Browse publications by year: 2015

  1. Fulltext Differential expression of stem cell-like proteins in normal, hyperplastic and dysplastic oral epithelium
    Barakat SM, Siar CH
    J Appl Oral Sci, 2015 Jan-Feb;23(1):79-86.
    PMID: 25760270 DOI: 10.1590/1678-775720140245
    The identification of stem cells (SC) remains challenging. In the human oral mucosal epithelium, these cells are believed to be in the basal layer (stem cell niche), but their exact location is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the dysplastic oral epithelium for these SC-like proteins in order to assess their diagnostic value as biomarkers complementing the histological grading of dysplasia.
    MeSH terms: Antigens/analysis; Epithelial Cells/metabolism*; Epithelial Cells/pathology; Humans; Hyperplasia/metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Mouth Mucosa/metabolism; Mouth Mucosa/pathology; Proteins/metabolism*; Proteoglycans/analysis; Reference Values; Severity of Illness Index; Stem Cells/metabolism*; Stem Cells/pathology; Biomarkers/analysis; Paraffin Embedding; Lichen Planus, Oral/metabolism; Lichen Planus, Oral/pathology; Antigens, CD29/analysis; Receptor, Notch1/analysis; Keratin-15/analysis
  2. Fulltext The magnetohydrodynamic stagnation point flow of a nanofluid over a stretching/shrinking sheet with suction
    Mansur S, Ishak A, Pop I
    PLoS One, 2015;10(3):e0117733.
    PMID: 25760733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117733
    The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stagnation point flow of a nanofluid over a permeable stretching/shrinking sheet is studied. Numerical results are obtained using boundary value problem solver bvp4c in MATLAB for several values of parameters. The numerical results show that dual solutions exist for the shrinking case, while for the stretching case, the solution is unique. A stability analysis is performed to determine the stability of the dual solutions. For the stable solution, the skin friction is higher in the presence of magnetic field and increases when the suction effect is increased. It is also found that increasing the Brownian motion parameter and the thermophoresis parameter reduces the heat transfer rate at the surface.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Computer Simulation; Suction; Nonlinear Dynamics; Shear Strength; Nanoparticles/chemistry*; Hydrodynamics*
  3. Effects of feedstock carbon to nitrogen ratio and organic loading on foaming potential in mesophilic food waste anaerobic digestion
    Tanimu MI, Mohd Ghazi TI, Harun MR, Idris A
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2015 May;99(10):4509-20.
    PMID: 25761621 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6486-4
    Foaming problem which occurred occasionally during food waste (FW) anaerobic digestion (AD) was investigated with the Malaysian FW by stepwise increase in organic loading (OL) from 0.5 to 7.5 g VS/L. The FW feedstock with carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 17 was upgraded to C/N ratio of 26 and 30 by mixing with other wastes. The digestion which was carried out at 37 °C in 1-L batch reactors showed that foam formation initiated at OL of 1.5 g VS/L and was further enhanced as OL of feedstock was increased. The digestion foaming reached its maximum at OL of 5.5 g VS/L and did not increase further even when OL was increased to 7.5 g VS/Ld. Increase in the C/N ratio of feedstock significantly enhanced the microbial degradation activity, leading to better removal of foam causing intermediates and reduced foaming in the reactor by up to 60%.
    MeSH terms: Anaerobiosis; Bacteria/metabolism*; Biodegradation, Environmental; Carbon/analysis; Carbon/metabolism*; Digestion; Food Microbiology*; Nitrogen/analysis; Nitrogen/metabolism*; Refuse Disposal; Waste Products/analysis*; Bioreactors/microbiology
  4. Fulltext Fatty acid composition indicating diverse habitat use in coral reef fishes in the Malaysian South China Sea
    Arai T, Amalina R, Bachok Z
    Biol Res, 2015;48:13.
