Structure and Properties of Poly(Ethylene-co-vinyl Acetate) Nanocomposites with Dual-Functionalized Dolomite Nanoparticles.

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (PEVAc) is a copolymer that consists of non-polar polyethylene (PE) and a polar polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) monomer. PEVAc has high elasticity and is resilient, making it suitable for a variety of applications. However, the tensile strength of this copolymer needs to be improved for specific applications that require enough strength to tolerate high external tension or stress.

Enhancing precision flood mapping: Pahang's vulnerability unveiled.

Malaysia, particularly Pahang, experiences devastating floods annually, causing significant damage. The objective of the research was to create a flood susceptibility map for the designated area by employing an Ensemble Machine Learning (EML) algorithm based on geographic information system (GIS). By analyzing nine key factors from a geospatial database, flood susceptibility map was created with the ArcGIS software (ESRI ArcGIS Pro v3.

Development of digital health management systems in longitudinal study: The Malaysian cohort experience.

Background: The management of extensive longitudinal data in cohort studies presents significant challenges, particularly in middle-income countries like Malaysia where technological resources may be limited. These challenges include ensuring data integrity, security, and scalability of storage solutions over extended periods.

Objective: This article outlines innovative methods developed and implemented by The Malaysian Cohort project to effectively manage and maintain large-scale databases from project inception through the follow-up phase, ensuring robust data privacy and security.

Defect Detection of GFRP Composites through Long Pulse Thermography Using an Uncooled Microbolometer Infrared Camera.

The detection of impact and depth defects in Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites has been extensively studied to develop effective, reliable, and cost-efficient assessment methods through various Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques. Challenges in detecting these defects arise from varying responses based on the geometrical shape, thickness, and defect types. Long Pulse Thermography (LPT), utilizing an uncooled microbolometer and a low-resolution infrared (IR) camera, presents a promising solution for detecting both depth and impact defects in GFRP materials with a single setup and minimal tools at an economical cost.

A prospective multicentre study evaluating the performance of the modified simple biliary atresia scoring system in predicting biliary atresia.

Purpose: Early diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) is critical for best outcomes, but is challenged by overlapping clinical manifestations with other causes of obstructive jaundice in neonates. We evaluate the performance of the modified Simple BA Scoring System (SBASS) in diagnosing BA.

Methods: We performed a prospective, cross-sectional study on infants with cholestatic jaundice (June 2021-December 2022).

Microneedle system for tissue engineering and regenerative medicines: a smart and efficient therapeutic approach.

The global demand for an enhanced quality of life and extended lifespan has driven significant advancements in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. These fields utilize a range of interdisciplinary theories and techniques to repair structurally impaired or damaged tissues and organs, as well as restore their normal functions. Nevertheless, the clinical efficacy of medications, materials, and potent cells used at the laboratory level is always constrained by technological limitations.

Functional analysis of root-preferential oil palm metallothionein promoter in tobacco.

Root-specific or preferential promoters are essential to genetically modify plants with beneficial root traits. We have characterised the promoter from an oil palm metallothionein gene (EgMT) and performed a serial 5' deletion analysis to identify the region(s) essential for transgenes expression in roots. Stable functional characterisation of tobacco transgenic lines using the T generation showed that a deletion construct, designated as RSP-2D (1107 bp), directed strong GUS expression at all stages of root development, particularly in mature roots.

Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Diagnosis of Zoonotic Malaria.

Zoonotic malaria, caused by Plasmodium knowlesi, Plasmodium cynomolgi, Plasmodium coatneyi, and Plasmodium inui, is a significant global health concern. The gold standard microscopy, while widely used for malaria diagnosis, faces limitations in differentiating between malaria species. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), despite its accuracy, is characterized by high costs and time-consuming procedures.

Recent advances of bone tissue engineering: carbohydrate and ceramic materials, fundamental properties and advanced biofabrication strategies ‒ a comprehensive review.

Bone is a dynamic tissue that can always regenerate itself through remodeling to maintain biofunctionality. This tissue performs several vital physiological functions. However, bone scaffolds are required for critical-size damages and fractures, and these can be addressed by bone tissue engineering.

Emotion brain network topology in healthy subjects following passive listening to different auditory stimuli.

A large body of research establishes the efficacy of musical intervention in many aspects of physical, cognitive, communication, social, and emotional rehabilitation. However, the underlying neural mechanisms for musical therapy remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate the potential neural correlates of musical therapy, focusing on the changes in the topology of emotion brain network.

Current progress of protein-based dressing for wound healing applications - A review.

Protein-based wound dressings have garnered increasing interest in recent years owing to their distinct physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The intricate molecular composition of proteins gives rise to unique characteristics, such as exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and responsiveness, which contribute to the promotion of wound healing. Wound healing is an intricate and ongoing process influenced by multiple causes, and it consists of four distinct phases.

Metal-organic frameworks: synthesis, properties, wound dressing, challenges and scopes in advanced wound dressing.

