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Phylogenetic and genetic variation analysis of lesser short-nosed fruit bat Cynopterus brachyotis (Müller 1838) on Java island, Indonesia, inferred from mitochondrial D-loop

Mubarok H, Handayani NSN, Maryanto I, Arisuryanti T

J Genet Eng Biotechnol, 2023 Jan 04;21(1):1.
PMID: 36598658 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-022-00460-y

BACKGROUND: Cynopterus brachyotis (Müller 1838) is a generalist and widespread fruit bat species which inhabits different types of habitats in Southeast Asia. This species plays an essential role as a seed disperser and pollinator. Morphological study and phylogenetic analysis using mtDNA markers (cyt-b and D-loop) revealed that this species had two different forms in peninsular Malaysia and Borneo and six lineages in Southeast Asia that lead to new species formation. In addition, this species is also reported to have high genetic diversity in Malaysia and Thailand based on the D-loop sequence. However, a phylogenetic and genetic variation study of C. brachyotis in Indonesia has not been conducted yet. These two studies are important as additional information for taxonomic and population genetic studies of this species. Thus, we performed the phylogenetic and genetic diversity analysis of the C. brachyotis population collected from seven habitats on Java island, including open-fragmented habitats (urban, coffee and rubber plantations, pine forest, secondary forest, mangrove forest) and closed habitats (natural forest) using the mtDNA D-loop marker.
RESULTS: The phylogenetic tree using the Bayesian inference (BI) and genetic distance using the Kimura-2 parameter (K-2P) demonstrated that 33 individuals of C. brachyotis from seven habitats on Java island overlapped between habitats and could not be distinguished according to their habitats and lineage. Intrapopulation and intraspecies analysis revealed high haplotype diversity of this species on Java island (Hd = 0.933-1.000). The haplotype network was split into two haplogroups, showing haplotype sharing between habitats. These phylogenetic and genetic variations analysis of C. brachyotis bats on Java island indicated that this species is widespread and adapt to different habitats.
CONCLUSIONS: This study of C. brachyotis on Java island collected from seven different habitats has overlapped and genetically close and has high genetic variation. Our results provide the first reported study of C. brachyotis on Java island and provide data to understand the phylogenetic and genetic diversity of this species in Indonesia.
Fulltext Gatekeepers in the health financing scheme: Assessment of knowledge, attitude, practices, and participation of Malaysian private general practitioners in the PeKa B40 scheme

Jamal MH, Abdul Aziz AF, Aizuddin AN, Aljunid SM

PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0292516.
PMID: 37847678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292516

This is cross-sectional research done to assess the readiness of the private Malaysian general practitioners (GPs) for the implementation of the national health financing scheme. The study focused on their levels of knowledge and attitudes towards the types of health financing scheme, gatekeeper roles in the health financing scheme, and their participation in the PeKa B40 scheme. Their acceptance and level of participation in the national health financing scheme (NHFS) were also assessed. A set of self-designed and pre-tested questionnaires focusing on the aforementioned objectives were mailed to the respondents. The selection of respondents was done by stratified random sampling of the GPs in all 14 Malaysian states at both urban and rural levels. Out of a calculated number of 362 GPs targeted, 296 responses were received which represented a response rate of 81.7%. The respondents had a mean age of 50.7 years 165 (55.75%) were males and 131 (44.3%) were females. The rural respondents totalled 158 (53.4%) as compared to those from urban 138 (46.6%) areas. The outcomes observed were that GPs with PeKa B40 provider status, positive attitude towards health financing schemes, gatekeeper roles, and PeKa B40, were strongly associated with their acceptance and level of participation in the NHFS. The GPs possessed a positive attitude and were generally ready to participate in the NHFS, but the lower scores in knowledge levels would require definite education and training plans to further enhance their readiness. More incentives should be given to GPs to enrol as PeKa B40 providers. The results of this study should be strongly considered by the government in the efforts to engage the Malaysian private GPs in the forthcoming NHFS. Most importantly, the role of GPs as gatekeepers needed to be implemented, and the PeKa B40 scheme be greatly improved.
Fulltext Successes and obstacles in implementing social health insurance in developing and middle-income countries: A scoping review of 5-year recent literatures

Jamal MH, Abdul Aziz AF, Aizuddin AN, Aljunid SM

Front Public Health, 2022;10:918188.
PMID: 36388320 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.918188

