Browse publications by year: 2014

  1. Association of leptin/receptor and TNF-α gene variants with adolescent obesity in Malaysia
    Ng ZY, Veerapen MK, Hon WM, Lim RL
    Pediatr Int, 2014 Oct;56(5):689-97.
    PMID: 24628746 DOI: 10.1111/ped.12336
    BACKGROUND: Leptin (LEP) G-2548A (rs7799039), leptin receptor (LEPR) Q223R (rs1137101) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α G-308A (rs1800629) gene variants have been reported to be associated with obesity, although results for subjects from different countries have been controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Malaysian adolescents and the association of these polymorphisms with overweight and obese or over-fat adolescents.
    METHODS: A total of 613 adolescents (241 Malay, 219 Chinese, 153 Indian) were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements of body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage were used to classify subjects as controls (non-overweight/obese or normal fat) or as cases (overweight/obese or over-fat). Genomic DNA was extracted from oral buccal mucosa cells for genotyping using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and data obtained were statistically analyzed.
    RESULTS: A total of 23.3% of subjects were overweight/obese whereas 11.4% were over-fat; there were significantly more overweight/obese and over-fat Indian and Malay adolescents compared to Chinese (P < 0.001). A allele was the minor one for LEPR Q223R and TNF-α G-308A in all ethnic groups, whereas G allele was minor for LEP G-2548A in Chinese and Malay adolescents, except for Indian adolescents. Indian male adolescents with AA genotype for LEP G-2548A were associated with overweight/obesity (P = 0.025; odds ratio, 3.64; 95% confidence interval: 1.15-11.54). Despite the lack of association observed for LEPR Q223R and TNF-α G-308A, Indian and Chinese subjects with AA risk genotype for LEPR Q223R/LEP G-2548A and TNF-α G-308A/LEP G-2548A, respectively, had increased mean BMI (P = 0.049, P = 0.016).
    CONCLUSIONS: Genotype distribution and association of these polymorphisms with overweight/obesity vary between ethnic groups and genders. Nevertheless, the LEP G-2548A risk allele may be associated with overweight/obese Indian male adolescents in Malaysia.
    KEYWORDS: adolescents; body fat percentage; body mass index; leptin; leptin receptor; single nucleotide polymorphism; tumor necrosis factor-α
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics*; Genetic Variation; Prevalence; Leptin/genetics*; Overweight/genetics; Overweight/epidemiology; Receptors, Leptin/genetics*; Pediatric Obesity/genetics*; Pediatric Obesity/epidemiology*
  2. Abstracts of the 12th International Congress on Obesity, 17-20 March 2014, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Obes Rev, 2014 Mar;15 Suppl 2:1-270.
    PMID: 24629034 DOI: 10.1111/obr.12145
    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Obesity*
  3. Fulltext Electrochemically deposited gallium oxide nanostructures on silicon substrates
    Ghazali NM, Mahmood MR, Yasui K, Hashim AM
    Nanoscale Res Lett, 2014;9(1):120.
    PMID: 24629107 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-9-120
    We report a synthesis of β-Ga2O3 nanostructures on Si substrate by electrochemical deposition using a mixture of Ga2O3, HCl, NH4OH, and H2O. The presence of Ga3+ ions contributed to the deposition of Ga2O3 nanostructures on the Si surface with the assistance of applied potentials. The morphologies of the grown structures strongly depended on the molarity of Ga2O3 and pH level of electrolyte. β-Ga2O3 nanodot-like structures were grown on Si substrate at a condition with low molarity of Ga2O3. However, Ga2O3 nanodot structures covered with nanorods on top of their surfaces were obtained at higher molarity, and the densities of nanorods seem to increase with the decrease of pH level. High concentration of Ga3+ and OH- ions may promote the reaction of each other to produce Ga2O3 nanorods in the electrolyte. Such similar nature of Ga2O3 nanorods was also obtained by using hydrothermal process. The grown structures seem to be interesting for application in electronic and optoelectronic devices as well as to be used as a seed structure for subsequent chemical synthesis of GaN by thermal transformation method.
