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The Flora of Borneo – Purpose and future direction
Get PDFSummary.
A brief commentary is presented on the Flora of Borneo generic checklist, its purpose and progress, and possible future directions
Optimization of the SA-β-galactosidase assay for an enhanced senescence detection in H2O2-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)
Get PDFCellular senescence in endothelial cells (EC) plays a critical role in various age-related diseases, including
cardiovascular disorders. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, detectable via cytochemical staining with X-gal, remains a widely accepted marker for identifying senescent cells. However, inconsistencies in senescence induction protocols hinder reproducibility and limit their utility in screening anti-senescence compounds. To date, no standardized in vitro conditions have been established for reliably inducing senescence in ECs. Herein, we aimed to utilize H2O2 as the primary inducer of cell senescence and investigated the effects of various concentrations, exposure time, chemical grade, and cell culture supplementation in the induction of
senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In this study, we systematically evaluated a range
of H₂O₂ concentration, exposure durations, chemical grades, and fetal bovine serum (FBS) supplementation to
determine their effects on senescence induction. We quantified senescence by counting SA-β-gal-positive cells
under a microscope after X-gal staining. Image-based cell counts, and statistical analyses were conducted to
evaluate significance. We observed a threefold rise in SA-β-gal positivity after 24 hours of treatment with 0.5 µM
H₂O₂ relative to the control. This indicates that optimal H2O2 concentration and exposure duration parameters
significantly enhanced senescence. However, neither FBS supplementation nor H₂O₂ chemical grade influenced
the outcomes. To conclude, this study highlights the need for an optimized senescence induction method to
ensure reliable and interpretable results of SA-β-gal staining in HUVECs. Such improvements will facilitate future
investigation of novel pharmacological agents with anti-senescence potential
Development of Non-Contact Measurement of Glucose in Urine by Smartphone-Based Laser Refractometry for Continuous Monitoring of Diabetes
Get PDFDiabetes mellitus is a global health issue affecting millions of people, requiring regular
glucose level monitoring. Current non-invasive methods include urinalysis (colorimetry and
biosensors) which are laboratory-based and lack user-friendliness, limiting their practicality
for continuous glucose monitoring. Although promising, research on smartphone-integrated
laser refractometry for glucose detection remains limited. To address this need, a non-contact
smartphone-based laser refractometer for glucose monitoring was developed. This prototype
measures the refractive indices of urine by analyzing the refracted length of a laser line,
which is correlated with fasting blood glucose concentrations. The proposed prototype uses
a smartphone to capture a relatively high resolution images of a laser line caused by total
internal reflection through the rod and refraction caused by the urine. Assessments were
made through a series of controlled glucose concentrations, varying turbidities, different
volumetric samples, and a shelf-life. Volumetric and shelf-life assessments showed no effect
to the results whereas as turbidity assessments proved the proposed prototype is limited to
57 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) of the urine samples. Results of fasting glucose
levels measured in urines using the developed system were compared to fasting blood
glucose laboratory results, yielding with correlation coefficients of 0.89 and a sensitivity of
4.8 mg/dL. The system is inexpensive, making it accessible, and is suitable for telemedicine
applications, providing remote monitoring options for patients. This approach paves the way
for clinically crucial glucose detection in diabetics without the need for invasive finger-prick
blood sampling
Informal Learning Medium Among Gen Z Undergraduate Students
Get PDFMany studies show the dominance of informal learning in various contexts including in higher education institutes. Informal learning, characterized by its unstructured and self-directed nature, plays a crucial role in the educational experiences, especially for Gen Z, a generation known for its technological fluency and preference for flexible learning approaches, increasingly relies on informal mediums such as social media platforms, online forums, and video-sharing sites for knowledge acquisition. These mediums not only complement formal education but also offer personalized and engaging ways to explore diverse
topics. This study investigates the most commonly used informal learning mediums among Gen Z undergraduate students, the factors influencing their preferences, and the impact on their academic and personal development. Data was collected through surveys with undergraduate students who studied informal learning through Adult Learning subject at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Findings reveal a strong inclination towards visually interactive platforms
and peer-to-peer learning environments, highlighting the need for educational institutions to recognize and integrate these mediums into broader learning frameworks. By understanding how Gen Z students leverage informal learning, this research provides insights for educators and policymakers to enhance student engagement and support lifelong learning in an increasingly digital world and also encourages the use of selective medium for informal learning
Hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea : the hidden role of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system dysregulation
Get PDFBackground
Hypertension commonly co-exists with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the role of renin–
angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) in the development of hypertension in OSA patients remains poorly defned,
with inconclusive evidence regarding the activation of the RAAS in these patients. Herein, we aimed to evaluate
the RAAS profle in OSA patients and to elucidate the infuence of RAAS on hypertension in these individuals.
