Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Co-encapsulation of Nigella sativa oil and plasmid DNA for enhanced gene therapy of Alzheimer's disease
    Doolaanea AA, Mansor N', Mohd Nor NH, Mohamed F
    J Microencapsul, 2016 Mar;33(2):114-26.
    PMID: 26982435 DOI: 10.3109/02652048.2015.1134689
    Alzheimer disease involves genetic and non-genetic factors and hence it is rational to be treated with genetic and non-genetic therapeutic agents. Nigella sativa has multiple therapeutic properties including neuroregeneration. Nigella sativa oil (NSO) was encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles and pDNA was loaded either by adsorption on chitosan-modified particles or encapsulation within PLGA nanoparticles. The particle size and zeta potential of NSO-pDNA-chitosan-PLGA nanoparticles were highly dependent on the medium and exhibited high burst release. Meanwhile, NSO-pDNA-PLGA nanoparticles were more consistent with lower burst release. The fabricated nanoparticles revealed the expected outcomes of both pDNA and NSO. The pDNA transfected N2a cell while the encapsulated NSO promoted neurite outgrowth that is crucial for neuroregeneration. Results from this study suggest that NSO could be added to the gene delivery carrier to enhance treatment benefits for Alzheimer disease.
  2. Suboptimal HIV Testing Uptake Among Men Who Engage in Commercial Sex Work with Men in Asia
    Jin H, Friedman MR, Lim SH, Guadamuz TE, Wei C
    LGBT Health, 2016 Dec;3(6):465-471.
    PMID: 26982598
    PURPOSE: Men who have sex with men and are sex workers (MSMSW) are disproportionately affected by the growing and emerging HIV epidemic. As sex work and same-sex behavior are heavily stigmatized and often illegal in most Asian countries, HIV research focusing on MSMSW has been limited. The goal of this analysis is to examine HIV testing practices and identify correlates of HIV testing among MSMSW in Asia.

    METHODS: The Asia Internet MSM Sex Survey, an online cross-sectional survey of 10,861 men who have sex with men (MSM), was conducted in 2010. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, HIV testing behaviors, and sexual behaviors were collected. Five hundred and seventy-four HIV-negative/unknown respondents reported receiving payment for sex with men at least once in the past 6 months and were included in this analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify independent correlates of HIV testing in the past year.

    RESULTS: About half (48.6%) of the participants had been tested for HIV at least once within the past year, and 30.5% had never been tested. We also found that MSMSW participants who engaged in risky behaviors were less likely to be tested.

    CONCLUSION: While one might expect a high HIV testing rate among MSMSW due to the risks associated with engaging in sex work, we found that HIV testing uptake is suboptimal among MSMSW in Asia. These results suggest that targeted HIV prevention and testing promotion among MSMSW are needed.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Asia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Socioeconomic Factors; HIV Infections/diagnosis*; HIV Infections/ethnology; Multivariate Analysis; Logistic Models; Homosexuality, Male*; Internet; Unsafe Sex/ethnology; Young Adult; Sexual Minorities*
  3. Prawn biomonitors of nutrient and trace metal pollution along Asia-Pacific coastlines
    Fry B, Carter JF, Tinggi U, Arman A, Kamal M, Metian M, et al.
    Isotopes Environ Health Stud, 2016 Dec;52(6):619-32.
    PMID: 26982881 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2016.1149481
    To assess coastal ecosystem status and pollution baselines, prawns were collected from the commercial catches of eight Asia-Pacific countries (Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand). Samples collected from 21 sites along regional coastlines were analysed for trace metal and stable isotopic compositions of H, C, N, O and S. A combination of simple averaging and multivariate analyses was used to evaluate the data. Sites could be assigned to easily recognise polluted and unpolluted groups based on the prawn results. Some filter-feeding clams were also collected and analysed together with the benthic-feeding prawns, and the prawns generally had lower trace metal burdens. Climate change effects were not strongly evident at this time, but altered ocean circulation and watershed run-off patterns accompanying future climate change are expected to change chemical patterns recorded by prawns along these and other coastlines. Stable isotopes, especially (15)N, can help to distinguish between relatively polluted and unpolluted sites.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Asia; Crustacea*; Environmental Monitoring/methods*; Pacific Ocean; Trace Elements/analysis*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*
  4. Three new cembranoids from the Bornean soft coral Nephthea sp
    Ishii T, Kamada T, Vairappan CS
    J Asian Nat Prod Res, 2016 May;18(5):415-22.
