Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Norbäck D, Hashim JH, Cai GH, Hashim Z, Ali F, Bloom E, et al.
    PLoS One, 2016;11(2):e0147996.
    PMID: 26829324 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147996
    There are few studies on rhinitis and sick building syndrome (SBS) among students in tropical countries. We studied associations between levels of five fungal DNA sequences, two mycotoxins (sterigmatocystin and verrucarol) and cat allergen (Fel d 1) levels in schools and rhinitis and other weekly SBS symptoms in the students. Fungal DNA was measured by quantitative PCR and cat allergen by ELISA. Pupils (N = 462) from eight randomly selected schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia participated (96%). Dust samples were collected by cotton swabs and Petri dishes exposed for one week. None of the schools had a mechanical ventilation system, but all classrooms had openable windows that were kept open during lectures and indoor CO2 levels were low (mean 492 ppm; range 380-690 ppm). Weekly nasal symptoms (rhinitis) (18.8%), ocular (11.6%), throat (11.1%), dermal symptoms, headache (20.6%) and tiredness (22.1%) were common. Total fungal DNA in swab samples was associated with rhinitis (p = 0.02), ocular symptoms (p = 0.009) and tiredness (p = 0.001). There were positive associations between Aspergillus versicolor DNA in Petri dish samples, ocular symptoms (p = 0.02) and tiredness (p = 0.001). The level of the mycotoxin verrucarol (produced by Stachybotrys chartarum) in swab samples was positively associated with tiredness (p = 0.04). Streptomyces DNA in swab samples (p = 0.03) and Petri dish samples (p = 0.03) were negatively associated with tiredness. In conclusion, total fungal contamination, measured as total fungal DNA) in the classrooms, Aspergillus versicolor and verrucarol can be risk factors for rhinitis and SBS symptoms among students in the tropical country Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Allergens/adverse effects; Animals; Cats; DNA, Fungal/analysis*; Dust/analysis*; Eye/pathology*; Fatigue/complications*; Female; Headache/complications*; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Models, Theoretical; Mycotoxins/analysis*; Pharynx/pathology*; Rhinitis/complications*; Schools; Skin/pathology; Students; Prevalence
  2. Woon JS, Mackeen MM, Sudin AH, Mahadi NM, Illias RM, Murad AM, et al.
    Biotechnol Lett, 2016 May;38(5):825-32.
    PMID: 26830095 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-016-2045-z
    To express and determine the hydrolytic activity of a cellobiohydrolase (TTCBH6B) from the thermophilic fungus Thielavia terrestris in Pichia pastoris.
    MeSH terms: Fungi; Hydrolysis; Sordariales; Cellulose 1,4-beta-Cellobiosidase
  3. Aziz NA, Daly E, Allen S, Rowson B, Greig C, Forman D, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2016;9:56.
    PMID: 26830203 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1338-3
    Angiostrongylus vasorum is a highly pathogenic metastrongylid nematode affecting dogs, which uses gastropod molluscs as intermediate hosts. The geographical distribution of the parasite appears to be heterogeneous or patchy and understanding of the factors underlying this heterogeneity is limited. In this study, we compared the species of gastropod present and the prevalence of A. vasorum along a rural-urban gradient in two cities in the south-west United Kingdom.
    MeSH terms: Angiostrongylus; Animals; Cities; Dogs; Mollusca; Parasites; Prevalence; Gastropoda
  4. Johari J, Sharifudin MA, Ab Rahman A, Omar AS, Abdullah AT, Nor S, et al.
    Singapore Med J, 2016 Jan;57(1):33-8.
    PMID: 26831315 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2016009
    This retrospective review aimed to examine the relationship between preoperative pulmonary function and the Cobb angle, location of apical vertebrae and age in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). To our knowledge, there have been no detailed analyses of preoperative pulmonary function in relation to these three factors in AIS.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Forced Expiratory Volume/physiology*; Humans; Kyphosis/diagnosis*; Kyphosis/physiopathology; Kyphosis/surgery; Lumbar Vertebrae*; Lung/physiopathology*; Male; Respiratory Function Tests; Retrospective Studies; Scoliosis/diagnosis*; Scoliosis/physiopathology; Scoliosis/surgery; Severity of Illness Index; Spinal Fusion/methods; Thoracic Vertebrae*; Young Adult; Preoperative Period
  5. Chakraborty C, Das S
    Tumour Biol., 2016 May;37(5):5705-14.
    PMID: 26831657 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-4907-3
