Ficus carica, a native plant to the Middle East and Western Asia, is of high value in folk medicine. The therapeutic potential
of Ficus carica has led to the extensive studies in recent years, focusing on evaluating and validating its pharmacological
effect. The present systematic review summarizes the effectiveness of Ficus carica on promoting bone health focusing on
osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis via mineral contents and RANKL pathway. The search was done with Medline via
Ebscohost, Scopus and Google Scholar databases to obtain relevant articles published between 1946 and December
2016. The main inclusion criteria were research articles published in English that reported effect of Ficus carica on
bone health. The literature search returned 716 potentially relevant articles, whereby 5 met the inclusion criteria. This
systematic review concludes Ficus carica plays an important role in the promotion of bone health and can be a potential
pharmaceutical product in the future.
Sweatings, the exudates that leach out from fermenting fruits during rambutan fruit fermentation are considered as
a waste by-product and are allowed to be drained off. This could lead to a pollution problem. Besides, it is a waste if
the sweatings are possible to be transformed into food products and ingredients. However, prior transformation, the
fundamental knowledge of the sweatings should be understood. Hence, the main aim of this study was to investigate
the physicochemical properties of sweatings as affected by fermentation time and turning intervals during natural
fermentation of rambutan fruits. In this study, peeled rambutan fruit was fermented for 8 days and turned. Different
batches of the fruits were turned every 24, 48 or 72 h and sweatings from the process were collected and analyzed.
The results showed that fermentation time significantly reduced (p<0.05) the yield, pH and sucrose content of the
sweatings by 79-84%, 32-33%, 76.5-80.8%, respectively. Fermentation time also significantly increased (p<0.05) the
titratable acidity, total soluble solids, fructose, glucose, total sugar, citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and ascorbic
acid contents of the sweatings by 5.6-6.0, 1.5-1.6, 2.4-2.6, 2.1-2.5, 1.0-1.1, 5.7-6.5, 2.4-2.6, 2.1-2.5 and 2.6-2.8 folds,
respectively. However, turning intervals did not significantly affect (p>0.05) the physicochemical properties of the
sweatings. High concentrations of sugars and organic acids allow the sweatings to have a balance of sweet and sour
taste and they are suitable to be used in the production of syrup, soft drinks, jam, jelly, marmalade and vinegar.
A balanced interaction between osteoblast and osteoclast plays a major role in maintaining bone strength and structural
integrity. Tocotrienol, a palm derivative with potent antioxidant properties showed an anti-osteoporotic effect but little
is known about its mechanism of action. Hence, this research was conducted to determine the effects of palm tocotrienol
on the surface osteoblast and osteoclast of the the glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic bones. The study involved
40 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g which were randomly divided into an equal number of Baseline,
Sham, Adrx+Dexa (adrenalectomized with dexamethasone), Adrx+Dexa+ATF (adrenalectomized with dexamethasone
supplemented with α-tocopherol) and Adrx+Dexa+PTT (adrenalectomized with dexamethasone supplemented with
palm tocotrienol). Bloods were taken prior to sacrifice for serum biomarkers and either tibia or femur was harvested
for bone biomarkers, gene expressions analysis and histological studies. A double-blinded experiment was performed
to calculate the number of total cells (osteoblasts and osteoclast) with intact nuclei within five fields of view. While
serum osteocalcin and gene expression did not show any changes, CTX level was increased in the Adrx+Dexa group
but reduced after the supplementation of palm tocotrienol. Supplementation of palm tocotrienol also significantly
decrease the osteoclast population (p<0.05) compared to Adrx+Dexa group. In contrast, osteoblast population showed
no significant difference across the groups. The result showed that palm tocotrienol acts by modulating the osteoclasts
but not osteoblast, which revert the dynamics of bone cells population in the osteoporotic bone to its pre-osteoporotic
levels. Supplements of tocotrienol in daily diet may be beneficial in preventing osteoporosis.
