Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Travis RC, Appleby PN, Martin RM, Holly JMP, Albanes D, Black A, et al.
    Cancer Res, 2016 04 15;76(8):2288-2300.
    PMID: 26921328 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-15-1551
    The role of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) in prostate cancer development is not fully understood. To investigate the association between circulating concentrations of IGFs (IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3) and prostate cancer risk, we pooled individual participant data from 17 prospective and two cross-sectional studies, including up to 10,554 prostate cancer cases and 13,618 control participants. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the ORs for prostate cancer based on the study-specific fifth of each analyte. Overall, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 concentrations were positively associated with prostate cancer risk (Ptrend all ≤ 0.005), and IGFBP-1 was inversely associated weakly with risk (Ptrend = 0.05). However, heterogeneity between the prospective and cross-sectional studies was evident (Pheterogeneity = 0.03), unless the analyses were restricted to prospective studies (with the exception of IGF-II, Pheterogeneity = 0.02). For prospective studies, the OR for men in the highest versus the lowest fifth of each analyte was 1.29 (95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.43) for IGF-I, 0.81 (0.68-0.96) for IGFBP-1, and 1.25 (1.12-1.40) for IGFBP-3. These associations did not differ significantly by time-to-diagnosis or tumor stage or grade. After mutual adjustment for each of the other analytes, only IGF-I remained associated with risk. Our collaborative study represents the largest pooled analysis of the relationship between prostate cancer risk and circulating concentrations of IGF-I, providing strong evidence that IGF-I is highly likely to be involved in prostate cancer development. Cancer Res; 76(8); 2288-300. ©2016 AACR.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/metabolism*; Male; Middle Aged; Prostatic Neoplasms/blood; Prostatic Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Risk Factors
  2. Easton DF, Lesueur F, Decker B, Michailidou K, Li J, Allen J, et al.
    J Med Genet, 2016 May;53(5):298-309.
    PMID: 26921362 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2015-103529
    BACKGROUND: BRCA1 interacting protein C-terminal helicase 1 (BRIP1) is one of the Fanconi Anaemia Complementation (FANC) group family of DNA repair proteins. Biallelic mutations in BRIP1 are responsible for FANC group J, and previous studies have also suggested that rare protein truncating variants in BRIP1 are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. These studies have led to inclusion of BRIP1 on targeted sequencing panels for breast cancer risk prediction.

    METHODS: We evaluated a truncating variant, p.Arg798Ter (rs137852986), and 10 missense variants of BRIP1, in 48 144 cases and 43 607 controls of European origin, drawn from 41 studies participating in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC). Additionally, we sequenced the coding regions of BRIP1 in 13 213 cases and 5242 controls from the UK, 1313 cases and 1123 controls from three population-based studies as part of the Breast Cancer Family Registry, and 1853 familial cases and 2001 controls from Australia.

    RESULTS: The rare truncating allele of rs137852986 was observed in 23 cases and 18 controls in Europeans in BCAC (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.58 to 2.03, p=0.79). Truncating variants were found in the sequencing studies in 34 cases (0.21%) and 19 controls (0.23%) (combined OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.70, p=0.75).

    CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that truncating variants in BRIP1, and in particular p.Arg798Ter, are not associated with a substantial increase in breast cancer risk. Such observations have important implications for the reporting of results from breast cancer screening panels.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms/genetics; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism*; Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Mutation*; Risk; Cohort Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; RNA Helicases/genetics*; European Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins; Genetic Association Studies
  3. Cogger VC, Mohamad M, Solon-Biet SM, Senior AM, Warren A, O'Reilly JN, et al.
    Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 2016 05 01;310(9):H1064-70.
