Browse publications by year: 2015

  1. Transcriptome analysis of Burkholderia pseudomallei T6SS identifies Hcp1 as a potential serodiagnostic marker
    Chieng S, Mohamed R, Nathan S
    Microb Pathog, 2015 Feb;79:47-56.
    PMID: 25616255 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2015.01.006
    Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is able to survive extreme environments and utilizes various virulence factors for survival and pathogenicity. To compete and survive within these different ecological niches, B. pseudomallei has evolved specialized pathways, including the Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs), that have a role in pathogenesis as well as interbacterial interactions. We examined the expression profile of B. pseudomallei T6SS six gene clusters during infection of U937 macrophage cells. T6SS-5 was robustly transcribed while the other five clusters were not significantly regulated proposing the utility of T6SS-5 as a potential biomarker of exposure to B. pseudomallei. Transcription of T6SS regulators VirAG and BprB was also not significant during infection when compared to bacteria grown in culture. Guided by these findings, three highly expressed T6SS genes, tssJ-4, hcp1 and tssE-5, were expressed as recombinant proteins and screened against melioidosis patient sera by western analysis and ELISA. Only Hcp1 was reactive by both types of analysis. The recombinant Hcp1 protein was further evaluated against a cohort of melioidosis patients (n = 32) and non-melioidosis individuals (n = 20) sera and the data clearly indicates a higher sensitivity (93.7%) and specificity (100%) for Hcp1 compared to bacterial lysate. The detection of anti-Hcp1 antibodies in patients' sera indicating the presence of B. pseudomallei highlights the potential of Hcp1 to be further developed as a serodiagnostic marker for melioidosis.
    MeSH terms: Antibodies, Bacterial/blood; Cell Line; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Macrophages/microbiology; Melioidosis/diagnosis*; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis; Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serologic Tests/methods; Biomarkers/analysis*; Burkholderia pseudomallei/genetics*; Burkholderia pseudomallei/growth & development; Gene Expression Profiling*; Bacterial Secretion Systems*
  2. Discriminative stimulus properties of mitragynine (kratom) in rats
    Harun N, Hassan Z, Navaratnam V, Mansor SM, Shoaib M
    Psychopharmacology (Berl), 2015 Jul;232(13):2227-38.
    PMID: 25616583 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3866-5
    RATIONALE: Mitragynine (MG) is the primary active alkaloid extracted from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa or kratom and exhibits pharmacological activities mediated by opioid receptors. The plant has been traditionally used for its opium and psychostimulant-like effects to increase work efficiency or as a substitute in the self-treatment of opiate addiction.

    OBJECTIVES: The present study was performed to investigate the discriminative stimulus effects of MG in rats. The pharmacological mechanism of MG action and its derivative, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG) with a specific focus on opioid receptor involvement was examined in rats trained to discriminate morphine from vehicle. In order to study the dual actions of MG, the effect of cocaine substitution to the MG discriminative stimulus was also performed in MG-trained rats.

    METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were trained to discriminate MG from vehicle in a two-lever drug discrimination procedure under a tandem variable-interval (VI 60') fixed-ratio (FR 10) schedule of food reinforcement.

    RESULTS: Rats acquired the MG discrimination (15.0 mg/kg, i.p.) which was similar to the acquisition of morphine discrimination (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) in another group of rats. MG substituted fully to the morphine discriminative stimulus in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting pharmacological similarities between the two drugs. The administration of 7-HMG derivative in 3.0 mg/kg (i.p.) dose engendered full generalisation to the morphine discriminative stimulus. In addition, the MG stimulus also partially generalised to cocaine (10.0 mg/kg, i.p.) stimulus.

    CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that the discriminative stimulus effect of MG possesses both opioid- and psychostimulant-like subjective effects.

