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Fulltext The autoantibody profile and its association with clinical manifestations in Malay SLE patients

Maraina CH, Kamaliah MD, Ishak M

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2004 Mar;22(1):33-7.
PMID: 15366656

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the auto-antibody profile of Malay SLE patients in Kelantan, North East Malaysia and to correlate them with clinical presentations. Eighty-two Malay SLE patients who fulfilled the ARA criteria underwent the following tests: ANA, anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-ENA antibody and RF. The results revealed that ANA was positive in 91.5% of the patients, anti-dsDNA antibody in 53.7%, however, anti-ENA antibodies were positive in only 9.8% of the cases at the time of the study and none had a positive RF. The profile of autoantibodies was similar to other studies except for a lower incidence of anti-ENA antibodies. Sixty three percent of patients had lupus nephritis. The pattern of clinical presentations were noted to be more similar to those found among Chinese and Indian SLE populations than compared to the Caucasians. There was a significant association between anti-dsDNA antibody and lupus nephritis and between anti-ENA antibody and thrombocytopenia.
Fulltext ANA negative (Ro) lupus erythematosus with multiple major organ involvement: a case report

Che Maraina CH, Kamaliah MD, Ishak M

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2002 Dec;20(4):279-82.
PMID: 12744629

Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) negative systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurs in about 4-13% of SLE cases. A small group of ANA negative SLE patients with positive anti-Ro antibodies usually present with typical vasculitic skin lesions which can be associated with photosensitivity, renal disease, congenital heart block or neonatal lupus. We present a case of a persistently ANA negative patient who presented with joint pain, rashes, mouth ulcer and alopecia. Clinical diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus was made even though ANA was negative. She was started on steroids and went into remission. Later, she developed several episodes of convulsions associated with fever and prominent vasculitic lesions. The patient was also found to have microscopic hematuria, proteinuria, anemia and thrombocytopenia. Renal biopsy showed lupus nephritis class 1B. Due to the prominent skin lesions, we performed anti-extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) antibodies test and anti-Ro turned out to be positive. The final diagnosis was ANA negative SLE (Ro lupus) with cutaneous, renal, musculoskeletal, hematological and cerebral Involvement.
Fulltext Use of complementary and alternative therapies for the treatment of dysmenorrhea among undergraduate pharmacy students in Malaysia: a cross sectional study

Abubakar U, Zulkarnain AI, Samri F, Hisham SR, Alias A, Ishak M, et al.

BMC Complement Med Ther, 2020 Sep 18;20(1):285.
PMID: 32948163 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03082-4

BACKGROUND: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem that affects female students' quality of life and academic activities. Complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) are used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. This study investigated the practices and perceptions of female undergraduate students with dysmenorrhea towards CATs.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students in a public university in Malaysia using a validated and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The study was conducted in November and December 2019. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests.
RESULTS: Of the 318 female undergraduate students invited, 219 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 68.9%) with 52% aged between 21 and 23 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 72.1%, and the prevalence of ever-use and current use of CATs was 70.3 and 54.4%, respectively. Bed rest (71.5%), hot compress/heating pad (47.5%) and massage (43.0%) were the most common CATs used by the respondents. The most common reasons for using CAT were to reduce the need for analgesics (61.4%), efficacy (37.3%) and recommendation by others (32.9%). About 23 and 9% of the respondents believed that CATs were equally "effective" and "more effective" than analgesics, respectively. Reducing the need for analgesics (AOR: 4.066, 95% CI: 2.136-7.739) and those who agreed that CATs are effective (AOR: 2.701, 95% CI: 1.337-5.457) were independently associated with the current use CATs for the treatment of menstrual pain.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ever-use and current use of CATs is high among female undergraduate pharmacy students. Bed rest and heat applications are the most common CATs used. Reducing the need for analgesics and efficacy are the factors associated with the current use of CATs. Students should be educated about the safe and effective use of CATs to reduce adverse effects and improve their quality of life.
Fulltext An Experimental Study of Briquetting Process of Torrefied Rubber Seed Kernel and Palm Oil Shell

