bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technology Enhanced Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacology through Online Quizzes: A Pedagogical Approach and Medical Students’ Perspective
Authors: Sarker Sujit Kumar , Bhas Geethanjali , Marakala Vijaya , Yusuf Mohammad Abdullah
Published: March 2019

Background: Technology enhanced learning in medical curriculum is expanding rapidly because of research showing the benefits for learners in terms of engagement, convenience, attainment and enjoyment.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to explore medical students’ perspective on technology enhanced learning in undergraduate pharmacology.

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Faculty of Medicine during 2016 for a period of three (3) months. Second year MBBS students who were studying in the International Medical School, Management & Science University,Selangor, Malaysia with the age group of equal or more than 18 years of age with both sexes were selected as study population. Several online quizzes were conducted by Quizizz. Data were analysed after online quizzes using semi-structured questionnaire.

Results: A total number of 42 students were involved in this study. Among these 35(83.33%) surveyed students were strongly agreed with timing for answering the questions however, 39(92.86%) strongly agreed that quizzes stimulate interest in pharmacology and 28(66.67%) strongly agreed that quizzes improve knowledge and skill in pharmacology. Most of the students suggested to continue online quizzes.

Conclusion:Systematic analysis and stratification of students’ perceptions regarding technology enhanced learning initiatives such as online quizzes are essential in gaining insight for educational planning and interventions in pharmacology.

Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2019;6(1):14-17
Comparison of Effect of Silymarin and Ethanol Extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum on Gentamicin Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Hilmi Syeda Rubayat , Dewan Zesmin Fauzia , Kabir AKM Nurul , Islam Muhammad Moinul
Published: March 2019

Background: A variety of drugs and chemicals possess nephrotoxic potentials; therefore it is of keen interest to the researchers to obtain ways and means for alleviation of nephrotoxicity.

Objective: The present study was designed to compare the ameliorative effect of silymarin with ethanol extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum in an experimental model of gentamicin- induced nephrotoxic rats.

Methodology: This animal study was conducted by giving distilled water intraperitoneally to control group for seven days (1ml/rat/day) and was sacrificed on 8th day. To induce nephrotoxicity, gentamicin (GM) was administered (80 mg/kg/day for 7 days) intraperitoneally and sacrificed on 15th day. The ethanol extract of T. foenum-graecum was administered (500 mg/kg/day for 14 days) orally concomitantly with GM (7 days) and sacrificed on 15th day. To another group of rats, silymarin was administered (500 mg/kg/day for 14 days) orally concomitantly with gentamicin (7 days) and sacrificed on the 15th day. Biochemical indices like serum creatinine and serum urea levels were estimated to determine nephrotoxicity and amelioration of nephrotoxicity in all rat groups. To determine the status of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, the renal cortical glutathione (GSH) and renal cortical malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated.

Results: Statistically significant amelioration was observed in all the biochemical parameters in T. foenum-graecum and silymarin treated groups.

Conclusion: The ameliorating effect of T. foenum-graecum is much more effective in comparison to that of silymarin in nephrotoxicity.

Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2019;6(1):23-27
Self-Medication Practice among Medical Students of a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Dhaka City
Authors: Khan Asma , Sultana Afroza , Ahammad Benzir , Nahar Shamsun , Khanam Shafeya
Published: March 2019

Background: Self-medication is a common practice worldwide and the irrational use of drugs is a cause of concern.

Objective: This present study was designed to assess the rate of self-medication among the medical students in a tertiary teaching hospital in Dhaka.

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh from October to December 2017 for a period of three (03) months. The participants were briefed about the nature of the study; the consent was taken and a pre‐tested semi‐structured questionnaire was administered to them. The information pertaining to the pattern of self‐medication, indications for self‐medication and drugs used for self‐medication was included in the questionnaire.

Result: A total of 303 students were included in this study. The rate of self-medication was 100.0%. A larger number of females were self-medicating (81.2%) than males (75.3%). The majority of the students self-medicated because of the illness being too trivial for consultation (43.2%) and previous experience of illness (43.2%). Fever (73.3%) and headache (65%) are the most common cause of self-medication. Antipyretics were most commonly self–medicated by the participants (98%). 45.5% 0f students told that self-medication is not an acceptable practice. 40% of the participants opined that self-medication was a part of self-care.

Conclusion: In conclusion self-medication is widely practiced among students of the institute

Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2019;6(1):28-31
Comparison of Knowledge of Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Healthy Pregnant Women Attending at Hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Monir Nowshin , Zeba Zebunnesa , Rahman Azizur
Published: March 2019

Background: A very common medical condition during pregnancy is Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) which has become a global health concern, not only for its higher prevalence, but also because it can be a predisposing factor for type 2 DM and causes other increased health risk for both mother and their offspring in later life.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare knowledge of GDM including source of knowledge, treatment, awareness about GDM and impact of GDM on the baby among mothers with GDM and healthy pregnant mothers.

Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional study conducted in Cumilla city from May to October 2016. Eighty-nine participants attending the outpatient department of two hospitals and one antenatal clinic in Cumilla city were selected. A structured questionnaire and in-depth interview method was used to obtain data.

Result: Significant difference has been found in knowledge between GDM patients and normal pregnant women regarding source of knowledge (p=0.01), treatment of GDM (p=0.000), risk factors of GDM (p=0.01), problems in managing GDM (p=0.003), nutrition maintenance (p=0.006) and physical exercise (p=0.000). No significant difference has been found in GDM awareness (p=0.83) and its impact on the baby (p=0.28) in two groups. Awareness of GDM is found to be associated with higher education (p=0.000), family history of DM (p=0.05), meal plan (p=0.03) and maintaining nutrition (p=0.01).

Conclusion: Knowledge about GDM is poor among pregnant women, especially among normal pregnant women.

Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2019;6(1):32-37
İslam Hukukunda Tüketicinin Korunması
Authors: ALKIŞ Alpaslan
Published: March 2019

Tüketicinin korunması, evrenselliğini ve güncelliğini hiçbir zaman
kaybetmeyen yaşamsal öneme sahip bir konudur. 
Tüketiciyi koruma çabaları içinde en önemli hususları hiç kuşkusuz
üretimde standardizasyonun ve kalitenin sağlanması, ölçü ve tartı kontrolü,
çarşı ve pazarların düzenlenmesi ve denetlenmesi oluşturmaktadır.  İslâm hukuku, tüketicilerin aldatılmasına karşı
çıkarak muhayyerlik haklarıyla kusurlu mala karşı tüketicilerin korunmasını
sağlamış ve tüketicilere aldanma ve kusurlu mal sebebiyle akdi bozma hakkı tanımıştır.
Hz. Peygamber’den bugüne kadar tüketicinin korunmasında rol üstlenen bir takım
kurumlar bulunmaktadır. Bunların ilki, varlığı Hz. Peygamber dönemine dayanan “Hisbe”
teşkilatıdır. Hisbe teşkilatı tüketicinin korunmasının pratik bir
uygulamasıdır.
Dünya Siyasetini Etkileyen Devrimlerin Uluslararası Sonuçları: 1917 Bolşevik Devrimi
Authors: AĞIR Osman
Published: March 2019

Mevcut
düzene karşı gerçekleştirilen eylemleri ifade etmekte olan devrim ve ihtilal
kavramları çoğunlukla aynı anlamlarda kullanılabilmektedirler. Başlangıcından
itibaren insanlık tarihindeki önemli değişim ve dönüşümler ihtilaller sonucu
gerçekleşmiş; mevcut düzene karşı gerçekleştirilen bu eylemlerin sonuçları bazen
gerçekleştirilmiş oldukları ülke ile sınırlı kalırken, bazı durumlarda ise
küresel ölçekte önemli sonuçlara yol açabilmişlerdir. Sonuçları açısından
neredeyse tüm dünya ülkelerini etkileyen Fransız İhtilali küresel ölçekte gelişmeleri
tetiklemiş olan ihtilallerin en bilinenidir. Rusya’da gerçekleşen ve ideolojik
bir temele dayanan “Bolşevik İhtilali” de uluslararası sonuçları olan bir
devrim olarak tarihteki yerini almıştır. Bu devrimin en önemli uluslararası
sonucu Birinci Dünya Savaşı’nın seyri ve sonuçları üzerinde olmuş, sosyalist
ideoloji uygulanma alanı bulmuş ve bunun sonucunda da dünya ideolojik temelli
bir bölünme yaşamıştır. Yaşanan bu bölünme siyasi, ekonomik ve toplumsal çok
geniş bir alana etki etmiştir. Temel amacı “1917 Bolşevik Devrimi’nin”
uluslararası sonuçlarının tartışılması olan bu çalışmada; ihtilal ve devrim
kavramları açıklanmış, Bolşevik Devrimi çeşitli açılardan ele alınarak bu
devrimin uluslararası sonuçları üzerinde durulmuştur.
Senusilik Ve İşgalcilere Karşı Kuzey Afrika’da Osmanlı- Senusi İş Birliği
Authors: ÇABUK Mustafa
Published: March 2019

Muhammed bin Ali Senûsî tarafından kurulan bir tarikat olan
Senusilik, Libya başta olmak üzere, Sudan, Tunus, Mısır, Yemen, Hicaz ve
Cezayir’de geniş bir kitle tarafından benimsendi. Senusilik bütün mezhep ve
tarikatların aynı amaca hizmet ettiğini savunan ve diğer tarikat ve mezhepleri
dışlamayan bir anlayışa sahipti. Zaviya teşkilatı üzerinden bir yapılanma
gösteren bu tarikatta, Zaviyeler eğitim merkezi, mahkeme, misafirhane, ikmal
noktası gibi farklı amaçlarla kullanıldı. Diğer tarikatlardan farklı olarak
Senusiler siyasete, ticarete, ziraata, sosyal ve askeri konulara daha çok önem
verdiler. Kuruluşlarından itibaren
Avrupalı ülkelerin yayılmacı politikalarına karşı çıktılar. İşgalci güçlere
karşı cihad ilan ederek silahlarıyla mücadele ettiler.  Senusi liderleri Halifelik makamının da
etkisiyle Osmanlı Devleti’ne ve padişahlarına hep sadık kaldılar. Bulundukları
bölgelerde halkı Osmanlı Devleti’ne bağladılar. Emperyalist güçlere karşı
Osmanlı Devleti’nin göndermiş olduğu askerlerle silahlı direniş gösterdiler.
1911 Trablusgarp Savaşı ve Birinci Dünya Savaşı başta olmak üzere Afrika’da
dönemin en büyük 3 sömürgeci ülkesi olan Fransa, İtalya ve İngiltere’ye karşı
Osmanlı Devleti ile beraber vatanlarını korumak için savaştılar.
A escassez hídrica na zona rural: o consumo de água sob a perspectiva dos agricultores de um assentamento no município de Pombal-PB
Authors: Silva Érika Lira da , Silva Kardelan Arteiro da , Sousa Francisca Rozângela Lopes de , Tavares Fernanda Beatryz Rolim
Published: March 2019