    PMID: 26983053 DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2016.1145670
    Three new cembranoid diterpenes, 10-hydroxy-nephthenol acetate (1), 7,8-epoxy-10-hydroxy-nephthenol acetate (2), and 6-acetoxy-7,8-epoxy-10-hydroxy-nephthenol acetate (3), along with a known compound, 6-acetoxy-7,8-epoxy-nephthenol acetate (4), were isolated from the Bornean soft coral Nephthea sp. Antibacterial and anticancer activities were exhibited by compounds 1 and 2 against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538)/Escherichia coli (ATCC 13311) and Hela/MCF-7, respectively.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation & purification*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Diterpenes/isolation & purification*; Diterpenes/pharmacology*; Diterpenes/chemistry; Escherichia coli/drug effects; HeLa Cells; Humans; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*; Molecular Structure; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; Anthozoa/chemistry*
  5. Fulltext Windows Instant Messaging App Forensics: Facebook and Skype as Case Studies
    Yang TY, Dehghantanha A, Choo KK, Muda Z
    PLoS One, 2016;11(3):e0150300.
    PMID: 26982207 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150300
    Instant messaging (IM) has changed the way people communicate with each other. However, the interactive and instant nature of these applications (apps) made them an attractive choice for malicious cyber activities such as phishing. The forensic examination of IM apps for modern Windows 8.1 (or later) has been largely unexplored, as the platform is relatively new. In this paper, we seek to determine the data remnants from the use of two popular Windows Store application software for instant messaging, namely Facebook and Skype on a Windows 8.1 client machine. This research contributes to an in-depth understanding of the types of terrestrial artefacts that are likely to remain after the use of instant messaging services and application software on a contemporary Windows operating system. Potential artefacts detected during the research include data relating to the installation or uninstallation of the instant messaging application software, log-in and log-off information, contact lists, conversations, and transferred files.
    MeSH terms: Software*; Forensic Sciences*; Social Media*; Mobile Applications*
  6. Dynamic impact of urbanization, economic growth, energy consumption, and trade openness on CO 2 emissions in Nigeria
    Ali HS, Law SH, Zannah TI
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2016 Jun;23(12):12435-43.
    PMID: 26983914 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6437-3
    The objective of this paper is to examine the dynamic impact of urbanization, economic growth, energy consumption, and trade openness on CO 2 emissions in Nigeria based on autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) approach for the period of 1971-2011. The result shows that variables were cointegrated as null hypothesis was rejected at 1 % level of significance. The coefficients of long-run result reveal that urbanization does not have any significant impact on CO 2 emissions in Nigeria, economic growth, and energy consumption has a positive and significant impact on CO 2 emissions. However, trade openness has negative and significant impact on CO 2 emissions. Consumption of energy is among the main determinant of CO 2 emissions which is directly linked to the level of income. Despite the high level of urbanization in the country, consumption of energy still remains low due to lower income of the majority populace and this might be among the reasons why urbanization does not influence emissions of CO 2 in the country. Initiating more open economy policies will be welcoming in the Nigerian economy as the openness leads to the reduction of pollutants from the environment particularly CO 2 emissions which is the major gases that deteriorate physical environment.
    MeSH terms: Carbon Dioxide/analysis*; Energy-Generating Resources; Nigeria; Urbanization*; Economic Development*
  7. Phenotypic variability and therapeutic implications of Candida species in patients with oral lichen planus
    Arora S, Verma M, Gupta SR, Urs AB, Dhakad MS, Kaur R
    Biotech Histochem, 2016 May;91(4):237-41.
