Displaying publications 601 - 617 of 617 in total

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  1. Fulltext Characterization and risk factors of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) among animal-affiliated workers in Malaysia
    Getachew Y, Hassan L, Zakaria Z, Zaid CZ, Yardi A, Shukor RA, et al.
    J Appl Microbiol, 2012 Nov;113(5):1184-95.
    PMID: 22906187 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05406.x
    This study determined the risk factors and characteristics of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) among individuals working with animals in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  2. Fulltext Palm oil thorn-induced squamous cell carcinoma with underlying burns scar
    Qi Qi C, Ajit Singh V
    BMJ Case Rep, 2012;2012.
    PMID: 22865804 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2012-006401
    Marjolin's ulcers are malignancies that arise from previously traumatised, chronically inflamed or scarred skin. We present a case with childhood burns, who had repeated irritation of his forearm skin with palm oil thorns that eventually led to malignant change.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  3. Characterization of aerobic granular sludge treating high strength agro-based wastewater at different volumetric loadings
    Abdullah N, Yuzir A, Curtis TP, Yahya A, Ujang Z
    Bioresour Technol, 2013 Jan;127:181-7.
    PMID: 23131639 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.09.047
    Understanding the relationship between microbial community and mechanism of aerobic granulation could enable wider applications of granules for high-strength wastewater treatment. The majority of granulation studies principally determine the engineering aspects of granules formation with little emphasis on the microbial diversity. In this study, three identical reactors namely R1, R2 and R3 were operated using POME at volumetric loadings of 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 kg COD m(-3) d(-1), respectively. Aeration was provided at a volumetric flow rate of 2.5 cms(-1). Aerobic granules were successfully developed in R2 and R3 while bioflocs dominated R1 until the end of experiments. Fractal dimension (D(f)) averaged at 1.90 suggesting good compactness of granules. The PCR-DGGE results indicated microbial evolutionary shift throughout granulation despite different operating OLRs based on decreased Raup and Crick similarity indices upon mature granule formation. The characteristics of aerobic granules treating high strength agro-based wastewater are determined at different volumetric loadings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  4. Fulltext Agricultural intensification, priming for persistence and the emergence of Nipah virus: a lethal bat-borne zoonosis
    Pulliam JR, Epstein JH, Dushoff J, Rahman SA, Bunning M, Jamaluddin AA, et al.
    J R Soc Interface, 2012 Jan 7;9(66):89-101.
    PMID: 21632614 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2011.0223
    Emerging zoonoses threaten global health, yet the processes by which they emerge are complex and poorly understood. Nipah virus (NiV) is an important threat owing to its broad host and geographical range, high case fatality, potential for human-to-human transmission and lack of effective prevention or therapies. Here, we investigate the origin of the first identified outbreak of NiV encephalitis in Malaysia and Singapore. We analyse data on livestock production from the index site (a commercial pig farm in Malaysia) prior to and during the outbreak, on Malaysian agricultural production, and from surveys of NiV's wildlife reservoir (flying foxes). Our analyses suggest that repeated introduction of NiV from wildlife changed infection dynamics in pigs. Initial viral introduction produced an explosive epizootic that drove itself to extinction but primed the population for enzootic persistence upon reintroduction of the virus. The resultant within-farm persistence permitted regional spread and increased the number of human infections. This study refutes an earlier hypothesis that anomalous El Niño Southern Oscillation-related climatic conditions drove emergence and suggests that priming for persistence drove the emergence of a novel zoonotic pathogen. Thus, we provide empirical evidence for a causative mechanism previously proposed as a precursor to widespread infection with H5N1 avian influenza and other emerging pathogens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  5. Fulltext The impact of local surface changes in Borneo on atmospheric composition at wider spatial scales: coastal processes, land-use change and air quality
    Pyle JA, Warwick NJ, Harris NR, Abas MR, Archibald AT, Ashfold MJ, et al.
    Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 2011 Nov 27;366(1582):3210-24.
