Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Rosly NZ, Ahmad SA, Abdullah J, Yusof NA
    Sensors (Basel), 2016 Aug 25;16(9).
    PMID: 27571080 DOI: 10.3390/s16091365
    In the present study, the construction of arrays on silicon for naked-eye detection of DNA dengue was demonstrated. The array was created by exposing a polyethylene glycol (PEG) silane monolayer to 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) light through a photomask. Formation of the PEG silane monolayer and photomodifed surface properties was thoroughly characterized by using atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angle measurements. The results of XPS confirmed that irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) light generates an aldehyde functional group that offers conjugation sites of amino DNA probe for detection of a specific dengue virus target DNA. Employing a gold enhancement process after inducing the electrostatic interaction between positively charged gold nanoparticles and the negatively charged target DNA hybridized to the DNA capture probe allowed to visualize the array with naked eye. The developed arrays demonstrated excellent performance in diagnosis of dengue with a detection limit as low as 10 pM. The selectivity of DNA arrays was also examined using a single base mismatch and noncomplementary target DNA.
    MeSH terms: Cetrimonium Compounds/chemistry; Dengue/diagnosis*; Gold/chemistry; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry*; Silanes/chemistry*; Staining and Labeling*; Ultraviolet Rays; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry; Static Electricity; Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  2. Ong SG, Ming LC, Lee KS, Yuen KH
    Pharmaceutics, 2016;8(3).
    PMID: 27571096 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics8030025
    The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of the encapsulation efficiency and size of liposome on the oral bioavailability of griseofulvin-loaded liposomes. Griseofulvin-loaded liposomes with desired characteristics were prepared from pro-liposome using various techniques. To study the effect of encapsulation efficiency, three preparations of griseofulvin, namely, griseofulvin aqueous suspension and two griseofulvin-loaded liposomes with different amounts of griseofulvin encapsulated [i.e., F1 (32%) and F2(98%)], were administered to rats. On the other hand, to study the effect of liposome size, the rats were given three different griseofulvin-loaded liposomes of various sizes, generated via different mechanical dispersion techniques [i.e., FTS (142 nm), MS (357 nm) and NS (813 nm)], but with essentially similar encapsulation efficiencies (about 93%). Results indicated that the extent of bioavailability of griseofulvin was improved 1.7-2.0 times when given in the form of liposomes (F1) compared to griseofulvin suspension. Besides that, there was an approximately two-fold enhancement of the extent of bioavailability following administration of griseofulvin-loaded liposomes with higher encapsulation efficiency (F2), compared to those of F1. Also, the results showed that the extent of bioavailability of liposomal formulations with smaller sizes were higher by approximately three times compared to liposomal formulation of a larger size. Nevertheless, a further size reduction of griseofulvin-loaded liposome (≤400 nm) did not promote the uptake or bioavailability of griseofulvin. In conclusion, high drug encapsulation efficiency and small liposome size could enhance the oral bioavailability of griseofulvin-loaded liposomes and therefore these two parameters deserve careful consideration during formulation.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biochemical Phenomena; Biological Availability; Biological Transport; Griseofulvin; Liposomes; Suspensions; Rats
  3. Setyawati MI, Kutty RV, Leong DT
    Small, 2016 Oct;12(40):5601-5611.
    PMID: 27571230 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201601669
    Targeted drug delivery is one of the key challenges in cancer nanomedicine. Stoichiometric and spatial control over the antibodies placement on the nanomedicine vehicle holds a pivotal role to overcome this key challenge. Here, a DNA tetrahedral is designed with available conjugation sites on its vertices, allowing to bind one, two, or three cetuximab antibodies per DNA nanostructure. This stoichiometrically definable cetuximab conjugated DNA nanostructure shows enhanced targeting on the breast cancer cells, which results with higher overall killing efficacy of the cancer cells.
    MeSH terms: Cetuximab/pharmacology; Animals; Antibodies/metabolism*; DNA/chemistry*; Doxorubicin/pharmacology; Endocytosis/drug effects; Humans; Cell Death/drug effects; Inhibitory Concentration 50; NIH 3T3 Cells; Cell Line, Tumor; Nanostructures/chemistry*; Mice; Drug Liberation
  4. Chua CL, Sam IC, Merits A, Chan YF
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2016 08;10(8):e0004960.
    PMID: 27571254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004960
    BACKGROUND: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne virus which causes epidemics of fever, severe joint pain and rash. Between 2005 and 2010, the East/Central/South African (ECSA) genotype was responsible for global explosive outbreaks across India, the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. From late 2013, Asian genotype CHIKV has caused outbreaks in the Americas. The characteristics of cross-antibody efficacy and epitopes are poorly understood.

    METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We characterized human immune sera collected during two independent outbreaks in Malaysia of the Asian genotype in 2006 and the ECSA genotype in 2008-2010. Neutralizing capacity was analyzed against representative clinical isolates as well as viruses rescued from infectious clones of ECSA and Asian CHIKV. Using whole virus antigen and recombinant E1 and E2 envelope glycoproteins, we further investigated antibody binding sites, epitopes, and antibody titers. Both ECSA and Asian sera demonstrated stronger neutralizing capacity against the ECSA genotype, which corresponded to strong epitope-antibody interaction. ECSA serum targeted conformational epitope sites in the E1-E2 glycoprotein, and E1-E211K, E2-I2T, E2-H5N, E2-G118S and E2-S194G are key amino acids that enhance cross-neutralizing efficacy. As for Asian serum, the antibodies targeting E2 glycoprotein correlated with neutralizing efficacy, and I2T, H5N, G118S and S194G altered and improved the neutralization profile. Rabbit polyclonal antibody against the N-terminal linear neutralizing epitope from the ECSA sequence has reduced binding capacity and neutralization efficacy against Asian CHIKV. These findings imply that the choice of vaccine strain may impact cross-protection against different genotypes.

    CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Immune serum from humans infected with CHIKV of either ECSA or Asian genotypes showed differences in binding and neutralization characteristics. These findings have implications for the continued outbreaks of co-circulating CHIKV genotypes and effective design of vaccines and diagnostic serological assays.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Viral/blood*; Antigenic Variation*; Cell Line; Chikungunya virus/genetics*; Chikungunya virus/immunology*; Chikungunya virus/isolation & purification; Disease Outbreaks; Genotype; Cricetinae; Humans; Immunization, Passive; Malaysia/epidemiology; Neutralization Tests; Phylogeny; Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics; Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology*; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/genetics; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/immunology*; Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood; Chikungunya Fever/immunology; Chikungunya Fever/epidemiology
  5. Tin, H.S., Padam, B.S., Abdullah, M.I., Chye, F.Y.
    MyJurnal
    The study aimed to isolate and elucidate the chemical compounds that are found in banana
    (Musa balbisiana cv. Saba) inflorescences. Banana inflorescence buds were extracted using
    methanol and the resulted methanolic extract was partitioned using chloroform, ethyl acetate
    and butanol against deionized water. The chloroform partition was further separated into
    fractions using column chromatography assisted by thin layer chromatography. The structure
    elucidation was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR). Three
    triterpenes were isolated namely 31-norcyclolaudenone (1), cycloartenol (2) and (24R)-4a,24-
    trimethyl-5a-cholesta-8,25(27)-dien-3b-ol (3). This is the first report on the isolation of these
    triterpenes from Musa balbisiana inflorescence. The discovery of new triterpenes from banana
    inflorescence should be further explored to open a new perspective that banana by-products
    might serve as new source of natural products for food and pharmaceutical applications.
    MeSH terms: Acetates; Methanol; Biological Products; Chloroform; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Phytosterols; Triterpenes; Water; 1-Butanol; Musa; Inflorescence
  6. Abbas Ali, Hadi Mesran, M., Nik Mahmood, N.A., Abd Latip, R.
    MyJurnal
    In the present work, the influence of microwave power and heating times on the quality
    degradation of corn oil was evaluated. Microwave heating test was carried out using a domestic
    microwave oven for different periods at low- and medium-power settings for the corn oil sample.
    The changes in physicochemical characteristics related to oil degradation of the samples during
    heating were determined by standard methods. In this study, refractive index, free fatty acid
    content, peroxide value, p-anisidine value, TOTOX value, viscosity and total polar compound
    of the oils all increased with increasing heating power and time of exposure. In GLC analysis,
    the percentage of linoleic acid tended to decrease, whereas the percentage of palmitic, stearic
    and oleic acids increased. The C18:2/C16:0 ratio decreased in all oil samples with increasing
    heating times. Exposing the corn oil to various microwave power settings and heating periods
    caused the formation of hydroperoxides and secondary oxidation products. The heating reduced
    the various tocopherol isomers in corn oil and highest reduction was detected in γ-tocopherol.
    Longer microwave heating times resulted in a greater degree of oil deterioration. Microwave
    heating caused the formation of comparatively lower amounts of some degradative products in
    the oil samples heated at low-power setting compared to medium-power setting. The present
    analysis indicated that oil quality was affected by both microwave power and heating time.
    MeSH terms: Aniline Compounds; Corn Oil; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Heating; Hydrogen Peroxide; Microwaves; Oleic Acids; Plant Oils; Refractometry; Viscosity; Vitamin E; Linoleic Acid; gamma-Tocopherol; Tocopherols
  7. Hassan, S.H., John Kua, S.B., Harun, H.
    MyJurnal
    The attention on genetically modified (GM) food industry is increasing due to the flourishing
    of biotechnology. However, there are some debates on the associated benefits and risks of
