Genetic Polymorphisms Of Inflammation Response Genes And Their Influence On Malaysian Colorectal Cancer Patients : A Case Control Study

Sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex and multi-factorial disease caused by the interaction of environmental and genetic predisposition factors. However the genetic susceptibility or predisposition risk of a certain individual to development of sporadic CRC remains largely undetermined. Recently chronic inflammation has been documented as a predisposing factor for CRC development. It was hypothesized that a pro-inflammatory genetic profile represented by genetic variation in inflammation response genes might be associated with increased susceptibility to CRC and a study was designed to test the hypothesis

Association of Upstream Transcription Factor 1 Gene (USF1) 306 G > A with Increased Homocysteine Level among Iban Ethnic Groups in Sarawak Population

Objective: to determine the polymorphic allele and genotype frequencies of USF1 306 G > A. It aimed to elucidate the association of the polymorphic allele and genotypes with clinical profiles such as total cholesterol (TC), high- density lipoprotein (HDL), low- density lipoprotein (LDL) and homocysteine level in Iban ethnic group in Sarawak. Materials and methods: One hundred and fourteen (114) individuals of the Iban ethnic group were recruited as the study subjects. The Allele Specific PCR (AS-PCR) was used in the genotyping. Association of genotype frequencies and clinical profile was assessed using One Way ANOVA. As for the association of allele frequencies and clinical profile, Independent Sample T test was used. Results: Genotype frequency showed statistical significant difference with homocysteine level with p value less than 0.05. The heterozygous and variant genotypes of Upstream Transcription Factor 1 (USF 1) 306 G > A is significantly associated with high level of homocysteine with F (2,112) = 7.048, p A is also significantly associated with high level of triglycerides with t (-2.116), p value of 0.035. Conclusion: Our results show that the genetic diversity of USF1 gene influences the susceptibility to increased level of homocysteine in the Iban ethnic group of the Malaysian population. This results support the involvement of USF1 mediated pathways in the process of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)

Association of Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) Gene Expression and Caspase Activity in Normal Nasopharyngeal Cell

Objective: To assess LMP1 gene expression-induced apoptosis in normal nasopharyngeal cells by measuring caspase activity. Material and Methods: LMP1 gene was subcloned into pTracer and pcDNA vector, producing pTracer-LMP1 and pcDNA- LMP1 expression plasmids. The plasmids were then transfected into normal nasopharyngeal cells. LMP1 gene expression-induced apoptosis was accessed by measuring Caspase activities using Caspase-Glo ® 3/7 Assay kit following the manufacturer's protocol. The luminescence intensity was measured by microplate reader. Association of LMP1 gene expression with caspase activation was analysed by independent Sample T test. Results: LMP1 gene expression in normal nasopharyngeal cells is significantly associated with higher caspase activity of apoptosis compare to the vector control with t(-2.142), p value of 0.03. Conclusion: Our results show that, there is association of LMP1 gene expression and caspase activity level in normal nasopharyngeal cell thus support that LMP1 gene expression is involved in apoptosis induction

XPC Lys939Gln polymorphism, smoking and risk of sporadic colorectal cancer among Malaysians

AIM: To investigate the risk association of xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC ) Lys939Gln polymorphism alone and in combination with cigarette smoking on colorectal cancer (CRC) predisposition. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of 510 study subjects (255 CRC patients, 255 controls)were collected. DNA was extracted and genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The association between polymorphic genotype and CRC predisposition was determined using the OR and 95%CI. RESULTS: The frequency of the homozygous variant (Gln/Gln) genotype was significantly higher in cases compared with controls (16.0% vs 10.2%, P = 0.049). The Gln/Gln genotype of XPC showed a significantly higher association with the risk of CRC (OR = 1.884; 95%CI: 1.082-3.277; P = 0.025). In the case of allele frequencies, variant allele C was associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC (OR = 1.375; 95%CI: 1.050-1.802; P = 0.020). Moreover, the risk was markedly higher for those who were carriers of the Gln/Gln variant genotype and were also cigarette smokers (OR = 3.409; 95%CI: 1.061-10.949; P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The XPC Gln/Gln genotype alone and in combination with smoking increases the risk of CRC among Malaysians

Risk modification of colorectal cancer susceptibility by interleukin-8 -251T>A polymorphism in Malaysians

