Browse publications by year: 2013

  1. Fulltext The quality of life of people with epilepsy at a tertiary referral centre in Malaysia
    Norsa'adah B, Zainab J, Knight A
    Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2013;11:143.
    PMID: 23972031 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-11-143
    Epilepsy, a chronic disorder of brain characterised by a predisposition to generate epileptic seizures, has an effect on the psychosocial well-being of sufferers. Measuring the quality of life (QOL) of people with epilepsy (PWE) is increasingly recognized as an important component of clinical management. QOL measures differ between countries and there is limited information regarding PWE in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to determine the health related QOL and its relationship with the presence of seizures in PWE at a Malaysian tertiary referral center.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety/psychology*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epilepsy/epidemiology; Epilepsy/prevention & control; Epilepsy/psychology*; Female; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Referral and Consultation/statistics & numerical data; Seizures/epidemiology; Seizures/prevention & control; Seizures/psychology*; Social Class; Linear Models; Age of Onset; Young Adult; Tertiary Care Centers/utilization; Tertiary Care Centers/statistics & numerical data*
  2. Fulltext Effects of extracts and fractions of Gynura procumbens on rat atrial contraction
    Abrika OS, Yam MF, Asmawi MZ, Sadikun A, Dieng H, Hussain EA
    J Acupunct Meridian Stud, 2013 Aug;6(4):199-207.
    PMID: 23972242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jams.2013.01.020
    There is currently a great deal of research interest in utilizing plant compounds against human diseases, including hypertension. The present study investigated the effects of different extracts and fractions from leaves of Gynura procumbens Merr. on rat atrial contraction in vitro. Isolated left and right atria, mounted in a 20-ml organ bath, were allowed to equilibrate for 15 min before the application of the extracts or fractions. The extracts (petroleum-ether extract (PE) and methanol extract (ME)) and the fractions (chloroform fraction (CHL), ethyl-acetate fraction (EA), n-butanol fraction (NB) and water fraction (WA) of the methanol extract) were tested at three concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml), with a β-adrenergic agonist (isoprenaline) as a control. All data on contraction responses were log-transformed and analyzed. When exposed to the different extracts, both atria tended to exhibit greater contractive responses with the NB whereas cardiac contractions had a tendency to be reduced with most other extracts. For a given extract, the contraction responses were particularly greater at 0.5 mg/ml for the right atrium and at 1 mg/ml for the left atrium. Further analysis focusing on the NB fraction revealed that positive inotropism was greater in left atria exposed to highly-concentrated F2 and F3 sub-fractions. Taken together, our results suggest that NB extracts and fractions from the G. procumbens-leaf methanol extract have positive inotropic activities and, hence, can be considered as an alternative/traditional medicine against increased blood pressure in humans or can be used in strategies aimed at finding antihypertensive biomolecules from an accessible source.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Heart Atria/drug effects*; Humans; Male; Myocardial Contraction/drug effects*; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Atrial Function/drug effects; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Asteraceae/chemistry*; Rats; In Vitro Techniques
  3. Formulation optimization of palm kernel oil esters nanoemulsion-loaded with chloramphenicol suitable for meningitis treatment
    Musa SH, Basri M, Masoumi HR, Karjiban RA, Malek EA, Basri H, et al.
    Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2013 Dec 1;112:113-9.
