Mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) havethe ability to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Although the cultivation of these cells has led to a number of characterisation studies, some significant morphological and immunohistochemical properties are still lacking. In this study, isolation of BM-MSCs, morphological features, cell viability, immunophenotypic properties and cryopreservation of BM-MSCs wereexamined in detail. The results demonstrate that the cells isolated from BM-MSCs were plastic adherent and had fibroblastic spindle shape after three passages and get confluent monolayer cells 70-80% after 4-7 days post-subculture. Based on the cell viability analysis, the BM-MSCs showed an increase in cell viability starting from passage 1 until passage 10. Immunophenotypic analysis demonstrated that BM-MSCs were positivefor CD44 and CD105 and negative for CD34. Functional analysis of cryopreservation of BM-MSCs from P6 after 6 months expressed good proliferation rate and cell viability.

A survey of 95 wild rats which were captured from various locations was conducted to determine the diversity and distribution of ectoparasites and endoparasites infesting wild rat population around the city of Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. The rodents captured were Rat tus norvegicus and post mortem was carried out immediately after capture, with skin and organs examined for parasite infection. Ectoparasites recovered were blood sucking louse (Polyplax spinulosa) and mites (Myocoptes musculinus). Endoparasites recovered were nematodes (Aspiculuris tetraptera, Trichuris sp., and two strongyles, one of which is Strongyloides sp.) And three intestinal protozoan parasites (Blastocystis sp., Trichomonas sp., and a coccidia). Low diversity of ecto- and endoparasites were observed infecting wild rat population caught in Ipoh as compared to Kuala Lumpur.

Nematode eggs in liver tissues of two wild rats were recorded atthe Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Kota Bharu from 2014 to 2015. A total of 15 (2014) and 48 (2015) wild rats were examined by the laboratory for routine screening of zoonotic pathogens such as Leptospira sp. and others. On histological examination of the haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained liver tissues, masses of parasitic nematode eggs were observed. The shell of the eggsis striated with shallow polar prominences at either end. Numerous mini-pores can be seen on the outer shell as well. The eggswere identified as Capillaria hepatica (C. hepatica) nematode eggs, which causes hepatic capillariasis in rodents and numerous other mammal species, including humans. The wild rats were alsoshown to harbour Salmonella enteritidis from the intestine, E. coli from the lung and liver but none had leptospirosis by PCR. The purpose of this report is to highlight a common nematode of wildrats that is Capillaria hepatica infection in wild rats in Kelantan diagnosed by the Kota Bharu Regional Laboratory, in orderto create the awareness on concurrent parasitic infections which may cause reduced immunity thereby creating higher risk for other zoonotic pathogens such as leptospirosis.

The study of alterations of some hematological parameters in a experimentally induced lead toxicosis were carried out on a total of 15 (15 days old) male weaning Long- Evans (ICDDRB strain) rats. The rats were randomly divided in to three equal groups, each consisting of fiverats. Rats of group A were kept as control (without giving any treatment), group B received lead acetate alone @ 6 mg/ml drinking water and group C receivedlead acetate @ 6 mg/ml plus whole milk (Star ship®) 150 mg/ml drinking water. The result showed a most significantly (p< 0.01) decreased TEC, TLC and Hb%observed on day 56 in group B but in group C, these counts decreased significantly (p< 0.05) on days 56 of experiment. From the study, it was concluded that treatment with lead acetate at low doses has harmfuleffects on experimental animals including hematological alterations.

Salmonella is known as one of the important food-borne pathogenthat causes salmonellosis in human and animals worldwide. A prevalence study on salmonellosis was conducted on wild rats in Kelantan. From April to June 2015, a total of 36 rats and house shrews sent to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Kota Bharu, Kelantan were examined for the presence of Salmonella. These animalswere caught from various locations in the state and were sent to the laboratory either as live or dead specimens. Post mortem wasconducted and intestines were taken for detection of salmonellosis. Results showed that of the 32 rats and 4 shrews examined, 5 (15.6%) rats and 3 (75%) shrews were found positive and on serotyping fourserotypes of Salmonella were identified which are Salmonella ser. Kalamu (62.5%), Salmonella ser. Thyphimurium (12.5%), Salmonella ser. Weltevreden (12.5%) and Salmonella ser. Brancaster (12.5%). In conclusion, positive identification of Salmonella in wild rats indicates that there is a possible transmission of the pathogento humans due to constant contact between the two. Thus appropriate measures are needed to control these pests population to prevent spread of diseases to the humans and animals.