    MeSH terms: Central Nervous System Stimulants/pharmacology; Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology; Animals; Cocaine/pharmacology; Conditioning, Operant/drug effects*; Conditioning, Operant/physiology; Discrimination Learning/drug effects*; Discrimination Learning/physiology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Morphine/pharmacology; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Opioid, mu/physiology; Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists; Receptors, Opioid, delta/physiology; Receptors, Opioid, delta/agonists; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/pharmacology*; Rats
  3. Effect of ultrasound radiation duration on emulsification and demulsification of paraffin oil and surfactant solution/brine using Hele-shaw models
    Hamidi H, Mohammadian E, Asadullah M, Azdarpour A, Rafati R
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2015 Sep;26:428-36.
    PMID: 25616638 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.01.009
    Ultrasound technique is one of the unconventional enhanced oil recovery methods which has been of interest for more than six decades. However, the majority of the oil recovery mechanisms under ultrasound reported in the previous studies are theoretical. Emulsification is one of the mechanisms happening at the interface of oil and water in porous media under ultrasound. Oppositely, ultrasound is one of the techniques using in oil industry for demulsification of oil/water emulsion. Therefore, the conditions in which emulsification becomes dominant over demulsification under ultrasound should be more investigated. Duration of ultrasound radiation could be one of the factors affecting emulsification and demulsification processes. In this study a technique was developed to investigate the effect of long and short period of ultrasound radiation on emulsification and demulsification of paraffin oil and surfactant solution in porous media. For this purpose, the 2D glass Hele-shaw models were placed inside the ultrasonic bath under long and short period of radiation of ultrasound. A microscope was used above the model for microscopic studies on the interface of oil and water. Diffusion of phases and formation of emulsion were observed in both long and short period of application of ultrasound at the beginning of ultrasound radiation. However, by passing time, demulsification and coalescence of brine droplets inside emulsion was initiated in long period of ultrasound application. Therefore, it was concluded that emulsification could be one of the significant oil recovery mechanisms happening in porous media under short period of application of ultrasound.
  4. Effective ultrasonication process for better colloidal dispersion of nanofluid
    Mahbubul IM, Saidur R, Amalina MA, Elcioglu EB, Okutucu-Ozyurt T
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2015 Sep;26:361-9.
    PMID: 25616639 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.01.005
    Improving dispersion stability of nanofluids through ultrasonication has been shown to be effective. Determining specific conditions of ultrasonication for a certain nanofluid is necessary. For this purpose, nanofluids of varying nanoparticle concentrations were prepared and studied to find out a suitable and rather mono-dispersed concentration (i.e., 0.5 vol.%, determined through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses). This study aims to report applicable ultrasonication conditions for the dispersion of Al2O3 nanoparticles within H2O through the two-step production method. The prepared samples were ultrasonicated via an ultrasonic horn for 1-5h at two different amplitudes (25% and 50%). The microstructure, particle size distribution (PSD), and zeta potentials were analyzed to investigate the dispersion characteristics. Better particle dispersion, smaller aggregate sizes, and higher zeta potentials were observed at 3 and 5h of ultrasonication duration for the 50% and 25% of sonicator power amplitudes, respectively.
  5. Fulltext Expression profile and down-regulation of argininosuccinate synthetase in hepatocellular carcinoma in a transgenic mouse model
    Shiue SC, Huang MZ, Tsai TF, Chang AC, Choo KB, Huang CJ, et al.
    J Biomed Sci, 2015;22:10.
    PMID: 25616743 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-015-0114-6
    Argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) participates in urea and nitric oxide production and is a rate-limiting enzyme in arginine biosynthesis. Regulation of ASS expression appears complex and dynamic. In addition to transcriptional regulation, a novel post-transcriptional regulation affecting nuclear precursor RNA stability has been reported. Moreover, many cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), have been found not to express ASS mRNA; therefore, they are auxotrophic for arginine. To study when and where ASS is expressed and whether post-transcriptional regulation is undermined in particular temporal and spatial expression and in pathological events such as HCC, we set up a transgenic mouse system with modified BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) carrying the human ASS gene tagged with an EGFP reporter.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Argininosuccinate Synthase/genetics*; Argininosuccinate Synthase/metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics*; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology*; Humans; Liver Neoplasms/genetics*; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism; Liver Neoplasms/physiopathology*; Male; Mice, Transgenic; Organ Specificity; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Down-Regulation; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*; Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics; Mice
  6. A satisfaction survey of opioid-dependent patients with methadone maintenance treatment
    Aziz Z, Chong NJ
    J Subst Abuse Treat, 2015 Jun;53:47-51.
