Browse publications by year: 2015

  1. Spatio-temporal remotely sensed data for analysis of the shrinkage and shifting in the Al Hawizeh wetland
    Ghobadi Y, Pradhan B, Shafri HZ, bin Ahmad N, Kabiri K
    Environ Monit Assess, 2015 Jan;187(1):4156.
    PMID: 25421858 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-4156-0
    Wetlands are regarded as one of the most important ecosystems on Earth due to various ecosystem services provided by them such as habitats for biodiversity, water purification, sequestration, and flood attenuation. The Al Hawizeh wetland in the Iran-Iraq border was selected as a study area to evaluate the changes. Maximum likelihood classification was used on the remote sensing data acquired during the period of 1985 to 2013. In this paper, five types of land use/land cover (LULC) were identified and mapped and accuracy assessment was performed. The overall accuracy and kappa coefficient for years 1985, 1998, 2002, and 2013 were 93% and 0.9, 92% and 0.89, 91% and 0.9, and 92% and 0.9, respectively. The classified images were examined with post-classification comparison (PCC) algorithm, and the LULC alterations were assessed. The results of the PCC analysis revealed that there is a drastic change in the area and size of the studied region during the period of investigation. The wetland lost ~73% of its surface area from 1985 to 2002. Meanwhile, post-2002, the wetland underwent a restoration, as a result of which, the area increased slightly and experienced an ~29% growth. Moreover, a large change was noticed at the same period in the wetland that altered ~62% into bare soil in 2002. The areal coverage of wetland of 3386 km(2) in 1985 was reduced to 925 km(2) by 2002 and restored to 1906 km(2) by the year 2013. Human activities particularly engineering projects were identified as the main reason behind the wetland degradation and LULC alterations. And, lastly, in this study, some mitigation measures and recommendations regarding the reclamation of the wetland are discussed. Based on these mitigate measures, the discharge to the wetland must be kept according to the water requirement of the wetland. Moreover, some anthropogenic activities have to be stopped in and around the wetland to protect the ecology of the wetland.
    MeSH terms: Conservation of Natural Resources/methods; Environmental Monitoring/methods*; Humans; Iran; Biodiversity; Wetlands*; Remote Sensing Technology*
  2. Novel solid-phase membrane tip extraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry methods for the rapid analysis of triazine herbicides in real waters
    Sanagi MM, Muhammad SS, Hussain I, Ibrahim WA, Ali I
    J Sep Sci, 2015 Feb;38(3):433-8.
    PMID: 25421899 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201400912
    Novel, fast, selective, eco-friendly and reproducible solid-phase membrane tip extraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry methods were developed and validated for the analysis of triazine herbicides (atrazine and secbumeton) in stream and lake waters. The retention times of atrazine and secbumeton were 7.48 and 8.51 min. The solid-phase membrane tip extraction was carried out in semiautomated dynamic mode on multiwall carbon nanotubes enclosed in a cone-shaped polypropylene membrane cartridge. Acetone and methanol were found as the best preconditioning and desorption solvents, respectively. The extraction and desorption times for these herbicides were 15.0 and 10.0 min, respectively. The percentage recoveries of atrazine and secbumeton were 88.0 and 99.0%. The linearity range was 0.50-80.0 μg/L (r(2) > 0.994), with detection limits (<0.47 μg/L, S/N = 3) and good reproducibility (<8.0%). The ease of operation, eco-friendly nature, and low cost of solid-phase membrane tip extraction made these methods novel. The Solid-phase membrane tip extraction method was optimized by considering the effect of extraction time, desorbing solvents and time.
    MeSH terms: Acetone; Methanol; Atrazine; Herbicides; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Polypropylenes; Solvents; Mass Spectrometry; Reproducibility of Results; Nanotubes, Carbon; Rivers; Solid Phase Extraction; Limit of Detection; Lakes
  3. Aftereffects of 2 noninvasive brain stimulation techniques on corticospinal excitability in persons with chronic stroke: a pilot study
    Goh HT, Chan HY, Abdul-Latif L
    J Neurol Phys Ther, 2015 Jan;39(1):15-22.
