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Fulltext Effects of temperature on the photosynthetic parameters of antarctic benthic microalgal community

Salleh, S., McMinn, A., Mohammad, M., Yasin, Z., Tan, S.H.A.

ASM Science Journal, 2010;4(1):81-88.
MyJurnal

Elevated temperature affects marine benthic algae by reducing growth and limits the transport of electron or carbon fixation which may reduce the ability of the cell to use light. This resulting excess light energy may cause photoinhibition. In this study, the photosystem II of the benthic microalgal communities from Casey, eastern Antarctic were relatively unaffected by significant changes in temperatures up to 8ºC, along with high PAR level (450 μmol photons m–2 s–1). Similarly, the community was able to photosynthesize as the temperature was reduced to –5ºC. Recovery from saturating and photoinhibiting irradiances was not significantly influenced by temperatures at both –5ºC and 8ºC. These responses were consistent with those recorded by past experiments on Antarctic benthic diatoms and temperate diatoms which showed that climate change did not have a significant impact on the ability of benthic microalgae to recover from photoinhibitory temperature stress.
Speciation of inorganic arsenic and selenium in leachates from landfills in relation to water quality assessment

Yusof AM, Salleh S, Wood AK

Biol Trace Elem Res, 1999;71-72:139-48.
PMID: 10676488

Speciation of arsenic and selenium was carried out on water samples taken from rivers used as water intake points in the vicinity of landfill areas used for land-based waste disposal system. Leachates from these landfill areas may contaminate the river water through underground seepage or overflowing, especially after a heavy downpour. Preconcentration of the chemical species was done using a mixture of ammonium pyrrolidinethiocarbamate-chloroform (APDTC-CHCl3). Because only the reduced forms of both arsenic and selenium species could be extracted by the preconcentrating mixture, suitable reducing agents such as 25% sodium thiosulfate for As(III) and 6M HCl for Se(IV) were used throughout the studies. Care was taken to exclude the interfering elements such as the alkali and alkali earth metals from the inorganic arsenic and selenium species by introducing 12% EDTA solution as the masking agent. The extracted mixture was irradiated in a thermal neutron flux of 4 x 10(12)/cm/s from a TRIGA Mk.II reactor at the Malaysia Institute of Nuclear Technology Research (MINT). Gamma rays of 559 keV and 297 keV from 76As and 75Se, respectively, were used in the quantitative determination of the inorganic species. Mixed standards of As(III) and Se(IV) used in the percentage efficiency procedure were prepared from salts of Analar grade. The water quality evaluation was viewed from the ratio of the inorganic species present.
Fulltext Gene co-expression networks from RNA sequencing of dairy cattle identifies genes and pathways affecting feed efficiency

Salleh SM, Mazzoni G, Løvendahl P, Kadarmideen HN

BMC Bioinformatics, 2018 Dec 17;19(1):513.
PMID: 30558534 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-018-2553-z

BACKGROUND: Selection for feed efficiency is crucial for overall profitability and sustainability in dairy cattle production. Key regulator genes and genetic markers derived from co-expression networks underlying feed efficiency could be included in the genomic selection of the best cows. The present study identified co-expression networks associated with high and low feed efficiency and their regulator genes in Danish Holstein and Jersey cows. RNA-sequencing data from Holstein and Jersey cows with high and low residual feed intake (RFI) and treated with two diets (low and high concentrate) were used. Approximately 26 million and 25 million pair reads were mapped to bovine reference genome for Jersey and Holstein breed, respectively. Subsequently, the gene count expressions data were analysed using a Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) approach. Functional enrichment analysis from Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis (IPA®), ClueGO application and STRING of these modules was performed to identify relevant biological pathways and regulatory genes.
RESULTS: WGCNA identified two groups of co-expressed genes (modules) significantly associated with RFI and one module significantly associated with diet. In Holstein cows, the salmon module with module trait relationship (MTR) = 0.7 and the top upstream regulators ATP7B were involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, steroid biosynthesis, lipid biosynthesis and fatty acid metabolism. The magenta module has been significantly associated (MTR = 0.51) with the treatment diet involved in the triglyceride homeostasis. In Jersey cows, the lightsteelblue1 (MTR = - 0.57) module controlled by IFNG and IL10RA was involved in the positive regulation of interferon-gamma production, lymphocyte differentiation, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity and primary immunodeficiency.
CONCLUSION: The present study provides new information on the biological functions in liver that are potentially involved in controlling feed efficiency. The hub genes and upstream regulators (ATP7b, IFNG and IL10RA) involved in these functions are potential candidate genes for the development of new biomarkers. However, the hub genes, upstream regulators and pathways involved in the co-expressed networks were different in both breeds. Hence, additional studies are required to investigate and confirm these findings prior to their use as candidate genes.
Nested PCR for the rapid detection of TB from pleural fluid at HUKM Malaysia

