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AbstractIn Ethiopia, investigation of fiber quality and commercialization is limited to conventional cotton and there is no fiber property analysis for Organic and genetically modified cotton. The objective of this study is to characterize organic and genetically modified cotton and compare them to conventional cotton varieties. Conventional varieties with chemically treated and untreated seed cotton; organic and genetically modified cotton samples were collected using random sampling methods from different regions of Ethiopia. Cotton fiber qualities are tested on High-Volume Instruments based on the ASTM standard. The tested data is experimentally designed and analyzed using SPSS software version 22. The model is significant for the effect of fiber quality parameters on the similar and different cotton varieties p

The surface roughness of fabric is one of the fabric properties that is used to evaluate the sensorial comfort of clothes. However, its objective evaluation requires sophisticated and expensive testing instruments and skilled testing expertise. Developing a predictive model is therefore an alternative approach to overcome such limitations. This study investigated a regression model to predict the surface roughness of 3/1 twill fabric using weft yarn count and weft thread density. Nine samples were produced by varying the weft yarn count and weft thread density at three different levels, while their surface roughness was determined using a Kawabata instrument (KES-FB4) under standard testing conditions. A two-factor predictive model equation was developed using design expert software. Based on the results and findings, the effects of count and density on the roughness of 3/1 twill fabric were found to be statistically significant for the developed model at a confidence interval of 95%. The model was tested by correlating the measured and predicted surface roughness values of 100% cotton 3/1 twill fabric. The results of the model test indicate a significant correlation (R2 = 0.9644) between the measured and predicted surface roughness values of 3/1 twill fabric, with a 95% confidence interval. Model validation was performed, and the study showed that the measured and predicted values of the surface roughness of 3/1 twill fabric have a 0.828 coefficient of determination (R2). This indicates that the surface roughness of 3/1 twill fabric can be predicted well by weft yarn count and weft thread density. This model can be thus used in textile industries and by research institutes for predicting the surface roughness of 3/1 twill fabrics in the new product development process.

Skin wound management is a very difficult undertaking in the medical field. There is no information available concerning the wound beneath the bandages. Electrospun nanofibrous wound dressings stand out for their resemblance to extracellular matrix (ECM), increased surface-to-volume ratio, porousness, and capacity to encapsulate or load medications, among other distinctive qualities. Traditional antibacterial loaded electrospun nanofibrous wound dressings do not indicate the state of the wound and constantly release antibacterial chemicals even when there are no bacteria in the wound area. As a result, dressings that can track the condition of the wound and dispense medications as needed are crucial. Self-responsive wound dressings can release medications based on bacterial, oxygen spectra, pH, or infection responsiveness, reducing the need for antibacterial agents. Self-responsive mats, which are wound dressings that can release medications based on response to bacteria, oxygen species, and pH or infections, are required to reduce the overuse of antibacterial agents. Self-responsive electrospun nanofibrous mats can be used to monitor the condition of a wound by altering its color in response to an infection or a change in the pH of the wound. Electrospun nanofibrous wound dressings that are stimulus-responsive (self-responsive) are discussed in this review paper. Self-responsive electrospun nanofibrous wound dressings that are triggered by pH, temperature, light, bacteria, and oxygen species are discussed in detail after self-responsive smart materials or polymers used for electrospun nanofibrous wound dressings are covered in the first section of the review.

