Displaying publications 161 - 180 of 208 in total

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  1. Depolymerization of lignocellulose of oil palm empty fruit bunch by thermophilic microorganisms from tropical climate
    Azman NF, Megat Mohd Noor MJ, Md Akhir FN, Ang MY, Hashim H, Othman N, et al.
    Bioresour Technol, 2019 May;279:174-180.
    PMID: 30721818 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.01.122
    Previous studies on screening of lignin-degrading bacteria mainly focused on the ligninolytic ability of the isolated bacteria for the utilization of lignin monomers. In this study, we focused on the depolymerization of alkali lignin to prove the ability of the isolated thermophilic bacterial strains to utilize and depolymerize more than a monomer of alkali lignin within 7 days of incubation. Indigenous thermophilic bacterial isolates from the palm oil plantation were used to evaluate the depolymerization and utilization of alkali lignin. The confirmation of the bacterium-mediated depolymerization of oil palm empty fruit bunch was achieved through the removal of silica bodies, as observed with scanning electron microscopy. Stenotrophomonas sp. S2 and Bacillus subtilis S11Y were able to reduce approximately 50% and 20% of alkali lignin at 7 days of incubation without the requirement for additional carbon sources.
  2. spa diversity of methicillin-resistant and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in clinical strains from Malaysia: a high prevalence of invasive European spa-type t032
    Jones SU, Chua KH, Chew CH, Yeo CC, Abdullah FH, Othman N, et al.
    PeerJ, 2021;9:e11195.
    PMID: 33889447 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11195
    Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the important pathogens causing nosocomial infection. spa typing allows identification of S. aureus clones in hospital isolates and is useful for epidemiological studies and nosocomial infection control. This study aims to investigate the spa types in Malaysian S. aureus isolates obtained from various clinical specimens.

    Method: A total of 89 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) [pus (n = 55), blood (n = 27), respiratory (n = 5), eye (n = 2)] isolates and 109 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) [pus (n = 79), blood (n = 24), respiratory (n = 3), eye (n = 2) and urine (n = 1)] isolates were subjected to spa typing with sequences analysed using BioNumerics version 7.

    Results: The spa sequence was successfully amplified from 77.8% of the strains (154/198) and 47 known spa types were detected. The distribution of known spa types in MRSA (36.2%, 17/47) was less diverse than in MSSA (70.2%, 33/47). The most predominant spa types were t032 (50%) in MRSA, and t127 (19%) and t091 (16.7%) in MSSA, respectively. spa type t091 in MSSA was significantly associated with skin and soft tissue infections (p = 0.0199).

    Conclusion: The previously uncommon spa type t032 was detected in the Malaysian MRSA strains, which also corresponded to the most common spa type in Europe and Australia, and has replaced the dominant spa type t037 which was reported in Malaysia in 2010.

  3. Recombinant protein expression of Moringa oleifera lectin in methylotrophic yeast as active coagulant for sustainable high turbid water treatment
    Abd Wahid MA, Megat Mohd Noor MJ, Goto M, Sugiura N, Othman N, Zakaria Z, et al.
    Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2017 Aug;81(8):1642-1649.
    PMID: 28585494 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2017.1329617
    The natural coagulant Moringa oleifera lectin (MoL) as cationic protein is a promising candidate in coagulation process of water treatment plant. Introducing the gene encoding MoL into a host, Pichia pastoris, to secrete soluble recombinant protein is assessed in this study. Initial screening using PCR confirmed the insertion of MoL gene, and SDS-PAGE analysis detected the MoL protein at 8 kDa. Cultured optimization showed the highest MoL protein at 520 mg/L was observed at 28 °C for 144 h of culturing by induction in 1% methanol. Approximately, 0.40 mg/mL of recombinant MoL protein showed 95 ± 2% turbidity removal of 1% kaolin suspension. In 0.1% kaolin suspension, the concentration of MoL at 10 μg/mL exhibits the highest turbidity reduction at 68 ± 1%. Thus, recombinant MoL protein from P. pastoris is an effective coagulant for water treatment.
  4. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of Lignin-Degrading Agrobacterium sp. Strain S2, Isolated from a Decaying Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch
    Faisal UH, Sabri NSA, Yusof N, Tahir AA, Said NNM, Riyadi FA, et al.
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2021 May 13;10(19).
    PMID: 33986086 DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00259-21
    We report the draft genome sequence of Agrobacterium sp. strain S2, isolated from a decaying oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, which yields potential genes encoding lignin degradation enzymes. This genome of 9,722,071 bp exhibited 58.9% GC content, 10,416 coding genes, and 12 RNAs.
  5. Lymphoma with superimposed tuberculosis and fungal infection mimicking parapharyngeal abscess complicated with recurrent neurocardiogenic syncope: a case report
    Sharudin SN, Huda Al Firdas AN, Hitam S, Hamid Z, Nordin NJ, Othman N, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2020 Aug;42(2):287-291.
    PMID: 32860384
    INTRODUCTION: Lymphoma of parapharyngeal space (PPS) is a rare condition. The clinical presentations may vary and often masquerades as infection or an inflammatory condition. A misdiagnosis will lead to a delay in treatment of the disease. Due to the complex anatomy of PPS, any attributed pressure from masses can lead to a life-threatening event such as cardiac syncope.

    CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of PPS B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma with superimposed Tuberculosis (TB) and fungal infection that presents with several episodes of syncope and hemodynamic depression.

    DISCUSSION: The clinical entities in PPS lesions syncope and its associated syndromes, pathophysiology, and differential diagnosis together with possible managements are further discussed.

  6. Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibilities of Acinetobacter baumannii and non-baumannii Acinetobacters from Terengganu, Malaysia and their carriage of carbapenemase genes
    Mohd Rani F, A Rahman NI, Ismail S, Abdullah FH, Othman N, Alattraqchi AG, et al.
    J Med Microbiol, 2018 Nov;67(11):1538-1543.
    PMID: 30251951 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000844
    A total of 153 non-repeat Acinetobacter spp. clinical isolates obtained in 2015 from Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ) in Terengganu, Malaysia, were characterized. Identification of the isolates at species level was performed by ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) followed by sequencing of the rpoB gene. The majority of the isolates (n=128; 83.7 %) were A. baumannii while the rest were identified as A. nosocomialis (n=16), A. calcoaceticus (n=5), A. soli (n=2), A. berezeniae (n=1) and A. variabilis (n=1). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was most prevalent in A. baumannnii (66.4 %) whereas only one non-baumannii isolate (A. nosocomialis) was MDR. The blaOXA-23 gene was the predominant acquired carbapenemase gene (56.2 %) and was significantly associated (P<0.001) with carbapenem resistance. However, no significant association was found for carbapenem resistance and isolates that contained the ISAba1-blaOXA-51 configuration.
  7. Tigecycline and inducible clindamycin resistance in clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Terengganu, Malaysia
    Che Hamzah AM, Yeo CC, Puah SM, Chua KH, A Rahman NI, Abdullah FH, et al.
    J Med Microbiol, 2019 Sep;68(9):1299-1305.
    PMID: 31140965 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000993
    The spread of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a public health concern. The inducible macrolide-lincosamide-streptogrammin B (iMLSB ) phenotype (or inducible clindamycin resistance) is associated with false clindamycin susceptibility in routine laboratory testing and may lead to treatment failure. Tigecycline resistance remains rare in S. aureus worldwide. This study aims to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of clinical isolates of S. aureus obtained from the main tertiary hospital in Terengganu state, Malaysia, from July 2016 to June 2017. The antimicrobial susceptibilities of 90 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 109 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates were determined by disc diffusion with the iMLSB phenotype determined by D-test. Multidrug resistance (MDR) and the iMLSB phenotype were more prevalent in MRSA (84.4 and 46.7  %, respectively) compared to MSSA isolates. All five tigecycline-resistant isolates were MRSA. The high incidence of MDR and the iMLSB phenotype and the emergence of tigecycline resistance in the Terengganu S. aureus isolates warrants continuous vigilance.
  8. Fulltext Biatrial thrombi resembling myxoma regressed after prolonged anticoagulation in a patient with mitral stenosis: a case report
    Lu HT, Nordin R, Othman N, Choy CN, Kam JY, Leo BC, et al.
    J Med Case Rep, 2016 Aug 10;10(1):221.
    PMID: 27510438 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-016-1018-0
    BACKGROUND: Many cases of cardiac masses have been reported in the literature, but in this case report we described a rare case of biatrial cardiac mass that represented a challenge for diagnosis and therapy. The differentiation between cardiac masses such as thrombi, vegetations, myxomas and other tumors is not always straightforward and an exact diagnosis is important because of its distinct treatment strategy. Transthoracic/esophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance play an important role in establishing the diagnosis of cardiac masses. However, no current noninvasive diagnostic tool has the ability to absolutely diagnose cardiac masses; obtaining a pathological specimen by surgical resection of cardiac masses is the only reliable method to diagnose cardiac masses accurately. Our case report is an exception in that the final diagnosis was affirmed by empirical anticoagulation therapy based on clinical judgment and noninvasive characterization of biatrial mass.