Methods
In this observational study, patients referred from health clinics aged 18 years and older, with obesity,
defned as body mass index greater than 27.5 kg/m2
, and confrmed OSA were recruited if they met study criteria. Anthropometric data were collected, and blood sampled for plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and plasma renin concentration (PRC). Treatment intensity was assessed using the therapeutic intensity score (TIS). The RAAS components were compared between the OSA patients, healthy controls, and patients with confrmed primary
aldosteronism.
Results
A total of 204 patients who fulflled the study criteria were recruited, of which 160 had hypertension. Patients
with hypertensive OSA demonstrated higher PAC with no signifcant diference in PRC compared to normotensive
OSA; and higher PAC and ARR with lower PRC compared to healthy controls. PAC was positively correlated with TIS
(β=0.281, p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (β=0.156, p=0.049), and hypertension duration (β=0.168, p=0.011),
while negatively correlated with hypertension diagnosis (β=− 0.170, p=0.024).
Conclusions
This is the frst study from Southeast Asia evaluating the impact of RAAS on hypertension severity in OSA patients. Findings suggest that hypertensive individuals with OSA exhibit greater RAAS dysregulation, highlighting the role of aldosterone in the development of hypertension and its severity in OSA. This also underscores the need for targeted management strategies particularly in tropical regions with a rising prevalence of metabolic disorders
Community perception and preventive practices regarding malaria in low-endemicity regions on Indonesian Kalimantan border adjacent to high-endemicity zoonotic malaria in Malaysian Borneo
Get PDFBackground
Indonesia aspires to completely eliminate malaria by 2030. Malaria cases have fallen drastically due to the implementation of national strategic plans and policies, and the Ministry of Health has granted certification of elimination status to various areas, including Kalimantan. However, this low prevalence contrasts sharply with the continued high prevalence (18.9%, totalling 3290 cases) of Plasmodium knowlesi infections in Malaysian Borneo. Assessing the knowledge and preventive practices regarding malaria and attitudes towards zoonotic malaria within communities along the Kalimantan border is essential to understanding the low endemicity (API < 1) of malaria in this region.
Methods
Between February and April 2021, a structured questionnaire was administered to respondents who lived in villages with recent malaria cases (P. vivax and P. falciparum infections) across the West, East, and North Kalimantan provinces bordering Malaysian Borneo. The questionnaire collected demographic information, knowledge, prevention practices, illness management, and attitudes towards contributing factors of zoonotic malaria. Data were analysed using descriptive statistic and the association between variables was determined using logistic regression. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Of the 639 respondents, 47.6% had completed primary education, and 49.1% worked in the agricultural sector. More than half of the respondents had good knowledge (58.2%) and good practice (51%) regarding malaria's cause, symptoms and prevention. A notable 58.9% could identify at least two classic symptoms of malaria (fever and shivering), and 78.6% associated the disease with mos quito bites. More than half of the respondents (53.7%) owned bed nets and stated using them every night on a regular basis (49.3%). However, more than half of these bed nets were not insecticide-treated. Indoor residual spraying by the health authority was uncommon. A common practice was that 84% of respondents sought treatment at health facilities when suspecting malaria (fever and shivering). Regarding the potential for acquiring zoonotic malaria, 36.2% of respondents lived near the forest, and 15.8% reported encountering monkeys within 500 m of their house. Multivariate analysis showed that an increase in education level significantly predicted good knowledge of malaria. Meanwhile, good malaria practices were significantly associated with women (aOR = 2.25; P < 0.001), age 25–64 (aOR = 2.64; P < 0.001), and age over 65 (aOR = 3.06; P = 0.004).
