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Efficacy and Cost Analysis of Food-Based Interventions to Treat Children With Undernutrition: A Systematic Review

Helmyati S, Kusuma MTPL, Hariawan MH, Lukito W, Rachmawati YN, Rosilia G, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2026 Apr;33(2):24-47.
PMID: 42953553 DOI: 10.21315/mjms-01-2026-016

BACKGROUND: Mitigating malnutrition is one of the Sustainable Development Goals that countries commit to achieve. This study aimed to determine the effects of food for special medical purposes (FSMPs) on nutrition status and other outcomes on children under five with undernutrition.
METHODS: This review summarised the findings of 15 articles. The articles were experimental, compared intervention with a control group, published between 2012 and 2022, and directly or indirectly measured children's nutrition status. The risk of bias and quality of the articles were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool.
RESULTS: Three types of FSMPs were identified as treatment for children with malnutrition. Ready-to-use supplementary foods improved child growth in terms of weight gain. Ready-to-use therapeutic foods mostly resulted in higher recovery rates. Oral nutrition supplements yielded significant increases in body weight and height. However, the economic value of administering FSMPs on children with malnutrition was not determined because of data scarcity.
CONCLUSION: FSMP provision to treat malnutrition in children resulted in better growth outcomes. However, further studies are needed to measure the health and economic effects of FSMPs.
Impact of seizures and antiseizure medication on survival in patients with glioma

Kumar TS, Afnan WM, Chan CY, Audrey C, Fong SL, Rajandram R, et al.

J Neurooncol, 2022 Sep;159(3):657-664.
PMID: 36036318 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-022-04108-2

PURPOSE: Seizures are a common presenting symptom among patients with low- and high-grade glioma. However, the impact and inter-relationship between the presence of seizures, anti-seizure medication (ASM) and survival are unclear. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of seizures and identified the pattern and relationship of anti-seizure medication on survival in our cohort of patients with glioma.
METHODS: We evaluated all glioma patients who underwent treatment at the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) between 2008 and 2020. Demographic and clinical data of seizures and pattern of ASM administration in comparison to overall survival were analyzed.
RESULTS: A total of 235 patients were studied, with a minimum of one year clinical follow-up post-treatment. The median survival for low-grade glioma was 38 months whereas high-grade glioma was 15 months. One-third of our glioma patients (n = 74) presented with seizures. All patients with seizures and a further 31% of patients without seizures were started on anti-seizure medication preoperatively. Seizure and Levetiracetam (LEV) were significantly associated with OS on univariate analysis. However, only LEV (HR 0.49; 95% CI 0.23-0.87; p=0.02) was significantly associated with improving overall survival (OS) on multivariate analysis. Once ASM was adjusted for relevant factors and each other, LEV was associated with improved survival in all grade gliomas (HR 0.52; 95% CI 0.31-0.88; p=0.02) and specifically high-grade gliomas (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.30-0.94; p=0.03).
CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative seizures among patients with glioma indicated a better overall prognosis. The administration of ASM, specifically LEV was associated with a significant survival advantage in our retrospective cohort of patients.
Assessment of the microbial electrochemical sensor (SENTRY™) as a potential wastewater quality monitoring tool for common pollutants found in Malaysia

Me MFH, Ang WL, Othman AR, Mohammad AW, Nasharuddin AAA, Aris AM, et al.

Environ Monit Assess, 2024 Mar 14;196(4):366.
PMID: 38483639 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12526-0

