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Fulltext Carica papaya induces in vitro thrombopoietic cytokines secretion by mesenchymal stem cells and haematopoietic cells

Aziz J, Abu Kassim NL, Abu Kasim NH, Haque N, Rahman MT

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2015;15:215.
PMID: 26152209 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0749-6

Use of Carica papaya leaf extracts, reported to improve thrombocyte counts in dengue patients, demands further analysis on the underlying mechanism of its thrombopoietic cytokines induction
Fulltext The effect of the job demand and perceived job burnout in the context of academicians’ role performance

Raja Mayang Delima Mohd Beta, Nordayana Zulkifli, Noor Hasvenda Abd Rahim, Mumtaz Ahmad, Masilah Mohamad

Journal of Academia Universiti Teknologi MARA Negeri Sembilan, 2019;7(101):57-71.
MyJurnal

With the high demands on research ou tputs, academicians are under pressure to cope with their teaching responsibilities as well as other managerial and administrative responsibilities that may affect their in role and extra role performance. Four hundred and thirty one (431) academicians fr om twen ty (20) Malaysian public universities were sampled which drawn from a stratified sampling The study examined the factors affecting in role and extra role performance among academicians in Malaysian public universities. There were two (2) propose d affecting factors that being examined; namely job demands as independent factor, perceived job burnout as the mediating factor and religious perso nality as a moderating factor. The job demands, in role performance and extra role performance questi onnaire revised by Bakker (2014), while the perceived job burnout questionnaire by Demerouti (2010) and religious personality questionnaire by Krauss (2007) were adopted and adapted. The Job demands resources theory of burnout guided the study through a q uantita tive research design. Data were analysed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0 approaches of structural equation modelling t o test the hypothesised model. The findings of this study largely supported the hypothesised relationships proposed in the theoreti cal mod el especially the mediating effect of perceived job burnout between job demands towards in role and extra role performance. The study concluded that all research objectives were successfully answered and achieved. Future studies applying the propos ed mode l are therefore recommended to be conducted at the institutions of higher learning across Malaysia in order to verify these findings.
Fulltext Effects of Storage Temperature on Shelf-Life of Mango Coated with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Nurfarhana Rosman, Nur Syazwani Abdul Malek, Mohamad Rusop Mahmood, Zuraida Khusaimi, Noor Asnida Asli

Science Letters, 2020;14(2):47-57.
MyJurnal

Effect of different storage temperatures on physical and physiological changes of Golden Lily mango was investigated. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles edible coating was prepared by sol-gel method and Golden Lily mangoes were dipped in the solution and stored at different (32℃, 27℃ and 5℃) temperatures for 7 days. The mangoes were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) after 7 days of storage. Both the analysis of FESEM and EDX revealed the highest volume ratio of ZnO nanoparticles with a homogeneous dispersion throughout the mango peel surface is at 5℃. FTIR spectra revealed the absence of Zn–O bonding as metal oxides absorption is expected to be in the region below 700 cm-1. The mangoes stored at 5℃ delayed ripening, slowed down weight loss and found to be firmer than mangoes stored at 32℃ and 27℃.
Fulltext Community-based supplementary feeding programme for malnourished indigenous children: sharing an experience in Kemar, Hulu Perak settlement

Noor Asmah A. S. A., Farhana A. K., Norazlina M. N., Mohd Shazuan Irwan M. S.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):3-3.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Childhood malnutrition is common and severe among indigenous community. The Community Feed-ing Program was first launched in 2010 among 15 villages in Kemar indigenous settlement among children below six years old. The objective of this study was to improve the nutrition status of indigenous children in Kemar settlement, Hulu Perak. Methods: All the indigenous children aged below six received high calorie food, full cream milk and multivitamin with an average of 500kcal/day. Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), specified for malnourished children, provides nutrition that accounts for one-half to two-thirds of a child’s daily needs. The feeding sessions was carried out once a day, five days a week and managed by a group of trained local volunteers and research assistants. Weight and height were measured monthly. Results: The coverage throughout 2013 to 2018, ranged from 90.3% to 100%. The percentage of children with normal body weight had increased from only 38.7 % in 2010 to 60.6% in 2018. From year 2013 to 2018, the percentage of stunted children had reduced from 77% to 72.5%, and severe stunting reduced from 35.2% in 2015 to 24.9% in 2018. Conclusion: The continuity of this program is essential to sustain normal nutritional status and hence the wellbeing of this group of children in the interior remote community.
Fulltext Radon concentration in workplace indoor air

