Browse publications by year: 2015

  1. Fulltext Introduction of chemically labile substructures into Arabidopsis lignin through the use of LigD, the Cα-dehydrogenase from Sphingobium sp. strain SYK-6
    Tsuji Y, Vanholme R, Tobimatsu Y, Ishikawa Y, Foster CE, Kamimura N, et al.
    Plant Biotechnol J, 2015 Aug;13(6):821-32.
    PMID: 25580543 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12316
    Bacteria-derived enzymes that can modify specific lignin substructures are potential targets to engineer plants for better biomass processability. The Gram-negative bacterium Sphingobium sp. SYK-6 possesses a Cα-dehydrogenase (LigD) enzyme that has been shown to oxidize the α-hydroxy functionalities in β-O-4-linked dimers into α-keto analogues that are more chemically labile. Here, we show that recombinant LigD can oxidize an even wider range of β-O-4-linked dimers and oligomers, including the genuine dilignols, guaiacylglycerol-β-coniferyl alcohol ether and syringylglycerol-β-sinapyl alcohol ether. We explored the possibility of using LigD for biosynthetically engineering lignin by expressing the codon-optimized ligD gene in Arabidopsis thaliana. The ligD cDNA, with or without a signal peptide for apoplast targeting, has been successfully expressed, and LigD activity could be detected in the extracts of the transgenic plants. UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolite profiling indicated that levels of oxidized guaiacyl (G) β-O-4-coupled dilignols and analogues were significantly elevated in the LigD transgenic plants regardless of the signal peptide attachment to LigD. In parallel, 2D NMR analysis revealed a 2.1- to 2.8-fold increased level of G-type α-keto-β-O-4 linkages in cellulolytic enzyme lignins isolated from the stem cell walls of the LigD transgenic plants, indicating that the transformation was capable of altering lignin structure in the desired manner.
    MeSH terms: Cell Wall/enzymology; Cell Wall/metabolism; Lignin/metabolism*; Oxidoreductases/metabolism*; Phenols/metabolism; Arabidopsis/enzymology; Arabidopsis/metabolism*; Dimerization; Sphingomonadaceae/enzymology*
  2. The opposing roles of NOTCH signalling in head and neck cancer: a mini review
    Yap LF, Lee D, Khairuddin A, Pairan MF, Puspita B, Siar CH, et al.
    Oral Dis, 2015 Oct;21(7):850-7.
    PMID: 25580884 DOI: 10.1111/odi.12309
    NOTCH signalling can exert oncogenic or tumour suppressive effects in both solid and haematological malignancies. Similar to T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), early studies suggested a pro-tumorigenic role of NOTCH in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), mainly based on the increased expression levels of the genes within the pathway. Recently, data from exome sequencing analyses unexpectedly pointed to a tumour suppressor role for NOTCH in HNSCC by identifying loss-of-function mutations in the NOTCH1 gene in a significant proportion of patients. These data have questioned the accepted role of NOTCH in HNSCC and the possible rationale of targeting NOTCH in this disease. This review summarises the current information on NOTCH signalling in HNSCC and discusses how this pathway can apparently exert opposing effects within the same disease.
    MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Mutation; Oncogenes; Hematologic Neoplasms; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Exome
  3. Prevalence, antibiogram, and cdt genes of toxigenic Campylobacter jejuni in salad style vegetables (ulam) at farms and retail outlets in Terengganu
    Khalid MI, Tang JY, Baharuddin NH, Rahman NS, Rahimi NF, Radu S
    J Food Prot, 2015 Jan;78(1):65-71.
