Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Abu Bakar N, Mohd Sata NS, Ramlan NF, Wan Ibrahim WN, Zulkifli SZ, Che Abdullah CA, et al.
    Neurotoxicol Teratol, 2017 Jan-Feb;59:53-61.
    PMID: 27919701 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2016.11.008
    Chronic exposure to mercury (Hg) can lead to cumulative impairments in motor and cognitive functions including alteration in anxiety responses. Although several risk factors have been identified in recent year, little is known about the environmental factors that either due exposure toward low level of inorganic mercury that may led to the developmental disorders. The present study investigated the effects of embryonic exposure of mercury chloride on motor function and anxiety-like behavior. The embryo exposed to 6 different concentrations of HgCl2 (7.5, 15, 30, 100, 125, 250nM) at 5hpf until hatching (72hpf) in a semi-static condition. The mortality rate increased in a dose dependent manner where the chronic embryonic exposure to 100nM decreased the number of tail coiling, heartbeat, and swimming activity. Aversive stimulus was used to examine the effects of 100nM interferes with the development of anxiety-related behavior. No elevation in both thigmotaxis and avoidance response of 6dpf larvae exposed with 100nM were found. Biochemical analysis showed HgCl2 exposure affects proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids of the zebrafish larvae. These results showed that implication of HgCl2 on locomotor and biochemical defects affects motor performance and anxiety-like responses. Yet, the potential underlying mechanisms these responses need to be further investigated which is crucial to prevent potential hazards on the developing organism due to neurotoxicant exposure.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Avoidance Learning/drug effects*; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Heart Rate/drug effects; Larva/drug effects*; Mercury/toxicity*; Motor Activity/drug effects*; Swimming; Zebrafish
  2. Zhao J, Virani S, Sriplung H
    Health Policy Plan, 2017 Apr 01;32(3):430-436.
    PMID: 27935803 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czw145
    Background: The national cervical cancer screening program in Thailand has been successful in reducing overall burden from this disease. However, evaluation on spatial and temporal scales is needed to assess the efficacy of this program in smaller regions. Here, we geographically assess incidence in a province with a uniquely heterogeneous distribution of lifestyle factors associated with religiosity.

    Methods: Cervical cancer cases were extracted from the provincial cancer registry from 1989 to 2013. Age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated using population statistics from the census bureau and adjusted to the Segi world standard population. Bayesian hierarchical modelling was employed to spatiotemporally map cervical cancer incidence trends in Songkhla province in 5-year period.

    Results: Overall, the incidence of cervical cancer decreased in Songkhla province. The three districts with a Muslim population of greater than 70% had consistently lower cervical cancer rates from 1989 to 2013 compared with the rest of the predominantly Buddhist districts. Hotspots of incidence were identified in Sadao, Hat Yai and the juncture of Mueang Songkhla and Singhanakhon in each 5-year period.

    Conclusions: Distinct cervical cancer incidence trends by religion over time indicate differences in sexual habits, lifestyle and religion-associated culture between Muslims and Buddhists, and suggest divergent risk factor profiles for these groups. The high incidence rates in Sadao and Hat Yai is likely explained by the main road to Malaysia, which runs across these two areas and has frequent commercial sex trade. Female sex workers should be targeted as a vulnerable population for screening efforts to address this continuing burden of cervical cancer.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & control*; Female; Humans; Mass Screening*; Middle Aged; Prostitution; Religion; Risk Factors; Thailand/epidemiology; Incidence; Early Detection of Cancer; Geography, Medical/methods*
  3. Al-Khayal K, Alafeefy A, Vaali-Mohammed MA, Mahmood A, Zubaidi A, Al-Obeed O, et al.
    BMC Cancer, 2017 01 03;17(1):4.
    PMID: 28049506 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-3005-7
    BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3(rd) most common type of cancer worldwide. New anti-cancer agents are needed for treating late stage colorectal cancer as most of the deaths occur due to cancer metastasis. A recently developed compound, 3c has shown to have potent antitumor effect; however the mechanism underlying the antitumor effect remains unknown.

