Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 149 in total

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  1. Zulkifli, Y., Alitheen, N.B., Son, R., Yeap, S.K., Lesley, M.B., Raha, A.R.
    MyJurnal
    Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a gram negative bacterium and causes gastrointestinal illness in humans. In this study, twenty five out of fifty cockle samples from Padang, Indonesia produced purple colonies when they were grown on selective medium, CHROMagarTM Vibrio. Specific–PCR for toxR gene detection gave positive results in which a band with 368 base pairs size appeared on the gel for all the isolates that confirmed the presence of V. parahaemolyticus. In the virulence properties test, all the isolates showed negative results for tdh and trh genes detection. The results indicate that the isolates under this study do not contain virulence properties that correlate to the ability of infection and diseases, which means that they are nonpathogenic.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  2. Zhi, Yee Lee, Chuan, Joshua Yung Foo, Mei, Qian Lim, Zheng, Xian Koh, Hui, Wendy Yi Wong, Kock, Tony Wai Ng
    MyJurnal
    A recently published meta-analysis showed that each additional serving of rice increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) by an alarming 11%. We investigated whether this phenomenon is seen in the Malaysian population by studying the effect of rice intake and added sugar consumption on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting triacylglycerol (TAG).
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  3. Zal Uyun Wan Mahmood, Yii, Mei-Wo, Che Abd. Rahim Mohamed, Norfaizal Mohamed @ Mohamad, Abdul Kadir Ishak
    MyJurnal
    The most commonly used techniques of alpha and gamma spectrometry were performed to measure
    210Pb activity in marine sediment core as a comparison. Alpha analytical technique measured the
    activity of 210Pb from it’s in-grow grand-daughter 210Po after a chemical separation, assuming
    radioactive equilibrium between the two radionuclides. Meanwhile, gamma analysis technique
    allows direct measurement, non-destructive and no preliminary chemical separation. Through the
    comparison, it is found that both alpha and gamma analysis techniques were slightly difference.
    Overall, the results from alpha analytical technique were basically higher than those from the
    gamma analytical techniques. Some logical argument had been discussed to explain this situation.
    In routine analysis, the analytical technique used should be chosen carefully based on advantages
    and disadvantages of the each technique and analysis requirements. Therefore, it is recommended to
    determine exactly the needs and purpose of analysis and to know the sample history before decide
    the appropriate analytical technique
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  4. Zaiton Ahmad, Affrida Abu Hassan, Mohd Nazir Basiran, Nurul Aliaa Idris, Tanaka, A., Shikazono, N., et al.
    MyJurnal
    Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) of an orchid (Oncidium lanceanum) were irradiated using 220 MeV 12 C 5+ ions, accelerated by AVF cyclotron at JAEA, Japan in 2005. Five different doses were applied to the PLBs; 0, 1.0, 2.0, 6.0 and 12.0 Gy. Following irradiation, these PLBs were maintained in cultures for germination and multiplication. Irradiation effects on growth and seedling regeneration patterns as well as molecular characteristics of the in vitro cultures were monitored and recorded. In general, average fresh weights of the irradiated PLBs increased progressively by irradiating the explants at 1.0, 2.0 and reached the maximum at 6.0 Gy. The figure however dropped when the explants were irradiated at 12 Gy. Surprisingly, although the highest average fresh weight was recorded on PLBs irradiated at 6.0 Gy, most of these PLBs were not able to regenerate into complete shoots. On average, after 4 months of irradiation, only 21 seedlings were successfully regenerated from each gram of these PLBs. The highest shoot regeneration was recorded on cultures irradiated at 2.0 Gy in which 102 seedlings were obtained from one gram of the PLBs. Some morphological changes were seen on in vitro plantlets derived from PLBs irradiated at doses of 1.0 and 2.0 Gy. Most of the regenerated seedlings have been transferred to glasshouse for further morphological selection. Molecular analysis showed the presence of DNA polymorphisms among the seedlings from different doses of irradiation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  5. Zainur Rashid, Z., Sharifah Sulaiha, S.A., Darnina, A.J.
