Browse publications by year: 2015

  1. A linear heterometallic bismuth-copper coordination polymer containing two types of organic ligands
    Yue ZL, Feng YQ, Ng SW
    Acta Crystallogr C Struct Chem, 2015 Feb;71(Pt 2):100-2.
    PMID: 25652275 DOI: 10.1107/S2053229614028125
    In the linear coordination polymer catena-poly[[[aqua(1,10-phenanthroline-κ(2)N,N')copper(II)]-μ-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato-κ(4)O(2):O(2'),N,O(6)-[(nitrato-κ(2)O,O')bismuth(III)]-μ-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato-κ(4)O(2),N,O(6):O(6')] dihydrate], {[Bi(III)Cu(II)(C7H3NO4)2(NO3)(C12H8N2)(H2O)]·2H2O}n, the Bi(III) cation is O,N,O'-chelated by the two pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate ligands and O,O'-chelated by the nitrate anion, the nine coordinating atoms conferring a tricapped trigonal prismatic environment on the metal centre. Each pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate ligand uses one of its carboxylate O atoms to bind to an aqua(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(II) unit, the Cu-O dative bonds giving rise to the formation of a ribbon motif. The Cu(II) cation exhibits a square-pyramidal geometry. The ribbon motif propagates along the shortest axis of the triclinic unit cell and the solvent water molecules are hydrogen bonded to the same ribbon.
  2. Fulltext Elucidation of in-vitro anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds isolated from Jatropha curcas L. plant root
    Othman AR, Abdullah N, Ahmad S, Ismail IS, Zakaria MP
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2015;15:11.
    PMID: 25652309 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0528-4
    BACKGROUND: The Jatropha curcas plant or locally known as "Pokok Jarak" has been widely used in traditional medical applications. This plant is used to treat various conditions such as arthritis, gout, jaundice, wound and inflammation. However, the nature of compounds involved has not been well documented. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of different parts of J. curcas plant and to identify the active compounds involved.
    METHODS: In this study, methanol (80%) extraction of four different parts (leaves, fruits, stem and root) of J. curcas plant was carried out. Phenolic content of each part was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. Gallic acid was used as the phenol standard. Each plant part was screened for anti-inflammatory activity using cultured macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The active plant part was then partitioned with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and water. Each partition was again screened for anti-inflammatory activity. The active partition was then fractionated using an open column chromatography system. Single spots isolated from column chromatography were assayed for anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity activities. Spots that showed activity were subjected to gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) analysis for identification of active metabolites.
    RESULTS: The hexane partition from root extract showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. However, it also showed high cytotoxicity towards RAW 264.7 cells at 1 mg/mL. Fractionation process using column chromatography showed five spots. Two spots labeled as H-4 and H-5 possessed anti-inflammatory activity, without cytotoxicity activity. Analysis of both spots by GC-MS showed the presence of hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, octadecanoic acid methyl ester and octadecanoic acid.
    CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, octadecanoic acid methyl ester and octadecanoic acid could be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of the J. curcas root extract.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/analysis; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use; Inflammation/drug therapy*; Macrophages/drug effects*; Phytotherapy; Molybdenum; Phenols/analysis; Phenols/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Stearic Acids/analysis; Stearic Acids/pharmacology*; Stearic Acids/therapeutic use; Tungsten Compounds; Plant Roots/chemistry; Palmitic Acid/analysis; Palmitic Acid/pharmacology*; Palmitic Acid/therapeutic use; Jatropha/chemistry*; Mice
  3. Fulltext Fine-mapping identifies two additional breast cancer susceptibility loci at 9q31.2
    Orr N, Dudbridge F, Dryden N, Maguire S, Novo D, Perrakis E, et al.
    Hum Mol Genet, 2015 May 15;24(10):2966-84.
