Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Fulltext Autoimmune thyroid disease in a cohort of Malaysian SLE patients: frequency, clinical and immunological associations
    Ong SG, Choy CH
    Lupus, 2016 Jan;25(1):67-74.
    PMID: 26113361 DOI: 10.1177/0961203315593164
    Autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) has been associated with other systemic autoimmune diseases. To date, there is limited data on thyroid disorders and autoimmune thyroid disease in Malaysia. The frequency of ATD among 189 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients was 6.3%, with 2.6% in the hyperthyroid group and 3.7% in the hypothyroid group. Hypothyroidism developed at a much younger mean age (24.3 years), suggesting that SLE might be a predisposing factor for the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. There was a higher rate of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO) positivity compared with anti-thyroglobulin antibody (Tg) in the hyperthyroid subgroup. This study also demonstrated a greater proportion of ATD patients who demonstrated high titres (≥ 1:6400) of TPO compared with high titres of Tg. Although there was an association between ATD and the presence of anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB antibodies, the absence of sicca symptoms and negative Schirmer's tests suggest a lack of association with secondary Sjogren's syndrome. A novel association between ATD and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was detected in our cohort. Hence we propose that patients affected by APS be routinely screened for ATD.
    MeSH terms: Hospitals, General; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*; Malaysia; Retrospective Studies; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune*; Antiphospholipid Syndrome
  2. Phytoremediation of domestic wastewaters in free water surface constructed wetlands using Azolla pinnata
    Akinbile CO, Ogunrinde TA, Che Bt Man H, Aziz HA
    Int J Phytoremediation, 2016;18(1):54-61.
    PMID: 26121232 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2015.1058330
    Two constructed wetlands, one with Azolla pinnata plant (CW1) and the other without (CW2) for treating domestic wastewaters were developed. Fifteen water parameters which include: Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Total Phosphorus (TP), Total Nitrogen (TN), Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3N), Turbidity, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), and heavy metals such as Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. The experiments were conducted in two (dry and wet) seasons simultaneously. Results showed considerable reductions in all parameters and metals including Zn in CW1 compared with CW2 in the two seasons considered while Pb and Mn were not detected throughout the study. Zn concentration levels reduced significantly in both seasons just as removal efficiencies of 70.03% and 64.51% were recorded for CW1 while 35.17% and 33.45% were recorded for CW2 in both seasons. There were no significant differences in the removal efficiencies of Fe in both seasons as 99.55%, 59.09%, 88.89%, and 53.56% were recorded in CW1 and CW2 respectively. Azolla pinnata has proved effective in domestic wastewater phytoremediation studies.
  3. Problem-Solving Skills and Suicidal Ideation Among Malaysian College Students: the Mediating Role of Hopelessness
    Abdollahi A, Talib MA, Yaacob SN, Ismail Z
    Acad Psychiatry, 2016 Apr;40(2):261-7.
    PMID: 26122352 DOI: 10.1007/s40596-015-0383-0
    Recent evidence suggests that suicidal ideation has increased among Malaysian college students over the past two decades; therefore, it is essential to increase our knowledge concerning the etiology of suicidal ideation among Malaysian college students. This study was conducted to examine the relationships between problem-solving skills, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation among Malaysian college students.
  4. Levels of Ancylostoma infections and phylogenetic analysis of cox 1 gene of A. ceylanicum in stray cat faecal samples from Guangzhou, China
    Hu W, Yu XG, Wu S, Tan LP, Song MR, Abdulahi AY, et al.
    J Helminthol, 2016 Jul;90(4):392-7.
