Seasonal benthic species composition linked to coastal defense structures (CDS) in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Ibrahim N
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10655723 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:The aim of this study was to compare the relative nutritional benefit of edible Malaysian fishes from the coast of Terengganu in Malaysia, as well as to perform a taxonomical characterization and metal assessment. Discrimination between species was carried out by a morphological and molecular approach by evaluating the total concentrations of metals by ICP-MS analyses and the fatty acids (FA) composition using the GC-MS approach on the fish fillet tissues. The taxonomical studies detected fishes of 11 families and 13 species. The heavy metal assessment showed that all detected elements did not exceed the regulatory limit stated by Malaysian Food Regulations. The proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) ranged from 33 to 58.34%, followed by the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) values from 24 to 51.8%, and the lowest proportion was of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), ranging from 12.7 to 35.9%. The ω-3/ω-6 PUFA and PUFA/SFA ratios were determined in the range 1.1 to 7.4 and 0.35 to 1.6, respectively. The C20:5 ω-3 and C22:6 ω-3 acids were detected at levels comparable to those found in the corresponding species from similar tropical marine ecosystems. The high FA values can be useful biochemical tools for comparing the relative nutritional benefits of these biodiverse and non-toxic edible Malaysian fishes.
| S-EPMC8535710 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The data presented here are related to the research paper entitled "A below-the-present late Holocene relative sea level and the glacial isostatic adjustment during the Holocene in the Malay Peninsula" (Tam et al., 2018) [1]. The diatoms and pollen data are collected from surface sediments of the Merang wetlands, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, and are presented as percentages of total diatoms or total land pollen respectively. Ground elevations of the sampling sites are levelled to the national datum and expressed as elevations above or below mean sea level. These diatom and pollen data can be used for indicative meaning calibration of sea-level index points and for the development of diatom-based or pollen-based tidal level transfer functions. These data have been used for calibrating the indicative meanings for sea-level index points in the reconstruction of Holocene sea-level history of the Peninsular Malaysia.
| S-EPMC6260407 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This data article is about bats observed from fragmented forest understories interspaced by agricultural plantations, utility corridors, and man-made structures within rural areas of Setiu (Bukit Kesing Forest Reserve and Ladang Tayor TDM) and Hulu Terengganu (Pengkalan Utama and Sungai Buweh, Kenyir) that are situated in Terengganu state, Peninsular Malaysia. Surveys were conducted from October 2018 until January 2019. These bats were captured using harp traps and mist nets that were set 30 m apart across flyways, streams, rivers and less cluttered trees in the 50 m transect zones (identified at each site). All animals captured were distinguished by morphology and released at the same location it was caught. The data comprise of 15 species of bats from four family groups, namely Hipposideridae, Pteropodidae, Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae. The data were interpreted into weight-forearm length (W-FA) to inform about bats Body Condition Index (-0.25 to 0.25).
| S-EPMC7200844 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This article documents the composition of plant species collected from the mangrove forest of the Setiu Lagoon, Terengganu. The data was collated between 2004 and 2019 through fieldwork to compile an inventory of mangrove flora on 13 islands located in the Setiu Lagoon. Field inventories using circular sample plots of 5.6 m radius and square plots of 100 m × 20 m were employed in the study. In each plot, the mangrove plant species were enumerated and identified. A total of 74 species belonging to 39 families were recorded, comprising of 23 exclusive, 49 non-exclusive and 2 associate mangrove species. Pulau Telaga Tujuh supported the most diverse mangrove with 47 species in contrast to Pulau Tok Ba and Pulau Gemia that supported the least number of mangroves with only 10 species recorded each. The Lagoon is also a home to critically endangered species, Olax psittacorum (Lam) Vahl and an interesting species, Hydnophytum formicarum Jack (an ant plant, the mangroves epiphyte). Overall, islands of the Setiu Lagoon supported a mix of mangrove plant species which were exclusive and non-exclusive. The present work provides important baseline data for management, conservation and restoration of mangrove forest in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Various mangrove plant species including the presence of hybrid species underlines the importance of the Setiu Lagoon as a center of mangrove plant diversity, particularly in the Southeast Asia region.
| S-EPMC8960900 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundZika virus (ZIKV) is believed to be endemic in Southeast Asia. However, there have been few Zika cases reported to date in Malaysia, which could be due to high pre-existing levels of population immunity.MethodsTo determine Zika virus (ZIKV) seroprevalence in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1085 serum samples from 2012, 2014-2015 and 2017 were screened for anti-ZIKV antibodies using a ZIKV NS1 blockade-of-binding assay. Reactive samples were confirmed using neutralization assays against ZIKV and the four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes. A sample was possible ZIKV seropositive with a ZIKV 50% neutralization (NT50) titre ≥20. A sample was probable ZIKV seropositive if, in addition, all DENV NT50 titres were <20 or the ZIKV NT50 titre was >4-fold greater than the highest DENV NT50 titre.ResultsWe found low rates of possible ZIKV seropositivity (3.3% [95% confidence interval {CI} 2.4 to 4.6]) and probable ZIKV seropositivity (0.6% [95% CI 0.3 to 1.4]). Possible ZIKV seropositivity was independently associated with increasing age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.06], p<0.0001) and male gender (OR 3.5 [95% CI 1.5 to 8.6], p=0.005).ConclusionsThe low ZIKV seroprevalence rate, a proxy for population immunity, does not explain the low incidence of Zika in dengue-hyperendemic Kuala Lumpur. Other factors, such as the possible protective effects of pre-existing flavivirus antibodies or reduced transmission by local mosquito vectors, should be explored. Kuala Lumpur is at high risk of a large-scale Zika epidemic.
