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A retrospective study on the prevalence of effusive feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) cases at the University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UVH-UPM) from 2009 to 2011 was conducted. Data regarding patient signalment, history of risk factors, clinical and laboratory profiles were recorded. Eighty-three cases of suspected effusive FIP were diagnosed in UVH-UPM during that period. The study showed that 87.7% cases of effusive FIP occurred in cat less than 3 years old, 60.2% in intact male, 86.4% in Domestic Short Hair, 79.2% in cats from multi-cat household, 40.3% were in cats kept indoor and 46.8% were in those kept outdoor. Multi-cat household was a risk factor for effusive FIP. The most commonly reported clinical findings were abdominal distension, dyspnea, weight loss, jaundice, ascites and pleural effusion. The clinicopathological findings associated with effusive FIP were hyperglobulinaemia, decreased A:G ratio (<0.4), hypoalbuminaemia, hyperproteinaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia and non-regenerative anaemia. The abdominal or pleural fluid was typically exudate and modified transudate.

In this paper we investigated the inclusion complexation between zerumbone (ZER) and hydroxylpropyl- -cyclodextrin (HPCD) at four different temperatures: 293–318 ◦K. The thermodynamic parameters (H, S and G) for the formation of the complex were obtained from the van’t Hoff equation. The complex with HPCD was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and molecular modeling using PM6. The solubility of ZER was enhanced >30 fold after complexation. Calculations show that ZER penetrates completely into the cavity of HPCD. The complex retained its cytotoxic activity as shown by in vitro cell survival assay on human cervical cancer (Hela), breast cancer (MCF7 and MDA-MB 231) and human leukemic (CEMss) cell lines. HPCD is, therefore, a suitable encapsular capable of forming thermodynamically stable complex with ZER for save delivery of the compound as an anticancer drug in the future.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), a colloidal carrier system offer many advantages as drug carrier. Incorporation of liquid lipid can improve the loading capacity of drugs in the NLCs. The NLC20 and NLC80 were produced by high-pressure homogenization technique, stabilized with polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy showed that these NLCs were spherical. Photon correlation spectroscopy showed that the average size of NLC80 and NLC20 were 102.8 ± 0.1 and 261.63 ± 8.56 nm, respectively, and their zeta potentials were -23.93 ± 0.75 and -30.57 ± 0.06 mV, respectively. The results suggest that NLC80 is a more stable formulation. X-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry showed that NCLs were less crystalline than the bulk lipid. The melting point depression of NLC80 was 5.71°C below bulk lipid’s melting point (61.56°C), while NLC20 exhibited two melting points at 54.80 and 59.10°C. These findings suggest that polysorbate 80 was a better dispersing agent for NLC than polysorbate 20. The physicochemistry properties of the NLCs are greatly influenced by the type of surfactant used. The small size and superior particle surface to volume ratio would increase loading efficiency and bioavailability of drugs, thus making NLC a promising drug delivery system.

A study was conducted to determine the effects of lemon grass stem infusion (Cymbopogon citratus) in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The objective of the study was to develop a basic guideline for safe use of lemon grass stem infusion. A total of 18 female rats were fed with 13 and 130 mg/kg body weight (BW) of the infusion for 28 days. Control rats only received distilled water. Blood samples were collected to assess renal and liver functions. Repeated administration of lemon grass stem infusion to rats did not produce any significant change in their blood lipid profiles [cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides], liver function parameters [aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)], renal function parameters (creatinine, urea and uric acid), total protein and glucose concentrations. The intake of the infusion also did not show hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic signs on rats. The weight of rats receiving the dose at 130 mg/kg BW (which is equivalent to 10 times of normal human consumption), was almost similar to the control group. The rats survived the treatment without showing any ill-effect. Based on this study, lemon grass stem infusion was not toxic even at 10 times higher than normal human consumption.

Recently more focus has been put to the development of innovative drug-delivery systems that includes liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). An in vitro study was conducted to determine the effect of solid lipid nanoparticle on the human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB231). The SLNs based on palm oil were prepared using the high pressure homogenization method and were characterized by the particle size and polydispersity index (particle sizer), zeta potential (zetasizer), ultrastructure [transmission electron microscopy (TEM)] and MTT assay and natural red assay. Homogenization of solid lipid nanoparticles at 1000 bar for 20 cycles produced particles with 145.00±3.39 nm in size and zeta potential of -19.50±1.80 mv. The SLNs were generally round and uniform in shape. The cytotoxicity of the components of the SLN formulation was low: SLN with 1% oleyl alcohol displayed no significant cytotoxicity effect on breast cancer cells. In the light of these findings, SLN stabilized with 30% lecithin and 1% oleyl alcohol as nonionic co-surfactant in aqueous phase was found to be safe for cells and the acceptable for the incorporation lipophilic drugs.

