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The detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence against women

Noman AHM, Griffiths MD, Pervin S, Ismail MN

J Psychiatr Res, 2021 02;134:111-112.
PMID: 33383493 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.057
Severity of Malaria cases reported in urban and rural hospitals in Malaysia

Nimir AR, Isa NH, Eugene CB, Ghauth IM, Salleh FM, Rahman RA

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2006 Sep;37(5):831-7.
PMID: 17333723

The age distribution, types of infection and clinical patterns of malaria were compared in patients admitted to an urban and a rural hospital. Analysis of the cases seen in urban setting characteristically indicated a relatively low transmission rate of the disease, whereas the mean inoculation rate in patients from the rural hospital was found to be at least twenty folds higher. Plasmodium vivax was the predominant causative species in the urban hospital (p = 0.01), infecting mostly adult (p = 0.001) males (p = 0.01). The geometric mean parasite count at 3432/microl among the urban patients was significantly higher than that in the rural patients at 1422/microl (p = 0.04). Coma and death were more common among the cases seen in the urban hospital (p = 0.003), while severe anemia was the significant complication in the rural setting. Overall, the provisional diagnosis of malaria was relatively low in the urban hospital (p = 0.02). The results from this study highlighted the need to define the extent of malaria in urban areas. This report attempts to identify the non-climatic determinants of the infection and, furthermore, to provide a more informed basis to describe the burden of the disease.
Fulltext Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria as an Emerging Tool to Manage Bacterial Rice Pathogens

Ngalimat MS, Mohd Hata E, Zulperi D, Ismail SI, Ismail MR, Mohd Zainudin NAI, et al.

Microorganisms, 2021 Mar 26;9(4).
PMID: 33810209 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040682

As a major food crop, rice (Oryza sativa) is produced and consumed by nearly 90% of the population in Asia with less than 9% produced outside Asia. Hence, reports on large scale grain losses were alarming and resulted in a heightened awareness on the importance of rice plants' health and increased interest against phytopathogens in rice. To serve this interest, this review will provide a summary on bacterial rice pathogens, which can potentially be controlled by plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Additionally, this review highlights PGPB-mediated functional traits, including biocontrol of bacterial rice pathogens and enhancement of rice plant's growth. Currently, a plethora of recent studies address the use of PGPB to combat bacterial rice pathogens in an attempt to replace existing methods of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that often lead to environmental pollutions. As a tool to combat bacterial rice pathogens, PGPB presented itself as a promising alternative in improving rice plants' health and simultaneously controlling bacterial rice pathogens in vitro and in the field/greenhouse studies. PGPB, such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Streptomyces, are now very well-known. Applications of PGPB as bioformulations are found to be effective in improving rice productivity and provide an eco-friendly alternative to agroecosystems.
A laudable strategy to manage bacterial panicle blight disease of rice using biocontrol agents

Ngalimat MS, Mohd Hata E, Zulperi D, Ismail SI, Ismail MR, Mohd Zainudin NAI, et al.

J Basic Microbiol, 2023 Nov;63(11):1180-1195.
PMID: 37348082 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300182

Bacterial panicle blight (BPB) disease is a dreadful disease in rice-producing countries. Burkholderia glumae, a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and flagellated bacterium was identified as the primary culprit for BPB disease. In 2019, the disease was reported in 18 countries, and to date, it has been spotted in 26 countries. Rice yield has been reduced by up to 75% worldwide due to this disease. Interestingly, the biocontrol strategy offers a promising alternative to manage BPB disease. This review summarizes the management status of BPB disease using biological control agents (BCA). Bacteria from the genera Bacillus, Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Pantoea, Pseudomonas, and Streptomyces have been examined as BCA under in vitro, glasshouse, and field conditions. Besides bacteria, bacteriophages have also been reported to reduce BPB pathogens under in vitro and glasshouse conditions. Here, the overview of the mechanisms of bacteria and bacteriophages in controlling BPB pathogens is addressed. The applications of BCA using various delivery methods could effectively manage BPB disease to benefit the agroecosystems and food security.
Fulltext Reading the mind of children in response to food advertising: a cross-sectional study of Malaysian schoolchildren's attitudes towards food and beverages advertising on television

Ng SH, Kelly B, Se CH, Sahathevan S, Chinna K, Ismail MN, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2015;15:1047.
PMID: 26459341 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2392-z

Television food advertising (TVFA) is the most dominant medium in the obesogenic environment promoting unhealthy food choices in children.
Fulltext Benchmarking the transparency, comprehensiveness and specificity of population nutrition commitments of major food companies in Malaysia

Ng S, Sacks G, Kelly B, Yeatman H, Robinson E, Swinburn B, et al.