    PMID: 26984382 DOI: 10.3109/10520295.2015.1127425
    We investigated the prevalence and phenotypic variation of Candida species in oral lichen planus (OLP) and the therapeutic implications of our findings. Eighty patients with clinically and histopathologically confirmed cases of OLP (64 non-erosive, 16 erosive) and a control group of 80 healthy individuals with no predisposing factors for oral candidiasis were examined for evidence of Candida infection. Oral swabs and smears were obtained for cytology and culture. Identification, speciation and antifungal susceptibility tests of Candida isolates were performed using an automated microbial identification system. Fifty percent of erosive OLP cases, 28% of non-erosive cases and none of the controls showed evidence of Candida. Candida albicans was found predominantly in non-erosive OLP, while other Candida species were predominate in erosive OLP. Non-Candida albicans isolates (C. glabrata, C. krusei) were resistant to the commonly used antifungals, clotrimazole and fluconazole. Candida infection is common in cases of OLP. We recommend antifungal sensitivity testing prior to antifungal therapy for the erosive form of OLP.
  8. Fulltext Asymmetric Dimethylarginine in Adult Falciparum Malaria: Relationships With Disease Severity, Antimalarial Treatment, Hemolysis, and Inflammation
    Barber BE, William T, Grigg MJ, Parameswaran U, Piera KA, Yeo TW, et al.
    Open Forum Infect Dis, 2016 Jan;3(1):ofw027.
    PMID: 26985445 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw027
    Background.  Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is impaired in severe falciparum malaria (SM). Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS), contributes to endothelial dysfunction and is associated with mortality in adults with falciparum malaria. However, factors associated with ADMA in malaria, including the NOS-substrate l-arginine, hemolysis, and antimalarial treatment, are not well understood. Methods.  In a prospective observational study of Malaysian adults with SM (N = 22) and non-SM (NSM; N = 124) and healthy controls (HCs), we investigated factors associated with plasma ADMA including the effects of antimalarial treatment. Results.  Compared with HCs, ADMA levels were lower in NSM (0.488 µM vs 0.540 µM, P = .001) and in the subset of SM patients enrolled before commencing treatment (0.453 µM [N = 5], P = .068), but levels were higher in SM patients enrolled after commencing antimalarial treatment (0.610 µM [N = 17], P = .026). In SM and NSM, ADMA levels increased significantly to above-baseline levels by day 3. Baseline ADMA was correlated with arginine and cell-free hemoglobin in SM and NSM and inversely correlated with interleukin-10 in NSM. Arginine and the arginine/ADMA ratio (reflective of arginine bioavailability) were lower in SM and NSM compared with HCs, and the arginine/ADMA ratio was lower in SM compared with NSM. Conclusions.  Pretreatment ADMA concentrations and l-arginine bioavailability are reduced in SM and NSM. Asymmetric dimethylarginine increases to above-baseline levels after commencement of antimalarial treatment. Arginine, hemolysis, and posttreatment inflammation all likely contribute to ADMA regulation, with ADMA likely contributing to the reduced NO bioavailability in SM.
  9. A New (-)-5',6-dimethoxyisolariciresinol-(3″,4″-dimethoxy)-3α-O-β-D-glucopyranoside from the bark of Aglaia eximia (Meliaceae)
    Sianturi J, Harneti D, Darwati, Mayanti T, Supratman U, Awang K
    Nat Prod Res, 2016 Oct;30(19):2204-8.
    PMID: 26985634 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2016.1160233
    New (-)-5',6-dimethoxyisolariciresinol-(3″,4″-dimethoxy)-3α-O-β-d-glucopyranoside compound was isolated from the methanol extract of the bark of Aglaia eximia (Meliaceae). The chemical structure of the new compound were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data including, UV, IR, HR-ESI-TOFMS, 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR and comparison with those related compounds previously reported.
    MeSH terms: Glucosides/isolation & purification*; Glucosides/chemistry; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Lignans/isolation & purification*; Lignans/chemistry; Plant Bark/chemistry; Aglaia/chemistry*
  10. Fulltext Chitosan Nanoparticles as Carriers for the Delivery of ΦKAZ14 Bacteriophage for Oral Biological Control of Colibacillosis in Chickens
    Adamu Ahmad K, Sabo Mohammed A, Abas F
    Molecules, 2016 Mar 14;21(3):256.
