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Fulltext β-Cyclodextrin conjugated bifunctional isocyanate linker polymer for enhanced removal of 2,4-dinitrophenol from environmental waters

Anne JM, Boon YH, Saad B, Miskam M, Yusoff MM, Shahriman MS, et al.

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Aug;5(8):180942.
PMID: 30225083 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180942

In this work, we reported the synthesis, characterization and adsorption study of two β-cyclodextrin (βCD) cross-linked polymers using aromatic linker 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI) and aliphatic linker 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (1,6-HDI) to form insoluble βCD-TDI and βCD-HDI. The adsorption of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) on both polymers as an adsorbent was studied in batch adsorption experiments. Both polymers were well characterized using various tools that include Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis and scanning electron microscopy, and the results obtained were compared with the native βCD. The adsorption isotherm of 2,4-DNP onto polymers was studied. It showed that the Freundlich isotherm is a better fit for βCD-TDI, while the Langmuir isotherm is a better fit for βCD-HMDI. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model represented the adsorption process for both of the polymers. The thermodynamic study showed that βCD-TDI polymer was more favourable towards 2,4-DNP when compared with βCD-HDI polymer. Under optimized conditions, both βCD polymers were successfully applied on various environmental water samples for the removal of 2,4-DNP. βCD-TDI polymer showed enhanced sorption capacity and higher removal efficiency (greater than 80%) than βCD-HDI (greater than 70%) towards 2,4-DNP. The mechanism involved was discussed, and the effects of cross-linkers on βCD open up new perspectives for the removal of toxic contaminants from a body of water.
Performance of the hybrid growth sequencing batch reactor (HG-SBR) for biodegradation of phenol under various toxicity conditions

Yusoff N, Ong SA, Ho LN, Wong YS, Saad FNM, Khalik W, et al.

J Environ Sci (China), 2019 Jan;75:64-72.
PMID: 30473308 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2018.03.001

Hybrid growth microorganisms in sequencing batch reactors have proven effective for treating the toxic compound phenol, but the toxicity effect under different toxicity conditions has rarely been discussed. Therefore, the performance of the HG-SBR under toxic, acute and chronic organic loading can provide the overall operating conditions of the system. Toxic organic loading (TOL) was monitored during the first 7hr while introducing 50mg/L phenol to the system. The system was adversely affected with the sudden introduction of phenol to the virgin activated sludge, which caused a low degradation rate and high dissolved oxygen consumption during TOL. Acute organic loading (AOL) had significant effects at high phenol concentrations (600, 800 1000mg/L). The specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) gradually decreased to 4.9mg O2/(g MLVSS·hr) at 1000mg/L of phenol compared to 12.74mg O2/(g MLVSS·hr) for 200mg/L of phenol. The HG-SBR was further monitored during chronic organic loading (COL) over 67days. The effects of organic loading were more apparent at 800mg/L and 1000mg/L phenol concentrations, as the removal range was between 22%-30% and 18%-46% respectively, which indicated the severe effects of COL.
Fulltext Mammary Paget's Disease of the Nipple: Relatively Common but Still Unknown to Many

Ooi PS, Draman N, Yusoff SSM, Zain WZW, Ganasagaran D, Chua HH

Korean J Fam Med, 2019 Jul;40(4):269-272.
PMID: 30486607 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.17.0143

Mammary Paget's disease is clinically defined as skin inflammation of the nipple area and is an adenocarcinoma of the epidermis of the nipple. The pathogenesis of mammary Paget's disease is relatively unknown; nonetheless, there are two popular theories that support the underlying carcinoma and de novo carcinogenesis. For the attending medical practitioner, mammary Paget's disease poses a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma, especially in the absence of a clinically palpable breast mass. We report a rare case of a 48-year-old Malay woman who presented at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia with the symptom of skin erosion on the left nipple and unresponsiveness to multiple topical treatments. A full evaluation and assessment of the patient were conducted, and mammary Paget's disease was diagnosed.
Fulltext Effect of a Different Number of Amine-Functional Groups on the Gas Sorption and Permeation Behavior of a Hybrid Membrane Comprising of Impregnated Linde T and 4,4'- (Hexafluoroisopropylidene) Diphthalic Anhydride-Derived Polyimide