Salleh SA, Hussin S, Rahman MM

Pak J Biol Sci, 2008 Jul 01;11(13):1728-32.
PMID: 18819627

The aim of the present study is rapid detection of tuberculosis from pleural effusion of suspected patients. Molecular technique Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used for the purpose. A total of 67 pleural fluid collected at Hospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia during May 2005 to October 2006 were sent to Microbiology Laboratory enrolled in the study. Detection rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pleural effusion was 0% by acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining and 1.5% by culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected by PCR in 9% of the cases. PCR of pleural fluid had 19% sensitivity and 96% specificity, compared to AFB staining (0% sensitivity and 100% specificity) and culture (4% sensitivity and 100% specificity). PCR also has 67% Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and 72% Negative Predictive Value (NPV) in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Culture ofpleural fluid has 100% PPV and 71% NPV while AFB staining has 0% PPV and 31% NPV. This preliminary study showed that PCR is a rapid method for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pleural fluid but its sensitivity is not up the marked.
Computer vision syndrome and dry eye symptoms among breastfeeding women

Subri S, Ali AM, Salleh SN

Med J Malaysia, 2024 Mar;79(Suppl 1):128-133.
PMID: 38555897

INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding women are susceptible to musculoskeletal symptoms and hormonal changes that can affect the ocular surface. As exposure to visual display units (VDU) that is known to cause symptoms of dry eye and computer vision syndrome (CVS) is increasing worldwide, including among breastfeeding women, it is unknown whether this group of VDU users would experience CVS more than non-breastfeeding women. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between breastfeeding status and symptoms of CVS and dry eye.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, selfreported CVS and dry eye symptoms were compared between 80 breastfeeding and 72 non-breastfeeding VDU users. Two questionnaires were administered online, which were the CVS-Questionnaire (CVS-Q) and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, to evaluate symptoms of CVS and dry eye, respectively. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare CVS and OSDI scores between groups, while correlations between the scores were analyzed using Spearman's test.
RESULT: Results showed that OSDI scores were significantly higher in the non-breastfeeding group (U = 2263, z-score = - 2.276, p = 0.023), indicating more dry eye symptoms experienced by respondents in this group, while no significant group difference was found in terms of CVS scores (U = 2772, z-score = -0.400, p = 0.689). Additionally, no significant association was observed between breastfeeding status and severity of dry eye symptoms as well as CVS symptoms.
CONCLUSION: This study reported the possible benefit of breastfeeding in reducing dry eye symptoms. The CVS symptoms found in the breastfeeding group were possibly due to VDU usage rather than caused by breastfeeding. Public education on preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of CVS symptoms and ocular dryness among VDU users is essential to improve the quality of life.
Status of Hawksbill Turtle and Green Turtle in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Mohd Salleh S, Mohd Sah SA

Trop Life Sci Res, 2024 Jul;35(2):51-63.
PMID: 39234479 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2024.35.2.3

This paper highlighted the annual distribution, seasonality and reproduction status of two species of sea turtles in Negeri Sembilan, Peninsular Malaysia between January 2016 and July 2020 (55 months). These data were officially provided by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (Negeri Sembilan's state), as a part of a conservation effort made by them to protect the endangered species, as the turtle's population residing in Negeri Sembilan is one of the smallest in Malaysia. Current status shows that the hawksbill turtles, Eretmochelys Imbricata population in Negeri Sembilan is in stable decline with an average of <30 nests per year, and an average of <10 nests per year for the green turtle, Chelonia mydas. The overall sum was 122 nests collected for both species from 2016-2020. This paper updated the status of the hawksbill and green turtle after 30 years from the first study recorded by Mortimer et al. in 1993.
Development, validation and determination of multiclass pesticide residues in cocoa beans using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Zainudin BH, Salleh S, Mohamed R, Yap KC, Muhamad H

