Displaying publications 101 - 120 of 227 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext High Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Fitness Equipment from Selected Gymnasiums
    Maurice Bilung L, Tahar AS, Kira R, Mohd Rozali AA, Apun K
    J Environ Public Health, 2018;2018:4592830.
    PMID: 30245728 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4592830
    Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of cutaneous bacterial infection involving community.

    Methods: In this study, a total of 42 swab samples were collected from the surface of various fitness equipment such as back machines, exercise mats, dip stations, dumbbells, and treadmills. Identification of the bacterial isolates was conducted using biochemical tests and further analysed molecularly using the PCR method targeting nuc gene (270 bp). The nuc gene encodes for the thermonuclease enzyme, a virulent factor of S. aureus.

    Results: The findings showed 31 out of 42 swab samples (73.81%) were positive with S. aureus.

    Conclusion: This study showed that gymnasium equipment is a potential reservoir for S. aureus and might play an important role in transmitting the pathogen to humans.

    Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the presence of S. aureus on the surface of fitness equipment from selected gymnasiums in Kuching and Kota Samarahan, Sarawak (Malaysia).

    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/analysis
  2. Treatment and biodegradation kinetics of microbially treated domestic wastewater sludge
    Alam MZ, Fakhru'l-Razi A, Molla AH
    J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng, 2004;39(8):2059-70.
    PMID: 15332668
    A laboratory-scale study was undertaken to evaluate the liquid state bioconversion (LSB) in terms of biodegradation of microbially treated domestic wastewater sludge (biosolids) as well as its kinetics. The potential fungal strains and process factors developed from previous studies were used throughout the study. The results presented in this study showed that an effective biodegradation occurred with the biosolids (sludge cake) accumulated. The maximum biosolids (sludge cake) accumulated (93.8 g/kg of liquid sludge) enriched with the biomass protein (30.2 g/kg of dry biosolids), was achieved which improved the effluent quality by enhancing the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), reducing sugar (RS), soluble protein (SP), total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS). The higher reduction of specific resistance to filtration (SRF) was observed during bioconversion process. The kinetics results showed that the experimental data were better fitted for the biodegradation efficiency, and biosolids accumulation and biodegradation rate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Proteins/analysis
  3. Chemical composition and cellular toxicity of ethnobotanical-based hot and cold aqueous preparations of the tiger's milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerotis)
    Lau BF, Abdullah N, Aminudin N, Lee HB
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2013 Oct 28;150(1):252-62.
    PMID: 23993912 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.034
    The sclerotium of the "tiger's milk mushroom" (Lignosus rhinocerotis) is used as tonic and folk medicine for the treatment of cancer, fever, cough and asthma by the local and indigenous communities. It is traditionally prepared by either boiling or maceration-like methods; however, there is no attempt to understand how different processing methods might affect their efficacies as anticancer agents.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/analysis
  4. Cryptocaryon irritans recombinant proteins as potential antigens for sero-surveillance of cryptocaryonosis
    Lokanathan Y, Mohd-Adnan A, Kua BC, Nathan S
    J Fish Dis, 2016 Sep;39(9):1069-83.
    PMID: 27086498 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12474
    Cryptocaryonosis is a major problem for mariculture, and the absence of suitable sero-surveillance tools for the detection of cryptocaryonosis makes it difficult to screen Cryptocaryon irritans-infected fish, particularly asymptomatic fish. In this study, we proposed a serum-based assay using selected C. irritans proteins to screen infected and asymptomatic fish. Eight highly expressed genes were chosen from an earlier study on C. irritans expressed sequence tags and ciliate glutamine codons were converted to universal glutamine codons. The chemically synthesized C. irritans genes were then expressed in an Escherichia coli expression host under optimized conditions. Five C. irritans proteins were successfully expressed in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. These proteins were used as antigens in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to screen sera from experimentally immunized fish and naturally infected fish. Sera from both categories of fish reacted equally well with the expressed C. irritans recombinant proteins as well as with sonicated theronts. This study demonstrated the utility of producing ciliate recombinant proteins in a heterologous expression host. An ELISA was successfully developed to diagnose infected and asymptomatic fish using the recombinant proteins as antigens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Proteins/analysis*
  5. Gelation properties of spent duck meat surimi-like material produced using acid-alkaline solubilization methods
    Nurkhoeriyati T, Huda N, Ahmad R
    J Food Sci, 2011 Jan-Feb;76(1):S48-55.
