Browse publications by year: 2013

Fulltext Are health professionals responsible for the shortage of organs from deceased donors in Malaysia?

Abidin ZL, Ming WT, Loch A, Hilmi I, Hautmann O

Transpl Int, 2013 Feb;26(2):187-94.
PMID: 23199156 DOI: 10.1111/tri.12019

The rate of organ donations from deceased donors in Malaysia is among the lowest in the world. This may be because of the passivity among health professionals in approaching families of potential donors. A questionnaire-based study was conducted amongst health professionals in two tertiary hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Four hundred and sixty-two questionnaires were completed. 93.3% of health professionals acknowledged a need for organ transplantation in Malaysia. 47.8% were willing to donate their organs (with ethnic and religious differences). Factors which may be influencing the shortage of organs from deceased donors include: nonrecognition of brainstem death (38.5%), no knowledge on how to contact the Organ Transplant Coordinator (82.3%), and never approaching families of a potential donor (63.9%). There was a general attitude of passivity in approaching families of potential donors and activating transplant teams among many of the health professionals. A misunderstanding of brainstem death and its definition hinder identification of a potential donor. Continuing medical education and highlighting the role of the Organ Transplant Coordinator, as well as increasing awareness of the public through religion and the media were identified as essential in improving the rate of organ donations from deceased donors in Malaysia.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Cadaver; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ethnic Groups; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Tissue and Organ Procurement/methods*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Religion; Tissue Donors/supply & distribution*; Tissue Donors/statistics & numerical data; Organ Transplantation; Young Adult
Effects of chemical interesterification on the physicochemical, microstructural and thermal properties of palm stearin, palm kernel oil and soybean oil blends

Fauzi SH, Rashid NA, Omar Z

Food Chem, 2013 Apr 15;137(1-4):8-17.
PMID: 23199984 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.09.086

Blends of palm stearin (PS), palm kernel oil (PKO) and soybean oil (SBO) at certain proportions were formulated using a mixture design based on simplex-lattice (Design Expert 8.0.4 Stat-Ease Inc., Minneapolis, 2010). All the 10 oil blends were subjected to chemical interesterification (CIE) using sodium methoxide as the catalyst. The solid fat content (SFC), triacylglycerol (TAG) composition, thermal properties (DSC), polymorphism and microstructural properties were studied. Palm-based trans-free table margarine containing ternary mixture of PS/PKO/SBO [49/20/31 (w/w)], was optimally formulated through analysis of multiple isosolid diagrams and was found to have quite similar SMP and SFC profile as compared to the commercial table margarine. This study has shown chemical interesterification are effective in modifying the physicochemical properties of palm stearin, palm kernel oil, soybean oil and their mixtures.

MeSH terms: Esterification; Food Technology/methods*; Hot Temperature; Margarine/analysis*; Plant Oils/chemistry*; Soybean Oil/chemistry*; Stearates/chemistry*; Molecular Structure; Physicochemical Phenomena
Lumusidines A-D and villalstonidine F, macroline-macroline and macroline-pleiocarpamine bisindole alkaloids from Alstonia macrophylla

Lim SH, Low YY, Subramaniam G, Abdullah Z, Thomas NF, Kam TS

Phytochemistry, 2013 Mar;87:148-56.
PMID: 23200029 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2012.11.005

Lumusidines A-D, bisindole alkaloids of the macroline-macroline type, and one of the macroline-pleiocarpamine type, villalstonidine F, were isolated from the stem-bark extract of Alstonia macrophylla (Apocynaceae). The structures and absolute configurations of these alkaloids were established using NMR, MS, and X-ray diffraction analyses.

MeSH terms: Alkaloids/chemistry*; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; X-Ray Diffraction; Molecular Structure; Indole Alkaloids/chemistry*; Alstonia/chemistry*
Are deep eutectic solvents benign or toxic?

