Experimental study into sub-lethal exposure of bacteria to nanoparticles and the possible development of resistance

Zinc nanoparticles are the most common nanotechnology NPs that provides a major contribution to the production of large-scale consumer goods. In developed nations, hazardous microbe infections pose a major public health issue, largely due to less awareness of antibiotic usage and vaccination. The creation of compounds to treat infection is essential to handle certain pathogenic bacteria, such as multiple drug resistance lines. To research the resistance to hazardous microbial strains, scientists use nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs are also used to treat diseases like cancer that kill cells with DNA. The thesis aimed to study the effects of nano ZnO and micro ZnO against E. coli, by analyzing cell viability. Zinc oxide nanoparticle was characterized and was exposed to the E. coli. The cell viability of E. coli concentration between 100 to 1000 μg/mL was observed. The growth concentration nano and micro exposure was observed in T0 and T24. The exposure effects indicate that stock solution exhibited a higher impact on its cell membrane viability as the concentration tends towards 0 μg/mL. Viable concentrations are expressed in terms of ZnO concentration and the length of unit time in stock solution. In conclusion, the research findings show the importance of incorporating a wide range of possible endpoints to determine NPs toxicity as it provides an in-depth assessment of discrete impacts, otherwise not revealed by a narrow choice of endpoints.Zinc nanoparticles are the most common nanotechnology NPs that provides a major contribution to the production of large-scale consumer goods. In developed nations, hazardous microbe infections pose a major public health issue, largely due to less awareness of antibiotic usage and vaccination. The creation of compounds to treat infection is essential to handle certain pathogenic bacteria, such as multiple drug resistance lines. To research the resistance to hazardous microbial strains, scientists use nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs are also used to treat diseases like cancer that kill cells with DNA. The thesis aimed to study the effects of nano ZnO and micro ZnO against E. coli, by analyzing cell viability. Zinc oxide nanoparticle was characterized and was exposed to the E. coli. The cell viability of E. coli concentration between 100 to 1000 μg/mL was observed. The growth concentration nano and micro exposure was observed in T0 and T24. The exposure effects indicate that stock solution exhibited a higher impact on its cell membrane viability as the concentration tends towards 0 μg/mL. Viable concentrations are expressed in terms of ZnO concentration and the length of unit time in stock solution. In conclusion, the research findings show the importance of incorporating a wide range of possible endpoints to determine NPs toxicity as it provides an in-depth assessment of discrete impacts, otherwise not revealed by a narrow choice of endpoints

Some results for the generalized Beta function using N- fractional calculus

In this paper ,some results for the generalized Beta function are derived by using N-fractional calculus of the logarithm function . Also, some results associated with the usual Beta function are obtained as special cases of the main results

Newspaper advertising for public relations practitioners during the Malaya era 1957-1963

The very first recruitment for a public relations practitioner in Malaysia was encountered in 1948 and was advertised by the federal government of the British Colony in Malaya. This paper examines the subsequent advertisements after Malaya sought independence from the British colonial government. A total of eleven recruitment advertisements were found before the formation of Malaysia on the 16th September 1963. This paper outlines the advertisers, the titles of positions, as well as their qualifications and duties. The results show that the job requirement mainly came from the federal and local governments. Generally, the duties were related to information services and some specific responsibilities

The single nucleotide polymorphism rs2305957 G/A is not associated with recurrent pregnancy loss

Background: This study was conducted in order to investigate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2305957 G/A and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in a group of Palestinian women residing in Gaza strip.Methods: A retrospective case-control study was carried out during the period (May to August, 2015). A total of 380 females, 190 RPL patients and 190 control women without previous history of RPL, aged 20–35 years were included in the study. The SNP was analyzed by tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR (T-ARMS-PCR).Results: No statistically significant difference existed between RPL cases and controls in terms of the allelic and genotypic distribution of rs2305957 G/A.Conclusions: SNP rs2305957 G/A does not represent a risk factor for RPL in the investigated population

Professional Values, Ethics, and Professionalism of Public Relations Practitioners

This study explores the influence of education, length of service, professionalism, and ethics on the professional values of public relations practitioners in Malaysia. A total of 427 questionnaires were distributed to public relations practitioners in Malaysia, and 322 questionnaires were returned. The study included 61% female respondents, and 39% male respondents. The study analyzed and identified the influence of professionalism and ethics on professional values of public relations practitioners. Additionally, the study examined whether education and experience influence professional values through professionalism, and code of ethics. Six hypotheses were tested to answer the research questions. The results from this study fully supported the hypotheses indicating that professionalism and ethics had an influence on professional values of public relations practitioners. The results also showed that education influenced both professionalism and ethics, and length of service influenced both professionalism and ethical practice