The objective of the study was to establish the reference range for blood and coagulation parameters in normal, healthy male and female rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) of different ages. The study was conducted at Taman Pertanian Universiti, Universiti Putra Malaysia. The sample population comprised of 40 rusa deer, which was divided into 4 groups of 13 young (≤1-year-old) males, 5 young females, 13 adult males and 9 adult females. Jugular venous blood samples were collected to determine concentrations of blood and coagulation parameters. The data obtained were normally distributed. However, the analytical results revealed that significant (p<0.05) higher values were observed in erythrocyte count, Ca++ concentration and prothrombin time in the adult male than female rusa deer. The total protein concentration was significantly (p<0.05) higher in adult female than adult male rusa deer. No significant difference (p>0.05) in blood or coagulation parameters was observed between sex in the young deer. Between age group, adult deer had significantly (p<0.05) higher mean cell volume, plasma protein and globulin concentrations than young rusa deer. Thus, it is necessary to take into account the age and sex when using blood reference values for the diagnosis of diseases in the rusa deer.

The plant Typhonium flagelliforme, commonly known as "rodent tuber" in Malaysia, is often used as a health supplement and traditional remedy for alternative cancer therapies, including leukemia. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro anti-leukemic activity of dichloromethane extract/fraction number 7 (DCM/F7) from T. flagelliforme tuber on human T4 lymphoblastoid (CEMss) cell line. The DCM extract of tuber has been fractionated by column chromatography. The obtained fractions were evaluated for its cytotoxicity toward CEMss cells as well as human primary blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Assessment of apoptosis produced by the most active fraction was evaluated by various microscopic techniques and further confirmation of apoptosis was done by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Phytochemical screening was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results shows that 7 out of 12 fractions showed significant cytotoxicity against the selected cell line CEMss, in which fractions DCM/F7, DCM/F11 and DCM/F12 showed exceptional activity with 3, 5 and 6.2 μg ml(-1), respectively. Further studies in the non-cancerous PBL exhibited significant selectivity of DCM/F7 compared to other fractions. Cytological observations showed chromatin condensation, cell shrinkage, abnormalities of cristae, membrane blebbing, cytoplasmic extrusions and formation of apoptotic bodies as confirmed collectively by double-staining of acridine orange (AO)/propidium iodide (PI), SEM and TEM. In addition, DCM/F7 has increased the cellular DNA breaks on treated cells. GC-MS revealed that DCM/F7 contains linoleic acid, hexadecanoic acid and 9-hexadecanoic acid. The present results indicate that T. flagelliforme possess a valuable anti-leukemic effect and was able to produce distinctive morphological features of cell death that corresponds to apoptosis.

Antibacterial properties of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 hiopental-propofol mixtures were determined by inoculating a known quantum of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis into each anaesthetic mixture. The number of colony forming units (CFU) grown from the subculture at 0, 6, 24, 48 hours, 7 days and 14 days were determined. Results showed that mixtures at ratio of 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4, supported while 1:1 mixture inhibited the growth of S. aureus. However, all anaesthetic mixtures did not support the growth of B. subtilis. Administration of fresh and 7-day old 1:1 thiopental-propofol mixtures in 6 dogs to maintain 15 minutes of intubation time showed that the 2 regime did not result in adverse cardiopulmonary and blood parameters. Transient apnea following induction was observed. C-reactive protein (CRP) of fresh thiopental-propofol mixture tended to decrease post-anaesthesia. Comparatively in 7-day-old treatment group, CRP only started to decrease at 24 hour post anaesthesia. Compared to fresh mixture, slightly more 7-day old mixture was used to induce and maintain anaesthesia and resulting in slightly longer recovery. No inflammatory signs, depression, inappetance, nausea or vomiting was observed in any of the dogs within the 2-week experimental period.

