Browse publications by year: 2015

  1. Fulltext Ornamental exterior versus therapeutic interior of Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus): the two faces of a versatile herb
    Nejat N, Valdiani A, Cahill D, Tan YH, Maziah M, Abiri R
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2015;2015:982412.
    PMID: 25667940 DOI: 10.1155/2015/982412
    Catharanthus roseus (L.) known as Madagascar periwinkle (MP) is a legendary medicinal plant mostly because of possessing two invaluable antitumor terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs), vincristine and vinblastine. The plant has also high aesthetic value as an evergreen ornamental that yields prolific blooms of splendid colors. The plant possesses yet another unique characteristic as an amiable experimental host for the maintenance of the smallest bacteria found on earth, the phytoplasmas and spiroplasmas, and serves as a model for their study. Botanical information with respect to synonyms, vernacular names, cultivars, floral morphology, and reproduction adds to understanding of the plant while the geography and ecology of periwinkle illustrate the organism's ubiquity. Good agronomic practices ensure generous propagation of healthy plants that serve as a source of bioactive compounds and multitudinous horticultural applications. The correlation between genetic diversity, variants, and TIA production exists. MP is afflicted with a whole range of diseases that have to be properly managed. The ethnobotanical significance of MP is exemplified by its international usage as a traditional remedy for abundant ailments and not only for cancer. TIAs are present only in micro quantities in the plant and are highly poisonous per se rendering a challenge for researchers to increase yield and reduce toxicity.
    MeSH terms: Agriculture/methods*; Breeding/methods; Geography; Madagascar; Phenols/analysis; Plant Diseases/statistics & numerical data*; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Reproduction/physiology; Genetic Variation*; Ethnobotany/methods; Catharanthus/anatomy & histology*; Catharanthus/classification; Catharanthus/microbiology; Catharanthus/chemistry*; Chromosomes, Plant/genetics*; Plant Dispersal
  2. Fulltext Exploiting β-cyclodextrin in molecular imprinting for achieving recognition of benzylparaben in aqueous media
    Asman S, Mohamad S, Sarih NM
    Int J Mol Sci, 2015;16(2):3656-76.
    PMID: 25667978 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16023656
    The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based on methacrylic acid functionalized β-cyclodextrin (MAA-β-CD) monomer was synthesized for the purpose of selective recognition of benzylparaben (BzP). The MAA-β-CD monomer was produced by bridging a methacrylic acid (MAA) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) using toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) by reacting the -OH group of MAA and one of the primary -OH groups of β-CD. This monomer comprised of triple interactions that included an inclusion complex, π-π interaction, and hydrogen bonding. To demonstrate β-CD performance in MIPs, two MIPs were prepared; molecularly imprinted polymer-methacrylic acid functionalized β-cyclodextrin, MIP(MAA-β-CD), and molecularly imprinted polymer-methacrylic acid, MIP(MAA); both prepared by a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) in the bulk polymerization process. Both MIPs were characterized using the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The presence of β-CD not only influenced the morphological structure, it also affected the specific surface area, average pore diameter, and total pore volume of the MIP. The rebinding of the imprinting effect was evaluated in binding experiments, which proved that the β-CD contributed significantly to the enhancement of the recognition affinity and selective adsorption of the MIP.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Hydrogen Bonding; Parabens/chemistry*; Polymers/chemical synthesis; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; beta-Cyclodextrins/chemistry*; Molecular Imprinting/methods*
  3. RORA gene rs12912233 and rs880626 polymorphisms and their interaction with SCN1A rs3812718 in the risk of epilepsy: a case-control study in Malaysia
    Haerian BS, Sha'ari HM, Tan HJ, Fong CY, Wong SW, Ong LC, et al.
    Genomics, 2015 Apr;105(4):229-36.
