Rodents are ubiquitous zoonotic vectors for many human pathogens including
Blastocystis sp. In this study, we examined the prevalence and subtypes of Blastocystis sp. in
rodents captured from Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 293 rodents predominantly brown rat
(Rattus norvegicus) (290 of 293, 99.0%) and house shrew (Suncus murinus) (3 of 293, 1.0 %),
were captured in the vicinity of popular eateries in two cities (Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh) in
Peninsular Malaysia. In vitro cultivation method showed presence of Blastocystis sp. in
approximately half (133 of 290, 45.9%) of the brown rats tested. Among the 47 Blastocystis
isolates subtyped using partial small subunit ribosomal RNA gene analysis, ST4 was the most
abundant (43 of 47, 91.5%) followed by ST1 (2 of 47, 4.3%), ST5 (1 of 47, 2.1%) and ST7 (1 of
47, 2.1%). Our findings highlighted the importance of rodents as a source of Blastocystis sp.
infection in Malaysia and showed the high prevalence of ST4 within the rodent population
infected with Blastocystis sp.
Human adenovirus (HAdV) is one of the common pathogens that are responsible
for a wide variety of infectious diseases. There are about 54 different adenovirus serotypes
that are responsible for respiratory infections in humans. The prevalence of lower respiratory
tract infection (LRTI) - associated with HAdV varies throughout different regions. The
prevalence of HAdV in Malaysia is rarely investigated and reported despite severity of infection
worldwide. This study was undertaken to identify the HAdV types associated with lower
respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in Hospital Sungai Buloh, Malaysia between April 2013 until
January 2014, a total of 210 specimens were collected from patients hospitalized with LRTI.
Human adenovirus was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The positive products
were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis of the virus was performed. Eighteen of 210
specimens (8.57%) were positive with HAdV infection. Based on the phylogenetic analysis
study, HAdV-7 strains were the most common serotype with 11 cases, followed by HAdV-1,
HAdV-2 and HAdV-4 with 2 cases each and one case of HAdV-5. The HAdV strains in this study
were closely related to strains in Singapore and India. In this study, HAdV infection from LRTI
patients in Hospital Sungai Buloh Malaysia were caused by different types of adenovirus
mainly HAdV-7. This study will become a reference for further epidemiological study in this
country.
While information with regards to the bacterial and viral infections are commonly
available among clinicians, data on parasitic infection, particularly Microsporidia among
immunocompromised patient is currently lacking in Malaysia. This study was conducted to
determine the prevalence of Microsporidia among a various group of immunocompromised
patient. Two hundred and eighty-eight archived stool samples were examined for the presence
of Microsporidia with Gram-Chromotrope Kinyoun staining method. The overall prevalence
of Microsporidia was 29.2 % (84/288; 95% CI=24.2-34.5). The end-stage renal failure (ESRF)
patients (32.1%) recorded the highest infection rate, followed by cancer (26.2%), human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) (22.6%) and acute gastroenteritis (AGE) (7.1%). Meanwhile,
organ transplant recipients and autoimmune disease patients recorded the lowest prevalence
rate (6.0%). Other intestinal parasites were Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura,
Ascaris lumbricoides and Cryptosporidium species. Diarrhoea was the most common
symptoms among patients with microsporidiosis. The present study showed that the prevalence
of Microsporidia infection was relatively high among immunocompromised patients. This
finding highlighted the importance to include detection of microsporidia infection as a routine
differential diagnosis in immunocompromised patients, which serves the benefit of treatment
to the patients.
Accurate and timely diagnosis is critical for dengue patient management due
to no specific treatment is available for the disease. The use of rapid diagnostic tests
(RDTs) could assist in disease screening because of their simplicity and inexpensiveness
but nonetheless, the performance of these tests needs to be carefully evaluated. Here,
we report the performance of RVR Dengue Combo NS1-IgG/IgM Rapid Test for detection
of dengue NS1 antigen and dengue-specific IgM using 98 samples that were screened
initially using Panbio Dengue IgM Capture ELISA and Panbio Dengue Early Rapid Test.
