Browse publications by year: 2015

  1. Funding renal replacement therapy in southeast Asia: building public-private partnerships in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia
    Morad Z, Choong HL, Tungsanga K, Suhardjono
    Am J Kidney Dis, 2015 May;65(5):799-805.
    PMID: 25736214 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2014.09.031
    The provision of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in developing economies is limited by lack of financial and other resources. There are no national reimbursement policies for RRT in many countries in Asia. The Southeast Asia countries of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia have adopted a strategy of encouraging public-private partnerships to increase the RRT rates in their respective countries. The private organizations include both for-profit and philanthropic bodies. The latter raise funds from ordinary citizens, corporations, and faith-based groups, as well as receive subsidies from the government to support RRT for patients in need. The kidney foundations of these countries play a leadership role in this public-private partnership. Many of the private organizations that support RRT are providers of treatment in addition to offering financial assistance to patients, with hemodialysis being the most frequently supported modality. Public-private partnership in funding RRT is sustainable over the long term with proper organization and facilitated by support from the government.
    MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern; Charities/economics; Foundations/economics; Renal Dialysis; Humans; Indonesia; Malaysia; Singapore; Thailand; Prevalence; Program Development; Renal Replacement Therapy/economics*; Renal Replacement Therapy/statistics & numerical data; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/therapy; Public-Private Sector Partnerships/economics*; Public-Private Sector Partnerships/organization & administration*
  2. Fulltext Chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM): an alternative predictive model in acute toxicological studies for anti-cancer drugs
    Kue CS, Tan KY, Lam ML, Lee HB
    Exp Anim, 2015;64(2):129-38.
    PMID: 25736707 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.14-0059
    The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is a preclinical model widely used for vascular and anti-vascular effects of therapeutic agents in vivo. In this study, we examine the suitability of CAM as a predictive model for acute toxicology studies of drugs by comparing it to conventional mouse and rat models for 10 FDA-approved anticancer drugs (paclitaxel, carmustine, camptothecin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, cisplatin, aloin, mitomycin C, actinomycin-D, melphalan). Suitable formulations for intravenous administration were determined before the average of median lethal dose (LD50) and median survival dose (SD(50)) in the CAM were measured and calculated for these drugs. The resultant ideal LD(50) values were correlated to those reported in the literature using Pearson's correlation test for both intravenous and intraperitoneal routes of injection in rodents. Our results showed moderate correlations (r(2)=0.42 - 0.68, P<0.005-0.05) between the ideal LD(50) values obtained using the CAM model with LD(50) values from mice and rats models for both intravenous and intraperitoneal administrations, suggesting that the chick embryo may be a suitable alternative model for acute drug toxicity screening before embarking on full toxicological investigations in rodents in development of anticancer drugs.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Testing Alternatives/methods*; Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents/toxicity*; Chick Embryo; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Injections, Intravenous; Lethal Dose 50; Toxicity Tests, Acute/methods*; Models, Animal; Chorioallantoic Membrane/drug effects*; Mice; Rats
  3. A Heuristic Automatic and Robust ROI Detection Method for Medical Image Warermarking
    Mousavi SM, Naghsh A, Abu-Bakar SA
    J Digit Imaging, 2015 Aug;28(4):417-27.
    PMID: 25736857 DOI: 10.1007/s10278-015-9770-z
    This paper presents an automatic region of interest (ROI) segmentation method for application of watermarking in medical images. The advantage of using this scheme is that the proposed method is robust against different attacks such as median, Wiener, Gaussian, and sharpening filters. In other words, this technique can produce the same result for the ROI before and after these attacks. The proposed algorithm consists of three main parts; suggesting an automatic ROI detection system, evaluating the robustness of the proposed system against numerous attacks, and finally recommending an enhancement part to increase the strength of the composed system against different attacks. Results obtained from the proposed method demonstrated the promising performance of the method.
    MeSH terms: Heuristics*; Algorithms; Diagnostic Imaging*; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted*; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Normal Distribution; Computer Security*
  4. An outbreak of viral conjunctivitis in an Irish military deployment to Liberia
    Hickey JP, Flaherty G
    Travel Med Infect Dis, 2015 Mar-Apr;13(2):197-9.
