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Fulltext Measuring radon concentration and toxic elements in the irrigation water of the agricultural areas in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Murtadha S. Al-Nafiey, Mohammad S. Jaafar, Sabar Bauk

Sains Malaysiana, 2014;43(2):227-231.

Radon and toxic elements (Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Zn and Ni) were measured in different water samples in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. RAD7 and rad H20 were used to estimate the radon concentration. The average values for radon concentration were found to vary from a minimum of 0.21 Bq/L to a maximum of 0.297 Bq/L. Heavy metals concentration were measured using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr were 0.07, 0.009, 0.009, 0.043, 0.076, 0.079 mg/L and ND, respectively. Comparing the results with the literature, shows that the concentrations obtained were within the allowed limits of the agricultural and domestic use.
Orthotic treatment of idiopathic hyperkyphosis with Milwaukee brace

Mehdikhani M, Behtash H, Ganjavian MS, Khalaj N

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 2016 Aug 10;29(3):515-9.
PMID: 26836834 DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150651

Hyperkyphosis with unknown reason is common in teenagers and can be corrected by orthotic management.
Fulltext Career perspectives of senior dental students from different backgrounds at a single Middle Eastern institution

Alrashdan MS, Alazzam M, Alkhader M, Phillips C

BMC Med Educ, 2018 Nov 26;18(1):283.
PMID: 30477562 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-018-1386-9

BACKGROUND: Differences between dental students in terms of social, economic and cultural backgrounds are likely to impact their professional career plans. The aim of this study was to explore the professional career plans among final year dental students from different backgrounds at a single Middle Eastern institution (Jordan university of Science and Technology-JUST).
METHODS: Fifth year dental students at JUST were invited to fill out a paper based self-administered questionnaire. Data was collected on students` demographics, their future career plans and the impact of social and economic changes on such plans, their interest in postgraduate studies and the specialty of choice in addition to the influence of a group of factors on that choice. Data was also collected on the value of non-academic workshops, guidance regarding career plans, participants` preferred pattern of work (full-time versus part-time) and retirement plans. Students were categorized according to their nationalities. Pearson's chi squared test, one way ANOVA and post hoc tests were used to measure statistical significance between measured variables and backgrounds of participants. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS: A total of 227 students completed the survey (response rate = 84%). 47% of the participants were Jordanians, 27% were Malaysians, 11% were from Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar), 10% were from conflict zones in the Middle East (Syria, Iraq, Palestine and Yemen) and 5% comprised students from other nationalities. Significant differences were found between students from different backgrounds in their funding sources (Chi square = 132, P
Fulltext Transcriptome Profiling of Toxoplasma gondii-Infected Human Cerebromicrovascular Endothelial Cell Response to Treatment with Monensin

Harun MSR, Taylor M, Zhu XQ, Elsheikha HM

Microorganisms, 2020 Jun 04;8(6).
PMID: 32512820 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060842

Central to the progression of cerebral toxoplasmosis is the interaction of Toxoplasma gondii with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells. In the present work, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of Wnt pathway signalling by the monovalent ionophore monensin reduces the growth of T. gondii infecting human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) or microglial cells. The anti-parasitic effect of monensin (a Wnt signalling inhibitor) on the in vitro growth of T. gondii tachyzoites was investigated using two methods (Sulforhodamine B staining and microscopic parasite counting). The monensin inhibited T. gondii growth (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 0.61 μM) with a selective index = 8.48 when tested against hBMECs (50% cytotoxic concentration [CC50] = 5.17 μM). However, IC50 of monensin was 4.13 μM with a SI = 13.82 when tested against microglia cells (CC50 = 57.08 μM), suggesting less sensitivity of microglia cells to monensin treatment. The effect of T. gondii on the integrity of the BBB was assessed by the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay using an in vitro human BBB model. The results showed that T. gondii infection significantly decreased hBMECs' TEER resistance, which was rescued when cells were treated with 0.1 µM monensin, probably due to the anti-parasitic activity of monensin. We also investigated the host-targeted effects of 0.1 µM monensin on global gene expression in hBMECs with or without T. gondii infection. Treatment of hBMECs with monensin did not significantly influence the expression of genes involved in the Wnt signalling pathway, suggesting that although inhibition of the Wnt signalling pathway did not play a significant role in T. gondii infection of hBMECs, monensin was still effective in limiting the growth of T. gondii. On the contrary, monensin treatment downregulated pathways related to steroids, cholesterol and protein biosynthesis and their transport between endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, and deregulated pathways related to cell cycle and DNA synthesis and repair mechanisms. These results provide new insight into the host-modulatory effect of monensin during T. gondii infection, which merits further investigation.
Experimental data for the slug two-phase flow characteristics in horizontal pipeline

