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Agronomic biofortification of fodder sorghum with zinc under different levels of nitrogen

Waqas Ahmad, Muhammad Tahir, Riaz Ahmad, Rashid Ahmad

Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:1269-1276.

Zinc (Zn) deficient soil prevails throughout the world and it has become the bottleneck in achieving production potential
and quality of crops. The negligible use of micronutrients along with irregular use of macronutrients is practised for
fodder production in Pakistan. Varying levels of zinc (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg ha-1) and nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1)
were evaluated for their effect on yield, quality and zinc uptake on fodder sorghum (variety Hegari) in a field experiment
for two consecutive years (2014 and 2015). Data were analysed by using Fishers’ analysis of variance (at p<0.05) and
response surface methodology (RSM). Correlation between different parameters was also studied. Application of zinc
and nitrogen improved the plant height, leaf area plant-1, green fodder yield, dry matter yield, crude protein percentage
and zinc content of plant but decreased the neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and ash percentage. Values for
different parameters recorded at second and third levels of zinc and nitrogen were remained at par with each other.
Application of 10 kg ha-1 zinc and 120 kg ha-1 nitrogen showed an average increase of 7.3 and 18.6% in green fodder
yield while 12.1 and 15.8% in dry matter yield, respectively. Similarly 6.1 and 7.5% increase in crude protein was noted
over control. Correlation between NDF and ADF was negative with rest of the studied parameters. In conclusion, Zn2
and
N2
gave the best results in term of yield and quality of fodder sorghum.
Fulltext Malaysia-China bilateral relations, 1974-2018

Md Nasrudin Md Akhir, Lee, Chee Leong, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Ashraf

International Journal of East Asian Studies, 2018;7(1):1-26.
MyJurnal

This paper analyzes the bilateral ties of Kuala Lumpur-Beijing over four decades in the political, economic and socio-cultural fields. Firstly, the paper discusses the historical background of Malaysia-China informal relations from the Kingdom of Malacca; the British era; the early stages of Malaysia's independence; as well as the Cold War era. Secondly, the paper examines the beginnings of Kuala Lumpur-Beijing diplomatic relations from 1974 until the demise of the Malayan Communist Party in 1989. Thirdly, this is followed by an examination of bilateral developments between 1990 and 2008. The section analyzes the extent to which the principle of openness in Malaysian foreign policies was followed, cooperation within the framework of regionalism as well as how the rise of China's economic power has had positive impact on bilateral relations. More significantly, the paper then extends the discussion to Malaysia-China relations under Mohd Najib Abdul Razak which began in 2008 and ended with the advent of the new government of Pakatan Harapan in Malaysia in May 2018. Presently, Malaysia's foreign policy towards China is facing a revamp under Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s leadership. Yet the paper argues that the current government’s action enhances comprehensive cooperation, particularly in the political and economic spheres.
Fulltext Strategies to improve communication management within virtual project teams

Nuzul Azam Haron, Law, Teik Hua, Salihudin Hassim, Eftekhari, Fathollah, Muhammad Tahir Muhammad, Aizul Nahar Harun

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2019;27(4):2015-2030.
MyJurnal

Working in a virtual team presents many challenges. Communication is one of the most important challenges, especially when a virtual team includes members from different countries and background. Virtual project management enables organizations to save on resources such as cost and time. Organizations often struggle with poor communication in their geographically dispersed teams and ineffective communication have been identified as one of the main causes project failure. The aim of this study is to determine the most critical barriers to effective communication in virtual teams. A mixed method of data collection was adopted using semi structured interview with communication and construction experts, and questionnaire approach with construction companies that are G5-G7 rated. Data were analyzed using pareto and exploratory factor analysis for the development of a strategy for enhancement of communication management within virtual teams. The result shows that lack of trust and misunderstanding are the most important barrier to communication within virtual teams. However, managing communication process has been identified to have more impact on the barriers, while planning communication has the least impact. Establishing rule for response and changing focus from individual to group were identified as the two most important factors required in order to sustain trust within virtual teams.
Traditional and complementary medicines: Quality assessment strategies and safe usage

Hussain K, Majeed MT, Ismail Z, Sadikun A, Ibrahim P

South Med Rev, 2009 Apr;2(1):19-23.
PMID: 23093874
Fulltext The effectiveness of the community reinforcement approach (CRA) in the context of quality of life and happiness among people using drugs

Khalid MT, Khalily MT, Saleem T, Saeed F, Shoib S

Front Public Health, 2024;12:1229262.
PMID: 38504677 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1229262