    PMID: 22006963 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0060
    We present results from the OP3 campaign in Sabah during 2008 that allow us to study the impact of local emission changes over Borneo on atmospheric composition at the regional and wider scale. OP3 constituent data provide an important constraint on model performance. Treatment of boundary layer processes is highlighted as an important area of model uncertainty. Model studies of land-use change confirm earlier work, indicating that further changes to intensive oil palm agriculture in South East Asia, and the tropics in general, could have important impacts on air quality, with the biggest factor being the concomitant changes in NO(x) emissions. With the model scenarios used here, local increases in ozone of around 50 per cent could occur. We also report measurements of short-lived brominated compounds around Sabah suggesting that oceanic (and, especially, coastal) emission sources dominate locally. The concentration of bromine in short-lived halocarbons measured at the surface during OP3 amounted to about 7 ppt, setting an upper limit on the amount of these species that can reach the lower stratosphere.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  6. Tropical soil bacterial communities in Malaysia: pH dominates in the equatorial tropics too
    Tripathi BM, Kim M, Singh D, Lee-Cruz L, Lai-Hoe A, Ainuddin AN, et al.
    Microb Ecol, 2012 Aug;64(2):474-84.
    PMID: 22395784 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-012-0028-8
    The dominant factors controlling soil bacterial community variation within the tropics are poorly known. We sampled soils across a range of land use types--primary (unlogged) and logged forests and crop and pasture lands in Malaysia. PCR-amplified soil DNA for the bacterial 16S rRNA gene targeting the V1-V3 region was pyrosequenced using the 454 Roche machine. We found that land use in itself has a weak but significant effect on the bacterial community composition. However, bacterial community composition and diversity was strongly correlated with soil properties, especially soil pH, total carbon, and C/N ratio. Soil pH was the best predictor of bacterial community composition and diversity across the various land use types, with the highest diversity close to neutral pH values. In addition, variation in phylogenetic structure of dominant lineages (Alphaproteobacteria, Beta/Gammaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria) is also significantly correlated with soil pH. Together, these results confirm the importance of soil pH in structuring soil bacterial communities in Southeast Asia. Our results also suggest that unlike the general diversity pattern found for larger organisms, primary tropical forest is no richer in operational taxonomic units of soil bacteria than logged forest, and agricultural land (crop and pasture) is actually richer than primary forest, partly due to selection of more fertile soils that have higher pH for agriculture and the effects of soil liming raising pH.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  7. Lessons learned from Asian H5N1 outbreak control
    Sims LD
    Avian Dis, 2007 Mar;51(1 Suppl):174-81.
    PMID: 17494550
    Numerous lessons have been learned so far in controlling H5N1 avian influenza in Asia. Early detection of incursions of virus prevented establishment of the disease in several countries, notably Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. In countries where detection of early cases was delayed, infection is endemic and has been for three or more years. Control measures implemented in these countries need to reflect this finding. Vaccination will continue to be one of the key measures used in these endemically infected countries. Used alone, vaccination will not result in elimination of H5N1 viruses from a country, but, if used correctly, it will markedly reduce the prevalence of and susceptibility to infection. Vaccination has already played a valuable role in reducing the adverse effects of H5N1 viruses. Mass culling also reduces the level of infection in infected areas. However, the long-term benefits are limited in endemically infected countries owing to the high probability of reinfection on restocking unless other measures are used in parallel. Full epidemiological studies have not been conducted in many infected countries. Nevertheless, it is recognized that the number of clinical cases does not truly reflect the levels of infection. Domestic ducks and large live poultry markets have played a key role in the persistence of infection, because they can be infected silently. In tackling this disease, countries should adopt integrated control programs using the combination of measures best suited to the local environment. All surveillance data should be shared, both positive and negative, and should include information on cases of infection and disease. Socioeconomic and ecological implications of all control measures should be assessed before implementation, especially the impact on the rural poor.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  8. Three stage cultivation process of facultative strain of Chlorella sorokiniana for treating dairy farm effluent and lipid enhancement
    Hena S, Fatihah N, Tabassum S, Ismail N
    Water Res, 2015 Sep 1;80:346-56.
    PMID: 26043271 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.05.001
    Reserve lipids of microalgae are promising for biodiesel production. However, economically feasible and sustainable energy production from microalgae requires optimization of cultivation conditions for both biomass yield and lipid production of microalgae. Biomass yield and lipid production in microalgae are a contradictory problem because required conditions for both targets are different. Simultaneously, the mass cultivation of microalgae for biofuel production also depends extremely on the performance of the microalgae strains used. In this study a green unicellular microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana (DS6) isolated from the holding tanks of farm wastewater treatment plant using multi-step screening and acclimation procedures was found high-lipid producing facultative heterotrophic microalgae strain capable of growing on dairy farm effluent (DFE) for biodiesel feedstock and wastewater treatment. Morphological features and the phylogenetic analysis for the 18S rRNA identified the isolated strains. A novel three stage cultivation process of facultative strain of C. sorokiniana was examined for lipid production.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  9. Fulltext Socio-demographic determinants of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in migrant workers of Peninsular Malaysia
    Sahimin N, Lim YAL, Ariffin F, Behnke JM, Basáñez MG, Walker M, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2017 May 15;10(1):238.
