Browse publications by year: 2013

Fulltext Potentiality of a triple microRNA classifier: miR-193a-3p, miR-23a and miR-338-5p for early detection of colorectal cancer

Yong FL, Law CW, Wang CW

BMC Cancer, 2013 Jun 08;13:280.
PMID: 23758639 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-280

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNA molecules that act as regulators of gene expression. Circulating blood miRNAs offer great potential as cancer biomarkers. The objective of this study was to correlate the differential expression of miRNAs in tissue and blood in the identification of biomarkers for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC).
METHODS: The study was divided into two phases: (I) Marker discovery by miRNA microarray using paired cancer tissues (n = 30) and blood samples (CRC, n = 42; control, n = 18). (II) Marker validation by stem-loop reverse transcription real time PCR using an independent set of paired cancer tissues (n = 30) and blood samples (CRC, n = 70; control, n = 32). Correlation analysis was determined by Pearson's test. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics curve analyses were applied to obtain diagnostic utility of the miRNAs.
RESULTS: Seven miRNAs (miR-150, miR-193a-3p, miR-23a, miR-23b, miR-338-5p, miR-342-3p and miR-483-3p) have been found to be differentially expressed in both tissue and blood samples. Significant positive correlations were observed in the tissue and blood levels of miR-193a-3p, miR-23a and miR-338-5p. Moreover, increased expressions of these miRNAs were detected in the more advanced stages. MiR-193a-3p, miR-23a and miR-338-5p were demonstrated as a classifier for CRC detection, yielding a receiver operating characteristic curve area of 0.887 (80.0% sensitivity, 84.4% specificity and 83.3% accuracy).
CONCLUSION: Dysregulations in circulating blood miRNAs are reflective of those in colorectal tissues. The triple miRNA classifier of miR-193a-3p, miR-23a and miR-338-5p appears to be a potential blood biomarker for early detection of CRC.

MeSH terms: Aged; Colonic Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Colonic Neoplasms/genetics; Colonic Neoplasms/metabolism; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; ROC Curve; Sensitivity and Specificity; Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis*; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; MicroRNAs/analysis*; Early Detection of Cancer/methods*; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Fulltext Antibacterial activity of selected Malaysian honey

Zainol MI, Mohd Yusoff K, Mohd Yusof MY

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2013;13:129.
PMID: 23758747 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-129

Antibacterial activity of honey is mainly dependent on a combination of its peroxide activity and non-peroxide components. This study aims to investigate antibacterial activity of five varieties of Malaysian honey (three monofloral; acacia, gelam and pineapple, and two polyfloral; kelulut and tualang) against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents/analysis; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Bacillus cereus/drug effects; Bacillus cereus/growth & development; Bees; Escherichia coli/drug effects; Escherichia coli/growth & development; Honey/analysis*; Malaysia; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/growth & development; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development
Fulltext High prevalence of mutation in the Plasmodium falciparum dhfr and dhps genes in field isolates from Sabah, Northern Borneo

Abdullah NR, Norahmad NA, Jelip J, Sulaiman LH, Mohd Sidek H, Ismail Z, et al.

Malar J, 2013;12:198.
PMID: 23758930 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-198

Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has been in use for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Malaysia since the 1970s and is still widely employed in spite of widespread clinical resistance. Resistance to SP is known to be mediated by mutations in the pfdhfr and pfdhps genes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of pfdhfr and pfdhps gene polymorphism in Plasmodium falciparum field isolates from Kalabakan, Sabah, in northern Borneo.

MeSH terms: Antimalarials/pharmacology; Borneo/epidemiology; Dihydropteroate Synthase/genetics*; Drug Resistance/genetics; Humans; Mutation; Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects; Plasmodium falciparum/enzymology; Plasmodium falciparum/genetics*; Plasmodium falciparum/isolation & purification; Polymorphism, Genetic; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase/genetics*; Protozoan Proteins/genetics*; Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology; Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology*
Hair arsenic levels and prevalence of arsenicosis in three Cambodian provinces

Hashim JH, Radzi RS, Aljunid SM, Nur AM, Ismail A, Baguma D, et al.

Sci Total Environ, 2013 Oct 1;463-464:1210-6.
PMID: 23759330 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.04.084

Natural, inorganic arsenic contamination of groundwater threatens the health of more than 100 million people worldwide, including residents of the densely populated river deltas of South and Southeast Asia. Contaminated groundwater from tube wells in Cambodia was discovered in 2001 leading to the detection of the first cases of arsenicosis in 2006. The most affected area was the Kandal Province. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of arsenicosis in Cambodia based on acceptable criteria, and to investigate the use of hair arsenic as a biomarker not only for arsenicosis-related signs but also for associated symptoms. A cross-sectional epidemiological study of 616 respondents from 3 purposely selected provinces within the Mekong River basin of Cambodia was conducted. The Kandal Province was chosen as a high arsenic-contaminated area, while the Kratie Province and Kampong Cham Province were chosen as moderate and low arsenic-contaminated areas, respectively. The most prevalent sign of arsenicosis was hypomelanosis with a prevalence of 14.5% among all respondents and 32.4% among respondents with a hair arsenic level of ≥1 μg/g. This was followed by hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation and mee's lines. Results also suggest a 1.0 μg/g hair arsenic level to be a practical cut off point for an indication of an arsenic contaminated individual. This hair arsenic level, together with the presence of one or more of the classical signs of arsenicosis, seems to be a practical criteria for a confirmed diagnosis. Based on these criteria, the overall prevalence of arsenicosis for all provinces was found to be 16.1%, with Kandal Province recording the highest prevalence of 35.5%. This prevalence is comparatively high when compared to that of other affected countries. The association between arsenicosis and the use of Chinese traditional medicine also needs further investigation.

MeSH terms: Adult; Arsenic/analysis*; Cambodia/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hair/chemistry*; Health Status; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Arsenic Poisoning/epidemiology*; Groundwater/chemistry
Fulltext A high molecular-mass Anoxybacillus sp. SK3-4 amylopullulanase: characterization and its relationship in carbohydrate utilization

Kahar UM, Chan KG, Salleh MM, Hii SM, Goh KM

Int J Mol Sci, 2013;14(6):11302-18.
PMID: 23759984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140611302

An amylopullulanase of the thermophilic Anoxybacillus sp. SK3-4 (ApuASK) was purified to homogeneity and characterized. Though amylopullulanases larger than 200 kDa are rare, the molecular mass of purified ApuASK appears to be approximately 225 kDa, on both SDS-PAGE analyses and native-PAGE analyses. ApuASK was stable between pH 6.0 and pH 8.0 and exhibited optimal activity at pH 7.5. The optimal temperature for ApuASK enzyme activity was 60 °C, and it retained 54% of its total activity for 240 min at 65 °C. ApuASK reacts with pullulan, starch, glycogen, and dextrin, yielding glucose, maltose, and maltotriose. Interestingly, most of the previously described amylopullulanases are unable to produce glucose and maltose from these substrates. Thus, ApuASK is a novel, high molecular-mass amylopullulanase able to produce glucose, maltose, and maltotriose from pullulan and starch. Based on whole genome sequencing data, ApuASK appeared to be the largest protein present in Anoxybacillus sp. SK3-4. The α-amylase catalytic domain present in all of the amylase superfamily members is present in ApuASK, located between the cyclodextrin (CD)-pullulan-degrading N-terminus and the α-amylase catalytic C-terminus (amyC) domains. In addition, the existence of a S-layer homology (SLH) domain indicates that ApuASK might function as a cell-anchoring enzyme and be important for carbohydrate utilization in a streaming hot spring.

MeSH terms: Buffers; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Enzyme Stability/drug effects; Glycoside Hydrolases/isolation & purification; Glycoside Hydrolases/metabolism*; Glycoside Hydrolases/chemistry*; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ions; Metals/pharmacology; Molecular Weight; Phylogeny; Temperature; Genome, Bacterial; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Anoxybacillus/enzymology*; Anoxybacillus/genetics
Fulltext Synthesis, antibacterial and thermal studies of cellulose nanocrystal stabilized ZnO-Ag heterostructure nanoparticles

Azizi S, Ahmad MB, Hussein MZ, Ibrahim NA

Molecules, 2013 May 28;18(6):6269-80.
PMID: 23760028 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18066269

Synthesis of ZnO-Ag heterostructure nanoparticles was carried out by a precipitation method with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a stabilizer for antimicrobial and thermal studies. ZnO-Ag nanoparticles were obtained from various weight percentages of added AgNO₃ relative to Zn precursors for evaluating the best composition with enhanced functional properties. The ZnO-Ag/CNCs samples were characterized systematically by TEM, XRD, UV, TGA and DTG. From the TEM studies we observed that ZnO-Ag heterostructure nanoparticles have spherical shapes with size diameters in a 9-35 nm range. The antibacterial activities of samples were assessed against the bacterial species Salmonella choleraesuis and Staphylococcus aureus. The CNC-stabilized ZnO-Ag exhibited greater bactericidal activity compared to cellulose-free ZnO-Ag heterostructure nanoparticles of the same particle size. The incorporation of ZnO-Ag hetreostructure nanoparticles significantly increased the thermal stability of cellulose nanocrystals.

MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry*; Cellulose/chemistry*; Drug Stability; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Silver/chemistry*; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects; Temperature; Thermogravimetry; X-Ray Diffraction; Zinc Oxide/chemistry*; Nanoparticles/ultrastructure; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
Fulltext A population-based study measuring the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among adults in West Malaysia

Hooi LS, Ong LM, Ahmad G, Bavanandan S, Ahmad NA, Naidu BM, et al.

Kidney Int, 2013 Nov;84(5):1034-40.
PMID: 23760287 DOI: 10.1038/ki.2013.220

In this population-based study, we determine the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in West Malaysia in order to have accurate information for health-care planning. A sample of 876 individuals, representative of 15,147 respondents from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011, of the noninstitutionalized adult population (over 18 years old) in West Malaysia was studied. We measured the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (CKD-EPI equation); albuminuria and stages of chronic kidney disease were derived from calibrated serum creatinine, age, gender and early morning urine albumin creatinine ratio. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease in this group was 9.07%. An estimated 4.16% had stage 1 chronic kidney disease (eGFR >90 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and persistent albuminuria), 2.05% had stage 2 (eGFR 60-89 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and persistent albuminuria), 2.26% had stage 3 (eGFR 30-59 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)), 0.24% had stage 4 (eGFR 15-29 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)), and 0.36% had stage 5 chronic kidney disease (eGFR <15 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)). Only 4% of respondents with chronic kidney disease were aware of their diagnosis. Risk factors included increased age, diabetes, and hypertension. Thus, chronic kidney disease in West Malaysia is common and, therefore, warrants early detection and treatment in order to potentially improve outcome.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2011)

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Albuminuria/epidemiology; Creatinine/blood; Creatinine/urine; Female; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Health Surveys; Humans; Malaysia; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Biomarkers/blood; Biomarkers/urine; Prevalence; Age Distribution; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/diagnosis; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology*; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/physiopathology; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/urine; Young Adult
Fulltext Primary dapsone resistant Mycobacterium leprae in a non endemic country

Jamil A, Noor NM, Osman AS, Baseri MM, Muthupalaniappen L

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol, 2013 Jul-Aug;79(4):527-9.
PMID: 23760326 DOI: 10.4103/0378-6323.113096
MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Dapsone/pharmacology; Dapsone/therapeutic use*; Female; Humans; Leprostatic Agents/pharmacology; Leprostatic Agents/therapeutic use*; Leprosy/drug therapy*; Leprosy/epidemiology*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium leprae/drug effects*; Endemic Diseases*; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/drug effects; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/physiology; Young Adult
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction: a rare first manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus

Khairullah S, Jasmin R, Yahya F, Cheah TE, Ng CT, Sockalingam S

Lupus, 2013 Aug;22(9):957-60.
PMID: 23761180 DOI: 10.1177/0961203313492873

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare clinical syndrome of ineffective intestinal motility characterised by clinical and radiological evidence of intestinal obstruction with no identifiable mechanical lesion. CIPO can either be idiopathic or secondary to a systemic disease, like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Fewer than 30 cases of CIPO secondary to SLE have been reported so far. Here we describe a case of SLE with the initial presentation of CIPO. In SLE-related CIPO, treatment includes a combination of high-dose intravenous corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and supportive care. With awareness of this condition, unnecessary surgical intervention and repeated invasive procedures could be avoided. Early initiation of treatment would avoid complications and bring about resolution of symptoms.

MeSH terms: Adult; Chronic Disease; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use*; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use*; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction/diagnosis; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction/etiology*; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction/therapy; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications*; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/therapy; Administration, Intravenous
Fulltext Simultaneous radicular cyst and mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the maxilla: a diagnostic nightmare

Nabil S, Lo RC, Choi WS

BMJ Case Rep, 2013;2013.
PMID: 23761616 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2013-010290

We present a case of a 20-year-old woman presenting initially with an asymptomatic palatal swelling. Radiographic examination showed a cyst at the right maxilla with bucco-lingual expansion and perforation of palatal bone. Incisional biopsy was carried out via a buccal approach and the result revealed a benign odontogenic cyst, in keeping with radicular cyst. The patient was then scheduled for cyst enucleation. During the procedure, it was found that the palatal lesion was unrelated to the maxillary cyst. Incisional biopsy of the palatal mass was carried out and revealed a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The patient then had a partial maxillectomy with fibula flap reconstruction. There was no recurrence at postoperative 1 year follow-up and she was rehabilitated with dental implants.

MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Humans; Maxillary Neoplasms/complications; Maxillary Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Maxillary Neoplasms/radiography; Radicular Cyst/complications; Radicular Cyst/diagnosis*; Radicular Cyst/radiography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid/complications; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid/diagnosis*; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid/radiography
Fulltext The critical steps for successful research: The research proposal and scientific writing: (A report on the pre-conference workshop held in conjunction with the 64(th) annual conference of the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress-2012)

Balakumar P, Inamdar MN, Jagadeesh G

J Pharmacol Pharmacother, 2013 Apr;4(2):130-8.
PMID: 23761709 DOI: 10.4103/0976-500X.110895

An interactive workshop on 'The Critical Steps for Successful Research: The Research Proposal and Scientific Writing' was conducted in conjunction with the 64(th) Annual Conference of the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress-2012 at Chennai, India. In essence, research is performed to enlighten our understanding of a contemporary issue relevant to the needs of society. To accomplish this, a researcher begins search for a novel topic based on purpose, creativity, critical thinking, and logic. This leads to the fundamental pieces of the research endeavor: Question, objective, hypothesis, experimental tools to test the hypothesis, methodology, and data analysis. When correctly performed, research should produce new knowledge. The four cornerstones of good research are the well-formulated protocol or proposal that is well executed, analyzed, discussed and concluded. This recent workshop educated researchers in the critical steps involved in the development of a scientific idea to its successful execution and eventual publication.
Fulltext Cisplatin induces differentiation of breast cancer cells

Prabhakaran P, Hassiotou F, Blancafort P, Filgueira L

Front Oncol, 2013;3:134.
PMID: 23761858 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00134

Breast tumors are heterogeneous including cells with stem cell properties and more differentiated cells. This heterogeneity is reflected into the molecular breast cancer subtypes. Breast cancer stem cells are resistant to chemotherapy, thus recent efforts are focusing on identifying treatments that shift them toward a more differentiated phenotype, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy. We examined whether the drug cisplatin induces differentiation in breast cancer cell lines that represent different breast cancer subtypes. We used three cell lines representing triple-negative breast cancers, BT-549 and MDA-MB-231 (claudin-low), and MDA-MB-468 (basal-like), along with estrogen and progesterone receptor positive MCF-7 cells (luminal). Cisplatin was applied at 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 μM, and cell viability and proliferation were measured using MTS and BrdU assays, respectively. The effect of cisplatin on the cellular hierarchy was examined by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR. Cisplatin treatment of 10 and 20 μM reduced cell viability by 36-51% and proliferation capacity by 36-67%. Treatment with cisplatin resulted in 12-67% down-regulation of stem cell markers (CD49f, SSEA4) and 10-130% up-regulation of differentiation markers (CK18, SMA, β-tubulin). At the mRNA level, CD49f was down-regulated whilst β-tubulin was up-regulated in the claudin-low cell lines. SSEA4 protein expression decreased upon cisplatin treatment, but SSEA4 mRNA expression increased indicating a differential regulation of cisplatin at the post-transcriptional level. It is concluded that cisplatin reduces breast cancer cell survival and induces differentiation of stem/progenitor cell subpopulations within breast cancer cell lines. These effects indicate the potential of this drug to target specific chemotherapy-resistant cells within a tumor.
Fulltext In Vitro Morphological Assessment of Apoptosis Induced by Antiproliferative Constituents from the Rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria

Syed Abdul Rahman SN, Abdul Wahab N, Abd Malek SN

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:257108.
PMID: 23762112 DOI: 10.1155/2013/257108

Bioassay-guided isolation of the active hexane fractions of Curcuma zedoaria led to the identification of five pure compounds, namely, curzerenone (1), neocurdione (2), curdione (3), alismol (4), and zederone (5) and a mixture of sterols, namely, campesterol (6), stigmasterol (7), and β -sitosterol (8). Alismol has never been reported to be present in Curcuma zedoaria. All isolated compounds except (3) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, Ca Ski, and HCT-116 cancer cell lines and noncancer human fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) using neutral red cytotoxicity assay. Curzerenone and alismol significantly inhibited cell proliferation in human cancer cell lines MCF-7, Ca Ski, and HCT-116 in a dose-dependent manner. Cytological observations by an inverted phase contrast microscope and Hoechst 33342/PI dual-staining assay showed typical apoptotic morphology of cancer cells upon treatment with curzerenone and alismol. Both compounds induce apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3. It can thus be suggested that curzerenone and alismol are modulated by apoptosis via caspase-3 signalling pathway. The findings of the present study support the use of Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes in traditional medicine for the treatment of cancer-related diseases. Thus, two naturally occurring sesquiterpenoids, curzerenone and alismol, hold great promise for use in chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies.

MeSH terms: Humans; Neutral Red; Sitosterols; Sterols; Stigmasterol; Rhizome; Curcuma; Caspase 3; MCF-7 Cells
Fulltext Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Activities of Curculigo latifolia Fruit:Root Extract in High Fat Fed Diet and Low Dose STZ Induced Diabetic Rats

Ishak NA, Ismail M, Hamid M, Ahmad Z, Abd Ghafar SA

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:601838.
PMID: 23762147 DOI: 10.1155/2013/601838

Curculigo latifolia fruit is used as alternative sweetener while root is used as alternative treatment for diuretic and urinary problems. The antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of C. latifolia fruit:root aqueous extract in high fat diet (HFD) and 40 mg streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats through expression of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolisms were investigated. Diabetic rats were treated with C. latifolia fruit:root extract for 4 weeks. Plasma glucose, insulin, adiponectin, lipid profiles, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), urea, and creatinine levels were measured before and after treatments. Regulations of selected genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolisms were determined. Results showed the significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight, high density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin, and adiponectin levels and decreased glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), urea, creatinine, ALT, and GGT levels in diabetic rats after 4 weeks treatment. Furthermore, C. latifolia fruit:root extract significantly increased the expression of IRS-1, IGF-1, GLUT4, PPAR α , PPAR γ , AdipoR1, AdipoR2, leptin, LPL, and lipase genes in adipose and muscle tissues in diabetic rats. These results suggest that C. latifolia fruit:root extract exerts antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects through altering regulation genes in glucose and lipid metabolisms in diabetic rats.
Fulltext Hepatoprotective Role of Ethanolic Extract of Vitex negundo in Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Male Rats

Kadir FA, Kassim NM, Abdulla MA, Yehye WA

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:739850.
PMID: 23762157 DOI: 10.1155/2013/739850

The hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract from the leaves of Vitex negundo (VN) was conducted against thioacetamide- (TAA-) induced hepatic injury in Sprague Dawley rats. The therapeutic effect of the extract was investigated on adult male rats. Rats were divided into seven groups: control, TAA, Silymarin (SY), and VN high dose and low dose groups. Rats were administered with VN extract at two different doses, 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg body weight. After 12 weeks, the rats administered with VN showed a significantly lower liver to body weight ratio. Their abnormal levels of biochemical parameters and liver malondialdehyde were restored closer to the normal levels and were comparable to the levels in animals treated with the standard drug, SY. Gross necropsy and histopathological examination further confirmed the results. Progression of liver fibrosis induced by TAA in rats was intervened by VN extract administration, and these effects were similar to those administered with SY. This is the first report on hepatoprotective effect of VN against TAA-induced liver fibrosis.
Microwave assisted hydrothermal method for porous zinc oxide nanostructured-films

Ridha NJ, Umar AA, Alosfur F, Jumali MH, Salleh MM

J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2013 Apr;13(4):2667-74.
PMID: 23763142

Porous ZnO nanostructures have become the subject of research interest--due to their special structures with high surface to volume ratio that may produce peculiar properties for use in optoelectronics, sensing and catalysis applications. A microwave-assisted hydrothermal method has been used for effecting the formation of porous nanostructure of metaloxide materials, such as CoO and SnO2, in solution. Here, by adopting the unique performance of a microwave-assisted-hydrothermal method, we realized the formation of highly porous ZnO nanostructures directly on the substrate surface, instead of in solution. The effects of the ambient reaction conditions and the microwave power on the structural growth of the ZnO nanostructures were studied in detail. Two different ambient reaction conditions, namely refluxed and isolated in autoclave systems, were used in this work. Porous ZnO (PZO) nanostructures with networked-nanoflakes morphology is the typical result for this approach. It was found that the morphology of the ZnO nanostructures was strongly depended on the ambient conditions of the reaction; the isolated-autoclave system may produce reasonably high porous ZnO that is constituted by vertically oriented grainy-flakes structures, whereas the refluxed system produced solid vertically-oriented flake structures. The microwave power did not influence the structural growth of the ZnO. It was also found that both the ambient reaction conditions and the microwave power used influenced the crystallographic orientation of the PZO. For instance, PZO with dominant (002) Bragg plane could be obtained by using refluxed system, whereas PZO with dominant (101) plane could be realized if using isolated system. For the case of microwave power, the crystallographic orientation of PZO prepared using both systems changed from dominant (002) to (101) planes if the power was increased. The mechanism for the formation of porous ZnO nanostructures using the present approach is proposed. The ZnO nanostructures prepared using the present method should find an extensive use in currently existing application due to its property of reasonably high porosity.

MeSH terms: Catalysis; Crystallography; Microwaves; Zinc Oxide; Porosity; Nanostructures
Methadone maintenance treatment versus methadone maintenance treatment plus auricular acupuncture: impacts on patient satisfaction and coping mechanism

Lua PL, Talib NS, Ismail Z

J Pharm Pract, 2013 Dec;26(6):541-50.
PMID: 23764566 DOI: 10.1177/0897190013489574

This study intended to (1) describe the baseline patient satisfaction level and preferred coping strategies and (2) assess patient satisfaction and coping mechanisms pre- and postintervention. Patients on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Terengganu, Malaysia, were randomized into either MMT or MMT plus auricular acupuncture (MMT + AA) groups. All received the standard MMT, while participants on MMT + AA underwent concurrent AA session thrice weekly for 2 months (each session = 30 minutes). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 16.0, employing descriptive and nonparametric statistics. Participations were received from 97 eligible male patients (median age = 36.0 years; Malay = 97.9%). After screening for dropouts, only 69 patients were considered for subsequent analysis (MMT = 40; MMT + AA = 29). At preintervention, both groups did not differ significantly in the parameters investigated. During postintervention, no significant difference was detected for satisfaction level but coping-wise, substance use was significantly and frequently adopted by MMT + AA patients compared to MMT respondents (P < .05). On separate analysis, those who received MMT alone adopted active coping, venting, and self-blame significantly more frequently postintervention (P < .05). Nevertheless, no significant difference for coping styles of MMT + AA patients was exhibited over time (P >.05). The addition of AA therapy into the standard MMT treatment did not seem to influence patient satisfaction and their coping ways.

MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological*; Adult; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Malaysia; Male; Methadone/administration & dosage*; Middle Aged; Opioid-Related Disorders/rehabilitation*; Prospective Studies; Patient Satisfaction; Acupuncture, Ear/methods*; Young Adult; Opiate Substitution Treatment
Apoptosis induced by desmethyl-lasiodiplodin is associated with upregulation of apoptotic genes and downregulation of monocyte chemotactic protein-3

Hazalin NA, Lim SM, Cole AL, Majeed AB, Ramasamy K

Anticancer Drugs, 2013 Sep;24(8):852-61.
PMID: 23764760 DOI: 10.1097/CAD.0b013e3283635a47

There is growing interest in the discovery of bioactive metabolites from endophytes as an alternative source of therapeutics. Identification of their therapeutic targets is essential in understanding the underlying mechanisms and enhancing the resultant therapeutic effects. As such, bioactive compounds produced by endophytic fungi from plants at the National Park, Pahang, Malaysia, were investigated. Five known compounds were identified using LC-UV-MS-NMR and they include trichodermol, 7-epi-brefeldin A, (3R,4S)-4-hydroxymellein, desmethyl-lasiodiplodin and cytochalasin D. The present study went on to investigate the potential anticancer effects of these compounds and the corresponding molecular mechanisms of the lead compound against human breast adenocarcinoma, MCF-7. For the preliminary screening, the cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects of these compounds against MCF-7 were examined. The compounds were also tested against noncarcinogenic hepatocytes (WRL68). The differential cytotoxicity was then determined using the MTT assay. Desmethyl-lasiodiplodin was found to suppress the growth of MCF-7, yielding an inhibitory concentration (IC50) that was seven-fold lower than that of the normal cells. The cytotoxic effect of desmethyl-lasiodiplodin was accompanied by apoptosis. Subsequent analysis demonstrated increased expression levels of caspase 3, c-myc and p53. Further, desmethyl-lasiodiplodin resulted in inhibition of monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-3, a cytokine involved in cell survival and metastasis. Hence, this study proposed that desmethyl-lasiodiplodin inhibited growth and survival of MCF-7 through the induction of apoptosis. This anticancer effect is mediated, in part, by upregulation of apoptotic genes and downregulation of MCP-3. As desmethyl-lasiodiplodin elicited minimal impact against normal hepatocytes, our findings also imply its potential use as a specific apoptotic agent in breast cancer treatment.

MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents/isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents/toxicity; Breast Neoplasms/genetics; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism; Breast Neoplasms/pathology*; Chromatography, Liquid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Mycotoxins/isolation & purification; Mycotoxins/pharmacology*; Mycotoxins/toxicity; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Mass Spectrometry; Zearalenone/analogs & derivatives*; Zearalenone/isolation & purification; Zearalenone/pharmacology; Zearalenone/toxicity; Down-Regulation; Up-Regulation; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/metabolism; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Apoptosis/genetics; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/metabolism*; Mice; Caspase 3/genetics; Caspase 3/metabolism; Chemokine CCL7/genetics; Chemokine CCL7/metabolism*; Endophytes/chemistry; MCF-7 Cells
Molecular epidemiological investigation of velogenic Newcastle disease viruses from village chickens in Cambodia

Choi KS, Kye SJ, Kim JY, Damasco VR, Sorn S, Lee YJ, et al.

Virus Genes, 2013 Oct;47(2):244-9.
PMID: 23764918 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-013-0930-2

Three isolates of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were isolated from tracheal samples of dead village chickens in two provinces (Phnom Penh and Kampong Cham) in Cambodia during 2011-2012. All of these Cambodian NDV isolates were categorized as velogenic pathotype, based on in vivo pathogenicity tests and F cleavage site motif sequence ((112)RRRKRF(117)). The phylogenetic analysis and the evolutionary distances based on the sequences of the F gene revealed that all the three field isolates of NDV from Cambodia form a distinct cluster (VIIh) together with three Indonesian strains and were assigned to the genotype VII within the class II. Further phylogenetic analysis based on the hyper-variable region of the F gene revealed that some of NDV strains from Malaysia since the mid-2000s were also classified into the VIIh virus. This indicates that the VIIh NDVs are spreading through Southeast Asia. The present investigation, therefore, emphasizes the importance of further surveillance of NDV in neighboring countries as well as throughout Southeast Asia to contain further spreading of these VIIh viruses.

MeSH terms: Animals; Cambodia/epidemiology; Chickens; Molecular Sequence Data; Newcastle Disease/epidemiology*; Newcastle Disease/virology; Newcastle disease virus/classification*; Newcastle disease virus/genetics*; Newcastle disease virus/isolation & purification; Phylogeny; Poultry Diseases/epidemiology*; Poultry Diseases/virology; RNA, Viral/genetics; Trachea/virology; Genetic Variation; Viral Fusion Proteins/genetics; Cluster Analysis; Sequence Homology; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Molecular Epidemiology
Total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin are significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly men

Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S, Mohamed IN, Aminuddin A, Ngah WZ

Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes, 2013 Jul;121(7):407-12.
PMID: 23765753 DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1345164

Testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) have been shown to be associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) in men. This study aimed at validating these relationships in a group of middle-aged and elderly men and assessing their strength of association to MS. A cross-sectional study of 332 Malaysian men aged 40 years and above was conducted. The blood of subject was collected under fasting condition for determination of testosterone, SHBG, glucose and lipid levels. Their medical history, smoking and alcohol consumption status, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. All testosterone and SHBG levels were significantly reduced in MS subjects compared to non-MS subjects (p<0.05). Testosterone and SHBG were correlated significantly with most of the MS indicators without adjustments. In multiple regression analysis, the triglyceride level was the only MS indicator that was significantly, inversely and independently associated with all testosterone measurements and SHBG (p<0.05). Waist circumference was significantly and negatively associated with SHBG level (p<0.05) though not independent of BMI. Total testosterone and SHBG were significantly and inversely associated with the presence of MS. Testosterone and SHBG are potential intervention targets for the prevention of MS in men.

MeSH terms: Aged; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Humans; Lipids/blood; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin/metabolism*; Testosterone/blood*; Metabolic Syndrome X/blood*; Metabolic Syndrome X/pathology

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