Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Zha GF, Zhang CP, Qin HL, Jantan I, Sher M, Amjad MW, et al.
    Bioorg Med Chem, 2016 05 15;24(10):2352-9.
    PMID: 27083471 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.04.015
    A series of new α,β-unsaturated carbonyl-based cyclohexanone derivatives was synthesized by simple condensation method and all compounds were characterized by using various spectroscopic techniques. New compounds were evaluated for their effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). These compounds were also screened for in vitro cytotoxicity and for inhibitory activity for self-induced Aβ1-42 aggregation. The effect of these compounds against amyloid β-induced cytotoxicity was also investigated. The findings of in vitro experiment revealed that most of these compounds exhibited potent inhibitory activity against AChE and self-induced Aβ1-42 aggregation. The compound 3o exhibited best AChE (IC50=0.037μM) inhibitory potential. Furthermore, compound 3o disassembled the Aβ fibrils produced by self-induced Aβ aggregation by 76.6%. Compounds containing N-methyl-4-piperidone linker, showed high acetylcholinesterase and self-induced Aβ aggregation inhibitory activities as compared to reference drug donepezil. The pre-treatment of cells with synthetic compounds protected them against Aβ-induced cell death by up to 92%. Collectively, these findings suggest that some compounds from this series have potential to be promising multifunctional agents for AD treatment and our study suggest the cyclohexanone derivatives as promising new inhibitors for AChE and BuChE, potentially useful to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
    MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism; Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy; Alzheimer Disease/metabolism; Animals; Butyrylcholinesterase/metabolism; Cell Survival/drug effects; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry*; Cyclohexanones/pharmacology*; Cyclohexanones/chemistry*; Humans; Peptide Fragments/antagonists & inhibitors; Peptide Fragments/metabolism*; Drug Design; Amyloid beta-Peptides/antagonists & inhibitors; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*; PC12 Cells; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*; Neuroprotective Agents/chemistry*; Rats; Protein Aggregates/drug effects
  2. Khandaker MU, Mohd Nasir NL, Asaduzzaman K, Olatunji MA, Amin YM, Kassim HA, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2016 Jul;154:528-536.
    PMID: 27085312 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.03.121
    Malaysia, a rapidly growing industrial country, is susceptible to pollution via large-scale industrial engagements and associated human activities. One particular concern is the potential impact upon the quality of locally resourced vegetables, foodstuffs that contain important nutrients necessary for good health, forming an essential part of the Malaysian diet. As a part of this, it is of importance for there to be accurate knowledge of radioactive material uptake in these vegetables, not least in respect of any public health detriment. Herein, using HPGe γ-ray spectrometry, quantification has been performed of naturally occurring radionuclides in common edible vegetables and their associated soils. From samples analyses, the soil activity concentration ranges (in units of Bq/kg) for (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were respectively 1.33-30.90, 0.48-26.80, 7.99-136.5 while in vegetable samples the ranges were 0.64-3.80, 0.21-6.91, 85.53-463.8. Using the corresponding activities, the transfer factors (TFs) from soil-to-vegetables were estimated, the transfers being greatest for (40)K, an expected outcome given the essentiality of this element in support of vigorous growth. The TFs of (226)Ra and (232)Th were found to be in accord with available literature data, the values indicating the mobility of these radionuclides to be low in the studied soils. Committed effective dose and the associated life-time cancer risk was estimated, being found to be below the permissible limit proposed by UNSCEAR. Results for the studied media show that the prevalent activities and mobilities pose no significant threat to human health, the edible vegetables being safe for consumption.
    MeSH terms: Radiation Exposure/adverse effects*; Diet; Food Analysis; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced/epidemiology*; Potassium Radioisotopes/analysis; Radiation Dosage; Radiation Monitoring; Radium/analysis; Soil/chemistry*; Soil Pollutants, Radioactive/analysis*; Spectrometry, Gamma; Thorium/analysis; Vegetables/radiation effects; Vegetables/chemistry*
  3. Choudhury D, Lackner JM, Major L, Morita T, Sawae Y, Bin Mamat A, et al.
    J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2016 06;59:586-595.
