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Design and Antischizophrenic Studies of 1,3-disubstituted Chalcone Derivatives: In-silico Molecular Docking Approach
Get PDFSchizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel and behave clearly. The pathophysiology of the disease stems from the overexpression of dopamine neurotransmission and deficiency of glutamate activity at glutamate synapse in the brain. Considering the significant global burden of the disease, lack of complete efficacy using the current medications and variety of adverse effects associated with their use, and the huge opportunity created by Computer-Aided Drug Design, it is therefore important and possible to come up with drug leads that will have improved efficacy and reduced side effects. This research is thus aimed to design, evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties, and the in silico antischizophrenic activity of novel 1,3-disubstituted chalcones. Ten compounds were designed using ChemDraw Ultra 7.0 using similarity approach and their oral bioavailability was predicted using SwissADME, toxicity was predicted using PROTOX 3.0 and docking studies were carried out using AutoDock Vina through Chimera 1.11.2. The 10 designed compounds were predicted to have excellent oral bioavailability and lead-likeness properties, easy synthesisability and a relatively safer toxicity profile than the reference compound clozapine. The compounds were evaluated to have higher docking scores between –8.3 to –9.5 compared to clozapine with a docking score of -8.8 when docked against dopaminergic D2 receptor. In addition, the compounds have close binding scores (–6.0 to –6.6) compared to clozapine (–6.7) when docked against N-Methyl-D-aspartic Acid (NMDA) receptor, suggesting their use as potential antischizophrenic agents
Ecotoxicological Assessment and Biodegradation Potential of Epoxidised Methyl Oleate (EMO) as a Bio-Based Plasticiser in Aquatic Environment
Get PDFBio-based plasticisers have been developed as sustainable alternatives to phthalate-based plasticisers. However, limited information on their potential ecotoxicological effects on aquatic organisms could hinder their widespread adoption in the market. This study addresses this gap by providing ecotoxicological data on epoxidised methyl oleate (EMO), a potential bio-based plasticiser. This study evaluated the acute toxicity of EMO on five aquatic species (Moina macrocopa, Daphnia magna, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella vulgaris and Macrobrachium lanchesteri) to develop a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curve for determining the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) of EMO for ecological risk assessment. Additionally, the biodegradation potential of EMO in aquatic environments was assessed using the OECD 301F Manometric Respiratory Test. These results indicate that EMO exhibits a concentration-dependent toxic effect on all tested species. The SSD curve, developed using a normal distribution and a Maximum Likelihood Estimation fit model, yielded 0.359 mg/L for hazardous concentration for 5% of species (HC05). This HC05 value suggests that EMO poses a minimal ecological risk, as it exceeded the water solubility limit (0.012 mg/L). Furthermore, EMO demonstrated favourable biodegradation potential under aerobic conditions. At a concentration of 30 mg/L, EMO achieved 60% biodegradation within four days of incubation, whereas at 100 mg/L, the same level of biodegradation was achieved by Day 11. These findings underscore the importance of assessing the environmental impact of bio-based plasticisers and highlight the EMO’s potential as an eco-friendly alternative to less biodegradable, petroleum-based plasticisers
Microbiological and Physicochemical Assessment of Untreated Borehole Water in Residential Areas of Kubang Kerian, Kelantan
Get PDFBackground: Due to concerns regarding the quality of municipal water in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia, many residents rely on borehole water, which is often untreated and potentially unsafe. In this study, we assess the microbiological and physicochemical quality of borehole water from household outdoor sources and examine potential risk factors in this regard, including borehole depth and the proximity to sewage systems.
Methods: Thirty untreated borehole water samples were collected from residential households and analysed using standard microbiological and physicochemical techniques. Heterotrophic plate count (HPC), total coliforms, faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli were determined. Physicochemical parameters included pH, turbidity and free residual chlorine. Associations between microbial quality and borehole characteristics were assessed using Fisher’s exact test.