Eight endurance horses registered for competition in different categories of Sultan Cup Endurance Ride, in November 2009 were selected for an evaluation of the soundness of the horses and an examination of the changes of blood parameters in training prior to the competition. Three blood samples were taken from each horse: pre-ride, immediate post ride and 24 hours post-ride. All horses were trained at 30 km and departed at the same time and tested on the same track. Blood samples were evaluated for both haematology and biochemistry components: red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), segmented neutrophil, lymphocyte counts, electrolytes concentration, total protein (TP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate. One horse was diagnosed with exertional rhabdomyolysis post-training and was removed from statistical analysis. In this study, the significant changes in most blood parameters indicated that the 30-km endurance training induced some physiological responses in horses with minimal stress and loss of water and electrolytes as reflected in the changes of blood parameters. Although elevation in serum muscle enzymes and lactate was significant, it was believed to be a normal physiological response of horses towards training without noticeable muscle injuries and/or metabolic acidosis.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for metastatic canine mammary gland tumor. Erythropoietin receptors (EPOR) was once thought to be only expressed on the surfaces of the erythroid progenitor cells. Recently, EPOR have been identified in several neoplastic cell lines and solid tumors including human and canine mammary gland tumors. Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) has several biological activities, including anti-tumor effect on some human and animal tumors. Clinical trials have been carried out in human medicine based on these effects. In this in vitro study, doxorubicin, recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) and bLF were used separately and in combination in order to determine the effect of different drugs on canine mammary gland tumor. Recombinant human erythropoietin was found to have a non-significant effect on the canine mammary gland tumor cell line. Doxorubicin alone gave a more promising result in cytotoxic effect of the cells in a dose-dependent manner. Bovine lactoferrin however did not show a clear anti-proliferative pattern on the tumor cells. The drug combination treatment did not show better anti-proliferative or cytotoxic effect on the cells than doxorubicin alone. The combination of these drugs induced growth arrest at G2/M phase.

Acquired canine thrombocytopaenia is a common canine haemostatic disorder in veterinary medicine. The purposes of this study were to investigate patterns of thrombocytopaenia in 2007 and 2008 on monthly and yearly basis, respectively, in the University Veterinary Hospital (UVH), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), to study the aetiology of acquired thrombocytopaenia, to describe signalment, management, and disease preventive measure of the thrombocytopaenic dog, and lastly to relate significant findings of the haematological and biochemical parameters to the thrombocytopaenia. The data were obtained from Haematology and Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UPM and the patient medical records were obtained from UVH. All data were reported based on a descriptive analysis. Results showed the numbers of dogs with acquired thrombocytopenia were 67 and 69 in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Most of the cases were reported in January 2007, and May and December 2008. Acquired canine thrombocytopenia occurred in any sex or breed. The most significant haematological and biochemical findings of the thrombocytopaenic dogs were regenerative left shift, regenerative anaemia, and hyperglobulinaemia. The aetiology of acquired thrombocytopaenia in dog was mostly from infection-and inflammation-associated diseases. In conclusion, thrombocytopaenia is a prevalent and potentially important diagnostic finding in a variety of disease states.

Problem statement: Seeds of Nigella sativa L., commonly known as black seed, have been used in traditional medicine by many Asian, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern Countries to treat headache, coughs, abdominal pain, diarrhea, asthma, rheumatism and other diseases. The seeds of this plant are the most extensively studied, both phytochemically and pharmacologically. The aqueous and oil extracts of the seeds have been shown to possess especially nowadays in pharmaceutical antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic, antimicrobial activities and medicinal and cosmetic applications, sanitary, cosmetic, agricultural and food industries. Approach: The aim of this study was to formulate a new delivery system for dermal and cosmetic application by the incorporation of Nigella sativa essential oil into solid lipid nanoparticles SLN. SLN formulations were prepared following the high-pressure homogenization after starring and ultra-trax homognization techniques using hydrogenated palm oil Softisan 154 and N. sativa essential oil as lipid matrix, sorbitol and water as surfactants. The SLN formulation particle size was determined using Photon Correlation System (PCS). Results: The change of particle charge was studied by Zeta Potential (ZP) measurements, while the melting and re-crystallization behavior was studied using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Data showed a high physical stability for both formulations at various storage temperatures during 3 months of storage. In particular, average diameter of N. sativa essential oil-loaded SLN did not vary during storage and increased slightly after freeze-drying the SLN dispersions. Conclusion: Therefore, obtained results showed that the studied SLN formulations are suitable carriers in pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields.