    PMID: 25652398 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv035
    We recently identified a novel susceptibility variant, rs865686, for estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer at 9q31.2. Here, we report a fine-mapping analysis of the 9q31.2 susceptibility locus using 43 160 cases and 42 600 controls of European ancestry ascertained from 52 studies and a further 5795 cases and 6624 controls of Asian ancestry from nine studies. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs676256 was most strongly associated with risk in Europeans (odds ratios [OR] = 0.90 [0.88-0.92]; P-value = 1.58 × 10(-25)). This SNP is one of a cluster of highly correlated variants, including rs865686, that spans ∼14.5 kb. We identified two additional independent association signals demarcated by SNPs rs10816625 (OR = 1.12 [1.08-1.17]; P-value = 7.89 × 10(-09)) and rs13294895 (OR = 1.09 [1.06-1.12]; P-value = 2.97 × 10(-11)). SNP rs10816625, but not rs13294895, was also associated with risk of breast cancer in Asian individuals (OR = 1.12 [1.06-1.18]; P-value = 2.77 × 10(-05)). Functional genomic annotation using data derived from breast cancer cell-line models indicates that these SNPs localise to putative enhancer elements that bind known drivers of hormone-dependent breast cancer, including ER-α, FOXA1 and GATA-3. In vitro analyses indicate that rs10816625 and rs13294895 have allele-specific effects on enhancer activity and suggest chromatin interactions with the KLF4 gene locus. These results demonstrate the power of dense genotyping in large studies to identify independent susceptibility variants. Analysis of associations using subjects with different ancestry, combined with bioinformatic and genomic characterisation, can provide strong evidence for the likely causative alleles and their functional basis.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms/genetics*; Chromosome Mapping; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9*; Enhancer Elements, Genetic; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Risk; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*; European Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; Estrogen Receptor alpha/genetics; GATA3 Transcription Factor/genetics; Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 3-alpha/genetics; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/genetics; Genetic Loci*; Genetic Association Studies
  4. Source contribution of PM₂.₅ at different locations on the Malaysian Peninsula
    Ee-Ling O, Mustaffa NI, Amil N, Khan MF, Latif MT
    Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 2015 Apr;94(4):537-42.
    PMID: 25652682 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-015-1477-9
    This study determined the source contribution of PM2.5 (particulate matter <2.5 μm) in air at three locations on the Malaysian Peninsula. PM2.5 samples were collected using a high volume sampler equipped with quartz filters. Ion chromatography was used to determine the ionic composition of the samples and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of heavy metals. Principal component analysis with multilinear regressions were used to identify the possible sources of PM2.5. The range of PM2.5 was between 10 ± 3 and 30 ± 7 µg m(-3). Sulfate (SO4 (2-)) was the major ionic compound detected and zinc was found to dominate the heavy metals. Source apportionment analysis revealed that motor vehicle and soil dust dominated the composition of PM2.5 in the urban area. Domestic waste combustion dominated in the suburban area, while biomass burning dominated in the rural area.
    MeSH terms: Air Pollutants/analysis*; Vehicle Emissions/analysis; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Dust/analysis; Environmental Monitoring/methods; Environmental Monitoring/statistics & numerical data*; Malaysia; Regression Analysis; Mass Spectrometry; Sulfates/analysis; Zinc/analysis; Metals, Heavy/analysis*; Principal Component Analysis; Particulate Matter/analysis*
  5. Fulltext Inhibitory effect of Curcuma purpurascens BI. rhizome on HT-29 colon cancer cells through mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis pathway
    Rouhollahi E, Zorofchian Moghadamtousi S, Paydar M, Fadaeinasab M, Zahedifard M, Hajrezaie M, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2015;15:15.
    PMID: 25652758 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0534-6
    BACKGROUND: Curcuma purpurascens BI. (Zingiberaceae) commonly known as 'Koneng Tinggang' and 'Temu Tis' is a Javanese medicinal plant which has been used for numerous ailments and diseases in rural Javanese communities. In the present study, the apoptogenic activity of dichloromethane extract of Curcuma purpurascens BI. rhizome (DECPR) was investigated against HT-29 human colon cancer cells.
