MyMedR

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 78 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

CYP3A5 genetic variants and their associations with carbamazepine and valproic acid response in Malaysian epileptic patients

Miyata-Nozaka Y, Tan HJ, Wong SW, Raymond AA, Omar H, Zain SM

Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther, 2021 Jan;59(1):8-16.
PMID: 33026315 DOI: 10.5414/CP203761

OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures. Approximately 30 - 40% of epileptic patients do not respond to antiepileptic drugs. Previous studies suggest that CYP3A5 polymorphisms affect carbamazepine metabolism.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: To examine this hypothesis, in the present study, the associations between CYP3A5 variants (rs776746 and rs1419745) and response to carbamazepine and valproic acid monotherapy in Malaysian epileptic patients were evaluated.
RESULTS: A total of 288 Malaysian epileptic patients were recruited and further reviewed, of whom 63 patients were on carbamazepine monotherapy, and 85 patients were on valproic acid monotherapy. There was no patient with drug hypersensitivity syndrome within the population. Subjects were genotyped by using Sequenom MassARRAY platform. This study found a significant association of CYP3A5 rs776746 with the carbamazepine treatment response in total patients (p = 0.026) and Malay ethnic subgroup (p = 0.006). In addition, a marginal significant association of CYP3A5 rs1419745 with carbamazepine treatment response was reported in the Malays. Similarly, CYP3A5 rs776746 was associated with valproic acid response in total patients (p = 0.037) and Malays (marginal p = 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that CYP3A5 polymorphisms affect carbamazepine and valproic acid response in Malaysian epileptic patients.
Fulltext Neurodevelopmental effects of childhood malnutrition: A neuroimaging perspective

Galler JR, Bringas-Vega ML, Tang Q, Rabinowitz AG, Musa KI, Chai WJ, et al.

Neuroimage, 2021 05 01;231:117828.
PMID: 33549754 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117828

Approximately one in five children worldwide suffers from childhood malnutrition and its complications, including increased susceptibility to inflammation and infectious diseases. Due to improved early interventions, most of these children now survive early malnutrition, even in low-resource settings (LRS). However, many continue to exhibit neurodevelopmental deficits, including low IQ, poor school performance, and behavioral problems over their lifetimes. Most studies have relied on neuropsychological tests, school performance, and mental health and behavioral measures. Few studies, in contrast, have assessed brain structure and function, and to date, these have mainly relied on low-cost techniques, including electroencephalography (EEG) and evoked potentials (ERP). The use of more advanced methods of neuroimaging, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), has been limited by cost factors and lack of availability of these technologies in developing countries, where malnutrition is nearly ubiquitous. This report summarizes the current state of knowledge and evidence gaps regarding childhood malnutrition and the study of its impact on neurodevelopment. It may help to inform the development of new strategies to improve the identification, classification, and treatment of neurodevelopmental disabilities in underserved populations at the highest risk for childhood malnutrition.
Structured student-generated videos for first-year students at a dental school in Malaysia

Omar H, Khan SA, Toh CG

J Dent Educ, 2013 May;77(5):640-7.
PMID: 23658411

Student-generated videos provide an authentic learning experience for students, enhance motivation and engagement, improve communication skills, and improve collaborative learning skills. This article describes the development and implementation of a student-generated video activity as part of a knowledge, observation, simulation, and experience (KOSE) program at the School of Dentistry, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It also reports the students' perceptions of an activity that introduced first-year dental students (n=44) to clinical scenarios involving patients and dental team aiming to improve professional behavior and communication skills. The learning activity was divided into three phases: preparatory phase, video production phase, and video-watching. Students were organized into five groups and were instructed to generate videos addressing given clinical scenarios. Following the activity, students' perceptions were assessed with a questionnaire. The results showed that 86 percent and 88 percent, respectively, of the students agreed that preparation of the activity enhanced their understanding of the role of dentists in provision of health care and the role of enhanced teamwork. In addition, 86 percent and 75 percent, respectively, agreed that the activity improved their communication and project management skills. Overall, the dental students perceived that the student-generated video activity was a positive experience and enabled them to play the major role in driving their learning process.
Utilization of debate as an educational tool to learn health economics for dental students in Malaysia

