Morphological and genetic identification of Halophila species and a new distribution record of Halophila nipponica at the Tanjung Adang Laut shoal, Johor, Malaysia.

The Halophila species exhibit complex characteristics due to their high degree of variation across different bioregions. This study delves into the intricate characteristics of Halophila species in the Tanjung Adang Laut shoal, Johor, Malaysia, and offers valuable insights through morphological and genetic evidence. Employing internal transcribed sequences (ITS), we investigated the phylogeny of Halophila species, revealing distinct clades for H.

New Insight into Nucleotide Changes on Irradiated (Hendel), A Pest of Horticultural Importance.

(Hendel) is a major quarantine pest species infesting most of the tropical fruits. Its infestation had significantly reduced and disrupted the export market trade, thus, very crucial to be controlled during the preharvest and postharvest. One of the most sustainable control methods is by using the radiation technique to reduce the pest population, thus curbing the spread of this pest to new geographical areas.

Bacillus cereus: A review of "fried rice syndrome" causative agents.

"Fried rice syndrome" originated from the first exposure to a fried rice dish contaminated with Bacillus cereus. This review compiles available data on the prevalence of B. cereus outbreak cases that occurred between 1984 and 2019.

Morphometrics and Structural Changes of "Terung Asam" Sarawak ( Dunal) During Growth and Development.

"Terung asam" Sarawak ( Dunal) is an underutilised fruit vegetable. Information on the fruit growth is very lacking. Thus, this study was conducted to characterise fruit growth pattern based on physical characters and cellular structures.

Gastrointestinal Parasites in Asian and African Elephants: A Systematic Review.

Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) in elephants have been reported in several studies over the last decades. Nonetheless, comprehensive data on clinicopathology of elephant GIPs, parasite burden threshold value, and the effectiveness of conventional anthelmintic drugs are still lacking. Herein, we have systematically reviewed the available knowledge on elephant GIPs identified among different parts of the world based on their prevalence, epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and control.

Factors Affecting Pollination and Pollinators in Oil Palm Plantations: A Review with an Emphasis on the Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Pollination is crucial for oil palm yield, and its efficiency is influenced by multiple factors, including the effectiveness of weevils as pollinators in Southeast Asia. Weevils transfer pollen between male and female flowers, leading to successful fertilization and fruit development, which contributes to higher oil palm yields and increased production of valuable oil. Understanding and conserving the weevil population is important for sustainable oil palm cultivation practices.

In vitro antimicrobial efficacy of Cassia alata (Linn.) leaves, stem, and root extracts against cellulitis causative agent Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Cellulitis is a common skin disease encountered in medical emergencies in hospitals. It can be treated using a combination of antibiotics therapy; however, the causative agent Staphylococcus aureus has been reported to develop resistance towards the currently used antibiotics. Therefore, the search for more alternative herbal origin antimicrobial agents is critical.

Public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well-being: case of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak.

Lack of public awareness of biodiversity conservation is the leading cause of biodiversity loss. This needs to be emphasized by stakeholders in the conservation effort, particularly in some major conservation areas, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Gunung Mulu National Park (GMNP). As a result of threats such as natural catastrophes, pollution, poaching, and uncontrolled urbanization or human development, GMNP is at risk of being inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Integrated Pest Management Strategies for Asian Citrus Psyllid Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and Huanglongbing in Citrus for Sarawak, East Malaysia, Borneo.

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, transmits ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas), a phloem-limited bacterium associated with the severe Asian form of huanglongbing (HLB), and the most destructive disease of citrus. The pathogen and the psyllid, both of South Asian origin, are now widespread in citrus regions of Asia and the Americas. There is no cure for the disease.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Kenyah community of Borneo.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sarawak is located in one of the world's most biodiverse regions and is home to more than 40 sub-ethnic groups that each have their own distinct culture, language and lifestyle. This has given rise to numerous, unique ethnobotanical systems. However, due to rapid urbanization, this traditional knowledge is at a risk of extinction.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of (Malvaceae) and its phylogenetic position.

(Griff) of Malvaceae is considered a natural heritage by the countries that produce it, including Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Even though the species is regarded as a commercially valuable fruit, cultivation of this species is uncommon. The dwindling population of this species in the wild has put its survival in jeopardy.

Responses of selected biomarkers, female reproductive hormones and tissue changes in non-pregnant does challenged with Mannheimia haemolytica serotype A2 and its outer membrane protein (OMP) immunogen.

Background: Mannheimia haemolytica causative agent of pneumonic mannheimiosis, a common respiratory disease of goat and sheep, which cause huge economic losses to farmers worldwide. Pneumonic mannheimiosis caused by M. haemolytica serotype A2 has been reported among small ruminants in Malaysia.

An in vitro study: prebiotic effects of edible palm hearts in batch human fecal fermentation system.

Background: Edible palm hearts (EPH), known as palmito, chonta or swamp cabbage in America or umbut in Malaysia, is a type of vegetable harvested from palm tree species. EPH is firm and smooth and described as having a flavor resembling artichoke. It has underlying prebiotic potential that selectively stimulates the growth and activity of beneficial colonic microbiota, thus enhancing the host's health.

Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanofibers from Banana Pseudostem by Acid Hydrolysis: Physico-Chemical and Thermal Properties.