Nowadays, modeling is used for evaluating and controlling the weft crimp percentage before and after manufacturing plain woven fabrics. Also, modeling assists in estimating and evaluating crimp percentage without complex and time-consuming experimental procedures. The purpose of this study is to develop a linear regression model that can be employed for the prediction and evaluation of the weft crimp percentage of plain woven fabric. For this study, nine plain woven fabrics of 100% cotton were produced with three different wefts thread densities and weft yarn linear densities. From the findings, the effects of weft count and weft density on the weft crimp percentage of the fabrics were found to be statistically significant with a confidence interval of 95%. The weft crimp percentage showed a positive correlation with weft count and weft density. The weft count and weft density have multicollinearity in the model because the variance inflation factors (VIFs) values are greater than one, which are 1.70 & 1.20, respectively. The model was tested by correlating measured crimp percentage values obtained with a crimp tester instrument to the crimp percentage values calculated by a developed linear model equation. The result disclosed that the model was strongly correlated, with a confidence interval of 95% (R² of 0.9518). Furthermore, the significance value of the t-test is not significant for both the measured weft crimp percentage values and the calculated weft crimp percentage values, which means that they do not differ significantly. Crimp percentage is impacted by fiber, yarn, fabric structural parameters and machine setting parameters. This makes the crimp percentage difficult to control and study, but this developed model can be easily used by manufacturers or researchers for controlling and studying purposes. Thus, the model can be used to produce a fabric with a pre-controlled weft crimp percentage. It can also be used to evaluate and predict the weft crimp percentage before and after fabric production.

The use of hydrogel in tissue engineering is not entirely new. In the last six decades, researchers have used hydrogel to develop artificial organs and tissue for the diagnosis of real-life problems and research purposes. Trial and error dominated the first forty years of tissue generation. Nowadays, biomaterials research is constantly progressing in the direction of new materials with expanded capabilities to better meet the current needs. Knowing the biological phenomenon at the interaction among materials and the human body has promoted the development of smart bio-inert and bio-active polymeric materials or devices as a result of vigorous and consistent research. Hydrogels can be tailored to contain properties such as softness, porosity, adequate strength, biodegradability, and a suitable surface for adhesion; they are ideal for use as a scaffold to provide support for cellular attachment and control tissue shapes. Perhaps electrical conductivity in hydrogel polymers promotes the interaction of electrical signals among artificial neurons and simulates the physiological microenvironment of electro-active tissues. This paper presents a review of the current state-of-the-art related to the complete process of conductive hydrogel manufacturing for tissue engineering from cellulosic materials. The essential properties required by hydrogel for electro-active-tissue regeneration are explored after a short overview of hydrogel classification and manufacturing methods. To prepare hydrogel from cellulose, the base material, cellulose, is first synthesized from plant fibers or generated from bacteria, fungi, or animals. The natural chemistry of cellulose and its derivatives in the fabrication of hydrogels is briefly discussed. Thereafter, the current scenario and latest developments of cellulose-based conductive hydrogels for tissue engineering are reviewed with an illustration from the literature. Finally, the pro and cons of conductive hydrogels for tissue engineering are indicated.

Over the past decade, considerable progress has been made in the control, elimination, and eradication of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Despite these advances, most NTD programs have recently experienced important setbacks; for example, NTD interventions were some of the most frequently and severely impacted by service disruptions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Mathematical modeling can help inform selection of interventions to meet the targets set out in the NTD road map 2021-2030, and such studies should prioritize questions that are relevant for decision-makers, especially those designing, implementing, and evaluating national and subnational programs. In September 2022, the World Health Organization hosted a stakeholder meeting to identify such priority modeling questions across a range of NTDs and to consider how modeling could inform local decision making. Here, we summarize the outputs of the meeting, highlight common themes in the questions being asked, and discuss how quantitative modeling can support programmatic decisions that may accelerate progress towards the 2030 targets.