    PMID: 26123649 DOI: 10.1017/S0022149X15000413
    Ancylostoma ceylanicum is a common zoonotic nematode. Cats act as natural reservoirs of the hookworm and are involved in transmitting infection to humans, thus posing a potential risk to public health. The prevalence of feline A. ceylanicum in Guangzhou (South China) was surveyed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). In total, 112 faecal samples were examined; 34.8% (39/112) and 43.8% (49/112) samples were positive with hookworms by microscopy and PCR method, respectively. Among them, 40.8% of samples harboured A. ceylanicum. Twelve positive A. ceylanicum samples were selected randomly and used for cox 1 sequence analysis. Sequencing results revealed that they had 97-99% similarity with A. ceylanicum cox 1 gene sequences deposited in GenBank. A phylogenetic tree showed that A. ceylanicum isolates were divided into two groups: one comprising four isolates from Guangzhou (South China), and the other comprising those from Malaysia, Cambodia and Guangzhou. In the latter group, all A. ceylanicum isolates from Guangzhou were clustered into a minor group again. The results indicate that the high prevalence of A. ceylanicum in stray cats in South China poses a potential risk of hookworm transmission from pet cats to humans, and that A. ceylanicum may be a species complex worldwide.
    MeSH terms: Ancylostoma/classification*; Ancylostoma/genetics; Ancylostoma/isolation & purification; Ancylostomiasis/epidemiology; Ancylostomiasis/parasitology; Ancylostomiasis/veterinary*; Animals; Cat Diseases/epidemiology; Cat Diseases/parasitology*; Cats; China/epidemiology; Feces/parasitology*; Genotype; Phylogeny*; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Genetic Variation*; Prevalence; Cluster Analysis; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Cyclooxygenase 1/genetics*
  5. The tick Ixodida: an unusual foreign body in the ear
    Alazzawi S, Omar R, Raman R
    Trop Doct, 2016 Jan;46(1):62-3.
    PMID: 26130704 DOI: 10.1177/0049475515592494
    We report a patient with a hard tick in her left ear, adherent to the tympanic membrane.
  6. Ingestion of food pellets containing Escherichia coli overexpressing the heat-shock protein DnaK protects Penaeus vannamei (Boone) against Vibrio harveyi (Baumann) infection
    Sinnasamy S, Noordin NM, MacRae TH, Bin Abdullah MI, Bossier P, Wahid ME, et al.
    J Fish Dis, 2016 May;39(5):577-84.
    PMID: 26132358 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12390
    Feeding aquatic animals with bacterial encapsulated heat-shock proteins (Hsps) is potentially a new method to combat vibriosis, an important disease affecting aquatic animals used in aquaculture. Food pellets comprised of shrimp and containing Escherichia coli overexpressing either DnaK-DnaJ-GrpE, the prokaryotic equivalents of Hsp70-Hsp40-Hsp20, or only DnaK were fed to juveniles of the white leg shrimp Penaeus vannamei, and protection against pathogenic Vibrio harveyi was determined. Maintaining pellets at different temperatures for varying lengths of time reduced the number of live adhering E. coli, as did contact with sea water, demonstrating that storage and immersion adversely affected bacterial survival and attachment to pellets. Feeding P. vannamei with E. coli did not compromise their survival, indicating that the bacteria were not pathogenic to shrimp. Feeding P. vannamei with pellets containing bacteria overproducing DnaK (approximately 60 cells g(-1) pellets) boosted P. vannamei survival twofold against V. harveyi, suggesting that DnaK plays a role in Vibrio tolerance. Pellets containing DnaK were effective in providing protection to P. vannamei for up to 2 weeks before loss of viability and that DnaK encapsulated by these bacteria enhanced shrimp resistance against Vibrio infection.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed/microbiology*; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; Escherichia coli/genetics*; Vibrio/physiology*; Gene Expression; Aquaculture/methods*; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics*; Penaeidae/immunology; Penaeidae/microbiology*
  7. Fulltext A Basis for Rapid Clearance of Circulating Ring-Stage Malaria Parasites by the Spiroindolone KAE609
    Zhang R, Suwanarusk R, Malleret B, Cooke BM, Nosten F, Lau YL, et al.
    J Infect Dis, 2016 Jan 1;213(1):100-4.
    PMID: 26136472 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiv358
    Recent clinical trials revealed a surprisingly rapid clearance of red blood cells (RBCs) infected with malaria parasites by the spiroindolone KAE609. Here, we show that ring-stage parasite-infected RBCs exposed to KAE609 become spherical and rigid, probably through osmotic dysregulation consequent to the disruption of the parasite's sodium efflux pump (adenosine triphosphate 4). We also show that this peculiar drug effect is likely to cause accelerated splenic clearance of the rheologically impaired Plasmodium vivax- and Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBCs.
