Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Barrier protective effect of asiatic acid in TNF-α-induced activation of human aortic endothelial cells
    Fong LY, Ng CT, Cheok ZL, Mohd Moklas MA, Hakim MN, Ahmad Z
    Phytomedicine, 2016 Feb 15;23(2):191-9.
    PMID: 26926181 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2015.11.019
    Endothelial cell activation is characterized by increased endothelial permeability and increased expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). This allows monocyte adherence and migration across the endothelium to occur and thereby initiates atherogenesis process. Asiatic acid is a major triterpene isolated from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban and has been shown to possess anti-oxidant, anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-inflammatory activities.
  2. Fulltext Does pharmacist-supervised intervention through pharmaceutical care program influence direct healthcare cost burden of newly diagnosed diabetics in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal: a non-clinical randomised controlled trial approach
    Upadhyay DK, Ibrahim MI, Mishra P, Alurkar VM, Ansari M
    Daru, 2016 Feb 29;24:6.
    PMID: 26926657 DOI: 10.1186/s40199-016-0145-x
    BACKGROUND: Cost is a vital component for people with chronic diseases as treatment is expected to be long or even lifelong in some diseases. Pharmacist contributions in decreasing the healthcare cost burden of chronic patients are not well described due to lack of sufficient evidences worldwide. In developing countries like Nepal, the estimation of direct healthcare cost burden among newly diagnosed diabetics is still a challenge for healthcare professionals, and pharmacist role in patient care is still theoretical and practically non-existent. This study reports the impact of pharmacist-supervised intervention through pharmaceutical care program on direct healthcare costs burden of newly diagnosed diabetics in Nepal through a non-clinical randomised controlled trial approach.
    METHODS: An interventional, pre-post non-clinical randomised controlled study was conducted among randomly distributed 162 [control (n = 54), test 1 (n = 54) and test 2 (n = 54) groups] newly diagnosed diabetics by a consecutive sampling method for 18 months. Direct healthcare costs (direct medical and non-medical costs) from patients perspective was estimated by 'bottom up' approach to identify their out-of-pocket expenses (1USD = NPR 73.38) before and after intervention at the baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months follow-ups. Test groups' patients were nourished with pharmaceutical care intervention while control group patients only received care from physician/nurses. Non-parametric tests i.e. Friedman test, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to find the differences in direct healthcare costs among the groups before and after the intervention (p ≤ 0.05).
    RESULTS: Friedman test identified significant differences in direct healthcare cost of test 1 (p 
    MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus/diagnosis*; Diabetes Mellitus/economics*; Health Expenditures/statistics & numerical data; Hospitals; Humans; Nepal; Pharmacists; Random Allocation; Health Care Costs/statistics & numerical data; Tertiary Healthcare
  3. Fulltext Synthesis and Characterizations of Novel Ca-Mg-Ti-Fe-Oxides Based Ceramic Nanocrystals and Flexible Film of Polydimethylsiloxane Composite with Improved Mechanical and Dielectric Properties for Sensors
    Tripathy A, Pramanik S, Manna A, Shah NF, Shasmin HN, Radzi Z, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2016;16(3):292.
    PMID: 26927116 DOI: 10.3390/s16030292
    Armalcolite, a rare ceramic mineral and normally found in the lunar earth, was synthesized by solid-state step-sintering. The in situ phase-changed novel ceramic nanocrystals of Ca-Mg-Ti-Fe based oxide (CMTFOx), their chemical reactions and bonding with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were determined by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and microscopy. Water absorption of all the CMTFOx was high. The lower dielectric loss tangent value (0.155 at 1 MHz) was obtained for the ceramic sintered at 1050 °C (S1050) and it became lowest for the S1050/PDMS nanocomposite (0.002 at 1 MHz) film, which was made by spin coating at 3000 rpm. The excellent flexibility (static modulus ≈ 0.27 MPa and elongation > 90%), viscoelastic property (tanδ = E″/E': 0.225) and glass transition temperature (Tg: -58.5 °C) were obtained for S1050/PDMS film. Parallel-plate capacitive and flexible resistive humidity sensors have been developed successfully. The best sensing performance of the present S1050 (3000%) and its flexible S1050/PDMS composite film (306%) based humidity sensors was found to be at 100 Hz, better than conventional materials.
