Browse publications by year: 2014

Silica exposure is associated with an increased risk of developing ACPA-positive rheumatoid arthritis in an Asian population: evidence from the Malaysian MyEIRA case-control study

Yahya A, Bengtsson C, Larsson P, Too CL, Mustafa AN, Abdullah NA, et al.

Mod Rheumatol, 2014 Mar;24(2):271-4.
PMID: 24593203 DOI: 10.3109/14397595.2013.854076

OBJECTIVES: Silica exposure has been associated with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially among smokers. In this study, we aimed at examining the association between silica exposure (and its interaction with smoking) and the risk of RA in the Malaysian population.
METHODS: In total, 149 cases and 213 matched controls, all men, were included between August 2005 and December 2009. A case was defined as a person with early diagnosed RA using the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA. Controls were randomly selected matched on sex, age and residential area. Silica exposure was defined as exposure to stone dust, rock drilling or stone crushing, and smoking status was categorized as ever/never cigarette smoking.
RESULTS: An increased risk of anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive RA (OR = 2.4, 95 % CI 1.0-5.6) was observed among those exposed to silica. Ever-smokers exposed to silica had a particularly high risk of developing ACPA-positive RA (OR = 7.5, 95 % CI 2.3-24.2), compared with never-smokers not exposed to silica. No association was found regarding ACPA-negative RA.
CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that exposure to both silica and cigarette smoke comprise risks for developing RA in the Malaysian genetic context. The findings expand a link between environmental lung exposures and ACPA-positive RA to Asian populations.

MeSH terms: Adult; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/etiology*; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology; Autoantibodies/immunology*; China/ethnology; Environmental Exposure; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Peptides, Cyclic/immunology*; Risk Factors; Silicon Dioxide/toxicity*; Case-Control Studies; Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Review on materials & methods to produce controlled release coated urea fertilizer

Azeem B, KuShaari K, Man ZB, Basit A, Thanh TH

J Control Release, 2014 May 10;181:11-21.
PMID: 24593892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.02.020

With the exponential growth of the global population, the agricultural sector is bound to use ever larger quantities of fertilizers to augment the food supply, which consequently increases food production costs. Urea, when applied to crops is vulnerable to losses from volatilization and leaching. Current methods also reduce nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by plants which limits crop yields and, moreover, contributes towards environmental pollution in terms of hazardous gaseous emissions and water eutrophication. An approach that offsets this pollution while also enhancing NUE is the use of controlled release urea (CRU) for which several methods and materials have been reported. The physical intromission of urea granules in an appropriate coating material is one such technique that produces controlled release coated urea (CRCU). The development of CRCU is a green technology that not only reduces nitrogen loss caused by volatilization and leaching, but also alters the kinetics of nitrogen release, which, in turn, provides nutrients to plants at a pace that is more compatible with their metabolic needs. This review covers the research quantum regarding the physical coating of original urea granules. Special emphasis is placed on the latest coating methods as well as release experiments and mechanisms with an integrated critical analyses followed by suggestions for future research.

MeSH terms: Agriculture/methods*; Environmental Pollution/prevention & control; Fertilizers/analysis*; Kinetics; Osmotic Pressure; Polymers/chemistry*; Solubility; Urea/chemistry*; Water/chemistry
Fulltext Comparative analysis of the venom proteome of four important Malaysian snake species

Vejayan J, Khoon TL, Ibrahim H

J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis, 2014 Mar 04;20(1):6.
PMID: 24593956 DOI: 10.1186/1678-9199-20-6

BACKGROUND: Naja kaouthia, Ophiophagus hannah, Bungarus fasciatus and Calloselasma rhodostoma are four venomous snakes indigenous to Malaysia. In the present study, their proteomic profile by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) have been separated and compared.
RESULTS: The 2-DE of venoms of the four species snake demonstrated complexity and obvious interspecies differences in proteome profiles. A total of 63 proteins were identified in the four species: C. rhodostoma - 26, N. kaouthia - 16, O. hannah - 15 and B. fasciatus - 6.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the identifications of major proteins in the four snake species, a large number of protein spots from the 2-DE were unidentified even though the spots displayed high-quality MALDI-TOF-MS spectra. Those identified included phospholipase A2 proteins in all four venoms, long neurotoxins in both cobra species and the C. rhodostoma venom found with the most varied types of peptidases, i.e. metalloproteinase kistomin, halystase and L-amino acid oxidase.
A new thermographic NDT for condition monitoring of electrical components using ANN with confidence level analysis