    METHODS: Acute toxicity study of DECPR was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats. Compounds of DECPR were analyzed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-time of flight (GC-MS-TOF) analysis. Cytotoxic effect of DECPR on HT-29 cells was analyzed by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Effects of DECPR on reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and mitochondrial-initiated events were investigated using a high content screening system. The activities of the caspases were also measured using a fluorometric assay. The quantitative PCR analysis was carried out to examine the gene expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins.
    RESULTS: The in vivo acute toxicity study of DECPR on rats showed the safety of this extract at the highest dose of 5 g/kg. The GC-MS-TOF analysis of DECPR detected turmerone as the major compound in dichloromethane extract. IC50 value of DECPR towards HT-29 cells after 24 h treatment was found to be 7.79 ± 0.54 μg/mL. In addition, DECPR induced LDH release and ROS generation in HT-29 cells through a mechanism involving nuclear fragmentation and cytoskeletal rearrangement. The mitochondrial-initiated events, including collapse in mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c leakage was also triggered by DECPR treatment. Initiator caspase-9 and executioner caspase-3 was dose-dependently activated by DECPR. The quantitative PCR analysis on the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 family of proteins showed a significant up-regulation of Bax associated with down-regulation in Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl mRNA expression.
    CONCLUSIONS: The findings presented in the current study showed that DECP suppressed the proliferation of HT-29 colon cancer cells and triggered the induction of apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent pathway.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use*; Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Colonic Neoplasms/metabolism; Humans; Male; Phytotherapy*; Mitochondria/drug effects*; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; RNA, Messenger/metabolism; Signal Transduction/drug effects; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Apoptosis/drug effects; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism; HT29 Cells; Caspases/metabolism; Rhizome; Curcuma/chemistry*; Zingiberaceae; Cytochromes c/metabolism; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism; Rats; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects*
  6. Fulltext Patient satisfaction in Malaysia's busiest outpatient medical care
    Ganasegeran K, Perianayagam W, Manaf RA, Jadoo SA, Al-Dubai SA
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2015;2015:714754.
    PMID: 25654133 DOI: 10.1155/2015/714754
    This study aimed to explore factors associated with patient satisfaction of outpatient medical care in Malaysia. A cross-sectional exit survey was conducted among 340 outpatients aged between 13 and 80 years after successful clinical consultations and treatment acquirements using convenience sampling at the outpatient medical care of Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR), Malaysia, being the country's busiest medical outpatient facility. A survey that consisted of sociodemography, socioeconomic, and health characteristics and the validated Short-Form Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18) scale were used. Patient satisfaction was the highest in terms of service factors or tangible priorities, particularly "technical quality" and "accessibility and convenience," but satisfaction was low in terms of service orientation of doctors, particularly the "time spent with doctor," "interpersonal manners," and "communication" during consultations. Gender, income level, and purpose of visit to the clinic were important correlates of patient satisfaction. Effort to improve service orientation among doctors through periodical professional development programs at hospital and national level is essential to boost the country's health service satisfaction.

    Study site: outpatient medical care of Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ambulatory Care/standards*; Ambulatory Care/statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hospitals, General; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital/standards; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital/statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Patient Satisfaction/statistics & numerical data*; Young Adult
  7. Fulltext Mutagenesis and functional analysis of the pore-forming toxin HALT-1 from Hydra magnipapillata
    Liew YJ, Soh WT, Jiemy WF, Hwang JS
    Toxins (Basel), 2015 Feb;7(2):407-22.