    MyJurnal
    Varicella or chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), which commonly affects the children. It is a mild, self-limiting disease and rarely complicate to serious conditions except in adults. Decreasing incidence of chickenpox among children, probably owing to improved living conditions ,prevention and health care, is worrisome as growing number of adults are being infected. This creates disturbing concerns in many parties as women at childbearing age might get infected and not only are them at a great risk of serious complications, but also their unborn fetus or their newborn babies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  6. Zaini Hamzah, Siti Afiqah Abdul Rahman, Ahmad Saat, Siti Shahrina Agos, Zaharudin Ahmad
    MyJurnal
    The presence of 226 Ra in water is a great concern in human life since it can cause health risk to a certain extent. In the state of Kelantan, being known of its granitic area, there is a lack measurement of 226 Ra content in river water, since water is the major source of water supply. According to the INTERIM National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (INWQS), 226 Ra activity concentration in water cannot exceed 0.1 Bq/L. For this reasons, this research was planned to carry out a systematic measurement of water along Sungai Kelantan. Liquid Scintillation Counting was used for measurement of 226 Ra in water samples from Sungai Kelantan mainly in district of Kuala Krai. In this paper, the results obtained is about 26 water samples, filtered and unfiltered, collected along Sungai Lebir, Sungai Sok and Bukit Sabah. Thus, the assessment activity concentration of 226 Ra in river water was obtained as well as annual effective dose for consumption of drinking water.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  7. Zaini Hamzah, Marlinda Musa, Ahmad Saat
    MyJurnal
    There are many essential and non-essential elements including metals and radionuclides present in vegetables. Howeve r, the accumulation of the several metals and radionuclides might cause the contamination to vegetables itself. Green m ustard (Brasissca rapa var. Parachinesis L.) was selected to represent the vegetable in this study. Objectives of this stud y are to determine the concentration of metals and radionuclides in the samples and to calculate the enrichment factor ( EF) and also to estimate the uptake, base on biological accumulation coefficient (BAC), for the various parts of selecte d vegetables. Three farmlands in the Cameron Highlands were studied namely Bharat, Kg Raja and Bertam area. The g reen mustard and soil samples were collected during the harvest season. Samples were dried, ground and sieved prior t o analysis. Analyses for both samples were done by using X-rays Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) to measure the conc entration of Fe, Zn, Hg, U and Th. The concentration of all elements in the soils is lower than their concentration in the control soil, except for Zn, U and Th. The concentration of all elements in Green Mustard is lower than their concentrat ion in the soil where it was grown. The EF values in the Brasissca rapa var. Parachinesis L are lower than 2 except for U and Th, indicating some degree of contamination due to anthropogenic activities or naturally origin. The BAC values show that Zn and Hg were accumulated in the green mustard, depending on where the plant grows.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  8. Yousuf, R.M., Kausar, R.
    MyJurnal
    Restrictive dietetic practices, rather than helping the patient, reduce his food intake and thereby impair recovery. This is a cruelty born-of erroneous notion passed on to us as a legacy from hakims and vaids (quakes), rather than having any scientific justification. Even if some doctors do not entertain such restrictions, the so called well-wishers of patients will definitely offer free advice and impose food restrictions upon their patients. Everybody has his own share of bitter experiences, horrific memories, and heart-rending stories of the past. The chain of death and destruction remains unbroken. The gloomy, dark sky is waiting for break of a new dawn gone into eclipse years before. The ongoing Indo- Pak peace process has already resulted in a number of confidence- building measures, but in spite of all that an average of five persons each day are being killed in terror-related incidents across the State. A tricky situation prevails in which militants and security forces are pitted against each other, converting the streets, the lanes and by-lanes, and human settlements in to a well-entrenched battle ground. Innocent Kashmir’s are dying, getting maimed, and suffering mental agony and the world is watching with a nonchalant indifference.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  9. Yong HT, Son R
    MyJurnal
    Hepatitis A virus infection occurs globally and is causing a public health concern, primarily in developing countries due to its persistent circulation in the environment. The improved sanitary condition and increase in awareness of personal hygiene have led to the marked reduction of HAV prevalence in industrialized countries during childhood and to a shift of the infection towards adulthood. HAV is an environmentally stable, positive single stranded RNA virus that is primarily transmitted by the fecal-oral route, person to person contact or ingestion of contaminated food and drink. One of the main causes leading to HAV infection is epidemiologically linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish particularly oysters and clams. Due to their filter-feeding style, these shellfishes readily concentrate viruses from the surrounding water containing municipal sewage, and as a consequence pose a health threat to consumers. Therefore, development of detection techniques possessing the requisite sensitivity and specificity for the practical routine monitoring purposes is of great importance necessary for the protection of shellfish-consuming public. Nucleic acid based method such as reverse transcription PCR has emerged as the popular method of choice in view of its rapidity, accuracy and
