Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 4448 in total

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  1. The role of alternative salt bridges in cold adaptation of a novel psychrophilic laminarinase
    Parvizpour S, Razmara J, Shamsir MS, Illias RM, Abdul Murad AM
    J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2017 06;35(8):1685-1692.
    PMID: 27206405 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2016.1191043
    Matched MeSH terms: Cellulases/physiology
  2. Unravelling the adaptation strategies employed by Glaciozyma antarctica PI12 on Antarctic sea ice
    Bharudin I, Abu Bakar MF, Hashim NHF, Mat Isa MN, Alias H, Firdaus-Raih M, et al.
    Mar Environ Res, 2018 Jun;137:169-176.
    PMID: 29598997 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.03.007
    Glaciozyma antarctica PI12, is a psychrophilic yeast isolated from Antarctic sea. In this work, Expressed Sequence Tags (EST) from cells exposed to three different temperatures; 15 °C, 0 °C and -12 °C were generated to identify genes associated with cold adaptation. A total of 5376 clones from each library were randomly picked and sequenced. Comparative analyses from the resulting ESTs in each condition identified several groups of genes required for cold adaptation. Additionally, 319 unique transcripts that encoded uncharacterised functions were identified in the -12 °C library and are currently unique to G. antarctica. Gene expression analysis using RT-qPCR revealed two of the unknown genes to be up-regulated at -12 °C compared to 0 °C and 15 °C. These findings further contribute to the collective knowledge into G. antarctica cold adaptation and as a resource for understanding the ecological and physiological tolerance of psychrophilic microbes in general.
    Matched MeSH terms: Basidiomycota/physiology*
  3. Fulltext Physiological and growth responses of six turfgrass species relative to salinity tolerance
    Uddin K, Juraimi AS, Ismail MR, Hossain A, Othman R, Abdul Rahim A
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2012;2012:905468.
    PMID: 22666166 DOI: 10.1100/2012/905468
    The demand for salinity-tolerant turfgrasses is increasing due to augmented use of effluent or low-quality water (sea water) for turf irrigation and the growing turfgrass industry in coastal areas. Experimental plants, grown in plastic pots filled with a mixture of river sand and KOSAS(R) peat (9 : 1), were irrigated with sea water at different dilutions imparting salinity levels of 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, or 48 dS m⁻¹. Salinity tolerance was evaluated on the basis of leaf firing, shoot and root growth reduction, proline content, and relative water content. Paspalum vaginatum was found to be most salt tolerant followed by Zoysia japonica and Zoysia matrella, while Digitaria didactyla, Cynodon dactylon "Tifdwarf," and Cynodon dactylon "Satiri" were moderately tolerant. The results indicate the importance of turfgrass varietal selection for saline environments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Poaceae/physiology*
  4. Inoculation of Bacillus sphaericus UPMB-10 to young oil palm and measurement of its uptake of fixed nitrogen using the ¹⁵N isotope dilution technique
    Zakry FA, Shamsuddin ZH, Abdul Rahim K, Zawawi Zakaria Z, Abdul Rahim A
    Microbes Environ, 2012;27(3):257-62.
    PMID: 22446306
    There are increasing applications of diazotrophic rhizobacteria in the sustainable agriculture system. A field experiment on young immature oil palm was conducted to quantify the uptake of N derived from N₂ fixation by the diazotroph Bacillus sphaericus strain UPMB-10, using the ¹⁵N isotope dilution method. Eight months after ¹⁵N application, young immature oil palms that received 67% of standard N fertilizer application together with B. sphaericus inoculation had significantly lower ¹⁵N enrichment than uninoculated palms that received similar N fertilizers. The dilution of labeled N served as a marker for the occurrence of biological N₂ fixation. The proportion of N uptake that was derived from the atmosphere was estimated as 63% on the whole plant basis. The inoculation process increased the N and dry matter yields of the palm leaflets and rachis significantly. Field planting of young, immature oil palm in soil inoculated with B. sphaericus UPMB-10 might mitigate inorganic fertilizer-N application through supplementation by biological nitrogen fixation. This could be a new and important source of nitrogen biofertilizer in the early phase of oil palm cultivation in the field.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacillus/physiology
  5. Fulltext Engineering integrative vectors based on phage site-specific recombination mechanism for Lactococcus lactis
    Koko I, Song AA, Masarudin MJ, Abdul Rahim R
    BMC Biotechnol, 2019 11 27;19(1):82.
