Browse publications by year: 2016

  1. Test of Sex Estimation Equations on Carpal Bones in a Northeastern Thai Population
    Laowatthanaphong S, Das S, Phatsara M, Tuamsuk P, Mahakkanukrauh P
    Clin Ter, 2016 Mar-Apr;167(2):29-32.
    PMID: 27212569 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2016.1917
    Sex assessment is an essential step in person identification, both in forensic and anthropological contexts. Many parts of skeletal remains such as skull, pelvis and long bones have been proven to be useful in determining sex. However, literature has shown that short bones such as carpal bones are also sexually dimorphic. In the last few years, there was an unpublished study using lunate, scaphoid and hamate from bone collection in Northern Thailand to create 6 discriminant equations to assess sex. The objective of this study was to investigate the application of those equations in the sample from other parts of Thailand.
    MeSH terms: Pelvis; Lunate Bone; Skull; Thailand; Scaphoid Bone; Hamate Bone; Body Remains
  2. New Method of Age Estimation from Maxillary Sutures Closure in a Thai Population
    Sinthubua A, Theera-Umpon N, Auephanwiriyakul S, Ruengdit S, Das S, Mahakkanukrauh P
    Clin Ter, 2016 Mar-Apr;167(2):33-7.
    PMID: 27212570 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2016.1918
    Age estimation is one of the major components of forensic identification. Cranial suture closure has long been used as indicator for age estimation. Maxillary sutures have been less studied for estimation of age at death because they vary in their timing of closure with age. The purpose of this study was to estimate age by examining 190 Thai skulls with age ranging between 15-93 years from Forensic Osteology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, and Chiang Mai University. Four parts of maxillary suture (incisive, anterior, transverse, and posterior sutures) were investigated the suture obliteration of each suture by computerizing from photograph. The suture were measured by pixel counting.The prediction model which based on the support vector machine (SVM) for regression or support vector regression (SVR) was utilized for data analysis. The results showed high correlation (R2 = 0.9086) between the predicted age and actual age. Plot between actual age group and predicted age in seven groups also revealed high correlation (R2 = 0.9434). These can be implied that we are able to use this SVR model to predict age at death using maxillary suture information.The interesting issue is to further apply this model in more cases to ensure the generalization of the finding. This study is the first attempt to estimate age at death using a new method based on novel analysis which considers a characteristic of relationship between maxillary suture closures with age that are not in linear form. The present study may contribute as a basis knowledge and method for further study of age estimation in archaeological and forensic anthropological contexts, especially when only skull or base of skull are found.
    MeSH terms: Archaeology; Cranial Sutures; Faculty; Maxilla; Sutures; Thailand; Universities; Forensic Anthropology; Skull Base; Osteology; Support Vector Machine
  3. Temperature-dependent effect of percolation and Brownian motion on the thermal conductivity of TiO2-ethanol nanofluids
    Li CC, Hau NY, Wang Y, Soh AK, Feng SP
    Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2016 Jun 01;18(22):15363-8.
    PMID: 27212639 DOI: 10.1039/c6cp00500d
    Ethanol-based nanofluids have attracted much attention due to the enhancement in heat transfer and their potential applications in nanofluid-type fuels and thermal storage. Most research has been conducted on ethanol-based nanofluids containing various nanoparticles in low mass fraction; however, to-date such studies based on high weight fraction of nanoparticles are limited due to the poor stability problem. In addition, very little existing work has considered the inevitable water content in ethanol for the change of thermal conductivity. In this paper, the highly stable and well-dispersed TiO2-ethanol nanofluids of high weight fraction of up to 3 wt% can be fabricated by stirred bead milling, which enables the studies of thermal conductivity of TiO2-ethanol nanofluids over a wide range of operating temperatures. Our results provide evidence that the enhanced thermal conductivity is mainly contributed by the percolation network of nanoparticles at low temperatures, while it is in combination with both Brownian motion and local percolation of nanoparticle clustering at high temperatures.
  4. Fulltext Stenting of vertical vein in an infant with obstructed supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage
    Lim WK, Leong MC, Samion H
    Ann Pediatr Cardiol, 2016 5 24;9(2):183-5.
