Hybridization of several Aerides species and in vitro germination of its hybrid

The wild species of Aerides namely Aerides odorata, A. odorata var.’Yellow’, Aerides flabellata and Aerides quinquevulnera var. calayana are fragrant and distributed in Malaysia. Crosses among them attempted to produce primary hybrids which were used to investigate the effects of kinetin and BAP concentrations on seed germination percentage (%) of A. odorata × A. quinquevulnera var. calayana and A. quinquevulnera var. calayana × A. odorata. The total six crosses were: A. odorata var.’Yellow’ × A. quinquevulnera var. calayana, A. odorata × A. quinquevulnera var. calayana and A. odorata × A. flabellata and their reciprocals. The highest percentage of successful crosses were between A. odorata var.’Yellow × A. quinquevulnera var. calayana (80%) and lowest were A. flabellata × A. odorata (25%), A. odorata × A. quinquevulnera var. calayana and its reciprocal were 60 and 62%, respectively. Crosses of A. quinquevulnera var. calayana × A.odorata var.’Yellow’ and A. odorata and A.flabellata showed 0% success. Pods of A. odorata var.’Yellow’ × A. quinquevulnera var. calayana matured at 76 days, A. flabellata × A. odorata at 116 days, A. odorata × A. quinquevulnera var. calayana at 179 days and A. quinquevulnera var. calayana × A. odorata at 184 days. Pods of A. flabellata × A. odorata were the largest and the smallest were A. odorata var.’Yellow’ × A. quinquevulnera var. calayana. There was a significant difference in seed germination where the highest germination percentage were with 1.5 mg/L kinetin and the lowest were in 2.0 mg/L BAP for A. odorata × A. quinquevulnera var. calayana. Germination of A. quinquevulnera var. calayana × A. odorata was highest in 1.5 mg/L BAP and lowest in 2.0 mg/L kinetin. Seeds of A. odorata × A. quinquevulnera var. calayana cultured in 1.5 mg/L kinetin took the shortest time for yellowing and greening, 54 and 76 days respectively. 1.0 mg/L kinetin produced first root, as early as 91 days and 1.0 mg/L BAP was the earliest to produce leaf primordial at day 96. The longest time taken for all these stages were in control treatment. The earliest seeds of A. quinquevulnera var. calayana × A. odorata to yellow were at 1.5 mg/L kinetin within 13 days, greening at 1.0 mg/L BAP for 24 days, first root and leaf primordial at 1.5 mg/L BAP at 33 and 54 days respectively. The longest time taken for this species to yellow and green were at control treatment at days 38 and 50, first root in 1.5 mg/L BAP at day 33 and to produce leaf primordia were in 0.5 mg/L kinetin at day 74.Key words: Aerides, reciprocal, crosses, hybrids

Pengaruh Agama bagi Penderita Diabetes Mellitus dalam Menjalani Kehidupan

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a non-communicable disease that is targeted for action by world leaders. DM is part of a hyperglycaemia syndrome that can cause various complaints. Spiritual and religious beliefs (Religion) can help in providing support, confidence, and hope in overcoming chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of religion on Diabetes Mellitus Patients related to the patient's relationship with God. The type of research is qualitative with Phenomenological study research design.Participants numbered 6 people, the sampling technique of this study was purposive sampling.The results obtained in the form of themes discussed linking theory and previous research.In this study all respondents have different perspectives and backgrounds so that they have different responses. The themes determined based on the results of the interview are 3 themes that describe the Religious Experience of Diabetes Mellitus Patients. These themes are (1) Sources of strength in dealing with DM disease, (2) Obstacles in carrying out worship, (3) Hope in undergoing DM. The conclusion of this study is that Diabetes mellitus patients have a close relationship with religiosity as a source of strength and hope for the desire for healing from diabetes mellitus they suffer from to continue living

Perceived satisfaction towards emergency remote teaching amidst Covid-19 crisis: a case among undergraduate students in Penang, Malaysia

