Browse publications by year: 2018

Fulltext Evaluating the implementation of a canteenbased food nutrition intervention among schoolchildren: a prospective intervention study

Wan Manan W.M., Noor Izani N.J., Nik Nurain N.H., Razlina A.R., Nik Rosmawati N.H.

JUMMEC, 2018;21(1):21-27.
MyJurnal

Background: School children are at great risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Their eating pattern in
school is influenced by the availability of food served within the school environment. The purpose of this
paper was to determine the effectiveness of a canteen-based food nutrition intervention, designed according
to the theory of planned behaviour, on the knowledge, perception and choices of healthy food among primary
schoolchildren.
Methods: This was a prospective intervention study using a two-group design. Six school canteens from the
ninety-eight primary schools were randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. All the
food handlers in the intervention group were given a twelve-week training course in food nutrition. On the
completion of the course, 293 Standard Six students from these schools, were interviewed with a nutritional
questionnaire on food in their school canteens. The training programme for the intervention group and the
questionnaire for the students were developed and validated for the study, and a power calculation made for
the sample size of students.
Results: The students in both groups were homogeneous in gender and body mass. The mean body mass
index (BMI) was 19.26 (SD: 0.38) and 19.47 (SD: 0.39) for the intervention and the control group respectively.
There were more schoolchildren in the intervention group who purchased foods in school canteens (p 0.0036)
of milk and milk products (p 0.034), and white rice (p

MeSH terms: Animals; Child; Chronic Disease; Feeding Behavior; Humans; Milk; Prospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Oryza; Schools; Students; Body Mass Index; Sample Size; Control Groups
Fulltext Hepatitis C infection and detection of antibodies, RNA and genotypes among female healthcare workers in Baghdad

Waqar, A.K., Nik Shamsidah N.I., Nor Aini M.N., Waqar, Abd Alqahar Al –Kubaisy

JUMMEC, 2018;21(1):14-20.
MyJurnal

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major public health problem worldwide. About 130- 200 million people
are infected with HCV worldwide leading to 500,000 deaths annually (WHO 2014). Healthcare workers (HCWs)
have played an important role in the transmission of HCV infection, either as victims or as sources of infection.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HCV, antibodies (Abs) RNA and genotypes among the female HCWs
in Baghdad and to identify whether HCWs were infective or only infected.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 1001 women attending 17 health care centres in
Baghdad, Iraq, was carried out. Information on type and duration of their occupation was obtained. HCV Abs
(anti-HCV) were tested using a third generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA-3) and immunoblot assay (Lia
Tek-111). Molecular analysis using RT-PCR and DNA enzyme immunoassay (DEIA) for HCV-RNA and genotype
detections were carried out for 63 serum samples.
Results: Only 160/1001 (15.98%) were HCWs. Anti-HCV and HCV- RNA seroprevalence were significantly higher
(6.37%, p=0.0057, 88.83%, p= 0.011 respectively) among HCWs than non HCWs. HCWs were at a significantly
higher risk of exposure to HCV infection (OR=2.75, 95% C.I. =1.31-5.79). There was no significant association
between HCV genotypes and the HCWs. HCV-4 showed higher expression (62.5%) among HCWs.
Conclusion: Female HCWs were infective and infected with HCV, thus there is a need for medical equipment
to be sterilized and cleaned thoroughly.

MeSH terms: Antibodies; Cross-Sectional Studies; DNA; Female; Genotype; Health Personnel; Hepatitis C; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Iraq; Occupations; Public Health; RNA; World Health Organization; Immunoblotting; Prevalence; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C Antibodies; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Fulltext Prognostic factors for survival in pancreatic cancer patients from University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia

Malwinder, S., Wan Zamaniah W.I., Cimmeran, K., Phua, V.C.E.