Ulam is the South East Asian traditional vegetables which contains high total phenolic content and exhibits antioxidant
activity. Several studies have reported the potential of neuroprotective effect of ulam. The objective of this review article
was to highlight the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of ulam and the roles of phenolic content that
can contribute to attenuation of cognitive decline. The review includes randomized controlled trial and experimental
studies from year 2007 to 2017. In this review, PRISMA method was used to report the results (n=15). Phenolic compounds,
ie plants’ second metabolites of selected ulam in South East Asia were also discussed in this review, with respect to its
potential for health promotion which and reducing the risk of cognitive disease. Oenanthe javanica (selom), Ocimum
basilicum (daun selasih) and Anacardium occidentale L. (pucuk gajus) were ranked in the top three highest TPC among
all the selected ulam. In general, Polygonum minus (kesum), Anacardium occidentale L. (pucuk gajus) and Cosmos
caudatus (ulam raja) exhibited high DPPH radical scavenging activity whereas Anacardium occidentale L. (pucuk gajus)
exhibited highest ferric ion reducing potential (FRAP) among all the selected ulam in South East Asia countries. Overall,
some studies had shown Centella asiatica (pegaga), Oenanthe javanica (selom), Polygonum minus (kesum), Ocimum
basilicum (daun selasih) and Murraya koenigii (daun kari) are beneficial in improving cognitive status and mood. The
bioactive compounds in ulam may exhibit neuroprotective effects but human studies are still lacking in exploring the
relationship between ulam consumption and cognitive status.
Spore-forming bacteria, Bacillus sp., frequently been associated with the contamination of rice and other starchy
products. Spores are more resistant to antimicrobial treatments than its vegetative cells. The extract of Indonesian bay
leaf (Syzygium polyanthum L.) was assessed for its antibacterial and sporicidal activities against vegetative cells and
spores of B. cereus isolated from rice (25 strains). The results showed that S. polyanthum L. extract was able to inhibit
the growth of vegetative cells of all B. cereus isolates with MICs ranged from 0.16 to 0.63 mg/mL and can kill with
MBCs ranged from 0.31 to 2.50 mg/mL. The bactericidal endpoint for B. cereus BC-NP.8 in time kill curve was at 1.25
mg/mL (8× MIC) after 4 h of incubation while for B. cereus ATCC 33019 was at 2.50 mg/mL (8× MIC). The sporicidal
activity of S. polyanthum L. extract was not affected by different temperatures treatment and alteration of the pHs of
extract. Therefore, this indicates that the extract was stable after exposed to pH3, 7 and 10 as well as temperature
of 50, 80, and 121°C. Observation under on scanning electron microscope the structure of the B. cereus ATCC 33019
spores was ruptured after being treated with 1% (w/v) S. polyanthum L. extract for 1 h. In conclusion, S. polyanthum L.
extract had antibacterial and sporicidal activity against vegetative cells and spores of B. cereus isolated from rice.
The use of honey as a therapeutic agent dates back at 8000 years and has markedly increased interest into its potential
health benefits. The by-products of the flower nectar have a complex chemical composition which promotes benefits in
underlying mechanism of human diseases. Malaysian Tualang Honey (MTH) is a multifloral jungle honey produced by
the rock bee (Apis dorsata). This review consolidates the results of carious studies involving biochemical assays of tissue
culture and animal trials of anti-cancer properties of MTH. Often studied in the context of breast cancer cell lines, MTH
has promising data for possible mechanisms in anti-cancer activity. These include apoptosis via depolarization of the
mitochondrial membrane, caspase-dependent apoptosis, reduction of angiogenesis and the promotion of cell cycle arrest
without posing cytotoxic effect on normal cell lines. Despite positive outcomes in tissue cultures, the oral administration
of MTH in breast cancer animal models showed slower tumour progression, reduction in tumour size and better grading
of histological features. The alleviation of breast carcinogenesis via modulation of hematologic, estrogenic and apoptotic
activities promotes MTH as a promising anticancer agent. With confidence in a conclusion that MTH is a useful treatment
for cancer, further experimental and clinical studies should be conducted.