Wound healing is a critical but complex biological process of skin tissue repair and regeneration resulting from various systems working together at the cellular and molecular levels. Quick wound healing and the problems associated with traditional wound repair techniques are being overcome with multifunctional materials. Over time, this research area has drawn significant attention.

Genomic characterization of harbor a polyketide synthase ( ) island associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) development.

The strain harboring the polyketide synthase island encodes the genotoxin colibactin, a secondary metabolite reported to have severe implications for human health and for the progression of colorectal cancer. The present study involved whole-genome-wide comparison and phylogenetic analysis of harboring isolates to gain insight into the distribution and evolution of these organism. Fifteen strains isolated from patients with ulcerative colitis were sequenced, 13 of which harbored pks islands.

From port to planet: Assessing NO pollution and climate change effects with Sentinel-5p satellite imagery in maritime zones.

The growing effects of climate change on Malaysia's coastal ecology heighten worries about air pollution, specifically caused by urbanization and industrial activity in the maritime sector. Trucks and vessels are particularly noteworthy for their substantial contribution to gas emissions, including nitrogen dioxide (NO), which is the primary gas released in port areas. The application of advanced analysis techniques was spurred by the air pollution resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as fuel oil, natural gas and gasoline in vessels.

Synthesis, In vivo, and In silico Evaluation of New Pyrazoline-Benzothiazole Conjugates as Antiepileptic Agents.

New 2-(4-benzothiazol-2-yl-phenoxy)-1-(3,5-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-pyrazol-1-yl)-ethanones (9a-o) have been designed and synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by thin layer chromatography and spectral analysis. The antiepileptic potential of the synthesized compounds has been tested by following standard animal screening models, including maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) models.

Real-time fluorescence loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays for detection of zoonotic malaria Plasmodium parasites.

Background: Natural human infections by Plasmodium cynomolgi and P. inui have been reported recently and gain the substantial attention from Southeast Asian countries. Zoonotic transmission of non-human malaria parasites to humans from macaque monkeys occurred through the bites of the infected mosquitoes.

Surgical Management of Huge Ranula Resembling Double Tongue in Pediatric Patients: A Successful Treatment of Two Cases.

Ranula is a fluid collection in a pseudo cystic wall secondary to the damage of the sublingual salivary gland causing blockage of salivary flow, leading to the extravasation phenomena. The growth rate of ranula varies depending on its severity. Due to its tendency to recur, the gold standard management of ranula has yet to be decided.

Angiomyolipoma during pregnancy: A forgotten risk factor for rupture and massive haemorrhage - A case report.

Benign renal lesions are relatively rare. Angiomyolipoma (AML) is the most commonly encountered benign renal lesion. One of the complications of AML is rupture, which results in retroperitoneal haemorrhage with a mortality rate of up to 20%.

Anorectal malformation and Hirschsprung's disease: a cross-sectional multicentre comparison of quality of life and bowel function to a healthy population.

Purpose: Children with anorectal malformation (ARM) and Hirschsprung's disease (HD) often experience bowel symptoms into adulthood, despite definitive surgery. This study evaluates the quality of life (QOL) and bowel functional outcome of children treated for ARM and HD in comparison to healthy controls.

Methods: Between December 2020 and February 2023, we recruited patients with ARM and HD aged 3-17 years at four tertiary referral centres, who had primary corrective surgery done >12 months prior.

Evaluating climate change impacts on reef environments via multibeam echosounder and Acoustic Doppler Current profiler technology.

Crucial to the Earth's oceans, ocean currents dynamically react to various factors, including rotation, wind patterns, temperature fluctuations, alterations in salinity and the gravitational pull of the moon. Climate change impacts coastal ecosystems, emphasizing the need for understanding these currents. This study explores multibeam echosounder (MBES), specifically R2-Sonic 2020 instrument, offering detailed seabed information.

Edge computing for Vehicle to Everything: a short review.

Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communications and services have sparked considerable interest as a potential component of future Intelligent Transportation Systems. V2X serves to organise communication and interaction between vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle to infrastructure (V2I), vehicle to pedestrians (V2P), and vehicle to networks (V2N). However, having multiple communication channels can generate a vast amount of data for processing and distribution.

Thermal Properties and Drying Shrinkage Performance of Palm Kernel Shell Ash and Rice Husk Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete.

This study aims to develop suitable formulations of geopolymer concrete (GPC) by varying the percentages of the geopolymer with aggregates and evaluating the performances in thermal and mechanical properties of palm kernel shell ash (PKSA)-GPC compared to rice husk ash (RHA)-GPC and ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC). Preliminary tests were conducted to select the best mix design ratios before casting the specimens. Then, the performance of the PKSA-GPC, RHA-GPC and OPCC specimens was evaluated based on their thermal performance and drying shrinkage.

Bilateral Buccal Mucosa Graft for Urethroplasty: A Versatile Graft.

Male urethral stricture is scarring of the urethral tissue that narrows the urethral lumen causing reduced urinary flow. Urethral reconstruction or substitution urethroplasty using oral mucosa graft, especially from the buccal mucosa, is one of the most widely known techniques to manage urethral stricture. However, studies using bilateral buccal mucosa are still limited.