Browse publications by year: 2013

Fulltext A 10-Week Multimodal Nutrition Education Intervention Improves Dietary Intake among University Students: Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial

Shahril MR, Wan Dali WP, Lua PL

J Nutr Metab, 2013;2013:658642.
PMID: 24069535 DOI: 10.1155/2013/658642

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing multimodal nutrition education intervention (NEI) to improve dietary intake among university students. The design of study used was cluster randomised controlled design at four public universities in East Coast of Malaysia. A total of 417 university students participated in the study. They were randomly selected and assigned into two arms, that is, intervention group (IG) or control group (CG) according to their cluster. The IG received 10-week multimodal intervention using three modes (conventional lecture, brochures, and text messages) while CG did not receive any intervention. Dietary intake was assessed before and after intervention and outcomes reported as nutrient intakes as well as average daily servings of food intake. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and adjusted effect size were used to determine difference in dietary changes between groups and time. Results showed that, compared to CG, participants in IG significantly improved their dietary intake by increasing their energy intake, carbohydrate, calcium, vitamin C and thiamine, fruits and 100% fruit juice, fish, egg, milk, and dairy products while at the same time significantly decreased their processed food intake. In conclusion, multimodal NEI focusing on healthy eating promotion is an effective approach to improve dietary intakes among university students.
Fulltext Optical characterization of oligonucleotide DNA influenced by magnetic fields

Banihashemian SM, Periasamy V, Mohammadi SM, Ritikos R, Rahman SA

Molecules, 2013 Sep 25;18(10):11797-808.
PMID: 24071986 DOI: 10.3390/molecules181011797

UV-VIS spectroscopic analysis of oligonucleotide DNA exposed to different magnetic fields was performed in order to investigate the relationship between DNA extinction coefficients and optical parameters according to magnetic-field strength. The results with the oligonucleotides adenine-thymine 100 mer (AT-100 DNA) and cytosine-guanine 100 mer (CG-100 DNA) indicate that the magnetic field influences DNA molar extinction coefficients and refractive indexes. The imaginary parts of the refractive index and molar extinction coefficients of the AT-100 and CG-100 DNA decreased after exposure to a magnetic field of 750 mT due to cleavage of the DNA oligonucleotides into smaller segments.

MeSH terms: Base Composition; Polynucleotides/chemistry*; Refractometry; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; AT Rich Sequence; GC Rich Sequence; Magnetic Fields
Fulltext A comparative analysis of the influence of human salivary enzymes on odorant concentration in three palm wines

Lasekan O

Molecules, 2013 Sep 25;18(10):11809-23.
PMID: 24071987 DOI: 10.3390/molecules181011809

The influence of human salivary enzymes on palm wines' odorant concentrations were investigated by the application of aroma extracts dilution analysis (AEDA) and by the calculation of odour activity values (OAVs), respectively. The odorants were quantified by means of stable isotope dilution assays (SIDA), and the degradation profiles of odorants by human saliva were also studied. Results revealed 46 odour-active compounds in the flavour dilution (FD) factor range of 4-256, and all were subsequently identified. Of the 46 odorants, 41 were identified in the Elaeis guineensis wine, 36 in Raphia hookeri wine and 29 in Borassus flabellifer wine. Among the odorants, the highest FD-factors were obtained from acetoin, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine. Among the 13 potent odorants identified, five aroma compounds are reported here as important contributors to palm wine aroma, namely 3-isobutyl-2-methoxy-pyrazine, acetoin, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 3-methylbutylacetate and ethyl hexanoate. Meanwhile, salivary enzymic degradation of odorants was more pronounced among the aldehydes, esters and thiols.

MeSH terms: Aldehydes/chemistry; Esters; Humans; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Pyrazines/chemistry; Pyrroles/chemistry; Saliva/enzymology*; Saliva/chemistry; Wine*; Arecaceae/chemistry*
Fulltext Degradation of bacterial quorum sensing signaling molecules by the microscopic yeast Trichosporon loubieri isolated from tropical wetland waters

Wong CS, Koh CL, Sam CK, Chen JW, Chong YM, Yin WF, et al.