Bioelectrochemical sensors for environment monitoring have the potential to provide facility operators with real-time data, allowing for better and more timely decision-making regarding water and wastewater treatment. To assess the robustness and sensitivity of the Sentry™ biosensor in local conditions, it was tested in Malaysia using domestically available wastewater. The study objectives included (1) enrich the biosensor locally, (2) operate and test the biosensor with local domestic wastewater, and (3) determine the biosensor's responsiveness to model pollutants through pollutant spike and immersion test as well as response to absence of wastewater. Lab-scale operation shows the biosensor was successfully enriched with (1) local University Kebangsaan Malaysia's, microbial community strain collection and (2) local municipal wastewater microflora, operated for more than 50 days with a stable yet responsive carbon consumption rate (CCR) signal. Meanwhile, two independent biosensors were also enriched and operated in Indah Water Research Centre's crude sewage holding tank, showing a stable response to the wastewater. Next, a pilot scale setup was constructed to test the enriched biosensors for the spiked-pollutant test. The biosensors showed a proportional CCR response (pollutant presence detected) towards several organic compounds in the sewage, including ethanol, chicken blood, and dilution of tested sewage but less to curry powder, methanol, and isopropanol. Conversely, there was no significant response (pollutant presence not detected) towards hexane, Congo red, engine oil, and paint, which may be due to their non-biodegradability and/or insoluble nature. Additionally, the biosensors were exposed to air for 6 h to assess their robustness towards aerobic shock with a positive result. Overall, the study suggested that the biosensor could be a powerful monitoring tool, given its responsiveness towards organic compounds in sewage under normal conditions.
Fluorescent microscopy evaluation of diode laser effect on the penetration depth of turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract cream on skin tissues of Wistar rats

Astuti SD, Mawaddah A, Kusumawati I, Mahmud AF, Nasution AMT, Purwanto B, et al.

Lasers Med Sci, 2024 Feb 23;39(1):79.
PMID: 38393433 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-04020-3

The study investigates the effect of diode laser exposure on curcumin's skin penetration, using turmeric extraction as a light-sensitive chemical and various laser light sources. It uses an in vivo skin analysis method on Wistar strain mice. The lasers are utilized at wavelengths of 403 nm, 523 nm, 661 nm, and 979 nm. The energy densities of the lasers are 20.566 J/cm2, 20.572 J/cm2, 21.162 J/cm2, and 21.298 J/cm2, which are comparable to one another. The experimental animals were divided into three groups: base cream (BC), turmeric extract cream (TEC), and the combination laser (L), BC, and TEC treatment group. Combination light source (LS) with cream (C) was performed with 8 combinations namely 523 nm ((L1 + BC) and (L1 + TEC)), 661 nm ((L2 + BC) and (L2 + TEC)), 403 nm ((L3 + BC) and (L3 + TEC)), and 979 nm ((L4 + BC) and (L4 + TEC)). The study involved applying four laser types to cream-covered and turmeric extract-coated rat skin, with samples scored for analysis. The study found that both base cream and curcumin cream had consistent pH values of 7-8, within the skin's range, and curcumin extract cream had lower viscosity. The results of the statistical analysis of Kruskal-Wallis showed a significant value (p 0.05), while the treatment using BC and TEC showed a significant difference (p
Microplastics in green mussels (Perna viridis) from Jakarta Bay, Indonesia, and the associated hazards to human health posed by their consumption

Irnidayanti Y, Soegianto A, Brabo AH, Abdilla FM, Indriyasari KN, Rahmatin NM, et al.

Environ Monit Assess, 2023 Jun 26;195(7):884.
PMID: 37358711 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11535-9

The Jakarta Bay is the estuary for thirteen rivers that flow through densely populated and industrialized upstream regions. This condition has the potential to pollute the Jakarta Bay with microplastics that are transported from the upstream river. Meanwhile, people, particularly fishermen, continue to use Jakarta Bay for fishing and aquaculture. This study examined microplastics (MP) abundance in the whole tissues of green mussels (Perna viridis) grown in Jakarta Bay, Indonesia, and their health risks. MP was identified in all 120 green mussels, with fiber > film > fragment being the most common kinds. The abundance of fiber was 19 items/g of tissue, whereas the abundances of fragments and film were 14.5 items/g and 15 item/g, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy tests on MP from the tissues of green mussels showed that there were 12 different types of MP polymers. The estimated amount of MP that humans consume each year varied from 29,120 MP items/year to 218,400 MP items/year for different age groups. Based on the total mean number of MP found in the tissues of green mussels and the amount of shellfish consumed per person in Indonesia, it was estimated that people ate 775,180 MP through shellfish each year.
Synthesis of acyl hydrazide derivatives of α-naphthalene acetic acid as COX-2 inhibitors: in vitro evaluation, molecular docking and DFT studies

Bibi A, Alam A, Fareed G, Ayaz M, Shah TA, Naz S, et al.