    PMID: 25581179 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-14-109
    The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance among Campylobacter jejuni in ulam at farms and retail outlets located in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. A total of 526 samples (ulam, soil, and fertilizer) were investigated for the presence of C. jejuni and the gene for cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) by using a multiplex PCR method. Antibiotic susceptibility to 10 types of antibiotics was determined using the disk diffusion method for 33 C. jejuni isolates. The average prevalence of contaminated samples from farms, wet markets, and supermarkets was 35.29, 52.66, and 69.88%, respectively. The cdt gene was not detected in 24 of the 33 C. jejuni isolates, but 9 isolates harbored cdtC. Antibiotic resistance in C. jejuni isolates was highest to penicillin G (96.97% of isolates) followed by vancomycin (87.88%), ampicillin (75.76%), erythromycin (60.61%), tetracycline (9.09%), amikacin (6.06%), and norfloxacin (3.03%); none of the isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, and gentamicin. In this study, C. jejuni was present in ulam, and some isolates were highly resistant to some antibiotics but not to quinolones. Thus, appropriate attention and measures are required to prevent C. jejuni contamination on farms and at retail outlets.
    MeSH terms: Agriculture; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Bacterial Toxins/genetics*; Commerce; Malaysia; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Vegetables/microbiology*; Campylobacter jejuni/drug effects*; Campylobacter jejuni/genetics*; Campylobacter jejuni/isolation & purification; Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  4. Fulltext Effect of supercritical fluid extraction on the reduction of toxic elements in fish oil compared with other extraction methods
    Hajeb P, Selamat J, Afsah-Hejri L, Mahyudin NA, Shakibazadeh S, Sarker MZ
    J Food Prot, 2015 Jan;78(1):172-9.
    PMID: 25581193 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-14-248
    High-quality fish oil for human consumption requires low levels of toxic elements. The aim of this study was to compare different oil extraction methods to identify the most efficient method for extracting fish oil of high quality with the least contamination. The methods used in this study were Soxhlet extraction, enzymatic extraction, wet reduction, and supercritical fluid extraction. The results showed that toxic elements in fish oil could be reduced using supercritical CO2 at a modest temperature (60°C) and pressure (35 MPa) with little reduction in the oil yield. There were significant reductions in mercury (85 to 100%), cadmium (97 to 100%), and lead (100%) content of the fish oil extracted using the supercritical fluid extraction method. The fish oil extracted using conventional methods contained toxic elements at levels much higher than the accepted limits of 0.1 μg/g.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Arsenic/isolation & purification*; Cadmium/isolation & purification*; Carbon Dioxide; Chromatography/methods; Fatty Acids/chemistry; Fish Oils/chemistry*; Chemical Fractionation/methods; Lead/isolation & purification*; Mercury/isolation & purification*; Perciformes; Pressure; Solvents; Temperature; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid/methods*
  5. Fulltext Identification of six new susceptibility loci for invasive epithelial ovarian cancer
    Kuchenbaecker KB, Ramus SJ, Tyrer J, Lee A, Shen HC, Beesley J, et al.
    Nat Genet, 2015 Feb;47(2):164-71.
    PMID: 25581431 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3185
    Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 12 epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) susceptibility alleles. The pattern of association at these loci is consistent in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers who are at high risk of EOC. After imputation to 1000 Genomes Project data, we assessed associations of 11 million genetic variants with EOC risk from 15,437 cases unselected for family history and 30,845 controls and from 15,252 BRCA1 mutation carriers and 8,211 BRCA2 mutation carriers (3,096 with ovarian cancer), and we combined the results in a meta-analysis. This new study design yielded increased statistical power, leading to the discovery of six new EOC susceptibility loci. Variants at 1p36 (nearest gene, WNT4), 4q26 (SYNPO2), 9q34.2 (ABO) and 17q11.2 (ATAD5) were associated with EOC risk, and at 1p34.3 (RSPO1) and 6p22.1 (GPX6) variants were specifically associated with the serous EOC subtype, all with P < 5 × 10(-8). Incorporating these variants into risk assessment tools will improve clinical risk predictions for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Alleles; Female; Genotype; Heterozygote; Humans; Mutation; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/genetics*; Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics*; Risk; Genes, Reporter; BRCA1 Protein/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*; BRCA2 Protein/genetics*; Quantitative Trait Loci; Genome-Wide Association Study/methods*; Young Adult
  6. Withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments in intensive care units in Asia
    Phua J, Joynt GM, Nishimura M, Deng Y, Myatra SN, Chan YH, et al.