Khan SA, Omar H, Babar MG, Toh CG

J Dent Educ, 2012 Dec;76(12):1675-83.
PMID: 23225687

Health economics, a special branch of science applying economic principles to the health delivery system, is a relatively young subdiscipline. The literature is scanty about teaching health economics in the medical and dental fields. Delivery methods of this topic vary from one university to another, with lectures, seminars, and independent learning reported as teaching/learning tools used for the topic. Ideally, debates should foster the development of logical reasoning and communication skills. Health economics in dentistry is taught under the community oral health module that constitutes part of an outcome-based dental curriculum in a private dental school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For this study, the students were divided into two groups: active participants (active debaters) and supporting participants (nonactive debaters). The debate style chosen for this activity was parliamentary style. Active and nonactive debaters' perceptions were evaluated before and after the activity through a structured questionnaire using a five-point rating scale addressing the topic and perceptions about debate as an educational tool. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used as a measure of internal consistency for the questionnaire items. Among a total of eighty-two third-year dental students of two successive cohorts (thirty-eight students and forty-four students), seventy-three completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 89 percent. Students' responses to the questionnaire were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test. Results revealed that the students felt that their interest in debate, knowledge of the topic, and reinforcement of the previous knowledge had improved following participation in the debate. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that debate was a useful tool in teaching health economics to dental students.
Fulltext Factors associated with faculty participation in research activities in dental schools

Pau A, Omar H, Khan S, Jassim A, Seow LL, Toh CG

Singapore Dent J, 2017 12;38:45-54.
PMID: 29229074 DOI: 10.1016/j.sdj.2017.08.001

BACKGROUND: To quantify participation in dental research activities in Malaysia, and investigate its association with socio-demographic and professional characteristics, and perceptions of research and development (R&D) culture.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental academics in Malaysian dental schools were invited to complete a questionnaire by email and post. The survey comprised questions on research activities in the past 12 months, socio-demographic and professional characteristics, and the R&D Culture Index. Principal components factor analysis was carried out to confirm the factor structure of the R&D Culture Index. Chi-square test was used to identify association of research activities with R&D culture, and socio-demographic and professional characteristics. Binary logistic regression was carried to identify predicators of research activities.
RESULTS: Of 256 potential participants contacted, 128 (50%) useable responses were returned. Three R&D Culture factors accounting for 57.4% of variance were extracted. More positive perception of R&D Support was associated with Malaysians (0.025) and those employed in Government schools (0.017). R&D Skills and Aptitude were associated with older respondents (0.050), PhD qualification (0.014) and more years in academia (0.014). R&D Intention was associated with any of the socio-demographic characteristics. Thirty (23.4%) respondents reported a peer-review research publication in the past 12 months, which was associated with having a PhD (OR 12.79, CI 1.28-127.96), after adjustment in regression analyses.
DISCUSSION: Postgraduate research training should be encouraged to promote participation in research activities. R&D culture did not appear to impact on research productivity. Other factors such as individual attitudinal interests should be studied.
Attitudes of dental and chiropractic students towards a shared learning programme-An interprofessional learning model

Omar H, Khan S, Haneline M, Toh CG

Eur J Dent Educ, 2021 Aug;25(3):592-599.
PMID: 33222374 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12636

INTRODUCTION: Interprofessional learning (IPL) is the first stage towards the goal of interprofessional collaborative care. To enhance IPL experience, the School of Dentistry, International Medical University developed an IPL model based on the core competencies and the learning outcomes for dental and chiropractic students in their second and fourth year, respectively. The model was based on experiential learning and adult learning theories in addition to Miller's framework for clinical competencies.
METHODS: The programme was developed as a student-centred, collaborative approach to achieve the learning outcomes for dental and chiropractic students. Second-year dental students (n = 46) and chiropractic students (n = 23) in their fourth year participated in the programme. The focus of the programme was to address the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) amongst dental students and to provide the chiropractic students with the opportunity to assess and identify risk factors for WMSDs in the dental setting. The readiness for interprofessional learning scale (RIPLS) questionnaire was completed prior to the interprofessional education programme and once again afterwards to determine dental and chiropractic students' awareness of roles and responsibilities of the other profession, and their attitudes to interprofessional education and teamwork.
RESULTS: Dental and chiropractic students showed similar levels of readiness for shared learning. The results of this study suggest that the IPL programme contributed to the development of the students' positive perceptions towards the positive professional identity and the roles of other healthcare professionals.
CONCLUSION: This study provides initial support for the integrated interprofessional learning experiences within the school. The results of the study will shape future curricula changes to further strengthen interprofessional education and subsequent interprofessional collaborative care.
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus: An observation of routine practice in a tertiary liver centre before and after the introduction of the global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis

Hoo CZ, Wan Abdullah WZ, Omar H, Tan SS

Med J Malaysia, 2023 Mar;78(2):234-240.
PMID: 36988536

INTRODUCTION: Worldwide, around 296 million people have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, most commonly transmitted from mother-to-child. Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis (GHSSVH) was introduced in May 2016, calling for elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. This study aims to compare practice in a tertiary liver centre before and after GHSSVH introduction for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was performed in a tertiary referral liver centre in Malaysia, using data from electronic medical record from January 2015 to December 2019. A total of 1457 medical records of female with HBV infection were screened. The inclusion criteria of the study were pregnant women with HBsAg positive or known to have HBV infection during the study period. We excluded patients with co-infections of other types of viral hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus, concurrent liver diseases (e.g.: autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson’s disease), previous organ transplant and malignancy—except for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
RESULTS: This study included 117 pregnancies and 21/117 (17.9%) were on antiviral therapy (AVT) for HBV. In 2017– 2019, 13/18 (72.2%) of those with HBV DNA >200,000IU/ml were on AVT, compared to 5/9 (55.6%) for 2015–2016, indicating 58% (95% CI −63% to 568%) higher odds of being on AVT in post GHSSVH group after accounting for HBV DNA.
CONCLUSION: Uptake of maternal AVT for the prevention of MTCT shows an increased trend since the introduction of GHSSVH, with room for improvement.
Toxicities and tolerances of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in a primary producer (Isochrysis galbana) and in a primary consumer (Perna viridis)

Yap CK, Ismail A, Omar H, Tan SG

Environ Int, 2004 Feb;29(8):1097-104.
PMID: 14680893

Studies on toxicities and tolerances of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in the brown alga Isochrysis galbana and in the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis were conducted by short-term bioassays using endpoints growth production and mortality, respectively. The 5-day EC(50) and 24-h LC(50) of these heavy metals were determined in the brown alga and mussel, respectively. The EC(50) values calculated for the alga were 0.74 mg/l for Cd, 0.91 mg/l for Cu, 1.40 mg/l for Pb and 0.60 mg/l for Zn. The LC(50) values for the mussels were 1.53 mg/l for Cd, 0.25 mg/l for Cu, 4.12 mg/l for Pb and 3.20 mg/l for Zn. These LC(50) values were within the concentration ranges as reported by other authors who used P. viridis as the test organism. Based on these EC(50) and LC(50) values, the alga was most sensitive to Zn, followed by Cd, Cu and Pb while the mussel was most sensitive to Cu, followed by Cd, Zn and Pb. Differences in the trophic levels, metal handling strategies, biology and ecology of the primary producer (brown alga) and the primary consumer (mussel) are believed to be the plausible causes for the different toxicities and tolerances of the metals studied.
Onchocerca takaokai n. sp. (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in Japanese wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax): Description and molecular identification of intradermal females

Uni S, Fukuda M, Agatsuma T, Bain O, Otsuka Y, Nakatani J, et al.

Parasitol Int, 2015 Dec;64(6):493-502.
PMID: 26165205 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.07.001

Human zoonotic onchocercosis is caused by Onchocerca dewittei japonica, parasitic in wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax) in Japan. Previously, microfilariae longer than those of Onchocerca dewittei japonica were observed in skin snips from wild boars during the study of O. dewittei japonica. Moreover, the third-stage larvae (L3) of these longer microfilariae were obtained from the blackfly Simulium bidentatum after experimental injections. Based on morphometric and molecular studies, similar L3 were found in blackflies during fieldwork in Oita, Japan. However, except for O. dewittei japonica, adult worms of Onchocerca have not been found in wild boars. In this study, we discovered adult females of a novel Onchocerca species in the skin of a wild boar in Oita, and named it Onchocerca takaokai n. sp. Females of this new species had longer microfilariae and differed from O. dewittei japonica in terms of their morphological characteristics and parasitic location. The molecular characteristics of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and 12S rRNA genes of the new species were identical to those of the longer microfilariae and L3 previously detected, but they differed from those of O. dewittei japonica at the species level. However, both species indicated a close affinity among their congeners and Onchocerca ramachandrini, parasitic in the warthog in Africa, was basal in the Suidae cluster of the 12S rRNA tree.
Zoonotic infection with Onchocerca dewittei japonica in an 11-year-old boy in Kansai Region, Western Honshu, Japan

Uni S, Fukuda M, Ogawa K, Lim YA, Agatsuma T, Bunchom N, et al.

