Browse publications by year: 2016

Fulltext Checklist of fishes at selected rivers around Bukit Merah Reservoir, Perak, Malaysia

Nurul Fazlinda Mohd Fadzil, Amir Shah Ruddin Md Sah, Mohd Shafiq Zakeyuddin, Zarul Hazrin Hashim, Mohd Syaiful Mohammad, Khalid Puteh

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016;27(11):79-85.
MyJurnal

A study was conducted at five selected rivers around Bukit Merah Reservoir,
Perak, Malaysia for eight weeks in order to determine the fish diversity and distribution. A
total of 28 species comprised of 9 families were identified. The study depicted that there
were significant changes to the fish composition when compared to previous study which
had captured 36 species due to different areas covered and different types of sampling
gear used between both studies.

MeSH terms: Animals; Fishes; Malaysia; Specimen Handling; Biodiversity; Rivers
Fulltext The abundance and spatial distribution of soft sediment communities in Tanjung Bungah, Malaysia: a preliminary study

Nur Aqilah Muhamad Darif, Nur Shakila Abdul Samad, Sazlina Salleh, Mahadi Mohammad, Noor Alia Ahmad Nordin, Aysha Mariam Mohamed Javeed, et al.

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016;27(11):71-77.
MyJurnal

Benthic faunal communities are important components in the intertidal zones.
The diversity and abundance of the benthic communities are subjected to different natural
and anthropogenic disturbances. The study was conducted as one off sampling on 6th
November 2013 (1) to investigate the abundance and distribution of soft sediment
communities in relation to environmental variables and (2) investigate the changes of
population structure and diversity using spatial scales of 1 m, 10 m, and 100 m. Results
indicated a total of 110 individuals of macrobenthos consisting of 7 different groups
(Annelida, Bivalvia, Crustacea, Gastropoda, Nematoda, Nemertea, Polychaeta) and 4
different groups of meiobenthos (Copepoda, Nematoda, Ostracoda, Polychaeta)
consisting 920 individuals were recorded. Dissolved oxygen played the most significant
role in affecting the distribution of soft sediment communities while ammonia
concentrations only affected marcobenthic organisms. However, sediment grain size did
not show significant correlation (p>0.05) on soft sediment communities. Hence,
understanding how different properties of benthos respond to changes in environmental
variables is crucial in determining how the impacts on the sediment are tolerated by the
benthic organisms.

MeSH terms: Ammonia; Animals; Annelida; Nematoda; Oxygen; Polychaeta; Copepoda; Gastropoda; Bivalvia
Fulltext Preliminary assessment on autecological studies of beardless barb, Cyclocheilichthys apogon (valenciennes, 1842) from Muda Reservoir of Kedah, Malaysia

Nor Aziella Mohd Rosli, Khaironizam Md Zain

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016;27(11):63-69.
MyJurnal

Like many other countries, reservoirs in Malaysia are primarily built for various
functions such as hydroelectric power generation, drinking water supply, flood mitigation
and irrigation for agricultural purposes. Artisanal fisheries activities were also performed in
these reservoirs. The freshwater fish are a requisite source of protein for the rural
population. Consequently, the fish resources in reservoirs should be carefully maintained
at sustainable level. Present study elucidates the preliminary assessment on autecological
studies of beardless barb, Cyclocheilichthys apogon as a model of fish biota in Muda
Reservoir. This research investigates the growth pattern of C. apogon using length-weight
relationship and their condition factor. A total of 307 specimens were captured using cast
net for six consecutive months from March 2014 until August 2014. The growth coefficient
(b) from the length-weight equation (W = aLb
) for male and female of C. apogon were
3.150 and 3.185, respectively, indicating positive allometric growth. The condition factor
values of male and female of C. apogon were 1.023 ± 0.111 and 1.026 ± 0.100,
respectively, suggesting that C. apogon is in good condition in Muda Reservoir. The
paucity of research on the autecological study in the Muda Reservoir contributes to the
main reason of performing this research. The findings will serve as baseline information of
this species in Muda Reservoir, as well as for comparative study in the future.

MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Fisheries; Fishes; Fresh Water; Malaysia; Male; Perciformes; Water Supply; Floods; Biota; Drinking Water
Fulltext The effects of salinity on the filtration rates of juvenile tropical oyster Cassostrea iredalei

Chang, Geraldine Olive Ju Lien, Lai, Ven Inn, Tan, Aileen Shau Hwai, Zulfigar Yasin

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016;27(11):45-51.
MyJurnal

A small scale laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of
salinity ranging from 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 ppt on the filtration rates of juvenile
oyster Crassostrea iredalei with 25 ppt as the control. Three juvenile oysters (shell weight:
1.04 ± 0.12 g; shell length: 1.9 ± 0.2 cm; shell height: 1.9 ± 0.1 cm) were used to test the
filtration rates in each salinity over the course of 8 hours. The hourly filtration rates were
determined from the exponential decrease in algal (Chaetoceros calcitrans) concentration
as a function of time. The oyster in 35 ppt salinity produced the highest overall filtration
rate (FR2) with 134.06 ± 15.66 mL–1 hr–1 oyster–1 and the lowest overall filtration rate (FR2)
occurred in oyster exposed to 15 ppt and 45 ppt with 31.30 ± 6.90 mL–1 hr–1 oyster–1 and
32.11 ± 7.68 mL–1 hr–1 oyster–1
respectively throughout the 8 hours. The result from this
study can be useful for optimum oyster culturing and the oysters can be employed as a
natural biofilter in marine polyculture farming.

MeSH terms: Agriculture; Animals; Seafood; Crassostrea; Salinity; Farms
Fulltext Coastal macroinvertebrate study in Penang Island, Malaysia

Chee, Su Yin, Sim, Yee Kwang

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016;27(11):39-44.
MyJurnal

Land reclamation in Penang began two decades ago and is still rampant with
large reclamation projects planned to be executed in the near future. The present study
provides the first information on effects of land reclamation in Penang towards the coastal
macroinvertebrates. This study assessed the abundance, diversity, and evenness of
coastal invertebrates assumed to be the foremost affected when land is reclaimed. Three
kinds of areas were focused on: reclaimed, unclaimed (adjacent to reclaimed), and
undisturbed. A total of 53 species of macroinvertebrates from 10 classes (Gastropoda,
Bivalvia, Polychaeta, Malacostraca, Maxillopoda, Echinoidea, Polyplacophora,
Branchiopoda, Scaphopoda, and Holothuroidea) were sampled. Reclaimed areas were
moderately rich in species averaging 11 species compared to 7 species in adjacent and
14 in undisturbed areas. Species richness was the highest in Teluk Aling (an undisturbed
area) with 22 species, and was the lowest in Gurney Drive (an adjacent area) with 2
species. The average species diversity and evenness on reclaimed land was the lowest
with values of 1.9974 and 0.5787, respectively. The diversity was higher by 5.07% in
adjacent areas and by 22.92% in undisturbed areas compared to reclaimed areas.
Species evenness was 29.75% higher in unreclaimed areas and 17.87% higher in
undisturbed areas compared to reclaimed areas. Land reclamation reduces species
diversity and evenness, and to a lesser extent, species richness.

MeSH terms: Animals; Polychaeta; Sea Cucumbers; Sea Urchins; Gastropoda; Bivalvia; Polyplacophora; Stretchers
Fulltext Zooplankton composition and abundance as indicators of eutrophication in two small man-made lakes

Azma Hanim Ismail, Anis Amalina Mohd Adnan

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016;27(11):31-38.
MyJurnal

The distribution and abundance of zooplankton species of Harapan and Aman
Lakes were investigated in relation to physical parameters and chlorophyll-a content. Both
lakes were characterised by the occurrence of algal bloom problem. The composition of
zooplankton was collected at monthly intervals from November 2013 to February 2014.
The total number of taxa in Harapan and Aman Lakes were 23 and 27, respectively.
Rotifera was the highest abundance group represent 64% of the total species recorded
followed by Copepoda (29%) and Cladocera (7%). Three dominant zooplankton that been
recorded in both the lakes are Brachionus forficula, Brachionus nilsoni, and Trichocerca
sp. High abundance of these species indicates that the lakes are eutrophic water bodies.
Overall, zooplankton species distribution and abundance in the study sites are influenced
by various environmental factors such as water transparency and chlorophyll-a content.