The positive percent agreement (PPA) between RVR Dengue Combo NS1-IgG/IgM Rapid
Test and the reference comparator tests was 77.8% and negative percent agreement
(NPA) was 95.7% for NS1 (κ=0.748, P
Blastocystis sp. is ubiquitous in avian, mammalian and human hosts and propagates
in either neutral or slightly alkaline conditions within the host’s gastro-intestinal tract. Of the
few previous studies on this enteric protozoan parasite in feline and canine hosts, prevalence
values have been shown to range between 0 to 70.8%. In view of the close association
between humans, and canine and feline hosts as companion animals, faecal samples of 180
Felis catus and 82 Canis lupus, collected from Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were
initially screened by in vitro cultivation followed by molecular characterization. No positive
isolates were identified in culture but in 12 feline samples DNA barcoding detected a zoonotic
subtype Blastocystis ST1 for the first time. Consequently, avian and human isolates, which
had previously been successfully cultured, were used to investigate the impact of pH on the
viability and morphology of Blastocystis sp. The use of Trypan blue showed that the number
of viable cells increased when exposed to pH 4 and a significant increase in viability occurred
in pH values of 5 to 7. Development of Blastocystis cells in both isolates was suppressed in
media less than pH 5 followed by the disappearance of viable cells from avian isolates in
more acidic media below pH 4. Morphologically at pH 4 cells from avian isolates were less
rounded, and with wrinkled / shrunken surfaces, than the more normal rounded cells from
human isolates. On the other hand, at values below pH 3, no viable cells in human isolates
were visible. The present findings therefore confirm that gastro-intestinal pH is an important
determinant of Blastocystis viability and consequently influences the epidemiology of infection
within avian, mammalian and human hosts.
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic and zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii.
The disease has worldwide distribution and all people maybe under the risk of getting infected
by the parasite. The overall aim of this research was to detect the prevalence rate of antiToxoplasma
gondii IgM and IgG among diabetic patients in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Blood
samples were collected from diabetic patients. Toxo IgM and IgG combo rapid test cassette
were used to screen the samples, and the results were confirmed by using Enzyme-Linked
Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to detect anti-IgM and anti- IgG antibodies on the plasma of 90
diabetic patients who attended the mobile clinic or AL Noor hospital in Makkah area. The
subject was asked to complete a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire data and
serological results were analyzed by using SPSS 20. Chi-square was used to compare different
variables. Out of 90 samples, 39 (43.3%) were positive to anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG wherein
33 (36.6%) of them were male and 6 (6.7%) were female. The age ranged between 13–85
years with the mean of 49.9 years. The study found that there were statistical differences
between the age groups with higher prevalence in the 50-65 years age group. Detection of
IgM against T. gondii gave negative results. The results of the study indicate that latent T.
gondii in diabetic patient are relatively high especially among the 50-65 age group. There
were significant associated between direct contact with a cat and infection by T. gondii
(p
MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Cats; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Immunosorbents; Male; Mobile Health Units; Parasites; Surveys and Questionnaires; Saudi Arabia; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis; Zoonoses; Prevalence; Felis
The purpose of this paper is to prepare a conceptual framework of hybrid lean and ergonomics for assembly manufacturing process based. The research used PDCA approach as a basis in linking the relationship between lean manufacturing and ergonomics. Comprehensive literature review identify the lean ergonomics issues, best practices, and also the way to improve the ergonomic conditions in the workplace, especially those impacting employees on the assembly process. The findings show that the job design strategies for reducing extreme injuries influence by repetitive tasks. Selections of lean tools and technique, human factors analysis and lean performance measure are the key point on the stages of the PDCA conceptual framework for lean ergonomics in working assembly process. This paper also demonstrates by continuous improvement applied between the elimination of waste and increased productivity and the impacts on the ergonomic conditions to carry out operations and consequently by improving the productivity and well-being of its employees based on implementation of PDCA conceptual frameworks.