    METHODS: 3c-induced inhibition of proliferation was measured in the absence and presence NAC using MTT in HT-29 and SW620 cells and xCELLigence RTCA DP instrument. 3c-induced apoptotic studies were performed using flow cytometry. 3c-induced redox alterations were measured by ROS production using fluorescence plate reader and flow cytometry and mitochondrial membrane potential by flow cytometry; NADPH and GSH levels were determined by colorimetric assays. Bcl2 family protein expression and cytochrome c release and PARP activation was done by western blotting. Caspase activation was measured by ELISA. Cell migration assay was done using the real time xCELLigence RTCA DP system in SW620 cells and wound healing assay in HT-29.

    RESULTS: Many anticancer therapeutics exert their effects by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we demonstrate that 3c-induced inhibition of cell proliferation is reversed by the antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, suggesting that 3c acts via increased production of ROS in HT-29 cells. This was confirmed by the direct measurement of ROS in 3c-treated colorectal cancer cells. Additionally, treatment with 3c resulted in decreased NADPH and glutathione levels in HT-29 cells. Further, investigation of the apoptotic pathway showed increased release of cytochrome c resulting in the activation of caspase-9, which in turn activated caspase-3 and -6. 3c also (i) increased p53 and Bax expression, (ii) decreased Bcl2 and BclxL expression and (iii) induced PARP cleavage in human colorectal cancer cells. Confirming our observations, NAC significantly inhibited induction of apoptosis, ROS production, cytochrome c release and PARP cleavage. The results further demonstrate that 3c inhibits cell migration by modulating EMT markers and inhibiting TGFβ-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Samd3.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our findings thus demonstrate that 3c disrupts redox balance in colorectal cancer cells and support the notion that this agent may be effective for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

    MeSH terms: Amides/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Cell Movement/drug effects*; Humans; Mitochondria/drug effects; Mitochondria/metabolism; Mitochondria/pathology; Sulfanilic Acids/chemistry*; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Wound Healing/drug effects; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology*; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*; Cytochromes c/metabolism; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects; Caspase 3/metabolism
  4. Das S, Hamsi MA, Kamisah Y, Qodriyah HMS, Othman F, Emran A, et al.
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2017 Sep;30(5):1609-1615.
    PMID: 29084680
    Consumption of corn oil for cooking purpose is gaining popularity. The present study examined the effect of heated corn oil on blood pressure and its possible mechanism in experimental rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups and were fed with the following diets, Group I was fed with basal diet only; whereas group II,III,IV and V were fed with basal diet fortified with 15% (w/w) either fresh, once-heated, five-times-heated or ten-times-heated corn oil, respectively for 16 weeks. Body weight, blood pressure were measured at baseline and weekly interval for 16 weeks. Inflammatory biomarkers which included soluble intracellular adhesion molecules (sICAM), soluble vascular adhesion molecules (sVCAM) and C reactive protein (CRP), were measured at baseline and the end of 16 weeks. The rats were sacrificed and thoracic aorta was taken for measurement of vascular reactivity. There was significant increase in the blood pressure in the groups fed with heated once, five-times (5HCO) and ten-times-heated corn oil (10-HCO) compared to the control. The increase in the blood pressure was associated with an increase in CRP, sICAM and sVCAM, reduction in vasodilatation response to acetylcholine and greater vasoconstriction response to phenylephrine. The results suggest that repeatedly heated corn oil causes elevation in blood pressure, vascular inflammation which impairs vascular reactivity thereby predisposing to hypertension. There is a need to educate people not to consume corn oil in a heated state.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed/toxicity*; Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects*; Aorta, Thoracic/physiopathology; Carrier Proteins/blood; Cooking*; Corn Oil/toxicity*; Hot Temperature; Hypertension/chemically induced*; Hypertension/physiopathology; Inflammation/blood; Inflammation/chemically induced*; Male; Vasoconstriction/drug effects*; Vasodilation/drug effects*; Biomarkers/blood; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Risk Assessment; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/blood; Inflammation Mediators/blood*; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/blood; Arterial Pressure/drug effects*
  5. Ali HS, Khan S, York P, Shah SM, Khan J, Hussain Z, et al.
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2017 Sep;30(5):1635-1643.
