In vitro biological activity of three marine sponges from theonella and haliclona genera collected from Bidong Island, Terengganu, Malaysia

Marine sponges are primitive sessile animals that are rich sources of biologically active compounds. This paper aimed to assess the in-vitro biological activity of marine sponges from Theonella and Haliclona genera collected from Bidong Island, Terengganu, Malaysia. Biological activities such as antibacterial (discs diffusion assay), antioxidant (DPPH free-radical scavenging assay), and cytotoxicity activity (against cancerous HeLa, MCF-7, HepG-2 cell lines and the normal cell line Vero) were evaluated using MTT cytotoxicity assay. The bioassays were done on methanol extracts at different concentrations. Results indicate that T. swinhoei, and T. cf cupola showed low antibacterial capabilities ranging from 0 to 50 mg/mL and exhibited medium antioxidant activity with the IC50 value of 23.25 ± 1.57 and 18.52 ± 0.86 mg/mL, respectively. Cytotoxicity activities indicate that both species of T. swinhoei and T. cf cupola possesses toxic capabilities to inhibit the proliferation of all cancer cell lines used and demonstrated no significant toxicity for the normal cell line used in this study. Haliclona fascigera showed medium antibacterial activity against all Gram-positive bacteria and low activity against Gram-negative bacteria used. Haliclona fascigera exhibited antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 1.80 ± 0.08 mg/mL and outcomes of the cytotoxicity activity assay against all cancer cells showed IC50 below 30 µg/mL. Marine sponges evaluated in this study indicate promising bioactive compounds that can be an excellent candidate for drug discovery in prospecting novel antibiotics and anticancer. Despite showing low antibacterial and medium antioxidant activity, species from both Theonella can be further studied in other assays to explore other biological activities whilst marine sponge H. fascigera possesses excellent capabilities in antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity activities that can be further studied its chemical compositions for future research

‘State Feminism' dan perjuangan wanita di Tunisia pasca Arab Spring 2011

Over the last decade, the Arab Spring phenomenon in the Middle East and North Africa has brought significant transformation towards Tunisia’s political landscape. During the 14 days of street protest, Tunisian women have played critical roles in assisting their male counterparts in securing the ultime goal of the revolution – regime change. This article argues that after the 2011 revolution, the new Tunisian government has gradually adopted the principal idea of state feminism, which emphasizes on the role of ruling government via affirmative action in supporting the agenda of women’s rights. In so doing, this article examines the connection between state feminism and the plight of women’s struggles in Tunisia after the 2011 revolution and, looks into the impact of top down polices, and government approaches towards improving the status of women. This article concludes that women in the post revolutionary era have experienced a new trajectory in political and social freedom,the country has recorded a spike increase in the number of active female lawmakers, government executives, politicians, electoral candidates and the emergence of human right groups, gender activists and feminist movements. All these ‘women’s actors’ have directly involved in the process of drafting the new Tunisian constitution, which resulted in the acknowlegdement of women’s rights protection via article 46 in 2014 and the Nobel Peace Price Award in 2015

Islamic leadership in hospital-associated cluster of Covid-19 management

Introduction The pillar of accountability embodies the notion of leadership, which is greatly emphasised in Islamic culture. 'Each of you is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects,' says the Prophet Mohammad in the Hadeeth (Saheeh al Bukhari: 212). Here we share our experience in managing hospital-associated cluster of Covid-19 at Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre @ IIUM that was inspired by Islamic leadership principles. Methodology Exercise of justice, fulfilment of trust, observance of righteousness, perseverance in doing what is right, and keeping commitments are some of the operational principles that Muslim leaders should follow. The four dimensions of Islamic leadership are: God-consciousness, competence, consultation, and consideration (The 4C model). Based on those principles, the hospital leaders, all hospital management team, rapid assessment team (RAT), experts comprising mathematician and researcher in genomic sequencing together with Emergency Disaster and Crisis Center (EDCC) got together and coordinate the outbreak management. Results We share our experience in investigating and managing one of the large SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a “non-covid” hospital ward that affect nearly total 46 individuals in August 2021. The representative sample was sequence and revealed that this outbreak is due to delta variant. Conclusion A multidisciplinary approach, good infection control measures, an adequate planning and response strategy, and individual-level compliance within the hospital population and importantly a good leadership can all help ensure the safety of a hospital population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acknowledgment We would like to thank all the leaders, physicians, healthcare workers and all who contribute directly and indirectly for their contribution during the outbreak investigation