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Lab-On-A-Disk As A Potential Microfluidic Platform For Dengue Ns1-Elisa, N.A. Yusoff, N. Soin, F. Ibrahim

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Detection of non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of dengue virus can gives early diagnosis of dengue and shows high sensitivity. Current technique uses for the dengue NS1 detection is enzyme-linked-immusorbent assay (ELISA) on 96 microwell plate. However, the assay requires long incubation time about 90 minutes (for antigen-antibody interaction) and total assay time takes almost 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Therefore, a lab-on-a-disk with applied centrifugal force is proposed as a potential microfluidic platform to reduce the assay time by effectively mix and separate liquid in the ELISA assay. The advantages of the technique are having large specific volume, …

Lentinula Edodes (Shiitake) Mushroom Extract Protects Against Hydrogen Peroxide Induced Cytotoxicty In Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Umah Rani Kuppusamy, Y.L. Chong, A.A. Mahmood, M. Indran, N. Abdullah, S. Vikineswary

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Lentinula edodes (Berk) Pegler, commonly known as Shiitake mushroom has been used as medical food in Asian countries, especially in China and Japan is believed to possess strong immunomodulatory property. In the present study, the methanolic extract of the fruit bodies of L. edodes was investigated for cytoprotective effect against H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by measuring the activities of xanthine oxidase (XO) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). H(2)O(2) at a concentration of 5 mu M caused 50 inhibition of PBMCs viability. the extract improved the PBMC viability and exerted a dose-dependent protection against H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity. At …

Life Cycle Impact Assessment (Lcia) Of Potable Water Treatment Process In Malaysia: Comparison Between Dissolved Air Flotation (Daf) And Ultrafiltration (Uf) Technology, Amir Hamzah Sharaai, Noor Zalina Mahmood, Abdul Halim Sulaiman

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

This Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) study compares two types of drinking water technologies; Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) technology and Ultra Filtration technology. The selected plant for this study has both types of technologies in use. Collected data are from the usage of electricity and chemicals used in the water treatment process. The Eco-Indicator 99 was chosen to indicate extent of damage from collected inventories. From the result of impact assessment conducted, it is found that Ultrafiltration technology contributes higher impact to all three categories of damages; damage to environmental quality, damage to human health and damage to source when …

Molecular Phylogenetics And Biogeography Of The Neocellia Series Of Anopheles Mosquitoes In The Oriental Region, K. Morgan, S.M. Oãloughlin, M.Y. Fong, Y.M. Linton, P. Somboon, S. Min, P.T. Htun, S. Nambanya, I. Weerasinghe, T. Sochantha

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Molecular studies of population divergence and speciation across the Oriental Region are sparse, despite the regionâ s high biodiversity and extensive Pliocene and Pleistocene environmental change. A molecular phylogenetic study of the Neocellia Series of Anopheles mosquitoes was undertaken to identify patterns of diversification across the Oriental Region and to infer the role of Pleistocene and Pliocene climatic change. A robust phylogeny was constructed using CO2 and ND5 mitochondrial genes and ITS2 and D3 nuclear ribosomal markers. Bayesian analysis of mitochondrial genes was used to date divergence events. The repeated contraction and expansion of forest habitat resulting from Pleistocene climatic …

Neuromodulatory Effect Of Acrous Calamus Leaves Extract On Dopaminergic System In Mice, K. Vengadeshprabu, T. George, R. Vinothkumar, J. Nancy, M. Kalaivani, P. Vijayapandi

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Acorus calamus (Family: Araceae), available in India and many parts of world, found to have various Pharmacological activities such as analgesic, anti-convulsant, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti ulcer and cyto-protective. In present study, we have investigated effects of methanol (ACME) and acetone (ACAE) extract of Acorus calamus leaves against APM induced stereotypy and haloperidol induced catalepsy. APM induced stereotypy behavior, which reached peak at 15 min period. ACME (20 and 50 mg/Kg oral) administration significantly reversed stereotypy induced by APM. But ACAE at doses used (5, 20 and 50 mg/Kg oral) could not alter the stereotypy induced by APM. Whereas ACME …

Ol-009 Virulence Factors Determination And Molecular Characterisation Of Malaysian Vibrio Cholerae, C.S.J. Teh, Kwai Lin Thong

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

No abstract provided.