A escassez de água é um problema crescente e já atinge todo planeta, e que se agrava nas regiões semiáridas. Assim o objetivo principal desta pesquisa foi verificar a situação do consumo de água e a percepção dos assentados quanto à questão hídrica no Assentamento Santa Mônica, localizado na zona rural do município de Pombal, no alto sertão paraibano. Como resultados foi possível identificar que, apesar das boas moradias com as quais foram contemplados, não existe nenhum tipo de estrutura de educação e saúde, e nenhuma fonte de água dentro do assentamento. Os moradores em sua maioria são abastecidos apenas por carros-pipas e não confiam na qualidade dessa água, porém não tem cuidado de trata-la antes de consumir. Seu consumo médio diário é de aproximadamente 70 a 93 litros por pessoa, o que indica um consumo abaixo do que é sugerido pela ONU, no tocante a suprir as necessidades básicas de um indivíduo.  Essa situação torna-se ainda mais preocupante, quando analisado o fato de que essas pessoas estão impossibilitados de exercerem suas atividades principais, que são agricultura e criação de animais, visto dependem totalmente da água.
Enhancing Maritime Term-Based Communication Through Communicative Activities Amongs Students In Yogyakarta Maritime Academy
Authors: Sartini Sri
Published: March 2019

This research is aimed at getting to know the problem of cadets in Nautical Science Study Program academic year 2016/2017 in their second semester grade upon their way to master communication skill especially in the practice of using Maritime term-based communication. Knowing the problem, researcher scaffold the cadets as many as 30 cadets with the typically teaching and learning process which is much concerned to the learners. This research was conducted in an action research where it included some cycles that is teaching and learning cycles, diagnostic cycle, treatment or scaffolding and taking a conclusion. The result of the study shows that communicative approach taught by Maritime English lecturer which emphasizes cadets to speak is not that simple to be practically given to them. It is due to the different native speaking country or cultural background that does not customize them to speak up. Scaffolding them by implementing the use of Standard Marine Communication Phrases in class combined with the type of teaching approach which higlight to student-centered learning is proven giving better achievement of teaching and learning process.Thirteen out of the twenty three cadets or it is more than a half percentage of the class achieved better skill in communication in English especially in maritime context by the use of Standard Marine Communication Phrases.
Analisis Simulator Kapal STSTC Sebagai Sarana Pembelajaran Utama Di AMY
Authors: Setiyantara Yudhi , Soedijono Bambang , Pramono Eko
Published: March 2019

Pada tanggal 08 Oktober 2016, diresmikan sebuah laboratorium simulator STSTC (Scientific and Technical Simulator Training Centre) yang dimiliki Akademi Maritim Yogyakarta. Permasalahan akan tingkat penerimaan dan kepuasan taruna Nautika terhadap laboratorium simulator sebagai sarana pembelajaran utama ini dapat dipelajari dengan studi berdasarkan Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Penelitian dilakukan untuk mendapatkan inti permasalahan dan penyebab minimnya penerimaan dan kepuasan taruna Nautika terhadap laboratorium simulator yang ada. Item untuk mengukur faktor kemanfaatan (usefulness) dan Kemudahan Penggunaan (ease of use) diambil dari Davis F.D (1989). Sedangkan item untuk mengukur kepuasan pengguna sistem diambil dari Doll dan Torkzadeh (1988). Semua variabel tersebut diukur dengan berdasarkan skala Likert.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa secara umum penerimaan Taruna Nautika terhadap laboratorium simulator STSTC terutama fitur bridge simulator sudah cukup baik, hanya saja belum bisa dikatakan sangat baik karena mendapatkan nilai yang relatif rendah pada bagian kepuasan penggunaan.
Sağlık Hizmetlerinden Faydalanma Açısından Hakkaniyet
Authors: ALCAN Sezer , ÖZSOY Onur
Published: March 2019

Herkesin sağlık hizmetlerine erişim sağlaması Türk Sağlık Politikasının en önemli hedeflerinden birisidir. Bu çalışma 2002 ve 2003 yıllarına ilişkin veri seti kullanılarak, Türk Sağlık Sisteminin, eşit ihtiyaca eşit tedavi uygulanması şeklinde tanımlanan yatay hakkaniyet prensibi ile uyumlu olup olmadığını incelemektedir. Analiz, ayakta alınan sağlık hizmetleri, yatarak hastane hizmetleri ile koruyucu ve diğer sağlık hizmetleri için, yatay hakkaniyetsizlik endeksi yöntemi kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yapılan analiz sonucunda incelenen tüm sağlık hizmetleri açısından istatistiki olarak anlamlı ve pozitif bulunan Konsantrasyon Endeksi 2002 ve 2003 yıllarında Türkiye’de eşit ihtiyaca eşit tedavi verilmediğini ortaya koymuştur. Hakkaniyetsizlik koruyucu ve diğer sağlık hizmetleri için diğer sağlık hizmetlerine göre daha yüksektir. Konsantrasyon Endeksinin ayrıştırılması sonucunda hakkaniyetsizliğe neden olan en büyük etkenin ölçeklendirilmiş logaritmik harcamalar olduğu görülmüştür.
Türkiye’de Neoliberalizmin Kuruluş Süreci: 1980-1994
Authors: KARAHANOĞULLARI Yiğit
Published: March 2019

Neoliberalizmin Türkiye’de kuruluş süreci, Türkçe sosyal bilim literatüründe en çok işlenmiş konuların, en çok referans verilmiş olguların belki de başında gelmektedir. Yine de yaşanan dönüşümünderinliği ve izlerinin sürekliliği düşünüldüğünde, ilerleyen zaman zarfında konuyu yeniden değerlendiren çalışmalara olan ihtiyacın kapanmadığı ve hep bir gereklilik olarak kalacağı da söylenebilir.Bu makalede ilgili süreç, sermayenin kar oranı, meta alanının gelişimi ve toplumsal yeniden inşa süreci olmak üzere üç temel başlık etrafında yeniden formüle edilmekte; neoliberalizmin kuruluş sürecinin 1994 krizi ile tamamlandığı düşüncesiyle, 1980’den başlayarak bu tarihe kadar yaşanan gelişmeler sınıf refleksleri üzerinden ele alınmaya çalışılmaktadır.
Tunus’ta Demokrasiye Geçiş Süreci ve En-Nahda’nın İdeolojik Dönüşümü
Authors: ÖZKOÇ Özge
Published: March 2019

