Browse publications by year: 2014

  1. Synthesis, structure, DNA/BSA interaction and in vitro cytotoxic activity of nickel(II) complexes derived from S-allyldithiocarbazate
    Nanjundan N, Selvakumar P, Narayanasamy R, Haque RA, Velmurugan K, Nandhakumar R, et al.
    J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol., 2014 Dec;141:176-85.
    PMID: 25463665 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.10.009
    Two nickel(II) complexes with formula NiL1 and NiL2 (HL1 = S-allyl-4-methoxybenzylidene hydrazinecarbodithioate, HL2 = S-allyl-1-napthylidenehydrazinecarbodithioate) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. The crystal structure of complex 1 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffractometry. Both HL1 and HL2 ligands are coordinated to the metal in thiolate form. In complexes, squareplanar geometry of the nickel is coordinated with two bidentate ligand units acting through azomethine nitrogen and thiolato sulfur atoms. To explore the potential medicinal value of the complexes with calf thymus DNA and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied at normal physiological conditions using fluorescence spectral techniques. The DNA binding constant values of the complexes were found in the range from 5.02 × 10(4), 3.54 × 10(4), and the binding affinities are in the following order 1 > 2. In addition, nickel complexes 1 and 2 shows better binding propensity to the bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein, giving a Ksv value 5.8 × 10(4), 4.47 × 10(4) respectively. From the oxidative cleavage of the complexes with pBR322 DNA, it is inferred that the effects of cleavage are dose-dependent. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes assayed against Vero and HeLa cell lines have shown higher cytotoxic activity with the lower IC50 values indicating their efficiency in killing cancer cells even at various concentrations.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cattle; Cercopithecus aethiops; DNA/metabolism; DNA/chemistry*; HeLa Cells; Humans; Hydrazines/chemistry*; Molecular Conformation; Nickel/chemistry*; Protein Binding; Schiff Bases/chemistry; Serum Albumin, Bovine/metabolism; Serum Albumin, Bovine/chemistry*; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Vero Cells; Apoptosis/drug effects; Crystallography, X-Ray; DNA Cleavage/drug effects; Coordination Complexes/chemical synthesis*; Coordination Complexes/toxicity; Coordination Complexes/chemistry
  2. Evaluation of direct transesterification of microalgae using microwave irradiation
    Teo CL, Idris A
    Bioresour Technol, 2014 Dec;174:281-6.
    PMID: 25463809 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.10.035
    Nannochloropsis sp. wet biomass was directly transesterified under microwave (MW) irradiation in the presence of methanol and various alkali and acid catalyst. Two different types of direct transesterification (DT) were used; one step and two step transesterification. The biodiesel yield obtained from the MWDT was compared with that obtained using conventional method (lipid extraction followed by transesterification) and water bath heating DT method. Findings revealed that MWDT efficiencies were higher compared to water bath heating DT by at least 14.34% and can achieve a maximum of 43.37% with proper selection of catalysts. The use of combined catalyst (NaOH and H2SO4) increased the yield obtained by 2.3-folds (water bath heating DT) and 2.87-folds (MWDT) compared with the one step single alkaline catalyst respectively. The property of biodiesel produced by MWDT has high lubricating property, good cetane number and short carbon chain FAME's compared with water bath heating DT.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, Gas; Esterification; Esters/metabolism; Fatty Acids/metabolism; Microwaves*; Microalgae/metabolism*
  3. Human adenovirus type 8: the major agent of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC)
    Adhikary AK, Banik U
    J Clin Virol, 2014 Dec;61(4):477-86.
    PMID: 25464969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.10.015
    Human adenovirus type 8 (HAdV-8) is the most common causative agent of a highly contagious eye disease known as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). HAdV-8 strains have been classified into genome types HAdV-8A to 8K and HAdV/D1 to D12 according to restriction endonuclease analysis. This review focuses on the significance of HAdV-8 as an agent of EKC. Molecular analysis of HAdV-8 genome types HAdV-53 and HAdV-54 was performed to reveal potential genetic variation in the hexon and fiber, which might affect the antigenicity and tropism of the virus, respectively. On the basis of the published data, three patterns of HAdV-8 genome type distribution were observed worldwide: (1) genome types restricted to a microenvironment, (2) genome types distributed within a country, and (3) globally dispersed genome types. Simplot and zPicture showed that the HAdV-8 genome types were nearly identical to each other. HAdV-54 is very close to the HAdV-8P, B and E genomes, except in the hexon. In a restriction map, HAdV-8P, B, and E share a very high percentage of restriction sites with each other. Hypervariable regions (HVRs) of the hexon were conserved and were 100% identical among the genome types. The fiber knob of HAdV-8P, A, E, J and HAdV-53 were 100% identical. In phylogeny, HVRs of the hexon and fiber knob of the HAdV-8 genome types segregated into monophyletic clusters. Neutralizing antibodies against one genome type will provide protection against other genome types, and the selection of future vaccine strains would be simple due to the stable HVRs. Molecular analysis of whole genomes, particularly of the capsid proteins of the remaining genome types, would be useful to substantiate our observations.
    MeSH terms: Adenoviridae Infections/epidemiology*; Adenoviridae Infections/virology*; Adenoviruses, Human/classification; Adenoviruses, Human/genetics*; Adenoviruses, Human/immunology; Adenoviruses, Human/isolation & purification*; Animals; Antibodies, Viral/immunology; Genotype; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis, Infectious/epidemiology*; Keratoconjunctivitis, Infectious/virology*; Capsid Proteins/genetics; Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology; Phylogeography*
  4. New Y-shaped surfactants from renewable resources
    Ali TH, Hussen RS, Heidelberg T
    Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2014 Nov 1;123:981-5.
    PMID: 25465761 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2014.10.054
    A series of sugar-based surfactants, involving a single hydrophobic chain (C12) and two side-by-side arranged head groups, was prepared form simple glucose precursors. All surfactants were highly water soluble and exhibited exclusively micellar assemblies. This behavior makes them interesting candidates for oil in water emulsifiers.
    MeSH terms: Emulsions/chemistry*; Surface-Active Agents/chemistry*; Water; Click Chemistry/methods*
  5. First record of genus Puliciphora Dahl (Diptera: Phoridae) associated with rabbit carcasses placed in concealed environments in Malaysia
    Zuha RM, See HW, Disney RH, Omar B
    Forensic Sci Int, 2014 Dec;245:e36-7.
    PMID: 25466156 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.10.034
    Scuttle flies of genus Puliciphora Dahl (Diptera: Phoridae) are recorded for the first time in Malaysia from rabbit carcasses placed in concealed environments. They consist of Puliciphora borinquenensis Wheeler ♂♀, Puliciphora obtecta Meijere ♀ and Puliciphora beckeri Meijere ♀. All species were obtained from rabbit carcasses in used luggage and garbage bin placed at Forensic Science Simulation Site, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor. The specimens were collected from the carcasses using a modified Malaise trap, an entomological aspirator and preserved in 70% ethanol. This report expands the geographical distributions of these species and their microhabitat, suggests its possible important role in forensic entomology.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Diptera*; Entomology; Feeding Behavior*; Malaysia; Postmortem Changes*; Rabbits
  6. Overexpression of S100A4 as a biomarker of metastasis and recurrence in oral squamous cell carcinoma
    Natarajan J, Hunter K, Mutalik VS, Radhakrishnan R
    J Appl Oral Sci, 2014 12 4;22(5):426-33.
    PMID: 25466476
    S100A4, a biomarker of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), plays an important role in invasion and metastasis by promoting cancer cell motility. In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), metastasis results in 90% of cancer associated mortality.

    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of S100A4 expression as an important component of the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) program in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: S100A4 protein expression was assessed semi-quantitatively by immunohistochemistry in 47 histologically confirmed cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 10 normal oral mucosal biopsies. The association between the S100A4 overexpression and the aggressive features of OSCC were analyzed by X2 test.

    RESULTS: Moderate to strong cytoplasmic expression of S100A4 was observed in 30 out of 47 specimens of OSCC (64%). Overexpression of S100A4 was significantly associated with the clinical stage, lymph node involvement, metastases, pattern of invasion and recurrence (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSION: S100A4 expression represents an important biomarker of prognostic significance that may be used to identify a subset of patients at high risk of invasion and metast.

    MeSH terms: Biopsy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology*; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Mouth Mucosa/pathology; Mouth Neoplasms/pathology*; Neoplasm Metastasis/pathology; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology*; Neoplasm Staging; S100 Proteins/metabolism*; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*; Tumor Burden; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/physiology*; Neoplasm Grading; S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4
  7. Genotypic characterization of Malaysian human isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from carriage and clinical sources
    Shakrin NN, Masri SN, Taib NM, Nordin SA, Jamal F, Desa MN
    Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 2014 Dec;37(5-6):347-54.
    PMID: 25467035 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2014.10.005
    This study characterized carriage and clinical pneumococcal isolates for serotypes, penicillin susceptibility, virulence genes and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern of penicillin binding protein (PBP) genes. DNA fingerprint of isolates was generated by BOX-PCR. Majority of serotypes were 23F followed by 19F, 19A and 6A. Twenty-four percent of isolates were penicillin non-susceptible (PNSP). All of the targeted virulence genes were detected in all isolates with the exception of pili; 20.6% (n=22) for PI-1 and 14.0% (n=15) for PI-2. Of the 13 isolates which carried both PI-1 and PI-2, 10 were of clinical origin. Digested pbp-DNA produced three PBP-RFLP profiles for pbp1a (A1 to A3), six profiles for pbp2b (B1 to B6) and seven for pbp2x (X1 to X7) mostly in PNSPs. Based on BOX-PCR analysis, the majority of isolates were genetically diverse with a small number of potentially related isolates carrying pili genes. No obvious genotypic association was observed pertaining to carriage and clinical origin of isolates.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Carrier State; Female; Genotype; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Penicillin Resistance/genetics*; Penicillins/pharmacology; Phylogeny; Fimbriae, Bacterial/genetics*; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal/microbiology*; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Streptococcus pneumoniae/classification; Streptococcus pneumoniae/drug effects; Streptococcus pneumoniae/genetics*; Streptococcus pneumoniae/pathogenicity*; Virulence; Gene Expression; Penicillin-Binding Proteins/genetics*; Penicillin-Binding Proteins/metabolism; Multilocus Sequence Typing
  8. Sympatric species distribution, genetic diversity and population structure of Haemonchus isolates from domestic ruminants in Pakistan
    Hussain T, Periasamy K, Nadeem A, Babar ME, Pichler R, Diallo A
    Vet Parasitol, 2014 Dec 15;206(3-4):188-99.
    PMID: 25468018
    Haemonchus species are major gastro-intestinal parasites affecting ruminants across the world. The present study aimed to assess the sympatric species distribution, genetic diversity, population structure and frequency of β-tubulin isotype 1 alleles associated with benzimidazole resistance. Internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences revealed three sympatric species of Haemonchus, H. contortus, H. placei and H. longistipes with 12 distinct genotypes circulating among ruminant hosts in Pakistan. High genetic variability was observed in Pakistani Haemonchus isolates at nicotine amide dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene loci. Intra-population diversity parameters were higher in H. contortus isolates than H. placei. Phylogenetic analysis of ND4 and COI sequences did not reveal clustering of haplotypes originating from a particular host indicating high rate of gene flow among Haemonchus parasites infecting sheep, goat and cattle in Pakistan. ND4 and COI haplotypes from Pakistan were compared to sequences of Haemonchus isolates from 11 countries to elucidate the population structure. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) plot of pairwise FST derived from 531 ND4 haplotypes revealed clustering together of H. contortus from Pakistan, China, Malaysia and Italy while the isolates from Yemen and United States were found to be genetically distinct. With respect to H. placei, isolates from Pakistan were found to be genetically differentiated from isolates of other countries. The tests for selective neutrality revealed negative D statistics and did not reveal significant deviations in Pakistani Haemonchus populations while significant deviation (P < 0.05) was observed in Brazilian and Chinese H. contortus populations. Median Joining (MJ) network of ND4 haplotypes revealed Yemenese H. contortus being closer to H. placei cluster. β-tubulin isotype 1 genotyping revealed 7.86% frequency of Y allele associated with benzimidazole resistance at F200Y locus in Pakistani Haemonchus isolates.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Base Sequence; Cattle; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics; Demography; Genotype; Goats; Haemonchiasis/parasitology; Haemonchiasis/veterinary*; Haemonchus/genetics*; Molecular Sequence Data; Pakistan; Phylogeny; Sheep; Tubulin/genetics; Genetic Variation*; Sequence Analysis, DNA/veterinary; DNA, Helminth/genetics; DNA, Helminth/chemistry; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/chemistry; Genetic Speciation; Sympatry
  9. Fulltext One pot light assisted green synthesis, storage and antimicrobial activity of dextran stabilized silver nanoparticles
    Hussain MA, Shah A, Jantan I, Tahir MN, Shah MR, Ahmed R, et al.
