A comparison of central composite design and Taguchi method for optimizing Fenton process
    Asghar A, Abdul Raman AA, Daud WM
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:869120.
    PMID: 25258741 DOI: 10.1155/2014/869120
    In the present study, a comparison of central composite design (CCD) and Taguchi method was established for Fenton oxidation. [Dye]ini, Dye:Fe(+2), H2O2:Fe(+2), and pH were identified control variables while COD and decolorization efficiency were selected responses. L 9 orthogonal array and face-centered CCD were used for the experimental design. Maximum 99% decolorization and 80% COD removal efficiency were obtained under optimum conditions. R squared values of 0.97 and 0.95 for CCD and Taguchi method, respectively, indicate that both models are statistically significant and are in well agreement with each other. Furthermore, Prob > F less than 0.0500 and ANOVA results indicate the good fitting of selected model with experimental results. Nevertheless, possibility of ranking of input variables in terms of percent contribution to the response value has made Taguchi method a suitable approach for scrutinizing the operating parameters. For present case, pH with percent contribution of 87.62% and 66.2% was ranked as the most contributing and significant factor. This finding of Taguchi method was also verified by 3D contour plots of CCD. Therefore, from this comparative study, it is concluded that Taguchi method with 9 experimental runs and simple interaction plots is a suitable alternative to CCD for several chemical engineering applications.
  3. Fulltext Enhancement of Treatment Efficiency of Recalcitrant Wastewater Containing Textile Dyes Using a Newly Developed Iron Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 Heterogeneous Catalyst
    Ahmad M, Asghar A, Abdul Raman AA, Wan Daud WM
    PLoS One, 2015;10(10):e0141348.
    PMID: 26517827 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141348
    Fenton oxidation, an advanced oxidation process, is an efficient method for the treatment of recalcitrant wastewaters. Unfortunately, it utilizes H2O2 and iron-based homogeneous catalysts, which lead to the formation of high volumes of sludge and secondary pollutants. To overcome these problems, an alternate option is the usage of heterogeneous catalyst. In this study, a heterogeneous catalyst was developed to provide an alternative solution for homogeneous Fenton oxidation. Iron Zeolite Socony Mobile-5 (Fe-ZSM-5) was synthesized using a new two-step process. Next, the catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis and tested against a model wastewater containing the azo dye Acid Blue 113. Results showed that the loading of iron particles reduced the surface area of the catalyst from 293.59 to 243.93 m2/g; meanwhile, the average particle size of the loaded material was 12.29 nm. Furthermore, efficiency of the developed catalyst was evaluated by performing heterogeneous Fenton oxidation. Taguchi method was coupled with principal component analysis in order to assess and optimize mineralization efficiency. Experimental results showed that under optimized conditions, over 99.7% degradation and 77% mineralization was obtained, with a 90% reduction in the consumption of the developed catalyst. Furthermore, the developed catalyst was stable and reusable, with less than 2% leaching observed under optimized conditions. Thus, the present study proved that newly developed catalyst has enhanced the oxidation process and reduced the chemicals consumption.
  4. Fulltext Metabolite Profiling of Malaysian Gracilaria edulis Reveals Eplerenone as Novel Antibacterial Compound for Drug Repurposing Against MDR Bacteria
    Asghar A, Tan YC, Shahid M, Yow YY, Lahiri C
    Front Microbiol, 2021;12:653562.
    PMID: 34276590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.653562
    With a continuous threat of antimicrobial resistance on human health worldwide, efforts for new alternatives are ongoing for the management of bacterial infectious diseases. Natural products of land and sea, being conceived to be having fewer side effects, pose themselves as a welcome relief. In this respect, we have taken a scaffolded approach to unearthing the almost unexplored chemical constituents of Malaysian red seaweed, Gracilaria edulis. Essentially, a preliminary evaluation of the ethyl acetate and acetone solvent extracts, among a series of six such, revealed potential antibacterial activity against six MDR species namely, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, and Bacillus subtilis. Detailed analyses of the inlying chemical constituents, through LC-MS and GC-MS chromatographic separation, revealed a library of metabolic compounds. These were led for further virtual screening against selected key role playing proteins in the virulence of the aforesaid bacteria. To this end, detailed predictive pharmacological analyses added up to reinforce Eplerenone as a natural alternative from the plethora of plausible bioactives. Our work adds the ongoing effort to re-discover and repurpose biochemical compounds to combat the antimicrobial resistance offered by the Gram-positive and the -negative bacterial species.
