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Lactoferrin and ovotransferrin contribute toward antioxidative effects of Edible Bird's Nest against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in human SH-SY5Y cells

Hou Z, Imam MU, Ismail M, Azmi NH, Ismail N, Ideris A, et al.

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2015;79(10):1570-8.
PMID: 26057702 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2015.1050989

There are reports of improved redox outcomes due to consumption of Edible Bird's Nest (EBN). Many of the functional effects of EBN can be linked to its high amounts of antioxidants. Interestingly, dietary components with high antioxidants have shown promise in the prevention of aging and its related diseases like Alzheimer's disease. In this study, the antioxidative potentials of EBN and its constituents, lactoferrin (LF) and ovotransferrin (OVF), were determined and protective effects against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)- induced toxicity on SH-SY5Y cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and acridine orange and propidium iodide (AO/PI) staining with microscopy were examined. Results showed that EBN and its constituents attenuated H2O2-induced cytotoxicity, and decreased radical oxygen species (ROS) through increased scavenging activity. Furthermore, LF, OVF, and EBN produced transcriptional changes in antioxidant related genes that tended towards neuroprotection as compared to H2O2-treated group. Overall, the results suggest that LF and OVF may produce synergistic or all-or-none antioxidative effects in EBN.
Sonographic nomogram of paediatric renal size in Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)

Leong YY, Kanaheswari Y, Faizah MZ, Hing EY, Nik Ismail NA, Nik Fuad NF, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2020 03;75(2):130-135.
PMID: 32281593

INTRODUCTION: A person's childhood is an important period of growth, and also one's most vulnerable, as one can be exposed to various pathologies, for example those that could affect the growth of one's kidney. Asians are physiologically different from Caucasians, and the nomogram renal size obtained from a Western population (mostly of Caucasians) is not be suitable for representing Asian children. As such a nomogram on paediatric renal size derived from Malaysia is needed.
METHODS: A total of 109 (64 males and 45 females) aged 0-12 in Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM) took part in this study. They underwent ultrasonography of both kidneys, and their demographic and anthropometric data were collected. The mean and standard deviations of the renal length and renal volume according to their age groups was calculated, and the final data was compared to the ones reported by Rosenbaum et al. (1984).
RESULT: Body weight and Body Surface Area (BSA) of the children reported the strongest correlation with renal size. Significant differences were found between local and the data from Rosenbaum et al (1984). A nomogram on paediatric renal size based on children in PPUKM was then created.
DISCUSSION: Ultrasonography is regarded as the standard method for determining renal size. Body weight and BSA were both strongly correlated with renal size. It was shown that the widely used nomograms derived from data obtained from Caucasian was not suitable to represent the population of Malaysian children.
Competence of Lepironia articulata in eradicating chemical oxygen demand and ammoniacal nitrogen in coffee processing mill effluent and its potential as green straw

Said NSM, Kurniawan SB, Abdullah SRS, Hasan HA, Othman AR, Ismail N'

Sci Total Environ, 2021 Jul 28;799:149315.
PMID: 34388879 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149315

Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly technique in wastewater treatment because of its sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity. This study was conducted to examine the feasibility of use of Lepironia articulata, a potential phytoremediation plant that is native to Malaysia, in remediating coffee processing mill effluent (CPME). The aim was to determine effluent concentration or contaminant load that the plant can resist, while simultaneously results in the good removal of pollutants during phytoremediation. Four brushes of L. articulata were planted individually in a pail/reactor (mentioned as reactor afterward) containing 3 kg of sand and exposed to five different concentrations of CPME (0%, 30%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). The initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) values were 510, 3100, 4200, 7290, and 8470 mg/L, respectively, and ammoniacal nitrogen (AN) concentrations were 26, 128, 225, 376, and 509 mg/L, respectively. The height, appearance, and efficiency in removing COD and AN of each plant was observed throughout the 35-day exposure period. Results showed that plants exposed to 75% CPME demonstrated better growth than those exposed to other concentrations and exhibited the highest COD and AN removal rates (85.0% and 84.0%, respectively), providing evidence that L. articulata can be used as a phytoremediation agent of CPME with an initial COD concentration of 7290 mg/L and AN concentration of 376 mg/L. This study highlights its support to the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations, particularly the reclamation of plant biomass used as a treatment agent and conversion into biodegradable straws. Moreover, this study adds an attractive additional point of transforming waste into resource with the proposed wastewater treatment technology.
Fulltext Role of Salvinia molesta in biodecolorization of methyl orange dye from water

