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p53 and nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a Malaysian study

Hoe SL, Lee ES, Khoo AS, Peh SC

Pathology, 2009;41(6):561-5.
PMID: 19900105

AIMS: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignancy among men in Malaysia. To determine the role of p53 in NPC, we screened for p53 mutations and evaluated the protein expression levels in samples from local patients with NPC.
METHODS: Fifty-three formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue blocks were chosen for this study. The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was determined by in situ hybridisation using an EBER probe. p53 protein expression was detected using immunohistochemistry. Simultaneously, amplifications by PCR were performed for p53 exons 5 to 8, followed by mutation screening via single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Sequencing of all the four exons was performed in five samples with mobility shift. To rule out false negative results by SSCP, 13 samples with p53 overexpression and five samples with low p53 expression were randomly selected and sequenced.
RESULTS: There was no mutation found in exons 5 to 8 in all the samples despite 46 (87%) of them having high p53 levels. EBV was detected in 51 (96%) out of 53 samples. There was no statistically significant association between p53 expression level and EBV presence.
CONCLUSIONS: High-intensity staining for p53 by immunohistochemistry was common in our series of NPC tissue samples but was not associated with 'hot spot' mutations of exons 5-8 of the gene. We did not find a significant relationship between the expression level of p53 and presence of EBV. Our study confirms that mutation of the DNA-binding domain of p53 is rare in NPC.
Spatiotemporal proximity of rubella cases to the occurrence of congenital rubella syndrome in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Sriwahyuni E, Sriwahyuni E, Fuad A, Ahmad RA, Ahmad RA, Rustamaji R, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2020 05;75(Suppl 1):41-47.
PMID: 32483106

INTRODUCTION: Rubella infection during early pregnancy may cause fatal consequences such as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The incidence rate (IR) of CRS confirmed cases in Yogyakarta, Indonesia between July 2008 and June 2013 was high at 0.05 per 1,000 live births. This study aimed to discover the spatiotemporal pattern of rubella and CRS and also identify whether the proximity of rubella cases was associated with the occurrence of CRS cases.
METHODS: This observational research used a spatiotemporal approach. We obtained CRS and rubella surveillance data from Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Provincial, and District Health Offices in Yogyakarta, Indonesia during January-April 2019. The home addresses of rubella and CRS cases were geocoded using the Global Positioning System. Average of the nearest neighbour and space-time permutation analyses were conducted to discover the spatiotemporal patterns and clusters of rubella and CRS cases.
RESULTS: The peak of rubella cases occurred in 2017 (IR: 22.3 per 100,000 population). Twelve confirmed cases of CRS were found in the 2016-2018 period (IR: 0.05 per 1,000 live births). The occurrence of CRS in Yogyakarta was detected 6-8 months after the increase and peak of rubella cases. The spatiotemporal analysis showed that rubella cases were mostly clustered, while CRS cases were distributed in a dispersed pattern. Rubella cases were found within a buffer zone of 2.5 km from any CRS case.
CONCLUSIONS: Rubella cases were spatiotemporally associated with the occurrence of CRS in Yogyakarta. We recommend strengthening the surveillance system of CRS and rubella cases in order to contain any further spreading of the disease.
Fulltext Nutritional assessment of rural villages and estates in Peninsular Malaysia*. III. Prevalence of anaemia