Hayyan M, Hashim MA, Hayyan A, Al-Saadi MA, AlNashef IM, Mirghani ME, et al.

Chemosphere, 2013 Feb;90(7):2193-5.
PMID: 23200570 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.11.004

In continuation of investigation for environmentally benign protocol for new solvents termed deep eutectic solvents (DESs), it is herein reported results concerning the toxicity and cytotoxicity of choline chloride (ChCl) based DESs with four hydrogen bond donors including glycerine, ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and urea. The toxicity was investigated using two Gram positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, and two Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cytotoxicity effect was tested using the Artemia salina leach. It was found that there was no toxic effect for the tested DESs on all of the studied bacteria confirming their benign effects on these bacteria. Nevertheless, it was found that the cytotoxicity of DESs was much higher than their individual components (e.g. glycerine, ChCl) indicating that their toxicological behavior is different. For our best knowledge this is the first time that toxicity and cytotoxicity of DESs were studied. The toxicity and cytotoxicity of DESs varied depending on the structure of components. Careful usage of the terms non-toxicity and biodegradability must be considered. More investigation on this matter is required.

MeSH terms: Animals; Artemia; Bacillus subtilis; Choline/toxicity*; Escherichia coli; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Solvents/toxicity*; Staphylococcus aureus; Hazardous Substances/toxicity*; Toxicity Tests
Chikungunya infection in Malaysia: comparison with dengue infection in adults and predictors of persistent arthralgia

Mohd Zim MA, Sam IC, Omar SF, Chan YF, AbuBakar S, Kamarulzaman A

J Clin Virol, 2013 Feb;56(2):141-5.
PMID: 23201456 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2012.10.019

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) co-circulate in areas endemic with the Aedes mosquito vectors. Both viruses cause similar illnesses which may be difficult to distinguish clinically. CHIKV is also associated with persistent arthralgia.

MeSH terms: Adult; Chikungunya virus/isolation & purification*; Decision Support Techniques; Dengue/epidemiology; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Alphavirus Infections/complications; Alphavirus Infections/epidemiology*; Alphavirus Infections/virology*; Arthralgia/epidemiology; Young Adult
Genetic dissection of rice blast resistance by QTL mapping approach using an F3 population

Ashkani S, Rafii MY, Rahim HA, Latif MA

Mol Biol Rep, 2013 Mar;40(3):2503-15.
PMID: 23203411 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-2331-3

Rice blast is one of the major fungal diseases that badly reduce rice production in Asia including Malaysia. There is not much information on identification of QTLs as well as linked markers and their association with blast resistance within local rice cultivars. In order to understanding of the genetic control of blast in the F3 families from indica rice cross Pongsu seribu2/Mahsuri, an analysis of quantitative trait loci against one of the highly virulent Malaysian rice blast isolate Magnaporthe oryzae, P5.0 was carried out. Result indicated that partial resistance to this pathotype observed in the present study was controlled by multiple loci or different QTLs. In QTL analysis in F3 progeny fifteen QTLs on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 11 and 12 for resistance to blast nursery tests was identified. Three of detected QTLs (qRBr-6.1, qRBr-11.4, and qRBr-12.1) had significant threshold (LOD >3) and approved by both IM and CIM methods. Twelve suggestive QTLs, qRBr-1.2, qRBr-2.1, qRBr-4.1, qRBr-5.1, qRBr-6.2, qRBr-6.3, qRBr-8.1, qRBr-10.1, qRBr-10.2, qRBr-11.1, qRBr-11.2 and qRBr-11.3) with Logarithmic of Odds (LOD) <3.0 or LRS <15) were distributed on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11. Most of the QTLs detected using single isolate had the resistant alleles from Pongsu seribu 2 which involved in the resistance in the greenhouse. We found that QTLs detected for deferent traits for the using isolate were frequently located in similar genomic regions. Inheritance study showed among F3 lines resistance segregated in the expected ratio of 15: 1 for resistant to susceptible. The average score for blast resistance measured in the green house was 3.15, 1.98 and 29.95 % for three traits, BLD, BLT and % DLA, respectively.

