Tibial fractures are common and complications occur more frequently than any other long bone fractures. The effect of fibula and location of fracture on union of Tibia fracture remain controversial. A retrospective study of unilateral closed tibial shaft fractures without any associated injury was done. From 1988 to 1992, 74 out of 103 patients were available for the study. There were 60 males and 14 females with the age ranges from 3 to 75 years with an average of 29.7 years. The differences of fractures healing were analyses with respect to the status of the fibula and the location of the tibial fracture. This study concludes that the location of the fracture and the status of the fibula have no significant influence on healing (p > 0.05).
The present study was conducted primarily to determine the occurrence of polypharmacy in patients with schizophrenia on risperidone. The secondary aim was to ascertain the incidence of inappropriate prescribing with anticholinergics. A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients who were being followed up at the out-patient clinic of a tertiary-care hospital in Malaysia was conducted. Only patients who were being prescribed risperidone between 1 June 2008 and 31 December 2008 were included in the study. Demographic data such as patient's age, gender and race were obtained from the patient's medical records. In total, 113 patients met the selection criteria. Polypharmacy was found to occur in 34 patients (30.09%), with the majority (76.47%) being on two antipsychotics. In total, 27 patients (34.18%) on monotherapy with risperidone were prescribed an anticholinergic on scheduled dosing, while 19 patients (24.05%) were prescribed it on an as-needed basis. Of the patients on polypharmacy, 26 (76.47%) were on scheduled dosing of anticholinergics, while three (8.82%) were taking the medication on an as-needed basis. Polypharmacy should be avoided, and the use of anticholinergics should be closely reviewed. By adopting more efficient prescribing practices, costs can be reduced and financial resources can instead be channelled towards more beneficial areas for the patients.
Study site: Psychiatric clinic, tertiary hospital, Malaysia
A series of 2-methoxypyridine-3-carbonitrile (5a-i)-bearing aryl substituents were successfully synthesized in good yields by the condensation of chalcones (4a-i) with malononitrile in basic medium. The condensation process, in most cases, offers a route to a variety of methoxypyridine derivatives (6a-g) as side products in poor yields. All new compounds were fully characterized using different spectroscopic methods. Mass ESI-HMRS measurements were also performed. Furthermore, these compounds were screened for their in vitro cytotoxicity activities against three cancer cell lines; namely, those of the liver (line HepG2), prostate (line DU145) and breast (line MBA-MB-231). The cytotoxicity assessment revealed that compounds 5d, 5g, 5h and 5i exhibit promising antiproliferative effects (IC50 1-5 µM) against those three cancer cell lines.
Data and geographical trend of Salmonella serovars infecting poultry in Malaysia is limited. In this study, the trend of Salmonella serovars infection was presented for the past ten years from 2011 to 2020 and the predominant serovars were mapped based on geographical distribution. Analysis of passive surveillance data demonstrated a shift of Salmonella serovars that infected poultry in Malaysia. The Salmonella serovars varied within ten years of registered cases with the Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh, Malaysia involving samples from live and dead birds. Total number of cases found from the year 2011 to 2020 were 391 cases, involving 73 Salmonella serovars with an additional one group of unclassified serovars known as Salmonella spp. Further analysis revealed that eight serovars were found predominant throughout the ten-year period. These included S. Albany, S. Braenderup, S. Brancaster, S. Corvallis, S. Enteritidis, S. Kentucky, S. Typhimurium and S. Weltevreden. Salmonella spp. (Salmonella that is incapable to be identified based on serotyping) were also one of the major groups observed throughout the years. This study could help the authorities to improvise policies for better disease control programs through the establishment of diagnostic tools for rapid Salmonella screening in poultry.
Furopyridine III, namely 1-(3-amino-4-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-6-(p-tolyl)furo[2,3-b]pyridin-2-yl)ethan-1-one, synthesized from 4-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-2-oxo-6-(p-tolyl)-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile I in two steps. The title compound is characterized by NMR, MS and its X-ray structure. The molecular structure consists of planar furopyridine ring with both phenyl rings being inclined from the furopyridine scaffold to a significant different extent. There are three intramolecular hydrogen bonds within the structure. The lattice is stabilized by N-H…O, H2C-H …π and π…π intermolecular interactions leading to three-dimensional network. Compound III exhibits fluorescent properties, which are investigated. Antimicrobial potential and antioxidant activity screening studies for the title compound III and the heterocyclic derivatives, I and II, show no activity towards neither bacterial nor fungal strains, while they exhibited weak to moderate antioxidant activity compared to reference.
