Browse publications by year: 2010

  1. Urinary hyaluronidase activity in rats infected with Blastocystis hominis--evidence for invasion?
    Chandramathi S, Suresh KG, Mahmood AA, Kuppusamy UR
    Parasitol Res, 2010 May;106(6):1459-63.
    PMID: 20358228 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1825-y
    The fact whether Blastocystis hominis can invade has always been in question. Apart from a few sporadic studies such as that done on gnotobiotic guinea pigs which showed surface invasion and mucosal inflammation of the host's intestine caused by B. hominis infection, no real documentation of invasion has been proven. Studies have shown that hyaluronidase is secreted during the penetration into the host's skin and gut by nematode parasites. Hyaluronidase activity in protozoa namely Entamoeba histolytica has also been described previously. This study attempts to determine hyaluronidase in urine samples of B. hominis-infected rats. The presence of hyaluronidase in urine provides an indirect evidence of invasion by B. hominis into colonic epithelium causing the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins namely hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is depolymerized by hyaluronidase which may be used by organisms to invade one another. In this study, the levels of urinary hyaluronidase of Sprague-Dawley rats infected with B. hominis were monitored for 30 days. Hyaluronidase levels in the infected rats were significantly higher on days 28 and 30 compared to the day before inoculation (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). During this stage, parasitic burden in infected stools was also at a high level. Proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8, were also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the serum of infected rats. The study demonstrates that since no other pathogen was present and that amoeboid forms of the parasites have been shown to exist previously, the elevated levels of hyaluronidase in this preliminary finding suggests that the organism is capable of having invasion or penetration activity in the hosts' intestine.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Feces/parasitology; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase/urine*; Protozoan Proteins/urine*; Cytokines/blood; Blastocystis Infections/diagnosis; Blastocystis Infections/pathology; Blastocystis Infections/veterinary*; Blastocystis hominis/enzymology*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats/parasitology*
  2. The axillary arch - morphological and histological study with clinical importance
    Omar N, Abidin FZ, Das S, Abd Ghafar N, Haji Suhaimi F, Abd Latiff A, et al.
    Morphologie, 2010 May;94(305):36-9.
    PMID: 20359930 DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2010.03.001
    The latissimus dorsi is a muscle of the back which forms the posterior fold of the axilla and its tendon twists to insert into the floor of the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus. Occasionally, the muscle has a muscular slip which crosses the axilla to insert into the pectoralis major. This muscular slip is often termed as "axillary arch." In the present study, we report bilateral axillary arch detected in a 45-year-old male cadaver. The average vertical length of the axillary arch measured 7 cm. The average maximum width of the uppermost, middle and lower part of the arch measured 2, 3.5 and 3.2 cm, respectively. The presence of the axillary arch is an uncommon finding in humans, considering the fact that it is solely found in the animals who prefer to hang on the trees. A histological study of the axillary arch was also performed and it showed skeletal muscle fibres which was uniformly arranged. The presence of the axillary arch may assist in the adduction of the shoulder. It may also compress the axillary vessels and nerves thereby causing resultant symptoms. Prior anatomical knowledge of the presence of axillary arch may be helpful for surgeons performing radical dissection of the axillary lymph nodes and ligation of axillary vessels, clinicians diagnosing abduction syndromes and interventional radiologists interpreting axillary mass in day to day clinical practice.
    MeSH terms: Axilla/anatomy & histology*; Axilla/innervation; Axilla/surgery; Cadaver; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Organ Size; Shoulder/anatomy & histology; Muscle, Skeletal/anatomy & histology; Muscle, Skeletal/innervation
  3. Luminescent Mycena: new and noteworthy species
    Desjardin DE, Perry BA, Lodge DJ, Stevani CV, Nagasawa E
    Mycologia, 2010 4 7;102(2):459-77.
    PMID: 20361513
    Seven species of Mycena are reported as luminescent, representing specimens collected in Belize, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Japan (Bonin Islands), Malaysia (Borneo) and Puerto Rico. Four of them represent new species (Mycena luxaeterna, M. luxarboricola, M. luxperpetua, M. silvaelucens) and three represent new reports of luminescence in previously described species (M. aff. abieticola, M. aspratilis, M. margarita). Mycena subepipterygia is synonymized with M. margarita, and M. chlorinosma is proposed as a possible synonym. Comprehensive descriptions, illustrations, photographs and comparisons with phenetically similar species are provided. A redescription of M. chlorophos, based on analyses of type specimens and recently collected topotypical material, is provided. The addition of these seven new or newly reported luminescent species of Mycena brings the total to 71 known bioluminescent species of fungi.