    PMID: 25668517 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2015.02.001
    RAR-related orphan receptors A (RORA) and B (RORB) and voltage-gated sodium channel type 1 (SCN1A) genes play critical roles in the regulation of the circadian clock. Evidence has shown an association of RORA and RORB polymorphisms with susceptibility to autism and depression. Hence, we tested the association of RORA rs12912233, rs16943429, rs880626, rs2290430, and rs12900948; RORB rs1157358, rs7022435, rs3750420, and rs3903529; and SCN1A rs3812718 with epilepsy risk in the Malaysians. DNA was genotyped in 1789 subjects (39% epilepsy patients) by using MassARRAY (Sequenom). Significant association was obtained for rs12912233 in Malaysian Chinese (p=0.003). Interaction between rs12912233-rs880626 and rs3812718 was associated with the epilepsy risk in the subjects overall (p=0.001). Results show that RORA rs12912233 alone might be a possible risk variant for epilepsy in Malaysian Chinese, but that, together with RORA rs880626 and SCN1A rs3812718, this polymorphism may have a synergistic effect in the epilepsy risk in Malaysians.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Epilepsy/genetics*; Epilepsy/epidemiology; Epistasis, Genetic*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Risk; Case-Control Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*; Young Adult; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1/genetics*; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 2/genetics; NAV1.1 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel/genetics*
  4. Punctal plug: a medical device to treat dry eye syndrome and for sustained drug delivery to the eye
    Yellepeddi VK, Sheshala R, McMillan H, Gujral C, Jones D, Raghu Raj Singh T
    Drug Discov Today, 2015 Jul;20(7):884-9.
    PMID: 25668579 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2015.01.013
    Punctal plugs (PPs) are miniature medical implants that were initially developed for the treatment of dry eyes. Since their introduction in 1975, many PPs made from different materials and designs have been developed. PPs, albeit generally successful, suffer from drawbacks such as epiphora and suppurative canaliculitis. To overcome these issues intelligent designs of PPs were proposed (e.g. SmartPLUG™ and Form Fit™). PPs are also gaining interest among pharmaceutical scientists for sustaining drug delivery to the eye. This review aims to provide an overview of PPs for dry eye treatment and drug delivery to treat a range of ocular diseases. It also discusses current challenges in using PPs for ocular diseases.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Implants; Pharmaceutical Preparations/administration & dosage*; Pharmaceutical Preparations/chemistry; Humans; Lacrimal Apparatus/drug effects*; Lacrimal Apparatus/physiopathology; Polymers/chemistry*; Technology, Pharmaceutical/methods; Dry Eye Syndromes/drug therapy*; Dry Eye Syndromes/physiopathology; Drug Delivery Systems/instrumentation*; Administration, Ophthalmic
  5. Effect on heavy metals concentration from vermiconversion of agro-waste mixed with landfill leachate
    Azizi AB, Choy MY, Noor ZM, Noorlidah A
    Waste Manag, 2015 Apr;38:431-5.
    PMID: 25670166 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.01.020
    Spent Pleurotus sajor-caju compost mixed with livestock excreta, i.e. cow dung or goat manure, was contaminated with landfill leachate and vermiremediated in 75 days. Results showed an extreme decrease of heavy metals, i.e. Cd, Cr and Pb up to 99.81% removal as effect of vermiconversion process employing epigeic earthworms i.e. Lumbricus rubellus. In addition, there were increments of Cu and Zn from 15.01% to 85.63%, which was expected as non-accumulative in L. rubellus and secreted out as contained in vermicompost. This phenomenon is due to dual effects of heavy metal excretion period and mineralisation. Nonetheless, the increments were 50-fold below the limit set by EU and USA compost limits and the Malaysian Recommended Site Screening Levels for Contaminated Land (SSLs). Moreover, the vermicompost C:N ratio range is 20.65-22.93 and it can be an advantageous tool to revitalise insalubrious soil by acting as soil stabiliser or conditioner.
    MeSH terms: Agriculture; Animals; Biodegradation, Environmental; Industrial Waste*; Oligochaeta/growth & development; Oligochaeta/physiology*; Reproduction; Soil Pollutants/metabolism*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/metabolism*; Waste Management; Metals, Heavy/metabolism*; Environmental Restoration and Remediation*
  6. Fulltext Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia-1 SNPs and Susceptibility to Schizophrenia: Evidence from Malaysia
    Norlelawati AT, Kartini A, Norsidah K, Ramli M, Tariq AR, Wan Rohani WT
    Psychiatry Investig, 2015 Jan;12(1):103-11.
    PMID: 25670952 DOI: 10.4306/pi.2015.12.1.103
    Even though the role of the DICS1 gene as a risk factor for schizophrenia is still unclear, there is substantial evidence from functional and cell biology studies that supports the connection of the gene with schizophrenia. The studies associating the DISC1 gene with schizophrenia in Asian populations are limited to East-Asian populations. Our study examined several DISC1 markers of schizophrenia that were identified in the Caucasian and East-Asian populations in Malaysia and assessed the role of rs2509382, which is located at 11q14.3, the mutual translocation region of the famous DISC1 translocation [t (1; 11) (p42.1; q14.3)].
  7. Fulltext Formation of stable Si-O-C submonolayers on hydrogen-terminated silicon(111) under low-temperature conditions
    Khung YL, Ngalim SH, Scaccabarozzi A, Narducci D
    Beilstein J Nanotechnol, 2015;6:19-26.
    PMID: 25671148 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.6.3
    In this letter, we report results of a hydrosilylation carried out on bifunctional molecules by using two different approaches, namely through thermal treatment and photochemical treatment through UV irradiation. Previously, our group also demonstrated that in a mixed alkyne/alcohol solution, surface coupling is biased towards the formation of Si-O-C linkages instead of Si-C linkages, thus indirectly supporting the kinetic model of hydrogen abstraction from the Si-H surface (Khung, Y. L. et al. Chem. - Eur. J. 2014, 20, 15151-15158). To further examine the probability of this kinetic model we compare the results from reactions with bifunctional alkynes carried out under thermal treatment (<130 °C) and under UV irradiation, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements showed that under thermal conditions, the Si-H surface predominately reacts to form Si-O-C bonds from ethynylbenzyl alcohol solution while the UV photochemical route ensures that the alcohol-based alkyne may also form Si-C bonds, thus producing a monolayer of mixed linkages. The results suggested the importance of surface radicals as well as the type of terminal group as being essential towards directing the nature of surface linkage.
  8. Fulltext Release behaviour and toxicity evaluation of levodopa from carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes
    Tan JM, Foo JB, Fakurazi S, Hussein MZ
    Beilstein J Nanotechnol, 2015;6:243-53.
    PMID: 25671168 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.6.23
    This work explores the potential use of commercially obtained, carboxylated, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT-COOH) as nanocarriers for the antiparkinson drug, levodopa (LD). The resulting nanohybrid was characterized using materials characterization methods including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis, UV-vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that SWCNT-COOH were able to form supramolecular complexes with LD via a π-π stacking interaction and exhibited favourable, slow, sustained-release characteristics as a drug carrier with a release period over more than 20 h. The results obtained from the drug release studies of LD at different pH values showed that the LD-loaded nanohybrid is pH activated. The release kinetics of LD from SWCNT-COOH were well-described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. A cytotoxicity assay of the synthesized nanohybrid was also carried out in PC12 cell lines (a widely used, in vitro Parkinson's model for neurotoxicity studies) using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in order to investigate their possible effects on normal neuronal cells in vitro. It was found that the synthesized nanohybrid did not compromise the cell viability and the PC12 cells remained stable throughout the experiments up to 72 h after treatment.
  9. Fulltext In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of fractionated Euphorbia hirta aqueous extract on rabbit synovial fibroblasts
    Chen J, Er HM, Mohamed SM, Chen YS
    Biomed J, 2015 Jul-Aug;38(4):301-6.
    PMID: 25673170 DOI: 10.4103/2319-4170.151031
    BACKGROUND: Euphorbia hirta has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity. This study was carried out to determine the prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) inhibition activity of the fractions of the E. hirta aqueous extract on rabbit synovial fibroblast cells (HIG-82).
    METHODS: E. hirta aqueous extract was fractionated into five fractions (fractions A, B, C, D, and E) by reversed phase flash chromatography. Rabbit synovial fibroblast cells (HIG-82) were activated with phorbol myristate acetate and treated with the fractions. The amount of PGE 2 released into the medium was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
    RESULTS: Fraction A (0.1, 1, and 10 μg/ml) had the greatest PGE 2 inhibitory effect among the five fractions, and showed a greater extent of PGE 2 inhibition compared to the aqueous extract. In contrast, Fraction E had the greatest stimulatory effect on PGE 2 release.