2010 yılının sonunda Tunus’ta başlayan ve Arap ülkelerinin büyük bir kısmında etkisini gösteren kitlesel ayaklanmaların bölgede hala süregiden büyük bir alt üst oluşa yol açtığını söylemek mümkündür. Tunus ise, ayaklanmalardan etkilenen diğer Arap ülkelerinden farklı olarak, Ocak 2011’de Zeynel Abidin Bin Ali rejiminin tasfiyesinin ardından kendine has bir demokrasiye geçiş süreci tecrübe etmeye başlamıştır. Bu geçiş sürecinde, kuruluşundan 2011’e dek yasaklı olan en-Nahda hareketinin yasallaşarak ülkedeki en önemli siyasal aktörlerden biri haline geldiği ise aşikardır. 2011’den sonra en-Nahda’nın siyasal pozisyonu ülkenin önemli siyasal aktörleriyle uzlaşı gerçekleştirerek Tunus siyasetinin kalıcı öznelerinden biri olabilmek amacı çerçevesinde şekillenmiştir. En-Nahda kutuplaşma hattı yerine uzlaşı zemininde hareket ederek, yeri geldiğinde ülkenin baskın seküler güçleriyle dahi iktidar paylaşmak konusunda tereddüt etmemiştir. İdeolojisini uzun yıllarsiyasal İslami renklerle bezeyen hareketin, Tunus seküler sistemi içerisinde kendisine bir yer yaratabilmesi ve bu yolla yeni iktidar yapılanmasına eklemlenmesi önemli bir ideolojik dönüşümden de beslenmiş görünmektedir. Nitekim, en-Nahda’nın Mayıs 2016’da gerçekleştirilen 10. Kongresinde, parti ideolojisinin artık siyasal İslamcılıkla tanımlanamayacağı, bunun yerine “Müslüman demokratlar” kavramının kullanılacağının altı çizilerek seküler ilkeler temelinde siyaset yürütüleceği vurgulanmıştır. Bu çalışma, en- Nahda’nın Tunus’un demokrasiye geçiş sürecindeki sisteme eklemlenme biçimine ve iktidarda yer almaya başladığı süreçle birlikte billurlaşan ideolojik dönüşümüne odaklanmaktadır. Bunu yaparken, en-Nahda’nın 2011 sonrasındaki ideolojik dönüşümünün nasıl bir tarihsel miras üzerine şekillendiği ortaya konmaya çalışılarak, belli süreklilikler ve kopuşlar tespit edilecektir. Ayrıca, 10. Kongrede siyasal İslam’ın bir anlamda terk edildiğinin ilanıyla kristalize olan ideolojik dönüşümün demokrasiye geçiş süreciyle olan bağı ele alınacak ve 2011-2016 yılları arasında Tunus’ta yaşanan siyasal gelişmelerin bu dönüşüm üzerindeki etkileri belirlenmeye çalışılacaktır.
What is the “Afghan Genizah”? A short guide to the collection of the Afghan Manuscripts in the National Library of Israel, with the edition of two documents
Authors: Haim Ofir
Published: March 2019

This article provides an overview of a rare collection of manuscripts that was purchased by the National Library of Israel in recent years. These manuscripts, which belong to a larger corpus of manuscripts known as the “Afghan Genizah,” appear to have originated in central Afghanistan, possibly in the Bamiyan area, and are datable to a period of two hundred years, namely, from the early 5th/11th century to the early 7th/13th century. The overview of these texts is accompanied by an edition and translation of two Islamic acknowledgment (iqrār) deeds in New Persian, dated to the beginning of the 5th/11th century.
Tree Stands and Liana Community in Royal Belum State Park, Malaysia
Authors: Rahmad Zakaria , JOHARI Syafiq , Akomolafe Gbenga Festus
Published: March 2019

The diversity of lianas and trees were studied in five study sites of 100 x 20 m within the Royal Belum State Park, Malaysia with a view to provide baseline information on their incidence, taxonomy and ecological distributions. The sites include Sungai Kejar, Sungai Papan, Sungai Papan 2, Teluk Gopal and Sungai Kooi with at least 1000 m apart. These plots were further sub-divided into five sub-plots of 20 x 20 m each. Lianas with a diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 1 cm and trees with dbh ≥ 10 cm were identified and frequencies of occurrence were determined. Lianas comprising 92 species from 23 families while trees comprising 221 species and 48 families were enumerated. Annonaceae was the richest family of lianas and trees (19 species and 23 species respectively). Connarus (Connaraceae) and Spatholobus (Fabaceae) had the highest number of lianas (six species) whilst Syzygium (Myrtaceae) had the highest number of trees (11 species). There are significant differences in all the diversity indices among the study sites, except between Sungai Papan and Teluk Gopal which were the richest and most diverse in liana species. These two sites also showed high similarity index in liana species (0.50) followed by Sungai Kejar and Sungai Papan 2 (0.37). Sungai Kejar was however observed to have the highest tree species richness. These study sites could be described as very rich with a high diversity of lianas and trees. Although, it is richer in trees than lianas which means that the level of disturbance of the park is very low.