    PMID: 31775775 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-019-0575-x
    BACKGROUND: Site-specific integration system allows foreign DNA to be integrated into the specific site of the host genome, enabling stable expression of heterologous protein. In this study, integrative vectors for secretion and surface display of proteins were constructed based on a lactococcal phage TP901-1 integrating system.

    RESULTS: The constructed integration system comprises of a lactococcal promoter (PnisA or P170), phage attachment site (attP) from bacteriophage TP901-1, a signal peptide (USP45 or SPK1) for translocation of the target protein, and a PrtP344 anchor domain in the case of the integrative vectors for surface display. There were eight successfully constructed integrative vectors with each having a different combination of promoter and signal peptide; pS1, pS2, pS3 and pS4 for secretion, and pSD1, pSD2, pSD3 and pSD4 for surface display of desired protein. The integration of the vectors into the host genome was assisted by a helper vector harbouring the integrase gene. A nuclease gene was used as a reporter and was successfully integrated into the L. lactis genome and Nuc was secreted or displayed as expected. The signal peptide SPK1 was observed to be superior to USP45-LEISSTCDA fusion in the secretion of Nuc. As for the surface display integrative vector, all systems developed were comparable with the exception of the combination of P170 promoter with USP45 signal peptide which gave very low signals in whole cell ELISA.

    CONCLUSION: The engineered synthetic integrative vectors have the potential to be used for secretion or surface display of heterologous protein production in lactococcal expression system for research or industrial purposes, especially in live vaccine delivery.

    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteriophages/physiology*; Genetic Vectors/physiology
  6. Organotypic culture of human amnion cells in air-liquid interface as a potential substitute for skin regeneration
    Fatimah SS, Chua K, Tan GC, Azmi TI, Tan AE, Abdul Rahman H
    Cytotherapy, 2013 Aug;15(8):1030-41.
    PMID: 23830235 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2013.05.003
    The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of air-liquid interface on the differentiation potential of human amnion epithelial cells (HAECs) to skin-like substitute in organotypic culture.
    Matched MeSH terms: Regeneration/physiology*
  7. Augmentation of angiogenic and endothelial associated gene expression by EDM50 in human chorion-derived stem cells
    Manzor NF, Chua KH, Tan GC, Tan AE, Abdul Rahman H
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:11-2.
    PMID: 19024960
    The objective of this study was to investigate the angiogenic potential of human chorion-derived stem cells (CDSC) cultured in medium containing bFGF and VEGF (EDM50). Total RNA was extracted from cells cultured in FD+10% FBS and EDM50. Quantitative RT-PCR was carried out to score the differential mRNA expression of genes involve in angiogenesis and endothelial differentiation. Our finding demonstrated that all angiogenic and endothelial associated genes were expressed higher in EDM50. Expression level of ANG-1, eNOS and VEGFR2 were significantly higher in EDM50 compared to FD+10% FBS. Our results suggested that human CDSC cultured in EDM50 can be used for angiogenesis purpose in regenerative medicine.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endothelium/physiology*; Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology
  8. Fulltext Neural correlates of eye contact in face-to-face verbal interaction: An EEG-based study of the extraversion personality trait
    Roslan NS, Izhar LI, Faye I, Amin HU, Mohamad Saad MN, Sivapalan S, et al.
    PLoS One, 2019;14(7):e0219839.
