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  1. Responses of testosterone hormone and important inflammatory cytokines in bucks after challenge with Mannheimia haemolytica A2 and its LPS endotoxin
    Azhar NA, Paul BT, Jesse FFA, Chung ELT, Isa KM, Lila MAM, et al.
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 2021 Apr 03;53(2):242.
    PMID: 33811523 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02683-6
    Previous studies have shown that Mannheimia haemolytica A2 is the principal microorganism causing pneumonic mannheimiosis, a major bacterial respiratory disease among sheep and goats. The effect of this bacteria on the respiratory system is well-established. However, its effect on the reproductive physiology remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the alterations in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and testosterone hormone post-inoculation with M. haemolytica serotype A2 and its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin which were hypothesized to affect the reproductive functions of bucks. Twelve clinically healthy adult male goats were divided equally into three groups. Goats in group 1 were treated with 2 ml of sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) pH 7.0 intranasally (negative control), group 2 with 2 ml of 109 colony-forming unit (CFU) of M. haemolytica serotype A2 intranasally (positive control), and group 3 were treated with 2 ml of lipopolysaccharide extracted from 109 CFU of M. haemolytica serotype A2 intravenously. Following inoculation, blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture into plain tubes at pre-determined intervals for serum collection to determine the concentration of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and testosterone hormone by using commercial ELISA test kits. Results from this study demonstrated that the inoculation of M. haemolytica A2 and its LPS increases the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines but decreases the concentration of testosterone hormone in challenged animals at most time points throughout the 56 days experimental period (p < 0.05). This study suggests that the M. haemolytica A2 and its LPS could alter the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines and testosterone hormone, which in turn, may negatively affect the reproductive functions of bucks.
  2. Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogel Based Formulations of Zinc Hydroxide Nitrate-Sodium Dodecylsulphate-Bispyribac Nanocomposite: Advancements in Controlled Release Formulation of Herbicide
    Mohd Sharif SN, Hashim N, Md Isa I, Abu Bakar S, Idris Saidin M, Syahrizal Ahmad M, et al.
    J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2021 12 01;21(12):5867-5880.
    PMID: 34229781 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2021.19499
    The usefulness of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a matrix material in enhancing the controlled release formulations of bispyribac (BP) herbicide from the interlayer gallery of zinc hydroxide nitratesodium dodecylsulphate-bispyribac (ZHN-SDS-BP) nanocomposite was investigated. The CMC coated nanocomposite, ZHN-SDS-BP-CMC was characterised using several instruments for the determination of its physicochemical properties. The release rates of the BP were measured using a UV spectrophotometer, and the aqueous solutions containing PO3-₄ , SO2-₄ and Cl- were selected as release media in the release studies so as to mimic the real conditions of environmental soil. Significant release time delays, triggered by the gelation forming ability and hygroscopic nature of CMC, were observed in all release media, and the release processes were found to behave in a concentration-dependent manner in all release media. Fitting the release data into several kinetic models demonstrated that release in aqueous solutions of Na₃PO₄ and Na₂SO₄ was governed by pseudo second order processes, whereas the release in an aqueous NaCl solution was governed by the parabolic diffusion kinetic model. The potential of CMC in prolonging the release of BP from ZHN-SDS-BP-CMC can potentially help in reducing the pollution resulting from the overuse of pesticides.
  3. Fulltext Spatial Analysis of Groundwater Hydrochemistry through Integrated Multivariate Analysis: A Case Study in the Urbanized Langat Basin, Malaysia
    Zainol NFM, Zainuddin AH, Looi LJ, Aris AZ, Isa NM, Sefie A, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 05 27;18(11).