    JAMA Intern Med, 2015 Mar;175(3):363-71.
    PMID: 25581712 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.7386
    Little data exist on end-of-life care practices in intensive care units (ICUs) in Asia.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Asia; Attitude of Health Personnel; Decision Making; Ethics, Medical; Family/psychology; Female; Humans; Intensive Care Units*; Life Support Care*; Male; Middle Aged; Physicians; Terminal Care; Resuscitation Orders; Withholding Treatment
  7. Fulltext Petroselinum crispum has antioxidant properties, protects against DNA damage and inhibits proliferation and migration of cancer cells
    Tang EL, Rajarajeswaran J, Fung S, Kanthimathi MS
    J Sci Food Agric, 2015 Oct;95(13):2763-71.
    PMID: 25582089 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7078
    BACKGROUND: Petroselinum crispum (English parsley) is a common herb of the Apiaceae family that is cultivated throughout the world and is widely used as a seasoning condiment. Studies have shown its potential as a medicinal herb. In this study, P. crispum leaf and stem extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant properties, protection against DNA damage in normal 3T3-L1 cells, and the inhibition of proliferation and migration of the MCF-7 cells.

    RESULTS: The dichloromethane extract of P. crispum exhibited the highest phenolic content (42.31 ± 0.50 mg GAE g(-1) ) and ferric reducing ability (0.360 ± 0.009 mmol g(-1) ) of the various extractions performed. The extract showed DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 3310.0 ± 80.5 µg mL(-1) . Mouse fibroblasts (3T3-L1) pre-treated with 400 µg mL(-1) of the extract showed 50.9% protection against H2 O2 -induced DNA damage, suggesting its potential in cancer prevention. The extract (300 µg mL(-1) ) inhibited H2 O2 -induced MCF-7 cell migration by 41% ± 4%. As cell migration is necessary for metastasis of cancer cells, inhibition of migration is an indication of protection against metastasis.

    CONCLUSION: Petroselinum crispum has health-promoting properties with the potential to prevent oxidative stress-related diseases and can be developed into functional food.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use; Antioxidants/pharmacology*; Biphenyl Compounds/metabolism; Cell Movement/drug effects*; DNA/drug effects; DNA Damage*; Female; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism; Phytotherapy; Neoplasm Metastasis/prevention & control; Phenols/analysis; Phenols/pharmacology*; Phenols/therapeutic use; Picrates/metabolism; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Oxidative Stress/drug effects; Plant Leaves; Petroselinum/chemistry*; 3T3-L1 Cells; Cell Proliferation/drug effects*; Mice; Functional Food; MCF-7 Cells
  8. Relationship between performance barriers and pharmacist competency towards the implementation of an expanded public health pharmacy role
    Mathialagan A, Nagalinggam P, Mathialagan S, Kirby BP
    Int J Pharm Pract, 2015 Oct;23(5):320-6.
    PMID: 25582973 DOI: 10.1111/ijpp.12170
    The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between performance barriers and competency, and implementation of an expanded public health role for community pharmacists.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Clinical Competence*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Pharmacists*; Public Health*; Professional Role*; Young Adult
  9. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) induced changes in oil content, fatty acid profiles and expression of four fatty acid biosynthetic genes in Chlorella vulgaris at early stationary growth phase
    Jusoh M, Loh SH, Chuah TS, Aziz A, Cha TS
    Phytochemistry, 2015 Mar;111:65-71.