    employing modification technology in food industry. This study strives to examine the causes
    that determine consumers’ benefit and risk perceptions on GM foods. Besides, the influence of
    perceived benefit and risk of GM food on consumers’ attitude is investigated. The empirical
    results of this study showed that GM food knowledge, and GM food characteristics have been
    acting as important predictors of both benefits and risks perceptions. Further, it is also found
    that perceived benefits showed significant positive influence on attitude, and attitude affects
    purchase intention towards GM food. Research implications to policy makers, scientists, and
    market practitioners are covered, in which suggestions and recommendations are provided
    to these parties. Lastly, research implications and recommendations to future research are
    discussed.
    MeSH terms: Attention; Attitude; Biotechnology; Suggestion; Risk Assessment; Food Industry; Intention
  8. Koo, H.C., Poh, B.K., Ruzita, A.T.
    MyJurnal
    This study aimed to develop and validate whole grain KAP questionnaire among children. A
    guided self-administered questionnaire was developed. In this cross sectional study, a total
    of 207 children aged 9 to 11 years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were recruited. Knowledge
    domain was considered as optimal level of difficulty and able to discriminate performance of
    good and poor children. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis with
    principle components method and varimax rotation. Four factor-solutions emerged for attitude
    domain whereas 3 factor-solutions were constructed for practice domain. Internal consistency
    was acceptable for knowledge (KR20=0.70), attitude (CA=0.72) and practice (CA=0.73).
    Test-retest reliability intra-class correlation coefficients for knowledge, attitude and practice
    domains were 0.80, 0.78 and 0.79 (p
    MeSH terms: Whole Grains; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Humans; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Rotation; Solutions; Reproducibility of Results; Knowledge
  9. Assadian M, Jafari H, Ghaffari Shahri SM, Idris MH, Almasi D
    Biomed Mater Eng, 2016 Aug 12;27(2-3):287-303.
    PMID: 27567782 DOI: 10.3233/BME-161585
    In this study, different types of calcium-phosphate phases were coated on NaOH pre-treated pure magnesium. The coating was applied by electrodeposition method in order to provide higher corrosion resistance and improve biocompatibility for magnesium. Thickness, surface morphology and topography of the coatings were analyzed using optical, scanning electron and atomic-force microscopies, respectively. Composition and chemical bonding, crystalline structures and wettability of the coatings were characterized using energy-dispersive and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and contact angle measurement, respectively. Degradation behavior of the coated specimens was also investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and immersion tests. The experiments proved the presence of a porous coating dominated by dicalcium-phosphate dehydrate on the specimens. It was also verified that the developed hydroxyapatite was crystallized by alkali post-treatment. Addition of supplemental fluoride to the coating electrolyte resulted in stable and highly crystallized structures of fluoridated hydroxyapatite. The coatings were found effective to improve biocompatibility combined with corrosion resistance of the specimens. Noticeably, the fluoride supplemented layer was efficient in lowering corrosion rate and increasing surface roughness of the specimens compared to hydroxyapatite and dicalcium-phosphate dehydrates layers.
  10. Lim FT, Ogawa S, Parhar IS
    Brain Res, 2016 11 01;1650:60-72.
    PMID: 27568467 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.08.033
    Injury to neuronal tissues in the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals results in neural degeneration and sometime leads to loss of function, whereas fish retain a remarkable potential for neuro-regeneration throughout life. Thus, understanding the mechanism of neuro-regeneration in fish CNS would be useful to improve the poor neuro-regenerative capability in mammals. In the present study, we characterized a neuro-regenerative process in the brain of a cichlid, tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Morphological observations showed that the damaged brain region (habenula) successfully regrew and reinnervated axonal projections by 60 days post-damage. A fluorescent carbocyanine tracer, DiI tracing revealed a recovery of the major neuronal projection from the regenerated habenula to the interpenduncular nucleus by 60 days post-damage. TUNEL assay showed a significant increase of apoptotic cells (~234%, P<0.01) at one day post-damage, while the number of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive proliferative cells were significantly increased (~92%, P<0.05) at 7 days post-damage compared with sham-control fish. To demonstrate a potential role of apoptotic activity in the neuro-regeneration, effects of degenerative neural tissue on cell proliferation were examined in vivo. Implantation of detached neural but not non-neural tissues into the cranial cavity significantly (P<0.01) increased the number of BrdU-positive cells nearby the implantation regions at 3 days after the implantation. Furthermore, local injection of the protein extract and cerebrospinal fluid collected from injured fish brain significantly induced cell proliferation in the brain. These results suggest that factor(s) derived from apoptotic neural cells may play a critical role in the neuro-regeneration in teleost brain.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Axons/metabolism; Brain/physiology; Brain Injuries/metabolism*; Brain Injuries/physiopathology; Brain Injuries/therapy; Bromodeoxyuridine/metabolism; Nerve Regeneration/physiology*; Neurons/metabolism; Apoptosis/physiology; Tilapia/metabolism; Tilapia/physiology*; Cell Proliferation/physiology
