Browse publications by year: 2016

Fulltext Field evaluation of a PfHRP-2/pLDH rapid diagnostic test and light microscopy for diagnosis and screening of falciparum malaria during the peak seasonal transmission in an endemic area in Yemen

Alareqi LM, Mahdy MA, Lau YL, Fong MY, Abdul-Ghani R, Ali AA, et al.

Malar J, 2016 Jan 28;15:49.
PMID: 26821911 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1103-2

Malaria is a public health threat in Yemen, with 149,451 cases being reported in 2013. Of these, Plasmodium falciparum represents 99%. Prompt diagnosis by light microscopy (LM) and rapid diagnostic tests (RTDs) is a key element in the national strategy of malaria control. The heterogeneous epidemiology of malaria in the country necessitates the field evaluation of the current diagnostic strategies, especially RDTs. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate LM and an RDT, combining both P. falciparum histidine-rich protein-2 (PfHRP-2) and Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH), for falciparum malaria diagnosis and survey in a malaria-endemic area during the transmission season against nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as the reference method.

MeSH terms: Antigens, Protozoan/genetics*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnostic Tests, Routine/methods*; Female; Humans; Male; Microscopy/methods*; Yemen/epidemiology; Protozoan Proteins/genetics*; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Malaria, Falciparum/diagnosis*; Malaria, Falciparum/genetics; Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology; Malaria, Falciparum/transmission*
Fulltext Assessment of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of stem bark extracts from Canarium odontophyllum Miq. (dabai) against HCT 116 human colorectal cancer cell line

Basri DF, Alamin ZA, Chan KM

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016;16:36.
PMID: 26822971 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1015-2

Canarium odontophyllum Miq. is a plant species widely known as 'dabai' and can be vastly found in Sarawak. The aim of this study was to assess the cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of extracts from stem bark of C. odontophyllum against HCT 116 human colorectal cancer cell line.
Once-weekly prophylactic treatment vs. on-demand treatment with nonacog alfa in patients with moderately severe to severe haemophilia B

Kavakli K, Smith L, Kuliczkowski K, Korth-Bradley J, You CW, Fuiman J, et al.

Haemophilia, 2016 May;22(3):381-8.
PMID: 26823276 DOI: 10.1111/hae.12878

Limited data are available on optimal prophylaxis regimens of factor IX (FIX) replacements for patients with haemophilia B.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Hemophilia B/drug therapy*; Coagulants/adverse effects; Coagulants/therapeutic use*; Drug Administration Schedule; Factor IX/genetics; Factor IX/metabolism; Factor IX/therapeutic use*; Hemorrhage/epidemiology; Hemorrhage/prevention & control; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis; Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use; Thrombosis/etiology; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
Fulltext Serum Endotoxins and Flagellin and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Cohort

Kong SY, Tran HQ, Gewirtz AT, McKeown-Eyssen G, Fedirko V, Romieu I, et al.

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2016 Feb;25(2):291-301.
PMID: 26823475 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-15-0798

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are thought to be involved in colorectal cancer development. These processes may contribute to leakage of bacterial products, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and flagellin, across the gut barrier. The objective of this study, nested within a prospective cohort, was to examine associations between circulating LPS and flagellin serum antibody levels and colorectal cancer risk.
METHODS: A total of 1,065 incident colorectal cancer cases (colon, n = 667; rectal, n = 398) were matched (1:1) to control subjects. Serum flagellin- and LPS-specific IgA and IgG levels were quantitated by ELISA. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for multiple relevant confouding factors.
RESULTS: Overall, elevated anti-LPS and anti-flagellin biomarker levels were not associated with colorectal cancer risk. After testing potential interactions by various factors relevant for colorectal cancer risk and anti-LPS and anti-flagellin, sex was identified as a statistically significant interaction factor (Pinteraction < 0.05 for all the biomarkers). Analyses stratified by sex showed a statistically significant positive colorectal cancer risk association for men (fully-adjusted OR for highest vs. lowest quartile for total anti-LPS + flagellin, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.10-2.51; Ptrend, 0.049), whereas a borderline statistically significant inverse association was observed for women (fully-adjusted OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.47-1.02; Ptrend, 0.18).
CONCLUSION: In this prospective study on European populations, we found bacterial exposure levels to be positively associated to colorectal cancer risk among men, whereas in women, a possible inverse association may exist.
IMPACT: Further studies are warranted to better clarify these preliminary observations.