    PMID: 25616750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2014.12.008
    The aim of this study was to examine opioid-dependent patients' satisfaction with the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program in Malaysia and identify predictors of satisfaction. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire developed and validated by Rankin Court, New South Wales, Australia. Of 502 patients approached in 11 MMT centers in Malaysia, 425 agreed to participate giving a response rate of 85%. In terms of overall satisfaction, a high percentage of respondents (85%) were satisfied with the MMT services. A logistic regression analysis showed that only "centres" and marital status were associated with overall satisfaction and that being single (OR 3.31; 95% CI 1.52 to 7.20) or married (OR 4.06; 95% CI 1.76 to 9.38) was associated with higher odds of overall satisfaction compared to being divorced or separated. An analysis of the responses pertaining to the most desired changes required at the center found dosing hours, waiting area and staff shortages to be common. The findings acquired from this survey will be useful to attain a clearer perspective on what aspects of the MMT service need to be reviewed for the improvement of service delivery.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Delivery of Health Care*; Female; Humans; Male; Methadone/administration & dosage*; Middle Aged; Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy; Opioid-Related Disorders/epidemiology; Opioid-Related Disorders/rehabilitation*; New South Wales/epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Socioeconomic Factors; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; Patient Satisfaction*; Opiate Substitution Treatment
  7. Fulltext Anticipating rotavirus vaccines--a pre-vaccine assessment of incidence and economic burden of rotavirus hospitalizations among children < 5 year of age in Libya, 2012-13
    Alkoshi S, Leshem E, Parashar UD, Dahlui M
    BMC Public Health, 2015;15:26.
    PMID: 25616973 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1400-7
    Libya introduced rotavirus vaccine in October 2013. We examined pre-vaccine incidence of rotavirus hospitalizations and associated economic burden among children < 5 years in Libya to provide baseline data for future vaccine impact evaluations.
    MeSH terms: Child, Preschool; Diarrhea/epidemiology; Diarrhea/virology; Female; Gastroenteritis/epidemiology; Gastroenteritis/virology; Hospitalization/economics*; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data; Humans; Infant; Libya/epidemiology; Male; Prospective Studies; Rotavirus Infections/economics*; Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology*; Seasons; Vaccination; Incidence; Cost of Illness*; Rotavirus Vaccines*; Biomedical Research/economics
  8. Fulltext Vocalisations of the bigeye Pempheris adspersa: characteristics, source level and active space
    Radford CA, Ghazali S, Jeffs AG, Montgomery JC
    J Exp Biol, 2015 Mar;218(Pt 6):940-8.
    PMID: 25617461 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.115295
    Fish sounds are an important biological component of the underwater soundscape. Understanding species-specific sounds and their associated behaviour is critical for determining how animals use the biological component of the soundscape. Using both field and laboratory experiments, we describe the sound production of a nocturnal planktivore, Pempheris adspersa (New Zealand bigeye), and provide calculations for the potential effective distance of the sound for intraspecific communication. Bigeye vocalisations recorded in the field were confirmed as such by tank recordings. They can be described as popping sounds, with individual pops of short duration (7.9±0.3 ms) and a peak frequency of 405±12 Hz. Sound production varied during a 24 h period, with peak vocalisation activity occurring during the night, when the fish are most active. The source level of the bigeye vocalisation was 115.8±0.2 dB re. 1 µPa at 1 m, which is relatively quiet compared with other soniferous fish. Effective calling range, or active space, depended on both season and lunar phase, with a maximum calling distance of 31.6 m and a minimum of 0.6 m. The bigeyes' nocturnal behaviour, characteristics of their vocalisation, source level and the spatial scale of its active space reported in the current study demonstrate the potential for fish vocalisations to function effectively as contact calls for maintaining school cohesion in darkness.
