Sponges are major source of numerous cytotoxic compounds that are used for defence as well as adaptation to the environment. Numerous studies have discovered compounds from sponge extracts that were effective against a wide range of cancer cells. In this study, a total of 23 sponges comprising of 19 species were collected from Northeast Borneo. Sponges were treated and extracted using modified Folch extraction method, followed by cytotoxicity assay to determine their effectiveness against different colorectal cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that Monanchora clathrata, Dysidea sp., and Jaspis sp. possess different degrees of cytotoxicity against a wide range of human colorectal cancer cells. Monanchora clathrata (KDT07), Dysidea sp. (KDT09), and Jaspis sp. (KDT18) are among the demosponges which possess significant cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer cell lines, including HCT116, LoVo, SW480, and SW620. KDT08 and KDT21 which fall under the same genus Dysidea, possess insignificant cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer cells suggested environmental factors (symbiotic organisms) play a role in biosynthesizing bioactive compounds. Presented results suggested the importance of intensifying research on isolating and purifying natural products from marine sponges for useful applications.
A new genus and new species of the pselaphine tribe Batrisini, Smetanabatrus kinabalu gen. et sp. n., is described from Sabah, East Malaysia. Both sexes of the new species have securiform maxillary palpi, with the male exhibiting extreme abdominal modification. Illustrations of the habitus and major diagnostic features, as well as a discussion on the taxonomic placement of the new taxon is provided. A key to genera of the Batrisini from Borneo is provided.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) repairs are routine operations with low mortality in the developed world. There are few studies on the operative management of AAA in the Asian population.This study reports the initial results from a unit with no previous experience in this surgery by a single surgeon on completion of training.
Southeast Asia (SEA) is enriched with a complex history of peopling. Malaysia, which is located at the crossroads of SEA, has been recognized as one of the hubs for early human migration. To unravel the genomic complexity of the native inhabitants of Malaysia, we sequenced 12 samples from 3 indigenous populations from Peninsular Malaysia and 4 native populations from North Borneo to a high coverage of 28-37×. We showed that the Negritos from Peninsular Malaysia shared a common ancestor with the East Asians, but exhibited some level of gene flow from South Asia, while the North Borneo populations exhibited closer genetic affinity towards East Asians than the Malays. The analysis of time of divergence suggested that ancestors of Negrito were the earliest settlers in the Malay Peninsula, whom first separated from the Papuans ~ 50-33 thousand years ago (kya), followed by East Asian (~ 40-15 kya), while the divergence time frame between North Borneo and East Asia populations predates the Austronesian expansion period implies a possible pre-Neolithic colonization. Substantial Neanderthal ancestry was confirmed in our genomes, as was observed in other East Asians. However, no significant difference was observed, in terms of the proportion of Denisovan gene flow into these native inhabitants from Malaysia. Judging from the similar amount of introgression in the Southeast Asians and East Asians, our findings suggest that the Denisovan gene flow may have occurred before the divergence of these populations and that the shared similarities are likely an ancestral component.
The region of northern Borneo is home to the current state of Sabah, Malaysia. It is located closest to the southern Philippine islands and may have served as a viaduct for ancient human migration onto or off of Borneo Island. In this study, five indigenous ethnic groups from Sabah were subjected to genome-wide SNP genotyping. These individuals represent the "North Borneo"-speaking group of the great Austronesian family. They have traditionally resided in the inland region of Sabah. The dataset was merged with public datasets, and the genetic relatedness of these groups to neighboring populations from the islands of Southeast Asia, mainland Southeast Asia and southern China was inferred. Genetic structure analysis revealed that these groups formed a genetic cluster that was independent of the clusters of neighboring populations. Additionally, these groups exhibited near-absolute proportions of a genetic component that is also common among Austronesians from Taiwan and the Philippines. They showed no genetic admixture with Austro-Melanesian populations. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that they are closely related to non-Austro-Melansian Filipinos as well as to Taiwan natives but are distantly related to populations from mainland Southeast Asia. Relatively lower heterozygosity and higher pairwise genetic differentiation index (FST ) values than those of nearby populations indicate that these groups might have experienced genetic drift in the past, resulting in their differentiation from other Austronesians. Subsequent formal testing suggested that these populations have received no gene flow from neighboring populations. Taken together, these results imply that the indigenous ethnic groups of northern Borneo shared a common ancestor with Taiwan natives and non-Austro-Melanesian Filipinos and then isolated themselves on the inland of Sabah. This isolation presumably led to no admixture with other populations, and these individuals therefore underwent strong genetic differentiation. This report contributes to addressing the paucity of genetic data on representatives from this strategic region of ancient human migration event(s).