Huda AS, Taib S, Ghazali KH, Jadin MS

ISA Trans, 2014 May;53(3):717-24.
PMID: 24593986 DOI: 10.1016/j.isatra.2014.02.003

Infrared thermography technology is one of the most effective non-destructive testing techniques for predictive faults diagnosis of electrical components. Faults in electrical system show overheating of components which is a common indicator of poor connection, overloading, load imbalance or any defect. Thermographic inspection is employed for finding such heat related problems before eventual failure of the system. However, an automatic diagnostic system based on artificial neural network reduces operating time, human efforts and also increases the reliability of system. In the present study, statistical features and artificial neural network (ANN) with confidence level analysis are utilized for inspection of electrical components and their thermal conditions are classified into two classes namely normal and overheated. All the features extracted from images do not produce good performance. Features having low performance reduce the diagnostic performance. The study reveals the performance of each feature individually for selecting the suitable feature set. In order to find the individual feature performance, each feature of thermal image was used as input for neural network and the classification of condition types were used as output target. The multilayered perceptron network using Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm was used as classifier. The performances were determined in terms of percentage of accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, false positive and false negative. After selecting the suitable features, the study introduces the intelligent diagnosis system using suitable features as inputs of neural network. Finally, confidence percentage and confidence level were used to find out the strength of the network outputs for condition monitoring. The experimental result shows that multilayered perceptron network produced 79.4% of testing accuracy with 43.60%, 12.60%, 21.40, 9.20% and 13.40% highest, high, moderate, low and lowest confidence level respectively.

MeSH terms: Algorithms; Biometry; Electricity; Hot Temperature; Humans; Sensitivity and Specificity; Thermography; Reproducibility of Results; Neural Networks (Computer)
Variation of the crystal growth of mesoporous silica nanoparticles and the evaluation to ibuprofen loading and release

Kamarudin NH, Jalil AA, Triwahyono S, Artika V, Salleh NF, Karim AH, et al.

J Colloid Interface Sci, 2014 May 1;421:6-13.
PMID: 24594025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2014.01.034

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized with variable microwave power in the range of 100-450 W, and the resulting enhancement of MSN crystal growth was evaluated for the adsorption and release of ibuprofen. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the MSN prepared under the highest microwave power (MSN450) produced the most crystallized and prominent mesoporous structure. Enhancement of the crystal growth improved the hexagonal order and range of silica, which led to greater surface area, pore width and pore volume. MSN450 exhibited higher ibuprofen adsorption (98.3 mg/g), followed by MSN300(81.3 mg/g) and MSN100(74.1 mg/g), confirming that more crystallized MSN demonstrated higher adsorptivity toward ibuprofen. Significantly, MSN450 also contained more hydroxyl groups that provided more adsorption sites. In addition, MSN450 exhibited comparable ibuprofen adsorption with conventionally synthesized MSN, indicating the potential of microwave treatment in the synthesis of related porous materials. In vitro drug release was also investigated with simulated biological fluids and the kinetics was studied under different pH conditions. MSN450 showed the slowest release rate of ibuprofen, followed by MSN300 and MSN100. This was due to the wide pore diameter and longer range of silica order of the MSN450. Ibuprofen release from MSN450 at pH 5 and 7 was found to obey a zero-order kinetic model, while release at pH 2 followed the Kosmeyer-Peppas model.

