Digital Commons Network^™

Tuberculosis Model : A Mathematical Analysis / Nadhirah Bt Abdul Halim, Nadhirah Abdul Halim

Student Works (2010-2019)

In this thesis, the design and analysis of compartmental deterministic models for the transmission dynamics of infectious disease in a population is studied. A basic Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) model for the transmission of infectious disease with immigration of latent and infectious individuals is developed and rigorously analyzed. The model is assumed to have permanent immunity and homogenous mixing. The constant immigration of the infected individuals into the population makes it impossible for the disease to die out which means, there will be no disease-free equilibrium. However, it is shown that there exists an endemic equilibrium which is locally asymptotically stable under …

Effect Of Superovulation On Ovarian Response And Subsquent Embryo Transfer In Goats / Shariffah Binti Nazari, Shariffah Nazari

Student Works (2010-2019)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of oFSH dosages on ovarian responses during superovulation treatment. A total of 35 mature crossbred goats were synchronised for oestrus with CIDR devices for a period of 13 days. The does were divided into 3 groups, namely groups M1, M2 and S receiving 8.8 mg and 14.1 mg of oFSH through multiple intramuscular (i.m.) injection starting from 2 days before the CIDR removal and 8.8 mg of oFSH through single i.m. injection upon CIDR removal, respectively. Ovarian responses of all treatments were evaluated during laparotomy session on days 3 or 7 after …

Diversity Of Polyporales In The Malay Peninsular And The Application Of Ganoderma Australe (Fr.) Pat. In Biopulping Of Empty Fruit Bunches Of Elaeis Guineensis / Mohamad Hasnul Bin Bolhassan, Mohamad Hasnul Bolhassan

Student Works (2010-2019)

Diversity and distribution of Polyporales in Malaysia was investigated by collecting basidiocarps from trunks, branches, exposed roots and soil from six states (Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Selangor) in Peninsular Malaysia and Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur. The morphological study of 99 basidiomata collected from 2006 till 2007 and 241 herbarium specimens collected from 2003 - 2005 were undertaken. Sixty species belonging to five families: Fomitopsidaceae, Ganodermataceae, Meruliaceae, Meripilaceae and Polyporaceae were recorded. Polyporaceae was the dominant family with 46 species identified. The common species encountered based on the number of basidiocarps collected were Ganoderma australe followed by Lentinus …

The Application Of Irap Markers In The Breeding Of Papaya / Bathusha Shareef Bin Kader Shaik Ali, Bathusha Shareef Kader Shaik Ali

Student Works (2010-2019)

In Malaysia, a papaya breeding program was initiated by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) to produce resistant papayas. Nevertheless, selection of resistant papayas from field trials is laborious and time-consuming. In order to facilitate selection of resistant papayas in breeding programs, potential of DNA fingerprinting method was analysed in this study for future applications. Materials from leaves of Carica papaya L. from varieties Tainung 5, Eksotika 6 and their hybrids were used in the assessment of molecular markers. From an analysis of Inter-Retrotransposons Amplified Polymorphism Reaction (IRAP) molecular markers, five combinations out of 45 possible primers combinations …

Identification Of Chemical Constituents In The Extracts Of Pleurotus Giganteus (Berk.) Karunarathna & K. D. Hyde / Seamus Moroney, Seamus Moroney

Student Works (2010-2019)

Pleurotus giganteus mushroom is used for culinary purposes by the indigenous people (Orang Asli) in Malaysia for food. The present study was undertaken to extract and profile the bioactive metabolites in the fruiting bodies of the cultivated mushroom. Various chemical solvents were used in this investigation because different compounds were extracted by different solvents based on the solvent’s polarity. The solvents employed were methanol, hexane, ethyl acetate, distilled water and butanol. The ethyl acetate and hexane extracts were then subjected to flash column chromatography with stepwise addition of hexane and acetone. The identification of compounds in the sub-fractions from ethyl …

An Exploratory Study On Utilization Of Organic Farming For Sustainable Agriculture At Selected Farms In Malaysia And India / Prasad A/L Vasudevon, Prasad Vasudevon

Student Works (2010-2019)

