Browse publications by year: 2012

  1. Fulltext Population structure and demographic history of a tropical lowland rainforest tree species Shorea parvifolia (Dipterocarpaceae) from Southeastern Asia
    Iwanaga H, Teshima KM, Khatab IA, Inomata N, Finkeldey R, Siregar IZ, et al.
    Ecol Evol, 2012 Jul;2(7):1663-75.
    PMID: 22957170 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.284
    Distribution of tropical rainforests in Southeastern Asia has changed over geo-logical time scale, due to movement of tectonic plates and/or global climatic changes. Shorea parvifolia is one of the most common tropical lowland rainforest tree species in Southeastern Asia. To infer population structure and demographic history of S. parvifolia, as indicators of temporal changes in the distribution and extent of tropical rainforest in this region, we studied levels and patterns of nucleotide polymorphism in the following five nuclear gene regions: GapC, GBSSI, PgiC, SBE2, and SODH. Seven populations from peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and eastern Borneo were included in the analyses. STRUCTURE analysis revealed that the investigated populations are divided into two groups: Sumatra-Malay and Borneo. Furthermore, each group contained one admixed population. Under isolation with migration model, divergence of the two groups was estimated to occur between late Pliocene (2.6 MYA) and middle Pleistocene (0.7 MYA). The log-likelihood ratio tests of several demographic models strongly supported model with population expansion and low level of migration after divergence of the Sumatra-Malay and Borneo groups. The inferred demographic history of S. parvifolia suggested the presence of a scarcely forested land bridge on the Sunda Shelf during glacial periods in the Pleistocene and predominance of tropical lowland rainforest at least in Sumatra and eastern Borneo.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Asia, Southeastern; Borneo; Demography; Indonesia; Malaysia; Nucleotides; Starch Synthase; Trees; Mya; Dipterocarpaceae; Forests; Rainforest
  2. Antimicrobial activity of the crude extract of Piper sarmentosum against methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholera and Streptococcus pneumoniae
    Fernandez L, Daruliza K, Sudhakaran S, Jegathambigai R
    Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2012 Jul;16 Suppl 3:105-11.
    PMID: 22957424
    The emergence of novel diseases caused by microbial pathogens and the undesirable side effects of certain antibiotics has been a recent dilemma in the medical arena. Consequently, it has stirred the discovery of many naturally occurring agents which could possibly provide important ramifications against various pharmacological targets and to combat various ailments. The main aim of the present study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of the crude methanolic extract of Piper (P.) sarmentosum against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholera and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
    MeSH terms: Alkaloids/isolation & purification; Alkaloids/pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation & purification; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Escherichia coli/drug effects; Flavonoids/isolation & purification; Flavonoids/pharmacology; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Streptococcus pneumoniae/drug effects; Vibrio cholerae/drug effects; Piper/chemistry*; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects
  3. Endogenous and induced angiogenic characteristics of human chorion-derived stem cells
    Nur Fariha MM, Chua KH, Tan GC, Lim YH, Hayati AR
    Cell Biol Int, 2012;36(12):1145-53.
    PMID: 22957758 DOI: 10.1042/CBI20120044
    Cell-based therapy using stem cells has emerged as one of the pro-angiogenic methods to enhance blood vessel growth and sprouting in ischaemic conditions. This study investigated the endogenous and induced angiogenic characteristics of hCDSC (human chorion-derived stem cell) using QPCR (quantitative PCR) method, immunocytochemistry and fibrin-matrigel migration assay. The results showed that cultured hCDSC endogenously expressed angiogenic-endogenic-associated genes (VEGF, bFGF, PGF, HGF, Ang-1, PECAM-1, eNOS, Ve-cad, CD34, VEGFR-2 and vWF), with significant increase in mRNA levels of PGF, HGF, Ang-1, eNOS, VEGFR-2 and vWF following induction by bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). These enhanced angiogenic properties suggest that induced hCDSC provides a stronger angiogenic effect for the treatment of ischaemia. After angiogenic induction, hCDSC showed no reduction in the expression of the stemness genes, but had significantly higher levels of mRNA of Oct-4, Nanog (3), FZD9, ABCG-2 and BST-1. The induced cells were positive for PECAM-1 (platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1) and vWF (von Willebrand factor) with immunocytochemistry staining. hCDSC also showed endothelial migration behaviour when cultured in fibrin-matrigel construct and were capable of forming vessels in vivo after implanting into nude mice. These data suggest that hCDSC could be the cells of choice in the cell-based therapy for pro-angiogenic purpose.
