Dengue fever is endemic in Malaysia and has posed a significant economic and health burden to the country. Malaysia is experiencing the transmission of four dengue serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. To prevent dengue cases, genotypic characterisation is an essential tool to determining the dengue serotypes that are circulating in the dengue cases area. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the genotype of DENV isolates obtained from DENV-infected Aedes collected. A total of 4,438 Aedes albopictus and 2,454 Aedes aegypti larvae were collected from 132 dengue hotspot localities. They were then reared to adult mosquitoes and pooled. Later, it was tested for determine dengue serotypes using RT-PCR targeting Capsid-preMembrane regions. All DENV serotypes were carefully isolated from DENV positive pools and sequenced. DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 serotypes were proven positive in 16.83 % of the samples, and were found co-circulating at the study areas. A total 84 isolates were successfully identified, with 17 of them being DENV-2, 36 being DENV-3, and 31 being DENV-4. DENV-2 isolates were of genotype IV, DENV-3 isolates were of genotype III and V, and DENV-4 isolates were of genotype II. This study highlights the importance of active DENV serotype at dengue outbreak areas. This information assists the stakeholders by strengthening dengue genotyping surveillance and providing a solid evidence base for decision making regarding dengue management initiatives. The findings from this study can be utilized to the search for novel genotypes, to the observation of potential genetic alterations in dengue viruses, and to the development of vaccines.

It is aimed to find exact chronological order in crossing strokes with the help of chromaticity diagram in this experiment. Since, surface on point of intersection corresponds to second stroke in crossing two lines, it is assumed that chromaticity co-ordinate (x,y) of the crossing stroke should be similar to that of second stroke rather than first stroke. We carried out this experiment on crossing strokes made from differernt writing pens and printers. We did experiment many times by preparing different samples each time in both homogeneous and heterogeneous crossing strokes but we get positive and conclusive results only in most of heterogeneous crossing strokes. This work is very helpful to questioned document examiners to examine forgery in document.

Microalgae are unicellular photosynthetic microorganisms which are able to survive in extreme environmental conditions, specifically low temperature, high evaporation rates as well as low water availability. Polar microalgae from the Antarctic region have received attention from researchers due to their special adaptations for surviving in extremely cold environments and being isolated from various types of samples. Four Antarctic soil samples were used on this study namely-Sample A, Sample B, S18 and S30. All soil samples were subjected to serial dilution and spread on BBM followed by 3 weeks incubation at 25oC with periodic light. Only soil sample S30 showed positive microalgae growth after additional 3 weeks incubation period. Consequently, soil sample S30 was proceeded to isolation of microalgae using BBM, 3N- BBM+V, JM and MWC media. Observable growth of green microalgae could only be obtained using 3N-BBM+V and JM media. Moreover, 3N-BBM+V medium successfully produced the highest number of microalgae colonies recovered from Antarctic soil sample. Isolation of microalgae from Antarctic provides resources for various industrial and commercial applications.

The anatomical studies of selected plant species of Acanthaceae in Kuantan, Pahang are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify the leaf anatomical and micromorphological characteristics of S. crispa which can give additional information for identification of species. In addition, not only for taxonomy purpose, but also useful for ethnobotany perception on using as medicinal purpose because nowadays people are more searching on traditional plants as the alternative for drugs medicines, especially S. crispa. Methods used in this study were sectioning using sliding microtome, epidermal peeling and leaf micromorphology method by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Findings from this study showed that the presence of collenchyma, sclerenchyma and mucilage cells in either petiole or midrib of the leaves. Meanwhile, the anatomical characteristics observed include petiole and midrib outlines, patterns of petiole and midrib vascular bundles, presence of cystolith cells and presence and types of trichomes. As a conclusion, leaf anatomy and micromorphology characteristics are useful for identification of species studied.

