Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Goense L, van Rossum PS, Kandioler D, Ruurda JP, Goh KL, Luyer MD, et al.
    Ann N Y Acad Sci, 2016 10;1381(1):50-65.
    PMID: 27384385 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13113
    Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide, and the incidence of esophageal carcinoma is rapidly increasing. With the advent of new staging and treatment techniques, esophageal cancer can now be managed through various strategies. A good understanding of the advances and limitations of new staging techniques and how these can guide in individualizing treatment is important to improve outcomes for esophageal cancer patients. This paper outlines the recent progress in staging and treatment of esophageal cancer, with particularly attention to endoscopic techniques for early-stage esophageal cancer, multimodality treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer, assessment of response to neoadjuvant treatment, and the role of cervical lymph node dissection. Furthermore, advances in robot-assisted surgical techniques and postoperative recovery protocols that may further improve outcomes after esophagectomy are discussed.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use; Combined Modality Therapy/methods; Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Esophageal Neoplasms/therapy*; Humans; Neoplasm Staging; Esophagectomy/methods; Precision Medicine/methods*
  2. Kabir TD, Leigh RJ, Tasena H, Mellone M, Coletta RD, Parkinson EK, et al.
    Aging (Albany NY), 2016 08;8(8):1608-35.
    PMID: 27385366 DOI: 10.18632/aging.100987
    Senescent cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) develop a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that is believed to contribute to cancer progression. The mechanisms underlying SASP development are, however, poorly understood. Here we examined the functional role of microRNA in the development of the SASP in normal fibroblasts and CAF. We identified a microRNA, miR-335, up-regulated in the senescent normal fibroblasts and CAF and able to modulate the secretion of SASP factors and induce cancer cell motility in co-cultures, at least in part by suppressing the expression of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN). Additionally, elevated levels of cyclo-oxygenase 2 (PTGS2; COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion were observed in senescent fibroblasts, and inhibition of COX-2 by celecoxib reduced the expression of miR-335, restored PTEN expression and decreased the pro-tumourigenic effects of the SASP. Collectively these data demonstrate the existence of a novel miRNA/PTEN-regulated pathway modulating the inflammasome in senescent fibroblasts.
    MeSH terms: Celecoxib/pharmacology; Cell Movement/drug effects; Cell Movement/physiology; Humans; Phenotype; Dinoprostone/metabolism; Signal Transduction/drug effects; Signal Transduction/physiology*; Up-Regulation; Cell Aging/physiology*; Coculture Techniques; MicroRNAs/metabolism*; PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism*; Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism*; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/drug effects; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism*
  3. Ismail A, Suddin LS, Sulong S, Ahmed Z, Kamaruddin NA, Sukor N
    Indian J Community Med, 2016 7 8;41(3):208-12.
    PMID: 27385874 DOI: 10.4103/0970-0218.183590
    CONTEXT: Diabetes mellitus is a growing health problem in most countries. In Malaysia, there was an increase in prevalence over the years. This makes diabetes also a growing concern in Malaysia, which warrants strengthening of the prevention and control programme.

    AIMS: This paper aims to describe the profiles of diabetes mellitus type 2 in tertiary setting and to identify the risk factors for high level of HbA1c among the study population. The findings will give a glimpse on current status of diabetes in our country and may reflect the achievement of the country in combating this disease.

    SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in UKM Medical Centre.

    METHODS AND MATERIAL: Medical records of patient with E11 ICD-10 code were collected using Case Report Form.

    STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive analysis done of mean and median while test of association were done using Spearman correlation and logistic regression.

    RESULTS: The results showed that majority of inpatients of DMT2 showed mean age of 58.8 + 12.6 years and most were males (56.7%) with secondary level of education (41.7%). Median duration of disease was 12.0 + 11.0 years with median HbA1c level of 8.9 ± 4.4%. Only small proportion of patients achieved the desired level of HbA1c <6.5% (21.3%) and significant association was found with tertiary level of education [AOR = 0.10, 95%CI = 0.01-0.96] and with type of anti-diabetic therapy [AOR = 15.90, 95%CI=1;2.03-124.30].

    CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, diabetes mellitus type 2 inpatients still showed unsatisfactory glycemic control and holistic approach using health education should be advocated continuously in the future in view of education being one of the predictors for the good HbA1c outcome.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Blood Glucose; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Educational Status; Health Education; Humans; Inpatients; Longitudinal Studies; Malaysia; Male; Medical Records; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Prevalence; Logistic Models; International Classification of Diseases
  4. Anand S, Rajan M, Venkateshbabu N, Kandaswamy D, Shravya Y, Rajeswari K
    Open Dent J, 2016;10:160-5.
    PMID: 27386000 DOI: 10.2174/1874210601610010160
    AIM: To compare the antibacterial efficacy of Azadirachta indica (Neem), Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) with 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX) against E. faecalis by using Real Time PCR.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of fifty teeth specimens (n=50) were inoculated with E. faecalis for 21 days. Specimens were divided into five groups (Group 1: Myrrh, Group 2: Neem, Group 3: Liquorice, Group 4: 2% CHX and Group 5: Saline (negative control)). The intracanal medicaments were packed inside the tooth. After 5 days, the remaining microbial load was determined by using real time PCR.

    RESULTS: Threshold cycle (Ct) values of Myrrh extract, Neem extract, Liquorice Extract, 2% CHX and saline were found to be 30.94, 23.85, 21.38, 30.93 and 17.8 respectively.

    CONCLUSION: Myrrh extract showed inhibition of E.faecalis equal to that of 2% CHX followed by Neem, Liquorice and Saline.

  5. Arunachalam M, Pulikkotil SJ, Sonia N
    Open Dent J, 2016;10:174-81.
    PMID: 27386002 DOI: 10.2174/1874210601610010174
    Periodontitis is a chronic bacterial infection resulting in destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth. Regeneration of the lost tissues has faced difficulties primarily due to the lack of support during the intricate healing processes. A surgical additive which can 'jump start' the healing process to a more predictable regenerative process is always on the wish list of any periodontist. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a second generation platelet concentrate that has been considered to be an important, easy to obtain, predictable surgical additive for periodontal regeneration. This autologous scaffold provides the much needed bio-chemical mediators which has the potential for enhancing reconstruction of the periodontium. This review article tries to understand as to why PRF would be an important link to reach predictable periodontal regeneration.
  6. Naik SV, K R, Kohli S, Zohabhasan S, Bhatia S
    Open Dent J, 2016;10:196-206.
    PMID: 27386005 DOI: 10.2174/1874210601610010196
    The usage of ozone in dentistry has been proposed because of its antimicrobial, disinfectant, biocompatibility and healing properties. In the last decade a number of therapeutic protocols with ozone have been developed to address common dental infections associated with periodontal disease, RCT and caries. Despite these advantages, therapeutic ozone's application in dentistry is limited because of its possible side effects. Hence, dental practitioners need to know the proper usage of ozone therapy that can provide better patient care and considerably cut down the time and cost of the treatment.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents; Dental Caries; Dentistry; Disinfectants; Patient Care; Gingival Diseases; Humans; Ozone; Periodontal Diseases
  7. Eshwar S, K R, Jain V, Manvi S, Kohli S, Bhatia S
    Open Dent J, 2016;10:207-13.
    PMID: 27386006 DOI: 10.2174/1874210601610010207
    INTRODUCTION: Mouthrinses have been in use for centuries as breath fresheners, medicaments, and antiseptics. Dill is said to be a good source of calcium, manganese and iron. It contains flavonoids known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Dill can help with microbial infections in the mouth; and its anti-oxidants minimize damage caused by free radicals to the gums and teeth. Being a good source of calcium, dill also helps with bone and dental health.

    AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of commercially available 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse and dill seed oil mouthrinse on plaque levels and gingivitis.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized controlled, double blind parallel arm study was conducted over 90 days on 90 subjects. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups and baseline data was collected using Loe and Silness gingival index and Quigley Hein plaque index and oral prophylaxis was performed on all the subjects. The mouthrinses included in the present study were dill seed oil and Hexodent (0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate). Intervention regarding the mouthrinsing was given to the subjects and were followed up for 45 days and 90 days, after this post intervention changes were assessed using the respective indices.

    RESULTS: It was observed that there is no significant difference in gingival & plaque scores among two mouthrinses from baseline to 45 days and 90 days. It was observed that there is statistical difference in gingival and plaque scores when compared with baseline to 45 days (p<0.001), baseline to 90 days (p<0.001) and 45 days to 90 days (p<0.001) when intergroup comparisons were done.

    CONCLUSION: It was concluded that dill seed oil and Hexodent (0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate) mouthrinse have similar antiplaque and antigingival effectiveness.

    MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Antiviral Agents; Chlorhexidine; Dental Plaque; Dental Plaque Index; Double-Blind Method; Flavonoids; Free Radicals; Gingivitis; Iron; Manganese; Mouthwashes; Periodontal Index; Seeds; Oxidants; Anethum graveolens
  8. Venkateshbabu N, Anand S, Abarajithan M, Sheriff SO, Jacob PS, Sonia N
    Open Dent J, 2016;10:214-26.
    PMID: 27386007 DOI: 10.2174/1874210601610010214
    Complete eradication of microbial biofilms and elimination of the smear layer are the key factors during endodontic treatment. Various chemical irrigants have been proposed in the literature for the same. The major setback with these chemical irrigants is that they are not bio-friendly to the dental and peri-radicular tissues. In the recent years, research to use natural products for root canal disinfection has gained importance. The aim of this article is to compile various herbal products that have been used as an irrigants and intracanal medicaments in the field of Endodontics to eradicate the biofilm and remove smear layer.
    MeSH terms: Biological Products; Dental Pulp Cavity; Disinfection; Endodontics; Publications; Root Canal Irrigants; Root Canal Therapy; Smear Layer; Biofilms
  9. Goossens ME, Isa F, Brinkman M, Mak D, Reulen R, Wesselius A, et al.
    Arch Public Health, 2016;74:30.
    PMID: 27386115 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-016-0140-1
    In 2012, more than 400,000 urinary bladder cancer cases occurred worldwide, making it the 7(th) most common type of cancer. Although many previous studies focused on the relationship between diet and bladder cancer, the evidence related to specific food items or nutrients that could be involved in the development of bladder cancer remains inconclusive. Dietary components can either be, or be activated into, potential carcinogens through metabolism, or act to prevent carcinogen damage.
  10. Ch'ng YS, Tan CS, Loh YC, Ahmad M, Zaini Asmawi M, Yam MF
    J Pharmacopuncture, 2016 Jun;19(2):145-54.
    PMID: 27386148 DOI: 10.3831/KPI.2016.19.016
    The aim of this paper is to investigate the activities of Malaysian local herbs (Clinacanthus nutans Lindau, Strobilanthes crispus, Murdannia bracteata, Elephantopus scaber Linn., Pereskia bleo, Pereskia grandifolia Haw., Vernonia amygdalina, and Swietenia macrophylla King) for anti-hypertensive and vasorelaxant activity. An infrared (IR) macro-fingerprinting technique consisting of conventional fourier transform IR (FTIR), second-derivative IR (SD-IR), and two-dimensional correlation IR (2D-correlation IR) analyses were used to determine the main constituents and the fingerprints of the Malaysian local herbs.
  11. Stewart Coats AJ, Ho GF, Prabhash K, von Haehling S, Tilson J, Brown R, et al.
    J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 2016 06;7(3):355-65.
    PMID: 27386169 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12126
    BACKGROUND: Cancer cachexia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality with no widely approved treatment.

