Focused–type ultrasound extraction of phenolic acids from Q.Infectoria galls: process modelling and sequential optimization

Phenolic acids from Q.Infectoria (QI) galls were extracted using focused–type ultrasound extraction method and further optimized using sequential optimization by response surface methodology (RSM). Different independent variables of sonication time, A (6–10 h), solvent concentration, B (0.05–0.15 M), ratio, C (1:05–1:15), duty cycle, D (30–50 %) and temperature, E (60–80 °C) were first screened via full factorial design (FFD) and the obtained results indicated that sonication time, ratio and temperature were the most significant variables in attaining higher yields. The significant curvature from focused–type ultrasound performance provides insights to a subsequent optimization of the factorial model via face–centred central composite design (FCCCD). The later results revealed that temperature highly impacted the yield with highest contribution percentage of 56.76 %. Notably, maximum extraction yield of 4119.77 mg/g was achieved at optimum condition of 9 h sonication time, ratio of 1:6 and temperature of 75 °C. Besides, Fick’s model successfully promotes diffusivity and appropriately foreseen that temperature factor governed the extraction process from QI galls. Relevant activation energy of 83.39 J/mol, along with the thermodynamic factors which include activation enthalpy (ΔH*) and activation Gibbs free energy (ΔG*), affirmed the extraction process was endothermic and non-spontaneous in identity

An improved microarray image analysis architecture using mathematical morphology

DNA microarrays are now widely used to measure gene expression levels of healthy and cancerous cells. To allow further experiment for drug development to treat cancer, colour intensity from images of microarray spots need to be extracted as accurate as possible. The intensity extraction requires pre-requisite analysis stages including noise removal, and followed by location gridding. However, it remains as a challenging task for microarray analysis due to the variation of noise that infested the images. In this study, microarray analysis architecture using mathematical morphology was proposed, namely Mathematical Morphology Microarray Image Analysis (MaMIA).Firstly, in denoising stage, noise identification is conducted to identify and reverse the noise. Next, combinations of mathematical morphology were applied to the microarray and its pixel derivatives during the gridding stage. Raw microarrays used by MaMIA are available at Stanford Microarray Database (SMD), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and from a dilution experiment (DILN). From comparisons with previous existing architectures, Optimal Multilevel Thresholding (OMTG) and Automated Robust MicroArray Data Analysis (ARMADA), MaMIA have proven to efficiently remove noise with highest value, 81.6657dB for Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and success identification of spots in cases of noises; with highest gridding accuracy level of 98.34%.Overall processing time, MaMIA architecture can perform gridding in less than 22 seconds, fastest as compared to its contender. This research have revealed the potential of analysing microarray by mainly using mathematical morphology operation, either applied on microarray or its pixel derivative

Intensified DES mediated ultrasound extraction of tannic acid from onion peel

Ultrasound–assisted extraction using deep eutectic solvent (DES) was performed to extract tannic acid from onion peel. Notably, DES is an excellent extraction agent, which yielded 641.16 ± 0.01 μg/g of tannic acid compared to the extraction using a conventional solvent (368.99 ± 0.02 μg/g). Subsequently, the research was conducted based on several exploited parameters and achieved the highest extraction yield (1705.79 ± 0.01 μg/g) at the DES ratio of 1:1 (mass ratio of choline chloride to urea), solid to solvent ratio of 1:10 and duty cycle of 10%. The onion sample exhibited higher antioxidant capacity than standard ascorbic acid, which was expressed in the lower values of the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 7.70 ± 1.12 and 10.14 ± 0.11 mg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the Fick's model successfully forecasted that diffusivity is the controlling factor in the extraction of tannic acid via the DES mediated ultrasound–assisted extraction method

Piezoelectric properties of Mg doped ZnO thin film using sol-gel method and spin coating

This reports about the synthesis of Mg doped ZnO thin film using spin-coating techniques through sol-gel method. For studying piezoelectric properties, optical properties and morphology, the prepared Mg doped ZnO thin film samples were characterized using Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Ultrasonic Vibrator. The particle size was evaluated using Scherrer’s formula from XRD patterns. The results show the crystallite size decreased with increasing Mg concentrations. The optical properties showed that sample exhibit a blue shift in absorption in UV spectra indicating good optical properties. The morphology of grain size microstructure was observed from FESEM with results the grain size of the samples decreased with increasing Mg doping. The piezoelectric properties were evaluated using ultrasonic vibrator and multimeter to obtain potential difference for each sample. The results obtained that potential difference increase with increasing Mg contents and higher rotation of spin speed was used

