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Chronic nonhealing ulcer of the right thumb with multiple subcutaneous nodules

Manohar A, Nizlan MN

Orthopedics, 2008 Jul;31(7):710.
PMID: 19292371

A 60-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of nonhealing ulcer over the tip of his right thumb. The ulcer started as a blister over the tip of the thumb that later ruptured and spread proximally to cover the whole pulp area of the thumb. There was no history of trauma, fever, weight loss, or loss of appetite. He is a pensioner and an avid gardener. He has a few cats as pets. The patient initially presented to a private orthopedic surgeon with a nonhealing ulcer of the right thumb. Multiple debridements were unsuccessful in ameliorating the ulcer. Three months after the onset of the initial lesion, multiple painless erythematous nodules had developed on his right arm, and one on the right thigh. All routine blood investigations were nondiagnostic. Swab culture from the ulcer failed to grow any organism and a course of antibiotics did not resolve the problem. Cultures of the biopsy specimen using Sabouraud's dextrose agar and potato carrot medium grew dark brown plaques that microscopically appeared to be branching hyphae. A diagnosis of sporotrichosis of the right upper limb was made and the patient was started on antifungal treatment immediately (T. Itraconazole [Sporanox] 200 mg BD). One month after commencement of antifungal treatment, the ulcer began to dry up and at 3 months all the lesions including the one on the right thigh had healed.
Heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu and Cr(III)) removal from water in Malaysia: post treatment by high quality limestone

Aziz HA, Adlan MN, Ariffin KS

Bioresour Technol, 2008 Apr;99(6):1578-83.
PMID: 17540556

This paper presents the results of research on heavy metals removal from water by filtration using low cost coarse media which could be used as an alternative approach to remove heavy metals from water or selected wastewater. A series of batch studies were conducted using different particle media (particle size 2.36-4.75 mm) shaken with different heavy metal solutions at various pH values to see the removal behaviour for each metal. Each solution of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr(III)) with a concentration of 2 mg/L was shaken with the media. At a final pH of 8.5, limestone has significantly removed more than 90% of most metals followed by 80% and 65% removals using crushed bricks and gravel, respectively. The removal by aeration and settlement methods without solid media was less than 30%. Results indicated that the removal of heavy metals was influenced by the media and not directly by the pH. Investigations on the removal behaviour of these metals indicated that rough solid media with the presence of carbonate were beneficial for the removal process. Adsorption and precipitation as metals oxide and probably as metals carbonate were among the two mechanisms that contributed to the removal of metals from solution.
Influenza vaccines for preventing acute otitis media in infants and children

Norhayati MN, Ho JJ, Azman MY

Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2015 Mar 24.
PMID: 25803008 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010089.pub2

BACKGROUND: Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common infectious diseases in children. It has been reported that 64% of infants have an episode of AOM by the age of six months and 86% by one year. Although most cases of AOM are due to bacterial infection, it is commonly triggered by a viral infection. In most children it is self limiting, but it does carry a risk of complications. Since antibiotic treatment increases the risk of antibiotic resistance, influenza vaccines might be an effective way of reducing this risk by preventing the development of AOM.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of influenza vaccine in reducing the occurrence of acute otitis media (AOM) in infants and children.
SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL (2014, Issue 6), MEDLINE (1946 to July week 1, 2014), EMBASE (2010 to July 2014), CINAHL (1981 to July 2014), LILACS (1982 to July 2014), Web of Science (1955 to July 2014) and reference lists of articles to July 2014.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing influenza vaccine with placebo or no treatment in infants and children aged younger than six years old. We included children of either sex and of any ethnicity, with or without a history of recurrent AOM.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened studies, assessed trial quality and extracted data. We performed statistical analyses using the random-effects and fixed-effect models and expressed the results as risk ratio (RR), risk difference (RD) and number needed to treat to benefit (NNTB) for dichotomous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
MAIN RESULTS: We included 10 trials (six trials in high-income countries and four multicentre trials in high-, middle- and low-income countries) involving 16,707 children aged six months to six years. Eight trials recruited participants from a healthcare setting. Nine trials (and all five trials that contributed to the primary outcome) declared funding from vaccine manufacturers. Four trials reported adequate allocation concealment and nine trials reported adequate blinding of participants and personnel. Attrition was low for all trials included in the analysis.The primary outcome showed a small reduction in at least one episode of AOM over at least six months of follow-up (five trials, 4736 participants: RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.96; RD -0.04, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.02; NNTB 25, 95% CI 15 to 50).The subgroup analyses (i.e. number of courses, settings, seasons or types of vaccine administered) showed no differences.There was a reduction in the use of antibiotics in vaccinated children (two trials, 1223 participants: RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.83; RD -0.15, 95% CI -0.30 to -0.00).There was no significant difference in the utilisation of health care for the one trial that provided sufficient information to be included. The use of influenza vaccine resulted in a significant increase in fever (six trials, 10,199 participants: RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.24; RD 0.02, 95% CI -0.00 to 0.05) and rhinorrhoea (six trials, 10,563 children: RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.29; RD 0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.16) but no difference in pharyngitis. No major adverse events were reported.Compared to the protocol, the review included a subgroup analysis of AOM episodes by season, and changed the types of influenza vaccine from a secondary outcome to a subgroup analysis.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccine results in a small reduction in AOM. The observed reduction with the use of antibiotics needs to be considered in the light of current recommended practices aimed at avoiding antibiotic overuse. Safety data from these trials are limited. The benefits may not justify the use of influenza vaccine without taking into account the vaccine efficacy in reducing influenza and safety data. The quality of the evidence was high to moderate. Additional research is needed.
Fulltext Interventions to prevent or treat heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with intrauterine-device use

