The present study was carried out to analyse the effect of water temperature on two components: (1) growth performance, and (2) gastric emptying time (GET) of African catfish Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. After 70 days, it was observed that experimental temperatures had no significant effects on the growth performance parameters, except for food conversion ratio (FCR) and food conversion efficiency (FCE). GET observation through X-radiography denoted that the shortest GET (10 h) was observed in fish reared at 32 °C and the longest GET (16 h) was observed in fish reared at 26 °C. The rapid digestion rate coincides with the FCR and FCE obtained in this study. Considering the limited scope of our study, more extensive studies on the impact of water temperature on other fish physiological parameters should be pursued. A better understanding of this research topic would be beneficial for the growth of African catfish fingerling aquaculture.
ESCO2 spectrum disorder is an autosomal recessive developmental disorder characterized by growth retardation, symmetrical mesomelic limb malformation, and distinctive facies with microcephaly, with a wide phenotypic continuum that ranges from Roberts syndrome (MIM #268300) at the severe end to SC phocomelia (MIM #269000) at the milder end. ESCO2 encodes a 601-amino acid protein belonging to the Eco1/Ctf7 family of acetyltransferases that is involved in the establishment of sister chromatid cohesion, which is essential for accurate chromosome segregation and genomic stability and thus belongs to a group of disorders called "cohesinopathies". We describe a 15-year-old Malaysian female who presented with the characteristic triad of ESCO2 spectrum disorder, with an equivocal chromosomal breakage study and normal karyotyping findings. She was initially suspected to have mosaic Fanconi anemia but whole exome sequencing (WES) showed a likely pathogenic homozygous splice variant c.955 + 2_955+5del in the ESCO2 gene. During the 15-year diagnostic odyssey, she developed type 2 diabetes mellitus, primary ovarian insufficiency, increased optic cup-to-disc ratio with tortuous vessels bilaterally, and an evolving but distinct facial and skin hypopigmentation phenotype. Of note, there was an absence of learning disabilities. Our findings provide further evidence for ESCO2 spectrum disorder in an Asian child and contribute to defining the clinical and radiographic spectrum.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a significant concern, with incidences reported up to 70% following cardiac surgery. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the incidence of POCD after elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery at our single centre over a one-year period from August 2021 to July 2022. We included 34 patients in the study and conducted serial cognitive assessments up to three months post-surgery. Interestingly, our findings indicated an absence of POCD among patients who underwent elective CABG. Reasons contributing to this outcome are multifactorial, which may include the patients' younger age, higher educational levels, lack of pre-existing neurological disorders, meticulous intraoperative cerebral saturation monitoring, and the duration of aortic crossclamp and cardiopulmonary bypass time.
Probiotics has been discovered long time ago for its beneficial effect on health when consumed especially to the people who had allergy and gastrointestinal disease. This preliminary study was conducted to find out which vehicles can allow better growth of probiotic. Lactobacillus plantarum was used in this study as choice of probiotic to be cultured in the four types of milk. The pH value was recorded for determination of growths and metabolic activity of the probiotic. Results showed that L. plantarum in soy milk can grow and had a better metabolic activity in the cultured soy milk with pH 3.46 compared to others. The highest growth was recorded at optical density of 1.137 in soy milk at 560nm. This result showed that L. plantarum in soy milk multiply rapidly compared to other milks. As conclusion, soy milk has better development of probiotic as delivery vehicles compare to cow milk, goat milk and coconut milk.
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.
Malnutrition is a major public health problem worldwide. More than half of under-five child deaths are due to undernutrition, mainly in developing countries. Ethiopia is among the highestin Sub-Saharan Africa. While,Somali regionis the worstin Ethiopia.
