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Miconia dependens (Pav. ex D. Don) Judd & Majure is reported as a new record for Peninsular Malaysia, with documented occurrences in the states of Pahang, Johor, and Selangor. This species has likely been overlooked in the region due to its morphological similarity to Miconia crenata (Vahl) Michelang. (syn. Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don), a widespread invasive weed in Malaysia. A comprehensive review of herbarium collections at KEP revealed no specimens matching M. dependens, and searches of online databases similarly yielded no records of the species in Malaysia, suggesting its recent introduction. This finding aligns with its first documented occurrence in Singapore in 2018. To aid in accurate identification, this study provides detailed morphological descriptions, diagnostic photographs, and comparative analyses with closely related taxa, emphasizing key distinguishing characteristics. These contributions aim to enhance taxonomic clarity and support future efforts in species identification and management.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of heavy metal exposure on the morphology and anatomy of paddy plant (Oryza sativa L.). Paddy plants were treated with single and combined close of Cd and Pb (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 ppm) at 35 days after germination. The results showed leaf chlorosis, decrease in number of roots and shoot height under both single and combined treatment. Heavy metal content in paddy was in the order of root>stem>grain>leaf and was highest at reproductive stage. A positive correlation was obtained between Cd, Pb and Cd-Pb concentrations in paddy plant parts with the concentrations of these metals in the soil. Scanning Electron Microscopic studies showed changes in the microscopic features due to accumulation of heavy metal and these included cell degeneration and thickening of cell walls, as well as increase in the number of treacherous elements in vascular cylinder and as residue in cells. Light microscope studies showed that Cd exposure caused dark deposits in the endodermal cells and vascular cylinder, as well as rupturing of parenchyma tissue. Results of the study indicated that paddy plants seemed to have some degree of tolerance to heavy metals.

The leaf anatomy of the genus Parashorea from Malaysia was investigated to determine the taxonomic value of their leaf anatomical and micromorphological characters. In this study eight species representative of Parashorea were selected. Results from this study showed that glandular trichomes consisting of 2—16 cells, and simple, unicellular and tufted trichomes were found to be present in all Parashorea species, indicating that the presence of these types of trichomes are of taxonomic value for this genus. However, the number of trichome cells is of little taxonomic value. The presence of papillose epidermal cells and the type of stomata ornamentation can be diagnostic and used to identify some species. Similarities in most of the leaf anatomical characters such as the cyclocytic stomatal complex, straight to curved anticlinal epidermal walls adaxially and abaxially and the outline of leaf margins throughout the genus show a well-defined botanical group in Parashorea. Kajian anatomi daun ke atas genus Parashorea di Malaysia telah dijalankan untuk melihat nilai taksonomi pada ciri anatomi dan mikromorfologinya. Lapan spesies mewakili genus Parashorea telah dipilih. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa kehadiran trikom berkelenjar yang mempunyai dua hingga 16 sel, trikom ringkas unisel dan trikom berlengan mempunyai nilai taksonomi bagi genus ini. Bagaimanapun nilai taksonomi bagi bilangan sel pada trikom adalah rendah. Kehadiran sel epidermis papilos dan jenis ornamentasi pada stoma boleh menjadi ciri diagnostik dan boleh digunakan untuk pengecaman beberapa spesies. Ciri anatomi yang serupa seperti kompleks stoma siklosit, dinding epirdermis antiklin yang lurus hingga melengkung pada bahagian adaksial serta abaksial daun, dan bentuk tepi daun menunjukkan kesamaan yang jelas antara spesies dalam genus Parashorea.

Aim: To investigate the taxonomic value of leaf anatomical characteristics and to determine the anatomical features that enabled the species to adapt to different environmental conditions. Methodology: Three methods were applied for leaf anatomy observation: sectioning using a sliding microtome, leaf clearing and epidermal peels. Results: The findings showed some common anatomical characteristics shared in all species studied, such as incomplete leaf venation, the presence of trichome and schlerenchyma cells, and the presence of mucilaginous idioblast cells in the petiole and midrib. Straight-to-sinuous anticlinal cell walls, amphistomatic leaves, and three types of stomata: parasitic, anomocytic and staurocytic were on the abaxial side of leaf lamina in this study. Peltate and capitate glandular trichome, as well as simple trichome, were all present in the petiole, midrib and lamina. However, peltate glandular trichome were only found in the root of I. triloba. Druses were observed in all species, except I. batatas. Interaction: Leaf anatomical characteristics possess taxonomic value, especially in species differentiation and identification, that can be subsequently useful in explaining plant's adaptation to their environment.

