Determination of electrical conductivity and pH from the different type honey suction pump

In this thesis presents the electrical conductivity and pH values of stingless bee honey samples collected from two different suction circulation; diaphragm vacuum pump and peristaltic pump was investigated. The honey samples were collected from the area of Bukit Goh, Kuantan, Pahang. Physicochemical analyses of parameters such as electrical conductivity and pH values have an important part in defining the overall properties of the honey and acquiring the quality of stingless bee honey in both type of pump. The data from the electrical conductivity shows that the honey samples from the diaphragm vacuum pump and peristaltic pump are 0.48 – 0.95 mS/cm and 0.25- 0.80 mS/cm respectively. Meanwhile, the data from the pH shows that the honey samples from the diaphragm vacuum pump and peristaltic pump are in range of 3.32 – 3.53 and 3.39 – 3.5 respectively. From the research, the value of electrical conductivity of honey sample from diaphragm vacuum pump is slightly higher than peristaltic pump but the pH values of the both pump are same in values. In conclusion, the peristaltic pump can maintain the physicochemical characteristics of stingless bee honey eventhough the both pumps have different in many ways

Neurolinguistics and language function

Neurolinguistics is known as a study of relationship between brain and language. Human brain consists of three main parts such as forebrain (crucial part), midbrain (the smallest part), and hindbrain (the lowest part). Basically, human language centre is located in frontal lobe of human brain where the left and the right hemisphere are located. Language use sometimes is more dominant in the left hemisphere although the right hemisphere functions for language. Specifically, the areas that are involved in language are frontal lobe (Broca) and temporal lobe (Wernicke). The lesion on brain will scientifically cause language disorder which is known as aphasia. The types of aphasia are Broca’s aphasia, Wernicke’s aphasia, pure word deafness aphasia, conduction aphasia, anomic aphasia, apraxia aphasia, global aphasia, and aphasia reading and writing (dyslexia). The physical condition of a healthy brain is very important to prepare the activities of thinking and acting. Thus, the brain must be protected appropriately

Sugar Palm (Arenga Pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr) Cellulosic Fibre Hierarchy: A Comprehensive Approach From Macro To Nano Scale

Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibre is considered as a waste product of the agricultural industry. This paper is investigating the isolation of nanofibrillated cellulose from sugar palm fibres produced by a chemo-mechanical approach, thus opening a new way to utilize waste products more efficiently. Chemical pre-treatments, namely delignification and mercerization processes, were initially involved to extract the sugar palm cellulose. Then, mechanical pre-treatment was performed by passing the sugar palm cellulose through a refiner to avoid clogging in the subsequent process of high pressurized homogenization. Nanofibrillated cellulose was then characterized by its chemical properties (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), physical morphological properties (i.e. scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis), and thermogravimetric analysis.The nanofibres were attained at 500 bar for 15 cycles with 92% yield. The results showed that the average diameter and length of the nanofibrillated cellulose were found to be 5.5 ± 1.0nm and several micrometres, respectively. They also displayed higher crystallinity (81.2%) and thermal stability compared to raw fibres, which served its purpose as an effective reinforcing material for use as bio-nanocomposites. The nanocellulose developed promises to be a very versatile material by having a huge potential in many applications, encompassing bio-packaging to scaffolds for tissue regeneratio

The prevalence of obesity and the knowledge, attitude and practice of healthy lifestyle among the adult population in Kampung Banyuk, Kampung Kerto and Kampung Langup

Background Obesity has become a great public health concern and prevent!ive measures need to be done. Objective The objective of this research is to determine the prevalence ofobesity and their knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards a healthy lifestyle among the residents in Kampung Banyok, Kampung Kerto and Kampung Langup. Methods A cross-sectional study was done among 126 randomly selected villagers aged 18 years and above from the three selected villages. They were interviewed based on a questionnaire and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results It was found that more than half of the respondents are obese. Among the respondents, for the healthy lifestyle component, the level of good KAP is 69.2%, 46.8% and 60.3% respectively. As for obesity component, the level of good KAP is 60.3%, 54% and 54.8% respectively. Among the obese respondents, the level of knowledge and attitude on healthy lifestyle and obesity is better. Obese respondents have better obesity preventive practice while the non-obese respondents have better practice on healthy lifestyle. The only significant correlation noted was between knowledge and practice on obesity albeit a negative one. Conclusion The level of knowledge and attitude and practice on healthy lifestyle among the obese respondents are encouraged but more effort in the preventive practice ofobesity shou1d be done to reduce the prevalence.

Detection of edible bird’s nest using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with Principle Component Analysis (PCA)

Edible bird’s nest (EBN) is rich in nutrients and health benefits; making it one of the Chinese delicacies over the centuries. However, due to the overpriced and limited supply of EBN, it is being adulterated with other cheaper versions. Therefore, the aim of this study is to establish a method of detecting adulterants in EBN using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as the spectrum fingerprinting analysis together with principal component analysis (PCA). Spiked samples have been developed for Tremella fungus and porcine gelatine at the concentrations of 1%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% (w/w). The FTIR method combined with PCA analysis was able to detect the adulteration of porcine gelatine and Tremella fungus in the sample of adulterated EBNs at low concentration of 1% (w/w). The simple approach employing FTIR combined with PCA may provide a useful tool for EBN detection