JUMMEC, 2018;21(1):6-13.
MyJurnal

Objectives: Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive silent killer with a median survival of a few months. It is the
fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic
factors affecting the survival of patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in Malaysia.
Methods: This retrospective study examined 107 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas from 2002
to 2012 at University Malaya Medical Centre. The factors evaluated were age, sex, race, smoking habits,
performance status, the presence of jaundice, pre-treatment CA 19.9 serum level, the location of a primary
tumour, tumour grade, tumour staging and intent of treatment.
Results: The median survival for the overall study population was 7.0 months (95% CI 5.1-8.8 months) with
1, 3, and 5-year survival rates of 30.8%, 8.4% and 3.7% respectively. The survival was 16.1 months (95% CI
7.7-24.4 months) for stage 1, 15.5 months (95% CI 8.1-22.8 months) for stage 2, 8.4 months (95% CI 6.1-10.8
months) for stage 3, and 3.8 months (95% CI 2.9-4.7 months) for stage 4. In multivariate analysis, independent
and unfavourable prognostic factors which retained significance were performance status, tumour stage and
treatment intent.
Conclusions: The biological characteristics are important as predictors of survival in patients with pancreatic
cancer. Longer survival is possible if the disease is identified in its early stages with good performance status.
Further development and evaluation of novel screening strategies need to be established to improve early
detection of this disease.

MeSH terms: Adenocarcinoma; Humans; Jaundice; Malaysia; Neoplasm Staging; Pancreas; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Smoking; United States; Universities; Survival Rate; Multivariate Analysis; CA-19-9 Antigen
Fulltext Prevalence and determinants of perceived stress among undergraduate students in a Malaysian university

Jia, Y.F., Loo, Yee Teo

JUMMEC, 2018;21(1):1-5.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Studying in a university can be stressful for any undergraduate student, and the excessive
stress is associated with physical and mental health problems. The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence and determinants of perceived stress among undergraduate students in a Malaysian university.
Methods: 456 undergraduate students participated in this study. The Perceived Stress Scale and the Student Stress Survey (SSS) were implemented as indicators; PSS as a global measure of perceived stress, and the SSS for the identification of the sources of stress.
Results: The prevalence rate of perceived stress among the undergraduate students was 37.7%. The overall PSS mean score was 27.5 ( SD 4.763), with a cut-off value of perceived stress at 28. Multivariate logistic regression model identified that the female student (OR 1.995, 95% CI 1.313-3.031) and the first year student (OR = 2.383, 95% CI 1.047-5.422) perceived more stress than the others.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated a high prevalence rate of perceived stress among undergraduate students in general, and the female and the first year undergraduate students in particular. There is a need for further studies on the borderline stress of the undergraduate students and the sources of stress.

MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Mental Health; Perception; Surveys and Questionnaires; Stress, Psychological*; Students; Universities; Prevalence; Logistic Models; Educational Personnel
Fulltext Characteristics of human spermatozoa harvested in culture media with and without serum proteins

Ghofraan A. Ata’Allah, Noor Azmi Mat Adenan, Nuguelis Razali, Siti Khadijah Idris, Jaffar Ali, Kannappan, Palaniappan, et al.

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2018;16(1):125-134.
MyJurnal