    MeSH terms: Acoustics; Animals; Circadian Rhythm; New Zealand; Perciformes/physiology*; Sound Spectrography; Vocalization, Animal*
  9. Occurrence of a mosquito vector in bird houses: Developmental consequences and potential epidemiological implications
    Dieng H, Hassan RB, Hassan AA, Ghani IA, Abang FB, Satho T, et al.
    Acta Trop, 2015 May;145:68-78.
    PMID: 25617636 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.01.004
    Even with continuous vector control, dengue is still a growing threat to public health in Southeast Asia. Main causes comprise difficulties in identifying productive breeding sites and inappropriate targeted chemical interventions. In this region, rural families keep live birds in backyards and dengue mosquitoes have been reported in containers in the cages. To focus on this particular breeding site, we examined the capacity of bird fecal matter (BFM) from the spotted dove, to support Aedes albopictus larval growth. The impact of BFM larval uptake on some adult fitness traits influencing vectorial capacity was also investigated. In serial bioassays involving a high and low larval density (HD and LD), BFM and larval standard food (LSF) affected differently larval development. At HD, development was longer in the BFM environment. There were no appreciable mortality differences between the two treatments, which resulted in similar pupation and adult emergence successes. BFM treatment produced a better gender balance. There were comparable levels of blood uptake and egg production in BFM and LSF females at LD; that was not the case for the HD one, which resulted in bigger adults. BFM and LSF females displayed equivalent lifespans; in males, this parameter was shorter in those derived from the BFM/LD treatment. Taken together these results suggest that bird defecations successfully support the development of Ae. albopictus. Due to their cryptic aspects, containers used to supply water to encaged birds may not have been targeted by chemical interventions.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aedes/virology*; Animals; Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Bird Diseases/epidemiology*; Bird Diseases/transmission*; Bird Diseases/virology; Dengue/epidemiology*; Dengue/transmission*; Dengue/virology; Disease Vectors; Feces/virology*; Female; Humans; Larva/growth & development; Male; Columbidae/virology*; Rural Population; Incidence; Prevalence
  10. A study on exposure to cyanide among a community living near a gold mine in Malaysia
    Hassan NA, Sahani M, Hod R, Yahya NA
    J Environ Health, 2015 1 27;77(6):42-8.
    PMID: 25619035
    Cyanidation in gold extraction has detrimental impacts on the ecosystem and the population in surrounding areas. The research described in this article aimed to assess the health effects of environmental exposure to cyanide in a community near a gold mining area in Malaysia. A total of 255 members of the exposed community and 117 members of the control community answered questionnaires on their exposure to a gold mine and health outcomes. Urine samples were collected for biomarker assessment (i.e., urinary thiocyanate). The authors found that the mean level of urinary thiocyanate was significantly higher among the exposed community (0.30 ± 0.26 mg/dL) than the control community (0.24 ± 0.23 mg/dL) (p = .0021). The exposed community had a significantly higher prevalence of headaches (prevalence odds ratio [pOR] = 2.6, p = .001), dizziness (pOR = 3.7, p < .001), skin irritation (pOR = 2.1, p = .040), and eye irritation (pOR = 5.1, p = .004). No association occurred between dietary exposure and urinary biomarkers. Smokers living near a gold mine had a higher urinary thiocyanate level (0.56 mg/dL) than smokers in the control community (0.49 mg/dL).
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cyanides/analysis*; Environmental Exposure*; Environmental Monitoring; Female; Gold; Humans; Life Style; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Mining; Surveys and Questionnaires; Socioeconomic Factors; Spectrophotometry; Thiocyanates/urine*
  11. Predictive factors of follow-up non-attendance and mortality among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus- an analysis of the Malaysian diabetes registry 2009
    Chew BH, Lee PY, Shariff-Ghazali S, Cheong AT, Ismail M, Taher SW
    Curr Diabetes Rev, 2015;11(2):122-31.