    PMID: 25736947 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2015.01.004
    MeSH terms: Communicable Diseases/epidemiology*; Female; Humans; Male; Military Personnel/statistics & numerical data*; Travel*; Wounds and Injuries/epidemiology*
  5. Fulltext Mesophilic versus thermophilic anaerobic digestion of cattle manure: methane productivity and microbial ecology
    Moset V, Poulsen M, Wahid R, Højberg O, Møller HB
    Microb Biotechnol, 2015 Sep;8(5):787-800.
    PMID: 25737010 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12271
    In this study, productivity and physicochemical and microbiological (454 sequencing) parameters, as well as environmental criteria, were investigated in anaerobic reactors to contribute to the ongoing debate about the optimal temperature range for treating animal manure, and expand the general knowledge on the relation between microbiological and physicochemical process indicators. For this purpose, two reactor sizes were used (10 m(3) and 16 l), in which two temperature conditions (35°C and 50°C) were tested. In addition, the effect of the hydraulic retention time was evaluated (16 versus 20 days). Thermophilic anaerobic digestion showed higher organic matter degradation (especially fiber), higher pH and higher methane (CH₄) yield, as well as better percentage of ultimate CH₄ yield retrieved and lower residual CH₄ emission, when compared with mesophilic conditions. In addition, lower microbial diversity was found in the thermophilic reactors, especially for Bacteria, where a clear intensification towards Clostridia class members was evident. Independent of temperature, some similarities were found in digestates when comparing with animal manure, including low volatile fatty acids concentrations and a high fraction of Euryarchaeota in the total microbial community, in which members of Methanosarcinales dominated for both temperature conditions; these indicators could be considered a sign of process stability.
    MeSH terms: Anaerobiosis; Animals; Archaea/classification*; Archaea/genetics; Archaea/growth & development; Archaea/metabolism; Bacteria/classification*; Bacteria/genetics; Bacteria/growth & development; Bacteria/metabolism; Cattle; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Manure/microbiology*; Methane/metabolism*; Molecular Sequence Data; Temperature; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Bioreactors/microbiology*; Biota*
  6. Fulltext First record of multi-species synchronous coral spawning from Malaysia
    Chelliah A, Amar HB, Hyde J, Yewdall K, Steinberg PD, Guest JR
    PeerJ, 2015;3:e777.
    PMID: 25737817 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.777
    Knowledge about the timing and synchrony of coral spawning has important implications for both the ecology and management of coral reef ecosystems. Data on the timing of spawning and extent of synchrony, however, are still lacking for many coral reefs, particularly from equatorial regions and from locations within the coral triangle. Here we present the first documentation of a multi-species coral spawning event from reefs around Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia, a popular diving and tourist destination located on the edge of the coral triangle. At least 8 coral species from 3 genera (Acropora, Montipora and Porites) participated in multi-species spawning over five nights in April 2014, between two nights before and two nights after the full moon. In addition, two Acropora species were witnessed spawning one night prior to the full moon in October 2014. While two of the Acropora species that reproduced in April (A. millepora and A. nasuta) exhibited highly synchronous spawning (100% of sampled colonies), two other common species (A. hyacinthus and A. digitifera) did not contain visible eggs in the majority of colonies sampled (i.e., <15% of colonies) in either April or October, suggesting that these species spawn at other times of the year. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed documented observation of multi-species coral spawning from reefs in Malaysia. These data provide further support for the contention that this phenomenon is a feature of all speciose coral assemblages, including equatorial reefs. More research is needed, however, to determine the seasonal cycles and extent of spawning synchrony on these reefs and elsewhere in Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Diving; Documentation; Ecology; Malaysia; Reproduction; Seasons; Moon; Ecosystem; Hyacinthus; Anthozoa; Coral Reefs
  7. Fulltext Complete sequence analysis and antiviral screening of medicinal plants for human coxsackievirus a16 isolated in Korea
    Song JH, Park K, Shim A, Kwon BE, Ahn JH, Choi YJ, et al.
