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Holistic approach needed to tackle teacher absenteeism
No full textThis letter is written in response to the recent court
ruling against an absentee teacher and other authorities in
Sabah.
This incident serves as an indicator of systemic gaps in our
education system and it is incumbent upon us to address this
issue earnestly to protect the constitutional right to education for every student
Managing elderly care
No full textMalaysia recently became an ageing nation because of a significant demographic transformation.
The Finance Ministry's Economic Outlook 2023 Report reveals that enhanced healthcare and living standards have led to increased life expectancy, pushing the country beyond the ageing ratio threshold
HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS phytochemical investigation, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities of Moroccan Rosa canina L. extracts
No full textThe aim of this study was to determine the phenolic composition and evaluate the biological properties of Rosa canina L. fruits. Three extraction methods (ultrasonic, maceration, and Soxhlet) were used to prepare the methanolic extracts. LC-MS analysis detected new phenolic compounds including phenolic acids (cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid), flavonols (quercetin glucoside, quercetin-glucuronide, quercetin-pentoside, kaempferol-glucoside), and hydrolyzable tannins (digalloylglucose, pyrogallol-2-O-glucuronide). According to Folin-Ciocalteu test, the TPC values were 138.47, 141.10, and 140.49 mg GAE/g extract for ultrasonic, maceration, and Soxhlet method, respectively. This phenolic richness was confirmed by the antioxidant power tests and FRAP assay. The ultrasonic extract presented IC50 of 30.12 μg/mL for the DPPH test, the Soxhlet extract had a concentration of 264.33 μmol TE/g extract for the ABTS test, and the maceration extract showed a level of 87.26 mg AAE/g extract, according to the FRAP assay. The anti-diabetic activity was determined by an α-amylase inhibition test. Based on this test, R. canina fruits revealed a significant antidiabetic activity (65.28%) for the ultrasonic extract at a concentration of 250 μg/mL. In conclusion, the hips of R. canina could be a natural source of potentially useful bioactive compounds for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and oxidative stress
Is Proteolytic Cleavage Essential for the Enhanced Activity of Hydra Pore-Forming Toxin, HALT-4?
No full textHydra actinoporin-like toxin 4 (HALT-4) differs from other actinoporins due to its N-terminal propart that contains approximately 103 additional residues. Within this region, we identified five dibasic residues and assumed that, when cleaved, they could potentially exhibit HALT-4's cytolytic activity. We created five truncated versions of HALT-4 (tKK1, tKK2, tRK3, tKK4 and tKK5) to investigate the role of the N-terminal region and potential cleavage sites on the cytolytic activity of HALT-4. However, our results demonstrated that the propart-containing HALT-4 (proHALT-4), as well as the truncated versions tKK1 and tKK2, exhibited similar cytolytic activity against HeLa cells. In contrast, tRK3, tKK4 and tKK5 failed to kill HeLa cells, indicating that cleavage at the KK1 or KK2 sites did not enhance cytolytic activity but may instead facilitate the sorting of tKK1 and tKK2 to the regulated secretory pathway for eventual deposition in nematocysts. Moreover, RK3, KK4 and KK5 were unlikely to serve as proteolytic cleavage sites, as the amino acids between KK2 and RK3 are also crucial for pore formation
The anti-melanogenic properties of Swietenia macrophylla king
No full textFair flawless skin is the goal for some cultures and the development of irregular skin pigmentation is considered an indication of premature skin aging. Hence, there is a rising demand for skin whitening cosmetics. Thus, this research will be focusing on discovering the anti-pigmentation properties of Swietenia macrophylla seeds. Firstly, the seeds were extracted with ethanol and further fractionate based on their polarity before testing them on zebrafish embryos. The ethanolic extract of the seed demonstrated significant inhibition of both tyrosinase activity and melanin production in the embryos. However, after fractionation, the anti-melanogenic ability was observed to have decreased, signifying that the phytocompounds may be synergistic in nature. Still in the proteomic studies the ethanolic extract and its hexane fraction both induced the downregulation of cathepsin LB and cytoskeletal proteins that have connections to the melanogenic pathway, confirming that S. macrophylla seeds do indeed have anti-pigmentation properties that can be exploited for cosmetic use. Next, limonoids (tetranortriterpenoids found in the seed) were tested for their inhibitory effect against human tyrosinase related protein 1 (TYRP-1) via molecular docking. It was found that limonoids have a stronger binding affinity to TYRP-1 than kojic acid, suggesting that these phytocompounds may have the potential in inhibiting pigmentation. However, this still needs further confirmation before these phytocompounds can be developed into a skin whitening agent. Other assays like ex-vivo or 3D human skin culture can also be used to better study the seeds anti-pigmentation effect on humans
Nutritional and Health Benefits of the Brown Seaweed Himanthalia elongata
No full textHimanthalia elongata is a brown seaweed containing several nutritional compounds and bioactive substances including antioxidants, dietary fibre, vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids, and macro- and trace- elements. A variety of bioactive compounds including phlorotannins, flavonoids, dietary fucoxanthin, hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, polyphenols and carotenoids are also present in this seaweed. Multiple comparative studies were carried out between different seaweed species, wherein H. elongata was determined to exhibit high antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, fucose content and potassium concentrations compared to other species. H. elongata extracts have also shown promising anti-hyperglycaemic and neuroprotective activities. H. elongata is being studied for its potential industrial food applications. In new meat product formulations, it lowered sodium content, improved phytochemical and fiber content in beef patties, improved properties of meat gel/emulsion systems, firmer and tougher with improved water and fat binding properties. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the nutritional composition, bioactive properties, and food applications of H. elongata