    CONCLUSIONS: Fraction A of the aqueous extract inhibited the production of PGE 2 from activated HIG-82 cells to a greater extent than the crude aqueous extract. Bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory activity are likely to be concentrated in Fraction A of E. hirta aqueous extract.
  10. Scientific research related to calcium channel blockers poisoning: Bibliometric analysis in Scopus, 1968-2012
    Zyoud SH, Al-Jabi SW, Sweileh WM, Waring WS
    Hum Exp Toxicol, 2015 Nov;34(11):1162-70.
    PMID: 25673180 DOI: 10.1177/0960327115571768
    PURPOSE: Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were the most common agents associated with a significant morbidity and mortality rate. The main objective of this study was to examine the publication pattern related to CCBs poisoning at the global level using bibliometric analysis of articles published in SciVerse Scopus online database.
    METHODS: Data were searched for documents that contained specific words regarding CCB poisoning as keywords in the title. No time period limitations were specified in the search regarding the starting year. The ending date of the search was 31 December 2012.
    RESULTS: The criteria were met by 713 publications from 53 countries. The largest number of articles associated with CCBs was from the United States (30%), followed by the United Kingdom (7.4%), Japan (6%), and Germany (5.6%). No data related to CCBs were published from 159 (75%) of 212 countries registered in World Bank online database. There was no correlation between the number of published articles in the country and its population size (r = 0.03, p > 0.926). United Kingdom and Australia were the leading countries in terms of number of CCBs publications per million inhabitants (0.83 and 0.82 articles per million inhabitants, respectively), followed by the United States (0.68). Countries with a large population, such as India, tended to rank relatively low (0.01 articles per million inhabitants). The total number of citations at the time of data analysis (23 October 2014) was 6462, with an average of 9.1 citations per document. The highest median (interquartile range) number of citations was 8 (8-18) for the United States, followed by 6 (1-21) for Australia, 5 (1-15) for the United Kingdom, and 5 (1-24) for Canada. The h-index of the retrieved documents was 37.
    CONCLUSIONS: Scientific production on CCBs poisoning is increasing; nonetheless, the international collaboration is still rare. The amount of CCBs-based research activity was low or not available in most countries. More regional epidemiological studies are required to bridge the gap in CCBs-based research and to promote better evaluation of CCBs poisoning worldwide.
    KEYWORDS: Bibliometric; Scopus; calcium channel blockers; citations; drug overdose; poisoning; toxicity
    MeSH terms: Calcium Channel Blockers*; Poisoning*; Bibliometrics*
  11. Pre-travel health preparation for malaria prevention among Hong Kong travellers
    Hung KK, Lin AK, Cheng CK, Chan EY, Graham CA
    Postgrad Med J, 2015 Mar;91(1073):127-31.
    PMID: 25673799 DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2014-133126
    Malaria remains a significant cause of travel-related mortality and morbidity. Asians are known to have higher risks because they are less careful in pre-travel health preparations. This study reports on a cohort of travellers to malaria-prone regions examined in a previous study, which explored general levels of pre-travel health preparation.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Antimalarials/therapeutic use*; China/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hong Kong/epidemiology; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaria/prevention & control*; Malaria/psychology; Male; Middle Aged; Primary Prevention/methods*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sex Factors; Travel/statistics & numerical data*; Vaccination/psychology; Vaccination/statistics & numerical data*; Logistic Models; Malaria Vaccines/administration & dosage; Airports
  12. Fulltext The perceptions of pre-service and in-service teachers regarding a project-based STEM approach to teaching science
    Siew NM, Amir N, Chong CL
    Springerplus, 2015;4:8.
    PMID: 25674494 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-4-8
    Whilst much attention has focused on project-based approaches to teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, little has been reported on the views of South-East Asian science teachers on project-based STEM approaches. Such knowledge could provide relevant information for education training institutions on how to influence innovative teaching of STEM subjects in schools. This article reports on a study that investigated the perceptions of 25 pre-service and 21 in-service Malaysian science teachers in adopting an interdisciplinary project-based STEM approach to teaching science. The teachers undertook an eight hour workshop which exposed them to different science-based STEM projects suitable for presenting science content in the Malaysian high school science syllabus. Data on teachers' perceptions were captured through surveys, interviews, open-ended questions and classroom discussion before and at the end of the workshop. Study findings showed that STEM professional development workshops can provide insights into the support required for teachers to adopt innovative, effective, project-based STEM approaches to teaching science in their schools.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Education; Humans; Malaysia; School Teachers
  13. Fulltext Mechanistic insights on immunosenescence and chronic immune activation in HIV-tuberculosis co-infection
    Shankar EM, Velu V, Kamarulzaman A, Larsson M
    World J Virol, 2015 Feb 12;4(1):17-24.