Mohmmed AO, Nasif MS, Al-Kayiem HH

Data Brief, 2018 Feb;16:527-530.
PMID: 29270452 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.11.026

The data presented in this article were the basis for the study reported in the research articles entitled "Statistical assessment of experimental observation on the slug body length and slug translational velocity in a horizontal pipe" (Al-Kayiem et al., 2017) [1] which presents an experimental investigation of the slug velocity and slug body length for air-water tow phase flow in horizontal pipe. Here, in this article, the experimental set-up and the major instruments used for obtaining the computed data were explained in details. This data will be presented in the form of tables and videos.
A systematic review of methods used to assist transtibial prosthetic alignment decision-making

Malaheem MS, Abd Razak NA, Abu Osman NA

Prosthet Orthot Int, 2023 Nov 29.
PMID: 38018968 DOI: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000309

Prosthetic alignment is a highly subjective process that is still based on clinical judgments. Thus, researchers have aimed their effort to quantify prosthetic alignment by providing an objective method that can assist and guide prosthetists in achieving transtibial (TT) prosthetic alignment. This systematic review aimed to examine the current literature on TT prosthetic alignment to scope the qualitative and quantitative methods designed to guide prosthetists throughout the TT prosthetic alignment process as well as evaluate the reported instruments and devices that are used to align TT prostheses and their clinical feasibility. A literature search, completed in June 2022, was performed using the following databases: Web of Science (Clarivate), SCOPUS (Elsevier), and Pub Med (Medline) with searching terms focusing on TT, prosthesis, prosthetist, prosthetic alignment, and questionnaires, resulting in 2790 studies being screened. Twenty-four studies have used quantitative methodologies, where sensor technologies were found to be the most frequently proposed technology combined with gait analysis tools and/or subjective assessments. A qualitative method that assists prosthetists throughout the alignment process was not found. In this systematic review, we presented diverse methods for guiding and assisting clinical decision-making regarding TT prosthetic alignment. However, most of these methods considered varied parameters, and there is a need for elaboration toward standardized methods, which would improve the prosthetic alignment clinical outcome.
Fulltext Autosomal dominant thrombocytopenia with microthrombocytes: a family study

Jackson N, Mohammad S, Zainal N, Jamaluddin N, Hishamuddin M

Med J Malaysia, 1995 Dec;50(4):421-4.
PMID: 8668069

A family demonstrating autosomal dominant thrombocytopenia is described. A 28-year-old Malay housewife was found to have a platelet count of 40 x 10(9)/l with a low mean platelet volume (6.8 fl) while being investigated prior to ovarian cystectomy. The bone marrow was consistent with immune thrombocytopenia but she failed to respond to appropriate therapy. Five siblings, one parent and one nephew have easy bruising and platelet counts of 39-82 x 10(9)/l. Platelet aggregation studies excluded a major functional defect. Survival of homologous platelets in the circulation was normal. Familial thrombocytopenias are rare but important to differentiate from the common acquired thrombocytopenias in order to spare the patient unnecessary treatments.
Fulltext Application of seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) in Malaysian food products

Mohammad, S. M., Mohd Razali, S. F., Mohamad Rozaiman, N. H. N., Laizani, A. N., Zawawi, N.