Christelle K, Norhayati MN, Jaafar SH

Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2022 Aug 26;8(8):CD006034.
PMID: 36017945 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006034.pub3

BACKGROUND: Heavy menstrual bleeding and pain are common reasons women discontinue intrauterine device (IUD) use. Copper IUD (Cu IUD) users tend to experience increased menstrual bleeding, whereas levonorgestrel IUD (LNG IUD) users tend to have irregular menstruation. Medical therapies used to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with Cu and LNG IUD use include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-fibrinolytics and paracetamol. We analysed treatment and prevention interventions separately because the expected outcomes for treatment and prevention interventions differ. We did not combine different drug classes in the analysis as they have different mechanisms of action. This is an update of a review originally on NSAIDs. The review scope has been widened to include all interventions for treatment or prevention of heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with IUD use.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have assessed strategies for treatment and prevention of heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with IUD use, for example, pharmacotherapy and alternative therapies.
SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL to January 2021.
SELECTION CRITERIA: We included RCTs in any language that tested strategies for treatment or prevention of heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with IUD (Cu IUD, LNG IUD or other IUD) use. The comparison could be no intervention, placebo or another active intervention.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, and extracted data. Primary outcomes were volume of menstrual blood loss, duration of menstruation and painful menstruation. We used a random-effects model in all meta-analyses. Review authors assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE.
MAIN RESULTS: This review includes 21 trials involving 3689 participants from middle- and high-income countries. Women were 18 to 45 years old and either already using an IUD or had just had one placed for contraception. The included trials examined NSAIDs and other interventions. Eleven were treatment trials, of these seven were on users of the Cu IUD, one on LNG IUD and three on an unknown type. Ten were prevention trials, six focused on Cu IUD users, and four on LNG IUD users. Sixteen trials had high risk of detection bias due to subjective assessment of pain and bleeding. Treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding Cu IUD Vitamin B1 resulted in fewer pads used per day (mean difference (MD) -7.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.50 to -5.50) and fewer bleeding days (MD -2.00, 95% CI -2.38 to -1.62; 1 trial; 110 women; low-certainty evidence) compared to placebo. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of naproxen on the volume of menstruation compared to placebo (odds ratio (OR) 0.09, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.78; 1 trial, 40 women; very low-certainty evidence). Treatment with mefenamic acid resulted in less volume of blood loss compared to tranexamic acid (MD -64.26, 95% CI -105.65 to -22.87; 1 trial, 94 women; low-certainty evidence). However, there was no difference in duration of bleeding with treatment of mefenamic acid or tranexamic acid (MD 0.08 days, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.42, 2 trials, 152 women; low-certainty evidence). LNG IUD The use of ulipristal acetate in LNG IUD may not reduce the number of bleeding days in 90 days in comparison to placebo (MD -9.30 days, 95% CI -26.76 to 8.16; 1 trial, 24 women; low-certainty evidence). Unknown IUD type Mefenamic acid may not reduce volume of bleeding compared to Vitex agnus measured by pictorial blood assessment chart (MD -2.40, 95% CI -13.77 to 8.97; 1 trial; 84 women; low-certainty evidence). Treatment of pain Cu IUD Treatment with tranexamic acid and sodium diclofenac may result in little or no difference in the occurrence of pain (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.06 to 17.25; 1 trial, 38 women; very low-certainty evidence). Unknown IUD type Naproxen may reduce pain (MD 4.10, 95% CI 0.91 to 7.29; 1 trial, 33 women; low-certainty evidence). Prevention of heavy menstrual bleeding Cu IUD We found very low-certainty evidence that tolfenamic acid may prevent heavy bleeding compared to placebo (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.85; 1 trial, 310 women). There was no difference between ibuprofen and placebo in blood volume reduction (MD -14.11, 95% CI -36.04 to 7.82) and duration of bleeding (MD -0.2 days, 95% CI -1.40 to 1.0; 1 trial, 28 women, low-certainty evidence). Aspirin may not prevent heavy bleeding in comparison to paracetamol (MD -0.30, 95% CI -26.16 to 25.56; 1 trial, 20 women; very low-certainty evidence). LNG IUD Ulipristal acetate may increase the percentage of bleeding days compared to placebo (MD 9.50, 95% CI 1.48 to 17.52; 1 trial, 118 women; low-certainty evidence). There were insufficient data for analysis in a single trial comparing mifepristone and vitamin B. There were insufficient data for analysis in the single trial comparing tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid and in another trial comparing naproxen with estradiol. Prevention of pain Cu IUD There was low-certainty evidence that tolfenamic acid may not be effective to prevent painful menstruation compared to placebo (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.14; 1 trial, 310 women). Ibuprofen may not reduce menstrual cramps compared to placebo (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.11 to 8.95; 1 trial, 20 women, low-certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this review should be interpreted with caution due to low- and very low-certainty evidence. Included trials were limited; the majority of the evidence was derived from single trials with few participants. Further research requires larger trials and improved trial reporting. The use of vitamin B1 and mefenamic acid to treat heavy menstruation and tolfenamic acid to prevent heavy menstruation associated with Cu IUD should be investigated. More trials are needed to generate evidence for the treatment and prevention of heavy and painful menstruation associated with LNG IUD.
Fulltext Influenza vaccines for preventing acute otitis media in infants and children