    PMID: 25619541 DOI: 10.2174/1573399811666150115105206
    This study examined the factors associated with follow-up non-attendance (FUNA) and mortality among the adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Data on 57780 T2DM patients from the 2009 diabetes registry were analyzed using multinomial logistic mixed model. Out of 57780 patients, 3140 (5.4%) were lost to follow-up and 203 (0.4%) patients had died. Compared with patients who were under active follow-up, men (OR 1.37), neither on insulin (OR 1.72), nor on antiplatelet agents (OR 1.47), having higher HbA1c (OR 1.15), higher LDL-C (OR 1.18) and complications (OR 1.33) were associated with FUNA. Older age (OR 1.09) and higher LDL-C (OR 2.27) have higher mortality. Across the four different health facilities, medication use (insulin and anti-platelet agents) to achieve better disease control in the younger age when diabetes complication is absent would not cause FUNA and might reduce mortality.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Blood Glucose/analysis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/analysis; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Insulin/therapeutic use*; Cholesterol, LDL/blood; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality*; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use*; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Logistic Models; Diabetes Complications/drug therapy*; Lost to Follow-Up
  12. A robust real-time gait event detection using wireless gyroscope and its application on normal and altered gaits
    Gouwanda D, Gopalai AA
    Med Eng Phys, 2015 Feb;37(2):219-25.
    PMID: 25619613 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2014.12.004
    Gait events detection allows clinicians and biomechanics researchers to determine timing of gait events, to estimate duration of stance phase and swing phase and to segment gait data. It also aids biomedical engineers to improve the design of orthoses and FES (functional electrical stimulation) systems. In recent years, researchers have resorted to using gyroscopes to determine heel-strike (HS) and toe-off (TO) events in gait cycles. However, these methods are subjected to significant delays when implemented in real-time gait monitoring devices, orthoses, and FES systems. Therefore, the work presented in this paper proposes a method that addresses these delays, to ensure real-time gait event detection. The proposed algorithm combines the use of heuristics and zero-crossing method to identify HS and TO. Experiments involving: (1) normal walking; (2) walking with knee brace; and (3) walking with ankle brace for overground walking and treadmill walking were designed to verify and validate the identified HS and TO. The performance of the proposed method was compared against the established gait detection algorithms. It was observed that the proposed method produced detection rate that was comparable to earlier reported methods and recorded reduced time delays, at an average of 100 ms.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms*; Ankle/physiology; Braces*; Gait*; Humans; Knee/physiology; Male; Rotation*; Time Factors; Young Adult; Wireless Technology/instrumentation*
  13. Microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum 15HN using alginate-psyllium-fenugreek polymeric blends
    Haghshenas B, Abdullah N, Nami Y, Radiah D, Rosli R, Yari Khosroushahi A
    J Appl Microbiol, 2015 Apr;118(4):1048-57.
    PMID: 25619628 DOI: 10.1111/jam.12762
    Investigation on the use of herbal-based biopolymers for probiotic-Lactobacillus plantarum 15HN-encapsulation is presented. The objectives are to enhance its oral delivery, colonic release and survival rate of these probiotic cultures in gastrointestinal environment.
    MeSH terms: Alginates*; Hexuronic Acids; Molecular Sequence Data; Plant Extracts*; Polymers; Psyllium*; Probiotics/administration & dosage*; Glucuronic Acid; Trigonella*; Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology; Microbial Viability; Prebiotics
  14. Skin intervention of fullerene-integrated nanoemulsion in structural and collagen regeneration against skin aging
    Ngan CL, Basri M, Tripathy M, Abedi Karjiban R, Abdul-Malek E
    Eur J Pharm Sci, 2015 Apr 5;70:22-8.