MeSH terms: Amantadine; Animals; Chlorophyll; Eutrophication; Rotifera; Water; Zooplankton; Copepoda; Cladocera; Lakes
Fulltext Effect of salinity on embryo and larval development of oyster Crassostrea iredalei

Ng, Amelia Phei Fang, Teh, Chiew Peng, Poi, Khoy Yen, Tan, Aileen Shau Hwai, Zulfigar Yasin

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016;27(11):23-29.
MyJurnal

The effects of salinity on the embryonic and larvae stage of Crassostrea iredalei
were investigated. Fertilised eggs and one day old D-larvae were subjected to salinities
ranging from 0 to 30 ppt at temperature of 30±2°C. At salinity lower than 10 ppt, 100%
mortality was observed. For embryo development, the highest survival was observed at
salinity 25 ppt with 80.9±2.2% survival with no significant difference compared to 15 and
30 ppt. Shell height and length were both greatest at salinity 30 ppt. Throughout the 11
days culture, the highest larval survival occurred at salinity 15 ppt with no significant
difference compared to all other salinities except 10 ppt. Larval shell sizes showed no
significant differences between salinities, except for 10 ppt. Optimum culture condition for
larvae growth are salinities ranging from 15 to 30 ppt whereby the larval of this species
can tolerate wider range of salinity compared to other oyster species and thus, making it a
competitive species to be cultured.

MeSH terms: Animals; Biological Phenomena; Larva; Temperature; Zygote; Seafood; Embryonic Development; Crassostrea; Salinity
Fulltext Early studies on protoplast isolation of Ludisia discolor, a wild orchid

Poobathy, Ranjetta, Rahmad Zakaria, Syed Mohd. Edzham Syed Hamzah, Subramaniam, Sreeramanan

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016;27(11):15-19.
MyJurnal

The terrestrial Ludisia discolor, also referred to as the jewel orchid is prized for
the quality of its leaves. L. discolor is known as a medicinal herb and is touted for its heatand
pathogen-resisting qualities. L. discolor is valuable in the production of both flavonoids
and anthocyanins, antioxidants that are exalted in the health industry. Plant cell cultures
have emerged as alternative sources of anthocyanin production. Plant protoplast cultures
are used frequently in transient gene expression studies and in the establishment of callus
and cell suspension cultures. Benefits of plant protoplast system include similarity to cells
found in plant tissues, reproduction under controlled conditions, and prevention of masking
of stress responses to previous handling techniques. A study was conducted to assess the
amenability of the stem and leaves of L. discolor to protoplast isolation. The stem and leaf
segments were weighed, sliced into thin layers, immersed in a digestion medium, washed
and then cultured onto a recovery medium. Results indicated that the production of plant
protoplasts from L. discolor may be viewed as an alternative in the generation of cell
cultures and ultimately in the production of anthocyanins from the cell cultures.

MeSH terms: Anthocyanins; Antioxidants; Cell Count; Flavonoids; Plants, Medicinal; Protoplasts; Plant Leaves; Plant Stems; Cell Culture Techniques; Plant Cells
Fulltext Environment and host affects arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) population

Norahizah Abd Rahim, Hasnah Md Jais, Hasnuri Mat Hassan

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016;27(11):9-13.
MyJurnal

The association of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) and roots undoubtedly
gives positive advantages to the host plant. However, heavily fertilised soil such as in oil
palm plantation, inhibit the growth of mycorrhiza. Thus, the aim of this research is to
distinguish and quantify the availability of AMF population and propagules at different sites
of an oil palm plantation by Most Probable Number (MPN) assay. In addition, root infection
method was employed to observe host compatibility through the propagation of AMF using
two different types of hosts, monocotyledon (Echinochloa cruss-galli) and dicotyledon
(Vigna radiata). Three different locations at an oil palm plantation were chosen for
sampling. Each location was represented by a distinctive soil series, and were further
divided into two sites, that is canopy and midway area. Midway site had a greater
population of AMF compared to canopy. The result showed that different environments
affect the availability of AMF in the soil. Higher number of AMF infection observed in
monocotyledon host suggests that the fibrous root system provide a better association
with mycorrhiza.

