Browse publications by year: 2010

Population pharmacokinetic modelling of repaglinide in healthy volunteers by using Non-Parametric Adaptive Grid Algorithm

Ruzilawati AB, Mohd Suhaimi AW, Gan SH

J Clin Pharm Ther, 2010 Feb;35(1):105-12.
PMID: 20175819 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01042.x

To estimate population pharmacokinetic parameters of repaglinide in 121 healthy Malaysian volunteers.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Algorithms*; Carbamates/blood; Carbamates/pharmacokinetics*; Female; Half-Life; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents/blood; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacokinetics*; Male; Metabolic Clearance Rate; Middle Aged; Models, Biological; Piperidines/blood; Piperidines/pharmacokinetics*; Body Mass Index; Young Adult
Fulltext Assessment of menopausal symptoms using modified Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) among middle age women in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Rahman SA, Zainudin SR, Mun VL

Asia Pac Fam Med, 2010 Feb 22;9(1):5.
PMID: 20175928 DOI: 10.1186/1447-056X-9-5

BACKGROUND: Menopausal symptoms can be assessed by several tools, and can be influenced by various socio-demographic factors.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the commonly reported menopausal symptoms among Sarawakian women using a modified Menopause Rating Scale (MRS).
METHODS: By using modified MRS questionnaire, 356 Sarawakian women aged 40-65 years were interview to document of 11 symptoms (divided into somatic, psychological and urogenital domain) commonly associated with menopause.
RESULTS: The mean age of menopause was 51.3 years (range 47 - 56 years). The most prevalent symptoms reported were joint and muscular discomfort (80.1%); physical and mental exhaustion (67.1%); and sleeping problems (52.2%). Followed by symptoms of hot flushes and sweating (41.6%); irritability (37.9%); dryness of vagina (37.9%); anxiety (36.5%); depressive mood (32.6%). Other complaints noted were sexual problem (30.9%); bladder problem (13.8%) and heart discomfort (18.3%). Perimenopausal women (n = 141) experienced higher prevalence of somatic and psychological symptoms compared to premenopausal (n = 82) and postmenopausal (n = 133) women. However urogenital symptoms mostly occur in the postmenopausal group of women.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of menopausal symptoms using modified MRS in this study correspond to other studies on Asian women however the prevalence of classical menopausal symptoms of hot flushes, sweating was lower compared to studies on Caucasian women.
Biomass accumulation and energy conversion efficiency in aromatic rice genotypes

Shahidullah SM, Hanafi MM, Ashrafuzzaman M, Razi Ismail M, Salam MA, Khair A

C. R. Biol., 2010 Jan;333(1):61-7.
PMID: 20176338 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2009.10.002

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate photosynthetic efficiency along with different growth parameters of aromatic rice genotypes. Forty genotypes including three non-aromatic checks exhibited enormous variations for leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), grain yield, total dry matter, harvest index and photosynthetic efficiency or energy use efficiency (Emu) at panicle initiation and heading stages. Minimum LAI-value was 0.52 in Khazar at PI stage and maximum was 4.91 in Sakkor khora at heading stage. The CGR-value was in the range of 4.80-24.11 g m(-2) per day. The best yielder BR39 produced grain of 4.21 t ha(-1) and the worst yielder Khazar gave 1.42 t ha(-1). Total dry matter (TDM) yield varied from 4.04 to 12.26 t ha(-1) where genotypes proved their energy use efficiency a range between 0.58 to 1.65%. Emu showed a significant positive relation with TDM (r=0.80(**)), CGR (r=0.72(**)) and grain yield (r=0.66(**)). A negative correlation was established between TDM and harvest index and LAI and RGR. Path analysis result showed that NAR at heading stage exerted highest positive direct effect (0.70) on Emu.

MeSH terms: Energy Metabolism*; Genotype; Photosynthesis; Oryza/genetics*; Oryza/growth & development*; Seeds; Plant Leaves/growth & development; Biomass*
Selective homogeneous synthesis of dimethyl ether from methanol

Atkins MP, Earle MJ, Seddon KR, Swadźba-Kwaśny M, Vanoye L

Chem Commun (Camb), 2010 Mar 14;46(10):1745-7.
PMID: 20177636 DOI: 10.1039/b923250h

Selected Brønsted acidic ionic liquids were tested as homogeneous catalysts for the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether. Ionic liquids incorporating an alkanesulfonic acid as a part of the cation, a complex acidic anion, [A(2)H](-), or both, proved to be good catalysts for this process, providing high conversions and selectivities. Homogeneous catalysis in the liquid state represents a novel approach to dimethyl ether synthesis.