  4. Evaluating belinjau (Gnetum gnemon L.) seed flour quality as a base for development of novel food products and food formulations
    Bhat R, binti Yahya N
    Food Chem, 2014 Aug 1;156:42-9.
    PMID: 24629936 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.01.063
    Belinjau (Gnetum gnemon L.) seed flour was evaluated for nutritional composition, antioxidant activity and functional properties. Seed flour was found to be rich in protein (19.0g/100g), crude fibre (8.66g/100g), carbohydrates (64.1%), total dietary fibre (14.5%) and encompassed adequate amounts of essential amino acids, fatty acids and minerals. Antioxidant compounds such as total phenols (15.1 and 12.6mgGAE/100g), tannins (35.6 and 16.1mgCE/100g) and flavonoids (709 and 81.6mgCEQ/100g) were higher in ethanolic extracts over aqueous extracts, respectively. Inhibition of DPPH was high in ethanol extracts (48.9%) compared to aqueous extracts (19.7%), whereas aqueous extracts showed a higher FRAP value compared to ethanol extracts (0.98 and 0.61mmolFe(II)/100g, respectively). Results on functional properties revealed acceptable water and oil absorption capacities (5.51 and 1.98g/g, respectively), emulsion capacity and stability (15.3% and 6.90%, respectively), and foaming capacity (5.78%). FTIR spectral analysis showed seed flour to encompass major functional groups such as: amines, amides, amino acids, polysaccharides, carboxylic acids, esters and lipids. As belinjau seed flour possesses a rich nutraceutical value, it has high potential to be used as a basic raw material to develop new low cost nutritious functional foods.
    MeSH terms: Alkalies; Antioxidants/analysis; Carbohydrates/analysis; Dietary Fiber/analysis; Flavonoids/analysis; Flour/analysis*; Food, Formulated/analysis*; Minerals/analysis; Nutritive Value; Phenols/analysis; Seeds/chemistry*; Tannins/analysis; Gnetum/chemistry*
  5. Posterolateral spinal fusion with ostegenesis induced BMSC seeded TCP/HA in a sheep model
    Shamsul BS, Tan KK, Chen HC, Aminuddin BS, Ruszymah BH
    Tissue Cell, 2014 Apr;46(2):152-8.
    PMID: 24630213 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2014.02.001
    Autogenous bone graft is the gold standard for fusion procedure. However, pain at donor site and inconsistent outcome have left a surgeon to venture into some other technique for spinal fusion. The objective of this study was to determine whether osteogenesis induced bone marrow stem cells with the combination of ceramics granules (HA or TCP/HA), and fibrin could serve as an alternative to generate spinal fusion. The sheep's bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were aspirated form iliac crest and cultured for several passages until confluence. BMSCs were trypsinized and seeded on hydroxyapatite scaffold (HA) and tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite (TCP/HA) for further osteogenic differentiation in the osteogenic medium one week before implantation. Six adult sheep underwent three-level, bilateral, posterolateral intertransverse process fusions at L1-L6. Three fusion sites in each animal were assigned to three treatments: (a) HA constructs group/L1-L2, (b) TCP/HA constructs group/L2-L3, and (c) autogenous bone graft group/L5-L6. The spinal fusion segments were evaluated using radiography, manual palpation, histological analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) 12 weeks post implantation. The TCP/HA constructs achieved superior lumbar intertransverse fusion compared to HA construct but autogenous bone graft still produced the best fusion among all.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bone Marrow Cells*; Osteogenesis*; Sheep; Spinal Fusion/methods*; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells*; Allografts
  6. A new insight to the physical interpretation of activated carbon and iron doped carbon material: sorption affinity towards organic dye
    Shah I, Adnan R, Ngah WS, Mohamed N, Taufiq-Yap YH
    Bioresour Technol, 2014 May;160:52-6.