The quality change of fish sausage (keropok lekor) coated in sago starch-gelatine coating with
papaya seed extract (PSE) during chill storage (7°C) was determined. During storage, pH,
thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), colour, moisture, and the total plate count were evaluated. pH
of samples significantly dropped (p < 0.05) during storage, and the highest decrease was in
control sample. The moisture content in control sample had an increasing trend while that of
samples with 5 and 7% PSE coatings significantly decreased, and only a slight change for
samples with 0% PSE coating. All samples had significant increase in their TBA values during
storage. The presence of the coating provided a positive effect on the colour of the fish sausages since no significant colour changes were observed during storage. TPC of control and
coated sausage in 0, 5, and 7% PSE exceeded the recommended microbial standard after 2, 6,
8, and 4 d of storage, respectively. Overall, coating with 5% of PSE was the most effective in
retarding the quality deterioration of the fish sausages.
Introduction: The outbreaks of foodborne diseases have been linked to the consumption of contaminated seafood. This research aims to screen the bacteria from the sea cucumbers Acaudina molpadioides collected from Pulau Langkawi. Methods: A total of 22 sea cucumber samples were collected randomly from Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia. The samples were isolated and identified for the presence of bacteria using the conventional culture-based method. Presumptive bacteria colonies were subjected to various biochemical and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Results: There were no bacterial growth in Hektoen Enteric (HE) agar and Thiosulphate-Citrate-Bile Salt (TCBS) agar. Positive samples were isolated from MacConkey (MAC) agar with 6 samples were Staphylococcus spp. (27.27%), 14 samples were Proteus spp. (63.63%) and 2 samples were Bacillus spp. (9.01%). Among these isolates, highest resistance was found against Ampicillin (45%) followed by Tetracycline (40%). Conclusion: The results indicate that the sea cucumbers Acaudina molpadioides were contaminated with potential bacteria. There is a need for adequate consumer protection measures.
Tourism industry in Malaysia has become one of the priorities as significant income contribution to the state. The development of the tourism industry, also contributed to Islamic tourism. This paper aims to discuss important aspects in Islamic tourism and the relationship with job opportunities in Malaysia. Islamic tourism is tourism activities based on Sharia law and Islamic values where it involves Muslims and non-Muslim tourists to the place or the Islamic State. This tour offers some hospitality products and services that are Sharia-compliance such as providing halal-friendly hotels, Islamic financial services, halal transportation services, Islamic travel packages, halal food and halal standard. Offering hospitality products and services offered indirectly created employment opportunities in Malaysia especially to produce experts in the halal industry in consistent with Rancangan Malaysia Ke-11.
Introduction: The use of traditional storage facilities by most of the grain farmers and traders in Nigeria promotes fungal contamination of stored grains and subsequently mycotoxins which are potent carcinogens, neurotoxic, hepatotoxic and immunotoxic when consumed. This study was conducted to determine the incidence and phenotypes of mycotoxigenic fungi associated with commonly consumed food grains in Katsina state, Nigeria. Method: Fungal population in 21 composite samples each of maize, wheat, rice and peanuts from three open markets were determined using standard mycological techniques. Aspergillus spp obtained from the sam- ples were screened for aflatoxigenicity and subsequently characterised by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transformed Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Results: A total of 136 filamentous fungi belonging to 19 species were isolated, of which Aspergillus flavus (18.4%), Mucor racemosus (13.2%) and Aspergillus niger (10.3%), were predominant. The highest level of contamination was found in the peanuts (1.8 x 105 ± 2.5 x
105 CFU/g). All the 12 Aspergillus parasiticus and 18 (72%) of Aspergillus flavus isolates obtained from the samples produced aflatoxin B1 on solid media as observed under ultraviolet light and confirmed by Thin Layer Chromatography. The ATR-FTIR spectra of both toxigenic and atoxigenic Aspergillus spp showed similar pattern. Conclusion: The levels of the mycotoxigenic fungi in the food grains, except for rice, were above the permissible limit of 100 to 10,000 CFU/g set by ICMSF, this signifies that they are unsafe for use as food or feed ingredients and hence, the need for more stringent control measures.