    PMID: 28506241 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2167-8
    BACKGROUND: The number of migrants working in Malaysia has increased sharply since the 1970's and there is concern that infectious diseases endemic in other (e.g. neighbouring) countries may be inadvertently imported. Compulsory medical screening prior to entering the workforce does not include parasitic infections such as toxoplasmosis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among migrant workers in Peninsular Malaysia by means of serosurveys conducted on a voluntary basis among low-skilled and semi-skilled workers from five working sectors, namely, manufacturing, food service, agriculture and plantation, construction and domestic work.

    METHODS: A total of 484 migrant workers originating from rural locations in neighbouring countries, namely, Indonesia (n = 247, 51.0%), Nepal (n = 99, 20.5%), Bangladesh (n = 72, 14.9%), India (n = 52, 10.7%) and Myanmar (n = 14, 2.9%) were included in this study.

    RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 57.4% (n = 278; 95% CI: 52.7-61.8%) with 52.9% (n = 256; 95% CI: 48.4-57.2%) seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG only, 0.8% (n = 4; 95% CI: 0.2-1.7%) seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM only and 3.7% (n = 18; 95% CI: 2.1-5.4%) seropositive with both IgG and IgM antibodies. All positive samples with both IgG and IgM antibodies showed high avidity (> 40%), suggesting latent infection. Age (being older than 45 years), Nepalese nationality, manufacturing occupation, and being a newcomer in Malaysia (excepting domestic work) were positively and statistically significantly associated with seroprevalence (P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  10. Fulltext Effects of a Lactobacillus salivarius mixture on performance, intestinal health and serum lipids of broiler chickens
    Shokryazdan P, Faseleh Jahromi M, Liang JB, Ramasamy K, Sieo CC, Ho YW
    PLoS One, 2017;12(5):e0175959.
    PMID: 28459856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175959
    The ban or severe restriction on the use of antibiotics in poultry feeds to promote growth has led to considerable interest to find alternative approaches. Probiotics have been considered as such alternatives. In the present study, the effects of a Lactobacillus mixture composed from three previously isolated Lactobacillus salivarius strains (CI1, CI2 and CI3) from chicken intestines on performance, intestinal health status and serum lipids of broiler chickens has been evaluated. Supplementation of the mixture at a concentration of 0.5 or 1 g kg-1 of diet to broilers for 42 days improved body weight, body weight gain and FCR, reduced total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, increased populations of beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, decreased harmful bacteria such as E. coli and total aerobes, reduced harmful cecal bacterial enzymes such as β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase, and improved intestinal histomorphology of broilers. Because of its remarkable efficacy on broiler chickens, the L. salivarius mixture could be considered as a good potential probiotic for chickens, and its benefits should be further evaluated on a commercial scale.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  11. Fulltext Genotoxicity following Organophosphate Pesticides Exposure among Orang Asli Children Living in an Agricultural Island in Kuala Langat, Selangor, Malaysia
    Sutris JM, How V, Sumeri SA, Muhammad M, Sardi D, Mohd Mokhtar MT, et al.
    Int J Occup Environ Med, 2016 Jan;7(1):42-51.
    PMID: 26772597 DOI: 10.15171/ijoem.2016.705
    BACKGROUND: Agriculture is an important sector for the Malaysian economy. The use of pesticides in agriculture is crucial due to its function in keeping the crops from harmful insects. Children living near agricultural fields are at risk of pesticide poisoning.

    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the genotoxic risk among children who exposed to pesticides and measure DNA damage due to pesticides exposure.

    METHODS: In a cross-sectional study 180 Orang Asli Mah Meri children aged between 7 and 12 years were studied. They were all living in an agricultural island in Kuala Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. The data for this study were collected via modified validated questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire, which consisted of 131 food items. 6 urinary organophosphate metabolites were used as biomarkers for pesticides exposure. For genotoxic risk or genetic damage assessment, the level of DNA damage from exfoliated buccal mucosa cells was measured using the comet assay electrophoresis method.

