Browse publications by year: 2023

  1. Fulltext The development of DNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2
    Khalid K, Poh CL
    Adv Med Sci, 2023 Sep;68(2):213-226.
    PMID: 37364379 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2023.05.003
    BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic exerted significant impacts on public health and global economy. Research efforts to develop vaccines at warp speed against SARS-CoV-2 led to novel mRNA, viral vectored, and inactivated vaccines being administered. The current COVID-19 vaccines incorporate the full S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain but rapidly emerging variants of concern (VOCs) have led to significant reductions in protective efficacies. There is an urgent need to develop next-generation vaccines which could effectively prevent COVID-19.

    METHODS: PubMed and Google Scholar were systematically reviewed for peer-reviewed papers up to January 2023.

    RESULTS: A promising solution to the problem of emerging variants is a DNA vaccine platform since it can be easily modified. Besides expressing whole protein antigens, DNA vaccines can also be constructed to include specific nucleotide genes encoding highly conserved and immunogenic epitopes from the S protein as well as from other structural/non-structural proteins to develop effective vaccines against VOCs. DNA vaccines are associated with low transfection efficiencies which could be enhanced by chemical, genetic, and molecular adjuvants as well as delivery systems.

    CONCLUSIONS: The DNA vaccine platform offers a promising solution to the design of effective vaccines. The challenge of limited immunogenicity in humans might be solved through the use of genetic modifications such as the addition of nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide gene, strong promoters, MARs, introns, TLR agonists, CD40L, and the development of appropriate delivery systems utilizing nanoparticles to increase uptake by APCs in enhancing the induction of potent immune responses.

    MeSH terms: Humans; Vaccines, DNA*; Pandemics
  2. Microtubular cellulose-derived kapok fibre as a solid electron donor for boosting photocatalytic H2O2 production over C-doped g-C3N4 hybrid complexation
    Hasnan NSN, Mohamed MA, Nordin NA, Wan Ishak WNR, Kassim MB
    Carbohydr Polym, 2023 Oct 01;317:121096.
    PMID: 37364961 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121096
    Cellulose continues to play an important and emerging role in photocatalysis, and its favourable properties, such as electron-rich hydroxyl groups, could enhance the performance of photocatalytic reactions. For the first time, this study exploited the kapok fibre with microtubular structure (t-KF) as a solid electron donor to enhance the photocatalytic activity of C-doped g-C3N4 (CCN) via ligand-to-metal-charge-transfer (LMCT) to improve hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production performance. As confirmed by various characterisation techniques, the hybrid complex consisting of CCN grafted on t-KF was successfully developed in the presence of succinic acid (SA) as a cross-linker via a simple hydrothermal approach. The complexation formation between CCN and t-KF results in the CCN-SA/t-KF sample displaying a higher photocatalytic activity than pristine g-C3N4 to produce H2O2 under visible light irradiation. The enhanced physicochemical and optoelectronic properties of CCN-SA/t-KF imply that the LMCT mechanism is crucial in improving photocatalytic activity. This study promotes utilising the unique t-KF material's properties to develop a low-cost and high-performance cellulose-based LMCT photocatalyst.
  3. Fulltext Deep neural network-based analysis of the impact of ambidextrous innovation and social networks on firm performance
    Zhang X, Quah CH, Nazri Bin Mohd Nor M
    Sci Rep, 2023 Jun 26;13(1):10301.
    PMID: 37365193 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36920-9
    The motivation for analyzing the impact of deep neural networks on enterprise performance is mainly due to the continuous deepening of enterprise information construction, shifting from traditional paper-based data acquisition methods to electronic data management. The data generated by the sales, production, logistics and other links of enterprises is also becoming increasingly large. How to scientifically and effectively process these massive amounts of data and extract valuable information has become an important issue that enterprises need to solve. The continuous and stable growth of China's economy has promoted the development and growth of enterprises, however, it has also made enterprises face a more complex competitive environment. The question of how to improve the performance of enterprises to enhance their competitiveness in the market has become a major issue to be addressed in the face of fierce competition and to ensure the long-term development of enterprises. In this paper, based on the research of firm performance evaluation, deep neural network is introduced to analyse the influence of ambidextrous innovation and social network on firm performance, and the theories of social network, ambidextrous innovation and deep neural network are sorted out and analysed, and a deep neural network-based firm performance evaluation model is established, and finally the sample data is obtained using crawler technology, and then the response values are analysed. Innovation and the improvement of the mean value of social networks are helpful to firm performance.
