Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences
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Vaccine hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccine among the Malaysian population
Get PDFCOVID-19 is a potentially fatal infectious disease that requires effective vaccines to keep the outbreak under control. Despite the ongoing efforts for an effective vaccine, public hesitancy towards vaccines is now one of the main concerns to the global health in containing this global pandemic. Thus, this preliminary study was carried out to assess the degree of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the general public in Malaysia and to identify the underlying reasons for their hesitancy by using 5C psychological antecedents of vaccination. This study was conducted by carrying out a cross-sectional online survey for approximately two months between January to February 2021, involving 385 participants. The survey contained questions based on the 5C model proffered by WHO. The data from the survey were analyzed using Smart PLS 3 for statistical analysis, with the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). According to the findings, only 62.5 percent out of the 385 participants had planned to get the COVID-19 vaccine, while the remaining 37.5 percent did not. The results also showed that confidence, calculation, collective responsibility, and constraints had a significant influence on vaccine hesitancy but not complacency. There is a degree of vaccine hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccines among the Malaysian population, although the data that we have obtained cannot be used to generalize for the entire Malaysian population due to the small sample size. Thus, for the vaccination campaign to be more effective, it should focus more on addressing the issue relating to confidence, calculation, collective responsibility, and constraints and less on complacency
Feline extrauterine pregnancy (EUP) in Persian cat with fetal mummification: a case study
Get PDFExtrauterine pregnancy (EUP) is caused by the implantation of the fetus outside the uterus. In this study, during a routine check-up of a 3-year-old non spayed female Persian cat, a mass on the abdomen was found on palpation, which later was diagnosed as an abdominal tumor. Clinical signs presented are pollakiuria and no lethargic. The radiographic examination revealed a well-defined circular mass with mineral opacity in the caudal abdomen. Ultrasound examination of this abdominal mass illustrated the presence of mummified fetus with an irregular arrangement of bones. Moreover, there was no heart movement, the fetal bones were hyperechoic. An exploratory laparotomy was performed for mass collection, and excised mass was dense. Histopathology investigation using HE staining results in bone, tongue, lung and pigmented skin. The fetal age was around 60 days old
Biodegradation of the Azo Dye Airedale Yellow CHD: Understanding using residuals
Get PDFTextile industries are heavy users of water and also produce lots of contaminated effluents. The main contaminants are azo dyes. Hence, the effluents are to be treated before leaving in the environment. In this study, the azo dye Airedale Yellow CHD was biodegraded using two bacteria Thalassospira frigidphilosprofundus (NCIM no 5438) and Erwinia chrysanthemi Burkholder (NCIM no 5213) in shaking conical flasks. Effect of Various parameters like pH, temperature, agitation, and concentration of dye solution on its decolorization was investigated. The biodegradation was statistically worked out using MINITAB software for the ANOVA. The residual plots along with the scatter plots for the decolorization of Airedale Yellow CHD using T. frigidphilosprofundus and E. chrysanthemi Burkholder are also obtained and included in this work. The maximum percent removal of the azo dye was obtained by using T. frigidphilosprofundus (77.41%) whereas it was reported at 74.64% by using E. chrysanthemi Burkholder. The obtained results formed a good fit according to the obtained normal residual plot which can conclude that the findings of the study are accurate and satisfactory
Molecular Docking studies of Apigenin, Kaempferol, and Quercetin as potential target against spike receptor protein of SARS COV
Get PDFCOVID-19 has been categorized as a pandemic in early 2020 and is known to cause by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS–CoV2). Numerous investigators and people in the scientific community are trying to find a superlative way to avert and cure the ailment by using phytochemicals. Abundant studies have revealed that flavonoids can be very operative in averting virus-mediated infection. The purpose of this study was to accomplish molecular docking studies among plant-derived flavonoids (Apigenin, Kaempferol, and Quercetin) and spike receptor (PDB ID: 2AJF) protein of coronavirus. Pyrx virtual screening tool and biovia discovery studio visualizer were utilized in the current molecular docking investigations. Outcomes of docking studies exposed that selected phytochemicals have interacted with targeted spike receptor protein with binding energies in the range of -6.3 to -7.3 kcal. In conclusion among the various selected ligands, quercetin may be a better inhibitor for the deactivation of SARS-Coronavirus