Global Health, 2020 04 17;16(1):35.
PMID: 32303243 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-020-00560-9

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the commitments of food companies in Malaysia to improving population nutrition using the Business Impact Assessment on population nutrition and obesity (BIA-Obesity) tool and process, and proposing recommendations for industry action in line with government priorities and international norms.
METHODS: BIA-Obesity good practice indicators for food industry commitments across a range of domains (n = 6) were adapted to the Malaysian context. Euromonitor market share data was used to identify major food and non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers (n = 22), quick service restaurants (5), and retailers (6) for inclusion in the assessment. Evidence of commitments, including from national and international entities, were compiled from publicly available information for each company published between 2014 and 2017. Companies were invited to review their gathered evidence and provide further information wherever available. A qualified Expert Panel (≥5 members for each domain) assessed commitments and disclosures collected against the BIA-Obesity scoring criteria. Weighted scores across domains were added and the derived percentage was used to rank companies. A Review Panel, comprising of the Expert Panel and additional government officials (n = 13), then formulated recommendations.
RESULTS: Of the 33 selected companies, 6 participating companies agreed to provide more information. The median overall BIA-Obesity score was 11% across food industry sectors with only 8/33 companies achieving a score of > 25%. Participating (p
Extent of implementation of food environment policies by the Malaysian Government: gaps and priority recommendations

Ng S, Swinburn B, Kelly B, Vandevijvere S, Yeatman H, Ismail MN, et al.

Public Health Nutr, 2018 Dec;21(18):3395-3406.
PMID: 30277185 DOI: 10.1017/S1368980018002379

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of food environment policies that have been implemented and supported by the Malaysian Government, in comparison to international best practice, and to establish prioritised recommendations for the government based on the identified implementation gaps.
DESIGN: The Healthy Food-Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) comprises forty-seven indicators of government policy practice. Local evidence of each indicator was compiled from government institutions and verified by related government stakeholders. The extent of implementation of the policies was rated by experts against international best practices. Rating results were used to identify and propose policy actions which were subsequently prioritised by the experts based on 'importance' and 'achievability' criteria. The policy actions with relatively higher 'achievability' and 'importance' were set as priority recommendations for government action.
SETTING: Malaysia.
SUBJECTS: Twenty-six local experts.
RESULTS: Majority (62 %) of indicators was rated 'low' implementation with no indicator rated as either 'high' or 'very little, if any' in terms of implementation. The top five recommendations were (i) restrict unhealthy food marketing in children's settings and (ii) on broadcast media; (iii) mandatory nutrition labelling for added sugars; (iv) designation of priority research areas related to obesity prevention and diet-related non-communicable diseases; and (v) introduce energy labelling on menu boards for fast-food outlets.
CONCLUSIONS: This first policy study conducted in Malaysia identified a number of gaps in implementation of key policies to promote healthy food environments, compared with international best practices. Study findings could strengthen civil society advocacies for government accountability to create a healthier food environment.
Fulltext Development of a New Molecular Marker for the Resistance to Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus

Nevame AYM, Xia L, Nchongboh CG, Hasan MM, Alam MA, Yongbo L, et al.

Biomed Res Int, 2018;2018:8120281.
PMID: 30105248 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8120281