    PMID: 25583439 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.12.022
    Microalgae lipids and oils are potential candidates for renewable biodiesel. Many microalgae species accumulate a substantial amount of lipids and oils under environmental stresses. However, low growth rate under these adverse conditions account for the decrease in overall biomass productivity which directly influence the oil yield. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of exogenously added auxin (indole-3-acetic acid; IAA) on the oil content, fatty acid compositions, and the expression of fatty acid biosynthetic genes in Chlorella vulgaris (UMT-M1). Auxin has been shown to regulate growth and metabolite production of several microalgae. Results showed that oil accumulation was highest on days after treatment (DAT)-2 with enriched levels of palmitic (C16:0) and stearic (C18:0) acids, while the linoleic (C18:2) and α-linolenic (C18:3n3) acids levels were markedly reduced by IAA. The elevated levels of saturated fatty acids (C16:0 and C18:0) were consistent with high expression of the β-ketoacyl ACP synthase I (KAS I) gene, while low expression of omega-6 fatty acid desaturase (ω-6 FAD) gene was consistent with low production of C18:2. However, the increment of stearoyl-ACP desaturase (SAD) gene expression upon IAA induction did not coincide with oleic acid (C18:1) production. The expression of omega-3 fatty acid desaturase (ω-3 FAD) gene showed a positive correlation with the synthesis of PUFA and C18:3n3.
    MeSH terms: Fatty Acids/analysis; Fatty Acids/biosynthesis*; Mixed Function Oxygenases/metabolism; Indoleacetic Acids/pharmacology*; Isoenzymes/metabolism; 3-Oxoacyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Synthase/metabolism; Oleic Acid/metabolism; Linoleic Acid/analysis; Fatty Acid Desaturases/metabolism; Chlorella vulgaris/genetics*; Chlorella vulgaris/chemistry; Biofuels/analysis; Microalgae/chemistry
  10. Synthesis of novel inhibitors of α-glucosidase based on the benzothiazole skeleton containing benzohydrazide moiety and their molecular docking studies
    Taha M, Ismail NH, Lalani S, Fatmi MQ, Atia-Tul-Wahab, Siddiqui S, et al.
    Eur J Med Chem, 2015 Mar 6;92:387-400.
    PMID: 25585009 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.01.009
    In an effort to design and synthesize a new class of α-glucosidase inhibitor, we synthesized benzothiazole hybrid having benzohydrazide moiety (5). Compound 5 was reacted with various substituted aryl aldehyde to generate a small library of compounds 6-35. Synthesis of compounds was confirmed by the spectral information. These compounds were screened for their α-glucosidase activity. They showed a varying degree of α-glucosidase inhibition with IC50 values ranging between 5.31 and 53.34 μM. Compounds 6, 7, 9-16, 19, 21-30, 32-35 showed superior activity as compared to standard acarbose (IC50 = 906 ± 6.3 μM). This has identified a new class of α-glucosidase inhibitors. The predicted physico-chemical properties indicated the drug appropriateness for most of these compounds, as they obey Lipinski's rule of five (RO5). A hybrid B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) was employed for energy, minimization of 3D structures for all synthetic compounds using 6-311 + G(d,p) basis sets followed by molecular docking to explore their interactions with human intestinal C- and N-terminal domains of α-glucosidase. All compounds bind to the prospective allosteric site of the C- terminal domain, and consequently, may be considered as mixed inhibitors. It was hypothesized that both the dipole moment and H-bond interactions govern the biological activation of these compounds.
    MeSH terms: alpha-Glucosidases/metabolism*; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Structure-Activity Relationship; Molecular Structure; Benzothiazoles/chemical synthesis; Benzothiazoles/pharmacology*; Benzothiazoles/chemistry*; Molecular Docking Simulation*; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis*; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/chemistry
  11. Inhibition of transforming growth factor-β via the activin receptor-like kinase-5 inhibitor attenuates pulmonary fibrosis
    Koh RY, Lim CL, Uhal BD, Abdullah M, Vidyadaran S, Ho CC, et al.
    Mol Med Rep, 2015 May;11(5):3808-13.