    PMID: 25619806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2015.01.006
    Despite the fact that intrinsic oxidative stress is inevitable, the extrinsic factor such as ultraviolet radiation enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation resulting in premature skin aging. Nanoemulsion was loaded with fullerene, a strong free radical scavenger, and its efficacy to provide protection and regenerative effect against ROS-induced collagen breakdown in human skin was studied. Stable fullerene nanoemulsions were formulated using high shear homogenization and ultrasonic dispersion technique. An open trial was conducted using fullerene nanoemulsion on skin twice a day for 28 days. The mean collagen score significantly increased (P<0.05) from 36.53±4.39 to 48.69±5.46 with 33.29% increment at the end of the treatment. Biophysical characteristics of skin revealed that skin hydration was increased significantly (P<0.05) from 40.91±7.01 to 58.55±6.08 corneometric units (43.12% increment) and the water was able to contain within the stratum corneum without any increased in transepidermal water loss. In the in vitro safety evaluation, fullerene nanoemulsion showed no acute toxicity on 3T3 fibroblast cell line for 48h and no indication of potential dermal irritation. Hence, the fullerene nanoemulsion may assist in protecting collagen from breakdown with cosmeceutical benefit.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Animals; Antioxidants/administration & dosage; Antioxidants/metabolism; Cell Survival/drug effects; Cell Survival/physiology; Collagen/physiology*; Collagen/chemistry; Emulsions; Female; Humans; Male; Regeneration/drug effects*; Regeneration/physiology; Skin Aging/drug effects*; Skin Aging/physiology; Free Radical Scavengers/metabolism; 3T3 Cells; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism; Skin Care/methods; Fullerenes/administration & dosage*; Fullerenes/metabolism; Mice; Nanoparticles/administration & dosage*; Nanoparticles/metabolism
  15. Modified rapid shallow breathing index adjusted with anthropometric parameters increases predictive power for extubation failure compared with the unmodified index in postcardiac surgery patients
    Takaki S, Kadiman SB, Tahir SS, Ariff MH, Kurahashi K, Goto T
    J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth, 2015 Feb;29(1):64-8.
    PMID: 25620140 DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2014.06.022
    The aim of this study was to determine the best predictors of successful extubation after cardiac surgery, by modifying the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) based on patients' anthropometric parameters.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Anthropometry/methods*; Female; Forecasting; Cardiac Surgical Procedures/trends*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Respiration*; Respiration, Artificial/adverse effects; Respiration, Artificial/methods*; Respiratory Function Tests/methods; Ventilator Weaning/adverse effects; Ventilator Weaning/methods*; Treatment Failure; Airway Extubation/adverse effects; Airway Extubation/methods*
  16. Molecular detection and genetic diversity of Babesia gibsoni in dogs in Bangladesh
    Terao M, Akter S, Yasin MG, Nakao R, Kato H, Alam MZ, et al.
    Infect Genet Evol, 2015 Apr;31:53-60.
    PMID: 25620376 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.01.011
    Babesia gibsoni is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan parasite of dogs that often causes fever and hemolytic illness. Detection of B. gibsoni has been predominantly reported in Asian countries, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Bangladesh and India. The present study shows the first molecular characterization of B. gibsoni detected from dogs in Bangladesh. Blood samples were collected on FTA® Elute cards from 50 stray dogs in Mymensingh District in Bangladesh. DNA eluted from the cards was subjected to nested PCR for the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia species. Approximately 800bp PCR products were detected in 15 of 50 dogs (30%). Based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and direct sequencing of the PCR products, all parasite isolates were identified as B. gibsoni. Furthermore, the BgTRAP (B. gibsoni thrombospondin-related adhesive protein) gene fragments were detected in 13 of 15 18S rRNA gene PCR positive blood samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the BgTRAP gene revealed that B. gibsoni parasites in Bangladesh formed a cluster, which was genetically different from other Asian B. gibsoni isolates. In addition, tandem repeat analysis of the BgTRAP gene clearly showed considerable genetic variation among Bangladeshi isolates. These results suggested that B. gibsoni parasites in a different genetic clade are endemic in dogs in Bangladesh. Further studies are required to elucidate the origin, distribution, vector and pathogenesis of B. gibsoni parasites circulating in dogs in Bangladesh.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Babesia/classification*; Babesia/genetics*; Babesiosis/parasitology*; Bangladesh/epidemiology; Dog Diseases/epidemiology; Dog Diseases/parasitology*; Dogs; Female; Geography; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics; Genetic Variation*; Prevalence; Sequence Alignment; Genes, Protozoan; Tandem Repeat Sequences
  17. Differential expression of the HvCslF6 gene late in grain development may explain quantitative differences in (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan concentration in barley
    Wong SC, Shirley NJ, Little A, Khoo KH, Schwerdt J, Fincher GB, et al.
