Browse publications by year: 2008

  1. The effect of different hormones and incubation periods on in vitro proliferation of pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) Merr cv. smooth cayenne) shoot-tip culture
    Hamad AM, Taha RM
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2008 Feb 01;11(3):386-91.
    PMID: 18817160
    Seven different hormone treatments, namely 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 2, 3 mg L(-1) was applied singly and in combination with Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) at 0.18, 0.8 and 1.8 mg L(-l), BAP at 3.3 mg L(-l) in combination with IAA at 1.8 and 3.3 mg L(-l) and triple combination of BAP at 2.3, IAA at 1.8 and Gibberellic acid (GA3) at 1.0 mg L(-1) were tested, over four different incubation periods of 30, 45, 60 and 75 days, for their effect in the proliferation and growth of Smooth cayenne pineapple shoot-tip culture. Combined application of BAP at 3.3 and IAA at 1.8 mg L(-1) induced the highest proliferation of 19 shoots/explant and the highest total of 121 and 125 shoots over 4 cycles of multiplication. Raising the IAA to 3.3 mg L(-1) resulted in the lowest proliferation and stunted shoots. Incorporation of GA3 improved the shoot length but caused drastic reduction in proliferation. The other treatments showed an intermediate effect.
    MeSH terms: Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology*; Plant Shoots/growth & development*; Ananas/growth & development*
  2. Nucleotide variability in the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase gene from Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn
    Chong JL, Wickneswari R, Ismail BS, Salmijah S
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2008 Feb 01;11(3):476-9.
    PMID: 18817177
    This study reports the results of the partial DNA sequence analysis of the 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene in glyphosate-resistant (R) and glyphosate-susceptible (S) biotypes of Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn from Peninsular Malaysia. Sequencing results revealed point mutation at nucleotide position 875 in the R biotypes of Bidor, Chaah and Temerloh. In the Chaah R population, substitution of cytosine (C) to adenine (A) resulted in the change of threonine (Thr106) to proline (Pro106) and from C to thymidine (T) in the Bidor R population, leading to serine (Ser106) from Pro106. As for the Temerloh R, C was substituted by T resulting in the change of Pro106 to Ser106. A new mutation previously undetected in the Temerloh R was revealed with C being substituted with A, resulting in the change of Pro106 to Thr106 indicating multiple founding events rather than to the spread of a single resistant allele. There was no point mutation recorded at nucleotide position 875 previously demonstrated to play a pivotal role in conferring glyphosate resistance to E. indica for the Lenggeng, Kuala Selangor, Melaka R populations. Thus, there may be another resistance mechanism yet undiscovered in the resistant Lenggeng, Kuala Selangor and Melaka populations.
    MeSH terms: Base Sequence; DNA Primers; Eleusine/enzymology*; 3-Phosphoshikimate 1-Carboxyvinyltransferase/genetics*
  3. Growth optimization and organogenesis of Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hook f. in vitro
    Hasbullah NA, Taha RM, Awal A
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2008 Jun 01;11(11):1449-54.
    PMID: 18817245
    Regeneration potentials in Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hook f. from tissues culture system was studied using leaf, petiole and root explants. In vitro regeneration, callus induction and root formation were optimized by manipulation of growth regulators during organogenesis. Various kinds of plant growth regulators such as 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), alpha-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), Indole-3-Butyric acid (IBA), N6-[2-Isopentenyl]adenine (2iP), Kinetin and Zeatin were used to initiate cultures. These plant growth regulators were added to Murashige and Skoog medium in different combinations and concentrations. Adventitious shoots were obtained from petiole explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L(-1) BAP and 0.5 mg L(-1) NAA. Effectiveness of shoot regeneration medium, type of growth regulator used and duration of induction period were investigated. Leaf explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L(-1) BAP and 2.0 mg L(-1) 2, 4-D showed the best results for callus induction. Root explants were found to be non-regenerative in all experiments conducted. Petiole segment was identified as the best explant for regeneration of this species. Regenerated plants were rooted on Murashige and Skoog basal medium. Plantlets were then transferred to field with 75% survival rate.
    MeSH terms: Culture Media; Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology; Asteraceae/growth & development*; In Vitro Techniques
  4. Fulltext What's on Malaysian television? A survey on food advertising targeting children
    Karupaiah T, Chinna K, Mee LH, Mei LS, Noor MI
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2008;17(3):483-91.
