Browse publications by year: 2013

  1. Fulltext Laboratory detection of strongyloidiasis: IgG-, IgG4 - and IgE-ELISAs and cross-reactivity with lymphatic filariasis
    Norsyahida A, Riazi M, Sadjjadi SM, Muhammad Hafiznur Y, Low HC, Zeehaida M, et al.
    Parasite Immunol., 2013 May-Jun;35(5-6):174-9.
    PMID: 23448095 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12029
    Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed for the detection of IgG, IgG4 and IgE antibodies against Strongyloides stercoralis. A commercial ELISA (IVD Research, USA) was also used, and the sensitivities and specificities of the four assays were determined. Serum samples from 26 patients with S. stercoralis infection and 55 patients with other infections or no infection were analysed. Sensitivities of the IgG4 , IgG, IgE and IgG (IVD) assays were 76.9%, 84.6%, 7.7% and 84.6%, respectively, while the specificities were 92.7%, 81.8%, 100% and 83.6%, respectively. If filariasis samples were excluded, the specificities of the IgG4 -ELISA and both IgG-ELISAs increased to 100% and 98%, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between IgG- and IgG4 -ELISAs (r = 0.4828; P = 0.0125). IgG- and IgG- (IVD) ELISAs (r = 0.309) were positively correlated, but was not significant (P = 0.124). Meanwhile there was no correlation between IgG4 - and IgG- (IVD) ELISAs (r = 0.0042; P = 0.8294). Sera from brugian filariasis patients showed weak, positive correlation between the titres of antifilarial IgG4 and the optical densities of anti-Strongyloides IgG4 -ELISA (r = 0.4544, P = 0.0294). In conclusion, the detection of both anti-Strongyloides IgG4 and IgG antibodies could improve the serodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. Furthermore, patients from lymphatic filariasis endemic areas who are serologically diagnosed with strongyloidiasis should also be tested for filariasis.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Helminth/blood*; Brugia/immunology*; Cross Reactions; Elephantiasis, Filarial/diagnosis; Elephantiasis, Filarial/immunology*; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Immunoglobulin E/blood*; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serologic Tests; Strongyloidiasis/diagnosis*; Strongyloidiasis/immunology*; Strongyloides stercoralis/immunology*
  2. Fulltext The utility of copy number variation (CNV) in studies of hypertension-related left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH): rationale, potential and challenges
    Boonpeng H, Yusoff K
    Mol Cytogenet, 2013;6(1):8.
    PMID: 23448375 DOI: 10.1186/1755-8166-6-8
    The ultimate goal of human genetics is to understand the role of genome variation in elucidating human traits and diseases. Besides single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), copy number variation (CNV), defined as gains or losses of a DNA segment larger than 1 kb, has recently emerged as an important tool in understanding heritable source of human genomic differences. It has been shown to contribute to genetic susceptibility of various common and complex diseases. Despite a handful of publications, its role in cardiovascular diseases remains largely unknown. Here, we deliberate on the currently available technologies for CNV detection. The possible utility and the potential roles of CNV in exploring the mechanisms of cardiac remodeling in hypertension will also be addressed. Finally, we discuss the challenges for investigations of CNV in cardiovascular diseases and its possible implications in diagnosis of hypertension-related left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
  3. Characterization of the first isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase and other extended spectrum β-lactamase genes from Malaysia
    Ahmad N, Hashim R, Shukor S, Mohd Khalid KN, Shamsudin F, Hussin H
    J Med Microbiol, 2013 May;62(Pt 5):804-806.
    PMID: 23449878 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.050781-0
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use; beta-Lactamases/genetics; beta-Lactamases/metabolism*; Female; Humans; Klebsiella Infections/complications; Klebsiella Infections/microbiology; Klebsiella pneumoniae/drug effects*; Klebsiella pneumoniae/enzymology*; Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics; Leukemia, Myeloid/complications; Malaysia; Urinary Tract Infections/complications; Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; beta-Lactam Resistance/genetics*; Young Adult
  4. A nutrition education intervention for anthropometric and biochemical profiles of rural older Malays with metabolic syndrome
    Shahar S, Adznam SN, Lee LK, Yusof NA, Salleh M, Mohamed Sakian NI
    Public Health Nurs, 2013 Mar;30(2):140-9.
    PMID: 23452108 DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2012.01051.x
    This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a nutrition education intervention package in improving anthropometric, clinical and biochemical indicators of rural older Malays with metabolic syndrome (MS).
