A new method of vascular point detection using artificial neural network

Vascular intersection is an important feature in retina fundus image (RFI). It can be used to monitor the progress of diabetes hence accurately determining vascular point is of utmost important. In this work a new method of vascular point detection using artificial neural network model has been proposed. The method uses a 5x5 window in order to detect the combination of bifurcation and crossover points in a retina fundus image. Simulated images have been used to train the artificial neural network and on convergence the network is used to test (RFI) from DRIVE database. Performance analysis of the system shows that ANN based technique achieves 100% accuracy on simulated images and minimum of 92% accuracy on RFI obtained from DRIVE database

Identification of the bioactive compounds of skin mucus from asian swamp eel (monopterus albus) using liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Asian swamp eels have been widely accepted as sources of food, especially among various Asian cultures. However, their potential values as novel sources of therapeutic agents have not been widely appreciated. Like most other tropical fishes and amphibians, the outer integumentary system of Monopterus albus is covered with mucus layers, which may act as a mechanical and biochemical barrier for their skin. The biochemical components of these mucus layers may have certain compounds that may be medically beneficial to human. The current study was interested to screen the bioactive compounds of skin mucus from the tropical Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) using Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS), for this purpose, eel skin mucus extract was used for LC-QTOF-MS analysis. The screening results for the bioactive compounds revealed different bioactive compounds which possess multiple biological properties mainly anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In conclusion, the current study illustrated that eel skin mucus contain different bioactive compounds which might be consider as therapeutic-promising agents

Mangostins stimulate glucose uptake and inhibit adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Garcinia mangostana (Guttiferae) has interesting biological activities with potential medicinal application. α-mangostin and β-mangostin are the most abundant xanthones isolated from the species. The paper reported the inhibitory effect of the compounds on triglyceride formation, glucose uptake stimulation and gene expression effects on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Evaluation of the effect of the compounds on triglyceride accumulation was examined by Oil red O staining. The result showed that all compounds inhibited lipid accumulation on 3T3-L1 adipocytes at concentration of 50 μM (P < 0.05) compared to MDI treated cells in a dose-dependent manner. Effect of the cells on uptake of 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose was significantly improved by increasing the concentration of the compounds. Analysis of gene expressions by quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated that the compounds inhibited the expression of early adipogenic transcription factor (PPARγ). In addition, the compounds enhanced the expression and plasma membrane translocation of GLUT4 in mature adipocytes. Analysis by using the adipolysis kit showed that α-mangostin particularly increases the free fatty acid release by stimulating the lipolysis pathway. Therefore, these results suggested that α-mangostin and β-mangostin have been found to have a beneficial action in diabetic complications (antiobesity effect) via stimulation of GLUT4 expression and inhibition of PPARγ expression

Assessing the reliability and validity of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) assessments on COVID-19 transmission knowledge and preventive measures among ecotourism operators

This cross-sectional study conducted in rural Pahang state, Malaysia, aimed to validate a questionnaire examining ecotourism operators’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) regarding COVID-19 transmission and preventive measures. Data collection utilised the snowball technique. The questionnaire, comprising 34 items covering knowledge, attitude, and practice constructs, underwent rigorous validation and piloting before the actual fieldwork. All factor loading scores (>0.65) and Cronbach’s alpha (α≥0.69) were greater than the reference value, relaying indicators of reliability and internal consistency of the measured latent variables. The findings revealed that the KAP model met the goodness-of fit criteria (HTMT0.90) and convergent validity was achieved (AVF≤0.50). The study confirms the meticulous instrument validation, ensuring the survey tool’s effectiveness in gauging KAP among ecotourism operators. This study’s novelty lies in its focus on the KAP spectrum vis-à-vis COVID-19 among operators engaged in these ecotourism domains. By bridging this gap, the research aspires to inform tailored interventions, ultimately fortifying resilience against future health crises in ecotourism communities

