ABSTRACT
@#In addition to the scarcity of forensic entomology baseline data on oviposition of necrophagous insects and completion of their life cycles in the Borneo region, similar data derived from caves remain unreported. Since entomological baseline data can differ from one biogeoclimatic region to another, the lack of such data would limit the practical values of applying entomological evidence in estimating minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). Therefore, this present research that investigated oviposition and completion of life cycles of necrophagous flies infesting rabbit carcasses decomposing in Mount Kapur Cave and its surrounding forest habitat in Kuching, Sarawak merits forensic consideration. In general, 13 taxa of necrophagous flies were identified viz. Hypopygiopsis violacea, Hypopygiopsis fumipennis, Hemipyrellia ligurriens, Hemipyrellia tagaliana, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya villeneuvi, Chrysomya rufifacies, Chrysomya chani, Chrysomya pinguis, Chrysomya nigripes, Ophyra spinigera and Ophyra chalcogaster, as well as unidentified Sarcophagidae. In addition, Hyp. violacea and Hyp. fumipennis were the two earlier necrophagous flies that oviposited in all rabbit carcasses decomposing in both habitats. While all these necrophagous flies were observed infesting carcasses in Mount Kapur Cave, Hem. ligurriens and Hem. tagaliana were not found infesting carcasses in the surrounding forest habitat. Complete life cycles for six and five different necrophagous fly species were successfully observed in Mount Kapur Cave and its surrounding forest habitat, respectively. Significant delay in oviposition, as well as longer durations for completing the life cycles in several necrophagous fly species were observed in Mount Kapur Cave when compared with those of surrounding forest habitat (p < 0.05). These findings deserve consideration as the first ever forensic empirical baseline data on oviposition and completion of life cycles for necrophagous flies in Sarawak as well as in a cave habitat, in view of its practical values for estimating mPMI for forensic practical caseworks.
ABSTRACT
@#Influence of citronella and chlorpyrifos on oviposition and duration for completing life cycles for Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies infesting decomposing rabbit carcasses was studied. Male rabbit carcasses (n = 12) were equally divided into control, citronella- and chlorpyrifos–treated groups, and left to decompose for 14 consecutive days. C. megacephala was the first necrophagous fly oviposited in all control and citronellatreated carcasses followed by C. rufifacies. Although initial oviposition of C. megacephala was delayed (4-6 hours) in citronella-treated carcasses (P < 0.05), prolongation in completing its life cycle was not observed. Neither delayed initial oviposition nor prolonged life cycle for C. rufifacies in citronella-treated carcasses was observed. Oviposition was delayed for chlorpyrifos-treated carcasses (0.42 g/L), and eclosion of eggs remained unsuccessful. The findings deserve consideration because these chemicals are easily accessible and can be used by cunning criminals to confuse forensic entomologists while estimating minimum postmortem interval.
ABSTRACT
Consumption of iced beverages is common in Malaysia although specific research focusing on its safety parameters such as presence of faecal coliforms and heavy metal elements remains scarce. A study conducted in Kelantan indicated that faecal coliforms were detected in the majority of the ice cube samples analyzed, largely attributable to improper handling. Hence, it was found pertinent to conduct similar study in other parts of the country such as Johor Bahru if the similar pattern prevailed. Therefore, this present crosssectional study which randomly sampled ice cubes from 30 permanent food outlets in Taman Universiti, Johor Bahru for detecting contamination by faecal coliforms and selected heavy metal elements (lead, copper, manganese and zinc) acquires significance. Faecal coliforms were detected in 11 (36.67%) of the samples, ranging between 1 CFU/100 mL to > 50 CFU/100 mL; two of the samples were grossly contaminated (>50 CFU/100 mL). Interestingly, while positive detection of lead was observed in 29 of the 30 ice cube samples (mean: 0.511±0.105 ppm; range: 0.489-0.674 ppm), copper, manganese and zinc were not detected. In addition, analysis on commercially bottled mineral water as well as in tap water samples did not detect such contaminations. Therefore, it appears that (1) contamination of faecal coliforms in ice cubes in food outlets in Malaysia may not be sporadic in pattern but rather prevalent and (2) the source of water used for manufacturing the ice cubes that contained significant amount of lead would suggest that (3) it was neither originated from the treated tap water supply nor bottled mineral water or (4) perhaps contaminated during manufacturing process. Further studies exploring the source of water used for manufacturing these ice cubes as well as the handling process among food operators deserve consideration.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The goal of the study is to isolate new bacteria species which are capable to utilizing 2,2-dichlropropionic acid (2- 2-DCP) as a sole carbon source from the wastewater sample that was taken from Tioman Island off the coast of Malaysia. Methodology and results: Genomic DNA from unknown bacterial strain (MR1) was extracted and PCR amplification was carried out using universal primers, Fd1 (5’-AGA GTT TGA TCC TGGCTC AG-3’) and rP1 (5’-ACG GTC ATA CCT TGT TAC GAC TT-3’) prior to sequencing. The BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA of the MR1 gene found it shares a 95% homology to an aerobic bacillus Raoutella ornithilolytica. The bacteria which is usually found in an aquatic and hospital environment was found to possess a distinctive feature of being able to utilize 2,2-DCP as sole carbon source. The bacteria has cell doubling time of 23.11 h and maximum release of chloride ion at 0.257 mmol/L in 20 mM 2,2-DCP. Based on morphological and partial biochemical characteristics, the strain was found to be non-motile, Gram negative bacteria with red colonies that gave a positive catalase reaction. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: A better understanding of newly isolated microorganisms from the environment which can potentially be used as bioremediation tools in environmental management. This is the first reported case of Raoutella sp. that has the unique ability to degrade halogenated compound. Hence, the dehalogenation properties and capabilities of the bacteria deserve to be assessed further.
ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia and is closely related to trace elements. Quite a few pregnant women suffer from impaired glucose tolerance [IGT] or gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM. Investigation of the changes of trace elements contents in the serum of the pregnant women with GDM is significant in the etiological research and cure of the diseases. The study carried out in Al Kadhmiya Teaching Hospital in Baghdad from January 2004 to December 2004 on twenty pregnant women whom their pregnancies were complicated by gestational diabetes. Levels of trace elements such as selenium [Se], copper [Cu], iron [Fe], zinc [Zn], chromium [Cr], magnesium [Mg] and manganese [Mn] were measured in their blood serum by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and compared with 20 healthy pregnant women. Maternal serum levels of selenium and manganese were significantly decreased in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Zinc and chromium levels were not significantly decreased, while magnesium level was increased significantly in women with gestational diabetes, copper and iron levels are not changed. Trace elements are essential materials for human body, and play a role in pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes. Dietary supplements of certain trace elements may decrease occurrence of gestational diabetes and its complications to the mother and her fetus
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Diabetes, Gestational , Hyperglycemia , Glucose Intolerance , Selenium/blood , Zinc/blood , Copper/blood , /blood , Magnesium/blood , Manganese/blood , Iron/bloodABSTRACT
Endometrial receptivity is determined by mediators of implantation produced by the endometrium and the embryo. Different markers of this receptivity are studied. Oxidative stress causes endothelial dysfunction thus hypoxia. As one ultrasonic feature of polycystic ovarian syndrome patients treated with clomiphene citrate is thin endometrium and low vascularity we assume that this hypoxia may have a relation to oxidative stress. To investigate the antioxidants, serum and endometrial tocopherol and superoxide dismutase, as possible markers of endometrial receptivity in clomiphene citrate treated polycystic ovarian syndrome patients and their correlation with other markers. A prospective controlled study was carried out in AI-Kadhmyia teaching hospital, AI-Nahrain University for the period, Dec 1[st] 2001- July 31[st] 2002. The study group G-A included 62 polycystic ovarian syndrome patients further sub-divided to G-A 1, 33 patients who ovulated when given clomiphene citrate therapy; G-A2: 29 patients on no clomiphene citrate therapy. The control group G-B included 20 women with sub-fertility due to pure male or tubal factor with no polycystic ovarian syndrome. At mid-luteal phase of the cycle determination of serum progesterone, serum and endometrial tocopherol by high performance liquid chromatography and superoxide dismutase by spectrophotometry were performed. Both tocopherol and superoxide dismutase in serum and endometrium were the lowest in patients with untreated polycystic ovarian syndrome. higher in clomiphene citrate polycystic ovarian syndrome and the highest in the control. Highly significant reduction of endometrial tocopherol in both polycystic ovarian syndrome groups in comparison to serum tocopherol [p=0.008 and 0.006] while such serum and endometrial gradient was not present regarding superoxide dismutase [p=0.053 and 0.38]. Other markers of endometrial receptivity, as obesity, serum progesterone, LH and testosterone, had no significant correlation with tocopherol and superoxide dismutase in polycystic ovarian syndrome. Antioxidant level is not related to other markers of endometrial receptivity. So serum as well as endometrial tocopherol and serum but not endometrial superoxide dismutase is suggested to be new biochemical markers of endometrial receptivity. We may suggest clinical trial studies about Vitamin E [alpha-tocopherol] supplement to polycystic ovarian syndrome patients to improve endometrial receptivity and possibly the success rate in reproductive treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the role of maternal serum creatine kinase and single serum progesterone measurements in the prediction of ectopic pregnancy. The study was conducted at A-Khadhimya Teaching Hospital, department of obstetrics and gynecology during the period from March 2001 through April 2002. The study included 60 women divided into 3 groups: Group A: Twenty patients with ectopic pregnancy confirmed by surgery and histopathology. Group B: Twenty patients with non continuing pregnancy [missed abortion or spontaneous abortion] of comparable gestational age. Group C: Twenty women with normal intrauterine pregnancy of comparable gestational age. The following laboratory measurements for the studied groups were done: serum age. The following laboratory measurements for the studied groups were done: serum creatine kinase, serum progesterone levels and histopathological study to determine the depth of invasion of the trophoblast to the muscular layer of the fallopian tube for group A. The mean serum creatine kinase was significantly higher in group A than in groups B and C [P<0.0001] and the mean serum progesterone level was significantly lower in groups A and B than in group C [P<0.0001]. The mean serum creatine kinase level was significantly higher in ruptured ectopic pregnancy than in the unruptured [P<0.0003], and in isthmic than in ampullary ectopic pregnancy [P<0.007]. In addition, the mean serum progesterone level was significantly higher in ruptured than in the unruptured ectopic pregnancy [P<0.01]. There was a significant positive correlation between serum creatine kinase and progesterone level in group A. There was an increase in the serum creatine kinase levels accompanying muscular damage in ectopic pregnancy probably antedates tubal rupture and could help in discriminating ruptured from unruptured ectopic pregnancy. The combined use of both serum creatine kinase and serum progesterone in patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy has a higher differential accuracy than either analysis alone