Browse publications by year: 2014

  1. Raes N, Cannon CH, Hijmans RJ, Piessens T, Saw LG, van Welzen PC, et al.
    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2014 Nov 25;111(47):16790-5.
    PMID: 25385612 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1403053111
    The extent of Dipterocarp rainforests on the emergent Sundaland landmass in Southeast Asia during Quaternary glaciations remains a key question. A better understanding of the biogeographic history of Sundaland could help explain current patterns of biodiversity and support the development of effective forest conservation strategies. Dipterocarpaceae trees dominate the rainforests of Sundaland, and their distributions serve as a proxy for rainforest extent. We used species distribution models (SDMs) of 317 Dipterocarp species to estimate the geographic extent of appropriate climatic conditions for rainforest on Sundaland at the last glacial maximum (LGM). The SDMs suggest that the climate of central Sundaland at the LGM was suitable to sustain Dipterocarp rainforest, and that the presence of a previously suggested transequatorial savannah corridor at that time is unlikely. Our findings are supported by palynologic evidence, dynamic vegetation models, extant mammal and termite communities, vascular plant fatty acid stable isotopic compositions, and stable carbon isotopic compositions of cave guano profiles. Although Dipterocarp species richness was generally lower at the LGM, areas of high species richness were mostly found off the current islands and on the emergent Sunda Shelf, indicating substantial species migration and mixing during the transitions between the Quaternary glacial maxima and warm periods such as the present.
    MeSH terms: Climate; Malaysia; Forests*
  2. Binns C, Low WY
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2014 Nov;26(6):557-9.
    PMID: 25385927 DOI: 10.1177/1010539514557441
    MeSH terms: Asia; Humans; Italy; Occupational Medicine/history*; Pacific Islands; Occupational Health*; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century
  3. Lee Chin K, Ling Yap Y, Leng Lee W, Chang Soh Y
    Am J Pharm Educ, 2014 Oct 15;78(8):153.
    PMID: 25386018 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe788153
    To determine whether human patient simulation (HPS) is superior to case-based learning (CBL) in teaching diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and thyroid storm (TS) to pharmacy students.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Clinical Competence/standards; Computer Simulation/standards*; Data Collection/methods; Education, Pharmacy/methods; Education, Pharmacy/standards*; Educational Measurement/methods; Educational Measurement/standards*; Female; Humans; Male; Students, Pharmacy*; Cross-Over Studies; Problem-Based Learning/methods; Problem-Based Learning/standards*; Young Adult
  4. Ogawa S, Parhar IS
    PMID: 25386165 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00177
    Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) was discovered as a novel hypothalamic peptide that inhibits gonadotropin release in the quail. The presence of GnIH-homologous peptides and its receptors (GnIHRs) have been demonstrated in various vertebrate species including teleosts, suggesting that the GnIH-GnIHR family is evolutionarily conserved. In avian and mammalian brain, GnIH neurons are localized in the hypothalamic nuclei and their neural projections are widely distributed. GnIH acts on the pituitary and gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons to inhibit reproductive functions by decreasing gonadotropin release and synthesis. In addition, GnIH-GnIHR signaling is regulated by various factors, such as environmental cues and stress. However, the function of fish GnIH orthologs remains inconclusive because the physiological properties of fish GnIH peptides are debatable. This review summarizes the current research progress in GnIH-GnIHR signaling and their physiological functions in vertebrates with special emphasis on non-mammalian vertebrate species.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cues; Gonadotropins; Hypothalamus; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Neurons; Pituitary Gland; Quail
  5. Alam F, Islam MA, Gan SH, Khalil MI
    PMID: 25386217 DOI: 10.1155/2014/169130
    Diabetic wounds are unlike typical wounds in that they are slower to heal, making treatment with conventional topical medications an uphill process. Among several different alternative therapies, honey is an effective choice because it provides comparatively rapid wound healing. Although honey has been used as an alternative medicine for wound healing since ancient times, the application of honey to diabetic wounds has only recently been revived. Because honey has some unique natural features as a wound healer, it works even more effectively on diabetic wounds than on normal wounds. In addition, honey is known as an "all in one" remedy for diabetic wound healing because it can combat many microorganisms that are involved in the wound process and because it possesses antioxidant activity and controls inflammation. In this review, the potential role of honey's antibacterial activity on diabetic wound-related microorganisms and honey's clinical effectiveness in treating diabetic wounds based on the most recent studies is described. Additionally, ways in which honey can be used as a safer, faster, and effective healing agent for diabetic wounds in comparison with other synthetic medications in terms of microbial resistance and treatment costs are also described to support its traditional claims.
    MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antioxidants; Diabetes Mellitus; Honey; Inflammation; Wound Healing; Treatment Outcome; Health Care Costs
  6. Teo WP, Kannan A, Loh PK, Chew E, Sharma VK, Chan YC
    J Clin Diagn Res, 2014 Sep;8(9):MM01-2.
    PMID: 25386478 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/9377.4886
    BACKGROUND: Two small studies had evaluated the efficacy of rTMS in migraine. One tested high frequency rTMS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex while the other evaluated 1 Hz rTMS over the vertex.
    AIM: To test the feasibility of 10 Hz rTMS of motor cortex as an adjunctive therapy in patients with chronic migraine
    Materials and Methods: We randomized (2:1 ratio) chronic migraine patients on medical preventive treatment to receive either rTMS or sham therapy for 10 sessions. rTMS (80% resting motor threshold, 10Hz, 20 trains, 5 secs/train, inter-train interval 1 min, total 1000 stimuli/session) was applied over the right motor cortex.
    RESULT: Nine patients were randomized. Six received rTMS and three had sham therapy. Three patients in the rTMS arm withdrew from the study due to increased headache frequency and discomfort from the treatment. The remaining six cases (3 rTMS, 3 sham) completed the study. The study was prematurely stopped due to the significant worsening of headache from rTMS. No significant differences in outcome measures were found between real and sham rTMS.
    CONCLUSION: Although the study was terminated prematurely, the high dropout rate (50%) due to worsening headaches suggested that rTMS over the motor cortex is poorly tolerated in chronic migraine.
    KEYWORDS: Adverse effect; Central sensitization; Chronic migraine; Cortical excitability; Headache; rTMS
    Study site: Neuroscience clinic of National University Hospital, Singapore
    MeSH terms: Humans; Migraine Disorders*; Singapore
  7. Karimi A, Zarafshan F, Al-Haddad SA, Ramli AR
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:672832.
    PMID: 25386613 DOI: 10.1155/2014/672832
    Voting is an important operation in multichannel computation paradigm and realization of ultrareliable and real-time control systems that arbitrates among the results of N redundant variants. These systems include N-modular redundant (NMR) hardware systems and diversely designed software systems based on N-version programming (NVP). Depending on the characteristics of the application and the type of selected voter, the voting algorithms can be implemented for either hardware or software systems. In this paper, a novel voting algorithm is introduced for real-time fault-tolerant control systems, appropriate for applications in which N is large. Then, its behavior has been software implemented in different scenarios of error-injection on the system inputs. The results of analyzed evaluations through plots and statistical computations have demonstrated that this novel algorithm does not have the limitations of some popular voting algorithms such as median and weighted; moreover, it is able to significantly increase the reliability and availability of the system in the best case to 2489.7% and 626.74%, respectively, and in the worst case to 3.84% and 1.55%, respectively.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms*; Computers; Humans; Software*; Software Design
  8. Hakim H, Razak IA
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:747508.
    PMID: 25386615 DOI: 10.1155/2014/747508
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and level of dental fear among health related undergraduates and to identify factors causing such fear using Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey (DFS) questionnaire.
