In Malaysia, rice mutant varieties that are genetically altered to confer resistance against blast disease have been substantially developed through mutational breeding program. However, due to the limited accessible information on the mutant lines, mutant gene variants corresponding to the disease resistance and other useful agronomic traits are yet to be exploited. Here, we conducted whole genome re-sequencing of blast resistance with kernel elongation traits in mutant line, Mahsuri Mutant (87,639,446 bp raw reads), and its parental line, Mahsuri (85,156,783 bp raw reads) using Illumina Novaseq 6000 sequencing platform with 30x sequencing coverage. The generated genome sequences are aimed to facilitate the discovery of causal mutation and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to the intended traits. The identified SNPs can be further employed to develop allele-specific SNP molecular markers to locate the mutant gene regions. The NGS data obtained (FASTQ format) of the parental and mutant lines have been deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database under sequence read archive (SRA) xwith accession numbers SRR24388814 (Mahsuri) and SRR22952097 (Mahsuri Mutant) respectively.
The level of the implant above the marginal bone and flap design have an effect on the bone resorption during the healing period. The aim of this study is to detect the relationship between the level of the implant at the implant placement and the bone level at the healing period in the mesial and distal side of implants placed with flapless (FL) and full-thickness flap (FT) methods.
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Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common complication following kidney transplantation (KT), which could result in losing the graft. This study aims to identify the prevalence of bacterial UTI among KT recipients in Yemen and to determine the predisposing factors associated with post renal transplantation UTI. A cross sectional study included of 150 patients, who underwent KT was conducted between June 2010 and January 2011. A Morning mid-stream urine specimen was collected for culture and antibiotic susceptibility test from each recipient. Bacterial UTI was found in 50 patients (33.3%). The prevalence among females 40.3% was higher than males 29%. The UTI was higher in the age group between 41-50 years with a percentage of 28% and this result was statistically significant. Predisposing factors as diabetes mellitus, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder and polycystic kidney showed significant association. High relative risks were found for polycystic kidney = 13.5 and neurogenic bladder = 13.5. The most prevalent bacteria to cause UTI was Escherichia coli represent 44%, followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus 34%. Amikacin was the most effective antibiotic against gram-negative isolates while Ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic against Staphylococcus saprophyticus. In conclusion, there is high prevalence of bacterial UTI among KT recipients in Yemen. Diabetes mellitus, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder, polycystic kidney and calculi were the main predisposing factors.
Wormian bones are a subset of the small intrasutural bones that lie between the cranial sutures formed by the bones of the skull vault. They are formed due to additional ossification centres in or near sutures. They are usually considered as normal variants and seem to be determined genetically in certain populations. They have been linked with rapid cranial expansion as they appear in great number in hydrocephalic skulls. They are commonly found in the lambdoid suture and fontanelles but are occasionally seen in other sutures especially the coronal, squamosal, and sagittal sutures. We examined 25 dried human skulls with the aim to find out the occurrence and variations of Wormian bones, and surprisingly we found Wormian bones in the coronal, squamosal, and sagittal sutures in 6 skulls. These are uncommon sites of occurrence of sutural bones as reported in the literature. These findings prompted us to report these cases as their presence can lead to confusion in diagnosis in cases of skull fractures.
China's distinctive educational approach, particularly its emphasis on ideological and political education, has garnered considerable academic attention for its impact on shaping individual values, fostering citizenship, and maintaining social stability. Despite the Chinese government's prioritization of ideological and political education, academic research in this field appears constrained, with existing studies predominantly focusing on normative and descriptive aspects. Normative research delineates how ideological and political education should be executed, while descriptive research illustrates its practical implementation. The effectiveness of these approaches is significantly diminished if they are not adequately interconnected-when only the current reality is explained without providing tools for improvement or when prescribed steps for improvement lack a basis in specific contexts. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of research on ideological and political education using ATLAS. ti 9 for thematic analysis. The review aims to unveil the intricate landscape of current research in China and address key questions: What are the primary trends in the literature on ideological and political education between 2021 and July 2023? What challenges does ideological and political education face? Through a direct exploration of these issues, this paper seeks to optimize the ideological and political education system, elevate its adaptability and effectiveness, and open avenues for research, fostering a more dynamic, inclusive, and resilient development of ideological and political education.
Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), is a by-product of the crude palm oil refining process. It comprises mainly of free fatty acids-around 45% palmitic and 33% oleic acids-as the major components. Ultra-violet (UV) curable urethane acrylate (UA) oligomers could be synthesized from PFAD, by the following procedure. A hydroxyl terminated macromer was first prepared by reacting PFAD with a mixture of isophthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, neopentagylcol (NPG), and pentaerythritol. The macromer was then reacted with 2-hydroxylethylacrylate (2HEA) and toluene diisocynate (TDI) to generate a resin, containing acrylate side chains for UV curable application. A series of UA resins were prepared by using 15, 25, 45, 55, and 70% of PFAD, respectively. The UA resin has Mw in the range of 3,200 to 27,000. They could be cured by UV irradiation at an intensity of 225 mW/cm². Glass transition temperature (Tg) of the cured film was measured by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and hardness of the film was determined by a pendulum hardness tester, according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)4366. The resins were used in a wood-coating application. All of the cured films showed good adhesion, hardness, and chemical resistance except for the one using the 70% PFAD, which did not cure properly.
Recently, our research team has reported that Tualang honey was able to improve immediate memory in postmenopausal women comparable with that of estrogen progestin therapy. Therefore the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of Tualang honey supplement on hippocampal morphology and memory performance in ovariectomized (OVX) rats exposed to social instability stress. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: (i) sham-operated controls, (ii) stressed sham-operated controls, (iii) OVX rats, (iv) stressed OVX rats, (v) stressed OVX rats treated with 17β-estradiol (E2), and (vi) stressed OVX rats treated with Tualang honey. These rats were subjected to social instability stress procedure followed by novel object recognition (NOR) test. Right brain hemispheres were subjected to Nissl staining. The number and arrangement of pyramidal neurons in regions of CA1, CA2, CA3 and the dentate gyrus (DG) were recorded. Two-way ANOVA analyses showed significant interactions between stress and OVX in both STM and LTM test as well as number of Nissl-positive cells in all hippocampal regions. Both E2 and Tualang honey treatments improved both short-term and long-term memory and enhanced the neuronal proliferation of hippocampal CA2, CA3 and DG regions compared to that of untreated stressed OVX rats.
This study investigated the polymorphism in the P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) gene 11 years after chloroquine (CQ) cessation in Jazan region, southwestern Saudi Arabia. Two hundred and thirty-five P. falciparum isolates were amplified to detect mutations in the pfcrt gene. The pfcrt 76 T molecular marker for CQ resistance was detected in 66.4% (156/235) of the isolates, while the K76 CQ-sensitive wild type was detected in 33.6%. The pfcrt 74I and pfcrt 75E point mutations were each found to be present in 56.2% of isolates, while only four isolates (1.7%) were found to carry the pfcrt 72S mutation. Moreover, four pfcrt haplotypes were identified as follows: the CVIET triple-allele (56.2%), SVMET double-allele (1.7%) and CVMNT single-allele (8.5%) mutant haplotypes and the CVMNK wild haplotype (33.6%). The analysis also revealed significant associations between the prevalence of mutant pfcrt alleles and haplotypes and the age group, governorate and nationality of the patients as well as the parasitaemia level (p
Blood from most of the residents of a remote village in northern peninsular Malaysia, bordering Thailand, was examined for malaria parasites monthly for 1 year. Plasmodium vivax was the commonest infection, but P. falciparum and mixed infections also occurred. Monthly collections of the malaria vector, Anopheles maculatus showed a positive correlation between mosquito densities and malaria positivity in the human population and a negative correlation with rainfall.
A human corpse at an advanced stage of decomposition was found in a house in the residential area of Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia. Entomological specimens were collected during the post-mortem and the live specimens were subsequently reared at room temperature. The time of death was estimated to have been 14 days previous to the discovery of the body based on the police investigation. Both adult and larvae of the beetle Dermestes ater (De Geer) were found to be infesting the corpse and from the stage of decomposition of the body and the estimated time of death it would appear that infestation may have begun at a relatively early stage of decomposition.