MeSH terms: Methanol/chemistry*; Catalysis; Methyl Ethers/chemical synthesis*; Methyl Ethers/chemistry; Temperature; Ionic Liquids/chemistry
Adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency in a Malaysian patient, with novel adenylosuccinate lyase gene mutations

Chen BC, McGown IN, Thong MK, Pitt J, Yunus ZM, Khoo TB, et al.

J Inherit Metab Dis, 2010 Dec;33 Suppl 3:S159-62.
PMID: 20177786 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-010-9056-z

Most cases of adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL OMIM 103050) deficiency reported to date are confined to the various European ethnic groups. We report on the first Malaysian case of ADSL deficiency, which appears also to be the first reported Asian case. The case was diagnosed among a cohort of 450 patients with clinical features of psychomotor retardation, global developmental delay, seizures, microcephaly and/or autistic behaviour. The patient presented with frequent convulsions and severe myoclonic jerk within the first few days of life and severe psychomotor retardation. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile of the urine revealed the characteristic biochemical markers of succinyladenosine (S-Ado) and succinyl-aminoimidazole carboximide riboside (SAICAr). The urinary S-Ado/SAICAr ratio was found to be 1.02 (type I ADSL deficiency). The patient was compound heterozygous for two novel mutations, c.445C > G (p.R149G) and c.774_778insG (p.A260GfsX24).

MeSH terms: Adenosine/analogs & derivatives; Adenosine/urine; Adenosine Monophosphate/analogs & derivatives*; Adenosine Monophosphate/deficiency; Adenosine Monophosphate/genetics; Adenylosuccinate Lyase/deficiency*; Adenylosuccinate Lyase/genetics; Aminoimidazole Carboxamide/analogs & derivatives; Aminoimidazole Carboxamide/urine; Autistic Disorder; Child Development; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; DNA Mutational Analysis*; Genetic Testing/methods*; Heterozygote; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Male; Mutation*; Myoclonus/diagnosis; Myoclonus/genetics; Phenotype; Predictive Value of Tests; Psychomotor Disorders/diagnosis; Psychomotor Disorders/genetics; Psychomotor Performance; Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors/complications; Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors/diagnosis*; Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors/enzymology; Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics*; Ribonucleosides/urine; Seizures/diagnosis; Seizures/genetics; Biomarkers/urine; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Evaluation of the efficacy of constitutional array-based comparative genomic hybridization in the diagnosis of aneuploidy using genomic and amplified DNA

Tan NH, Palmer R, Wang R

J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2010 Feb;36(1):19-26.
PMID: 20178523 DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2009.01110.x

Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) is a new molecular technique that has the potential to revolutionize cytogenetics. However, use of high resolution array CGH in the clinical setting is plagued by the problem of widespread copy number variations (CNV) in the human genome. Constitutional microarray, containing only clones that interrogate regions of known constitutional syndromes, may circumvent the dilemma of detecting CNV of unknown clinical significance.

MeSH terms: Aneuploidy*; Cell Line; Female; Humans; Male; Trisomy/diagnosis*; Genome, Human*; DNA, Complementary; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis*; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques/methods; Comparative Genomic Hybridization/methods*; DNA Copy Number Variations
Fulltext A potential tocopherol acetate loaded palm oil esters-in-water nanoemulsions for nanocosmeceuticals

Teo BS, Basri M, Zakaria MR, Salleh AB, Rahman RN, Rahman MB

J Nanobiotechnology, 2010;8:4.
PMID: 20178581 DOI: 10.1186/1477-3155-8-4

Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic-pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance health and beauty of the skin. Nanocosmeceuticals use nano-sized system for the delivery of active ingredients to the targeted cells for better penetration. In this work, nanoemulsion from palm oil esters was developed as a delivery system to produce nanocosmeceuticals. The stability of the resulting formulation was tested using various methods. In addition, the effect of components i.e. Vitamin E and Pluronic F-68 on the formulation was also studied.
The attractive female body weight and female body dissatisfaction in 26 countries across 10 world regions: results of the international body project I

Swami V, Frederick DA, Aavik T, Alcalay L, Allik J, Anderson D, et al.

Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 2010 Mar;36(3):309-25.
PMID: 20179313 DOI: 10.1177/0146167209359702

This study reports results from the first International Body Project (IBP-I), which surveyed 7,434 individuals in 10 major world regions about body weight ideals and body dissatisfaction. Participants completed the female Contour Drawing Figure Rating Scale (CDFRS) and self-reported their exposure to Western and local media. Results indicated there were significant cross-regional differences in the ideal female figure and body dissatisfaction, but effect sizes were small across high-socioeconomic-status (SES) sites. Within cultures, heavier bodies were preferred in low-SES sites compared to high-SES sites in Malaysia and South Africa (ds = 1.94-2.49) but not in Austria. Participant age, body mass index (BMI), and Western media exposure predicted body weight ideals. BMI and Western media exposure predicted body dissatisfaction among women. Our results show that body dissatisfaction and desire for thinness is commonplace in high-SES settings across world regions, highlighting the need for international attention to this problem.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Body Image*; Body Weight*; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Middle Aged; Social Class; Body Mass Index; Internationality*; Young Adult
Risk factors associated with dyspepsia in a rural Asian population and its impact on quality of life

Mahadeva S, Yadav H, Rampal S, Goh KL

Am J Gastroenterol, 2010 Apr;105(4):904-12.
PMID: 20179699 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2010.26

The epidemiology and impact of dyspepsia in rural Asia remains uncertain. We aimed to determine the prevalence epidemiology and impact of dyspepsia in a rural Malaysian community.

MeSH terms: Adult; Analgesics/administration & dosage; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dyspepsia/ethnology; Dyspepsia/epidemiology*; Female; Humans; Life Style; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Quality of Life*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Rural Population; Socioeconomic Factors; Comorbidity; Prevalence; Chi-Square Distribution; Logistic Models
Modified dynamic gracilis neosphincter for fecal incontinence: an analysis of functional outcome at a single institution

Hassan MZ, Rathnayaka MM, Deen KI

World J Surg, 2010 Jul;34(7):1641-7.
PMID: 20180122 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-010-0489-1

We undertook a prospective longitudinal study of patients with end-stage fecal incontinence who were undergoing transposition of the gracilis muscle as a neo-anal sphincter with external low-frequency electrical stimulation of the nerve to the gracilis combined with biofeedback.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Algorithms; Anal Canal/surgery*; Artificial Organs*; Child; Child, Preschool; Fecal Incontinence/surgery*; Female; Humans; Male; Manometry; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/methods*; Treatment Outcome; Recovery of Function; Young Adult
Fulltext Selected microbial groups and short-chain fatty acids profile in a simulated chicken cecum supplemented with two strains of Lactobacillus

Meimandipour A, Shuhaimi M, Soleimani AF, Azhar K, Hair-Bejo M, Kabeir BM, et al.

Poult Sci, 2010 Mar;89(3):470-6.
PMID: 20181862 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2009-00495

Among the bacterial fermentation end products in the chicken cecum, butyrate is of particular importance because of its nutritional properties for the epithelial cell and pathogen inhibitory effects in the gut. An in vitro experiment, operated with batch bioreactor, was conducted to quantify butyric-producing bacteria in a simulated broiler cecum supplemented with Lactobacillus salivarius ssp. salicinius JCM 1230 and Lactobacillus agilis JCM 1048 during 24 h of incubation. Selected bacterial species were determined by real-time PCR and short-chain fatty acids and lactate concentrations were monitored. The results showed that after 24 h of incubation, Lactobacillus supplementation significantly increased the number of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in medium containing cecal content and lactobacilli supplementation (Cc + L) compared with the control (Cc). Addition of lactobacilli did not alter Escherichia coli and Clostridium butyricum, whereas it significantly (P < 0.05) reduced Salmonella in treatment Cc + L compared with the Cc treatment. Propionate and butyrate formation were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in treatment Cc + L as compared with the Cc treatment. Lactate was only detected in treatment containing 2 Lactobacillus strains. After 24 h of incubation, acetate concentration significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in all treatments. It was suggested that lactate produced by Lactobacillus in the cecal content improved the growth of butyric producers such as F. prausnitzii, which significantly increased butyrate accumulation. Additionally, the results showed that butyrate and propionate inhibited Salmonella without influencing the E. coli profile.

