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Social media skepticism and belief in conspiracy theories about COVID-19: the moderating role of the dark triad
Get PDFThe prevalence of conspiracy theories about COVID-19 in the wide-open social media environment has raised considerable concerns about the adverse effects of believing such theories. The previous work showed that skepticism is negatively associated with acceptance of media content. However, this association has yet to be investigated between skepticism towards content on social media and conviction of COVID-19 conspiracy theories. Furthermore, this association can be a function of social media users' dark triad traits comprising Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy. A convenient sample of 439 Malaysian young adult social media users was recruited to complete the survey. Results showed that skepticism has a negative relationship with belief in conspiracy theories about COVID-19. However, the strength of the relationship is varied depending on respondents' Machiavellianism and narcissism levels. The negative association between skepticism and belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories is weaker for individuals with high scores on Machiavellianism. High and moderate scores on narcissism were also found to diminish the negative relationship of skepticism with COVID-19 conspiracy ideation. The results yield implications for enhancing healthy skepticism to mitigate belief in conspiracy theories promulgated on social media. Nonetheless, Machiavellianism and narcissism appeared to weaken the power of skepticism on conspiracy theories
Development and Pilot Testing of a Booklet Concerning Medications That Can Increase the Risk of Falls in Older People
Get PDFBackground: A common contributory factor to falls is the use of medicines, especially those commonly known as “fall-risk increasing drugs” (FRIDs). The use of FRIDs is common among older people (OP). However, OP and their family caregivers (FCGs) are largely unaware of FRIDs and their risks in increasing the risk of falls (ROF). Methods: A booklet which aims to provide information on topics related to FRIDs was developed. The booklet was reviewed by a panel of 14 reviewers, and the content validity index (CVI) for each subsection of the booklet was computed. Pilot testing of the booklet utilized a pre-post intervention study design and included 50 OP and 50 FCGs as study participants. Perceived knowledge of the participants was assessed prior to and after completing the booklet. Participants’ opinions on the usefulness and usability of the booklet were also obtained. Results: The booklet contained eight sections and each subsection of the booklet had a CVI ranging from 0.93 to 1.00. Completing the booklet resulted in improved perceived knowledge scores for each perceived knowledge item among both the OP and FCG groups (all items: p-value < 0.001). The participants perceived the booklet as useful and usable, as evidenced by almost all the perceived usefulness and usability items having a score of over 4.0. Conclusions: The FRIDs booklet developed in this study had good content validity and was widely accepted by the OP and FCGs. The positive effect on the participants’ knowledge of topics related to FRIDs means that the booklet could be useful as a patient education tool to enhance FRIDs knowledge and awareness among OP and FCGs
Comparison of cancer stem cell enrichment between spheroids derived from single-cell and multicellular aggregate cultures
No full textIntroduction: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a distinct group of cells within cancerous tissue that possess the ability to initiate tumorigenesis and exhibit potency, self-renewal, and drug resistance. The study of CSCs often encounters challenges in obtaining these cells of interest or generating a sufficient quantity for downstream analysis. Nevertheless, it is feasible to enrich CSCs in vitro by subjecting them to conditions that stimulate their CSC properties, such as prolonged exposure to drugs or radiation, or by promoting their self-renewal capability through spheroid culture. Spheroids are a specific type of cell culture that organizes cells into a three-dimensional structure, closely mimicking the in vivo environment. These spheroids consist of a heterogeneous cell population, including CSCs or tumor-propagating cells responsible for tumor growth and maintenance. In our study, we cultured spheroids derived from single cells as well as multicellular aggregates to enrich CSCs based on their self-renewal capability and the structural organization provided by the three-dimensional context.
Methods: Comparing the spheroid cultures with the parental adherent monolayer cells, we observed higher expression of CSC markers, pluripotent genes, and adipogenic differentiation in both multicellular spheroids (MCS) and single cell-derived spheroids (SCDS) of the two tested cell lines.