This study was carried out to determine the effects of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) on the flavour compounds
(eugenol and limonene), moisture and oil content in chicken nuggets during frying. Chicken nugget added with 500
ppm eugenol and limonene were coated with HPMC solution (0, 0.75 and 1.5%) and then with a commercial coating
(ADABI, Malaysia). Chicken nuggets were fried at 180o
C for 4 min. Quantity of eugenol and limonene in the substrate
(chicken meat) and coating were measured alongwith the moisture and oil content. The results showed that 0.75 and
1.5% HPMC were not able to retain either eugenol or limonene in both substrate and coating portion of the nuggets
when compared to control except for eugenol in the substrate portion when using 1.5% HPMC. Application of HPMC
also resulted in reduced moisture loss and oil absorption. The reduced moisture loss and oil absorption in the coating
and substrate of the chicken nuggets showed that HPMC was able to form a barrier that restricted the migration of
moisture from the nuggets and absorption of oil into the nuggets. However, only the 1.5% HPMC barrier formed was
able to reduce the loss of eugenol in the nugget substrate. Both 0.75 and 1.5% HPMC was not able to significantly
reduce the loss of limonene during frying.
PR-10 is a member of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes elicited by the plant’s defense mechanism during pathogen attack.
Elevated expression of PR-10 upon different pathogen invasions has been observed in many plant species suggesting
its role as an anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal gene. However, the effect of PR-10 in mitigating the infection of
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), the causal agent of Fusarium wilt in banana has not been reported. In this
study, the coding sequences of PR-10 gene isolated from Foc resistant Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis (MaPR-10)
were integrated into a local Foc susceptible commercial banana cultivar, Berangan via co-cultivation of embryogenic
cell suspension and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Out of 17 putative transgenic lines established, 11 of them positively
harbored MaPR-10. Among these, Line-19 plantlets showed the most rapid in-vitro propagation and successfully overexpressed the transgene. Following a nursery challenge experiment with a virulent Foc race 4 (CI HIR) isolate, about 30%
of Line-19 plants showed a one-week delay in disease progression when compared to the untransformed controls. From
the final evaluation performed in the 5th week-post-inoculation, the leaf symptoms index (LSI) and rhizome discoloration
index (RDI) of Line-19 was 3.4 and 6.1, respectively, indicating the disease had progressed. The findings of this study
enrich the current existing knowledge on the roles of PR-10 in combating fungal disease in plants.
A new dipeptide, (-)-glaciantarcin (1) and three known compounds, cyclo(-Pro-Gly) (2), 1-(2-deoxypentofuranosyl)-5-
methyl-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione (3) and vidarabine (Ara-A) (4), were isolated from Glaciozyma antarctica PI12,
a cold-adapted yeast. The chemical structures were elucidated by FT-IR, NMR and mass spectrometry. The cytotoxicity
and antioxidant activities of compounds 1-4 were evaluated by using the MTT bioassay on MCF-7 (human breast cancer
cell line), PC-3 (human prostate cancer cell line) and HEK-293 (normal human embryonic kidney cell line) and DPPH
free radical scavenging activity, respectively. At concentration of 400 µM, all compounds showed the highest activity
on MCF-7, with compound 1 at 65%, compound 2 (70%), compound 3 (66%) and compound 4 (58%) cell viability. All
compounds exhibited weak antioxidant properties. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of compounds
1-4 from Glaciozyma antactica.
Engineering the CO2
-fixing enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) to improve photosynthesis
has long been sought. Rubisco large subunits (RbcL) are highly-conserved but because of certain undefined sequence
differences, plant Rubisco research cannot fully utilise the robust heterologous Escherichia coli expression system and its
GroEL folding machinery. Previously, a series of chimeric cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatus Rubisco, incorporated
with sequences from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, were expressed in E. coli; differences in RbcL sections
essential for holoenzyme formation were pinpointed. In this study, the remaining sections, presumably not crucial for
holoenzyme formation and also the small subunit (RbcS), are substituted to further ascertain the possible destabilising
effects of multiple section mutations. To that end, combinations of Synechococcus RbcL Sections 1 (residues 1-47), 2
(residues 48-97), 5 (residues 198-247) and 10 (residues 448-472), and RbcS, were swapped with collinear Chlamydomonas
sections and expressed in E. coli. Interestingly, only the chimera with Sections 1 and 2 together produces holoenzyme and
an interaction network of complementing amino acid changes is delineated by crystal structure analysis. Furthermore,
sequence-based analysis also highlighted possible GroEL binding site differences between the two RbcLs.
