Background: The implementation of diversion pouches is to minimise the risk of bacterial contamination as the initial blood flow is prevented from entering primary bag collections as it is diverted into a pouch. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination in the diversion pouches used  during blood collections in the Transfusion Department of Hospital Seberang Jaya, Penang, Malaysia. Methods: BD Bactec™ Fx instrument detection system was performed on 702 samples of 20 mL of  diverting blood in diversion pouch. The  inocullum  volume was 10 mL for both aerobic and anaerobic bottles cultures and incubated for 5 days in  the BD Bactec™ Fx instrument. Positive sample was flagged by BD Bactec™ Fx instrument and  subculture  to identify the species of organism. Results: The results  showed that of 702 samples, 12 (1.7%) were contaminated. The bacterial species identified were coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus aureus and Gram positive Bacilli. Conclusion: The results  strongly suggest that the usage of diversion pouch is of significant importance in reducing bacterial contamination during blood collection.

Background: Vaginal yeast infection refers to irritation of the vagina due to the presence of opportunistic yeast of the genus Candida (mostly Candida albicans). About 75% of women will have at least one episode of vaginal yeast infection during their lifetime. Several studies have shown that pregnancy and uncontrolled diabetes increase the infection risk. Reproductive hormone fluctuations during pregnancy and elevated glucose levels characteristic of diabetes provide the carbon needed for Candida overgrowth and infection. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of vaginal yeast infection among pregnant women with and without diabetes. Methods: This was a case-control study using cases reports from Kepala Batas Health Clinic, Penang State, Malaysia from 2006 to 2012. In total, 740 pregnant ladies were chosen as sample of which 370 were diabetic and 370 were non-diabetic cases. Results: No relationship between diabetes and the occurrence of vaginal yeast infection in pregnant women was detected, and there was no significant association between infection and age group, race or education level. Conclusion: In conclusion, within radius of this study, vaginal yeast infection can occur randomly in pregnant women.
Candida albicans ; Pregnant Women

Background: Traditionally, the most common diagnostic approach used for diagnosing leptospirosis was the demonstration of immune-seroconversion in acute and convalescent patient serum samples. Recently, a variety of molecular techniques, including conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have been developed for the specific detection of pathogenic bacteria from the genus Leptospira. PCR is a sensitive, specific, and rapid technique that has been successfully used to detect several microorganisms; including those of clinical significance. Methods: In this study, we developed a multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay for detecting Leptospira’s DNA. The mPCR assay detects both the 16S rRNA gene and the major outer membrane lipoprotein gene, which is known as LipL32. Representative serovars were tested from 10 species of Leptospira and 23 other species of bacteria. Results: A positive result was obtained from all leptospiral serovars. The amplification sensitivity for the multiplex assay was 21.8 pg and 1 x 103 leptospires/ml. This mPCR assay has the potential to facilitate a rapid and sensitive diagnosis for acute leptospirosis. Conclusion: The mPCR assay developed in this study can be used for the early detection of leptospirosis. The LipL32 gene could also serve as another target to aid in the efficient detection of leptospiral infection because using 2 sets of primers in mPCR increases the sensitivity and specificity of the test.

Protein kinases (PKs) are regulators of protein phosphorylation in many infectious diseases, including malaria. However, the cellular functions of majority of PKs in Plasmodium falciparum remain unknown. The mechanisms involved in P. falciparum cell cycle progress are not fully understood. The activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which constitute a PK family that includes crucial regulators of cell cycle progression in eukaryotes, is strictly being coordinated by the interaction with specific cyclins at well-defined points within the cell cycle. These cyclin/CDK complexes are very well characterised in humans, but little is known in P. falciparum. This review expand our understanding of the characteristic of CDKs and cyclins in P. falciparum, and paves the way for further investigations on the precise molecular role of these crucial regulatory proteins in mosquito and human. This represents a valuable step towards the elucidation of cell cycle control mechanisms in malaria parasites.

Objective: To evaluate the anti-angiogenic and anticancer activities of Psidium guajava leaf extracts against angiogenesis-dependent colorectal cancer. Methods: Three extracts were produced using distilled water, ethanol, and n-hexane as solvents. The extracts were physically characterised through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Their antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content assays. To assess their anti-angiogenic activity, cell viability and rat aortic ring assays were conducted, while cell migration, tube formation, colony formation, and VEGF ELISA assays were conducted to elucidate their effects on different aspects of angiogenesis. Molecular docking was used to assess the anti- angiogenic potential of some possible compounds in the extracts. Tumour spheroid assay was used to assess the extracts' potential as a treatment for colorectal cancer. Results: The ethanol extract showed the best antioxidant activity. The distilled water and ethanol extracts exhibited more inhibitory activity against EA.hy926 cell viability and aortic ring microvessel growth. In addition, the ethanol extract performed significantly better than the distilled water extract against cell migration and colony formation, and VEGF expression of the cells was suppressed by the ethanol extract. Both the distilled water and ethanol extracts showed significant inhibitory effect on EA.hy926 tube formation and tumour spheroids consisting of EA.hy926 and HCT116 cells. The ethanol extract contained β-caryophyllene and β-elemene by phytochemical analysis and subsequent docking studies, which may contribute to its anti-angiogenic activity. Conclusions: The ethanol extract of Psidium guajava has potential in the treatment of colorectal cancer through the inhibition of angiogenesis.