    PMID: 31344061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219839
    The extraversion personality trait has a positive correlation with social interaction. In neuroimaging studies, investigations on extraversion in face-to-face verbal interactions are still scarce. This study presents an electroencephalography (EEG)-based investigation of the extraversion personality trait in relation to eye contact during face-to-face interactions, as this is a vital signal in social interactions. A sample of healthy male participants were selected (consisting of sixteen more extraverted and sixteen less extraverted individuals) and evaluated with the Eysenck's Personality Inventory (EPI) and Big Five Inventory (BFI) tools. EEG alpha oscillations in the occipital region were measured to investigate extraversion personality trait correlates of eye contact during a face-to-face interaction task and an eyes-open condition. The results revealed that the extraversion personality trait has a significant positive correlation with EEG alpha coherence in the occipital region, presumably due to its relationship with eye contact during the interaction task. Furthermore, the decrease in EEG alpha power during the interaction task compared to the eyes-open condition was found to be greater in the less extraverted participants; however, no significant difference was observed between the less and more extraverted participants. Overall, these findings encourage further research towards the understanding of neural mechanism correlates of the extraversion personality trait-particularly in social interaction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Occipital Lobe/physiology*
  9. Fulltext First report of pathogenic Leptospira spp. isolated from urine and kidneys of naturally infected cats
    Alashraf AR, Lau SF, Khairani-Bejo S, Khor KH, Ajat M, Radzi R, et al.
    PLoS One, 2020;15(3):e0230048.
    PMID: 32155209 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230048
    Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases and can infect both humans and animals worldwide. Healthy cat, as a potential source of exposure to humans, are likely underestimated owing to the lack of overt clinical signs associated with Leptospira spp. infection in this species. The aim of the study was to determine the exposure, shedding, and carrier status of leptospires in shelter cats in Malaysia by using serological, molecular, and bacteriological methods. For this study, 82 healthy cats from two shelters were sampled. The blood, urine, and kidneys were tested using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and bacterial culture. On the basis of serological, molecular, and/or culture techniques, the total detection of leptospiral infection was 29.3% (n = 24/82). Through culture techniques, 16.7% (n = 4/24) of the cats that tested positive were carriers with positive kidney cultures, and one cat was culture positive for both urine and kidney. The Leptospira spp. isolates were identified as pathogenic L. interrogans serovar Bataviae through serological and molecular methods. Through serological techniques, 87.5% (n = 21/24) had positive antibody titers (100-1600) and most of the Bataviae serogroup (n = 19/21). Using PCR, 16.7% (n = 4/24) of cats were shown to have pathogenic Leptospira spp. DNA in their urine. Furthermore, three out of four culture positive cats were serology negative. The present study reports the first retrieval of pathogenic leptospires from urine and kidneys obtained from naturally infected cats. The results provide evidence of the potential role of naturally infected cats in the transmission of leptospires. Additionally, leptospiral infection occurs sub-clinically in cats. The culture isolation provides evidence that healthy cats could be reservoirs of leptospiral infection, and this information may promote the development of disease prevention strategies for the cat population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Leptospira/physiology*
  10. Fulltext SA-Mediated Regulation and Control of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Rice
    Nadarajah K, Abdul Hamid NW, Abdul Rahman NSN
    Int J Mol Sci, 2021 May 25;22(11).
