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Aims: To detect the adulterant in edible oil rapidly.Study Design:Authenticity and adulteration detection in edible oils are the increasing challenges for researchers, consumers, industries and regulatory agencies. Traditional approaches may not be the most effective option to combat against adulteration in edible oils as that’s are complex, laborious, expensive, require a high degree of technical knowledge when interpreting data and produce hazardous chemical. Consequently, a cost effective, rapid and reliable method is required.Place and Duration of the Study: The experiment was conducted jointly in the laboratory of the Department of Food Technology and Rural Industries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh and the Institute of Food Science and Technology, BCSIR, Dhaka. Methods:In this study, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis was used for adulteration detection in sunflower and rice bran oil. Sunflower oil was adulterated with soybean oil in the range of 10-50% (v/v) and rice bran oil was adulterated with palm oil inthe range of 4-40% (v/v) at approximately 10% and 5% increments respectively. FTIR spectra were recorded in the wavenumber range of 4000-650cm-1.Results:FTIR spectra data in the whole spectral range and reduced spectral range were used to develop a partial least square regression (PLSR) model to predict the level of adulteration in sunflower and palm oils. Good prediction model was obtained for all PLSR models with a coefficient of determination (R2) of >= 0.985 and root mean square errors of calibration(RMSEC) in the range of 0-1.7325%.Conclusion:The result suggested that FTIR spectroscopy associated with multivariate analysis has the great potential for a rapid and non-destructive detection of adulteration in edible oils laborious conventional analytical techniques.
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Objective:To isolate and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the active principle(s) from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of endophytic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (C. gloeosporioides) isolated from Sonneratia apetala.Methods:Water agar technique was used to isolate the fungus, and both microscopic and molecular techniques were used for identification of the strain. Potato dextrose broth was used to grow the fungus in large-scale. Reversed-phase preparative HPLC analysis was performed to isolate the major active compound, kojic acid. The EtOAc extract and kojic acid were screened for their antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria as well as a fungal strain using the resazurin 96-well microtitre plate antimicrobial assay.Results:The fungus C. gloeosporioides was isolated from the leaves of Sonneratia apetala. Initial identification of the fugal isolate was carried out using spore characteristics observed under the microscope. Subsequently, the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequencing was employed for species-level identification of the fungus C. gloeosporioides. Five litres of liquid culture of the fungus produced approximately 610 mg of a mixture of secondary metabolites. Kojic acid (1) was isolated as the main secondary metabolite present in the fungal extract, and the structure was confirmed by 1D, 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. The EtOAc extract and compound 1 exhibited considerable antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. Whilst the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from the EtOAc extract ranged between 2.4× 10Conclusions:The results revealed that the endophytic fungus C. gloeosporioides could be a good source of commercially important kojic acid, which exhibited antimicrobial properties.
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To assess the environmental radioactivity levels and hence to determine the population exposure in Kutubdia Island, Bangladesh the sediment samples were analyzed by using gamma ray spectrometry. In those sediment samples the average activity concentration of natural radionuclides [238]U, [232]Th and [40]K were found 15.39+/-1.67, 38.35+/-0.76 and 475.51+/-21.15 Bq/kg respectively. The activity concentration of [238]U and [232]Th were less than the world average. But the activity concentration of 40K was higher than the world average values. These results were used to calculate the radiological hazard parameters like radium equivalent activities [Ra[eq]], representative level index [I[gammar]]. Due to natural radionuclides in sediment, the effective annual outdoor dose in the study area was 0.07 mSv; which is within the accepted range of 0.07 mSv. The average value of radium equivalent activities [Ra[eq]] and representative level index [Igr] were found to be 128.03+/-12.08 Bq/Kg and 0.96+/-0.09 Bq/Kg which were greater than the world average. The anthropogenic radionuclide [137]Cs was also found in few samples. The average activity concentration of [137]Cs was 1.64+/-0.20 Bq/kg which is lower than the world average. The obtained experimental data of this research work would be useful to assess the population exposure from radionuclides in sediment as well as base line data of natural radioactivity in this island