    PMID: 25427033 DOI: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000064
    Noninvasive brain stimulation, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), have gained popularity in the stroke rehabilitation literature. Little is known about the time course and duration of effects of noninvasive brain stimulation on corticospinal excitability in individuals with stroke. We examined the aftereffects of a single session of high-frequency rTMS (5 Hz) and anodal tDCS on corticospinal excitability in the same sample of participants with chronic stroke.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Electromyography; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Cortex/physiopathology*; Pilot Projects; Pyramidal Tracts/physiopathology*; Cross-Over Studies; Evoked Potentials, Motor/physiology; Stroke/physiopathology; Stroke/rehabilitation*; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation*
  4. A new oxathiolane from Enterobacter cloacae
    Yap AC, Teoh WY, Chan KG, Sim KS, Choo YM
    Nat Prod Res, 2015;29(8):722-6.
    PMID: 25427277 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2014.983507
    Enterobacter cloacae is a versatile bacterial species inhabiting a wide variety of niches and is capable of metabolising a wide variety of substances as energy resources. The fermentation culture of this bacterial species has successfully yielded one new compound, Rimboxa (1) and three known compounds, i.e. indole-3-carboxaldehyde (2), indole-3-acetic acid (3) and 3,4-di-t-butylaniline (4). Rimboxa (1) is shown to possess the 1,2-oxathiolane core structure. 3,4-Di-t-butylaniline (4) is isolated for the first time from a natural resource. These compounds were isolated and characterised using extensive chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, and were subjected to cytotoxicity evaluations.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Indoleacetic Acids/isolation & purification; Indoleacetic Acids/chemistry; Indoles/isolation & purification; Indoles/chemistry; Thiophenes/isolation & purification; Thiophenes/chemistry*; Molecular Structure; Enterobacter cloacae/chemistry*; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Cell Line, Tumor
  5. Evaluation of morphological changes of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli induced with the antimicrobial peptide AN5-1
    Alkotaini B, Anuar N, Kadhum AA
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2015 Feb;175(4):1868-78.
    PMID: 25427593 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-014-1410-4
    The mechanisms of action of AN5-1 against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were investigated by evaluations of the intracellular content leakage and by microscopic observations of the treated cells. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were used for this investigation. Measurements of DNA, RNA, proteins, and β-galactosidase were taken, and the results showed a significant increase in the cultivation media after treatment with AN5-1 compared with the untreated cells. The morphological changes of treated cells were shown using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The observations showed that AN5-1 acts against E. coli and against S. aureus in similar ways, by targeting the cell wall, causing disruptions; at a high concentration (80 AU/ml), these disruptions led to cell lysis. The 3D AFM imaging system showed that at a low concentration of 20 AU/ml, the effect of AN5-1 is restricted to pore formation only. Moreover, a separation between the cell wall and the cytoplasm was observed when Gram-negative bacteria were treated with a low concentration (20 AU/ml) of AN5-1.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation & purification; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism; beta-Galactosidase/metabolism; DNA, Bacterial/metabolism; Escherichia coli/drug effects*; Escherichia coli/metabolism; Escherichia coli/ultrastructure*; Molecular Sequence Data; RNA, Bacterial/metabolism; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*; Staphylococcus aureus/metabolism; Staphylococcus aureus/ultrastructure*; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/isolation & purification; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/pharmacology*; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Paenibacillus/chemistry
  6. A review: potential usage of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) for enzyme immobilization via covalent interactions
    Sulaiman S, Mokhtar MN, Naim MN, Baharuddin AS, Sulaiman A
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2015 Feb;175(4):1817-42.
    PMID: 25427594 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-014-1417-x
    Nanobiocatalysis is a new frontier of emerging nanosized material support in enzyme immobilization application. This paper is about a comprehensive review on cellulose nanofibers (CNF), including their structure, surface modification, chemical coupling for enzyme immobilization, and potential applications. The CNF surface consists of mainly -OH functional group that can be directly interacted weakly with enzyme, and its binding can be improved by surface modification and interaction of chemical coupling that forms a strong and stable covalent immobilization of enzyme. The knowledge of covalent interaction for enzyme immobilization is important to provide more efficient interaction between CNF support and enzyme molecule. Enzyme immobilization onto CNF is having potential for improving enzymatic performance and production yield, as well as contributing toward green technology and sustainable sources.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Cellulose/chemistry*; Cross-Linking Reagents/chemistry; Enzymes, Immobilized/chemistry*; Surface Properties; Green Chemistry Technology; Nanofibers/ultrastructure; Nanofibers/chemistry*
  7. Fingerprint verification prediction model in hand dermatitis
    Lee CK, Chang CC, Johor A, Othman P, Baba R
    Int J Dermatol, 2015 Jul;54(7):765-70.
