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Fulltext Microencapsulation Curcuminoids for Effective Delivery in Pharmaceutical Application

Ang LF, Darwis Y, Por LY, Yam MF

Pharmaceutics, 2019 Sep 02;11(9).
PMID: 31480767 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11090451

Curcuminoids have been long proven to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which are crucial in their role as a pharmacological active agent. However, its poor solubility, high oxidative degradation, light sensitivity and poor bioavailability have been huge hurdles that need to be overcome for it to be administered as an oral or even a topical medication. In this present study, a complex coacervation microencapsulation approach was used to encapsulate the curcuminoids using both gelatin B and chitosan (at the optimum ratio of 30:1% w/w) for a more efficient drug delivery system. Curcuminoids microcapsules (CPM) were developed to be spherical in shape, discrete and free flowing with a reduced color staining effect. The thick wall of the CPM contributes directly to its integrity and stability. Cross-linking increases the density of polymers' wall network, hence, further increasing the decomposition temperature of curcuminoids microcapsules. Microencapsulation demonstrated an increment in curcuminoids solubility, while chemical cross-linking allowed for sustained release of the drug from the microcapsules by lowering the swelling rate of the available polymer networks. Thus, the microcapsules complied with the zero order release kinetics with super case-II transport mechanism. On the basis of all that was discussed above, it can be safely concluded that CPM should be incorporated in delivery system of curcuminoid, especially in its topical delivery for controlled drug release purposes, for not only a more efficient drug delivery system design but also a more efficacious optimization of the pharmacological benefits of curcuminoids.
Fulltext Core-Shell Fibers: Design, Roles, and Controllable Release Strategies in Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery

Abdullah MF, Nuge T, Andriyana A, Ang BC, Muhamad F

Polymers (Basel), 2019 Dec 04;11(12).
PMID: 31817133 DOI: 10.3390/polym11122008

The key attributes of core-shell fibers are their ability to preserve bioactivity of incorporated-sensitive biomolecules (such as drug, protein, and growth factor) and subsequently control biomolecule release to the targeted microenvironments to achieve therapeutic effects. Such qualities are highly favorable for tissue engineering and drug delivery, and these features are not able to be offered by monolithic fibers. In this review, we begin with an overview on design requirement of core-shell fibers, followed by the summary of recent preparation methods of core-shell fibers, with focus on electrospinning-based techniques and other newly discovered fabrication approaches. We then highlight the importance and roles of core-shell fibers in tissue engineering and drug delivery, accompanied by thorough discussion on controllable release strategies of the incorporated bioactive molecules from the fibers. Ultimately, we touch on core-shell fibers-related challenges and offer perspectives on their future direction towards clinical applications.
Fulltext Lateral Flow Immunoassays for SARS-CoV-2

Ang GY, Chan KG, Yean CY, Yu CY

Diagnostics (Basel), 2022 Nov 18;12(11).
PMID: 36428918 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112854

The continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 virus in different parts of the world opens up the possibility for more virulent variants to evolve even as the coronavirus disease 2019 transitions from pandemic to endemic. Highly transmissible and virulent variants may seed new disruptive epidemic waves that can easily put the healthcare system under tremendous pressure. Despite various nucleic acid-based diagnostic tests that are now commercially available, the wide applications of these tests are largely hampered by specialized equipment requirements that may not be readily available, accessible and affordable in less developed countries or in low resource settings. Hence, the availability of lateral flow immunoassays (LFIs), which can serve as a diagnostic tool by detecting SARS-CoV-2 antigen or as a serological tool by measuring host immune response, is highly appealing. LFI is rapid, low cost, equipment-free, scalable for mass production and ideal for point-of-care settings. In this review, we first summarize the principle and assay format of these LFIs with emphasis on those that were granted emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration followed by discussion on the specimen type, marker selection and assay performance. We conclude with an overview of challenges and future perspective of LFI applications.
Minimally Invasive Intervention for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Ismail MI, Ang SY, Fitzrol DN, Zakaria Z

Malays J Med Sci, 2024 Aug;31(4):228-229.
PMID: 39247113 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2024.31.4.20
Response to Takahashi

Ang ZY, Kong YL, Nesran ZNM, Lee SWH

BJU Int, 2024 Nov 06.
PMID: 39505722 DOI: 10.1111/bju.16581
The effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation on quality of life in patients with symptomatic heart failure secondary to ischemic heart disease: a prospective case series clinical study