This study was aimed to determine the efficiency of synthetic protein-free media in spermatozoa washing, preparation
and retention of the activity of washed spermatozoa over short periods in vitro. Normozoospermic semen samples (n =
71) were equally apportioned and washed using synthetic protein-free medium (PFM), minimum essential medium + HSA
(MEM) or commercial protein-containing medium (CPC). Washed spermatozoa were cultured in vitro using PFM, MEM or
CPC media and held for 24 hrs at 4°C, 15°C, 22°C or 37°C. Spermatozoa activity was evaluated at 0 hr, 4 to 7 hrs and
24 hrs post-wash. The effects of PFM on spermatozoa motility, vitality, membrane integrity and DNA fragmentation level
were not significantly different from that of MEM and CPC media at 0 hr, 4 to 7 hrs and 24 hrs post-wash in vitro. Synthetic
PFM, MEM and CPC retained spermatozoa activity highest when specimen were held at 22°C and it was significantly higher
(p < 0.05) than that at 37°C after 24 hrs incubation in vitro. However, no significant changes (p > 0.05) were noted
in spermatozoa DNA fragmentation (SDF) levels when specimen were held at 22°C or 37°C at 4 to 7 hrs and also after
24 hrs post-wash in vitro in all media. The use of synthetic PFM as an alternative to the commercial protein-containing
media in human spermatozoa washing and preparation procedure for an efficient and safer (Assisted Reproduction
Technology) ART outcome. Spermatozoa activity can be successfully retained at room temperature post-wash over short
periods; spermatozoa may lose viability rapidly if held for long hours at 37°C in all media.
Impact of Ramadan Focused Education Program on medications adjustment for patients with type 2 diabetes in a primary health care institution in Saudi Arabia

Tourkmani AM, Alharbi TJ, Bin Rsheed AM, AlRasheed AN, AlBattal SM, Abdelhay O, et al.

Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2018 08 02;13(1):161-165.
PMID: 30641690 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2018.07.012

AIMS: To examine the impact of Ramadan Focused Education Program (RFEP) on medications adjustment in type 2 diabetes patients in Ramadan.
METHODS: This is a controlled, intervention based study. It was run on three phases: before, during, and after Ramadan on 262 type 2 diabetes patients. The intervention group (n = 140) received RFEP on medications doses & timing adjustment before and after Ramadan, while the control group (n = 122) received standard care.
RESULTS: The dose of insulin glargine was reduced from 42.51 ± 22.16 at the baseline to 40.11 ± 18.51-units during Ramadan (p = 0.002) in the intervention group while it remained the same in the control group before Ramadan and during Ramadan (38.51 ± 18.63 and 38.14 ± 18.46, P = 0.428, respectively). The hypoglycemia score was 14.2 ± (8.5) pre-Ramadan in the intervention and reduced to 6.36 ± 6.17 during Ramadan (p 

MeSH terms: Blood Glucose/analysis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*; Fasting; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/analysis; Humans; Hyperglycemia/prevention & control*; Hypoglycemia/prevention & control*; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Islam*; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Education as Topic/standards*; Primary Health Care/standards*; Prognosis; Biomarkers/analysis; Case-Control Studies
Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus: A review on current treatment approach and gene therapy as potential intervention

Tan SY, Mei Wong JL, Sim YJ, Wong SS, Mohamed Elhassan SA, Tan SH, et al.

Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2018 10 10;13(1):364-372.
PMID: 30641727 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2018.10.008

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus is a serious and lifelong condition commonly characterised by abnormally elevated blood glucose levels due to a failure in insulin production or a decrease in insulin sensitivity and function. Over the years, prevalence of diabetes has increased globally and it is classified as one of the leading cause of high mortality and morbidity rate. Furthermore, diabetes confers a huge economic burden due to its management costs as well as its complications are skyrocketing. The conventional medications in diabetes treatment focusing on insulin secretion and insulin sensitisation cause unwanted side effects to patients and lead to incompliance as well as treatment failure. Besides insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents, other treatments such as gene therapy and induced β-cells regeneration have not been widely introduced to manage diabetes. Therefore, this review aims to deliver an overview of the current conventional medications in diabetes, discovery of newer pharmacological drugs and gene therapy as a potential intervention of diabetes in the future.

MeSH terms: Combined Modality Therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/genetics; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy*; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Prognosis; Genetic Therapy*
An assessment of self-care knowledge among patients with diabetes mellitus

Alhaik S, Anshasi HA, Alkhawaldeh J, Soh KL, Naji AM

Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2018 10 10;13(1):390-394.
PMID: 30641730 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2018.10.010

PURPOSES: This study aimed to (1) assess the level of diabetes self-care knowledge among patients with diabetes mellitus and (2) examine the relationship between patients' diabetes self-care knowledge and their demographic and medical characteristics.

METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to implement the study. A convenience sample of 273 diabetic patients were recruited from five primary health-care centers in Amman- Jordan.

RESULTS: The overall level of knowledge of diabetes self-care in the total sample was moderate (58.28% (SD = 18.24)). The highest level of knowledge was meal planning (70.2%) followed by monitoring, causes of diabetes, foot care, symptoms and complication, diabetic medication, and the lowest level was exercise (42.5%). Furthermore, knowledge of diabetes self-care was found to be associated with age, educational status, diabetic medications and years with diabetes.

CONCLUSION: and Practice implications: The study findings emphasized that diabetic patients had a moderate level of knowledge and there were many of the learning needs for each area of knowledge. The health-care professional has an important role in developing the appropriate diabetes educational programs based on patients' learning needs and patients' characteristics. These programs that enhances knowledge on diabetes could be reduced or prevented diabetes-related complications.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy*; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Jordan; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Self Care*; Arab World; Diabetes Complications/prevention & control*; Young Adult
Diabetic nephropathy: An update on pathogenesis and drug development

A/L B Vasanth Rao VR, Tan SH, Candasamy M, Bhattamisra SK

Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2018 11 30;13(1):754-762.
PMID: 30641802 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2018.11.054

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of end-stage renal disease and affects a large number of individuals with diabetes. However, the development of specific treatments for DN has not yet been identified. Hence, this review is concisely designed to understand the molecular pathways leading to DN in order to develop suitable therapeutic strategies. Extensive literature search have been carried in regard with the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of DN, drug targets and updates on clinical trials, the consequences associated with DN and the potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prediction of DN are discussed in this review. DN is characterised by microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria, and morphological changes such as glomerular thickening, interstitial fibrosis, formation of nodular glomerulosclerosis and decreased endothelial cell fenestration. Besides, the involvement of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, inflammation and genetic factors are the key pathways in the progression of DN. In regard with drug development drugs targeted to epidermal growth factor, inflammatory cytokines, ACTH receptor and TGFβ1 receptors are in pipeline for clinical trials whereas, several drugs have also failed in phase III and phase IV of clinical trials due to lack of efficacy and severe adverse effect. The research on DN is limited with respect to its pathogenesis and drug development. Thus, a more detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of DN is very essential to progress in the drug development process.

MeSH terms: Diabetic Nephropathies/diagnosis*; Diabetic Nephropathies/drug therapy*; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism; Humans; Disease Progression*; Inflammation Mediators/antagonists & inhibitors; Inflammation Mediators/metabolism; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors/pharmacology; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors/therapeutic use
Fulltext Supplementation of Stingless Bee Honey from Heterotrigona itama Improves Antiobesity Parameters in High-Fat Diet Induced Obese Rat Model

Mohd Rafie AZ, Syahir A, Wan Ahmad WAN, Mustafa MZ, Mariatulqabtiah AR

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018;2018:6371582.
PMID: 30643535 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6371582

Heterotrigona itama is a common stingless bee species found in Southeast Asia. Studies on the health benefits of its honey are limited in comparison with other stingless bee species. This study examines the antiobesity benefits found in stingless bee honey (SBH) from H. itama. The parameters used to measure the benefits were weight change, morphological structures, and biochemical characteristics. The research was conducted by using rats that were given a high-fat diet (HFD). In total 48 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were given a formulated HFD to increase the levels of obesity, the HFD was administered with a value of 0.68 g/cm2. The duration of the treatment was six weeks, and the results show that the induction obesity using the HFD was successful. Following this, the rats were then treated with SBH (at dosages of 1000 mg/kg, 750 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg), with orlistat or with a placebo. Compared with typical obesity treatment methods, the one that used the three dosages of SBH showed a higher reduction in body mass index (BMI), percentage of body weight gain, adiposity index, and relative organ weight (ROW). The levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP) were also significantly lower in SBH-treated groups. The levels of triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower, while the level of HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in comparison with the control obese group. In terms of morphological structures, the number of adipocyte cells was reduced, and the hepatocytes found in the liver were less prone to rupturing when treated with SBH. In conclusion, the administration of SBH led to an improvement in indicators associated with obesity reduction. SBH also possesses a hepatoprotective potential which can reduce the health risks related to obesity.
Fulltext Corrigendum to "Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Following Crush Injury to Rat Peroneal Nerve by Aqueous Extract of Medicinal Mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae)"

