ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
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
ABSTRACT
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
ABSTRACT
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
ABSTRACT
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
ABSTRACT
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
ABSTRACT
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
ABSTRACT
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
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
ABSTRACT
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
ABSTRACT
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
ABSTRACT
Muscle Lipid of Hilsha [Tenualosa ilisha] was solvent extracted and characterized with respect to various physical constants e.g. refractive index, moisture, crude fat, crude fibre and ash contents; and chemical parameters e.g. saponification value, saponification equivalent value, acid value, iodine value, acetyl value, peroxide value, thiocyanogen value, Reichert-Meissl value, Polenske value, Hehner value etc. and compared with those of different oils. Results also compared with the data available in literature about pharmacological aspects of Hilsha fish lipid. The oil contain high percentage of palmitic acid followed by myristic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, respectively, as confirmed by chromatographic examinations. However, investigation lipid sample against the microbial species was inconclusive
Subject(s)
Animals , Fish Oils , Anti-Infective Agents , Fish Oils/chemistryABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology , Adrenergic beta-Agonists/immunology , Albuterol/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Chlorocebus aethiops , Cytokines/immunology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic , Herpes Simplex/immunology , Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines , Immunity, Mucosal/drug effects , Immunoglobulin A/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Simplexvirus/immunology , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th2 Cells/immunology , Vaccines, DNA/immunology , Vero Cells , Viral Envelope Proteins/immunologyABSTRACT
This research paper attempts to investigate the performance of Asparagus racemosus grown by the application of different forms and doses of nitrogenous fertilizer at the Germplasm centre [CPC] of the Fruit Tree Improvement Program [FTIP]. Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University [BAU], Mymensingh during February to October, 2005. The treatments consisted of two different terms of nitrogen fertilizer such as prilled urea and urea super granule [USG] at 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg N ha [-1]. The experiment was aid out in randomized complete block design [RCBD] with three replications. The number, length, diameter, both fresh and dry weight of tuberous root was found higher with USG than that of prilled urea. Root protein content was found to be 25.20% higher in urea super granule treated plants compared to prilled urea. The rates of nitrogen also had a significant effect on plant height, number of leaves plant, number, length, diameter, fresh and dry weight of tuberous roots when compared to 0 kg N ha[-1] to the rest of the rates. Root protein content was 21.87. 12.5 and 14.06% higher than the control at the 00, 200 and 300 kg N ha[-1] concentrations, respectively. Therefore, the result suggested that application of 100 kg N ha[-1] urea super granule [USC] was found to be sufficient for the sustainable production of the tuberous root of Asparagus
Subject(s)
Fertilizers , Nitrogen , Plant Tubers , Plant RootsABSTRACT
The study reports the level of traffic-induced noise pollution in Sylhet City. For this purpose noise levels have been measured at thirty-seven major locations of the city from 7 am to 11 pm during the working days. It was observed that at all the locations the level of noise remains far above the acceptable limit for all the time. The noise level on the main road near residential area, hospital area and educational area were above the recommended level [65dBA]. It was found that the predictive equations are in 60-70% correlated with the measured noise level. The study suggests that vulnerable institutions like school and hospital should be located about 60m away from the roadside unless any special arrangement to alleviate sound is used
Subject(s)
Regression Analysis , Environmental Exposure , Stress, Psychological , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
New pentadentate Schiff base ligand of S,S-dimethyldithiocarbazate was prepared after condensing with 2,6-diacetyl Pyridine and its Ni[II], Cu[II], Zn[II] complexes were obtained while reacted with corresponding metal salts. The ligand and its metal complexes were screened for antimicrobial activity against plant microbes' viz. Aspergillus sp., Fusarium solani, Penicillium sp., Verticillum sp. and Rhizobium sp. Observed action was good to moderate against Aspergillus sp., F. solani, Penicillium sp. and Verticillum sp. while for Rhizobium sp. it was negative or minute. Metal chelation increased the inhibitory competence of the ligand in most of the cases