Understanding the Challenges Faced by Hospitality Managers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic severely hit the hospitality industry in Malaysia. The Malaysian government implemented restriction orders and preventative measures, which had impacted business operations. This study aims to explore the challenges faced by hospitality managers during the early phase of the COVID-19 in Malaysia. Using qualitative purposive sampling, researchers interviewed 12 managers from the hotel and restaurant sectors. Based on the content analysis, the respondents reported several challenges, including generating revenues, controlling costs, and managing the workforce. Findings contributed significantly to various stakeholders such as the Malaysian government and the hospitality providers. Limitations and future recommendations are discussed. Keywords: Hospitality; COVID-19; Malaysia; Pandemic eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7i19.3213

Electrical Properties of Iron-Doped Silicon at Different Stages of Precipitation

Kleine Eisenausscheidungen und Cluster, die durch Relaxation übersättigter Lösungen in p typ Silizium erzeugt wurden, sind mit Kapazitätstransientspektroskopie (DLTS) untersucht worden.Wenn die Eisenkonzentrationen cFe kleiner ist als die Konzentration der flachen Akzeptoren cB, reagieren diese Atome bei Raumtemperatur zu Eisen-Bor-Paaren. Wird die Probe für 30 Minuten bei 200 °C ausgelagert, erscheinen im DLTS Spektrum die zwei Linien für Fei und FeB, wobei die Gesamtkonzentration der Löslichkeit des Eisens entspricht. Die hier bestimmten Defektparameter, insbesondere die Energieniveaus von Fei und FeB, stimmen mit den aus Untersuchungen verschiedener Gruppen bekannten überein.Eine Auslagerung bei etwas höheren Temperaturen (250 °C, 15 Minuten) erzeugt einen neuen Defekt. Da verschwindet die Fei-Linie aus dem DLTS- Spektrum, und es erscheint eine neue Linie an der gleichen Stelle mit sehr viel kleinerer Amplitude. Während die Emissionscharakteristik dieses Defektes vergleichbar ist mit der aus der Literatur bekannten des Fei , ist die Einfangscharakteristik dieses Defekts deutlich verschieden von der des Fei und zeigt ihn als ausgedennten Defekt mit einer großen Dichte lokalisierter elektronischer Zustände. Im Unterschied zu Fei reagiert dieser Defekt nicht mit Bor.Wir erklären dieses Verhalten durch eine schmale Verteilung von lokalisierten Zuständen in der Bandlücke des Siliziums in der Nähe des Energieniveaus vom Fei. Bei diesem Defekt handelt es sich nicht um Silizidausscheidungen sondern vermutlich um Cluster aus Fei. Die Ähnlichkeit der elektronischen Eigenschaften von Fei und Fei-Cluster wurde nicht bei kleinen Clustern mit wenigen elektrischen Niveaus gefunden.Für Eisenkonzentrationen cFe > cB entsteht nach Auslagerung für 30 Minuten bei 200°C eine andere Art von Fe-Ausscheidungen. Die DLTS- Linienform, sowie die Einfang- und Emissionscharakteristik von NiSi2- und Cu3Si-Ausscheidungen, wie man sie sind ähnlich denen nach Abschrecken von hohen Temperaturen erhält. Aufgrund dieser Ähnlichkeit gehen wir davon aus, dass die Fe-Ausscheidung in einer Eisensilizid- Phase vorliegt. Unsere DLTS- Messungen ergaben, dass das Elektronenniveauspektrum der Ausscheidungen die typische Charakteristik von bandartigen Zuständen aufweist, die sich bis in die untere Bandlücke erstrecken. Der Ursprung der Elektronenniveaus sind entweder Volumenzustände der Ausscheidung oder Zustände aus der Grenzschicht zum umgebenden Silizium

Sensitizing multi drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from surgical site infections to antimicrobials by efflux pump inhibitors

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a common hospital acquired infections pathogen. Multidrug-resistant Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus represents a major problem in Egyptian hospitals. The over-expression of efflux pumps is a main cause of multidrug resistance. The discovery of efflux pump inhibitors may help fight multidrug resistance by sensitizing bacteria to antibiotics. This study aimed to investigate the role of efflux pumps in multidrug resistance. Methods: Twenty multidrug resistant S. aureus isolates were selected. Efflux pumps were screened by ethidium bromide agar cartwheel method and polymerase chain reaction. The efflux pump inhibition by seven agents was tested by ethidium bromide agar cartwheel method and the effect on sensitivity to selected antimicrobials was investigated by broth microdilution method. Results: Seventy percent of isolates showed strong efflux activity, while 30% showed intermediate activity. The efflux genes mdeA, norB, norC, norA and sepA were found to play the major role in efflux, while genes mepA, smr and qacA/B had a minor role. Verapamil and metformin showed significant efflux inhibition and increased the sensitivity to tested antimicrobials, while vildagliptin, atorvastatin, domperidone, mebeverine and nifuroxazide showed no effect. Conclusion: Efflux pumps are involved in multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. Efflux pump inhibitors could increase the sensitivity to antimicrobials