    PMID: 24630369 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.02.047
    To enhance the potential of activated carbon (AC), iron incorporation into the AC surface was examined in the present investigations. Iron doped activated carbon (FeAC) material was synthesized and characterized by using surface area analysis, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). The surface area of FeAC (543 m(2)/g) was found to be lower than AC (1043 m(2)/g) as a result of the pores widening due to diffusion of iron particles into the porous AC. Iron uploading on AC surface was confirmed through EDX analysis, showing up to 13.75 wt.% iron on FeAC surface. TPR and TPD profiles revealed the presence of more active sites on FeAC surface. FeAC have shown up to 98% methylene blue (MB) removal from the aqueous media. Thermodynamic parameters indicated the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the sorption processes.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Charcoal/chemistry*; Coloring Agents/isolation & purification*; Iron/chemistry*; Kinetics; Methylene Blue/isolation & purification; Organic Chemicals/isolation & purification*; Temperature
  7. Fulltext Single-dose live-attenuated Nipah virus vaccines confer complete protection by eliciting antibodies directed against surface glycoproteins
    DeBuysscher BL, Scott D, Marzi A, Prescott J, Feldmann H
    Vaccine, 2014 May 07;32(22):2637-44.
    PMID: 24631094 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.02.087
    BACKGROUND: Nipah virus (NiV), a zoonotic pathogen causing severe respiratory illness and encephalitis in humans, emerged in Malaysia in 1998 with subsequent outbreaks on an almost annual basis since 2001 in parts of the Indian subcontinent. The high case fatality rate, human-to-human transmission, wide-ranging reservoir distribution and lack of licensed intervention options are making NiV a serious regional and potential global public health problem. The objective of this study was to develop a fast-acting, single-dose NiV vaccine that could be implemented in a ring vaccination approach during outbreaks.

    METHODS: In this study we have designed new live-attenuated vaccine vectors based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (rVSV) expressing NiV glycoproteins (G or F) or nucleoprotein (N) and evaluated their protective efficacy in Syrian hamsters, an established NiV animal disease model. We further characterized the humoral immune response to vaccination in hamsters using ELISA and neutralization assays and performed serum transfer studies.

    RESULTS: Vaccination of Syrian hamsters with a single dose of the rVSV vaccine vectors resulted in strong humoral immune responses with neutralizing activities found only in those animals vaccinated with rVSV expressing NiV G or F proteins. Vaccinated animals with neutralizing antibody responses were completely protected from lethal NiV disease, whereas animals vaccinated with rVSV expressing NiV N showed only partial protection. Protection of NiV G or F vaccinated animals was conferred by antibodies, most likely the neutralizing fraction, as demonstrated by serum transfer studies. Protection of N-vaccinated hamsters was not antibody-dependent indicating a role of adaptive cellular responses for protection.

    CONCLUSIONS: The rVSV vectors expressing Nipah virus G or F are prime candidates for new 'emergency vaccines' to be utilized for NiV outbreak management.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Viral/blood; Antibody Formation; Cercopithecus aethiops; Genetic Vectors; Immunization, Passive; Mesocricetus/blood; Vaccines, Attenuated/administration & dosage; Vero Cells; Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus*; Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology; Viral Vaccines/administration & dosage*; Viral Load; Nucleocapsid Proteins/immunology; Nipah Virus*; Henipavirus Infections/prevention & control*; Antibodies, Neutralizing
  8. Cold adaptation improves the growth of seasonal influenza B vaccine viruses
    Kim H, Schoofs P, Anderson DA, Tannock GA, Rockman SP
    Vaccine, 2014 May 1;32(21):2474-9.
    PMID: 24631096 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.02.079
    Gene reassortment has proved useful in improving yields of influenza A antigens of egg-based inactivated vaccines, but similar approaches have been difficult with influenza B antigens. Current regulations for influenza vaccine seed viruses limit the number of egg passages and as a result resultant yields from influenza B vaccine seed viruses are frequently inconsistent. Therefore, reliable approaches to enhance yields of influenza B vaccine seed viruses are required for efficient vaccine manufacture. In the present study three stable cold-adapted (ca) mutants, caF, caM and caB derived from seasonal epidemic strains, B/Florida/4/2006, B/Malaysia/2506/2004 and B/Brisbane/60/2008 were prepared, which produced high hemagglutinin antigen yields and also increased viral yields of reassortants possessing the desired 6:2 gene constellation. The results demonstrate that consistent improvements in yields of influenza B viruses can be obtained by cold adaptation following extended passage. Taken together, the three ca viruses were shown to have potential as donor viruses for the preparation of high-yielding influenza B vaccine viruses by reassortment.
