Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial.

Background: Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria.

Physicochemical homogeneity of stingless bee honey (Heterotrigona itama) produced in the west coast, east coast and inland area of Peninsular Malaysia.

Background: The nutritional composition of stingless bee honey (SBH) can be affected by different climates and soil composition across different geographical areas. However, the range of attributes set for a honey quality standard should be inclusive. This study analysed the sugar profile's physiochemical properties, including quantifying the rare sugar trehalulose, organic acid and mineral composition of SBH collected from inland, and west and east coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.

Performance of Malaysian kenaf callus biomass and exopolysaccharide production in a novel liquid culture.

The versatility of a well-known fibrous crop, (kenaf) is still relatively new to many. Kenaf's potential applications, which can be extended even into critical industries such as pharmaceutical and food industries, have always been overshadowed by its traditionally grown fiber. Therefore, this study aimed to venture into the biotechnological approach in reaping the benefits of kenaf through plant cell suspension culture to maximize the production of kenaf callus biomass (KCB) and exopolysaccharide (EPS), which is deemed to be more sustainable.

Advantages and Prospective Implications of Smart Materials in Tissue Engineering: Piezoelectric, Shape Memory, and Hydrogels.

Conventional biomaterial is frequently used in the biomedical sector for various therapies, imaging, treatment, and theranostic functions. However, their properties are fixed to meet certain applications. Smart materials respond in a controllable and reversible way, modifying some of their properties because of external stimuli.

Quantitative proteomics analysis of permethrin and temephos-resistant Ae. aegypti revealed diverse differentially expressed proteins associated with insecticide resistance from Penang Island, Malaysia.

Synthetic insecticides are the primary vector control method used globally. However, the widespread use of insecticides is a major cause of insecticide-resistance in mosquitoes. Hence, this study aimed at elucidating permethrin and temephos-resistant protein expression profiles in Ae.

Environmental impact assessment of rice mill waste valorisation to glucose through biorefinery platform.

Environmental impact assessment of glucose production from paddy milling waste, known as empty and partially filled paddy grain (EPFG) in Malaysia, was performed using life cycle assessment (LCA). Three scenarios were conducted based on system expansion of the process. The LCA was conducted using ReCiPe methodology at midpoint and endpoint levels.

Effect of durian peel fiber on thermal, mechanical, and biodegradation characteristics of thermoplastic cassava starch composites.

This study is focused on developing and enhancing the properties of durian peel fiber (DPF) reinforced thermoplastic cassava starch (TPCS) composites. The proposed DPF was extracted from agro-waste and incorporated into TPCS with various contents of DPF (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt%) via compression molding. The mechanical and thermal characteristics of the fabricated composites were studied.

Integration of chemical health risk assessment (CHRA) and indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment: from a Malaysian perspective.

In Malaysia, chemical management in workplaces is managed under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994. Hence, the introduction of the Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000 has strengthened the chemical management level in workplaces, including higher academic institutions. The introduction of chemical health risk assessment through the regulation required management to conduct the assessment at workplaces.

Recent progress in the production and application of biochar and its composite in environmental biodegradation.

Over the past few decades, extensive research has been conducted to develop cost-effective and high-quality biochar for environmental biodegradation purposes. Pyrolysis has emerged as a promising method for recovering biochar from biomass and waste materials. This study provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art biochar production technology, including the advancements and biochar applications in organic pollutants remediation, particularly wastewater treatment.

11th Asia Oceania Human Proteome Organization Congress Report.

As the first in-person Asia Oceania Human Proteomics Organization (AOHUPO) congress since 2018, the 11th AOHUPO congress was an opportune time for the research community to reconnect and to renew friendships after the long period of restricted travel due to the global pandemic. Moreover, this congress was a great opportunity for the many AO regional proteomics and mass spectrometry scientists to meet in Singapore to exchange ideas and to present their latest findings. Cohosted by the Singapore Society for Mass Spectrometry and the Malaysian Proteomics Society and held in conjunction with the seventh Asia Oceania Agricultural Proteomics Organization Congress and Singapore Society for Mass Spectrometry 2023, the meeting featured both human and agricultural proteomics.

Preparation and Effect of Methyl-Oleate-Based Polyol on the Properties of Rigid Polyurethane Foams as Potential Thermal Insulation Material.

Recently, most of the commercial polyols used in the production of rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) have been derived from petrochemicals. Therefore, the introduction of modified palm oil derivatives-based polyol as a renewable material into the formulation of RPUFs is the focus of this study. A palm oil derivative-namely, methyl oleate (MO)-was successfully modified through three steps of reactions: epoxidation reaction, ring-opened with glycerol, followed by amidation reaction to produce a bio-based polyol named alkanolamide polyol.