    PMID: 29084684
    Drug nanosuspensions have gained tremendous attraction as a platform in drug delivery. In the present work, a nanosuspension was prepared by a wet milling approach in order to increase saturation solubility and dissolution of the water insoluble drug, hydrocortisone. Size of the generated particeles was 290 nm ± 9 nm having a zeta potential of -1.9 mV ± 0.6 mV. Nanosized particles were found to have a rod shape with a narrow particle size distribution (PDI =0.17). Results of differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analyses revealed minor modifications of crystallinity of hydrocortisone following the milling process. Solubility of hydrocortisone was enhanced by nanonization to 875µg/ml ±2.5, an almost 2.9-fold compared to the raw hydrocortisone. Moreover, the nanosuspension formulation substabtially enhanced the dissolution rate of hydrocortisone where >97% of the hydrocortisone was dissolved within 10 minutes opposed to 22.3% for the raw 50% for the raw hydrocortisone and the commercial tablet, respectively. The bioavailability study resulted in AUC 0-9h for HC nanosuspensions (31.50±2.50), which is significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to the AUC 0-9h (14.85±3.25) resulted for HC solution. The nanosuspension was physically stable at room temperature for 24 months.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biological Availability; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Drug Compounding; Drug Stability; Hydrocortisone/administration & dosage; Hydrocortisone/pharmacokinetics; Hydrocortisone/chemistry*; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Rabbits; Solubility; Technology, Pharmaceutical/methods; Crystallography, X-Ray; Pharmaceutical Solutions; Nanotechnology; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanoparticles*; Injections, Intraocular; Drug Liberation
  6. Abbasi MA, Anwar A, Rehman A, Siddiqui SZ, Rubab K, Shah SAA, et al.
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2017 Sep;30(5):1715-1724.
    PMID: 29084694
    Heterocyclic molecules have been frequently investigated to possess various biological activities during the last few decades. The present work elaborates the synthesis and enzymatic inhibition potentials of a series of sulfonamides. A series of 1-arylsulfonyl-4-Phenylpiperazine (3a-n) geared up by the reaction of 1-phenylpiperazine (1) and different (un)substituted alkyl/arylsulfonyl chlorides (2a-n), under defined pH control using water as a reaction medium. The synthesized molecules were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and EI-MS spectral data. The enzyme inhibition study was carried on α-glucosidase, lipoxygenase (LOX), acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and butyryl cholinesterase (BChE) enzymes supported by docking simulation studies and the IC50 values rendered a few of the synthesized molecules as moderate inhibitors of these enzymes where, the compound 3e exhibited comparatively better potency against α-glucosidase enzyme. The synthesized compounds showed weak or no inhibition against LOX, AChE and BChE enzymes.
    MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism; Butyrylcholinesterase/metabolism; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology; Piperazines/chemical synthesis*; Piperazines/pharmacology*; Protein Conformation; Mass Spectrometry; Structure-Activity Relationship; Sulfonamides/chemical synthesis*; Sulfonamides/pharmacology*; Drug Design*; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors/pharmacology; Computer-Aided Design*; Molecular Docking Simulation*; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis*; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Carbon-13 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  7. Shehzadi N, Hussain K, Khan MT, Salman M, Islam M
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2017 Sep;30(5):1767-1777.
    PMID: 29084700
    The absence of chromophore and/or conjugated system, prerequisite for UV and florescent light detection, or absorbance at very low wavelength necessitates the development of simple and reliable methods for the determination of amikacin sulphate. Therefore, the present study describes for the first time dynamics of the drug derivatization using ninhydrin reagent and development and validation of a simple RP-HPLC method, using diode array detector (DAD). The variables such as heating time, heating type, drug-reagent ratio, reagent composition and storage temperature of the derivative were optimized. The analyte and aqueous ninhydrin solution upon heating for 2.00-5.00 min produced the colored drug-derivative which was stable for one month at refrigeration. The derivatized drug (20.00μL) was eluted through a column - Eclipse DB-C18 (5.00 µm, 4.60×150.00 mm), maintained at 25°C- using isocratic mobile phase comprising water and acetonitrile (70:30, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.00 mL/min, and detected at 400 nm. The method was found to be reliable (98.08-100.72% recovery), repeatable (98.02-100.72% intraday accuracy) and reproducible (98.47-101.27% inter day accuracy) with relative standard deviation less than 5%. The results of the present study indicate that the method is easy to perform, specific and sensitive, and suitable to be used for the determination of amikacin sulphate in bulk and pharmaceutical preparations using less expensive/laborious derivatization.