    MeSH terms: Adaptation, Physiological*; Animals; Chickens; Cold Temperature*; Dogs; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; Influenza Vaccines*; Influenza B virus/genetics; Influenza B virus/growth & development*; Ovum/virology; Serial Passage; Virus Cultivation; Reassortant Viruses/genetics; Reassortant Viruses/growth & development; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/isolation & purification; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  9. Detection of Coconut cadang-cadang viroid (CCCVd) in oil palm by reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
    Thanarajoo SS, Kong LL, Kadir J, Lau WH, Vadamalai G
    J Virol Methods, 2014 Jun;202:19-23.
    PMID: 24631346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2014.02.024
    A reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) detected Coconut cadang-cadang viroid (CCCVd) within 60 min at 60 °C in total nucleic acid extracted from oil palm leaves infected with CCCVd. Positive reactions showed colour change from orange to green in the reaction mix after the addition of fluorescent reagent, and a laddering pattern band on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. Conventional RT-PCR with LAMP primers produced amplicons with a sequence identical to the 297-nt CCCVd oil palm variant with the primers being specific for CCCVd and not for other viroids such as PSTVd and CEVd. RT-LAMP was found to be rapid and specific for detecting oil palm CCCVd.
    MeSH terms: Cocos/virology*; Plant Diseases/virology*; Plant Oils/isolation & purification; Sensitivity and Specificity; Temperature; Time Factors; Viroids/isolation & purification*; Plant Leaves/virology; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques/methods*; Reverse Transcription*
  10. Fulltext Plasmodium knowlesi in travellers, update 2014
    Müller M, Schlagenhauf P
    Int J Infect Dis, 2014 May;22:55-64.
    PMID: 24631521 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2013.12.016
    Since the initial discovery of Plasmodium knowlesi in Malaysia, cases have been reported from several neighbouring countries. Tourism has also resulted in an increasing number of cases diagnosed in Europe, America, and Oceania. In this review we focus on the risk of the travel-associated acquisition of P. knowlesi malaria.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Animals; Antimalarials/therapeutic use; Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Macaca fascicularis; Malaria/diagnosis*; Malaria/drug therapy; Malaria/epidemiology*; Malaria/physiopathology; Male; Plasmodium malariae/isolation & purification; Plasmodium malariae/physiology; Travel; Plasmodium knowlesi/drug effects; Plasmodium knowlesi/isolation & purification*; Plasmodium knowlesi/physiology
  11. Combination of transcranial direct current stimulation and methylphenidate in subacute stroke
    Wang QM, Cui H, Han SJ, Black-Schaffer R, Volz MS, Lee YT, et al.
    Neurosci Lett, 2014 May 21;569:6-11.
    PMID: 24631567 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2014.03.011
    Noninvasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and methylphenidate (MP) are associated with motor recovery after stroke. Based on the potentially complementary mechanisms of these interventions, we examined whether there is an interactive effect between MP and tDCS. In this preliminary study, we randomized subacute stroke subjects to receive tDCS alone, MP alone or combination of tDCS and MP. A blinded rater measured safety, hand function, and cortical excitability before and after treatment. None of the treatments caused any major or severe adverse effects or induced significant differences in cortical excitability. Analysis of variance of gain score, as measured by Purdue pegboard test, showed a significant between-group difference (F(2,6)=12.167, p=0.008). Post hoc analysis showed that the combination treatment effected greater Purdue pegboard gain scores than tDCS alone (p=0.017) or MP alone (p=0.01). Our preliminary data with nine subjects shows an interesting dissociation between motor function improvement and lack of motor corticospinal plasticity changes as indexed by transcranial magnetic stimulation in subacute stroke subjects.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Central Nervous System Stimulants/therapeutic use*; Brain/physiopathology; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Hand/physiopathology; Humans; Male; Methylphenidate/therapeutic use*; Middle Aged; Motor Skills; Surveys and Questionnaires; Stroke/physiopathology; Stroke/therapy*; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation*
  12. Toward activated homology models of the human M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor
    Chin SP, Buckle MJ, Chalmers DK, Yuriev E, Doughty SW
    J Mol Graph Model, 2014 Apr;49:91-8.
