Displaying publications 421 - 440 of 461 in total

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  1. Fulltext Impact of Diuron contamination on blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa Linnaeus, 1758)
    Mohamat-Yusuff F, Zulkarnain Z, Anuar NZA, Joni AAM, Kusin FM, Mohamed KN, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2020 Dec;161(Pt A):111698.
    PMID: 33022498 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111698
    Examination of the impact of Diuron contamination on blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa) was conducted by combining field screening at three sampling events and a toxicity test. Diuron was extracted using the liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) technique and analyzed using HPLC-UV. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of Diuron on T. granosa was tested under a 72-h exposure. Diuron in water samples ranged from not detected (ND) to 3910 ppb, which was the highest concentration detected in samples after the irrigation water was discharged from the paddy plantation. Diuron was not detected in sediment samples. Mortality of T. granosa ranged from 4.74 to 38.33% with the highest percentages recorded after the release of the irrigation water. The LC50 value of Diuron was 1.84 ppm. This study suggests that irrigation water from paddy plantation that drifts to coastal areas containing Diuron harms T. granosa at the study area.
  2. Chemometric techniques in oil classification from oil spill fingerprinting
    Ismail A, Toriman ME, Juahir H, Kassim AM, Zain SM, Ahmad WKW, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2016 Oct 15;111(1-2):339-346.
    PMID: 27397593 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.089
    Extended use of GC-FID and GC-MS in oil spill fingerprinting and matching is significantly important for oil classification from the oil spill sources collected from various areas of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah (East Malaysia). Oil spill fingerprinting from GC-FID and GC-MS coupled with chemometric techniques (discriminant analysis and principal component analysis) is used as a diagnostic tool to classify the types of oil polluting the water. Clustering and discrimination of oil spill compounds in the water from the actual site of oil spill events are divided into four groups viz. diesel, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Mixture Oil containing Light Fuel Oil (MOLFO) and Waste Oil (WO) according to the similarity of their intrinsic chemical properties. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrates that diesel, HFO, MOLFO and WO are types of oil or oil products from complex oil mixtures with a total variance of 85.34% and are identified with various anthropogenic activities related to either intentional releasing of oil or accidental discharge of oil into the environment. Our results show that the use of chemometric techniques is significant in providing independent validation for classifying the types of spilled oil in the investigation of oil spill pollution in Malaysia. This, in consequence would result in cost and time saving in identification of the oil spill sources.
  3. Improving oil classification quality from oil spill fingerprint beyond six sigma approach
    Juahir H, Ismail A, Mohamed SB, Toriman ME, Kassim AM, Zain SM, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2017 Jul 15;120(1-2):322-332.
    PMID: 28535957 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.04.032
    This study involves the use of quality engineering in oil spill classification based on oil spill fingerprinting from GC-FID and GC-MS employing the six-sigma approach. The oil spills are recovered from various water areas of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah (East Malaysia). The study approach used six sigma methodologies that effectively serve as the problem solving in oil classification extracted from the complex mixtures of oil spilled dataset. The analysis of six sigma link with the quality engineering improved the organizational performance to achieve its objectivity of the environmental forensics. The study reveals that oil spills are discriminated into four groups' viz. diesel, hydrocarbon fuel oil (HFO), mixture oil lubricant and fuel oil (MOLFO) and waste oil (WO) according to the similarity of the intrinsic chemical properties. Through the validation, it confirmed that four discriminant component, diesel, hydrocarbon fuel oil (HFO), mixture oil lubricant and fuel oil (MOLFO) and waste oil (WO) dominate the oil types with a total variance of 99.51% with ANOVA giving Fstat>Fcritical at 95% confidence level and a Chi Square goodness test of 74.87. Results obtained from this study reveals that by employing six-sigma approach in a data-driven problem such as in the case of oil spill classification, good decision making can be expedited.
