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Fulltext Investigation of the fluid motion with various clearances in biodiesel reactor by using CFD

Isa, N. M., Mohamad Rushdi, R.A., A. Sadikin, Basharie, S.M.

Journal of Advanced Research Design, 2016;10(1):1-8.
MyJurnal

A method based on Computational Fluids Dynamics (CFD) was used to analyse the flow
behaviour in the Biodiesel reactor with 6-blade at 45° pitch blade turbines. The study, which was based
on the turbulent flow, had been associated with three sizes of the blades installed in the reactor by using
the standard k-ε turbulence model. The study also included the pitch blade turbines that were installed
at three clearances from the bottom in the reactor by using the standard k-ε turbulence model. The
results showed that the flow behaviours differed for the three various locations, which were installed at
C=T/4, C=T/2, and C=3T/4 for D=T/3. The results also showed that the flow behaviour had been
different for the three impeller diameters installed at C=T/4. Besides, good quantitative agreement for
velocity distribution was obtained. Good velocity distribution in the reactor was produced by D=T/3.
Moreover, a comparison between the three impeller diameters in terms of velocity distribution
suggested that the discharge flow from the smaller impeller had stronger axial flow during the mixing
process.
Methylene blue dye removal on silver nanoparticles reduced by Kyllinga brevifolia

Isa N, Lockman Z

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Apr;26(11):11482-11495.
PMID: 30806934 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04583-7

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by reacting Kyllinga brevifolia extract (KBE) with AgNO3 aqueous solution at room temperature (22 ± 3 °C). The phytochemical constituents in KBE responsible for the reduction process were identified as carbohydrate, protein, and plant sterols (stigmasterol and campesterol). KBE was also found to function as a capping agent for stabilization of AgNPs. The AgNPs were stable at room temperature and had a quasi-spherical shape with an average particle size 22.3 nm. The use of KBE offers not only eco-friendly and non-pathogenic path for AgNPs formation, it also induced rapid formation of the AgNPs. Methylene blue (MB) removal was then done on the AgNPs in the presence of either KBE or NaBH4. Ninety-three percent removal of MB was achieved with a rate of reaction 0.2663 min-1 in the solution with KBE+AgNPs (pH 2). However, in NaBH4+AgNPs system, 100% MB removal was achieved at pH 8-10. The reaction rate was 2.5715 min-1 indicating a fast removal rate of MB dye. The process of reduction occurs via electron relay effect whereas in KBE+AgNPs system, sedimentation occurred along with the reduction process. Nevertheless, the use of KBE+AgNPs system is preferred as the reducing agent is more benign to the environment.
Fulltext Diagnostic challenges in fine needle aspiration cytology of salivary gland lesions

Ameli F, Baharoom A, Md Isa N, Noor Akmal S

Malays J Pathol, 2015 Apr;37(1):11-8.
PMID: 25890608 MyJurnal

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been widely accepted as a safe method for diagnosis of salivary gland lesions and its accuracy is increased with increasing the experience of the physician. This study was conducted to examine the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNAC of salivary gland lesions by cyto-histological correlation and to identify the discrepancies that contribute to false diagnoses.
Assessment of Fasciola and Paramphistomes co-infection in large ruminants through faecal egg counts around Taiping, Malaysia

Che-Kamaruddin N, Isa NMM

Trop Biomed, 2023 Sep 01;40(3):344-350.
PMID: 37897168 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.3.011

