Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Why Cancer Patients Seek Islamic Healing
    Suhami N, Muhamad MB, Krauss SE
    J Relig Health, 2016 Oct;55(5):1507-18.
    PMID: 26391242 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-015-0114-6
    Islamic healing is frequently referred to as the treatment of choice by many Muslim cancer patients in Malaysia. Despite its widespread use, there is limited information relating to patients' healing preferences. With rising cancer rates in the country, this issue has become a concern to public health policy makers. The purpose of this study was to understand why cancer patients seek Islamic healing. This qualitative study utilized in-depth interviews with 18 cancer patients. The findings indicate three main reasons: (1) recommendations from family, friends and doctors; (2) belief in Islamic healing and (3) the perceived ineffectiveness and dissatisfaction with conventional treatments. Islamic healing will likely continue to be popular complementary cancer treatment in Malaysia as it is grounded in strong cultural and religious beliefs.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Complementary Therapies*; Choice Behavior*; Culture; Female; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Islam*; Middle Aged; Neoplasms/therapy*; Patient Acceptance of Health Care*; Religion and Medicine*; Qualitative Research
  2. Comparative studies of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor vs sulphonylurea among Muslim Type 2 diabetes patients who fast in the month of Ramadan: A systematic review and meta-analysis
    Loh HH, Yee A, Loh HS, Sukor N, Kamaruddin NA
    Prim Care Diabetes, 2016 Jun;10(3):210-9.
    PMID: 26392074 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2015.09.001
    AIM: To systematically review the literature to compare the use of DPP4 inhibitors vs sulphonylurea in type 2 diabetic Muslim patients who fast in Ramadan, with regards to its safety, tolerability, glycemic control, and body weight changes.

    METHODS: All English-language medical literature published from inception till October 2014 which met the inclusion criteria were reviewed and analyzed.

    RESULTS: A total of nine papers were included, reviewed and analyzed. The total sample size was 4276 patients. All studies used either of the two DPP4 inhibitors - Vildagliptin or Sitagliptin, vs sulphonylurea or meglitinides. Patients receiving DPP4 inhibitors were less likely to develop symptomatic hypoglycemia (risk ratio 0.46; 95% CI, 0.30-0.70), confirmed hypoglycemia (risk ratio 0.36; 95% CI, 0.21-0.64) and severe hypoglycemia (risk ratio 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10-0.53) compared with patients on sulphonylureas. There was no statistically significant difference in HbA1C changes comparing Vildagliptin and sulphonylurea.

    CONCLUSION: DPP4 inhibitor is a safer alternative to sulphonylurea in Muslim patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who fast during the month of Ramadan as it is associated with lower risk of symptomatic, confirmed and severe hypoglycemia, with efficacy comparable to sulphonylurea.

    MeSH terms: Blood Glucose/drug effects*; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diagnosis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology; Fasting/blood*; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/metabolism; Humans; Hypoglycemia/blood; Hypoglycemia/chemically induced; Hypoglycemic Agents/adverse effects; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Religion and Medicine*; Risk Factors; Sulfonylurea Compounds/adverse effects; Sulfonylurea Compounds/therapeutic use*; Time Factors; Biomarkers/blood; Odds Ratio; Treatment Outcome; Risk Assessment; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4/metabolism*; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors/adverse effects; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors/therapeutic use*; Patient Safety
  3. Cementoblastic lineage formation in the cross-talk between stem cells of human exfoliated deciduous teeth and epithelial rests of Malassez cells
    Farea M, Husein A, Halim AS, Berahim Z, Nurul AA, Mokhtar KI, et al.
    Clin Oral Investig, 2016 Jul;20(6):1181-91.
    PMID: 26392396 DOI: 10.1007/s00784-015-1601-6
    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of epithelial rests of Malassez cells (ERM) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) on proliferation, cementogenic and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED).
  4. Congenital Tuberculosis Complicated by Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
    Osowicki J, Wang S, McKenzie C, Marshall C, Gard J, Ke Juin W, et al.
    Pediatr Infect Dis J, 2016 Jan;35(1):108-10.
    PMID: 26398869 DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000000932
    We present the case of a male infant with congenital tuberculosis in a nonendemic setting complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, who was treated successfully with antituberculous therapy and corticosteroids. We review the pediatric literature concerning the unusual association of these 2 rare conditions.