    PMID: 27212859 DOI: 10.4103/0974-2069.173549
    A 1.7 kg infant with obstructed supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (TAPVD) presented with severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to vertical vein obstruction. The child, in addition, had a large omphalocele that was being managed conservatively. The combination of low weight, unoperated omphalocele, and severe pulmonary hypertension made corrective cardiac surgery very high-risk. Therefore, transcatheter stenting of the stenotic vertical vein, as a bridge to corrective surgery was carried out. The procedure was carried out through the right internal jugular vein (RIJ). The stenotic segment of the vertical vein was stented using a coronary stent. After procedure, the child was discharged well to the referred hospital for weight gain and spontaneous epithelialization of the omphalocele. Stenting of the vertical vein through the internal jugular vein can be considered in very small neonates as a bridge to repair obstructed supracardiac total anomalous venous drainage.
    MeSH terms: Child; Constriction, Pathologic; Drainage; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Hernia, Umbilical; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Jugular Veins; Scimitar Syndrome; Weight Gain; Stents
  5. Fulltext A mouse model of weight-drop closed head injury: emphasis on cognitive and neurological deficiency
    Khalin I, Jamari NL, Razak NB, Hasain ZB, Nor MA, Zainudin MH, et al.
    Neural Regen Res, 2016 Apr;11(4):630-5.
    PMID: 27212925 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.180749
    Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in individuals worldwide. Producing a clinically relevant TBI model in small-sized animals remains fairly challenging. For good screening of potential therapeutics, which are effective in the treatment of TBI, animal models of TBI should be established and standardized. In this study, we established mouse models of closed head injury using the Shohami weight-drop method with some modifications concerning cognitive deficiency assessment and provided a detailed description of the severe TBI animal model. We found that 250 g falling weight from 2 cm height produced severe closed head injury in C57BL/6 male mice. Cognitive disorders in mice with severe closed head injury could be detected using passive avoidance test on day 7 after injury. Findings from this study indicate that weight-drop injury animal models are suitable for further screening of brain neuroprotectants and potentially are similar to those seen in human TBI.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Brain; Cause of Death; Cognition; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Head Injuries, Closed; Neuroprotective Agents; Mice; Brain Injuries, Traumatic
  6. Fulltext Correlation between Focal Nodular Low Signal Changes in Hoffa's Fat Pad Adjacent to Anterior Femoral Cartilage and Focal Cartilage Defect Underlying This Region and Its Possible Implication
    Antony CD, George J, Ng WM, Subramaniam MS
    Scientifica (Cairo), 2016;2016:8675160.
    PMID: 27213085 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8675160
    Purpose. This study investigates the association between focal nodular mass with low signal in Hoffa's fat pad adjacent to anterior femoral cartilage of the knee (FNMHF) and focal cartilage abnormality in this region. Method. The magnetic resonance fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition sequence (MR FIESTA) sagittal and axial images of the B1 and C1 region (described later) of 148 patients were independently evaluated by two reviewers and categorized into four categories: normal, FNMHF with underlying focal cartilage abnormality, FNMHF with normal cartilage, and cartilage abnormality with no FNMHF. Results. There was a significant association (p = 0.00) between FNMHF and immediate adjacent focal cartilage abnormality with high interobserver agreement. The absence of focal nodular lesions next to the anterior femoral cartilage has a very high negative predictive value for chondral injury (97.8%). Synovial biopsy of focal nodular lesion done during arthroscopy revealed some fibrocollagenous tissue and no inflammatory cells. Conclusion. We postulate that the FNMHF adjacent to the cartilage defects is a form of normal healing response to the cartilage damage. One patient with FHMHF and underlying cartilage abnormality was rescanned six months later. In this patient, the FNMHF disappeared and normal cartilage was observed in the adjacent region which may support this theory.
  7. Fulltext Biosimilars in Developed and Developing East and Southeast Asian Countries: Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia-Overview, Evolution, and Regulations Assessment
    Bas TG, Oliu Castillo C
    Biomed Res Int, 2016;2016:5910403.
    PMID: 27213153 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5910403
    The development of biological products has experienced continuous growth over the past three decades. The expiration of patent protection for many biological medicines has led to the development of biosimilars in many countries around the world. This paper reviews the literature on biosimilar drugs and covers their therapeutic status, clinical trials, approved biosimilars, and regulatory guidelines in Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. The literature suggests that biosimilars are comparable but not identical to the reference product. They are not a generic version of an innovative product and do not ensure therapeutic equivalence. Biosimilars present more challenges than conventional generics and their marketing approval is also much more complicated. Guidelines for biosimilars were published in Japan in July 2009 by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), in South Korea in March 2009 by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), and in Malaysia in July 2008 by the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (NPCB).