    MeSH terms: Agaricales/isolation & purification*; Agaricales/physiology; Agaricales/ultrastructure; Luminescence
  4. Homogeneous, heterogeneous and enzymatic catalysis for transesterification of high free fatty acid oil (waste cooking oil) to biodiesel: a review
    Lam MK, Lee KT, Mohamed AR
    Biotechnol Adv, 2010 Jul-Aug;28(4):500-18.
    PMID: 20362044 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2010.03.002
    In the last few years, biodiesel has emerged as one of the most potential renewable energy to replace current petrol-derived diesel. It is a renewable, biodegradable and non-toxic fuel which can be easily produced through transesterification reaction. However, current commercial usage of refined vegetable oils for biodiesel production is impractical and uneconomical due to high feedstock cost and priority as food resources. Low-grade oil, typically waste cooking oil can be a better alternative; however, the high free fatty acids (FFA) content in waste cooking oil has become the main drawback for this potential feedstock. Therefore, this review paper is aimed to give an overview on the current status of biodiesel production and the potential of waste cooking oil as an alternative feedstock. Advantages and limitations of using homogeneous, heterogeneous and enzymatic transesterification on oil with high FFA (mostly waste cooking oil) are discussed in detail. It was found that using heterogeneous acid catalyst and enzyme are the best option to produce biodiesel from oil with high FFA as compared to the current commercial homogeneous base-catalyzed process. However, these heterogeneous acid and enzyme catalyze system still suffers from serious mass transfer limitation problems and therefore are not favorable for industrial application. Nevertheless, towards the end of this review paper, a few latest technological developments that have the potential to overcome the mass transfer limitation problem such as oscillatory flow reactor (OFR), ultrasonication, microwave reactor and co-solvent are reviewed. With proper research focus and development, waste cooking oil can indeed become the next ideal feedstock for biodiesel.
    MeSH terms: Bacteria/metabolism; Bacteria/chemistry; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism; Bacterial Proteins/chemistry; Catalysis; Enzymes, Immobilized/metabolism; Enzymes, Immobilized/chemistry; Esterification; Fatty Acids/metabolism; Fatty Acids/chemistry*; Industrial Waste*; Plant Oils/metabolism; Plant Oils/chemistry*; Food Industry; Trans Fatty Acids/chemical synthesis; Trans Fatty Acids/metabolism; Trans Fatty Acids/chemistry*; Biofuels*
  5. Metal ion removal from aqueous solution using physic seed hull
    Mohammad M, Maitra S, Ahmad N, Bustam A, Sen TK, Dutta BK
    J Hazard Mater, 2010 Jul 15;179(1-3):363-72.
    PMID: 20362390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.03.014
    The potential of physic seed hull (PSH), Jantropha curcas L. as an adsorbent for the removal of Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) metal ions from aqueous solution has been investigated. It has been found that the amount of adsorption for both Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) increased with the increase in initial metal ions concentration, contact time, temperature, adsorbent dosage and the solution pH (in acidic range), but decreased with the increase in the particle size of the adsorbent. The adsorption process for both metal ions on PSH consists of three stages-a rapid initial adsorption followed by a period of slower uptake of metal ions and virtually no uptake at the final stage. The kinetics of metal ions adsorption on PSH followed a pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption equilibrium data were fitted in the three adsorption isotherms-Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. The data best fit in the Langmuir isotherm indication monolayer chemisorption of the metal ions. The adsorption capacity of PSH for both Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) was found to be comparable with other available adsorbents. About 36-47% of the adsorbed metal could be leached out of the loaded PSH using 0.1M HCl as the eluting medium.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Buffers; Diffusion; Electrochemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Particle Size; Seeds/chemistry; Solutions; Thermodynamics; Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification*; Porosity; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Water Purification/methods; Metals, Heavy/isolation & purification*; Jatropha/chemistry*
  6. Thermodynamics and inhibition studies of lipozyme TL IM in biodiesel production via enzymatic transesterification
    Khor GK, Sim JH, Kamaruddin AH, Uzir MH
    Bioresour Technol, 2010 Aug;101(16):6558-61.