    PMID: 25585520 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3193
    Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic pulmonary disease that is characterized by formation of scar tissue in lungs. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is considered an important cytokine in the pathogenesis of this disease. Hence, the antifibrotic effect of an inhibitor of the TGF-β type I receptor, namely, SB 431542, was investigated in our study. SB 431542 was used to treat TGF-β-treated IMR-90 cells; the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was detected at the protein level by using an anti-α-SMA antibody, and at the gene level by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The effect of the inhibitor on cell proliferation was determined by a cell growth assay. The inhibitor was also administered into bleomycin-treated mice. Histopathological assessment and determination of total collagen levels were carried out to evaluate the severity of lung fibrosis in these mice. Our results demonstrated that treatment with SB 431542 inhibits TGF-β‑induced α-SMA expression in lung fibroblasts, at both the protein and the mRNA levels (P<0.05). However, the inhibitor did not significantly reduce lung fibroblast proliferation. In the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model, bleomycin treatment caused important morphological changes, accompanied by an increase in the collagen level of the lungs. Early treatment with SB 431542 prevented the manifestation of histopathological alterations, whereas delayed treatment significantly decreased the collagen level (P<0.05). These results suggest that inhibition of TGF-β signaling, via inhibition of the activin receptor-like kinase-5 (ALK-5) by SB 431542, may attenuate pulmonary fibrosis.
    MeSH terms: Actins/metabolism; Animals; Benzamides/pharmacology*; Cell Line; Cell Survival/drug effects; Dioxoles/pharmacology*; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Fibroblasts/drug effects; Fibroblasts/metabolism; Humans; Hydroxyproline/metabolism; Pulmonary Fibrosis/drug therapy; Pulmonary Fibrosis/metabolism*; Pulmonary Fibrosis/pathology; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism*; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors*; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/antagonists & inhibitors*; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Mice
  12. Molecular Detection of Helicobacter pylori and its Antimicrobial Resistance in Brazzaville, Congo
    Ontsira Ngoyi EN, Atipo Ibara BI, Moyen R, Ahoui Apendi PC, Ibara JR, Obengui O, et al.
    Helicobacter, 2015 Aug;20(4):316-20.
    PMID: 25585658 DOI: 10.1111/hel.12204
    Helicobacter pylori infection is involved in several gastroduodenal diseases which can be cured by antimicrobial treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and its bacterial resistance to clarithromycin, fluoroquinolones, and tetracycline in Brazzaville, Congo, by using molecular methods.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use*; Congo; Female; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Tetracycline/therapeutic use; Helicobacter pylori/drug effects*; Helicobacter pylori/genetics; Helicobacter pylori/isolation & purification; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy; Helicobacter Infections/epidemiology*; Clarithromycin/therapeutic use; Fluoroquinolones/therapeutic use; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics*; Young Adult; Molecular Typing; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  13. Interactions of pre-symbolic children with developmental disabilities with their mothers and siblings
    Singh SJ, Iacono T, Gray KM
    Int J Lang Commun Disord, 2015 Mar-Apr;50(2):202-14.
    PMID: 25585674 DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.12128
    Depending on the severity of their disabilities, children with Down syndrome (DS) and with cerebral palsy (CP) may remain pre-symbolic for prolonged periods of time. When interacting with pre-symbolic children, communication partners have a role in identifying which of their behaviours are communicative, to be able to respond to those behaviours and maintain reciprocal interaction. To date, most research on these children's communication development has been conducted within the context of mother-child interaction. Seldom have they been observed interacting with other family members, and in interactions other than dyadic, despite these interactions also occurring daily.
    MeSH terms: Cerebral Palsy/diagnosis*; Cerebral Palsy/psychology*; Cerebral Palsy/therapy; Child, Preschool; Communication Disorders/diagnosis*; Communication Disorders/psychology*; Communication Disorders/therapy; Down Syndrome/diagnosis*; Down Syndrome/psychology*; Down Syndrome/therapy; Female; Humans; Infant; Malaysia; Male; Mother-Child Relations*; Sibling Relations; Symbolism*; Early Intervention (Education)
  14. Fulltext Transcriptome of the quorum-sensing signal-degrading Rhodococcus erythropolis responds differentially to virulent and avirulent Pectobacterium atrosepticum
    Kwasiborski A, Mondy S, Chong TM, Barbey C, Chan KG, Beury-Cirou A, et al.
    Heredity (Edinb), 2015 May;114(5):476-84.