    sensitivity in contrary of the time-consuming conventional cell culture and hybridization techniques. However, detection of hepatitis A virus is firstly hampered by the non-cytophatic effect of wild type HAV strain, secondly, the low concentration of viral genome present in the environmental sample which requires effective isolation and concentration of virions and lastly the labor-extensive purification and thorough removal of the abundance of the PCR inhibitors which will unfavorably reduce the efficiency of PCR detection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  10. Yeoh, S.J., Taip, F.S., Endan, J., Talib, R.A., Sita Mazlina, M.K.
    MyJurnal
    Aquaculture is a growing industry with a great potential towards the contribution of the country’s total
    fish requirement. Serious efforts have been done to develop and improve the production of fish by rearing high value fish in tanks or ponds. Under the Third National Agricultural Policy (1998-2010), the target is to annually produce 1.93 million tonnes of fish worth approximately RM8.3 billion by the year 2010. Consequently, the development of an automatic fish feeding machine can be very beneficial to the growth of the aquaculture industry. This device was developed to overcome labour problems in the industry and introduce a semi-automatic process in the aquaculture industry. It has the ability to dispense dried fish food in various forms such as pellets, sticks, tablets or granules into fish tanks or ponds in a controlled manner for a stipulated time. The automatic fish feeder is controlled by a digital timer and it is capable of feeding the fish in accordance with a pre-determined time schedule without the presence of an operator, and at a feeding rate of 250g/min. The feeder can be adjusted to the desired height and conveniently moved around to be positioned adjacent to the pond or tank. Meanwhile, its hopper can be covered and easily dissembled to change the size of the hopper to accommodate different capacities of feed. This automatic fish feeder can be implemented in aquaculture system to convenience to fish culturists.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  11. Yap, Wei Boon, Rina Anak Sujang, Tan, Seng Toong
    MyJurnal
    Many studies have shown that probiotic strains added to a number of probiotic products are not compatible to that of
    claimed. It is thus of note to validate probiotic strains added to probiotic products. In this study, three probiotic drinks,
    A, B and C, were cultured on MRS agar and the number of bacterial colonies was enumerated. The bacterial counts
    recovered from A (9.3 ± 6.9 log CFU/ml) and C (9.0 ± 6.9 log CFU/ml) were signifi cantly higher than B (5.2 ± 3.5 log
    CFU/ml) and achieved the minimal amount recommended for probiotic bacteria. All of the isolates appeared as gram
    positive rods microscopically and were proven to be catalase negative. However, there were only A1, A2, B4 and C1 that
    were highly tolerant to the gastrointestinal pH 3 to 6. The four isolates produced and secreted antimicrobial substances
    which inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). C1 showed the greatest
    growth inhibition by forming 17.50-mm and 17.85-mm inhibition zones against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The
    16s rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed to further identify the twelve isolates. The twelve isolates
    were found to be Lactobacillus (L.), particularly L. casei and L. paracasei. However, the bacteria isolated from drink B
    were incompatible to the labelled ones. In conclusion, probiotic drinks are possible to contain different bacterial counts
    and probiotic strains from the labelled ones. These differences might affect health benefi ts rendered by probiotic strains
    to consumers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  12. Yap, Wei Boon, Rina Anak Sujang
    MyJurnal
    There has been a significant increase in research on probiotics-associated health benefits in the last 20 years. Many studies carried out in vitro and clinically show that consumption of probiotics inhibits the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the consumption of probiotics also enhances the host immune response and decreases the levels of carcinogenesis-inducing enzymes. These positive outcomes have led to the use of probiotics in prevention and treatment of infectious diseases like bacterial or antibiotic associated diarrhea, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer. This review summarises literature pertaining to mechanistic actions of probiotics in improving the well-being of hosts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  13. Yap, Hui Cin, Asmah Hamid, Farah Wahida Ibrahim, Nor Fadilah Rajab, Yanti Rosli
    MyJurnal
    The emergence of research about the biological effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) have growing concern among
    researchers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on the brain of rats periodically exposed to 0.1 mT EMF.