Vitamin D status, receptor gene BsmI (A/G) polymorphism and breast cancer in a group of Egyptian females

Background: Vitamin D is involved in a wide variety of biological processes including bone metabolism, modulation of the immune response, and regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The present study aimed to investigate vitamin D status and the genetic polymorphism BsmI (A/G) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) among a group of Egyptian female patients with breast cancer.Methods: The current study included 60 female patients diagnosed as breast cancer (BC) attending Mansoura Oncology Center, Mansoura University, and 60 age-matched healthy control females. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D level was measured using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. A polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and fragment analysis were performed to determine the VDR BsmI (A/G) polymorphism.Results: 25(OH) vitamin D levels were significantly lower in the patients with BC (22.1 ± 10.9 ng/ml) compared to controls (41.2 ± 11.22 ng/ml) (p 6 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency- insufficiency was reported in 76.7% of BC patients and 20% of the controls (P 6 0.001, OR = 13.1, 95%CI = 5.5 31.4). Bb genotype was statistically higher in the BC patients than in the healthy controls (P 6 0.001). 81.2% of BC patients were of Bb genotype, 10.9% of BB genotype and 4.3% of bb genotype, while in controls, 33.3% for each genotype. No statistically significant difference in allele frequency was observed between the two studied groups. Carriers of Bb genotype had 4.6 times increased risk of developing breast cancer (95% confidence interval of 2.0–10.3) when compared to other genotypes.Conclusion: A significant association exists between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of breast cancer. B allele or Bb genotype of VDR may be a susceptibility risk factor for BC development

MODIFICATION AND PERFORMANCE OF DEVICE FOR TESTING THE DIESEL ENGINE INJECTOR

iesel engine, but most of it is operating manually, maintenance and repair centers mostly have used the manually device which depended on the hand of operator to operate it therefore there are inaccuracies in tests. The injector tester device was modified from manual operation to mechanical operation to achieve the uniformity of the injection pressure during the injector test, install of reading, save time and accuracy of testing. Injector tester before the modification was consisted of small fuel tank, pump, pressure gauge, handle pumping and connecting tube. The injector tester device after the modification was consisted of main frame, fuel tank, injection unit, power transmission and measuring table.  From the experiments the fuel consumption was increased with injector tester device before modification than device after modification that with three different injectors due to the regularity of the motion in the mechanical device, but the manual device that is dependent on operator and the irregularity of motion which cause irregularity of pressure. Also, the fuel consumption was decreased with injectors' faults. This is indicating of accuracy reading pressure with the modified devices compared with the device before modified. The results indicated for the important factors which effect on the regularity of injection pressure during the injector testing. The injection pressure for modifying tester device was 175 bar and fuel consumption was 0.73 L/h. The injection pressure  and fuel consumption for tester device before modification were 210 bar and 4.73 L/h respectively. The rate of reducing can be concluded by using the modified tester device for the injection pressure was 1:0.83 and for fuel consumption was 1:0.155 as compared with the manual tester

Oral Healthcare Services Delivered During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Report from Eastern Mediterranean Region

Objective: To describe oral healthcare services administered during the lockdown in the Eastern Mediterranean region and to investigate the role of socio-professional characteristics of dental practitioners or their self-reported COVID-19 infection. Material and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to dental practitioners in all healthcare sectors in Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Results: There was a total of 335 participants, with the majority being females (N=225, 67.2%) and general practitioners (N=202, 60.3%). Cellulitis was the most common emergency encountered (N=108). The most common urgent procedures were for pulpitis, abscesses, and pericoronitis (N=191, 130, and 95, respectively). Country-specific significant associations were pulpitis in Egypt and Jordan, broken symptomatic teeth in Jordan, and biopsy in Egypt (p<0.05). The Ministry of Health was significantly associated with the management of dental infections, avulsion, and orthodontic emergencies, while university hospitals were significantly associated with advanced restorative procedures (p<0.05). Male practitioners performed significantly more procedures, particularly surgical emergencies (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dental infections were the most common complaints among dental patients during lockdown. Country- and sector-specific dental procedures are detected. Male gender seems to play a determinant role in performing a higher number of procedures, particularly for surgical emergencies