Results: While 70% of samples met the Malaysian Raw Water Quality Criteria (RWQC), 30% showed microbiological contamination, including three with E. coli. All samples had acceptable pH and turbidity levels, though residual chlorine was absent. None of the boreholes complied with the recommended minimum distance from sewage systems, and only four met the minimum depth standard. No significant associations were found between contamination and borehole depth or proximity to sewers (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Despite meeting physicochemical standards, a notable proportion of the borehole samples were microbiologically unsafe. These findings underscore the need for improved borehole construction practices, routine monitoring and public education to reduce waterborne health risks
Ultrasound-Guided Transverse Thoracic Muscle Plane Block (TTMPB) for Post-Sternotomy Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Get PDFBackground: Poorly controlled acute surgical pain after cardiac surgery results from extensive tissues injuries and associated with high pain intensity and leading to chronic pain and excessive opiod use. The aim is to analyse the pain scores, Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Fentanyl requirement and spirometry values in Transverse Thoracic Muscle Plane Block (TTMPB) versus conventional opioid strategy in patients that underwent cardiac sternotomy surgeries.
Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial with a total of 40 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery with sternotomy to receive either intervention with TTMPB (B, n = 20) or control (A, n = 20). We measured the mean pain scores at rest and on movement post extubation using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), mean PCA fentanyl consumption as well as incentive spirometry volume at 0,3,6, 12, 18, 24 and 48 hours post extubation. Analysis was done using the repeated measure ANOVA.
Results: At rest, there was significant reduction in pain score across different timepoints observed between both groups (F [6, 228] = 3.180, P < 0.05). On movement, a significant interaction between the TTMPB treatment and pain score at movement across different timepoints (F [6, 228] = 2.249, P < 0.001] was shown. There was also significant reduction in PCAF consumption across different timepoints (F[6, 228] = 2.080, P < 0.05). Similar outcomes were also observed in the changes of spirometry volume across different timepoints between the two study groups (F [6, 228] = 10.855, P < 0.001.
Conclusion: The administration of the TTMPB resulted in significantly reduced pain scores at rest and movement, reduced the mean PCA fentanyl consumption and showed better incentive spirometry volume post extubation compared to the control group. This study supports TTMPB as efficient post operative analgesia for post cardiac surgery
Silent Voices, Loud Learning: Exploring English Learning for The Deaf
Get PDFThe importance of English as a global language cannot be overstated, serving as a crucial tool for communication, education, and professional development. Learning English presents a unique challenge for the Deaf community because of differences in language acquisition and reliance on visual learning aids such as sign language. This research explores the difficulties faced by the Deaf in learning English, identifies potential solutions, and examines the role of sign language in facilitating their language acquisition. This research involved a comprehensive survey and interview with a diverse, small group of the Deaf to gather in-depth insights into their learning experiences. Key findings indicate that while the Deaf recognise the importance of English, they encounter significant barriers, including limited access to appropriate resources and teaching methodologies that do not cater to their specific needs. Participants highlighted the need for more inclusive and visually-oriented teaching methods, the integration of sign language in English instruction, and the increased availability of specialised learning materials. By incorporating their feedback and leveraging the strengths of sign language, educators can enhance the effectiveness of English language instruction for the Deaf, thereby promoting greater inclusivity and academic success
Representing the Ideology of Extremism in Mohsin Hamid\u27s The Reluctant Fundamentalist: A Critical Stylistic Study
Get PDFExtremism revolves around notions and beliefs. As such, the way text producers perceive them is affected (and even shaped) by their ideologies and background. So far, the present study deals with such a concept by selecting a post 9/11 novel. The post 9/11 literature is rich with the ideology of extremism. Nevertheless, the study is limited to Mohsin Hamid\u27s Novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist. This novel is shaped by the Pakistani Muslim viewpoint. In order to access such an ideology about extremism, the study will be conducted according to Jeffries’s critical stylistic approach. Moreover, the study aims at discussing the linguistic and textual meanings about extremism as represented by a Muslim writer. The study concludes that the writer employs all the critical stylistic tools set by Jeffries. As a Muslim writer, Hamid reinforces the idea of the suffering of Muslims after 9/11 attacks
Assessing the Metacognitive Awareness of Online Reading Strategies among Pre-University Students