Abdullah Mohd Noh, Nordin Ayoub, Siti Zurina Mat Noor, Norhafizah Zahari, Mardhiyati Mohd Yunus

Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 2019;16(1):19-25.
MyJurnal

Radon exists naturally in the air. It can accumulate inside the buildings which may affect the indoor air quality. Radon is a radioactive gas that produces alpha particles during decay time. The alpha particles might cause harm to the human lungs and stomach. Inhalation of radon is one of the causes of lung cancer disease. Samples of inhaled radon in different rooms at the workplace were taken hourly through a passive diffusion chamber. The detection method was done using Alpha Spectrometry. The short term measurement was applied in the study to monitor the average weekly radon reading in different rooms in the Medical Imaging Laboratory of the University of Selangor (UNISEL). All tested rooms showed the existence of radon gas with different concentrations. Some of them showed the maximum reading of radon concentration which was higher than the radon action level of 148Bq/m3 or 4pCi/l. Their weekly average of radon concentration is contributing almost 50% of the accumulated radon concentration in the laboratory. It is highly recommended that monitoring the concentration of radon in indoor air is performed to ensure it is at a safe and healthy level.
Fulltext Microencapsulated frankincense essential oil: a potential remedy and prevention of mouth diseases

Mohamed Soleiman Barre, Fathilah Ali, Mohamed Elwathig Saeed Mirghani, Noor Faizul Hadri Nordin

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(108):22-22.
MyJurnal

The global burden of disease studies estimated that oral diseases affected half of the world’s population (3.58 billion people) with dental caries (tooth decay) in permanent teeth being the most prevalent condition assessed. On the other hand, the increasing resistance of dental caries towards the available antimicrobials and extensive use of the controversial synthetic chemicals to overcome these problems have attracted the scientific community’s attention to the search for new cost-effective remedies of natural products. Frankincense or Boswellia species are highly import-ant aromatic plants belonging to the Burseraceae family. The present study will focus on an in-vitro anti-inflamma-tion and anti-bacterial activity of Boswellia carterii (BC) Essential oil (EO) encapsulated into the Gum Arabic (GA) polymer. Thus, certain mouth pathogenic bacteria, which are the main contributors to dental caries and gingivitis, namely (Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species), and their in-vitro responses to the defined micro-particles, will pave the way to introduce a new potential remedy to the forth mentioned problems.
Fulltext Carbon capture and storage with lipid production in integrated system of aqueous ammonia with marine mutant Synechococcus PCC 7002 IIUM01

Azlin Suhaida Azmi, Mohamed Anwar Awan, Azura Amid, Noor Illi Mohamad Puad, Fathilah Binti Ali