    PMID: 18818170
    The Malaysian government recently introduced a ban on fast food advertisements targeting children on television. This study reports on data covering 6 months of television food advertising targeting children. Six out of seven of the Nation's commercial television networks participated (response rate = 85.7%). Based on reported timings of children's programmes, prime time significantly differed ( p <0.05) between weekdays (mean = 1.89 +/- 0.18 hr) and weekends (mean = 4.61 +/- 0.33 hr). The increased trend during weekends, school vacation and Ramadhan was evident. Over the six-month period, the mean number of food advertisements appearing per month varied greatly between television stations (C = 1104; D = 643; F = 407; B = 327; A = 59; E = 47). Food advertising also increased the most in September (n = 3158), followed by July (n = 2770), August (n = 2431), October (n = 2291), November (n = 2245) and June (n = 2211). Content analysis of advertisements indicated snacks were the highest (34.5%), followed by dairy products (20.3%), sugars and candies (13.4%), biscuits (11.2%), fast food (6.7%), breakfast cereal (6.4%), beverages (4.1%), supplements (0.9%), rice (0.6%), noodles (0.5%), bread (0.3%), miscellaneous and processed foods (0.2%). Paradoxically, we found that the frequency of snack food advertised during children's prime time was 5 times more than fast foods. The sodium content (mean = 620 mg per 100g) of these snack foods was found to be highest.
    MeSH terms: Advertising as Topic/utilization*; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Food/classification; Food/statistics & numerical data*; Health Promotion; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Nutritive Value; Seasons; Television/statistics & numerical data*; Nutrition Policy; Food Industry/organization & administration*; Child Nutrition Sciences
  5. The 2nd International Conference on East-West Perspectives on Functional Foods: Science, Innovations and Claims
    Florentino RF
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2008;17(3):540-3.
    PMID: 18818176
    The 2nd International Conference on East-West Perspective on Functional Foods held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on November, 2007, discussed the current work on some traditional Asian foods and new technologies that offer both challenges and opportunities for functional foods. The highlight of the conference was on the current regulatory status of nutrition and health claims related to functional foods and the experiences in some countries on the substantiation of claims. Attention was also given to strategies for effective communication of functional foods to consumers. The conference concluded with recommendations to strengthen R and D efforts and harmonization of protocols and methodologies on functional foods within the region.
    MeSH terms: Food Labeling/legislation & jurisprudence*; Humans; Legislation, Food*; Evidence-Based Medicine; Food, Organic/standards*
  6. Fulltext Lipid lowering effect of antioxidant alpha-lipoic Acid in experimental atherosclerosis
    Amom Z, Zakaria Z, Mohamed J, Azlan A, Bahari H, Taufik Hidayat Baharuldin M, et al.
    J Clin Biochem Nutr, 2008 Sep;43(2):88-94.
    PMID: 18818758 DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.2008051
    Accumulating data demonstrated that hypercholesterolemia and oxidative stress play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. In the present study, a protective activity of alpha-lipoic acid; a metabolic antioxidant in hypercholesterolemic-induced animals was investigated. Eighteen adult male New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit were segregated into three groups labelled as group N, HCD and ALA (n = 6). Group N (normal control) was fed with normal chow, the rest (HCD and ALA) were fed with 100 g/head/day of 1% cholesterol rich diet to induce hypercholesterolemia. Four point two mg/body weight of alpha lipoic acid was concomintantly supplemented to the ALA group. Drinking water was given ad-libitum. The study was designed for 10 weeks. Blood sampling was taken from the ear lobe vein at the beginning, week 5 and week 10. Plasma was prepared for lipid profile estimation and microsomal lipid peroxidation index indicated with malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and the aorta were excised for intimal lesion analysis. The plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were found to be significantly low in ALA group compared to that of the HCD group (p<0.05). Similarly, low level of MDA (p<0.05) in ALA group was observed compared to that of the HCD group showing a significant reduction of lipid peroxidation activity. Histomorphometric intimal lesion analysis of the aorta showing less of atheromatous plaque formation in alpha lipoic acid supplemented group (p<0.05) compared to HCD group. These findings suggested that alpha lipoic acid posses a dual lipid lowering and anti-atherosclerotic properties indicated with low plasma TC and LDL levels and reduction of athero-lesion formation in hypercholesterolemic-induced rabbits.
  7. Variations in nutrient concentration and phytoplankton composition at the euphotic and aphotic layers in the Iranian coastal waters of the Southern Caspian Sea
    Saravi HN, Din ZB, Makhlough A
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2008 May 01;11(9):1179-93.