Get PDFTo achieve successful comprehension, a student has to be fully responsible of their own reading. However, being able to read proficiently carries a greater meaning now as more online materials are involved. Many students have been discovered to have difficulties mastering these non-linear readings as they require more sophisticated strategies compared to conventional linear readings. It is believed that being aware of one’s strategies could improve the quality of their comprehension and due to that, it is the objective of this study to find out the metacognitive online reading strategy awareness of the participants involved by using Survey of Online Reading Strategies (OSORS) established by Anderson (2003). 495 pre-university students in a Malaysian public university were chosen to be the participants of this study. At the time of the study, they were taking English Language course and English is their second language. From the study, it was discovered that all the participants were aware of most of the online reading strategies but with a very different level of awareness. The strategies under the Problem Solving (PROB) strategy was the highest and this category involves the use of specific techniques when readers encounter problems while reading online. The students involved portrayed their least involvement with the strategies under Support Strategy (SUP) where tools such as live chatting, note taking, and using pictures and graphs are used in assisting their online reading. Due to the inconsistency in the level of awareness discovered in the findings, it is concluded that metacognitive online reading strategies need to be included in the teaching curriculum and teachers too need to be aware and be an expert in utilising the strategies
Is it funny? A Case Study of Chinese College Students\u27 Humor Appreciation on English Jokes
Get PDFAs Schmitz (2002) suggested, it would be useful to conduct experiments in different parts of the world focusing on the appreciation of three types of humor, which are universal or reality-based humor, culture-based humor, and linguistic or word-based humor. This paper aims to investigate the understanding of the three types of humor on Chinese native speakers. 159 Chinese college students finished the online survey by judging the funniness of selected 21 English jokes divided evenly into three types. This study proved Schmitz’s proposal that universal jokes are the funniest and cultural jokes are the least funny, which implicated that universal or reality-based humor is easier to be appreciated than the other two types. Moreover, Chinese male college students score higher than female college students in the there types of humor, however, there are no significant differences based on English proficiency, living time abroad, and educational background
A Comparative Acoustic Analysis of Kazakh and Mandarin First-class Vowels
Get PDFIn recent decades, an increasing number of learners from Kazakhstan have visited China to study Mandarin Chinese. Hence, it is necessary to pay more attention to the acquisition of Mandarin Chinese by Kazakh-speaking learners. The purpose of the present paper is to provide helpful countermeasures for Chinese teaching practice. This study will enrich the achievements of Kazakh and Mandarin first-class vowels comparison and improve the teaching quality of Mandarin Chinese among Kazakh-speaking learners. A total of 14 Kazakh speakers and six Chinese speakers participated in a word-list reading task. For acoustic analysis, we measured the formant frequencies (F1 and F2) through Mini-speech Lab software developed by Nankai University, Tianjin, P.R. China. Results demonstrate that the tongue position of (1) /a/ in the Kazakh language is higher than that in Mandarin Chinese, (2) / ? i u y / in the Kazakh language is lower than that in Mandarin Chinese, (3) / ? u / in the Kazakh language is more fronted than that in Mandarin Chinese, and (4) / a i y / in the Kazakh language is more backward than that in Mandarin Chinese
Exploring The Preferred Corrective Feedback And Practiced Corrective Feedback Among Pakistani ESL Secondary School Students And Teachers In Writing Class: Matches And Mismatches
Get PDFThis study sought to ascertain the preferred corrective feedback of ESL students and practiced corrective feedback of their teachers and to determine whether there were any matches or mismatches between preferences of ESL secondary school students and the practices of their ESL teachers for corrective feedback. The study used a quantitative research design. 200 ESL students enrolled in private secondary schools in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan were given the adopted questionnaire by Ganapathy et al. (2020), which contained forty-four closed-ended items with a range of "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree." In SPSS (version, 22), both descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyze the study\u27s two research questions. According to the findings of the first research question, comprehensive corrective feedback was most frequently given by ESL school teachers to their students followed by focused corrective feedback as the second most preferred and practiced corrective feedback. The results of the second research question showed no significant difference between preferred and practiced corrective feedback. The results of this study have important implications for ESL students and teachers. They are also pertinent to language teaching in terms of using corrective feedback in writing class