Biological and Natural Resources Engineering Journal, 2020;3(1):14-27.
MyJurnal

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing, transporting and storing CO2 geologically underground permanently. Carbon capture using solvent such as amine and aqueous ammonia has been extensively studied by many researchers. However, this capture technology for CCS scheme is costly. As an alternative, CO2 emission can be cost-effectively captured and stored by utilizing the well-understood natural photosynthetic process of marine cyanobacteria. In contrast, the capturing process using cyanobacteria is very slow compared to the chemical absorption mentioned prior. Hence, this study aimed to investigate carbon capturing and storing process using integrated aqueous ammonia and mutated marine cyanobacteria (Synechococcus PCC 7002 IIUM01). The conditions that can maximize CO2 reduction under various conditions; CO2 flow rate (Lpm), absorption temperature (C) and aqueous ammonia concentrations (% (w/v)) were to be identified. The effectiveness of the mutant cyanobacteria was quantified by measuring the cell concentration, percentage reduction in CO2 concentration and lipid content. Synechococcus PCC 7002 IIUM01 showed it robustness by growing in aqueous ammonia solution at the concentration of 0.5 to 1% (w/v) at which the parent strain was not able to tolerate. The best conditions in maximizing CO2 capture and storage while sustaining growth optimally and being a potential biofuel source was observed at 0.5 Lpm of 15% CO2 gas flow rate, 0.75% (w/v) of ammonia concentration and 33C of absorption temperature. At this specified condition, around 68% of CO2 removal was achieved with 9% (w/w) yield of lipid and more than 13% (w/v) of cell concentration obtained.
Fulltext Surface roughness of tooth coloured restorative materials

Mohd Shahminan Ibrahim, Wen, Yap Kai, Gonzalez, Maria Angela Garcia, Noor Azlin Yahya

Ann Dent, 2020;27(1):41-49.
MyJurnal

This study compared the surface roughness of selected tooth coloured restorative materials that were polished according to manufacturers’ instructions and Sof-Lex. It also assessed the surface roughness of polished materials after thermocycling.Filtek Z350XT, Beautifil-Bulk Restorative and Cention N, were used in this study. A stainless steel mould (10mm diameter x 2mm height) was used to fabricate 75 cylindrical specimens: 15 Filtek Z350XT (FZ), 30 Beautifil-Bulk Restorative (BB) and 30 Cention N (CN). All 15 FZ specimens were polished with Sof-Lex. Fifteen BB and CN specimens were polished according to manufacturers’ instructions. The remaining fifteen BB and CN specimens were polished using Sof-Lex. All the specimens were subjected to thermocycling (1000 cycles). Surface roughness was assessed quantitatively with profilometry after specimen preparation (Mylar stage), polishingand thermocycling. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0 at α=0.05. When polished according to manufacturers’ instructions, BB had the lowest mean surface roughness (Ra) values (0.13±0.01μm) followed sequentially by CN (0.14±0.03μm) and FZ (0.15±0.02μm). The differences were not statistically significant. When polished with Sof-Lex, BB exhibited the smoothest surface (0.116±0.03μm) followed sequentially by and FZ (0.150±0.02μm) and CN (0.157±0.02μm). Thermocycling caused an increase in the Ra. The differences were statistically significant. All materials tested had Ra values below the threshold value of 0.2 μm at Mylar stage and after polishing with their recommended polishing system and Sof-Lex. Thermocycling produced rougher surfaces that did not exceed the threshold Ra value. Polishability was material dependent.
Effect of salinities on gastric emptying and nutrient absorption of tiger grouper × giant grouper (epinephelus fuscoguttatus × e. Lanceolatus) hybrid

Noorashikin Md Noor, Simon Kumar Das, Zaidi Che Cob, Mazlan Abd. Ghaffar

Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:1077-1084.

The effects of salinity on the gastric emptying time (GET) and absorption of nutrient along the alimentary tract of tiger
grouper (TG) × giant grouper (GG) (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × E. lanceolatus) hybrid were studied. Juveniles TG×GG
hybrid grouper (10.0 ± 0.5 cm total length; 50.5 ± 2.0 g) were reared in different salinities (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 parts per
thousand (ppt)) and fed with commercial pellet diet during the 60-day experimental period. The fish were then slaughtered
sequentially at different time intervals after initial feeding to obtain GET. Our results showed that low salinity (10-20 ppt)
lead to a shorter GET in the hybrid grouper. The shortest and longest GETs were observed in 15 ppt (12 h) and 30 ppt (18
h) treatments, respectively. Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) using ash contents was measured to determine the
absorption of nutrient in each treatment. The absorption of macronutrient in TG×GG hybrid grouper was increased as
the salinity decreased. The highest absorption occurred in 15 ppt (72% protein, 75% lipid, 68% carbohydrate and 74%
energy) while the lowest absorption occurred in 30 ppt (59% protein, 64% lipid, 34% carbohydrate and 55% energy).
The findings of this study suggested that 15 ppt salinity facilitates faster digestion and maximize the nutrient absorption
of TG×GG hybrid and may enhance the growth rate of this newly developed grouper species.
Fulltext Effect of pink guava oil-palm stearin blends and lard on dough properties and cookies quality

Noor Raihana, A.R., Marikkar, J.M.N., Jaswir, I., Nurrulhidayah, A.F., Miskandar, M.S.