Manufacturing systems, in pursuit of cost, time and flexibility optimisation are becoming more and more complex, exhibiting a dynamic and nonlinear behaviour. Unpredictability is a distinct characteristic of such behaviour and effects production planning significantly. Complexity continues to be a challenge in manufacturing systems, resulting in ever-inflating costs, operational issues and increased lead times to product realisation. This challenge must be met with appropriate decision-making by manufacturing companies to secure competitive advantage without compromising sustainability. Assessing complexity realises the reduction and management of complexity sources which contribute to lowering associated engineering costs and time, improves productivity and increases profitability. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the priority level and current achievement of manufacturing performance in Malaysia’s manufacturing industry and the complexity drivers on manufacturing productivity performance. The results showed that Malaysia’s manufacturing industry prioritised product quality and they managed achieved a good on-time delivery performance. However, for other manufacturing performance, there was a difference where the current achievement of manufacturing performances in Malaysia’s manufacturing industry is slightly lower than the priority given to them. The strong correlation of significant value for priority status was observed between efficient production levelling (finished goods) and finish product management while the strong correlation of significant value for current achievement was minimised the number of workstation and factory transportation system. This indicates that complexity drivers have an impact towards manufacturing performance. Consequently, it is necessary to identify complexity drivers to achieve well manufacturing performance.
his paper presents the structure and static model of engine camshaft analysis. For the purposes of this analysis, the finite element method is used. Camshaft is one of the critical components for effective and precise work of internal combustion engines. This camshaft rotates at high speed causing pressure and vibration in the system. Camshafts are also subject to varying fatigue burden due to cam plunger contact. These precise values are required to be determined to prevent failure in the camshaft. The objective of the project is to model and to perform pressure analysis on the camshaft machine. In this project the standard engine cam shafts are modeled and analyzed using the CATIA V5R21 software respectively. This model is created by the basic requirements of the engine. It is done with an existing background, such as the power of acting on cam by means of a valve while running at maxi mum speed. Here the approach becomes fully CAE based. CAE - based approaches enrich Research and limit the time span. A study was conducted to predict the behavior of the different camshafts structure of the material using the finite three - dimensional pressure of the element. Four types of materials such as Steel, Titanium, Aluminum and Magnesium are taken into account. FEA Stress and maximum displacement decisions are calculated and compared to all of the above materials. The conclusion is to focus on the material suitable for the camshaft to reduce the maximum displacement and weight. Titanium materials become the best material for camshaft manufacturing based on analysis.
MeSH terms: Aluminum; Body Weight; Magnesium; Pressure; Running; Software; Steel; Titanium; Vibration; Finite Element Analysis
This study investigates adsorption-desorption and the leaching potential of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in control and amended-addition of cow dung or rice husk ash-acidic Malaysian soil with high oxide mineral content. The addition of cow dung or rice husk ash increased the adsorptive removal of AMPA. The isotherm data of glyphosate and AMPA best fitted the Freundlich model. The constant Kf for glyphosate was high in the control soil (544.873 mg g-1) followed by soil with cow dung (482.451 mg g-1) then soil with rice husk ash (418.539 mg g-1). However, for AMPA, soil with cow dung was high (166.636 mg g-1) followed by soil with rice husk ash (137.570 mg g-1) then the control soil (48.446 mg g-1). The 1/n values for both glyphosate and AMPA adsorptions were
Understanding the impacts of climate change on crop yield is important for improving crop growth and yield formation in northwestern China. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between meteorological dryness/wetness conditions and spring wheat yield in the Ili river basin (IRB). The climate and yield data from 1961 to 2013 were collected to analyze characteristics and correlations between these two variables using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), yield detrending method, modified Mann-Kendall test and Spearman correlation analysis. Main results were as follows: (1) correlations between monthly SPEI values (MSV) and climatic yield of spring wheat indicated that the dryness/wetness condition in May was a key factor affecting yield in the whole region; (2) although the MSV in May and yield fluctuated from negative to positive values in time, the severely and extremely dryness events were in good agreement with the higher yield losses; (3) each increase of 0.5 MSV in May promoted over 3% increase of yield in most part of IRB; however, the larger variability of MSV in May resulted in larger yield fluctuations; and (4) the Tibetan Plateau index in April showed significant correlations with the MSV in May and yield, which provided a precursory signal for decision-makers to better understand potential yield fluctuations.
Members of the genus Anisakis are parasitic nematodes of the family Anisakidae.