Emerging cases of Fasciola and Paramphistomes co-infection have been reported, especially in tropical regions. Thisis due to Fasciola and Paramphistomes sharing biological factors which influence the pattern of transmission, especially in faecal egg shedding due to interaction and competition in the definitive host. Most reports surveyed the occurrence of fasciolosis in ruminants with a lack of observation of faecal egg distribution. Therefore, present study is aimed to assess the distribution of Fasciola and Paramphistomes faecal egg count (fec) in co-infected large ruminants in Larut, Matang, and Selama areas (Taiping). A total of 371 faecal samples were collected at random from 23 ruminant herds. Flukefinder® sedimentation was used to quantify the Fasciola and Paramphistomes eggs. Descriptive analyses were performed to determine the prevalence of co-infections, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to correlate the fec. Overall, the prevalence of Fasciola and Paramphistomes co-infection was 23.7% (n=89/371) in Taiping. Prevalence of paramphistomosis was always higher than fasciolosis in overall and single infection, with 46.9% (n=174/371) and 22.9% (n=85/371) compared to 36.9% (n=137/371) and 12.9% (n=48/371) respectively. Egg per gram (epg) of both parasites were positively skewed with a median of 1.5 epg in fasciolosis and 10.5 epg in paramphistomosis. Spearman correlation analysis of the epg in co-infected bovine was found to have a moderately positive correlation with rs=0.39 (p-value<0.01). The recent study observed a moderate prevalence of Fasciola and Paramphistomes coinfection in a large ruminant population from Taiping, with the prevalence of paramphistomosis being higher than fasciolosis. Hence, this suggests that infection with one of these parasites increases the chance of infection with another. There is a need to integrate fec in parasite surveillance to monitor the trend of parasite transmission. Findings in the present study could tailor control strategies, especially for fasciolosis to limit the economic loss and prevent zoonotic transmission.
Cribriform carcinoma arising in a benign phyllodes tumor

Shaaya ES, Rosli N, M D Isa N

J Res Med Sci, 2023;28:16.
PMID: 37064790 DOI: 10.4103/jrms.jrms_640_22
Fulltext The Anti-Inflammatory, Phytoestrogenic, and Antioxidative Role of Labisia pumila in Prevention of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Nadia ME, Nazrun AS, Norazlina M, Isa NM, Norliza M, Ima Nirwana S

Adv Pharmacol Sci, 2012;2012:706905.
PMID: 22611381 DOI: 10.1155/2012/706905

Osteoporosis is characterized by skeletal degeneration with low bone mass and destruction of microarchitecture of bone tissue which is attributed to various factors including inflammation. Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men due to reduction in estrogen during menopause which leads to decline in bone-formation and increase in bone-resorption activity. Estrogen is able to suppress production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-7, and TNF-α. This is why these cytokines are elevated in postmenopausal women. Studies have shown that estrogen reduction is able to stimulate focal inflammation in bone. Labisia pumila (LP) which is known to exert phytoestrogenic effect can be used as an alternative to ERT which can produce positive effects on bone without causing side effects. LP contains antioxidant as well as exerting anti-inflammatory effect which can act as free radical scavenger, thus inhibiting TNF-α production and COX-2 expression which leads to decline in RANKL expression, resulting in reduction in osteoclast activity which consequently reduces bone loss. Hence, it is the phytoestrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties that make LP an effective agent against osteoporosis.
Fulltext The prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to various definitions and hypertriglyceridemic-waist in Malaysian adults

Zainuddin LR, Isa N, Muda WM, Mohamed HJ

Int J Prev Med, 2011 Oct;2(4):229-37.
PMID: 22174962

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome can be diagnosed according to several different criteria such as the latest International Diabetes Federation (IDF), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Program III (NCEP ATPIII), and World Health Organization (WHO). The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the concordance between the above mentioned definition, and hypertriglyceridemic-waist criteria.
METHODS: This cross sectional study was done in Bachok, Malaysia and involved 298 respondents aged between 18 to 70 years. Multistage random sampling method was used to identify study locations while convenient random sampling method was applied to select individuals. Hypertriglyceridemic waist was defined from an internationally acceptable cut-off criterion. Kappa statistic (κ test) was used to determine the concordance between various definitions and hypertriglyceridemic-waist.
RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome based on different definitions was 32.2% (IDF), 28.5% (NCEP ATP III) and 12.4% (modified WHO). The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemic-waist was 19.7% and based on the IDF criteria a total of 97.5% participants with hypertriglyceridemic-waist had metabolic syndrome. The IDF criteria showed the highest concordance with NCEP ATPIII criteria (κ = 0.63), followed by hypertriglyceridemic-waist criteria (κ = 0.62) and WHO criteria (κ = 0.26).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was highest using the IDF criteria compared to NCEP ATPIII, modified WHO and hypertriglyceridemic-waist. There was a good concordance of IDF criteria with NCEP ATP III and hypertriglyceridemic-waist criteria.
KEYWORDS: Hypertriglyceridemic-waist; Malaysia; Metabolic syndrome
Fulltext Hurthle cells in fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid: a potential diagnostic dilemma?

