Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Foo JB, Saiful Yazan L, Tor YS, Wibowo A, Ismail N, Armania N, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2016 Jul 1;187:195-204.
    PMID: 27131434 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.04.048
    Dillenia suffruticosa is traditionally used for treatment of cancerous growth including breast cancer in Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Biological Phenomena; Breast Neoplasms; Humans; Malaysia; Dilleniaceae
  2. Rodrigues IA, Sprinkhuizen SM, Barthelmes D, Blumenkranz M, Cheung G, Haller J, et al.
    Am J Ophthalmol, 2016 08;168:1-12.
    PMID: 27131774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2016.04.012
    PURPOSE: To define a minimum set of outcome measures for tracking, comparing, and improving macular degeneration care.

    DESIGN: Recommendations from a working group of international experts in macular degeneration outcomes registry development and patient advocates, facilitated by the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM).

    METHODS: Modified Delphi technique, supported by structured teleconferences, followed by online surveys to drive consensus decisions. Potential outcomes were identified through literature review of outcomes collected in existing registries and reported in major clinical trials. Outcomes were refined by the working group and selected based on impact on patients, relationship to good clinical care, and feasibility of measurement in routine clinical practice.

    RESULTS: Standardized measurement of the following outcomes is recommended: visual functioning and quality of life (distance visual acuity, mobility and independence, emotional well-being, reading and accessing information); number of treatments; complications of treatment; and disease control. Proposed data collection sources include administrative data, clinical data during routine clinical visits, and patient-reported sources annually. Recording the following clinical characteristics is recommended to enable risk adjustment: age; sex; ethnicity; smoking status; baseline visual acuity in both eyes; type of macular degeneration; presence of geographic atrophy, subretinal fibrosis, or pigment epithelial detachment; previous macular degeneration treatment; ocular comorbidities.

    CONCLUSIONS: The recommended minimum outcomes and pragmatic reporting standards should enable standardized, meaningful assessments and comparisons of macular degeneration treatment outcomes. Adoption could accelerate global improvements in standardized data gathering and reporting of patient-centered outcomes. This can facilitate informed decisions by patients and health care providers, plus allow long-term monitoring of aggregate data, ultimately improving understanding of disease progression and treatment responses.

    MeSH terms: Delphi Technique; Humans; Macular Degeneration/therapy*; Quality Assurance, Health Care; Quality of Life; Visual Acuity; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)/methods; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)/standards*; Patient-Centered Care/standards*; Quality Indicators, Health Care*
  3. Ng LM, Sudesh K
    J Biosci Bioeng, 2016 Nov;122(5):550-557.
    PMID: 27132174 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2016.03.024
    Aquitalea sp. USM4 (JCM 19919) was isolated from a freshwater sample at Lata Iskandar Waterfall in Perak, Malaysia. It is a rod-shaped, gram-negative bacterium with high sequence identity (99%) to Aquitalea magnusonii based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. Aquitalea sp. USM4 also possessed a PHA synthase gene (phaC), which had amino acid sequence identity of 77-78% to the PHA synthase of Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC12472 and Pseudogulbenkiania sp. NH8B. PHA biosynthesis results showed that wild-type Aquitalea sp. USM4 was able to accumulate up to 1.5 g/L of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), [P(3HB)]. The heterologous expression of the PHA synthase gene of Aquitalea sp. USM4 (phaCAq) in Cupriavidus necator PHB(-)4 had resulted in PHA accumulation up to 3.2 g/L of P(3HB). It was further confirmed by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis that Aquitalea sp. USM4 and C. necator PHB(-)4 transformant were able to produce PHA containing 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV), 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB) and 3-hydroxy-4-methylvalerate (3H4MV) monomers from suitable precursor substrates. Interestingly, relatively high PHA synthase activity of 863 U/g and 1402 U/g were determined in wild-type Aquitalea sp. USM4 and C. necator PHB(-)4 transformant respectively. This is the first report on the member of genus Aquitalea as a new PHA producer as well as in vitro and in vivo characterization of a novel PHA synthase from Aquitalea sp. USM4.