Tee ES, Khor G, Tony N, Yassin Z, Chee H, Mdyusof S

Malays J Nutr, 1998 Dec;4(1):1-29.
PMID: 22692339 MyJurnal

As a part of the recent UPM-IMR collaborative study on the nutritional status of communities in rural villages and estates in Peninsular Malaysia from 1992-1995, this report presents findings on the haemoglobin levels and the prevalence of anaemia amongst these rural dwellers. A total of 69 villages and 7 estates located in 9 states in Peninsular Malaysia were studied. Results of the study on the 5 communities (total n=8024), namely fishing, padi, rubber, coconut and estate communities, are presented according to five age groups, namely less than 7 years (n=1418), 7-12.9 years (n=1778), 13-17.9 years (n=701), 18-59.9 years (n=3241) and 60 years (n=886). The extent of the anaemia problem varied considerably amongst the various age groups and community types. The prevalence of anaemia and mean Hb level (g/dl) for subjects of both sexes were respectively 24% and 12.1 for those < 7 years; 21.9% and 13.0 for the 7-12.9 years old; 17.8% and 13.7 for the 13-17.9 years; 21.0% and 13.8 for 18-59.9 years; and 22.7% and 13.6 for those 60 years of age and above. While the female adults (18-59.9 years) had a significantly higher prevalence rate for anaemia of 25% compared to 14% found in the male adults, no significant difference in the prevalence rates were found between the sexes for the other age groups. The problem was most serious among adult women, young children and the elderly. Amongst the various community types, the fishing community had the highest prevalence of anaemia at an overall rate of 50%, taking into consideration both sexes and all age groups. The rubber smallholders, in contrast, had the lowest prevalence of anaemia, at an overall rate of about 10%. Intervention and preventive health programmes should therefore be continued to be focussed on the above groups of rural subjects, particularly those in the fishing community.
Fulltext Rapid detection of pathogenic leptospires by lyophilized reagent-based polymerase chain reaction

Lee SV, Tai ES, Mutalib AR, Khairani-Bejo S, Bahaman AR

Trop Biomed, 2011 Dec;28(3):497-505.
PMID: 22433877 MyJurnal

A simple and reliable tool for the early diagnosis of leptospirosis is urgently needed. We report the development of a lyophilized reagent-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting lipL32 gene, which is present only in pathogenic leptospires. To determine the effectiveness of the newly developed assay in the early diagnosis of leptospirosis, the sensitivity and specificity was evaluated. In simulated clinical samples, the assay was able to detect 10² and 10³ leptospires/ml in spiked urine and blood samples, respectively. In experimentally infected animals, leptospiral DNA could be detected in blood and lung samples as early as Day 1 post infection. This assay was also shown to be stable and remained sensitive for up to five months at ambient temperature. Hence, this lyophilized reagent-based PCR assay with high specificity, sensitivity and stability would provide a simple, rapid and reliable method in diagnosing acute leptospirosis, especially in the field of veterinary medicine.
Development and characterization of sugar palm nanocrystalline cellulose reinforced sugar palm starch bionanocomposites

Ilyas RA, Sapuan SM, Ishak MR, Zainudin ES

Carbohydr Polym, 2018 Dec 15;202:186-202.
PMID: 30286991 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.09.002

Sugar palm fibre (SPF) was treated with NaClO2, bleached with NaOH and subsequently hydrolyzed with acid to obtain sugar palm nanocrystalline cellulose (SPNCCs). Bionanocomposites in the form of films were prepared by mixing sugar palm starch (SPS) and sorbitol/glycerol with different nanofiller SPNCCs compositions (0-1.0 wt%) using solution casting method. The resulting fibres and nanocomposites were characterized in terms of morphology (FESEM and TEM), footprint, crystallinity (XRD), light transmittance, biodegradability, physical, water barrier, thermal (TGA, DSC and DMA) and mechanical properties. The length (L), diameter (D) and L/D values of the SPNCCs were 130 ± 30.23, 8.5 ± 1.82 nm, and 15.3, respectively. The SPS/SPNCCs nanocomposite films exhibited higher crystallinity, tensile strength, Young's modulus, thermal and water-resistance compared to the neat SPS film. The results showed that the tensile strength and moduli of the bionanocomposites increased after being reinforced with SPNCCs and the optimum nanofiller content was 0.5%.
Sugar palm nanofibrillated cellulose (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr): Effect of cycles on their yield, physic-chemical, morphological and thermal behavior

Ilyas RA, Sapuan SM, Ishak MR, Zainudin ES

Int J Biol Macromol, 2019 Feb 15;123:379-388.
PMID: 30447353 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.11.124

Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFCs) were extracted from sugar palm fibres (SPS) in two separate stages; delignification and mercerization to remove lignin and hemicellulose, respectively. Subsequently, the obtained cellulose fibres were then mechanically extracted into nanofibres using high pressurized homogenization (HPH). The diameter distribution sizes of the isolated nanofibres were dependent on the cycle number of HPH treatment. TEM micro-images displayed the decreasing trend of NFCs diameter, from 21.37 to 5.5 nm when the number of cycle HPH was increased from 5 to 15 cycles, meanwhile TGA and XRD analysis showed that the degradation temperature and crystallinity of the NFCs were slightly increased from 347 to 347.3 °C and 75.38 to 81.19% respectively, when the number of cycles increased. Others analysis also were carried on such as FT-IR, FESEM, AFM, physical properties, zeta potential and yield analysis. The isolated NFCs may be potentially applied in various application, such as tissue engineering scaffolds, bio-nanocomposites, filtration media, bio-packaging and etc.
Fibrinolytic response in women on low-dose oral contraceptive

Ishak R, Ahmad R, Gudum HR, Hassan K, Ang ES

Malays J Reprod Health, 1992 Jun;10(1):7-11.
PMID: 12345026

PIP: Long term use of low doses of combination oral contraceptives appears to increase plasminogen level, thereby increasing fibrinolytic activity and reducing the risk of thromboembolism. Blood levels of plasminogen, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), were measured before and after stress (5 minutes of stair climbing) in a group of 30 women, 23-40 years old, who had taken 30 mcg of ethinyl estradiol with 150 mcg of desogestrel or levonorgestrel for at least 1 year. Similar measurements were taken from a control group of 30 women matched for age, height, and weight. Plasminogen and tPA levels in both groups increased significantly after exercise. The level of PAI did not change significantly with stress in either group. The level of plasminogen was significantly higher in the group taking contraceptives, whether before or after exercise, when compared to the control group. Levels of tPA and PAI, although slightly increased in the oral contraceptive group, were not significantly different between the two groups. The increase in plasminogen may be due to the estrogen component of the contraceptives. Stress seems to increase fibrinolytic response.
Fulltext Physical, Mechanical, and Morphological Properties of Treated Sugar Palm/Glass Reinforced Poly(Lactic Acid) Hybrid Composites

Sherwani SFK, Zainudin ES, Sapuan SM, Leman Z, Khalina A

Polymers (Basel), 2021 Oct 20;13(21).
PMID: 34771176 DOI: 10.3390/polym13213620

This research was performed to evaluate the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of treated sugar palm fiber (SPF)/glass fiber (GF) reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) hybrid composites. Morphological investigations of tensile and flexural fractured samples of composites were conducted with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Alkaline and benzoyl chloride (BC) treatments of SPFs were performed. A constant weight fraction of 30% total fiber loading and 70% poly(lactic acid) were considered. The composites were initially prepared by a Brabender Plastograph, followed by a hot-pressing machine. The results reported that the best tensile and flexural strengths of 26.3 MPa and 27.3 MPa were recorded after alkaline treatment of SPF, while the highest values of tensile and flexural moduli of 607 MPa and 1847 MPa were recorded after BC treatment of SPF for SPF/GF/PLA hybrid composites. The novel SPF/GF/PLA hybrid composites could be suitable for fabricating automotive components.
Long-term disturbance dynamics and resilience of tropical peat swamp forests