    Total 24 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were subdivided randomly to 4 groups: 2 control groups (C1 6 hours: 6 h/
    day for 5 days; C2 20 hours: 20 h/day for 5 days) and 2 treatment groups which exposed to 0.1 mT EMF (T1 6 hours:
    6 h/day for 5 days; T2 20 hours: 20 h/day for 5 days). A significant decrease in the pyramidal cell number was higher
    as the exposure duration to EMF was extended (T1, p
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  14. Yamin, S., Shuhaimi, M., Arbakariya, A., Khalilah, A. K., Anas, O., Yazid, A. M., et al.
    MyJurnal
    The use of component from Ganoderma lucidum as prebiotic source is interesting as the G. lucidum itself was known for more than a decade in the traditional Chinese medicine. In this work, Ganoderma lucidum crude polysaccharides (GLCP) and Polysaccharide-fraction number 2 (PF-2) were used as carbon sources in the fermentation with Bifidobacterium sp. The results showed the potential of prebiotic effect of the G. lucidum extract in batch-culture fermentation based on increment in the growth of bacteria used (0.4 – 1.5 log10 CFU/mL) after 18h fermentation. Fermentation was further done using faecal materials as bacterial inocula and bacterial growth changes were examined using real-time PCR. The results showed the ability of GLCP and PF-2 to support the growth of Bifidobacterium genus with 0.3 and 0.7 log10 cells/ml increased, respectively. Interestingly, Lactobacillus which is known as beneficial bacterial genus also showed growth increment with 0.7 and 1 log10 cells/ml increased. The competition for carbon sources thus inhibits the growth of potentially harmful genus, Salmonella (0.3 and 0.5 log10 cells/ml) in comparison to the control.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  15. Widowati, W., Akbar, S.H., Tin, M.H.
    MyJurnal
    Enamel demineralization is associated with decrease in saliva pH due to fermentation of sugar by oral commensal. Thus, exploring the changing pattern of saliva pH is meaningful in dental caries prevention. The aim of this study was to compare the changing pattern of saliva pH after consuming different types of sweeteners (sucrose and maltitol). Methods: It was a case-control study involving 14 male patients attending IIUM dental clinic who were selected with the intention of getting seven patients with high caries risk ( DMFT ≥6) and seven patients with low caries risk (DMFT ≤3) with initial saliva pH interval of 6.5 to7.5. Patients were asked to consume snacks containing 8 gram sucrose and 8 gram maltitol as sweeteners. The changing pH values of the saliva were measured by Waterproof pHTestr 10BNC (Oakton, Vernon Hills, USA) seven times consecutively at 0 (before snack consumption), and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after snack consumption. The pH values of saliva of patients with low and high caries risk after consuming sucrose and maltitol were statistically analized by using Anova and Tukey-HSD tests at α = 0.05. Result: There were significant differences in saliva pH changes between low-risk group and high-risk group after consuming sucrose and maltitol. Conclusion: The changing patterns of saliva pH in high-risk patients were lower than those of low-risk patients after consuming two types of snacks containing sucrose and maltitol.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  16. Wendy Voon, W.Y, Ghali, N.A., Rukayadi, Y., Meor Hussin, A.S.
