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A case series of isolated sixth nerve palsy lesson from the literature and three case studies
No full textIsolated sixth nerve (CN VI) palsy can result from a variety of aetiologies. Comprehensive clinical evaluation and appropriate neuroimaging are essential for accurate diagnosis and prompt management. Case Presentation Patient 1, a 55-year-old male, with underlying diabetes and hypertension, presented with sudden onset of diplopia and was diagnosed with an ischemic aetiology. Patient 2, a 57-year-old male, experienced a 2-week history of binocular horizontal diplopia, accompanied by headache and constitutional symptoms. Imaging and histopathological examination revealed aggressive nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Patient 3, a previously healthy 31-year-old male, was diagnosed with Miller-Fisher syndrome based on clinical features and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Two patients showed complete recovery, while one patient had partial recovery after 6 months. Conclusion While this case series may not present a novel mechanism of CN VI palsy, it provides a practical, real-world illustration of its varied presentations across different age groups and underlying pathologies. The cases underscore the importance of considering patient demographics, clinical context, and imaging findings in guiding diagnosis and management
Pendekatan reformasi Jamāl al-Dīn al-Qāsimī (1283-1332 H.) terhadap sosioagama umat Islam di Syria
No full textThe division of Islam stemming from the weakness of the ‘Uthmāniyya dynasty had a major impact on the socioreligious situation of Muslims in Syria. This study was carried out to study the approach used by Jamāl al-Dīn al-Qāsimī to address this issue. This is a qualitative study with data obtained from authoritative documents such as books, theses, newspapers, and magazines. Jamāl al-Dīn al-Qāsimī placed a strong emphasis on the use of the Quran and Sunnah as the main sources of law. He called for ijtihad and rejected the practice of taqlīd, urging Muslims to use their intellect to static thinking. In addition, he expanded traditional education with modern knowledge. This research reveals that Jamāl al-Dīn al-Qāsimī’s approach to Syria’s socio-religious context was not merely theoretical, but deeply practical, offering a model for broader Islamic reform. Future researchers should be able to conduct further studies related to these approaches. This study reveals various techniques to address the problem of the backwardness of the Islamic community, especially in challenging times
Moderating Effect of Self-efficacy for the relationship between participation intention and practice effect
No full textEducational practice has always been an important part of teacher education. It not only embodies the organic combination of theory and practice but also serves as an important means to achieve the existing training goals of schools and meet the needs of society. This research has grasped the core connection between "subjective initiative" and "objective effect" in educational practice. From the perspective of students, it focuses on exploring the relationship between students' participation intention, self-efficacy, and practical effect. The moderator of self-efficacy indicates that self-efficacy will affect the actual impact of participation intention on practice effect. To evaluate the measurement and structural models, structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed using the Partial Least Squares (PLS). The findings are displayed: (1) Participation intention positively predicts the practice effect; (2) Self-efficacy moderates the relationship between participation intention and practice effect. From the perspective of students participating in educational practice, this research explores the relationship between students' participation intention, self-efficacy, and practice effect, and mainly explores the moderating role of self-efficacy for the relationship between participation intention and practice effect. Additionally, this research enriches the current understanding of the factors affecting the practice effect and suggests possible directions for future research
Informal food systems at risk: Agrarian changes and rural food security in Lower Gangetic Basin, Bangladesh
No full textAgrarian transformations in Bangladesh’s Lower Ganges Basin, influenced by neoliberal policies, population growth, and environmental shifts, are reshaping rural livelihoods and food security landscapes. This study investigates how shrinking arable land impacts informal food sources—such as wild plants, uncultivated crops, and natural fisheries— that have historically sustained small-scale and landless farmers. Through a qualitative methodology incorporating in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation, this research reveals the essential role these informal food resources play for rural communities as formal agriculture recedes. Field insights show that modern agricultural practices driven by neoliberal policies and commercialization disrupt these informal food systems, which are increasingly relied upon amid diminishing arable land. Research participants shared their struggles adapting to industrial agriculture, underscoring the need to preserve natural food sources as buffers against food insecurity. The study advocates for balanced policies that protect these informal food systems while accommodating agricultural progress. Findings have significant implications for food security policies and rural development in Bangladesh and other countries centered around the Ganges River, especially concerning the resilience of vulnerable communities