    MeSH terms: Aged; Anthropometry; Cholesterol/blood; Counseling/methods; Female; Food Habits; Health Education/methods*; Health Promotion; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena/physiology; Nutritional Status; Rural Population; Program Evaluation*; Exercise/physiology; Case-Control Studies; Metabolic Syndrome X/blood; Metabolic Syndrome X/prevention & control*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Nutritional Sciences/education*; Waist Circumference
  5. Chemometric techniques in distribution, characterisation and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) in aquaculture sediments in Malaysia
    Retnam A, Zakaria MP, Juahir H, Aris AZ, Zali MA, Kasim MF
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2013 Apr 15;69(1-2):55-66.
    PMID: 23452623 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.01.009
    This study investigated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution in surface sediments within aquaculture areas in Peninsular Malaysia using chemometric techniques, forensics and univariate methods. The samples were analysed using soxhlet extraction, silica gel column clean-up and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The total PAH concentrations ranged from 20 to 1841 ng/g with a mean of 363 ng/g dw. The application of chemometric techniques enabled clustering and discrimination of the aquaculture sediments into four groups according to the contamination levels. A combination of chemometric and molecular indices was used to identify the sources of PAHs, which could be attributed to vehicle emissions, oil combustion and biomass combustion. Source apportionment using absolute principle component scores-multiple linear regression showed that the main sources of PAHs are vehicle emissions 54%, oil 37% and biomass combustion 9%. Land-based pollution from vehicle emissions is the predominant contributor of PAHs in the aquaculture sediments of Peninsular Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Environmental Monitoring/methods*; Malaysia; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic/analysis*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Water Pollution, Chemical/statistics & numerical data; Aquaculture*; Geologic Sediments/chemistry*
  6. Fulltext The clinical features and outcomes of acute liver failure associated with dengue infection in adults: a case series
    Tan SS, Bujang MA
    Braz J Infect Dis, 2013 Mar-Apr;17(2):164-9.
    PMID: 23453417 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2012.09.007
    OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical manifestations and outcome of acute liver failure (ALF) associated with dengue viral infection, a rare but severe complication.
    METHODS: One hundred and fifty five consecutive patients with ALF admitted to the national liver centre from 2001 to 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Eight cases due to dengue infection were identified and their clinical characteristics are described.
    RESULTS: All patients had severe dengue with one dengue shock syndrome. The median (minimum, maximum) age was 33.5 (17, 47) years with 50% female. The median (minimum, maximum) duration from the onset of fever to development of ALF was 7.5 (5, 13) days and the maximum hepatic encephalopathy (HE) grade were III in five patients and II in three patients. Three patients had systemic inflammatory responses (SIRS) on admission and were in grade III HE. The presence of SIRS on admission was associated with higher grade of HE and its development during the course of hospitalization was associated with worsening HE grade. The hepatitis was characterized by marked elevations in: alanine transaminase [median admission 1140.5 u/L (639, 4161); median peak 2487 u/L (998, 5181)], serum bilirubin [median admission 29 μmol/L (23, 291); median peak 127 μmol/L (72, 592)], and prothrombin time [median admission 16.8s (15.3, 26.2); median peak 22s (15.3, 40.7)]. The survival rate with standard medical therapy alone was 100%.
    CONCLUSIONS: Dengue associated ALF manifest about one week after the onset of fever with severe hepatitis and encephalopathy. In our experience, the outcome with standard medical therapy alone is excellent.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Dengue/complications*; Female; Hepatitis, Viral, Human/virology*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Liver Failure, Acute/virology*; Young Adult
  7. Fulltext Group B streptococcal bacteremia in a major teaching hospital in Malaysia: a case series of eighteen patients
    Eskandarian N, Neela V, Ismail Z, Puzi SM, Hamat RA, Desa MN, et al.
    Int J Infect Dis, 2013 Sep;17(9):e777-80.
    PMID: 23453715 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2013.01.011
    Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of infections such as meningitis and septicemia in neonates and pregnant women; however the significance of invasive GBS disease has not been clearly defined in non-pregnant adults.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use; Cross Infection/diagnosis; Cross Infection/drug therapy; Cross Infection/microbiology*; Female; Hospitals, Teaching*; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Streptococcal Infections/diagnosis; Streptococcal Infections/drug therapy; Streptococcal Infections/microbiology*; Streptococcus agalactiae/classification; Streptococcus agalactiae/isolation & purification*; Bacteremia/diagnosis; Bacteremia/drug therapy; Bacteremia/microbiology*; Treatment Outcome
  8. Livestock wastewater treatment using aerobic granular sludge
    Othman I, Anuar AN, Ujang Z, Rosman NH, Harun H, Chelliapan S
    Bioresour Technol, 2013 Apr;133:630-4.