Jusoh N, Yeong YF, Lock SSM, Yub Harun N, Mohd Yusoff MH

Polymers (Basel), 2019 Nov 04;11(11).
PMID: 31689895 DOI: 10.3390/polym11111807

The bottleneck of conventional polymeric membranes applied in industry has a tradeoff between permeability and selectivity that deters its widespread expansion. This can be circumvented through a hybrid membrane that utilizes the advantages of inorganic and polymer materials to improve the gas separation performance. The approach can be further enhanced through the incorporation of amine-impregnated fillers that has the potential to minimize defects while simultaneously enhancing gas affinity. An innovative combination between impregnated Linde T with different numbers of amine-functional groups (i.e., monoamine, diamine, and triamine) and 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA)-derived polyimide has been elucidated to explore its potential in CO2/CH4 separation. Detailed physical properties (i.e., free volume and glass transition temperature) and gas transport behavior (i.e., solubility, permeability, and diffusivity) of the fabricated membranes have been examined to unveil the effect of different numbers of amine-functional groups in Linde T fillers. It was found that a hybrid membrane impregnated with Linde T using a diamine functional group demonstrated the highest improvement compared to a pristine polyimide with 3.75- and 1.75-fold enhancements in CO2/CH4 selectivities and CO2 permeability, respectively, which successfully lies on the 2008 Robeson's upper bound. The novel coupling of diamine-impregnated Linde T and 6FDA-derived polyimide is a promising candidate for application in large-scale CO2 removal processes.
Revising degumming and bleaching processes of palm oil refining for the mitigation of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE) contents in refined palm oil

Hew KS, Asis AJ, Tan TB, Yusoff MM, Lai OM, Nehdi IA, et al.

Food Chem, 2020 Mar 01;307:125545.
PMID: 31654951 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125545

Corresponding the high presence of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE) in refined palm oil, this paper re-evaluated degumming and bleaching processes of physical palm oil refining to reduce the amount of said contaminants. Separation-free water degumming was incorporated into the process, and this significantly (p 
Fulltext Aquifer Potential Assessment in Termites Manifested Locales Using Geo-Electrical and Surface Hydraulic Measurement Parameters

Ahmed Ii JB, Pradhan B, Mansor S, Yusoff ZM, Ekpo SA

Sensors (Basel), 2019 May 07;19(9).
PMID: 31067734 DOI: 10.3390/s19092107

In some parts of tropical Africa, termite mound locations are traditionally used to site groundwater structures mainly in the form of hand-dug wells with high success rates. However, the scientific rationale behind the use of mounds as prospective sites for locating groundwater structures has not been thoroughly investigated. In this paper, locations and structural features of termite mounds were mapped with the aim of determining the aquifer potential beneath termite mounds and comparing the same with adjacent areas, 10 m away. Soil and species sampling, field surveys and laboratory analyses to obtain data on physical, hydraulic and geo-electrical parameters from termite mounds and adjacent control areas followed. The physical and hydraulic measurements demonstrated relatively higher infiltration rates and lower soil water content on mound soils compared with the surrounding areas. To assess the aquifer potential, vertical electrical soundings were conducted on 28 termite mounds sites and adjacent control areas. Three (3) important parameters were assessed to compute potential weights for each Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) point: Depth to bedrock, aquifer layer resistivity and fresh/fractured bedrock resistivity. These weights were then compared between those of termite mound sites and those from control areas. The result revealed that about 43% of mound sites have greater aquifer potential compared to the surrounding areas, whereas 28.5% of mounds have equal and lower potentials compared with the surrounding areas. The study concludes that termite mounds locations are suitable spots for groundwater prospecting owing to the deeper regolith layer beneath them which suggests that termites either have the ability to locate places with a deeper weathering horizon or are themselves agents of biological weathering. Further studies to check how representative our study area is of other areas with similar termite activities are recommended.
Job Stress and Nurses Well-Being: Prayer and Age as Moderators

Achour M, Binti Abdul Ghani Azmi I, Bin Isahak M, Mohd Nor MR, Mohd Yusoff MYZ

Community Ment Health J, 2019 10;55(7):1226-1235.
PMID: 31111298 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-019-00410-y