    J Nanobiotechnology, 2014;12:53.
    PMID: 25468206 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-014-0053-5
    Green synthesis of nanomaterials finds the edge over chemical methods due to its environmental compatibility. Herein, we report green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) mediated with dextran. Dextran was used as a stabilizer and capping agent to synthesize Ag NPs using silver nitrate (AgNO3) under diffused sunlight conditions.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/chemical synthesis; Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry*; Dextrans/chemistry*; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Silver/pharmacology*; Silver/chemistry*; Silver Nitrate/chemistry; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; X-Ray Diffraction; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*; Green Chemistry Technology
  10. Fulltext Nucleofection optimization and in vitro anti-tumourigenic effect of TRAIL-expressing human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells
    Fakiruddin KS, Baharuddin P, Lim MN, Fakharuzi NA, Yusof NA, Zakaria Z
    Cancer Cell Int, 2014;14(1):122.
    PMID: 25469108 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-014-0122-8
    Tumour homing capacity of engineered human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ADMSCs) expressing anti-tumour agents might be the key for a much safer and yet efficient targeted tumour therapy. However, ADMSCs exhibit resistant to most gene transfection techniques and the use of highly efficient viral vectors has several disadvantages primarily concerning safety risk. Here, we optimized the use of highly efficient and safe nucleofection-based transfection using plasmid encoded for TNF-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) into ADMSCs and investigated the potential anti-tumourigenic of TRAIL-expressing ADMSCs (ADMSCs-TRAIL) on selected cancer models in vitro.
  11. Fulltext In vivo ectopic bone formation by devitalized mineralized stem cell carriers produced under mineralizing culture condition
    Chai YC, Geris L, Bolander J, Pyka G, Van Bael S, Luyten FP, et al.
    Biores Open Access, 2014 Dec 1;3(6):265-77.
    PMID: 25469312 DOI: 10.1089/biores.2014.0050
    Functionalization of tissue engineering scaffolds with in vitro-generated bone-like extracellular matrix (ECM) represents an effective biomimetic approach to promote osteogenic differentiation of stem cells in vitro. However, the bone-forming capacity of these constructs (seeded with or without cells) is so far not apparent. In this study, we aimed at developing a mineralizing culture condition to biofunctionalize three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds with highly mineralized ECM in order to produce devitalized, osteoinductive mineralized carriers for human periosteal-derived progenitors (hPDCs). For this, three medium formulations [i.e., growth medium only (BM1), with ascorbic acid (BM2), and with ascorbic acid and dexamethasone (BM3)] supplemented with calcium (Ca(2+)) and phosphate (PO4 (3-)) ions simultaneously as mineralizing source were investigated. The results showed that, besides the significant impacts on enhancing cell proliferation (the highest in BM3 condition), the formulated mineralizing media differentially regulated the osteochondro-related gene markers in a medium-dependent manner (e.g., significant upregulation of BMP2, bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, and Wnt5a in BM2 condition). This has resulted in distinguished cell populations that were identifiable by specific gene signatures as demonstrated by the principle component analysis. Through devitalization, mineralized carriers with apatite crystal structures unique to each medium condition (by X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis) were obtained. Quantitatively, BM3 condition produced carriers with the highest mineral and collagen contents as well as human-specific VEGF proteins, followed by BM2 and BM1 conditions. Encouragingly, all mineralized carriers (after reseeded with hPDCs) induced bone formation after 8 weeks of subcutaneous implantation in nude mice models, with BM2-carriers inducing the highest bone volume, and the lowest in the BM3 condition (as quantitated by nano-computed tomography [nano-CT]). Histological analysis revealed different bone formation patterns, either bone ossicles containing bone marrow surrounding the scaffold struts (in BM2) or bone apposition directly on the struts' surface (in BM1 and BM3). In conclusion, we have presented experimental data on the feasibility to produce devitalized osteoinductive mineralized carriers by functionalizing 3D porous scaffolds with an in vitro cell-made mineralized matrix under the mineralizing culture conditions.