Al-Baldawi IA, Abdullah SRS, Almansoory AF, Ismail N', Hasan HA, Anuar N

Sci Rep, 2020 08 19;10(1):13980.
PMID: 32814793 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70740-5

In the present study, the potential of Salvinia molesta for biodecolorization of methyl orange (MO) dye from water was examined. Six glass vessels were filled with 4 L of water contaminated with MO with three concentrations (5, 15, and 25 mg/L), three with plants and another three without plant as contaminant control. The influence of operational parameters, including initial dye concentration, pH, temperature, and plant growth, on the efficacy of the biodecolorization process by S. molesta was determined. Temperature and pH was in the range of 25-26 °C and 6.3 to 7.3, respectively. Phytotransformation was monitored after 10 days through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and a significant variation in the peak positions was demonstrated when compared to the control plant spectrum, indicating the adsorption of MO. The highest biodecolorization was 42% in a 5 mg/L MO dye concentration at pH 7.3 and at 27 °C. According to the FTIR results, a potential method for the biodecolourization of MO dye by S. molesta was proven. Salvinia molesta can be successfully used for upcoming eco-friendly phytoremediation purposes for dye removal.
Neuroprotective effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor against amyloid beta 1-40-induced retinal and optic nerve damage

Mohd Lazaldin MA, Iezhitsa I, Agarwal R, Bakar NS, Agarwal P, Mohd Ismail N

Eur J Neurosci, 2020 06;51(12):2394-2411.
PMID: 31883161 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14662

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) could be considered a potential neuroprotective therapy in amyloid beta (Aβ)-associated retinal and optic nerve degeneration. Hence, in this study we investigated the neuroprotective effect of BDNF against Aβ1-40-induced retinal and optic nerve injury. In this study, exposure to Aβ1-40 was associated with retinal and optic nerve injury. TUNEL staining showed significant reduction in the apoptotic cell count in the BDNF-treated group compared with Aβ1-40 group. H&E-stained retinal sections also showed a striking reduction in neuronal cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) of retinas fourteen days after Aβ1-40 exposure. By contrast, number of retinal cells was preserved in the retinas of BDNF-treated animals. After Aβ1-40 exposure, visible axonal swelling was observed in optic nerve sections. However, the BDNF-treated group showed fewer changes in optic nerve; axonal swelling was less frequent and less marked. In the present study, exposure to Aβ was associated with oxidative stress, whereas levels of retinal glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were significantly increased in BDNF-treated than in Aβ1-40-treated rats. Both visual object recognition tests using an open-field arena and a Morris water maze showed that BDNF improved rats' ability to recognise visual cues (objects with different shapes) after Aβ1-40 exposure, thus demonstrating that the visual performance of rats was relatively preserved following BDNF treatment. In conclusion, intravitreal treatment with BDNF prevents Aβ1-40-induced retinal cell apoptosis and axon loss in the optic nerve of rats by reducing retinal oxidative stress and restoring retinal BDNF levels.
Bioremediation and Detoxification of the Textile Wastewater with Membrane Bioreactor Using the White-rot Fungus and Reuse of Wastewater