    PMID: 34070465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115591
    Environmental or abiotic stresses are a common threat that remains a constant and common challenge to all plants. These threats whether singular or in combination can have devastating effects on plants. As a semiaquatic plant, rice succumbs to the same threats. Here we systematically look into the involvement of salicylic acid (SA) in the regulation of abiotic stress in rice. Studies have shown that the level of endogenous salicylic acid (SA) is high in rice compared to any other plant species. The reason behind this elevated level and the contribution of this molecule towards abiotic stress management and other underlying mechanisms remains poorly understood in rice. In this review we will address various abiotic stresses that affect the biochemistry and physiology of rice and the role played by SA in its regulation. Further, this review will elucidate the potential mechanisms that control SA-mediated stress tolerance in rice, leading to future prospects and direction for investigation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Stress, Physiological/physiology*; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/physiology*; Heat-Shock Response/physiology; MAP Kinase Signaling System/physiology; Cold-Shock Response/physiology
  11. Fulltext Toxic effect of high concentration of sonochemically synthesized polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver nanoparticles on Citrobacter sp. A1 and Enterococcus sp. C1
    Lau CP, Abdul-Wahab MF, Jaafar J, Chan GF, Abdul Rashid NA
    J Microbiol Immunol Infect, 2017 Aug;50(4):427-434.
    PMID: 26427880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2015.08.004
    BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Currently, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained importance in various industrial applications. However, their impact upon release into the environment on microorganisms remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone-capped AgNPs synthesized in this laboratory on two bacterial strains isolated from the environment, Gram-negative Citrobacter sp. A1 and Gram-positive Enterococcus sp. C1.

    METHODS: Polyvinylpyrrolidone-capped AgNPs were synthesized by ultrasound-assisted chemical reduction. Characterization of the AgNPs involved UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Citrobacter sp. A1 and Enterococcus sp. C1 were exposed to varying concentrations of AgNPs, and cell viability was determined. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to evaluate the morphological alteration of both species upon exposure to AgNPs at 1000 mg/L.

    RESULTS: The synthesized AgNPs were spherical in shape, with an average particle size of 15 nm. The AgNPs had different but prominent effects on either Citrobacter sp. A1 or Enterococcus sp. C1. At an AgNP concentration of 1000 mg/L, Citrobacter sp. A1 retained viability for 6 hours, while Enterococcus sp. C1 retained viability only for 3 hours. Citrobacter sp. A1 appeared to be more resistant to AgNPs than Enterococcus sp. C1. The cell wall of both strains was found to be morphologically altered at that concentration.

    CONCLUSION: Minute and spherical AgNPs significantly affected the viability of the two bacterial strains selected from the environment. Enterococcus sp. C1 was more vulnerable to AgNPs, probably due to its cell wall architecture and the absence of silver resistance-related genes.

    Matched MeSH terms: Citrobacter/physiology; Enterococcus/physiology
  12. Fulltext Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Ethnicity Are Independent Factors Associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
    Lim J, Bhoo-Pathy N, Sothilingam S, Malek R, Sundram M, Tan GH, et al.
    PLoS One, 2015;10(6):e0130820.
    PMID: 26098884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130820
    To determine the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) profile and factors affecting its degree of severity including cardiovascular risk profile, age, ethnicity, education level and prostate volume in a multiethnic Asian setting.
    Matched MeSH terms: Urination/physiology
  13. Fishmeal replacement with Spirulina Platensis and Chlorella vulgaris in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) diet: Effect on antioxidant enzyme activities and haematological parameters
    Raji AA, Alaba PA, Yusuf H, Abu Bakar NH, Mohd Taufek N, Muin H, et al.
    Res Vet Sci, 2018 Aug;119:67-75.
