Coconut shell carbon via phosphoric acid activation for rhodamine B, malachite green, and methylene blue adsorption - equilibrium and kinetics.

This study was aimed at evaluating the removal of different cationic dyes onto phosphoric acid-activated coconut shell carbon. The activated carbon was characterized for surface functional groups, thermal decomposition profiles, surface morphology, and textural properties. The specific area was recorded as 1,221 m/g with 100% mesoporosity.

Comparative study of antifungal susceptibility testing methods for clinical Candida albicans isolates.

Purpose: Candida albicans is the second most common cause of candidemia in Malaysia. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution method is the gold standard for determining its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC); however, it is laborious and time-consuming. This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of alternative methods, namely Sensititre YeastOne (SYO), VITEK 2 system, and E-test for determining the MIC of clinical C.

Antifungal Susceptibility and Genotypic Analysis of Mutations in Isolates in Malaysia.

Purpose: Azole resistance in poses a significant challenge in the management of invasive aspergillosis. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal susceptibility and mutation profiles of isolates in Malaysia.

Patients And Methods: Sixty clinical isolates were collected and subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) and molecular analysis.

Leptospira infection and carrier survey on rats from wet market areas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Background Objectives: Leptospirosis is an important zoonotic infection that has caused significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. This disease is endemic in Malaysia and as a developing tropical country, leptospirosis is concerning as it threatens Malaysian public health and the country's economic sectors. However, there is limited information on leptospirosis in Malaysia, especially regarding leptospiral seroepidemiology among carriers in Malaysia.

Predicting perinatal outcomes in women affected by COVID-19: An artificial intelligence (AI) approach.

This study aimed to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting perinatal outcomes among women with COVID-19. Data was collected from hospitals in the Middle Euphrates and Southern regions of Iraq, with 152 pregnant patients included in the study. Patients were categorized into mild and severe infection groups, and their serum samples were analyzed for mineral levels (magnesium, copper, calcium, sodium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and iron) and immune factors (IL-6, IL-8, IL-32, IL-10, IL-18, IL-37, IL-38, IL-36, and IL-1).

Comparison of in vitro Susceptibilities of in Mold and Yeast Forms in Malaysia.

Purpose: This study was aimed to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) differences between yeast and mold forms of in Malaysia.

Patients And Methods: Ninety-seven clinical strains of were received from various Malaysian hospitals from the year 2020 until 2022. Their identities were determined using microscopic, macroscopic and molecular methods.

Numerical Modeling and Computer Simulation of a Meander Line Antenna for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment, a Feasibility Study.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a brain disorder that eventually causes memory loss and the ability to perform simple cognitive functions; research efforts within pharmaceuticals and other medical treatments have minimal impact on the disease. Our preliminary biological studies showed that Repeated Electromagnetic Field Stimulation (REFMS) applying an EM frequency of 64 MHz and a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.4 - 0.

Job insecurity and psychological distress during the COVID-19 outbreak: The moderating role of perceived supervisor support among hotel employees in Malaysia.

Background: Millions of employees were laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospitality industry has been gravely hit by this crisis.

Objective: Drawing from the theory of conservation of resources (COR), our study aims to examine possible factors that influence turnover intention among hotel employees.

Burden of pertussis among young infants in Malaysia: A hospital-based surveillance study.

Background: The case fatality rate and the risk of complications due to pertussis is very high in infants. Asia has the second highest childhood pertussis burden. The study aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical complications, and mortality rates of pertussis disease requiring hospitalization among young infants in Malaysia.

A Factor XIa Inhibitor Engineered from Banded Krait Venom Toxin: Efficacy and Safety in Rodent Models of Arterial and Venous Thrombosis.

Activated factor XI (FXIa) is an important antithrombotic drug target. Clinical and pre-clinical data have demonstrated that its inhibition attenuates thrombosis with minimal risk of excessive bleeding. We isolated Fasxiator from the venom of banded krait Bungarus fasciatus and subsequently engineered FasxiatorN17R,L19E, with improved affinity (Ki = 0.

EMF Antenna Exposure on a Multilayer Human Head Simulation for Alzheimer Disease Treatments.

In this paper, we follow up with our preliminary biological studies that showed that Repeated electromagnetic field stimulation (REMFS) decreased the toxic amyloid-beta (A) levels, which is considered to be the cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The REMFS parameters of these exposures were a frequency of 64 MHz and a Specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.4 to 0.

Draft Genome Sequence of Leptospira yasudae Strain BJ3, Isolated from the Soil of an Wild Animal Conservation Area.