    PMID: 34071804 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115733
    Rapid urbanization and industrial development in the Langat Basin has disturbed the groundwater quality. The populations' reliance on groundwater sources may induce possible risks to human health such as cancer and endocrine dysfunction. This study aims to determine the groundwater quality of an urbanized basin through 24 studied hydrochemical parameters from 45 groundwater samples obtained from 15 different sampling stations by employing integrated multivariate analysis. The abundance of the major ions was in the following order: bicarbonate (HCO3-) > chloride (Cl-) > sodium (Na+) > sulphate (SO42-) > calcium (Ca2+) > potassium (K+) > magnesium (Mg2+). Heavy metal dominance was in the following order: Fe > Mn > Zn > As > Hg > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cd > Se > Sr. Classification of the groundwater facies indicated that the studied groundwater belongs to the Na-Cl with saline water type and Na-HCO3 with mix water type characteristics. The saline water type characteristics are derived from agricultural activities, while the mixed water types occur from water-rock interaction. Multivariate analysis performance suggests that industrial, agricultural, and weathering activities have contributed to groundwater contamination. The study will help in the understanding of the groundwater quality issue and serve as a reference for other basins with similar characteristics.
  4. Fulltext Metagenomic characterization of indoor dust fungal associated with allergy and lung inflammation among school children
    Isa KNM, Jalaludin J, Elias SM, Than LTL, Jabbar MA, Saudi ASM, et al.
    Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 2021 Sep 15;221:112430.
    PMID: 34147866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112430
    The exposure of school children to indoor air pollutants has increased allergy and respiratory diseases. The objective of this study were to determine the toxicodynamic interaction of indoor pollutants exposure, biological and chemical with expression of adhesion molecules on eosinophil and neutrophil. A self-administered questionnaire, allergy skin test, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) analyser were used to collect information on health status, sensitization to allergens and respiratory inflammation, respectively among school children at age of 14 years. The sputum induced were analysed to determine the expression of CD11b, CD35, CD63 and CD66b on eosinophil and neutrophil by using flow cytometry technique. The particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), NO2, CO2, and formaldehyde, temperature, and relative humidity were measured inside the classrooms. The fungal DNA were extracted from settled dust collected from classrooms and evaluated using metagenomic techniques. We applied chemometric and regression in statistical analysis. A total of 1869 unique of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of fungi were identified with dominated at genus level by Aspergillus (15.8%), Verrucoconiothyrium (5.5%), and Ganoderma (4.6%). Chemometric and regression results revealed that relative abundance of T. asahii were associated with down regulation of CD66b expressed on eosinophil, and elevation of FeNO levels in predicting asthmatic children with model accuracy of 63.6%. Meanwhile, upregulation of CD11b expressed on eosinophil were associated with relative abundance of A. clavatus and regulated by PM2.5. There were significant association of P. bandonii with upregulation of CD63 expressed on neutrophil and exposure to NO2. Our findings indicate that exposure to PM2.5, NO2, T. asahii, P.bandonii and A.clavatus are likely interrelated with upregulation of activation and degranulation markers on both eosinophil and neutrophil.
  5. Fulltext High Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor to Interleukin 10 Ratio and Marked Antioxidant Enzyme Activities Predominate in Symptomatic Cattle Naturally Infected with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, Theileria orientalis, Theileria sinensis and Trypanosoma evansi
    Agina OA, Cheah KT, Sayuti NSA, Shaari MR, Isa NMM, Ajat M, et al.
    Animals (Basel), 2021 Jul 29;11(8).
    PMID: 34438696 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082235
    The aim of this study was to measure the serum proinflammatory (IL-12, GM-CSF & IFN-γ) to anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-4) cytokine ratio, oxidant (MDA) level and antioxidant enzyme (SOD; GPx) activities after blood parasite infections. The blood and serum samples were obtained from 130 cattle and screened for identity of the infecting blood parasites by conventional PCR. The following blood parasite species were detected: Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos (70/130); Theileria orientalis (65/130); Theileria sinensis (32/130); Anaplasma marginale (49/130); Anaplasma platys (7/130); and Trypanosoma evansi (4/130). The GM-CSF/IL-10 ratio showed significantly higher values in all the symptomatic blood parasite infected cattle groups except for symptomatic A. platys infected cattle groups. Anti-inflammatory cytokine immune responses were notable findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle infected with C. M. haemobos and T. orientalis characterized by low serum IL-12:IL-10, IFN-γ:IL-10, IL-12:IL-4 and IFN-γ:IL-4 (p < 0.05). Therefore, high serum GM-CSF:IL:10 in the symptomatic blood parasite infected cattle, low serum IL-12:IL-10, IFN-γ:IL-10, IL-12:IL-4 and IFN-γ:IL-4 ratios in asymptomatic cattle, high MDA level, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities could be useful predictive tools for outcome of natural blood parasite infections in cattle.
