This study aimed to predict monthly columnar ozone (O3) in Peninsular Malaysia by using data on the concentration of environmental pollutants. Data (2003-2008) on five atmospheric pollutant gases (CO2, O3, CH4, NO2, and H2O vapor) retrieved from the satellite Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY) were employed to develop a model that predicts columnar ozone through multiple linear regression. In the entire period, the pollutants were highly correlated (R = 0.811 for the southwest monsoon, R = 0.803 for the northeast monsoon) with predicted columnar ozone. The results of the validation of columnar ozone with column ozone from SCIAMACHY showed a high correlation coefficient (R = 0.752-0.802), indicating the model's accuracy and efficiency. Statistical analysis was utilized to determine the effects of each atmospheric pollutant on columnar ozone. A model that can retrieve columnar ozone in Peninsular Malaysia was developed to provide air quality information. These results are encouraging and accurate and can be used in early warning of the population to comply with air quality standards.
Solitary plasmacytoma (SPC) account for only 5% of plasma cell neoplasms, and the literature hardly reports spinal SPC with a neurological deficit. Furthermore, spinal surgical intervention during pregnancy is rarely encountered and often requires multidisciplinary collaboration and management. The objective of this case report is to highlight this near-miss diagnosis and spinal surgical intervention during pregnancy. A 31-year-old woman with 24 weeks gestation presented with sudden paralysis and incontinence, with an underlying history of chronic backpain over a two-month period. Initially, she was treated for musculoskeletal back pain by obstetric colleagues during an antenatal visit, and no radiograph was performed. A non-contrasted spinal MRI was eventually requested when she started to show bilateral lower limb weakness, numbness and incontinence. The MRI highlighted thoracic vertebrae T11 vertebra plana with kyphotic deformity and a paraspinal soft tissue mass compressing the spinal cord causing spinal cord oedema. Our initial working diagnosis was spinal tuberculosis (TB), considering TB is highly endemic in Malaysia. However, TB workup was negative, and we proceeded with spinal surgery and transpedicular biopsy. Neurology improved significantly after surgery. Eventually, serum protein electrophoresis reported plasma dyscrasia, and HPE confirmed plasmacytoma. The patient was referred to a haematologist for steroidal and chemotherapy treatment.
Microsatellites are the most popular markers for parentage assignment and population genetic studies. To meet the demand for international comparability for genetic studies of Asian seabass, a standard panel of 28 microsatellites has been selected and characterized using the DNA of 24 individuals from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. The average allele number of these markers was 10.82 +/- 0.71 (range: 6-19), and the expected heterozygosity averaged 0.76 +/- 0.02 (range: 0.63-1.00). All microsatellites showed Mendelian inheritance. In addition, eight standard size controls have been developed by cloning a set of microsatellite alleles into a pGEM-T vector to calibrate allele sizes determined by different laboratories, and are available upon request. Seven multiplex PCRs, each amplifying 3-5 markers, were optimized to accurately and rapidly genotype microsatellites. Parentage assignment using 10 microsatellites in two crosses (10 x 10 and 20 x 20) demonstrated a high power of these markers for revealing parent-sibling connections. This standard set of microsatellites will standardize genetic diversity studies of Asian seabass, and the multiplex PCR sets will facilitate parentage assignment.