Browse publications by year: 2013

  1. Yazdani D, Mior Ahmad ZA, Yee How T, Jaganath IB, Shahnazi S
    Iran J Microbiol, 2013 Dec;5(4):428-33.
    PMID: 25848517
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Food contamination by aflatoxins is an important food safety concern for agricultural products. In order to identify and develop novel antifungal agents, several plant extracts and isolated compounds have been evaluated for their bioactivities. Anti-infectious activity of Piper betle used in traditional medicine of Malaysia has been reported previously.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crude methanol extract from P. betel powdered leaves was partitioned between chloroform and water. The fractions were tested against A. flavus UPMC 89, a strong aflatoxin producing strain. Inhibition of mycelial growth and aflatoxin biosynthesis were tested by disk diffusion and macrodillution techniques, respectively. The presence of aflatoxin was determined by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques using AFB1 standard. The chloroform soluble compounds were identified using HPLC-Tandem mass spectrometry technique.

    RESULTS: The results, evaluated by measuring the mycelial growth and quantification of aflatoxin B1(AFLB1) production in broth medium revealed that chloroform soluble compounds extract from P. betle dried leaves was able to block the aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway at concentration of 500μg/ml without a significant effect on mycelium growth. In analyzing of this effective fractions using HPLC-MS(2) with ESI ionization technique, 11 phenolic compounds were identified.

    CONCLUSION: The results showed that the certain phenolic compounds are able to decline the aflatoxin production in A. flavus with no significant effect on the fungus mycelia growth. The result also suggested P. betle could be used as potential antitoxin product.

  2. Mondal MN, Shitan M
    Iran J Public Health, 2013 Dec;42(12):1354-62.
    PMID: 26060637
    BACKGROUND: This study is concerned with understanding the impact of demographic changes, socioeconomic inequalities, and the availability of health factors on life expectancy (LE) in the low and lower middle income countries.

    METHODS: The cross-country data were collected from 91 countries from the United Nations agencies in 2012. LE is the response variable with demographics (total fertility rate, and adolescent fertility rate), socioeconomic status (mean year of schooling, and gross national income per capita), and health factors (physician density, and HIV prevalence rate) are as the three main predictors. Stepwise multiple regression analysis is used to extract the main factors.

    RESULTS: The necessity of more healthcare resources and higher levels of socioeconomic advantages are more likely to increase LE. On the other hand, demographic changes and health factors are more likely to increase LE by way of de-cease fertility rates and disease prevalence.

    CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that international efforts should aim at increasing LE, especially in the low income countries through the elimination of HIV prevalence, adolescent fertility, and illiteracy.

  3. Mohd Ridzwan SF, Anual ZF, Sahani M, Ghazali AR
    Iran J Public Health, 2013 Dec;42(12):1374-86.
    PMID: 26060639
    Neurotoxicants present in water supply may affect human functions in terms of attention, response speed and perceptual motor speed. Neurobehavioural performance can be influenced by gender, age and education levels. This study aims to assess the neurobehavioral performance of palm oil estate residents with private water supply in southern Peninsular of Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Attention; Humans; Malaysia; Reaction Time; Water Supply
  4. Tong SF, Low WY, Ismail SB, Trevena L, Wilcock S
    Transl Androl Urol, 2013 Dec;2(4):281-90.
    PMID: 26816741 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2013.09.14
    BACKGROUND: Perceptions of how receptive men are to sexual health inquiry may affect Malaysian primary care doctors' decisions to initiate such a discussion with their male patients. This paper quantifies the impact of doctors' perceptions of men's receptivity on male sexual health inquiry. Sexual health inquiry is one of the five areas in a study on determinants of offering preventive health checks to Malaysian men.