There is increasing popularity among researchers, scholars, and policymakers concerning the efficacy of prayer as a coping strategy for job stress. This study examines the moderating effects of prayer and age on the relationship between job stress and nurses' well-being in UMMC. Three hundred (300) Muslim nursing staff working at the University of Malaya Medical Centre were sampled. Data were collected via questionnaires. The findings of this study show that the effect of job stress on well-being is significant for nurses and that prayer of nurses contributed to alleviating job stress and enhancing well-being. This study is limited to nurses in one public hospital in a developing country. Thus, it would be more interesting if the study could be extended to other public and private institutions in a Muslim country, and a comparison could be done between other religions as well.
Fulltext Detection of FZD4, LRP5 and TSPAN12 Genes Variants in Malay Premature Babies with Retinopathy of Prematurity

Mohd Khair SZN, Ismail AS, Embong Z, Mohamed Yusoff AA

J Ophthalmic Vis Res, 2019 5 23;14(2):171-178.
PMID: 31114654 DOI: 10.4103/jovr.jovr_210_17

Purpose: To determine the mutational analyses of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR)-causing genes in Malay patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) to obtain preliminary data for gene alterations in the Malay community.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study involving 86 Malay premature babies (ROP = 41 and non-ROP = 45) was performed from September 2012 to December 2014. Mutation analyses in (FEVR)-causing genes (NDP, FZD4, LRP5, and TSPAN12) were performed using DNA from premature babies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. Sequencing results were confirmed with PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP).
Results: We found variants of FZD4, LRP5, and TSPAN12 in this study. One patient from each group showed a non-synonymous alteration in FZD4, c.502C>T (p.P168S). A synonymous variant of LRP5 [c.3357G>A (p.V1119V)] was found in 30 ROP and 28 non-ROP patients. Two variants of TSPAN12, c.765G>T (p.P255P) and c.*39C>T (3'UTR), were also recorded (29 and 21 in ROP, 33 and 26 in non-ROP, respectively). Gestational age and birth weight were found to be significantly associated with ROP (P value < 0.001 and 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion: Analysis of data obtained from the ROP Malay population will enhance our understanding of these FEVR-causing gene variants. The c.3357G>A (p.V1119V) variant of LRP5, and c.765G>T (p.P255P) and c.*39C>T variants of TSPAN12 could be common polymorphisms in the Malay ethnic group; however, this requires further elucidation. Future studies using larger groups and higher numbers of advanced cases are necessary to evaluate the relationship between FEVR-causing gene variants and the risk of ROP susceptibility in Malaysian infants.
Fulltext Characterization data of titanate compounds synthesized using hydrothermal method at various temperature

Razali MH, Ismail NA, Osman UM, Rozaini MZH, Yusoff M

Data Brief, 2020 Feb;28:104992.
PMID: 31890823 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104992

Titanate compounds was synthesized using hydrothermal method at various temperature (100, 150, 200, and 250 °C) for 24 hours. As-synthesized titanate was characterized using FTIR, XRD and nitrogen gas adsorption. FTIR spectra was scanned from 4000 to 400 cm-1 using Perkin Elmer Spectrum 100 FTIR spectrophotometer. XRD diffractogram was performed by using Rigaku Miniflex (II) X-ray diffractometer operating at a scanning rate of 2.00° min-1. The diffraction spectra were recorded at the diffraction angle, 2θ from 10° to 80° at room temperature. Nitrogen gas adsorption analysis was studied by using Micromeritics ASAP2020 (Alaska) to determine the surface area and pores size distribution. The nitrogen adsorption and desorption was measured at 77 K (temperature of liquid nitrogen) and the samples were degassed in a vacuum at 110 °C under nitrogen flow for overnight prior to analysis.
Toxicity identification and evaluation of palm oil mill effluent and its effects on the planktonic crustacean Daphnia magna

Hashiguchi Y, Zakaria MR, Maeda T, Yusoff MZM, Hassan MA, Shirai Y

Sci Total Environ, 2020 Mar 25;710:136277.
PMID: 31923663 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136277