Wong AP, Mohamed AL, Niedzwiecki A

Am J Cardiovasc Dis, 2015;5(3):146-52.
PMID: 26417534

Heart failure is a progressive cardiovascular disorder and, in most cases, begins with atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. The prognosis of patients with heart failure is poor, even with improvement on the management of all forms of ischemic heart disease. There have been studies on heart failure using a single nutrient or a combination of multiple nutrients. Results are mixed. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of multiple micronutrient supplementation using the quality of life measure on patients with heart failure secondary to ischemic heart disease. This prospective case series followed 12 patients for a period between 3 to 8 months, using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) as the sole outcome measure. The primary outcome was a score change over time between the start and endpoint of treatment. Change in MLHFQ mean total score was 27.08 ± 20.43 and mean symptoms score was 4.67 ± 3.34. Paired t-test showed a difference between baseline and endpoint of treatment (P < 0.001), which was statistically significant. A high dose of multiple micronutrients may have beneficial effects on cardiac function in patients with symptomatic heart failure. This study indicates the need for long-term controlled studies to test the efficacy and safety of this economic approach in managing heart failure.
Fulltext Parental perceptions of children's body shapes

Zalilah MS, Anida HA, Merlin A

Med J Malaysia, 2003 Dec;58(5):743-51.
PMID: 15190662 MyJurnal

The aim was to determine the differences in parents' perceptions of boys' and girls' body shapes and the explanations for the emphasis on body shape care of children. Subjects were low-income parents (n = 158) of preschoolers attending preschools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Parental perceptions of children's body shapes were assessed based on their rankings (scale of 1 to 7) of four attributes (ideal, healthy, fat and thin) for boy and girl figures. Parental responses to five questions on the importance of body shape were also obtained. Parental rankings of ideal and healthy body shapes were significantly lower for girls than boys (p < 0.001). However, mothers' and fathers' rankings of boys' and girls' body shapes were not significantly different. for both boys and girls, parental ratings for ideal body shape were significantly lower than for healthy body shape (p < 0.001). The majority of parents indicated that children's body shape is important for their future health, self enhancement, social interaction and career. With the increasing prevalence of body dissatisfaction among Malaysian children, these findings contribute to the understanding of parental roles in the development of body image and perhaps, in the etiology of body dissatisfaction among children.
Fulltext The effect of rooming-in on duration of breastfeeding: A systematic review of randomised and non-randomised prospective controlled studies

Ng CA, Ho JJ, Lee ZH

PLoS One, 2019;14(4):e0215869.
PMID: 31022227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215869

BACKGROUND: The benefits of six months exclusive breastfeeding are well established for both mother and infant. One of the 10 steps of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is rooming-in (mother and baby together in the same room throughout hospitalisation). A Cochrane review found only one randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining the effects of continuous rooming-in versus nursery care on breastfeeding duration, and concluded there was insufficient evidence to support or refute either practice. We aimed to examine the effect of continuous or intermittent rooming-in on breastfeeding duration.
METHODS AND FINDINGS: We included all prospective controlled studies (randomised and non-randomised) comparing rooming-in to nursery care that reported full or partial breastfeeding up to six months. We used the 2016 search results of the Cochrane review and updated the search to August 2018 using OVID MEDLINE. Duplicate data extraction and assessment of risk of bias were performed. Meta-analyses were performed using REVMAN 5. The GRADE approach was used to assess quality of evidence. Seven studies were included, five had 24-hour-per-day, one daytime only and one 8-hours-per-day rooming-in. Four studies had at least one additional co-intervention: Differences in delivery room management, and educational packages. All studies contributing to meta-analyses had 24-hour rooming-in. There was no difference in the proportion of infants on full breastfeeding at 3 months (RR 1.14; 95% CI 0.84 to 1.54; very-low-quality evidence), 4 months (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.73 to 1.33; very-low-quality evidence) and 6 months (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.57 to 1.58; low-quality evidence). The proportion of infants on partial breastfeeding at 3-4 months was higher with rooming-in (RR 1.31; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.61; very-low-quality evidence).
CONCLUSION: The addition of non-randomised prospective controlled studies to existing evidence did not add further information on the effects of rooming-in on breastfeeding duration but resulted in lower quality of evidence. Uncertainty about the effects of rooming-in on breastfeeding duration remains.
S-phase arrest and apoptosis in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells via mitochondrial dependent pathway induced by tricyclohexylphosphine gold (I) n-mercaptobenzoate complexes

Pian AK, Foong CP, Hamid RA

Life Sci, 2022 Dec 15;311(Pt B):121161.
PMID: 36375571 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121161