    PMID: 25654788 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7020407
    Actinoporins are small 18.5 kDa pore-forming toxins. A family of six actinoporin genes has been identified in the genome of Hydra magnipapillata, and HALT-1 (Hydra actinoporin-like toxin-1) has been shown to have haemolytic activity. In this study, we have used site-directed mutagenesis to investigate the role of amino acids in the pore-forming N-terminal region and the conserved aromatic cluster required for cell membrane binding. A total of 10 mutants of HALT-1 were constructed and tested for their haemolytic and cytolytic activity on human erythrocytes and HeLa cells, respectively. Insertion of 1-4 negatively charged residues in the N-terminal region of HALT-1 strongly reduced haemolytic and cytolytic activity, suggesting that the length or charge of the N-terminal region is critical for pore-forming activity. Moreover, substitution of amino acids in the conserved aromatic cluster reduced haemolytic and cytolytic activity by more than 80%, suggesting that these aromatic amino acids are important for attachment to the lipid membrane as shown for other actinoporins. The results suggest that HALT-1 and other actinoporins share similar mechanisms of pore formation and that it is critical for HALT-1 to maintain an amphipathic helix at the N-terminus and an aromatic amino acid-rich segment at the site of membrane binding.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Erythrocytes/drug effects; Erythrocytes/pathology; Multigene Family*; HeLa Cells; Hemolysis/drug effects*; Humans; Hydra/metabolism*; Marine Toxins/genetics; Marine Toxins/isolation & purification; Marine Toxins/toxicity*; Molecular Sequence Data; Recombinant Proteins; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/genetics; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/isolation & purification; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/toxicity*
  8. Using written text-based approach to promote reflection: does it work?
    Sim JH
    Med Teach, 2015 Apr;37(4):405-6.
    PMID: 25655656 DOI: 10.3109/0142159X.2014.1001345
    MeSH terms: Education, Medical/methods*; Humans
  9. Fulltext Effects of Supplementation of Mulberry (Morus alba) Foliage and Urea-rice Bran as Fermentable Energy and Protein Sources in Sheep Fed Urea-treated Rice Straw Based Diet
    Yulistiani D, Jelan ZA, Liang JB, Yaakub H, Abdullah N
    Asian-Australas J Anim Sci, 2015 Apr;28(4):494-501.
    PMID: 25656207 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.14.0406
    A digestibility study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing mulberry foliage and urea rice-bran as a source of fermentable energy and protein to 12 sheep fed diets based on urea-treated rice straw (TRS). The three dietary treatments were: T1, TRS with mulberry; T2, TRS with 50% mulberry replaced with rice bran and urea; and T3, TRS with rice bran and urea. The study was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications for each treatment. The sheep were fed one of the three diets and the supplements were offered at 1.2% of the body weight (BW) and the TRS was provided ad libitum. There were no differences (p>0.05) among the three treatment groups with respect to dry matter (DM) intake (76.8±4.2 g/kg BW(0.75)) and DM, organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP) digestibility (55.3±1.22; 69.9±0.85; 46.3±1.65% respectively for DM, OM, and CP). The digestibility of fiber (neutral detergent fiber [NDF] and acid detergent fiber) was significantly lower (p<0.05) for T3 (46.2 and 46.6 respectively) compared to T1 (55.8 and 53.7 respectively) and T2 (54.1 and 52.8 respectively). Nitrogen (N) intake by sheep on diet T3 was significantly (p<0.05) higher than sheep fed diet T1. However, N balance did not differ among the three diets (3.0±0.32 g/d). In contrast, the rumen ammonia (NH3-N) concentrations in sheep fed T2 and T3 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than in sheep fed T1. The NH3-N concentrations for all three diets were above the critical value required for optimum rumen microbial growth and synthesis. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations were highest (p<0.05) in T1 (120.3 mM), whilst the molar proportion of propionic acid was highest in T3 (36.9%). However, the microbial N supply in sheep fed T1 and T3 was similar but was significantly (p<0.05) higher than for sheep fed T2. It was concluded that mulberry foliage is a potential supplement of fermentable energy and protein for sheep fed TRS based diet. The suggested level of supplementation is 1.2% of BW or 32% of the total diet since it resulted in similar effects on the intake of DM, OM, and NDF, digestibility of DM, OM, and CP, N utilization and microbial supply when compared to rice bran and urea supplementation.