International Food Research Journal, 2019;26(6):1677-1687.
MyJurnal

Kappaphycus alvarezii is a species of red algae, and one of the most important carrageenan
sources for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. It is commercially cultivated in the
eastern part of Malaysia. Although K. alvarezii is rich in nutrients, it is limited in its integration
into Malaysian food products. Therefore, the present work was conducted to investigate the
quality characteristics, sensorial attributes, and antioxidant activity of K. alvarezii in Malaysian
food products. Seaweed puree (SP) from K. alvarezii at 10%, 20% and 30% concentrations were
prepared in the formulations of fish sausages, flat rice noodles and yellow alkaline noodles.
Proximate analysis, physicochemical analysis, microbial count, total phenolic content (TPC),
sensory evaluation, and consumer acceptance survey of the formulated food were conducted.
The incorporation of K. alvarezii significantly increased the fibre, moisture, and ash content in
formulated foods. In addition, the TPC content of K. alvarezii food also significantly increased
up to 42 mg GAE/100 g. The presence of SP in food at higher concentration decreased the
microbial counts. Sensory analysis confirmed that only fish sausages added with SP was
overall acceptable as compared to control. Based on customer survey, functional foods that are
“research proven” were the most preferred. In conclusion, K. alvarezii has the potential to be
incorporated in Malaysian food products and developed as functional food.
Fulltext Enhancement of Temperature Fluorescence Brightness of Zn@Si Core-Shell Quantum Dots Produced via a Unified Strategy

Almomani MS, Ahmed NM, Rashid M, Ali MKM, Akhdar H, Aldaghri O, et al.

Nanomaterials (Basel), 2021 Nov 22;11(11).
PMID: 34835923 DOI: 10.3390/nano11113158

Despite many dedicated efforts, the fabrication of high-quality ZnO-incorporated Zinc@Silicon (Zn@Si) core-shell quantum dots (ZnSiQDs) with customized properties remains challenging. In this study, we report a new record for the brightness enhancement of ZnSiQDs prepared via a unified top-down and bottom-up strategy. The top-down approach was used to produce ZnSiQDs with uniform sizes and shapes, followed by the bottom-up method for their re-growth. The influence of various NH4OH contents (15 to 25 µL) on the morphology and optical characteristics of ZnSiQDs was investigated. The ZnSiQDs were obtained from the electrochemically etched porous Si (PSi) with Zn inclusion (ZnPSi), followed by the electropolishing and sonication in acetone. EFTEM micrographs of the samples prepared without and with NH4OH revealed the existence of spherical ZnSiQDs with a mean diameter of 1.22 to 7.4 nm, respectively. The emission spectra of the ZnSiQDs (excited by 365 nm) exhibited bright blue, green, orange-yellow, and red luminescence, indicating the uniform morphology related to the strong quantum confinement ZnSiQDs. In addition, the absorption and emission of the ZnSiQDs prepared with NH4OH were enhanced by 198.8% and 132.6%, respectively. The bandgap of the ZnSiQDs conditioned without and with NH4OH was approximately 3.6 and 2.3 eV, respectively.
Immune-mediated oral mucosal pathology: a comprehensive review and update for clinicians. Part I

Alrashdan MS, Arzmi MH, Ahmad Kamil WN, Al Kawas S, Leao JC

Ital J Dermatol Venerol, 2023 Oct;158(5):408-418.
PMID: 37916401 DOI: 10.23736/S2784-8671.23.07676-4