Effects of Honey-Spices Marination on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heterocyclic Amines Formation in Gas-Grilled Beef Satay

The effects of honey-spices marination on simultaneous formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs) in gas-grilled beef satay were investigated at different grilling temperatures (150 °C, 250 °C, and 350 °C). Beef satay samples used in this study were prepared using two types of honey-spices marination (Apis mellifera-spices and Trigona sp.-spices). Quantifications of fifteen PAHs using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) and nine HCAs using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) were performed with gradient programme. Results on PAHs and HCAs in marinated samples were compared with control. Highest concentrations (p < 0.05) of PAHs (marinated beef satay) and HCAs (control) were detected at 350 °C. The most prominent PAH and HCA were phenanthrene (24.61–84.36 ng/g) and 9H-pyrido-[4,3-b]indole (Norharman) (2.67–393.89 ng/g). Marination significantly (p < 0.05) reduced naphthalene, fluorene, pyrene, 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC), 1-methyl-9H-pyrido-[4,3-b]indole (Harman), and Norharman in gas-grilled beef satay across all temperatures. Overall, inverse quantitative profiles of PAHs and HCAs formation were observed in marinated gas-grilled beef satay

Cytotoxicity and anticancer activity of Donkioporiella mellea on MRC5 (normal human lung) and A549 (human lung carcinoma) cells lines

Polypores are mushrooms which are rich in bioactivities and for generations, they have been widely used as herbal remedies. Despite their significant importance in treatments of various health issues, only a few local species have been reported for their pharmacological potentials. The present study was carried out to establish cytotoxicity potentials of Donkioporiella mellea, a local polypore species collected from forested areas in Malaysia at cellular levels on normal human lung (MRC5) and human lung carcinoma (A549) cell lines. Survival and inhibition rates were analyzed by 3-(4, 5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y-l)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) while monitoring changes on cellular shapes by inverted phase contrast microscopy. Survival rates of MRC5 cells were observed to be significantly higher than A549 after treatments with various concentrations of polypore extracts. MRC5 cells showed excellence in survival performance when treated with hot and cold aqueous extracts. Cold aqueous extract showed higher cytotoxicity activities compared to hot aqueous extract () with inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 414.29 μg/ml and >1000 μg/ml, respectively. Treatments with tamoxifen as a control exhibited necrotic features in both cell lines. The results suggest that D. mellea possesses pharmacological potentials that can be utilized for human consumption as a new bioresource alternative, thus encouraging research advancement in mycological and nutraceutical studies

International multicenter survey on screening and confirmatory testing in primary aldosteronism

Objective: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is one of the most frequent causes of secondary hypertension. Although clinical practice guidelines recommend a diagnostic process, details of the steps remain incompletely standardized. Design: In the present SCOT-PA survey, we have investigated the diversity of approaches utilized for each diagnostic step in different expert centers through a survey using Google questionnaires. A total of 33 centers from 3 continents participated. Results: We demonstrated a prominent diversity in the conditions of blood sampling, assay methods for aldosterone and renin, and the methods and diagnostic cutoff for screening and confirmatory tests. The most standard measures were modification of antihypertensive medication and sitting posture for blood sampling, measurement of plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and active renin concentration by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay, a combination of aldosterone-to-renin ratio with PAC as an index for screening, and saline infusion test in a seated position for confirmatory testing. The cutoff values for screening and confirmatory testing showed significant variation among centers. Conclusions: Diversity of the diagnostic steps may lead to an inconsistent diagnosis of PA among centers and limit comparison of evidence for PA between different centers. We expect the impact of this diversity to be most prominent in patients with mild PA. The survey raises 2 issues: the need for standardization of the diagnostic process and revisiting the concept of mild PA. Further standardization of the diagnostic process/criteria will improve the quality of evidence and management of patients with PA.Metabolic health: pathophysiological trajectories and therap