Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Serrano O, Davis G, Lavery PS, Duarte CM, Martinez-Cortizas A, Mateo MA, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2016 Jan 15;541:883-894.
    PMID: 26437357 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.09.017
    The study of a Posidonia australis sedimentary archive has provided a record of changes in element concentrations (Al, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Co, As, Cu, Ni and S) over the last 3000 years in the Australian marine environment. Human-derived contamination in Oyster Harbor (SW Australia) started ~100 years ago (AD ~1900) and exponentially increased until present. This appears to be related to European colonization of Australia and the subsequent impact of human activities, namely mining, coal and metal production, and extensive agriculture. Two contamination periods of different magnitude have been identified: Expansion period (EXP, AD ~1900-1970) and Establishment period (EST, AD ~1970 to present). Enrichments of chemical elements with respect to baseline concentrations (in samples older than ~115 cal years BP) were found for all elements studied in both periods, except for Ni, As and S. The highest enrichment factors were obtained for the EST period (ranging from 1.3-fold increase in Cu to 7.2-fold in Zn concentrations) compared to the EXP period (1.1-fold increase for Cu and Cr to 2.4-fold increase for Pb). Zinc, Pb, Mn and Co concentrations during both periods were 2- to 7-fold higher than baseline levels. This study demonstrates the value of Posidonia mats as long-term archives of element concentrations and trends in coastal ecosystems. We also provide preliminary evidence on the potential for Posidonia meadows to act as significant long-term biogeochemical sinks of chemical elements.
    MeSH terms: Archives; Australia; Environmental Monitoring/methods*; Metals/analysis; Trace Elements/analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Water Pollution, Chemical/statistics & numerical data*; Ecosystem*; Alismatidae*
  2. Tan F, Lim HS, Abdullah K, Holben B
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2016 Feb;23(3):2735-48.
    PMID: 26438373 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5506-3
    This study aims to investigate and establish a suitable model that can help to estimate aerosol optical depth (AOD) in order to monitor aerosol variations especially during non-retrieval time. The relationship between actual ground measurements (such as air pollution index, visibility, relative humidity, temperature, and pressure) and AOD obtained with a CIMEL sun photometer was determined through a series of statistical procedures to produce an AOD prediction model with reasonable accuracy. The AOD prediction model calibrated for each wavelength has a set of coefficients. The model was validated using a set of statistical tests. The validated model was then employed to calculate AOD at different wavelengths. The results show that the proposed model successfully predicted AOD at each studied wavelength ranging from 340 nm to 1020 nm. To illustrate the application of the model, the aerosol size determined using measure AOD data for Penang was compared with that determined using the model. This was done by examining the curvature in the ln [AOD]-ln [wavelength] plot. Consistency was obtained when it was concluded that Penang was dominated by fine mode aerosol in 2012 and 2013 using both measured and predicted AOD data. These results indicate that the proposed AOD prediction model using routine measurements as input is a promising tool for the regular monitoring of aerosol variation during non-retrieval time.
    MeSH terms: Aerosols/chemistry; Air Pollutants/chemistry*; Air Pollution/analysis; Photometry/instrumentation*; Photometry/methods; Regression Analysis
  3. Ali EZ, Khalid MK, Yunus ZM, Yakob Y, Chin CB, Abd Latif K, et al.
    Eur J Pediatr, 2016 Mar;175(3):339-46.
    PMID: 26440671 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-015-2644-z
    Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of ureagenesis presenting as life-threatening hyperammonemia. In this study, we present the main clinical features and biochemical and molecular data of six Malaysian patients with CPS1 deficiency. All the patients have neonatal-onset symptoms, initially diagnosed as infections before hyperammonemia was recognized. They have typical biochemical findings of hyperglutaminemia, hypocitrullinemia, and low to normal urinary excretion of orotate. One neonate succumbed to the first hyperammonemic decompensation. Five neonatal survivors received long-term treatment consisting of dietary protein restriction and ammonia-scavenging drugs. They have delayed neurocognitive development of varying severity. Genetic analysis revealed eight mutations in CPS1 gene, five of which were not previously reported. Five mutations were missense changes while another three were predicted to create premature stop codons. In silico analyses showed that these new mutations affected different CPS1 enzyme domains and were predicted to interrupt interactions at enzyme active sites, disturb local enzyme conformation, and destabilize assembly of intact enzyme complex.

