Browse publications by year: 2020

  1. Fulltext Oral health knowledge among healthcare professionals and their challenges in dealing with patients’ oral health problems
    Dzulqarnain Ahmad Iskandar Shah, Nursabrina Roslan, Khairun ‘Izzah Zamansari, Tuan Nur Athirah Tuan Mohd Rahimi, Shahida Mohd-Said, Haslina Rani, et al.
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2020;18(2):39-47.
    MyJurnal
    The important role of non-dental healthcare professionals (HCPs) in promoting oral health is well-accepted and has received increased attention in recent years. However, greater efforts are needed to train them in ensuring better competency in delivering this role. The aim of the present study is to assess oral health and care knowledge among HCPs by further exploring possible challenges faced by them in managing oral health problems, particularly in regard to patients in a public primary healthcare clinic. In the case of the current research, a focus group discussion was carried out with ten HCPs who are directly involved with patients from different units within the health clinics. In particular, the questions developed for the focus group discussion were divided into two parts: (1) knowledge on oral health and its link to general health, and (2) issues and challenges faced by HCPs in handling patients with oral health problems in their daily routine. The session was recorded on a digital audio tape, the responses were then transcribed, followed by the grouping of the scripts which were then qualitatively analysed. The results revealed that majority of the participants appeared to have good knowledge of general and basic oral health; however, only very few of them were aware of the relationship between oral health problems with systemic conditions. Meanwhile, one of the main challenges faced by HCPs in handling patients with oral health problems is their limited knowledge of oral health problems. Specifically, the main challenges refer to the management of medically compromised patient requiring dental treatment as well as the difficulty in changing the mindset of patients regarding oral health issues, especially in terms of seeking dental treatment. In conclusion, it has been clearly observed that HCPs involved in the present study have good knowledge of general health and oral health but limited knowledge related to oral health to systemic health. Furthermore, they tend to face numerous challenges when dealing with patients, especially due to their limited knowledge of oral health facts and drug prescription for oral problems. Therefore, there is an urgent need of additional training for both HCPs and dental teams for the purpose of enabling both parties to provide coordinated and comprehensive service to patients with oral health problems at the primary healthcare clinics.
    Keywords: Interprofessional collaboration; care coordination; multidisciplinary; oral health knowledge; healthcare professionals
    MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Personnel; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia
  2. Fulltext A review on development of blood substitute
    Mislia Othman, Muhammad Azrul Zabidi
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2020;18(2):59-71.
    MyJurnal
    This review paper aims to present an overview of the development of blood substitute particularly red blood cell substitute or artificial oxygen carrier. Knowledge on human blood inspired from the understanding of human blood circulation system. Ibn Nafis was first to describe that blood flow through respiratory system before entering the heart. This finding denied the claim that tiny pores present within the septum of the heart. Then, William Harvey further described human cardiovascular system in detail and contributed to better understanding on the roles of blood in body. Several blood transfusions were attempted using blood collected from human, animal and other blood substitutes such as milk before the practice was banned for almost 150 years in Europe. Major discoveries on blood group and antibody reaction have made blood transfusion safer. However, several issues and challenges have re-triggered the exploration to develop red cell substitutes. Two approaches have been taken to develop the red blood cell substitute which are classified into biological and chemical based oxygen carriers. The earliest efforts have been on haemoglobin based oxygen carrier (HBOC) and perfluorocarbon (PFC) while the recent developement are on polymer-based oxygen carrier and in-vitro stem cell derived red blood cell.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Blood Group Antigens; Blood Substitutes; Blood Transfusion; Cardiovascular System; Erythrocytes; Europe; Fluorocarbons; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Milk; Oxygen; Oxyhemoglobins; Polymers; Respiratory System; Stem Cells
  3. Fulltext The impact of casemix reimbursement on hospital revenue in Indonesia
    Aljunid, Syed Mohamed, Amrizal Muhammad Nur, Irwan Saputra
    Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2020;18(2):1-8.