    PMID: 26985885 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21030256
    The use of chitosan as a delivery carrier has attracted much attention in recent years. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NP) and chitosan-ΦKAZ14 bacteriophage-loaded nanoparticles (C-ΦKAZ14 NP) were prepared by a simple coercavation method and characterized. The objective was to achieve an effective protection of bacteriophage from gastric acids and enzymes in the chicken gastrointestinal tract. The average particle sizes for CS-NP and C-ΦKAZ14 NP were 188 ± 7.4 and 176 ± 3.2 nm, respectively. The zeta potentials for CS-NP and C-ΦKAZ14 NP were 50 and 60 mV, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of C-ΦKAZ14 NP gave an onset temperature of -17.17 °C with a peak at 17.32 °C and final end set of 17.41 °C, while blank chitosan NP had an onset of -20.00 °C with a peak at -19.78 °C and final end set at -20.47. FT-IR spectroscopy data of both CS-NP and C-ΦKAZ14 NP were the same. Chitosan nanoparticles showed considerable protection of ΦKAZ14 bacteriophage against degradation by enzymes as evidenced in gel electrophoresis, whereby ΦKAZ14 bacteriophage encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles were protected whereas the naked ΦKAZ14 bacteriophage were degraded. C-ΦKAZ14 NP was non-toxic as shown by a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) toxicity assay. It was concluded that chitosan nanoparticles could be a potent carrier of ΦKAZ14 bacteriophage for oral therapy against colibacillosis in poultry.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Animals; Chickens; Coliphages*; Escherichia coli Infections/prevention & control; Escherichia coli Infections/veterinary*; Gastric Acid/metabolism; Particle Size; Poultry Diseases/prevention & control*; Drug Delivery Systems*; Chitosan/chemistry; Nanoparticles/administration & dosage*; Nanoparticles/ultrastructure; Nanoparticles/chemistry
  11. Fulltext Invariant Feature Matching for Image Registration Application Based on New Dissimilarity of Spatial Features
    Mousavi Kahaki SM, Nordin MJ, Ashtari AH, J Zahra S
    PLoS One, 2016;11(3):e0149710.
    PMID: 26985996 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149710
    An invariant feature matching method is proposed as a spatially invariant feature matching approach. Deformation effects, such as affine and homography, change the local information within the image and can result in ambiguous local information pertaining to image points. New method based on dissimilarity values, which measures the dissimilarity of the features through the path based on Eigenvector properties, is proposed. Evidence shows that existing matching techniques using similarity metrics--such as normalized cross-correlation, squared sum of intensity differences and correlation coefficient--are insufficient for achieving adequate results under different image deformations. Thus, new descriptor's similarity metrics based on normalized Eigenvector correlation and signal directional differences, which are robust under local variation of the image information, are proposed to establish an efficient feature matching technique. The method proposed in this study measures the dissimilarity in the signal frequency along the path between two features. Moreover, these dissimilarity values are accumulated in a 2D dissimilarity space, allowing accurate corresponding features to be extracted based on the cumulative space using a voting strategy. This method can be used in image registration applications, as it overcomes the limitations of the existing approaches. The output results demonstrate that the proposed technique outperforms the other methods when evaluated using a standard dataset, in terms of precision-recall and corner correspondence.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Computer Graphics; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Pattern Recognition, Automated/methods; Subtraction Technique; Satellite Imagery/methods
  12. Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin and doxorubicin in combination on the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells
    Radwan EM, Abdullah R, Al-Qubaisi MS, El Zowalaty ME, Naadja SE, Alitheen NB, et al.
    Mol Med Rep, 2016 May;13(5):3945-52.
