Browse publications by year: 2014

  1. Fulltext Knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in multispecialty hospitals of Qassim, Saudi Arabia
    Khan MU, Shah S, Ahmad A, Fatokun O
    BMC Public Health, 2014;14:1281.
    PMID: 25510239 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-1281
    BACKGROUND: With the increase in prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of acquiring and subsequently transmitting this lethal virus. In view of this, HCWs were evaluated for their knowledge of and attitude towards MERS in Saudi Arabia.
    METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed in two hospitals of Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. A total of 280 healthcare workers were selected to participate in this study. Knowledge and attitude were assessed by using self-administered and pretested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were carried out to express participants' demographic information, mean knowledge score and mean attitude score of HCWs. Inferential statistics (Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis tests, p < 0.05) were used to examine differences between study variables. Chi squares tests were used to assess the association between study variables and attitude questions. Spearman's rho correlation was used to identify the association between the knowledge, attitude scores.
    RESULT: Participants demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitude towards MERS. The mean scores of knowledge and attitude were 9.45 ± 1.69 (based on 13 knowledge questions) and 1.82 ± 0.72 (based on 7 attitude questions). The correlation between knowledge and attitude was significant (correlation coefficient: 0.12; P <0.001). HCWs were less educated about the management (42.4%), source (66%) and consequences of MERS (67.3%), while a majority of them were well aware of the hallmark symptoms (96%), precautionary measures (96%) and hygiene issues (94%). Although the majority of respondents showed positive attitude towards the use of protective measures (1.52 ± 0.84), their attitude was negative towards their active participation in infection control program (2.03 ± 0.97). Gender and experience were significantly associated with knowledge and attitude (P < 0.05).
    CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study showed that healthcare workers in Qassim region of Saudi Arabia have good knowledge and positive attitude towards MERS. Yet there are areas where low knowledge and negative attitude of HCWs was observed. However, studies are required to assess the knowledge and attitude of HCWs at national level so that effective interventions could be designed as surveillance and infection control measures are critical to global public health.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Personnel*; Hospitals*; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Male; Middle Aged; Saudi Arabia/epidemiology; Sex Factors; Infection Control; Coronavirus Infections/physiopathology*; Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control*; Coronavirus Infections/transmission
  2. Fulltext Effect of selected local medicinal plants on the asexual blood stage of chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum
    Mohd Abd Razak MR, Afzan A, Ali R, Amir Jalaluddin NF, Wasiman MI, Shiekh Zahari SH, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014;14:492.
    PMID: 25510573 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-492
    The development of resistant to current antimalarial drugs is a major challenge in achieving malaria elimination status in many countries. Therefore there is a need for new antimalarial drugs. Medicinal plants have always been the major source for the search of new antimalarial drugs. The aim of this study was to screen selected Malaysian medicinal plants for their antiplasmodial properties.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antimalarials/pharmacology*; Antimalarials/therapeutic use; Cattle; Cell Line; Chloroquine/therapeutic use; Drug Resistance; Life Cycle Stages; Malaria/drug therapy; Malaria/parasitology*; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Plants, Medicinal*; Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects*; Plant Structures; Angiosperms*
  3. Fulltext Psychological aspects of diabetes care: Effecting behavioral change in patients
    Chew BH, Shariff-Ghazali S, Fernandez A
    World J Diabetes, 2014 Dec 15;5(6):796-808.
    PMID: 25512782 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i6.796
    Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) need psychological support throughout their life span from the time of diagnosis. The psychological make-up of the patients with DM play a central role in self-management behaviors. Without patient's adherence to the effective therapies, there would be persistent sub-optimal control of diseases, increase diabetes-related complications, causing deterioration in quality of life, resulting in increased healthcare utilization and burden on healthcare systems. However, provision of psychosocial support is generally inadequate due to its challenging nature of needs and demands on the healthcare systems. This review article examines patient's psychological aspects in general, elaborates in particular about emotion effects on health, and emotion in relation to other psychological domains such as cognition, self-regulation, self-efficacy and behavior. Some descriptions are also provided on willpower, resilience, illness perception and proactive coping in relating execution of new behaviors, coping with future-oriented thinking and influences of illness perception on health-related behaviors. These psychological aspects are further discussed in relation to DM and interventions for patients with DM. Equipped with the understanding of the pertinent nature of psychology in patients with DM; and knowing the links between the psychological disorders, inflammation and cardiovascular outcomes would hopefully encourages healthcare professionals in giving due attention to the psychological needs of patients with DM.
    MeSH terms: Attention; Cognition; Diabetes Mellitus; Emotions; Humans; Inflammation; Quality of Life; Self Efficacy; Diabetes Complications
  4. Fulltext The contribution of nearshore fish aggregating devices (FADs) to food security and livelihoods in Solomon Islands
    Albert JA, Beare D, Schwarz AM, Albert S, Warren R, Teri J, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(12):e115386.
    PMID: 25513808 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115386
    Fish aggregating devices, or FADs, are used widely in developing countries to concentrate pelagic fish, making them easier to catch. Nearshore FADs anchored close to the coast allow access for rural communities, but despite their popularity among policy makers, there is a dearth of empirical analysis of their contributions to the supply of fish and to fisheries management. In this paper we demonstrate that nearshore FADs increased the supply of fish to four communities in Solomon Islands. Estimated total annual fish catch ranged from 4300 to 12,000 kg across the study villages, with nearshore FADs contributing up to 45% of the catch. While it is clear that FADs increased the supply of fish, FAD catch rates were not consistently higher than other fishing grounds. Villages with limited access to diverse or productive fishing grounds seemingly utilized FADs to better effect. Villagers believed FADs increased household income and nutrition, as well as providing a source of fish for community events. FADs were also perceived to increase intra-household conflict and reduce fishers' participation in community activities. FADs need to be placed within a broader rural development context and treated as another component in the diversified livelihoods of rural people; as with other livelihood options they bring trade-offs and risks.
    MeSH terms: Fisheries/instrumentation*; Fisheries/methods*; Fisheries/statistics & numerical data; Food Supply/statistics & numerical data*; Geography; Humans; Melanesia
  5. Fulltext Piezoelectric bimorphs' characteristics as in-socket sensors for transfemoral amputees
    El-Sayed AM, Hamzaid NA, Abu Osman NA
    Sensors (Basel), 2014;14(12):23724-41.
    PMID: 25513823 DOI: 10.3390/s141223724
    Alternative sensory systems for the development of prosthetic knees are being increasingly highlighted nowadays, due to the rapid advancements in the field of lower limb prosthetics. This study presents the use of piezoelectric bimorphs as in-socket sensors for transfemoral amputees. An Instron machine was used in the calibration procedure and the corresponding output data were further analyzed to determine the static and dynamic characteristics of the piezoelectric bimorph. The piezoelectric bimorph showed appropriate static operating range, repeatability, hysteresis, and frequency response for application in lower prosthesis, with a force range of 0-100 N. To further validate this finding, an experiment was conducted with a single transfemoral amputee subject to measure the stump/socket pressure using the piezoelectric bimorph embedded inside the socket. The results showed that a maximum interface pressure of about 27 kPa occurred at the anterior proximal site compared to the anterior distal and posterior sites, consistent with values published in other studies. This paper highlighted the capacity of piezoelectric bimorphs to perform as in-socket sensors for transfemoral amputees. However, further experiments are recommended to be conducted with different amputees with different socket types.
    MeSH terms: Amputees; Artificial Limbs*; Biomechanical Phenomena; Humans; Prosthesis Design*; Biosensing Techniques/methods*; Lower Extremity/physiopathology
  6. Fulltext Seroprevalence screening for the West Nile virus in Malaysia's Orang Asli population
    Marlina S, Radzi SF, Lani R, Sieng KC, Rahim NF, Hassan H, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2014;7:597.
