Consumption of iced beverages is common in Malaysia although specific research focusing on its safety parameters such as presence of faecal coliforms and heavy metal elements remains scarce. A study conducted in Kelantan indicated that faecal coliforms were detected in the majority of the ice cube samples analyzed, largely attributable to improper handling. Hence, it was found pertinent to conduct similar study in other parts of the country such as Johor Bahru if the similar pattern prevailed. Therefore, this present crosssectional study which randomly sampled ice cubes from 30 permanent food outlets in Taman Universiti, Johor Bahru for detecting contamination by faecal coliforms and selected heavy metal elements (lead, copper, manganese and zinc) acquires significance. Faecal coliforms were detected in 11 (36.67%) of the samples, ranging between 1 CFU/100 mL to > 50 CFU/100 mL; two of the samples were grossly contaminated (>50 CFU/100 mL). Interestingly, while positive detection of lead was observed in 29 of the 30 ice cube samples (mean: 0.511±0.105 ppm; range: 0.489-0.674 ppm), copper, manganese and zinc were not detected. In addition, analysis on commercially bottled mineral water as well as in tap water samples did not detect such contaminations. Therefore, it appears that (1) contamination of faecal coliforms in ice cubes in food outlets in Malaysia may not be sporadic in pattern but rather prevalent and (2) the source of water used for manufacturing the ice cubes that contained significant amount of lead would suggest that (3) it was neither originated from the treated tap water supply nor bottled mineral water or (4) perhaps contaminated during manufacturing process. Further studies exploring the source of water used for manufacturing these ice cubes as well as the handling process among food operators deserve consideration.

Aims: The goal of the study is to isolate new bacteria species which are capable to utilizing 2,2-dichlropropionic acid (2- 2-DCP) as a sole carbon source from the wastewater sample that was taken from Tioman Island off the coast of Malaysia. Methodology and results: Genomic DNA from unknown bacterial strain (MR1) was extracted and PCR amplification was carried out using universal primers, Fd1 (5’-AGA GTT TGA TCC TGGCTC AG-3’) and rP1 (5’-ACG GTC ATA CCT TGT TAC GAC TT-3’) prior to sequencing. The BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA of the MR1 gene found it shares a 95% homology to an aerobic bacillus Raoutella ornithilolytica. The bacteria which is usually found in an aquatic and hospital environment was found to possess a distinctive feature of being able to utilize 2,2-DCP as sole carbon source. The bacteria has cell doubling time of 23.11 h and maximum release of chloride ion at 0.257 mmol/L in 20 mM 2,2-DCP. Based on morphological and partial biochemical characteristics, the strain was found to be non-motile, Gram negative bacteria with red colonies that gave a positive catalase reaction. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: A better understanding of newly isolated microorganisms from the environment which can potentially be used as bioremediation tools in environmental management. This is the first reported case of Raoutella sp. that has the unique ability to degrade halogenated compound. Hence, the dehalogenation properties and capabilities of the bacteria deserve to be assessed further.

The most common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is interstitial lung disease (ILD). RA related ILD (RA-ILD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The main objective of this study was to determine the correlation between the rheumatoid factor (RF) serotypes and the severity of RA-ILD based on computed tomography (CT) findings. We recruited a total of 100 RA patients who were tested for IgA RF, IgG RF and IgM RF and had high resolution CT chest performed. Seventy-two patients had ILD changes on HRCT of the chest and were included in this study. We found that the the CT scores for ground glass showed significant positive correlation with disease duration and IgA RF levels whereas the fibrosis scores had significant relationship with multiple clinical covariates i.e age, disease duration, IgA RF levels, IgG RF levels and anti-CCP levels. On multivariate analysis, only IgA levels remained significantly (p<0.05, standardized beta coefficient = 0.604) associated with the ground glass scores. Regarding the fibrosis scores, IgA RF levels and age were independent predictors based on multivariate analysis after adjusting for confounders, with p scores of <0.05 and 0.02, respectively. In conclusion, the IgA RF was the only serotype which was independently associated with the severity of RA-ILD.

Marked improvement in the management of thalassaemia has not been matched by progress in psychosocial rehabilitation as thalassaemia continues to pose challenges to patients and their family members. Few studies have been carried out in Malaysia to look at such issues. This study is therefore to explore the concerns, beliefs and feelings about thalassaemia. It was conducted in the year 2009 over 7 months on “focus groups”, in patients aged 8-22 years and parents attending Paediatric Clinic of Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan, Pahang. Results showed that concerns and adverse impact were related to lower grades in education, poor self-image, less chance of employment, marriage, financial burden and social integration. Compliance to subcutaneous iron chelator was poor. There were various concerns related to blood transfusion therapy. It is evident that thalassaemia greatly affects the psychosocial dimensions and a more structured long term psychosocial support is needed to improve quality of life of patients.