    PMID: 26987078 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.4989
    Patients with cancer often exhibit signs of anemia as the result of the disease. Thus, cancer chemotherapies often include erythropoietin (EPO) in the regime to improve the survival rate of these patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of EPO on doxorubicin-treated breast cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of doxorubicin alone or in combination with EPO against the MCF-7 and MDA-MB‑231 human breast cancer cells were determined using an MTT cell viability assay, neutral red (NR) uptake assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The estimated half maximal inhibitory concentration values for doxorubicin and the combination of doxorubicin with EPO were between 0.140 and 0.260 µg/ml for all cells treated for 72 h. Treatment with doxorubicin in combination with EPO led to no notable difference in cytotoxicity, compared with treatment with doxorubicin alone. The antiproliferative effect of doxorubicin at a concentration of 1 µg/ml on the MDA‑MB‑231 cells was demonstrated by the decrease in viable cells from 3.6x10(5) at 24 h to 2.1x10(5) at 72 h of treatment. In order to confirm apoptosis in the doxorubicin-treated cells, the activities of caspases-3/7 and ‑9 were determined using a TBE assay. The results indicated that the activities of caspases-3/7 and ‑9 were significantly elevated in the doxorubicin-treated MDA-MB-231 cells by 571 and 645%, respectively, and in the MCF 7 cells by 471 and 345%, respectively, compared with the control cells. EPO did not modify the effect of doxorubicin on these cell lines. The results of the present study suggested that EPO was safe for use in combination with doxorubicin in the treatment of patients with breast cancer and concurrent anemia.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology*; Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism; Breast Neoplasms/pathology; Cell Survival/drug effects; Doxorubicin/pharmacology; Erythropoietin/pharmacology; Female; Humans; Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology; Cell Proliferation/drug effects*; MCF-7 Cells
  13. Fulltext Prevalence of plasmid-bearing and plasmid-free Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women who visited obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Malaysia
    Yeow TC, Wong WF, Sabet NS, Sulaiman S, Shahhosseini F, Tan GM, et al.
    BMC Microbiol, 2016 Mar 18;16:45.
    PMID: 26987367 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-016-0671-1
    BACKGROUND: The 7.5 kb cryptic plasmid of Chlamydia trachomatis has been shown to be a virulence factor in animal models, but its significance in humans still remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and potential involvement of the C. trachomatis cryptic plasmid in causing various clinical manifestations; including infertility, reproductive tract disintegrity, menstrual disorder, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) among genital C. trachomatis-infected patients.
    RESULTS:A tot l of 180 female patients of child bearing age (mean 30.9 years old, IQR:27-35) with gynecological complications and subfertility issues, who visited Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were recruited for the study. Prevalence of genital chlamydial infection among these patients was alarmingly high at 51.1% (92/180). Of the 92 chlamydia-infected patients, 93.5% (86/92) were infected with plasmid-bearing (+) C. trachomatis while the remaining 6.5% (6/92) were caused by the plasmid-free (-) variant. Our data showed that genital C. trachomatis infection was associated with infertility issues, inflammation in the reproductive tract (mucopurulent cervicitis or endometriosis), irregular menstrual cycles and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). However, no statistical significance was detected among patients with plasmid (+) versus plasmid (-) C. trachomatis infection. Interestingly, plasmid (+) C. trachomatis was detected in all patients with PCOS, and the plasmid copy numbers were significantly higher among PCOS patients, relative to non-PCOS patients.
    CONCLUSION: Our findings show a high incidence of C. trachomatis infection among women with infertility or gynecological problems in Malaysia. However, due to the low number of plasmid (-) C. trachomatis cases, a significant role of the plasmid in causing virulence in human requires further investigation of a larger cohort.
    KEYWORDS: Chlamydia trachomatis; Infertility; Plasmid; Reproductive system disorders
    Study site: Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Adult; Chlamydia Infections/microbiology*; Chlamydia trachomatis/classification; Chlamydia trachomatis/genetics*; Chlamydia trachomatis/isolation & purification*; Chlamydia trachomatis/metabolism; Female; Gynecology/statistics & numerical data; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Obstetrics/statistics & numerical data; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Plasmids/genetics*; Plasmids/metabolism; Pregnancy; Cohort Studies; Prevalence
  14. Effects of dietary oil blend on fatty acid composition, oxidative stability and physicochemical properties of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle in goats
    Adeyemi KD, Sabow AB, Abubakar A, Samsudin AA, Sazili AQ
    Anim Sci J, 2016 Nov;87(11):1421-1432.