MeSH terms: Chromosome Mapping*; Crosses, Genetic; Genotype; Genetic Linkage; Phenotype; Plant Diseases/genetics*; Plant Diseases/microbiology; Oryza/genetics*; Oryza/microbiology; Microsatellite Repeats; Magnaporthe; Quantitative Trait Loci*; Disease Resistance/genetics*
Fulltext Commentary: adherence and detection rates in colorectal cancer screening

Hilmi I, Goh KL

Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2013 Jan;37(1):156-7; discussion 157-8.
PMID: 23205475 DOI: 10.1111/apt.12122
MeSH terms: Humans; Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/methods*; Early Detection of Cancer/standards*
Effect of condensed tannins on bovine rumen protist diversity based on 18S rRNA gene sequences

Tan HY, Sieo CC, Abdullah N, Liang JB, Huang XD, Ho YW

J. Eukaryot. Microbiol., 2013 Jan-Feb;60(1):98-100.
PMID: 23205499 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12011

Molecular diversity of protists from bovine rumen fluid incubated with condensed tannins of Leucaena leucocephala hybrid-Rendang at 20 mg/500 mg dry matter (treatment) or without condensed tannins (control) was investigated using 18S rRNA gene library. Clones from the control library were distributed within nine genera, but clones from the condensed tannin treatment clone library were related to only six genera. Diversity estimators such as abundance-based coverage estimation and Chao1 showed significant differences between the two libraries, although no differences were found based on Shannon-Weaver index and Libshuff.

MeSH terms: Animals; Archaea/classification; Archaea/drug effects*; Archaea/genetics; Archaea/isolation & purification; Cattle; DNA, Ribosomal/analysis; Fabaceae/chemistry; Methane/metabolism*; Molecular Sequence Data; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics; Rumen/microbiology*; Tannins/pharmacology*; Genetic Variation*; Gene Library; Sequence Homology; Sequence Analysis, DNA; DNA, Archaeal/analysis; Biodiversity
From Kratom to mitragynine and its derivatives: physiological and behavioural effects related to use, abuse, and addiction

Hassan Z, Muzaimi M, Navaratnam V, Yusoff NH, Suhaimi FW, Vadivelu R, et al.

Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 2013 Feb;37(2):138-51.
PMID: 23206666 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.11.012

Kratom (or Ketum) is a psychoactive plant preparation used in Southeast Asia. It is derived from the plant Mitragyna speciosa Korth. Kratom as well as its main alkaloid, mitragynine, currently spreads around the world. Thus, addiction potential and adverse health consequences are becoming an important issue for health authorities. Here we reviewed the available evidence and identified future research needs. It was found that mitragynine and M. speciosa preparations are systematically consumed with rather well defined instrumentalization goals, e.g. to enhance tolerance for hard work or as a substitute in the self-treatment of opiate addiction. There is also evidence from experimental animal models supporting analgesic, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory as well as strong anorectic effects. In humans, regular consumption may escalate, lead to tolerance and may yield aversive withdrawal effects. Mitragynine and its derivatives actions in the central nervous system involve μ-opioid receptors, neuronal Ca²⁺ channels and descending monoaminergic projections. Altogether, available data currently suggest both, a therapeutic as well as an abuse potential.