Results: The spheroids exhibited progressive growth in size throughout the culture period. When comparing the two methods, SCDS demonstrated greater expression of surface markers and all three pluripotent genes associated with CSCs. Furthermore, when assessing drug resistance potential and the expression of the ABCG2 drug efflux gene, only 5637 SCDS displayed increased resistance to cisplatin and upregulation of ABCG2.
Conclusion: In conclusion, both the MCS and SCDS methods effectively enriched the population of bladder CSCs in the 5637 and HT-1376 bladder cancer cell lines. However, the SCDS method demonstrated a higher upregulation of CSC markers and pluripotent gene expression compared to MCS. It is worth noting that spheroid culture and CSC enrichment are not mutually exclusive and can coexist with increased chemotherapy resistance and upregulation of ABCG2 drug efflux gene expression. Moreover, the drug efflux capability may vary depending on the specific cell line and clonal lineage. These strategies can serve as valuable models for CSC enrichment, the study of cancer cell behavior, disease modeling, and personalized chemotherapy investigations
A Review on the Progress in Chemo-Enzymatic Processes for CO2 Conversion and Upcycling
No full textThe increasing concentration of atmospheric CO2 due to human activities has resulted in serious environmental issues such as global warming and calls for efficient ways to reduce CO2 from the environment. The conversion of CO2 into value-added compounds such as methane, formic acid, and methanol has emerged as a promising strategy for CO2 utilization. Among the different techniques, the enzymatic approach based on the CO2 metabolic process in cells presents a powerful and eco-friendly method for effective CO2 conversion and upcycling. This review discusses the catalytic conversion of CO2 using single and multienzyme systems, followed by various chemo-enzymatic processes to produce bicarbonates, bulk chemicals, synthetic organic fuel and synthetic polymer. We also highlight the challenges and prospects for future progress in CO2 conversion via chemo-enzymatic processes for a sustainable solution to reduce the global carbon footprint
A Malaysian consensus report on the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection
No full textHelicobacter pylori is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections in humans and responsible for 90% of duodenal ulcers and 70–90% of gastric ulcers. Despite this, many misconceptions regarding the appropriate diagnostic method and treatment strategies still exist in the Malaysian clinical practice. Under the initiative of the steering committee, an expert panel consisting of nine key opinion leaders in the field of gastroenterology convened to develop a set of consensus statements that are relevant to the Malaysian healthcare practice. The panel members reviewed the current evidence on the management of H. pylori infection, focusing on the best practices that are relevant to the Malaysian population based on clinical experience and published clinical evidence. Using the modified Delphi method, the panel achieved consensus in three areas of H. pylori infection management: indications for testing, diagnosis, and treatment. The panel proposed a set of 19 consensus statements, which were synthesized via two rounds of blinded voting and group discussions. The recommendations provided are relevant to the Malaysian population and can be used as a guide by physicians across various healthcare settings to facilitate appropriate diagnostic testing and treatment of H. pylori infection
Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Saponin Extracts from Different Parts of Argania spinosa L. Skeels
Get PDFThe argan tree is a versatile forest tree (silviculture-fruit-forestry) of great importance for the country both in biological, phytogenetic and ecological biodiversity as well as in economic and social aspects. It has significant medicinal and therapeutic potential. The present study concentrated on saccharide-containing molecules, particularly saponins, for their medicinal properties. Butanol was used to fractionate phytochemical groups from different parts of Argania spinosa (branch, leaf, pulp, shell and seed), which were subsequently precipitated in ether. It was found that solvent fractionation increased the total saponin amount according to the colorimetric test using vanillin and sulfuric acid. The butanol fraction of the argan shell and its precipitate showed the highest levels of triterpene saponins compared to the rest of the plant parts studied. The samples showed antioxidant capacity by DPPH versus ascorbic acid (IC50 = 1.92 µg/mL) and by ABTS using the similar standard (IC50 = 11.31 µg/mL). The antioxidant activity of the samples was significantly improved from the crude shell extract (IC50 = 5.85 µg/mL) to its butanolic fraction (IC50 = 2.94 µg/mL) and its precipitate (IC50 = 1.57 µg/mL) using 