Browse publications by year: 2014

  1. Kalatehjari R, Rashid AS, Ali N, Hajihassani M
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:973093.
    PMID: 24991652 DOI: 10.1155/2014/973093
    Over the last few years, particle swarm optimization (PSO) has been extensively applied in various geotechnical engineering including slope stability analysis. However, this contribution was limited to two-dimensional (2D) slope stability analysis. This paper applied PSO in three-dimensional (3D) slope stability problem to determine the critical slip surface (CSS) of soil slopes. A detailed description of adopted PSO was presented to provide a good basis for more contribution of this technique to the field of 3D slope stability problems. A general rotating ellipsoid shape was introduced as the specific particle for 3D slope stability analysis. A detailed sensitivity analysis was designed and performed to find the optimum values of parameters of PSO. Example problems were used to evaluate the applicability of PSO in determining the CSS of 3D slopes. The first example presented a comparison between the results of PSO and PLAXI-3D finite element software and the second example compared the ability of PSO to determine the CSS of 3D slopes with other optimization methods from the literature. The results demonstrated the efficiency and effectiveness of PSO in determining the CSS of 3D soil slopes.
    MeSH terms: Artificial Intelligence*; Computer Simulation*
  2. Das S, Roy P, Pal R, Auddy RG, Chakraborti AS, Mukherjee A
    PLoS One, 2014;9(7):e101818.
    PMID: 24991800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101818
    Silybin, is one imminent therapeutic for drug induced hepatotoxicity, human prostate adenocarcinoma and other degenerative organ diseases. Recent evidences suggest that silybin influences gluconeogenesis pathways favorably and is beneficial in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The compound however is constrained due to solubility (0.4 mg/mL) and bioavailabilty limitations. Appropriate nanoparticle design for silybin in biocompatible polymers was thus proposed as a probable solution for therapeutic inadequacy. New surface engineered biopolymeric nanoparticles with high silybin encapsulation efficiency of 92.11% and zeta potential of +21 mV were designed. Both the pure compound and the nanoparticles were evaluated in vivo for the first time in experimental diabetic conditions. Animal health recovered substantially and the blood glucose levels came down to near normal values after 28 days treatment schedule with the engineered nanoparticles. Restoration from hyperglycemic damage condition was traced to serum insulin regeneration. Serum insulin recovered from the streptozotocin induced pancreatic damage levels of 0.17 ± 0.01 µg/lit to 0.57 ± 0.11 µg/lit after nanoparticle treatment. Significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin level, and restoration of liver glycogen content were some of the other interesting observations. Engineered silybin nanoparticle assisted recovery in diabetic conditions was reasoned due to improved silybin dissolution, passive transport in nanoscale, and restoration of antioxidant status.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biocompatible Materials/administration & dosage*; Biocompatible Materials/pharmacokinetics; Blood Glucose/metabolism*; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage*; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacokinetics; Liver/metabolism; Male; Particle Size; Silymarin/administration & dosage*; Silymarin/pharmacokinetics; Streptozocin; Rats, Wistar; Chitosan/administration & dosage; Rats; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  3. Yahya WN, Kadri NA, Ibrahim F
    Sensors (Basel), 2014 Jul 02;14(7):11714-34.
    PMID: 24991941 DOI: 10.3390/s140711714
    Liver transplantation is the most common treatment for patients with end-stage liver failure. However, liver transplantation is greatly limited by a shortage of donors. Liver tissue engineering may offer an alternative by providing an implantable engineered liver. Currently, diverse types of engineering approaches for in vitro liver cell culture are available, including scaffold-based methods, microfluidic platforms, and micropatterning techniques. Active cell patterning via dielectrophoretic (DEP) force showed some advantages over other methods, including high speed, ease of handling, high precision and being label-free. This article summarizes liver function and regenerative mechanisms for better understanding in developing engineered liver. We then review recent advances in liver tissue engineering techniques and focus on DEP-based cell patterning, including microelectrode design and patterning configuration.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Separation/instrumentation; Cell Separation/methods*; Electrophoresis/instrumentation; Electrophoresis/methods*; Humans; Liver/cytology; Liver/growth & development*; Liver Regeneration/physiology*; Micromanipulation; Liver, Artificial*; Hepatocytes/cytology; Hepatocytes/physiology*; Tissue Engineering/instrumentation; Tissue Engineering/methods*
  4. Yoon YK, Ali MA, Wei AC, Shirazi AN, Parang K, Choon TS
    Eur J Med Chem, 2014 Aug 18;83:448-54.