Hamid MF, Idroas MY, Ishak MZ, Zainal Alauddin ZA, Miskam MA, Abdullah MK

Biomed Res Int, 2016;2016:1679734.
PMID: 27419127 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1679734

Torrefaction process of biomass material is essential in converting them into biofuel with improved calorific value and physical strength. However, the production of torrefied biomass is loose, powdery, and nonuniform. One method of upgrading this material to improve their handling and combustion properties is by densification into briquettes of higher density than the original bulk density of the material. The effects of critical parameters of briquetting process that includes the type of biomass material used for torrefaction and briquetting, densification temperature, and composition of binder for torrefied biomass are studied and characterized. Starch is used as a binder in the study. The results showed that the briquette of torrefied rubber seed kernel (RSK) is better than torrefied palm oil shell (POS) in both calorific value and compressive strength. The best quality of briquettes is yielded from torrefied RSK at the ambient temperature of briquetting process with the composition of 60% water and 5% binder. The maximum compressive load for the briquettes of torrefied RSK is 141 N and the calorific value is 16 MJ/kg. Based on the economic evaluation analysis, the return of investment (ROI) for the mass production of both RSK and POS briquettes is estimated in 2-year period and the annual profit after payback was approximately 107,428.6 USD.
Preparation of highly porous binderless activated carbon electrodes from fibres of oil palm empty fruit bunches for application in supercapacitors

Farma R, Deraman M, Awitdrus A, Talib IA, Taer E, Basri NH, et al.

Bioresour Technol, 2013 Mar;132:254-61.
PMID: 23411456 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.01.044

Fibres from oil palm empty fruit bunches, generated in large quantities by palm oil mills, were processed into self-adhesive carbon grains (SACG). Untreated and KOH-treated SACG were converted without binder into green monolith prior to N2-carbonisation and CO2-activation to produce highly porous binderless carbon monolith electrodes for supercapacitor applications. Characterisation of the pore structure of the electrodes revealed a significant advantage from combining the chemical and physical activation processes. The electrochemical measurements of the supercapacitor cells fabricated using these electrodes, using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge-discharge techniques consistently found that approximately 3h of activation time, achieved via a multi-step heating profile, produced electrodes with a high surface area of 1704m(2)g(-1) and a total pore volume of 0.889cm(3)g(-1), corresponding to high values for the specific capacitance, specific energy and specific power of 150Fg(-1), 4.297Whkg(-1) and 173Wkg(-1), respectively.
Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata): Its fibres, polymers and composites

Ishak MR, Sapuan SM, Leman Z, Rahman MZ, Anwar UM, Siregar JP

Carbohydr Polym, 2013 Jan 16;91(2):699-710.
PMID: 23121967 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.07.073

Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) is a multipurpose palm species from which a variety of foods and beverages, timber commodities, biofibres, biopolymers and biocomposites can be produced. Recently, it is being used as a source of renewable energy in the form of bio-ethanol via fermentation process of the sugar palm sap. Although numerous products can be produced from sugar palm, three products that are most prominent are palm sugar, fruits and fibres. This paper focuses mainly on the significance of fibres as they are highly durable, resistant to sea water and because they are available naturally in the form of woven fibre they are easy to process. Besides the recent advances in the research of sugar palm fibres and their composites, this paper also addresses the development of new biodegradable polymer derived from sugar palm starch, and presents reviews on fibre surface treatment, product development, and challenges and efforts on properties enhancement of sugar palm fibre composites.
Development and characterization of sugar palm starch and poly(lactic acid) bilayer films

Sanyang ML, Sapuan SM, Jawaid M, Ishak MR, Sahari J

Carbohydr Polym, 2016 08 01;146:36-45.
PMID: 27112848 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.03.051