  6. Fulltext Association between elevated carotid intima-media thickness and serum uric acid levels among patients with essential hypertension in primary care setting in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia
    Mohd Nasir MZ, Malek KA, Isa MR, Hamdan MF, Abdul Kadir RF, Ahmad F, et al.
    Int J Clin Pract, 2021 Sep;75(9):e14445.
    PMID: 34105862 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14445
    AIMS: Our study aimed to investigate the association between elevated carotid-intima media thickness (CIMT) and serum uric acid (SUA) levels in hypertensive patients attending primary care clinics in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia.

    METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 140 hypertensive patients attending outpatient follow-up in two primary care clinics in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia, using a convenient sampling method. SUA levels were measured and divided into four quartiles. Two radiologist specialists performed B mode ultrasonography to assess the thickness of the right and left carotid intima media in all participants.

    RESULTS: Participants' mean SUA level was 355.75 ± 0.13. Their mean age was 53.44 (± 9.90), with a blood pressure control of 137.09 ± 13.22/81.89 ± 8.95. Elevated CIMT taken at ≥75th percentile was 0.666 for the left and 0.633 for the right common carotid arteries. By using a hierarchical method of multiple logistic regression, compared with the first quartile of the SUA level as reference group, the odd of elevated CIMT in quartile 4 in the common carotid artery was (OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 0.64-6.27, P = .576) for the right and (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.20-2.00, P = .594) for the left. Waist circumference (P = .001), body mass index (P = .013), triglycerides (P 

  7. Fulltext RNA-seq data from different developmental stages of Rafflesia cantleyi floral buds
    Amini S, Alias H, Aizat-Juhari MA, Mat-Isa MN, Adam JH, Goh HH, et al.
    Genom Data, 2017 Dec;14:5-6.
    PMID: 28761813 DOI: 10.1016/j.gdata.2017.07.008
    Rafflesia cantleyi, known as one of the world's largest flowers, is a specialised holoparasite due to dramatic morphological modifications. It possesses highly reduced vegetative structure and only appears as a flower for sexual reproduction. Moreover, it has an unusual life cycle in that its floral bud development takes up to nine months. In order to fully understand the highly modified floral organ structure and long life cycle of R. cantleyi, we used Illumina sequencing technology (HiSeq) for sequence generation followed by de novo assembly of sequence reads. We obtained the RNA-seq data from three different stages of floral bud, representing the early, mid and advanced developmental stages. These data are available via BioProject accession number PRJNA378435. More than 10.3 Gb raw sequence data were generated, corresponding to 102,203,042 raw reads. Following removal of low-quality reads and trimming of adapter sequences, a total of 91,638,836 reads were obtained. De novo assembly of these sequences using Trinity resulted in 89,690 unique transcripts with an N50 of 1653 bp. The obtained transcriptomic data will be useful for further study to understand the molecular interactions that result in R. cantleyi floral development.
  8. Fulltext Safety assessments of subcutaneous doses of aragonite calcium carbonate nanocrystals in rats
    Jaji AZ, Zakaria ZAB, Mahmud R, Loqman MY, Hezmee MNM, Abba Y, et al.
    J Nanopart Res, 2017;19(5):175.