    PMID: 25585922 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2014.121
    Social bacteria use chemical communication to coordinate and synchronize gene expression via the quorum-sensing (QS) regulatory pathway. In Pectobacterium, a causative agent of the blackleg and soft-rot diseases on potato plants and tubers, expression of the virulence factors is collectively controlled by the QS-signals N-acylhomoserine lactones (NAHLs). Several soil bacteria, such as the actinobacterium Rhodococcus erythropolis, are able to degrade NAHLs, hence quench the chemical communication and virulence of Pectobacterium. Here, next-generation sequencing was used to investigate structural and functional genomics of the NAHL-degrading R. erythropolis strain R138. The R. erythropolis R138 genome (6.7 Mbp) contained a single circular chromosome, one linear (250 kbp) and one circular (84 kbp) plasmid. Growth of R. erythropolis and P. atrosepticum was not altered in mixed-cultures as compared with monocultures on potato tuber slices. HiSeq-transcriptomics revealed that no R. erythropolis genes were differentially expressed when R. erythropolis was cultivated in the presence vs absence of the avirulent P. atrosepticum mutant expI, which is defective for QS-signal synthesis. By contrast 50 genes (<1% of the R. erythropolis genome) were differentially expressed when R. erythropolis was cultivated in the presence vs absence of the NAHL-producing virulent P. atrosepticum. Among them, quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase-PCR confirmed that the expression of some alkyl-sulfatase genes decreased in the presence of a virulent P. atrosepticum, as well as deprivation of organic sulfur such as methionine, which is a key precursor in the synthesis of NAHL by P. atrosepticum.
    MeSH terms: DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Solanum tuberosum/microbiology; Rhodococcus/genetics*; Genome, Bacterial*; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Coculture Techniques; Pectobacterium/metabolism; Pectobacterium/pathogenicity*; Quorum Sensing*; Acyl-Butyrolactones/metabolism; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Transcriptome*
  15. Tocotrienol preserves ovarian function in cyclophosphamide therapy
    Saleh HS, Omar E, Froemming GR, Said RM
    Hum Exp Toxicol, 2015 Oct;34(10):946-52.
    PMID: 25585998 DOI: 10.1177/0960327114564793
    Cyclophosphamide (CPA) chemotherapy leads to ovarian failure and infertility. Tocotrienol (T3) is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The role of T3 in ovarian protection throughout chemotherapy remains unclear.
  16. Determination of trans- and cis-urocanic acid in relation to histamine, putrescine, and cadaverine contents in tuna (Auxis Thazard) at different storage temperatures
    Zare D, Muhammad K, Bejo MH, Ghazali HM
    J Food Sci, 2015 Feb;80(2):T479-83.
    PMID: 25586500 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.12752
    Scombroid fish poisoning is usually associated with consumption of fish containing high levels of histamine. However, reports indicate that some cases have responded to antihistamine therapy while ingested histamine levels in these cases were low. Potentiation of histamine toxicity by some biogenic amines, and release of endogenous histamine by other compounds such as cis-urocanic acid (UCA) are some hypotheses that have been put forth to explain this anomaly. Very little is known about the effects of storage conditions on the production of both UCA isomers and biogenic amines in tuna. Thus, the production of trans- and cis-UCA, histamine, putrescine, and cadaverine in tuna during 15 d of storage at 0, 3, and 10 °C and 2 d storage at ambient temperature were monitored. The initial trans- and cis-UCA contents in fresh tuna were 2.90 and 1.47 mg/kg, respectively, whereas the levels of putrescine and cadaverine were less than 2 mg/kg, and histamine was not detected. The highest levels of trans- and cis-UCA were obtained during 15 d storage at 3 °C (23.74 and 21.79 mg/kg, respectively) while the highest concentrations of histamine (2796 mg/kg), putrescine (220.32 mg/kg) and cadaverine (1045.20 mg/kg) were obtained during storage at room temperature, 10 and 10 °C, respectively. Histamine content increased considerably during storage at 10 °C whereas trans- and cis-UCA contents changed slightly. The initial trans-UCA content decreased during storage at ambient temperature. Thus, unlike histamine, concentrations of trans- and cis-UCA did not result in elevated levels during storage of tuna.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biogenic Amines/analysis; Cadaverine/analysis*; Carcinogens/analysis; Foodborne Diseases/pathology; Histamine/analysis*; Putrescine/analysis*; Temperature; Tuna; Urocanic Acid/analysis*; Seafood/analysis*; Food Safety; Food Storage/methods*
  17. Effects of ultraviolet light (UV-C) and heat treatment on the quality of fresh-cut Chokanan mango and Josephine pineapple
    George DS, Razali Z, Santhirasegaram V, Somasundram C
    J Food Sci, 2015 Feb;80(2):S426-34.