  11. Liew SQ, Ngoh GC, Yusoff R, Teoh WH
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2016 Dec;93(Pt A):426-435.
    PMID: 27565298 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.08.065
    This study aims to optimize sequential ultrasound-microwave assisted extraction (UMAE) on pomelo peel using citric acid. The effects of pH, sonication time, microwave power and irradiation time on the yield and the degree of esterification (DE) of pectin were investigated. Under optimized conditions of pH 1.80, 27.52min sonication followed by 6.40min microwave irradiation at 643.44W, the yield and the DE value of pectin obtained was respectively at 38.00% and 56.88%. Based upon optimized UMAE condition, the pectin from microwave-ultrasound assisted extraction (MUAE), ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) were studied. The yield of pectin adopting the UMAE was higher than all other techniques in the order of UMAE>MUAE>MAE>UAE. The pectin's galacturonic acid content obtained from combined extraction technique is higher than that obtained from sole extraction technique and the pectin gel produced from various techniques exhibited a pseudoplastic behaviour. The morphological structures of pectin extracted from MUAE and MAE closely resemble each other. The extracted pectin from UMAE with smaller and more regular surface differs greatly from that of UAE. This has substantiated the highest pectin yield of 36.33% from UMAE and further signified their compatibility and potentiality in pectin extraction.
    MeSH terms: Ultrasonic Waves*; Citrus/chemistry*; Fruit/chemistry*; Microwaves*; Pectins/isolation & purification*; Pectins/chemistry*
  12. Goh LC, Santhi K, Arvin B, Mohd Razif MY
    BMJ Case Rep, 2016 Aug 26;2016.
    PMID: 27566213 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2016-216676
    An acquired persistent tracheopharyngeal fistula secondary to an infected tracheopharyngeal voice prosthesis is a common cause of recurrent aspiration pneumonia in a postlaryngectomy patient. We report a case of a successfully treated tracheopharyngeal fistula whereby both the sternocleidomastoid muscles were used as muscular flaps to close the defect and its outcome.
    MeSH terms: Fistula/surgery*; Humans; Larynx, Artificial/adverse effects*; Male; Middle Aged; Pharyngeal Diseases/etiology; Pharyngeal Diseases/surgery*; Surgical Flaps*; Tracheal Diseases/etiology; Tracheal Diseases/surgery*
  13. Khoo LS, Hasmi AH, Mahmood MS, Vanezis P
    Forensic Sci Int, 2016 Sep;266:e4-e9.
    PMID: 27567043 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.08.019
    An underwater disaster can be declared when a maritime accident occurred or when an aircraft is plunged into water area, be it ocean, sea or river. Nevertheless, handling of human remains in an underwater recovery operation is often a difficult and demanding task as working conditions may be challenging with poor to no visibility, location of remains at considerable depths and associated hazards from surrounding water. A case of the recent helicopter crash, into a famous river in Sarawak, domiciled by huge crocodiles, is discussed in this paper. Search and recovery team as well as the combat divers from the Special Elite Troop Commando, known as VAT 69, were deployed to the scene to perform the underwater recovery to search for all the victims on board involving five Malaysians with a pilot of Philippines nationality. This paper highlights the limitations and challenges faced during the underwater search and recovery. All the bodies recovered were in moderate decomposition stage with crushed injuries and mutilated face and body. A simple and conventional fingerprint technique were used to record the fingerprint. The prints impressions were later photographed using a smartphone and transferred back to the RMP headquarters in Kuala Lumpur for fingerprint match by using WhatsApp Messenger, a phone application. All the first five victims were identified within an average of 10min. The last victim recovered was the pilot. For foreign nationals, the Immigration Department of Malaysia will record the prints of both index fingers only. The lifting of the fingerprint of the last victim was the most challenging in which only one index finger left that can be used for comparison. A few techniques were attempted using the black printer's ink, glass and tape techniques for the last victim. Subsequently, images of the prints impression were taken using the same smartphone with additional macro lens attached to it to enhance the resolution. The images were transferred to the RMP headquarters through WhatsApp Messenger. The prints were confirmed to be the pilot 20min later.
    MeSH terms: Accidents; Smartphone; Aircraft; Alligators and Crocodiles; Animals; Disasters; Emigration and Immigration; Ethnic Groups; Humans; Ink; Lenses; Malaysia; Oceans and Seas; Philippines; Water; Lifting; Rivers; Pilots; Body Remains
  14. Miller V, Yusuf S, Chow CK, Dehghan M, Corsi DJ, Lock K, et al.
    Lancet Glob Health, 2016 10;4(10):e695-703.
    PMID: 27567348 DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(16)30186-3
    BACKGROUND: Several international guidelines recommend the consumption of two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables per day, but their intake is thought to be low worldwide. We aimed to determine the extent to which such low intake is related to availability and affordability.