    Effective cancer management depends on early diagnosis and treatment. There are several microRNAs (miRNAs) which are used for detection of various cancers. Cell-free and circulating miRNAs originate from plasma, either from blood cells or endothelial cells. Cell-free and circulating miRNAs are very much important in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer therapy. Admittedly, biological knowledge of extracellular miRNAs is still at its preliminary level. Recent discoveries of novel cell-free and circulating miRNAs from the body fluids are now being considered as important biomarkers that may help us in the early diagnosis of any cancer. In the present review, we highlight the biogenesis of miRNAs and their current extracellular pattern, the discovery of circulating miRNA, significant advantages, and different profiling techniques. Finally, we discuss the different circulating miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-20a, miR-155, miR‑221, miR-210, miR-218, miR-200-family, miR-141, miR-122, miR-486-5p, miR‑423-5p, miR-29a, and miR-500 for clinical diagnosis of various cancers. The present review may be beneficial for future researches concerned with miRNAs which are used for detection of various cancers.
  6. Aydın Tekdaş D, Viswanathan G, Zehra Topal S, Looi CY, Wong WF, Min Yi Tan G, et al.
    Org Biomol Chem, 2016 Mar 7;14(9):2665-70.
    PMID: 26831779 DOI: 10.1039/c5ob02477c
    A novel BODIPY derivative was designed for biomedical applications. Its mono-quaternized structure ensured its water-solubility and suitable amphiphilicity. Showing no singlet oxygen generation to avoid damage to healthy cells, this new derivative proved to be an extremely promising antimicrobial agent, with activity equal or superior to ampicillin against MRS Staphylococcus strains with no short-term resistance issue. Its activity against MSS Staphylococcus strains was largely superior to those of ampicillin and reached the activity of vancomycin against MSS S. epidermidis. This latter result is in particular extremely promising for the treatment of hospital-acquired infections. Also the fluorescence properties of BODIPY allowed imaging of the uptake.
    MeSH terms: Ampicillin; Anti-Infective Agents; Cross Infection; Fluorescence; Oxygen; Solubility; Staphylococcus; Vancomycin; Singlet Oxygen
  7. Mousavi Z, Soofivand F, Esmaeili-Zare M, Salavati-Niasari M, Bagheri S
    Sci Rep, 2016 Feb 01;6:20071.
    PMID: 26832329 DOI: 10.1038/srep20071
    In this work, zinc chromite (ZnCr2O4) nanostructures have been synthesized through co-precipitation method. The effect of various parameters such as alkaline agent, pH value, and capping agent type was investigated on purity, particle size and morphology of samples. It was found that particle size and morphology of the products could be greatly influenced via these parameters. The synthesized products were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The superhydrophilicity of the calcined oxides was investigated by wetting experiments and a sessile drop technique which carried out at room temperature in air to determine the surface and interfacial interactions. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of ZnCr2O4 nanoparticles was confirmed by degradation of anionic dyes such as Eosin-Y and phenol red under UV light irradiation. The obtained ZnCr2O4 nanoparticles exhibit a paramagnetic behavior although bulk ZnCr2O4 is antiferromagnetic, this change in magnetic property can be ascribed to finite size effects.
    MeSH terms: Coloring Agents; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Fourier Analysis; Magnetics; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Oxides; Particle Size; Phenolsulfonphthalein; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; Temperature; Ultraviolet Rays; X-Ray Diffraction; X-Rays; Zinc; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Nanostructures; Nanoparticles; Magnetometry
  8. Razik BM, Osman H, Ezzat MO, Basiri A, Salhin A, Kia Y, et al.
    Med Chem, 2016;12(6):527-36.
    PMID: 26833077
    BACKGROUND: The search for new cholinesterase inhibitors is still a promising approach for management of Alzheimer`s disease. Schiff bases are considered as important class of organic compounds, which have wide range of applications including as enzyme inhibitors. In the present study, a new green ionic liquid mediated strategy was developed for convenient synthesis of two series of Schiff bases 3(a-j) and 5(a-j) as potential cholinesterase inhibitors using aromatic aldehydes and primary amines in [bmim]Br.

