Identification of Cryptosporidium from Dairy Cattle in Pahang, Malaysia

Nur Hazirah Hisamuddin,Najat Hashim,Sharmeen Nellisa Soffian,Mohd Hishammfariz Mohd Amin,Ridhwan Abdul Wahab,Mardhiah Mohammad,Muhammad Lokman Md Isa,Afzan Mat Yusof 대한기생충학열대의학회 2016 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.54 No.2

Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite, can cause cryptosporidiosis which is a gastrointestinal disease that can infect humans and livestock. Cattle are the most common livestock that can be infected with this protozoan. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia and to find out the association between the occurrence of infection and 3 different ages of cattle (calves less than 1 year, yearling, and adult cattle). The samples were processed by using formol-ether concentration technique and stained by modified Ziehl Neelsen. The results showed that 15.9% (24/151) of cattle were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium in calves less than 1 year was the highest with the percentage of 20.0% (11/55) followed by yearling and adult cattle, with the percentage occurrence of 15.6 % (7/45) and 11.8% (6/51), respectively. There was no significant association between the occurrence and age of cattle and presence of diarrhea. Good management practices and proper hygiene management must be taken in order to reduce the infection. It is highly important to control the infection since infected cattle may serve as potential reservoirs of the infection to other animals and humans, especially animal handlers.

Air Pollutants Exposure with Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function among Primary School Children nearby Heavy Traffic Area in Kajang

Azizul Ashraff Arifuddin,Juliana Jalaludin,Nur Hazirah Hisamuddin 한국대기환경학회 2019 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.13 No.1

The high loading of air pollutants in heavy traffic area has urged researcher to pay greater attention as it frequently associated with significant health impact particularly among children. This study aims to determine the association between traffic-related air pollutants and respiratory health among Malay primary school children in heavy traffic area and low traffic area. A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out among Malay children in heavy traffic area (N=69, Kajang) and low traffic area (N=69, Hulu Langat) areas. Air quality monitoring was conducted in 6 primary schools which include parameters of PM10, PM2.5, ultrafine particles (UFP), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). A set of standardized questionnaire was distributed to obtain respondents’ background information, exposure history and respiratory health symptoms. Spirometry test was carried out to determine the lung function of the respondents. Traffic count survey was conducted at two time intervals per day (7.00- 7.30 am and 1.00-1.30 pm). The result showed that there is a significant difference between concentration of PM10 [t=22.37; p≤0.001], PM2.5 [t=9.73; p≤0.001], UFP [Z= -3.36; p=0.001], NO2 [t=5.73; p=0.001], SO2 [t=6.88; p≤0.001] and CO2 [t=15.67; p≤0.001] in school in exposed and comparative area. Lung function abnormalities found in children in exposed area was 3 times higher than comparative area. All respiratory symptoms show significant difference between both exposed and comparative groups. All pollutants show a significant association with lung function abnormality among the respondents. The finding indicated that higher PM10 and PM2.5 will increase the FVC abnormality by 4 and 6 times of getting FVC abnormality and increase the FVC abnormality by 2 and 3 times of getting FEV1 abnormality. The finding concluded that exposures to traffic-related air pollutants, especially PM10, PM2.5 increase the risk of getting lung function abnormality and respiratory health symptoms among respondents.

Association of Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) with DNA Damage and Respiratory Health Symptoms among Primary School Children in Selangor

Ili Nabila Ismail,Juliana Jalaludin,Suhaili Abu Bakar,Nur Hazirah Hisamuddin,Nur Faseeha Suhaimi 한국대기환경학회 2019 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.13 No.2

Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) is a public health concern accountable for several health problems each year in Malaysia. Several studies globally have shown that children in schools near high traffic roads have increased risks for Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) damage due to higher exposure to TRAP. The study aimed to determine the association between TRAP exposure with DNA damage and respiratory symptoms among school children in Selangor state. PM2.5, PM10, Ultrafine Particle (UFP), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) were measured as TRAP. A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out among children in Kajang as exposed group (n=52) and Hulu Langat as comparative group (n=52). A set of standardized and validated questionnaires were used to determine respiratory symptoms and history of exposure. Measurements of indoor and outdoor air pollutants were conducted in schools. Buccal mucosa cells were collected, which then followed by investigation of DNA damage using a comet assay. All pollutants were significantly associated with reported cough and wheezing at p<0.05. Meanwhile, PM2.5, PM10 and UFP were significantly associated with comet tail length at p<0.05. Additionally, comet tail length in the exposed group was significantly higher (35.95±7.93 μm) than those in the comparative group (30.32±8.358 μm), and the difference was significantly different (t=3.450, p=0.001). Children were more likely to have genotoxicity of buccal mucosa if they were exposed to higher levels of ultrafine particles (UFP). This study demonstrated that children in schools near heavy traffic roads have an increased risk for respiratory symptoms and DNA damage due to higher exposure to TRAP. Therefore, this study supports its importance as a risk factor in associations documented between TRAP and respiratory health among children.

Comparison of the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and Physiotherapy on pain and isokinetic ankle strength in individuals with acute grade I ankle sprain : a case study

( Yong Yi Yuan ),( Nor Sahira Mohd Salim ),( Shazlin Shaharudin ),( Chee Keong Chen ),( Nik Hisamuddin Nik Ab Rahman ) 한국스포츠정책과학원(구 한국스포츠개발원) 2016 International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences Vol.28 No.2

The study investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on ankle functions of patients with grade I ankle sprains. Two male patients with grade I acute ankle sprain were categorised into either combined HBOT and physiotherapy or physiotherapy only groups. Pain index and ankle isokinetic peak torque, time to peak torque and average power were evaluated on the first day of the injury before the commencement of the therapy and after a week of the therapy. The HBOT was administered with 2.5 ATA, 60 min per session, a session per day for five consecutive days. Standard physiotherapy was prescribed for both patients for a week. The data were analysed by descriptive statistics and percentage differences. Combined HBOT and physiotheraphy treatment was more effective in reducing pain compared to physiotherapy only. Isokinetic ankle strength improved in both patients from pre-test to post-test. However, the patient administered with combined HBOT and physiotherapy showed a higher percentage difference in isokinetic peak torque and time to peak torque compared to the other patient. Additional HBOT over the standardised physiotherapy in patient with grade I ankle sprain may help in reducing the pain sensation quicker, eliciting faster recovery, and improving isokinetic ankle strength.

Dendritic Cell Expression of the Signaling Molecule TRAF6 Is Critical for Gut Microbiota-Dependent Immune Tolerance

Han, D.,Walsh, Matthew C.,Cejas, Pedro J.,Dang, Nicholas N.,Kim, Youngmi F.,Kim, J.,Charrier-Hisamuddin, L.,Chau, L.,Zhang, Q.,Bittinger, K.,Bushman, Frederic D.,Turka, Laurence A.,Shen, H.,Reizis, B. Cell Press 2013 Immunity Vol.38 No.6

The intracellular signaling molecule TRAF6 is critical for Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated activation of dendritic cells (DCs). We now report that DC-specific deletion of TRAF6 (TRAF6ΔDC) resulted, unexpectedly, in loss of mucosal tolerance, characterized by spontaneous development of T helper 2 (Th2) cells in the lamina propria and eosinophilic enteritis and fibrosis in the small intestine. Loss of tolerance required the presence of gut commensal microbiota but was independent of DC-expressed MyD88. Further, TRAF6ΔDC mice exhibited decreased regulatory T (Treg) cell numbers in the small intestine and diminished induction of iTreg cells in response to model antigen. Evidence suggested that this defect was associated with diminished DC expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Finally, we demonstrate that aberrant Th2 cell-associated responses in TRAF6ΔDC mice could be mitigated via restoration of Treg cell activity. Collectively, our findings reveal a role for TRAF6 in directing DC maintenance of intestinal immune tolerance through balanced induction of Treg versus Th2 cell immunity.