    MeSH terms: Actins/analysis; Actins/genetics; Cells, Cultured; Chorion/cytology*; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Stem Cells/cytology; Stem Cells/drug effects; Stem Cells/metabolism*; von Willebrand Factor/analysis; von Willebrand Factor/genetics; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/analysis; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/genetics; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/pharmacology*; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Antigens, CD31/analysis; Antigens, CD31/genetics; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/analysis; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics*; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/analysis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/pharmacology*
  4. Fulltext Elucidation of the effect of ionic liquid pretreatment on rice husk via structural analyses
    Ang TN, Ngoh GC, Chua AS, Lee MG
    Biotechnol Biofuels, 2012 Sep 07;5(1):67.
    PMID: 22958710 DOI: 10.1186/1754-6834-5-67
    BACKGROUND: In the present study, three ionic liquids, namely 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]OAc), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethyl phosphate ([EMIM]DEP), were used to partially dissolve rice husk, after which the cellulose were regenerated by the addition of water. The aim of the investigation is to examine the implications of the ionic liquid pretreatments on rice husk composition and structure.

    RESULTS: From the attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform-infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results, the regenerated cellulose were more amorphous, less crystalline, and possessed higher structural disruption compared with untreated rice husk. The major component of regenerated cellulose from [BMIM]Cl and [EMIM]DEP pretreatments was cellulose-rich material, while cellulose regenerated from [EMIM]OAc was a matrix of cellulose and lignin. Cellulose regenerated from ionic pretreatments could be saccharified via enzymatic hydrolysis, and resulted in relatively high reducing sugars yields, whereas enzymatic hydrolysis of untreated rice husk did not yield reducing sugars. Rice husk residues generated from the ionic liquid pretreatments had similar chemical composition and amorphousity to that of untreated rice husk, but with varying extent of surface disruption and swelling.

    CONCLUSIONS: The structural architecture of the regenerated cellulose and rice husk residues showed that they could be used for subsequent fermentation or derivation of cellulosic compounds. Therefore, ionic liquid pretreatment is an alternative in the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass in addition to the conventional chemical pretreatments.

  5. Phylogenetic analysis of dengue virus types 1 and 3 isolated in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1988
    Sjatha F, Takizawa Y, Yamanaka A, Konishi E
    Infect Genet Evol, 2012 Dec;12(8):1938-43.
    PMID: 22959957 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2012.08.006
    Dengue viruses are mosquito-borne viruses that cause dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever, both of which are globally important diseases. These viruses have evolved in a transmission cycle between human hosts and mosquito vectors in various tropical and subtropical environments. We previously isolated three strains of dengue type 1 virus (DENV1) and 14 strains of dengue type 3 virus (DENV3) during an outbreak of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1988. Here, we compared the nucleotide sequences of the entire envelope protein-coding region among these strains. The isolates were 97.6-100% identical for DENV1 and 98.8-100% identical for DENV3. All DENV1 isolates were included in two different clades of genotype IV and all DENV3 isolates were included in a single clade of genotype I. For DENV1, three Yap Island strains isolated in 2004 were the only strains closely related to the present isolates; the recently circulated Indonesian strains were in different clades. Molecular clock analyses estimated that ancestors of the genotype IV strains of DENV1 have been indigenous in Indonesia since 1948. We predict that they diverged frequently around 1967 and that their offspring distributed to Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, and Africa. For DENV3, the clade containing all the present isolates also contained strains isolated from other Indonesian regions and other countries including Malaysia, Singapore, China, and East Timor from 1985-2010. Molecular clock analyses estimated that the common ancestor of the genotype I strains of DENV3 emerged in Indonesia around 1967 and diverged frequently until 1980, and that their offspring distributed mainly in Southeast Asia. The first dengue outbreak in 1968 and subsequent outbreaks in Indonesia might have influenced the divergence and distribution of the DENV1 genotype IV strains and the DENV3 genotype I strains in many countries.
    MeSH terms: Aedes; Animals; Cell Line; Dengue/virology*; Dengue Virus/classification*; Dengue Virus/genetics; Dengue Virus/isolation & purification; Genotype; Humans; Indonesia; Phylogeny; Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics; Evolution, Molecular
  6. Early-life citalopram-induced impairments in sexual behavior and the role of androgen receptor
    Soga T, Wong DW, Putteeraj M, Song KP, Parhar IS
    Neuroscience, 2012 Dec 6;225:172-84.