    PMID: 23453799 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.01.149
    The present study demonstrated that aerobic granular sludge is capable of treating livestock wastewater from a cattle farm in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) without the presence of support material. A lab scale SBR was operated for 80 d using 4 h cycle time with an organic loading rate (OLR) of 9 kg COD m(-3) d(-1). Results showed that the aerobic granules were growing from 0.1 to 4.1 mm towards the end of the experimental period. The sludge volume index (SVI) was 42 ml g(-1) while the biomass concentration in the reactor grew up to 10.3 g L(-1) represent excellent biomass separation and good settling ability of the granules. During this period, maximum COD, TN and TP removal efficiencies (74%, 73% and 70%, respectively) were observed in the SBR system, confirming high microbial activity in the SBR system.
    MeSH terms: Aerobiosis; Animals; Cattle; Nitrogen/isolation & purification; Phosphorus/isolation & purification; Sewage/microbiology*; Water Purification/methods*; Biomass; Bioreactors/microbiology; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; Livestock*; Waste Water/microbiology*
  9. Fabrication and deformation behaviour of multilayer Al2O3/Ti/TiO2 nanotube arrays
    Baradaran S, Basirun WJ, Zalnezhad E, Hamdi M, Sarhan AA, Alias Y
    J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2013 Apr;20:272-82.
    PMID: 23453827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2013.01.020
    In this study, titanium thin films were deposited on alumina substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The mechanical properties of the Ti coatings were evaluated in terms of adhesion strength at various RF powers, temperatures, and substrate bias voltages. The coating conditions of 400W of RF power, 250°C, and a 75V substrate bias voltage produced the strongest coating adhesion, as obtained by the Taguchi optimisation method. TiO2 nanotube arrays were grown as a second layer on the Ti substrates using electrochemical anodisation at a constant potential of 20V and anodisation times of 15min, 45min, and 75min in a NH4F electrolyte solution (75 ethylene glycol: 25 water). The anodised titanium was annealed at 450°C and 650°C in a N2 gas furnace to obtain different phases of titania, anatase and rutile, respectively. The mechanical properties of the anodised layer were investigated by nanoindentation. The results indicate that Young's modulus and hardness increased with annealing temperature to 650°C.
    MeSH terms: Aluminum Oxide/chemistry*; Crystallization/methods; Hardness; Materials Testing; Tensile Strength; Titanium/chemistry*; Compressive Strength; Coated Materials, Biocompatible/chemistry*; Nanotubes/ultrastructure*; Nanotubes/chemistry*; Elastic Modulus
  10. Fulltext Identification of risk loci with shared effects on five major psychiatric disorders: a genome-wide analysis
    Cross-Disorder Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium
    Lancet, 2013 Apr 20;381(9875):1371-9.
    PMID: 23453885 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)62129-1
    BACKGROUND: Findings from family and twin studies suggest that genetic contributions to psychiatric disorders do not in all cases map to present diagnostic categories. We aimed to identify specific variants underlying genetic effects shared between the five disorders in the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium: autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia.

    METHODS: We analysed genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data for the five disorders in 33,332 cases and 27,888 controls of European ancestory. To characterise allelic effects on each disorder, we applied a multinomial logistic regression procedure with model selection to identify the best-fitting model of relations between genotype and phenotype. We examined cross-disorder effects of genome-wide significant loci previously identified for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and used polygenic risk-score analysis to examine such effects from a broader set of common variants. We undertook pathway analyses to establish the biological associations underlying genetic overlap for the five disorders. We used enrichment analysis of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data to assess whether SNPs with cross-disorder association were enriched for regulatory SNPs in post-mortem brain-tissue samples.

    FINDINGS: SNPs at four loci surpassed the cutoff for genome-wide significance (p<5×10(-8)) in the primary analysis: regions on chromosomes 3p21 and 10q24, and SNPs within two L-type voltage-gated calcium channel subunits, CACNA1C and CACNB2. Model selection analysis supported effects of these loci for several disorders. Loci previously associated with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia had variable diagnostic specificity. Polygenic risk scores showed cross-disorder associations, notably between adult-onset disorders. Pathway analysis supported a role for calcium channel signalling genes for all five disorders. Finally, SNPs with evidence of cross-disorder association were enriched for brain eQTL markers.