    PMID: 25762238 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-015-0004-0
    In order to understand feeding ecology and habitat use of coral reef fish, fatty acid composition was examined in five coral reef fishes, Thalassoma lunare, Lutjanus lutjanus, Abudefduf bengalensis, Scarus rivulatus and Scolopsis affinis collected in the Bidong Island of Malaysian South China Sea.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Fatty Acids/chemistry*; Feeding Behavior/physiology; Fishes/physiology*; Gastrointestinal Contents/chemistry; Liver/chemistry*; Malaysia; Ecosystem; Palmitic Acid/analysis; Coral Reefs*
  5. Fulltext Endoscopic marsupialisation of the lateral frontal sinus mucocele with orbital extension: a case report
    Sharouny H, Narayanan P
    Iran Red Crescent Med J, 2015 Jan;17(1):e17104.
    PMID: 25763256 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.17104
    INTRODUCTION: Frontal sinus mucoceles are the commonest among all paranasal mucoceles. With introduction of functional endoscopic sinus surgery, surgeons prefer endoscopic management of sinus mucoceles, but lesions that appear in the lateral part of the frontal sinus can be difficult to access and often need external approaches.

    CASE PRESENTATION: We described a lateral frontal sinus mucocele with intra-orbital extension, which was successfully managed by endoscopic sinus surgery.

    CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic sinus surgery is the treatment of choice in most frontal sinus mucoceles including lateral frontal mucoceles.

    MeSH terms: Endoscopy; Frontal Sinus; Mucocele; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Paranasal Sinus Diseases; Transverse Sinuses; Surgeons
  6. Fulltext Treatment of Alzheimer's disease in Iranian traditional medicine
    Ahmadian-Attari MM, Ahmadiani A, Kamalinejad M, Dargahi L, Shirzad M, Mosaddegh M
    Iran Red Crescent Med J, 2015 Jan;17(1):e18052.
    PMID: 25763264 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.18052
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with a high prevalence in recent years. Dramatic growth in AD prevalence has increased the importance of more researches on AD treatment. History has shown that traditional medicine can be a source of inspiration to find new therapies.
  7. Fulltext Dynamic electronic institutions in agent oriented cloud robotic systems
    Nagrath V, Morel O, Malik A, Saad N, Meriaudeau F
    Springerplus, 2015;4:103.
    PMID: 25763310 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-0810-4
    The dot-com bubble bursted in the year 2000 followed by a swift movement towards resource virtualization and cloud computing business model. Cloud computing emerged not as new form of computing or network technology but a mere remoulding of existing technologies to suit a new business model. Cloud robotics is understood as adaptation of cloud computing ideas for robotic applications. Current efforts in cloud robotics stress upon developing robots that utilize computing and service infrastructure of the cloud, without debating on the underlying business model. HTM5 is an OMG's MDA based Meta-model for agent oriented development of cloud robotic systems. The trade-view of HTM5 promotes peer-to-peer trade amongst software agents. HTM5 agents represent various cloud entities and implement their business logic on cloud interactions. Trade in a peer-to-peer cloud robotic system is based on relationships and contracts amongst several agent subsets. Electronic Institutions are associations of heterogeneous intelligent agents which interact with each other following predefined norms. In Dynamic Electronic Institutions, the process of formation, reformation and dissolution of institutions is automated leading to run time adaptations in groups of agents. DEIs in agent oriented cloud robotic ecosystems bring order and group intellect. This article presents DEI implementations through HTM5 methodology.
    MeSH terms: Cloud Computing; Computer Systems; Logic; Management Information Systems; Software; Solubility; Ecosystem; Orientation, Spatial
  8. Fulltext Inhibitory effect of Duabanga grandiflora on MRSA biofilm formation via prevention of cell-surface attachment and PBP2a production
    Santiago C, Lim KH, Loh HS, Ting KN
    Molecules, 2015 Mar 10;20(3):4473-82.