    PMID: 27085502 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.04.004
    This study investigates the durability of functional diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) under edge loading conditions for application in artificial hip joints. The multilayered (ML) functional DLC coatings consist of three key layers, each of these layers were designed for specific functions such as increasing fracture strength, adapting stress generation and enhancing wear resistance. A 'ball-on-disk' multi-directional wear tester was used in the durability test. Prior to the wear testing, surface hardness, modulus elasticity and Raman intensity were measured. The results revealed a significant wear reduction to the DLC coated Ti-6Al-4V disks compared to that of non-coated Ti-6Al-4V disks. Remarkably, the counterpart Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) balls also yielded lowered specific wear rate while rubbed against the coated disks. Hence, the pairing of a functional multilayered DLC and Si3N4 could be a potential candidate to orthopedics implants, which would perform a longer life-cycle against wear caused by edge loading.
    MeSH terms: Alloys; Carbon; Hip Prosthesis*; Humans; Materials Testing*; Prosthesis Design; Surface Properties; Titanium/chemistry*; Diamond/chemistry*
  4. Lo TS, Jaili S, Tan YL, Wu PY
    Int Urogynecol J, 2016 Nov;27(11):1653-1659.
    PMID: 27085545
    INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that transobturator tape (TOT) is safe and efficacious for the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence in the long term.

    METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of patients with confirmed urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) who underwent a Monarc(TM) TOT procedure in a tertiary center between February 2006 and March 2009 without other concurrent surgical procedures. Urodynamics were conducted at 1 and 3 years postoperatively. Subjective evaluation included Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), Urinary Distress Inventory Questionnaire (UDI-6), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). Objective cure was defined as no urinary leakage demonstrable on provocative filling cystometry and/ or 1-h pad test of <2 g. Subjective cure was based on a negative response to question 3 in UDI-6. Paired-samples t test, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests were applied; p 

    MeSH terms: Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/surgery*; Urodynamics; Chi-Square Distribution; Treatment Outcome; Disease-Free Survival; Suburethral Slings*
  5. Nkem BM, Halimoon N, Yusoff FM, Johari WLW, Zakaria MP, Medipally SR, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2016 Jun 15;107(1):261-268.
    PMID: 27085593 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.03.060
    In this study, we isolated two indigenous hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from tarball found in Rhu Sepuluh beach, Terengganu, Malaysia. These bacteria were identified based on their physiological characteristic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, and they showed 99% similarity with Cellulosimicrobium cellulans DSM 43879 and Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 respectively. Their hydrocarbon-degrading capabilities were tested using diesel-oil as sole carbon source. Results analysed using GC-MS, showed diesel-oil alkanes were degraded an average 64.4% by C. cellulans and 58.1% by A. baumannii with medium optical density reaching 0.967 (C. cellulans) and 1.515 (A. baumannii) in minimal salt media at 32°C for 10days. Individual diesel-oil alkanes were degraded between 10%-95.4% by C. cellulans and 0.2%-95.9% by A. baumannii. Both strains utilized diesel-oil for growth. The study suggests both strains are part of indigenous hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in tarball with potential for bioremediation of oil-polluted marine environment.
    MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental; Environmental Microbiology; Hydrocarbons/metabolism*; Malaysia; Petroleum/metabolism*; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics; Acinetobacter baumannii/metabolism*
  6. Zahari A, Ablat A, Sivasothy Y, Mohamad J, Choudhary MI, Awang K
    Asian Pac J Trop Med, 2016 Apr;9(4):328-332.
    PMID: 27086149 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2016.03.008
    OBJECTIVE: To study antiplasmodial and antioxidant activities of the isolation of alkaloids from the active dichloromethane extract of Alseodaphne corneri.

    METHODS: Phytochemical studies of the crude extract led to the isolation of six alkaloids using recycle high performance liquid chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography. The antiplasmodial activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated using the histidine-rich protein II assay. The isolated alkaloids were also tested for their antioxidant activity using three different assays; DPPH, ferric reducing ability of plasma and metal chelating assays.