International Food Research Journal, 2017;24(101):0-0.
MyJurnal

A study was carried out to compare the cookie dough properties and cookie quality made out
of pink guava oil-palm stearin blends and lard (LD). Since LD is prohibited under religious
restrictions, plant shortenings were prepared by mixing pink guava seed oil with palm stearin
(PGO/PS) in different ratios: PGO-1, 40:60; PGO-2, 45:55; PGO-3, 50:50; PGO-4; 55:45 as
replacement. The effect of these formulated plant-based shortenings and LD shortening were
compared on dough rheological properties and cookie quality. Rheology and hardness of the
cookie dough were evaluated using Texture Analyser (TA). Cookie hardness was evaluated
with TA while cookie surface colors were measured using the CIE L*a*b* colorimetric system.
Among the samples, cookies made out of PGO-2 with the ratio 45:55 (PGO:PS) performed the
best substitute for LD to be used as shortening in cookies. PGO-2 also displayed the closest
similarity to LD in cookies for hardness, size and thickness, cracking size as well as colour.
As PGO-2 was a shortening formulated with plant-based ingredients, it could comply with the
halal and toyyiban requirements.
Fulltext Effect of pasteurization treatment and calamansi (Fortunella Japonica) juice on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of black stem sugarcane juice

Chew, S.K., Md Noor, N.A., Maizura, M., Tan, T.C., Rusul, G.

International Food Research Journal, 2018;25(3):1007-1015.
MyJurnal

Sugarcane juice deteriorates rapidly as enzymatic browning and microbial spoilage take place soon after juice extraction. Therefore, the effects of pasteurization treatment (70ºC for 10 minutes) and addition of calamansi juice at different concentrations (0, 1.0, 1.5, and 3.0%, v/v) on the physicochemical (color, pH, total soluble solid, titratable acidity, and peroxidase enzymatic activity), microbiological (total plate count, yeast and mold), and sensory characteristics of black stem sugarcane juice were investigated. Quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA®) was conducted by eight trained panelists to determine the intensity of the sensory attributes of sugarcane juice, such as brownish color, grassy aroma, citrus aroma, sweetness, sourness, sweet aftertaste, and overall acceptability using a 15 cm unstructured line scale. The results showed that the pasteurization treatment significantly (p ˂ 0.05) increased the L* value (lightness) of sugarcane juice at 0% (v/v) of calamansi juice. Increasing the concentration of calamansi juice decreased the pH value and increased the titratable acidity of the sugarcane juice at 5% significance level. The relative effectiveness in reducing the peroxidase (POD) enzymatic activity and microbial load of sugarcane juice was shown after the addition of calamansi juice and pasteurization treatment, respectively. Significant (p ˂ 0.05) changes in the intensity of brownish color, grassy aroma, and sweet aftertaste of sugarcane juice were observed after the pasteurization treatment at 0% (v/v) calamansi juice; whereas, the addition of calamansi juice at different concentrations increased the intensity of citrus aroma and sourness, but decreased the intensity of grassy aroma and sweet aftertaste of sugarcane juice at 5% significance level. Hence, pasteurization treatment coupled with the addition of 1.5% (v/v) calamansi juice was effective in achieving microbial stability and consumer’s acceptability on sugarcane juice.
Fulltext Importance of clinical and morphological correlations in diagnosing Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Seb, Omayma, Fauzana, K., Aisyah, M.R., Noraidah, M., Noor Hamidah, H.

