Browse publications by year: 2016

Fulltext Factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice related to hepatitis B and C among international students of Universiti Putra Malaysia

Ahmad A, Munn Sann L, Abdul Rahman H

BMC Public Health, 2016 07 21;16:611.
PMID: 27443276 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3188-5

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of hepatitis B and C has been reported to be low among respondents in different studies. We conducted a cross-sectional study among international students of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to ascertain their levels of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding hepatitis B and C and its associated factors.
METHODS: Six hundred and sixty two (662) international students participated in this study. A cluster sampling method was employed and data was generated using self-administered questionnaire, which was validated and its reliability checked.
RESULTS: Normality test was conducted followed by descriptive statistics, spearman's correlation and Chi-square tests to explore associations between variables in the study. The response rate was 71.49 %. Of these, 50.3 % of the respondents had better knowledge of hepatitis B; 52.7 % had better knowledge of hepatitis C; 54.8 % had positive attitude towards hepatitis B and C and 77.6 % had safer practices towards hepatitis B and C. Positive correlations were found between knowledge of hepatitis B and knowledge of hepatitis C; knowledge hepatitis B and attitude; knowledge hepatitis C and attitude; knowledge hepatitis B and practice; knowledge hepatitis C and practice; and attitude and practice regarding hepatitis B and C. Similarly, some socio-demographic variables and history of hepatitis were found to be associated with knowledge, attitude and practice related to hepatitis B and C.
CONCLUSION: The levels of knowledge and attitude towards hepatitis B and C were low among respondents but majority of them exhibited safe practices. The study level, faculty, age, nationality, marital status and gender of the respondents were significantly associated with their levels of knowledge, attitude and practices towards the disease. These findings imply that there is need for hepatitis health promotion among the international students of UPM and possibly other international students across the globe. It will serve to improve their levels of knowledge, attitude and practices in short term and get them protected against the disease in the long run.

MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hepatitis B/etiology; Hepatitis B/psychology*; Hepatitis C/etiology; Hepatitis C/psychology*; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Students/psychology*; Internationality*
Fulltext Fixed-dose combination antibiotics in India: global perspectives

Ahmad A, Khan MU, Balkrishnan R

Lancet Glob Health, 2016 08;4(8):e521.
PMID: 27443777 DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(16)30093-6
MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage*; Drug Combinations; Humans; India; Legislation, Drug*; Public Health
Re-emergence of genotype G9 during a five-and-a-half-year period in Turkish children with rotavirus diarrhea

Bozdayi G, Altay A, Yahiro T, Ahmed S, Meral M, Dogan B, et al.

Arch Virol, 2016 Oct;161(10):2879-84.
PMID: 27444180 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-2986-5

This study was done to understand the dynamics of rotavirus genotype distribution in Turkish children. Samples were collected from January 2006 through August 2011 from children at a hospital in Ankara. Rotavirus was detected in 28 % (241/889) of the samples. Genotype G9P[8] was predominant (28 %), followed by G1P[8] (16.3 %) and G2P[8] (15.9 %). G9 was absent in the samples from 2006 and 2007 and then re-emerged in 2008 and increased gradually. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Turkish G9 rotaviruses of the present study formed a sublineage with strains from Italy and Ethiopia, possibly indicating spread of a clone in these countries.

MeSH terms: Child, Preschool; Diarrhea/epidemiology*; Diarrhea/virology; Female; Genotype*; Hospitals; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Phylogeny; Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology*; Rotavirus Infections/virology; Rotavirus/classification*; Rotavirus/genetics*; Rotavirus/isolation & purification; Turkey/epidemiology; Molecular Epidemiology
Construction of DNA nanotubes with controllable diameters and patterns using hierarchical DNA sub-tiles