    PMID: 24992072 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.06.060
    Two series of novel benzimidazole derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their SIRT1 and SIRT2 inhibitory activity. Among the newly synthesized compounds, compound 4j displayed the best inhibitory activity for SIRT1 (IC50 = 54.21 μM) as well as for SIRT2 (IC50 = 26.85 μM). Cell proliferation assay showed that compound 4j possessed good antitumor activity against three different types of cancer cells derived from colon (HCT-116), breast (MDA-MB-468) and blood-leukemia (CCRF-CEM) with cell viability of 40.0%, 53.2% and 27.2% respectively at 50 μM. Docking analysis of representative compound 4j into SIRT2 indicated that the interaction with receptor was primarily due to hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis; Antineoplastic Agents/metabolism; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; Benzimidazoles/chemical synthesis*; Benzimidazoles/metabolism; Benzimidazoles/pharmacology*; Benzimidazoles/chemistry; Cell Survival/drug effects; Humans; Protein Conformation; Structure-Activity Relationship; Drug Design*; Sirtuins/antagonists & inhibitors*; Sirtuins/metabolism; Sirtuins/chemistry; Cell Line, Tumor; Green Chemistry Technology*; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/metabolism; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/chemistry; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; Molecular Docking Simulation*
  5. Jan Mohamed HJ, Rowan A, Fong B, Loy SL
    PLoS One, 2014;9(7):e100705.
    PMID: 24992199 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100705
    Vitamin D deficiency has become a global health issue in pregnant women. This study aimed to assess the adequacy of maternal vitamin D status by measuring maternal serum and breast milk 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and to determine the association between maternal serum and milk 25(OH)D levels.
    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Lactation/blood; Milk, Human/metabolism*; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications/blood*; Pregnancy Trimester, Second/blood*; Pregnancy Trimester, Third/blood*; Vitamin D/blood*; Vitamin D Deficiency/blood*; Cohort Studies
  6. Rohilla P, Deep A, Kamra M, Narasimhan B, Ramasamy K, Mani V, et al.
    Drug Res (Stuttg), 2014 Oct;64(10):505-9.
    PMID: 24992500 DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1368720
    A series of N'-(substituted benzylidene)-2-(benzo[d]oxazol-3(2H)-yl)acetohydrazide derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for its in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Antimicrobial activity results revealed that compound 12 was found to be the most potent antimicrobial agent. Results of anticancer study indicated that the synthesized compounds exhibited average anticancer potential. Compound 7 (IC 50 =3.12 µM) and compound 16 (IC 50 =2.88 µM) were found to be most potent against breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines. In conclusion, compound 12 and 16 have the potential to be selected as lead compound for the developing of novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents respectively.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/chemical synthesis*; Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis*; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Bacillus subtilis/drug effects; Bacillus subtilis/growth & development; Benzylidene Compounds/chemical synthesis*; Benzylidene Compounds/pharmacology*; Candida albicans/drug effects; Candida albicans/growth & development; Cell Survival/drug effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Structure-Activity Relationship; Drug Design; Molecular Structure; Inhibitory Concentration 50; MCF-7 Cells
  7. Yong FL, Wang CW, Roslani AC, Law CW
    Int J Mol Sci, 2014 Jul 02;15(7):11713-29.
