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Do different vaccination regimes affect the growth performance, immune status, carcase characteristics and meat quality of broilers?

Chung ELT, Alghirani MM, Kamalludin MH, Nayan N, Jesse FFA, Wei OTA, et al.

Br Poult Sci, 2021 Feb;62(1):32-37.
PMID: 32875813 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2020.1817327

1. A vaccination regime is a schedule for the administration of vaccines which may vary according to country or even by farm. This study aimed to measure the production and health performance of broilers treated with different vaccination regimes. 2. A total of 108 Cobb 500 broiler birds were randomly divided into three treatment groups, with six replicates consisting of six birds per replicate. Each treatment group was administered with different vaccination regimes against Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bronchitis (IB) and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). Treatment 1 (T1) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB and IBD on days 7 and 14 of age, respectively (control); Treatment 2 (T2) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB on days 3 and 7 of age, and IBD on day 14; and Treatment 3 (T3) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB on days 7 and 21 and IBD on day 14. Throughout the 42-day study period, data and samples were collected to determine the growth performance, immune status, carcase characteristics and meat quality. 3. There were significant differences (P

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext Diet contributes to urban-induced alterations in gut microbiota: experimental evidence from a wild passerine

Teyssier A, Matthysen E, Hudin NS, de Neve L, White J, Lens L

Proc Biol Sci, 2020 02 12;287(1920):20192182.
PMID: 32019440 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2182

Urban sprawl increasingly affects the ecology of natural populations, including host-microbiota interactions, with observed differences in the gut microbiota between urban and rural hosts. While different mechanisms could explain this pattern, dietary uptake constitutes a likely candidate. To assess the contribution of diet in explaining urban-rural variation in gut microbiota, we performed an aviary experiment in which urban and rural house sparrows were fed with mimics of urban or rural diets. Before the experiment, rural sparrows hosted more diverse gut communities, with a higher relative abundance of Enterococcaceae and Staphylococcaceae and lower abundance of genes involved in xenobiotic degradation and lipid metabolism than their urban counterparts. The experimental diets significantly altered gut microbiota α- and β-diversity and taxonomic composition, with the strongest shifts occurring in individuals exposed to contrasting diets. Overall, diet-induced shifts resembled initial differences between free-ranging urban and rural hosts. Furthermore, rural diet had a positive impact on urban host body mass but only in hosts with the highest initial gut diversity. Overall, our results indicate that diet constitutes an important factor contributing to differences in gut microbiota along the urbanization gradient and provide new insights on possible fitness consequences of a reduced gut diversity in urban settings.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Structural and functional characterization of Solanum lycopersicum phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase C2 domain

Pak Dek MS, Padmanabhan P, Tiwari K, Todd JF, Paliyath G

Plant Physiol Biochem, 2020 Mar;148:180-192.
PMID: 31972387 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.01.014

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are characterized by the presence of a C2 domain at the N-terminal end (class I, III); or at both the N-terminal and C-terminal ends (class II), sometimes including a Plextrin homology domain and/or a Ras domain. Plant PI3Ks are analogous to the class III mammalian PI3K. An N-terminal fragment (~170 aa) of the tomato PI3K regulatory domain including the C2 domain, was cloned and expressed in a bacterial system. This protein was purified to homogeneity and its physicochemical properties analyzed. The purified protein showed strong binding with monophosphorylated phosphatidylinositols, and the binding was dependent on calcium ion concentration and pH. In the overall tertiary structure of PI3K, C2 domain showed unique characteristics, having three antiparallel beta-sheets, hydrophobic regions, acidic as well as alkaline motifs, that can enable its membrane binding upon activation. To elucidate the functional significance of C2 domain, transgenic tobacco plants expressing the C2 domain of PI3K were generated. Transgenic plants showed defective pollen development and disrupted seed set. Flowers from the PI3K-C2 transgenic plants showed delayed wilting, and a decrease in ethylene production. It is likely that introduction of the PI3K-C2 segment may have interfered with the normal binding of PI3K to the membrane, delaying the onset of membrane lipid catabolism that lead to senescence.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Environmental changes affecting physiological responses and growth of hybrid grouper - The interactive impact of low pH and temperature

Thalib YA, Razali RS, Mohamad S, Zainuddin R', Rahmah S, Ghaffar MA, et al.