    PMID: 21535715 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2010.01963.x
    The gelation properties of spent duck meat surimi-like material produced using acid solubilization (ACS) or alkaline solubilization (ALS) were studied and compared with conventionally processed (CON) surimi-like material. The ACS process yielded the highest protein recovery (P < 0.05). The ALS process generated the highest lipid reduction, and the CON process yielded the lowest reduction (P < 0.05). Surimi-like material produced by the CON process had the highest gel strength, salt extractable protein (SEP), and water holding capacity (WHC), followed by materials produced via the ALS and ACS processes and untreated duck meat (P < 0.05). The material produced by the CON process also had the highest cohesiveness, hardness, and gumminess values and the lowest springiness value. Material produced by the ACS and ALS processes had higher whiteness values than untreated duck meat gels and gels produced by the CON method (P < 0.05). Surimi-like material produced using the ACS and CON processes had significantly higher myoglobin removal (P < 0.05) than that produced by the ALS method and untreated duck meat. Among all surimi-like materials, the highest Ca(2+)-ATPase activity was found in conventionally produced gels (P < 0.05). This suggests that protein oxidation was induced by acid-alkaline solubilization. The gels produced by ALS had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) total SH content than the other samples. This result showed that the acid-alkaline solubilization clearly improved gelation and color properties of spent duck and possibly applied for other high fat raw material.
    Matched MeSH terms: Dietary Proteins/analysis
  6. Physicochemical properties and sensory analysis of duck meatballs containing duck meat surimi-like material during frozen storage
    Nurkhoeriyati T, Huda N, Ahmad R
    J Food Sci, 2012 Jan;77(1):S91-8.
    PMID: 22260136 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02519.x
    The physicochemical properties and sensory analysis of duck meatballs containing duck meat surimi-like material during frozen storage were evaluated. Properties of meatballs containing duck surimi-like material prepared by acid solubilization (ACDS), alkaline solubilization (ALDS), and conventional processing (CDS) as well as duck mince (as the control, CON) were compared. ACDS had significantly higher (P < 0.05) moisture and protein content and lower fat content compared with CON. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) value of all samples increased as the storage time increased up to week 8 (P < 0.05), but thereafter it decreased in most of the samples. ACDS and ALDS had significantly higher TBARS values (P < 0.05), and these values remained higher than those of the other samples throughout the frozen storage period. Addition of surimi-like material to the meatballs had significant effects (P < 0.05) on springiness, gumminess, and chewiness values of all samples. Ingredients and frozen storage affected most sensory attributes in samples significantly (P<0.05). No significant increase in growth of organisms occurred during 12-wk frozen storage The results indicate that acid-alkaline solubilization methods improve both physicochemical and sensory properties of duck meatballs containing duck surimi-like material. Thus, these techniques should be applicable to product development of duck surimi-like material.
    Matched MeSH terms: Muscle Proteins/analysis; Avian Proteins/analysis
  7. Analytical methods for gelatin differentiation from bovine and porcine origins and food products
    Nhari RM, Ismail A, Che Man YB
    J Food Sci, 2012 Jan;77(1):R42-6.
    PMID: 22260124 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02514.x
    Usage of gelatin in food products has been widely debated for several years, which is about the source of gelatin that has been used, religion, and health. As an impact, various analytical methods have been introduced and developed to differentiate gelatin whether it is made from porcine or bovine sources. The analytical methods comprise a diverse range of equipment and techniques including spectroscopy, chemical precipitation, chromatography, and immunochemical. Each technique can differentiate gelatins for certain extent with advantages and limitations. This review is focused on overview of the analytical methods available for differentiation of bovine and porcine gelatin and gelatin in food products so that new method development can be established.
    Matched MeSH terms: Dietary Proteins/analysis*
  8. Physicochemical and functional properties of peeled and unpeeled pumpkin flour
    Noor Aziah AA, Komathi CA
    J Food Sci, 2009 Sep;74(7):S328-33.