Wong YP, Md Isa N, Md Zin RR, Noor Akmal S

Malays J Pathol, 2015 Apr;37(1):49-52.
PMID: 25890614 MyJurnal

Hurthle cells are not uncommonly encountered in thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) smears. They are easily recognized by their distinct cytomorphology in cytological preparations, i.e. large, polygonal cells displaying uniform, rounded nuclei, often prominent nucleoli and abundant granular cytoplasm. Hurthle cells can be seen in both non-neoplastic and neoplastic thyroid lesions which can pose diagnostic dilemma to cytopathologists, especially when the lesions are focally sampled. We describe a case of solitary thyroid nodule in a 46-year-old male, whose aspirates comprised predominantly of Hurthle cells exhibiting nuclear features suspicious of papillary carcinoma, which turned out to be Hurthle cell carcinoma on subsequent histological sections. The potential diagnostic pitfalls of Hurthle cell lesions and associated conditions in thyroid FNA are discussed. The presence of Hurthle cell change in a wide variety of thyroid lesions can be diagnostically challenging. However, accurate diagnosis can still be made with careful observation of the predominant cell population, nuclear features and whether there is abundant colloid or lymphocytes in the background.
Phytochemical and anti-inflammatory properties of Scurrula ferruginea (Jack) Danser parasitising on three different host plants elucidated by NMR-based metabolomics

Hong X, Mat Isa N, Fakurazi S, Safinar Ismail I

Phytochem Anal, 2020 Jan;31(1):15-27.
PMID: 31243835 DOI: 10.1002/pca.2861

INTRODUCTION: Scurrula ferruginea (Jack) Danser is a hemi-parasitic shrub that is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine.
OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the anti-inflammatory activity of S. ferruginea parasitising on three different hosts of Vitex negundo L., Micromelum minutum (G. Forst.) Wight & Arn. and Tecoma stans (L.) Juss ex HBK., as well as, to determine the metabolite differences related to their anti-inflammatory properties.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two plant parts of S. ferruginea, stems and leaves, were extracted in water. The freeze-dried stem of S. ferruginea grown on T. stans was liquid-liquid partitioned into several solvents. Their potential anti-inflammatory activity was assessed via inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The metabolite variation was examined using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H-NMR) combined with multivariate data analysis (MVDA).
RESULTS: Scurrula ferruginea stems parasitising on T. stans and V. negundo which were freeze dried exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 values of 114.47 ± 2.96 and 118.87 ± 2.31 μg/mL, respectively. The mid-polar ethyl acetate fraction of S. ferruginea hosted on T. stans displayed the highest NO inhibition with 84.80 ± 0.45% at 200 μg/mL. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated notable and clear discriminations among the different plant parts and host plants based on the identified metabolites. Furthermore, partial least squares (PLS) regression model suggested the anti-inflammatory bioactivity might be associated with the presence of choline, isoleucine, catechin, leucine and chlorogenic acid.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests S. ferruginea could serve as a potential anti-inflammatory agent, highlighting the importance of T. stans as the host plant.
Fulltext Concurrent Double Primary Tumours: Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Cervical Epithelioid Angiosarcoma

Lum SG, Mahmud N, Isa N, Mat Baki M

Medeni Med J, 2020;35(4):349-355.
PMID: 33717629 DOI: 10.5222/MMJ.2020.83479

Angiosarcoma is one of the rarest types of malignant vascular tumours that involved the head and neck region. It predominantly affects the scalp and superficial soft tissues. Angiosarcoma arising from the deep cervical soft tissue is extremely rare. There is a limited literature on neck angiosarcoma that occurred simultaneously with papillary thyroid carcinoma. We report a rare case of concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma and cervical epithelioid angiosarcoma, and postoperative rapid progression of residual angiosarcoma that mimicked a neck haematoma. The diagnostic challenge and possible etiologies have been discussed here.
Diagnostic performance of prostate health index (PHI) in predicting prostate cancer on prostate biopsy