    INTERPRETATION: Our findings show that specific SNPs are associated with a range of psychiatric disorders of childhood onset or adult onset. In particular, variation in calcium-channel activity genes seems to have pleiotropic effects on psychopathology. These results provide evidence relevant to the goal of moving beyond descriptive syndromes in psychiatry, and towards a nosology informed by disease cause.

    FUNDING: National Institute of Mental Health.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/genetics*; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/epidemiology; Bipolar Disorder/genetics*; Bipolar Disorder/epidemiology; Child; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive/genetics*; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive/epidemiology; Depressive Disorder, Major/genetics*; Depressive Disorder, Major/epidemiology; Humans; Schizophrenia/genetics*; Schizophrenia/epidemiology; Logistic Models; Age of Onset; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics*; Calcium Channels, L-Type/genetics*; Genome-Wide Association Study*; Genetic Loci/genetics*
  11. Synthesis and discovery of novel piperidone-grafted mono- and bis-spirooxindole-hexahydropyrrolizines as potent cholinesterase inhibitors
    Kia Y, Osman H, Kumar RS, Murugaiyah V, Basiri A, Perumal S, et al.
    Bioorg Med Chem, 2013 Apr 1;21(7):1696-707.
    PMID: 23454132 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.01.066
    Three-component reaction of a series of 1-acryloyl-3,5-bisbenzylidenepiperidin-4-ones with isatin and L-proline in 1:1:1 and 1:2:2 molar ratios in methanol afforded, respectively the piperidone-grafted novel mono- and bisspiro heterocyclic hybrids comprising functionalized piperidine, pyrrolizine and oxindole ring systems in good yields. The in vitro evaluation of cholinesterase enzymes inhibitory activity of these cycloadducts disclosed that monospiripyrrolizines (8a-k), are more active with IC50 ranging from 3.36 to 20.07 μM than either the dipolarophiles (5a-k) or bisspiropyrrolizines (9a-k). The compounds, 8i and 8e with IC50 values of 3.36 and 3.50 μM, respectively showed the maximum inhibition of acethylcholinesterase (AChE) and butrylylcholinestrase (BuChE). Molecular modeling simulation, disclosed the binding interactions of the most active compounds to the active site residues of their respective enzymes. The docking results were in accordance with the IC50 values obtained from in vitro cholinesterase assay.
    MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism; Butyrylcholinesterase/metabolism; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry*; Humans; Indoles/chemical synthesis; Indoles/pharmacology; Indoles/chemistry; Models, Molecular; Piperidones/chemical synthesis; Piperidones/pharmacology*; Piperidones/chemistry*; Pyrroles/chemical synthesis; Pyrroles/pharmacology*; Pyrroles/chemistry*; Spiro Compounds/chemical synthesis; Spiro Compounds/pharmacology; Spiro Compounds/chemistry; Inhibitory Concentration 50
  12. Suicide prevention program for at-risk groups: pointers from an epidemiological study
    Maniam T, Chinna K, Lim CH, Kadir AB, Nurashikin I, Salina AA, et al.
    Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S45-6.
    PMID: 23454536 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.02.022
    The aim of this paper is to identify at-risk groups for a focused suicide prevention program for Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Ethnic Groups/psychology; Ethnic Groups/statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Religion and Psychology; Risk Factors; Suicide/prevention & control*; Suicide/statistics & numerical data; Prevalence; Logistic Models; Marital Status; Young Adult; Suicidal Ideation
  13. Impact of applied progressive deep muscle relaxation training on the health related quality of life among prostate cancer patients--a quasi experimental trial
    Isa MR, Moy FM, Razack AH, Zainuddin ZM, Zainal NZ
    Prev Med, 2013;57 Suppl:S37-40.
    PMID: 23454597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.02.011
    To determine the impact of applied progressive muscle relaxation training on health related quality of life among prostate cancer patients.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Humans; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms/psychology*; Prostatic Neoplasms/therapy; Quality of Life/psychology*; Relaxation Therapy/methods*; Relaxation Therapy/psychology; Time Factors
  14. Age ≥ 60 years was an independent risk factor for diabetes-related complications despite good control of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
    Chew BH, Ghazali SS, Ismail M, Haniff J, Bujang MA
    Exp Gerontol, 2013 May;48(5):485-91.