    MeSH terms: Amikacin/analysis*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/analysis*; Calibration; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/standards; Reference Standards; Reproducibility of Results; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase/methods*; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase/standards; Limit of Detection
  8. Zadeh-Ardabili PM, Rad SK, Rad SK, Khazaài H, Sanusi J, Zadeh MH
    Sci Rep, 2017 10 30;7(1):14365.
    PMID: 29085045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14765-3
    Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs following different types of crushes. External and internal outcomes of SCI are including paralysis, cavity, and cyst formation. Effects of dietary derived antioxidants, such as palm vitamin E on central nervous system (CNS) encourage researchers to focus on the potential therapeutic benefits of antioxidant supplements. In the present study, experiments were carried out to evaluate the neuro-protective effect of the palm vitamin E on locomotor function and morphological damages induced SCI. Seventy-two male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were randomly divided into four groups: sham (laminectomy); control (supplemented with the palm vitamin E at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day); untreated-SCI (partial crush, 30-33% for 20 sec); treated-SCI (partial crush, 30-33% for 20 sec supplemented with the palm vitamin E at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day). The treatment with the palm vitamin E significantly improved the hind limb locomotor function, reduced the histopathological changes and the morphological damage in the spinal cord. Also, the palm vitamin E indicated a statistically significant decrease in the oxidative damage indicators, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the treated-SCI compared to the untreated-SCI.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/therapeutic use; Disease Models, Animal; Locomotion/physiology; Male; Spinal Cord/pathology; Spinal Cord Injuries/drug therapy*; Spinal Cord Injuries/physiopathology; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism; Vitamin E/pharmacology*; Vitamin E/therapeutic use*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Oxidative Stress/drug effects; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology; Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use; Dietary Supplements; Recovery of Function/drug effects; Rats
  9. Fan H, Dumont MJ, Simpson BK
    J Food Sci Technol, 2017 Nov;54(12):4000-4008.
    PMID: 29085142 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-017-2864-5
    Gelatin from salmon (Salmo salar) skin with high molecular weight protein chains (α-chains) was extracted using trypsin-aided process. Response surface methodology was used to optimise the extraction parameters. Yield, hydroxyproline content and protein electrophoretic profile via sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of gelatin were used as responses in the optimization study. The optimum conditions were determined as: trypsin concentration at 1.49 U/g; extraction temperature at 45 °C; and extraction time at 6 h 16 min. This response surface optimized model was significant and produced an experimental value (202.04 ± 8.64%) in good agreement with the predicted value (204.19%). Twofold higher yields of gelatin with high molecular weight protein chains were achieved in the optimized process with trypsin treatment when compared to the process without trypsin.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Gelatin; Hydroxyproline; Molecular Weight; Proteins; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Temperature; Time; Trypsin; Seafood; Salmo salar
  10. Ng ZX, Tan WC
    J Food Sci Technol, 2017 Nov;54(12):4100-4111.
    PMID: 29085153 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-017-2885-0
    This study aimed to investigate the effect of four cooking methods with different durations on the in vitro antioxidant activities of five edible mushrooms, namely Agaricus bisporus, Flammulina velutipes, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus eryngii. Among the raw samples, A. bisporus showed the highest total antioxidant activity (reducing power and radical scavenging), total flavonoid, ascorbic acid and water soluble phenolic contents. Short-duration steam cooking (3 min) increased the total flavonoid and ascorbic acid while prolonged pressure cooking (15 min) reduced the water soluble phenolic content in the mushrooms. The retention of antioxidant value in the mushrooms varied with the variety of mushroom after the cooking process. The cooking duration significantly affected the ascorbic acid in the mushrooms regardless of cooking method. To achieve the best antioxidant values, steam cooking was preferred for F. velutipes (1.5 min), P. ostreatus (4.5 min) and L. edodes (4.5 min) while microwave cooking for 1.5 min was a better choice for A. bisporus. Pressure cooked P. eryngii showed the best overall antioxidant value among the cooked samples. Optimised cooking method including pressure cooking could increase the antioxidant values in the edible mushrooms.