Food Chem, 2015 Apr 1;172:585-95.
PMID: 25442595 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.09.123

An efficient and rapid method for the analysis of pesticide residues in cocoa beans using gas and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed, validated and applied to imported and domestic cocoa beans samples collected over 2 years from smallholders and Malaysian ports. The method was based on solvent extraction method and covers 26 pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) of different chemical classes. The recoveries for all pesticides at 10 and 50 μg/kg were in the range of 70-120% with relative standard deviations of less than 20%. Good selectivity and sensitivity were obtained with method limit of quantification of 10 μg/kg. The expanded uncertainty measurements were in the range of 4-25%. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for the routine analysis of pesticide residues in cocoa beans via a monitoring study where 10% of them was found positive for chlorpyrifos, ametryn and metalaxyl.
Enhanced rhamnolipid production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa USM-AR2 via fed-batch cultivation based on maximum substrate uptake rate

Noh NA, Salleh SM, Yahya AR

Lett Appl Microbiol, 2014 Jun;58(6):617-23.
PMID: 24698293 DOI: 10.1111/lam.12236

A fed-batch strategy was established based on the maximum substrate uptake rate (MSUR) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa USM-AR2 grown in diesel to produce rhamnolipid. This strategy matches the substrate feed rates with the substrate demand based on the real-time measurements of dissolved oxygen (DO). The MSUR was estimated by determining the time required for consumption of a known amount of diesel. The MSUR trend paralleled the biomass profile of Ps. aeruginosa USM-AR2, where the MSUR increased throughout the exponential phase indicating active substrate utilization and then decreased when cells entered stationary phase. Rhamnolipid yield on diesel was enhanced from 0·047 (g/g) in batch to 0·110 (g/g) in pulse-pause fed-batch and 0·123 (g/g) in MSUR fed-batch. Rhamnolipid yield on biomass was also improved from 0·421 (g/g) in batch, 3·098 (g/g) in pulse-pause fed-batch to 3·471 (g/g) using MSUR-based strategy. Volumetric productivity increased from 0·029 g l(-1) h(-1) in batch, 0·054 g l(-1) h(-1) in pulse-pause fed-batch to 0·076 g l(-1) h(-1) in MSUR fed-batch.
Fulltext Ergogenic, anti-diabetic and antioxidant attributes of selected Malaysian herbs: characterisation of flavonoids and correlation of functional activities

Sallehuddin, N. A., Azizah Abdul Hamid, Salleh, S. Z., Nazia Abdul Majid, Hani Hafeeza Halim, Nurul Shazini Ramli, et al.

International Food Research Journal, 2020;27(1):197-207.
MyJurnal

In the present work, aqueous ethanolic (60% ethanol) extracts from selected Malaysian herbs
including Murraya koenigii L. Spreng, Lawsonia inermis L., Cosmos caudatus Kunth, Piper
betle L., and P. sarmentosum Roxb. were evaluated for their ergogenic, anti-diabetic and
antioxidant potentials. Results showed that the analysed herbs had ergogenic property and
were able to activate 5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in a concentration dependant
manner. The highest AMPK activation was exhibited by M. koenigii extract which showed no
significant (p > 0.05) difference with green tea (positive control). For anti-diabetic potential,
the highest α-glucosidase inhibition was exhibited by M. koenigii extract with IC50 of 43.35
± 7.5 µg/mL, which was higher than acarbose (positive control). The determinations of free
radical scavenging activity and total phenolics content (TPC) indicated that the analysed herbs
had good antioxidant activity. However, C. caudatus extract showed superior antioxidant
activity with IC50 against free radical and TPC of 21.12 ± 3.20 µg/mL and 221.61 ± 7.49 mg
GAE/g, respectively. RP-HPLC analysis established the presence of flavonoids in the herbs
wherein L. inermis contained the highest flavonoid (catechin, epicatechin, naringin and rutin)
content (668.87 mg/kg of extract). Correlations between the analyses were conducted, and
revealed incoherent trends. Overall, M. koenigii was noted to be the most potent herb for
enhancement of AMPK activity and α-glucosidase inhibition but exhibited moderate antioxidant activity. These results revealed that the selected herbs could be potential sources of
natural ergogenic and anti-diabetic/antioxidant agents due to their rich profile of phenolics.
Further analysis in vivo should be carried out to further elucidate the mechanism of actions of
these herbs as ergogenic aids and anti-diabetic/antioxidant agents.
Comprehensive strategy for pesticide residue analysis in cocoa beans through qualitative and quantitative approach