    METHODS: The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory potential by modified Ellman's method. The molecular interactions between the most active compound and the enzyme were analyzed by molecular docking.

    RESULTS: Among them, 3j displayed higher inhibitory activities than reference drug, galanthamine, with IC50 values of 2.05 and 5.77 µM, for AChE and BChE, respectively. Interestingly, all the compounds except 3b displayed higher BChE inhibitions than galanthamine with IC50 values ranging from 5.77 to 18.52 µM. Molecular docking of compound 3j inside the TcAChE and hBChE completely coincided with the inhibitory activities observed. The compound forms strong hydrogen bonding at the peripheral anionic site of AChE whereas on BChE, it had hydrophobic and mild polar interactions.

    CONCLUSION: An efficient and eco-friendly synthetic methodology has been developed to synthesize Schiff bases in a very short reaction time and excellent yields in ionic solvent, whereby the compounds from series 3 showed promising cholinesterase inhibitory activity.

    MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/chemistry; Animals; Butyrylcholinesterase/chemistry; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry*; Electrophorus; Galantamine/chemistry; Horses; Hydrogen Bonding; Models, Chemical; Schiff Bases/chemical synthesis; Schiff Bases/chemistry*; Structure-Activity Relationship; Ionic Liquids/chemistry; Green Chemistry Technology; Molecular Docking Simulation; para-Aminobenzoates/chemical synthesis; para-Aminobenzoates/chemistry*
  9. Greenwood MP, Greenwood M, Gillard BT, Loh SY, Paton JF, Murphy D
    J Neuroendocrinol, 2016 04;28(4).
    PMID: 26833868 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12371
    The synthesis of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is sensitive to increased plasma osmolality and a decreased blood volume, and thus is robustly increased by both dehydration (increased plasma osmolality and decreased blood volume) and salt loading (increased plasma osmolality). Both stimuli result in functional remodelling of the SON and PVN, a process referred to as functional-related plasticity. Such plastic changes in the brain have recently been associated with altered patterns of DNA methylation at CpG (cytosine-phosphate-guanine) residues, a process considered to be important for the regulation of gene transcription. In this regard, the proximal Avp promoter contains a number of CpG sites and is recognised as one of four CpG islands for the Avp gene, suggesting that methylation may be regulating Avp transcription. In the present study, we show that, in an immortalised hypothalamic cell line 4B, the proximal Avp promoter is highly methylated, and treatment of these cells with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine to demethylate DNA dramatically increases basal and stimulated Avp biosynthesis. We report no changes in the expression of DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a, whereas there is decreased expression of the demethylating enzyme ten-eleven-translocation 2, Tet2, in the SON by dehydration and salt loading. We found higher methylation of the SON Avp promoter in dehydrated but not salt-loaded rats. By analysis of individual CpG sites, we observed hypomethylation, hypermethylation and no change in methylation of specific CpGs in the SON Avp promoter of the dehydrated rat. Using reporter gene assays, we show that mutation of individual CpGs can result in altered Avp promoter activity. We propose that methylation of the SON Avp promoter is necessary to co-ordinate the duel inputs of increased plasma osmolality and decreased blood volume on Avp transcription in the chronically dehydrated rat.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Azacitidine/analogs & derivatives; Azacitidine/pharmacology; Cell Line; Dehydration/genetics*; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase/metabolism; Hypothalamus/metabolism; Male; Mutation; Osmolar Concentration; Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics*; Sodium Chloride/metabolism*; Sodium Chloride/pharmacology; Vasopressins/genetics*; DNA Methylation/genetics*; Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics*; Rats
  10. Tan CT, Mao Z, Qiu W, Hu X, Wingerchuk DM, Weinshenker BG
    Neurology, 2016 Feb 2;86(5):491-2.
    PMID: 26833940 DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000002366
    MeSH terms: Autoantibodies/blood; Humans; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Neuromyelitis Optica/blood; Neuromyelitis Optica/diagnosis*; Consensus*; Internationality*; Aquaporin 4/blood
  11. Sidahmed HM, Hashim NM, Mohan S, Abdelwahab SI, Taha MM, Dehghan F, et al.
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2016;10:297-313.
    PMID: 26834460 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S80625
    PURPOSE: β-Mangostin (BM) from Cratoxylum arborescens demonstrated various pharmacological activities such as anticancer and anti-inflammatory. In this study, we aimed to investigate its antiulcer activity against ethanol ulcer model in rats.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: BM was isolated from C. arborescens. Gastric acid output, ulcer index, gross evaluation, mucus production, histological evaluation using hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunohistochemical localization for heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and Bax proteins were investigated. Possible involvement of reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, prostaglandin E2, antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes, radical scavenging, nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds, and anti-Helicobacter pylori were investigated.