MeSH terms: Animals; Cecum/microbiology*; Chickens*; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism*; Lactates/metabolism; Lactates/chemistry; Lactobacillus/classification*; Colony Count, Microbial; Probiotics/therapeutic use*
Fulltext Sodium diacetate and sodium lactate affect microbiology and sensory and objective characteristics of a restructured turkey breast product formulated with a fibrin cold-set binding system

Mohammed Shafit H, Williams SK

Poult Sci, 2010 Mar;89(3):594-602.
PMID: 20181879 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2009-00412

Research was conducted to manufacture and evaluate a restructured turkey breast product using the Fibrimex cold-set binding system, sodium diacetate (NaD), and sodium lactate (NaL) and to ascertain effects of the treatments on proximate composition, pH, psychrotrophic organisms, water activity, onset of rancidity (TBA), thaw loss, cooking yields, and objective color, and sensory characteristics. Whole turkey breasts were cut into 5-cm-thick strips; treated with either water only (control), 1.5% NaL, 2.0% NaL, 0.1% NaD, 1.5% NaL + 0.1% NaD, or 2.0% NaL + 0.1% NaD; blended with Fibrimex ingredients; stuffed into casings; and stored at -30 degrees C for 0, 1, 2, and 3 mo. After each storage period, frozen chubs were tempered at 4 degrees C, sliced into 1-cm-thick steaks, packaged in retail trays, stored at 0 degrees C to simulate retail storage, and analyzed after 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 d. Sodium diacetate used alone or in combination with NaL reduced (P < 0.05) growth of psychrotrophic organisms and had no adverse effects on water activity, pH, cooking yield, fat, moisture, protein, objective color, onset of rancidity, and sensory characteristics (juiciness, turkey flavor intensity, and tenderness). Panelists reported slight off-flavor in all steaks treated with NaL. Treating steaks with NaL alone or in combination with NaD resulted in increased (P < 0.05) ash content. Sodium lactate also functioned to minimize thaw loss in the frozen restructured turkey product.

MeSH terms: Acetates/pharmacology*; Acetates/chemistry; Animals; Cooking; Fibrin/chemistry*; Food Handling/methods*; Food Microbiology; Food Preservation/methods; Food Preservatives/pharmacology; Food Preservatives/chemistry; Freezing; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Meat Products/microbiology*; Meat Products/standards*; Turkeys; Colony Count, Microbial; Sodium Lactate/pharmacology*; Sodium Lactate/chemistry
Apigenin di- and trirhamnoside from Asplenium normale in Malaysia

Iwashina T, Matsumoto S, Kitajima J, Nakamura T, Kokubugata G, Suleiman M, et al.

Nat Prod Commun, 2010 Jan;5(1):39-42.
PMID: 20184017

Two new flavone rhamnosides, apigenin 7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside and apigenin 7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside-4'-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside were isolated from the fronds of Asplenium normale D. Don, together with two known C-glycosylflavones, vicenin-2 and lucenin-2. The chemical structures of the isolated glycosides were established by UV, LC-MS, characterization of acid hydrolysates, and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

MeSH terms: Glycosides/isolation & purification*; Malaysia; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Molecular Structure; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Ferns/chemistry*; Apigenin/isolation & purification*
Fulltext A structural equation model of the determinants of malnutrition among children in rural Kelantan, Malaysia

Cheah WL, Wan Muda WAM, Zamh ZH

Rural Remote Health, 2010;10(1):1248.
PMID: 20184392

Many studies had shown that poor growth in children is associated with malnutrition. The underlying factors are diverse, multisectoral and interrelated, ranging from biological to social, cultural and economically related. Because the highest levels of under-nutrition worldwide are found in South Asia, it is essential that policymakers in the region understand the underlying determinants, in order to design effective public health intervention programs. This is especially so if public resources are limited. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine causal relationships among the biological, behavioural and environmental factors related to malnutrition in children aged 5 years and under.