MeSH terms: Alkaloids/pharmacology; Alkaloids/chemistry; Analgesics/adverse effects*; Analgesics/pharmacology; Analgesics/therapeutic use; Animals; Asia, Southeastern; Central Nervous System/drug effects*; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Plant Extracts/adverse effects; Self Medication/psychology; Molecular Structure; Behavior, Addictive/psychology*; Substance-Related Disorders/psychology*; Mitragyna/adverse effects*; Mitragyna/chemistry; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/adverse effects*; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/pharmacology; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/therapeutic use
Cardiovascular responses to stress in Singapore and India

Kaur D, Bishop GD

Int J Psychophysiol, 2013 Feb;87(2):130-40.
PMID: 23206971 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2012.11.011

Epidemiological studies have shown significant ethnic differences in coronary heart disease death rates with South Asians showing significantly greater coronary heart disease mortality than other groups.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Affect; Anger/physiology; Anxiety/psychology; Blood Pressure/physiology; Cold Temperature; Culture; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Ethnic Groups; Female; Hemodynamics/physiology*; Humans; India; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Mathematics; Minority Groups; Pressure; Surveys and Questionnaires; Reading; Sex Characteristics; Singapore; Stress, Psychological/physiopathology*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Emigrants and Immigrants; Young Adult
Sargassum polycystum reduces hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress via increasing insulin sensitivity in a rat model of type 2 diabetes

Motshakeri M, Ebrahimi M, Goh YM, Matanjun P, Mohamed S

J Sci Food Agric, 2013 May;93(7):1772-8.
PMID: 23208488 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.5971

BACKGROUND: Sargassum polycystum, a brown seaweed, contains various nutrients and bioactive compounds that have antioxidant and healing properties. The research hypothesises that antioxidants and pigments in dietary S. polycystum extracts can improve insulin sensitivity, blood sugar levels and blood lipid levels in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. The diabetes was induced by a high-sugar, high-fat diet for 16 weeks to enhance insulin resistance, followed by a low-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg kg(-1) body weight). The doses of S. polycystum tested on diabetic rats were 150 and 300 mg kg(-1) body weight for the ethanolic extract or 150 and 300 mg kg(-1) for the water extract. Normal rats, untreated diabetic and metformin-treated diabetic rats (n = 6) were used as control.
RESULTS: Both doses of the alcohol extract of S. polycystum and the 300 mg kg(-1) water extract, significantly reduced blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C ) levels. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride levels and plasma atherogenic index were significantly decreased after 22 days treatment in all seaweed groups. Unlike metformin, S. polycystum did not significantly change plasma insulin in the rats, but increased the response to insulin.
CONCLUSION: The consumption of either ethanolic or water extracts of S. polycystum dose dependently reduced dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetic rats. S. polycystum is a potential insulin sensitiser, for a comestible complementary therapy in the management of type 2 diabetes which can help reduce atherogenic risk.

MeSH terms: Animals; Hypolipidemic Agents/pharmacology; Hypolipidemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Cholesterol/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated; Hyperglycemia/blood; Hyperglycemia/drug therapy; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Insulin/blood; Insulin Resistance*; Male; Phytotherapy; Metformin/pharmacology; Metformin/therapeutic use; Seaweed; Triglycerides/blood; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Oxidative Stress/drug effects*; Dietary Sucrose/adverse effects; Plant Preparations/pharmacology; Plant Preparations/therapeutic use; Sargassum*; Dyslipidemias/blood; Dyslipidemias/drug therapy; Rats; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects
Palm tocotrienol-rich fraction reduced plasma homocysteine and heart oxidative stress in rats fed with a high-methionine diet

Norsidah KZ, Asmadi AY, Azizi A, Faizah O, Kamisah Y

J Physiol Biochem, 2013 Sep;69(3):441-9.
PMID: 23208529 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-012-0226-3