We have previously reported the inhibition of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and invasion by tricyclohexylphosphine gold (I) n-mercaptobenzoate (n = 2, 3, 4) labeled as 1-3 towards MCF-7 cells, in vitro. Nevertheless, the mode of death and its apoptotic pathway has yet to be revealed. The main aim of this study is to investigate the anti-neoplastic activity of this phosphanegold (I) thiolates against breast adenocarcinoma cells, MCF-7. Herein, we explored the role of gold(I) series, 1-3 for their apoptosis-inducing ability against MCF-7 cells. They were scrutinized for their antiproliferative activities which exhibited their IC50 values of 8.14 μM ± 0.10, 7.26 μM ± 0.33, and 9.03 μM ± 0.69, respectively, and indicated better cytotoxicities than that of cisplatin (positive control). Further, the mechanisms of their actions were studied by analyzing the status of ROS generation (by DCFH-DA), cytochrome c release (by ELISA), and activation of caspases 3/7, 8, 9, and 10, annexin V staining and cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry, respectively. It was observed that the compounds, 1-3 can promote ROS generation, cytochrome c release, and activation of caspases 3/7, caspase 8, caspase 9, and caspase 10 on MCF-7 cells. In addition, the compounds are shown to induce MCF-7 cell arrest at S-phase. Gene analysis via PCR array further clarified their effects by modulating the related genes upon the compounds' treatment. Further investigation on other breast cancer cells as well as in vivo studies on these compounds will further increase their potential as anti-breast cancer agents.
Myocardial energetics and the role of micronutrients in heart failure: a critical review

Wong AP, Niedzwiecki A, Rath M

Am J Cardiovasc Dis, 2016;6(3):81-92.
PMID: 27679743

Heart failure is a multifactorial disease with poor prognosis. There are many hypotheses regarding the cause of heart failure. Leading among them are the hemodynamic and the neuro-hormonal hypotheses. Although the energy depletion hypothesis has been fairly recent, there is evidence suggesting that declining bioenergy plays a major role in heart failure. This review explored the myocardial energy depletion hypothesis from the role of micronutrients in correcting and alleviating symptoms of heart failure. Even though focus was on key nutrients such as coenzyme Q10, thiamine, riboflavin, L-carnitine, and taurine, emphasis was on the combined effect of multiple micronutrients as a whole. Search from databases from 2000 to 2015 produced four clinical studies using multiple micronutrients on heart failure. Evidence from the studies show that using high doses of multiple micronutrients may have positive effects on heart failure and simultaneously support the myocardial energy depletion hypothesis.
Managing Fibrous Maxillary Ridge: A Case Series of Impression Techniques

Yee A, Meei TI, Ling GC

Prim Dent J, 2023 Mar;12(1):51-56.
PMID: 36916614 DOI: 10.1177/20501684231153909

Fibrous ridges on the edentulous maxillary arch are commonly found in combination syndrome or due to ill-fitting dentures. Often, these cases are managed conservatively using modified impression techniques to achieve better support and peripheral seal without displacing the movable tissue. Many impression techniques were proposed and justified with their respective ideologies, but some may complicate both the clinical and laboratory procedures. In this report, two simplified techniques are demonstrated to make an impression of the maxillary arch with fibrous ridges. Laboratory steps in custom tray fabrication are also emphasised for a successful and predictable impression.
Fulltext Malignant hypertension and acute loss of vision in a patient with history of pre-eclampsia