Sensors (Basel), 2013;13(10):12943-57.
PMID: 24072030 DOI: 10.3390/s131012943

Proteobacteria produce N-acylhomoserine lactones as signaling molecules, which will bind to their cognate receptor and activate quorum sensing-mediated phenotypes in a population-dependent manner. Although quorum sensing signaling molecules can be degraded by bacteria or fungi, there is no reported work on the degradation of such molecules by basidiomycetous yeast. By using a minimal growth medium containing N-3-oxohexanoylhomoserine lactone as the sole source of carbon, a wetland water sample from Malaysia was enriched for microbial strains that can degrade N-acylhomoserine lactones, and consequently, a basidiomycetous yeast strain WW1C was isolated. Morphological phenotype and molecular analyses confirmed that WW1C was a strain of Trichosporon loubieri. We showed that WW1C degraded AHLs with N-acyl side chains ranging from 4 to 10 carbons in length, with or without oxo group substitutions at the C3 position. Re-lactonisation bioassays revealed that WW1C degraded AHLs via a lactonase activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of degradation of N-acyl-homoserine lactones and utilization of N-3-oxohexanoylhomoserine as carbon and nitrogen source for growth by basidiomycetous yeast from tropical wetland water; and the degradation of bacterial quorum sensing molecules by an eukaryotic yeast.

MeSH terms: Lactones/metabolism*; Trichosporon/metabolism*; Tropical Climate*; Water Microbiology*; Quorum Sensing/physiology*; Wetlands*
Fulltext First Whole-Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium iranicum, a Newly Reported Mycobacterial Species

Tan JL, Ng HF, Wee WY, Ang MY, Wong GJ, Ngeow YF, et al.

Genome Announc, 2013;1(5).
PMID: 24072861 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00732-13

Mycobacterium iranicum is a new species of nontuberculous mycobacterium reported in 2013. Here, we describe the first whole-genome sequence of this species, that of M. iranicum strain UM_TJL, isolated from a patient in Malaysia.

MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia; Mycobacterium; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Fulltext Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus nucleoprotein interacts with TREX complex adaptor protein Aly/REF

Balasubramaniam VR, Hong Wai T, Ario Tejo B, Omar AR, Syed Hassan S

PLoS One, 2013;8(9):e72429.
PMID: 24073193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072429

We constructed a novel chicken (Gallus gallus) lung cDNA library fused inside yeast acting domain vector (pGADT7). Using yeast two-hybrid screening with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) nucleoprotein (NP) from the strain (A/chicken/Malaysia/5858/2004(H5N1)) as bait, and the Gallus gallus lung cDNA library as prey, a novel interaction between the Gallus gallus cellular RNA export adaptor protein Aly/REF and the viral NP was identified. This interaction was confirmed and validated with mammalian two hybrid studies and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Cellular localization studies using confocal microscopy showed that NP and Aly/REF co-localize primarily in the nucleus. Further investigations by mammalian two hybrid studies into the binding of NP of other subtypes of influenza virus such as the swine A/New Jersey/1976/H1N1 and pandemic A/Malaysia/854/2009(H1N1) to human Aly/REF, also showed that the NP of these viruses interacts with human Aly/REF. Our findings are also supported by docking studies which showed tight and favorable binding between H5N1 NP and human Aly/REF, using crystal structures from Protein Data Bank. siRNA knockdown of Aly/REF had little effect on the export of HPAI NP and other viral RNA as it showed no significant reduction in virus titer. However, UAP56, another component of the TREX complex, which recruits Aly/REF to mRNA was found to interact even better with H5N1 NP through molecular docking studies. Both these proteins also co-localizes in the nucleus at early infection similar to Aly/REF. Intriguingly, knockdown of UAP56 in A549 infected cells shows significant reduction in viral titer (close to 10 fold reduction). Conclusively, our study have opened new avenues for research of other cellular RNA export adaptors crucial in aiding viral RNA export such as the SRSF3, 9G8 and ASF/SF2 that may play role in influenza virus RNA nucleocytoplasmic transport.

