Browse publications by year: 2015

A systematic review of the efficacy and tolerability of hydroxyethylrutosides for improvement of the signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency

Aziz Z, Tang WL, Chong NJ, Tho LY

J Clin Pharm Ther, 2015 Apr;40(2):177-85.
PMID: 25630350 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12247

Rutoside (rutin; quercetin rutinoside) is a glycoside found in various plant products, including apples, citrus fruits and cranberries. Hydroxyethylrutosides (HR) are semisynthetic derivatives sold as standardized products for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Commercially available products include Relvène(®) (France), Venoruton(®) (Switzerland) and Paroven(®) (United Kingdom). However, the evidence for their efficacy is inconclusive. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence of efficacy and tolerability of hydroxyethylrutosides for CVI.

MeSH terms: Chronic Disease; Humans; Hydroxyethylrutoside/administration & dosage; Hydroxyethylrutoside/adverse effects; Hydroxyethylrutoside/analogs & derivatives*; Hydroxyethylrutoside/therapeutic use; Phytotherapy*; Rutin/pharmacology; Venous Insufficiency/drug therapy*; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
New insights into seaweed polyphenols on glucose homeostasis

Murugan AC, Karim MR, Yusoff MB, Tan SH, Asras MF, Rashid SS

Pharm Biol, 2015 Aug;53(8):1087-97.
PMID: 25630358 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.959615

CONTEXT: Polyphenol-rich marine macroalgae are gaining dietary importance due to their influence over diabetes mellitus and the role as a vital source of high-value nutraceuticals. Their assorted beneficial effects on human health include competitive inhibition of digestive enzymes, varying the activity of hepatic glucose-metabolizing enzymes, lowering the plasma glucose levels, and lipid peroxidation, delaying the aging process.
OBJECTIVE: In this paper, we review the health beneficial effects of polyphenols and phlorotannins from brown seaweeds with special emphasis on their inhibitory effects on carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes.
METHODS: A survey of literature from databases such as Sciencedirect, Scopus, Pubmed, Springerlink, and Google Scholar from the year 1973 to 2013 was done to bring together the information relating to drug discovery from brown seaweeds as a source for diabetes treatment.
RESULTS: Over the past two decades, 20 different bioactive polyphenols/phlorotannins have been isolated and studied from 10 different brown algae. Discussion of the positive effect on the inhibition of enzymes metabolizing carbohydrates in both in vitro and in vivo experiments are included.
CONCLUSION: Despite the recent advancements in isolating bioactive compounds from seaweeds with potential health benefit or pharmaceutical behavior, studies on the polyphenol effectiveness on glucose homeostasis in human beings are very few in response to their functional characterization. Added research in this area is required to confirm the close connection of polyphenol rich seaweed-based diet consumption with glucose homeostasis and the exciting possibility of prescribing polyphenols to treat the diabetes pandemic.

MeSH terms: Animals; Blood Glucose/drug effects*; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus/blood; Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy; Homeostasis/drug effects*; Homeostasis/physiology; Humans; Plant Extracts/isolation & purification; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Polyphenols/isolation & purification; Polyphenols/pharmacology*; Polyphenols/therapeutic use
SPTAN1 encephalopathy: distinct phenotypes and genotypes

Tohyama J, Nakashima M, Nabatame S, Gaik-Siew C, Miyata R, Rener-Primec Z, et al.

J Hum Genet, 2015 Apr;60(4):167-73.
PMID: 25631096 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2015.5

Recent progress in genetic analysis reveals that a significant proportion of cryptogenic epileptic encephalopathies are single-gene disorders. Mutations in numerous genes for early-onset epileptic encephalopathies have been rapidly identified, including in SPTAN1, which encodes α-II spectrin. The aim of this review is to delineate SPTAN1 encephalopathy as a distinct clinical syndrome. To date, a total of seven epileptic patients with four different in-frame SPTAN1 mutations have been identified. The major clinical features of SPTAN1 mutations include epileptic encephalopathy with hypsarrhythmia, no visual attention, acquired microcephaly, spastic quadriplegia and severe intellectual disability. Brainstem and cerebellar atrophy and cerebral hypomyelination, as observed by magnetic resonance imaging, are specific hallmarks of this condition. A milder variant is characterized by generalized epilepsy with pontocerebellar atrophy. Only in-frame SPTAN1 mutations in the last two spectrin repeats in the C-terminal region lead to dominant negative effects and these specific phenotypes. The last two spectrin repeats are required for α/β spectrin heterodimer associations and the mutations can alter heterodimer formation between the two spectrins. From these data we suggest that SPTAN1 encephalopathy is a distinct clinical syndrome owing to specific SPTAN1 mutations. It is important that this syndrome is recognized by pediatric neurologists to enable proper diagnostic work-up for patients.