    CASE PRESENTATION: We described a 54-year-old Malay man with severe mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation who presented with a biatrial mass. Transthoracic/esophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance detected a large, homogeneous right atrial mass typical of a thrombus, and a left atrial mass adhering to interatrial septum that mimicked atrial myxoma. The risk factors, morphology, location, and characteristics of the biatrial cardiac mass indicated a diagnosis of thrombi. However, our patient declined surgery. As a result, the nature of his cardiac masses was not specified by histology. Of note, his left atrial mass was completely regressed by long-term warfarin, leaving a residual right atrial mass. Thus, we affirmed the most probable diagnosis of cardiac thrombi. During the course of treatment, he had an episode of non-fatal ischemic stroke most probably because of a thromboembolism.

    CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive characterization of cardiac mass is essential in clarifying the diagnosis and directing treatment strategy. Anticoagulation is a feasible treatment when the clinical assessment, risk factors, and imaging findings indicate a diagnosis of thrombi. After prolonged anticoagulation therapy, complete resolution of biatrial thrombi was achievable in our case.

  9. Parallel ELISAs using crude soluble antigen and excretory-secretory antigen for improved serodiagnosis of amoebic liver abscess
    Wong WK, Foo PC, Olivos-Garcia A, Noordin R, Mohamed Z, Othman N, et al.
    Acta Trop, 2017 Aug;172:208-212.
    PMID: 28506795 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.05.017
    Crude soluble antigen (CSA) produced from Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite is conventionally used for serodiagnosis of invasive amoebiasis. However, high background seropositivities by CSA-assay in endemic areas complicate the interpretation of positive result in clinical settings. Instead, incorporating a second assay which indicates active or recent infection into the routine amoebic serology could possibly complement the limitations of CSA-assay. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacies of indirect ELISAs using CSA and excretory-secretory antigen (ESA) for serodiagnosis of amoebic liver abscess (ALA). Reference standard for diagnosis of ALA at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia is based on clinical presentation, radiological imaging and positive indirect haemagglutination assay (titer ≥256). Five groups of human serum samples collected from the hospital included Group I - ALA diagnosed by the reference standard and pus aspirate analysis using real-time PCR (n=10), Group II - ALA diagnosed by the reference standard only (n=41), Group III - healthy control (n=45), Group IV - other diseases control (n=51) and Group V - other infectious diseases control (n=31). For serodiagnosis of ALA serum samples (Group I and II), CSA-ELISA showed sensitivities of 100% for both groups, while ESA-ELISA showed sensitivities of 100% and 88%, respectively. For serodiagnosis of non-ALA serum samples (Group III, IV and V), CSA-ELISA showed specificities of 91%, 75% and 100%, respectively; while ESA-ELISA showed specificities of 96%, 98% and 100%, respectively. Indirect ELISAs using CSA and ESA have shown distinct strength for serodiagnosis of ALA, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, respectively. In conclusion, parallel analysis by both assays improved the overall efficacies of amoebic serology as compared to either single assay.
  10. Removal efficiency of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using a natural coagulant during coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes
    Sha'arani S, Azizan SNF, Md Akhir FN, Muhammad Yuzir MA, Othman N, Zakaria Z, et al.
    Water Sci Technol, 2019 Nov;80(9):1787-1795.
    PMID: 32039910 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2019.433
    Staphylococcus sp. as Gram-positive and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative are bacterial pathogens and can cause primary bloodstream infections and food poisoning. Coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes could be a reliable treatment for bacterial removal because suspended, colloidal, and soluble particles can be removed. Chemical coagulants, such as alum, are commonly used. However, these chemical coagulants are not environmentally friendly. This present study evaluated the effectiveness of coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes for removing Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli using diatomite with standard jar test equipment at different pH values. Staphylococcus sp. demonstrated 85.61% and 77.23% significant removal in diatomite and alum, respectively, at pH 5. At pH 7, the removal efficiency decreased to 79.41% and 64.13% for Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli, respectively. At pH 9, there was a decrease in Staphylococcus sp. after adding diatomite or alum compared with that of E. coli. The different removal efficiencies of the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria could be owing to the membrane composition and different structures in the bacteria. This study indicates that diatomite has higher efficiency in removing bacteria at pH 5 and can be considered as a potential coagulant to replace alum for removing bacteria by the coagulation process.
  11. Fulltext Identification of FLT3 and NPM1 Mutations in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
    Mat Yusoff Y, Abu Seman Z, Othman N, Kamaluddin NR, Esa E, Zulkiply NA, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 06 01;20(6):1749-1755.
    PMID: 31244296 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.6.1749
    Objective: The most frequent acquired molecular abnormalities and important prognostic indicators in patients
    with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) are fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 gene (FLT3) and nucleophosmin-1 (NPM1)