    MeSH terms: Ceramics; Dimethylpolysiloxanes; Glass; Humidity; Microscopy; Minerals; Spectrum Analysis; Temperature; Titanium; Water; X-Ray Diffraction; Transition Temperature; Nanoparticles; Nanocomposites
  4. Fulltext Giant Magnetoresistance Sensors: A Review on Structures and Non-Destructive Eddy Current Testing Applications
    Rifai D, Abdalla AN, Ali K, Razali R
    Sensors (Basel), 2016;16(3):298.
    PMID: 26927123 DOI: 10.3390/s16030298
    Non-destructive eddy current testing (ECT) is widely used to examine structural defects in ferromagnetic pipe in the oil and gas industry. Implementation of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors as magnetic field sensors to detect the changes of magnetic field continuity have increased the sensitivity of eddy current techniques in detecting the material defect profile. However, not many researchers have described in detail the structure and issues of GMR sensors and their application in eddy current techniques for nondestructive testing. This paper will describe the implementation of GMR sensors in non-destructive testing eddy current testing. The first part of this paper will describe the structure and principles of GMR sensors. The second part outlines the principles and types of eddy current testing probe that have been studied and developed by previous researchers. The influence of various parameters on the GMR measurement and a factor affecting in eddy current testing will be described in detail in the third part of this paper. Finally, this paper will discuss the limitations of coil probe and compensation techniques that researchers have applied in eddy current testing probes. A comprehensive review of previous studies on the application of GMR sensors in non-destructive eddy current testing also be given at the end of this paper.
    MeSH terms: Oil and Gas Industry; Humans; Research; Research Personnel; Magnets; Magnetic Fields
  5. Fulltext Nigerian Honey Ameliorates Hyperglycemia and Dyslipidemia in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
    Erejuwa OO, Nwobodo NN, Akpan JL, Okorie UA, Ezeonu CT, Ezeokpo BC, et al.
    Nutrients, 2016;8(3).
    PMID: 26927161 DOI: 10.3390/nu8030095
    Diabetic dyslipidemia contributes to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Hence, its treatment is necessary to reduce cardiovascular events. Honey reduces hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. The reproducibility of these beneficial effects and their generalization to honey samples of other geographical parts of the world remain controversial. Currently, data are limited and findings are inconclusive especially with evidence showing honey increased glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic patients. It was hypothesized that this deteriorating effect might be due to administered high doses. This study investigated if Nigerian honey could ameliorate hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. It also evaluated if high doses of honey could worsen glucose and lipid abnormalities. Honey (1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 g/kg) was administered to diabetic rats for three weeks. Honey (1.0 or 2.0 g/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol while it significantly (p < 0.05) reduced hyperglycemia, triglycerides (TGs), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, coronary risk index (CRI) and cardiovascular risk index (CVRI). In contrast, honey (3.0 g/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced TGs and VLDL cholesterol. This study confirms the reproducibility of glucose lowering and hypolipidemic effects of honey using Nigerian honey. However, none of the doses deteriorated hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cholesterol; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Glucose; Honey; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Hyperlipidemias; Cholesterol, HDL; Nigeria; Risk Factors; Triglycerides; Reproducibility of Results; Cholesterol, VLDL; Dyslipidemias; Rats
  6. Fulltext Postpartum mental health in relation to sociocultural practices
    Abdollahi F, Etemadinezhad S, Lye MS
    Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol, 2016 Feb;55(1):76-80.
    PMID: 26927254 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2015.12.008
    OBJECTIVES: Cultural practices have been found to positively impact the mothering experience. This study sought to identify the relationship between sociocultural practices and postpartum depression (PPD) in a cohort of Iranian women for the first time.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a longitudinal cohort design, 2279 pregnant women attending primary health centers of Mazandaran province in Iran were recruited using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and researchers developed validated cultural practices questionnaire at 3 months after delivery. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression models.
    RESULTS: The prevalence of PPD was 19% among 1910 women who were followed postdelivery in this study. Cultural practices were not associated with lower odds of PPD in multiple logistic regression model after adjustment for all sociodemographic factors. The results of this study do not also provide any evidence to support that sex of baby is associated with the greater risk of PPD.
    CONCLUSIONS: Cultural practices could not be perceived as protective mechanisms that protect women from PPD in this traditional society. However, health professionals should be familiar with postpartum beliefs and practices that could support mothers in the postpartum period.