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Objective: Pregnant women are susceptible to vaginal colonization and infection by yeast. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of Candida spp in high vaginal swabs of pregnant women and their antifungal susceptibility. Methods: High vaginal swab samples received from Serdang Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia during 2011 initially had microscopic examination, Gram-staining and fungal culture. These were finally confirmed by growth in chromogenic medium [CHROMagarCandida; Difco BBL, USA] and commercial biochemical identification kit [API 20C AUX; bioMérieux, Lyon, France]. Antifungal susceptibility was performed by E-test method. Results: Out of 1163 specimens 200 [17.2%] candida spp were confirmed from high vaginal swabs of pregnant women. Candida albicans [83.5%] is the most common species detected followed by Candida glabrata [16%] and Candida famata [0.05%]. All C.albicans and C.famata isolates were susceptible to fluconazole while C.glabrata isolates were dose dependent susceptibility. First and second trimester, and diabetes were considered significant factors in patients for the vaginal candidiasis [p < 0.001]. Conclusions: In pregnant women, C. albicans was the frequently isolated yeast from high vaginal swabs. Routine screening and treatment are important of pregnant women regardless of symptoms
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Syphilis in pregnancy remains an important medical condition due to its consequences. We present two cases of young pregnant women who were diagnosed syphilis during their antenatal visit. The first case was a 29-year-old Malay lady diagnosed with syphilis during the first trimester of pregnancy, while the second case was a 21-year-old Chinese lady diagnosed with syphilis during the third trimester of pregnancy. The diagnosis and management of the syphilis in pregnancy are discussed
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To determine the efficacy of cell culture, immunoflourescence Assay [IFA] and real time polymerase chain reaction [rRT-PCR] in relation to diagnosis of influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus [RSV]. Total 2781 specimens of throat swabs and nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from patients suspected of respiratory viruses' infections from January 2009 to December 2011 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre [UKMMC].The specimens were processed by cell culture and immunoflurescence assay [IFA] and [rRT-PCR]. Thirty three [1.19%] specimens were positive for influenza virus A and 42 [1.51%] were positive for RSV by cell culture and IFA. On the other hand, rRT-PCR was able to identify 189 of 505 [37.43%] specimens in which 65 were influenza A virus and 124 were RSV. Sensitivity of rRT-PCR was 100% for both influenza A virus and RSV and specificity was 88% and 77% for influenza A virus and RSV, respectively. rRT-PCR diagnosed respiratory viruses in shorter time with a high level of sensitivity in comparison to conventional assays - cell culture and IFA. These advantages help in managing patients by saving cost and hospitalization stay
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Similar to cancer statistics in developed countries, breast cancer is also the leading cause of cancer-related death in the women population of Bangladesh particularly the poor and underprivileged. The objective of this study was to study the socio-demography, tumor patterns and risk factors that affect these women from Dhaka and Bangladesh in general. This cross-sectional study involved 250 patients who presented to NICRH, Dhaka for treatment. These patients were interviewed, physically examined and vital information were gathered using approved questionnaires. Various personal, social, reproductive and tumor related factors were recorded and analyzed. The mean age of the study group was 44.7 years, standard deviation [SD] was 9.82 [range: 21-67], 87% have children, 57.2% were postmenopausal, 92% were housewives, 51.4% were illiterate, 62% attended 6 months after initiation of symptoms, 72% of the patients' yearly family income were less than US[dollar sign]1000/year. Almost 100% of the patients gave history of cooking from wooden fire source in the rural areas. In our study group, 79.7 percent women were within the group of BMI 20 kg/m[2]or more. Locally advanced breast cancer patients [T3 and T4] were 52.6%, axillary lymph node involvement was present in 80% of cases, 61.6 % patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In the elderly group [>40 years] Estrogen receptor was positive in 53.2% cases, 26.6% were Triple negative breast cancer patients. Women with poor socio-economic status and have none or low educational level are often victims of late presentation and tend to have a higher stage at diagnosis. Poverty, literacy and assorted risk factors have influenced the outcome of breast cancer cases among Bangladeshi women
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Risk Factors , Confidentiality , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
