Effect of aloe emodin on the gene expression profiling in human glioma cell lines

Aloe emodin has been previously reported to promote anticancer activity via inhibning the expression of several genes. This study was aimed to investigate the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest inducing by aloe emodin on U87 human malignant glioma cells as well as to explore its effect on the gene expression profile of U87 cells by utilizing microarray technology. In this study: aloe emodin showed a time:. and dose dependent inhibition of U87 cells proliferation and decreased \he percentage of viable U87 cells via the induction of apoptosis. Characteristic morphological changes, such as the formation of apop!otic bodies, were observed with confocal microscope by Annexin V-FITC/PI' staining, supporting our viability study and flow cytometry analysis results. Our data also demonstrated that ~loe emodin arrested the cell cycle in the S phase and promoted the loss of mitochondrial membrane potentiill in U87 cells that indicated the early event of the mitochondria-induced apoptotic pathway. Microarray analy~is also reported that more than 8,000 gene expression alterations out of 28,000 gene-label probe sets were detected after treatment with 58.6 fJg/ml aloe emodin concentration for 24 hour. However, only 34 genes were; considered statistically significant (p<0.05). Interpretation of microarray data revealed 22 genes that were up-regulated and 12 genes that were downregulated in response to aloe emodin treatment. This study demonstrates that expression of genes in glioma cells affected by aloe emodin involved in various cellular functions mainly in cell proliferation and apoptosis . These results could serve as guidance for further studies in order to recover molecular targets for targeted cancer therapy-based aloe emodin treatment. Besides that the Involvement of certain genes in the formation and progression of brain tumors need further evaluation

A new mathematical model for traffic systems: the basic traffic unit / Khairani Abd. Majid, Zaharin Yusoff and Abdul Aziz Jemain

In studying traffic congestions at toll plazas, a basic model for traffic systems was introduced with the hope to contribute towards a longer-term solution with the means for explaining and predicting congestions. The basic model is named the Basic Traffic Unit (BTU). Besides solving traffic congestion problems, the basic model may also be extended to other network problems. It is anticipated that future researchers may further this study using more specific operations research approach, based on simulation and queuing theory models which would then provide a better insight towards a more sustainable solutio

Improving Process Writing with the Use Authentic Assessment

The paper discusses on how process writing is improved with the use of authentic assessment in an English Language classroom. Eleven primary school children from Year 4 in a rural school in Sabah are the participants of the study. Data were collected by observing them during the English Language lessons and at the end of the series of observations, an interview session was conducted. The results of the study revealed thatusing authentic assessment to assess young learners’ writing skills is beneficial and effective in helping them to write better in the English Language classroom. The presentation will therefore provide suggestions for the use of more authentic assessment in the classroom, particularly in English Language teaching and learning

Bencana Alam dan Impak Banjir Besar 2014 Terhadap Komuniti Tempatan di Hulu Dungun, Terengganu: Satu Perspektif Sosiologi Bencana

Pada penghujung Disember 2014, banjir besar yang melanda Malaysia khususnya di negeri-negeri Pantai Timur telah mengakibatkan kerugian yang besar dan mengorbankan banyak nyawa. Banjir besar merupakan salah satu daripada bencana alam yang mengakibatkan kemusnahan terhadap harta benda dan persekitaran. Kemusnahan akibat banjir besar ini memberi impak negatif kepada mangsa banjir, persekitarannya mahupun kepada pentadbiran negeri terlibat. Meskipun demikian, sehingga kini, tidak banyak kajian dari sudut sosiologi yang dijalankan mengenai impak bencana banjir di negara Malaysia berbanding di negara-negara lain. Oleh yang demikian, kertas kerja ini bertujuan membincangkan impak sosial yang dialami oleh komuniti tempatan di Hulu Dungun, Terengganu semasa dan selepas bencana banjir berlaku pada tahun 2014. Perbincangan dilakukan dari perspektif sosiologi bencana, iaitu satu bidang baru dalam ilmu sosiologi. Kajian berbentuk kualitatif ini melibatkan seramai 15 orang informan yang terdiri daripada mangsa-mangsa banjir di Hulu Dungun. Hasil kajian mendapati empat aspek utama impak negatif bencana banjir dari sudut sosial yang dialami oleh mangsa banjir di Hulu Dungun iaitu perpindahan penduduk, ekonomi, kesihatan dan suasana hidup. Perpindahan penduduk berlaku apabila mangsa banjir terpaksa berpindah disebabkan sebahagian besar kawasan kediaman mereka ditenggelami air. Dalam aspek ekonomi, kerugian yang dialami oleh mangsa banjir merupakan impak yang paling dirasai ketika itu. Mangsa banjir turut terdedah kepada risiko gangguan emosi seperti tekanan dan trauma akibat bencana banjir yang berlaku. Seterusnya, impak terhadap perubahan suasana hidup seharian juga dirasai oleh mangsa banjir terutama dalam hubungan antara kejiranan. Secara keseluruhan, apabila bencana banjir berlaku di Hulu Dungun pada 2014, impak negatif ke atas penduduk dan alam sekitarnya tidak dapat dielakkan, namun perlu ditangani supaya tidak meninggalkan kesan jangka panjang

Impak sosioekonomi bencana banjir 2014: tindakan penyesuaian dan kesiapsiagaan lokal

