Browse publications by year: 2015

Fulltext Effect of ultraviolet light irradiation on bond strength of fiber post: Evaluation of surface characteristic and bonded area of fiber post with resin cement

Reza F, Ibrahim NS

Eur J Dent, 2015 2 26;9(1):74-79.
PMID: 25713488 DOI: 10.4103/1305-7456.149646

OBJECTIVE: Fiber post is cemented to a root canal to restore coronal tooth structure. This research aims to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on bond strength of fiber post with resin cement.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 of the two types of fiber posts, namely, FRC Prostec (FRC) and Fiber KOR (KOR), were used for the experiment. UV irradiation was applied on top of the fiber post surface for 0, 15, 20, and 30 min. The irradiated surface of the fiber posts (n = 5) were immediately bonded with resin cement (Rely X U200) after UV irradiation. Shear bond strength (SBS) MPa was measured, and the dislodged area of post surfaces was examined with scanning electron microscopes. Changes in surface roughness (Ra) of the FRC group after UV irradiation were observed (n = 3) using atomic force microscopy. Data of SBS were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, followed by multiple comparisons (P < 0.05).
RESULTS: SBS was significantly higher for 20 min of UV irradiation of the FRC group while significantly higher SBS was observed with 15 min of UV irradiation of the KOR group. Resin cement was more evident (cohesive failure) on the dislodged post surface of the UV treated groups compared with the control. The surface roughness of the FRC post was Ra = 175.1 nm and Ra = 929.2 nm for the control and the 20 min group, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Higher surface roughness of the UV irradiated group indicated formation of mechanical retention on the fiber post surface. Evidence of cohesive failure was observed which indicated higher SBS of fiber post with the UV irradiated group.

MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Dental Bonding; Dental Cementum; Dental Pulp Cavity; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Post and Core Technique; Ultraviolet Therapy; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Resin Cements
Fulltext Growth effect on liver fatty acid composition of damselfishes genus Abudefduf collected in coral reef habitats of the Malaysian South China Sea

Arai T, Amalina R, Bachok Z

Springerplus, 2015;4:71.
PMID: 25713763 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-0862-5

In order to understand feeding ecology, habitat use and migration of coral reef fish, fatty acid composition was examined in damselfish species Abudefduf bengalensis and A. sexfasciatus collected in the Malaysian South China Sea. Proportions of saturated fatty acids (SAFA) ranged from 49.5% to 74.2%, with the highest proportions in fatty acids, the second highest was monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) ranged from 21.4% to 47.4% and the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was the lowest ranged from 3.1% to 6.0%. Palmitic acid (16:0) was the most common in SAFA, oleic acid (C18:1ω9c) was the dominant in MUFA and linolenic acid (C18:3n3) showed the highest proportion in PUFA. Fatty acid concentrations, especially in SAFA and MUFA, could be related to physiological condition, sexual development, and recent feeding events. The diet shift revealed by the fatty acid composition suggests changes in habitat use and migration scale in coral reef environment of genus Abudefduf.
Fulltext Dietary compliance, dietary supplementation and traditional remedy usage of type 2 diabetic patients with and without cardiovascular disease

