Browse publications by year: 2014

  1. Validation Study of the Malay version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory
    Rosdinom R, Ng IT, Teh EE, Norhayati A, Ng CG, Yeoh SH, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2014;165(6):287-93.
    PMID: 25524183 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2014.1770
    OBJECTIVES: There is a lack of local instruments to assess behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). This 2-stage cross-sectional study was aimed at validating a Malay translated version of the Neuropsychiaric Inventory (MvNPI).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was conducted on a selected group of 138 elderly outpatients with dementia and their caregivers in Hospital Pulau Pinang. Severity of dementia was assessed using the Malay-translated version of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The original NPI was translated and then back-translated before it was pilot-tested. The MvNPI was administered twice, a week apart on the same caregiver by the same investigator.

    RESULTS: The individual items and total scale score of MvNPI had high internal consistency, with Corrected Item-Total Correlation ranging from satisfactory to good (0.41 to 0.77). The Cronbach's alpha for all the NPI domains showed high internal consistency (0.83), and subtotal for severity and distress scores were perfect (0.998 to 1.00). There was no significant difference between test-retest mean scores (p>0.05) and their correlations were perfect (0.996 to 1.00). Content validity indicated mild and inverse relationship between MMSE scores and severity, and distress score (-0.281 and -0.268, respectively, with p<0.001). Discriminant validity calculated using Mann-Whitney U test was found to be significant (p<0.001) in differentiating severity of cognitive impairment. Factor analysis revealed four possible components existed in MvNPI.

    CONCLUSIONS: The MvNPI is a valid and reliable tool for assessing BPSD among Malay speaking populations of Malaysia and its neighbouring South East Asian countries.

    Study site: Hospital Pulau Pinang
    MeSH terms: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia/psychology*; Female; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Surveys and Questionnaires*; Translating; Reproducibility of Results
  2. Transarterial angioembolization versus surgery after failed endoscopic therapy for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding
    Jailani RF, Kosai NR, Yaacob NY, Jarmin R, Sutton P, Harunarrashid H, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2014;165(6):294-8.
    PMID: 25524184 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2014.1771
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of transarterial angioembolization (TAE) and surgery with endoscopically unmanageable non-variceal hemorrhage of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case note review of all patients treated for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding from January 2006 till January 2012 was performed.

    RESULTS: Fifty-four of 667 patients with non-variceal bleeding did not respond to endoscopic treatment. Nine of the 54 patients had incomplete data, leaving 45 patients in the study; 24 had angiography and another 21 had surgery. The two groups were broadly similar in terms of relevant clinical variables. Nineteen of 24 having angiography had embolisation. Re-bleeding recurred in 8 patients (33%) in the TAE group and 6 patients (28.6%) in the surgery group (p = 0.28). There was no statistically significant difference in post procedural complications (81% vs 62.5%, p = 0.17), 30-day mortality (33% vs 29.1%, p = 0.17 ) units of blood transfused (12.24 vs 8.92, p = 0.177) and mean hospital stay (30.7 vs 22.9 days, p = 0.281) observed in patients undergoing surgery as compared to TAE.

    CONCLUSIONS: TAE and surgery have similar outcomes in patients with endoscopically unmanageable non-variceal upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.
    MeSH terms: Angiography*; Embolization, Therapeutic*; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/therapy*; Humans; Length of Stay; Male; Middle Aged; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/adverse effects*
  3. Anhedonia among patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A comparison between patients on escitalopram and healthy controls
    Ng CG, Wong SK, Loh HS, Yee A
    Clin Ter, 2014;165(6):e384-90.
    PMID: 25524191 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2014.1778
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Escitalopram has widely been recognized as one of the most frequently used antidepressants, with superior tolerability and great efficacy in preventing major depressive disorder (MDD) relapse and recurrence. However, anhedonia, which is a core symptom of MDD, remains difficult to treat. This study investigates the hedonic levels of MDD patients treated with Escitalopram.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 108 participants, 26 of whom with MDD on Escitalopram, were recruited in this cross sectional study. They were evaluated using the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires to assess their hedonic state, general mental health condition and level of depression.

    RESULTS: Our study shows that most items in the SHAPS scores are significantly different between MDD patients on Escitalopram and the controls.