Eleven new indole alkaloids (1-11) comprising seven aspidofractinine and four eburnane alkaloids, were isolated from the stem-bark extract of Kopsia pauciflora occurring in Malaysian Borneo. The aspidofractinine alkaloids include a ring-contracted, an additional ring-fused, a paucidactine regioisomer, two paucidactine, and one kopsine alkaloid. The structures of several of these alkaloids were also confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. The bisindole alkaloids isolated, norpleiomutine and kopsoffinol, showed in vitro growth inhibitory activity against human PC-3, HCT-116, MCF-7, and A549 cells and moderate effects in reversing multidrug-resistance in vincristine-resistant human KB cells.
A retrospective study was conducted to determine the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of 11 new patients with a histological diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis at Sarawak General Hospital, Malaysia, between 1996 and 2008. The majority (81.8%) were males, and the median age at presentation was 40 years. Over half the patients were farmers. All the patients had irregular verrucous lesions, mostly on the lower limbs (90.9%), and had initially been misdiagnosed. The mean duration of the lesions was 13.8 years. Oral terbinafine and itraconazole were administered to all the patients; clinical cure was seen in 54.5%, and partial response in 18.2%. Concomitant electrocautery and cryotherapy were only effective for small lesions.
The genus Anipocregyes Breuning, 1939 is reviewed. Cristipocregyes rondoni Breuning, 1965, Metipocregyes rondoni Breuning, 1965, and Mesosa (Perimesosa) seminivea Breuning, 1965 are transferred to the genus Anipocregyes, and Setomesosa rondoni Breuning, 1968 is synonymized with A. seminivea comb. nov. As a result, two genera, Cristipocregyes Breuning, 1965 and Setomesosa Breuning, 1968, are synonymized with Anipocregyes. Metipocregyes rondoni Breuning, 1965 becomes a secondary homonym and Anipocregyes albifrons nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name. Anipocregyes kawakamii sp. nov. and A. wakabayashii sp. nov. are described from Borneo. All the seven known species of Anipocregyes are illustrated with their male genitalia (except for A. laosensis) and a key to the species is provided.
The genus Myrmarachne MacLeay, 1839 (Araneae: Salticidae) is one of the most diversified salticid groups in Southeast Asia, with 23 species previously recorded from Borneo. Based on the collections accumulated from 2004 to 2014 in the Lambir Hills National Park, we herein describe six new species: M. amabilis sp. nov., M. hashimotoi sp. nov., M. lagarosoma sp. nov., M. leptosoma sp. nov., M. salaputium sp. nov. and M. tintinnabulum sp. nov. In addition, we describe the female of M. endoi Yamasaki Ahmad, 2013 for the first time. The male-female combination in M. amabilis sp. nov., M. tintinnabulum sp. nov. and M. endoi were confirmed by DNA barcoding.
The success of cataract surgery is accessed by the improvement in visual acuity and accuracy of the post-operation refractive outcome against the pre-operation refractive target. Hence, the benchmark of 85% of patients achieving a final spherical equivalent within 1D of the desired target is used to monitor the refractive outcome. Meanwhile, the unaided visual acuity threshold of 6/12 after cataract operation is chosen as a yardstick because it allows patients to perform instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) independently without relying on spectacles.
The prevalence of antibody to human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigens (VCA) were analysed in sera from Kadazans of Sabah, North Borneo. At a serum dilution of 10, about 34% were positive for HHV-6 antibody but in contrast all 95 individuals studied were positive for EBV VCA antibody. The study shows that HHV-6 and EBV infection occur independently. The low frequency of seropositive individuals in this community suggests that other than socioeconomic factors are responsible for the spread of the virus.
Abstracts For The 1st International Borneo Healthcare And Public Health Conference And 4th Borneo Tropical Medicine And Infectious Disease Congress. Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia On 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: Laboratory screening tests are common elements of health care. Comprehensive care of patients is dependent on the results of laboratory investigations. Dissemination of knowledge and improving attitude of com-munity for utilization of laboratory services are utmost important in community health care. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and utilization of the laboratory services among the employees of University Malaysia Sabah, determine their expectations of employees on the medical laboratory services.
Methods: A total of 200 UMS staff participated. The data were collected using a cross-sectional self-administered questionnaires and descriptive data analysis was done.
Results: 5% of the participants in this study agreed to have the health check and blood screening tests every year. Less than 10% of respondents agreed to do more frequent blood tests check if they are at high risk such as family history of cancer, hypertension and diabetes 181 out of 200 respondents do not agree that doing laboratory tests can help for early diagnosis of some diseases. The most used laboratory tests were plasma sugar (70.8%), blood grouping (60.4%), urine examination (50%) and serum lipid (46%).
Conclusion: Based on the results, recommendations were made to improve the knowledge, attitude and utilization of the laboratory services and set up laboratory services easily accessible by the university community. This will lead to positive health benefits in people and improve associated health outcomes.
A general survey has been made of tuberculosis in the Jesselton – Tauran area. Climatical, living, and occupational conditions tend to favour the spread and advancement of the disease. The death rate is high, but has been influenced by conditions attributable to the war. The native population, due to their mode of life, succumbs more easily to the disease that do the Chinese. Cases are usually seen in the late stages, mainly due to ignorance.