    RESULTS: BM showed antisecretory activity against the pylorus ligature model. The pretreatment with BM protect gastric mucosa from ethanol damaging effect as seen by the improved gross and histological appearance. BM significantly reduced the ulcer area formation, the submucosal edema, and the leukocytes infiltration compared to the ulcer control. The compound showed intense periodic acid-Schiff staining to the gastric mucus layer and marked amount of alcian blue binding to free gastric mucus. BM significantly increased the gastric homogenate content of prostaglandin E2 glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds. The compound inhibited the lipid peroxidation revealed by the reduced gastric content of malondialdehyde. Moreover, BM upregulate HSP70 expression and downregulate Bax expression. Furthermore, the compound showed interesting anti-H. pylori activity.

    CONCLUSION: Thus, it could be concluded that BM possesses gastroprotective activity, which could be attributed to the antisecretory, mucus production, antioxidant, HSP70, antiapoptotic, and anti-H. pylori mechanisms.

    MeSH terms: Ethanol/toxicity; Animals; Anti-Ulcer Agents/isolation & purification; Anti-Ulcer Agents/pharmacology; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Gastric Mucosa/drug effects; Gastric Mucosa/pathology; Male; Malondialdehyde/metabolism; Stomach Ulcer/drug therapy*; Stomach Ulcer/pathology; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects; Down-Regulation/drug effects; Up-Regulation/drug effects; Helicobacter pylori/drug effects*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Apoptosis/drug effects; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics; Clusiaceae/chemistry*; Xanthones/isolation & purification; Xanthones/pharmacology*; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics; Rats
  12. Firouzamandi M, Moeini H, Hosseini SD, Bejo MH, Omar AR, Mehrbod P, et al.
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2016;11:259-67.
    PMID: 26834470 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S92225
    Plasmid DNA (pDNA)-based vaccines have emerged as effective subunit vaccines against viral and bacterial pathogens. In this study, a DNA vaccine, namely plasmid internal ribosome entry site-HN/F, was applied in ovo against Newcastle disease (ND). Vaccination was carried out using the DNA vaccine alone or as a mixture of the pDNA and dextran-spermine (D-SPM), a nanoparticle used for pDNA delivery. The results showed that in ovo vaccination with 40 μg pDNA/egg alone induced high levels of antibody titer (P<0.05) in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens at 3 and 4 weeks postvaccination compared to 2 weeks postvaccination. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titer was not significantly different between groups injected with 40 μg pDNA + 64 μg D-SPM and 40 μg pDNA at 4 weeks postvaccination (P>0.05). Higher antibody titer was observed in the group immunized with 40 μg pDNA/egg at 4 weeks postvaccination. The findings also showed that vaccination with 40 μg pDNA/egg alone was able to confer protection against Newcastle disease virus strain NDIBS002 in two out of seven SPF chickens. Although the chickens produced antibody titers 3 weeks after in ovo vaccination, it was not sufficient to provide complete protection to the chickens from lethal viral challenge. In addition, vaccination with pDNA/D-SPM complex did not induce high antibody titer when compared with naked pDNA. Therefore, it was concluded that DNA vaccination with plasmid internal ribosome entry site-HN/F can be suitable for in ovo application against ND, whereas D-SPM is not recommended for in ovo gene delivery.