INTRODUCTION: The Community Reinforcement Approach is an evidence-based treatment modality for alcohol and drug addiction treatment with proven efficacy and cost-effectiveness. The present study investigated the effectiveness of the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) in the context of quality of life among drug addicts.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 inpatient substance abusers post detoxification in Fountain House, Lahore, Pakistan, participated in this study. Fountain House was selected as the Minnesota model is primarily used there. Therefore, a new treatment approach was introduced to investigate its effectiveness for individuals with substance abuse. A randomized 12-week trial was conducted as a substance use disorders (SUDs) treatment program. Persons with SUD (i.e., identified patients) enrolled in a residential treatment program were randomized into the integrated model of the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) and traditional Minnesota model treatment (n = 30), and traditional Minnesota model treatment only (TMM; n = 30). All the participants in the experimental group attended the group therapy sessions and other activities in the facility in addition to the treatment conditions. The participants attended the individual therapeutic sessions, which were conducted according to the CRA guidelines used in the experimental group. In this study, each individual in the CRA treatment group received 12 one-to-one sessions ranging from 45 min to 1 h. The WHOQOL-BREF scale and Happiness Scale (1) were used for data collection.
RESULT: The results showed a significant increase in the quality of life of participants in the treatment group with CRA compared with the control group with TMM. The findings also indicated that the individuals in the treatment group with CRA had improved levels of happiness compared with individuals with TMM.
DISCUSSION: The CRA is an effective and adaptable treatment approach that works well in combination with other treatment approaches. The proven efficacy, compatibility, and cost-effectiveness distinguish it from other treatment methods.
IMPLICATIONS: The CRA should be adapted, assessed, and evaluated further, especially in Pakistan, where there is a pressing need to adopt an effective treatment strategy for addiction problems.
Evaluation of superabsorbent linseed-polysaccharides as a novel stimuli-responsive oral sustained release drug delivery system

Haseeb MT, Hussain MA, Bashir S, Ashraf MU, Ahmad N

Drug Dev Ind Pharm, 2017 Mar;43(3):409-420.
PMID: 27808567 DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2016.1257017

CONTEXT: Advancement in technology has transformed the conventional dosage forms to intelligent drug delivery systems. Such systems are helpful for targeted and efficient drug delivery with minimum side effects. Drug release from these systems is governed and controlled by external stimuli (pH, enzymes, ions, glucose, etc.). Polymeric biomaterial having stimuli-responsive properties has opened a new area in drug delivery approach.
OBJECTIVE: Potential of a polysaccharide (rhamnogalacturonan)-based hydrogel from Linseeds (Linum usitatissimum L.) was investigated as an intelligent drug delivery material.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different concentrations of Linseed hydrogel (LSH) were used to prepare caffeine and diacerein tablets and further investigated for pH and salt solution-responsive swelling, pH-dependent drug release, and release kinetics. Morphology of tablets was observed using SEM.
RESULTS: LSH tablets exhibited dynamic swelling-deswelling behavior with tendency to swell at pH 7.4 and in deionized water while deswell at pH 1.2, in normal saline and ethanol. Consequently, pH controlled release of the drugs was observed from tablets with lower release (<10%) at pH 1.2 and higher release at pH 6.8 and 7.4. SEM showed elongated channels in swollen then freeze-dried tablets.
DISCUSSION: The drug release was greatly influenced by the amount of LSH in the tablets. Drug release from LSH tablets was governed by the non-Fickian diffusion.
CONCLUSIONS: These finding indicates that LSH holds potential to be developed as sustained release material for tablet.
Fulltext Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Concrete Incorporating Silica Fume and Waste Rubber Powder

Lakhiar MT, Kong SY, Bai Y, Susilawati S, Zahidi I, Paul SC, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2022 Nov 11;14(22).
PMID: 36432983 DOI: 10.3390/polym14224858

Using waste rubber tires for concrete production will reduce the demand for natural aggregate and help to reduce environmental pollution. The main challenge of using waste rubber tires in concrete is the deterioration of mechanical properties, due to poor bonding between rubber and cement matrix. This research aims to evaluate the mechanical and thermal properties of rubberised concrete produced by using different proportions of rubber powder and silica fume. Ordinary Portland cement was partially replaced with silica fume by amounts of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, while sand was replaced by 10%, 20% and 30% with waste rubber powder. Tests were carried out in order to determine workability, density, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, elastic modulus, thermal properties, water absorption and shrinkage of rubberised concrete. The compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of concrete produced using waste rubber powder were reduced by 10-52% and 9-57%, respectively. However, the reduction in modulus of elasticity was 2-36%, less severe than compressive and splitting tensile strengths. An optimum silica fume content of 15% was observed based on the results of mechanical properties. The average shrinkage of concrete containing 15% silica fume increased from -0.051% to -0.085% at 28 days, as the content of waste rubber powder increased from 10% to 30%. While the thermal conductivity of rubberised concrete was reduced by 9-35% compared to the control sample. Linear equations were found to correlate the density, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and thermal conductivity of concrete with silica fume and waste rubber powder.
Upgradation of chemical, fuel, thermal, and structural properties of rice husk through microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization

Nizamuddin S, Siddiqui MTH, Baloch HA, Mubarak NM, Griffin G, Madapusi S, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2018 Jun;25(18):17529-17539.
PMID: 29663294 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1876-7

The process parameters of microwave hydrothermal carbonization (MHTC) have significant effect on yield of hydrochar. This study discusses the effect of process parameters on hydrochar yield produced from MHTC of rice husk. Results revealed that, over the ranges tested, a lower temperature, lower reaction time, lower biomass to water ratio, and higher particle size produce more hydrochar. Maximum hydrochar yield of 62.8% was obtained at 1000 W, 220 °C, and 5 min. The higher heating value (HHV) was improved significantly from 6.80 MJ/kg of rice husk to 16.10 MJ/kg of hydrochar. Elemental analysis results showed that the carbon content increased and oxygen content decreased in hydrochar from 25.9 to 47.2% and 68.5 to 47.0%, respectively, improving the energy and combustion properties. SEM analysis exhibited modification in structure of rice husk and improvement in porosity after MHTC, which was further confirmed from BET surface analysis. The BET surface area increased from 25.0656 m2/g (rice husk) to 92.6832 m2/g (hydrochar). Thermal stability of hydrochar was improved from 340 °C for rice husk to 370 °C for hydrochar.
Fulltext Microwave Hydrothermal Carbonization of Rice Straw: Optimization of Process Parameters and Upgrading of Chemical, Fuel, Structural and Thermal Properties

Nizamuddin S, Qureshi SS, Baloch HA, Siddiqui MTH, Takkalkar P, Mubarak NM, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2019 Jan 28;12(3).
PMID: 30696042 DOI: 10.3390/ma12030403

The process parameters of microwave-induced hydrothermal carbonization (MIHTC) play an important role on the hydrothermal chars (hydrochar) yield. The effect of reaction temperature, reaction time, particle size and biomass to water ratio was optimized for hydrochar yield by modeling using the central composite design (CCD). Further, the rice straw and hydrochar at optimum conditions have been characterized for energy, chemical, structural and thermal properties. The optimum condition for hydrochar synthesis was found to be at a 180 °C reaction temperature, a 20 min reaction time, a 1:15 weight per volume (w/v) biomass to water ratio and a 3 mm particle size, yielding 57.9% of hydrochar. The higher heating value (HHV), carbon content and fixed carbon values increased from 12.3 MJ/kg, 37.19% and 14.37% for rice straw to 17.6 MJ/kg, 48.8% and 35.4% for hydrochar. The porosity, crystallinity and thermal stability of the hydrochar were improved remarkably compared to rice straw after MIHTC. Two characteristic peaks from XRD were observed at 2θ of 15° and 26°, whereas DTG peaks were observed at 50⁻150 °C and 300⁻350 °C for both the materials. Based on the results, it can be suggested that the hydrochar could be potentially used for adsorption, carbon sequestration, energy and agriculture applications.
MPD3: a useful medicinal plants database for drug designing

Mumtaz A, Ashfaq UA, Ul Qamar MT, Anwar F, Gulzar F, Ali MA, et al.

Nat Prod Res, 2017 Jun;31(11):1228-1236.
PMID: 27681445 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2016.1233409

Medicinal plants are the main natural pools for the discovery and development of new drugs. In the modern era of computer-aided drug designing (CADD), there is need of prompt efforts to design and construct useful database management system that allows proper data storage, retrieval and management with user-friendly interface. An inclusive database having information about classification, activity and ready-to-dock library of medicinal plant's phytochemicals is therefore required to assist the researchers in the field of CADD. The present work was designed to merge activities of phytochemicals from medicinal plants, their targets and literature references into a single comprehensive database named as Medicinal Plants Database for Drug Designing (MPD3). The newly designed online and downloadable MPD3 contains information about more than 5000 phytochemicals from around 1000 medicinal plants with 80 different activities, more than 900 literature references and 200 plus targets. The designed database is deemed to be very useful for the researchers who are engaged in medicinal plants research, CADD and drug discovery/development with ease of operation and increased efficiency. The designed MPD3 is a comprehensive database which provides most of the information related to the medicinal plants at a single platform. MPD3 is freely available at: http://bioinform.info .
Chemodiverse monoterpene indole alkaloids from Kopsia teoi, inhibitory potential against α-amylase, and their molecular docking studies

Muhammad MT, Beniddir MA, Phongphane L, Abu Bakar MH, Hussin MH, Awang K, et al.