    MyJurnal
    This study is conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of betel leaves extract on color, pH and microbiological in homemade chili bo. The homemade chili bo with different concentrations (0 mg/ml, 0.75 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/ml and 1.75 mg/ml) of betel leaves extract were prepared for analysis. The results showed that the color of chili bo became darker as the concentration of betel leaves extract increased. The extract showed significant in the pH of chili bo after 7 days in which the highest concentration of extract showed the highest value of pH 4.31. The aerobic microbial count was decreased as the concentration of betel leaves extract increased in chili bo. After 7 days of storage, the highest concentration of betel leaves extract showed the highest percentage of reduction (6%), while the control sample showed 2.41% of aerobic reduction. The study also found that the extract contain lesser yeast and mold count (5.22 log CFU/ml) in homemade chili bo compared to the control sample (5.31 log CFU/ml) after 7 days. Betel leaves extract can be considered as natural food preservatives in chili bo to reduce the growth of spoilage microorganism and thus enhance the shelf life of chili bo.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  17. Wee, Siaw Khur, Chok, Vui Soon, Gorin, Alexander, Chua, Han Bing, Yan, Hong Ming
    MyJurnal
    Compartmented Fluidized Bed Gasifier (CFBG), consisting of two compartments - the combustorand gasifier, uses air blown instead of pure oxygen for syngas production in bubbling fluidization mode, eliminating the need of air separation unit, and reducing the capital cost, thus distinguishes it from other traditional ones. Fluidization quality is a determining factor in the CFBG to guarantee its well-lifted behaviour. Previous study, without solid circulation at ambient conditions, brought to the fore the necessity of considering the effect of the minimum allowable effective diameter. The study was then performed in the CFBG cold physical model of 0.66m overall diameter (effective diameter for combustor and gasifier is 0.413m and 0.257m) to investigate the fluidization quality and compare it with the results obtained from the previous cold model of about 1.36 times smaller, but with the same compartmented ratio of 65:35. Different inert particles (river sand, quartz sand and alumina) were used, over a range of aspect ratios, for the aforementioned objective. The results showed that the fluidization quality in the gasifier has not been achieved and the degradation of fluidization quality in the combustor is still observed, notwithstanding the fact that the condition of the minimum allowable effective diameter has been met. The reduction of distributor free area, to increase the distributor pressure drop, showed a marginal effect on the quality. The effect of the minimum allowable effective diameter on fluidization quality in CFBG as well as the interplay of geometric and operational parameters require further studies be carried out. The fluidization quality of the binary mixture is also currently under investigation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  18. Wan Norhana, M. N., Masazurah A. R.
    MyJurnal
    Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Outbreaks of hepatitis A have been linked to the consumption of both raw and cooked shellfish. These outbreaks could induce a public confidence problem over shellfish safety and may result in important economic losses for the seafood industry. The work presented in this study investigated the presence of HAV in shellfish from Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 365 of cultured and wild shellfish from 36 sampling locations located throughout Peninsular Malaysia were examined using a commercial nucleic acid extraction and reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kit. HAV was not detected in almost all of the shellfish samples xamined. Only one cockle sample from Changkat, Seberang Perai was positive for HAV. The results suggest the absence of HAV or very low amount of HAV viral particles in most of the shellfish examined.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  19. Wan Afiqah Syahirah Wan Ghazalia, A’attiyyah Ab Alim, Thirumulu Ponnuraj Kannan, Nurul Asma Abdullah, Nor Azah Mohd Ali, Khairani Idah Mokhtar
    MyJurnal
    Discovery of drugs from medicinal plants continues to provide major leads against various
    pharmacological targets, particularly in cancer diseases. Hence, there are increasing demands to discover
    more therapeutic agents from various species of medicinal plants. Chemical compounds in plants are
    important for human beings due to their therapeutic properties. Goniothalamus umbrosus, Typhonium
    flagelliforme, Myrmecodia pendens, Strobilanthes crispus and Clinacanthus nutans, are among the herbal
    species, which are consumed by cancer patients in order to combat against the growth of cancer cells. The
    present review aims to highlight on the anti-cancer properties of the listed Malaysian herbs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes
  20. WYLDE EM
    Med J Malaya, 1961 Sep;16:14-31.
    PMID: 14008613
    Matched MeSH terms: Biological Processes*
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