Keywords: Annonaceae, Connarus, forests, lianas diversity, Perak, Syzygium
Characterisation of Klebsiella pneumoniae Xylanase and Increment of Its Activity in Heterologous Expression System
Authors: Hussain Mohd Hasnain , Zainol Suhaila , Ming Chong Nikson Fatt- , Awang Husaini Awang Ahmad Sallehin
Published: March 2019

A xylanase DNA sequence with a total length of 642 bp was previously isolated from a xylanolytic Klebsiellapneumoniae. Xylanase gene primers were designed with the addition of BamH1 and EcoR1 restriction enzymesites in order get a full xylanase gene that is in-frame with pSTAG expression vector. The isolated xylanasegene was amplified using the designed primers through PCR, then cloned and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3).In-silico characterization showed that the recombinant xylanase has a molecular weight of 23.9 kDa and a pI of9.32. The signal peptide cleavage site for the recombinant xylanase was predicted to be between residues 61and 62. The activity of the crude recombinant xylanase was 2.015 U/mL, which was higher than the crudenative xylanase activity, with maximum at 0.642 U/mL. Staining of the birchwood xylan agar plate with Congored showed a clearing zone around E. coli BL21 (DE3) colonies with recombinant pSTAG plasmid evenwithout being induced with IPTG. This implied leaky expression of the E. coli BL21 (DE3) secretion system,which recognized the signal sequence of the recombinant xylanase, and proceeded to cleave and secreted outthe mature protein into the culture medium. MALDI-TOF analysis of a 20 kDa protein present in the culturemedium confirmed that the recombinant xylanase had been secreted into the culture medium.
Survey of Small Mammals in Bukit Taat, Tasik Kenyir, Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia.
Authors: Mazlan Norfarhana , Tan Chin-Fang , Kamaruzzaman Mohamad Abid , Adrus Madinah , Abdullah M.T.
Published: March 2019

A survey on small mammals was conducted at Bukit Taat, Tasik Kenyir from 2nd to 5th September 2014. Thissurvey aimed to document the species diversity of small mammals in Bukit Taat. A total of eight mist nets, twofour-bank harp traps and 50 cage traps baited with banana slices were used. A total of 36 individuals comprising14 species of chiropteran but none of non-volant small mammals were recorded. Hipposideros larvatus (36.1%of total individuals) were recorded as the most captured species followed by H. diadema (19.4% of totalindividuals) and Penthetor lucasi (8.3% of total individuals). This survey formed the first list of chiropteransrecorded at Bukit Taat, Tasik Kenyir, Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia.
Characterisation and Expression Analysis of Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Reductase derived from Orthosiphon aristatus
Authors: Ahmad Zuliza , Husaini Ahmad , Roslan Hairul Azman
Published: March 2019

Herbal products are getting more popular as alternative medicines and food supplements. The therapeutic effects of herbal medicines are mainly attributed to their bioactive secondary metabolites. Orthosiphon aristatus, locally known as ‘Misai Kucing’, is known for its various health benefits. One of the main chemical constituent of O. aristatus is rosmarinic acid, a plant polyphenol that has been proven to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase (HPPR) is one of the enzymes involved in rosmarinic acid biosynthetic pathway. Here we report the effect of UV on HPPR expression and the isolation of a full-length hppr cDNA from O. aristatus via rapid amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction. An increase in the expression was detected when the plant was exposed to UV and detected via the expression of hppr transcript. A 1116 bp nucleotide putative cDNA was isolated corresponding to 307 predicted amino acid. We have also isolated the 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions with a length of 54 bp and 123 bp, respectively. Sequence similarity analysis was performed against NCBI genebank and the BLAST result showed that the putative hppr cDNA isolated from O. aristatus exhibited high similarities with other hppr cDNA of the members of the Lamiaceae family such as Perilla frutescens, Salvia officinalis, Salvia miltiorrhiza and Solenostemon scutellarioides.
Preliminary Study on Fish Larvae at Selected Coastal Waters of Sarawak
Authors: Muhamad Norhakimi , Ab Rahim Siti Akmar Khadijah
Published: March 2019

A survey were carried out from April to November 2012 at five study sites namely Teluk Pandan beach, Rambungan beach, Puteri beach, Sampadi Island and Satang Besar Island, Sarawak. This survey was carried out in order to obtain early documentation of fish larvae at selected coastal waters of Sarawak. Seine net (1 mm mesh size) which was pulled by two persons at intertidal zone; and bridle net (0.5 mm mesh size) that was towed by boat at subtidal zone (Sampadi Island only) were used to collect the samples. A total of 2,562 fish larvae which comprise 25 families were obtained from both sampling methods. A total of 16 families of fish larvae were caught by seine net from the intertidal zone. The same number of families was collected at the subtidal zone of Sampadi Island by bridle net. Ambassidae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae and Gerreidae found to be dominant families in the study sites. Clupeidae and Gerreidae shown a wide larval dispersal area because they were collected at all study sites. These findings seem to indicate that the subtidal zone of Sampadi support more species of fish larvae.
The Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Alkaloids from Papaya (Carica papaya L. var. Eksotika) Leaves
Authors: Mohamad Bukhari Mohamad Fhaizal , Abdul Rahman Noorsaadah , Khalid Norzulaani , Rashid Ahmad Hazri , Mohd Diah Mazita
Published: March 2019

Since the isolation procedures are easy, many of the earliest pure compounds isolated with biological activitywere alkaloids. The nitrogen molecules in plant cells generally make the compound alkaline which makealkaloids exist in a salt form in plants. Thus, alkaloids are often extracted with water and/or acid solution systemand then recovered as crystalline material by treatment using a base. The alkaloid carpaine was extracted fromvarious part of Carica papaya L. var. Eksotika from field grown samples namely leaves, petiole and fruit peel,and from in vitro samples namely leaves, petiole, suspension cells and suspension liquid with only one artifact ofimpurity detected i.e. dehydrocarpaine II. Supercritical fluid extraction was analysed to obtain pure and highyield of carpaine compound as compared to conventional acid base extraction method. The ratio ofethanol/water/acetic acid used at 94.5:5:0.5 (v/v/v) was confirmed to be a better solvent system for carpaineextraction since only one pseudocarpaine i.e. dehydrocarpaine II was extracted together with carpaine. In thisstudy, the application of single fluid of carbon dioxide in supercritical fluid extraction procedure generated pureand higher yield of carpaine compound. Additional centrifugation step should have contributed to a higher purityof the extracted carpaine.
A Chemotaxonomic Study of Cuticular Hydrocarbons on Epilachna indica (Family: Coccinellidae) from Sarawak
Authors: Bosorang Rizoh , Assim Zaini , Hanapi Sulaiman
Published: March 2019