    Osong Public Health Res Perspect, 2015 Feb;6(1):52-8.
    PMID: 25737832 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrp.2014.12.004
    Coxsackievirus A group 16 strain (CVA16) is one of the predominant causative agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD).
  8. Fulltext In vitro evaluation of shear bond strength of nanocomposites to dentin
    Gupta S, Vellanki VK, Shetty VK, Kushwah S, Goyal G, Chandra SM
    J Clin Diagn Res, 2015 Jan;9(1):ZC09-11.
    PMID: 25738077 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/11463.5386
    AIMS: To compare the shear bond strength of nanocomposites to dentin using three different types of adhesive systems; and to test few specimens under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for analysing whether the bond failure is adhesive or cohesive.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty human premolar teeth were selected and were randomly grouped, with 20 specimens in each group: group 1 - fluoride releasing dentin bonding agent; group 2 - antibacterial containing dentin bonding agent; and group 3 - one step conventional self etch adhesive. Each group was treated with its respective bonding agents, composite resin build up was done, and shear bond strengths were tested using Instron Universal testing machine. Few of the specimens were tested under SEM.

    RESULTS: The results were statistically analysed using One-way ANOVA and paired t-test. It was observed that group 3 has the highest shear bond strength followed by group 2, and then group 1. Adhesive failures and mixed failures were most frequent types of failures as seen under SEM.

    CONCLUSION: Addition of antimicrobial agent decreases the bond strength of dentin bonding agent and addition of fluoride further decreases the bond strength. From SEM results it can be concluded that the zone of failure could not be defined and also that the failure mode was independent of the dentin bonding agent used.

  9. A gold nanorod-based localized surface plasmon resonance platform for the detection of environmentally toxic metal ions
    Jayabal S, Pandikumar A, Lim HN, Ramaraj R, Sun T, Huang NM
    Analyst, 2015 Apr 21;140(8):2540-55.
    PMID: 25738185 DOI: 10.1039/c4an02330g
    Gold nanorods (Au NRs) are elongated nanoparticles with unique optical properties which depend on their shape anisometry. The Au NR-based longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance (longitudinal LSPR) band is very sensitive to the surrounding local environment and upon the addition of target analytes, the interaction between the analytes and the surface of the Au NRs leads to a change in the longitudinal LSPR band. This makes it possible to devise Au NR probes with application potential to the detection of toxic metal ions with an improved limit of detection, response time, and selectivity for the fabrication of sensing devices. The effective surface modification of Au NRs helps in improving their selectivity and sensitivity toward the detection of toxic metal ions. In this review, we discuss different methods for the preparation of surface modified Au NRs for the detection of toxic metal ions based on the LSPR band of the Au NRs and the types of interactions between the surface of Au NRs and metal ions. We summarize the work that has been done on Au NR-based longitudinal LSPR detection of environmentally toxic metal ions, sensing mechanisms, and the current progress in various modified Au NR-based longitudinal LSPR sensors for toxic metal ions. Finally, we discuss the applications of Au NR-based longitudinal LSPR sensors to real sample analysis and some of the future challenges facing longitudinal LSPR-based sensors for the detection of toxic metal ions toward commercial devices.
    MeSH terms: Gold; Ions; Reaction Time; Surface Plasmon Resonance; Nanotubes; Nanoparticles; Limit of Detection
  10. Antibacterial alkaloids from Artabotrys crassifolius Hook.f. & Thomson
    Tan KK, Khoo TJ, Rajagopal M, Wiart C
    Nat Prod Res, 2015;29(24):2346-9.
    PMID: 25738993 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2015.1013954
    Chloroform extract of bark of Artabotrys crassifolius Hook.f. & Thomson exhibited antibacterial activities against both American Type Culture Collection and clinical bacterial strains in vitro with zones of inhibition ranging from 7 to 14 mm. Further analysis of this extract yielded artabotrine, liridine, lysicamine and atherospermidine. Artabotrine displayed a broad array of antibacterial activity mostly against Gram-positive bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 1.25 μg/mL to 5 μg/mL. Of note, artabotrine, liridine and lysicamine are bactericidal against Gram-negative extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella with MIC values equal 2.5, 2.5 and 10 μg/mL, respectively, and minimum bactericidal concentrations values equal to 2.5, 5 and 20 μg/mL.