Parasitol Int, 2017 Oct;66(5):593-595.
PMID: 28648713 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2017.06.006

An 11-year-old boy living in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Kansai Region, Western Honshu, Japan had zoonotic onchocercosis. The patient developed a painful swelling on the little finger of his left hand. The worm detected in the excised mass had external transverse ridges but did not have inner striae in the cuticle. On the basis of the parasite's histopathological characteristics, the causative agent was identified as a female Onchocerca dewittei japonica (Spirurida: Onchocercidae). The species of the filarial parasite was confirmed by sequencing the cox1 gene of the parasite. The Japanese wild boar Sus scrofa leucomystax is a definitive host for O. dewittei japonica, which is then transmitted by blackflies as the vector to humans. The current case described occurred in the Kansai Region, Western Honshu, where such infections were previously not reported.
Quantitative Hepatitis B e Antigen: A Better Predictor of Hepatitis B Virus DNA than Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

Hudu SA, Niazlin MT, Nordin SA, Saeed MI, Tan SS, Omar H, et al.

Clin. Lab., 2018 Apr 01;64(4):443-449.
PMID: 29739076 DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2017.170916

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B surface antigen is usually secreted by infected hepatocytes in the form of subviral particles rather than infectious virions, while the hepatitis B e antigen originates from the core gene and is modified and secreted by hepatocytes into the circulation and functions as a marker of active viral replication. This study aimed to study the relationship between HBV DNA and quantitative hepatitis B surface and e antigen in Malaysian patients.
METHODS: A total of 82 chronic hepatitis B patients were recruited for this study from the Hepatology Department of Selayang Hospital. Quantitative hepatitis surface and e antigen was performed retrospectively on frozen plasma using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay according to the manufacturer's instructions. Hepatitis B viral DNA was extracted from all plasma samples and quantified using real-time PCR.
RESULTS: Quantitative hepatitis B surface and e antigens were found be high in 54.9% and 52.4% of the patients, respectively, while hepatitis B virus DNA level was high in 70.7%. The median of the viral load of HBV was 8,934.89 IU/mL and both hepatitis B surface and e antigens were also found to be high on average for qHBsAg (M = 5.19 IU/mL, SD ± 4. 33) and qHBeAg (M = 4.74IU/mL, SD ± 4.20), with qHBeAg being more strongly correlated to HBV DNA than qHBsAg (r = 0.893; p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed HBeAg to be the most appropriate marker that correlates well with HBV DNA, thus not completely novel but confirmative, and related to the Malaysian situation.
Fulltext Genetic diversity of hepatitis B co-infection with hepatitis C, D and E viruses among Malaysian chronic hepatitis B patients

Hudu SA, Niazlin MT, Nordin SA, Tan SS, Omar H, Shahar H, et al.

Afr Health Sci, 2018 Dec;18(4):1117-1133.
PMID: 30766578 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v18i4.33

Background: Hepatitis B virus co-infection with other strains of viral hepatitis is associated with increased risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation.
Objectives: This is a prevalence study that assessed the genetic diversity of chronic hepatitis B patients and coinfection.
Methods: Chronic hepatitis B patients enrolled in this study were tested for antibodies of other hepatitis viruses using ELISA kits. Patient clinical profiles were collected and partial genes of HBV, HCV, and HEV were amplified, sequenced, and analyzed using phylogenetic analysis. The associations between variables were determined using the chi-squared test.
Results: Of the 82 patients recruited for this study, 53.7% were non-cirrhotic, 22.0% cirrhotic, 20.7% acute flare and 3.7% hepatocellular carcinoma. Majority (58%) of patients had a high level of ALT (≥34 U/L). Sequence analysis showed HBV (63.9%) belonged to genotype B, HEV belonged to genotype 4 while HCV belonged to genotype 3a and the genotypes were found to be significantly associated with the clinical stage of the patients (χ2=56.632; p<0.01). Similarly, Hepatitis B e antigen was also found to be significantly associated with the clinical stage of infection (χ2=51.952; p<0.01).
Conclusion: This study revealed that genetic diversity was found to have a significant impact on the severity of infection.
Fulltext Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy using a partially covered metal stent in patients with malignant biliary obstruction after failed Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Emmanuel J, Omar H, See LT