The chemical composition of cuticular hydrocarbons of adult Epilacnha indica (ladybird beetles), collected fromKota Samarahan, Kota Padawan and Lanjak-Entimau, Sarawak were analyzed by using a capillary gaschromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Cuticular hydrocarbons extracted from 18 samples of adult E.indica (comprise of 90 individuals). Over 95% of the hydrocarbon peak areas consist of chain lengths from C18to C38 . The proportions of n-alkanes between three different localities are significantly difference, except for ndotriacontaneand n-tetratriacontane. Comparison between Kota Samarahan and Kota Padawan samples revealedthe significant different in hydrocarbon composition for even-numbered carbon n-alkanes ranging from n-C18 ton-C38 except for n-C32 and n-C34 . Several odd-numbered carbon n-alkanes such as n-C25 , n-C27 , n-C33 and n-C35 also showed significant difference in the composition between Kota Samarahan and Kota Padawan.Examination on components contributing to the differentiation of localities showed that n-C29 , n-C33 and n-C36were important in discriminating three different localities. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) successfullyclassified all samples into three correct groups in 100% of cases, with cross-validation resulted in an error of7.7%. Individuals from each locality were grouped in the range of 2.10 - 9.16% differences, with average of43% different reflected between localities. E. indica samples collected from the forests containing simplerhydrocarbon pattern than samples collected around housing or industrial areas. Result showed that differences inmicroenvironment have influenced the composition and proportion of insect cuticular hydrocarbon. The findingreveals the potential of cuticular hydrocarbons profile to separate subpopulations of species.
Occurrence of Escherichia coli in Wildlife from Different Habitats of Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Bilung Lesley Maurice , Ling Kho Kai , Apun Kasing , Abdullah Mohd Tajuddin , Rahman Mustafa Abdul , Ming Chen Yik , Benjamen Adom , Chong Yee Ling , Hashim Hashimatul Fatma
Published: March 2019

This study was carried out to assess the occurrence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the bats, birds and rodents asrepresentative of wildlife from different habitats in Sibu and Kapit, Sarawak, Malaysia. A total of 682 swabsamples were collected from wildlife hosts and screened for the bacteria E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 usingstandard microbiological methods and molecular techniques. The overall occurrence rates of E. coli among thesehosts were 14%, 17% and 54% for bats, birds and rodents, respectively. The occurrence of E. coli was thehighest in rodents regardless of the habitats. Isolated E. coli were then screened for E. coli O157:H7 by using amultiplex PCR with four primer pairs targeting for Shiga toxin producing genes (slt-I and slt-II), and the genesinvolved in biosynthesis of O157 antigen (rfbE) and H7 antigen (fliCH7 ). slt-I, slt-II and rfbE genes were notdetected in any of the E. coli isolates. However, the gene encoding for H7 antigen was detected in 23 E. coliisolates. This indicated that E. coli O157:H7 strain was not detected in the wildlife studied. Absence of E. coliO157:H7 in the wildlife studied indicated these wild animals do not serve as an important reservoir of E. coliO157:H7. However, precautions have to be taken as other group of pathogenic E. coli may pose a zoonotic riskfor humans and other animals.
Phylogenetic Relationships of Macaques (Cercopithecidae: Macaca) Inferred from Partial Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Cytochrome Oxidase II (COII) gene
Authors: Rahim Noor Aisyah , Gani Millawati , Abdullah Mohd Tajuddin
Published: March 2019

The molecular phylogenetic relationships among ten species of macaques were assessed using mitochondrialDNA (mtDNA) cytochrome oxidase II (COII) gene. The 27 individuals comprising of ten species within genusMacaca, namely, M. sylvanus, M. mulatta, M. cyclopis, M. arctoides, M. fascicularis, M. assamensis, M.thibetana, M. nemestrina, M. leonina and M. silenus were used in this study. The phylogenetic trees werereconstructed using neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods.Based on our constructed tree, it is suggested that the results from phylogenetic analyses demonstrated fourgroups of macaques. In addition, the trees showed topology of M. sylvanus as a sister clade to all Asianmacaques. The silenus group, which diverged first after M. sylvanus formed their own clade, consisted ofmacaque species M. silenus, M. nemestrina and M. leonina. Meanwhile, the sinica group consisted of M.assamensis and M. thibetana, and the fascicularis group comprised of M. fascicularis, M. arctoides, M. mulattaand M. cyclopis. Our ML tree also showed that M. arctoides is a member of fascicularis group. Our study, alsoindicated that our results neglect the classification based on outer appearances and supports the proposedmolecular work view.
Fishes and Macroinvertebrates of Padawan Limestone, Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Grinang Jongkar
Published: March 2019

A survey on fishes and macroinvertebrates was conducted at four streams and a cave passage in the Padawanlimestone area of Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo). Eighty-four species, comprising 21 fishes, seven crabs,four prawns, 10 snails and 42 aquatic insects were recorded. The finding adds the total species of fishes andcrustaceans known from limestone areas in Sarawak to 79 and 29, respectively. Padawan limestone has asimilar aquatic fauna with Bau limestone area. Both areas have different species composition from limestonehabitats in the northern region of Sarawak. Padawan limestone area has high conservation value, supporting anumber of endemic and threatened species, including seven crab and six fish species. Two species of semiterrestrialcrabs, Stygothelphusa bidiense and Terrathelphusa kuchingensis are listed as Vulnerable andEndangered, respectively, by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red Lists. It was alsonoted that fishes and a few species of snails serve as important supplement food source for local communitiesliving in the area.
Nanostructured Manganese Dioxide Thin Films prepared by a Novel Self-Assembly Process
Authors: Cem Pang Suh , Hong Wee Boon , Fun Chin Suk
Published: March 2019