    PMID: 24992592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms150711713
    Recent advances in microRNAome have made microRNAs (miRNAs) a compelling novel class of biomarker in cancer biology. In the present study, the role of miR-23a in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) was investigated. Cell viability, apoptosis, and caspase 3/7 activation analyses were conducted to determine the potentiality of apoptosis resistance function of miR-23a in CRC. Luciferase assay was performed to verify a putative target site of miR-23a in the 3'-UTR of apoptosis protease activating factor 1 (APAF1) mRNA. The expression levels of miR-23a and APAF1 in CRC cell lines (SW480 and SW620) and clinical samples were assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. We found that the inhibition of miR-23a in SW480 and SW620 cell lines resulted in significant reduction of cell viability and promotion of cell apoptosis. Moreover, miR-23a up-regulation was coupled with APAF1 down-regulation in CRC tissue samples. Taken together, miR-23a was identified to regulate apoptosis in CRC. Our study highlights the potential application of miR-23a/APAF1 regulation axis in miRNA-based therapy and prognostication.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism*; Case-Control Studies; Apoptosis*; 3' Untranslated Regions; MicroRNAs/genetics; MicroRNAs/metabolism*; Cell Line, Tumor; Caspase 3/genetics; Caspase 3/metabolism; Caspase 7/genetics; Caspase 7/metabolism; Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1/genetics; Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1/metabolism*
  8. Sum JS, Lee WC, Amir A, Braima KA, Jeffery J, Abdul-Aziz NM, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2014;7:309.
    PMID: 24993022 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-309
    Molecular techniques are invaluable for investigation on the biodiversity of Anopheles mosquitoes. This study aimed at investigating the spatial-genetic variations among Anopheles mosquitoes from different areas of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as deciphering evolutionary relationships of the local Anopheles mosquitoes with the mosquitoes from neighbouring countries using the anopheline ITS2 rDNA gene.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anopheles/genetics*; Malaysia; Phylogeny*; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics*; Biodiversity; Animal Distribution*
  9. Mustafa AA, Matinlinna JP, Saidin S, Kadir MR
    J Prosthet Dent, 2014 Dec;112(6):1498-506.
    PMID: 24993375 DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2014.05.011
    STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The inconsistency of dentin bonding affects retention and microleakage.

    PURPOSE: The purpose of this laboratory and finite element analysis study was to investigate the effects on the formation of a hybrid layer of an experimental silane coupling agent containing primer solutions composed of different percentages of hydroxyethyl methacrylate.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 125 sound human premolars were restored in vitro. Simple class I cavities were formed on each tooth, followed by the application of different compositions of experimental silane primers (0%, 5%, 25%, and 50% of hydroxyethyl methacrylate), bonding agents, and dental composite resins. Bond strength tests and scanning electron microscopy analyses were performed. The laboratory experimental results were validated with finite element analysis to determine the pattern of stress distribution. Simulations were conducted by placing the restorative composite resin in a premolar tooth by imitating simple class I cavities. The laboratory and finite element analysis data were significantly different from each other, as determined by 1-way ANOVA. A post hoc analysis was conducted on the bond strength data to further clarify the effects of silane primers.

    RESULTS: The strongest bond of hybrid layer (16.96 MPa) was found in the primer with 25% hydroxyethyl methacrylate, suggesting a barely visible hybrid layer barrier. The control specimens without the application of the primer and the primer specimens with no hydroxyethyl methacrylate exhibited the lowest strength values (8.30 MPa and 11.78 MPa) with intermittent and low visibility of the hybrid layer. These results were supported by finite element analysis that suggested an evenly distributed stress on the model with 25% hydroxyethyl methacrylate.

    CONCLUSIONS: Different compositions of experimental silane primers affected the formation of the hybrid layer and its resulting bond strength.

    MeSH terms: Acid Etching, Dental/methods; Adolescent; Dental Bonding*; Composite Resins/chemistry; Computer Simulation; Dental Cavity Preparation/classification; Dental Materials/chemistry; Dental Stress Analysis/instrumentation; Dentin/ultrastructure*; Humans; Materials Testing; Methacrylates/chemistry*; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Models, Biological; Phosphoric Acids/chemistry; Silanes/chemistry*; Stress, Mechanical; Surface Properties; Dentin-Bonding Agents/chemistry*; Isocyanates/chemistry; Resin Cements/chemistry; Finite Element Analysis; Young Adult
  10. Wong AH, Umapathi T, Shahrizaila N, Chan YC, Kokubun N, Fong MK, et al.
    J Neurol Sci, 2014 Sep 15;344(1-2):60-2.
    PMID: 24993467 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2014.06.021
    To study the clinical profile of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patients who died in 4 Asian countries in order to understand factors underlying any variation in mortality.
    MeSH terms: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asia/epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Medical Records/statistics & numerical data; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Cohort Studies; Survival Analysis; Guillain-Barre Syndrome/mortality*; Guillain-Barre Syndrome/epidemiology*
  11. Haque SE, Rahman M, Itsuko K, Mutahara M, Sakisaka K
    BMJ Open, 2014;4(7):e004607.
    PMID: 24993753 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004607
    OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a school-based menstrual education programme on: (1) menstrual knowledge, beliefs and practices, (2) menstrual disorders experienced, and (3) restrictions on menstruating adolescents.
    DESIGN: Intervention study.
    SETTING: Araihazar area, Bangladesh.
    PARTICIPANTS: 416 adolescent female students aged 11-16 years, in grade 6-8, and living with their parents.
    INTERVENTIONS: A school-based health education study conducted from April 2012 to April 2013.
    PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES:
    We randomly selected 3 of 26 high schools in the study area. We delivered 6 months of educational intervention by trained (by an obstetrician and gynaecologist) research assistants (RAs) on menstrual hygiene among school girls. RAs read the questionnaire and participants answered. The changes in knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding menstruation, menstrual disorders experienced, and the restrictions and behaviours practiced by menstruating adolescents were compared between the baseline and the follow-up assessments.
    RESULTS: After health education, participants reported a significant improvement (p<0.001) in 'high knowledge and beliefs' scores compared to baseline (51% vs 82.4%). Significant improvement was also observed in overall good menstrual practices (28.8% vs 88.9%), including improvements in using sanitary pads (22.4% change after the intervention), frequency of changing pads/cloths per day (68.8%), drying the used absorbent (77.6%), methods of disposing of the used absorbent (25.5%), and cleaning of genitalia (19.2%). During the follow-up, the participants reported significant improvements in the regularity of their menstrual cycle (94.5% vs 99.5%) and fewer complications during menstruation (78.6% vs 59.6%).
    CONCLUSIONS: The programme produced significant changes in the knowledge, beliefs and practices of menstrual hygiene, complications from lack of hygiene, and the behaviour and restrictions of the menstruating adolescents. These results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a health education programme for adolescents on menstrual hygiene in secondary schools serving rural Bangladesh.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Bangladesh; Child; Female; Health Education/methods*; Humans; Hygiene*; Menstruation/psychology*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Rural Population*; School Health Services*; Schools*; Students/psychology*
  12. Farsi E, Ahmad M, Hor SY, Ahamed MB, Yam MF, Asmawi MZ, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014 Jul 04;14:220.
    PMID: 24993916 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-220
    BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been increasing interest in Ficus deltoidea Jack. (Moraceae) due to its chemical composition and the potential health benefits. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of extracts of F. deltoidea leaves on diabetes.

    METHODS: The petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of F. deltoidea were prepared and subjected to standardization using preliminary phytochemical and HPLC analysis. Dose selection was made on the basis of acute oral toxicity study (50-5000 mg/kg b. w.) as per OECD guidelines. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and rats found diabetic were orally administered with the extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) for 14 days. Levels of blood glucose and insulin were measured in control as well as diabetic rats on 0, 7 and 14th day. In addition, glucose metabolism regulating gene expression was assessed using RT-PCR.