MeSH terms: Adsorption; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/administration & dosage*; Drug Carriers*; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ibuprofen/administration & dosage*; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Silicon Dioxide/chemistry*; Crystallography, X-Ray; Nanoparticles*
Influence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on textural and adsorption characteristics of in situ synthesized mesostructured silica

Karim AH, Jalil AA, Triwahyono S, Kamarudin NH, Ripin A

J Colloid Interface Sci, 2014 May 1;421:93-102.
PMID: 24594037 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2014.01.039

Carbon nanotubes-mesostructured silica nanoparticles (CNT-MSN) composites were prepared by a simple one step method with various loading of CNT. Their surface properties were characterized by XRD, N2 physisorption, TEM and FTIR, while the adsorption performance of the CNT-MSN composites were evaluated on the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) while varying the pH, adsorbent dosage, initial MB concentration, and temperature. The CNTs were found to improve the physicochemical properties of the MSN and led to an enhanced adsorptivity for MB. N2 physisorption measurements revealed the development of a bimodal pore structure that increased the pore size, pore volume and surface area. Accordingly, 0.05 g L(-1) CNT-MSN was able to adsorb 524 mg g(-1) (qm) of 60 mg L(-1) MB at pH 8 and 303 K. The equilibrium data were evaluated using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models, with the Langmuir model affording the best fit to the adsorption data. The adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-first order model. These results indicate the potential of CNT-MSN composites as effective new adsorbents for dye adsorption.

MeSH terms: Adsorption; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Silicon Dioxide/chemistry*; Thermodynamics; Molecular Structure; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Crystallography, X-Ray; Nanotubes, Carbon*; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Magnetophoresis of iron oxide nanoparticles at low field gradient: the role of shape anisotropy

Lim J, Yeap SP, Leow CH, Toh PY, Low SC

J Colloid Interface Sci, 2014 May 1;421:170-7.
PMID: 24594047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2014.01.044

Magnetophoresis of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticle (IOMNP) under low magnetic field gradient (<100 T/m) is significantly enhanced by particle shape anisotropy. This unique feature of magnetophoresis is influenced by the particle concentration and applied magnetic field gradient. By comparing the nanosphere and nanorod magnetophoresis at different concentration, we revealed the ability for these two species of particles to achieve the same separation rate by adjusting the field gradient. Under cooperative magnetophoresis, the nanorods would first go through self- and magnetic field induced aggregation followed by the alignment of the particle clusters formed with magnetic field. Time scale associated to these two processes is investigated to understand the kinetic behavior of nanorod separation under low field gradient. Surface functionalization of nanoparticles can be employed as an effective strategy to vary the temporal evolution of these two aggregation processes which subsequently influence the magnetophoretic separation time and rate.

MeSH terms: Ferric Compounds/isolation & purification*; Ferric Compounds/chemistry; Kinetics; Magnetics; Nanotubes; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Metal Nanoparticles*; Nanospheres
Frozen storage stability of beef patties incorporated with extracts from ulam raja leaves (Cosmos caudatus)

Reihani SF, Tan TC, Huda N, Easa AM

Food Chem, 2014 Jul 15;155:17-23.
PMID: 24594148 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.01.027

In Malaysia, fresh ulam raja leaves (Cosmos caudatus) are eaten raw with rice. In this study, beef patties incorporated with extracts of ulam raja (UREX) and commercial green tea extract (GTE) added individually at 200 and 500 mg/kg were stored at -18°C for up to 10 weeks. Lipid oxidation, cooking yield, physicochemical properties, textural properties, proximate composition and sensory characteristics of the beef patties were compared between those incorporated with UREX, GTE and the control (pure beef patty). Incorporation of UREX or GTE at 500 mg/kg into beef patties reduced the extent of lipid oxidation significantly (P<0.05). UREX showed a strong lipid oxidation inhibitory effect, comparable with GTE. In addition, a significant improvement (P<0.05) in cooking yield and textural properties was also recorded. However, incorporation of UREX and GTE into beef patties showed no significant influence (P>0.05) on the colour, pH, proximate composition and overall sensory acceptability of the patties.

