Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Sha'ari HM, Haerian BS, Baum L, Tan HJ, Rafia MH, Kwan P, et al.
    Mol Neurobiol, 2016 07;53(5):2869-2877.
    PMID: 25876511 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9150-1
    Epilepsy is a common neurological disease characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Evidence suggested that abnormal activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) contributes to the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Some previous studies identified association between genetic variants of BDNF and risk of epilepsy. In this study, this association has been examined in the Hong Kong and Malaysian epilepsy cohorts. Genomic DNA of 6047 subjects (1640 patients with epilepsy and 4407 healthy individuals) was genotyped for rs6265, rs11030104, rs7103411, and rs7127507 polymorphisms by using Sequenom MassArray and Illumina HumanHap 610-Quad or 550-Duo BeadChip arrays techniques. Results showed significant association between rs6265 T, rs7103411 C, and rs7127507 T and cryptgenic epilepsy risk (p = 0.00003, p = 0.0002, and p = 0.002, respectively) or between rs6265 and rs7103411 and symptomatic epilepsy risk in Malaysian Indians (TT vs. CC, p = 0.004 and T vs. C, p = 0.0002, respectively) as well as between rs6265 T and risk of cryptogenic epilepsy in Malaysian Chinese (p = 0.005). The Trs6265-Crs7103411-Trs7127507 was significantly associated with cryptogenic epilepsy in Malaysian Indians (p = 0.00005). In conclusion, our results suggest that BDNF polymorphisms might contribute to the risk of epilepsy in Malaysian Indians and Chinese.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Demography; Epilepsy/genetics*; Female; Hong Kong; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Risk Factors; Case-Control Studies; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/genetics*; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/chemistry; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics*; Genetic Association Studies*
  2. Salleh WM, Ahmad F, Yen KH, Zulkifli RM
    Pharm Biol, 2016;54(2):322-30.
    PMID: 25880146 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1037003
    The ethnopharmacological study of Beilschmiedia indicates that several species are used for the treatment of various ailments.
  3. Tscholl PM, Junge A, Dvorak J, Zubler V
    Scand J Med Sci Sports, 2016 Mar;26(3):324-8.
    PMID: 25880786 DOI: 10.1111/sms.12461
    Age determination on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the wrist is a reliable method in male football players to evaluate their eligibility to participate in Under 17 tournaments. MRI of the wrist was performed in 487 female volunteers aged 13-19 years from Brazil, Germany, Malaysia, and Tanzania, and in 139 female football players participating in Under-16 and Under-17 football tournaments. A previously validated method for grading fusion of the distal radial epiphysis in male adolescent was used. Moderate correlation of chronological age and epiphyseal fusion was found in the normative control group (r = .59) and weak correlation in female football players (r = .27). Complete fusion of the distal radial epiphysis was observed in two 15-year-old volunteers of the control group (1.7%) and in 17.6% (3 of 17) of 14-year-old football players. Up to 10.8% (47 of 437) in the control group and 14.4% (20 of 139) of the football players 17 years or younger had complete fused epiphysis. Because of earlier osseous maturity in female adolescents, the grade of fusion of the distal radial epiphysis on MRI is not recommended for pretournament age determination for the age of 17 and younger in female.
  4. Dangerfield DT, Gravitt P, Rompalo AM, Tai R, Lim SH
    Int J STD AIDS, 2016 Mar;27(4):313-20.
    PMID: 25887064 DOI: 10.1177/0956462415581125
    Identifying roles for anal sex is an important issue for populations of MSM. We describe the prevalence of identifying as being 'top', 'bottom', 'versatile', or 'don't know/not applicable' among Malay and Chinese MSM in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and behavioural outcomes according to these labels for sexual role identity. Data analysis was conducted on a survey administered during weekly outreach throughout Kuala Lumpur in 2012. Pearson's Chi square tests were used to compare demographic and behavioural characteristics of MSM who reported roles for anal sex. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the odds of behavioural outcomes among MSM who identified as 'bottom', 'versatile,' and 'don't know' compared to MSM who reported that 'top' was their sexual role. Labels for anal sex roles were significantly associated with condom use for last anal sex. Among MSM who used labels for anal sex roles, MSM who identified as 'bottom' had highest level of not using condoms for last anal sex (24.1%, p = .045). In binary logistic regression model, identifying as 'top' was significantly associated with reporting using a condom during last anal sex and reported consistent condom use for anal sex in the past six months (p = .039 and .017, respectively). With regard to sexual role identity, some MSM may be a part of a special subgroup of at-risk men to be targeted. Future research should evaluate the origins, meanings, and perceptions of these labels, and the developmental process of how these MSM identify with any of these categories. Research should also uncover condom use decision making with regard to these labels for sexual positioning.
  5. Hasan MM, Rafii MY, Ismail MR, Mahmood M, Alam MA, Abdul Rahim H, et al.
    J Sci Food Agric, 2016 Mar 15;96(4):1297-305.
    PMID: 25892666 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7222
    Blast caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is a significant disease threat to rice across the world and is especially prevalent in Malaysia. An elite, early-maturing, high-yielding Malaysian rice variety, MR263, is susceptible to blast and was used as the recurrent parent in this study. To improve MR263 disease resistance, the Pongsu Seribu 1 rice variety was used as donor of the blast resistance Pi-7(t), Pi-d(t)1 and Pir2-3(t) genes and qLN2 quantitative trait locus (QTL). The objective was to introgress these blast resistance genes into the background of MR263 using marker-assisted backcrossing with both foreground and background selection.
    MeSH terms: Genetic Markers; Genotype; Inbreeding/methods*; Malaysia; Plant Diseases/genetics*; Plant Diseases/microbiology*; Plant Diseases/prevention & control; Oryza/genetics*; Oryza/microbiology*; Species Specificity; Genes, Plant; DNA, Plant/analysis; Microsatellite Repeats; Magnaporthe; Disease Resistance
  6. Bakar SM, Shamim M, Salam A, Sultana SA
    Ir J Med Sci, 2016 Feb;185(1):249-57.
    PMID: 25894278 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-015-1287-4
    BACKGROUND: The anatomy of the vermiform appendix shows variations in its macroscopic dimensions and microscopic features, some of which have potentials of influencing the clinical aspects of the appendix.