Shi X, Wu X, Song T, Li X

Nanoscale, 2016 Jul 22.
PMID: 27444699

The design of DNA nanotubes is a promising and hot research branch in structural DNA nanotechnology, which is rapidly developing as a versatile method for achieving subtle nanometer scale materials and molecular diagnostic/curative devices. Multifarious methods have been proposed to achieve varied DNA nanotubes, such as using square tiles and single-stranded tiles, but it is still a challenge to develop a bottom-up assembly way to build DNA nanotubes with different diameters and patterns using certain universal DNA nanostructures. This work addresses the challenge by assembling three types of spatial DNA nanotubes with different diameters and patterns from the so-called "basic bricks", i.e., hierarchical DNA sub-tiles. A high processing rate and throughput synthesis of DNA nanotubes are observed and analyzed by atomic force microscopy. Experimental observations and data analysis suggests the stability and controllability of DNA nanotubes assembled by hierarchical DNA sub-tiles.
Fulltext Avian Test Battery for the Evaluation of Developmental Abnormalities of Neuro- and Reproductive Systems

Kawashima T, Ahmed WM, Nagino K, Ubuka T, Tsutsui K

Front Neurosci, 2016;10:296.
PMID: 27445667 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00296

Most of the currently used toxicity assays for environmental chemicals use acute or chronic systemic or reproductive toxicity endpoints rather than neurobehavioral endpoints. In addition, the current standard approaches to assess reproductive toxicity are time-consuming. Therefore, with increasing numbers of chemicals being developed with potentially harmful neurobehavioral effects in higher vertebrates, including humans, more efficient means of assessing neuro- and reproductive toxicity are required. Here we discuss the use of a Galliformes-based avian test battery in which developmental toxicity is assessed by means of a combination of chemical exposure during early embryonic development using an embryo culture system followed by analyses after hatching of sociosexual behaviors such as aggression and mating and of visual memory via filial imprinting. This Galliformes-based avian test battery shows promise as a sophisticated means not only of assessing chemical toxicity in avian species but also of assessing the risks posed to higher vertebrates, including humans, which are markedly sensitive to nervous or neuroendocrine system dysfunction.
Fulltext Cydonia oblonga M., A Medicinal Plant Rich in Phytonutrients for Pharmaceuticals

Ashraf MU, Muhammad G, Hussain MA, Bukhari SN

Front Pharmacol, 2016;7:163.
PMID: 27445806 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00163

Cydonia oblonga M. is a medicinal plant of family Rosaceae which is used to prevent or treat several ailments such as cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, ulcer, respiratory, and urinary infections, etc. Cydonia oblonga commonly known as Quince is rich in useful secondary metabolites such as phenolics, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, sugars, organic acids, and glycosides. A wide range of pharmacological activities like antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, antidepressant, antidiarrheal, hypolipidemic, diuretic, and hypoglycemic have been ascribed to various parts of C. oblonga. The polysaccharide mucilage, glucuronoxylan extruded from seeds of C. oblonga is used in dermal patches to heal wounds. This review focuses on detailed investigations of high-valued phytochemicals as well as pharmacological and phytomedicinal attributes of the plant.
Fulltext Anti-Cancer Properties of the Naturally Occurring Aphrodisiacs: Icariin and Its Derivatives

Tan HL, Chan KG, Pusparajah P, Saokaew S, Duangjai A, Lee LH, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2016;7:191.
PMID: 27445824 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00191

Epimedium (family Berberidaceae), commonly known as Horny Goat Weed or Yin Yang Huo, is commonly used as a tonic, aphrodisiac, anti-rheumatic and anti-cancer agent in traditional herbal formulations in Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea. The major bioactive compounds present within this plant include icariin, icaritin and icariside II. Although it is best known for its aphrodisiac properties, scientific and pharmacological studies suggest it possesses broad therapeutic capabilities, especially for enhancing reproductive function and osteoprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective effects. In recent years, there has been great interest in scientific investigation of the purported anti-cancer properties of icariin and its derivatives. Data from in vitro and in vivo studies suggests these compounds demonstrate anti-cancer activity against a wide range of cancer cells which occurs through various mechanisms such as apoptosis, cell cycle modulation, anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastasis and immunomodulation. Of note, they are efficient at targeting cancer stem cells and drug-resistant cancer cells. These are highly desirable properties to be emulated in the development of novel anti-cancer drugs in combatting the emergence of drug resistance and overcoming the limited efficacy of current standard treatment. This review aims to summarize the anti-cancer mechanisms of icariin and its derivatives with reference to the published literature. The currently utilized applications of icariin and its derivatives in cancer treatment are explored with reference to existing patents. Based on the data compiled, icariin and its derivatives are shown to be compounds with tremendous potential for the development of new anti-cancer drugs.

MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents; Aphrodisiacs; Asia; China; Drug Resistance; Flavonoids; Goats; Japan; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Yin-Yang; Apoptosis; Berberidaceae; Epimedium; Immunomodulation; Republic of Korea; Cell Cycle Checkpoints
Fulltext Non-tenera Contamination and the Economic Impact of SHELL Genetic Testing in the Malaysian Independent Oil Palm Industry

Ooi LC, Low ET, Abdullah MO, Nookiah R, Ting NC, Nagappan J, et al.

Front Plant Sci, 2016;7:771.
PMID: 27446094 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00771

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is the most productive oil bearing crop worldwide. It has three fruit forms, namely dura (thick-shelled), pisifera (shell-less) and tenera (thin-shelled), which are controlled by the SHELL gene. The fruit forms exhibit monogenic co-dominant inheritance, where tenera is a hybrid obtained by crossing maternal dura and paternal pisifera palms. Commercial palm oil production is based on planting thin-shelled tenera palms, which typically yield 30% more oil than dura palms, while pisifera palms are female-sterile and have little to no palm oil yield. It is clear that tenera hybrids produce more oil than either parent due to single gene heterosis. The unintentional planting of dura or pisifera palms reduces overall yield and impacts land utilization that would otherwise be devoted to more productive tenera palms. Here, we identify three additional novel mutant alleles of the SHELL gene, which encode a type II MADS-box transcription factor, and determine oil yield via control of shell fruit form phenotype in a manner similar to two previously identified mutant SHELL alleles. Assays encompassing all five mutations account for all dura and pisifera palms analyzed. By assaying for these variants in 10,224 mature palms or seedlings, we report the first large scale accurate genotype-based determination of the fruit forms in independent oil palm planting sites and in the nurseries that supply them throughout Malaysia. The measured non-tenera contamination rate (10.9% overall on a weighted average basis) underscores the importance of SHELL genetic testing of seedlings prior to planting in production fields. By eliminating non-tenera contamination, comprehensive SHELL genetic testing can improve sustainability by increasing yield on existing planted lands. In addition, economic modeling demonstrates that SHELL gene testing will confer substantial annual economic gains to the oil palm industry, to Malaysian gross national income and to Malaysian government tax receipts.

MeSH terms: Alleles; Female; Fruit; Genetic Testing; Genotype; Government; Humans; Hybrid Vigor; Infant; Malaysia; Mutation; Phenotype; Transcription Factors; Arecaceae; Seedlings
Fulltext PlantFuncSSR: Integrating First and Next Generation Transcriptomics for Mining of SSR-Functional Domains Markers

Sablok G, Pérez-Pulido AJ, Do T, Seong TY, Casimiro-Soriguer CS, La Porta N, et al.

Front Plant Sci, 2016;7:878.
PMID: 27446111 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00878

Analysis of repetitive DNA sequence content and divergence among the repetitive functional classes is a well-accepted approach for estimation of inter- and intra-generic differences in plant genomes. Among these elements, microsatellites, or Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs), have been widely demonstrated as powerful genetic markers for species and varieties discrimination. We present PlantFuncSSRs platform having more than 364 plant species with more than 2 million functional SSRs. They are provided with detailed annotations for easy functional browsing of SSRs and with information on primer pairs and associated functional domains. PlantFuncSSRs can be leveraged to identify functional-based genic variability among the species of interest, which might be of particular interest in developing functional markers in plants. This comprehensive on-line portal unifies mining of SSRs from first and next generation sequencing datasets, corresponding primer pairs and associated in-depth functional annotation such as gene ontology annotation, gene interactions and its identification from reference protein databases. PlantFuncSSRs is freely accessible at: http://www.bioinfocabd.upo.es/plantssr.