    METHODS: We assessed fruit and vegetable consumption using data from country-specific, validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, which enrolled participants from communities in 18 countries between Jan 1, 2003, and Dec 31, 2013. We documented household income data from participants in these communities; we also recorded the diversity and non-sale prices of fruits and vegetables from grocery stores and market places between Jan 1, 2009, and Dec 31, 2013. We determined the cost of fruits and vegetables relative to income per household member. Linear random effects models, adjusting for the clustering of households within communities, were used to assess mean fruit and vegetable intake by their relative cost.

    FINDINGS: Of 143 305 participants who reported plausible energy intake in the food frequency questionnaire, mean fruit and vegetable intake was 3·76 servings (95% CI 3·66-3·86) per day. Mean daily consumption was 2·14 servings (1·93-2·36) in low-income countries (LICs), 3·17 servings (2·99-3·35) in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), 4·31 servings (4·09-4·53) in upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), and 5·42 servings (5·13-5·71) in high-income countries (HICs). In 130 402 participants who had household income data available, the cost of two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables per day per individual accounted for 51·97% (95% CI 46·06-57·88) of household income in LICs, 18·10% (14·53-21·68) in LMICs, 15·87% (11·51-20·23) in UMICs, and 1·85% (-3·90 to 7·59) in HICs (ptrend=0·0001). In all regions, a higher percentage of income to meet the guidelines was required in rural areas than in urban areas (p<0·0001 for each pairwise comparison). Fruit and vegetable consumption among individuals decreased as the relative cost increased (ptrend=0·00040).

