Reprogramming of Expanded Cord Blood-Derived CD34 Cells from Umbilical Cord-Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Co-Culture to Generate Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Cord blood (CB) is widely stored as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for potential future use, though its application for autologous purposes remains limited. Repurposing CB into human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can broaden its utility beyond hematological conditions. This study investigated the effects of umbilical cord-mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) co-culture on CB CD34 cells and the characteristics of the resulting hiPSCs.

Enhancing early warning: A DNA biosensor with polyaniline/graphene nanocomposite for label-free voltammetric detection of saxitoxin-producing harmful algae.

Yearly reports of detrimental effects resulting from harmful algal blooms (HAB) are still received in Malaysia and other countries, particularly concerning fish mortality and seafood contamination, both of which bear consequences for the fisheries industry. The underlying reason is the absence of a dependable early warning system. Hence, this research aims to develop a single DNA biosensor that can detect a group of HAB species known for producing saxitoxin (SXT), which is commonly found in Malaysian waters.

Electrochemical genosensor based on RNA-responsive human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA: A proof-of-concept with SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

In this report, a facile and label-free electrochemical RNA biosensor is developed by exploiting methylene blue (MB) as an electroactive positive ligand of G-quadruplex. The electrochemical response mechanism of the nucleic acid assay was based on the change in differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) signal of adsorbed MB on the immobilized human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA with a loop that is complementary to the target RNA. Hybridization between synthetic positive control RNA and G-quadruplex DNA probe on the transducer platform rendered a conformational change of G-quadruplex to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), and increased the redox current of cationic MB π planar ligand at the sensing interface, thereby the electrochemical signal of the MB-adsorbed duplex is proportional to the concentration of target RNA, with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RNA as the model.

Biochemical and gene expression studies reveal the potential of Aspergillus oryzae-fermented broken rice and brewers' rice water extracts as anti-photoageing agents.

In this study, UVA- and UVB-irradiated human fibroblasts were used to investigate the anti-photoaging efficacy of two aqueous extracts from Aspergillus oryzae-fermented broken rice (FBR) and brewers' rice (FBrR). As UVA and UVB can damage the dermal and epidermal layers, respectively, two UV radiation approaches were utilised: i) direct UVA irradiation on fibroblasts, and ii) UVB-irradiated keratinocytes indirectly co-cultured with fibroblasts to observe their epithelial-mesenchymal interaction during UVB-induced photoaging. The anti-photoaging properties were tested utilising biochemical tests and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Cardiovascular risk prediction with cardio-ankle vascular index in the malaysian cohort study.

The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is an important parameter assessing arterial function. It reflects arterial stiffness from the origin of the aorta to the ankle, and the algorithm is blood pressure independent. Recent data have suggested that a high CAVI score can predict future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events; however, to date, no study has been done in Malaysia.

Nutrient Deficiencies Impact on the Cellular and Metabolic Responses of Saxitoxin Producing : A Transcriptomic Perspective.

Dinoflagellate Halim is commonly associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) in tropical marine waters due to its saxitoxin production. However, limited information is available regarding the cellular and metabolic changes of in nutrient-deficient environments. To fill this gap, our study aimed to investigate the transcriptomic responses of under nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency.

A Rare Case of Salter-Harris Type I Growth Plate Injury in a Patient Undergoing Limb-Lengthening Procedure.

Growth plate injuries over the distal femur typically occur due to high-energy trauma. It is commonly associated with serious complications such as growth disturbance. Its occurrence in children undergoing limb-lengthening procedures is uncommon.

First report on metabarcoding analysis of gut microbiome in Island Flying Fox () in island populations of Malaysia.

Flying fox () belongs to the frugivorous bats, which play a crucial role in maintaining proper functioning of an ecosystem and conservation of the environment. Bats are well-known carriers of pathogenic viruses, such as BatCov RaTG13 from the coronavirus family that share 90.55% with SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen causing recent global pandemic coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19).

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, and Antibacterial Study of Pd(II) and Ni(II) Schiff Base Complexes Derived from Aliphatic Diamine.

A Schiff base bearing two methyl substituents, namely, 6,6'-((1,1')-((2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl) bis(azanylylidene)) bis(methanylylidene)) bis(2-methylphenol) [HAD1Me] was synthesized and characterized through physicochemical and spectroscopic analyses. Then, the Schiff base was complexed with Pd(II) and Ni(II) to form [Pd(AD1Me)] and [Ni(AD1Me)], respectively. Both metal complexes were successfully obtained and characterized through several analyses, .

Mono-Lateral External Fixation for Treatment of Femoral Osteomyelitis.

Background And Aim: Maintenance of stability using external fixation devices is an important principle to ensure successful treatment of osteomyelitis (OM). In this study, we report our experience with femoral OM treated with acute compression and bone transport using the Orthofix limb reconstruction system (LRS).

Patients And Methods: This prospective study included 30 consecutive patients with femoral OM.

Staged Reconstruction for Humeral Osteomyelitis after Severe Crush Injury of the Shoulder: A Case Report.

The incidence of humeral osteomyelitis is relatively rare as compared to incidence of lower limb osteomyelitis. Despite having no guideline in the management of humeral osteomyelitis, surgeons have utilised their experience in managing lower limb osteomyelitis to treat humeral osteomyelitis. By adhering to principles including thorough debridement of necrotic bone and soft tissue, staged bony and/or soft tissue reconstruction, and targeted antimicrobial therapy, a good outcome can be achieved in the management of humeral osteomyelitis.