Oxidative stress contributes to cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to study the effects of palm tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) on plasma homocysteine and cardiac oxidative stress in rats fed with a high-methionine diet. Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. The first group was the control. Groups 2-6 were fed 1% methionine diet for 10 weeks. From week 6 onward, folate (8 mg/kg diet) or palm TRF (30, 60 and 150 mg/kg diet) was added into the diet of groups 3, 4, 5 and 6. The rats were then killed. Palm TRF at 150 mg/kg and folate supplementation prevented the increase in plasma total homocysteine (4.14 ± 0.33 and 4.30 ± 0.26 vs 5.49 ± 0.25 mmol/L, p < 0.05) induced by a high-methionine diet. The increased heart thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in rats fed with high-methionine diet was also prevented by the supplementations of palm TRF (60 and 150 mg/kg) and folate. The high-methionine group had a lower glutathione peroxidase activity (49 ± 3 vs 69 ± 4 pmol/mg protein/min) than the control group. This reduction was reversed by palm TRF at 60 and 150 mg/kg diet (p < 0.05), but not by folate. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were unaffected by both methionine and vitamin supplementations. In conclusion, palm TRF was comparable to folate in reducing high-methionine diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress in the rats' hearts. However, palm TRF was more effective than folate in preserving the heart glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity.

MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Animals; Catalase/metabolism; Diet; Folic Acid/administration & dosage; Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism; Heart/drug effects; Homocysteine/blood; Male; Methionine/administration & dosage; Methionine/adverse effects*; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism; Rats, Wistar; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances/metabolism; Dietary Supplements*; Hyperhomocysteinemia/chemically induced; Hyperhomocysteinemia/metabolism; Hyperhomocysteinemia/prevention & control*; Tocotrienols/administration & dosage*; Tocotrienols/isolation & purification; Cycas/chemistry*; Rats
Fulltext Distribution of Candida in the oral cavity and its differentiation based on the internally transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA

Zahir RA, Himratul-Aznita WH

Yeast, 2013 Jan;30(1):13-23.
PMID: 23208647 DOI: 10.1002/yea.2937

This study aimed to determine the distribution of Candida species in the oral cavity and differentiate the species based on PCR amplification, including HinfI and MspI digestion, in order to assess the effectiveness of using the rDNA region for species identification. Samples from saliva as well as palate, tongue and cheek mucosa surfaces were collected from 45 individuals, consisting of three groups: periodontal disease patients; denture-wearers; and the control group. The samples were serially diluted, spread on BHI and YPD agar plates and scored for colony-forming units (CFUs). Fifteen random candidal colonies were isolated and subjected to genomic DNA extraction, based on glass beads disruption. Four primers were used to amplify regions in the rDNA, and the ITSI-5.8S-ITSII PCR product was digested by HinfI and MspI restriction enzymes. The microbial loads on all sites of the denture-wearers were found to be significantly higher than control, while in the periodontal disease group only the microbial loads on the tongue were significantly higher than control. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference at other sites. The restriction fragment lengths of the clinical samples were compared to those of seven control species, allowing the differentiation of all seven species and the identification of 14 species from the clinical samples. The MspI restriction digest was not able to distinguish between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis, whereas the HinfI digest could not distinguish between C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. It was concluded that PCR-RFLP of the candidal rDNA region has potential for species identification. This study demonstrates the potential use of candidal rDNA as a means for identifying Candida species, based on genotype. The results also indicate the possibility of constructing genetic probes that target specific restriction fragments in the ITSI-5.8S-ITSII region, enabling swift and precise identification of Candida species.

MeSH terms: Adult; Candida/classification*; Candida/genetics*; Candida/isolation & purification; DNA, Fungal/genetics; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa/microbiology*; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length*; RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S/genetics; Saliva/microbiology*; Colony Count, Microbial; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*; DNA Primers/genetics; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics
Biovanillin from agro wastes as an alternative food flavour

Zamzuri NA, Abd-Aziz S

J Sci Food Agric, 2013 Feb;93(3):429-38.
PMID: 23208984 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.5962