    PMID: 25515627 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0597-0
    West Nile virus (WNV) infection is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by an RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus. WNV is preserved in the environment through cyclic transmission, with mosquitoes, particularly Culex species, serving as a vector, birds as an amplifying host and humans and other mammals as dead-end hosts. To date, no studies have been carried out to determine the prevalence of the WNV antibody in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to screen for the seroprevalence of the WNV in Malaysia's Orang Asli population.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Antibodies, Viral/blood*; Birds; Culex/virology*; Female; Humans; Insect Vectors/virology*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; West Nile Fever/epidemiology*; West Nile Fever/virology; West Nile virus/immunology*; West Nile virus/isolation & purification; Zoonoses; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Population Groups; Young Adult
  7. Fulltext Assessment of muscle mass and its association with protein intake in a multi-ethnic Asian population: relevance in chronic kidney disease
    Teo BW, Toh QC, Chan XW, Xu H, Li JL, Lee EJ
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2014;23(4):619-25.
    PMID: 25516320 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.2014.23.4.01
    Clinical practice guidelines recommend objective nutritional assessments in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients but were developed while referencing to a North-American population. Specific recommendations for assessing muscle mass were suggested (mid-arm circumference, MAC; corrected mid-arm muscle area, cAMA; mid-arm muscle circumference, MAMC). This study aimed to assess correlation and association of these assessments with dietary protein intake in a multi-ethnic Asian population of healthy and CKD patients.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Anthropometry; Arm; Body Weight; China/ethnology; Dietary Proteins/administration & dosage*; Ethnic Groups*; Female; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Muscles/pathology*; Nutrition Assessment; Body Mass Index; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
  8. Fulltext Prevalence, distribution, and social determinants of tobacco use in 30 sub-Saharan African countries
    Sreeramareddy CT, Pradhan PM, Sin S
    BMC Med, 2014;12:243.
    PMID: 25518855 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-014-0243-x
    BACKGROUND: Although the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control prioritizes monitoring of tobacco use by population-based surveys, information about the prevalence and patterns of tobacco use in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. We provide country-level prevalence estimates for smoking and smokeless tobacco (SLT) use and assess their social determinants.
    METHODS: We analyzed population-based data of the most recent Demographic Health Surveys performed between 2006 and 2013 involving men and women in 30 sub-Saharan African countries. Weighted country-level prevalence rates were estimated for 'current smoking' (cigarettes, pipe, cigars, etc.) and 'current SLT use' (chewing, snuff, etc.). From the pooled datasets for men and women, social determinants of smoking and SLT use were assessed through multivariate analyses using a dummy country variable as a control and by including a within-country sample weight for each country.
    RESULTS: Among men, smoking prevalence rates were high in Sierra Leone (37.7%), Lesotho (34.1%), and Madagascar (28.5%); low (<10%) in Ethiopia, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sao Tome & Principe; the prevalence of SLT use was <10% in all countries except for Madagascar (24.7%) and Mozambique (10.9%). Among women, smoking and SLT prevalence rates were <5% in most countries except for Burundi (9.9%), Sierra Leone (6%), and Namibia (5.9%) (smoking), and Madagascar (19.6%) and Lesotho (9.1%) (SLT use). The proportion of females who smoked was lower than SLT users in most countries. Older age was strongly associated with both smoking and SLT use among men and women. Smoking among both men and women was weakly associated, but SLT use was strongly associated, with education. Similarly, smoking among men and women was weakly associated, but SLT use was strongly associated, with the wealth index. Smoking and SLT use were also associated with marital status among both men and women, as well as with occupation (agriculturists and unskilled workers).
    CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of smoking among women was much lower than in men, although the social patterns of tobacco use were similar to those in men. Tobacco control strategies should target the poor, not/least educated, and agricultural and unskilled workers, who are the most vulnerable social groups in sub-Saharan Africa.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Africa; Demography; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Socioeconomic Factors; Tobacco Use Disorder/epidemiology*; Tobacco Use Disorder/prevention & control; Tobacco, Smokeless; Prevalence; Smoking Cessation; Africa South of the Sahara/epidemiology; Young Adult
  9. Fulltext Cytotoxicity effect of degraded and undegraded kappa and iota carrageenan in human intestine and liver cell lines
    Ariffin SH, Yeen WW, Abidin IZ, Abdul Wahab RM, Ariffin ZZ, Senafi S
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014;14:508.
    PMID: 25519220 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-508
    Carrageenan is a linear sulphated polysaccharide extracted from red seaweed of the Rhodophyceae family. It has broad spectrum of applications in biomedical and biopharmaceutical field. In this study, we determined the cytotoxicity of degraded and undegraded carrageenan in human intestine (Caco-2; cancer and FHs 74 Int; normal) and liver (HepG2; cancer and Fa2N-4; normal) cell lines.
    MeSH terms: Carrageenan/adverse effects*; Carrageenan/chemistry; Cell Survival/drug effects; Food Additives/adverse effects; Food Additives/chemistry; Humans; Intestines/drug effects*; Liver/drug effects*; Seaweed/chemistry; Apoptosis/drug effects; Caco-2 Cells; Cell Proliferation/drug effects*; Hep G2 Cells
  10. Fulltext Potential protective effect of Tualang honey on BPA-induced ovarian toxicity in prepubertal rat
    Zaid SS, Othman S, Kassim NM
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014;14:509.
    PMID: 25519484 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-509
    To investigate the potential protective effects of Tualang honey against the toxicity effects induced by Bisphenol A (BPA) on pubertal development of ovaries.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Benzhydryl Compounds/adverse effects*; Body Weight/drug effects; Female; Ovarian Follicle/drug effects*; Ovarian Follicle/pathology; Honey*; Ovarian Diseases/chemically induced; Ovarian Diseases/drug therapy*; Ovarian Diseases/pathology; Phenols/adverse effects*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Estrous Cycle/drug effects*; Sexual Development; Apitherapy*
  11. Fulltext Investigating diet and physical activity in Malaysia: education and family history of diabetes relate to lower levels of physical activity
    Tam CL, Bonn G, Yeoh SH, Wong CP
    Front Psychol, 2014;5:1328.
    PMID: 25520676 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01328
    The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS, 2011), estimates that the number of Malaysian adults suffering from type 2 diabetes has increased from 8.3 to 31.2% since 1996. This study is a preliminary investigation of possible factors contributing to this epidemic. Knowledge of diabetes, health locus of control, diet and exercise habits, as well as family history, education level and other demographic factors to better understand the correlates of risky and healthy behaviors. This was done as part of a larger initiative to improve prevention efforts. Questionnaires were completed by 770 individuals from three Malaysian states: Selangor, Penang, and Terengganu. Findings showed that people with better health knowledge and those who have a family history of type 2 diabetes were more likely to have healthy diets. Also, health knowledge related to lower alcohol consumption. Participants with diabetic family members, however, also reported higher levels of stress. Counterintuitively, higher educational levels, higher internal locus of control, better health knowledge, as well as a family history of diabetes all correlated with lower levels of physical activity. Thus, it is suggested that, while increasing health knowledge will be important in addressing the type 2 diabetes epidemic in Malaysia, especially in relation to diet, other cultural factors, specifically norms related to exercise and physical activity, also need to be addressed if the spread of type 2 diabetes is to be addressed over the long term.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Alcohol Drinking; Demography; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet; Habits; Humans; Internal-External Control; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Behavior; Exercise
  12. Fulltext The contribution of illness perception to psychological distress in heart failure patients
    Morgan K, Villiers-Tuthill A, Barker M, McGee H
    BMC Psychol, 2014;2(1):50.
    PMID: 25520809 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-014-0050-3
    The influences on the psychological well-being of heart failure (HF) patients have received limited attention. Illness perceptions are a specific set of cognitive representations that have been shown to predict health-related outcomes in other patient groups. This study sought to explore the role of illness perceptions in the psychological well-being of HF patients by creating a profile of illness perceptions in HF and examining their relations with anxiety and depression.
  13. Antimutagenic effects of aqueous fraction of Myristica fragrans (Houtt.) leaves on Salmonella typhimurium and Mus musculus
    Akinboro A, Bin Mohamed K, Asmawi MZ, Yekeen TA
    Acta Biochim. Pol., 2014;61(4):779-85.
    PMID: 25520963
    Natural plant extracts offer a promising hope in the prevention/treatment of cancer arising from genetic mutations. This study evaluated in vitro and in vivo mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of aqueous fraction of Myristica fragrans (AFMF) leaves on TA100 strain of Salmonella typhimurium and Mus musculus (Male Swiss albino mice), respectively. The antioxidant activity of AFMF against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined, followed by its phytochemical elucidation using the Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography technique (UPLC). The mutagenicity of AFMF at 4, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 µg/well was <2.0 in S. typhimurium and the induced micronucleated polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg were not significantly different from the negative control (p≥0.05). The mutagenic activity of benzo[a]pyrene and cyclophosphamide was significantly suppressed above 50.0% throughout the tested concentrations. Fifty percent of the free radicals from DPPH were scavenged by AFMF at 0.11 mg/ml. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of AFMF were 51.0 mg GAE/g and 27 mg QE/g, respectively. Rutin was elucidated by the UPLC technique, and thereby suspected to be the phytochemical responsible for the observed antimutagenic activity. Thus far, AFMF seems to contain a promising chemotherapeutic agent for the prevention of genetic damage that is crucial for cancer development.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Benzopyrenes/pharmacology; Cyclophosphamide/pharmacology; Male; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Salmonella typhimurium/drug effects*; Antimutagenic Agents/pharmacology*; Antimutagenic Agents/therapeutic use*; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Myristica fragrans/chemistry*; Mice
  14. Fulltext Where and how are roads endangering mammals in Southeast Asia's forests?
    Clements GR, Lynam AJ, Gaveau D, Yap WL, Lhota S, Goosem M, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(12):e115376.
    PMID: 25521297 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115376
    Habitat destruction and overhunting are two major drivers of mammal population declines and extinctions in tropical forests. The construction of roads can be a catalyst for these two threats. In Southeast Asia, the impacts of roads on mammals have not been well-documented at a regional scale. Before evidence-based conservation strategies can be developed to minimize the threat of roads to endangered mammals within this region, we first need to locate where and how roads are contributing to the conversion of their habitats and illegal hunting in each country. We interviewed 36 experts involved in mammal research from seven Southeast Asian countries to identify roads that are contributing the most, in their opinion, to habitat conversion and illegal hunting. Our experts highlighted 16 existing and eight planned roads - these potentially threaten 21% of the 117 endangered terrestrial mammals in those countries. Apart from gathering qualitative evidence from the literature to assess their claims, we demonstrate how species-distribution models, satellite imagery and animal-sign surveys can be used to provide quantitative evidence of roads causing impacts by (1) cutting through habitats where endangered mammals are likely to occur, (2) intensifying forest conversion, and (3) contributing to illegal hunting and wildlife trade. To our knowledge, ours is the first study to identify specific roads threatening endangered mammals in Southeast Asia. Further through highlighting the impacts of roads, we propose 10 measures to limit road impacts in the region.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Asia, Southeastern; Mammals/physiology; Motor Vehicles/statistics & numerical data*; Extinction, Biological; Endangered Species/statistics & numerical data*; Forests*
  15. Fulltext CPB1 of Aedes aegypti interacts with DENV2 E protein and regulates intracellular viral accumulation and release from midgut cells
    Tham HW, Balasubramaniam VR, Tejo BA, Ahmad H, Hassan SS
    Viruses, 2014 Dec;6(12):5028-46.
    PMID: 25521592 DOI: 10.3390/v6125028
    Aedes aegypti is a principal vector responsible for the transmission of dengue viruses (DENV). To date, vector control remains the key option for dengue disease management. To develop new vector control strategies, a more comprehensive understanding of the biological interactions between DENV and Ae. aegypti is required. In this study, a cDNA library derived from the midgut of female adult Ae. aegypti was used in yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screenings against DENV2 envelope (E) protein. Among the many interacting proteins identified, carboxypeptidase B1 (CPB1) was selected, and its biological interaction with E protein in Ae. aegypti primary midgut cells was further validated. Our double immunofluorescent assay showed that CPB1-E interaction occurred in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the Ae. aegypti primary midgut cells. Overexpression of CPB1 in mosquito cells resulted in intracellular DENV2 genomic RNA or virus particle accumulation, with a lower amount of virus release. Therefore, we postulated that in Ae. aegypti midgut cells, CPB1 binds to the E protein deposited on the ER intraluminal membranes and inhibits DENV2 RNA encapsulation, thus inhibiting budding from the ER, and may interfere with immature virus transportation to the trans-Golgi network.
    MeSH terms: Aedes/enzymology*; Aedes/genetics; Aedes/virology; Animals; Dengue Virus/genetics; Dengue Virus/physiology*; Female; Insect Vectors/enzymology*; Insect Vectors/genetics; Insect Vectors/virology; Protein Binding; Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics; Viral Envelope Proteins/metabolism*; Insect Proteins/genetics; Insect Proteins/metabolism*; Gastrointestinal Tract/metabolism; Gastrointestinal Tract/virology; Carboxypeptidase B/genetics; Carboxypeptidase B/metabolism*; Virus Release*
  16. Isolation and identification of antagonistic bacteria from phylloplane of rice as biocontrol agents for sheath blight
    Akter S, Kadir J, Juraimi AS, Saud HM, Elmahdi S
    J Environ Biol, 2014 Nov;35(6):1095-100.
    PMID: 25522511
    A total of 325 bacteria were isolated from both healthy and sheath blight infected leaf samples of rice plants, collected from different places of Malaysia, following dilution technique. Sheath blight pathogen was isolated from infected samples by tissue plating method. Out of 325, 14 isolates were found to be antagonist against the pathogen in pre evaluation test. All the 14 isolates were morphologically characterized. Antagonistic activity of these isolates was further confirmed by adopting the standard dual culture and extracellular metabolite tests. The best isolates were selected, based on the results. In dual culture test, the selected bacterial isolates KMB25, TMB33, PMB38, UMB20 and BMB42 showed 68.44%, 60.89%, 60.22%, 50.00% and 48.22% fungal growth inhibition, respectively and in extracellular metabolite test these bacterial isolates exhibited 93.33%, 84.26%, 69.82%, 67.96% and 39.26% of the same, respectively. Biochemical tests of selected isolates were performed following standard procedure. These bacterial isolates were tentatively identified as fluorescent pseudomonas by morphological and biochemical characterization. The identities were further confirmed by Biolog microstation system as P. fluorescens (UMB20), P. aeruginosa (KMB25, TMB33 and PMB38) and P. asplenii (BMB42) with similarity index ranging from 0.517 to 0.697. The effective bacterial isolates obtained from the present study can be used in the management of soil borne fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, causing sheath blight of rice.
    MeSH terms: Bacteria/classification*; Plant Diseases/microbiology*; Plant Diseases/prevention & control; Oryza/microbiology*; Biological Control Agents*
  17. Fulltext Protective effect of arachidonic acid and linoleic acid on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced toxicity in PC12 cells
    Tang KS
    Lipids Health Dis, 2014 Dec 19;13:197.
    PMID: 25522984 DOI: 10.1186/1476-511X-13-197
    BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is being characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal pathway in the brain. The protective effect of omega-6 fatty acids is unclear. There are lots of contradictions in the literature with regard to the cytoprotective role of arachidonic acid. To date, there is no solid evidence that shows the protective role of omega-6 fatty acids in Parkinson's disease. In the current study, the potential of two omega-6 fatty acids (i.e. arachidonic acid and linoleic acid) in alleviating 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells was examined.

    METHODS: Cultured PC12 cells were either treated with MPP+ alone or co-treated with one of the omega-6 fatty acids for 1 day. Cell viability was then assessed by using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

    RESULTS: Cells treated with 500 μM MPP+ for a day reduced cell viability to ~70% as compared to control group. Linoleic acid (50 and 100 μM) significantly reduced MPP+-induced cell death back to ~85-90% of the control value. The protective effect could be mimicked by arachidonic acid, but not by ciglitazone.

    CONCLUSIONS: Both linoleic acid and arachidonic acid are able to inhibit MPP+-induced toxicity in PC12 cells. The protection is not mediated via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ). Overall, the results suggest the potential role of omega-6 fatty acids in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antiparkinson Agents/pharmacology*; Cell Survival/drug effects; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium/toxicity*; PC12 Cells; Arachidonic Acid/pharmacology*; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*; Linoleic Acid/pharmacology*; Thiazolidinediones/pharmacology; Rats
  18. Fulltext Visualizing copper assisted graphene growth in nanoscale
    Rosmi MS, Yusop MZ, Kalita G, Yaakob Y, Takahashi C, Tanemura M
    Sci Rep, 2014;4:7563.
    PMID: 25523645 DOI: 10.1038/srep07563
    Control synthesis of high quality large-area graphene on transition metals (TMs) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the most fascinating approach for practical device applications. Interaction of carbon atoms and TMs is quite critical to obtain graphene with precise layer number, crystal size and structure. Here, we reveal a solid phase reaction process to achieve Cu assisted graphene growth in nanoscale by in-situ transmission electron microscope (TEM). Significant structural transformation of amorphous carbon nanofiber (CNF) coated with Cu is observed with an applied potential in a two probe system. The coated Cu particle recrystallize and agglomerate toward the cathode with applied potential due to joule heating and large thermal gradient. Consequently, the amorphous carbon start crystallizing and forming sp(2) hybridized carbon to form graphene sheet from the tip of Cu surface. We observed structural deformation and breaking of the graphene nanoribbon with a higher applied potential, attributing to saturated current flow and induced Joule heating. The observed graphene formation in nanoscale by the in-situ TEM process can be significant to understand carbon atoms and Cu interaction.
    MeSH terms: Crystallization; Electrodes; Graphite; Heating; Metals; Transition Elements; Nanotubes, Carbon; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Soot; Nanofibers
  19. Dentist-nephrologist symbiosis in the dental management of chronic kidney disease patient
    Chidambaram R
    J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 2014 Dec;24(12):955.
    PMID: 25523738 DOI: 12.2014/JCPSP.955955
    MeSH terms: Dentists*; Humans; Dental Care for Chronically Ill*; Disease Management*; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications*
  20. Fulltext Complete Genome Sequence of Cedecea neteri Strain SSMD04, a Bacterium Isolated from Pickled Mackerel Sashimi
    Chan KG, Tan KH, Yin WF, Tan JY
    Genome Announc, 2014;2(6).
    PMID: 25523782 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01339-14
    We report here the complete genome sequence of C. neteri SSMD04, a strain isolated from pickled mackerel sashimi, sequenced by third-generation sequencing technology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documentation that reports the complete genome of Cedecea neteri.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Base Sequence; Enterobacteriaceae; Perciformes; Genome
External Links