Monitoring of Deforestation Rate and Trend in Sabah between 1990 and 2008 Using Multitemporal Landsat Data

Razis Osman,Mui-How Phua,Zia Yiing Ling,Kamlisa Uni Kamlun 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 2012 Journal of Forest Science Vol.28 No.3

Deforestation is a major and very critical problem faced by many tropical countries including Malaysia. Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia and its deforestation rate has been accelerating. This study was conducted to monitor the deforestation in Sabah in the last two decades with Landsat images of 1990, 2000 and 2008. Supervised classification with maximum likelihood algorithm was conducted using the Landsat data for monitoring deforestation. In total, between 1990 and 2008, Sabah lost half of its intact forest, or more than 1.85 million ha in less than two decades. Overall, the deforestation rate for all forest types combined for the last two decades was 1.6% per year. Deforestation seemed to be accelerating because the deforestation rate between 1990 and 2000 was 0.9% per year and it had increased to 2.7% per year between 2000 and 2008. The deforestation trend seemed to follow a negative exponential from 1990 to 2008. In contrast, the agricultural areas increased rapidly with a total of increment more than 1 million ha. This confirmed that agriculture especially establishment of commercial plantation was the major factor of deforestation in Sabah for the last two decades.

Naturally-Occurring Glucosinolates, Glucoraphanin and Glucoerucin, are Antagonists to Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor as Their Chemopreventive Potency

Razis, Ahmad Faizal Abdull,Noor, Noramaliza Mohd Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.14

As a cytosolic transcription factor, the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor is involved in several pathophysiological events leading to immunosuppression and cancer; hence antagonists of the Ah receptor may possess chemoprevention properties. It is known to modulate carcinogen-metabolising enzymes, for instance the CYP1 family of cytochromes P450 and quinone reductase, both important in the biotransformation of many chemical carcinogens via regulating phase I and phase II enzyme systems. Utilising chemically-activated luciferase expression (CALUX) assay it was revealed that intact glucosinolates, glucoraphanin and glucoerucin, isolated from Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala sabellica and Eruca sativa ripe seeds, respectively, are such antagonists. Both glucosinolates were poor ligands for the Ah receptor; however, they effectively antagonised activation of the receptor by the avid ligand benzo[a]pyrene. Indeed, intact glucosinolate glucoraphanin was a more potent antagonist to the receptor than glucoerucin. It can be concluded that both glucosinolates effectively act as antagonists for the Ah receptor, and this may contribute to their established chemoprevention potency.

Inhibitory effect of Phenethyl Isothiocyanate Against Benzo[a] Pyrene-Induced Rise in CYP1A1 mRNA and Apoprotein Levels as its Chemopreventive Properties

Razis, Ahmad Faizal Abdull,Konsue, Nattaya,Ioannides, Costas Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Background: Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), the most comprehensively studied aromatic isothiocyanate, has been shown to act as an anti-cancer agent mainly through modulation of biotransformation enzymes responsible for metabolizing carcinogens in the human body. Humans are often exposed to carcinogenic factors, some of which through the diet, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene via the consumption of over-cooked meats. Inhibition of the enzymes responsible for the bioactivation of this carcinogen, for example CYP1A1, the major enzyme required for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bioactivation, is recognized as a chemoprevention strategy. Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effects of PEITC against benzo[a]pyrene-induced rise in rat liver CYP1A1 mRNA and apoprotein levels. Materials and Methods: Precision cut rat liver slices were treated with benzo[a]pyrene at 1 and $5{\mu}M$ in the presence of PEITC ($1-25{\mu}M$) for 24 hours, followed by determination of CYP1A1 mRNA and apoprotein levels using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. Results: Findings revealed that PEITC inhibited benzo[a]pyrene-induced rise in rat liver CYP1A1 mRNA in a dose-dependent manner as well as the apoprotein levels of CYP1A. Conclusions: It was demonstrated that PEITC can directly inhibit the bioactivation of benzo[a]pyrene, indicating chemopreventive potential.

Monitoring of Deforestation Rate and Trend in Sabah between 1990 and 2008 Using Multitemporal Landsat Data

Osman, Razis,Phua, Mui-How,Ling, Zia Yiing,Kamlun, Kamlisa Uni Institute of Forest Science 2012 Journal of Forest Science Vol.28 No.3

Deforestation is a major and very critical problem faced by many tropical countries including Malaysia. Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia and its deforestation rate has been accelerating. This study was conducted to monitor the deforestation in Sabah in the last two decades with Landsat images of 1990, 2000 and 2008. Supervised classification with maximum likelihood algorithm was conducted using the Landsat data for monitoring deforestation. In total, between 1990 and 2008, Sabah lost half of its intact forest, or more than 1.85 million ha in less than two decades. Overall, the deforestation rate for all forest types combined for the last two decades was 1.6% per year. Deforestation seemed to be accelerating because the deforestation rate between 1990 and 2000 was 0.9% per year and it had increased to 2.7% per year between 2000 and 2008. The deforestation trend seemed to follow a negative exponential from 1990 to 2008. In contrast, the agricultural areas increased rapidly with a total of increment more than 1 million ha. This confirmed that agriculture especially establishment of commercial plantation was the major factor of deforestation in Sabah for the last two decades.

Sulforaphane is Superior to Glucoraphanin in Modulating Carcinogen-Metabolising Enzymes in Hep G2 Cells

Abdull Razis, Ahmad Faizal,Noor, Noramaliza Mohd Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.7

Glucoraphanin is the main glucosinolate found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae). The objective of the study was to evaluate whether glucoraphanin and its breakdown product sulforaphane, are potent modulators of various phase I and phase II enzymes involved in carcinogen-metabolising enzyme systems in vitro. The glucosinolate glucoraphanin was isolated from cruciferous vegetables and exposed to human hepatoma cell line HepG2 at various concentrations (0-25 ${\mu}M$) for 24 hours. Glucoraphanin at higher concentration (25 ${\mu}M$) decreased dealkylation of methoxyresorufin, a marker for cytochrome P4501 activity; supplementation of the incubation medium with myrosinase (0.018 U), the enzyme that converts glucosinolate to its corresponding isothiocyanate, showed minimal induction in this enzyme activity at concentration 10 ${\mu}M$. Quinone reductase and glutathione S-transferase activities were unaffected by this glucosinolate; however, supplementation of the incubation medium with myrosinase elevated quinone reductase activity. It may be inferred that the breakdown product of glucoraphanin, in this case sulforaphane, is superior than its precursor in modulating carcinogen-metabolising enzyme systems in vitro and this is likely to impact on the chemopreventive activity linked to cruciferous vegetable consumption.

Cruciferous Vegetables: Dietary Phytochemicals for Cancer Prevention

Abdull Razis, Ahmad Faizal,Noor, Noramaliza Mohd Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Relationships between diet and health have attracted attention for centuries; but links between diet and cancer have been a focus only in recent decades. The consumption of diet-containing carcinogens, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines is most closely correlated with increasing cancer risk. Epidemiological evidence strongly suggests that consumption of dietary phytochemicals found in vegetables and fruit can decrease cancer incidence. Among the various vegetables, broccoli and other cruciferous species appear most closely associated with reduced cancer risk in organs such as the colorectum, lung, prostate and breast. The protecting effects against cancer risk have been attributed, at least partly, due to their comparatively high amounts of glucosinolates, which differentiate them from other vegetables. Glucosinolates, a class of sulphur-containing glycosides, present at substantial amounts in cruciferous vegetables, and their breakdown products such as the isothiocyanates, are believed to be responsible for their health benefits. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the chemopreventive effect of these compounds are likely to be manifold, possibly concerning very complex interactions, and thus difficult to fully understand. Therefore, this article provides a brief overview about the mechanism of such compounds involved in modulation of carcinogen metabolising enzyme systems.