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Viral/immunology; Chick Embryo; Chickens; Dextrans/chemistry*; Female; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; Hemagglutinins/administration & dosage; Hemagglutinins/genetics*; Hemagglutinins/metabolism; Newcastle Disease/genetics; Newcastle Disease/immunology; Newcastle Disease/prevention & control*; Newcastle disease virus/immunology; Ovum/immunology*; Spermine/chemistry*; Vaccination; Viral Vaccines/administration & dosage*; Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage*; Vaccines, DNA/immunology; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  13. Gravier A, Quek C, Duch W, Wahab A, Gravier-Rymaszewska J
    Cogn Neurodyn, 2016 Feb;10(1):49-72.
    PMID: 26834861 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-015-9365-x
    This paper introduces a model of Emergent Visual Attention in presence of calcium channelopathy (EVAC). By modelling channelopathy, EVAC constitutes an effort towards identifying the possible causes of autism. The network structure embodies the dual pathways model of cortical processing of visual input, with reflex attention as an emergent property of neural interactions. EVAC extends existing work by introducing attention shift in a larger-scale network and applying a phenomenological model of channelopathy. In presence of a distractor, the channelopathic network's rate of failure to shift attention is lower than the control network's, but overall, the control network exhibits a lower classification error rate. The simulation results also show differences in task-relative reaction times between control and channelopathic networks. The attention shift timings inferred from the model are consistent with studies of attention shift in autistic children.
  14. Lo Vecchio A, Dias JA, Berkley JA, Boey C, Cohen MB, Cruchet S, et al.
    J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 2016 Aug;63(2):226-35.
    PMID: 26835905 DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001133
    OBJECTIVE: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of child mortality and morbidity. This study aimed at systematically reviewing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on AGE to compare recommendations and provide the basis for developing single universal guidelines.

    METHODS: CPGs were identified by searching MEDLINE, Cochrane-Library, National Guideline Clearinghouse and Web sites of relevant societies/organizations producing and/or endorsing CPGs.

    RESULTS: The definition of AGE varies among the 15 CPGs identified. The parameters most frequently recommended to assess dehydration are skin turgor and sunken eyes (11/15, 73.3%), general appearance (11/15, 66.6%), capillary refill time, and mucous membranes appearance (9/15, 60%). Oral rehydration solution is universally recognized as first-line treatment. The majority of CPGs recommend hypo-osmolar (Na 45-60 mmol/L, 11/15, 66.6 %) or low-osmolality (Na 75 mmol/L, 9/15, 60%) solutions. In children who fail oral rehydration, most CPGs suggest intravenous rehydration (66.6%). However, nasogastric tube insertion for fluid administration is preferred according by 5/15 CPGs (33.3%). Changes in diet and withdrawal of food are discouraged by all CPGs, and early refeeding is strongly recommended in 13 of 15 (86.7%). Zinc is recommended as an adjunct to ORS by 10 of 15 (66.6%) CPGs, most of them from low-income countries. Probiotics are considered by 9 of 15 (60%) CPGs, 5 from high-income countries. Antiemetics are not recommended in 9 of 15 (60%) CPGs. Routine use of antibiotics is discouraged.