Public Awareness On Electromagnetic Field In Malaysia, R. Tukimin, W.N.L. Wan Mahadi, M.Y. M Ali, M.N. M Thari

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Electromagnetic field (EMF) can be categorized as non-ionizing radiation (NIR) and known to be hazardous since it has ability to induce health effects to the exposed person if amount received is excessive. The wide spread of EMF relevant technologies related to microwave, radio frequency, extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) contributed more electromagnetic fields to the environment and bringing out worry to the public as it has been related to the health issue. The misunderstanding on EMF facts has spread out by the public and has created big issue due to the wrong information and facts. We have conducted …

Review Article: Stem Cell Therapy In Orthopaedic Surgery: Current Status And Ethical Considerations, J.H.P. Hui, M. Azura, E.H. Lee

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Regenerative medicine using stem cell therapy has sparked much interest in this 21st century not only because of the controversies that surround the ethics involving pluripotent stem cells but their potential for use in the clinic. The ability of stem cells to repair and regenerate new tissues and organs holds tremendous promise for the treatment of many serious diseases and injuries. This review provides a brief summary of the current status of research in stem cells with special emphasis on where we are in terms of the possible clinical application of stem cell therapy in orthopaedic surgery. We look at …

Sociodemographic And Lifestyle Factors As The Risk Of Diabetic Foot Ulver In The University Of Malaya Medical Centre, A. Misliza, Mas Ayu Said

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

A case-control study was conducted between November 2005 and May 2007 in the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The objective of this study was to identify specific socio-demographic and lifestyle factors which were associated with foot ulcer in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients. There were 125 cases and 250 controls by using universal sampling. Diabetic foot ulcer was defined as “the full thickness skin break at least to Grade 1 Wagner Stage, occurring distal to malleoli”. The case was defined as the diabetic patient who was newly diagnosed or who has …

Study On Osmotic Stress Tolerance In Promising Durum Wheat Genotypes Using Drought Stress Indices, A.A. Moayedi, A.N. Boyce, S.S. Barakbah

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

One way to overcome the negative effects of water stress on crop production is the development of drought tolerant cultivars. In the present study we have attempted to quantify the drought tolerance of several durum wheat genotypes using stress indices. The study was laid out in factorial experiments based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications and two factors. Twenty promising durum wheat genotypes were germinated under four (0.0, -0.3, -0.6 3 and -0.9 MPa) osmotic stresses conditions produced using different concentrations of Polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) at 20°C. The results showed that the effect of osmotic stress …

Surface Investigation Of Chitosan Film With Fatty Acid Monolayers, E.A. El-Hefian, M. Misran, A.H. Yahaya

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The surface pressure-molecular area (pi-A) isotherm curves of two fatty acids of different chain lengths, i.e. stearic (C(18)) and arachidic (C(20)) acids, were obtained by using Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. Results showed clear isotherm plots with limiting mean molecular area around 21 angstrom(2) for both acids. However, the monolayer was found to collapse at higher than 33 mN m(-1) and 21 mN m(-1) for stearic acid and arachidic acid respectively. The effect of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of the acids was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Chitosan film, before and after dipping in water, was also studied by means of AFM so …

Taxonomy,Distribution And Economic Importance Of Xylocarpus Species At Carey Island - The Heritage Island Of Malaysia., N.W. Haron, R. Mat Taha

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The genus Xylocarpus, belonging to the family Meliaceae is distributed in the tropics including mangrove habitat from Africa to Australia, Malaysia and India (Ridley, 1922). It is usually associated with Avicennia, Excoecaria, Acanthus, Rhizophora, Bruguiera,Sonneratia, Nypa and Ceriops. There are three species of Xylocarpus in Malaysia namely, Xylocarpus granatum, X. mollucensis and X. rumphii. They are considered important endangered mangrove species in Malaysia. X. granatum, commonly known as nyireh bunga, is important economically for wood carving. The inner bark is a source of dye for tanning, the oil from seeds is used for grooming hair, the fruits and seeds are …

The Effect Of Psidium Guajava And Piper Betle Extracts On The Morphology Of Dental Plaque Bacteria, Fathilah Abdul Razak, M. Yusoff, Z.H.A. Rahim

