Browse publications by year: 2012

  1. Dharmalingam K, Tan BK, Mahmud MZ, Sedek SA, Majid MI, Kuah MK, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2012 Jan 31;139(2):657-63.
    PMID: 22193176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.016
    Swietenia macrophylla or commonly known as big leaf mahogany, has been traditionally used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation & purification; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Immunity, Innate/drug effects; Immunity, Innate/genetics; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Plant Extracts/isolation & purification; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plants, Medicinal; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects*; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/immunology; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/pathogenicity; Pseudomonas Infections/drug therapy*; Pseudomonas Infections/immunology; Pseudomonas Infections/microbiology; Seeds; Solvents; Time Factors; Virulence; Up-Regulation; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects; Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects*; Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics; Caenorhabditis elegans/immunology; Caenorhabditis elegans/microbiology; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism; Animals, Genetically Modified
  2. Al-Odaini NA, Zakaria MP, Zali MA, Juahir H, Yaziz MI, Surif S
    Environ Monit Assess, 2012 Nov;184(11):6735-48.
    PMID: 22193630 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2454-3
    The growing interest in the environmental occurrence of veterinary and human pharmaceuticals is essentially due to their possible health implications to humans and ecosystem. This study assesses the occurrence of human pharmaceuticals in a Malaysian tropical aquatic environment taking a chemometric approach using cluster analysis, discriminant analysis and principal component analysis. Water samples were collected from seven sampling stations along the heavily populated Langat River basin on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia and its main tributaries. Water samples were extracted using solid-phase extraction and analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for 18 pharmaceuticals and one metabolite, which cover a range of six therapeutic classes widely consumed in Malaysia. Cluster analysis was applied to group both pharmaceutical pollutants and sampling stations. Cluster analysis successfully clustered sampling stations and pollutants into three major clusters. Discriminant analysis was applied to identify those pollutants which had a significant impact in the definition of clusters. Finally, principal component analysis using a three-component model determined the constitution and data variance explained by each of the three main principal components.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, Liquid; Pharmaceutical Preparations/analysis*; Environmental Monitoring/methods*; Fresh Water/chemistry*; Humans; Malaysia; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  3. Kwan MK, Jeffry A, Chan CY, Saw LB
    Surg Radiol Anat, 2012 Apr;34(3):217-27.
    PMID: 22194086 DOI: 10.1007/s00276-011-0919-2
    Studies of sacral pedicle anatomy have been reported in the European population. However, the feasibility for the use of S1, S2 and S2-ilium screws has not been fully investigated in the Asian population.
    MeSH terms: Bone Screws*; Female; Humans; Ilium/radiography*; Ilium/surgery; Male; Reference Values; Sacrum/radiography*; Sacrum/surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Asian Continental Ancestry Group
  4. Santhi VA, Hairin T, Mustafa AM
    Chemosphere, 2012 Mar;86(10):1066-71.
    PMID: 22197311 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.11.063
    A study to assess the level of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) in edible marine biota collected from coastal waters of Malaysia was conducted using GC-MS and SPE extraction. An analytical method was developed and validated to measure the level of 15 OCPs and BPA simultaneously from five selected marine species. It was observed that some samples had low levels of p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT and p,p'- DDD ranging from 0.50 ng g(-1) to 22.49 ng g(-1) dry weight (d.w) but significantly elevated level of endosulfan I was detected in a stingray sample at 2880 ng g(-1) d.w. BPA was detected in 31 out of 57 samples with concentration ranging from below quantification level (LOQ: 3 ng g(-1)) to 729 ng g(-1) d.w. The presence of OCPs is most likely from past use although there is also indication of illegal use in recent times. The study also reveals that BPA is more widely distributed in coastal species caught off the coast of the most developed state. The potential health risk from dietary intakes of OCPs and BPA from the analysed fish species was negligible.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Benzhydryl Compounds; Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane/analysis; Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane/metabolism; Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane/chemistry; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene/analysis; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene/metabolism; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene/chemistry; DDT/analysis; DDT/metabolism; DDT/chemistry; Environmental Monitoring; Fishes/metabolism; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/analysis; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/metabolism; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated/chemistry*; Malaysia; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Pesticides/analysis; Pesticides/metabolism; Pesticides/chemistry*; Phenols/analysis; Phenols/chemistry*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical/metabolism; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry*; Seafood/analysis; Seafood/statistics & numerical data; Risk Assessment; Biota
  5. Rahim MH, Ismail P, Alias R, Muhammad N, Mat Jais AM
    Gene, 2012 Feb 15;494(1):1-10.