    CONCLUSIONS: Key recommendations for the management of AGE in children are similar in CPGs. Together with accurate review of evidence-base this may represent a starting point for developing universal recommendations for the management of children with AGE worldwide.

    MeSH terms: Acute Disease; Child; Gastroenteritis/diagnosis*; Gastroenteritis/therapy*; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  15. Boettiger DC, Aurpibul L, Hudaya DM, Fong SM, Lumbiganon P, Saphonn V, et al.
    Pediatr Infect Dis J, 2016 May;35(5):e144-51.
    PMID: 26835972 DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001074
    BACKGROUND: Information on antiretroviral therapy (ART) use in HIV-infected children with severe malnutrition (SM) is lacking. We investigated long-term ART outcomes in this population.

    METHODS: Children enrolled in the TREAT Asia Pediatric HIV Observational Database who had SM (weight-for-height or body mass index-for-age Z score less than -3) at ART initiation were analyzed. Generalized estimating equations were used to investigate poor weight recovery (weight-for-age Z score less than -3) and poor CD4% recovery (CD4% <25), and competing risk regression was used to analyze mortality and toxicity-associated treatment modification.

    RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-five (11.9%) of 2993 children starting ART had SM. Their median weight-for-age Z score increased from -5.6 at ART initiation to -2.3 after 36 months. Not using trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis at baseline was associated with poor weight recovery [odds ratio: 2.49 vs. using; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66-3.74; P < 0.001]. Median CD4% increased from 3.0 at ART initiation to 27.2 after 36 months, and 56 (15.3%) children died during follow-up. More profound SM was associated with poor CD4% recovery (odds ratio: 1.78 for Z score less than -4.5 vs. -3.5 to less than -3.0; 95% CI: 1.08-2.92; P = 0.023) and mortality (hazard ratio: 2.57 for Z score less than -4.5 vs. -3.5 to less than -3.0; 95% CI: 1.24-5.33; P = 0.011). Twenty-two toxicity-associated ART modifications occurred at a rate of 2.4 per 100 patient-years, and rates did not differ by malnutrition severity.