    PMID: 23454736 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2013.02.017
    Providing effective medical care for older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) that may contribute to their active aging has always been challenging. We examined the independent effect of age ≥ 60 years on disease control and its relationship with diabetes-related complications in patients with T2D in Malaysia. This was a cross-sectional study using secondary data from the electronic diabetes registry database Adult Diabetes Control and Management (ADCM). A total of 303 centers participated and contributed a total of 70,889 patients from May 2008 to the end of 2009. Demographic data, details on diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and their treatment modalities, various risk factors and complications were updated annually. Independent associated risk factors were identified using multivariate regression analyses. Fifty-nine percent were female. Malay comprised 61.9%, Chinese 19% and Indian 18%. There were more Chinese, men, longer duration of diabetes and subjects that were leaner or had lower BMI in the older age group. Patients aged ≥ 60 years achieved glycemic and lipid targets but not the desired blood pressure. After adjusting for duration of diabetes, gender, ethnicity, body mass index, disease control and treatment, a significantly higher proportion of patients ≥ 60 years suffered from reported diabetes-related complications. Age ≥ 60 years was an independent risk factor for diabetes-related complications despite good control of cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings caution against the currently recommended control of targets in older T2D patients with more longstanding diseases and complications.
    Study name: Adult Diabetes Control and Management (ADCM) 2009
    MeSH terms: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Cardiovascular Diseases/complications*; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology; Female; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/metabolism; Humans; Lipids/blood; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Registries; Risk Factors; Body Mass Index; Diabetes Complications/blood; Diabetes Complications/etiology*; Diabetes Complications/epidemiology
  15. Phenolic contents, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume
    Utami R, Khalid N, Sukari MA, Rahmani M, Abdul AB, Dachriyanus
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2013 Mar;26(2):245-50.
    PMID: 23455191
    Elaeocarpus floribundus is higher plant that has been used as traditional medicine for treating several diseases. There is no previous report on phytochemicals and bioactivity studies of this species. In this investigation, triterpenoids friedelin, epifriedelanol and β-sitosterol were isolated from its leaves and stem bark. Determination of total phenolic content of methanolic extract of leaves and stem bark was carried out using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. All extracts and isolated compounds were subjected to screening of antioxidant activity using DPPH free radical scavenging method and cytotoxic activities by MTT assay towards human T4 lymphoblastoid (CEM-SS) and human cervical (HeLa) cancer cells. In the total phenolic content determination, methanolic extract of leaves gave higher value of 503.08±16.71 mg GAE/g DW than stem bark with value of 161.5±24.81 mg GAE/g DW. Polar extracts of leaves and stem bark possessed promising antioxidant activity with methanol extract of stem bark exhibited strongest activity with IC50 value of 7.36±0.01 μg/ml. In the cytotoxic activity assay, only chloroform extract of leaves showed significant activity with IC50 value of 25.6±0.06 μg/ml against CEM-SS cancer cell, while friedelin and epifriedelanol were found to be active against the two cancer cells with IC50 values ranging from 3.54 to 11.45 μg/ml.
    MeSH terms: Methanol/chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/analysis; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Antioxidants/analysis; Antioxidants/isolation & purification; Antioxidants/pharmacology*; Biphenyl Compounds/chemistry; Cell Survival/drug effects; Chloroform/chemistry; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; HeLa Cells; Humans; Neoplasms/pathology*; Phenols/analysis; Phenols/isolation & purification; Phenols/pharmacology*; Picrates/chemistry; Plant Extracts/analysis; Plant Extracts/isolation & purification; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plants, Medicinal; Solvents/chemistry; Terpenes/analysis; Terpenes/isolation & purification; Terpenes/pharmacology*; Plant Leaves; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Plant Bark; Elaeocarpaceae/chemistry*
  16. Evaluation of biological activities of Alpinia mutica Roxb. and its chemical constituents
    Mustahil NA, Sukari MA, Abdul AB, Ali NA, Lian GE
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2013 Mar;26(2):391-5.