Environ Pollut, 2021 Feb 15;271:116375.
PMID: 33422747 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116375

Rising of temperature in conjunction with acidification due to the anthropogenic climates has tremendously affected all aquatic life. Small changes in the surrounding environment could lead to physiological constraint in the individual. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of warm water temperature (32 °C) and low pH (pH 6) on physiological responses and growth of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂) juveniles for 25 days. Growth performance was significantly affected under warm water temperature and low-pH conditions. Surprisingly, the positive effect on growth was observed under the interactive effects of warm water and low pH exposure. Hybrid grouper exposed to the interactive stressor of warm temperature and low pH exhibited higher living cost, where HSI content was greatly depleted to about 2.3-folds than in normal circumstances. Overall, challenge to warm temperature and low pH induced protein mobilization as an energy source followed by glycogen and lipid to support basal metabolic needs.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext Teknik peer instruction dengan analisis sumber-sumber sejarah: kekekalan kemahiran pemikiran kritikal?

M. Kaviza

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2019;4(8):61-74.
MyJurnal

Kajian eksperimental ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti kesan teknik Peer Instruction dengan analisis sumber-sumber sejarah terhadap kekekalan kemahiran berfikir kritikal. Seramai 25 orang murid Tingkatan Empat melalui teknik persampelan bertujuan terlibat dalam kajian ini. Instrumen ujian pemikiran kritikal yang diadaptasi yang telah disahkan pakar penilai dan mempunyai nilai kebolehpercayaan yang baik merupakan instrumen kajian ini. Data kajian ini dianalisis secara inferensi iaitu ujian ANOVA Satu Hala dengan pengukuran berulang melalui perisian IBM SPSS. Dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa teknik Peer Instruction dengan analisis sumber-sumber sejarah adalah berkesan terhadap kekekalan kemahiran berfikir kritikal dalam kalangan murid. Implikasi kajian ini telah mencadangkan kepada guru-guru Sejarah pada semua peringkat persekolahan untuk melaksanakan teknik Peer Instruction dengan analisis sumber-sumber sejarah untuk memupuk kemahiran berfikir kritikal yang beterusan dalam kalangan murid.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext Pendekatan neo-realisem dalam filem alternative nasi lemak 2.0

Mohd Hanafi Jumrah, Haryati Abdul Karim

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2019;4(6):126-138.
MyJurnal

Filem-filem alternatif bukan hanya sekadar cerita, tetapi terdapat mesej dan idea yang tersirat yang wujud sebagai wadah media menyampaikan sesuatu ideologi. Idea yang dilontarkan melalui filem alternatif lebih bersifat kritikal dalam memaparkan realiti hubungan etnik di Malaysia. Kajian ini memfokuskan kepada resepsi audiens remaja terhadap filem alternatif Malaysia yang mana tumpuan adalah kepada pendekatan neo-realisme yang wujud dalam penafsiran mesej di antara informan dengan teks filem alternatif Nasi Lemak 2.0 (NL 2.0). Kajian ini juga melihat adakah wujud pendekatan neorealisem dalam penafsiran mesej di antara informan dengan teks filem? Kajian ini menggunakan dua kaedah analisis iaitu analisis tekstual dan analisis tematik dalam mencari pendekatan neo-realisem yang wujud dalam filem NL 2.0 ini. Kajian ini terdiri daripada 56 orang pelajar iaitu 28 orang pelajar lelaki dan 28 pelajar perempuan dari pelbagai etnik. Neo-realisme adalah gambaran awal tentang sesuatu perkara sebenar (terutamanya aspek kehidupan) dan tidak bersifat khayalan (Bazin Andre diterjemah oleh Gray Hugh, 1972). Pendekatan neo-realisme yang dipaparkan oleh Namewee dalam filem ini sangat jelas melalui representasi kepelbagaian kebudayaan etnik di Malaysia. Pendekatan neo-realisme ini membawa kepada cerminan realiti kehidupan masyarakat kepelbagaian etnik di Malaysia pada masa kini yang mana informan mengaitkan naskah filem alternatif ini dengan kehidupan seharian. Selain itu juga, kajian ini melihat pendekatan neo-realisme membentuk sosiobudaya kepelbagaian etnik dalam naskah filem dan realiti sebenar informan. Penghasilan filem ini cuba memaparkan masyarakat Malaysia yang pelbagai etnik secara semulajadi dan jelaslah menunjukkan bahawa filem alternatif sebagai wadah penyampaian ideologi yang membentuk penyatuan dalam kalangan masyarakat Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext Pengaruh tahap akauntabiliti guru, peranan pentadbir dan efikasi kendiri guru Terhadap pelaksanaan pengajaran abad ke-21 sekolah rendah