The Role of Epigenetics in the Development and Progression of Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an exceptionally complicated and heterogeneous disease that is caused by the abnormal proliferation of malignant monoclonal plasma cells initiated in the bone marrow. In disease progression, a multistep process including differentiation, proliferation, and invasion is involved. Despite great improvement in treatment outcomes in recent years due to the substantial discovery of novel therapeutic drugs, MM is still regarded as an incurable disease. Patients with MM are afflicted by confronting remission periods accompanied by relapse or progression outcomes, which inevitably progress to the refractory stage. In this regard, MM may need new medications or modifications in therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance. A variety of genetic abnormalities (e.g., point mutations, translocations, and deletions) and epigenetic changes (e.g., DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA) contribute to the pathogenesis and development of MM. Here, we review the significant roles of epigenetic mechanisms in the development and progression of MM. We also highlight epigenetic pathways as potential novel treatment avenues for MM, including their interplay, use of epigenetic inhibitors, and major involvement in immuno-oncology

Association of Country Income Level With the Characteristics and Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients Hospitalized With Acute Kidney Injury and COVID-19

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been identified as one of the most common and significant problems in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. However, studies examining the relationship between COVID-19 and AKI in low- and low-middle income countries (LLMIC) are lacking. Given that AKI is known to carry a higher mortality rate in these countries, it is important to understand differences in this population. Methods: This prospective, observational study examines the AKI incidence and characteristics of 32,210 patients with COVID-19 from 49 countries across all income levels who were admitted to an intensive care unit during their hospital stay. Results: Among patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit, AKI incidence was highest in patients in LLMIC, followed by patients in upper-middle income countries (UMIC) and high-income countries (HIC) (53%, 38%, and 30%, respectively), whereas dialysis rates were lowest among patients with AKI from LLMIC and highest among those from HIC (27% vs. 45%). Patients with AKI in LLMIC had the largest proportion of community-acquired AKI (CA-AKI) and highest rate of in-hospital death (79% vs. 54% in HIC and 66% in UMIC). The association between AKI, being from LLMIC and in-hospital death persisted even after adjusting for disease severity. Conclusions: AKI is a particularly devastating complication of COVID-19 among patients from poorer nations where the gaps in accessibility and quality of healthcare delivery have a major impact on patient outcomes

Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications of COVID-19 in adults hospitalized in high-income countries compared with those in adults hospitalized in low- and middle-income countries in an international registry

Background: COVID-19 has been associated with a broad range of thromboembolic, ischemic, and hemorrhagic complications (coagulopathy complications). Most studies have focused on patients with severe disease from high-income countries (HICs). Objectives: The main aims were to compare the frequency of coagulopathy complications in developing countries (low- and middle-income countries [LMICs]) with those in HICs, delineate the frequency across a range of treatment levels, and determine associations with in-hospital mortality. Methods: Adult patients enrolled in an observational, multinational registry, the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections COVID-19 study, between January 1, 2020, and September 15, 2021, met inclusion criteria, including admission to a hospital for laboratory-confirmed, acute COVID-19 and data on complications and survival. The advanced-treatment cohort received care, such as admission to the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, or inotropes or vasopressors; the basic-treatment cohort did not receive any of these interventions. Results: The study population included 495,682 patients from 52 countries, with 63% from LMICs and 85% in the basic treatment cohort. The frequency of coagulopathy complications was higher in HICs (0.76%-3.4%) than in LMICs (0.09%-1.22%). Complications were more frequent in the advanced-treatment cohort than in the basic-treatment cohort. Coagulopathy complications were associated with increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.52-1.64). The increased mortality associated with these complications was higher in LMICs (58.5%) than in HICs (35.4%). After controlling for coagulopathy complications, treatment intensity, and multiple other factors, the mortality was higher among patients in LMICs than among patients in HICs (odds ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.39-1.51). Conclusion: In a large, international registry of patients hospitalized for COVID-19, coagulopathy complications were more frequent in HICs than in LMICs (developing countries). Increased mortality associated with coagulopathy complications was of a greater magnitude among patients in LMICs. Additional research is needed regarding timely diagnosis of and intervention for coagulation derangements associated with COVID-19, particularly for limited-resource settings

Characteristics and outcomes of an international cohort of 600 000 hospitalized patients with COVID-19

Background: We describe demographic features, treatments and clinical outcomes in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) COVID-19 cohort, one of the world's largest international, standardized data sets concerning hospitalized patients. Methods: The data set analysed includes COVID-19 patients hospitalized between January 2020 and January 2022 in 52 countries. We investigated how symptoms on admission, co-morbidities, risk factors and treatments varied by age, sex and other characteristics. We used Cox regression models to investigate associations between demographics, symptoms, co-morbidities and other factors with risk of death, admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Results: Data were available for 689 572 patients with laboratory-confirmed (91.1%) or clinically diagnosed (8.9%) SARS-CoV-2 infection from 52 countries. Age [adjusted hazard ratio per 10 years 1.49 (95% CI 1.48, 1.49)] and male sex [1.23 (1.21, 1.24)] were associated with a higher risk of death. Rates of admission to an ICU and use of IMV increased with age up to age 60 years then dropped. Symptoms, co-morbidities and treatments varied by age and had varied associations with clinical outcomes. The case-fatality ratio varied by country partly due to differences in the clinical characteristics of recruited patients and was on average 21.5%. Conclusions: Age was the strongest determinant of risk of death, with a ∼30-fold difference between the oldest and youngest groups; each of the co-morbidities included was associated with up to an almost 2-fold increase in risk. Smoking and obesity were also associated with a higher risk of death. The size of our international database and the standardized data collection method make this study a comprehensive international description of COVID-19 clinical features. Our findings may inform strategies that involve prioritization of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who have a higher risk of death

The value of open-source clinical science in pandemic response: lessons from ISARIC

International audienc