Norhayati MN, Ho JJ, Azman MY

Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2017 Oct 17;10(10):CD010089.
PMID: 29039160 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010089.pub3

BACKGROUND: Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common infectious diseases in children. It has been reported that 64% of infants have an episode of AOM by the age of six months and 86% by one year. Although most cases of AOM are due to bacterial infection, it is commonly triggered by a viral infection. In most children AOM is self limiting, but it does carry a risk of complications. Since antibiotic treatment increases the risk of antibiotic resistance, influenza vaccines might be an effective way of reducing this risk by preventing the development of AOM.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of influenza vaccine in reducing the occurrence of acute otitis media in infants and children.
SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, Web of Science, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov (15 February 2017). We also searched the reference lists of included studies to identify any additional trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing influenza vaccine with placebo or no treatment in infants and children aged younger than six years. We included children of either sex and of any ethnicity, with or without a history of recurrent AOM.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened studies, assessed trial quality, and extracted data. We performed statistical analyses using the random-effects and fixed-effect models and expressed the results as risk ratio (RR), risk difference (RD), and number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) for dichotomous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
MAIN RESULTS: We included 11 trials (6 trials in high-income countries and 5 multicentre trials in high-, middle-, and low-income countries) involving 17,123 children aged 6 months to 6 years. Eight trials recruited participants from a healthcare setting. Ten trials (and all four trials that contributed to the primary outcome) declared funding from vaccine manufacturers. Four trials reported adequate allocation concealment, and 10 trials reported adequate blinding of participants and personnel. Attrition was low for eight trials included in the analysis.The primary outcome showed a small reduction in at least one episode of AOM over at least six months of follow-up (4 trials, 3134 children; RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.02; RD -0.04, 95% CI -0.08 to -0.00; NNTB 25, 95% CI 12.5 to 100; low-quality evidence).The subgroup analyses (i.e. number of courses and types of vaccine administered) showed no differences.There was a reduction in the use of antibiotics in vaccinated children (2 trials, 1223 children; RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.83; RD -0.11, 95% CI -0.16 to -0.06; moderate-quality evidence).We were unable to demonstrate whether there was any difference in the utilisation of health care. The use of influenza vaccine resulted in a significant increase in fever (7 trials, 10,615 children; RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.24; RD 0.02, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.04; low-quality evidence), rhinorrhoea (6 trials, 10,563 children; RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.29; RD 0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.16; low-quality evidence), but no difference in pharyngitis. No major adverse events were reported.Differing from the protocol, the original publication of the review included a subgroup analysis of AOM episodes by season, and the secondary outcome 'types of influenza vaccine' was changed to a subgroup analysis. For this update, we removed the subgroup analyses for trial setting, season, and utilisation of health care due to the small number of trials involved. We removed Belshe 2000 from primary and secondary outcomes (courses of vaccine and types of vaccine) because it reported episodes of AOM per person. We did not perform a subgroup analysis by type of adverse event. We have reported each type of adverse event as a separate analysis.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccine results in a small reduction in AOM. The observed reduction in the use of antibiotics needs to be considered in light of current recommended practices aimed at avoiding antibiotic overuse. Safety data from these trials were limited. The benefits may not justify the use of influenza vaccine without taking into account the vaccine efficacy in reducing influenza and safety data. We judged the quality of the evidence to be low to moderate. Additional research is needed.
Fulltext Tuberculous arthritis of the ankle joint masquerading as rheumatoid arthritis in a patient with lupus nephritis