    MeSH terms: Ammonia; Animals; Body Weight; Detergents; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Molar; Nitrogen; Propionates; Oryza; Rumen; Sheep; Urea; Dietary Supplements; Morus
  10. Fulltext Lack of association of apolipoprotein E (Apo E) polymorphism with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome: the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Family Heart Study
    Lai LY, Petrone AB, Pankow JS, Arnett DK, North KE, Ellison RC, et al.
    Diabetes Metab Res Rev, 2015 Sep;31(6):582-7.
    PMID: 25656378 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.2638
    OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidaemia, elevated blood pressure and insulin resistance, is a major public health concern in the United States. The effects of apolipoprotein E (Apo E) polymorphism on MetS are not well established.

    METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of 1551 participants from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Family Heart Study to assess the relation of Apo E polymorphism with the prevalence of MetS. MetS was defined according to the American Heart Association-National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute-International Diabetes Federation-World Health Organization harmonized criteria. We used generalized estimating equations to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for prevalent MetS and the Bonferroni correction to account for multiple testing in the secondary analysis.

    RESULTS: Our study population had a mean age (standard deviation) of 56.5 (11.0) years, and 49.7% had MetS. There was no association between the Apo E genotypes and the MetS. The multivariable adjusted ORs (95% confidence interval) were 1.00 (reference), 1.26 (0.31-5.21), 0.89 (0.62-1.29), 1.13 (0.61-2.10), 1.13 (0.88-1.47) and 1.87 (0.91-3.85) for the Ɛ3/Ɛ3, Ɛ2/Ɛ2, Ɛ2/Ɛ3, Ɛ2/Ɛ4, Ɛ3/Ɛ4 and Ɛ4/Ɛ4 genotypes, respectively. In a secondary analysis, Ɛ2/Ɛ3 genotype was associated with 41% lower prevalence odds of low high-density lipoprotein [multivariable adjusted ORs (95% confidence interval) = 0.59 (0.36-0.95)] compared with Ɛ3/Ɛ3 genotype.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support an association between Apo E polymorphism and MetS in a multicentre population-based study of predominantly White US men and women.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Apolipoproteins E/genetics*; Apolipoproteins E/metabolism; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family Health; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Genetic*; United States/epidemiology; Prevalence; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Metabolic Syndrome X/genetics*; Metabolic Syndrome X/metabolism; Metabolic Syndrome X/epidemiology; European Continental Ancestry Group; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U.S.); Genetic Association Studies
  11. Fulltext Reproductive and hormone-related risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer by histologic pathways, invasiveness and histologic subtypes: Results from the EPIC cohort
    Fortner RT, Ose J, Merritt MA, Schock H, Tjønneland A, Hansen L, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2015 Sep 01;137(5):1196-208.
    PMID: 25656413 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29471
    Whether risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) differ by subtype (i.e., dualistic pathway of carcinogenesis, histologic subtype) is not well understood; however, data to date suggest risk factor differences. We examined associations between reproductive and hormone-related risk factors for EOC by subtype in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Among 334,126 women with data on reproductive and hormone-related risk factors (follow-up: 1992-2010), 1,245 incident cases of EOC with known histology and invasiveness were identified. Data on tumor histology, grade, and invasiveness, were available from cancer registries and pathology record review. We observed significant heterogeneity by the dualistic model (i.e., type I [low grade serous or endometrioid, mucinous, clear cell, malignant Brenner] vs. type II [high grade serous or endometrioid]) for full-term pregnancy (phet  = 0.02). Full-term pregnancy was more strongly inversely associated with type I than type II tumors (ever vs. never: type I: relative risk (RR) 0.47 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33-0.69]; type II, RR: 0.81 [0.61-1.06]). We observed no significant differences in risk in analyses by major histologic subtypes of invasive EOC (serous, mucinous, endometrioid, clear cell). None of the investigated factors were associated with borderline tumors. Established protective factors, including duration of oral contraceptive use and full term pregnancy, were consistently inversely associated with risk across histologic subtypes (e.g., ever full-term pregnancy: serous, RR: 0.73 [0.58-0.92]; mucinous, RR: 0.53 [0.30-0.95]; endometrioid, RR: 0.65 [0.40-1.06]; clear cell, RR: 0.34 [0.18-0.64]; phet  = 0.16). These results suggest limited heterogeneity between reproductive and hormone-related risk factors and EOC subtypes.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal/administration & dosage*; Europe/epidemiology; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/epidemiology; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/pathology*; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/prevention & control*; Ovarian Neoplasms/epidemiology; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology*; Ovarian Neoplasms/prevention & control*; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Term Birth
  12. Assessing bone banking activities at University of Malaya medical centre
    Mohd S, Samsuddin SM, Ramalingam S, Min NW, Yusof N, Zaman TK, et al.
    Cell Tissue Bank, 2015 Dec;16(4):523-30.
    PMID: 25656787 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-015-9499-4
    The main advantage of establishing in-house bone banks is its ability to readily provide allograft bones for local surgeries. Bone procurement activities of our university bone bank during the 10 years of operation were reviewed. Socio-demographic data of donors, types of bone procured, cases of rejected bones and types of allograft bones transplanted are presented. From 179 potential donors, 73 % were accepted with 213 procured bones. Femoral head was the common bone transplanted (45 %), as it was also the most common procured (82 %). Bones were rejected mainly due to non-technical reasons (83 %) rather than positive results of microbiological (13 %) and serological (4 %) tests. Comprehensive data could not be obtained for further analysis due to difficulties in retrieving information. Therefore, quality assurance system was improved to establish more systematic documentations, as the basis of good banking practice with process control hence allowing traceability.
  13. Fulltext Identification of circulating biomarkers in sera of Plasmodium knowlesi-infected malaria patients--comparison against Plasmodium vivax infection
    Chen Y, Chan CK, Kerishnan JP, Lau YL, Wong YL, Gopinath SC
    BMC Infect Dis, 2015;15:49.
    PMID: 25656928 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-0786-2
    Plasmodium knowlesi was identified as the fifth major malaria parasite in humans. It presents severe clinical symptoms and leads to mortality as a result of hyperparasitemia in a short period of time. This study aimed to improve the current understanding of P. knowlesi and identify potential biomarkers for knowlesi malaria.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Antigens, Protozoan/blood; Female; Humans; Malaria/blood; Malaria/diagnosis*; Malaria/parasitology; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Plasmodium vivax/immunology; Plasmodium vivax/pathogenicity*; Sensitivity and Specificity; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; Biomarkers/blood*; Plasmodium knowlesi/immunology; Plasmodium knowlesi/pathogenicity*
  14. Evaluation of Osteogenic Potentials of Avian Demineralized Bone Matrix in the Healing of Osseous Defects in Pigeons
    Sanaei R, Abu J, Nazari M, Zuki MA, Allaudin ZN
    Vet Surg, 2015 Jul;44(5):603-12.
    PMID: 25656987 DOI: 10.1111/vsu.12292
    To evaluate avian allogeneic demineralized bone matrix (DBM) in the healing of long bone defects as a function of geometry and time in a pigeon model.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Bone Matrix/physiology*; Osteogenesis; Columbidae*; Transplantation, Autologous/veterinary; Ulna Fractures/surgery; Ulna Fractures/veterinary*; Wound Healing; Bone Transplantation/veterinary*; Prostheses and Implants
  15. Fulltext Genome Sequences of Two Pandoraea pnomenusa Isolates Recovered 11 Months Apart from a Cystic Fibrosis Patient
    Ee R, Ambrose M, Lazenby J, Williams P, Chan KG, Roddam L
    Genome Announc, 2015;3(1).