Respiratory infections represent a major public health problem worldwide. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of respiratory syncytial and influenza virus infections and analyzed in respect to demography and clinical perspective. The specimens were processed by cell culture and immunofluorescent assay [IFA] and real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR [rRT-PCR] for detection of respiratory viruses. Out of 505 specimens 189 [37.8%] were positive, in which RSV was positive in 124[24.8%] cases and influenza A was positive in 65[13%] cases. Positive cases for influenza virus A and RSV were analyzed based on demography: age, gender, ethnicity and clinical symptoms. There were no significant differences among gender, ethnicity and clinical symptoms in both RSV and influenza A virus infections. It was observed that children below 3 years of ages were more prone to RSV infections. On the contrary, influenza virus A infected all age groups of humans. RSV infects mostly child below 3 years of age and influenza virus infects all age group. No specificity of RSV and influenza infection in relation to demography
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Objective: Influenza is considered as an emerging disease until today
The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalent genotypes of Influenza A virus in Malaysia
Methods: Influenza A virus was identified from respiratory specimens by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [rRT-PCR]
Phylogenetic analysis of the identified isolates was performed and genotypes were detected
Results: A total number of 505 throat swabs and nasopharyngeal aspirates were examined by rRT-PCR at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre [UKMMC] in which 65[12.87%] were positive for influenza A
The identified isolates were successfully genotyped by phylogenetic analysis. The identified influenza A genotypes were: H1N1 [42], H3N2 [20] and H5N1 [3]
Conclusion: The findings indicated that 3 genotypes were circulating in Malaysia during 2011 in which H1N1 was the predominant. Results added new genotype [H5N1] identification record in Malaysia that may be added in data base of WHO and CDC
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Burkholderia pseudomallei is an free-living gram-negative bacterium causing melioidosis and is endemic in Southeast Asia. A 56-year-old diabetic construction worker with a 1-month history of abdominal pain and 1-day history of high-grade fever was found to have a left non-dissecting infrarenal mycotic aortic aneurysm by abdominal computerized tomography scan. Bacteriological examination of his blood yielded Burkholderia pseudomallei. The patient was treated with right axillo-bifemoral bypass with excision of aneurysm and high-dose intravenous ceftazidime for two weeks, followed by oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and oral doxycycline for a minimum of five months
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Objectives: Hepatitis C virus [HCV] genotyping is important for treatment and epidemiological purposes. The objective was to determine HCV genotype and their associations with certain risk factors at University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre [UKMMC]
Methods: A total of 89 samples were collected from December 2009 to January 2011. Demographic data of patients were collected from medical record. Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase chain reaction [RT PCR] was performed and sixty-four samples yielded positive for HCV. Sequencing was performed and analyzed based on sequence information in GenBank. Statistical analysis were done using SPSS version 15
Results: HCV genotype 3 [73%] was the most frequent genotype, followed by genotype 1[27%]. The distribution of HCV genotype/ subtype was as follows: 3a [64.8%], 1a [13.5%], 1 [10.8%], 3 [8.1%] and 1b [2.7%]
Conclusions: HCV subtypes 3a, 1a, and 1b were identified in patients at UKMMC, Malaysia with subtype 3a being the most prevalent. No significant association was found between HCV genotypes and patients' demographic data
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To evaluate Aspirin and Clopidogrel resistance/non-responders in patients with acute coronary syndrome [ACS] by using adenosine diposphate and aspirin tests. In the study patients with ACS loaded with 300 mg of clopidogrel and 300 mg aspirin and patients on stable daily dose of 75 mg of clopidogrel [more than 3 days] underwent PCI. Response to clopidogrel and Aspirin was assessed by Adenosine Diphosphate [ADP] Test [20 micromol/L] and Aspirin Test [Acetyl Acid] [ASP] 20 micromol/L, respectively, using the Multiplate Platelet Function Analyzer [Dynabyte Medical, Munich, Germany]. Sixty four patients were included in this study out of which 57 were with ACS and 7 scheduled for percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] electively. The proportion of Aspirin good responders and adequate responders were 76.56% and 18.75%, respectively while adequate response and good response to Clopidogrel accounted for 29.7 and 48.4%, respectively Hyperlipidaemia was only co-morbidity associated with higher AUC ADP value [p: 0.046]. Hypertriglyceridaemia and serum calcium were weakly correlated with higher AUC ADP serum calcium r=0.08, triglyceride r=0.12. Patients admitted for scheduled PCI and on stable dose of 75mg clopidogrel exhibited lower AUC ADP value as compared to those admitted with acute coronary syndrome given loading dose of 300mg of Clopidogrel. Post loading dose measurement of antiplatelet therapy among ACS patients using the Multiplate Platelet Function Analyzer showed comparable results with other methods. As determined by Multiplate Platelet Function Analyzer, Aspirin resistance/non-responders in this study in acute coronary syndrome patients accounted for 4.69% while Non-responders in Clopidogrel was 21.9%