Baicalein as Promising Anticancer Agent: A Comprehensive Analysis on Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives
No full textDespite significant therapeutic advancements for cancer, an atrocious global burden (for example, health and economic) and radio- and chemo-resistance limit their effectiveness and result in unfavorable health consequences. Natural compounds are generally considered safer than synthetic drugs, and their use in cancer treatment alone, or in combination with conventional therapies, is increasingly becoming accepted. Interesting outcomes from pre-clinical trials using Baicalein in combination with conventional medicines have been reported, and some of them have also undergone clinical trials in later stages. As a result, we investigated the prospects of Baicalein, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the stems of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Oroxylum indicum Kurz, which targets a wide range of molecular changes that are involved in cancer development. In other words, this review is primarily driven by the findings from studies of Baicalein therapy in several cancer cell populations based on promising pre-clinical research. The modifications of numerous signal transduction mechanisms and transcriptional agents have been highlighted as the major players for Baicalein's anti-malignant properties at the micro level. These include AKT serine/threonine protein kinase B (AKT) as well as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, matrix metalloproteinases-2 & 9 (MMP-2 & 9), Wnt/-catenin, Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), NF-κB, Caspase-3/8/9, Smad4, Notch 1/Hes, Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap 1), Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Src/Id1, ROS signaling, miR 183/ezrin, and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling cascades. The promise of Baicalein as an anti-inflammatory to anti-apoptotic/anti-angiogenic/anti-metastatic medicinal element for treating various malignancies and its capability to inhibit malignant stem cells, evidence of synergistic effects, and design of nanomedicine-based drugs are altogether well supported by the data presented in this review study
Chitosan coated magnetic cellulose nanowhisker as a drug delivery system for potential colorectal cancer treatment
No full textPolysaccharide-based magnetic nanocomposites can eminently illuminate several attractive features as anticancer drug carriers. In this study, rice straw-based cellulose nanowhisker (CNW) was used as solid support for Fe3O4 nanofillers to synthesize magnetic CNW. Then, cross-linked chitosan-coated magnetic CNW for 5-fluorouracil carrier abbreviated as CH/MCNW/5FU. Fourier-transform infrared, X-Ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated successful fabrication and multifunctional properties of the CH/MCNW/5FU nanocomposites. In addition, CH/MCNW/5FU nanocomposites showed hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential value of 181.31 ± 3.46 nm and +23 ± 1.8 mV, respectively. Based on images of transmission electron microscopy, magnetic CNW as reinforcement was coated with chitosan to obtain almost spherical CH/MCNW/5FU nanocomposites with an average diameter of 37.16 ± 3.08. The nanocomposites indicated desired saturation magnetization and thermal stability, high drug encapsulation efficiency, and pH-dependent swelling and drug release performance. CH/MCNW/5FU nanocomposites showed potent killing effects against colorectal cancer cells in both 2D monolayer and 3D spheroid models. These findings suggest CH/MCNW as a potential carrier for anticancer drugs with high tumour-penetrating capacity
Searching for Natural Plants with Antimelanogenesis and Antityrosinase Properties for Cosmeceutical or Nutricosmetics Applications: A Systematic Review
No full textExcessive UV radiation (UVR) exposure has been shown in studies to be a major risk factor for most melanomas, causing premature skin aging as well as immune system suppression due to the increased production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the melanogenesis process. Although several compounds with antioxidant and antityrosinase activities are widely used in the cosmetic industry, like kojic acid, hydroquinone, ascorbic acid, and arbutin, their use has been limited due to their adverse effects on the skin and cytotoxic issues. Recently, attempts have been made to develop new natural skin-lightening products by using plant extracts that are less toxic and exhibit numerous biological properties with great market demand. In this study, information on the depigmentation effects of various natural plant species was gathered from the SCOPUS database according to the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 414 records were retrieved, and finally, 76 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis by fulfilling all the inclusion criteria. In this review, we discuss the extraction methods and biological assays of 75 highly potential plant species, including the olive, yuzu, longan, and lotus. We concluded that the use of natural plants as skin-whitening agents is highly effective as there is a significant correlation between the content of polyphenolic compounds, antimelanogenesis, antityrosinase, and antioxidant activities. However, it is worth noting that the use of extraction methods or types of solvents is very important in determining the biological activities of plants
Fixing the leaky pipeline: gender imbalance in gastroenterology in Asia-Pacific region
No full textGender disparities in medicine are a burning issue,1 and arguably, such disparities are most glaring in the field of gastroenterology (GI). Historically, a male-dominated field, this can be attributed to several factors such as longer training, less flexible work schedules, and physically demanding responsibilities, which could hamper work–life balance, especially for females.2 The current ratio of female to male medical students is approximately 4:1, which is often referred to as the “feminization of Medicine.”3-5 However, this has yet to be reflected in GI where despite an upward trend in recent years, there is still a significant gender gap in the field, with only 34% of GI residents6 and 19% of practicing gastroenterologists being women in the United States.7 According to data from the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, only 7% of qualified supervisors and 12% of fellows were females.8 This disparity is even more apparent in the subspecialty of interventional endoscopy.