Ismail MNB, Rahim SMA

Clin Med (Lond), 2021 Jan;21(1):e108-e109.
PMID: 33479090 DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2020-0882

Tuberculosis is an airborne multisystemic disease which primarily infects the lungs. Isolated tuberculous arthritis is rare. We present a case of a 41-year-old woman with a known case of lupus nephritis class IV who complained of pain and swelling over her left ankle joint for several months. She was treated for rheumatoid arthritis and was started with immunosuppressive agents. However, she did not improve with treatment and was later diagnosed with tuberculous arthritis based on a molecular study from joint aspiration. She was started on antituberculosis medication and showed improvement. We highlight the challenges in reaching the diagnosis and the importance of including tuberculous arthritis in differential diagnoses in cases with persistent ankle swelling.
Periodontal management in a primary polycythemia rubra vera patient: A case report

Hassan FW, Mohd N

Spec Care Dentist, 2021 Jan;41(1):92-97.
PMID: 33125720 DOI: 10.1111/scd.12537

BACKGROUND/AIM: Polycythemia rubra vera (PRV) is a myeloproliferative disease, which is characterized by the proliferation of all three major hematopoietic groups (erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelets). This hematological condition presented with different clinical manifestations depending on the thrombohemorrhagic status of the patient. It is suggested patient with preexisting PRV may suffer complication during periodontal treatment. Thus, this case would therefore demonstrate periodontal management outcome in PRV patient.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old Malay gentleman presented to the Periodontic Clinic, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He was a known case of primary PRV for the past 5 years. Intraoral examination showed generalized periodontal deep pockets ranging from 5 to 10 mm. He was diagnosed as Stage III Grade C periodontitis. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy was provided, followed by surgical correction of residual periodontal deep pockets on teeth 17, 11, and 23. He was reviewed at 4-month intervals for supportive periodontal therapy after stabilization of his periodontal condition.
CONCLUSION: Polycythemia rubra vera (PRV) patients should have preoperative therapeutic control for more than 4 months and have been treated with myelosuppressive agents prior to periodontal surgery. Good oral hygiene and periodical supportive periodontal therapy are the key factors for successful periodontal treatment outcomes in well-controlled PRV patients.
Physicochemical properties of hydrothermally treated hemicellulose from oil palm frond

Fazilah A, Azemi MN, Karim AA, Norakma MN

J Agric Food Chem, 2009 Feb 25;57(4):1527-31.
PMID: 19166335 DOI: 10.1021/jf8028013