The development and characterization of environmentally friendly bilayer films from sugar palm starch (SPS) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were conducted in this study. The SPS-PLA bilayer films and their individual components were characterized for their physical, mechanical, thermal and water barrier properties. Addition of 50% PLA layer onto 50% SPS layer (SPS50-PLA50) increased the tensile strength of neat SPS film from 7.74 to 13.65MPa but reduced their elongation at break from 46.66 to 15.53%. The incorporation of PLA layer significantly reduced the water vapor permeability as well as the water uptake and solubility of bilayer films which was attributed to the hydrophobic characteristic of the PLA layer. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of SPS50-PLA50 revealed lack of strong interfacial adhesion between the SPS and PLA. Overall, the incorporation of PLA layer onto SPS films enhances the suitability of SPS based films for food packaging.
Development and characterization of sugar palm nanocrystalline cellulose reinforced sugar palm starch bionanocomposites

Ilyas RA, Sapuan SM, Ishak MR, Zainudin ES

Carbohydr Polym, 2018 Dec 15;202:186-202.
PMID: 30286991 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.09.002

Sugar palm fibre (SPF) was treated with NaClO2, bleached with NaOH and subsequently hydrolyzed with acid to obtain sugar palm nanocrystalline cellulose (SPNCCs). Bionanocomposites in the form of films were prepared by mixing sugar palm starch (SPS) and sorbitol/glycerol with different nanofiller SPNCCs compositions (0-1.0 wt%) using solution casting method. The resulting fibres and nanocomposites were characterized in terms of morphology (FESEM and TEM), footprint, crystallinity (XRD), light transmittance, biodegradability, physical, water barrier, thermal (TGA, DSC and DMA) and mechanical properties. The length (L), diameter (D) and L/D values of the SPNCCs were 130 ± 30.23, 8.5 ± 1.82 nm, and 15.3, respectively. The SPS/SPNCCs nanocomposite films exhibited higher crystallinity, tensile strength, Young's modulus, thermal and water-resistance compared to the neat SPS film. The results showed that the tensile strength and moduli of the bionanocomposites increased after being reinforced with SPNCCs and the optimum nanofiller content was 0.5%.
Isolation and characterization of nanocrystalline cellulose from sugar palm fibres (Arenga Pinnata)

Ilyas RA, Sapuan SM, Ishak MR

Carbohydr Polym, 2018 Feb 01;181:1038-1051.
PMID: 29253930 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.11.045

Cellulose was extracted from sugar palm fibres (Arenga pinnata) by conducting delignification and mercerization treatments. Subsequently, sugar palm nanocrystalline celluloses (SPNCCs) were isolated from the extracted cellulose with 60wt% concentrated sulphuric acid. The chemical composition of sugar palm fibres were determined at different stages of treatment. Structural analysis was carried out by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Morphological analysis of extracted cellulose and isolated nanocrystalline cellulose (NCCs) was investigated by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal stability of sugar palm fibres at different stages of treatment was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that lignin and hemicellulose were removed from the extracted cellulose through the delignification and mercerization process, respectively. The isolated SPNCCs were found to have length and diameters of 130±30nm and 9±1.96nm, respectively.
Goniothalamin induces apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Chan KM, Rajab NF, Ishak MH, Ali AM, Yusoff K, Din LB, et al.