    mutations. Our study aims to develop a cost effective and comprehensive in-house conventional PCR method for
    detection of FLT3-ITD, FLT3-D835 and NPM1 mutations and to evaluate the frequency of these mutations in patients
    with cytogenetically normal (CN) AML in our population. Methods: A total of 199 samples from AML patients (95
    women, 104 men) were included in the study. Mutation analyses were performed using polymerase chain reaction
    (PCR) and gene sequencing. Result: Sixty-eight patients were positive for the mutations. FLT3-ITD mutations were
    detected in 32 patients (16.1%), followed by FLT3-D835 in 5 (2.5%) and NPM1 in 54 (27.1%). Double mutations of
    NPM1 and FLT3-ITD were detected in 23 cases (11.6%). Assays validation were performed using Sanger sequencing
    and showed 100% concordance with in house method. Conclusion: The optimized in-house PCR assays for the
    detection of FLT3-ITD, FLT3-D835 and NPM1 mutations in AML patients were robust, less labour intensive and cost
    effective. These assays can be used as diagnostic tools for mutation detection in AML patients since identification of
    these mutations are important for prognostication and optimization of patient care.
  12. Fulltext Isolation and characterization of Lignin-derived monomer degraders under acidic conditions from tropical peatland
    Imran Firdaus Kamardan M, Atikah Binti Marsid E, Nadia Md Akhir F, Ali Muhammad Yuzir M, Othman N, Hara H
    J Gen Appl Microbiol, 2022 Nov 10;68(3):117-124.
    PMID: 35400678 DOI: 10.2323/jgam.2021.09.004
    Tropical peatlands account for one of the largest carbon stores in the form of organic matter due to the accumulation of plant litter and waterlogged conditions. Recent anthropogenic disturbances, such as forest fires, agricultural conversion and drainage, in tropical peatlands have caused a vast amount of carbon to be released into the atmosphere, and microbial activities are impacted by these changes. A recent study showed that many phenol- and lignin-degrading bacteria prefer alkaline and neutral pH conditions, while tropical peatland conditions are acidic, possibly changing the mechanisms of the utilization of organic matter from peat soil. The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize phenolic compound-degrading bacteria from tropical peatlands under acidic conditions due to the lack of information on how the biological processes of microorganisms occur in this unique habitat. Two isolates show the capability to utilize phenolic aldehydes based on building blocks of lignin that are abundant in tropical peatlands, including hydroxyphenyl, guaiacyl and syringyl units. The identification of these isolates by 16S rRNA gene sequence shows that strain S38 is similar to Stenotrophomonas sp., while strain S46 is similar to Burkholderia sp. Further characterization of these isolates shows their ability to degrade 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and vanillin into phenolic acids within 24 hours of incubation and syringaldehyde within 7 days of incubation. In conclusion, these isolated bacteria show the ability to withstand the acidic environment of tropical peatlands and utilize lignin monomers through unknown metabolic pathways.
  13. Inactivation of fungal spores from clinical environment by silver bio-nanoparticles; optimization, artificial neural network model and mechanism
    Noman E, Al-Gheethi A, Saphira Radin Mohamed RM, Talip B, Othman N, Hossain S, et al.
    Environ Res, 2022 03;204(Pt A):111926.
    PMID: 34461120 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111926
    The present study aimed to assess the efficiency of silver bio-nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in inactivating of the Aspergillus fumigatus, A. parasiticus and A. flavus var. columnaris and A. aculeatus spores. The AgNPs were synthesized in secondary metabolic products of Penicillium pedernalens 604 EAN. The inactivation process was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) as a function of Ag NPs volume (1-10 μL/mL); time (10-120 min); pH (5-8); initial fungal concentrations (log10) (3-6). The artificial neural network (ANN) model was used to understand the behavior of spores for the factors affecting inactivation process. The best conditions to achieved SAL 10-6 of the fungal spores were recorded with 3.46 μl/mL of AgNPs, after 120 min at pH 5 and with 6 log of initial fungal spore concentrations, at which 5.99 vs. 6.09 (SAL 10-6) log reduction was recorded in actual and predicted results respectively with coefficient of 87.00%. The ANN revealed that the timehas major contribution in the inactivation process compare to Ag NPs volume. The fungal spores were totally inactivated (SAL 10-6, 6 log reduction with 99.9999%) after 110 min of the inactivation process, 10 min more was required to insure the irreversible inactivation of the fungal spores. The absence of protease and cellulase enzymes production confirm the total inactivation of the fungal spores. FESEM analysis revealed that the AgNPs which penetrated the fungal spores leading to damage and deform the fungal spore morphology. The AFM analysis confirmed the total spore surface damage. The bands in the range of the Raman spectroscopy from 1300 to 1600 cm-1 in the inactivated spores indicate the presence of CH3, CH2 and the deformation of lipids released outside the spore cytoplasm. These finding indicate that the AgNPs has high potential as a green alternative inactivation process for the airborne fungal spores.
  14. Probiotic inhibits oral carcinogenesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
    Wan Mohd Kamaluddin WNF, Rismayuddin NAR, Ismail AF, Mohamad Aidid E, Othman N, Mohamad NAH, et al.
    Arch Oral Biol, 2020 Oct;118:104855.
    PMID: 32801092 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2020.104855
    OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to investigate the effects if probiotics can inhibit oral carcinogenesis.