    PMID: 25674514 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v4.i1.17
    Immunosenescence is marked by accelerated degradation of host immune responses leading to the onset of opportunistic infections, where senescent T cells show remarkably higher ontogenic defects as compared to healthy T cells. The mechanistic association between T-cell immunosenescence and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression, and functional T-cell responses in HIV-tuberculosis (HIV-TB) co-infection remains to be elaborately discussed. Here, we discussed the association of immunosenescence and chronic immune activation in HIV-TB co-infection and reviewed the role played by mediators of immune deterioration in HIV-TB co-infection necessitating the importance of designing therapeutic strategies against HIV disease progression and pathogenesis.
    MeSH terms: Immunosenescence; Humans; Opportunistic Infections; Tuberculosis; HIV Infections; Disease Progression; Immune System Phenomena; Coinfection
  14. Fulltext Preoperative drainage for malignant biliary strictures: is it time for self-expanding metallic stents?
    Roque J, Ho SH, Goh KL
    Clin Endosc, 2015 Jan;48(1):8-14.
    PMID: 25674520 DOI: 10.5946/ce.2015.48.1.8
    Palliation of jaundice improves the general health of the patient and, therefore, surgical outcomes. Because of the complexity and location of strictures, especially proximally, drainage has been accompanied by increased morbidity due to sepsis. Another concern is the provocation of an inflammatory and fibrotic reaction around the area of stent placement. Preoperative biliary drainage with self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) insertion can be achieved via a percutaneous method or through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A recently published multicenter randomized Dutch study has shown increased morbidity with preoperative biliary drainage. A Cochrane meta-analysis has also shown a significantly increased complication rate with preoperative drainage. However, few of these studies have used a SEMS, which allows better biliary drainage. No randomized controlled trials have compared preoperative deployment of SEMS versus conventional plastic stents. The outcomes of biliary drainage also depend on the location of the obstruction, namely the difficulty with proximal compared to distal strictures. Pathophysiologically, palliation of jaundice will benefit all patients awaiting surgery. However, preoperative drainage often results in increased morbidity because of procedure-related sepsis. The use of SEMS may change the outcome of preoperative biliary drainage dramatically.
  15. Fulltext Endoscopic ablation therapy for biliopancreatic malignancies
    Roque J, Ho SH, Reddy N, Goh KL
    Clin Endosc, 2015 Jan;48(1):15-9.
    PMID: 25674521 DOI: 10.5946/ce.2015.48.1.15
    Biliopancreatic malignancies such as cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has notoriously been diagnosed late. As such most therapy have been palliative in nature. Cholangioscopy allows for an earlier diagnosis to be made. Brachytherapy with the insertion of catheter with iridium-132 seeds, percutaneously or through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was the earliest ablative techniques used. It has been shown to have a beneficial effect only in prolonging survival. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has also been used for several years. stenting with PDT versus stenting alone for unresectable CCA showed a marked survival benefit with the addition of PDT. However the most exciting endoscopic ablative modality appears to be intraductal radiofrequency ablation using the Habib catheter and device. Several case series have shown the effectiveness of this technique in ablating tumors. This technique is evolving and coupled with early diagnosis of CCA through cholangioscopy will allow for a curative therapy. The crux to the effective treatment of early cancerous lesions in the bile or pancreatic duct is the early diagnosis of such lesions. Effective endoscopic ablative therapy is now available with the advent of radiofrequency ablation probes that can be passed through the duodenoscope via ERCP.
  16. Demographic properties shape tree size distribution in a Malaysian rain forest
    Kohyama TS, Potts MD, Kohyama TI, Kassim AR, Ashton PS
    Am Nat, 2015 Mar;185(3):367-79.