Social health insurance (SHI) is a form of health finance mechanism that had been implemented in many countries to achieve universal health care (UHC). To emulate the successes of SHI in many developed countries, many developing and middle-income countries (MICs) have attempted to follow suit. However, the SHI implementation has problems and obstacles. Many more obstacles were observed despite some successes. This scoping review aimed to study the various developments of SHI globally in its uses, implementation, successes, and obstacles within the last 5 years from 2017 to 2021. Using three databases (i.e., PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar), we reviewed all forms of articles on SHI, including gray literature. The PRISMA-ScR protocol was adapted as the guideline. We used the following search terms: social health insurance, national health insurance, and community health insurance. A total of 57,686 articles were screened, and subsequently, 46 articles were included in the final review. Results showed that the majority of SHI studies were in China and African countries, both of which were actively pursuing SHI programs to achieve UHC. China was still regarded as a developing country. There were also recent experiences from other Asian countries, but only a few from South America. Implementing SHI to achieve UHC was desirable but will need to consider several factors and issues. This was especially the case in developing and MICs. Eventually, full UHC would only be possible with a combination of general taxation and SHI.
Fulltext Transverse cerebellar diameter as a sonographic parameter for estimating gestational age: an experience from Yemeni population

Muneera A. S. Yahya, Husni A. Al- Goshae, Hameed M. Aklan, Maha Abdul-aziz, Abdullah A. Al-Mikhlafy

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(107):23-27.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Estimation of gestational age (GA) is clinically crucial for managing pregnancy and assessing the foetal anatomy, growth and development. Transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD) has been reported as an accurate tool for dating the pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of foetal TCD for dating the pregnancy and to con- struct a reference chart for GA of Yemeni foetuses. Methods: We conducted this prospective cross-sectional study among 400 Yemeni pregnant women between 18 and 40 weeks of gestation provided that they were with known last menstrual period and singleton normal pregnancies. Sonographic TCDs were measured for each foetus. The mean TCD was measured for gestational weeks separately, and a polynomial regression model was then used to predict the GA by TCD. Results: There was a robust correlation between GA and TCD (r = 0.995, p
Fulltext Investigation of the head impact power of a sepak Takraw ball on sepak takraw players

Iskandar Hasanuddin, Zahari Taha, NukmanYusof, Norhafizan Ahmad, Raja Ariffin Raja Ghazilla, Husni, et al.

Movement Health & Exercise, 2015;4(2):63-77.
MyJurnal

Sepak takraw is a traditional sport in Asia in which the players use various
parts of their bodies to hit the ball, with the exception of their hands. Unlike
other sports such as soccer, boxing, and rugby, it is observed that none of
the studies in the literature have examined the injuries resulting from the
impact of the sepak takraw ball on the players’ heads during a game. This
study was initiated following the incidents of the 24th SEA Games in Korat,
Thailand, in year 2007, whereby a number of players from the Malaysian
Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) had to withdraw themselves from the
championship. These players suffered from headaches which were believed
to be caused by the impact of the sepak takraw ball, considering the fact that
heading is one of the basic movements used to hit the ball. Moreover, it is
expected that the sepak takraw ball travels at high velocities during the
game. Hence, the objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the
sepak takraw ball and its corresponding level of head injury among sepak
takraw players in Malaysia by means of numerical simulations and
experiments. In order to achieve this objective, a model of the scalp, skull,
cerebrospinal fluid and brain is first developed and simulations are then
carried out using finite element analysis (FEA) software. The results show
that the maximum speed of the sepak takraw ball before heading is 13.581 m/s while the maximum impact force on the head obtained from the simulations is 688.11 N. The maximum displacement and maximum linear acceleration of the brain’s centre of gravity is found to be 0.0080 m and 1674.5 m/s2, respectively, while the head impact power (HIP) is determined to be 11.366 kW. According to Newman, Shewchenko, and Welbourne(2000), the probability of concussion is 39% and based on the resultsobtained in this study, it can be concluded that the players may suffer from mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) due to the high impact of the sepak takraw ball during heading. Hence, it is recommended that the players wear protective headbands to reduce the impact during heading and prevent the occurrence of MTBI in the long term.
Highly efficient proliferation and regeneration of protocorm-like bodies (plbs) of the threatened orchid, phalaenopsis bellina

Yee-Chern Chew, Muhammad Husni Abd Halim, Wan Muhamad Asrul Nizam Wan Abdullah, Janna Ong Abdullah, Kok-Song Lai

Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:1093-1099.