    METHODS: This was a cross sectional survey among primary care doctors in Malaysia. The questionnaire was based on an empirical model defining the determinants of primary care doctors' intention to offer health checks. The questionnaire measured: (I) perceived receptivity of male patients to sexual health inquiry; (II) doctors' attitudes towards the importance of sexual health inquiries; (III) perceived competence and, (IV) perceived external barriers. The outcome variable was doctors' intention in asking about sexual dysfunction in three different contexts (minor complaints visits, follow-up visits and health checks visits). All items were measured on the Likert scale of 1 to 5 (strongly disagree/unlikely to strongly agree/likely) and internally validated.
    RESULTS: 198 doctors participated (response rate 70.4%). Female primary care doctors constituted 54.5%. 78% of respondents were unlikely to ask about sexual dysfunction in visits for minor complaints to their male patients, 43.6% in follow up visits and 28.2% in health checks visits. In ordinal regression analysis, positive perception of men's receptivity to sexual health inquiry significantly predicted the doctors' intention in asking sexual dysfunction in all three contexts; i.e., minor complaints visits (P=0.013), follow-up visits (P<0.0001) and health checks visits (P=0.002). Perceived competence in sexual health inquiry predicted their intention in the follow-up visits (P=0.006) and health checks visits (P<0.001). Lower cost to health checks only predicted their intention in the follow-up visits (P=0.010).
    CONCLUSIONS: Whilst sexual health inquiry should be initiated in an appropriate context, 'perceived receptivity' to sexual health inquiry significantly affected doctors' intention in initiating sexual health inquiry to their male patients. Malaysian men's health may be substantially improved by strategies that assist doctors to identify patient 'receptivity'.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; Physicians, Primary Care
  5. Ghazi HF, Mustafa J, Aljunid S, Isa Z, Abdalqader MA
    J Health Popul Nutr, 2013 Sep;31(3):350-5.
    PMID: 24288949
    The unstable geopolitical situation in Iraq since 2003 still affects the health of people, especially children. Several factors may indirectly affect a child's nutritional status. The main aim of this study was to identify factors contributing to malnutrition among 3 to 5 years old children in Baghdad city, Iraq. Two hundred twenty children aged 3 to 5 years were chosen randomly from four kindergartens in Baghdad city according to the cross-sectional design. The nutritional status of the children was assessed using a weight-for-age z-score based on the World Health Organization 2007 cutoff points, in which any child with a z-score of
    MeSH terms: Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Educational Status; Employment; Family; Female; Homicide/statistics & numerical data; Humans; Iraq/epidemiology; Male; Nutritional Status; Surveys and Questionnaires; Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data; Child Nutrition Disorders/epidemiology*; Prevalence; Sex Distribution
  6. Zakaria ZA, Sani MH, Mohammat MF, Mansor NS, Shaameri Z, Kek TL, et al.
    Can J Physiol Pharmacol, 2013 Dec;91(12):1143-53.
    PMID: 24289087 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2013-0099
    This study was carried out to determine the antinociceptive activity of a novel synthetic oxopyrrolidine-based compound, (2R,3R,4S)-ethyl 4-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylate (ASH21374), and to elucidate the involvement of the opioid, vanilloid, glutamate, and nitric oxide - cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) systems in modulating the observed antinociception. ASH21374, in the doses of 2, 10, and 100 mg/kg body mass, was administered orally to mice 60 mins prior to exposure to various antinociceptive assays. From the results obtained, ASH21374 exhibited significant (P < 0.05) antinociceptive activity in the abdominal constriction, hot-plate, and formalin tests that was comparable with 100 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid or 5 mg/kg morphine, respectively. ASH21374 also attenuated capsaicin- and glutamate-induced paw licking. Pre-treatment with 5 mg/kg naloxone significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the activity in all assays, while pretreatment with 10 mg/kg β-funaltraxamine, 1 mg/kg naltrindole, or 1 mg/kg nor-binaltorphimine significantly (P < 0.05) reversed the activity in the abdominal constriction test. l-Arginine, N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl esters (l-NAME), methylene blue, and their combinations, failed to inhibit the ASH21374 antinociceptive activity. In conclusion, ASH21374 demonstrated antinociceptive activities on the peripheral and central nervous systems, mediated through the activation of opioid receptors, inhibition of the glutamatergic system, and attenuation of vanilloid-mediated nociceptive transmission. Further studies have been planned to determine the pharmacological potential of ASH21374.