Cole LE, Bhagwat SA, Willis KJ

J Ecol, 2015 Jan;103(1):16-30.
PMID: 26120202

1. The coastal peat swamp forests of Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, are undergoing rapid conversion, predominantly into oil palm plantations. This wetland ecosystem is assumed to have experienced insignificant disturbance in the past, persisting under a single ecologically-stable regime. However, there is limited knowledge of the past disturbance regime, long-term functioning and fundamentally the resilience of this ecosystem to changing natural and anthropogenic perturbations through time. 2. In this study, long-term ecological data sets from three degraded peatlands in Sarawak were collected to shed light on peat swamp forest dynamics. Fossil pollen and charcoal were counted in each sedimentary sequence to reconstruct vegetation and investigate responses to past environmental disturbance, both natural and anthropogenic. 3. Results demonstrate that peat swamp forest taxa have dominated these vegetation profiles throughout the last c. 2000-year period despite the presence of various drivers of disturbance. Evidence for episodes of climatic variability, predominantly linked to ENSO events, and wildfires is present throughout. However, in the last c. 500 years, burning and indicators of human disturbance have elevated beyond past levels at these sites, concurrent with a reduction in peat swamp forest pollen. 4. Two key insights have been gained through this palaeoecological analysis: (i) peat swamp forest vegetation has demonstrated resilience to disturbance caused by burning and climatic variability in Sarawak in the late Holocene, however (ii) coincident with increased fire combined with human impact c. 500 years ago, these communities started to decline. 5.Synthesis. Sarawak's coastal peat swamps have demonstrated resilience to past natural disturbances, with forest vegetation persisting through episodes of fire and climatic variability. However, palaeoecological data presented here suggest that recent, anthropogenic disturbances are of a greater magnitude, causing the observed decline in the peat swamp forest communities in the last c. 500 years and challenging the ecosystem's persistence. This study greatly extends our knowledge of the ecological functioning of these understudied ecosystems, providing baseline information on the past vegetation and its response to disturbance. This understanding is central to developing management strategies that foster resilience in the remaining peat swamp forests and ensure continued provision of services, namely carbon storage, from this globally important ecosystem.
Apolipoprotein B 5'-Ins/Del and 3'-VNTR polymorphisms in Chinese, malay and Indian singaporeans

Choong ML, Koay ES, Khaw MC, Aw TC

Hum Hered, 1999 Jan;49(1):31-40.
PMID: 9858855

The allele frequencies for the apolipoprotein B (apo B) 5'-Ins/Del and 3'-VNTR polymorphisms varied significantly (p < 0.01) among Singaporeans of Chinese, Malay and Indian descent. We calculated the unbiased expected heterozygosities for the 5'-Ins/Del polymorphism as 0.3357, 0.1984 and 0.2418, and for the 3'-VNTR as 0.5980, 0.5260 and 0.6749, respectively, in the Chinese, Malays and Indians. Compared to heterozygosities reported for other populations, the Singaporeans differed from most Caucasians in having significantly lower values but were closely related to other non-Caucasians. Thirteen alleles, with a bimodal distribution, were observed at the 3'-VNTR polymorphic locus; the alleles occurring most frequently among the Chinese and Malays were of 35 or 53 repeats, and among the Indians, of 37 or 47 repeats. The Del allele was associated with elevated serum cholesterol (p = 0.023), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) (p = 0.001) in the Chinese, and apo B (p = 0.007) in the Indians. Likewise, the larger 3'-VNTR alleles (> 41 repeats) were associated with raised cholesterol (p = 0.018), LDL-C (p = 0.025), and triglyceride (p = 0.001) in the Chinese. The two polymorphisms were not in significant linkage disequilibrium (D = -0.0029, p = 0.494) in the three ethnic groups.
Genetic variation and differentiation of three Schistosoma species from the Philippines, Laos, and Peninsular Malaysia

Woodruff DS, Merenlender AM, Upatham ES, Viyanant V

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1987 Mar;36(2):345-54.
PMID: 3826494