    PMID: 29864632 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.05.013
    This study explored fishmeal replacement with two freshwater microalgae: Spirulina Platensis and Chlorella vulgaris in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) diet. The effect of inclusion of the two microalgae on biomarkers of oxidative stress, haematological parameters, enzyme activities and growth performance were investigated. The juvenile fish were given 3 distinct treatments with isonitrogenous (35.01-36.57%) and isoenergetic (417.24-422.27 Kcal 100 g-1) diets containing 50% S. platensis (50SP), 75% S. platensis (75SP), 50% C. vulgaris (50CL), 75% C. vulgaris (75CL) and 100% fishmeal (100% FM) was used as the control diet. The result shows that all the diets substituted with both S. platensis, and C. vulgaris boosted the growth performance based on specific growth rate (SGR) and body weight gain (BDWG) when compared with the control diet. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) was significantly influenced by all the supplementations. The haematological analysis of the fish shows a significant increase in the value of red and white blood cells upon supplementation with 50SP and 50CL but decrease slightly when increased to 75SP and 75CL. Furthermore, the value of haematocrit and haemoglobin also increased upon supplementation with 50SP and 50CL but decrease slightly when increased to 75SP and 75CL. The white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) increased, while total cholesterol (TCL), and Plasma glucose levels decreased significantly upon supplementation of algae. This is a clear indication that S. platensis and C. vulgaris are a promising replacement for fishmeal, which is a source protein in the C. gariepinus diet.
    Matched MeSH terms: Chlorella vulgaris/physiology*; Spirulina/physiology*
  14. Mechanomyography and muscle function assessment: a review of current state and prospects
    Ibitoye MO, Hamzaid NA, Zuniga JM, Abdul Wahab AK
    Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), 2014 Jun;29(6):691-704.
    PMID: 24856875 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2014.04.003
    Previous studies have explored to saturation the efficacy of the conventional signal (such as electromyogram) for muscle function assessment and found its clinical impact limited. Increasing demand for reliable muscle function assessment modalities continues to prompt further investigation into other complementary alternatives. Application of mechanomyographic signal to quantify muscle performance has been proposed due to its inherent mechanical nature and ability to assess muscle function non-invasively while preserving muscular neurophysiologic information. Mechanomyogram is gaining accelerated applications in evaluating the properties of muscle under voluntary and evoked muscle contraction with prospects in clinical practices. As a complementary modality and the mechanical counterpart to electromyogram; mechanomyogram has gained significant acceptance in analysis of isometric and dynamic muscle actions. Substantial studies have also documented the effectiveness of mechanomyographic signal to assess muscle performance but none involved comprehensive appraisal of the state of the art applications with highlights on the future prospect and potential integration into the clinical practices. Motivated by the dearth of such critical review, we assessed the literature to investigate its principle of acquisition, current applications, challenges and future directions. Based on our findings, the importance of rigorous scientific and clinical validation of the signal is highlighted. It is also evident that as a robust complement to electromyogram, mechanomyographic signal may possess unprecedented potentials and further investigation will be enlightening.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena/physiology; Muscle Contraction/physiology*; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology*
  15. Modeling the effects of medial olivocochlear efferent stimulation at the level of the inferior colliculus
    Kwan TJM, Zilany MSA, Davies-Venn E, Abdul Wahab AK
    Exp Brain Res, 2019 Jun;237(6):1479-1491.
    PMID: 30903206 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-019-05511-4
    Various studies on medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferents have implicated it in multiple roles in the auditory system (e.g., dynamic range adaptation, masking reduction, and selective attention). This study presents a systematic simulation of inferior colliculus (IC) responses with and without electrical stimulation of the MOC. Phenomenological models of the responses of auditory nerve (AN) fibers and IC neurons were used to this end. The simulated responses were highly consistent with physiological data (replicated 3 of the 4 known rate-level responses all MOC effects-shifts, high stimulus level reduction and enhancement). Complex MOC efferent effects which were previously thought to require integration from different characteristic frequency (CF) neurons were simulated using the same frequency inhibition excitation circuitry. MOC-induced enhancing effects were found only in neurons with a CF range from 750 Hz to 2 kHz. This limited effect is indicative of the role of MOC activation on the AN responses at the stimulus offset.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cochlea/physiology*; Cochlear Nerve/physiology*; Efferent Pathways/physiology*; Inferior Colliculi/physiology*; Superior Olivary Complex/physiology*
  16. Magnoflorine Enhances LPS-Activated Pro-Inflammatory Responses via MyD88-Dependent Pathways in U937 Macrophages
    Haque MA, Jantan I, Harikrishnan H, Abdul Wahab SM
    Planta Med, 2018 Nov;84(17):1255-1264.