    PMID: 28553160 DOI: 10.1007/s11051-017-3849-z
    Calcium carbonate nanoparticles have shown promising potentials in the delivery of drugs and metabolites. There is however, a paucity of information on the safety of their intentional or accidental over exposures to biological systems and general health safety. To this end, this study aims at documenting information on the safety of subcutaneous doses of biogenic nanocrystals of aragonite polymorph of calcium carbonate derived from cockle shells (ANC) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. ANC was synthesized using the top-down method, characterized using the transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscope and its acute and repeated dose 28-day trial toxicities were evaluated in SD rats. The results showed that the homogenous 30 ± 5 nm-sized spherical pure aragonite nanocrystals were not associated with mortality in the rats. Severe clinical signs and gross and histopathological lesions, indicating organ toxicities, were recorded in the acute toxicity (29,500 mg/m2) group and the high dose (5900 mg/m2) group of the repeated dose 28-day trial. However, the medium- (590 mg/m2 body weight) and low (59 mg/m2)-dose groups showed moderate to mild lesions. The relatively mild lesions observed in the low toxicity dosage group marked the safety margin of ANC in SD rats. It was concluded from this study that the toxicity of CaCO3 was dependent on the particulate size (30 ± 5 nm) and concentration and the route of administration used.
  9. Analysis of the genetic structure of the Malay population: Ancestry-informative marker SNPs in the Malay of Peninsular Malaysia
    Yahya P, Sulong S, Harun A, Wan Isa H, Ab Rajab NS, Wangkumhang P, et al.
    Forensic Sci Int Genet, 2017 09;30:152-159.
    PMID: 28743033 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2017.07.005
    Malay, the main ethnic group in Peninsular Malaysia, is represented by various sub-ethnic groups such as Melayu Banjar, Melayu Bugis, Melayu Champa, Melayu Java, Melayu Kedah Melayu Kelantan, Melayu Minang and Melayu Patani. Using data retrieved from the MyHVP (Malaysian Human Variome Project) database, a total of 135 individuals from these sub-ethnic groups were profiled using the Affymetrix GeneChip Mapping Xba 50-K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to identify SNPs that were ancestry-informative markers (AIMs) for Malays of Peninsular Malaysia. Prior to selecting the AIMs, the genetic structure of Malays was explored with reference to 11 other populations obtained from the Pan-Asian SNP Consortium database using principal component analysis (PCA) and ADMIXTURE. Iterative pruning principal component analysis (ipPCA) was further used to identify sub-groups of Malays. Subsequently, we constructed an AIMs panel for Malays using the informativeness for assignment (In) of genetic markers, and the K-nearest neighbor classifier (KNN) was used to teach the classification models. A model of 250 SNPs ranked by In, correctly classified Malay individuals with an accuracy of up to 90%. The identified panel of SNPs could be utilized as a panel of AIMs to ascertain the specific ancestry of Malays, which may be useful in disease association studies, biomedical research or forensic investigation purposes.
  10. Fulltext Synthesis, characterization, and cytocompatibility of potential cockle shell aragonite nanocrystals for osteoporosis therapy and hormonal delivery
    Jaji AZ, Bakar MZ, Mahmud R, Loqman MY, Hezmee MN, Isa T, et al.
    Nanotechnol Sci Appl, 2017;10:23-33.