    PMID: 22197656 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2011.12.015
    Haruan (Channa striatus) is in great demand in the Malaysian domestic fish market. In the present study, mtDNA cyt b was used to investigate genetic variation of C. striatus among populations in Peninsular Malaysia. The overall population of C. striatus demonstrated a high level of haplotype diversity (h) and a low-to-moderate level of nucleotide diversity (π). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) results showed a significantly different genetic differentiation among 6 populations (F(ST)=0.37566, P=0.01). Gene flow (Nm) was high and ranged from 0.32469 to infinity (∞). No significant relationship between genetic distance and geographic distance was detected. A UPGMA tree based on the distance matrix of net interpopulation nucleotide divergence (d(A)) and haplotype network of mtDNA cyt b revealed that C. striatus is divided into 2 major clades. The neutrality and mismatch distribution tests for all populations suggested that C. striatus in the study areas had undergone population expansion. The estimated time of population expansion in the mtDNA cyt b of C. striatus populations occurred 0.72-6.19 million years ago. Genetic diversity of mtDNA cyt b and population structure among Haruan populations in Peninsular Malaysia will be useful in fisheries management for standardization for Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) in fish-farming technology, as well as providing the basis for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
    MeSH terms: Animals; DNA, Mitochondrial*; Malaysia; Perciformes/genetics*; Population Dynamics; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length*; Genetic Variation*; Polymerase Chain Reaction*; Cytochromes b/genetics*; Gene Flow
  6. Phang YL, Soga T, Kitahashi T, Parhar IS
    Neuroscience, 2012 Feb 17;203:39-49.
    PMID: 22198513 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.12.016
    In addition to reproduction, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been postulated to control cholesterol metabolism via cholesterol transport, which is carried out partly by the members of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters G1 (ABCG1) and G4 (ABCG4). However, there is yet to be evidence demonstrating the relationship between these transporters with reference to GnRH neurons. In the present study, we cloned two ABCG1 messenger RNA (mRNA) variants and one ABCG4 mRNA and examined their expression in the brain including GnRH neurons (GnRH1, GnRH2, and GnRH3) in the cichlid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Comparison of nucleotide sequences of the tilapia ABCG1 and ABCG4 with that of other fish species showed that both of these genes are evolutionarily conserved among fishes. ABCG1 and ABCG4 were shown to have high mRNA expressions in the CNS, pituitary, and gonads. In the brain, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that ABCG4 mRNA was higher than ABCG1a in all brain regions including the olfactory bulb (ABCG1=13.34, ABCG4=6796.35; P<0.001), dorsal telencephalon (ABCG1=8.64, ABCG4=10149.13; P=0.001), optic tectum (ABCG1=22.12, ABCG4=13931.04; P<0.01), cerebellum (ABCG1=8.68, ABCG4=12382.90; P<0.01), and preoptic area-midbrain-hypothalamus (ABCG1=21.36, ABCG4=13255.41; P=0.001). Similarly, although ABCG1 mRNA level is much higher in the pituitary compared with the brain, it was still significantly lower compared with ABCG4 (ABCG1=337.73, ABCG4=1157.87; P=0.01). The differential pattern of expression of ABCG1 and ABCG4 in the brain versus pituitary suggests that the two transporters are regulated by different mechanisms. Furthermore, ABCG1 and ABCG4 mRNA expressions were found in all three types of laser-captured GnRH neurons with highly similar percentage of expressions, suggesting that cholesterol efflux from GnRH neurons may require heterodimerization of both ABCG1 and ABCG4.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biological Transport/genetics; Cholesterol/metabolism*; Cloning, Molecular; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/genetics; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism*; Male; Neurons/metabolism*; Preoptic Area/metabolism*; Promoter Regions, Genetic; RNA, Messenger/metabolism; Tilapia/genetics*; Tilapia/metabolism; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/genetics*; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/metabolism
  7. Valdiani A, Kadir MA, Tan SG, Talei D, Abdullah MP, Nikzad S
    Mol Biol Rep, 2012 May;39(5):5409-24.
