Petrography and Geochemistry of Metasedimentary Rocks from the Taku Schist in Kelantan, North-East Peninsular Malaysia.

The Taku Schist, which is located in the north-east Peninsular Malaysia, is characterized by its North-South oriented elongated body. It forms part of the Indonesian orogenic build-up that was generated via the convergence of the Sibumasu continental unit and Sukhothai Arc. Subsequent petrography analyses of the metasedimentary rocks sourced from the Taku Schist revealed that their formation was attributable to the metamorphism of greenschist into amphibolite facies, which could be observed near the Triassic and Cretaceous intrusions of the Kemahang Granite. The evolutionary process of the rocks could be linked with the interactions occurring between contact and regional metamorphisms. The resulting chemical classification upon their assessment disclosed that the metasedimentary rocks of Taku Schist were made up of greywacke and shale, grouped into the quartzose sedimentary provenance, and belonged to the Continental Island Arc (CIA). This information is required for the tectonic setting discrimination purpose. It is a reflection of the episodic contractions underwent by the Taku Schist, wherein they would lead to the Sibumasu sedimentary cover along with both an accretionary wedge and the genetically-correlated Bentong-Raub melange to different greenschist. Otherwise associated with amphibolite facies, the conditions and depths of the facies were determined according to their position in relation to the upper plate of the Sukhothai Arc

Comparative Germination of Barley Seeds ( Hordeum Vulgare ) Soaked in Alkaline Media and Effects on Starch and Soluble Proteins

Barley seeds ( Hordeum Vulgare ) were germinated after soaking in different alkaline solutions of varied concentrations and pH, at room temperature of 25\ub0C. The rate of germination after 48 hours of soaking of the seeds in distilled water was found to be 35% and the rate for the seeds soaked in the solutions of Ca (OH)2 , KOH and Mg(OH)2 was observed as 60, 66 and 62% respectively. Where-as the rate of germination for the solutions of NaOH and NaHCO3 remained the same as that of the water. The influence in length of rootlets was also examined as a function of the nature of the soaking solutions. Sharp increase in the length was observed in case of Mg (OH)2 and KOH while in NaOH, Ca(OH)2 and NaHCO3 increase in rootlets length was found insignificant . Variation of starch and soluble protein contents in soaked solutions were also examined. Starch and soluble protein contents were found to be the highest in NaOH soaked seeds as 57.7 and 5.95% respectively, compared to 45.07 and 2.50 % for the seeds soaked in water

Camel milk as an alternative treatment regimen for diabetes therapy

Camel milk is a valuable source of nutrition with a wide range of therapeutic effects. Its unique composition helps to regulate the blood glucose level. The current study is aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects, as well as lipid profile restoration of camel milk in the diabetic mouse model. This innovative study evaluates the therapeutic effects of camel milk in diabetic mice by simultaneous measurement of blood glucose, HbA1c, ALT, AST, TG, cholesterol, and histopathological studies. The results showed that camel milk has significantly reduced blood glucose, HbA1c (p < .001), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) (p < .01), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol (p < .01), compared to that in the diabetic control group. Also, the therapeutic effects of camel milk were completely comparable with the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide. The results of this study suggest that camel milk could be used as a proper alternative treatment regimen for diabetes therapy

An mRNA vaccine for pancreatic cancer designed by applying in silico immunoinformatics and reverse vaccinology approaches

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent pancreatic cancer, which is considered a significant global health concern. Chemotherapy and surgery are the mainstays of current pancreatic cancer treatments; however, a few cases are suitable for surgery, and most of the cases will experience recurrent episodes. Compared to DNA or peptide vaccines, mRNA vaccines for pancreatic cancer have more promise because of their delivery, enhanced immune responses, and lower proneness to mutation. We constructed an mRNA vaccine by analyzing S100 family proteins, which are all major activators of receptors for advanced glycation end products. We applied immunoinformatic approaches, including physicochemical properties analysis, structural prediction and validation, molecular docking study, in silico cloning, and immune simulations. The designed mRNA vaccine was estimated to have a molecular weight of 165023.50 Da and was highly soluble (grand average of hydropathicity of -0.440). In the structural assessment, the vaccine seemed to be a well-stable and functioning protein (Z score of -8.94). Also, the docking analysis suggested that the vaccine had a high affinity for TLR-2 and TLR-4 receptors. Additionally, the molecular mechanics with generalized Born and surface area solvation analysis of the "Vaccine—TLR-2" (-141.07 kcal/mol) and "Vaccine—TLR-4" (-271.72 kcal/mol) complexes also suggests a strong binding affinity for the receptors. Codon optimization also provided a high expression level with a GC content of 47.04% and a codon adaptation index score 1.0. The appearance of memory B-cells and T-cells was also observed over a while, with an increased level of helper T-cells and immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG). Moreover, the minimum free energy of the mRNA vaccine was predicted at -1760.00 kcal/mol, indicating the stability of the vaccine following its entry, transcription, and expression. This hypothetical vaccine offers a groundbreaking tool for future research and therapeutic development of pancreatic cancer