Electrophoretically-detected allozyme variation is described in strains of Schistosoma japonicum (4 Philippine strains), S. mekongi (Laos), and an undescribed anthropophilic S. japonicum-like schistosome from Peninsular Malaysia. Result, together with those reported previously for 8 other strains (S. japonicum, China, Formosa, Japan, Philippines; S. mekongi, 2 substrains; Malaysian schistosome, 2 strains) permit a composite genetic characterization of 15 strains of Asian schistosomes at 9-18 presumptive loci. The proportion of polymorphic loci (P) and the mean heterozygosity per locus (H) were zero in all strains. Although this was expected for strains that had been in laboratory culture for up to 50 years, we expected to detect variation in strains based on 10-50 recently field-collected infected snails. We expected S. japonicum to be as variable as S. mansoni (P = 0.13 (0-0.33), H = 0.04, 18 loci, 22 strains) as it is believed to reproduce sexually, has an evolutionary history of several million years, inhabits a wide geographic range, coevolved with a genetically variable intermediate snail host, and has a diversity of mammalian hosts. No differences were detected between the 5 S. japonicum strains from Leyte and Luzon (Philippines), between the 3 S. mekongi strains, or between the 3 Malaysian schistosome strains; these groups and the remaining S. japonicum strains representing Mindoro (Philippines), China, Formosa, and Japan each have distinctive multilocus electromorphic patterns. Nei's genetic distances (D) were calculated to estimate interstrain and interspecific divergence. Interstrain genetic distances in S. japonicum averaged greater than 0.3; much higher than those reported previously for S. mansoni (D = 0.06, D(max) = 0.24). S. japonicum (Mindoro) was moderately differentiated from the Leyte-Luzon strains (D = 0.29, 12 loci). Estimates of the S. japonicum China-Philippine distance (D greater than 0.4, 11 loci) are high for conspecific populations and further studies of the still poorly characterized Chinese parasite may reveal that these are, in fact, separate species. S. japonicum is shown to be only distantly related to S. mekongi and the Malaysian schistosome (D greater than 1); the latter is closely related to, but genetically quite distinct from, S. mekongi (D = 0.61 +/- 0.275, 11 loci) and warrants recognition as a new species. The medical significance of the isogenic nature of the Asian schistosome strains and their evolutionary divergence are discussed.
Impregnation of sesenduk (endospermum diadenum) wood with phenol formaldehyde and nanoclay admixture: effect on fungal decay and termites attack

Nabil FL, Anwar UMK, Bakar ES, Zaidon A, Lee SH, Paridah MT

Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:255-262.

The aimed of this study was to evaluate the resistance of sesenduk (Endospermum diadenum) wood, treated using admixture
of low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (LmwPF) resin and nanoclay, against white rot fungus (Pycnoporus
sanguineus) and subterranean termites (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren). Seven sample groups including untreated
sesenduk wood and treated sesenduk wood using 10, 15 and 20% LmwPF resin and the admixture of the 1.5% nanoclay
with every level of resin concentrations. Air-dried samples were impregnated using vacuum-pressure process. After
impregnation, the treated samples were heated in an oven at 150°
C for 30 min. Five test blocks from each treatment
group were tested separately against P. sanguineus and C. curvignathus in accordance with AWPA E10-12 and AWPA E1-13
standards, respectively. The results showed that both treatments had significant effects on the percentage weight loss and
decay rate of the samples. The weight loss due to termite attack was found reduce with the increasing PF concentration.
Generally, the addition of 1.5% nanoclay in PF resin slightly increased the resistance against both deteriorating agents
compared to the wood treated using PF alone. It was found that the PF resin can be used as an effective method to improve
the durability of sesenduk wood.
Fulltext Effect of plant ontogeny on quantity and chemical constituents of essential oil in sweet basil (Ocimum Basilicum L.) grown in Sudan

Aburigal, Yasmin A. A., Elmogtaba, Elfadl Y., Sirible, Awatif M., Hamza, Nada B., Hussein, Ismail H., Mirghani, Mohamed E. S.

Biological and Natural Resources Engineering Journal, 2020;3(2):1-6.
MyJurnal

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a very important food additive as well as for its therapeutic and cosmetic potential. The composition of essential oils in plants is affected by genetics and environmental conditions, which is determined by growth region and harvesting time in terms of ontogenetical variability. This study was carried out to assess the effect of plant ontogeny (pre-flowering, at flowering, fruiting) on essential oil content and chemical constituents for four sweet basil cultivated under irrigation conditions in the experimental farm of the National Oilseed Processing Research Institute (NOPRI), University of Gezira, Sudan. The essential oils were hydro-distilled from the leaves using Clevenger apparatus and the chemical constituents were determined by GC-MS. The results reveal that the essential oil yield content ranged from 0.1% to 0.2% at pre-flowering stage, whereas the oil content obtained at post-flowering stage was 0.1% for the investigated accessions. The highest essential oil content was recorded at flowering stage (0.2-0.5%), where the two Sudanese accessions had the maximum content (0.5%). The major chemical constituents, linalool, citral, methyleugenol, and eucalyptol reported at different developmental stages, punctuated between 5.73% and 32.93% in the four investigated accessions.
Fulltext The extraction of crude enzyme of lipase from Penicillium candidum PCA 1/TT031 by way of solid state fermentation

Alhelli, A. M., Abd Manap, M. Y., Mohammed, A. S., Mirhosseini, S. H., Sukor, R., Khalil, E. S., et al.