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) responsible for tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) causes a substantial decrease in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) yield worldwide. The use of resistant variety as a sustainable management strategy has been advocated. Tremendous progress has been made in genetically characterizing the resistance genes (R gene) in tomato. Breeding tomato for TYLCV resistance has been based mostly on Ty-3 as a race-specific resistance gene by introgression originating from wild tomato species relatives. Improvement or development of a cultivar is achievable through the use of marker-assisted selection (MAS). Therefore, precise and easy use of gene-targeted markers would be of significant importance for selection in breeding programs. The present study was undertaken to develop a new marker based on Ty-3 gene sequence that can be used for MAS in TYLCV resistant tomato breeding program. The new developed marker was named ACY. The reliability and accuracy of ACY were evaluated against those of Ty-3 linked marker P6-25 through screening of commercial resistant and susceptible tomato hybrids, and genetic segregation using F2 population derived from a commercial resistant hybrid AG208. With the use of bioinformatics and DNA sequencing analysis tools, deletion of 10 nucleotides was observed in Ty-3 gene sequence for susceptible tomato variety. ACY is a co-dominant indel-based marker that produced clear and strong polymorphic band patterns for resistant plant distinguishing it from its susceptible counterpart. The obtained result correlates with 3:1 segregation ratio of single resistant dominant gene inheritance, which depicted ACY as gene-tag functional marker. This marker is currently in use for screening 968 hybrids varieties and one thousand breeding lines of tomato varieties stocked in Jiangsu Green Port Modern Agriculture Development Company (Green Port). So far, ACY has been used to identify 56 hybrids and 51 breeding lines. These newly detected breeding lines were regarded as potential source of resistance for tomato breeding. This work exploited the sequence of Ty-3 and subsequently contributed to the development of molecular marker ACY to aid phenotypic selection. We thus recommend this marker to breeders, which is suitable for marker-assisted selection in tomato.
Fulltext Heat literacy and adaptation among semi-rural community in Malaysia

Nellis S, Thu M, Ismail MR, Barteit S, Gouwanda D, Bärnighausen T, et al.

Lancet Planet Health, 2024 Apr;8 Suppl 1:S8.
PMID: 38632923 DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00073-1

BACKGROUND: Heatwaves present health risks globally but there is limited evidence on how temperature perceptions affect activities. This study aimed to examine community perceptions of heat as a potential health hazard and ascertain the current heat protection measures of the residents of the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) in Malaysia.
METHODS: In this longitudinal study, we randomly selected community members aged between 18 and 70 years who resided in Segamat district of Johor state, Malaysia. Over 21 days, we conducted three home visits to each participant. During each visit, participants completed a questionnaire consisting of Likert scale, multiple choice, and free text questions and we collected quantitative and qualitative data. These inquiries assessed the participants' perception of heat as health threat, whether or not they took heat preventive measures, and the specific protective measures they routinely employed. Descriptive data analyses were conducted and patterns of protective measures were investigated.
FINDINGS: Between March 29 and July 31, 2023, 120 participants (72 women and 48 men) completed 360 questionnaires over three home visits. Initially, 58% participants recognised heat hazards to daily activities, decreasing to 42% and 35% by visits 2 and 3. Participants took preventive measures throughout the day, which was consistently high between 1200 h and 1400 h, with 77% of participants taking preventive measures on visit 1, 82% on visit 2, and 82% on visit 3. Use of preventive measures was also high between 1400 h and 1730 h, with 77% using preventive measure on visit 1, 81% on visit 2, and 79% on visit 3. The most common protective measures were fans (used by 68-88% of participants), drinking more water (70-78% of participants), and resting (44-72% of participants). The least common were relocating to cooler places, removing clothes, and using wet towels (0-2·5%). Despite high temperatures, perceptions of heat risks decreased over time. Participants took basic protections, especially at midday, but improved literacy and affordable cooling options are needed to protect vulnerable rural populations.
INTERPRETATION: Our findings underline the need to improve heat literacy and adaptation as only half of the population assessed perceived heat as a potential health hazard and practised limited heat protective measures. Addressing climate change and health necessitates fundamental behavioural changes on the part of individuals and communities, to protect them against the adverse effects of heat.
FUNDING: Monash University Malaysia and Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University.
Fulltext Towards a Highly Efficient ZnO Based Nanogenerator

Mustaffa MA, Arith F, Noorasid NS, Zin MSIM, Leong KS, Ali FA, et al.

