USM Journal Management System (Univ. Sains Malaysia)
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Impact of Corporate Governance on Accounting Irregularities in Vietnamese Listed Companies: The Moderating Role of Financial Leverage
Get PDFThis study aims to address limitations of previous research by testing the moderating role of financial leverage on the relationship between corporate governance (CG) and accounting irregularities (AIs). We employ both logistic regression and two-step system Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) regression to test these relationships through panel data of 382 companies listed on the Vietnamese stock market from 2011 to 2022. While a larger board of directors (BOD) size or companies being audited by Big 4 companies may reduce the likelihood of AIs, a chief executive officer (CEO) who also holds the position of chairman of the BOD or a longer audit tenure can increase the chance of AIs. Notably, the moderating role of financial leverage has a significant influence on the relationship between CG mechanisms and the likelihood of AIs. This study’s findings provide policymakers and other stakeholders a strong foundation for making choices about building better CG practices, ultimately reducing the likelihood of AIs. Importantly, this research is the first to explore how financial leverage moderates the relationship between CG and AIs
The Dynamics of Shipping and Trade of Majene Port in Indonesian Archipelago, 1950s–1970s
Get PDFThis article discovered the turbulent dynamics of the Majene Port and its surrounding areas between the 1950s and the 1970s because of the seizure of the economic resources of the region by the army and guerrilla forces. The guerrillas who controlled the hinterland boycotted the flow of commodities to the army-dominated Majene Port. In response, the army fortified the city and its harbour to prevent infiltration. Army troops of Battalion 710 and the TBO imposed a trade monopoly through violence and caused suffering to people, displacing citizens from Parepare, Makassar and the islands of the Makassar Strait. Unlike other residents who were forced to leave Majene, two successful entrepreneurs, Pua Abu and Hajj Sikir, managed to overcome the constraining structures of these difficult times. As a survival strategy, the Mandar sailors and traders developed new shipping routes to the north by successfully smuggling. The present article’s elucidation of economic and political life in the port city of Majene, using a combination of archival and oral sources to reconstruct the local past, is expected to enrich the study of maritime history. Ultimately, the analysis of the obtained data revealed difficulties pertaining to regional and central interests
Antibacterial Potential and Phytochemical Composition in Subcritical Water Extraction of Lempoyang (Zingiber zerumbet)
Get PDFLempoyang, scientifically known as Zingiber zerumbet, is a plant rich in potential medicinal properties due to its numerous active ingredients. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical composition and antibacterial potential of crude extracts of lempoyang obtained by subcritical water extraction (SWE). Fresh rhizomes of lempoyang were extracted using the one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach with different extraction times (5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min and 25 min), while other extraction parameters were kept constant. The resulting crude extracts, characterised by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS), contained 13 different constituents. Among these, 2,6,10-cycloundecatrien-1-one,2,6,9,9-tetramethyl-,(E,E,E)- or zerumbone consistently had the highest percentage area under the peak across all extraction times, ranging from 17.15% to 28.72% at retention times of 19.215 min to 19.270 min. Qualitative screening of these crude extracts revealed the presence of phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and tannins, indicating the rich phytochemical diversity of lempoyang. However, steroids and anthocyanins have not been detected. In terms of antibacterial activity, disc diffusion using the Kirby-Bauer method showed positive results for the 25-minute crude extract against Escherichia coli, yielding a zone of inhibition of 8.63 ± 0.36 mm at a concentration of 100 mg/mL/disc. None of the extracts were found to have detectable antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella choleraesuis and Serratia marcescens. These results emphasise the potential of SWE for extracting valuable compounds from fresh lempoyang rhizomes. At the same time, they highlight that different extraction times influence the phytochemical profile and antibacterial activity of the crude extracts at higher extract concentrations
Isolation of Bacteria from Lead-Contaminated Soil and Bacterial Interaction Test with Plant Growing on Lead-Amended Media
Get PDFThe study investigated bacterial isolation from lead-contaminated soil, revealing the lower bacterial density compared to agricultural soil bacteria, indicating soil degradation. Among the isolated bacteria, three isolates with codes L03, L16, and L19 exhibited high tolerance to lead concentrations up to 1,500 mg/L. Selected isolates demonstrated the ability to produce Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) hormone, with one strain notably producing the highest IAA concentration. Furthermore, three isolates exhibited significant lead bioaccumulation efficiency. Molecular identification revealed Lysinibacillus fusiformis as the highest IAA-producing strain and lead accumulator. Plant growth experiments analysed the bacteria\u27s potency to alleviate the heavy metal stress on Codiaeum variegatum, Dracaena reflexa and Jasminum humile. Additionally, bacterial addition decreased lead absorption only by D. reflexa, potentially through biosorption and bioaccumulation mechanisms. Integrating L. fusiformis into phytoremediation strategies could offer an effective and sustainable approach for remediating Pb-contaminated environments