Conclusions
This study observed an exceptional level of malaria awareness among these communities. However, it is crucial to emphasise the importance of continuous malaria surveillance within this community for maintaining the current low malaria cases and achieving the goal of malaria-free status in the country by 2030
Examining the impact of surface material design treatments on traditional and collaborative instructional approaches in hybrid classrooms
Get PDFHybrid teaching has gained substantial interest in higher education and is anticipated to influence future pedagogical
reforms worldwide in the aftermath of the pandemic. Despite the adaptability of hybrid teaching as a flexible
instructional design, various limits have emerged. Poor sound quality was a major challenge for distant students,
impairing their ability to effectively comprehend lectures and engage in interactions with on-site peers and
instructors. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of surface material design treatment on two distinct
educational approaches in hybrid classroom environments, namely lecture-based and collaborative learning. This
study incorporates field measurements and acoustic modelling methods to develop effective surface design treatments
that enhance the listening experience for remote students. Three significant acoustic parameters were assessed:
reverberation time (RT), speech transmission index (STI), and speech clarity (C50). The results indicate that surface
treatment on wall and ceiling areas have a substantial impact on the important acoustic parameters that emphasizes
on speech intelligibility. The findings from an in-depth investigation are beneficial for designers and educational
institutions in ensuring appropriate acoustic quality for hybrid learning settings. This setting concurrently enhances
students' learning experiences and performance
Pekeliling Pentadbiran Bil. 7 Tahun 2025: Pemakluman Penempatan Semula Staf Pentadbiran Kumpulan Pengurusan dan Profesional, dan Kumpulan Pelaksana
Get PDFSambar Deer : A Review on Status, Distribution, Conservation, and Commercial Potential in Peninsular Malaysia
Get PDFSambar deer (Rusa unicolour) are native to most parts of Asia, including Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and India. Listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, the animal has recently been introduced into the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Although they can easily adapt to a wide range of habitats, the population of Sambar deer in the wild has dramatically declined, and this may be attributed to poaching, illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss when jungles are cleared for development. This article provides the status and distribution of Sambar deer in Peninsular Malaysia and protection efforts to conserve this species in the country. It also highlights the potential of Sambar deer commercial farming in Peninsular Malaysia as part of the conservation programme and meeting human deman
Enhancing Employee Job Performance in a Public Service Organisation: The Influence of Leadership Style
Get PDFAlthough the impact of leadership styles on employee performance has been widely studied, there is limited
research on how autocratic and democratic leadership styles specifically affect job performance in
Malaysia's public service sector, particularly within Sarawak's public organisations. This study investigates
the relationship between these leadership styles and job performance in a public organisation in Kuching,
Sarawak. Using a quantitative descriptive-correlational design, the study employed a cross-sectional survey
with an online questionnaire to assess the influence of autocratic and democratic leadership styles on
employee performance. A total of 73 employees participated in the survey, and data were collected using a
validated and reliable closed-ended questionnaire. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation
between both leadership styles and job performance, with democratic leadership having a stronger impact.
These results provide valuable insights for organisational leaders seeking to improve leadership practices
and enhance workforce resilience. Future research could explore the dynamics of various leadership styles,
integrate mixed methods approaches, and examine their long-term effects