Future Med Chem, 2026 Apr;18(8):881-893.
PMID: 41808456 DOI: 10.1080/17568919.2026.2642677

AIMS: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a key enzyme in pain perception and inflammatory cascade that make it an attractive target to develop safer anti-inflammatory agents.
METHOD: In pursuit of potential anti-inflammatory agents, a new series based on α-naphthalene acetic acid has been synthesized through multi step reactions process. 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to confirm the structures of these derivatives.
RESULTS: These compounds have been assessed for their in vitro COX-2 inhibitory activity, among them, compounds (4, 5, 13, and 3) exhibited excellent activity with IC50 value ranging from (IC50 = 0.36 ± 0.22 µM) to (IC50 = 0.43 ± 0.60 µM), while compounds (12, 11, and 14) showed significant activity.
DISCUSSION: The molecular docking and density functional theory (DFT) analyses exposed that hydrazide derivatives based on α-naphthylene acetic acid displayed strong binding affinity for COX-2. Compound 13 revealed the highest binding energy of -9.771 kJ mol-1 and the lowest IC50 (0.43 µM) over π-π interactions and multiple hydrogen bonds. DFT study exposed that compound 13 influenced the highest softening and the smallest HOMO-LUMO energy gap, representing improved reactivity.
CONCLUSION: In general, the computational as well as experimental consequences specify that compound 13 is a potent COX-2 inhibitor.
Isolation, biochemical characterization, and antimicrobial activities of EPS-producing bacterial endophytes from Moringa oleifera

Gul K, Khan RS, Iqbal A, Ullah A, Shah SMS, Hussain A, et al.

Folia Microbiol (Praha), 2026 Aug;71(4):991-1007.
PMID: 40790004 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-025-01312-1

Bacterial endophytes are a key part of the plant microbiome that influence developmental processes via different mechanisms. One of the known mechanisms is the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) that are responsible for the response towards stresses and plant-bacterial interactions. In the current experiment, we isolated 42 strains of bacterial endophytes from the sterilized parts of Moringa oleifera plant and screened them for the production of EPS. Out of the 42, only three isolates; KR-27, KL-4, and KS-7 produced a significant amount of EPS. All these isolates showed in vitro antagonistic activities against phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria. These antagonistic endophytic isolates, KR-27, KL-4, and KS-7 were identified as Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella aerogenes, and Lelliottia amnigena, respectively based on 16 s RNA gene ribotyping. The selected bacterial strains were screened out for phytohormones and secondary metabolites production and all the identified strains produced significant amount of various phytohormones such as indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA3), and salicylic acid (SA). In addition, the identified strains produced the antioxidant compounds like siderophores, phenolics, and flavonoids. The phosphate solubilization ability of all the strains was ascertained and found highest for KR-27 (30.46 ± 0.82 μg/mL), followed by KS-7 (18.30 ± 0.54 μg/mL) and KL-4 (17.36 ± 0.68 μg/mL). Unlike previous research, which primarily focused on the nutritional and medicinal properties of M. oleifera, this research uncovers the new aspect by exploring the biotechnologically important bacterial flora of this miracle tree. In conclusion we isolated three novel bacterial endophytic strains with the ability to produce bioactive compounds for plant and antimicrobial activity against phytopathogens for the first time which can replace the synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in future sustainable agriculture practices.
Untangling the connection between endocrine disrupting compounds, river pollution classes, and socioeconomic factors

Wee SY, Haron DEM, Razak MR, Hashim N, Yahaya NKEM, Kerisnan Kerishnan ND, et al.

