Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Fakhar I, Yamin BM, Hasbullah SA
    Chem Cent J, 2017 Aug 04;11(1):76.
    PMID: 29086858 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-017-0304-2
    Two new symmetrical bis-thiourea, 2,2'-[{(terephthaloylbis(azanediyl)bis(carbonothioyl) bis(azanediyl)}dipropanoic acid] (1A) and 3,3'-[{(terephthaloylbis(azanediyl)bis (carbonothioyl)bis(azanediyl)} dipropanoic acid] (1B) were synthesized by the reaction of terephthaloyl chloride with α- and β-alanine in good yields. Their binding properties were investigated with various metal cations using UV-Vis titration experiments. Both isomers exhibited effective binding with Ag(+), Cu(2+), Hg(2+), Pb(2+), Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) cations. However, in the presence of other cations, such as Na(+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Mn(2+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sn(2+), Al(3+), and anions tetrabutylammonium Cl(-) and H2PO4(-), no interaction occurred. Both isomers displayed similar trends towards binding with metal cations.
  2. Kumar S, Lim SM, Ramasamy K, Vasudevan M, Shah SAA, Selvaraj M, et al.
    Chem Cent J, 2017 Sep 18;11(1):89.
    PMID: 29086867 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-017-0322-0
    BACKGROUND: Heterocyclic pyrimidine nucleus, which is an essential base component of the genetic material of deoxyribonucleic acid, demonstrated various biological activities. A series of bis-pyrimidine Schiff bases were synthesized and screened for its antimicrobial and anticancer potentials. The molecular docking study was carried to find the interaction between active molecules with receptor.

    RESULTS: The structures of synthesized bis-pyrimidine Schiff bases were confirmed by spectral studies. The synthesized bis-pyrimidine derivatives were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity (MIC = µmol/mL) against selected Gram positive; Gram negative bacterial and fungal strains by tube dilution method. The anticancer activity (IC50 = µmol/mL) of the synthesized compounds was determined against human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) cancer cell line by Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Molecular docking studies provided information regarding the binding mode of active bis-pyrimidine Schiff bases with the cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) receptor.

    CONCLUSIONS: The antimicrobial screening results indicated that compounds, q1 (MICbs = 0.83 µmol/mL), q16 (MICan = 1.54 µmol/mL and MICec = 0.77 µmol/mL), q1 and q19 (MICca = 0.41 µmol/mL) and q20 (MIC = 0.36 µmol/mL) are the most active ones. Compounds q1 (IC50 = 0.18 µmol/mL) have emerged as potent anticancer molecule against human colorectal carcinoma cancer cell line than the reference drug, 5-fluorouracil. Molecular docking studies indicated that compound q1 (the most active molecule) has the maximum hydrogen bond interaction (four) and π-π stacking (three) network among the bis-pyrimidine Schiff bases. Graphical abstract Graphical illustration of predicted binding mode of bis-pyrimidine Schiff bases in the active site of CDK8. a. Compound 1 (magenta color), b. Compound 5 (green color), c. Compound 8 (red color), d. Compound 13 (split pea color).

  3. Azahar NF, Gani SSA, Mohd Mokhtar NF
    Chem Cent J, 2017 Oct 02;11(1):96.
    PMID: 29086882 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-017-0324-y
    This study focused on maximizing the extraction yield of total phenolics and flavonoids from Curcuma Zedoaria leaves as a function of time (80-120 min), temperature (60-80 °C) and ethanol concentration (70-90 v/v%). The data were subjected to response surface methodology (RSM) and the results showed that the polynomial equations for all models were significant, did not show lack of fit, and presented adjusted determination coefficients (R(2)) above 99%, proving their suitability for prediction purposes. Using desirability function, the optimum operating conditions to attain a higher extraction of phenolics and flavonoids was found to be 75 °C, 92 min of extraction time and 90:10 of ethanol concentration ratios. Under these optimal conditions, the experimental values for total phenolics and flavonoids of Curcuma zedoaria leaves were 125.75 ± 0.17 mg of gallic acid equivalents and 6.12 ± 0.23 mg quercetin/g of extract, which closely agreed with the predicted values. Besides, in this study, the leaves from Curcuma zedoaria could be considered to have the strong antioxidative ability and can be used in various cosmeceuticals or medicinal applications.
  4. Che Sulaiman IS, Basri M, Fard Masoumi HR, Chee WJ, Ashari SE, Ismail M
    Chem Cent J, 2017 Jun 14;11(1):54.
    PMID: 29086900 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-017-0285-1
    BACKGROUND: Clinacanthus nutans Lindau is a well-known plant, native to tropical Asian countries. Reports on this plant that is rich in phenolic compounds have focused on its therapeutic anti-inflammatory, anti-herpes simplex, antioxidant, and anti-cancer characteristics. In this paper, the influence of the extraction parameters-temperatures (60-80 °C), times (80-120 min), and solvent ratios (70:30-90:10) of water:ethanol were investigated using response surface methodology in order to determine the optimum extraction conditions that could produce maximum extraction yields of the phenolic compounds and the highest anti-radical activity of the C. nutans extract.