MeSH terms: Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*; Child Welfare/statistics & numerical data*; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Status*; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Models, Biological; Poverty; Risk Factors; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*; Socioeconomic Factors; Child Nutrition Disorders/epidemiology*; Comorbidity; Malnutrition/epidemiology*
Pilot-scale removal of chromium from industrial wastewater using the ChromeBac system

Ahmad WA, Zakaria ZA, Khasim AR, Alias MA, Ismail SM

Bioresour Technol, 2010 Jun;101(12):4371-8.
PMID: 20185301 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.01.106

The enzymatic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by Cr(VI) resistant bacteria followed by chemical precipitation constitutes the ChromeBac system. Acinetobacter haemolyticus was immobilized onto carrier material inside a 0.2m(3) bioreactor. Neutralized electroplating wastewater with Cr(VI) concentration of 17-81 mg L(-1) was fed into the bioreactor (0.11-0.33 m(3)h(-1)). Complete Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) was obtained immediately after the start of bioreactor operation. Together with the flocculation, coagulation and filtration, outflow concentration of less than 0.02 mg Cr(VI)L(-1) and 1mg total CrL(-1) were always obtained. Performance of the bioreactor was not affected by fluctuations in pH (6.2-8.4), Cr(VI) (17-81 mg L(-1)), nutrient (liquid pineapple waste, 1-20%v/v) and temperature (30-38 degrees C). Standby periods of up to 10 days can be tolerated without loss in activity. A robust yet effective biotechnology to remove chromium from wastewater is thus demonstrated.

MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental; Chromium/isolation & purification*; Filtration; Flocculation; Industrial Waste/analysis*; Pilot Projects; Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification*; Water Purification/methods*; Bioreactors/microbiology
Fulltext Ethnic disparities in prevalence and impact of risk factors of chronic kidney disease

Sabanayagam C, Lim SC, Wong TY, Lee J, Shankar A, Tai ES

Nephrol Dial Transplant, 2010 Aug;25(8):2564-70.
PMID: 20185856 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfq084

There is substantial heterogeneity in literature regarding the epidemiology for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in different Asian populations. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of CKD in a multi-ethnic Asian population in Singapore.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; China/ethnology; Chronic Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Glomerular Filtration Rate/physiology; Humans; India/ethnology; Kidney Diseases/ethnology*; Kidney Diseases/epidemiology*; Kidney Diseases/physiopathology; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Singapore/epidemiology; Prevalence
A phone-counseling smoking-cessation intervention for male Chinese restaurant workers

Burton D, Zeng XX, Chiu CH, Sun J, Sze NL, Chen Y, et al.

J Community Health, 2010 Dec;35(6):579-85.
PMID: 20186474 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-010-9244-7

We sought to develop a smoking-cessation intervention for male Chinese restaurant workers in New York City that required no seeking out by participants; provided support over a relatively long period of time; and was responsive to participants' cultural backgrounds and daily lives. The resulting intervention consisted of a minimum of 9 proactive phone counseling sessions within a 6-month period for each participant recruited at his worksite. All activities were conducted in Chinese languages. The efficacy of this proactive phone-counseling intervention was assessed in a pretest/posttest design comparing baseline smoking with smoking 6 months after the intervention ended. Of 137 male employees recruited at their restaurants, 101 (median age 40.5) participated in the phone-counseling intervention in 2007-2008, with 75 completing the program with at least 9 counseling calls. We found a linear increase in smoking cessation from 0% at Call 1 to 50.7% at Call 9 for 75 men who completed the program, and we found for all 101 participants a 32.7% intent-to-treat cessation rate for 6 months post-end of program, adjusted to 30.8% by saliva cotinine assessments. The results indicate that combining field outreach with phone counseling over an extended period of time can facilitate smoking cessation for population groups whose environments do not support efforts to quit smoking.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; China/ethnology; Community Health Services/organization & administration*; Counseling/methods*; Culture; Follow-Up Studies; Hong Kong/ethnology; Humans; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; New York City; Restaurants*; Social Support; Time Factors; Program Evaluation; Smoking Cessation/ethnology*; Smoking Cessation/methods; Workplace; Cell Phones*; Young Adult
Fulltext Analgesic activity, toxicity study and phytochemical screening of standardized Cinnomomum iners leaves methanolic extract