Wong KH, Naidu M, David P, Abdulla MA, Abdullah N, Kuppusamy UR, et al.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018;2018:9820769.
PMID: 30643540 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9820769

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/ecam/neq062.].

MeSH terms: Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
Fulltext Potential of Zeolite and Algae in Biomass Immobilization

Emami Moghaddam SA, Harun R, Mokhtar MN, Zakaria R

Biomed Res Int, 2018;2018:6563196.
PMID: 30643814 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6563196

The interest in utilizing algae for wastewater treatment has been increased due to many advantages. Algae-wastewater treatment system offers a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional treatment processes such as electrocoagulation and flocculation. In this biosystem, algae can assimilate nutrients in the wastewater for their growth and simultaneously capture the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis resulting in a decrease in the greenhouse gaseousness. Furthermore, the algal biomass obtained from the treatment process could be further converted to produce high value-added products. However, the recovery of free suspended algae from the treated effluent is one of the most important challenges during the treatment process as the current methods such as centrifugation and filtration are faced with the high cost. Immobilization of algae is a suitable approach to overcome the harvesting issue. However, there are some drawbacks with the common immobilization carriers such as alginate and polyacrylamide related to low stability and toxicity, respectively. Hence, it is necessary to apply a new carrier without the mentioned problems. One of the carriers that can be a suitable candidate for the immobilization is zeolite. To date, various types of zeolite have been used for the immobilization of cells of bacteria and yeast. If there is any possibility to apply them for the immobilization of algae, it needs to be considered in further studies. This article reviews cell immobilization technique, biomass immobilization onto zeolites, and algal immobilization with their applications. Furthermore, the potential application of zeolite as an ideal carrier for algal immobilization has been discussed.

MeSH terms: Acrylic Resins; Alginates; Atmosphere; Bacteria; Carbon Dioxide; Centrifugation; Electrocoagulation; Flocculation; Hexuronic Acids; Photosynthesis; Yeast, Dried; Zeolites; Biomass; Glucuronic Acid; Waste Water
Science stars of East Asia

Cyranoski D, Law YH, Ong S, Phillips N, Zastrow M

Nature, 2018 06;558(7711):502-510.
PMID: 29950631 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-018-05506-1
MeSH terms: Animals; Asthma/etiology; Asthma/epidemiology; Breast Neoplasms/genetics*; Copper/chemistry; Feces/parasitology; Female; Gold/chemistry; Graphite/chemical synthesis; Graphite/chemistry*; Hong Kong/epidemiology; Humans; Korea; Lighting/instrumentation*; Malaysia; Silicon/chemistry; Singapore/epidemiology; Taiwan/epidemiology; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics; Video Recording; Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control; Coronavirus Infections/virology; Crops, Agricultural/genetics*; MicroRNAs/biosynthesis; MicroRNAs/genetics*; Speech Recognition Software*; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/pathogenicity; Gene Editing
Science in East Asia - by the numbers

Van Noorden R

Nature, 2018 06;558(7711):500-501.
PMID: 29950637 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-018-05505-2
MeSH terms: Hong Kong; Malaysia; Research Personnel/statistics & numerical data; Research Support as Topic/economics; Science/economics; Science/standards; Science/statistics & numerical data*; Sex Factors; Singapore; Taiwan; Universities/standards; Bibliometrics; Sex Distribution; Republic of Korea; Research Report; Gross Domestic Product
Five hubs of Asian science