Today, insular Southeast Asia is important for both its remarkably rich biodiversity and globally significant roles in atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Despite the fundamental importance of environmental history for diversity and conservation, there is little primary evidence concerning the nature of vegetation in north equatorial Southeast Asia during the Last Glacial Period (LGP). As a result, even the general distribution of vegetation during the Last Glacial Maximum is debated. Here we show, using the stable carbon isotope composition of ancient cave guano profiles, that there was a substantial forest contraction during the LGP on both peninsular Malaysia and Palawan, while rainforest was maintained in northern Borneo. These results directly support rainforest "refugia" hypotheses and provide evidence that environmental barriers likely reduced genetic mixing between Borneo and Sumatra flora and fauna. Moreover, it sheds light on possible early human dispersal events.
This study was carried out to identify the pigment extracted from Malaysian brown seaweed, Sargassum binderi and its stability in various conditions. Pigments were extracted using methanol:chloroform:water (4:2:1, v/v/v), which is part of fucoidan extraction process, where the pigments were waste. Carotenoid and chlorophyll were found in the extract using UV-vis spectrophotometer (420 and 672 nm, respectively). Fucoxanthin was identified as the carotenoid present using HPLC, while its functional groups and structure were determined using FTIR and 1H NMR, respectively. The fucoxanthin-rich extract stability was tested on different pH (pH1-13), light exposure (dark and light) and storage temperature (4ºC, 25ºC and 50ºC). The stability tests showed that it was most stable at pH5-7, stored in dark condition and at the storage temperature of 4ºC and 25ºC. The fucoxanthin-rich extract from Sargassum binderi has potential to be applied as bioingredient and functional food as it is stable in normal storage conditions.
Both community composition changes due to species redistribution and within-species size shifts may alter body-size structures under climate warming. Here we assess the relative contribution of these processes in community-level body-size changes in tropical moth assemblages that moved uphill during a period of warming. Based on resurvey data for seven assemblages of geometrid moths (>8000 individuals) on Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo, in 1965 and 2007, we show significant wing-length reduction (mean shrinkage of 1.3% per species). Range shifts explain most size restructuring, due to uphill shifts of relatively small species, especially at high elevations. Overall, mean forewing length shrank by ca. 5%, much of which is accounted for by species range boundary shifts (3.9%), followed by within-boundary distribution changes (0.5%), and within-species size shrinkage (0.6%). We conclude that the effects of range shifting predominate, but considering species physiological responses is also important for understanding community size reorganization under climate warming.
Introduction: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in Malaysia, predominantly among women under age of 60 and they often presented late. Borneo is home to multi-racial indigenous with heterogeneous background and breast cancer profile can be absolutely unique. This study aims to examine the demographic characteristics and stage at presentation in Sandakan women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospec-tive study involving those women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer from January 2016 to December 2018 in Duchess of Kent Hospital, Sandakan identified via hospital cancer registry and patient records. Only breast cancer with epithelial origin was included. Age, ethnicity and stages at presentation of breast cancer were analysed. Logistic regression was used to study their relationships. Results: 110 women were newly diagnosed as breast cancer. Mean age was 53.5 (SD 12.7), the youngest at 30 and the eldest at 97. Majority (64.6%) were local indigenous wom-en, constituted by 25.4% Sungai, 14.1% Kadazan-Dusun, 12.7% Bugis and the minorities. Chinese women are the main local non-indigenous (32.7%) followed by 2.7% Malay. 52.1% presented at late stages (stage III/IV). Subgroup analysis of T-staging revealed 41.7% had advanced symptoms (T3/T4). Indigenous group was more likely to present at younger ages (OR 12.0; 95%CI 1.5-93.8) and with advanced symptoms (OR 3.1; 95%CI 1.2-8.0). Conclusion: Awareness on breast cancer remains inadequate particularly among indigenous women. Difficult healthcare accessi-bility and incline towards traditional medicine could attribute to late presentation. Outreach awareness programmes are warranted in addition to mobile screening services.
Diabetic nephropathy is now the number one cause of end stage renal failure in Malaysia. This places a huge burden on patients and the health care system especially in developing countries with limited health care resources, such as in Sarawak in East Malaysia. This study describes the prevalence of proteinuria/microalbuminuria in diabetic patients treated in Klinik Kesihatan Tanah Puteh. Early detection of proteinuria/microalbuminuria allows remedial measures to be taken to retard the progression of nephropathy. Forty-eight percent of the cases had proteinuria and microalbuminuria was found in 16%. Seventy-eight percent of cases with proteinuria were on treatment with angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers. Seventy-five percent of patients had hypertension but only 6% achieved the targeted BP of < 130/80 mmHg.
Study site: Diabetic clinic of Klinik Kesihatan Tanah Puteh, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia