Browse publications by year: 2014

Fulltext Isolation and characterization of CCoAOMT in interspecific hybrid of Acacia auriculiformis x Acacia mangium--a key gene in lignin biosynthesis

Pang SL, Ong SS, Lee HH, Zamri Z, Kandasamy KI, Choong CY, et al.

Genet. Mol. Res., 2014;13(3):7217-38.
PMID: 25222227 DOI: 10.4238/2014.September.5.7

This study was directed at the understanding of the function of CCoAOMT isolated from Acacia auriculiformis x Acacia mangium. Full length cDNA of the Acacia hybrid CCoAOMT (AhCCoAOMT) was 1024-bp long, containing 750-bp coding regions, with one major open reading frame of 249 amino acids. On the other hand, full length genomic sequence of the CCoAOMT (AhgflCCoAOMT) was 2548 bp long, containing three introns and four exons with a 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of 391 bp in length. The 5'UTR of the characterized CCoAOMT gene contains various regulatory elements. Southern analysis revealed that the Acacia hybrid has more than three copies of the CCoAOMT gene. Real-time PCR showed that this gene was expressed in root, inner bark, leaf, flower and seed pod of the Acacia hybrid. Downregulation of the homologous CCoAOMT gene in tobacco by antisense (AS) and intron-containing hairpin (IHP) constructs containing partial AhCCoAOMT led to reduction in lignin content. Expression of the CCoAOMT in AS line (pART-HAS78-03) and IHP line (pART-HIHP78-06) was reduced respectively by 37 and 75% compared to the control, resulting in a decrease in the estimated lignin content by 24 and 56%, respectively. AhCCoAOMT was found to have altered not only S and G units but also total lignin content, which is of economic value to the pulp industry. Subsequent polymorphism analysis of this gene across eight different genetic backgrounds each of A. mangium and A. auriculiformis revealed 47 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in A. auriculiformis CCoAOMT and 30 SNPs in A. mangium CCoAOMT.

MeSH terms: Acacia/genetics*; Acacia/metabolism*; Amino Acid Sequence; Base Sequence; Cloning, Molecular; Genetic Vectors/genetics; Hybridization, Genetic*; Lignin/biosynthesis*; Methyltransferases/genetics*; Methyltransferases/chemistry; Molecular Sequence Data; Organ Specificity/genetics; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Tobacco/genetics; Tobacco/metabolism; Gene Expression; Sequence Alignment; DNA, Complementary/genetics; DNA, Complementary/chemistry; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Stems/cytology; Plant Stems/genetics; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Gene Order; Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional
Fulltext Assessing the genetic relationships of Curcuma alismatifolia varieties using simple sequence repeat markers

Taheri S, Abdullah TL, Abdullah NA, Ahmad Z, Karimi E, Shabanimofrad MR

Genet. Mol. Res., 2014;13(3):7339-46.
PMID: 25222232 DOI: 10.4238/2014.September.5.12

The genus Curcuma is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) that has recently become popular for use as flowering pot plants, both indoors and as patio and landscape plants. We used PCR-based molecular markers (SSRs) to elucidate genetic variation and relationships between five varieties of Curcuma (Curcuma alismatifolia) cultivated in Malaysia. Of the primers tested, 8 (of 17) SSR primers were selected for their reproducibility and high rates of polymorphism. The number of presumed alleles revealed by the SSR analysis ranged from two to six alleles, with a mean value of 3.25 alleles per locus. The values of HO and HE ranged from 0 to 0.8 (mean value of 0.2) and 0.1837 to 0.7755 (mean value of 0.5102), respectively. Eight SSR primers yielded 26 total amplified fragments and revealed high rates of polymorphism among the varieties studied. The polymorphic information content varied from 0.26 to 0.73. Dice's similarity coefficient was calculated for all pairwise comparisons and used to construct an unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) dendrogram. Similarity coefficient values from 0.2105 to 0.6667 (with an average of 0.4386) were found among the five varieties examined. A cluster analysis of data using a UPGMA algorithm divided the five varieties/hybrids into 2 groups.

MeSH terms: Alleles; Phylogeny*; Polymorphism, Genetic; Genetic Variation*; Microsatellite Repeats*; Curcuma/classification*; Curcuma/genetics*; Genetic Loci
Synergistic effects of chitosan scaffold and TGFβ1 on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth

Farea M, Husein A, Halim AS, Abdullah NA, Mokhtar KI, Lim CK, et al.

Arch Oral Biol, 2014 Dec;59(12):1400-11.
PMID: 25222336 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2014.08.015

Multipotent stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) represent a promising cell source for tissue regeneration. In the present study we decided to test the inductive effect of chitosan and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) as a scaffold/factor combination on SHED proliferation and osteogenic differentiation.

MeSH terms: Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism; Cell Adhesion; Cell Differentiation/drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Dental Pulp/cytology*; Humans; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Osteogenesis/drug effects*; RNA/analysis; Stem Cells/cytology*; Stem Cells/drug effects; Stem Cells/metabolism; Tooth, Deciduous/cytology*; Blotting, Western; Tissue Engineering; Chitosan/pharmacology*; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology*; Tissue Scaffolds*; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Functional features and protein network of human sperm-egg interaction

Sabetian S, Shamsir MS, Abu Naser M

Syst Biol Reprod Med, 2014 Dec;60(6):329-37.
PMID: 25222562 DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2014.955896

Elucidation of the sperm-egg interaction at the molecular level is one of the unresolved problems in sexual reproduction, and understanding the molecular mechanism is crucial in solving problems in infertility and failed in vitro fertilization (IVF). Many molecular interactions in the form of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) mediate the sperm-egg membrane interaction. Due to the complexity of the problem such as difficulties in analyzing in vivo membrane PPIs, many efforts have failed to comprehensively elucidate the fusion mechanism and the molecular interactions that mediate sperm-egg membrane fusion. The main purpose of this study was to reveal possible protein interactions and associated molecular function during sperm-egg interaction using a protein interaction network approach. Different databases have been used to construct the human sperm-egg interaction network. The constructed network revealed new interactions. These included CD151 and CD9 in human oocyte that interact with CD49 in sperm, and CD49 and ITGA4 in sperm that interact with CD63 and CD81, respectively, in the oocyte. These results showed that the different integrins in sperm may be involved in human sperm-egg interaction. It was also suggested that sperm ADAM2 plays a role as a protein candidate involved in sperm-egg membrane interaction by interacting with CD9 in the oocyte. Interleukin-4 receptor activity, receptor signaling protein tyrosine kinase activity, and manganese ion transmembrane transport activity are the major molecular functions in sperm-egg interaction protein network. The disease association analysis indicated that sperm-egg interaction defects are also reflected in other disease networks such as cardiovascular, hematological, and breast cancer diseases. By analyzing the network, we identified the major molecular functions and disease association genes in sperm-egg interaction protein. Further experimental studies will be required to confirm the significance of these new computationally resolved interactions and the genetic links between sperm-egg interaction abnormalities and the associated disease.

MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Male; Oocytes/metabolism*; Proteins/metabolism*; Sperm-Ovum Interactions*; Spermatozoa/metabolism*; Signal Transduction; Computational Biology; Databases, Protein; Systems Biology; Protein Interaction Maps*
Internal radiation dosimetry of orally administered radiotracers for the assessment of gastrointestinal motility

Yeong CH, Ng KH, Abdullah BJJ, Chung LY, Goh KL, Perkins AC

Appl Radiat Isot, 2014 Dec;94:216-220.
PMID: 25222875 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2014.08.009

Radionuclide imaging using (111)In, (99m)Tc and (153)Sm is commonly undertaken for the clinical investigation of gastric emptying, intestinal motility and whole gut transit. However the documented evidence concerning internal radiation dosimetry for such studies is not readily available. This communication documents the internal radiation dosimetry for whole gastrointestinal transit studies using (111)In, (99m)Tc and (153)Sm labeled formulations. The findings were compared to the diagnostic reference levels recommended by the United Kingdom Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee, for gastrointestinal transit studies.

MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Computer Simulation; Gastrointestinal Motility/physiology*; Humans; Metabolic Clearance Rate; Models, Biological*; Radiation Dosage; Radiometry/methods*; Radionuclide Imaging; Sensitivity and Specificity; Reproducibility of Results; Radiopharmaceuticals/administration & dosage; Radiopharmaceuticals/pharmacokinetics*; Gastrointestinal Tract/metabolism*
Transient isotachophoresis-capillary zone electrophoresis with contactless conductivity and ultraviolet detection for the analysis of paralytic shellfish toxins in mussel samples

Abdul Keyon AS, Guijt RM, Bolch CJ, Breadmore MC

J Chromatogr A, 2014 Oct 17;1364:295-302.
PMID: 25223612 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.08.074

The accumulation of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in contaminated shellfish is a serious health risk making early detection important to improve shellfish safety and biotoxin management. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) has been proven as a high resolution separation technique compatible with miniaturization, making it an attractive choice in the development of portable instrumentation for early, on-site detection of PSTs. In this work, capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector (C(4)D) and UV detection were examined with counter-flow transient isotachophoresis (tITP) to improve the sensitivity and deal with the high conductivity sample matrix. The high sodium concentration in the sample was used as the leading ion while l-alanine was used as the terminating electrolyte (TE) and background electrolyte (BGE) in which the toxins were separated. Careful optimization of the injected sample volume and duration of the counter-flow resulted in limit of detections (LODs) ranging from 74.2 to 1020 ng/mL for tITP-CZE-C(4)D and 141 to 461 ng/mL for tITP-CZE-UV, an 8-97 fold reduction compared to conventional CZE. The LODs were adequate for the analysis of PSTs in shellfish samples close to the regulatory limit. Intra-day and inter-day repeatability values (percentage relative standard deviation, n=3) of tITP-CZE-C(4)D and tITP-CZE-UV methods for both migration time and peak height were in the range of 0.82-11% and 0.76-10%, respectively. The developed method was applied to the analysis of a contaminated mussel sample and validated against an Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC)-approved method for PSTs analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD) after pre-column oxidation of the sample. The method presented has potential for incorporation in to field-deployable devices for the early detection of PSTs on-site.

MeSH terms: Alanine; Animals; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Electrolytes; Mollusk Venoms/analysis*; Shellfish/analysis*; Electrophoresis, Capillary/methods; Bivalvia/chemistry*; Isotachophoresis/methods
Aberrant proteins featured in the saliva of habitual betel quid chewers: an indication of early oral premalignancy?

Jessie K, Jayapalan JJ, Rahim ZH, Hashim OH

Electrophoresis, 2014 Dec;35(24):3504-11.
PMID: 25223738 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201400252

Prolonged chewing of betel quid is known to cause oral diseases, including cancer. The present study was performed to screen for aberrant proteins in the saliva of habitual betel quid chewers compared to nonchewers. Saliva of female subjects (n = 10) who had been chewing betel quid for more than 20 years and nonbetel quid chewers (n = 10) of the same gender and range of age was analyzed by gel-based proteomics. Increased structural microheterogeneity of saliva haptoglobin beta chains indicated by shifts of focused spots similar to that earlier reported in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, and their relatively higher abundance compared to nonbetel quid chewers, were detected in saliva protein profiles of all chewers. In addition, the majority of the betel quid chewers also showed significant higher abundance of hemopexin, alpha-1B glycoprotein, alpha1-antitrypsin, complement C3, and transthyretin. These proteins had previously been associated with several different cancers. Our data demonstrated different forms of protein aberration in the saliva of betel quid chewers, which may be indicative of early oral precancerous conditions.

MeSH terms: Acute-Phase Proteins/analysis*; Acute-Phase Proteins/chemistry; Adult; Areca/poisoning*; Female; Habits; Humans; Mastication; Middle Aged; Precancerous Conditions/etiology*; Precancerous Conditions/metabolism*; Saliva/chemistry*; Salivary Proteins and Peptides/analysis*; Salivary Proteins and Peptides/chemistry; Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis*; Biomarkers, Tumor/chemistry; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; Case-Control Studies
Fulltext Plasmodium knowlesi malaria an emerging public health problem in Hulu Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia (2009-2013): epidemiologic and entomologic analysis

Vythilingam I, Lim YA, Venugopalan B, Ngui R, Leong CS, Wong ML, et al.

Parasit Vectors, 2014;7:436.
PMID: 25223878 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-436

While transmission of the human Plasmodium species has declined, a significant increase in Plasmodium knowlesi/Plasmodium malariae cases was reported in Hulu Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia. Thus, a study was undertaken to determine the epidemiology and the vectors involved in the transmission of knowlesi malaria.

MeSH terms: Adult; Animals; Anopheles/classification; Anopheles/parasitology*; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Geography; Humans; Insect Vectors/classification; Insect Vectors/parasitology*; Malaria/epidemiology; Malaria/parasitology; Malaria/transmission*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Public Health; Retrospective Studies; Plasmodium knowlesi/genetics; Plasmodium knowlesi/isolation & purification*; Communicable Diseases, Emerging/epidemiology; Communicable Diseases, Emerging/parasitology; Communicable Diseases, Emerging/transmission*; Young Adult
The use of the FACT-H&N (v4) in clinical settings within a developing country: a mixed method study

Bilal S, Doss JG, Rogers SN

J Craniomaxillofac Surg, 2014 Dec;42(8):1590-7.
PMID: 25224886 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcms.2014.04.015

In the last decade there has been an increasing awareness about 'quality of life' (QOL) of cancer survivors in developing countries. The study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and validate the FACT-H&N (v4) in Urdu language for Pakistani head and neck cancer patients. In this study the 'same language adaptation method' was used. Cognitive debriefing through in-depth interviews of 25 patients to assess semantic, operational and conceptual equivalence was done. The validation phase included 50 patients to evaluate the psychometric properties. The translated FACT-H&N was easily comprehended (100%). Cronbach's alpha for FACT-G subscales ranged from 0.726 - 0.969. The head and neck subscale and Pakistani questions subscale showed low internal consistency (0.426 and 0.541 respectively). Instrument demonstrated known-group validity in differentiating patients of different clinical stages, treatment status and tumor sites (p < 0.05). Most FACT summary scales correlated strongly with each other (r > 0.75) and showed convergent validity (r > 0.90), with little discriminant validity. Factor analysis revealed 6 factors explaining 85.1% of the total variance with very good (>0.8) Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and highly significant Bartlett's Test of Sphericity (p < 0.001). The cross-culturally adapted FACT-H&N into Urdu language showed adequate reliability and validity to be incorporated in Pakistani clinical settings for head and neck cancer patients.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Attitude to Health; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/ethnology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/psychology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy; Communication; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Developing Countries*; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms/ethnology; Head and Neck Neoplasms/psychology*; Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Pakistan/ethnology; Psychometrics; Quality of Life*; Reproducibility of Results; Discriminant Analysis; Qualitative Research; Cultural Competency; Young Adult
Psychological distress among parents having offspring with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - A clinical view point

Alwi N, Harun D, Henry LJ

Disabil Health J, 2014 Oct;7(4):369-70.
PMID: 25224978 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2014.04.008
Fulltext Predictors of frequent oral analgesic use in rheumatoid arthritis

Das Gupta E, Tee HS, Sakthiswary R

Pak J Med Sci, 2014 Sep;30(5):976-81.
PMID: 25225510 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.305.5112

Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine the predictors of frequent oral analgesic use among Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients who were prescribed with the above medication on an ‘as needed’ basis.
Methods: Patients with RA were recruited consecutively from the Rheumatology outpatient clinics in this cross-sectional study. The sociodemographic data, frequency of oral analgesic intake, Patient Global Assessment (PGA) scores and HAQ (Health Assessment Questionnaire) scores were determined by interviewing the subjects. Subjects were divided into 2 groups; frequent users (3 days and above in a week) and less frequent users (less than 3 days in a week).
Results: In a total of 112 subjects, 39 (34.8%) were frequent analgesic users. Both the HAQ and PGA scores were significantly higher among the frequent users (p < 0.05). Using multivariate analysis, the HAQ scores (p=0.015, odds ratio 3.161 [95% confidence interval of 1.246-8.015]) and PGA scores (p=0.039 odds ratio 1.291 [95% confidence interval of 1.012-1.646]) were found to be independent predictors of frequent analgesic use.
Conclusions: Our study confirms that the frequency of analgesic intake in Rheumatoid Arthritis has a significant relationship with patient-reported functional capacity and well being.
KEY WORDS: Analgesic, Rheumatoid arthritis.