    PMID: 20363621 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.03.047
    In order to characterize enzyme activity and stability corresponding to temperature effects, thermodynamic studies on commercial immobilized lipase have been carried out via enzymatic transesterification. An optimum temperature of 40 degrees C was obtained in the reaction. The decreasing reaction rates beyond the optimum temperature indicated the occurrence of reversible enzyme deactivation. Thermodynamic studies on lipase denaturation exhibited a first-order kinetics pattern, with considerable stability through time shown by the lipase as well. The activation and deactivation energies were 22.15 kJ mol(-1) and 45.18 kJ mol(-1), respectively, implying more energy was required for the irreversible denaturation of the enzyme to occur. At water content of 0.42%, the initial reaction rate and FAME yield displayed optimum values of 3.317 g/L min and 98%, respectively.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, Gas; Enzymes, Immobilized/metabolism*; Esterification; Kinetics; Lipase/antagonists & inhibitors; Lipase/metabolism*; Temperature; Thermodynamics*; Biocatalysis; Biofuels*
  7. Thermal noise due to surface-charge effects within the Debye layer of endogenous structures in dendrites
    Poznanski RR
    Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys, 2010 Feb;81(2 Pt 1):021902.
    PMID: 20365590
    An assumption commonly used in cable theory is revised by taking into account electrical amplification due to intracellular capacitive effects in passive dendritic cables. A generalized cable equation for a cylindrical volume representation of a dendritic segment is derived from Maxwell's equations under assumptions: (i) the electric-field polarization is restricted longitudinally along the cable length; (ii) extracellular isopotentiality; (iii) quasielectrostatic conditions; and (iv) homogeneous medium with constant conductivity and permittivity. The generalized cable equation is identical to Barenblatt's equation arising in the theory of infiltration in fissured strata with a known analytical solution expressed in terms of a definite integral involving a modified Bessel function and the solution to a linear one-dimensional classical cable equation. Its solution is used to determine the impact of thermal noise on voltage attenuation with distance at any particular time. A regular perturbation expansion for the membrane potential about the linear one-dimensional classical cable equation solution is derived in terms of a Green's function in order to describe the dynamics of free charge within the Debye layer of endogenous structures in passive dendritic cables. The asymptotic value of the first perturbative term is explicitly evaluated for small values of time to predict how the slowly fluctuating (in submillisecond range) electric field attributed to intracellular capacitive effects alters the amplitude of the membrane potential. It was found that capacitive effects are almost negligible for cables with electrotonic lengths L>0.5 , contributes up to 10% of the signal for cables with electrotonic lengths in the range between 0.25
    MeSH terms: Cell Membrane/metabolism; Cell Membrane/chemistry; Cytoskeleton/metabolism; Cytoskeleton/chemistry; Dendrites/metabolism*; Dendrites/chemistry*; Electricity; Models, Biological*; Temperature*; Linear Models
  8. Low perinatal autopsy rate in Malaysia: time for a change
    Tan GC, Hayati AR, Khong TY
    Pediatr Dev Pathol, 2010 Sep-Oct;13(5):362-8.
    PMID: 20367214 DOI: 10.2350/09-03-0623-OA.1
    Our objectives were to determine the perinatal autopsy rate in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia and to quantify the value of the perinatal autopsy. All stillbirths, miscarriages, therapeutic abortions, and neonatal deaths between January 1, 2004, and August 31, 2009, were identified from the archives. The autopsy findings were compared with the clinical diagnoses. The autopsy reports were also reviewed to determine if it would be possible to improve the quality of the autopsies. There were 807 perinatal deaths, of which 36 (4.5%) included an autopsy. There were ethnic differences in the rate of autopsy, with the lowest rate among the Malays. The autopsy provided the diagnosis, changed the clinical diagnosis, or revealed additional findings in 58.3% of cases. Ancillary testing, such as microbiology, chromosomal analysis, and biochemistry, could improve the quality of the autopsy. This study provides further data on the perinatal autopsy rate from an emerging and developing country. It reaffirms the value of the perinatal autopsy. Attempts must be made to improve on the low autopsy rate while recognizing that the performance of autopsies can be enhanced through the use of ancillary testing.
