Isolation and molecular characterization of phytase producing bacteria from Malaysia hot springs

Potential phytase producing bacterial were isolated from different hot springs in Malaysia which were Labis (Johor), Dusun Tua (Selangor), Ulu Legong (Kedah) and Ranau (Sabah). All bacterial samples were grown in Phytase Screening Media (PSM) at temperatures of 37 °C, 45 °C, 50 °C and 55 °C for four days. Out of all samples tested, five isolates have showed clearing zone surrounding the colony which indicates presence of phytase activity. The strains were further analyzed in broth culture using sodium phytate as substrate. Among them, strain L3 was selected as the best producer (0.16 U/ml after 72 h of culture). This phytase showed optimal activity at 37 °C and pH5.5, demonstrating appropriate character for application in feed of several industrial processes. Blast homology of 16S rRNA gene sequence of isolate L3 identified 99% similarity to Acinetobacter baumannii.Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; phytase; phytic aci

Discoveries beyond BRCA1/2: Multigene testing in an Asian multi-ethnic cohort suspected of hereditary breast cancer syndrome in the real world

10.1371/journal.pone.0213746PLoS ONE143e021374

Clustered intramammary microcalcifications not associated with a mass.

Singapore Medical Journal36129-3

Ion-containing membranes from microemulsion polymerization

10.1021/la981117sLangmuir1593202-3205LANG

Cross-sectional study of near-work and myopia in kindergarten children in Singapore

Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore296740-744AAMS

Kinetic and stoichiometric characterization for efficient enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process at high temperatures

A recently reported stable and efficient EBPR system at high temperatures around 30 degrees C has led to characterization of kinetic and stoichiometric parameters of the Activated Sludge Model no. 2d (ASM2d). Firstly, suitable model parameters were selected by identifiability analysis. Next, the model was calibrated and validated. ASM2d was found to represent the processes well at 28 and 32 degrees C except in polyhyroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation of the latter. The values of the kinetic parameters for PHA storage (q(PHA)), polyphosphate storage (q(PP)) and growth (mu(PAO)) of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) at 28 and 32 degrees C were found to be much higher than those reported by previous studies. Besides, the value of the stoichiometric parameter for the requirement of polyphosphate for PHA storage (Y-PO4) was found to decrease as temperature rose from 28 to 32 degrees C. Values of two other stoichiometric parameters, i.e. the growth yield of heterotrophic organisms (Y-H) and PAOs (Y-PAO), were high at both temperatures. These calibrated parameters imply that the extremely active PAOs of the study were able to store PHA, store polyphosphate and even utilize PHA for cell growth. Besides, the parameters do not follow the Arrhenius correlation due to the previously reported unique microbial clade at 28 and 32 degrees C, which actively performs EBPR at high temperatures

Characteristics and genetic testing outcomes of patients with clinically suspected paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma (PGL/PCC) syndrome in Singapore

10.1186/s13053-020-00156-9Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice1812

Proteomic analysis of colorectal cancer reveals alterations in metabolic pathways

10.1074/mcp.M500432-MCP200Molecular and Cellular Proteomics561119-113

Synbiotics-supplemented amino acid-based formula supports adequate growth in cow's milk allergic infants

<p>Background: Children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) are at risk for inadequate nutritional intake and growth. Dietary management of CMA, therefore, requires diets that are not only hypoallergenic but also support adequate growth in this population. This study assessed growth of CMA infants when using a new amino acid-based formula (AAF) with prebiotics and probiotics (synbiotics) and evaluated its safety in the intended population. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled study, full-term infants with diagnosed CMA received either an AAF (control; n = 56) or AAF with synbiotics (oligofructose, long-chain inulin, acidic oligosaccharides, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V) (test; n = 54) for 16 wk. Primary outcome was growth, measured as weight, length and head circumference. Secondary outcomes included allergic symptoms and stool characteristics. Results: Average age (±SD) of infants at inclusion was 4.5 ± 2.4 months. Both formulas equally supported growth according to WHO 2006 growth charts and resulted in similar increases of weight, length and head circumference. At week 16, differences (90% CI) in Z-scores (test-control) were as follows: weight 0.147 (-0.10; 0.39, p = 0.32), length -0.299 (-0.69; 0.09, p = 0.21) and head circumference 0.152 (-0.15; 0.45, p = 0.40). Weight-for-age and length-for-age Z-scores were not significantly different between the test and control groups. Both formulas were well tolerated and reduced allergic symptoms; the number of adverse events was not different between the groups. Conclusions: This is the first study that shows that an AAF with a specific synbiotic blend, suitable for CMA infants, supports normal growth and growth similar to the AAF without synbiotics. This clinical trial is registered as NCT00664768.</p