Efficient and Rapid Microfluidics Production of Bio-Inspired Nanoparticles Derived from Silkworm for Enhanced Breast Cancer Treatment.

: In the quest for sustainable and biocompatible materials, silk fibroin (SF), derived from natural silk, has emerged as a promising candidate for nanoparticle production. This study aimed to fabricate silk fibroin particles (SFPs) using a novel swirl mixer previously presented by our group, evaluating their characteristics and suitability for drug delivery applications, including magnetic nanoparticles and dual-drug encapsulation with curcumin (CUR) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). : SFPs were fabricated via microfluidics-assisted desolvation using a swirl mixer, ensuring precise mixing kinetics.

Risk assessment and natural radionuclide content in black-sand deposits of North Sinai coast, Egypt.

The radioactivity levels and risk factors have been assessed for twenty-eight positions of Black-Sand (BS) surface deposits along the Mediterranean Sea coast of north Sinai, Egypt. Twenty-eight surface samples were collected from six local cities: El Ressa, Abo Sakl, Ghornata, El Arish, El Masaed, and El Rommana. The activity concentration values of the nuclides of the Ra, Th, and K of the collected samples were measured using a P-type HPGe detector with a relative efficiency of ∼100% where it is defined at 1.

First blood-meal record of Simulium asakoae (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Malaysia, with notes on its distribution in Asia and status as a potential vector.

Simulium asakoae Takaoka and Davies has been confirmed to bite humans and has been incriminated as a vector of blood protozoan parasites of the genera Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma, as well as an unknown filarial parasite in Thailand. However, its attraction to humans has remained uninvestigated in Malaysia. Recently, 27 black flies were collected in Pahang, Malaysia, of which 25 were captured in CO-baited Malaise traps and two were collected from humans during trapping activity.

Complete genome sequence of deformed wing virus isolated from honeybees ( L.) in Iraq.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of deformed wing virus (DWV) isolated from honeybees ( L.) in Iraq, named the Tikrit isolate. The phylogeny revealed that the Tikrit isolate has a close relationship to the Iraqi isolate DWV-Iraq-2023 and related to isolates from France, the United Kingdom, and Israel.

Unveiling the unique potential of MXene with and without graphene nanoplatelet for thermal energy storage applications.

Solar thermal energy storage (TES) is an outstanding innovation that can help solar technology remain relevant during nighttime and cloudy days. TES using phase change material (PCM) is an avant-garde solution for a clean and renewable energy transition. The present study unveils the unique potential of MXene as a performance enhancer in lauric acid (LA), which functions as a base PCM.

Interactions between iron and carbon in permafrost thaw ponds.

Thawing permafrost forms "thaw ponds" that accumulate and transport organic carbon (OC), redox-active iron (Fe), and other elements. Although Fe has been shown to act as a control on the microbial degradation of OC in permafrost soils, the role of iron in carbon cycling in thaw ponds remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated Fe-OC interactions in thaw ponds in partially and fully thawed soils ("bog" and "fen" thaw ponds, respectively) in a permafrost peatland complex in Abisko, Sweden, using size separation (large particulate fraction (LPF), small particulate fraction (SPF), and dissolved fraction (DF)), acid extractions, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Surgical removal of an ectopic haemodialysis catheter in the brachiocephalic artery: a case report.

Percutaneous central vein catheterization is commonly performed to access venous circulation for various clinical indications. However, unintentional arterial puncture may occur which can result in catastrophic complications. We report a case of an inadvertent right brachiocephalic artery cannulation in a 77-year-old lady planned for haemodialysis via a percutaneous internal jugular vein vascular access performed under ultrasound guidance.

Multi-Locus Sequence Analysis Indicates Potential Cryptic Speciation in the Chigger Mite (Hatori, 1920) Parasitising Birds in Asia.

is widely distributed in Asia, preferentially parasitising birds, and heavy infestations have clinical impacts on domestic fowl. In common with other trombiculid mites, the genetic diversity and potential variation in host preferences or pathology induced by are poorly understood. This study aimed to unravel the geographical variation and population structure of collected from galliform birds in Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand by inference from concatenated mitochondrial-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), and nuclear-encoded internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and 18S ribosomal DNA gene sequences, including a comparison with previously published data from southeastern China.

Vocal fold cryptococcal granuloma: A rare occurrence in immunocompetent patient.

Introduction And Importance: Cryptoccous infection or cryptococcosis is a severe opportunistic infection occurring mainly in immunocompromised patients. Laryngeal cryptococcus infection is rare. In an immunocompetent patient, inhaled corticosteroid was reported to be a possible risk factor.

Impacts of tilapia aquaculture on native fish diversity at an ecologically important reservoir.