    PMID: 23974000 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2013.07.043
    Palm kernel oil esters nanoemulsion-loaded with chloramphenicol was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), a multivariate statistical technique. Effect of independent variables (oil amount, lecithin amount and glycerol amount) toward response variables (particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and osmolality) were studied using central composite design (CCD). RSM analysis showed that the experimental data could be fitted into a second-order polynomial model. Chloramphenicol-loaded nanoemulsion was formulated by using high pressure homogenizer. The optimized chloramphenicol-loaded nanoemulsion response values for particle size, PDI, zeta potential and osmolality were 95.33nm, 0.238, -36.91mV, and 200mOsm/kg, respectively. The actual values of the formulated nanoemulsion were in good agreement with the predicted values obtained from RSM. The results showed that the optimized compositions have the potential to be used as a parenteral emulsion to cross blood-brain barrier (BBB) for meningitis treatment.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacokinetics; Blood-Brain Barrier; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Chloramphenicol/administration & dosage*; Chloramphenicol/pharmacokinetics; Drug Carriers/chemistry; Emulsions/chemistry; Glycerol/chemistry; Humans; Osmolar Concentration; Particle Size; Plant Oils/chemistry; Solubility; Meningitis, Bacterial/drug therapy; Meningitis, Bacterial/metabolism; Nanostructures/administration & dosage*; Nanostructures/ultrastructure; Nanostructures/chemistry*; Lecithins/chemistry
  4. A randomized control trial evaluating the prevalence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries in primigravida in routine versus selective mediolateral episiotomy
    Sulaiman AS, Ahmad S, Ismail NA, Rahman RA, Jamil MA, Mohd Dali AZ
    Saudi Med J, 2013 Aug;34(8):819-23.
    PMID: 23974453
    To evaluate the prevalence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), which include third and fourth degree perineal tears in primigravida in routine versus selective mediolateral episiotomy. Secondly, to determine the rate of episiotomy in local settings.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Anal Canal/injuries*; Female; Humans; Perineum/injuries*; Pregnancy; Vulva/injuries; Trauma Severity Indices; Patient Selection; Gravidity; Lacerations/etiology*; Delivery, Obstetric/adverse effects*; Young Adult
  5. Fulltext Defining the disease liability of variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene
    Sosnay PR, Siklosi KR, Van Goor F, Kaniecki K, Yu H, Sharma N, et al.
    Nat Genet, 2013 Oct;45(10):1160-7.
    PMID: 23974870 DOI: 10.1038/ng.2745
    Allelic heterogeneity in disease-causing genes presents a substantial challenge to the translation of genomic variation into clinical practice. Few of the almost 2,000 variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene CFTR have empirical evidence that they cause cystic fibrosis. To address this gap, we collected both genotype and phenotype data for 39,696 individuals with cystic fibrosis in registries and clinics in North America and Europe. In these individuals, 159 CFTR variants had an allele frequency of ł0.01%. These variants were evaluated for both clinical severity and functional consequence, with 127 (80%) meeting both clinical and functional criteria consistent with disease. Assessment of disease penetrance in 2,188 fathers of individuals with cystic fibrosis enabled assignment of 12 of the remaining 32 variants as neutral, whereas the other 20 variants remained of indeterminate effect. This study illustrates that sourcing data directly from well-phenotyped subjects can address the gap in our ability to interpret clinically relevant genomic variation.
    MeSH terms: Cystic Fibrosis/genetics*; Female; Gene Frequency; Genotype; Humans; Male; Phenotype; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator/genetics*
  6. Edible bird's nest: food or medicine?
    Wong RS
    Chin J Integr Med, 2013 Sep;19(9):643-9.
    PMID: 23975128 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-013-1563-y
    Edible bird's nest (EBN) is derived from the saliva of certain types of swiftlets. It is consumed in many parts of the world for its nutritional and medicinal values. Although many claims have been made on the therapeutic and health-promoting effects of EBN, scientific documentations regarding these effects are very limited in published literature. It is not until recently that the biological effects of EBN are being investigated and evidence-based studies are being conducted. Several studies have found that EBN may enhance cell proliferation and differentiation and various beneficial effects have been reported in vitro as well as in vivo. While these studies point towards the potential use of EBN in the treatment or even prevention of several diseases, the mechanisms of action of EBN remain largely unknown and more explorations are needed. This review is one of the very few scientific reviews on EBN which focuses on recent evidence-based discoveries.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Birds*; Food*; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional*; Saliva/chemistry
  7. The impact of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment on the prevalence of allergic rhinitis
    Lin CT, Gopala K, Manuel AM
    Ear Nose Throat J, 2013 Aug;92(8):358-99.