    PMID: 26921440 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00949.2015
    Fenestrations are pores within the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) that line the sinusoids of the highly vascularized liver. Fenestrations facilitate the transfer of substrates between blood and hepatocytes. With pseudocapillarization of the hepatic sinusoid in old age, there is a loss of fenestrations. LSECs are uniquely exposed to gut-derived dietary and microbial substrates delivered by the portal circulation to the liver. Here we studied the effect of 25 diets varying in content of macronutrients and energy on LSEC fenestrations using the Geometric Framework method in a large cohort of mice aged 15 mo. Macronutrient distribution rather than total food or energy intake was associated with changes in fenestrations. Porosity and frequency were inversely associated with dietary fat intake, while fenestration diameter was inversely associated with protein or carbohydrate intake. Fenestrations were also linked to diet-induced changes in gut microbiome, with increased fenestrations associated with higher abundance of Firmicutes and reduced abundance of Bacteroidetes Diet-induced changes in levels of several fatty acids (C16:0, C19:0, and C20:4) were also significantly inversely associated with fenestrations, suggesting a link between dietary fat and modulation of lipid rafts in the LSECs. Diet influences fenestrations and these data reflect both the key role of the LSECs in clearing gut-derived molecules from the vascular circulation and the impact these molecules have on LSEC morphology.
    MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Animals; Animal Feed*; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Energy Intake; Dietary Carbohydrates/administration & dosage; Dietary Carbohydrates/metabolism*; Dietary Proteins/administration & dosage; Dietary Proteins/metabolism*; Female; Liver/blood supply*; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Nutritional Status; Nutritive Value; Biomarkers/blood; Porosity; Cell Aging*; Gastrointestinal Tract/metabolism; Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology; Endothelial Cells/metabolism*; Endothelial Cells/ultrastructure; Cell Shape
  4. Abu N, Akhtar MN, Yeap SK, Lim KL, Ho WY, Abdullah MP, et al.
    PMID: 26922065 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1046-8
    The kava-kava plant (Piper methysticum) is traditionally consumed by the pacific islanders and has been linked to be involved in several biological activities. Flavokawain B is a unique chalcone, which can be found in the roots of the kava-kava plant. In this study, the operational mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of a synthetic Flavokawain B (FKB) on two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 was investigated.
  5. Thai BT, Tan MH, Lee YP, Gan HM, Tran TT, Austin CM
    Mol Biol Rep, 2016 May;43(5):391-6.
    PMID: 26922181 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-016-3966-2
    The marine clam Lutraria rhynchaena is gaining popularity as an aquaculture species in Asia. Lutraria populations are present in the wild throughout Vietnam and several stocks have been established and translocated for breeding and aquaculture grow-out purposes. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of utilising Illumina next-generation sequencing technology to streamline the identification and genotyping of microsatellite loci from this clam species. Based on an initial partial genome scan, 48 microsatellite markers with similar melting temperatures were identified and characterised. The 12 most suitable polymorphic loci were then genotyped using 51 individuals from a population in Quang Ninh Province, North Vietnam. Genetic variation was low (mean number of alleles per locus = 2.6; mean expected heterozygosity = 0.41). Two loci showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and the presence of null alleles, but there was no evidence of linkage disequilibrium among loci. Three additional populations were screened (n = 7-36) to test the geographic utility of the 12 loci, which revealed 100 % successful genotyping in two populations from central Vietnam (Nha Trang). However, a second population from north Vietnam (Co To) could not be successfully genotyped and morphological evidence and mitochondrial variation suggests that this population represents a cryptic species of Lutraria. Comparisons of the Qang Ninh and Nha Trang populations, excluding the 2 loci out of HWE, revealed statistically significant allelic variation at 4 loci. We reported the first microsatellite loci set for the marine clam Lutraria rhynchaena and demonstrated its potential in differentiating clam populations. Additionally, a cryptic species population of Lutraria rhynchaena was identified during initial loci development, underscoring the overlooked diversity of marine clam species in Vietnam and the need to genetically characterise population representatives prior to microsatellite development. The rapid identification and validation of microsatellite loci using next-generation sequencing technology warrant its integration into future microsatellite loci development for key aquaculture species in Vietnam and more generally, aquaculture countries in the South East Asia region.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Vietnam; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Microsatellite Repeats*; Bivalvia/genetics*; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  6. Rajagopalu D, Show PL, Tan YS, Muniandy S, Sabaratnam V, Ling TC
    J Biosci Bioeng, 2016 Sep;122(3):301-6.