  4. Fulltext Exploring the potential of Bornean polypore fungi as biological control agents against pathogenic Ganoderma boninense causing basal stem rot in oil palm
    Darlis D, Jalloh MB, Chin CFS, Basri NKM, Besar NA, Ahmad K, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2023 Jun 26;13(1):10316.
    PMID: 37365214 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37507-0
    Basal stem rot due to a fungal pathogen, Ganoderma boninense, is one of the most devastating diseases in oil palm throughout the major palm oil producer countries. This study investigated the potential of polypore fungi as biological control agents against pathogenic G. boninense in oil palm. In vitro antagonistic screening of selected non-pathogenic polypore fungi was performed. Based on in planta fungi inoculation on oil palm seedlings, eight of the 21 fungi isolates tested (GL01, GL01, RDC06, RDC24, SRP11, SRP12, SRP17, and SRP18) were non-pathogenic. In vitro antagonistic assays against G. boninense revealed that the percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) in dual culture assay for SRP11 (69.7%), SRP17 (67.3%), and SRP18 (72.7%) was relatively high. Percentage inhibition of diameter growth (PIDG) in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in dual plate assay of SRP11, SRP17, and SRP18 isolates were 43.2%, 51.6%, and 52.1%, respectively. Molecular identification using the internal transcribed spacer gene sequences of SRP11, SRP17, and SRP18 isolates revealed that they were Fomes sp., Trametes elegans, and Trametes lactinea, respectively.
    MeSH terms: Plant Diseases/microbiology; Trametes; Biological Control Agents
  5. Fulltext Annealing temperature effects on the size and band gap of ZnS quantum dots fabricated by co-precipitation technique without capping agent
    Alwany AB, Youssef GM, Samir OM, Algradee MA, A Yahya NA, Swillam MA, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2023 Jun 26;13(1):10314.
    PMID: 37365289 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37563-6
    ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were fabricated using the co-precipitation technique with no capping agent. The effects of different annealing temperatures (non-annealed, 240 °C and 340 °C for 2 h) on the structural and optical characteristics of ZnS QDs are reported. The samples were examined by XRD, TEM, PL, FTIR, and UV-Vis. An increase in annealing temperature led to an increase in the dot size and a lowering of the energy band gap (EG). The average crystallite size, D of ZnS was between 4.4 and 5.6 nm. The ZnS QDs showed a band gap of 3.75, 3.74 and 3.72 eV for non-annealed, 240 °C, and 340 °C annealed samples. The reflection spectra increased in the visible light and decreased in UV region with an increase in annealing temperature. This work showed that the band gap and size of ZnS QDs could be tuned by varying the annealing temperature.
  6. Symmetry-Driven Assembly of a Penta-Shell Keplerate Cuprofullerene for Metallofullerene Frameworks
    Liu YL, Zhan SZ, Sun JX, Cai H, Yuan ZL, Zhang HF, et al.
    Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 2023 Aug 14;62(33):e202306748.
    PMID: 37366116 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306748
    Two metallofullerene frameworks (MFFs) constructed from a penta-shell Keplerate cuprofullerene chloride, C60 @Cu24 @Cl44 @Cu12 @Cl12 , have been successfully prepared via a C60 -templated symmetry-driven strategy. The icosahedral cuprofullerene chloride is assembled on a C60 molecule through [η2 -(C=C)]-CuI and CuI -Cl coordination bonds, resulting in the penta-shell Keplerate with the C60 core canopied by 24 Cu, 44 Cl, 12 Cu and 12 Cl atoms that fulfill the tic@rco@oae@ico@ico penta-shell polyhedral configuration. By sharing the outmost-shell Cl atoms, the cuprofullerene chlorides are connected into 2D or 3D (snf net) frameworks. TD-DFT calculations reveal that the charge transfer from the outmost CuI and Cl to C60 core is responsible for their light absorption expansion to near-infrared region, implying anionic halogenation may be an effective strategy to tune the light absorption properties of metallofullerene materials.
