Lovebirds

The romance of birds are expressed and manifested in how they impress and attract their love counterparts. The colourful males such as the peacock (Pavo cristatus) and the golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) would undergo detailed grooming to ensure flawless appearance to impress the beloved in the competitive world of the wild. The males of certain species would pour their dedication and effort to build the mating court as splendid as a castle to invite the queen of their heart such as shown by the bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) and the baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus)

Optimization of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase production by response surface methodology approach.

The aim of the study was to optimized cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) production using local isolated strain MK6 which was identified as Bacillus sp. Optimum activity obtained at temperature of 70 °C and the enzyme shows a wide range of pH stability ranging from 4-10 when stored at 4 °C for 24 h and temperature stability ranging from 30-80 °C at 1 h incubation period. The CGTase activity was even maintained at 0.4 U mL-1 at 90 °C for 40 min incubation. Prior to optimization of CGTase production, selection for the best carbon source through detection using modified phenolphthalein method containing different types of starch were performed. Sago starch gave significant result and was used for further optimization using statistical analysis namely Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach. The optimal calculated values were 3.34% sago starch, initial pH of 10.15 and agitation speed of 187 rpm; with predicted activity of 2.07 U mL-1 of CGTase. These predicted optimal parameters were confirmed in the laboratory and the final CGTase activity obtained was very close to the predicted value of 2.56 U mL-1

Damnacanthal is a potent inducer of apoptosis with anticancer activity by stimulating p53 and p21 genes in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Damnacanthal, an anthraquinone compound, is isolated from the roots of Morinda citrifolia L. (noni), which has been used for traditional therapy in several chronic diseases, including cancer. Although noni has long been consumed in Asian and Polynesian countries, the molecular mechanisms by which it exerts several benefits are starting to emerge. In the present study, the effect of damnacanthal on MCF‑7 cell growth regulation was investigated. Treatment of MCF‑7 cells with damnacanthal for 72 h indicated an antiproliferative activity. The MTT method confirmed that damnacanthal inhibited the growth of MCF‑7 cells at the concentration of 8.2 µg/ml for 72 h. In addition, the drug was found to induce cell cycle arrest at the G1 checkpoint in MCF‑7 cells by cell cycle analysis. Damnacanthal induced apoptosis, determined by Annexin V‑fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (PI) dual‑labeling, acridine‑orange/PI dyeing and caspase‑7 expression. Furthermore, damnacanthal‑mediated apoptosis involves the sustained activation of p21, leading to the transcription of p53 and the Bax gene. Overall, the present study provided significant evidence demonstrating that p53‑mediated damnacanthal induced apoptosis through the activation of p21 and caspase‑7

Production of reducing sugars by Trichoderma sp. KUPM0001 during solid substrate fermentation of sago starch processing waste hampas

Trichoderma sp. KUPM0001 showed good growth during solid substrate fermentation (SSF)of sagopith residue known as hampas, supplemented with 10% (v/w) of mineral salts solution containing 0.5% (w/v) (83.3mM)urea as nitrogen source and an initial moisture content of 80% (v/w). Mycelium suspension of 10% (v/w) density was used as initial inoculum and SSF was carried out at 25±2°C in static condition over a period of 120h. The parameters optimized include the initial moisture content of the substrate, mineral salts solution, urea concentration, inoculum density, incubation temperature and incubation time. Without optimized condition, the maximum reducing sugar obtained was 24mg mL¯¹ compared to 46 mg mL¯¹ substrate during optimized SSF after 96h incubation. The optimum parameters obtained were 80% (v/w) of initial moisture; 10% (v/w) of inoculums size; 1.0% of urea in 20% (w/v) of mineral solution and incubated at 30±2°C. The enzyme activities using optimized condition gave maximum α-amylase, glucoamylase, carboxymethyl cellulase, filter paperase and β-glucosidase of 3.19, 2.22, 1.66, 1.11 and 1.48 U mL¯¹, respectively