    MeSH terms: Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use; Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Tuberculosis/complications*; Tuberculosis/diagnosis; Tuberculosis/drug therapy; Tuberculosis/transmission*; Treatment Outcome; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic/complications*; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic/diagnosis*; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic/drug therapy
  5. Factors associated with poor CD4 and viral load outcomes in patients with HIV/AIDS
    Syed IA, Sulaiman SA, Hassali MA, Syed SH, Shan LH, Lee CK
    J Med Virol, 2016 May;88(5):790-7.
    PMID: 26399724 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24389
    Suboptimal viral suppression and CD4 response to antiretroviral treatment (HAART) is known to cause poor outcomes with the increase cost of treatment. We aimed to assess factors associated with such control among HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia. Four hundred and six HIV/AIDS patients, using Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for at least the past three months, treated as outpatients at medication therapy adherence clinics (MTAC) were recruited. CD4 cell counts, viral load readings along with co-variants such as socio-demographic factors, adverse drug reactions, comorbidities, and medication record were obtained. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS(®) ) version 18 and STATA IC(®) version 12 were used for data analysis. CD4 counts were found highest among those within the age category 41-50 years (390.43 ± 272.28), female (402.64 ± 276.14), other ethnicities (400.20 ± 278.04), and participants with no formal education (414.87 ± 290.90). Patients experiencing adverse effects had a 2.28 (95%CI:1.25-4.18) fold greater risk of poor CD4 control, while patients with comorbidities had 2.46 (95%CI:1.02-5.91) fold greater risk of mild viral suppression. Adverse drug reactions, co-morbidities were found to be significantly associated with poor immunological and virological outcomes in HIV/AIDS patients. However, a comprehensive evaluation is needed to better understand other confounders.
    Study site: Medication therapy adherence clinic, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome*; Hospitals; Humans; Malaysia; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Retrospective Studies; HIV Infections*; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  6. Measles surveillance in Taiwan, 2012-2014: Changing epidemiology, immune response, and circulating genotypes
    Cheng WY, Wang HC, Wu HS, Liu MT
    J Med Virol, 2016 May;88(5):746-53.
    PMID: 26400063 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24392
    In Taiwan, although the coverage rate of two doses of measles-containing vaccine has been maintained at over 95% since 2001, measles outbreaks occurred in 2002, 2009, and 2011. The present study reports that 43 cases were confirmed by laboratory testing in Taiwan in 2012-2014 and that adults have emerged as one of groups susceptible to measles virus (MV) infection, who may have discrepant humoral immune reactions-indicated by the level of IgM and IgG antibodies compared to a naïve, susceptible measles case. Thirty-seven of 43 cases confirmed by RT-PCR were further characterized by genotyping. In Taiwan, genotype H1 was the major strain in circulation prior to 2010, while D9 was the most frequently detected MV genotype between 2010 and 2011. The genotyping data collected between 2012 and 2014 revealed that H1 rebounded in 2012 after an absence in 2011 and was imported from China and Vietnam. In 2014, genotype B3 first appeared in Taiwan following import from the Philippines and became the most frequently detected strain. Genotype D8, linked to importation from various countries, including India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, showed sequence divergence. D9 was imported from Malaysia in 2014. The MV genotypes detected in Taiwan reflected the genotypes of circulating endemic measles strains in neighboring countries. A significant rise in the number of measles cases and in measles with genotypes imported from surrounding countries indicated that measles resurged in Asia in 2014. J. Med. Virol. 88:746-753, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
    MeSH terms: Adult; China; Disease Outbreaks; Genotype; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; India; Indonesia; Malaysia; Measles; Measles Vaccine; Measles virus; Philippines; Taiwan; Thailand; Vietnam; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  7. Fulltext The Influence of Medication Attitudes on Utilization of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Indonesian Prisons
    Culbert GJ, Bazazi AR, Waluyo A, Murni A, Muchransyah AP, Iriyanti M, et al.
    AIDS Behav, 2016 05;20(5):1026-38.