    CONCLUSIONS: The hedonic capacity remains different between the two groups despite patients with MDD are put on Escitalopram treatment. Escitalopram fails to alleviate the hedonic state of MDD patients. Antidepressants that improve both depressive symptoms and hedonic states should be considered when treating MDD patients in clinical settings.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy*; Depressive Disorder, Major/psychology*; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Citalopram/therapeutic use*; Case-Control Studies; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation/therapeutic use*; Anhedonia*
  4. Fulltext The effectiveness of psychoeducation and systematic desensitization to reduce test anxiety among first-year pharmacy students
    Rajiah K, Saravanan C
    Am J Pharm Educ, 2014 Nov 15;78(9):163.
    PMID: 25525278 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe789163
    To analyze the effect of psychological intervention on reducing performance anxiety and the consequences of the intervention on first-year pharmacy students.
    MeSH terms: Anxiety/diagnosis; Anxiety/epidemiology; Anxiety/prevention & control*; Anxiety/psychology; Counseling; Curriculum; Desensitization, Psychologic*; Educational Measurement; Emotions; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Motivation; Relaxation Therapy; Schools, Pharmacy; Stress, Psychological/diagnosis; Stress, Psychological/epidemiology; Stress, Psychological/prevention & control*; Stress, Psychological/psychology; Students, Pharmacy/psychology*; Prevalence; Young Adult; Test Taking Skills*
  5. Fulltext Implications of Web of Science journal impact factor for scientific output evaluation in 16 institutions and investigators' opinion
    Wáng YX, Arora R, Choi Y, Chung HW, Egorov VI, Frahm J, et al.
    Quant Imaging Med Surg, 2014 Dec;4(6):453-61.
    PMID: 25525577 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2223-4292.2014.11.16
    Journal based metrics is known not to be ideal for the measurement of the quality of individual researcher's scientific output. In the current report 16 contributors from Hong Kong SAR, India, Korea, Taiwan, Russia, Germany, Japan, Turkey, Belgium, France, Italy, UK, The Netherlands, Malaysia, and USA are invited. The following six questions were asked: (I) is Web of Sciences journal impact factor (IF) and Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) citation the main academic output performance evaluation tool in your institution? and your country? (II) How does Google citation count in your institution? and your country? (III) If paper is published in a non-SCI journal but it is included in PubMed and searchable by Google scholar, how it is valued when compared with a paper published in a journal with an IF? (IV) Do you value to publish a piece of your work in a non-SCI journal as much as a paper published in a journal with an IF? (V) What is your personal view on the metric measurement of scientific output? (VI) Overall, do you think Web of Sciences journal IF is beneficial, or actually it is doing more harm? The results show that IF and ISI citation is heavily affecting the academic life in most of the institutions. Google citation and evaluation, while is being used and convenient and speedy, has not gain wide 'official' recognition as a tool for scientific output evaluation.
    MeSH terms: Belgium; Germany; Hong Kong; India; Japan; Malaysia; Netherlands; Publications; Taiwan; Turkey; Benchmarking; PubMed; Journal Impact Factor; Republic of Korea
  6. Fulltext All-optical graphene oxide humidity sensors
    Lim WH, Yap YK, Chong WY, Ahmad H
    Sensors (Basel), 2014;14(12):24329-37.
    PMID: 25526358 DOI: 10.3390/s141224329
    The optical characteristics of graphene oxide (GO) were explored to design and fabricate a GO-based optical humidity sensor. GO film was coated onto a SU8 polymer channel waveguide using the drop-casting technique. The proposed sensor shows a high TE-mode absorption at 1550 nm. Due to the dependence of the dielectric properties of the GO film on water content, this high TE-mode absorption decreases when the ambient relative humidity increases. The proposed sensor shows a rapid response (<1 s) to periodically interrupted humid air flow. The transmission of the proposed sensor shows a linear response of 0.553 dB/% RH in the range of 60% to 100% RH.
    MeSH terms: Graphite; Humidity; Polymers; Water; Physical Phenomena
  7. Fulltext Recent developments in β-cell differentiation of pluripotent stem cells induced by small and large molecules
    Kumar SS, Alarfaj AA, Munusamy MA, Singh AJ, Peng IC, Priya SP, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2014;15(12):23418-47.
