Molecular screening of Babesia, Hepatozoon, and Theileria (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting farm ruminants in Peninsular Malaysia.

Ticks are obligate hematophagous arachnids that feed on both humans and animals. Despite the extensive research on detection of bacteria in ixodid ticks in Malaysia, there remains limited knowledge about the detection of protozoa in these ectoparasites, especially in those that feed on farm ruminants. In this study, 1,241 ticks belonging to four species (Rhipicephalus microplus, R.

infection and staple-line leak in patients with class III obesity undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a retrospective study.

Objective: Globally, over 50% of the population is affected by , yet research on its prevalence and impact in patients with obesity undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is inconclusive. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of infection in individuals with obesity undergoing LSG, evaluate the percentage of postoperative staple-line leaks, and explore the potential link between infection and staple-line leaks.

Methods: This retrospective analysis assessed adult patients with class III obesity who underwent LSG between 2015 and 2020 at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

New host record and redescription of Amblyomma cordiferum nymphs and larvae infesting Malaysian house rats (Rattus rattus diardii) in Peninsular Malaysia, with molecular evidence of Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Bartonella.

Nymphal and larval Amblyomma cordiferum ticks, a relatively rare species, were collected from the Malaysian house rat (Rattus rattus diardii) in Peninsular Malaysia. Redescription and molecular analysis of nymphs and larvae, based on the 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and COI genes, revealed divergence from A. cordiferum in Taiwan, suggesting that the Taiwanese tick specimens may represent a different taxon.

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ruminant farms of Peninsular Malaysia: First molecular evidence of Borrelia theileri in Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae).

To shed light on the importance of tick-borne diseases, especially in farm animals that often contact with farm workers, this study aimed to identify ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ruminants in Malaysia. Accordingly, specimen collection was conducted across Peninsular Malaysia yielded a total of 1241 ticks collected from 674 farm ruminants. Among these, four tick species were identified, with Rhipicephalus microplus being the most prevalent, constituting 99.

A distinct Borrelia clade within the relapsing fever group from cat-infesting Haemaphysalis semermis Neumann 1901 (Acari: Ixodidae).

An undescribed relapsing fever group Borrelia species was detected in a male Haemaphysalis semermis tick infesting a rural cat in an indigenous population in Pahang National Park, Peninsular Malaysia. The 16 S rRNA gene sequence revealed close similarity of this variant to several undescribed Borrelia species and Borrelia theileri, with genetic distances ranging from 0.58 to 0.

Tick-associated Trypanosoma species (Apicomplexa: Kinetoplastida) from cattle ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Peninsular Malaysia.

A Trypanosoma screening was conducted on 130 pools comprising 1,241 ticks, collected from 674 selected farm ruminants in Peninsular Malaysia. Of these, nine pools were tested positive for Trypanosoma. Subsequent BLAST searches revealed that the 18S rRNA gene sequences were closely related to Trypanosoma rhipicephalis isolate Chaco CB, with percentage similarities ranging from 95.

Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Revascularization: Comparing Outcomes Between Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality globally, particularly in individuals with diabetes mellitus, who are at a heightened risk for cardiovascular complications. The complexity of coronary lesions and diffuse atherosclerosis in diabetic patients presents challenges in their treatment and prognosis. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are primary revascularization strategies for managing multi-vessel CAD in diabetic patients.

Two new records of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) from the Oriental honey buzzard [Pernis ptilorhynchus (Temminck, 1821)] and house crow (Corvus splendens Viellot, 1817) in Malaysia.

We report two new records of chewing lice from avian pets in Peninsular Malaysia: Colpocephalum apivorus Tendeiro, 1958 from an Oriental honey buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus (Temminck, 1821)), and Myrsidea splendenticola Klockenhoff, 1973 from an albino house crow (Corvus splendens Vieillot, 1817). The scarcity of louse records from avian pets and wild birds, and the lack of louse research in Malaysia are discussed.

Haemaphysalis wellingtoni (Acari: Ixodidae) from the helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris (Galliformes: Numididae): A new tick-host record in Peninsular Malaysia.

This paper describes a new tick-host record of Haemaphysalis wellingtoni from the helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) in Peninsular Malaysia. This record is also the first report of a tick infestation from N. meleagris in Asia.

