University of Malaya

About: University of Malaya is a education organization based out in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Fiber laser. The organization has 25087 authors who have published 51491 publications receiving 1036791 citations. The organization is also known as: UM & Universiti Malaya.

Localization of Dengue Virus in Naturally Infected Human Tissues, by Immunohistochemistry and In Situ Hybridization

Abstract: Dengue viral antigens have been demonstrated in several types of naturally infected human tissues, but little is known of whether these same tissues have detectable viral RNA. We studied tissue specimens from patients with serologically or virologically confirmed dengue infections by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH), to localize viral antigen and RNA, respectively. IHC was performed on specimens obtained from 5 autopsies and 24 biopsies and on 20 blood-clot samples. For ISH, antisense riboprobes to the dengue E gene were applied to tissue specimens in which IHC was positive. Viral antigens were demonstrated in Kupffer and sinusoidal endothelial cells of the liver; macrophages, multinucleated cells, and reactive lymphoid cells in the spleen; macrophages and vascular endothelium in the lung; kidney tubules; and monocytes and lymphocytes in blood-clot samples. Positive-strand viral RNA was detected in the same IHC-positive cells found in the spleen and blood-clot samples. The strong, positive ISH signal in these cells indicated a high copy number of viral RNA, suggesting replication.

The use of the health belief model to assess predictors of intent to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and willingness to pay.

Abstract: The development of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection is on the way. To prepare for public availability, the acceptability of a hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine and willingness to pay (WTP) were a...

Macroalgae and microalgae as a potential source for commercial applications along with biofuels production: A biorefinery approach

Abstract: Due to diminishing petroleum reserves and deleterious environmental consequences of exhaust gases from fossil-based fuels, research on renewable and environment friendly fuels has received a lot of impetus in the recent years. However, the availability of the non-edible crops serve as the sources for biofuel production are limited and economically not feasible. Algae are a promising alternative source to the conventional feedstocks for the third generation biofuel production. There has been a considerable discussion in the recent years about the potential of microalgae for the production of biofuels, but there may be other more readily exploitable commercial opportunities for macroalgae and microalgae. This review, briefly describes the biofuels conversion technologies for both macroalgae and microalgae. The gasification process produces combustible gases such as H2, CH4, CO2 and ammonia, whereas, the product of pyrolysis is bio-oil. The fermentation product of algae is ethanol, that can be used as a direct fuel or as a gasohol. Hydrogen can be obtained from the photobiological process of algal biomass. In transesterification process, algae oil is converted into biodiesel, which is quite similar to those of conventional diesel and it can be blended with the petroleum diesel. This study, also reviewed the production of high value byproducts from macroalgae and microalgae and their commercial applications. Algae as a potential renewable resource is not only used for biofuels but also for human health, animal and aquatic nutrition, environmental applications such as CO2 mitigation, wastewater treatment, biofertilizer, high-value compounds, synthesis of pigments and stable isotope biochemicals. This review is mainly an attempt, to investigate the biorefinery concept applied on the algal technology, for the synthesis of novel bioproducts to improve the algal biofuels as even more diversified and economically competitive. The employment of a high-value, co-product strategy through the integrated biorefinery approach is expected to significantly enhance the overall commercial implementation of the biofuel from the algal technology.

Second Asia-Pacific Consensus Guidelines for Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Abstract: The Asia-Pacific Consensus Conference was convened to review and synthesize the most current information on Helicobacter pylori management so as to update the previously published regional guidelines. The group recognized that in addition to long-established indications, such as peptic ulcer disease, early mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type lymphoma and family history of gastric cancer, H. pylori eradication was also indicated for H. pylori infected patients with functional dyspepsia, in those receiving long-term maintenance proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for gastroesophageal reflux disease, and in cases of unexplained iron deficiency anemia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. In addition, a population 'test and treat' strategy for H. pylori infection in communities with high incidence of gastric cancer was considered to be an effective strategy for gastric cancer prevention. It was recommended that H. pylori infection should be tested for and eradicated prior to long-term aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy in patients at high risk for ulcers and ulcer-related complications. In Asia, the currently recommended first-line therapy for H. pylori infection is PPI-based triple therapy with amoxicillin/metronidazole and clarithromycin for 7 days, while bismuth-based quadruple therapy is an effective alternative. There appears to be an increasing rate of resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole in parts of Asia, leading to reduced efficacy of PPI-based triple therapy. There are insufficient data to recommend sequential therapy as an alternative first-line therapy in Asia. Salvage therapies that can be used include: (i) standard triple therapy that has not been previously used; (ii) bismuth-based quadruple therapy; (iii) levofloxacin-based triple therapy; and (iv) rifabutin-based triple therapy. Both CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms and cigarette smoking can influence future H. pylori eradication rates.

Comparisons of various types of normality tests

Abstract: Normality tests can be classified into tests based on chi-squared, moments, empirical distribution, spacings, regression and correlation and other special tests. This paper studies and compares the power of eight selected normality tests: the Shapiro–Wilk test, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, the Lilliefors test, the Cramer–von Mises test, the Anderson–Darling test, the D'Agostino–Pearson test, the Jarque–Bera test and chi-squared test. Power comparisons of these eight tests were obtained via the Monte Carlo simulation of sample data generated from alternative distributions that follow symmetric short-tailed, symmetric long-tailed and asymmetric distributions. Our simulation results show that for symmetric short-tailed distributions, D'Agostino and Shapiro–Wilk tests have better power. For symmetric long-tailed distributions, the power of Jarque–Bera and D'Agostino tests is quite comparable with the Shapiro–Wilk test. As for asymmetric distributions, the Shapiro–Wilk test is the most powerful test followed b...