Ghani Siti-Ilyana, Ang, Wen-Jeat, Wan-Hazabbah Wan-Hitam, Embong Zunaina

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2018;3(1):11-14.
MyJurnal

Pre-eclampsia may have an impact on women’s health beyond their
pregnancies and has been associated with increased risks for future hypertension
and cardiovascular disease. We report a case of a patient with history of preeclampsia and emergency caesarean section at 31 weeks of gestation due to
impending eclampsia who defaulted follow up and presented with malignant
hypertension and acute loss of vision 10 years later. A 34-year-old Malay female,
presented with generalized painless reduced vision of 5 days duration which was
preceded by an intermittent headache for 1 months duration. She had a history of
pre-eclampsia during her last childbirth 10 years ago and was not started on any
antihypertensive medication as her blood pressure normalized 2 weeks post-delivery.
Subsequently, she defaulted on her follow up. Visual acuity was counting finger at 1
meter in both eyes with no relative afferent pupillary defect. Funduscopy revealed
bilateral grade IV hypertensive retinopathy with the presence of optic disc swelling
and macular star. Optical coherence tomography showed bilateral sub-retinal fluid at
the macula. Her blood pressure was 255/168 mmHg with other systemic
examinations being normal. Ultrasonography of the kidneys showed the presence of
bilateral renal parenchymal disease with elevation of serum urea and creatinine
levels. Her blood pressure was controlled with triple oral antihypertensive agents. Her
vision improved to 6/36 and 6/6 with a pinhole in both eyes and resolution of
papilloedema and sub-retinal fluid at three months follow-up. Patients with a history
of pre-eclampsia must be closely monitored during the postpartum period. Even
though her blood pressure was normalized, careful monitoring and long-term medical
follow up plan must be clearly explained to the patient as she might develop chronic
or essential hypertension afterward. Our patient most likely had essential
hypertension superimposed with pre-eclampsia during her last pregnancy and
currently presented with malignant hypertension due to undiagnosed chronic
hypertension as she defaulted her medical follow up.
Fulltext Psychometric properties of the Malay translated Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory in exploring parental anxiety

Hashim, E., Wan Hasyila, W.O., Ang, Y.H., Azlan Helmy, A.S., Husyairi, H.

Medicine & Health, 2018;13(1):106-116.
MyJurnal

The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Malay translated State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for use in exploring the burden of anxiety amongst parents of a child visited hospital for medical treatment. The instrument was administered to 53 parents of children seen in the Emergency Department and 52 parents in the outpatient Physiotherapy Unit. Internal consistency reliability (α) for state anxiety and trait anxiety subscale was high with values of 0.94 and 0.84, respectively. Test-retest reliability demonstrated wide range of scores with only 25 items showed significant intra-class correlation
coefficients, ICC (range 0.60 – 0.94, 95% CI, p<0.05) after 4-weeks retest. Performances of matrix following a factor analysis were consistent with 4-factors
structure of original STAI. A few items did not perform as expected but did not impair the overall performance. This Malay translated version is a valid and reliable measure of anxiety for parents with children visiting hospital for medical treatment, with caution in the interpretation of some items.
Keywords: anxiety, factor analysis, psychometrics, reliability
Study site: Emergency department, outpatient physiotherapy unit, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fulltext Changes in hamstring eccentric peak torques and angles of peak torque following 90 minutes of soccer specific exertions

Muhammad Hamdan, Ang, Geik Yong, Raihana Sharir, Kian, Yeo Wee, Raja Mohammed Firhad Raja Azidin

Movement Health & Exercise, 2020;9(2):85-100.
MyJurnal

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a ball-oriented soccer match-play simulation on the hamstrings eccentric torque production. Seven male recreational athletes volunteered for this study. Participants completed 90- minutes of the ball-oriented soccer simulation interceded by a 15-minute half time interval with five successful trials of hamstrings eccentric contractions on an isokinetic dynamometer at selected time points throughout the simulation. A 2 (limb: dominant; non-dominant) × 4 (time: 0 min; 45 min; 60 min; 105 min) “split-plots” analysis of variance (SPANOVA) revealed significant reductions in hamstrings eccentric peak torques over time, while no significant change was apparent in hamstrings eccentric angles of peak torque. There was also no interaction effect of limb dominance over time for both peak torque and angles of peak torque parameters. The observed changes suggest that exertions from a ball-oriented soccer match-play simulation may have detrimental effects on the hamstrings eccentric strength parameters thus may increase risk of ACL injury. High variabilities in angles of peak torques were also observed in this study. Future exploration is warranted in order to address the extent of variabilities that may be present in larger sample sizes thus providing a better understanding of the influence of these variabilities on the muscular strength parameters of ACL injury risk. The findings suggest firstly, that fatigue from soccer-specific exertions during match-play may increase an athlete’s susceptibility to ACL injury, and secondly, that with accumulating fatigue, the nondominant limb may be equally at risk of injury as the dominant limb, contradicting previous findings from epidemiological studies.
Fulltext n investigation of inter-e xaminer reproducibility in recording malocclusion parameters during orthodontic epidemiologic studies

Ang, Grace, Jacqueline Maryam Kamaluddin, Wizziyiane Ahmad, Uday Kumar Umesan, Siti Waznah Wahab, Naing, Lin

Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2014;9(1):1-9.
MyJurnal

his study assesses inter-examiner reproducibility in recording various malocclusion parameters and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) grade during patient examination by utilising the kappa statistic. Five previously calibrated orthodontists clinically examined 233 non-orthodontically treated schoolchildren aged 14-17 years for recording various malocclusion parameters. The examination was repeated twice, thirty days apart and precluded the use of study-models or radiographs. Although good inter-examiner reproducibility was observed in recording incisor class, IOTN dental health grade, type of posterior crossbite, and excellent for parameters with absolute criteria like
erupted supernumeraries, etc, substantial examiner variation resulted in only fair reproducibility for recording IOTN esthetic category, canine class, overbite category, traumatic overbite and upper centre-line shift of two millimetres or more from the facial midline. Reproducibility for detecting occlusal displacement in the presence of crossbite was poor, and kappa statistic was incalculable for recording openbite and number of upper incisors rotated 30° or more. Kappa was also incalculable for recording IOTN dental health subcategory due to the creation of asymmetric tables caused by rarely chosen subcategory options. Despite prior agreement between previously calibrated examiners on evaluation criteria, detection of certain malocclusion parameters during an epidemiological examination can prove to be challenging. Epidemiological studies that report on prevalence of malocclusion in the population should always report on the kappa reproducibility, especially if the study is carried out by multiple examiners.
Fulltext Contact lens related Elizabethkingia meningoseptica keratitis-a first Southeast ASEAN case report & literature review

Ang, Wen-Jeat, Embong Zunaina, Raja Omar Raja Norliza, Abdul Jalil Fadzillah

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2017;2(1):1-4.
MyJurnal

We describe the first clinical case of contact lens related corneal ulcer caused by Elizabethkingia meningosepticaregistered in Southeast Asia. A 20-year-old female student who wasa regular soft contact lens wearer, presented with pain, photophobia and blurring of vision of the right eye for 3 days. On slit lamp examination, there was a small paracentral anterior stromal infiltrate with an overlying epithelial defect. Microbiological cultures from corneal scrapings, contact lens and its casing were positive for E.meningoseptica. Due to high likelihood of contact lens contamination causing keratitis, topical fortified gentamicin0.9% and ceftazidime 5% were administered empirically. Topical vancomycin 5% was later added tailoring to the culture and sensitivity of the organism. After 8 weeks of treatment, the keratitis subsided and corneal epithelial defect completely healed with residual corneal opacity. Even though uncommon, contact lens related E.meningosepticakeratitis can occur in healthy immunocompetent individuals with no ocular comorbidities.
Fulltext Differential expression patterns of leukaemia associated genes in leukaemia cell lines compared to healthy controls

Ang Pei-Shen, Rajesh Ramasamy, Noor Hamidah Hussin, Cheong Soon-Keng, Seow Heng-Fong, Maha Abdullah

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2016;12(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The phenotype and genotype of cancer cells portray hallmarks of cancer which may
have clinical value. Cancer cell lines are ideal models to study and confirm these characteristics. We
previously established two subtracted cDNA libraries with differentially expressed genes from an
acute myeloid leukaemia patient with poor prognosis (PP) and good prognosis (GP). Objective: To
compare gene expression of the leukaemia associated genes with selected biological characteristics
in leukaemia cell lines and normal controls. Methodology: Expression of 28 PP genes associated
with early fetal/embryonic development, HOX-related genes, hematopoiesis and aerobic glycolysis/
hypoxia genes and 36 GP genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, protein synthesis, chromatin
remodelling and cell motility were examined in B-lymphoid (BV173, Reh and RS4;11) and myeloid
(HL-60, K562) leukaemia cell lines after 72h in culture as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells
from healthy controls (N=5) using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Cell
cycle profiles were analysed on flow cytometry while MTT cytotoxicity assay was used to determine
drug resistance to epirubicin. Results: Genes expressed significantly higher in B-lymphoid leukaemia
cell lines compared to healthy controls were mostly of the GP library i.e. oxidative phosphorylation
(3/10), protein synthesis (4/11), chromatin remodelling (3/3) and actin cytoskeleton genes (1/5). Only
two genes with significant difference were from the PP library. Cancer associated genes, HSPA9 and
PSPH (GP library) and BCAP31 (PP library) were significantly higher in the B-lymphoid leukemia cell
lines. No significant difference was observed between myeloid cell lines and healthy controls. This
may also be due heterogeneity of cell lines studied. PBMC from healthy controls were not in cell cycle.
G2/M profiles and growth curves showed B-lymphoid cells just reaching plateau after 72 hour culture
while myeloid cells were declining. IC50 values from cytotoxicity assay revealed myeloid cell lines had
an average 13-fold higher drug resistance to epirubicin compared to B-lymphoid cell lines. Only CCL1,
was expressed at least two-fold higher in myeloid compared to B-lymphoid cell lines. In contrast,
MTRNR2, EEF1A1, PTMA, HLA-DR, C6orf115, PBX3, ENPP4, SELL, and IL3Ra were expressed
more than 2-fold higher in B-lymphoid compared to myeloid cell lines studied here. Conclusion: Thus,
B-lymphoid leukaemia cell lines here exhibited active, proliferating characteristics closer to GP genes.
Higher expression of several genes in B-lymphoid compared to myeloid leukaemia cell lines may be
useful markers to study biological differences including drug resistance between lineages.
Possibility of improving the properties of Mahang wood (Macaranga sp.) through phenolic compreg technique

