Welcome

Recently updated

1. Associations between belief in conspiracy theories and the maladaptive personality traits of the personality inventory for DSM-5

   Swami V, Weis L, Lay A, Barron D, Furnham A

   Psychiatry Res, 2016 Feb 28;236:86-90.

   PMID: 26776299 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.12.027

   Abstract

   Conspiracy theories can be treated as both rational narratives of the world as well as outcomes of underlying maladaptive traits. Here, we examined associations between belief in conspiracy theories and individual differences in personality disorders. An Internet-based sample (N=259) completed measures of belief in conspiracy theories and the 25 facets of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5). Preliminary analyses showed no significant differences in belief in conspiracy theories across participant sex, ethnicity, and education. Regression analyses showed that the PID-5 facets of Unusual Beliefs and Experiences and, to a lesser extent, Suspiciousness, significantly predicted belief in conspiracy theories. These findings highlight a role for maladaptive personality traits in understanding belief in conspiracy theories, but require further investigation.

   MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Culture*; Female; Humans; Individuality*; Male; Middle Aged; Personality*; Personality Disorders/diagnosis; Personality Disorders/psychology*; Personality Inventory; Internet*; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Young Adult
2. Fulltext Characterising private and shared signatures of positive selection in 37 Asian populations

   Liu X, Lu D, Saw WY, Shaw PJ, Wangkumhang P, Ngamphiw C, et al.

   Eur. J. Hum. Genet., 2017 04;25(4):499-508.

   PMID: 28098149 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2016.181

   Abstract

   The Asian Diversity Project (ADP) assembled 37 cosmopolitan and ethnic minority populations in Asia that have been densely genotyped across over half a million markers to study patterns of genetic diversity and positive natural selection. We performed population structure analyses of the ADP populations and divided these populations into four major groups based on their genographic information. By applying a highly sensitive algorithm haploPS to locate genomic signatures of positive selection, 140 distinct genomic regions exhibiting evidence of positive selection in at least one population were identified. We examined the extent of signal sharing for regions that were selected in multiple populations and observed that populations clustered in a similar fashion to that of how the ancestry clades were phylogenetically defined. In particular, populations predominantly located in South Asia underwent considerably different adaptation as compared with populations from the other geographical regions. Signatures of positive selection present in multiple geographical regions were predicted to be older and have emerged prior to the separation of the populations in the different regions. In contrast, selection signals present in a single population group tended to be of lower frequencies and thus can be attributed to recent evolutionary events.

   MeSH terms: Asia; Genotype; Humans; Population/genetics*; Selection, Genetic*; Genetic Variation*; Evolution, Molecular; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*
3. Comment on Seri Masran and Ab Majid 2017

   Tseng SP, Yang CS

   J. Med. Entomol., 2017 09 01;54(5):1107-1108.

   PMID: 28874021 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx136

   MeSH terms: Animals; Bedbugs*; Electron Transport Complex IV*; Malaysia; Phylogeny; Genetic Variation
4. Treosulfan and Fludarabine Conditioning for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children with Primary Immunodeficiency: UK Experience

   Slatter MA, Rao K, Abd Hamid IJ, Nademi Z, Chiesa R, Elfeky R, et al.

   Biol. Blood Marrow Transplant., 2018 03;24(3):529-536.