Hossain K, Quaik S, Ismail N, Rafatullah M, Avasan M, Shaik R

Iran J Biotechnol, 2016 Sep;14(3):154-162.
PMID: 28959331 DOI: 10.15171/ijb.1216

BACKGROUND: Application of membrane technology to wastewater treatment has expanded over the last decades due to increasingly stringent legislation, greater opportunities for water reuse/recycling processes and continuing advancement in membrane technology.
OBJECTIVES: In the present study, a bench-scale submerged microfiltration membrane bioreactor (MBR) was used to assess the treatment of textile wastewater.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The decolorization capacity of white-rot fungus coriolus versicolor was confirmed through agar plate and liquid batch studies. The temperature and pH of the reactor were controlled at 29±1°C and 4.5±2, respectively. The bioreactor was operated with an average flux of 0.05 m.d(-1) (HRT=15hrs) for a month.
RESULTS: Extensive growth of fungi and their attachment to the membrane led to its fouling and associated increase of the transmembrane pressure requiring a periodic withdrawal of sludge and membrane cleaning. However, stable decoloration activity (approx. 98%), BOD (40-50%), COD (50-67%) and total organic carbon (TOC) removal (>95%) was achieved using the entire system (fungi + membrane), while the contribution of the fungi culture alone for TOC removal, as indicated by the quality of the reactor supernatant, was 35-50% and 70%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The treated wastewater quality satisfied the requirement of water quality for dyeing and finishing process excluding light coloration. Therefore, textile wastewater reclamation and reuse is a promising alternative, which can both conserve or supplement the available water resource and reduce or eliminate the environmental pollution.
Fulltext Mitochondrial DNA sequence of the horseshoe crab Tachypleus gigas

Sarmiento ME, Chin KL, Lau NS, Aziah I, Norazmi MN, Acosta A, et al.

Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2021 May 23;6(6):1710-1714.
PMID: 34104748 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1930213

This paper reports on the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of a horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas (T. gigas), in Kuala Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia. Whole-genome sequencing of hemocyte DNA was performed with Illumina HiSeq system and the generated reads were de novo assembled with ABySS 2.1.5 and reassembled using mitoZ against Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda and Limulus polyphemus, resulting in a contig of 15 Kb. Phylogenetic analysis of the assembled mt genome suggests that the Tachypleus gigas is closely related to Tachypleus tridentatus than to Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda.
Fulltext Methanolic Extract of Piper sarmentosum Attenuates Obesity and Hyperlipidemia in Fructose-Induced Metabolic Syndrome Rats

Kumar SR, Mohd Ramli ES, Abdul Nasir NA, Mohd Ismail N, Mohd Fahami NA

Molecules, 2021 Jun 29;26(13).
PMID: 34210097 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133985

Obesity and hyperlipidemia are metabolic dysregulations that arise from poor lifestyle and unhealthy dietary intakes. These co-morbidity conditions are risk factors for vascular diseases. Piper sarmentosum (PS) is a nutritious plant that has been shown to pose various phytochemicals and pharmacological actions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PS on obesity and hyperlipidemia in an animal model. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups. The groups were as follows: UG-Untreated group; CTRL-control; FDW-olive oil + 20% fructose; FDW-PS-PS (125 mg/kg) + 20% fructose; FDW-NGN-naringin (100 mg/kg) + 20% fructose. Fructose drinking water was administered daily for 12 weeks ad libitum to induce metabolic abnormality. Treatment was administered at week 8 for four weeks via oral gavage. The rats were sacrificed with anesthesia at the end of the experimental period. Blood, liver, and visceral fat were collected for further analysis. The consumption of 20% fructose water by Wistar rats for eight weeks displayed a tremendous increment in body weight, fat mass, percentage fat, LDL, TG, TC, HMG-CoA reductase, leptin, and reduced the levels of HDL and adiponectin as well as adipocyte hypertrophy. Following the treatment period, FDW-PS and FDW-NGN showed a significant reduction in body weight, fat mass, percentage fat, LDL, TG, TC, HMG-CoA reductase, and leptin with an increment in the levels of HDL and adiponectin compared to the FDW group. FDW-PS and FDW-NGN also showed adipocyte hypotrophy compared to the FDW group. In conclusion, oral administration of 125 mg/kg PS methanolic extract to fructose-induced obese rats led to significant amelioration of obesity and hyperlipidemia through suppressing the adipocytes and inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase. PS has the potential to be used as an alternative or adjunct therapy for obesity and hyperlipidemia.
Fulltext Microbiota of Palm Oil Mill Wastewater in Malaysia