    PMID: 26922478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2016.01.016
    The feasible use of aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) to establish a viable protocol for the recovery of laccase from processed Hericium erinaceus (Bull.:Fr.) Pers. fruiting bodies was evaluated. Cold-stored (4.00±1.00°C) H. erinaceus recorded the highest laccase activities of 2.02±0.04 U/mL among all the processed techniques. The evaluation was carried out in twenty-five ATPSs, which composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with various molecular weights and potassium phosphate salt solution to purify the protein from H. erinaceus. Optimum recovery condition was observed in the ATPS which contained 17% (w/w) PEG with a molecular weight of 8000 and 12.2% (w/w) potassium phosphate solution, at a volume ratio (VR) of 1.0. The use of ATPS resulted in one-single primary recovery stage process that produced an overall yield of 99% with a purification factor of 8.03±0.46. The molecular mass of laccases purified from the bottom phase was in the range of 55-66 kDa. The purity of the partitioned laccase was confirmed with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).
    MeSH terms: Basidiomycota/enzymology*; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Molecular Weight; Phosphates/chemistry; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry; Water/chemistry*; Potassium Compounds/chemistry; Laccase/biosynthesis*; Laccase/isolation & purification*; Laccase/chemistry; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal/enzymology*
  7. Kristanti RA, Fikri Ahmad Zubir MM, Hadibarata T
    J Environ Manage, 2016 May 1;172:107-11.
    PMID: 26922501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.11.017
    Cresol Red, a commercial dye that used widely to color nylon, wool, cotton, and polyacrylonitrile-modified nylon in the massive textile manufacture is toxic recalcitrant. Absidia spinosa M15, a novel fungal strain isolated from a tropical rain forest, was found to decolorize Cresol Red 65% within 30 d under agitation condition. UV-Vis spectroscopy, TLC analysis and mass spectra of samples after decolorization process in culture medium confirmed final decolorization of Cresol Red. Two metabolites were identified in the treated medium: benzeneacetic acid (tR 9.6 min and m/z 136) and benzoic acid (tR 5.7 min and m/z 122). Laccase showed the significant activity (133.8 U/L) in biomass obtained at the end of experiment demonstrates role of the enzyme in the decolorization process.
    MeSH terms: Acrylic Resins; Animals; Nylons; Phenolsulfonphthalein; Phenylacetates; Textiles; Wool; Biomass; Benzoic Acid; Absidia; Laccase; Rainforest
  8. Akbarzadeh MM, Kzemin Jasemi N, Hedayati Katuli F, Dorostgu Z, Yazdani F, Dorostgu Z, et al.
    J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2016 Feb 29.
    PMID: 26923058
    Herein we have engineered a micellar Cu protoporphyrin catalyst that mediates carbon bond activation using peroxide as an electron source. Cu protoporphyrin is a biomimetic model of active site of chloroperoxidase enzyme, which catalyzes the carbon bond halogenation in the presence of a suitable amount of H2O2. The encapsulation of Cu(II) Protoporphyrin IX/L-Cysteine inside of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide micelle increases the rate of chlorination at pH 3. The cited catalyst resists high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, which is previously reported as a suicide inactivator component of hemo-enzymes. Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) data have revealed the formation of a micellar complex by encapsulation of six Cu(II) proporphyrins within each micelle. Moreover, electrochemical investigations indicate that L-Cysteine increases the intensity of electron transferred due to the formation of self-assembled monolayer on Au electrode. Our results paved a road toward the design of a more robust mimetic catalysis based on Protoporphyrin IX derivatives.
  9. Ibrahim S, Shukor MY, Syed MA, Johari WL, Shamaan NA, Sabullah MK, et al.
    J Gen Appl Microbiol, 2016;62(1):18-24.
