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CTP synthase knockdown during early development distorts the nascent vertebral column and causes fluid retention in multiple tissues in zebrafish

Dzaki N, Wahab W, Azlan A, Azzam G

Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2018 10 20;505(1):106-112.
PMID: 30241946 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.09.074

CTP Synthase (CTPS) is a metabolic enzyme that is recognized as a catalyst for nucleotide, phospholipid and sialoglycoprotein production. Though the structural characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of CTPS are well-understood, little is known regarding the extent of its involvement during the early developmental stages of vertebrates. Zebrafish carries two CTPS genes, annotated as ctps1a and ctps1b. Phylogenetic analyses show that both genes had diverged from homologues in the ancestral Actinopterygii, Oreochromis niloticus. Conservation of common CTPS-catalytic regions further establishes that both proteins are likely to be functionally similar to hsaCTPS. Here, we show that ctps1a is more critical throughout the initial period of embryonic development than ctps1b. The effects of concurrent partial knockdown are dependent on ctps1a vs ctps1b dosage ratios. When these are equally attenuated, abnormal phenotypes acquired prior to the pharyngula period disappear in hatchlings (48hpf); however, if either gene is more attenuated than the other, these only become more pronounced in advanced stages. Generally, disruption to normal ctps1a or ctps1b expression levels by morpholinos culminates in the distortion of the early spinal column as well as multiple-tissue oedema. Other effects include slower growth rates, increased mortality rates and impaired structural formation of the young fish's extremities. Embryos grown in DON, a glutamine-analogue drug and CTPS antagonist, also exhibit similar characteristics, thus strengthening the validity of the morpholino-induced phenotypes observed. Together, our results demonstrate the importance of CTPS for the development of zebrafish embryos, as well as a disparity in activity and overall importance amongst isozymes.
Three new species of Acanthocephala from Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) (Acanthocephala: Quadrigyridae) from tinfoil barb fish, Barbonymus schwanenfeldii in Lake Kenyir, Terengganu, Malaysia

Mohd-Agos S, Mohd-Husin N, Zakariah MI, Yusoff NAH, Wahab W, Jones JB, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2021 Sep 01;38(3):387-395.
PMID: 34608112 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.3.064

This study was carried out in order to identify acanthocephalan species complexes, based on morphological variability, infecting Barbonymus schwanenfeldii from Lake Kenyir, Terengganu, Malaysia. Acanthocephala were fixed in ethanol, stained with aceto-carmine and studied morphologically by using a light microscope. Variation in morphological traits such as proboscis, proboscis receptacle, egg, testes shape and location, number of hooks and cement gland has been traditionally used to diagnose the acanthocephalans species but the delimitations between closely related species are still confusing and are always questionable among taxonomists. Molecular analysis was used for support the identification. Morphological variability prospecting reveals the presence of three different new species complexes from the subgenus Acanthosentis by referring published taxonomic keys. These new species may be distinguished from the other 46 described species of Acanthosentis by having six unique structures: the presence of an anterior parareceptacle structure (PRS); vaginal sleeve structure; a paired lateral, cone-shaped, muscular jacket surrounding the vagina; alternating pattern and size of proboscis hooks, variation in proboscis size and shape; the presence of the circular collar ring around the neck between the proboscis and trunk and lastly the presence of a muscular-like structure attached to the collar ring on the proboscis. These acanthocephalans found in the intestine of B. schwanenfeldii in Kenyir Lake Malaysia represent new species, named Acanthogyrus ( Acanthosentis) kenyirensis n.sp., A. ( A.) terengganuensis n.sp. and A. ( A.) tembatensis n. sp.
Fulltext Coughing on palpation: A rare complication of vagal schwannoma

Samarakkody ZM, Sayuti KA, Mat Zin AA, Wan Abdul Wahab W, Mohamad I

Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(3):40-43.
PMID: 30800234

Cervical vagal schwannoma is an uncommon, benign neoplasm. It is usually asymptomatic and presents as a painless, palpable mass in the neck. However, large schwannomas can cause dysphagia, dysphonia or dyspnea as a result of compression. We report a case of an extremely rare complication of vagal schwannoma in which neck palpation induced the patient to cough. As the patient refused any surgical intervention, conservative management was used.
Septicaemia due to Vibrio vulnificus: A tropical infection not to be taken lightly

Ding CH, Wahab WA, Saaid MS, Mokhtar MN, Abdullah FA, Azaharuddin I

Trop Biomed, 2024 Jun 01;41(2):157-159.
PMID: 39154267 DOI: 10.47665/tb.41.2.004

Vibrio vulnificus is a halophilic gram-negative bacillus that can cause fulminant septicaemia in immunocompromised patients. A 67-year-old man who was immunosuppressed as a result of cytotoxic chemotherapy presented with a brief history of fever, lethargy, myalgia, and reduced oral intake. He had recently travelled to the beach to consume seafood. His blood pressure was 81/47 mm Hg, necessitating fluid resuscitation followed by inotropic support and admission to the intensive care unit. His blood culture was positive for curved gram-negative bacilli. The isolate was oxidase-positive and produced an acid butt with an alkaline slant in triple sugar iron agar. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry conclusively identified the isolate as V. vulnificus. Intravenous ceftazidime plus ciprofloxacin were administered, and by the fifth day of admission, he was successfully transferred out to the general ward. In total, the patient completed a 14-day course of antibiotic therapy.
Fulltext Molecular identification and histopathological study of natural Streptococcus agalactiae infection in hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Laith AA, Ambak MA, Hassan M, Sheriff SM, Nadirah M, Draman AS, et al.