Health Benefits of Moringa oleifera

Abdull Razis, Ahmad Faizal,Ibrahim, Muhammad Din,Kntayya, Saie Brindha Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.20

Phytomedicines are believed to have benefits over conventional drugs and are regaining interest in current research. Moringa oleifera is a multi-purpose herbal plant used as human food and an alternative for medicinal purposes worldwide. It has been identified by researchers as a plant with numerous health benefits including nutritional and medicinal advantages. Moringa oleifera contains essential amino acids, carotenoids in leaves, and components with nutraceutical properties, supporting the idea of using this plant as a nutritional supplement or constituent in food preparation. Some nutritional evaluation has been carried out in leaves and stems. An important factor that accounts for the medicinal uses of Moringa oleifera is its very wide range of vital antioxidants, antibiotics and nutrients including vitamins and minerals. Almost all parts from Moringa can be used ad a source for nutrition with other useful values. This mini-review elaborates on details of its health benefits.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their Bioaccessibility in Meat: a Tool for Assessing Human Cancer Risk

Hamidi, Elliyana Nadia,Hajeb, Parvaneh,Selamat, Jinap,Razis, Ahmad Faizal Abdull Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.1

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are primarily formed as a result of thermal treatment of food, especially barbecuing or grilling. Contamination by PAHs is due to generation by direct pyrolysis of food nutrients and deposition from smoke produced through incomplete combustion of thermal agents. PAHs are ubiquitous compounds, well-known to be carcinogenic, which can reach the food in different ways. As an important human exposure pathway of contaminants, dietary intake of PAHs is of increasing concern for assessing cancer risk in the human body. In addition, the risks associated with consumption of barbecued meat may increase if consumers use cooking practices that enhance the concentrations of contaminants and their bioaccessibility. Since total PAHs always overestimate the actual amount that is available for absorption by the body, bioaccessibility of PAHs is to be preferred. Bioaccessibility of PAHs in food is the fraction of PAHs mobilized from food matrices during gastrointestinal digestion. An in vitro human digestion model was chosen for assessing the bioaccessibility of PAHs in food as it offers a simple, rapid, low cost alternative to human and animal studies; providing insights which may not be achievable in in vivo studies. Thus, this review aimed not only to provide an overview of general aspects of PAHs such as the formation, carcinogenicity, sources, occurrence, and factors affecting PAH concentrations, but also to enhance understanding of bioaccessibility assessment using an in vitro digestion model.

Moringa oleifera Lam: Targeting Chemoprevention

Karim, Nurul Ashikin Abd,Ibrahim, Muhammad Din,Kntayya, Saie Brindha,Rukayadi, Yaya,Hamid, Hazrulizawati Abd,Razis, Ahmad Faizal Abdull Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.8

Moringa oleifera Lam, family Moringaceae, is a perennial plant which is called various names, but is locally known in Malaysia as ''murungai'' or ''kelor''. Glucomoringin, a glucosinolate with from M. oleifera is a major secondary metabolite compound. The seeds and leaves of the plant are reported to have the highest amount of glucosinolates. M. oleifera is well known for its many uses health and benefits. It is claimed to have nutritional, medicinal and chemopreventive potentials. Chemopreventive effects of M. oleifera are expected due to the existence of glucosinolate which it is reported to have the ability to induce apoptosis in anticancer studies. Furthermore, chemopreventive value of M. oleifera has been demonstrated in studies utilizing its leaf extract to inhibit the growth of human cancer cell lines. This review highlights the advantages of M. oleifera targeting chemoprevention where glucosinolates could help to slow the process of carcinogenesis through several molecular targets. It is also includes inhibition of carcinogen activation and induction of carcinogen detoxification, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. Finally, for synergistic effects of M. oleifera with other drugs and safety, essential for chemoprevention, it is important that it safe to be consumed by human body and works well. Although there is promising evidence about M. oleifera in chemoprevention, extensive research need to be done due to the expected rise of cancer in coming years and to gain more information about the mechanisms involved in M. oleifera influence, which could be a good source to inhibit several major mechanisms involved in cancer development.

Penetration testing of 3D printed projectiles made of various types of polymers

Muhamed Bisić,Faruk Razić,Adi Pandžić,Mustafa Bevrnja 대한기계학회 2023 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.37 No.11

This paper presented an experimental process of penetration testing of FDM 3D printed projectiles made of 5 different types of polymers. Phases of design and 3D printing procedure are described, along with details about materials. Experiment is conducted on an improvised set-up with compressed air used for launching projectiles. Each material was tested with 3 projectiles launched at wooden boards. Muzzle velocity and penetration depth are measured and used for different calculations. Results show interesting and mostly unexpected penetration depth values of different materials. Based on several standards, some of the projectiles can be considered very dangerous and potentially lethal.