    PMID: 25526563 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151223418
    Human pluripotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), hold promise as novel therapeutic tools for diabetes treatment because of their self-renewal capacity and ability to differentiate into beta (β)-cells. Small and large molecules play important roles in each stage of β-cell differentiation from both hESCs and hiPSCs. The small and large molecules that are described in this review have significantly advanced efforts to cure diabetic disease. Lately, effective protocols have been implemented to induce hESCs and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to differentiate into functional β-cells. Several small molecules, proteins, and growth factors promote pancreatic differentiation from hESCs and hMSCs. These small molecules (e.g., cyclopamine, wortmannin, retinoic acid, and sodium butyrate) and large molecules (e.g. activin A, betacellulin, bone morphogentic protein (BMP4), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), noggin, transforming growth factor (TGF-α), and WNT3A) are thought to contribute from the initial stages of definitive endoderm formation to the final stages of maturation of functional endocrine cells. We discuss the importance of such small and large molecules in uniquely optimized protocols of β-cell differentiation from stem cells. A global understanding of various small and large molecules and their functions will help to establish an efficient protocol for β-cell differentiation.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Differentiation/drug effects*; Clinical Trials as Topic; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Time Factors; Signal Transduction; Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology*; Pluripotent Stem Cells/drug effects*; Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism; Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology*; Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
  8. Fulltext Targeted delivery of lovastatin and tocotrienol to fracture site promotes fracture healing in osteoporosis model: micro-computed tomography and biomechanical evaluation
    Ibrahim N', Khamis MF, Mod Yunoh MF, Abdullah S, Mohamed N, Shuid AN
    PLoS One, 2014;9(12):e115595.
    PMID: 25526611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115595
    Osteoporosis is becoming a major health problem that is associated with increased fracture risk. Previous studies have shown that osteoporosis could delay fracture healing. Although there are potential agents available to promote fracture healing of osteoporotic bone such as statins and tocotrienol, studies on direct delivery of these agents to the fracture site are limited. This study was designed to investigate the effects of two potential agents, lovastatin and tocotrienol using targeted drug delivery system on fracture healing of postmenopausal osteoporosis rats. The fracture healing was evaluated using micro CT and biomechanical parameters. Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into 6 groups. The first group was sham-operated (SO), while the others were ovariectomized (OVx). After two months, the right tibiae of all rats were fractured at metaphysis region using pulsed ultrasound and were fixed with plates and screws. The SO and OVxC groups were given two single injections of lovastatin and tocotrienol carriers. The estrogen group (OVx+EST) was given daily oral gavages of Premarin (64.5 µg/kg). The Lovastatin treatment group (OVx+Lov) was given a single injection of 750 µg/kg lovastatin particles. The tocotrienol group (OVx+TT) was given a single injection of 60 mg/kg tocotrienol particles. The combination treatment group (OVx+Lov+TT) was given two single injections of 750 µg/kg lovastatin particles and 60 mg/kg tocotrienol particles. After 4 weeks of treatment, the fractured tibiae were dissected out for micro-CT and biomechanical assessments. The combined treatment group (OVx+Lov+TT) showed significantly higher callus volume and callus strength than the OVxC group (p<0.05). Both the OVx+Lov and OVx+TT groups showed significantly higher callus strength than the OVxC group (p<0.05), but not for callus volume. In conclusion, combined lovastatin and tocotrienol may promote better fracture healing of osteoporotic bone.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Lovastatin/administration & dosage*; Lovastatin/therapeutic use; Tensile Strength/drug effects; Tibial Fractures/complications; Tibial Fractures/drug therapy*; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/complications*; Drug Delivery Systems; Treatment Outcome; Fracture Healing/drug effects*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tocotrienols/administration & dosage*; Tocotrienols/therapeutic use; Rats; X-Ray Microtomography/methods
  9. Fulltext Immuno-pathomechanism of liver fibrosis: targeting chemokine CCL2-mediated HIV:HCV nexus
    Ansari AW, Schmidt RE, Shankar EM, Kamarulzaman A
    J Transl Med, 2014;12:341.