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) contains complex and highly biodegradable organic matters so discharging it without appropriate treatment may lead to environmental problems. POME final discharge quality is normally determined based on conventional chemical detection such as by biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The novelty of the present study is that the toxicity effects of the POME final discharge samples were evaluated based on whole effluent toxicity (WET) and toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) tests using Daphnia magna. The toxicity unit (TU) values were recorded to be in the range from TU = 1.1-11 obtained from WET, and the TIE manipulation tests suggested that a substantial amount of toxic compounds was contained in the POME final discharge. Phenol, 2,6-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl)- and heavy metals such as Cu and Zn were detected in all the effluents and were recognized as being the main toxicants in the POME final discharge. GC/MS analyses also successfully identified cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes; cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl- (D4), cyclopentasiloxane, decamethyl- (D5), cyclohexasiloxane, dodecamethyl- (D6). D4 was detected at 0.0148-0.0357 mg/L, which could be potentially toxic. The palm oil industry used only water in the form of steam to process the fruits, and the presence of these compounds might be derived from the detergents and grease used in palm oil mill cleaning and maintenance operations. An appropriate treatment process is thus required to eliminate these toxicants from the POME final discharge. It is recommended that two approaches, chemical-based monitoring as well as biological toxicity-based monitoring, should be utilized for achieving an acceptable quality of POME final discharge in the future.
MACK-3 (combination of hoMa, Ast and CK18): A promising novel biomarker for fibrotic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Chuah KH, Wan Yusoff WNI, Sthaneshwar P, Nik Mustapha NR, Mahadeva S, Chan WK

Liver Int, 2019 07;39(7):1315-1324.
PMID: 30825254 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14084

INTRODUCTION: MACK-3 (combination of hoMa, Ast and CK18) was reported to be a good biomarker for the diagnosis of fibrotic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, there is no external validation to date.
AIM: To evaluate the accuracy of MACK-3 for the diagnosis of fibrotic NASH.
METHODOLOGY: Consecutive adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients who had liver biopsy in a university hospital were included. MACK-3 was calculated using the online calculator using the following variables: fasting glucose, fasting insulin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and cytokeratin 18 (CK18). MACK-3 cut-offs ≤0.134 and ≥0.550 were used to predict absence and presence of fibrotic NASH, respectively. Histopathological examination of liver biopsy specimen was reported according to the NASH Clinical Research Network Scoring System.
RESULTS: Data for 196 subjects were analysed. MACK-3 was good for diagnosis of fibrotic NASH (area under receiver-operating characteristics curve [AUROC] 0.80), comparable to the Fibrosis-4 index (FIB4) and the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and superior to the BARD score and CK18. MACK-3 was good for diagnosis of active NASH (AUROC 0.81) and was superior to other blood fibrosis tests. The overall accuracy, percentage of subjects in grey zone, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of MACK-3 for diagnosis of fibrotic NASH was 79.1%, 46.9%, 100%, 43.8%, 43.1% and 100%, respectively, while for diagnosis of active NASH was 90.0%, 39.3%, 84.2%, 81.4%, 88.9% and 74.5%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: MACK-3 is promising as a non-invasive test for active NASH and fibrotic NASH and may be useful to identify patients who need more aggressive intervention.
Evaluation of Ultra-Microscopic Changes and Proliferation of Apoptotic Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells Induced by Velogenic Strain of Newcastle Disease Virus AF2240

Ali- Saeed R, Alabsi AM, Ideris A, Omar AR, Yusoff K, Ali AM

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 Mar 26;20(3):757-765.
PMID: 30909682

Aim: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a member of genus Avulavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae. Interest
of using NDV as an anticancer agent has arisen from its ability to kill tumor cells with limited toxicity to normal cells.
Methods: In this investigation, the proliferation of brain tumor cell line, glioblastoma multiform (DBTRG.05MG)
induced by NDV strain AF2240 was evaluated in-vitro, by using MTT proliferation assay. Furthermore, Cytological
observations were studied using fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, DNA laddering in
agarose gel electrophoresis assay used to detect the mode of cell death and analysis of the cellular DNA content by
flowcytometery. Results: MTT proliferation assay, Cytological observations using fluorescence microscopy and
transmission electron microscopy show the anti-proliferation effect and apoptogenic features of NDV on DBTRG.05MG.
Furthermore, analysis of the cellular DNA content showed that there was a loss of treated cells in all cell cycle phases
(G1, S and G2/M) accompanied with increasing in sub-G1 region (apoptosis peak). Conclusion: It could be concluded
that NDV strain AF2240 is a potent antitumor agent that induce apoptosis and its cytotoxicity increasing while increasing
of time and virus titer.
Fulltext Disruption of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae membrane via induction of oxidative stress by cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) essential oil

