Production of Sars-Cov-2 Membrane Protein as Better Target Protein for Diagnostic Application

Intro: The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, an enveloped RNA of the coronavirus family. The advancement in molecular technology and biochemistry has accelerated the development of diagnostic reagents and assays. Much attention has been focused on the S protein, but the high mutation rate in this region could lead to false negative results. Thus, a better target protein for diagnostic application is needed for accurate detection. Method(s): Nucleotide sequences encoded for membrane (M) glycoprotein gene region of SARS-CoV-2 from Malaysian isolates were extracted from GISAID, aligned, and selected accordingly. The DNA plasmid was commercially synthesized with codon optimization for Escherichia coli (E. coli), and the presence of the M gene was confirmed by PCR. The plasmid was then transformed into E. coli. Later, the expression of M glycoprotein was induced, separated on an SDS-PAGE gel, and transferred onto a nitrocellulose membrane, followed by immunostaining. Finding(s): The analysis of the M glycoprotein against the Omicron strains demonstrated that the amino acid is conserved (99.5%). The M glycoprotein was successfully expressed and detected with antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients at ~26 kDa. The protein is currently upscale for the generation of monoclonal Ab (Mab). Discussion(s): The M protein of SARS-CoV-2 is more conserved among the virus and also has been reported to confer antigenic properties. Selection of M protein perhaps a better option compared to current detection assays that use spike (S) protein, which could lead to false negative results, as this gene region particularly the ribosome-binding domain (RBD) rapidly undergoes mutations. The utilization of M protein potentially improves negative predictive value (NPV) of the diagnostic test. Conclusion(s): Further development of diagnostic reagents is needed to improve the assay's specificity. The newly developed M protein and the MAb can be used to generate a more accurate viral detection assay.Copyright © 2023

Changes in the pattern of eating habit and physical activity during the pandemic of COVID-19 in Malaysia: data from COMET-G international multi-country study

Lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic had led to lifestyle changes among Malaysians. These changes were due to people being confined to work and study at home and stress due to the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Our study aimed to observe changes in the patterns of eating habits and physical activity during the pandemic of COVID-19 in Malaysia and look for the associations with sociodemographic factors, people living together, living conditions and mental health status. This study was an online cross-sectional survey among 963 participants who completed self-administrated questionnaires on socio-demography, Likert scales on eating habits and physical activity and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for mental health status. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations and independent t tests. Marital status has a significant association with the frequency and intensity of physical workouts during this pandemic and lockdown, changes in eating amount, and changes in body weight (p<0.001). Employment had a significant association with all components of eating habits and physical activities except the level of physical activity affected by the pandemic (p<0.001). Those with normal mental health status found exercise to be helpful in preventing anxiety, practicing healthy eating, and having more changes in body weight, compared to those who were depressed (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in how the vulnerable group practiced healthy eating compared to the non-vulnerable group (p<0.001). The vulnerable group had significant changes in eating amount and body weight (p<0.001). In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes in eating habits and body weight which were also influenced by sociodemographic factors and mental health status. © 2023, Mahidol University - ASEAN Institute for Health Development. All rights reserved.

Sociodemographic Factors of Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia: the COVID-19 Mental Health International Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of depression and the sociodemographic factors associated with depression in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic METHODS. This study is part of the COVID-19 Mental Health International Study to collect data on the impact of the pandemic on mental health through an online survey. People who were aged ≥18 years, able to read Malay or English, had access to the internet, and consented to participate were asked to complete a pro forma questionnaire to collect their sociodemographic data. The presence of distress and depression was assessed using the English or Malay version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. RESULTS: Of 963 participants, 451 (46.8%) had depression and 512 (53.2%) had no depression who were either normal (n = 169, 17.5%) or had distress (n = 343, 35.6%). Participants had higher odds of having depression when living with two people (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.896, p = 0.001), three people (AOR = 2.622, p < 0.001) or four people (AOR = 3.135, p < 0.001). Participants with three children had higher odds of having depression (AOR = 2.084, p = 0.008), whereas having only one child was a protective factor for depression (AOR = 0.481, p = 0.01). Participants had higher odds of having depression when self-employed (AOR = 3.825, p = 0.003), retired (AOR = 4.526, p = 0.001), being housekeeper (AOR = 7.478, p = 0.004), not working by choice (AOR = 5.511, p < 0.001), or unemployed (AOR = 3.883, p = 0.009). Participants had higher odds of depression when living in a small town (AOR = 3.193, p < 0.001) or rural area (AOR = 3.467, p < 0.001). Participants with no chronic medical illness had lower odds of having depression (AOR = 0.589, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: In Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic, people who are living with two, three, or four people, having three children, living in a small town or rural areas, and having unstable income have higher odds of having depression. Urgent intervention for those at risk of depression is recommended.