    CONCLUSION: All mutations are private except one mutation; p.Ile1254Phe was found in three unrelated families. Identification of a recurrent p.Ile1254Phe mutation suggests the presence of a common and unique mutation in our population. Our study also expands the mutational spectrum of the CPS1 gene.

    MeSH terms: Ammonia/blood*; Carbamoyl-Phosphate Synthase (Ammonia)/genetics*; Computer Simulation; Female; Genetic Testing/methods; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Malaysia; Male; Mutation; Carbamoyl-Phosphate Synthase I Deficiency Disease/diagnosis*; Carbamoyl-Phosphate Synthase I Deficiency Disease/genetics; Hyperammonemia/blood; Hyperammonemia/etiology*; Hyperammonemia/genetics; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics
  4. Mohamad NA, Mustafa S, El Sheikha AF, Khairil Mokhtar NF, Ismail A, Ali ME
    J Sci Food Agric, 2016 May;96(7):2344-51.
    PMID: 26441285 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7482
    Poor quality and quantity of DNA extracted from gelatin and gelatin capsules often causes failure in the determination of animal species using PCR. Gelatin, which is mainly derived from porcine and bovine, has been a matter of concern among customers in order to fulfill religious obligation and safety precaution against several transmissible infectious diseases associated with bovine species. Thus, optimised DNA extraction from gelatin is very important for successful real-time PCR detection of gelatin species. In this work, the DNA extraction method was optimised in terms of lysis incubation period and inclusion of pre-treatment pH modification of samples.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Capsules; Cattle; DNA; Food; Gelatin; Swine; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  5. Shintani T, Rosli SNZ, Takatsu F, Choon YF, Hayashido Y, Toratani S, et al.
    J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2016 11;164:79-84.
    PMID: 26444325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.09.043
    We have previously reported that 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits NF-κB activity and thus inhibits growth of OSCC cells in serum-free culture and down-regulates HBp17/FGFBP-1 expression, which is important for cancer cell growth and angiogenesis. Here, we have investigated the effects of ED-71, an analog of vitamin D3 (VD) on OSCC cell lines in serum-free culture. It is known that ED-71 has a stronger inhibitory effect on bone resorption compared to VD and other VD analogs. To the best of our knowledge, there was no report examining the potential of ED-71 as an anti-cancer agent for OSCC. We found that ED-71 is able to inhibit the growth of cancer cell lines at a concentration of hundred times lower than calcitriol. As Cyp24A1 was reportedly induced in cancer cells, we measured the expression of CYP24A1 in OSCC cell lines (NA and UE), A431 epidermoid carcinoma and normal fibroblast cell (gfi) in serum-free culture. As a result, CYP24A1 mRNA and the protein expression in the OSCC cells treated with ED-71 increased in a dose-dependent manner. However, in vivo experiment, in which the A431 cells were implanted in mice, tumor formation was reduced by the ED-71 treatment with no significant difference between Cyp24A1 expression in the tumors of ED-71-treated and control group, as analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. These results suggest that ED-71 is a potential anti-cancer agent for OSCC.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry*; Calcitriol/analogs & derivatives*; Calcitriol/chemistry; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy*; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fibroblasts/metabolism; Gingiva/metabolism; Humans; Male; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Mouth Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Neoplasm Transplantation; Vitamin D/analogs & derivatives; Culture Media, Serum-Free; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice; Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase/metabolism
  6. Hamirudin AH, Charlton K, Walton K
    Arch Gerontol Geriatr, 2016 Jan-Feb;62:9-25.
    PMID: 26444749 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2015.09.007
    INTRODUCTION: Nutrition screening is an initial procedure in which the risk of malnutrition is identified. The aims of this review were to identify malnutrition risk from nutrition screening studies that have used validated nutrition screening tools in community living older adults; and to identify types of nutrition interventions, pathways of care and patient outcomes following screening.
    METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed for the period from January 1994 until December 2013 using SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PubMed and COCHRANE databases as well as a manual search. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined for the literature searches and the methodology followed the PRISMA guidelines.
    RESULTS: Fifty-four articles were eligible to be included in the review and malnutrition risk varied from 0% to 83%. This large range was influenced by the different tools used and heterogeneity of study samples. Most of the studies were cross sectional and without a subsequent nutrition intervention component. Types of nutrition intervention that were identified included dietetics care, nutrition education, and referral to Meals on Wheels services and community services. These interventions helped to improve the' nutritional status of older adults.