Study site: Rheumatology clinic, Hospital Tunku Jaafar, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

MeSH terms: Adult; Analgesics*; Arthritis, Rheumatoid*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hospitals, General; Humans; Malaysia
Fulltext Identification of genotypes of Influenza A virus in Malaysia

Mm R, Kk W, I I, Zz R, H A

Pak J Med Sci, 2014 Sep;30(5):1068-71.
PMID: 25225528 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.305.5224

OBJECTIVE: Influenza is considered as an emerging disease until today. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalent genotypes of Influenza A virus in Malaysia.
METHODS: Influenza A virus was identified from respiratory specimens by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Phylogenetic analysis of the identified isolates was performed and genotypes were detected.
RESULTS: A total number of 505 throat swabs and nasopharyngeal aspirates were examined by rRT-PCR at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) in which 65(12.87%) were positive for influenza A. The identified isolates were successfully genotyped by phylogenetic analysis. The identified influenza A genotypes were: H1N1 (42), H3N2 (20) and H5N1 (3).
CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that 3 genotypes were circulating in Malaysia during 2011 in which H1N1 was the predominant. RESULTS added new genotype (H5N1) identification record in Malaysia that may be added in data base of WHO and CDC.
Implant-based oral rehabilitation of a variant model of type I dentinal dysplasia: A rare case report

Nettem S, Nettemu SK, Basha K, Venkatachalapathi S

Dent Res J (Isfahan), 2014 Jul;11(4):513-7.
PMID: 25225567

Dentin dysplasia is an exceptionally rare, autosomal-dominant, hereditary condition, primarily characterized by defective dentin formation affecting both the deciduous and permanent dentitions. The etiology remains imprecise to date, in spite of the numerous hypotheses put forward and the constant updates on this condition. This case report of type I dentin dysplasia exhibits radiographic findings that are unique and diverse from the classical findings of various subtypes of this disease reported to date. This article also depicts the implant-based oral rehabilitation of the young patient diagnosed with this variant model of dentin dysplasia type I. Early diagnosis and implementation of this preventive and curative therapy is vital for avoiding premature exfoliation of deciduous and permanent dentition and the associated residual ridge resorption, thereby overcoming functional and esthetic deficits and ensuring protection of the remaining dentition from further harm.
Fulltext Effects of solder temperature on pin through-hole during wave soldering: thermal-fluid structure interaction analysis

Aziz MS, Abdullah MZ, Khor CY

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:482363.
PMID: 25225638 DOI: 10.1155/2014/482363

An efficient simulation technique was proposed to examine the thermal-fluid structure interaction in the effects of solder temperature on pin through-hole during wave soldering. This study investigated the capillary flow behavior as well as the displacement, temperature distribution, and von Mises stress of a pin passed through a solder material. A single pin through-hole connector mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) was simulated using a 3D model solved by FLUENT. The ABAQUS solver was employed to analyze the pin structure at solder temperatures of 456.15 K (183(°)C) < T < 643.15 K (370(°)C). Both solvers were coupled by the real time coupling software and mesh-based parallel code coupling interface during analysis. In addition, an experiment was conducted to measure the temperature difference (ΔT) between the top and the bottom of the pin. Analysis results showed that an increase in temperature increased the structural displacement and the von Mises stress. Filling time exhibited a quadratic relationship to the increment of temperature. The deformation of pin showed a linear correlation to the temperature. The ΔT obtained from the simulation and the experimental method were validated. This study elucidates and clearly illustrates wave soldering for engineers in the PCB assembly industry.

MeSH terms: Algorithms; Models, Theoretical*
The energy cost of water independence: the case of Singapore

Vincent L, Michel L, Catherine C, Pauline R

Water Sci Technol, 2014;70(5):787-94.
PMID: 25225924 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2014.290

Finding alternative resources to secure or increase water availability is a key issue in most urban areas. This makes the research of alternative and local water resources of increasing importance. In the context of political tension with its main water provider (Malaysia), Singapore has been implementing a comprehensive water policy for some decades, which relies on water demand management and local water resource mobilisation in order to reach water self-sufficiency by 2060. The production of water from alternative resources through seawater desalination or water reclamation implies energy consumptive technologies such as reverse osmosis. In the context of increasing energy costs and high primary energy dependency, this water self-sufficiency objective is likely to be an important challenge for Singapore. The aim of this paper is to quantify the long-term impact of Singapore's water policy on the national electricity bill and to investigate the impact of Singapore's projects to reduce its water energy footprint. We estimate that 2.0% of the Singaporean electricity demand is already dedicated to water and wastewater treatment processes. If its water-energy footprint dramatically increases in the coming decades, ambitious research projects may buffer the energy cost of water self-sufficiency.