    PMID: 26923127 DOI: 10.2323/jgam.62.18
    In a previous study, we isolated Leifsonia sp. strain SIU, a new bacterium from agricultured soil. The bacterium was tested for its ability to degrade caffeine. The isolate was encapsulated in gellan gum and its ability to degrade caffeine was compared with the free cells. The optimal caffeine degradation was attained at a gellan gum concentration of 0.75% (w/v), a bead size of 4 mm diameter, and 250 beads per 100 mL of medium. At a caffeine concentration of 0.1 g/L, immobilised cells of the strain SIU degraded caffeine within 9 h, which is faster when compared to the case of free cells, in which it took 12 h to degrade. The immobilised cells degraded caffeine completely within 39 and 78 h at 0.5 and 1.0 g/L, while the free cells took 72 and 148 h at 0.5 and 1.0 g/L, respectively. At higher caffeine concentrations, immobilised cells exhibited a higher caffeine degradation rate. At concentrations of 1.5 and 2.0 g/L, caffeine-degrading activities of both immobilised and free cells were inhibited. The immobilised cells showed no loss in caffeine-degrading activity after being used repeatedly for nine 24-h cycles. The effect of heavy metals on immobilised cells was also tested. This study showed an increase in caffeine degradation efficiency when the cells were encapsulated in gellan gum.
    MeSH terms: Caffeine*
  10. Shu MH, MatRahim N, NorAmdan N, Pang SP, Hashim SH, Phoon WH, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2016;6:22332.
    PMID: 26923424 DOI: 10.1038/srep22332
    Vaccination may be an alternative treatment for infection with multidrug-resistance (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii. The study reported here evaluated the bactericidal antibody responses following immunization of mice using an inactivated whole-cell vaccine derived from antibiotic-exposed MDR A. baumannii (I-M28-47-114). Mice inoculated with I-M28-47 (non-antibiotic-exposed control) and I-M28-47-114 showed a high IgG antibody response by day 5 post-inoculation. Sera from mice inoculated with I-M28-47-114 collected on day 30 resulted in 80.7 ± 12.0% complement-mediated bacteriolysis in vitro of the test MDR A. baumannii treated with imipenem, which was a higher level of bacteriolysis over sera from mice inoculated with I-M28-47. Macrophage-like U937 cells eliminated 49.3 ± 11.6% of the test MDR A. baumannii treated with imipenem when opsonized with sera from mice inoculated with I-M28-47-114, which was a higher level of elimination than observed for test MDR A. baumannii opsonized with sera from mice inoculated with I-M28-47. These results suggest that vaccination with I-M28-47-114 stimulated antibody responses capable of mounting high bactericidal killing of MDR A. baumannii. Therefore, the inactivated antibiotic-exposed whole-cell vaccine (I-M28-47-114) has potential for development as a candidate vaccine for broad clearance and protection against MDR A. baumannii infections.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibody Formation; Bacteriolysis; Complement C7; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunization; Vaccination; Vaccines, Inactivated; Imipenem; U937 Cells; Acinetobacter baumannii; Mice
  11. Bharti K, Majeed AB, Prakash A
    Biometals, 2016 Jun;29(3):399-409.
    PMID: 26923568 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-016-9922-8
    Metal ionophores are considered as potential anti-dementia agents, and some are currently undergoing clinical trials. Many metals are known to accumulate and distribute abnormally in the aging brain. Alterations in zinc metal homeostasis in the glutaminergic synapse could contribute to ageing and the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study was designed to investigate the effect of metal ionophores on long term administration of zinc in D-galactose induced senescent mice. The ageing model was established by combined administration of zinc and D-galactose to mice for 6 weeks. A novel metal ionophore, PBT-2 was given daily to zinc-induced d-galactose senescent mice. The cognitive behaviour of mice was monitored using the Morris Water Maze. The anti-oxidant status and amyloidogenic activity in the ageing mouse was measured by determining mito-oxidative parameters and deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) in the brain. Systemic administration of both zinc and D-galactose significantly produced memory deficits, mito-oxidative damage, heightened acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activity and deposition of amyloid-β. Treatment with PBT-2 significantly improved behavioural deficits, biochemical profiles, cellular damage, and curbed the deposition of APP in zinc-induced senescent mice. These findings suggest that PBT-2, acting as a metal protein attenuating compound, may be helpful in the prevention of AD or alleviation of ageing.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Aging*; Animals; Cognition Disorders/chemically induced*; Cognition Disorders/metabolism; Cognition Disorders/prevention & control*; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Galactose/administration & dosage; Galactose/pharmacology*; Injections, Subcutaneous; Clioquinol/administration & dosage; Clioquinol/analogs & derivatives*; Clioquinol/pharmacology; Clioquinol/therapeutic use; Clioquinol/chemistry; Male; Mice, Inbred Strains; Amyloid beta-Peptides/antagonists & inhibitors; Amyloid beta-Peptides/chemistry; Zinc Sulfate/administration & dosage; Zinc Sulfate/pharmacology*; Mice
  12. Ngu-Schwemlein M, Chin SF, Hileman R, Drozdowski C, Upchurch C, Hargrove A
    Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 2016 Apr 01;26(7):1745-9.