    PMID: 23975489
    Atopy is a syndrome characterized by immediate hypersensitivity reactions to common environmental antigens. The "hygiene hypothesis" stipulates that childhood infections are associated with a lower risk of allergies. Not much has been published about the effects that the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) has on allergies, specifically allergic rhinitis. We conducted a study to investigate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in patients with pulmonary TB before and after treatment of their TB. Our initial study group was made up of 121 patients with confirmed pulmonary TB who were followed up by questionnaire. In addition to demographic data, they provided information about their personal and family history of atopy and their current status with regard to allergic rhinitis. After providing informed consent, all patients underwent skin-prick testing with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, and Blomia tropicalis allergens before and after TB treatment. Stool samples were obtained to identify patients with worm infestation, and they were excluded from the study. In all, 94 patients completed treatment and follow-up, and their data were included in the final analysis. Of this group, 31 patients (33.0%) exhibited symptoms of allergic rhinitis prior to TB treatment, and 26 (27.7%) had a positive skin-prick test. Following treatment, only 12 patients (12.8%) reported allergic rhinitis symptoms (p = 0.004), but there was no significant reduction in the number of patients with a positive skin-prick test (n = 20 [21.3%]; p = 0.555). We conclude that the treatment of pulmonary TB results in significant relief of atopy, particularly allergic rhinitis symptoms.
    MeSH terms: Acari/immunology; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use*; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/immunology; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology*; Skin Tests; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/drug therapy*; Prevalence; Dermatophagoides farinae/immunology; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/immunology; Young Adult; Rhinitis, Allergic
  8. The prominent absence of Alfred Russel Wallace at the Darwin anniversaries in Germany in 1909, 1959 and 2009
    Hossfeld U, Olsson L
    Theory Biosci, 2013 Dec;132(4):251-7.
    PMID: 23975642 DOI: 10.1007/s12064-013-0189-0
    It is well known that the contribution of Alfred Russell Wallace (1823-1913) to the development of the "Darwinian" principle of natural selection has often been neglected. Here we focus on how the three anniversaries to celebrate the origin of the Darwin-Wallace theory in Germany in 1909, in 1959 in the divided country, as well as in 2009, have represented Charles Robert Darwin's and Alfred Russell Wallace's contributions. We have analyzed books and proceedings volumes related to these anniversaries, and the main result is that Wallace was almost always ignored, or only mentioned in passing. In 1909, Ernst Haeckel gave a talk in Jena, later published under the title The worldview of Darwin and Lamarck (Das Weltbild von Darwin und Lamarck), but not as the Darwin-Wallace concept. Haeckel mentions Wallace only once. In two important proceedings volumes from the 1959 anniversaries, Wallace was ignored. The only fair treatment of Wallace is given in another book, a collection of documents edited by Gerhard Heberer, for which the author selected nine key documents and reprinted excerpts (1959). Three of them were articles by Wallace, including the Sarawak- and Ternate-papers of 1855 and 1858, respectively. An analysis of the dominant themes during the celebrations of 2009 shows that none of the six topics had much to do with Wallace and his work. Thus, the tendency to exclude Alfred Russell Wallace is an international phenomenon, and largely attributable to the "Darwin industry".
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anniversaries and Special Events; Biology/history*; Congresses as Topic; Biological Evolution*; Famous Persons; Germany; Humans; Publications; Selection, Genetic; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century
  9. The ornithologist Alfred Russel Wallace and the controversy surrounding the dinosaurian origin of birds
    Ibrahim N, Kutschera U
    Theory Biosci, 2013 Dec;132(4):267-75.
