Development of on-site detection device for pathogenic Leptospira spp. in stream water / Dzulaikha Khairuddin

Worldwide, the popularity of recreational activities which involve contact with water has grown. Moreover, ease of travel has altered the public use of water for recreational purposes. The adverse impacts of recreational use of freshwater environments upon the health of users must be weighed against the enormous benefits to health and well-being. Recreational area always associated with the use of this environment for rest, relaxation and exercise. In Malaysia, in addition to being the focus for leisure, recreational area is also a focus for family activities like picnics and grills and other activities such as camping group of students. Contaminated water with pathogenic Leptospira will pose a hazardous threat to deadly disease infections if not detected early. The case of death from Leptospirosis is a great concern for a tropical country like Malaysia. The warm and humid climate throughout the year in Malaysia is a favour of Leptospira leading to longer survival. Any water bodies such as streams, stagnant water, bogs, ponds and puddles are natural habitats for Leptospira. The survival of this bacteria mostly depends on high humidity with neutral pH (6-7.5). In addition to natural habitats, the presence of Leptospira in the water is also due to the excreted of urine of Leptospira infected animals. Humans are infected either directly through contact with infected urine or indirectly through contaminated water or soil. The bacteria enter the body through wounds and abrasions of the skin and through the mucosal surface of the mouth, nose and conjunctiva. In recent years, the case of Leptospirosis that occurred after exposure to recreational activities in the waterfall area seemed like no solution. Most cases are often critical or delayed, leading to a lot of loss of life. So many of these unwanted events should be a signal that detailed investigations to prevent the occurrence of an infection should be implemented. Action should be taken to reduce the Leptospira infection during recreational water activities

Evidence Of Endophytic Diazotrophs Migration From Root To Leaf Tissues Of Oil Palm Using Paddy As A Plant Model

Endophytic diazotrophs are bacteria that occupy the microniches in plant tissues. In this case, they are able to fix nitrogen and provide N source to the plant with less environmental constraints. Research was conducted to isolate and identify endophytic diazotrophs from oil palm leaf tissues. The isolates were then tagged with gfp gene to track their colonization inside rice plant tissues. The isolates were identified as nitrogen fixers based on the results of the Acetylene Reduction Assay (ARA) and successful PCR amplification of the nifH gene. The potential of isolates to produce indole-3-acetic acid was also estimated by Salkowski’s colorimetric test. Identification was performed using 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence analysis as well as phenotypic characteristics of the isolates on Red Congo agar, Nfb solid and semi solid malate media and under light microscope were also observed. Nine bacterial strains of endophytic diazotrophs were successfully isolated from oil palm leaf tissues. Based on molecular and phenotypic characterizations, the endophytic diazotrophs were phylogenetically close to genera Azospirillum sp., Acinetobacter sp., Acetobacter sp., Enterobacter sp. and Phytobacter sp. To study the colonization pattern, the bacteria Enterobacter sp. strain USML2, was transformed with pGFPCR vector to tag it with gfp gene. The tagged Enterobacter sp. strain USML2 was introduced to the root system of rice plant. After coming into contact with the rice plant root system the bacteria showed an unusual spreading to other plant part where in 24 hours after inoculation, 3.44x106 CFUgram- (fresh weight) of gfp-tagged Enterobacter sp. USML2 were observed in root section. While 3.21x104 CFUgram- (fresh weight) of gfp-tagged Enterobacter sp. USML2 found in stem section and 3.44x104 CFUgram- (fresh weight) of gfp-tagged Enterobacter sp. USML2 found in upper stem section. With 5.31x104 CFUgram- (fresh weight) of gfp-tagged Enterobacter sp. USML2 found in leaf tissues, it is concluded that bacteria migration happens from roots to leaf of rice plant. Dense colonization was observed on the primary and secondary roots and also on the junction of emergence of the lateral roots and subsequently to stem and leaf tissues. Results showed that the colonization pattern of Enterobacter sp. strain USML2 was similar to that of other endophytic bacteria isolated from non-legumes. Enterobacter sp. strain USML2 reached entry inside the root at the sites of emergence of lateral roots, without formation of infection threads as in the case of symbiotic rhizobacteria