Zainudin BH, Salleh S, Yaakob AS, Mohamed R

Food Chem, 2021 Aug 06;368:130778.
PMID: 34391100 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130778

Multiresidue quantitative and qualitative screening method for the analysis of pesticide residues in dried cocoa beans was validated and applied to imported and domestic cocoa beans samples. The quantitative method comprises of 15 pesticides while the screening method covers 110 pesticides of different chemical classes. The method was based on modified QuEChERS (Quick Easy Cheap Efficient Rugged Safe) extraction and detection using triple quadrupole (QQQ-MS) and ion mobility quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (IMS-QTOF). The method was quantitatively validated in terms of linearity, limit of quantification (LOQ), specificity, selectivity, accuracy, and precision. On the other hand, screening detection limits were established for 110 pesticides. Finally, the optimized strategy was successfully applied for the routine analysis of pesticide residues in 137 cocoa bean samples and 32% of the total samples were found positive for ametryn, chlorpyrifos, isoprocarb, and metalaxyl.
Access and Affordability of Medicines in Malaysia: Need for a National Pricing Policy

Wong SL, Ibrahim S, Abdul Kadir N, Mohd Salleh S

Appl Health Econ Health Policy, 2019 10;17(5):641-654.
PMID: 31093937 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-019-00480-9

BACKGROUND: High medicines prices are a barrier to medicines access, and their impact is greater in developing countries.
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the availability, prices and affordability of medicines in public and private sectors in Malaysia to understand the pharmaceutical environment and guide policy recommendations.
METHODS: This nationwide cross-sectional study adapted the World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology. A total of 87 premises from both public and private sectors participated in this study. Data on 50 medicines were collected to analyze availability, prices and affordability. Medicine prices were compared against the international reference prices (IRPs), and affordability was assessed by daily income level.
RESULTS: In the public sector, the average availability of generics (74.8%) was higher than that of the originator brand name products (19.4%). However, in the private sector, the availability of originator brands was higher (52.2%) than generics (49.1%). Procurement prices in the public sector were up to 1.5 times the IRPs, but up to 8.4 times in the private sector. The study also observed large price variation across medicines in the private sector. Median retail mark-ups in private hospitals (generics 166.9%; originators 51.0%) were higher than in retail pharmacies (generics 94.7%; originators 22.4%). Generics were generally affordable, but originator brands were unaffordable.
CONCLUSION: Current policies on generic medicines need to be strengthened to improve the availability and use of generics in the country. High medicine prices and large price variation in the current free market suggest that coherent pricing policies and regulations are needed to safeguard the accessibility and affordability of medicines for the people.
An assessment of live hard coral cover distribution and its physicochemical factors in the Strait of Malacca from 1995 to 2016

Huang DM, Sigid MF, Yusup Y, Fadhlullah W, Salleh S

Mar Environ Res, 2024 Nov 12;203:106833.
PMID: 39541794 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106833

The Strait of Malacca is well-known as an important trade route with high marine biodiversity. Among the organisms residing in the strait are the reef-building hard corals. Studies have shown that climate change and other anthropogenic stressors have induced severe degradation of coral reefs through the disruption of coral productivity and metabolisms. Moreover, in-depth investigations of causal inference of coral degradation and its correlations with potential coral-affecting physicochemical factors within the strait are limited. Hence, this study presents the analyses of the latest bi-decadal time-series trend from 1995 to 2016 of the live hard coral coverage (or live coral cover) and six coral-affecting physicochemical factors (significant wave height, sea surface salinity, particulate inorganic carbon, particulate organic carbon, turbidity, and sea surface temperature) using remote sensing and reanalysis datasets. Their potential correlations were interpreted by implementing meta- and statistical analyses of past coral surveys and remote sensing data. This study revealed the overall persistent bi-decadal decline in live hard coral coverage within the Strait of Malacca and the complex correlations among the factors that correspond to the spatial stratification of the marine environment. Among the six physicochemical factors, sea surface temperature, turbidity, and sea surface salinity were determined to be the most influential parameters on live coral cover distribution within the strait.
Fulltext MATIN: a random network coding based framework for high quality peer-to-peer live video streaming

Barekatain B, Khezrimotlagh D, Aizaini Maarof M, Ghaeini HR, Salleh S, Quintana AA, et al.