    MeSH terms: Analgesics/pharmacology*; Analgesics, Opioid/metabolism; Animals; Aspirin/pharmacology; Capsaicin/pharmacology; Cyclic GMP/metabolism; Male; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Morphine/pharmacology; Motor Activity/drug effects; Naloxone/pharmacology; Naltrexone/analogs & derivatives; Naltrexone/pharmacology; Nitric Oxide/metabolism; Pyrrolidines/pharmacology*; Receptors, Opioid/metabolism; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Glutamic Acid/metabolism; Mice
  7. Ghasemzadeh A, Jaafar HZ
    PMID: 24289290 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-341
    Phytochemicals and antioxidants from plant sources are of increasing interest to consumers because of their roles in the maintenance of human health. Most of the secondary metabolites of herbs are used in a number of pharmaceutical products.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; Antioxidants/pharmacology*; Antioxidants/chemistry; Biphenyl Compounds; Cell Survival/drug effects; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cinnamates/pharmacology*; Cinnamates/chemistry; Flavonoids/pharmacology*; Flavonoids/chemistry; Humans; Malaysia; Picrates; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Pandanaceae/chemistry*; MCF-7 Cells; Hydroxybenzoates/pharmacology; Hydroxybenzoates/chemistry
  8. Yoon TL, Lim TL, Min TK, Hung SH, Jakse N, Lai SK
    J Chem Phys, 2013 Nov 28;139(20):204702.
    PMID: 24289364 DOI: 10.1063/1.4832043
    We grew graphene epitaxially on 6H-SiC(0001) substrate by the simulated annealing method. The mechanisms that govern the growth process were investigated by testing two empirical potentials, namely, the widely used Tersoff potential [J. Tersoff, Phys. Rev. B 39, 5566 (1989)] and its more refined version published years later by Erhart and Albe [Phys. Rev. B 71, 035211 (2005)]. Upon contrasting the results obtained by these two potentials, we found that the potential proposed by Erhart and Albe is generally more physical and realistic, since the annealing temperature at which the graphene structure just coming into view at approximately 1200 K is unambiguously predicted and close to the experimentally observed pit formation at 1298 K within which the graphene nucleates. We evaluated the reasonableness of our layers of graphene by calculating carbon-carbon (i) average bond-length, (ii) binding energy, and (iii) pair correlation function. Also, we compared with related experiments the various distance of separation parameters between the overlaid layers of graphene and substrate surface.
  9. Pandurangan AK, Esa NM
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(10):5543-52.
    PMID: 24289544
    Colorectal cancer (CRC), a complex multi-step process involving progressive disruption of homeostatic mechanisms controlling intestinal epithelial proliferation/inflammation, differentiation, and programmed cell death, is the third most common malignant neoplasm worldwide. A number of promising targets such as inducible nitric acid (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Wnt/β-catenin, Notch and apoptotic signaling have been identified by researchers as useful targets to prevent or therapeutically inhibit colon cancer development. In this review article, we aimed to explore the current targets available to eliminate colon cancer with an update of dietary and non-nutritional compounds that could be of potential use for interaction with regulatory molecules to prevent CRC.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Diet/methods; Humans; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics*; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism*; Signal Transduction/genetics*
  10. Lachumy SJ, Oon CE, Deivanai S, Saravanan D, Vijayarathna S, Choong YS, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(10):5553-65.