Yang SK, Yusoff K, Ajat M, Thomas W, Abushelaibi A, Akseer R, et al.

PLoS One, 2019;14(4):e0214326.
PMID: 30939149 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214326

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) remains the most prevalent nosocomial pathogen and carries the carbapenemase (KPC) gene which confers resistance towards carbapenem. Thus, it is necessary to discover novel antimicrobials to address the issue of antimicrobial resistance in such pathogens. Natural products such as essential oils are a promising source due to their complex composition. Essential oils have been shown to be effective against pathogens, but the overall mechanisms have yet to be fully explained. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of essential oil towards KPC-KP cells would provide a deeper understanding of their potential use in clinical settings. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mode of action of essential oil against KPC-KP cells from a proteomic perspective by comparing the overall proteome profile of KPC-KP cells treated with cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) essential oil (CBO) at their sub-inhibitory concentration of 0.08% (v/v). A total of 384 proteins were successfully identified from the non-treated cells, whereas only 242 proteins were identified from the CBO-treated cells. Proteins were then categorized based on their biological processes, cellular components and molecular function prior to pathway analysis. Pathway analysis showed that CBO induced oxidative stress in the KPC-KP cells as indicated by the abundance of oxidative stress regulator proteins such as glycyl radical cofactor, catalase peroxidase and DNA mismatch repair protein. Oxidative stress is likely to oxidize and disrupt the bacterial membrane as shown by the loss of major membrane proteins. Several genes selected for qRT-PCR analysis validated the proteomic profile and were congruent with the proteomic abundance profiles. In conclusion, KPC-KP cells exposed to CBO undergo oxidative stress that eventually disrupts the bacterial membrane possibly via interaction with the phospholipid bilayer. Interestingly, several pathways involved in the bacterial membrane repair system were also affected by oxidative stress, contributing to the loss of cells viability.
Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and coping strategies among dental auxiliaries at hospital universiti Sains Malaysia

Rahman NA, Adnan MM, Yusoff A, Shu JMH, Rustam K

Indian J Dent Res, 2020 4 5;31(1):61-66.
PMID: 32246684 DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_430_18

Background: Dental personnel are vulnerable to work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSS) due to the nature of their profession.
Aim: To determine WMSS experienced by dental auxiliaries and their coping strategies toward these symptoms.
Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 82 dental auxiliaries at a university dental hospital in Malaysia.
Materials and Methods: Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and the Brief COPE questionnaire were used to measure the musculoskeletal symptoms and coping strategies of the respondents, respectively. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22.0.
Results: Dental auxiliaries consisted of dental staff nurses (30.5%), dental surgery assistants (40.2%), dental technologists (18.3%), and healthcare assistants (11.0%). Their mean [standard deviation (SD)] age was 33.4 (7.60) years. Most of the respondents had been troubled with ache, pain, and discomfort at the neck, 54.9% (95% confidence interval 44.0%, 66.0%]. In addition, they were troubled mainly with distress at the low back (34.1%) and the ankle or feet (34.1%) which had prevented the respondents from doing their regular job over the past 12 months. The most common areas that had troubled the respondents over the past 7 days were the neck (36.6%), low back (36.6%), and ankle or feet (36.6%). The coping strategy most commonly practiced by the respondents was religion with a mean (SD) score of 3.70 (2.15), followed by active coping [3.13 (0.68)] and acceptance [3.13 (0.69)].
Conclusion: The prevalence of WMSS was high in the dental auxiliaries particularly in the neck region. The most common coping strategy used was religion. Awareness programs on the prevention of WMSS among the dental auxiliaries should be increased.
Fulltext Psychometric evaluation of a newly developed Elderly-Constipation Impact Scale