    MeSH terms: Abortion, Induced; Autopsy/standards; Autopsy/statistics & numerical data*; Cause of Death*; Female; Fetal Death/etiology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Pregnancy; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Stillbirth/ethnology
  9. Teaching future health care professionals about the concept of essential medicines
    Ahmed HM, Ibrahim MI
    Med Teach, 2010;32(4):346-7.
    PMID: 20369399
    MeSH terms: Curriculum; Education, Medical*; Education, Pharmacy*; Humans; Malaysia; Drugs, Essential*
  10. Transcriptional profiling of oral squamous cell carcinoma using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples
    Saleh A, Zain RB, Hussaini H, Ng F, Tanavde V, Hamid S, et al.
    Oral Oncol, 2010 May;46(5):379-86.
    PMID: 20371203 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2010.02.022
    Despite the advances in cancer treatment, the 5-year survival rate for oral cancer has not changed significantly for the past 40 years and still remains among the worst of all anatomic sites. Gene expression microarrays have been used successfully in the identification of genetic alterations in cancer development, however, these have hitherto been limited by the need for specimens with good quality intact RNA. Here, we demonstrated the use of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues in microarray experiments to identify genes differentially expressed between cancerous and normal oral tissues. Forty-three tissue samples were macrodissected and gene expression analyses were conducted using the Illumina DASL assay. We report RNA yield of 2.4 and 0.8 microg/mm(3) from tumour and normal tissues, respectively and this correlated directly with the tissue volume used for RNA extraction. Using unsupervised hierarchical clustering, distinct gene expression profiles for tumour and normal samples could be generated, and differentially expressed genes could be identified. The majority of these genes were involved in regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle, metastasis and cell adhesion including BCL2A1, BIRC5, MMP1, MMP9 and ITGB4. Representative genes were further validated in independent samples suggesting that these genes may be directly associated with oral cancer development. The ability to conduct microarrays on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens represents a significant advancement that could open up avenues for finding genes that could be used as prognostication and predictive tools for cancer.
    MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics*; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology; Formaldehyde; Humans; Mouth/cytology; Mouth Neoplasms/genetics*; Mouth Neoplasms/mortality; Mouth Neoplasms/pathology; RNA, Neoplasm/genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Paraffin Embedding; Gene Expression Profiling/methods*
  11. Effects of mitragynine from Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaves on working memory
    Apryani E, Hidayat MT, Moklas MA, Fakurazi S, Idayu NF
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2010 Jun 16;129(3):357-60.
    PMID: 20371280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.03.036
    AIM OF THE STUDY: Mitragyna speciosa Korth from Rubiaceae family is a tropical plant indigenous to Southeast Asia particularly in Thailand, Peninsular of Malaysia and Indonesia. The leaves have been used by natives for their opium-like effect and cocaine-like stimulant ability to combat fatigue and enhance tolerance to hard work. However there is no scientific information about the effect of mitragynine on the cognitive performances. This study is designed to examine the working memory effects of mitragynine which is extracted from Mitragyna speciosa mature leaves.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cognitive effect was studied using object location task and the motor activity in open-field test. Mitragynine 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg and were administered by intraperitoneal (IP) for 28 consecutive days and evaluated on day 28 after the last dose treatment. Scopolamine was used as the control positive drug.

    RESULTS: In this study there is prominent effects on horizontal locomotor activity was observed. Mitragynine significantly reduced locomotor activity in open-field test compared with vehicle. In object location task mitragynine (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg) did not showed any significances discrimination between the object that had changed position than the object that had remain in a constant position.

    CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that chronic administration of mitragynine can altered the cognitive behavioral function in mice.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Memory, Short-Term/drug effects*; Mice, Inbred ICR; Motor Activity/drug effects; Scopolamine Hydrobromide/pharmacology; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Mitragyna/chemistry*; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/isolation & purification; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/pharmacology*; Mice
  12. Fulltext A patient with nodular skin swelling
    Khajotia R, Raman S, Rajadurai P, Yaacob W
    Aust Fam Physician, 2010 Apr;39(4):219-20.