    PMID: 18819525
    Temporal variations and regional distributions of dissolved nutrients and their elemental ratios in the Iranian coastal waters of the Southern Caspian Sea were investigated. The data were collected in 1996-97 (Phase I, as a background data and undisturbed ecosystem) and in 2005 (Phase II, as a disturbed ecosystem) at sampling points (from 10 to 100 m depths). In addition to the two main sampling exercises, additional sample collections were carried out during the period of 1994 to 2004 as a long-term study. This study showed that the dissolved inorganic nitrogen/dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIN/DIP) ratios in the southern Caspian Sea vary within a very narrow range (4.47 to 5.78) within the euphotic and aphotic layers and is by one order of magnitude lower than what have been reported for several other marine ecosystems. Phytoplankton growth seems to be nitrogen limited while the levels of P and Si always remain high. Factor Analysis/Principal Component Analysis (FA/PCA) of the correlation matrix showed that the nitrogen compounds are associated with the main factor accounting for 25.7-26.2% of the total variance for both the sampling periods. During Phase I, the Chrysophyta were the major group, whereas during Phase II the proportion of Chrysophyta in the total community progressively decreased, while the other groups increased.
    MeSH terms: Food*; Iran; Oceans and Seas; Phytoplankton*; Seasons; Seawater*; Ecosystem
  8. Studies on plant regeneration and somaclonal variation in Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl. (African violet)
    Daud N, Taha RM, Hasbullah NA
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2008 May 01;11(9):1240-5.
    PMID: 18819532
    Efficient plant regeneration of Saintpaulia ionantha (African violet) has been obtained in the present study. MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L(-1) IAA and 2.0 mg L(-1) Zeatin resulted in 100% shoot regeneration and induced the highest number of shoots (average 15.0 +/- 0.8 shoots per explant) after being cultured for 8 weeks. The above hormone combination was optimum for shoot regeneration. Most of Saintpaulia ionantha plantlets derived from tissue culture system could be hardened and transferred to the greenhouse conditions with 84.0 +/- 1.6% success rate. However, regenerated plantlets of Saintpaulia ionantha (even after 12-months-old) failed to flower. Morphological characters of regenerated plantlets of Saintpaulia ionantha were observed and compared with in vivo (intact) plants. Regenerated plantlets showed some differences in morphological characters, such as height and leaf size, texture and colour, but the plantlets showed no variation in leaf arrangement and leaf margin. However, the morphological characters of the regenerated plantlets were found to be unstable.
    MeSH terms: Indoleacetic Acids/metabolism; Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism; Regeneration/physiology*; Angiosperms/anatomy & histology; Angiosperms/genetics*; Angiosperms/physiology*
  9. Growth enhancement of effective microorganisms for bioremediation of crude oil contaminated waters
    Mukred AM, Abd-Hamid A, Hamzah A, Yusoff WM
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2008 Jul 01;11(13):1708-12.
    PMID: 18819623
    The bioremediation of polluted groundwater, wastewater aeration pond and biopond sites was investigated using bacteria isolated from these sites located at the oil refinery Terengganu Malaysia. Out of 62 isolates, only 16 isolates from groundwater (8) and wastewater aeration pond (3) and biopond (5) were chosen based on growth medium containing 1% (v/v) Tapis crude oil. Only four isolates; Acinetobacter faecalis, Staphylococcus sp., Pseudomonas putida and Neisseria elongata showed percentage biodegradation of crude oil more than 50% after 5 days using Mineral Salts Medium (MSM). The effect of physical parameters (temperature, pH and agitation) on growth by all four strains showed a maximum growth in MSM medium with 1% Tapis crude oil at 37 degrees C with pH 7 and agitation of 130 rpm.
    MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Petroleum/metabolism*; Petroleum/microbiology*; Temperature; Water Microbiology; Water Pollution, Chemical/analysis*
  10. Controlled expression of cholera toxin B subunit from Vibrio cholerae in Escherichia coli
    Haryanti T, Mariana NS, Latifah SY, Yusoff K, Raha AR
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2008 Jul 01;11(13):1718-22.
    PMID: 18819625
    The ctxB gene, the causative agent of cholera epidemic was successfully cloned from V. cholerae in E. coli. The insertion of the gene was confirmed by PCR as well as restriction digestion analyses. The sequencing results for the gene confirmed that the insert was in the correct orientation and in-frame with the P(BAD) promoter and it showed that the gene was 99% homologous to the published ctxB sequence. The CTB protein was successfully expressed in E. coli using the pBAD/His vector system. The expected protein of approximately 14 kDa was detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The use of pBAD/His vector to express the cholera toxin gene in E. coli would facilitate future study of toxin gene products.