    PMID: 26987458 DOI: 10.1111/asj.12597
    This study examined the effects of dietary blend of 80% canola oil and 20% palm oil (BCPO) on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant status, oxidative stability and fatty acid composition of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle from goats during chill storage. Over a 14-week feeding trial, 24 Boer bucks were randomly assigned to and supplemented with diets containing 0, 4 or 8% BCPO on a dry matter basis, slaughtered and the LTL was subjected to a 7 day chill storage. Neither diet nor post mortem ageing influenced (P > 0.05) antioxidant enzyme activities, chemical composition and cholesterol. Diet had no effect on the carbonyl content, free thiol content, water-holding capacity, tenderness, pH and glycogen. Oil-supplemented goats had higher (P  0.05) changes were found in the proportion of individual fatty acids throughout storage. Total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decreased while total saturated fatty acids increased as storage progressed. Dietary BCPO enhanced n-3 PUFA without compromising the quality attributes of chevon.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena/physiology*; Diet/veterinary*; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated/administration & dosage*; Fatty Acids/analysis; Fatty Acids/metabolism*; Goats/metabolism*; Goats/physiology*; Male; Meat/analysis*; Oxidation-Reduction*; Postmortem Changes; Time Factors; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/analysis; Fatty Acids, Omega-3/metabolism; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism*; Dietary Supplements*; Chemical Phenomena*; Food Storage; Food Quality*
  15. Fulltext Peripheral Intravenous Catheterisation in Obstetric Patients in the Hand or Forearm Vein: A Randomised Trial
    Tan PC, Mackeen A, Khong SY, Omar SZ, Noor Azmi MA
    Sci Rep, 2016 Mar 18;6:23223.
    PMID: 26987593 DOI: 10.1038/srep23223
    A peripheral intravenous catheter is often inserted as part of care during labour. The catheter is inserted into the back of the hand or lower forearm vein in usual practice. There is no trial data to guide the care provider on which is the better insertion site in any clinical setting. 307 women admitted to the labour ward who required insertion of intravenous catheter were randomised to back of hand or lower forearm vein catheter insertion. Catheter insertion is by junior to mid-grade providers. We evaluated insertion success at the first attempt, pain during insertion and catheter replacement due to malfunction as main outcomes. After catheter removal, we recorded patient satisfaction with site, future site preference and insertion site swelling, bruising, tenderness, vein thrombosis and pain. Insertion of a catheter into back of hand vein is more likely to be successful at the first attempt. Insertion pain score, catheter replacement rate, patient satisfaction, patient fidelity to site in a future insertion and insertion site complications rate are not different between trial arms. In conclusion, both insertion sites are suitable; the back of the hand vein maybe easier to cannulate and seems to be preferred by our frontline providers.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Catheterization, Peripheral/adverse effects; Catheterization, Peripheral/instrumentation; Catheterization, Peripheral/methods*; Female; Forearm/blood supply*; Hand/blood supply*; Humans; Pain Measurement; Pregnancy; Random Allocation; Patient Satisfaction/statistics & numerical data; Device Removal
  16. A Cost-Effective Delivery System for FloSeal During Endoscopic and Microscopic Brain Surgery
    Brand Y, Narayanan V, Prepageran N, Waran V
    World Neurosurg, 2016 Jun;90:492-495.
    PMID: 26987637 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2016.03.018
    OBJECTIVE: To share our experience with a new delivery system for the flowable hemostatic matrix, FloSeal, in endoscopic and microscopic skull base surgery.

    METHODS: We prospectively analyzed the use of FloSeal with a hemostatic delivery system in transnasal endoscopic and microscopic skull base procedures performed at the authors' institution from January 1, 2015, to June 30, 2015. In all cases the number of aliquots was noted for the entire operation, and the total number of FloSeal ampules of 5 mL was also recorded.

    RESULTS: Our device allowed controlled application of small amounts (0.5-1 mL) of FloSeal to the site of bleeding. This controlled application resulted not only in increased visibility during its application, but it also reduced the amount of FloSeal required during the procedure. We were able to use 5-10 applications per 5-mL ampule of FloSeal within an individual procedure. No procedure required more than one 5-mL ampule of FloSeal. Therefore, the use of our device results in a reduction of costs. Prior to the use of our device, we were often only able to use 1 vial of 5 ml of material for 1 or 2 applications, especially in transnasal endoscopic procedures when working along a deep corridor.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that our delivery device of FlowSeal can effectively control hemostasis by applying small amounts of FlowSeal to the site of bleeding. This results in increased visibility during hemostasis and a reduction of cost.