  5. A review of the applications of organo-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposites for heavy metal adsorption
    Sherlala AIA, Raman AAA, Bello MM, Asghar A
    Chemosphere, 2018 Feb;193:1004-1017.
    PMID: 29874727 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.11.093
    Graphene-based adsorbents have attracted wide interests as effective adsorbents for heavy metals removal from the environment. Due to their excellent electrical, mechanical, optical and transport properties, graphene and its derivatives such as graphene oxide (GO) have found various applications. However, in many applications, surface modification is necessary as pristine graphene/GO may be ineffective in some specific applications such as adsorption of heavy metal ions. Consequently, the modification of graphene/GO using various metals and non-metals is an ongoing research effort in the carbon-material realm. The use of organic materials represents an economical and environmentally friendly approach in modifying GO for environmental applications such as heavy metal adsorption. This review discusses the applications of organo-functionalized GO composites for the adsorption of heavy metals. The aspects reviewed include the commonly used organic materials for modifying GO, the performance of the modified composites in heavy metals adsorption, effects of operational parameters, adsorption mechanisms and kinetic, as well as the stability of the adsorbents. Despite the significant research efforts on GO modification, many aspects such as the interaction between the functional groups and the heavy metal ions, and the quantitative effect of the functional groups are yet to be fully understood. The review, therefore, offers some perspectives on the future research needs.
  6. Impacts of non-oxidative torrefaction conditions on the fuel properties of indigenous biomass (bagasse)
    Shehzad M, Asghar A, Ramzan N, Aslam U, Bello MM
    Waste Manag Res, 2020 Nov;38(11):1284-1294.
    PMID: 32347191 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X20916843
    Biomass is considered as the largest renewable energy source in the world. However, some of its inherent properties such as hygroscopicity, lower energy content, low mass density and bio-degradation on storage hinder its extensive application in energy generation processes. Torrefaction, a thermochemical process carried out at 200-300°C in a non-oxidative environment, can address these inherent problems of the biomass. In this work, torrefaction of bagasse was performed in a bench-scale tubular reactor at 250°C and 275°C with residence times of 30, 60 and 90 mins. The effects of torrefaction conditions on the elemental composition, mass yield, energy yield, oxygen/carbon (O/C) and hydrogen/carbon (H/C) ratios, higher heating values and structural composition were investigated and compared with the commercially available 'Thar 6' and 'Tunnel C' coal. Based on the targeted mass and energy yields of 80% and 90% respectively, the optimal process conditions turned out to be 250°C and 30 mins. Torrefaction of the bagasse conducted at 275°C and 90 min raised the carbon content in bagasse to 58.14% and resulted in a high heating value of 23.84 MJ/kg. The structural and thermal analysis of the torrefied bagasse indicates that the moisture, non-structural carbohydrates and hemicellulose were reduced, which induced the hydrophobicity in the bagasse and enhanced its energy value. These findings showed that torrefaction can be a sustainable pre-treatment process to improve the fuel and structural properties of biomass as a feedstock for energy generation processes.
  7. Fulltext Predicting the degradation potential of Acid blue 113 by different oxidants using quantum chemical analysis
    Asghar A, Bello MM, Raman AAA, Daud WMAW, Ramalingam A, Zain SBM
    Heliyon, 2019 Sep;5(9):e02396.