Optimal condition for Propagation and Growing of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum
Get PDFDendrobium thyrsiflorum is a medicinal orchid that is being gradually destroyed due to over-exploitation. This research focuses on in vitro production of D. thyrsiflorum plantlet under optimal acclimatization conditions. The results of the study showed that the best medium for seed germination was MS basal medium (full-strength MS nutrient plus 100 ml L-1 coconut water; 7 g L-1 agar, 30 g L-1 sucrose, and 0.5 g L-1 active charcoal) supplemented with 60 g L-1 mashed sweet potatoes, which induces 97.8% of seed germination. The shoot was well developed in MS basal medium supplemented with 60 g L-1 mashed sweet potatoes and 0.4 mg L-1 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA) and, corpulent and green in shoot morphology. The shoot multiplication rate was greatest on MS basal medium supplemented with 0.4 mg L-1 BA and 0.4 mg L-1 Kinetin with 4.53 times, and the shoot height was reported at 3.45 cm after 8 weeks of subculture. Further, The shoot was 100% rooting, with an average of 4.51 roots/shoot and 5.34 cm per root in length when the shoot was implanted on MS basal medium plus 60 g L-1 mashed sweet potatoes and 0.75 g L-1 active charcoal. Especially, plantlets after transplanting to the orchid net house reached a 94.8% survival rate on tree fern after 24 weeks. Hence, the results of the study suggested a successful production of D. thyrsiflorum plantlet on the selected media compositions
Utilization of Agro Waste for Beneficial Product Formulation
Get PDFIn the past few years, we have been very familiar with the waste hierarchy concept of the 3 R’s, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This review article aims to suggest a possible way to reuse the agro-waste sector. It will focus on the zero waste food industry. While consuming our day-to-day food unknowingly we throw away some of the important portions of fruits and vegetables which can help us fight diseases and stay healthy. Therefore, we need proper management to utilize these beneficial components present in those fruit scrapes. An abundant amount of food waste is been produced during the processing of food from the different food industries. In addition to this, agro wastes like peels, seeds, etc. are also generated from fruit and vegetable agriculture. This paper mainly focuses on the agro-waste of the food industry, which can be consumed when the bioactive compound is extracted and is available as a functional food. The bioactive compounds have the potential to control blood pressure, diabetes, inflammation, etc. Thus, by incorporating these bioactive compounds we can enhance the quality of food. Recently functional food is consumed by a large population for its beneficial effect on our body
Measuring Impact of Air and Agricultural Soil Pollution on Social Development in Saudi Arabia
Get PDFThis research aimed to measure the impact of air and agricultural soil pollution on social development in Saudi Arabia from the period 1995–2019 by using social development indicators, concentrating on the percentages of expenditure on education and health, and the Human Development Index. In addition, this study uses multiple regressions in estimating the model to study the impact of air pollution and agricultural soil on social development. Results of the study showed that a 10% change in the number of chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in Saudi agriculture leads to a change in the total number of inpatients by 0.7% and 0.5%, respectively. It was also found that an increased percentage of health expenditure to total government spending by 10% leads to a decrease in the total number of patients in the hospital by 1.8%. An increase in air pollution, expressed as a 10% increase in CO2 emissions, increases the total number of hospitalized patients by 11.1%. The increasing total number of patients by 10% leads to a decrease in the total productivity of the worker, as an indicator of 1.8%. Furthermore, a change of 10% in the ratio of education expenditure to total government expenditure leads to a change in the same direction of the Human Development Index by 9.6%. In light of these results, it can be recommended that the country need to reduce air pollution by expanding the use of natural gas in the industrial and transportation sectors, in addition to reducing the use of nitrogenous fertilizers and pesticides in Saudi agriculture through the expansion of clean farming and good agricultural practices
Effect of Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone, Estradiol and Cortisol on the Quality of Fresh and Cryopreserved Stallion Sperm