Tan MC, Ng OC, Wong TW, Joseph A, Hejar AR, Rushdan AA

Clin Nutr Res, 2015 Jan;4(1):18-31.
PMID: 25713789 DOI: 10.7762/cnr.2015.4.1.18

This analytical cross-sectional study examined the nutrient intakes, dietary compliance, dietary supplementation and traditional remedy usage in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients from selected tertiary hospitals in multi-racial Malaysia. We compared the different characteristics of T2DM patients with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD). Socio-demographic status, dietary intakes, dietary supplementation, traditional remedy use, medical history, anthropometric measurements and clinical characteristics were obtained from face-to-face interviews. A total of 313 patients who were treated for T2DM participated in this study, in which 36.1% of them had CVD. The mean age of study subjects was 55.7 ± 9.2 years; mean diabetes duration was 10.1 ± 8.1 years; 52.1% were females; and 47.0% were Malays. The mean total energy intake of the subjects was 1674 ± 694 kcal/day, and patients with CVD consumed higher total calories (p = 0.001). Likewise, the mean carbohydrate, protein and total fat intake of CVD patients were significantly higher than non-CVD patients (p < 0.05), while mean intakes of cholesterol, fibre, minerals and all vitamins were comparable between CVD and non-CVD patients. Regardless of CVD status, a notably high proportion of the subjects did not meet the recommendations of the Medical Nutrition Therapy Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes for total energy, carbohydrate, protein, total fat, and fibre intakes. Meanwhile, 52.4% used at least one dietary supplement and 12.1% took single traditional remedy or in various combinations. Traditional remedies and supplement intake did not differ between CVD and non-CVD subjects. It is suggested that T2DM patients should be educated based on their personalized dietary intake, dietary supplementation and traditional remedy usage. The recommendations for T2DM patients shall be met to achieve the optimal metabolic goals and minimize the potential diabetic complications.

MeSH terms: Adult; Complementary Therapies*; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*; Humans; Malaysia; Patient Compliance*
Association of VEGFA gene polymorphisms and VEGFA plasma levels with spontaneous preterm birth

Langmia IM, Apalasamy YD, Omar SZ, Mohamed Z

Pharmacogenet Genomics, 2015 Apr;25(4):199-204.
PMID: 25714003 DOI: 10.1097/FPC.0000000000000125

Angiogenic pathway regulating genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) have been implicated in preterm birth (PTB) complications. Research shows that the VEGFA/VEGF receptor system plays an important role in the regulation of circulating progesterone level. Attenuation of VEGFA signaling at mid pregnancy results in onset of labor and parturition because of a reduction in circulating progesterone levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of VEGFA gene polymorphisms (rs2010963, rs3025039, rs699947, and rs10434) with spontaneous PTB and VEGFA plasma levels in preterm and term women.

MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Genotype; Humans; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/blood*; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics*; Premature Birth/blood*; Premature Birth/genetics*; Genetic Association Studies
Characterization and solubility study of norfloxacin-polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and carbopol 974p solid dispersions

Gorajana A, Kit WW, Dua K

Recent Pat Drug Deliv Formul, 2015;9(2):167-82.
PMID: 25714525

OBJECTIVE: Norfloxacin has a low aqueous solubility which leads to poor dissolution. Keeping this fact in mind the purpose of the present study is to formulate and evaluate norfloxacin solid dispersion.
METHODS: Solid dispersions were prepared using hydrophilic carriers like polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) k30 and carbopol 974pNF (CP) in various ratios using solvent evaporation technique. These formulations were evaluated using solubility studies, dissolution studies; Fourier transmitted infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetery (DSC). The influence of polymer type and drug to polymer ratio on the solubility and dissolution rate of norfloxacin was also evaluated.
RESULTS: FTIR analysis showed no interaction of all three polymers with norfloxacin. The results from XRD and DSC analyses of the solid dispersion preparations showed that norfloxacin existsin its amorphous form. Among the Norfloxacin: PEG solid dispersions, Norfloxacin: PEG 1:14 ratio showed the highest dissolution rate at pH 6.8. For norfloxacin: PVP solid dispersions, norfloxacin: PVP 1:10 ratio showed the highest dissolution rate at pH 6.8. For Norfloxacin: CP solid dispersions, norfloxacin: P 1:2 ratio showed the highest dissolution rate at pH 6.8.
CONCLUSION: The solid dispersion of norfloxacin with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) k30 and carbopol 974p NF (CP), lends an ample credence for better therapeutic efficacy.