MeSH terms: Endotoxins/blood*; Europe; Female; Flagellin/blood*; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Colorectal Neoplasms/blood; Colorectal Neoplasms/etiology*; Cohort Studies; Biomarkers/blood; Nutrition Assessment
Fulltext Modulation of Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Neuronal Cells by Thymoquinone-Rich Fraction and Thymoquinone via Transcriptomic Regulation of Antioxidant and Apoptotic Signaling Genes

Ismail N, Ismail M, Azmi NH, Abu Bakar MF, Basri H, Abdullah MA

Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2016;2016:2528935.
PMID: 26823946 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2528935

Nigella sativa Linn. (N. sativa) and its bioactive constituent Thymoquinone (TQ) have demonstrated numerous pharmacological attributes. In the present study, the neuroprotective properties of Thymoquinone-rich fraction (TQRF) and TQ against hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced neurotoxicity in differentiated human SH-SY5Y cells were investigated. TQRF was extracted using supercritical fluid extraction while TQ was acquired commercially, and their effects on H2O2 were evaluated using cell viability assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, morphological observation, and multiplex gene expression. Both TQRF and TQ protected the cells against H2O2 by preserving the mitochondrial metabolic enzymes, reducing intracellular ROS levels, preserving morphological architecture, and modulating the expression of genes related to antioxidants (SOD1, SOD2, and catalase) and signaling genes (p53, AKT1, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, JNK, and NF-κβ). In conclusion, the enhanced efficacy of TQRF over TQ was likely due to the synergism of multiple constituents in TQRF. The efficacy of TQRF was better than that of TQ alone when equal concentrations of TQ in TQRF were compared. In addition, TQRF also showed comparable effects to TQ when the same concentrations were tested. These findings provide further support for the use of TQRF as an alternative to combat oxidative stress insults in neurodegenerative diseases.

MeSH terms: Acridine Orange/chemistry; Antioxidants/metabolism*; Cell Survival; Diet; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide/chemistry*; Mitochondria/metabolism; Neurons/metabolism*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Propidium/chemistry; Signal Transduction; Benzoquinones/chemistry*; Apoptosis*; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism; Oxidative Stress*; Nigella sativa/chemistry; Cell Line, Tumor
Fulltext Gender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community

Gibson BA, Brown SE, Rutledge R, Wickersham JA, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL

Glob Public Health, 2016 Aug-Sep;11(7-8):1010-25.
PMID: 26824463 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2015.1134614

Transgender women (TGW) face compounded levels of stigma and discrimination, resulting in multiple health risks and poor health outcomes. TGW identities are erased by forcing them into binary sex categories in society or treating them as men who have sex with men (MSM). In Malaysia, where both civil and religious law criminalise them for their identities, many TGW turn to sex work with inconsistent prevention methods, which increases their health risks. This qualitative study aims to understand how the identities of TGW sex workers shapes their healthcare utilisation patterns and harm reduction behaviours. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 male-to-female transgender (mak nyah) sex workers in Malaysia. Interviews were transcribed, translated into English, and analysed using thematic coding. Results suggest that TGW identity is shaped at an early age followed by incorporation into the mak nyah community where TGW were assisted in gender transition and introduced to sex work. While healthcare was accessible, it failed to address the multiple healthcare needs of TGW. Pressure for gender-affirming health procedures and fear of HIV and sexually transmitted infection screening led to potentially hazardous health behaviours. These findings have implications for developing holistic, culturally sensitive prevention and healthcare services for TGW.

MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Gender Identity; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Islam; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Religion and Medicine; Religion and Sex; Risk Factors; AIDS Serodiagnosis/statistics & numerical data; HIV Infections/diagnosis; HIV Infections/epidemiology; HIV Infections/prevention & control*; Condoms/utilization; Homosexuality, Male/psychology*; Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data; Vulnerable Populations; Qualitative Research; Risk Reduction Behavior; Sex Reassignment Surgery/legislation & jurisprudence; Sex Reassignment Surgery/statistics & numerical data; Sex Workers/psychology*; Sex Workers/statistics & numerical data; Health Services for Transgender Persons/legislation & jurisprudence; Health Services for Transgender Persons/supply & distribution*; Transgender Persons/classification; Transgender Persons/legislation & jurisprudence; Transgender Persons/psychology*; Social Discrimination*
Fulltext Complementary alternative medicine use among patients with dengue fever in the hospital setting: a cross-sectional study in Malaysia

Ching SM, Ramachandran V, Gew LT, Lim SMS, Sulaiman WAW, Foo YL, et al.

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016 Jan 29;16:37.
PMID: 26825057 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1017-0

BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, the number of reported cases of dengue fever demonstrates an increasing trend. Since dengue fever has no vaccine or antiviral treatment available, it has become a burden. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become one of the good alternatives to treat the patients with dengue fever. There is limited study on the use of CAM among patients with dengue fever, particularly in hospital settings. This study aims to determine the prevalence, types, reasons, expenditure, and resource of information on CAM use among patients with dengue fever.
METHODS: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 306 patients with dengue fever, which was carried out at the dengue clinic of three hospitals. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.0 and logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with CAM use.
RESULTS: The prevalence of CAM use was 85.3% among patients with dengue fever. The most popular CAMs were isotonic drinks (85.8%), crab soup (46.7%) and papaya leaf extract (22.2%). The most common reason for CAM use was a good impression of CAM from other CAM users (33.3%). The main resource of information on CAM use among patients with dengue fever was family (54.8%). In multiple logistic regression analysis, dengue fever patients with a tertiary level are more likely to use CAM 5.8 (95% confidence interval (CI 1.62-20.45) and 3.8 (95% CI 1.12-12.93) times than secondary level and primary and below respectively.
CONCLUSION: CAM was commonly used by patients with dengue fever. The predictor of CAM use was a higher level of education.
Study site: Dengue clinic, Hospital Serdang, Hospital Kajang and Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malaysia.

MeSH terms: Adult; Complementary Therapies; Attitude to Health; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dengue/therapy*; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Young Adult
Bactericidal effects of polyhexamethylene biguanide against intracellular Staphylococcus aureus EMRSA-15 and USA 300

Kamaruzzaman NF, Firdessa R, Good L

J Antimicrob Chemother, 2016 May;71(5):1252-9.
PMID: 26825118 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkv474

The treatment of skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus is limited by acquired antibiotic resistance and poor drug delivery into pathogen and host cells. Here, we investigated the antibacterial activities of six topically used antimicrobials and a cationic polymer, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), against intracellular MSSA strain RN4420 and MRSA strains EMRSA-15 and USA 300.

MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biguanides; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Polymers; Skin Diseases, Infectious; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Reduced nitric oxide-mediated relaxation and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in the tail arteries of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Mokhtar SS, Vanhoutte PM, Leung SW, Suppian R, Yusof MI, Rasool AH

Eur J Pharmacol, 2016 Feb 15;773:78-84.
PMID: 26825543 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.01.013