Micromachines (Basel), 2022 Dec 12;13(12).
PMID: 36557499 DOI: 10.3390/mi13122200

A nanogenerator (NG) is an energy harvester device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy on a small scale by relying on physical changes. Piezoelectric semiconductor materials play a key role in producing high output power in piezoelectric nanogenerator. Low cost, reliability, deformation, and electrical and thermal properties are the main criteria for an excellent device. Typically, there are several main types of piezoelectric materials, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods, barium titanate (BaTiO3) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT). Among those candidate, ZnO nanorods have shown high performance features due to their unique characteristics, such as having a wide-bandgap semiconductor energy of 3.3 eV and the ability to produce more ordered and uniform structures. In addition, ZnO nanorods have generated considerable output power, mainly due to their elastic nanostructure, mechanical stability and appropriate bandgap. Apart from that, doping the ZnO nanorods and adding doping impurities into the bulk ZnO nanorods are shown to have an influence on device performance. Based on findings, Ni-doped ZnO nanorods are found to have higher output power and surface area compared to other doped. This paper discusses several techniques for the synthesis growth of ZnO nanorods. Findings show that the hydrothermal method is the most commonly used technique due to its low cost and straightforward process. This paper reveals that the growth of ZnO nanorods using the hydrothermal method has achieved a high power density of 9 µWcm-2.
Missing-Values Imputation Algorithms for Microarray Gene Expression Data

Moorthy K, Jaber AN, Ismail MA, Ernawan F, Mohamad MS, Deris S

Methods Mol Biol, 2019;1986:255-266.
PMID: 31115893 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9442-7_12

In gene expression studies, missing values are a common problem with important consequences for the interpretation of the final data (Satija et al., Nat Biotechnol 33(5):495, 2015). Numerous bioinformatics examination tools are used for cancer prediction, including the data set matrix (Bailey et al., Cell 173(2):371-385, 2018); thus, it is necessary to resolve the problem of missing-values imputation. This chapter presents a review of the research on missing-values imputation approaches for gene expression data. By using local and global correlation of the data, we were able to focus mostly on the differences between the algorithms. We classified the algorithms as global, hybrid, local, or knowledge-based techniques. Additionally, this chapter presents suitable assessments of the different approaches. The purpose of this review is to focus on developments in the current techniques for scientists rather than applying different or newly developed algorithms with identical functional goals. The aim was to adapt the algorithms to the characteristics of the data.
ADAM9 Expression in Uterine Cervical Cancer and Its Associated Factors

Mohd Isa SA, Md Salleh MS, Ismail MP, Hairon SM

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 Apr 29;20(4):1081-1087.
PMID: 31030477

Background: Cervical cancer is a preventable disease caused by human papillomaviruses. It is the third most
common cancer to occur in women of reproductive age. The ADAM9 protein plays a role in basement membrane
degradation and tumour metastasis in certain types of tumour. Thus, it has the potential to become a new targeted
therapy. The objective of this study was to investigate ADAM9 expression in cervical cancer and to determine the
factors associated with ADAM9-positive expression. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Hospital
Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Kelantan, Malaysia from December 2010 to December 2012. Histological slides
obtained from 95 cervical cancer cases diagnosed and/or treated in HUSM from 2000 to 2010 were analysed. The
ADAM9 immunostain was then performed on the paraffin blocks. The statistical data entry and analysis were done
using SPSS version 18.0. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with
ADAM9-positive expression. Result: Of the 95 cervical cancer patients included in the study, 72 (75.8%) patients showed
positive ADAM9 expression. The mean age of the patients was 53.89 (10.83) years old. Squamous cell carcinoma was
the most common type of cervical cancer (n = 67, 70.5%). Factors that showed a statistically significant association
with ADAM9-positive expression were tumour size (adjusted odds ratio [adj. OR]: 1.08; 95% confidence interval
[CI]: 1.02, 1.13; p = 0.004), distant metastasis (adj. OR: 12.82; 95% CI: 1.91, 86.13; p = 0.009) and the histological
type of cervical cancer (i.e. squamous cell carcinoma) (adj. OR: 7.39; 95% CI: 1.42, 38.51; p = 0.017). Conclusion:
The ADAM9 immunostain was consistently positive in malignant cells. Thus, ADAM9 expression can be used as a
prognostic/therapeutic indicator in aiding clinician decision-making regarding patient treatment (targeted therapy).
Fulltext Recent insights on gene expression studies on Hevea Brasiliensis fatal leaf fall diseases

Mohd Afandi NS, Habib MAH, Ismail MN

Physiol Mol Biol Plants, 2022 Feb;28(2):471-484.
PMID: 35400887 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-022-01145-z