Ultra-high temperature is a process that involves heating of milk to a very high temperature to produce sterile milk products.
However, food poisoning due to consumption of UHT milk still happen in Malaysia. This study was done to develop a
film that is made by poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) to detect the presence of microorganisms in UHT milk products. UHT milk
that was used in this study was full cream milk. Contaminated milk that contained Bacillus cereus was made to conduct
a model system on the relationship between colony forming unit of microorganisms and contact angle. Contaminated
milk was also used as a control sample to study the difference of milk properties between fresh and contaminated milk.
Physicochemical analysis (Brix, colour, pH and contact angle) and microbiological analysis (total plate count) were
done to UHT milk sample as soon as the packaging of the milk was unsealed. Analysis was done with 30 min time interval
until 4 h and 30 min since the unsealing of packaging. The results showed that presence of microorganisms in UHT milk
was detected after the milk product was unsealed and exposed to environment for 3 h and 30 min. Contact angle resulted
from the presence of microorganisms in UHT milk was 64.34 - 65.44° with its colony forming unit, 2.1 – 3.9 cfu/mL.
Therefore, the potential usage of contact angle on PLLA thin film with respect to colony forming unit (cfu) in detecting
the presence of microorganisms in UHT milk product was attained and well modelled.
Semakan semula litostratigrafi Formasi Singa dilakukan berdasarkan data-data baru yang diperoleh melalui kajian
terbaru. Secara umumnya, Formasi Singa dominan dengan batu lumpur hitam yang berselang lapis dengan batu pasir
nipis hingga sederhana tebal serta sedikit lapisan konglomerat. Kajian melibatkan analisis terhadap beberapa log
sedimen yang telah direkodkan di lapangan. Kesemua log sedimen tersebut telah dikorelasikan untuk mendapatkan satu
log komposit yang mewakili keseluruhan Formasi Singa. Berdasarkan kajian terperinci korelasi litologi yang dilakukan,
cadangan litostratigrafi baru Formasi Singa mengandungi empat ahli iaitu Ahli Kentut, Ahli Ular, Ahli Selang dan Ahli
Lembung. Ahli Kentut merupakan ahli yang paling tua diikuti dengan Ahli Ular, Ahli Selang dan Ahli Lembung. Ahli
Ular di dalam Formasi Singa dianggap sebagai satu unit kekanta antara Ahli Kentut dengan Ahli Selang. Beberapa
siri perubahan paras laut ditafsirkan sepanjang pengendapan batuan Formasi Singa dipercayai akibat daripada proses
pencairan glasier yang menyebabkan paras laut meningkat dan pengendapan berterusan yang menyebabkan lembangan
menjadi cetek dan paras laut menjadi rendah.
Kajian terhadap elektrolit polimer berasaskan 49% poli(metil metakrilat) cangkukan getah asli (MG49) dengan
natrium iodida (NaI) dalam aplikasi sel suria terpeka pewarna (DSSC) telah dijalankan. Kesan kepekatan garam
ke atas sifat elektrokimia, morfologi, kimia dan kehabluran MG49-NaI telah dianalisis menggunakan spektroskopi
impedan elektrokimia (EIS), mikroskopi imbasan elektron (SEM), spektroskopi inframerah transformasi Fourier (FTIR)
dan pembelauan sinar-X (XRD). Morfologi keratan rentas menunjukkan struktur membran berliang mikro dan homogen.