MeSH terms: Animals; Cattle; Cooking; Female; Food Additives/analysis*; Food Preservation/instrumentation; Food Preservation/methods*; Humans; Male; Meat Products/analysis*; Plant Extracts/analysis*; Taste; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Asteraceae/chemistry*; Young Adult; Food Storage
Synthesis and discovery of highly functionalized mono- and bis-spiro-pyrrolidines as potent cholinesterase enzyme inhibitors

Kia Y, Osman H, Suresh Kumar R, Basiri A, Murugaiyah V

Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 2014 Apr 1;24(7):1815-9.
PMID: 24594354 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.02.019

Novel mono and bis spiropyrrolidine derivatives were synthesized via an efficient ionic liquid mediated, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition methodology and evaluated in vitro for their AChE and BChE inhibitory activities in search for potent cholinesterase enzyme inhibitors. Most of the synthesized compounds displayed remarkable AChE inhibitory activities with IC50 values ranging from 1.68 to 21.85 μM, wherein compounds 8d and 8j were found to be most active inhibitors against AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 1.68 and 2.75 μM, respectively. Molecular modeling simulation on Torpedo californica AChE and human BChE receptors, showed good correlation between IC50 values and binding interaction template of the most active inhibitors docked into the active site of their relevant enzymes.

MeSH terms: Animals; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry; Cholinesterases/metabolism*; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Models, Molecular; Pyrrolidines/chemical synthesis; Pyrrolidines/pharmacology*; Pyrrolidines/chemistry; Spiro Compounds/chemical synthesis; Spiro Compounds/pharmacology*; Spiro Compounds/chemistry; Structure-Activity Relationship; Torpedo; Molecular Structure; Drug Discovery*
1,1'-Diethyl-4,4'-bipyridine-1,1'-diium bis(1,1,3,3-tetracyano-2-ethoxypropenide): multiple C-H...N hydrogen bonds form a complex sheet structure

Setifi Z, Lehchili F, Setifi F, Beghidja A, Ng SW, Glidewell C

Acta Crystallogr C Struct Chem, 2014 Mar;70(Pt 3):338-41.
PMID: 24594730 DOI: 10.1107/S2053229614004379

In the title salt, C14H18N2(2+) · 2C9H5N4O(-), the 1,1'-diethyl-4,4'-bipyridine-1,1'-diium dication lies across a centre of inversion in the space group P21/c. In the 1,1,3,3-tetracyano-2-ethoxypropenide anion, the two independent -C(CN)2 units are rotated, in conrotatory fashion, out of the plane of the central propenide unit, making dihedral angles with the central unit of 16.0(2) and 23.0(2)°. The ionic components are linked by C-H...N hydrogen bonds to form a complex sheet structure, within which each cation acts as a sixfold donor of hydrogen bonds and each anion acts as a threefold acceptor of hydrogen bonds.

MeSH terms: Anions/chemistry*; Cations/chemistry*; Hydrogen Bonding; Nitriles/chemistry*; Pyridines/chemistry*; Molecular Structure; Crystallography, X-Ray
Choice of noxious facilities: case of a solid waste incinerator versus a sanitary landfill in Malaysia

Othman J, Khee PC

Waste Manag Res, 2014 May;32(5):454-7.
PMID: 24595362 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X14523662

A choice experiment analysis was conducted to estimate the preference for specific waste disposal technologies in Malaysia. The study found that there were no significant differences between the choice of a sanitary landfill or an incinerator. What matters is whether any disposal technology would lead to obvious social benefits. A waste disposal plan which is well linked or integrated with the community will ensure its acceptance. Local authorities will be challenged to identify solid waste disposal sites that are technically appropriate and also socially desirable.

MeSH terms: Choice Behavior; Humans; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Refuse Disposal/methods*; Refuse Disposal/standards; Incineration*; Waste Disposal Facilities*
Thanaka: traditional Burmese sun protection

Goldsberry A, Dinner A, Hanke CW

J Drugs Dermatol, 2014 Mar;13(3):306-7.
PMID: 24595576

Limonia acidissima or Hesperethusa crenulata is a common tree in Southeast Asia. It is indigenous to the Republic of Myanmar (formerly Burma) as well as India, Sri Lanka, Java, and Pakistan. In English, the common names for Limonia acidissima are sandalwood, wood-apple, elephant-apple, monkey fruit, and curd fruit tree. The plant has a number of different names in different languages including bal or bael in Assamese, bael in Bengali, kaitha in Hindi, belingai in Malaysia, and thanaka in Burmese. Unique to the Burmese people, thanaka has been used as a cosmetic product for over 2000 years. Mention of thanaka has been traced back to ancient Burmese lyrics, and relics of equipment used by ancient royalty to grind thanaka can be found in museums.