    Molecular breeding : new strategies in plant improvement, 2015 01 20;35:20.
    PMID: 25620877
    The cellulose synthase-like gene HvCslF6, which is essential for (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan biosynthesis in barley, collocates with quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grain (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan concentration in several populations, including CDC Bold × TR251. Here, an alanine-to-threonine substitution (caused by the only non-synonymous difference between the CDC Bold and TR251 HvCslF6 alleles) was mapped to a position within HvCSLF6 that seems unlikely to affect enzyme stability or function. Consistent with this, transient expression of full-length HvCslF6 cDNAs from CDC Bold and TR251 in Nicotianabenthamiana led to accumulation of similar amounts of (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan accumulation. Monitoring of HvCslF6 transcripts throughout grain development revealed a significant difference late in grain development (more than 30 days after pollination), with TR251 [the parent with higher grain (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan] exhibiting higher transcript levels than CDC Bold. A similar difference was observed between Beka and Logan, the parents of another population in which a QTL had been mapped in the HvCslF6 region. Sequencing of a putative promoter region of HvCslF6 revealed numerous polymorphisms between CDC Bold and TR251, but none between Beka and Logan. While the results of this work indicate that naturally occurring quantitative differences in (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan accumulation may be due to cis-regulated differences in HvCslF6 expression, these could not be attributed to any specific DNA sequence polymorphism. Nevertheless, information on HvCslF6 sequence polymorphism was used to develop molecular markers that could be used in barley breeding to select for the desired [low or high (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan] allele of the QTL.
    MeSH terms: Alanine; Alleles; Hordeum; Breeding; Edible Grain; Enzyme Stability; Glucosyltransferases; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Threonine; United States; DNA, Complementary; Quantitative Trait Loci; beta-Glucans; Pollination
  18. Fulltext Management experience of subglottic stenosis by endoscopic bougie dilatation with mitomycin C and review of literature: case series
    Liew YT, Yong DJ, Somasundran M, Lum CL
    Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2015 Mar;67(Suppl 1):129-33.
    PMID: 25621268 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-014-0801-8
    The aim of the study was to examine and analyze the epidemiology and outcome of treatment for paediatric acquired subglottic stenosis treated with endoscopic bougie dilatation and topical mitomycin C. There were 15 patients identified from 2008 until 2013. All of them had acquired subglottic stenosis due to history of intubation. Majority of the patients had grade III stenosis, with the total of seven. Three patients had grade IV; three were grade II and two were grade I. All of the patients with severe stenosis (grade III and IV) needed tracheostomy while only one in mild stenosis group (grade I and II) required it for prolonged ventilation rather than obstruction due to subglottic stenosis. All of them underwent direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia followed by endoscopic dilatation with bougie and topical mitomycin C 0.4 mg/ml for 5 min. Aim of success in our study was decannulation of tracheostomy or absence of symptoms at exertion. We achieved 6 (60 %) successful decannulation out of 10 patients with tracheostomy (excluded the patient with tracheostomy in grade I stenosis due to prolonged ventilation). As for those without tracheostomy, 3 (75 %) out of 4 patients were asymptomatic even at exertion. Average number of dilatation was 3.1 times, with mean duration of 28 min. No complications were reported in our series. One patient with grade I stenosis passed away due to severe pneumonia unrelated to the stenosis or dilatation, and she did not have any dilatation before she passed away. Multiple related risk factors were identified such as intubation, prematurity, movement of endotracheal tube, respiratory infection, traumatic intubation and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Experience of open surgical method was very limited in our centre in Sabah in East Malaysia. Endoscopic technique plays an important role in treatment of subglottic stenosis with adjunct like mitomycin C possibly booster the successful rate.