The herbal industry in Malaysia is facing problem of scarcity of the natural herbs due to excessive exploitation of natural forest. It is therefore necessary to cultivate these herbs and research is urgently needed on its agronomic aspects. A pot trial study was therefore carried with the following objectives: (i) to determine the effects of different organic fertilizer rates on height growth, and (ii) to measure selected foliar and soil nutrient concentrations. Treatments evaluated were: (i) 10% of guano manure mixed with 90% of soil (T1), (ii) 20% of guano manure mixed with 80% of soil (T2), (iii) 30% of guano manure mixed with 70% of soil (T3), (iv) 40% of guano manure mixed with 60% of soil (T4), (v) 50% of guano manure mixed with 50% of soil (T5), (vi) 60% of guano manure mixed with 40% of soil (T6), (vii) 70% of guano manure mixed with 30% of soil (T7), (viii) 80% of guano manure mixed with 20% of soil (T8), (ix) 90% of guano manure mixed with 10% of soil (T9), and (x) Soil without guano manure (control) (T10). The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomize Design (CRD) with five replications. Plant height for each treatment was recorded on monthly basis for four months duration. Selected nutrient concentrations in the plant leaves after harvest and in the soil before planting and after harvest along with the soil pH were analysed. Soil total N was determined using Kjeldahl method while total P was determined using Aqua regia method. The exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Na were extracted using double acid method and their concentrations determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Dry ashing method was used for the determination of P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Na concentrations in plant leaves while total N concentrations was determined using Kjeldahl method. Guano manure showed significant effects on plant height, and concentrations of total N, total P, Ca, Mg and Zn in the leaves. The T3 recorded significantly higher plant height at 76.50 cm while the lowest was in T9 at 50.60 cm. The concentrations of K, Cu and Na on the other hand recorded no significant effects. Nutrient concentrations in the soil after harvest decreased compared to before planting while soil pH increased as level of manure increased in the soil before planting and after harvest. It is advisable to conduct field trial experiment for further study.

The fresh arils of durian fruits contained approximately one-third of the fruit’s total weight; the remainder of the fruit, including the rinds and seeds, is considered waste. As a result, researchers investigated and studied the potential for these wastes to be processed into products or value-added products in various industries. This review aimed to discuss the potential for waste products of D. zibethinus to be converted into value-added products in a variety of areas. An extensive literature study was done on various search engines. Related previous research was selected for discovering the potential of D. zibethinus waste. This review found four fields of studies that gained interest in the invention of value-added products by using D. zibethinus waste, including activated carbon precursor, bio-composite product, bio-based polymer product, and bioethanol production. As Malaysia is growing in the food waste industry, more study needs to be done to successfully invent new value-added products from D. zibethinus waste such as rind and seed. The effort of this study could help in reducing unused D. zibethinus waste.

Leaf anatomical and micromorphological studies on Youngia japonica (Asteraceae family) were accomplished. In the North America, this wild plant is consumed as salad as a healthy diet. The whole plant is edible and has been consumed in past years especially during famine. The Chinese community has been using this plant to perform blood cleansing, to cure sore throat, diarrhoea, mastitis, shingles, sprains, and bruises. Since there is yet any comprehensive study on the taxonomic study of Y. japonica in Kuantan, this study aims to investigate and examine its leaf anatomical and micromorphological characteristics that can be used as a complete guidance for its identification and additional data for its species classification. The methods involved in the leaf anatomy included a cross sectioning method on the petiole, midrib, lamina, and margin using a sliding microtome, clearing of venation using basic fuchsin, and epidermal peel methods using Jeffrey solution. The micromorphology of the leaf was observed under a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The result of the characteristics of leaf anatomical and micromorphological studies for Y. japonica found the type of vascular bundle at petiole which was an opened system, noncontinuous ring of separated vascular bundle arranged in arc-shaped with additional vascular bundles, there were presence of mucilage cells, incomplete marginal venation, anomocytic stomata at leaf epidermis, granules and crust of wax, and multicellular trichomes with different ended and capitate glandular trichome. In conclusion, the findings have shown that the anatomical and micromorphological characteristics have their taxonomic value and can be useful in the identification, differentiation, and classification of the plant at the species level.