  4. Carbon Monoxide is an Inhibitor of HIF Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain 2
    Mbenza NM, Nasarudin N, Vadakkedath PG, Patel K, Ismail AZ, Hanif M, et al.
    Chembiochem, 2021 Aug 03;22(15):2521-2525.
    PMID: 34137488 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100181
    Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase domain 2 (PHD2) is an important oxygen sensor in animals. By using the CO-releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) as an in situ CO donor, we demonstrate that CO is an inhibitor of PHD2. This report provides further evidence about the emerging role of CO in oxygen sensing and homeostasis.
  5. Support vector machines for oil classification link with polyaromatic hydrocarbon contamination in the environment
    Ismail A, Juahir H, Mohamed SB, Toriman ME, Kassim AM, Zain SM, et al.
    Water Sci Technol, 2021 Mar;83(5):1039-1054.
    PMID: 33724935 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2021.038
    The main focus of this study is exploring the spatial distribution of polyaromatics hydrocarbon links between oil spills in the environment via Support Vector Machines based on Kernel-Radial Basis Function (RBF) approach for high precision classification of oil spill type from its sample fingerprinting in Peninsular Malaysia. The results show the highest concentrations of Σ Alkylated PAHs and Σ EPA PAHs in ΣTAH concentration in diesel from the oil samples PP3_liquid and GP6_Jetty achieving 100% classification output, corresponding to coherent decision boundary and projective subspace estimation. The high dimensional nature of this approach has led to the existence of a perfect separability of the oil type classification from four clustered oil type components; i.e diesel, bunker C, Mixture Oil (MO), lube oil and Waste Oil (WO) with the slack variables of ξ ≠ 0. Of the four clusters, only the SVs of two are correctly predicted, namely diesel and MO. The kernel-RBF approach provides efficient and reliable oil sample classification, enabling the oil classification to be optimally performed within a relatively short period of execution and a faster dataset classification where the slack variables ξ are non-zero.
  6. Baseline distribution and sources of selected agricultural runoff in the bottom water of an active cockle farming area, Bagan Pasir, Perak, Malaysia
    Joni AAM, Mohamat-Yusuff F, Noor NAM, Mohamed KN, Ash'aari ZH, Kusin FM, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2021 Jun;167:112276.
    PMID: 33901978 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112276
    This paper aims to study the spatial and temporal patterns of selected agricultural runoff, specifically in terms of glyphosate, nitrate, and ammonia in bottom water, as well as their possible sources, within an active cockle farming area in Bagan Pasir, Perak, Malaysia. Samples were taken along the cockle farming area from March to November 2019. Glyphosate was analyzed using HPLC with both extraction and derivatization methods using 9-fluorenyl-methyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl), while nitrate and ammonia levels were determined using the standard Hach method. Generally, glyphosate, nitrate, and ammonia were present within the study site with the average concentration of 37.44 ± 12.27 μg/l, 1.65 ± 0.52 mg/l, and 0.37 ± 0.19 mg/l, respectively. The results suggest that glyphosate and nitrate might be derived from an inland source, while a uniform and low level of ammonia suggested might originate from lithogenic origins. Continuous monitoring remains encouraged.
  7. Implementing social network analysis to understand the socioecology of wildlife co-occurrence and joint interactions with humans in anthropogenic environments
    Balasubramaniam KN, Kaburu SSK, Marty PR, Beisner BA, Bliss-Moreau E, Arlet ME, et al.
    J Anim Ecol, 2021 12;90(12):2819-2833.