    MeSH terms: Endoscopy; Hemostasis; Hemostatics; Skull Base
  17. Birds of a feather - Analysis of travel health advice provided to international avitourists
    Flaherty GT, Abdul Shukur AS
    Travel Med Infect Dis, 2016 May-Jun;14(3):289-91.
    PMID: 26987765 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2016.03.007
    MeSH terms: Animals; Birds*; Health Education*; Humans; Recreation*; Travel*
  18. Slimming and Appetite-Suppressing Effects of Caraway Aqueous Extract as a Natural Therapy in Physically Active Women
    Kazemipoor M, Hamzah S, Hajifaraji M, Radzi CW, Cordell GA
    Phytother Res, 2016 Jun;30(6):981-7.
    PMID: 26988309 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5603
    Following the current 'Globesity' trend, there is an increasing demand for alternative natural therapies for weight management. Numerous phytoconstituents reduce body weight through suppressing appetite and reducing food intake. Caraway (Carum carvi L.) is one of the medicinal plants that is traditionally used for weight loss. In this study, the appetite-suppressing effects of caraway aqueous extract (CAE) on 70 aerobically trained, overweight, and obese women were examined in a triple-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study. Subjects were randomly allocated into placebo and experimental groups and consumed either 30 mL/day of CAE or placebo without changing their diet or physical activity over a period of 90 days. Calorie and macronutrient intake and anthropometric indices were measured before and after the intervention. In addition, appetite changes were assessed through a visual analog scale and an ad libitum pizza test. After the intervention, the results showed a significant reduction in appetite levels and carbohydrate intake of the experimental group compared with the placebo group. All of the anthropometric indices were reduced significantly in CAE compared with placebo group (p 
    MeSH terms: Adult; Appetite/drug effects; Energy Intake; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity/drug therapy*; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Herbal Medicine/methods*; Carum/chemistry*
  19. Fulltext Expanding access to high-cost medicines through the E2 access program in Thailand: effects on utilisation, health outcomes and cost using an interrupted time-series analysis
    Sruamsiri R, Wagner AK, Ross-Degnan D, Lu CY, Dhippayom T, Ngorsuraches S, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2016;6(3):e008671.
    PMID: 26988346 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008671
    In 2008, the Thai government introduced the 'high-cost medicines E2 access program' as a part of the National List of Essential Medicines to increase patient access to medicines, improve clinical outcomes and make medicines more affordable. Our objective was to examine whether the 'high-cost medicines E2 access program' achieved its goals.
    MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis; Goals; Government; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Thailand; Drug Costs; Drugs, Essential
  20. Fulltext Global Mapping of Traditional Chinese Medicine into Bioactivity Space and Pathways Annotation Improves Mechanistic Understanding and Discovers Relationships between Therapeutic Action (Sub)classes
    Mohamad Zobir SZ, Mohd Fauzi F, Liggi S, Drakakis G, Fu X, Fan TP, et al.
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2016;2016:2106465.
    PMID: 26989424 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2106465
    Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) still needs more scientific rationale to be proven for it to be accepted further in the West. We are now in the position to propose computational hypotheses for the mode-of-actions (MOAs) of 45 TCM therapeutic action (sub)classes from in silico target prediction algorithms, whose target was later annotated with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway, and to discover the relationship between them by generating a hierarchical clustering. The results of 10,749 TCM compounds showed 183 enriched targets and 99 enriched pathways from Estimation Score ≤ 0 and ≥ 5% of compounds/targets in a (sub)class. The MOA of a (sub)class was established from supporting literature. Overall, the most frequent top three enriched targets/pathways were immune-related targets such as tyrosine-protein phosphatase nonreceptor type 2 (PTPN2) and digestive system such as mineral absorption. We found two major protein families, G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), and protein kinase family contributed to the diversity of the bioactivity space, while digestive system was consistently annotated pathway motif, which agreed with the important treatment principle of TCM, "the foundation of acquired constitution" that includes spleen and stomach. In short, the TCM (sub)classes, in many cases share similar targets/pathways despite having different indications.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Digestive System; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Minerals; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; Protein Kinases; Spleen; Stomach; Cluster Analysis; Receptors, Chemokine; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 2
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