They are potential zoonotic parasites, causing anisakiasis in humans who consume raw or
undercooked seafood (fish or squid) infected with the larvae of this nematode. In the present
study, anisakid nematodes collected from the marine fish Priacanthus tayenus (Purplespotted
big-eye) caught from the Gulf of Thailand were examined morphologically and
characterized genetically by DNA sequence analysis. Sequence data from the mitochondrial
cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (mtDNA cox2) gene were used to identify these nematodes
to species level and to evaluate the phylogenetic relationship among various taxa. All the 15
third-stage larvae of Anisakis nematodes investigated in this study belonged to the same
genetic lineage as the A. typica species complex (named here as A. typica sp. T – T for
Thailand). Eight mtDNA cox2 haplotypes were revealed in the 15 isolates of this Anisakis
from Thailand. The mtDNA cox2 haplotypes of A. typica sp. T from Thailand were genetically
distinct from those of the A. typica sensu stricto. Taxonomic description of this A. typica sp.
T as a distinct species however awaits the availability of adult specimens.
This study explores the use of a long fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome
oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) marker to elucidate the genetic diversity of Aedes albopictus sampled
from urban and forested regions in Peninsular and East Malaysia. A total of 36 samples were
collected from 5 localities from which its genetic variability was analysed. 33 distinct mtDNA
haplotypes were identified following the amplification and sequencing of the concatenated
CO1 gene. The analysed region of the CO1 gene identified substantial levels of genetic
diversity among mosquitoes in urban populations and revealed unique genealogical
relationships between local isolates as revealed in the haplotype network. This study highlights
the reliability of the long CO1 fragment to identify genetic divergence of Aedes albopictus
which can be utilized in forthcoming studies.
MeSH terms: Aedes; Animals; Electron Transport Complex IV; Cytochromes; DNA, Mitochondrial; Genealogy and Heraldry; Haplotypes; Humans; Malaysia; Mitochondria; Urban Population; Genetic Variation; Reproducibility of Results; Genetic Drift
Delayed wound healing due to extraneous bacterial contamination, antibacterial
resistance and other associated factors are of great concern in dealing patients having
chronically infected wound. Medicinal properties of certain maggots of Calliphoridae family
are known for its effective wound debridement therapy. The objective of the study was to
evaluate the wound healing potential of maggots of Lucilia sericata in an experimentally
infected cutaneous wound model in Wistar rat. The study was carried out by using male
Wistar rats (n=48) by creating excisional wounds and later contaminated with mixed population
of gram positive and gram-negative bacteria. Animals were divided randomly in to four
groups with 12 individuals each, being denominated as control, antibiotic treated, maggot
treated, and antibiotic plus maggot combination treated group. Ten pre-sterilized maggots
were applied per centimetre square wound bed for 24 hours. Different wound kinetics in L.
sericata maggot treated wounds revealed significant reduction in wound area with maximum
contraction, early elimination of bacterial bioburden as compared to group of infected control
and group of rats receiving only antibiotic treatment. The histopathological examination of
wounded tissue of maggot treated groups showed early and better epithelialization,
collagenation and neovascularization with complete healing of wound in two weeks. The
maggot effects on healing when used singly or in combination with antibiotic were recorded
to be similar. The results of the present study clearly demonstrate that the maggots of L.
sericata possesses a definite antibacterial action along with removal of dead tissues and
effectively reduced the bacterial bio-burden in infected wound and induced wound healing
quickly.
Plants contain numerous bioactive compounds that can be used to develop
environmentally-safe insect control agents. Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the
seeds of castor bean and is widely used as an industrial lubricant and medicinal purgative. In
search of an alternative natural insecticide, the objective of this study was to evaluate the
larvicidal and adulticidal activities of castor oil against the important dengue vector, Ae.
aegypti. Larvicidal and adulticidal bioassays were conducted following the World Health
Organization methods. Larvicidal activity was observed at castor oil concentrations of 10,
25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm; larval mortality was checked after 48 h of exposure and the lethal
concentration (LC) at LC50 and LC90 were 51.38 and 116.26 ppm, respectively. Adulticidal
activity was determined by topical application at the concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 µg/
mg on female mosquitoes and the mortality was checked after 24 h of exposure. The effective
adulticidal activity was apparent with the LD50 and LD90 values of 6.03 and 25.07 µg/mg
against female mosquitoes. The results indicated that castor oil has potential in the practical
control of both immature and adult stages of the mosquito vector.