Determinants of Salivary Cotinine among Smokeless Tobacco Users : A Cross-Sectional Survey in Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION: More than 80% of all smokeless tobacco (ST) products in the world are consumed in South Asia; yet little is known about their consumption behaviour, addictiveness, and toxic properties. This paper, for the first time, describes associations between salivary cotinine concentrations among ST users in Bangladesh and their socio-demographic characteristics and tobacco use behaviours. METHODS: In a survey of ST users in Dhaka, Bangladesh, we purposively recruited 200 adults who were non-smokers but consumed ST on a regular basis. In-person interviews were conducted to obtain information about socio-demographic and ST use behaviours, and saliva samples were collected to measure cotinine concentration. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to test associations between the log transformed salivary cotinine concentration and other study variables. RESULTS: The geometric mean of cotinine concentration among ST users was 380ng/ml (GSD:2). Total duration of daily ST use in months had a statistically significant association with cotinine concentration. Other ST use characteristics including type and quantity of ST use, swallowing of tobacco juice, urges and strength of urges and attempts to cut down on tobacco use were not found to be associated with cotinine concentration in a multivariable model. CONCLUSION: This is the first report from Bangladesh studying cotinine concentration among ST users and it points towards high levels of addiction. This warrants effective tobacco control policies to help ST cessation and prevention

Karakteristik Transfer Muatan pada DSSC dengan Fotoanoda Triple Layer Ag-TiO2

Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) merupakan salah satu bagian dari energi terbarukan yang memiliki potensi besar dengan memanfaatkan energi dari sinar matahari menjadi energi listrik dengan bantuan sensitizer sebagai agen penyerap cahaya. Kemampuan konversi DSSC ditunjukkan oleh nilai Jsc (12,70 mA/cm2), Voc (0,585 V), FF (0,476), dan η (3,54%) yang diperoleh dari pengujian solar simulator. Selain parameter tersebut, karakteristik DSSC dapat juga ditunjukkan dari nilai ttr (0,010 s), trec (0,080 s), ηcc (0,874), D (0,192) dan  LD  (0,124 mm) melalui IMPS (Intensity Modulated Photocurrent Spectroscopy) dan IMVS (Intensity Modulated Photovoltage Spectroscopy). Pada artikel ini juga dilaporkan Impedansi antar lapisan DSSC melalui analisis EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17977/um024v4i12019p02

DINAMIKA UNDANG-UNDANG TANAH ADAT DI NEGERI SEMBILAN: KAJIAN PERKEMBANGAN DAN ISU UNDANG-UNDANG

Adat Perpatih yang menjuraikan keturunan nasab sebelah ibu merupakan pegangan utama dalam struktur pentadbiran tanah adat di Negeri Sembilan. Kertas kerja ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji sejarah perkembangan undang-undang tanah adat di Negeri Sembilan khasnya yang keseluruhannya diadaptasi daripada perbilangan adat. Tumpuan utama dalam perbincangan kertas kerja ini merangkumi undang-undang yang berkaitan dengan sistem tanah Adat Perpatih seperti perlembagaan, Kanun Tanah Negara, Enakmen Pemegangan Tanah Adat dan juga Akta Pengambilan Tanah. Kajian yang dibuat adalah berdasarkan penyelidikan kepustakaan dan juga hasil temubual dengan beberapa individu yang terlibat secara langsung dengan tanah adat. Konklusi kertas kerja ini menggariskan pemahaman berkenaan perkembangan dan isu perundangan berkaitan tanah adat di Negeri Sembilan sejak zaman penjajahan hingga ke hari ini. Adat perpatih which is based on matrilineal lineage forms the main structure of the administration of customary land in Negeri Sembilan. This paper aims to to study the development of customary land law in particular the state of Negeri Sembilan, which is generally derived from customary sayings/idioms (perbilangan adat). The main focus of discussion in this paper comprises of the laws relating to customary land law in Adat Perpatih such as the Federal Constitution, National Land Code, Customary Tenure Enactment and the Land Acquisition Act. This study applies library based research and interview of relevant key individuals who are directly involved in customary land law. It concludes with a developed understanding on the evolution and legal issues pertaining to customary land in Negeri Sembilan since the colonial era until the present day. &nbsp

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Biodegradable and water resistant poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA)/starch (ST)/glycerol (GL)/halloysite nanotube (HNT) nanocomposite films for sustainable food packaging

As a novel biodegradable material, poly (vinyl) alcohol (PVA)/starch (ST)/ glycerol (GL)/halloysite nanotube (HNT) nanocomposite films were prepared by solution casting at the HNT contents of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt%. Water absorption capacity and water solubility of nanocomposite films were decreased remarkably by 44.24 and 48.05%, respectively, with increasing the HNT content from 0 to 5 wt% when compared with those of biopolymer matrices. Moreover, the water contact angle of nanocomposite films increased by 21.36◦ with the incorporation of HNTs. The presence of HNTs appeared to reduce the overall migration rates for PVA/ST/GL/HNT nanocomposite films when interacting with either hydrophilic or lipophilic food simulants. However, the migration rates of HNTs alone were enhanced with increasing the HNT content in hydrophilic, lipophilic, and acidic food simulants. On the other hand, the biodegradation rate and light transmittance of nanocomposite films were reduced linearly by 18.56 and 26.90% with increasing the HNT content from 0 to 5 wt%. Overall, novel PVA/ST/GL/HNT nanocomposite films in this study offer highly competitive materials with excellent water resistance, good biodegradability, and acceptable transparency to be potentially used for sustainable food packaging particularly targeting lipophilic and acidic foodstuffs