Solution of diffusion equation of total concentration in spherical shape drops using laplace transform

Liquid-liquid extraction is a separation technology that is based on the distribution of one or more components between two immiscible or almost immiscible liquids. The equipment that is used for the extraction is Rotating Disc Contactor (RDC) column. This research is concerned with solving analytically the diffusion equation of total concentration in spherical shape drops by using Laplace transform. Currently the drops move the counter in a RDC column. The total concentrations of all spherical shape drops were simulated by using Matlab software and Microsoft Office Excel. From the results, it shows that total concentration of spherical shape drops increases as time increases and the total concentration also increases as radius of drops increases. Whilst, the value of total concentration decreases when different values of diffusion constant were used

Preventive effects of tocotrienol-enriched mixed fraction on plaque formation and stability in early and established atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the underlying pathology for cardiovascular disease. The preventive effects of tocotrienol-enriched mixed fraction (TEMF) on atherogenesis remain unclear. Objective: To investigate the preventive effects of TEMF supplementation on early and established atherosclerosis. Methods: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into TEMF (n=10) and placebo (n=10) groups. Treatments were given by oral gavage for 8 weeks followed by a 1% high cholesterol diet (HCD) for another two (to induce early atherosclerosis) or eight weeks (established atherosclerosis). At the end of the study, the aorta was dissected, stained with Sudan IV, and qualitatively analyzed for the atherosclerotic lesion. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), CRP, nuclear factor kappa beta, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM- 1), vascular cell adhesion protein-1 (VCAM-1), smooth muscle actin (SMA), and matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12). Results: In both early and established atherosclerosis groups, there was a significant reduction of atherosclerotic lesions in TEMF compared to placebo. Atherogenic biomarkers; IL-6, CRP, E-selectin, SMA, and MMP-12 were reduced with TEMF supplementation in established atherosclerosis (p<0.05). Neutral effects were seen in the early atherosclerosis group. Conclusion: TEMF supplementation in the preventive setting decreased atherosclerosis formation and reduces endothelial inflammation in established atherosclerosis lesions while increasing plaque stability

Metabolomski pristup otkrivanju različitih metabolita u ekstraktima crne kurkume (Curcuma caesia) pomoću 1H NMR i utvrđivanju njihove korelacije s antioksidacijskom aktivnosti i inhibicijom α-glukozidaze