    PMID: 25427962 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.12451
    Hand dermatitis associated fingerprint changes is a significant problem and affects fingerprint verification processes. This study was done to develop a clinically useful prediction model for fingerprint verification in patients with hand dermatitis.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Dermatoglyphics*; Female; Hand Dermatoses/complications; Hand Dermatoses/pathology*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pattern Recognition, Automated; Random Allocation; ROC Curve; Thumb; Models, Statistical; Multivariate Analysis; Case-Control Studies; Area Under Curve
  8. Fulltext Utility of alpha-blockade in a hypotensive pheochromocytoma patient with myocardial infarction
    Wahab NA, Zainudin S, AbAziz A, Kamaruddin NA
    Med Princ Pract, 2015;24(1):96-8.
    PMID: 25428406 DOI: 10.1159/000369021
    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case study is to emphasize the importance of α-blockade in managing a rare complication of an untreated pheochromocytoma.

    CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 41-year-old man with previous bilateral pheochromocytoma presented with chest pain. He was suffering from cardiac failure and persistent hypotension requiring an inotrope. Cardiac markers, an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram confirmed acute myocardial infarct with poor ejection fraction and global hypokinesia. An (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT scan showed progressive left suprarenal and organ of Zuckerkandl pheochromocytomas. Blood pressure stabilisation proved challenging but was achieved by titrating an incremental dose of α-blocker against a tapering inotropic dose.

    CONCLUSION: This case showed the efficacy of an α-blocker despite persistent hypotension in a patient with pheochromocytoma-induced cardiomyopathy.

    MeSH terms: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/complications; Adult; Echocardiography; Humans; Hypotension/complications; Male; Myocardial Infarction/complications; Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis; Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy*; Para-Aortic Bodies; Pheochromocytoma/complications; Prazosin/administration & dosage*; Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists/administration & dosage*
  9. Graphene oxide as a structure-directing agent for the two-dimensional interface engineering of sandwich-like graphene-g-C3N4 hybrid nanostructures with enhanced visible-light photoreduction of CO2 to methane
    Ong WJ, Tan LL, Chai SP, Yong ST
    Chem Commun (Camb), 2015 Jan 18;51(5):858-61.
    PMID: 25429376 DOI: 10.1039/c4cc08996k
    A facile one-pot impregnation-thermal reduction strategy was employed to fabricate sandwich-like graphene-g-C3N4 (GCN) nanocomposites using urea and graphene oxide as precursors. The GCN sample exhibited a slight red shift of the absorption band edge attributed to the formation of a C-O-C bond as a covalent cross linker between graphene and g-C3N4. The GCN sample demonstrated high visible-light photoactivity towards CO2 reduction under ambient conditions, exhibiting a 2.3-fold enhancement over pure g-C3N4. This was ascribed to the inhibition of electron-hole pair recombination by graphene, which increased the charge transfer.
    MeSH terms: Carbon Dioxide; Electrons; Graphite; Light; Organic Chemicals; Oxides; Recombination, Genetic; Urea; Nanocomposites; Physical Phenomena
  10. Recent advances in nanotechnology-based diagnosis and treatments of diabetes
    Rao PV, Gan SH
    Curr Drug Metab, 2015;16(5):371-5.
    PMID: 25429672 DOI: 10.2174/1389200215666141125120215
    Nanotechnology is a field encompassing nanostructures, nanomaterials and nanoparticles, which are of increasing importance to researchers and industrial players alike. Nanotechnology addresses the construction and consumption of substances and devices on the nanometer scale. Nanomedicine is a new field that combines nanotechnology with medicine to boost human health care. Nanomedicine is an interdisciplinary field that includes various areas of biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. The most important problems related to diabetes management, such as self-monitoring of blood glucose levels and insulin injections, can now be conquered due to progress in nanomedicine, which offers glucose nanosensors, the layer-by-layer technique, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, oral insulins, microspheres, artificial pancreases and nanopumps. In this review, the key methodological and scientific characteristics of nanomedicine related to diabetes treatment, glucose monitoring and insulin administration are discussed.
    MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus; Diagnosis; Humans; Nanotechnology*
  11. Mathematical modeling of a single stage ultrasonically assisted distillation process
    Mahdi T, Ahmad A, Ripin A, Abdullah TA, Nasef MM, Ali MW
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2015 May;24:184-92.