    PMID: 25764489 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20034473
    Formation of biofilms is a major factor for nosocomial infections associated with methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study was carried out to determine the ability of a fraction, F-10, derived from the plant Duabanga grandiflora to inhibit MRSA biofilm formation. Inhibition of biofilm production and microtiter attachment assays were employed to study the anti-biofilm activity of F-10, while latex agglutination test was performed to study the influence of F-10 on penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) level in MRSA biofilm. PBP2a is a protein that confers resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. The results showed that, F-10 at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, 0.75 mg/mL) inhibited biofilm production by 66.10%; inhibited cell-surface attachment by more than 95%; and a reduced PBP2a level in the MRSA biofilm was observed. Although ampicilin was more effective in inhibiting biofilm production (MIC of 0.05 mg/mL, 84.49%) compared to F-10, the antibiotic was less effective in preventing cell-surface attachment. A higher level of PBP2a was detected in ampicillin-treated MRSA showing the development of further resistance in these colonies. This study has shown that F-10 possesses anti-biofilm activity, which can be attributed to its ability to reduce cell-surface attachment and attenuate the level of PBP2a that we postulated to play a crucial role in mediating biofilm formation.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Biofilms/drug effects; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Angiosperms/chemistry*; Penicillin-Binding Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/physiology*
  9. Fulltext Apoptotic effect of novel Schiff based CdCl₂(C₁₄H₂₁N₃O₂) complex is mediated via activation of the mitochondrial pathway in colon cancer cells
    Hajrezaie M, Paydar M, Looi CY, Moghadamtousi SZ, Hassandarvish P, Salga MS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2015 Mar 13;5:9097.
    PMID: 25764970 DOI: 10.1038/srep09097
    The development of metal-based agents has had a tremendous role in the present progress in cancer chemotherapy. One well-known example of metal-based agents is Schiff based metal complexes, which hold great promise for cancer therapy. Based on the potential of Schiff based complexes for the induction of apoptosis, this study aimed to examine the cytotoxic and apoptotic activity of a CdCl2(C14H21N3O2) complex on HT-29 cells. The complex exerted a potent suppressive effect on HT-29 cells with an IC50 value of 2.57 ± 0.39 after 72 h of treatment. The collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the elevated release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol indicate the involvement of the intrinsic pathway in the induction of apoptosis. The role of the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway was further proved by the significant activation of the initiator caspase-9 and the executioner caspases-3 and -7. In addition, the activation of caspase-8, which is associated with the suppression of NF-κB translocation to the nucleus, also revealed the involvement of the extrinsic pathway in the induced apoptosis. The results suggest that the CdCl2(C14H21N3O2) complex is able to induce the apoptosis of colon cancer cells and is a potential candidate for future cancer studies.
    MeSH terms: Cell Survival; Colonic Neoplasms/metabolism; Enzyme Activation; Humans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/metabolism; Mitochondria/drug effects*; Mitochondria/metabolism*; Schiff Bases*; Signal Transduction/drug effects*; NF-kappa B/metabolism; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism; Microscopy, Confocal; HT29 Cells; Cadmium Chloride/pharmacology*; Cadmium Chloride/chemistry*; Caspases/metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinases/metabolism; Protein Transport; Cytochromes c/metabolism; Cell Line, Tumor; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects
  10. Fulltext Detection of blaIMP4 and blaNDM1 harboring Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in a university hospital in Malaysia
    Hamzan NI, Yean CY, Rahman RA, Hasan H, Rahman ZA
    Emerg Health Threats J, 2015;8:26011.