    MeSH terms: Acyltransferases/genetics*; Acyltransferases/isolation & purification; Acyltransferases/metabolism*; Amino Acid Sequence; Chromobacterium/enzymology*; Chromobacterium/genetics; Chromobacterium/isolation & purification*; Chromobacterium/metabolism; Cloning, Molecular; Fresh Water/microbiology; Pentanoic Acids/metabolism; Phylogeny; Polyesters/metabolism; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/metabolism; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Cupriavidus necator/enzymology; Cupriavidus necator/genetics; Cupriavidus necator/metabolism; Polyhydroxyalkanoates/biosynthesis*
  4. Khoo JJ, Chen F, Kho KL, Ahmad Shanizza AI, Lim FS, Tan KK, et al.
    Ticks Tick Borne Dis, 2016 07;7(5):929-937.
    PMID: 27132518 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.04.013
    Ticks are vectors in the transmission of many important infectious diseases in human and animals. Ticks can be readily found in the semi-forested areas such as the settlements of the indigenous people in Malaysia, the Orang Asli. There is still minimal information available on the bacterial agents associated with ticks found in Malaysia. We performed a survey of the bacterial communities associated with ticks collected from domestic animals found in two Orang Asli villages in Malaysia. We collected 62 ticks, microscopically and molecularly identified as related to Haemaphysalis wellingtoni, Haemaphysalis hystricis and Haemaphysalis bispinosa. Bacterial 16s rRNA hypervariable region (V6) amplicon libraries prepared from the tick samples were sequenced on the Ion Torrent PGM platform. We detected a total of 392 possible bacterial genera after pooling and sequencing 20 samples, indicating a diverse bacterial community profile. Dominant taxa include the potential tick endosymbiont, Coxiella. Other dominant taxa include the tick-associated pathogen, Rickettsia, and environmental bacteria such as Bacillus, Mycobacterium, Sphingomonas and Pseudomonas. Other known tick-associated bacteria were also detected, including Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsiella and Wolbachia, albeit at very low abundance. Specific PCR was performed on selected samples to identify Rickettsia and Coxiella. Sequence of Rickettsia felis, which causes spotted fever in human and cats, was identified in one sample. Coxiella endosymbionts were detected in three samples. This study provides the baseline knowledge of the microbiome of ticks in Malaysia, focusing on tick-associated bacteria affecting the Orang Asli communities. The role of the herein found Coxiella and Rickettsia in tick physiology or disease transmission merits further investigation.
    MeSH terms: Anaplasma/genetics; Anaplasma/isolation & purification; Animals; Animals, Domestic*; Bacillus/genetics; Bacillus/isolation & purification; Bacteria/isolation & purification*; Cats/parasitology; Chickens/parasitology; Coxiella/genetics; Coxiella/isolation & purification; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Dogs/parasitology; Ehrlichia/genetics; Ehrlichia/isolation & purification; Malaysia/epidemiology; Mycobacterium/genetics; Mycobacterium/isolation & purification; Phylogeny; Pseudomonas/genetics; Pseudomonas/isolation & purification; Rickettsia/genetics; Rickettsia/isolation & purification; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics; Tick Infestations/epidemiology; Tick Infestations/veterinary*; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sphingomonas/genetics; Sphingomonas/isolation & purification; Ixodidae/microbiology*; Microbiota*
  5. Tabana YM, Hassan LE, Ahamed MB, Dahham SS, Iqbal MA, Saeed MA, et al.
    Microvasc Res, 2016 09;107:17-33.