    PMID: 23975643 DOI: 10.1007/s12064-013-0192-5
    Over many years of his life, the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) explored the tropical forests of Malaysia, collecting numerous specimens, including hundreds of birds, many of them new to science. Subsequently, Wallace published a series of papers on systematic ornithology, and discovered a new species on top of a volcano on Ternate, where he wrote, in 1858, his famous essay on natural selection. Based on this hands-on experience, and an analysis of an Archaeopteryx fossil, Wallace suggested that birds may have descended from dinosaurian ancestors. Here, we describe the "dinosaur-bird hypothesis" that originated with the work of Thomas H. Huxley (1825-1895). We present the strong evidence linking theropod dinosaurs to birds, and briefly outline the long and ongoing controversy around this concept. Dinosaurs preserving plumage, nesting sites and trace fossils provide overwhelming evidence for the dinosaurian origin of birds. Based on these recent findings of paleontological research, we conclude that extant birds indeed descended, with some modifications, from small, Mesozoic theropod dinosaurs. In the light of Wallace's view of bird origins, we critically evaluate recent opposing views to this idea, including Ernst Mayr's (1904-2005) arguments against the "dinosaur-bird hypothesis", and document that this famous ornithologist was not correct in his assessment of this important aspect of vertebrate evolution.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biology/history*; Birds/physiology*; Biological Evolution*; Famous Persons*; Feathers; Flight, Animal; Fossils; Dinosaurs/physiology*; Dissent and Disputes; History, 19th Century
  10. Fulltext High risk human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 infection in the cervical lesions of women with epithelial cell abnormality in Pap smear: A cytohistomorphologic association in Bangladeshi women
    Banik U, Ahamad MS, Bhattacharjee P, Adhikary AK, Rahman Z
    Cytojournal, 2013;10:14.
    PMID: 23976895 DOI: 10.4103/1742-6413.115088
    BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to find out the extent of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) type 16/18 infection in the cervical tissue of women with epithelial cell abnormality in Pap smear and to establish an association between hrHPV type 16/18 infection and cytohistomorphology.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 1699 patients who went through Pap smear examination. Prevalence of epithelial cell abnormality was calculated. Forty eight of these women underwent routine histopathology and 47 were evaluated for human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16/18 by polymerase chain reaction assay.

    RESULTS: Total 139 women revealed epithelial cell abnormality. Histopathology showed simple inflammation to malignancy. HPV type 16/18 infection was detected in 40.42% (19/47) of the patients. Individually type 16 and 18 were positive in 7 (14.9%) cases each and dual infection with type 16 and 18 were seen in 5 (10.6%) cases. While cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN 1) and < CIN 1 lesions showed 18.75% (3 out of 16) and 35% (7 out of 20) positivity respectively, ≥CIN 2 lesions revealed positivity of 81.82% (9 out of 11). Eighty percent HPV 16/18 positivity was seen in women of < 30 years of age.

    CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will contribute to HPV 16/18 knowledge in Bangladesh that will be useful in assessing the success of current vaccines with limited type spectra and augmenting cervical cancer screening strategies.

  11. Fulltext Prevalence of PALB2 mutations in breast cancer patients in multi-ethnic Asian population in Malaysia and Singapore
    Phuah SY, Lee SY, Kang P, Kang IN, Yoon SY, Thong MK, et al.
    PLoS One, 2013;8(8):e73638.
    PMID: 23977390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073638
    The partner and localizer of breast cancer 2 (PALB2) is responsible for facilitating BRCA2-mediated DNA repair by serving as a bridging molecule, acting as the physical and functional link between the breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) proteins. Truncating mutations in the PALB2 gene are rare but are thought to be associated with increased risks of developing breast cancer in various populations.
    MeSH terms: Adult; DNA Mutational Analysis; Ethnic Groups/genetics*; Exons/genetics; Family; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Nuclear Proteins/genetics*; Pedigree; Singapore; Prevalence; Case-Control Studies; Germ-Line Mutation/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*
  12. A report from the 7th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (June 30-July 3, 2013 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
    Rabasseda X
    Drugs Today, 2013 Aug;49(8):509-17.