Othman H, Abu Yamin AH, Md Isa N, Bahadzor B, Syed Zakaria SZ

Malays J Pathol, 2020 Aug;42(2):209-214.
PMID: 32860373

INTRODUCTION: Prostate health index (PHI) has been shown to have better diagnostic accuracy in predicting prostate cancer (PCa) in men with total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels between 4-10ng/ml. However, little is known of its value in men with elevated PSA beyond this range. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of PHI in Malaysian men with elevated PSA values ≤ 20ng/ml.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2015 to August 2016, all men consecutively undergoing transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy with total PSA values ≤ 20ng/ ml were recruited. Blood samples were taken immediately before undergoing prostate biopsy. The performance of total PSA, %fPSA, %p2PSA and PHI in determining the presence of PCa on prostate biopsy were compared.
RESULTS: PCa was diagnosed in 25 of 84 patients (29.7%). %p2PSA and PHI values were significantly higher (p<0.05) in patients with PCa than those without PCa. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for total PSA, %fPSA, %p2PSA and PHI were 0.558, 0.560, 0.734 and 0.746, respectively. At 90% sensitivity, the specificity of PHI (42.4%) was five times better than total PSA (8.5%) and two times better than %fPSA (20.3%). By utilising PHI cut-off >22.52, 27 of 84 (32.1%) patients could have avoided undergoing biopsy.
CONCLUSION: Findings of our study support the potential clinical effectiveness of PHI in predicting PCa in a wider concentration range of total PSA up to 20ng/ml.
Fulltext The modulatory effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on endogenous antioxidant systems and inflammatory markers in an acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxic mice model

Karthivashan G, Kura AU, Arulselvan P, Md Isa N, Fakurazi S

PeerJ, 2016;4:e2127.
PMID: 27441110 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2127

N-Acetyl-p-Aminophenol (APAP), also known as acetaminophen, is the most commonly used over-the counter analgesic and antipyretic medication. However, its overdose leads to both liver and kidney damage. APAP-induced toxicity is considered as one of the primary causes of acute liver failure; numerous scientific reports have focused majorly on APAP hepatotoxicity. Alternatively, not many works approach APAP nephrotoxicity focusing on both its mechanisms of action and therapeutic exploration. Moringa oleifera (MO) is pervasive in nature, is reported to possess a surplus amount of nutrients, and is enriched with several bioactive candidates including trace elements that act as curatives for various clinical conditions. In this study, we evaluated the nephro-protective potential of MO leaf extract against APAP nephrotoxicity in male Balb/c mice. A single-dose acute oral toxicity design was implemented in this study. Group 2, 3, 4 and 5 received a toxic dose of APAP (400 mg/kg of bw, i.p) and after an hour, these groups were administered with saline (10 mL/kg), silymarin-positive control (100 mg/kg of bw, i.p), MO leaf extract (100 mg/kg of bw, i.p), and MO leaf extract (200 mg/kg bw, i.p) respectively. Group 1 was administered saline (10 mL/kg) during both the sessions. APAP-treated mice exhibited a significant elevation of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium and chloride levels. A remarkable depletion of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT and GSH-Px with elevated MDA levels has been observed in APAP treated kidney tissues. They also exhibited a significant rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and decreased anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine level in the kidney tissues. Disorganized glomerulus and dilated tubules with inflammatory cell infiltration were clearly observed in the histology of APAP treated mice kidneys. All these pathological changes were reversed in a dose-dependent manner after MO leaf extract treatment. Therefore, MO leaf extract has demonstrated some therapeutic effectiveness against APAP-induced nephrotoxicity through enhancement of the endogenous antioxidant system and a modulatory effect on specific inflammatory cytokines in kidney tissues.
Gleason scores in prostate needle biopsy and prostatectomy specimens in prostatic adenocarcinoma: A correlation study

