19672 research outputs found
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Performance of male crossbred (Saanen x Local) goats fed concentrate diet
No full textThe aim of this study was to assess the performance of concentrate feeding on intake and growth rate in goats. A total of 14 non-castrated male crossbred (Saanen x Local) goats of approximate age of 6 months and average initial live weight of 23.5±3.8 kg were used in a completely randomised design. The animals were divided into two treatment groups: control group and concentrate group. Both groups were fed their respective diets ad libitum throughout the experiment. The goats on the concentrate diet were also supplemented daily with 400 g fresh Napier grass variety for each animal. Chemical composition of the diets, intake and growth rate of the goats were evaluated. No differences (p>0.05) were observed in dry matter and organic matter intakes except for crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (p0.05) in the growth performance and feed conversion ratio between the control and concentrate groups. There was no significant effect on daily weight gain of the goats fed the concentrate diets, suggesting that corn and soya waste with 400 g fresh Napier grass can support moderate weight gain in Saanen crossbred goats
Comprehensive study on the influence of molybdenum substitution on characteristics and catalytic performance of magnetite nanoparticles
No full textWe prepared a number of heterogeneous catalysts by exchanging the structural iron of magnetite with molybdenum ions. To obtain the optimum value, Mo at various concentrations was coprecipitated with iron species (Fe3−x Mo x O4, x = 0.028, 0.069, 0.13, and 0.21). Characterization revealed that all the samples had inverse spinel structure with excellent stability and magnetic properties. Higher Mo contents (x = 0.13 and 0.21) significantly improved the specific surface area of magnetite, leading to higher capacity for methylene blue (MB) adsorption. The catalytic performance of the samples for degradation of MB solution through Fenton reaction was then assessed. The Fe2.62Mo0.21O4 sample showed substantial activity, removing MB completely within 150 min. This enhanced activity is discussed based on the enlarged surface area, the role of surface Mo4+/Mo6+ redox pairs, and oxygen vacancies. Kinetic studies revealed that MB degradation by Fe3−x Mo x O4 nanoparticles in presence of H2O2 was well fit by a zeroth-order kinetics model. These results support use of such Fe3−x Mo x O4 materials as active magnetically separable heterogeneous catalysts, capable of degrading various contaminants through Fenton reaction
Large-scale hybrid silver nanowall-reduced graphene oxide biofilm: A novel morphology by facile electrochemical deposition
No full textIncreased attention has been focused on development of large-surface-area nanoengineered materials to enhance bone implants performance. Appropriate incorporations of functionalized carbon-based biofilms on the surface of artificial bone tissues can provide improved mechanobiological features. Besides, well-adhered potential coating interfaces corresponding wide spectrum antibacterial targets. Here, a novel morphology of hybrid silver (Ag) nanowall-green reduced graphene oxide (rGO) via facile methodology modified as-sputtered Ag grains to support Ti6Al7Nb implant (Ti67IMP) alloy. Layer-by-layer inorganic-organic topography obtained by physical vapor deposition magnetron sputtering (PVDMS) and subsequent one-step electrochemical deposition (ED) protocols. Microstructure, mechanical and wettability properties were characterized and cytocompatibility of designed composite-Ti67IMP system with human MG-63 osteosarcoma confirmed
Evaluation of the glycemic effect of Ceratonia siliqua pods (Carob) on a streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rat model
No full textBackground. Ceratonia siliqua pods (carob) have been nominated to control the high blood glucose of diabetics. In Yemen, however, its antihyperglycemic activity has not been yet assessed. Thus, this study evaluated the in vitro inhibitory effect of the methanolic extract of carob pods β-cells (RIN-5F). Acute oral toxicity of carob was conducted on a total of 18 male and 18 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, which were subdivided into three groups (nD6), namely: high and low dose carob-treated (CS5000 and CS2000, respectively) as well as the normal control (NC) receiving a single oral dose of 5,000 mg kg -1 carob, 2,000 mg kg -1 carob and 5mLkg -1 distilled water for 14 days, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, creatinine and urea were assessed. Livers and kidneys were harvested for histopathology. In vitro inhibitory effect against α-amylase and α-glucosidase was evaluated. In