    PMID: 26400080 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1198-4
    Negative attitudes toward HIV medications may restrict utilization of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Indonesian prisons where many people living with HIV (PLH) are diagnosed and first offered ART. This mixed-method study examines the influence of medication attitudes on ART utilization among HIV-infected Indonesian prisoners. Randomly-selected HIV-infected male prisoners (n = 102) completed face-to-face in-depth interviews and structured surveys assessing ART attitudes. Results show that although half of participants utilized ART, a quarter of those meeting ART eligibility guidelines did not. Participants not utilizing ART endorsed greater concerns about ART efficacy, safety, and adverse effects, and more certainty that ART should be deferred in PLH who feel healthy. In multivariate analyses, ART utilization was independently associated with more positive ART attitudes (AOR = 1.09, 95 % CI 1.03-1.16, p = 0.002) and higher internalized HIV stigma (AOR = 1.03, 95 % CI 1.00-1.07, p = 0.016). Social marketing of ART is needed to counteract negative ART attitudes that limit ART utilization among Indonesian prisoners.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Humans; Indonesia; Interviews as Topic; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Male; Prisoners/psychology*; Prisons*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Random Allocation; HIV Infections/drug therapy*; HIV Infections/psychology; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/psychology; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/utilization*; Young Adult; Social Stigma*
  8. Improving metabolic monitoring in patients maintained on antipsychotics in Penang, Malaysia
    Hor ES, Subramaniam S, Koay JM, Bharathy A, Vasudevan U, Panickulam JJ, et al.
    Australas Psychiatry, 2016 Feb;24(1):67-71.
    PMID: 26400455 DOI: 10.1177/1039856215604484
    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the monitoring of metabolic parameters among outpatients maintained on antipsychotic medications in a general hospital setting in Malaysia and to assess the impact of a local monitoring protocol.
    METHODS: By performing a baseline audit of files from a random sample of 300 patients prescribed antipsychotic medications for at least 1 year; we determined the frequency of metabolic monitoring. The findings informed the design of a new local protocol, on which clinical staff was briefed. We re-evaluated metabolic monitoring immediately after implementation, in a small sample of new referrals and current patients. We explored staff perceptions of the initiative with a follow-up focus group, 6 months post-implementation.
    RESULTS: The baseline audit revealed a sub-optimal frequency of metabolic parameter recording. Re-audit, following implementation of the new protocol, revealed improved monitoring but persisting deficits. Dialogue with the clinical staff led to further protocol modification, clearer definition of staff roles and use of a standard recording template. Focus group findings revealed positive perceptions of the initiative, but persisting implementation barriers, including cultural issues surrounding waist circumference measurement.
    CONCLUSIONS: Responding to challenges in achieving improved routine metabolic monitoring of patients maintained on antipsychotics required on-going dialogue with the clinical staff, in order to address both service pressures and cultural concerns.
    KEYWORDS: Malaysia; antipsychotic agents; cultural issues; mental disorders; metabolic monitoring; metabolic syndrome; patient monitoring; staff behaviour; waist circumference
    Study site: Psychiatric clinic, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Adult; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Cholesterol; Female; Hospitals, General; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Antipsychotic Agents*; Body Mass Index; Waist Circumference; Interrupted Time Series Analysis
  9. The potential use of a layer-by-layer strategy to develop LDPE antimicrobial films coated with silver nanoparticles for packaging applications
    Azlin-Hasim S, Cruz-Romero MC, Cummins E, Kerry JP, Morris MA
    J Colloid Interface Sci, 2016 Jan 01;461:239-248.
    PMID: 26402783 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2015.09.021
    Commercial low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films were UV/ozone treated and coated using a layer-by-layer (LbL) technique by alternating the deposition of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) polymer solutions and antimicrobial silver (Ag). The effects of the initial pH of the PEI/PAA polymer solutions alternating layers (pH 10.5/4 or 9/6.5) on the antimicrobial activity of the developed LbL coatings combined with Ag against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were investigated. The results from fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and toluidine blue O assay showed that LDPE LbL coated using PEI/PAA polymer solutions with initial pH of 10.5/4 significantly increased the presence of carboxylic acid groups and after Ag attachment the coating had higher antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria compared to the LDPE LbL coated using PEI/PAA polymer solutions with initial pH of 9/6.5. The LDPE LbL coated films using non-modified pH PEI/PAA polymer solutions decreased the water contact-angle indicating an increased hydrophilicity of the film, also increased the tensile strength and roughness of LDPE LbL coated films compared to uncoated LbL samples. The LDPE LbL coated films attached with Ag(+) were UV/ozone treated for 20 min to oxidise Ag(+) to Ag(0). The presence of Ag(0) (Ag nanoparticles (NPs)) on the LDPE LbL coated films was confirmed by XRD, UV-vis spectrophotometer and colour changes. The overall results demonstrated that the LbL technique has the potential to be used as a coating method containing antimicrobial Ag NPs and that the manufactured films could potentially be applied as antimicrobial packaging.