    PMID: 25657265 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01389-14
    Pandoraea is an emerging respiratory pathogen capable of causing chronic lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), but the clinical significance of this infection is ambiguous. We have sequenced and annotated the genomes of two multidrug-resistant Pandoraea pnomenusa isolates recovered 11 months apart from the same CF patient.
    MeSH terms: Base Sequence; Cystic Fibrosis; Humans; Respiration Disorders; Burkholderiaceae
  16. Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of a Quorum-Sensing Bacterium, Dickeya sp. Strain 2B12, Isolated from a Freshwater Lake
    Tan KH, Sheng KY, Chang CY, Yin WF, Chan KG
    Genome Announc, 2015;3(1).
    PMID: 25657288 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01542-14
    Dickeya sp. strain 2B12 was isolated from a freshwater lake in Malaysia. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Dickeya sp. 2B12 sequenced by the Illumina MiSeq platform. With the genome sequence available, this genome sequence will be useful for the study of quorum-sensing activity in this isolate.
    MeSH terms: Base Sequence; Enterobacteriaceae; Malaysia; Quorum Sensing; Lakes
  17. Functional glycolipid-crown-ethers by click chemistry
    Salman AA, Tabandeh M, Heidelberg T, Duali Hussen RS
    Carbohydr Res, 2015 Apr 10;406:41-5.
    PMID: 25658065 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2014.12.015
    A series of glycolipid crown ether analogs was prepared by bis-propargylation of lauryl glycoside followed by subsequent click-coupling with ethylene glycol-based diazides. The triazole-linked macrocycles were obtained in remarkable high yields. While the surfactant assembly was affected by presence of sodium ions, suggesting the formation of complexes, no ion-selectivity was observed for the macrocylic ligands. Computational studies suggest a low but significant cation-binding activity of the macrocycle, involving coordination at both oxygen and nitrogen atoms.
    MeSH terms: Azides/chemistry; Cyclization; Glycolipids/chemical synthesis*; Models, Molecular; Surface-Active Agents/chemical synthesis; Crown Ethers/chemical synthesis*; Click Chemistry
  18. Natural occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in processed spices marketed in Malaysia
    Ali N, Hashim NH, Shuib NS
    Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess, 2015;32(4):518-32.
    PMID: 25658149 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2015.1011712
    The analysis of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was performed in processed spices marketed in Penang, Malaysia, using immunoaffinity columns and HPLC equipped with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FD). The processed powdered spices analysed include dried chilli, fennel, cumin, turmeric, black and white pepper, poppy seed, coriander, 'garam masala', and mixed spices for fish, meat and chicken curry. Two different studies were carried out. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.01 ng g(-1) for each aflatoxin (AF) and 0.10 ng g(-1) for OTA (signal-to-noise ratio = 3:1). In the first study, 34 commercial processed spices analysed with a mean level, range and incidence of positive samples for total AF were 1.61 ng g(-1), 0.01-9.34 ng g(-1) and 85%, respectively, and for AFB1 were 1.38 ng g(-1), 0.01-7.68 ng g(-1) and 85%, respectively. The mean level, range and incidence of positive samples for OTA were 2.21 ng g(-1), 0.14-20.40 ng g(-1) and 79%, respectively. Natural co-occurrence of AF and OTA was found in 25 (74%) samples. In the second study of 24 commercial processed spices, the mean level, range and incidence of positive samples for total AF were 8.38 ng g(-1), 0.32-31.17 ng g(-1) and 88%, respectively, and for AFB1 were 7.31 ng g(-1), 0.32-28.43 ng g(-1) and 83%, respectively. Fifteen positive samples for total AF and two positive samples for OTA exceeded the permissible Malaysian limit of 5 ng g(-1). Contamination of both mycotoxins in spices may represent another route of exposure to consumers due to their frequent and prolonged consumption, as spices are common ingredients in popular dishes among Asian countries.