Media Credibility, Misinformation, and Communication Patterns during MCO of COVID-19 in Malaysia

TV played a significant role during the pandemic period due to its high credibility as perceived by Malaysians. During Movement Control Order (MCO) of COVID-19, many information has been disseminated through both traditional and social media. Some that information was credible and came from reliable sources while other information was fake and included misinformation, disinformation, and infodemic. The people needed credible information rather than fake one in this critical time. This study aimed to explore the credibility of media, information sources, the main issues, and preferred communication patterns and method of works perceived by Malaysians during MCO. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed, and 210 were returned. The results of this study showed that the majority of respondents 69% relied on new media as their main source of information compared to 30.9% who relied on traditional media. However, a total of 64.8% of respondents considered traditional media as more credible and accurate compared to 35.2% for new media. Additionally, the main concerns and issues followed by respondents on media were health, economic, social, education and others. Finally, a total of 55.7% preferred face to face communication compared to 44.3% who preferred online communication. A total of 51% of respondents preferred to work from the workplace or office compared to 49% who preferred to work from home. TV played a significant role during the pandemic period due to its high credibility as perceived by Malaysians. The main intriguing implication of this study is considering the traditional media as more credible than

Common MEFV Mutations in Palestinian Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive inflammatory disorder caused by mutations in the MEFV gene that encodes the pyrin protein. The disease is relatively common among people originating from the Mediterranean areas. The aim of this study was to determine the common MEFV gene mutations in 270 Palestinian patients diagnosed with FMF. The patients were screened for four common MEFV gene mutations namely, p. M694V, p. M694I, p. V726A, and p. E148Q using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR). The results revealed that around 22% of the patients harbored two MEFV mutations, with the compound heterozygous forms being more prevalent than the homozygous ones. The most frequently encountered mutant allele was p. M694V which existed in around 12% of the tested chromosomes. The p. M694I, p. V226A and p. E148Q mutations were observed in around 9, 9 and 7% of the tested chromosomes, respectively. In about 29% of the patients only one mutant allele could be detected and around 49% of the patients did not show any of the investigated mutations. In conclusion, the four tested MEFV gene mutations have a significant contribution to FMF in the Palestinian population of Gaza strip. Screening for those mutations should be offered to FMF patients to confirm diagnosis and effect timely treatment. Further mutations analysis the MEFV gene should be conducted in this population in order to document additional MEFV mutations

Professional values, ethics, and professionalism of public relations practitioners

This study explores the influence of education, length of service, professionalism, and ethics on the professional values of public relations practitioners in Malaysia. A total of 427 questionnaires were distributed to public relations practitioners in Malaysia, and 322 questionnaires were returned. The study included 61% female respondents, and 39% male respondents. The study analyzed and identified the influence of professionalism and ethics on professional values of public relations practitioners. Additionally, the study examined whether education and experience influence professional values through professionalism, and code of ethics. Six hypotheses were tested to answer the research questions. The results from this study fully supported the hypotheses indicating that professionalism and ethics had an influence on professional values of public relations practitioners. The results also showed that education influenced both professionalism and ethics, and length of service influenced both professionalism and ethical practice

Association between functional polymorphisms of Foxp3 and Interleukin-21 genes with the occurrence of recurrent pregnancy loss in Gaza strip-Palestine

Background: This study was conducted in order to investigate the association between IL-21 (rs2055979 G/T and rs13143866 A/G) and Foxp3 (rs2232365 A/G and rs3761548 A/C) gene polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in a group of Palestinian women residing in Gaza strip.Methods: A retrospective case-control study was carried out during the period (January to June, 2014). A total of 200 females, 100 RPL patients and 100 controls women without previous history of RPL, aged 20–35 years were included in the study. IL-21 rs13143866 A/G and Foxp3 rs2232365 A/G polymorphisms were analyzed by allele-specific PCR whereas, IL-21 rs2055979 G/T and Foxp3 rs3761548 A/C polymorphisms were investigated by PCR-RFLP.Results: No statistically significant difference existed between RPL cases and controls in terms of the allelic and genotypic distribution of IL-21 rs2055979 or rs13143866. On the other hand, the two Foxp3 gene polymorphisms showed statistically significant association with RPL: the rs2232365 A/G allele G and its homozygous genotype G/G and the rs3761548 A/C allele A and its A/A genotype were significantly higher in RPL group.Conclusions: Foxp3 rs2232365 A/G and rs3761548 A/C polymorphisms represent risk factors for RPL in Gaza strip women. IL-21 polymorphisms rs2055979 G/T and rs13143866 A/G however, do not pose tangible risk for RPL in our population. Study results should be confirmed on a larger sample.