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Fulltext A Comprehensive Study on Starch Nanoparticle Potential as a Reinforcing Material in Bioplastic

Marta H, Wijaya C, Sukri N, Cahyana Y, Mohammad M

Polymers (Basel), 2022 Nov 12;14(22).
PMID: 36433002 DOI: 10.3390/polym14224875

Starch can be found in the stems, roots, fruits, and seeds of plants such as sweet potato, cassava, corn, potato, and many more. In addition to its original form, starch can be modified by reducing its size. Starch nanoparticles have a small size and large active surface area, making them suitable for use as fillers or as a reinforcing material in bioplastics. The aim of reinforcing material is to improve the characteristics of bioplastics. This literature study aims to provide in-depth information on the potential use of starch nanoparticles as a reinforcing material in bioplastic packaging. This study also reviews starch size reduction methods including acid hydrolysis, nanoprecipitation, milling, and others; characteristics of the nano-starch particle; and methods to produce bioplastic and its characteristics. The use of starch nanoparticles as a reinforcing material can increase tensile strength, reduce water vapor and oxygen permeability, and increase the biodegradability of bioplastics. However, the use of starch nanoparticles as a reinforcing material for bioplastic packaging still encounters obstacles in its commercialization efforts, due to high production costs and ineffectiveness.
Effects of electrospun nanofiber fabrications on immobilization of recombinant Escherichia coli for production of xylitol from glucose

Mohamad Sukri N, Abdul Manas NH, Jaafar NR, A Rahman R, Abdul Murad AM, Md Illias R

Enzyme Microb Technol, 2024 Jan;172:110350.
PMID: 37948908 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2023.110350

A suitable nanofiber sheet was formulated and developed based on its efficacy in the immobilization of recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) to enhance xylitol production. The effects of different types of nanofibers and solvents on cell immobilization and xylitol production were studied. The most applicable nanofiber membrane was selected via preliminary screening of four types of nanofiber membrane, followed by the selection of six different solvents. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber sheet synthesized using dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent was found to be the most suitable carrier for immobilization and xylitol production. The thin, beaded PVDF (DMF) nanofibers were more favourable for microbial adhesion, with the number of immobilized cells as high as 96 × 106 ± 3.0 cfu/ml. The attraction force between positively charged PVDF nanofibers and the negatively charged E. coli indicates that the electrostatic interaction plays a significant role in cell adsorption. The use of DMF has also produced PVDF nanofibers biocatalyst capable of synthesizing the highest xylitol concentration (2.168 g/l) and productivity (0.090 g/l/h) and 55-69% reduction in cell lysis compared with DMSO solvent and free cells. This finding suggests that recombinant E. coli immobilized on nanofibers shows great potential as a whole-cell biocatalyst for xylitol production.
Fulltext Perceptions of childhood asthma and its control among Malays in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Sukri N, Ramdzan SN, Liew SM, Salim H, Khoo EM

NPJ Prim Care Respir Med, 2020 06 08;30(1):26.
PMID: 32513948 DOI: 10.1038/s41533-020-0185-z

Children with poor asthma control have poor health outcomes. In Malaysia, the Malays have the highest asthma prevalence and poorest control compared to other ethnicities. We aimed to explore Malay children with asthma and their parents' perceptions on asthma and its control. We conducted focus group discussions (FGD) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Sixteen children and parents (N = 32) participated. The perception of asthma was based on personal experience, cultural and religious beliefs, and there was mismatch between children and parents. Parents perceived mild symptoms as normal, some had poor practices, raising safety concerns as children were dependent on them for self-management. Conflicting religious opinions on inhaler use during Ramadhan caused confusion in practice. Parents perceived a lack of system support towards asthma care and asthma affected quality of life. Urgent intervention is needed to address misconceptions to improve asthma care in children.
Fulltext Development and feasibility study of a Culturally Tailored Asthma intervention using a mixed-method approach at the primary school level in Malaysia: Challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic

Ramdzan SN, Khoo EM, Cunningham S, Nathan JJ, Sukri N, Pinnock H

Malays Fam Physician, 2025;20:5.
PMID: 39949647 DOI: 10.51866/oa.675

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization recommends incorporating asthma programmes into national school health services, although this recommendation is rarely implemented.
METHODS: In Malaysia, we developed a multi-level primary school asthma programme incorporating educational sessions for children with asthma and their parents, raising awareness within the whole school community and training school staff to provide first-aid asthma management. The programme was adapted for delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a mixed-method feasibility study was conducted in October 2020.
RESULTS: We identified 34 children with asthma, who comprised 3.7% of the school population. Only 14/34 (41.2%) children with asthma and 4/14 (28.5%) of their parents attended the remote sessions. The in-person session for school staff was attended by 55/62 (88.7%), among whom 86.0% rated the session as good/excellent.
CONCLUSION: The school-based intervention was feasible and received good feedback, despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing remote delivery. Stakeholder engagement is essential in the development and feasibility of a school-based asthma programme.
The potential of 3-dimensional construct engineered from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/fibrin hybrid scaffold seeded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for in vitro cartilage tissue engineering

Abdul Rahman R, Mohamad Sukri N, Md Nazir N, Ahmad Radzi MA, Zulkifly AH, Che Ahmad A, et al.