    PMID: 24631873 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2014.02.002
    Structure-based virtual screening offers a good opportunity for the discovery of selective M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) agonists for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, no 3-D structure of an M1 mAChR is yet available and the homology models that have been previously reported are only able to identify antagonists in virtual screening experiments. In this study, we generated a homology model of the human M1 mAChR, based on the crystal structure of an M3 mAChR as the template. This initial model was modified, using the agonist-bound crystal structure of a β2-adrenergic receptor as a guide, to give two possible activated structures. The T192 side chain was adjusted in both structures and one of the structures also had the whole of transmembrane (TM) 5 rotated and tilted toward the inner channel of the transmembrane region. The binding sites of all three structures were then refined by induced-fit docking (IFD) with acetylcholine. Virtual screening experiments showed that all three refined models could efficiently differentiate agonists from decoy molecules, with the TM5-modified models also giving good agonist/antagonist selectivity. The whole range of agonists and antagonists was observed to bind within the orthosteric site of the structure obtained by IFD refinement alone, implying that it has inactive state character. In contrast, the two TM5-modified structures were unable to accommodate the antagonists, supporting the proposition that they possess activated state character.
    MeSH terms: Binding Sites; Humans; Protein Binding; Protein Structure, Secondary; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/chemistry; Receptor, Muscarinic M1/metabolism; Receptor, Muscarinic M1/chemistry*
  13. Preparation of magnetic, macro-reticulated cross-linked chitosan for tetracycline removal from aquatic systems
    Oladoja NA, Adelagun RO, Ahmad AL, Unuabonah EI, Bello HA
    Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2014 May 1;117:51-9.
    PMID: 24632030 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2014.02.006
    A novel adsorbent, magnetic, macro-reticulated cross-linked chitosan (MRC) was synthesised for the removal of tetracycline (TC) from water using a source of biogenic waste (gastropod shells) as a pore-forming agent. The insertion of crosslinks into the chitosan frame was confirmed by FTIR analysis, while the stability of the MRC was demonstrated via a stability test performed in an acidic solution. The enhanced porosity of the MRC was confirmed by the evaluation of its porosity, a swelling test and the determination of its specific surface area. The time-concentration profile of the sorption of TC onto the MRC demonstrated that equilibrium was attained relatively quickly (120 min), and the data obtained fitted a pseudo second order (r(2)>0.99) kinetic equation better than a pseudo first order or reversible first order kinetic equation. The optimisation of process variables indicated that the sorption of TC onto the MRC was favoured at a low solution pH and that the presence of organics (simulated by the addition of humic acid) negatively impacted the magnitude of TC removal. The area of coverage of TC on the MRC (2.51 m(2)/g) was low compared to the specific surface area of the MRC (47.95 m(2)/g). The value of the calculated energy of adsorption of TC onto the MRC was 100 kJ/mol, which is far above the range of 1-16 kJ/mol stipulated for physical adsorption.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Cross-Linking Reagents/chemistry*; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Organic Chemicals/chemistry; Temperature; Tetracycline/isolation & purification*; Tetracycline/chemistry; Time Factors; Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification*; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Chitosan/chemistry*; Magnetic Phenomena*
  14. Heated vegetable oils and cardiovascular disease risk factors
    Ng CY, Leong XF, Masbah N, Adam SK, Kamisah Y, Jaarin K
    Vascul Pharmacol, 2014 Apr;61(1):1-9.