MeSH terms: Brain Diseases/diagnosis*; Brain Diseases/genetics*; Carrier Proteins/genetics*; Diagnosis, Differential; Electroencephalography; Epilepsy/diagnosis*; Epilepsy/genetics*; Genes, Dominant; Genotype; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Microfilament Proteins/genetics*; Mutation*; Phenotype; Spectrin/genetics; Spectrin/metabolism; Syndrome; Age of Onset; Genetic Association Studies
Limits on efficient human mindreading: convergence across Chinese adults and Semai children

Wang B, Hadi NS, Low J

Br J Psychol, 2015 Nov;106(4):724-40.
PMID: 25631400 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12121

We tested Apperly and Butterfill's (2009, Psychological Review, 116, 753) theory that humans have two mindreading systems whereby the efficient-system guiding anticipatory glances displays signature limits that do not apply to the flexible system guiding verbal predictions. Experiments 1 and 2 tested urban Mainland-Chinese adults (n = 64) and Experiment 3 tested Semai children living in the rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia (3- to 4-year-olds, n = 60). Participants - across different ages, groups and methods - anticipated others' false-beliefs about object-location but not object-identity. Convergence in signature limits signalled that the early-developing efficient system involved minimal theory-of-mind. Chinese adults and older Semai children showed flexibility in their direct predictions. The flexible mindreading system in ascribing others' beliefs as such was task-sensitive and implicated maturational and cultural contributions.
Emergence of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing dual carbapenemases (NDM-1 and OXA-232) and 16S rRNA methylase (armA) isolated from a Malaysian patient returning from India

Al-Marzooq F, Ngeow YF, Tay ST

Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2015 Apr;45(4):445-6.
PMID: 25631676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2014.12.013
MeSH terms: Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; beta-Lactamases/genetics*; Humans; India; Klebsiella Infections/microbiology*; Klebsiella pneumoniae/enzymology*; Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics; Klebsiella pneumoniae/isolation & purification; Malaysia; Male; Methyltransferases/genetics*; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Travel*; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial*
The global move toward Internet shopping and its influence on pollution: an empirical analysis

Al-Mulali U, Sheau-Ting L, Ozturk I

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2015 Jul;22(13):9717-27.
PMID: 25631741 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4142-2

This study investigates the influence of Internet retailing on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in 77 countries categorized into developed and developing countries during the period of 2000-2013. To realize the aims of the study, a model that represents pollution is established utilizing the panel two-stage least square (TSLS) and the generalized method of moments (GMM). The results for both regressions similarly indicated that GDP growth, electricity consumption, urbanization, and trade openness are the main factors that increase CO2 emission in the investigated countries. Although the results show that Internet retailing reduces CO2 emission in general, a disaggregation occurs between developed and developing countries whereby Internet retailing has a significant negative effect on CO2 emission in the developed countries while it has no significant impact on CO2 emission in the developing countries. From the outcome of this study, a number of policy implications are provided for the investigated countries.

MeSH terms: Carbon Dioxide/analysis; Commerce/statistics & numerical data*; Developing Countries; Environmental Pollution/statistics & numerical data*; Urbanization; Developed Countries; Internet*; Carbon Footprint/statistics & numerical data
Challenges, alternatives, and paths to sustainability: better public health promotion using social networking pages as key tools

Zaidan AA, Zaidan BB, Kadhem Z, Larbani M, Lakulu MB, Hashim M

J Med Syst, 2015 Feb;39(2):7.
PMID: 25631841 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-015-0201-y

This paper discusses the possibility of promoting public health and implementing educational health services using Facebook. We discuss the challenges and strengths of using such a platform as a tool for public health care systems from two different perspectives, namely, the view of IT developers and that of physicians. We present a new way of evaluating user interactivity in health care systems from tools provided by Facebook that measure statistical traffic in the Internet. Findings show that Facebook is a very promising tool in promoting e-health services in Web 2.0. Results from statistical traffic show that a Facebook page is more efficient than other pages in promoting public health.

