The large-scale synthesis of β-lactam antibiotics, particularly cephalosporins, relies heavily on the industrial production of recombinant cephalosporin acylase (CCA). This study aimed to identify the most suitable Escherichia coli host strain for CCA production. The selected strain was then used for optimizing medium components and culture conditions using an autoinduction medium in shaking flask fermentation. Initially, three E. coli strains were evaluated: BL21(DE3), BL21(DE3) RIPL, and B(DE3) Origami, to determine the most efficient host for recombinant CCA expression. Among the tested conditions, the autoinduction medium proved particularly effective, contributing to a significant improvement in enzyme yield and serving as the basis for subsequent optimization experiments. To identify the key factors influencing CCA production, a Plackett-Burman design was employed to screen medium components and fermentation parameters, with E. coli BL21(DE3) as the most optimal expression host. The significant variables were then optimized using a Central Composite Design, which resulted in a maximum enzyme activity of 53.3 U/mL under the following conditions: 0.78 g/L glucose monohydrate, 1.12 g/L glycerol, 6.21 mL/L trace elements, and an enzyme expression time of 19.48 h. The optimized conditions led to a 3.8-fold increase in CCA activity compared to unoptimized conditions. These findings provide valuable insights into efficient recombinant CCA production and have important implications for its industrial application in antibiotic synthesis.

Liver metastases are a common and clinically challenging type of tumor. Their poor prognosis has prompted researchers to seek new treatments. The immune microenvironment of liver metastases is complex and critical. It involves interactions among various immune cells, cytokines, and signaling pathways that influence tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment efficacy. In recent years, PD-1 inhibitors have emerged as a major breakthrough in immunotherapy, showing promise in treating liver metastases. However, accurately predicting patient responses to PD-1 inhibition remains a pressing challenge. Radiomics is a non-invasive tool that analyzes features from medical images to show how tumor biology affects treatment responses. This article reviews the features of the immune microenvironment in liver metastases, how PD-1 inhibitors work, and the advancements in radiomics for predicting treatment responses in liver metastases. It aims to offer useful insights for clinical practice and point out future research directions to further improve treatment outcomes and accurate treatment evaluations for patients with liver metastases.

This research presents a novel single-step hybrid block method with seven intra-step points that achieves ninth-order accuracy, providing an accurate and computationally efficient approach for solving first-order stiff differential equations. The method is designed to solve first-order stiff differential equations with high efficiency and precision while maintaining a constant step size throughout the computation. To further improve accuracy, Lagrange polynomial interpolation techniques are employed to approximate function values at selected points within each step. The fundamental properties of the proposed scheme are rigorously analysed to establish its mathematical validity. These analyses confirm that the method satisfies the essential conditions of consistency, stability, and convergence, thereby ensuring its reliability for applications. The proposed method performs effectively when applied to stiff and oscillatory differential equations. Comprehensive numerical experiments are conducted, and the results consistently demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed method across various test problems. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the method often outperforms several existing numerical techniques in terms of both accuracy and computational efficiency.

Inulin acts as a low-calorie dietary fiber and as a prebiotic that can stimulate the growth of probiotic bacteria in the intestines of humans. The development on the production of inulin continues to be carried out through research. This study aimed to determine the optimal acetone concentration and precipitation time for extracting high-purity inulin from Beneng taro (Xanthosoma undipes K. Koch) and to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of the extract. A factorial randomized block design was applied with three acetone concentrations (20%, 45%, and 70%) and three precipitation times (12, 18, and 24 h). The extraction yield, water content, whiteness degree, solubility, inulin content, and functional groups (FTIR) were analyzed. The results showed that acetone concentration and precipitation time significantly affected yield, water content, and solubility (p < 0.05), while their interaction significantly influenced inulin content. The highest average yield (10.30%) was obtained with 70% acetone, the lowest average water content (4.97%) with 70% acetone, and the highest average solubility (34.58%) with a 24 h precipitation time. The greatest inulin content (53.05%) resulted from the combination of 20% acetone with 12 h precipitation, showing 97.20% spectral similarity to commercial inulin. The optimal extraction condition was 20% acetone for 12 h, producing inulin with high purity, moderate yield (9.16%), and favorable physicochemical properties. These findings demonstrate Beneng taro’s potential as a local inulin source for functional food applications.