    PMID: 25765342 DOI: 10.3402/ehtj.v8.26011
    Background : Antibiotic resistance among Enterobacteriaceae posts a great challenge to the health care service. The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is attracting significant attention due to its rapid and global dissemination. The infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, thus creating challenges for infection control and managing teams to curb the infection. In Southeast Asia, there have been limited reports and subsequent research regarding CRKP infections. Thus, the study was conducted to characterize CRKP that has been isolated in our setting. Methods : A total of 321 K. pneumoniae were included in the study. Each isolate went through an identification process using an automated identification system. Phenotypic characterization was determined using disk diffusion, modified Hodge test, Epsilometer test, and inhibitor combined disk test. Further detection of carbapenemase genes was carried out using polymerase chain reaction and confirmed by gene sequence analysis. Results : All together, 13 isolates (4.05%) were CRKP and the majority of them were resistant to tested antibiotics except colistin and tigercycline. Among seven different carbapenemase genes studied (blaKPC, bla IMP, bla SME, bla NDM, bla IMI, bla VIM, and bla OXA), only two, bla IMP4 (1.87%) and bla NDM1 (2.18%), were detected in our setting. Conclusion : Evidence suggests that the prevalence of CRKP in our setting is low, and knowledge of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and CRKP has improved and become available among clinicians.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Bacterial Proteins/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism*; beta-Lactamases/genetics; beta-Lactamases/metabolism*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hospitals, University; Humans; Klebsiella Infections/drug therapy; Klebsiella Infections/microbiology*; Klebsiella pneumoniae/drug effects; Klebsiella pneumoniae/enzymology*; Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics; Malaysia; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods; Carbapenems/pharmacology*; Gene Expression; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Molecular Typing
  11. Polymethacrylate coated electrospun PHB fibers: An exquisite outlook for fabrication of paper-based biosensors
    Hosseini S, Azari P, Farahmand E, Gan SN, Rothan HA, Yusof R, et al.
    Biosens Bioelectron, 2015 Jul 15;69:257-64.
    PMID: 25765434 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2015.02.034
    Electrospun polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) fibers were dip-coated by polymethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid, poly(MMA-co-MAA), which was synthesized in different molar ratios of the monomers via free-radical polymerization. Fabricated platfrom was employed for immobilization of the dengue antibody and subsequent detection of dengue enveloped virus in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There is a major advantage for combination of electrospun fibers and copolymers. Fiber structre of electrospun PHB provides large specific surface area available for biomolecular interaction. In addition, polymer coated parts of the platform inherited the premanent presence of surface carboxyl (-COOH) groups from MAA segments of the copolymer which can be effectively used for covalent and physical protein immobilization. By tuning the concentration of MAA monomers in polymerization reaction the concentration of surface -COOH groups can be carefully controlled. Therefore two different techniques have been used for immobilization of the dengue antibody aimed for dengue detection: physical attachment of dengue antibodies to the surface and covalent immobilization of antibodies through carbodiimide chemistry. In that perspective, several different characterization techniques were employed to investigate the new polymeric fiber platform such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), water contact angle (WCA) measurement and UV-vis titration. Regardless of the immobilization techniques, substantially higher signal intensity was recorded from developed platform in comparison to the conventional ELISA assay.
    MeSH terms: Dengue Virus/isolation & purification*; Disposable Equipment; Electroplating/methods; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/instrumentation; Equipment Design; Hydroxybutyrates/chemistry*; Materials Testing; Paper*; Polyesters/chemistry*; Polymethacrylic Acids/chemistry*; Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation*; Equipment Failure Analysis; Coated Materials, Biocompatible/chemical synthesis; Nanofibers/ultrastructure; Nanofibers/chemistry*
  12. Fulltext Graphene oxide electrocatalyst on MnO₂ air cathode as an efficient electron pump for enhanced oxygen reduction in alkaline solution
    Basirun WJ, Sookhakian M, Baradaran S, Endut Z, Mahmoudian MR, Ebadi M, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2015;5:9108.