JGH Open, 2020 Dec;4(6):1059-1064.
PMID: 33319037 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12386

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The advent of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has provided an inimitable alternative for gaining biliary access in patients who fail conventional endoscopic drainage. The antimigratory features of the partially covered metal stent (PCMS), namely, the flange head and uncovered portion of the stent, makes it a valuable option in patients undergoing EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS). The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of EUS-BD via the hepaticogastrostomy approach using PCMS in patients with malignant biliary obstruction after failed ERCP.
METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective observational study of patients with malignant biliary obstruction undergoing EUS-HGS after failed ERCP between January 2018 and May 2019. The end-point of the study was to assess the technical and clinical success rate, as well as the stent- and procedure-related complications.
RESULTS: There were 20 subjects in this study. The average age was 71.8 ± 7.6 years. Most patients were male, 16 (80%). Inaccessible papillae was the most common indication for this procedure, 16 (80%). Technical success was achieved in all patients. The average procedural time was 39.9 ± 1.3 min. Mean preprocedural bilirubin levels were 348.6 ± 28.8 and subsequently decreased to 108.94 ± 37.1 μmol/L at 2 weeks postprocedure. The clinical success rate was 95% (19/20), with one patient requiring percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). There were no stent- or procedure-related complications reported in this study.
CONCLUSION: EUS-HGS with PCMS is a feasible, effective, and safe alternative for biliary decompression in patients with failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Discrete flower pollination algorithm for patient admission scheduling problem

Abdalkareem ZA, Al-Betar MA, Amir A, Ehkan P, Hammouri AI, Salman OH

Comput Biol Med, 2022 Feb;141:105007.
PMID: 34785077 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.105007

This paper aims to tackle the Patient Admission Scheduling Problem (PASP) using the Discrete Flower Pollination Algorithm (DFPA), a new, meta-heuristic optimization method based on plant pollination. PASP is one of the most important problems in the field of health care. It is a highly constrained and combinatorial optimization problem of assigning patients to medical resources in a hospital, subject to predefined constraints, while maximizing patient comfort. While the flower pollination algorithm was designed for continuous optimization domains, a discretization of the algorithm has been carried out for application to the PASP. Various neighborhood structures have been employed to enhance the method, and to explore more solutions in the search space. The proposed method has been tested on six instances of benchmark datasets for comparison against another algorithm using the same dataset. The prospective method is shown to be very efficient in solving any scheduling problem.
Systematic Review of Real-time Remote Health Monitoring System in Triage and Priority-Based Sensor Technology: Taxonomy, Open Challenges, Motivation and Recommendations

Albahri OS, Albahri AS, Mohammed KI, Zaidan AA, Zaidan BB, Hashim M, et al.

J Med Syst, 2018 Mar 22;42(5):80.
PMID: 29564649 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-018-0943-4

The new and ground-breaking real-time remote monitoring in triage and priority-based sensor technology used in telemedicine have significantly bounded and dispersed communication components. To examine these technologies and provide researchers with a clear vision of this area, we must first be aware of the utilised approaches and existing limitations in this line of research. To this end, an extensive search was conducted to find articles dealing with (a) telemedicine, (b) triage, (c) priority and (d) sensor; (e) comprehensively review related applications and establish the coherent taxonomy of these articles. ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore and Web of Science databases were checked for articles on triage and priority-based sensor technology in telemedicine. The retrieved articles were filtered according to the type of telemedicine technology explored. A total of 150 articles were selected and classified into two categories. The first category includes reviews and surveys of triage and priority-based sensor technology in telemedicine. The second category includes articles on the three-tiered architecture of telemedicine. Tier 1 represents the users. Sensors acquire the vital signs of the users and send them to Tier 2, which is the personal gateway that uses local area network protocols or wireless body area network. Medical data are sent from Tier 2 to Tier 3, which is the healthcare provider in medical institutes. Then, the motivation for using triage and priority-based sensor technology in telemedicine, the issues related to the obstruction of its application and the development and utilisation of telemedicine are examined on the basis of the findings presented in the literature.
Seasonal influence on physicochemical properties of the sediments from Bay of Bengal coast with statistical approach

Pandion K, Dowlath MJH, Arunachalam KD, Abd-Elkader OH, Yadav KK, Nazir N, et al.