MeSH terms: Acrylates/pharmacokinetics; Acrylates/chemistry*; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Norfloxacin/pharmacokinetics; Norfloxacin/chemistry*; Polyethylene Glycols/pharmacokinetics; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry*; Povidone/pharmacokinetics; Povidone/chemistry*; Solubility; X-Ray Diffraction
Fulltext The predictive accuracy of PREDICT: a personalized decision-making tool for Southeast Asian women with breast cancer

Wong HS, Subramaniam S, Alias Z, Taib NA, Ho GF, Ng CH, et al.

Medicine (Baltimore), 2015 Feb;94(8):e593.
PMID: 25715267 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000000593

Web-based prognostication tools may provide a simple and economically feasible option to aid prognostication and selection of chemotherapy in early breast cancers. We validated PREDICT, a free online breast cancer prognostication and treatment benefit tool, in a resource-limited setting. All 1480 patients who underwent complete surgical treatment for stages I to III breast cancer from 1998 to 2006 were identified from the prospective breast cancer registry of University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Calibration was evaluated by comparing the model-predicted overall survival (OS) with patients' actual OS. Model discrimination was tested using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 50 years. The median tumor size at presentation was 3 cm and 54% of patients had lymph node-negative disease. About 55% of women had estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Overall, the model-predicted 5 and 10-year OS was 86.3% and 77.5%, respectively, whereas the observed 5 and 10-year OS was 87.6% (difference: -1.3%) and 74.2% (difference: 3.3%), respectively; P values for goodness-of-fit test were 0.18 and 0.12, respectively. The program was accurate in most subgroups of patients, but significantly overestimated survival in patients aged <40 years, and in those receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. PREDICT performed well in terms of discrimination; areas under ROC curve were 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74-0.81) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.68-0.78) for 5 and 10-year OS, respectively. Based on its accurate performance in this study, PREDICT may be clinically useful in prognosticating women with breast cancer and personalizing breast cancer treatment in resource-limited settings.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms/mortality*; Breast Neoplasms/therapy; Decision Support Techniques*; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Middle Aged; Cohort Studies; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/statistics & numerical data
Fulltext Human infections with Sarcocystis species

Fayer R, Esposito DH, Dubey JP

Clin Microbiol Rev, 2015 Apr;28(2):295-311.
PMID: 25715644 DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00113-14

Recurrent outbreaks of muscular sarcocystosis among tourists visiting islands in Malaysia have focused international attention on sarcocystosis, a disease once considered rare in humans. Sarcocystis species require two hosts, definitive and intermediate, to complete their life cycle. Humans can serve as definitive hosts, with intestinal sarcocystosis for two species acquired from eating undercooked meat: Sarcocystis hominis, from beef, and Sarcocystis suihominis, from pork. Symptoms such as nausea, stomachache, and diarrhea vary widely depending on the number of cysts ingested but appear more severe with pork than with beef. Humans serve as intermediate hosts for Sarcocystis nesbitti, a species with a reptilian definitive host, and possibly other unidentified species, acquired by ingesting sporocysts from feces-contaminated food or water and the environment; infections have an early phase of development in vascular endothelium, with illness that is difficult to diagnose; clinical signs include fever, headache, and myalgia. Subsequent development of intramuscular cysts is characterized by myositis. Presumptive diagnosis based on travel history to tropical regions, elevated serum enzyme levels, and eosinophilia is confirmed by finding sarcocysts in muscle biopsy specimens. There is no vaccine or confirmed effective antiparasitic drug for muscular sarcocystosis, but anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce symptoms. Prevention strategies are also discussed.

MeSH terms: Animals; Enzymes/blood; Humans; Intestines/parasitology; Life Cycle Stages/physiology; Meat/parasitology; Muscles/parasitology; Sarcocystis/physiology*; Travel
Fulltext Comparison of effectiveness and time-efficiency between multimedia and conventional counselling on metered-dose inhaler technique education

King TL, Kho EK, Tiong YH, Julaihi SN

Singapore Med J, 2015 Feb;56(2):103-8.
PMID: 25715856

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate whether multimedia counselling (MC) using a touchscreen computer is as effective and time-efficient as conventional counselling (CC) in promoting correct metered-dose inhaler (MDI) technique, with or without the valved holding chamber (VHC).