Shanti A/P Gobalakrishnan, Abdul Said Ambotang

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2019;4(6):170-180.
MyJurnal

Malaysia merupakan sebuah negara yang berkembang pesat seiring dengan ledakan globalisasi pada masa kini. Dalam menuju ke arah pendidikan bertaraf dunia, Malaysia perlu membawa suatu perubahan yang akan memberi kesan kepada dunia pendidikan. Dalam era globalisasi yang mencabar, kebanyakan negara semakin memandang berat terhadap bidang pendidikan kerana pendidikan telah memainkan peranan yang penting. Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) telah melaksanakan kajian semula terhadap sistem pendidikan negara dalam konteks standard pendidikan antarabangsa. Hasil daripada kajian tersebut, Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia (PPPM) 2013-2025 telah dilancarkan (KPM,2013). Melalui PPPM 2013-2025 salah satu perancangan adalah kemahiran abad ke21 dalam kalangan pelajar. Oleh hal yang demikian, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti pengaruh tahap akauntabiliti guru, peranan pentadbir dan efikasi kendiri guru terhadap pelaksanaan pengajaran abad ke-21 sekolah rendah di Negeri Sabah. Kajian ini juga bertujuan untuk melihat serta menganalisis pengaruh yang wujud antara tahap akauntabiliti guru, peranan pentadbir dan efikasi kendiri guru dalam isu ini. Seterusnya kajian ini juga menganalisis efikasi kendiri guru sebagai pengantara dalam hubungan tahap akauntabiliti guru dan peranan pentadbir terhadap pelaksanaan pengajaran abad ke-21. Implikasi daripada kajian ini juga diharapkan agar guru dan pihak pentadbir dapat menjalin kerjasama yang erat terhadap pelaksanaan pengajaran abad ke-21 di sekolah agar mampu menyediakan generasi muda untuk menghadapi sebarang kemungkinan.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext The complete mitochondrial genome of the cavity-nesting honeybee, Apis koschevnikovi (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Wakamiya T, Tingek S, Okuyama H, Kiyoshi T, Takahashi JI

Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2017 Jan 17;2(1):24-25.
PMID: 33490434 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2016.1275847

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the cavity-nesting honeybee, A. koschevnikovi. The mitochondrial genome of A. koschevnikovi was observed to be a circular molecule of 15,278 bp and was similar to that of the other cavity-nesting honeybee species. The average AT content in the A. koschevnikovi mitochondrial genome was 84%. It was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding, 24 tRNA and two rRNA genes, along with one A + T-rich control region, besides three tRNA-Met repeats.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
In vivo evaluation of anticancer efficacy of drug loaded cockle shell-derived aragonite nanoparticles

Wenliang F, Rameli MABP, Ibrahim TAT, Noor MHM, Yusof LM, Zakaria MZAB

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 2019 Aug;107(6):1898-1907.
PMID: 30597760 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34282