Awang A, Md Isa N, Yunus R, Azhar Shah S, Md Pauzi SH

Malays J Pathol, 2019 Dec;41(3):253-257.
PMID: 31901909

INTRODUCTION: Gleason scoring (GS) categorised prostatic adenocarcinoma into five prognostic grade groups (PGGs); associated with different prognosis and treatment. This study aims to correlate between Gleason scores of needle biopsies with the corresponding total prostatectomy specimens, and to assess the relationship between the percentage of Gleason 4 tumour pattern (GP4) within Gleason score 7 (GS7) needle biopsy groups with the pathological staging.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight specimens of needle prostate biopsy and its subsequent radical prostatectomy were retrospectively studied. The GSs of the needle biopsy were compared with the corresponding prostatectomy specimens. The percentage of GP4 in GS7 needle biopsy groups was calculated and correlated with the pathological staging.
RESULTS: More than half (60%) of GS 6 needle biopsy cases (PGG 1) were upgraded in the prostatectomy specimen, while the majority (80%) of the GS7 needle biopsy groups (PGG 2 and 3) remain unchanged. Cohen's Kappa shows fair agreement in the Gleason scoring between needle biopsies and prostatectomy specimens, K = 0.324 (95% CI, 6.94 to 7.29), p <0.0005 and in the percentage of GP4 in GS7 needle biopsy groups and their corresponding radical prostatectomy specimens, K = 0.399 (95% CI 34.2 - 49.2), p<0.0005. A significant relationship was seen between the percentage of GP4 in GS7 needle biopsy with the pT and pN stage of its radical prostatectomy (p = 0.008 and p=0.001 respectively).
CONCLUSION: A higher percentage of GP4 in GS7 tumour is associated with worse tumour behaviour, therefore it is crucial for clinicians to realise this in deciding the optimal treatment.
Studies of surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles reduced by aqueous extract of shortleaf spikesedge and their catalytic activity

Isa N, Osman MS, Abdul Hamid H, Inderan V, Lockman Z

Int J Phytoremediation, 2023;25(5):658-669.
PMID: 35858487 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2022.2099345

This study describes the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using shortleaf spikesedge extract (SSE) to reduce AgNO3. Visual observation, in addition to analyses of UV-vis, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and TEM was employed to monitor the formation of AgNPs. The effects of SSE concentration, AgNO3 concentration, reaction time, pH, and temperature on the synthesis of AgNPs were studied based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band. From the TEM image, highly-scattered AgNPs of quasi-spherical shape with an average particle size of 17.64 nm, were observed. For the catalytic study, the reduction of methylene blue (MB) was evaluated using two systems. A detailed batch study of the removal efficiency (%RE) and kinetics was done at an ambient temperature, various MB initial concentrations, and varying reaction time. Employing the electron relay effect in System 2, the batch study clearly highlighted the significant role of AgNPs in boosting the catalytic activity for MB removal. At 30-100 mg/L initial concentrations, MB was reduced by 100% in a very short reaction time between 1.5 and 5.0 mins. The kinetic data best fitted the pseudo-first-order model with a maximum reaction rate of 2.5715 min-1. These findings suggest the promising application of AgNPs in dye wastewater treatment.The SSE-driven AgNPs were prepared using unwanted dried biomass of shortleaf spikesedge extract (SSE) as a reducing as well as stabilizing agent. Employing the electron relay effect, the batch study clearly highlighted the significant role of SSE-driven AgNPs in boosting the catalytic activity for MB removal. At 30-100 mg/L initial concentrations, MB was reduced by 100% in a very short reaction time between 1.5 and 5.0 mins. In this sense, SSE-driven AgNPs acted as an electron relay point that behaves alternatively as acceptor and donor of electrons. The findings revealed the good catalytic performance of SSE-driven AgNPS, proving their viability for dye wastewater treatment.
Free-living ciliates in CSF of a patient with meningoencephalitis: a contaminant?