    PMID: 24632108 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2014.02.004
    Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It may result from the interactions between multiple genetic and environmental factors including sedentary lifestyle and dietary habits. The quality of dietary oils and fats has been widely recognised to be inextricably linked to the pathogenesis of CVD. Vegetable oil is one of the essential dietary components in daily food consumption. However, the benefits of vegetable oil can be deteriorated by repeated heating that leads to lipid oxidation. The practice of using repeatedly heated cooking oil is not uncommon as it will reduce the cost of food preparation. Thermal oxidation yields new functional groups which may be potentially hazardous to cardiovascular health. Prolonged consumption of the repeatedly heated oil has been shown to increase blood pressure and total cholesterol, cause vascular inflammation as well as vascular changes which predispose to atherosclerosis. The harmful effect of heated oils is attributed to products generated from lipid oxidation during heating process. In view of the potential hazard of oxidation products, therefore this review article will provide an insight and awareness to the general public on the consumption of repeatedly heated oils which is detrimental to health.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology*; Hot Temperature; Humans; Hypertension/etiology; Inflammation/etiology; Plant Oils/adverse effects*; Risk Factors; Oxidative Stress; Dyslipidemias/etiology; Atherosclerosis/etiology; Vascular Remodeling
  15. Experimental and theoretical FT-IR, Raman and XRD study of 2-acetyl-5-chlorothiophene
    Chidan Kumar CS, Parlak C, Fun HK, Tursun M, Keşan G, Chandraju S, et al.
    Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 2014 Jun 5;127:67-73.
    PMID: 24632158 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2014.02.033
    The structure of 2-acetyl-5-chlorothiophene (ACT) has been characterized by FT-IR, Raman and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The isomers, optimized geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of ACT (C6H5ClOS) have been examined by the density functional theory, with the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr functional and the 6-311+G(3df,p) basis set. Reliable vibrational assignments have been investigated by the potential energy distribution analysis. ACT crystallizes in monoclinic space group C2/c with the O,S-cis isomer. There is a good agreement between the theoretically predicted structural parameters and vibrational frequencies and those obtained experimentally.
    MeSH terms: Models, Chemical*; Models, Molecular*; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Thiophenes/chemistry*; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  16. Association between markers of glucose metabolism and risk of colorectal adenoma
    Rampal S, Yang MH, Sung J, Son HJ, Choi YH, Lee JH, et al.
    Gastroenterology, 2014 Jul;147(1):78-87.e3.
    PMID: 24632359 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.03.006
    BACKGROUND & AIMS: Diabetes is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. We studied the association between markers of glucose metabolism and metabolic syndrome and the presence of colorectal adenomas in a large number of asymptomatic men and women attending a health screening program in South Korea. We also investigated whether these associations depend on adenoma location.
    METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we measured fasting levels of glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, and C-peptide and calculated homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) values (used to quantify insulin resistance) for 19,361 asymptomatic South Korean subjects who underwent colonoscopy examinations from January 2006 to June 2009. Participants completed a standardized self-administered health questionnaire and a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Blood samples were collected on the day of the colonoscopy; fasting blood samples were also collected. Robust Poisson regression was used to model the associations of glucose markers with the prevalence of any adenoma.
    RESULTS: Using detailed multivariable-adjusted dose-response models, the prevalence ratios (aPR, 95% confidence interval [CI]) for any adenoma, comparing the 90th with the 10th percentile, were 1.08 (1.00-1.16; P = .04) for fasting glucose, 1.07 (0.99-1.15; P = .10) for insulin, 1.09 (1.02-1.18, P = .02) for HOMA, 1.09 (1.01-1.17; P = .02) for hemoglobin A1c, and 1.14 (1.05-1.24; P = .002) for C-peptide. The corresponding ratios for nonadvanced adenomas were 1.11 (0.99-1.25; P = .08), 1.10 (0.98-1.24; P = .12), 1.15 (1.02-1.29; P = .02), 1.14 (1.01-1.28; P = .03), and 1.20 (1.05-1.37; P = .007), respectively. The corresponding ratios for advanced adenomas were 1.32 (0.94-1.84; P = .11), 1.23 (0.87-1.75; P = .24), 1.30 (0.92-1.85; P = .14), 1.13 (0.79-1.61; P = .50), and 1.67 (1.15-2.42; P = .007), respectively. Metabolic syndrome was associated with the prevalence of any adenoma (aPR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13-1.24; P < .001), nonadvanced adenoma (aPR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.20-1.40; P < .001), and advanced adenoma (aPR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.14-1.78; P = .002). Associations were similar for adenomas located in the distal versus proximal colon.