    PMID: 19895499 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2009.01298.x
    This study was intended to investigate the potential of peeled and unpeeled pumpkin pulp as a raw material for the production of flour that could be used in composite blend with wheat flour or as a functional ingredient in food products. The peeled and unpeeled pumpkin pulp were soaked in sodium metabisulphite solution, sliced and dried overnight in a hot air oven, followed by milling into peeled pumpkin pulp flour (PPPF) and unpeeled pumpkin pulp flour (UPPF), respectively. The flours were then evaluated for physicochemical attributes (color, proximate compositions, and water activity) and functional properties (water holding capacity and oil holding capacity), in comparison to the commercial wheat flour. PPPF and UPPF were observed to be more attractive in terms of color than wheat flour, as indicated by the significantly higher results (P or= 0.05) was shown in water holding capacity of PPPF and wheat flour. However, the oil holding capacity of PPPF and UPPF was shown to be significantly higher (P
    Matched MeSH terms: Dietary Proteins/analysis
  9. Fulltext Distinguishing benign from malignant pelvic mass utilizing an algorithm with HE4, menopausal status, and ultrasound findings
    Wilailak S, Chan KK, Chen CA, Nam JH, Ochiai K, Aw TC, et al.
    J Gynecol Oncol, 2015 Jan;26(1):46-53.
    PMID: 25310857 DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2015.26.1.46
    The purpose of this study was to develop a risk prediction score for distinguishing benign ovarian mass from malignant tumors using CA-125, human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), ultrasound findings, and menopausal status. The risk prediction score was compared to the risk of malignancy index and risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA).
    Matched MeSH terms: Proteins/analysis*
  10. Fulltext Different altered stage correlative expression of high abundance acute-phase proteins in sera of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma
    Chen Y, Lim BK, Hashim OH
    J Hematol Oncol, 2009;2:37.
    PMID: 19709441 DOI: 10.1186/1756-8722-2-37
    The general enhanced expression of alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), clusterin (CLU), alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), haptoglobin beta-chain (HAP), and leucine rich glycoprotein (LRG) in the sera of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOCa) was recently reported. In the present study, we compared the expression of the serum acute-phase proteins (APPs) in the patients according to their stages of cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acute-Phase Proteins/analysis
  11. Investigating membrane morphology and quantity of immobilized protein for the development of lateral flow immunoassay
    Ahmad AL, Low SC, Shukor SR, Ismail A
    J Immunoassay Immunochem, 2012 Jan;33(1):48-58.
    PMID: 22181820 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2011.591479
    This study was aimed at gaining a quantitative understanding of the effect of protein quantity and membrane pore structure on protein immobilization. The concentration of immobilized protein was measured by staining with Ponceau S and measuring its color intensity. In this study, both membrane morphology and the quantity of deposited protein significantly influenced the quantity of protein immobilization on the membrane surface. The sharpness and intensity of the red protein spots varied depending on the membrane pore structure, indicating a dependence of protein immobilization on this factor. Membranes with smaller pores resulted in a higher color density, corresponding to enhanced protein immobilization and an increased assay sensitivity level. An increased of immobilized volume has a significant jagged outline on the protein spot but, conversely, no difference in binding capacity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Immobilized Proteins/analysis*
  12. A New Species of the Simulium (Simulium) argentipes Species-Group (Diptera: Simuliidae) From Taiwan, and Its Phylogenetic Relationships With Four Related Species
    Takaoka H, Low VL, Tan TK, Huang YT, Fukuda M, Ya'cob Z
    J Med Entomol, 2018 06 28;55(4):884-892.
    PMID: 29538704 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy028
    A new black fly species, Simulium haiduanense Takaoka, Low & Huang (Diptera: Simuliidae), is described on the basis of females, males, pupae, and mature larvae from Taiwan. This new species is placed in the Simulium argentipes species-group of the subgenus Simulium (Diptera: Simuliidae) and is characterized by the yellowish female legs, ovipositor valves rounded apically and with its inner margin concave, claw with a small subbasal tooth, male style without a basal protuberance, pupal gill with eight filaments, corbicular cocoon, and larval abdomen lacking paired protuberances. It represents the first record of the S. argentipes species-group from Taiwan. Taxonomic notes are given to separate this new species from all eight species in the same species-group. The phylogenetic relationships of this new species with four related species are presented.