MeSH terms: Adenocarcinoma/genetics; Adenocarcinoma/metabolism*; Adenocarcinoma/virology; Animals; Cell Nucleus/genetics; Chickens; Humans; Influenza, Human/genetics; Influenza, Human/metabolism; Influenza, Human/virology; Lung Neoplasms/genetics; Lung Neoplasms/metabolism*; Lung Neoplasms/virology; Nuclear Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors; Nuclear Proteins/genetics; Nuclear Proteins/metabolism*; Nucleoproteins/genetics; Nucleoproteins/metabolism*; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/genetics; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/metabolism; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology; Protein Conformation; Swine; Transcription Factors/antagonists & inhibitors; Transcription Factors/genetics; Transcription Factors/metabolism*; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Immunoblotting; Gene Library; RNA-Binding Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*; Crystallography, X-Ray; Two-Hybrid System Techniques; Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics; DNA-(Apurinic or Apyrimidinic Site) Lyase/antagonists & inhibitors; DNA-(Apurinic or Apyrimidinic Site) Lyase/genetics; DNA-(Apurinic or Apyrimidinic Site) Lyase/metabolism*; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/pathogenicity; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/pathogenicity
Fulltext Evaluation of a worksite cervical screening initiative to increase Pap smear uptake in Malaysia: a cluster randomized controlled trial

Abdullah F, O'Rorke M, Murray L, Su TT

Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:572126.
PMID: 24073411 DOI: 10.1155/2013/572126

BACKGROUND: Despite the significant burden of cervical cancer, Malaysia like many middle-income countries relies on opportunistic cervical screening as opposed to a more organized population-based program. The aim of this study was to ascertain the effectiveness of a worksite screening initiative upon Papanicolaou smear test (Pap test) uptake among educated working women in Malaysia.
METHODS: 403 female teachers who never or infrequently attended for a Pap test from 40 public secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur were recruited into a cluster randomized trial conducted between January and November 2010. The intervention group participated in a worksite cervical screening initiative whilst the control group received usual care from the existing cervical screening program. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the impact of the intervention program on Pap smear uptake after 24 weeks of followup.
RESULTS: The proportion of women attending for a Pap test was significantly higher in the intervention than in the control group (18.1% versus 10.1%, P value < 0.05) with the worksite screening initiative doubling the Pap smear uptake, adjusted odds ratio 2.44 (95% CI: 1.29-4.62).
CONCLUSION: Worksite health promotion interventions can effectively increase cervical smear uptake rates among eligible workers in middle-income countries. Policy makers and health care providers in these countries should include such interventions in strategies for reducing cervical cancer burden. This trial is registered with IRCT201103186088N1.

MeSH terms: Adult; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Malaysia; Mass Screening*; Vaginal Smears/methods*; Case-Control Studies; Workplace*; Papanicolaou Test/methods*
Fulltext Comparison between AmniSure placental alpha microglobulin-1 rapid immunoassay and standard diagnostic methods for detection of rupture of membranes

Ng BK, Lim PS, Shafiee MN, Ghani NA, Ismail NA, Omar MH, et al.

Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:587438.
PMID: 24073412 DOI: 10.1155/2013/587438

Objective. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of placental alpha microglobulin-1 assay and standard diagnostic methods for detecting rupture of membrane. Study Design. Prospective diagnostic study, between June 2011 to November 2011 at a tertiary centre. Initial evaluation included both the standard diagnostic methods for rupture of membranes and placental alpha microglobulin-1 immunoassay. The actual rupture of membranes was diagnosed on review of the medical records after delivery (absence of membrane or a positive pad chart). Main Outcome Measures. Placental alpha microglobulin-1 immunoassay and standard diagnostic methods for diagnosis of rupture of membrane. Results. A total of 211 patients were recruited. At initial presentation, 187 patients (88.6%) had ruptured membranes, while 24 patients (11.4%) had intact membranes. Placental alpha microglobulin-1 immunoassay confirmed rupture of membranes at initial presentation with a sensitivity of 95.7% (179 of 187), specificity of 100% (24 of 24), positive predictive value of 100% (179 of 179), and negative predictive value of 75.0% (24 of 32). By comparison, the conventional standard diagnostic methods had a sensitivity of 78.1% (146 of 187), specificity of 100% (24 of 24), positive predictive value of 100% (146 of 146), and negative predictive value of 36.9% (24 of 65) in diagnosing rupture of membrane. Conclusion. Placental alpha-microglobulin-1 immunoassay is a rapid and accurate method for confirming the diagnosis of rupture of membrane. It was superior to conventional standard diagnostic methods (pooling, nitrazine, and ferning), the nitrazine test alone or fern test alone.

