METHODS: KIR genotyping for 213 unadmixed Malay individuals from six subethnic groups (Acheh, Bugis, Champa, Mandailing, Minang and Kedah) was carried out using PCR-SSP (sequence specific primers) method in 16 independent reactions.
RESULTS: The most frequent KIR genotype observed is AA1, followed by AB4 and AB5. Five genotypes; AA1, AB4, AB5, AB7 and AB8 were shared among all Malay subethnic groups. The highest frequency of KIR haplotype A was observed in Minang Malays, whereas Acheh and Kedah Malays carry a balanced distribution of A and B KIR haplotypes. PCA for the KIR genes clearly illustrated six ethnogeographical population clusters; Africans, Amerindian, Northeast Asian, South Asian, Oceania and Southeast Asian populations. All six Malay subethnic groups fell within the Southeast Asian cluster.
CONCLUSIONS: The complex array of KIR genotypes observed in the Malays indicates their historical interactions with various populations, especially with the Chinese, Indians and Orang Asli. This study has demonstrated the potential of KIR genes as a genetic marker for deducing population structure and genetic relationship between populations.
MAIN BODY: The illustrations of each testing were presented to provide the readers with an understanding of the scientific principles behind the testing methods. The comparison was made by highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each testing. ELISA is ideal for performing the maximum population screening to determine immunological capacity, although its inability to provide reliable results on the status of the infection. Recently, LFIA has been approved as a quicker way of determining whether a patient is infected at the analysis time without using particular instruments and non-laboratory settings. RT-PCR is the gold-standard approach in terms of sensitivity and specificity.
CONCLUSION: However, the combination of LFIA or ELISA with RT-PCR is also proposed in this review to obtain an adequate level of sensitivity and specificity.
METHODS: Ethanolic leaf extract of A. bilimbi was exposed to Myf5 lineage precursor cells to stimulate adipocyte differentiation. Protein expressions of brown adipocyte markers were determined through high content screening analysis and validated through western blotting. Mito Stress Test assay was conducted to evaluate the cellular oxygen consumption rate upon A. bilimbi treatment.
RESULTS: A. bilimbi ethanolic leaf extract exhibited an adipogenesis effect similar to a PPARgamma agonist. It also demonstrated brown adipocyte differentiation in myoblastic Myf5-positive precursor cells. Expression of UCP1 and PRDM16 were induced. The basal metabolic rate and respiratory capacity of mitochondria were increased upon A. bilimbi treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that Averrhoa bilimbi ethanolic leaf extract induces adipocyte browning through PRDM16 activation and enhances mitochondria activity due to UCP1 up-regulation.