    CONCLUSION: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis is important for the recovery of weight-for-age in severely malnourished children starting ART. The extent of SM does not impede weight-for-age recovery or antiretroviral tolerability, but CD4% response is compromised in children with a very low weight-for-height/body mass index-for-age Z score, which may contribute to their high rate of mortality.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage; Asia; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; HIV Infections/complications*; HIV Infections/drug therapy*; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination/administration & dosage; Treatment Outcome; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/adverse effects; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/methods*; Malnutrition*; Anti-Retroviral Agents/adverse effects; Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use*; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
  16. Manssor NA, Radzi Z, Yahya NA, Mohamad Yusof L, Hariri F, Khairuddin NH, et al.
    Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 2016;29(2):55-62.
    PMID: 26836267 DOI: 10.1159/000431328
    Mechanical properties of expanded skin tissue are different from normal skin, which is dependent mainly on the structural and functional integrity of dermal collagen fibrils. In the present study, mechanical properties and surface topography of both expanded and nonexpanded skin collagen fibrils were evaluated. Anisotropic controlled rate self-inflating tissue expanders were placed beneath the skin of sheep's forelimbs. The tissue expanders gradually increased in height and reached equilibrium in 2 weeks. They were left in situ for another 2 weeks before explantation. Expanded and normal skin samples were surgically harvested from the sheep (n = 5). Young's modulus and surface topography of collagen fibrils were measured using an atomic force microscope. A surface topographic scan showed organized hierarchical structural levels: collagen molecules, fibrils and fibers. No significant difference was detected for the D-banding pattern: 63.5 ± 2.6 nm (normal skin) and 63.7 ± 2.7 nm (expanded skin). Fibrils from expanded tissues consisted of loosely packed collagen fibrils and the width of the fibrils was significantly narrower compared to those from normal skin: 153.9 ± 25.3 and 106.7 ± 28.5 nm, respectively. Young's modulus of the collagen fibrils in the expanded and normal skin was not statistically significant: 46.5 ± 19.4 and 35.2 ± 27.0 MPa, respectively. In conclusion, the anisotropic controlled rate self-inflating tissue expander produced a loosely packed collagen network and the fibrils exhibited similar D-banding characteristics as the control group in a sheep model. However, the fibrils from the expanded skin were significantly narrower. The stiffness of the fibrils from the expanded skin was higher but it was not statistically different.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Collagen/physiology*; Collagen/ultrastructure; Male; Sheep; Skin/ultrastructure; Skin Physiological Phenomena*; Tissue Expansion Devices*; Anisotropy; Elastic Modulus/physiology*
  17. Gotoda T, Uedo N, Yoshinaga S, Tanuma T, Morita Y, Doyama H, et al.
    Dig Endosc, 2016 Apr;28 Suppl 1:2-15.
    PMID: 26836611 DOI: 10.1111/den.12623
    Endoscopic diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumors consists of the following processes: (i) detection; (ii) differential diagnosis; and (iii) quantitative diagnosis (size and depth) of a lesion. Although detection is the first step to make a diagnosis of the tumor, the lesion can be overlooked if an endoscopist has no knowledge of what an early-stage 'superficial lesion' looks like. In recent years, image-enhanced endoscopy has become common, but white-light endoscopy (WLI) is still the first step for detection and characterization of lesions in general clinical practice. Settings and practice of routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) such as use of antispasmodics, number of endoscopic images taken, and observational procedure are customarily decided in each facility in each country and are not well standardized. Therefore, in the present article, we attempted to outline currently available evidence and actual Japanese practice on gastric cancer screening using WLI, and provide tips for detecting EGC during routine EGD which could become the basis of future research.
  18. Norman NH, Worthington H, Chadwick SM
    J Orthod, 2016 Sep;43(3):176-85.
    PMID: 26836747 DOI: 10.1080/14653125.2015.1122260
    OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical performance of nickel titanium (NiTi) versus stainless steel (SS) springs during orthodontic space closure.
    DESIGN: Two-centre parallel group randomized clinical trial.
    SETTING: Orthodontic Department University of Manchester Dental Hospital and Orthodontic Department Countess of Chester Hospital, United Kingdom.
    SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty orthodontic patients requiring fixed appliance treatment were enrolled, each being randomly allocated into either NiTi (n = 19) or SS groups (n = 21). Study models were constructed at the start of the space closure phase (T0) and following the completion of space closure (T1). The rate of space closure achieved for each patient was calculated by taking an average measurement from the tip of the canine to the mesiobuccal groove on the first permanent molar of each quadrant.
    RESULTS: The study was terminated early due to time constraints. Only 30 patients completed, 15 in each study group. There was no statistically significant difference between the amounts of space closed (mean difference 0.17 mm (95%CI -0.99 to 1.34; P = 0.76)). The mean rate of space closure for NiTi coil springs was 0.58 mm/4 weeks (SD 0.24) and 0.85 mm/4 weeks (SD 0.36) for the stainless steel springs. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.024), in favour of the stainless steel springs, when the mean values per patient were compared.
    CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that stainless steel springs are clinically effective; these springs produce as much space closure as their more expensive rivals, the NiTi springs.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Alloys; Child; Dental Alloys; Female; Great Britain; Humans; Male; Nickel*; Orthodontic Wires*; Stainless Steel*; Titanium; Orthodontic Appliance Design*; Orthodontic Space Closure; Young Adult
  19. Mehdikhani M, Behtash H, Ganjavian MS, Khalaj N
    J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 2016 Aug 10;29(3):515-9.
    PMID: 26836834 DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150651
    Hyperkyphosis with unknown reason is common in teenagers and can be corrected by orthotic management.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Braces*; Child; Combined Modality Therapy; Exercise Therapy/methods*; Female; Humans; Kyphosis/therapy*; Male; Treatment Outcome
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