Industrial agriculture has become the prominent agriculture system worldwide. In this system, farmers have become less dependent to environmental processes in shaping food production systems. They begin to adapt monoculture farming and rely on increasing quantities of agrochemicals, automated machineries, hybrid seeds and, more recently, Genetically modified crops. However, these practices have caused environmental consequences such as depletion of biodiversity, soil degradation, pollution and global warming. Furthermore concentration and vertical integration of corporate undermines farmer’s participation in the agrifood system. Farmers merely act as technology adopters and passive producers. In this system, farmers’ knowledge and innovations are impeded. In addition …

Selection, Characterization And Evaluation Of Streptomyces For The Control Of Anthracnose In Chilli / Pedram Shahbazi, Pedram Shahbazi

Student Works (2010-2019)

The actinomycetes, mainly Streptomyces spp., have been widely studied as potential biocontrol agents against plant pathogenic fungi. This project was undertaken to isolate and select Streptomyces strains showing potential in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity. Isolation was done from rhizosphere-derived soil of healthy and Colletotrichum-infested chilli plants in Ulu Chechuh in Kuala Selangor and Sungai Burung in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The selected strains were evaluated for their ability to control chilli anthracnose pathogen, Colletotrichum spp. in vitro, and the best strain among them was chosen for green house experimental trials on chilli in vivo. A total of …

Production Of Bovine Embryos In Vitro Through In Vitro Fertilisation (Ivf) And Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (Icsi) Techniques / Nor Fadillah Binti Awang, Nor Fadillah Awang

Student Works (2010-2019)

The objective of this study was to develop an optimal in vitro produced embryos (IVP) protocol using two methods of insemination, namely in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) protocols by using different qualities of oocytes in Malaysian cattle. The ovaries were collected from slaughtered cattle from the local abattoir. The oocyte morphology was observed and grouped into three groups: Groups A, B and C, based on cumulus cell compactness. Then the oocytes were subdivided based on the cytoplasm quality, namely homogenous and heterogenous (Experiment 1). The oocytes were matured in humidified 5% CO2 incubator at 38.5°C at …

Wound Healing Potential Of Copper (Ii) Bis [N'- (5-Chloro-1hindol-3-Yl) Methyl Nicotinic Hydrazide] On Experimentally Induced Excision Wounds In Rats / Morvarid Rahnama, Morvarid Rahnama

Student Works (2010-2019)

Considering the importance of wounds in human health proclaims the necessity of discovering and developing new effective drug-to-be agents. Cl-indole-nicotinic is a Schiff base compound with promising structural potentials in accelerating healing of wounds. The purpose of present study is to investigate Cl-indole-nicotinic effects on wound healing and acute toxicity on Sprague Dawley rats as well as its activity as an antimicrobial and an antioxidant agent. The manually induced dermal incision on dorsal neck area of four groups of male SD rats were treated for 10 days with high dose compound (50 mg/kg), low dose compound (25 mg/kg), CMC 5%, …

Development Of Rapid Lamp Assays For The Detection Of Potential Nosocomial Pathogens / Dong Hong, Hong Dong

Student Works (2010-2019)

Nosocomial pathogens are organisms that cause diseases in a patient during his/her stay in a hospital or health care center. These pathogens can spread easily in the hospital and cause an outbreak because of the low immune system of the hospitalized patients. Even so, they are resistant to most of the antibiotics. Rapid detection of these pathogens would be useful to trace the source of an outbreak. In this study, a new detection method, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was developed for the rapid detection of three nosocomial pathogens which are highly multidrug resistant. They are Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa …

Influence Of Allium Sativum Or Cinnamomum Verum On Fermentation Of Milk And Their Effects On The Physicochemical, Biochemical, Microbiological And Functional Properties Of Probiotic Yogurt / Shori, Amal Bakr, Amal Bakr Shori

Student Works (2010-2019)

The present study investigated the effects of Allium sativum or Cinnamomum verum water extract on fermentation of milk and subsequent changes in yogurt bacteria growth and fermentation products on the organoleptic, nutritional and functional values of yogurt. Three types of milk (cow, camel and goat) were incubated (41°C) with starter culture in the presence of A. sativum or C. verum water extract until pH of yogurt was reduced to 4.5. The presence of A. sativum or C. verum water extract in cow, camel and goat milk did not affect pH reduction during fermentation whereas titratable acidity (TA) increased only in …

Morphological And Molecular Characterisation Of Monogeneans / Tan Wooi Boon, Wooi Boon Tan

Student Works (2010-2019)

