IFSO (International Federation for Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders) Consensus Conference Statement on One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB-MGB): Results of a Modified Delphi Study

Background: One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB-MGB) is currently the third performed primary bariatric surgical procedure worldwide. However, the procedure is hampered by numerous controversies and there is considerable variability in surgical technique, patient selection, and pre- and postoperative care among the surgeons performing this procedure. This paper reports the results of a modified Delphi consensus study organized by the International Federation for Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). Methods: Fifty-two internationally recognized bariatric experts from 28 countries convened for voting on 90 consensus statements over two rounds to identify those on which consensus could be reached. Inter-voter agreement of ≥ 70% was considered consensus, with voting participation ≥ 80% considered a robust vote. Results: At least 70% consensus was achieved for 65 of the 90 questions (72.2% of the items), 61 during the first round of voting and an additional four in the second round. Where consensus was reached on a binary agree/disagree or yes/no item, there was agreement with the statement presented in 53 of 56 instances (94.6%). Where consensus was reached on a statement where options favorable versus unfavorable to OAGB-MGB were provided, including statements in which OAGB-MGB was compared to another procedure, the response option favorable to OAGB-MGB was selected in 13 of 23 instances (56.5%). Conclusion: Although there is general agreement that the OAGB-MGB is an effective and usually safe option for the management of patients with obesity or severe obesity, numerous areas of non-consensus remain in its use. Further empirical data are needed

Effects of Metal Ratio and Aging Time of Cr-Ti Mixed Oxides on Catalyst Characteristics and FAME Density

Abstract Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) or biodiesel is alternative source for diesel fuel due to its renewability and environmentally friendly nature. In this study, mixed oxides catalysts of Cr-Ti were synthesized by using sol-gel method and used in transesterification of cooking palm oil (CPO) in a batch process to produce FAME. The effects of metal ratio and aging time were studied. The metal ratio Cr:Ti of 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 0:1 and 1:0 and aging time between 1 day and 5 days contributed effects on the FAME density obtained from the reaction. The catalyst characteristics in term of surface area, pore size, pore volume and thermal stability were also affected by the various metal ratio and aging time during catalyst synthesis. The results show that Cr-Ti catalyst prepared at 2:1 metal ratio and 5 days aging time exhibit FAME density of 854 kg/m3, which is within the value range of biodiesel fuel property. The catalyst has surface area of 45.88 m2/g, pore size of 190.52 Â and pore volume of 0.1984 cm3/g sufficient to promote efficient heterogenous catalytic activity and has good thermal stability. Thus, Cr-Ti mixed oxides has potential as heterogeneous catalyst to produce FAME from the transesterification of CPO.</jats:p

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE (CI) PROTECTION FOR FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT AND FLOOD VULNERABILITY INDEX IN SUNGAI PINANG, PULAU PINANG

Infrastructure that is rated "critical" has a significant long-term impact on a large number of people when it fails.  This study's objective is to rank Sungai Pinang's Critical Infrastructure (CI) for flood risk assessment and vulnerability index. According to the literature research, there are seven (7) indicators that are linked to CI, including industrial areas, infrastructure and utilities, institutions and public facilities, commercial areas, transportation, residential areas, and open space and recreational areas. Experts from local governments and technical agencies in the state of Pulau Pinang that are concerned with and related to CI ranked the indicators during the focus group discussion. The most significant degree of CI was used to order these indicators. According to the results, residential areas received the maximum score of 165 points. With a total score of 160, institutions and public buildings are the second-ranked indicator. Infrastructure and utilities, which are ranked third, received 102 points, while transportation, which is ranked fourth, received 100 points. The fifth-ranked indication is commercial areas (65 marks). Open space and recreational areas are the indicator that came in sixth (64 marks). Industrial area ranks last among the indicators (58 marks).</jats:p

Effect of different extraction solvents on antioxidant properties of water lily (Nymphaeaceae antares) flower petal and stamen

Water lily (Nymphaeaceae antares) contains a vast array of phenolic compounds with important natural antioxidative properties that could inhibit the adverse effects of the reactive oxygen species produced in living things. These substances are complex in composition which requires a suitable extraction medium to exploit the phenolic compounds. This study was designed to determine the antioxidative properties in petal and stamen of water lily extracted using different extraction solvents namely ethyl acetate and 60% methanol. Antioxidant properties of the samples were determined using 2,2-diphenyl -1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total tannin content (TTC) along with individual flavonoids content using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The yield of extract was found to be the highest in petals extracted with 60% methanol (44.55±1.63%) while stamen extracted with ethyl acetate yielded the lowest (24.50±1.09%). In the DPPH inhibition method, petal extracted with ethyl acetate obtained the highest scavenging activity (89.15±3.62%). FTC analysis revealed that ethyl acetate extract of petal experienced the highest percentage inhibition (76.70±6.48%) while in TBA analysis ethyl acetate extract of stamen exhibited the highest percentage inhibition (70.78±1.39%). Flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, gallic acid, catechin, epigallocatechin, p-coumaric acid and myricetin were found to be present in ethyl acetate and 60% methanol extracts of water lilies stamen and petal. The information from this study indicates that water lily petals and stamens may be integrated as a good source of nutrients in the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry. If the advantages of water lily are not used and integrated into everyday life for health benefits, it will be a massive waste of natural resources.</jats:p

Effect of reaction conditions in the catalytic esterification of palm fatty acid distillate to produce fatty acid methyl ester

Abstract Biodiesel or fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) obtained via esterification process is an alternative for industrial and transportation fuel. In this study, chromium-titanium mixed oxides catalyst synthesized via sol-gel method was used to catalyse the esterification of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) to produce FAME. Esterification was conducted in a batch reactor. The effects of reaction temperature, methanol to PFAD molar ratio, reaction time and reusability of catalyst were studied. Reaction conditions yielding the best performance of 89% FAME content were reaction temperature of 160°C, methanol to PFAD molar ratio of 3:1 and reaction time of 3 h. The catalyst can be reused for 3 times with 20% performance reduction between the first run and the third run. The results revealed that the mixed oxides of Cr-Ti is a potential heterogeneous catalyst for use in the esterification of high acid value feedstock of PFAD.</jats:p