Malaria is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases due to its high infection and mortality rates, especially in the tropical belt. Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), the most virulent malaria parasite in humans, was recently reported to develop resistance against the final efficient antimalarial drug, artemisinin. Little is known about the resistance mechanisms, which further complicates the problem as a proper counteraction is unable to be taken. Hence, the understanding of drug mode of action and its molecular target is valuable knowledge that needs to be considered to develop the next generation of antimalarial drugs. P. falciparum protein kinase (Pf PK) is an attractive target for antimalarial chemotherapy due to its vital roles in all P. falciparum life stages. Moreover, overall structural differences and the presence of unique Pf PKs that are absent in human kinome, suggesting specific inhibition of Pf PK without affecting human cells is achievable. To date, at least 86 eukaryotic protein kinases have been identified in P. falciparum kinome, by which less than 40 were validated as potential targets at the erythrocytes stage. In this review, recent progress of the furthest validated Pf PKs; Pf Nek-1, Pf CDPK1, Pf CDPK4, Pf PKG, and Pf CLK-3 will be briefly discussed.

Influence of citronella and chlorpyrifos on oviposition and duration for completing life cycles for Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies infesting decomposing rabbit carcasses was studied. Male rabbit carcasses (n = 12) were equally divided into control, citronella- and chlorpyrifos–treated groups, and left to decompose for 14 consecutive days. C. megacephala was the first necrophagous fly oviposited in all control and citronellatreated carcasses followed by C. rufifacies. Although initial oviposition of C. megacephala was delayed (4-6 hours) in citronella-treated carcasses (P < 0.05), prolongation in completing its life cycle was not observed. Neither delayed initial oviposition nor prolonged life cycle for C. rufifacies in citronella-treated carcasses was observed. Oviposition was delayed for chlorpyrifos-treated carcasses (0.42 g/L), and eclosion of eggs remained unsuccessful. The findings deserve consideration because these chemicals are easily accessible and can be used by cunning criminals to confuse forensic entomologists while estimating minimum postmortem interval.

Aims: To develop a real-time polymerase chain reaction system Vi-qPCR in the detection of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), targeting the vexC gene encoding for Vi antigen (capsular polysaccharide antigen) and to evaluate its sensitivity and specificity performance using pure cultures of S. Typhi and other enteric pathogens. Methodology and results: Microbiological, biochemical and serotyping tests were conducted to determine the phenotypic characteristics of S. Typhi and other enteric pathogens in our collection. Primers were designed using Primer3 software and their in-silico specificity were analysed using Basic Local Alignment System Tool (BLAST). Optimisation of PCR annealing temperature was done prior to assessment of sensitivity and specificity performance against artificial serially diluted seeded stools. The primers were found to be 100% specific in the detection of S. Typhi towards 32 tested clinical strains. Verification of gene amplification by comparing the nucleotide sequences against reference genes in the GenBank database revealed high specificity to S. Typhi. Statistical analysis indicates that this method results in 100% sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). Moreover, Vi-qPCR allows the detection of S. Typhi as low as 131.4 CFU/g of stool sample. Conclusion, significance and impact of study A rapid and sensitive method for detection of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is desired as a diagnostic tool to improve typhoid management. The Vi-qPCR represent a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool for medical microbiology laboratories as a method for the detection of S. Typhi in both pure culture and stool specimens especially in chronic asymptomatic carriers where shedding of S. Typhi is intermittent and sometimes occurs in low level.

In addition to the scarcity of forensic entomology baseline data on oviposition of necrophagous insects and completion of their life cycles in the Borneo region, similar data derived from caves remain unreported. Since entomological baseline data can differ from one biogeoclimatic region to another, the lack of such data would limit the practical values of applying entomological evidence in estimating minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). Therefore, this present research that investigated oviposition and completion of life cycles of necrophagous flies infesting rabbit carcasses decomposing in Mount Kapur Cave and its surrounding forest habitat in Kuching, Sarawak merits forensic consideration. In general, 13 taxa of necrophagous flies were identified viz. Hypopygiopsis violacea, Hypopygiopsis fumipennis, Hemipyrellia ligurriens, Hemipyrellia tagaliana, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya villeneuvi, Chrysomya rufifacies, Chrysomya chani, Chrysomya pinguis, Chrysomya nigripes, Ophyra spinigera and Ophyra chalcogaster, as well as unidentified Sarcophagidae. In addition, Hyp. violacea and Hyp. fumipennis were the two earlier necrophagous flies that oviposited in all rabbit carcasses decomposing in both habitats. While all these necrophagous flies were observed infesting carcasses in Mount Kapur Cave, Hem. ligurriens and Hem. tagaliana were not found infesting carcasses in the surrounding forest habitat. Complete life cycles for six and five different necrophagous fly species were successfully observed in Mount Kapur Cave and its surrounding forest habitat, respectively. Significant delay in oviposition, as well as longer durations for completing the life cycles in several necrophagous fly species were observed in Mount Kapur Cave when compared with those of surrounding forest habitat (p < 0.05). These findings deserve consideration as the first ever forensic empirical baseline data on oviposition and completion of life cycles for necrophagous flies in Sarawak as well as in a cave habitat, in view of its practical values for estimating mPMI for forensic practical caseworks.