Bencana banjir 2014 merupakan kejadian yang terburuk dalam sejarah Malaysia. Oleh itu, tindakan penyesuaian dan kesiapsiagaan penduduk dari semasa ke semasa adalah penting bagi memastikan impak dan risiko bencana banjir dapat dikurangkan. Kajian ini bertujuan meneliti impak bencana banjir 2014 terhadap kegiatan sosioekonomi penduduk dan tindakan penyesuaian serta kesiapsiagaan yang dilakukan penduduk Hulu Dungun bagi menghadapi fenomena bencana banjir. Kajian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif melalui kaedah temu bual mendalam dan pemerhatian tidak ikut serta. Seramai 15 orang informan telah dipilih dalam kalangan mangsa banjir daripada tiga buah kampung di Hulu Dungun, iaitu Kampung Minda, Kampung Pasir Raja dan Kampung Kuala Jengai. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa bencana banjir 2014 memberi impak yang cukup besar terhadap kegiatan ekonomi dan sosial harian penduduk Hulu Dungun terutama kepada penduduk yang menjadikan aktiviti pertanian dan perikanan sebagai sumber pendapatan utama mereka. Bencana banjir juga mendatangkan pelbagai gangguan dan tekanan fizikal, sosial dan emosi mangsa. Komuniti ini mengambil inisiatif dengan melaksanakan tindakan penyesuaian dan kesiapsiagaan bagi menghadapi ancaman banjir di kawasan tempat tinggal mereka. Selain itu, terdapat tindakan penyesuaian dan kesiapsiagaan jangka masa pendek dan panjang yang dilakukan komuniti ini dengan bantuan pihak kerajaan. Langkah penyesuaian dan kesiapsiagaan menghadapi fenomena bencana banjir ini sangat penting bagi mengurangkan pengaruh atau kesannya terhadap kehidupan manusia. Kesimpulannya, komuniti berisiko perlu diberikan kesedaran tentang bahaya semasa berlakunya perubahan iklim yang berterusan, di samping pihak kerajaan juga perlu memantapkan langkah pengurusan bencana di kawasan cenderung banjir

Clinical Study and Molecular Genetic Analyses of Malaysian GEFS+ Patients

Generalized epilepsy with febrile seizure plus (GEFS+) is a familial epilepsy syndrome characterized by phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. Neuronal voltage gated sodium channel &#x3b1;-1 subunit gene, SCN1A is the most clinically relevant and associated with GEFS+. The objective was to study the clinical presentations of GEFS+ and analyze the SCN1A gene associated with Malaysian GEFS+ patients. Blood samples were collected from 30 unrelated GEFS+ patients and genomic DNA was obtained using the Qiagen DNA Blood Mini Kit following the manufacturer&#x2019;s instructions. The 26 exons of SCN1A genes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). The aberrant profile peak from DHPLC analysis was confirmed by direct sequencing. The spectrum of phenotypes observed in Malaysian GEFS+ patients included febrile seizure (FS), febrile seizure plus (FS+) and afebrile generalized tonic clonic seizure (AGTCS). Direct sequencing of SCN1A revealed seven sequence variants including one novel SCN1A mutation that was associated with GEFS+. This suggests that mutation of the SCN1A gene is one of the prevalent causes of GEFS+ in Malaysia

Development of CT Metal Artifact Reduction Algorithm for use in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning System

Computed Tomography (CT) images serve many benefit in radiology as well as radiotherapy treatment. Unfortunately the metal type inhomogeneities such as metal amalgam results a metal streak artifact in the images and thus raise errors in treatment planning system (TPS) [1,2]. In radiotherapy errors of radiation delivery can cause various side effects to patient. For this reason a metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithm was developed in MATLAB platform to give a satisfaction in image quality and thus to TPS

Sustainable Treatment of Landfill Leachate

Landfill leachate is a complex liquid that contains excessive concentrations of biodegradable and non-biodegradable products including organic matter, phenols, ammonia nitrogen, phosphate, heavy metals, and sulfide. If not properly treated and safely disposed, landfill leachate could be an impending source to surface and ground water contamination as it may percolate throughout soils and subsoils, causing adverse impacts to receiving waters. Lately, various types of treatment methods have been proposed to alleviate the risks of untreated leachate. However, some of the available techniques remain complicated, expensive and generally require definite adaptation during process. In this article, a review of literature reported from 2008 to 2012 on sustainable landfill leachate treatment technologies is discussed which includes biological and physical–chemical techniques, respectively

Dioscorea hispida Starch as a Novel Natural Coagulant in Textile Wastewater Treatment

The process of coagulation-flocculation using Dioscorea hispida starch as a natural coagulant was investigated for the purification of textile effluent from several dyeing and finishing mills. The major parameters tested were COD, turbidity, and color. Prior to conducting the experiments, the general physical characteristics of Dioscorea hispida starch were investigated. The optimal conditions, pH and coagulant dosage were assessed using a jar test. The results demonstrated that the Dioscorea hispida starch yield was 15.38% of Dioscorea hispida dry weight. Pulverizing of Dioscorea hispida mass also resulted in approximately 10-15% of impurities in the final product. The optimal pH of 7 resulted in maximum COD, turbidity and color reductions of 28%, 94% and 64% respectively. The optimum dosage of Dioscorea hispida starch of 2500 mg/L resulted in a maximum reduction of 22%, 93%, 63%, of COD, turbidity, and color, respectively. Overall, this study confirmed that the utilization of Dioscorea hispida starch as a natural coagulant offers a relatively good removal efficiency in textile wastewater treatment