    PMID: 34453852 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13584
    Human population expansion into wildlife habitats has increased interest in the behavioural ecology of human-wildlife interactions. To date, however, the socioecological factors that determine whether, when or where wild animals take risks by interacting with humans and anthropogenic factors still remains unclear. We adopt a comparative approach to address this gap, using social network analysis (SNA). SNA, increasingly implemented to determine human impact on wildlife ecology, can be a powerful tool to understand how animal socioecology influences the spatiotemporal distribution of human-wildlife interactions. For 10 groups of rhesus, long-tailed and bonnet macaques (Macaca spp.) living in anthropogenically impacted environments in Asia, we collected data on human-macaque interactions, animal demographics, and macaque-macaque agonistic and affiliative social interactions. We constructed 'human co-interaction networks' based on associations between macaques that interacted with humans within the same time and spatial locations, and social networks based on macaque-macaque allogrooming behaviour, affiliative behaviours of short duration (agonistic support, lip-smacking, silent bare-teeth displays and non-sexual mounting) and proximity. Pre-network permutation tests revealed that, within all macaque groups, specific individuals jointly took risks by repeatedly, consistently co-interacting with humans within and across time and space. GLMMs revealed that macaques' tendencies to co-interact with humans was positively predicted by their tendencies to engage in short-duration affiliative interactions and tolerance of conspecifics, although the latter varied across species (bonnets>rhesus>long-tailed). Male macaques were more likely to co-interact with humans than females. Neither macaques' grooming relationships nor their dominance ranks predicted their tendencies to co-interact with humans. Our findings suggest that, in challenging anthropogenic environments, less (compared to more) time-consuming forms of affiliation, and additionally greater social tolerance in less ecologically flexible species with a shorter history of exposure to humans, may be key to animals' joint propensities to take risks to gain access to resources. For males, greater exploratory tendencies and less energetically demanding long-term life-history strategies (compared to females) may also influence such joint risk-taking. From conservation and public health perspectives, wildlife connectedness within such co-interaction networks may inform interventions to mitigate zoonosis, and move human-wildlife interactions from conflict towards coexistence.
  8. Fulltext Performance of Immunodiagnostic Tests for Typhoid Fever: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    Najib MA, Mustaffa KMF, Ong EBB, Selvam K, Khalid MF, Awang MS, et al.
    Pathogens, 2021 Sep 13;10(9).
    PMID: 34578216 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091184
    Typhoid fever, also known as typhoid, is a life-threatening bacterial infection that remains a global health concern. The infection is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality rate, resulting in an urgent need for specific and rapid detection tests to aid prevention and management of the disease. The present review aims to assess the specificity and sensitivity of the available literature on the immunodiagnostics of typhoid fever. A literature search was conducted using three databases (PubMed, ProQuest and Scopus) and manual searches through the references of identified full texts to retrieve relevant literature published between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2020. Of the 577 studies identified in our search, 12 were included in further analysis. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and hemolysin E (HlyE) were the most frequently studied antigens. The specimens examined in these studies included serum and saliva. Using blood culture as the gold standard, anti-LPS IgA gave the highest sensitivity of 96% (95% CI: 93-99) and specificity of 96% (95% CI: 93-99) for distinguishing between typhoid cases and healthy controls, whereas the combination of anti-LPS and anti-flagellin total IgGAM gave the highest sensitivity of 93% (95% CI: 86-99) and specificity of 95% (95% CI: 89-100) for distinguishing typhoid cases and other febrile infections. A comparably high sensitivity of 92% (95% CI: 86-98) and specificity of 89% (95% CI: 78-100) were shown in testing based on detection of the combination of anti-LPS (IgA and IgM) and anti-HlyE IgG as well as a slightly lower sensitivity of 91% (95% CI: 74-100) in the case of anti-50kDa IgA. Anti-50kDa IgM had the lowest sensitivity of 36% (95% CI: 6-65) against both healthy and febrile controls. The development of a rapid diagnostic test targeting antibodies against lipopolysaccharides combined with flagellin appeared to be a suitable approach for the rapid detection test of typhoid fever. Saliva is added benefit for rapid typhoid diagnosis since it is less invasive. As a result, further studies could be done to develop additional approaches for adopting such samples.