The miscibility between hydrophobic and hydrophilic biopolymers has been of significant challenge. This study used a novel simplified chitin modification method to produce phthalic chitin using phthalic anhydride in a substitution reaction. The FT-IR functional group analysis was used to confirm the substitution reaction. The modified chitin was used as compatibilizer in polylactic acid (PLA)/starch biocomposite to enhance its properties. The biocomposite was prepared using melt extrusion and compression moulding technique. The biocomposite's morphological, thermomechanical and water absorption properties were characterized using scanning electron microscope, tensile test, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thickness swelling and water absorption test. The FT-IR study shows a successful substitution reaction of the amine hydrogen ion present in the chitin as opposed to substituting the hydrogen ion in the hydroxide group. The tensile and impact properties of biocomposite incorporated with modified chitin showed better results compared with other samples. The SEM images showed uniform miscibility of the modified biocomposite. The dynamic mechanical analysis showed improved modulus value with the incorporation of modified chitin. The thermal properties showed improved thermal stability of the modified biocomposite. Furthermore, the percentage of water absorbed by biocomposite with modified chitin is reduced compared with the PLA/starch biocomposite. The produced biodegradable ternary blend can be used as a substitute for plastics in industrial applications.
The present work investigates the proficiency of green silver oxide nanocatalyst synthesised from Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) Dcne. leaves extract, and their application for biodiesel synthesis from novel Prunus bokhariensis seed oil (non-edible). The seed oil content of 55% and FFA content of 0.80 mg KOH/g were reported. Several analytical tools (EDX, FT-IR, SEM and XRD) were used to characterise the Ag2O nanocatalyst. Maximum (89%) FAME yield of the PBSOB (Prunus bokhariensis seed oil biodiesel) was achieved at ambient transesterification conditions i.e. 3.5 wt% nanocatalyst loading, 2.5 h reaction time, 130 °C of reaction temperature and 12:1 alcohol to oil ratio. The synthesised PBSOB was additionally characterised by analytical methods like, GC-MS and FT-IR. The different aspects of fuel were identified i.e. flash point (84 °C), kinematic viscosity (4.01 cSt @ 40 °C), sulphur content (0.0003 wt %), density (0.853 kg/L) and acid number (0.167 mg KOH/g). All the above properties were verified and agreed well with biodiesel international standards (European Union (14214), China GB/T (20828) and ASTM (6751, 951). In general, Prunus bokhariensis seed oil and Ag2O nanocatalyst seem to be remarkably active, cheap and stable candidates for the biodiesel industry in future.
Vancomycin is the last resort antibiotic for the treatment of severe bacterial keratitis. Its clinical application is limited due to its hydrophilicity and high molecular weight. To overcome this, this study aims to develop nanoparticles-laden contact lens for controlled ocular delivery of vancomycin. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used as encapsulant material. The nanoparticles had a negative surface charge and an average size of 147.6 nm. A satisfactory encapsulation efficiency (61.24%) was obtained. The release profile was observed to be slow and sustained, with a release rate of 1.29 μL mg-1 h-1 for 48 h. Five out of 6 test bacteria were suppressed by vancomycin nanoparticles-laden contact lens. Vancomycin is generally ineffective against Gram-negative bacteria and unable to pass through the outer membrane barrier. In this study, vancomycin inhibited Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nano-encapsulation enables vancomycin to penetrate the Gram-negative cell wall and further destroy the bacterial cells. On Hohenstein challenge test, all test bacteria exhibited significant reduction in growth when exposed to vancomycin nanoparticles-laden contact lens. This study created an effective and long-lasting vancomycin delivery system via silicone hydrogel contact lenses, by using PVA as encapsulant. The antibiotic efficacy and vancomycin release should be further studied using ocular in vivo models.