Potential application of Gustatory Receptor 1 (CmegGr1) gene as a molecular marker for identification of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

@#Chrysomya megacephala larvae can easily be identified using cheap traditional microscopy techniques. Nevertheless, identification using taxonomy keys may be hampered, if the morphological characteristics of the larvae are incomplete, or immature for microscopic identification. To overcome the difficulty of species determination, molecular identification has gained relevance and is applied in forensic investigations. This study aimed to identify a novel target gene, known as the gustatory receptor 1 gene (CmegGr1), which has never been used for identification. The third instar larvae of Ch. megacephala (n = 30) and eight other forensically important fly species were obtained from two sources; rabbit carcasses and the Forensic Entomology Unit collection. Their DNAs were extracted and the CmegGr1 gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The resulting sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. A 209 bp fragment of the CmegGr1 gene was successfully amplified in 80% (24/30) of Ch. megacephala samples, while all of the non-Ch. megacephala species were not amplified. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the evolutionary tree of CmegGr1 shares many traits with the 21a gustatory receptors of Calliphora stygia and Lucilia cuprina (Gr21a), which are also classified as necrophagous fly species. The high specificity of species identification was demonstrated in the present study using DNA barcoding, which led to the conclusion that the CmegGr1 gene could serve as an alternative marker for identifying Ch. megacephala.

Trend and pattern of melioidosis seropositivity among suspected patients in Malaysia 2015 – 2019

@#Melioidosis is a disease of public health importance associated with high case-fatality rates in animals and humans caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei), a gramnegative bacterium that lives in tropical soil environments. This study determined the seropositivity for melioidosis among patients admitted to healthcare centres in Malaysia, from 2015 to 2019 and identified factors related to it. A total of 26,665 serum samples of suspected melioidosis patients from Malaysia hospitals were tested for IgM against B. pseudomallei. About 16.4% of total samples were seropositive and majority of them were 55 years old and above. However, younger people aged less than 15 years old were the most susceptible to the infection (AOR 3.04, p <0.001, 95% CI: 2.73, 3.39). Melioidosis infection was the highest in Sarawak (15.1%) while Perlis was the least exposed to the infection (0.9%). Further analyses showed that patients with chronic lung disease (adjusted OR: 4.03, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.77, 5.86) were more susceptible to melioidosis infection. In conclusion, although serology testing is not a gold standard test in diagnosing melioidosis, it has been used as a tool in treatment monitoring and disease surveillance among patients and at-risk community in the endemic hot-spots regions.

ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MALAYSIAN COMPETITIVE POWERLIFTERS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

@#Background: Studies on the anthropometric, physical and physiological characteristics among Malaysian Paralympic powerlifters are limited. This study examined the sociodemographic, clinical information and anthropometric physical parameters of Paralympic powerlifters in Malaysia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during a Powerlifting Workshop and National Championship in 2016. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on powerlifters’ sociodemographic, sports participation history and medical information. All participants underwent a structured physical medical examination and anthropometric assessments. Results: Fifty-two powerlifters participated in this study. Mean age of participants was 24.50±SD8.25 year. The majority of the participants were men (82.7%) and most had spinal cord injury (34.6%) or amputation of the lower limb (26.9%). Most of the powerlifters competed at district and state level championships and 42.3% had represented Malaysia at international competitions. Women powerlifters had a significantly higher amount of body fat compared to men (35.61% vs 19.80%; p=0.003). Male power-lifters had significantly longer arm and forearm length (30.10±IQR3.00 cm vs 23.00±IQR2.13 cm; p=0.020). A significantly positive relationship was found between age, experience, weight, BMI, LBM, arm circumferences (relaxed and tensed) and the powerlifter’s best lift. Age, experience, body weight, BMI, lean body mass, body fat, hip circumference and arm circumferences (relaxed and tensed) met the criteria for inclusion in a multivariate model. Years of experience and non-dominant arm circumference (tensed) were significant predictors of best lifts among powerlifters. Conclusion: In conclusion, assessment of anthropometric measures could be useful in monitoring athletes’ progress with training and have a role in the talent identification program for Paralympic powerlifters

Characterizing PML/RARα Isoforms of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) in Malay patients.

Aim: Reciprocal translocation between retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) gene on chromo- some 17 and promyelocytic leukemia (PML) gene on chromosome 15 is the hallmark for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Three different PML/RARα isoforms have been described; S-form, L-form and V-form. Our aims were to characterize the different types of PML/RARα iso- forms in Malay patients with APL and to determine the outcome of these different types of iso- forms. Materials and methods: RT-PCR analysis was performed on 20 patients recruited from hematology-oncology ward. RT-PCR detected fusion transcript of PML/RARα in all patients. Results and Discussion: Of these patients, 65% (13 patients) exhibited L/V-form, and 35% (7 patients) S-form. Total white blood cell count (TWBC) was higher in L/V-form (25 x 109/l) compared to S-form (2.1 x 109/l) (p < 0.05). Five years survival rate was 100% and 33.3% for L/V-forms and S-forms respectively (p<0.005). Conclusion: We conclude that L/V- forms is the commonest isoform among Malays. They presented at younger age with higher TWBC counts. Although the sample size is small, our preliminary data showed an interestingly longer survival outcome among L/V-forms compared to S-form. PML/RARα isoforms could be used in future as risk stratification feature in patients diagnosed as APL. Further study with more number of patients is required.