Chem Biol Interact, 2006 Feb 1;159(2):129-40.
PMID: 16297902

Restenosis represents a major impediment to the success of coronary angioplasty. Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has been shown to be an important process in the pathogenesis of restenosis. A number of agents, particularly rapamycin and paclitaxel, have been shown to impact on this process. This study was carried out to determine the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of goniothalamin (GN) on VSMCs. Results from MTT cytotoxicity assay showed that the IC(50) for GN was 4.4 microg/ml (22 microM), which was lower compared to the clinically used rapamycin (IC(50) of 25 microg/ml [27.346 microM]). This was achieved primarily via apoptosis where up to 25.83 +/- 0.44% of apoptotic cells were detected after 72 h treatment with GN. In addition, GN demonstrated similar effects as rapamycin in inhibiting VSMCs proliferation using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) cell proliferation assay after 72 h treatment at IC(50) concentration (p > 0.05). In order to understand the mechanisms of GN, DNA damage detection using comet assay was determined at 2h post-treatment with GN. Our results showed that there was a concentration-dependent increase in DNA damage in VSMCs prior to cytotoxicity. Moreover, GN effects were comparable to rapamycin. In conclusion, our data show that GN initially induces DNA damage which subsequently leads to cytotoxicity primarily via apoptosis in VSMCs.
LOC285629 regulates cell proliferation and motility in colorectal cancer cells

Nasir SN, Abu N, Ab Mutalib NS, Ishak M, Sagap I, Mazlan L, et al.

Clin Transl Oncol, 2018 Jun;20(6):775-784.
PMID: 29098557 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-017-1788-x

PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most widely diagnosed cancers in men and women worldwide. With the advancement of next-generation sequencing technologies, many studies have highlighted the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer development. Growing evidence demonstrates that lncRNAs play crucial roles in regulating gene and protein expression and are involved in various cancers, including CRC. The field of lncRNAs is still relatively new and a lot of novel lncRNAs have been discovered, but their functional roles are yet to be elucidated. This study aims to characterize the expression and functional roles of a novel lncRNA in CRC.
METHOD: Several methods were employed to assess the function of LOC285629 such as gene silencing, qPCR, proliferation assay, BrdU assay, transwell migration assay, ELISA and protein profiler.
RESULTS: Via in silico analyses, we identified significant downregulation of LOC285629, a novel lncRNA, across CRC stages. LOC285629 expression was significantly downregulated in advanced stages (Stage III and IV) compared to Stage I (Kruskal-Wallis Test; p = 0.0093). Further in-house validation showed that the expression of LOC285629 was upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines compared to the normal counterparts, but was downregulated in advanced stages. By targeting LOC285629, the viability, proliferative abilities, invasiveness and resistance of colorectal cancer cells towards 5-fluorouracil were reduced. It was also discovered that LOC285629 may regulate cancer progression by targeting several different proteins, namely survivin, BCL-xL, progranulin, PDGF-AA, enolase 2 and p70S6 K.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that LOC285629 may be further developed as a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment.
Fulltext Lattice Boltzmann Model of 3D Multiphase Flow in Artery Bifurcation Aneurysm Problem

Abas A, Mokhtar NH, Ishak MH, Abdullah MZ, Ho Tian A

Comput Math Methods Med, 2016;2016:6143126.
PMID: 27239221 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6143126

This paper simulates and predicts the laminar flow inside the 3D aneurysm geometry, since the hemodynamic situation in the blood vessels is difficult to determine and visualize using standard imaging techniques, for example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three different types of Lattice Boltzmann (LB) models are computed, namely, single relaxation time (SRT), multiple relaxation time (MRT), and regularized BGK models. The results obtained using these different versions of the LB-based code will then be validated with ANSYS FLUENT, a commercially available finite volume- (FV-) based CFD solver. The simulated flow profiles that include velocity, pressure, and wall shear stress (WSS) are then compared between the two solvers. The predicted outcomes show that all the LB models are comparable and in good agreement with the FVM solver for complex blood flow simulation. The findings also show minor differences in their WSS profiles. The performance of the parallel implementation for each solver is also included and discussed in this paper. In terms of parallelization, it was shown that LBM-based code performed better in terms of the computation time required.
Characterizing the genetic risk for type 2 diabetes in a Malaysian multi-ethnic cohort

Abdullah N, Abdul Murad NA, Attia J, Oldmeadow C, Mohd Haniff EA, Syafruddin SE, et al.