MeSH terms: Electricity; Energy-Generating Resources; Malaysia; Seawater; Singapore; Water; Water Supply*; Water Purification/economics*; Water Cycle; Waste Water
Intimate partner violence and its association with maternal depressive symptoms 6-8 months after childbirth in rural Bangladesh

Kabir ZN, Nasreen HE, Edhborg M

Glob Health Action, 2014 Dec;7(1):24725.
PMID: 28672475 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v7.24725

Background The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), a gross violation of human rights, ranges widely across the world with higher prevalence reported in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence related mainly to physical health shows that IPV has both direct and indirect impacts on women's health. Little is known about the impact of IPV on the mental health of women, particularly after childbirth. Objective To describe the prevalence of IPV experienced by women 6-8 months after childbirth in rural Bangladesh and the factors associated with physical IPV. The study also aims to investigate the association between IPV and maternal depressive symptoms after childbirth. Design The study used cross-sectional data at 6-8 months postpartum. The sample included 660 mothers of newborn children. IPV was assessed by physical, emotional, and sexual violence. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale assessed maternal depressive symptoms. Results Prevalence of physical IPV was 52%, sexual 65%, and emotional 84%. The husband's education (OR: 0.41, CI: 0.23-0.73), a poor relationship with the husband (OR: 2.64, CI: 1.07-6.54), and emotional violence by spouse (OR: 1.58, CI: 1.35-1.83) were significantly associated with physical IPV experienced by women. The perception of a fussy and difficult child (OR: 1.05, CI: 1.02-1.08), a poor relationship with the husband (OR: 4.95, CI: 2.55-9.62), and the experience of physical IPV (OR: 2.83, CI: 1.72-4.64) were found to be significant predictors of maternal depressive symptoms among women 6-8 months after childbirth. Neither forced sex nor emotional violence by an intimate partner was found to be significantly associated with maternal depressive symptoms 6-8 months postpartum. Conclusions It is important to screen for both IPV and depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum. Since IPV and spousal relationships are the most important predictors of maternal depressive symptoms in this study, couple-focused interventions at the community level are suggested.
Fabrication of multilayer-PDMS based microfluidic device for bio-particles concentration detection

Masrie M, Majlis BY, Yunas J

Biomed Mater Eng, 2014;24(6):1951-8.
PMID: 25226891 DOI: 10.3233/BME-141004

This paper discusses the process technology to fabricate multilayer-Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based microfluidic device for bio-particles concentration detection in Lab-on-chip system. The micro chamber and the fluidic channel were fabricated using standard photolithography and soft lithography process. Conventional method by pouring PDMS on a silicon wafer and peeling after curing in soft lithography produces unspecific layer thickness. In this work, a multilayer-PDMS method is proposed to produce a layer with specific and fixed thickness micron size after bonding that act as an optimum light path length for optimum light detection. This multilayer with precise thickness is required since the microfluidic is integrated with optical transducer. Another significant advantage of this method is to provide excellent bonding between multilayer-PDMS layer and biocompatible microfluidic channel. The detail fabrication process were illustrated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and discussed in this work. The optical signal responses obtained from the multilayer-PDMS microfluidic channel with integrated optical transducer were compared with those obtained with the microfluidic channel from a conventional method. As a result, both optical signal responses did not show significant differences in terms of dispersion of light propagation for both media.

MeSH terms: Biopolymers/analysis*; Dimethylpolysiloxanes/chemical synthesis*; Equipment Design; Microchemistry/instrumentation*; Photometry/instrumentation*; Surface Properties; Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation*; Equipment Failure Analysis; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/instrumentation*; Molecular Imprinting/methods*
A comparison of brain phantom relative permittivity with CST simulation library and existing research

Chew KM, Seman N, Sudirman R, Yong CY

Biomed Mater Eng, 2014;24(6):2161-7.
PMID: 25226914 DOI: 10.3233/BME-141027

The development of human-like brain phantom is important for data acquisition in microwave imaging. The characteristics of the phantom should be based on the real human body dielectric properties such as relative permittivity. The development of phantom includes the greymatter and whitematter regions, each with a relative permittivity of 38 and 28 respectively at 10 GHz frequency. Results were compared with the value obtained from the standard library of Computer Simulation Technology (CST) simulation application and the existing research by Fernandez and Gabriel. Our experimental results show a positive outcome, in which the proposed mixture was adequate to represent real human brain for data acquisition.