    MeSH terms: Acrylic Resins/chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Polyethyleneimine/chemistry; Pseudomonas fluorescens/drug effects; Silver/pharmacology*; Silver/chemistry; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects; Structure-Activity Relationship; Surface Properties; Food Packaging/instrumentation*; Polyethylene/pharmacology*; Polyethylene/chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  10. The importance of assessment and management of morning stiffness in Asian patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Recommendations from an expert panel
    Mok CC, Cha HS, Hidayat R, Nguyen LT, Perez EC, Ramachandran R, et al.
    Int J Rheum Dis, 2016 Jan;19(1):30-7.
    PMID: 26403254 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.12755
    OBJECTIVE: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), morning stiffness is linked more to functional disability and pain than disease activity, as assessed by joint counts and markers of inflammation. As part of the Asia Pacific Morning Stiffness in Rheumatoid Arthritis Expert Panel, a group of eight rheumatologists met to formulate consensus points and develop recommendations for the assessment and management of morning stiffness in RA.
    METHODS: On the basis of a systematic literature review and expert opinion, a panel of Asian rheumatologists formulated recommendations for the assessment and medical treatment of RA.
    RESULTS: The panel agreed upon 10 consensus statements on morning stiffness, its assessment and treatment. Specifically, the panel recommended that morning stiffness, pain and impaired morning function should be routinely assessed in clinical practice. Although there are currently no validated tools for these parameters, they should be assessed as part of the patients' reported outcomes in RA. The panel also agreed on the benefits of low-dose glucocorticoids in RA, particularly for the improvement of morning stiffness.
    CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations serve to guide rheumatologists and other stakeholders on the assessment and management of morning stiffness, and help implement the treat-to-target principle in the management of RA.
    KEYWORDS: consensus recommendations; morning stiffness; rheumatoid arthritis
    MeSH terms: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Asia; Humans
  11. Vacuolar-ATPase (V-ATPase) Mediates Progesterone-Induced Uterine Fluid Acidification in Rats
    Karim K, Giribabu N, Muniandy S, Salleh N
    J. Membr. Biol., 2016 04;249(1-2):65-76.
    PMID: 26403527 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-015-9848-z
    We hypothesized that progesterone-induced decrease in uterine fluid pH involves V-ATPase. In this study, expression and functional activity of V-ATPase in uterus were investigated under progesterone influence. Ovariectomized adult female rats received subcutaneous injection of estradiol-17β (1 µg/kg/day) or progesterone (20 mg/kg/day) for 3 days or 3 days estradiol-17β followed by 3 days vehicle, progesterone, or estradiol-17β plus progesterone. Mifepristone, a progesterone receptor blocker, was concomitantly given to the rats which received progesterone. A day after last injection, rate of uterine fluid secretion, its HCO3 (-) concentration, and pH were determined via in vivo uterine perfusion in rats under anesthesia. V-ATPase inhibitor, bafilomycin, was introduced into the perfusion buffer, and changes in these parameters were observed. Expression of V-ATPase A1 and B1/2 proteins and mRNAs in uterus were quantified by Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. Distribution of these proteins was observed by immunohistochemistry. Our findings showed that under progesterone influence, uterine fluid secretion rate, HCO3 (-) concentration, and pH were significantly reduced. Administration of bafilomycin did not cause significant changes in fluid secretion rate; however, HCO3 (-) concentration and pH were significantly elevated. In parallel with these changes, expression of V-ATPase A1 and B1/2 proteins and mRNAs were significantly increased with these proteins highly distributed in uterine luminal and glandular epithelia. In conclusion, increased expression and functional activity of V-ATPase were most likely responsible for the decreased in uterine fluid pH observed under progesterone influence.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Endometrium/metabolism; Female; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*; Progesterone/metabolism*; Progesterone/pharmacology; RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism; Uterus/drug effects; Uterus/metabolism*; Biomarkers; Gene Expression; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases/genetics; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases/metabolism*; Extracellular Fluid/metabolism*; Extracellular Fluid/chemistry; Rats
  12. Rare earth elements in core marine sediments of coastal East Malaysia by instrumental neutron activation analysis
    Ashraf A, Saion E, Gharibshahi E, Kamari HM, Kong YC, Hamzah MS, et al.