Wild rats are known as a major reservoir and intermediate host for several pathogenic microbial species. Thus, theVeterinary Research Institute (VRI) conducted a survey to determine the presence of parasitic pathogens in local rats, such as blood protozoans, gastrointestinal parasites, as well as ectoparasites such as mites and lice. The study was conducted with the collaboration of Kuala Lumpur City Council Pest Control Unit, whereby a total of 105 wild rats were trapped at two urban areas of Kuala Lumpur; namely PasarPudu and Chow Kit. Autopsy was done on the rats to acquire the skin, organ and blood samples..The skin scrapping was performed on skin samples to identify the common species of mites and lice, while the floatationtechnique was conducted on faecal samples to identify helminth eggs. Results showed thatspecies of Tritrichomonas, Strongyloides, Nippostrongylus, Blastocystis, Rodentolepis, Coccidia, Trichuris, Capillaria and Ascarid were found in the faeces while Trypanosoma sp.was found in the blood samples taken from the animals. Taeniataeniformis was obtained from liver samples while theectoparasites found on skin were identified as Radfordia,Polyplax,Linognathus and Hoploplurasp. Control and eradication of rodent pests is crucial in combating emerging and re-emerging diseases which may be zoonotic as rodents are reservoirs to various pathogens.

A number of studies have measured collagen fibers and collagen&#xD;deposition in wound healing process with advances imaging techniques. However, these are performed by complicated methods and need specific tools. In search of the easier ways in routine histopathological laboratory, collagen measurement and staining pattern of wound healing process were observed in wounded skin of Sprague Dawley’s rat by using two different stains which are standard haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and modified Masson’s&#xD;trichrome staining (MT). The comparison between these staining in wounded tissues was made to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of both staining in wound healing study for 21 days postwounding. Tissues which stained with MT staining was then evaluated its collagen re-organization and density by using polarized light microscope with the aid of image analyzer software. Results showed that tissues stained with standard H&E could not be used to measure and differentiate the collagen deposition which is contradictory to MT staining. Wounded tissue stained with MT staining has showed a clear view of collagen fibers deposition&#xD;and re-organisation compared to H&E staining. This finding could validate the using of modified MT staining which leads to accurate histopathological analysis and observation in wound healing study.

Rodents particularly those belonging to the Muridae family in Malaysia have been well studied because of their medical and economic importance. Much of the work on rodents has been focusing on the identification of endo and ecto parasites. Parasites in rats (Murids) particularly helminthes belonging to the Nematoda family have been described by many workers for more than a century. This&#xD;paper is an attempt to compile 50 papers on rodent nematodes that has been published in various scientific journals over the last&#xD;100 years in Malaysia. It is hoped that this literature overview on rodent nematodes will come useful as a reference material for the budding parasitologist and biology scientist.

A study on the prevalence of endoparasites of rats was conducted at the Laboratory Animal Facility and Management (LAFAM), UiTM Selangor, Puncak Alam. The fecal samples were collected from a total of 187 laboratory rats which included 112 Sprague-Dawley and 75 Wistar rats. The fecal samples were examined by direct smear technique and fecal floatation technique. From the total of 187 fecal samples examined, 35.83 % were found positive for endoparasites. Prevalence of endoparasites was higher in Wistar (54.67 %) compared to Sprague-Dawley rats (23.21 %). The most prevalent nematode parasites were Syphacia muris (68.66 %) followed by Syphacia obvelata (26.87 %). The prevalence of these parasites emphasizes the needs of careful monitoring in the LAFAM and therapeutic measures when necessary.