    MeSH terms: Aflatoxins/analysis*; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Food Contamination/analysis*; Food Handling; Food Microbiology; Malaysia; Ochratoxins/analysis*; Spices/analysis*; Spices/microbiology*; Limit of Detection
  19. Hydrothermal and wet disk milling pretreatment for high conversion of biosugars from oil palm mesocarp fiber
    Zakaria MR, Norrrahim MN, Hirata S, Hassan MA
    Bioresour Technol, 2015 Apr;181:263-9.
    PMID: 25659104 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.01.072
    Eco-friendly pretreatment methods for lignocellulosic biomass are being developed as alternatives to chemical based methods. Superheated steam (SHS), hot compressed water (HCW) and wet disk milling (WDM) were used individually and with combination to partially remove hemicellulose and alter the lignin composition of recalcitrant structure of oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF). The efficiency of the pretreatment methods was evaluated based on the chemical compositions altered, SEM analysis, power consumption and degree of enzymatic digestibility. Hemicellulose removal (94.8%) was more pronounced under HCW compared to SHS, due to maximal contact of water and production of acetic acid which enhanced further degradation of hemicellulose. Subsequent treatment with WDM resulted in defibrillation of OPMF and expansion of the specific surface area thus increasing the conversion of cellulose to glucose. The highest glucose yield was 98.1% (g/g-substrate) when pretreated with HCW (200 °C, 20 min) and WDM which only consumed 9.6 MJ/kg of OPMF.
    MeSH terms: Biotechnology/methods*; Carbohydrates/chemistry*; Cellulase/metabolism; Fruit/ultrastructure; Fruit/chemistry*; Glucose/analysis; Hydrolysis; Plant Oils/chemistry*; Steam; Temperature*; Time Factors; Water*; Xylose/analysis; Arecaceae/ultrastructure; Arecaceae/chemistry
  20. Fulltext Ethnic differences in mammographic densities: an Asian cross-sectional study
    Mariapun S, Li J, Yip CH, Taib NA, Teo SH
    PLoS One, 2015;10(2):e0117568.
    PMID: 25659139 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117568
    BACKGROUND: Mammographic density is a strong risk factor for breast cancer and is highly variable, but, to date, few studies have examined density in Asian women, particularly those in low and middle-income Asian countries where genetic and lifestyle determinants may be significantly different.
    METHODS: A total of 1,240 women who attended an opportunistic mammogram screening programme were eligible for analysis. Mammographic density was estimated using a fully-automated thresholding method and differences across ethnic groups were examined using linear regression in 205 randomly selected Chinese women, 138 Malay and 199 Indian women.
    RESULTS: Percent density was significantly higher in Chinese women (28.5%; 95% CI 27.0%, 30.0%) compared to Malay (24.2%; 95% CI 22.5%, 26.0%) and Indian (24.3%; 95% CI 22.8%, 25.7%) women (p<0.001), after adjustment for age, BMI, menopausal status, parity and age at first full term pregnancy. Correspondingly, adjusted nondense area was significantly lower in Chinese (72.2cm2; 95% CI 67.9cm2, 76.5cm2) women compared to Malay (92.1cm2; 95% CI 86.9cm2, 97.2cm2) and Indian (97.7cm2; 95% CI 93.4cm2, 101.9cm2) women (p<0.001), but dense area did not differ across the three ethnic groups.
    CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that higher percent density and lower nondense area reflect the higher incidence of breast cancer in Chinese compared to Malay and Indian women in Malaysia. Known lifestyle determinants of mammographic density do not fully account for the ethnic variations observed in mammographic density in this Asian cohort.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Attitude to Health/ethnology*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Malaysia/ethnology; Mammography*; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Singapore/ethnology; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/ethnology*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/psychology
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