Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 216 in total

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  1. Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) Umbricola, new species, a probable vector of scrub typhus in Peninsular Malaysia
    Nadchatram M, Dohany AL
    Jpn. J. Med. Sci. Biol., 1980 Oct;33(5):277-82.
    PMID: 7300039
    Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) umbricola, described here as a new species, is a member of the L. (L.) deliense group and most closely resembles L. (L.) vivericola. L. (L.) umbricola was collected from the ground surface and from animal hosts, in similar habitats to the scrub typhus vector, L. (L.) deliense. The host and habitat distribution records and the Rickettsia tsutsugamushi infection rates within unengorged specimens suggest that L. (L.) umbricola may be an important vector of scrub typhus in Peninsular Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds
  2. Fulltext The effects of restoring logged tropical forests on avian phylogenetic and functional diversity
    Cosset CCP, Edwards DP
    Ecol Appl, 2017 09;27(6):1932-1945.
    PMID: 28543995 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1578
    Selective logging is the most prevalent land-use change in the tropics. Despite the resulting degradation of forest structure, selectively logged forests still harbor a substantial amount of biodiversity leading to suggestions that their protection is the next best alternative to conserving primary, old-growth forests. Restoring carbon stocks under Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) schemes is a potential method for obtaining funding to protect logged forests, via enrichment planting and liberation cutting of vines. This study investigates the impacts of restoring logged forests in Borneo on avian phylogenetic diversity, the total evolutionary history shared across all species within a community, and on functional diversity, with important implications for the protection of evolutionarily unique species and the provision of many ecosystem services. Overall and understorey avifaunal communities were studied using point count and mist netting surveys, respectively. Restoration caused a significant loss in phylogenetic diversity and MPD (mean pairwise distance) leaving an overall bird community of less total evolutionary history and more closely related species compared to unlogged forests, while the understorey bird community had MNTD (mean nearest taxon distance) that returned toward the lower levels found in a primary forest, indicating more closely related species pairs. The overall bird community experienced a significant loss of functional strategies and species with more specialized traits in restored forests compared to that of unlogged forests, which led to functional clustering in the community. Restoration also led to a reduction in functional richness and thus niches occupied in the understorey bird community compared to unlogged forests. While there are additional benefits of restoration for forest regeneration, carbon sequestration, future timber harvests, and potentially reduced threat of forest conversion, this must be weighed against the apparent loss of phylogenetic and functional diversity from unlogged forest levels, making the biodiversity-friendliness of carbon sequestration schemes questionable under future REDD+ agreements. To reduce perverse biodiversity outcomes, it is important to focus restoration only on the most degraded areas or at reduced intensity where breaks between regimes are incorporated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds*
  3. Fulltext Emerging infectious diseases: Ministry of Health Practice & Planning
    Fadzilah Hj. Kamaludin
    Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2004;1(2):89-91.
    MyJurnal
    There are disturbing trends of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, globally and locally thus giving it a real cause of concern. These include diseases by agents hitherto unknown in human such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Ebola; those that were purely zoonoses but had now affected man such as bovine spongioform encephalitis (BSE) in United Kingdom and avian influenza in Vietnam and Thailand; those that were thought to be eliminated but reappeared such as plague in India and those that begun to show reverse trends such as tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. Malaysia is no exception. Viral fever EV71, Chinkugunya, Conjunctivitis C24 variant or Nipah encephalitis were local examples of unknown or exotic infectious diseases occurring in recent years. In this age of globalization with expanding air travel and industrial trade, Malaysia is vulnerable to a wide array of new and resurgent infectious diseases. Apart from the direct health consequences on morbidity, mortality and its staggering cost, these infections also have far reaching implications upon sustainable development, psychosocial, economic, political and global security.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds
  4. Fulltext Nesting biology of Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) in oil palm landscape in Carey Island, Peninsular Malaysia
    Ramli R, Fauzi A
    Saudi J Biol Sci, 2018 Mar;25(3):513-519.