We have reported herein a novel self-assembly horizontal submersion process for the deposition ofnanostructured manganese dioxide thin films on metalized plastic supporting substrates at ambient temperatureand pressure. Uniform manganese dioxide thin films were deposited directly onto metallized plastic supportingsubstrate via the spontaneous assembly of preformed manganese dioxide nanoparticles in the form of stablecolloidal suspension. This process affords a facile approach for the deposition of manganese dioxide thin filmsby simply repeating the submersion process after the prior deposited layer had been air-dried completely. Thinfilmdeposition process initially occurred through the spontaneous adsorption of manganese dioxidenanoparticles onto specific surface sites of the metalized substrate. Subsequent events of particle growth,clusters formation, and aggregation or self-organization of particle clusters eventually led to the deposition ofnanostructured thin films which were nanoparticulate and highly porous in nature. The surface morphologicalcharacteristics of deposited thin films were observed to be significantly affected by the duration of submersionand the post-deposition calcination temperature. By modulating and optimizing these parameters, thin films oftailored microstructure could therefore be prepared. Optimized manganese dioxide thin films were observed toexhibit excellent capacitive behavior as evidenced by the almost perfectly rectangular shape of cyclicvoltamograms within the potential range of 0.0 to 1.0 V (versus SCE) in mild aqueous Na2SO4 electrolyte. Thecycling stability and reversibility of these films were evaluated by prolonged charge-discharge cycling and nosubstantial deterioration of performance in terms of charge capacity and capacitive behaviors were observedafter 1000 cycles. We speculate that the high capacitance value exhibited by self-assembled manganese dioxidethin films in mild aqueous electrolyte could be attributed to reversible and homogenous intercalation anddeintercalation of protons during the charge and discharge cycling. The potential utility of self-assembledmanganese dioxide thin films for the fabrication of electrochemical devices, in particular thin-filmelectrochemical capacitors is therefore envisaged.
Essential Oils from Fresh Fruits, Fruit Stalks and Stem Barks of Four Piper nigrum Varieties from Sarawak
Authors: Sahari Irna Syairina , Assim Zaini , Ahmad Fasihuddin Badruddin , Jusoh Ismail Bin
Published: March 2019

The variation of chemical compositions in essential oils obtained from fresh fruits, fruit stalks and stem barks offour Piper nigrum L. varieties was analysed using capillary gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GCFID)and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oils were extracted byhydrodistillation Clevenger-type apparatus. The major oil constituents identified in all samples were β-elemene(1.07-2.93%), (+)-δ-cadinene (0.58-6.20%), α-caryophyllene (1.90-6.21%), δ-elemene (0.38-13.26%), 3-carene(0.07-16.82%) and β-caryophyllene (11.78-38.33%). All oil samples showed high content of sesquiterpenes,whereas fruit oils from Semongok Emas and Semongok Wan yielded mostly monoterpenes. Hierarchicalclustering and principal component analysis (PCA) of the oil components revealed significant correlationamongst individual P. nigrum oil samples.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Study of Aspirin-Chalcone Derivatives
Authors: Ngaini Zainab , Hui Doris Ho Ai , Hussain Hasnain , Wan Zulkiplee Wan Sharifatun Handayani , Tay Meng Guan , Sahari Norhasnan , Nordin Norsyafikah Asyilla
Published: March 2019

The chemistry of aspirin and chalcone derivatives has been extensively studied and developed as one of thepharmaceutically important molecules. In this study, new aspirin-chalcone derivatives have been successfullysynthesized and characterized via FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The antibacterial activities ofsynthesized compounds were investigated towards Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 via turbidimetric kineticmethod. The newly synthesized aspirin-chalcone derivatives, however showed poor antibacterial activityagainst E. coli ATCC 8739 at the concentration of 50, 80 and 100 ppm. The effect of the molecular structureof the synthesized compounds on the antibacterial activity is discussed.
A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF Imperata cylindrica
Authors: Harun Ismail Ahmad Fahmi , Samah Othman Abd , Sule Abubakar
Published: March 2019

Antimicrobial properties of the methanol, chloroform or polybutylene succinate (PBS) extracts of leaves and rhizome from Imperata cylindrica were investigated against five clinical isolates of bacteria, namely Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. In disc diffusion test the three types of extracts showed varied levels of antimicrobial activity against the tested isolates, with inhibition zones ranging from 6.33 ± 0.58 to 11.67 ± 8.14 mm diameters. The highest activity was exerted by the methanol leaves extract on P. aeruginosa (11.67 ± 8.14mm) at 50 mg/ml and the least activity was exerted by both the leaves and rhizome extracts of the plant at 1mg/ml on B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and E.coli (6.33 ± 0.58mm) respectively. A minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 25mg/ml was obtained for the methanol, chloroform, PBS leaves or rhizome extracts on B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and E. coli
Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities for Several Phenolic Compounds in Selected Personal Care Products
Authors: Akkbik Mohammed , Bin Assim Zaini , Ahmad Fasihuddin Badruddin
Published: March 2019