vivo glycemic activity was conducted on 24 male SD rats which were previously intraperitoneally injected with 55 mg kg -1 streptozotocin (STZ) followed by 210 mg kg -1 nicotinamide to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus. An extra non-injected group (n D 6) was added as a normal control (NC). The injected-rats were divided into four groups (n D 6), namely: diabetic control (D0), 5 mg kg -1 glibenclamide-treated diabetic (GD), 500 mg kg -1 carob-treated diabetic (CS500) and 1,000 mg kg -1 carob-treated diabetic (CS1000). All groups received a single oral daily dose of their treatment for 4 weeks. Body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance test, biochemistry, insulin and hemostatic model assessment were assessed. Pancreases was harvested for histopathology. Results. Carob demonstrated a FRAP value of 3191.67 ± 54.34 mmoL Fe ++ and IC 50 of DPPH of 11.23 ± 0.47 mg mL -1 . In vitro, carob was non-toxic on hepatocytes and pancreatic β-cells. In acute oral toxicity, liver and kidney functions and their histological sections showed no abnormalities. Carob exerted an in vitro inhibitory effect against α-amylase and α-glucosidase with IC 50 of 92.99 ± 0.22 and 97.13 ± 4.11 mg mL -1 , respectively. In diabetic induced rats, FBG of CS1000 was significantly less than diabetic control. Histological pancreatic sections of CS1000 showed less destruction of β-cells than CS500 and diabetic control. Conclusion. Carob pod did not cause acute systemic toxicity and showed in vitro antioxidant effects. On the other hand, inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase was evident. Interestingly, a high dose of carob exhibits an in vivo antihyperglycemic activity and warrants further in-depth study to identify the potential carob extract composition
The mediating effect of parental involvement on school climate and continuous improvement
No full textThis study attempted to investigate the mediating effect of parental involvement on the relationship between school climate and continuous improvement. To achieve this aim, the researchers conducted a descriptive research with quantitative approach to explore this mediating effect. The population of this study was 42870 Grade 1 and 2 high school students in Lorestan state, Iran. With applied simple and stratified random sampling, a total of 400 students were chosen as the participants in this study. The researchers used questionnaire as an instrument to collect the data. The results of this study illustrated the medium level for parental involvement, school climate and continuous improvement, based on students’ perception. In addition, the findings show the mediating effect of parental involvement on the relationship between school climate and continuous improvement. These results have suggested that if school climate and parental involvement are improved, it could be an effective strategy to increase continuous school improvement. The results of this research proposed more comprehensive empirical view on how parental involvement can improve the relationship between school climate and continuous improvement in Iranian education system
Bilateral pulmonary sequestrations mimicking advanced lung malignancy
No full textBilateral pulmonary sequestrations are extremely rare and uncommonly diagnosed during adulthood. It can present with severe symptoms such as hemoptysis. It can also be misdiagnosed as a primary lung malignancy
Development of phycology in Malaysia
No full textPhycological research in Malaysia started in the 1900s with the documentation of both freshwater and marine microalgae and seaweeds, especially those with economic importance. Phycological research has grown and matured from initial diversity and ecological studies to DNA-based research which allowed us to venture into the world of algal biotechnology with focus on phylogenetics, genomics and strain improvement. Our research has expanded towards finding solutions to the declining food and fuel resources to be relevant in today’s world of energy and food crises amidst a changing climate. Sustainability solutions are especially relevant and will continue to drive the development of our seaweed industry and the opportunities for establishment of an algal industry in Malaysia. Algal farming offers many opportunities for research and development activities, and great potential, especially due to the abundant tropical sunshine, long coastline, good infrastructure and global connectivities. This paper is a brief account of the development of phycology in Malaysia, followed by some thoughts on future directions. Our research is supported by two very important collections: (i) the University of Malaya Algae Culture Collection (UMMAC) and (ii) the University of Malaya Seaweeds and Seagrasses Herbarium