Fitoterapia, 2024 Apr;174:105873.
PMID: 38417682 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.105873

Diabetes mellitus stands as a metabolic ailment marked by heightened blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin secretion. The primary aims of this investigative inquiry encompassed the isolation of phytochemical components from the bark of Kopsia teoi, followed by the assessment of their α-amylase inhibition. The phytochemical composition of the K. teoi culminated in the discovery of a pair of new indole alkaloids; which are 16-epi-deacetylakuammiline N(4)-methylene chloride (akuammiline) (1), and N(1)-methoxycarbonyl-11-methoxy-12-hydroxy-Δ14-17-kopsinine (aspidofractinine) (2), together with five known compounds i.e. kopsiloscine G (aspidofractinine) (3), akuammidine (sarpagine) (4), leuconolam (aspidosperma) (5), N-methoxycarbonyl-12-methoxy-Δ16, 17-kopsinine (aspidofractinine) (6), and kopsininate (aspidofractinine) (7). All compounds were determined via spectroscopic analyses. The in vitro evaluation against α-amylase showed good inhibitory activities for compounds 5-7 with the inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 21.7 ± 1.2, 34.1 ± 0.1, and 30.0 ± 0.8 μM, respectively compared with the reference acarbose (IC50 = 34.4 ± 0.1 μM). The molecular docking outputs underscored the binding interactions of compounds 5-7 ranging from -8.1 to -8.8 kcal/mol with the binding sites of α-amylase. Consequently, the outcomes highlighted the anti-hyperglycemic attributes of isolates from K. teoi.
Exploring the synergistic effect of carboxymethyl cellulose and chitosan in enhancing thermal stability of polyurethanes through statistical mixture design approach

Javaid MA, Cheema SA, Nasir N, Ahmad S, Hussain MT, Tanveer Z, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2024 May;267(Pt 2):131441.
PMID: 38583848 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131441

The thermal stability of polyurethanes, known for its limitations, was addressed in this research by seeking improvement through the introduction of carbohydrate-based chain extenders. In this research paper, we systematically sought to improve the thermal resistance of polyurethanes by incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose and chitosan, representing a pioneering application of the mixture design approach in their preparation. In this synthesis, hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) were reacted to prepare -NCO terminated prepolymer, which was subsequently reacted with varying mole ratios of CMC and CSN to develop a series of five PU samples. The prepared PU samples were characterized using the Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopic technique. Thermal pyrolysis of PU samples was examined using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). It was observed that, among all the samples, PUS-3 showed remarkable thermal stability over a wide temperature range. A comprehensive statistical analysis was conducted to substantiate the experimental findings. It was estimated that CMC and CSN significantly enhance the thermal stability of the samples when involved in an interaction fashion. The ANOVA Table for the mixture design demonstrates that over 90 % of the total variation in thermal stability is explained by the mixture model across a wide temperature range. Moreover, PSU-3 exhibited 4 % more thermal stability over a wide range of temperatures on average, as compared to contemporary samples.
Fulltext Bioassay Directed Isolation, Biological Evaluation and in Silico Studies of New Isolates from Pteris cretica L

Saleem F, Mehmood R, Mehar S, Khan MTJ, Khan ZU, Ashraf M, et al.

Antioxidants (Basel), 2019 Jul 19;8(7).
PMID: 31331076 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8070231

Members of genus Pteris have their established role in the traditional herbal medicine system. In the pursuit to identify its biologically active constituents, the specie Pteris cretica L. (P. cretica) was selected for the bioassay-guided isolation. Two new maleates (F9 and CB18) were identified from the chloroform extract and the structures of the isolates were elucidated through their spectroscopic data. The putative targets, that potentially interact with both of these isolates, were identified through reverse docking by using in silico tools PharmMapper and ReverseScreen3D. On the basis of reverse docking results, both isolates were screened for their antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, α-glucosidase (GluE) inhibition and antibacterial activities. Both isolates depicted moderate potential for the selected activities. Furthermore, docking studies of both isolates were also studied to investigate the binding mode with respective targets followed by molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energies. Thereby, the current study embodies the poly-pharmacological potential of P. cretica.

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