    PMID: 31517121 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02396
    In this work, quantum chemical analysis was used to predict the degradation potential of a recalcitrant dye, Acid blue 113, by hydrogen peroxide, ozone, hydroxyl radical and sulfate radical. Geometry optimization and frequency calculations were performed at 'Hartree Fock', 'Becke, 3-parameter, Lee-Yang-Parr' and 'Modified Perdew-Wang exchange combined with PW91 correlation' levels of study using 6-31G* and 6-31G** basis sets. The Fourier Transform-Raman spectra of Acid blue 113 were recorded and a complete analysis on vibrational assignment and fundamental modes of model compound was performed. Natural bond orbital analysis revealed that Acid blue 113 has a highly stable structure due to strong intermolecular and intra-molecular interactions. Mulliken charge distribution and molecular electrostatic potential map of the dye also showed a strong influence of functional groups on the neighboring atoms. Subsequently, the reactivity of the dye towards the oxidants was compared based on the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy values. The results showed that Acid blue 113 with a HOMO value -5.227 eV exhibits a nucleophilic characteristic, with a high propensity to be degraded by ozone and hydroxyl radical due to their lower HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of 4.99 and 4.22 eV respectively. On the other hand, sulfate radical and hydrogen peroxide exhibit higher HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of 7.92 eV and 8.10 eV respectively, indicating their lower reactivity towards Acid blue 113. We conclude that oxidation processes based on hydroxyl radical and ozone would offer a more viable option for the degradation of Acid blue 113. This study shows that quantum chemical analysis can assist in selecting appropriate advanced oxidation processes for the treatment of textile effluent.
  8. Fulltext The frequency of pulmonary hypertension in newborn with intrauterine growth restriction
    Abbas G, Shah S, Hanif M, Shah A, Rehman AU, Tahir S, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 05 15;10(1):8064.
    PMID: 32415157 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65065-2
    Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a clinical definition applied to neonates born with clinical features of malnutrition and in-utero growth retardation irrespective of their birth weight percentile. This study was aimed to determine the frequency of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in neonates with IUGR. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, we followed 96 neonates with IUGR (≤28 days) and 38 neonates without IUGR born in the department of the neonatal intensive care unit children hospital complex Multan, Pakistan. We analyzed certain factors such as gender, gestational age (GA) (weeks), birth weight (BW in kg), weight percentile (WP) for GA, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), birth asphyxia (BA) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in IUGR and non-IUGR group. GA was measured by the Ballard scoring system. Echocardiography was performed for all patients by the pediatric cardiologist to measure pulmonary arterial (PA) pressure using Bernoulli's equation. Out of total 96 IUGR neonates, 33.3% (n = 32) suffered from PH, of which 65.3% (n = 18) were male and 43.7% (n = 14) were female. The percentages of IUGR neonates with BA, MAS and RDS were 34.4%, 18.8% and 22.9% respectively. The data were analyzed using the SPSS-16 software to test the statistical significance of the results. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. When the chi-square test was applied, it depicted that MAS was significantly associated with PH in IUGR neonates (p = 0.0001) compared to non-IUGR neonates. Our findings suggested an increased chance of PH in IUGR neonates and MAS may be a strong factor.
  9. Effect of Thermal Radiation on Three-Dimensional Magnetized Rotating Flow of a Hybrid Nanofluid
    Asghar A, Lund LA, Shah Z, Vrinceanu N, Deebani W, Shutaywi M
    Nanomaterials (Basel), 2022 May 05;12(9).
    PMID: 35564275 DOI: 10.3390/nano12091566
    The effect of thermal radiation on the three-dimensional magnetized rotating flow of a hybrid nanofluid has been numerically investigated. Enhancing heat transmission is a contemporary engineering challenge in a range of sectors, including heat exchangers, electronics, chemical and biological reactors, and medical detectors. The main goal of the current study is to investigate the effect of magnetic parameter, solid volume fraction of copper, Eckert number, and radiation parameter on velocity and temperature distributions, and the consequence of solid volume fraction on declined skin friction and heat transfer against suction and a stretching/shrinking surface. A hybrid nanofluid is a contemporary type of nanofluid that is used to increase heat transfer performance. A linear similarity variable is−applied to convert the governing partial differential equations (PDEs) into corresponding ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Using the three-stage Labatto III-A method included in the MATLAB software’s bvp4c solver, the ODE system is solved numerically. In certain ranges of involved parameters, two solutions are received. The temperature profile θη upsurges in both solutions with growing values of EC and Rd. Moreover, the conclusion is that solution duality exists when the suction parameter S≥Sci, while no flow of fluid is possible when S
  10. Fulltext Magnetized mixed convection hybrid nanofluid with effect of heat generation/absorption and velocity slip condition
    Asghar A, Chandio AF, Shah Z, Vrinceanu N, Deebani W, Shutaywi M, et al.