Using modified early warning score to predict need of lifesaving intervention in adult non-trauma patients in a tertiary state hospital
No full textBackground: Modified early warning score has been validated in many uses in the emergency department. We propose that the modified early warning score performs well in predicting the need of lifesaving interventions in the emergency department, as a predictor of patients who are critically ill. Objective: The study aims to evaluate the use of modified early warning score in sorting out critically ill patients in the emergency department. Methods: The patients’ demographic data and first vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, and level of consciousness) were collected prospectively. Individual modified early warning score was calculated. The outcome was a patient received one or more lifesaving interventions toward the end of stay in emergency department. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess the association between modified early warning score and other potential predictors with outcome. Results: There are a total of 259 patients enrolled into the study. The optimal modified early warning score in predicting lifesaving intervention was ≥4 with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 81%. Modified early warning score ≥4 (odds ratio = 96.97, 95% confidence interval = 11.82-795.23, p < 0.001) was found to significantly increase the risk of receiving lifesaving intervention in the emergency department. Conclusion: Modified early warning score is found to be a good predictor for patients in need of lifesaving intervention in the emergency department
Lactobacillus helveticus (ATCC 27558) upregulates Runx2 and Bmp2 and modulates bone mineral density in ovariectomy-induced bone loss rats
No full textPurpose: Osteoporosis is one of the major health concerns among the elderly population, especially in postmenopausal women. Many menopausal women over 50 years of age lose their bone density and suffer bone fractures. In addition, many mortality and morbidity cases among the elderly are related to hip fracture. This study aims to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus helveticus (L. helveticus) on bone health status among ovariectomized (OVX) bone loss-induced rats. Methods: The rats were either OVX or sham OVX (sham), then were randomly assigned into three groups, G1: sham, G2: OVX and G3: OVX+L. helveticus (1 mL of 10 8 –10 9 colony forming units). The supplementation was force-fed to the rats once a day for 16 weeks while control groups were force-fed with demineralized water. Results: L. helveticus upregulated the expression of Runx2 and Bmp2, increased serum osteocalcin, bone volume/total volume and trabecular thickness, and decreased serum C-terminal telopeptide and total porosity percentage. It also altered bone microstructure, as a result increasing bone mineral density and bone strength. Conclusion: Our results indicate that L. helveticus attenuates bone remodeling and consequently improves bone health in OVX rats by increasing bone formation along with bone resorption reduction. This study suggests a potential therapeutic effect of L. helveticus (ATCC 27558) on postmenopausal osteoporosi
Neuritogenic and in vitro antioxidant activities of Malaysian Gracilaria manilaensis Yamamoto & Trono
No full textNumerous marine-based compounds have been identified as having diverse biological activities. Gracilaria manilaensis Yamamoto & Trono is a red agarophyte endemic to the Malaysia coastal area. It is used as a gelling and thickening agent for food industries. In this study, the rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC-12Adh) was employed as in vitro model to investigate the neuritogenic activities in hot aqueous, methanol, and ethanol extracts of G. manilaensis. Phytochemical contents and in vitro antioxidant activities of the extracts were also determined. All G. manilaensis extracts were found to increase the percentage of neurite-bearing cells and upregulated the neuronal cytoskeleton of PC-12Adh cells with no inhibition across the tested concentration range (0–0.15 mg mL −1 ). The methanol and ethanol extracts had higher phenolic and flavonoid contents than the hot aqueous extract. They also showed higher antioxidant activities against 2,2-diphenyl-1-pircryhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) free radicals and higher reducing power compared to the hot aqueous extract. It is believed that G. manilaensis may possess potent bioactive compounds that mimic the neuroactivity of the nerve growth factor (NGF) for neuronal survival, development, and differentiation. It has been suggested that agar producer G. manilaensis might be a promising dietary supplement for cognitive health in the prevention of neurological disorders