Nature, 2018 06;558(7711):499.
PMID: 29950639 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-018-05504-3
MeSH terms: Hong Kong; Malaysia; Research/economics; Research/organization & administration; Research/standards; Research/trends*; Singapore; Taiwan; Republic of Korea
MicroRNA-based Biosensors for Early Detection of Cancers

Rezayi M, Farjami Z, Hosseini ZS, Ebrahimi N, Abouzari-Lotf E

Curr Pharm Des, 2018;24(39):4675-4680.
PMID: 30636591 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190111144525

Small noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs) are known as noninvasive biomarkers for early detection in various cancers. In fact, miRNAs have key roles in carcinogenicity process such as proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis. After cardiovascular disease, cancer is the second cause of death in the world with an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. So, early diagnosis of cancer is critical for successful treatment. To date, several selective and sensitive laboratory-based methods have been applied for the detection of circulating miRNA, but a simple, short assay time and low-cost method such as a biosensor method as an alternative approach to monitor cancer biomarker is required. In this review, we have highlighted recent advances in biosensors for circulating miRNA detection.

MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/blood; Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis; Humans; Neoplasms/blood; Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood*; MicroRNAs/blood*; Early Detection of Cancer*
Current Trend in Immunotherapy for Peanut Allergy

Joo Chan C, Richardo T, Lim RLH

Int Rev Immunol, 2018;37(6):279-290.
PMID: 30638084 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2018.1509967

Peanut allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction with symptoms varying from mild to severe anaphylaxis, tends to be lifelong and very few are able to outgrow this allergy. The prevalence of peanut allergy is highest among the Western countries and over the past decade, a 3.5 fold increase in prevalence of peanut allergy was reported among children in the United States. Increasing prevalence has also been observed among the Asian countries. As with other food allergies, peanut allergy reduces quality of life for the affected individuals and the social and economy burden of healthcare for peanut allergy is substantial. To date, there is no effective treatment for peanut allergy and disease management is by avoidance or relieve of symptoms via administration of epinephrine. Peanut allergy is a type-1 hypersensitivity reaction due to specific IgE production by activated T-helper type 2 (TH2) cells. Studies on various immunotherapy routes such as oral immunotherapy (OIT), sublingual immunotherapy and epicutaneous immunotherapy trials using peanut have shown the ability to induce desensitisation, shifting the allergen-specific cytokine production away from a TH2 respond. In the recent years, lactic acid bacteria probiotics have been reported to down-regulate allergy due to its inherent immunomodulatory properties. Wild-type probiotic in combination with peanut proteins or recombinant probiotics harbouring peanut allergens have been explored for OIT due to its ability to down-regulate allergen-specific-IgE production and the TH2 responses, while increasing the beneficiary population of TH1 regulatory T cells (Treg). This review discusses the current strategies in immunotherapy for peanut allergy.

MeSH terms: Allergens/immunology*; Desensitization, Immunologic/methods; Desensitization, Immunologic/trends*; Humans; Immunoglobulin E/blood; Immunoglobulin E/immunology; Arachis/immunology*; Skin Tests/methods; Prevalence; Treatment Outcome; Th2 Cells/immunology; Probiotics/administration & dosage; Peanut Hypersensitivity/diagnosis; Peanut Hypersensitivity/immunology; Peanut Hypersensitivity/epidemiology; Peanut Hypersensitivity/therapy*; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
Fulltext Seafood poisoning symptom, treatment and prevention

Yoshida, Teruaki, Zarinah Waheed, Mohd Yusof Ibrahim, Mohammad Illzam Elahee, Shahjee Hussain, Sharifa Mariam Uma Abdullah, et al.