    MeSH terms: Agaricus; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Cooking; Flavonoids; Microwaves; Phenols; Steam; Water; Gas Scavengers; Pleurotus; Shiitake Mushrooms; Flammulina
  11. Sarker MSH, Hasan SMK, Ibrahim MN, Aziz NA, Punan MS
    J Food Sci Technol, 2017 Nov;54(12):4129-4134.
    PMID: 29085156 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-017-2856-5
    The influence of drying methods on selected mechanical properties and qualities of MR219 rice variety has been investigated. The results showed significant effects of drying methods on bending strength and head rice yields while the average bending strength of paddy were 28.6-31.8 MPa. The effect of drying methods on apparent modulus of elasticity of rice was not significant (204.5-222.4 MPa). The fracture energy of rice varied significantly under control drying but not with industrial drying methods. Higher temperature in drying by IBD contributed in making the grains tougher, where the effect of FBD temperature was positive toward the development of fracture energy inside rice kernel. IBD at temperature above 40 °C resulted in lower bending strength in rice kernels which affected head rice yield. Two stage paddy drying practices with FBD using temperature of 115-125 °C as first stage is still acceptable, and inclined bed dryer either as single stage or as second stage after FBD should be operated at temperature of <40 °C to maintain head rice yield. The whiteness and milling recovery of rice achieved from different drying methods were comparable.
    MeSH terms: Desiccation; Elasticity; Hot Temperature; Oryza; Temperature; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Plant Structures; Elastic Modulus
  12. Rahman MM, Mahadeva S, Ghoshal UC
    World J Gastroenterol, 2017 Oct 07;23(37):6788-6801.
    PMID: 29085223 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i37.6788
    Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, common in clinic and in the community. It has a significant impact on both society and patients' quality of life. The epidemiology, clinical presentation, and management of IBS may vary in different geographical regions due to differences in diet, gastrointestinal infection, socio-cultural and psycho-social factors, religious and illness beliefs, symptom perception and reporting. Although previous reviews and consensus reports on IBS in Asia have been published, Asia is quite diverse socio-demographically. In this context, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia share some similarities, including: (1) large proportion of the population living in rural areas; (2) rapid development and associated lifestyle changes in urban areas; and (3) dietary, cultural and religious practices. The present review explores the clinical and epidemiological data on IBS from these three major nations in South and South-East Asia. In-depth review of the literature revealed important differences between IBS in the East, as revealed by studies from these three countries, and the West; these include a predominantly rural profile, differences in bowel habit and symptom profile, raising concern with regards to diagnostic criteria and subtyping of IBS, higher dietary fiber consumption, frequent lactose malabsorption, parasitosis, and possible overlap between post-infectious IBS and tropical sprue. Moreover, the current perception on difference in prevalence of the disorder in these countries, as compared to the West, might be related to variation in survey methods.
    MeSH terms: Bangladesh/ethnology; Bangladesh/epidemiology; Mental Disorders/epidemiology*; Chronic Disease/epidemiology; Dietary Fiber/adverse effects; Female; Gastrointestinal Transit; Humans; India/ethnology; India/epidemiology; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*; Intestine, Small/microbiology; Life Style/ethnology*; Malaysia/ethnology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/ethnology; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Rural Health/ethnology*; Sex Factors; Sprue, Tropical/epidemiology*; Comorbidity; Prevalence; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/diagnosis; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/etiology; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/epidemiology*; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy
  13. Mohd Yussup SS, Marzukhi M, Md-Zain BM, Mamat K, Mohd Yusof FZ
    Evol Bioinform Online, 2017;13:1176934317735318.