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2016 Jan;107:17-23.
    PMID: 26405840 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.09.004
    A study was carried out on the concentration of REEs (Dy, Sm, Eu,Yb, Lu, La and Ce) that are present in the core marine sediments of East Malaysia from three locations at South China Sea and one location each at Sulu Sea and Sulawesi Sea. The sediment samples were collected at a depth of between 49 and 109 m, dried, and crushed to powdery form. The entire core sediments prepared for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) were weighted approximately 0.0500 g to 0.1000 g for short irradiation and 0.1500 g to 0.2000 g for long irradiation. The samples were irradiated with a thermal neutron flux of 4.0×10(12) cm(-2) s(-1) in a TRIGA Mark II research reactor operated at 750 kW. Blank samples and standard reference materials SL-1 were also irradiated for calibration and quality control purposes. It was found that the concentration of REEs varies in the range from 0.11 to 36.84 mg/kg. The chondrite-normalized REEs for different stations suggest that all the REEs are from similar origins. There was no significant REEs contamination as the enrichment factors normalized for Fe fall in the range of 0.42-2.82.
    MeSH terms: Calibration; China; Dental Porcelain; Indonesia; Malaysia; Neutron Activation Analysis; Neutrons; Quality Control; Geologic Sediments; Meteoroids
  13. Investigating the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis: the role of tourism and ecological footprint
    Ozturk I, Al-Mulali U, Saboori B
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2016 Jan;23(2):1916-28.
    PMID: 26408117 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5447-x
    The main objective of this study is to examine the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis by utilizing the ecological footprint as an environment indicator and GDP from tourism as the economic indicator. To achieve this goal, an environmental degradation model is established during the period of 1988-2008 for 144 countries. The results from the time series generalized method of moments (GMM) and the system panel GMM revealed that the number of countries that have a negative relationship between the ecological footprint and its determinants (GDP growth from tourism, energy consumption, trade openness, and urbanization) is more existent in the upper middle- and high-income countries. Moreover, the EKC hypothesis is more present in the upper middle- and high-income countries than the other income countries. From the outcome of this research, a number of policy recommendations were provided for the investigated countries.
    MeSH terms: Conservation of Natural Resources; Ecology; Environment*; Travel/economics*; Urbanization
  14. Molecular, cellular, morphological, physiological and behavioral aspects of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone
    Ubuka T, Son YL, Tsutsui K
    Gen Comp Endocrinol, 2016 Feb 1;227:27-50.
    PMID: 26409890 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.09.009
    Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that was isolated from the brains of Japanese quail in 2000, which inhibited luteinizing hormone release from the anterior pituitary gland. Here, we summarize the following fifteen years of researches that investigated on the mechanism of GnIH actions at molecular, cellular, morphological, physiological, and behavioral levels. The unique molecular structure of GnIH peptide is in its LPXRFamide (X=L or Q) motif at its C-terminal. The primary receptor for GnIH is GPR147. The cell signaling pathway triggered by GnIH is initiated by inhibiting adenylate cyclase and decreasing cAMP production in the target cell. GnIH neurons regulate not only gonadotropin synthesis and release in the pituitary, but also regulate various neurons in the brain, such as GnRH1, GnRH2, dopamine, POMC, NPY, orexin, MCH, CRH, oxytocin, and kisspeptin neurons. GnIH and GPR147 are also expressed in gonads and they may regulate steroidogenesis and germ cell maturation in an autocrine/paracrine manner. GnIH regulates reproductive development and activity. In female mammals, GnIH may regulate estrous or menstrual cycle. GnIH is also involved in the regulation of seasonal reproduction, but GnIH may finely tune reproductive activities in the breeding seasons. It is involved in stress responses not only in the brain but also in gonads. GnIH may inhibit male socio-sexual behavior by stimulating the activity of cytochrome P450 aromatase in the brain and stimulates feeding behavior by modulating the activities of hypothalamic and central amygdala neurons.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Coturnix/metabolism; Female; Gonads/metabolism; Hypothalamic Hormones/metabolism*; Hypothalamus/metabolism*; Male; Neurons/metabolism; Pituitary Gland/metabolism*; Reproduction/physiology*; Signal Transduction/physiology*; Avian Proteins/metabolism*
  15. Characterizing Enterovirus 71 and Coxsackievirus A16 virus-like particles production in insect cells
    Somasundaram B, Chang C, Fan YY, Lim PY, Cardosa J, Lua L
    Methods, 2016 Feb 15;95:38-45.