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common cause of infection in newborns and in
early infants. However, GBS infection in an infant older than three months is infrequently
reported in the literature. We reported a case of an apparently well six-month-old infant who
died of sudden death due to GBS pneumonia, diagnosed at autopsy. The six-month-old,
apparently well male infant was brought in dead to the Emergency Department. He underwent
medicolegal autopsy four hours after death, as part of an overall sudden unexpected death in
infancy investigation (SUDI). Apart from whitish froth oozing out of both nostrils, he appeared
to be well-nourished infant without any deformity, syndromic features or obvious suspicious
marks of injury externally. Internal examination showed generalized hyperinflated with patchy
consolidation of upper and middle lobes of bilateral lung. Multiple matted mesenteric
lymphadenopathy were also detected. Blood and lung tissue specimens collected under
aseptic technique yielded growth of GBS. Post-mortem histology from consolidated lungs
confirmed pneumonic features while mesenteric lymph nodes showed reactive changes inkeeping
with underlying infective process. Death was attributed to GBS pneumonia. This
case highlights the importance of a detailed autopsy in sudden unexpected death in infancy
(SUDI) and the crucial role of post-mortem microbiological study in such cases. Relevant
autopsy protocols that need to be employed during microbiological sampling are briefly
discussed.
Wound healing is a complex process of recovering the forms and functions of injured tissues. The process is tightly regulated by multiple growth factors and cytokines released at the wound site. Any alterations that disrupt the healing processes would worsen the tissue damage and prolong repair process. Various conditions may contribute to impaired wound healing, including infections, underlying diseases and medications. Numerous studies on the potential of natural products with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and pro-collagen synthesis properties as wound healing agents have been performed. Their medicinal properties can be contributed by the content of bioactive phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phenolic compounds in the natural products. This review highlights the in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies on wound healing promotions by the selected natural products and the mechanisms involved.
The value of image cytometry DNA ploidy analysis and dysplasia grading to predict malignant transformation has been determined in oral lesions considered to be at 'high' risk on the basis of clinical information and biopsy result. 10-year follow up data for 259 sequential patients with oral lesions clinically at 'high' risk of malignant transformation were matched to cancer registry and local pathology database records of malignant outcomes, ploidy result and histological dysplasia grade. In multivariate analysis (n = 228 patients), 24 developed carcinoma and of these, 14 prior biopsy samples were aneuploid. Aneuploidy was a significant predictor (hazard ratio 7.92; 95% CI 3.45, 18.17) compared with diploidy (p
According to geological history, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo formed at different times and were once connected during Quaternary glaciations. To determine how this history has influenced phylogeography, our study examined the population genetic structure of the tropical freshwater gastropod Melanoides tuberculata across Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo using the sequences from mitochondrial DNA 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I genes (1168 bp). In total, 104 specimens were collected from seventeen populations. All mtDNA haplotypes were identified as belonging to two highly divergent lineages, and these lineages were almost allopatric in their distributions. Our study found that the freshwater fauna in Malaysia might be divided into four regions: northeast Peninsular Malaysia, northwest Peninsular Malaysia, south Peninsular Malaysia, and Borneo. The phylogeography of M. tuberculata in Malaysia was shaped by the landforms of Peninsular Malaysia and by the paleo-river systems in the Sunda continental shelf. In addition, our study found that these two lineages in Malaysia have invaded the globe. These results suggest that Malaysia is located in important shipping lanes throughout the world, and the populations of M. tuberculate might be widely distributed throughout the world by shipping.
Proteomics technologies were first applied in the oil palm research back in 2008. Since proteins are the gene products that are directly correspond to phenotypic traits, proteomic tools hold a strong advantage above other molecular tools to comprehend the biological and molecular mechanisms in the oil palm system. These emerging technologies have been used as non-overlapping tools to link genome-wide transcriptomics and metabolomics-based studies to enhance the oil palm yield and quality through sustainable plant breeding. Many efforts have also been made using the proteomics technologies to address the oil palm's Ganoderma disease; the cause and management. At present, the high-throughput screening technologies are being applied to identify potential biomarkers involved in metabolism and cellular development through determination of protein expression changes that correlate with oil production and disease. This review highlights key elements in proteomics pipeline, challenges and some examples of their implementations in plant studies in the context of oil palm in particular. We foresee that the proteomics technologies will play more significant role to address diverse issues related to the oil palm in the effort to improve the oil crop.