    PMID: 29906814 DOI: 10.1055/a-0637-9936
    Magnoflorine, a major bioactive metabolite isolated from Tinospora crispa, has been reported for its diverse biochemical and pharmacological properties. However, there is little report on its underlying mechanisms of action on immune responses, particularly on macrophage activation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of magnoflorine, isolated from T. crispa on the pro-inflammatory mediators generation induced by LPS and the concomitant NF-κB, MAPKs, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways in U937 macrophages. Differentiated U937 macrophages were treated with magnoflorine and the release of pro-inflammatory mediators was evaluated through ELISA, while the relative mRNA expression of the respective mediators was quantified through qRT-PCR. Correspondingly, western blotting was executed to observe the modulatory effects of magnoflorine on the expression of various markers related to NF-κB, MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling activation in LPS-primed U937 macrophages. Magnoflorine significantly enhanced the upregulation of TNF-α, IL-1β, and PGE2 production as well as COX-2 protein expression. Successively, magnoflorine prompted the mRNA transcription level of these pro-inflammatory mediators. Magnoflorine enhanced the NF-κB activation by prompting p65, IκBα, and IKKα/β phosphorylation as well as IκBα degradation. Besides, magnoflorine treatments concentration-dependently augmented the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, and p38 MAPKs as well as Akt. The immunoaugmenting effects were further confirmed by investigating the effects of magnoflorine on specific inhibitors, where the treatment with specific inhibitors of NF-κB, MAPKs, and PI3K-Akt proficiently blocked the magnoflorine-triggered TNF-α release and COX-2 expression. Magnoflorine furthermore enhanced the MyD88 and TLR4 upregulation. The results suggest that magnoflorine has high potential on augmenting immune responses.
    Matched MeSH terms: U937 Cells/physiology
  17. The influence of type of visual image and gender on the perception of horizontality: a subjective visual horizontal (SVH) study
    Zakaria MN, Tahir A, Zainun Z, Salim R, Mohd Sakeri NS, Abdul Wahat NH
    Acta Otolaryngol, 2021 Jan;141(1):62-65.
    PMID: 32957810 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2020.1817552
    BACKGROUND: The graviceptive otolith function can be measured using subjective visual horizontal (SVH) testing. Nevertheless, more research efforts are required to understand the essential variables affecting SVH.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of type of visual image and gender on subjective visual horizontal (SVH) perception among healthy adults.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this comparative study, 50 healthy young adults were enrolled. While in an upright body position, they were required to report their perception of horizontality for two types of visual images (solid line and arrow pattern) using a computerized SVH device.

    RESULTS: The arrow pattern produced significantly bigger SVH angles than the solid line (p < .001). In contrast, no significant influence of gender was found on SVH results (p = .743), Based on the statistical outcomes, the preliminary normative data for SVH were established.

    CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The arrow pattern (a more complex visual image) produced bigger SVH deviations than the simple solid line image. In contrast, the horizontality perception does not appear to be affected by gender. The preliminary normative SVH data gathered from the present study can be beneficial for clinical and future research applications.

    Matched MeSH terms: Space Perception/physiology*; Visual Perception/physiology*
  18. Fulltext Phosphorylated and Nonphosphorylated PfMAP2 Are Localized in the Nucleus, Dependent on the Stage of Plasmodium falciparum Asexual Maturation
    Dahalan FA, Sidek HM, Murtey MD, Embi MN, Ibrahim J, Fei Tieng L, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2016;2016:1645097.