MeSH terms: Genetic Markers; Software; Genome, Plant; Microsatellite Repeats; Databases, Protein; Molecular Sequence Annotation; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Gene Ontology
Fulltext ASPP2 deficiency causes features of 1q41q42 microdeletion syndrome

Zak J, Vives V, Szumska D, Vernet A, Schneider JE, Miller P, et al.

Cell Death Differ, 2016 Dec;23(12):1973-1984.
PMID: 27447114 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2016.76

Chromosomal abnormalities are implicated in a substantial number of human developmental syndromes, but for many such disorders little is known about the causative genes. The recently described 1q41q42 microdeletion syndrome is characterized by characteristic dysmorphic features, intellectual disability and brain morphological abnormalities, but the precise genetic basis for these abnormalities remains unknown. Here, our detailed analysis of the genetic abnormalities of 1q41q42 microdeletion cases identified TP53BP2, which encodes apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 2 (ASPP2), as a candidate gene for brain abnormalities. Consistent with this, Trp53bp2-deficient mice show dilation of lateral ventricles resembling the phenotype of 1q41q42 microdeletion patients. Trp53bp2 deficiency causes 100% neonatal lethality in the C57BL/6 background associated with a high incidence of neural tube defects and a range of developmental abnormalities such as congenital heart defects, coloboma, microphthalmia, urogenital and craniofacial abnormalities. Interestingly, abnormalities show a high degree of overlap with 1q41q42 microdeletion-associated abnormalities. These findings identify TP53BP2 as a strong candidate causative gene for central nervous system (CNS) defects in 1q41q42 microdeletion syndrome, and open new avenues for investigation of the mechanisms underlying CNS abnormalities.

MeSH terms: Animals; Brain/abnormalities; Brain/pathology; Chromosome Deletion*; Embryo, Mammalian/abnormalities; Embryo, Mammalian/pathology; Female; Heart Ventricles/abnormalities; Heart Ventricles/pathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neural Tube Defects/pathology; Phenotype; Syndrome; Gene Deletion; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/deficiency*; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/deficiency*; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/metabolism
Fulltext Estimation of Electrically-Evoked Knee Torque from Mechanomyography Using Support Vector Regression

Ibitoye MO, Hamzaid NA, Abdul Wahab AK, Hasnan N, Olatunji SO, Davis GM

Sensors (Basel), 2016 Jul 19;16(7).
PMID: 27447638 DOI: 10.3390/s16071115

The difficulty of real-time muscle force or joint torque estimation during neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in physical therapy and exercise science has motivated recent research interest in torque estimation from other muscle characteristics. This study investigated the accuracy of a computational intelligence technique for estimating NMES-evoked knee extension torque based on the Mechanomyographic signals (MMG) of contracting muscles that were recorded from eight healthy males. Simulation of the knee torque was modelled via Support Vector Regression (SVR) due to its good generalization ability in related fields. Inputs to the proposed model were MMG amplitude characteristics, the level of electrical stimulation or contraction intensity, and knee angle. Gaussian kernel function, as well as its optimal parameters were identified with the best performance measure and were applied as the SVR kernel function to build an effective knee torque estimation model. To train and test the model, the data were partitioned into training (70%) and testing (30%) subsets, respectively. The SVR estimation accuracy, based on the coefficient of determination (R²) between the actual and the estimated torque values was up to 94% and 89% during the training and testing cases, with root mean square errors (RMSE) of 9.48 and 12.95, respectively. The knee torque estimations obtained using SVR modelling agreed well with the experimental data from an isokinetic dynamometer. These findings support the realization of a closed-loop NMES system for functional tasks using MMG as the feedback signal source and an SVR algorithm for joint torque estimation.