Diabet Med, 2015 Oct;32(10):1377-84.
PMID: 25711284 DOI: 10.1111/dme.12735

AIMS: To characterize the association with Type 2 diabetes of known Type 2 diabetes risk variants in people in Malaysia of Malay, Chinese and Indian ancestry who participated in the Malaysian Cohort project.
METHODS: We genotyped 1604 people of Malay ancestry (722 cases, 882 controls), 1654 of Chinese ancestry (819 cases, 835 controls) and 1728 of Indian ancestry (851 cases, 877 controls). First, 62 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms previously associated with Type 2 diabetes were assessed for association via logistic regression within ancestral groups and then across ancestral groups using a meta-analysis. Second, estimated odds ratios were assessed for excess directional concordance with previously studied populations. Third, a genetic risk score aggregating allele dosage across the candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms was tested for association within and across ancestral groups.
RESULTS: After Bonferroni correction, seven individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with Type 2 diabetes in the combined Malaysian sample. We observed a highly significant excess in concordance of effect directions between Malaysian and previously studied populations. The genetic risk score was strongly associated with Type 2 diabetes in all Malaysian groups, explaining from 1.0 to 1.7% of total Type 2 diabetes risk variance.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests there is substantial overlap of the genetic risk alleles underlying Type 2 diabetes in Malaysian and other populations.
Study name: The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) project
Whole genome sequencing of Malaysian colorectal cancer patients reveals specific druggable somatic mutations

Mohd Yunos RI, Ab Mutalib NS, Khoo JS, Saidin S, Ishak M, Syafruddin SE, et al.

Front Mol Biosci, 2022;9:997747.
PMID: 36866106 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.997747

The incidences of colorectal cancer (CRC) are continuously increasing in some areas of the world, including Malaysia. In this study, we aimed to characterize the landscape of somatic mutations using the whole-genome sequencing approach and identify druggable somatic mutations specific to Malaysian patients. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on the genomic DNA obtained from 50 Malaysian CRC patients' tissues. We discovered the top significantly mutated genes were APC, TP53, KRAS, TCF7L2 and ACVR2A. Four novel, non-synonymous variants were identified in three genes, which were KDM4E, MUC16 and POTED. At least one druggable somatic alteration was identified in 88% of our patients. Among them were two frameshift mutations in RNF43 (G156fs and P192fs) predicted to have responsive effects against the Wnt pathway inhibitor. We found that the exogenous expression of this RNF43 mutation in CRC cells resulted in increased cell proliferation and sensitivity against LGK974 drug treatment and G1 cell cycle arrest. In conclusion, this study uncovered our local CRC patients' genomic landscape and druggable alterations. It also highlighted the role of specific RNF43 frameshift mutations, which unveil the potential of an alternative treatment targeting the Wnt/β-Catenin signalling pathway and could be beneficial, especially to Malaysian CRC patients.
Fulltext Molecular Characterization of Somatic Alterations in Dukes' B and C Colorectal Cancers by Targeted Sequencing

Abdul SN, Ab Mutalib NS, Sean KS, Syafruddin SE, Ishak M, Sagap I, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2017;8:465.
PMID: 28769798 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00465