Phalaenopsis bellina is an important indigenous fragrant orchid threatened with extinction. In this study, we evaluated
the effect of medium strength, sucrose, nitrogen (NH4
NO3
) and potato extract on proliferation of P. bellina protocormlike
bodies (PLBs) to improve micropropagation in this species. Optimal treatment for PLBs proliferation rate with an
average fresh weight (FW) of 0.97±0.16 g was obtained through culturing on half strength (½) MS medium containing
20 g/L sucrose, 15 mM NH4
NO3
and 20% w/v potato extract supplemented with 0.8 µM 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
(2,4-D). The optimal treatment produced large, healthy and greenish PLBs with reduction in the occurrence of culture
browning. In contrast, treatments with high potato extract (>20% w/v) or NH4
NO3
(>30 mM) concentrations tend to
have inhibitory effect and resulted in low PLBs proliferation rate, with an average FW of 0.77±0.15 g and 0.69±0.15 g,
respectively. Plant regeneration of PLBs was achieved on plant growth regulator (PGR)-free ½ MS medium. In total, 60
healthy PLBs from the optimal treatment were successfully regenerated, acclimatized with 100% survival percentage and
grew well in a mixture of soil, sand and vermicompost (8:4:2 (w/w/w)). With the optimal treatment, PLBs proliferation
rate was enhanced by 27.63%. Our findings offer an improved micropropagation protocol of the endangered P. bellina
for conservation and commercial production.
Fulltext Changes in infants faecal characteristics and microbiota by inulin supplementation

K W Yap W, Mohamed S, Husni Jamal M, Diederick M, A Manap Y

J Clin Biochem Nutr, 2008 Nov;43(3):159-66.
PMID: 19015750 DOI: 10.3164/jcbn.2008055

The effects of inulin on the microbial composition and faecal characteristics in 36 healthy, formula-fed infants (average age 7.7 months) given 3 different daily dosages of native inulin (0.75 g/day, 1.00 g/day, and 1.25 g/day) were studied. At all levels of inulin consumption, a significant (p<0.05) reduction of potential pathogenic microorganisms such as clostridia was found. An intake of 1.25 g/day of inulin caused a significant (p<0.05) increase of Bifidobacterium spp. as well as a significant (p<0.05) decline in Gram-positive cocci and coliform bacteria. Inulin consumption resulted in a significant (p<0.05) decrease in faecal pH value and changes in faecal weight, faecal texture and colour, indicating improvement in healthy bile production and bacterial fermentation. It is concluded that inulin consumption in formula-fed infants after weaning positively affected the microbial composition of faeces and faecal properties.
Dataset of bird's eye chilies farm for stereo image semantic segmentation

Saipullah KM, Saad WHM, Wong QL, Husni MSM, Idris MI, Razak MSJA

Data Brief, 2023 Dec;51:109714.
PMID: 37965619 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.109714

This paper presents a dataset of bird's eye chilies in a single farm for semantic segmentation. The dataset is generated using two cameras that are aligned left and right forming a stereo-vision video capture. By analyzing the disparity between corresponding points in the left and right images, algorithms can calculate the relative distance of objects in the scene. This depth information is useful in various applications, including 3D reconstruction, object tracking, and autonomous navigation. The dataset consists of 1150 left and right compressed images extracted from ten sets of stereo videos taken at ten different locations within the chili farm from the same ages of the bird's eye chilies. Since the dataset is used for semantic segmentation, the ground truth images of manually semantic segmented images are also provided in the dataset. The dataset can be used for 2D and 3D semantic segmentation of the bird's eye view chili farm. Some of the object classes in this dataset are the sky, living things, plantation, flat, construction, nature, and misc.
Spatial scaling effects on soil bacterial communities in Malaysian tropical forests

Tripathi BM, Lee-Cruz L, Kim M, Singh D, Go R, Shukor NA, et al.