The oral mucosa can be involved in a wide variety of mucocutaneous conditions that may present primarily in the mouth or affect other cutaneous or mucosal sites. Many of these conditions are immune mediated and typically present as inflammatory mucosal pathology. Patients experiencing such conditions usually seek medical evaluation and treatment due to the associated pain and discomfort and occasionally taste disturbance or dysphagia and the overall deterioration in the oral health-related quality of life. These conditions share some common features and there could be some overlapping in their clinical presentation, which can lead to delays in diagnosis and proper management of patients. Clinicians dealing with such disorders, including dermatologists, need to be aware of the oral manifestations of mucocutaneous conditions, their clinical features, underlying mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options, as well as the recent advances in the research on these conditions. This review provides a comprehensive, evidence-based reference for clinicians, with updated insights into a group of immune mediated conditions known to cause oral mucosal pathology. Part one will cover oral lichen planus, erythema multiforme and systemic lupus erythematosus, while part two will cover pemphigus vulgaris and mucous membrane pemphigoid, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, in addition to the less common disorders linear IgA disease, dermatitis herpetiformis and epidermolysis bullosa.
Electronic nicotine delivery system use and its relation to waterpipe smoking among youth in seven Arab countries

Mohammad MS, Aburezq M, AlSaeed N, Abdullah Z, Fayrouz S, Almunefi K, et al.

Prev Med, 2024 Apr 02;182:107945.
PMID: 38574972 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.107945

OBJECTIVES: Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) use and Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking (WTS) are reported to be a growing strain of tobacco epidemic among youth in the Arab world. Therefore, we aimed to: (1) estimate the regional prevalence of ENDS use among youth in 7 Arab countries and, (2) to explore the bidirectional relationship between ENDS use and WTS among Arab adolescents.
METHODS: We analyzed data from the World Health Organization Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS 2014-2018) of 18,536 schoolchildren aged 12-16 from Iraq, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, and Yemen. The weighted prevalence was calculated to generate nationally representative estimates. Adjusted multilevel logistic regression models were conducted to assess the association between ENDS use and WTS.
RESULTS: The pooled weighted prevalence of ENDS use was 9.5%. Higher odds of ENDS use were significantly associated with WTS (AOR: 5.26, 95%CI: 4.28-6.46), smoking conventional cigarettes (AOR: 1.54, 95%CI: 1.23-1.94) and first tobacco use prior to the age of 12 (AOR: 1.40, 95%CI: 1.14-1.72). Females and children who were taught in school the dangers of tobacco had less odds of using ENDS.
CONCLUSION: WTS was associated with increased odds of ENDS use by >5 folds, and vice versa. Tobacco consumption at age younger than 12 years was associated with higher odds of ENDS use, but less odds of WTS. Females and those who were taught in school the dangers of tobacco were less likely to report ENDS use.
Fulltext A preliminary study of the bioactivity of vegetative proteins extracted from Malaysian Bacillus thuringiensis isolates

Ramasamy B, Nadarajah VD, Soong ZK, Lee HL, Mohammad SM

Trop Biomed, 2008 Apr;25(1):64-74.
PMID: 18600206

Vegetative proteins from Malaysian strains of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis strains (Bt 11, Bt 12, Bt 15, Bt 16, Bt 17, Bt 21 and Bt 22) and Bacillus sphaericus H-25 strains (Bs 1 and Bs 2) were screened for haemolytic, cytotoxic and larvicidal activity. SDS-PAGE profiles of the Bacillus thuringiensis strains studied consistently showed major bands of 33-37 kDa and 47 kDa. Bt 16 also showed two bands of 66 kDa and 45 kDa similar to the previously reported binary vegetative protein, Vip1Ac (66 kDa) and Vip 2Ac (45 kDa). Both the Bacillus sphaericus strains showed a 35 kDa band that was similiar to a previously reported vegetative protein, the Mtx2 protein. Bs 2 also contains a 37 kDa band, similar to another vegetative protein, the Mtx 3 protein. With the exception of Bt 17 and Bt 21, vegetative proteins from all Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus strains were highly haemolytic to human erythrocytes, causing more than 75% haemolysis at the highest concentration of 200 microg/ml. High haemolytic activity was associated with high cytotoxic activity with most of the haemolytic strains being indiscriminately cytotoxic to both CEM-SS (human T lymphoblastoid) and HeLa (human uterus cervical cancer) cell lines. Interestingly, the less haemolytic vegetative proteins from Bt 17 and Bt 21 demonstrated cytotoxic activity comparable to that of the highly haemolytic vegetative proteins. Bt 21 displayed toxicity towards both cell lines while Bt 17 was more toxic towards CEM-SS cells. Bioassay against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae revealed that vegetative proteins from the Bacillus thuringiensis strains had activity against both species of larvae but vegetative proteins from Bacillus sphaericus were weakly larvicidal towards Cx. quinquefasciatus only.
An effective strategy for unit commitment of microgrid power systems integrated with renewable energy sources including effects of battery degradation and uncertainties