    PMID: 25674691 DOI: 10.1086/679664
    Different mechanisms have been proposed to explain how vertical and horizontal heterogeneity in light conditions enhances tree species coexistence in forest ecosystems. The foliage partitioning theory proposes that differentiation in vertical foliage distribution, caused by an interspecific variation in mortality-to-growth ratio, promotes stable coexistence. In contrast, successional niche theory posits that horizontal light heterogeneity, caused by gap dynamics, enhances species coexistence through an interspecific trade-off between growth rate and survival. To distinguish between these theories of species coexistence, we analyzed tree inventory data for 370 species from the 50-ha plot in Pasoh Forest Reserve, Malaysia. We used community-wide Bayesian models to quantify size-dependent growth rate and mortality of every species. We compared the observed size distributions and the projected distributions from size-dependent demographic rates. We found that the observed size distributions were not simply correlated with the rate of population increase but were related to demographic properties such as size growth rate and mortality. Species with low relative abundance of juveniles in size distribution showed high growth rate and low mortality at small tree sizes and low per-capita recruitment rate. Overall, our findings were in accordance with those predicted by foliage partitioning theory.
    MeSH terms: Bayes Theorem; Demography; Light*; Longevity; Malaysia; Trees/growth & development*; Tropical Climate*; Ecosystem; Forests
  17. Postnatal growth rates covary weakly with embryonic development rates and do not explain adult mortality probability among songbirds on four continents
    Martin TE, Oteyza JC, Mitchell AE, Potticary AL, Lloyd P
    Am Nat, 2015 Mar;185(3):380-9.
    PMID: 25674692 DOI: 10.1086/679612
    Growth and development rates may result from genetic programming of intrinsic processes that yield correlated rates between life stages. These intrinsic rates are thought to affect adult mortality probability and longevity. However, if proximate extrinsic factors (e.g., temperature, food) influence development rates differently between stages and yield low covariance between stages, then development rates may not explain adult mortality probability. We examined these issues based on study of 90 songbird species on four continents to capture the diverse life-history strategies observed across geographic space. The length of the embryonic period explained little variation (ca. 13%) in nestling periods and growth rates among species. This low covariance suggests that the relative importance of intrinsic and extrinsic influences on growth and development rates differs between stages. Consequently, nestling period durations and nestling growth rates were not related to annual adult mortality probability among diverse songbird species within or among sites. The absence of a clear effect of faster growth on adult mortality when examined in an evolutionary framework across species may indicate that species that evolve faster growth also evolve physiological mechanisms for ameliorating costs on adult mortality. Instead, adult mortality rates of species in the wild may be determined more strongly by extrinsic environmental causes.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Arizona; Embryo, Nonmammalian/physiology; Biological Evolution; Malaysia; Mortality*; Nesting Behavior/physiology; Predatory Behavior/physiology; Regression Analysis; South Africa; Venezuela; Songbirds/embryology*; Songbirds/growth & development*; Embryonic Development
  18. Permeation Studies of Captopril Transdermal Films Through Human Cadaver Skin
    Nair RS, Nair S
    Curr Drug Deliv, 2015;12(5):517-23.
    PMID: 25675336
    Mortality rate due to heart diseases increases dramatically with age. Captopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE) used effectively for the management of hypertension. Due to short elimination half-life of captopril the oral dose is very high. Captopril is prone to oxidation and it has been reported that the oxidation rate of captopril in skin tissues is considerably low when compared to intestinal tissues. All these factors make captopril an ideal drug candidate for transdermal delivery. In this research work an effort was made to formulate transdermal films of captopril by utilizing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as film formers and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) as a plasticizer. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) were used as permeation enhancers. Physicochemical parameters of the films such as appearance, thickness, weight variation and drug content were evaluated. The invitro permeation studies were carried out through excised human cadaver skin using Franz diffusion cells. The in-vitro permeation studies demonstrated that the film (P4) having the polymer ratio (PVP:PVA = 80:20) with DMSO (10%) resulted a promising drug release of 79.58% at 24 hours with a flux of 70.0 µg/cm(2)/hr. No signs of erythema or oedema were observed on the rabbit skin as a result of skin irritation study by Draize test. Based on the stability report it was confirmed that the films were physically and chemically stable, hence the prepared films are very well suited for transdermal application.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Cadaver; Captopril/administration & dosage*; Captopril/pharmacokinetics*; Dimethyl Sulfoxide/pharmacology; Dimethyl Sulfoxide/chemistry; Dimethylformamide/pharmacology; Dimethylformamide/chemistry; Humans; Oxidation-Reduction; Permeability/drug effects; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry; Polyvinyl Alcohol/chemistry; Povidone/chemistry; Rabbits; Skin/drug effects; Skin/metabolism*; Transdermal Patch*
  19. Fulltext Plasma elaidic acid level as biomarker of industrial trans fatty acids and risk of weight change: report from the EPIC study
    Chajès V, Biessy C, Ferrari P, Romieu I, Freisling H, Huybrechts I, et al.