METHODS: Participants in the MDI-only and MDI-with-VHC groups were randomly assigned to the MC group or CC group. No blinding was imposed. Inhalation technique was assessed using checklists before and after counselling. Time spent on counselling was determined for all participants, while time taken to perfect the technique was determined only for participants who achieved perfect technique within one hour.

RESULTS: The CC group had more elderly participants than the MC group, but the difference was not significant. MDI-only and MDI-with-VHC users showed significant improvement in their inhaler technique after multimedia (44.5 ± 28.0% and 44.1 ± 14.4%, respectively) and conventional counselling (36.8 ± 20.5% and 37.0 ± 14.6%, respectively). No significant difference in MDI technique enhancement was found between the two groups. Although no significant difference was found between the MC and CC groups with regard to the time spent on counselling and the time taken to perfect the technique, the average time spent on counselling was longer for MDI-only users. MDI-only users had 13.5 times the odds of failing to achieve perfect technique compared to MDI-with-VHC users (95% confidence interval 1.50-121.32, p = 0.020).

CONCLUSION: MC and CC significantly improved MDI technique. Both methods showed comparable short-term effectiveness and time-efficiency in MDI technique education. VHC was beneficial, especially for MDI-users with hand-lung coordination problems.

MeSH terms: Aged; Inhalation; Communication; Counseling; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Education as Topic*; Pharmacy; Professional-Patient Relations; Prospective Studies; Time Factors; Multivariate Analysis; Caregivers; Multimedia; Metered Dose Inhalers*
Fulltext Cost of post-stroke outpatient care in Malaysia

Akhavan Hejazi SM, Mazlan M, Abdullah SJ, Engkasan JP

Singapore Med J, 2015 Feb;56(2):116-9.
PMID: 25715857

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the direct cost of outpatient care for patients with stroke, as well as the relationship between the aforementioned cost and the sociodemographic and stroke characteristics of the patients.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving patients with first-ever stroke who were attending outpatient stroke rehabilitation, and their family members. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire designed to obtain information regarding the cost of outpatient care. Stroke severity was measured using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale.

RESULTS: This study comprised 49 patients (28 men, 21 women) with a mean age of 60.2 (range 35-80) years. The mean total cost incurred was USD 547.10 (range USD 53.50-4,591.60), of which 36.6% was spent on attendant care, 25.5% on medical aids, 15.1% on travel expenses, 14.1% on medical fees and 8.5% on out-of-pocket expenses. Stroke severity, age > 70 years and haemorrhagic stroke were associated with increased cost. The mean cost of attending outpatient therapy per patient was USD 17.50 per session (range USD 6.60-30.60), with travelling expenses (41.8%) forming the bulk of the cost, followed by medical fees (38.1%) and out-of-pocket expenses (10.9%). Multiple regression analysis showed that stroke severity was the main determinant of post-stroke outpatient care cost (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Post-stroke outpatient care costs are significantly influenced by stroke severity. The cost of attendant care was the main cost incurred during the first three months after hospital discharge, while travelling expenses was the main cost incurred when attending outpatient stroke rehabilitation therapy.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ambulatory Care/economics*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Neurology/economics; Outpatients; Surveys and Questionnaires; Rehabilitation/economics*; Severity of Illness Index; Social Class; Health Care Costs; Stroke/economics*; Stroke Rehabilitation*
Fulltext Evaluation of limb load asymmetry using two new mathematical models

Kumar SN, Omar B, Joseph LH, Htwe O, Jagannathan K, Hamdan NM, et al.