Previously, a novel strain (BJ3) was isolated from the soil of an wild animal conservation area in Perak, Malaysia. Molecular identification via whole-genome sequencing confirmed that the strain was Leptospira yasudae. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of strain BJ3.

Berberine Protests the Heart from Ischemic Reperfusion Injury via Interference with Oxidative and Inflammatory Pathways.

Background: Ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is a pathological condition characterized by an initial restriction of blood supply to an organ followed by the subsequent restoration of perfusion and concomitant reoxygenation.

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the possible cardioprotective potential effect of berberine in myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury induced by ligation of coronary artery in a male rat model.

Methods: Total amount of 28 adult male albino rats were randomized into 4 equal groups: 1) Sham group, rats underwent the same anesthetic and surgical procedure as the control group except for LAD ligation; 2), Active control group, rats subjected to regional ischemia for 30 min by ligation of LAD coronary artery and reperfusion for 2 hours, 3), Control vehicle group, rats received dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) (vehicle of berberine) via IP route and subjected to ischemia for 30 minutes before ligation of LAD coronary artery & reperfusion for 2 hr; 4), Berberine treated group, rats pretreated with berberine10 mg/kg via IP injection 30minutes before ligation of LAD coronary artery & then subjected to reperfusion for 2 hr.

Evaluation of Tween 80 incorporated media to increase pathogen isolation from peritoneal fluid of CAPD patients at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Introduction: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)-associated peritonitis remains a major complication in patients on CAPD leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Successful therapy of peritonitis is highly dependent on a positive microbiological culture because narrow spectrum antibiotics are essential to efficiently combat infection. Therefore, this study evaluated the performance of Tween 80 containing media at three different concentrations (0.

COVID-19 screening test by using random oropharyngeal saliva.

An optimal clinical specimen for accurate detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by minimizing the usage of consumables and reduce hazard exposure to healthcare workers is an urgent priority. The diagnostic performance of SARS-CoV-2 detection between healthcare worker-collected nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NP + OP) swabs and patient performed self-collected random saliva was assessed. Paired NP + OP swabs and random saliva were collected and processed within 48 h of specimen collection from two cohort studies which recruited 562 asymptomatic adult candidates.

Multi locus sequence typing of clinical Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates from Malaysia.

Background: Melioidosis is a neglected tropical disease with rising global public health and clinical importance. Melioidosis is endemic in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia and is of increasing concern in Malaysia. Despite a number of reported studies from Malaysia, these reports are limited to certain parts of the country and do not provide a cohesive link between epidemiology of melioidosis cases and the nation-wide distribution of the causative agent Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Development of monoclonal antibodies against recombinant LipL21 protein of pathogenic Leptospira through phage display technology.

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal zoonosis that is caused by spirochete Leptospira. The signs and symptoms of leptospirosis are usually varied, allowing it to be mistaken for other causes of acute febrile syndromes. Thus, early diagnosis and identification of a specific agent in clinical samples is crucial for effective treatment.

Case Report: Fatal Human Leptospirosis Caused by Genotype ST149.

Leptospirosis is an important zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution and nonspecific clinical manifestation. We report a case of fatal leptospirosis in a previously healthy woman with a causative agent. A young adult Indian woman was brought in dead to the forensic department.

Trimetazidine Improves the Outcome of EECP Therapy in Patients with Refractory Angina Pectoris.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CAD) associated with death and disability remains a serious medical problem. In some patients the initial clinical coronary artery disease presentation is stable angina pectoris.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of EECP therapy with or without trimetazidine (TMZ) in patients with refractory angina via modulating peripheral monocyte expression of Toll like receptor2 (TLR2) and its downstream signaling.

sp. Isolated from a Corneal Ulcer in the Human Eye.

is a black yeast-like fungus with most of the strains being isolated from soil and plants. It tends to cause sooty blotch and flyspeck disease in plants. In humans, it is known to cause superficial skin and nail infections.

Comparing Nasopharyngeal Swab and Early Morning Saliva for the Identification of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Background: The ideal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARs-CoV-2) testing method would be accurate and also be patient-performed to reduce exposure to healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to compare patient-performed testing based on a morning saliva sample with the current standard testing method, healthcare worker-collected sampling via a nasopharyngeal swab (NPS).

Methods: This was a prospective single center study which recruited 217 asymptomatic adult male participants in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine center who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 8-10 days prior to isolation.

Elevated levels of IL-8 in fatal leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis causes a wide range of clinical outcomes, including organ failure and death. Early treatment significantly increases the chances of cure. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemoattractant cytokine for neutrophil and is associated with multiple organ failure.