    RESULTS: Malaria infection caused the formation of free radicals which subsequently led to oxidative stress and apoptosis. The antioxidant properties of the alkaloids under investigation revealed that in addition to the antiplasmodial activity, the alkaloids could also prevent oxidative stress. (+)-laurotetanine and (+)-norstephasubine exhibited strong antiplasmodial activities with IC50 values of 0.189 and 0.116 μM, respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: Interestingly, the two most potent compounds that exhibit antiplasmodial activity also exhibit good antioxidant activities. The crude dichloromethane extract and the isolated compounds exert substantial antiplasmodial and antioxidative activities which in turn suppress oxidative stress and cause less damage to the host.

  7. Pang EL, Loh HS
    Asian Pac J Trop Med, 2016 Apr;9(4):395-401.
    PMID: 27086160 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2016.03.004
    Prevalence of dengue transmission has been alarmed by an estimate of 390 million infections per annum. Urban encroachment, ecological disruption and poor sanitation are all contributory factors of increased epidemiology. Complication however arises from the fact that dengue virus inherently exists as four different serotypes. Secondary infection is often manifested in the more severe form, such that antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) could aggravate ailment by allowing pre-existing antibodies to form complexes with infecting viruses as means of intrusion. Consequently, increased viraemic titter and suppression of antiviral response are observed. Deep concerns are thus expressed in regards to escalating trend of hospitalisation and mortality rates. In Malaysia, situation is exacerbated by improper clinical management and pending vector control operations. As a preparedness strategy against the potential deadly dengue pandemic, the call for development of a durable and cost-effective dengue vaccine against all infecting serotypes is intensified. Even though several vaccine candidates are currently being evaluated in clinical trials, uncertainties in regards to serotypes interference, incomplete protection and dose adequacy have been raised. Instead of sole reliance on outsourcing, production of local vaccine should be considered in coherent to government's efforts to combat against dengue.
    MeSH terms: Dengue*; Humans; Malaysia
  8. Alam A, Ferdosh S, Ghafoor K, Hakim A, Juraimi AS, Khatib A, et al.
    Asian Pac J Trop Med, 2016 Apr;9(4):402-409.
    PMID: 27086161 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2016.03.011
    Clinacanthus nutans Lindau is known as snake grass belonging to the Acanthaceae family. This plant has diverse and potential medicinal uses in traditional herbal medicine for treating skin rashes, insects and snake bites, lesions caused by herpes simplex virus, diabetes, and gout in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and China. Phytochemical investigations documented the varied contents of bioactive compounds from this plant namely flavonoids, glycosides, glycoglycerolipids, cerebrosides and monoacylmonogalatosylglycerol. The pharmacological experiment proved that various types of extracts and pure compounds from this species exhibited a broad range of biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic activities. The findings of toxicity study showed that extracts from this plant did not show any toxicity thus it can be used as strong therapeutic agents for specific diseased conditions. However, further experiments on chemical components and their mode of action showing biological activities are required to elucidate the complete phytochemical profile and assess to confirm their suitability for future drugs. This review summarizes the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of this plant in order to explore its therapeutic potential and gaps necessitating for prospected research work.
  9. Abdul Latiff L, Tajik E, Ibrahim N, Abubakar AS, Ali SS
    PMID: 27086434
    Research in the field of factors associated with depression among adolescents is lacking in Malaysia. The aims of the present study were to assess the current prevalence of depression and its related factors among secondary school students in Pasir Gudang, South Malaysia. In this cross sectional study, 2,927 secondary school students (13-17 years old) from urban areas were screened for symptoms of mental disorder as well as demographic and risk behaviors using a validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) 12 questionnaire. The majority of the respondents (53.8%) were Malay, of which 53.1% were female. Symptoms of mild depression were found in 33.2% of the respondents, while the prevalence of the symptoms of moderate, severe, and extremely severe depression was 21.5%, 18.1%, and 3.0%, respectively. Logistic regression suggested that participants who were Chinese or had a lower average grade were three times more likely to have depression, while those who came from a single-parent family were twice as likely to have this condition. This study indicated that academic performance and risk behaviors along with the demographic characteristics are important contributors to adolescent depression.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior/psychology*; Anxiety/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression/diagnosis; Depression/epidemiology*; Family Characteristics*; Female; Health Status*; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Peer Group; Stress, Psychological/epidemiology; Students/statistics & numerical data*; Comorbidity; Prevalence
  10. Lokanathan Y, Mohd-Adnan A, Kua BC, Nathan S
    J Fish Dis, 2016 Sep;39(9):1069-83.