    PMID: 27525262 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1645097
    Plasmodium falciparum mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, a family of enzymes central to signal transduction processes including inflammatory responses, are a promising target for antimalarial drug development. Our study shows for the first time that the P. falciparum specific MAP kinase 2 (PfMAP2) is colocalized in the nucleus of all of the asexual erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum and is particularly elevated in its phosphorylated form. It was also discovered that PfMAP2 is expressed in its highest quantity during the early trophozoite (ring form) stage and significantly reduced in the mature trophozoite and schizont stages. Although the phosphorylated form of the kinase is always more prevalent, its ratio relative to the nonphosphorylated form remained constant irrespective of the parasites' developmental stage. We have also shown that the TSH motif specifically renders PfMAP2 genetically divergent from the other plasmodial MAP kinase activation sites using Neighbour Joining analysis. Furthermore, TSH motif-specific designed antibody is crucial in determining the location of the expression of the PfMAP2 protein. However, by using immunoelectron microscopy, PPfMAP2 were detected ubiquitously in the parasitized erythrocytes. In summary, PfMAP2 may play a far more important role than previously thought and is a worthy candidate for research as an antimalarial.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Proteins/physiology
  19. Feeding behavior of Mimomyia (Etorleptiomyia) luzonensis (Ludlow, 1905) (Diptera, Culicidae) in Peninsular Malaysia
    Braima KA, Muslimin M, M Ghazali AR, Wan-Nor F, Wilson JJ, Jeffery J, et al.
    Acta Trop, 2017 Jul;171:138-140.
    PMID: 28359829 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.03.025
    Mosquitoes are vectors of various human diseases in the tropics including yellow fever, dengue, malaria and West Nile virus. Mosquitoes can act as vectors between wildlife and humans, which is particularly important for diseases where wild animals serve as reservoirs of parasites in the absence of human infections. Research has mainly focused on the medical impacts of Anopheles, Aedes, Mansonia and Culex, however, very little attention has been directed towards other mosquito genera, especially those which act as vectors of diseases of wildlife. We have observed adults of Mimomyia (Etorleptiomyia) luzonensis (Ludlow, 1905) feeding on a toad, Ingerophrynus parvus, near an oil palm plantation settlement in Setia Alam, Selangor state, Peninsular Malaysia. Mimomyia is known to feed on reptiles and amphibians, and is a documented vector of several arboviruses, including West Nile virus. The observation of Mimomyia feeding on a common toad near a human settlement highlights a need to understand the relationships between mosquitoes, toads and humans from an ecological perspective. We report on-site observations of the feeding habit of Mimomyia; the first records from Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Feeding Behavior/physiology*; Culicidae/physiology*
  20. No evidence of age-related decline in propagated Acer pseudoplatanus and Fraxinus excelsior plants
    Zheng T, Mencuccini M, Abdul-Hamid H
    Physiol Plant, 2023;175(3):e13915.
    PMID: 37087558 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13915
    Although a substantial body of evidence suggests that large and old trees have reduced metabolic levels, the search for the causes behind this observation has proved elusive. The strong coupling between age and size, commonly encountered in the field, precludes the isolation of the potential causes. We used standard propagation techniques (grafting and air-layering) to decouple the effects of size from those of age in affecting leaf structure, biochemistry and physiology of two broadleaved trees, Acer pseudoplatanus (a diffuse-porous species) and Fraxinus excelsior (a ring-porous species). The first year after establishment of the propagated plants, some of the measurements suggested the presence of age-related declines in metabolism, while other measurements either did not show any difference or suggested variability across treatments not associated with either age or size. During the second year after establishment, only one of the measured properties (specific leaf area) continued to show some evidence of an age-mediated decline (although much reduced compared to the field), whereas, for some properties (particularly for F. excelsior), even the opposite trend of age-related increases was apparent. We concluded that (1) our plants suffered from grafting shock during year 1 and they gradually recovered during year 2; (2) the results over 2 years do not support the statement that age directly mediates ageing in either species but instead suggest that size directly mediates ageing processes; and (3) neither shoots nor roots of A. pseudoplatanus showed any evidence of senescence.
    Matched MeSH terms: Trees/physiology
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