    PMID: 25586772 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.12762
    The effects of ultraviolet (UV-C) and medium heat (70 °C) treatments on the quality of fresh-cut Chokanan mango and Josephine pineapple were investigated. Quality attributes included physicochemical properties (pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids), ascorbic acid content (vitamin C), antioxidant activity, as well as microbial inactivation. Consumers' acceptance was also investigated through sensory evaluation of the attributes (appearance, texture, aroma and taste). Furthermore, shelf-life study of samples stored at 4 ± 1 °C was conducted for 15 d. The fresh-cut fruits were exposed to UV-C for 0, 15, 30, and 60 min while heat treatments were carried out at 70 °C for 0, 5, 10 and 20 min. Both UV-C and medium heat treatments resulted in no significant changes to the physicochemical attributes of both fruits. The ascorbic acid content of UV-C treated fruits was unaffected; however, medium heat treatment resulted in deterioration of ascorbic acids in both fruits. The antioxidants were enhanced with UV-C treatment which could prove invaluable to consumers. Heat treatments on the other hand resulted in decreased antioxidant activities. Microbial count in both fruits was significantly reduced by both treatments. The shelf life of the fresh-cut fruits were also successfully extended to a maximum of 15 d following treatments. As for consumers' acceptance, UV-C treated fruits were the most accepted as compared to their heat-treated counterparts. The results obtained through this study support the use of UV-C treatment for better retention of quality, effective microbial inactivation and enhancement of health promoting compounds for the benefit of consumers.
    MeSH terms: Antioxidants/analysis; Ascorbic Acid/analysis; Food Contamination/prevention & control; Food Microbiology; Fruit/radiation effects*; Fruit/chemistry; Hot Temperature*; Humans; Taste; Ultraviolet Rays*; Colony Count, Microbial; Mangifera/radiation effects*; Mangifera/chemistry; Ananas/radiation effects*; Ananas/chemistry; Microbial Viability/radiation effects; Physicochemical Phenomena; Food Storage
  18. Fulltext Investigation of mosquito oviposition pheromone as lethal lure for the control of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae)
    Ong SQ, Jaal Z
    Parasit Vectors, 2015;8:28.
    PMID: 25588346 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0639-2
    The trend in chemical insecticide development has focused on improving the efficacy against mosquitoes while reducing the environmental impact. Lethal lures apply an "attract-and-kill" strategy that draws the insect to the killing agent rather than bringing the killing agent to the insect.
    MeSH terms: Temefos/pharmacology; Aedes/physiology*; Animals; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*; Caproates/pharmacology*; Female; Insecticides/pharmacology; Mosquito Control/methods*; Oviposition/physiology*; Pheromones/pharmacology*
  19. Fulltext A gastrointestinal transit study on amphotericin B-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles in rats
    Amekyeh H, Billa N, Yuen KH, Chin SL
    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2015 Aug;16(4):871-7.