Expression of microrna-101 in formalin-fixed paraffin- embedded samples of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is among the five most common malignancies in Malaysia. Most NPC patients are diagnosed at late stages of the disease which complicates the clinical management of the patients. Identification of new reliable biomarker is crucial to improve early diagnosis of NPC and increase the survival rate of patients. Recent study found that microRNAs (miRNAs), particularly miR-101, were involved in the tumorigenesis of head and neck cancer where NPC samples were included in the study. This study was conducted to observe the expression of miR-101 in NPC tumour tissues and compare its consistency with previous study as a step towards finding the new biomarker for NPC. The biopsy samples were obtained from hospitals and verified histologically using hematoxylin and eosin method for tissue classification. Total RNA was extracted from NPC tissues and normal nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues. The expression of miR-101 in NPC was quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. The differential expression of miR-101 in NPC as compared to normal nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues was analysed using 2-ΔΔCT calculation. The significance of the differential expression was analysed using SPSS software. Five samples have been verified as NPC and three samples were normal nasopharyngeal epithelium. The differential expression calculation found that miR-101 was downregulated in NPC as compared to normal nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues, which consistent with previous study. However, the differential expression was not significant. Therefore, our finding provides a preliminary result towards embarkment of a larger and comprehensive study. © 2019 Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. All rights reserved

Differential expression of miR-101 and miR-744 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Pahang state of Malaysia

Previous study found that microRNA-101 (miR-101) and microRNA-744 (miR-744) were deregulated in head and neck cancers and were implicated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) carcinogenesis. Thus, this study aimed to determine the expression of miR-101 and miR-744 in NPC and analyse the utility of these microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic biomarkers. Total RNA was extracted from 31 NPC and 7 non-NPC control formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. Complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized from the total RNA and proceeded with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Differential expression of miR-101 and miR-744 were calculated from quantification cycle (Cq) data using 2-ΔΔCq calculation. The performance of these miRNAs were calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The differential expression for miR-101 and miR744 were -1.39 (p 0.05), respectively, where the deregulations were consistent with the previous report. The area under curve for miR-101, miR-744 and combination of miR-101 and miR744 were 0.654 (95 % CI: 0.465 - 0.844), 0.588 (95 % CI: 0.368 - 0.808) and 0.626 (95 % CI: 0.481 - 0.771), respectively. However, re-analysis using balanced sample size between NPC and non-NPC control group showed the value decreased to 0.653 (95 % CI: 0.347 - 0.959) for miR-101 but increased to 0.827 (95 % CI: 0.601 - 1.000) for miR-744 and 0.758 (95 % CI: 0.576 - 0.939) for the combination of miR-101 and miR-744, indicating the importance of having a balanced sample size. We have successfully determined the expression of miR-101 and miR-744 in NPC samples. We also demonstrated statistically the utility of these miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers

In-vitro evaluation of the antifungal activities of eel skin mucus from Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus)

T Discovery and development of new drugs from marine and freshwater animal remain one of the most challenging areas in recent marine sciences field. Thus, the object of current study to examine the antifungal activity of Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) skin mucus. Eel skin mucus aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared with different extract concentrations from 0.49 to 1000 μg/mL against fungus pathogens i.e. Aspergillus niger and Microsporum gypseum. The antifungal assay conducted using well diffusion method. The results showed a dose dependent decrease the fungal growth, at 100µl/well, the inhibition zone of methanol extract against M. gypseum (25.7±0.75) mm, while the aqueous one was (23.3±0.16) mm Whereas eel skin mucus methanol and aqueous extracts showed lower inhibition zone against Aspergillus niger at the same concentration which was (11.1±0.59) mm and (9.0±0.15) mm respectively. The methanol extract showed the highest inhibitory activity against M. gypseum because M. gypseum infect the upper layers of the skin and eel skin mucus protect eels from infections. The results were statistically significant with p < 0.001. In conclusion, the present study carried out to reveal the antifungal activities of eel skin mucus which might be use as a source of antifungal agent