International Food Research Journal, 2018;25(101):1-11.
MyJurnal

Solid-state fermentation (SSF), which is an excellent alternative for industrial enzyme production, entails the exploitation of cheap agro-industrial residues (low priced culture media). This paper delves into the cultivation of mould (GRAS Penicillium candium PCA 1/TT031) using wheat bran (WB) as the culture media. The parameters for crude enzymatic extraction of lipase production were optimized to achieve the highest possible lipase activity. An incubation period of 7 days (3.06 U/g WB), 2% of tributyrin (5.43 U/g WB), meat peptone equal to 2% (5.2 U/g WB), moisture content of 50% (v:w) (6.6 U/g WB), initial pH of 9.0( 8.6 U/g WB), inoculum size of 5×106 spore/g of WB (11.3 U/g WB), an incubation temperature of 20°C (13.6 U/g WB), and an extractant consisting of phosphate buffer pH 7.0 (14.7 U/g WB) were the conditions applied for this study.
Fulltext Influence of forced-air precooling time on the changes in quality attributes and consumer acceptance of Musa AAA Berangan

Kuan, C.H., Ahmad, S. H., Son, R., Yap, E. S. P., Zamri, M. Z., Shukor, N. I. A., et al.

International Food Research Journal, 2015;22(5):1864-1869.
MyJurnal

A good temperature management, such as precooling and cold storage, can delay deterioration of fresh produce. In this study, different forced-air precooling times were applied on Musa AAA Berangan to investigate the influence of forced-air precooling time on the changes of quality attributes and consumer acceptance. The banana was subjected to forced-air precooling treatment (5 ± 1°C) for 0, 14, 50, and 120 min and then stored in a cold room (13 ± 1°C) for 2 weeks. Then, all the fruits were transferred to a ripening room (25 ± 2°C) and initiated to ripen with ethylene gas. Quality attributes analyses and sensory evaluations were conducted when the fruits reached maturity index 5. Quality parameters, such as soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, pulp firmness, and peel colour, showed no significant differences when fruits were precooled at different times. Blackening of peel as a result of chilling injury occurred in fruits treated with forced-air precooling for 50 and 120 min. This blackening significantly influenced consumer acceptance, although it did not affect the pulp colour and taste.
Problems, control, and treatment of fat, oil, and grease (FOG): a review

Husain IA, Alkhatib MF, Jammi MS, Mirghani ME, Bin Zainudin Z, Hoda A

J Oleo Sci, 2014;63(8):747-52.
PMID: 25007744

Presence of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) in wastewater is an ever-growing concern to municipalities and solid-waste facility operators. FOG enters the sewer system from restaurants, residences, and industrial food facilities. Its release into the sewer system results in a continuous build-up that causes eventual blockage of sewer pipes. Several researchers have investigated FOG deposition based on the local conditions of sewers and lifestyle. This paper attempts to review the physical and chemical characteristics of FOG, sources of FOG, and potential chemical and biological reactions of FOG. The effect of the aforementioned factors on the FOG-deposition mechanism is also discussed. Moreover, insight into the current control and treatment methods and potential reuse of FOG is highlighted. It is expected that this review would provide scientists and the concerned authorities a holistic view of the recent researches on FOG control, treatment, and reuse.
Putative apolipoprotein A-I, natural killer cell enhancement factor and lysozyme g are involved in the early immune response of brown-marbled grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, Forskal, to Vibrio alginolyticus

Low CF, Shamsudin MN, Chee HY, Aliyu-Paiko M, Idrus ES

J Fish Dis, 2014 Aug;37(8):693-701.
PMID: 24304156 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12153