Students’ Perception and Exploring Technological Roles in Solid Waste Engineering and Management Education

A comprehensive understanding of students\u27 perceptions within the Solid Waste Engineering and Management course contributes valuable insights to educators, institutions, and policymakers, facilitating the enhancement of waste management education through enriched teaching methods and technology integration that align with students’ evolving needs. This study investigates students’ perceptions in the context of the Solid Waste Engineering and Management course, analyzing demographic characteristics, impressions, lecturer professionalism, teaching and learning activities, and technology utilization. The sample encompasses diverse age groups, genders, semesters, and educational backgrounds, enhancing the study’s comprehensiveness. Employing a quantitative approach, the research combines a survey questionnaire with statistical analyses. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis unveil intricate relationships among variables and perceptions, offering nuanced insights. The results reveal positive impressions among students regarding knowledge enhancement, content relevance, increased confidence, and effective assessment methods. Lecturer professionalism is highlighted through attendance monitoring, academic guidance, and language use. Teaching and learning activities garner favorable responses, with active involvement, effective explanations, and challenging delivery styles appreciated. Technology’s role in enhancing engagement and leveraging online resources is acknowledged. Correlation analysis underscores the strong associations between lecturer professionalism and effective teaching, learning activities, and course impression. Positive perceptions of teaching and learning activities correlate with a positive course impression

Noroviruses Surrogate Detection Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP), Conventional RT-PCR and Quantitative RT-PCR in Sg. Tekala and Sg. Gabai Stream Water

A preliminary study was carried out in order to evaluate a reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for detecting Noroviruses (NoV) RNA surrogates as external standard for NoV.The detection limit of the NoV RT-LAMP assay was observed to be 22 copies/μL. This RT-LAMP assay sensitivity was comparablewith the quantitative reverse transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and shown to be 10-fold more sensitive than end-point conventional reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). The NoV RT-LAMP assay showed high specificity to NoV targeted gene when specificity test was completed with no cross-reactivity with other 17 environmental strains. The assay also was performed with 11 spiked recreational stream water randomly picked from two recreational areas in Hulu Langat Malaysia, Sg. Tekala and Sg. Gabai. The RT-LAMP assay is simpler compared to the conventional PCR and real-time PCR, which in optimum isothermal temperature of 63°C, the amplification can be completed in 40 minutes. Results of spiked recreational stream water samples suggested that the NoV RT-LAMP assay can be used as monitoring tool for NoV surveillance in recreational stream water

Noroviruses Surrogate Detection Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP), Conventional RT-PCR and Quantitative RT-PCR in Sg. Tekala and Sg. Gabai Stream Water

A preliminary study was carried out in order to evaluate a reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for detecting Noroviruses (NoV) RNA surrogates as external standard for NoV.The detection limit of the NoV RT-LAMP assay was observed to be 22 copies/μL. This RT-LAMP assay sensitivity was comparablewith the quantitative reverse transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and shown to be 10-fold more sensitive than end-point conventional reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). The NoV RT-LAMP assay showed high specificity to NoV targeted gene when specificity test was completed with no cross-reactivity with other 17 environmental strains. The assay also was performed with 11 spiked recreational stream water randomly picked from two recreational areas in Hulu Langat Malaysia, Sg. Tekala and Sg. Gabai. The RT-LAMP assay is simpler compared to the conventional PCR and real-time PCR, which in optimum isothermal temperature of 63°C, the amplification can be completed in 40 minutes. Results of spiked recreational stream water samples suggested that the NoV RT-LAMP assay can be used as monitoring tool for NoV surveillance in recreational stream water