Vet World, 2017 Jan;10(1):101-111.
PMID: 28246454 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.101-111

AIM: The main objective of this study was to emphasize on histopathological examinations and molecular identification of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from natural infections in hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Temerloh Pahang, Malaysia, as well as to determine the susceptibility of the pathogen strains to various currently available antimicrobial agents.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The diseased fishes were observed for variable clinical signs including fin hemorrhages, alterations in behavior associated with erratic swimming, exophthalmia, and mortality. Tissue samples from the eyes, brain, kidney, liver, and spleen were taken for bacterial isolation. Identification of S. agalactiae was screened by biochemical methods and confirmed by VITEK 2 and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The antibiogram profiling of the isolate was tested against 18 standard antibiotics included nitrofurantoin, flumequine, florfenicol, amoxylin, doxycycline, oleandomycin, tetracycline, ampicillin, lincomycin, colistin sulfate, oxolinic acid, novobiocin, spiramycin, erythromycin, fosfomycin, neomycin, gentamycin, and polymyxin B. The histopathological analysis of eyes, brain, liver, kidney, and spleen was observed for abnormalities related to S. agalactiae infection.
RESULTS: The suspected colonies of S. agalactiae identified by biochemical methods was observed as Gram-positive chained cocci, β-hemolytic, and non-motile. The isolate was confirmed as S. agalactiae by VITEK 2 (99% similarity), reconfirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (99% similarity) and deposited in GenBank with accession no. KT869025. The isolate was observed to be resistance to neomycin and gentamicin. The most consistent gross findings were marked hemorrhages, erosions of caudal fin, and exophthalmos. Microscopic examination confirmed the presence of marked congestion and infiltration of inflammatory cell in the eye, brain, kidney, liver, and spleen. Eye samples showed damage of the lens capsule, hyperemic and hemorrhagic choroid tissue, and retina hyperplasia accompanied with edema. Brain samples showed perivascular and pericellular edema and hemorrhages of the meninges. Kidney samples showed hemorrhage and thrombosis in the glomeruli and tubules along with atrophy in hematopoietic tissue. Liver samples showed congestion of the sinusoids and blood vessel, thrombosis of portal blood vessel, and vacuolar (fatty) degeneration of hepatocytes. Spleen samples showed large thrombus in the splenic blood vessel, multifocal hemosiderin deposition, congestion of blood vessels, and multifocal infiltration of macrophages.
CONCLUSION: Therefore, it can be concluded that pathological changes in tissues and organs of fish occur proportionally to the pathogen invasion, and because of their high resistance, neomycin and gentamicin utilization in the prophylaxis or treatment of S. agalactiae infection should be avoided.
Biodegradation of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) microplastics by floc-forming bacteria, Bacillus cereus strain SHBF2, isolated from a commercial aquafarm

Hossain S, Shukri ZNA, Waiho K, Ibrahim YS, Kamaruzzan AS, Rahim AIA, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Apr 22.
PMID: 38644425 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33337-3

The ubiquitous proximity of the commonly used microplastic (MP) particles particularly polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) poses a serious threat to the environment and human health globally. Biological treatment as an environment-friendly approach to counter MP pollution has recent interest when the bio-agent has beneficial functions in their ecosystem. This study aimed to utilize beneficial floc-forming bacteria Bacillus cereus SHBF2 isolated from an aquaculture farm in reducing the MP particles (PE, PP, and PS) from their environment. The bacteria were inoculated for 60 days in a medium containing MP particle as a sole carbon source. On different days of incubation (DOI), the bacterial growth analysis was monitored and the MP particles were harvested to examine their weight loss, surface changes, and alterations in chemical properties. After 60 DOI, the highest weight loss was recorded for PE, 6.87 ± 0.92%, which was further evaluated to daily reduction rate (k), 0.00118 day-1, and half-life (t1/2), 605.08 ± 138.52 days. The OD value (1.74 ± 0.008 Abs.) indicated the higher efficiency of bacteria for PP utilization, and so for the colony formation per define volume (1.04 × 1011 CFU/mL). Biofilm formation, erosions, cracks, and fragments were evident during the observation of the tested MPs using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The formation of carbonyl and alcohol group due to the oxidation and hydrolysis by SHBF2 strain were confirmed using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis. Additionally, the alterations of pH and CO2 evolution from each of the MP type ensures the bacterial activity and mineralization of the MP particles. The findings of this study have confirmed and indicated a higher degree of biodegradation for all of the selected MP particles. B. cereus SHBF2, the floc-forming bacteria used in aquaculture, has demonstrated a great potential for use as an efficient MP-degrading bacterium in the biofloc farming system in the near future to guarantee a sustainable green aquaculture production.