    PMID: 27086498 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12474
    Cryptocaryonosis is a major problem for mariculture, and the absence of suitable sero-surveillance tools for the detection of cryptocaryonosis makes it difficult to screen Cryptocaryon irritans-infected fish, particularly asymptomatic fish. In this study, we proposed a serum-based assay using selected C. irritans proteins to screen infected and asymptomatic fish. Eight highly expressed genes were chosen from an earlier study on C. irritans expressed sequence tags and ciliate glutamine codons were converted to universal glutamine codons. The chemically synthesized C. irritans genes were then expressed in an Escherichia coli expression host under optimized conditions. Five C. irritans proteins were successfully expressed in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. These proteins were used as antigens in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to screen sera from experimentally immunized fish and naturally infected fish. Sera from both categories of fish reacted equally well with the expressed C. irritans recombinant proteins as well as with sonicated theronts. This study demonstrated the utility of producing ciliate recombinant proteins in a heterologous expression host. An ELISA was successfully developed to diagnose infected and asymptomatic fish using the recombinant proteins as antigens.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antigens, Protozoan/analysis; Antigens, Protozoan/metabolism*; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/veterinary*; Escherichia coli/genetics; Fish Diseases/diagnosis*; Fish Diseases/parasitology; Fishes; Population Surveillance; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism; Protozoan Proteins/analysis*; Protozoan Proteins/metabolism; Ciliophora Infections/diagnosis; Ciliophora Infections/parasitology; Ciliophora Infections/veterinary*; Ciliophora/immunology*
  11. Chee KY, Tripathi A, Avasthi A, Chong MY, Xiang YT, Sim K, et al.
    East Asian Arch Psychiatry, 2016 Mar;26(1):10-7.
    PMID: 27086755
    Objective: Pharmacotherapy of depression in children and adolescents is complex. In the absence of research into the efficacy and safety of antidepressants in this group of patients, their off-label prescription is common. This paper aimed to illustrate the prescription pattern of antidepressants in children and adolescents from major psychiatric centres in Asia.
    Methods: The Research on Asia Psychotropic Prescription Pattern on Antidepressants worked
    collaboratively in 2013 to study the prescription pattern of antidepressants in Asia using a unified research protocol and questionnaire. Forty psychiatric centres from 10 Asian countries / regions participated and 2321 antidepressant prescriptions were analysed.
    Results: A total of 4.7% antidepressant prescriptions were for children and adolescents. Fluoxetine, sertraline, and escitalopram were the most common antidepressants prescribed for children and adolescents. Almost one-third (30.3%) of prescriptions were for diagnoses other than depressive and anxiety disorders. There was less antidepressant polypharmacy and concomitant use of benzodiazepine, but more concomitant use of antipsychotics in children and adolescents compared with adults.
    Conclusion: Off-label use of antidepressants in children and adolescents was reported by 40 Asian psychiatric institutions that participated in the study. In-service education and regulatory mechanisms should be reinforced to ensure efficacy and safety of antidepressants in children and adolescents.
    Key words: Adolescent; Antidepressive agents; Child; Ethnopsychology
  12. Lim PC, Lim K, Embee ZC, Hassali MA, Thiagarajan A, Khan TM
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2016 Mar;29(2):595-601.