    METHODS: Kleinknecht's DFS questionnaire was used to assess dental fear and anxiety among the entire enrollment of the medical and dental undergraduates' of the University of Malaya.
    RESULTS: Overall response rate was 82.2%. Dental students reported higher prevalence of dental fear (96.0% versus 90.4%). However, most of the fear encountered among dental students was in the low fear category as compared to their medical counterpart (69.2 versus 51.2%). Significantly more medical students cancelled dental appointment due to fear compared to dental students (P = 0.004). "Heart beats faster" and "muscle being tensed" were the top two physiological responses experienced by the respondents. "Drill" and "anesthetic needle" were the most fear provoking objects among respondents of both faculties.
    CONCLUSION: Dental fear and anxiety are a common problem encountered among medical and dental undergraduates who represent future health care professionals. Also, high level of dental fear and anxiety leads to the avoidance of the dental services.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Collection; Dental Care/psychology*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Needles; Surveys and Questionnaires; Students, Dental/psychology*; Students, Medical/psychology*; Universities; Dental Anxiety/epidemiology; Dental Anxiety/psychology*; Young Adult
  9. Kumari Ramiah S, Meng GY, Ebrahimi M
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:949324.
    PMID: 25386625 DOI: 10.1155/2014/949324
    This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on fatty acid composition, lipoprotein content, lipid peroxidation, and meat colour of broiler chickens. A total of 180 broiler chickens were allocated to 3 dietary treatments (0, 2.5, and 5% Lutrell) and given a standard broiler starter diet and finisher diet. Body weight of chickens and feed intake were recorded weekly. After slaughter, the breast meat was aged at 4 °C for 0, 3, and 6 days. The fatty acid composition was measured in the breast meat. Body weight (BW) and feed efficiency were decreased by dietary CLA level (P < 0.05). Chicken fed with 2.5% Lutrell had the highest feed intake compared to the control (CON) group. The total CLA increased significantly (P < 0.05) in breast meat from birds supplemented with CLA. Propensity for lipid peroxidation was significantly higher after 6 days of meat storage (P < 0.05) and the redness in chicken breast meat was lower in CLA-fed birds (P < 0.05). It is also notable that a 5% Lutrell supplementation decreased the plasma total cholesterol (TC), low density protein (LDL), and HDL (high-density lipoprotein)/LDL ratio in chickens (P < 0.05).
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*; Body Composition; Chickens; Cholesterol/blood; Meat*; Oxidation-Reduction; Lipid Peroxidation; Dietary Supplements/adverse effects*; Linoleic Acids, Conjugated/administration & dosage*; Linoleic Acids, Conjugated/metabolism
  10. Khosravi Y, Dieye Y, Loke MF, Goh KL, Vadivelu J
    PLoS One, 2014;9(11):e112214.
    PMID: 25386948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112214
    Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major gastric pathogen that has been associated with humans for more than 60,000 years. H. pylori causes different gastric diseases including dyspepsia, ulcers and gastric cancers. Disease development depends on several factors including the infecting H. pylori strain, environmental and host factors. Another factor that might influence H. pylori colonization and diseases is the gastric microbiota that was overlooked for long because of the belief that human stomach was a hostile environment that cannot support microbial life. Once established, H. pylori mainly resides in the gastric mucosa and interacts with the resident bacteria. How these interactions impact on H. pylori-caused diseases has been poorly studied in human. In this study, we analyzed the interactions between H. pylori and two bacteria, Streptococcus mitis and Lactobacillus fermentum that are present in the stomach of both healthy and gastric disease human patients. We have found that S. mitis produced and released one or more diffusible factors that induce growth inhibition and coccoid conversion of H. pylori cells. In contrast, both H. pylori and L. fermentum secreted factors that promote survival of S. mitis during the stationary phase of growth. Using a metabolomics approach, we identified compounds that might be responsible for the conversion of H. pylori from spiral to coccoid cells. This study provide evidences that gastric bacteria influences H. pylori physiology and therefore possibly the diseases this bacterium causes.
    MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastric Mucosa/microbiology*; Humans; Helicobacter pylori/physiology*; Helicobacter Infections/microbiology*; Coculture Techniques; Streptococcus mitis/physiology*; Lactobacillus fermentum/physiology*
  11. Yuen FK
    Noise Health, 2014 Nov-Dec;16(73):427-36.
    PMID: 25387540 DOI: 10.4103/1463-1741.144429
    Environmental noise remains a complex and fragmented interplay between industrialization, population growth, technological developments, and the living environment. Next to the circulatory diseases and cancer, noise pollution has been cited as the third epidemic cause of psychological and physiological disorders internationally. A reliable and firm relationship between the cumulative health implications with the traffic annoyance and occupational noise has been established. This agenda has called for an integrated, coordinated, and participatory approach to the reliable protection of noise interference. Despite several fragmented policies, legislation and global efforts have been addressed; the noise pollution complaints have been traditionally neglected in developing countries, especially in Malaysia. This paper was undertaken to postulate an initial platform to address the dynamic pressures, gigantic challenges, and tremendous impacts of noise pollution scenario in Malaysia. The emphasis is speculated on the traffic interference and assessment of industrial and occupational noise. The fundamental importance of noise monitoring and modeling is proposed. Additionally, the confronting conservation program and control measure for noise pollution control are laconically elucidated.
    MeSH terms: Developing Countries; Environmental Monitoring; Health Policy*; Humans; Industry; Malaysia; Noise/adverse effects; Noise/legislation & jurisprudence; Noise/prevention & control; Noise, Occupational/adverse effects; Noise, Occupational/legislation & jurisprudence; Noise, Occupational/prevention & control*; Noise, Transportation/adverse effects; Noise, Transportation/legislation & jurisprudence; Noise, Transportation/prevention & control*; Public Health*
  12. Jaganathan S, Raman R
    Neurol India, 2014 Sep-Oct;62(5):567-8.
    PMID: 25387641 DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.144501
    MeSH terms: Dengue/complications*; Dengue/diagnosis; Female; Fever*; Humans; Middle Aged; Tongue/pathology*; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases/diagnosis*; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases/etiology; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases/physiopathology
  13. Chia YC, Lim HM, Ching SM
    BMC Fam Pract, 2014;15:172.
    PMID: 25388219 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-014-0172-y
    BACKGROUND: Initiation of statin therapy as primary prevention particularly in those with mildly elevated cardiovascular disease risk factors is still being debated. The 2013 ACC/AHA blood cholesterol guideline recommends initiation of statin by estimating the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk using the new pooled cohort risk score. This paper examines the use of the pooled cohort risk score and compares it to actual use of statins in daily clinical practice in a primary care setting.
    METHODS: We examined the use of statins in a randomly selected sample of patients in a primary care clinic. The demographic data and cardiovascular risk parameters were captured from patient records in 1998. The pooled cohort risk score was calculated based on the parameters in 1998. The use of statins in 1998 and 2007, a 10-year interval, was recorded.
    RESULTS: A total of 847 patients were entered into the analysis. Mean age of the patients was 57.2 ± 8.4 years and 33.1% were male. The use of statins in 1998 was only 10.2% (n = 86) as compared to 67.5% (n = 572) in 2007. For patients with LDL 70-189 mg/dl and estimated 10-year ASCVD risk ≥7.5% (n = 190), 60% (n = 114) of patients were on statin therapy by 2007. There were 124 patients in whom statin therapy was not recommended according to ACC/AHA guideline but were actually receiving statin therapy.
    CONCLUSIONS: An extra 40% of patients need to be treated with statin if the 2013 ACC/AHA blood cholesterol guideline is used. However the absolute number of patients who needed to be treated based on the ACC/AHA guideline is lower than the number of patients actually receiving it in a daily clinical practice. The pooled cohort risk score does not increase the absolute number of patients who are actually treated with statins. However these findings and the use of the pooled cohort risk score need to be validated further.
    Study site: Primary care clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Cardiovascular Diseases/blood; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control*; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology; Female; Humans; Hyperlipidemias/blood; Hyperlipidemias/epidemiology; Cholesterol, LDL/blood; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*; Primary Health Care*; Primary Prevention; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Practice Guidelines as Topic*; Risk Assessment; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*; Guideline Adherence/statistics & numerical data*
  14. Khan MB, Sonaimuthu P, Lau YL, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Mahmud R, Kavana N, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2014;7:505.
    PMID: 25388913 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0505-7
    The neglected tropical diseases, echinococcosis, schistosomiasis and toxoplasmosis are all globally widespread zoonotic diseases with potentially harmful consequences. There is very limited data available on the prevalence of these infections, except for schistosmiasis, in underdeveloped countries. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis, Schistosoma mansoni, and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in populations from the Monduli and Babati districts in Tanzania.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Antibodies, Helminth/blood*; Antibodies, Protozoan/blood*; Child; Child, Preschool; Echinococcosis/blood*; Echinococcosis/epidemiology; Echinococcus/immunology; Echinococcus/isolation & purification; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Rural Health; Schistosoma mansoni/immunology; Schistosoma mansoni/isolation & purification; Schistosomiasis/blood*; Schistosomiasis/epidemiology; Tanzania/epidemiology; Toxoplasma/immunology; Toxoplasma/isolation & purification; Toxoplasmosis/blood*; Toxoplasmosis/epidemiology; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Young Adult
  15. Low SF, Abu Bakar N, Ngiu CS
    Iran Red Crescent Med J, 2014 Aug;16(8):e9481.
    PMID: 25389497 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.9481
    INTRODUCTION: Camurati-Engelmann disease (CED) is a rare autosomal dominant disease with various phenotypic expressions. The symptoms usually develop during childhood. The hallmark of the disease is bilateral symmetric diaphyseal hyperostosis of the long bones with progressive involvement of the metaphysis. The epiphysis is strictly spared. The common clinical symptoms are pain of the extremities, muscle wasting, waddling gait, and lethargy. CED is rarely seen in conjunction with hypogonadism. CED-associated hypothyroidism has not been reported yet. Clinical assessment and skeletal survey are important to make the diagnosis.

    CASE PRESENTATION: Hereby we reported a case of CED with concomitant hypogonadism and hypothyroidism. Serial plain radiographs of the patient showed classic and progressive diaphyseal cortical hyperostosis of the long bone.

    CONCLUSIONS: Hyperostosis of the skull was observed in the present case. The characteristic osseous changes of CED were highlighted and the differential diagnoses were discussed.

  16. Choo SW, Beh CY, Russell S, White R
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:191535.