    PMID: 22960312 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.08.061
    Postnatal treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been found to affect brain development and the regulation of reproduction in rodent models. The normal masculinization process in the brain requires a transient decrease in serotonin (5-HT) levels in the brain during the second postnatal week. Strict regulation of androgen receptor (AR) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) expression is important to control male reproductive activity. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the effects of a potent SSRI (citalopram) on male sexual behavior and expression levels of AR and GnRH in adult male mice receiving either vehicle or citalopram (10mg/kg) daily during postnatal days 8-21. The citalopram-treated male mice showed altered sexual behavior, specifically a significant reduction in the number of intromissions preceding ejaculation compared with the vehicle-treated mice. The citalopram-treated male mice displayed elevated anxiety-like behavior in an open field test and lower locomotor activity in their home cage during the subjective night. Although there was no change in GnRH and AR mRNA levels in the preoptic area (POA), quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunostained AR cell numbers in the medial POA were decreased in the citalopram-treated male mice. These results suggest that the early-life inhibition of 5-HT transporters alters the regulation of AR expression in the medial POA, likely causing decreased sexual behavior and altered home cage activity in the subjective night.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Body Weight/drug effects; Exploratory Behavior/drug effects; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/genetics; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Motor Activity/drug effects; Preoptic Area/drug effects; Preoptic Area/metabolism; Receptors, Androgen/genetics; Receptors, Androgen/metabolism*; Receptors, Serotonin/genetics; Receptors, Serotonin/metabolism; RNA, Messenger; Serotonin/metabolism; Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects*; Disorders of Sex Development/chemically induced*; Disorders of Sex Development/pathology; Tryptophan Hydroxylase/genetics; Tryptophan Hydroxylase/metabolism; Citalopram/toxicity*; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects*; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation/toxicity*; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism; Mice; Kisspeptins/genetics; Kisspeptins/metabolism
  7. Polymorphisms of UGT1A1*6, UGT1A1*27 & UGT1A1*28 in three major ethnic groups from Malaysia
    Teh LK, Hashim H, Zakaria ZA, Salleh MZ
    Indian J Med Res, 2012 Aug;136(2):249-59.
    PMID: 22960892
    Genetic polymorphisms of uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) have been associated with a wide variation of responses among patients prescribed with irinotecan. Lack of this enzyme is known to be associated with a high incidence of severe toxicity. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of three different variants of UGT1A1 (UGT1A1*6, UGT1A1*27 and UGT1A1*28), which are associated with reduced enzyme activity and increased irinotecan toxicity, in the three main ethnic groups in Malaysia (Malays, Chinese and Indians).
    MeSH terms: Camptothecin/administration & dosage; Camptothecin/adverse effects; Camptothecin/analogs & derivatives*; Ethnic Groups/genetics*; Gene Frequency; Genotype; Humans; Malaysia; Pharmacogenetics/methods; Polymorphism, Genetic; Glucuronosyltransferase/blood; Glucuronosyltransferase/genetics*; Sequence Analysis, DNA
  8. Fulltext Neonatal rash - a case study
    Kwa SK, Sinniah D, Tan KK
    Aust Fam Physician, 2012 Sep;41(9):707-9.
    PMID: 22962649
    An infant, aged 48 days, is brought in by her mother to her doctor because of a rash that started during the neonatal period.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Child, Preschool; Exanthema/etiology*; Family; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Insecticides/therapeutic use; Male; Scabies/diagnosis*; Scabies/drug therapy; Scabies/transmission
  9. Treatment of landfill leachate by using lateritic soil as a natural coagulant
    Syafalni, Lim HK, Ismail N, Abustan I, Murshed MF, Ahmad A
    J Environ Manage, 2012 Dec 15;112:353-9.