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective and commonly used anthracycline anticancer drug for the treatment of osteosarcoma (OS). However, its antitumor effect is hampered by the nonspecific distribution and significant adverse effects. Nanoparticles based drug delivery systems are promising approaches to maximize the anticancer efficacy while decrease the side effects. In this study, biogenic aragonite nanoparticles (ANPs) were developed from cockle shells and loaded with DOX. An orthotopic rat OS model was induced by UMR-106 cells tibia cavity injection. The anticancer efficacy study included five groups: normal control group, OS model group, free DOX group (2 mg/kg), DOX-ANPs 1 group (2 mg of equivalent DOX/kg) and DOX-ANPs 2 group (1.5 mg of equivalent DOX/kg). This study demonstrates that the DOX-ANPs treatment groups can significantly reduce the tumor volume and increase the surviving ratio as compared to the OS model group. In addition, these two DOX-ANPs groups showed less toxicity to the normal organs compared to the free DOX group. Furthermore, DOX-ANPs 2 group showed the similar anticancer efficacy as DOX-ANPs 1 group, which suggested that DOX loaded onto the ANPs may allow the reduction of chemotherapy doses. These results highlight the promising application of ANPs derived from cockle shells as an effective drug delivery system for a successful chemotherapy against OS. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1898-1907, 2019.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Evidences of in vivo bioactivity of Fe-bioceramic composites for temporary bone implants

Ulum MF, Nasution AK, Yusop AH, Arafat A, Kadir MR, Juniantito V, et al.

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 2015 Oct;103(7):1354-65.
PMID: 25385691 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.33315

Iron-bioceramic composites have been developed as biodegradable implant materials with tailored degradation behavior and bioactive features. In the current work, in vivo bioactivity of the composites was comprehensively studied by using sheep animal model. Five groups of specimens (Fe-HA, Fe-TCP, Fe-BCP composites, and pure-Fe and SS316L as controls) were surgically implanted into medio proximal region of the radial bones. Real-time ultrasound analysis showed a decreased echo pattern at the peri-implant biodegradation site of the composites indicating minimal tissue response during the wound healing process. Peripheral whole blood biomarkers monitoring showed a normal dynamic change of blood cellular responses and no stress effect was observed. Meanwhile, the released Fe ion concentration was increasing along the implantation period. Histological analysis showed that the composites corresponded with a lower inflammatory giant cell count than that of SS316L. Analysis of the retrieved implants showed a thicker degradation layer on the composites compared with pure-Fe. It can be concluded that the iron-bioceramic composites are bioactive and induce a preferable wound healing process.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext Analisis faktor pengesahan instrumen kemenjadian pelajar

Mohd Nasir Rayung, Mohd Husin Musa, Mansur Tanra

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2019;4(6):0-0.
MyJurnal

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengesahkan item instrumen Kemenjadian Pelajar (KP) tingkatan enam. Sebanyak 418 orang responden terdiri daripada pelajar tingkatan enam dari seluruh negeri Sabah telah dipilih sebagai sampel kajian. Terdapat enam pemboleh ubah KP yang diuji dalam kajian ini merangkumi pengetahuan, kemahiran berfikir, kemahiran kepimpinan, kemahiran dwibahasa, etika dan kerohanian serta identiti nasional. Analisis data kajian dijalankan secara deskriptif (Cronbach alpha) dan analisis faktor pengesahan (CFA) menggunakan perisian Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) dan Structural equation modeling (SEM). Dapatan kajian menunjukkan nilai Alpha Cronbach berada pada klasifikasi tinggi dan sangat tinggi melebihi 0.70. Hasil analisis model pengukuran peringkat kedua kemenjadian pelajar adalah sepadan dan boleh diterima berdasarkan penyelesaian enam pemboleh ubah kajian. Kajian juga mencadangkan model pengukuran 19 item soalan untuk mengukur tahap kemenjadian pelajar.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext Implisit judul berita pilihan raya umum ke-14