    RESULTS: The optimum conditions suggested by the predicted model were: an extraction temperature of 60 °C, an extraction time of 120 min and a water:ethanol solvent ratio of 90:10 v/v%. The residual standard error of 0.2% indicated that there was no significant difference between the actual and predicted values and it proved that the models were adequate to predict the relevant responses. All the independent variables had a significant effect (p 

  5. Kumar S, Lim SM, Ramasamy K, Vasudevan M, Shah SAA, Narasimhan B
    Chem Cent J, 2017 Aug 08;11(1):80.
    PMID: 29086907 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-017-0312-2
    BACKGROUND: In the past few years, increased resistance of microorganisms towards antimicrobial agents become a serious health problem, so there is a need for the discovery of new antimicrobial agents. On the other hand, bis-pyrimidines possess various types of biological activity. In view of this, in the present study we have designed and synthesized a new series of bis-pyrimidine acetamides by Claisen-Schmidt condensation and screened for its in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer activities.

    RESULTS: The synthesized bis-pyrimidine acetamide derivatives were confirmed by IR, (1)H/(13)C-NMR, Mass spectral studies as well C, H, N analyses. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial potential against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis); Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica) bacterial and fungal (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) strains by tube dilution technique and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) recorded in µmol/mL was comparable to reference drugs, cefadroxil (antibacterial) and fluconazole (antifungal). The in vitro anticancer activity (IC50 value) determined against human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) cancer cell line by Sulforhodamine B (SRB) technique and 5-fluorouracil used as reference drug.

    CONCLUSIONS: The biological study demonstrated that compounds 3, 13, 16, 17 and 18 were found to be most active antimicrobial agents with best MIC values than the cefadroxil (antibacterial) and fluconazole (antifungal) and compounds 12, 16 and 18 found to have better anticancer activity against human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) cancer cell line with best IC50 value than the 5-fluorouracil (anticancer). Graphical abstract SAR of bis-pyrimidine acetamides.