  12. Fulltext The world's most isolated and distinct whale population? Humpback whales of the Arabian Sea
    Pomilla C, Amaral AR, Collins T, Minton G, Findlay K, Leslie MS, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(12):e114162.
    PMID: 25470144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114162
    A clear understanding of population structure is essential for assessing conservation status and implementing management strategies. A small, non-migratory population of humpback whales in the Arabian Sea is classified as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, an assessment constrained by a lack of data, including limited understanding of its relationship to other populations. We analysed 11 microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences extracted from 67 Arabian Sea humpback whale tissue samples and compared them to equivalent datasets from the Southern Hemisphere and North Pacific. Results show that the Arabian Sea population is highly distinct; estimates of gene flow and divergence times suggest a Southern Indian Ocean origin but indicate that it has been isolated for approximately 70,000 years, remarkable for a species that is typically highly migratory. Genetic diversity values are significantly lower than those obtained for Southern Hemisphere populations and signatures of ancient and recent genetic bottlenecks were identified. Our findings suggest this is the world's most isolated humpback whale population, which, when combined with low population abundance estimates and anthropogenic threats, raises concern for its survival. We recommend an amendment of the status of the population to "Critically Endangered" on the IUCN Red List.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bayes Theorem; Conservation of Natural Resources*; DNA, Mitochondrial/analysis; Haplotypes; Phylogeny; Genetic Variation; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Microsatellite Repeats; Indian Ocean; Humpback Whale/classification; Humpback Whale/genetics*; Humpback Whale/metabolism; Endangered Species*
  13. Estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer
    Yip CH, Rhodes A
    Future Oncol, 2014 Nov;10(14):2293-301.
    PMID: 25471040 DOI: 10.2217/fon.14.110
    Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. The majority of breast cancers show overexpression of estrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs). The development of drugs to target these hormone receptors, such as tamoxifen, has brought about significant improvement in survival for women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. Since information about ER and PR is vital for patient management, quality assurance is important to ensure accurate testing. In recent guidelines, the recommended definition of ER and PR positivity is 1% or more of cells that stain positive. Semiquantitative assessment of ER and PR is important for prognosis and, hence, management. Even with the development of genomic tests, hormone receptor status remains the most significant predictive and prognostic biomarker.
    MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis; Breast Neoplasms/genetics; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism*; Breast Neoplasms/therapy; Female; Humans; Receptors, Estrogen/genetics; Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism*; Receptors, Progesterone/genetics; Receptors, Progesterone/metabolism*
  14. Fulltext Curvelet based automatic segmentation of supraspinatus tendon from ultrasound image: a focused assistive diagnostic method
    Gupta R, Elamvazuthi I, Dass SC, Faye I, Vasant P, George J, et al.
    Biomed Eng Online, 2014;13:157.
    PMID: 25471386 DOI: 10.1186/1475-925X-13-157
    Disorders of rotator cuff tendons results in acute pain limiting the normal range of motion for shoulder. Of all the tendons in rotator cuff, supraspinatus (SSP) tendon is affected first of any pathological changes. Diagnosis of SSP tendon using ultrasound is considered to be operator dependent with its accuracy being related to operator's level of experience.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Algorithms; Automation; Biomechanical Phenomena; Calcinosis/pathology; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted/methods*; False Positive Reactions; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Middle Aged; Radiology/methods; Tendon Injuries/pathology*; Tendons/pathology; Tendons/ultrasonography*; Ultrasonography; Reproducibility of Results; Rotator Cuff/pathology; Rotator Cuff/ultrasonography*; Muscle, Skeletal/pathology; Young Adult
  15. Fulltext Antiphospholipid syndrome in lupus retinopathy
    Ng HK, Chong MF, Azhany Y, Zunaina E
    Clin Ophthalmol, 2014;8:2359-63.