| S-EPMC6836714 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesThe study's aim was to find predictors of body image perception scores among health care providers (HCPs) in Terengganu, Malaysia.MethodsA cross-sectional study among 201 health care providers (HCPs) was conducted from January to March 2023. This study participants were drawn from a pool of HCPs with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher. Body image perceptions were scored using the Malay version of the Body Self-Image Questionnaire-Short Form. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the predictors of body image perception scores.ResultsAge and longer work hours correlate with higher body satisfaction among HCPs, while higher BMI lowers satisfaction. Nurses typically experience more height dissatisfaction. Higher income is associated with better self-ratings in looks, health, and fitness, but higher education correlates with poorer self-ratings. Married HCPs report lower attractiveness, health, fitness, and self-esteem but are more satisfied with their height.ConclusionThis situational analysis identifies predictors, such as sociodemographic factors and occupational aspects, that can aid in customising interventions to address specific body image concerns among HCPs, with the goal of reducing obesity prevalence among them.
| S-EPMC11416480 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Arctic marine biodiversity is undergoing rapid changes due to global warming and modifications of oceanic water masses circulation. These changes have been demonstrated in the case of mega- and macrofauna, but much less is known about their impact on the biodiversity of smaller size organisms, such as foraminifera that represent a main component of meiofauna in the Arctic. Several studies analyzed the distribution and diversity of Arctic foraminifera. However, all these studies are based exclusively on the morphological identification of specimens sorted from sediment samples. Here, we present the first assessment of Arctic foraminifera diversity based on metabarcoding of sediment DNA samples collected in fjords and open sea areas in the Svalbard Archipelago. We obtained a total of 5,968,786 reads that represented 1384 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). More than half of the ASVs (51.7%) could not be assigned to any group in the reference database suggesting a high genetic novelty of Svalbard foraminifera. The sieved and unsieved samples resolved comparable communities, sharing 1023 ASVs, comprising over 97% of reads. Our analyses show that the foraminiferal assemblage differs between the localities, with communities distinctly separated between fjord and open sea stations. Each locality was characterized by a specific assemblage, with only a small overlap in the case of open sea areas. Our study demonstrates a clear pattern of the influence of water masses on the structure of foraminiferal communities. The stations situated on the western coast of Svalbard that are strongly influenced by warm and salty Atlantic water (AW) are characterized by much higher diversity than stations in the northern and eastern part, where the impact of AW is less pronounced. This high diversity and specificity of Svalbard foraminifera associated with water mass distribution indicate that the foraminiferal metabarcoding data can be very useful for inferring present and past environmental conditions in the Arctic.
| S-EPMC10092302 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasitic fungi causing chronic diarrhea, particularly among immunocompromised patients. The current method used for diagnosis is based on conventional microscopy, which does not differentiate parasites at the species level. The present study was carried out to identify microsporidian species in immunocompromised patients. From March 2016 to March 2017, a total of 289 archived stool samples were examined microscopically for microsporidian spores using Gram-chromotrope Kinyoun (GCK) stain. Positive stool samples by microscopy were subjected to polymerase chain reaction and sequencing for species identification. Based on microscopy examination, the overall prevalence of microsporidian infections was 32.2% (93/289; 95% CI = 27.1-37.8). Of these stool samples, 45 samples were successfully amplified and confirmed as Enterocytozoon bieneusi. No Encephalitozoon intestinalis was detected. Accurate identification of species might help clinicians to decide appropriate management strategies as dissemination risks and treatment response vary for different species, hence improving the management of microsporidian infections.
| S-EPMC6283486 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe first natural infection of Plasmodium knowlesi in humans was recorded in 1965 in peninsular Malaysia. Extensive research was then conducted and it was postulated that it was a rare incident and that simian malaria will not be easily transmitted to humans. However, at the turn of the 21st century, knowlesi malaria was prevalent throughout Southeast Asia and is life threatening. Thus, a longitudinal study was initiated to determine the vectors, their seasonal variation and preference to humans and macaques.MethodsMonthly mosquito collections were carried out in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, peninsular Malaysia, using human-landing collection and monkey-baited traps at ground and canopy levels. All mosquitoes were identified and all anopheline mosquitoes were dissected and the gut and gland examined for oocysts and sporozoites. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on positive samples, followed by sequencing of the csp gene.Results and discussionAnopheles cracens was the predominant mosquito biting humans as well as the macaques. It comprised 63.2% of the total collection and was the only species positive for sporozoites of P. knowlesi. It was exophagic and did not enter houses. Besides An. cracens, Anopheles kochi was also found in the monkey-bait trap. Both species preferred to bite monkeys at ground level compared to canopy.ConclusionAnopheles cracens, which belongs to the Dirus complex, Leucosphyrus subgroup, Leucosphyrus group of mosquitoes, has been confirmed to be the only vector for this site from Pahang during this study. It was the predominant mosquito at the study sites and with deforestation humans and villages are entering deeper in the forests, and nearer to the mosquitoes and macacques. The close association of humans with macaques and mosquitoes has led to zoonotic transmission of malaria.
| S-EPMC3476358 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Abstract A new mycoheterotrophic species, Thismiakenyirensis Siti-Munirah & Dome from Peninsular Malaysia, is described and illustrated. Thismiakenyirensis differs from other previously described species in the following characteristics: the flower tube is completely orange, with alternating darker and paler-coloured longitudinal lines on the outer and inner surfaces, the outer tepals are ovate (petaloid), the inner tepals are narrowly lanceolate, each ending with a long appendage. According to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, T.kenyirensis is provisionally classified as Least Concern.
| S-EPMC10209504 | biostudies-literature