Nilai kekonduksian ion tertinggi pada suhu bilik bagi membran elektrolit polimer MG49-NaI pada penambahan 30 %
bt. garam NaI adalah 8.86 × 10-5 S cm-1. Analisis inframerah menunjukkan interaksi antara atom oksigen dengan ion
natrium berlaku pada kumpulan berfungsi eter (C–O–C) dan karbonil (C=O). Sifat kehabluran MG49-NaI polimer
elektrolit didapati berkurang dengan peningkatan kepekatan garam. Analisis kronoamperometri memberikan nilai
nombor pindahan ion (tion) sebanyak 0.92 membuktikan elektrolit polimer MG49-NaI (30 % bt.) adalah pengkonduksi
jenis ion. Ujian prestasi DSSC keadaan pepejal bagi FTO/TiO2
-N719/MG49-NaI (30 % bt.)/I2
/Pt sampel telah memberikan
keputusan kecekapan setinggi 0.26% dengan prestasi fotovoltaik, Jsc, Voc dan ff masing-masing adalah 1.30 mA cm-2, 0.56
V dan 34.91. Membran dalam keadaan pepejal-kuasi atau separa pepejal memberikan nilai kecekapan 3.48 % dengan
nilai Voc = 0.75 V, Jsc = 12.71 mA cm-2 dan FF = 37.70.
In this paper, we develop algebraic order conditions for two-point block hybrid method up to order five using the approach
of B-series. Based on the order conditions, we derive fifth order two-point block explicit hybrid method for solving
special second order ordinary differential equations (ODEs), where the existing explicit hybrid method of order five is
used to be the method at the first point. The method is then trigonometrically fitted so that it can be suitable for solving
highly oscillatory problems arising from special second order ODEs. The new trigonometrically-fitted block method is
tested using a set of oscillatory problems over a very large interval. Numerical results clearly showed the superiority
of the method in terms of accuracy and execution time compared to other existing methods in the scientific literature.
A copper ion sensor based on a new bis-thiourea compound N1,N3-bis[[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamothioyl]isophthalamide (or TPC) as neutral carrier was investigated. The immobilization of the TPC into poly(n-butyl acrylate) (pBA) membrane via drop casting and the sensor was characterized by potentiometry. The sensor fabricated from TPC only showed a good Nernstian response towards copper ion with a sensitivity slope of 28.81±0.53mV/decade in the range of 1.0 × 10-6 - 1.0 × 10-4 M. The limit of detection of this sensor was found to be 6.11 × 10-7 M and with short sensor response time (60 - 80 s). This sensor also demonstrated reversibility and reproducibility with 3.69% and 1.84% (Relative Standard Deviation, RSD), respectively. Based on the separate solution method (SSM), the logarithm selectivity coefficients were better than -2.00 for monovalent, divalent and trivalent cations and this confirmed that the sensor exhibited good selectivity towards copper ion. The sensor could attain optimum function without the need in the inclusion of either lipophilic anions as a membrane additive nor plasticizer as a membrane softener. Thus, these are the main advantages. The addition of lipophilic anions into the pBA membrane could cause the sensitivity and selectivity of the copper ion sensor based on ionophore TPC to deteriorate.
In this study, the effects of suction and injection on the mixed convection flow of a nanofluid, over a moving permeable
vertical plate were discussed. A similarity variable was used to transform the governing equations to the ordinary
differential equations, which were then solved numerically using the bvp4c programme from MATLAB. Dual solutions
(upper and lower branches) were found within a certain range of the mixed convection parameter in assisting and
opposing flow regions. A stability analysis was implemented to confirm that the upper branch solution was stable, while
the lower branch solution was unstable.