Bala JD, Lalung J, Al-Gheethi AAS, Hossain K, Ismail N

Trop Life Sci Res, 2018 Jul;29(2):131-163.
PMID: 30112146 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2018.29.2.10

This study was aimed at identifying indigenous microorganisms from palm oil mill effluent (POME) and to ascertain the microbial load. Isolation and identification of indigenous microorganisms was subjected to standard microbiological methods and sequencing of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes for the microbial strains signifies that they were known as Micrococcus luteus 101PB, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 102PB, Bacillus cereus 103PB, Providencia vermicola 104PB, Klebsiella pneumoniae 105PB, Bacillus subtilis 106PB, Aspergillus fumigatus 107PF, Aspergillus nomius 108PF, Aspergillus niger 109PF and Meyerozyma guilliermondii 110PF. Results revealed that the population of total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) ranged from 9.5 × 105 - 7.9 × 106 cfu/mL. The total heterotrophic fungi (THF) ranged from 2.1 × 104 - 6.4 × 104 cfu/mL. Total viable heterotrophic indigenous microbial population on CMC agar ranged from 8.2 × 105 - 9.1 × 106 cfu/mL and 1.4 × 103 - 3.4 × 103 cfu/mL for bacteria and fungi respectively. The microbial population of oil degrading bacteria (ODB) ranged from 6.4 × 105 - 4.8 × 106 cfu/mL and the oil degrading fungi (ODF) ranged from 2.8 × 103 - 4.7 × 104 cfu/mL. The findings revealed that microorganisms flourish well in POME. Therefore, this denotes that isolating native microorganisms from POME is imperative for effectual bioremediation, biotreatment and biodegradation of industrial wastewaters.
Fulltext Elucidation of Mechanical, Physical, Chemical and Thermal Properties of Microbial Composite Films by Integrating Sodium Alginate with Bacillus subtilis sp

Wai Chun CN, Tajarudin HA, Ismail N, Azahari B, Mohd Zaini Makhtar M

Polymers (Basel), 2021 Jun 26;13(13).
PMID: 34206741 DOI: 10.3390/polym13132103

Materials are the foundation in human development for improving human standards of life. This research aimed to develop microbial composite films by integrating sodium alginate with Bacillus subtilis. Sodium alginate film was fabricated as control. The microbial composite films were fabricated by integrating 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 g of Bacillus subtilis into the sodium alginate. Evaluations were performed on the mechanical, physical, chemical and thermal properties of the films. It was found that films reinforced with Bacillus subtilis significantly improved all the mentioned properties. Results show that 0.5 g microbial composite films had the highest tensile strength, breaking strain and toughness, which were 0.858 MPa, 87.406% and 0.045 MJ/m3, respectively. The thickness of the film was 1.057 mm. White light opacity, black light opacity and brightness values were 13.65%, 40.55% and 8.19%, respectively. It also had the highest conductivity, which was 37 mV, while its water absorption ability was 300.93%. Furthermore, it had a higher melting point of 218.94 °C and higher decomposition temperature of 252.69 °C. SEM also showed that it had filled cross-sectional structure and smoother surface compared to the sodium alginate film. Additionally, FTIR showed that 0.5 g microbial composite films possessed more functional groups at 800 and 662 cm-1 wavenumbers that referred to C-C, C-OH, C-H ring and side group vibrations and C-OH out-of-plane bending, respectively, which contributed to the stronger bonds in the microbial composite film. Initial conclusions depict the potential of Bacillus subtilis to be used as reinforcing material in the development of microbial composite films, which also have the prospect to be used in electronic applications. This is due to the conductivity of the films increasing as Bacillus subtilis cell mass increases.
Fulltext Establishing Relationship between Vitamins, Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoid Content and Antioxidant Activities in Various Honey Types

Zawawi N, Chong PJ, Mohd Tom NN, Saiful Anuar NS, Mohammad SM, Ismail N, et al.