    PMID: 26923697 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.02.047
    We report the potential of carbon nanodots (CNDs) as a molecular scaffold for enhancing the antimicrobial activities of small dendritic poly(amidoamines) (PAMAM). Carbon nanodots prepared from sago starch are readily functionalized with PAMAM by using N-ethyl-N'-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). Electron microscopy images of these polyaminated CNDs show that they are approximately 30-60nm in diameter. Infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy analyses of the water-soluble material established the presence of the polyamidoaminated moiety and the intrinsic fluorescence of the nanodots. The polyaminated nanodots (CND-PAM1 and CND-PAM2) exhibit in vitro antimicrobial properties, not only to non-multidrug resistant bacteria but also to the corresponding Gram-negative multidrug bacteria. Their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranges from 8 to 64μg/mL, which is much lower than that of PAMAM G1 or the non-active PAMAM G0 and CNDs. Additionally, they show synergistic effect in combination with tetracycline or colistin. These preliminary results imply that CNDs can serve as a promising scaffold for facilitating the rational design of antimicrobial materials for combating the ever-increasing threat of antibiotic resistance. Moreover, their fluorescence could be pertinent to unraveling their mode of action for imaging or diagnostic applications.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry*; Bacteria/drug effects; Bacterial Infections/drug therapy; Carbon/pharmacology*; Carbon/chemistry*; Humans; Succinimides/chemistry; Nanostructures/ultrastructure; Nanostructures/chemistry; Dendrimers/pharmacology*; Dendrimers/chemistry*
  13. Kamisan Atan I, Shek KL, Langer S, Guzman Rojas R, Caudwell-Hall J, Daly JO, et al.
    BJOG, 2016 May;123(6):995-1003.
    PMID: 26924418 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.13924
    Vaginal childbirth may result in levator ani injury secondary to overdistension during the second stage of labour. Other injuries include perineal and anal sphincter tears. Antepartum use of a birth trainer may prevent such injuries by altering the biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor. This study evaluates the effects of Epi-No(®) use on intrapartum pelvic floor trauma.
  14. Sarega N, Imam MU, Esa NM, Zawawi N, Ismail M
    PMID: 26924713 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1049-5
    Clinacanthus nutans is used traditionally in many parts of Asia to improve well-being, but there are limited studies on its efficacy. We explored the potential use of C. nutans for prevention of high fat and high cholesterol diet-(HFHC-) induced insulin resistance in rats.
  15. Mongolu S, Armston AE, Mozley E, Nasruddin A
    Scand J Clin Lab Invest, 2016 May;76(3):240-2.
    PMID: 26924790 DOI: 10.3109/00365513.2016.1143113
    Assay interference with heterophilic antibodies has been well described in literature. Rheumatoid factor is known to cause similar interference leading to falsely elevated hormone levels when measured by immunometric methods like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or multiplex immunoasays (MIA). We report a case of a 60-year-old male patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis referred to our endocrine clinic for investigation of hypogonadism and was found to have high serum levels of LH, FSH, SHBG, Prolactin, HCG and TSH. We suspected assay interference and further tests were performed. We used Heteroblock tubes and PEG precipitation to eliminate the interference and the hormone levels post treatment were in the normal range. We believe the interference was caused by high serum levels of rheumatoid factor. Although he was treated with thyroxine for 3 years, we believe he may have been treated inappropriately as his Free T4 level was always normal despite high TSH due to assay interference. Our case illustrates the phenomenon of heterophilic antibody interference likely due to high levels of rheumatoid factor. It is essential for clinicians and endocrinologists in particular to be aware of this possibility when making treatment decisions in these groups of patients.