MeSH terms: Communication; Confidentiality; Financing, Organized; Health Education/methods*; Health Promotion/methods*; Humans; Language; Public Health; User-Computer Interface; Internet*; Social Networking*; Social Media/organization & administration*
First principles investigations of vinazene molecule and molecular crystal: a prospective candidate for organic photovoltaic applications

Mohamad M, Ahmed R, Shaari A, Goumri-Said S

J Mol Model, 2015 Feb;21(2):27.
PMID: 25631921 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-015-2582-8

Escalating demand for sustainable energy resources, because of the rapid exhaustion of conventional energy resources as well as to maintain the environmental level of carbon dioxide (CO2) to avoid its adverse effect on the climate, has led to the exploitation of photovoltaic technology manifold more than ever. In this regard organic materials have attracted great attention on account of demonstrating their potential to harvest solar energy at an affordable rate for photovoltaic technology. 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole (vinazene) is considered as a suitable material over the fullerenes for photovoltaic applications because of its particular chemical and physical nature. In the present study, DFT approaches are employed to provide an exposition of optoelectronic properties of vinazene molecule and molecular crystal. To gain insight into its properties, different forms of exchange correlation energy functional/potential such as LDA, GGA, BLYP, and BL3YP are used. Calculated electronic structure of vinazene molecule has been displayed via HOMO-LUMO isosurfaces, whereas electronic structure of the vinazene molecular crystal, via electronic band structure, is presented. The calculated electronic and optical properties were analyzed and compared as well. Our results endorse vinazene as a suitable material for organic photovoltaic applications.
Fulltext A comparison of physiological and transcriptome responses to water deprivation and salt loading in the rat supraoptic nucleus

Greenwood MP, Mecawi AS, Hoe SZ, Mustafa MR, Johnson KR, Al-Mahmoud GA, et al.

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 2015 Apr 01;308(7):R559-68.
PMID: 25632023 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00444.2014

Salt loading (SL) and water deprivation (WD) are experimental challenges that are often used to study the osmotic circuitry of the brain. Central to this circuit is the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus, which is responsible for the biosynthesis of the hormones, arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT), and their transport to terminals that reside in the posterior lobe of the pituitary. On osmotic challenge evoked by a change in blood volume or osmolality, the SON undergoes a function-related plasticity that creates an environment that allows for an appropriate hormone response. Here, we have described the impact of SL and WD compared with euhydrated (EU) controls in terms of drinking and eating behavior, body weight, and recorded physiological data including circulating hormone data and plasma and urine osmolality. We have also used microarrays to profile the transcriptome of the SON following SL and remined data from the SON that describes the transcriptome response to WD. From a list of 2,783 commonly regulated transcripts, we selected 20 genes for validation by qPCR. All of the 9 genes that have already been described as expressed or regulated in the SON by osmotic stimuli were confirmed in our models. Of the 11 novel genes, 5 were successfully validated while 6 were false discoveries.

MeSH terms: Animals; Arginine Vasopressin/blood; Blood Volume; Body Weight; Drinking; Eating; Gene Expression Regulation; Male; Osmolar Concentration; Oxytocin/blood; RNA, Messenger/metabolism; Supraoptic Nucleus/metabolism; Supraoptic Nucleus/physiology*; Time Factors; Water Deprivation*; Reproducibility of Results; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sodium Chloride, Dietary/administration & dosage*; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Gene Expression Profiling/methods; Transcriptome*; Osmoregulation
Fulltext Physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity of sulphated zirconia nanoparticles

Mftah A, Alhassan FH, Al-Qubaisi MS, El Zowalaty ME, Webster TJ, Sh-Eldin M, et al.