Abdul Wahab P, Mohd Yusoff D, Abdul Kadir A, Ali SH, Lee YY, Kueh YC

PeerJ, 2020;8:e8581.
PMID: 32175185 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8581

Background: Chronic constipation is a common symptom among the elderly, and it may affect their quality of life (QoL). A lack of available research focused on the elderly means that this effect is not well understood. This study aimed to develop and validate a new scale (Elderly-Constipation Impact Scale (E-CIS)) to measure the impact of chronic constipation on QoL among the elderly.
Methods: A pool of items was generated from a qualitative study, literature reviews, and expert reviews. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on the original 40 items of the E-CIS and followed by 27 items for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A total of 470 elderly people with chronic constipation were involved.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 68.64 ± 6.57. Finally, only 22 items were indicated as appropriately representing the E-CIS, which were grouped into seven subscales: 'daily activities', 'treatment satisfaction', 'lack of control of bodily function', 'diet restriction', 'symptom intensity', 'anxiety' and 'preventive actions'. The scale was confirmed as valid (root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.04, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.961, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.952 and chi-square/degree of freedom (chiSq/df) = 1.44) and reliable (Cronbach's alpha: 0.66-0.85, composite reliability (CR) = 0.699-0.851) to assess the impact of chronic constipation on the elderly's QoL.
Conclusions: The E-CIS is useful to measure the impact of chronic constipation on the elderly's QoL. A further test is needed to determine the validity and reliability of this scale in other elderly population.
Effects of white noise on word recall performance and brain activity in healthy adolescents with normal and low auditory working memory

Othman E, Yusoff AN, Mohamad M, Abdul Manan H, Abd Hamid AI, Giampietro V

Exp Brain Res, 2020 Apr;238(4):945-956.
PMID: 32179941 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05765-3

The present study examined the impact of white noise on word recall performance and brain activity in 40 healthy adolescents, split in two groups (normal and low) depending on their auditory working memory capacity (AWMC). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants performed a backward recall task under four different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions: 15, 10, 5, and 0-dB SNR. Behaviorally, normal AWMC individuals scored significantly higher than low AWMC individuals across noise levels. Whole-brain analyses showed brain activation not to be statistically different between groups across noise levels. In the normal group, a significant positive relationship was found between performance and number of activated voxels in the right superior frontal gyrus. In the low group, significant positive correlations were found between performance and number of activated voxels in left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, and left anterior cingulate cortex. These findings suggest that the strategic structure involved in the enhancement of AWM performance may differ in normal and low AWMC individuals.
Metabolomics-Guided Isolation of Anti-Trypanosomal Compounds from Endophytic Fungi of the Mangrove plant Avicennia Lanata

Mazlan NW, Tate R, Yusoff YM, Clements C, Edrada-Ebel R

Curr Med Chem, 2020;27(11):1815-1835.
PMID: 31272343 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190704130105

Endophytic fungi have been explored not just for their ecological functions but also for their secondary metabolites as a new source of these pharmacologically active natural products. Accordingly, many structurally unique and biologically active compounds have been obtained from the cultures of endophytic fungi. Fusarium sp. and Lasiodiplodia theobromae were isolated from the root and stem of the mangrove plant Avicennia lanata, respectively, collected from Terengganu, Malaysia. High-resolution mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy were used as metabolomics profiling tools to identify and optimize the production of bioactive secondary metabolites in both strains at different growth stages and culture media. The spectral data was processed by utilizing Mzmine 2, a quantitative expression analysis software and an in house MS-Excel macro coupled with the Dictionary of Natural Products databases for dereplication studies. The investigation for the potential bioactive metabolites from a 15-day rice culture of Fusarium sp. yielded four 1,4- naphthoquinone with naphthazarin structures (1-4). On the other hand, the endophytic fungus L. theobromae grown on the 15-day solid rice culture produced dihydroisocoumarins (5-8). All the isolated compounds (1-8) showed significant activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei with MIC values of 0.32-12.5 µM. Preliminary cytotoxicity screening against normal prostate cells (PNT2A) was also performed. All compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity, with compounds 3 and 4 showing the lowest cytotoxicity of only 22.3% and 38.6% of the control values at 100 µg/mL, respectively. Structure elucidation of the isolated secondary metabolites was achieved using 2D-NMR and HRESI-MS as well as comparison with literature data.
Effects of resveratrol on shedding and pathological dynamics in experimental B. melitensis infection in dexamethasone-treated nonpregnant Boer goats