Govindarajan Karthivashan,1 Mas Jaffri Masarudin,2 Aminu Umar Kura,1 Faridah Abas,3,4 Sharida Fakurazi1,5 1Laboratory of Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, Institute of Bioscience, 2Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, 3Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, 4Laboratory of Natural Products, Institute of Bioscience, 5Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia Abstract: This study involves adaptation of bulk or sequential technique to load multiple flavonoids in a single phytosome, which can be termed as “flavonosome”. Three widely established and therapeutically valuable flavonoids, such as quercetin (Q), kaempferol (K), and apigenin (A), were quantified in the ethyl acetate fraction of Moringa oleifera leaves extract and were commercially obtained and incorporated in a single flavonosome (QKA–phosphatidylcholine) through four different methods of synthesis – bulk (M1) and serialized (M2) co-sonication and bulk (M3) and sequential (M4) co-loading. The study also established an optimal formulation method based on screening the synthesized flavonosomes with respect to their size, charge, polydispersity index, morphology, drug–carrier interaction, antioxidant potential through in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl kinetics, and cytotoxicity evaluation against human hepatoma cell line (HepaRG). Furthermore, entrapment and loading efficiency of flavonoids in the optimal flavonosome have been identified. Among the four synthesis methods, sequential loading technique has been optimized as the best method for the synthesis of QKA–phosphatidylcholine flavonosome, which revealed an average diameter of 375.93±33.61 nm, with a zeta potential of -39.07±3.55 mV, and the entrapment efficiency was >98% for all the flavonoids, whereas the drug-loading capacity of Q, K, and A was 31.63%±0.17%, 34.51%±2.07%, and 31.79%±0.01%, respectively. The in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl kinetics of the flavonoids indirectly depicts the release kinetic behavior of the flavonoids from the carrier. The QKA-loaded flavonosome had no indication of toxicity toward human hepatoma cell line as shown by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide result, wherein even at the higher concentration of 200 µg/mL, the flavonosomes exert >85% of cell viability. These results suggest that sequential loading technique may be a promising nanodrug delivery system for loading multiflavonoids in a single entity with sustained activity as an antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and hepatosupplement candidate. Keywords: quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, phytosome, antioxidant, HepaRG cell line

Lamin Saidykhan,1 Md Zuki Bin Abu Bakar,2 Yaya Rukayadi,1,3 Aminu Umar Kura,4 Saiful Yazan Latifah5 1Microbiology Unit, Laboratory of Natural Products, Institute of Bioscience, 2Laboratory of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, 4Vaccine and Immunotherapeutics Laboratory Unit, Institute of Bioscience, 5Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Abstract: A local antibiotic delivery system (LADS) with biodegradable drug vehicles is recognized as the most effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of osteomyelitis. However, the design of a biodegradable LADS with high therapeutic efficacy is too costly and demanding. In this research, a low-cost, facile method was used to design vancomycin-loaded aragonite nanoparticles (VANPs) with the aim of understanding its potency in developing a nanoantibiotic bone implant for the treatment of osteomyelitis. The aragonite nanoparticles (ANPs) were synthesized from cockle shells by a hydrothermal approach using a zwitterionic surfactant. VANPs were prepared using antibiotic ratios of several nanoparticles, and the formulation (1:4) with the highest drug-loading efficiency (54.05%) was used for physicochemical, in vitro drug release, and biological evaluation. Physiochemical characterization of VANP was performed by using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and Zetasizer. No significant differences were observed between VANP and ANP in terms of size and morphology as both samples were cubic shaped with sizes of approximately 35 nm. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of VANP indicated a weak noncovalent interaction between ANP and vancomycin, while the zeta potential values were slightly increased from -19.4±3.3 to -21.2±5.7 mV after vancomycin loading. VANP displayed 120 hours (5 days) release profile of vancomycin that exhibited high antibacterial effect against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213. The cell proliferation assay showed 80% cell viability of human fetal osteoblast cell line 1.19 treated with the highest concentration of VANP (250 µg/mL), indicating good biocompatibility of VANP. In summary, VANP is a potential formulation for the development of an LADS against osteomyelitis with optimal antibacterial efficacy, good bone resorbability, and biocompatibility. Keywords: cockle shell-derived nanoparticles, nanoantibiotics, in vitro drug release, antibacterial activity, biocompatibility