Ang A, Zaidon A, Bakar E, Mohd Hamami S, Anwar U, Jawaid M

Sains Malaysiana, 2014;43:219-225.

Lesser known wood species (LKS) have the potentials to become alternative sources of timber supply for wood based industries if their properties can be improved. In this study, Mahang wood (Macaranga sp.) was impregnated 15% (w/v) low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (LMWPF) followed by compressing in a hot press at 70, 60 and 50% compression ratios (CR). The treated wood was partially dried in an oven at 65°C until 10% moisture content and subsequently followed by curing at 150°C for 30 min in a hot press. The results showed that the phenolic compreg technique had successfully increased the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of the wood. The polymer retention calculated based on weight gain regardless of compression ratio was approximately 30%. The majority of the properties were improved by the degree of compression in a hot press. Nevertheless, thickness swelling and swelling coefficient increased which were due to spring back effect. As regards to specific strength (strength to density ratio), the compreg wood displayed lower strength and stiffness in lateral direction compared with untreated solid wood. However, the specific compressive strength perpendicular to grain and hardness of the compreg wood were superior than untreated solid wood. The treatment had also changed the wood into highly resistant to fungal decay.
Effects of the nitric acid concentrations on the etching process, structural and optical properties of porous zinc oxide thin films

C.G. Ching, Leonard Lu, C.I. Ang, P.K. Ooi, S.S. Ng, Z. Hassan, et al.

Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:1327-1332.

The present study reports on the fabrication of porous zinc oxide by wet chemical etching. ZnO thin films were deposited via radio-frequency magnetron sputtering on p-type silicon with (111) preferred orientation. The etchants used in the present work were 0.1% and 1.0% nitric acid (HNO3) solutions. ZnO were etched at various times and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to allow the examination of their structural and optical properties. The XRD results revealed that the intensity of ZnO(002) decreased when the thin films were etched in varying HNO3 concentrations over different periods of time. The above observation is attributed to the dissolution of the ZnO(002). The SEM images showed that the thickness of the ZnO layers decreased over the etching time, which resulted from the isotropic etching by the HNO3 solution. The PL emission intensity initially increased with increasing etching time. However, with further etching of the samples, the PL spectra showed a decreasing trend in intensity as a result of the decrease in the surface-to-volume ratio. All results lead to the conclusion that 1.0% HNO3 has the capability to change the ZnO surface significantly.
Dual panel multiplex PCR assay for rapid detection of medically important fungi and resistant species of candida and aspergillus

Jacinta Santhanam, Mohd Hanif Jainlabdin, Ang LC, Tzar Mohd Nizam

Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:489-498.

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) have risen dramatically in recent years among high risk immunocompromised patients.
Rapid detection of fungal pathogens is crucial to timely and accurate antifungal therapy. Two multiplex polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed to detect major fungal species that cause invasive infections and identify
resistant species. Genus specific primers for Candida, Aspergillus, Fusarium and species specific primers for Candida
glabrata, Candida krusei and Aspergillus terreus which are known to be clinically resistant species, were designed from
the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene complex. Both assays were
performed simultaneously to promote rapid detection of fungal isolates based on distinct amplicon sizes. Inclusion of the
universal fungal primers ITS 1 and ITS 4 in the genus specific assay produced a second amplicon for each isolate which
served to confirm the detection of a fungal target. The limit of detection for the genus specific assay was 1 nanogram
(ng) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) for Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans, 0.1 ng DNA for Fusarium solani, while
the species-specific assay detected 0.1 ng DNA of A. terreus and 10 picogram (pg) DNA of C. krusei and C. glabrata. The
multiplex PCR assays, apart from universal detection of any fungal target, are able to detect clinically important fungi
and differentiate resistant species rapidly and accurately, which can contribute to timely implementation of effective
antifungal regime.

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