Int J Nanomedicine, 2015;10:765-74.
PMID: 25632233 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S66058

Nanoparticle sulphated zirconia with Brønsted acidic sites were prepared here by an impregnation reaction followed by calcination at 600°C for 3 hours. The characterization was completed using X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunner-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, the anticancer and antimicrobial effects were investigated for the first time. This study showed for the first time that the exposure of cancer cells to sulphated zirconia nanoparticles (3.9-1,000 μg/mL for 24 hours) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth, as determined by (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. Similar promising results were observed for reducing bacteria functions. In this manner, this study demonstrated that sulphated zirconia nanoparticles with Brønsted acidic sites should be further studied for a wide range of anticancer and antibacterial applications.
Fulltext Phylogenetic relationship of phosphate solubilizing bacteria according to 16S rRNA genes

Javadi Nobandegani MB, Saud HM, Yun WM

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:201379.
PMID: 25632387 DOI: 10.1155/2015/201379

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can convert insoluble form of phosphorous to an available form. Applications of PSB as inoculants increase the phosphorus uptake by plant in the field. In this study, isolation and precise identification of PSB were carried out in Malaysian (Serdang) oil palm field (University Putra Malaysia). Identification and phylogenetic analysis of 8 better isolates were carried out by 16S rRNA gene sequencing in which as a result five isolates belong to the Beta subdivision of Proteobacteria, one isolate was related to the Gama subdivision of Proteobacteria, and two isolates were related to the Firmicutes. Bacterial isolates of 6upmr, 2upmr, 19upmnr, 10upmr, and 24upmr were identified as Alcaligenes faecalis. Also, bacterial isolates of 20upmnr and 17upmnr were identified as Bacillus cereus and Vagococcus carniphilus, respectively, and bacterial isolates of 31upmr were identified as Serratia plymuthica. Molecular identification and characterization of oil palm strains as the specific phosphate solubilizer can reduce the time and cost of producing effective inoculate (biofertilizer) in an oil palm field.

MeSH terms: Bacteria/genetics*; Bacteria/isolation & purification; Genes, Bacterial*; Phosphates/metabolism*; Phylogeny*; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics*; Soil Microbiology; Solubility; Cluster Analysis; Polymerase Chain Reaction
Fulltext Thymoquinone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier exhibited cytotoxicity towards breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and SiHa)

Ng WK, Saiful Yazan L, Yap LH, Wan Nor Hafiza WA, How CW, Abdullah R

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:263131.
PMID: 25632388 DOI: 10.1155/2015/263131

Thymoquinone (TQ) has been shown to exhibit antitumor properties. Thymoquinone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (TQ-NLC) was developed to improve the bioavailability and cytotoxicity of TQ. This study was conducted to determine the cytotoxic effects of TQ-NLC on breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and SiHa). TQ-NLC was prepared by applying the hot high pressure homogenization technique. The mean particle size of TQ-NLC was 35.66 ± 0.1235 nm with a narrow polydispersity index (PDI) lower than 0.25. The zeta potential of TQ-NLC was greater than -30 mV. Polysorbate 80 helps to increase the stability of TQ-NLC. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that TQ-NLC has a melting point of 56.73°C, which is lower than that of the bulk material. The encapsulation efficiency of TQ in TQ-NLC was 97.63 ± 0.1798% as determined by HPLC analysis. TQ-NLC exhibited antiproliferative activity towards all the cell lines in a dose-dependent manner which was most cytotoxic towards MDA-MB-231 cells. Cell shrinkage was noted following treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with TQ-NLC with an increase of apoptotic cell population (P < 0.05). TQ-NLC also induced cell cycle arrest. TQ-NLC was most cytotoxic towards MDA-MB-231 cells. It induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the cells.