Glob J Health Sci, 2015;7(2):1-7.
PMID: 25716372 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v7n2p1

Quantitative measurement of limb loading is important in orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation. In current practice, mathematical models such as Symmetry index (SI), Symmetry ratio (SR), and Symmetry angle (SA) are used to quantify limb loading asymmetry. Literatures have identified certain limitations with the above mathematical models. Hence this study presents two new mathematical models Modified symmetry index (MSI) and Limb loading error (LLE) that would address these limitations. Furthermore, the current mathematical models were compared against the new model with the goal of achieving a better model. This study uses hypothetical data to simulate an algorithmic preliminary computational measure to perform with all numerical possibilities of even and uneven limb loading that can occur in human legs. Descriptive statistics are used to interpret the limb loading patterns: symmetry, asymmetry and maximum asymmetry. The five mathematical models were similar in analyzing symmetry between limbs. However, for asymmetry and maximum asymmetry data, the SA and SR values do not give any meaningful interpretation, and SI gives an inflated value. The MSI and LLE are direct, easy to interpret and identify the loading patterns with the side of asymmetry. The new models are notable as they quantify the amount and side of asymmetry under different loading patterns.

MeSH terms: Algorithms; Biomechanical Phenomena; Body Weight*; Humans; Leg; Models, Theoretical*; Weight-Bearing*
A new chromanone acid from the stem bark of Calophyllum teysmannii

Lim CK, Subramaniam H, Say YH, Jong VY, Khaledi H, Chee CF

Nat Prod Res, 2015;29(21):1970-7.
PMID: 25716662 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2015.1015020

A new chromanone acid, namely caloteysmannic acid (1), along with three known compounds, calolongic acid (2), isocalolongic acid (3) and stigmasterol (4) were isolated from the stem bark of Calophyllum teysmannii. All these compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic and antioxidant activities in the MTT and DPPH assays, respectively. The structure of compound 1 was determined by means of spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as HR-EIMS spectrometry. The stereochemical assignment of compound 1 was done based on the NMR results and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The preliminary assay results revealed that all the test compounds displayed potent inhibitory activity against HeLa cancer cell line, in particular with compound 1 which exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity comparable to the positive control used, cisplatin. However, no significant antioxidant activity was observed for all the test compounds in the DPPH radical scavenging capacity assay.

MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry*; Chromones/isolation & purification; Chromones/chemistry*; HeLa Cells; Humans; Molecular Structure; Free Radical Scavengers/isolation & purification; Free Radical Scavengers/chemistry; Plant Bark/chemistry*; Calophyllum/chemistry*
A new mechanism of thermal sensitivity for rapid drug release and low systemic toxicity in hyperthermia and thermal ablation temperature ranges

Dabbagh A, Abdullah BJ, Abu Kasim NH, Abdullah H, Hamdi M

Int J Hyperthermia, 2015 Jun;31(4):375-85.
PMID: 25716769 DOI: 10.3109/02656736.2015.1006268

The aim of this paper was to introduce a new mechanism of thermal sensitivity in nanocarriers that results in a relatively low drug release at physiological temperature and rapid release of the encapsulated drug at hyperthermia and thermal ablation temperature range (40-60 °C).

MeSH terms: Acrylic Resins/pharmacology; Doxorubicin/pharmacology; Gels; Hyperthermia, Induced/methods*; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Drug Delivery Systems/methods*; Nanoparticles/chemistry*; High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation/methods*; Drug Liberation*
Fulltext Bioassay-guided fractionation of Melastoma malabathricum Linn. leaf solid phase extraction fraction and its anticoagulant activity

Khoo LT, Abdullah JO, Abas F, Tohit ER, Hamid M

Molecules, 2015 Feb 24;20(3):3697-715.
PMID: 25719740 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20033697

