Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles via indigenous Anigozanthos manglesii, (red and green kangaroo paw) leaf extract and its potential antibacterial activity

Background: Metallic silver nanoparticles with antibacterial properties were biosynthesised for the first time using an indigenous Australian plant Anigozanthos manglesii.Methods: A practical, straight-forward and eco-friendly technique used the Anigozanthos manglesii leaf extract, which acted as both reducing and capping agents to create stable silver nanoparticles. The antibacterial activities of the nanoparticles were investigated using the Kirby-Bauer sensitivity method.Results: Characterisation revealed the nanoparticles ranged in size from 50 nm up to 150 nm, and their morphologies included cubes, triangular plates and hexagonal plates. Antibacterial studies revealed Deinococcus was sensitive and susceptible to the biosynthesised nanoparticles. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus Epidermis strains were also found to be less susceptible to the silver nanoparticles.Conclusions: The present study has shown that silver nanoparticles biosynthesised using Anigozanthos manglesii leaf extracts have antibacterial activity against Deinococcus, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus Epidermis bacterial strains

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using indigenous Xanthorrhoea glauca leaf extract and their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermis

Background:This study for the first time presents an environmentally friendly, room temperature procedure for synthesizing silver (Ag) nanoparticles via the leaf extract taken from Xanthorrhoea glauca.Methods: The simple and straightforward green chemistry based technique uses the leaf extract that acts as both reducing agent and capping agent to produce Ag nanoparticles which are subsequently quantified using advanced characterisation techniques. In addition, antibacterial studies were conducted using the Kirby-Bauer sensitivity method.Results: Advanced characterisation revealed the synthesised particles had a variety of shapes including cubes, truncated triangular and hexagonal plates, and ranged in size from 50 nm up to 200 nm. The Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus epidermis showed the maximum zone of inhibition at 11 mm.Conclusions: The study has shown that the leaf extract was able to synthesis Ag nanoparticles with antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermis

Proficiency Standards of Melaka Non-Optionist in-Service Teachers

In the state of Melaka in 2011, 90 non-optionist primary school teachers underwent the proficiency course under the new policy of “Strengthening the English Language” (MBI) which is run for 12 days by the teacher trainers with the help of master trainers from schools. This research intends to look into the proficiency levels (OPT test scores) of non-optionist teachers in the state of Melaka from Melaka Tengah and sub-urban districts, namely Jasin and Alor Gajah and their pedagogy standards in terms of the first dimension, proficiency. It will also see teachers’ self-assessed levels as related to knowledge of the language, teachers’ self-assessed levels regarding competencies in the use of the language as well as teachers’ self-assessed levels when it comes to modeling for language learners and the findings indicate only the first research question, regarding the differences between the non-optionist teachers’ OPT test scores and their self-assessed pedagogy standards for proficiency were found to be significant. All the other three research questions are discussed descriptively. These findings indicate that after several months of undergoing the MBI Proficiency course, teachers seem to have a lower level of proficiency. It may be due to the constant pressure with the growing demands of teaching in a primary school as well as a heavy workload, thus not enabling them to constantly upgrade their own levels of proficiency in terms of fluency as well as accuracy. Further implications of the research findings are discussed in the paper. Keywords: Proficiency; Teachers’ Professional Development; Pedagogy Standards for English Language Teachin

Gender-Based Differences Among Pharmacy Students Involved in Academically Dishonest Behavior

Objective. To determine whether differences based on gender exist among pharmacy students involved in cases of admitted cheating or other academic dishonesty and to assess perceptions of academic dishonesty. Methods. Two cohorts of second-year male and female pharmacy students from four Northern California pharmacy programs were invited to complete a 45-item cross-sectional survey. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-squared test were used for statistical analysis. Results. There were 330 surveys completed with a 59% response rate. No significant gender-based differences were found regarding admitted cheating in pharmacy school and in regards to participating in various forms of academically dishonest behavior. Female students were more likely than male students to report witnessing a classmate copying another student’s assignment. Male students were less likely than female students to perceive a student who distributed a stolen exam as a cheater. Conclusion. No gender-based differences were noted in cases of admitted cheating or with regards to taking part in various forms of academically dishonest behavior. However, female students report witnessing cheating more than male students, and male students may have a more lenient perception toward academically dishonest behavior than female students. The information gathered from this study may provide further insight to pharmacy programs and educators regarding academic dishonesty at their institution