Research background. Curcuma species (Zingiberaceae) are well known medicinal herbs in India and Southeast Asia. Despite various findings reporting their beneficial biological activities, very little information has been recorded on the Curcuma caesia. Thus, this study aims to determine the phenolic content, antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of both rhizome and leaves of C. caesia. Experimental approach. Rhizome and leaves of C. caesia were dried with oven (OD) and freeze (FD)-drying methods, and extracted with different Φ(ethanol,water)=100:0, 80:20, 50:50 and 0:100. The bioactivities of C. caesia extracts were evaluated using in vitro tests; total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR)-based metabolomics approach was employed to differentiate the most active extracts based on their metabolite profiles and correlation with bioactivities. Results and conclusions. The FD rhizome extracted with Φ(ethanol,water)=100:0 was observed to have potent TPC expressed as gallic acid equivalents, FRAP expressed as Trolox equivalents and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with values of (45.4±2.1) mg/g extract, (147.7±8.3) mg/g extract and (265.5±38.6) µg/mL (IC50), respectively. Meanwhile, for DPPH scavenging activity, the Φ(ethanol,water)=80:20 and 100:0 extracts of FD rhizome showed the highest activity with no significant difference between them. Hence, the FD rhizome extracts were selected for further metabolomics analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed clear discrimination among the different extracts. Partial least square (PLS) analysis showed positive correlations of the metabolites, including xanthorrhizol derivative, 1-hydroxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-(6E)-6-heptene-3,4-dione, valine, luteolin, zedoardiol, β-turmerone, selina-4(15),7(11)-dien-8-one, zedoalactone B and germacrone, with the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition activities, whereas curdione and 1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-(lE,6E)-1,6-heptadiene3,4-dione were correlated with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Novelty and scientific contribution. C. caesia rhizome and leaf extracts contained phenolic compounds and had varies antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory capacities. These findings strongly suggest that the rhizomes of C. caesia are an invaluable natural source of active ingredients for applications in pharmaceutical and food industries.Pozadina istraživanja. Vrste roda Curcuma (Zingiberaceae) poznate su ljekovite biljke u Indiji i jugoistočnoj Aziji. Usprkos različitim istraživanjima koja potvrđuju njihov pozitivan biološki učinak, vrlo je malo podataka o vrsti Curcuma caesia. Stoga je svrha ovog istraživanja bila odrediti udjel fenola, antioksidacijsku aktivnost i svojstvo inhibicije α-glukozidaze u rizomu i lišću biljke C. caesia. Eksperimentalni pristup. Rizom i lišće biljke C. caesia sušeni su u pećnici ili zamrzavanjem, te su pomoću etanola i vode u različitim omjerima: Φ(etanol,voda)=100:0, 80:20, 50:50 i 0:100 dobiveni ekstrakti biljke. Biološka aktivnost ekstrakata C. caesia mjerena je in vitro, pri čemu su određeni udjel ukupnih fenola, antioksidacijska aktivnost (pomoću metoda DPPH i FRAP) i svojstvo inhibicije α-glukozidaze. Metabolomskim pristupom su na osnovi rezultata protonske nuklearne magnetske rezonancije (1H NMR) pronađeni najaktivniji ekstrakti, ovisno o profilu metabolita i njhovom utjecaju na biološku aktivnost crne kurkume. Rezultati i zaključci. Ekstrakt dobiven sušenjem rizoma zamrzavanjem te ekstracijom u čistom etanolu (Φ(etanol,voda)=100:0) imao je velik udjel ukupnih fenola izražen u ekvivalentima galne kiseline od (45,4±2,1) mg/g, FRAP-vrijednost izraženu u Trolox ekvivalentima od (147,7±8,3) mg/g i svojstvo inhibicije α-glukozidaze izraženo kao IC50 vrijednost od (265,5±38,6) µg/mL. Najveću sposobnost uklanjanja DPPH radikala imali su ekstrakti dobiveni sušenjem rizoma zamrzavanjem i ekstrakcijom u otopinama etanola Φ(etanol,voda)=80:20 i 100:0, a među njima nije bilo statistički bitne razlike. Stoga su ekstrakti dobiveni nakon sušenja rizoma zamrzavanjem odabrani za metabolomsku analizu. Analizom glavnih komponenata (PCA) opažene su jasne razlike između ekstrakata. Metodom parcijalnih najmanjih kvadrata pronađene su pozitivne korelacije između metabolita, uključujući derivat ksantorizola, 1-hidroksi-1,7-bis(4-hidroksi-3-metoksifenil)-(6E)-6-hepten-3,4-dion, valin, luteolin, zedoardiol, β-turmeron, γ-selinen, zedoalakton B i germakron, i antioksidacijske aktivnosti te inhibicije α-glukozidaze, dok su kurdion i 1-(4-hidroksi-3,5-dimetoksifenil)-7-(4-hidroksi-3-metoksifenil)-(1E,6E)-1,6-heptadien-3,4-dion bili u korelaciji s inhibicijom α-glukozidaze. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. Rizom i lišće biljke C. caesia sadržavaju fenolne spojeve te imaju različitu antioksidacijsku aktivnost i svojstvo inhibicije α-glukozidaze. Rezultati istraživanja jasno pokazuju da rizom biljke C. caesia predstavlja vrijedan prirodni izvor aktivnih sastojaka za primjenu u farmaceutskoj i prehrambenoj industriji

Local practices for production of rice husk biochar and coconut shell biochar: production methods, product characteristics, nutrient and field water holding capacity

Application of biochar is widely reported to enhance soil quality and decrease leaching of nutrients. In this study, biochar from rice husk and coconut shells were used to determine physico-chemical characteristics, ability on nutrients and water holding capacity in soil. These biochars were produced using conventional processes of rotary husk (for rice husk) and kiln-drum furnaces (for coconut shells). It was found that coconut shell biochar (CSB) was very effective in retaining nitrogen compared to rice husk biochar (RHB). Leaching analysis over 19 days (100 ml each day) has identified 15 g/kg of CSB in Bungor series soil to consistently maintain a leaching rate of nitrogen at below 5 mg/litre as compared to other samples. Meanwhile, RHB was very effective in retaining water compared to CSB with highest water retention at 31.2%. Overall results indicate that conventionally made biochar has great potential to reduce nutrient leaching and improve water holding capacity in soil. CSB is more effective in reducing nutrient leaching, particularly nitrogen while RHB was most effective in increasing field water holding capacity. Further research is required to study its effectiveness on nutrient plant uptake