This review provides an overview of biovanillin production from agro wastes as an alternative food flavour. Biovanillin is one of the widely used flavour compounds in the foods, beverages and pharmaceutical industries. An alternative production approach for biovanillin as a food flavour is hoped for due to the high and variable cost of natural vanillin as well as the limited availability of vanilla pods in the market. Natural vanillin refers to the main organic compound that is extracted from the vanilla bean, as compared to biovanillin, which is produced biologically by microorganisms from a natural precursor such as ferulic acid. Biovanillin is also reviewed as a potential bioflavour produced by microbial fermentation in an economically feasible way in the near future. In fact, we briefly discuss natural, synthetic and biovanillin and the types of agro wastes that are useful as sources for bioconversion of ferulic acid into biovanillin. The subsequent part of the review emphasizes the current application of vanillin as well as the utilization of biovanillin as an alternative food flavour. The final part summarizes biovanillin production from agro wastes that could be of benefit as a food flavour derived from potential natural precursors.

MeSH terms: Agriculture*; Edible Grain; Coumaric Acids/metabolism; Eugenol/analogs & derivatives; Eugenol/metabolism; Fermentation; Flavoring Agents*; Industrial Waste*; Beta vulgaris
Cationic and anionic modifications of oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions

Sajab MS, Chia CH, Zakaria S, Khiew PS

Bioresour Technol, 2013 Jan;128:571-7.
PMID: 23211482 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.11.010

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers were employed to remove dyes from aqueous solutions via adsorption approaches. The EFB fibers were modified using citric acid (CA) and polyethylenimine (PEI) to produce anionic and cationic adsorbents, respectively. The CA modified EFB fibers (CA-EFB) and PEI-modified EFB fibers (PEI-EFB) were used to study the efficiency in removing cationic methylene blue (MB) and anionic phenol red (PR) from aqueous solutions, respectively, at different pHs, temperatures and initial dye concentrations. The adsorption data for MB on the CA-EFB fitted the Langmuir isotherm, while the adsorption of PR on the PEI-EFB fitted the Freundlich isotherm, suggesting a monolayer and heterogeneous adsorption behavior of the adsorption processes, respectively. Both modified fibers can be regenerated up to seven adsorption/desorption cycles while still providing as least 70% of the initial adsorption capacity.

MeSH terms: Adsorption; Anions; Cations; Coloring Agents/isolation & purification*; Coloring Agents/chemistry; Fruit/chemistry*; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Solutions; Ultrafiltration/methods*; Water/chemistry*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry; Water Purification/methods*; Araceae
A new technique to pyrolyse biomass in a microwave system: effect of stirrer speed

Abubakar Z, Salema AA, Ani FN

Bioresour Technol, 2013 Jan;128:578-85.
PMID: 23211483 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.10.084

A new technique to pyrolyse biomass in microwave (MW) system is presented in this paper to solve the problem of bio-oil deposition. Pyrolysis of oil palm shell (OPS) biomass was conducted in 800 W and 2.45 GHz frequency MW system using an activated carbon as a MW absorber. The temperature profile, product yield and the properties of the products were found to depend on the stirrer speed and MW absorber percentage. The highest bio-oil yield of 28 wt.% was obtained at 25% MW absorber and 50 rpm stirrer speed. Bio-char showed highest calorific value of the 29.5 MJ/kg at 50% MW absorber and 100 rpm stirrer speed. Bio-oil from this study was rich in phenol with highest detected as 85 area% from the GC-MS results. Thus, OPS bio-oil can become potential alternative to petroleum-based chemicals in various phenolic based applications.

MeSH terms: Equipment Design; Fruit/radiation effects*; Fruit/chemistry*; Microwaves; Refuse Disposal/instrumentation*; Rheology/instrumentation*; Rotation; Incineration/instrumentation*; Equipment Failure Analysis; Araceae/radiation effects*; Araceae/chemistry*
The role of pharmaceutical marketing and other factors in prescribing decisions: the Yemeni experience

Al-Areefi MA, Hassali MA, Mohamed Ibrahim MI

Res Social Adm Pharm, 2013 Nov-Dec;9(6):981-8.
PMID: 23218551 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2012.10.006

Prescribing decisions are a complex phenomenon and influenced by many pharmacological and non-pharmacological factors. Little is known about the actual prescribing behaviors of physicians or the factors behind their prescribing decisions.