    PMID: 23977668 DOI: 10.1358/dot.2013.49.8.2033100
    Effective antiretroviral drugs have been developed that, if continuously administered (although with simplification strategies once a patient's viral titer is suppressed) allow for a functional cure resulting in an almost normal life despite the presence of viral reservoirs. In that sense, observations that combination antiretroviral therapy has an untoward suppressive effect on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against T cells permitting the establishment of such viral reservoirs were discussed for its implications in the use of vaccines and/or modulators of the immune function to clear latent infections and the risk for reactivation (Madhavi, V. et al., Abst MOLBPE05). In addition to latent viral reservoirs, individual patient characteristics may also influence response to antiretroviral therapy, as exemplified by the increased likelihood of highly active antiretroviral therapy in patients carrying certain polymorphic variants (rs2229109, rs6961419) of the P-glycoprotein 1 gene (Dias, J. et al., Abst MOPE034). These, and many other important news derived from research into novel approaches to fight HIV infection were discussed during the International AIDS Society (IAS) meeting in Kuala Lumpur, as summarized in the following report.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; HIV Infections/drug therapy*; HIV Infections/prevention & control; HIV Infections/virology; Treatment Outcome; Anti-HIV Agents/administration & dosage; Anti-HIV Agents/pharmacology; Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use*; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/methods*
  13. A search for novel thermoluminescent radiation dosimeter media
    Al-Hinai KH, Benkara Mohd N, Rozullyah Zulkepely N, Md Nor R, Mohd Amin Y, Bradley DA
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2013 Dec;82:126-9.
    PMID: 23978507 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.07.013
    We describe two example pilot efforts to help define new thermoluminescent dosimeter media. The first concerns ZnS:Mn nanophosphors, prepared by chemical precipitation using zinc and sodium sulfate, doped with manganese sulfate at concentrations varying from 1 to 3mol. The second concerns chemical vapor deposited diamond, produced as a thin film or as amorphous carbon on a single-crystal silicon substrate, each deposited under the same conditions, use being made of the hot filament-chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) technique. The gas concentrations used were 1% CH4 in 99% H2 and 25% CH4 in 75% H2. Characterization of formations used FESEM, XRD and EDX. The nanophosphors consisted of particles of sizes in the range 85-150nm, the thermoluminescence (TL)-based radiation detection medium giving rise to a single peaked glow curve of maximum yield at a temperature of 250°C at a heating rate of 5°C/s. The TL response increased linearly with radiation dose, ZnS doped to 2mol of Mn being found the most sensitive. Regarding chemical vapor deposited (CVD) carbon, inappreciable TL was found for the resultant ball-like amorphous carbon films, graphite, and the silicon substrate, whereas CVD diamond films showed a promising degree of linearity with dose. For both the ZnS and diamond samples, TL signal fading was appreciable, being some 40% per day for ZnS and>50% per day for CVD films even under storage in the dark at room temperature, making it apparent that there is need to adjust parameters such as the size of nanoparticles.
    MeSH terms: Gamma Rays; Humans; Manganese; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Particle Size; Pilot Projects; Silicon; Sulfides; Thermoluminescent Dosimetry/methods*; X-Ray Diffraction; Zinc Compounds; Diamond; Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure
  14. Fulltext A modified semi-nested multiplex malaria PCR (SnM-PCR) for the identification of the five human Plasmodium species occurring in Southeast Asia
    Van Hong N, van den Eede P, Van Overmeir C, Vythilingham I, Rosanas-Urgell A, Vinh Thanh P, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2013 Oct;89(4):721-3.
    PMID: 23980132 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0027
    We have modified an existing semi-nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by adding one Plasmodium knowlesi-specific nested PCR, and validated the latter against laboratory and clinical samples. This new method has the advantage of being relatively affordable in low resource settings while identifying the five human Plasmodium species with a three-step PCR.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Humans; Malaria/epidemiology; Malaria/parasitology*; Plasmodium/classification*; Plasmodium/isolation & purification*; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  15. Fulltext Burkholderia pseudomallei suppresses Caenorhabditis elegans immunity by specific degradation of a GATA transcription factor
    Lee SH, Wong RR, Chin CY, Lim TY, Eng SA, Kong C, et al.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2013 Sep 10;110(37):15067-72.