Cryptotanshinone inhibits TNF-α-induced early atherogenic events in vitro

Endothelial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Salvia miltiorrhiza (danshen) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been effectively used to treat cardiovascular disease. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a major lipophilic compound isolated from S. miltiorrhiza, has been reported to possess cardioprotective effects. However, the anti-atherogenic effects of CTS, particularly on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced endothelial cell activation, are still unclear. This study aimed to determine the effect of CTS on TNF-α-induced increased endothelial permeability, monocyte adhesion, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and impaired nitric oxide production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), all of which are early events occurring in atherogenesis. We showed that CTS significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced increased endothelial permeability, monocyte adhesion, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and MCP-1, and restored nitric oxide production. These observations suggest that CTS possesses anti-inflammatory properties and could be a promising treatment for the prevention of cytokine-induced early atherogenesis

Morinda citrifolia edible leaf extract enhanced immune response against lung cancer

Lung cancer causes 1.4 million deaths annually. In the search for functional foods as complementary therapies against lung cancer, the immuno-stimulatory properties of the vegetable Morinda citrifolia leaves were investigated and compared with the anti-cancer drug erlotinib. Lung tumour-induced BALB/c mice were fed with 150 mg kg−1 or 300 mg kg−1 body weight of the leaf extract, or erlotinib (50 mg kg−1 body-weight) for 21 days. The 300 mg kg−1 body weight extract significantly (and dose-dependently) suppressed lung tumour growth; the extract worked more effectively than the 50 mg kg−1 body weight erlotinib treatment. The extract significantly increased blood lymphocyte counts, and spleen tissue B cells, T cells and natural killer cells, and reduced the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) which is a lung adenocarcinoma biomarker. The extract also suppressed the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) inflammatory markers, and enhanced the tumour suppressor gene (phosphatase and tensin homolog, PTEN). It inhibited tumour growth cellular gene (transformed mouse 3T3 cell double minute 2 (MDM2), V-raf-leukemia viral oncogene 1 (RAF1), and mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR)) mRNA expression in the tumours. The extract is rich in scopoletin and epicatechin, which are the main phenolic compounds. The 300 mg kg−1Morinda citrifolia leaf 50% ethanolic extract showed promising potential as a complementary therapeutic dietary supplement which was more effective than the 50 mg kg−1 erlotinib in suppressing lung adenocarcinoma. Part of the mechanisms involved enhancing immune responses, suppressing proliferation and interfering with various tumour growth signalling pathways

Review of "Civilizations and World Systems: Studying World-Historical Change" by Stephen K. Sandersen, ed.

The role of poverty rate, medical diagnoses, napping and medication on sleep habits contribute to the academic performance of the children. The problem of sleeping students in the classroom is an underestimated problem in Malaysia. &nbsp; The goal of our project was to produce a non-intrusive, portable and easy to use solution to detect whether or not a person was falling asleep while in the classroom. The methods used in our system were sensors to detect whether or not the eye was open or closed and sensors to detect whether or not the head was dipped below a certain angle. This data was transmitted wirelessly where a microcontroller was used to determine whether or not to activate our alarm system. Our project was developed in C code and testing and verification were performed to validate the accuracy of the sensors and alarm decision system.El papel del índice de pobreza, los diagnósticos médicos, las siestas y la medicación en los hábitos de sueño contribuyen al rendimiento académico de los niños. El problema de los estudiantes que duermen en la sala de clase es un problema subestimado en Malasia. El objetivo de nuestro proyecto era producir una solución no intrusiva, portátil y fácil de usar para detectar si una persona se estaba quedando dormida mientras estaba en el aula. Los métodos utilizados en nuestro sistema fueron los sensores para detectar si el ojo estaba abierto o cerrado o no, y los sensores para detectar si la cabeza estaba o no sumergida por debajo de cierto ángulo. Estos datos se transmitieron de forma inalámbrica cuando se usó un microcontrolador para determinar si activar o no nuestro sistema de alarma. Nuestro proyecto se desarrolló en código C y se realizaron pruebas y verificaciones para validar la precisión de los sensores y el sistema de decisión de alarmas

A study on the legal framework for the protection and conservation of wild plants in Peninsular Malaysia / Mohamad Fitrl Abd Rahim, Nurul 'Ain Abu Bakar and Siti Nur Hasnas Jafri

This research paper aims to scrutinize the existing laws in conserving and protecting wild plants in Peninsular Malaysia. In comparison, we also look into the law which governs the wild plants in Sabah and Sarawak as both of these states specifically provides for provision for wild plants. Apart from that, we also look into the United Kingdom law to establish the legal benchmark. Based on the research that has been conducted, there are existing legislation which is relevant in protecting and conserving the wild plants. Nevertheless, the legislations are still inadequate. It was clearly shown that the laws are scattered in the sense that there are eight Acts that conserve the wild plants in Peninsular Malaysia but there is no single Act that specifically governs wild plants in the Peninsular. As such, it can be concluded that the existing law is still inadequate