The current pandemic has triggered emergency remote teaching (ERT) to be implemented by higher education institutions globally. This unprecedented circumstance caused serious dissonance between students' learning experience and overall satisfaction. Hence, this research aims to determine the factors influencing their satisfaction with ERT implemented by higher learning institutions in Penang, especially among undergraduate students. Based on the underpinning unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), the four vital influencing factors identified in this study include the usefulness of online materials, network stability, the usability of e-learning platforms, and peer interactions. A total of 504 responses were analyzed using SPSS software. Results indicate that the use of online materials and the usability of e-learning platforms were critical determinants of satisfaction with ERT among undergraduate students. At the same time, internet stability and peer interactions have no significant influence. This current study concludes with relevant implications and recommendations for higher learning institutions to consider to thrive in this changing education landscape

STRATEGI INTERNET MARKETING PADA BISNIS KULINER DI KOMUNITAS WISATA TASIKMALAYA

Purpose- The research objective was to determine the internet marketing strategy through social media in a typical culinary business in Tasikmalaya City. Design/methodology/approach- Descriptive-qualitative research methods were used to describe internet marketing strategies that were applied through analysis of market segmentation, target markets, and positioning and its implication of social media optimization (SMO). Observation, deep interview and literature study techniques were carried out in obtaining the data. The culinary business that was studied was the typical culinary of Tasikmalaya, namely Tutug Oncom (Tutug Oncom Instant Titasix). Findings- The results showed that culinary business in the Tasikmalaya Culinary Community (KWKT) had implemented internet marketing, especially implementing social media optimization in supporting internet marketing activities with social media. Implications- Through internet marketing, it was expected that typical culinary businesses in Tasikmalaya could optimize technological advancements through social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and other social media in marketing culinary products. Keywords: Internet marketing; Segmenting; Targeting; Positioning; Social Media Optimizatio

GC/MS determination of bioactive components and antibacterial properties of Goniothalamus umbrosusextracts

In this study, the antibacterial activity and chemical composition of Goniothalamus umbrosus leaves extracts were evaluated. The antibacterial activity was investigated using two gram-positive bacteria, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Bacillus subtilis B29, and two gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 60690 and Salmonella choleraesuis. The activity was tested using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. The chemical compositions of the ethyl acetate extract of G. umbrosus were investigated using Shimadzu gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-17A) while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extract was matched with the library. The results showed that the  extracts demonstrated broad spectrum antibacterial effects against all tested bacteria. GC/MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract of G. umbrosus revealed the existence of 1-butyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol (46.84%), benzaldehyde (4.42%) and globulol (4.07%). The results of this study offer a platform of using G. umbrosus as herbal alternative for the current synthetic antimicrobial agents

NRP2 as an Emerging Angiogenic Player; Promoting Endothelial Cell Adhesion and Migration by Regulating Recycling of α5 Integrin.

Angiogenesis relies on the ability of endothelial cells (ECs) to migrate over the extracellular matrix via integrin receptors to respond to an angiogenic stimulus. Of the two neuropilin (NRP) orthologs to be identified, both have been reported to be expressed on normal blood and lymphatic ECs, and to play roles in the formation of blood and lymphatic vascular networks during angiogenesis. Whilst the role of NRP1 and its interactions with integrins during angiogenesis has been widely studied, the role of NRP2 in ECs is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that NRP2 promotes Rac-1 mediated EC adhesion and migration over fibronectin (FN) matrices in a mechanistically distinct fashion to NRP1, showing no dependence on β3 integrin (ITGB3) expression, or VEGF stimulation. Furthermore, we highlight evidence of a regulatory crosstalk between NRP2 and α5 integrin (ITGA5) in ECs, with NRP2 depletion eliciting an upregulation of ITGA5 expression and disruptions in ITGA5 cellular organization. Finally, we propose a mechanism whereby NRP2 promotes ITGA5 recycling in ECs; NRP2 depleted ECs were found to exhibit reduced levels of total ITGA5 subunit recycling compared to wild-type (WT) ECs. Our findings expose NRP2 as a novel angiogenic player by promoting ITGA5-mediated EC adhesion and migration on FN