    MeSH terms: Antimalarials/pharmacology*; Erythrocytes/parasitology; Humans; Indoles/pharmacology*; Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects*; Plasmodium falciparum/genetics; Plasmodium vivax/drug effects*; Plasmodium vivax/genetics; Spiro Compounds/pharmacology*; Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology*
  8. Caveolin 1 (Cav-1) and actin-related protein 2/3 complex, subunit 1B (ARPC1B) expressions as prognostic indicators for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
    Auzair LB, Vincent-Chong VK, Ghani WM, Kallarakkal TG, Ramanathan A, Lee CE, et al.
    Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 2016 Jul;273(7):1885-93.
    PMID: 26138391 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-015-3703-9
    Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and Actin-Related Protein 2/3 Complex, Subunit 1B (ARPC1B) have been implicated in various human cancers, yet its role in tumorigenesis remains controversial. Therefore, this study aims to determine the protein expression of these two genes in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) and to evaluate the clinical and prognostic impact of these genes in OSCC. Protein expressions of these two genes were determined by immunohistochemistry technique. The association between Cav-1 and ARPC1B with clinico-pathological parameters was evaluated by Chi-square test (or Fisher exact test where appropriate). Correlation between the protein expressions of these 2 genes with survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models. Cav-1 and ARPC1B were found to be significantly over-expressed in OSCC compared to normal oral mucosa (p = 0.002 and p = 0.033, respectively). Low level of ARPC1B protein expression showed a significant correlation with lymph node metastasis (LNM) (p = 0.010) and advanced tumor staging (p = 0.003). Kaplan-Meier survival analyses demonstrated that patients with over-expression of Cav-1 protein were associated with poor prognosis (p = 0.030). Adjusted multivariate Cox regression model revealed that over-expression of Cav-1 remained as an independent significant prognostic factor for OSCC (HRR = 2.700, 95 % CI 1.013-7.198, p = 0.047). This study demonstrated that low-expression of ARPC1B is significantly associated with LNM and advanced tumor staging whereas high expression of Cav-1 can be a prognostic indicator for poor prognosis in OSCC patients.
    MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnosis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics*; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms/diagnosis; Mouth Neoplasms/genetics*; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; RNA, Neoplasm/genetics*; Biomarkers, Tumor/biosynthesis; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*; Caveolin 1/biosynthesis; Caveolin 1/genetics*; Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex/biosynthesis; Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex/genetics*
  9. Impact of Climate Change on Air Quality and Public Health in Urban Areas
    Hassan NA, Hashim Z, Hashim JH
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2016 Mar;28(2 Suppl):38S-48S.
    PMID: 26141092 DOI: 10.1177/1010539515592951
    This review discusses how climate undergo changes and the effect of climate change on air quality as well as public health. It also covers the inter relationship between climate and air quality. The air quality discussed here are in relation to the 5 criteria pollutants; ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM). Urban air pollution is the main concern due to higher anthropogenic activities in urban areas. The implications on health are also discussed. Mitigating measures are presented with the final conclusion.
    MeSH terms: Air Pollutants/analysis*; Air Pollution/adverse effects*; Carbon Dioxide/analysis; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide/analysis; Ozone/analysis; Sulfur Dioxide/analysis; Urban Health/statistics & numerical data*; Particulate Matter/analysis; Climate Change*
  10. Physical and chemical effects of acoustic cavitation in selected ultrasonic cleaning applications
    Yusof NS, Babgi B, Alghamdi Y, Aksu M, Madhavan J, Ashokkumar M
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2016 Mar;29:568-76.