Morphologies and morphometries as diagnostic characters are shown statistically to be able to differentiate between species and intraspecific variants. Intraspecific variants or morphovariants exist in nature but the variations they possessed are not enough to consider them as species (differentiation index values for morphovariants is 50% less than the values for species). These variations are due to genetic difference resulting from cross-fertilisations between different individuals of the same species. Such variations are necessary tools for future species diversification. The 28S rDNA are able to group members of the major dactylogyridean families together showing the monophyly of these families within the …

Tissue Culture Studies, Secondary Metabolites And Pigment Extraction From Allamanda Cathartica L. / Wong Kim Fah, Kim Fah Wong

Student Works (2010-2019)

Allamanda cathartica L. is a potential medicinal plant which starts to achieve public awareness due to its nutritional value that able to treat various types of diseases, especially in the treatment of jaundice, malaria and cancer. Tissue culture studies were undertaken to examine the effects of different plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the callus induction from leaf and stem explants of this species. Surface sterilization by mercuric (II) chloride (HgCl2) was utilized in order to surface sterilize the leaf (0.1%) and stem (0.2%) explants. The leaf and stem explants were cultured on full-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with …

Development Of Microsatellite Markers For Differentiation Of Gracilaria Species / Song Sze Looi, Sze Looi Song

Student Works (2010-2019)

Gracilaria is a red seaweed that has been cultivated worldwide and is commercially used for food, fertilizers, animal fodder and hydrocolloids. However, the high morphological plasticity and the lack of distinctive reproductive structures often lead to the misidentification in the traditional identification of Gracilaria species. Molecular markers are important especially in the correct identification of Gracilaria species with high economic value. Various types of molecular markers, for example random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) have been used in the study of seaweeds but there are always limitations arising from each …

Expression Of Fungal Infection Response Genes And Protein Frofiles In Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) Roots During Basal Stem Rot Infection By Ganoderma Boninense / Jameel Rabee Al-Obaidi, Jameel Rabee Al-Obaidi

Student Works (2010-2019)

Basal stem rot disease (BSR) is a common disease that affects the Malaysian oil palm. The disease devastates thousands of hectares of oil palm plantings in Southeast Asia every year. It is caused by the fungus Ganoderma boninense, which infects the oil palm trees, causing loss of yield and finally killing the trees. In the present study, gene expression and proteomic investigations were carried out on the root tissues of the oil palm infected with G. boninense. While the gene expression data obtained from this study may be used in future work on the development of resistant or tolerant oil …

Taxonomy Of Gelidiales In Malaysia Based On Molecular And Morphological Studies / Jelveh Sohrabipoor, Jelveh Sohrabipoor

Student Works (2010-2019)

The Gelidiales is an important group of red algae that serves as a source of commercial agar and agarose. This order comprises three families and ten genera, of which Gelidium, Pterocladia, Pterocladiella and Gelidiella are the main sources of high quality agar and agarose. The Gelidiales is a very complicated order and the traditional classification of the order has been changed considerably based on modern molecular studies. Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia with extended coastlines in the Indo-Malayan ecozone have considerable potential of seaweed resources with 396 species reported in the latest checklist of the Malaysian seaweeds. Only eight species …

The Ecology Of Stomatopods In Matang Waters With Emphasis On Miyakea Nepa And Oratosquillina Perpensa / Ng Ying Pei, Ying Pei Ng

Student Works (2010-2019)

An ecological study of the adult and larvae of stomatopods was carried out in the estuary of the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (Malaysia) and its adjacent coastal waters. The study investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of the adult stomatopod population; estimated the various parameters of stomatopod population dynamics; and elucidated the reproduction biology, larval ecology and feeding habits of stomatopods. Monthly trawl surveys (from September 2004 to February 2006) of adult stomatopods revealed four stomatopod species of the family Squillidae. Miyakea nepa (Latreille, 1828) was the most abundant species (16.36±12.48 ind/ha; 65.41%) followed by Oratosquillina perpensa (Kemp. 1911) (6.63±10.74 …

Gastroprotective And Healing Effects Of Hericium Erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. Extracts On Ethanol-Induced Ulcers In Sprague Dawley Rats / Wong Jing Yang, Jing Yang Wong

Student Works (2010-2019)