    PMID: 27133199 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2016.04.009
    We recently reported the antineovascularization effect of scopoletin on rat aorta and identified its potential anti-angiogenic activity. Scopoletin could be useful as a systemic chemotherapeutic agent against angiogenesis-dependent malignancies if its antitumorigenic activity is investigated and scientifically proven using a suitable human tumor xenograft model. In the present study, bioassay-guided (anti-angiogenesis) phytochemical investigation was conducted on Nicotiana glauca extract which led to the isolation of scopoletin. Further, anti-angiogenic activity of scopoletin was characterized using ex vivo, in vivo and in silico angiogenesis models. Finally, the antitumorigenic efficacy of scopoletin was studied in human colorectal tumor xenograft model using athymic nude mice. For the first time, an in vivo anticancer activity of scopoletin was reported and characterized using xenograft models. Scopoletin caused significant suppression of sprouting of microvessels in rat aortic explants with IC50 (median inhibitory concentration) 0.06μM. Scopoletin (100 and 200mg/kg) strongly inhibited (59.72 and 89.4%, respectively) vascularization in matrigel plugs implanted in nude mice. In the tumor xenograft model, scopoletin showed remarkable inhibition on tumor growth (34.2 and 94.7% at 100 and 200mg/kg, respectively). Tumor histology revealed drastic reduction of the extent of vascularization. Further, immunostaining of CD31 and NG2 receptors in the histological sections confirmed the antivascular effect of scopoletin in tumor vasculature. In computer modeling, scopoletin showed strong ligand affinity and binding energies toward the following angiogenic factors: protein kinase (ERK1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). These results suggest that the antitumor activity of scopoletin may be due to its strong anti-angiogenic effect, which may be mediated by its effective inhibition of ERK1, VEGF-A, and FGF-2.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/metabolism; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Phytotherapy; Mice, Nude; Models, Biological*; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Plants, Medicinal; Protein Conformation; Scopoletin/isolation & purification; Scopoletin/metabolism; Scopoletin/pharmacology*; Structure-Activity Relationship; Time Factors; Colorectal Neoplasms/blood supply; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Colorectal Neoplasms/enzymology; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology; Signal Transduction/drug effects; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/metabolism*; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/chemistry; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Antigens, CD31/metabolism; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/isolation & purification; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/metabolism; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism*; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/chemistry; HCT116 Cells; Tumor Burden/drug effects; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/metabolism*; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/chemistry; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Microvessels/drug effects; Microvessels/pathology; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism; Molecular Docking Simulation*
  6. Tan JK, Then SM, Mazlan M, Raja Abdul Rahman RN, Jamal R, Wan Ngah WZ
    J Nutr Biochem, 2016 May;31:28-37.
    PMID: 27133421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.12.019
    Bcl-2 family proteins are crucial regulators of apoptosis. Both pro- and antiapoptotic members exist, and overexpression of the latter facilitates evasion of apoptosis in many cancer types. Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3) mimetics are small molecule inhibitors of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members, and these inhibitors are promising anticancer agents. In this study, we report that gamma-tocotrienol (γT3), an isomer of vitamin E, can inhibit Bcl-2 to induce apoptosis. We demonstrate that γT3 induces cell death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells by depolarising the mitochondrial membrane potential, enabling release of cytochrome c to the cytosol and increasing the activities of caspases-9 and -3. Treatment of cells with inhibitors of Bax or caspase-9 attenuated the cell death induced by γT3. Simulated docking analysis suggested that γT3 binds at the hydrophobic groove of Bcl-2, while a binding assay showed that γT3 competed with a fluorescent probe to bind at the hydrophobic groove. Our data suggest that γT3 mimics the action of BH3-only protein by binding to the hydrophobic groove of Bcl-2 and inducing apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway in a Bax- and caspase-9-dependent manner.
    MeSH terms: Chromans/pharmacology*; Humans; Neuroblastoma/pathology*; Peptide Fragments/pharmacology*; Peptide Fragments/chemistry; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/pharmacology*; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/chemistry; Vitamin E/analogs & derivatives*; Vitamin E/pharmacology; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Molecular Mimicry*; Cell Line, Tumor
  7. Siddiqui R, Aqeel Y, Khan NA
    Cont Lens Anterior Eye, 2016 Oct;39(5):389-93.
    PMID: 27133448 DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2016.04.004
    Acanthamoeba castellanii is the causative agent of blinding keratitis. Though reported in non-contact lens wearers, it is most frequently associated with improper use of contact lens. For contact lens wearers, amoebae attachment to the lens is a critical first step, followed by amoebae binding to the corneal epithelial cells during extended lens wear. Acanthamoeba attachment to surfaces (biological or inert) and migration is an active process and occurs during the trophozoite stage. Thus retaining amoebae in the cyst stage (dormant form) offers an added preventative measure in impeding parasite traversal from the contact lens onto the cornea. Here, we showed that as low as 3% DMSO, abolished A. castellanii excystation. Based on the findings, it is proposed that DMSO should be included in the contact lens disinfectants as an added preventative strategy against contracting Acanthamoeba keratitis.