    PMID: 22198549 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-011-1341-x
    Nain-e Havandi (Andrographis paniculata Nees.) (AP) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the family Acanthacea. Only a few species of Andrographis genus out of 28 are medicinally concerned of which AP is the most important. Knowledge about the arrival of AP to Iran is extremely lacking but most probably it has been imported from India. However, evidence implies the familiarity of Iran's folkloric medicine with this plant, but it has been disappeared from contemporary medicine for unknown reasons. Presence of active ingredients from diterpenoids group such as andrographolide, neoandrographolide and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide has given incredible unique medicinal properties to the plant. Traditionally, Nain-e Havandi has been used in the role of a non-farm plant as a remedy for skin problems, flu, respiratory disease, and snakebite in East and Southeast Asia for centuries. Recently, it has been utilized as a treatment for HIV, hepatitis, diabetes, cancer and kidney disorders. Intensive cultivation of the herb started only in the past decade in countries such as China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, West Indies, Mauritius and to some extent, in Malaysia. Availability of different ecological zones in Iran complies with reestablishment of AP in tropical and temperate regions of the country. This is killing two birds with one stone, supporting the conservational and economic aspects.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Breeding; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diterpenes/adverse effects; Diterpenes/chemistry; Humans; Iran; Plants, Medicinal/classification; Plants, Medicinal/cytology; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Andrographis/classification; Andrographis/cytology; Andrographis/chemistry*
  8. Yildiz I, Sagliker Y, Demirhan O, Tunc E, Inandiklioglu N, Tasdemir D, et al.
    J Ren Nutr, 2012 Jan;22(1):157-61.
    PMID: 22200434 DOI: 10.1053/j.jrn.2011.10.030
    Hypotheses explaining pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SH) in late and severe CKD as a unique entity called Sagliker syndrome (SS) are still unclear. This international study contains 60 patients from Turkey, India, Malaysia, China, Romania, Egypt, Tunisia, Taiwan, Mexico, Algeria, Poland, Russia, and Iran. We examined patients and first degree relatives for cytogenetic chromosomal abnormalities, calcium sensing receptor (Ca SR) genes in exons 2 and 3 abnormalities and GNAS1 genes mutations in exons 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13. Our syndrome could be a new syndrome in between SH, CKD, and hereditary bone dystrophies. We could not find chromosomal abnormalities in cytogenetics and on Ca SR gene exons 2 and 3. Interestingly, we did find promising missense mutations on the GNAS1 gene exons 1, 4, 10, 4. We finally thought that those catastrophic bone diseases were severe SH and its late treatments due to monetary deficiencies and iatrogenic mistreatments not started as early as possible. This was a sine qua non humanity task. Those brand new striking GNAS1 genes missense mutations have to be considered from now on for the genesis of SS.
    MeSH terms: Exons/genetics; Facial Bones/pathology*; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary/genetics*; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary/pathology; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary/physiopathology; Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications*; Syndrome; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/genetics*; Mutation, Missense/genetics*; Receptors, Calcium-Sensing/genetics*
  9. Yadav K, Lakra WS, Sharma J, Goswami M, Singh A
    Fish Physiol Biochem, 2012 Aug;38(4):1035-1045.
    PMID: 22203177 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-011-9588-7
    Tor tor is an important game and food fish of India with a distribution throughout Asia from the trans-Himalayan region to the Mekong River basin to Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia. A new cell line named TTCF was developed from the caudal fin of T. tor for the first time. The cell line was optimally maintained at 28°C in Leibovitz-15 (L-15) medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The propagation of TTCF cells showed a high plating efficiency of 63.00%. The cytogenetic analysis revealed a diploid count of 100 chromosomes at passage 15, 30, 45 and 60 passages. The viability of the TTCF cell line was found to be 72% after 6 months of cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen (-196°C). The origin of the cell lines was confirmed by the amplification of 578- and 655-bp sequences of 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) genes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) respectively. TTCF cells were successfully transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter plasmids. Further, immunocytochemistry studies confirm its fibroblastic morphology of cells. Genotoxicity assessment of H₂O₂ in TTCF cell line revealed the utility of TTCF cell line as in vitro model for aquatic toxicological studies.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Line/cytology*; Cyprinidae*; Immunohistochemistry; Karyotyping; Cryopreservation; Genes, Reporter; Comet Assay; Cell Proliferation; Endangered Species*
  10. Uthumporn U, Shariffa YN, Karim AA
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2012 Mar;166(5):1167-82.