    PMID: 25528160 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-014-0341-8
    Even in the era of successful combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), co-infection of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains one of the leading causes of non-AIDS-related mortality and morbidity among HIV-positive individuals as a consequence of accelerated liver fibrosis and end-stage liver disease (ESLD). The perturbed liver microenvironment and induction of host pro-inflammatory mediators in response to HIV and HCV infections, play a pivotal role in orchestrating the disease pathogenesis and clinical outcomes. How these viruses communicate each other via chemokine CCL2 and exploit the liver specific cellular environment to exacerbate liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infection setting is a topic of intense discussion. Herein, we provide recent views and insights on potential mechanisms of CCL2 mediated immuno-pathogenesis, and HIV-HCV cross-talk in driving liver inflammation. We believe CCL2 may potentially serve an attractive target of anti-fibrotic intervention against HIV/HCV co-infection associated co-morbidities.
    MeSH terms: Hepatitis C/complications; Hepatitis C/immunology*; Hepatitis C/pathology; HIV/physiology; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis/complications; Liver Cirrhosis/immunology*; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology; Liver Cirrhosis/virology; Virus Replication; HIV Infections/complications; HIV Infections/immunology*; HIV Infections/pathology; Chemokine CCL2/metabolism*
  10. Fulltext Protective Effect of Sundarban Honey against Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Hepatonephrotoxicity in Rats
    Afroz R, Tanvir EM, Hossain MF, Gan SH, Parvez M, Aminul Islam M, et al.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2014;2014:143782.
    PMID: 25530774 DOI: 10.1155/2014/143782
    Honey, a supersaturated natural product of honey bees, contains complex compounds with antioxidant properties and therefore has a wide a range of applications in both traditional and modern medicine. In the present study, the protective effects of Sundarban honey from Bangladesh against acetaminophen- (APAP-) induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in experimental rats were investigated. Adult male Wistar rats were pretreated with honey (5 g/kg) for 4 weeks, followed by the induction of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity via the oral administration of a single dose of APAP (2 g/kg). Organ damage was confirmed by measuring the elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TB), urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde (MDA). Histopathological alterations observed in the livers and the kidneys further confirmed oxidative damage to these tissues. Animals pretreated with Sundarban honey showed significantly markedly reduced levels of all of the investigated parameters. In addition, Sundarban honey ameliorated the altered hepatic and renal morphology in APAP-treated rats. Overall, our findings indicate that Sundarban honey protects against APAP-induced acute hepatic and renal damage, which could be attributed to the honey's antioxidant properties.
    MeSH terms: Acetaminophen; Administration, Oral; Alanine Transaminase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Antioxidants; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Bangladesh; Bees; Bilirubin; Creatinine; Honey; Kidney; Male; Malondialdehyde; Urea; Rats, Wistar; Protective Agents; Rats
  11. Fulltext Isolation, Characterization, Crystal Structure Elucidation, and Anticancer Study of Dimethyl Cardamonin, Isolated from Syzygium campanulatum Korth
    Memon AH, Ismail Z, Aisha AF, Al-Suede FS, Hamil MS, Hashim S, et al.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2014;2014:470179.
    PMID: 25530783 DOI: 10.1155/2014/470179
    Syzygium campanulatum Korth is an equatorial, evergreen, aboriginal shrub of Malaysia. Conventionally it has been used as a stomachic. However, in the currently conducted study dimethyl cardamonin or 2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC) was isolated from S. campanulatum Korth, leaf extract. The structural characterization of DMC was carried out by making use of various techniques including UV, IR, NMR spectral followed by LC-MS, and X-ray crystallographic techniques. For determining the purity of compound, highly effective techniques including TLC, HPLC, and melting point were used. The cytotoxicity of DMC and three different extracts of S. campanulatum was evaluated against human colon cancer cell line (HT-29) by three different assays. DMC and ethanolic extract revealed potent and dose-dependent cytotoxic activity on the cancer cell line with IC50 12.6 and 90.1 µg/mL, respectively. Quite astonishingly to our knowledge, this is the very first report on S. campanulatum as being a rich source (3.5%) of DMC, X-ray crystallography, and anticancer activity on human colon cancer cells.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Liquid; Colonic Neoplasms; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Malaysia; Plant Extracts; X-Rays; Crystallography, X-Ray; HT29 Cells; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Syzygium; Chalcones; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  12. Fulltext Safety Evaluation of Oral Toxicity of Carica papaya Linn. Leaves: A Subchronic Toxicity Study in Sprague Dawley Rats
    Ismail Z, Halim SZ, Abdullah NR, Afzan A, Abdul Rashid BA, Jantan I
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2014;2014:741470.