The development of an efficient tissue culture protocol for somatic embryo would facilitate the genetic modification in
breeding program. The present study describes the reproducible protocols for three wetland Malaysian rice cultivars
(MR232, MR220 and MR220-CL2) and upland rice (Bario) via somatic embryogenesis. In the present study, four preheat treatments (35, 40, 45 and 50°C) were applied to mature seeds with different imbibition periods (3, 5 and 7 days)
prior to culture on MS media with 3 mg/L 2,4-D. The results showed that the cultivars exhibited the highest callus
induction percentage from 45°C pre-heated seeds and 3 days imbibition (100%, 96%, 100% and 95% for MR232, MR220,
MR220-CL2 and Bario, respectively). Callus was induced early ranging from 3 to 12 days compared to without pre-heat
treatment. The regeneration efficiency for MR220 and MR220-CL2 cultivars was significantly higher compared to the
control treatment. However, both 45°C and 25°C (control) treatments produced higher plantlet regeneration for MR232
and Bario. This study observed that pre-heat treated seeds prior to callus induction did promote callusing and hence
regeneration. These findings can be used to establish a suitable protocol for the in vitro regeneration system for several
genetic improvements in the numerous stress tolerances of Malaysian rice.
A quadratic Bézier representation withholds a curve segment with free from loops, cusps and inflection points. Furthermore,
this rational form provides extra freedom to generate visually pleasing curves due to the existence of weights. In this
paper, we propose sufficient conditions for rational quadratic Bézier curves to possess monotonic increasing/decreasing
curvatures by means of monotone curvature tests which are based on the derivative of curvature functions. We have
derived a simple interval of the middle weight that assures the construction of a family of rational quadratic Bézier curves
to be planar spirals, which is characterized by the turning angle, end curvatures and the chords of control polygon.
The proposed formulation can be used by CAD systems for aesthetic product design, highway/railway design and robot
trajectory design avoiding unwanted curvature oscillations.
It is of great importance to know about the genetic diversity, conservation and classification for further utilization of
tomato germplasm resources. Therefore, 40 tomato accessions were evaluated on the basic of agro-morphological traits
for genetic diversity in 2014. The experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, University of Haripur and
farmer field in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Principal component analysis showed that five out of 27 principal
components with an eigenvalue above 1.0 were considered for 74.10% of the total variance. The major contributing traits
in variations were days to flowering (DFL), days to fruiting (DFR), fruit size (FS), fruit weight plant-1 (FW), yield plot-1 (YPP),
yield hectare-1 (YPH), leaf length (LL), predominant fruit shape (PDFS), fruit length (FL), fruit width (FWidth), clusters
plant-1 (CPP), fruits plant-1
(FPP) and plant height (PH). The scattered plot of the PC’s revealed that the accessions were
scattered in all the quarters, which is also a representative that high level of genetic variability was present. FW and FL
were positively correlated with YPH. However, the remaining yield components indirectly contributed YPH. Cluster analysis
divided 40 accessions into four main clusters (I, II, III and IV), each of which having 12, 11, 07 and 10 accessions. The
accessions in clusters I and II were statistically similar and performed better in terms of yield and yield related traits.
Grouping into different clusters was associated with their agro-morphological differences. These results could be serving
as a useful resource for further characterization, preservation and breeding programs.
The application of the Variance Targeting Estimator (VTE) is considered in GJR-GARCH(1,1) model, under three
misspecification scenarios, which are, model misspecification, initial parameters misspecification and innovation
distribution assumption misspecification. A simulation study has been performed to evaluate the performance of VTE
compared to commonly used, which is the Quasi Maximum Likelihood Estimator (QMLE). The data has been simulated
under GJR-GARCH(1,1) process with initial parameters ω = 0.1, α = 0.05, β = 0.85, γ = 0.1 and an innovation with a
true normal distribution. Three misspecification innovation assumptions, which are normal distribution, Student-t
distribution and the GED distribution have been used. Meanwhile, for the misspecified initial parameters, the first initial
parameters have been setup as ω = 1, α = 0, β = 0 and γ = 0. Furthermore, the application of VTE as an estimator has
also been evaluated under real data sets and three selected indices, which are the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
Index (FBMKLCI), the Singapore Straits Time Index (STI) and the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI). Based on the results, VTE
has performed very well compared to QMLE under both simulation and the applications of real data sets, which can be
considered as an alternative estimator when performing GARCH model, especially the GJR-GARCH.