    PMID: 26410190 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2015.09.023
    Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) are two viruses commonly responsible for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. The lack of prophylactic or therapeutic measures against HFMD is a major public health concern. Insect cell-based EV71 and CVA16 virus-like particles (VLPs) are promising vaccine candidates against HFMD and are currently under development. In this paper, the influence of insect cell line, incubation temperature, and serial passaging effect and stability of budded virus (BV) stocks on EV71 and CVA16 VLP production was investigated. Enhanced EV71 and CVA16 VLP production was observed in Sf9 cells compared to High Five™ cells. Lowering the incubation temperature from the standard 27°C to 21°C increased the production of both VLPs in Sf9 cells. Serial passaging of CVA16 BV stocks in cell culture had a detrimental effect on the productivity of the structural proteins and the effect was observed with only 5 passages of BV stocks. A 2.7× higher production yield was achieved with EV71 compared to CVA16. High-resolution asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation couple with multi-angle light scattering (AF4-MALS) was used for the first time to characterize EV71 and CVA16 VLPs, displaying an average root mean square radius of 15±1nm and 15.3±5.8 nm respectively. This study highlights the need for different approaches in the design of production process to develop a bivalent EV71 and CVA16 vaccine.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Viral/biosynthesis; Enterovirus/genetics; Enterovirus/immunology*; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/immunology; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/prevention & control; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/virology; Humans; Rabbits; Temperature; Viral Vaccines/biosynthesis*; Viral Vaccines/genetics; Viral Vaccines/immunology; Virion/genetics*; Virion/immunology; Baculoviridae/genetics; Baculoviridae/metabolism; Spodoptera; Molecular Mimicry; Enterovirus A, Human/genetics; Enterovirus A, Human/immunology*; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/biosynthesis*; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/genetics; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/immunology; Sf9 Cells
  16. Effect of torsional loading on compressive fatigue behaviour of trabecular bone
    Fatihhi SJ, Rabiatul AA, Harun MN, Kadir MR, Kamarul T, Syahrom A
    J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2016 Feb;54:21-32.
    PMID: 26410762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2015.09.006
    The present study reports the effects of combined torsional and compressive cyclic loading on trabecular bone in order to mimic true physiological conditions and thereby provides improved data that represents clinical and real life conditions. However, only compressive behaviour is evaluated in most previous studies of bone mechanics. From the monotonic evaluation, it is observed that lower stress is needed for the onset of microcrack in the sample under torsional loading, compared to the stress needed in compression. Trabecular bone samples were subjected to a combination of torsion and compression fatigue at different stress levels during which they were compared to compressive axial fatigue. The stress levels were determined by considering the monotonic strength at 25-50% for both compressive and shear stresses. Significant decrease in fatigue lifetime is observed in between samples of pure compression fatigue and those with superpositioned torsional loading (p<0.05). The reduction in fatigue lifetime became more evident at a high torsional stress level. In this case, the failure of the sample is said to be 'torsional dominant'. Fatigue behaviour of bovine trabecular bone begins with plastic deformation, followed by strain accumulation and modulus reduction. As the strain rate increases, more energy dissipates and the sample finally failed. Further, the analysis of fractograph revealed something on the trabeculae by bending in sample with superpositioned torsional loading. In conclusion, torsional loading decreases the quality of the trabecular properties in terms of stiffness, life and structural integrity. It is hoped that results from this study will improve the understanding of the behaviour of trabecular bone under combined fatigue and help to develop future assessments of trabecular failure.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cattle; Femur/physiology*; Humans; Materials Testing; Stress, Mechanical*; Weight-Bearing; Compressive Strength*
  17. Expression of a codon-optimised recombinant Ara h 2.02 peanut allergen in Escherichia coli
    Lew MH, Lim RL
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2016 Jan;100(2):661-71.
