The Importance of Learning Islamic History and Civilization of Malaysia in the Building of Human Capital and Identity of the Muslim Society in Malaysia

AbstractThe purpose of this research is to study the importance of learning Islamic History and Civilization in Malaysia for human capital building and identification of the muslim society in Malaysia. Its aim is to clarify the importance of this course, specifically at the Department of Arabic Studies and Islamic Civilization, and the need to produce graduates who are conversant in this field in order that they may utilise it in their lives regardless of whichever field they venture into. This study uses the library research method by analysis and evaluation with an argumentative as well as narrative approach. The results of study finds that knowledge and conversance in this field is integral in the formation of human capital and identity of the muslim society in Malaysia. Knowledge and conversance in this field would enable Malays to know the ‘true’ history of the muslim ummah in Malaysia. This knowledge is crucial to help them form and build a Malay-muslim generation in Malaysia, strongly attached to Malay traditions which have once brought the muslims to the pinnacle of success

Long noncoding RNA NEAT1 (nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1) is critical for phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells

In response to vascular injury, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) may switch from a contractile to a proliferative phenotype thereby contributing to neointima formation. Previous studies showed that the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1 is critical for paraspeckle formation and tumorigenesis by promoting cell proliferation and migration. However, the role of NEAT1 in VSMC phenotypic modulation is unknown. Herein we showed that NEAT1 expression was induced in VSMCs during phenotypic switching in vivo and in vitro. Silencing NEAT1 in VSMCs resulted in enhanced expression of SM-specific genes while attenuating VSMC proliferation and migration. Conversely, overexpression of NEAT1 in VSMCs had opposite effects. These in vitro findings were further supported by in vivo studies in which NEAT1 knockout mice exhibited significantly decreased neointima formation following vascular injury, due to attenuated VSMC proliferation. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that NEAT1 sequesters the key chromatin modifier WDR5 (WD Repeat Domain 5) from SM-specific gene loci, thereby initiating an epigenetic "off" state, resulting in down-regulation of SM-specific gene expression. Taken together, we demonstrated an unexpected role of the lncRNA NEAT1 in regulating phenotypic switching by repressing SM-contractile gene expression through an epigenetic regulatory mechanism. Our data suggest that NEAT1 is a therapeutic target for treating occlusive vascular diseases

Novel Myh11 Dual Reporter Mouse Model Provides Definitive Labeling and Identification of Smooth Muscle Cells—Brief Report

Objective: Myh11 encodes a myosin heavy chain protein that is specifically expressed in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and is important for maintaining vascular wall stability. The goal of this study is to generate a Myh11 dual reporter mouse line for definitive visualization of MYH11+ SMCs in vivo. Approach and Results: We generated a Myh11 knock-in mouse model by inserting LoxP-nlacZ-4XpolyA-LoxP-H2B-GFP-polyA-FRT-Neo-FRT reporter cassette into the Myh11 gene locus. The nuclear (n) lacZ-4XpolyA cassette is flanked by 2 LoxP sites followed by H2B-GFP (histone 2B fused green fluorescent protein). Upon Cre-mediated recombination, nlacZ-stop cassette is removed thereby permitting nucleus localized H2B-GFP expression. Expression of the nuclear localized lacZ or H2B-GFP is under control of the endogenous Myh11 promoter. Nuclear lacZ was expressed specifically in SMCs at embryonic and adult stages. Following germline Cre-mediated deletion of nuclear lacZ, H2B-GFP was specifically expressed in the nuclei of SMCs. Comparison of nuclear lacZ expression with Wnt1Cre and Mef2cCre mediated-H2B-GFP expression revealed heterogenous origins of SMCs from neural crest and second heart field in the great arteries and coronary vessels adjacent to aortic root. Conclusions: The Myh11 knock-in dual reporter mouse model offers an exceptional genetic tool to visualize and trace the origins of SMCs in mice

Comparative transcriptomics of genetically divergent lines of chickens in response to Marek’s disease virus challenge at cytolytic phase