Faris Fakhira Tauran, Zaitul Azma Zainon Hamzah

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2019;4(6):32-44.
MyJurnal

Kemenangan parti pembangkang dalam pilihan raya umum (PRU) kali ke-14 telah memecahkan tampuk pimpinan kerajaan lama yang telah memerintah selama 60 tahun. Pelbagai isu mengenai pilihan raya umum disiarkan menerusi media massa terutamanya media cetak. Media cetak seperti surat khabar juga tidak terlepas daripada menyiarkan pelbagai judul berita yang menarik. Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat beberapa judul berita yang ditulis menggunakan perkataan yang mempunyai makna implisit. Penggunaan perkataan yang mempunyai makna implisit ini akan menyukarkan pembaca untuk memahami judul yang dipaparkan. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti dan membincangkan perkataan implisit yang terdapat dalam judul berita PRU ke-14. Kaedah yang dipilih bagi melaksanakan kajian ini ialah kaedah kualitatif. Selain itu, bahan kajian yang digunakan ialah surat khabar Berita Harian keluaran bulan April dan Mei bagi tahun 2018. Namun, berita yang dipilih hanya berfokus kepada berita PRU ke-14 yang mempunyai perkataan implisit sahaja. Setiap data yang dikumpul akan dikateorikan mengikut bentuk kata iaitu kata tunggal, kata terbitan dan kata majmuk. Data yang telah dikategorikan akan dianalisis dengan menggunakan teori semiotik. Hasil dapatan menunjukkan bahawa terdapat 28 judul berita PRU ke-14 yang menggunakan perkataan implisit. Kebanyakan perkataan implisit ini terdiri daripada kata majmuk iaitu sebanyak 18 judul, diikuti kata tunggal sebanyak 8 judul dan kata terbitan sebanyak 2 judul. Penggunaan perkataan implisit ini adalah bertujuan untuk menarik perhatian pembaca supaya membaca berita yang disiarkan. Justeru, kajian ini secara tidak langsung dapat menunjukkan bahawa berita bergenre politik juga turut menggunakan perkataan implisit dalam penulisan judul berita.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext Polemik gender dan realiti gaya komunikasi pemimpin wanita dunia

Emma Binti Tingkas, Syahruddin Awg Ahmad

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2019;4(6):82-91.
MyJurnal

Kaum wanita sebagai figura dunia merupakan satu pengikitirafan dan penghormatan tertinggi bagi mereka. Beberapa ‘figura’ wanita dunia dijadikan sebagai unit analisis untuk mengkategorikan gaya komunikasi yang diaplikasi dalam melaksanakan tanggungjawab sebagai ketua kerajaan dan juga sebagai idola masyarakat dunia.Salah satu ciri untuk menjadi figura dan pemimpin yang berkesan adalah dengan mengamalkan gaya komunikasi yang difikirkan sesuai berdasarkan persoalan tentang Siapa, Di mana dan Bagaimana gaya komunikasi tersebut diaplikasikan. Gaya komunikasi merupakan satu wadahyang digunakan bukan sahaja untuk memastikan kelancaran perjalanan pengurusan sesebuah organisasi namun juga penting dalam urusan hal ehwal tadbir melibatkan kerajaan sesebuah negara serta ketika berhadapan dengan khalayak. “The way you lead is thru the way you speak” merupakan falsafah budaya kepemimpinan yang menjadi asas kepada kertas kerja ini. Konsep kertas kerja ini adalah berpaksikan kepada enam gaya komunikasi oleh Tubbs dan Moss (2008) dengan menggunakan kaedah analisis dokumen. Kertas kerja ini juga akan memberikan pemahaman yang lebih jelas tentang gaya komunikasi yang diamalkan oleh ‘figura’wanita dunia dalam melaksanakan praktis pengurusan dan pentadbiran kerajaan, organisasi yang diwakili mahupun sewaktu mereke perlu berhadapan dengan publik. Kertas kerja ini diharapkan mampu untuk menjadi perintis agar satu kajian yang lebih mendalam berkaitan karisma wanita samaada sebagai ketua kerajaan mahupun “public figure”daripada aspek komunikasi dapat dilakukan pada masa akan datang

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Thermal tolerance and locomotor activity of blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus instar reared at different temperatures

Azra MN, Chen JC, Ikhwanuddin M, Abol-Munafi AB

J Therm Biol, 2018 May;74:234-240.
PMID: 29801633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.04.002