    PMID: 25765731 DOI: 10.1038/srep09108
    Graphene oxide (GO) was deposited on the surface of a MnO2 air cathode by thermal evaporation at 50°C from a GO colloidal suspension. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of GO on the MnO2 air cathode (GO-MnO2). Voltammetry and chrono-amperometry showed increased currents for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in 6 M KOH solution for GO-MnO2 compared to the MnO2 cathode. The GO-MnO2 was used as an air cathode in an alkaline tin-air cell and produced a maximum power density of 13 mW cm(-2), in contrast to MnO2, which produced a maximum power density of 9.2 mW cm(-2). The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results suggest that the chemical step for the ORR is the rate determining step, as proposed earlier by different researchers. It is suggested that the presence of GO and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) on the MnO2 surface are responsible for the increased rate of this step, whereby GO and ERGO accelerate the process of electron donation to the MnO2 and to adsorbed oxygen atoms.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Electrodes; Electrons; Graphite; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Oxides; Oxygen; Tin; Manganese Compounds; Dielectric Spectroscopy
  13. Cinnamic acid exerts anti-diabetic activity by improving glucose tolerance in vivo and by stimulating insulin secretion in vitro
    Hafizur RM, Hameed A, Shukrana M, Raza SA, Chishti S, Kabir N, et al.
    Phytomedicine, 2015 Feb 15;22(2):297-300.
    PMID: 25765836 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2015.01.003
    Although the anti-diabetic activity of cinnamic acid, a pure compound from cinnamon, has been reported but its mechanism(s) is not yet clear. The present study was designed to explore the possible mechanism(s) of anti-diabetic activity of cinnamic acid in in vitro and in vivo non-obese type 2 diabetic rats. Non-obese type 2 diabetes was developed by injecting 90 mg/kg streptozotocin in 2-day-old Wistar pups. Cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde were administered orally to diabetic rats for assessing acute blood glucose lowering effect and improvement of glucose tolerance. Additionally, insulin secretory activity of cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde was evaluated in isolated mice islets. Cinnamic acid, but not cinnamaldehyde, decreased blood glucose levels in diabetic rats in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Oral administration of cinnamic acid with 5 and 10 mg/kg doses to diabetic rats improved glucose tolerance in a dose-dependent manner. The improvement by 10 mg/kg cinnamic acid was comparable to that of standard drug glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). Further in vitro studies showed that cinnamaldehyde has little or no effect on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion; however, cinnamic acid significantly enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in isolated islets. In conclusion, it can be said that cinnamic acid exerts anti-diabetic activity by improving glucose tolerance in vivo and stimulating insulin secretion in vitro.
    MeSH terms: Acrolein/analogs & derivatives; Acrolein/pharmacology; Animals; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Cinnamates/pharmacology*; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/chemically induced; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology*; Insulin/metabolism*; Islets of Langerhans/drug effects*; Male; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Rats, Wistar
  14. Intracellular biosynthesis of Au and Ag nanoparticles using ethanolic extract of Brassica oleracea L. and studies on their physicochemical and biological properties
    Kuppusamy P, Ichwan SJ, Parine NR, Yusoff MM, Maniam GP, Govindan N
    J Environ Sci (China), 2015 Mar 1;29:151-7.
    PMID: 25766024 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2014.06.050
    In this present study, we reported broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) as a potential candidate for the synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) in green chemistry method. The synthesized metal nanoparticles are evaluated their antimicrobial efficacy against different human pathogenic organisms. The physico-chemical properties of gold nanoparticles were analyzed using different analytical techniques such as a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrophotometer. In addition, gold and silver NP antimicrobial efficacy was checked by disc diffusion assay. UV-Vis color intensity of the nanoparticles was shown at 540 and 450 nm for gold and silver nanoparticles respectively. Higher magnification of the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy image shows the variable morphology of the gold nanoparticles such as spherical, rod and triangular shapes and silver nanoparticles were seen in spherical shapes. The average spherical size of the particles was observed in 24-38 nm for gold and 30-45 nm for silver NPs. X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the presence of gold nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles which were crystalline in nature. Additionally, the functional metabolites were identified by the Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. IR spectra revealed phenols, alcohols, aldehydes (sugar moieties), vitamins and proteins are present in the broccoli extract which are accountable to synthesize the nanoparticles. The synthesized gold and silver NPs inhibited the growth of the tested bacterial and fungal pathogens at the concentration of 50 μg/mL respectively. In addition, broccoli mediated gold and silver nanoparticles have shown potent antimicrobial activity against human pathogens.