    MeSH terms: Amebicides/administration & dosage; Amebicides/chemistry; Contact Lenses/adverse effects; Contact Lenses/parasitology*; Dimethyl Sulfoxide/administration & dosage*; Dimethyl Sulfoxide/chemistry; Disinfection/methods; Drug Compounding/methods; Equipment Contamination/prevention & control; Humans; Acanthamoeba Keratitis/etiology; Acanthamoeba Keratitis/parasitology*; Acanthamoeba Keratitis/prevention & control*; Contact Lens Solutions/administration & dosage; Contact Lens Solutions/chemistry*; Acanthamoeba castellanii/drug effects*
  8. Moriya S, Chourasia D, Ng KW, Khel NB, Parhar IS
    J. Chem. Neuroanat., 2016 11;77:24-29.
    PMID: 27134039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2016.04.005
    Immediate early response (IER) 2 gene, a member of the IER family, is a gene of unknown function which is affected by external stimuli in the brain. In the present study, the full length sequence and localization of medaka (Oryzias latipes) ier2 was investigated in the brain to understand the functions of Ier2 in the future studies. The full length sequence of medaka ier2 was identified using a 3'-, 5'- rapid amplification of cDNA ends method, and distribution in the brain was identified using in situ hybridization. The identified full length ier2 mRNA consisted of 939 nucleotides spanning along 1 exon. The deduced amino acid sequence consisted of 171 amino acid residues which contains a highly conserved sequence, nuclear localization signal. ier2 mRNA was distributed in the telencephalon, midbrain and the hypothalamus. This highly conserved primary response gene Ier2 can be used to visualize and map functionally activated neuronal circuitry in the brain of medaka.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Brain Chemistry/genetics*; Cloning, Molecular; Hypothalamus/metabolism; Male; Mesencephalon/metabolism; Oryzias/genetics*; Phylogeny; RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis; RNA, Messenger/genetics; Telencephalon/metabolism; Conserved Sequence; In Situ Hybridization; Immediate-Early Proteins/biosynthesis; Immediate-Early Proteins/genetics*; DNA, Complementary/biosynthesis; DNA, Complementary/genetics; Fish Proteins/biosynthesis; Fish Proteins/genetics*
  9. Tan GM, Lim HJ, Yeow TC, Movahed E, Looi CY, Gupta R, et al.
    Proteomics, 2016 05;16(9):1347-60.
    PMID: 27134121 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201500219
    Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading causative agent of bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide which can lead to female pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. A greater understanding of host response during chlamydial infection is essential to design intervention technique to reduce the increasing incidence rate of genital chlamydial infection. In this study, we investigated proteome changes in epithelial cells during C. trachomatis infection by using an isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling technique coupled with a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS(3) ) analysis. C. trachomatis (serovar D, MOI 1)-infected HeLa-229 human cervical carcinoma epithelial cells (at 2, 4 and 8 h) showed profound modifications of proteome profile which involved 606 host proteins. MGST1, SUGP2 and ATXN10 were among the top in the list of the differentially upregulated protein. Through pathway analysis, we suggested the involvement of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in host cells upon C. trachomatis infection. Network analysis underscored the participation of DNA repair mechanism during C. trachomatis infection. In summary, intense modifications of proteome profile in C. trachomatis-infected HeLa-229 cells indicate complex host-pathogen interactions at early phase of chlamydial infection.
    MeSH terms: Ataxin-10/genetics; Ataxin-10/metabolism; Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors/genetics; Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors/metabolism; Chlamydia trachomatis/growth & development*; Chlamydia trachomatis/pathogenicity; Chromatography, Liquid; Gene Expression Regulation; Glutathione Transferase/genetics; Glutathione Transferase/metabolism; HeLa Cells; Humans; Staining and Labeling/methods; Time Factors; Signal Transduction; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2/genetics*; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2/metabolism; Gene Expression Profiling; Proteomics/methods; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Metabolic Networks and Pathways/genetics; Host-Pathogen Interactions*; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
  10. Justine M, Ruzali D, Hazidin E, Said A, Bukry SA, Manaf H
    J Phys Ther Sci, 2016 Mar;28(3):916-22.