    INTERPRETATION: The consumption of fruit and vegetables is low worldwide, particularly in LICs, and this is associated with low affordability. Policies worldwide should enhance the availability and affordability of fruits and vegetables.

    FUNDING: Population Health Research Institute, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, AstraZeneca (Canada), Sanofi-Aventis (France and Canada), Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany and Canada), Servier, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, King Pharma, and national or local organisations in participating countries.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Costs and Cost Analysis*; Developing Countries*; Diet/economics*; Diet Surveys; Family Characteristics; Feeding Behavior*; Female; Food Supply/economics*; Fruit; Humans; Income; Male; Middle Aged; Poverty*; Prospective Studies; Rural Population; Social Class; Urban Population; Vegetables; Nutrition Policy/economics; Developed Countries*
  15. Islam A, Islam N, Bharati P, Aik S, Hossain G
    BMC Womens Health, 2016;16:58.
    PMID: 27561311 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-016-0338-y
    Early childbearing influences women's health. This study aims to examine the effects of socio-demographic factors on nutritional status of early childbearing mothers in Bangladesh based on Body Mass Index (BMI) as the indicator.
  16. Azmy MM, Hashim M, Numata S, Hosaka T, Noor NS, Fletcher C
    Sci Rep, 2016 08 26;6:32329.
    PMID: 27561887 DOI: 10.1038/srep32329
    General flowering (GF) is a unique phenomenon wherein, at irregular intervals, taxonomically diverse trees in Southeast Asian dipterocarp forests synchronize their reproduction at the community level. Triggers of GF, including drought and low minimum temperatures a few months previously has been limitedly observed across large regional scales due to lack of meteorological stations. Here, we aim to identify the climatic conditions that trigger large-scale GF in Peninsular Malaysia using satellite sensors, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), to evaluate the climatic conditions of focal forests. We observed antecedent drought, low temperature and high photosynthetic radiation conditions before large-scale GF events, suggesting that large-scale GF events could be triggered by these factors. In contrast, we found higher-magnitude GF in forests where lower precipitation preceded large-scale GF events. GF magnitude was also negatively influenced by land surface temperature (LST) for a large-scale GF event. Therefore, we suggest that spatial extent of drought may be related to that of GF forests, and that the spatial pattern of LST may be related to that of GF occurrence. With significant new findings and other results that were consistent with previous research we clarified complicated environmental correlates with the GF phenomenon.
    MeSH terms: Cold Temperature; Malaysia; Temperature; Trees; Droughts; Meteorology; Satellite Imagery; Forests
  17. Jaafar SH, Ho JJ, Lee KS
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2016 Aug 26;2016(8):CD006641.
    PMID: 27562563 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006641.pub3
    BACKGROUND: Mother-infant proximity and interactions after birth and during the early postpartum period are important for breast-milk production and breastfeeding success. Rooming-in and separate care are both traditional practices. Rooming-in involves keeping the mother and the baby together in the same room after birth for the duration of hospitalisation, whereas separate care is keeping the baby in the hospital nursery and the baby is either brought to the mother for breastfeeding or she walks to the nursery.

    OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of mother-infant rooming-in versus separation on the duration of breastfeeding (exclusive and total duration of breastfeeding).

    SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 May 2016) and reference lists of retrieved studies.

    SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effect of mother-infant rooming-in versus separate care after hospital birth or at home on the duration of breastfeeding, proportion of breastfeeding at six months and adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes.

    DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed the studies for inclusion and assessed trial quality. Two review authors extracted data. Data were checked for accuracy. We assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach.