    Heliyon, 2023 Feb;9(2):e13189.
    PMID: 36747513 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13189
    Through a vertically shrinking sheet, a two-dimensional magnetic nanofluid is numerically analyzed for convection, heat generation and absorption, and the slip velocity effect. In this research, Al2O3-Cu/water composite nanofluid is studied, where water is deemed the base liquid and copper (Cu) and alumina (Al2O3) are the solid nanoparticles. Modern composite nanofluids improve heat transfer efficiency. Using the Tiwari-Das model, the current study examines the effects of the solid volume fraction of copper, heat generation/absorption, MHD, mixed convection, and velocity slip parameters on velocity and temperature distributions. Introducing exponential similarity variables converts nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) to ordinary differential equations (ODEs). MATLAB bvp4c solver is used to solve ODEs. Results showed dual solutions for suction with 0%-10% copper nanoparticles and 1%-500% heat generation/absorption. As copper (Cu) solid volume percentage increases from 0% to 10%, reduced skin friction f ″ ( 0 ) boosts in the first solution but falls in the second. When Cu is added to both solutions, heat transport - θ ' ( 0 ) decreases. As heat generation/absorption increases 1%-500%, - θ ' ( 0 ) decreases in both solutions. In conclusion, solution dichotomy exists when suction parameter S ≥ S c i in assisting flow case, while no fluid flow is possible when S < S c i .
  11. Fulltext A scaffolded approach to unearth potential antibacterial components from epicarp of Malaysian Nephelium lappaceum L
    Asghar A, Tan YC, Zahoor M, Zainal Abidin SA, Yow YY, Khan E, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2021 Jul 05;11(1):13859.
    PMID: 34226594 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92622-0
    The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance have been of serious concern to human health and the management of bacterial infectious diseases. Effective treatment of these diseases requires the development of novel therapeutics, preferably free of side effects. In this regard, natural products are frequently conceived to be potential alternative sources for novel antibacterial compounds. Herein, we have evaluated the antibacterial activity of the epicarp extracts of the Malaysian cultivar of yellow rambutan fruit (Nephelium lappaceum L.) against six pathogens namely, Bacillus subtilis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica. Among a series of solvent extracts, fractions of ethyl acetate and acetone have revealed significant activity towards all tested strains. Chemical profiling of these fractions, via HPLC, LC-MS and GC-MS, has generated a library of potentially bioactive compounds. Downstream virtual screening, pharmacological prediction, and receptor-ligand molecular dynamics simulation have eventually unveiled novel potential antibacterial compounds, which can be extracted for medicinal use. We report compounds like catechin, eplerenone and oritin-4-beta-ol to be computationally inhibiting the ATP-binding domain of the chaperone, DnaK of P. aeruginosa and MRSA. Thus, our work follows the objective to propose new antimicrobials capable of perforating the barrier of resistance posed by both the gram positives and the negatives.
  12. Uncovering Potentially Therapeutic Phytochemicals, In silico Analysis, and Biological Assessment of South-Chinese Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)
    Asghar A, Huichun L, Fang Q, Khan NA, Shahid M, Rui W, et al.
    Plant Foods Hum Nutr, 2024 Feb 16.
    PMID: 38363439 DOI: 10.1007/s11130-024-01151-4
    Red dragon fruit is gaining popularity globally due to its nutritional value and bioactive components. The study aimed to assess the phytochemical, nutritional composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic properties of extracts from the South Chinese red dragon fruit peel, flesh, and seeds. Extract fractions with increasing polarity (ethyl acetate
  13. Fulltext Nutrition, phytochemical profiling, in vitro biological activities, and in silico studies of South Chinese white pitaya (Hylocereus undatus)
    Asghar A, Shahid M, Gang P, Khan NA, Fang Q, Xinzheng L
    Heliyon, 2024 Apr 30;10(8):e29491.