    PMID: 26142078 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2015.06.013
    Acoustic cavitation in a liquid medium generates several physical and chemical effects. The oscillation and collapse of cavitation bubbles, driven at low ultrasonic frequencies (e.g., 20 kHz), can generate strong shear forces, microjets, microstreaming and shockwaves. Such strong physical forces have been used in cleaning and flux improvement of ultrafiltration processes. These physical effects have also been shown to deactivate pathogens. The efficiency of deactivation of pathogens is not only dependent on ultrasonic experimental parameters, but also on the properties of the pathogens themselves. Bacteria with thick shell wall are found to be resistant to ultrasonic deactivation process. Some evidence does suggest that the chemical effects (radicals) of acoustic cavitation are also effective in deactivating pathogens. Another aspect of cleaning, namely, purification of water contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants, has also been discussed in detail. Strong oxidising agents produced within acoustic cavitation bubbles could be used to degrade organic pollutants and convert toxic inorganic pollutants to less harmful substances. The effect of ultrasonic frequency and surface activity of solutes on the sonochemical degradation efficiency has also been discussed in this overview.
  11. Fulltext Comparison of genotypic and virtual phenotypic drug resistance interpretations with laboratory-based phenotypes among CRF01_AE and subtype B HIV-infected individuals
    Jiamsakul A, Chaiwarith R, Durier N, Sirivichayakul S, Kiertiburanakul S, Van Den Eede P, et al.
    J Med Virol, 2016 Feb;88(2):234-43.
    PMID: 26147742 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24320
    HIV drug resistance assessments and interpretations can be obtained from genotyping (GT), virtual phenotyping (VP) and laboratory-based phenotyping (PT). We compared resistance calls obtained from GT and VP with those from PT (GT-PT and VP-PT) among CRF01_AE and subtype B HIV-1 infected patients. GT predictions were obtained from the Stanford HIV database. VP and PT were obtained from Janssen Diagnostics BVBA's vircoType(TM) HIV-1 and Antivirogram®, respectively. With PT assumed as the "gold standard," the area under the curve (AUC) and the Bland-Altman plot were used to assess the level of agreement in resistance interpretations. A total of 80 CRF01_AE samples from Asia and 100 subtype B from Janssen Diagnostics BVBA's database were analysed. CRF01_AE showed discordances ranging from 3 to 27 samples for GT-PT and 1 to 20 samples for VP-PT. The GT-PT and VP-PT AUCs were 0.76-0.97 and 0.81-0.99, respectively. Subtype B showed 3-61 discordances for GT-PT and 2-75 discordances for VP-PT. The AUCs ranged from 0.55 to 0.95 for GT-PT and 0.55 to 0.97 for VP-PT. Didanosine had the highest proportion of discordances and/or AUC in all comparisons. The patient with the largest didanosine FC difference in each subtype harboured Q151M mutation. Overall, GT and VP predictions for CRF01_AE performed significantly better than subtype B for three NRTIs. Although discrepancies exist, GT and VP resistance interpretations in HIV-1 CRF01_AE strains were highly robust in comparison with the gold-standard PT.
    MeSH terms: Asia; Genotype*; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods; Phenotype*; HIV-1/drug effects*; HIV-1/genetics*; HIV-1/isolation & purification; HIV Infections/virology*; Anti-HIV Agents/pharmacology*; Drug Resistance, Viral*; Genotyping Techniques/methods
  12. Pyrolysis of low density polyethylene waste in subcritical water optimized by response surface methodology
    Wong SL, Ngadi N, Amin NA, Abdullah TA, Inuwa IM
    Environ Technol, 2016;37(2):245-54.
    PMID: 26150081 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2015.1068376
    Pyrolysis of low density polyethylene (LDPE) waste from local waste separation company in subcritical water was conducted to investigate the effect of reaction time, temperature, as well as the mass ratio of water to polymer on the liquid yield. The data obtained from the study were used to optimize the liquid yield using response surface methodology. The range of reaction temperature used was 162-338°C, while the reaction time ranged from 37 min to 143 min, and the ratio of water to polymer ranged from 1.9 to 7.1. It was found that pyrolysis of LDPE waste in subcritical water produced hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, while the liquid product contained alkanes and alkenes with 10-50 carbons atoms, as well as heptadecanone, dichloroacetic acid and heptadecyl ester. The optimized conditions were 152.3°C, reaction time of 1.2 min and ratio of water solution to polymer of 32.7, with the optimum liquid yield of 13.6 wt% and gases yield of 2.6 wt%.