Microb Ecol, 2014 Aug;68(2):247-58.
PMID: 24658414

Spatial scaling to some extent determines biodiversity patterns in larger organisms, but its role in microbial diversity patterns is much less understood. Some studies have shown that bacterial community similarity decreases with distance, whereas others do not support this. Here, we studied soil bacterial communities of tropical rainforest in Malaysia at two spatial scales: a local scale with samples spaced every 5 mover a 150-m transect, and a regional scale with samples 1 to 1,800 km apart. PCR-amplified soil DNA for the bacterial 16S rRNA gene targeting the V1–V3 region was pyrosequenced using Roche/454 GS FLX Titanium platform. A ranked partial Mantel test showed a weak correlation between spatial distance and whole bacterial community dissimilarity, but only at the local scale. In contrast, environmental distance was highly correlated with community dissimilarity at both spatial scales,stressing the greater role of environmental variables rather than spatial distance in determining bacterial community variation at different spatial scales. Soil pH was the only environmental parameter that significantly explained the variance in bacterial community at the local scale, whereas total nitrogen and elevation were additional important factors at the regional scale.We obtained similar results at both scales when only the most abundant OTUs were analyzed. A variance partitioning analysis showed that environmental variables contributed more to bacterial community variation than spatial distance at both scales. In total, our results support a strong influence of the environment in determining bacterial community composition in the rainforests of Malaysia. However, it is possible that the remaining spatial distance effect is due to some of the myriad of other environmental factors which were not considered here, rather than dispersal limitation.
Fulltext Estimates of visual impairment and its causes from the National Eye Survey in Malaysia (NESII)

Chew FLM, Salowi MA, Mustari Z, Husni MA, Hussein E, Adnan TH, et al.

PLoS One, 2018;13(6):e0198799.
PMID: 29944677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198799

BACKGROUND: Population-based data on prevalence, causes of blindness and extent of ophthalmological coverage is required for efficient implementation and evaluation of ocular health programs. In view of the scarcity of prevalence data for visual impairment and blindness in Malaysia, this study aims to estimate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI) in the elderly, using Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) survey technique.
METHODS: Malaysia was divided into six regions, with each region consisting of 50 clusters. Multistage cluster sampling method was used and each cluster contained 50 residents aged 50 years and above. Eligible subjects were interviewed and pertinent demographic details, barriers to cataract surgery, medical and ocular history was noted. Subjects had visual acuity assessment with tumbling 'E' Snellen optotypes and ocular examination with direct ophthalmoscope. The primary cause of VI was documented. Results were calculated for individual zones and weighted average was used to obtain overall prevalence for the country. Inter-regional and overall prevalence for blindness, severe VI and moderate VI were determined. Causes of VI, cataract surgical coverage and barriers to cataract surgery were assessed.
RESULTS: A total of 15,000 subjects were examined with a response rate of 95.3%. The age and gender-adjusted prevalence of blindness, severe visual impairment and moderate visual impairment were 1.2% (95% Confidence Interval: 1.0-1.4%), 1.0% (95%CI: 0.8-1.2%) and 5.9% (5.3-6.5%) respectively. Untreated cataract (58.6%), diabetic retinopathy (10.4%) and glaucoma (6.6%) were the commonest causes of blindness. Overall, 86.3% of the causes of blindness were avoidable. Cataract surgical coverage (CSC) in persons for blindness, severe visual impairment and moderate visual impairment was 90%, 86% and 66% respectively.
CONCLUSION: Increased patient education and further expansion of ophthalmological services are required to reduce avoidable blindness even further in Malaysia.
Fulltext Frequency of gallbladder stones among patients underwent abdominal ultrasound in a tertiary hospital in Sana’a City, Yemen

Hameed M. Aklan, Abdullah A. S. A. Esmail, Abdulrahman A. Al-Sadeq, Gebreel A. Eissa, Osamah A. Hassan, Abdullah A. Al-Mikhlafy, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(107):36-39.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The Gallbladder stone (GBS) disease is most commonly asymptomatic that may lead to several complications such as ascending cholangitis and obstructive jaundice. In this study the frequency of gallblad- der stones among patients referred for abdominal ultrasound at the University of Science and Technology hospital (USTH), Sana’a – Yemen, have been estimated during the period between January and June 2013. Methods: This study is a record-based and conducted at the radiology department in USTH, on cases underwent abdominal ultrasound during the period from January – June 2013. Information were collected from abdominal ultrasonography reports. Results: In this study 4935 patients’ records are included. Of them, 2541 were males and 2394 were females. The frequency of patients with GBS was 5.53%. Multiple stones were observed in 3.57% of patients and 4.34% patients had large stones with size  5 mm. Females had significantly higher frequency of GBS (8.0%: 191/2394) than males (3.2%: 82/2541) (P < 0.001). It was found that, no significant difference between males and females in harboring small stones (< 5mm) (P = 0.251). However, significantly higher frequency of large GBS ( 5 mm) was found among females compared to males (P < 0.001). The frequencies of GBS, small size of GBS and large size of GBS have significantly increased with increasing age (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In this study it was found that females had significantly higher frequency of GBS than males. No significant difference between males and females in harboring small stones. There was a significantly higher frequency of large GBS was found among females compared to males. The frequencies of GBS, small size of GBS and large size of GBS have significantly increased with increasing age.
Multivariate statistical techniques for the assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of pasture ecosystems

Ajorlo M, Abdullah RB, Yusoff MK, Halim RA, Hanif AH, Willms WD, et al.