    MyJurnal
    The objective of this study is to examine the impact of the casemix reimbursement on the hospital revenue at three selected hospitals (Type B, C and D) reimbursed using 602 groups from 14,749 cases. The results of the study showed that the hospitals received 32.4% higher income when reimbursed with Indonesia Case Bases Groups (INA-CBG) as compared to fee-for-service. Type D hospitals is the biggest gainer with 81.0% increased in income followed by Type B hospital that obtained 34.7% higher revenue. In conclusion, the use of INA-CBG as a prospective payment method has benefitted the hospitals by the increase in the revenues. It is hope that additional resources gained in this programme will allow the hospitals to provide optimum care to the population. It is recommended that the JKA management will use the INA-CBG casemix data to monitor the performance of the hospitals to ensure that quality and efficiency of the services provided to the population is continuously maintained.
    MeSH terms: Calcium Gluconate; Diagnosis-Related Groups; Hospitals; Income; Indonesia; Longitudinal Studies; Fee-for-Service Plans
  4. Effects of the ABCB1 C3435T single nucleotide polymorphism on major adverse cardiovascular events in acute coronary syndrome or coronary artery disease patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and treated with clopidogrel: A systematic review and meta-analysis
    Biswas M, Rahaman S, Biswas TK, Ibrahim B
    Expert Opin Drug Saf, 2020 Dec;19(12):1605-1616.
    PMID: 33040624 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2020.1836152
    INTRODUCTION: The effects of the ABCB1 C3435T genetic polymorphism on clopidogrel responses are conflicting and inconclusive especially in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study examined the pooled risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and bleeding events associated with the ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism in acute coronary syndrome or coronary artery disease patients undergoing PCI and treated with clopidogrel.

    AREAS COVERED: Literature was searched in different resources for eligible studies. The pooled risk ratio was measured using RevMan software, with p<0.05 (two-sided) set as statistically significant.

    EXPERT OPINION: The ABCB1 C3435T homozygous mutant (TT) was associated with significantly increased risk of MACE compared to either wild type genotype (CC) or the combination of wild type and heterozygous genotypes (TT vs. CC: RR 1.33; 95% CI 1.06-1.68; p=0.02; TT vs. CC+CT: RR 1.32; 95% CI 1.10-1.60; p=0.004). Safety outcomes, i.e. bleeding events were not significantly different between the genetic models investigated (TT vs. CC: RR 1.93; 95% CI 0.86-4.35; p=0.11; TT vs. CC+CT: RR 1.36; 95% CI 0.89-2.09; p=0.16; CT+TT vs. CC: RR 1.20; 95% CI 0.59-2.44; p=0.61). It is suggested that ABCB1 C3435T genotype should be tested for ACS/CAD patients undergoing PCI to ensure optimum therapy of clopidogrel.

    MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases/genetics; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology; Coronary Artery Disease/therapy; Genotype; Hemorrhage/chemically induced; Humans; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/administration & dosage; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/adverse effects; P-Glycoproteins/genetics; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Acute Coronary Syndrome/therapy; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods*
  5. Fulltext Influence of Sputtering Temperature of TiO2 Deposited onto Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheet as Efficient Photoanodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
    Low FW, Chin Hock G, Kashif M, Samsudin NA, Chau CF, Indah Utami AR, et al.
    Molecules, 2020 Oct 21;25(20).
    PMID: 33096759 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204852
    Renewable solar energy is the key target to reduce fossil fuel consumption, minimize global warming issues, and indirectly minimizes erratic weather patterns. Herein, the authors synthesized an ultrathin reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheet with ~47 nm via an improved Hummer's method. The TiO2 was deposited by RF sputtering onto an rGO nanosheet with a variation of temperature to enhance the photogenerated electron or charge carrier mobility transport for the photoanode component. The morphology, topologies, element composition, crystallinity as well as dye-sensitized solar cells' (DSSCs) performance were determined accordingly. Based on the results, FTIR spectra revealed presence of Ti-O-C bonds in every rGO-TiO2 nanocomposite samples at 800 cm-1. Besides, XRD revealed that a broad peak of anatase TiO2 was detected at ~25.4° after incorporation with the rGO. Furthermore, it was discovered that sputtering temperature of 120 °C created a desired power conversion energy (PCE) of 7.27% based on the J-V plot. Further increase of the sputtering temperature to 160 °C and 200 °C led to excessive TiO2 growth on the rGO nanosheet, thus resulting in undesirable charge recombination formed at the photoanode in the DSSC device.