Problem statement: Endurance horses are generally exposed to severe stress during endurance competitions. These horses are however conditioned to cover the long distances of the competitions at moderate speeds. Approach: This study was conducted in Malaysia to determine the post-race hematological, blood electrolyte and biochemical and physical parameters of horses of 40, 80 and 120 km endurance race categories and eliminated and horses that completed the races with good performance. Whole blood, plasma and serum samples were collected after each race. Results: After physical examination 7 (9.72%) 120 km-, 48 (66.67%) 80 km- and 17 (23.61%) 40 km-race horses were eliminated. Eight horses, all from the 80 km-race category completed the race with good performance. The mean heart of the good performance horses (74.2±13.9 beats min-1) was higher than that of the eliminated 40 km- (68.2±14.7 beats min-1), 80 km-race (62.9±9.7 beats min-1) horses. The blood lactate concentration of good performance horses was 9.2±2.2 mmol L-1, which was significantly higher than in the 40 km- (6.0±2.9 mmol L-1), 80 km- (6.7±3.2 mmol L-1) and the 120 km-race (6.4±1.6 mmol L-1) horses. The blood glucose concentration was lower in the good performance horses (1.6±0.9 mmol L-1) than the eliminated 40 km- (5.7±1.9 mmol L-1), 80 km- (4.3±2.4 mmol L-1) and the 120 km-race (5.0±1.4 mmol L-1) horses. Conclusion: The study showed that eliminated horses exhibited poorer glucose utilization than good performance horses, which may have resulted in poor lactate production. Thus the blood lactate and glucose concentrations of horses during training may be used to predict their performance in endurance races.

An in vivo study was conducted to determine the effect of tamoxifen-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle on LA7 cell-induced rat mammary tumor. After the first tumors appearance, the thirty rats were divided into five groups. Group I served as normal control animal. The other four groups were mammary gland tumor-bearing animals treated with soy oil (Group II), tamoxifen (TAM) dissolved in soy oil (Group III), tamoxifen-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (Group IV) and solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) (Group V) dispersed in soy oil. The effect of TAM-loaded SLN in the reduction of tumor size was greater than that of free TAM. The transmission electron microscope analysis showed apoptosis in TAM-loaded SLN and free TAM treatment groups. After treatment, the rats treated with TAM-loaded SLN showed decreases in concentration of serum enzymes. In conclusion, the study suggests that TAM-loaded SLN is very effective for treatment of rat mammary gland tumors and breast cancers.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The plant Typhonium flagelliforme (TF), commonly known as ‘rodent tuber’ in Malaysia, is often used as traditional remedy for cancer, including leukemia. Aim of the study:Wehad previously identified morphologically that the linoleic acid rich fraction (DCM/F7) from the tubers of this plant induces selective anti-proliferative effects and apoptosis in CEMss cells. In this present study, we subjected the same DCM/F7 fraction to cell based activity analyses in order to determine the possible mechanism of cell death in leukemic CEMss cells in vitro. Materials and methods: Extraction of Typhonium flagelliforme tuber has done and fractionation has been done by vacuum liquid column chromatography. The anti-proliferative activity was assayed using MTT and the apoptosis detection was done by Annexin V and DNA laddering assay. Colorimetric caspase assay and immunoblot analysis were employed to detect the expression of protein associated with cell death. Cell cycle analysis was done using flow cytometry. Results: We found that the cancer inhibitory effect of the DCM/F7 fraction in CEMss cells was 3±0.08g/ml (IC50). An early apoptotic induction in CEMss cells was observed by Annexin V assay, which showed a clear dose-dependent DNA fragmentation being observed in gel electrophoresis at 10 and 20g/ml. The DCM/F7 fraction at 3g/ml significantly arrested CEMss cells at G0/G1 phase (p < 0.05). A constant but increasing pattern-related Sub-G0/G1 index was observed between 12 and 72 h treatment. In relation to this, we further investigated the biochemical events leading to cell death and found that the DCM/F7 fraction increased the cellular levels of caspase-3 and -9 on treated cells. Our results indicated that cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol increased gradually as the DCM/F7 concentration increases, which later lead to the subsequent cleavage of PARP in to 85 kDa fragments. On the contrary, Bcl-2 protein was found to decrease concomitan