    DESIGN: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PLOS databases were searched up to February 2020 to identify randomised controlled trials that fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tool was used for quality assessment of articles. This review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA-P) 2015 protocol guidelines.

    RESULT: The initial search retrieved 774 articles. Of these, only five articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. Two out of the five papers were further analysed for quantitative synthesis in meta-analysis. The majority of the included studies were found to be of "moderate quality". The qualitative synthesis found four probiotics that exhibited potential therapeutic effects in oral carcinogenesis, includingAcetobacter syzygii, AJ2, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus salivarius REN. Among them, the application of L. salivarius REN resulted in a 95 % lower risk for developing oral cancer (p 

  15. Whole-Exome Sequencing of ETV6/RUNX1 in Four Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Cases
    Zakaria Z, Othman N, Ismail A, Kamaluddin NR, Esa E, Abdul Rahman EJ, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2017 04 01;18(4):1169-1175.
    PMID: 28548470
    Background: ETV6/RUNX1 gene fusion is the most frequently seen chromosomal abnormality in childhood acute
    lymphobastic leukamia (ALL). However, additional genetic changes are known to be required for the development of
    this type of leukaemia. Therefore, we here aimed to assess the somatic mutational profile of four ALL cases carrying the
    ETV6/RUNX1 fusion gene using whole-exome sequencing. Methods: DNA was isolated from bone marrow samples
    using a QIAmp DNA Blood Mini kit and subsequently sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq system. Results: We
    identified 12,960 to17,601 mutations in each sample, with a total of 16,466 somatic mutations in total. Some 15,533
    variants were single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 129 were substitutions, 415 were insertions and 389 were
    deletions. When taking into account the coding region and protein impact, 1,875 variants were synonymous and 1,956
    were non-synonymous SNPs. Among non-synonymous SNPs, 1,862 were missense, 13 nonsense, 35 frameshifts, 11
    nonstop, 3 misstart, 15 splices disrupt and 17 in-frame indels. A total of 86 variants were located in leukaemia-related
    genes of which 32 variants were located in the coding regions of GLI2, SP140, GATA2, SMAD5, KMT2C, CDH17,
    CDX2, FLT3, PML and MOV10L1. Conclusions: Detection and identification of secondary genetic alterations are
    important in identifying new therapeutic targets and developing rationally designed treatment regimens with less
    toxicity in ALL patients.
  16. Fulltext Self-Learning about Herbal and Dietary Supplements: Perspectives Using the Theoretical Domains Framework
    Abd Wahab MS, Wan Ismail WNS, Ali AA, Ibrahim N, Othman N, Mohd Nor Hazalin NA, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Sep 01;19(17).
    PMID: 36078618 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710901
    Background: Self-learning (SL) is a process in which individuals take the initiative to acquire knowledge with or without the help of others. Knowledge about herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) is important for pharmacists. Unfortunately, there is limited coverage of topics relating to HDS in the pharmacy curricula. The present focus group study applies the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore pharmacy students' practices and beliefs regarding SL about HDS (SL-HDS). Methods: Focus group interviews (FGIs) were conducted between April and May 2019 among a sample of undergraduate pharmacy students at a public university (n = 20). Four FGI sessions were conducted, each lasting about 60 to 75 min, and all the sessions were audio-recorded. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Beliefs about SL-HDS were categorised into 12 domains based on the TDF. Students showed positive attitudes towards SL-HDS and agreed that their involvement in SL-HDS was instrumental in improving their knowledge about various aspects of HDS including indications, adverse effects, and HDS-drug interactions. Various facilitators and barriers influencing students' participation in SL-HDS were uncovered (e.g., access to the internet, time, availability of reference resources). The students demanded to be equipped with critical appraisal skills, as they had limited confidence in assessing literature or information about HDS. Conclusion: This study revealed that the students saw the benefits of SL-HDS. They also perceived that engaging in SL-HDS is compatible with the role of pharmacy students. The findings showed students' readiness and willingness to conduct SL-HDS.