    PMID: 22203397 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-011-9502-x
    The effect of heat treatment below the gelatinization temperature on the susceptibility of corn, mung bean, sago, and potato starches towards granular starch hydrolysis (35°C) was investigated. Starches were hydrolyzed in granular state and after heat treatment (50°C for 30 min) by using granular starch hydrolyzing enzyme for 24 h. Hydrolyzed heat-treated starches showed a significant increase in the percentage of dextrose equivalent compared to native starches, respectively, with corn 53% to 56%, mung bean 36% to 47%, sago 15% to 26%, and potato 12% to 15%. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed the presence of more porous granules and surface erosion in heat-treated starch compared to native starch. X-ray analysis showed no changes but with sharper peaks for all the starches, suggested that hydrolysis occurred on the amorphous region. The amylose content and swelling power of heat-treated starches was markedly altered after hydrolysis. Evidently, this enzyme was able to hydrolyze granular starches and heat treatment before hydrolysis significantly increased the degree of hydrolysis.
    MeSH terms: alpha-Amylases/metabolism*; alpha-Amylases/chemistry; Amylose/metabolism; Aspergillus niger/enzymology; Glucan 1,4-alpha-Glucosidase/metabolism*; Glucan 1,4-alpha-Glucosidase/chemistry; Gels; Hot Temperature*; Hydrolysis; Particle Size; Solubility; Starch/metabolism*; Starch/chemistry*; X-Ray Diffraction
  11. Wong YH, Abdul Kadir H, Ling SK
    PMID: 22203865 DOI: 10.1155/2012/164689
    Leea indica is a medicinal plant used traditionally to cure cancer. In this study, the cytotoxic compounds of L. indica were isolated using bioassay-guided approach. Two cycloartane triterpenoid glycosides, mollic acid arabinoside (MAA) and mollic acid xyloside (MAX), were firstly isolated from L. indica. They inhibited the growth of Ca Ski cervical cancer cells with IC(50) of 19.21 μM (MAA) and 33.33 μM (MAX). MRC5 normal cell line was used to calculate selectivity index. MAA and MAX were about 8 and 4 times more cytotoxic to Ca Ski cells compared to MRC5. The cytotoxicity of MAA was characterized by both cytostatic and cytocidal effects. MAA decreased the expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen, increased sub-G1 cells, and arrested cells in S and G2/M phases. This study provides the evidence for the ethnomedicinal use of L. indica and paves the way for future mechanism studies on the anticancer effects of MAA.
    MeSH terms: Biological Assay; Cell Division; Cell Line; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Female; Glycosides; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Plants, Medicinal; Triterpenes; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; Cytostatic Agents
  12. Eik LF, Naidu M, David P, Wong KH, Tan YS, Sabaratnam V
    PMID: 22203867 DOI: 10.1155/2012/320308
    A national treasure mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerus, has been used to treat variety of ailments by local and indigenous communities in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the most valuable part of L. rhinocerus, the sclerotium, on neurite outgrowth activity by using PC-12Adh cell line. Differentiated cells with one thin extension at least double the length of the cell diameter were scored positive. Our results showed that aqueous sclerotium L. rhinocerus extract induced neurite outgrowths of 24.4% and 42.1% at 20 μg/mL (w/v) of aqueous extract alone and a combination of 20 μg/mL (w/v) aqueous extract and 30 ng/mL (w/v) of NGF, respectively. Combination of NGF and sclerotium extract had additive effects and enhanced neurite outgrowth. Neuronal differentiation was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence of neurofilament protein. Aqueous sclerotium extract contained neuroactive compounds that stimulated neurite outgrowth in vitro. To our knowledge this is the first report on neurite-stimulating activities of L. rhinocerus.