MeSH terms: Myanmar; Cosmetics/history; Cosmetics/isolation & purification; Humans; Medicine, East Asian Traditional/history; Sunscreening Agents/administration & dosage*; Sunscreening Agents/isolation & purification; Rutaceae/chemistry*; Plant Preparations/administration & dosage*; Plant Preparations/history; History, Ancient
Diallyl sulphide, a component of garlic, abrogates ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced oxidative stress and renal damage in rats

Ansar S, Iqbal M, AlJameil N

Hum Exp Toxicol, 2014 Dec;33(12):1209-16.
PMID: 24596035 DOI: 10.1177/0960327114524237

Ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induces tissue necrosis as a result of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidative damage that leads to high incidence of renal carcinomas. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of diallyl sulphide (DAS) against Fe-NTA-induced nephrotoxicity. A total of 30 healthy male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each: (1) control, (2) DAS (200 mg kg(-1)), (3) Fe-NTA (9 g Fe kg(-1)), (4) DAS (100 mg kg(-1)) + Fe-NTA (9 mg Fe kg(-1)) and (5) DAS (200 mg kg(-1)) + Fe-NTA (9 mg Fe kg(-1)). Fe-NTA + DAS-treated groups were given DAS for a period of 1 week before Fe-NTA administration. The intraperitoneal administration of Fe-NTA enhanced blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels with reduction in levels of antioxidant enzymes. However, significant restoration of depleted renal glutathione and its dependent enzymes (glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase) was observed in DAS pretreated groups. DAS also attenuated Fe-NTA-induced increase in LPO, hydrogen peroxide generation and protein carbonyl formation (p < 0.05). The results indicate that DAS may be beneficial in ameliorating the Fe-NTA-induced renal oxidative damage in rats.

MeSH terms: Allyl Compounds/pharmacology*; Allyl Compounds/therapeutic use*; Animals; Antioxidants/pharmacology*; Antioxidants/therapeutic use*; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Creatinine/blood; Ferric Compounds; Garlic; Glutathione/metabolism; Glutathione Reductase/metabolism; Glutathione Transferase/metabolism; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism; Kidney/drug effects; Kidney/metabolism; Kidney Diseases/chemically induced; Kidney Diseases/drug therapy*; Male; Microsomes/drug effects; Microsomes/metabolism; Nitrilotriacetic Acid/analogs & derivatives; Sulfides/pharmacology*; Sulfides/therapeutic use*; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects; Rats, Wistar; Oxidative Stress/drug effects*; Protein Carbonylation
Fulltext Antibiotics dispensing for URTIs by community pharmacists (CPs) and general medical practitioners in Penang, Malaysia: A comparative study using simulated patients (SPs)

Alabid AH, Ibrahim MI, Hassali MA

J Clin Diagn Res, 2014 Jan;8(1):119-23.
PMID: 24596741 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/6199.3923

BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, doctors in private clinics (often called dispensing doctors) are permitted to dispense medicines. This potentially may compromise rational dispensing of medicines in general and antibiotics in particular.
AIM: This study explored, assessed and compared dispensing of antibiotics between Community Pharmacist (CP) and General Practitioners (GPs) regarding symptomatic diagnosis, antibiotic categories, adherence to therapeutic doses and promotion of generic antibiotics.
METHOD: The study used trained Simulated Patients (SPs), who used a scenario of common cold symptoms at GP private clinics and community pharmacies to observe and explore the practice of antibiotics dispensing. The study was conducted within the period of May to September 2011 in Penang, Malaysia. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fisher's Exact Tests at alpha level of 0.05.
RESULTS: GPs dispensed more antibiotics than CPs (p= 0.001) for common cold symptoms. They dispensed more Amoxicillin (n = 14, 35%) than CPs (n = 11, 11%) (p < 0.001) and more Tetracycline (n = 3, 7.5%) while no CP dispensed this category (p = 0.022). On the other hand, CPs (n = 11, 11%) suggested brand antibiotics where as GPs dispensed only generic antibiotics (p < 0.001). Generally GPs comply better with the symptomatic diagnosis standard e.g. when asking SPs about the symptoms they had, all GPs (n = 40, 100%) complied better with this standard. Despite that, they dispensed more antibiotics (n = 26, 65%) than CPs (n = 29, 29%) (p = 0.001). GPs (n = 22, 55%) also are better than CPs (n = 16, 16%) in adherence to therapeutic doses (p< 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Findings showed poor adherence to rational dispensing of antibiotics by both providers. Although, GPs adhere better to symptomatic diagnosis and therapeutic dosing of antibiotics than CPs, they unnecessarily prescribe and dispense more antibiotics for Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. Establishing prescription guidance and regulatory actions, especially for URTIs treatment, and separating of medication dispensing are seemed to be crucial steps for the reform.
KEYWORDS: Community pharmacists; Dispensing doctors; Dispensing separation; General practitioners; Simulated patients ligament