Hemicelluloses from oil palm frond (OPF) were extracted using 3 M potassium hydroxide (KOH) for 4 h at 40 degrees C with stirring at 400 rpm to obtain hemicelluloses A and B. The total yield of the hemicellulose isolated from OPF was 33% (dry weight). Both hemicelluloses A and B were then subjected to hydrothermal treatment at 121 degrees C and 1.03 x 10(5) Pa for 10, 30, and 50 min. Physicochemical characterizations of hydrothermally treated hemicelluloses, such as Klason lignin content and reducing sugar content, were performed to study the effect of autohydrolysis processing on OPF-derived hemicelluloses. It was shown that Klason lignin content in hemicellulose A was higher than that in hemicellulose B and decreased after hydrothermal treatment. Hydrothermal treatment enhanced the solubility of hemicelluloses, which reflects their higher reducing sugar content. Monosaccharide analysis using HPLC showed that xylose was the predominant monosaccharide for both hemicelluloses A and B.
Effect of enzymatic interesterification on melting point of palm olein

Yassin AA, Mohamed IO, Ibrahim MN, Yusoff MS

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2003 Jul;110(1):45-52.
PMID: 12909731

Immobilized PS-C 'Amano' II lipase was used to catalyze the interesterification of palm olein (POo) with 30, 50, and 70% stearic acid in n-hexane at 60 degrees C. The catalytic performance of the immobilized lipase was evaluated by determining the composition change of fatty acyl groups and triacylglycerol (TAG) by gas liquid chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The interesterification process resulted in the formation of new TAGs, mainly tripalmitin and dipalmitostearin, both of which were absent in the original oil. These changes in TAG composition resulted in an increase in slip melting point, from the original 25.5 degrees C to 36.3, 37.0, and 40.0 degrees C in the modified POo with 30, 50, and 70% stearic acid, respectively. All the reactions attained steady state in about 6 h. This type of work will find great applications in food industries, such as confectionery.
Fulltext Differential Action of Connexin Hemichannel and Pannexin Channel Therapeutics for Potential Treatment of Retinal Diseases

Mat Nor MN, Rupenthal ID, Green CR, Acosta ML

Int J Mol Sci, 2021 Feb 10;22(4).
PMID: 33578721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041755

Dysregulation of retinal function in the early stages of light-induced retinal degeneration involves pannexins and connexins. These two types of proteins may contribute to channels that release ATP, leading to activation of the inflammasome pathway, spread of inflammation and retinal dysfunction. However, the effect of pannexin channel block alone or block of both pannexin channels and connexin hemichannels in parallel on retinal activity in vivo is unknown. In this study, the pannexin channel blocker probenecid and the connexin hemichannel blocker tonabersat were used in the light-damaged rat retina. Retinal function was evaluated using electroretinography (ERG), retinal structure was analyzed using optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and the tissue response to light-induced injury was assessed immunohistochemically with antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) and Connexin43 (Cx43). Probenecid did not further enhance the therapeutic effect of connexin hemichannel block in this model, but on its own improved activity of certain inner retina neurons. The therapeutic benefit of blocking connexin hemichannels was further evaluated by comparing these data against results from our previously published studies that also used the light-damaged rat retina model. The analysis showed that treatment with tonabersat alone was better than probenecid alone at restoring retinal function in the light-damaged retina model. The results assist in the interpretation of the differential action of connexin hemichannel and pannexin channel therapeutics for potential treatment of retinal diseases.
N-substituted tetrahydro-beta-carboline as mu-opioid receptors ligands: in silico study; molecular docking, ADMET and molecular dynamics approach

Alananzeh WA, Al-Qattan MN, Ayipo YO, Mordi MN

Mol Divers, 2024 Jun;28(3):1273-1289.
PMID: 37133710 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10655-1

Manipulating intracellular signals by interaction with transmembranal G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is the way of action of more than 30% of available medicines. Designing molecules against GPCRs is most challenging due to their flexible binding orthosteric and allosteric pockets, a property that lead to different mode and extent of activation of intracellular mediators. Here, in the current study we aimed to design N-substituted tetrahydro-beta-carbolines (THβC's) targeting Mu Opioid Receptors (MORs). We performed ligand docking study for reference and designed compounds against active and inactive states of MOR, as well as the active state bound to intracellular mediator of Gi. The reference compounds include 40 known agonists and antagonists, while the designed compounds include 25,227 N-substituted THβC analogues. Out of the designed compounds, 15 compounds were comparatively having better extra precision (XP) Gscore and were analyzed for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion-toxicity (ADMET) properties, drug-likness, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation. The results showed that N-substituted tetrahydro-beta-carbolines with and without C6-methoxy group substitutions (THBC/6MTHBC) analogues of A1/B1 and A9/B9 have relatively acceptable affinity and within pocket-stability toward MOR compared to the reference compounds of morphine (agonist) and naloxone (antagonist). Moreover, the designed analogues interact with key residue within the binding pocket of Asp 147 that is reported to be involved in receptor activation. In conclusion, the designed THBC analogues represent a good starting point for designing opioid receptor ligands other than morphinan scaffold, that have good synthetic accessibility which promotes feasible structural manipulation to tailor pharmacological effects with minimal side effects.
Fulltext Experimental data on the properties of pelletization of palm kernel shell using sago starch and sodium acetate