MeSH terms: Adult; Alpha-Globulins/metabolism*; Demography; Female; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture/diagnosis*; Humans; Immunoassay/methods*; Pregnancy; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic/standards*; Reference Standards
Three novel species in the Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima complex: P. batesiana sp. nov., P. lundholmiae sp. nov., and P. fukuyoi sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae) from the Strait of Malacca, Malaysia

Lim HC, Teng ST, Leaw CP, Lim PT

J Phycol, 2013 Oct;49(5):902-16.
PMID: 27007315 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12101

A study on the morphology and phylogeny of 18 strains of Pseudo-nitzschia established from the Strait of Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia, was undertaken. Morphological data combined with molecular evidence show that they constitute three new species, for which the names, P. batesiana sp. nov., P. lundholmiae sp. nov., and P. fukuyoi sp. nov., are proposed. The three new species closely resemble species in the P. pseudodelicatissima complex sensu lato. Morphologically, P. batesiana differs from other species in the complex by having a smaller part of cell overlapping in the chain, whereas P. lundholmiae differs by having fewer poroid sectors and P. fukuyoi by having a distinct type of poroid sectors. Nucleotide sequences of the LSU rDNA (D1-D3) of the three new species reveal significant nucleotide sequence divergence (0.1%-9.3%) from each other and from other species in the P. pseudodelicatissima complex s.l. The three species are phylogenetically closely related to species in the P. pseudodelicatissima complex, with P. batesiana appearing as a sister taxon to P. circumpora, P. caciantha, and P. subpacifica; whereas P. lundholmiae and P. fukuyoi are more closely related to P. pseudodelicatissima and P. cuspidata. The three species show 2-3 compensatory base changes (CBCs) in their ITS2 transcripts when compared to the closely related species. The ITS2 with its structural information has proven its robustness in constructing a better resolved phylogenetic framework for Pseudo-nitzschia.

MeSH terms: Base Sequence; Cytoplasm; DNA, Ribosomal; Malaysia; Names; Phylogeny; Diatoms; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
Acquired Brain Injury; Do We Need to Care?

Syed Hassan ST, Jamaludin H, Mohd Riji H, Raman RA, Fei KW

Bull Emerg Trauma, 2013 Oct;1(4):137-8.
PMID: 27162844
Fulltext Dengue virus type 1 clade replacement in recurring homotypic outbreaks

Teoh BT, Sam SS, Tan KK, Johari J, Shu MH, Danlami MB, et al.

BMC Evol. Biol., 2013;13:213.
PMID: 24073945 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-13-213

Recurring dengue outbreaks occur in cyclical pattern in most endemic countries. The recurrences of dengue virus (DENV) infection predispose the population to increased risk of contracting the severe forms of dengue. Understanding the DENV evolutionary mechanism underlying the recurring dengue outbreaks has important implications for epidemic prediction and disease control.

MeSH terms: Dengue/genetics; Dengue/epidemiology*; Dengue/virology*; Dengue Virus/classification*; Dengue Virus/genetics*; Dengue Virus/isolation & purification; Disease Outbreaks*; Genotype; Humans; Phylogeny; Stochastic Processes; Gene Products, env/genetics*; Gene Products, env/chemistry; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Evolution, Molecular*; Amino Acid Substitution
Fulltext Antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaves extract in experimental diabetic nephropathy: a duration-dependent outcome

Varatharajan R, Sattar MZ, Chung I, Abdulla MA, Kassim NM, Abdullah NA

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2013;13:242.
PMID: 24074026 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-242

Catechins-rich oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaves extract (OPLE) is known to have antioxidant activity. Several polyphenolic compounds reported as antioxidants such as quercetin, catechins and gallic acid have been highlighted to have pro-oxidant activity at high doses. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects of chronically administering high dose of OPLE (1000 mg kg⁻¹) in an animal model of diabetic nephropathy (DN).

MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/pharmacology*; Antioxidants/chemistry; Deoxyguanosine/analogs & derivatives; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism*; Diabetic Nephropathies/pathology; DNA Damage/drug effects; Glutathione/analysis; Glutathione/metabolism; Kidney/drug effects; Kidney/pathology; Kidney/physiopathology; Kidney/chemistry; Male; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Oxidative Stress/drug effects; Plant Leaves/chemistry; NADPH Oxidase/analysis; NADPH Oxidase/metabolism; Arecaceae/chemistry*; Rats; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/blood; Metabolome/drug effects
Analysis of females with Chlamydia trachomatis infections attending a sexually transmissible infection clinic in Singapore in 2010

Low LC, Tan FL, Chan E, Chio M, Chan R, Sen P

Sex Health, 2013 Nov;10(5):470-1.
PMID: 24074902 DOI: 10.1071/SH13095

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Singapore, with rising incidence.
METHOD: Random sampling was performed on all chlamydia-positive samples collected from female patients who attended a women's clinic from January 2010 to December 2010. Some 250 electronic medical records were analysed. Population demographics, sexual histories, symptoms, diagnostic methods and management were recorded.
RESULTS: One hundred and forty-two (56.8%) patients were under 25 years of age. The predominant race diagnosed with Chlamydia cervicitis were Chinese (116 cases, 46.4%) followed by 86 (34.4%) Malays and 20 (8%) Filipinos. Sixty-three (25.2%) were skilled workers and (47) 18.8% were students. Professionals and office workers together formed 68 (27.2%) of the patients. Some 248 (99.2%) patients were heterosexual and 2 (0.8%) patients were bisexual; 229 (91.6%) patients had regular partners, 18 (7.2%) had casual partners and 3 (1.2%) had both. Concurrency prevalence accounted for 49 cases (19.6%) and condom use was less common. Patients were generally asymptomatic, with 114 (45.5%) presenting with symptoms. One hundred and eight (43.2%) patients had 2-5 sexual partners in their lifetime. Patients with a termination made up 12% of our cohort. This episode of infection was the first diagnosis of an STI for 198 (79.2%) patients; 24 (9.6%) of patients had been previously diagnosed with chlamydia.
CONCLUSION: Chlamydia infection was most prevalent in skilled workers and their regular partners with heterosexual practices under 25 years old. Most patients had 2-5 sexual partners and did not use condoms consistently or at all.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities/utilization*; Chlamydia Infections/drug therapy*; Chlamydia Infections/epidemiology*; Chlamydia trachomatis*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Sexually Transmitted Diseases/drug therapy*; Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology*; Singapore/epidemiology; Incidence; Prevalence; Young Adult
Insecure attachment style as a vulnerability factor for depression: recent findings in a community-based study of Malay single and married mothers

Abdul Kadir NB, Bifulco A

Psychiatry Res, 2013 Dec 30;210(3):919-24.
PMID: 24075307 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2013.08.034

The role of marital breakdown in women's mental health is of key concern in Malaysia and internationally. A cross-sectional questionnaire study of married and separated/divorced and widowed women examined insecure attachment style as an associated risk factor for depression among 1002 mothers in an urban community in Malaysia. A previous report replicated a UK-based vulnerability-provoking agent model of depression involving negative evaluation of self (NES) and negative elements in close relationships (NECRs) interacting with severe life events to model depression. This article reports on the additional contribution of insecure attachment style to the model using the Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire (VASQ). The results showed that VASQ scores were highly correlated with NES, NECR and depression. A multiple regression analysis of depression with backward elimination found that VASQ scores had a significant additional effect. Group comparisons showed different risk patterns for single and married mothers. NES was the strongest risk factor for both groups, with the 'anxious style' subset of the VASQ being the best additional predictor for married mothers and the total VASQ score (general attachment insecurity) for single mothers. The findings indicate that attachment insecurity adds to a psychosocial vulnerability model of depression among mothers cross-culturally and is important in understanding and identifying risk.