    PMID: 27134384 DOI: 10.1589/jpts.28.916
    [Purpose] To compare the lower limb joint range of motion and muscle length between different types of foot posture, and determine the correlation of range of motion and muscle length with balance performance. [Subjects and Methods] Ninety individuals (age, 65.2±4.6 years) were assessed using the Foot Posture Index to determine their type of foot (Normal [0 to +5], pronated [+6 to +9], and supinated [-1 to -4]; n=30 per group). The range of motion (goniometer), muscle length (goniometer and tape measure), and balance performance (functional reach test and four square step test) were measured for each participant. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's rank-order correlation. [Results] No significant differences were found in range of motion, muscle length, and balance performance among different types of foot posture, except for right and left ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Balance performance was significantly correlated with selected muscle length and range of motion, especially in the supinated foot. [Conclusion] Range of motion and muscle length of the lower limb may be associated with balance performance in older adults with foot deformities. These findings may guide physiotherapists in choosing intervention based on specific assessments for older adults with foot deformity.
  11. Dawood OT, Rashan MA, Hassali MA, Saleem F
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2016 Apr-Jun;8(2):146-51.
    PMID: 27134468 DOI: 10.4103/0975-7406.171738
    BACKGROUND:
    Smoking is a major public health problem, especially in Iraq. There is very little information had been documented regarding smoking risk factors and quit intention among Iraqi smokers.

    OBJECTIVES:
    The main objectives of this study are to determine smokers' knowledge and perception about smoking health risks; and to determine smoking behavior and quitting intentions among Iraqi smokers; as well as to predict the factors that may associate with quit intentions.

    METHODS:
    A cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient clinic in Tikrit Teaching Hospital, Tikrit City, Iraq. Adult smokers who are smoking cigarette everyday and able to communicate with the researcher were invited to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 386 participants.

    RESULTS:
    This study showed that smokers had low awareness about some risk effects of smoking such as lung cancer in nonsmokers (30.1%), impotence in male smokers (52.6%), premature ageing (64%), and stroke (66.3%). In addition, the high score of knowledge and perception was significantly associated with quitting intention.

    CONCLUSION:
    Smokers' knowledge and perception regarding smoking health effects were low, especially in terms of secondhand smokers. Many efforts needed from health policy-makers and health care professionals to disseminate information about the risks of smoking and health benefits of give up smoking.

    KEYWORDS:
    Health risks; knowledge; perception; quit intentions; smoking
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Erectile Dysfunction; Iraq; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Risk Factors; Smoking; Smoking Cessation
  12. Al-Azawi KF, Al-Baghdadi SB, Mohamed AZ, Al-Amiery AA, Abed TK, Mohammed SA, et al.
    Chem Cent J, 2016;10:23.
    PMID: 27134648 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-016-0170-3
    BACKGROUND: The acid corrosion inhibition process of mild steel in 1 M HCl by 4-[(2-amino-1, 3, 4-thiadiazol-5-yl)methoxy]coumarin (ATC), has been investigated using weight loss technique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ATC was synthesized, and its chemical structure was elucidated and confirmed using spectroscopic techniques (infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy).

    FINDINGS: The results indicated that inhibition efficiencies were enhanced with an increase in concentration of inhibitor and decreased with a rise in temperature. The adsorption equilibrium constant (K) and standard free energy of adsorption (ΔGads) were calculated. Quantum chemical parameters such as highest occupied molecular orbital energy, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (EHOMO and ELUMO, respectively) and dipole moment (μ) were calculated and discussed. The results showed that the corrosion inhibition efficiency increased with an increase in both the EHOMO and μ values but with a decrease in the ELUMO value.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our research show that the synthesized macromolecule represents an excellent inhibitor for materials in acidic solutions. The efficiency of this macromolecule had maximum inhibition efficiency up to 96 % at 0.5 mM and diminishes with a higher temperature degree, which is revealing of chemical adsorption. An inhibitor molecule were absorbed by metal surface and follow Langmuir isotherms low and establishes an efficient macromolecule inhibitor having excellent inhibitive properties due to entity of S (sulfur) atom, N (nitrogen) atom and O (oxygen) atom.