    PMID: 24289545
    Plants play important roles in human life not only as suppliers of oxygen but also as a fundamental resource to sustain the human race on this earthly plane. Plants also play a major role in our nutrition by converting energy from the sun during photosynthesis. In addition, plants have been used extensively in traditional medicine since time immemorial. Information in the biomedical literature has indicated that many natural herbs have been investigated for their efficacy against lethal irradiation. Pharmacological studies by various groups of investigators have shown that natural herbs possess significant radioprotective activity. In view of the immense medicinal importance of natural product based radioprotective agents, this review aims at compiling all currently available information on radioprotective agents from medicinal plants and herbs, especially the evaluation methods and mechanisms of action. In this review we particularly emphasize on ethnomedicinal uses, botany, phytochemistry, mechanisms of action and toxicology. We also describe modern techniques for evaluating herbal samples as radioprotective agents. The usage of herbal remedies for combating lethal irradiation is a green anti- irradiation approach for the betterment of human beings without high cost, side effects and toxicity.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Phytotherapy/methods; Medicine, Traditional*; Plants, Medicinal*; Radiation-Protective Agents/pharmacology*; Radiation-Protective Agents/therapeutic use*; Herbal Medicine*
  11. Abdul Rashid RM, Dahlui M
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(10):5867-70.
    PMID: 24289591
    BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Malaysian women with an ASR of 17.9 and a mortality rate of 5.6 per 100,000 population in 2008 (GLOBOCAN, 2008). The 5 year prevalence was estimated to be 14.5 per 100,000 population. As the second most common cancer affecting productive females, cervical cancer imposes an impact to the socioeconomic aspect of the country. However, the poor uptake of cervical cancer screening is a major problem in detecting early pre-cancerous lesions and thus, delay in initiating treatment for cervical cancer. Realizing the urgency to increase the uptake of PAP smear, besides enhancing the promotion of PAP smear screening for women above 35 years old, the call-recall system for pap smear screening had been piloted in one of the suburban districts which aimed to improve regular participation of women for cervical and breast cancer screening. This is of public health importance as identifying the best feasible option to increase patient's respond to participate in the screening program effectively in our setting will be helpful in implementing an organized regular population based screening program tailored to our setting. The pilot program of cervical cancer screening in Klang was an opportunity to assess different options in recalling patients for a repeat pap smear to increase their participation and adherence to the program.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a population based randomized control trial. Women aged 20-65 years in the population that matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria were re-called for a repeat smear. There are four different intervention groups; letter, registered letters, short messages services (SMS) and phone calls where 250 subjects were recruited into each group. Samples were generated randomly from the same population in Klang into four different groups. The first group received a recall letter for a repeat smear similar to the one that has been given during the first invitation. The intervention groups were either be given a registered letter, an SMS or a phone call to re-call them. The socio-demographic data of the patients who came for uptake were collected for further analysis. All the groups were followed up after 8 weeks to assess their compliance to the recall.

    CONCLUSIONS: The study will provide recommendations about the most effective methods for recall in a population based pap smear screening program on two outcomes: i) patients response; ii) uptake for repeat pap smear.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Mass Screening/methods*; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance; Pilot Projects; Vaginal Smears/methods; Women; Program Evaluation; Early Detection of Cancer/methods*; Young Adult; Papanicolaou Test/methods
  12. Abdul Rashid RM, Mohamed M, Hamid ZA, Dahlui M
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(10):5901-4.
    PMID: 24289597
    OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of different methods of recall for repeat Pap smear among women who had normal smears in the previous screening.
    DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled study.
    SETTING: All community clinics in Klang under the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
    PARTICIPANTS: Women of Klang who attended cervical screening and had a normal Pap smear in the previous year, and were due for a repeat smear were recruited and randomly assigned to four different methods of recall for repeat smear.
    INTERVENTION: The recall methods given to the women to remind them for a repeat smear were either by postal letter, registered letter, short message by phone (SMS) or phone call.
    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number and percentage of women who responded to the recall within 8 weeks after they had received the recall, irrespective whether they had Pap test conducted. Also the numbers of women in each recall method that came for repeat Pap smear.
    RESULTS: The rates of recall messages reaching the women when using letter, registered letter, SMS and phone calls were 79%, 87%, 66% and 68%, respectively. However, the positive responses to recall by letter, registered letter, phone messages and telephone call were 23.9%, 23.0%, 32.9% and 50.9%, respectively (p<0.05). Furthermore, more women who received recall by phone call had been screened (p<0.05) compared to those who received recall by postal letter (OR=2.38, CI=1.56-3.62).