    PMID: 29686514 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.01.017
    Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) is a well-known raptor that inhabits open areas such as oil palm plantation or paddy field. To determine preferable habitat and nesting site of Black-shouldered Kite in oil palm landscape, we conducted a study on Black-shouldered Kite's nesting biology in Carey Island, Selangor, Malaysia. We divided the island into six types of habitat and conducted road-side count of Black-shouldered Kite from April 2009 to February 2011. Whenever the Black-shouldered Kite was detected, we thoroughly searched the surrounding area for their nest. In total, we have recorded forty nests. The nests were built on 15 species of trees but most of the trees shared common physical characteristics. Some novice breeders also used oil palm tree as their nesting site. Structure and building materials of nests constructed on oil palm trees were different from nests built on other trees. Of all breeding attempts, only four nests which were located in residential area adjacent to young oil palm habitat were successful. Among important characteristics of successful nesting site include taller trees with strong branches and good leaf coverage. These trees not only protect nests from predator detection (except from other predatory birds) and physical environment but also facilitate Black-shouldered Kite's foraging activities by providing good vantage point.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds
  5. Fulltext Tropical land-use change alters trait-based community assembly rules for dung beetles and birds
    Edwards FA, Edwards DP, Hamer KC, Fayle TM
    Oecologia, 2021 Mar;195(3):705-717.
    PMID: 33559003 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04829-z
    Tropical rainforest disturbance and conversion are critical drivers of biodiversity loss. A key knowledge gap is understanding the impacts of habitat modification on mechanisms of community assembly, which are predicted to respond differently between taxa and across spatial scales. We use a null model approach to detect trait assembly of species at local- and landscape-scales, and then subdivide communities with different habitat associations and foraging guilds to investigate whether the detection of assembly mechanisms varies between groups. We focus on two indicator taxa, dung beetles and birds, across a disturbance gradient of primary rainforest, selectively logged rainforest, and oil palm plantations in Borneo, Southeast Asia. Random community assembly was predominant for dung beetles across habitats, whereas trait convergence, indicative of environmental filtering, occurred across the disturbance gradient for birds. Assembly patterns at the two spatial scales were similar. Subdividing for habitat association and foraging guild revealed patterns hidden when focusing on the overall community. Dung beetle forest specialists and habitat generalists showed opposing assembly mechanisms in primary forest, community assembly of habitat generalists for both taxa differed with disturbance intensity, and insectivorous birds strongly influenced overall community assembly relative to other guilds. Our study reveals the sensitivity of community assembly mechanisms to anthropogenic disturbance via a shift in the relative contribution of stochastic and deterministic processes. This highlights the need for greater understanding of how habitat modification alters species interactions and the importance of incorporating species' traits within assessments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds
  6. Management of a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in an American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
    Abu J, Wünschmann A, Redig PT, Feeney D
    J. Avian Med. Surg., 2009 Mar;23(1):44-8.
    PMID: 19530406
    A 32-year-old female American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) was presented with a squamous cell carcinoma of the middle digit of the right foot. No clinical, hematologic, or radiologic evidence of metastasis was present. Salvage amputation of the digit resulted in complete cure, whereas previous electrosurgery and radiation therapy were unsuccessful. Three years later, another squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in the middle digit of the left foot. The digit was also amputated. Seven months after the second amputation, the bird did not have any recurrence or signs of metastasis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bird Diseases/pathology; Bird Diseases/surgery*; Birds*
  7. Leucocytozoon sabrazesi-first record from the Malayan jungle fowl, Gallus gallus spadiceus
    Chong CH, Dissanaike AS, Fernando MA
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1974 Sep;5(3):455.
    PMID: 4215148
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/parasitology*
  8. Pelecitus galli n. sp. from the Malayan jungle fowl Gallus gallus spadiceus
    Dissanike AS, Fernando MA
    J Helminthol, 1974 Sep;48(3):199-203.
    PMID: 4430828
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/parasitology*
  9. Genetic diversity of avian haemosporidians in Malaysia: cytochrome b lineages of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus (Haemosporida) from Selangor
    Ivanova K, Zehtindjiev P, Mariaux J, Georgiev BB
    Infect Genet Evol, 2015 Apr;31:33-9.