    MeSH terms: Anesthesia, General; Child; Constriction, Pathologic; Dilatation; Endoscopy; Physical Exertion; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal; Laryngoscopy; Laryngostenosis; Malaysia; Pneumonia; Risk Factors; Tracheostomy; Mitomycin; Treatment Outcome
  19. Aggregated effects of combining daily milk consumption and aerobic exercise on short-term memory and sustained attention among female students
    Leong IT, Moghadam S, Hashim HA
    Percept Mot Skills, 2015 Feb;120(1):57-66.
    PMID: 25621523 DOI: 10.2466/22.06.PMS.120v11x3
    Regular aerobic exercise and milk consumption have been found to have positive effects on certain cognitive functions such as short-term memory and sustained attention. However, aggregated effects of combining these modalities have not been explored. This study examined the combined effects of milk supplementation and aerobic exercise on the short-term memory and sustained attention of female students aged 16 yr. (N = 81). The intervention involved serving of 250 ml of regular milk during school days and/or a 1-hr. aerobic exercise period twice per week for 6 weeks. The Digit Span Test and Digit Vigilance Test were used to measure short-term memory and sustained attention, respectively. The combination group (milk and exercise) and exercise group performed significantly better than did the milk and control groups in terms of short-term memory. No significant interaction or group differences were found for sustained attention. The results suggest benefits of regular exercise for students' short-term memory.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Animals; Attention/physiology*; Female; Humans; Memory, Short-Term/physiology*; Milk*; Students; Exercise/physiology*
  20. Fulltext A high-throughput oxidative stress biosensor based on Escherichia coli roGFP2 cells immobilized in a k-carrageenan matrix
    Ooi L, Heng LY, Mori IC
    Sensors (Basel), 2015;15(2):2354-68.
    PMID: 25621608 DOI: 10.3390/s150202354
    Biosensors fabricated with whole-cell bacteria appear to be suitable for detecting bioavailability and toxicity effects of the chemical(s) of concern, but they are usually reported to have drawbacks like long response times (ranging from hours to days), narrow dynamic range and instability during long term storage. Our aim is to fabricate a sensitive whole-cell oxidative stress biosensor which has improved properties that address the mentioned weaknesses. In this paper, we report a novel high-throughput whole-cell biosensor fabricated by immobilizing roGFP2 expressing Escherichia coli cells in a k-carrageenan matrix, for the detection of oxidative stress challenged by metalloid compounds. The E. coli roGFP2 oxidative stress biosensor shows high sensitivity towards arsenite and selenite, with wide linear range and low detection limit (arsenite: 1.0 × 10(-3)-1.0 × 10(1) mg·L(-1), LOD: 2.0 × 10(-4) mg·L(-1); selenite: 1.0 × 10(-5)-1.0 × 10(2) mg·L(-1), LOD: 5.8 × 10(-6) mg·L(-1)), short response times (0-9 min), high stability and reproducibility. This research is expected to provide a new direction in performing high-throughput environmental toxicity screening with living bacterial cells which is capable of measuring the bioavailability and toxicity of environmental stressors in a friction of a second.
    MeSH terms: Carrageenan/chemistry; Escherichia coli/chemistry; Biosensing Techniques*; Arsenites/isolation & purification*; Oxidative Stress*; Selenious Acid/isolation & purification*; High-Throughput Screening Assays; Limit of Detection
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