A warrant is a security that allows the holder to buy and sell the underlying share at a
fixed price until expiry date. Warrant price will always fluctuates since the underlying
share also fluctuates. Hence, determining the warrant price is the main problem
among the investors in Malaysia. This research is focusing on pricing the warrant for
five companies that were listed in Bursa Malaysia. The companies were chosen
randomly from UiTM DataStream. The selected companies were Boon Koon Sdn
Bhd, Hovid Bhd, Kelington Bhd, ML Global Bhd and Tropicana Corporation Bhd.
The data contained underlying share, interest rate, exercise price and actual warrant
price. This research aims to define the price of warrant by using Binomial model.
Historical volatility and implied volatility were used in this research whereby
volatility is the movement of the underlying share price. This research aims at
comparing the actual warrant price with the calculated warrant price. The data were
computed manually by using Microsoft Excel and the comparison was made between
the two type of volatilities to give the nearest value of calculated warrant price to the
actual warrant price. The nearest value was assumed the best value for this research.
The result was made by analyzing the line graphs and comparing between historical
volatility and implied volatility with actual warrant price. Mean Square Error was
used to support the results that were obtained from the line graphs. In the end, implied
volatility yielded better results compared to historical volatility.
Introduction: Soil pollution with heavy metals inadvertent to food contamination resulting from root-soil
heavy metal uptake is of great concern. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of
heavy metals such as lead (Pb), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd), in soil and vegetables.
Methods: Using systematic grid sampling, 54 soil samples and 18 vegetable samples were collected from
Kampung Binjai Manis, Kota Bharu and Kampung Aman, Kandis, Bachok, Kelantan. Soil and vegetables samples
were dried, extracted by acid digestion process and analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.
Results: The overall mean concentration of heavy metal in soil measured in descending order in
Kampung Binjai Manis was Fe (958.53 mg/kg) > Pb (26.07 mg/kg) > Cu (11.83 mg/kg) > Cd (0.66 mg/kg).
Whereas, the overall mean concentration of heavy metal measured in descending order in Kampung Aman
was Fe (461.18 mg/kg) > Cu (8.25 mg/kg) > Pb (2.48 mg/kg) > Cd (0.27 mg/kg). There were significant different
in the mean concentration of Pb, Fe and Cd between Kampung Binjai Manis and Kampung Aman.
In vegetables, only Cu shows significant different between Kampung Binjai Manis and Kampung Aman.
Significant correlations were found between soil and vegetables in Kampung Binjai Manis for
Cu (r= 0.861, p= 0.003) and Cd (r= 0.933, p= 0.001). Conclusion: The mean concentration of heavy
metal in soil and vegetables at Kampung Binjai Manis and Kampung Aman were above the permissible
limit as set by the Department of Environment and World Health Organisation.
Many studies have shown that the immune response highly depends on the inheritance of specific HLA
genes in promoting the generation of T cells for the elimination of pathogens. Loss or alteration of HLA
antigen expression in tumor cells has been observed in a variety of human malignancies leading to immune
escape or immune resistance. We investigated whether the inheritance of certain alleles of HLA class II
genes confers susceptibility or resistance towards the development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC).