   PMID: 29155317 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2017.11.009

   Abstract

   We previously published results for 70 children who received conditioning with treosulfan and cyclophosphamide (n = 30) or fludarabine (n = 40) before undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for primary immunodeficiency (PID). Toxicity was lower and T cell chimerism was better in the patients receiving fludarabine, but cohort numbers were relatively small and follow-up was short. Here we report outcomes of 160 children who received homogeneous conditioning with treosulfan, fludarabine, and, in most cases, alemtuzumab (n = 124). The median age at transplantation was 1.36 years (range, .09 to 18.25 years). Donors included 73 matched unrelated, 54 1 to 3 antigen-mismatched unrelated, 12 matched sibling, 17 other matched family, and 4 haploidentical donors. Stem cell source was peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) in 70, bone marrow in 49, and cord blood in 41. Median duration of follow-up was 4.3 years (range, .8 to 9.4 years). Overall survival was 83%. No patients had veno-occlusive disease. Seventy-four patients (46%) had acute GVHD, but only 14 (9%) greater than grade II. Four patients underwent successful retransplantation for graft loss or poor immune reconstitution. Another patient experienced graft rejection and died. There was no association between T cell chimerism >95% and stem cell source, but a significant association was seen between myeloid chimerism >95% and use of PBSCs without an increased risk of significant GVHD compared with other sources. All 11 patients with severe combined immunodeficiency diagnosed at birth were alive at up to 8.7 years of follow-up. Long-term studies are needed to determine late gonadotoxic effects, and pharmacokinetic studies are needed to identify whether specific targeting is advantageous. The combination of treosulfan, fludarabine, and alemtuzumab is associated with excellent results in HSCT for PID.
5. Proteome Heterogeneity in Colorectal Cancer

   Lim LC, Lim YM

   Proteomics, 2018 02;18(3-4).

   PMID: 29316255 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201700169

   Abstract

   Tumor heterogeneity is an important feature of colorectal cancer (CRC) manifested by dynamic changes in gene expression, protein expression, and availability of different tumor subtypes. Recent publications in the past 10 years have revealed proteome heterogeneity between different colorectal tumors and within the same tumor site. This paper reviews recent research works on the proteome heterogeneity in CRC, which includes the heterogeneity within a single tumor (intratumor heterogeneity), between different anatomical sites at the same organ, and between primary and metastatic sites (intertumor heterogeneity). The potential use of proteome heterogeneity in precision medicine and its implications in biomarker discovery and therapeutic outcomes will be discussed. Identification of the unique proteome landscape between and within individual tumors is imperative for understanding cancer biology and the management of CRC patients.

   MeSH terms: Colonic Neoplasms; Humans; Colorectal Neoplasms; Biomarkers; Proteome; Proteomics; Precision Medicine
6. Renewable resources-based approach to biantennary glycolipids

   Tabandeh M, Salman AA, Goh EW, Heidelberg T, Hussen RSD

   Chem. Phys. Lipids, 2018 05;212:111-119.

   PMID: 29409839 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2018.01.011

   Abstract

   A new synthesis approach towards biantennary lipids of Guerbet glycoside type was developed based on oleic acid as sustainable resource. Functionalization of the double bond provided access to primary alcohols with α-branched C19-skeleton. Formulation studies with corresponding lactosides indicated formation of vesicles with high assembly stability. A relatively narrow bimodal size distribution of the latter, which turns into a narrow unimodal distribution of small vesicles upon addition of an ionic cosurfactant, suggests potential for a vesicular drug delivery system.

   MeSH terms: Glycolipids/chemical synthesis; Glycolipids/chemistry*; Glycosides/chemistry; Surface-Active Agents/chemistry; Temperature; Oleic Acid/chemistry; Unilamellar Liposomes/chemistry
7. An Exploratory Study of Spirituality and Spiritual Care Among Malaysian Nurses

   Atarhim MA, Lee S, Copnell B

   J Relig Health, 2019 Feb;58(1):180-194.

   PMID: 29679189 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-018-0624-0

   Abstract

   The increasing evidence that spirituality is a critical component for promoting health and well-being has made spirituality more significant to nursing practice. However, although nurses' perceptions of spirituality have been studied in western countries, there has been little research on this topic in Southeast Asian countries where religions other than Christianity predominate. This study explores Malaysian nurses' perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care and examines associations between socio-demographics and their perceptions. The Malaysian Nurse Forum Facebook closed group was used for data collection with 208 completed the online survey. The participants considered that spirituality is a fundamental aspect of nursing. Nonetheless, half of the respondents were uncertain regarding the use of the spiritual dimension for individuals with no religious affiliation. Significant differences were found between educational levels in mean scores for spirituality and spiritual care. There was also a positive relationship between perception of spirituality and spiritual care among the respondents. Despite the positive perceptions of nurses of spirituality in nursing care, the vast majority of nurses felt that they required more education and training relating to spiritual aspects of care, delivered within the appropriate cultural context.