  6. Sadaphule R, Chaubal T, Bapat R, Wadkar P
    QJM, 2017 Oct 01;110(10):685.
    PMID: 29087529 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcx132
  7. Chong KW, Yeap JS, Lim SH, Weber JF, Low YY, Kam TS
    J Nat Prod, 2017 11 22;80(11):3014-3024.
    PMID: 29087707 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00621
    Reexamination of the absolute configuration of recently isolated eburnane alkaloids from Malaysian Kopsia and Leuconotis species by X-ray diffraction analysis and ECD/TDDFT has revealed the existence of biosynthetic enantiodivergence. Three different scenarios are discerned with respect to the composition of the enantiomeric eburnane alkaloids in these plants: first, where the new eburnane congeners possess the same C-20, C-21 absolute configurations as the common eburnane alkaloids (eburnamonine, eburnamine, isoeburnamine, eburnamenine) occurring in the same plant; second, where the new eburnane congeners possess opposite or enantiomeric C-20, C-21 absolute configurations compared to the common eburnane alkaloids found in the same plant; and, third, where the four common eburnane alkaloids were isolated as racemic or scalemic mixtures, while the new eburnane congeners were isolated as pure enantiomers with a common C-20, C-21 configuration (20α, 21α). Additionally, the same Kopsia species (K. pauciflora) found in two different geographical locations (Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo) showed different patterns in the composition of the enantiomeric eburnane alkaloids. Revision of the absolute configurations of a number of new eburnane congeners (previously assigned based on the assumption of a common biogenetic origin to that of the known eburnane alkaloids co-occurring in the same plant) is required based on the present results.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Borneo; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Stereoisomerism; Vinca Alkaloids/chemistry; Molecular Structure; Crystallography, X-Ray; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; Indole Alkaloids/isolation & purification*; Indole Alkaloids/metabolism; Indole Alkaloids/chemistry; Apocynaceae/chemistry*
  8. Olesen AP, Amin L, Mahadi Z
    Account Res, 2017;24(8):469-482.
    PMID: 29087734 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2017.1399358
    Based on a previous survey by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) in the USA, a considerable number of foreign research scientists have been found guilty of research misconduct. However, it remains unclear as to whether or not cultural factors really contribute to research misconduct. This study is based on a series of interviews with Malaysian researchers from the local universities regarding their own professional experiences involving working with researchers or research students from different countries or of different nationalities. Most of the researchers interviewed agreed that cultures do shape individual character, which influences the way that such individuals conduct research, their decision-making, and their style of academic writing. Our findings also showed that working culture within the institution also influences research practices, as well as faculty mentorship of the younger generation of researchers. Given the fact such misconduct might be due to a lack of understanding of research or working cultures or practices within the institution, the impact on the scientific community and on society could be destructive. Therefore, it is suggested that the institution has an important role to play in orienting foreign researchers through training, mentoring, and discussion with regard to the "does" and "don'ts" related to research, and to provide them with an awareness of the importance of ethics when it comes to conducting research.
    MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*; Decision Making; Humans; Malaysia; Mentors; Research Personnel/ethics*; Organizational Culture; Scientific Misconduct/ethics*; Internationality*
  9. Flaherty GT, Maxemous KK, Nossier RE, Bui YG
    J Travel Med, 2017 Sep 01;24(6).
    PMID: 29088481 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tax068
  10. Go, S.K., Chia, S.L., Tan, C.P., Chong, G.H.
    MyJurnal
    Traditional drying methods involve high temperatures that degrade heat-sensitive compounds.
    Dehumidified-air drying, an alternative to traditional drying methods, is suitable for heatsensitive
    compounds; however, it consumes a large amount of energy and is comparatively
    expensive. In this study, a multi-chamber dehumidified-air dryer was designed to dry Hydrocotyle
    bonariensis, and the retention of the polyphenol content of Hydrocotyle bonariensis under
    various drying conditions was examined. Multi-chamber dehumidified-air drying involves two
    chambers; each chamber was operated at temperatures of 30, 40, and 50o
    C with air volumetric
    flow rates of 30 and 50 L/min. The results indicated that the highest retention of total phenolic
    content and total flavonoid content, 24.67 mg of GAE/g dry weight (DW) and 2.204 mg of
    catechin/g DW, respectively, was obtained at 50o
    C with a 50 L/min air flow rate in the first
    drying chamber. Multi-stage dehumidified-air dryers have the potential to dry heat-sensitive
    products with reduced energy consumption.
  11. Azemi, W.A.W.M., Samsudin, N.A., Halim, N.R.A., Sarbon, N.M.
    MyJurnal
    This study determined the antioxidant and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory
    activity of fractionated (3, 5, 10kDa) eel protein hydrolysate (EPH), which was prepared
    enzymatically using alcalase. The bioactivities observed were reducing power, metal chelating
    activity, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical
    scavenging activity, and ACE inhibitory activity. The results showed that the EPH at 5 kDa
    had significantly (p
  12. Aishah, S., Amiza, M.A., Sarbon, N.M., Effendy, W.A.M.
    MyJurnal
    The aim of this study is to determine the optimization of enzymatic protein hydrolysis conditions on the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEI) activity of blood cockle meat. Preliminary study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different commercial proteinases (Alcalase®, Protamex™, Neutrase®, pepsin, papain, trypsin and α-chymotrypsin) and hydrolysis time on the ACEI activity of cockle’s meat. The proteinase with the highest ACEI activity will be used in the optimization study using Response Surface Methodology. A face-centered central composite design was employed to investigate the effect of hydrolysis conditions parameters (i.e hydrolysis time, pH, hydrolysis temperature and enzyme to substrate (E/S) ratio) towards ACEI activity of cockle’s meat. Preliminary study found that the highest ACEI activity was given by Protamex™ at 6 hrs. Therefore, optimization study was carried out using Protamex™ at 4-8 hrs hydrolysis times with temperature of 35-60oC, pH of 5.5- 7.5 and E/S of 0.5-1.5%. All variables were successfully fitted with the quadratic model (p < 0.0001) with a non-significant lack-of-fit (p = 0.3665), and also possess good coefficient of determination (p = 0.8666) and adjusted R-square (p = 0.8158). The optimum hydrolysis conditions were found to be at temperature of 59.8o C, time of 4.69 hrs, pH of 5.59 and E/S ratio of 0.9%. ACEI activity of the experimental value (97.8%) agreed with the predicted value (99.2%) within 95% confidence interval.
  13. Rahul M, Piyoosh S, Tekade M, Atneriya U, Dua K, Hansbroe PM, et al.
    Pharm Nanotechnol, 2017 09 21.
    PMID: 28933273 DOI: 10.2174/2211738505666170921125549
    BACKGROUND: Nifedipine is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cardiovascular disturbances, although it suffers from short half-life (t1/2, 2 hr).