    RESULTS: Out of 180 respondents, 84 (46.7%) showed positive traces of organophosphate metabolites in their urine. Children with detectable urinary pesticide had a longer tail length (median 43.5; IQR 30.9 to 68.1 μm) than those with undetectable urinary pesticides (median 24.7; IQR 9.5 to 48.1 μm). There was a significant association between the extent of DNA damage and the children's age, length of residence in the area, pesticides detection, and frequency of apple consumption.

    CONCLUSION: The organophosphate genotoxicity among children is associated with the amount of exposure (detectability of urinary pesticide) and length of residence in (exposure) the study area.

    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  12. Fasciolopsiasis: a first case report from Malaysia
    Rohela M, Jamaiah I, Menon J, Rachel J
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2005 Mar;36(2):456-8.
    PMID: 15916055
    Fasciolopsiasis is a disease caused by the largest intestinal fluke, Fasciolopsis buski. The disease is endemic in the Far East and Southeast Asia. Human acquires the infection after eating raw freshwater plants contaminated with the infective metacercariae. There has been no report of fasciolopsiasis either in man or in animal in Malaysia. We are reporting the first case of fasciolopsiasis in Malaysia in a 39-year-old female farmer, a native of Sabah (East Malaysia). This patient complained of cough and fever for a duration of two weeks, associated with loss of appetite and loss of weight. She had no history of traveling overseas. Physical examination showed pallor, multiple cervical and inguinal lymph nodes and hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory investigations showed that she had iron deficiency anemia. There was leukocytosis and a raised ESR. Lymph node biopsy revealed a caseating granuloma. Stool examination was positive for the eggs of Fasciolopsis buski. The eggs measure 140 x 72.5 microm and are operculated. In this case, the patient did not present with symptoms suggestive of any intestinal parasitic infections. Detection of Fasciolopsis buski eggs in the stool was an incidental finding. She was diagnosed as a case of disseminated tuberculosis with fasciolopsiasis and was treated with antituberculosis drugs and praziquantel, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  13. A biomarker for exposure to organophosphate and carbamate pesticides
    Lubis SH, El Sersi M, Hussein SH, Sakian NI, Salleh R, Rafai J, et al.
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2008 Oct;20 Suppl:162-5.
    PMID: 19533876
    A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate the effects of pesticide exposure (organophosphate and carbamate) using nerve conductive velocity, current perception threshold (CPT). Cluster random sampling was employed to recruit 64 paddy farmers and 22 fishermen in June 2006. The duration of pesticide exposure was between (5-20) years. The CPT values were measured using Neurometer CPT/Eagle, on the index finger and the great toe with three neuroselective frequencies range (2000, 250, and 5 Hz). The results showed that at the three different frequencies, the CPT values were significantly elevated among farmers on both the medial and peroneal nerves (P < .002). The measurement of CPT can be used as a biomarker to determine and monitor the effects of organophosphate and carbamate exposure among workers who may have been exposed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  14. Fulltext Falciparum Malaria Outbreak in Sabah Linked to an Immigrant Rubber Tapper
    Jeffree SM, Ahmed K, Safian N, Hassan R, Mihat O, Lukman KA, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2018 Jan;98(1):45-50.
    PMID: 29141714 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0081
    Sabah is a Malaysian state situated in the northern part of Borneo, and it is endemic for malaria. The incidence of malaria is the lowest (0.05/1,000 population) in Penampang districts of Sabah. In June 26, 2012, two Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases were notified to public health department from a village in Penampang. Immediate investigation was initiated to identify the risk factors and to institute control measures. We performed active case finding by asking household members of all houses in the village regarding malaria symptoms and by examining blood smears. Environmental investigation was performed by collecting samples to detect mosquito breeding sites and to identify malaria transmitting vector mosquitoes. A case-control study with a ratio of 1:4 (11 cases and 44 controls) was conducted using self-administered questionnaire. The microscopic examination of blood smear for malarial parasite and entomology sampling was carried out. The malarial attack rate was 2.3%, 6/11 smears have gametocyte, and the case fatality rate was 9.1%. One case was a migrant rubber tapper from Indonesia which happened to be the first case with gametocyte positive. Overall, the incidence of malaria was higher (6/11) among rubber tappers. The odds of cases for those living nearby stagnant water were 7.3 [95% confidence interval: 1.2-43.5] times higher. In conclusion, an outbreak of P. falciparum malaria was introduced into a malaria-free village by a migrant rubber tapper, by whom the imported parasite was introduced to the community via vector Anopheles balabacensis. Living near stagnant water bodies was the risk factor in this outbreak.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  15. Seroepidemiologic survey of Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, and TT118 spotted fever group rickettsiae in rubber estate workers in Malaysia
    Tee TS, Kamalanathan M, Suan KA, Chun SS, Ming HT, Yasin RM, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1999 Jul;61(1):73-7.