    PMID: 25530788 DOI: 10.1155/2014/741470
    The subchronic toxicity effect of the leaf extract of Carica papaya Linn. in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats was investigated in this study. The extract was prepared by dissolving the freeze dried extract of the leaves in distilled water and was administered orally to SD rats (consisted of 10 rats/sex/group) at 0 (control), 0.01, 0.14, and 2 g/kg body weight (BW) for 13 weeks. General observation, mortality, and food and water intake were monitored throughout the experimental period. Hematological and biochemical parameters, relative organ weights, and histopathological changes were evaluated. The study showed that leaf extract when administered for 13 weeks did not cause any mortality and abnormalities of behavior or changes in body weight as well as food and water intake. There were no significant differences observed in hematology parameters between treatment and control groups; however significant differences were seen in biochemistry values, for example, LDH, creatinine, total protein, and albumin. However, these changes were not associated with histopathological changes. In conclusion, the results suggested that daily oral administration of rats with C. papaya leaf extract for 13 weeks at a dose up to fourteen times the levels employed in traditional medicine practice did not cause any significant toxic effect.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Albumins; Animals; Creatinine; Drinking; Freeze Drying; Hematology; Medicine, Traditional; Organ Size; Plant Extracts; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Carica; Control Groups; Rats
  13. Fulltext Comparison of the health implications on the use of As and Cd contaminated water supply between urban and rural communities
    Zailina H, Najibah H, Aiezzati AN, Praveena SM, Patimah I
    Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:797603.
    PMID: 25530970 DOI: 10.1155/2014/797603
    A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in blood, urine, and drinking water as well as the health implications on 100 residents in an urban and a rural community. Results showed the blood As, urinary Cd, DNA damage, and water As and Cs were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the rural community. Findings showed significant (P < 0.005) correlations between blood As and DNA damage with household income, years of residence, and total glasses of daily water consumption among the rural residents. The urinary NAG concentrations, years of residence, milk powder intake (glass/week), and seafood intake (per week) were significantly correlated (P < 0.005) with urinary Cd concentrations among respondents. In addition, urinary Cd level significantly influenced the urinary NAG concentrations (P < 0.001). The rural respondents experienced significantly higher lymphocyte DNA damage and blood As influenced by their years of residence and water consumption. The Cd in drinking water also resulted in the rural respondents having significantly higher urinary NAG which had a significant relationship with urinary Cd.
    MeSH terms: Arsenic/blood; Arsenic/toxicity*; Arsenic/urine; Cadmium/blood; Cadmium/toxicity*; Cadmium/urine; DNA Damage/drug effects; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Rural Population; Urban Population; Drinking Water/chemistry*
  14. Fulltext Linear discrete pursuit game with phase constraints
    Raxmanov A, Ibragimov G
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:435103.
    PMID: 25531002 DOI: 10.1155/2014/435103
    We consider a linear pursuit game of one pursuer and one evader whose motions are described by different-type linear discrete systems. Position of the evader satisfies phase constraints: y∈G, where G is a subset of Rn. We considered two cases: (1) controls of the players satisfy geometric constraints, and (2) controls of the players satisfy total constraints. Terminal set M is a subset of Rn and it is assumed to have a nonempty interior. Game is said to be completed if y(k)-x(k)∈M at some step k; thus, the evader has not the right to leave set G. To construct the control of the pursuer, at each step i, we use the value of the control parameter of the evader at the step i. We obtain sufficient conditions of completion of pursuit from certain initial positions of the players in finite time interval and construct a control for the pursuer in explicit form.
    MeSH terms: Game Theory*; Humans; Models, Theoretical*
  15. Fulltext The effect of different parameters on the development of compressive strength of oil palm shell geopolymer concrete
    Kupaei RH, Alengaram UJ, Jumaat MZ
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:898536.
