Abstract The basal stem rot (BSR) disease of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is caused by the white rot fungus, Ganoderma boninense (G. boninense). This study discusses the use of a biological control approach to treat BSR by using mycolytic enzymes producing bacteria as biocontrol agents against G. boninense. Bacteria producing mycolytic enzymes which degrade fungal cell wall were targeted. The antifungal properties of Acinetobactor calcoaceticus (A. calcoaceticus), Chryseobacterium indologenes (C. indologenes), and Pseudomonas putida (P. putida) were tested against G. boninense. The three strains showed the ability to inhibit the growth of G. boninense in dual culture test, culture filtrate test, double plate assay, and soft agar encapsulation. In dual culture test, all three test strains showed high Percentage Inhibition of Diameter Growth (PIDG) value with P. putida having the highest PIDG value of approximately 90%. As for culture filtrate test, C. indologenes demonstrated the highest PIDG value, approximately 85%. Double plate assay and soft agar encapsulation depicted the similar result for all three test strains which the PIDG value for both tests were 90%. The isolated strains exhibited promising results in anti-Ganoderma testing.

Abstract COVID-19 pandemic has affected human life worldwide since the first discovery of human SARS-CoV-2 infection. Due to scarce understandings of this novel coronavirus, therapeutic interventions regardless of modern or traditional medicines are implemented according to previous knowledge on other virus outbreaks. Besides antiviral drugs, traditional Chinese medicine has concomitantly shown to alleviate clinical symptoms associated with this disease. Recently, emerging studies also indicate that integrating modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could bring more significant benefits to COVID-19 patients. This minireview provides a summary on the earliest therapeutic approaches recommended by World Health Organization and approved by China FDA for COVID-19 treatment since the outbreak, which are based on the outcomes obtained from preclinical or clinical trials performed until December 2020. The underlying molecular actions of these medicines on COVID-19 that have progressively revealed are also deliberated here. However, the mechanistic actions of these medicines still required intensive research and clinical investigations as some mechanisms are in silico predicted. Due to the treatment urgency, the main limitation of these studies is small group of patients in the trials. Nevertheless, they serve as an important stepping stone for further therapeutic intervention.

Abstract The emergence of resistance in vector mosquitoes such as Aedes, mainly against pyrethroids group of insecticide, has become a serious threat to vector control management in public health services. This study aims to investigate the susceptibility/resistance status of the dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), lambda-cyhalothrin, and permethrin and the presence of F1534C and V1016G knockdown (kdr) alleles mutations in Aedes aegypti populations in Kota Bharu Kelantan Malaysia. The long-lasting resistant effects of DDT against Ae. aegypti is evaluated. The F1 adults' of Ae. aegypti were collected from Kota Bharu and assayed to the WHO susceptibility test with 4% DDT, 0.05% lambda-cyhalothrin, and 0.75% permethrin. Mortality percentage, knockdown time KT50, and resistance ratio RR values were calculated for susceptibility analysis. All the mosquito survivors from the assay were kept in -80 °C and subjected to the Allele Specific-Polymerase Chain Reaction (AS-PCR) analysis on the presence of kdr mutation F1534C and V1016G. Results obtained from the assay show Ae. aegypti was resistant phenotypically against type I and type II pyrethroids viz permethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin. AS-PCR analysis however showed a resistance genotypically against pyrethroid type I only. The RR values for all insecticides tested were more than 10, which indicate resistance. The kdr mutation alleles frequencies of 1/3 F/C1534 and 2/3 C/C1534 were detected in Ae. aegypti population.

Abstract Matang Mangrove Estuaries is dominantly surrounded with mangrove vegetations, making it rich with numerous types of commercially important fish species and thus has a critical role for providing food resources and generating income for local residents. Several studies about the species availability and distribution of fish have been conducted at there but none have been conducted on assessing the Length-weight relationships (LWR) of commercially important fishes. Thus, the main objective of this study was to establish the first record of LWR of estuarine fish from Marudu Mangrove Estuaries. A total of 16 species of fish from Matang Mangrove Estuaries located in Perak, Peninsular Malaysia were selected for the study. The total length and wet weight of the specimens, totaling of about 4372 individuals and comprising of 13 families were measured and estimated. The dominant families were Clupeidae, Engraulidae and Leiognathidae with two species for each of them, and only one species each for other remaining families. Overall, negative allometric growth was observed in 15 species whereas only one species showed isometric growth. This research serves as the first record of LWR data for 16 fish species in the Malaysian waters of Matang Mangrove Estuaries. It is hoped that these findings can help researchers in extending future studies, particularly about fish population in this study area.

Abstract Wood densification and alkaline pretreatment are well-known to enhance the mechanical properties and lignin-removal, respectively, especially those of low-density timber species. This study was aimed to determine the mechanical properties (static bending and compression) of untreated and alkaline-pretreated densified 3-layered Paraserianthes falcataria timbers. Pretreatment with 3%, 6% and 9% NaOH resulted in an increase up to 44% in mechanical static bending properties, where Modulus of Elasticity with 9% NaOH having the highest value in edge-wise bending, while 6% NaOH obtained the highest value of flat-wise bending. Both edge-wise and flat-wise bending showed slight increment in values for Modulus of Rupture between the concentrations. Compressive strength for compression parallel to the grain obtained by 0% NaOH (control) shows the highest value compared to other concentrations. Meanwhile, compression perpendicular to the grain of 9% NaOH enhanced for about 10% in compressive strength value compared to 0% NaOH.