    PMID: 27087103
    Involvement of pharmacists in improving medication adherence among diabetic patients is recognized globally. In Malaysian healthcare system, pharmacists are also operating health services i.e. Diabetes Medication Therapy Adherence Clinic (DMTAC). This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of patients managed by pharmacists (DMTAC), in a Malaysian hospital setting. This was an open labelled randomised study. Type 2 diabetes patients with HbA1c ≥8% were recruited and arbitrarily divided into the intervention group (usual care plus DMTAC) and the non-intervention group (usual care only). Those enrolled in the intervention group were scheduled for follow-up for eight consecutive visits. Improvements in lab results were compared longitudinally (pre and post analysis) between the groups. Data analysis was done using PASW 18® version. A total of 76 patients were enrolled, with 39 patients in the intervention group and 37 patients in the non-intervention group. Mean HbA1c (-0.90% vs. -0.08%, p=0.011) and fasting blood glucose levels (-3.45 mmol.l vs. +0.79 mmol/l, p=0.002) reduced significantly between the intervention group vs. non-intervention group. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were also significantly reduced in the intervention group (TC -0.34 mmol/l, p=0.018) (LDL -0.45 mmol/l, p=0.001). In conclusion, pharmacists managed DMTAC significantly improved glycaemic control and lipid profile of diabetic patients.
    Study site: Outpatient Clinic, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Adult; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*; Hospitals; Humans; Malaysia; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Pharmacists; Medication Adherence*
  13. Shi J, Zhang Y, Zheng W, Michailidou K, Ghoussaini M, Bolla MK, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2016 Sep 15;139(6):1303-1317.
    PMID: 27087578 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30150
    Previous genome-wide association studies among women of European ancestry identified two independent breast cancer susceptibility loci represented by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs13281615 and rs11780156 at 8q24. A fine-mapping study across 2.06 Mb (chr8:127,561,724-129,624,067, hg19) in 55,540 breast cancer cases and 51,168 controls within the Breast Cancer Association Consortium was conducted. Three additional independent association signals in women of European ancestry, represented by rs35961416 (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93-0.97, conditional p = 5.8 × 10(-6) ), rs7815245 (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.91-0.96, conditional p = 1.1 × 10(-6) ) and rs2033101 (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02-1.07, conditional p = 1.1 × 10(-4) ) were found. Integrative analysis using functional genomic data from the Roadmap Epigenomics, the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements project, the Cancer Genome Atlas and other public resources implied that SNPs rs7815245 in Signal 3, and rs1121948 in Signal 5 (in linkage disequilibrium with rs11780156, r(2)  = 0.77), were putatively functional variants for two of the five independent association signals. The results highlighted multiple 8q24 variants associated with breast cancer susceptibility in women of European ancestry.
    MeSH terms: Alleles; Breast Neoplasms/genetics*; Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Chromosome Mapping*; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8/genetics*; Female; Genotype; Haplotypes; Humans; Risk; Genetic Variation*; Linkage Disequilibrium; Odds Ratio; Case-Control Studies; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Quantitative Trait Loci*; European Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; Genome-Wide Association Study
  14. Khusnun NF, Jalil AA, Triwahyono S, Jusoh NW, Johari A, Kidam K
    Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2016 04 28;18(17):12323-31.
    PMID: 27088140 DOI: 10.1039/c5cp08068a
    Copper (Cu, 1-5 wt%) was loaded onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by a simple electrochemical method. The physicochemical properties of catalysts (Cu/CNTs) were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen (N2) adsorption-desorption, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron spinning resonance (ESR). The results showed that the Cu was distributed well on the CNT surface by the interaction of Cu(2+) ions with -OH and -COOH groups on the CNT surface, which preferentially occurred at the defect sites along the CNT backbone. The Cu-O-C bonds formed were found to play an important role in enhancing the photoactivity of the catalysts. The highest number of Cu-O-C bonds possessed by 3 wt% Cu/CNTs demonstrated the best performance in the degradation of p-chloroaniline (96%) under UV light irradiation within 5 h of reaction at 27 °C and under neutral pH conditions. Kinetic studies showed that the degradation followed the pseudo-first order model and the surface reaction was the controlling step. It is believed that these results could contribute to the synthesis of various supported catalysts for various applications.
  15. Joseph NM, Ho KL, Tey BT, Tan CS, Shafee N, Tan WS
    Biotechnol Prog, 2016 Jul 08;32(4):1038-45.