    PMID: 25531006 DOI: 10.1155/2014/898536
    This paper presents the experimental results of an on-going research project on geopolymer lightweight concrete using two locally available waste materials--low calcium fly ash (FA) and oil palm shell (OPS)--as the binder and lightweight coarse aggregate, respectively. OPS was pretreated with three different alkaline solutions of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide, and sodium silicate as well as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for 30 days; afterwards, oil palm shell geopolymer lightweight concrete (OPSGPC) was cast by using both pretreated and untreated OPSs. The effect of these solutions on the water absorption of OPS, and the development of compressive strength in different curing conditions of OPSGPC produced by pretreated OPS were investigated; subsequently the influence of NaOH concentration, alkaline solution to FA ratio (A/FA), and different curing regimes on the compressive strength and density of OPSGPC produced by untreated OPS was inspected. The 24-hour water absorption value for OPS pretreated with 20% and 50% PVA solution was about 4% compared to 23% for untreated OPS. OPSGPC produced from OPS treated with 50% PVA solution produced the highest compressive strength of about 30 MPa in ambient cured condition. The pretreatment with alkaline solution did not have a significant positive effect on the water absorption of OPS aggregate and the compressive strength of OPSGPC. The result revealed that a maximum compressive strength of 32 MPa could be obtained at a temperature of 65°C and curing period of 4 days. This investigation also found that an A/FA ratio of 0.45 has the optimum amount of alkaline liquid and it resulted in the highest level of compressive strength.
    MeSH terms: Construction Materials; Hydroxides/chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Particle Size; Plant Oils/chemistry*; Polymers/chemistry*; Polyvinyl Alcohol/chemistry; Sodium Hydroxide/chemistry; Solutions; Waste Products/analysis*; Water/chemistry; Potassium Compounds/chemistry; Compressive Strength*; Coal Ash/chemistry; Absorption, Physicochemical
  16. Fulltext Reduced graphene oxide anodes for potential application in algae biophotovoltaic platforms
    Ng FL, Jaafar MM, Phang SM, Chan Z, Salleh NA, Azmi SZ, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2014;4:7562.
    PMID: 25531093 DOI: 10.1038/srep07562
    The search for renewable energy sources has become challenging in the current era, as conventional fuel sources are of finite origins. Recent research interest has focused on various biophotovoltaic (BPV) platforms utilizing algae, which are then used to harvest solar energy and generate electrical power. The majority of BPV platforms incorporate indium tin oxide (ITO) anodes for the purpose of charge transfer due to its inherent optical and electrical properties. However, other materials such as reduced graphene oxide (RGO) could provide higher efficiency due to their intrinsic electrical properties and biological compatibility. In this work, the performance of algae biofilms grown on RGO and ITO anodes were measured and discussed. Results indicate improved peak power of 0.1481 mWm(-2) using the RGO electrode and an increase in efficiency of 119%, illustrating the potential of RGO as an anode material for applications in biofilm derived devices and systems.
    MeSH terms: Bioelectric Energy Sources*; Chlorella/physiology*; Electrodes; Graphite/chemistry*; Biofilms*
  17. Fulltext Thymoquinone inhibits murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vivo and in vitro
    Salim LZ, Othman R, Abdulla MA, Al-Jashamy K, Ali HM, Hassandarvish P, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(12):e115340.
    PMID: 25531768 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115340
    BACKGROUND: Thymoquinone is an active ingredient isolated from Nigella sativa (Black Seed). This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-leukemic effects of thymoquinone on WEHI-3 cells.

    METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The cytotoxic effect of thymoquinone was assessed using an MTT assay, while the inhibitory effect of thymoquinone on murine WEHI-3 cell growth was due to the induction of apoptosis, as evidenced by chromatin condensation dye, Hoechst 33342 and acridine orange/propidium iodide fluorescent staining. In addition, Annexin V staining for early apoptosis was performed using flowcytometric analysis. Apoptosis was found to be associated with the cell cycle arrest at the S phase. Expression of Bax, Bcl2 and HSP 70 proteins were observed by western blotting. The effects of thymoquinone on BALB/c mice injected with WEHI-3 cells were indicated by the decrease in the body, spleen and liver weights of the animal, as compared to the control.