Isa NH, Sulaiman S, Shahid MS, Rose IM, Eugene CB

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1994 Mar;25(1):212-4.
PMID: 7825018
Fulltext Alcohol Dependence Modulates Amygdalar mTORC2 and PKCε Expression in a Rodent Model

Hanim A, Mohamed IN, Mohamed RMP, Mokhtar MH, Makpol S, Naomi R, et al.

Nutrients, 2023 Jul 05;15(13).
PMID: 37447362 DOI: 10.3390/nu15133036

Multiple alcohol use disorder (AUD)-related behavioral alterations are governed by protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), particularly in the amygdala. Protein kinase C (PKC) is readily phosphorylated at Ser729 before activation by the mTORC2 protein complex. In keeping with this, the current study was conducted to assess the variations in mTORC2 and PKCε during different ethanol exposure stages. The following groups of rats were employed: control, acute, chronic, ethanol withdrawal (EW), and EW + ethanol (EtOH). Ethanol-containing and non-ethanol-containing modified liquid diets (MLDs) were administered for 27 days. On day 28, either saline or ethanol (2.5 g/kg, 20% v/v) was intraperitoneally administered, followed by bilateral amygdala extraction. PKCε mRNA levels were noticeably increased in the amygdala of the EW + EtOH and EW groups. Following chronic ethanol consumption, the stress-activated map kinase-interacting protein 1 (Sin1) gene expression was markedly decreased. In the EW, EW + EtOH, and chronic ethanol groups, there was a profound increase in the protein expression of mTOR, Sin1, PKCε, and phosphorylated PKCε (Ser729). The PKCε gene and protein expressions showed a statistically significant moderate association, according to a correlation analysis. Our results suggest that an elevated PKCε protein expression in the amygdala during EW and EW + EtOH occurred at the transcriptional level. However, an elevation in the PKCε protein expression, but not its mRNA, after chronic ethanol intake warrants further investigation to fully understand the signaling pathways during different episodes of AUD.
Image Cytometry Data From Breast Lesions Analyzed using Hybrid Networks

Mat Sakim HA, Mat Isa NA, G Naguib R, Sherbet G

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc, 2007 2 7;2005:2059-62.
PMID: 17282632

The treatment and therapy to be administered on breast cancer patients are dependent on the stage of the disease at time of diagnosis. It is therefore crucial to determine the stage at the earliest time possible. Tumor dissemination to axillary lymph nodes has been regarded as an indication of tumor aggression, thus the stage of the disease. Neural networks have been employed in many applications including breast cancer prognosis. The performance of the networks have often been quoted based on accuracy and mean squared error. In this paper, the performance of hybrid networks based on Multilayer Perceptron and Radial Basis Function networks to predict axillary lymph node involvement have been investigated. A measurement of how confident the networks are with respect to the results produced is also proposed. The input layer of the networks include four image cytometry features extracted from fine needle aspiration of breast lesions. The highest accuracy achieved by the hybrid networks was 69% only. However, most of the correctly predicted cases had a high confidence level.
Boer goats appear to lack a functional IgA and eosinophil response against natural nematode infection

Basripuzi NH, Salisi MS, Isa NMM, Busin V, Cairns C, Jenvey C, et al.

Vet Parasitol, 2018 Dec 15;264:18-25.
PMID: 30503086 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.10.014

Gastrointestinal nematode infection is one of the major diseases affecting small ruminants. Although some breeds of goats are quite resistant, many breeds of goats are relatively susceptible. This study used a combined parasitological, immunological, bioinformatic and statistical approach to examine the role of goat IgA and eosinophils in protection against Teladorsagia circumcincta. Molecular modelling suggested that the transmembrane domain of the high affinity IgA receptor was dysfunctional in goats. Statistical analyses failed to find any association in naturally infected goats between high IgA or eosinophil responses and low faecal egg counts. Together these results indicate that IgA and eosinophil responses against T. circumcincta are less effective in goats than sheep.
Fulltext Genome sequencing and analysis of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Stanley UPM 517: Insights on its virulence-associated elements and their potentials as vaccine candidates