    METHODS: The ACT-ONE trial is a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, phase II multicentre trial in patients (25-80 years) with stages III or IV colorectal cancer or non-small cell lung cancer-related cachexia that tested two doses of espindolol (a novel non-selective β blocker with central 5-HT1a and partial β2 receptor agonist effects). The primary endpoint was the difference in the rate of weight change over 16 weeks (linear mixed-effect model for repeated measures) between high-dose espindolol and placebo.

    RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were randomized centrally in blocks in a ratio 3:2:1 [42 high dose, 10 mg twice daily (bd):31 placebo:14 low dose, 2.5 mg bd]. High-dose espindolol produced a statistically and clinically significant weight gain (+0.54 kg/4 weeks, 95% CI 0.38-0.70) compared with a weight loss on placebo (-0.21 kg/4 weeks, 95% CI -0.37-0.05); P 

  12. Altaee N, El-Hiti GA, Fahdil A, Sudesh K, Yousif E
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):762.
    PMID: 27386248 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2480-2
    Petroleum polymers contribute to non-degradable waste materials and it would therefore be desirable to produce ecofriendly degradable materials. Biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) in the presence of oligomer hydrolase and PHB depolymerase gave 3-hydroxybutyric acid which could be oxidized to acetyl acetate. Several bacteria and fungi can degrade PHB in the soil.
  13. Khan I, Rahman NN, Yusoff MY, Nor MR
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):785.
    PMID: 27386271 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2400-5
    This study explains the history, current problems, and future possibilities of Islamic insurance (takaful) in Bangladesh. To articulate these issues, the researcher has adopted the qualitative method, and data has been collected through secondary sources i.e. articles, books, and online resources. The study reveals that Islamic insurance in Bangladesh is regulated by the Insurance Act 2010 which is contradictory with Islamic insurance causing numerous problems for Islamic insurance. This study also points out that Islamic insurance is a fast growing industry with huge prospects in Bangladesh. The government should introduce separate regulations for both Islamic and conventional insurance. The research concludes with suggestions for the further development of Islamic insurance in Bangladesh.
  14. Koo HC, Poh BK, Ruzita AT
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):840.
    PMID: 27386289 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2431-y
    The rapid increase in childhood obesity is a serious public health problem, and has led to the development of many interventions. However, no intervention has emphasized whole grains as a strategy to manage childhood obesity. Therefore, this article describes the protocol of a 12-week multi-component, family-based intervention on whole grain, using a healthy balanced diet for managing childhood obesity.
  15. Zeki A, Abubakar A, Chiroma H
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):868.
    PMID: 27386317 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2371-6
    Prior research studies have shown that the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) is the most frequent watermarked image quality metric that is used for determining the levels of strength and weakness of watermarking algorithms. Conversely, normalised cross correlation (NCC) is the most common metric used after attacks were applied to a watermarked image to verify the strength of the algorithm used. Many researchers have used these approaches to evaluate their algorithms. These strategies have been used for a long time, however, which unfortunately limits the value of PSNR and NCC in reflecting the strength and weakness of the watermarking algorithms. This paper considers this issue to determine the threshold values of these two parameters in reflecting the amount of strength and weakness of the watermarking algorithms. We used our novel watermarking technique for embedding four watermarks in intermediate significant bits (ISB) of six image files one-by-one through replacing the image pixels with new pixels and, at the same time, keeping the new pixels very close to the original pixels. This approach gains an improved robustness based on the PSNR and NCC values that were gathered. A neural network model was built that uses the image quality metrics (PSNR and NCC) values obtained from the watermarking of six grey-scale images that use ISB as the desired output and that are trained for each watermarked image's PSNR and NCC. The neural network predicts the watermarked image's PSNR together with NCC after the attacks when a portion of the output of the same or different types of image quality metrics (PSNR and NCC) are obtained. The results indicate that the NCC metric fluctuates before the PSNR values deteriorate.