    CONCLUSION: Thymoquinone promoted natural killer cell activities. This compound showed high toxicity against WEHI-3 cell line which was confirmed by an increase of the early apoptosis, followed by up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl2, and down-regulation of the apoptotic protein, Bax. On the other hand, high reduction of the spleen and liver weight, and significant histopathology study of spleen and liver confirmed that thymoquinone inhibited WEHI-3 growth in the BALB/c mice. Results from this study highlight the potential of thymoquinone to be developed as an anti-leukemic agent.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; Body Weight/drug effects; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology; Leukemia/drug therapy; Leukemia/metabolism; Leukemia/pathology; Liver/anatomy & histology; Liver/pathology; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Organ Size/drug effects; Spleen/anatomy & histology; Spleen/pathology; Transplantation, Homologous; Down-Regulation/drug effects; Up-Regulation/drug effects; Benzoquinones/pharmacology*; Benzoquinones/therapeutic use; Benzoquinones/chemistry; Apoptosis/drug effects*; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism; Nigella sativa/metabolism; Nigella sativa/chemistry; Cell Line, Tumor; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism; Mice; S Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects
  18. Simultaneous non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the external auditory canal and thyroid gland: A case report
    Khaw B, Sivalingam S, Pathamanathan SS, Tan TS, Naicker M
    Ear Nose Throat J, 2014 12;93(12):508-11.
    PMID: 25531844
    Approximately 25% of all cases of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) occur in the head and neck region; NHL of the external auditory canal (EAC) and thyroid gland are rare. Specific immunohistochemical staining of the excised tissue is required to confirm the final pathologic diagnosis. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with underlying systemic lupus erythematosus and autoimmune hemolytic anemia that were in remission. She presented with chronic left ear pain, a mass in the left EAC, and rapid growth of an anterior neck swelling that had led to left vocal fold palsy. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) of the temporal bone and CT of the neck detected a mass lateral to the left tympanic membrane and another mass in the anterior neck that had infiltrated the thyroid gland. The patient was diagnosed with simultaneous B-cell lymphoma of the left EAC and thyroid gland. She was treated with chemotherapy. She responded well to treatment and was lost to follow-up after 1 year. To the best of our knowledge, the simultaneous occurrence of a lymphoma in the EAC and the thyroid has not been previously described in the literature.
    MeSH terms: Ear Canal; Ear Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Ear Neoplasms/therapy; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary/diagnosis*; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary/therapy; Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Thyroid Neoplasms/therapy; Lymphoma, B-Cell/diagnosis*; Lymphoma, B-Cell/therapy; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/diagnosis*; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/therapy
  19. Fulltext Design and synthesis of chalcone derivatives as inhibitors of the ferredoxin - ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase interaction of Plasmodium falciparum: pursuing new antimalarial agents
    Suwito H, Jumina, Mustofa, Pudjiastuti P, Fanani MZ, Kimata-Ariga Y, et al.
    Molecules, 2014 Dec 19;19(12):21473-88.
    PMID: 25532844 DOI: 10.3390/molecules191221473
    Some chalcones have been designed and synthesized using Claisen-Schmidt reactions as inhibitors of the ferredoxin and ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase interaction to pursue a new selective antimalaria agent. The synthesized compounds exhibited inhibition interactions between PfFd-PfFNR in the range of 10.94%-50%. The three strongest inhibition activities were shown by (E)-1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (50%), (E)-1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (38.16%), and (E)-1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (31.58%). From the docking experiments we established that the amino group of the methoxyamino chlacone derivatives plays an important role in the inhibition activity by electrostatic interaction through salt bridges and that it forms more stable and better affinity complexes with FNR than with Fd.
    MeSH terms: Antimalarials/chemical synthesis*; Binding Sites; Chalcone/analogs & derivatives*; Chalcone/chemical synthesis*; Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase/antagonists & inhibitors*; Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase/chemistry; Ferredoxins/antagonists & inhibitors*; Ferredoxins/chemistry; Plant Proteins/chemistry; Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects; Plasmodium falciparum/enzymology; Drug Design; Protozoan Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors*; Protozoan Proteins/chemistry; Protein Structure, Secondary; Molecular Docking Simulation
  20. Fulltext Can Pharmacy Doctors act as valuable assets in rural areas with a physician shortage?
    Ahmad A, Patel I, Khan MU, Chang J
    J Res Pharm Pract, 2014 Oct;3(4):109-11.
    PMID: 25535617 DOI: 10.4103/2279-042X.145345
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