  13. Hudu SA, Alshrari AS, Syahida A, Sekawi Z
    J Clin Diagn Res, 2016 Mar;10(3):DE01-5.
    PMID: 27134874 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/15837.7460
    Cell culture involves a complex of processes of cell isolation from their natural environment (in vivo) and subsequent growth in a controlled environmental artificial condition (in vitro). Cells from specific tissues or organs are cultured as short term or established cell lines which are widely used for research and diagnosis, most specially in the aspect of viral infection, because pathogenic viral isolation depends on the availability of permissible cell cultures. Cell culture provides the required setting for the detection and identification of numerous pathogens of humans, which is achieved via virus isolation in the cell culture as the "gold standard" for virus discovery. In this review, we summarized the views of researchers on the current role of cell culture technology in the diagnosis of human diseases. The technological advancement of recent years, starting with monoclonal antibody development to molecular techniques, provides an important approach for detecting presence of viral infection. They are also used as a baseline for establishing rapid tests for newly discovered pathogens. A combination of virus isolation in cell culture and molecular methods is still critical in identifying viruses that were previously unrecognized. Therefore, cell culture should be considered as a fundamental procedure in identifying suspected infectious viral agent.
  14. Manaf NA, Saravanan C, Zuhrah B
    J Clin Diagn Res, 2016 Mar;10(3):VC01-VC04.
    PMID: 27134977 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/16678.7341
    Introduction: Female students are thought to be more negatively impacted by body image ideals and often more susceptible to various eating related disorders compared to men. A previous study using a sample of female students in Malaysia did not identify whether the increase in susceptibility to eating disorders can be explained by the level of body image acceptance.
    Aim: To identify the prevalence of depression and susceptibility to eating disorders among a sample of 206 female students in one of the private universities in Malaysia and explore the relationship between depression, body image and susceptibility to eating disorders. In addition, this study aimed to determine whether depression is a mediator between body image and susceptibility to eating disorders among female college students.
    Materials and Methods: The Body Image Acceptance and Action Questionnaire were used to assess body image acceptance, the Patient Health Questionnaire to measure depression and the Eating Attitude Test- 26 was used to assess susceptibility to eating disorders.
    Results: The results showed that 65.5% (n=135) of the students were depressed and 6.3% (n=13) were susceptible to eating disorders. There was a significant positive relationship between depression and eating disorders and a negative relationship between body image and depression as well as between body image and eating disorder. Further, the regression model showed that depression was partially mediating the effect of body image on eating disorders.
    Conclusion: Body image and depression contribute to eating disorders and treating depression could reduce susceptibility to eating disorders.
    Keywords: Unhealthy body perception, Psychological problems, Relationship between body image and eating disorder
    MeSH terms: Adult; Feeding and Eating Disorders*; Body Image*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression*; Female; Malaysia; Male; Universities; Prevalence
  15. Chua LS
    Plant Physiol Biochem, 2016 Sep;106:16-22.
    PMID: 27135814 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2016.04.040
    The identification of plant metabolites is very important for the understanding of plant physiology including plant growth, development and defense mechanism, particularly for herbal medicinal plants. The metabolite profile could possibly be used for future drug discovery since the pharmacological activities of the indigenous herbs have been proven for centuries. An untargeted mass spectrometric approach was used to identify metabolites from the leaves and stems of Impatiens balsamina using LC-DAD-MS/MS. The putative compounds are mostly from the groups of phenolic, organic and amino acids which are essential for plant growth and as intermediates for other compounds. Alanine appeared to be the main amino acid in the plant because many alanine derived metabolites were detected. There are also several secondary metabolites from the groups of benzopyrones, benzofuranones, naphthoquinones, alkaloids and flavonoids. The widely reported bioactive components such as kaempferol, quercetin and their glycosylated, lawsone and its derivatives were detected in this study. The results also revealed that aqueous methanol could extract flavonoids better than water, and mostly, flavonoids were detected from the leaf samples. The score plots of component analysis show that there is a minor variance in the metabolite profiles of water and aqueous methanolic extracts with 21.5 and 30.5% of the total variance for the first principal component at the positive and negative ion modes, respectively.