    MeSH terms: Agaricales; Basidiomycota; Cell Line; Intermediate Filaments; Malaysia; Polyporaceae; Neurites; Neurofilament Proteins; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Nerve Growth Factor; Neuronal Outgrowth
  13. Basri DF, Tan LS, Shafiei Z, Zin NM
    PMID: 22203875 DOI: 10.1155/2012/632796
    The galls of Quercus infectoria are commonly used in Malay traditional medicine to treat wound infections after childbirth. In India, they are employed traditionally as dental applications such as that in treatment of toothache and gingivitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of galls of Quercus infectoria Olivier against oral bacteria which are known to cause dental caries and periodontitis. Methanol and acetone extracts were screened against two Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 13419) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 and Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586). The screening test of antibacterial activity was performed using agar-well diffusion method. Subsequently, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by using twofold serial microdilution method at a concentration ranging between 0.01 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was obtained by subculturing microtiter wells which showed no changes in colour of the indicator after incubation. Both extracts showed inhibition zones which did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) against each tested bacteria. Among all tested bacteria, S. salivarius was the most susceptible. The MIC ranges for methanol and acetone extracts were the same, between 0.16 and 0.63 mg/mL. The MBC value, for methanol and acetone extracts, was in the ranges 0.31-1.25 mg/mL and 0.31-2.50 mg/mL, respectively. Both extracts of Q. infectoria galls exhibited similar antibacterial activity against oral pathogens. Thus, the galls may be considered as effective phytotherapeutic agents for the prevention of oral pathogens.
    MeSH terms: Acetone; Agar; Methanol; Color; Dental Caries; Female; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Humans; Malaysia; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pregnancy; Streptococcus mutans; Toothache; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Quercus; Streptococcus salivarius
  14. Wong YH, Abdul Kadir H
    PMID: 22203877 DOI: 10.1155/2012/684740
    Leea indica is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat cancer. Through bioassay-guided approach, we isolated mollic acid arabinoside (MAA), for the first time from Leea indica. Here, we present the apoptosis-inducing effect of MAA on Ca Ski cervical cancer cells. Based on DAPI staining, MAA-treated cells manifested nuclear shrinkage, condensation, and fragmentation. We further confirmed the fragmentation of DNA using TUNEL assay. During early apoptosis, MAA caused the perturbation of plasma membrane through externalization of PS, followed by the formation of apoptotic blebs. Prior to these events, MAA triggered rapid dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential. In the upstream, MAA increased the expression of Bax, decreased the expression of Bcl-2, and augmented the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These findings suggested that MAA induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in Ca Ski cells and thus provide the scientific explanation for the traditional application of this herbal medicine in cancer treatment.
    MeSH terms: Biological Assay; Blister; Cell Count; Cell Membrane; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; DNA; Female; Humans; Phytotherapy; Mitochondria; Plants, Medicinal; Staining and Labeling; Apoptosis; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Herbal Medicine; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
  15. Raja Izaham RM, Abdul Kadir MR, Abdul Rashid AH, Hossain MG, Kamarul T
    Injury, 2012 Jun;43(6):898-902.
    PMID: 22204773 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2011.12.006
    The use of open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) to correct varus deformity of the knee is well established. However, the stability of the various implants used in this procedure has not been previously demonstrated. In this study, the two most common types of plates were analysed (1) the Puddu plates that use the dynamic compression plate (DCP) concept, and (2) the Tomofix plate that uses the locking compression plate (LCP) concept. Three dimensional model of the tibia was reconstructed from computed tomography images obtained from the Medical Implant Technology Group datasets. Osteotomy and fixation models were simulated through computational processing. Simulated loading was applied at 60:40 ratios on the medial:lateral aspect during single limb stance. The model was fixed distally in all degrees of freedom. Simulated data generated from the micromotions, displacement and, implant stress were captured. At the prescribed loads, a higher displacement of 3.25 mm was observed for the Puddu plate model (p<0.001). Coincidentally the amount of stresses subjected to this plate, 24.7 MPa, was also significantly lower (p<0.001). There was significant negative correlation (p<0.001) between implant stresses to that of the amount of fracture displacement which signifies a less stable fixation using Puddu plates. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the Tomofix plate produces superior stability for bony fixation in HTO procedures.
    MeSH terms: Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone Plates*; Humans; Knee Joint/surgery*; Osteotomy/instrumentation; Osteotomy/methods*; Stress, Mechanical; Joint Deformities, Acquired/surgery*; Finite Element Analysis*; Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  16. Ong WD, Voo CL, Kumar SV
    Mol Biol Rep, 2012 May;39(5):5889-96.