  7. Fulltext Controversy and Consensus on Indications for Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in Male Infertility: A Global Survey, Current Guidelines, and Expert Recommendations
    Agarwal A, Farkouh A, Saleh R, Abdel-Meguid Hamoda TA, Harraz AM, Kavoussi P, et al.
    World J Mens Health, 2023 Jul;41(3):575-602.
    PMID: 37118960 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220282
    PURPOSE: Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) testing was recently added to the sixth edition of the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Many conditions and risk factors have been associated with elevated SDF; therefore, it is important to identify the population of infertile men who might benefit from this test. The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to indications for SDF testing, compare the relevant professional society guideline recommendations, and provide expert recommendations.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinicians managing male infertility were invited to take part in a global online survey on SDF clinical practices. This was conducted following the CHERRIES checklist criteria. The responses were compared to professional society guideline recommendations related to SDF and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations on indications for SDF testing were then formulated, and the Delphi method was used to reach consensus.

    RESULTS: The survey was completed by 436 experts from 55 countries. Almost 75% of respondents test for SDF in all or some men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, 39% order it routinely in the work-up of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and 62.2% investigate SDF in smokers. While 47% of reproductive urologists test SDF to support the decision for varicocele repair surgery when conventional semen parameters are normal, significantly fewer general urologists (23%; p=0.008) do the same. Nearly 70% would assess SDF before assisted reproductive technologies (ART), either always or for certain conditions. Recurrent ART failure is a common indication for SDF testing. Very few society recommendations were found regarding SDF testing.

    CONCLUSIONS: This article presents the largest global survey on the indications for SDF testing in infertile men, and demonstrates diverse practices. Furthermore, it highlights the paucity of professional society guideline recommendations. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians.

  8. New developmental data of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in tropical temperatures and its implications in forensic entomology
    Ivorra T, Khorri SM, Rahimi R, Hoe CC
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):1-6.
    PMID: 37355997 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.003
    The estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is an essential information in death investigations. It is necessary to know the developmental data of the most important necrophagous insect species in every geographical area. Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is one of the most common species associated with human body decomposition, especially in the tropics, so a precise knowledge of its life cycle is crucial. However, despite its ubiquity, developmental data in a range of tropical temperatures is scarce. For this reason, the aim of this study is to provide the developmental data of the blowfly, C. megacephala, in a range of tropical temperatures and to apply these data in forensic entomology. Four temperatures were examined (i.e., 27.0°C 29.5°C, 32.0°C and 34.5°C) and the time of developments from egg to adult were recorded. To build the growth curves, five larvae per day were measured with a digital caliper. Accumulated degree-days were calculated and the isomorphen diagram for this species was plotted. As we predicted, the results showed that the life cycle of this species was affected by the increasing temperature. The implications of these new data for determining the minimum PMI in forensic entomology were discussed.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Diptera*; Humans; Larva; Life Cycle Stages; Temperature; Forensic Sciences
  9. Molecular prevalence of Anaplasma marginale in ruminants and Rhipicephalus ticks in northern Pakistan
    Ali S, Hasan M, Ahmad AS, Ashraf K, Khan JA, Rashid MI
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):7-13.