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Ticlopidine/analogs & derivatives , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors , Aspirin , Adenosine Diphosphate , HyperlipidemiasABSTRACT
Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide [CCP] antibody has recently been used in the classification of rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. This antibody is more specific than rheumatoid factor [RF] for the diagnosis of RA. The study objectives were to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of anti-CCP in RA diagnosis. Eighty RA patients and 80 non-RA individuals were included in the study. Blood was collected from both arms of study subjects and tested for anti-CCP and RF antibodies. Relevant clinical information and laboratory profiles of the RA patients were evaluated using patients' medical records and Integrated Laboratory Management System [ILMS], respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of anti-CCP were 35% and 100% respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 61%, respectively. Positive anti-CCP was found significantly associated with multiple joint pain [p < 0.001] and hand's joints pain [p=0.01], symmetrical joints involvement [p=0.015] and high CRP value [p < 0.001]. Anti-CCP was also found to have positive association with RF [p < 0.001]. Anti-CCP is highly specific for the diagnosis of RA. High positive predictive value should be taken into consideration for effective treatment
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Peptides, Cyclic/immunology , Antibodies , Peptides, Cyclic/blood , Sensitivity and Specificity , Predictive Value of TestsABSTRACT
Syphilis and HIV co-infection are indeed dangerous combinations. The present communication describes three different cases of syphilis and HIV co-infection in young men. The first case is a 25-year-old medical graduate with a primary and secondary syphilis lesions at time of presentation. The second case is a 24-year-old government officer with right eye posterior uveitis where the serology tests for syphilis were reactive. His HIV tests were also positive. The final case is a 25-year-old homosexual who was admitted to the medical ward because of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The HIV and syphilis serology tests were noted to be positive
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , HIV , Syphilis/epidemiology , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Penicillins , Serologic Tests , Syphilis/diagnosis , HIV Infections/diagnosis , Treponema pallidumABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence of aspirin resistance and associated risk factors based on biochemical parameters using whole blood multiple electrode aggregometry. The study was conducted at the outpatients cardiology clinic of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre [UKMMC] from August 2011 to February 2012. Subjects on aspirin therapy were divided into two groups; first-ever coronary event and recurrent coronary event. Aspirin resistance was measured by a Multiplate platelet analyser. A total of 74 patients [63 male, 11 female], with a mean age of 57.93 +/- 74.1years were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups -first-ever coronary event group [n=52] and recurrent coronary event group [n=22]. Aspirin resistance was observed in 12 out of 74 [16%] of the study patients, which consisted of 11 patients from the first-ever coronary event group and one patient from the recurrent coronary event group. There were significant correlations between aspirin resistance and age [r = -0.627; p = 0.029], total cholesterol [r = 0.608; p = 0.036] and LDL [r = 0.694; p = 0.012]. LDL was the main predictor for area under the curve [AUC] for aspirin resistance. However, there was no association between aspirin resistance and cardiovascular events in both groups in this study. Aspirin resistance was observed in 16% of the study population. LDL was the major predictor of aspirin resistance. No association was found in the study between aspirin resistance with recurrent coronary events
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A lab-scale cross flow membrane bioreactor [CF-MBR] was operated to determine the biokinetic coefficients under MLSS concentrations of 5000 and 3000 mg/L. The investigation showed that the yield [Y], the endogenous decay coefficient [k[d], the maximum specific growth rate [micro[m]] and the saturation constant [K[s]] were 0.276 mg/mg, 0.07 /day, 0.653 /day, and 396.62 mg COD/L respectively for MLSS 5000 mg/L, and 0.222 mg/mg, 0.09 /day, 1.2 /day, and 659.45 mg COD/L for MLSS 3000 mg/L. The values of kinetic coefficients were within the normal range of the activated sludge process found in the literature, except the values of Y. However, value of Y increased with the increase of MLSS. Kinetic parameters determined from CF-MBR process were used to simulate the effluent COD. The simulation study showed good agreement between model prediction and experimental data. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine influence of biokinetic parameters on the effluent substrate concentration. From the analysis, it was evident that k[d] and K[s] were directly proportional to the effluent substrate concentration, while micro[m] was inversely proportional