Molecules, 2021 Jul 21;26(15).
PMID: 34361551 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26154399

Honey is a well-known natural sweetener and is rich in natural antioxidants that prevent the occurrence of oxidative stress, which is responsible for many human diseases. Some of the biochemical compounds in honey that contribute to this property are vitamins and phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. However, the extent to which these molecules contribute towards the antioxidant capacity in vitro is inconsistently reported, especially with the different analytical methods used, as well as other extrinsic factors that influence these molecules' availability. Therefore, by reviewing recently published works correlating the vitamin, total phenolic, and flavonoid content in honey with its antioxidant activities in vitro, this paper will establish a relationship between these parameters. Based on the literature, vitamins do not contribute to honey's antioxidant capacity; however, the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids has an impact on honey's antioxidant activity.
Bioelectricity production and xylene biodegradation through double chamber benthic microbial fuel cells fed with sugarcane waste as a substrate

Umar MF, Rafatullah M, Abbas SZ, Ibrahim MNM, Ismail N

J Hazard Mater, 2021 10 05;419:126469.
PMID: 34192640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126469

Xylene, a recalcitrant compound present in wastewater from activities of petrochemical and chemical industries causes chronic problems for living organisms and the environment. Xylene contaminated wastewater may be biodegraded through a benthic microbial fuel cell (BMFC) as seen in this study. Xylene was oxidized into intermediate 3-methyl benzoic acid and entirely converted into non-toxic carbon dioxide. The highest voltage of the BMFC reactor was generated at 410 mV between 23 and 90 days when cell potential was 1 kΩ. The reactor achieved a maximum power density of about 63 mW/m2, and a current of 0.4 mA which was optimized from variable resistance (20 Ω - 1 kΩ). However, the maximum biodegradation efficiency of the BMFC was at 87.8%. The cyclic voltammetry curve helped to determine that the specific capacitance was 0.124 F/g after 30 days of the BMFC operation. Furthermore, the fitting equivalent circuit was observed with the help of Nyquist plot for calculating overall internal resistance of 65.82 Ω on 30th day and 124.5 Ω on 80th day. Staphylococcus edaphicus and Staphylococcus sparophiticus were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as the dominant species in the control and BMFC electrode, presumably associated with xylene biodegradation.
Comparative transcriptome profiling of horseshoe crab Tachypleus gigas hemocytes in response to lipopolysaccharides

Sarmiento ME, Chin KL, Lau NS, Aziah I, Ismail N, Norazmi MN, et al.

Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2021 Oct;117:148-156.
PMID: 34358702 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.08.001

Horseshoe crabs (HSCs) are living fossil species of marine arthropods with a long evolutionary history spanning approximately 500 million years. Their survival is helped by their innate immune system that comprises cellular and humoral immune components to protect them against invading pathogens. To help understand the genetic mechanisms involved, the present study utilised the Illumina HiSeq platform to perform transcriptomic analysis of hemocytes from the HSC, Tachypleus gigas, that were challenged with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The high-throughput sequencing resulted in 352,077,208 and 386,749,136 raw reads corresponding to 282,490,910 and 305,709,830 high-quality mappable reads for the control and LPS-treated hemocyte samples, respectively. Based on the log-fold change of > 0.3 or
Fulltext Data on the effects of imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazole and pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole compounds on intraocular pressure of ocular normotensive rats

Marcus AJ, Iezhitsa I, Agarwal R, Vassiliev P, Spasov A, Zhukovskaya O, et al.

Data Brief, 2018 Jun;18:523-554.
PMID: 29896529 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.03.019

This data is to document the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering activity of imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazole and pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole compounds in ocular normotensive rats. Effects of single drop application of imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazole and pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole compounds on IOP in ocular normotensive rats are presented at 3 different concentrations (0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4%). Time course of changes in IOP is presented over 6 h period post-instillation. The IOP lowering activities of test compounds were determined by assessing maximum decrease in IOP from baseline and corresponding control, duration of IOP lowering and area under curve (AUC) of time versus response curve. Data shown here may serve as benchmarks for other researchers studying IOP-lowering effect of imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazole and pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole compounds and would be useful in determining therapeutic potential of these test compounds as IOP lowering agents.
Fulltext Leptospirosis seropositivity and its serovars among cattle in Northeastern Malaysia

Daud A, Fuzi NMHM, Arshad MM, Kamarudin S, Mohammad WMZW, Amran F, et al.