    PMID: 25389534 DOI: 10.1155/2014/191535
    In Drosophila, protein trap strategies provide powerful approaches for the generation of tagged proteins expressed under endogenous control. Here, we describe expression and functional analysis to evaluate new Ubx and hth protein trap lines generated by the Cambridge Protein Trap project. Both protein traps exhibit spatial and temporal expression patterns consistent with the reported endogenous pattern in the embryo. In imaginal discs, Ubx-YFP is expressed throughout the haltere and 3rd leg imaginal discs, while Hth-YFP is expressed in the proximal regions of haltere and wing discs but not in the pouch region. The Ubx (CPTI000601) line is semilethal as a homozygote. No T3/A1 to T2 transformations were observed in the embryonic cuticle or the developing midgut. The homozygous survivors, however, exhibit a weak haltere phenotype with a few wing-like marginal bristles on the haltere capitellum. Although hth (CPTI000378) is completely lethal as a homozygote, the hth (CPTI000378) /hth (C1) genotype is viable. Using a hth deletion (Df(3R)BSC479) we show that hth (CPTI000378) /Df(3R)BSC479 adults are phenotypically normal. No transformations were observed in hth (CPTI000378), hth (CPTI000378) /hth (C1), or hth (CPTI000378) /Df(3R)BSC479 embryonic cuticles. We have successfully characterised the Ubx-YFP and Hth-YFP protein trap lines demonstrating that the tagged proteins show appropriate expression patterns and produce at least partially functional proteins.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism; Drosophila melanogaster/genetics*; Drosophila melanogaster/growth & development; Drosophila melanogaster/metabolism; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Genetic Engineering; Genotype; Homozygote; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism; Intestines/growth & development; Luminescent Proteins/genetics*; Luminescent Proteins/metabolism; Phenotype; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics*; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism; Transcription Factors/genetics*; Transcription Factors/metabolism; Gene Deletion; Genes, Reporter; Homeodomain Proteins/genetics*; Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*; Founder Effect; Drosophila Proteins/deficiency; Drosophila Proteins/genetics*; Drosophila Proteins/metabolism; Imaginal Discs/growth & development; Imaginal Discs/metabolism
  17. Baharum Z, Akim AM, Taufiq-Yap YH, Hamid RA, Kasran R
    Molecules, 2014 Nov 10;19(11):18317-31.
    PMID: 25389662 DOI: 10.3390/molecules191118317
    The aims of this study were to determine the antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of the following Theobroma cacao plant part methanolic extracts: leaf, bark, husk, fermented and unfermented shell, pith, root, and cherelle. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and Folin-Ciocalteu assays; the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to determine antiproliferative activity. The root extract had the highest antioxidant activity; its median effective dose (EC50) was 358.3±7.0 µg/mL and total phenolic content was 22.0±1.1 g GAE/100 g extract as compared to the other methanolic plant part extracts. Only the cherelle extract demonstrated 10.4%±1.1% inhibition activity in the lipid peroxidation assay. The MTT assay revealed that the leaf extract had the highest antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cells [median inhibitory concentration (IC50)=41.4±3.3 µg/mL]. Given the overall high IC50 for the normal liver cell line WRL-68, this study indicates that T. cacao methanolic extracts have a cytotoxic effect in cancer cells, but not in normal cells. Planned future investigations will involve the purification, identification, determination of the mechanisms of action, and molecular assay of T. cacao plant extracts.
    MeSH terms: Methanol/chemistry*; Cacao/chemistry*; Humans; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Plant Roots/chemistry; Plant Bark/chemistry; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
  18. Vahtera V, Edgecombe GD
    PLoS One, 2014;9(11):e112461.
    PMID: 25389773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112461
    Edentistoma octosulcatum Tömösváry, 1882, is a rare, superficially millipede-like centipede known only from Borneo and the Philippines. It is unique within the order Scolopendromorpha for its slow gait, robust tergites, and highly modified gizzard and mandible morphology. Not much is known about the biology of the species but it has been speculated to be arboreal with a possibly vegetarian diet. Until now its phylogenetic position within the subfamily Otostigminae has been based only on morphological characters, being variably ranked as a monotypic tribe (Arrhabdotini) or classified with the Southeast Asian genus Sterropristes Attems, 1934. The first molecular data for E. octosulcatum sourced from a newly collected specimen from Sarawak were analysed with and without morphology. Parsimony analysis of 122 morphological characters together with two nuclear and two mitochondrial loci resolves Edentistoma as sister group to three Indo-Australian species of Rhysida, this clade in turn grouping with Ethmostigmus, whereas maximum likelihood and parsimony analyses of the molecular data on their own ally Edentistoma with species of Otostigmus. A position of Edentistoma within Otostigmini (rather than being its sister group as predicted by the Arrhabdotini hypothesis) is consistently retrieved under different analytical conditions, but support values within the subfamily remain low for most nodes. The species exhibits strong pushing behaviour, suggestive of burrowing habits. Evidence against a suggested vegetarian diet is provided by observation of E. octosulcatum feeding on millipedes in the genus Trachelomegalus.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Arthropods/anatomy & histology; Arthropods/classification*; Arthropods/genetics; Cell Nucleus/genetics; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics*; Genetic Markers; Malaysia; Mitochondria/genetics; Phylogeny*; Genetic Speciation; Phylogeography; Carnivory/physiology
  19. Chin KY, Abdul-Majeed S, Fozi NF, Ima-Nirwana S
    Nutrients, 2014 Nov;6(11):4974-83.