Correction: Lipid-based nanoparticles for psoriasis treatment: a review on conventional treatments, recent works, and future prospects.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D1RA06087B.].

DHA-rich fish oil and Tualang honey reduce chronic stress-induced oxidative damage in the brain of rat model.

Background: Exposure to chronic stress induces oxidative damage which alters the dynamic balance between antioxidant and pro-oxidant activities in the brain. Tualang honey (TH) is a Malaysian wild multifloral honey which has been shown to contain high amount antioxidants. DHA-rich fish oil is a form of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish which also possesses some antioxidant activity.

Metabarcoding of Parasitic Wasp, (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) That Parasitizing Bagworm, Walker (Lepidoptera: Psychidae).

Microbiome studies of the parasitoid wasp, (Nixon) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) are important because has potential as a biological control agent to suppress the pest, Walker (Lepidoptera, Psychidae). Three field populations of parasitic wasps with different Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to control collected from Perak state (Tapah) and Johor state (Yong Peng and Batu Pahat districts) in Peninsular Malaysia were studied. Bacterial community composition and structure were analysed using α and β diversity metrics.

Lipid-based nanoparticles for psoriasis treatment: a review on conventional treatments, recent works, and future prospects.

Psoriasis is a lingering inflammatory skin disease that attacks the immune system. The abnormal interactions between T cells, immune cells, and inflammatory cytokines causing the epidermal thickening. International guidelines have recommended topical treatments for mild to moderate psoriasis whilst systemic and phototherapy treatments for moderate to severe psoriasis.

Effect of Dope Flow Rate and Post-Treatment on the Morphology, Permeation and Metal Ion Rejection from PES/LiBr-Based UF Hollow Fiber Membranes.

This study investigated the influence of dope extrusion rate (DER) and post-treatment effect on the morphology, permeation, and metal ion rejection by polyethersulfone/lithium bromide (PES/LiBr)-based hollow fiber (HF) membranes. HF fibers were spun with 2.25, 2.

A novel nonlinear time-varying sigmoid transfer function in binary whale optimization algorithm for descriptors selection in drug classification.

In computational chemistry, the high-dimensional molecular descriptors contribute to the curse of dimensionality issue. Binary whale optimization algorithm (BWOA) is a recently proposed metaheuristic optimization algorithm that has been efficiently applied in feature selection. The main contribution of this paper is a new version of the nonlinear time-varying Sigmoid transfer function to improve the exploitation and exploration activities in the standard whale optimization algorithm (WOA).

Ultrasound-assisted encapsulation of Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius) extract.

Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius) is commonly used as a food ingredient in Southeast Asia due to its delicious flavor, appetizing aroma and bright green colour. Pandan plant is uniquely found only in certain parts of the world. Despite its increasing popularity worldwide, its export market is limited by practical issues.

Mitragynine (Kratom)-Induced Cognitive Impairments in Mice Resemble Δ9-THC and Morphine Effects: Reversal by Cannabinoid CB Receptor Antagonism.

Kratom is a widely abused plant-based drug preparation with a global interest in recent years, well beyond its native grounds in Southeast Asia. Mitragynine, its major psychoactive constituent is known to exhibit opioid-like behavioral effects with resultant neuroplasticity in the brain reward system. Its chronic administration is associated with cognitive impairments in animal studies.

A Review on the Development of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles-Based Biosensor as a Detection Strategy of Emerging and Pathogenic RNA Virus.

The emergence of highly pathogenic and deadly human coronaviruses, namely SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV within the past two decades and currently SARS-CoV-2, have resulted in millions of human death across the world. In addition, other human viral diseases, such as mosquito borne-viral diseases and blood-borne viruses, also contribute to a higher risk of death in severe cases. To date, there is no specific drug or medicine available to cure these human viral diseases.

Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) drug classification using shallow one-dimensional convolutional neural network.

Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) drug analysis and identification are challenging and critical nowadays with the emergence production of new synthetic ATS drugs with sophisticated design compounds. In the present study, we proposed a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1DCNN) model to perform ATS drug classification as an alternative method. We investigate as well as explore the classification behavior of 1DCNN with the utilization of the existing novel 3D molecular descriptors as ATS drugs representation to become the model input.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated generation and analysis of N terminus polymorphic models of βAR in isogenic hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.

During normal- and patho-physiological situations, the behavior of the beta2-adrenoreceptor (βAR) is influenced by polymorphic variants. The functional impact of such polymorphisms has been suggested from data derived from genetic association studies, experiments with primary cells, and transgenic overexpression models. However, heterogeneous genetic background and non-physiological transgene expression levels confound interpretation, leading to conflicting mechanistic conclusions.

Review on Nanocrystalline Cellulose in Bone Tissue Engineering Applications.

Nanocrystalline cellulose is an abundant and inexhaustible organic material on Earth. It can be derived from many lignocellulosic plants and also from agricultural residues. They endowed exceptional physicochemical properties, which have promoted their intensive exploration in biomedical application, especially for tissue engineering scaffolds.

Tualang Honey Ameliorates Hypoxia-induced Memory Deficits by Reducing Neuronal Damage in the Hippocampus of Adult Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

Objectives: A growing body of evidence indicates that hypoxia exposure causes learning and memory deficits. An effective natural therapeutic approach has, however, not been explored widely. Our previous studies found that Tualang honey administration protected learning and memory functions in ovariectomized rats.