Typhonium flagelliforme (TF) is a tropical plant, traditionally used by the ethnic population of Malaysia for the cure of various cancers. This plant had shown to induce antiproliferative effect as well as apoptosis in cancer cells. However, there is no available information to address that TF affects murine leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo. Here, we investigated in vitro and in vivo effects of TF on murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells. It was found that the growth of leukemia cells in vitro was inhibited by the various extracts of TF. Among these fractions, the dichloromethane (DCM) tuber extracts of TF showed the lowest IC50 (24.0±5.2g/ml) and had demonstrated apoptogenic effect when observed under fluorescent microscope.Weinvestigated the in vivo effects of DCM tuber extracts of TF on murine leukemia cells, and the results showed that the counts of immature granulocytes and monocytes were significantly decreased in peripheral blood of BALB/c leukemia mice after the oral administration of DCM tuber extracts of TF for 28 days with three doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg). These results were confirmed by observing the spleen histopathology and morphology of enlarged spleen and liver in leukemia micewhencompared with the control. Furthermore, the cell death mechanism in the spleen tissue of treated mice was found via apoptosis.

Zerumbone (ZER), a monosesquiterpene found in the subtropical ginger (Zingiber zerumbet Smith), possesses antiproliferative properties to several cancer cells lines, including the cervical, skin and colon cancers. In this study, the antitumourigenic effects of ZER were assessed in rats induced to develop liver cancer with a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg) and dietary 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) (0.02%). The rats also received intraperitoneal ZER injections at 15, 30 or 60 mg/kg body wt. twice a week for 11 weeks, beginning week four post-DEN injection. The hepatocytes of positive control (DEN/AAF) rats were smaller with larger hyperchromatic nuclei than normal, showing cytoplasmic granulation and intracytoplasmic violaceous material, which were characteristics of hepatocarcinogenesis. Histopathological evaluations showed that ZER protects the rat liver from the carcinogenic effects of DEN and AAF. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in ZER-treated than untreated rats with liver cancer. The liver malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the untreated DEN/AAF rats indicating hepatic lipid peroxidation. There was also significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the hepatic tissue glutathione (GSH) concentrations. The liver sections of untreated DEN/AAF rats also showed abundant proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), while in ZER-treated rats the expression of this antigen was significantly (P < 0.05) lowered. By the TUNEL assay, there were significantly (P < 0.05) higher numbers of apoptotic cells in DEN/AAF rats treated with ZER than those untreated. Zerumbone treatment had also increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression in the livers of DEN/AAF rats, which suggested increased apoptosis. Even after 11 weeks of ZER treatment, there was no evidence of abnormality in the liver

The current methods for tumor induction in breast cancer research animal models are time-consuming, hazardous, expensive, sometimes irreproducible and inconvenient. We successfully developed a new, simple and cost-effective method in developing solid mammary gland tumor in female Sprague-Dawley rat using LA7 rat mammary tumor cells. Tumors developed in 7- 8 weeks old rats within 6 to 8 days of subcutaneous injection of LA7 cells into the mammary gland pad. Tumor size increased exponentially for four weeks. Histopathology examination confirmed that the induced tumors were adenocarcinomas. Evaluation of blood enzymes showed significantly higher (P < 0.005) serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in tumor-bearing than in normal rats. This LA7 cell-induced rat mammary gland tumor model may be useful for studies in breast cancer drug or nutraceutical research and development.

The exact role of hypoxia in tumor biology remains controversial because there is no conclusive evident on its effect on tumors. There is concern that tumor hypoxia is one of the causes of chemoresistance in cancer cells. Recently, erythropoietin receptors have been found in human breast cancer cells indicating that recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) treatment of cancer-related anemia can influence the functions of the cells. Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) was also shown to have antiproliferative effects on cancer cells. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro effects of rHuEPO, bLF and Doxorubicin (DOX) on a canine mammary gland tumor cell line, CMT-stylo cells, under hypoxic condition. The cells were treated with bLF, rHuEPO, DOX rHuEPO and DOX and bLF, rHuEPO combinations. These treated cells were subjected to MTT assay. The results showed that hypoxia lowered the proliferation rate of the CMT-stylo cells while combination treatments showed improved killing. Flow cytometry analysis showed that DOX had cytotoxic while bLF had antiproliferative effects on the CMT-stylo cells.