Modulation of oxidative stress by Centella asiatica (l.) urb. Leaves against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats
No full textLiver injury induced by oxidative stress remains a significant global health concern, necessitating the exploration of safe and effective hepatoprotective agents derived from natural sources. Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., frequently referred to as ‘pegaga’, is a plant renowned for its notable medicinal attributes. The primary aim of this study is to assess the antioxidant capacity and hepatoprotective activity of the ethanolic extract of C. asiatica (EECA). The assessments used to evaluate EECA for its antioxidant properties included total phenolic content (TPC), as well as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power assays. Additionally, the study evaluated the ability of EECA to mitigate experimentally induced hepatic injury in Sprague-Dawley rats caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) at 100, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg b.wt. doses. Biochemical assays included measuring hepatic marker enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in serum, as well as evaluating malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in liver homogenates. The TPC of EECA was 106.55 ± 2.23 mg GAE/g. Its DPPH and reducing power assays exhibited moderately potent antioxidant attributes compared to standard references. Nonetheless, groups subjected to CCl₄ displayed notably elevated levels of ALT and AST, increased MDA, and decreased GSH. Pretreatment with EECA resulted in a marginal decrease in hepatic marker enzyme activity, with reductions in ALT (14% to 2-fold), AST (25% to 3-fold), and MDA (15– 57%), along with an increase in GSH (3–23%). These findings imply that EECA contains active constituents capable of mitigating the hepatotoxic effects induced by CCl₄
The predictability of the ringgit Malaysia against the United States dollar exchange rate
No full textThis study investigates the validity of the weak-form Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) for the Ringgit Malaysia (RM) against the United States Dollar (USD) exchange rate by examining whether historical price movements possess predictive power over future values. Using annual exchange rate data from 1960 to 2024, the analysis is segmented into three distinct periods: pre-COVID-19 (1960–2019), during-COVID-19 (2020–2021), and post-COVID-19 (2022–2024), to account for structural shifts and macroeconomic shocks. Three statistical methods were employed: the Runs test for randomness, the Variance Ratio test for random walk properties, and the Ljung-Box Q test for serial correlation. The results reveal that the RM/USD exchange rate exhibited significant predictability and informational inefficiency in the pre-COVID period, likely due to the historical use of managed exchange rate regimes and limited market liberalization. In contrast, the post-COVID period shows strong support for weak-form efficiency, indicating improved market maturity, transparency, and responsiveness to information. These findings highlight that market efficiency in Malaysia’s foreign exchange market is not static, but evolves with changes in institutional quality, policy frameworks, and global economic conditions. The study contributes to the literature on emerging market efficiency and has implications for investors, policymakers, and currency risk management strategies in a post-pandemic financial landscape
Whole-genome sequencing of Proteus mirabilis strain CM018 isolated from retail chicken meat
No full textIn this study, Proteus mirabilis strain CM018 was isolated from retail chicken meat and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using a combination of Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), followed by hybrid assembly and polishing tools. The genome has 3,812,096 bp and 3342 protein coding sequences with GC content of 38.6%. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) such as Tet(J), Cata, crp, and 3 CRISPR arrays were found in the genome. Additionally, antiviral defense systems of Gabija, PARIS, PD-Lamda-5 and Septu were detected using the webserver PADLOC and Defense Finder. Further, experimental results showed that a siphoviridae prophage was isolated using mitomycin C induction. The findings contribute to the understanding of P. mirabilis in retail chicken meat and its potential to pose a substantial public health threat