    MeSH terms: Ethanol/chemistry*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Bacteria/drug effects; Brassica/chemistry*; Gold/metabolism; Gold/chemistry*; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Silver/metabolism; Silver/chemistry*; Molecular Structure; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  15. Apes in the Anthropocene: flexibility and survival
    Hockings KJ, McLennan MR, Carvalho S, Ancrenaz M, Bobe R, Byrne RW, et al.
    Trends Ecol Evol, 2015 Apr;30(4):215-22.
    PMID: 25766059 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2015.02.002
    We are in a new epoch, the Anthropocene, and research into our closest living relatives, the great apes, must keep pace with the rate that our species is driving change. While a goal of many studies is to understand how great apes behave in natural contexts, the impact of human activities must increasingly be taken into account. This is both a challenge and an opportunity, which can importantly inform research in three diverse fields: cognition, human evolution, and conservation. No long-term great ape research site is wholly unaffected by human influence, but research at those that are especially affected by human activity is particularly important for ensuring that our great ape kin survive the Anthropocene.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Cognition; Conservation of Natural Resources*; Biological Evolution*; Humans; Human Activities*; Research; Hominidae/physiology*
  16. Choice of PCR microtube can impact on the success of long-range PCRs
    Chua EW, Miller AL, Kennedy MA
    Anal Biochem, 2015 May 15;477:115-7.
    PMID: 25766577 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2015.02.023
    We compared four brands of microtubes with respect to their suitability for long-range polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). One of the four brands was found to have an inhibitory effect, decreasing PCR yields. The effect was universal across different PCR or enzyme systems. Increased ultraviolet absorbance suggests leaching of unknown chemical species into PCR mixtures. However, this could not be confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Nevertheless, our article demonstrates a clear impact of the choice of microtubes on long-range PCR success. Due consideration should be given to the PCR microtubes when determining optimal reaction conditions for long-range PCR.
    MeSH terms: Exons/genetics; Polymerase Chain Reaction/instrumentation*; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19/genetics
  17. Mutation study for 9 genes in 23 unrelated patients with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis in Japan and Malaysia
    Numata S, Teye K, Krol RP, Karashima T, Fukuda S, Matsuda M, et al.
    J. Dermatol. Sci., 2015 Apr;78(1):82-5.
    PMID: 25766764 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2015.02.006
    MeSH terms: Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase/genetics*; DNA Mutational Analysis; Gene Frequency; Genetic Markers; Humans; Japan/epidemiology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Mutation*; Phenotype; Risk Factors; Ichthyosis, Lamellar/diagnosis; Ichthyosis, Lamellar/ethnology; Ichthyosis, Lamellar/genetics*; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics
  18. The effect of fermentation and addition of vegetable oil on resistant starch formation in wholegrain breads
    Buddrick O, Jones OAH, Hughes JG, Kong I, Small DM
    Food Chem, 2015 Aug 01;180:181-185.
    PMID: 25766816 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.02.044
    Resistant starch has potential health benefits but the factors affecting its formation in bread and baked products are not well studied. Here, the formation of resistant starch in wholemeal bread products was evaluated in relation to the processing conditions including fermentation time, temperature and the inclusion of palm oil as a vitamin source. The effects of each the factor were assessed using a full factorial design. The impact on final starch content of traditional sourdough fermentation of wholemeal rye bread, as well as the bulk fermentation process of wheat and wheat/oat blends of wholemeal bread, was also assessed by enzyme assay. Palm oil content was found to have a significant effect on the formation of resistant starch in all of the breads while fermentation time and temperature had no significant impact. Sourdough fermentation of rye bread was found to have a greater impact on resistant starch formation than bulk fermentation of wheat and wheat blend breads, most likely due the increased organic acid content of the sourdough process.
    MeSH terms: Bread/analysis*; Dietary Fiber/analysis*; Fermentation; Plant Oils; Starch/metabolism; Triticum/metabolism
  19. Fulltext Sumoylation controls the timing of Tup1-mediated transcriptional deactivation
    Ng CH, Akhter A, Yurko N, Burgener JM, Rosonina E, Manley JL
    Nat Commun, 2015 Mar 13;6:6610.