Diabetes is associated with endothelial dysfunction, which is characterized by impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations. The present study aimed to examine the role of nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH), in the relaxation of ventral tail arteries of rats under diabetic conditions. Relaxations of tail arteries of control and diabetic rats were studied in wire myograph. Western blotting and immunostaining were used to determine the presence of proteins. Acetylcholine-induced relaxations were significantly smaller in arteries of diabetic compared to control rats (Rmax; 70.81 ± 2.48% versus 85.05 ± 3.15%). Incubation with the combination of non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, indomethacin and potassium channel blockers, TRAM 34 and UCL 1684, demonstrated that NO-mediated relaxation was attenuated significantly in diabetic compared to control rats (Rmax; 48.47 ± 5.84% versus 68.39 ± 6.34%). EDH-type (in the presence of indomethacin and NO synthase inhibitor, LNAME) and prostacyclin-mediated (in the presence of LNAME plus TRAM 34 and UCL 1684) relaxations were not significantly reduced in arteries of diabetic compared to control rats [Rmax: (EDH; 17.81 ± 6.74% versus 34.16 ± 4.59%) (prostacyclin; 15.85 ± 3.27% versus 17.23 ± 3.75%)]. Endothelium-independent relaxations to sodium nitroprusside, salbutamol and prostacyclin were comparable in the two types of preparations. Western blotting and immunostaining indicated that diabetes diminished the expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), while increasing those of COX-1 and COX-2. Thus, since acetylcholine-induced NO-mediated relaxation was impaired in diabetes because of reduced eNOS protein expression, pharmacological intervention improving NO bioavailability could be useful in the management of diabetic endothelial dysfunction.

MeSH terms: Cyclic AMP/metabolism; Animals; Arteries/drug effects; Arteries/physiopathology*; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Body Weight/drug effects; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/enzymology; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism*; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/pathology; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/physiopathology; Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism; Cyclic GMP/metabolism; Male; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism; Nitric Oxide/metabolism*; Phenylephrine/pharmacology; Potassium Chloride/pharmacology; Epoprostenol/metabolism; Tail/blood supply*; Receptors, Epoprostenol/metabolism; Rats; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism*
Protective effect of diallylsulphide against mercuric chloride-induced hepatic injury in rats

Ansar S, Iqbal M

Hum Exp Toxicol, 2016 Dec;35(12):1305-1311.
PMID: 26825963

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of diallylsulphide (DAS) against mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced oxidative stress in rat livers. Rats were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each and exposed to HgCl2 (50 mg/kg/body weight (b.w.)) intraperitoneally and/or DAS (200 mg/kg/b.w.) by gavage. HgCl2 administration enhanced alanine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) levels (p < 0.05) with reduction in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). However, treatment with DAS markedly attenuated HgCl2-induced biochemical alterations in liver and serum transaminases (AST and ALT; p < 0.05). Further, biochemical results were confirmed by histopathological changes as compared to HgCl2-intoxicated rats. Histopathology of liver also showed that administration of DAS significantly reduced the damage generated by HgCl2 The present study suggests that DAS shows antioxidant activity and plays a protective role against mercury-induced oxidative damage in the rat livers.

MeSH terms: Allyl Compounds/administration & dosage; Allyl Compounds/therapeutic use*; Animals; Antioxidants/administration & dosage; Antioxidants/therapeutic use*; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity*; Liver/drug effects; Liver/enzymology; Liver/pathology; Liver Function Tests; Male; Mercuric Chloride/toxicity*; Sulfides/administration & dosage; Sulfides/therapeutic use*; Biomarkers/blood; Rats, Wistar; Oxidative Stress/drug effects*; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/etiology; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/pathology; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/prevention & control*
Brewers' rice attenuated aberrant crypt foci developing in colon of azoxymethane-treated rats

Tan BL, Norhaizan ME, Pandurangan AK, Hazilawati H, Roselina K

Pak J Pharm Sci, 2016 Jan;29(1):205-12.
PMID: 26826813

Brewers' rice is one of abundant agricultural waste products in the rice industry. The present study is designed to investigate the potential of brewers' rice to inhibit the development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in colon of azoxymethane (AOM)-treated rats. The effects on the attenuation of hepatic toxicity and kidney function enzymes were also evaluated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: (G1) normal; (G2) AOM alone; and (G3), (G4), and (G5), which were AOM fed with 10%, 20%, and 40% (w/w) of brewers' rice, respectively. The rats in group 2-5 were injected intraperitoneally with AOM (15 mg/kg body weight) once weekly for two weeks. After 8 weeks of treatment,the total number of ACF/colon and the number of ACF in the distal and middle colon were significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared to G2 (p<0.05). Brewers' rice decreased the number of ACF with dysplastic morphology in a dose-dependent manner. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in G5 was significantly lower compared to the G2 (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study found the potential value of brewers' rice in reducing the risk of cancer susceptibility in colon.

MeSH terms: Alanine Transaminase/blood; Animals; Azoxymethane; Body Weight; Male; Oryza*; Colorectal Neoplasms/chemically induced; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology; Colorectal Neoplasms/prevention & control*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Aberrant Crypt Foci/chemically induced; Aberrant Crypt Foci/pathology; Aberrant Crypt Foci/prevention & control*
Anti-ulcer activity of the aqueous extract of Melastoma malabathricum L. leaf in rats

Wan Zainulddin WN, Zabidi Z, Kamisan FH, Yahya F, Ismail NA, Nor Shamsahal Din NS, et al.

Pak J Pharm Sci, 2016 Jan;29(1):35-8.
PMID: 26826818

Melastoma malabathricum L. Smith (Melastomaceae) has been used in the Malay traditional culture to treat ulcer-based ailments.The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential anti-ulcer effect of aqueous extract of M. malabathricum leaves (AEMM) using ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer models in rats. Rats were divided into ten groups (n=6) and received DMSO (10%; negative group), ranitidine (100mg/kg; positive group) or AEMM (50, 250 and 500mg/kg) orally for 7 days and on the 8(th) day subjected to the respective gastric ulcer models. The stomachs were collected and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic analysis. At all groups tested, the AEMM exerted significant (p<0.05) anti-ulcer effect only against the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. The percentage of anti-ulcer for the 50-500mg/kg AEMM ranging between 50-82%, respectively. The macroscopic observations were supported by histological findings. In conclusion, AEMM exhibits potential anti-ulcer activity attributed to its previously proven high flavonoids content and antioxidant activity.

MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Ulcer Agents/pharmacology*; Male; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Plant Leaves; Melastomataceae*; Rats
Report: Demographic profiles and sleep quality among patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) in Malaysia

Zahari Z, Siong LC, Musa N, Mohd Yasin MA, Choon TS, Mohamad N, et al.

Pak J Pharm Sci, 2016 Jan;29(1):239-46.
PMID: 26826835

Poor sleep quality was frequently reported by opioid dependence patients during methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). The study investigated a sample of patients on MMT to investigate the severity and prevalence of sleep problems in MMT patients. We evaluated sleep quality and disturbances of 119 Malay male patients from MMT clinics in Kelantan, Malaysia between March and July 2013 using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)-Malay version. Patients' demographic, clinical data, past drug history and methadone treatment variables were recorded. Patients averaged 37.5 years of age (SD 6.79) and their mean age of first time illicit drug use was 19.3 years (SD 4.48). Their mean age of entering MMT was 34.7 years (SD 6.92) and the mean duration in MMT was 2.8 years (SD 2.13). The mean current daily dosage of methadone was 77.8 mg (SD 39.47) and ranged from 20 to 360 mg. The mean global PSQI score was 5.6 (SD 2.79) and 43.7% patients were identified as 'poor sleepers' (global PSQI scores >5). This study confirms the poor overall sleep quality among patients on MMT. The prevalence and severity of sleep problems in MMT patients should not be underestimated.

MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Male; Methadone/therapeutic use*; Middle Aged; Opioid-Related Disorders/physiopathology; Opioid-Related Disorders/rehabilitation*; Sleep*
Acoustically enhanced heat transport