    PMID: 22964042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.08.001
    In this research, the capability of lateritic soil used as coagulant for the treatment of stabilized leachate from the Penang-Malaysia Landfill Site was investigated. The evaluation of lateritic soil coagulant in comparison with commercialized chemical coagulants, such as alum, was performed using conventional jar test experiments. The optimum pH and coagulant dosage were identified for the lateritic soil coagulant and the comparative alum coagulant. It was found that the application of lateritic soil coagulant was quite efficient in the removal of COD, color and ammoniacal-nitrogen content from the landfill leachate. The optimal pH value was 2.0, while 14 g/L of lateritic soil coagulant was sufficient in removing 65.7% COD, 81.8% color and 41.2% ammoniacal-nitrogen. Conversely, the optimal pH and coagulant dosage for the alum were pH 4.8 and 10 g/L respectively, where 85.4% COD, 96.4% color and 47.6% ammoniacal-nitrogen were removed from the same leachate sample. Additionally, the Sludge Volume Index (SVI) ratio of alum and lateritic soil coagulant was 53:1, which indicated that less sludge was produced and was an environmentally friendly product. Therefore, lateritic soil coagulant can be considered a viable alternative in the treatment of landfill leachate.
    MeSH terms: Coagulants/chemistry*; Nitrogen/analysis; Refuse Disposal/methods*; Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry*
  10. Fulltext Mesua beccariana (Clusiaceae), a source of potential anti-cancer lead compounds in drug discovery
    Teh SS, Cheng Lian Ee G, Mah SH, Lim YM, Rahmani M
    Molecules, 2012 Sep 10;17(9):10791-800.
    PMID: 22964497 DOI: 10.3390/molecules170910791
    An investigation on biologically active secondary metabolites from the stem bark of Mesua beccariana was carried out. A new cyclodione, mesuadione, along with several known constituents which are beccamarin, 2,5-dihydroxy-1,3,4-trimethoxy anthraquinone, 4-methoxy-1,3,5-trihydroxyanthraquinone, betulinic acid and stigmasterol were obtained from this ongoing research. Structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D-NMR, GC-MS, IR and UV techniques. Preliminary tests of the in vitro cytotoxic activities of all the isolated metabolites against a panel of human cancer cell lines Raji (lymphoma), SNU-1 (gastric carcinoma), K562 (erythroleukemia cells), LS-174T (colorectal adenocarcinoma), HeLa (cervical cells), SK-MEL-28 (malignant melanoma cells), NCI-H23 (lung adenocarcinoma), IMR-32 (neuroblastoma) and Hep-G2 (hepatocellular liver carcinoma) were carried out using an MTT assay. Mesuadione, beccamarin, betulinic acid and stigmasterol displayed strong inhibition of Raji cell proliferation, while the proliferation rate of SK-MEL-28 and HeLa were strongly inhibited by stigmasterol and beccamarin, indicating these secondary metabolites could be anti-cancer lead compounds in drug discovery.
    MeSH terms: Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; HeLa Cells; Humans; Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Plant Stems/metabolism; Plant Stems/chemistry; Plant Bark/metabolism*; Plant Bark/chemistry; Clusiaceae/metabolism*; Clusiaceae/chemistry; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Drug Discovery*
  11. Fulltext Phorbol esters from Jatropha meal triggered apoptosis, activated PKC-δ, caspase-3 proteins and down-regulated the proto-oncogenes in MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cell lines
    Oskoueian E, Abdullah N, Ahmad S
    Molecules, 2012 Sep 10;17(9):10816-30.
    PMID: 22964499 DOI: 10.3390/molecules170910816
    Jatropha meal produced from the kernel of Jatropha curcas Linn. grown in Malaysia contains phorbol esters (PEs). The potential benefits of PEs present in the meal as anticancer agent are still not well understood. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic effects and mode of actions of PEs isolated from Jatropha meal against breast (MCF-7) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. Isolated PEs inhibited cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner of both MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines with the IC₅₀ of 128.6 ± 2.51 and 133.0 ± 1.96 µg PMA equivalents/mL respectively, while the values for the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) as positive control were 114.7 ± 1.73 and 119.6 ± 3.73 µg/mL, respectively. Microscopic examination showed significant morphological changes that resemble apoptosis in both cell lines when treated with PEs and PMA at IC₅₀ concentration after 24 h. Flow cytometry analysis and DNA fragmentation results confirmed the apoptosis induction of PEs and PMA in both cell lines. The PEs isolated from Jatropha meal activated the PKC-δ and down-regulated the proto-oncogenes (c-Myc, c-Fos and c-Jun). These changes probably led to the activation of Caspase-3 protein and apoptosis cell death occurred in MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines upon 24 h treatment with PEs and PMA. Phorbol esters of Jatropha meal were found to be promising as an alternative to replace the chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer therapy.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry; Enzyme Activation; HeLa Cells; Humans; Phorbol Esters/isolation & purification; Phorbol Esters/pharmacology*; Phorbol Esters/chemistry; Proto-Oncogenes/drug effects*; Signal Transduction/drug effects; Down-Regulation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun/metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Jatropha/chemistry*; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Protein Kinase C-delta/metabolism*; Caspase 3/metabolism*; MCF-7 Cells
  12. Fulltext Effect of different purification techniques on the characteristics of heteropolysaccharide-protein biopolymer from durian (Durio zibethinus) seed
    Amid BT, Mirhosseini H
    Molecules, 2012 Sep 10;17(9):10875-92.