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Objective: It has been reported that the aqueous extracts of Psidium guajava and Piper betle leaves showed anti-plaque activities during the early stages of dental plaque formation. The aim of the study was to elucidate if such anti-plaque activities involve any ultra-structural changes to the morphology of three early dental plaque bacteria, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mitis and Actinomyces sp. Methodology: Pure cultures of the bacteria were suspended in BHI medium and treated with the test herbal extracts at the sub-lethal concentrations. The growth mixtures were incubated at 37 degrees C. At the logarithmic growth phase (t(1)), aliquots of 1 ml …

Uncovering The Relation Between The Environmental Damage And The Rate Of Rainfall Received Through Life Cycle Assessment (Lca) Study On Potable Water Production In Malaysia, Amir Hamzah Sharaai, Noor Zalina Mahmood, Abdul Halim Sulaiman

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

The world climate change is a phenomenon that is widely discussed in recent times. It causes a huge impact to the population of the world. Global warming causes the world's rainfall pattern to change including Malaysia. Today wet and dry season is very hard to be accurately predicted. Rainy season is getting more frequent and causing destruction to properties and halting economic growth of a nation. Evidence shows that climate change and global warming is caused by human's own lifestyle and activities. Man's savage way is the main caused for global climate change. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool …

Varenicline - A New Pharmacotherapy For Smoking Cessation: Implication For Smokers With Mental Health Problems, Noor Zurani Robson, A.R. Rusdi, M.M.A. Zahari, M.H. Habil

Research Publications (2006 to 2010)

Objective: The smoking rate among patients with mental health problem is higher than in the general population. Effective pharmacotherapy to treat nicotine addiction is thus needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cigarette smoking among these patients. This article reviews the literature on the suitability of varenicline for smokers with mental health problems. Methods: A search of the literature was conducted using PubMed from year 2001 to July 2009 using key words varenicline alone and varenicline and mental health. Articles chosen were narrowed to those published in English. The type of articles chosen included clinical trials, meta-analyses, case …

Changing The Immutable Commentary, Susan R. Schmeiser

Connecticut Law Review

Over the past few decades, questions about the chosen or compelled nature of sexual orientation have become both a political and a constitutional litmus test for progressive approaches to LGBT rights. While choice occupies a hallowed place in American culture, its invocation in the context of sexual orientation generally has a more ambivalent, and often sinister, ring. High-profile gaffes by prominent politicians make clear that, in this context at least, pro-gay does not mean pro-choice. This Article illuminates the rhetorical confusion surrounding homosexuality and choice, linking it to a misguided jurisprudence of immutability. It reflects briefly on the emergence and …

2009 - 2010, Gardner-Webb University Academic Catalog, Gardner-Webb University

Undergraduate Academic Catalogs

2009 - 2010, Gardner-Webb University Academic Catalog. A. Frank Bonner, president.

Service By Health Care Providers In A Public Health Emergency: The Physican's Duty And The Law, Judith C. Ahronheim

Journal of Health Care Law and Policy

No abstract provided.

Open Ocean Dms Air/Sea Fluxes Over The Eastern South Pacific Ocean, C. A. Marandino, Warren J. De Bruyn, S. D. Miller, E. S. Saltzman

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Air/sea fluxes of dimethylsulfide (DMS) were measured by eddy correlation over the Eastern South Pacific Ocean during January 2006. The cruise track extended from Manzanillo, Mexico, along 110 degrees W, to Punta Arenas, Chile. Bulk air and surface ocean DMS levels were also measured and gas transfer coefficients (k(DMS)) were computed. Air and seawater DMS measurements were made using chemical ionization mass spectrometry (API-CIMS) and a gas/liquid membrane equilibrator. Mean surface seawater DMS concentrations were 3.8 +/- 2.2 nM and atmospheric mixing ratios were 340 +/- 370 ppt. The air/sea flux of DMS was uniformly out of the ocean, with …

National Cave And Karst Research Institute 2007-2008 Annual Report Nckri Annual Report, 2007-2008, National Cave And Karst Research Institute

KIP Articles

Contents: Executive Report -- NCKRI Projects -- Student Activities -- Outreach -- Organizational Structure -- Board Activities -- Board of Directors -- NCKRI Staff -- Staff Publications -- 2007-2008 Budget -- Strategic Plans.