    CONCLUSION: Both the usual way of sending letters and registered letters had higher chances of reaching patients compared to using phone either for sending messages or calling. The response to the recall method and uptake of repeat smear, however, were highest via phone call, indicating the importance of direct communication.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan, Kelang, Selangor, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & control*; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Malaysia; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance*; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Telephone*; Vaginal Smears*; Reminder Systems*; Early Detection of Cancer/methods*
  13. Hasan SS, Thiruchelvam K, Ahmed SI, Clavarino AM, Mamun AA, Kairuz T
    Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2013;7(4):191-7.
    PMID: 24290082 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2013.10.023
    AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between pregnancy complications, mental health-related problems, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Malaysian women.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study of women with T2DM (n=160) matched by age range to controls without T2DM (n=160). Data were collected in the Negeri Sembilan and PutraJaya regions in Malaysia, from two hospital outpatient clinics, PutraJaya Hospital and Tuanku Jaa'far Hospital Seremban, and one health clinic at Seremban. Validated, interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to obtain the data. The unadjusted and adjusted estimates were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method.
    RESULTS: Neither depression (RR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.39-1.41) nor anxiety (RR 1.00, 95% CI: 0.53-1.88) symptoms increased the risk of T2DM significantly. However, gestational diabetes (RR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02-1.79), and ≥3 pregnancies (RR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.08-1.79) were significant risk factors for the development of T2DM. T2DM was not a significant risk factor for either depression (RR 1.26, 95% CI: 0.91-1.74) or anxiety symptoms (RR 1.13, 95% CI: 0.59-2.19).
    CONCLUSION: In this study, T2DM is not a significant risk factor for depression and anxiety; similarly, neither are depression and anxiety significant risk factors for T2DM. Although prevalence of depression and anxiety is not alarming, the findings reported here should alert clinicians to screen and treat anxiety and depression in people with diabetes and also note the importance of monitoring women with complications in pregnancy for risk of later T2DM.

    Study site: two hospital outpatient clinics, PutraJaya Hospital and Tuanku Jaa'far Hospital Seremban, and one health clinic at Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Anxiety/etiology*; Anxiety/epidemiology; Depression/etiology*; Depression/epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/etiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology*; Female; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Mass Screening; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology; Pregnancy Complications/psychology*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Self-Assessment; Prevalence; Case-Control Studies; Age Distribution
  14. Oortwijn W, Broos P, Vondeling H, Banta D, Todorova L
    Int J Technol Assess Health Care, 2013 Oct;29(4):424-34.
    PMID: 24290336 DOI: 10.1017/S0266462313000469
    The aim of this study was to develop and apply an instrument to map the level of health technology assessment (HTA) development at country level in selected countries. We examined middle-income countries (Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Russia) and countries well-known for their comprehensive HTA programs (Australia, Canada, and United Kingdom).
    MeSH terms: Delivery of Health Care; Surveys and Questionnaires; Consensus; Internationality*
  15. Sikin AM, Zoellner C, Rizvi SS
    J Food Prot, 2013 Dec;76(12):2099-123.