    PMID: 27088434 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2279
    The matrix (M) protein of Nipah virus (NiV) is a peripheral protein that plays a vital role in the envelopment of nucleocapsid protein and acts as a bridge between the viral surface and the nucleocapsid proteins. The M protein is also proven to play an important role in production of virus-like particles (VLPs) and is essential for assembly and budding of NiV particles. The recombinant M protein produced in Escherichia coli assembled into VLPs in the absence of the viral surface proteins. However, the E. coli produced VLPs are smaller than the native virus particles. Therefore, the aims of this study were to produce NiV M protein in Pichia pastoris, to examine the structure of the VLPs formed, and to assess the potential of the VLPs as a diagnostic reagent. The M protein was successfully expressed in P. pastoris and was detected with anti-myc antibody using Western blotting. The VLPs formed by the recombinant M protein were purified with sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC). Immunogold staining and transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the M protein assembled into VLPs as large as 200 nm. ELISA revealed that the NiV M protein produced in P. pastoris reacted strongly with positive NiV sera demonstrating its potential as a diagnostic reagent. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1038-1045, 2016.
    MeSH terms: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Escherichia coli/metabolism; Pichia/metabolism*; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism; Recombinant Proteins/chemistry; Viral Matrix Proteins/biosynthesis; Viral Matrix Proteins/metabolism; Viral Matrix Proteins/chemistry*; Virion/isolation & purification; Virion/metabolism*; Virion/chemistry; Nipah Virus/metabolism; Nipah Virus/chemistry*
  16. Lujan-Barroso L, Zhang W, Olson SH, Gao YT, Yu H, Baghurst PA, et al.
    Pancreas, 2016 11;45(10):1401-1410.
    PMID: 27088489
    OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the relation between menstrual and reproductive factors, exogenous hormones, and risk of pancreatic cancer (PC).

    METHODS: Eleven case-control studies within the International Pancreatic Cancer Case-control Consortium took part in the present study, including in total 2838 case and 4748 control women. Pooled estimates of odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a 2-step logistic regression model and adjusting for relevant covariates.

    RESULTS: An inverse OR was observed in women who reported having had hysterectomy (ORyesvs.no, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.91), remaining significant in postmenopausal women and never-smoking women, adjusted for potential PC confounders. A mutually adjusted model with the joint effect for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and hysterectomy showed significant inverse associations with PC in women who reported having had hysterectomy with HRT use (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.48-0.84).

    CONCLUSIONS: Our large pooled analysis suggests that women who have had a hysterectomy may have reduced risk of PC. However, we cannot rule out that the reduced risk could be due to factors or indications for having had a hysterectomy. Further investigation of risk according to HRT use and reason for hysterectomy may be necessary.

    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Pancreatic Neoplasms*; Risk Factors; Logistic Models; Odds Ratio; Case-Control Studies
  17. Ahmad AL, Ideris N, Ooi BS, Low SC, Ismail A
    J Immunoassay Immunochem, 2016;37(4):421-37.
    PMID: 27088961 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2016.1157489
    Statistical experimental design was employed to optimize the preparation conditions of polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) membranes. Three variables considered were polymer concentration, dissolving temperature, and casting thickness, whereby the response variable was membrane-protein binding. The optimum preparation for the PVDF membrane was a polymer concentration of 16.55 wt%, a dissolving temperature of 27.5°C, and a casting thickness of 450 µm. The statistical model exhibits a deviation between the predicted and actual responses of less than 5%. Further characterization of the formed PVDF membrane showed that the morphology of the membrane was in line with the membrane-protein binding performance.
  18. Dilokthornsakul P, Sawangjit R, Inprasong C, Chunhasewee S, Rattanapan P, Thoopputra T, et al.
    J Postgrad Med, 2016 Apr-Jun;62(2):109-14.
    PMID: 27089110 DOI: 10.4103/0022-3859.180571
    Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening dermatologic conditions. Although, the incidence of SJS/TEN in Thailand is high, information on cost of care for SJS/TEN is limited. This study aims to estimate healthcare resource utilization and cost of SJS/TEN in Thailand, using hospital perspective.
    MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis; Hospitals; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome; Thailand; Incidence
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