    Matched MeSH terms: Insect Proteins/analysis
  13. Transplantation of human dental pulp stem cells: enhance bone consolidation in mandibular distraction osteogenesis
    Alkaisi A, Ismail AR, Mutum SS, Ahmad ZA, Masudi S, Abd Razak NH
    J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2013 Oct;71(10):1758.e1-13.
    PMID: 24040948 DOI: 10.1016/j.joms.2013.05.016
    The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the capacity of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) to enhance mandibular distraction osteogenesis (DO) in rabbits.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fetal Proteins/analysis
  14. Detection of Candida albicans ADH1 and ADH2 mRNAs in human archival oral biopsy samples
    Bakri MM, Cannon RD, Holmes AR, Rich AM
    J Oral Pathol Med, 2014 Oct;43(9):704-10.
    PMID: 24931506 DOI: 10.1111/jop.12193
    The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between expression of Candida albicans alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) genes in archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from biopsies of leukoplakia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/analysis*
  15. Differential expression of transcription factors Snail, Slug, SIP1, and Twist in ameloblastoma
    Siar CH, Ng KH
    J Oral Pathol Med, 2014 Jan;43(1):45-52.
    PMID: 23560539 DOI: 10.1111/jop.12065
    Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the mechanism of transcription repression is a crucial process for the induction of invasiveness in many human tumors. Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic epithelial neoplasm with a locally infiltrative behavior. Twist, an EMT promoter, has been implicated in its invasiveness. The roles of the other transcription factors remain unclarified.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nerve Tissue Proteins/analysis; Nuclear Proteins/analysis; RNA-Binding Proteins/analysis
  16. Differential expression of Notch receptors and their ligands in desmoplastic ameloblastoma
    Siar CH, Nakano K, Han PP, Nagatsuka H, Ng KH, Kawakami T
    J Oral Pathol Med, 2010 Aug 1;39(7):552-8.
    PMID: 20337864 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2009.00871.x
    In mammals, the Notch gene family encodes four receptors (Notch1-4), and all of them are important for cell fate decisions. Notch signaling pathway plays an essential role in tooth development. The ameloblastoma, a benign odontogenic epithelial neoplasm, histologically recapitulates the enamel organ at bell stage. Notch has been detected in the plexiform and follicular ameloblastoma. Its activity in the desmoplastic ameloblastoma is unknown.
    Matched MeSH terms: Calcium-Binding Proteins/analysis; Membrane Proteins/analysis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/analysis; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/analysis
  17. Studies on the Indonesian Antiaris toxicaria sap
    Fujimoto Y, Suzuki Y, Kanaiwa T, Amiya T, Hoshi K, Fujino S
    J. Pharmacobio-dyn., 1983 Feb;6(2):128-35.
    PMID: 6306201
    The present research is on a milky sap obtained from the Antiaris toxicaria tree (Moraceae) which is called Upas or Ipoh in Indonesia. The crude sap was administered to anesthetized rats, and changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) and systemic blood pressure was observed. Biologically and pharmacologically active components were extracted from the crude sap by means of water-acetone solution. Based on the strength of chemical qualitative detection tests of the sap extract (SE), cardiac glycosides are supposed to be the main components. The SE inhibited the Na+-, K+-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) which was partially purified from guinea pig heart muscle. When the SE and, concurrently, authentic ouabain were applied to isolated frog heart muscles, the fall of twitch tension was observed after the increased tension on mechanograms. These facts suggest that the main components of the milky sap are cardiac glycosides, and glycosides affect Na+, K+-ATPase activity of muscle membrane and heart muscle contraction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Proteins/analysis
  18. Phylogeny and species delineation in the marine diatom Pseudo-nitzschia (Bacillariophyta) using cox1, LSU, and ITS2 rRNA genes: A perspective in character evolution
    Lim HC, Tan SN, Teng ST, Lundholm N, Orive E, David H, et al.
    J Phycol, 2018 04;54(2):234-248.