Hevea brasiliensis is one of the most important agricultural commodities globally, heavily cultivated in Southeast Asia. Fatal leaf fall diseases cause aggressive leaf defoliation, linked to lower latex yield and death of crops before maturity. Due to the significant consequences of the disease to H. brasiliensis, the recent gene expression studies from four fall leaf diseases of H. brasiliensis were gathered; South American leaf blight, powdery mildew, Corynespora cassiicola and Phytophthora leaf fall disease. The differential analysis observed the pattern of commonly expressed genes upon fungi triggers using RT-PCR, DDRT-PCR, Real-time qRT-PCR and RNA-Seq. We have observed that RNA-Seq is the best tool to seek novel genes. Among the identified genes with defence-against fungi were pathogenesis-related genes such as β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase, the reactive oxygen species, and the phytoalexin biosynthesis. This manuscript also provided functional elaboration on the responsive genes and predicted possible biosynthetic pathways to identify and characterise novel genes in the future. At the end of the manuscript, the PCR methods and proteomic approaches were presented for future molecular and biochemical studies in the related diseases to H. brasiliensis.
Fulltext "Eating Out", spatiality, temporality and sociality. A database for China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and France

Mognard E, Naidoo K, Laporte C, Tibère L, Alem Y, Khusun H, et al.

Front Nutr, 2023;10:1066737.
PMID: 36819687 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1066737
Fulltext Breakfast Practices in Malaysia, Nutrient Intake and Diet Quality: A Study Based on the Malaysian Food Barometer

Mognard E, Sanubari TPE, Alem Y, Yuen JL, Ragavan NA, Ismail MN, et al.

Nutrients, 2023 May 05;15(9).
PMID: 37432390 DOI: 10.3390/nu15092197

Breakfast is often referred to as the "most important meal of the day" in shaping diet quality. This study established the patterns of breakfast consumption in Malaysia and assessed its contribution to the overall quality of the diet based on the 24 h recall data from the nationally representative and cross-sectional Malaysian Food Barometer (MFB, second data collection, 2018) to assess breakfast intake among adults (n = 1604). Diet quality was measured using the Nutrient Rich Food index (NRF) 9.3. The nutritional profile of breakfast was compared across tertiles of NRF 9.3. Overall, 89% of Malaysians consume breakfast. Breakfast was found to provide 474 kcal on average. The Malaysian daily diet was found to be rich in fats, saturated fats, total sugars, and sodium, with breakfast making a significant contribution to the daily intakes of these nutrients. Intakes of fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamins C and D, folate, iron, zinc, and magnesium were low. Breakfast was related to the overall diet quality measured by the NRF index. This study revealed that the breakfasts consumed by Malaysian adults were found to be nutritionally unbalanced. This analysis could serve as a basis for nutrient recommendations grounded in existing social and cultural breakfast patterns.
Recurrent parent genome recovery analysis in a marker-assisted backcrossing program of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Miah G, Rafii MY, Ismail MR, Puteh AB, Rahim HA, Latif MA

C. R. Biol., 2015 Feb;338(2):83-94.
PMID: 25553855 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2014.11.003

Backcross breeding is the most commonly used method for incorporating a blast resistance gene into a rice cultivar. Linkage between the resistance gene and undesirable units can persist for many generations of backcrossing. Marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) along with marker-assisted selection (MAS) contributes immensely to overcome the main limitation of the conventional breeding and accelerates recurrent parent genome (RPG) recovery. The MABC approach was employed to incorporate (a) blast resistance gene(s) from the donor parent Pongsu Seribu 1, the blast-resistant local variety in Malaysia, into the genetic background of MR219, a popular high-yielding rice variety that is blast susceptible, to develop a blast-resistant MR219 improved variety. In this perspective, the recurrent parent genome recovery was analyzed in early generations of backcrossing using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Out of 375 SSR markers, 70 markers were found polymorphic between the parents, and these markers were used to evaluate the plants in subsequent generations. Background analysis revealed that the extent of RPG recovery ranged from 75.40% to 91.3% and from 80.40% to 96.70% in BC1F1 and BC2F1 generations, respectively. In this study, the recurrent parent genome content in the selected BC2F2 lines ranged from 92.7% to 97.7%. The average proportion of the recurrent parent in the selected improved line was 95.98%. MAS allowed identification of the plants that are more similar to the recurrent parent for the loci evaluated in backcross generations. The application of MAS with the MABC breeding program accelerated the recovery of the RP genome, reducing the number of generations and the time for incorporating resistance against rice blast.
Fulltext A review of microsatellite markers and their applications in rice breeding programs to improve blast disease resistance

Miah G, Rafii MY, Ismail MR, Puteh AB, Rahim HA, Islam KhN, et al.

