Optimization and maximization of hexavalent molybdenum reduction to Mo-blue by Serratia sp. strain MIE2 using response surface methodology

Molybdenum has long been known to be toxic to ruminants, but not to humans. However, more recently it has been increasingly reported that molybdenum shows toxic effects to reproductive organs of fish, mouse and even humans. Hence, its removal from the environment is highly sought after. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was successfully applied in the optimization and maximization of Mo6+ reduction to Mo-blue by Serratia sp. MIE2 for future bioremediation application. The optimal conditions predicted by RSM were 20 mM molybdate, 3.95 mM phosphate, pH 6.25 and 25 g l−1 sucrose with absorbance of 19.53 for Mo-blue production measured at 865 nm. The validation experimental run of the predicted optimal conditions showed that the maximum Mo-blue production occurred at absorbance of 20.87, with a 6.75 % deviation from the predicted value obtained from RSM. Molybdate reduction was successfully maximized using RSM with molybdate reduction before and after optimization using RSM showing Mo-blue production starting at the absorbance value of 10.0 at 865 nm going up to an absorbance value above 20.87. The modelling kinetics of Mo6+ reduction showed that Teissier was the best model, with calculated Pmax, Ks and Ki values of 1.97 Mo-blue per hour, 5.79 mM and 31.48 mM, respectively

Modelling the kinetics of hexavalent molybdenum (Mo6+) reduction by the Serratia sp. strain MIE2 in batch culture

In the present work, the kinetics of hexavalent molybdenum reduction by the Serratia sp. strain MIE2 were investigated using several kinetic models, such as Monod, Haldane, Teissier, Aiba, Yano, Han and Levenspiel and Luong. The statistical analysis showed that the best model was Teissier, which had the lowest RMSE and AICc values, the highest adjusted R2 values, and an F test and with a bias factor and an accuracy factor nearest to unity (1.0). The calculated value for the Teissier constants, such as pmax, Ks and Ki, was 0.506 µmol Mo-blue h−1, 6.53 mM and 29.41 mM, respectively. The effect of heavy metals showed that hexavalent molybdenum reduction by the strain MIE2 was inhibited by silver, mercury and copper with a total inhibition of 96, 97, and 45 %, respectively, at a concentration of 1 ppm. Otherwise, the Mo-reducing enzyme was inhibited by mercury and zinc with an inhibition of 88 and 65 %, respectively. Most of the respiratory inhibitors did not inhibit the Mo-reducing enzyme activity, indicating that the respiratory system in this bacterium is not the site of the hexavalent molybdenum reduction. The results obtained from this study could be useful for estimating the relationship between molybdenum-blue production and the molybdate concentration, which may be important during the up scaling of the molybdenum bioremediation process

Determination of optimum combination of voxel size and b-value for brain diffusion tensor imaging

Optimum combination of voxel size resolution and b-value for whole brain imaging has been determined. Data images were acquired using a 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (GE Signa HDxt). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scan was performed on phantom and a human volunteer. Six protocols which consist of various combination of voxel size and b-value were evaluated. Measurement of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and DTI parameter indices were carried out for both phantom and in-vivo studies. Due consideration was given to a combination of parameters yielding sufficient SNR with DTI values comparable to those obtained from previous reported studies. For the phantom study, SNR ≥ 20 was found in all of the protocols except for a combination of voxel size of 2.0 × 2.0 × 2.0 mm3 with b-value of 1200 s/mm2 (V2.0 B1200) and that of voxel size of 2.0 × 2.0 × 2.0 mm3 with b-value of 1000 s/mm2 (V2.0 B1000). For in-vivo study, all protocols presented SNR > 20. It was found that a combination of voxel size of 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 mm3 with b-value of 1000 s/mm2 (V2.5 B1000) and that of voxel size of 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 mm3 with b-value of 700 s/mm2 (V2.5 B700) displayed the most comparable ADC and FA values with references. In terms of anatomic coverage, V2.5 B700 was found better than V2.5 B1000 as it assures coverage of the whole brain. In conclusion, a combination of voxel size of 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 mm3 with b-value of 700 s/mm2 was considered as optimum parameters for brain DTI

Diagnostic Cerebral Angiography in Spontaneous Intracranial Haemorrhage: A Guide for Developing Countries

ObjectiveSpontaneous intracranial haemorrhage constitutes 18-40% of all stroke cases. Indications for cerebral angiography to find underlying potentially treatable vascular abnormalities are not clear. This study determined which intracranial haemorrhage patients need cerebral angiography by correlating computed tomography (CT) findings, age and hypertension history with cerebral angiography findings.MethodsA total of 54 patients (8-79 years) with intracranial haemorrhage who underwent both CT examination and six-vessel cerebral angiography were studied over a 2-year period. Cerebral angiography was repeated within 6 weeks if the first angiogram was negative.ResultsAngiography detected vascular lesions in 50% of cases (aneurysm 38.9% and arteriovenous malformation, AVM, 11.1%). In the aneurysm group, angiographic yield was 34.3% whereas in the AVM group, it was 37.9%. Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) combined with other types of haemorrhage (such as intracerebral haemorrhage, ICH) was not significantly correlated with the likelihood of finding a vascular lesion, both aneurysm and AVM (p = 0.157). Age less than 50 years had significant correlation (p = 0.021) in the AVM group as well as in the aneurysm group (p < 0.001). A history of hypertension was associated with both aneurysm (p = 0.039) and AVM (p = 0.008). No patients with deep intracerebral haematoma had vascular lesions. The presence of an intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) had significant correlation with aneurysm (p = 0.008) but not AVM. There was no significant difference in mean age between patients with and without a vascular lesion (p = 0.134).ConclusionCerebral angiography is justified in patients with pure SAH (p = 0.001). Other factors associated with finding a vascular lesion were a history of hypertension and the presence of IVH. Diagnostic cerebral angiography is indicated for patients with ICH and SAH and IVH with a history of hypertension, regardless of age