Subject(s)
Bioreactors , Sewage , Biological Oxygen Demand AnalysisABSTRACT
To find out the association of serum testosterone with acne vulgaris in women. Seventy patients were considered as group A [case - female patients of acne], and 70, age- and sex-matched, healthy subjects were enrolled as group B [controls - females without acne]. Mean serum testosterone levels were measured in case and control groups. The mean serum testosterone level was significantly high among the cases [0.52 ngm/ml] than the control [0.35 ngm/ml]. Data analysis revealed that the percentage of serum testosterone above normal was found to be high among the cases with acne [10%] whereas below normal level of serum testosterone was found among the control i.e. patients without acne and the difference was statistically significant. There is a significant association between serum testosterone and acne vulgaris. Testosterone levels should be measured in patients presenting with acne vulgaris especially in treatment resistant cases. Anti-androgen treatment may be indicated in those cases with elevated testosterone level
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The present study was carried out to observe the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of petroleum-ether, ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions isolated from ethanolic extract of the leaves of Coccinia cordifolia Linn. [150 mg/kg body weight] on normal and streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rats for one day experiment. Single doses [150 mg/kg, i.p.] of C. cordifolia extracts were given to normal and diabetic rats. The fasting blood glucose [FBG], serum triglyceride [TG] and serum total cholesterol [TC] levels were investigated in normal and STZ-diabetic rats on 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 16, and 24[th] hours. In normoglycemic rats the pet-ether and ethyl acetate fractions of C. cordifolia reduced blood glucose level significantly [39.66% and 40.68% at 16[th] and 24[th] hour respectively]. In the STZ-diabetic rats pet-ether and ethyl acetate fractions also reduced blood glucose level significantly [50.39% and 50% at 10[th] and 24[th] hour respectively]. Ethyl acetate fraction is most effective which reduced total cholesterol level by 31.04% and 36.69% in normal and STZ-diabetic rats respectively. Ethyl acetate fraction reduced triglyceride level by 43.82% and 42.01% in normal and STZ-diabetic rats respectively. Our results indicate that pet-ether and ethyl acetate fractions of C. cordifolia have potentiality against diabetes
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Female , Hypoglycemic Agents , Cholesterol/blood , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy , Phytotherapy/methods , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Plant Extracts , Triglycerides/blood , Blood Glucose/drug effects , Rats, Long-Evans , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/blood , Hypoglycemic Agents/chemistryABSTRACT
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci [VRE] have been increasing especially in hospital acquired infections. The present study was carried out to determine prevalence of VRE in hospitalized patients and detection of their drug resistance genes by molecular technique. The antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using disk diffusion and E-test. PCR was performed to detect vancomycin resistance genes. Out of 585 enterococcal isolates, 6 [1%] were positive for VRE. 238 isolates [40%] exhibited resistance to high level gentamicin. Among VRE 50% were identified as E. faecium and the entire VRE bacteria posses van A gene. The present study provides the first local data on the prevalence of VRE in Malaysia and would serve as an alert to the clinicians of the emergence of VRE infections and to take appropriate measure to prevent them
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Cholera toxin, which has been frequently used as mucosal adjuvant, leads to an irreversible activation of adenylyl cyclase, thereby accumulating cAMP in target cells. Here, it was assumed that beta2-adrenergic agonist salbutamol may have modulatory functions of immunity induced by DNA vaccine, since beta2-adrenergic agonists induce a temporary cAMP accumulation. To test this assumption, the present study evaluated the modulatory functions of salbutamol co-administered with DNA vaccine expressing gB of herpes simplex virus (HSV) via intranasal (i.n.) route. We found that the i.n. co-administration of salbutamol enhanced gB-specific IgG and IgA responses in both systemic and mucosal tissues, but optimal dosages of co-administered salbutamol were required to induce maximal immune responses. Moreover, the mucosal co-delivery of salbutamol with HSV DNA vaccine induced Th2-biased immunity against HSV antigen, as evidenced by IgG isotypes and Th1/Th2-type cytokine production. The enhanced immune responses caused by co-administration of salbutamol provided effective and rapid responses to HSV mucosal challenge, thereby conferring prolonged survival and reduced inflammation against viral infection. Therefore, these results suggest that salbutamol may be an attractive adjuvant for mucosal genetic transfer of DNA vaccine.