    RESULTS: HPLC analysis revealed that the methanol extract is enriched with C-glycosylflavones particularly, vitexin and isovitexin. In oral glucose tolerance test, oral administration of the methanol extract increased the glucose tolerance. The methanol extract showed significant (P 

    MeSH terms: Animals; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/genetics; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism*; Female; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects; Glucose/biosynthesis*; Insulin/blood; Insulin/metabolism*; Liver/drug effects*; Liver/metabolism; Liver/chemistry; Male; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Ficus/chemistry*; Rats
  13. Cherian S, Figueroa CR, Nair H
    J Exp Bot, 2014 Sep;65(17):4705-22.
    PMID: 24994760 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eru280
    Fruit ripening is a complex and highly coordinated developmental process involving the expression of many ripening-related genes under the control of a network of signalling pathways. The hormonal control of climacteric fruit ripening, especially ethylene perception and signalling transduction in tomato has been well characterized. Additionally, great strides have been made in understanding some of the major regulatory switches (transcription factors such as RIPENING-INHIBITOR and other transcriptional regulators such as COLOURLESS NON-RIPENING, TOMATO AGAMOUS-LIKE1 and ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTORs), that are involved in tomato fruit ripening. In contrast, the regulatory network related to non-climacteric fruit ripening remains poorly understood. However, some of the most recent breakthrough research data have provided several lines of evidences for abscisic acid- and sucrose-mediated ripening of strawberry, a non-climacteric fruit model. In this review, we discuss the most recent research findings concerning the hormonal regulation of fleshy fruit ripening and their cross-talk and the future challenges taking tomato as a climacteric fruit model and strawberry as a non-climacteric fruit model. We also highlight the possible contribution of epigenetic changes including the role of plant microRNAs, which is opening new avenues and great possibilities in the fields of fruit-ripening research and postharvest biology.
    MeSH terms: Fruit/genetics; Fruit/growth & development; Fruit/physiology*; Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism*; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Plant Physiological Phenomena*; Lycopersicon esculentum/genetics; Lycopersicon esculentum/growth & development; Lycopersicon esculentum/physiology; Fragaria/genetics; Fragaria/growth & development; Fragaria/physiology
  14. Lee LH, Zainal N, Azman AS, Eng SK, Ab Mutalib NS, Yin WF, et al.
    Int J Syst Evol Microbiol, 2014 Sep;64(Pt 9):3297-306.
    PMID: 24994773 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.065045-0
    Two novel actinobacteria, strains MUSC 135(T) and MUSC 137, were isolated from mangrove soil at Tanjung Lumpur, Malaysia. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and DNA-DNA relatedness between strains MUSC 135(T) and MUSC 137 were 100 % and 83±3.2 %, confirming that these two strains should be classified in the same species. Strain MUSC 135(T) exhibited a broad-spectrum bacteriocin against the pathogens meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain ATCC BAA-44, Salmonella typhi ATCC 19430(T) and Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 7966(T). A polyphasic approach was used to study the taxonomy of MUSC 135(T), and it showed a range of phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic properties consistent with those of the genus Streptomyces. The diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan was ll-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H8). Polar lipids detected were a lipid, an aminolipid, a phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine and two glycolipids. The predominant cellular fatty acids (>10.0 %) were anteiso-C15 : 0 (20.8 %), iso-C16 : 0 (18.0 %), iso-C15 : 0 (12.2 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (11.6 %). The whole-cell sugars were ribose, glucose and mannose. These results suggested that MUSC 135(T) should be placed within the genus Streptomyces. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence exhibited that the most closely related strains were Streptomyces cinereospinus NBRC 15397(T) (99.18 % similarity), Streptomyces mexicanus NBRC 100915(T) (99.17 %) and Streptomyces coeruleofuscus NBRC 12757(T) (98.97 %). DNA-DNA relatedness between MUSC 135(T) and closely related type strains ranged from 26.3±2.1 to 49.6±2.5 %. BOX-PCR fingerprint comparisons showed that MUSC 135(T) exhibited a unique DNA profile. The DNA G+C content determined was 70.7±0.3 mol%. Based on our polyphasic study of MUSC 135(T), the strain merits assignment to a novel species, for which the name Streptomyces pluripotens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MUSC 135(T) ( = MCCC 1K00252(T) = DSM 42140(T)).
