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Large-scale culture of a tropical marine microalga Chaetoceros calcitrans (Paulsen) Takano 1968 at different temperatures using annular photobioreactors

Lai JI, Yusoff FM, Shariff M

Pak J Biol Sci, 2012 Jul 01;15(13):635-40.
PMID: 24218933

Outdoor mass culture of microalgae in the tropical area is important to minimize its production cost. This study evaluates the growth of Chaetoceros calcitrans in 120 L annular photobioreactors at indoor temperature (Treatment I, 25 +/- 2 degrees C) and outdoor tropical ambient temperature, (Treatment II, 30 +/- 6 degrees C). Each treatment was done in duplicates. For both treatments, C. calcitrans was first grown in starter columns of 10 L capacity for a period of 7 days at 25 +/- 2 degrees C. After 7 days, the 9 L culture was transferred to the annular photobioreactors and subsequently brought to a final volume of 100 L by adding 20 L fresh medium every 5 days. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the dry weight of microalgae grown in natural light and those grown indoor. The results suggest that C. calcitrans can be grown in outdoor conditions, hence, saving time and microalgae production cost for the larviculture industry.
Fulltext Langerhans cell histiocytosis in an adult - a rare, life-threatening and not to be missed

Lai JY, Tang MM, Priya G, Rajasuriar JS, Suganthi T

Med J Malaysia, 2014 Apr;69(2):95-7.
PMID: 25241821

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is an uncommon neoplastic disorder characterized by accumulation of histiocytes in various tissues. The clinical manifestation is highly variable, ranging from an isolated skin rash or a single bony lesion, to fatal multi-organ failure. Due to its rarity and systemic involvement, the epidemiology of LCH is still not fully understood and most studies focus on the paediatric population. The extent of clinical involvement has important prognostic implications. Treatment options may be local or systemic depending on disease extent. Here we describe a rare case of adult onset LCH who presented with recurrent pneumothoraces, diabetes insipidus and papules and plaques over the scalp and forehead.
Fulltext The allometry of coarse root biomass: log-transformed linear regression or nonlinear regression?

Lai J, Yang B, Lin D, Kerkhoff AJ, Ma K

PLoS One, 2013;8(10):e77007.
PMID: 24116197 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077007

Precise estimation of root biomass is important for understanding carbon stocks and dynamics in forests. Traditionally, biomass estimates are based on allometric scaling relationships between stem diameter and coarse root biomass calculated using linear regression (LR) on log-transformed data. Recently, it has been suggested that nonlinear regression (NLR) is a preferable fitting method for scaling relationships. But while this claim has been contested on both theoretical and empirical grounds, and statistical methods have been developed to aid in choosing between the two methods in particular cases, few studies have examined the ramifications of erroneously applying NLR. Here, we use direct measurements of 159 trees belonging to three locally dominant species in east China to compare the LR and NLR models of diameter-root biomass allometry. We then contrast model predictions by estimating stand coarse root biomass based on census data from the nearby 24-ha Gutianshan forest plot and by testing the ability of the models to predict known root biomass values measured on multiple tropical species at the Pasoh Forest Reserve in Malaysia. Based on likelihood estimates for model error distributions, as well as the accuracy of extrapolative predictions, we find that LR on log-transformed data is superior to NLR for fitting diameter-root biomass scaling models. More importantly, inappropriately using NLR leads to grossly inaccurate stand biomass estimates, especially for stands dominated by smaller trees.
Fulltext Prevalence of pain and treatment outcomes among cancer patients in a Malaysian palliative care unit

Mejin M, Keowmani T, Rahman SA, Liew J, Lai J, Chua M, et al.

Pharm Pract (Granada), 2019 03 18;17(1):1397.
PMID: 31015879 DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2019.1.1397

Background: Pain remains one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of advanced cancer. To date, there is a lack of studies on pain and its treatment among Malaysian palliative care patients.
Objective: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of pain and its treatment outcomes among adult cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit in Sabah, Malaysia.
Methods: Of 327 patients screened (01/09/15-31/12/17), 151 patients with assessed self-reported pain scores based on the numerical rating scale of 0-10 (current, worst and least pain within the past 24 hours) upon admission (baseline), 24, 48 and 72 hours post-admission and discharge were included. Pain severity and pain score reductions were analysed among those who experienced pain upon admission or in the past 24 hours. Treatment adequacy was measured by the Pain Management Index (PMI) among discharged patients. The PMI was constructed upon worst scores categorised as 0 (no pain), 1 (1-4, mild pain), 2 (5-6, moderate pain), or 3 (7-10, severe pain) which is then subtracted from the most potent level of prescribed analgesic drug scored as 0 (no analgesia), 1 (non-opioid), 2 (weak opioid) or 3 (strong opioid). PMI≥0 indicated adequate treatment.
Results: Upon admission, 61.1% [95%CI 0.54:0.69] of 151 patients presented with pain. Of 123 patients who experienced pain upon admission or in the past 24 hours, 82.1% had moderate to severe worst pain. Throughout patients' ward stay until discharge, there was an increased prescribing of analgesics and adjuvants compared to baseline, excluding weak opioids, with strong opioids as the mainstay treatment. For all pain score types (current, worst and least pain within the past 24 hours), means decreased at each time point (24, 48 and 72 hours post-admission and discharge) from baseline, with a significant decrease at 24 hours post-admission (p<0.001). Upon discharge (n=100), treatment adequacy significantly improved (PMI≥0 100% versus 68% upon admission, p<0.001).
Conclusions: Accounting for pain's dynamic nature, there was a high prevalence of pain among cancer patients in the palliative care unit. Continuous efforts incorporating comprehensive pain assessments, evidence-based treatments and patient education are necessary to provide adequate pain relief and end-of-life comfort care.
Fulltext Therapeutic Potential of Bama Pig Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis

Wu X, Zhang S, Lai J, Lu H, Sun Y, Guan W

Exp Clin Transplant, 2020 12;18(7):823-831.
PMID: 33349209 DOI: 10.6002/ect.2020.0108

OBJECTIVES: Liver fibrosis is inevitable in the healing process of liver injury. Liver fibrosis will develop into liver cirrhosis unless the damaging factors are removed. This study investigated the potential therapy of Bama pig adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis Institute of Cancer Research strain mice model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were injected intravenously into the tails of mice of the Institute of Cancer Research strain that had been treated with carbon tetrachloride for 4 weeks. Survival rate, migration, and proliferation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the liver were observed by histochemistry, fluorescent labeling, and serological detection.
RESULTS: At 1, 2, and 3 weeks after adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell injection, liver fibrosis was significantly ameliorated. The injected adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells had hepatic differentiation potential in vivo, and the survival rate of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells declined over time.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this study confirmed that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells derived from the Bama pig can be used in the treatment of liver fibrosis, and the grafted adipose-derived mesenchy-mal stem cells can migrate, survive, and differentiate into hepatic cells in vivo.
Effect of diacylglycerol on partial coalescence of aerated emulsions: Fat crystal-membrane interaction and air-liquid Interface interaction insights

Xie P, Zheng Y, Lee YY, Zou S, Wu Y, Lai J, et al.

Food Chem, 2024 Aug 13;461:140879.
PMID: 39154466 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140879

Currently, the poor whipping capabilities of anhydrous milk fat (AMF) in aerated emulsion products are a major obstacle for their use in beverages like tea and coffee, as well as in cakes and desserts, presenting fresh hurdles for the food industry. In this study, the mechanism of action of diacylglycerols (DAGs) with different carbon chain lengths and degrees of saturation on the partial coalescence of aerated emulsions was systematically investigated from three fundamental perspectives: fat crystallization, air-liquid interface rheology, and fat globule interface properties. The optimized crystallization of long carbon chain length diacylglycerol (LCD) based on stearate enhances interactions between fat globules at the air-liquid interface (with an elastic modulus E' reaching 246.42 mN/m), leading to a significantly reduced interface membrane strength. This promotes fat crystal-membrane interactions during whipping, resulting in a thermally stable foam structure with excellent shaping capability due to enhanced partial coalescence of fat globules. Although Laurate based medium carbon chain length diacylglycerol (MCD) promoted fat crystallization and optimized interface properties, it showed weaker foam properties because it did not adequately encapsulate air bubbles during whipping. Conversely, oleate long carbon chain length diacylglycerol (OCD) proved to be ineffective in facilitating fat crystal-membrane interaction, causing foam to have a subpar appearance. Hence, drawing from the carefully examined fat crystal-membrane interaction findings, a proposed mechanism sheds light on how DAGs impact the whipping abilities of aerated emulsions. This mechanism serves as a blueprint for creating aerated emulsions with superior whipping capabilities and foam systems that are resistant to heat.
Fulltext The First 75 Days of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Outbreak: Recent Advances, Prevention, and Treatment

Yan Y, Shin WI, Pang YX, Meng Y, Lai J, You C, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 03 30;17(7).
PMID: 32235575 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072323

The recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, previously known as 2019-nCoV) outbreak has engulfed an unprepared world amidst a festive season. The zoonotic SARS-CoV-2, believed to have originated from infected bats, is the seventh member of enveloped RNA coronavirus. Specifically, the overall genome sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 is 96.2% identical to that of bat coronavirus termed BatCoV RaTG13. Although the current mortality rate of 2% is significantly lower than that of SARS (9.6%) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) (35%), SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and transmissible from human to human with an incubation period of up to 24 days. Some statistical studies have shown that, on average, one infected patient may lead to a subsequent 5.7 confirmed cases. Since the first reported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 on December 1, 2019, in Wuhan, China, there has been a total of 60,412 confirmed cases with 1370 fatalities reported in 25 different countries as of February 13, 2020. The outbreak has led to severe impacts on social health and the economy at various levels. This paper is a review of the significant, continuous global effort that was made to respond to the outbreak in the first 75 days. Although no vaccines have been discovered yet, a series of containment measures have been implemented by various governments, especially in China, in the effort to prevent further outbreak, whilst various medical treatment approaches have been used to successfully treat infected patients. On the basis of current studies, it would appear that the combined antiviral treatment has shown the highest success rate. This review aims to critically summarize the most recent advances in understanding the coronavirus, as well as the strategies in prevention and treatment.
Direct and indirect effects of climate on richness drive the latitudinal diversity gradient in forest trees

Chu C, Lutz JA, Král K, Vrška T, Yin X, Myers JA, et al.

Ecol Lett, 2019 Feb;22(2):245-255.
PMID: 30548766 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13175

Climate is widely recognised as an important determinant of the latitudinal diversity gradient. However, most existing studies make no distinction between direct and indirect effects of climate, which substantially hinders our understanding of how climate constrains biodiversity globally. Using data from 35 large forest plots, we test hypothesised relationships amongst climate, topography, forest structural attributes (stem abundance, tree size variation and stand basal area) and tree species richness to better understand drivers of latitudinal tree diversity patterns. Climate influences tree richness both directly, with more species in warm, moist, aseasonal climates and indirectly, with more species at higher stem abundance. These results imply direct limitation of species diversity by climatic stress and more rapid (co-)evolution and narrower niche partitioning in warm climates. They also support the idea that increased numbers of individuals associated with high primary productivity are partitioned to support a greater number of species.