Responses to Stress among East Malaysian Students : Psychometric Properties of the Responses to Stress Questionnaire

Background: Academic stress is part of a student’s life. Chronic stress may result in mental health problems, affecting the adolescent’s well-being in adulthood. However, not all types of stress result in a negative effect. Therefore, understanding how adolescents adapt to academic stress can lay the groundwork for preventive interventions. The Response to Stress Questionnaire (RSQ) for academic problems centred on a multidimensional model of responses to stress. However, it has not been tested among Malaysians. Thus, this study aimed to validate the questionnaire among Malaysians. Methods: The questionnaire was translated into the Malay language using forward and backward translation. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires at a secondary school in Kuching. A validity test was conducted using face and content validation by subject matter experts, and construct validation was performed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). A reliability test was conducted by checking Cronbach’s alpha. Results: Results showed that the questionnaire has good validity and reliability. The EFA resulted in only three dimensions of responses to stress among Malaysian adolescents in contrast to the five dimensions in the original RSQ for academic problems. The Cronbach’s alpha showed good reliability of the questionnaire. Conclusion: The questionnaire measuring responses to stress was valid and reliable in assessing the responses of adolescents to academic stress

Little man inside us

The concept of ‘homunculus’ (“little man” in Greek) was mentioned in psychology and brain anatomy in 19th century, specifically in brain mapping to different body parts. The brain is connected by many sensory and motor neurones. Hence, our brain sees two different homunculi in us - the sensory and the motor homunculus. Contrary to how we perceive ourselves, our brain could actually ‘see’ us as Gollum in Lord of the Rings

Targeted differential gene expression profiling of skeletal muscles isolated from Ts1Cje mouse model for Down syndrome

Introduction: Down Syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal condition characterised by human chromosome 21 (HSA21) with DS critical region located on the chromosome 21q22. Owing to its polygenic basis, the phenotypes of DS are associated with delays in development of motor function including muscle hypotoria, joint hyperextensibility, delayed acquisition of postural control and poor balance. Numerous studies have revealed alterations of numerous pathways at the transcript level in muscles from other DS models such as rat and Ts65Dn mice. The mouse model used in this study is the Ts1Cje mouse model, trisomic for a region of MMU16 which encompasses a higher number of HSA21 orthologous genes. Thus, Ts1Cje model has developmental, behavioural and physical characteristics similar to that of individuals with Down syndrome. Method: In this study, soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were harvested from both male and female Ts1Cje and disomic control mice. The gene expressions were profiled using the quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and analysed with the relative expression software tool (REST). We focused on genes in pathways involved in muscle structural stability, force production as well as neuromuscular signalling pathways. Results: The gene studied were Lamc1, Leprel1, My16b, Msn, Pgm5, Tmod1, Istn, Synj and Rcan. Results showed significant differential expression on My16b and Itsn1 in male soleus muscles while there was no significant differential expression of the other genes in both male and female soleus and EDL muscles. Further investigation on the role of My16b and Istn at the protein level may provide insight on the underlying mechanism responsible for hypotonia in Ts1Cje as well as Down syndrome individuals

Chemopreventive activity of methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves in DMBA-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis

Background: Melastoma malabathricum L. Smith (family Melastomaceae) is a shrub that has been used by the Malay practitioners of traditional medicine to treat various types of ailments. The present study aimed to determine the chemopreventive activity of methanol extract of M. malabathricum leaves (MEMM) using the standard 7,12-dimethylbenz(α)anthracene (DMBA)/croton oil-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis model. Materials and Methods: In the initiation phase, the mice received a single dose of 100µl/100 µg DMBA (group I-V) or 100µl acetone (group VI) topically on the dorsal shaved skin area followed by the promotion phase involving treatment with the respective test solutions (100 μl of acetone, 10 mg/kg curcumin or MEMM (30, 100 and 300mg/kg)) for 30 min followed by the topical application of tumour promoter (100µl croton oil). Tumors were examined weekly and the experiment lasted for 15 weeks. Results: MEMM and curcumin significantly (p<0.05) reduced the tumour burden, tumour incidence and tumour volume, which were further supported by the histopathological findings. Conclusion: MEMM demonstrated chemoprevention possibly via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and the action of flavonoids like quercitrin

An empirical investigation on Google Classroom: use behaviour of Malaysian school teachers

Google Classroom (GC) has become a prominent online learning platform in Malaysia since the government’s official announcement and later sees its boost in usage again during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the implementation of emergency remote teaching. The literature has unveiled that the mean score pertaining to technological knowledge in the context of GC usage was the lowest. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the level of GC use and the significant influence of facilitating conditions, habit, and behavioural intention on GC use behaviour among Malaysian teachers. A total of 37 secondary school teachers participated in an online quantitative survey consisting of 22 five-point Likert scale items. Descriptive statistics and standard regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Findings found that the extent of agreement and utilisation of GC during the pandemic were only moderate, requiring increased focus as a precautionary measure for potential future scenarios, such as another pandemic, where remote learning becomes the sole viable option. Results also suggested habit (β = 1.128, p < .0005) as the most significant factor that influences Malaysian teachers’ GC use behaviour. Thus, future initiatives in boosting the intentions of using GC among Malaysian teachers need to be considered