    PMID: 10432060
    The seroprevalence of Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, and TT118 spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in 300 rubber estate workers in Slim River, Malaysia was determined in December 1996 and March 1997. In December, which was the wet season, 23.3%, 3.0%, and 57.3% of the population had antibodies detected against the three rickettsiae, respectively. The highest seropositive rate of 40% was detected for single infection with SFG rickettsiae, followed by a rate of 15.3% for both O. tsutsugamushi and SFG rickettsiae among the rubber estate workers. Subjects less than 21 years old had a lower seroprevalence of SFG rickettsiae compared with the other age groups. Indians had a higher seroprevalence of O. tsutsugamushi compared with other ethnic groups. Rubber tappers had a higher seroprevalence of SFG rickettsiae compared with other occupational groups. During the dry season in March 1997, there was a significant increase in the seroprevalence of R. typhi. The seroconversion rates for IgM against O. tsutsugamushi, R. typhi, and SFG rickettsiae were 5.7%, 12.3%, and 15.1%, respectively, during the four-month period. Significant variations of antibody titers towards the three rickettsiae was noted among subjects who were bled twice. This suggests a significant and continual exposure of rubber estate workers to the three rickettsiae.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  16. Nipah virus outbreak in Malaysia
    Chua KB
    J Clin Virol, 2003 Apr;26(3):265-75.
    PMID: 12637075
    Nipah virus, a novel paramyxovirus, closely related to Hendra virus emerged in northern part of Peninsular Malaysia in 1998. The virus caused an outbreak of severe febrile encephalitis in humans with a high mortality rate, whereas, in pigs, encephalitis and respiratory diseases but with a relatively low mortality rate. The outbreak subsequently spread to various regions of the country and Singapore in the south due to the movement of infected pigs. Nipah virus caused systemic infections in humans, pigs and other mammals. Histopathological and radiological findings were characteristic of the disease. Fruitbats of Pteropid species were identified as the natural reservoir hosts. Evidence suggested that climatic and anthropogenic driven ecological changes coupled with the location of piggeries in orchard and the design of pigsties allowed the spill-over of this novel paramyxovirus from its reservoir host into the domestic pigs and ultimately to humans and other animals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
  17. Fulltext Lovastatin production by Aspergillus terreus using agro-biomass as substrate in solid state fermentation
    Jahromi MF, Liang JB, Ho YW, Mohamad R, Goh YM, Shokryazdan P
    J Biomed Biotechnol, 2012;2012:196264.
    PMID: 23118499 DOI: 10.1155/2012/196264
    Ability of two strains of Aspergillus terreus (ATCC 74135 and ATCC 20542) for production of lovastatin in solid state fermentation (SSF) using rice straw (RS) and oil palm frond (OPF) was investigated. Results showed that RS is a better substrate for production of lovastatin in SSF. Maximum production of lovastatin has been obtained using A. terreus ATCC 74135 and RS as substrate without additional nitrogen source (157.07 mg/kg dry matter (DM)). Although additional nitrogen source has no benefit effect on enhancing the lovastatin production using RS substrate, it improved the lovastatin production using OPF with maximum production of 70.17 and 63.76 mg/kg DM for A. terreus ATCC 20542 and A. terreus ATCC 74135, respectively (soybean meal as nitrogen source). Incubation temperature, moisture content, and particle size had shown significant effect on lovastatin production (P < 0.01) and inoculums size and pH had no significant effect on lovastatin production (P > 0.05). Results also have shown that pH 6, 25°C incubation temperature, 1.4 to 2 mm particle size, 50% initial moisture content, and 8 days fermentation time are the best conditions for lovastatin production in SSF. Maximum production of lovastatin using optimized condition was 175.85 and 260.85 mg/kg DM for A. terreus ATCC 20542 and ATCC 74135, respectively, using RS as substrate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Agriculture
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