    PMID: 20372682
    MeSH terms: Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnosis*; Case Reports; Family Practice; Hospitals, General; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Malaysia; Male; Medical Oncology; Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Skin Neoplasms/physiopathology
  13. Fulltext A comparative study on the accuracy of noninvasive thermometers
    Fadzil FM, Choon D, Arumugam K
    Aust Fam Physician, 2010 Apr;39(4):237-9.
    PMID: 20372685
    This study assessed the concordance of the temperatures of the digital, liquid crystal forehead and digital infrared tympanic thermometers with the mercury in glass thermometer.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Emergency Service, Hospital; Equipment Design*; Humans; Malaysia; Middle Aged; Thermometers/standards*; Reproducibility of Results
  14. Fulltext Relationship between serum acetaminophen concentration and N-acetylcysteine-induced adverse drug reactions
    Zyoud SH, Awang R, Sulaiman SA, Khan HR, Sawalha AF, Sweileh WM, et al.
    Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol, 2010 Sep;107(3):718-23.
    PMID: 20374238 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2010.00567.x
    Intravenous N-acetylcysteine is usually regarded as a safe antidote. However, during the infusion of the loading dose, different types of adverse drug reactions (ADR) may occur. The objective of this study was to investigate the relation between the incidence of different types of ADR and serum acetaminophen concentration in patients presenting to the hospital with acetaminophen overdose. This is a retrospective study of patients admitted to the hospital for acute acetaminophen overdose over a period of 5 years (1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008). Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to test differences between groups depending on the normality of the data. SPSS 15 was used for data analysis. Of 305 patients with acetaminophen overdose, 146 (47.9%) were treated with intravenous N-acetylcysteine and 139 (45.6%) were included in this study. Different types of ADR were observed in 94 (67.6%) patients. Low serum acetaminophen concentrations were significantly associated with cutaneous anaphylactoid reactions but not other types of ADR. Low serum acetaminophen concentration was significantly associated with flushing (p < 0.001), rash (p < 0.001) and pruritus (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in serum acetaminophen concentrations between patients with and without the following ADR: gastrointestinal reactions (p = 0.77), respiratory reactions (p = 0.96), central nervous reactions (p = 0.82) and cardiovascular reactions (p = 0.37). In conclusion, low serum acetaminophen concentrations were associated with higher cutaneous anaphylactoid reactions. Such high serum acetaminophen concentrations may be protective against N-acetylcysteine-induced cutaneous ADR.
    MeSH terms: Acetaminophen/adverse effects; Acetaminophen/blood*; Acetylcysteine/adverse effects*; Acetylcysteine/therapeutic use; Adolescent; Adult; Antidotes/adverse effects*; Antidotes/therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/adverse effects; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/blood*; Young Adult; Drug Overdose/drug therapy
  15. Trend and status of air quality at three different monitoring stations in the Klang Valley, Malaysia
    Azmi SZ, Latif MT, Ismail AS, Juneng L, Jemain AA
    Air Qual Atmos Health, 2010 Mar;3(1):53-64.
    PMID: 20376168
    Over the last decades, the development of the Klang Valley (Malaysia), as an urban commercial and industrial area, has elevated the risk of atmospheric pollutions. There are several significant sources of air pollutants which vary depending on the background of the location they originate from. The aim of this study is to determine the trend and status of air quality and their correlation with the meteorological factors at different air quality monitoring stations in the Klang Valley. The data of five major air pollutants (PM(10), CO, SO(2), O(3), NO(2)) were recorded at the Alam Sekitar Sdn Bhd (ASMA) monitoring stations in the Klang Valley, namely Petaling Jaya (S1), Shah Alam (S2) and Gombak (S3). The data from these three stations were compared with the data recorded at Jerantut, Pahang (B), a background station established by the Malaysian Department of Environment. Results show that the concentrations of CO, NO(2) and SO(2) are higher at Petaling Jaya (S1) which is due to influence of heavy traffic. The concentrations of PM(10) and O(3,) however, are predominantly related to regional tropical factors, such as the influence of biomass burning and of ultra violet radiation from sunlight. They can, though, also be influenced by local sources. There are relatively stronger inter-pollutant correlations at the stations of Gombak and Shah Alam, and the results also suggest that heavy traffic flow induces high concentrations of PM(10), CO, NO(2) and SO(2) at the three sampling stations. Additionally, meteorological factors, particularly the ambient temperature and wind speed, may influence the concentration of PM(10) in the atmosphere.