AIM: To investigate the allele and genotype frequencies and associated risk of interleukin (IL )-8 -251T>A polymorphism on colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility risk. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of 255 normal controls and 255 clinically and histopathologically confirmed CRC patients were genotyped for IL-8 -251T>A polymorphism employing allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The relative association of variant allele and genotypes with CRC susceptibility risk was determined by calculating the odds ratios (ORs). Corresponding χ 2 tests on the CRC patients and controls were carried out and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using Fisher’s exact test. The allele frequencies and its risk association were calculated using FAMHAP, haplotype association analysis software. RESULTS: On comparing the frequencies of genotypes of patients and controls, the homozygous variant AA was significantly higher in CRC patients (P = 0.002) compared to controls. Investigation on the association of the polymorphic genotypes with CRC susceptibility risk, showed that the homozygous variant IL-8 -251AA had a significantly increased risk with OR 3.600 (95% CI: 1.550-8.481, P = 0.001). In the case of allele frequencies, variant allele A of IL-8 -251 showed a significantly increased risk of CRC predisposition with OR 1.32 (95% CI: 1.03-1.69, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Variant allele and genotype of IL-8 (-251 T>A) was significantly associated with CRC susceptibility risk and could be considered as a high-risk variant for CRC predisposition

Electricity cost saving comparison due to tariff change and ice thermal storage (ITS) usage based on a hybrid centrifugal-ITS system for buildings : A university district cooling perspective

In this paper, the case study of a district cooling system of a university located in a South East Asia region (lat: 01°29′; long: 110°20′E) is presented. In general, the university has high peak ambient temperature of around 32–35 °C coupled with high humidity of about 85% during afternoon period. The total electricity charge for the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Campus is very high amounting to more than $314,911 per month. In this paper, a few district cooling schemes are investigated to provide “what-if analysis” and in order to minimize the overall electricity charges. Few scenarios designed for the application of centrifugal with and without ice-thermal storage (ITS) systems on the buildings were investigated. It was found that, due to the local tariff status, marginally saving can be achieved in the range of 0.08–3.13% if a new tariff is adopted; and a total of further saving of 1.26–2.43% if ITS is operated. This marginally saving is mainly due to the local tariff conditions and lower local temperature range (ΔT) which are less favorable as compared with those reported in the literature elsewhere

Association of PCSK9 g.24382G > A with Increased Homocysteine Level among Bidayuh Ethnic Group in Sarawak Population

Objective: To determine the polymorphic allele and genotype frequencies of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 PCSK9 g.24382G > A. It aimed to elucidate the association of the polymorphic allele and genotypes with clinical profiles such as total cholesterol (TC), high- density lipoprotein (HDL), low- density lipoprotein (LDL) and homocysteine level in the Bidayuh ethnic group in Sarawak. Material and Methods: One hundred and thirty-nine (139) individuals from the Bidayuh ethnic group in Sarawak participated as study subjects. The Allele Specific PCR (AS-PCR) was used in the genotyping of PCSK9 g.24382G > A to detect the selected SNPs variant (Polymorphisms). Association of genotype frequencies with clinical profile was calculated using One Way ANOVA. As for the association of allele frequencies with clinical profile, Independent Sample T test was used. Results: Heterozygous genotype was statistically higher in normal level of total cholesterol level, LDL and homocysteine level whereas high level of total cholesterol and HDL ratio was statistically higher in variant genotype compared to homozygous genotype (p A show that it is significantly associated with high homocysteine level, F (1,137) = 5.018 (p = 0.027). Conclusion: Our results showed that the genetic diversity of PCSK9 gene influences the susceptibility to increased level of homocysteine in the Malaysian population and also support the involvement of LDLR mediated pathways in the process of Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Teaching Basic Microbiology Laboratory Techniques Through e-Learning (STERILIZATX)

Growing bacteria and fungus in pure culture is still one of the best and most widely used methods in learning basic microbiology. However, during the pandemic where the learning has to be conducted online, the gap in conducting the teaching has become realm. In addition, an appropriate physical environment must be created, where important factors such as hands on and observation are controlled and maintained. Therefore, the development of STERILIZATX as do it yourself (DIY) kit is timely in order to facilitate the distanced-learning requirement. The objectives of the innovation are to explain basic principle of microbial cell culture, to observe basic microbial characteristic on agar culture, and to apply basic good microbiological laboratory practice and cultivation of microbial cell culture, dedicated for distanced and e-learning. The learners are able to perform basic microbial culture aseptic technique using improvised DIY kit called STERILIZATX, observe the microbial growing pattern, distinguish and characterise the selected microbial colony, and describe the basic principles of applied microbiology in daily life during the discussion