MeSH terms: Algorithms*; Brain/anatomy & histology*; Brain/physiology*; Computer Simulation; Electric Conductivity; Humans; Microwaves*; Models, Neurological*; Plethysmography, Impedance/instrumentation*; Plethysmography, Impedance/methods; Sensitivity and Specificity; Reproducibility of Results; Phantoms, Imaging*; Evidence-Based Medicine
Intramedullary cement osteosynthesis (IMCO): a pilot study in sheep

Mirzasadeghi A, Narayanan SS, Ng MH, Sanaei R, Cheng CH, Bajuri MY, et al.

Biomed Mater Eng, 2014;24(6):2177-86.
PMID: 25226916 DOI: 10.3233/BME-141029

The application of bone substitutes and cements has a long standing history in augmenting fractures as a complement to routine fracture fixation techniques. Nevertheless, such use is almost always in conjunction with definite means of fracture fixation such as intramedullary pins or bone plates. The idea of using biomaterials as the primary fixation bears the possibility of simultaneous fixation and bone enhancement. Intramedullary recruitment of bone cements is suggested in this study to achieve this goal. However, as the method needs primary testings in animal models before human implementation, and since the degree of ambulation is not predictable in animals, this pilot study only evaluates the outcomes regarding the feasibility and safety of this method in the presence of primary bone fixators. A number of two sheep were used in this study. Tibial transverse osteotomies were performed in both animals followed by external skeletal fixation. The medullary canals, which have already been prepared by removing the marrow through proximal and distal drill holes, were then injected with calcium phosphate cement (CPC). The outcomes were evaluated postoperatively by standard survey radiographs, morphology, histology and biomechanical testings. Healing processes appeared uncomplicated until week four where one bone fracture recurred due to external fixator failure. The results showed 56% and 48% cortical thickening, compared to the opposite site, in the fracture site and proximal and distal diaphyses respectively. This bone augmentative effect resulted in 264% increase in bending strength of the fracture site and 148% increase of the same value in the adjacent areas of diaphyses. In conclusion, IMCO, using CPC in tibia of sheep, is safe and biocompatible with bone physiology and healing. It possibly can carry the osteopromotive effect of the CPCs to provide a sustained source of bone augmentation throughout the diaphysis. Although the results must be considered preliminary, this method has possible advantages over conventional methods of bone fixation at least in bones with compromised quality (i.e. osteoporosis and bone cysts), where rigid metal implants may jeopardize eggshell cortices.

MeSH terms: Animals; Bone Cements/therapeutic use*; Calcium Phosphates/administration & dosage*; Cementation/methods*; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*; Pilot Projects; Sheep; Tibial Fractures/radiography*; Tibial Fractures/therapy*; Treatment Outcome
Effect of hydrofluoric acid (HF) concentration to pores size diameter of silicon membrane

Burham N, Hamzah AA, Majlis BY

Biomed Mater Eng, 2014;24(6):2203-9.
PMID: 25226919 DOI: 10.3233/BME-141032

This paper studies parameters which affect the pore size diameter of a silicon membrane. Electrochemical etching is performed in characterise the parameter involved in this process. The parameter has been studied is volume ratio of hydrofluoric acid (HF) and ethanol as an electrolyte aqueous for electrochemical etch. This electrolyte aqueous solution has been mixed between HF and ethanol with volume ratio 3:7, 5:5, 7:3 and 9:1. As a result, the higher volume of HF in this electrolyte gives the smallest pore size diameter compared to the lower volume of HF. These samples have been dipped into HF and ethanol electrolyte aqueous with supplied 25 mA/cm2 current density for 20, 30, 40, and 50 minutes. The samples will inspect under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to execute the pore formations on silicon membrane surface.

MeSH terms: Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*; Electroplating/methods; Hydrofluoric Acid/chemistry*; Materials Testing; Membranes, Artificial*; Particle Size; Silicon/chemistry*; Surface Properties; Porosity; Nanostructures/ultrastructure*; Nanostructures/chemistry*; Nanopores/ultrastructure*

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