Ang KM, Yeo LY, Friend JR, Hung YM, Tan MK

Rev Sci Instrum, 2016 Jan;87(1):014902.
PMID: 26827343 DOI: 10.1063/1.4939757

We investigate the enhancement of heat transfer in the nucleate boiling regime by inducing high frequency acoustic waves (f ∼ 10(6) Hz) on the heated surface. In the experiments, liquid droplets (deionized water) are dispensed directly onto a heated, vibrating substrate. At lower vibration amplitudes (ξs ∼ 10(-9) m), the improved heat transfer is mainly due to the detachment of vapor bubbles from the heated surface and the induced thermal mixing. Upon increasing the vibration amplitude (ξs ∼ 10(-8) m), the heat transfer becomes more substantial due to the rapid bursting of vapor bubbles happening at the liquid-air interface as a consequence of capillary waves travelling in the thin liquid film between the vapor bubble and the air. Further increases then lead to rapid atomization that continues to enhance the heat transfer. An acoustic wave displacement amplitude on the order of 10(-8) m with 10(6) Hz order frequencies is observed to produce an improvement of up to 50% reduction in the surface temperature over the case without acoustic excitation.
Dendrimer-like nanoparticles based β-galactosidase assembly for enhancing its selectivity toward transgalactosylation

Misson M, Du X, Jin B, Zhang H

Enzyme Microb Technol, 2016 Mar;84:68-77.
PMID: 26827776 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2015.12.008

Functional nanomaterials have been pursued to assemble nanobiocatalysts since they can provide unique hierarchical nanostructures and localized nanoenvironments for enhancing enzyme specificity, stability and selectivity. Functionalized dendrimer-like hierarchically porous silica nanoparticles (HPSNs) was fabricated for assembling β-galactosidase nanobiocatalysts for bioconversion of lactose to galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). The nanocarrier was functionalized with amino (NH2) and carboxyl (COOH) groups to facilitate enzyme binding, benchmarking with non-functionalized HPSNs. Successful conjugation of the functional groups was confirmed by FTIR, TGA and zeta potential analysis. HPSNs-NH2 showed 1.8-fold and 1.1-fold higher β-galactosidase adsorption than HPSNs-COOH and HPSNs carriers, respectively, with the highest enzyme adsorption capacity of 328mg/g nanocarrier at an initial enzyme concentration of 8mg/ml. The HPSNs-NH2 and β-galactosidase assembly (HPSNs-NH2-Gal) demonstrated to maintain the highest activity at all tested enzyme concentrations and exhibited activity up to 10 continuous cycles. Importantly, HPSNs-NH2-Gal was simply recycled through centrifugation, overcoming the challenging problems of separating the nanocarrier from the reaction medium. HPSNs-NH2-Gal had distinguished catalytic reaction profiles by favoring transgalactosylation, enhancing GOS production of up to 122g/l in comparison with 56g/l by free β-galactosidase. Furthermore, it generated up to 46g/l GOS at a lower initial lactose concentration while the free counterpart had negligible GOS production as hydrolysis was overwhelmingly dominant in the reaction system. Our research findings show the amino-functionalized HPSNs can selectively promote the enzyme activity of β-galactosidase for transgalactosylation, which is beneficial for GOS production.

MeSH terms: beta-Galactosidase/metabolism*; Enzymes, Immobilized/metabolism; Glycosylation; Lactose/metabolism; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Oligosaccharides/biosynthesis; Silicon Dioxide; Porosity; Dendrimers/chemistry; Nanoparticles/ultrastructure; Nanoparticles/chemistry; Biocatalysis
A new cembrane-type diterpenoid from Bornean liverwort Chandonanthus hirtellus

Ng SY, Kamada T, Suleiman M, Vairappan CS

J Asian Nat Prod Res, 2016 Jul;18(7):690-6.
PMID: 26828126 DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2015.1134503

A new compound, chandonanol (1), along with four known compounds, chandonanthone (2), iso-chandonanthone (3), anastreptene (4), and (6R,7S)-sesquiphellandrene (5), was isolated from the MeOH extract of Bornean liverwort Chandonanthus hirtellus. The structure of the new metabolite was established by analyses of the spectroscopic data (1D NMR, 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and IR). These compounds were tested for their activity against antibiotic-resistant clinical strains. Chandonanol (1) exhibited potent bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Trachea Arising 4 Years After Radioiodine Treatment of Papillary Carcinoma of Thyroid

Tan TH, Lee BN

Clin Nucl Med, 2016 May;41(5):e259-60.
PMID: 26828143 DOI: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001140