    PMID: 22964503 DOI: 10.3390/molecules170910875
    Natural biopolymers from plant sources contain many impurities (e.g., fat, protein, fiber, natural pigment and endogenous enzymes), therefore, an efficient purification process is recommended to minimize these impurities and consequently improve the functional properties of the biopolymer. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of different purification techniques on the yield, protein content, solubility, water- and oil-holding capacity of a heteropolysaccharide-protein biopolymer obtained from durian seed. Four different purification methods using different chemicals and solvents (i.e., A (isopropanol and ethanol), B (isopropanol and acetone), C (saturated barium hydroxide), and D (Fehling solution)] to liberate the purified biopolymer from its crude form were compared. In most cases, the purification process significantly (p < 0.05) improved the physicochemical properties of heteropolysaccharide-protein biopolymer from durian fruit seed. The present work showed that the precipitation using isopropanol and acetone (Method B) resulted in the highest purification yield among all the tested purification techniques. The precipitation using saturated barium hydroxide (Method C) led to induce the highest solubility and relatively high capacity of water absorption. The current study reveals that the precipitation using Fehling solution (Method D) most efficiently eliminates the protein fraction, thus providing more pure biopolymer suitable for biological applications.
    MeSH terms: Biopolymers/isolation & purification; Biopolymers/chemistry*; Glycoproteins/isolation & purification; Glycoproteins/chemistry*; Plant Proteins/isolation & purification; Plant Proteins/chemistry*; Chemical Precipitation; Seeds/chemistry*; Solubility; Solvents; Bombacaceae/chemistry*
  13. Fulltext Platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonistic activity of a new biflavonoid from Garcinia nervosa var. pubescens King
    Jalil J, Jantan I, Ghani AA, Murad S
    Molecules, 2012 Sep 10;17(9):10893-901.
    PMID: 22964504 DOI: 10.3390/molecules170910893
    The methanol extract of the leaves of Garcinia nervosa var. pubescens King, which showed strong inhibitory effects on platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor binding, was subjected to bioassay-guided isolation to obtain a new biflavonoid, II-3,I-5, II-5,II-7,I-4',II-4'-hexahydroxy-(I-3,II-8)-flavonylflavanonol together with two known flavonoids, 6-methyl-4'-methoxyflavone and acacetin. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit PAF receptor binding to rabbit platelets using ³H-PAF as a ligand. The biflavonoid and acacetin showed strong inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 28.0 and 20.4 µM, respectively. The results suggest that these compounds could be responsible for the strong PAF antagonistic activity of the plant.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Blood Platelets/drug effects; Blood Platelets/metabolism; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Platelet Activating Factor/antagonists & inhibitors*; Platelet Aggregation/drug effects; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/metabolism; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/pharmacology; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins/antagonists & inhibitors*; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism; Rabbits; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Garcinia/chemistry*; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/antagonists & inhibitors*; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism; Biflavonoids/isolation & purification; Biflavonoids/pharmacology*; Biflavonoids/chemistry; Flavones/pharmacology; Flavones/chemistry
  14. Spot urine potassium as a potential screening test for aldosterone breakthrough
    Sakthiswary R, Wong M, Isa ZM, Nor Azmi K
    Clin Ter, 2012;163(3):195-8.
    PMID: 22964690
    Treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may suppress aldosterone production only in the initial phase of treatment and subsequently lead to a rising level of aldosterone to baseline or higher. This phenomenon is described as aldosterone breakthrough. Apart from serial plasma aldosterone levels, there are no other test to identify this condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of spot urine potassium as a potential screening test for aldosterone breakthrough.