    MeSH terms: Cholera Toxin/genetics; Cholera Toxin/metabolism*; Escherichia coli/genetics; Escherichia coli/metabolism*; Genetic Vectors/genetics; Vibrio cholerae/genetics; Vibrio cholerae/metabolism*; Gene Expression*
  11. Nested PCR for the rapid detection of TB from pleural fluid at HUKM Malaysia
    Salleh SA, Hussin S, Rahman MM
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2008 Jul 01;11(13):1728-32.
    PMID: 18819627
    The aim of the present study is rapid detection of tuberculosis from pleural effusion of suspected patients. Molecular technique Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used for the purpose. A total of 67 pleural fluid collected at Hospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia during May 2005 to October 2006 were sent to Microbiology Laboratory enrolled in the study. Detection rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pleural effusion was 0% by acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining and 1.5% by culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected by PCR in 9% of the cases. PCR of pleural fluid had 19% sensitivity and 96% specificity, compared to AFB staining (0% sensitivity and 100% specificity) and culture (4% sensitivity and 100% specificity). PCR also has 67% Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and 72% Negative Predictive Value (NPV) in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Culture ofpleural fluid has 100% PPV and 71% NPV while AFB staining has 0% PPV and 31% NPV. This preliminary study showed that PCR is a rapid method for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pleural fluid but its sensitivity is not up the marked.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genetics*; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/isolation & purification*; Pleural Effusion/genetics*; Time Factors; Tuberculosis/diagnosis; Tuberculosis/microbiology*; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  12. Structural and thermal characterizations of silica nanoparticles grafted with pendant maleimide and epoxide groups
    Vejayakumaran P, Rahman IA, Sipaut CS, Ismail J, Chee CK
    J Colloid Interface Sci, 2008 Dec 1;328(1):81-91.
    PMID: 18822418 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2008.08.054
    Grafting of free maleimide and epoxide pendant groups onto the surface of approximately 7-nm silica nanoparticles was investigated. Glycidyloxypropyl groups (3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane) that carried epoxide groups and aminopropyl groups were grafted to the silica surface with the help of condensation reactions. Maleimide groups [1,1(')-(methylenedi-4,1-phenelene) bismaleimide] were introduced to the silica surface via nucleophilic addition reaction with the aminopropyl groups pre-grafted onto the surface. The grafted silica samples were characterized using CHN, FTIR, DSC, TGA-FTIR, and 13C and 29Si CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. NMR analyses revealed that all the functional groups were covalently bonded to the silica surface and most of the maleimide and epoxide rings remained intact on surface. DSC analysis showed that the epoxide groups were more reactive than the maleimide groups.
  13. Fulltext Preliminary isolation and in vitro antiyeast activity of active fraction from crude extract of Gracilaria changii
    Sasidharan S, Darah I, Noordin MK
    Indian J Pharmacol, 2008 Oct;40(5):227-9.
    PMID: 20040962 DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.44155
    OBJECTIVE: To isolate the active fraction from crude extract of Gracilaria changii and to determine its in vitro antifungal activity.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active fraction was isolated from the crude extract of G. changii by various purification procedures such as column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, bioauthograph etc. The in vitro antifungal activity (Candida albicans) of the active fraction (1.00, 0.50, and 0.25 mg/ml) was studied by disc diffusion method and the effect of the active fraction on the morphology of yeast was done by scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies.

    RESULTS: An active fraction with remarkable antifungal activity was separated from the crude extract. The active fraction was effective as a fungicide against C. albicans and showed a dose-dependent antifungal activity. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) study confirmed the fungicidal effect of G. changii active fraction on C. albicans, by changing the normal morphology of C. albicans.

    CONCLUSION: From G. changii crude extract, an active fraction with remarkable in vitro antifungal activity has been isolated.

  14. Fulltext Coexistence of CACNA1A, ATP1A2, and KCNN3 gene mutation in migraine patients with human platelet polymorphism
    Bhaskar S, Abdullah JM, Ghazali MM
    Neurosciences (Riyadh), 2008 Oct;13(4):356-8.
    PMID: 21063360
    OBJECTIVE: To look for any possible coexistence of CACNA1A, ATP1A2, and KCNN3 gene mutations in migraine patients who had human platelet HPA-1a/1b polymorphism, which is also known as PlA1/A2 polymorphism.