  17. Fulltext Removal of Cationic Dyes by Iron Modified Silica/Polyurethane Composite: Kinetic, Isotherm and Thermodynamic Analyses, and Regeneration via Advanced Oxidation Process
    Ahmad A, Jamil SNAM, Choong TSY, Abdullah AH, Faujan NH, Adeyi AA, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2022 Dec 10;14(24).
    PMID: 36559783 DOI: 10.3390/polym14245416
    Emerging dye pollution from textile industrial effluents is becoming more challenging for researchers worldwide. The contamination of water by dye effluents affects the living organisms in an ecosystem. Methylene blue (MB) and malachite green (MG) are soluble dyes with a high colour intensity even at low concentration and are hazardous to living organisms. The adsorption method is used in most wastewater plants for the removal of organic pollutants as it is cost-effective, has a high adsorption capacity, and good mechanical stabilities. In this study, a composite adsorbent was prepared by impregnating iron modified silica (FMS) onto polyurethane (PU) foam to produce an iron modified silica/polyurethane (FMS/PU) composite. The composite adsorbent was utilised in batch adsorption of the cationic dyes MB and MG. The effect of adsorption parameters such as the adsorbent load, pH, initial dye concentration, and contact time were discussed. Adsorption kinetics and isotherm were implemented to understand the adsorption mechanism for both dyes. It was found that the adsorption of MB and MG followed the pseudo-second order model. The Langmuir model showed a better fit than the Freundlich model for the adsorption of MB and MG, indicating that the adsorption occurred via the monolayer adsorption system. The maximum adsorption capacity of the FMS/PU obtained for MB was 31.7 mg/g, while for MG, it was 34.3 mg/g. The thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption of MB and MG were exothermic and spontaneous at room temperature. In addition, the regeneration of FMS/PU was conducted to investigate the composite efficiency in adsorbing dyes for several cycles. The results showed that the FMS/PU composite could be regenerated up to four times when the regeneration efficiency dropped drastically to less than 20.0%. The impregnation of FMS onto PU foam also minimised the adsorbent loss into the environment.
  18. First report on metabarcoding analysis of gut microbiome in Island Flying Fox (Pteropushypomelanus) in island populations of Malaysia
    Mohd-Yusof NS, Abdul-Latiff MAB, Mohd-Ridwan AR, Badrulisham AS, Othman N, Yaakop S, et al.
    Biodivers Data J, 2022;10:e69631.
    PMID: 36761502 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.10.e69631
    Flying fox (Pteropushypomelanus) belongs to the frugivorous bats, which play a crucial role in maintaining proper functioning of an ecosystem and conservation of the environment. Bats are well-known carriers of pathogenic viruses, such as BatCov RaTG13 from the coronavirus family that share 90.55% with SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen causing recent global pandemic coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). However, bats' possible role as a carrier of pathogenic bacteria is less explored. Here, using metabarcoding analysis through high-throughput sequencing, we explored the gut microbiome composition of different island populations on the east and west coasts of Peninsula Malaysia. The 16S rRNA gene in samples from Redang Island, Langkawi Island, Pangkor Island and Tinggi Island was amplified. Bacterial community composition and structure were analysed with α and β diversity metrics. A total of 25,658 operational taxonomic units at 97% similarity were assigned to eight phyla, 44 families, 61 genera and 94 species of microbes. The Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum in all populations. Meanwhile, the genera Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella, isolated in this study, were previously found in the rectum of other fruit bats. Our analyses suggest that Redang Island and Langkawi Island have high bacteria diversity. Thus, we found geographic locality is a strong predictor of microbial community composition and observed a positive correlation between ecological features and bacterial richness.