    MeSH terms: Antibiosis*; Bacteriocins/biosynthesis*; Base Composition; Diaminopimelic Acid/chemistry; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Fatty Acids/chemistry; Malaysia; Molecular Sequence Data; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Peptidoglycan/chemistry; Phospholipids/chemistry; Phylogeny*; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics; Soil Microbiology*; Streptomyces/classification*; Streptomyces/genetics; Streptomyces/isolation & purification; Streptomyces/metabolism*; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Vitamin K 2/analogs & derivatives; Vitamin K 2/chemistry; Avicennia; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
  15. Yau KL, Poh GS, Chien SF, Al-Rawi HA
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:209810.
    PMID: 24995352 DOI: 10.1155/2014/209810
    Cognitive radio (CR) enables unlicensed users to exploit the underutilized spectrum in licensed spectrum whilst minimizing interference to licensed users. Reinforcement learning (RL), which is an artificial intelligence approach, has been applied to enable each unlicensed user to observe and carry out optimal actions for performance enhancement in a wide range of schemes in CR, such as dynamic channel selection and channel sensing. This paper presents new discussions of RL in the context of CR networks. It provides an extensive review on how most schemes have been approached using the traditional and enhanced RL algorithms through state, action, and reward representations. Examples of the enhancements on RL, which do not appear in the traditional RL approach, are rules and cooperative learning. This paper also reviews performance enhancements brought about by the RL algorithms and open issues. This paper aims to establish a foundation in order to spark new research interests in this area. Our discussion has been presented in a tutorial manner so that it is comprehensive to readers outside the specialty of RL and CR.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms*; Artificial Intelligence*; Computer Communication Networks*; Humans; Models, Theoretical*; Reinforcement (Psychology)*
  16. Han TK, Fen LB, Nee NM, Johan MR
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:847806.
    PMID: 24995365 DOI: 10.1155/2014/847806
    We report the synthesis of amorphous carbon nanotubes/silver (αCNTs/Ag) nanohybrids via simple chemical route without additional reactant and surfactant at low temperature. Field emission scanning microscope (FESEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) confirmed formation of CNTs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the amorphous phase of carbon and the formation of Ag nanoparticles crystalline phase. Raman spectra revealed the amorphous nature of α CNTs. UV-visible spectroscopy showed enhancement of optical properties of α CNTs/Ag nanohybrids.
    MeSH terms: Cold Temperature*; Silver/chemistry*; X-Ray Diffraction/methods; Nanotubes, Carbon/chemistry*; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  17. Ghani NA, Norizan SN, Chan XY, Yin WF, Chan KG
    Sensors (Basel), 2014;14(7):11760-9.
    PMID: 24995373 DOI: 10.3390/s140711760
    We report the degradation of quorum sensing N-acylhomoserine lactone molecules by a bacterium isolated from a Malaysian marine water sample. MALDI-TOF and phylogenetic analysis indicated this isolate BM1 clustered closely to Labrenzia sp. The quorum quenching activity of this isolate was confirmed by using a series of bioassays and rapid resolution liquid chromatography analysis. Labrenzia sp. degraded a wide range of N-acylhomoserine lactones namely N-(3-hexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL), N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C6-HSL) and N-(3-hydroxyhexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3-hydroxy-C6-HSL). Re-lactonisation bioassays confirmed Labrenzia sp. BM1 degraded these signalling molecules efficiently via lactonase activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documentation of a Labrenzia sp. capable of degrading N-acylhomoserine lactones and confirmation of its lactonase-based mechanism of action.
    MeSH terms: Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases/metabolism*; Enzyme Activation; Species Specificity; Signal Transduction/physiology*; Alphaproteobacteria/classification*; Alphaproteobacteria/isolation & purification; Alphaproteobacteria/physiology*; Quorum Sensing/physiology*; Acyl-Butyrolactones/metabolism*
  18. AlKasseh AS, Zaki NM, Aljeesh YI, Soon LK
    East Mediterr Health J, 2014 Jan 09;19 Suppl 3:S12-8.