    CONCLUSIONS: Increasing levels of glucose, HOMA values, levels of hemoglobin A1c and C-peptide, and metabolic syndrome are significantly associated with the prevalence of adenomas. Adenomas should be added to the list of consequences of altered glucose metabolism.
    MeSH terms: Adenoma/epidemiology*; Adult; Blood Glucose/metabolism*; C-Peptide/blood*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Glucose/metabolism*; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/metabolism; Humans; Insulin/blood*; Male; Middle Aged; Regression Analysis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Colorectal Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Biomarkers/blood; Metabolic Syndrome X/blood; Metabolic Syndrome X/complications; Diabetes Complications/blood; Diabetes Complications/complications
  17. Simplified feeding strategies for the fed-batch cultivation of Kluyveromyces lactis GG799 for enhanced recombinant xylanase production
    Fuzi SF, Razali F, Jahim JM, Rahman RA, Illias RM
    Bioprocess Biosyst Eng, 2014 Sep;37(9):1887-98.
    PMID: 24633311 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-014-1163-z
    A xylanase gene (xyn2) from Trichoderma reesei ATCC 58350 was previously cloned and expressed in Kluyveromyces lactis GG799. The production of the recombinant xylanase was conducted in a developed medium with an optimised batch and with fed-batches that were processed with glucose. The glucose served as a carbon source for cell growth and as an inducer for xylanase production. In a 1-L batch system, a glucose concentration of 20 g L(-1) and 80 % dissolved oxygen were found to provide the best conditions for the tested ranges. A xylanase activity of 75.53 U mL(-1) was obtained. However, in the batch mode, glucose depletions reduced the synthesis of recombinant xylanase by K. lactis GG799. To maximise the production of xylanase, further optimisation was performed using exponential feeding. We investigated the effects of various nitrogen sources combined with the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) molar ratio on the production of xylanase. Of the various nitrogen sources, yeast extract was found to be the most useful for recombinant xylanase production. The highest xylanase production (110.13 U mL(-1)) was measured at a C/N ratio of 50.08. These conditions led to a 45.8 % increase in xylanase activity compared with the batch cultures. Interestingly, the further addition of 500 g L(-1) glucose led to a 6.2-fold increase (465.07 U mL(-1)) in recombinant xylanase activity. These findings, together with those of the exponential feeding strategy, indicate that the composition of the C/N molar ratio has a substantial impact on recombinant protein production in K. lactis.
    MeSH terms: Fermentation; Kinetics; Kluyveromyces/enzymology; Kluyveromyces/growth & development*; Models, Biological; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis; Xylosidases/biosynthesis*; Bioreactors
  18. The use of autologous fibrin as a scaffold for cultivating autologous conjunctiva in the treatment of conjunctival defect
    Safinaz MK, Norzana AG, Hairul Nizam MH, Ropilah AR, Faridah HA, Chua KH, et al.
    Cell Tissue Bank, 2014 Dec;15(4):619-26.
    PMID: 24633432 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-014-9436-y
    The purpose of this study was to compare the use of autologous fibrin to human amniotic membrane (HAM) as a scaffold in cultivating autologous conjunctiva for transplantation in treatment of conjunctival defect. An experimental study was performed using 18 adult New Zealand white strain rabbits which were divided into 3 groups. Each group consists of 6 rabbits. The conjunctiva on the temporal site was excised to create a conjunctival epithelial defect. The excised area in the Group 1 was transplanted with autologous conjunctiva cultivated on autologous fibrin; Group 2 was transplanted with autologous conjunctiva cultivated on HAM and Group 3 was left bare. The rabbits were followed up at regular intervals until 6 weeks. The mean period of complete conjunctival epithelization was 11.50 ± 8.22 days for the autologous fibrin group, 15.33 ± 11.80 days for the HAM group and 25.33 ± 5.32 days in the bare sclera group. The epithelization rate for the autologous fibrin group was faster compared to the other two groups. However all the results were not statistically significant (p value >0.05). There were no postoperative complications noted during the follow up. Autologous fibrin is comparable to HAM as a scaffold for cultivation of conjunctiva in the treatment of conjunctival defect.