Female Genital Tuberculosis Among Infertile Women and Its Contributions to Primary and Secondary Infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is an infectious widespread disease among young women. This meta-analysis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Female Genital Tuberculosis among infertile women and its contribution to primary and secondary infertility. A PubMed, MEDLINE, world cat log, Lens.org, direct Google search, Google Scholar, and Researchgate, from 1971 to July 17, 2021, were searched using the keywords; prevalence, epidemiology, urogenital tuberculosis, FGTB, infertile women, infertility complaints, and FGTB testing methods. Data extracted and meta-analysis was performed. 42 studies were selected with a total of 30918 infertile women. Of these, the pooled prevalence of FGTB was 20% (15-25%; 95%CI; I2 99.94%), and the prevalence of overall infertility, primary infertility, and secondary infertility among FGTB-population were 88%, 66% and 34%, respectively. The proportion of FGTB is remarkable among infertile women globally. The biggest burden of the disease is presented in the low-income countries followed by the lower middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries

3D Printing of Dapagliflozin Containing Self-Nanoemulsifying Tablets: Formulation Design and In Vitro Characterization

The 3D printing techniques have been explored extensively in recent years for pharmaceutical manufacturing and drug delivery applications. The current investigation aims to explore 3D printing for the design and development of a nanomedicine-based oral solid dosage form of a poorly water-soluble drug. A self-nanoemulsifying tablet formulation of dapagliflozin propanediol monohydrate was developed utilizing the semisolid pressure-assisted microsyringe (PAM) extrusion-based 3D printing technique. The developed formulation system consists of two major components (liquid and solid phase), which include oils (caproyl 90, octanoic acid) and co-surfactant (PEG 400) as liquid phase while surfactant (poloxamer 188) and solid matrix (PEG 6000) as solid-phase excipients that ultimately self-nanoemulsify as a drug encapsulated nanoemulsion system on contact with aqueous phase/gastrointestinal fluid. The droplet size distribution of the generated nanoemulsion from a self-nanoemulsifying 3D printed tablet was observed to be 104.7 ± 3.36 nm with polydispersity index 0.063 ± 0.024. The FT-IR analysis of the printed tablet revealed that no drug-excipients interactions were observed. The DSC and X-RD analysis of the printed tablet revealed that the loaded drug is molecularly dispersed in the crystal lattice of the tablet solid matrix and remains solubilized in the liquid phase of the printed tablet. SEM image of the drug-loaded self-nanoemulsifying tablets revealed that dapagliflozin propanediol monohydrate was completely encapsulated in the solid matrix of the printed tablet, which was further confirmed by SEM-EDS analysis. The in vitro dissolution profile of dapagliflozin-loaded self-nanoemulsifying tablet revealed an immediate-release drug profile for all three sizes (8 mm, 10 mm, and 12 mm) tablets, exhibiting >75.0% drug release within 20 min. Thus, this study has emphasized the capability of the PAM-based 3D printing technique to print a self-nanoemulsifying tablet dosage form with an immediate-release drug profile for poorly water-soluble drug

Going green: the impact of green initiative events on environmental practice intentions

Green initiative events have gained popularity over the years due to rising concern on global warming and climate change issues. Many private companies, non-profit organisations and relevant government agencies have poured their time, money and effort in implementing various green events such as national birdwatching events, beach clean-up programs, exhibitions and recycling workshops. Yet the real question is whether these green initiative events (GIE) has been successful in positively altering the participants’ everyday behaviour? This study investigates pertinent factors that impact people’s environmental practice intention after attending GIE. A total of 376 questionnaires were collected using purposive sampling among Malaysians who have attended green initiative events recently. Using structural equation modelling, the findings revealed that environmental concern, media power, subjective norms and attitude have positive influence in people’s environmental practice intention after attending green initiative events whereas perceived behavioural control was insignificant. The findings gave insights to academics and industry professionals especially event planners and organisations to conduct effective green events that would possibly transform people’s behaviour in hope of a global green movement towards a sustainable future