    AIM: The aim of this study was to find out some microscopic features of appendix and evaluate the correlation between the microscopic features of the appendix and the age of the subjects and to determine whether these findings should influence the clinical implications of appendix.

    METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, thirty adult males' (age from 18 to 67 years) postmortem appendices and adnexa from Bangladeshi victims of road traffic accidents were sectioned at the base, midzone and tip stained with H+E stain and examined under microscope. Measurements were taken at the base, at the midzone and at the tip of the appendix, and the mean of the three measurements was considered as the overall value.

    RESULTS: The overall number of mucosal glands in a section ranged from 42.33 to 130.00 and the number of the germinal centres varied between 2.33 and 10.00. The overall luminal diameter ranged between 1764.58 and 3208.33 µm. The overall luminal diameter in more than 52 % of cases was between 2700.00 and 3299.99 µm with a median value of 2750 µm.

    CONCLUSION: The overall number of mucosal glands showed a tendency towards a positive correlation with age. The overall luminal diameter and the overall number of germinal centres showed a tendency towards a negative correlation with the age. However, none of the tendencies of correlation reached statistically any significant level.

    MeSH terms: Accidents, Traffic; Adult; Aged; Appendix/pathology*; Autopsy; Bangladesh; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Lymphoid Tissue/pathology*; Male; Middle Aged; Germinal Center/pathology*; Young Adult
  7. Palipudi KM, Mbulo L, Morton J, Mbulo L, Bunnell R, Blutcher-Nelson G, et al.
    Nicotine Tob Res, 2016 Apr;18(4):501-7.
    PMID: 25895951 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntv081
    INTRODUCTION: Increases in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) awareness and current use have been documented in high income countries but less is known about middle and low income countries.