    PMID: 22207174 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-011-1400-3
    Improving the quality of the non-climacteric fruit, pineapple, is possible with information on the expression of genes that occur during the process of fruit ripening. This can be made known though the generation of partial mRNA transcript sequences known as expressed sequence tags (ESTs). ESTs are useful not only for gene discovery but also function as a resource for the identification of molecular markers, such as simple sequence repeats (SSRs). This paper reports on firstly, the construction of a normalized library of the mature green pineapple fruit and secondly, the mining of EST-SSRs markers using the newly obtained pineapple ESTs as well as publically available pineapple ESTs deposited in GenBank. Sequencing of the clones from the EST library resulted in 282 good sequences. Assembly of sequences generated 168 unique transcripts (UTs) consisting of 34 contigs and 134 singletons with an average length of ≈500 bp. Annotation of the UTs categorized the known proteins transcripts into the three ontologies as: molecular function (34.88%), biological process (38.43%), and cellular component (26.69%). Approximately 7% (416) of the pineapple ESTs contained SSRs with an abundance of trinucleotide SSRs (48.3%) being identified. This was followed by dinucleotide and tetranucleotide SSRs with frequency of 46 and 57%, respectively. From these EST-containing SSRs, 355 (85.3%) matched to known proteins while 133 contained flanking regions for primer design. Both the ESTs were sequenced and the mined EST-SSRs will be useful in the understanding of non-climacteric ripening and the screening of biomarkers linked to fruit quality traits.
    MeSH terms: Base Sequence; Fruit/genetics; Molecular Sequence Data; Nucleotides/genetics; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics; RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics*; Expressed Sequence Tags*; Contig Mapping; Databases, Genetic; Ananas/genetics*; Data Mining*; Molecular Sequence Annotation
  17. Wang W, Shao Z
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2012 Apr;94(2):437-48.
    PMID: 22207216 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-011-3818-x
    Alcanivorax hongdengensis A-11-3 is a newly identified type strain isolated from the surface water of the Malacca and Singapore Straits that can degrade a wide range of alkanes. To understand the degradation mechanism of this strain, the genes encoding alkane hydroxylases were obtained by PCR screening and shotgun sequencing of a genomic fosmid library. Six genes involved in alkane degradation were found, including alkB1, alkB2, p450-1, p450-2, p450-3 and almA. Heterogeneous expression analysis confirmed their functions as alkane oxidases in Pseudomonas putida GPo12 (pGEc47ΔB) or Pseudomonas fluorescens KOB2Δ1. Q-PCR revealed that the transcription of alkB1 and alkB2 was enhanced in the presence of n-alkanes C(12) to C(24); three p450 genes were up-regulated by C(8)-C(16) n-alkanes at different levels, whereas enhanced expression of almA was observed when strain A-11-3 grew with long-chain alkanes (C(24) to C(36)). In the case of branched alkanes, pristane significantly enhanced the expression of alkB1, p450-3 and almA. The six genes enable strain A-11-3 to degrade short (C(8)) to long (C(36)) alkanes that are straight or branched. The ability of A. hongdengensis A-11-3 to thrive in oil-polluted marine environments may be due to this strain's multiple systems for alkane degradation and its range of substrates.
    MeSH terms: Alkanes/metabolism*; Biotransformation; Cloning, Molecular; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry; Molecular Sequence Data; Pseudomonas fluorescens/genetics; Seawater/microbiology; Singapore; Gene Expression; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Pseudomonas putida/genetics; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Alcanivoraceae/genetics*; Alcanivoraceae/isolation & purification; Alcanivoraceae/metabolism*; Metabolic Networks and Pathways/genetics*
  18. Ahmad T, Danish M, Rafatullah M, Ghazali A, Sulaiman O, Hashim R, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2012 Jun;19(5):1464-84.
    PMID: 22207239 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-011-0709-8
    BACKGROUND: In tropical countries, the palm tree is one of the most abundant and important trees. Date palm is a principal fruit grown in many regions of the world. It is abundant, locally available and effective material that could be used as an adsorbent for the removal of different pollutants from aqueous solution.

    REVIEW: This article presents a review on the role of date palm as adsorbents in the removal of unwanted materials such as acid and basic dyes, heavy metals, and phenolic compounds. Many studies on adsorption properties of various low cost adsorbent, such as agricultural waste and activated carbons based on agricultural waste have been reported in recent years.

    CONCLUSION: Studies have shown that date palm-based adsorbents are the most promising adsorbents for removing unwanted materials. No previous review is available where researchers can get an overview of the adsorption capacities of date palm-based adsorbent used for the adsorption of different pollutants. This review provides the recent literature demonstrating the usefulness of date palm biomass-based adsorbents in the adsorption of various pollutants.