    PMID: 24290689 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-12-437
    Sprouts have gained popularity worldwide due to their nutritional values and health benefits. The fact that their consumption has been associated with numerous outbreaks of foodborne illness threatens the $250 million market that this industry has established in the United States. Therefore, sprout manufacturers have utilized the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended application of 20,000 ppm of calcium hypochlorite solution to seeds before germination as a preventative method. Concentrations of up to 200 ppm of chlorine wash are also commonly used on sprouts. However, chlorine-based treatment achieves on average only 1- to 3-log reductions in bacteria and is associated with negative health and environmental issues. The search for alternative strategies has been widespread, involving chemical, biological, physical, and hurdle processes that can achieve up to 7-log reductions in bacteria in some cases. The compilation here of the current scientific data related to these techniques is used to compare their efficacy for ensuring the microbial safety of sprouts and their practicality for commercial producers. Of specific importance for alternative seed and sprout treatments is maintaining the industry-accepted germination rate of 95% and the sensorial attributes of the final product. This review provides an evaluation of suggested decontamination technologies for seeds and sprouts before, during, and after germination and concludes that thermal inactivation of seeds and irradiation of sprouts are the most practical stand-alone microbial safety interventions for sprout production.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology*; Chlorine/pharmacology; Consumer Product Safety; Food Contamination/prevention & control*; Food Handling/standards; Food Irradiation*; Food Microbiology; Foodborne Diseases/etiology; Foodborne Diseases/epidemiology; Foodborne Diseases/prevention & control*; Humans; Public Health; Seeds/microbiology*; United States; Calcium Compounds/pharmacology; Germination
  16. Mohammed IA, Al-Mulla EA, Kadar NK, Ibrahim M
    J Oleo Sci, 2013;62(12):1059-72.
    PMID: 24292358
    Palm and soya oils were converted to monoglycerides via transesterification of triglycerides with glycerol by one step process to produce renewable polyols. Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPPUs) were prepared from the reaction of the monoglycerides which act as polyol with 4,4'-methylenediphenyldiisocyanate (MDI) whereas, thermosetting polyurethanes (TSPUs) were prepared from the reaction of glycerol, MDI and monoglycerides in one pot. Characterization of the polyurethanes was carried out by FT-IR, (1)H NMR, and iodine value and sol-gel fraction. The TSPUs showed good thermal properties compared to TPPUs as well as TSPUs exhibits good properties in pencil hardness and adhesion, however poorer in flexural and impact strength compared to TPPUs. The higher percentage of cross linked fraction, the higher degree of cross linking occurred, which is due to the higher number of double bond presents in the TSPUs. These were reflected in iodine value test as the highest iodine value of the soya-based thermosetting polyurethanes confirmed the highest degree of cross linking. Polyurethanes based on soya oil showed better properties compared to palm oil. This study is a breakthrough development of polyurethane resins using palm and soya oils as one of the raw materials.
    MeSH terms: Plant Oils/chemistry*; Polymers/chemistry*; Polyurethanes/chemical synthesis*; Polyurethanes/chemistry; Resins, Synthetic; Soybean Oil/chemistry*; Thermodynamics*; Molecular Structure; Monoglycerides; Physicochemical Phenomena
  17. Al-Baldawi IA, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Anuar N, Suja F, Idris M
    Water Sci Technol, 2013;68(10):2271-8.
    PMID: 24292478 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2013.484
    One of the appropriate development technology options for the treatment of wastewater contaminated with diesel is constructed wetlands (CWs). Throughout 72 days of exposure, sampling was carried out for monitoring of physical parameters, plant growth and the efficiency of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal, as an indication for diesel contamination, to assess the pilot-scale performance. Four pilot CWs with a horizontal sub-surface flow system were applied using the bulrush of Scirpus grossus. The CWs were loaded with different diesel concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.25% (Vdiesel/Vwater). The TPH removal efficiencies were 82, 71, and 67% at the end of 72 days for diesel concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.25% respectively. In addition, the high removal efficiency of total suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 100 and 75.4% respectively, for a diesel concentration of 0.1%. It was concluded that S. grossus is a potential plant that can be used in a well-operated CW for restoring 0.1% diesel-contaminated water.
    MeSH terms: Gasoline*; Hydrocarbons/isolation & purification; Pilot Projects; Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification*; Water Purification*; Cyperaceae*; Wetlands*; Water Quality
  18. Usman MS, El Zowalaty ME, Shameli K, Zainuddin N, Salama M, Ibrahim NA
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2013;8:4467-79.