Owing to its potential market value, the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus is of great economic importance. The temperature of water significantly affects the physiological function and production efficiency of these crabs. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine the critical thermal minimum (CTMin), critical thermal maximum (CTMax), acclimation response ratio (ARR), escaping temperature (Tesc), and locomotor behavior of P. pelagicus instars at 20 °C, 24 °C, 28 °C, 32 °C, and 36 °C. The CTMax ranged from 39.05 °C to 44.38 °C, while the CTMin ranged from 13.05 °C to 19.30 °C, and both increased directly with temperature. The ARR ranged from 0.25 to 0.51. The movement of crabs (walking before molting) correlated positively with the acclimation temperature. These results indicate that the parameters evaluated varied with temperature. Furthermore, the high CTMax indicates the potential of this species to adapt to a wide range of temperatures. In addition, the implications of these findings for portunid crabs behavior and distribution in their natural habitat are also discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext Effects of marbling on physical and sensory characteristics of ribeye steaks from four different cattle breeds

Shahrai NN, Babji AS, Maskat MY, Razali AF, Yusop SM

Anim Biosci, 2021 May;34(5):904-913.
PMID: 32810938 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.20.0201

OBJECTIVE: Marbling or intramuscular fat (IMF) has been widely reported to directly impact the sensory acceptance of meat. This study was carried out to determine the physical and sensory characteristics of ribeye, Longissimus dorsi steaks obtained from four different cattle breeds namely Wagyu, Angus, Brahman, and Malaysian local beef, the Kedah-Kelantan (KK).
METHODS: The degree of marbling was determined by using an established combined camera-image analysis technique while instrumental texture determination was carried out by using Warner-Bratzler shear force analysis. Sensory evaluation of the beef steaks was performed following a quantitative descriptive analysis incorporating 10 trained consumer panelists.
RESULTS: Wagyu was found to possess the highest (p<0.05) percentage of IMF at 33.90% and the lowest shear force (raw = 5.61 N/mm2; cooked = 14.72 N/mm2) followed by Angus (20.87%), Brahman (12.17%), and KK (p<0.05, 6.86%). The difference in sensory properties of the four steaks was evident, with Wagyu appearing to be highly correlated with most sensory attributes measured namely sustained buttery, tooth-packing, chewiness, juiciness, tenderness, mouthfeel, oiliness, and overall acceptability. The Malaysian local beef, KK was found to be less acceptable (p<0.05), although most of its sensory attributes were found similar (p>0.05) in appearance, aroma, texture, juiciness, and flavour to the cooked steak from Angus and Brahman.
CONCLUSION: This present study demonstrated the role of IMF in determining the quality and sensory acceptance of beef from different cattle breeds. These data have provided new information and further understanding on the physical and sensory quality of Malaysian local beef.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext A Comparative Performance Analysis of Computational Intelligence Techniques to Solve the Asymmetric Travelling Salesman Problem

Odili JB, Noraziah A, Zarina M

Comput Intell Neurosci, 2021;2021:6625438.
PMID: 33986793 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6625438

This paper presents a comparative performance analysis of some metaheuristics such as the African Buffalo Optimization algorithm (ABO), Improved Extremal Optimization (IEO), Model-Induced Max-Min Ant Colony Optimization (MIMM-ACO), Max-Min Ant System (MMAS), Cooperative Genetic Ant System (CGAS), and the heuristic, Randomized Insertion Algorithm (RAI) to solve the asymmetric Travelling Salesman Problem (ATSP). Quite unlike the symmetric Travelling Salesman Problem, there is a paucity of research studies on the asymmetric counterpart. This is quite disturbing because most real-life applications are actually asymmetric in nature. These six algorithms were chosen for their performance comparison because they have posted some of the best results in literature and they employ different search schemes in attempting solutions to the ATSP. The comparative algorithms in this study employ different techniques in their search for solutions to ATSP: the African Buffalo Optimization employs the modified Karp-Steele mechanism, Model-Induced Max-Min Ant Colony Optimization (MIMM-ACO) employs the path construction with patching technique, Cooperative Genetic Ant System uses natural selection and ordering; Randomized Insertion Algorithm uses the random insertion approach, and the Improved Extremal Optimization uses the grid search strategy. After a number of experiments on the popular but difficult 15 out of the 19 ATSP instances in TSPLIB, the results show that the African Buffalo Optimization algorithm slightly outperformed the other algorithms in obtaining the optimal results and at a much faster speed.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext RELATIONSHIP OF CONDITION INDEX AND REPRODUCTIVE STATUS OF BLACK SNAIL, FAUNUS ATER IN MERCHANG LAGOON