PLoS One, 2013;8(8):e69844.
PMID: 23940530 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069844

In recent years, Random Network Coding (RNC) has emerged as a promising solution for efficient Peer-to-Peer (P2P) video multicasting over the Internet. This probably refers to this fact that RNC noticeably increases the error resiliency and throughput of the network. However, high transmission overhead arising from sending large coefficients vector as header has been the most important challenge of the RNC. Moreover, due to employing the Gauss-Jordan elimination method, considerable computational complexity can be imposed on peers in decoding the encoded blocks and checking linear dependency among the coefficients vectors. In order to address these challenges, this study introduces MATIN which is a random network coding based framework for efficient P2P video streaming. The MATIN includes a novel coefficients matrix generation method so that there is no linear dependency in the generated coefficients matrix. Using the proposed framework, each peer encapsulates one instead of n coefficients entries into the generated encoded packet which results in very low transmission overhead. It is also possible to obtain the inverted coefficients matrix using a bit number of simple arithmetic operations. In this regard, peers sustain very low computational complexities. As a result, the MATIN permits random network coding to be more efficient in P2P video streaming systems. The results obtained from simulation using OMNET++ show that it substantially outperforms the RNC which uses the Gauss-Jordan elimination method by providing better video quality on peers in terms of the four important performance metrics including video distortion, dependency distortion, End-to-End delay and Initial Startup delay.
Fulltext Honey supplementation in spontaneously hypertensive rats elicits antihypertensive effect via amelioration of renal oxidative stress

Erejuwa OO, Sulaiman SA, Ab Wahab MS, Sirajudeen KN, Salleh S, Gurtu S

Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2012;2012:374037.
PMID: 22315654 DOI: 10.1155/2012/374037

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis and/or maintenance of elevated blood pressure in hypertension. This study investigated the effect of honey on elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). It also evaluated the effect of honey on the amelioration of oxidative stress in the kidney of SHR as a possible mechanism of its antihypertensive effect. SHR and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were randomly divided into 2 groups and administered distilled water or honey by oral gavage once daily for 12 weeks. The control SHR had significantly higher SBP and renal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels than did control WKY. The mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were significantly downregulated while total antioxidant status (TAS) and activities of GST and catalase (CAT) were higher in the kidney of control SHR. Honey supplementation significantly reduced SBP and MDA levels in SHR. Honey significantly reduced the activities of GST and CAT while it moderately but insignificantly upregulated the Nrf2 mRNA expression level in the kidney of SHR. These results indicate that Nrf2 expression is impaired in the kidney of SHR. Honey supplementation considerably reduces elevated SBP via amelioration of oxidative stress in the kidney of SHR.
Pregnant and severe acute abdominal pain: A surgical diagnostic dilemma

Kosai NR, Amin-Tai H, Gendeh HS, Salleh S, Reynu R, Taher MM, et al.

Clin Ter, 2015;166(3):110-3.
PMID: 26152617 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2015.1839

Acute abdominal pain in pregnancy remains a surgical conundrum. A 25-year-old primigravid at 29 weeks gestation presented with a two-week history of epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting. She had a distended abdomen consistent with a full term gravid uterus; tender at the epigastric and right hypochondrium suggestive of small bowel obstruction or acute appendicitis. Abdominal ultrasound was inconclusive but abdominal Computed Tomography (CT) suggested small bowel volvulus. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a segmental jejunal volvulus and small bowel diverticulum contributing to the volvulus. A short segmental bowel resection was performed. Histopathology confirmed a Meckel's Diverticulum. The patient recovered well but underwent premature labour 10 days later. Small bowel obstruction secondary to Meckel's diverticulum is rare in pregnancy. In an acute gestational abdomen, clinical examination is key. Radiological imaging may be helpful, whilst surgical intervention is confirmatory and therapeutic in the event of an obstructive volvulus.
Fulltext Theorizing how the brain encodes consciousness based on negentropic entanglement

Poznanski RR, Cacha LA, Latif AZA, Salleh SH, Ali J, Yupapin P, et al.