Hericium erinaceus (Bull. Fr.) Pers. is a well-known culinary-medicinal mushroom that is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese cooking and herbal medicine to treat various human diseases. The objectives of the present investigation was to evaluate the gastroprotection and healing effects by aqueous extracts of the basidiocarps H. erinaceus against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. In acute toxicity study, all animals did not show any abnormal behavioural expressions and toxicological signs. Seven groups of rats were pre-treated orally with distilled water as the normal group; distilled water as ulcer group; 20 mg/kg of omeprazole as positive group; 50, 100, 200, …

Exercise Behaviour Among Malaysian Teacher Trainees / Kee Kang Mea, Kang Mea Kee

Student Works (2010-2019)

Physical activity is an effective way for the prevention of diseases and serves as a cost-effective strategy to improve public health across the population. There are strong evidences linking increased regular physical activity with better health. It is evident that individuals who are able to maintain a regular routine of activity long enough or more vigorously in intensity are likely to benefit more and have less risk of death. Despite the recognized psychological, physical and social benefits of regular exercise, physical inactivity continues to be extensive. The proportions of the Malaysian population who participate in regular and sustainable physical activity …

Characterisation Of The Human Thyroid Peroxidase Gene Mutations (S) In Patients With Congenital Dyshormonogenetic Hypothyroidism / Lee Ching Chin, Ching Chin Lee

Student Works (2010-2019)

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a public health concern affecting 1 / 3000 - 4000 newborn babies. In reference to this, thyroid peroxidase (TPO) abnormality, typically inherited as autosomal recessive traits was found to be one of the causes of dyshormonogenetic CH. Our group had previously identified a homozygous c.1159G>A mutation in exon 8 of the TPO gene of CHP41. In this study, the TPO gene of CHP41’s family members was screened for the c.1159G>A mutation and the results showed that all family members carried the same mutation either in homozygous or heterozygous forms. In addition, another 20 unrelated …

Morphological Characterization, Molecular Identification And Pathotyping Of Colletotrichum Species In Peninsular Malaysia / Khor Bee Sym, Bee Sym Khor

Student Works (2010-2019)

Nineteen isolates of Colletotrichum spp were obtained from infected fruits, 16 isolates were from Capsicum annuum, and three isolates from non-host of Capsicum annuum, which consist of one isolates from papayas and two isolates from strawberries. All showing anthracnose symptom. Growth rate can be the criteria for Colletotrichum identification. C. gloeosporioides has the fastest growth rate among the 3 species and C. acutatum has the slowest growth. C. truncatum has the average growth rates. ANOVA results showed that all of growth rate showed that there are significant different among the species. C. truncatum has the longest length of conidia (falcate) …

Macroparasite Communities Of Wild Rats From Island And Coastal Habitats In Peninsular Malaysia / Nur Syazana Binti Mad Tahir, Nur Syazana Mad Tahir

Student Works (2010-2019)

The occurrences of macroparasites communities in 363 wild rats of two urban coastal cities (Kuantan and Malacca) and two islands (Carey Island and Penang) of Peninsular Malaysia were recorded between May 2010 to August 2011. The wild rats from both habitats comprised of mainly commensal rat species namely; Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus diardii, Rattus tiomanicus and Rattus argentiventer. Overall, higher numbers of females (60.3%) were captured compared to males (39.7%) with more adults (87.9%) compared to juveniles (12.1%). The rats were infected with a minimum of one species and a maximum of six species of ectoparasites while up to five …

Genetic Diversity And Characterization Of Mungbean Germplasm Through Morphological Characters And Microsatellite Markers / Fatemeh Abna, Fatemeh Abna

Student Works (2010-2019)

Twenty mungbean accessions were characterized and their genetic diversity was studied. Eight morphological characters including, plant height, number of fruiting branches per plant, number of pod per plant, number of pod clusters per plant, pod length, number of grains per pod, 1000 grain weight and total grain yield per plant were measured. Analysis of variance for all traits showed significant differences among genotypes. For cluster analysis UPGMA method was used to determine genetic variation and four main groups were defined. Principal component analysis was done to evaluate diversity, three components explained near 79% of total variation among genotypes. The first …

Speciation Of Heavy Metals In Sludge From Electroplating Industry / Noorhazlina Binti Abu Bakar, Noorhazlina Abu Bakar

Student Works (2010-2019)

Application of sequential extraction method to environmental samples provides relevant information about possible toxicity, mobility, and bioavailability of heavy metals when they are discharged into the environment. The concentration of heavy metals in three electroplating sludge samples (two samples from Zn electroplating industries and one sample from Ni electroplating industry) and potential of mobility based on its association form were studied. BCR sequential extraction method was used to fractionate the metal content into acid soluble/exchangeable, reducible and oxidizable fractions. Residual and total metal content were determined in aqua regia digest. The extract were analysed for metals using inductively coupled plasma …