MeSH terms: Ambulatory Care Facilities; Anti-Bacterial Agents*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Malaysia; Pharmacies; Drug Prescriptions*; Private Practice
Fulltext Familiarisation of Children with Medicines and their Sources of Information

Dawood OT, Ibrahim MI, Abdullah AC

J Clin Diagn Res, 2014 Jan;8(1):329-30.
PMID: 24596809 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/6902.3898
Fulltext Recommendations for HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-A*31:01 genetic testing to reduce the risk of carbamazepine-induced hypersensitivity reactions

Amstutz U, Shear NH, Rieder MJ, Hwang S, Fung V, Nakamura H, et al.

Epilepsia, 2014 Apr;55(4):496-506.
PMID: 24597466 DOI: 10.1111/epi.12564

To systematically review evidence on genetic risk factors for carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) and provide practice recommendations addressing the key questions: (1) Should genetic testing for HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-A*31:01 be performed in patients with an indication for CBZ therapy to reduce the occurrence of CBZ-induced HSRs? (2) Are there subgroups of patients who may benefit more from genetic testing for HLA-B*15:02 or HLA-A*31:01 compared to others? (3) How should patients with an indication for CBZ therapy be managed based on their genetic test results?

MeSH terms: Anticonvulsants/adverse effects; Carbamazepine/adverse effects*; Drug Hypersensitivity/diagnosis; Drug Hypersensitivity/genetics*; Genetic Markers/genetics; Genetic Testing/methods*; Humans; Risk Factors; HLA-A Antigens/genetics*; HLA-B15 Antigen/genetics*
Fulltext The effects of prosthetic foot type and visual alteration on postural steadiness in below-knee amputees

Arifin N, Abu Osman NA, Ali S, Wan Abas WA

Biomed Eng Online, 2014;13(1):23.
PMID: 24597518 DOI: 10.1186/1475-925X-13-23

Achieving independent upright posture has known to be one of the main goals in rehabilitation following lower limb amputation. The purpose of this study was to compare postural steadiness of below knee amputees with visual alterations while wearing three different prosthetic feet.

MeSH terms: Adult; Amputees; Ankle/physiology; Artificial Limbs*; Postural Balance*; Female; Foot/physiology*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prosthesis Design; Young Adult
Effect of PEGylated lipid and Lecinol S-10 on physico-chemical properties and encapsulation efficiency of palmitoleate-palmitoleic acid vesicles

Teo YY, Misran M, Low KH

J Liposome Res, 2014 Sep;24(3):241-8.
PMID: 24597523 DOI: 10.3109/08982104.2014.891234

A vesicle is a microscopic particle composed of a lipid bilayer membrane that separates the inner aqueous compartment from the outer aqueous environment. Palmitoleate-palmitoleic acid vesicles were prepared and their physico-chemical properties were investigated. Moreover, mixed vesicles composed of palmitoleic acid and PEGylated lipid and/or a mixture of phospholipids were also prepared. The stabilizing effects of these double-chain lipids on the formation of palmitoleate-palmitoleic acid vesicles were studied. Stability of the vesicle suspension was examined using particle size and zeta potential at 30 °C. The magnitude of the zeta potential was relatively lower in the vesicle suspension with the presence of phospholipid. Although some of the mixed vesicles that were formed were not very stable, they displayed potential for encapsulating the active ingredient calcein and the encapsulation efficiencies of calcein were encouraging. The palmitoleate-palmitoleic acid-DPPE-PEG2000 vesicle showed the most promising stability and encapsulation efficiency.