    PMID: 38681612 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29491
    BACKGROUND: White pitaya, a popular tropical fruit, is known for its high nutritional value. It is commercially cultivated worldwide for its potential use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This study aims to assess the nutritional and phytochemical contents and biological potential of the South Chinese White Pitaya (SCWP) peel, flesh, and seed extracts.

    METHODS: Extract fractions with increasing polarity (ethyl acetate 

  14. Fulltext Thermal degradation of aqueous 2-aminoethylethanolamine in CO2 capture; identification of degradation products, reaction mechanisms and computational studies
    Saeed IM, Lee VS, Mazari SA, Si Ali B, Basirun WJ, Asghar A, et al.
    Chem Cent J, 2017;11:10.
    PMID: 28184241 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-016-0231-7
    Amine degradation is the main significant problems in amine-based post-combustion CO2 capture, causes foaming, increase in viscosity, corrosion, fouling as well as environmental issues. Therefore it is very important to develop the most efficient solvent with high thermal and chemical stability. This study investigated thermal degradation of aqueous 30% 2-aminoethylethanolamine (AEEA) using 316 stainless steel cylinders in the presence and absence of CO2 for 4 weeks. The degradation products were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS). The results showed AEEA is stable in the absence of CO2, while in the presence of CO2 AEEA showed to be very unstable and numbers of degradation products were identified. 1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazolidinone (HEIA) was the most abundance degradation product. A possible mechanism for the thermal degradation of AEEA has been developed to explain the formation of degradation products. In addition, the reaction energy of formation of the most abundance degradation product HEIA was calculated using quantum mechanical calculation.
  15. Real world long-term outcomes among adults undergoing transcatheter patent foramen closure with amplatzer PFO occluder
    Abrahamyan L, Barker M, Dharma C, Lee DS, Austin PC, Asghar A, et al.
    Int J Cardiol, 2023 Jan 15;371:109-115.
    PMID: 36165815 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.09.033
    BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a congenital heart defect associated with an increased risk of cryptogenic stroke. We aimed to evaluate real-world outcomes of adult patients undergoing transcatheter PFO closure with the Amplatzer PFO Occluder.

    METHODS: In this single centre, retrospective cohort study, we linked a detailed clinical registry with provincial administrative databases to obtain short and long-term outcomes. Validated algorithms were used to established baseline comorbidities and adverse outcomes.

    RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2017, 479 patients had PFO closure with an Amplatzer PFO Occluder. The average age of the patients was 47.3 years (standard deviation (SD) = 12.4), and 54.7% were males. The procedural success was 100%, and 96% of patients were discharged on the same day. Any in-hospital complication was observed in 2.5% (n = 12) of patients. At 30 days post-discharge, 18% of patients had an ED visit and 5% a hospitalization. Over a mean follow-up of 9.1 (SD = 3.8) years, 4% experienced TIA, 1.5% stroke, and 7.6% atrial fibrillation. The composite outcome of stroke/TIA/death was observed in 10.9% of patients (1.22 events per 100 person-years). Patients >60 years old experienced higher rates of adverse events than younger patients.

    CONCLUSIONS: In this large real-world cohort of patients with cryptogenic stroke, we observed excellent safety and effectiveness outcomes for PFO closure conducted with Amplatzer PFO Occluder, similar to randomized controlled trials or other long-term cohort studies. New onset atrial fibrillation was one of the most commonly adverse events. Future studies should investigate early post-discharge management of patients to prevent readmissions.

  16. Food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices among consumers in developing countries: An international survey
    Odeyemi OA, Sani NA, Obadina AO, Saba CKS, Bamidele FA, Abughoush M, et al.
    Food Res Int, 2019 02;116:1386-1390.
    PMID: 30716930 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.10.030
    An international survey among consumers in developing countries from Asia and Africa on food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) was carried out using structured questionnaires. Data were collected from 453 consumers comprising 265 from Africa and 188 from Asia. Significant difference (p 
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