    PMID: 25473262 DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S71712
    Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem, autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the human body including the eyes. Common blinding ocular manifestations include central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy, and optic nerve involvement. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in lupus is usually associated with large vessel occlusions and needs prompt treatment with anticoagulant. We are reporting two cases of APS in SLE patients that presented with CRVO (case 1) and vaso-occlusive lupus retinopathy (case 2). Both cases were positive for antiphospholipid antibody (APA) and were treated with immunosuppression, anticoagulant, and laser treatment. Thus, screening for APA is vital in SLE patients with lupus retinopathy, as prompt treatment with anticoagulants is important to prevent further vascular thrombosis, which worsens the visual prognosis.
    Study site: Ophthalmology clinic, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Anticoagulants; Hospitals, General; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Malaysia; Optic Nerve; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Prognosis; Retinal Diseases; Retinal Vein Occlusion; Retinal Artery Occlusion; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; Human Body; Young Adult
  16. Fulltext Proliferation and stemness preservation of human adipose-derived stem cells by surface-modified in situ TiO₂ nanofibrous surfaces
    Tan AW, Tay L, Chua KH, Ahmad R, Akbar SA, Pingguan-Murphy B
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2014;9:5389-401.
    PMID: 25473278 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S72659
    Two important criteria of an ideal biomaterial in the field of stem cells research are to regulate the cell proliferation without the loss of its pluripotency and to direct the differentiation into a specific cell lineage when desired. The present study describes the influence of TiO2 nanofibrous surface structures on the regulation of proliferation and stemness preservation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). TiO2 nanofiber arrays were produced in situ onto Ti-6Al-4V substrate via a thermal oxidation process and the successful fabrication of these nanostructures was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and contact angle measurement. ADSCs were seeded on two types of Ti-6Al-4V surfaces (TiO2 nanofibers and flat control), and their morphology, proliferation, and stemness expression were analyzed using FESEM, AlamarBlue assay, flow cytometry, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) after 2 weeks of incubation, respectively. The results show that ADSCs exhibit better adhesion and significantly enhanced proliferation on the TiO2 nanofibrous surfaces compared to the flat control surfaces. The greater proliferation ability of TiO2 nanofibrous surfaces was further confirmed by the results of cell cycle assay. More importantly, TiO2 nanofibrous surfaces significantly upregulate the expressions of stemness markers Sox-2, Nanog3, Rex-1, and Nestin. These results demonstrate that TiO2 nanofibrous surfaces can be used to enhance cell adhesion and proliferation while simultaneously maintaining the stemness of ADSCs, thereby representing a promising approach for their potential application in the field of bone tissue engineering as well as regenerative therapies.
    MeSH terms: Cell Physiological Phenomena/drug effects*; Cells, Cultured; Humans; Surface Properties; Titanium/chemistry*; Adipocytes/drug effects*; Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism; Pluripotent Stem Cells/drug effects*; Nanofibers/chemistry*
  17. Fulltext Community pharmacists' knowledge, behaviors and experiences about adverse drug reaction reporting in Saudi Arabia
    Mahmoud MA, Alsowaida Y, Alshammari T, Khan TM, Alrasheedy A, Hassali MA, et al.
    Saudi Pharm J, 2014 11;22(5):411-8.
    PMID: 25473329 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2013.07.005
    OBJECTIVE: To assess community pharmacists' knowledge, behaviors and experiences relating to Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting in Saudi Arabia.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated self-administered questionnaire. A convenience sample of 147 community pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    RESULTS: The questionnaire was distributed to 147 pharmacists, of whom 104 responded to the survey, a 70.7% response rate. The mean age of participants was 29 years. The majority (n = 101, 98.1%) had graduated with a bachelorette degree and worked in chain pharmacies (n = 68, 66.7%). Only 23 (22.1%) said they were familiar with the ADR reporting process, and only 21 (20.2%) knew that pharmacists can submit ADR reports online. The majority of the participants (n = 90, 86.5%) had never reported ADRs. Reasons for not reporting ADRs most importantly included lack of awareness about the method of reporting (n = 22, 45.9%), misconception that reporting ADRs is the duty of physician and hospital pharmacist (n = 8, 16.6%) and ADRs in community pharmacies are simple and should not be reported (n = 8, 16.6%). The most common approach perceived by community pharmacists for managing patients suffering from ADRs was to refer him/her to a physician (n = 80, 76.9%).