MeSH terms: Fertilizers; Plants; Soil; Plant Roots; Echinochloa; Mycorrhizae; Vigna
Fulltext The effect of macrocyclic lactones-ivermectin exposure on egg hatching and larval development of Caenorhabditis elegans

Mariani Mohd Zain, Zary Shariman Yahaya, Nik Ahmad Irwan Izzauddin Nik Him

Trop Life Sci Res, 2016;27(11):3-8.
MyJurnal

To date, the ivermectin resistance in nematode parasites has been reported
and many studies are carried out to determine the causes of this problem. A free-living
Caenorhabditis elegans is used as a model system for this study to investigate the
response of C. elegans to ivermectin exposure by using larval development assay. Worms
were exposed to ivermectin at concentration from 1 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL and dimethyl
sulphoxide (DMSO) as a control. The developments of the worms were monitored for 24,
48, 72, and 96 hours until the worms become adults. Results indicated that worms’ growth
began to be affected by ivermectin at a concentration of 5 ng/mL, while at the
concentration of 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 ng/mL, the growth of worms were inhibited compared to
control worms. Further study of the protein expression in C. elegans should be done to
investigate the up-regulated and down-regulated proteins involve in ivermectin resistance.

MeSH terms: Animals; Biological Phenomena; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Ivermectin; Parasites; Transcriptional Activation; Down-Regulation; Up-Regulation; Caenorhabditis elegans
Cervical cancer screening after 50: near extinction?

Abdullah NN, Daud S, Al-Kubaisy W, Saari IS, Saad SR

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 2016 Nov;206:136-140.
PMID: 27693934 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2016.09.011

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and predictors of Pap smear screening among women aged 50 years and older.
STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two large urban health centres in Selangor. A total of 515 women aged 50 and older were recruited.
RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 58.83±7.05, with a range of 50- 83 years. The prevalence of Pap smear screening was 39.22% (n=202). From the multivariate analysis, Pap smear screening was significantly associated with health care provider advice (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=18.75; 95% CI=8.30, 42.37); tertiary (AOR=11.26; 95% CI=1.50, 84.68) and secondary education level (AOR=9.47; 95% CI=1.43, 62.84); use of contraception (AOR=2.90; 95% CI=1.48, 5.69); heart disease (AOR=0.22; 95% CI=0.05, 0.97); and worry about Pap smear results (AOR=0.20; 95% CI=0.09, 0.42).
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Pap smear screening in the older women is unsatisfactory. Health care provider advice, education level, use of contraception, heart disease and worry about Pap smear results were predictors of undergoing Pap smear screening in this study population.
Study site: Two Klinik Kesihatan in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia

MeSH terms: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia; Mass Screening/statistics & numerical data; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care*; Vaginal Smears/statistics & numerical data*; Early Detection of Cancer/statistics & numerical data*; Papanicolaou Test/statistics & numerical data*
World review of the genus Strongylophthalmyia Heller (Diptera: Strongylophthalmyiidae). Part I: Introduction, morphology, species groups, and review of the Strongylophthalmyia punctata subgroup

Evenhuis NL

Zootaxa, 2016 Nov 10;4189(2):zootaxa.4189.2.1.
PMID: 27988730 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4189.2.1

The Strongylophthalmyia punctata subgroup, comprising 24 species with armored fore femora, and restricted primarily to SE Asia, is reviewed. Eighteen new species, S. albisternum, n. sp. (Thailand), S. borneensis, n. sp. (Borneo), S. caestus, n. sp. (Philippines), S. darlingi, n. sp. (Sumatra), S. federeri, n. sp. (Philippines), S. hauseri, n. sp. (Thailand, Vietnam), S. indochinensis, n. sp. (Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam), S. inundans, n. sp. (Philippines), S. laosensis, n. sp. (Laos), S. lowi, n. sp. (Peninsular Malaysia), S. malayensis, n. sp. (Peninsular Malaysia), S. nigripalpis, n. sp. (Peninsular Malaysia), S. oxybeles, n. sp. (Sumatra), S. pappi, n. sp. (Thailand), S. phillindablank, n. sp. (China), S. sichuanica, n. sp. (China), S. sumatrana, n. sp. (Sumatra), and S. thailandica, n. sp. (Thailand) are described and illustrated, S. microstyla Shatalkin and S. punctata Hennig are redescribed based on examination of the holotypes, and a key to species of the subgroup is presented. A general taxonomic overview of the genus Strongylophthalmyia is given with discussion of and keys to proposed species groups.

MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Structures/anatomy & histology; Animal Structures/growth & development; Asia; Diptera/anatomy & histology; Diptera/classification*; Diptera/growth & development; Female; Male; Organ Size; Ecosystem; Body Size; Animal Distribution
A new species of Polyplocia Lestage from Malaysia with comments on the genus (Ephemeroptera, Euthyplociidae, Euthyplociinae)

Gonçalves IC, Peters JG

Zootaxa, 2016 Nov 07;4184(3):zootaxa.4184.3.9.
PMID: 27988780 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4184.3.9

Polyplocia nebulosa sp. nov. is described based on male and female imagos from Malaysia, Sabah State. Nymphs provisionally assigned to this species are also described. This species can be readily separated from P. vitalisi by the color pattern of the wings, with light brown longitudinal veins, narrow dark brown clouds on cross veins and margins of wings tinged with brown. The male genitalia are distinct from those of other species of Polyplocia: penes are broad, T-shaped, with large lateral projecting lobes, which are apically rounded, and with a small dorsolateral spine on each lobe; the styliger plate is short and not projected posteriorly. Eggs of the genus are described for the first time using scanning electron microscopy. Eggs are 265-267 µm in length, 170-186 µm in width, barrel-shaped, without polar caps or other attachment structures, with one visible micropyle and with chorion forming an irregular mesh with raised ridges (mesh between 3.8-8 µm). A key to male adults of Polyplocia is provided and additional records of Polyplocia from Thailand are given.

MeSH terms: Animals; Color; Female; Malaysia; Male; Nymph; Ovum; Wings, Animal; Ephemeroptera/anatomy & histology; Ephemeroptera/classification*
Leptogomphus tioman sp. nov. (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidea) from Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia

Choong CY

Zootaxa, 2016 Sep 28;4171(2):382-388.
PMID: 27701232 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4171.2.11

A new species Leptogomphus tioman is described based on male specimens collected from Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia. It is close to Leptogomphus risi Laidlaw in thoracic markings but is readily distinguished by its anal appendages and accessory genitalia.

MeSH terms: Animals; Malaysia; Male; Animal Distribution; Odonata/anatomy & histology*; Odonata/classification*; Odonata/physiology
Revision of the genus Morphosphaera Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

Lee CF, Bezdĕk J

Zootaxa, 2016 Oct 28;4179(1):1-41.
PMID: 27811689 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4179.1.1

The genus Morphosphaera Baly, 1861 is revised. Eleven species are considered as valid, including, M. takizawai sp. nov. (Mt. Basor, 90 km N of Gua Musang, Malaysia, W. Kelantan), described from Malaysia and Indonesia. Color photos of habitus and drawings of diagnostic characters from eleven species are presented. The following synonymies are proposed: M. sodalis Chen, 1935 and M. brunnea Maulik, 1936 are junior synonyms of M. albipennis Allard, 1889; M. margaritacea Laboissière, 1930, M. viridipennis Laboissière, 1930, and M. prava Maulik, 1936 are junior synonyms of M. coomani Laboissière, 1930; M. gracilicornis Chen, 1963 is a junior synonym of M. maculicollis Baly, 1861; M. cavaleriei Laboissière, 1930, M. cincticollis Laboissière, 1930, M. marginata Laboissière, 1930, M. purpurea Laboissière, 1930, M. gingkoae Gressitt & Kimoto, 1963, and M. metallescens Gressitt & Kimoto, 1963 are junior synonyms of M. sumatrana Jacoby, 1886. The type material of M. impunctata Allard, 1890 from the Philippines was not found and its taxonomic status remains uncertain. Morphosphaera peregrina Weise, 1913 is transferred to the genus Borneola Mohamedsaid, 1998 nov. comb. A neotype is designated for Chrysomela japonica Hornstedt, 1788. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: Adorium chrysomeloides Bates, 1866, A. japonicum Baly, 1874, Morphosphaera albipennis Allard, 1889, M. bimaculata Chûjô, 1938, M. caerulea Jacoby, 1896, M. cavaleriei Laboissière, 1930, M. collaris Laboissière, 1930, M. formosa Laboissière, 1930, M. marginata Laboissière, 1930, M. montivaga Maulik, 1936, M. prava Maulik, 1936, M. purpurea Laboissière, 1930, M. sumatrana Jacoby, 1886, M. viridipennis Laboissière, 1930, and Galerucida simplex Weise, 1922.