    PMID: 25432400 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2014.11.005
    The ability of sonication phenomena in facilitating separation of azeotropic mixtures presents a promising approach for the development of more intensified and efficient distillation systems than conventional ones. To expedite the much-needed development, a mathematical model of the system based on conservation principles, vapor-liquid equilibrium and sonochemistry was developed in this study. The model that was founded on a single stage vapor-liquid equilibrium system and enhanced with ultrasonic waves was coded using MATLAB simulator and validated with experimental data for ethanol-ethyl acetate mixture. The effects of both ultrasonic frequency and intensity on the relative volatility and azeotropic point were examined, and the optimal conditions were obtained using genetic algorithm. The experimental data validated the model with a reasonable accuracy. The results of this study revealed that the azeotropic point of the mixture can be totally eliminated with the right combination of sonication parameters and this can be utilized in facilitating design efforts towards establishing a workable ultrasonically intensified distillation system.
  12. Synergistic sonoelectrochemical removal of substituted phenols: implications of ultrasonic parameters and physicochemical properties
    Kim K, Cho E, Thokchom B, Cui M, Jang M, Khim J
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2015 May;24:172-7.
    PMID: 25432401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2014.11.004
    The effects of ultrasonic conditions and physicochemical properties on the synergistic degradation in synthetic solution were investigated. A wide range of ultrasound frequencies, including 35, 170, 300, 500 and 700 kHz, and ultrasonic power densities, including 11.3, 22.5 and 31.5 W/L were used. It was revealed that the physical effect of ultrasound plays a major role in synergistic mechanism and 35 kHz was found to be the most effective frequency due to its more vigorous physical effect induced by high implosive energy released from collapse of cavitation bubbles. The highest ultrasonic power density (31.5 W/L) showed the highest synergy index as it increases the number of cavitation bubbles and the energy released when they collapse. The synergy indexes of various substituted phenols under identical condition were investigated. These results were correlated with physicochemical properties, namely octanol-water partition coefficient (Log K OW), water solubility (SW), Henry's law constant (KH) and water diffusivity (DW). Among these parameters, Log K OW and DW were found to have substantial effects on synergy indexes.
  13. Assessment of water quality parameters using multivariate analysis for Klang River basin, Malaysia
    Mohamed I, Othman F, Ibrahim AI, Alaa-Eldin ME, Yunus RM
    Environ Monit Assess, 2015 Jan;187(1):4182.
    PMID: 25433545 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-4182-y
    This case study uses several univariate and multivariate statistical techniques to evaluate and interpret a water quality data set obtained from the Klang River basin located within the state of Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The river drains an area of 1,288 km(2), from the steep mountain rainforests of the main Central Range along Peninsular Malaysia to the river mouth in Port Klang, into the Straits of Malacca. Water quality was monitored at 20 stations, nine of which are situated along the main river and 11 along six tributaries. Data was collected from 1997 to 2007 for seven parameters used to evaluate the status of the water quality, namely dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, ammoniacal nitrogen, pH, and temperature. The data were first investigated using descriptive statistical tools, followed by two practical multivariate analyses that reduced the data dimensions for better interpretation. The analyses employed were factor analysis and principal component analysis, which explain 60 and 81.6% of the total variation in the data, respectively. We found that the resulting latent variables from the factor analysis are interpretable and beneficial for describing the water quality in the Klang River. This study presents the usefulness of several statistical methods in evaluating and interpreting water quality data for the purpose of monitoring the effectiveness of water resource management. The results should provide more straightforward data interpretation as well as valuable insight for managers to conceive optimum action plans for controlling pollution in river water.
    MeSH terms: Factor Analysis, Statistical; Malaysia; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Water Pollution, Chemical/statistics & numerical data*; Multivariate Analysis; Principal Component Analysis; Rivers/chemistry*; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; Water Quality/standards*
  14. Targeting chemical and thermal stability of ovalbumin by simulated honey sugar cocktail
    Wong YH, Kadir HA, Tayyab S
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2015 Feb;73:207-14.
    PMID: 25434804 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.11.015
    Effect of simulated honey sugar cocktail (SHSC) on chemical and thermal stability of ovalbumin (OVA) was investigated using multiple-spectroscopic techniques. Urea-induced denaturation of OVA produced a transition, characterized by the start-, the mid- and the end-points at 3.2 M, 5.9/5.6 M and 8.5/8.0 M urea, respectively, when studied by MRE222nm and tryptophan fluorescence measurements. Presence of 10% or 20% (w/v) SHSC in the incubation mixture shifted the transition curve towards higher urea concentration in a concentration dependent manner. A comparison of far- and near-UV CD, UV-difference, ANS fluorescence and 3-D fluorescence spectral results of native OVA and 5.9 M urea-denatured OVA (U-OVA), obtained in the absence and the presence of 20% (w/v) SHSC suggested SHSC-induced stabilization of U-OVA. Furthermore, a significant shift towards higher denaturant concentration was also noticed in the GdnHCl and thermal transition curves of OVA in the presence of 20% (w/v) SHSC. Taken together, all these results suggested stabilization of OVA against chemical and thermal denaturations by SHSC.