    MeSH terms: Coloring Agents/chemistry*; Electrodes; Graphite/chemistry; Oxidation-Reduction; Particle Size; Electric Power Supplies*; Solar Energy*; Surface Properties; Temperature*; Titanium/chemistry; Molecular Structure; Nanoparticles/chemistry; Photochemical Processes
  6. Fulltext Development of a Linear Acoustic Array for Aero-Acoustic Quantification of Camber-Bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
    Butt AH, Akbar B, Aslam J, Akram N, Soudagar MEM, García Márquez FP, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2020 Oct 21;20(20).
    PMID: 33096774 DOI: 10.3390/s20205954
    Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) are a source of renewable energy and are used for both industrial and domestic purposes. The study of noise characteristics of a VAWT is an important performance parameter for the turbine. This study focuses on the development of a linear microphone array and measuring acoustic signals on a cambered five-bladed 45 W VAWT in an anechoic chamber at different tip speed ratios. The sound pressure level spectrum of VAWT shows that tonal noises such as blade passing frequencies dominate at lower frequencies whereas broadband noise corresponds to all audible ranges of frequencies. This study shows that the major portion of noise from the source is dominated by aerodynamic noises generated due to vortex generation and trailing edge serrations. The research also predicts that dynamic stall is evident in the lower Tip speed ratio (TSR) region making smaller TSR values unsuitable for a quiet VAWT. This paper compares the results of linear aeroacoustic array with a 128-MEMS acoustic camera with higher resolution. The study depicts a 3 dB margin between two systems at lower TSR values. The research approves the usage of the 8 mic linear array for small radius rotary machinery considering the results comparison with a NORSONIC camera and its resolution. These observations serve as a basis for noise reduction and blade optimization techniques.
    MeSH terms: Acoustics; Industry; Noise; Radius; Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems; Renewable Energy
  7. Development of a predictive model for work-relatedness of MSDs among semiconductor back-end workers
    Ling CF, Radin Umar RZ, Ahmad N
    Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2020 Dec 29.
    PMID: 33096963 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2020.1840116
    Objective. Limited models are available to predict work-relatedness of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among semiconductor back-end workers. This study aims to develop a model to predict the MSDs development among back-end workers. Method. Potential MSD risk factors were extracted from 277 work compensation investigation reports conducted between 2011-2019. Binary logistic regression approach was used to determine significant predictors. Results. Significant predictors (p 
    MeSH terms: Employment; Physical Exertion; Humans; Maintenance; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Posture; Risk Factors; Semiconductors; Confidence Intervals; Logistic Models; Odds Ratio; Lifting
  8. Simultaneous removal of Congo red and cadmium(II) from aqueous solutions using graphene oxide-silica composite as a multifunctional adsorbent
    Mahmoudi E, Azizkhani S, Mohammad AW, Ng LY, Benamor A, Ang WL, et al.
    J Environ Sci (China), 2020 Dec;98:151-160.
    PMID: 33097147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.05.013
    Graphene oxide is a very high capacity adsorbent due to its functional groups and π-π interactions with other compounds. Adsorption capacity of graphene oxide, however, can be further enhanced by having synergistic effects through the use of mixed-matrix composite. In this study, silica-decorated graphene oxide (SGO) was used as a high-efficiency adsorbent to remove Congo red (CR) and Cadmium (II) from aqueous solutions. The effects of solution initial concentration (20 to 120 mg/l), solution pH (pH 2 to 7), adsorption duration (0 to 140 min) and temperature (298 to 323 K) were measured in order to optimize the adsorption conditions using the SGO adsorbent. Morphological analysis indicated that the silica nanoparticles could be dispersed uniformly on the graphene oxide surfaces. The maximum capacities of adsorbent for effective removal of Cd (II) and CR were 43.45 and 333.33 mg/g based on Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms displayed the highest values of Qmax for CR and Cd (II) adsorption in this study, which indicated monolayer adsorption of CR and multilayer adsorption of Cd (II) onto the SGO, respectively. Thermodynamic study showed that the enthalpy (ΔH) and Gibbs free energy(ΔG) values of the adsorption process for both pollutants were negative, suggesting that the process was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. This study showed active sites of SGO (π-π, hydroxyl, carboxyl, ketone, silane-based functional groups) contributed to an enormous enhancement in simultaneous removal of CR and Cd (II) from an aqueous solution, Therefore, SGO can be considered as a promising adsorbent for future water pollution control and removal of hazardous materials from aqueous solutions.