Medicine & Health, 2018;13(1):220-226.
MyJurnal

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a clonal histiocytic disorder. The variable clinical manifestations from isolated bone lesion to multisystem disease can cause difficulties and delay in diagnosis. We report a 2 years and 8 months-old girl who presented with a 2 weeks history of persistent fever and weight loss associated with progressive abdominal distension. Physical examination revealed pallor, bilateral proptosis, seaborrheic dermatitis over the scalp and hepatosplenomegaly. Skull X-ray demonstrated multiple lytic lesions at the base and the skull vault. Bone marrow morphology showed numerous abnormal Langerhans cells (LCs) and foamy macrophages. The trephine immunohistochemistry (IHC) stains for CD1a, S-100 and CD68 were inconclusive. The diagnosis of multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (MS-LCH) in this patient was based on the clinical presentation, radiological and morphological analysis. She subsequently received chemotherapy and currently she is on maintenance therapy with a good clinical response. LCH is a rare disease and although the IHC was inconclusive, the correlation of clinical, radiological and morphological data are essential for the diagnosis.
Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in pregnancy

Daud S, Zahid AZM, Mohamad M, Abdullah B, Mohamad NAN

Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2019 11;300(5):1279-1285.
PMID: 31435778 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-019-05273-y

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction during pregnancy and to determine its associated factors.
METHODS: This 6-month cross-sectional study adopted convenience sampling; inclusion criteria were healthy pregnant women, sexually active and living together with their partner for 3 months prior to recruitment into this study. Women who received advice to avoid sexual intercourse, with any medical illness and/or those conceived via assisted reproductive technology were excluded. Participants filled in a questionnaire consisting of demographic details and Malay Version Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS 24.0; categorical data were analyzed by Chi-square and Fisher exact test.
RESULTS: One hundred pregnant women with a mean age of 31 + 4.31 years old participated. By using the cut-off FSFI score of 26.55, 81 (81%) participants were diagnosed to have sexual dysfunction. The mean FSFI score was 20.41 ± 8.45 (range 2.6-33.5; median 23.6). All the mean FSFI scores of first, second and third trimesters were low with 22.80 ± 10.67, 23.81 ± 7.18 and 18.74 ± 8.43, respectively. The mean score for desire, arousal, satisfaction and pain were significantly lower in the third trimester than earlier gestation. There was a significant difference in the incidence of difficulties in desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction and pain between first and second trimester combined, as compared to the third trimester of pregnancy. Trimester of pregnancy was found to have a significant association with the incidence of sexual dysfunction.
CONCLUSION: Sexual dysfunction among pregnant women is a significant burden. Despite being a common health problem, it is often neglected.
Performance characterization of schottky tunneling graphene field effect transistor at 60 nm gate length

Noor Faizah Zainul Abidin, Ibrahim Ahmad, Pin JK, Menon PS

Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:1089-1095.

A planar Graphene Field-Effect Transistor GFET performance with 60 nm gate length was evaluated in discovering new material to meet the relentless demand for higher performance-power saving features. The ATHENA and ATLAS modules of SILVACO TCAD simulation tool was employed to virtually design and assess the electrical performance of GFET. The developed model was benchmarked with the established results obtained from the DESSIS simulator model by using the same graphene channel’s parameters and simulated at fixed threshold voltage of 0.4V. The GFET was also analyzed and ranked its performance for four different gate oxides which includes HfO2, Al2O3, TiO2, and Ta2O5. Compared to the benchmarked device, our GFET shows a competitive performance although it possesses a lower drive current (ION). However, the leakage current (IOFF), subthreshold swing (SS) and the device’s switching capability (ION/IOFF) are more superior than those of the benchmarked device, with an improvement of 99%, 48.3% and 99.36%, respectively. The with different gate dielectrics were also proven to possess a lower IOFF, competitive ION, smaller SS and better switching capability compared to the established DESSISS model. The graphene parameters in this experiment can be utilized for further optimization of GFET with smaller gate lengths.
Effect of the poly l-lactic acid coating on the corrosion of magnesium in hank's solution

Atikah Wan Nafi, Amalina Afifi, Nor Ishida Zainal Abidin, Noor Hidayah Abdul Aziz, Katayoon Kalantari

Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:169-179.