    MeSH terms: Government Agencies/legislation & jurisprudence*; Humans; Japan; Malaysia; Pharmacology, Clinical/legislation & jurisprudence; Drugs, Generic/therapeutic use*; Drug Approval/legislation & jurisprudence*; Guidelines as Topic; Republic of Korea; Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals/therapeutic use*
  8. Fulltext Antibacterial Activity of Ciprofloxacin-Encapsulated Cockle Shells Calcium Carbonate (Aragonite) Nanoparticles and Its Biocompatability in Macrophage J774A.1
    Isa T, Zakaria ZA, Rukayadi Y, Mohd Hezmee MN, Jaji AZ, Imam MU, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2016;17(5).
    PMID: 27213349 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17050713
    The use of nanoparticle delivery systems to enhance intracellular penetration of antibiotics and their retention time is becoming popular. The challenge, however, is that the interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems at the cellular level must be established prior to biomedical applications. Ciprofloxacin-cockle shells-derived calcium carbonate (aragonite) nanoparticles (C-CSCCAN) were developed and characterized. Antibacterial activity was determined using a modified disc diffusion protocol on Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). Biocompatibilittes with macrophage were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assays. Transcriptional regulation of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) was determined using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). C-CSCCAN were spherical in shape, with particle sizes ranging from 11.93 to 22.12 nm. Encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading content (LC) were 99.5% and 5.9%, respectively, with negative ζ potential. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed strong crystallizations and purity in the formulations. The mean diameter of inhibition zone was 18.6 ± 0.5 mm, which was better than ciprofloxacin alone (11.7 ± 0.9 mm). Study of biocompatability established the cytocompatability of the delivery system without upregulation of IL-1β. The results indicated that ciprofloxacin-nanoparticles enhanced the antibacterial efficacy of the antibiotic, and could act as a suitable delivery system against intracellular infections.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Line; Macrophages/metabolism*; Materials Testing*; Mice; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  9. Fulltext Evaluating Crossbred Red Rice Variants for Postprandial Glucometabolic Responses: A Comparison with Commercial Varieties
    Se CH, Chuah KA, Mishra A, Wickneswari R, Karupaiah T
    Nutrients, 2016 May 20;8(5).
    PMID: 27213446 DOI: 10.3390/nu8050308
    Consumption of white rice predisposes some Asian populations to increased risk of type 2 diabetes. We compared the postprandial glucometabolic responses to three newly-developed crossbred red rice variants (UKMRC9, UKMRC10, UKMRC11) against three selected commercial rice types (Thai red, Basmati white, Jasmine white) using 50-g carbohydrate equivalents provided to 12 normoglycaemic adults in a crossover design. Venous blood was drawn fasted and postprandially for three hours. Glycaemic (GI) and insulin (II) indices, incremental areas-under-the-curves for glucose and insulin (IAUCins), indices of insulin sensitivity and secretion, lactate and peptide hormones (motilin, neuropeptide-Y, orexin-A) were analyzed. The lowest to highest trends for GI and II were similar i.e., UKMRC9 < Basmati < Thai red < UKMRC10 < UKMRC11 < Jasmine. Postprandial insulinaemia and IAUCins of only UKMRC9 were significantly the lowest compared to Jasmine. Crude protein and fiber content correlated negatively with the GI values of the test rice. Although peptide hormones were not associated with GI and II characteristics of test rice, early and late phases of prandial neuropeptide-Y changes were negatively correlated with postprandial insulinaemia. This study indicated that only UKMRC9 among the new rice crossbreeds could serve as an alternative cereal option to improve diet quality of Asians with its lowest glycaemic and insulinaemic burden.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Blood Glucose/metabolism*; Cooking; Crosses, Genetic*; Dietary Carbohydrates/administration & dosage; Dietary Carbohydrates/metabolism*; Female; Humans; Insulin/blood*; Insulin Resistance; Malaysia; Male; Nutritive Value; Oryza/genetics*; Time Factors; Biomarkers/blood; Cross-Over Studies; Lactic Acid/blood; Postprandial Period*; Plants, Genetically Modified*; Food, Genetically Modified*; Peptide Hormones/blood; Glycemic Index*; Young Adult
  10. Forensic timber identification: a case study of a CITES listed species, Gonystylus bancanus (Thymelaeaceae)
    Ng KKS, Lee SL, Tnah LH, Nurul-Farhanah Z, Ng CH, Lee CT, et al.