Borneo Journal of Marine Science and Aquaculture, 2018;2(1):64-69.
MyJurnal

Food related disease or food poisoning is prevalent worldwide and is associated with high mortality. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, enterotoxins, mycotoxins, chemicals, histamine poisoning (scombroid) ciguatera and harmful algal bloom (HAB). Illness can also result by red tide while breathing in the aerosolized brevitoxins (i.e. PbTx or Ptychodiscus toxins). Bacterial toxin food poisoning can affect within 1-6 hours and 8-16 hours, and illness can be with or without bloody diarrhea. The common symptoms of food poisoning include abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Diagnosis includes examination of leftover food, food preparation environment, food handlers, feces, vomitus, serum and blood. Treatment involves oral rehydration, antiemetic, and anti-peristaltic drugs. Antimicrobial agents may be needed in the treatment of shigellosis, cholera, lifesaving invasive salmonellosis and typhoid fever. Proper care in handling and cooking is important to prevent any food borne diseases.

MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Antiemetics; Bacteria; Bacterial Toxins; Cholera; Colic; Cooking; Diarrhea; Dysentery, Bacillary; Enterotoxins; Feces; Fluid Therapy; Foodborne Diseases; Histamine; Mycotoxins; Parasites; Salmonella Food Poisoning; Salmonella Infections; Typhoid Fever; Viruses; Vomiting; Ciguatera Poisoning; Harmful Algal Bloom
Fulltext A preliminary study on the distribution of spiny lobster (Panulirus spp.) in Labuan Island, Malaysia

Chen, Cheng-Ann, Siti Nor Fatihah

Borneo Journal of Marine Science and Aquaculture, 2018;2(1):60-63.
MyJurnal

There is a paucity of information on the global distribution and capture fisheries of the spiny lobster Panulirus, spp. Under the IUCN Red List produced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature that acts as a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity, most of the Panulirus spp. are categorized under least concern category while some show a declining trend. Further investigations are needed due to data deficiency. The present survey was carried out in the western region of Labuan island. Seven random stations along the west coast of the Island were selected for observations during day dive. Generally, the density of the spiny lobsters was low throughout the present study. Only four individuals of two spiny lobster species were recorded. Two individuals of P. versicolor were observed in station 2 while the other two (P. ornatus) were spotted in station 4. This low number could be due to the preliminary nature and limited duration of the study. Spiny lobsters tend to have a wide range of depth preferences. Two adult specimens of P. versicolor were spotted in an environment where turbidity was low. Further investigations over extended period of time and covering larger sampling areas will be necessary to accurately establish the habitat preferences and other ecological aspects of P. ornatus and P. versicolor.
Fulltext Effect of exposure of African catfish (Clarias batrachus) to magnetic field on water properties and egg hatching

Hassan, Sadam M., Ridzwan A. Rahman, Rezuan H. Kamaruddin, Madlul, Najilaa S.

Borneo Journal of Marine Science and Aquaculture, 2018;2(1):54-59.
MyJurnal

Magnetic water is produced when water is passed through a magnetic field with the purpose of modifying its structure. The
changes in physical and chemical properties of magnetised water affect the biological properties of the organisms. The
magnetic field can affect the growth of fish from the embryo to the adult stage. The present study evaluates the effects of
magnetic field exposure on water properties and hatchability of the eggs of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Water was
passed through magnetic devices of different intensities; namely: 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 Tesla. The dissolved oxygen (mgL-1) and
pH levels were found to significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increase from 5.92 mgL-1 to 6.33 mgL-1, and from 8.03 to 8.19, respectively.
Ammonium (NH4-N mgL-1) level declined significantly (P ≤ 0.05) (0.20 mgL-1 to 0.16 mgL-1). Salinity (ppt), conductivity (uscm1), specific conductance (uscm-1) and total dissolved solids (mgL-1) also decreased after magnetization. Significant increase in
the rate of hatching was attained in water exposed to a magnetic field of 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 T. The study demonstrated the
benefits of using magnetic devices that are simple, practical and cost-effective.

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