Multi-Tissue Coexpression Networks Reveal Unexpected Subnetworks Associated With Disease, Radu Dobrin, Jun Zhu, Cliona Molony, Carmen Argman, Mark L. Parish, Sonia Carlson, Mark F. Allan, Daniel Pomp, Eric E. Schadt

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: Obesity is a particularly complex disease that at least partially involves genetic and environmental perturbations to gene-networks connecting the hypothalamus and several metabolic tissues, resulting in an energy imbalance at the systems level.

Results: To provide an inter-tissue view of obesity with respect to molecular states that are associated with physiological states, we developed a framework for constructing tissue-to-tissue coexpression networks between genes in the hypothalamus, liver or adipose tissue. These networks have a scale-free architecture and are strikingly independent of gene-gene coexpression networks that are constructed from more standard analyses of single tissues. This is the first systematic …

Additional Files For “Multi-Tissue Coexpression Networks Reveal Unexpected Subnetworks Associated With Disease”, Radu Dobrin, Jun Zhu, Cliona Molony, Carmen Argman, Mark L. Parrish, Sonia Carlson, Mark F. Allan, Daniel Pomp, Eric E. Schadt

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Figure S1 shows the connectivity distribution P(k) for GGC networks. Figure S2 shows FDR curves for each tissue in the analysis. Figure S3 shows modules in single tissue GGC networks as detected by the algorithm. Each cluster is marked by the yellow rectangles. Figure S4 shows single tissue module enrichment. Each panel has the following structure: top, P-values from FET for cis-eQTL blue bars over- and red bars under-enriched; middle, percentage overlap between module and genes with cis-eQTL; bottom, percentage overlap between each module and genes on each chromosome. The scale is between green and black where green represents 0% …

Effects Of Ractopamine (Optaflexx) Fed In Combination With Melengestrol Acetate On Feedlot Heifer Performance, W. A. Griffin, G. E. Erickson, B. D. Dicke, T. J. Klopfenstein, R. J. Cooper, D. J. Jordon, R. S. Swingle, W. M. Moseley, G. E. Sides, D. J. Weigel

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two commercial feedlot experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding melengestrol acetate (MGA) or MGA plus ractopamine (MGA+OPT) on the performance and carcass characteristics of finishing heifers. In Nebraska (Exp. 1), 1,807 heifers (337.3 ± 20.0 kg) and in Texas (Exp. 2), 1,964 heifers (331.5 ± 6.1 kg) were fed 0.4 mg of MGA daily. For heifers fed MGA+OPT, 200 mg of ractopamine was fed daily the last 29 (Exp. 2) or 36 d (Exp. 1). Live and carcass-adjusted performance data were collected. On a carcass-adjusted basis, G:F for the entire feeding period was improved (P < 0.01) by 1.7 and 3.7% in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, for heifers fed MGA+OPT compared with MGA. For the last 29 to 36 d, G:F was increased (P < 0.02) by 8.1% (Exp. 1) or 27.2% (Exp. 2) on a carcass-adjusted basis for heifers fed MGA+OPT compared with MGA. Fat thickness, USDA YG, marbling score, LM area, and percentage USDA Choice were not different (P > 0.47) between …

The Relationship Between Acid Detergent Insoluble Nitrogen And Nitrogen Digestibility In Lactating Dairy Cattle, K. J. Machacek, P. J. Kononoff

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Five trials (19 treatments) conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) on lactating dairy cattle were analyzed to determine how the concentration of ADIN in the ration affects total tract N digestibility. Additionally, 6 published studies (13 treatments) were included to expand the data set. Results from the UNL trials showed that as the concentration of ADIN in the ration increased, the digestibility of ADIN also increased. However, the relationship was poor (r² = 0.29). To account for random effects among trials, a meta-analysis was conducted. In the UNL trials, as the ration concentration of ADIN increased, total tract …