Halim SA, Razali N, Mohd N

Data Brief, 2020 Dec;33:106535.
PMID: 34026955 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.106535

Pellet mixed with 5 wt% and 10 wt% of binders was tested. The pelleting process was performed using a pellet mill operated at 100 °C and at 50 MPa. The physical and chemical characteristics including hardness, high heating value and proximate analysis of pellet produces were obtained using durometer and through thermographic analysis and the results were reported in this paper. Bulk and unit density were determined according to ASABE standard. The dataset presented here are the data of palm kernel shell pellet prepared using two types of binder; (1) sago starch and (2) sodium acetate. The pelletization of palm kernel shell aimed to increase the density and strength of the palm kernel shell pellet and consequently provide better thermal degradation characteristics.
Fulltext Determination of carcinogenic herbicides in milk samples using green non-ionic silicone surfactant of cloud point extraction and spectrophotometry

Mohd NI, Zain NNM, Raoov M, Mohamad S

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Apr;5(4):171500.
PMID: 29765632 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171500

A new cloud point methodology was successfully used for the extraction of carcinogenic pesticides in milk samples as a prior step to their determination by spectrophotometry. In this work, non-ionic silicone surfactant, also known as 3-(3-hydroxypropyl-heptatrimethylxyloxane), was chosen as a green extraction solvent because of its structure and properties. The effect of different parameters, such as the type of surfactant, concentration and volume of surfactant, pH, salt, temperature, incubation time and water content on the cloud point extraction of carcinogenic pesticides such as atrazine and propazine, was studied in detail and a set of optimum conditions was established. A good correlation coefficient (R2 ) in the range of 0.991-0.997 for all calibration curves was obtained. The limit of detection was 1.06 µg l-1 (atrazine) and 1.22 µg l-1 (propazine), and the limit of quantitation was 3.54 µg l-1 (atrazine) and 4.07 µg l-1 (propazine). Satisfactory recoveries in the range of 81-108% were determined in milk samples at 5 and 1000 µg l-1, respectively, with low relative standard deviation, n = 3 of 0.301-7.45% in milk matrices. The proposed method is very convenient, rapid, cost-effective and environmentally friendly for food analysis.
Fulltext Correction to 'Determination of carcinogenic herbicides in milk samples using green non-ionic silicone surfactant of cloud point extraction and spectrophotometry'

Mohd NI, Raoov M, Mohamad S, Zain NNM

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 06;5(6):180777.
PMID: 30110477 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180777

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171500.].
Fulltext Electrical property comparison and charge transmission in p-type double gate and single gate junctionless accumulation transistor fabricated by AFM nanolithography

Dehzangi A, Abdullah AM, Larki F, Hutagalung SD, Saion EB, Hamidon MN, et al.

Nanoscale Res Lett, 2012;7(1):381.
PMID: 22781031 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-7-381

The junctionless nanowire transistor is a promising alternative for a new generation of nanotransistors. In this letter the atomic force microscopy nanolithography with two wet etching processes was implemented to fabricate simple structures as double gate and single gate junctionless silicon nanowire transistor on low doped p-type silicon-on-insulator wafer. The etching process was developed and optimized in the present work compared to our previous works. The output, transfer characteristics and drain conductance of both structures were compared. The trend for both devices found to be the same but differences in subthreshold swing, 'on/off' ratio, and threshold voltage were observed. The devices are 'on' state when performing as the pinch off devices. The positive gate voltage shows pinch off effect, while the negative gate voltage was unable to make a significant effect on drain current. The charge transmission in devices is also investigated in simple model according to a junctionless transistor principal.
Fulltext Mapping of mosquito breeding sites in malaria endemic areas in Pos Lenjang, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia

Ahmad R, Ali WN, Nor ZM, Ismail Z, Hadi AA, Ibrahim MN, et al.