    MeSH terms: Cadmium; Congo Red*; Graphite; Silicon Dioxide
  9. Fulltext COVID-19 Highlights the Need for More Effective Wildlife Trade Legislation
    Borzée A, McNeely J, Magellan K, Miller JRB, Porter L, Dutta T, et al.
    Trends Ecol Evol, 2020 12;35(12):1052-1055.
    PMID: 33097287 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.10.001
    Zoonosis-based epidemics are inevitable unless we revisit our relationship with the natural world, protect habitats, and regulate wildlife trade, including live animals and non-sustenance products. To prevent future zoonoses, governments must establish effective legislation addressing wildlife trade, protection of habitats, and reduction of the wildlife-livestock-human interface.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animals, Wild*; Humans; Pneumonia, Viral*; Zoonoses/epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections*; Pandemics*
  10. Fulltext Fabrication of tri-layered electrospun polycaprolactone mats with improved sustained drug release profile
    Kamath SM, Sridhar K, Jaison D, Gopinath V, Ibrahim BKM, Gupta N, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 10 23;10(1):18179.
    PMID: 33097770 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74885-1
    Modulation of initial burst and long term release from electrospun fibrous mats can be achieved by sandwiching the drug loaded mats between hydrophobic layers of fibrous polycaprolactone (PCL). Ibuprofen (IBU) loaded PCL fibrous mats (12% PCL-IBU) were sandwiched between fibrous polycaprolactone layers during the process of electrospinning, by varying the polymer concentrations (10% (w/v), 12% (w/v)) and volume of coat (1 ml, 2 ml) in flanking layers. Consequently, 12% PCL-IBU (without sandwich layer) showed burst release of 66.43% on day 1 and cumulative release (%) of 86.08% at the end of 62 days. Whereas, sandwich groups, especially 12% PCLSW-1 & 2 (sandwich layers-1 ml and 2 ml of 12% PCL) showed controlled initial burst and cumulative (%) release compared to 12% PCL-IBU. Moreover, crystallinity (%) and hydrophobicity of the sandwich models imparted control on ibuprofen release from fibrous mats. Further, assay for cytotoxicity and scanning electron microscopic images of cell seeded mats after 5 days showed the mats were not cytotoxic. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopic analysis revealed weak interaction between ibuprofen and PCL in nanofibers which favors the release of ibuprofen. These data imply that concentration and volume of coat in flanking layer imparts tighter control on initial burst and long term release of ibuprofen.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Line; Delayed-Action Preparations/chemistry; Ibuprofen/administration & dosage; Ibuprofen/chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Polyesters/chemistry*; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; X-Ray Diffraction; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared/methods; Mice; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Drug Liberation*; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  11. Influence of serum concentration in retinoic acid and phorbol ester induced differentiation of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line
    Magalingam KB, Radhakrishnan AK, Somanath SD, Md S, Haleagrahara N
    Mol Biol Rep, 2020 Nov;47(11):8775-8788.