  19. The phenotypes and genotypes associated with biofilm formation among methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates collected from a tertiary hospital in Terengganu, Malaysia
    Jones SU, Chew CH, Yeo CC, Abdullah FH, Othman N, Kee BP, et al.
    Int Microbiol, 2023 Nov;26(4):841-849.
    PMID: 36805382 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00335-3
    Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) is an important nosocomial pathogen worldwide. This study aims to investigate the in vitro biofilm-forming ability of clinical MSSA isolated from various sources in the main public tertiary referral hospital in Terengganu, Malaysia and to detect the presence of biofilm-associated and regulatory genes among these isolates. A total of 104 MSSA isolates [pus (n = 75), blood (n = 24), respiratory secretions (n = 2), eye (n = 2), and urine (n = 1)] were investigated for slime production and biofilm formation using Congo red agar and crystal violet microtitre plate, respectively. Fifteen MSSA isolates with varying degrees of biofilm formation were selected for validation via a real-time cell analyser. All isolates were screened for microbial surface components recognising adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMM) and accessory gene regulator (agr) using polymerase chain reaction assay. A total of 76.0% (79/104) isolates produced slime layer, while all isolates developed biofilm as follows: 52.8% (55/104) strong biofilm producers, 40.4% (42/104) intermediate biofilm producers, and 6.7% (7/104) weak biofilm producers. A total of 98.1% (102/104) isolates carried at least one of the screened MSCRAMM gene(s) with the eno gene detected at the highest rate (87.5%, 91/104), while the sasG gene was significantly associated with strong biofilm production (p = 0.015). Three agr groups, 1, 2, and 3, were detected among the MSSA isolates with a predominance of agr-3 (32.7%, 34/104). In conclusion, biofilm formation varied greatly among clinical MSSA isolates, and the presence of sasG gene and agr-1 may play important role in initiating MSSA infections via biofilm formation.
  20. Fulltext The Promise of the Zebrafish Model for Parkinson's Disease: Today's Science and Tomorrow's Treatment
    Razali K, Othman N, Mohd Nasir MH, Doolaanea AA, Kumar J, Ibrahim WN, et al.
    Front Genet, 2021;12:655550.
    PMID: 33936174 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.655550
    The second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly is Parkinson's disease (PD). Its etiology is unclear and there are no available disease-modifying medicines. Therefore, more evidence is required concerning its pathogenesis. The use of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is the basis of most animal models of PD. MPTP is metabolized by monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) to MPP + and induces the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra in mammals. Zebrafish have been commonly used in developmental biology as a model organism, but owing to its perfect mix of properties, it is now emerging as a model for human diseases. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are cheap and easy to sustain, evolve rapidly, breed transparent embryos in large amounts, and are readily manipulated by different methods, particularly genetic ones. Furthermore, zebrafish are vertebrate species and mammalian findings obtained from zebrafish may be more applicable than those derived from genetic models of invertebrates such as Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. The resemblance cannot be taken for granted, however. The goal of the present review article is to highlight the promise of zebrafish as a PD animal model. As its aminergic structures, MPTP mode of action, and PINK1 roles mimic those of mammalians, zebrafish seems to be a viable model for studying PD. The roles of zebrafish MAO, however, vary from those of the two types of MAO present in mammals. The benefits unique to zebrafish, such as the ability to perform large-scale genetic or drug screens, should be exploited in future experiments utilizing zebrafish PD models.
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