    PLoS One, 2015;10(2):e0118206.
    PMID: 25675445 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118206
    BACKGROUND: Few epidemiological studies have examined the association between dietary trans fatty acids and weight gain, and the evidence remains inconsistent. The main objective of the study was to investigate the prospective association between biomarker of industrial trans fatty acids and change in weight within the large study European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.

    METHODS: Baseline plasma fatty acid concentrations were determined in a representative EPIC sample from the 23 participating EPIC centers. A total of 1,945 individuals were followed for a median of 4.9 years to monitor weight change. The association between elaidic acid level and percent change of weight was investigated using a multinomial logistic regression model, adjusted by length of follow-up, age, energy, alcohol, smoking status, physical activity, and region.

    RESULTS: In women, doubling elaidic acid was associated with a decreased risk of weight loss (odds ratio (OR) = 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.55-0.88, p = 0.002) and a trend was observed with an increased risk of weight gain during the 5-year follow-up (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.97-1.56, p = 0.082) (p-trend

    MeSH terms: Body Weight*; Europe; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Obesity/etiology; Obesity/epidemiology; Oleic Acids; Prospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk; Biomarkers; Oleic Acid/blood*; Trans Fatty Acids/metabolism*; Public Health Surveillance*
  20. Fulltext The new Occlutech® PDA occluder: Initial human experience
    Abdelbasit MA, Alwi M, Kandavello G, Che Mood M, Samion H, Hijazi ZM
    Catheter Cardiovasc Interv, 2015 Jul;86(1):94-9.
    PMID: 25675888 DOI: 10.1002/ccd.25878
    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the Occlutech® PDA occluder for closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

    BACKGROUND: The Occlutech® PDA occluder is novel, self-shaping Nitinol wire device with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) patches integrated into the shank of the device to assure a better obturation of the ductus. The Occlutech® PDA occluder has undergone two design modifications.

    METHODS: A prospective, non-randomized pilot study was started in November 2011. Thirty-three patients were included until April 2013. Patients weighing <6 kg or those with associated cardiac anomalies that required surgery were excluded. All patients were followed up by transthoracic echocardiography at 24 hr, 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 360 days after implantation. Residual shunt, left pulmonary artery (LPA) and descending aortic velocities were among the parameters assessed. All occluders were delivered via 6-8 F long sheaths and PDA closures were performed following standard techniques.

    RESULTS: Thirty three patients (20 female/13 male), with a median age of 2 years (6 month to 38 years), and median weight of 9.3 kg (6-69.2 kg) were included. The narrowest median PDA diameter was 3mm (1.8-5.8 mm). All the 33 patients were closed successfully using Occlutech ductal occluder, 16 patients (48.4%) had immediate and complete closure on angiography. Within 24 hr, color Doppler revealed complete closure in 27patients (81.8%), 32patients (97%) at 30 days, and in 100% of patients at 90 days. All patients with a large PDA had immediate residual shunt which was closed at the 90-day follow-up. There was no device embolization, hemolysis, or obstruction to the LPA or descending aorta.

    CONCLUSION: The new Occlutech® PDA is safe and effective. In patients with a large PDA complete closure tended to take longer time.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent/diagnosis; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent/surgery*; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Cardiac Catheterization; Cardiac Surgical Procedures/instrumentation*; Humans; Infant; Male; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Prosthesis Design; Treatment Outcome; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; Young Adult; Septal Occluder Device*
External Links