MeSH terms: Artificial Intelligence; Electric Stimulation; Humans; Knee; Knee Joint; Male; Muscle Contraction; Torque; Physical Therapy Modalities
Fulltext The Evaluation of Physical Stillness with Wearable Chest and Arm Accelerometer during Chan Ding Practice

Chang KM, Chun YT, Chen SH, Lu L, Su HT, Liang HM, et al.

Sensors (Basel), 2016 Jul 20;16(7).
PMID: 27447641 DOI: 10.3390/s16071126

Chan Ding training is beneficial to health and emotional wellbeing. More and more people have taken up this practice over the past few years. A major training method of Chan Ding is to focus on the ten Mailuns, i.e., energy points, and to maintain physical stillness. In this article, wireless wearable accelerometers were used to detect physical stillness, and the created physical stillness index (PSI) was also shown. Ninety college students participated in this study. Primarily, accelerometers used on the arms and chest were examined. The results showed that the PSI values on the arms were higher than that of the chest, when participants moved their bodies in three different ways, left-right, anterior-posterior, and hand, movements with natural breathing. Then, they were divided into three groups to practice Chan Ding for approximately thirty minutes. Participants without any Chan Ding experience were in Group I. Participants with one year of Chan Ding experience were in Group II, and participants with over three year of experience were in Group III. The Chinese Happiness Inventory (CHI) was also conducted. Results showed that the PSI of the three groups measured during 20-30 min were 0.123 ± 0.155, 0.012 ± 0.013, and 0.001 ± 0.0003, respectively (p < 0.001 ***). The averaged CHI scores of the three groups were 10.13, 17.17, and 25.53, respectively (p < 0.001 ***). Correlation coefficients between PSI and CHI of the three groups were -0.440, -0.369, and -0.537, respectively (p < 0.01 **). PSI value and the wearable accelerometer that are presently available on the market could be used to evaluate the quality of the physical stillness of the participants during Chan Ding practice.

MeSH terms: Arm*; Humans; Mental Health; Thorax*; Biosensing Techniques/methods*; Monitoring, Ambulatory/methods*; Accelerometry/methods*
Fulltext Techniques for Interface Stress Measurements within Prosthetic Sockets of Transtibial Amputees: A Review of the Past 50 Years of Research

Al-Fakih EA, Abu Osman NA, Mahmad Adikan FR

Sensors (Basel), 2016 Jul 20;16(7).
PMID: 27447646 DOI: 10.3390/s16071119

The distribution of interface stresses between the residual limb and prosthetic socket of a transtibial amputee has been considered as a direct indicator of the socket quality fit and comfort. Therefore, researchers have been very interested in quantifying these interface stresses in order to evaluate the extent of any potential damage caused by the socket to the residual limb tissues. During the past 50 years a variety of measurement techniques have been employed in an effort to identify sites of excessive stresses which may lead to skin breakdown, compare stress distributions in various socket designs, and evaluate interface cushioning and suspension systems, among others. The outcomes of such measurement techniques have contributed to improving the design and fitting of transtibial sockets. This article aims to review the operating principles, advantages, and disadvantages of conventional and emerging techniques used for interface stress measurements inside transtibial sockets. It also reviews and discusses the evolution of different socket concepts and interface stress investigations conducted in the past five decades, providing valuable insights into the latest trends in socket designs and the crucial considerations for effective stress measurement tools that lead to a functional prosthetic socket.