Environ Geochem Health, 2025 Sep 17;47(10):444.
PMID: 40960547 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-025-02760-x

The contamination of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) stands as an emerging environmental concern, leading to subsequent environmental and human exposure. A comprehensive analysis identified a total of 18 EDCs, including pharmaceuticals, hormones, and plasticizers, in Malaysian rivers classified into distinct pollution classes: "Clean", "Moderately Polluted", and "Polluted". The highest concentration of EDCs was observed in the "Moderately Polluted" Kim Kim River, notably containing 16.25 µg/L of caffeine. Caffeine exhibited ubiquitous presence across all pollution classes, with the Klang River ("Polluted") showing the peak concentration at 13.62 µg/L. In contrast, the "Clean" Kuantan River displayed the highest EDC concentration at 1.28 µg/L of bisphenol A. All individual EDCs posed negligible ecological risks, with RQ values below 0.01 (RQm
Assessing Microalgal Protein's Impact on Environment and Energy Footprint via Life Cycle Analysis

Rawindran H, Lim JW, Lam MK, Supramaniam U, Tong WY, Ng HS, et al.

Mol Biotechnol, 2026 Sep;68(9):3765-3774.
PMID: 37964101 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00955-0

Conventionally, increasing the yield of microalgal biomass has been the primary focus of research, while the significant protein reserve within this biomass has remained largely unexplored. This protein reserve possesses substantial value and versatility, offering a wide range of prospective applications and presenting an enticing chance for innovation and value enhancement for various sectors. Current study employed an innovative research approach that focused solely on the LCA of protein production potential from microalgal biomass, a lesser-explored aspects within this domain. Most environmental impact categories were shown to be significantly affected by cultivation phase because of the electrical obligation, followed by the harvesting and protein extraction phase. Still, the environmental aspect was seen to yield a minimal impact on global warming potential, i.e., 4 × 10-3 kg CO2, underscoring the ecologically favorable nature of the process. Conversely, the overall energy impact was seen to intensify with NEB of - 39.33 MJ and NER of 0.49, drawing attention to the importance of addressing the energy aspect to harness the full potential of microalgal protein production.
Fulltext Association Between Cardiovascular Disease and Cataracts: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Yap JF, Heng PP, Wan Mohamad Darani WNS, Mat Rifin H, Muhamad NA, Pong MY, et al.

JMIR Res Protoc, 2026 Nov 03;15:e96552.
PMID: 42976319 DOI: 10.2196/96552

BACKGROUND: There is emerging evidence suggesting shared pathophysiological mechanisms between cataracts and cardiovascular disease (CVD), indicating a potential link between these 2 prevalent noncommunicable diseases. Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and the body's antioxidant defenses, contributes to lens protein aggregation in cataracts and lipid oxidation in atherosclerosis, a key feature of several CVD subtypes. This shared pathophysiology implies that systemic vascular health may influence cataractogenesis. However, the epidemiological evidence supporting this relationship remains inconclusive.
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this systematic review is to synthesize existing evidence on the odds or risk of developing cataracts in adults with underlying CVD.
METHODS: This systematic review will adhere to the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols). Using the population, exposure, comparator, and outcome framework, this review will identify the association between established CVD and the risk of cataract development or needing cataract surgery. Systematic literature searches will be conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase using MeSH terms from database inception to December 31, 2024. Original research articles involving adults (aged ≥18 years) that assess the statistical relationship between CVD and cataracts will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen studies, extract data, and appraise the studies' quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. If deemed feasible, meta-analyses will be conducted using random-effects models to calculate pooled effect estimates, with heterogeneity assessed using the I2 statistic.
RESULTS: This study did not receive any external funding. The literature search, study screening, and data extraction will be conducted in 2026, and data analysis will be performed accordingly. The findings are anticipated to be published in 2027.
CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review will provide a consolidated and up-to-date evaluation of the relationship between CVD and cataracts. The findings will highlight the potential importance of integrating cardiovascular risk assessment into routine ophthalmologic care. Continued refinement of study methodologies and standardization of outcome measures may be needed to address observed heterogeneity and strengthen future evidence, ultimately supporting more holistic management of patients with coexisting cardiovascular and ocular conditions.
Fulltext Mechanistic inhibition of herpes simplex virus-1 UL21 immune-evasion function by natural-product scaffolds: A multi-tier docking, dynamics, and energetic profiling approach

Suleman M, Ali I, Sayaf AM, Hassan F, Ilahi U, Alissa M, et al.