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl. Indeed, the ABTS test, showed similarity to the core results. Also, the solid disc diffusion method was used to highlight the antimicrobial activity of extracts from different parts of the Argania spinosa plant. The EtOH 70% and Aqueous leaf extracts exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, resulting in an inhibition zone of approximately 13 mm against the growth of Staphylococcus saprophyticus. On the other hand, the extract of saponin filtrate from the pulp part of the plant displayed the lowest antibacterial activity, with an inhibition zone of 9 mm. All studied types of saponin extract from different parts of the plant do not contribute to any antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea
COVID-19 Pandemic in Brunei Darussalam
No full textWithin ASEAN, Brunei is one of the low population density nations successfully combating the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As of 4th January 2023, over 2.6 hundred thousand confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 225 deaths, had been reported in Brunei. This paper outlines the COVID-19 trends in Brunei and strategies taken by the health authorities to contain the pandemic. Three waves of COVID-19 have hit Brunei, with the first case of COVID-19 reported on 9th March 2020. The adoption of the “whole of nation approach” has proven to be effective in managing the outbreak. Early and decisive interventions taken by authorities and the public’s cooperation have been a remarkable success story. The key success factors are effective pandemic containment measures, public communication strategy, and enhanced surveillance mechanisms supported by the mass testing program and contact tracing. A national vaccination strategy ensuring adequate vaccine distribution and effective administration has been rolled out to render lasting protection against the infection. National COVID-19 Recovery Plan Framework and a gradual COVID-19 de-escalation plan were implemented to ensure a smoother transition to the new normal. This review provides valuable insights into the development of a robust pandemic leadership model and highlights the lessons and strategies that other countries can adopt for any future uncertainties
Crystal structure of [N(E),N′(E)]-N,N′-(1,4-phenylenedimethylidyne)bis-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-amine di-methanol solvate, C18H20N6·2(CH3OH)
No full textC18H20N6·2(CH3OH), triclinic, P 1 ‾ (no. 2), a = 5.0063(2) Å, b = 8.5627(5) Å, c = 12.8216(6) Å, α = 77.898(4)°, β = 89.301(4)°, γ = 76.601(4)°, V = 522.40(5) Å3, Z = 1, R gt (F) = 0.0577, wR ref (F2) = 0.1642, T = 178 K.
CCDC no.: 2285572
The molecular structure is shown in the figure. Table 1 contains crystallographic data and Table 2 contains the list of the atoms including atomic coordinates and displacement parameters
How to deal with a child who has been traumatised
No full textDuring the Covid-19 pandemic, many people lost family and friends.
Quite a number of children became orphans after losing one or both parents
Inducing shoppers’ impulsive buying tendency in live-streaming: integrating signaling theory with social exchange theory
No full textPurpose
The increasing popularity of live-streaming commerce has provided a new opportunity for e-retailers to boost sales. This study integrated signaling theory and social exchange theory to investigate how streamer- and product-centered signals influence customers’ likelihood of making an impulsive purchase in the live-streaming commerce context.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was designed and distributed to the target respondents in China using purposive sampling. A total of 735 valid responses were analyzed with partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings
Both streamer-centered signals, i.e. streamer credibility and streamer interaction quality, were discovered to significantly influence product-centered signal, i.e. product information quality. Additionally, streamer interaction quality was found to have a significant impact on streamer credibility. Furthermore, it was observed that customer engagement played a significant mediating role in the relationship between product information quality and impulsive buying tendency. Moreover, the paths between product information quality and customer engagement, as well as the connection between engagement and impulsive buying tendency, were found to be moderated by guanxi orientation.
Originality/value
Despite the prevalence of impulsive purchases in live-streaming commerce, few studies have empirically investigated the impact of streamer and product signals on influencing customers’ impulsive purchase decisions. Consequently, to the best of our knowledge, this study distinguishes itself by offering empirical insights into how streamers use reciprocating relationship mechanisms to communicate signals that facilitate impulsive purchase decisions