Thymol-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles Improve the Postharvest Microbiological Safety of Blueberries.

Research Background: The presence of on raw food products raises the concern of yersiniosis as most of the berries are consumed raw. This is a challenging issue from the food safety aspect since it could increase the occurrence of foodborne diseases among humans. Thus, it is crucial to implement an effective sanitation before the packaging.

Nanoparticle-laden contact lens for controlled release of vancomycin with enhanced antibiotic efficacy.

Vancomycin is the last resort antibiotic for the treatment of severe bacterial keratitis. Its clinical application is limited due to its hydrophilicity and high molecular weight. To overcome this, this study aims to develop nanoparticles-laden contact lens for controlled ocular delivery of vancomycin.

First evidence of microplastic pollution in the surface water of Malaysian Marine Park islands, South China Sea during COVID-19.

Malaysia is bounded by the South China Sea with many islands that support species megadiversity and coral reef ecosystems. This study investigates the distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the surface water around the four marine park islands (Perhentian, Redang, Kapas, and Tenggol) during COVID-19. The global pandemic has reset human activities, impacting the environment while possibly reducing anthropogenic contributions of microplastic pollution near the South China Sea islands.

Physicochemical and thermal characteristics of choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents.

It is essential to investigate the physicochemical and thermal properties of choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) with various hydrogen bond donor (HBD) functional groups, such as α-hydroxy acid (lactic acid) or polyol (glycerol). It is important to consider how molar ratios impact these properties, as they may be altered for particular applications. This study aimed to examine the physicochemical and thermal properties of ChCl-based DESs with lactic acid (LA) or glycerol (Gly) at different molar ratios (1:2-1:10).

Exploring the factors influencing consumer behaviours and practices towards sustainable WEEE management in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

The disposal practises and preferences of household waste from electrical and electronic equipment disposal (WEEE) are essential components in material flow analysis (MFA). Nevertheless, the synergistic of consumers' behaviours and preferences with the disposal of different WEEE has yet to be investigated in depth. This study examined several consumer features of WEEE management using a quantitative questionnaire survey, including consumers' disposal behaviours and preferences.

Development of sodium alginate-pectin biodegradable active food packaging film containing cinnamic acid.

Plastics are still the most popular food packaging material and many of them end up in the environment for a long period. Due to packaging material's inability to inhibit microbial growth, beef often contains microorganisms that affect its aroma, colour and texture. Cinnamic acid is categorized as generally recognised as safe and is permitted for use in food.

Fabrication and Characterization of Magnetic Cellulose-Chitosan-Alginate Composite Hydrogel Bead Bio-Sorbent.

The implementation of inorganic adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals from industrial effluents generates secondary waste. Therefore, scientists and environmentalists are looking for environmentally friendly adsorbents isolated from biobased materials for the efficient removal of heavy metals from industrial effluents. This study aimed to fabricate and characterize an environmentally friendly composite bio-sorbent as an initiative toward greener environmental remediation technology.

Adsorptive Elimination of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solution Using Magnetic Chitosan/Cellulose-Fe(III) Composite as a Bio-Sorbent.

Magnetic chitosan/cellulose nanofiber-Fe(III) [M-Ch/CNF-Fe(III)] composites were isolated for the elimination of Cr(VI), Cu(II), and Pb(II) from aqueous solution. Various analytical methods, such as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to determine the morphological, physicochemical, and thermal properties of the isolated M-Ch/CNF-Fe(III) composites. It was found that the M-Ch/CNF-Fe(III) composites were porous materials, and they have the potential to be implemented as an adsorbent for heavy metals removal.

Erratum: Eyestalk Ablation to Increase Ovarian Maturation in Mud Crabs.

An erratum was issued for: Eyestalk Ablation to Increase Ovarian Maturation in Mud Crabs. The Introduction, Protocol, Discussion and References were updated. The forth sentence in the third paragraph of the Introduction has been updated from: The eyestalk ablation protocol in this work minimizes stress by using fully sedated crabs and minimizes physical injury to personnel from crab bites.

Antimalarial ceramicines Q-T from Chisocheton ceramicus.

Ceramicines are a series of limonoids that were isolated from the bark of Malaysian Chisocheton ceramicus (Meliaceae) and were known to show various biological activity. Four new limonoids, ceramicines Q-T (1-4) were isolated from the barks of C. ceramicus, and their structures were determined on the basis of the 1D and 2D NMR analyses in combination with calculated C chemical shift data.

Phytochemical profiling of the essential oils from three species and their and dengue protease inhibition activity.

The chemical compositions, and anti-dengue activity of the essential oils of the rhizomes of Linn., Roxb., and Roxb.