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Improved mannan-degrading enzymes' production by Aspergillus niger through medium optimization

Mohamad SN, Ramanan RN, Mohamad R, Ariff AB

N Biotechnol, 2011 Feb 28;28(2):146-52.
PMID: 20970530 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2010.10.008

The effect of different carbon and nitrogen sources on the production of mannan-degrading enzymes, focussing on β-mannanase, by Aspergillus niger was investigated using shake flask culture. The β-mannanase activity obtained during growth of A. niger on guar gum (GG, 1495 nkat mL(-1)) was much higher than those observed on other carbon substrates, locust bean gum (1148 nkat mL(-1)), α-cellulose (10.7 nkat mL(-1)), glucose (8.8 nkat mL(-1)) and carboxymethylcellulose (4.6 nkat mL(-1)). For fermentation using GG as a carbon source, bacteriological peptone gave the highest β-mannanase activity (1744 nkat mL(-1)) followed by peptone from meat (1168 nkat mL(-1)), yeast extract (817 nkat mL(-1)), ammonium sulphate (241 nkat mL(-1)), ammonium nitrate (113 nkat mL(-1)) and ammonium chloride (99 nkat mL(-1)) when used as a nitrogen source. The composition of bacteriological peptone and initial pH of the medium were further optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Medium consisted of 21.3 g L(-1) GG and 57 g L(-1) peptone with initial culture pH of 5.5 was optimum for β-mannanase production (2063 nkat mL(-1)) by A. niger. The β-mannanase production obtained in this study using A. niger was significantly higher than those reported in the literature.
Preparation, Stability and Thermal Characteristic of Al₂O₃/Bio-Oil Based Nanofluids for Heat Transfer Applications

Umar S, Sulaiman F, Abdullah N, Mohamad SN

J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2020 12 01;20(12):7569-7576.
PMID: 32711628 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2020.18616

Conventional thermal fluids with suspended nanoparticles, known as nanofluids, have been developed for heat transfer applications. Heat transfer loss could be reduced significantly if the thermophysical properties of the heat transfer fluid are improved, which to some extent, could reduce the present global environmental challenges associated with energy utilization, such as climate change and global warming. In this work, the role of the concentration of sodium dodecyl-benzene sulfonate (SDBS) in the stability of Al₂O₃/bio-oil nanofluid is investigated the zeta potential value, and its implications to the viscosity and thermal conductivity of the nanofluid are explored. The bio-oil based nanofluid is fixed using a two-step method in which the prepared base fluid is added with 13-nm alumina nanoparticles powder. Various weight fractions of SDBS (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 1.0 wt%) are used for both 0.1 and 0.2 wt% Al₂O₃ to investigate the significance of the stability of a nanofluid on its thermal conductivity and viscosity. Results indicate that a stable nanofluid has reduced viscosity and increased thermal conductivity.
Transformative learning in clinical reasoning: a meta-synthesis in undergraduate primary care medical education

Abdul Rahman NF, Davies N, Suhaimi J, Idris F, Syed Mohamad SN, Park S

Educ Prim Care, 2023 Jul;34(4):211-219.
PMID: 37742228 DOI: 10.1080/14739879.2023.2248070

Clinical reasoning is a vital medical education skill, yet its nuances in undergraduate primary care settings remain debated. This systematic review explores clinical reasoning teaching and learning intricacies within primary care. We redefine clinical reasoning as dynamically assimilating and prioritising synthesised patient, significant other, or healthcare professional information for diagnoses or non-diagnoses. This focused meta-synthesis applies transformative learning theory to primary care clinical reasoning education. A comprehensive analysis of 29 selected studies encompassing various designs made insights into clinical reasoning learning dimensions visible. Primary care placements in varying duration and settings foster diverse instructional methods like bedside teaching, clinical consultations, simulated clinics, virtual case libraries, and more. This review highlights the interplay between disease-oriented and patient-centred orientations in clinical reasoning learning. Transformative learning theory provides an innovative lens, revealing stages of initiation, persistence, time and space, and competence and confidence in students' clinical reasoning evolution. Clinical teachers guide this transformation, adopting roles as fortifiers, connoisseurs, mediators, and monitors. Patient engagement spans passive to active involvement, co-constructing clinical reasoning. The review underscores theoretical underpinnings' significance in shaping clinical reasoning pedagogy, advocating broader diversity. Intentional student guidance amid primary care complexities is vital. Utilising transformative learning, interventions bridging cognitive boundaries enhance meaningful clinical reasoning learning experiences. This study contributes insights for refining pedagogy, encouraging diverse research, and fostering holistic clinical reasoning development.
Role of phIGFBP-1 and ultrasound cervical length in predicting pre-term labour

Azlin MI, Bang HK, An LJ, Mohamad SN, Mansor NA, Yee BS, et al.