    PMID: 33098048 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05925-2
    Numerous protocols to establish dopaminergic phenotype in SH-SY5Y cells have been reported. In most of these protocols there are variations in concentration of serum used. In this paper, we compared the effects of high (10%), low (3%) and descending (2.5%/1%) serum concentration in differentiation medium containing different proportion of retinoic acid (RA) and 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or RA-only on the undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells with regards to cell morphology, biochemical and gene expression alterations. Cells differentiated in culture medium containing low and descending serum concentrations showed increased number of neurite projections and reduced proliferation rates when compared to undifferentiated cells. The SH-SY5Y cells differentiated in culture medium containing 3% RA and low serum or descending (2.5%/1% RA/TPA) were found to be more susceptible to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced cytotoxicity. Cells differentiated with RA/TPA or RA differentiated showed increased production of the α-synuclein (SNCA) neuroprotein and dopamine neurotransmitter compared to undifferentiated cells, regardless serum concentrations used. There was no significant difference in the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene between undifferentiated and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. However, the expression of dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) gene was markedly increased (p<0.05) in differentiated cells with 3% serum and RA only when compared to undifferentiated cells. In conclusion, to terminally differentiate SH-SY5Y cells to be used as a cell-based model to study Parkinson's disease (PD) to investigate molecular mechanisms and drug discovery, the optimal differentiation medium should contain 3% serum in RA-only.
    MeSH terms: Cell Differentiation/drug effects*; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects*; Humans; Phorbol Esters/pharmacology*; Tretinoin/pharmacology*; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism; Receptors, Dopamine D2/metabolism; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation/drug effects*; alpha-Synuclein/metabolism
  12. Fulltext A Sensitive Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Direct Visual Detection of SARS-CoV-2
    Lau YL, Ismail IB, Izati Binti Mustapa N, Lai MY, Tuan Soh TS, Hassan AH, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2020 Dec;103(6):2350-2352.
    PMID: 33098286 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1079
    A simple and rapid reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The RT-LAMP assay was highly specific for SARS-CoV-2 and was able to detect one copy of transcribed SARS-CoV-2 RNA within 24 minutes. Assay validation performed using 50 positive and 32 negative clinical samples showed 100% sensitivity and specificity. The RT-LAMP would be valuable for clinical diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in resource-limited areas as it does not require the use of sophisticated and costly equipment.
    MeSH terms: Humans; RNA, Viral/genetics*; Sensitivity and Specificity; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques/methods; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques/standards*; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/methods; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/standards*; Reverse Transcription; Pandemics*
  13. Fulltext Modified J-CAPRA scoring system in predicting treatment outcomes of metastatic prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy
    Lim J, Hinotsu S, Onozawa M, Malek R, Sundram M, Teh GC, et al.
    Cancer Med, 2020 12;9(24):9346-9352.
    PMID: 33098372 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3548
    The J-CAPRA score is an assessment tool which stratifies risk and predicts outcome of primary androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) using prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score, and clinical TNM staging. Here, we aimed to assess the generalisability of this tool in multi-ethnic Asians. Performance of J-CAPRA was evaluated in 782 Malaysian and 16,946 Japanese patients undergoing ADT from the Malaysian Study Group of Prostate Cancer (M-CaP) and Japan Study Group of Prostate Cancer (J-CaP) databases, respectively. Using the original J-CAPRA, 69.6% metastatic (M1) cases without T and/or N staging were stratified as intermediate-risk disease in the M-CaP database. To address this, we first omitted clinical T and N stage variables, and calculated the score on a 0-8 scale in the modified J-CAPRA scoring system for M1 patients. Notably, treatment decisions of M1 cases were not directly affected by both T and N staging. The J-CAPRA score threshold was adjusted for intermediate (modified J-CAPRA score 3-5) and high-risk (modified J-CAPRA score ≥6) groups in M1 patients. Using J-CaP database, validation analysis showed that overall survival, prostate cancer-specific survival, and progression-free survival of modified intermediate and high-risk groups were comparable to those of original J-CAPRA (p > 0.05) with Cohen's coefficient of 0.65. Around 88% M1 cases from M-CaP database were reclassified into high-risk category. Modified J-CAPRA scoring system is instrumental in risk assessment and treatment outcome prediction for M1 patients without T and/or N staging.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Algorithms; Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use*; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Metastasis; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology; Cohort Studies; Survival Rate; Treatment Outcome; Risk Assessment/methods*; Neoplasm Grading
  14. Fulltext Protective efficacy of inactivated Newcastle disease virus vaccines prepared in two different oil-based adjuvants
    Aljumaili OA, Bello MB, Yeap SK, Omar AR, Ideris A
    Onderstepoort J Vet Res, 2020 Sep 28;87(1):e1-e7.