Manoharan P, Chandrasekaran K, Chandran R, Ravichandran S, Mohammad S, Jangir P

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Feb;31(7):11037-11080.
PMID: 38217814 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31608-z

The large use of renewable sources and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) would play a critical part in achieving a low-carbon energy source and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are the primary cause of global warming. On the other hand, predicting the instability and intermittent nature of wind and solar power output poses significant challenges. To reduce the unpredictable and random nature of renewable microgrids (MGs) and additional unreliable energy sources, a battery energy storage system (BESS) is connected to an MG system. The uncoordinated charging of PEVs offers further hurdles to the unit commitment (UC) required in contemporary MG management. The UC problem is an exceptionally difficult optimization problem due to the mixed-integer structure, large scale, and nonlinearity. It is further complicated by the multiple uncertainties associated with renewable sources, PEV charging and discharging, and electricity market pricing, in addition to the BESS degradation factor. Therefore, in this study, a new variant of mixed-integer particle swarm optimizer is introduced as a reliable optimization framework to handle the UC problem. This study considers six various case studies of UC problems, including uncertainties and battery degradation to validate the reliability and robustness of the proposed algorithm. Out of which, two case studies defined as a multiobjective problem, and it has been transformed into a single-objective model using different weight factors. The simulation findings demonstrate that the proposed approach and improved methodology for the UC problem are effective than its peers. Based on the average results, the economic consequences of numerous scenarios are thoroughly examined and contrasted, and some significant conclusions are presented.
Compositional engineering of VOPcPhO-TiO2nano-composite to reduce the absolute threshold value of humidity sensors

Azmer MI, Aziz F, Ahmad Z, Raza E, Najeeb MA, Fatima N, et al.

Talanta, 2017 Nov 01;174:279-284.
PMID: 28738579 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.06.016

This research work demonstrates compositional engineering of an organic-inorganic hybrid nano-composites for modifying absolute threshold of humidity sensors. Vanadyl-2,9,16,23-tetraphenoxy-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (VOPcPhO), an organic semiconductor, doped with Titanium-dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) has been employed to fabricate humidity sensors. The morphology of the VOPcPhO:TiO2nano-composite films has been analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The sensors have been examined over a wide range of relative humidity i.e. 20-99% RH. The sensor with TiO2(90nm) shows reduced sensitivity-threshold and improved linearity. The VOPcPhO:TiO2(90nm) nano-composite film is comprised of uniformly distributed voids which makes the surface more favorable for adsorption of moisture content from environment. The VOPcPhO:TiO2nano-composite based sensor demonstrates remarkable improvement in the sensing parameter when equated with VOPcPhO sensors.
Fulltext Exploring the Immune-Boosting Functions of Vitamins and Minerals as Nutritional Food Bioactive Compounds: A Comprehensive Review

Mitra S, Paul S, Roy S, Sutradhar H, Bin Emran T, Nainu F, et al.