    MeSH terms: Antibodies, Heterophile; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Humans; Hypogonadism; Immunologic Tests; Male; Middle Aged; Prolactin; Reference Values; Rheumatoid Factor; Thyroid Function Tests; Thyrotropin; Thyroxine; Endocrinologists
  16. Liew PM, Yong YK
    PMID: 26925152 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7842340
    Introduction. Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl belongs to the family of Verbenaceae and is commonly known as Gervao, Brazilian tea, verbena cimarrona, rooter comb, or blue porter weed. It is one of the important plants with high medicinal and nutraceutical benefits. S. jamaicensis contains various medicinal properties in traditional and folk medicinal systems, with cures for several diseases. Objective. The objective of this review paper is to collect information concerning the morphology, distribution, traditional usage, phytochemical compositions, biological activities, and safety data of S. jamaicensis. Materials and Methods. The information was obtained from literature search through electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar on S. jamaicensis. Results and Conclusion. The high medicinal properties of this plant, for instance, antimicrobial and antifungal effect as the main activities, but verbascoside as the main active chemical component, make it a valuable source of the medicinal compound. This review paper summarizes all information concerning the morphology, distribution, traditional usage, phytochemical compositions, pharmacological activities, and toxicological studies of S. jamaicensis.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents; Glucosides; Phenols; Tea; Dietary Supplements; Verbenaceae; Ilex paraguariensis; Verbena; PubMed; Phytochemicals
  17. Salimi N, Loh KH, Kaur Dhillon S, Chong VC
    PeerJ, 2016;4:e1664.
    PMID: 26925315 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1664
    Background. Fish species may be identified based on their unique otolith shape or contour. Several pattern recognition methods have been proposed to classify fish species through morphological features of the otolith contours. However, there has been no fully-automated species identification model with the accuracy higher than 80%. The purpose of the current study is to develop a fully-automated model, based on the otolith contours, to identify the fish species with the high classification accuracy. Methods. Images of the right sagittal otoliths of 14 fish species from three families namely Sciaenidae, Ariidae, and Engraulidae were used to develop the proposed identification model. Short-time Fourier transform (STFT) was used, for the first time in the area of otolith shape analysis, to extract important features of the otolith contours. Discriminant Analysis (DA), as a classification technique, was used to train and test the model based on the extracted features. Results. Performance of the model was demonstrated using species from three families separately, as well as all species combined. Overall classification accuracy of the model was greater than 90% for all cases. In addition, effects of STFT variables on the performance of the identification model were explored in this study. Conclusions. Short-time Fourier transform could determine important features of the otolith outlines. The fully-automated model proposed in this study (STFT-DA) could predict species of an unknown specimen with acceptable identification accuracy. The model codes can be accessed at http://mybiodiversityontologies.um.edu.my/Otolith/ and https://peerj.com/preprints/1517/. The current model has flexibility to be used for more species and families in future studies.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Catfishes; Data Collection; Fourier Analysis; Otolithic Membrane; Perciformes; Plant Extracts; Discriminant Analysis
  18. Abu Hassan MR, Leong TW, Othman Andu DF, Hat H, Nik Mustapha NR
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2016;17(2):569-73.
    PMID: 26925645
    BACKGROUND: A colorectal cancer screening program was piloted in two districts of Kedah in 2013. There is scarcity of information on colorectal cancer screening in Malaysia.

    OBJECTIVE: Thus, this research was conducted to evaluate the colorectal cancer screening program in the districts to provide insights intop its efficacy.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted using data on the colorectal cancer screening program in 2013 involving Kota Setar and Kuala Muda districts in Malaysia. We determined the response rate of immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT), colonoscopy compliance, and detection rates of neoplasia and carcinoma. We also compared the response of FOBT by demographic background.