    PMID: 29085238 DOI: 10.1177/1176934317735318
    The conventional technique such as patrilocality suggests some substantial effects on population diversity. With that, this particular study investigated the paternal line, specifically Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM)-recommended Y-STR markers, namely, DYS19, DYS385, DYS389I/II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS438, and DYS439. These markers were tested to compare 184 Orang Asli individuals from 3 tribes found in Peninsular Malaysia. As a result, the haplotype diversity and the discrimination capacity obtained were 0.9987 and 0.9076, respectively. Besides, the most diverse marker was DYS385b, whereas the least was DYS391. Furthermore, the Senoi and Proto-Malay tribes were found to be the most distant, whereas the Senoi and Negrito clans were almost similar to each other. In addition, the analysis of molecular variance analysis revealed 82% of variance within the population, but only 18% of difference between the tribes. Finally, the phylogenetic trees constructed using Neighbour Joining and UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) displayed several clusters that were tribe specific. With that, future studies are projected to analyse individuals based on more specific sub-tribes.
    MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; DNA; Ethnic Groups; Haplotypes; Humans; Malaysia; Phylogeny; Chromosomes, Human, Y
  14. Menke JM, Ahsan MS, Khoo SP
    Biomark Cancer, 2017;9:1179299X17732007.
    PMID: 29085239 DOI: 10.1177/1179299X17732007
    Signal detection and Bayesian inferential tools were applied to salivary biomarkers to improve screening accuracy and efficiency in detecting oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Potential cancer biomarkers are identified by significant differences in assay concentrations, receiver operating characteristic areas under the curve (AUCs), sensitivity, and specificity. However, the end goal is to report to individual patients their risk of having disease given positive or negative test results. Likelihood ratios (LRs) and Bayes factors (BFs) estimate evidential support and compile biomarker information to optimize screening accuracy. In total, 26 of 77 biomarkers were mentioned as having been tested at least twice in 137 studies and published in 16 summary papers through 2014. Studies represented 10 212 OSCC and 25 645 healthy patients. The measure of biomarker and panel information value was number of biomarkers needed to approximate 100% positive predictive value (PPV). As few as 5 biomarkers could achieve nearly 100% PPV for a disease prevalence of 0.2% when biomarkers were ordered from highest to lowest LR. When sequentially interpreting biomarker tests, high specificity was more important than test sensitivity in achieving rapid convergence toward a high PPV. Biomarkers ranked from highest to lowest LR were more informative and easier to interpret than AUC or Youden index. The proposed method should be applied to more recently published biomarker data to test its screening value.
  15. Hassan U, Farooq I, Moheet IA, AlShwaimi E
    Int J Health Sci (Qassim), 2017 Sep-Oct;11(4):23-27.
    PMID: 29085264
    OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to test cutting efficiency of different materials against conventional alumina in an air abrasion system.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The powder samples were divided into three groups: Group 1 - alumina (control), Group 2 - 45S5 bioactive glass, and Group 3 - hydroxyapatite. 30 microscope glass slides of 0.5 mm thickness were used as an alternative of human enamel and were also divided randomly into these three groups. The time taken by the abrasive particles to cut a hole through the microscope glass slide was recorded with a stop watch. In addition, morphology of the particles was observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A t-test was used to compare the times taken to cut a hole through the microscope glass slides, and the level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

    RESULTS: The mean time taken to cut a hole through the microscope glass slide was 2.96 s and 23.01s for Groups 1 and 2, respectively, whereas powder of Group 3 did not cut after 120 s. The differences between cutting times of Groups 1 and 2 were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The SEM micrographs revealed coarse angular shape for particles of Groups 1 and 2 but Group 3 particles were with round ends and presence of smaller particles was also observed in Groups 2 and 3.

    CONCLUSION: The alumina particles demonstrated excellent cutting efficiency followed by 45S5 particles. The use of bioactive glass particles should be encouraged for cutting purposes whenever a shortage of time for practitioners is not a concern.