    PMID: 23980181 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1311725110
    Burkholderia pseudomallei is a Gram-negative soil bacterium that infects both humans and animals. Although cell culture studies have revealed significant insights into factors contributing to virulence and host defense, the interactions between this pathogen and its intact host remain to be elucidated. To gain insights into the host defense responses to B. pseudomallei infection within an intact host, we analyzed the genome-wide transcriptome of infected Caenorhabditis elegans and identified ∼6% of the nematode genes that were significantly altered over a 12-h course of infection. An unexpected feature of the transcriptional response to B. pseudomallei was a progressive increase in the proportion of down-regulated genes, of which ELT-2 transcriptional targets were significantly enriched. ELT-2 is an intestinal GATA transcription factor with a conserved role in immune responses. We demonstrate that B. pseudomallei down-regulation of ELT-2 targets is associated with degradation of ELT-2 protein by the host ubiquitin-proteasome system. Degradation of ELT-2 requires the B. pseudomallei type III secretion system. Together, our studies using an intact host provide evidence for pathogen-mediated host immune suppression through the destruction of a host transcription factor.
    MeSH terms: Animals; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; Virulence/immunology; Down-Regulation; Burkholderia pseudomallei/genetics; Burkholderia pseudomallei/immunology; Burkholderia pseudomallei/pathogenicity*; Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics; Caenorhabditis elegans/immunology*; Caenorhabditis elegans/microbiology*; RNA, Helminth/genetics; RNA, Helminth/metabolism; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/metabolism*; Animals, Genetically Modified; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism; GATA Transcription Factors/genetics; GATA Transcription Factors/metabolism*; Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology
  16. Structurally conserved binding sites of hemagglutinin as targets for influenza drug and vaccine development
    Yusuf M, Konc J, Sy Bing C, Trykowska Konc J, Ahmad Khairudin NB, Janezic D, et al.
    J Chem Inf Model, 2013 Sep 23;53(9):2423-36.
    PMID: 23980878 DOI: 10.1021/ci400421e
    ProBiS is a new method to identify the binding site of protein through local structural alignment against the nonredundant Protein Data Bank (PDB), which may result in unique findings compared to the energy-based, geometry-based, and sequence-based predictors. In this work, binding sites of Hemagglutinin (HA), which is an important target for drugs and vaccines in influenza treatment, have been revisited by ProBiS. For the first time, the identification of conserved binding sites by local structural alignment across all subtypes and strains of HA available in PDB is presented. ProBiS finds three distinctive conserved sites on HA's structure (named Site 1, Site 2, and Site 3). Compared to other predictors, ProBiS is the only one that accurately defines the receptor binding site (Site 1). Apart from that, Site 2, which is located slightly above the TBHQ binding site, is proposed as a potential novel conserved target for membrane fusion inhibitor. Lastly, Site 3, located around Helix A at the stem domain and recently targeted by cross-reactive antibodies, is predicted to be conserved in the latest H7N9 China 2013 strain as well. The further exploration of these three sites provides valuable insight in optimizing the influenza drug and vaccine development.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Antibodies, Viral/immunology; Antiviral Agents/metabolism; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology*; Binding Sites; Membrane Fusion/drug effects; Models, Molecular; Protein Conformation; Viral Vaccines*; Conserved Sequence*; Epitope Mapping; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/metabolism*; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/chemistry*; Computational Biology; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/drug effects; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/immunology; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/physiology; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/drug effects; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/immunology; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/physiology; Drug Discovery*; Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  17. Clinical outcomes and direct costings of endoluminal clipping compared to surgery in the management of iatrogenic colonic perforation
    Chan WK, Roslani AC, Law CW, Goh KL, Mahadeva S
    J Dig Dis, 2013 Dec;14(12):670-5.