    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Charcoal; Coloring Agents/isolation & purification; Coloring Agents/chemistry; Pesticides/isolation & purification; Pesticides/chemistry; Waste Disposal, Fluid/economics; Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry; Biomass; Metals, Heavy/isolation & purification; Metals, Heavy/chemistry; Arecaceae/chemistry*
  19. Iqbal M, Gnanaraj C
    Environ Health Prev Med, 2012 Jul;17(4):307-15.
    PMID: 22207570 DOI: 10.1007/s12199-011-0255-5
    OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of aqueous extract of Eleusine indica to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatic injury in rats.

    METHODS: The antioxidant activity of E. indica was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The total phenolic content of E. indica was also determined. Biochemical parameters [e.g. alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase] were used to evaluate hepatic damage in animals pretreated with E. indica and intoxicated with CCl₄. CCl₄-mediated hepatic damage was also evaluated by histopathologically.

    RESULTS: E. indica extract was able to reduce the stable DPPH level in a dose-dependent manner. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value was 2350 μg/ml. Total phenolic content was found to be 14.9 ± 0.002 mg/g total phenolic expressed as gallic acid equivalent per gram of extract. Groups pretreated with E. indica showed significantly increased activity of antioxidant enzymes compared to the CCl₄-intoxicated group (p < 0.05). The increased levels of serum ALT and AST were significantly prevented by E. indica pretreatment (p < 0.05). The extent of MDA formation due to lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and reduced GSH was significantly increased in a dose-dependently manner (p < 0.05) in the E. indica-pretreated groups as compared to the CCl₄-intoxicated group. The protective effect of E. indica was further evident through decreased histopathological alterations in the liver.

    CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that the hepatoprotective effects of E. indica might be ascribable to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging property.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/analysis; Antioxidants/pharmacology*; Antioxidants/therapeutic use*; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning/drug therapy*; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning/metabolism; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning/pathology; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Oxidative Stress*; Eleusine/chemistry*; Rats; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy*; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/metabolism; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/pathology
  20. Yip CH, Samiei M, Cazap E, Rosenblatt E, Datta NR, Camacho R, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2012;13(4 Suppl):23-36.
    PMID: 22631594
    Survival following a diagnosis of cancer is contingent upon an interplay of factors, some non-modifiable (e.g., age, sex, genetics) and some modifiable (e.g., volitional choices) but the majority determined by circumstance (personal, social, health system context and capacity, and health policy). Accordingly, mortality and survival rates vary considerably as a function of geography, opportunity, wealth and development. Quality of life is impacted similarly, such that aspects of care related to coordination and integration of care across primary, community and specialist environments; symptom control, palliative and end-of-life care for those who will die of cancer; and survivorship challenges for those who will survive cancer, differs greatly across low, middle and high-income resource settings. Session 3 of the 4th International Cancer Control Congress (ICCC-4) focused on cancer care and treatment through three plenary presentations and five interactive workshop discussions: 1) establishing, implementing, operating and sustaining the capacity for quality cancer care; 2) the role of primary, community, and specialist care in cancer care and treatment; 3) the economics of affordable and sustainable cancer care; 4) issues around symptom control, support, and palliative/end-of-life care; and 5) issues around survivorship. A number of recommendations were proposed relating to capacity-building (standards and guidelines, protocols, new technologies and training and deployment) for safe, appropriate evidence-informed care; mapping and analysis of variations in primary, community and specialist care across countries with identification of models for effective, integrated clinical practice; the importance of considering the introduction, or expansion, of evidence-supported clinical practices from the perspectives of health economic impact, the value for health resources expended, and sustainability; capacity-building for palliative, end-of-life care and symptom control and integration of these services into national cancer control plans; the need for public education to reduce the fear and stigma associated with cancer so that patients are better able to make informed decisions regarding follow-up care and treatment; and the need to recognize the challenges and needs of survivors, their increasing number, the necessity to integrate survivorship into cancer control plans and the economic and societal value of functional survival after cancer. Discussions highlighted that coordinated care and treatment for cancer patients is both a ' systems'challenge and solution, requiring the consideration of patient and family circumstances, societal values and priorities, the functioning of the health system (access, capacity, resources, etc.) and the importance assigned to health and illness management within public policy.
    MeSH terms: Continuity of Patient Care/organization & administration*; Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration*; Developing Countries; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Neoplasms/therapy*
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