    CONCLUSION: The majority of community pharmacists in Riyadh have poor knowledge of the ADR reporting process. Pharmacovigilance authorities should take necessary steps to urgently design interventional programs in order to increase the knowledge and awareness of pharmacists regarding the ADR reporting process.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Pharmacies; Pharmacists; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires; Saudi Arabia; Pharmacovigilance; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
  18. Fulltext Cytochrome P450 induction properties of food and herbal-derived compounds using a novel multiplex RT-qPCR in vitro assay, a drug-food interaction prediction tool
    Koe XF, Tengku Muhammad TS, Chong AS, Wahab HA, Tan ML
    Food Sci Nutr, 2014 Sep;2(5):500-20.
    PMID: 25473508 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.122
    A multiplex RT-qPCR was developed to examine CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 induction properties of compounds from food and herbal sources. The induction of drug metabolizing enzymes is an important pharmacokinetic interaction with unique features in comparison with inhibition of metabolizing enzymes. Cytochrome induction can lead to serious drug-drug or drug-food interactions, especially if the coadministered drug plasma level is critical as it can reduce therapeutic effects and cause complications. Using this optimized multiplex RT-qPCR, cytochrome induction properties of andrographolide, curcumin, lycopene, bergamottin, and resveratrol were determined. Andrographolide, curcumin, and lycopene produced no significant induction effects on CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4. However, bergamottin appeared to be a significant in vitro CYP1A2 inducer starting from 5 to 50 μmol/L with induction ranging from 60 to 100-fold changes. On the other hand, resveratrol is a weak in vitro CYP1A2 inducer. Examining the cytochrome induction properties of food and herbal compounds help complement CYP inhibition studies and provide labeling and safety caution for such products.
    MeSH terms: Curcumin; Diterpenes; Inactivation, Metabolic; Furocoumarins; Food-Drug Interactions; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inducers; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inducers
  19. Fulltext HIV in people reincarcerated in Connecticut prisons and jails: an observational cohort study
    Meyer JP, Cepeda J, Springer SA, Wu J, Trestman RL, Altice FL
    Lancet HIV, 2014 Nov 1;1(2):e77-e84.
    PMID: 25473651 DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3018(14)70022-0
    Reincarceration in prison or jail correlates with non-sustained HIV viral suppression, but HIV treatment outcomes in released prisoners who are reincarcerated have not recently been systematically assessed despite advances in antiretroviral treatment (ART) potency, simplicity, and tolerability.
  20. Fulltext Genome-wide association study of susceptibility to infection by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in Holstein cattle
    Alpay F, Zare Y, Kamalludin MH, Huang X, Shi X, Shook GE, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(12):e111704.
    PMID: 25473852 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111704
    Paratuberculosis, or Johne's disease, is a chronic, granulomatous, gastrointestinal tract disease of cattle and other ruminants caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium, subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Control of Johne's disease is based on programs of testing and culling animals positive for infection with MAP while concurrently modifying management to reduce the likelihood of infection. The current study is motivated by the hypothesis that genetic variation in host susceptibility to MAP infection can be dissected and quantifiable associations with genetic markers identified. For this purpose, a case-control, genome-wide association study was conducted using US Holstein cattle phenotyped for MAP infection using a serum ELISA and/or fecal culture test. Cases included cows positive for either serum ELISA, fecal culture or both. Controls consisted of animals negative for the serum ELISA test or both serum ELISA and fecal culture when both were available. Controls were matched by herd and proximal birth date with cases. A total of 856 cows (451 cases and 405 controls) were used in initial discovery analyses, and an additional 263 cows (159 cases and 104 controls) from the same herds were used as a validation data set. Data were analyzed in a single marker analysis controlling for relatedness of individuals (GRAMMAR-GC) and also in a Bayesian analysis in which multiple marker effects were estimated simultaneously (GenSel). For the latter, effects of non-overlapping 1 Mb marker windows across the genome were estimated. Results from the two discovery analyses were generally concordant; however, discovery results were generally not well supported in analysis of the validation data set. A combined analysis of discovery and validation data sets provided strongest support for SNPs and 1 Mb windows on chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 7, 17 and 29.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bayes Theorem; Cattle; Feces/microbiology; Humans; Phenotype; Tuberculosis/genetics*; Tuberculosis/microbiology; Tuberculosis/veterinary; Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics; Genome-Wide Association Study*
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