MeSH terms: Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Cell Cycle/drug effects; Female; HeLa Cells; Humans; Lipids/chemistry*; Benzoquinones/pharmacology*; Cell Death/drug effects; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Shape/drug effects; Nanostructures/ultrastructure; Nanostructures/chemistry*; MCF-7 Cells
Fulltext Quality of life and migraine disability among female migraine patients in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia

Shaik MM, Hassan NB, Tan HL, Gan SH

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:523717.
PMID: 25632394 DOI: 10.1155/2015/523717

Disability caused by migraine may be one of the main causes of burden contributing to poor quality of life (QOL) among migraine patients. Thus, this study aimed to measure QOL among migraine sufferers in comparison with healthy controls.

MeSH terms: Adult; Demography; Disability Evaluation*; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia/epidemiology; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders/epidemiology*; Quality of Life*; Surveys and Questionnaires; World Health Organization; Tertiary Care Centers/statistics & numerical data*
Estimating farmers' willingness to pay for climate change adaptation: the case of the Malaysian agricultural sector

Masud MM, Junsheng H, Akhtar R, Al-Amin AQ, Kari FB

Environ Monit Assess, 2015 Feb;187(2):38.
PMID: 25632900 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-4254-z

This paper estimates Malaysian farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) for a planned adaptation programme for addressing climate issues in the Malaysian agricultural sector. We used the contingent valuation method (CVM) for a monetary valuation of farmers' preferences for a planned adaptation programme by ascertaining the value attached to address climatic issues in the Malaysian agricultural sector. Structured questionnaires were distributed among the sampled farmers. The study found that 74 % of respondents were willing to pay for a planned adaptation programme and that several socioeconomic and motivation factors have greater influence on their WTP. This paper clearly specifies the steps needed for all institutional bodies to better address issues in climate change. The outcomes of this paper will support policy makers to better design an efficient adaptation framework for adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change.

MeSH terms: Agriculture/economics; Agriculture/methods*; Environmental Monitoring; Humans; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Climate Change*; Environmental Policy/economics*
Fulltext Quality of reporting of randomised controlled trials of herbal interventions in ASEAN Plus Six Countries: a systematic review

Pratoomsoot C, Sruamsiri R, Dilokthornsakul P, Chaiyakunapruk N

PLoS One, 2015;10(1):e108681.
PMID: 25633206 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108681

Many randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of herbal interventions have been conducted in the ASEAN Communities. Good quality reporting of RCTs is essential for assessing clinical significance. Given the importance ASEAN placed on herbal medicines, the reporting quality of RCTs of herbal interventions among the ASEAN Communities deserved a special attention.

MeSH terms: Humans; Phytotherapy*; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic*; Information Dissemination*
Fulltext Why do some people with type 2 diabetes who are using insulin have poor glycaemic control? A qualitative study

Tong WT, Vethakkan SR, Ng CJ

BMJ Open, 2015 Jan 29;5(1):e006407.
PMID: 25633285 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006407

OBJECTIVE: To explore factors influencing poor glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes using insulin.
RESEARCH DESIGN: A qualitative method comprising in-depth individual interviews. A semistructured interview guide was used. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach.
PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen people with type 2 diabetes using insulin with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥9% for >1 year.
SETTING: The Primary Care Clinic and Diabetes Clinic in the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia.
RESULTS: Data analysis uncovered four themes: lifestyle challenges in adhering to medical recommendations; psychosocial and emotional hurdles; treatment-related factors; lack of knowledge about and self-efficacy in diabetes self-care.
CONCLUSIONS: Factors that explain the poor glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes using insulin were identified. Healthcare providers could use these findings to address patients' concerns during consultations and help to improve glycaemic control.
Study site: Primary Care Clinic and Diabetes Clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology; Female; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/analysis; Hospitals, University; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Insulin/therapeutic use*; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Life Style; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Self Care/psychology; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; Self Efficacy; Qualitative Research; Medication Adherence/psychology; Young Adult
Differential positive selection of malaria resistance genes in three indigenous populations of Peninsular Malaysia

Liu X, Yunus Y, Lu D, Aghakhanian F, Saw WY, Deng L, et al.