    MeSH terms: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Atmosphere; Environmental Pollutants; Environmental Pollution; Malaysia; Meteorological Concepts; Nitrogen Dioxide; Sunlight; Temperature; Wind; Biomass
  16. Fulltext Coagulation parameters as a guide for fresh frozen plasma transfusion practice: A tertiary hospital experience
    Wan Haslindawani WM, Wan Zaidah A
    Asian J Transfus Sci, 2010 Jan;4(1):25-7.
    PMID: 20376262 DOI: 10.4103/0973-6247.59387
    The appropriate use of blood and blood products means the transfusion of safe blood products only to treat a condition leading to significant morbidity or mortality, which cannot be prevented or managed effectively by other means. The safety and effectiveness of transfusion depend on the appropriate clinical use of blood and blood products. This study was conducted to review the practice of fresh frozen plasma usage (FFP) for transfusion, based on the coagulation profile, requested by various departments in the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM).
  17. Strobilanthes crispus attenuates renal carcinogen, iron nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)-mediated oxidative damage of lipids and DNA
    Iqbal M, Shah MD, Lie CA, San CK
    Mol Cell Biochem, 2010 Aug;341(1-2):271-7.
    PMID: 20376534 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-010-0458-x
    This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Strobilanthes crispus extract for possible protection against lipid peroxidation and DNA damage induced by iron nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Fe-NTA is a potent nephrotoxic agent and induces acute and subacute renal proximal tubular necrosis by catalyzing the decomposition of H(2)O(2)-derived production of hydroxyl radicals, which are known to cause lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Incubation of postmitochondrial supernatant and/or calf thymus DNA with H(2)O(2) (40 mM) in the presence of Fe-NTA (0.1 mM) induces lipid peroxidation and DNA damage to about 2.3-fold and 2.9-fold, respectively, as compared to control (P < 0.05). In lipid peroxidation protection studies, S. crispus treatment showed a dose-dependent inhibition (45-53% inhibition, P < 0.05) of Fe-NTA and H(2)O(2) induced lipid peroxidation. Similarly, in DNA damage protection studies, S. crispus treatment also showed a dose-dependent inhibition (18-30% inhibition, P < 0.05) of DNA damage. In addition, the protection was closely related to the content of phenolic compounds as evident by S. crispus extract showing the value of 124.48 mg/g total phenolics expressed as gallic acid equivalent (GAE, mg/g of extract). From these studies, it is concluded that S. crispus inhibits peroxidation of membrane lipids and DNA damage induced by Fe-NTA and H(2)O(2) and possesses the potential to be used to treat or prevent degenerative diseases where oxidative stress is implicated.
    MeSH terms: Carcinogens/toxicity; DNA Damage/drug effects*; Ferric Compounds/toxicity; Hydrogen Peroxide; Kidney/pathology; Nitrilotriacetic Acid/analogs & derivatives; Nitrilotriacetic Acid/toxicity; Phenols/isolation & purification; Phenols/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects*; Oxidative Stress/drug effects; Protective Agents/isolation & purification; Protective Agents/pharmacology*
  18. Rapid degradation of N-3-oxo-acylhomoserine lactones by a Bacillus cereus isolate from Malaysian rainforest soil
    Chan KG, Wong CS, Yin WF, Sam CK, Koh CL
    Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 2010 Oct;98(3):299-305.
