Ficus deltoidea leaves extracts - promising therapeutic agent for oral candidiasis and denture stomatitis / Vivi Noryati Ahmad … [ et al.]

The aims of this study are to investigate antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of Ficus deltoidea (F. deltoidea) leaves extract against Candida albicans (C. albicans). Methods: The antifungal activity was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). The potential of F. deltoidea leaves extract as antibiofilm agent was evaluated using biofilm inhibition assay and biofilm eradication assay. Chlorhexidine 0.12% (CHX) was used as a positive control. Each experiment was performed in triplicate and repeated four times independently. All the data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 23. Statistical significance measured using Kruskal Wallis test and post-hoc Mann Whitney test which presented as means ±SD with P value <0.001. Results: F. deltoidea extract showed antifungal activity against C. albicans with MIC and MFC, 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml respectively. The extract exhibited inhibitory effect on candida biofilm formation (69.5%). The preformed biofilm was significantly dispersed by extract upon 5 minutes treatment with eradication percentages 66.63%. The biofilm inhibition and biofilm eradication percentages for positive control CHX 0.12% were 43.0% and 58.97% respectively. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest the potential of F. deltoidea leaves extract as preventative and therapeutic agents against candida biofilm-related infections such as oral andidiasis and denture stomatitis

Morus alba L. : creating miles of smiles / Nurhayati Mohamad Zain … [et al.]

The aims of the study are to determine the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of M. alba leaves extract against Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans). Method: The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The antibiofilm potential of extract was evaluated using biofilm inhibition assay and biofilm eradication assay. Oradex mouthwash with 0.12% CHX was used as a positive control. All experiments were performed in triplicate and repeated four times independently. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 23. A Kruskal-Wallis test followed by post-hoc Mann-Whitney U test was applied and level of significance was set at P < 0.001. Results: Morus alba (M.alba) leaves extract showed antimicrobial activity against S.mutans with MIC and MBC, 25mg/ml and 50mg/ml respectively. The adherence of bacteria on extract treated surface (0.5x MIC) was significantly reduced with adherence inhibition percentage of 72.5% compared to positive control CHX 0.12% (63%). At 0.5x MIC concentration, the extract also disrupted preformed biofilms with eradication percentage of 52.87%. Conclusion: The results suggest that M. alba leaves extract represents an untapped source of local plant with antibiofilm activity against S.mutans that could be a resource in the development of therapeutic natural products in managing dental caries

Investigating readiness of virtual classroom environment (VCE) among students / Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Mohd Isa, Vivi Noryati Ahmad and Dg Asnani Ag Nordin

Virtual classroom environment (VCE) is a platform for learners as it has the potential to increase learners’ academic performance. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the readiness for VCE among students at a local university in Malaysia. A survey was conducted with 217 respondents. Questionnaires administered comprised sections on the demography of respondents and their readiness for virtual classroom and Technology Readiness Index 2.0 (TRI 2.0). The Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted in the data analysis. The dimensions of the Technology Readiness Index; (i) insecurity, (ii) discomfort, (iii) innovativeness , and (iv) optimism, were analysed. The results showed only the ‘discomfort’ dimension had a statistically different average total score between the three generation groups according to their age, namely; (i) Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1979); (ii) Generation Y (born between 1980 and 1994); and (iii) Generation Z (born in 1995 or later). The mean rank of total score for ‘discomfort’ shows that Generation X has the highest mean rank among the three generation groups. Thus, the results suggest future qualitative studies to unravel the ‘discomfort’ dimension for Generation X group