Molecular typing of HLA DRB1, DQB1 and DPB1 alleles in 42 patients diagnosed with CRC and 50
ethnically matched healthy controls using the PCR-sequence based typing (PCR-SBT) was conducted. The
HLA DPB1*02:01:02 was significantly higher in CRC patients (38.1%, p=0.0189) compared to healthy
controls (16%). Also, HLA DQB1*05:02:01 was present in 28.6% of CRC patients but only 10% of healthy
controls (p=0.0278). The odds ratios for HLA DPB1*02:01:02 and HLA DQB1*05:02:01were 3.23 and 3.60,
respectively. There were no significant association observed for the DRB1 allele with CRC. Our study
suggests that the HLA DPB1*02:01:02 and HLA DQB1*05:02:01 alleles may confer a higher risk for CRC
Objective: To determine the incidence and predictors of early ankle contracture in adults with acquired brain injury. Methods: A prospective cohort study of patients admitted to Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NICU), University Malaya Medical Centre and referred for rehabilitation within a period of 12 months. Adult patients with newly diagnosed acquired brain injury with no prior deformity to lower limbs, Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 12, no concomitant spinal or lower limb injuries, medical stability at inclusion into the study and agreed to participate for the total duration of assessment (3 months) were recruited. We conducted weekly review of ankle muscle tone and measurement of ankle maximum passive dorsiflexion motion. The end point is reached if ankle contracture developed or completed 3 months post injury assessment. Results: The cohort included 70 patients, of which only 46 patients completed the study. Twenty-eight patients suffered from severe brain injury whilst 18 from moderate brain injury. Out of the 46 patients, 13 (28%) developed ankle contracture at the end of the study period. Abnormal motor pattern was significantly associated with incidence of ankle contracture, which included spasticity (p
Porous ceramic components with decently controlled porosity offers remarkable advantages in industrial and structural applications such as fluid filtration, thermal insulation and scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. In this review study of porous ceramic components, requisite processing techniques necessary for the development of porous ceramics with imbued microstructural model intended for a specific application. An appraisal of the fabrication was made with respect to their economic viability wherein cost effective methods having great potentials in decently controlling the pore network imbued within the host ceramic matrix was preferred over the capital intensive counterparts.
Objective: this study aims to assess the knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B and its associated factors among students of medical colleges at Kuantan Campus, the International Islamic University Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, and data collection was carried out using a selfstructured close-ended questionnaire. Descriptive and analytic statistics were performed with independent t-test, One Way ANOVA and a correlation analysis determine any significant differences between the groups with p < 0.05 significance value Results: According to the results, there was a significant (p < 0.001) association between the type of Faculty with knowledge and awareness about hepatitis B. In addition, the results showed an association between year of study with the knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was an association between duration of clinical experience with knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B (p < 0.001). The results showed that there was no association between gender with knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B (p > 0.05). Conclusion: levels of knowledge showed a strong correlation with levels of awareness, meaning that students with high knowledge also had high awareness of hepatitis B. On the whole, students were aware of and knowledgeable about hepatitis B.
Anthocyanin-containing extract (ACE) were prepared from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen) and the inflorescence part of Etlingera elatior Jack (torch ginger) by using acidified methanol as extraction solvent. Our present study focuses on the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity and the effect of temperature, light and pH on stability of ACE derived from G. mangostana and E. elatior. The monomeric anthocyanin and total phenolic content in E. elatior was higher (43.42±0.01 mg/L dan 10.07±0.01 gGAE /100 g) compared to G. mangostana (15.03±0.01 mg/L and 3.29±0.01 gGAE/100 g). Both ACE of E. elatior and G. mangostana exhibited free radical scavenger activity, with IC50 value of14.90±1.02 mg/mL and 15.50±0.52 mg/mL, respectively, in 2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. ACE of E. elatior was also found to be a good reducing and possessed higher absorbance values at concentrations range from 1.25 to 20 mg/mL in FRAP assay. ACE of E. elatior exhibited mild cytotoxicity on human ovarian SKOV-3 cell line with IC50 values of 54.32 ± 4.60 μg/mL. The effects of light and temperature on ACE stability were performed in different environmental conditions, which promote the destabilization of anthocyanin molecules. ACE stability of G. mangostana were less resist to the effect of light but very susceptible to the prolonged effect of heat after 2 h exposure compared to the ACE in E. elatior. The different in pH highly influence the stability of both ACE which can be observed from the decrease in absorbance readings.