MeSH terms: Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated/chemistry*; Fluoresceins/administration & dosage; Liposomes/chemistry; Particle Size; Phosphatidic Acids/chemistry; Phosphatidylcholines/chemistry; Phosphatidylethanolamines/chemistry*; Phosphatidylinositols/chemistry; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry*; Unilamellar Liposomes/chemistry*; Lecithins/chemistry
Olfactory ensheathing cells seeded muscle-stuffed vein as nerve conduit for peripheral nerve repair: a nerve conduction study

Lokanathan Y, Ng MH, Hasan S, Ali A, Mahmod M, Htwe O, et al.

J Biosci Bioeng, 2014 Aug;118(2):231-4.
PMID: 24598302 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2014.02.002

We evaluated bridging of 15 mm nerve gap in rat sciatic nerve injury model with muscle-stuffed vein seeded with olfactory ensheathing cells as a substitute for nerve autograft. Neurophysiological recovery, as assessed by electrophysiological analysis was faster in the constructed biological nerve conduit compared to that of autograft.

MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Nerve Regeneration*; Neural Conduction; Olfactory Nerve/pathology; Sciatic Nerve/pathology; Sciatic Nerve/physiopathology*; Veins/pathology; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Muscle, Skeletal/pathology; Tissue Engineering*; Regenerative Medicine; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/therapy
Fulltext Trends of CD4 cell count levels at the initiation of antiretroviral therapy over time and factors associated with late initiation of antiretroviral therapy among Asian HIV-positive patients

Kiertiburanakul S, Boettiger D, Lee MP, Omar SF, Tanuma J, Ng OT, et al.

J Int AIDS Soc, 2014;17(1):18804.
PMID: 24598459 DOI: 18804

INTRODUCTION: Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been rapidly scaled up in Asia, most HIV-positive patients in the region still present with late-stage HIV disease. We aimed to determine trends of pre-ART CD4 levels over time in Asian HIV-positive patients and to determine factors associated with late ART initiation.
METHODS: Data from two regional cohort observational databases were analyzed for trends in median CD4 cell counts at ART initiation and the proportion of late ART initiation (CD4 cell counts <200 cells/mm(3) or prior AIDS diagnosis). Predictors for late ART initiation and mortality were determined.
RESULTS: A total of 2737 HIV-positive ART-naïve patients from 22 sites in 13 Asian countries and territories were eligible. The overall median (IQR) CD4 cell count at ART initiation was 150 (46-241) cells/mm(3). Median CD4 cell counts at ART initiation increased over time, from a low point of 115 cells/mm(3) in 2008 to a peak of 302 cells/mm(3) after 2011 (p for trend 0.002). The proportion of patients with late ART initiation significantly decreased over time from 79.1% before 2007 to 36.3% after 2011 (p for trend <0.001). Factors associated with late ART initiation were year of ART initiation (e.g. 2010 vs. before 2007; OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.27-0.59; p<0.001), sex (male vs. female; OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.18-1.93; p=0.001) and HIV exposure risk (heterosexual vs. homosexual; OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.24-2.23; p=0.001 and intravenous drug use vs. homosexual; OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.77-5.21; p<0.001). Factors associated with mortality after ART initiation were late ART initiation (HR 2.13, 95% CI 1.19-3.79; p=0.010), sex (male vs. female; HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.31-3.43; p=0.002), age (≥51 vs. ≤30 years; HR 3.91, 95% CI 2.18-7.04; p<0.001) and hepatitis C serostatus (positive vs. negative; HR 2.48, 95% CI 1.-4.36; p=0.035).
CONCLUSIONS: Median CD4 cell count at ART initiation among Asian patients significantly increases over time but the proportion of patients with late ART initiation is still significant. ART initiation at higher CD4 cell counts remains a challenge. Strategic interventions to increase earlier diagnosis of HIV infection and prompt more rapid linkage to ART must be implemented.

MeSH terms: Adult; Asia/epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Time Factors; HIV Infections/drug therapy*; HIV Infections/immunology; HIV Infections/mortality; CD4 Lymphocyte Count/statistics & numerical data*; Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use*; Delayed Diagnosis/statistics & numerical data

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