    Forensic Sci Int Genet, 2016 07;23:197-209.
    PMID: 27213560 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2016.05.002
    Illegal logging and smuggling of Gonystylus bancanus (Thymelaeaceae) poses a serious threat to this fragile valuable peat swamp timber species. Using G. bancanus as a case study, DNA markers were used to develop identification databases at the species, population and individual level. The species level database for Gonystylus comprised of an rDNA (ITS2) and two cpDNA (trnH-psbA and trnL) markers based on a 20 Gonystylus species database. When concatenated, taxonomic species recognition was achieved with a resolution of 90% (18 out of the 20 species). In addition, based on 17 natural populations of G. bancanus throughout West (Peninsular Malaysia) and East (Sabah and Sarawak) Malaysia, population and individual identification databases were developed using cpDNA and STR markers respectively. A haplotype distribution map for Malaysia was generated using six cpDNA markers, resulting in 12 unique multilocus haplotypes, from 24 informative intraspecific variable sites. These unique haplotypes suggest a clear genetic structuring of West and East regions. A simulation procedure based on the composition of the samples was used to test whether a suspected sample conformed to a given regional origin. Overall, the observed type I and II errors of the databases showed good concordance with the predicted 5% threshold which indicates that the databases were useful in revealing provenance and establishing conformity of samples from West and East Malaysia. Sixteen STRs were used to develop the DNA profiling databases for individual identification. Bayesian clustering analyses divided the 17 populations into two main genetic clusters, corresponding to the regions of West and East Malaysia. Population substructuring (K=2) was observed within each region. After removal of bias resulting from sampling effects and population subdivision, conservativeness tests showed that the West and East Malaysia databases were conservative. This suggests that both databases can be used independently for random match probability estimation within respective regions. The reliability of the databases was further determined by independent self-assignment tests based on the likelihood of each individual's multilocus genotype occurring in each identified population, genetic cluster and region with an average percentage of correctly assigned individuals of 54.80%, 99.60% and 100% respectively. Thus, after appropriate validation, the genetic identification databases developed for G. bancanus in this study could support forensic applications and help safeguard this valuable species into the future.
    MeSH terms: Conservation of Natural Resources/legislation & jurisprudence*; Crime; Genetic Markers*; Humans; Malaysia; Cluster Analysis; DNA Fingerprinting*; Microsatellite Repeats*; Thymelaeaceae/genetics*; Databases, Genetic; Forensic Genetics; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic
  11. Fulltext Meta-Analysis of Dengue Severity during Infection by Different Dengue Virus Serotypes in Primary and Secondary Infections
    Soo KM, Khalid B, Ching SM, Chee HY
    PLoS One, 2016;11(5):e0154760.
    PMID: 27213782 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154760
    INTRODUCTION: Dengue virus (DENV) infection is currently a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world; it has become more common and virulent over the past half-century and has gained much attention. Thus, this review compared the percentage of severe cases of both primary and secondary infections with different serotypes of dengue virus.

    METHODS: Data related to the number of cases involving dengue fever (DF), dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), dengue shock syndrome (DSS) or severe dengue infections caused by different serotypes of dengue virus were obtained by using the SCOPUS, the PUBMED and the OVID search engines with the keywords "(dengue* OR dengue virus*) AND (severe dengue* OR severity of illness index* OR severity* OR DF* OR DHF* OR DSS*) AND (serotypes* OR serogroup*)", according to the MESH terms suggested by PUBMED and OVID.

    RESULTS: Approximately 31 studies encompassing 15,741 cases reporting on the dengue serotypes together with their severity were obtained, and meta-analysis was carried out to analyze the data. This study found that DENV-3 from the Southeast Asia (SEA) region displayed the greatest percentage of severe cases in primary infection (95% confidence interval (CI), 31.22-53.67, 9 studies, n = 598, I2 = 71.53%), whereas DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 from the SEA region, as well as DENV-2 and DENV-3 from non-SEA regions, exhibited the greatest percentage of severe cases in secondary infection (95% CI, 11.64-80.89, 4-14 studies, n = 668-3,149, I2 = 14.77-96.20%). Moreover, DENV-2 and DENV-4 from the SEA region had been found to be more highly associated with dengue shock syndrome (DSS) (95% CI, 10.47-40.24, 5-8 studies, n = 642-2,530, I2 = 76.93-97.70%), while DENV-3 and DENV-4 from the SEA region were found to be more highly associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) (95% CI, 31.86-54.58, 9 studies, n = 674-2,278, I2 = 55.74-88.47%), according to the 1997 WHO dengue classification. Finally, DENV-2 and DENV-4 from the SEA region were discovered to be more highly associated with secondary infection compared to other serotypes (95% CI, 72.01-96.32, 9-12 studies, n = 671-2,863, I2 = 25.01-96.75%).

    CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that the presence of certain serotypes, including primary infection with DENV-3 from the SEA region and secondary infection with DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 also from the SEA region, as well as DENV-2 and DENV-3 from non SEA regions, increased the risk of severe dengue infections. Thus, these serotypes are worthy of special consideration when making clinical predictions upon the severity of the infection.

    SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015026093 (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO).

    MeSH terms: Dengue/virology*; Dengue Virus/classification*; Dengue Virus/genetics; Dengue Virus/immunology; Humans; Recurrence; Severity of Illness Index; Severe Dengue/virology*; Molecular Typing; Serogroup
  12. The value of adjuvant radiotherapy on survival and recurrence in triple-negative breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 5507 patients
    O'Rorke MA, Murray LJ, Brand JS, Bhoo-Pathy N
    Cancer Treat. Rev., 2016 Jun;47:12-21.
    PMID: 27214603 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2016.05.001
    BACKGROUND: The value of adjuvant radiotherapy in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in TNBC patients to assess survival and recurrence outcomes associated with radiotherapy following either breast conserving therapy (BCT) or post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT).
    METHODS: Four electronic databases were searched from January 2000 to November 2015 (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science). Studies investigating overall survival and/or recurrence in TNBC patients according to radiotherapy administration were included. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted using mastectomy only patients as the reference.
    RESULTS: Twelve studies were included. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for locoregional recurrence comparing BCT and PMRT to mastectomy only was 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.90) and 0.62 (95% CI 0.44-0.86), respectively. Adjuvant radiotherapy was not significantly associated with distant recurrence. The pooled HR for overall survival comparing BCT and PMRT to mastectomy only was 0.57 (95% CI 0.36-0.88) and HR 1.12 (95% CI 0.75, 1.69). Comparing PMRT to mastectomy only, tests for interaction were not significant for stage (p=0.98) or age at diagnosis (p=0.85). However, overall survival was improved in patients with late-stage disease (T3-4, N2-3) pooled HR 0.53 (95% CI 0.32-0.86), and women <40years, pooled HR 0.30 (95% CI 0.11-0.82).
    CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with a significantly lower risk of locoregional recurrence in TNBC patients, irrespective of the type of surgery. While radiotherapy was not consistently associated with an overall survival gain, benefits may be obtained in women with late-stage disease and younger patients.
  13. Erratum: 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 May 23;16(1):95.
    PMID: 27215275
  14. Whole-genome sequencing in the prediction of antimicrobial resistance
    Chan KG
    Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther, 2016 07;14(7):617-9.
    PMID: 27215476 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2016.1193005
  15. Associations of urinary sodium excretion with cardiovascular events in individuals with and without hypertension: a pooled analysis of data from four studies
    Mente A, O'Donnell M, Rangarajan S, Dagenais G, Lear S, McQueen M, et al.
    Lancet, 2016 Jul 30;388(10043):465-75.
    PMID: 27216139 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30467-6
    BACKGROUND: Several studies reported a U-shaped association between urinary sodium excretion and cardiovascular disease events and mortality. Whether these associations vary between those individuals with and without hypertension is uncertain. We aimed to explore whether the association between sodium intake and cardiovascular disease events and all-cause mortality is modified by hypertension status.

    METHODS: In this pooled analysis, we studied 133,118 individuals (63,559 with hypertension and 69,559 without hypertension), median age of 55 years (IQR 45-63), from 49 countries in four large prospective studies and estimated 24-h urinary sodium excretion (as group-level measure of intake). We related this to the composite outcome of death and major cardiovascular disease events over a median of 4.2 years (IQR 3.0-5.0) and blood pressure.