Vet World, 2018 Jun;11(6):840-844.
PMID: 30034179 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2018.840-844

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that infects human and livestock which causes economic losses to the farmers. It has been reported as one of the causes of reproductive failure in cattle and other ruminants, determining abortions, stillbirth, weak newborns, and decrease in their growth rate and milk production.
Aim: The objectives of this study were to determine the leptospirosis seroprevalence and to identify the predominant infecting serovars among cattle.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 420 cattle from six randomly selected districts in Kelantan was conducted. A serological test using the microscopic agglutination test was conducted in the Institute of Medical Research with a cutoff titer for seropositivity of ≥1:100.
Results: The overall prevalence of leptospirosis seropositivity among cattle in this study was 81.7% (95% confidence interval: 63.5, 80.1). The most common reaction obtained with the sera tested was from the serovar Sarawak with 78.8%.
Conclusion: A high seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies was found among cattle in Northeastern Malaysia. These findings urge that more studies are required to determine the reasons for the high seroprevalence among the cattle along with its transmission and pathogenicity of the local serovar Sarawak.
Implication of CDKAL1 single-nucleotide polymorphism rs 9465871 in obese and non-obese Egyptian children

Ismail NA, Ragab S, Abd El Dayem SM, Baky ANAE, Hamed M, Ahmed Kamel S, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2018 10;73(5):286-290.
PMID: 30350806

INTRODUCTION: CDKAL1 single-nucleotide polymorphism rs 9465871variant is a risk locus for Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM).The study evaluated the associations of CDKAL1- rs9465871 with glycosylated hemoglobin A1C Level (HbA1c), fasting insulin level, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome among obese and non- obese Egyptian children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 43 obese children and 40 normal weight children. Anthropometric body measurements, bio-specimen and biochemistry assays were done. Genotyping of rs9465871 (CDKAL1) was conducted.
RESULTS: The percentages of the CC, CT, and TT genotypes of rs9465871in the lean children were 15%, 42.5%, and 42.5%, respectively. Regarding obese children, the frequencies were 18.6%, 58.1% and 23.3% respectively with no significant statistical difference. Comparison between the CDKAL1 rs 9465871 polymorphism showed that the highest value of fasting insulin was recorded in CC genotype (22.80± 15.18 [uIU/mL] P
Fulltext The Sensitivity, Specificity and Accuracy of Warning Signs in Predicting Severe Dengue, the Severe Dengue Prevalence and Its Associated Factors

Ahmad MH, Ibrahim MI, Mohamed Z, Ismail N, Abdullah MA, Shueb RH, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2018 09 15;15(9).
PMID: 30223572 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15092018

Objectives: To study Malaysian dengue clinical practice guideline (CPG) warning signs (WS) in predicting severe dengue (SD) and its associated factors among confirmed cases presented to a teaching hospital in north-eastern Malaysia in 2014. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in February 2015 using secondary data acquired from the hospital records. There were 2607 confirmed dengue cases presented to Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) in 2014. Seven hundred patients were selected after proportionate stratified random sampling conducted according to the number of cases in 12 different months in 2014. Data were collected and analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Severe dengue outcomes represented 4.9% of cases. The prevalence of any of WS in SD was 91.2%. The most common WSs prior to SD were persistent vomiting (55.9%), and abdominal pain/tenderness (52.9%). The most sensitive warning sign in detecting SD was abdominal pain (59%). Specificity of individual WS were generally good, especially of clinical fluid accumulation (99%), hepatomegaly (98%) and mucosal bleeding (93%). Factors associated with SD were persistent vomiting (Adjusted odds ratio (aOR)): 2.41), mucosal bleeding (aOR: 4.73) and haematocrit rise with rapid platelet drop (aOR: 2.74). Conclusion: A focus on sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and association of a number of particular WS should be emphasized in order to better predict severe dengue outcomes.
Fulltext Tobacco use and attitudes towards tobacco control activities of Malaysian dental students