    PMID: 23455212
    Phytochemicals investigation on rhizomes of Alpinia mutica has afforded five compounds namely 5,6-dehydrokawain (1), flavokawin B (2), pinostrobin (3) and pinocembrin (4) together with β-sitosterol (5). All crude extracts of the plant demonstrated strong cytotoxicity against CEMss (human T4 lymphoblastoid) cancer cells with IC50 values less than 19 μg/mL, while flavokawin B (2) was the most cytotoxic isolate with IC50 value 1.86±0.37 μg/mL. Most of the crude extracts and isolated compounds showed weak activity in antimicrobial and diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity tests.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry; Bacteria/drug effects; Bacteria/growth & development; Biphenyl Compounds/chemistry; Cell Survival/drug effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Picrates/chemistry; Plant Extracts/isolation & purification; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Plants, Medicinal; Molecular Structure; Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Rhizome; Alpinia/chemistry*; Cell Line, Tumor; Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/pathology
  17. Higher division of the tibial nerve in the leg: gross anatomical study with clinical implications
    Norzana AG, Farihah HS, Fairus A, Teoh SL, Nur AK, Faizah O, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2013;164(1):1-3.
    PMID: 23455733 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2013.1501
    Tibial nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve and it is the main nerve innervating the muscles of the back of the leg. The tibial nerve divides into medial and lateral plantar nerves. The level of division may be important for surgical purpose. The main aim of the present study was to observe the exact level of division of the tibial nerve and discuss its clinical implications.
    MeSH terms: Cadaver; Foot/innervation*; Humans; Leg/innervation*; Nerve Block/methods; Tibial Fractures/surgery; Tibial Nerve/anatomy & histology*; Tibial Nerve/pathology; Muscle, Skeletal/innervation*
  18. Piper sarmentosum is comparable to glycyrrhizic acid in reducing visceral fat deposition in adrenalectomised rats given dexamethasone
    Fairus A, Ima Nirwana S, Elvy Suhana MR, Tan MH, Santhana R, Farihah HS
    Clin Ter, 2013;164(1):5-10.
    PMID: 23455734 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2013.1502
    Visceral obesity may be due to the dysregulation of cortisol production or metabolism that lead to metabolic disease. In adipose tissue, the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 regulates cortisol metabolism (11beta-HSD1). A previous study showed an increase in the visceral fat deposition in adrenalectomised rats given intramuscular dexamethasone. Glycyrrhizic acid (GCA) has been shown to reduce fat deposition because it is a known potent inhibitor of the 11beta-HSD1 enzyme. Piper sarmentosum (PS) is an edible medicinal plant commonly used in Asia as traditional medicine for treating diabetes, hypertension and joint pains. In this study, we determined the effects of PS extract on the disposition and morphology of perirenal adipocytes of adrenalectomised rats given intramuscular dexamethasone.
    MeSH terms: Adrenalectomy; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Phytotherapy/methods*; Obesity/drug therapy*; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*; Treatment Outcome; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Anti-Obesity Agents/pharmacology*; Glycyrrhizic Acid/pharmacology*; Piper*; 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1/drug effects; Intra-Abdominal Fat/drug effects*; Rats
  19. Effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) therapy on the female sexual response cycle of women with major depression
    Hatta S, Duni A, Ng CG, Lin N, Marhani M, Das S, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2013;164(1):11-5.
    PMID: 23455735 DOI: 10.7417/T.2013.1503
    Depression and its treatment may influence all aspects of the female sexual function from desire to sexual satisfaction. This study aimed to examine the components of the female sexual response cycle (SRC) of women with major depression treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder, Major/diagnosis; Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy*; Female; Hospitals, Psychiatric; Hospitals, University; Humans; Libido/drug effects*; Middle Aged; Orgasm/drug effects*; Personal Satisfaction; Psychological Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires; Reproducibility of Results; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors/pharmacology; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use*; Validation Studies as Topic
  20. Topographical anatomy of the profunda femoris artery and the femoral nerve: normal and abnormal relationships
    Choy KW, Kogilavani S, Norshalizah M, Rani S, Aspalilah A, Hamzi H, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2013;164(1):17-9.
    PMID: 23455736 DOI: 10.7417/T.2013.1504
    Femoral nerve (FN) is the largest branch of lumbar plexus. It lies lateral to femoral artery (FA) and it is located outside the femoral sheath. Profunda femoris artery (PFA) is a branch of the FA. The present study aimed to observe the topographical anatomy and relationship of the PFA and the FN.
    MeSH terms: Cadaver; Disarticulation; Dissection; Femoral Artery/abnormalities*; Femoral Artery/anatomy & histology; Femoral Nerve/abnormalities*; Femoral Nerve/anatomy & histology; Hip Joint; Humans; Lower Extremity/anatomy & histology
External Links