    PMID: 37355998 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.005
    Anaplasma marginale is the most prevalent tick-borne haemoparasite of cattle and causes huge economic losses to the dairy industry worldwide. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of A. marginale infection in blood and tick samples collected from livestock animals in the districts located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. A total of 184 blood and 370 tick samples were included in this study. It has never been reported that sheep, goats, and cattle in Tank, Ghulam Khan, Birmil and Miran Shah areas were infected with A. marginale. All samples of blood and ticks were collected through random sampling from March 2021 to January 2022 from cattle, sheep and goats and screened through PCR for anaplasmosis by using primer pairs of Anaplasma spp. Three hundred and seventy ticks were collected from infested hosts (120/184, 64.21%). Among the four morphologically identified tick species, the highest occurrence was recorded for Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n=138, 37.29%), followed by Rhipicephalus microplus (n=131, 35.4%), Rhipicephalus annulatus (n=40, 10.81%), Hyalomma anatolicum (n=31, 8.37%), and Hyalomma marginatum (n=30, 8.1%). The occurrence of female tick was highest (n=160, 43.24%), followed by nymphs (n=140, 37.38%) and males ticks (n=70, 18.9%). Among these ticks, A. marginale was detected in female ticks of R. microplus, and R. sanguineus. Molecular identification of A. marginale was confirmed in 120 out of 184 blood samples and 6 out of 74 tick samples. Overall, occurrence of A. marginale in blood and tick samples was found to be 65.21% and 8.1% respectively. Species-wise occurrence in blood samples of goats were 71.11% followed by sheep 68.31% and cattle 50%. Specie-wise occurrence of A. marginale in tick samples of cattle were 12.5% followed by goats 6.89%. The obtained sequence showed similarity with A. marginale reported from Kenya and USA. We report the first PCR based detection of A. marginale infection in blood samples and in R. sanguineus ticks of goats simultaneously.
    MeSH terms: Anaplasma; Animals; Cattle; Female; Goats/parasitology; Male; Pakistan/epidemiology; Ruminants/parasitology; Sheep; Prevalence; Rhipicephalus*
  10. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium and Lactobacillus spp. interactions in vitro elicit improved antimicrobial production
    Nicdao MA, Ingalla PC, Ingalla J
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):14-22.
    PMID: 37355999 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.006
    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis. Despite the drug discovery efforts, AMR is increasing, and discoveries are nearly nil. It is thus critical to design new strategies. Probiotics are tapped as alternatives to antibiotics for the treatment of gut-associated diseases. Lactobacillus species, common in food products, can inhibit the growth of gut pathogens. Here, we demonstrate the antimicrobial activities of Lactobacillus species - Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus are enhanced when cocultured with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium. Cell-free culture supernatants (CFCS) from cocultures of Lactobacillus spp. and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium more potently inhibit pathogen growth than their monoculture counterparts. Interestingly, we discovered that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium could enhance the production of antimicrobials from Lactobacillus spp., most evident in L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. Also, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CFCS upregulates key Salmonella virulence genes, hilA and sipA. Whether this increases Salmonella's pathogenicity in vivo or reduces pathogen fitness and growth inhibition in vitro warrants further investigation. We propose that these probiotic isolates may be utilized for innovative natural food processing and preservation strategies to control Salmonella food contaminations. Importantly, our findings that Salmonella elicits an enhanced antimicrobial activity from Lactobacillus spp. provide evidence of a pathogen-mediated elicitation of antimicrobial production. Therefore, extending this phenomenon to other microbial interactions may help augment the strategies for drug discovery.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Serogroup
  11. Salmonella enteritidis abdominal aorta mycotic aneurysm presented with acute cholestatic jaundice: A case report and literature review
    Wahab AA, Mohamed N, Ding CH, Muttaqillah NAS, Rosli N, Mohammed F
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):23-28.
    PMID: 37356000 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.008
    Mycotic aneurysm is one of the extra-intestinal manifestations of Salmonella Enteritidis infection. The diagnosis of this condition is challenging owed to its variation in clinical presentations. We presented a case of a 54-year-old man with underlying diabetes mellitus and chronic smokers presented with acute right flank pain and fever associated with mild jaundice. The initial laboratory investigations suggested features of obstructive jaundice and urinary tract infection. The contrast enhancing computed tomography of the abdomen revealed the presence of saccular mycotic aneurysm located at the infrarenal abdominal aorta. The blood culture grew Salmonella Enteritidis which was susceptible to ceftriaxone, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Intravenous ceftriaxone was initiated, and he underwent open surgery and artery repair at day 8 of admission. He responded well to the treatment given and subsequently discharged home after completed three weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone.