PLoS One, 2026;21(9):e0355499.
PMID: 42748207 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0355499

Alpha-herpesviruses, particularly herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), establish lifelong latency and employ multiple strategies to evade host immunity, thereby sustaining infection. A key mediator of this immune evasion is the viral tegument protein, unique long 21 (UL21), which disrupts the host cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) signaling pathway and suppresses antiviral type-I interferon responses, facilitating viral replication. Despite its important role in HSV-1 pathogenesis, UL21 remains an underexplored therapeutic target. This study aimed to identify natural-product scaffolds capable of targeting the UL21 N-terminal domain and potentially interfering with UL21-mediated immune evasion. Using comprehensive virtual screening of East and South African natural-product libraries, we employed a multi-tier computational workflow comprising molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and binding free-energy calculations. Four compounds, Saundersioside C, kaempferol 3,7,4'-tri-O-β-glucoside, soyasaponin II, and OSW‑1, emerged as promising UL21-binding candidates with favorable docking scores and stable interaction profiles. Docking scores for saundersioside C, kaempferol 3,7,4'-tri-O-β-glucoside, soyasaponin II, and OSW-1 were -9.05, -8.94 kcal/mol, -7.45 kcal/mol, and -7.30 kcal/mol, respectively. Molecular dynamics (MD) trajectory analyses demonstrated stable conformational behavior as indicated by consistent root mean square deviation (RMSD), limited structural fluctuations, and persistent structural compactness. Total binding free-energy calculations further identified kaempferol 3,7,4'-tri-O-β-glucoside (-40.9 kcal/mol MM/GBSA; -33.9 kcal/mol MM/PBSA) as the compound with the most favorable predicted binding affinity toward UL21. Collectively, these findings identify natural-product scaffolds with high potential to modulate UL21-mediated immune suppression, with kaempferol 3,7,4'-tri-O-β-glucoside emerging as the most promising candidate. The findings provide a foundation for experimental validation and future antiviral drug development targeting HSV-1.
Molybdenum oxide-based catalyst towards better hydrogen production: effects of isothermal carburization

Latif MN, Rahim NSA, Samidin S, Jamal SH, Yusop MR, Isahak WNRW, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2025 Jul;32(32):19238-19252.
PMID: 38568305 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33060-z

Hydrogen (H2) represents a promising avenue for reducing carbon emissions in energy systems. However, achieving its widespread adoption requires more effective and scalable synthesis methods. Herein, we investigated the isothermal carburization process of the MoO3 catalyst. This reaction was carried out at a constant temperature of 700 °C in a 60% CO/He stream, with hold reaction times varying (60-min, 90-min, and 120-min). This investigation was conducted using a micro-reactor Autochem with the aim of enhancing the yield of H2. The study focused on evaluating the chemical reduction and carburization behavior of the MoO3 catalyst through X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and CHNS elemental analysis. The XRD analysis revealed the formation of carbides, Mo2C, and MoO2, serving as active sites for subsequent H2 production in the thermochemical water splitting (TWS) process. The carburization at a 60-min hold time exhibited enhanced H2 production, generating approximately ~ 6.60 µmol of H2 with a yield of up to ~ 32.90% and a conversion rate of ~ 54.83%. This finding emphasizes the essential role played by the formation of carbides, particularly Mo2C, in the carburization process, contributing significantly to the facilitation of H2 production. These carbides serve as exceptionally active catalytic sites that actively promote the generation of hydrogen. This study underscores that the optimized duration of catalyst exposure is a key factor influencing the successful carburization of MoO3 catalysts. This emphasizes how important carbide species are to increasing H2 efficiency. Additionally, it is noted that carbon formation on the MoO3 active sites can act as a potential poison to the catalysts, leading to rapid deactivation after prolonged exposure to the CO precursor.
Multivariate Analysis of pH-Dependent Carbon Dots Sensitivity for Fe3⁺ Ions Detection Using UV-VIS Spectroscopy

Raypah ME, Jamlos MF, Muncan J, Khalif KMNK, Saruchi SA, Ali MM, et al.