    MeSH terms: Methanol/chemistry; Antioxidants/metabolism; Flavonoids/analysis; Phenols/analysis; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Mass Spectrometry/methods*; Water/chemistry; Plant Leaves/metabolism*; Plant Stems/metabolism*; Principal Component Analysis; Impatiens/metabolism*; Metabolome*
  16. Nordin N, Fadaeinasab M, Mohan S, Mohd Hashim N, Othman R, Karimian H, et al.
    PLoS One, 2016;11(5):e0154023.
    PMID: 27136097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154023
    Drug resistance presents a challenge in chemotherapy and has attracted research interest worldwide and particular attention has been given to natural compounds to overcome this difficulty. Pulchrin A, a new compound isolated from natural products has demonstrated novel potential for development as a drug. The identification of pulchrin A was conducted using several spectroscopic techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance, liquid chromatography mass spectrometer, infrared and ultraviolet spectrometry. The cytotoxicity effects on CAOV-3 cells indicates that pulchrin A is more active than cisplatin, which has an IC50 of 22.3 μM. Significant changes in cell morphology were present, such as cell membrane blebbing and formation of apoptotic bodies. The involvement of phosphatidylserine (PS) in apoptosis was confirmed by Annexin V-FITC after a 24 h treatment. Apoptosis was activated through the intrinsic pathway by activation of procaspases 3 and 9 as well as cleaved caspases 3 and 9 and ended at the executioner pathway, with the occurrence of DNA laddering. Apoptosis was further confirmed via gene and protein expression levels, in which Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated and Bax protein was up-regulated. Furthermore, the CAOV-3 cell cycle was disrupted at the G0/G1 phase, leading to apoptosis. Molecular modeling of Bcl-2 proteins demonstrated a high- binding affinity, which inhibited the function of Bcl-2 proteins and led to cell death. Results of the current study can shed light on the development of new therapeutic agents, particularly, human ovarian cancer treatments.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Biological Products/pharmacology*; Biological Products/chemistry*; Cell Cycle/drug effects; Chromatography, Liquid; Cisplatin/pharmacology; Coumarins/chemistry*; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism; Phosphatidylserines/metabolism; Apoptosis/drug effects; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  17. Chan WK, Tan LT, Chan KG, Lee LH, Goh BH
    Molecules, 2016 Apr 28;21(5).
    PMID: 27136520 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21050529
    Nerolidol (3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol) is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene alcohol that is present in various plants with a floral odor. It is synthesized as an intermediate in the production of (3E)-4,8-dimethy-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), a herbivore-induced volatile that protects plants from herbivore damage. Chemically, nerolidol exists in two geometric isomers, a trans and a cis form. The usage of nerolidol is widespread across different industries. It has been widely used in cosmetics (e.g., shampoos and perfumes) and in non-cosmetic products (e.g., detergents and cleansers). In fact, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also permitted the use of nerolidol as a food flavoring agent. The fact that nerolidol is a common ingredient in many products has attracted researchers to explore more medicinal properties of nerolidol that may exert beneficial effect on human health. Therefore, the aim of this review is to compile and consolidate the data on the various pharmacological and biological activities displayed by nerolidol. Furthermore, this review also includes pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies of nerolidol. In summary, the various pharmacological and biological activities demonstrated in this review highlight the prospects of nerolidol as a promising chemical or drug candidate in the field of agriculture and medicine.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Antioxidants/chemistry; Cosmetics/pharmacology; Cosmetics/chemistry; Detergents/pharmacology; Detergents/chemistry; Flavoring Agents/pharmacology; Flavoring Agents/chemistry; Humans; Neoplasms/drug therapy; Oils, Volatile/pharmacology; Oils, Volatile/chemistry; Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology*; Sesquiterpenes/chemistry*; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration
  18. Vejan P, Abdullah R, Khadiran T, Ismail S, Nasrulhaq Boyce A
    Molecules, 2016 Apr 29;21(5).