The aims of this study were to examine the bioactive component(s) responsible for the anticoagulant activity of M. malabathricum Linn. leaf hot water crude extract via bioassay-guided fractionation and to evaluate the effect of bioactive component(s) on the intrinsic blood coagulation pathway. The active anticoagulant fraction of F3 was subjected to a series of chromatographic separation and spectroscopic analyses. Furthermore, the effect of the bioactive component(s) on the intrinsic blood coagulation pathway was studied through immediate and time incubation mixing studies. Through Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) assay-guided fractionation, Subfraction B was considered the most potent anticoagulant fraction. Characterisation of Subfraction B indicated that anticoagulant activity could partly be due to the presence of cinnamic acid and a cinnamic acid derivative. APTT assays for both the immediate and time incubation mixing were corrected back into normal clotting time range (35.4-56.3 s). In conclusion, cinnamic acid and cinnamic acid derivative from Subfraction B were the first such compounds to be discovered from M. malabathricum Linn. leaf hot water crude extract that possess anticoagulant activity. This active anticoagulant Subfraction B prolonged blood clotting time by causing factor(s) deficiency in the intrinsic blood coagulation pathway.

MeSH terms: Anticoagulants/pharmacology*; Biological Assay/methods*; Blood Coagulation/drug effects*; Chemical Fractionation; Humans; Partial Thromboplastin Time; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Melastomataceae/chemistry*; Solid Phase Extraction
Molecular diagnostics for tuberculosis

Noor KM, Shephard L, Bastian I

Pathology, 2015 Apr;47(3):250-6.
PMID: 25719854 DOI: 10.1097/PAT.0000000000000232

The phenotypic methods of smear microscopy, culture and indirect drug susceptibility testing (DST) remain the 'gold standard' diagnostics for tuberculosis (TB) in 2015. However, this review demonstrates that genotypic methods are in the ascendancy. Current-generation nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are important supplementary tests for the rapid direct detection of (multidrug-resistant) TB in specific clinical settings. Genotypic detection is already the preferred method of detecting rifampicin and pyrazinamide resistance. Next-generation NAATs able to detect about 10 colony forming units/mL of sputum could replace culture as the initial test for detecting TB. Whole genome sequencing could also plausibly replace phenotypic DST but much work is required in method standardisation, database development and elucidation of all resistance gene determinants. The challenge then will be to rollout these increasingly complex and expensive diagnostics in the low-income countries where TB is prevalent.

MeSH terms: Humans; Tuberculosis/diagnosis*
Transcriptome analysis of feline infectious peritonitis virus infection

Mehrbod P, Harun MS, Shuid AN, Omar AR

Methods Mol Biol, 2015;1282:241-50.
PMID: 25720485 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2438-7_20

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a lethal systemic disease caused by FIP virus (FIPV). There are no effective vaccines or treatment available, and the virus virulence determinants and pathogenesis are not fully understood. Here, we describe the sequencing of RNA extracted from Crandell Rees Feline Kidney (CRFK) cells infected with FIPV using the Illumina next-generation sequencing approach. Bioinformatics analysis, based on Felis catus 2X annotated shotgun reference genome, using CLC bio Genome Workbench is used to map both control and infected cells. Kal's Z test statistical analysis is used to analyze the differentially expressed genes from the infected CRFK cells. In addition, RT-qPCR analysis is used for further transcriptional profiling of selected genes in infected CRFK cells and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from healthy and FIP-diagnosed cats.

MeSH terms: Animals; Cats; Cell Line; RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/isolation & purification; RNA, Messenger/metabolism; Coronavirus, Feline/physiology*; Feline Infectious Peritonitis/genetics; Feline Infectious Peritonitis/metabolism*; Gene Expression Profiling*; Transcriptome; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
First report on the seroprevalence of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, a tick-borne virus, in Malaysia's Orang Asli population

Lani R, Mohd Rahim NF, Hassan H, Yaghoobi R, Chang LY, AbuBakar S, et al.