    PMID: 26411458 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6953-y
    Current diagnostic tools for peanut allergy using crude peanut extract showed low predictive value and reduced specificity for detection of peanut allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). The Ara h 2.02, an isoform of the major peanut allergen Ara h 2, contains three IgE epitope recognition sequence of 'DPYSPS' and may be a better reagent for component resolve diagnosis. This research aimed to generate a codon-optimised Ara h 2.02 gene for heterologous expression in Escherichia coli and allergenicity study of this recombinant protein. The codon-optimised gene was generated by PCR using overlapping primers and cloned into the pET-28a (+) expression vector. Moderate expression of a 22.5 kDa 6xhistidine-tagged recombinant Ara h 2.02 protein (6xHis-rAra h 2.02) in BL21 (DE3) host cells was observed upon induction with 1 mM isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The insoluble recombinant protein was purified under denaturing condition using nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity chromatography and refolded by dialysis in decreasing urea concentration, amounting to a yield of 74 mg/l of expression culture. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and immunoblot analysis confirmed the production of the recombinant 6xHis-rAra h 2.02. The refolded recombinant 6xHis-rAra h 2.02, with or without adjuvant, was able to elicit comparable level of allergen-specific IgE and IgG1 in sensitised Balb/c mice. In addition, the specific IgE antibodies raised against the recombinant protein were able to recognise the native Ara h 2 protein, demonstrating its allergenicity and potential as a reagent for diagnosis and therapeutic study.
    MeSH terms: Allergens/biosynthesis; Allergens/genetics; Allergens/immunology*; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Epitopes/immunology; Chromatography, Affinity; Codon*; Cross Reactions; Escherichia coli/genetics*; Escherichia coli/metabolism; Glycoproteins/biosynthesis; Glycoproteins/genetics*; Glycoproteins/immunology*; Glycoproteins/chemistry; Immunoglobulin E/blood; Immunoglobulin E/immunology; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Immunoglobulin G/immunology; Plant Proteins; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis; Recombinant Proteins/immunology; Recombinant Proteins/chemistry; Protein Folding; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Peanut Hypersensitivity/diagnosis; Peanut Hypersensitivity/immunology; Peanut Hypersensitivity/therapy; Mice; Antigens, Plant/biosynthesis; Antigens, Plant/genetics*; Antigens, Plant/immunology*; Antigens, Plant/chemistry; 2S Albumins, Plant/biosynthesis; 2S Albumins, Plant/genetics*; 2S Albumins, Plant/immunology*; 2S Albumins, Plant/chemistry
  18. Fulltext Late Presentation into Care of HIV Disease and Its Associated Factors in Asia: Results of TAHOD
    Jeong SJ, Italiano C, Chaiwarith R, Ng OT, Vanar S, Jiamsakul A, et al.
    AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses, 2016 Mar;32(3):255-61.