Tanko PN, Mohd Yusoff S, Emikpe BO, Bejo SK, Salisi S

J Immunoassay Immunochem, 2019;40(4):419-438.
PMID: 31154897 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2019.1620766

Brucellosis constitutes an infectious re-emerging zoonosis. Spread of diseases could be exacerbated by stress-induced immunosuppression. This study evaluated relationship between Brucella melitensis infection, shedding dynamics, dexamethasone-induced stress, pathological alterations and resveratrol ameliorative effects in goats. Twelve nonpregnant goats were divided into four groups A, B, C, and D of three animals each. Groups A and B were administered 107 CFU/mL of B. melitensis ocularly, 21 days prior to 7 days consecutive administration of dexamethasone (2 mg/kg). Group A was further administered resveratrol (5 mg/kg) intravenously for 5 consecutive days from day 31 post B. melitensis inoculation. Group C was administered similar dose of B. melitensis while group D was inoculated normal saline. Blood, nasal, ocular, and vaginal swabs were collected at intervals for analysis. The does were sacrificed at day 42 post inoculation (pi). Tissues were collected for tissue bacterial load determination, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Dexamethasone administration from day 21 pi increased the frequency in the shedding dynamics, tissue bacterial load, pathological alterations (frequency of microgranuloma and intensity of immunostaining) in group B while 5 days treatment with resveratrol following dexamethasone administration significantly reduced tissue bacterial load, decline in shedding dynamics, and ameliorate damage by dexamethasone administration/B. melitensis infection.
Are Boys Ready for Human Papillomavirus Vaccine? A National Study of Boys in Malaysia

Wong LP, Alias H, Yusoff RNARM, Sam IC, Zimet GD

Sex Transm Dis, 2019 09;46(9):617-624.
PMID: 31181035 DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001024

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with the willingness of boys to accept the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey among Secondary One male students in Malaysia.
RESULTS: Among 2823 respondents, knowledge about HPV infection and the HPV vaccine was extremely poor. The mean total knowledge score was only 3.17 (SD ± 2.14), out of a possible score of 10. The majority of respondents were unaware that vaccinating boys can help protect girls against HPV infection (81.6%), and HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (70.1%). Many had the misconception that only females get HPV (78.9%). In multivariable analysis, the factors associated with the intention to receive the HPV vaccination were: agreeing boys need to be vaccinated against HPV infection (odds ratio [OR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-2.68), perceiving their parents might allow them to get the HPV vaccine (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.18-2.34), perceived susceptibility to HPV infection (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.06-2.52), and attending a rural school (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.14-1.95).
CONCLUSIONS: Public health educational programs that are focused and tailored on parents consenting to HPV vaccination for boys at a young age can be useful in improving HPV vaccination rates among boys. There is also a pressing need to educate boys about the benefits of HPV vaccination in males and about HPV disease susceptibility to facilitate adoption of the HPV vaccine by young adults in the future.
Fulltext An improved method for the rescue of recombinant Newcastle disease virus

Cheow PS, Tan TK, Song AA, Yusoff K, Chia SL

Biotechniques, 2020 02;68(2):96-100.
PMID: 31937115 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2019-0110

Reverse genetics has been used to generate recombinant Newcastle disease virus with enhanced immunogenic properties for vaccine development. The system, which involves co-transfecting the viral antigenomic plasmid with three helper plasmids into a T7 RNA polymerase-expressing cell to produce viral progenies, poses a great challenge. We have modified the standard transfection method to improve the transfection efficiency of the plasmids, resulting in a higher titer of virus progeny production. Two transfection reagents (i.e., lipofectamine and polyethylenimine) were used to compare the transfection efficiency of the four plasmids. The virus progenies produced were quantitated with flow cytometry analysis of the infectious virus unit. The modified transfection method increased the titer of virus progenies compared with that of the standard transfection method.

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