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2015;19(3):461-6.
PMID: 25720719

The Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), which is transmitted by the ticks of Hyalomma spp. in general and H. marginatumin particular, can cause severe disease in humans, with mortality rates of 3-30%. Other than from the bites of infected ticks, CCHFV can also be transmitted through contact with patients with the acute phase of infection or contact with blood or tissues from viraemic livestock. Outbreaks of human cases of haemorrhagic manifestations have been documented since 1945 and described in parts of Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East and most recently India in 2011. In addition, serological evidence of the disease has been reported in some countries where no human cases were reported. As regional neighbours China and India have been affected by this virus, this study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of CCHFV among Orang Asli population of Malaysia as the most at risk people who residing in the deep forests.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Child; Child, Preschool; Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo/metabolism*; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods; Female; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean/blood*; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean/diagnosis; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean/ethnology; Humans; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Population Surveillance*; Ticks; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Young Adult; Research Report*; Tick Bites/blood*; Tick Bites/diagnosis; Tick Bites/ethnology
Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of desensitizing agents in dentine tubule occlusion using scanning electron microscopy

Chen CL, Parolia A, Pau A, Celerino de Moraes Porto IC

Aust Dent J, 2015 Mar;60(1):65-72.
PMID: 25721280 DOI: 10.1111/adj.12275

Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) occurs on exposed dentine and is dependent on the patency of dentinal tubules. This study compared the effectiveness of red propolis extract (RPE), calcium sodium phosphosilicate (Novamin) and arginine-calcium carbonate (ACC) in occluding dentine tubules.

MeSH terms: Arginine/pharmacology; Calcium Carbonate/pharmacology; Dentin/drug effects*; Dentin/ultrastructure; Dentin Sensitivity/physiopathology; Fluorides/pharmacology; Glass; Humans; Materials Testing; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Phosphates/pharmacology; Phosphoric Acids/chemistry; Propolis/pharmacology; Toothpastes/pharmacology; Citric Acid/adverse effects; Dentin Desensitizing Agents/pharmacology*
MitoPhAST, a new automated mitogenomic phylogeny tool in the post-genomic era with a case study of 89 decapod mitogenomes including eight new freshwater crayfish mitogenomes

Tan MH, Gan HM, Schultz MB, Austin CM

Mol Phylogenet Evol, 2015 Apr;85:180-8.
PMID: 25721538 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.02.009

The increased rate at which complete mitogenomes are being sequenced and their increasing use for phylogenetic studies have resulted in a bioinformatic bottleneck in preparing and utilising such data for phylogenetic analysis. Hence, we present MitoPhAST, an automated tool that (1) identifies annotated protein-coding gene features and generates a standardised, concatenated and partitioned amino acid alignment directly from complete/partial GenBank/EMBL-format mitogenome flat files, (2) generates a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree using optimised protein models and (3) reports various mitochondrial genes and sequence information in a table format. To demonstrate the capacity of MitoPhAST in handling a large dataset, we used 81 publicly available decapod mitogenomes, together with eight new complete mitogenomes of Australian freshwater crayfishes, including the first for the genus Gramastacus, to undertake an updated test of the monophyly of the major groups of the order Decapoda and their phylogenetic relationships. The recovered phylogenetic trees using both Bayesian and ML methods support the results of studies using fragments of mtDNA and nuclear markers and other smaller-scale studies using whole mitogenomes. In comparison to the fragment-based phylogenies, nodal support values are generally higher despite reduced taxon sampling suggesting there is value in utilising more fully mitogenomic data. Additionally, the simple table output from MitoPhAST provides an efficient summary and statistical overview of the mitogenomes under study at the gene level, allowing the identification of missing or duplicated genes and gene rearrangements. The finding of new mtDNA gene rearrangements in several genera of Australian freshwater crayfishes indicates that this group has undergone an unusually high rate of evolutionary change for this organelle compared to other major families of decapod crustaceans. As a result, freshwater crayfishes are likely to be a useful model for studies designed to understand the evolution of mtDNA rearrangements. We anticipate that our bioinformatics pipeline will substantially help mitogenome-based studies increase the speed, accuracy and efficiency of phylogenetic studies utilising mitogenome information. MitoPhAST is available for download at https://github.com/mht85/MitoPhAST.