    MeSH terms: Carbohydrates/chemistry*; Circular Dichroism; Honey*; Ovalbumin/chemistry*; Protein Denaturation/drug effects; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Thermodynamics; Urea/pharmacology; Protein Stability/drug effects
  15. Association between household food access insecurity and nutritional status indicators among children aged <5 years in Nepal: results from a national, cross-sectional household survey
    Sreeramareddy CT, Ramakrishnareddy N, Subramaniam M
    Public Health Nutr, 2015 Nov;18(16):2906-14.
    PMID: 25435296 DOI: 10.1017/S1368980014002729
    OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between household food insecurity score and Z-scores of childhood nutritional status indicators.

    DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional survey, Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011.

    SETTING: A nationally representative sample of 11 085 households selected by a two-stage, stratified cluster sampling design to interview eligible men and women.

    SUBJECTS: Children (n 2591) aged 0-60 months in a sub-sample of households selected for men's interview.

    RESULTS: Prevalence of moderate and severe household food insecurity was 23·2% and 19·0%, respectively, for children aged 0-60 months. Weighted prevalence rates for stunting (height-for-age Z-score (HAZ)

    MeSH terms: Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet*; Family Characteristics*; Feeding Behavior; Growth Disorders/etiology*; Growth Disorders/epidemiology; Health Surveys; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutrition Disorders/etiology; Infant Nutrition Disorders/epidemiology; Infant, Newborn; Nepal/epidemiology; Nutrition Disorders/etiology*; Nutrition Disorders/epidemiology; Nutritional Status*; Poverty*; Thinness/etiology; Thinness/epidemiology; Child Nutrition Disorders/etiology; Child Nutrition Disorders/epidemiology; Prevalence; Wasting Syndrome/etiology; Wasting Syndrome/epidemiology
  16. Influence of ultrasound power on acoustic streaming and micro-bubbles formations in a low frequency sono-reactor: mathematical and 3D computational simulation
    Sajjadi B, Raman AA, Ibrahim S
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2015 May;24:193-203.
    PMID: 25435397 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2014.11.013
    This paper aims at investigating the influence of ultrasound power amplitude on liquid behaviour in a low-frequency (24 kHz) sono-reactor. Three types of analysis were employed: (i) mechanical analysis of micro-bubbles formation and their activities/characteristics using mathematical modelling. (ii) Numerical analysis of acoustic streaming, fluid flow pattern, volume fraction of micro-bubbles and turbulence using 3D CFD simulation. (iii) Practical analysis of fluid flow pattern and acoustic streaming under ultrasound irradiation using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). In mathematical modelling, a lone micro bubble generated under power ultrasound irradiation was mechanistically analysed. Its characteristics were illustrated as a function of bubble radius, internal temperature and pressure (hot spot conditions) and oscillation (pulsation) velocity. The results showed that ultrasound power significantly affected the conditions of hotspots and bubbles oscillation velocity. From the CFD results, it was observed that the total volume of the micro-bubbles increased by about 4.95% with each 100 W-increase in power amplitude. Furthermore, velocity of acoustic streaming increased from 29 to 119 cm/s as power increased, which was in good agreement with the PIV analysis.
  17. Nordamnacanthal potentiates the cytotoxic effects of tamoxifen in human breast cancer cells
    Subramani T, Yeap SK, Ho WY, Ho CL, Osman CP, Ismail NH, et al.
    Oncol Lett, 2015 Jan;9(1):335-340.