J Integr Neurosci, 2019 03 30;18(1):1-10.
PMID: 31091842 DOI: 10.31083/j.jin.2019.01.105

The physicality of subjectivity is explained through a theoretical conceptualization of guidance waves informing meaning in negentropically entangled non-electrolytic brain regions. Subjectivity manifests its influence at the microscopic scale of matter originating from de Broglie 'hidden' thermodynamics as action of guidance waves. The preconscious experienceability of subjectivity is associated with a nested hierarchy of microprocesses, which are actualized as a continuum of patterns of discrete atomic microfeels (or "qualia"). The mechanism is suggested to be through negentropic entanglement of hierarchical thermodynamic transfer of information as thermo-qubits originating from nonpolarized regions of actin-binding proteinaceous structures of nonsynaptic spines. The resultant continuous stream of intrinsic information entails a negentropic action (or experiential flow of thermo-quantum internal energy that results in a negentropic force) which is encoded through the non-zero real component of the mean approximation of the negentropic force as a 'consciousness code'. Consciousness consisting of two major subprocesses: (1) preconscious experienceability and (2) conscious experience. Both are encapsulated by nonreductive physicalism and panexperiential materialism. The subprocess (1) governing "subjectivity" carries many microprocesses leading to the actualization of discrete atomic microfeels by the 'consciousness code'. These atomic microfeels constitute internal energy that results in the transfer intrinsic information in terms of thermo-qubits. These thermo-qubits are realized as thermal entropy and sensed by subprocess (2) governing "self-awareness" in conscious experience.
Fulltext Public opinions and gender issue

Baqutayan SM, Mahdzir AM, Yusof NAM, Saimy IS, Salleh SH

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2021 Aug;25(16):5215-5227.
PMID: 34486696 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202108_26535

OBJECTIVE: Gender is an aspect of the natural identity of a person that has been given ample attention in socio-cultural, psychological, and political studies worldwide. Transgender, which is a part of gender issues, is still lacking in information on definitions of transgender, its causes, society's perceptions toward it, and interpretations on transgender action. Transgender is an umbrella term that describes people whose gender identity or expression does not match the sex they have been assigned at birth. It is one of the most important signs of progress produced by scientific advancement in the field of medicine, which is a relatively new phenomenon. Due to the lack of research on transgender, researchers study this issue at the theoretical and public opinion levels and from different perspectives. The objectives are to provide insights into the landscape of gender issues, instill awareness among communities and make them understand the psychological pains and the emotional difficulties that the transgender go through. Transgender issues must be analyzed from the perspectives of humanity, ethics, and culture.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were gathered through open-ended interviews among nine participants. And to complement the data, particularly about the public's opinions toward the transgender, a focus group discussion (FGD) was held among four participants.
RESULTS: The findings indicate that the transgender community often faces social discrimination due to the social stigma towards them. Thus, the treatment should be more on psychological therapies, family education, community awareness, and social activism that are needed to realign the transgender to the right track.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights into the landscape of gender equality and ways to support those with gender identity issues. Hence, this research carries values to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in enhancing the policy on gender equality.
Fulltext Induced mitochondrial membrane potential for modeling solitonic conduction of electrotonic signals

Poznanski RR, Cacha LA, Ali J, Rizvi ZH, Yupapin P, Salleh SH, et al.

PLoS One, 2017;12(9):e0183677.
PMID: 28880876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183677