The effect of controlled shot peening on fusion welded joints

This work examines the effect of controlled shot peening (CSP) treatment on the fatigue strength of an ASTM A516 grade 70 carbon steel welded joint. Metallurgical modifications, hardness, elemental compositions, and internal discontinuities, such as porosity, inclusions, lack of penetration, and undercut found in treated and untreated fusion welded joints, were characterized. The fatigue results of as-welded and peened skimmed joints were compared. It was observed that the effect of the CSP and skimming processes improved the fatigue life of the fusion weld by 50% on MMA-welded, 63% on MIG-welded, and 60% on TIG-welded samples

Plant Key Success Factor through Spare Parts Inventory Management

The relationships between a plant operational reliability and its key success factors are discussed in this paper. Several critical factors including effective spare parts management, maintenance approach and continuous improvement is explore along with plant operation reliability. Subsequently, the plant spare parts plays a vital role in many of the global industries and the inventory management of spare parts can be a strategic importance in it as costs and capital are tied together with it in many areas. The key success factors could be applied accordingly for the optimization of the plant that will benefit the stakeholders involved

An interventive and kap study on healthy lifestyle of overweight and uncontrolled diabetic patients in Kota Bharu, Kelantan

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of a regular exercise programme on metabolic control and also knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of exercise and physical activity among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. MATERIAL AND MET{{ ODS: Forty two Type 2 diabetes patients from the community medicine and medical specialist clinics in USM were assigned . to two groups; The interventive group consisted of 13 males and 14 females, mean age 52.6(8.7) (mean (SD)), body mass index 27.2 (3.9) participated in regular group exercise sessions (3 times a week, 1 hour sessions) for 7 weeks. Exercise intensity was predetermined based on the predicted target heart rate for each subject. The control group consisted of 7 males and 8 females, mean age 56.5(11.1), body mass index 25.8(2.73). Pre and post-intervention anthropometric measurements and blood investigations were done. These include height, weight, body mass index, body fat percentage and fat free mass (FFM), blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness level, fasting plasma glucose level (FPG), HbA I c level, fasting lipid profile, insulin and Cpeptidelevel. RESULTS:, In the intervention group, FFM increased from 45.98(9.71) to 47.93(10.53) kg,; percentage body fat decreased from 32.37(11.02) to 30.14(10.73)%. Diastolic pressure reduced from 91(11.2) to 83.3(7.5) mmHg, cholesterol level decreased from 6.23(1.03) to 5.74(1.23) mmoVI, HDL level increased from 0.97(0.31) to 1.19(0.28) mmolll. Estimated V02max increased from 21.6(7.04) to 27.7(8.72) mllkg/min. Resting heart rate declined significantly from 80(7) to 73( II) bpm. There was no improvement in body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels. Knowledge and attitude scores were higher than practice scores. CONCLUSION: Seven weeks of exercise intervention among type 2 diabetes patients resulted in an improvement in body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, lipid profile and a reduction in blood pressure. However there is a disparity between knowledge and practice of exercise and physical activity

Academic plagiarism in Malaysia higher education institutions: legal perspective

The incidents of plagiarism are prevalent in the academic community throughout the world. In the context of the academic community, plagiarism may damage the reputation as well as negatively affect the credibility and integrity of the institutions and those involved in such behaviours. This paper provides an overview of academic plagiarism in Malaysia and discusses the relevant Malaysian legal provisions, specifically those which applied to Malaysian public higher education institutions concerning the issue of plagiarism. Analysis of statutes and relevant case law was done by employing the doctrinal legal method. It is learned that a number of statutes governing the management and administration of the universities in Malaysia contain provisions on plagiarism that are to be subjected to disciplinary punishment. Of all the statutes, the paper found that the Educational Institutions (Discipline) Act 1976 (Act 174), which governs matters related to discipline in educational institutions but not including universities explicitly stated provision on plagiarism. The paper suggests that universities should adopt clear policy or guideline on student writing handling in order to avoid and deal with plagiarism issues effectively