Nurul Husna Hassan, Roslizawati Ab Lah

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(1):1-8.
MyJurnal

Black snail, Faunus ater is an abundant species in Malaysia yet not many research have focused on its physiological and biological activities. This research aimed to assess the condition index (CI) and reproductive status based on the gonadosomatic index (GSI) for short-term duration. Samples were collected monthly from Merchang Lagoon, from November 2018 to January 2019. Four different types of condition indices equation were applied in this study and the results revealed that there were significant differences between four equations for measuring the CI (P=0.000). However, the result for the GSI shows no significant difference between three month of sampling (P>0.05). CI based on fresh weight measurement (Fww/Tww x 100) and dry weight measurement (Fdw/Fww x 100) reached its peak when GSI decreased. The rest of the trend for CI fluctuated and CI was not affected by GSI. Overall, this study concluded that, there were trends observed in CI and GSI for the black snails. However, it is suggested that longer term observation in future research is needed have a better understanding on the black snails.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext KAJIAN PENCEMARAN AIR TERHADAP KOMUNITI ORANG ASLI DI TASIK CHINI, PAHANG

IDA ROYANI AMRAN, RAHAYA MD. JAMIN

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2021;3(2):119-128.
MyJurnal

Pencemaran air di Tasik Chini, Pahang kian meruncing akibat pembangunan sekitar yang tidak terkawal menyebabkan kemusnahan rantaian makanan sekaligus mengancam kelangsungan hidup komuniti asli. Justeru, kajian telah dijalankan bagi mengenal pasti faktor, impak dan keberkesanan strategi dengan menggunapakai Teori Pengambilalihan. Selain itu, kajian ini dipilih untuk memenuhi kelompangan kajian terdahulu yang lebih menekankan kepentingan pengekalan biodiversiti flora dan fauna berbanding kajian terhadap kehidupan komuniti setempat. Maka, kajian deskritif tinjauan telah digunakan melalui kaedah pemerhatian, temu bual mendalam bersama empat orang informan, dianalisis secara transkripsi, triangulasi dan analisis kandungan. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan faktor pencemaran air berpunca daripada pembinaan empangan air, projek pembangunan, aktiviti pembalakan, aktiviti perlombongan dan hakisan tanih. Sementara, pertanian komersial juga menjejaskan kegunaan domestik, hidupan akuatik terganggu, perubahan sifat air, kehilangan sumber pendapatan, dan tahap kesihatan terjejas. Oleh itu, cadangan memperluaskan program advokasi seperti pengawalan pembuangan sampah sarap, pematuhan Penilaian Impak Alam Sekitar (EIA), penglibatan pihak awam dan swasta, pemantauan kesihatan, kesedaran awam, dan melakukan penyelidikan lanjutan. Kajian mendapati dua buah syarikat China mengeksport bijih besi yang diperoleh sekitar Tasik Chini menggunakan permit AP (Eksport dan Import) dari negeri lain, bukannya Pahang. Meskipun syarikat tersebut tidak mempunyai lesen melombong tetapi mereka mempunyai segala kelengkapan alatan memproses dan menjalankan operasinya hingga kini. Diharapkan isu pencemaran air di Tasik Chini dapat dipulihkan demi menjamin kelestarian sejagat.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Vaccine candidates generated by codon and codon pair deoptimization of enterovirus A71 protect against lethal challenge in mice

Lee MHP, Tan CW, Tee HK, Ong KC, Sam IC, Chan YF

Vaccine, 2021 03 19;39(12):1708-1720.
PMID: 33640144 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.02.024