    CONCLUSIONS: Timely nutrition screening of older adults living in the community, if followed up with appropriate intervention and monitoring improves the nutritional status of older adults. This indicates that nutrition intervention should be considered a priority following nutrition screening for malnourished and at risk older adults. Further evaluation of outcomes of nutrition screening and associated interventions, using structured pathways of care, is warranted.
    KEYWORDS: Community; Malnutrition; Nutrition intervention; Nutrition screening; Older adults; Outcomes
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aging; Counseling; Female; Food Habits; Humans; Male; Nutrition Disorders/diagnosis*; Nutrition Disorders/prevention & control; Nutritional Status*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Residence Characteristics; Reproducibility of Results; Nutrition Assessment*; Malnutrition/diagnosis*; Malnutrition/prevention & control
  7. Memon MA, Memon B, Yunus RM, Khan S
    Ann Surg, 2016 Feb;263(2):258-66.
    PMID: 26445468 DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001267
    The aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing 2 methods of hiatal closure for large hiatal hernia and to evaluate their strengths and flaws.
    MeSH terms: Hernia, Hiatal/surgery*; Humans; Surgical Mesh; Suture Techniques; Models, Statistical; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Herniorrhaphy/methods*
  8. Aggarwal H, Kumar P, Eachempati P, Alvi HA
    J Prosthodont, 2016 Dec;25(8):687-693.
    PMID: 26447725 DOI: 10.1111/jopr.12369
    Enucleation is the removal of the entire globe of the eye and a portion of the optic nerve, while evisceration involves the removal of the contents of the globe leaving the sclera, extraocular muscles, and optic nerve. Following enucleation or evisceration, intraorbital implants are routinely placed to enhance the prosthetic outcome in addition to restoring the lost orbital volume. Current practice employs intraorbital implants made of nonporous silicone, hydroxyapatite, or porous polyethylene. Intraorbital implant selection and placement, being a highly demanding procedure in terms of knowledge, skill, and expertise, may be associated with a multiplicity of technical and surgical errors. Complications are usually minimal with these implants, but they do occur. The literature reveals many articles related to intraorbital implants, their benefits, and complications; however, the literature regarding the effect of various intraorbital implant situations on the subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation is markedly scarce. Moreover, the need for interdisciplinary surgical and prosthetic interventions required for successful rehabilitation in cases of compromised implant situations has been underemphasized. Hence, this review aimed to evaluate the effect of different intraorbital implant situations on ocular rehabilitation and the required interdisciplinary surgical and prosthetic treatment approach for rehabilitation of enucleated/eviscerated sockets with compromised implant situations, to provide a critical appraisal, and to present a simplified management strategy.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Orbit; Eye Enucleation*; Durapatite; Prosthesis Implantation*; Orbital Implants*; Polyethylene
  9. Leong YK, Lan JC, Loh HS, Ling TC, Ooi CW, Show PL
    J Sep Sci, 2016 Feb;39(4):640-7.
    PMID: 26447739 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201500667
    Having the benefits of being environmentally friendly, providing a mild environment for bioseparation, and scalability, aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) have increasingly caught the attention of industry and researchers for their application in the isolation and recovery of bioproducts. The limitations of conventional ATPSs give rise to the development of temperature-induced ATPSs that have distinctive thermoseparating properties and easy recyclability. This review starts with a brief introduction to thermoseparating ATPSs, including its history, unique characteristics and advantages, and lastly, key factors that influence partitioning. The underlying mechanism of temperature-induced ATPSs is covered together with a summary of recent applications. Thermoseparating ATPSs have been proven as a solution to the demand for economically favorable and environmentally friendly industrial-scale bioextraction and purification techniques.
    MeSH terms: Attention; Environment; Industry; Temperature; Water; Recycling
  10. Rosli R, Tan MP, Gray WK, Subramanian P, Chin AV
    Int Psychogeriatr, 2016 Feb;28(2):189-210.
    PMID: 26450414 DOI: 10.1017/S1041610215001635
    BACKGROUND: The prevalence of dementia is increasing in Asia than in any other continent. However, the applicability of the existing cognitive assessment tools is limited by differences in educational and cultural factors in this setting. We conducted a systematic review of published studies on cognitive assessments tools in Asia. We aimed to rationalize the results of available studies which evaluated the validity of cognitive tools for the detection of cognitive impairment and to identify the issues surrounding the available cognitive impairment screening tools in Asia.