MeSH terms: Animals; Beetles/anatomy & histology*; Beetles/classification*; Female; Indonesia; Malaysia; Male; Species Specificity
A new species of genus Nishada Moore, 1878 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) from India

Joshi R, Kirti JS, Singh N

Zootaxa, 2016 Oct 28;4179(1):128-132.
PMID: 27811698 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4179.1.10

Genus Nishada Moore (1878) was proposed as a monotypic genus, under subfamily Lithosiinae, family Lithosiidae (now Lithosiini), including only Nishada flabrifera Moore (1878) from Calcutta (now as Kolkata), India. The genus is distributed from China to India, Thailand, Malaysia and up to Australia. The Indian fauna of Nishada is reported from North-East Himalayas, West Bengal (Kolkata) and South India. Members of this genus are unmarked, yellow to brown with short and broad wings. Genus Nishada has been taxonomically dealt by many authors but awaits thorough revision.
HISTORY: Hampson (1900) included a total of ten species: Nishada niveola Hampson, 1900, Nishada syntomioides (Walker, 1862), Nishada impervia (Walker, 1865), Nishada marginalis (Felder 1875), Nishada tula Swinhoe, 1900, Nishada nodicornis (Walker 1862), Nishada rotundipennis (Walker 1862), Nishada flabrifera Moore, 1878, Nishada sambara (Moore 1859) and Nishada xantholoma (Snellen 1879). Swinhoe (1902) and Hampson (1911) then described two new species, Nishada melanistis and Nishada brunneipennis, respectively, followed by Rothschild (1912, 1913) who described a further seven new species, Nishada brunnea, Nishada flavens, Nishada testacea, Nishada griseoflava, Nishada fuscofascia, Nishada louisiadensis and Nishada aurantiaca, bringing the total to 19 species. Strand (1922) catalogued only 13 of these species in Nishada, transferring N. brunnea and N. fuscofascia to genus Scoliacma Meyrick (1886); N. testacea, N.griseoflava and N. louisiadensis Rothschild to Eilema Hübner (1819) and synonymising N. flavens with N. sambara. Next, Matsumura (1927) described N. formosibia, followed by two more species, N. aureocincta Debauche, 1938 and N. benjaminea Roepke, 1946. Holloway (2001) synonymised N. nodicornis with N. rotundipennis and added the description of a new subspecies, Nishada chilomorpha adunca Holloway, 2001 from Borneo, indicating a distributional range as far as North East India. The nominotypical subspecies, N. c. chilomorpha was suggested to be restricted to its type locality of Java. Bucsek (2012) added Nishada cameronensis, Dubatolov & Bucsek (2013) described Nishada schintlmeisteri and Bucsek (2016) described Nishada temenggora. So, at present, Nishada comprises19 species, of which three are known from India (Singh et al. 2014). Herein, we describe one further species, Nishada pseudochilomorpha Joshi & Singh sp. nov., from Jatinga (Assam, India). In addition, new distributional records are reported for N. flabrifera.

MeSH terms: Animals; Female; India; Male; Moths/anatomy & histology*; Moths/classification*; Species Specificity
Fulltext Green Tea Leaves Extract: Microencapsulation, Physicochemical and Storage Stability Study

Zokti JA, Sham Baharin B, Mohammed AS, Abas F

Molecules, 2016 Jul 26;21(8).
PMID: 27472310 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21080940

Green tea polyphenols have been reported to possess many biological properties. Despite the many potential benefits of green tea extracts, their sensitivity to high temperature, pH and oxygen is a major disadvantage hindering their effective utilization in the food industry. Green tea leaves from the Cameron Highlands Malaysia were extracted using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). To improve the stability, green tea extracts were encapsulated by spray-drying using different carrier materials including maltodextrin (MD), gum arabic (GA) and chitosan (CTS) and their combinations at different ratios. Encapsulation efficiency, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were determined and were found to be in the range of 71.41%-88.04%, 19.32-24.90 (g GAE/100 g), and 29.52%-38.05% respectively. Further analysis of moisture content, water activity, hygroscopicity, bulk density and mean particles size distribution of the microparticles were carried out and the results ranged from; 2.31%-5.11%, 0.28-0.36, 3.22%-4.71%, 0.22-0.28 g/cm³ and 40.43-225.64 µm respectively. The ability of the microparticles to swell in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) was determined as 142.00%-188.63% and 207.55%-231.77%, respectively. Release of catechin polyphenol from microparticles in SIF was higher comparable to that of SGF. Storage stability of encapsulated catechin extracts under different temperature conditions was remarkably improved compared to non-encapsulated extract powder. This study showed that total catechin, total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity did not decrease significantly (p ≥ 0.05) under 4 °C storage conditions. The half-life study results were in the range of 35-60, 34-65 and 231-288 weeks at storage temperatures of 40 °C, 25 °C and 4 °C respectively, therefore, for improved shelf-life stability we recommend that microparticles should be stored at temperatures below 25 °C.