    MeSH terms: Amnion; Animals; Conjunctiva/cytology; Conjunctiva/transplantation*; Conjunctival Diseases/surgery*; Disease Models, Animal; Epithelial Cells/cytology; Fibrin*; Graft Rejection/prevention & control; Rabbits; Tissue Engineering/methods*; Tissue Culture Techniques; Cell Proliferation; Tissue Scaffolds*; Autografts*; In Vitro Techniques
  19. Case-control study on risk factors associated with Brucella melitensis in goat farms in Peninsular Malaysia
    Bamaiyi PH, Hassan L, Khairani-Bejo S, ZainalAbidin M, Ramlan M, Krishnan N, et al.
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 2014 Jun;46(5):739-45.
    PMID: 24633657 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-014-0557-x
    Caprine brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic infection affecting goats especially in developing countries all over the world. In Malaysia, the risk factors associated with this infection in farms have not been studied. A case-control study was carried out in goat farms in four states of Malaysia to elucidate the risk factors associated with the infection on the farms using structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Results indicate that the introduction of new animals (OR = 5.25; 90 % CI = 1.46, 18.88), younger age category of farms (OR = 5.53; 90 % CI = 1.09, 21.66), and farms with single breed of goats (OR = 8.50; 90 % CI = 1.27, 41.97) were significant risk factors for brucellosis. In order to control brucellosis or possibly eradicate it in goat farms, these factors need to be dealt with. Enforcing stringent importation protocols or complete ban of goat importation from brucellosis endemic countries will help reduce risk of introducing new infection into the country.
    MeSH terms: Abortion, Veterinary/microbiology; Abortion, Veterinary/epidemiology; Animals; Animal Husbandry; Brucellosis/veterinary*; Female; Goats; Malaysia/epidemiology; Risk Factors; Zoonoses; Goat Diseases/microbiology*; Goat Diseases/epidemiology; Case-Control Studies; Brucella melitensis*
  20. Fulltext Utility of DNA barcoding for rapid and accurate assessment of bat diversity in Malaysia in the absence of formally described species
    Wilson JJ, Sing KW, Halim MR, Ramli R, Hashim R, Sofian-Azirun M
    Genet. Mol. Res., 2014;13(1):920-5.
    PMID: 24634112 DOI: 10.4238/2014.February.19.2
    Bats are important flagship species for biodiversity research; however, diversity in Southeast Asia is considerably underestimated in the current checklists and field guides. Incorporation of DNA barcoding into surveys has revealed numerous species-level taxa overlooked by conventional methods. Inclusion of these taxa in inventories provides a more informative record of diversity, but is problematic as these species lack formal description. We investigated how frequently documented, but undescribed, bat taxa are encountered in Peninsular Malaysia. We discuss whether a barcode library provides a means of recognizing and recording these taxa across biodiversity inventories. Tissue was sampled from bats trapped at Pasir Raja, Dungun Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. The DNA was extracted and the COI barcode region amplified and sequenced. We identified 9 species-level taxa within our samples, based on analysis of the DNA barcodes. Six specimens matched to four previously documented taxa considered candidate species but currently lacking formal taxonomic status. This study confirms the high diversity of bats within Peninsular Malaysia (9 species in 13 samples) and demonstrates how DNA barcoding allows for inventory and documentation of known taxa lacking formal taxonomic status.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Chiroptera/classification*; Chiroptera/genetics*; Malaysia; Phylogeny; Evolution, Molecular; Biodiversity*; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic*
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