MeSH terms: Amputation Stumps; Amputees*; Artificial Limbs*; Biomechanical Phenomena; Humans; Prosthesis Design; Stress, Mechanical
Fulltext Shisha Smoking Practices, Use Reasons, Attitudes, Health Effects and Intentions to Quit among Shisha Smokers in Malaysia

Wong LP, Alias H, Aghamohammadi N, Aghazadeh S, Hoe VC

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2016 07 19;13(7).
PMID: 27447655 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13070726

Despite its popularity, shisha smoking practices, reasons for its use, attitudes, detrimental health effects and intention to quit among shisha users in Malaysia have never been investigated. A total of 503 shisha users responded to a cross-sectional study conducted between July 2015 and March 2016. The majority of users were young people aged 21-30; a small minority were underage. The reasons for shisha use were its growing popularity as a favourite pastime activity and the perception of shisha use as cool and trendy. Just over half (57.3%) agree that shisha use exposes the smoker to large amounts of smoke and the majority were unsure about the health risks of shisha smoking compared to tobacco smoking. The three most common detrimental health effects reported by the study respondents were dry throat, headache and nausea. Regular shisha users have significantly higher detrimental health effects compared to no-regular shisha users. Shisha users with a duration of smoking of 6-12 months (odds ratio (OR) 3.212; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.651-6.248) and 6 months and below (OR 2.601; 95% CI 1.475-4.584) were significantly more likely to have a higher proportion who intend quitting smoking than shisha users of more than 12 months duration.

MeSH terms: Adult; Attitude; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Smoking/adverse effects; Smoking/psychology*; Tobacco; Tobacco Use Disorder; Odds Ratio; Smoking Cessation/psychology; Intention; Young Adult
Fulltext Assessment of Risk and Sero-Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Colonization among Remote Orang Asli Tribes in Peninsula Malaysia

Thevakumar K, Chandren JR, Perez-Perez GI, Chua EG, Teh LK, Salleh MZ, et al.

PLoS One, 2016;11(7):e0159830.
PMID: 27441568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159830

The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is related to human poverty with marked differences between developing and developed countries. Socioeconomic factors and living standards are the main determinants of the age-dependent acquisition rate of H. pylori, and consequently its prevalence. The aim of this study was to assess the risk and sero-prevalence of H. pylori colonization among Orang Asli in Peninsula Malaysia. This cross-sectional study was conducted on Orang Asli subjects in seven isolated settlements spanning across all three major tribes (Negrito, Proto Malay and Senoi) in Malaysia. Socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects were obtained through interview. Subjects were tested for H. pylori colonization based on CagA and whole cell (WC) antigen serological assays. A total of 275 subjects participated in this study. Among these subjects, 115 (44.7%) were H. pylori sero-positive with highest sero-prevalence among Negrito (65.7%). Among subjects who were H. pylori sero-positive, CagA sero positivity was also significantly higher among Negrito. The highest proportion of respondents reported to be H. pylori sero-positive was from age group 30 years old and below (57.9%), males (56.2%), Negrito (48.6%) and live in bamboo house (92.3%). The highest proportion of respondents reported to be CagA sero-positive was from age group 30 years old and below (41.4%), males (35.6%) and Negrito (48.6%). The results of this study demonstrate that H. pylori colonization can be related to age, gender, tribes and house materials and CagA sero-positive stain closely associated with age, gender and tribes.

MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Geography; Humans; Life Style; Malaysia/ethnology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Phenotype; Socioeconomic Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Helicobacter pylori*; Helicobacter Infections/diagnosis; Helicobacter Infections/microbiology*; Helicobacter Infections/epidemiology*; Risk Assessment; Asian Continental Ancestry Group*; Young Adult
Synthesis and in vitro acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory potential of hydrazide based Schiff bases

Rahim F, Ullah H, Taha M, Wadood A, Javed MT, Rehman W, et al.