The role of Candida albicans candidalysin ECE1 gene in oral carcinogenesis

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is associated with many known risk factors including tobacco smoking, chronic alcoholism, poor oral hygiene, unhealthy dietary habits and microbial infection. Previous studies have highlighted Candida albicans host tissue infection as a risk factor in the initiation and progression of oral cancer. C. albicans invasion induces several cancerous hallmarks, such as activation of proto-oncogenes, induction of DNA damage and overexpression of inflammatory signalling pathways. However, the molecular mechanisms behind these responses remain unclear. A recently discovered fungal toxin peptide, candidalysin, has been reported as an essential molecule in epithelial damage and host recognition of C albicans infection. Candidalysin has a clear role in inflammasome activation and induction of cell damage. Several inflammatory molecules such as IL-6, IL-17, NLRP3 and GM-CSF have been linked to carcinogenesis. Candidalysin is encoded by the ECE1 gene, which has been linked to virulence factors of C albicans such as adhesion, biofilm formation and filamentation properties. This review discusses the recent epidemiological burden of oral cancer and highlights the significance of the ECE1 gene and the ECE1 protein breakdown product, candidalysin in oral malignancy. The immunological and molecular mechanisms behind oral malignancy induced by inflammation and the role of the toxic fungal peptide candidalysin in oral carcinogenesis are explored. With increasing evidence associating C albicans with oral carcinoma, identifying the possible fungal pathogenicity factors including the role of candidalysin can assist in efforts to understand the link between C albicans infection and carcinogenesis, and pave the way for research into therapeutic potentials

Specific microRNAs among milk siblings: an epigenetics approach towards understanding the basis of milk kinship

Milk kinship is an Islamic belief described as a relationship established when infants receive breast milk from non-biological mothers. This form of kinship is said to bear a very close resemblance to blood relation whereby the recipients’ infants are regarded as milk siblings to the biological children of the breastfeeding mother. Any future marriage between these individuals is forbidden likewise between the recipient infant and the nursing mother herself as they are thought to have a form of consanguinity. The consanguinity formed by virtue of milk sharing might be due to the composition of human breast milk, especially milk microRNAs that are responsible for the epigenetic modulation of gene expression. miRNAs can regulate gene expression by modulating genome-wide epigenetic status of genes, and similarly-shared genes might be the basis that has led to milk kinship formation. Thus, the objective of the present study is to identify potential lactationspecific miRNAs that are similarly shared among milk siblings and their nursing mothers. The study began with molecular extraction of milk RNA from the nursing mothers and cell-free plasma RNA from all milk siblings and their nursing mothers. The RNAs extracted from both sample types were further analyzed using NanoString nCounter® miRNA Panel Analysis (NanoString Technologies, Seattle, WA) to measure the abundance of individual miRNAs biomarkers present within the samples. This study is expected to provide scientific explanation that could divulge the secrets behind milk kinship establishment with thorough presentation on the lactation-specific miRNAs shared between milk siblings. Hence, the way for future research would be paved, making the development of milk kinship identification tool possible

Insulin mimicking activities of Cycloartane Triterpenoid in 3T3-L1 cells

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, insulin action and caused by multifactorial etiology, including environmental factors, particularly diet and genetic components. Recently, most research on diabetes has focus on adipocyte which is used as a model for testing of insulin sensitivity and novel antidiabetic drugs. In this study, we investigated the effects of cycloartane triterpenoid on the adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells together with its underlying gene expression. The cells were treated for triglyceride accumulation with different concentration of the compound using Oil Red O staining assay. After 8-days, morphological changes and increase lipid accumulation were observed in these cells (p<0.05). Indeed, the intracellular lipid accumulation increased by 1.9 fold relative to MDI-treated control cells at concentration of 50 µM. Analysis of insulin-induced 2-deoxy-D-[3H] glucose uptake activities shows that cycloartane triterpenoids significantly (p<0.01) improved the glucose uptake with increasing the concentration of the compounds as compared to the basal. Further evaluation with the quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) shows that mature 3T3-L1 cells treated with cycloart-24-en-3β-ol enhance pparγ and glut4 gene expression. As a result, it demonstrated that cycloartane triterpenoids enhance pparγ and glut4 gene expression. Taken together, these results suggest that cycloart-24-en-3β-ol derived from Garcinia malaccencis could improve insulin sensitivity through the activation of pparγ as a ligand and glut4