   MeSH terms: Christianity; Demography; Humans; Surveys and Questionnaires; Spiritualism; Spirituality
8. Natural products targeting ER stress pathway for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

   Choy KW, Murugan D, Mustafa MR

   Pharmacol. Res., 2018 06;132:119-129.

   PMID: 29684674 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.04.013

   Abstract

   Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the main organelle for the synthesis, folding, and processing of secretory and transmembrane proteins. Pathological stimuli including hypoxia, ischaemia, inflammation and oxidative stress interrupt the homeostatic function of ER, leading to accumulation of unfolded proteins, a condition referred to as ER stress. ER stress triggers a complex signalling network referred as the unfolded protein response (UPR). Extensive studies have demonstrated that ER stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, ischemic heart disease and atherosclerosis. The importance of natural products in modern medicine are well recognized and continues to be of interests as a source of novel lead compounds. Natural products targeting components of UPR and reducing ER stress offers an innovative strategic approach to treat cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we discussed several therapeutic interventions using natural products with potential cardiovascular protective properties targeting ER stress signalling pathways.

   MeSH terms: Animals; Biological Products; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Heart Failure; Inflammation; Myocardial Ischemia; Oxidative Stress; Atherosclerosis; Unfolded Protein Response; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
9. From the High Arctic to the Equator: Do Soil Metagenomes Differ According to Our Expectations?

   Kerfahi D, Tripathi BM, Dong K, Kim M, Kim H, Ferry Slik JW, et al.

   Microb. Ecol., 2019 Jan;77(1):168-185.

   PMID: 29882154 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-018-1215-z

   Abstract

   Comparing the functional gene composition of soils at opposite extremes of environmental gradients may allow testing of hypotheses about community and ecosystem function. Here, we were interested in comparing how tropical microbial ecosystems differ from those of polar climates. We sampled several sites in the equatorial rainforest of Malaysia and Brunei, and the high Arctic of Svalbard, Canada, and Greenland, comparing the composition and the functional attributes of soil biota between the two extremes of latitude, using shotgun metagenomic Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing. Based upon "classical" views of how tropical and higher latitude ecosystems differ, we made a series of predictions as to how various gene function categories would differ in relative abundance between tropical and polar environments. Results showed that in some respects our predictions were correct: the polar samples had higher relative abundance of dormancy related genes, and lower relative abundance of genes associated with respiration, and with metabolism of aromatic compounds. The network complexity of the Arctic was also lower than the tropics. However, in various other respects, the pattern was not as predicted; there were no differences in relative abundance of stress response genes or in genes associated with secondary metabolism. Conversely, CRISPR genes, phage-related genes, and virulence disease and defense genes, were unexpectedly more abundant in the Arctic, suggesting more intense biotic interaction. Also, eukaryote diversity and bacterial diversity were higher in the Arctic of Svalbard compared to tropical Brunei, which is consistent with what may expected from amplicon studies in terms of the higher pH of the Svalbard soil. Our results in some respects confirm expectations of how tropical versus polar nature may differ, and in other respects challenge them.

   MeSH terms: Arctic Regions; Bacteria/genetics; Bacteria/metabolism; Brunei; Canada; Greenland; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Malaysia; Soil/chemistry; Soil Microbiology*; Stress, Physiological; Svalbard; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Ecosystem; Biodiversity; Metabolic Networks and Pathways/genetics; Metagenome/genetics*; Metagenome/physiology*; Metagenomics/methods; Eukaryota/genetics; Eukaryota/metabolism; Biota/genetics*; Biota/physiology*; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/genetics; Secondary Metabolism/genetics; Microbiota/genetics; Microbiota/physiology; Rainforest
10. A Massive Hemothorax in a Pregnant Woman: Role of Interventional Radiology

    Md Noh MSF, Abdul Rashid AM, Abdul Rahim E

    J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol, 2018 07;25(3):e30-e32.

    PMID: 29944591 DOI: 10.1097/LBR.0000000000000456

    MeSH terms: Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Hemothorax/surgery; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular/surgery; Prenatal Diagnosis*; Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic*; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Radiology, Interventional; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted