Browse publications by year: 2013

  1. Fulltext Pilomatrixoma of left shoulder in an elderly female: a case report
    Tan L, Ooi C, Chua H, Zulkiflee O
    Malays Orthop J, 2013 Jul;7(2):48-50.
    PMID: 25722828 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1307.005
    We report a huge pilomatrixoma of the left shoulder in an elderly female, raising fear of malignancy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging delineated the swelling and wide surgical excision was performed. Post operative recovery was uneventful. Long term follow up is necessary in view of the possibility of recurrence and malignant transformation.

    KEY WORDS: Pilomatrixoma, Pilomatricoma, Calcifying Epithelioma of Malherbe, Shoulder, Upper Limb, Elderly, Female.

  2. Fulltext Lifestyle factors and dietary intake of Iranian postgraduate students in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
    Zarei M, Taib MN, Zarei F
    Electron Physician, 2013;5(3):687-97.
    PMID: 26120404 DOI: 10.14661/2013.687-697
    BACKGROUND: A student's lifestyle can change notably in a foreign country. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with the body weight status of Iranian postgraduate students in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) 2009.
    METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was administered to 210 Iranian postgraduate students at UPM. Anthropometric factors also were measured using standard procedures. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) also were calculated. The chi-squared test, Spearman's rho, and the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient were used to determine the associations between the variables that were studied. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to measure the amount of influence a predictor variable had on a outcome variable.
    RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between nutritional knowledge (P > 0.05), weight-management knowledge (P > 0.05), and smoking (P > 0.05) and BMI. There were statistically significant correlations between gender (P < 0.01), physical activity (P < 0.05), protein (P < 0.01), carbohydrate (P < 0.01), fat (P < 0.01), fiber (P < 0.01), vitamin C (P < 0.05), calcium (P < 0.01), and iron (P < 0.01) and BMI. There were also relationships between body fat (P < 0.01), waist circumference (P < 0.01), hip circumference (P < 0.01) and WHR (P < 0.01) and BMI.
    CONCLUSION: Our findings showed the need for a nutrition promotion program for the Iranian students to help them change their negative food habits and improve their lifestyles.
    KEYWORDS: Body weight; Dietary intake; Iran; Life style; Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet*; Humans; Iran/ethnology; Life Style*; Malaysia; Students; Universities
  3. Effect of semen collection methods on the quality of pre- and post-thawed Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) spermatozoa
    Sarsaifi K, Rosnina Y, Ariff MO, Wahid H, Hani H, Yimer N, et al.
    Reprod. Domest. Anim., 2013 Dec;48(6):1006-12.
    PMID: 23808560 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12206
    This study was conducted to evaluate the response of Bali bulls (Bos javanicus) to different semen collection methods and their effects on fresh and post-thawed semen quality. The collection methods employed were electro-ejaculation (EE), transrectal massage (RM) and RM followed by EE (RM + EE). A total of 25 untrained Bali bulls (age between 2 and 4 years old) were subjected to the different semen collection methods. Fresh semen samples from all the 25 bulls were evaluated for volume, pH, general motility, live/dead ratio and abnormality using the conventional method. For fresh and frozen samples collected by EE and RM from 10 bulls, computer-assisted semen analysis system was used for precise quantitative measurement of motility, velocity and forward progression. Accucell photometer was used to measure sperm concentration in all samples, regardless fresh and frozen. Semen samples were obtained 100% of the attempts using EE, 84% using RM and 96% using RM + EE. There were no differences among the collection methods for fresh semen quality characteristics, including motility, morphology and viability, but pH and volume were higher for EE than RM and RM + EE. Higher sperm concentration was observed in semen collected by RM than the other two methods. Different age groups (2-3 and >3-4 years old) of the bulls did not show significant differences in volume, pH, sperm concentration, percentages in motility, live/dead ratio and normal sperm morphology. The quality of semen for general and progressive motility, VAP, VSL and VCL and acrosomal integrity after thawing was higher for RM than EE. In conclusion, Bali bulls appeared to respond best to EE and the combination of RM + EE than RM, as a method of semen collection, with a shorter time of stimulation required. Differences in age of the Bali bulls did not affect the semen quality.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cattle/physiology*; Ejaculation; Electric Stimulation; Male; Rectum; Semen Preservation/veterinary*; Spermatozoa/cytology; Spermatozoa/physiology*; Cryopreservation/veterinary; Tissue and Organ Harvesting/methods; Tissue and Organ Harvesting/veterinary*; Semen Analysis/veterinary*
  4. Fulltext Comparative genomic analysis of six bacteria belonging to the genus Novosphingobium: insights into marine adaptation, cell-cell signaling and bioremediation
    Gan HM, Hudson AO, Rahman AY, Chan KG, Savka MA
    BMC Genomics, 2013;14:431.
    PMID: 23809012 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-431
    Bacteria belonging to the genus Novosphingobium are known to be metabolically versatile and occupy different ecological niches. In the absence of genomic data and/or analysis, knowledge of the bacteria that belong to this genus is currently limited to biochemical characteristics. In this study, we analyzed the whole genome sequencing data of six bacteria in the Novosphingobium genus and provide evidence to show the presence of genes that are associated with salt tolerance, cell-cell signaling and aromatic compound biodegradation phenotypes. Additionally, we show the taxonomic relationship between the sequenced bacteria based on phylogenomic analysis, average amino acid identity (AAI) and genomic signatures.
    MeSH terms: Adaptation, Physiological/drug effects; Adaptation, Physiological/genetics*; Amino Acid Sequence; Bacterial Proteins/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/chemistry; Biodegradation, Environmental; Genes, Bacterial/genetics; Molecular Sequence Data; Oceans and Seas*; Phenotype; Phylogeny; Salts/pharmacology; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Species Specificity; Signal Transduction/genetics*; Conserved Sequence; Alphaproteobacteria/classification; Alphaproteobacteria/cytology*; Alphaproteobacteria/genetics; Alphaproteobacteria/physiology*; Gene Transfer, Horizontal/genetics; Genomics*; Dioxygenases/genetics; Quorum Sensing/genetics
  5. Baseline metals pollution profile of tropical estuaries and coastal waters of the Straits of Malacca
    Looi LJ, Aris AZ, Wan Johari WL, Md Yusoff F, Hashim Z
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2013 Sep 15;74(1):471-6.
    PMID: 23809293 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.06.008
    The status report on metal pollution in tropical estuaries and coastal waters is important to understand potential environmental health hazards. Detailed baseline measurements were made on physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, redox potential, electrical conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solid), major ions (Na, Ca, Mg, K, HCO3, Cl, SO4 and NO3) and metals concentrations ((27)Al, (75)As, (138)Ba, (9)Be, (111)Cd, (59)Co, (63)Cu, (52)Cr, (57)Fe, (55)Mn, (60)Ni, (208)Pb, (80)Se, (66)Zn) at estuaries and coastal waters along the Straits of Malacca. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to reveal potential pollution sources. Seven principal components were extracted with relation to pollution contribution from minerals-related parameters, natural and anthropogenic sources. The output from this study will generate a profound understanding on the metal pollution status and pollution risk of the estuaries and coastal system.
    MeSH terms: Environmental Monitoring*; Indonesia; Metals/analysis*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Water Pollution, Chemical/statistics & numerical data; Principal Component Analysis; Estuaries
  6. Solvent-impregnated agarose gel liquid phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water
    Loh SH, Sanagi MM, Wan Ibrahim WA, Hasan MN
    J Chromatogr A, 2013 Aug 9;1302:14-9.
    PMID: 23809804 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2013.06.010
    A new microextraction procedure termed agarose gel liquid phase microextraction (AG-LPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed for the determination of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water. The technique utilized an agarose gel disc impregnated with the acceptor phase (1-octanol). The extraction procedure was performed by allowing the solvent-impregnated agarose gel disc to tumble freely in the stirred sample solution. After extraction, the agarose gel disc was removed and subjected to centrifugation to disrupt its framework and to release the impregnated solvent, which was subsequently withdrawn and injected into the GC-MS for analysis. Under optimized extraction conditions, the new method offered high enrichment factors (89-177), trace level LODs (9-14ngL(-1)) and efficient extraction with good relative recoveries in the range of 93.3-108.2% for spiked drinking water samples. AG-LPME did not exhibit any problems related to solvent dissolution, and it provided high extraction efficiencies that were comparable to those of hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME) and significantly higher than those of agarose film liquid phase microextraction (AF-LPME). This technique employed a microextraction format and utilized an environmentally compatible solvent holder that supported the green chemistry concept.
    MeSH terms: Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic/isolation & purification; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic/chemistry*; Sepharose/chemistry*; Water/chemistry*; Liquid Phase Microextraction/methods*
  7. Systemic consumption of probiotic curd and use of probiotic toothpaste to reduce Streptococcus mutans in plaque around orthodontic brackets
    Jose JE, Padmanabhan S, Chitharanjan AB
    Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 2013 Jul;144(1):67-72.
    PMID: 23810047 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2013.02.023
    The objectives of the study were to evaluate and compare the effects of the systemic consumption of probiotic curd and the topical application of probiotic toothpaste on the Streptococcus mutans levels in the plaque of orthodontic patients.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Cheese*; Dental Plaque/microbiology*; Double-Blind Method; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incisor/microbiology; Streptococcus mutans/drug effects*; Streptococcus mutans/isolation & purification; Toothbrushing/methods; Toothpastes/therapeutic use*; Orthodontic Brackets/microbiology*; Probiotics/therapeutic use*; Young Adult; Bacterial Load/drug effects; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  8. Oppositional Defiant Disorder: prevalence based on parent and teacher ratings of Malaysian primary school children
    Gomez R, Hafetz N, Gomez RM
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2013 Aug;6(4):299-302.
    PMID: 23810136 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2013.01.008
    BACKGROUND: This study examined the prevalence rate of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in Malaysian primary school children.
    METHODS: In all 934 Malaysian parents and teachers completed ratings of their children using a scale comprising DSM-IV-TR ODD symptoms.
    RESULTS: Results showed rates of 3.10%, 3.85%, 7.49% and 0.64% for parent, teacher, parent or teacher ("or-rule"), and parent and teacher ("and-rule") ratings, respectively. When the functional impairment criterion was not considered, the rate reported by parents was higher at 13.28%.
    DISCUSSION: The theoretical, diagnostic and cultural implications of the findings are discussed
    MeSH terms: Child; Culture; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Parents; Surveys and Questionnaires; Schools; Sex Factors; Prevalence; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders*; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders/epidemiology*; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; School Teachers
  9. Correlates of depression, anxiety and stress among Malaysian university students
    Shamsuddin K, Fadzil F, Ismail WS, Shah SA, Omar K, Muhammad NA, et al.
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2013 Aug;6(4):318-23.
    PMID: 23810140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2013.01.014
    University students face not only challenges related with independent living, but also academic challenges. This predisposes them to depression, anxiety and stress, which are fairly common.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Anxiety/diagnosis*; Anxiety/epidemiology; Anxiety Disorders/diagnosis*; Anxiety Disorders/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression/diagnosis*; Depression/epidemiology; Depressive Disorder/diagnosis*; Depressive Disorder/epidemiology; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Stress, Psychological/diagnosis*; Stress, Psychological/epidemiology; Students/psychology*; Universities; Prevalence; Young Adult
  10. Estimating the demand for drop-off recycling sites: a random utility travel cost approach
    Sidique SF, Lupi F, Joshi SV
    J Environ Manage, 2013 Sep 30;127:339-46.
    PMID: 23810167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.05.001
    Drop-off recycling is one of the most widely adopted recycling programs in the United States. Despite its wide implementation, relatively little literature addresses the demand for drop-off recycling. This study examines the demand for drop-off recycling sites as a function of travel costs and various site characteristics using the random utility model (RUM). The findings of this study indicate that increased travel costs significantly reduce the frequency of visits to drop-off sites implying that the usage pattern of a site is influenced by its location relative to where people live. This study also demonstrates that site specific characteristics such as hours of operation, the number of recyclables accepted, acceptance of commingled recyclables, and acceptance of yard-waste affect the frequency of visits to drop-off sites.
    MeSH terms: Cost-Benefit Analysis; Models, Theoretical; Environmental Policy; Recycling/economics; Recycling/methods*; Recycling/trends
  11. Donor-site morbidity of free fibula and DCIA flaps
    Ling XF, Peng X, Samman N
    J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2013 Sep;71(9):1604-12.
    PMID: 23810616 DOI: 10.1016/j.joms.2013.03.006
    This study evaluated and compared the long-term donor-site morbidity of the free fibula flap with the deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap in maxillofacial reconstruction.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ankle Joint/physiopathology; Child; Cicatrix/pathology; Female; Fibula/surgery*; Fibula/transplantation; Follow-Up Studies; Foot/physiopathology; Gait/physiology; Hip Joint/physiopathology; Humans; Iliac Artery/surgery*; Iliac Artery/transplantation; Length of Stay; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Pain, Postoperative/etiology; Retrospective Studies; Sensation/physiology; Cohort Studies; Range of Motion, Articular/physiology; Blood Loss, Surgical; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/methods*; Recovery of Function/physiology; Tissue and Organ Harvesting/methods; Young Adult; Free Tissue Flaps/pathology*; Free Tissue Flaps/surgery; Transplant Donor Site/pathology*; Operative Time
  12. Fulltext Mitochondrial hepatopathies: advances in genetics, therapeutic approaches, and outcomes
    Lee WS, Sokol RJ
    J Pediatr, 2013 Oct;163(4):942-8.
    PMID: 23810725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.05.036
    MeSH terms: Acidosis, Lactic/genetics; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics; Genotype; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Mitochondria, Liver/pathology; Mutation; Phenotype; Liver Transplantation; Liver Failure, Acute/diagnosis; Liver Failure, Acute/genetics*; Liver Failure, Acute/therapy*; Mitochondrial Diseases/diagnosis; Mitochondrial Diseases/genetics*; Mitochondrial Diseases/therapy*
  13. Eurycomanone, the major quassinoid in Eurycoma longifolia root extract increases spermatogenesis by inhibiting the activity of phosphodiesterase and aromatase in steroidogenesis
    Low BS, Choi SB, Abdul Wahab H, Das PK, Chan KL
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2013 Aug 26;149(1):201-7.
    PMID: 23810842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.06.023
    Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Simaroubaceae family), known locally as 'Tongkat Ali' by the ethnic population, is popularly taken as a traditional remedy to improve the male libido, sexual prowess and fertility. Presently, many tea, coffee and carbonated beverages, pre-mixed with the root extract are available commercially for the improvement of general health and labido. Eurycomanone, the highest concentrated quassinoid in the root extract of E. longifolia improved fertility by increasing testosterone and spermatogenesis of rats through the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, but the mechanisms underlying the effects are not totally clear.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Aromatase/metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Leydig Cells/drug effects; Leydig Cells/enzymology; Leydig Cells/metabolism; Male; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors/isolation & purification; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases/metabolism; Plant Extracts/isolation & purification; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Protein Binding; Spermatogenesis/drug effects*; Testosterone/biosynthesis*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Plant Roots/chemistry; Ethnopharmacology; Eurycoma/chemistry*; Quassins/isolation & purification; Quassins/pharmacology*; Aromatase Inhibitors/isolation & purification; Aromatase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Rats; Molecular Docking Simulation
  14. The effect of high-fructose intake on the vasopressor response to angiotensin II and adrenergic agonists in Sprague-Dawley rats
    Abdulla MH, Sattar MA, Abdullah NA, Johns EJ
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2013 Jul;26(4):727-32.
    PMID: 23811449
    Effect of losartan was assessed on systemic haemodynamic responses to angiotensin II (Ang II) and adrenergic agonists in the model of high-fructose-fed rat. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed for 8 weeks either 20% fructose solution (FFR) or tap water (C) ad libitum. FFR or C group received losartan (10mg/kg/day p.o.) for 1 week at the end of feeding period (FFR-L and L) respectively, then the vasopressor responses to Ang II, noradrenaline (NA), phenylephrine (PE) and methoxamine (ME) were determined. The responses (%) to NA, PE, ME and Ang II in FFR were lower (P<0.05) than C (FFR vs. C; 22±2 vs. 32±2, 30±3 vs. 40±3, 9±1 vs. 13±1, 10±1 vs. 17±1) respectively. L group had blunted (P<0.05) responses to NA, PE, ME and Ang II compared to C (L vs. C; 26±2 vs. 32±2, 30±3 vs. 40±3, 7±0.7 vs. 13±1, 5±0.4 vs. 17±1) respectively. FFR-L group had aggravated (P<0.05) response to NA and ME, but blunted response to Ang II compared to FFR (FFR-L vs. FFR; 39±3 vs. 22±2, 11±1 vs. 9±1, 3±0.4 vs. 10±1) respectively. Fructose intake for 8 weeks results in smaller vasopressor response to adrenergic agonists and Ang II. Data also demonstrated an important role played by Ang II in the control of systemic haemodynamics in FFR and point to its interaction with adrenergic neurotransmission.
    MeSH terms: Angiotensin II/pharmacology*; Animals; Fructose/administration & dosage*; Hemodynamics/drug effects*; Male; Methoxamine/pharmacology; Norepinephrine/pharmacology*; Phenylephrine/pharmacology; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Losartan/pharmacology; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2/physiology; Rats
  15. Significance of herbal medicine in removing excessive iron content in human
    Wbin-Wan-Ibrahim WA, Mirza EH, Akbar Ali SF
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2013 Jul;26(4):823-6.
    PMID: 23811465
    Heavy metals in cigarette tobacco such as iron may cause a serious damage on human health. Surveys showed that the accumulation of certain toxic heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, iron is very often due to the effect of smoking. This work involved 15 volunteers in two randomly divided groups having the habit of cigarette smoking over 15 cigarettes / day. Concentration level of iron in blood and urine before and after treatment using the herbal medicine, widely used in Europe, is analyzed. Determination of Iron concentration in blood and urine was calculated by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) according to the procedure DIN EN ISO 11885 ("E22" from April 1998). The analysis shows that the concentration of iron in blood and urine samples in both groups increased in some volunteers instead of decrease. The independent T-test shows that the mean of iron concentration in the group A and group B had no significant difference (p>0.05). The results suggested that the herbal medicine under test does not have significant influence on reduction of iron concentration levels.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Iron/metabolism*; Smoking/metabolism*; Spectrophotometry, Atomic; Herbal Medicine*
  16. Fulltext Review on the demographic and social impact of methadone-medication therapy on Malaysian patients
    Manan MM, Ali SM, Khan MA, Jafarian S, Hameed MA
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2013 Jul;26(4):841-6.
    PMID: 23811468
    This study is an observational cross-sectional study aimed to examine the possible demographic and social characteristics of patients enrolled at the Methadone Maintenance Therapy Adherence Clinic (MMTAC) in Malaysia. Medical records from year 2009 - 2011 were Reviewed. Demographic, social characteristics and laboratory examinations such as age, gender, race, clinic attendances and urine analysis were recorded. Subjects were selected by means of convenient sampling but based on the specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed by either Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test Mann-Whitney U-test, with the limit of significance was set at p < 0.05. Demographically, this study found that the ratio of Malays, Chinese and Indian enrolled to the MMTAC program is similar to the distribution of races in Malaysia. Their starting age for drug use was between 14-35 years and the age to enrolment between 30-58 years. Socially, many are unemployed, lowly educated and married. Most are drug users with a high percentage of HCV accompanied with impaired liver function. Retention rate was 87% but illicit drug use was at 57.50%. However, percentage of employment increased significantly after therapy. The study managed to identify several demographical and social distributions of patients attending the MMTAC. Although attendance rate was high, many were on illicit drug use. Nevertheless, employment rate improved significantly.
    Study site: government methadone clinic in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Employment; Female; Hepatitis C/epidemiology; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Methadone/therapeutic use*; Middle Aged; HIV Infections/epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders/complications; Substance-Related Disorders/drug therapy*
  17. The correlation between crestal bone resorption and implant stability during healing period using resonance frequency analysis
    Al-Juboori MJ, AbdulRahaman SB, Hassan A
    Implant Dent, 2013 Aug;22(4):351-5.
    PMID: 23811720 DOI: 10.1097/ID.0b013e318296583d
    To detect the correlation between crestal bone resorption and implant stability during healing period using resonance frequency analysis (RFA).
    MeSH terms: Dental Implantation, Endosseous/methods; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Jaw, Edentulous, Partially/radiography; Jaw, Edentulous, Partially/surgery; Mandible/radiography; Mandible/surgery; Maxilla/radiography; Maxilla/surgery; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Radiography, Panoramic/methods; Surgical Flaps/surgery; Transducers; Dental Implants*; Radiography, Bitewing/methods; Alveolar Bone Loss/classification*; Alveolar Bone Loss/radiography; Osseointegration/physiology*; Dental Prosthesis Retention; Radiography, Dental, Digital/methods
  18. A review of sternal closure techniques
    Alhalawani AM, Towler MR
    J Biomater Appl, 2013 Nov;28(4):483-97.
    PMID: 23812580 DOI: 10.1177/0885328213495426
    Sternotomy and sternal closure occur prior to and post cardiac surgery, respectively. Although post-operative complications associated with poor sternal fixation can result in morbidity, mortality, and considerable resource utilization, sternotomy is preferred over other methods such as lateral thoracotomy. Rigid sternal fixation is associated with stability and reduced incidence of post-operative complications. This is a comprehensive review of the literature evaluating in vivo, in vitro, and clinical responses to applying commercial and experimental surgical tools for sternal fixation after median sternotomy. Wiring, interlocking, plate-screw, and cementation techniques have been examined for closure, but none have experienced widespread adoption. Although all techniques have their advantages, serious post-operative complications were associated with the use of wiring and/or plating techniques in high-risk patients. A fraction of studies have analyzed the use of sternal interlocking systems and only a single study analyzed the effect of using kryptonite cement with wires. Plating and interlocking techniques are superior to wiring in terms of stability and reduced rate of post-operative complications; however, further clinical studies and long-term follow-up are required. The ideal sternal closure should ensure stability, reduced rate of post-operative complications, and a short hospitalization period, alongside cost-effectiveness.
    MeSH terms: Bone Screws; Bone Wires; Cardiac Surgical Procedures/adverse effects; Cardiac Surgical Procedures/methods*; Humans; Osteomyelitis/etiology; Sternum/surgery*; Surgical Instruments; Surgical Wound Infection/etiology
  19. Influence of culture conditions and medium composition on the production of antibacterial compounds by marine Serratia sp. WPRA3
    Jafarzade M, Yahya NA, Shayesteh F, Usup G, Ahmad A
    J Microbiol, 2013 Jun;51(3):373-9.
    PMID: 23812818 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-013-2440-2
    This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of culture conditions and medium components on production of antibacterial compounds by Serratia sp. WPRA3 (JX020764) which was isolated from marine water of Port Dickson, Malaysia. Biochemical, morphological, and molecular characteristics suggested that the isolate is a new candidate of the Serratia sp. The isolate showed strong antimicrobial activity against fungi, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This bacterium exhibited optimum antibacterial compounds production at 28°C, pH 7 and 200 rev/min aeration during 72 h of incubation period. Highest antibacterial activity was obtained when sodium chloride (2%), yeast extract (0.5%), and glucose concentration (0.75%) were used as salt, nitrogen, and carbon sources respectively. Different active fractions were obtained by Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Flash Column Chromatography (FCC) from ethyl acetate crude extracts namely OCE and RCE in different culture conditions, OCE (pH 5, 200 rev/min) and RCE (pH 7/without aeration). In conclusion, the results suggested different culture conditions have a significant impact on the types of secondary metabolites produced by the bacterium.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/metabolism*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Serratia/metabolism*
  20. Spatial pattern in Antarctica: what can we learn from Antarctic bacterial isolates?
    Chong CW, Goh YS, Convey P, Pearce D, Tan IK
    Extremophiles, 2013 Sep;17(5):733-45.
    PMID: 23812890 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-013-0555-3
    A range of small- to moderate-scale studies of patterns in bacterial biodiversity have been conducted in Antarctica over the last two decades, most suggesting strong correlations between the described bacterial communities and elements of local environmental heterogeneity. However, very few of these studies have advanced interpretations in terms of spatially associated patterns, despite increasing evidence of patterns in bacterial biogeography globally. This is likely to be a consequence of restricted sampling coverage, with most studies to date focusing only on a few localities within a specific Antarctic region. Clearly, there is now a need for synthesis over a much larger spatial to consolidate the available data. In this study, we collated Antarctic bacterial culture identities based on the 16S rRNA gene information available in the literature and the GenBank database (n > 2,000 sequences). In contrast to some recent evidence for a distinct Antarctic microbiome, our phylogenetic comparisons show that a majority (~75 %) of Antarctic bacterial isolates were highly similar (≥99 % sequence similarity) to those retrieved from tropical and temperate regions, suggesting widespread distribution of eurythermal mesophiles in Antarctic environments. However, across different Antarctic regions, the dominant bacterial genera exhibit some spatially distinct diversity patterns analogous to those recently proposed for Antarctic terrestrial macroorganisms. Taken together, our results highlight the threat of cross-regional homogenisation in Antarctic biodiversity, and the imperative to include microbiota within the framework of biosecurity measures for Antarctica.
    MeSH terms: Antarctic Regions; Bacteria/genetics*; Bacteria/isolation & purification; Genes, Bacterial; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics; Phylogeography; Microbiota*
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