Malar J, 2011;10:361.
PMID: 22166101 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-361

The application of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the study of vector transmitted diseases considerably improves the management of the information obtained from the field survey and facilitates the study of the distribution patterns of the vector species.
Relationships among rat numbers, abundance of oil palm fruit and damage levels to fruit in an oil palm plantation

Puan CL, Goldizen AW, Zakaria M, Hafidzi MN, Baxter GS

Integr Zool, 2011 Jun;6(2):130-139.
PMID: 21645277 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2010.00231.x

The relationships between vertebrate pests and crop damage are often complex and difficult to study. In palm oil plantations rodents remain the major pests, causing substantial monetary losses. The present study examined the numerical and functional responses of rodents to changes in the availability of oil palm fruit and the damage associated with that response. For the study, 200 traps were set in pairs on a 10 × 10 trapping grid for 3 consecutive nights in each of 6 study plots at 8-week intervals in a 2569 ha oil palm plantation at Labu, Negeri Sembilan state in Peninsular Malaysia over 14 months. A total of 1292 individual rats were captured over 25 200 trap-nights. Animals were identified, aged, sexed, weighed and measured. An index of the relative abundance of rats was calculated based on trapping success. Damage to infructescences was assessed at each trap point. Regardless of the age of palms, there were positive and significant relationships between the relative abundance of rats and numbers of infructescences. The levels of damage to infructescences were significantly correlated with the relative abundance of rats. A steep increase in damage was observed with an increase in mature infructescences, indicating a feeding preference of rats for mature infructescences. For both males and females of all rat species, there were weak and non-significant correlations between body condition and infructescence numbers. These results indicated that there was a numerical and a functional response by rats to the availability of palm fruit and a resulting increase in depredation of oil palm fruits. The ways in which this information might aid in future pest control are discussed.
Fulltext Risk of metabolic syndrome among children living in metropolitan Kuala Lumpur: a case control study

Wee BS, Poh BK, Bulgiba A, Ismail MN, Ruzita AT, Hills AP

BMC Public Health, 2011;11:333.
PMID: 21592367 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-333

With the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, the metabolic syndrome has been studied among children in many countries but not in Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to compare metabolic risk factors between overweight/obese and normal weight children and to determine the influence of gender and ethnicity on the metabolic syndrome among school children aged 9-12 years in Kuala Lumpur and its metropolitan suburbs.
The value of life and accident costing: a willingness-to-pay study amongst motorcyclists in Malaysia

Mohd Fauzi MY, Nor Ghani MN, Radin Umar RS, Ahmad Hariza H

Appl Health Econ Health Policy, 2004;3(1):5-8.
PMID: 15702934

Motorcyclists constitute a large proportion of total road casualties in Asian countries Unfortunately, studies conducted for the purpose of evaluating the cost of traffic crashes, and cost-benefit analyses of safety interventions, are almost nonexistent in these countries. The loss-of-output approach to valuing life has been used for many years, yet this method has also long been criticised as it results in significant resource misallocation. This study attempts to overcome this problem by estimating the value of a statistical life among motorcyclists using the willingness-to-pay method that is commonly used in developed countries. The study recommends adopting a value of MYR1.1 million (almost five times the previous estimate) per statistical life for public policy analysis involving motorcycle safety.
Fulltext Pinch-off mechanism in double-lateral-gate junctionless transistors fabricated by scanning probe microscope based lithography

Larki F, Dehzangi A, Abedini A, Abdullah AM, Saion E, Hutagalung SD, et al.

Beilstein J Nanotechnol, 2012;3:817-23.
PMID: 23365794 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.3.91

A double-lateral-gate p-type junctionless transistor is fabricated on a low-doped (10(15)) silicon-on-insulator wafer by a lithography technique based on scanning probe microscopy and two steps of wet chemical etching. The experimental transfer characteristics are obtained and compared with the numerical characteristics of the device. The simulation results are used to investigate the pinch-off mechanism, from the flat band to the off state. The study is based on the variation of the carrier density and the electric-field components. The device is a pinch-off transistor, which is normally in the on state and is driven into the off state by the application of a positive gate voltage. We demonstrate that the depletion starts from the bottom corner of the channel facing the gates and expands toward the center and top of the channel. Redistribution of the carriers due to the electric field emanating from the gates creates an electric field perpendicular to the current, toward the bottom of the channel, which provides the electrostatic squeezing of the current.

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