    METHODS: Nationally representative household survey data from the first four Global Adult Tobacco Surveys to assess e-cigarettes were analyzed, including Indonesia (2011), Malaysia (2011), Qatar (2013), and Greece (2013). Correlates of e-cigarette awareness and current use were calculated. Sample sizes for Greece and Qatar allowed for further analysis of e-cigarette users.

    RESULTS: Awareness of e-cigarettes was 10.9% in Indonesia, 21.0% in Malaysia, 49.0% in Qatar, and 88.5% in Greece. In all four countries, awareness was higher among male, younger, more educated, and wealthier respondents. Current e-cigarette use among those aware of e-cigarettes was 3.9% in Malaysia, 2.5% in Indonesia, 2.2% in Greece and 1.8% in Qatar. Across these four countries, an estimated 818 500 people are currently using e-cigarettes. Among current e-cigarette users, 64.4% in Greece and 84.1% in Qatar also smoked cigarettes, and, 10.6% in Greece and 6.0% in Qatar were never-smokers.

    CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette awareness and use was evident in all four countries. Ongoing surveillance and monitoring of awareness and use of e-cigarettes in these and other countries could help inform tobacco control policies and public health interventions. Future surveillance should monitor use of e-cigarettes among current smokers and uptake among never-smokers and relapsing former smokers.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Awareness*; Female; Greece/epidemiology; Humans; Indonesia/epidemiology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Public Health/trends; Qatar/epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires*; Smoking/epidemiology*; Smoking/trends*; Tobacco Use Disorder/diagnosis; Tobacco Use Disorder/epidemiology; Young Adult; Tobacco Products; Electronic Cigarettes/trends*; Electronic Cigarettes/statistics & numerical data
  8. Ansar S, Iqbal M
    Hum Exp Toxicol, 2016 Mar;35(3):259-66.
    PMID: 25904316 DOI: 10.1177/0960327115583362
    Garlic contains diallylsulfide (DAS) and other structurally related compounds that are widely believed to be active agents in preventing cancer. This study shows the effect of DAS (a phenolic antioxidant used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products) on ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male albino rats of Wistar strain weighing 125-150 g were given a single dose of Fe-NTA (9 mg kg(-1) body weight, intraperitoneally) after 1 week of treatment with 100 and 200 mg kg(-1) DAS in corn oil respectively administered through the gavage. Fe-NTA administration led to 2.5-fold increase in the values of both alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase, respectively, and 3.2-fold increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, microsomal lipid peroxidation to approximately 2.0-fold compared to saline-treated control. The activities of glutathione (GSH) and other antioxidant enzymes decreased to a range of 2.2-2.5-fold. These changes were reversed significantly (p < 0.001) in animals receiving a pretreatment of DAS. DAS protected against hepatic lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide generation, preserved GSH levels, and GSH metabolizing enzymes to 60-80% as compared to Fe-NTA alone-treated group. Present data suggest that DAS can ameliorate the toxic effects of Fe-NTA and suppress oxidant-induced tissue injury and hepatotoxicity in rats.
    MeSH terms: Alanine Transaminase/blood; Allyl Compounds/pharmacology; Allyl Compounds/therapeutic use*; Animals; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Antioxidants/therapeutic use*; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood; Ferric Compounds; Glutathione/metabolism; Glutathione Reductase/metabolism; Glutathione Transferase/metabolism; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/blood; Liver/drug effects; Liver/metabolism; Male; Nitrilotriacetic Acid/analogs & derivatives; Sulfides/pharmacology; Sulfides/therapeutic use*; Oxidants; Rats, Wistar; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy*; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/etiology; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/metabolism
  9. Assunta M, Dorotheo EU
    Tob Control, 2016 May;25(3):313-8.
    PMID: 25908597 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2014-051934
    OBJECTIVE: To measure the implementation of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 5.3 at country level using a new Tobacco Industry Interference Index and to report initial results using this index in seven Southeast Asian countries.