    KEYWORDS: culture; depression; postpartum; practices
    MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Female; Humans; Iran; Cohort Studies; Depression, Postpartum*; Postpartum Period
  7. Fulltext Acupressure only as pain relief for patient with multiple drug allergies undergoing oocyte retrieval
    Hamid HA, Mustafa KB, Denegama PA, Karim AK, Omar MH, Razi Zainul Rashid M
    Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol, 2016 Feb;55(1):140-1.
    PMID: 26927269 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2015.02.006
  8. Fulltext Heterotopic triplet pregnancy with bilateral tubal ectopic post-IVF-ICSI of two 12-cell embryos
    Mustafa KB, Hamid HA, Lim PS, Razi ZR, Omar MH
    Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol, 2016 Feb;55(1):142-4.
    PMID: 26927270 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2015.04.006
  9. Fulltext Determination of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Javanica and Leptospira interrogans serovar Bataviae as the persistent Leptospira serovars circulating in the urban rat populations in Peninsular Malaysia
    Benacer D, Mohd Zain SN, Sim SZ, Mohd Khalid MK, Galloway RL, Souris M, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2016;9:117.
    PMID: 26927873 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1400-1
    Leptospirosis is an emerging infectious disease of global significance, and is endemic in tropical countries, including Malaysia. Over the last decade, a dramatic increase of human cases was reported; however, information on the primary vector, the rat, and the Leptospira serovars circulating among the rat population is limited. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to isolate Leptospira and characterise the serovars circulating in the urban rat populations from selected main cities in Peninsular Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cities; Disease Vectors; Drama; Humans; Leptospira; Leptospirosis; Malaysia; Urban Population; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Rats; Serogroup
  10. A lateral flow immunosensor for direct, sensitive, and highly selective detection of hemoglobin A1c in whole blood
    Ang SH, Thevarajah TM, Woi PM, Alias YB, Khor SM
    J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci, 2016 Mar 15;1015-1016:157-165.
    PMID: 26927875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2016.01.059
    An immunosensor that operates based on the principles of lateral flow was developed for direct detection of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in whole blood. We utilized colloidal gold-functionalized antibodies to transduce the specific signal generated when sandwich immuno-complexes were formed on the strip in the presence of HbA1c. The number and intensity of the test lines on the strips indicate normal, under control, and elevated levels of HbA1c. In addition, a linear relationship between HbA1c levels and immunosensor signal intensity was confirmed, with a dynamic range of 4-14% (20-130 mmol mol(-1)) HbA1c. Using this linear relationship, we determined the HbA1c levels in blood as a function of the signal intensity on the strips. Measurements were validated using the Bio-Rad Variant II HPLC and DCA Vantage tests. Moreover, the immunosensor was verified to be highly selective for detection of HbA1c against HbA0, glycated species of HbA0, and HbA2. The limit of detection was found to be 42.5 μg mL(-1) (1.35 mmol mol(-1)) HbA1c, which is reasonably sensitive compared to the values reported for microarray immunoassays. The shelf life of the immunosensor was estimated to be 1.4 months when stored at ambient temperature, indicating that the immunoassay is stable. Thus, the lateral flow immunosensor developed here was shown to be capable of performing selective, accurate, rapid, and stable detection of HbA1c in human blood samples.
    MeSH terms: Drug Stability; Equipment Design; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/analysis*; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/chemistry; Humans; Immunoassay/instrumentation*; Immunoassay/methods*; Reproducibility of Results; Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation*; Linear Models; Limit of Detection
  11. Fulltext Cellular and humoral immunogenicity of recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis expressing Ag85B epitopes in mice
    Kadir NA, Sarmiento ME, Acosta A, Norazmi MN
    Int J Mycobacteriol, 2016 Mar;5(1):7-13.
    PMID: 26927984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2015.09.006
    The search for new vaccines more efficacious than bacille Calmette-Guérin for tuberculosis prevention is of paramount importance for the control of the disease. The expression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens in Mycobacterium smegmatis is one of the current strategies for the development of new-generation vaccines against tuberculosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity in mice of M. smegmatis expressing epitopes from Ag85B antigen.
  12. Fulltext Previous treatment, sputum-smear nonconversion, and suburban living: The risk factors of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis among Malaysians
    Mohd Shariff N, Shah SA, Kamaludin F
    Int J Mycobacteriol, 2016 Mar;5(1):51-8.