  9. Toxicity effect of Diuron on gill tissue structure and the tissue residue of blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa)
    Mohamat-Yusuff F, Ibrahim DSM, Mukhtar A, Joni AAM, Kusin FM, Mohamed KN, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2021 Dec;173(Pt B):113071.
    PMID: 34741924 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113071
    This study aimed to identify the toxicity effect of Diuron on Tegillarca granosa by determining accumulation in the soft tissues and alteration on the gill tissue structure. Wild stocks T. granosa were grouped to identify the initial Diuron concentration and 48-h exposure in different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg·L-1). The Diuron in tissue was extracted using an established procedure and identified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Gills were analysed for histopathological study; tissue structure was classified and scored using a developed scoring system. Diuron concentration in the soft tissue of exposed T. granosa was in the range 1.27-8.09 mg·kg-1, w/w and not proportionately increase along with the exposure concentration. The mean index values of the gill histopathology ranged from 5.25-7.67 and classified as moderate to severe. Gills characteristics and T. granosa protective behaviour potentially limit Diuron accumulation in the soft tissue.
  10. Ergogenic property of Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract affects energy metabolism in obese Sprague Dawley rats
    Salleh SZ, Hamid AA, Jaafar AH, Abdul Majid ND, Saari N, Halim HH, et al.
    J Food Biochem, 2022 Jan;46(1):e14027.
    PMID: 34914111 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.14027
    Ergogenic property is the ability to enhance capacity for physical activities through efficient production of energy and is potentially beneficial in weight management for the obese. In this study, ergogenic property of Morinda citrifolia leaf's extract (MCL) was evaluated using AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and high fat diet-induced obese rats. Findings from the study showed that MCL demonstrated ergogenic activity via enhancement of AMPK activity using L6 skeletal muscle cell line. Interestingly, the result also revealed that rats treated with the intermediate dosage of MCL experienced the lowest % weight gain. The rats fed the highest dose of 200 mg/kg BW MCL demonstrated the longest swimming time of approximately three times that of green tea and caffeine-fed rats. The highest dose fed rats were also found to have lower glucose and lactate levels, suggesting that energy metabolism was more effective in these rats. In addition, lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine kinase activities, the muscle injury indicators, were found to be the lowest in rats fed the highest MCL dose. The same effect was not seen in rats fed either caffeine or green tea, indicating that MCL treatment is may be protective of the rats' muscles. It was also shown that MCL consisted of various flavonoids with epicatechin, catechin, and quercetin that may be responsible for the effects measured. In conclusion, improvements were seen in rats fed MCL in terms of weight management, endurance capacity, energy metabolism, and muscle injury parameters. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Results of the study revealed that Morinda citrifolia leaf has great potential to be used as functional ingredient in the development of designer food/drink as ergogenic aid for both obese and non-obese individuals. Morinda citrifolia leaf could help in the weight management of obese people and enhance endurance capacity and energy metabolism in active individuals.
  11. Identification of carriers among individuals recruited in the typhoid registry in Malaysia using stool culture, polymerase chain reaction, and dot enzyme immunoassay as detection tools
    Chua AL, Aziah I, Balaram P, Bhuvanendran S, Anthony AA, Mohmad SN, et al.
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2):NP2740-8.
    PMID: 23000800 DOI: 10.1177/1010539512458521
    Chronic carriers of Salmonella Typhi act as reservoirs for the organism and become the agents of typhoid outbreaks in a community. In this study, chronic carriers in Kelantan, Malaysia were first identified using the culture and polymerase chain reaction method. Then, a novel serological tool, designated Typhidot-C, was evaluated in retrospect using the detected individuals as control positives. Chronic carriage positive by the culture and polymerase chain reaction method was recorded at 3.6% (4 out of 110) among individuals who previously had acute typhoid fever and a 9.4% (10 out of 106) carriage rate was observed among food handlers screened during outbreaks. The Typhidot-C assay was able to detect all these positive carriers showing its potential as a viable carrier screening tool and can be used for efficient detection of typhoid carriers in an endemic area. These findings were used to establish the first carrier registry for S Typhi carriers in Malaysia.