The Significance of Rhizobacteria for Strawberry Cultivation in Tropical Area: A Review
Get PDFIn tropical regions, high temperatures and low nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in soil limit plant performance and fruit production. The soil-beneficial microbes, including rhizobacteria, have the potential to overcome the nutrient problems in the soil. Rhizobacteria fix the dinitrogen, solubilise the P and potassium (K), and produce hormones and other metabolites to stimulate plant development and resistance against environmental challenges like inadequate soil fertility, heavy metal concentrations or drought. Bacterial genera that occur for promoting growth is Bacillus sp., Azospirillum sp., Azotobacter sp, Pantoea sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Despite the prominent role of rhizobacteria in agriculture and the economic value of strawberries, the potential use of rhizobacteria as a biofertiliser in strawberry cultivation in tropical areas is rarely discussed and reviewed. The information obtained from publications from 2014–2023 by using the keywords of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), tropics, biofertiliser, N fixation, P and K solubilisation, P mineralisation, phytohormones and strawberry is organised according to the rhizobacteria, mechanisms by which they boost plant growth, and research location in tropical area. This review focuses on evaluating (i) the mechanism of rhizobacteria to increase plant growth, (ii) the role of rhizobacteria on strawberry growth, yield and quality and (iii) the impact of rhizobacteria on biotic and abiotic stress alleviation
Development and Survivability of The Free-Living Stage Larvae of Equine Strongyles in Different Environments and Soil Types
Get PDFEEquine strongyles are harmful gastrointestinal parasites affecting horses’ health and productivity. In tropical regions, environmental conditions, including temperature and soil type, significantly influence the development and survivability of strongyle larvae. This study aims to assess the development and survival of third-stage larvae (L3) of strongyles under different temperatures and soil types commonly found in Malaysia. Faecal samples from five adult horses aged between 22–24 years that were kept under a semi-intensive management system and had no history of recent anthelmintic treatment for the past six months and did faecal culture at various controlled temperatures: 21 ± 1°C, 26 ± 1°C, 29 ± 1°C and 32 ± 1°C, and soil type (peat, clay, residual and sandy). The presence of strongyle eggs was identified using faecal floatation, while larval development was monitored daily for 30 consecutive days using the Baermann technique and light microscopy. The time required for development from egg to L3 was shortest at 29°C–32°C (5–6 days) and longest at 21°C–26°C (8–9 days). Peat soil supported the highest survivability (up to 68%) compared to sandy and clay soils, which had the lowest survivability (50% and 41%, respectively). This study highlights the role of tropical soil environments in larval survival. It offers insights into improved parasite control strategies, suggesting future investigations using field trials to explore the role of faecal moisture and microbial interactions in L3 persistence
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection in Malaysia: A Scoping Review, Clinical Insights and Future Directions
Get PDFCongenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the most common congenital infection worldwide, greatly contributing to neonatal morbidity and long-term neurological and audiological complications. Despite its clinical burden, cCMV remains underdiagnosed in Malaysia due to the absence of routine screening programmes and limited awareness among healthcare professionals. This review presents an overview of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies of cCMV in Malaysia, highlighting gaps in current practices and potential future approaches. The seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) among pregnant women in Malaysia is high, with reported maternal seropositivity rates between 74% and 84%. However, cCMV incidence remains poorly defined due to the lack of systematic screening. Clinical features range from asymptomatic infection to severe neurodevelopmental impairments, sensorineural hearing loss, and visual deficits. Current diagnostic methods rely on polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of CMV DNA from urine, saliva, or blood within the first three weeks of life. However, access to molecular testing is limited. Treatment with antiviral agents such as valganciclovir can improve neurodevelopmental outcomes, particularly in symptomatic infants, but remains underutilised due to cost and availability constraints. Emerging research on rapid antigen-based diagnostics and maternal antiviral prophylaxis offers opportunities for improving early detection and intervention. Future strategies should focus on increasing awareness among healthcare providers, implementing targeted or universal newborn screening, and promoting research on cost-effective diagnostic and treatment modalities. Strengthening national policies and integrating cCMV management into existing maternal and child health programmes is vital to mitigate its long-term impact
Incidence of Newborns with Down Syndrome and Factors Associated with Their Length of Hospital Stay in Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia
Get PDFBackground: Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal disorder worldwide. This study aimed to analyse the incidence of newborns with DS in a tertiary centre in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and determine the factors associated with the length of hospital stay among them.