    PMID: 25588365 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-014-0279-4
    The gastrointestinal (GI) transit behavior of and absorption from an amphotericin B (AmB) solid lipid nanoformulation (SLN) in rats was investigated. We aimed to estimate the gastric emptying time (GET) and cecal arrival time (CAT) of AmB SLN in rats as animal models. From these two parameters, an insight on the absorption window of AmB was ascertained. Three types of SLNs, AmB, paracetamol (PAR), and sulfasalazine (SSZ), were similarly formulated using beeswax/theobroma oil composite as the lipid matrix and characterized with regard to size, viscosity, density, migration propensity within agarose gel, in vitro drug release, morphology, gastrointestinal transit, and in vivo absorption. The GET and CAT were estimated indirectly using marker drugs: PAR and sulfapyridine (SP). All three types of SLNs exhibited identical properties with regard to z-average, viscosity, relative density, and propensity to migrate. PAR was absorbed rapidly from the small intestine following emptying of the SLNs giving the T50E (time for 50% absorption of PAR) to be 1.6 h. SP was absorbed after release and microbial degradation of SSZ from SLN in the colon with a lag time of 2 h post-administration, serving as the estimated cecal arrival time of the SLNs. AmB within SLN was favorably absorbed from the small intestine, albeit slowly.
    MeSH terms: Acetaminophen/administration & dosage; Acetaminophen/pharmacokinetics; Amphotericin B/administration & dosage; Amphotericin B/pharmacokinetics*; Animals; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Gastrointestinal Transit*; Lipids/chemistry*; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Sulfasalazine/administration & dosage; Sulfasalazine/pharmacokinetics; Rats; Nanoparticles*
  20. Fulltext 5α-Reduced neurosteroids sex-dependently reverse central prenatal programming of neuroendocrine stress responses in rats
    Brunton PJ, Donadio MV, Yao ST, Greenwood M, Seckl JR, Murphy D, et al.
    J Neurosci, 2015 Jan 14;35(2):666-77.
    PMID: 25589761 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5104-13.2015
    Maternal social stress during late pregnancy programs hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyper-responsiveness to stressors, such that adult prenatally stressed (PNS) offspring display exaggerated HPA axis responses to a physical stressor (systemic interleukin-1β; IL-1β) in adulthood, compared with controls. IL-1β acts via a noradrenergic relay from the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) to corticotropin releasing hormone neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Neurosteroids can reduce HPA axis responses, so allopregnanolone and 3β-androstanediol (3β-diol; 5α-reduced metabolites of progesterone and testosterone, respectively) were given subacutely (over 24 h) to PNS rats to seek reversal of the "programmed" hyper-responsive HPA phenotype. Allopregnanolone attenuated ACTH responses to IL-1β (500 ng/kg, i.v.) in PNS females, but not in PNS males. However, 3β-diol normalized HPA axis responses to IL-1β in PNS males. Impaired testosterone and progesterone metabolism or increased secretion in PNS rats was indicated by greater plasma testosterone and progesterone concentrations in male and female PNS rats, respectively. Deficits in central neurosteroid production were indicated by reduced 5α-reductase mRNA levels in both male and female PNS offspring in the NTS, and in the PVN in males. In PNS females, adenovirus-mediated gene transfer was used to upregulate expression of 5α-reductase and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNAs in the NTS, and this normalized hyperactive HPA axis responses to IL-1β. Thus, downregulation of neurosteroid production in the brain may underlie HPA axis hyper-responsiveness in prenatally programmed offspring, and administration of 5α-reduced steroids acutely to PNS rats overrides programming of hyperactive HPA axis responses to immune challenge in a sex-dependent manner.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/drug effects*; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/growth & development; Male; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/drug effects; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/growth & development; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/metabolism; Pituitary-Adrenal System/drug effects*; Pituitary-Adrenal System/growth & development; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications/drug therapy; Pregnanolone/pharmacology*; Pregnanolone/therapeutic use; RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism; Sex Factors; Stress, Psychological/drug therapy*; 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase/genetics; 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase/metabolism; Androstane-3,17-diol/pharmacology*; Androstane-3,17-diol/therapeutic use; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Solitary Nucleus/drug effects; Solitary Nucleus/growth & development; Solitary Nucleus/metabolism; 3-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (B-Specific)/genetics; 3-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (B-Specific)/metabolism; Rats; Interleukin-1beta/pharmacology
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