    MeSH terms: Alkaloids/isolation & purification; Alkaloids/chemistry*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation & purification; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry*; Aporphines; Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects; Klebsiella/drug effects; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Molecular Structure; Annonaceae/chemistry*
  11. Fulltext The aerodynamic cost of head morphology in bats: maybe not as bad as it seems
    Vanderelst D, Peremans H, Razak NA, Verstraelen E, Dimitriadis G, Dimitriadis G
    PLoS One, 2015;10(3):e0118545.
    PMID: 25739038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118545
    At first sight, echolocating bats face a difficult trade-off. As flying animals, they would benefit from a streamlined geometric shape to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase flight efficiency. However, as echolocating animals, their pinnae generate the acoustic cues necessary for navigation and foraging. Moreover, species emitting sound through their nostrils often feature elaborate noseleaves that help in focussing the emitted echolocation pulses. Both pinnae and noseleaves reduce the streamlined character of a bat's morphology. It is generally assumed that by compromising the streamlined charactered of the geometry, the head morphology generates substantial drag, thereby reducing flight efficiency. In contrast, it has also been suggested that the pinnae of bats generate lift forces counteracting the detrimental effect of the increased drag. However, very little data exist on the aerodynamic properties of bat pinnae and noseleaves. In this work, the aerodynamic forces generated by the heads of seven species of bats, including noseleaved bats, are measured by testing detailed 3D models in a wind tunnel. Models of Myotis daubentonii, Macrophyllum macrophyllum, Micronycteris microtis, Eptesicus fuscus, Rhinolophus formosae, Rhinolophus rouxi and Phyllostomus discolor are tested. The results confirm that non-streamlined facial morphologies yield considerable drag forces but also generate substantial lift. The net effect is a slight increase in the lift-to-drag ratio. Therefore, there is no evidence of high aerodynamic costs associated with the morphology of bat heads.
    MeSH terms: Air; Animals; Chiroptera/anatomy & histology*; Chiroptera/physiology*; Echolocation; Head/anatomy & histology*; Models, Biological; Movement*
  12. Characteristics of Metroxylon sagu resistant starch type III as prebiotic substance
    Zi-Ni T, Rosma A, Napisah H, Karim AA, Liong MT
    J Food Sci, 2015 Apr;80(4):H875-82.
    PMID: 25739421 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.12817
    Resistant starch type III (RS3 ) was produced from sago (Metroxylon sagu) and evaluated for its characteristics as a prebiotic. Two RS3 samples designated sago RS and HCl-sago RS contained 35.71% and 68.30% RS, respectively, were subjected to hydrolyses by gastric juice and digestive enzymes and to absorption. Both sago RS and HCl-sago RS were resistant to 180 min hydrolysis by gastric acidity at pH 1 to 4 with less than 0.85% hydrolyzed. Both samples were also resistant toward hydrolysis by gastrointestinal tract enzymes and intestinal absorption with 96.75% and 98.69% of RS3 were recovered respectively after 3.5 h digestion and overnight dialysis at 37 °C. Sago RS3 supported the growth of both beneficial (lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria) and pathogenic microbes (Escherichia coli, Campylobacter coli, and Clostridium perfringens) in the range of 2.60 to 3.91 log10 CFU/mL. Hence, prebiotic activity score was applied to describe the extent to which sago RS3 supports selective growth of the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria strains over pathogenic bacteria. The highest scores were obtained from Bifidobacterium sp. FTDC8943 grown on sago RS (+0.26) and HCl-sago RS (+0.24) followed by L. bulgaricus FTDC1511 grown on sago RS (+0.21). The findings had suggested that sago RS3 has the prebiotic partial characteristics and it is suggested to further assess the suitability of sago RS3 as a prebiotic material.
    MeSH terms: Bifidobacterium/growth & development*; Digestion; Lactobacillus/growth & development*; Starch/chemistry*; Arecaceae/chemistry*; Prebiotics*
  13. Meningitis Caused by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa in HIV-Infected Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
    Mohd Nor F, Tan LH, Na SL, Ng KP
    Mycopathologia, 2015 Aug;180(1-2):95-8.