    PMID: 24995734
    To determine the risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus in refugee populations in the Gaza Strip, a retrospective case-control study was performed between March and June 2011 in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) primary health care clinics. Data were collected on maternal sociodemographics and the prevalence of diagnosed GDM according to World Health Organization criteria from clinics where postnatal Palestinian refugee women had been diagnosed with GDM during previous pregnancies, and non-GDM women were used as controls. Sociodemographic characteristics, pre-pregnancy body-mass index (BMI), obstetrics history and family history of diabetes were used as study variables. In total, 189 incident cases of GDM were identified. The most significant risk factors for GDM were: history of miscarriage more than once; overweight before pregnancy; history of stillbirth; history of caesarean birth; and positive family history of diabetes mellitus.
    MeSH terms: Abortion, Spontaneous; Cesarean Section; Female; Humans; Middle East; Obstetrics; Pregnancy; Primary Health Care; Refugees; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; United Nations; Body Mass Index; Prevalence; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes, Gestational; Arabs; Gravidity; Overweight; Stillbirth
  19. Karimian H, Mohan S, Moghadamtousi SZ, Fadaeinasab M, Razavi M, Arya A, et al.
    Molecules, 2014 Jul 03;19(7):9478-501.
    PMID: 24995928 DOI: 10.3390/molecules19079478
    Tanacetum polycephalum (L.) Schultz-Bip (Mokhaleseh) has been traditionally used in the treatment of headaches, migraines, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate its anticancer properties and possible mechanism of action using MCF7 as an in vitro model. T. polycephalum leaves were extracted using hexane, chloroform and methanol solvents and the cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Detection of the early apoptotic cells was investigated using acridine orange/propidium iodide staining. An Annexin-V-FITC assay was carried out to observe the phosphatidylserine externalization as a marker for apoptotic cells. High content screening was applied to analyze the cell membrane permeability, nuclear condensation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cytochrome c release. Apoptosis was confirmed by using caspase-8, caspase-9 and DNA laddering assays. In addition, Bax/Bcl-2 expressions and cell cycle arrest also have been investigated. MTT assay revealed significant cytotoxicity of T. Polycephalum hexane extract (TPHE) on MCF7 cells with the IC50 value of 6.42±0.35 µg/mL. Significant increase in chromatin condensation was also observed via fluorescence analysis. Treatment of MCF7 cells with TPHE encouraged apoptosis through reduction of MMP by down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax, triggering the cytochrome c leakage from mitochondria to the cytosol. The treated MCF7 cells significantly arrested at G1 phase. The chromatographic analysis elicited that the major active compound in this extract is 8β-hydroxy-4β,15-dihydrozaluzanin C. Taken together, the results presented in this study demonstrated that the hexane extract of T. Polycephalum inhibits the proliferation of MCF7 cells, resulting in the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which was explained to be through the mitochondrial pathway.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cell Movement/drug effects*; Cell Survival; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Humans; Mitochondria/drug effects; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Up-Regulation; Apoptosis*; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Tanacetum/chemistry*; Cell Proliferation; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/metabolism; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects; MCF-7 Cells
  20. Loh TC, Choe DW, Foo HL, Sazili AQ, Bejo MH
    BMC Vet Res, 2014;10:149.
    PMID: 24996258 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-149
    Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are able to colonize the host digestive system, increasing the natural flora and preventing colonization of pathogenic organisms and thus, securing optimal utility of the feed. However, commercial probiotic often do not meet the expected standards and the viability of the efficacy of these strains remains questionable. Another major issue has been highlighted in relation to the application of antibiotic resistant probiotics, the antibiotic resistant gene can be transferred between organisms. Recently, postbiotic metabolites produced from microbes have been extensively studied as feed additive in order to substitute in-feed antibiotics.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed/analysis; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Chickens/physiology*; Cholesterol/blood*; Diet/veterinary; Eggs/standards*; Enterobacteriaceae/isolation & purification; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Feces/microbiology; Feces/chemistry*; Female; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Dietary Supplements*; Lactobacillus plantarum/classification*
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