    METHODS: Five electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct) were searched using the keywords dementia Or Alzheimer Or cognitive impairment And screen Or measure Or test Or tool Or instrument Or assessment, and 2,381 articles were obtained.

    RESULTS: Thirty-eight articles, evaluating 28 tools in seven Asian languages, were included. Twenty-nine (76%) of the studies had been conducted in East Asia with only four studies conducted in South Asia and no study from northern, western, or central Asia or Indochina. Local language translations of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were assessed in 15 and six studies respectively. Only three tools (the Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire, the Picture-based Memory Intelligence Scale, and the revised Hasegawa Dementia Screen) were derived de novo from Asian populations. These tools were assessed in five studies. Highly variable cut-offs were reported for the MMSE (17-29/30) and MoCA (21-26/30), with 13/19 (68%) of studies reporting educational bias.

    CONCLUSIONS: Few cognitive assessment tools have been validated in Asia, with no published validation studies for many Asian nations and languages. In addition, many available tools display educational bias. Future research should include concerted efforts to develop culturally appropriate tools with minimal educational bias.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Asia; Cognition Disorders/diagnosis*; Cognition Disorders/ethnology; Dementia/diagnosis*; Dementia/ethnology; Female; Humans; Intelligence; Language; Male; Neuropsychological Tests/standards*; Psychometrics/instrumentation*; Sensitivity and Specificity; Translations; Reproducibility of Results; Geriatric Assessment/methods*
  11. Wu DB, Roberts C, Lee VW, Hong LW, Tan KK, Mak V, et al.
    Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2016;12(2):403-16.
    PMID: 26451658 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1067351
    Pneumococcal disease causes large morbidity, mortality and health care utilization and medical and non-medical costs, which can all be reduced by effective infant universal routine immunization programs with pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV). We evaluated the clinical and economic benefits of such programs with either 10- or 13-valent PCVs in Malaysia and Hong Kong by using an age-stratified Markov cohort model with many country-specific inputs. The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) was calculated to compare PCV10 or PCV13 against no vaccination and PCV13 against PCV10 over a 10-year birth cohort's vaccination. Both payer and societal perspectives were used. PCV13 had better public health and economic outcomes than a PCV10 program across all scenarios considered. For example, in the base case scenario in Malaysia, PCV13 would reduce more cases of IPD (+2,296), pneumonia (+705,281), and acute otitis media (+376,967) and save more lives (+6,122) than PCV10. Similarly, in Hong Kong, PCV13 would reduce more cases of IPD cases (+529), pneumonia (+172,185), and acute otitis media (+37,727) and save more lives (+2,688) than PCV10. During the same time horizon, PCV13 would gain over 74,000 and 21,600 additional QALYs than PCV10 in Malaysia and Hong Kong, respectively. PCV13 would be cost saving when compared against similar program with PCV10, under both payer and societal perspective in both countries. PCV13 remained a better choice over PCV10 in multiple sensitivity, scenario, and probabilistic analyses. PCV13s broader serotype coverage in its formulation and herd effect compared against PCV10 were important drivers of differences in outcomes.
    MeSH terms: Cost-Benefit Analysis*; Hong Kong; Humans; Infant; Malaysia; Pneumococcal Infections/economics*; Pneumococcal Infections/prevention & control*; Vaccination/economics*; Cost of Illness*; Immunization Programs/economics*; Vaccines, Conjugate/immunology; Pneumococcal Vaccines/immunology; Immunity, Herd/immunology
  12. Haerian BS, Baum L, Kwan P, Cherny SS, Shin JG, Kim SE, et al.
    Mol Neurobiol, 2016 10;53(8):5457-67.