J Fluoresc, 2025 Nov;35(11):10847-10866.
PMID: 40369315 DOI: 10.1007/s10895-025-04358-z

Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) have become a potent and adaptable nanomaterial in recent years for the sensitive and specific detection of heavy metal ions. Ferric ion (Fe3+) is one of the most damaging metal ions that can infiltrate the human body and the environment. In this study, blue-emitting carbon dots (CDs) were successfully synthesized from lemon juice using a hydrothermal process. The sensitivity of CDs to Fe3+ ions was examined using various concentrations of Fe3+ (0-400 µM) under different pH conditions (3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13) by measuring UV-Vis absorbance at 200-700 nm. The findings showed that the interaction between CDs and Fe3+ is significantly influenced by pH, resulting in varying absorbance enhancement responses. To get more profound insights into this pH-dependent performance, multivariate analysis techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and partial least squares regression (PLSR) were utilized. By combining these techniques with experimental data, significant correlations between pH levels, π - π ∗ and n - π ∗ electronic transitions of CDs, and Fe3⁺ sensing performance were identified. According to the PLSR model, pH 7 is ideal for real-world uses since it offers the optimum balance between Fe3⁺ solubility and CDs sensing capabilities, closely matching environmental and physiological conditions. This work contributes to the knowledge of CDs-based sensing mechanisms and emphasizes the value of multivariate analysis in boosting material performance for real-world applications in the biochemical and environmental domains.
Fulltext Genistein: An Integrative Overview of Its Mode of Action, Pharmacological Properties, and Health Benefits

Sharifi-Rad J, Quispe C, Imran M, Rauf A, Nadeem M, Gondal TA, et al.

Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2021;2021:3268136.
PMID: 34336089 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3268136

Genistein is an isoflavone first isolated from the brooming plant Dyer's Genista tinctoria L. and is widely distributed in the Fabaceae family. As an isoflavone, mammalian genistein exerts estrogen-like functions. Several biological effects of genistein have been reported in preclinical studies, such as the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, the effects of angiogenesis and estrogen, and the pharmacological activities on diabetes and lipid metabolism. The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date evidence of preclinical pharmacological activities with mechanisms of action, bioavailability, and clinical evidence of genistein. The literature was researched using the most important keyword "genistein" from the PubMed, Science, and Google Scholar databases, and the taxonomy was validated using The Plant List. Data were also collected from specialized books and other online resources. The main positive effects of genistein refer to the protection against cardiovascular diseases and to the decrease of the incidence of some types of cancer, especially breast cancer. Although the mechanism of protection against cancer involves several aspects of genistein metabolism, the researchers attribute this effect to the similarity between the structure of soy genistein and that of estrogen. This structural similarity allows genistein to displace estrogen from cellular receptors, thus blocking their hormonal activity. The pharmacological activities resulting from the experimental studies of this review support the traditional uses of genistein, but in the future, further investigations are needed on the efficacy, safety, and use of nanotechnologies to increase bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.
Fulltext A decade of amphibian studies (Animalia, Amphibia) at Sekayu lowland forest, Hulu Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

Badli-Sham BH, Syafiq MF, Aziz MSA, Mohd Jalil NR, Awang MT, Othman MNA, et al.

Zookeys, 2023;1157:43-93.
PMID: 37398628 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1157.95873

Amphibians of Sekayu lowland forest have been studied more than a decade, with discoveries of new records of species showing no sign of abating between the years 2003 to 2020, indicating the remarkably rich diversity of anurans in this forest. Despite ceaseless anthropogenic activities in this area, this study successfully recorded 52 species of amphibians from 32 genera in the lowland forest of Sekayu. The species composition consisted of a single species from the family Ichthyophiidae and 51 species of anurans of 31 genera and six families. The number of species recorded has steadily increased especially during more recent surveys from 2015 to 2020. This study augments the total number of amphibian species recorded from Hulu Terengganu by ten additional species, increasing the total to 70 species for the district.
Fulltext The Glaciozyma antarctica genome reveals an array of systems that provide sustained responses towards temperature variations in a persistently cold habitat

Firdaus-Raih M, Hashim NHF, Bharudin I, Abu Bakar MF, Huang KK, Alias H, et al.