    PMID: 29377161 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12620
    Analyses of the mitochondrial cox1, the nuclear-encoded large subunit (LSU), and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) RNA coding region of Pseudo-nitzschia revealed that the P. pseudodelicatissima complex can be phylogenetically grouped into three distinct clades (Groups I-III), while the P. delicatissima complex forms another distinct clade (Group IV) in both the LSU and ITS2 phylogenetic trees. It was elucidated that comprehensive taxon sampling (sampling of sequences), selection of appropriate target genes and outgroup, and alignment strategies influenced the phylogenetic accuracy. Based on the genetic divergence, ITS2 resulted in the most resolved trees, followed by cox1 and LSU. The morphological characters available for Pseudo-nitzschia, although limited in number, were overall in agreement with the phylogenies when mapped onto the ITS2 tree. Information on the presence/absence of a central nodule, number of rows of poroids in each stria, and of sectors dividing the poroids mapped onto the ITS2 tree revealed the evolution of the recently diverged species. The morphologically based species complexes showed evolutionary relevance in agreement with molecular phylogeny inferred from ITS2 sequence-structure data. The data set of the hypervariable region of ITS2 improved the phylogenetic inference compared to the cox1 and LSU data sets. The taxonomic status of P. cuspidata and P. pseudodelicatissima requires further elucidation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Algal Proteins/analysis
  19. Biochemical characterisation during seed development of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)
    Kok SY, Namasivayam P, Ee GC, Ong-Abdullah M
    J Plant Res, 2013 Jul;126(4):539-47.
    PMID: 23575803 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-013-0560-8
    Developmental biochemical information is a vital base for the elucidation of seed physiology and metabolism. However, no data regarding the biochemical profile of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seed development has been reported thus far. In this study, the biochemical changes in the developing oil palm seed were investigated to study their developmental pattern. The biochemical composition found in the seed differed significantly among the developmental stages. During early seed development, the water, hexose (glucose and fructose), calcium and manganese contents were present in significantly high levels compared to the late developmental stage. Remarkable changes in the biochemical composition were observed at 10 weeks after anthesis (WAA): the dry weight and sucrose content increased significantly, whereas the water content and hexose content declined. The switch from a high to low hexose/sucrose ratio could be used to identify the onset of the maturation phase. At the late stage, dramatic water loss occurred, whereas the content of storage reserves increased progressively. Lauric acid was the most abundant fatty acid found in oil palm seed starting from 10 WAA.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Proteins/analysis
  20. Differential proteomic analysis of embryogenic lines in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq)
    Tan HS, Liddell S, Ong Abdullah M, Wong WC, Chin CF
    J Proteomics, 2016 06 30;143:334-345.
    PMID: 27130535 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.04.039
    Oil palm tissue culture is one way to produce superior oil palm planting materials. However, the low rate of embryogenesis is a major hindrance for the adoption of this technology in oil palm tissue culture laboratories. In this study, we use proteomic technologies to compare differential protein profiles in leaves from palms of high and low proliferation rates in tissue culture in order to understand the underlying biological mechanism for the low level of embryogenesis. Two protein extraction methods, namely trichloroacetic acid/acetone precipitation and polyethylene glycol fractionation were used to produce total proteins and fractionated protein extracts respectively, with the aim of improving the resolution of protein species using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 40 distinct differential abundant protein spots were selected from leaf samples collected from palms with proven high and low proliferation rates. The variant proteins were subsequently identified using mass spectrometric analysis. Twelve prominent protein spots were then characterised using real-time polymerase chain reaction to compare the mRNA expression and protein abundant profiles. Three proteins, namely triosephosphate isomerase, l-ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were identified to be potential biomarker candidates at both the protein abundant and mRNA expression levels.

    BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, proteomic analysis was used to identify abundant proteins from total protein extracts. PEG fractionation was used to reveal lower abundant proteins from both high and low proliferation embryogenic lines of oil palm samples in tissue culture. A total of 40 protein spots were found to be significant in abundance and the mRNA levels of 12 of these were assessed using real time PCR. Three proteins namely, triosephosphate isomerase, l-ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were found to be concordant in their mRNA expression and protein abundance. Triosephosphate isomerase is a key enzyme in glycolysis. Both l-ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase play a role in anti-oxidative scavenging defense systems. These proteins have potential for use as biomarkers to screen for high and low embryogenic oil palm samples.

    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Proteins/analysis*
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links