    PMID: 25577987 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.01.004
    The knowledge of the diversity of haemosporidian parasites is of primary importance as their representatives include agents of bird malaria. We investigated the occurrence of Haemoproteus spp. and Plasmodium spp. in bird populations from a single locality in the State of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia, and report on the parasite prevalence of the two genera. A combination of methods (molecular and morphological) was used for detecting these parasites. Seventy-nine bird individuals were caught using mist-nets in July and August 2010 at Gombak Field Station of the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. In total, 23 birds were identified as positive for Haemoproteus or Plasmodium infection and one individual was recognized as carrying mixed infection. The total prevalence of haemosporidians in the collected samples was 30.3%. Infections with parasites of the genus Haemoproteus were predominant compared to those of the genus Plasmodium. In total, 10 new cyt b lineages of Haemoproteus spp. and 3 new cyt b lineages of Plasmodium spp. were recorded in this study. From all recorded haemosporidian lineages (16 in total), 3 were known from previous studies - hCOLL2, hYWT2 and pNILSUN1. Two of them are linked with their corresponding morphospecies - Haemoproteus pallidus (COLL2) and Haemoproteus motacillae (YWT2). The morphological analysis in the present study confirmed the results obtained by the PCR method relative to prevalence, with 25.3% total prevalence of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium parasites. The intensities of infection varied between 0.01% and 19%. Most infections were light, with intensities below 0.1%. The present study is the first molecular survey of the protozoan blood parasites of the order Haemosporida recorded in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/parasitology*
  10. Two new species of Quasithelazia Maplestone, 1932 (Nematoda: Acuariidae) from Malaysia, with an amended diagnosis and review of the genus
    Mutafchiev Y, Mariaux J, Georgiev BB
    Syst Parasitol, 2014 Jun;88(2):103-17.
    PMID: 24832183 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-014-9483-6
    Quazithelazia rostrata n. sp. from Ceyx erithaca (L.) (type-host) and Alcedo euryzona Temminck (Coraciiformes, Alcedinidae) and Q. alata n. sp. from Enicurus ruficapillus Temminck (Passeriformes, Muscicapidae) are described from vicinities of Gombak Biological Station, Selangor, Malaysia; both species are parasitic under the koilin lining of the gizzard. Paratypes of Schistogendra pelargopsis Nandi, De & Majumdar, 1985, a parasite of Pelargopsis capensis (L.) (Alcedinidae) from India, are redescribed and the species is recognised as a junior synonym of the type-species of Quasithelazia, Q. tenuis Maplestone, 1932 (new synonymy), a species originally described from Halcyon smyrnensis (L.) (Alcedinidae) in India. An amended diagnosis of the genus Quasithelazia Maplestone, 1932 is proposed. Currently, this genus includes eight species occurring in the Old World, six of them parasitic in kingfishers (Alcedinidae) and two species parasitic in flycatchers (Muscicapidae). These include, inter alia, Q. halcyoni n. comb. for Viktorocara halcyoni Ryzhikov & Khokhlova, 1964 from Halcyon smyrnensis and H. pileata (Boddaert) in Vietnam and the Russian Far East, Q. microcordonis n. comb. for Rusguniella microcordonis Schmidt & Kuntz, 1971 from Halcyon coromanda major (Temminck & Schlegel) in Taiwan and Q. multipapillata n. comb. for Schistogendra multipapillata Zhang, 1993 from Tarsiger cyanurus (Pallas) (Muscicapidae) in China. Comparative morphological data for Quasithelazia spp. are presented. Schistogendra oligopapillata Zhang & An, 2002 from domestic ducks in China is considered a species incertae sedis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/parasitology*
  11. Fulltext Using metapopulation theory for practical conservation of mangrove endemic birds
    Huang R, Pimm SL, Giri C
    Conserv Biol, 2020 02;34(1):266-275.
    PMID: 31183898 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13364
    As a landscape becomes increasingly fragmented through habitat loss, the individual patches become smaller and more isolated and thus less likely to sustain a local population. Metapopulation theory is appropriate for analyzing fragmented landscapes because it combines empirical landscape features with species-specific information to produce direct information on population extinction risks. This approach contrasts with descriptions of habitat fragments, which provide only indirect information on risk. Combining a spatially explicit metapopulation model with empirical data on endemic species' ranges and maps of habitat cover, we calculated the metapopulation capacity-a measure of a landscape's ability to sustain a metapopulation. Mangroves provide an ideal model landscape because they are of conservation concern and their patch boundaries are easily delineated. For 2000-20015, we calculated global metapopulation capacity for 99 metapopulations of 32 different bird species endemic to mangroves. Northern Australia and Southeast Asia had the highest richness of mangrove endemic birds. The Caribbean, Pacific coast of Central America, Madagascar, Borneo, and isolated patches in Southeast Asia in Myanmar and Malaysia had the highest metapopulation losses. Regions with the highest loss of habitat area were not necessarily those with the highest loss of metapopulation capacity. Often, it was not a matter of how much, but how the habitat was lost. Our method can be used by managers to evaluate and prioritize a landscape for metapopulation persistence.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds
  12. Fulltext A RT-PCR assay for the detection of coronaviruses from four genera
    Xiu L, Binder RA, Alarja NA, Kochek K, Coleman KK, Than ST, et al.