PLoS One, 2018;13(1):e0189947.
PMID: 29385175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189947

Extremely low temperatures present various challenges to life that include ice formation and effects on metabolic capacity. Psyhcrophilic microorganisms typically have an array of mechanisms to enable survival in cold temperatures. In this study, we sequenced and analysed the genome of a psychrophilic yeast isolated in the Antarctic region, Glaciozyma antarctica. The genome annotation identified 7857 protein coding sequences. From the genome sequence analysis we were able to identify genes that encoded for proteins known to be associated with cold survival, in addition to annotating genes that are unique to G. antarctica. For genes that are known to be involved in cold adaptation such as anti-freeze proteins (AFPs), our gene expression analysis revealed that they were differentially transcribed over time and in response to different temperatures. This indicated the presence of an array of adaptation systems that can respond to a changing but persistent cold environment. We were also able to validate the activity of all the AFPs annotated where the recombinant AFPs demonstrated anti-freeze capacity. This work is an important foundation for further collective exploration into psychrophilic microbiology where among other potential, the genes unique to this species may represent a pool of novel mechanisms for cold survival.
Fulltext Effect of freeze-dried Carica papaya leaf juice on inflammatory cytokines production during dengue virus infection in AG129 mice

Norahmad NA, Mohd Abd Razak MR, Mohmad Misnan N, Md Jelas NH, Sastu UR, Muhammad A, et al.

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2019 Feb 11;19(1):44.
PMID: 30744623 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2438-3

BACKGROUND: Carica papaya leaves have been used for traditional treatment of dengue fever and have been reported to exhibit an immunomodulatory activity by affecting the level of cytokine production in vitro and in vivo. Due to the lack of adequate in vivo evidence in dengue disease model, the present study was initiated to screen and identify the cytokines affected by freeze-dried C. papaya leaf juice (FCPLJ) treatment in AG129 mice infected with DEN-2 dengue virus.
METHODS: The AG129 mice were fed orally with FCPLJ for 3 consecutive days after 24 h of dengue virus inoculation. Plasma cytokines were screened by using ProcartaPlex immunoassay. The gene expression in the liver was analyzed by using RT2 Profiler PCR Array.
RESULTS: The results showed that FCPLJ treatment has increased the plasma CCL2/MCP-1 level during peak of viremia. Gene expression study has identified 8 inflammatory cytokine genes which were downregulated in the liver of infected AG129 mice treated with FCPLJ. The downregulated inflammatory cytokine genes were CCL6/MRP-1, CCL8/MCP-2, CCL12/MCP-5, CCL17/TARC, IL1R1, IL1RN/IL1Ra, NAMPT/PBEF1 and PF4/CXCL4.
CONCLUSION: The findings indicated the possible immunomodulatory role of FCPLJ during dengue virus infection in AG129 mice.
Fulltext Differential expression of entorhinal cortex and hippocampal subfields α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors enhanced learning and memory of rats following administration of Centella asiatica

Wong JH, Muthuraju S, Reza F, Senik MH, Zhang J, Mohd Yusuf Yeo NAB, et al.

Biomed Pharmacother, 2019 Feb;110:168-180.
PMID: 30469081 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.044