In this study, the antibacterial activity and chemical composition of Goniothalamus umbrosus leaves extracts were evaluated. The antibacterial activity was investigated using two gram-positive bacteria, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Bacillus subtilis B29, and two gram-negative bacteria,Pseudomonas aeruginosa 60690 and Salmonella choleraesuis. The activity was tested using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. The chemical compositions of the ethyl acetate extract of G. umbrosus were investigated using Shimadzu gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-17A) while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extract was matched with the library. The results showed that the extracts demonstrated broad spectrum antibacterial effects against all tested bacteria. GC/MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract of G. umbrosus revealed the existence of 1-butyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol (46.84%), benzaldehyde (4.42%) and globulol (4.07%). The results of this study offer a platform of using G. umbrosus as herbal alternative for the current synthetic antimicrobial agents.

The presents study aimed to prepare and characterize Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) from palm oil materials. Hydrogenated palm oil and lecithin incorporated with surfactant were mixed and formed by High Pressure Homogenization (HPH) at elevated temperature. Appropriate analytical methods are needed for the characterization of SLN. The use of several analytical techniques is a necessity such as particle size which determined using Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS). The change of particle charge was studied by Zeta Potential (ZP) measurements, while the melting and recrystallization behavior characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Data showed physical stability of the formulation. In conclusion, the SLN presented here are well suited for several applications including drug delivery.

Recently several cases of melioidosis have been reported in the tropical climates, especially in Southeast Asia where, it is endemic, it also occurs sporadically throughout the world. The diagnosis of the acute or chronic infection remains challenging. The present study highlight on the optimized and reliable technique based DNA preparation for use in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay. PCR amplification with specific pair of primer for each putative gene was proving specific for amplification of genes in Burkholderia pseudomallei strain D286. The PCR mixture with addition of DMSO, formamide and glycerol could ease the PCR optimization where different pairs of primers were involved. The findings of this study have contributed to some information on the molecular bases of the LPS biosynthesis genes in B. seudomallei specifically for strain D286. The specific primer pairs with the PCR mixture could be used in developing a PCR diagnosis of melioidosis.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains have appeared in countries worldwide and continue to be one of the most common hospital pathogens and it has become increasingly prevalent in community-acquired infections and provided strong evidence for the independent origins of health care-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and community-acquired. It has been shown that methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strains become MRSA strains by the acquisition of a staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element carrying the mecA gene, which is responsible for methicillin resistance and has become essential for the characterization of Staphylococcus aureus clones in epidemiological studies. The objective of this study to identify the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec types of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from different Malaysian Hospitals. PCR amplification and sequencing analysis were performed to determine the SCCmec type of MRSA. The present research successfully established molecular characteristics of local MRSA contribute as initial database of these isolates in order to fully understand the epidemiology, microbiology and pathophysiology of these infections.

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, a serious disease of man and animals. The high mortality of B. pseudomallei infections may cause by lipopolysaccharides, an endotoxin. The biosynthesis of LPS is complex comprising three components, lipid A, core ohgosaccharide and O-specific antigen. In the current study, by using the available B. pseudomallei genome database provided by Wellcome. The study demonstrated that the bioinformatics comparative technique was able to annotate LPS genes in Burkholderia pseudomallei. By developing a simple and easy flow chart including the using of Artemis software, total of 44 putative ORFs involved in biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide for B. pseudomallei and the genetic mapping for the ORFs have been successfully determined using bioinformatics and laboratory approach. It is about 95.7% of success for annotation based on the 46 genes that act as references. In near future, a suitable vaccine or antimicrobial may be developed by targeting the genes encoding the various components essential in LPS biosynthesis and survival of the pathogen.

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, a serious disease of man and animals. The high mortality of B. pseudomallei infections may cause by Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), an endotoxin. The biosynthesis of LPS is complex comprising three components, lipid A, core oligosaccharide and O-specific antigen. In the current study was designed to further elucidate genes involved in the biosynthesis pathway of LPS in melioidosis agent followed with selected gene product expression with essential function for survival and virulence melioidosis agent. Expression of Bplps0013/lpxA and Bplps0007/rfaF successful expressed the entire proteins in 2 h with sizes of approximately 29 kDa and 43.7 kDa, respectively. The baseline information provided through the present research can be a preliminary approach towards the development of effective therapeutics against melioidosis.