J Obstet Gynaecol, 2010;30(5):456-9.
PMID: 20604646 DOI: 10.3109/01443615.2010.489162

This prospective observational study was to evaluate the efficacy of combining phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (phIGFBP-1) and transvaginal ultrasound cervical length (CL) compared with either indicator alone in predicting pre-term labour (PTL). Women with singleton pregnancy between 24 and 36 weeks' gestation with evidence of PTL were subjected to phIGFBP-1 and CL tests. Of the 51 women, five were tested positive (phIGFBP-1 positive and CL <2.5 cm) for combination of phIGFBP-1 and CL (four delivered within 1 week), whereas 46 tested negative, of which, only one delivered. A much higher negative predictivity (NP), positive predictivity (PP) and specificity (SP) in the combination test was seen compared with phIGFBP-1 or CL alone (NP: 97.8% vs 97.7% vs 97.1%; PP: 80.0% vs 51.1% and CL 23.5%; SP: 97.8% vs 93.5% vs 71.1%, respectively). The cervical os dilatation of 2 cm with combined positive test (p = 0.001) indicated a higher likelihood of PTL.
Fulltext COVID-19 Pandemic Fatigue and Its Sociodemographic, Mental Health Status, and Perceived Causes: A Cross-Sectional Study Nearing the Transition to an Endemic Phase in Malaysia

Abdul Rashid MR, Syed Mohamad SN, Tajjudin AIA, Roslan N, Jaffar A, Mohideen FBS, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2023 Mar 02;20(5).
PMID: 36901486 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054476

This study aimed to explore the socio-demographic characteristics, mental health status, and perceived causes of pandemic fatigue with COVID-19 pandemic fatigue among the general population of Malaysia. The data was collected online during the transition from the COVID-19 pandemic phase to the endemic phase in Malaysia from 1 to 30 April 2022. Sociodemographic data, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), perceived causes of pandemic fatigue, and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) were included in the survey. The chi-square test and a simple logistic regression analysis were used to identify predictors of pandemic fatigue. The completed survey (N = 775) included individuals aged 18 years or above [mean 31.98 (SD = 12.16)] from all states in Malaysia. Pandemic fatigue prevalence was 54.2%. Severe to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were detected in 11.2%, 14.9%, and 9.1% of the participants, respectively. Younger age, non-Malay ethnicity, living alone, and higher income categories were significantly higher in the fatigued group. Higher DASS-21 scores on all domains were associated with higher FAS scores. Meanwhile, high scores for perceived tiredness from complying with the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), perceived risk of infection from COVID-19, perceived hardship due to the pandemic, perceived public complacency during the pandemic, and perceived changes due to the pandemic were associated with a higher FAS score. This study provides valuable information for policymakers and mental health professionals worldwide on pandemic fatigue and its associated factors, including mental health status in Malaysia.
Fulltext Self-system and mental health status among Malaysian youth attending higher educational institutions: A nationwide cross-sectional study

Mohd Azlan S, Mohamad F, Dahlan R, Ismail IZ, Kadir Shahar H, Kamaruddin KN, et al.

Malays Fam Physician, 2024;19:12.
PMID: 38496770 DOI: 10.51866/oa.34l

INTRODUCTION: Mental health disorders (MHDs) are a global health burden with an increasing prevalence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, depression was the commonest MHD, followed by anxiety and stress. This nationwide study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety and stress among Malaysian students attending higher educational institutions.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2021. Institutions were selected via stratified random sampling and students via convenience sampling. A self-administered questionnaire comprising questions on socio-demographic characteristics, academic background, substance abuse, childhood abuse, religiosity and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 was used. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27; descriptive, point-biserial correlation, chi-square and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were conducted.
RESULTS: Sex and adverse childhood experiences significantly predicted all three MHDs (P<0.05). The students from public institutions (odds ratio [OR]=0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.56-0.90, P=0.004) had a lower risk of depression than those from private institutions. The smokers/vapers (OR=1.43, 95% CI=1.02-2.02, P=0.041) a higher risk of depression than the non-smokers/non-vapers. The social science students (OR=1.29, 95% CI= 1.01-1.65, P=0.039) had a higher risk of anxiety than the science students. The students who highly engaged in organisational religious activity (OR=0.91, 95% CI=0.84-0.98, P=0.015) had a lower risk of anxiety than their counterparts.
CONCLUSION: Anxiety is the commonest MHD among Malaysian youth, followed by depression and stress. Childhood abuse is a crucial related factor requiring further attention. Screening, surveillance, preventive measures and comprehensive interventions for MHDs should be initiated among youth.