    PMID: 28176933 DOI: 10.2147/NSA.S113030
    Calcium carbonate is a porous inorganic nanomaterial with huge potential in biomedical applications and controlled drug delivery. This study aimed at evaluating the physicochemical properties and in vitro efficacy and safety of cockle shell aragonite calcium carbonate nanocrystals (ANC) as a potential therapeutic and hormonal delivery vehicle for osteoporosis management. Free and human recombinant parathyroid hormone 1-34 (PTH 1-34)-loaded cockle shell aragonite calcium carbonate nanocrystals (PTH-ANC) were synthesized and evaluated using standard procedures. Transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy results demonstrated highly homogenized spherical-shaped aragonite nanocrystals of 30±5 nm diameter. PTH-ANC had a zeta potential of -27.6±8.9 mV. The encapsulation efficiency of the formulation was found to be directly proportional to the concentrations of the drug fed. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed strong crystallizations with no positional change of peaks before and after PTH-ANC synthesis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated no detectable interactions between micron-sized aragonite and surfactant at molecular level. PTH-ANC formulation was stabilized at pH 7.5, enabling sustained slow release of PTH 1-34 for 168 h (1 week). A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide cytocompatibility assay in Human Foetal Osteoblast Cell Line hFOB 1.19 showed that ANC can safely support osteoblast proliferation up to 48 h whereas PTH-ANC can safely support the proliferation at 72 h and beyond due to the sustained slow release of PTH 1-34. It was concluded that due to its biogenic nature, ANC is a cytocompatible antiosteoporotic agent. It doubles as a nanocarrier for the enhancement of efficacy and safety of the bone anabolic PTH 1-34. ANC is expected to reduce the cost, dosage, and dose frequency associated with the use of PTH 1-34 management of primary and secondary forms of osteoporosis.
  11. Health and quality of life among the caregivers of children with disabilities: A review of literature
    Isa SN, Ishak I, Ab Rahman A, Mohd Saat NZ, Che Din N, Lubis SH, et al.
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2016 Oct;23:71-77.
    PMID: 27969083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2016.07.007
    Families caring for children with disabilities face particular challenges and demands compared to those caring for children without disabilities. Evidence suggests that there is considerable variation in how caregivers of children with disabilities adapt to their caregiving demands and stressors. The different adaptations to the children with disabilities may cause different impacts on the health and well-being of caregivers. This paper provides a brief overview of the literature on the impact of caring for children with disabilities on the health and quality of life of caregivers and the factors related to the health outcomes and quality of life. A literature search was conducted by using various electronic databases, including PsychINFO, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, and MEDLINE using specific key terms. Thirty-one articles published in peer-review journals from the last six years (2009-2014) were reviewed. Most of the studies were quantitative studies. Factors discussed that impact on caregivers' health and quality of life include the caregivers' sociodemographic background and child's disability-related factors. Several mediators and moderators including coping strategies, social support, parental stress, self-esteem and self-efficacy are described in this paper. This review highlighted the importance of these factors to better understand the complex nature of stress processes and the caregivers' adaptations to their children's disabilities.
  12. Fulltext Complete genome sequence of fowl adenovirus-8b UPM04217 isolate associated with the inclusion body hepatitis disease in commercial broiler chickens in Malaysia reveals intermediate evolution
    Mat Isa N, Mohd Ayob J, Ravi S, Mustapha NA, Ashari KS, Bejo MH, et al.
    Virusdisease, 2019 Sep;30(3):426-432.
    PMID: 31803810 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-019-00530-9
    The main aim of our study was to explore the genome sequence of the inclusion body hepatitis associated Fowl adenovirus serotype 8b (FAdV-8b) UPM04217 and to study its genomic organisation. The nucleotide sequence of the whole genome of FAdV-8b UPM04217 was determined by using the 454 Pyrosequencing platform and the Sanger sequencing method. The complete genome was found to be 44,059 bp long with 57.9% G + C content and shared 97.5% genome identity with the reference FAdV-E genome (HG isolate). Interestingly, the genome analysis using ORF Finder, Glimmer3 and FGENESV predicted a total of 39 open reading frames (ORFs) compared to the FAdV-E HG that possessed 46 ORFs. Fourteen ORFs located within the central genomic region and 16 ORFs located within the left and right ends of the genome were assigned as being the high protein-coding regions. The fusion of the small ORFs at the right end terminal specifically in ORF22 and ORF33 could be the result of gene truncation in the FAdV-E HG. The frame shift mutation in ORF25 and other mutations in ORF13 and ORF17 might have lead to the emergence of genes that could have different functions. Besides, one of the minor capsid components, pVI, in FAdV-8b UPM04217 shared the highest similarity of 93% with that of FAdV-D, while only 47% similarity was found with FAdV-E. From the gene arrangement layout of the FAdV genome, FAdV-8b UPM04217 showed intermediate evolution between the FAdV-E HG and the FAdV-D although it was apparently more similar to the FAdV-E HG.