Molecules, 2022 Jan 16;27(2).
PMID: 35056870 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020555

Food components have long been recognized to play a fundamental role in the growth and development of the human body, conferring protective functionalities against foreign matter that can be severe public health problems. Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are essential to the human body, and individuals must meet their daily requirements through dietary sources. Micronutrients act as immunomodulators and protect the host immune response, thus preventing immune evasion by pathogenic organisms. Several experimental investigations have been undertaken to appraise the immunomodulatory functions of vitamins and minerals. Based on these experimental findings, this review describes the immune-boosting functionalities of micronutrients and the mechanisms of action through which these functions are mediated. Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals in plasma concentrations can lead to a reduction in the performance of the immune system functioning, representing a key contributor to unfavorable immunological states. This review provides a descriptive overview of the characteristics of the immune system and the utilization of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in preventative strategies designed to reduce morbidity and mortality among patients suffering from immune invasions or autoimmune disorders.
Fulltext Camellia sinensis solvent extract, epigallocatechin gallate and caffeine confer trophocidal and cysticidal effects against Acanthamoeba castellanii

Fakae LB, Harun MSR, Ting DSJ, Dua HS, Cave GWV, Zhu XQ, et al.

Acta Trop, 2023 Jan;237:106729.
PMID: 36280206 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106729

We examined the anti-acanthamoebic efficacy of green tea Camellia sinensis solvent extract (SE) or its chemical constituents against Acanthamoeba castellanii by using anti-trophozoite, anti-encystation, and anti-excystation assays. C. sinensis SE (625-5000 µg/mL) inhibited trophozoite replication within 24-72 h. C. sinensis SE exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of encystation, with a marked cysticidal activity at 2500-5000 µg/mL. Two constituents of C. sinensis, namely epigallocatechin-3-gallate and caffeine, at 100 μM and 200 μM respectively, significantly inhibited both trophozoite replication and encystation. Cytotoxicity analysis showed that 156.25-2500 µg/mL of SE was not toxic to human corneal epithelial cells, while up to 625 µg/mL was not toxic to Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. This study shows the anti-acanthamoebic potential of C. sinensis SE against A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts. Pre-clinical studies are required to elucidate the in vivo efficacy and safety of C. sinensis SE.
Fulltext Quantification of mesenchymal stem cell growth rates through secretory and excretory biomolecules in conditioned media via Fresnel reflection

Ahmad H, Thambiratnam K, Zulkifli AZ, Lawrence A, Jasim AA, Kunasekaran W, et al.

Sensors (Basel), 2013 Sep 30;13(10):13276-88.
PMID: 24084118 DOI: 10.3390/s131013276

An efficient and low cost optical method for directly measuring the concentration of homogenous biological solutes is proposed and demonstrated. The proposed system operates by Fresnel reflection, with a flat-cleaved single-mode fiber serving as the sensor probe. A laser provides a 12.9 dBm sensor signal at 1,550 nm, while a computer-controlled optical power meter measures the power of the signal returned by the probe. Three different mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) lines were obtained, sub-cultured and trypsinized daily over 9 days. Counts were measured using a haemocytometer and the conditioned media (CM) was collected daily and stored at -80 °C. MSCs release excretory biomolecules proportional to their growth rate into the CM, which changes the refractive index of the latter. The sensor is capable of detecting changes in the number of stem cells via correlation to the change in the refractive index of the CM, with the measured power loss decreasing approximately 0.4 dB in the CM sample per average 1,000 cells in the MSC subculture. The proposed system is highly cost-effective, simple to deploy, operate, and maintain, is non-destructive, and allows reliable real-time measurement of various stem cell proliferation parameters.
Anti-diarrheal activities of phytol along with its possible mechanism of action through in-vivo and in-silico models

Islam MT, Rahman MA, Saeed M, Ul-Haq Z, Alam MJ, Mondal M, et al.