    MeSH terms: Abdomen; Aorta, Abdominal/surgery; Ceftriaxone/therapeutic use; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Salmonella enteritidis
  12. Experimental infection of tick cells with Nipah virus
    Phoon WH, Bell-Sakyi L, AbuBakar S, Chang LY
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):29-36.
    PMID: 37356001 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.009
    Nipah virus (NiV), a highly pathogenic henipavirus of the family Paramyxoviridae, which causes fatal encephalitis in 40-70% of affected patients, was first reported in Malaysia over 20 years ago. Pteropid bats are the natural hosts of henipaviruses, and ticks have been proposed as a possible link between bats and mammalian hosts. To investigate this hypothesis, infection of the tick cell line IDE8 with NiV was examined. Presence of viral RNA and antigen in the NiV-infected tick cells was confirmed. Infectious virions were recovered from NiV-infected tick cells and ultrastructural features of NiV were observed by electron microscopy. These results suggest that ticks could support NiV infection, potentially playing a role in transmission.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Line; Chiroptera*; Humans; Malaysia
  13. Plasmodium knowlesi circumsporozoite protein: genetic characterisation and predicted antigenicity of the central repeat region
    Tan JH, Cheong FW, Lau YL, Fong MY
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):37-44.
    PMID: 37356002 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.004
    Circumsporozoite protein (CSP) central repeat region is one of the main target regions of the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine for falciparum infection as it consists of immunodominant B cell epitopes. However, there is a lack of study for P. knowlesi CSP central repeat region. This study aims to characterise the CSP repeat motifs of P. knowlesi isolates in Peninsular Malaysia. CSP repeat motifs of 64 P. knowlesi isolates were identified using Rapid Automatic Detection and Alignment of Repeats (RADAR). Antigenicity of the repeat motifs and linear B cell epitopes were predicted using VaxiJen 2.0, BepiPred-2.0 and BCPred, respectively. A total of 35 dominant repeat motifs were identified. The repeat motif "AGQPQAQGDGANAGQPQAQGDGAN" has the highest repeat frequency (n=15) and antigenicity index of 1.7986. All the repeat regions were predicted as B cell epitopes. In silico approaches revealed that all repeat motifs were antigenic and consisted of B cell epitopes which could be designed as knowlesi malaria vaccine.
    MeSH terms: Plasmodium falciparum; Protozoan Proteins; Plasmodium knowlesi*; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  14. Chlorogenic acid derived from Moringa oleifera leaf as a potential antiinflammatory agent against cryptosporidiosis in mice
    Hamad RS, El Sherif F, Al Abdulsalam NK, Abd El-Moaty HI
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):45-54.
    PMID: 37356003 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.010
    Cryptosporidiosis is a serious illness in immunodeficient patients, and there is still no drug that can completely remove the parasite from the host. The present study represents the first report investigating the impact of the active molecule chlorogenic acid (CGA), naturally isolated from Moringa oleifera leaf extract (EMOLE), on immunosuppressed, Cryptosporidium parvum-infected BALB/c mice. Mice were divided into five groups: normal mice, infected immunosuppressed mice, and infected immunosuppressed mice treated with EMOLE, CGA, and nitazoxanide (NTZ) drugs. Parasitological, immunological, and histopathological investigations were recorded besides differences in the mice' body weight. Infected control mice showed elevated levels of oocyst shedding throughout the study. The EMOLE- and CGA-treated groups showed 84.2% and 91.0% reductions in oocyst shedding, respectively, with no significant difference compared to the drug control. The inflammatory markers IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were significantly higher in the infected control group. Treatment with 300 mg/kg/day of EMOLE or 30 mg/kg/day of CGA significantly downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels compared to the infected group, although they did not change significantly compared to the NTZ-treated group. Histopathology of intestinal sections showed inflammatory and pathological changes in the infected control group. Low-grade tissue changes and an obvious improvement in villi structure were seen in mice treated with CGA. This study highlighted the role of CGA, isolated and purified from EMOLE, as an effective anti-inflammatory agent in eradicating C. parvum infection.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use; Chlorogenic Acid/pharmacology; Chlorogenic Acid/therapeutic use; Cryptosporidium*; Moringa oleifera*; Mice
  15. Gastrointestinal Parasites in Asian and African Elephants: A Systematic Review
    Qurratul-Saadah Z, Che-Amat A, Syed-Hussain SS, Kamaludden J, Ariffin SMZ, Basripuzi NH, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):55-64.