Aim: To investigate the taxonomic value of leaf anatomical characteristics and to determine the anatomical features that enabled the species to adapt to different environmental conditions. Methodology: Three methods were applied for leaf anatomy observation: sectioning using a sliding microtome, leaf clearing and epidermal peels. Results: The findings showed some common anatomical characteristics shared in all species studied, such as incomplete leaf venation, the presence of trichome and schlerenchyma cells, and the presence of mucilaginous idioblast cells in the petiole and midrib. Straight-to-sinuous anticlinal cell walls, amphistomatic leaves, and three types of stomata: parasitic, anomocytic and staurocytic were on the abaxial side of leaf lamina in this study. Peltate and capitate glandular trichome, as well as simple trichome, were all present in the petiole, midrib and lamina. However, peltate glandular trichome were only found in the root of I. triloba. Druses were observed in all species, except I. batatas. Interpretation: Leaf anatomical characteristics possess taxonomic value, especially in species differentiation and identification, that can be subsequently useful in explaining plant's adaptation to their environment.

Among zoonotic infections, leptospirosis has a worldwide distribution and high prevalence in tropical regions. It has a broad clinical presentation from mild to severe, life-threatening infection. Leptospires, the etiological agent of leptospirosis, are found in varied ecological niches and animal species, providing a significant source of human infection. This review aims to provide the current status of leptospirosis in Malaysia and the direction for future studies. The literature search for this review was performed using PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar databases. The incidence of leptospirosis in Malaysia from 2004 to 2020 varied; however, a large number of cases occurred during floods. Leptospira has been isolated from wild and domestic animals as well as from the environment; among them, several novel species have been identified. In Malaysia, leptospirosis infection and death were mostly associated with recreational and non-recreational water activities. Despite the endemicity of leptospirosis, the public’s knowledge, attitude, and practice level are relatively low in this country. More studies are needed in Malaysia to explore the extent of leptospirosis in different settings and locations.

Peptides cancer vaccines are designed based on the epitope peptides that can elicit humoral and cellular immune responses targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) or tumor-specific antigens (TSAs). In order to develop a clinically safe and more effective vaccine for the future, several issues need to be addressed, and these include the selection of optimal antigen targets, adjuvants, and immunization regimens. Another emerging approach involves the use of personalized peptide-based vaccines based on neoantigens to enhance antitumor response. Rationally designed combinatorial therapy is currently being investigated with chemotherapeutic drugs or immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies to improve the efficacy. This review discusses an overview of the development of peptide-based vaccines, the role of adjuvants, and the delivery systems for peptide vaccines as well as combinatorial therapy as potential anticancer strategies.

Community led local development and community driven development played a mandatory role in rural development of both developed and under developed countries. The paper explores the relationship between community empowerment, sense of community and sustainability of community-driven projects. Looking at the record of social well at gross root level, very less attention was paid on development of deprived communities. Starting from the experience of community-driven organizations (i.e. the Citizen Community Boards in Pakistan), the paper attempts to answer two questions: (1) is there a relationship between community empowerment and project sustainability; and (2) is this relationship between community empowerment and project sustainability mitigated by the sense of community? Further, the paper elaborates on the concepts of “community empowerment”, “sustainability” and “sense of community”. A hierarchical regression analysis is used to test the relationship between community empowerment and sustainability of community-driven projects. This analysis highlights the central role of the sense of community in mitigating the relationship between community empowerment and sustainability. Community empowerment is significantly related to the sense of community. These relationships between sense of community, community empowerment and sustainability of community-driven projects are applicable to empowerment theory and measurement.

microRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate several genes post-transcriptionally by complementarity pairing. Since discovery, they have been reported to be involved in a variety of biological functions and pathologies including cancer. In cancer, they can act as a tumor suppressor or oncomiR depending on the cell type. Studies have shown that miRNA-based therapy, either by inhibiting an oncomiR or by inducing a tumor suppressor, is effective in cancer treatment. This review focusses on the role of miRNA in cancer, therapeutic approaches with miRNAs and how they can be effectively delivered into a system. We have also summarized the patents and clinical trials in progress for miRNA therapy.

The serious environmental issues associated with CO2 emissions have triggered the search for energy efficient processes and CO2 capture technologies to control the amount of gas released into the atmosphere. One of the suitable techniques is CO2 adsorption using functionalized sorbents. In this study, a functionalized activated carbon (AC) material was developed via the wet impregnation technique. The AC was synthesized from a rubber seed shell (RSS) precursor using chemical activation and was later impregnated with different ratios of [bmpy][Tf2N] ionic liquid (IL). The AC was successfully functionalized with IL as confirmed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy analyses. Incorporation of IL resulted in a reduction in the surface area and total pore volume of the parent adsorbent. Bare AC showed the largest SBET value of 683 m2/g, while AC functionalized with the maximum amount of IL showed 14 m2/g. A comparative analysis of CO2 adsorption data revealed that CO2 adsorption performance of AC is majorly affected by surface area and a pore-clogging effect. Temperature has a positive impact on the CO2 adsorption capacity of functionalized AC due to better dispersion of IL at higher temperatures. The CO2 adsorption capacity of AC (30) increased from 1.124 mmol/g at 25 °C to 1.714 mmol/g at 40 °C.