  16. Abdulnaby ZE, Ibrahim RW, Kılıçman A
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):893.
    PMID: 27386341 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2563-0
    Recently, the study of the fractional formal (operators, polynomials and classes of special functions) has been increased. This study not only in mathematics but extended to another topics. In this effort, we investigate a generalized integro-differential operator [Formula: see text] defined by a fractional formal (fractional differential operator) and study some its geometric properties by employing it in new subclasses of analytic univalent functions.
  17. Hayyan M, Mbous YP, Looi CY, Wong WF, Hayyan A, Salleh Z, et al.
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):913.
    PMID: 27386357 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2575-9
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic profiles of different ternary natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) containing water. For this purpose, five different NADESs were prepared using choline chloride as a salt, alongside five hydrogen bond donors (HBD) namely glucose, fructose, sucrose, glycerol, and malonic acid. Water was added as a tertiary component during the eutectics preparation, except for the malonic acid-based mixture. Coincidentally, the latter was found to be more toxic than any of the water-based NADESs. A trend was observed between the cellular requirements of cancer cells, the viscosity of the NADESs, and their cytotoxicity. This study also highlights the first time application of the conductor-like screening model for real solvent (COSMO-RS) software for the analysis of the cytotoxic mechanism of NADESs. COSMO-RS simulation of the interactions between NADESs and cellular membranes' phospholipids suggested that NADESs strongly interacted with cell surfaces and that their accumulation and aggregation possibly defined their cytotoxicity. This reinforced the idea that careful selection of NADESs components is necessary, as it becomes evident that organic acids as HBD highly contribute to the increasing toxicity of these neoteric mixtures. Nevertheless, NADESs in general seem to possess relatively less acute toxicity profiles than their DESs parents. This opens the door for future large scale utilization of these mixtures.
  18. Ilham Z, Saka S
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):923.
    PMID: 27386367 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2643-1
    Conversion of glycerol from biodiesel production to glycerol carbonate was studied by esterification with dimethyl carbonate in a non-catalytic supercritical condition. It was found that in a non-catalytic supercritical condition, glycerol at higher purity gave higher yield of glycerol carbonate at 98 wt% after reaction at 300 °C/20-40 MPa/15 min. The yield of glycerol carbonate was observed to increase with molar ratio, temperature, pressure and time until a certain equilibrium limit. The existence of impurities such as water and remnants of alkaline catalyst in crude glycerol will direct the reaction to produce glycidol. Although impurities might not be desirable, the non-catalytic supercritical dimethyl carbonate could be an alternative method for conversion of glycerol from biodiesel production to value-added glycerol carbonate.Graphical abstractPlausible reaction scheme for conversion of glycerol to glycerol carbonate in non-catalytic supercritical dimethyl carbonate.
  19. Yahaya A, Nor NM, Habibullah MS, Ghani JA, Noor ZM
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):925.
    PMID: 27386369 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2505-x
    Developing countries have witnessed economic growth as their GDP keeps increasing steadily over the years. The growth led to higher energy consumption which eventually leads to increase in air pollutions that pose a danger to human health. People's healthcare demand, in turn, increase due to the changes in the socioeconomic life and improvement in the health technology. This study is an attempt to investigate the impact of environmental quality on per capital health expenditure in 125 developing countries within a panel cointegration framework from 1995 to 2012.
  20. Singh VA, Yong LM, Vijayananthan A
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):943.
    PMID: 27386387 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2441-9
    Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been independently associated with both malignant diseases and orthopaedic surgery. Therefore, orthopaedic oncology patients may be at a high risk for thromboembolic events. However, less emphasis is given to this group of patients compared to the patients undergoing total hip and knee replacement. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of DVT and their risk factors in patients undergoing orthopaedic oncology lower limb surgery without prophylaxis.
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