Int J Mol Sci, 2013;14(11):22499-528.
PMID: 24240810 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141122499

Over the last few decades, the use of molecular markers has played an increasing role in rice breeding and genetics. Of the different types of molecular markers, microsatellites have been utilized most extensively, because they can be readily amplified by PCR and the large amount of allelic variation at each locus. Microsatellites are also known as simple sequence repeats (SSR), and they are typically composed of 1-6 nucleotide repeats. These markers are abundant, distributed throughout the genome and are highly polymorphic compared with other genetic markers, as well as being species-specific and co-dominant. For these reasons, they have become increasingly important genetic markers in rice breeding programs. The evolution of new biotypes of pests and diseases as well as the pressures of climate change pose serious challenges to rice breeders, who would like to increase rice production by introducing resistance to multiple biotic and abiotic stresses. Recent advances in rice genomics have now made it possible to identify and map a number of genes through linkage to existing DNA markers. Among the more noteworthy examples of genes that have been tightly linked to molecular markers in rice are those that confer resistance or tolerance to blast. Therefore, in combination with conventional breeding approaches, marker-assisted selection (MAS) can be used to monitor the presence or lack of these genes in breeding populations. For example, marker-assisted backcross breeding has been used to integrate important genes with significant biological effects into a number of commonly grown rice varieties. The use of cost-effective, finely mapped microsatellite markers and MAS strategies should provide opportunities for breeders to develop high-yield, blast resistance rice cultivars. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge concerning the linkage of microsatellite markers to rice blast resistance genes, as well as to explore the use of MAS in rice breeding programs aimed at improving blast resistance in this species. We also discuss the various advantages, disadvantages and uses of microsatellite markers relative to other molecular marker types.
Marker-assisted introgression of broad-spectrum blast resistance genes into the cultivated MR219 rice variety

Miah G, Rafii MY, Ismail MR, Puteh AB, Rahim HA, Latif MA

J Sci Food Agric, 2017 Jul;97(9):2810-2818.
PMID: 27778337 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8109

BACKGROUND: The rice cultivar MR219 is famous for its better yield and long and fine grain quality; however, it is susceptible to blast disease. The main objective of this study was to introgress blast resistance genes into MR219 through marker-assisted selection (MAS). The rice cultivar MR219 was used as the recurrent parent, and Pongsu Seribu 1 was used as the donor.
RESULTS: Marker-assisted foreground selection was performed using RM6836 and RM8225 to identify plants possessing blast resistance genes. Seventy microsatellite markers were used to estimate recurrent parent genome (RPG) recovery. Our analysis led to the development of 13 improved blast resistant lines with Piz, Pi2 and Pi9 broad-spectrum blast resistance genes and an MR219 genetic background. The RPG recovery of the selected improved lines was up to 97.70% with an average value of 95.98%. Selected improved lines showed a resistance response against the most virulent blast pathogen pathotype, P7.2. The selected improved lines did not express any negative effect on agronomic traits in comparison with MR219.
CONCLUSION: The research findings of this study will be a conducive approach for the application of different molecular techniques that may result in accelerating the development of new disease-resistant rice varieties, which in turn will match rising demand and food security worldwide. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fulltext First report of Burkholderia gladioli causing bacterial panicle blight of rice in Malaysia

Md Zali AZ, Ja'afar Y, Paramisparan K, Ismail SI, Saad N, Mohd Hata E, et al.