    PMID: 26452361 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9457-y
    Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA-A) is the most common receptor of fast synaptic inhibition in the human brain. Gamma protein encoded by the GABRG2 gene is one of the subunits of the GABA-A receptor, which plays an essential role in the function of this receptor. Several studies have identified various febrile seizure (FS) and epilepsy risk variants of GABRG2 gene in different populations, but some others did not support these results. The aim of this case-control study is to investigate whether GABRG2 polymorphisms contribute to susceptibility for FS and epilepsy in pooled data of three cohorts, from Malaysia (composed of Malay, Chinese, and Indian), Hong Kong, and Korea. Furthermore, the pooled dataset of these cohorts with previous reports were meta-analyzed for determining the risk effect size of the rs211037 polymorphism on FS and symptomatic epilepsy (SE). The rs211037, rs210987, rs440218, rs2422106, rs211014, and rs401750 polymorphisms were genotyped in the 6442 subjects (1729 epilepsy and 4713 controls). Results of the case-control study showed associations between rs211037 and the risk of SE in the pooled data from all cohorts (T vs. C, p = 3 × 10(-5), and TT vs. CC, p = 2 × 10(-5)) and the risk of partial seizure in the combined data of Malaysia and Hong Kong (both T vs. C and TT vs. CC, p = 2 × 10(-6)). The rs211037-rs210987 and rs2422106-rs211014-rs401750 haplotypes were also associated with susceptibility to SE in Chinese. Meta-analysis of all Asians identified association between rs211037 and FS and SE (T vs. C, p = 4 × 10(-4), and p = 4 × 10(-3), respectively). In conclusion, rs211037 alone may be a risk factor for FS, partial seizure, and SE, and in linkage disequilibrium with rs210987 can contribute to FS and SE in Asians, particularly in Chinese.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Seizures, Febrile/genetics*; Demography; Epilepsy/genetics*; Female; Gene Frequency/genetics; Humans; Male; Receptors, GABA-A/genetics*; Risk Factors; Cohort Studies; Linkage Disequilibrium/genetics; Case-Control Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics*; Genetic Association Studies
  13. Zakaria ZA, Zainol AS, Sahmat A, Salleh NI, Hizami A, Mahmood ND, et al.
    Pharm Biol, 2016 May;54(5):812-26.
    PMID: 26452435 DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1085580
    Muntingia calabura L. (family Muntingiaceae) and Melastoma malabathricum L. (family Melastomaceae) are traditionally used to treat gastric ulcer.
  14. Meka VS, Murthy Kolapalli VR
    Curr Drug Deliv, 2016;13(6):971-81.
    PMID: 26452534
    A central composite design was applied to design a novel gastric floating drug delivery system comprising propranolol HCl in Terminalia catappa gum and to evaluate the buoyancy, in vitro drug release behavior, and pharmacokinetic parameters. All formulations exhibited good buoyancy properties in vitro reflected by floating lag time of 1-110 sec, total floating time of 9-16 h and prolonged release behaviour (upto 12 h). Statistically optimised formulation (PBGRso) was orally administered to human volunteers under both fasted and fed conditions to evaluate gastric floating behavior under different food conditions by X-ray evaluation. In vivo studies of optimised formulations revealed that the gastric residence time of floating tablets was enhanced in the fed but not in the fasted state. Pharmacokinetic studies of the optimised Terminalia catappa formulation and a commercial product (Ciplar LA 80) carried out on healthy human volunteers showed a significant improvement in the bioavailability (132%) of propranolol HCl released from from the experimental Terminalia catappa formulations compared with Ciplar LA 80.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Biological Availability; Chewing Gum*; Delayed-Action Preparations/administration & dosage*; Delayed-Action Preparations/pharmacokinetics; Delayed-Action Preparations/chemistry*; Drug Compounding; Fasting; Gastric Mucosa/metabolism; Humans; Male; Propranolol/administration & dosage*; Propranolol/pharmacokinetics*; Tablets; Terminalia/chemistry*; Young Adult; Drug Liberation
  15. Selvakumaran S, Muhamad II, Abd Razak SI
    Carbohydr Polym, 2016 Jan 1;135:207-14.
    PMID: 26453870 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.08.051
    Floating hydrogels were prepared from kappa carrageenan containing CaCO3 and NaHCO3 as pore forming agents. The effects of CaCO3 and NaHCO3 on hydrogel characterizations were investigated and compared. Amoxicillin trihydrate was used as a model drug. Characterizations of the hydrogels were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). As pore forming agents concentration increases, the porosity (%) and floating properties increased. NaHCO3 incorporated hydrogels showed higher porosity with shorter floating lag time (FLT) than CaCO3. Hydrogel which contained CaCO3 exhibited better gel stability over the control and NaHCO3 containing gel. Incorporation of CaCO3 into kappa carrageenan hydrogel showed smoother surface gels compared to those produced with NaHCO3. CaCO3 also showed higher drug entrapment efficiency and sustained drug release profile than NaHCO3. The results of these studies showed that, CaCO3 is an effective pore forming agents in κC hydrogels preparation as compare to NaHCO3. Thus, CaCO3 can be an excellent pore forming agent for an effective floating drug delivery system.