Mohd Nor NA, Abdul Razak I, Ab-Murat N, Ismail N, Ibrahim F

Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2018;13(1):6-15.
MyJurnal

Tobacco usage among dental students and the amount of training they received may have an impact on tobacco cessation activities undertaken for their patients. This study aims to assess Malaysian dental students’ tobacco use, exposure to second-hand smoke and their attitude towards tobacco control activities and curriculum. This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Global Health Professions Students Survey (GHPSS). The questionnaire was distributed to all Malaysian fourth and fifth year
dental students in four public dental schools (n=372), namely University of Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). The data were analysed using descriptive and chi square tests. In total, (n=349) respondents completed the questionnaire, yielding a 93.8% response rate. Although the prevalence of Malaysian dental students who ‘ever smoked’ was 21.2%, the prevalence of current smokers was low (2.3%). About 62% and 39% of students reported having been exposed to second-hand smoke in public and at home, respectively. USIM students were significantly less likely to recall having received training about approaches to smoking cessation (52.9%, p<0.001). Significantly fewer smokers than nonsmokers agreed on tobacco banning policy. Regardless of their smoking status, the majority of dental students showed positive attitudes towards dentists’ role in tobacco cessation. Tobacco user among Malaysian dental students was low. There were statistically significant differences between ever smokers and non-smokers’ attitudes towards tobacco banning policy. The majority of dental students showed positive attitudes towards dentists’ role in
tobacco cessation.
Keywords: Attitudes; GHPSS; public health; smoking; tobacco
Optimizing of pharmaceutical active compounds biodegradability in secondary effluents by β-lactamase from Bacillus subtilis using central composite design

Al-Gheethi A, Noman E, Radin Mohamed RMS, Ismail N, Bin Abdullah AH, Mohd Kassim AH

J Hazard Mater, 2019 03 05;365:883-894.
PMID: 30497042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.11.068

Biodegradation of pharmaceuticals active compounds (PACs) in secondary effluents by using B. subtilis 2012WTNC as a function of β-lactamase was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) designed by central composite design (CCD). Four factors including initial concentration of bacteria (1-6 log10 CFU mL-1), incubation period (1-14 days), incubation temperature (20-40 °C) and initial concentration of PACs (1-5 mg L-1) were investigated. The optimal operating factors for biodegradation process determined using response surface methodology (RSM) was recorded with 5.57 log10 CFU mL-1 of B. subtilis, for 10.38 days, at 36.62 °C and with 4.14 mg L-1 of (cephalexin/amoxicillin) with R2 coefficient of 0.99. The biodegradation was 83.81 and 93.94% respectively. The relationship among the independent variables was significant (p
Fulltext Chemical and antibacterial data of synthesized thioureido derivatives

Kadir MA, Ramli R, Yusof MSM, Ismail N, Ngah N, Haris NSH

Data Brief, 2019 Dec;27:104651.
PMID: 31700958 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104651

This paper provided comprehensive data on spectroscopic and antibacterial activities of thioureido compounds which are relevant with research article entitled "Synthesis, Spectroscopic Studies and Antibacterial Activity of New Lauroyl Thiourea Amino Acid Derivatives" [1]. Based on the reported study, four new thioureido derivatives, namely 3-(3-dodecanoyl-thioureido)propionic acid (R1), 2-(3-dodecanoyl-thioureido)-3-methyl butyric acid (R2), (3-dodecanoyl-thioureido)acetic acid (R3) and 2-(3-dodecanoyl-thioureido)-3-phenyl propionic acid (R4) were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C NMR), and Ultraviolet Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The preliminary results from antibacterial assay which were tested against Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium are also described.

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