MeSH terms: Animals; Australia; Bayes Theorem; Astacoidea/classification*; Astacoidea/genetics; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics; Biological Evolution; Fresh Water; Phylogeny*; Likelihood Functions; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Genomics; Genome, Mitochondrial*
Fulltext Response surface optimization of culture medium for enhanced docosahexaenoic acid production by a Malaysian thraustochytrid

Manikan V, Kalil MS, Hamid AA

Sci Rep, 2015;5:8611.
PMID: 25721623 DOI: 10.1038/srep08611

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) plays a vital role in the enhancement of human health, particularly for cognitive, neurological, and visual functions. Marine microalgae, such as members of the genus Aurantiochytrium, are rich in DHA and represent a promising source of omega-3 fatty acids. In this study, levels of glucose, yeast extract, sodium glutamate and sea salt were optimized for enhanced lipid and DHA production by a Malaysian isolate of thraustochytrid, Aurantiochytrium sp. SW1, using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimized medium contained 60 g/L glucose, 2 g/L yeast extract, 24 g/L sodium glutamate and 6 g/L sea salt. This combination produced 17.8 g/L biomass containing 53.9% lipid (9.6 g/L) which contained 44.07% DHA (4.23 g/L). The optimized medium was used in a scale-up run, where a 5 L bench-top bioreactor was employed to verify the applicability of the medium at larger scale. This produced 24.46 g/L biomass containing 38.43% lipid (9.4 g/L), of which 47.87% was DHA (4.5 g/L). The total amount of DHA produced was 25% higher than that produced in the original medium prior to optimization. This result suggests that Aurantiochytrium sp. SW1 could be developed for industrial application as a commercial DHA-producing microorganism.

MeSH terms: Culture Media/chemistry*; Docosahexaenoic Acids/biosynthesis*; Models, Chemical; Bioreactors; Lipid Metabolism; Stramenopiles/metabolism*; Microalgae/metabolism*
Structural prediction of a novel laminarinase from the psychrophilic Glaciozyma antarctica PI12 and its temperature adaptation analysis

Parvizpour S, Razmara J, Jomah AF, Shamsir MS, Illias RM

J Mol Model, 2015 Mar;21(3):63.
PMID: 25721655 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-015-2617-1

Here, we present a novel psychrophilic β-glucanase from Glaciozyma antarctica PI12 yeast that has been structurally modeled and analyzed in detail. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to model a psychrophilic laminarinase from yeast. Because of the low sequence identity (<40%), a threading method was applied to predict a 3D structure of the enzyme using the MODELLER9v12 program. The results of a comparative study using other mesophilic, thermophilic, and hyperthermophilic laminarinases indicated several amino acid substitutions on the surface of psychrophilic laminarinase that totally increased the flexibility of its structure for efficient catalytic reactions at low temperatures. Whereas several structural factors in the overall structure can explain the weak thermal stability, this research suggests that the psychrophilic adaptation and catalytic activity at low temperatures were achieved through existence of longer loops and shorter or broken helices and strands, an increase in the number of aromatic and hydrophobic residues, a reduction in the number of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges, a higher total solvent accessible surface area, and an increase in the exposure of the hydrophobic side chains to the solvent. The results of comparative molecular dynamics simulation and principal component analysis confirmed the above strategies adopted by psychrophilic laminarinase to increase its catalytic efficiency and structural flexibility to be active at cold temperature.

MeSH terms: Adaptation, Physiological*; Amino Acid Sequence*; Basidiomycota/enzymology*; Basidiomycota/chemistry; Catalysis; Cold Temperature; Hydrogen Bonding; Protein Structure, Secondary; Cellulases/chemistry*; Molecular Dynamics Simulation

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