    PMID: 26927990 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2015.11.001
    The number of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients is increasing each year in many countries all around the globe. Malaysia has no exception in facing this burdensome health problem. We aimed to investigate the factors that contribute to the occurrence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis among Malaysian tuberculosis patients. An unmatched case-control study was conducted among tuberculosis patients who received antituberculosis treatments from April 2013 until April 2014. Cases are those diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis patients clinically, radiologically, and/or bacteriologically, and who were confirmed to be resistant to both isoniazid and rifampicin through drug-sensitivity testing. On the other hand, pulmonary tuberculosis patients who were sensitive to all first-line antituberculosis drugs and were treated during the same time period served as controls. A total of 150 tuberculosis patients were studied, of which the susceptible cases were 120. Factors found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis are being Indian or Chinese (odds ratio 3.17, 95% confidence interval 1.04-9.68; and odds ratio 6.23, 95% confidence interval 2.24-17.35, respectively), unmarried (odds ratio 2.58, 95% confidence interval 1.09-6.09), living in suburban areas (odds ratio 2.58, 95% confidence interval 1.08-6.19), are noncompliant (odds ratio 4.50, 95% confidence interval 1.71-11.82), were treated previously (odds ratio 8.91, 95% confidence interval 3.66-21.67), and showed positive sputum smears at the 2nd (odds ratio 7.00, 95% confidence interval 2.46-19.89) and 6th months of treatment (odds ratio 17.96, 95% confidence interval 3.51-91.99). Living in suburban areas, positive sputum smears in the 2nd month of treatment, and was treated previously are factors that independently contribute to the occurrence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Those with positive smears in the second month of treatment, have a history of previous treatment, and live in suburban areas are found to have a higher probability of becoming multidrug resistant. The results presented here may facilitate improvements in the screening and detection process of drug-resistant patients in Malaysia in the future.
  13. Fulltext Breast cancer risk variants at 6q25 display different phenotype associations and regulate ESR1, RMND1 and CCDC170
    Dunning AM, Michailidou K, Kuchenbaecker KB, Thompson D, French JD, Beesley J, et al.
    Nat Genet, 2016 Apr;48(4):374-86.
    PMID: 26928228 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3521
    We analyzed 3,872 common genetic variants across the ESR1 locus (encoding estrogen receptor α) in 118,816 subjects from three international consortia. We found evidence for at least five independent causal variants, each associated with different phenotype sets, including estrogen receptor (ER(+) or ER(-)) and human ERBB2 (HER2(+) or HER2(-)) tumor subtypes, mammographic density and tumor grade. The best candidate causal variants for ER(-) tumors lie in four separate enhancer elements, and their risk alleles reduce expression of ESR1, RMND1 and CCDC170, whereas the risk alleles of the strongest candidates for the remaining independent causal variant disrupt a silencer element and putatively increase ESR1 and RMND1 expression.
    MeSH terms: Base Sequence; Breast Neoplasms/genetics*; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism; Carrier Proteins/genetics*; Carrier Proteins/metabolism; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6/genetics*; Female; Humans; Phenotype; Protein Binding; Risk Factors; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics*; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Estrogen Receptor alpha/genetics*; Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism; Genetic Association Studies
  14. Dendrimer-mediated approaches for the treatment of brain tumor
    Dwivedi N, Shah J, Mishra V, Mohd Amin MC, Iyer AK, Tekade RK, et al.
    J Biomater Sci Polym Ed, 2016 May;27(7):557-80.
    PMID: 26928261 DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2015.1133155
    Worldwide, the cancer appeared as one of the most leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Among the various cancer types, brain tumors are most life threatening with low survival rate. Every year approximately 238,000 new cases of brain and other central nervous system tumors are diagnosed. The dendrimeric approaches have a huge potential for diagnosis and treatment of brain tumor with targeting abilities of molecular cargoes to the tumor sites and the efficiency of crossing the blood brain barrier and penetration to brain after systemic administration. The various generations of dendrimers have been designed as novel targeted drug delivery tools for new therapies including sustained drug release, gene therapy, and antiangiogenic activities. At present era, various types of dendrimers like PAMAM, PPI, and PLL dendrimers validated them as milestones for the treatment and diagnosis of brain tumor as well as other cancers. This review highlights the recent research, opportunities, advantages, and challenges involved in development of novel dendrimeric complex for the therapy of brain tumor.
  15. Fulltext An Efficient Soft Set-Based Approach for Conflict Analysis
    Sutoyo E, Mungad M, Hamid S, Herawan T
    PLoS One, 2016;11(2):e0148837.