    METHODS: Score sheet based on WHO FCTC Article 5.3 Guidelines sent to correspondents in seven Southeast Asian countries, using a scoring system designed with the help of tobacco control experts and validated through focused group discussions.

    RESULTS: The seven countries ranked from the lowest level of interference to the highest are Brunei, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Countries that face high levels of unnecessary interaction with the tobacco industry also face high levels of tobacco industry influence in policy development. Most governments do not allow any tobacco industry representatives on their delegation to sessions of the Conference of the Parties or its subsidiary bodies nor accept their sponsorship for delegates, but most governments still accept or endorse offers of assistance from the tobacco industry in implementing tobacco control policies. Most governments also receive tobacco industry contributions (monetary or in kind) or endorse industry corporate social responsibility activities. Governments do not have a procedure for disclosing interactions with the tobacco industry, but Lao PDR, Philippines and Thailand have instituted measures to prevent or reduce industry interference.

    CONCLUSIONS: This Tobacco Industry Interference Index, based on the WHO FCTC Article 5.3 Guidelines, is a useful advocacy tool for identifying both progress and gaps in national efforts at implementing WHO FCTC Article 5.3.

    MeSH terms: Asia; Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence; Humans; Policy Making; Public Health/economics; Public Health/legislation & jurisprudence*; Smoking/adverse effects; Smoking/economics; Smoking/legislation & jurisprudence*; World Health Organization*; Conflict of Interest; Smoking Cessation/economics; Smoking Cessation/legislation & jurisprudence*; Guidelines as Topic; Tobacco Industry/economics; Tobacco Industry/legislation & jurisprudence*; Government Regulation*; Tobacco Products/adverse effects; Tobacco Products/economics
  10. Sawant S, Gokulan R, Dongre H, Vaidya M, Chaukar D, Prabhash K, et al.
    Clin Oral Investig, 2016 Jan;20(1):43-56.
    PMID: 25914047 DOI: 10.1007/s00784-015-1476-6
    In the present study, we have investigated the prognostic value of known stem cell-associated molecules such as Oct4, CD44 and c-Myc in patients with oral SCC who had received post-surgery radio- and/or chemotherapy.
  11. Vincent-Chong VK, Salahshourifar I, Razali R, Anwar A, Zain RB
    Head Neck, 2016 04;38 Suppl 1:E783-97.
    PMID: 25914319 DOI: 10.1002/hed.24102
    BACKGROUND: This purpose of this meta-analysis study was to identify the most frequent and potentially significant copy number alteration (CNA) in oral carcinogenesis.

    METHODS: Seven oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)-related publications, corresponding to 312 samples, were identified for this meta-analysis. The data were analyzed in a 4-step process that included the genome assembly coordination of multiple platforms, assignment of chromosomal position anchors, calling gains and losses, and functional annotation analysis.

    RESULTS: Gains were more frequent than losses in the entire dataset. High-frequency gains were identified in chromosomes 5p, 14q, 11q, 7p, 17q, 20q, 8q, and 3q, whereas high-frequency losses were identified in chromosomes 3p, 8p, 6p, 18q, and 4q. Ingenuity pathway analysis showed that the top biological function was associated with immortalization of the epithelial cells (p = 1.93E-04).

    CONCLUSION: This study has identified multiple recurrent CNAs that are involved in various biological annotations associated with oral carcinogenesis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E783-E797, 2016.

    MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics*; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology; Chromosome Aberrations; Epithelial Cells/pathology*; Humans; Mouth Neoplasms/genetics*; Mouth Neoplasms/pathology; Comparative Genomic Hybridization; DNA Copy Number Variations*; Carcinogenesis*
  12. Abdullah N, Lau CC, Ismail SM
    J Sci Food Agric, 2016 Mar;96(5):1459-66.
    PMID: 25926021 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7242
    Fermenting feed has gained a lot of popularity in recent years owing to its renowned benefits to the livestock and feed quality. In the current study, Lentinus squarrosulus mushroom mycelium was tested for its potential as a fermenting agent and source of natural antioxidant in the feed.
    MeSH terms: Agaricales; Animals; Antioxidants; Fermentation; Lentinula; Mycelium; Livestock
  13. Abiri R, Valdiani A, Maziah M, Shaharuddin NA, Sahebi M, Yusof ZN, et al.
    Curr Issues Mol Biol, 2016;18:21-42.
    PMID: 25944541
    Using transgenic plants for the production of high-value recombinant proteins for industrial and clinical applications has become a promising alternative to using conventional bioproduction systems, such as bacteria, yeast, and cultured insect and animal cells. This novel system offers several advantages over conventional systems in terms of safety, scale, cost-effectiveness, and the ease of distribution and storage. Currently, plant systems are being utilised as recombinant bio-factories for the expression of various proteins, including potential vaccines and pharmaceuticals, through employing several adaptations of recombinant processes and utilizing the most suitable tools and strategies. The level of protein expression is a critical factor in plant molecular farming, and this level fluctuates according to the plant species and the organs involved. The production of recombinant native and engineered proteins is a complicated procedure that requires an inter- and multi-disciplinary effort involving a wide variety of scientific and technological disciplines, ranging from basic biotechnology, biochemistry, and cell biology to advanced production systems. This review considers important plant resources, affecting factors, and the recombinant-protein expression techniques relevant to the plant molecular farming process.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biotechnology; Drug Industry; Humans; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis; Bioreactors; Plants, Genetically Modified*; Molecular Farming*
  14. Yap LB, Eng DT, Sivalingam L, Rusani BI, Umadevan D, Muhammad Z, et al.
    Clin Appl Thromb Hemost, 2016 Nov;22(8):792-797.
    PMID: 25962393 DOI: 10.1177/1076029615584664
    BACKGROUND: The Asian population with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a higher risk of stroke than the caucasian population and a higher risk of intracranial bleeding when anticoagulated with warfarin. There are few real-world studies comparing the efficacy of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and warfarin among Asian patients to assess its outcomes of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.
    METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 1000 patients on dabigatran and warfarin from 2009 to 2013.
    RESULTS: Data were available for 500 patients on dabigatran and 500 patients on warfarin. The average follow-up duration was 315 ± 280 days in the dabigatran group and 355 ± 232 in the warfarin group. The time in therapeutic range (TTR) was 53.2% in the warfarin-treated group, with 32.8% of patients in the subtherapeutic international normalized ratio range of <2. None of the patients in the dabigatran group had ischemic cerebrovascular accident (CVA) compared to 4 (0.8%) patients in the warfarin group, hazard ratio (HR) 0.13, P = .3. There was 1 (0.2%) patient in both dabigatran and warfarin groups with hemorrhagic CVA (HR 1.16, P = .92). There were 3 (0.6%) patients with major bleeding in the dabigatran group compared to 2 (0.4%) patients in the warfarin group (HR 1.57, P = .59).
    CONCLUSION: There were similar rates of efficacy for outcomes of ischemic CVA, hemorrhagic CVA, and bleeding when comparing dabigatran with warfarin. Our study shows that despite similar efficacy, suboptimal TTR rates and inconveniences with warfarin demonstrate that NOACs are preferred for stroke prevention in AF.
    KEYWORDS: dabigatran; non-valvular atrial fibrillation; novel anticoagulant; stroke prevention; warfarin
    MeSH terms: Dabigatran/administration & dosage; Dabigatran/therapeutic use*; Aged; Antithrombins/administration & dosage; Antithrombins/therapeutic use*; Atrial Fibrillation/drug therapy*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Retrospective Studies; Warfarin/adverse effects*; Cohort Studies; Treatment Outcome; Stroke/prevention & control*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group
  15. Kwan MK, Wong KA, Lee CK, Chan CY
    Eur Spine J, 2016 Feb;25(2):401-8.
    PMID: 25962815 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-015-4016-9
    PURPOSE: To introduce a new clinical neck tilt grading and to investigate clinically and radiologically whether neck tilt and shoulder imbalance is the same phenomenon in AIS patients.