Environ Monit Assess, 2013 Oct;185(10):8649-58.
PMID: 23604787 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-013-3201-8

This study investigates the applicability of multivariate statistical techniques including cluster analysis (CA), discriminant analysis (DA), and factor analysis (FA) for the assessment of seasonal variations in the surface water quality of tropical pastures. The study was carried out in the TPU catchment, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The dataset consisted of 1-year monitoring of 14 parameters at six sampling sites. The CA yielded two groups of similarity between the sampling sites, i.e., less polluted (LP) and moderately polluted (MP) at temporal scale. Fecal coliform (FC), NO3, DO, and pH were significantly related to the stream grouping in the dry season, whereas NH3, BOD, Escherichia coli, and FC were significantly related to the stream grouping in the rainy season. The best predictors for distinguishing clusters in temporal scale were FC, NH3, and E. coli, respectively. FC, E. coli, and BOD with strong positive loadings were introduced as the first varifactors in the dry season which indicates the biological source of variability. EC with a strong positive loading and DO with a strong negative loading were introduced as the first varifactors in the rainy season, which represents the physiochemical source of variability. Multivariate statistical techniques were effective analytical techniques for classification and processing of large datasets of water quality and the identification of major sources of water pollution in tropical pastures.
Fulltext High prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on doctors' neckties

Koh KC, Husni S, Tan JE, Tan CW, Kunaseelan S, Nuriah S, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2009 Sep;64(3):233-5.
PMID: 20527275 MyJurnal

We set out to investigate whether neckties worn by doctors are more likely to be contaminated with Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) compared to neckties worn by preclinical medical undergraduates who have never been exposed to a hospital environment. We discovered that more than half (52%) of neckties worn by doctors were contaminated with Staphylococcus and out of these, 62% of them were identified as MRSA. In contrast, none of the student's ties were contaminated with MRSA. Due to the high prevalence of staphylococcus detected on doctors' neckties, we recommend that health care workers do not wear neckties.
Fulltext Enhancing the urea-N use efficiency in maize (Zea mays) cultivation on acid soils amended with zeolite and TSP

Ahmed OH, Hussin A, Ahmad HM, Rahim AA, Majid NM

ScientificWorldJournal, 2008 Apr 20;8:394-9.
PMID: 18454247 DOI: 10.1100/tsw.2008.68

Ammonia loss significantly reduces the urea-N use efficiency in crop production. Efforts to reduce this problem are mostly laboratory oriented. This paper reports the effects of urea amended with triple superphosphate (TSP) and zeolite (Clinoptilolite) on soil pH, nitrate, exchangeable ammonium, dry matter production, N uptake, fresh cob production, and urea-N uptake efficiency in maize (Zea mays) cultivation on an acid soil in actual field conditions. Urea-amended TSP and zeolite treatments and urea only (urea without additives) did not have long-term effect on soil pH and accumulation of soil exchangeable ammonium and nitrate. Treatments with higher amounts of TSP and zeolite significantly increased the dry matter (stem and leaf) production of Swan (test crop). All the treatments had no significant effect on urea-N concentration in the leaf and stem of the test crop. In terms of urea-N uptake in the leaf and stem tissues of Swan, only the treatment with the highest amount of TSP and zeolite significantly increased urea-N uptake in the leaf of the test crop. Irrespective of treatment, fresh cob production was statistically not different. However, all the treatments with additives improved urea-N uptake efficiency compared to urea without additives or amendment. This suggests that urea amended with TSP and zeolite has a potential of reducing ammonia loss from surface-applied urea.
Applied K fertilizer use efficiency in pineapples grown on a tropical peat soil under residues removal