    MeSH terms: Aldosterone/metabolism*; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/adverse effects; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Female; Humans; Male; Metabolic Diseases/chemically induced; Metabolic Diseases/urine; Middle Aged; Potassium/urine*; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists/adverse effects
  15. Special tinted contact lens on colour-defects
    Mutilab HA, Sharanjeet-Kaur, Keu LK, Choo PF
    Clin Ter, 2012;163(3):199-204.
    PMID: 22964691
    PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the visual function of colour-deficient subjects when wearing special red tint contact lenses.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 17 subjects with congenital colour vision deficiency (14 deutans and 3 protans), voluntarily participated in this study. The average age for the subjects was 23.00 ± 4.06 years old. Visual functions tested were visual acuity (LogMAR), contrast sensitivity (FACT Chart) and stereopsis (TNO and Howard Dolman tests). Two types of special red tint lenses were used in this study; Type I (light red) and Type II (dark red).
    RESULTS: The protans and deutans showed no significant changes in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity when wearing either type of contact lens. Stereopsis testing using the Horward-Dolman test gave no significant changes but significant differences were seen using the TNO test. Stereopsis using the TNO test was significantly poorer with the red tinted contact lenses compared to without for both protons and deutans. Testing binocularly with Ishihara plates showed that 88% (n=15) of patients passed the test with Type I and Type II contact lenses. When D15 test was done, 3 patients (17.6%) were 'normal' when using the Type I contact lenses and 2 patients (11.8%) were 'normal' when using the Type II contact lenses. However, with FM100Hue test, most patients showed deutan responses. Total error scores (TES) were found to be higher with Type I and Type II contact lenses compared to without.
    CONCLUSIONS: The Type I and II special tinted contact lens used in this study did not cause a reduction of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity for the colour defects. Stereopsis was also not reduced with the Type I and Type II contact lenses for the colour defects except when tested with the TNO test. Colour vision defects became difficult to detect using the Ishihara plates but FM100Hue test did not show any improvement with the Type I and Type II contact lenses.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Color; Color Vision Defects/rehabilitation*; Contact Lenses*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Equipment Design; Humans; Young Adult
  16. Evaluation of power Doppler ultrasonography for prostate biopsy in men with elevated serum prostate specific antigen levels
    Ho CC, Khor TW, Singam P, Goh EH, Tan GH, Bahadzor B, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2012;163(3):211-4.
    PMID: 22964693
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate power doppler ultrasonography (PDU)-directed prostate biopsy in patients with elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men with serum total PSA levels of more than 4 ng/ml undergoing biopsy for the first time were included. Grey-scale transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and PDU were performed. PDU signal on vascularity accumulation and perfusion characteristics were recorded and graded as normal or abnormal in the peripheral zone of the prostate. Abnormalities were defined on transverse image as radial or arc hypervascularities. A biopsy regime based on Vienna-normogram was performed in all patients.
    RESULTS: Overall, prostate adenocarcinoma detection rate was 21.4% and abnormal accumulation on PDU signal was identified in 96.7% of those patients (p = 0.01). PDU directed prostate biopsies were positive in 66.7% of the patients with prostate cancer. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of PDU signal alone for prostate cancer detection was 96.7%, 24.5% and 96.4% respectively, and PDU guided biopsies were 66.7%, 24.5%, 19.4% and 73% respectively.
    CONCLUSIONS: The high sensitivity and negative predictive value of PDU makes it useful as an aid for TRUS biopsy in selected patient with previous negative biopsies at risk of harbouring prostate cancer.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Biopsy, Needle/methods; Humans; Male; Prostate/pathology*; Prostate/ultrasonography*; Prostatic Neoplasms/blood*; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood*; Ultrasonography, Interventional*; Ultrasonography, Doppler*
  17. Epithelioid sarcoma and concurrent Volkman ischaemic contracture: a case report
    Suria-Hayati MP, Siti-Aishah MA, Eshagroni A, Jamari S, Abdolvahab F, Yazmin Y, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2012;163(3):215-7.