Background: The Temengor Reservoir is the second largest reservoir in Peninsular Malaysia. Located in the northwestern state of Perak, it was selected to develop a large-scale tilapia () aquaculture facility within the Aquaculture Industrial Zone (AIZ) in 2008 due to its favourable environmental conditions. No record of tilapia has ever been reported in the natural waters prior to this.

Exploratory factor analysis of items for evaluating healthy lifestyles related to mental health among undergraduate students.

Introduction: A healthy lifestyle is pivotal for improving mental health. As the concept of a healthy lifestyle is comprehensive, there is a need to prioritise components related to mental health in planning proper mental health interventions. In this regard, physical activity, diet, sleep quality, substance abuse and social support have been identified to enhance mental health.

Findings from a Malaysian multicentre study on oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: In addition to the conventional aetiologic agents of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) such as tobacco usage, alcohol consumption and betel quid usage, it has been established that a proportion of OPSCC are driven by persistent oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Currently, there is a lack of data on the burden of HPV- associated OPSCC in Asian countries including Malaysia.

Methods: A cross-sectional multicentre study with tissue analysis of Malaysian patients diagnosed with primary OPSCC within a five-year period, from 2015 to 2019 between 01/01/2015 to 31/12/2019 was undertaken.

Developing and evaluating the usability of a web-based Diabetic Retinopathy Health Education Program for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To describe the development of a webpage based on the Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol and usability testing of the Diabetic Retinopathy Health Education Profram (DRHEP).

Methods: The mixed methods pilot feasibility study was carried out between April and September 2021, involving 16 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 5 experts. The usability score was rated according to the System Usability Scale (SUS).

Letter to the Editor: "Rosai Dorfman: Rare Cause of Cervical Lymphadenopathy".

We read with great interest the article by Kobayashi KE et al. published in 2023 entitled: "Presentation of external ear Rosai-Dorfman disease with laryngeal involvement" and wish to reconnoiter Rosai-Dorfman Disease's (RDD) clinical entities and the possible implications from the perspective of otology.

SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD IgG & Neutralizing antibodies among different categories of health care workers post third dose BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Neutralizing antibodies (NTAb) play a significant role in preventing and protecting against SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Identifying NTAb is undoubtedly imperative in understanding the immunity toward COVID-19 better. However, it is interesting to note that the production of NTAb varies among individuals, especially among healthcare workers (HCWs), as they are exposed to the virus daily.

The psychometric properties test of the Malay version of the endometriosis health profile-30.

Objectives: To validate and determine the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the endometriosis health profile-30 (EHP-30) by confirmatory factor analysis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the main city of Malaysia at a tertiary teaching hospital between January to April 2021. A total of 218 women diagnosed with endometriosis symptoms were recruited using the universal sampling method to answer the questionnaire.

Findings from a decade of experience following implementation of a Rapid Response System into an Asian hospital.

Aim: Rapid response systems (RRS) are present in many acute hospitals in western nations but are not widely adopted in Asia. The influence of healthcare culture and the effect of implementing an RRS over time are infrequently reported. We describe the introduction a RRS into a Singaporean hospital and the barriers encountered.

An impedance flow cytometry with integrated dual microneedle for electrical properties characterization of single cell.

Electrical characteristics of living cells have been proven to reveal important details about their internal structure, charge distribution and composition changes in the cell membrane, as well as the extracellular context. An impedance flow cytometry is a common approach to determine the electrical properties of a cell, having the advantage of label-free and high throughput. However, the current techniques are complex and costly for the fabrication process.

Microfluidic-Assisted ZIF-Silk-Polydopamine Nanoparticles as Promising Drug Carriers for Breast Cancer Therapy.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are heralded as potential nanoplatforms for biomedical applications. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), as one of the most well known MOFs, has been widely applied as a drug delivery carrier for cancer therapy. However, the application of ZIF-8 nanoparticles as a therapeutic agent has been hindered by the challenge of how to control the release behaviour of anti-cancer zinc ions to cancer cells.

A Qualitative Exploration of Weight Loss Experiences through Hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy has been gaining recognition as an alternative treatment for excess weight problems. This qualitative study aims to explore individuals' experiences of losing weight through hypnotherapy and their perceived barriers and facilitators for healthy lifestyle changes. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 participants (11 women and 4 men; mean age of 23 years) who recorded having lost ≥5% weight after undergoing 3 hypnotherapy sessions previously at a public university in Terengganu, Malaysia.

Unlocking the Potential of Lignocellulosic Biomass Dragon Fruit () in Bioplastics, Biocomposites and Various Commercial Applications.

Dragon fruit, also called pitaya or pitahaya, is in the family Cactaceae. It is found in two genera: '' and ''. The substantial growth in demand intensifies dragon fruit processing operations, and waste materials such as peels and seeds are generated in more significant quantities.