Despite global progress in research, improved screening and refined treatment strategies, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains as the third most common malignancy. As each type of cancer is different and exhibits unique alteration patterns, identifying and characterizing gene alterations in CRC that may serve as biomarkers might help to improve diagnosis, prognosis and predict potential response to therapy. With the emergence of next generation sequencing technologies (NGS), it is now possible to extensively and rapidly identify the gene profile of individual tumors. In this study, we aimed to identify actionable somatic alterations in Dukes' B and C in CRC via NGS. Targeted sequencing of 409 cancer-related genes using the Ion Ampliseq(TM) Comprehensive Cancer Panel was performed on genomic DNA obtained from paired fresh frozen tissues, cancer and normal, of Dukes' B (n = 10) and Dukes' C (n = 9) CRC. The sequencing results were analyzed using Torrent Suite, annotated using ANNOVAR and validated using Sanger sequencing. A total of 141 somatic non-synonymous sequence variations were identified in 86 genes. Among these, 64 variants (45%) were predicted to be deleterious, 38 variants (27%) possibly deleterious while the other 39 variants (28%) have low or neutral protein impact. Seventeen genes have alterations with frequencies of ≥10% in the patient cohort and with 14 overlapped genes in both Dukes' B and C. The adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC) was the most frequently altered gene in both groups (n = 6 in Dukes' B and C). In addition, TP53 was more frequently altered in Dukes' C (n = 7) compared to Dukes' B (n = 4). Ten variants in APC, namely p.R283(∗), p.N778fs, p.R805(∗), p.Y935fs, p.E941fs, p.E1057(∗), p.I1401fs, p.Q1378(∗), p.E1379(∗), and p.A1485fs were predicted to be driver variants. APC remains as the most frequently altered gene in the intermediate stages of CRC. Wnt signaling pathway is the major affected pathway followed by P53, RAS, TGF-β, and PI3K signaling. We reported the alteration profiles in each of the patient which has the potential to affect the clinical decision. We believe that this study will add further to the understanding of CRC molecular landscape.
Fulltext An investigation on longitudinal residual strains distribution of thin-walled press-braked cold formed steel sections using 3D FEM technique

Mutafi A, Yidris N, Ishak MR, Zahari R

Heliyon, 2018 Nov;4(11):e00937.
PMID: 30839801 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00937

Steel sections are normally shaped via cold work manufacturing processes. The extent of cold work to shape the steel sections might induce residual stresses in the region of bending. Previously, researchers had performed studies on the influences of local buckling on the failure behavior of steel compression members which shown that failure will happen when most of the yielding has extended to the middle surface in the bend region of the sections. Therefore, these cold work methods may have major effect on the behavior of the steel section and also its load-bearing capability. In addition, another factor may play significant role in formed section's load-bearing capacity which is the longitudinal residual strain. The longitudinal residual strain raised during forming procedure can be used to define the section imperfection of the formed section and its relation to the existence of defects. Therefore, the main motivation of this research paper is to perform three-dimensional finite element (3D-FE) to investigate peak longitudinal residual strains of a thin-walled steel plate with large bending angle along member length. A 3D finite element simulation in ABAQUS has been employed to simulate this forming process. The study concluded that the longitudinal residual strain at the section corner edge was higher than those at the rest of the corner region. These strains at the edge were higher than the yield strain

(

ε

y

)

of the formed section which occurred due to the lack of transverse restraint. This made the plate edge tended to bend toward the normal direction when it was under a high transverse bending. This causes a significant difference in longitudinal strain at the plate edge.
Validation of immunogenic PASD1 peptides against HLA-A*24:02 colorectal cancer

Soh JE, Abu N, Sagap I, Mazlan L, Yahaya A, Mustangin M, et al.

Immunotherapy, 2019 10;11(14):1205-1219.
PMID: 31478431 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2019-0073

Colorectal cancer is the third commonest malignancy in Asia including Malaysia. The immunogenic cancer-testis antigens, which are expressed in a variety of cancers but with limited expression in normal tissues except the testis, represent an attractive approach to improve treatment options for colorectal cancer. We aimed to validate four PASD1 peptides as the immunotherapeutic targets in colorectal cancer. First, PASD1 mRNA and protein expression were determined via real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. The PASD1 peptides specific to HLA-A*24:02 were investigated using IFN-y-ELISpot assay, followed by the cytolytic and granzyme-B-ELISpot assays to analyze the cytolytic effects of CD8+ T cells. Gene and protein expressions of PASD1 were detected in 20% and 17.3% of colorectal cancer samples, respectively. PASD1(4) peptide was shown to be immunogenic in colorectal cancer samples. CD8+ T cells raised against PASD1(4) peptide were able to lyze HLA-A*24:02+ PASD1+ cells. Our results reveal that PASD1(4) peptide represents a potential target for colorectal cancer.
Characteristics of thermoplastic sugar palm Starch/Agar blend: Thermal, tensile, and physical properties