    PMID: 37356004 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.012
    Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) in elephants have been reported in several studies over the last decades. Nonetheless, comprehensive data on clinicopathology of elephant GIPs, parasite burden threshold value, and the effectiveness of conventional anthelmintic drugs are still lacking. Herein, we have systematically reviewed the available knowledge on elephant GIPs identified among different parts of the world based on their prevalence, epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and control. Two electronic databases were searched for publications that met the inclusion criteria. About19 English journal articles published between year of 2011- 2021 were included. The main GIPs reported in elephants were Cyathostomidae (at least 14 species), Ancylostomidae, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Oesophagostomum columbianum, Oesophagostomum aceleatum, Ascarids, Trichurids, Strongyloides, Anophlocephalidae, flukes, and Coccidia across different parts of the world, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Most elephants show no clinical signs until the equilibrium between parasite and host is disturbed. The common diagnostic methods for GIPs are traditional direct smear, faecal floatation, sedimentation, and McMaster egg counting technique, all involving morphological identification. However, some articles described the use of molecular detection to characterise common GIPs of elephants. Although benzimidazoles and macrocyclic lactones group of anthelmintic are the most conventional GIPs treatment and control for captive and semi-captive elephants, there is limited data on the threshold value of faecal egg count as the baseline for treatment decision. Over the last decades, various studies regarding elephant GIPs have been conducted. However, more focused and systematic studies are required to enhance our knowledge in multiple aspects of elephant parasitology to find effective solutions and improve elephant health.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Feces/parasitology; Parasites*
  16. Poverty related diseases amongst Malaysia's low-income community: a review
    Abu Bakar N, Sahimin N, Lim YAL, Ibrahim K, Mohd Zain SN
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):65-75.
    PMID: 37356005 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.013
    Poverty, as proven by several studies, is a driving force behind poor health and hygiene practices. This review attempts to outline common communicable and non-communicable diseases that disproportionately affect Malaysia's 2.91 million low-income households. The current study also looks into the government's housing and healthcare programmes for this demographic to improve their health and well-being. The initial examination yielded incredibly little research on this marginalised community, with event reporting typically generalised to the Malaysian community as a whole rather than analysing disease incidences based on household income, which would better reflect povertydriven diseases. As a result, there is an acute need for more accurate information on the epidemiology of diseases among the poor in order to address this public health issue and provide conclusions that can drive policy designs.
    MeSH terms: Developing Countries*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Poverty*
  17. Increased risk of brucellosis misdiagnosis in regions that lose their endemicity
    Bosilkovski M, Khezzani B, Khezzani I, Jakimovski D, Trajanovski D, Poposki K
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):76-79.
    PMID: 37356006 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.014
    Over the last decades, the epidemiology of human brucellosis globally has been subjected to significant changes, with the eradication of many existing endemic hot spots. This paper describes three cases with initial misdiagnosis of brucellosis that were managed during 2011-2017 in Republic of North Macedonia, country that until recently has been declared as endemic region. In spite of the fever, constitutional symptoms, focal disease (spondylitis, pneumonia and orchitis) and previous contact with domestic animals, brucellosis was not initially recognized, and patients were inadequately managed. Brucellosis should be part of differential diagnostic considerations in patients exposed to contacts with animals, with osteoarticular symptoms and signs, constitutional manifestations and different organ involvements in endemic regions where its incidence is diminishing.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Diagnostic Errors; Fever; Humans; Male; Macedonia (Republic)/epidemiology
  18. Identification of medically and forensically relevant flies using a decision treelearning method
    Tanajitaree C, Sanit S, Sukontason KL, Sukontason K, Somboon P, Anakkamatee W, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):80-87.