Cellulose is a biopolymer that may be derived from a variety of agricultural wastes such as rice husks, wheat straw, banana, and so on. Cellulose fibril that is reduced in size, often known as nanocellulose (NC), is a bio-based polymer with nanometer-scale widths with a variety of unique properties. The use of NC as a reinforcing material for nanocomposites has become a popular research issue.

Report of rare genotypes of Acanthamoeba from soil source of the Payeh Maga Highland forest, North-eastern Sarawak, Malaysia.

Pathogenic Acanthamoeba species are the causative agents of Acanthamoeba keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Members of this amoeba genus are ubiquitous in the environments. In Malaysia, most environmental studies performed to date have targeted the detection and characterisation of Acanthamoeba sp.

Functionalization of electrospun fish gelatin mats with bioactive agents: Comparative effect on morphology, thermo-mechanical, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties, and bread shelf stability.

In the current study, fish gelatin-based nanofiber mats were embedded with different bioactive agents (BAs) such as cinnamaldehyde (CEO), limonene (LEO), and eugenol (EEO) at 1, 3, and 5% electrospinning, and their effects on the morphological, structural, mechanical, thermal, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and bread packaging properties of the mats were evaluated. The gelatin mats presented different physicochemical properties due to the inherent differences in the chemical structure of the added BAs and their interaction with the gelatin chains. The conductivity, surface tension, and viscosity of gelatin dopes changed with the presence of the BAs, yet the electrospun nanofibers showed defect-free uniform morphology as confirmed by electron microscopy, with no significant change in the chemical structure of gelatin.

Biometric indices and population parameters of three polynemid fishes from Batang Lassa Estuary of East Malaysia.

The length-weight relationships (LWRs), condition factor (Kn), growth, mortality and exploitation status of three polynemid fishes, ., (Valenciennes, 1831), (Valenciennes, 1831) and (Linnaeus, 1758) from Batang Lassa River estuary were estimated. Fish samples were caught during April 2019 to September 2020 using the ESBN (locally called ) having 1.

Gastrointestinal parasitic infections of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Sarawak Borneo: Prevalence, risk factors, and farming practices.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors for gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in buffaloes from various areas of Sarawak, and to assess current management practices of GI parasites among farmers. Faecal samples were collected from 15 farms and 129 animals, as well as data on farm and animal-based characteristics. A total of 129 faecal samples were examined for GI parasites using a modified McMaster and sedimentation.

Dielectric response of nitrogen in soil amended with chicken litter biochar and urea under Oryza sativa L. cultivation.

Unbalanced utilization of nitrogen (N) rice not economically viable neither is this practice environmental friendly. Co-application of biochar and urea could reduce the unbalanced use of this N fertilizer in rice cultivation. Thus, a field study was carried out to: (i) determine the effects of chicken litter biochar and urea fertilization on N concentration in soil solution of a cultivated rice (MR219) using dielectric measurement at a low frequency and (ii) correlate soil dielectric conductivity with rice grain yield at maturity.

Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Hexane Extract of Mud Lobster () in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages.

Mud lobsters are crustaceans from the genus which are lesser known and seldom seen but are nevertheless an important organism to the mangrove ecosystem. In Malaysia and Thailand, mud lobsters are eaten by locals as treatment for asthma. It is traditionally believed that they are effective in reducing the number of asthma attacks and severity of asthma symptoms.

Chemical constituents and phytochemical properties of floral maize pollen.

Currently, bee-gathered pollen (bee pollen) is commonly used worldwide as a dietary supplement and is recognized for its curative properties. Floral pollen is also important but is less recognized due to a lack of investigation. This study aims to determine the morphological characteristics and nutritional and phytochemical properties of floral maize pollen.

Promoting dry reforming of methane bifunctional NiO/dolomite catalysts for production of hydrogen-rich syngas.

Extensive effort has been focused on the advancement of an efficient catalyst for CO reforming of CH to achieve optimum catalytic activity together with cost-effectiveness and high resistance to catalyst deactivation. In this study, for the first time, a new catalytic support/catalyst system of bifunctional NiO/dolomite has been synthesized by a wet impregnation method using low-cost materials, and it shows unique performance in terms of amphoteric sites and self-reduction properties. The catalysts were loaded into a continuous micro-reactor equipped with an online GC-TCD system.

Conchology Variations in Species Identification of Pachychilidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Cerithiodea) through Multivariate Analysis.

Pachychilidae is one of the freshwater gastropod family which was previously known under the Potamididae and Thiaridae families. Studies on freshwater gastropods especially on conchcology examinantions are still inadequate compared to marine gastropods. Morphological and morphometric studies of gastropods are practically used to identify and differentiate between species and necessary to complement molecular studies due to its low cost and tolerable resolving power of discrimination.

Air pollution monitoring and tree and forest decline in East Asia: A review.

Air pollution and atmospheric deposition have adverse effects on tree and forest health. We reviewed studies on tree and forest decline in Northeast and Southeast Asia, Siberia, and the Russian Far East (hereafter referred to as East Asia). This included studies published in domestic journals and languages.

Occurrence, Morphometric, and Molecular Investigation of Cattle and Buffalo Liver Adult Fluke in Peninsular Malaysia Main Abattoirs.

Fascioliasis is a parasitic disease of human and animal caused by () and (). More than 700 million of grazing animals and over 180 million human population are at the risk of fascioliasis. This study was conducted in Banting, Ipoh, Shah Alam, and Taiping abattoirs within Peninsular Malaysia to determine the occurrence and identify the species of liver flukes, causing liver condemnation in cattle and buffaloes.