Larvae of Aedes albopictus Skuse typically inhabit natural and artificial containers. Since these larval habitats are replenished by rainfall, Ae. albopictus may experience increased loss of immature stages in areas with high levels of rainfall. In this study, we investigated the effects of rainfall and container water level on population density, and oviposition activity of Ae. albopictus. In field and laboratory experiments, we found that rainfall resulted in the flushing of breeding habitats. Excess rain negatively impacted larval and pupal retention, especially in small habitats. When filled with water to overflowing, container habitats were significantly repellent to ovipositing females. Taken together, these data suggest that rainfall triggers population loss of Ae. albopictus and related species through a direct detrimental effect (flushing out) and an indirect effect (ovipositional repellency).
Using cow-baited net traps in the coastal and hilly areas of northern peninsular Malaysia, 21 species of Anopheles mosquitoes were found. The distribution of common Anopheles is presented. The composition of the anopheline mosquito fauna was more diversified in the coastal areas than in the hilly areas. The displacement of Anopheles sundaicus by Anopheles subpictus and the disappearance of Anopheles hackeri in the coastal area were noted.
In this study, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)/talc/graphene oxide/SEBS-g-MAH (ABS/Talc/GO/SEBS-g-MAH) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/graphene oxide/SEBS-g-MAH (ABS/GO/SEBS-g-MAH) composites were isolated with varying graphene oxide (0.5 to 2.0 phr) as a filler and SEBS-g-MAH as a compatibilizer (4 to 8 phr), with an ABS:talc ratio of 90:10 by percentage. The influences of graphene oxide and SEBS-g-MAH loading in ABS/talc composites were determined on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. It was found that the incorporation of talc reduces the stiffness of composites. The analyses of mechanical and thermal properties of composites revealed that the inclusion of graphene oxide as a filler and SEBS-g-MAH as a compatibilizer in the ABS polymer matrix significantly improved the mechanical and thermal properties. ABS/talc was prepared through melt mixing to study the fusion characteristic. The mechanical properties showed an increase of 30%, 15%, and 90% in tensile strength (TS), flexural strength (FS), and flexural modulus (FM), respectively. The impact strength (IS) resulted in comparable properties to ABS, and it was better than the ABS/talc composite due to the influence of talc in the composite that stiffens and reduces the extensibility of plastic. The incorporation of GO and SEBS-g-MA also shows a relatively higher thermal stability in both composites with and without talc. The finding of the present study reveals that the graphene oxide and SEBS-g-MAH could be utilized as a filler and a compatibilizer in ABS/talc composites to enhance the thermo-mechanical stability because of the superior interfacial adhesion between the matrix and filler.
Nanoprecipitation is a simple and increasingly trending method for nanoparticles preparation. The self-assembly feature of poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PEG-PLGA) amphiphilic copolymer into a nanoparticle and its versatile structure makes nanoprecipitation one of the best methods for its preparation. The aim of this study is to review currently available literature for standard preparation of PEG-PLGA nanoparticles using nanoprecipitation technique in order to draw conclusive evidenceto draw conclusive evidence that can guide researchers during formulation development. To achieve this, three databases (Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed) were searched using relevant keywords and the extracted articles were reviewed based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction and narrative analysis of the obtained literature was performed when appropriate, along with our laboratory observations to support those claims wherever necessary. As a result of this analysis, reports that matched our criteria conformed to the general facts about nanoprecipitation techniques such as simplicity in procedure, low surfactants requirement, narrow size distribution, and low resulting concentrations. However, these reports showed interesting advantages for using PEG-PLGA as they are frequently reported to be freeze-dried and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with low hydrophobicity were reported to successfully be encapsulated in the particles.
Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles are intensively studied nanocarriers in drug delivery because of their biodegradability and biochemical characteristics. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating for nanocarriers gives them long circulation time in blood and makes them invisible to the reticuloendothelial system. Breast cancer cells have greater uptake of hyaluronic acid compared to normal cells as it binds to their overexpressed CD44 receptors. Since hypoxia plays an important role in cancer metastasis; we formulated PEG-PLGA nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic acid as targeted delivery system for doxorubicin (DOX) using nanoprecipitation method, and characterized them for chemical composition, size, surface charge, shape, and encapsulation efficiency. Then we tested them in vitro on hypoxia-optimized metastatic breast cancer cells. The nanoparticles were spherical with an average size of about 106 ± 53 nm, a negative surface charge (-15 ± 3 mV), and high encapsulation efficiency (73.3 ± 4.1%). In vitro investigation with hypoxia-elevated CD44 MDA-MB-231 cells showed that hyaluronic acid-targeted nanoparticles maintained their efficacy despite hypoxia-induced drug resistance unlike free DOX and nontargeted nanoparticles. In conclusion, this study revealed a simple third generation nanoparticle formulation for targeted treatment of hypoxia-induced drug resistance in breast cancer metastatic cells. Further, optimization is needed including In vivo efficacy and nanoparticle-specific pharmacokinetic studies.
Leiomyosarcoma of the scrotum is a rare tumor. Johnson H Jr in 1987 reported first case. Only 39 cases been reported in the literature. A 74 years old Indian gentleman presented with progressive painless right testicular swelling for 3 months. On examination, a firm right testicular mass. We proceeded with right scrotal exploration with excision of the right scrotal mass. Histopathology showed scrotum leiomyosarcoma. We would like to discuss the rarity of presentation, dilemma of diagnosis and managing in a district hospital. We advocate wide local excision with clear margin of 2 cm which give good overall survival benefits.
Red cells with the D-- phenotype do not express the RHCE protein because of mutations in both alleles of the RHCE gene. At present, little is known of the effect this has on the normal function of erythrocytes. In this study a group of five families belonging to a nomadic tribe in Malaysia were identified as carriers of the D-- haplotype. Analysis of homozygous individuals' genomic DNA showed two separate novel mutations. In four of the families, RHCE exons 1, 9 and 10 were present, while the 5th family possessed RHCE exons 1-3 and 10. Analysis of cDNA revealed hybrid transcripts, suggesting a gene conversion event with RHD, consistent with previously reported D-- mutations. Immunoblotting analysis of D-- erythrocyte membrane proteins found that Rh-associated glycoprotein (RHAG) migrates with altered electrophoretic mobility on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, consistent with increased glycosylation. Total amounts of Rh polypeptide in D-- membranes were comparable with controls, indicating that the exalted D antigen displayed by D-- red cells may be associated with altered surface epitope presentation. The adhesion molecules CD44 and CD47 are significantly reduced in D--. Together these results suggest that absence of RHCE polypeptide alters the structure and packing of the band 3/Rh macrocomplex.
Phlebotomine sand flies were collected using CO2 baited CDC light trap in 2000 and 2001 in limestone areas and caves of western Malaysia. A total of 1,548 specimens were collected comprising 18 species from two genera: Phlebotomus (6 spp) and Sergentomyia (12 spp). Phlebotomus major major (38.9%) was the predominant species followed by Sergentomyia perturbans (20.1%), P. stantoni (15.3%) and others. Biting activity of the sand flies at the Gua Senyum caves, Gua Kota Gelanggi, Batu caves and Gua Kelam were observed using the bare leg landing catch (BLC) technique. Four Phlebotomus spp at Gua Senyum were found to bite humans with a unimodal biting peak (between 01:00 and 04:00 AM). At Gua Kota Gelanggi P. major major was observed to bite humans, but at Batu Caves and Gua Kelam no sand flies were observed to bite humans. Sergentomyia spp did not feed on humans even though high numbers were caught in light traps. The populations of phleobotomine sand flies fluctuated, with several peaks especially among P. major major which peaked in December and was low in February and August. Phlebotomus stantoni was abundant throughout 2001. Most species populations were weakly related to rainfall because they inhabited caves.