    METHODS: 89 AIS Lenke 1 and 2 cases were assessed prospectively using the new clinical neck tilt grading. Shoulder imbalance and neck tilt were correlated with coracoid height difference (CHD), clavicle\rib intersection distance (CRID), clavicle angle (CA), radiographic shoulder height (RSH), T1 tilt and cervical axis.

    RESULTS: Mean age was 17.2 ± 3.8 years old. 66.3 % were Lenke type 1 and 33.7 % were type 2 curves. Strong intraobserver (0.79) and interobserver (0.75) agreement of the clinical neck tilt grading was noted. No significant correlation was observed between clinical neck tilt and shoulder imbalance (0.936). 56.3 % of grade 3 neck tilt, 50.0 % grade 2 neck tilt patients had grade 0 shoulder imbalance. In patients with grade 2 shoulder imbalance, 42.9 % had grade 0, 35.7 % grade 1, 14.3 % grade 2 and only 7.1 % had grade 3 neck tilt. CHD, CRID, CA and RSH correlated with shoulder imbalance. T1 tilt and cervical axis measurements correlated with neck tilt.

    CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, neck tilt is distinct from shoulder imbalance. Clinical neck tilt has poor correlation with clinical shoulder imbalance. Clinical neck tilt grading correlated with cervical axis and T1 tilt whereas clinical shoulder grading correlated with CHD, RSH CRID and CA.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Clavicle/physiopathology; Female; Humans; Male; Neck/physiopathology*; Prospective Studies; Radiography; Ribs/physiopathology; Scoliosis/classification; Scoliosis/physiopathology*; Shoulder/physiopathology*
  16. Pok EH, Lee WJ, Ser KH, Chen JC, Chen SC, Tsou JJ, et al.
    Asian J Surg, 2016 Jan;39(1):21-8.
    PMID: 25964106 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2015.03.006
    Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a popular stand-alone bariatric surgery, despite a paucity of long-term data. Hence, this study is to report the long-term outcome of LSG as primary bariatric procedure and the result of revisional surgery.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Asia; Female; Gastrectomy*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity, Morbid/surgery*; Laparoscopy*; Reoperation; Retrospective Studies; Weight Loss; Treatment Outcome
  17. Al-Hashedi AA, Taiyeb-Ali TB, Yunus N
    Aust Dent J, 2016 06;61(2):208-18.
    PMID: 25966305 DOI: 10.1111/adj.12337
    BACKGROUND: Short dental implants can be an alternative to bone augmentation procedures at sites of reduced alveolar bone. Most studies on short implants are retrospective or multicentre reports that lack controlled and consistent comparison between different systems. This study aimed to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes of short implants in two different systems in the posterior mandible.

    METHODS: Twenty patients with two adjacent missing posterior teeth were recruited. Patients were assigned equally and randomly into two groups; Bicon(®) (6 or 8 mm) and Ankylos(®) (8 mm) implants. A two-stage surgical approach and single crowns were used for implant placement and loading. Outcomes included peri-implant clinical parameters, implant stability (Periotest values; PTVs) and peri-implant bone changes, which were assessed at baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months post-loading.

    RESULTS: No implant loss was encountered up to 12 months post-loading. No significant difference in the clinical or radiographic parameters was observed except for PTVs (p < 0.05) that was lower in Ankylos(®) implants.