To control the corrosion rate, the Magnesium (Mg) was coated with poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) using electrospinning
technique. The effectiveness of the PLLA coating on the high purity Magnesium (HP Mg) and alloy AZ91 were tested in
Hank’s solution immersion test. The corrosion behaviour of Mg coated PLLA was studied through hydrogen evolution,
weight loss and scanning electron microscope (SEM) before, during and after samples were immersed. The solution
was maintained at pH 7 by bubbling CO2
gas. The results showed that surface treatment on Mg by coating with PLLA
had reduced the rate of corrosion during the immersion test. The PLLA coating was also characterized and the coating
adhesion was evaluated.
Fulltext Relationship of socio-demographic characteristics, nutritional status, and red meat intake to blood cholesterol level among staff in Universiti Sains Malaysia

Sakinah Harith, Aryati Ahmad, Noor Aini Mohd Yusoff, Khor Wei Xin, Shariza Abdul Razak

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2017;17 Special(2):1-10.

The main objective of the study was to determine the factors associated with blood cholesterol level among staff in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The study was a cross-sectional. One-hundred staff between 23 and 59 years of age were recruited in this study using convenient sampling at USM Health Campus. A questionnaire which includes sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, and red meat intake was used in the study. Anthropometric and biochemical assessment were measured. Blood cholesterol level was divided into two categories which were known as healthy range (<5.2mmol/L) and slight risk/high risk range (≥5.2mmol/L). The gender distribution of respondents for this study comprised of 40 male and 60 female. The age group (18 to 39) years and (40 to 59) years had a total of 40.3% and 63.2% of slightly risk or high risk blood cholesterol respectively; with the significant association between age group and blood cholesterol level (χ²=4.916,p=0.027). Besides, normal BMI group had 66.7% of respondents achieved healthy blood cholesterol level whereas underweight, overweight and obese group had 39.7% achieved healthy blood cholesterol with the significant association between BMI and blood cholesterol level (χ²=7.112,p=0.008). Moreover, daily or weekly intake of red meat showed that 65.0% of total respondents had a healthier blood cholesterol level compared to 51.0% of monthly, rarely, or none red meat intake group which achieved healthy blood cholesterol level. The result also showed a significant association between red meat intake and blood cholesterol (χ²=5.229, p=0.022), which indicating less red meat consumption is linked to high level of blood cholesterol level. Therefore, further investigation and future studies are needed to gain a clearer understanding of the association between these variables and blood cholesterol level.
Fulltext Evaluating the implementation of a canteenbased food nutrition intervention among schoolchildren: a prospective intervention study

Wan Manan W.M., Noor Izani N.J., Nik Nurain N.H., Razlina A.R., Nik Rosmawati N.H.

JUMMEC, 2018;21(1):21-27.
MyJurnal

Background: School children are at great risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Their eating pattern in
school is influenced by the availability of food served within the school environment. The purpose of this
paper was to determine the effectiveness of a canteen-based food nutrition intervention, designed according
to the theory of planned behaviour, on the knowledge, perception and choices of healthy food among primary
schoolchildren.
Methods: This was a prospective intervention study using a two-group design. Six school canteens from the
ninety-eight primary schools were randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. All the
food handlers in the intervention group were given a twelve-week training course in food nutrition. On the
completion of the course, 293 Standard Six students from these schools, were interviewed with a nutritional
questionnaire on food in their school canteens. The training programme for the intervention group and the
questionnaire for the students were developed and validated for the study, and a power calculation made for
the sample size of students.
Results: The students in both groups were homogeneous in gender and body mass. The mean body mass
index (BMI) was 19.26 (SD: 0.38) and 19.47 (SD: 0.39) for the intervention and the control group respectively.
There were more schoolchildren in the intervention group who purchased foods in school canteens (p 0.0036)
of milk and milk products (p 0.034), and white rice (p
Fulltext Bacterial identification process using BactFinder© mobile application