House crow (Corvus splendens) is a well-known invasive species that has successfully been introduced outside of its native range and colonised many countries. Their population boom has caused nuisance to humans, especially those living in big cities. This study aimed to determine the influence of physical and anthropogenic factors towards the crow abundance, focusing on their night roosts. Ten selected roosting sites were grouped into highly and less urbanized sites, and several physical-anthropogenic variables were inspected. Crow census was conducted between 1730 and 1930 h, approaching roosting time. PCoA indicates a relatively strong effect of the physical-anthropogenic measures towards the crow abundance, with high urban intensity harbours greater crow abundance. GLMM analysis shows physical factors such as canopy cover and food sources positively influenced the crow abundance, whereas anthropogenic factors (disturbance index: pedestrian, traffic, trash, parked vehicle) negatively influenced the crow abundance (p<0.05). This suggests that crows were highly influenced by their physical surroundings, yet more adaptable to human presence. Controlling physical factors is essential for reducing suitable sites for crows to roost and breed. This study elucidates strategic plans to be undertaken by authorities and even the public to keep the crow population under control, to ensure a healthier environment for humans and other urban dwellers.

Several chelating agents, including amine diacetic acid and amino acid diacetic acid, have been synthesized for the purpose of treating and controlling unwanted metal cations applications, specifically targeting divalent ions such as calcium (Ca2+) that contribute to scale formation in high temperature carbonate environments. To evaluate their effectiveness, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation was performed to assess electronic reactivity through quantum descriptors including EHOMO, ELUMO, energy gap (ΔE), electron affinity (A), ionization potential (I), electronegativity (χ), global hardness (η), and global softness (σ). A diacetic acid (ADA) exhibited the lowest HOMO-LUMO energy gap, indicating high molecular reactivity toward metal surfaces. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to determine the most stable adsorption configurations and quantify the adsorption energies of each chelating agent with Ca2+ ions. The ranking of adsorption affinity was found to be: GlnDA > ADA > PDA > BnDA > EDA > BDA, with GlnDA exhibited the highest adsorption energy, suggesting strong adsorption towards Ca ions. In reality, performance study conducted demonstrates that GlnDA exhibits a notable ability to dissolve Ca from carbonate rock under acidic conditions.

Abu sekam padi yang terhasil daripada sekam padi lazimnya mempunyai ketumpatan pukal yang rendah serta menimbulkan cabaran dari segi alam sekitar dan kesihatan manusia, khususnya disebabkan kesukaran untuk dilupuskan dengan selamat. Kandungan silika amorfus yang tinggi dalam abu ini menjadikannya bahan yang sangat sesuai untuk pelbagai kegunaan dalam bidang perindustrian seperti komposit polimer, pembuatan kaca, seramik dan cat serta dalam teknologi moden seperti sistem penghantaran ubat, penjerapan karbon dan penyimpanan tenaga. Dalam penyelidikan ini, bahan berstruktur mesopori yang dikenali sebagai Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41 (MCM-41) telah disintesis dengan menggunakan sekam padi sebagai sumber utama silika untuk pengaktifan peroksimonosulfat (PMS) bagi penyingkiran gatifloksasin (GAT). Seterusnya, pendopan Co dalam struktur MCM-41 dilaksanakan melalui gabungan kaedah impregnasi dan kalsinasi. Pemangkin yang dihasilkan (MCM, Co-MCM-1, Co-MCM-2 dan Co-MCM-4) telah dikaji cirinya menggunakan mikroskopi elektron pengimbasan-pancaran resolusi tinggi (FESEM), transformasi Fourier inframerah spektroskopi (FTIR), difraktometer sinar-X (XRD) dan gravimetri terma (TGA). Kajian mendapati Co-MCM-4 menunjukkan keberkesanan tertinggi dalam penyingkiran GAT dengan kadar 0.0059 min-1. Kecekapan penyingkiran ini meningkat pada keadaan optimum, iaitu pemuatan pemangkin sebanyak 0.25 g L-1 (0.0127 min-1), dos PMS sebanyak 0.90 g L-1 (0.0207 min-1), dan nilai pH 9 (0.0265 min-1). Selain itu, Co-MCM-4 turut menunjukkan keupayaan guna semula yang baik dengan kecekapan penyingkiran GAT melebihi 60% selepas empat kitaran. Ujian perencat radikal menunjukkan SO4 •− dan •OH berperanan secara langsung dalam proses penyingkiran GAT. Secara keseluruhannya, kajian ini membuktikan potensi tinggi Co-MCM-4 yang dihasilkan daripada bahan buangan untuk digunakan sebagai pemangkin dalam pengaktifan PMS dan penyingkiran antibiotik secara mampan.