Bioorg Chem, 2016 10;68:30-40.
PMID: 27441832 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2016.07.005

To discover multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, a series of hydrazide based Schiff bases were designed and synthesized based on multitarget-directed strategy. We have synthesized twenty-eight analogs of hydrazide based Schiff bases, characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and evaluated in vitro for acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition. All compounds showed varied degree of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition when compared with standard Eserine. Among the series, compounds 10, 3 and 24 having IC50 values 4.12±0.01, 8.12±0.01 and 8.41±0.06μM respectively showed potent acetylcholinesterase inhibition when compared with Eserine (IC50=0.85±0.0001μM). Three compounds 13, 24 and 3 having IC50 values 6.51±0.01, 9.22±0.07 and 37.82±0.14μM respectively showed potent butyrylcholinesterase inhibition by comparing with eserine (IC50=0.04±0.0001μM). The remaining compounds also exhibited moderate to weak inhibitory potential. Structure activity relationship has been established. Through molecular docking studies the binding interaction was confirmed.

MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism*; Butyrylcholinesterase/metabolism*; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Hydrazines/chemical synthesis; Hydrazines/pharmacology*; Hydrazines/chemistry; Models, Molecular; Schiff Bases/chemical synthesis; Schiff Bases/pharmacology; Schiff Bases/chemistry; Structure-Activity Relationship; Molecular Structure
Development of a Reference Data Set (RDS) for dental age estimation (DAE) and testing of this with a separate Validation Set (VS) in a southern Chinese population

Jayaraman J, Wong HM, King NM, Roberts GJ

J Forensic Leg Med, 2016 Oct;43:26-33.
PMID: 27441983 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2016.07.007

BACKGROUND: Many countries have recently experienced a rapid increase in the demand for forensic age estimates of unaccompanied minors. Hong Kong is a major tourist and business center where there has been an increase in the number of people intercepted with false travel documents. An accurate estimation of age is only possible when a dataset for age estimation that has been derived from the corresponding ethnic population. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop and validate a Reference Data Set (RDS) for dental age estimation for southern Chinese.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2306 subjects were selected from the patient archives of a large dental hospital and the chronological age for each subject was recorded. This age was assigned to each specific stage of dental development for each tooth to create a RDS. To validate this RDS, a further 484 subjects were randomly chosen from the patient archives and their dental age was assessed based on the scores from the RDS. Dental age was estimated using meta-analysis command corresponding to random effects statistical model. Chronological age (CA) and Dental Age (DA) were compared using the paired t-test.
RESULTS: The overall difference between the chronological and dental age (CA-DA) was 0.05 years (2.6 weeks) for males and 0.03 years (1.6 weeks) for females. The paired t-test indicated that there was no statistically significant difference between the chronological and dental age (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The validated southern Chinese reference dataset based on dental maturation accurately estimated the chronological age.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Age Determination by Teeth*; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hong Kong; Humans; Male; Radiography, Panoramic; Reference Values; Tooth/growth & development*; Radiography, Dental, Digital; Asian Continental Ancestry Group*; Young Adult
High-performance combination method of electric network frequency and phase for audio forgery detection in battery-powered devices

Savari M, Abdul Wahab AW, Anuar NB

Forensic Sci Int, 2016 Sep;266:427-439.
PMID: 27442454 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.07.001

Audio forgery is any act of tampering, illegal copy and fake quality in the audio in a criminal way. In the last decade, there has been increasing attention to the audio forgery detection due to a significant increase in the number of forge in different type of audio. There are a number of methods for forgery detection, which electric network frequency (ENF) is one of the powerful methods in this area for forgery detection in terms of accuracy. In spite of suitable accuracy of ENF in a majority of plug-in powered devices, the weak accuracy of ENF in audio forgery detection for battery-powered devices, especially in laptop and mobile phone, can be consider as one of the main obstacles of the ENF. To solve the ENF problem in terms of accuracy in battery-powered devices, a combination method of ENF and phase feature is proposed. From experiment conducted, ENF alone give 50% and 60% accuracy for forgery detection in mobile phone and laptop respectively, while the proposed method shows 88% and 92% accuracy respectively, for forgery detection in battery-powered devices. The results lead to higher accuracy for forgery detection with the combination of ENF and phase feature.