    PMID: 25389899 DOI: 10.3390/nu6114974
    This study aimed to evaluate the effects of annatto tocotrienol on indices of bone static histomorphometry in orchidectomized rats. Forty male rats were randomized into baseline (BL), sham (SH), orchidectomized (ORX), annatto tocotrienol-treated (AnTT) and testosterone enanthate-treated (TE) groups. The BL group was sacrificed upon receipt. All rats except the SH group underwent bilateral orchidectomy. Annatto tocotrienol at 60 mg/kg body weight was administered orally daily to the AnTT group for eight weeks. Testosterone enanthate at 7 mg/kg body weight was administered intramuscularly once weekly for eight weeks to the TE group. The rat femurs were collected for static histomorphometric analysis upon necropsy. The results indicated that the ORX group had significantly higher osteoclast surface and eroded surface, and significantly lower osteoblast surface, osteoid surface and osteoid volume compared to the SH group (p < 0.05). Annatto tocotrienol and testosterone enanthate intervention prevented all these changes (p < 0.05). The efficacy of annatto tocotrienol was on par with testosterone enanthate. In conclusion, annatto tocotrienol at 60 mg/kg can prevent the imbalance in bone remodeling caused by increased osteoclast and bone resorption, and decreased osteoblast and bone formation. This serves as a basis for the application of annatto tocotrienol in hypogonadal men as an antiosteoporotic agent.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Animals; Bone and Bones/drug effects; Bone and Bones/metabolism; Bone Resorption/drug therapy; Carotenoids/pharmacology*; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Orchiectomy; Osteoporosis/drug therapy*; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Testosterone/blood; Testosterone/deficiency*; Bone Remodeling/drug effects*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tocotrienols/pharmacology*; Bixaceae; Rats
  20. Al-Henhena N, Ying RP, Ismail S, Najm W, Najm W, Khalifa SA, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(11):e111118.
    PMID: 25390042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111118
    Andrographis paniculata is a grass-shaped medicinal herb, traditionally used in Southeast Asia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemoprotective effects of A. paniculata on colorectal cancer. A. paniculata ethanol extract was tested on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in vivo and in vitro. A. paniculata treated groups showed a significant reduction in the number of ACF of the treated rats. Microscopically, ACF showed remarkably elongated and stratified cells, and depletion of the submucosal glands of AOM group compared to the treated groups. Histologically, staining showed slightly elevated masses above the surrounding mucosa with oval or slit-like orifices. Immunohistochemically, expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and β-catenin protein were down-regulated in the A. paniculata treated groups compared to the AOM group. When colon tissue was homogenized, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were significantly decreased, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased in the treated groups compared to the AOM group. A. paniculata ethanol extract showed antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, as elucidated by the measure of oxidative stress markers. Further, the active fractions were assessed against cell lines of CCD841 and HT29 colon cancer cells.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/metabolism; Azoxymethane/adverse effects; Colon/drug effects*; Female; Flavonoids/chemistry; Humans; Malondialdehyde/metabolism; Nitric Oxide/metabolism; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism; Tissue Distribution; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Anticarcinogenic Agents/chemistry*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/metabolism; Phenol/chemistry; Andrographis/chemistry*; Cell Line, Tumor; beta Catenin/metabolism; Rats; Aberrant Crypt Foci/chemically induced; Aberrant Crypt Foci/drug therapy*
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