Vulnerability assessment of araceous on climate change in Kinabalu UNESCO global geopark, Sabah, Malaysia
No full textBiodiversity has increasingly been challenged by environmental changes, particularly in protected areas where species are often endemic and sensitive to the environmental changes. Changes in this habitat expose organisms to vulnerability. Aracena, one of the most species-rich plant families, is widely distributed in the Kinabalu Geopark and is utilized by local communities for food, medicine, and ornamental purposes. However, its survival is increasingly threatened by climate related stressors and human activities. This study assesses the vulnerability of Aracena to social ecological activities across six study areas (Poring, Monggis, Serinsim, Nalapak, Sayap, and Losou Podi) using a modified Coastal Integrity Vulnerability Assessment Tool (CIVAT) and Social Ecological Resilience (SER) framework. The assessment incorporated three key components: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Results reveal that Losou Podi, Sayap, Monggis, and Nalapak exhibited low vulnerability, while Poring and Serinsim scored medium vulnerability due to pressures from tourism and illegal harvesting. These results highlight the effectiveness of current conservation measures within the park but also emphasize the need for targeted interventions in more vulnerable zones. Given these findings, this study provides a baseline for conservation strategies tailored to enhance Aracena resilience under climate stress
Mapping the landscape of financial crime: A bibliometric analysis of trends and research developments
No full textGiven the dynamic nature of our digital economy and the increasing prevalence of financial crimes, we believe that scholars in this subject area could benefit from a more systematic approach to assessing the issues and research trends related to financial crimes. Thus, the main purpose of our study is to explore the current scope of research linked to financial crimes through bibliometric analysis. Using the bibliometric method, this study retrieved literature published in academic journals indexed in the Scopus database from 1992 to 2024 for analysis. Tools such as “biblioMagika,” “Open Refine,” “VOS viewer,” and RStudio Desktop were utilized to structure, clean, and extract data for the bibliometric analysis. Four research questions were ultimately addressed. This study may serve as a reference for investigative agencies, practitioners, researchers, law enforcement, government, and legal professionals to share their knowledge and experiences, including current challenges and lessons learned regarding the increasing trend of financial crimes annually
Investigating the presence and distribution of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants systems
No full textMicroplastic is a highly concerning emerging contaminant with the significant increase of municipal waste along with the elevating growth of population. Wastewater is one of the main routes contributing to the persistent microplastics presence in the environment since it originates from domestic, industrial, and even agricultural wastewater. These facilities are increasingly identified as potential contributors to the release of microplastics (MPs) into the environment. This study aims to examine the occurrence and distributions of MPs in both the influent and effluent of two districts sewage treatment plant (STP) in Kota Kinabalu (UMS STP) and regional sewage treatment plant Penampang (RSTP) Sabah Malaysia. The results showed that the abundance of MPs in UMS STP was higher in both influents and effluents than RSTP. The average size of MPs found varied from 1.0 mm to 125 μm being the most abundant. Microplastics 2.0 mm is higher in influents, while effluents exhibit higher concentrations of smaller particles (63 μm). In terms of microplastic morphology, fragments were identified as the most predominant shape in the sampled materials from both sewage treatment plants (STPs), whereas microplastic beads were the least frequently detected. The distribution of colours across the influent and effluent samples was consistent, with a variety of colours identified, though green, blue, and red predominated. Polymer analysis revealed a diverse array of microplastic types present in the samples, including polypropylene (PP), nylon (PA), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET/PETE), indicating a variety of sources and characteristics of the microplastics entering the treatment systems. These polymer types were found in both influent and effluent, suggesting that certain microplastics may persist through the treatment process. Overall, this study offers a comprehensive analysis of the physical and chemical properties of microplastics in wastewater treatment systems, providing valuable insights into their distribution, persistence, and the potential implications for the fate of microplastics within wastewater treatment processes. The findings contribute to a better understanding of microplastic behavior, highlighting key factors influencing their occurrence and removal efficiency in sewage treatment plants