  13. Fulltext Low-dose AgNPs reduce lung mechanical function and innate immune defense in the absence of cellular toxicity
    Botelho DJ, Leo BF, Massa CB, Sarkar S, Tetley TD, Chung KF, et al.
    Nanotoxicology, 2016;10(1):118-27.
    PMID: 26152688 DOI: 10.3109/17435390.2015.1038330
    Multiple studies have examined the direct cellular toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). However, the lung is a complex biological system with multiple cell types and a lipid-rich surface fluid; therefore, organ level responses may not depend on direct cellular toxicity. We hypothesized that interaction with the lung lining is a critical determinant of organ level responses. Here, we have examined the effects of low dose intratracheal instillation of AgNPs (0.05 μg/g body weight) 20 and 110 nm diameter in size, and functionalized with citrate or polyvinylpyrrolidone. Both size and functionalization were significant factors in particle aggregation and lipid interaction in vitro. One day post-intratracheal instillation lung function was assessed, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissue collected. There were no signs of overt inflammation. There was no change in surfactant protein-B content in the BAL but there was loss of surfactant protein-D with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilized particles. Mechanical impedance data demonstrated a significant increase in pulmonary elastance as compared to control, greatest with 110 nm PVP-stabilized particles. Seven days post-instillation of PVP-stabilized particles increased BAL cell counts, and reduced lung function was observed. These changes resolved by 21 days. Hence, AgNP-mediated alterations in the lung lining and mechanical function resolve by 21 days. Larger particles and PVP stabilization produce the largest disruptions. These studies demonstrate that low dose AgNPs elicit deficits in both mechanical and innate immune defense function, suggesting that organ level toxicity should be considered.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Immunity, Innate/drug effects*; Lung/drug effects; Lung/pathology; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Particle Size; Positive-Pressure Respiration; Povidone/pharmacology; Silver/toxicity*; Respiratory Mechanics/drug effects*; Mice; Metal Nanoparticles/toxicity*
  14. Occupation-based intervention in hand injury rehabilitation: Experiences of occupational therapists in Malaysia
    Che Daud AZ, Yau MK, Barnett F, Judd J
    Scand J Occup Ther, 2016;23(1):57-66.
    PMID: 26153367 DOI: 10.3109/11038128.2015.1062047
    INTRODUCTION: In a previous study consensus was sought from Malaysian occupational therapists of occupation-based intervention (OBI) that was perceived as a means and an end. Occupation as a means refers to occupational and purposeful tasks as a therapeutic agent while occupation as an end refers to occupation as an outcome of intervention. The purpose of this follow-up study was to describe the occupational therapists' experiences of providing OBI in hand injury rehabilitation in Malaysia.
    METHODS: Sixteen occupational therapists with more than five years of experience in hand rehabilitation were individually interviewed on their experiences of using OBI in practice. Data were thematically analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
    RESULTS: Definition of "Occupation as a means", and "Occupation as an end" was broadened after data analysis of interviews to include two new themes: "Rewarding yet challenging" and "Making OBI a reality". Occupational therapists had positive experiences with OBI and perceived that occupation as a means and an end can be merged into a single therapy session when the occupational therapists use an occupation that is therapeutic.
    CONCLUSION: Although occupation as a means and as an end have different purposes, when the ultimate goal is to enhance the clients' maximum level of functioning both can be used for successful rehabilitation of hand injuries.
    KEYWORDS: Activities of daily living; hand injuries; occupational therapy; occupations; qualitative research
    MeSH terms: Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hand Injuries/rehabilitation*; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Therapy/methods*; Patient-Centered Care; Qualitative Research
  15. A bioactive cycloartane triterpene from Garcinia hombroniana
    Jamila N, Khan N, Khan I, Khan AA, Khan SN
    Nat Prod Res, 2016 Jun;30(12):1388-97.
