Nanograin study of polycrystalline ceramics based on cerate-zirconate via two-step sintering / Azliana Ramli … [et al.]

Increasing in the energy demand lead the world to focus on an alternative energy conversion technologies. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer more efficiency in conversion of chemical energy in fuels into electricity. There is worldwide interest in reducing the operating temperature of SOFCs to 500-700°C for long-term stability and lower cost. Proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (PCFCs) are under intense study due to their lower operating temperature < 800°C compared to the conventional oxygen ion conducting solid oxide fuel cells [1]. Cerate-zirconate ceramics with perovskite structure of ABO3 is one of the promising candidates as solid electrolyte for PCFCs applications due to its low activation energy for proton conduction. A better understanding of proton conduction in this material requires a systematic study on the role of synthesizing process and heat treatment in controlling the material's microstructure

Effect of saffron extract and crocin in serum metabolites of induced obesity rats

The effect of saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) and its primary compound crocin was studied on an induced obesity rat model. Our study is aimed at investigating and comparing the metabolite changes in obese and obese treated with saffron extract and crocin and at improving the understanding of the therapeutic effect of saffron extract and crocin. Two different doses of saffron extracts and crocin (40 and 80 mg/kg) were incorporated in a high-fat diet (HFD) and were given for eight weeks to the obese rats. The changes in metabolite profiles of the serum were determined using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). Pattern recognition by multivariate data analysis (MVDA) showed that saffron extract and crocin at 80 mg/kg was the best dosage compared to 40 mg/kg. It also showed that both treatments work in different pathways, especially concerning glucose, lipid, and creatinine metabolism. In conclusion, although the pure compound, crocin, is superior to the saffron crude extract, this finding suggested that the saffron extract can be considered as an alternative aside from crocin in treating obesity

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in a young patient : a case report

A rare form of lymphadenopathy called Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, was discovered in Japan in 1972 by Kikuchi and Fujimoto. It is characterised by persistent fever and localised cervical lymphadenopathy. This disease, typically known as histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis, primarily affects young individuals. We reported a case of a young Malay female with prolonged fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. Her histopathological diagnosis was consistent with KFD. Nevertheless, she made a remarkable full recovery with a short course of corticosteroids. Therefore, Kikuchi disease must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy to minimise misdiagnoses and inappropriate therapies, given the rare prevalence