MeSH terms: Adult; Anxiety; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression/diagnosis; Depression/ethnology; Depression/psychology*; Depressive Disorder; Divorce/psychology*; Female; Humans; Life Change Events; Malaysia; Marriage; Mothers/psychology*; Object Attachment*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Single Parent/psychology*; Spouses/ethnology; Spouses/psychology*; Vulnerable Populations/ethnology; Vulnerable Populations/psychology
Fulltext Bioefficacy of crude extract of Cyperus aromaticus (Family: Cyperaceae) cultured cells, against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes

Kamiabi F, Jaal Z, Keng CL

Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, 2013 Oct;3(10):767-75.
PMID: 24075340 DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60153-7

To evaluate the growth inhibition activity of the crude extract of Cyperus aromaticus (C. aromaticus) cultured cells against the 3rd instar larvae of Aedes aegypti (Linn.) and Aedes albopictus Skuse (Ae. albopictus) under laboratory conditions, and determine the sublethal effects (EI50) of the crude extract of C. aromaticus cultured cells on some biological and morphological parameters of both Aedes mosquito species during two generations as well.

MeSH terms: Aedes/drug effects*; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Female; Larva/drug effects; Male; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Cyperus/chemistry*; Plant Cells/chemistry*
Fulltext Review on pharmacological and toxicologyical effects of oleum azadirachti oil

Koriem KM

Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, 2013 Oct;3(10):834-40.
PMID: 24075352 DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60165-3

Oleum azadirachti consists of the oil obtained from dried seeds of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (family: Meliaceae). Local names of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. are Abodua, aforo-oyinbo, anwe egyane, arista, azad dirakht, azadarakht, azedarach and bead tree. Indigenous to India, and widely distributed in South and South-East Asia and cultivated in Africa, the South Pacific Islands, South and Central America and Australia, and in southern Florida and California, United States of America, it is a straight-boled deciduous tree, which is 6-25 m high. Bark is dark-brown, externally fissured with a buff inner surface and fibrous fracture. Leaves alternately arranged, pinnately compound and up to 40 cm long, and composed of 8-18 short-petiolate narrow-ovate, pointed and curved toothed leaflets, 3-10 cm long and 1-4 cm wide arranged in alternate pairs. The major constituents are oxidized tetranortriterpenes including azadirachtin (azadirachtin A), azadiriadione, epoxyazadiradione, azadirone, nimbidin, nimbin, deacetylnimbin, salannin, gedunin, mahmoodin, 17-hydroxydiradione and related derivatives. It is of various medicinal uses, such as a contraceptive for intravaginal use, a mosquito repellent, and treatment of vaginal infections, treatment of gastric ulcers, cardiovascular disease, malaria, rheumatism and skin disorders, external applications for treatment of septic wounds, ulcers and boils, treatment of allergic skin reactions, asthma, bruises, colic, conjunctivitis, dysmenorrhoea, fever, gout, headache, itching due to varicella, kidney stones, leukorrhoea, psoriasis, scabies, sprains and muscular pain, and wounds. It is also used as an emmenagogue, tonic, stomatic and vermicide. In conclusion, the plant oil had antifertility, antihyperglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiulcer, estrogenic, immune, contraceptive, antibacterial, insect repellent, and skin treatment effects.

MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Plant Oils/pharmacology*; Plant Oils/therapeutic use; Seeds/chemistry*; Toxicology; Azadirachta/chemistry*
Fulltext Lower urinary tract dysfunction resulting from a 10-year retained intravesical absorbable suture from a uterine myomectomy

Tan YL, Lo TS, Khanuengkitkong S, Dass AK

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol, 2013 Sep;52(3):435-6.
PMID: 24075389 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2013.01.027
MeSH terms: Urinary Bladder*; Cystoscopy; Female; Foreign Bodies/complications*; Foreign Bodies/diagnosis; Humans; Leiomyoma/surgery; Middle Aged; Sutures/adverse effects*; Time Factors; Absorbable Implants/adverse effects*; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/diagnosis; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/etiology*; Uterine Myomectomy/adverse effects*
Fulltext Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of some novel imidazole and benzimidazole sulfonamides

Al-Mohammed NN, Alias Y, Abdullah Z, Shakir RM, Taha EM, Hamid AA

Molecules, 2013 Sep 26;18(10):11978-95.
PMID: 24077176 DOI: 10.3390/molecules181011978

Several new substituted sulfonamide compounds were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, FT-IR, and mass spectroscopy. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized compounds were screened against standard strains of six Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria using the microbroth dilution assay. Most of the compounds studied showed promising activities against both types of bacteria.

MeSH terms: Benzimidazoles/chemical synthesis*; Benzimidazoles/pharmacology; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects; Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects; Imidazoles/chemical synthesis*; Imidazoles/pharmacology; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Sulfonamides/chemical synthesis*; Sulfonamides/pharmacology; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
Fulltext Structural correlation of some heterocyclic chalcone analogues and evaluation of their antioxidant potential

Kumar CS, Loh WS, Ooi CW, Quah CK, Fun HK

Molecules, 2013 Sep 26;18(10):11996-2011.
PMID: 24077177 DOI: 10.3390/molecules181011996

A series of six novel heterocyclic chalcone analogues 4(a-f) has been synthesized by condensing 2-acetyl-5-chlorothiophene with benzaldehyde derivatives in methanol at room temperature using a catalytic amount of sodium hydroxide. The newly synthesized compounds are characterized by IR, mass spectra, elemental analysis and melting point. Subsequently; the structures of these compounds were determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their antioxidant potential by employing various in vitro models such as DPPH free radical scavenging assay, ABTS radical scavenging assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity. Results reflect the structural impact on the antioxidant ability of the compounds. The IC₀ values illustrate the mild to good antioxidant activities of the reported compounds. Among them, 4f with a p-methoxy substituent was found to be more potent as antioxidant agent.

MeSH terms: Biphenyl Compounds/chemistry; Copper/chemistry; Ferricyanides/chemistry; Free Radicals/chemistry; Models, Molecular; Molecular Conformation; Oxidation-Reduction; Picrates/chemistry; Sulfonic Acids/chemistry; Free Radical Scavengers/chemistry*; Crystallography, X-Ray; Chalcones/chemistry*; Benzothiazoles/chemistry
Fulltext Assessing routing strategies for cognitive radio sensor networks

Zubair S, Fisal N, Baguda YS, Saleem K

Sensors (Basel), 2013;13(10):13005-38.
PMID: 24077319 DOI: 10.3390/s131013005

Interest in the cognitive radio sensor network (CRSN) paradigm has gradually grown among researchers. This concept seeks to fuse the benefits of dynamic spectrum access into the sensor network, making it a potential player in the next generation (NextGen) network, which is characterized by ubiquity. Notwithstanding its massive potential, little research activity has been dedicated to the network layer. By contrast, we find recent research trends focusing on the physical layer, the link layer and the transport layers. The fact that the cross-layer approach is imperative, due to the resource-constrained nature of CRSNs, can make the design of unique solutions non-trivial in this respect. This paper seeks to explore possible design opportunities with wireless sensor networks (WSNs), cognitive radio ad-hoc networks (CRAHNs) and cross-layer considerations for implementing viable CRSN routing solutions. Additionally, a detailed performance evaluation of WSN routing strategies in a cognitive radio environment is performed to expose research gaps. With this work, we intend to lay a foundation for developing CRSN routing solutions and to establish a basis for future work in this area.

MeSH terms: Algorithms*; Cognition*; Computer Communication Networks/instrumentation*; Equipment Design; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation*; Telecommunications/instrumentation*; Information Storage and Retrieval/methods*; Equipment Failure Analysis; Wireless Technology/instrumentation*

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