Video-call therapy has been a burgeoning area of research and practice in recent years. While many therapists were already adding online modes of therapy delivery to their toolkits, the COVID19 pandemic prompted their necessary and rapid uptake, whatever the therapist's pre-pandemic preferences. The present study explored counselling psychologists' experience of adapting to and using online video-call platforms to deliver therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand. Eight registered counselling psychologists in Aotearoa New Zealand were interviewed. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: (i) pre-pandemic hesitancies towards video-call therapy, (ii) managing the rapid transition to video-call therapy, (iii) integrating the learnings from the transition to video-call therapy and (iv) contextual factors. Pre-pandemic hesitancies included concerns that video-call therapy hinders the therapeutic relationship and misses subtleties. The transition process highlighted considerations around transparency and flexibility, in addition to practical considerations and peer support. Post-transition learnings included a more nuanced understanding of the shift from sharing physical space with clients to practicing from home; the mixed blessing of technology; the balancing versus merging of work- and home-life; and the impact on client progress. The fourth theme of broader contextual factors included the counselling psychology perspective, lockdown parameters, and cultural factors. Findings from this study are consistent with the literature on therapists' experiences of video-call therapy in general and add a unique counselling psychology perspective from the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. Findings also highlight considerations for therapists who are transitioning to video-call therapy, whether by choice or necessity. Key words: Online therapy, Teletherapy, Videocall therapy, Transition, Covid-19 pandemic, Counselling psychologists, INTRODUCTION The utilisation and development of technology-delivered psychological interventions have flourished in recent years (Kraus, Stricker, & Speyer, 2010; Richards & Vigano, 2013). One aspect of technology-delivered interventions is online [...]

Dena Dorniani,1 Mohd Zobir bin Hussein,1 Aminu Umar Kura,2 Sharida Fakurazi,2 Abdul Halim Shaari,3 Zalinah Ahmad4 1Materials Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Technology, 2Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics Laboratory, 3Physics Department, Faculty of Science, 4Chemical Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia Background: Iron oxide nanoparticles are of considerable interest because of their use in magnetic recording tape, ferrofluid, magnetic resonance imaging, drug delivery, and treatment of cancer. The specific morphology of nanoparticles confers an ability to load, carry, and release different types of drugs. Methods and results: We synthesized superparamagnetic nanoparticles containing pure iron oxide with a cubic inverse spinal structure. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed that these Fe3O4 nanoparticles could be successfully coated with active drug, and thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analyses showed that the thermal stability of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with chitosan and 6-mercaptopurine (FCMP) was markedly enhanced. The synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles and the FCMP nanocomposite were generally spherical, with an average diameter of 9 nm and 19 nm, respectively. The release of 6-mercaptopurine from the FCMP nanocomposite was found to be sustained and governed by pseudo-second order kinetics. In order to improve drug loading and release behavior, we prepared a novel nanocomposite (FCMP-D), ie, Fe3O4 nanoparticles containing the same amounts of chitosan and 6-mercaptopurine but using a different solvent for the drug. The results for FCMP-D did not demonstrate “burst release” and the maximum percentage release of 6-mercaptopurine from the FCMP-D nanocomposite reached about 97.7% and 55.4% within approximately 2,500 and 6,300 minutes when exposed to pH 4.8 and pH 7.4 solutions, respectively. By MTT assay, the FCMP nanocomposite was shown not to be toxic to a normal mouse fibroblast cell line. Conclusion: Iron oxide coated with chitosan containing 6-mercaptopurine prepared using a coprecipitation method has the potential to be used as a controlled-release formulation. These nanoparticles may serve as an alternative drug delivery system for the treatment of cancer, with the added advantage of sparing healthy surrounding cells and tissue. Keywords: superparamagnetic nanoparticles, 6-mercaptopurine, controlled release, cytotoxicity, drug delivery