    OBJECTIVE: To address the problem, we first prepared nifedipine loaded sustained releases microsponges and then formulated tablets for effective clinical application and patient compliance.

    METHOD: Preparations of microsponges were carried out using different composition of nifedipine and polymer (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 % molar ratio) using emulsion solvent diffusion technique.

    RESULTS: The microsponges with molar ratio 1:3 (formulation code: MF-3) found optimized as revealed by analyzing surface morphology, better powder flow properties (angle of repose; 28.80 ± 0.9, Hausner ratio 1.15 ± 0.2, % compressibility 15.28 ± 0.5% and higher % drug content (80 ± 1.9 %). Different batches of tablets were then formulated incorporating MF-3 microsponges and different proportion (10-50 %) of microcrystalline cellulose and starch as additives. Among tablet formulations, batch composed of 48% of MF-3, 30% of MCC, 20 % of starch and 2 % of talc (TF-33), showed 92.73 ± 2.19 % drug release during 24 hr in vitro release study in comparison to other batches including commercial formulation which was found to be released completely in 20 hr. Further, stability analysis revealed good drug retention of loaded nifedipine as well as consistent in vitro release pattern over a period of 90 days at 40 ºC and 75% RH.

    CONCLUSION: The microsponge tablet delivery system was found to be superior concerning the therapeutic advantage as well as manufacturing feasibility of nifedipine.