    PMID: 26158779 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2015.1060594
    The dichloromethane bark extract of Garcinia hombroniana yielded one new cycloartane triterpene; (22Z,24E)-3β-hydroxycycloart-14,22,24-trien-26-oic acid (1) together with five known compounds: garcihombronane G (2), garcihombronane J (3), 3β acetoxy-9α-hydroxy-17,14-friedolanostan-14,24-dien-26-oic acid (4), (22Z, 24E)-3β, 9α-dihydroxy-17,14-friedolanostan-14,22,24-trien-26-oic acid (5) and 3β, 23α-dihydroxy-17,14-friedolanostan-8,14,24-trien-26-oic acid (6). Their structures were established by the spectral techniques of NMR and ESI-MS. These compounds together with some previously isolated compounds; garcihombronane B (7), garcihombronane D (8) 2,3',4,5'-tetrahydroxy-6-methoxybenzophenone (9), volkensiflavone (10), 4''-O-methyll-volkensiflavone (11), volkensiflavone-7-O-glucopyranoside (12), volkensiflavone-7-O-rhamnopyranoside (13), Morelloflavone (14), 3''-O-methyl-morelloflavone (15) and morelloflavone-7-O-glucopyranoside (16) were evaluated for cholinesterase enzymes inhibitory activities using acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. In these activities, compounds 1-9 showed good dual inhibition on both the enzymes while compounds 10-16 did not reasonably contribute to both the cholinesterases inhibitory effects.
    MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism; Butyrylcholinesterase/metabolism; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods; Triterpenes/pharmacology; Triterpenes/chemistry; Molecular Structure; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Garcinia/chemistry*; Biflavonoids/pharmacology; Biflavonoids/chemistry
  16. Traditional Postpartum Practices Among Malaysian Mothers: A Review
    Fadzil F, Shamsuddin K, Wan Puteh SE
    J Altern Complement Med, 2016 Jul;22(7):503-8.
    PMID: 26167656 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2013.0469
    To briefly describe the postpartum practices among the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia and to identify commonalities in their traditional postpartum beliefs and practices.
    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia; Medicine, Traditional*; Mothers; Postnatal Care*
  17. Fulltext Estimating biodiversity impacts without field surveys: A case study in northern Borneo
    Kitzes J, Shirley R
    Ambio, 2016 Feb;45(1):110-9.
    PMID: 26169084 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-015-0683-3
    In many regions of the world, biodiversity surveys are not routinely conducted prior to activities that lead to land conversion, such as development projects. Here we use top-down methods based on global range maps and bottom-up methods based on macroecological scaling laws to illuminate the otherwise hidden biodiversity impacts of three large hydroelectric dams in the state of Sarawak in northern Borneo. Our retrospective impact assessment finds that the three reservoirs inundate habitat for 331 species of birds (3 million individuals) and 164 species of mammals (110 million individuals). A minimum of 2100 species of trees (900 million individuals) and 17 700 species of arthropods (34 billion individuals) are estimated to be affected by the dams. No extinctions of bird, mammal, or tree species are expected due to habitat loss following reservoir inundation, while 4-7 arthropod species extinctions are predicted. These assessment methods are applicable to any data-limited system undergoing land-use change.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Arthropods; Borneo; Conservation of Natural Resources; Environmental Monitoring/methods*; Mammals; Ecosystem; Biodiversity*
  18. Impact of mandibular implant prostheses on the oral health-related quality of life in partially and completely edentulous patients
    Yunus N, Masood M, Saub R, Al-Hashedi AA, Taiyeb Ali TB, Thomason JM
    Clin Oral Implants Res, 2016 Jul;27(7):904-9.
    PMID: 26173463 DOI: 10.1111/clr.12657
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients provided with mandibular implant fixed partial prostheses (IFPP) for rehabilitation of two adjacent missing posterior teeth and complete denture patients provided with mandibular implant-supported overdenture (ISOD). The response to change in OHRQoL with implant prostheses was additionally compared.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 20 IFPP (mean age 47.0; SD 12.9 years) and 28 ISOD (mean age 61.5; SD 9.1 years) patients received 2 mandibular implants. Metal ceramic nonsplinted fixed prostheses were provided in IFPP group, while in ISOD group, the mandibular overdentures were retained by nonsplinted attachments. Patients rated their oral health-related quality of life using OHIP-14 Malaysian version at baseline (T0), 2-3 months (T1) and 1 year (T2) postimplant treatment. Mean OHIP-14 for total and domain scores between groups and intervals was analysed using repeated-measures ANOVA and t-test. Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for the comparison of mean score change and effect size, while the association between pre- and post-treatment scores was determined using multivariate linear regression modelling.