    J Clin Virol, 2020 07;128:104391.
    PMID: 32403008 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2020.104391
    BACKGROUND: During the past two decades, three novel coronaviruses (CoVs) have emerged to cause international human epidemics with severe morbidity. CoVs have also emerged to cause severe epidemics in animals. A better understanding of the natural hosts and genetic diversity of CoVs are needed to help mitigate these threats.

    OBJECTIVE: To design and evaluate a molecular diagnostic tool for detection and identification of all currently recognized and potentially future emergent CoVs from the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily.

    STUDY DESIGN AND RESULTS: We designed a semi-nested, reverse transcription RT-PCR assay based upon 38 published genome sequences of human and animal CoVs. We evaluated this assay with 14 human and animal CoVs and 11 other non-CoV respiratory viruses. Through sequencing the assay's target amplicon, the assay correctly identified each of the CoVs; no cross-reactivity with 11 common respiratory viruses was observed. The limits of detection ranged from 4 to 4 × 102 copies/reaction, depending on the CoV species tested. To assess the assay's clinical performance, we tested a large panel of previously studied specimens: 192 human respiratory specimens from pneumonia patients, 5 clinical specimens from COVID-19 patients, 81 poultry oral secretion specimens, 109 pig slurry specimens, and 31 aerosol samples from a live bird market. The amplicons of all RT-PCR-positive samples were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Our assay performed well with all tested specimens across all sample types.

    CONCLUSIONS: This assay can be used for detection and identification of all previously recognized CoVs, including SARS-CoV-2, and potentially any emergent CoVs in the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily.

    Matched MeSH terms: Birds
  13. Fulltext Identification of the progenitors of Indonesian and Vietnamese avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses from southern China
    Wang J, Vijaykrishna D, Duan L, Bahl J, Zhang JX, Webster RG, et al.
    J Virol, 2008 Apr;82(7):3405-14.
    PMID: 18216109 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.02468-07
    The transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus to Southeast Asian countries triggered the first major outbreak and transmission wave in late 2003, accelerating the pandemic threat to the world. Due to the lack of influenza surveillance prior to these outbreaks, the genetic diversity and the transmission pathways of H5N1 viruses from this period remain undefined. To determine the possible source of the wave 1 H5N1 viruses, we recently conducted further sequencing and analysis of samples collected in live-poultry markets from Guangdong, Hunan, and Yunnan in southern China from 2001 to 2004. Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of 73 H5N1 isolates from this period revealed a greater genetic diversity in southern China than previously reported. Moreover, results show that eight viruses isolated from Yunnan in 2002 and 2003 were most closely related to the clade 1 virus sublineage from Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, while two viruses from Hunan in 2002 and 2003 were most closely related to viruses from Indonesia (clade 2.1). Further phylogenetic analyses of the six internal genes showed that all 10 of those viruses maintained similar phylogenetic relationships as the surface genes. The 10 progenitor viruses were genotype Z and shared high similarity (>/=99%) with their corresponding descendant viruses in most gene segments. These results suggest a direct transmission link for H5N1 viruses between Yunnan and Vietnam and also between Hunan and Indonesia during 2002 and 2003. Poultry trade may be responsible for virus introduction to Vietnam, while the transmission route from Hunan to Indonesia remains unclear.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/epidemiology; Influenza in Birds/virology*
  14. Emergence and predominance of an H5N1 influenza variant in China
    Smith GJ, Fan XH, Wang J, Li KS, Qin K, Zhang JX, et al.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2006 Nov 07;103(45):16936-41.