  12. Predictors of ischaemic heart disease in a Malaysian population with the metabolic syndrome
    Yeow TP, Khir AS, Ismail AA, Ismail IS, Kamarul Imran M, Khalid BA, et al.
    Diabet Med, 2012 Nov;29(11):1378-84.
    PMID: 22803824 DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2012.03741.x
    AIMS: Cardiovascular disease is the foremost cause of mortality in Malaysia but little is known about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its associations with other known cardiovascular risk markers. We undertook a population-based study to examine these.
    METHODS: For the study, 4341 subjects were selected using a multistage stratified sampling method. Subjects were interviewed for personal and past medical history. Biomedical markers and anthropometric indices were measured. The metabolic syndrome was defined using the harmonized criteria. The associations between the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk markers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, microalbuminuria and HbA(1c) were examined.
    RESULTS: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 42.5%. Subjects with the metabolic syndrome are significantly more likely to have higher BMI (> 25 kg/m(2)), HbA(1c) [≥ 42 mmol/mol (6.0%)], LDL (≥ 2.6 mmol/l), elevated albumin:creatinine ratio (> 2.5 μg/mmol creatinine for men, 3.5 μg/mmol creatinine for women) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (> 3 mg/l); odds ratio 5.48, 6.14, 1.44, 3.68 and 1.84, respectively, P < 0.001. The presence of an elevated albumin:creatinine ratio and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are strong predictors for the presence of a higher number of positive criteria of the metabolic syndrome. HbA(1c) > 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) is associated with increased relative risk of elevated albumin:creatinine ratio, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and LDL (relative risk 3.10, 2.46 and 1.65 respectively, P < 0.001).
    CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the high prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Malaysia. Our study revealed a strong relationship between risk markers of elevated BMI, HbA(1c), LDL, albumin:creatinine ratio and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with the presence of the metabolic syndrome, putting them at a statistically high risk for cardiovascular mortality.
  13. Nutritional compositions and bioactivities of Dacryodes species: a review
    Tee LH, Yang B, Nagendra KP, Ramanan RN, Sun J, Chan ES, et al.
    Food Chem, 2014 Dec 15;165:247-55.
    PMID: 25038673 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.05.084
    Dacryodes species are evergreen, perennial trees with fleshy fruits and belong to the family Buseraseae. Many Dacryodes species are underutilized but are widely applied in traditional folk medicine to treat malaria, fever and skin diseases. The nutritional compositions, phytochemicals and biological activities of Dacryodes edulis, Dacryodes rostrata, Dacryodes buettneri, Dacryodes klaineana and Dacryodes hexandra are presented. The edible fruits of D. edulis are rich in lipids, proteins, vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids. Its extracts (leaf, fruit and resin) exhibit antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic and other bioactivities. D. rostrata fruit has significant nutrient content, and is rich in proteins, lipids and minerals. These fruits are also highly rich in polyphenols, anthocyanins and antioxidant activities. This comprehensive review will assist the reader in understanding the nutritional benefits of Dacryodes species and in identifying current research needs.
  14. Fulltext Chromosomal Aberrations in ETV6/RUNX1-positive Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia using 244K Oligonucleotide Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization
    Zakaria Z, Ahid MF, Ismail A, Keoh TS, Nor NM, Kamaluddin NR, et al.
    Mol Cytogenet, 2012;5(1):41.
    PMID: 23151340 DOI: 10.1186/1755-8166-5-41
  15. Complete electrochemical dechlorination of chlorobenzenes in the presence of various arene mediators
    Jalil AA, Triwahyono S, Razali NA, Hairom NH, Idris A, Muhid MN, et al.
    J Hazard Mater, 2010 Feb 15;174(1-3):581-5.
