Effects Of Pretreatment And Enzymatic Hydrolysis On Oil Palm Frond For Use As Yeast Cultivation Medium

The advantage of acid hydrolysis is time consumed is much lower (10 minutes to 6 hours), as compared to enzymatic hydrolysis time is counted in days (Goldstein, 1983 and Wenzl, 1970). However, acid hydrolysis is hampered by non-selectivity and by-products formation from sugar decomposition (Fan et al., 1982). During acid hydrolysis, hemicelluloses are degraded to xylose, mannose, acetic acid, galactose and glucose; cellulose is hydrolyzed to glucose. At high temperature and pressure xylose is further degraded to furfural (Dunlop, 1948). Similarly, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) is formed from hexose degradation, and HMF may be further degraded to form levulinic acid (Ulbricht et al., 1984)

Hubungan antara Dukungan Sosial Daring dan Kepribadian Lima Besar dengan Adiksi Media Sosial

Adiksi media sosial adalah penggunaan dan pemantauan media sosial secara berlebihan, yang tampak dalam penggunaan kompulsif dengan mengorbankan aktivitas lain. Penelitian bertujuan melihat ada tidaknya hubungan antara dukungan sosial daring dan kepribadian lima besar pada adiksi media sosial. Penelitian ini merupakan studi kuantitatif korelasional, yang dilakukan pada para pengguna media sosial di Surabaya yang berusia 18–40 tahun. Partisipan dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 105 orang, yang didapat melalui teknik sampling insidental. Alat ukur yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Bergen’s Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Big Five Inventory-2 (BFI-2) versi Indonesia, dan Online Social Support Scale (OSSS). Hasil analisis regresi menunjukkan bahwa dukungan sosial daring dan kepribadian lima besar berpengaruh secara bersama-sama pada adiksi media sosial (p0.01). Hasil korelasi parsial menunjukkan bahwa hanya variabel dukungan sosial daring (r=0.510, p0.01) dan dimensi kepribadian neuroticism (r=0,372, p0.01) yang memiliki korelasi dengan adiksi media sosial. Keempat dimensi kepribadian yang lain tidak memiliki korelasi pada adiksi media sosia

HUBUNGAN ANTARA TIPE KEPRIBADIAN BIG FIVE DENGAN ADIKSI INTERNET PADA MAHASISWA DI SURABAYA

Internet addiction is a phenomenon generally present among youngsters. One of the factors suggested to be the cause of internet addiction is personality. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between types of personality based on Big Five Theory (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness) and internet addiction among university students in Surabaya. Within this study, 151 university students with internet addiction in Surabaya were recruited using purposive sampling method. Using the Kendall’s Tau b non-parametric correlation technique, the current study found that neuroticism is the only Big Five personality type that shows a significant relationship with internet addiction (r = 0,121, p=0,034;

Networking and Knowledge Transfer in Malaysian SMEs through University-

This report demonstrates the application of a model that treats the state, society and economy in a concrete case study of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It approaches the transformation of Malaysian SMEs by using a triangular model. The model focuses on university–industry engagement within the context of the state's educational policies and programmes that encourage the transfer of knowledge. Within this context, the report explores and pilots a new approach, which aims to transform Malaysian SMEs, especially contract manufacturers of multinational corporations. The model provides a least-cost, timely, competent and sustainable solution to the needs of all stakeholders

Incidence of Malaria in the Interior Division of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, Based on Nested PCR

Introduction. Malaria is currently one of the most prevalent parasite-transmitted diseases caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Misidentification of human malaria parasites especially P. knowlesi based on microscopic examination is very common. The objectives of this paper were to accurately identify the incidence of human malaria parasites in the interior division of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, based on small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssrRNA) and to determine the misidentification rate in human malaria parasites. Methods. Nested PCR was used to detect the presence of human malaria parasites. A total of 243 blood spot samples from patients who had requested for blood film for malaria parasite (BFMP) analyses were used in this study. Results. Nested PCR findings showed that there was no P. malariae infection while the highest prevalent malaria parasite was P. knowlesi, followed by P. vivax, P. falciparum, and mixed infection. Only 69.5% of the 243 samples giving consistent nested PCR and microscopic results. Conclusion. The preliminary findings from molecular detection of malaria showed that P. knowlesi was the most prevalent Plasmodium species in the interior division of Sabah. The findings from this paper may provide a clearer picture on the actual transmission of different Plasmodium species in this region

Asymptomatic and Submicroscopic Carriage of Plasmodium knowlesi Malaria in Household and Community Members of Clinical Cases in Sabah, Malaysia

Although asymptomatic carriage of human malaria species has been widely reported, the extent of asymptomatic, submicroscopic Plasmodium knowlesi parasitemia is unknown. In this study, samples were obtained from individuals residing in households or villages of symptomatic malaria cases with the aim of detecting submicroscopic P. knowlesi in this population. Four published molecular assays were used to confirm the presence of P. knowlesi. Latent class analysis revealed that the estimated proportion of asymptomatic individuals was 6.9% (95% confidence interval, 5.6%-8.4%). This study confirms the presence of a substantial number of asymptomatic monoinfections across all age groups; further work is needed to estimate prevalence in the wider community

Genetic diversity of circumsporozoite protein in Plasmodium knowlesi isolates from Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia

Understanding the genetic diversity of candidate genes for malaria vaccines such as circumsporozoite protein (csp) may enhance the development of vaccines for treating Plasmodium knowlesi. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the genetic diversity of non-repeat regions of csp in P. knowlesi from Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 46 csp genes were subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification. The genes were obtained from P. knowlesi isolates collected from different divisions of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, and Peninsular Malaysia. The targeted gene fragments were cloned into a commercial vector and sequenced, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed while incorporating 168 csp sequences retrieved from the GenBank database. The genetic diversity and natural evolution of the csp sequences were analysed using MEGA6 and DnaSP ver. 5.10.01. A genealogical network of the csp haplotypes was generated using NETWORK ver. 4.6.1.3. The phylogenetic analysis revealed indistinguishable clusters of P. knowlesi isolates across different geographic regions, including Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Nucleotide analysis showed that the csp nonrepeat regions of zoonotic P. knowlesi isolates obtained in this study underwent purifying selection with population expansion, which was supported by extensive haplotype sharing observed between humans and macaques. Novel variations were observed in the C-terminal non-repeat region of csp. The csp non-repeat regions are relatively conserved and there is no distinct cluster of P. knowlesi isolates from Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Distinctive variation data obtained in the C-terminal non-repeat region of csp could be beneficial for the design and development of vaccines to treat P. knowlesi

Genetic Relatedness of Indigenous Ethic Groups in Northern Borneo to Neighboring Populations from Southeast Asia, as inferred from Genome-wide SNP Data

The region of northern Borneo is home to the current state of Sabah, Malaysia. It is located closest to the southern Philippine islands and may have served as a viaduct for ancient human migration onto or off of Borneo Island. In this study, five indigenous ethnic groups from Sabah were subjected to genome-wide SNP genotyping. These individuals represent the "North Borneo"-speaking group of the great Austronesian family. They have traditionally resided in the inland region of Sabah. The dataset was merged with public datasets, and the genetic relatedness of these groups to neighboring populations from the islands of Southeast Asia, mainland Southeast Asia and southern China was inferred. Genetic structure analysis revealed that these groups formed a genetic cluster that was independent of the clusters of neighboring populations. Additionally, these groups exhibited near-absolute proportions of a genetic component that is also common among Austronesians from Taiwan and the Philippines. They showed no genetic admixture with Austro-Melanesian populations. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that they are closely related to non-Austro-Melansian Filipinos as well as to Taiwan natives but are distantly related to populations from mainland Southeast Asia. Relatively lower heterozygosity and higher pairwise genetic differentiation index (FST ) values than those of nearby populations indicate that these groups might have experienced genetic drift in the past, resulting in their differentiation from other Austronesians. Subsequent formal testing suggested that these populations have received no gene flow from neighboring populations. Taken together, these results imply that the indigenous ethnic groups of northern Borneo shared a common ancestor with Taiwan natives and non-Austro-Melanesian Filipinos and then isolated themselves on the inland of Sabah. This isolation presumably led to no admixture with other populations, and these individuals therefore underwent strong genetic differentiation. This report contributes to addressing the paucity of genetic data on representatives from this strategic region of ancient human migration event(s)

Exposure and infection to Plasmodium knowlesi in case study communities in Northern Sabah, Malaysia and Palawan, The Philippines.

BACKGROUND: Primarily impacting poor, rural populations, the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi is now the main cause of human malaria within Malaysian Borneo. While data is increasingly available on symptomatic cases, little is known about community-level patterns of exposure and infection. Understanding the true burden of disease and associated risk factors within endemic communities is critical for informing evidence-based control measures. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted comprehensive surveys in three areas where P. knowlesi transmission is reported: Limbuak, Pulau Banggi and Matunggung, Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia and Bacungan, Palawan, the Philippines. Infection prevalence was low with parasites detected by PCR in only 0.2% (4/2503) of the population. P. knowlesi PkSERA3 ag1 antibody responses were detected in 7.1% (95% CI: 6.2-8.2%) of the population, compared with 16.1% (14.6-17.7%) and 12.6% (11.2-14.1%) for P. falciparum and P. vivax. Sero-prevalence was low in individuals <10 years old for P. falciparum and P. vivax consistent with decreased transmission of non-zoonotic malaria species. Results indicated marked heterogeneity in transmission intensity between sites and P. knowlesi exposure was associated with agricultural work (OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.07-2.48) and higher levels of forest cover (OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.29-4.46) and clearing (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.35-3.40) around houses. Spatial patterns of P. knowlesi exposure differed from exposure to non-zoonotic malaria and P. knowlesi exposed individuals were younger on average than individuals exposed to non-zoonotic malaria. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study to describe serological exposure to P. knowlesi and associated risk factors within endemic communities. Results indicate community-level patterns of infection and exposure differ markedly from demographics of reported cases, with higher levels of exposure among women and children. Further work is needed to understand these variations in risk across a wider population and spatial scale

3D extracellular matrix microenvironment in bioengineered tissue models of primary pediatric and adult brain tumors.

Dynamic alterations in the unique brain extracellular matrix (ECM) are involved in malignant brain tumors. Yet studies of brain ECM roles in tumor cell behavior have been difficult due to lack of access to the human brain. We present a tunable 3D bioengineered brain tissue platform by integrating microenvironmental cues of native brain-derived ECMs and live imaging to systematically evaluate patient-derived brain tumor responses. Using pediatric ependymoma and adult glioblastoma as examples, the 3D brain ECM-containing microenvironment with a balance of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions supports distinctive phenotypes associated with tumor type-specific and ECM-dependent patterns in the tumor cells\u27 transcriptomic and release profiles. Label-free metabolic imaging of the composite model structure identifies metabolically distinct sub-populations within a tumor type and captures extracellular lipid-containing droplets with potential implications in drug response. The versatile bioengineered 3D tumor tissue system sets the stage for mechanistic studies deciphering microenvironmental role in brain tumor progression