Food supplements to reduce stunting in Pakistan: A process evaluation of community dynamics shaping uptake

Background: There is an increasing interest in use of food supplements to prevent childhood stunting, however the evidence on the process indicators is scarce. We in this study explore the barriers to the effective implementation of food supplementation programs and the possible mitigation strategies which can guide the design of future programs.Methods: We undertook a process evaluation of a stunting prevention food supplementation pilot program in rural Pakistan that distributed Wheat Soy Blend (WSB) to pregnant & lactating women, and Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement (LNS) and micronutrient powder (MNP) to \u3c 5 years children. We used a mixed methods approach through a quantitative survey of 800 households and conducted 18 focused group discussion (FGDs) (with male and female caregivers), 4 FGDs (with Community Health Workers (CHWs)) and 22 key informant interviews (with district stakeholders) to evaluate the community side factors affecting uptake through five parameters: value, acceptability, receipt of supplement, usage and correct dosage.Results: The findings show that proportionately few beneficiaries consumed the full dose of supplements, despite reasonable knowledge amongst caregivers. Sharing of supplements with other household member was common, and the full monthly stock was usually not received. Qualitative findings suggest that caregivers did not associate food supplements with stunting prevention. WSB was well accepted as an extra ration, LNS was popular due its chocolaty taste and texture, whereas MNP sprinkles were perceived to be of little value. The cultural food practices led to common sharing, whereas interaction with CHWs was minimal for nutrition counselling. Qualitative findings also indicate CHWs related programmatic constraints of low motivation, multi-tasking, inadequate counselling skills and weak supervision.Conclusion: We conclude that the community acceptability of food supplements does not translate into optimal consumption. Hence a greater emphasis is needed on context specific demand creation and focusing on the supply side constraints with improved logistical planning, enhanced motivation and supervision of community workers with involvement of multiple stakeholders. While, similar studies are needed in varying contexts to help frame universal guidelines.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02422953 . Registered on April 22, 2015

Delivering nutrition interventions to women and children in conflict settings: A systematic review

Background: Low/middle-income countries (LMICs) face triple burden of malnutrition associated with infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases. This review aims to synthesise the available data on the delivery, coverage, and effectiveness of the nutrition programmes for conflict affected women and children living in LMICs.Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases and grey literature using terms related to conflict, population, and nutrition. We searched studies on women and children receiving nutrition-specific interventions during or within five years of a conflict in LMICs. We extracted information on population, intervention, and delivery characteristics, as well as delivery barriers and facilitators. Data on intervention coverage and effectiveness were tabulated, but no meta-analysis was conducted.Results: Ninety-one pubblications met our inclusion criteria. Nearly half of the publications (n=43) included population of sub-Saharan Africa (n=31) followed by Middle East and North African region. Most publications (n=58) reported on interventions targeting children under 5 years of age, and pregnant and lactating women (n=27). General food distribution (n=34), micronutrient supplementation (n=27) and nutrition assessment (n=26) were the most frequently reported interventions, with most reporting on intervention delivery to refugee populations in camp settings (n=63) and using community-based approaches. Only eight studies reported on coverage and effectiveness of intervention. Key delivery facilitators included community advocacy and social mobilisation, effective monitoring and the integration of nutrition, and other sectoral interventions and services, and barriers included insufficient resources, nutritional commodity shortages, security concerns, poor reporting, limited cooperation, and difficulty accessing and following-up of beneficiaries.Discussion: Despite the focus on nutrition in conflict settings, our review highlights important information gaps. Moreover, there is very little information on coverage or effectiveness of nutrition interventions; more rigorous evaluation of effectiveness and delivery approaches is needed, including outside of camps and for preventive as well as curative nutrition interventions.Prospero registration number: CRD42019125221