Aminu Umar Kura,1 Samer Hasan Hussein Al Ali,2 Mohd Zobir Hussein,3 Sharida Fakurazi,1,4 Palanisamy Arulselvan11Laboratory of Vaccine and Immunotherapeutics, Institute of Bioscience, 2Laboratory of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioscience, 3Materials Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Technology, 4Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Pharmacology Unit, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, MalaysiaAbstract: A new layered organic–inorganic nanocomposite material with an anti-parkinsonian active compound, L-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) alanine (levodopa), intercalated into the inorganic interlayers of a Zn/Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH) was synthesized using a direct coprecipitation method. The resulting nanocomposite was composed of the organic moiety, levodopa, sandwiched between Zn/Al-LDH inorganic interlayers. The basal spacing of the resulting nanocomposite was 10.9 Å. The estimated loading of levodopa in the nanocomposite was approximately 16% (w/w). A Fourier transform infrared study showed that the absorption bands of the nanocomposite were characteristic of both levodopa and Zn/Al-LDH, which further confirmed intercalation, and that the intercalated organic moiety in the nanocomposite was more thermally stable than free levodopa. The resulting nanocomposite showed sustained-release properties, so can be used in a controlled-release formulation. Cytotoxicity analysis using an MTT assay also showed increased cell viability of 3T3 cells exposed to the newly synthesized nanocomposite compared with those exposed to pure levodopa after 72 hours of exposure.Keywords: levodopa, layered double hydroxides, coprecipitation, sustained release

Dena Dorniani,1 Mohd Zobir Bin Hussein,1,2 Aminu Umar Kura,3 Sharida Fakurazi,3 Abdul Halim Shaari,4 Zalinah Ahmad51Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, 2Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Technology, 3Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics Laboratory, 4Physics Department, Faculty of Science, 5Chemical Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, MalaysiaBackground and methods: Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared using a sonochemical method under atmospheric conditions at a Fe2+ to Fe3+ molar ratio of 1:2. The iron oxide nanoparticles were subsequently coated with chitosan and gallic acid to produce a core-shell structure.Results: X-ray diffraction demonstrated that the magnetic nanoparticles were pure Fe3O4 with a cubic inverse spinel structure. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were of spherical shape with a mean diameter of 11 nm, compared with 13 nm for the iron oxide-chitosan-gallic acid (FCG) nanocarriers.Conclusion: The magnetic nanocarrier enhanced the thermal stability of the drug, gallic acid. Release of the active drug from the FCG nanocarrier was found to occur in a controlled manner. The gallic acid and FCG nanoparticles were not toxic in a normal human fibroblast (3T3) line, and anticancer activity was higher in HT29 than MCF7 cell lines.Keywords: magnetic nanoparticles, chitosan, superparamagnetic, controlled-release, gallic acid, drug delivery

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury is a common post-operative complication, mostly due to increasing oxidative stress. Recently, molecular hydrogen ([H.sub.2] gas) has also been applied to cardiac surgery due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress. We evaluated the potential effect of [H.sub.2] application on the kidney in an in vivo model of simulated heart transplantation. Pigs underwent cardiac surgery within 3h while connected to extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and subsequent 60 min of spontaneous reperfusion of the heart. We used two experimental groups: T--pigs after transplantation and TH--pigs after transplantation treated with 4% H2 mixed with air during inhalation of anesthesia and throughout oxygenation of blood in ECC. The levels of creatinine, urea and phosphorus were measured in plasma. Renal tissue samples were analyzed by Western blot method for protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and superoxide dismutase (SOD1). After cardiac surgery, selected plasma biomarkers were elevated. However, H2 therapy was followed by the normalization of all these parameters. Our results suggest activation of Nrf2/Keap1 pathway as well as increased SOD1 protein expression in the group treated with [H.sub.2]. The administration of [H.sub.2] had a protective effect on the kidneys of pigs after cardiac surgery, especially in terms of normalization of plasma biomarkers to control levels. Key words: molecular hydrogen, kidney injury, cardiac surgery, oxidative stress, Introduction Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a condition characterized by a sudden decreasing of kidney function what is indicated by a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). It is a long-recognized [...]