    CONCLUSIONS: The use of short dental implants was associated with excellent 12 months clinical and radiographic outcomes. Ankylos(®) and Bicon(®) implants demonstrated similar peri-implant soft tissue and alveolar bone changes. However, Ankylos(®) implants demonstrated better implant stability at all evaluation intervals.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Crowns; Dental Implantation, Endosseous/methods*; Female; Humans; Male; Mandible/surgery*; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Dental Implants*; Alveolar Bone Loss/surgery*; Dental Prosthesis Design; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported*; Dental Restoration Failure/statistics & numerical data
  18. Mwakikunga A, Hosie MJ
    Cell Tissue Res, 2016 Apr;364(1):209-17.
    PMID: 25971929 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2180-1
    An alternative superovulator to replace clomiphene citrate (CC) is needed as it is unsuitable for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and is associated with low pregnancy rates. Anastrozole is an effective superovulator, but has not been well researched. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal dose of anastrozole as a superovulator and ascertain its effects on implantation and uterine ultrastructure during early pregnancy in Wistar rats using scanning electron microscopy. The uterine morphological characteristics which were studied in day 1 and 6 pregnant rats include microvilli density, length, surface "beads", surface glycocalyx, cell borders and apices, uterine surface fording and large surface protrusions. A significant increase in implantation sites is seen in the 15 mg/kg anastrozole group, compared to control. Day 1 and 6 anastrozole groups have similar morphology to the control and different to the CC group. At day 6, large surface protrusions are mostly noted but not limited to anastrozole-treated rats; anastrozole also appears to retain glycocalyx to some extent. The increased number of implantation sites in the 15 mg/kg anastrozole group suggests that this dose superovulates and favors implantation. Anastrozole is probably dose-/species-specific and additionally the surface uterine morphology suggests that anastrozole is implantation friendly.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Clomiphene; Female; Humans; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microvilli; Nitriles; Embryo Implantation; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Pregnancy; Triazoles; Rats, Wistar; Pregnancy Rate; Glycocalyx; Rats
  19. Ordóñez-Mena JM, Schöttker B, Fedirko V, Jenab M, Olsen A, Halkjær J, et al.
    Eur J Epidemiol, 2016 Mar;31(3):311-23.
    PMID: 25977096 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-015-0040-7
    The associations of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations with total and site-specific cancer incidence have been examined in several epidemiological studies with overall inconclusive findings. Very little is known about the association of vitamin D with cancer incidence in older populations. We assessed the association of pre-diagnostic serum 25(OH)D levels with incidence of all cancers combined and incidence of lung, colorectal, breast, prostate and lymphoid malignancies among older adults. Pre-diagnostic 25(OH)D concentrations and cancer incidence were available in total for 15,486 older adults (mean age 63, range 50-84 years) participating in two cohort studies: ESTHER (Germany) and TROMSØ (Norway); and a subset of previously published nested-case control data from a another cohort study: EPIC-Elderly (Greece, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden) from the CHANCES consortium on health and aging. Cox proportional hazards or logistic regression were used to derive multivariable adjusted hazard and odds ratios, respectively, and their 95% confidence intervals across 25(OH)D categories. Meta-analyses with random effects models were used to pool study-specific risk estimates. Overall, lower 25(OH)D concentrations were not significantly associated with increased incidence of most of the cancers assessed. However, there was some evidence of increased breast cancer and decreased lymphoma risk with higher 25(OH)D concentrations. Our meta-analyses with individual participant data from three large European population-based cohort studies provide at best limited support for the hypothesis that vitamin D may have a major role in cancer development and prevention among European older adults.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging*; Europe/epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms/blood; Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Population Surveillance; Risk Factors; Vitamin D/analogs & derivatives; Vitamin D/blood*; Vitamins; Incidence; Logistic Models; Odds Ratio; European Continental Ancestry Group/ethnology*
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