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) causes hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in young children. It is associated with severe neurological complications and death. This study aims to develop a live-attenuated vaccine by codon deoptimization (CD) and codon-pair deoptimization (CPD) of EV-A71. CD is generated by introducing the least preferred codons for amino acids while CPD increases the presence of underrepresented codon pairs in the specific genes. CD and CPD chimeras were generated by synonymous mutations at the VP2, VP3, VP1 and 2A gene regions, designated as XYZ. All twelve deoptimized viruses were viable with similar replication kinetics, but the plaque sizes were inversely proportional to the level of deoptimization. All the deoptimized viruses showed attenuated growth in vitro with reduced viral protein expression at 48 h and lower viral RNA at 39 °C. Six-week-old ICR mice were immunized intraperitoneally with selected CD and CPD X and XY vaccine candidates covering the VP2-VP3 and VP2-VP3-VP1 genes, respectively. All vaccine candidates elicited high anti-EV-A71 IgG levels similar to wild-type (WT) EV-A71. The CD X and CPD X vaccines produced robust neutralizing antibodies but not the CD XY and CPD XY. On lethal challenge, offspring of mice immunized with WT, CD X and CPD X were fully protected, but the CD XY- and CPD XY-vaccinated mice had delayed symptoms and eventually died. Similarly, active immunization of 1-day-old suckling mice with CD X, CPD X and CD XY vaccine candidates provided complete immune protection but CPD XY only protected 40% of the challenged mice. Histology of the muscles from CD X- and CPD X-vaccinated mice showed minimal pathology compared to extensive inflammation in the post-challenged mock-vaccinated mice. Overall, we demonstrated that the CD X and CPD X elicited good neutralizing antibodies, conferred immune protection and are promising live-attenuated vaccine candidates for EV-A71.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals
Fulltext Curcumin minimises histopathological and immunological progression in the ankle joints of collagen-induced arthritis rats

Kevin, T.T.M., Nur Idanis, A.S., Anastasha, B., Mohd Faris, M.R., Faizah, O., Taty Anna, K.

Medicine & Health, 2020;15(2):26-36.
MyJurnal

Curcumin adalah satu rempah tradisional yang mempunyai potensi untuk menyembuhkan pelbagai jenis penyakit inflamatori, termasuk artritis. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk memerhatikan kesan-kesan curcumin ke atas perubahan histopatologi dan aras interleukin-1β (IL-1β) di dalam artritis aruhan kolagen (CIA). Tiga puluh ekor tikus jantan Sprague-Dawley (150+50 g) dibahagikan kepada lima kumpulan secara rawak. Satu kumpulan dijadikan kumpulan kawalan normal (CTRL), manakala selebihnya disuntik dengan 150 μg emulsi kolagen secara subkutan pada hari 0. Kumpulan CTRL dan CIA-Curcumin-d0 masing-masing diberi suplimentasi harian minyak zaitun oil (1 ml/kg) dan curcumin (110 mg/ml/ kg) bermula pada hari 0. Kumpulan CIA-OV (kawalan negatif), CIA-Beta dan CIA-Curcumin-d14 pula, masing-masing diberi suplimentasi harian minyak zaitun (1 ml/kg), Betamethasone (0.5 mg/ml/kg), dan curcumin (110 mg/ml/kg) bermula pada hari 14. Suplimentasi harian tersebut diberi kepada tikus-tikus sehingga hari ke 42. Kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa kumpulan CIA-Beta (**P=0.00) dan CIA-Curcumin-d0 (**P=0.01) masing-masing mempamerkan purata skor histologi yang lebih rendah secara signifikan berbanding kumpulan CIA-OV. Aras IL-1β di dalam serum untuk kumpulan CIA-Beta dan CIA-Curcumin-d0 tidak meningkat secara signifikan pada hari ke 42 berbanding hari 0. Purata peningkatan aras IL-1β dari hari 0 ke hari 42 juga adalah rendah secara signifikan (**P≤0.01) untuk semua kumpulan CIA berbanding kumpulan CIA-OV. Tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dalan purata skor histologi dan aras IL-1β kumpulan of CIA-Curcumin-d0 berbanding kumpulan CIA-Beta. Kesimpulannya suplimentasi awal curcumin berpotensi untuk meminimakan perubahan yang disebabkan penyakit artritis aruhan kolagen pada tikus.

Matched MeSH terms: Animals

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