    PMID: 25766875 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7610
    The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is implicated in various cellular activities, including transcriptional regulation. We previously showed that the yeast activator Gcn4 becomes sumoylated during activation, facilitating its eventual promoter eviction and transcriptional shut off. Here we show that the corepressor Tup1 is sumoylated, at two specific lysines, under various stress conditions. Mutation of these sites has no effect on Tup1 recruitment or RNAP II promoter occupancy immediately following induction. However, Tup1 levels subsequently decrease, while RNAP II and transcription increase in Tup1 mutant cells. Consistent with this, a Tup1 mutant displaying increased sumoylation led to reduced transcription. We also show that coordinated sumoylation of Gcn4 and Tup1 enhances Gcn4 promoter eviction and that multiple Tup1-interacting proteins become sumoylated after stress. Together, our studies provide evidence that coordinated sumoylation of Gcn4, Tup1 and likely other factors dampens activated transcription by stabilizing Tup1 binding and stimulating Gcn4 and RNAP II removal.
    MeSH terms: DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism; Mutation; Nuclear Proteins/metabolism*; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Protein Binding; Repressor Proteins/metabolism*; RNA Polymerase II/genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism; Transcription Factors/metabolism; Transcription, Genetic*; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; SUMO-1 Protein/metabolism; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism*; Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors/metabolism*; Sumoylation*
  20. Molecular characterization, modeling and docking of CYP107CB2 from Bacillus lehensis G1, an alkaliphile
    Ang SS, Salleh AB, Chor AL, Normi YM, Tejo BA, Rahman MB
    Comput Biol Chem, 2015 Jun;56:19-29.
    PMID: 25766878 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2015.02.015
    Cytochrome P450s are a superfamily of heme monooxygenases which catalyze a wide range of biochemical reactions. The reactions involve the introduction of an oxygen atom into an inactivated carbon of a compound which is essential to produce an intermediate of a hydroxylated product. The diversity of chemical reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P450s has led to their increased demand in numerous industrial and biotechnology applications. A recent study showed that a gene sequence encoding a CYP was found in the genome of Bacillus lehensis G1, and this gene shared structural similarity with the bacterial vitamin D hydroxylase (Vdh) from Pseudonocardia autotrophica. The objectives of present study was to mine, for a novel CYP from a new isolate B. lehensis G1 alkaliphile and determine the biological properties and functionalities of CYP in this bacterium. Our study employed the usage of computational methods to search for the novel CYP from CYP structural databases to identify the conserved pattern, functional domain and sequence properties of the uncharacterized CYP from B. lehensis G1. A computational homology model of the protein's structure was generated and a docking analysis was performed to provide useful structural knowledge on the enzyme's possible substrate and their interaction. Sequence analysis indicated that the newly identified CYP, termed CYP107CB2, contained the fingerprint heme binding sequence motif FxxGxxxCxG at position 336-345 as well as other highly conserved motifs characteristic of cytochrome P450 proteins. Using docking studies, we identified Ser-79, Leu-81, Val-231, Val-279, Val-383, Ala-232, Thr-236 and Thr-283 as important active site residues capable of stabilizing interactions with several potential substrates, including vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3, in which all substrates docked proximally to the enzyme's heme center. Biochemical analysis indicated that CYP107CB2 is a biologically active protein to produce 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 from 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3. Based on these results, we conclude that the novel CYP107CB2 identified from B. lehensis G1 is a putative vitamin D hydroxylase which is possibly capable of catalyzing the bioconversion of parental vitamin D3 to calcitriol, or related metabolic products.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Bacillus/metabolism*; Bacillus/chemistry; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism*; Bacterial Proteins/chemistry; Binding Sites; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism*; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/chemistry; Molecular Sequence Data; Vitamin D/analogs & derivatives; Vitamin D/metabolism; Sequence Alignment; Molecular Docking Simulation
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