    PMID: 24293998 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S50837
    Copper nanoparticle synthesis has been gaining attention due to its availability. However, factors such as agglomeration and rapid oxidation have made it a difficult research area. In the present work, pure copper nanoparticles were prepared in the presence of a chitosan stabilizer through chemical means. The purity of the nanoparticles was authenticated using different characterization techniques, including ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The antibacterial as well as antifungal activity of the nanoparticles were investigated using several microorganisms of interest, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella choleraesuis, and Candida albicans. The effect of a chitosan medium on growth of the microorganism was studied, and this was found to influence growth rate. The size of the copper nanoparticles obtained was in the range of 2-350 nm, depending on the concentration of the chitosan stabilizer.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/chemical synthesis; Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry*; Bacteria/drug effects*; Copper/pharmacology; Copper/chemistry*; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Particle Size; Yeasts/drug effects; Chitosan; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  19. Tekeleselassie AW, Goh YM, Rajion MA, Motshakeri M, Ebrahimi M
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:757593.
    PMID: 24294136 DOI: 10.1155/2013/757593
    This study was aimed to investigate the effects of dietary fatty acids on the accretion pattern of major fat pads, inguinal fat cellularity, and their relation with plasma leptin concentration. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups and received the following diets for 22 weeks: (1) standard rat chow diet (CTRL), (2) CTRL + 10% (w/w) butter (HFAR), (3) CTRL + 3.33% (w/w) menhaden fish oil + 6.67% (w/w) soybean oil (MFAR), and (4) CTRL + 6.67% (w/w) menhaden fish oil + 3.33% (w/w) soybean oil (LFAR). Inguinal fat cellularity and plasma leptin concentration were measured in this study. Results for inguinal fat cellularity showed that the mean adipocyte number for the MFAR (9.2 ∗ 10⁵ ± 3.6) and LFAR (8.5 ∗ 10⁵ ± 5.1) groups was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the rest, while the mean adipocyte diameter of HFAR group was larger (P < 0.05) (46.2 ± 2.8) than the rest. The plasma leptin concentration in the HFAR group was higher (P < 0.05) (3.22 ± 0.32 ng/mL), than the other groups. The higher inguinal fat cellularity clearly indicated the ability of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and butter supplemented diets to induce hyperplasia and hypertrophy of fat cells, respectively, which caused adipocyte remodeling due to hyperleptinemia.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed/analysis; Body Composition/drug effects; Body Weight/drug effects; Butter; Cell Count; Dietary Fats/administration & dosage; Dietary Fats/pharmacology*; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Fish Oils/administration & dosage; Fish Oils/pharmacology; Male; Random Allocation; Soybean Oil/administration & dosage; Soybean Oil/pharmacology; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Adipocytes/drug effects*; Dietary Supplements; Leptin/blood*; Fatty Acids, Omega-6/administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Omega-6/pharmacology*; Intra-Abdominal Fat/cytology; Intra-Abdominal Fat/drug effects; Rats
  20. Ali F, Ranneh Y, Ismail A, Vaes B
    Springerplus, 2013;2:590.
    PMID: 24294542 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-590
    A decrease in the lineage commitment of multipotent Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to the bone forming osteoblast lineage and an increase in the commitment to the fat forming adipocyte lineage is more common in bone marrow of elderly persons. A link between methylation status and MSC differentiation remains unclear. Therefore, we hypothesize that hypomethylation may decide the fate decisions of MSC. In the current study, murine bone marrow derived-C3H10T1/2 stem cell was used to examine the role of methylation mechanism on the differentiation potential of stem cells into osteoblasts or adipocytes. C3H10T1/2 cells were treated with Periodate oxidized adenosine (Adox), an inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine-dependent hydrolase (SAHH), which in turn block the non-DNA methylation pathway. The effect of hypomethylation on C3H10T1/2 stem cell differentiation was determined by measuring the alkaline phosphates activity and the degree of mineralization as well as Oil-red O staining and lipid content. The ratio of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) was determined as a metabolic indicator of cellular methylation potential. It was clearly observed that hypomethylation significantly (P 
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