    PMID: 25435988
    Tamoxifen (TAM) is the mainline drug treatment for breast cancer, despite its side effects and the development of resistance. As an alternative approach, in the present study a novel combination therapy was established through combining TAM with nordamnacanthal (NDAM) in order to investigate the additive effect of these drugs in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. A significant dose-dependent reduction in cell viability and an increase in apoptosis were observed in the MCF-7 cells cotreated with TAM and NDAM compared with the untreated control cells or the cells treated with TAM and NDAM alone (P<0.05). The cytotoxic influence of the combination of TAM and NDAM was found to be two-fold that of the individual agents. Annexin V/propidium iodide double-staining revealed the typical nuclear features of apoptosis. Furthermore, an increase in the proportion of apoptotic, Annexin V-positive cells was observed with the combination therapy. Moreover, this apoptotic induction was associated with a collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the generation of reactive oxygen species. To the best of our knowledge, the findings of the present study are the first to suggest that combining TAM with NDAM may be a potential combination therapy for the treatment of breast cancer and may have the potential to minimize or eliminate the side effects associated with high doses of TAM.
    MeSH terms: Aldehydes; Anthraquinones; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Survival; Humans; Propidium; Staining and Labeling; Tamoxifen; Cell Death; Apoptosis; Annexin A5; Reactive Oxygen Species; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; MCF-7 Cells
  18. A Systematic Review of the Prevalence and Measurement of Chronic Pain in Asian Adults
    Mohamed Zaki LR, Hairi NN
    Pain Manag Nurs, 2015 Jun;16(3):440-52.
    PMID: 25439125 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2014.08.012
    There are limited epidemiologic studies on chronic pain in Asian populations. The aim of this review was to gather all epidemiologic studies of chronic pain in Asian countries and systematically describe the measurement and prevalence of chronic pain in Asian adults. A systematic review was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psych INFO, Cochrane Database for Systematic Review, and CINAHL. Additional studies were identified manually by searching bibliographies. We identified 19 relevant articles for this review. Most articles used the definition of chronic pain set by the International Association for the Study of Pain. The majority of the articles used simple single-question methods to measure chronic pain. The prevalence of chronic pain among Asian adults ranges from 7.1% (Malaysia) to 61% (Cambodia and Northern Iraq), whereas among the Asian geriatric population, the prevalence is even higher and ranges from 42% to 90.8%. This review showed that there is great variation in the reported prevalence of chronic pain in Asian adults and the prevalence of chronic pain is high among the Asian geriatric population. To measure the distribution of chronic pain in adults, a uniform measurement strategy should be adopted.
  19. Effect of hydrothermal pretreatment on solubility and formation of kenaf cellulose membrane and hydrogel
    Gan S, Zakaria S, Chia CH, Padzil FN, Ng P
    Carbohydr Polym, 2015 Jan 22;115:62-8.
    PMID: 25439869 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.08.093
    The hydrothermal pretreatment on kenaf core pulp (KCP) was carried out using an autoclave heated in a oil bath at 140°C for 0.5/1/3/5h. The hydrothermal pretreated kenaf (HPK) was dissolved in a LiOH/urea aqueous solution and subsequently used to produce cellulose membrane and hydrogel. The effects of hydrothermal pretreatment time on solubility, viscosity, crystallinity and morphology of the cellulose membrane and hydrogel were investigated. The hydrothermal pretreatment leads to higher cellulose solubility and higher viscosity of the cellulose solution. The formation of cellulose II and crystallinity index of the cellulose membrane and hydrogel were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The pore size of the cellulose membrane and hydrogel displayed an upward trend with respect to the hydrothermal pretreatment period observed under a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). This finding provides an efficient procedure to improve the solubility, viscosity and properties of regenerated cellulose products.
  20. Processing and analysis of chitosan nanocomposites reinforced with chitin whiskers and tannic acid as a crosslinker
    Rubentheren V, Ward TA, Chee CY, Tang CK
    Carbohydr Polym, 2015 Jan 22;115:379-87.
    PMID: 25439908 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.09.007
    Chitosan film reinforced with nano-sized chitin whiskers and crosslinked using tannic acid was synthesized by the casting-vaporation method. The mechanical and physicochemical properties of several film samples (consisting of different ratio of chitin and tannic acid) were compared with neat chitosan. Tensile tests show that the addition of chitin improves the nanocomposite films mechanical properties up to 137% compared to neat chitosan, but this is slightly degraded when tannic acid is introduced. However, tannic acid and chitin whisker content greatly reduced moisture content by 294% and water solubility by 13%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to investigate the morphology and molecular interaction of film. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the samples with chitin whiskers had a more rigid structure. The addition of tannic acid changed the structure into an anhydrous crystalline conformation when compared to neat chitosan film.
    MeSH terms: Chitin/chemistry*; Solubility; Tannins/chemistry*; Water/chemistry; Chitosan/chemistry*; Nanocomposites/chemistry*; Mechanical Processes*; Physicochemical Processes
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