Ashari KS, Roslan NS, Omar AR, Bejo MH, Ideris A, Mat Isa N

PeerJ, 2019;7:e6948.
PMID: 31293824 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6948

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Stanley (S. Stanley) is a pathogen that contaminates food, and is related to Salmonella outbreaks in a variety of hosts such as humans and farm animals through products like dairy items and vegetables. Despite the fact that several vaccines of Salmonella strains had been constructed, none of them were developed according to serovar Stanley up to this day. This study presents results of genome sequencing and analysis on our S. Stanley UPM 517 strain taken from fecal swabs of 21-day-old healthy commercial chickens in Perak, Malaysia and used Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 (S. Typhimurium LT2) as a reference to be compared with. First, sequencing and assembling of the Salmonella Stanley UPM 517 genome into a contiguous form were done. The work was then continued with scaffolding and gap filling. Annotation and alignment of the draft genome was performed with S. Typhimurium LT2. The other elements of virulence estimated in this study included Salmonella pathogenicity islands, resistance genes, prophages, virulence factors, plasmid regions, restriction-modification sites and the CRISPR-Cas system. The S. Stanley UPM 517 draft genome had a length of 4,736,817 bp with 4,730 coding sequence and 58 RNAs. It was discovered via genomic analysis on this strain that there were antimicrobial resistance properties toward a wide variety of antibiotics. Tcf and ste, the two fimbrial virulence clusters related with human and broiler intestinal colonizations which were not found in S. Typhimurium LT2, were atypically discovered in the S. Stanley UPM 517 genome. These clusters are involved in the intestinal colonization of human and broilers, respectively. There were seven Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) within the draft genome, which contained the virulence factors associated with Salmonella infection (except SPI-14). Five intact prophage regions, mostly comprising of the protein encoding Gifsy-1, Fels-1, RE-2010 and SEN34 prophages, were also encoded in the draft genome. Also identified were Type I-III restriction-modification sites and the CRISPR-Cas system of the Type I-E subtype. As this strain exhibited resistance toward numerous antibiotics, we distinguished several genes that had the potential for removal in the construction of a possible vaccine candidate to restrain and lessen the pervasiveness of salmonellosis and to function as an alternative to antibiotics.
Dosimetric response of fabricated Ge-doped optical fibres in computed tomography RQT beam quality x-ray beams

Rais NNM, Bradley DA, Hashim A, Isa NM, Osman ND, Ismail I, et al.

J Radiol Prot, 2019 Sep;39(3):N8-N18.
PMID: 31018196 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab1c16

Novel germanium (Ge)-doped silica glass fibres tailor-made in Malaysia are fast gaining recognition as potential media for thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry, with active research ongoing into exploitation of their various beneficial characteristics. Investigation is made herein of the capability of these media for use in diagnostic imaging dosimetry, specifically at the radiation dose levels typically obtained in conduct of Computed Tomography (CT). As a first step within such efforts, there is need to investigate the performance of the fibres using tightly defined spectra, use being made of a Philips constant potential industrial x-ray facility, Model MG165, located at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency Secondary Standards Dosimetry Lab (SSDL). Standard radiation beam qualities (termed RQT) have been established for CT, in accord with IEC 61267: 2003 and IAEA Technical Reports Series No. 457: 2007. A calibrated ionisation chamber has also been utilised, forming a component part of the SSDL equipment. The fabricated fibres used in this study are 2.3 mol% flat fibre (FF) of dimensions 643 × 356 μm2 and 2.3 mol% cylindrical fibre (CF) of 481 μm diameter, while the commercial fibre used is 4 mol% with core diameter of 50 μm. The dopant concentrations are nominal preform values. The fibres have been irradiated to doses of 20, 30 and 40 milligray (mGy) for each of the beam qualities RQT 8, RQT 9 and RQT 10. For x-rays generated at constant potential values from 100 to 150 kV, a discernible energy-dependent response is seen, comparisons being made with that of lithium fluoride (LiF) thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD-100). TL yield versus dose has also been investigated for x-ray doses from 2 to 40 mGy, all exhibiting linearity. Compared to TLD-100, greater sensitivity is observed for the fibres.

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