    PMID: 25739670 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-015-9879-0
    Rhodotorula species are increasingly being identified as a cause of fungal infection in the central nervous system, especially in patients with compromised immunity. The diagnosis could easily be missed due to low index of suspicion, as cryptococcus meningitis and cerebral toxoplasmosis are more common amongst immunocompromised hosts. To date, there are six cases of Rhodotorula-related meningitis reported, and three are associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection. In this report, a case of a Malaysian male with underlying human immunodeficiency virus infection who developed Rhodotorula mucilaginosa meningitis is presented. High-grade fever and severe headaches were the complaints presented in three previous case reports. India ink and nigrosin stainings were performed in the two previous reports and both revealed positive results. R. mucilaginosa were isolated from the culture of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid in all three previous reports. Predominant lymphocyte infiltration in the cerebrospinal fluid examination was documented in two reports. CD4 counts were above 100/µl in two previously published reports, while another report documented CD4 count as 56/µl. Amphotericin B and itraconazole are identified to be the first line of antifungal used and as the maintenance therapy, respectively. The possibility of relapse cannot be excluded as it was reported in the first report. It was also revealed that the current case has almost similar clinical presentation and therapeutic outcome as compared to the published reports, but some differences in diagnostic details were to be highlighted.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Amphotericin B/therapeutic use; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use; Cerebrospinal Fluid/microbiology; Humans; Male; Microbiological Techniques; Rhodotorula/isolation & purification*; HIV Infections/complications*; Treatment Outcome; Meningitis, Fungal/diagnosis*; Meningitis, Fungal/microbiology*; Meningitis, Fungal/pathology; Itraconazole/therapeutic use; CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  14. Improving detection of obstructive sleep apnoea by overnight oximetry in children using pulse rate parameters
    Sahadan DZ, Davey MJ, Horne RS, Nixon GM
    Sleep Breath, 2015 Dec;19(4):1409-14.
    PMID: 25739713 DOI: 10.1007/s11325-014-1108-4
    PURPOSE: Overnight oximetry is a simple tool for investigation of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children, but only severe cases will be detected, and children with obstructive events resulting in arousal, but not desaturation, will have a normal (inconclusive) result. We hypothesised that pulse rate rises using pulse rate indices per hour (PRI) and pulse rate standard deviation (PR-SD) automatically calculated from commercially available software would improve oximetry as a diagnostic tool.

    METHODS: Children having home overnight oximetry for suspected OSA were identified over 12 months, and those with a normal result who went on to have polysomnography (PSG) were included. Oximetry, including PR-SD and PRI (rises of 8, 10 and 15 beats/min per hour), was analyzed using commercially available software. PR parameters were compared between those with OSA (obstructive apnoea-hypopnoea index (OAHI) >1 event/h) and those without OSA.

    RESULTS: One hundred sixteen children had normal oximetry, of whom 93 (median age 4.5 years; 55 % M) had PSG. Fifty-seven of 93 (61 %) children had OSA (median OAHI 4.5 events/h, range 1.1-24). PR-SD was not different between the OSA and non-OSA groups (p = 0.87). PRI tended to be higher in those with OSA, but there was considerable overlap between the groups: PRI-8 (mean ± SD 58.5 ± 29.0/h in OSA group vs 48.6 ± 20.2/h in non-OSA group, p = 0.07), PRI-10 (45.1 ± 25.0 vs 36.2 ± 16.7, p = 0.06) and PRI-15 (24.4 ± 14.5 vs 18.9 ± 9.0, p = 0.04). A PRI-15 threshold of >35/h had specificity of 97 % for OSA.

    CONCLUSION: The PRI-15 shows promise as an indicator of OSA in children with normal oximetry.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Ambulatory Care; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Heart Rate*; Humans; Infant; Male; Oximetry/methods*; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Software; Victoria; Polysomnography/methods*; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis*
  15. BARF1 gene silencing triggers caspase-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis in Epstein-Barr virus-positive malignant cells
    Mohidin TB, Ng CC
    J Biosci, 2015 Mar;40(1):41-51.