Assessment Of Leucaena Leucocephala For In Vivo Anti-Diabetic And Antioxidant Effects In Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Rats / Nooriza Azaman, Azaman Nooriza

Student Works (2010-2019)

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) deWit (Leguminosae) also known as 'Petang Belalai' is a fast growing shrub or tree found in tropical and subtropical areas. Its fruit has been consumed as food by people in Malaysia, Thailand, Philipines, Indonesia and Mexico. In Indonesia and Mexico the fruits have been used to treat diabetes.

Review Of Ear Health And Hearing Among Indigenous Peoples, Jane Burns, Neil Thomson

Research outputs pre 2011

This review of ear health and hearing among Indigenous Australians has been prepared by the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet as a part of our contributions to ‘closing the gap’ in health between Indigenous people1 and other Australians. The aim is to make relevant, high quality knowledge and information easily accessible to policy makers, health service providers, program managers, clinicians, researchers and the general community. The review is an example of the HealthInfoNet’s translational research, defined as ‘comprehensive applied research that strives to translate the available knowledge and render it operational’

The main purpose of the review, which follows the model of …

Delivering Genetic Education And Genetic Counseling For Rare Diseases In Rural Brazil, A.X. Acosta, K Abe-Sandes, R Giugliani, Alan H. Bittles

Research outputs 2013

Brazil is the largest country in Latin America, with an ethnically diverse, Portuguese-speaking and predominantly Roman Catholic population of some 194 million. Universal health care is provided under the Federal Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde) but, as in many other middle and low income countries, access to medical genetics services is limited in rural and remote regions of the country. Since there is no formally recognized Genetic Counseling profession, genetic counseling is provided by physicians, trained either in medical genetics or a related clinical discipline. A comprehensive medical genetics program has been established in Monte Santo, an inland …

Lifestyle Factors, Medication Use And Risk For Ischaemic Heart Disease Hospitalisation: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study, Anthony S. Gunnell, K Einarsdottir, Daniel A. Galvao, S Joyce, S Tomlin, Vicki J. Graham, Caroline Mcintyre, Robert U. Newton, T Briffa

Research outputs 2013

Background:Lifestyle factors have been implicated in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) development however a limited number of longitudinal studies report results stratified by cardio-protective medication use.Purpose:This study investigated the influence of self-reported lifestyle factors on hospitalisation for IHD, stratified by blood pressure and/or lipid-lowering therapy.Methods:A population-based cohort of 14,890 participants aged 45+ years and IHD-free was identified from the Western Australian Health and wellbeing Surveillance System (2004 to 2010 inclusive), and linked with hospital administrative data. Adjusted hazard ratios for future IHD-hospitalisation were estimated using Cox regression.Results:Current smokers remained at higher risk for IHD-hospitalisation (adjusted HR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.22-2.03) after adjustment …

How Mean Is The Mean?, Craig P. Speelman, Marek Mcgann

Research outputs 2013

In this paper we voice concerns about the uncritical manner in which the mean is often used as a summary statistic in psychological research. We identify a number of implicit assumptions underlying the use of the mean and argue that the fragility of these assumptions should be more carefully considered. We examine some of the ways in which the potential violation of these assumptions can lead us into significant theoretical and methodological error. Illustrations of alternative models of research already extant within Psychology are used to explore methods of research less mean-dependent and suggest that a critical assessment of the …

Ngala Healthy You, Healthy Baby: A Personalized Online Program To Support Healthy Weight In Pregnancy And Early Life, Margaret R. Miller, Lydia A. Hearn, Anna Fletcher, Lelia R. Green

Research outputs 2013

Perinatal maternal obesity is common and has significant child and maternal health consequences. Online resources have the potential to engage young mothers to adopt healthier lifestyles during pregnancy and postpartum. Intercept interviews with 53 pregnant women at antenatal clinics and focus groups with 67 new mothers at mothers’ groups and playgroups were conducted to determine preferred types and formats of online information and support. The expressed needs of women were matched to behaviour change theory to guide development of the Healthy You Healthy Baby website and Smartphone application. A mix of factual and practical online information, self-assessment, goal-setting and feedback …