Hum Genet, 2015 Apr;134(4):375-92.
PMID: 25634076 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-014-1525-2

The indigenous populations from Peninsular Malaysia, locally known as Orang Asli, continue to adopt an agro-subsistence nomadic lifestyle, residing primarily within natural jungle habitats. Leading a hunter-gatherer lifestyle in a tropical jungle environment, the Orang Asli are routinely exposed to malaria. Here we surveyed the genetic architecture of individuals from four Orang Asli tribes with high-density genotyping across more than 2.5 million polymorphisms. These tribes reside in different geographical locations in Peninsular Malaysia and belong to three main ethno-linguistic groups, where there is minimal interaction between the tribes. We first dissect the genetic diversity and admixture between the tribes and with neighboring urban populations. Later, by implementing five metrics, we investigated the genome-wide signatures for positive natural selection of these Orang Asli, respectively. Finally, we searched for evidence of genomic adaptation to the pressure of malaria infection. We observed that different evolutionary responses might have emerged in the different Orang Asli communities to mitigate malaria infection.

MeSH terms: Adaptation, Biological/genetics; Humans; Lymphotoxin-alpha/genetics; Malaria/genetics*; Malaysia/ethnology; Selection, Genetic*; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics; Cadherins/genetics; Antigens, CD95/genetics; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Population Groups/genetics*; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics; Genome-Wide Association Study; Transcriptome; Disease Resistance/genetics*
Fulltext Recognizing rheumatoid arthritis: oncoprotein survivin opens new possibilities: a population-based case-control study

Chun-Lai T, Murad S, Erlandsson MC, Hussein H, Sulaiman W, Dhaliwal JS, et al.

Medicine (Baltimore), 2015 Jan;94(4):e468.
PMID: 25634192 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000000468

Survivin is a biomarker of cancer known for its anti-apoptotic and cell-cycle regulating properties. In the context of non-cancer pathology, high levels of survivin may be measured in blood and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and associate with early joint damage and poor therapy response. The aim of the study was to investigate the value of survivin measurements in blood for diagnosis of RA in the frame of the Malaysian epidemiological investigation of rheumatoid arthritis (MyEIRA) study. The study enrolled RA patients from eight rheumatology centres in Peninsular Malaysia. The healthy controls matched by age, gender and ethnicity were recruited on the community basis from the residential area of the patients. Levels of survivin were measured in blood of RA patients (n = 1233) and controls (n = 1566) by an enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). The risk for RA was calculated as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals in the individuals with high levels of survivin. The risk was calculated in relation to antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (ACPA), detected by ELISA and HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE) alleles, identified by the polymerase chain reaction using sequence specific oligonucleotide method. High levels of survivin were detected in 625 of 1233 (50.7%) RA cases and in 85 of 1566 (5.4%) controls, indicating its high specificity for RA. Survivin was association with an increase in RA risk in the patients having neither SE-alleles nor ACPA (OR = 5.40, 95% CI 3.81-7.66). For the patients combining survivin, SE, and ACPA, the estimated risk for RA was 16-folds higher compared to the survivin negative patients with SE and ACPA(OR = 16.21, 95% CI 5.70-46.18). To conclude, detection of survivin in blood provides a simple test to improve diagnostic and to increase predictability for RA.

MeSH terms: Alleles; Epitopes/genetics; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood*; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis*; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics; Autoantibodies/blood; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Peptides, Cyclic/immunology; Predictive Value of Tests; Biomarkers/blood; Case-Control Studies; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins/blood*; HLA-DRB1 Chains/genetics
Multidisciplinary parent education for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD): implications for clinical practice

Alwi N, Harun D, J H L

Arch Psychiatr Nurs, 2015 Feb;29(1):5.
PMID: 25634867 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2014.09.010
Fulltext Understanding the Quorum-Sensing Bacterium Pantoea stewartii Strain M009 with Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis

Tan WS, Chang CY, Yin WF, Chan KG

Genome Announc, 2015;3(1).
PMID: 25635007 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01509-14

Pantoea stewartii is known to be the causative agent of Stewart's wilt, which usually affects sweet corn (Zea mays) with the corn flea beetle as the transmission vector. In this work, we present the whole-genome sequence of Pantoea stewartii strain M009, isolated from a Malaysian tropical rainforest waterfall.

MeSH terms: Animals; Zea mays; Siphonaptera; Plant Diseases; Vegetables; Pantoea; Rainforest

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