    PMID: 33054260 DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v87i1.1865
    Despite the availability of Newcastle disease (ND) vaccines for more than six decades, disease outbreaks continue to occur with huge economic consequences to the global poultry industry. The aim of this study is to develop a safe and effective inactivated vaccine based on a recently isolated Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain IBS025/13 and evaluate its protective efficacy in chicken following challenge with a highly virulent genotype VII isolate. Firstly, high titre of IBS025/13 was exposed to various concentrations of binary ethylenimine (BEI) to determine the optimal conditions for complete inactivation of the virus. The inactivated virus was then prepared in form of a stable water-in-oil emulsion of black seed oil (BSO) or Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) and used as vaccines in specific pathogen-free chicken. Efficacy of various vaccine preparations was also evaluated based on the ability of the vaccine to protect against clinical disease, mortality and virus shedding following challenge with highly virulent genotype\VII NDV isolate. The results indicate that exposure of NDV IBS025/13 to 10 mM of BEI for 21 h at 37 °C could completely inactivate the virus without tempering with the structural integrity of the viral hemagglutin-neuraminidase protein. More so, the inactivated vaccines adjuvanted with either BSO- or FIA-induced high hemagglutination inhibition antibody titre that protected the vaccinated birds against clinical disease and in some cases virus shedding, especially when used together with live attenuated vaccines. Thus, genotype VII-based NDV-inactivated vaccines formulated in BSO could substantially improve poultry disease control particularly when combined with live attenuated vaccines.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Chickens*; Newcastle Disease/prevention & control*; Newcastle Disease/virology; Newcastle disease virus/immunology*; Poultry Diseases/prevention & control*; Poultry Diseases/virology; Vaccines, Attenuated/administration & dosage; Viral Vaccines/administration & dosage*; Vaccines, Inactivated/administration & dosage
  15. Reinstatement of species belonging Marphysa sanguinea complex (Annelida: Eunicidae) and description of new species from the mid-Pacific Ocean and the Adriatic Sea
    Molina-Acevedo IC, Idris I
    Zootaxa, 2020 Jul 15;4816(1):zootaxa.4816.1.1.
    PMID: 33055711 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4816.1.1
    Marphysa sanguinea Montagu, 1813, the type species of genus Marphysa, was described with few characteristics and subsequently reported in tropical and temperate waters as a cosmopolitan species. Recent comparative studies have shown that M. sanguinea has a limited distribution to the Northeast Atlantic. As a result, species from the tropical and subtropical zones are now being redescribed as new species. However, this issue is not completely resolved because of the taxonomic status of seven nominal species, considered as junior synonymies of M. sanguinea. Herein, we examined the type and additional materials from five species in synonymy M. sanguinea and performed a compared analysis with the neotype of M. sanguinea. Additionally, we reviewed specimens from two localities in the mid-Pacific Ocean and the Adriatic Sea, where M. sanguinea was previously reported. As a result of this study, three species were reinstated (M. californica Moore, 1909, M. leidii de Quatrefages, 1866, and M. parishii Baird, 1869) and two subspecies, are now raised to species level (M. americana n. status and M. brevibranchiata n. status). In addition, two new species from Hawaii and Croatia are described: M. baileybrockae n. sp. and M. birgeri n. sp., respectively. Morphological comparisons with most species currently assigned to the M. sanguinea complex are presented. This work provides more support for rejecting the hypothesis that M. sanguinea is a cosmopolitan species and we encourage the use of novel and traditional morphological characters to differentiate species within the complex.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Annelida*; Pacific Ocean; Polychaeta*
  16. A new species of Clidicus in East Malaysia (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)
    JaŁoszyŃski P
    Zootaxa, 2020 Jun 10;4790(1):zootaxa.4790.1.12.