    PMID: 25740140
    Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded BARF1 (BamH1-A Rightward Frame-1) is expressed in EBV-positive malignancies such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, EBV-associated gastric cancer, B-cell lymphoma and nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma, and has been shown to have an important role in oncogenesis. However, the mechanism by which BARF1 elicits its biological effects is unclear. We investigated the effects of BARF1 silencing on cell proliferation and apoptosis in EBV-positive malignant cells. We observed that BARF1 silencing significantly inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis-mediated cell death by collapsing the mitochondrial membrane potential in AG876 and Hone-Akata cells. BARF1 knockdown up-regulates the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and downregulates the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. In BARF1-down-regulated cells, the Bcl-2/BAX ratio is decreased. The caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk was found to rescue siBARF1-induced apoptosis in these cells. Immunoblot analysis showed significant increased levels of cleaved caspase 3 and caspase 9. We observed a significant increase in cytochrome c level as well as the formation of apoptosome complex in BARF1-silenced cells. In conclusion, siRNA-mediated BARF1 down-regulation induces caspase-dependent apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway through modulation of Bcl-2/BAX ratio in AG876 and Hone-Akata cells. Targeting BARF1 using siRNA has the potential to be developed as a novel therapeutic strategy in the treatment of EBV-associated malignancies.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones/pharmacology; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics; Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics*; Humans; Mitochondria/metabolism; Neoplasms/genetics; Neoplasms/metabolism; Neoplasms/virology; Viral Proteins/genetics*; Down-Regulation/genetics; Apoptosis/drug effects; Apoptosis/genetics*; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis; RNA Interference; RNA, Small Interfering; Cytochromes c/metabolism; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation/genetics; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/biosynthesis; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/metabolism*; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/biosynthesis; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/genetics*; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/physiology; Caspase 3/metabolism; Caspase 9/metabolism; Apoptosomes/biosynthesis; Caspase Inhibitors/pharmacology
  16. Fulltext Detection of sarcocystosis in goats in Malaysia by light microscopy, histology, and PCR
    Kutty MK, Latif B, Muslim A, Hussaini J, Daher AM, Heo CC, et al.
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 2015 Apr;47(4):751-6.
    PMID: 25740651 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-015-0789-4
    A number of methods have been used for the detection of the presence of microsarcocysts in animals, but little information exists on the value between the various methods. This study therefore examined for Sarcocystis spp. using three different methods in 105 samples of skeletal muscle collected from goats slaughtered in an abattoir in Selangor, Malaysia from January to February 2014. Three methods were used, direct light microscopy of squashed fresh muscle tissues; histological examination of fixed, sectioned, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained samples of muscle; and molecular identification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 105 tissue samples, 55 (52.38 %) were positive by light microscopy (LM), 46 (43.8 %) by histology, and 95 (90.48 %) by PCR. Only 29 (27.6 %) and 5 (4.76 %) samples were positive and negative, respectively, by all three methods. The cysts were elongated to a spindle shape with a mean size of 393.30 × 81.6 μm and containing banana-shaped bradyzoites of size 12.32 × 2.08 μm. The wall of the cyst was radially striated with a thickness of 2.83 μm. Samples were tested for the presence of Sarcocystis-specific 18S rRNA and were identified as Sarcocystis capracanis. Of the three methods used, the PCR test appears to be the most useful method for the diagnosis of sarcocystosis especially for species identification.
    MeSH terms: Abattoirs; Animals; Goats; Malaysia; Microscopy/veterinary; Sarcocystis/classification; Sarcocystis/genetics; Sarcocystis/isolation & purification*; Sarcocystosis/diagnosis; Sarcocystosis/parasitology; Sarcocystosis/veterinary*; Sensitivity and Specificity; Goat Diseases/diagnosis*; Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary; Muscle, Skeletal/parasitology
  17. Fulltext Insulin resistance provides the connection between hepatitis C virus and diabetes
    Safi SZ, Shah H, Siok Yan GO, Qvist R
    Hepat Mon, 2015 Jan;15(1):e23941.