The radical scavenging activity of phenolic compounds such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as antioxidants, and octyl methylcinnamat (OMC) as UVB-filter in selected personal care products such as sunscreen cream, milk lotion, hair oil and hair gel were evaluated. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical was used as reagent and antioxidant activity expressed as decrease in the percentage of DPPH. The antibacterial activities of BHA, BHT, OMC and mixture were assessed using two techniques of agar plate diffusion method. The mixture of BHA, BHT and OMC showed the highest percentage of DPPH• inhibition (95.2%), followed by BHA (94.8%), BHT (93.9%) and OMC (9.0%). DPPH• inhibition for crude extracts of selected personal care products were evaluated. The percentage of DPPH• inhibition for sunscreen cream, milk lotion, hair gel and hair oil were 15.3%, 23.5%, 7.7% and 12.7%, respectively. While IC50 of BHA, BHT and mixture were observed at 29.83, 44.16, 32.51 mg/L, respectively. The MIC values for BHA, BHT, OMC and mixture against E. coli using paper-disk diffusion technique were 1.5, 15, 200, 1.5 μg/disk, respectively. While, the MIC values obtained using hole-punch technique were 100, 200, not active, 70 μg/hole for BHA, BHT, OMC and mixture, respectively. In addition, the MIC values obtained by paper-disk diffusion technique for BHA, BHT, OMC, and mixture against S. aureus were 15, 70, not active, 10 μg/disk respectively. On the other hand, MIC values obtained using hole-punch technique were 70, 200, not active, 60 μg/hole for BHA, BHT, OMC and mixture, respectively.
Chemical Constituents of Essential Oils from Resin and Bark of Agathis borneensis
Authors: Alet Fouziah Binti , Bin Assim Zaini , Bin Jusoh Ismail , Badruddin Ahmad Fasihuddin
Published: March 2019

The chemical constituents of essential oils obtained from resin and bark of Agathis borneensis were analysed using capillary gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The resin essential oil dominated by α-pinene (30.93%), δ-limonene (17.79%), β-pinene (11.28%) and terpinen-4-ol (8.35%). The main components in the bark essential oil were β-pinene (8.68%), terpinen-4-ol (8.54%), α-pinene (8.50%) and α-terpineol (8.48%).
Assessment of Floristic Composition in a Rehabilitated Forest, Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Heng Roland Kueh Jui , Majid Nik Muhamad Ab. , Gandaseca Seca , Ahmed Osumanu Haruna , Jemat Silvester , Kin Melvin Ku Kin
Published: March 2019

Assessment of the floristic composition provides information on forest succession stage which is important but only relatively few information are available on the rehabilitated tropical forest. The information can provide an indication of the recovery status of the forest. The objective of this study was to assess the floristic composition of selected age stands at a rehabilitated forest situated in Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia. A 20 x 20 m plot (0.04 ha) was established each in stands planted in 1991, 1999, 2008 and an adjacent natural regenerating secondary forest (± 23-year-old). All stands were tagged, identified and analyzed for species composition, Importance Value (IV), species diversity and similarity. Floristic analysis showed that in the rehabilitated forest, over 50% of the total family was dominated by the Dipterocarpaceae family but only 14% in natural regenerating secondary forest. Based on the IV Index, stand year 1991 was dominated by Shorea dasyphylla (IV=155.8) while stand year 1999, 2008 and natural regenerating secondary forest were Dryobalanops beccarii (IV=156.2), Sandoricum borneense (IV=144.4) Teijsmanniodendron holophyllum (IV=115.3), respectively. The Simpson’s diversity index at the rehabilitated forest ranged from 0.82 to 0.87 compared to 0.98 at the natural regenerating secondary forest whereas the Shannon-Wiener diversity index ranged from 2.04 to 2.29 compared to 4.23, respectively. Jaccard’s Coefficient of Similarity (Cj) between all combinations of the study plots was generally low (2.2-19.4%). Rehabilitated forest exhibited climax species community despite having lower species diversity. This can promote the conservation of these climax species.
Supplementary Materials (Distributions of Dissolved Manganese in the Surface Waters of the Tropical North-Eastern Atlantic Ocean)
Authors: Idrus Farah Akmal
Published: March 2019

The tropical North-Eastern Atlantic (TNEA) Ocean region receives high atmospheric input every year, mostly from the Saharan dust and soil. This atmospheric dust and its deposition in the surface ocean are considered to be an important supply of nutrients and trace metal (e.g. dissolved manganese (DMn)) to the euphotic zone of the open ocean regions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the input of DMn from atmospheric sources and from nearby islands into the TNEA Ocean. A set of surface samples were collected from the Tropical NE Atlantic Ocean, and were analysed for DMn by using the flow injection analyser with chemiluminescence (FIA-CL). Results suggest the land-sources of DMn near to the Canary Islands, the Cape Verde Islands and the African Continent contributed the major inputs of DMn, where high DMn concentrations were determined, with the highest is 3.87±0.05 nM. The lateral advective flux of DMn was higher (47 μmol/m2/d) than the atmospheric flux of DMn (0.17 μmol/m2/d), thus making the shelf and sediment as the most prominent sources of DMn in the seawater close to the islands. From this atmospheric flux of DMn, it was then possible to estimate the DMn enrichment at further offshore dust event regions of 0.73 nM/yr and consistent with the DMn background concentrations. This support the low residence time calculated in dust event regions of around 1 year. In conclusion, the shelf and sediment are the most prominent DMn sources in the seawater close to the islands and mainland, while in further offshore, the atmospheric inputs are dominant.
Potential Use of Cuticular Hydrocarbons in Estimating the Age of Blowfly Pupae Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Authors: Bosorang Rizoh , Assim Zaini , Hanapi Sulaiman , Abang Fatimah
Published: March 2019

Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to determine the weathering time in cuticular hydrocarbon of pupae Chrysomya megacephala in sheltered condition. The results have shown that cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) of the pupae were a mixture of n-alkanes, methyl-branched alkanes, and dimethyl-branched alkanes, with carbon chain length ranging from C19 to C39.The study presents the significant correlation between the changes pattern in relative abundance of several CHC and development phase in pupae. Further analysis with multiple linear regression indicated that several CHC compounds showed strong correlation to blowfly pupae age, which were then utilized to create a prediction equation for the age estimation. Finally, the application of the age-dependent model had revealed that estimated age correlated significantly with chronological age of samples C. megacephala., y = 0.97x + 0.092, R2 = 0.9698. The study concluded that, CHC have a potential to estimate age of immature C. megacephala, and possibly in other flies species, and might further be used to determine the PMI.