Ahmed OH, Ahmad HM, Musa HM, Rahim AA, Rastan SO

ScientificWorldJournal, 2005 Jan 21;5:42-9.
PMID: 15674449

In Malaysia, pineapples are grown on peat soils, but most K fertilizer recommendations do not take into account K loss through leaching. The objective of this study was to determine applied K use efficiency under a conventionally recommended fertilization regime in pineapple cultivation with residues removal. Results showed that K recovery from applied K fertilizer in pineapple cultivation on tropical peat soil was low, estimated at 28%. At a depth of 0-10 cm, there was a sharp decrease of soil total K, exchangeable K, and soil solution K days after planting (DAP) for plots with K fertilizer. This decline continued until the end of the study. Soil total, exchangeable, and solution K at the end of the study were generally lower than prior values before the study. There was no significant accumulation of K at depths of 10-25 and 25-45 cm. However, K concentrations throughout the study period were generally lower or equal to their initial status in the soil indicating leaching of the applied K and partly explained the low K recovery. Potassium losses through leaching in pineapple cultivation on tropical peat soils need to be considered in fertilizer recommendations for efficient recovery of applied K.
Solid-liquid extraction of bioactive compounds with antioxidant potential from Alternanthera sesillis (red) and identification of the polyphenols using UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS

Mohd Hazli UHA, Abdul-Aziz A, Mat-Junit S, Chee CF, Kong KW

Food Res Int, 2019 01;115:241-250.
PMID: 30599938 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.08.094

Alternanthera sessilis (red) (ASR) is an edible herbal plant with many beneficial health effects. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant components and antioxidant activities of the edible leaves and stems of ASR extracted using solvent of varying polarities namely water, ethanol, ethyl acetate and hexane. ASR leaf extracts showed higher in both antioxidant components and activities than the stem extracts. Among the antioxidant components, the ethanol leaf extract showed higher phenolic (77.29 ± 1.02 mg GAE/g extract) content while the ethyl acetate leaf extract was rich in flavonoids (157.44 ± 10.19 mg RE/g extract), carotenoids (782.97 ± 10.78 mg BE/g extract) and betalains (betanin: 67.08 ± 0.49 mg/g extract; amaranthin: 93.94 ± 0.68 mg/g extract and betaxanthin: 53.92 ± 0.88 mg/g extract). Nevertheless, the ethanol leaf extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical cation scavenging activity. It also exhibited highest ferric reducing activity among all the extracts. Four polyphenolic compounds from ASR leaf, namely ferulic acid, rutin, quercetin and apigenin, were identified and quantified using ultra high performance liquid chromatography. The existence of these compounds was further verified using tandem mass spectrometry. These current results indicate that ASR leaf particularly the ethanol extract has the potential to be exploited as a source of natural antioxidants.
Fulltext Silicon Improves Yield Performance by Enhancement in Physiological Responses, Crop Imagery, and Leaf and Culm Sheath Morphology in New Rice Line, PadiU Putra

Berahim Z, Omar MH, Zakaria NI, Ismail MR, Rosle R, Roslin NA, et al.

Biomed Res Int, 2021;2021:6679787.
PMID: 34159198 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6679787

The PadiU Putra rice line is a blast-resistant and high-yield rice line with high potential. The application of topdressing and the foliar applied method of silicon (Si) treatments could strengthen the culm to resist breakage and ultimately increase yield production. Treatments which consisted of a control, a Si topdressing, and a Si foliar applied were arranged in a randomised complete block design. At 55 days after transplanting (DAT), the foliar applied Si treatments had 59% higher dry matter partitioning to the roots. Meanwhile, at 75 DAT, both Si foliar applied and topdressing method showed increased assimilate partitioning into the culm sheath by 29% and 49%, respectively. Dark green and light yellowish colours were obtained in both Si treatments using UAV, indicating similar results to physiological responses. Remarkably, Si foliar applied treatments enhanced the diameter and width of the outer and inner layers of the diameter of vascular bundles at 75 DAT by 58, 181, and 80%, respectively. The yield production of rice increased by 53% in the Si foliar applied, compared to the control, and produced a 1.63 benefit-cost ratio.
Signal Enhancement Evaluation of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy of Extracted Animal Fats Using Principal Component Analysis Approach

Hanasil NS, Raja Ibrahim RK, Duralim M, Sapingi HHJ, Mahdi MA

Appl Spectrosc, 2020 Dec;74(12):1452-1462.
PMID: 32166979 DOI: 10.1177/0003702820915532