    PMID: 20376561 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-010-9438-0
    A bacterial strain, KM1S, was isolated from a Malaysian rainforest soil sample by using a defined enrichment medium that specifically facilitates selection of quorum quenching bacteria. KM1S was clustered closely to Bacillus cereus by 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis. It degraded N-3-oxo-hexanoyl homoserine lactone and N-3-oxo-octanoyl homoserine lactone in vitro rapidly at 4.98 and 6.56 microg AHL h(-1) per 10(9) CFU/ml, respectively, as determined by the Rapid Resolution Liquid Chromatography. The aiiA homologue, encoding an autoinducer inactivation enzyme catalyzing the degradation of N-acylhomoserine lactones, of KM1S was amplified and cloned. Sequence analysis indicated the presence of the motif (106)HXDH-59 amino acids-H(169)-21 amino acids-D(191) for N-acylhomoserine lactone lactonases.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Bacillus cereus/genetics; Bacillus cereus/isolation & purification; Bacillus cereus/metabolism*; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases/biosynthesis*; Chromobacterium/metabolism; Cloning, Molecular; DNA, Bacterial; Escherichia coli/genetics; Genes, Bacterial; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Malaysia; Molecular Sequence Data; Soil Microbiology*; Trees; 4-Butyrolactone/analogs & derivatives; 4-Butyrolactone/metabolism; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Quorum Sensing; Acyl-Butyrolactones/metabolism*
  19. Atrovirinone inhibits proinflammatory mediator synthesis through disruption of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and MAPK phosphorylation in the murine monocytic macrophage RAW 264.7
    Israf DA, Tham CL, Syahida A, Lajis NH, Sulaiman MR, Mohamad AS, et al.
    Phytomedicine, 2010 Aug;17(10):732-9.
    PMID: 20378317 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.02.006
    In a previous communication we showed that atrovirinone, a 1,4-benzoquinone isolated from the roots of Garcinia atroviridis, was able to inhibit several major proinflammatory mediators of inflammation. In this report we show that atrovirinone inhibits NO and PGE(2) synthesis through inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression. We also show that atrovirinone inhibits the secretion of IL-1beta and IL-6 in a dose dependent fashion whereas the secretion of IL-10, the anti-inflammatory cytokine, was enhanced. Subsequently we determined that the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine synthesis and inducible enzyme expression was due to a dose-dependent inhibition of phosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2. We also showed that atrovirinone prevented phosphorylation of I-kappaBalpha, which resulted in a reduction of p65NF-kappaB nuclear translocation as demonstrated by expression analysis. We conclude that atrovirinone is a potential anti-inflammatory drug lead that targets both the MAPK and NF-kappaB pathway.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Line; Cell Nucleus/metabolism*; Macrophages/drug effects*; Macrophages/metabolism; Phosphorylation; Blotting, Western; Benzoquinones/pharmacology*; NF-kappa B/metabolism*; Inflammation Mediators/antagonists & inhibitors*; Inflammation Mediators/metabolism; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*; Mice; Cyclooxygenase 2/drug effects; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/antagonists & inhibitors
  20. A systematic review of interventions by healthcare professionals on community-dwelling postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
    Lai P, Chua SS, Chan SP
    Osteoporos Int, 2010 Oct;21(10):1637-56.
    PMID: 20379700 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-010-1199-0
    A systematic review was conducted to evaluate evidence concerning the effect of non-drug interventions by healthcare professionals on community-dwelling postmenopausal osteoporotic women. Evidence available indicates that such interventions are effective in improving the quality of life, medication compliance, and calcium intake, but effect on other outcomes is less conclusive.

    INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review to evaluate evidence concerning the effect of non-drug interventions by healthcare professionals on community-dwelling postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

    METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English between year 1990 and 2009 were identified. Types of patient outcome used as assessment included quality of life (QOL), bone mineral density (BMD), medication compliance and persistence, knowledge level, and lifestyle modification.

    RESULTS: Twenty four RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies assessed interventions by physiotherapists, six by physicians, seven by nurses, three by multi-disciplinary teams and one by dietitians. Variability in the types and intensity of interventions made comparison between each study difficult. Collectively, these studies provided some evidence to show that interventions by healthcare professionals improved the QOL medication compliance and calcium intake of patients but its effects on BMD, medication persistence, knowledge, and other lifestyle modifications were less conclusive.

    CONCLUSIONS: From this review, it was found that some outcome measures of such non-drug interventions still required further studies. Future studies should use validated instruments to assess the outcomes, with focus on common definitions of interventions and outcome measures, more intensive one-to-one interventions, appropriate control groups, adequate randomization procedures, and also provide information on effect size.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Community Health Services/methods*; Female; Humans; Life Style; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/drug therapy; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/rehabilitation*; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Evidence-Based Medicine/methods; Bone Density Conservation Agents/administration & dosage; Medication Adherence
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