    PMID: 17075062
    The development of highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses in poultry in Eurasia accompanied with the increase in human infection in 2006 suggests that the virus has not been effectively contained and that the pandemic threat persists. Updated virological and epidemiological findings from our market surveillance in southern China demonstrate that H5N1 influenza viruses continued to be panzootic in different types of poultry. Genetic and antigenic analyses revealed the emergence and predominance of a previously uncharacterized H5N1 virus sublineage (Fujian-like) in poultry since late 2005. Viruses from this sublineage gradually replaced those multiple regional distinct sublineages and caused recent human infection in China. These viruses have already transmitted to Hong Kong, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand, resulting in a new transmission and outbreak wave in Southeast Asia. Serological studies suggest that H5N1 seroconversion in market poultry is low and that vaccination may have facilitated the selection of the Fujian-like sublineage. The predominance of this virus over a large geographical region within a short period directly challenges current disease control measures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/epidemiology; Influenza in Birds/virology
  15. Fulltext Cloning and expression of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus full-length nonstructural gene in Pichia pastoris
    Abubakar MB, Aini I, Omar AR, Hair-Bejo M
    J Biomed Biotechnol, 2011;2011:414198.
    PMID: 21541235 DOI: 10.1155/2011/414198
    Avian influenza (AI) is a highly contagious and rapidly evolving pathogen of major concern to the poultry industry and human health. Rapid and accurate detection of avian influenza virus is a necessary tool for control of outbreaks and surveillance. The AI virus A/Chicken/Malaysia/5858/2004 (H5N1) was used as a template to produce DNA clones of the full-length NS1 genes via reverse transcriptase synthesis of cDNA by PCR amplification of the NS1 region. Products were cloned into pCR2.0 TOPO TA plasmid and subsequently subcloned into pPICZαA vector to construct a recombinant plasmid. Recombinant plasmid designated as pPICZαA-NS1 gene was confirmed by PCR colony screening, restriction enzyme digestion, and nucleotide sequence analysis. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 strain by electroporation, and expressed protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. A recombinant protein of approximately ~28 kDa was produced. The expressed protein was able to bind a rabbit polyclonal antibody of nonstructural protein (NS1) avian influenza virus H5N1. The result of the western blotting and solid-phase ELISA assay using H5N1 antibody indicated that the recombinant protein produced retained its antigenicity. This further indicates that Pichia pastoris could be an efficient expression system for a avian influenza virus nonstructural (NS1).
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/virology*
  16. The value of rehabilitating logged rainforest for birds
    Edwards DP, Ansell FA, Ahmad AH, Nilus R, Hamer KC
    Conserv Biol, 2009 Dec;23(6):1628-33.
    PMID: 19775274 DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01330.x
    The recent advent of carbon crediting has led to a rapid rise in biosequestration projects that seek to remove carbon from the atmosphere through afforestation and forest rehabilitation. Such projects also present an important potential opportunity to reverse biodiversity losses resulting from deforestation and forest degradation, but the biodiversity benefits of different forms of biosequestration have not been considered adequately. We captured birds in mist nets to examine the effects of rehabilitation of logged forest on birds in Sabah, Borneo, and to test the hypothesis that rehabilitation restores avian assemblages within regenerating forest to a condition closer to that seen in unlogged forest. Species richness and diversity were similar in unlogged and rehabilitated forest, but significantly lower in naturally regenerating forest. Rehabilitation resulted in a relatively rapid recovery of populations of insectivores within logged forest, especially those species that forage by sallying, but had a marked adverse effect on frugivores and possibly reduced the overall abundance of birds within regenerating forest. In view of these results, we advocate increased management for heterogeneity within rehabilitated forests, but we strongly urge an increased role for forest rehabilitation in the design and implementation of a biodiversity-friendly carbon-offsetting market.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/physiology*
  17. Fulltext Ecological impacts of tropical forest fragmentation: how consistent are patterns in species richness and nestedness?
    Hill JK, Gray MA, Khen CV, Benedick S, Tawatao N, Hamer KC
    Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 2011 Nov 27;366(1582):3265-76.