Influence Of Distillers Dried Grain Supplementation Frequency On Forage Digestibility And Growth Performance Of Beef Cattle, L. A. Stalker, D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Three experiments evaluated the influence of supplementation frequency of distillers dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) on forage digestibility (Exp. 1) and growth of yearling heifers (Exp. 2) and steers (Exp. 3). In Exp. 1, 6 steers (371 ± 30 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three 21-d periods. Treatments were DDGS fed at 16.7% of the diet (DM) either 1) daily, 2) every other day, or 3) every third day. In Exp. 2, 48 heifers (193 ± 20 kg) were fed hay and supplemented with the daily equivalent of 1.3 kg/ heifer of …

Cut Crop Edge Detection Using A Laser Sensor, Santosh Pitla, Joe D. Luck, Scott A. Shearer

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

An off-the-shelf low cost laser sensor was tested and evaluated both in laboratory and field conditions. The sensor identified the angular and straight edges of the laboratory test surface and replicated the straight edge profile with an error of 4%. In field conditions, the sensor identified three types of cut crop edges (wheat, alfalfa and corn) and replicated distinct shapes (triangle, curved and rectangular edges). The sensor was tested at two sensor path offset distances and three tractor/sensor speeds (3.2, 6.4 and 9.6 km/h). In all test runs the sensor detected the cut-crop edges. Standard deviations and RMSE values in …

Development Of Gis-Based Chemical Distribution Maps From Sprayer Performance Data, Joe D. Luck, Santosh Pitla, Rodrigo S. Zandonadi, Scott A. Shearer

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Pesticide application is an essential practice on farms in Kentucky where glyphosate resistant crops and no-till farming strategies are becoming more popular. Off-rate pesticide application errors are the result of incorrect concentrations applied to an area of the field and may result from velocity changes along the spray boom while the sprayer is turning, pressure changes across the width of the spray boom, and changes in effective boom height due to undulating terrain. In an attempt to estimate potential errors resulting from sprayer turning movements, a method was developed to compare the differences in application areas between control sections across …

Evaluation Of A Terrain Attribute Model For Locating Areas Suitable For Grassed Waterways In Agricultural Settings, Joe D. Luck, Adam C. Pike, Santosh Pitla, Tom Mueller, Scott A. Shearer

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Grassed waterways placed in high water flow zones substantially reduce erosion in agricultural fields. A recent study proposed a statistical model for waterway planning for a farm in the Outer Bluegrass physiographic region of Kentucky. The logistic regression model identified where channel erosion was likely to occur based on elevation-derived terrain attributes. The objective of this study was to test their model in fields located in the Western Coal Fields physiographic region where soils differ substantially. Model predictions corresponded well with known areas of concentrated flow (i.e., maps of existing waterways, surface drains, and observations of erosion). The geographic inference …

Large-Scale Association Study For Structural Soundness And Leg Locomotion Traits In The Pig, Bin Fan, Suneel K. Onteru, Benny E. Mote, Timo Serenius, Kenneth J. Stalder, Max F. Rothschild

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: Identification and culling of replacement gilts with poor skeletal conformation and feet and leg (FL) unsoundness is an approach used to reduce sow culling and mortality rates in breeding stock. Few candidate genes related to soundness traits have been identified in the pig.

Methods: In this study, 2066 commercial females were scored for 17 traits describing body conformation and FL structure, and were used for association analyses. Genotyping of 121 SNPs derived from 95 genes was implemented using Sequenom's MassARRAY system.

Results: Based on the association results from single trait and principal components using mixed linear …

Age And Diet Affect Gene Expression Profile In Canine Skeletal Muscle, Ingmar S. Middelbos, Brittany M. Vester, Lisa K. Karr-Lilienthal, Lawrence B. Schook, Kelly S. Swanson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

We evaluated gene transcription in canine skeletal muscle (biceps femoris) using microarray analysis to identify effects of age and diet on gene expression. Twelve female beagles were used (six 1-year olds and six 12-year olds) and they were fed one of two experimental diets for 12 months. One diet contained primarily plant-based protein sources (PPB), whereas the second diet contained primarily animal-based protein sources (APB). Affymetrix GeneChip Canine Genome Arrays were used to hybridize extracted RNA. Age had the greatest effect on gene transcription (262 differentially expressed genes), whereas the effect of diet was relatively small (22 differentially expressed genes). …