Jumaidin R, Sapuan SM, Jawaid M, Ishak MR, Sahari J

Int J Biol Macromol, 2016 Aug;89:575-81.
PMID: 27177458 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.05.028

The aim of this work is to study the behavior of biodegradable sugar palm starch (SPS) based thermoplastic containing agar in the range of 10-40wt%. The thermoplastics were melt-mixed and then hot pressed at 140°C for 10min. SEM investigation showed good miscibility between SPS and agar. FT-IR analysis confirmed that SPS and agar were compatible and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds existed between them. Incorporation of agar increased the thermoplastic starch tensile properties (Young's modulus and tensile strength). The thermal stability and moisture uptake increased with increasing agar content. The present work shows that starch-based thermoplastics with 30wt% agar content have the highest tensile strength. Higher content of agar (40wt%) resulted to more rough cleavage fracture and slight decrease in the tensile strength. In conclusion, the addition of agar improved the thermal and tensile properties of thermoplastic SPS which widened the potential application of this eco-friendly material. The most promising applications for this eco-friendly material are short-life products such as packaging, container, tray, etc.
Sugar palm nanofibrillated cellulose (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr): Effect of cycles on their yield, physic-chemical, morphological and thermal behavior

Ilyas RA, Sapuan SM, Ishak MR, Zainudin ES

Int J Biol Macromol, 2019 Feb 15;123:379-388.
PMID: 30447353 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.11.124

Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFCs) were extracted from sugar palm fibres (SPS) in two separate stages; delignification and mercerization to remove lignin and hemicellulose, respectively. Subsequently, the obtained cellulose fibres were then mechanically extracted into nanofibres using high pressurized homogenization (HPH). The diameter distribution sizes of the isolated nanofibres were dependent on the cycle number of HPH treatment. TEM micro-images displayed the decreasing trend of NFCs diameter, from 21.37 to 5.5 nm when the number of cycle HPH was increased from 5 to 15 cycles, meanwhile TGA and XRD analysis showed that the degradation temperature and crystallinity of the NFCs were slightly increased from 347 to 347.3 °C and 75.38 to 81.19% respectively, when the number of cycles increased. Others analysis also were carried on such as FT-IR, FESEM, AFM, physical properties, zeta potential and yield analysis. The isolated NFCs may be potentially applied in various application, such as tissue engineering scaffolds, bio-nanocomposites, filtration media, bio-packaging and etc.
Recent advances of thermal properties of sugar palm lignocellulosic fibre reinforced polymer composites

Asyraf MRM, Ishak MR, Norrrahim MNF, Nurazzi NM, Shazleen SS, Ilyas RA, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2021 Dec 15;193(Pt B):1587-1599.
PMID: 34740691 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.10.221

Biocomposites are materials that are easy to manufacture and environmentally friendly. Sugar palm fibre (SPF) is considered to be an emerging reinforcement candidate that could provide improved mechanical stiffness and strength to the biocomposites. Numerous studies have been recently conducted on sugar palm biocomposites to evaluate their physical, mechanical and thermal properties in various conditions. Sugar palm biocomposites are currently limited to the applications of traditional household products despite their good thermal stability as a prospective substitute candidate for synthetic fibres. Thus, thermal analysis methods such as TGA and DTG are functioned to determine the thermal properties of single fibre sugar palm composites (SPCs) in thermoset and thermoplastic matrix as well as hybrid SPCs. The biocomposites showed a remarkable change considering thermal stability by varying the individual fibre compositions and surface treatments and adding fillers and coupling agents. However, literature that summarises the thermal properties of sugar palm biocomposites is unavailable. Particularly, this comprehensive review paper aims to guide all composite engineers, designers, manufacturers and users on the selection of suitable biopolymers for sugar palm biocomposites for thermal applications, such as heat shields and engine components.

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