Electrochemical characteristic of Biotinyl Somatostatin- 14/Nafion modified gold electrode in development of sensor for determination of Hg(II)

Electrochemical sensor for Hg(II) has been developed using Biotinyl Somatostatin-14 peptide modified gold electrode utilizing nafion as the immobilizing agent. Experimental conditions such as pH, supporting electrolyte and scan rate were optimized. Detection of mercury using Biotinyl Somatostatin-14 peptide/Nafion has been observed to be optimum under acidic conditions. Good relative standard deviation of 3.7% has been obtained indicating reliability of the detection system. A linear calibration plot in the range of 40-170 µgL-1 was obtained with sensitivity value of 1×10-10 AµM-1. Limit of detection (LOD) obtained is 0.4 µgL-1 which is below the WHO guidelines for drinking water. The scan rate study showed that the process is a complex surface process, mostly involving an adsorption process. This developed method was applied for determination of Hg(II) in actual waste water samples and a good agreement was obtained between the proposed method and ICP-MS based on the analysis of the waste water samples

Ergosterol from the soilborne fungus Ganoderma boninense.

Ergosterol is the main component of the fungal membrane and is not found in plants or other microbial cells. Therefore, it can be a useful biomarker for the quantification of fungal biomass. We are now reporting the first isolation and characterisation of ergosterol from the mycelium of G. boninense. The ergosterol structure was detected by Thin Liquid Chromatography (TLC) and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) and confirmed with Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis

Induction of labour using foley catheter: traction versus non traction technique, a randomized prospective study.

Background: Cervical ripening of an unfavourable cervix can be achieved by placement of a transcervical Foley catheter. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of 750 ml traction on Foley catheter compared to no traction for labour induction. Study design: A randomized controlled trial performed on pregnant women at 37-41 week who were admitted for induction of labour with unfavourable cervix. They were randomly assigned into two groups, Foley’s with 750 ml traction and and without traction. The primary outcomes were improvement in Bishop Score, number of favourable cervix following induction and the mode of delivery. The secondary outcomes were maternal pain score, neonatal outcome, and maternal infection. Results: A total of 160 women were randomized into traction group (n=80) and non-traction group (n=80). The mean change in Bishop Score was similar in both groups. Traction group had significantly (p=0.006) higher number of vaginal delivery (70%) compared to non-traction group. The rate of successful VBAC was also significantly (p= 0.001) higher in the traction group. Participants were comfortable using both methods with low pain score. There was no difference in neonatal outcomes and risk of maternal infections in both groups. Conclusion: application of traction did result in more vaginal delivery and successful VBAC without risk of maternal and neonatal infection

Spectrofluorimetric determination of arsenic(III) using dansylated peptide

The potential of dansylated peptide in determination of arsenic(III) was investigated. Fluorescence intensity of dansyl-D-Ala-Gly-OH (DAG) was quenched during addition of arsenic(III) in aqueous solution. The fluorescence spectrum of DAG was measured at pH 12 with excitation and emission wavelengths of 331 nm and 524 nm. Limit of detection of arsenic(III) by DAG is 0.15 μM. The presence of foreign ions at 1:1 molar ratio of arsenic(III)-interfering ions did not have significant effect on determination of arsenic(III). The developed detection method was also applied on analysis of electroplating waste samples

Recent development of amino acids and peptides in metal ions detection: an overview

Little work has been reported on the development of solid state metal ion sensor based on the use of amino acids and peptides. This review covers literature on the use of amino acids and peptides (short peptide, oligopeptide and cyclic peptide) as a recognition molecule for metal detection system. Amino acids and peptides offer a high degree of selectivity, good limit of detection and high sensitivity towards detection of metal ion

Synthesis of nitrogen-substituted pyran-2-ones via radical cyclisation approach

Four new4-N-substituted pyran-2-ones (δ-lactones) were successfully synthesised from their corresponding cyanoalcohols via two reaction steps; (i) acylation and (ii) radical cyclisation. Four cyanobromoesters that were produced from acylation were treated with tris(trimethylsilyl)silane (TTMSH) and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) in toluene to obtain 5-hydro-4-imino-3,6- dimethylpyran-2-one (4a), 4-amino-5-hydro-3,6,6-trimethylpyran-2-one (4b),3,5-dihydro-4-imino- 6-methylpyran-2-one (4c), and 3,5-Dihydro-4-imino-6,6-dimethylpyran-2-one (4d)

Best fitted distribution for meteorological data in Kuala Krai

Modeling meteorological variables is a vital aspect of climate change studies. Awareness of the frequency and magnitude of climate change is a critical concern for mitigating the risks associated with climate change. Probability distribution models are valuable tools for a frequency study of climate variables since it measures how the probability distribution able to fit well in the data series. Monthly meteorological data including average temperature, wind speed, and rainfall were analyzed in order to determine the most suited probability distribution model for Kuala Krai district. The probability distributions that were used in the analysis were Beta, Burr, Gamma, Lognormal, and Weibull distributions. To estimate the parameters for each distribution, the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) was employed. Goodness-of-fit tests such as the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, and Anderson-Darling tests were conducted to assess the best suited model, and the test's reliability. Results from statistical studies indicate that Burr distributions better characterize the meteorological data of our research. The graph of probability density function, cumulative distribution function as well as Q-Q plot are presented

Synthesis of N-Alkylated and N-Acylated derivatives of girinimbine

Girinimbine, a carbazole alkaloid has drawn an attention due to its wide range of pharmacological effects such as antiplatelet, antibacterial and anticancer activities. Five new derivatives of girinimbine were successfully semi-synthesized via modification on N-terminal of naturally isolated girinimbine. N-Benzylgirinimbine, N-butylgirinimbine and N-isopentylgirinimbine were obtained from alkylation reaction, whereas, N-butyrylgirinimbine and N-methylbutyrylgirinimbine were obtained from acylation reaction. The structures of synthesized girinimbine derivatives were confirmed by spectroscopic techniques

Empowering Community via Composting Practices in Promoting Sustainable Lifestyle

Composting practice is among the many sustainable practices that can be easily carried out through either small or large scale efforts. Unfortunately, composting has not been widely practiced by the public due to lack of awareness. This paper is part of a research project to promote and diffuse sustainable lifestyle to the community by exploring how the sustainability agenda can be partly addressed through composting practices carried out within the Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang campus to its surrounding neighborhood. The project highlights the university community engagement to achieve community empowerment with regard to sustainable urban lifestyle. The result indicates a need to increase community awareness with regards to composting practices in order to inculcate sustainable lifestyle. The university community can be regarded as the agents to diffuse and transfer knowledge on composting best practices

Preparation and characterization of poly(ethyl hydrazide) grafted oil palm empty fruit bunch for removal of ni(ii) ion in aqueous environment

Poly(ethyl hydrazide) grafted oil palm empty fruit bunch (peh-g-opefb) fiber has been successfully prepared by heating poly(methylacrylate)-g-opefb at 60 °C for 4 h in a solution of hydrazine hydrate in ethanol. The chelating ability of peh-g-opefb was evaluated based on removal of Ni(II) ions in aqueous solution. Adsorption of Ni(II) by peh-g-opefb was characterized based on effect of pH, isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic study. This cheap sorbent based on oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber has a great future potential in water treatment industries based on high adsorption capacity, biodegradability and renewability