Southeast Asia generates over 8 million tons of vegetable waste annually, yet the microbial isolations from these wastes are rarely associated with potent probiotics. This study aimed to screen lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from fermented and non-fermented vegetable wastes for probiotic potential. LAB were isolated using serial dilutions on MRS agar supplemented with 1% CaCO3, yielding 17 isolates. Two isolates, FCU21 and FBS34, demonstrated notable probiotic potential by exhibiting antibacterial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila (6.3 ± 0.08 mm and 6.2 ± 0.04 mm) and Streptococcus agalactiae (5.6 ± 0.04 mm and 10.4 ± 0.28 mm). Initial identification based on morphological, phenotypic and biochemical characteristics showed Gram-positive, catalase-negative, non-spore-forming cocci. Genotypic analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed both isolates as Enterococcus hirae, with 99% similarity for FCU21 (from fermented cucumber) and 100% for FBS34 (from fermented mung bean sprouts), designated as Enterococcus hirae UPM01 and UPM02, respectively. Whole-genome shotgun sequencing showed distinct genomic features, including variations in base pairs, contigs and coding sequences. These findings highlight the promising potential of Enterococcus hirae strains as probiotics for aquaculture, warranting further investigation into their probiotic properties and applications.

Lipase can be used for biodiesel production, specifically in transesterification reactions. Nut C (NC) is a fungal isolate derived from palm kernels and palm kernel waste, capable of producing lipase. The objective of this study was to obtain a mutant mould with higher transesterification activity compared to its wild type counterpart (NC). The mutation process on NC mould was carried out using ultraviolet (UV) radiation followed by ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). UV-induced mutation on NC produced four isolates, with m4.3NC1 exhibiting higher transesterification activity than the wild type, with an increment of 138.8% (from 0.121 U/mg to 0.168 U/mg). Subsequent EMS mutations of the mutant m4.3NC1 isolate, designated as m5.4NC, increased the transesterification activity from 0.168 U/mg to 2.048 U/mg (1119% increment as compared to the wild type). Molecular identification of the NC isolate showed 100% similarity with the Aspergillus fumigatus CMXY15837 strain. The highest specific enzyme activity of the NC mutant was observed at pH 6 and a temperature of 50 °C. This study showed that the mutation of NC mould using UV, followed by EMS, significantly enhanced its transesterification activity.

Kepesatan pembangunan dan peningkatan populasi penduduk di Lembangan Sungai Klang menuntut keperluan penerokaan sumber air alternatif yang lebih terjamin. Kajian ini menilai potensi air bawah tanah di kawasan batu kapur dan batu metasedimen di sekitar Surau Ad Dinniyah (Batu Caves), Kg. Malaysia Tambahan (Sungai Besi), Jariah Agro Farm (Shah Alam), Masjid Raja Al Fisabilillah (Cyberjaya) dan Universiti Malaya Perdana Siswa (Petaling Jaya) menggunakan gabungan kaedah keberintangan geoelektrik 2D, pengutuban teraruh (IP) dan korelasi data lubang gerudi. Beberapa garis survei merentasi Formasi Batu Kapur Kuala Lumpur dan Formasi Bukit Kenny direkodkan dengan nilai ralat RMS model songsangan antara 19.8% hingga 48.7%. Julat keberintangan yang diperoleh ialah 0.5–5000 Ωm, manakala kebolehcasan berjulat 0.5–200 ms. Zon potensi akuifer dikenal pasti pada julat keberintangan 0–200 Ωm dan kebolehcasan 0–50 ms. Hasil korelasi menunjukkan batuan metasedimen, khususnya batu pasir Formasi Bukit Kenny mempunyai potensi air bawah tanah yang lebih tinggi berbanding batu kapur, di mana lapisan batu pasir tepu air yang tebal dan berpori dengan lapisan lempung sebagai penakung membentuk sistem akuifer yang ideal. Sebaliknya, sistem akuifer batu kapur–marmar yang tinggi kerintangan hanya menunjukkan zon air setempat yang dikawal oleh rekahan dan rongga kars. Dapatan ini boleh dijadikan panduan awal dalam mengenal pasti zon prospek telaga dan menyokong pengurusan air bawah tanah secara mampan di Lembangan Sungai Klang.