Environ Res, 2023 Oct 15;235:116611.
PMID: 37437863 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116611

The current study aims to investigate the influence of seasonal changes on the pollution loads of the sediment of a coastal area in terms of its physicochemical features. The research will focus on analyzing the nutrients, organic carbon and particle size of the sediment samples collected from 12 different sampling stations in 3 different seasons along the coastal area. Additionally, the study discusses about the impact of anthropogenic activities such as agriculture and urbanization and natural activities such as monsoon on the sediment quality of the coastal area. The nutrient changes in the sediment were found to be: pH (7.96-9.45), EC (2.89-5.23 dS/m), nitrogen (23.98-57.23 mg/kg), phosphorus (7.75-11.36 mg/kg), potassium (217-398 mg/kg), overall organic carbon (0.35-0.99%), and sediment proportions (8.91-9.3%). Several statistical methods were used to investigate changes in sediment quality. According to the three-way ANOVA test, the mean value of the sediments differs significantly with each season. It correlates significantly with principal factor analysis and cluster analysis across seasons, implying contamination from both natural and man-made sources. This study will contribute to developing effective management strategies for the protection and restoration of degraded coastal ecosystem.
Description and molecular characteristics of Morishitium polonicum malayense Urabe, Nor Hashim & Uni, n. subsp. (Trematoda: Cyclocoelidae) from the Asian glossy starling, Aplonis panayensis strigata (Passeriformes: Sturnidae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Urabe M, Nor Hashim NE, Uni S, Iwaki T, Abdullah Halim MR, Marzuki ME, et al.

Parasitol Int, 2020 Jun;76:102074.
PMID: 32057926 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102074

We describe Morishitium polonicum malayense n. subsp. from Asian glossy starlings (Aplonis panayensis strigata) (Horsfield, 1821) (Passeriformis: Sturnidae) caught in Malaysia. The trematodes had parasitized the air sacs and the thoracic and body cavities of 40 out of 67 (59.7%) birds examined. The specimens each had an oral sucker, a postpharyngeal genital pore, and tandem testes, but lacked a ventral sucker. The morphological characteristics of our specimens were similar to those of M. polonicum polonicum (Machalska, 1980) from Poland. However, the anterior extremity of vitelline follicles of the present specimens sometimes extended to the level of pharynx. The oral sucker width, oral sucker width/pharynx width ratio, and intertesticular space metrics differed from those of M. p. polonicum. The maximum-likelihood trees based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences indicated that the species from the present study formed a sister group with M. p. polonicum from the Czech Republic. The p-distances of COI and ITS2 sequences between the present specimens and M. p. polonicum from the Czech Republic were 6.9-7.5% and 0.6%, respectively. These genetic divergences indicate the border for intra- or interspecific variation of digeneans. The definitive host species and geographical distribution of the current specimens were distinct from those of M. p. polonicum from Europe. We thus concluded that the present specimens are ranked as a new subspecies of M. polonicum, namely M. polonicum malayense n. subsp.
Fulltext Description and molecular characterisation of Pelecitus copsychi Uni, Mat Udin & Martin n. sp. (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) from the white-rumped shama Copsychus malabaricus (Scopoli) (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae) of Pahang, Malaysia

Uni S, Mat Udin AS, Tan PE, Rodrigues J, Martin C, Junker K, et al.

Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis, 2022;2:100078.
PMID: 36589876 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2022.100078

Species of the genus Pelecitus Railliet & Henry, 1910 the most widely distributed avian filariae in Africa and South America. Zoonotic cases in humans were reported in South America. While investigating the filarial fauna of wild animals in Malaysia, we discovered an undescribed filaria from the swollen footpad of the left leg of Copsychus malabaricus (Scopoli) in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. Adults of both sexes have a corkscrew-shaped body. Based on comparison of their morphological characteristics (i.e. pre-oesophageal cuticular ring distinct, oesophagus divided, vulva protuberant and situated at the level of anterior half of oesophagus, spicules strongly sclerotized and left spicule with broad blade) with other Pelecitus species, they are here described as Pelecitus copsychi Uni, Mat Udin & Martin n. sp. Multi-locus sequence analyses based on seven genes (12S rDNA, cox1, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, MyoHC, rbp1 and hsp70) were performed to determine the phylogenetic position of the new species. The calculated p-distance between the cox1 gene sequences for P. copsychi n. sp. and Pelecitus fulicaeatrae (Diesing, 1861) was 14.1%. Intraspecific genetic variation between two individuals of the new species was 0.4%. In both the Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood trees, P. copsychi n. sp. was positioned in the second clade of ONC5, containing three genera of the subfamily Dirofilariinae (Foleyella Seurat, 1917, Pelecitus and Loa Stiles, 1905). Immunostaining and molecular analyses remained negative for the presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts. Our findings corroborate the division of the subfamily Dirofilariinae into ONC3 with Dirofilaria Railliet & Henry, 1911 and ONC5 with Pelecitus.
Fulltext Redescription, molecular characterisation and Wolbachia endosymbionts of Mansonella (Tupainema) dunni (Mullin & Orihel, 1972) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) from the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard & Duvaucel (Mammalia: Scandentia) in Peninsular Malaysia

Mat Udin AS, Uni S, Rodrigues J, Martin C, Junker K, Agatsuma T, et al.

Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis, 2024;5:100154.
PMID: 38193019 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100154

The genus Mansonella Faust, 1929 includes 29 species, mainly parasites of platyrrhine monkeys in South America and anthropoid apes in Africa. In Malaysia, Mansonella (Tupainema) dunni (Mullin & Orihel, 1972) was described from the common treeshrew Tupaia glis Diard & Duvaucel (Scandentia). In a recent classification of the genus Mansonella, seven subgenera were proposed, with M. (Tup.) dunni as a monotypic species in the subgenus Tupainema. In this study, we collected new material of M. (Tup.) dunni from common treeshrews in Peninsular Malaysia and redescribed the morphological features of this species. We found that M. (Tup.) dunni differs from M. (Cutifilaria) perforata Uni et al., 2004 from sika deer Cervus nippon (Cetartiodactyla) in Japan, with regards to morphological features and predilection sites in their respective hosts. Based on multi-locus sequence analyses, we examined the molecular phylogeny of M. (Tup.) dunni and its Wolbachia genotype. Species of the genus Mansonella grouped monophyletically in clade ONC5 and M. (Tup.) dunni was placed in the most derived position within this genus. Mansonella (Tup.) dunni was closely related to M. (M.) ozzardi (Manson, 1897) from humans in Central and South America, and most distant from M. (C.) perforata. The calculated p-distances between the cox1 gene sequences for M. (Tup.) dunni and its congeners were 13.09% for M. (M.) ozzardi and 15.6-16.15% for M. (C.) perforata. The molecular phylogeny of Mansonella spp. thus corroborates their morphological differences. We determined that M. (Tup.) dunni harbours Wolbachia endosymbionts of the supergroup F genotype, in keeping with all other Mansonella species screened to date.
Aporphine alkaloids with in vitro antiplasmodial activity from the leaves of Phoebe tavoyana

Omar H, Fadaeinasab M, Taha H, Widyawaruyanti A, Nafiah MA, Rachmatiah T

J Asian Nat Prod Res, 2020 Jan;22(1):52-60.
PMID: 30897964 DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2018.1553958

One new aporphine named tavoyanine A (1), along with four known aporphines laetanine (2), roemerine (3), laurolitsine (4), and boldine (5), and one morphinandienone type sebiferine (6) were isolated from the leaves of Phoebe tavoyana (Meissn.) Hook f. (Lauraceae). The isolation was achieved by chromatographic techniques, and the structural elucidation was performed via spectral methods. This paper also reports the antiplasmodial activity of roemerine (3), laurolitsine (4), boldine (5), and sebiferine (6). The results showed that 3-6 have a potent inhibitory activity against the growth of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 clone, with IC50 values of 0.89, 1.49, 1.65, and 2.76 µg/ml, respectively.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links