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF SOME CHELATING AGENTS AND ANTIOXIDANTS ON THE BIOHAZARDS PRODUCED FROM WATER POLLUTION BY HEAVY METALS IN WISTAR RATS: BIOLOGICAL, GENETIC AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY

Background: Heavy metals that normally cause problems are mercury (HgCl2) and lead acetate (LA). Chelating and inhibitor agents are the target to treat and overcome metal toxicity. The current study has been carried out to evaluate the protective effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and meso 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) against HgCl2 and LA toxicity. Materials and Methods: Ninety male Wistar rats were divided into nine equal groups. The groups were administered NAC and/or DMSA in presence or absence of LA (LA; 0.2% in drinking water) or HgCl2 (2 mg/kg BW) for 2 consecutive months. Serum and organs were collected for biochemical, genetic and histopathological changes. Results: Biochemical results revealed that LA and HgCl2 significantly increased the levels of liver and kidney biomarkers. Administration of NAC and DMSA considerably improved these altered changes. LA and HgCl2 decreased serum levels of antioxidants and were ameliorated in NAC and DMSA administered rats. LA and HgCl2 administration upregulated expression of IL-1β and IL-8 that were normalized by NAC and DMSA. Kidneys of LA and HgCl2 groups showed intraluminal hyaline casts. Kidneys of DMSA-administrated rats showed mild hydropic degeneration of renal tubular epithelium in LA and HgCl2 groups. Kidneys of NAC administrated rats showed atrophy of capillary tufts. Kidneys of LA and HgCl2 administered rats which received DMSA and NAC showed normal glomerular structure. Liver histopathology showed sever changes that were ameliorated by NAC and DMSA. Conclusion: Taken together, usage of NAC and DMSA provide significant protection against LA and HgCl2-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats

Oral Healthcare Services Delivered During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Report from Eastern Mediterranean Region

Objective: To describe oral healthcare services administered during the lockdown in the Eastern Mediterranean region and to investigate the role of socio-professional characteristics of dental practitioners or their self-reported COVID-19 infection. Material and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to dental practitioners in all healthcare sectors in Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Results: There was a total of 335 participants, with the majority being females (N=225, 67.2%) and general practitioners (N=202, 60.3%). Cellulitis was the most common emergency encountered (N=108). The most common urgent procedures were for pulpitis, abscesses, and pericoronitis (N=191, 130, and 95, respectively). Country-specific significant associations were pulpitis in Egypt and Jordan, broken symptomatic teeth in Jordan, and biopsy in Egypt (p<0.05). The Ministry of Health was significantly associated with the management of dental infections, avulsion, and orthodontic emergencies, while university hospitals were significantly associated with advanced restorative procedures (p<0.05). Male practitioners performed significantly more procedures, particularly surgical emergencies (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dental infections were the most common complaints among dental patients during lockdown. Country- and sector-specific dental procedures are detected. Male gender seems to play a determinant role in performing a higher number of procedures, particularly for surgical emergencies

Helicobacter pylori infection might be responsible for the interconnection between type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroiditis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Higher serological prevalence rates of helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection have been reported in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and autoimmune thyroiditis (AT). Patients with T1DM are at increased risk for developing other autoimmune diseases, most commonly AT. It is unknown whether H. pylori infection could explain the high prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies and AT in T1DM. The aim of the current study was to evaluate anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) autoantibodies in correlation with anti-H. pylori IgG and IgA in young patients with T1DM.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Anti-H. Pylori IgG, IgA, anti-TPO and anti-Tg antibodies titers were measured in 162 euthyroid patients with T1DM and 80 healthy controls matched for age, sex and socioeconomic status.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seroprevalence of H. pylori was significantly higher in patients with T1DM than in healthy controls; 79% vs. 51.2%, p < 0.001. Anti H. pylori IgG was positive in 61.1% of patients with T1DM and 30% of controls, p < 0.001, anti H. pylori IgA was positive in 74% of patients with T1DM and 32.5% of controls, p < 0.001. Thyroid autoimmunity was also significantly higher in patients with T1DM than in controls; 56.7% vs. 6.2%, p < 0.001. Anti-TPO was positive in 25.3% of patients with T1DM and 3.7% of controls, p < 0.001, anti-Tg was positive in 47.5% of patients with T1DM and 6.2% of controls, p < 0.001. With simple and multiple regression analysis anti-H. pylori IgG and IgA titers were positively and significantly correlated with Anti-TPO and anti-Tg titers in patients with T1DM.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>our results support the idea of a connection between H. pylori infection and the occurrence of anti-TPO, anti-Tg autoantibodies and AT in young patients with T1DM. So, H. pylori infection could be considered as an environmental trigger for development of AT in T1DM. Young patients with T1DM should be screened for H. pylori infection.</p