    PMID: 37356007 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.019
    Blow flies, flesh flies, and house flies can provide excellent evidence for forensic entomologists and are also essential to the fields of public health, medicine, and animal health. In all questions, the correct identification of fly species is an important initial step. The usual methods based on morphology or even molecular approaches can reach their limits here, especially when dealing with larger numbers of specimens. Since machine learning already plays a major role in many areas of daily life, such as education, business, industry, science, and medicine, applications for the classification of insects have been reported. Here, we applied the decision tree method with wing morphometric data to construct a model for discriminating flies of three families [Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae] and seven species [Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), Chrysomya (Ceylonomyia) nigripes Aubertin, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), Hemipyrellia ligurriens (Wiedemann), Musca domestica Linneaus, and Parasarcophaga (Liosarcophaga) dux Thomson]. One hundred percent overall accuracy was obtained at a family level, followed by 83.33% at a species level. The results of this study suggest that non-experts might utilize this identification tool. However, more species and also samples per specimens should be studied to create a model that can be applied to the different fly species in Thailand.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Diptera*; Houseflies*; Thailand; Sarcophagidae*
  19. Morphological and genetic analyses of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) okinawense Takaoka and S. (G.) tokarense Takaoka (Diptera: Simuliidae) from the Nansei Islands, Japan: redescription and transfer from the S. ceylonicum species-group to the S. asakoae species-group
    Takaoka H, Otsuka Y, Fukuda M, Low VL, Ya'cob Z
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):88-100.
    PMID: 37356008 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.007
    Simulium (Gomphostilbia) okinawense Takaoka and S. (G.) tokarense Takaoka, both from the Nansei Islands, Japan, were morphologically reexamined and genetically analysed by using the COI gene sequences. The female, male, pupa and mature larva of the two species are redescribed. Morphological reexamination shows that both species are more similar to species in the S. asakoae species-group than to those in the S. ceylonicum species-group, by having a medium-long female sensory vesicle, yellow tuft hairs (S. (G.) okinawense) or yellow tuft hairs mixed with a few to several dark hairs (S. (G.) tokarense) at the base of the radial vein in the female and male, and medium-long larval postgenal cleft. However, the body of the male ventral plate (viewed ventrally) is parallel-sided (S. (G.) okinawense) or parallelsided or slightly narrowed (S. (G.) tokarense) and not emarginated basally, differing from those of most species in the S. asakoae species-group. Our genetic analysis shows that S. (G.) tokarense is in the S. asakoae species-group, and S. (G.) okinawense formed a separate sister clade with other members of the S. asakoae species-group with high bootstrap support. From the results of morphological and genetic analysis combined, S. (G.) okinawense and S. (G.) tokarense are transferred from the S. ceylonicum species-group to the S. asakoae species-group.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Japan; Larva/genetics; Male; Pupa/genetics; Islands
  20. Immature platelet fraction as a useful marker in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
    Ozmen ZC, Deveci K, Coskun USS, Ozmen Z, Aydogan L, Barut HS
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Mar 01;40(1):101-107.
    PMID: 37356009 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.1.016
    The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance and diagnostic performance of the immature platelet fraction (%IPF) in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Samples obtained from 32 healthy control subjects and 40 CCHF patients (9 positive and 31 negative radiological findings) were evaluated in the study. The samples obtained from CT-positive subjects demonstrated higher IPF% values which also exhibited a positive correlation with mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet size deviation width (PDW) values.The patient group IPF% values were positively correlated with the duration of hospital stay. The ROC analysis also suggested the potential importance of IPF values higher than 10.5% in diagnosing CCHF patients with positive radiological findings.The results of our study showed that % IPF can be considered as a useful parameter in the follow-up of the disease course in patients with CCHF.
    MeSH terms: Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo*; Humans; Disease Progression
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