<div><p>Marek’s disease (MD), caused by Marek’s disease virus (MDV), remains an economically significant threat to the poultry industry worldwide. Genetic resistance to MD is a promising alternative strategy to augment current control measures (vaccination and management). However, only a few functional genes reportedly conferring MD resistance have been identified. Here, we performed a comparative transcriptomics analysis of two highly inbred yet genetically divergent lines of chickens (line 6₃ and 7₂) that are resistant and susceptible to MD, respectively, in response to a very virulent plus strain of MDV (vv+MDV) challenge at cytolytic phase. A total of 203 DEGs in response to MDV challenge were identified in the two lines. Of these, 96 DEGs were in common for both lines, in addition to 36 and 71 DEGs that were specific for line 6₃ and 7₂, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis results showed the DEGs were significantly enriched in GO terms and pathways associated with immune response. Especially, the four DEGs, <i>FGA</i>, <i>ALB</i>, <i>FN1</i>, and <i>F13A1</i> that reportedly facilitate virus invasion or immunosuppression, were found to be significantly up-regulated in the susceptible line 7₂ but down-regulated in the resistant line 6₃ birds. These results provide new resources for future studies to further elucidate the genetic mechanism conferring MD resistance.</p></div

Small RNA deep sequencing revealed microRNAs’ involvement in modulating cellular senescence and immortalization state

ABSTRACT: Unlike rodent cells, spontaneous immortalization of avian cells and human cells is a very rare event. According to patent publications and current literature, there are no more than 4 spontaneously immortalized chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cell lines established up to date. One of those cell lines is ADOL (Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory) ZS-1 cell line, which was established by continuous passaging of the CEFs derived from the specific pathogen free (SPF) 0.TVB*S1 (commonly known as rapid feathering susceptible or RFS) genetic line of chickens. The RFS genetic line of chickens was developed and has been maintained on the SPF chicken farm of USDA-ARS facility, ADOL, in East Lansing, Michigan, which is known as one of a few lines of chickens that are free of any known avian endogenous virus genes. To explore potential roles that epigenetic factors may play in modulating cellular senescence processes and spontaneous immortalization state, total RNAs extracted from samples of the RFS primary CEFs, RFS CEFs reached the 21st passage, and the ZS-1 cells were subjected to small RNA sequencing. Collectively, a total of 531 miRNAs was identified in the 3 types of samples. In contrast to the primary CEF samples, 50 miRNAs were identified with significantly differential expression only in the 21st passage samples; a different subset of 63 differentially expressed miRNAs was identified only in the ZS-1 samples; the majority of differentially expressed miRNAs identified in both the 21st passage CEF and the ZS-1 samples were more or less directionally consistent. Gene Ontology analysis results suggested that the epigenetic factor, miRNAs, plays a role in modulating the cellular senescence and spontaneous immortalization processes through various bioprocesses and key pathways including ErbB and MAPK signaling pathways. These findings provided the experimental and bioinformatic evidence for a better understanding on the epigenetic factor of miRNAs in association with cellular senescence and spontaneous immortalization process in avian cells

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of line 6₃ and 7₂ chickens in response to MDV challenge.

<p>(A) Depicted different number of DEGs identified in each of the lines. (B) Venn diagram of DEGs between the lines 6₃ and 7₂. (C) Top ten gene ontology (GO) terms and significant pathways with wihch the common DEGs are associated; BP: biological process. KE: KEGG pathway. (D) Significant GO term of line 6₃-specific DEGs. (E) Significant GO and pathway terms of line 7₂-specific DEGs. (F) Heatmap showing the top DEGs that were very different in expression between the lines 6₃ and 7₂ in response to MDV challenge. The color bar represents the log2 Fold Change (FC) in response to MDV challenge (the FC value for <i>CATHB1</i> in line 7₂ bar was “Inf” and was arbitrarily set to 7 in the chart).</p

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two lines.

<p>(A) Summary of the number of DEGs between the two lines for each treatment. (B) Venn diagram showing the number of up-regulated DEGs in line 6₃ relative to line 7₂ for different treatments. (C) Venn diagram of number of up-regulated DEGs in line 7₂ relative to line 6₃ for different treatments. (D) Significant GO terms of DEGs between the two lines in control birds. BP: biological process. KE: KEGG pathway. (E) Significant GO terms of DEGs between the two lines in MDV-infected birds BP: biological process.</p