A cable model that includes polarization-induced capacitive current is derived for modeling the solitonic conduction of electrotonic potentials in neuronal branchlets with microstructure containing endoplasmic membranes. A solution of the nonlinear cable equation modified for fissured intracellular medium with a source term representing charge 'soakage' is used to show how intracellular capacitive effects of bound electrical charges within mitochondrial membranes can influence electrotonic signals expressed as solitary waves. The elastic collision resulting from a head-on collision of two solitary waves results in localized and non-dispersing electrical solitons created by the nonlinearity of the source term. It has been shown that solitons in neurons with mitochondrial membrane and quasi-electrostatic interactions of charges held by the microstructure (i.e., charge 'soakage') have a slower velocity of propagation compared with solitons in neurons with microstructure, but without endoplasmic membranes. When the equilibrium potential is a small deviation from rest, the nonohmic conductance acts as a leaky channel and the solitons are small compared when the equilibrium potential is large and the outer mitochondrial membrane acts as an amplifier, boosting the amplitude of the endogenously generated solitons. These findings demonstrate a functional role of quasi-electrostatic interactions of bound electrical charges held by microstructure for sustaining solitons with robust self-regulation in their amplitude through changes in the mitochondrial membrane equilibrium potential. The implication of our results indicate that a phenomenological description of ionic current can be successfully modeled with displacement current in Maxwell's equations as a conduction process involving quasi-electrostatic interactions without the inclusion of diffusive current. This is the first study in which solitonic conduction of electrotonic potentials are generated by polarization-induced capacitive current in microstructure and nonohmic mitochondrial membrane current.
Fulltext Gene coexpression network analysis reveals perirenal adipose tissue as an important target of prenatal malnutrition in sheep

Ahmad S, Drag MH, Mohamad Salleh S, Cai Z, Nielsen MO

Physiol Genomics, 2023 Sep 01;55(9):392-413.
PMID: 37458462 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00128.2022

We have previously demonstrated that pre- and early postnatal malnutrition in sheep induced depot- and sex-specific changes in adipose morphological features, metabolic outcomes, and transcriptome in adulthood, with perirenal (PER) as the major target followed by subcutaneous (SUB) adipose tissue. We aimed to identify coexpressed and hub genes in SUB and PER to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to the early nutritional programming of adipose-related phenotypic outcomes. Transcriptomes of SUB and PER of male and female adult sheep with different pre- and early postnatal nutrition histories were used to construct networks of coexpressed genes likely to be functionally associated with pre- and early postnatal nutrition histories and phenotypic traits using weighted gene coexpression network analysis. The modules from PER showed enrichment of cell cycle regulation, gene expression, transmembrane transport, and metabolic processes associated with both sexes' prenatal nutrition. In SUB (only males), a module of enriched adenosine diphosphate metabolism and development correlated with prenatal nutrition. Sex-specific module enrichments were found in PER, such as chromatin modification in the male network but histone modification and mitochondria- and oxidative phosphorylation-related functions in the female network. These sex-specific modules correlated with prenatal nutrition and adipocyte size distribution patterns. Our results point to PER as a primary target of prenatal malnutrition compared to SUB, which played only a minor role. The prenatal programming of gene expression and cell cycle, potentially through epigenetic modifications, might be underlying mechanisms responsible for observed changes in PER expandability and adipocyte-size distribution patterns in adulthood in both sexes.
Acrocyanosis as a rare presentation of drug-induced cutaneous vasculitis: a case report

Zakaria ER, Wan Ghazali WS, Sazali H, Shahril NS, Md Salleh S, Mohd Nawi SN

BMC Rheumatol, 2024 Sep 10;8(1):41.
PMID: 39256797 DOI: 10.1186/s41927-024-00413-7

BACKGROUND: Acrocyanosis is characterised by persistent bluish discolouration of the extremities, resulting from reduced peripheral blood flow leading to increased oxygen extraction. The aetiology can be divided into primary and secondary causes. While primary acrocyanosis is generally painless and has a benign course, secondary causes may lead to complications. This case reported acrocyanosis secondary to cutaneous vasculitis which progressed to digital gangrene, which is a rare complication of cutaneous vasculitis.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old man presented with a four-day history of bluish discolouration involving bilateral toes associated with pain and started to become gangrenous. Investigations for critical limb ischemia did not show evidence of critical arterial stenosis. Further history revealed history of recent administration of intramuscular injections with diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent for renal colic pain a few days prior to the onset of the. Thorough skin search showed multiple purpuric rash of his thighs, buttocks and abdomen. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous (lymphocytic) vasculitis, which was likely to be drug-induced. The acrocyanosis initially responded to methylprednisolone, however unfortunately it progressed further to digital gangrene which required bilateral transmetatarsal amputations.
CONCLUSION: Knowledge on clinical features, aetiology and investigations of secondary acrocyanosis is crucial for early recognition and treatment of the underlying cause to prevent irreversible complications.

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