    PMID: 27136521 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21050573
    Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) shows an important role in the sustainable agriculture industry. The increasing demand for crop production with a significant reduction of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides use is a big challenge nowadays. The use of PGPR has been proven to be an environmentally sound way of increasing crop yields by facilitating plant growth through either a direct or indirect mechanism. The mechanisms of PGPR include regulating hormonal and nutritional balance, inducing resistance against plant pathogens, and solubilizing nutrients for easy uptake by plants. In addition, PGPR show synergistic and antagonistic interactions with microorganisms within the rhizosphere and beyond in bulk soil, which indirectly boosts plant growth rate. There are many bacteria species that act as PGPR, described in the literature as successful for improving plant growth. However, there is a gap between the mode of action (mechanism) of the PGPR for plant growth and the role of the PGPR as biofertilizer-thus the importance of nano-encapsulation technology in improving the efficacy of PGPR. Hence, this review bridges the gap mentioned and summarizes the mechanism of PGPR as a biofertilizer for agricultural sustainability.
    MeSH terms: Agriculture; Soil Microbiology; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*; Plant Roots/microbiology; Rhizosphere*; Plant Development*
  19. Syamsuddin Y, Murat MN, Hameed BH
    Bioresour Technol, 2016 Aug;214:248-52.
    PMID: 27136612 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.04.083
    The synthesis of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from the high- and low-acid-content feedstock of crude palm oil (CPO) and karanj oil (KO) was conducted over CaO-La2O3-Al2O3 mixed-oxide catalyst. Various reaction parameters were investigated using a batch reactor to identify the best reaction condition that results in the highest FAME yield for each type of oil. The transesterification of CPO resulted in a 97.81% FAME yield with the process conditions of 170°C reaction temperature, 15:1 DMC-to-CPO molar ratio, 180min reaction time, and 10wt.% catalyst loading. The transesterification of KO resulted in a 96.77% FAME yield with the conditions of 150°C reaction temperature, 9:1 DMC-to-KO molar ratio, 180min reaction time, and 5wt.% catalyst loading. The properties of both products met the ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standard requirements. The above results showed that the CaO-La2O3-Al2O3 mixed-oxide catalyst was suitable for high- and low-acid-content vegetable oil.
    MeSH terms: Aluminum Oxide; Esterification; Fatty Acids; Oxides; Petroleum; Plant Oils; Reaction Time; Temperature; Pongamia
  20. Hamedi M, Salleh ShH, Noor AM
    Neural Comput, 2016 06;28(6):999-1041.
    PMID: 27137671 DOI: 10.1162/NECO_a_00838
    Recent research has reached a consensus on the feasibility of motor imagery brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) for different applications, especially in stroke rehabilitation. Most MI-BCI systems rely on temporal, spectral, and spatial features of single channels to distinguish different MI patterns. However, no successful communication has been established for a completely locked-in subject. To provide more useful and informative features, it has been recommended to take into account the relationships among electroencephalographic (EEG) sensor/source signals in the form of brain connectivity as an efficient tool of neuroscience. In this review, we briefly report the challenges and limitations of conventional MI-BCIs. Brain connectivity analysis, particularly functional and effective, has been described as one of the most promising approaches for improving MI-BCI performance. An extensive literature on EEG-based MI brain connectivity analysis of healthy subjects is reviewed. We subsequently discuss the brain connectomes during left and right hand, feet, and tongue MI movements. Moreover, key components involved in brain connectivity analysis that considerably affect the results are explained. Finally, possible technical shortcomings that may have influenced the results in previous research are addressed and suggestions are provided.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Brain/physiology*; Electroencephalography/methods*; Electroencephalography/trends; Humans; Imagination/physiology*; Motor Skills/physiology; Nerve Net/physiology*; Psychomotor Performance/physiology*; Imagery (Psychotherapy)/methods; Imagery (Psychotherapy)/trends
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