Centella asiatica (CA) is a widely used traditional herb, notably for its cognitive enhancing effect and potential to increase synaptogenesis. The α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission with key roles in long-term potentiation which is believed to be the cellular mechanism of learning and memory. Improved learning and memory can be an indication to the surface expression level of these receptors. Our previous study demonstrated that administration of CA extract improved learning and memory and enhanced expression of AMPAR GluA1 subunit while exerting no significant effects on GABAA receptors of the hippocampus in rats. Hence, to further elucidate the effects of CA, this study investigated the effects of CA extract in recognition memory and spatial memory, and its effects on AMPAR GluA1 and GluA2 subunit and NMDAR GluN2 A and GluN2B subunit expression in the entorhinal cortex (EC) and hippocampal subfields CA1 and CA3. The animals were administered with saline, 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg of CA extract through oral gavage for 14 days, followed by behavioural analysis through Open Field Test (OFT), Novel Object Recognition Task (NORT), and Morris Water Maze (MWM) and lastly morphological and immunohistochemical analysis of the surface expression of AMPAR and NMDAR subunits were performed. The results showed that 14 days of administration of 600 mg/kg of CA extract significantly improved memory assessed through NORT while 300 mg/kg of CA extract significantly improved memory of the animals assessed through MWM. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed differential modulation effects on the expressions of receptor subunits across CA1, CA3 and EC. The CA extract at the highest dose (600 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the expression of AMPAR subunit GluA1 and GluA2 in CA1, CA3 and EC, and NMDAR subunit GluN2B in CA1 and CA3 compared to control. At 300 mg/kg, CA significantly increased expression of AMPAR GluA1 in CA1 and EC, and GluA2 in CA1, CA3 and EC while 100 mg/kg of CA significantly increased expression of only AMPAR subunit GluA2 in CA3 and EC. Expression of NMDAR subunit GluN2 A was significantly reduced in the CA3 (at 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg) while no significant changes of subunit expression was observed in CA1 and EC compared to control. The results suggest that the enhanced learning and memory observed in animals administered with CA was mainly mediated through increased expression of AMPAR GluA1 and GluA2 subunits and differential expression of NMDAR GluN2 A and GluN2B subunits in the hippocampal subfields and EC. With these findings, the study revealed a new aspect of cognitive enhancing effect of CA and its therapeutic potentials through modulating receptor subunit expression.
Fulltext COVID-19: Four Paediatric Cases in Malaysia

See KC, Liew SM, Ng DCE, Chew EL, Khoo EM, Sam CH, et al.

Int J Infect Dis, 2020 May;94:125-127.
PMID: 32304822 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.03.049

OBJECTIVE: This is a brief report of 4 paediatric cases of COVID-19 infection in Malaysia BACKGROUND: COVID-19, a coronavirus, first detected in Wuhan, China has now spread rapidly to over 60 countries and territories around the world, infecting more than 85000 individuals. As the case count amongst children is low, there is need to report COVID-19 in children to better understand the virus and the disease.
CASES: In Malaysia, until end of February 2020, there were four COVID-19 paediatric cases with ages ranging from 20 months to 11 years. All four cases were likely to have contracted the virus in China. The children had no symptoms or mild flu-like illness. The cases were managed symptomatically. None required antiviral therapy.
DISCUSSION: There were 2 major issues regarding the care of infected children. Firstly, the quarantine of an infected child with a parent who tested negative was an ethical dilemma. Secondly, oropharyngeal and nasal swabs in children were at risk of false negative results. These issues have implications for infection control. Consequently, there is a need for clearer guidelines for child quarantine and testing methods in the management of COVID-19 in children.
Exploring efficacy of indole-based dual inhibitors for α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes: In silico, biochemical and kinetic studies

Kawde AN, Taha M, Alansari RS, Almandil NB, Anouar EH, Uddin N, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2020 Jul 01;154:217-232.
PMID: 32173438 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.03.090

α-Glucosidase and α-amylase are enzymes which are associated with diabetic II. These enzymes break macromolecules of sugar into monosugar molecules which is soluble in body, hence increase the sugar level in blood. There is need to develop economical and save inhibitors to prevent them from breaking sugar macromolecules to soluble molecules which will control the level of sugar in blood. Therefore, we synthesized indole-based derivatives (1-18) and evaluated as dual inhibitor for α-glucosidase and α-amylase. These chemical scaffolds were built with variation in aryl ring which were found active with good to moderate activity for α-glucosidase having IC50 value ranging from 13.99 ± 0.10 to 59.09 ± 0.30 μM when compared with standard acarbose with IC50 of 11.29 ± 0.10 μM; for α-amylase IC50 value ranging from 13.14 ± 0.10 to 58.99 ± 0.30 μM when compared with the standard acarbose with IC50 of 11.12 ± 0.10 μM. Structure activity relationship (SAR) has been established for all compounds. Enzymatic kinetic study and molecular docking study have been carried out to investigate the binding interactions α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzyme.

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