    MeSH terms: Aluminum Oxide; Ceramics; Dental Enamel; Glass; Humans; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Durapatite
  16. Catolos M, Sandhu N, Dixit S, Shamsudin NAA, Naredo MEB, McNally KL, et al.
    Front Plant Sci, 2017;8:1763.
    PMID: 29085383 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01763
    Drought is the major abiotic stress to rice grain yield under unpredictable changing climatic scenarios. The widely grown, high yielding but drought susceptible rice varieties need to be improved by unraveling the genomic regions controlling traits enhancing drought tolerance. The present study was conducted with the aim to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain yield and root development traits under irrigated non-stress and reproductive-stage drought stress in both lowland and upland situations. A mapping population consisting of 480 lines derived from a cross between Dular (drought-tolerant) and IR64-21 (drought susceptible) was used. QTL analysis revealed three major consistent-effect QTLs for grain yield (qDTY1.1, qDTY1.3 , and qDTY8.1 ) under non-stress and reproductive-stage drought stress conditions, and 2 QTLs for root traits (qRT9.1 for root-growth angle and qRT5.1 for multiple root traits, i.e., seedling-stage root length, root dry weight and crown root number). The genetic locus qDTY1.1 was identified as hotspot for grain yield and yield-related agronomic and root traits. The study identified significant positive correlations among numbers of crown roots and mesocotyl length at the seedling stage and root length and root dry weight at depth at later stages with grain yield and yield-related traits. Under reproductive stage drought stress, the grain yield advantage of the lines with QTLs ranged from 24.1 to 108.9% under upland and 3.0-22.7% under lowland conditions over the lines without QTLs. The lines with QTL combinations qDTY1.3 +qDTY8.1 showed the highest mean grain yield advantage followed by lines having qDTY1.1 +qDTY8.1 and qDTY1.1 +qDTY8.1 +qDTY1.3 , across upland/lowland reproductive-stage drought stress. The identified QTLs for root traits, mesocotyl length, grain yield and yield-related traits can be immediately deployed in marker-assisted breeding to develop drought tolerant high yielding rice varieties.
  17. Koh RY, Lim FP, Ling LSY, Ng CPL, Liew SF, Yew MY, et al.
    Oncol Lett, 2017 Oct;14(4):4957-4964.
    PMID: 29085507 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6821
    Cancer is a major public health concern not only in developed countries, but also in developing countries. It is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. However, current treatments may cause severe side effects and harm. Therefore, recent research has been focused on identifying alternative therapeutic agents extracted from plant-based sources in order to develop novel treatment options for cancer. Strobilanthes crispa Blume is a plant native to countries including Madagascar and Indonesia. It has been used as an anti-diabetic, diuretic and laxative in traditional folk medicine. Furthermore, S. crispa has potential in treating cancer, as evidenced in previous studies. In the present study, the cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of S. crispa crude extracts were investigated in liver and breast cancer cell lines. Hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, methanol and water extracts prepared from the leaves, and stems of S. crispa were evaluated for their cytotoxicity on HepG-2 and MDA-MB-231 cells using an MTT assay. The anti-proliferative properties of stem hexane (SH) extract on both cell lines were analysed using cell doubling time determination and cell cycle analysis, while the apoptogenic properties was determined through the detection of caspase-8. Among the extracts tested, SH extract exhibited the lowest half maximal inhibitory concentrations in both the cell lines. The SH extract induced morphological changes in HepG-2 and MDA-MB-231 cells, and significantly delayed cell population doubling time. Furthermore, it altered cell cycle profile and significantly increased caspase-8 activity in HepG-2 cells, but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. In conclusion, the SH extract of S. crispa possesses potent anticancer properties and may be a suitable chemotherapeutic target.
    MeSH terms: Methanol; Chloroform; Developing Countries; Diuretics; Hexanes; Humans; Indonesia; Madagascar; Public Health; Water; Developed Countries; Caspase 8; Laxatives
  18. Thu HE, Mohamed IN, Hussain Z, Shuid AN
    Iran J Basic Med Sci, 2017 Aug;20(8):894-904.
