Excellent Anti-bacterial Activity of Poly(o-toluidine)-DBSA/ ZnO Nanocomposite

This work presents a study of the biological application (antibacterial activity) of ZnO/poly(o-toluidine) (POT) doped with organic acids dodecylbenzene sulfonate acid (DBSA) nanocomposites synthesized by in-situ polymerization of (o-toluidine) monomer in presence of 5% ZnO. The FTIR spectroscopy confirms the existence of an interaction between POT-DBSA matrix and ZnO particles. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the nanostructure nature of the obtained composite. The antibacterial activity of POT-DBSA/ZnO nanocomposite and POT-DBSA studied by agar well diffusion method, was found to increase with increasing concentration meanwhile POT/DBSA/ZnO exhibits better antibacterial activity compared to POT/DBSA and POT separately. Keywords: Poly(O-toluidine); Organic acid; ZnO; nanocomposite; antibacterial activity. DOI: 10.7176/APTA/81-04 Publication date: December 31st 201

Effect of Milk Productive Seasons on Prolactin Hormone, Milk Composition and Metabolites in the Blood of Local Cows

أجريت الدراسة في حقول أهلية في محافظة كربلاء المقدسة، لدراسة تأثير مواسم إنتاج الحليب في هرمون الحليب (Prolactin) ومكونات الحليب والمواد الأيضية في الدم للابقار المحلية. شملت الدراسة 24 بقرة حلوب في مواسم الحلب الثاني والثالث والرابع. أظهرت النتائج ان لموسم الحليب تأثيراً معنوياً (p<0.05) في تركيز هرمون الحليب وفي دهن ولاكتوز والمواد الصلبة للحليب . عدم وجود تأثير معنوي لموسم الحليب في تراكيز المواد الأيضية (الكلوكوز والكوليستيرول الكلي والبروتين الكلي). بينت نتائج الدراسة إرتباطاً موجباً وعالي المعنوية (p<0.01) بين هرمون الحليب واللاكتوز وبين اللاكتوز والمواد الصلبة وإرتباطاً موجباً ومعنوياً (p<0.05) بين هرمون الحليب ودهن الحليب والمواد الصلبة اللادهنية . ولوحظ ايضاً إرتباط موجب وعالي المعنوية (p<0.01) بين هرمون الحليب والكوليستيرول الكُلي وإرتباط معنوي  (p<0.05) بين موسم الحليب وهرمون الحليب . نستنتج من هذه الدراسة تأثير موسم الحليب في هرمون الحليب  ووجود إرتباط بين هرمون الحليب ومكونات الحليب والمواد الأيضية في الدمproductive  seasons  on  Prolactin hormone , milk composition and metabolites in the blood of  local cows. The study included 24 dairy cows during the second, third and fourth milk seasons . The results showed that the milk season was a significant effect (p<0.05) on the concentration of the prolactin hormone, fat , lactose and non- fat solids (SNF) of  milk . There was non significant effect of the milk season in metabolic concentrations (glucose, total cholesterol and total protein).               The  results of the study showed a positive correlation between prolactin hormone, lactose and SNF and a significant positive correlation (p<0.01) between prolactin hormone and fat and SNF of milk  and high correlation (p<0.01)  between the milk season and prolactin and significant correlation (p<0.05) between prolactin hormone and total cholesterol. We conclude from this study that the milk season has an effect on milk hormone and a link between milk hormone, milk components and metabolic substances in the blood.                                                                                                       &nbsp

Randomized controlled trial of a good practice approach to treatment of childhood obesity in Malaysia: Malaysian childhood obesity treatment trial (MASCOT)

Context. Few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for the treatment of childhood obesity have taken place outside the Western world. Aim. To test whether a good practice intervention for the treatment of childhood obesity would have a greater impact on weight status and other outcomes than a control condition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods. Assessor-blinded RCT of a treatment intervention in 107 obese 7- to 11-year olds. The intervention was relatively low intensity (8 hours contact over 26 weeks, group based), aiming to change child sedentary behavior, physical activity, and diet using behavior change counselling. Outcomes were measured at baseline and six months after the start of the intervention. Primary outcome was BMI z-score, other outcomes were weight change, health-related quality of life (Peds QL), objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior (Actigraph accelerometry over 5 days). Results. The intervention had no significant effect on BMI z score relative to control. Weight gain was reduced significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (+1.5 kg vs. +3.5 kg, respectively, t-test p < 0.01). Changes in health-related quality of life and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior favored the intervention group. Conclusions. Treatment was associated with reduced rate of weight gain, and improvements in physical activity and quality of life. More substantial benefits may require longer term and more intensive interventions which aim for more substantive lifestyle changes

Development of a heptaplex PCR assay for identification of Staphylococcus aureus and CoNS with simultaneous detection of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes

Background Staphylococcal toxicity and antibiotic resistance (STAAR) have been menacing public health. Although vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is currently not as widespread as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), genome evolution of MRSA into VRSA, including strains engineered within the same patient under anti-staphylococcal therapy, may build up to future public health concern. To further complicate diagnosis, infection control and anti-microbial chemotherapy, non-sterile sites such as the nares and the skin could contain both S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), either of which could harbour mecA the gene driving staphylococcal methicillin-resistance and required for MRSA-VRSA evolution. Results A new heptaplex PCR assay has been developed which simultaneously detects seven markers for: i) eubacteria (16S rRNA), ii) Staphylococcus genus (tuf), iii) Staphylococcus aureus (spa), iv) CoNS (cns), v) Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl), vi) methicillin resistance (mecA), and vii) vancomycin resistance (vanA). Following successful validation using 255 reference bacterial strains, applicability to analyse clinical samples was evaluated by direct amplification in spiked blood cultures (n = 89) which returned 100 % specificity, negative and positive predictive values. The new assay has LoD of 1.0x103 CFU/mL for the 16S rRNA marker and 1.0x104 CFU/mL for six other markers and completes cycling in less than one hour. Conclusion The speed, sensitivity (100 %), NPV (100 %) and PPV (100 %) suggest the new heptaplex PCR assay could be easily integrated into a routine diagnostic microbiology workflow. Detection of the cns marker allows for unique identification of CoNS in mono-microbial and in poly-microbial samples containing mixtures of CoNS and S. aureus without recourse to the conventional elimination approach which is ambiguous. In addition to the SA-CoNS differential diagnostic essence of the new assay, inclusion of vanA primers will allow microbiology laboratories to stay ahead of the emerging MRSA-VRSA evolution. To the best of our knowledge, the new heptaplex PCR assay is the most multiplexed among similar PCR-based assays for simultaneous detection of STAAR

Factors affecting commencement and cessation of smoking behaviour in Malaysian adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tobacco consumption peak in developed countries has passed, however, it is on the increase in many developing countries. Apart from cigarettes, consumption of local hand-rolled cigarettes such as <it>bidi </it>and <it>rokok daun </it>are prevalent in specific communities. Although factors associated with smoking initiation and cessation has been investigated elsewhere, the only available data for Malaysia is on prevalence. This study aims to investigate factors associated with smoking initiation and cessation which is imperative in designing intervention programs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were collected from 11,697 adults by trained recording clerks on sociodemographic characteristics, practice of other risk habit and details of smoking such as type, duration and frequency. Smoking commencement and cessation were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier estimates and log-rank tests. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate the hazard rate ratios.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Males had a much higher prevalence of the habit (61.7%) as compared to females (5.8%). Cessation was found to be most common among the Chinese and those regularly consuming alcoholic beverages. Kaplan-Meier plot shows that although males are more likely to start smoking, females are found to be less likely to stop. History of betel quid chewing and alcohol consumption significantly increase the likelihood of commencement (p < 0.0001), while cessation was least likely among Indians, current quid chewers and kretek users (p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Gender, ethnicity, history of quid chewing and alcohol consumption have been found to be important factors in smoking commencement; while ethnicity, betel quid chewing and type of tobacco smoked influences cessation.</p

Acacia trees on the cultural landscapes of the Red Sea Hills

This paper examines interactions between five pastoral nomadic culture groups of the Egyptian and Sudanese Red Sea Hills and the acacia trees Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne subsp. tortilis and subsp. raddiana growing in their arid environments. A. tortilis is described as a keystone species both ecologically and culturally: the trees play such critical roles in ecosystems and social groups that their removal would greatly impact both systems. Interviews in the field with the Semitic, Arabic-speaking Ma‘aza and Ababda, and the Cushitic, Beja, Bidhaawyeet-speaking Bishaari, Amar Ar and Hadandawa nomads probed the cultural and ecological contexts of acacias in pastoral nomadism, revealing deep insight into traditional ecological knowledge and traditional perceptions and uses of the trees. The paper describes how this knowledge guides pastoral decision-making, with acacias as a particularly critical component of the pastoral livelihood in both normal and stressful circumstances. A. tortilis is the most important reliable vegetation resource for nomads while also providing fuel and other useful products, ecosystem services for people and animals, and increased biodiversity by providing diverse microhabitats and resources for other species. We describe aspects of kinship, territorial organization, spiritual beliefs and tribal law underlying the significance of trees on the cultural landscape. We discuss environmental and economic challenges to human/tree relationships and to pastoral livelihoods. We challenge views of nomads as agents of ecological destruction, and propose maintenance and restoration of traditional pastoralism as viable alternatives in dryland development