For centuries honey had a valued place in traditional medicine, being used in the treatment of wounds and diseases of the gut. The scientific community has now rekindled interest in the therapeutic use of honey in modern medicine and a number of published reports support its use in certain medical conditions, including burns and wounds. The aim of the present study to the effectiveness of the antimicrobial activity of honey against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates collected from various Malaysian hospitals. Thirty isolated of Staphylococcus aureus were found to be resistant to routinely used higher antibiotics. Using an agar incorporation technique the sensitivity of these strains to honey was tested by the method of minimum inhibitory concentration. All the tested strains of Staphylococcus aureus showed inhibition with honey at concentrations of 25 and 30%. The present study recommended that the multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection particularly wound and burns honey may be useful for controlling infection.

Problem statement: Malaysia imports horses from temperate countries to develop equine sports in the country. Several of these horses developed partial and complete anhidrosis. Approach: Normal, partial anhidrotic and anhidrotic horses were exercised to determine their sweating and physiological responses to exercise. The heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature and blood samples were obtained before the horses were lunged at 10 km h-1 for 1 h and at again at 15, 30, 45, 60 min and 24 h after exercise. The blood adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were determined. Sweat samples were obtained at 60 min after exercise and analyzed for Na+, K+, Cl-, urea and total protein concentrations. Results: The normal horses sweated profusely all over the body after 5 min into exercise, but the partial anhidrotic horses showed sweating in the neck, brisket, shoulder, rump, perineum and axilla only after 20-30 min of exercise. The sweat Na+, K+, Cl-, urea and total protein concentrations were lower in the partial anhidrotic horses than in normal horses while the Na+:K+ was higher. The heart and respiratory rates and rectal temperature of anhidrotic horses reached maximum values of 133.6±0.8 beats min-1 and 186.8±0.5 breaths min-1 and 41.1±0.0°C respectively and took much longer to return to resting levels than other horses. The resting adrenaline concentrations in the anhidrotic horses were higher than in partial anhidrotic and normal horses, with the mean post-exercise adrenaline: Noradrenaline consistently above 1.15. Conclusion: The most important factor in equine anhidrosis was failure of sweat glands to respond to adrenaline. The anhidrotic horse regulated body electrolytes by means other than sweating. Anhidrotic horses exhibited exercise intolerance, particularly in hot and humid climates. There is a need to formulate a special regime for exercising anhidrotic horses in the tropical environment

Total of 23 putative Open Read Farms from B. pseudomallei strain D286 was successfully cloned and the nucleotide sequence analysis of the putative genes showed the homologue (98-100%) to strain K96243. The high similarity in gene sequences between these strains is confirmed for presence of the necessary ORF for LPS biosynthesis through PCR amplification the application of the ORFs in the PCR amplification and expression method. The findings of this study have contributed to some information on the molecular bases of the LPS biosynthesis genes in B. pseudomallei specifically for strain D286. PCR amplification, a specific pair of primer for each ORFs was proving specific for amplification of genes in B. pseudomallei strain D286. The PCR mixture with addition of DMSO, formamide and glycerol could ease the PCR optimization where different pairs of primers were involved. The specific primer pairs with the PCR mixture could be used in developing a PCR diagnosis of melioidosis.

As drug delivery systems Nanoparticulate widely investigated because of many advantages such as smaller size, controlled drug release potential, targeting ability, enhancement of therapeutic efficacy and reduction of toxicity. So, Solid Lipid Nanoparticles have recently received considerable attention as alternative drug delivery carrier. In this study Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) containing tamoxifen, nonsteroidal antiestrogens have been loaded and to be used as breast cancer therapy, were prepared by hot High Pressure Homogenization techniques. Tamoxifen loaded SLNs seem to have dimensional properties useful for parenteral administration. Preliminary study of antiproliferative activity in vitro, carried out on MCF-7 cell line (human breast cancer cells), demonstrated that SLNs, containing tamoxifen showed an antitumoral activity comparable to free drug. Tamoxifen loaded SLNs seem to have dimensional properties useful for parenteral administration. SLN was characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetery (DSC), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Zeta Potential and Particle Size. The results of characterization studies strongly support the potential application of Tamoxifen-loaded SLNs as a carrier system. The SLN presented here are well suited for certain drug delivery applications, particularly breast cancer therapy.