MeSH terms: Attention; Communications Media; Microcomputers; Electric Power Supplies; Criminals
Fulltext Chronic Kidney Disease, Fluid Overload and Diuretics: A Complicated Triangle

Khan YH, Sarriff A, Adnan AS, Khan AH, Mallhi TH

PLoS One, 2016;11(7):e0159335.
PMID: 27442587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159335

BACKGROUND: Despite promising role of diuretics to manage fluid overload among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, their use is associated with adverse renal outcomes. Current study aimed to determine the extent of renal deterioration with diuretic therapy.
METHODS: A total 312 non-dialysis dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) patients were prospectively followed-up for one year. Fluid overload was assessed via bioimpedance spectroscopy. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated from serum creatinine values by using Chronic Kidney Disease- Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation.
RESULTS: Out of 312 patients, 64 (20.5%) were hypovolemic while euvolemia and hypervolemia were observed in 113 (36.1%) and 135 (43.4%) patients. Overall 144 patients were using diuretics among which 98 (72.6%) were hypervolemic, 35 (30.9%) euvolemic and 11 (17.2%) were hypovolemic. The mean decline in estimated GFR of entire cohort was -2.5 ± 1.4 ml/min/1.73m2 at the end of follow up. The use of diuretics was significantly associated with decline in eGFR. A total of 36 (11.5%) patients initiated renal replacement therapy (RRT) and need of RRT was more profound among diuretic users.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of diuretics was associated with adverse renal outcomes indicated by decline in eGFR and increasing risk of RRT initiation in our cohort of NDD-CKD patients. Therefore, it is cautiously suggested to carefully prescribe diuretics by keeping in view benefit versus harm for each patient.

MeSH terms: Aged; Diuretics/adverse effects; Diuretics/pharmacology; Diuretics/therapeutic use*; Female; Glomerular Filtration Rate/drug effects; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance/complications*; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance/drug therapy*; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance/physiopathology; Cohort Studies; Treatment Outcome; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications*; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapy*; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/physiopathology
Droxidopa for orthostatic hypotension: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Strassheim V, Newton JL, Tan MP, Frith J

J Hypertens, 2016 Oct;34(10):1933-41.
PMID: 27442791 DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001043

OBJECTIVE: The systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine the efficacy and safety of droxidopa in the treatment of orthostatic hypotension, following its recent approvals in the United States.
METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Web of Science, ProQuest, and the WHO Clinical Trials Registry were searched. Studies were included if they randomized adults with orthostatic hypotension to droxidopa or to control, and outcomes related to symptoms, daily activity, blood pressure, or adverse events. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. Risk of bias was judged against the Cochrane risk of bias tool and quality of evidence measured using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. A fixed-effects model was used for pooled analysis.
RESULTS: Of 224 identified records, four studies met eligibility, with a pooled sample size of 494. Study duration was between 1 and 8 weeks. Droxidopa was effective at reducing dizziness [mean difference -0.97 (95% confidence interval -1.51, -0.42)], overall symptoms [-0.52 (-0.98, -0.06)] and difficulty with activity [-0.86 (-1.34, -0.38)]. Droxidopa was also effective at improving standing SBP [3.9 (0.1, 7.69)]. Rates of adverse events were similar between droxidopa and control groups, including supine hypertension [odds ratio 1.93 (0.87, 4.25)].
CONCLUSION: Droxidopa is well tolerated and effective at reducing the symptoms associated with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension without increasing the risk of supine hypertension.
REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID CRD42015024612.

MeSH terms: Antiparkinson Agents/adverse effects; Antiparkinson Agents/therapeutic use*; Blood Pressure/drug effects*; Humans; Hypotension, Orthostatic/physiopathology; Hypotension, Orthostatic/prevention & control*; Posture/physiology; Registries; Droxidopa/adverse effects; Droxidopa/therapeutic use*

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