    PMID: 33055863 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4790.1.12
    A new species of Clidicini ant-like stone beetles, Clidicus mawarensis sp. n., is described and illustrated. The holotype male was collected in East Malaysia (Borneo: Sabah); the new species belongs to a group of large-bodied Clidicus, and shows similarities to C. ganglbaueri Reitter; the male has unusually complex structures of the aedeagal apical region.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Structures; Beetles*; Malaysia; Male; Animal Distribution
  17. New taxa of crickets (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phaloriinae, Phalangopsinae, Itarinae and Podoscirtinae) from Borneo (Brunei Darussalam and Sandakan)
    Tan MK, Japir R, Chung AYC, Wahab RBHA
    Zootaxa, 2020 Jul 10;4810(2):zootaxa.4810.2.2.
    PMID: 33055895 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4810.2.2
    Three new species were described from Borneo: Itara (Bornitara) spinosa sp. nov. and Aphonoides duri sp. nov. from Brunei and Varitrella (Cantotrella) suikei sp. nov. from Sandakan in Sabah. We describe the call of Varitrella (Cantotrella) suikei sp. nov. In addition to the new species descriptions, we also report new locality records of other recently discovered species: Borneloria spinosa Gorochov, 2018 in Belait (Brunei Darussalam), species of Anemozara Gorochov, 2014 in Brunei Darussalam and Terrozacla borneo Gorochov, 2014 in Belait.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Borneo; Brunei; Gryllidae*; Malaysia
  18. A new species of Cerapus (Amphipoda: Senticaudata: Ischyroceridae) from Pulau Bum Bum, Sabah, Malaysia, with an identification key to Cerapus species
    Nurshazwan J, Ahmad-Zaki AB, Azman BAR
    Zootaxa, 2020 Jun 24;4802(3):zootaxa.4802.3.7.
    PMID: 33056047 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4802.3.7
    The first representative of the genus Cerapus in Malaysian waters, Cerapus bumbumiensis sp. nov. is described from specimens sampled from Pulau Bum Bum, Sabah (east Malaysia). The main identifying characteristics of this new amphipod species are: pereonites 1, 2 with constriction; male gnathopod 2 carpochelate, carpus large with long defining posterior tooth and well-developed anterodistal tooth; pereopod 6 coxa with fine hair/fringe setae ventrally; and telson with deep cleft. An updated identification key for the 23 known species in the genus is also presented.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Malaysia; Male; Amphipoda*
  19. A review of the genus Apophysius Cushman (Ichneumonidae: Phygadeuontinae), with descriptions of six new species
    Pham NT, Matsumoto R, Konishi K, Sheng ML, Broad GR
    Zootaxa, 2020 Jun 23;4802(2):zootaxa.4802.2.5.
    PMID: 33056620 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4802.2.5
    The phygadeuontine genus Apophysius (Ichneumonidae) is reviewed for the first time. Six new species are described, A. baolocensis Pham, Matsumoto Broad sp. nov., A. constrictus Pham, Matsumoto Broad sp. nov. and A. taynguyenensis Pham, Matsumoto Broad sp. nov. from the Central Highlands of Vietnam, A. latus Pham, Matsumoto, Konishi, Sheng Broad sp. nov. from China and Vietnam, A. takasukai Pham, Konishi Broad sp. nov. from the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, and A. pentaceratops Broad sp. nov. from Sarawak, Malaysia. A key to the nine known species of the genus Apophysius is included.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Hymenoptera*
  20. Nipponophloeostiba thayeri sp.n., a new species from Sabah, Malaysia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Omaliini)
    Shavrin AV
    Zootaxa, 2020 Jun 22;4802(1):zootaxa.4802.1.14.
    PMID: 33056642 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4802.1.14
    Nipponophloeostiba thayeri Shavrin, sp.n. from Borneo Island, Sabah (Malaysia) is described, illustrated and compared with Japanese N. verrucifera Watanabe, 1962.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Beetles*; Malaysia; Animal Distribution
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