The growth form and condition of the tiger grouper × giant grouper (TGGG) hybrid were evaluated under four temperatures (22°C, 26°C, 30°C, and 34°C) and two diets (pellet and shrimp). The growth form of fish was determined over a 30 day experimental period using the length–weight relationship (LWR) method. The TGGG hybrid grouper exhibited a negative allometric growth (b < 3) at all temperatures and diets at the beginning of the experiment (0 day), which indicated that fish would become lighter as they increased in size. Conversely, toward the end of the experiment (30 d), the TGGG hybrid grouper showed a negative allometric growth (b < 3) at 22°C and 34°C on both pellet and shrimp diet as well as demonstrated an isometric growth (b = 3) at 26°C fed on both diet and 30°C on pellet diet only, which indicated that the shape of the fish would not change with increasing weight and length. However, a positive allometric growth (b > 3) was observed at 30°C when the fish were fed on shrimp diet, which indicated that fish weight would increase with increasing length and size. The condition factors (K and Kn) in the initial (0 d) and final (30 d) measurements were greater than 1, thereby indicating the wellbeing of the TGGG hybrid grouper, except for those fish fed on both pellet and shrimp diet under 22°C and 34°C. Therefore, diet did not have a significant effect (p > 0.05) on the growth and condition of TGGG hybrid grouper, whereas temperature significantly influenced the growth and condition of the fish. All in all, grouper farmers can culture TGGG hybrid grouper between 26°C and 30°C, whereas the best growth and condition could be observed by culturing the fish at 30°C fed on shrimp.
Reproductive and Maternal health are an important components of public health and medicine which are concerned with the complete state of physical, mental and social wellbeing in all matters regarding reproductive system and health of mother especially during pregnancy.It implies ensuring that all women receive the care they need to be safe and healthy throughout pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. However, according to World Health Organization, millions of women all over the world do not have access to good quality health services during pregnancy and childbirth resulting in mortalities. Islam is a complete way of life. The Qur’an and Hadith consider pregnancy and child bearing as signs among other signs of the divine existence of Allah.The importance of maternal and reproductive is thus not unexplained in the Islamic perspectives. The study look at what role Muslim religious leaders can play in the prevention of maternal deaths and morbidities in developing countries. A qualitative study was conducted through in-depth interviews and focus groups discussion with a purposive sample of some Muslim religious leaders from Gusau local government area of Zamfara state northwest Nigeria in order to elicit information about the Islamic perspectives of reproductive and maternal health and the roles they can play in the prevention of maternal deaths among the Muslim communities. Muslim Religious leaders have a crucial role and contribution for the attainment and maintenance of good heath of women and children among Muslim communities through public enlightenment in the context of ‘ilm’, providing guidance through ‘Fatwah’ and community mobilization in the spirit brotherhood ‘ukhuwah’.Islam does not accept the “preventable death of a woman” due to childbirth or pregnancy. Thus, Islam encourages attendance of antenatal care visits and health care seeking.
The study was conducted at Merambong Shoal (01°19.979’N, 103°35.965’E) in the Sungai Pulai estuary, Johor Straits, Malaysia from January to December 2005. Standing biomass of male and female Strombus canarium sub populations was calculated monthly based on the abundance value of each cohort and on the length-weight relationship. Secondary production was estimated using increment summation method, upon recognition of cohorts following the size-frequency distribution analysis using Bhattacharya and Hasselblad’s NORMSEP methods. Monthly variations in standing biomass
(B) and production (P) showed higher values during the wet season compared to dry season, which indicate seasonal variations. Total production (P) was estimated at 0.14 gAFDWm-2yr-1 and 0.45 gAFDWm-2yr-1, while the annual mean population biomass was estimated at 0.13 gAFDWm-2 and 0.26 gAFDWm-2, for males and females, respectively. The P/ ratio was therefore calculated at 1.08 yr-1 for male and 1.73 yr-1 for female, which was within the values reported for other gastropod species. Estimates using empirical methods commonly used in secondary production studies found
that none could be applied to the species. Considering the large amount of time, effort and resources involved in the conventional production estimation method, more studies are needed to establish a reliable production estimates for S. canarium, and possibly other gastropod species within the tropical region.