    PMID: 26928627 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148837
    Conflict analysis has been used as an important tool in economic, business, governmental and political dispute, games, management negotiations, military operations and etc. There are many mathematical formal models have been proposed to handle conflict situations and one of the most popular is rough set theory. With the ability to handle vagueness from the conflict data set, rough set theory has been successfully used. However, computational time is still an issue when determining the certainty, coverage, and strength of conflict situations. In this paper, we present an alternative approach to handle conflict situations, based on some ideas using soft set theory. The novelty of the proposed approach is that, unlike in rough set theory that uses decision rules, it is based on the concept of co-occurrence of parameters in soft set theory. We illustrate the proposed approach by means of a tutorial example of voting analysis in conflict situations. Furthermore, we elaborate the proposed approach on real world dataset of political conflict in Indonesian Parliament. We show that, the proposed approach achieves lower computational time as compared to rough set theory of up to 3.9%.
    MeSH terms: Government; Humans; Indonesia; Military Personnel; Models, Theoretical; Politics; Negotiating; Dissent and Disputes
  16. Fulltext Diversity and Evolutionary Histories of Human Coronaviruses NL63 and 229E Associated with Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Symptoms in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Al-Khannaq MN, Ng KT, Oong XY, Pang YK, Takebe Y, Chook JB, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2016 05 04;94(5):1058-64.
    PMID: 26928836 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0810
    The human alphacoronaviruses HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-229E are commonly associated with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Information on their molecular epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics in the tropical region of southeast Asia however is limited. Here, we analyzed the phylogenetic, temporal distribution, population history, and clinical manifestations among patients infected with HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-229E. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 2,060 consenting adults presented with acute URTI symptoms in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between 2012 and 2013. The presence of HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-229E was detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The spike glycoprotein, nucleocapsid, and 1a genes were sequenced for phylogenetic reconstruction and Bayesian coalescent inference. A total of 68/2,060 (3.3%) subjects were positive for human alphacoronavirus; HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-229E were detected in 45 (2.2%) and 23 (1.1%) patients, respectively. A peak in the number of HCoV-NL63 infections was recorded between June and October 2012. Phylogenetic inference revealed that 62.8% of HCoV-NL63 infections belonged to genotype B, 37.2% was genotype C, while all HCoV-229E sequences were clustered within group 4. Molecular dating analysis indicated that the origin of HCoV-NL63 was dated to 1921, before it diverged into genotype A (1975), genotype B (1996), and genotype C (2003). The root of the HCoV-229E tree was dated to 1955, before it diverged into groups 1-4 between the 1970s and 1990s. The study described the seasonality, molecular diversity, and evolutionary dynamics of human alphacoronavirus infections in a tropical region.
    MeSH terms: Common Cold/epidemiology*; Common Cold/virology*; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Phylogeny; Viral Proteins/genetics; Viral Proteins/metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology*; Coronavirus Infections/virology*; Coronavirus 229E, Human/genetics*; Coronavirus NL63, Human/genetics*
  17. Fulltext Inhibitory action of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone on the signaling pathways induced by kisspeptin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in GnRH neuronal cell line, GT1-7
    Son YL, Ubuka T, Soga T, Yamamoto K, Bentley GE, Tsutsui K
    FASEB J, 2016 06;30(6):2198-210.
    PMID: 26929433 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201500055
    Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) acts as a negative regulator of reproduction by acting on gonadotropes and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Despite its functional significance, the molecular mechanism of GnIH action in the target cells has not been fully elucidated. To expand our previous study on GnIH actions in gonadotropes, we investigated the potential signal transduction pathway that conveys the inhibitory action of GnIH in GnRH neurons by using the GnRH neuronal cell line, GT1-7. We examined whether GnIH inhibits the action of kisspeptin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), positive regulators of GnRH neurons. Although GnIH significantly suppressed the stimulatory effect of kisspeptin on GnRH release in hypothalamic culture, GnIH had no inhibitory effect on kisspeptin stimulation of serum response element and nuclear factor of activated T-cell response element activities and ERK phosphorylation, indicating that GnIH may not directly inhibit kisspeptin signaling in GnRH neurons. On the contrary, GnIH effectively eliminated the stimulatory effect of VIP on p38 and ERK phosphorylation, c-Fos mRNA expression, and GnRH release. The use of pharmacological modulators strongly demonstrated the specific inhibitory action of GnIH on the adenylate cyclase/cAMP/protein kinase A pathway, suggesting a common inhibitory mechanism of GnIH action in GnRH neurons and gonadotropes.-Son, Y. L., Ubuka, T., Soga, T., Yamamoto, K., Bentley, G. E., Tsutsui, K. Inhibitory action of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone on the signaling pathways induced by kisspeptin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in GnRH neuronal cell line, GT1-7.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Line; Gene Expression Regulation/physiology*; Hypothalamus/cytology; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism*; Neurons/drug effects*; Neurons/physiology; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase C; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/genetics; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/metabolism*; Signal Transduction; Genes, fos; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/genetics; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism; Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II/genetics; Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II/metabolism; Mice; Kisspeptins/pharmacology*
  18. Fulltext Development of nanoantibiotic delivery system using cockle shell-derived aragonite nanoparticles for treatment of osteomyelitis
    Saidykhan L, Abu Bakar MZ, Rukayadi Y, Kura AU, Latifah SY
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2016;11:661-73.
    PMID: 26929622 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S95885
    A local antibiotic delivery system (LADS) with biodegradable drug vehicles is recognized as the most effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of osteomyelitis. However, the design of a biodegradable LADS with high therapeutic efficacy is too costly and demanding. In this research, a low-cost, facile method was used to design vancomycin-loaded aragonite nanoparticles (VANPs) with the aim of understanding its potency in developing a nanoantibiotic bone implant for the treatment of osteomyelitis. The aragonite nanoparticles (ANPs) were synthesized from cockle shells by a hydrothermal approach using a zwitterionic surfactant. VANPs were prepared using antibiotic ratios of several nanoparticles, and the formulation (1:4) with the highest drug-loading efficiency (54.05%) was used for physicochemical, in vitro drug release, and biological evaluation. Physiochemical characterization of VANP was performed by using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and Zetasizer. No significant differences were observed between VANP and ANP in terms of size and morphology as both samples were cubic shaped with sizes of approximately 35 nm. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of VANP indicated a weak noncovalent interaction between ANP and vancomycin, while the zeta potential values were slightly increased from -19.4±3.3 to -21.2±5.7 mV after vancomycin loading. VANP displayed 120 hours (5 days) release profile of vancomycin that exhibited high antibacterial effect against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213. The cell proliferation assay showed 80% cell viability of human fetal osteoblast cell line 1.19 treated with the highest concentration of VANP (250 µg/mL), indicating good biocompatibility of VANP. In summary, VANP is a potential formulation for the development of an LADS against osteomyelitis with optimal antibacterial efficacy, good bone resorbability, and biocompatibility.
  19. Fulltext Maxillary and mandibular anterior crown width/height ratio and its relation to various arch perimeters, arch length, and arch width groups
    Shahid F, Alam MK, Khamis MF
    Eur J Dent, 2016 3 2;9(4):490-499.
    PMID: 26929686 DOI: 10.4103/1305-7456.172620
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the maxillary and mandibular anterior crown width/height ratio and its relation to various arch perimeters, arch length, and arch width (intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar) groups.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The calculated sample size was 128 subjects. The crown width/height, arch length, arch perimeter, and arch width of the maxilla and mandible were obtained via digital calliper (Mitutoyo, Japan). A total of 4325 variables were measured. The sex differences in the crown width and height were evaluated. Analysis of variance was applied to evaluate the differences between arch length, arch perimeter, and arch width groups.

    RESULTS: Males had significantly larger mean values for crown width and height than females (P ≤ 0.05) for maxillary and mandibular arches, both. There were no significant differences observed for the crown width/height ratio in various arch length, arch perimeter, and arch width (intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar) groups (P ≤ 0.05) in maxilla and mandible, both.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate sexual disparities in the crown width and height. Crown width and height has no significant relation to various arch length, arch perimeter, and arch width groups of maxilla and mandible. Thus, it may be helpful for orthodontic and prosthodontic case investigations and comprehensive management.

    MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Dental Arch; Female; Japan; Male; Mandible; Maxilla; Prosthodontics; Sex Characteristics; Sample Size
  20. The Burden of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreatic Diseases: The Global Scenario
    Das S, Mahakkanukrauh P, Ho CC
    Gastroenterology, 2016 Apr;150(4):1045-6.
    PMID: 26930015 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.01.036
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