The fetomaternal outcome of Iraqi pregnant women with COVID-19 assessed by ultrasound examination: Cross sectional study

Background: Ladies who are pregnant and get infected cab be viewed as a unique population because they have altered immune reaction because of pregnancy in addition to being healthy young women. Preterm labor, spontaneous abortion and mortality among pregnant ladies have been reported to be higher during pregnancy when associated with concomitant SARS-Cov-1 infection in 2003. Despite a lot of publications about COVID-19, data about pregnancy outcome in association with SARS-Cov-2 are still not very well clear. Aim of the study: The planning and conduction of the current study was justified aiming at assessing the rate of obstetric adverse outcomes by ultrasound examination. Patients and Methods: The current cross sectional study was conducted at Maternity and Childhood Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq. The study started on December the 15th 2020 and ended at October the 3rd 2021. The study included 600 pregnant ladies with no previous chronic medical illness with an age range of 20 to 38 years. All participants had positive RT-PCR test results. Result(s): Regarding the first group, during first trimester, no complication was reported, during the second trimester, oligohydramnios was reported in 5 (2.8 %) and placental maturation was reported in 2 (1.1 %). During the third trimester, oligohydramnios was reported in 10 (5.6 %) and placental maturation was reported in 8 (4.4 %). Regarding the second group, during the second trimester, oligohydramnios was reported in 5 (2.0 %) and placental maturation was reported in 2 (0.8 %). During the third trimester, oligohydramnios was reported in 10 (4.0 %) and placental maturation was reported in 8 (3.2 %). Regarding the third group, oligohydramnios was reported in 10 (5.9 %) and placental maturation was reported in 8 (4.7 %). Conclusion(s): The effect of Covid 19 in pregnancy: no gross anomaly can be detected, and because elevated d-dimer level, it causes oligohydramnios in different degree & early calcified placenta, mild decrease in placental artery flow velocity, with normal pattern of flow & this more sever in 3rd trimester than 2nd trimester, with nearly no effect in 1st trimester . Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

Potential of Cyberpreneurship Adoption Towards COVID-19 Situational Poverty Eradication Among Single Mothers in Malaysia

Digitalization in Malaysia shapes the nature of entrepreneurial opportunities and the effectiveness of governmental policies, practices, and funding to improve those opportunities. The positive impact of the digital age, in terms of job creation and economic expansion, has prompted a set of cyber-development initiatives during the Coved-19 pandemic to alleviate poverty;first to boost the productivity potential of digital entrepreneurs, and second to forward progress towards Cyberpreneurship, especially during lockdown protocols, which is in line with promoted Working from Home (WFH) efforts. This study explores the potential factors of the initiatives needed for Covid-19 pandemic situational poverty eradication. Next, to analyses how these factors relate to a single mothers’ participation in Cyberpreneurship. This study highlights several entrepreneurial and policy ideas to decrease poverty among single-mother entrepreneurs. The study relies on in-depth qualitative research that includes a systematic literature review and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). A total of n = 12 interviews were conducted with seven single, micro-entrepreneurs, mothers, two Officers of The Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM) Department, and three local Community Welfare Officers. The findings of this research indicate that competency among single mothers has a significant influence on poverty alleviation. The correlation between the constructs has shown that most participant members actively contribute to the human, economic, cultural, and social capitals. This research is critical for understanding the circumstances that facilitate digital entrepreneurship which guides public policies to support single, low-income, women and suggests potential improvements to their socioeconomic conditions by using cyber technology as an entrepreneurship option, particularly during this ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

The barriers towards the adoption of e-wallet payment system

Many countries including Malaysia are aiming for cashless society, in which represent the transition of business transaction from cash to electronic-based transactions. Hence, the escalating trend of using electronic payment system can be observed especially during the COVID-19 crisis where consumers are transitioning to electronic commerce (e-commerce) as well as mobile commerce (m-commerce) business, however there are consumers who are not keen on e-wallet usage. Thus, this research aims to investigate the barriers towards the adoption of E-Wallet payment system. Based on Innovation Resistance Theory (IRT), the barriers refer to the factors of value barrier (VB), usage barrier (UB), risk barrier (RB) and perceived cost barrier (PCB). The results of the research were obtained from 248 respondents of fourth year students in the Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, University Malaysia Kelantan with the help of Krejcie and Morgan table sampling method and through the use of questionnaire. Besides, Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) method and Spearman’s correlation analysis were also used to analyze the data from the questionnaire. It was found that value barrier, usage barrier, risk barrier as well as perceived cost barrier have a significant relationship with the adoption of E-wallet payment system. As the results highlighted the barricades that cease an individual from using e-wallet despite of its benefits, the policy maker can ponder the result to accelerate the adoption of e-wallet to a more desirable level in the nation. © International Research Publication House