Plant Dis, 2022 Jun 24.
PMID: 35748735 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-03-22-0650-PDN

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple food for most of the world's populations, particularly in Asia (Gumma et al. 2011). The rice sector provides Malaysians with a food supply, food sufficiency, and income for growers (Man et al. 2009). From January to February 2022, panicle samples showing symptoms of bacterial panicle blight (BPB) disease, including reddish-brown, linear lesions with indistinct margins on flag-leaf sheaths and blighted, upright, grayish straw-colored florets with sterile and aborted grains on panicles were collected in granary areas in Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia with 90% disease incidence in fields. Surface-sterilization of infected leaf tissue was performed using 75% ethanol and 1% sodium hypochlorite, followed by rinsing three times in sterilized water. Leaf tissue was macerated in sterilized water and aliquots were spread on King's B agar medium, then cultured for 24 h to 48 h at 35 °C. All isolated bacteria were Gram-negative rods, positive for catalase and gelatinase but negative for indole, oxidase and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and utilized sucrose, inositol, mannitol, glucose, and citrate. Colonies were circular and smooth-margined, producing a diffusible yellowish-green pigment on King's B agar medium, which are characteristics of Burkholderia species (Keith et al. 2005). Five representative isolates (UPMBG7, UPMBG8, UPMBG9, UPMBG15, UPMBG17) were selected for molecular and pathogenicity tests. PCR using specific primers targeting the gyrB gene for molecular characterization was performed, and the ∼470 bp amplicons were sequenced (Maeda et al. 2006) and deposited in GenBank (OM824438 to OM824442). A BLASTn analysis revealed that the five isolates were 99% identical to the B. gladioli reference strains MAFF 302533, GRBB15041, and LMG19584 in GenBank (AB190628, KX638432, and AB220898). A phylogenetic tree using Maximum-likelihood analysis of the gyrB gene sequences showed that the five isolates were 99% identical to B. gladioli reference strains (AB190628, KX638432, and AB220898). To verify the identification of these isolates, the 16S rDNA gene was amplified using 16SF/16SR primers (Ramachandran et al. 2021), producing ~1,400 bp amplicons. The resulting sequences of the five isolates (OM869953 to OM869957) were 98% identical to the reference strains of B. gladioli (NR113629 and NR117553). To confirm pathogenicity, 10 ml suspensions of the five isolates at of 108 CFU/ml were inoculated into the panicles and crowns of 75-day-old rice seedlings of local rice varieties MR269 and MR219 grown in a glasshouse with temperatures ranging from 37 °C to 41 °C (Nandakumar et al. 2009). Control rice seedlings were inoculated with sterilized water. All isolates produced BPB disease symptoms like those originally found in the rice fields at four weeks after inoculation. Control seedlings remained asymptomatic. To fulfill Koch's postulates, the bacteria were reisolated from symptomatic panicles and were confirmed as B. gladioli by sequence analysis of the gyrB and 16S rDNA genes. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. gladioli causing BPB disease of rice in Malaysia. Since BPB disease causes a significant threat to the rice industry, it is crucial to investigate the diversity of this destructive pathogen for effective disease management strategies in Malaysia.
Fulltext Preoperative physiotherapy and short-term functional outcomes of primary total knee arthroplasty

Mat Eil Ismail MS, Sharifudin MA, Shokri AA, Ab Rahman S

Singapore Med J, 2016 Mar;57(3):138-43.
PMID: 26996450 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2016055

INTRODUCTION: Physiotherapy is an important part of rehabilitation following arthroplasty, but the impact of preoperative physiotherapy on functional outcomes is still being studied. This randomised controlled trial evaluated the effect of preoperative physiotherapy on the short-term functional outcomes of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
METHODS: 50 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis who underwent unilateral primary TKA were randomised into two groups: the physiotherapy group (n = 24), whose patients performed physical exercises for six weeks immediately prior to surgery, and the nonphysiotherapy group (n = 26). All patients went through a similar physiotherapy regime in the postoperative rehabilitation period. Functional outcome assessment using the algofunctional Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scale and range of motion (ROM) evaluation was performed preoperatively, and postoperatively at six weeks and three months.
RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant difference in all algofunctional KOOS subscales (p < 0.001). The mean score difference at six weeks and three months was not significant in the sports and recreational activities subscale for both groups (p > 0.05). Significant differences were observed in the time-versus-treatment analysis between groups for the symptoms (p = 0.003) and activities of daily living (p = 0.025) subscales. No significant difference in ROM was found when comparing preoperative measurements and those at three months following surgery, as well as in time-versus-treatment analysis (p = 0.928).
CONCLUSION: Six-week preoperative physiotherapy showed no significant impact on short-term functional outcomes (KOOS subscales) and ROM of the knee following primary TKA.
KEYWORDS: algofunctional Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score; functional outcome; prehabilitation; preoperative physiotherapy; total knee arthroplasty

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