University of Malaya Research Bulletin, Volume 1, 2015

Previously known as IPPP UM Research Bulleti

Managing dengue disaster: uncovering paramount community elements for DNA sensory tool accessibility in Malaysia

In this study, communities’ psychosocial judgements (relationship, awareness, responsibility, and attitude) were evaluated in relation to DNA-based dengue kit accessibility. It was carried out by handing out 100 structured questionnaires (Kajang Housing (KjH): 40, Kajang Industrial (KjI): 40, Kuala Selangor (KuS): 20). From our descriptive analyses, KuS respondents exhibited a closer relationship with their neighbours (100%) compared to other respondents. KjH, KjI and KuS respondents know very little about dengue vector species. While KjH is leading the other two study areas, KjI and KuS in terms of knowing all symptoms associated with dengue fever (DF), KuS shows more interest to participate in dengue campaigns and/or prevention and control programs compared to KjH and KjI. Not more than 25% of total respondents are willing to offer transportation or nurturing their neighbours back to health. While KjI is more confident to use DNA biosensor when outside of their community, not more than 35% of total respondents are confident enough to use it within their neighbourhood. All communities, especially the affected ones, should take a proactive step by making use of DNA biosensor as an early warning tool, in conjunction with good psychosocial behaviours towards dengue, to achieve sustainable health promotion in managing dengue disaster

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of Psidium guajava

Psidium guajava or commonly known as guava is useful to treat gastroenteritis, dysentery, stomach pain and indigestion. The leaves of P. guajava was screened for phytochemical and antioxidant activity. The phytochemicals were extracted by sequential maceration using n-hexane, chloroform and methanol, while phytochemical screening was performed using various chemical tests. Antioxidant activity was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Steroids and terpenoids were present in the n-hexane extract, while phenols and terpenoids were detected in the chloroform extract. The methanol extract was found to contain flavonoids, steroids, saponins, phenols and terpenoids. Among the tested extracts, the methanolic extract demonstrated strong DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 51.07 µg/mL

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of extracts from Calophyllum ferrugineum and Calophyllum incrassatum

Calophyllum is a pan-tropical genus belongs to the Guttiferae family and locally known in Malaysia as ‘bintangor’. There has been a continual interest to further investigate the phytochemistry of Calophyllum sp since this genus is a rich source of active secondary metabolites which showed anti-HIV, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties. In this study, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of barks and leaves of C. ferrugineum and C. incrassatum were investigated. Cold extraction method employing dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol as solvent was performed. All extracts were tested for their total phenolic content and antioxidant activities by DPPH radical scavenging and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. The methanol extract from the leaves of C. ferrugineum showed the highest TPC value at 122.08 mg GAE/g and the lowest DPPH SC50 value at 11.80 µg/mL. The methanol extract from the barks of C. ferrugineum was found to have the highest FRAP value among all extracts. The antibacterial activity of all extracts was tested by minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) test against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escheria coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Only the dichloromethane extract from bark of C. ferrugineum showed moderate MIC value against Gram positive bacteria, B. subtilis and S. aureus at 125 µg/mL

Comparison of extraction techniques for three Calophyllum species and their antioxidant activity

Calophyllum is a pan-tropical genus belongs to the Guttiferae family and locally known in Malaysia as ‘bintangor’. There has been a continual interest to further investigate the phytochemistry of Calophyllum sp since this genus is a rich source of active secondary metabolites which showed anti-HIV, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of extraction techniques on the phytochemicals content and antioxidant activity of the barks, leaves and heartwood extracts of three Calophyllum species, C. incrassatum, C. rubiginosum and C. canum. Soxhlet and maceration extraction techniques by using methanol as solvent were chosen in this study. Maceration extraction technique produced higher percentage yield compared to Soxhlet extraction for leaves and barks of the three Calophyllum species. Highest percentage yield was obtained from bark extract of C. canum (21.76%) followed by bark extract of C. rubiginosum (20.24%) and leaves extract of C. rubiginosum (19.34%). Meanwhile, Soxhlet extraction technique gave higher percentage yield compared to maceration technique for heartwood extracts of all samples. The phytochemical screening test revealed all the extracts contain tannin, phenol, flavonoid, terpenes, cardiac glycoside, coumarin and phytosterol. The antioxidant activity of all extracts was tested by determining the Total Phenolic Content and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The highest Total Phenolic Content was obtained from Soxhlet extraction technique. The bark extract of C. canum displayed the highest phenolic content (461.90 mg GAE/g) followed by bark extract of C. incrassatum (394.52 mg GAE/g) and leave extract of C. incrassatum (227.89 mg GAE/g). Meanwhile, the extracts from Soxhlet extraction technique gave higher antioxidant activity compared to maceration extraction. The bark extract of C. canum showed the lowest IC50 value (3.07 µg/mL) followed by bark extract of C. incrassatum (5.12 µg/mL) and leave extract of C. incrassatum (5.93 µg/mL). Pearson’s correlation test showed positive correlation between Total Phenolic Content and DPPH radical scavenging activity

Data and the city – accessibility and openness. a cybersalon paper on open data

This paper showcases examples of bottom–up open data and smart city applications and identifies lessons for future such efforts. Examples include Changify, a neighbourhood-based platform for residents, businesses, and companies; Open Sensors, which provides APIs to help businesses, startups, and individuals develop applications for the Internet of Things; and Cybersalon’s Hackney Treasures. a location-based mobile app that uses Wikipedia entries geolocated in Hackney borough to map notable local residents. Other experiments with sensors and open data by Cybersalon members include Ilze Black and Nanda Khaorapapong's The Breather, a "breathing" balloon that uses high-end, sophisticated sensors to make air quality visible; and James Moulding's AirPublic, which measures pollution levels. Based on Cybersalon's experience to date, getting data to the people is difficult, circuitous, and slow, requiring an intricate process of leadership, public relations, and perseverance. Although there are myriad tools and initiatives, there is no one solution for the actual transfer of that data