    PMID: 26414065 DOI: 10.1089/AID.2015.0058
    Many HIV-infected individuals do not enter health care until late in the infection course. Despite encouraging earlier testing, this situation has continued for several years. We investigated the prevalence of late presenters and factors associated with late presentation among HIV-infected patients in an Asian regional cohort. This cohort study included HIV-infected patients with their first positive HIV test during 2003-2012 and CD4 count and clinical status data within 3 months of that test. Factors associated with late presentation into care (CD4 count <200 cells/μl or an AIDS-defining event within ±3 months of first positive HIV test) were analyzed in a random effects logistic regression model. Among 3,744 patients, 2,681 (72%) were late presenters. In the multivariable model, older patients were more likely to be late presenters than younger (≤30 years) patients [31-40, 41-50, and ≥51 years: odds ratio (OR) = 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31-1.88; OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.58-2.56; and OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.23-2.31, respectively; all p ≤ 0.001]. Injecting drug users (IDU) were more likely (OR = 2.15, 95% CI 1.42-3.27, p < 0.001) and those with homosexual HIV exposure were less likely (OR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.35-0.58, p < 0.001) to be late presenters compared to those with heterosexual HIV exposure. Females were less likely to be late presenters (OR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.36-0.53, p < 0.001). The year of first positive HIV test was not associated with late presentation. Efforts to reduce the patients who first seek HIV care at the late stage are needed. The identified risk factors associated with late presentation should be utilized in formulating targeted public health intervention to improve earlier entry into HIV care.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Age Factors; Asia/epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Sexual Behavior; Sex Factors; HIV Infections/diagnosis*; HIV Infections/epidemiology; HIV Infections/pathology; HIV Infections/virology; Substance Abuse, Intravenous; Prevalence; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Delayed Diagnosis*
  19. Differential osteogenic potential of human adipose-derived stem cells co-cultured with human osteoblasts on polymeric microfiber scaffolds
    Rozila I, Azari P, Munirah S, Wan Safwani WK, Gan SN, Nur Azurah AG, et al.
    J Biomed Mater Res A, 2016 Feb;104(2):377-87.
    PMID: 26414782 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35573
    The osteogenic potential of human adipose-derived stem cells (HADSCs) co-cultured with human osteoblasts (HOBs) using selected HADSCs/HOBs ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 1:2, respectively, is evaluated. The HADSCs/HOBs were seeded on electrospun three-dimensional poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid] (PHB) blended with bovine-derived hydroxyapatite (BHA). Monocultures of HADSCs and HOBs were used as control groups. The effects of PHB-BHA scaffold on cell proliferation and cell morphology were assessed by AlamarBlue assay and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Cell differentiation, cell mineralization, and osteogenic-related gene expression of co-culture HADSCs/HOBs were examined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay, alizarin Red S assay, and quantitative real time PCR, respectively. The results showed that co-culture of HADSCs/HOBs, 1:1 grown into PHB-BHA promoted better cell adhesion, displayed a significant higher cell proliferation, higher production of ALP, extracellular mineralization and osteogenic-related gene expression of run-related transcription factor, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin, and osteocalcin compared to other co-culture groups. This result also suggests that the use of electrospun PHB-BHA in a co-culture HADSCs/HOBs system may serve as promising approach to facilitate osteogenic differentiation activity of HADSCs through direct cell-to-cell contact with HOBs.
    MeSH terms: Adipose Tissue/cytology; Adipose Tissue/metabolism*; Animals; Antigens, Differentiation/biosynthesis; Cattle; Female; Humans; Hydroxybutyrates/chemistry*; Male; Osteoblasts/cytology; Osteoblasts/metabolism*; Osteogenesis*; Polyesters/chemistry*; Stem Cells/cytology; Stem Cells/metabolism*; Coculture Techniques; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry*
  20. Our experience in using the brachial venae comitantes as a native vascular access for hemodialysis
    Sha HL, Luk TL, Tee SC, Hardin R, Seak CK
    Hemodial Int, 2016 Apr;20(2):293-7.
    PMID: 26415761 DOI: 10.1111/hdi.12370
    A native arteriovenous fistula is the preferred vascular access for patients on long-term hemodialysis. In the absence of suitable superficial veins, the deep venous system can be used. We intend to present our experience in using the brachial venae comitantes (VC) to create a native arteriovenous fistula. From January 2012 to December 2014, we utilized the brachial vena comitantes to create 12 arteriovenous fistulae. Data from these 12 subjects were analyzed retrospectively to produce this case series. The average age of our subjects was 55.6 years. Forty-two percent of the subjects were women. Fifty percent of the subjects had diabetes mellitus and 58% had hypertension. We achieved a functional patency rate of 58% at 1 month's follow up after maturation. The brachio-brachial vena comitans fistula is a safe and plausible option in patients with no other suitable veins for a native fistula, more so in the hands of experienced surgeons. The longer time to cannulation has to be taken into consideration when creating a VC fistula. In suitable patients with end-stage renal disease, it can delay the use of an arteriovenous graft or a tunneled central venous catheter.
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