    PMID: 25741369 DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.23941
  18. Fulltext Preferences for intervention among Peruvian women in intimate partner violence relationships
    Cripe SM, Espinoza D, Rondon MB, Jimenez ML, Sanchez E, Ojeda N, et al.
    Hisp Health Care Int, 2015;13(1):27-37.
    PMID: 25741931 DOI: 10.1891/1540-4153.13.1.27
    We sought to identify what abused Peruvian women want or need as intervention strategies. We conducted five focus groups with 30 women with prior or current experience with intimate partner violence. Participants noted that abused women need compassionate support, professional counseling, and informational and practical (e.g., work skills training, employment, shelter, financial support) interventions. We propose a 2-tiered intervention strategy that includes community support groups and individual professional counseling. This strategy is intended to offer broad coverage, meeting the needs of large groups of women who experience abuse, whereas providing specialized counseling for those requiring intensive support. Respect for each woman's autonomy in the decision-making process is a priority. Interventions targeted toward women and men should address structural factors that contribute to violence against women.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Counseling; Empathy; Female; Health Services Needs and Demand*; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Peru; Social Support*; Spouse Abuse/rehabilitation*; Women's Health; Focus Groups; Battered Women/psychology*; Needs Assessment*; Young Adult
  19. Fulltext Fruit and vegetable consumption in relation to hepatocellular carcinoma in a multi-centre, European cohort study
    Bamia C, Lagiou P, Jenab M, Aleksandrova K, Fedirko V, Trichopoulos D, et al.
    Br. J. Cancer, 2015 Mar 31;112(7):1273-82.
    PMID: 25742480 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.654
    BACKGROUND: Vegetable and/or fruit intakes in association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk have been investigated in case-control studies conducted in specific European countries and cohort studies conducted in Asia, with inconclusive results. No multi-centre European cohort has investigated the indicated associations.

    METHODS: In 486,799 men/women from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition, we identified 201 HCC cases after 11 years median follow-up. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for HCC incidence for sex-specific quintiles and per 100 g d(-1) increments of vegetable/fruit intakes.

    RESULTS: Higher vegetable intake was associated with a statistically significant, monotonic reduction of HCC risk: HR (100 g d(-1) increment): 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98. This association was consistent in sensitivity analyses with no apparent heterogeneity across strata of HCC risk factors. Fruit intake was not associated with HCC incidence: HR (100 g d(-1) increment): 1.01; 95% CI: 0.92-1.11.

    CONCLUSIONS: Vegetable, but not fruit, intake is associated with lower HCC risk with no evidence for heterogeneity of this association in strata of important HCC risk factors. Mechanistic studies should clarify pathways underlying this association. Given that HCC prognosis is poor and that vegetables are practically universally accessible, our results may be important, especially for those at high risk for the disease.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Diet/statistics & numerical data*; Europe; Europe/epidemiology; Female; Fruit; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/etiology; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/epidemiology*; Humans; Liver Neoplasms/etiology; Liver Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Vegetables; Cohort Studies; Case-Control Studies
  20. Fulltext Synthesis, structural and antioxidant studies of some novel N-ethyl phthalimide esters
    Chidan Kumar CS, Loh WS, Chandraju S, Win YF, Tan WK, Quah CK, et al.
    PLoS One, 2015;10(3):e0119440.
    PMID: 25742494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119440
    A series of N-ethyl phthalimide esters 4(a-n) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic studies. Further, the molecular structure of majority of compounds were analysed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The X-ray analysis revealed the importance of substituents on the crystal stability and molecular packing. All the synthesized compounds were tested for in vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenging, FRAP and CUPRAC methods. Few of them have shown good antioxidant activity.
    MeSH terms: Antioxidants/chemical synthesis*; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Antioxidants/chemistry; Esters/chemical synthesis*; Esters/pharmacology; Esters/chemistry; Oxidation-Reduction; Phthalimides/chemical synthesis*; Phthalimides/pharmacology; Phthalimides/chemistry; X-Ray Diffraction; Molecular Structure; Free Radical Scavengers/chemistry
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