MeSH terms: Antioxidants/pharmacology; Antioxidants/chemistry; Drug Compounding; Gum Arabic/chemistry; Particle Size; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Polysaccharides/chemistry; Tea/chemistry*; Temperature; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Chitosan/chemistry; Polyphenols/pharmacology*; Polyphenols/chemistry*
The systematic position of Hypsugo macrotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) and a new record from Peninsular Malaysia

Lim LS, Csorba G, Wong CM, Zubaid A, Rahman SP, Kumaran JV, et al.

Zootaxa, 2016 Sep 22;4170(1):169-177.
PMID: 27701281 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4170.1.10

The Southeast Asian species of Hypsugo are rare bats, except for H. cadornae and H. pulveratus, which are distributed throughout the Indomalayan region. Hypsugo macrotis is restricted to Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and adjacent islands, and is known only from a handful of specimens. Here we report a new locality record of the species from Seremban, Peninsular Malaysia, which also represents the first known building-dweller colony of any Hypsugo from the region. We discuss the taxonomic status of two morphologically similar species, H. macrotis and H. vordermanni, and provide the first COI and cyt b gene sequences for H. macrotis and reconstruct the species' phylogenetic relationships.

MeSH terms: Animals; Chiroptera/classification*; Chiroptera/genetics; Chiroptera/physiology*; Cytochrome b Group/genetics; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics; Female; Malaysia; Phylogeny; Animal Distribution*
Description of the final instar larva of Acrogomphus jubilaris Lieftinck, 1964 (Odonata, Gomphidae), with information on the distribution of Acrogomphus in Borneo

Butler SG, Steinhoff PO, Dow RA

Zootaxa, 2016 Nov 03;4184(2):367-375.
PMID: 27811645 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4184.2.8

The final instar larva of Acrogomphus jubilaris Lieftinck, 1964, is described and figured for the first time based on exuviae from four male and one female larvae collected in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The adults of A. jubilaris are very rarely encountered. The larvae, however, are surprisingly common in forest streams in Borneo. It is compared with A. malayanus Laidlaw, 1925 and A. walshae Lieftinck, 1935, and notes on behavior, distribution and habitat are included. A map including all known records of A. jubilaris is provided.

MeSH terms: Animals; Borneo; Female; Larva/anatomy & histology; Larva/classification; Male; Ecosystem; Animal Distribution; Odonata/anatomy & histology; Odonata/classification*; Odonata/growth & development
The effects of hydroxychloroquine on endothelial dysfunction

Rahman R, Murthi P, Singh H, Gurusinghe S, Mockler JC, Lim R, et al.

Pregnancy Hypertens, 2016 Oct;6(4):259-262.
PMID: 27939463 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2016.09.001

Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug which, due to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, is widely used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In a model of systemic lupus erythematosus hydroxychloroquine has been shown to exert protective endothelial effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether hydroxychloroquine was endothelial protective in an in vitro model of TNF-α and preeclamptic serum induced dysfunction. We showed that hydroxychloroquine significantly reduced the production of TNF-α and preeclamptic serum induced endothelin-1 (ET-1). Hydroxychloroquine also significantly mitigated TNF-α induced impairment of angiogenesis. These findings support the further assessment of hydroxychloroquine as an adjuvant therapy in preeclampsia.

MeSH terms: Antimalarials/pharmacology*; Female; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine/pharmacology*; Pre-Eclampsia/blood; Pregnancy; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/biosynthesis*; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology; Neovascularization, Physiologic/drug effects; Endothelin-1/biosynthesis*; Serum; Primary Cell Culture; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects*; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism

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