  16. Boo YL, Lim HT, Chin PW, Lim SY, Hoo FK
    Parasitol Int, 2016 Feb;65(1):55-57.
    PMID: 26454133 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.10.003
    Plasmodium knowlesi, a zoonotic malaria, is now considered the fifth species of Plasmodium causing malaria in humans. With its 24-hour erythrocytic stage of development, it has raised concern regarding its high potential in replicating and leading to severe illness. Spleen is an important site for removal of parasitized red blood cells and generating immunity. We reported a case of knowlesi malaria in a non-immune, splenectomized patient. We observed the delay in parasite clearance, high parasitic counts, and severe illness at presentation. A thorough search through literature revealed several case reports on falciparum and vivax malaria in splenectomized patients. However, literature available for knowlesi malaria in splenectomized patient is limited. Further studies need to be carried out to clarify the role of spleen in host defense against human malaria especially P. knowlesi.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Erythrocytes/parasitology; Erythrocytes/ultrastructure; Humans; Malaria/complications; Malaria/diagnosis; Malaria/immunology*; Malaria/parasitology*; Male; Plasmodium vivax/physiology; Spleen/immunology; Spleen/parasitology; Splenectomy*; Plasmodium knowlesi/physiology*; Parasite Load
  17. Azmahani A, Nakamura Y, Felizola SJ, Ozawa Y, Ise K, Inoue T, et al.
    J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2016 Jan;155(Pt A):178-80.
    PMID: 26455405 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.09.028
    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Male; Oxidoreductases/metabolism*; Phosphoproteins/metabolism*; Receptors, Androgen/metabolism*; Sebaceous Glands/metabolism*; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/metabolism*
  18. Chong MC, Francis K, Cooper S, Abdullah KL, Hmwe NT, Sohod S
    Nurse Educ Today, 2016 Jan;36:370-4.
    PMID: 26455411 DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2015.09.011
    Continuous nursing education (CNE) courses delivered through e-learning is believed to be an effective mode of learning for nurses. Implementation of e-learning modules requires pre-assessment of infrastructure and learners' characteristics. Understanding the learners' needs and their perspectives would facilitate effective e-learning delivery by addressing the underlying issues and providing necessary support to learners.
    MeSH terms: Ambulatory Care Facilities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Education, Nursing; Hospitals; Humans; Malaysia; Nurses*
  19. De Bruyne L, Van Poucke C, Di Mavungu DJ, Zainudin NA, Vanhaecke L, De Vleesschauwer D, et al.
    Mol Plant Pathol, 2016 Aug;17(6):805-17.
    PMID: 26456797 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12329
    Brown spot disease, caused by Cochliobolus miyabeanus, is currently considered to be one of the most important yield reducers of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Despite its agricultural importance, little is known about the virulence mechanisms deployed by the fungus. Therefore, we set out to identify novel virulence factors with a role in disease development. This article reports, for the first time, the production of tentoxin by C. miyabeanus as a virulence factor during brown spot disease and the identification of the non-ribosomal protein synthetase (NRPS) CmNps3, responsible for tentoxin biosynthesis. We compared the chemical compounds produced by C. miyabeanus strains differing in virulence ability using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (HRMS). The production of tentoxin by a highly virulent strain was revealed by principal component analysis of the detected ions and confirmed by UHPLC coupled to tandem-quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The corresponding NRPS was identified by in silico genome analysis and confirmed by gene deletion. Infection tests with wild-type and Cmnps3 mutants showed that tentoxin acts as a virulence factor and is correlated with chlorosis development during the second phase of infection. Although rice has previously been classified as a tentoxin-insensitive plant species, our data demonstrate that tentoxin production by C. miyabeanus affects symptom development.
    MeSH terms: Ascomycota/genetics*; Ascomycota/growth & development; Ascomycota/pathogenicity; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Fungal Proteins/genetics; Fungal Proteins/metabolism; Genes, Fungal; Peptides, Cyclic/genetics*; Peptides, Cyclic/metabolism; Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry; Plant Diseases/microbiology*; Oryza/microbiology*; Spores, Fungal/physiology; Reproducibility of Results; Conserved Sequence; Gene Deletion; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Virulence Factors/genetics*; Virulence Factors/metabolism; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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