CHEMOPREVENTIVE ACTIVITY OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF MELASTOMA MALABATHRICUM LEAVES IN DMBA-INDUCED MOUSE SKIN CARCINOGENESIS

Background: Melastoma malabathricum L. Smith (family Melastomaceae) is a shrub that has been used by the Malay practitioners of traditional medicine to treat various types of ailments. The present study aimed to determine the chemopreventive activity of methanol extract of M. malabathricum leaves (MEMM) using the standard 7,12-dimethylbenz(α)anthracene (DMBA)/croton oil-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis model. Materials and Methods: In the initiation phase, the mice received a single dose of 100µl/100 µg DMBA (group I-V) or 100µl acetone (group VI) topically on the dorsal shaved skin area followed by the promotion phase involving treatment with the respective test solutions (100 μl of acetone, 10 mg/kg curcumin or MEMM (30, 100 and 300mg/kg)) for 30 min followed by the topical application of tumour promoter (100µl croton oil). Tumors were examined weekly and the experiment lasted for 15 weeks. Results: MEMM and curcumin significantly (

Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and cell selectivity of zinc dithiocarbamates functionalized with hydroxyethyl substituents

In the solid state each of three binuclear zinc dithiocarbamates bearing hydroxyethyl groups, {Zn[S2CN(R)CH2CH2OH]2}2 for R = iPr (1), CH2CH2OH (2), and Me (3), and an all alkyl species, [Zn(S2CNEt2)2]2 (4), features a centrosymmetric {ZnSCS}2 core with a step topology; both 1 and 3 were isolated as monohydrates. All compounds were broadly cytotoxic, specifically against human cancer cell lines compared with normal cells, with greater potency than cisplatin. Notably, some selectivity were indicated with 2 being the most potent against human ovarian carcinoma cells (cisA2780), and 4 being more cytotoxic toward multidrug resistant human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7R), human colon adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29), and human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549). Based on human apoptosis PCR-array analysis, caspase activities, DNA fragmentation, cell apoptotic assays, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurements and human topoisomerase I inhibition, induction of apoptosis in HT-29 cells is demonstrated via both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Compounds 2–4 activate the p53 gene while 1 activates both p53 and p73. Cell cycle arrest at the S and G2/M phases correlates with inhibition of HT-29 cell growth. Cell invasion is also inhibited by 1–4 which is correlated with down-regulation of NF-κB

Thermo-catalytic co-pyrolysis of palm kernel shell and plastic waste mixtures using bifunctional HZSM-5/limestone catalyst : Kinetic and thermodynamic insights

Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of catalytic co-pyrolysis of palm kernel shell (PKS) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with three different catalysts (zeolite HZSM-5, limestone (LS) and bifunctional HZSM-5/LS) using thermogravimetric analyser via nitrogen environment were studied. The experiments were carried out at different heating rates ranging from 10 to 100 K/min within temperature range of 50–900 °C. Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and modified Distributed Activation Energy Model (DAEM) methods were employed in this current study. The average Ea for PKS, HDPE, PKS/HDPE (2:8) – HZSM-5, PKS/HDPE (2:8) – LS, PKS/HDPE (2:8) – HZSM-5/LS, PKS/HDPE (5:5) – HZSM-5/LS, PKS/HDPE (8:2) – HZSM-5/LS are 137.26–145.49, 247.73–250.45, 168.97–172.50, 149.74–152.79, 115.30–120.39, 124.36–129.41, 151.03–154.47 and 152.67–157.31 kJ mol−1, respectively. Among the different catalysts used, LS demonstrated the lowest average Ea (151.30–120.39 kJ mol−1) and ΔH (109.65–114.74 kJ mol−1). Positive values for ΔH and ΔG were found for the catalytic co-pyrolysis of PKS/HDPE mixtures which indicates the process is in endothermic reaction and possess non-spontaneous nature. The kinetic and thermodynamic analyses revealed the potential of PKS and HDPE as a potential feedstock for clean bioenergy production

In depth analysis of the Sox4 gene locus that consists of sense and natural antisense transcripts

SRY (Sex Determining Region Y)-Box 4 or Sox4 is an important regulator of the pan-neuronal gene expression during post-mitotic cell differentiation within the mammalian brain. Sox4 gene locus has been previously characterized with multiple sense and overlapping natural antisense transcripts [1] and [2]. Here we provide accompanying data on various analyses performed and described in Ling et al. [2]. The data include a detail description of various features found at Sox4 gene locus, additional experimental data derived from RNA-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (RNA-FISH), Western blotting, strand-specific reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), gain-of-function and in situ hybridization (ISH) experiments. All the additional data provided here support the existence of an endogenous small interfering- or PIWI interacting-like small RNA known as Sox4_sir3, which origin was found within the overlapping region consisting of a sense and a natural antisense transcript known as Sox4ot1

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London