    PMID: 29085581 DOI: 10.22038/IJBMS.2017.9111
    OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed to evaluate the time-mannered and dose-dependent effects of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) on the proliferation and differentiation of bone forming cells using MC3T3-E1 cells.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell proliferation was analyzed using MTS and phase contrast microscopic assays. Osteogenic differentiation was assessed through a series of in vitro experiments including crystal violet staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and Van Gieson (VG) staining. Taken together, the efficiency of bone mineralization was examined by using alizarin red s (ARS) staining, Von Kossa staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis.

    RESULTS: The resulting data revealed that 5α-DHT exhibits promising potential particularly at a dose of 0.1 ng/ml, in promoting the growth of MC3T3-E1 cells compared to the control group (CN). Moreover, a significantly higher ALP activity was evident in the experimental group treated with 5α-DHT compared to the CN group at various time intervals. MC3T3-E1 cells treated with 5α-DHT also expressed a remarkably higher collagen deposition and mineralization (calcium and phosphate contents) compared to the CN group at various time intervals.

    CONCLUSION: Conclusively, we suggest that 5α-DHT exhibits outstanding potential of promoting proliferation and differentiation in osteoblasts which could be the in vitro basis for the efficacy of 5α-DHT in the treatment of androgen-deficient male osteoporosis.

    MeSH terms: Alkaline Phosphatase; Anthraquinones; Calcification, Physiologic; Cell Differentiation; Gentian Violet; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Osteoblasts; Osteogenesis; Osteoporosis; Phosphates; Dihydrotestosterone; X-Rays; Control Groups; Cell Proliferation
  19. Usman MS, Hussein MZ, Fakurazi S, Ahmad Saad FF
    Chem Cent J, 2017 May 30;11(1):47.
    PMID: 29086824 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-017-0275-3
    Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrasts remain one of the most accepted contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, which is among the world most recognized noninvasive techniques employed in clinical diagnosis of patients. At ionic state, Gd is considered toxic but less toxic in chelate form. A variety of nano-carriers, including gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) nanoparticles have been used by researchers to improve the T1 and T2 contrasts of MR images. Even more recently, a few researchers have tried to incorporate contrast agents simultaneously with therapeutic agents using single nano-carrier for theranostic applications. The benefit of this concept is to deliver the drugs, such as anticancer drugs and at the same time to observe what happens to the cancerous cells. The delivery of both agents occurs concurrently. In addition, the toxicity of the anticancer drugs as well as the contrast agents will be significantly reduced due to the presence of the nano-carriers. The use of graphene oxide (GO) and layered double hydroxides (LDH) as candidates for this purpose is the subject of current research, due to their low toxicity and biocompatibility, which have the capacity to be used in theranostic researches. We review here, some of the key features of LDH and GO for simultaneous drugs and diagnostic agents delivery systems for use in theranostics applications.
  20. Gholivand S, Lasekan O, Tan CP, Abas F, Wei LS
    Chem Cent J, 2017 May 26;11(1):44.
    PMID: 29086827 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-017-0276-2
    BACKGROUND: Developing an efficient lipophilization reaction system for phenolic derivatives could enhance their applications in food processing. Low solubility of phenolic acids reduces the efficiency of phenolic derivatives in most benign enzyme solvents. The conversion of phenolic acids through esterification alters their solubility and enhances their use as food antioxidant additives as well as their application in cosmetics.

    RESULTS: This study has shown that lipase-catalyzed esterification of dihydrocaffeic acid with hexanol in ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazoliumbis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide) was the best approach for esterification reaction. In order to achieve the maximum yield, the process was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) based on a five-level and four independent variables such as: dosage of enzyme; hexanol/dihydrocaffeic acid mole ratio; temperature and reaction time. The optimum esterification condition (Y = 84.4%) was predicted to be obtained at temperature of 39.4 °C, time of 77.5 h dosage of enzyme at 41.6% and hexanol/dihydrocaffeic acid mole ratio of 2.1.

    CONCLUSION: Finally, this study has produced an efficient enzymatic esterification method for the preparation of hexyl dihydrocaffeate in vitro using a lipase in an ionic liquid system. Concentration of hexanol was the most significant (p 

External Links