In this work, principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized to analyze laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) signals of the extracted chicken fat, lamb fat, beef fat, and lard froze using two different freezing methods. The frozen samples were ablated using a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, 170 mJ pulse energy, and 6 ns pulse duration to produce plasma on target surfaces. The samples were ablated using 30-60 shots of the laser beam at different spots. Stronger LIBS signals from the extracted chicken fat and lamb fat were obtained with liquid nitrogen (LN2) method. However, LIBS signals obtained from the freezer freezing method were found to be stronger for extracted beef fat and lard. The PCA was then used to visualize the LIBS spectra of extracted animal fats into a score plot. Data points of each extracted animal fat were divided into three groups representing LIBS spectra collected at the early, middle, and end part of the ablation process. The score plot revealed that the data points of the three groups of frozen extracted animal fats using the LN2 method were more closely clustered than those frozen in the freezer. Good discrimination with 97% of the variance was achieved between the extracted chicken fat, lamb fat, beef fat, and lard using the LN2 method in the three-dimensional score plot. LIBS signals of the extracted animal fats produced from the LN2 method were found to be more stable than those from the freezer method.
Microwave-assisted catalysis of water-glycerol solutions for hydrogen production over NiO/zeolite catalyst

Husin H, Mahidin M, Pontas K, Ahmadi A, Ridho M, Erdiwansyah E, et al.

Heliyon, 2021 Jul;7(7):e07557.
PMID: 34355081 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07557

In this study, glycerol as an abundant green feedstock was used as a hydrogen source to investigate the reaction of water-glycerol solution decomposition by microwave-assisted catalytic to produce hydrogen over NiO/zeolite catalyst. The catalyst was prepared by inception wetness and then characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy diffraction X-ray (EDX), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements. The conversion process of glycerol into hydrogen was performed in a fixed-bed microwave-assisted reactor. Effect of microwave power, NiO content, and feed flow rate (FFR) on glycerol conversion and hydrogen selectivity were studied. The results of XRD and EDX measurement showed that NiO crystalline exists on the catalyst sample. The particle size of NiO/zeolite was determined in the range of 30-300 nm, and the particle was found well dispersed on the zeolite surface as confirmed by TEM. Furthermore, the maximum conversion rate can achieve about 96.67 %, while the highest hydrogen production was found up to 73.5 % with the condition of 20% of NiO as an active site on natural zeolite. It was found that the NiO content of 20% gave the best glycerol conversion at the microwave power of 600 W and FFR 0.5 ml/min. Microwave-assisted catalytic irradiation of glycerol appears to be a promising candidate for the production of H2 from an aqueous glycerol solution.
Development of a dry reagent-based triplex PCR for the detection of toxigenic and non-toxigenic Vibrio cholerae

Chua AL, Elina HT, Lim BH, Yean CY, Ravichandran M, Lalitha P

J Med Microbiol, 2011 Apr;60(Pt 4):481-485.
PMID: 21183596 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.027433-0

Vibrio cholerae has caused severe outbreaks of cholera worldwide with thousands of recorded deaths annually. Molecular diagnosis for cholera has become increasingly important for rapid detection of cholera as the conventional methods are time-consuming and labour intensive. However, traditional PCR tests still require cold-chain transportation and storage as well as trained personnel to perform, which makes them user-unfriendly. The aim of this study was to develop a thermostabilized triplex PCR test for cholera which is in a ready-to-use form and requires no cold chain. The PCR test specifically detects both toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains of V. cholerae based on the cholera toxin A (ctxA) and outer-membrane lipoprotein (lolB) genes. The thermostabilized triplex PCR also incorporates an internal amplification control that helps to check for PCR inhibitors in samples. PCR reagents and the specific primers were lyophilized into a pellet form in the presence of trehalose, which acts as an enzyme stabilizer. The triplex PCR was validated with 174 bacteria-spiked stool specimens and was found to be 100 % sensitive and specific. The stability of the thermostabilized PCR was evaluated using the Q10 method and it was found to be stable for approximately 7 months at 24 °C. The limit of detection of the thermostabilized triplex PCR assay was 2×10(4) c.f.u. at the bacterial cell level and 100 pg DNA at the genomic DNA level, comparable to conventional PCR methods. In conclusion, a rapid thermostabilized triplex PCR assay was developed for detecting toxigenic and non-toxigenic V. cholerae which requires minimal pipetting steps and is cold chain-free.

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