    PMID: 19864065 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.09.091
    Electrochemical dechlorination of chlorobenzenes in the presence of various arene mediators such as naphthalene, biphenyl, phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene, was studied. The amount of mediator required was able to be reduced to 0.01 equiv. for all mediators except for anthracene, with the complete dechlorination of mono-, 1,3-di- and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene still achieved. This catalytic amount of mediator plays an important role in accelerating the dechlorination through the rapid formation of radical anions prior to reduction of the chlorobenzenes.
  16. Fulltext The role of lutein-rich purple sweet potato leaf extract on the amelioration of diabetic retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced Sprague-Dawley rats
    Hisamuddin ASB, Naomi R, Manan KAB, Bahari H, Othman F, Embong H, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2023;14:1175907.
    PMID: 37274105 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1175907
    The objective of this study is to access the effect of purple sweet potato leaf (PSPL) extract on diabetic retinopathy (DR) of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. In this study, rats were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 60 mg/kg STZ, and diabetes was confirmed on day 7. Rats were further divided into a few groups, which were then orally administered with one of the following treatments: 25 mg/kg of gliclazide (D25G), 200 mg/kg of PSPL extract (DT 200), and 400 mg/kg of PSPL extract (DT 400). However, the normal control (NS) and control group for diabetic (DNS) were given normal saline (NS) for 12 weeks. The results show that the treated group demonstrated a reduction in serum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) levels of DT 200 and DT 400, and an increase in the serum and retinal insulin levels, and restored oxidative stress markers in serum and retina on week 12. The PSPL extract exhibited protective effects in maintaining the kidney, liver, retina, and pancreas architecture in 400 mg/kg compared to the 200 mg/kg treated group and D25G, thereby restoring fully transparent lenses in diabetes-induced rats. In conclusion, 400 mg/kg PSPL is the most effective dose for the amelioration of STZ-induced DR pathology in male SD rats.
  17. Fulltext Acceptance of medical drone technology and its determinant factors among public and healthcare personnel in a Malaysian urban environment: knowledge, attitude, and perception
    Za'im Sahul Hameed M, Nordin R, Ismail A, Zulkifley MA, Sham ASH, Sabudin RZAR, et al.
    Front Public Health, 2023;11:1199234.
    PMID: 38045974 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1199234
    INTRODUCTION: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used for commercial, medical, public safety, and scientific research purposes in various countries.

    METHODS: This study aimed to explore the acceptance of medical delivery drones among medical practitioners as well as the public community in Malaysia using a knowledge, attitude, and perception (KAP) model and statistical analysis to decrease uncertainty. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of the results were performed in SPSS.

    RESULTS: A total of 639 respondents took part in the survey, of which 557 complete responses were finally analyzed. The results showed that the overall acceptance rate for medical delivery drones was positive. The acceptance rate was significantly correlated with knowledge, attitude, and perception scores but not with sociodemographic factors.

    DISCUSSION: Raising awareness and educating the medical as well as public communities regarding the potential role and benefits of drones are therefore important in garnering support for drone usage for medical purposes.

  18. A retrospective record review of tuberculous infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients on biologics in Malaysia
    Nor Hashimah AMN, Lim AL, Mohd Zain M, Gun SC, Mohd Isa L, Chong HC, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 Dec;78(7):870-875.
    PMID: 38159920
    INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving biologics therapy and investigate the association between types of biologics and tuberculosis (TB) infections in 13 tertiary hospitals in Malaysia.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study that included all RA patients receiving biologics therapy in 13 tertiary hospitals in Malaysia from January 2008 to December 2018.

    RESULTS: We had 735 RA patients who received biologics therapy. Twenty-one of the 735 patients were diagnosed with TB infection after treatment with biologics. The calculated prevalence of TB infection in RA patients treated with biologics was 2.9% (29 per 1000 patients). Four groups of biologics were used in our patient cohort: monoclonal TNF inhibitors, etanercept, tocilizumab, and rituximab, with monoclonal TNF inhibitors being the most commonly used biologic. The median duration of biologics therapy before the diagnosis of TB was 8 months. 75% of patients had at least one co-morbidity and all patients had at least one ongoing cDMARD therapy at the time of TB diagnosis. More than half of the patients were on steroid therapy with an average prednisolone dose of 5 mg daily.