    PMID: 22964694
    Epithelioid sarcoma is a very infrequent soft tissue sarcoma involving predominantly distal extremities of adolescent and young adult. We hereby report a case of epithelioid sarcoma in a 34-year-old young adult who presented with 1-year history of a painful left upper limb associated subsequently with warm left forearm swelling and a Volkman contracture. He was treated as an inflamed soft tissue condition of the left upper limb. A computed tomography study showed presence of multiple hypodense lesions mainly in the flexor compartment of the left arm as well at the subcutaneous tissue, which measured 1 to 1.7 cm in diameter. Histological examination of the left upper limb mass showed nodular proliferation of epithelioid tumour cells and some with rhabdoid features surrounding a central zone of necrosis and was diagnosed as epithelioid sarcoma. Concurrent presence of epithelioid sarcoma and Volkman ischaemic contracture are rarely seen in clinical practice. The present case highlights the importance of the histology which can be confused with other types of sarcoma or chronic granuloma and even missed at times thereby causing diagnostic problems.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Arm*; Humans; Male; Sarcoma/complications*; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/complications*; Ischemic Contracture/complications*
  18. Fulltext Genome sequence of Citrobacter sp. strain A1, a dye-degrading bacterium
    Chan GF, Gan HM, Rashid NA
    J Bacteriol, 2012 Oct;194(19):5485-6.
    PMID: 22965102 DOI: 10.1128/JB.01285-12
    Citrobacter sp. strain A1, isolated from a sewage oxidation pond, is a facultative aerobe and mesophilic dye-degrading bacterium. This organism degrades azo dyes efficiently via azo reduction and desulfonation, followed by the successive biotransformation of dye intermediates under an aerobic environment. Here we report the draft genome sequence of Citrobacter sp. A1.
    MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental; Citrobacter/classification*; Citrobacter/genetics*; Citrobacter/metabolism; Coloring Agents/metabolism*; Coloring Agents/chemistry; Malaysia; Molecular Sequence Data; Oxidation-Reduction; Sewage/microbiology; Water Pollutants, Chemical/metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry; Genome, Bacterial*
  19. Fulltext Effects of Eurycoma longifolia on Testosterone Level and Bone Structure in an Aged Orchidectomised Rat Model
    Tajul Ariff AS, Soelaiman IN, Pramanik J, Shuid AN
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012;2012:818072.
    PMID: 22966245 DOI: 10.1155/2012/818072
    Testosterone replacement is the choice of treatment in androgen-deficient osteoporosis. However, long-term use of testosterone is potentially carcinogenic. Eurycoma longifolia (EL) has been reported to enhance testosterone level and prevent bone calcium loss but there is a paucity of research regarding its effect on the bone structural parameters. This study was conducted to explore the bone structural changes following EL treatment in normal and androgen-deficient osteoporosis rat model. Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 12 months were divided into normal control, normal rat supplemented with EL, sham-operated, orchidectomised-control, orchidectomised with testosterone replacement, and orchidectomised with EL supplementation groups. Testosterone serum was measured both before and after the completion of the treatment. After 6 weeks of the treatment, the femora were processed for bone histomorphometry. Testosterone replacement was able to raise the testosterone level and restore the bone volume of orchidectomised rats. EL supplementation failed to emulate both these testosterone actions. The inability of EL to do so may be related to the absence of testes in the androgen deficient osteoporosis model for EL to stimulate testosterone production.
    MeSH terms: Androgens; Animals; Calcium, Dietary; Male; Osteoporosis; Testis; Testosterone; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Eurycoma; Rats
  20. A facile approach to prepare regenerated cellulose/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposite using room-temperature ionic liquid
    Mahmoudian S, Wahit MU, Imran M, Ismail AF, Balakrishnan H
    J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2012 Jul;12(7):5233-9.
    PMID: 22966551
    This study presents the preparation of regenerated cellulose (RC)/graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) nanocomposites via room temperature ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIMAc) using solution casting method. The thermal stability, gas permeability, water absorption and mechanical properties of the films were studied. The synthesized nanocomposite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The T20 decomposition temperature of regenerated cellulose improved with the addition of graphene nanoplatelets up to 5 wt%. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of RC films improved by 34 and 56%, respectively with the addition of 3 wt% GNPs. The nanocomposite films exhibited improved oxygen and carbon dioxide gas barrier properties and water absorption resistance compared to RC. XRD and SEM results showed good interaction between RC and GNPs and well dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets in regenerated cellulose. The FTIR spectra showed that the addition of GNPs in RC did not result in any noticeable change in its chemical structure.
    MeSH terms: Cellulose/chemistry*; Crystallization/methods*; Graphite/chemistry*; Materials Testing; Molecular Conformation; Particle Size; Surface Properties; Macromolecular Substances/chemistry; Nanostructures/ultrastructure*; Nanostructures/chemistry*; Ionic Liquids/chemistry*
External Links