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the trachea is rare. Here, we presented a rare case of primary SCC of the trachea arising 4 years after radioiodine (RAI) treatment of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. In this case, concomitant uptake of I-RAI and F-FDG was demonstrated in the thyroidal mass with tracheal invasion, which mimicked mixed well-differentiated and dedifferentiated thyroid carcinoma. The diagnosis of SCC of the trachea was made only after tracheal biopsy. This case illustrates that FDG-avid thyroid bed lesion, in the presence of thyroid carcinoma, may not necessarily be related to the thyroid pathology.
Fulltext The Autophagic Machinery in Enterovirus Infection

Lai JK, Sam IC, Chan YF

Viruses, 2016 Feb;8(2).
PMID: 26828514 DOI: 10.3390/v8020032

The Enterovirus genus of the Picornaviridae family comprises many important human pathogens, including polioviruses, rhinovirus, enterovirus A71, and enterovirus D68. They cause a wide variety of diseases, ranging from mild to severe life-threatening diseases. Currently, no effective vaccine is available against enteroviruses except for poliovirus. Enteroviruses subvert the autophagic machinery to benefit their assembly, maturation, and exit from host. Some enteroviruses spread between cells via a process described as autophagosome-mediated exit without lysis (AWOL). The early and late phases of autophagy are regulated through various lipids and their metabolizing enzymes. Some of these lipids and enzymes are specifically regulated by enteroviruses. In the present review, we summarize the current understanding of the regulation of autophagic machinery by enteroviruses, and provide updates on recent developments in this field.
Identification of novel extracellular protein for PCB/biphenyl metabolism in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1

Atago Y, Shimodaira J, Araki N, Bin Othman N, Zakaria Z, Fukuda M, et al.

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2016 May;80(5):1012-9.
PMID: 26828632 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2015.1127134

Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 (RHA1) degrades polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) via co-metabolism with biphenyl. To identify the novel open reading frames (ORFs) that contribute to PCB/biphenyl metabolism in RHA1, we compared chromatin immunoprecipitation chip and transcriptomic data. Six novel ORFs involved in PCB/biphenyl metabolism were identified. Gene deletion mutants of these 6 ORFs were made and were tested for their ability to grow on biphenyl. Interestingly, only the ro10225 deletion mutant showed deficient growth on biphenyl. Analysis of Ro10225 protein function showed that growth of the ro10225 deletion mutant on biphenyl was recovered when exogenous recombinant Ro10225 protein was added to the culture medium. Although Ro10225 protein has no putative secretion signal sequence, partially degraded Ro10225 protein was detected in conditioned medium from wild-type RHA1 grown on biphenyl. This Ro10225 fragment appeared to form a complex with another PCB/biphenyl oxidation enzyme. These results indicated that Ro10225 protein is essential for the formation of the PCB/biphenyl dioxygenase complex in RHA1.

MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism; Biphenyl Compounds/metabolism*; Biphenyl Compounds/pharmacology; Cloning, Molecular; Escherichia coli/genetics; Escherichia coli/metabolism; Genetic Complementation Test; Polychlorinated Biphenyls/metabolism*; Polychlorinated Biphenyls/pharmacology; Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism; Rhodococcus/drug effects; Rhodococcus/enzymology; Rhodococcus/genetics*; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*; Open Reading Frames; Culture Media, Conditioned/chemistry; Gene Deletion; Gene Expression Profiling; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; Dioxygenases/genetics*; Dioxygenases/metabolism; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Transcriptome
Fulltext Effect of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on inflammation and metabolic markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults: a randomized controlled trial

Ellulu MS, Khaza'ai H, Patimah I, Rahmat A, Abed Y

Food Nutr Res, 2016;60:29268.
PMID: 26829184 DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v60.29268

Obesity is a degree of excess weight that predisposes people to metabolic syndromes via an inflammatory mechanism. Hypertensive and diabetic people have higher risks of developing systemic inflammation. Long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC ω-3 PUFAs) can reduce the cardiovascular events and help against inflammation.

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