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand), 2020 Jun 25;66(4):243-249.
PMID: 32583783

Phytol (PHY), a chlorophyll-derived diterpenoid, exhibits numerous pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. This study evaluates the anti-diarrheal effect of phytol (PHY) along with its possible mechanism of action through in-vivo and in-silico models. The effect of PHY was investigated on castor oil-induced diarrhea in Swiss mice by using prazosin, propranolol, loperamide, and nifedipine as standards with or without PHY. PHY at 50 mg/kg (p.o.) and all other standards exhibit significant (p < 0.05) anti-diarrheal effect in mice. The effect was prominent in the loperamide and propranolol groups. PHY co-treated with prazosin and propranolol was found to increase in latent periods along with a significant reduction in diarrheal section during the observation period than other individual or combined groups. Furthermore, molecular docking studies also suggested that PHY showed better interactions with the α- and β-adrenergic receptors, especially with α-ADR1a and β-ADR1. In the former case, PHY showed interaction with hydroxyl group of Ser192 at a distance of 2.91Å, while in the latter it showed hydrogen bond interactions with Thr170 and Lys297 with a distance of 2.65 and 2.72Å, respectively. PHY exerted significant anti-diarrheal effect in Swiss mice, possibly through blocking α- and β-adrenergic receptors.
Fulltext Naphthalocyanine-Based NIR Organic Photodiode: Understanding the Role of Different Types of Fullerenes

Alwi SAK, Hisamuddin SN, Abdullah SM, Anuar A, Abdul Rahim AH, Majid SR, et al.

Micromachines (Basel), 2021 Nov 11;12(11).
PMID: 34832795 DOI: 10.3390/mi12111383

In this work, we presented experimental observation on solution-processed bulk heterojunction organic photodiode using vanadyl 2,11,20,29-tetra tert-butyl 2,3 naphthalocyanine (VTTBNc) as a p-type material. VTTBNc is blended with two different acceptors, which are PC61BM and PC71BM, to offer further understanding in evaluating the performance in organic photodiode (OPD). The blend film of VTTBNc:PC71BM with a volumetric ratio of 1:1 exhibits optimized performance in the VTTBNc blend structure with 2.31 × 109 Jones detectivity and 26.11 mA/W responsivity at a -1 V bias. The response and recovery time of VTTBNc:PC71BM were recorded as 241 ms and 310 ms, respectively. The light absorption measurement demonstrated that VTTBNc could extend the light absorption to the near-infrared (NIR) region. The detail of the enhancement of the performance by adding VTTBNc to the blend was further explained in the discussion section.
Fulltext Targeting mTOR as a Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances in Natural Bioactive Compounds and Immunotherapy

Bouyahya A, El Allam A, Aboulaghras S, Bakrim S, El Menyiy N, Alshahrani MM, et al.

Cancers (Basel), 2022 Nov 10;14(22).
PMID: 36428613 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225520

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a highly conserved serine/threonine-protein kinase, which regulates many biological processes related to metabolism, cancer, immune function, and aging. It is an essential protein kinase that belongs to the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) family and has two known signaling complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). Even though mTOR signaling plays a critical role in promoting mitochondria-related protein synthesis, suppressing the catabolic process of autophagy, contributing to lipid metabolism, engaging in ribosome formation, and acting as a critical regulator of mRNA translation, it remains one of the significant signaling systems involved in the tumor process, particularly in apoptosis, cell cycle, and cancer cell proliferation. Therefore, the mTOR signaling system could be suggested as a cancer biomarker, and its targeting is important in anti-tumor therapy research. Indeed, its dysregulation is involved in different types of cancers such as colon, neck, cervical, head, lung, breast, reproductive, and bone cancers, as well as nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Moreover, recent investigations showed that targeting mTOR could be considered as cancer therapy. Accordingly, this review presents an overview of recent developments associated with the mTOR signaling pathway and its molecular involvement in various human cancer types. It also summarizes the research progress of different mTOR inhibitors, including natural and synthetised compounds and their main mechanisms, as well as the rational combinations with immunotherapies.

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