Get PDFThe effect of steroid hormones on the quality of fresh and cryopreserve sperm has not been fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, and cortisol on the quality of fresh and cryopreserved stallion sperm. The study was conducted on 40 Equus caballus stallions, including Arab (n=20), Oryol trotting (n=4), Standardbred (n=4), and Soviet Heavy Draft (n=12) breeds. The average age of the experimental animals was 9.9 ± 0.7 years. We determined standard quality indicators in fresh and cryopreserved sperm and the concentration of steroid hormones in the blood plasma of stallions. Results of the study suggested a negative correlation between the level of testosterone with total (r=-0.41; p<0.01) and progressive (r=-0.44; p<0.01) sperm motility in cryopreserved sperm as well as in fresh sperm (r=-0.38; p<0.05 and r=-0.39; p<0.05 correspondingly). While the level of estradiol showed a positive correlation with survival rate in cryopreserved (r=0.35; p<0.05) and in fresh (r=0.33; p<0.05) sperm. Further, the level of cortisol in the blood plasma of stallions did not show any statistically significant correlations with the qualitative characteristics of sperm. A positive relationship was found between the concentration of dihydrotestosterone with the volume of ejaculate (r=0.37; p<0.05) and the total number of sperm in the ejaculate (r=0.43; p<0.01). Results of the study can be concluded that steroid hormones have different effects on the quality indicators of fresh and cryopreserved sperm of stallions and their concentration in the blood should be considered when selecting stallions for cryopreservation of sperm
Application of Soil Bacteria as Bioinoculants to Promote Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Get PDFThis work aimed to evaluate the capacity of soil bacteria as bioinoculants (biofertilizers) to promote cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) growth. Three pure bacterial cultures namely Acinetobacter pittii PT1.3.4 (AP), Achromobacter sp.C2.23 (AS), and Achromobacter xylosoxidans N3.4 (AX) were used as bioinoculants to enhance germination and development of cowpea seeds. Pre-decide formulations of single or mixed cultures were prepared, soaked with cowpea seeds, and cultivated on agar in a growth chamber for 7 days at 25°C. Shoot and root length were measured and percentage germination was determined. Similarly, bacterial formulations were prepared in talcum powder and were used as bioinoculants to adhere to cowpea seeds. The inoculated seeds were cultivated in pots for 28 days for the shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight, and percentage germination. Among the tested various formulations, treatment has A. pittii (AP) displayed the highest shoot length (14.67 cm) and fresh weight (0.58 g/plant) of cowpea under laboratory conditions after seven days of inoculation. Similarly, cowpea plants treated with A. pittii (AP) also have the tallest shoots (14.25 cm) under natural conditions after 7 days of inoculation, while the highest root length (10.5 cm) and fresh weight (1.57 g/plant) were recorded from the treatment of Achromobacter sp. (AS). Further, the results of the study also revealed that soil bacteria can survive for one month in talcum powder at 4°C and room temperature storage. These bioinoculants can be used for agricultural application by local farmers to mitigate the cost of chemicals that cause environmental concerns to promote sustainable agriculture in Thailand
Assessment of trace element accumulation in surface sediment of Sepang Besar river, Malaysia
Get PDFDue to non-scientific industrial activity and urbanization, trace elements contamination has posed a threat to Malaysia's biodiversity-rich coastal wetlands, streams, estuaries, and mangroves. Commercialization has taken a toll on mangroves in backwater canals and along the banks of the Sepang River. As a result, a thorough examination of sediment quality from the Sepang River mangrove habitats is done with a focus on trace element pollution and pollution issues, taking into account the enormous ecological services that are offered to coastal communities and offering guidance for upcoming restoration efforts. The concentration of trace elements (Cr, As, Pb, Ni, Mo, Co, Cd, and Hg) in the sediment samples was measured using an induced plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS). Results of the study revealed that Arsenic (As) levels exceeded the Canadian range of low effects, indicating the possibility of deleterious biological consequences on mangrove plants and animals. In all sampling locations, the enrichment factor (EF) analysis revealed extraordinarily high enrichment of As (9.89–23.65) and Mo (4.74–12.03). The geo-accumulation index of As (1.83 – 3.04), Mo (1.40 – 2.74), and Cd (0.652 – 3.03) revealed that mangrove locations in the Sepang River have almost extreme pollution effects. Pearson's correlation, which deduced the anthropogenic influence of As, Cd, and Mo in mangroves, backed up this claim. Results of the study recommended that continue monitoring of pollutants released from anthropogenic sources is highly required and there is a strong need to take more stringent measures to protect the environment