Methods: This is a retrospective study from 2017 to 2021 that recruited 41 newborns with DS. We analysed patients’ clinical characteristics, comorbidities and length of hospital stay. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were used to determine the median length of hospital stay and factors affecting the length of hospital stay.
Results: The incidences of newborns with DS for five consecutive years were between 0.52 and 1.39 in 1,000 live births. The gender was equally distributed and the majority were delivered from advanced maternal age with multiple antenatal histories. The majority had non-disjunction trisomy 21 and were born with multiple comorbidities. Median length of hospital stay (IQR) among newborns with DS is 24 days (17.7–30.3). Every newborn with pulmonary hypertension (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.24; 95% CI 0.10, 0.58), feeding intolerance (aHR: 0.16, [95% CI 0.06, 0.54]) and who had been invasively ventilated (aHR: 0.13, [95% CI 0.03, 0.48]) is expected to have a prolonged hospital stay.
Conclusion: The incidence of newborns with DS in Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia is lower than other countries worldwide. We found that pulmonary hypertension, history of invasive ventilation and feeding intolerance are the main factors that affect the length of hospital stay for newborns with DS in our hospital
When An Apology Implicates A Doctor: Legal Consideration
Get PDFIn recent years, the increasing volume of medical negligence in Malaysia has highlighted crucial concerns regarding the standard of care, informed consent, and liability within the healthcare system. If left unchecked, the rising compensation awards will inevitably affect consumers, namely, the community. Various means exist to potentially prevent litigation, such as engaging in alternative dispute resolution, which includes seeking a sincere apology from the doctor. However, in the judicial system, apologising to patients may also convey the admission of liability, which holds the doctor responsible for negligence. Currently, there is no specific legal framework governing the consequences of apologies in medical error cases. The outcome often depends entirely on the judicial interpretation
SF1, a Standardised Fraction from Clinacanthus nutans Modulates Notch1 Signalling in Cervical Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Get PDFBackground: Aberrant activation of Notch1 signalling in Cervical Cancer Stem Cells (CCSCs) plays a key role in the disease development, progression, metastasis, recurrence, and chemoresistance. Thus, targeting Notch1 is crucial for CCSC eradication. SF1, a standardised fraction from Clinacanthus nutans (C. nutans), has shown potent cytotoxic effects against cervical cancer cells, including CCSCs. However, its mechanism is uncertain. This study aimed to elucidate whether SF1 can inhibit Notch1 signalling in CCSCs.
Methods: SF1 was isolated from C. nutans leaves using a bioassay-guided fractionation. For CCSC enrichment, the human cervical cancer cell line SiHa was grown as non-adherent cells in stem cell-conditioned media (cervospheres) and characterised using sphere formation assay and flow cytometric analysis of stemness markers CD49f, CK17, Sox2, Nanog, and Oct4. The cells were then subjected to SF1 treatment, and Notch1 activity was examined using Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR.
Results: The study discovered that SiHa cervospheres were efficient at forming spheres and contained more Sox2- and Nanog-positive cells than SiHa monolayers. In addition, cervospheres exhibited elevated Notch1 activity, with higher levels of the active Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) protein and Notch1 mRNA than their monolayer counterparts. Following SF1 treatment, NICD protein levels in the cervospheres were significantly reduced, while Notch1 mRNA levels increased. These findings indicate that SF1 modulates Notch1 signalling at the post-transcriptional or post-translational level. However, the precise mechanism remains to be elucidated.
Conclusion: SF1 possesses antitumor effects against SiHa-derived CCSCs via modulation of Notch1-signalling, a pathway associated with Cancer Stem Cells stemness