The gram-negative bacterium, Vibrio alginolyticus, has frequently been identified as the pathogen responsible for the infectious disease called vibriosis. This disease is one of the major challenges facing brown-marbled grouper aquaculture, causing fish farmers globally to suffer substantial economic losses. The objective of this study was to investigate the proteins involved in the immune response of brown-marbled grouper fingerlings during their initial encounter with pathogenic organisms. To achieve this objective, a challenge experiment was performed, in which healthy brown-marbled grouper fingerlings were divided into two groups. Fish in the treated group were subjected to intraperitoneal injection with an infectious dose of V. alginolyticus suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and those in the control group were injected with an equal volume of PBS. Blood samples were collected from a replicate number of fish from both groups at 4 h post-challenge and analysed for immune response-related serum proteins via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The results showed that 14 protein spots were altered between the treated and control groups; these protein spots were further analysed to determine the identity of each protein via MALDI-TOF/TOF. Among the altered proteins, three were clearly overexpressed in the treated group compared with the control; these were identified as putative apolipoprotein A-I, natural killer cell enhancement factor and lysozyme g. Based on these results, these three highly expressed proteins participate in immune response-related reactions during the initial exposure (4 h) of brown-marbled grouper fingerling to V. alginolyticus infection.
Assessment of cytotoxicity and toxicity for phosphonium-based deep eutectic solvents

Hayyan M, Hashim MA, Al-Saadi MA, Hayyan A, AlNashef IM, Mirghani ME

Chemosphere, 2013 Sep;93(2):455-9.
PMID: 23820537 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.05.013

In this work, the cytotoxicity and toxicity of phosphonium-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with three hydrogen bond donors, namely glycerine, ethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol were investigated. The cytotoxicity effect was tested using brine shrimp (Artemia salina). The toxicity was investigated using the two Gram positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, and two Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cytotoxicity of tested DESs was much higher than that of their individual components, indicating their toxicological behavior was different. It was also found that there was toxic effect on the studied bacteria, indicating their potential application as anti-bacterial agents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the cytotoxicity and toxicity of phosphonium-based DESs were studied.
The variability of lower third molar development in Northeast Malaysian population with application to age estimation

Johan NA, Khamis MF, Abdul Jamal NS, Ahmad B, Mahanani ES

J Forensic Odontostomatol, 2012 Jul;30(1):45-54.
PMID: 23000811

This study aimed to assess the variability of the lower third molar (tooth 38 and 48) development in Northeast Malaysian population with respect to the side of dentition, to generate age prediction models and to compare the outcome with other studies. A total of 1080 orthopantomograms of Northeast Malaysian population aged between 14 and 25 years (540 males and 540 females) from the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia's archive which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and the maturity stages of tooth 38 and 48 were scored using Demirjian's stages (A-H). The findings showed a wide variation of the development of lower third molars in the Northeast Malaysian population. The roots developed earlier in males than in females. The development of the dentition on opposite sides of the mandible was synchronously in females and males. A multiple regression analysis shows that 71.1% of variance in age was explained by sex and developmental stage of tooth 48. An age prediction model was generated from the regression analysis: [Age = 7.117 + 1.907*(stage of tooth 48) - 0.432*(sex)] with mean prediction errors between -0.17 to 3.14 years. The obtained data in the current study are useful for references and determining age of unidentified human remains for identification investigation.
Kinetic adsorption of application of carbon nanotubes for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution

Kabbashi NA, Atieh MA, Al-Mamun A, Mirghami ME, Alam MD, Yahya N

J Environ Sci (China), 2009;21(4):539-44.
PMID: 19634432

The capability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to adsorb lead (Pb) in aqueous solution was investigated. Batch mode adsorption experiment was conducted to determine the effects of pH, agitation speed, CNTs dosage and contact time. The removal of Pb(II) reached maximum value 85% or 83% at pH 5 or 40 mg/L of CNTs, respectively. Higher correlation coefficients from Langmuir isotherm model indicates the strong adsorptions of Pb(II) on the surface of CNTs (adsorption capacity Xm = 102.04 mg/g). The results indicates that the highest percentage removal of Pb (96.03%) can be achieved at pH 5, 40 mg/L of CNTs, contact time 80 min, and agitation speed 50 r/min.

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