    PMID: 23981291 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.12097
    To compare the outcomes and costs of endoluminal clipping and surgery in the management of iatrogenic colonic perforation.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Colon/injuries*; Colon/surgery; Colonoscopy/adverse effects*; Colonoscopy/economics; Colonoscopy/methods; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Female; Health Resources/utilization; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease/economics*; Intestinal Perforation/economics; Intestinal Perforation/etiology; Intestinal Perforation/surgery*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Suture Techniques/economics; Treatment Outcome; Health Care Costs/statistics & numerical data*
  18. Fulltext Physical properties of fish gelatin-based bio-nanocomposite films incorporated with ZnO nanorods
    Rouhi J, Mahmud S, Naderi N, Ooi ChR, Mahmood MR
    Nanoscale Res Lett, 2013;8(1):364.
    PMID: 23981366 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-8-364
    Well-dispersed fish gelatin-based nanocomposites were prepared by adding ZnO nanorods (NRs) as fillers to aqueous gelatin. The effects of ZnO NR fillers on the mechanical, optical, and electrical properties of fish gelatin bio-nanocomposite films were investigated. Results showed an increase in Young's modulus and tensile strength of 42% and 25% for nanocomposites incorporated with 5% ZnO NRs, respectively, compared with unfilled gelatin-based films. UV transmission decreased to zero with the addition of a small amount of ZnO NRs in the biopolymer matrix. X-ray diffraction showed an increase in the intensity of the crystal facets of (10ī1) and (0002) with the addition of ZnO NRs in the biocomposite matrix. The surface topography of the fish gelatin films indicated an increase in surface roughness with increasing ZnO NR concentrations. The conductivity of the films also significantly increased with the addition of ZnO NRs. These results indicated that bio-nanocomposites based on ZnO NRs had great potentials for applications in packaging technology, food preservation, and UV-shielding systems.
  19. Auricular acupuncture for drug dependence: an open-label randomized investigation on clinical outcomes, health-related quality of life, and patient acceptability
    Lua PL, Talib NS
    Altern Ther Health Med, 2013;19(4):28-42.
    PMID: 23981370
    Substance abuse has been prevalent in Malaysia for many years and currently represents one of the main concerns to its society. The limitations of conventional therapies have resulted in efforts to explore the potentia of complementary therapies in the management of drug addiction. The evidence for auricular acupuncture (AA) as a potential complementary therapy for drug addiction is still limited and inconclusive.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Methadone/therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Smoking/therapy; Substance Abuse Detection/methods; Chi-Square Distribution; Treatment Outcome; Substance-Related Disorders/therapy*; Acupuncture, Ear/methods*; Opiate Substitution Treatment/methods
  20. A systematic review of ultrasonography as an outcome measure of skin involvement in systemic sclerosis
    Ch'ng SS, Roddy J, Keen HI
    Int J Rheum Dis, 2013 Jun;16(3):264-72.
    PMID: 23981746 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.12106
    The modified Rodnan skin score is widely accepted as a validated tool to assess skin involvement in systemic sclerosis, which is a hallmark of this heterogeneous disease. Ultrasonography is increasingly being utilized in the study of other rheumatic diseases. The utility of ultrasonography to measure skin thickness in systemic sclerosis has been explored since three decades ago. The aim of this review was to examine the validity of ultrasonography as an outcome measure of skin involvement in systemic sclerosis. Original articles in English, published before December 2010, pertaining to the use of B mode ultrasound assessing skin involvement in systemic sclerosis were reviewed. Data were extracted with a focus on criterion and construct validity, reproducibility and responsiveness to change. Seventeen papers were analyzed. Skin thickness was most commonly studied, although skin echogenicity has also been examined. There was heterogeneity with regards to subjects, definitions used and sites imaged. Although there was limited information regarding reliability, when reported, the results showed excellent reproducibility. There was also a lack of construct and criterion validity and evidence for sensitivity to change. Ultrasound has potential as an outcome measure in systemic sclerosis. However, more work needs to be done in order to prove that it is a feasible outcome measure with proven validity.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Scleroderma, Systemic/ultrasonography*; Severity of Illness Index; Skin/ultrasonography*; Reproducibility of Results
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