    CONCLUSION: Although the study population and data were limited, this study illustrates the spectrum of TB infections in RA patients receiving biologics and potential risk factors associated with biologics therapy in Malaysia.

  19. Fulltext LC-MS/MS-QTOF dataset of compounds detected in kelulut honey of the stingless bees, Heterotrigona itama and Tetrigona binghami from Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
    Ismail CMKH, Khong NMH, Ahmad A, Mokhtar KI, Lestari W, Mustafa Alahmad BE, et al.
    Data Brief, 2023 Aug;49:109409.
    PMID: 37520655 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.109409
    Honey is a sustainable nutritious substance which has been incorporated into the human diet since ancient times for its health and remedial benefits. Stingless bee honey or kelulut honey (KH) is well-known in Malaysia and has received high demand in the market due to its distinctive unique flavour. Its composition, colour, and flavour are majorly affected by the geographical location, floral source, climate, as well as the bee species. This data article presents the nontargeted metabolite profiling of the extracts of KH of Heterotrigona itama and Tetrigona binghami bee species. The KH was collected from three nests in Kuantan, Pahang, which is situated in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The extracts were prepared using sugaring-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SULLE) method and the Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight, operated in the negative ion mode, was used to identify compounds in the extracts. The data processing revealed the presence of 35 known compounds in the KH1 extract by Heterotrigona itama collected from Bukit Kuin, 38 compounds in the KH2 extract by H. itama collected from Indera Mahkota, whilst 50 known compounds were present in KH3 extract by Tetrigona binghami species from Indera Mahkota. This data article contains the m/z values, retention times, and the METLIN database search hit identities of the compounds and their respective classes.
  20. An ensemble docking-based virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation of phytochemical compounds from Malaysian Kelulut Honey (KH) against SARS-CoV-2 target enzyme, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2)
    Ismail CMKH, Abdul Hamid AA, Abdul Rashid NN, Lestari W, Mokhtar KI, Mustafa Alahmad BE, et al.
    J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2024 Jan 27.
    PMID: 38279932 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2308762
    The human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor is a metalloenzyme that plays an important role in regulating blood pressure by modulating angiotensin II. This receptor facilitates SARS-CoV-2 entry into human cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis, causing the global COVID-19 pandemic and a major health crisis. Kelulut honey (KH), one of Malaysian honey recently gained attention for its distinct flavour and taste while having many nutritional and medicinal properties. Recent study demonstrates the antiviral potential of KH against SARS-CoV-2 by inhibiting ACE-2 in vitro, but the bioactive compound pertaining to the ACE-2 inhibition is yet unknown. An ensemble docking-based virtual screening was employed to screen the phytochemical compounds from KH with high binding affinity against the 10 best representative structures of ACE-2 that mostly formed from MD simulation. From 110 phytochemicals previously identified in KH, 27 compounds passed the ADMET analysis and proceeded to docking. Among the docked compound, SDC and FMN consistently exhibited strong binding to ACE-2's active site (-9.719 and -9.473 kcal/mol) and allosteric site (-7.305 and -7.464 kcal/mol) as compared to potent ACE-2 inhibitor, MLN 4760. Detailed trajectory analysis of MD simulation showed stable binding interaction towards active and allosteric sites of ACE-2. KH's compounds show promise in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 binding to ACE-2 receptors, indicating potential for preventive use or as a supplement to other COVID-19 treatments. Additional research is needed to confirm KH's antiviral effects and its role in SARS-CoV-2 therapy, including prophylaxis and adjuvant treatment with vaccination.
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