  13. Fulltext Knowledge Preserving OSELM Model for Wi-Fi-Based Indoor Localization
    Al-Khaleefa AS, Ahmad MR, Isa AAM, Esa MRM, Aljeroudi Y, Jubair MA, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2019 May 25;19(10).
    PMID: 31130657 DOI: 10.3390/s19102397
    Wi-Fi has shown enormous potential for indoor localization because of its wide utilization and availability. Enabling the use of Wi-Fi for indoor localization necessitates the construction of a fingerprint and the adoption of a learning algorithm. The goal is to enable the use of the fingerprint in training the classifiers for predicting locations. Existing models of machine learning Wi-Fi-based localization are brought from machine learning and modified to accommodate for practical aspects that occur in indoor localization. The performance of these models varies depending on their effectiveness in handling and/or considering specific characteristics and the nature of indoor localization behavior. One common behavior in the indoor navigation of people is its cyclic dynamic nature. To the best of our knowledge, no existing machine learning model for Wi-Fi indoor localization exploits cyclic dynamic behavior for improving localization prediction. This study modifies the widely popular online sequential extreme learning machine (OSELM) to exploit cyclic dynamic behavior for achieving improved localization results. Our new model is called knowledge preserving OSELM (KP-OSELM). Experimental results conducted on the two popular datasets TampereU and UJIndoorLoc conclude that KP-OSELM outperforms benchmark models in terms of accuracy and stability. The last achieved accuracy was 92.74% for TampereU and 72.99% for UJIndoorLoc.
  14. Knowledge and Attitudes of Maintaining Bone Health among Post-Menopausal Women in Malaysia
    Mohd Hatta NNKN, Nurumal MS, Isa MLM, Daud A, Ibrahim M, Sharifudin MA, et al.
    Cent Asian J Glob Health, 2019;8(1):348.
    PMID: 32002313 DOI: 10.5195/cajgh.2019.348
    Introduction: Public awareness of osteoporosis is low among women in the developing countries. Health education was shown to be effective in improving knowledge and awareness on maintaining bone health. This study aims to identify the level of knowledge and attitudes among post-menopausal women in Malaysia on achieving bone health throughout the menopausal transition period.

    Methods: A total of 116 post-menopausal female patients of orthopedic menopause clinic were recruited using a purposive sampling approach. Data on osteoporosis awareness and knowledge were collected using validated structured questionnaires Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Tool and Osteoporosis Attitude Knowledge Test. The chi-square test was used to determine the association between post-menopausal women's socio-demographic characteristics and their knowledge and attitude towards maintaining bone health.

    Results: Participants' age ranged between 49 and 82 years (61.84, SD=7.87). The knowledge of osteoporosis varied significantly by age (p=0.014) and education (p=0.001) among the studied population. No significant diffrences were found for participants' attitude towards bone health.

    Conclusion: This study showed that the age and education levels have significantly different knowledge of bone health.

  15. Fulltext Complete Genome Sequence Analysis and Characterization of Selected Iron Regulation Genes of Pasteurella Multocida Serotype A Strain PMTB2.1
    Jabeen S, Yap HY, Abdullah FFJ, Zakaria Z, Isa NM, Tan YC, et al.
    Genes (Basel), 2019 01 25;10(2).
    PMID: 30691021 DOI: 10.3390/genes10020081
    Although more than 100 genome sequences of Pasteurella multocida are available, comprehensive and complete genome sequence analysis is limited. This study describes the analysis of complete genome sequence and pathogenomics of P. multocida strain PMTB2.1. The genome of PMTB2.1 has 2176 genes with more than 40 coding sequences associated with iron regulation and 140 virulence genes including the complete tad locus. The tad locus includes several previously uncharacterized genes such as flp2, rcpC and tadV genes. A transposable phage resembling to Mu phages was identified in P. multocida that has not been identified in any other serotype yet. The multi-locus sequence typing analysis assigned the PMTB2.1 genome sequence as type ST101, while the comparative genome analysis showed that PMTB2.1 is closely related to other P. multocida strains with the genomic distance of less than 0.13. The expression profiling of iron regulating-genes of PMTB2.1 was characterized under iron-limited environment. Results showed significant changes in the expression profiles of iron-regulating genes (p < 0.05) whereas the highest expression of fecE gene (281 fold) at 30 min suggests utilization of the outer-membrane proteins system in iron acquisition at an early stage of growth. This study showed the phylogenomic relatedness of P. multocida and improved annotation of important genes and functional characterization of iron-regulating genes of importance to the bacterial growth.
  16. Improved anaerobic digestion of palm oil mill effluent and biogas production by ultrasonication pretreatment
    Isa MH, Wong LP, Bashir MJK, Shafiq N, Kutty SRM, Farooqi IH, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2020 Jun 20;722:137833.
    PMID: 32199372 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137833
    Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is a highly polluted wastewater that consists of a high organic content of 4-5% total solids; a potential renewable energy source. A waste to energy study was conducted to improve biogas production using POME as substrate by ultrasonication pretreatment at mesophilic temperatures. The effect of temperature on the specific growth rate of anaerobes and methanogenic activity was investigated. Five sets of assays were carried out at operating temperatures between 25 °C and 45 °C. Each set consisted of two experiments using identical anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (AnSBR); fed with raw POME (control) and sonicated POME, respectively. The ultrasonication was set at 16.2 min ultrasonication time and 0.88 W mL-1 ultrasonication density with substrate total solids concentration of 6% (w/v). At 25 °C, biogas production rate and organic matter removal exhibited lowest values for both reactors. The maximum organic degradation was 96% from AnSBR operated at 30 °C fed with sonicated POME and 91% from AnSBR operated at 35 °C fed with unsonicated POME. In addition, the methane yield from AnSBR operated at 30 °C was enhanced by 21.5% after ultrasonication pretreatment. A few normality tests and a t-test were carried out. Both tests indicated that the residuals of the experimental data were normality distributed with mean equals to zero. The results demonstrated that ultrasonication treatment was a promising pretreatment to positively affect the organic degradation and biogas production rates at 30-35 °C.
  17. Fulltext Polystyrene Microplastics Exposure: An Insight into Multiple Organ Histological Alterations, Oxidative Stress and Neurotoxicity in Javanese Medaka Fish (Oryzias javanicus Bleeker, 1854)
    Usman S, Abdull Razis AF, Shaari K, Amal MNA, Saad MZ, Mat Isa N, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 09 07;18(18).
    PMID: 34574375 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189449
    Microplastics (MPs) have become pollutants of concern due to their unknown human health effect and negative impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. There is increasing number of experimental research on MPs globally with its effects not fully understood; recent animal studies explore its effects on the intestines, yet on other vital organs. Javanese medaka fish was exposed to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) beads for a period of 21 days. Histological alterations, intestinal oxidative stress, permeability and neurotoxicity were evaluated. Significant inflammatory changes and tissue damage were observed in the intestine, liver and kidney. Intestinal oxidative stress and permeability were found to be significantly increased. In the brain, neurotoxicity characterised by a significant induction of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme were elucidated. This study provided an insight into the multiple organ effect of microplastics exposure, necessitating further exploration and identification of biomarkers to be utilised for biomonitoring population at risk in the future.
  18. Fulltext Significantly higher atherosclerosis risks in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
    Sukahri S, Mohamed Shah FZ, Ismail AI, Koshy M, Johari B, Mohd Razali M, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(6):e0253298.
    PMID: 34191823 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253298
    INTRODUCTION: There is limited data on the relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), each associated with increased cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to determine the relationships between severity of OSA, degree of steatosis in NAFLD and cardiovascular risk via CIMT and atherosclerosis markers ie intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) an Lipoprotein-a (Lp(a)) in a group of patients with OSA.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, single center study. A total of 110 subjects between 18 to 65 years of age and diagnosed with OSA following sleep study examinations were recruited. Exclusion criteria included seropositive Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, and significant alcohol intake.

    RESULT: The prevalence of NAFLD was 81.8%. The mean CIMT (0.08±0.03 vs 0.06±0.01 cm, p = 0.001), ICAM-1 (334.53±72.86 vs 265.46±102.92 ng/mL, p = 0.001) and Lp(a) (85.41±52.56 vs 23.55±23.66 nmol/L, p<0.001) were significantly higher in the NAFLD group compared to the non-NAFLD group. Comparisons between the different groups showed significantly increasing levels of CIMT, ICAM-1 and Lp(a), lowest within the non-NAFLD, followed by the NAFLD 1 and NAFLD 2+3 groups. There was a significant positive correlation between degree of steatosis and the severity of OSA (r = 0.453, p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) of >30 were 52.77 (CI 6.34, 439.14) times more likely to have NAFLD compared to those with mild AHI (p<0.001).

    CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NAFLD is alarmingly high in this group of OSA patients. The degree of steatosis in patients with NAFLD was significantly correlated with severity of OSA, CIMT measurements, ICAM-1 and Lp(a). Our findings underscore screening for NAFLD in patients with OSA to ensure prompt risk stratification and management.

  19. Fulltext Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) as a Promising Point-of-Care Diagnostic Strategy in Avian Virus Research
    Padzil F, Mariatulqabtiah AR, Tan WS, Ho KL, Isa NM, Lau HY, et al.
    Animals (Basel), 2021 Dec 30;12(1).
    PMID: 35011181 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010076
    Over the years, development of molecular diagnostics has evolved significantly in the detection of pathogens within humans and their surroundings. Researchers have discovered new species and strains of viruses, while mitigating the viral infections that occur, owing to the accessibility of nucleic acid screening methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative (real-time) polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and reverse-transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR). While such molecular detection methods are widely utilized as the benchmark, the invention of isothermal amplifications has also emerged as a reliable tool to improvise on-field diagnosis without dependence on thermocyclers. Among the established isothermal amplification technologies are loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), recombinant polymerase amplification (RPA), strand displacement activity (SDA), nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), helicase-dependent amplification (HDA) and rolling circle amplification (RCA). This review highlights the past research on and future prospects of LAMP, its principles and applications as a promising point-of-care diagnostic method against avian viruses.
  20. Proteomic analysis revealed the biofilm-degradation abilities of the bacteriophage UPMK_1 and UPMK_2 against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
    Dakheel KH, Abdul Rahim R, Al-Obaidi JR, Neela VK, Hun TG, Mat Isa MN, et al.
    Biotechnol Lett, 2022 Feb 05.
    PMID: 35122191 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-022-03229-y
    OBJECTIVE: The degradation activity of two bacteriophages UPMK_1 and UPMK_2 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus phages were examined using gel zymography.

    METHODS: The analysis was done using BLASTP to detect peptides catalytic domains. Many peptides that are related to several phage proteins were revealed.

    RESULTS: UPMK_1 and UPMK_2 custom sequence database were used for peptide identification. The biofilm-degrading proteins in the bacteriophage UPMK_2 revealed the same lytic activity towards polysaccharide intercellular adhesin-dependent and independent of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm producers in comparison to UPMK_1, which had lytic activity restricted solely to its host.

    CONCLUSION: Both bacteriophage enzymes were involved in MRSA biofilm degradation during phage infection and they have promising enzybiotics properties against MRSA biofilm formation.

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