Tissue Cell, 2015 Aug;47(4):420-30.
PMID: 26100682 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2015.06.001

Articular cartilage is well known for its simple uniqueness of avascular and aneural structure that has limited capacity to heal itself when injured. The use of three dimensional construct in tissue engineering holds great potential in regenerating cartilage defects. This study evaluated the in vitro cartilaginous tissue formation using rabbit's bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-seeded onto poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA/fibrin and PLGA scaffolds. The in vitro cartilaginous engineered constructs were evaluated by gross inspection, histology, cell proliferation, gene expression and sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) production at week 1, 2 and 3. After 3 weeks of culture, the PLGA/fibrin construct demonstrated gross features similar to the native tissue with smooth, firm and glistening appearance, superior histoarchitectural and better cartilaginous extracellular matrix compound in concert with the positive glycosaminoglycan accumulation on Alcian blue. Significantly higher cell proliferation in PLGA/fibrin construct was noted at day-7, day-14 and day-21 (p<0.05 respectively). Both constructs expressed the accumulation of collagen type II, collagen type IX, aggrecan and sox9, showed down-regulation of collagen type I as well as produced relative sGAG content with PLGA/fibrin construct exhibited better gene expression in all profiles and showed significantly higher relative sGAG content at each time point (p<0.05). This study suggested that with optimum in vitro manipulation, PLGA/fibrin when seeded with pluripotent non-committed BMSCs has the capability to differentiate into chondrogenic lineage and may serve as a prospective construct to be developed as functional tissue engineered cartilage.
Fulltext Perceptions of complementary/alternative medicine use and influence on evidence-based asthma medicine adherence in Malaysian children

Ramdzan SN, Pinnock H, Liew SM, Sukri N, Salim H, Hanafi NS, et al.

NPJ Prim Care Respir Med, 2019 02 25;29(1):5.
PMID: 30804340 DOI: 10.1038/s41533-019-0118-x

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used especially in Asia including for childhood asthma. The use of CAM could influence adherence to evidence-based (E-B) medicine. We explored the views of carers of Malaysian children with asthma regarding the use of CAM for childhood asthma, and its relationship with self-reported adherence to E-B medicine. We used a screening questionnaire to identify children diagnosed with asthma from seven suburban primary schools in Malaysia. Informed consent was obtained prior to the interviews. We conducted the interviews using a semi-structured topic guide in participants' preferred language (Malay, Mandarin, or Tamil). All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using Nvivo. Analysis was performed thematically, informed by the Necessity-Concerns Framework. A total of 46 carers (16 Malays, 21 Indians, 9 Chinese) contributed to 12 focus groups and one individual interview. We categorised participants' as 'Non-CAM'; 'CAM'; or 'combination' user. Cultural practices and beliefs in the efficacy of CAM resulted in widespread use of CAM. Most carers used CAM as 'complementary' to E-B medicine. Concerns about dependence on or side effects of E-B treatment influenced carers' decisions to rely on CAM as an 'alternative', with an important minority of accounts describing potentially harmful CAM-use. Healthcare professionals should discuss beliefs about the necessity for and concerns about use of both E-B medicine and CAM, and provide balanced information about effectiveness and safety. The aim is to improve adherence to regular E-B preventer medication and prevent delays in seeking medical advice and harmful practices associated with CAM.
Fulltext Qualitative research influencing guideline and policy: An exemplar of the development of a national school asthma guideline in Malaysia

Ramdzan SN, Khoo EM, Cunningham S, Hussein N, Ramli R, Senawi SA, et al.

J Glob Health, 2024 May 17;14:03027.
PMID: 38751315 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.03027
Fulltext How young children learn independent asthma self-management: a qualitative study in Malaysia

Ramdzan SN, Khoo EM, Liew SM, Cunningham S, Kendall M, Sukri N, et al.

Arch Dis Child, 2020 Sep;105(9):819-824.
PMID: 32620567 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2019-318127

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the views of Malaysian children with asthma and their parents to enhance understanding of early influences on development of self-management skills.
DESIGN: This is a qualitative study conducted among children with asthma and their parents. We used purposive sampling and conducted focus groups and interviews using a semi-structured topic guide in the participants' preferred language. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, entered into NVivo and analysed using a grounded theory approach.
SETTINGS: We identified children aged 7-12 years with parent-reported, physician-diagnosed asthma from seven suburban primary schools in Malaysia. Focus groups and interviews were conducted either at schools or a health centre.
RESULTS: Ninety-nine participants (46 caregivers, 53 children) contributed to 24 focus groups and 6 individual interviews. Children mirrored their parents' management of asthma but, in parallel, learnt and gained confidence to independently self-manage asthma from their own experiences and self-experimentation. Increasing independence was more apparent in children aged 10 years and above. Cultural norms and beliefs influenced children's independence to self-manage asthma either directly or indirectly through their social network. External influences, for example, support from school and healthcare, also played a role in the transition.
CONCLUSION: Children learnt the skills to self-manage asthma as early as 7 years old with growing independence from the age of 10 years. Healthcare professionals should use child-centred approach and involve schools to facilitate asthma self-management and support a smooth transition to independent self-management.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Malaysian National Medical Research Register (NMRR-15-1242-26898).