    RESULTS: The response rate of FOBT for first iFOBT screening was 94.7% while the second iFOBT screening was 90.7%. Participants from Kuala Muda district were 27 times more likely to default while Indians had a 3 times higher risk of default compared to Malays. The colonoscopy compliance was suboptimal among those with positive iFOBT. The most common finding from colonoscopy was hemorrhoids, followed by tubular adenoma. Detection rate of carcinoma and neoplasia for our program was 1.2%.

    CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the response rate of iFOBT was encouraging but the colonoscopy compliance was suboptimal which led to a considerably low detection rate.

    MeSH terms: Adenoma/diagnosis*; Adenoma/epidemiology; Colonoscopy/methods*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health Plan Implementation*; Hematologic Tests/methods*; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Occult Blood*; Patient Participation; Prognosis; Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Colorectal Neoplasms/epidemiology; Early Detection of Cancer/methods*
  19. Chong ET, Goh LP, See EU, Chuah JA, Chua KH, Lee PC
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2016;17(2):647-53.
    PMID: 26925658
    BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting Malaysian women. Recent statistics revealed that the cumulative probability of breast cancer and related deaths in Malaysia is higher than in most of the countries of Southeast Asia. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP2E1 (rs6413432 and rs3813867), STK15 (rs2273535 and rs1047972) and XRCC1 (rs1799782 and rs25487) have been associated with breast cancer risk in a meta-analysis but any link in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, remained to be determined. Hence, we investigated the relationship between these SNPs and breast cancer risk among Malaysian women in the present case-control study.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 71 breast cancer patients and 260 healthy controls and subjected to polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

    RESULTS: Our study showed that the c1/c2 genotype or subjects with at least one c2 allele in CYP2E1 rs3813867 SNP had significantly increased almost 1.8-fold higher breast cancer risk in Malaysian women overall. In addition, the variant Phe allele in STK15 rs2273535 SNP appeared to protect against breast cancer in Malaysian Chinese. No significance association was found between XRCC1 SNPs and breast cancer risk in the population.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study provides additional knowledge on CYP2E1, STK15 and XRCC1 SNP impact of risk of breast cancer, particularly in the Malaysian population. From our findings, we also recommend Malaysian women to perform breast cancer screening before 50 years of age.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Breast Neoplasms/genetics*; Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology; Breast Neoplasms/secondary; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Genotype; Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis; Malaysia/epidemiology; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Risk Factors; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics*; Case-Control Studies; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics*; Aurora Kinase A/genetics*
  20. Yap CK, Cheng WH, Karami A, Ismail A
    Sci Total Environ, 2016 May 15;553:285-96.
    PMID: 26925739 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.02.092
    A total of 40 marine mussel Perna viridis populations collected (2002-2009) from 20 geographical sites located in two busy shipping lanes namely the Straits of Malacca (10 sites; 16 populations) and the Straits of Johore (8 sites; 21 populations) and three populations (2 sites) on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, was determined for Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations. In comparison with the maximum permissible limits (MPLs) set by existing food safety guidelines, all metal concentrations found in all the mussel populations were lower than the prescribed MPLs. In terms of the provisional tolerable weekly intake prescribed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and oral reference doses (ORDs) by the USEPA, all the studied metals (except for Pb) were unlikely to become the limiting factors or unlikely to pose a risk for the consumption of the mussel populations. The estimated daily intake (EDI) for average level mussel (ALM) and high level mussel (HLM) consumers of mussels was found to be lower than the ORD guidelines for Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn. Furthermore, the target hazard quotient (THQ) was found to be less than 1 for ALM consumers but higher than 1 for HLM consumers in some sites. Therefore, there were no potential human health risks to the ALM consumers of the mussels. However, for Pb THQ values, the Pb levels in some mussel populations could create a health risk problem. Present results indicate that the consumption amounts of mussels should be limited for minimizing potential health risks of heavy metals to the HLM consumers.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Food Additives; Humans; Lead; Malaysia; United States; United States Environmental Protection Agency; World Health Organization; Zinc; Seafood; Metals, Heavy; Perna; Food Safety
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