Mustaffa F, Indurkar J, Ismail S, Mordi MN, Ramanathan S, Mansor SM

Pharmacognosy Res, 2010 Mar;2(2):76-81.
PMID: 21808545 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.62952

Cinnomomum iners standardized leaves methanolic extract (CSLE) was subjected to analgesic, toxicity and phytochemical studies. The analgesic activity of CSLE was evaluated using formalin, hot plate and tail flick tests at doses of 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg. CSLE showed significant activity (P < 0.05) in the formalin model (late phase) on the rats at doses of 200 and 500 mg/kg. However, CSLE did not show activity in the hot plate and tail flick tests. The results obtained suggest that CSLE acts peripherally to relieve pain. For the toxicity study, CSLE was orally administered to the Swiss albino mice according to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) guideline 423. There was no lethality or toxic symptoms observed for all the tested doses throughout the 14-day period. Phytochemical screening of CSLE showed the presence of cardiac glycoside, flavonoid, polyphenol, saponin, sugar, tannin and terpenoid.

MeSH terms: Methanol; Analgesics; Animals; Cardiac Glycosides; Flavonoids; Formaldehyde; Pain; Saponins; Tannins; Terpenes; Mice; Rats; Polyphenols; Phytochemicals; Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development
Fulltext Antiproliferative activity and induction of apoptosis in estrogen receptor-positive and negative human breast carcinoma cell lines by Gmelina asiatica roots

Balijepalli MK, Tandra S, Pichika MR

Pharmacognosy Res, 2010 Mar;2(2):113-9.
PMID: 21808551 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.62949

Low risk of breast cancer has been proposed to be associated with high intake of lignans. We have reported the presence of lignans in Gmelina asiatica roots. There are no scientific reports on the antiproliferative activity of G. asiatica roots. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ethyl acetate extract from G. asiatica roots (EGAR) on estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) and negative (MDA-MB-231) human breast cancer cell lines. The effects of 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) of EGAR on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay kit. The mode of cell death caused by EGAR was determined using dual apoptosis assay kit by observing the cells under fluorescent microscope. The quantification of apoptosis and necrosis in cells caused by EGAR was determined using cell death detection kit through ELISA. Down-regulation of the proliferative activity occurred in a clear dose-dependent response with IC(50) values of 32.9 ± 3.8 μg/mL in MCF-7 and 19.9 ± 2.3 μg/mL in MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Treatment of breast cancer cells with EGAR resulted in significant apoptosis. The EGAR contain lignans and flavonoids. The antiproliferative activity of the extract is attributed to the presence of these secondary metabolites. The results suggest the efficacy of G. asiatica roots as antiproliferative agents on human breast cancer cells, supporting the hypothesis that plants containing lignans have beneficial effects on human breast cancer.
Fulltext Mental health literacy towards depression among non-medical students at a Malaysian university

Khan TM, Sulaiman SA, Hassali MA

Ment Health Fam Med, 2010 Mar;7(1):27-35.
PMID: 22477920

Background. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge and perception of depression among students of University Sains Malaysia (USM), in Penang, Peninsular Malaysia.
Method. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a pre-validated 21-item questionnaire among students at USM.
Results. A total of 500 respondents participated in the survey comprising 24.6% (n=123) males and 75.4% (n=377) females. Half (50.0%, n=250) were Malays, followed by Chinese (44.0%, n=220) and Indians (6.0%, n=30). Whilst exploring the respondents' knowledge of the symptoms of depression, it was found that Chinese females had a comparatively better knowledge (P=0.058) of the symptoms of depression in comparison with Malays and Indians. Overall, social issues were attributed as the possible cause of depression. A cursory knowledge level was observed regarding medication for depression. Female students were more inclined towards the use of alternative and traditional medicines. However, with regard to seeking professional help, consultation with a psychiatrist was preferred by the majority.
Conclusion. Overall, a moderate level of knowledge about the symptoms of depression and a cursory knowledge of its therapy were observed. Those with personal experience of depression had better knowledge of the symptoms and therapy. Alternative treatments and traditional medicines were also favoured. There is a risk that this may affect the ability of Malaysian youths to seek evidence-based mental health care.

MeSH terms: Adult; China/ethnology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression*; Female; Humans; India/ethnology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Students; Universities

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