    FINDINGS: Increased sodium intake was associated with greater increases in systolic blood pressure in individuals with hypertension (2.08 mm Hg change per g sodium increase) compared with individuals without hypertension (1.22 mm Hg change per g; pinteraction<0.0001). In those individuals with hypertension (6835 events), sodium excretion of 7 g/day or more (7060 [11%] of population with hypertension: hazard ratio [HR] 1.23 [95% CI 1.11-1.37]; p<0.0001) and less than 3 g/day (7006 [11%] of population with hypertension: 1.34 [1.23-1.47]; p<0.0001) were both associated with increased risk compared with sodium excretion of 4-5 g/day (reference 25% of the population with hypertension). In those individuals without hypertension (3021 events), compared with 4-5 g/day (18,508 [27%] of the population without hypertension), higher sodium excretion was not associated with risk of the primary composite outcome (≥ 7 g/day in 6271 [9%] of the population without hypertension; HR 0.90 [95% CI 0.76-1.08]; p=0.2547), whereas an excretion of less than 3 g/day was associated with a significantly increased risk (7547 [11%] of the population without hypertension; HR 1.26 [95% CI 1.10-1.45]; p=0.0009).

    INTERPRETATION: Compared with moderate sodium intake, high sodium intake is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and death in hypertensive populations (no association in normotensive population), while the association of low sodium intake with increased risk of cardiovascular events and death is observed in those with or without hypertension. These data suggest that lowering sodium intake is best targeted at populations with hypertension who consume high sodium diets.

    FUNDING: Full funding sources listed at end of paper (see Acknowledgments).

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Blood Pressure*; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology*; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control; Diet, Sodium-Restricted*; Female; Humans; Hypertension/complications*; Hypertension/diet therapy*; Hypertension/physiopathology; Hypertension/urine; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Sodium/urine*; Sodium, Dietary/administration & dosage*; Global Health; Risk Assessment
  16. Fulltext Confronting the HIV, Tuberculosis, Addiction, and Incarceration Syndemic in Southeast Asia: Lessons Learned from Malaysia
    Culbert GJ, Pillai V, Bick J, Al-Darraji HA, Wickersham JA, Wegman MP, et al.
    J Neuroimmune Pharmacol, 2016 09;11(3):446-55.
    PMID: 27216260 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-016-9676-7
    Throughout Southeast Asia, repressive drug laws have resulted in high rates of imprisonment in people who inject drugs (PWID) and people living with HIV (PLH), greatly magnifying the harm associated with HIV, tuberculosis, and addiction. We review findings from Malaysia's largest prison to describe the negative synergistic effects of HIV, tuberculosis, addiction, and incarceration that contribute to a 'perfect storm' of events challenging public and personal health and offer insights into innovative strategies to control these converging epidemics. The majority of PLH who are imprisoned in Malaysia are opioid dependent PWID. Although promoted by official policy, evidence-based addiction treatment is largely unavailable, contributing to rapid relapse and/or overdose after release. Similarly, HIV treatment in prisons and compulsory drug treatment centers is sometimes inadequate or absent. The prevalence of active tuberculosis is high, particularly in PLH, and over 80 % of prisoners and prison personnel are latently infected. Mandatory HIV testing and subsequent segregation of HIV-infected prisoners increases the likelihood of tuberculosis acquisition and progression to active disease, amplifying the reservoir of infection for other prisoners. We discuss strategies to control these intersecting epidemics including screening linked to standardized treatment protocols for all three conditions, and effective transitional programs for released prisoners. For example, recently introduced evidence-based interventions in prisons like antiretroviral therapy (ART) to treat HIV, isoniazid preventive therapy to treat latent tuberculosis infection, and methadone maintenance to treat opioid dependence, have markedly improved clinical care and reduced morbidity and mortality. Since introduction of these interventions in September 2012, all-cause and HIV-related mortality have decreased by 50.0 % and 75.7 %, respectively. We discuss the further deployment of these interventions in Malaysian prisons.
    MeSH terms: Criminal Behavior*; Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Criminal Law/methods; Criminal Law/trends; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Tuberculosis/epidemiology*; Tuberculosis/therapy; HIV Infections/epidemiology*; HIV Infections/therapy; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology*; Substance-Related Disorders/therapy
  17. Fulltext Germinated brown rice ameliorates obesity in high-fat diet induced obese rats
    Lim SM, Goh YM, Mohtarrudin N, Loh SP
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016 May 23;16:140.
    PMID: 27216718 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1116-y
    Germinated brown rice (GBR) is a novel functional food that is high in fiber and bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties. This study aims to evaluate anti-obesity effects of GBR in obese rats fed high-fat diet (HFD).