    RESULTS: The total OHIP and domain scores before implant treatment were significantly higher (lower OHRQoL) in IFPP than in ISOD groups, except for physical pain where this domain showed similar impact in both groups. Postimplant scores between groups at T1 and T2 showed no significant difference. The mean score changes at T0-T1 and T0-T2 for total OHIP-14 and domains were significantly greater in IFPP except in the domains of physical pain and disability which showed no difference. Large effect size (ES) was observed for total OHIP-14 in IFPP while moderate in ISOD. Improved OHRQoL was dependent on the treatment group and pretreatment score.

    CONCLUSION: Improvement in OHRQoL occurred following both mandibular implant-supported overdentures and implant fixed partial prostheses.

    MeSH terms: Denture, Overlay*; Denture, Partial, Fixed*; Female; Humans; Jaw, Edentulous/rehabilitation*; Jaw, Edentulous, Partially/rehabilitation*; Male; Mandible; Middle Aged; Oral Health*; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life*; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported
  19. Numerical Simulation of a Biventricular Assist Device with Fixed Right Outflow Cannula Banding During Pulmonary Hypertension
    Nadeem K, Ng BC, Lim E, Gregory SD, Salamonsen RF, Stevens MC, et al.
    Ann Biomed Eng, 2016 Apr;44(4):1008-18.
    PMID: 26173771 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-015-1388-2
    As a left ventricular assist device is designed to pump against the systemic vascular resistance (SVR), pulmonary congestion may occur when using such device for right ventricular support. The present study evaluates the efficacy of using a fixed right outflow banding in patients receiving biventricular assist device support under various circulatory conditions, including variations in the SVR, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), total blood volume (BV), as well as ventricular contractility. Effect of speed variation on the hemodynamics was also evaluated at varying degrees of PVR. Pulmonary congestion was observed at high SVR and BV. A reduction in right ventricular assist device (RVAD) speed was required to restore pulmonary pressures. Meanwhile, at a high PVR, the risk of ventricular suction was prevalent during systemic hypotension due to low SVR and BV. This could be compensated by increasing RVAD speed. Isolated right heart recovery may aggravate pulmonary congestion, as the failing left ventricle cannot accommodate the resultant increase in the right-sided flow. Compared to partial assistance, the sensitivity of the hemodynamics to changes in VAD speed increased during full assistance. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the introduction of a banding graft with a 5 mm diameter guaranteed sufficient reserve of the pump speed spectrum for the regulation of acceptable hemodynamics over different clinical scenarios, except under critical conditions where drug administration or volume management is required.
  20. Accessory roots and root canals in human anterior teeth: a review and clinical considerations
    Ahmed HM, Hashem AA
    Int Endod J, 2016 Aug;49(8):724-36.
    PMID: 26174943 DOI: 10.1111/iej.12508
    Anterior teeth may have aberrant anatomical variations in the number of roots and root canals. A review of the literature was conducted using appropriate key words in major endodontic journals to identify the available reported cases as well as experimental and clinical investigations on accessory roots and root canals in anterior teeth. After retrieving the full text of related articles, cross-citations were identified, and the pooled data were then discussed. Results revealed a higher prevalence in accessory root/root canal variations in mandibular anterior teeth than in maxillary counterparts. However, maxillary incisor teeth revealed the highest tendency for accessory root/root canal aberrations caused by anomalies such as dens invaginatus and palato-gingival groove. Primary anterior teeth may also exhibit external and internal anatomical variations in the root, especially maxillary canines. Therefore, dental practitioners should thoroughly assess all teeth scheduled for root canal treatment to prevent the undesirable consequences caused by inadequate debridement of accessory configurations of the root canal system.
    MeSH terms: Cuspid/abnormalities; Dental Pulp Cavity/abnormalities*; Humans; Incisor/abnormalities; Radiography, Dental; Tooth Root/abnormalities*
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