    PMID: 22006967 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0050
    Large areas of tropical forest now exist as remnants scattered across agricultural landscapes, and so understanding the impacts of forest fragmentation is important for biodiversity conservation. We examined species richness and nestedness among tropical forest remnants in birds (meta-analysis of published studies) and insects (field data for fruit-feeding Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and ants). Species-area relationships were evident in all four taxa, and avian and insect assemblages in remnants typically were nested subsets of those in larger areas. Avian carnivores and nectarivores and predatory ants were more nested than other guilds, implying that the sequential loss of species was more predictable in these groups, and that fragmentation alters the trophic organization of communities. For butterflies, the ordering of fragments to achieve maximum nestedness was by fragment area, suggesting that differences among fragments were driven mainly by extinction. In contrast for moths, maximum nestedness was achieved by ordering species by wing length; species with longer wings (implying better dispersal) were more likely to occur at all sites, including low diversity sites, suggesting that differences among fragments were driven more strongly by colonization. Although all four taxa exhibited high levels of nestedness, patterns of species turnover were also idiosyncratic, and thus even species-poor sites contributed to landscape-scale biodiversity, particularly for insects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/physiology*
  18. Fulltext Shifting baselines on a tropical forest frontier: extirpations drive declines in local ecological knowledge
    Kai Z, Woan TS, Jie L, Goodale E, Kitajima K, Bagchi R, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(1):e86598.
    PMID: 24466163 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086598
    The value of local ecological knowledge (LEK) to conservation is increasingly recognised, but LEK is being rapidly lost as indigenous livelihoods change. Biodiversity loss is also a driver of the loss of LEK, but quantitative study is lacking. In our study landscape in SW China, a large proportion of species have been extirpated. Hence, we were interested to understand whether species extirpation might have led to an erosion of LEK and the implications this might have for conservation. So we investigated peoples' ability to name a selection of birds and mammals in their local language from pictures. Age was correlated to frequency of forest visits as a teenager and is likely to be closely correlated to other known drivers of the loss of LEK, such as declining forest dependence. We found men were better at identifying birds overall and that older people were better able to identify birds to the species as compared to group levels (approximately equivalent to genus). The effect of age was also stronger among women. However, after controlling for these factors, species abundance was by far the most important parameter in determining peoples' ability to name birds. People were unable to name any locally extirpated birds at the species level. However, contrary to expectations, people were better able to identify extirpated mammals at the species level than extant ones. However, extirpated mammals tend to be more charismatic species and several respondents indicated they were only familiar with them through TV documentaries. Younger people today cannot experience the sights and sounds of forest animals that their parents grew up with and, consequently, knowledge of these species is passing from cultural memory. We suggest that engaging older members of the community and linking the preservation of LEK to biodiversity conservation may help generate support for conservation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds
  19. DNA vaccine encoding avian influenza virus H5 and Esat-6 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis improved antibody responses against AIV in chickens
    Oveissi S, Omar AR, Yusoff K, Jahanshiri F, Hassan SS
    Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 2010 Dec;33(6):491-503.
    PMID: 19781778 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2009.08.004
    The H5 gene of avian influenza virus (AIV) strain A/chicken/Malaysia/5744/2004(H5N1) was cloned into pcDNA3.1 vector, and Esat-6 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was fused into downstream of the H5 gene as a genetic adjuvant for DNA vaccine candidates. The antibody level against AIV was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Sera obtained from specific-pathogen-free chickens immunized with pcDNA3.1/H5 and pcDNA3.1/H5/Esat-6 demonstrated antibody responses as early as 2 weeks after the first immunization. Furthermore, the overall HI antibody titer in chickens immunized with pcDNA3.1/H5/Esat-6 was higher compared to the chickens immunized with pcDNA3.1/H5 (p<0.05). The results suggested that Esat-6 gene of M. tuberculosis is a potential genetic adjuvant for the development of effective H5 DNA vaccine in chickens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/immunology*; Influenza in Birds/prevention & control
  20. Detection of H5, H7 and H9 subtypes of avian influenza viruses by multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction
    Chaharaein B, Omar AR, Aini I, Yusoff K, Hassan SS
    Microbiol Res, 2009;164(2):174-9.
    PMID: 17336046
    Subtype-specific multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed to simultaneously detect three subtypes (H5, H7 and H9) of avian influenza virus (AIV) type A. The sensitivity of the multiplex RT-PCR was evaluated and compared to that of RT-PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and conventional RT-PCR. While the sensitivity of the multiplex RT-PCR is as sensitive as the conventional RT-PCR, it is 10 times less sensitive than RT-PCR-ELISA. The multiplex RT-PCR is also as sensitive as the virus isolation method in detecting H9N2 from tracheal samples collected at day 3 and 5 post inoculation. Hence, the developed multiplex RT-PCR assay is a rapid, sensitive and specific assay for detecting of AIV subtypes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds; Influenza in Birds/diagnosis; Influenza in Birds/virology*
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