Nadiawati Alias, Nor Hasima Mahmod, Noor Afiza Badaluddin, Mohammad Khairul Asyraf Ridzuan

Jurnal Inovasi Malaysia, 2019;2(2):1-18.
MyJurnal

BactFinder© is an interactive and mobile application built to facilitate bacteria identification. As widely known, bacteria are composed of large domains of prokaryotic microorganisms which are various in types, hence the identification of these bacterial groups requires a systematic and orderly identification process. Through this mobile app, experimental results from biochemical and bacterial morphological tests carried out in the laboratory before hand must be submitted to the application before bacterial identification can be performed. Previously, academics user and students have to refer to many references such as research books and related academic journals in order to finalise their bacteria identification. This process, of course, will take relatively longer time and less effective. This BactFinder© mobile application is equipped with a database of 19 types of biochemical tests including bacteria morphology. The database was built based on Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology and other related scientific journals. The BactFinder© mobile app has been proved able to provide fast (± 2 seconds) and precise responses in helping students and academics user in the process of identifying bacteria species in the lab. This application is also suitable for undergraduate, post-graduate and academicians in the field of microbiology, biotechnology and science in general.
Fulltext Genetic diversity of Sabah rice cultivars using random amplified polymorphic dna (rapd) markers

Alvina Simon, Vijay Kumar Subbiah, Chee, Fong Tyng, Noor Hydayaty Md Yusuf

Borneo International Journal of Biotechnology, 2020;1(1):35-43.
MyJurnal

Rice is the most important staple crop in Malaysia and is cultivated all over the country, including the state of Sabah. The uniqueness of rice cultivation in Sabah lies in the type of rice itself, deriving mainly from local or non-commercial cultivars but with distinctive characteristics including long grains, aromatic properties, and drought tolerance. However, despite having these important agricultural traits, information on the genetic diversity of Sabah rice remains limited. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine the genetic polymorphisms of Sabah rice using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. A total of 101 alleles were profiled, from which 94% were identified as polymorphic. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the rice samples into three clusters, with two clusters classifying the ability of rice to grow under different planting conditions, suitable for growth irrigate and upland condition. The first cluster was dominated by cultivars that could survive in wet (irrigated) areas, while the other featured those that were found in dry (upland) areas. Furthermore, two alleles, OPA-05-B2 and OPA-01-B11, were found to be unique to cultivars within the upland cluster and were thus proposed to be involved in dry environmental adaptation. The results of the present study provide an insight into the genetic relationships and diversity of Sabah rice.
Fulltext Species composition and invasion risks of alien ornamental freshwater fishes from pet stores in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Saba AO, Ismail A, Zulkifli SZ, Halim MRA, Wahid NAA, Amal MNA

Sci Rep, 2020 10 14;10(1):17205.
PMID: 33057156 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74168-9

The ornamental fish trade has been considered as one of the most important routes of invasive alien fish introduction into native freshwater ecosystems. Therefore, the species composition and invasion risks of fish species from 60 freshwater fish pet stores in Klang Valley, Malaysia were studied. A checklist of taxa belonging to 18 orders, 53 families, and 251 species of alien fishes was documented. Fish Invasiveness Screening Test (FIST) showed that seven (30.43%), eight (34.78%) and eight (34.78%) species were considered to be high, medium and low invasion risks, respectively. After the calibration of the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) v2 using the Receiver Operating Characteristics, a threshold value of 17 for distinguishing between invasive and non-invasive fishes was identified. As a result, nine species (39.13%) were of high invasion risk. In this study, we found that non-native fishes dominated (85.66%) the freshwater ornamental trade in Klang Valley, while FISK is a more robust tool in assessing the risk of invasion, and for the most part, its outcome was commensurate with FIST. This study, for the first time, revealed the number of high-risk ornamental fish species that give an awareness of possible future invasion if unmonitored in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

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