    MAIN RESULTS: We included one trial (involving 176 women) in this review. This trial included four groups with a factorial design. The factorial design took into account two factors, i.e. infant location in relation to the mother and the type of infant apparel. We combined three of the groups as the intervention (rooming-in) group and the fourth group acted as the control (separate care) and we analysed the results as a single pair-wise comparison. Primary outcomesThe primary outcome, duration of any breastfeeding, was reported by authors as median values because the distribution was found to be skewed. They reported the overall median duration of any breastfeeding to be four months, with no difference found between groups. Duration of exclusive breastfeeding and the proportion of infants being exclusively breastfed at six months of age was not reported in the trial. There was no difference found between the two groups in the proportion of infants receiving any breastfeeding at six months of age (risk ratio (RR) 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 to 1.39; one trial; 137 women; low-quality evidence). Secondary outcomesThe mean frequency of breastfeeds per day on day four postpartum for the rooming-in group was 8.3 (standard deviation (SD) 2.2), slightly higher than the separate care group, i.e. seven times per day. However, between-group comparison of this outcome was not appropriate since every infant in the separate care group was breastfed at a fixed schedule of seven times per day (SD = 0) resulting in no estimable comparison. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding on day four postpartum before discharge from hospital was significantly higher in the rooming-in group 86% (99 of 115) compared with separate care group, 45% (17 of 38), (RR 1.92; 95% CI 1.34 to 2.76; one trial, 153 women; low-quality evidence). None of our other pre-specified secondary outcomes were reported.

    AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found little evidence to support or refute the practice of rooming-in versus mother-infant separation. Further well-designed RCTs to investigate full mother-infant rooming-in versus partial rooming-in or separate care including all important outcomes are needed.

    MeSH terms: Breast Feeding/statistics & numerical data*; Female; Humans; Infant Care/methods*; Infant, Newborn; Nurseries, Hospital*; Postnatal Care/methods*; Rooming-in Care/methods*; Time Factors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  18. Ooi MK, Gan HM, Rohani A, Syed Hassan S
    Genome Announc, 2016;4(4).
    PMID: 27563048 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00876-16
    Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a chikungunya virus coinfection strain isolated from a dengue virus serotype 2-infected patient in Malaysia. This coinfection strain was determined to be of the Asian genotype and contains a novel insertion in the nsP3 gene.
    MeSH terms: Chikungunya virus; Dengue Virus; Genotype; Humans; Malaysia; Coinfection; Serogroup
  19. Western JS, Dicksit DD
    J Conserv Dent, 2016 Jul-Aug;19(4):343-6.
    PMID: 27563183 DOI: 10.4103/0972-0707.186457
    AIM OF THIS STUDY: The aim was to evaluate the efficiency of different sterilization methods on extracted human teeth (EHT) by a systematic review of in vitro randomized controlled trials.
    METHODOLOGY: An extensive electronic database literature search concerning the sterilization of EHT was conducted. The search terms used were "human teeth, sterilization, disinfection, randomized controlled trials, and infection control." Randomized controlled trials which aim at comparing the efficiency of different methods of sterilization of EHT were all included in this systematic review.
    RESULTS: Out of 1618 articles obtained, eight articles were selected for this systematic review. The sterilization methods reviewed were autoclaving, 10% formalin, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, 3% hydrogen peroxide, 2% glutaraldehyde, 0.1% thymol, and boiling to 100°C. Data were extracted from the selected individual studies and their findings were summarized.
    CONCLUSION: Autoclaving and 10% formalin can be considered as 100% efficient and reliable methods. While the use of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, 3% hydrogen peroxide, 2% glutaraldehyde, 0.1% thymol, and boiling to 100°C was inefficient and unreliable methods of sterilization of EHT.
    KEYWORDS: Autoclaving; extracted human teeth; formalin; sterilization methods; systematic review
    MeSH terms: Humans; Sterilization; Tooth Extraction; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  20. Manaharan T, Thirugnanasampandan R, Jayakumar R, Kanthimathi MS, Ramya G, Ramnath MG
    Pharmacogn Mag, 2016 May;12(Suppl 3):S327-31.
    PMID: 27563220 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1296.185738
    Essential oil of Ocimum sanctum Linn. exhibited various pharmacological activities including antifungal and antimicrobial activities. In this study, we analyzed the anticancer and apoptosis mechanisms of Ocimum sanctum essential oil (OSEO).
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