MeSH terms: Adult; Decision Making; Drug Industry; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Practice Patterns, Physicians'*; Drug Prescriptions*; Yemen; Marketing*
Increase in maternal adiposity and poor lipid profile is associated with oxidative stress markers during pregnancy

Loy SL, KNS S, JM HJ

Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S41-4.
PMID: 23219759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.11.021

This study aimed to evaluate changes in maternal adiposity and lipid profile and to correlate these parameters with Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels among pregnant women.

MeSH terms: Adipose Tissue/anatomy & histology*; Adult; Body Weight; Cholesterol/blood; DNA Damage/physiology; Female; Humans; Lipids/blood*; Cholesterol, LDL/blood; Longitudinal Studies; Pregnancy/metabolism*; Pregnancy/physiology; Pregnancy Trimesters/blood; Triglycerides/blood; Oxidative Stress*; Lipid Metabolism/physiology; Young Adult
Genotoxicity evaluation of dental restoration nanocomposite using comet assay and chromosome aberration test

Musa M, Ponnuraj KT, Mohamad D, Rahman IA

Nanotechnology, 2013 Jan 11;24(1):015105.
PMID: 23221152 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/1/015105

Nanocomposite is used as a dental filling to restore the affected tooth, especially in dental caries. The dental nanocomposite (KelFil) for tooth restoration used in this study was produced by the School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia and is incorporated with monodispersed, spherical nanosilica fillers. The aim of the study was to determine the genotoxic effect of KelFil using in vitro genotoxicity tests. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of KelFil was evaluated using MTT assay, comet assay and chromosome aberration tests with or without the addition of a metabolic activation system (S9 mix), using the human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5). Concurrent negative and positive controls were included. In the comet assay, no comet formation was found in the KelFil groups. There was a significant difference in tail moment between KelFil groups and positive control (p < 0.05). Similarly, no significant aberrations in chromosomes were noticed in KelFil groups. The mitotic indices of treatment groups and negative control were significantly different from positive controls. Hence, it can be concluded that the locally produced dental restoration nanocomposite (KelFil) is non-genotoxic under the present test conditions.

MeSH terms: Cell Line; Cell Survival/drug effects; Chromosome Aberrations*; Fibroblasts/cytology; Fibroblasts/drug effects; Humans; Mitotic Index; Mutagenicity Tests/methods*; Dental Prosthesis*; Comet Assay/methods*; Nanocomposites/toxicity*
Investigation of a nanofabrication process to achieve high aspect-ratio nanostructures on a quartz substrate

Mohamed K, Alkaisi MM

Nanotechnology, 2013 Jan 11;24(1):015302.
PMID: 23221357 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/1/015302

This work investigates the development of a nanofabrication process to achieve high aspect-ratio nanostructures on quartz substrates using electron beam lithography (EBL) patterning and fluorinated plasma etching processes. An imaging layer of a poly(methyl methacrylate) bi-layer resist was spun coated on quartz substrate and exposed by an e-beam with the designed patterns of sub-100 nm feature sizes using a Raith-150 EBL patterning tool. Additive pattern transfer was employed by depositing a 40 nm thick Nichrome layer on the resist pattern using a metal evaporator which was later lifted off by soaking in acetone. Nichrome was employed as an etch mask and an Oxford Plasmalab 80Plus reactive ion etcher was used for the etching process. The etching process was carried out in a gas mixture of CHF(3)/Ar with a flow rate ratio of 50/30 sccm, pressure of 20 mTorr, radiofrequency power of 200 W and at room temperature. These etching process parameters were found to achieve a 10 nm min(-1) etch rate and tall vertical side walls profile. An aspect-ratio of 10:1 was achieved on 60 nm feature size structures.

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