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed; Edible Grain*; Male; Obesity/diet therapy*; Oryza*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Germination; Rats; Diet, High-Fat
  18. Fulltext Antiviral and virucidal activities of Duabanga grandiflora leaf extract against Pseudorabies virus in vitro
    Malik FZ, Allaudin ZN, Loh HS, Nee TK, Hani H, Abdullah R
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016 May 23;16:139.
    PMID: 27216794 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1120-2
    Duabanga grandiflora or known in Malaysia as Berembang Bukit, Megawasih, or Pedada Bukit, is a native plant of the Southeast Asian countries. In this study, the anti-viral properties of D. grandiflora were investigated.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology*; Antiviral Agents/toxicity; Cercopithecus aethiops; Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral/drug effects; Cytotoxins/pharmacology; Cytotoxins/toxicity; Malaysia; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/toxicity; Herpesvirus 1, Suid/drug effects*; Vero Cells; Virus Replication/drug effects; Plant Leaves; Lythraceae/chemistry*
  19. Review: the Multiple Roles of Monocytic Microparticles
    Halim AT, Ariffin NA, Azlan M
    Inflammation, 2016 Aug;39(4):1277-84.
    PMID: 27216803 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-016-0381-8
    Monocytic microparticles (mMP) are microparticles derived from human monocytes either under in vivo or in vitro conditions. The size of mMP is between 0.1 and 1.0 μm. Apart from the size range, mMPs are also identified based on phosphatidylserine and CD14 expression on their surface, though this is not always the case. Monocytic MP are critical players in inflammation, endothelial cell function, and blood coagulation. They exhibit dual function by either helping the progression of such conditions or limiting it, depending on certain factors. Furthermore, the numbers of mMP are elevated in some autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and metabolic disorders. However, it is unknown whether mMP play an active role in these diseases or are simply biomarkers. The mechanism of mMP modulation is yet to be identified. In this review, we highlight the mechanism of mMP formation and the roles that they play in inflammation, blood coagulation, and different disease settings.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Blood Coagulation; Humans; Inflammation; Monocytes/ultrastructure*; Endothelial Cells; Cell-Derived Microparticles/physiology*
  20. Physio-chemical, microbiological properties of tempoyak and molecular characterisation of lactic acid bacteria isolated from tempoyak
    Chuah LO, Shamila-Syuhada AK, Liong MT, Rosma A, Thong KL, Rusul G
    Food Microbiol, 2016 Sep;58:95-104.
    PMID: 27217364 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2016.04.002
    This study aims to determine physio-chemical properties of tempoyak, characterise the various indigenous species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present at different stages of fermentation and also to determine the survival of selected foodborne pathogens in tempoyak. The predominant microorganisms present in tempoyak were LAB (8.88-10.42 log CFU/g). Fructobacillus durionis and Lactobacillus plantarum were the dominant members of LAB. Other LAB species detected for the first time in tempoyak were a fructophilic strain of Lactobacillus fructivorans, Leuconostoc dextranicum, Lactobacillus collinoides and Lactobacillus paracasei. Heterofermentative Leuconostoc mesenteroides and F. durionis were predominant in the initial stage of fermentation, and as fermentation proceeded, F. durionis remained predominant, but towards the end of fermentation, homofermentative Lb. plantarum became the predominant species. Lactic, acetic and propionic acids were present in concentrations ranging from 0.30 to 9.65, 0.51 to 7.14 and 3.90 to 7.31 mg/g, respectively. Genotyping showed a high degree of diversity among F. durionis and Lb. plantarum isolates, suggesting different sources of LAB. All tested Lb. plantarum and F. durionis (except for one isolate) isolates were multidrug resistant. Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected. However, survival study showed that these pathogens could survive up to 8-12 days. The results aiming at improving the quality and safety of tempoyak.
    MeSH terms: Condiments/microbiology*; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Fermentation; Food Microbiology; Fruit/metabolism; Genotype; Lactobacillaceae/genetics; Lactobacillaceae/isolation & purification*; Lactobacillus/genetics; Lactobacillus/isolation & purification*; Leuconostoc/genetics; Leuconostoc/isolation & purification; Lactic Acid/metabolism*; Bombacaceae/metabolism*; Lactobacillus plantarum/genetics; Lactobacillus plantarum/isolation & purification
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