DNA forensic case study: species identification from suspected crocodile penis

Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) began developing the capacity on wildlife DNA forensic since 2009 to assist in law enforcement activities. Most of the forensic cases require DNA species identification of animal parts where key morphological characters are missing. Among the cases frequently confiscated are from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which often claim to use animal parts such as reproductive organs. Dried crocodile penises, in particular, are believed to have medicinal benefits and are highly demanded in TCM industries since millennials ago. In this case study, we analysed four enforcement cases comprising of 44 exhibits which resemble crocodile penis using the partial cytochrome b gene of the mitochondrial DNA. Sequence similarity searches were conducted using both the BLAST search engines of GenBank and also PERHILITAN’s MyWILDNA database to identify the species. Out of 44 exhibits, 22 items produced DNA sequences in which three were found to be derived from Crocodylus porosus while the remaining was identified as Bos taurus, Bos javanicus, and Bos indicus. This case study showed that most of TCM which claimed to be derived from crocodile penis turned out to be counterfeit products

Analysis of pediatric subdural empyema outcome in relation to computerized tomography brain scan

A cross-sectional study was conducted to predict the outcome in patients with subdural empyema, using initial and post-treatment CT scan brain parameters. Data collection was done on those children who were diagnosed to have subdural empyema by CT scan of the brain with contrast, who underwent burrhole evacuation, from February 2000 until April 2002. Numerous factors, such as coma or loss of unconsciousness at diagnosis, age, types of antibiotic, microbiology, extension of empyema, associated cerebral infarction and ventriculitis, were analyzed. Poor prognosis was associated with loss of consciousness, and hypodensity by CT scan at presentation (p < 0.005). Patients with an extensive subdural empyema will have a good outcome if they are treated early and aggressively with antibiotics and burrhole evacuation

Independence Music Centre / Mohd Nazri Ab Rahim ... [et al.]

Music industries in our country exists since years and years ago. This industries is one of the thousand industries that can growth and the one that we can get profit in the blink of eyes. It gave so many opportunities to us. As an entrepreneur we must take this chances to make a business base on this industries. One of the ideal business is music centre. Because of that, we choose this business for our business plan

A review: drinking water and wastewater quality assessment in ruminant farms

Water is an essential part in any livestock production and it is more so in ruminant production that is highly water intensive. Water is not only essential as a medium of animal metabolism, but it is also an important cleaning medium. Therefore, it is important that the quality of drinking water is maintained at a certain level so as to lessen the possible adverse effects on the animals. Despite there has being some standards set by the various agencies on the minimal water quality deemed suitable for livestock consumption, they are still vague and this, combined with poor compliance and the water sourcing of dubious sources in ruminant farms makes it hard to regulate the drinking water quality in ruminant farms. This, in turn, might lead to possible adverse effects in livestock production due to water contaminants. At the same time, most ruminant farms in Malaysia do not do proper treatment of their wastewater before releasing them into water bodies such as drains, rivers and lakes which could lead to possible adverse effects to the environment

Change in immune biomarkers of laboratory mice responding to experimental inoculation of different drinking water quality from selected dairy farms

Current knowledge of abnormal physiological responses in livestock due to consumption of substandard water is limited. This study was designed to explore the host cell responses in mice orally inoculated with different drinking water qualities from selected dairy cattle farms. A total of 28 female mice used in this study were divided into Group 1- negative control (treated with sterile deionized distilled water), Group 2 - treated with good quality water sample, Group 3 - treated with moderate quality water sample, and Group 4 - treated with unsatisfactory quality water sample. All the mice were given 0.25 mL of water samples three times daily for 30 days. Blood samples were collected from all mice before euthanasia at 30 days post-inoculation for reproductive hormones and biomarkers analyses. All treatment groups showed significant (p<0.05) weight loss compared to the control group. There was a significant difference in the serum immunoglobulin-G (IgG), , immunoglobulin-M (IgM), interleukin-12 (IL-12), haptoglobin (Hp), and serum amyloid A (SAA) profiles of mice among the different water quality treatments as compared to the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the host cell responses exhibited by the mice in the treatment groups indicates a high risk of potential negative effect on the production and health of the livestock due to long-term consumption of drinking water with subpar quality

Exposure to Zoonotic West Nile Virus in Long-Tailed Macaques and Bats in Peninsular Malaysia

The role of wildlife such as wild birds, macaques, and bats in the spreading and maintenance of deadly zoonotic pathogens in nature have been well documented in many parts of the world. One such pathogen is the mosquitoes borne virus, namely the West Nile Virus (WNV). Previous research has shown that 1:7 and 1:6 Malaysian wild birds are WNV antibody and RNA positive, respectively, and bats in North America may not be susceptible to the WNV infection. This study was conducted to determine the status of WNV in Malaysian macaques and bats found in mangrove forests and caves, respectively. Archive sera and oropharyngeal swabs from long-tailed macaques were subjected to the antibody detection using WNV competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) and WNV RNA using RT-PCR, respectively, while the archive oropharyngeal and rectal swabs from bats were subjected to RT-PCR without serological analysis due to the unavailability of serum samples. The analysis revealed a WNV seropositivity of 29.63% (24/81) and none of the macaques were positive for WNV RNA. Meanwhile, 12.2% (5/41) of the bats from Pteropodidae, Emballonuridae, and Rhinolophidae families tested positive for WNV RNA. Here, we show a high WNV antibody prevalence in macaques and a moderate WNV RNA in various Malaysian bat species, suggesting that WNV circulates through Malaysian wild animals and Malaysian bat species may be susceptible to the WNV infectio