Publications by authors named "Siok-Koon Yeo"

Diabetes, particularly type II, is a global health concern, with current treatments like α-glucosidase inhibitors often causing gastrointestinal side effects. This study explored the antihyperglycemic potential of crude protein hydrolysate from oil palm leaves (OPL) as a plant-based α-glucosidase inhibitor. OPL protein hydrolysate was extracted under acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions, and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was assessed.

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Aims: This study aims to evaluate the storage stability of the freeze-dried recombinant Lactococcus lactis NZ3900-fermented milk powder expressing K-ras (Kristen rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) mimotopes targeting colorectal cancer in vacuum packaging.

Methods And Results: The freeze-dried L. lactis-fermented milk powder stored in 4-ply retortable polypropylene (RCPP)-polyamide (PA)-aluminium (AL)-polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and aluminium polyethylene (ALPE) was evaluated throughout 49 days of accelerated storage (38°C and 90% relative humidity).

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Article Synopsis
  • Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Bipolaris species are plant-pathogenic fungi that can also cause human diseases, as found in recent patient samples.
  • The genome of N. dimidiatum was sequenced and compared to B. papendorfii, revealing important genetic similarities related to their ability to infect a wide range of hosts.
  • The study highlights key genes involved in melanin production, nutrient uptake, and the breakdown of plant materials, as well as factors contributing to their pathogenicity in skin and nail infections, which sets the stage for future research on their survival and infection mechanisms.
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This study investigated growth characteristics and antibacterial properties of probiotics in fermented coconut milk (CM) against . A total of eight probiotics were screened for their survivability in CM. Antibacterial test against was carried out on strain with highest growth rate.

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In recent years, oral probiotics have been researched on their effectiveness in reducing and preventing oral diseases. Oral probiotics could be introduced into the oral cavity to keep the equilibrium of the microbiome. Hence, the delivery carrier for oral probiotics plays an important factor to ensure a high number of oral probiotics were delivered and released into the oral cavity.

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Background: The oil palm tree produces 90% of wastes and the limited usage of these wastes causes a major disposal problem in the mills. Nevertheless, these by-products have a large amount of nutritional components. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the physicochemical and functional properties of protein hydrolysates (PH) from oil palm leaves (OPL) extracted using different concentrations of Alcalase (0-10%) at 2 h of hydrolysis time.

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Background: In many developing countries, acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are the main cause of morbidity and mortality among young children. This study aims to evaluate the molecular epidemiology of respiratory viruses among Malaysian children with confirmed respiratory infections between July 2014 and July 2015.

Methods: A total of 394 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected prospectively from children age 0-5 years old with ARTIs from hospitals in Kuala Lumpur.

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Given the remarkable increase of public interest in organic food products, it is indeed critical to evaluate the microbiological risk associated with consumption of fresh organic produce. Organic farming practices including the use of animal manures may increase the risk of microbiological contamination as manure can act as a vehicle for transmission of foodborne pathogens. This study aimed to determine and compare the microbiological status between organic and conventional fresh produce at the retail level in Malaysia.

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Background: is a filamentous wood-inhabiting endophyte commonly found in woody plants. Here, we report the identification and characterization of nine isolates from skin scrapings, nail clippings, and blood.

Methods: The nine isolates were identified based on colony morphology, light microscopy, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogeny.

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A yeast-like organism was isolated from the skin scraping sample of a stasis dermatitis patient in the Mycology Unit Department of Medical Microbiology, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The isolate produced no pigment and was not identifiable using chromogenic agar and API 20C AUX. The fungus was identified as Metschnikowia sp.

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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of electroporation on growth, bioconversion of isoflavones, and probiotic properties of parent organisms and subsequent passages of Bifidobacterium longum FTDC 8643. Electroporation with the strength of electric field at 7.5 kV cm(-1) for 3.

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Probiotic microorganisms have been documented over the past two decades to play a role in cholesterol-lowering properties via various clinical trials. Several mechanisms have also been proposed and the ability of these microorganisms to deconjugate bile via production of bile salt hydrolase (BSH) has been widely associated with their cholesterol lowering potentials in prevention of hypercholesterolemia. Deconjugated bile salts are more hydrophobic than their conjugated counterparts, thus are less reabsorbed through the intestines resulting in higher excretion into the feces.

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We investigated the hypolipidemic effects of Goami-3 rice (GR; Oryza sativa L. cv. Goami-3), a newly developed strain with high levels of amylose and fibers.

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We report a new series of naphthoquinone derivatives as potent ACAT inhibitors, which were obtained through structural variations of previously disclosed lead 1. Several analogs represented by 3i-l, 4k-m, 6a-n, 7a, and 7i demonstrated potent human macrophage ACAT inhibitory activity by a cell-based reporter assay with human HepG2 cell lines. In particular, compounds 4l and 6j emerged as highly potent inhibitors, exhibiting significantly high inhibitory potencies with IC50 values of 0.

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We investigated the effect of cineole on the expression of genes related to reverse cholesterol transport and hepatic fatty acid metabolism. Cineole, a small aroma compound in teas and herbs, significantly stimulated the transactivation of liver X receptor modulator (LXR)-α and LXR-β. The mRNA and protein expression of LXRs and their target genes, including ABCA1 and ABCG1, was significantly increased in macrophages stimulated with cineole.

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Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electroporation (2.5-7.5 kV cm⁻¹ for 3.

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVB; 90 J/m²) on growth, bioconversion of isoflavones and probiotic properties of parent and subsequent passages of L. casei FTDC 2113. UV radiation significantly enhanced (P < 0.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation (ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC) at 30-90 J/m²) on the membrane properties of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, and their bioconversion of isoflavones in prebiotic-soymilk. UV treatment caused membrane permeabilization and alteration at the acyl chain, polar head and interface region of membrane bilayers via lipid peroxidation. Such alteration subsequently led to decreased (p < 0.

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The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ultrasound on the growth of probiotics and bioconversion of isoflavones in prebiotic-soymilk. Previous studies have shown that ultrasound elevated microbial enzymatic activity and growth by altering cellular membranes. The growth of probiotics was significantly decreased (P < 0.

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Background: Soy products have attracted much attention lately as carriers for probiotics. This study was aimed at enhancing the growth of probiotics in soymilk via supplementation with prebiotics.

Results: Lactobacillus sp.

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Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Although various drugs for its treatment have been synthesized, the occurring side effects have generated the need for natural interventions for the treatment and prevention of hypertension. Dietary intervention such as the administration of prebiotics has been seen as a highly acceptable approach.

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