Clinical Outcomes and Return to Sports After Arthroscopic Repair of Humeral Avulsion of the Glenohumeral Ligament: A Meta-Analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and the frequency of return to sport after the arthroscopic repair of a humeral avulsion of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) lesion. Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline via PubMed and OVID were searched to identify the relevant citations. Screening and data extraction were performed independently.

An annotated checklist of the chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera, Amblycera, Rhynchophthirina) from domestic and wild mammals in Malaysia.

Literature records of chewing lice (Phthiraptera) from mammals in Malaysia were checked and reviewed, resulting in a list of 13 confirmed species belonging to eight genera (Bovicola, Felicola, Gliricola, Gyropus, Haematomyzus, Heterodoxus, Lorisicola, Trichodectes) from four families (Boopiidae, Gyropidae, Haematomyzidae, Trichodectidae) in three suborders (Amblycera, Ischnocera, Rhynchophthirina). We present a checklist of those 13 chewing lice recorded from Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, including hosts, localities, and literature references. An additional 12 species are listed and discussed as possibly occurring in this country.

An annotated checklist of sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) from domestic and wild mammals in Malaysia, with lists of hosts and pathogens.

Literature records of sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) from Malaysia were checked and reviewed, resulting in a list of 34 established species belonging to 11 genera (Ancistroplax, Atopophthirus, Enderleinellus, Haematopinus, Hamophthirius, Hoplopleura, Linognathus, Neohaematopinus, Pedicinus, Polyplax and Sathrax). Furthermore, three local and six cosmopolitan louse species are regarded as dubious in Malaysia, due to misidentifications or lack of locality records. Also, pathogens known to be associated with the sucking lice are listed.

A new host record of Haemaphysalis semermis (Acari: Ixodidae) from the domestic cat (Felis catus) (Carnivora: Felidae) in Orang Asli village, Pahang National Park Malaysia.

We report the presence of a male Haemaphysalis semermis collected from the domestic cat, Felis catus in an aboriginal village located in Pahang, Malaysia. This paper constitutes a new host record of this tick species, and also the first documentation of the infestation of companion animals other than domestic dogs (Canis lupus) by H. semermis in Malaysia.

Blood Group and Response to Bariatric Surgery in Morbidly Obese Patients: A Retrospective Study in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To explore the relationship between the blood group of patients and their response to bariatric surgery and to identify predictors of better outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity between 2014 and 2020 at King Saud University Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Results: This study included 1434 individuals.

A passive and programmable 3D paper-based microfluidic pump for variable flow microfluidic applications.

Paper has attracted significant attention recently as a microfluidic component and platform, especially in passive pumping devices due to its porous and uniform absorbing nature. Many investigations on 1D and 2D fluid flows were carried out. However, no experimental work has been reported on the three-dimensional effect in porous geometry to improve pumping characteristics in microchannels.

Root-Related Genes in Crops and Their Application under Drought Stress Resistance-A Review.

Crop growth and development are frequently affected by biotic and abiotic stresses. The adaptation of crops to stress is mostly achieved by regulating specific genes. The root system is the primary organ for nutrient and water uptake, and has an important role in drought stress response.

The Social Problems of Morbidly Obese Patients on a Community Level: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To identify the predictors and social problems of obese patients in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for the period between July 2016 and January 2017. The study population consisted of obese patients visiting the surgery clinics following the medical examinations required before obesity surgery.

Morphological abnormalities and multiple mitochondrial clades of Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (Ixodida: Ixodidae).

Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides is endemic in South and Southeast Asia, and it is known to parasitise domestic animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, and dogs. Despite infestation on multiple hosts, little attention has been paid to its morphological and molecular variation. The present study describes local morphological abnormalities for the first time in R.

Rhipicephalus annulatus, R. australis or R. microplus? Discordance between morphological and genetic data among three cattle tick species.

The taxonomy of ticks of the subgenus Boophilus has been extensively debated and is often complicated by the high intraspecific variation of morphological features between species. Notably, the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus is a species complex consisting of Rhipicephalus annulatus, Rhipicephalus australis and the three mitochondrial clades (A-C) of R. microplus.

Aspergillus nidulans AmyG Functions as an Intracellular α-Amylase to Promote α-Glucan Synthesis.

α-Glucan is a major cell wall component and a virulence and adhesion factor for fungal cells. However, the biosynthetic pathway of α-glucan was still unclear. α-Glucan was shown to be composed mainly of 1,3-glycosidically linked glucose, with trace amounts of 1,4-glycosidically linked glucose.