    METHODS: The study was carried out at the Neurology Clinic, Hospital University Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia between April 2004 and March 2005. The DNA from 4 patients who had migraine with the HPA1a/1b polymorphism were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using the allele specific oligonucleotide technique to detect the presence of CACNA1A, ATP1A2, and KCNN3 genotypes.
    RESULTS: We found that the CACNA1A gene mutation alone was present in only one patient who presented with classical migraine with aura. The gene mutations on ATP1A2 and KCNN3 were seen in none of our 4 cases with migraine.
    CONCLUSION: There is no coexistence between the platelet HPA-1a/1b polymorphism and the ATP1A2 and KCNN3 gene mutations, though one classical migraine patient with HPA-1a/1b polymorphism had the CACNA1A gene mutation. Larger studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
    Study site: Neurology Clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Blood Platelets; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia; Migraine Disorders*; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
  15. Fulltext Do we really need standards in digital image management?
    Ho E
    Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2008 Oct;4(4):e20.
    PMID: 21611012 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.4.1.e20
    Convention dictates that standards are a necessity rather than a luxury. Standards are supposed to improve the exchange of health and image data information resulting in improved quality and efficiency of patient care. True standardisation is some time away yet, as barriers exist with evolving equipment, storage formats and even the standards themselves. The explosive growth in the size and complexity of images such as those generated by multislice computed tomography have driven the need for digital image management, created problems of storage space and costs, and created a challenge for increasing or getting an adequate speed for transmitting, accessing and retrieving the image data. The search for a suitable and practical format for storing the data without loss of information and medico-legal implications has become a necessity and a matter of 'urgency'. Existing standards are either open or proprietary and must comply with local, regional or national laws. Currently there are the Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS); Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM); Health Level 7 (HL7) and Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE). Issues in digital image management can be categorised as operational, procedural, technical and administrative. Standards must stay focussed on the ultimate goal - that is, improved patient care worldwide.
    MeSH terms: Patient Care; Goals; Humans; Radiology Information Systems; Information Management; Health Level Seven; Quality Improvement; Multidetector Computed Tomography
  16. Fulltext Air in the kidney: between emphysematous pyelitis and pyelonephritis
    Kua Ch, Abdul Aziz Y
    Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2008 Oct;4(4):e24.
    PMID: 21611013 DOI: 10.2349/biij.4.4.e24
    Presence of air in the kidney can be problematic as the location of the air in different parts of the kidney greatly affects the subsequent management and outcome of the patient. We present here a case of a patient who had emphysematous pyelitis, in which CT scan was able to display presence of air only in the collecting system, thus differentiating this condition from the more fulminant emphysematous pyelonephritis. This leads to a more favourable prognosis and outcome to the patient.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Kidney; Prognosis; Pyelitis; Pyelonephritis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  17. Fulltext Digital image management in a globalised world: opportunities and challenges
    Abdullah B
    Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2008 Oct;4(4):e26.
    PMID: 21611014 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.4.4.e26
  18. Fulltext Digital versus screen film mammography: a clinical comparison
    Faridah Y
    Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2008 Oct;4(4):e31.
    PMID: 21611016 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.4.4.e31
  19. Fulltext Change is just more of the same
    Abdullah B, Ng Kh
    Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2008 Oct;4(4):e36.
    PMID: 21611018 DOI: 10.2349/biij.4.4.e36
  20. Fulltext College of Radiology, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia position on whole body screening CT scans in healthy asymptomatic individuals (2008)
    Ho E, Abdullah B, Tang A, Nordin A, Nair A, Lim G, et al.
    Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2008 Oct;4(4):e44.
    PMID: 21611021 DOI: 10.2349/biij.4.4.e44
    To date, the College of Radiology (CoR) does not see any clear benefit in performing whole body screening computed tomography (CT) examinations in healthy asymptomatic individuals. There are radiation risk issues in CT and principles of screening should be adhered to. There may be a role for targeted cardiac screening CT that derives calcium score, especially for asymptomatic medium-risk individuals and CT colonography when used as part of a strategic programme for colorectal cancer screening in those 50 years and older. However, population based screening CT examinations may become appropriate when evidence emerges regarding a clear benefit for the patient outweighing the associated radiation risks.
    MeSH terms: Calcium; Humans; Physical Examination; Radiography; Radiology; Colorectal Neoplasms; Colonography, Computed Tomographic; Whole Body Imaging; Early Detection of Cancer
External Links