  14. Mohamed AS, Hanafi NI, Sheikh Abdul Kadir SH, Md Noor J, Abdul Hamid Hasani N, Ab Rahim S, et al.
    Cell Biochem Funct, 2017 Oct;35(7):453-463.
    PMID: 29027248 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3303
    In hepatocytes, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) activates cell signalling pathways such as p53, intracellular calcium ([Ca2+ ]i ), and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-receptor via Gαi -coupled-receptor. Recently, UDCA has been shown to protect the heart against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury. However, it is not clear whether UDCA cardioprotection against hypoxia acts through a transcriptional mediator of cells stress, HIF-1α and p53. Therefore, in here, we aimed to investigate whether UDCA could protect cardiomyocytes (CMs) against hypoxia by regulating expression of HIF-1α, p53, [Ca2+ ]i , and S1P-Gαi -coupled-receptor. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from newborn rats (0-2 days), and hypoxia was induced by using cobalt chloride (CoCl2 ). Cardiomyocytes were treated with UDCA and cotreated with either FTY720 (S1P-receptor agonist) or pertussis toxin (PTX; Gαi inhibitor). Cells were subjected for proliferation assay, beating frequency, QuantiGene Plex assay, western blot, immunofluorescence, and calcium imaging. Our findings showed that UDCA counteracted the effects of CoCl2 on cell viability, beating frequency, HIF-1α, and p53 protein expression. We found that these cardioprotection effects of UDCA were similar to FTY720, S1P agonist. Furthermore, we observed that UDCA protects CMs against CoCl2 -induced [Ca2+ ]i dynamic alteration. Pharmacological inhibition of the Gαi -sensitive receptor did not abolish the cardioprotection of UDCA against CoCl2 detrimental effects, except for cell viability and [Ca2+ ]i . Pertussis toxin is partially effective in inhibiting UDCA protection against CoCl2 effects on CM cell viability. Interestingly, PTX fully inhibits UDCA cardioprotection on CoCl2 -induced [Ca2+ ]i dynamic changes. We conclude that UDCA cardioprotection against CoCl2 -induced hypoxia is similar to FTY720, and its actions are not fully mediated by the Gαi -coupled protein sensitive pathways. Ursodeoxycholic acid is the most hydrophilic bile acid and is currently used to treat liver diseases. Recently, UDCA is shown to have a cardioprotection effects; however, the mechanism of UDCA cardioprotection is still poorly understood. The current data generated were the first to show that UDCA is able to inhibit the activation of HIF-1α and p53 protein during CoCl2 -induced hypoxia in cardiomyocytes. This study provides an insight of UDCA mechanism in protecting cardiomyocytes against hypoxia.
    MeSH terms: Fingolimod Hydrochloride/pharmacology; Animals; Cell Survival/drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Cobalt/toxicity*; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects*; Ursodeoxycholic Acid/pharmacology*; Signal Transduction/drug effects; Cell Hypoxia; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Protective Agents/pharmacology*; Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology; Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism; Pertussis Toxin/toxicity; Cell Proliferation/drug effects*; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid/antagonists & inhibitors; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid/metabolism; Rats; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism*
  15. Kiew SF, Ho YT, Kiew LV, Kah JCY, Lee HB, Imae T, et al.
    Int J Pharm, 2017 Dec 20;534(1-2):297-307.
    PMID: 29080707 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.10.045
    We synthesized a dextrin (DEX)-conjugated graphene oxide (GO) nanocarrier (GO100-DEX) as a potential drug delivery system to respond to a tumor-associated stimulus, α-amylase, that has high permeability through the fenestrated endothelial barrier to the tumor site. At acidic pH and in the presence of α-amylase to simulate tumor conditions, GO100-DEX released a 1.5-fold higher amount of doxorubicin (DOX) than of GO100. Under the same conditions, the cytotoxic effects of GO100-DEX/DOX were 2-fold greater than those of free DOX and 2.9-fold greater than those of GO100/DOX. Employing an in vitro biomimetic microfluidic blood vessel model lined with human umbilical vein endothelial cells, we evaluated the tumor vasculature endothelial permeation of GO100-DEX and GO100 using dextrans of 10 and 70kDa for comparison and as standards to validate the microfluidic blood vessel model. The results showed that the permeabilities of GO100-DEX and GO100 were 4.3- and 4.9-fold greater than that of 70kDa dextran and 2.7- and 3.1-fold higher than that of 10kDa dextran, thus demonstrating the good permeability of the GO-based nanocarrier through the fenestrated endothelial barrier.
    MeSH terms: Amylases/chemistry*; Antineoplastic Agents/metabolism; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry*; Capillary Permeability/drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Dextrans/chemistry; Dextrins/chemistry*; Doxorubicin/chemistry; Drug Carriers/chemistry*; Graphite/chemistry*; Humans; Oxides/chemistry*; Drug Delivery Systems/methods; Endothelial Cells/metabolism; Microfluidics/methods; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  16. Choudhury H, Gorain B, Tekade RK, Pandey M, Karmakar S, Pal TK
    Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 2017 Dec;91:179-189.
    PMID: 29080846 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.10.023
    Oral paclitaxel (PTXL) formulations freed from cremophor® EL (CrEL) is always in utmost demand by the cancerous patients due to toxicities associated with the currently marketed formulation. In our previous investigation [Int. J. Pharm. 2014; 460:131], we have developed an oral oil based nanocarrier for the lipophilic drug, PTXL to target bioavailability issue and patient compliance. Here, we report in vivo antitumor activity and 28-day sub-chronic toxicity of the developed PTXL nanoemulsion. It was observed that the apoptotic potential of oral PTXL nanoemulsion significantly inhibited the growth of solid tumor (59.2 ± 7.17%; p 
    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry; Biological Availability; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical/methods; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Carriers/chemistry*; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods; Emulsions/adverse effects; Emulsions/pharmacology; Emulsions/chemistry; Erythrocytes/drug effects; Female; Hemoglobins/metabolism; Male; Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Neoplasms/metabolism; Neutrophils/drug effects; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry; Apoptosis/drug effects; Paclitaxel/adverse effects; Paclitaxel/pharmacology*; Paclitaxel/chemistry; Mice; Nanoparticles/chemistry*; Acute Kidney Injury/chemically induced*
  17. Al-Marri F, Reza F, Begum T, Hitam WHW, Jin GK, Xiang J
    J Integr Neurosci, 2017 Oct 25.
    PMID: 29081422 DOI: 10.3233/JIN-170058
    Visual cognitive function is important to build up executive function in daily life. Perception of visual Number form (e.g., Arabic digit) and numerosity (magnitude of the Number) is of interest to cognitive neuroscientists. Neural correlates and the functional measurement of Number representations are complex occurrences when their semantic categories are assimilated with other concepts of shape and colour. Colour perception can be processed further to modulate visual cognition. The Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates are one of the best and most common screening tools for basic red-green colour vision testing. However, there is a lack of study of visual cognitive function assessment using these pseudoisochromatic plates. We recruited 25 healthy normal trichromat volunteers and extended these studies using a 128-sensor net to record event-related EEG. Subjects were asked to respond by pressing Numbered buttons when they saw the Number and Non-number plates of the Ishihara colour vision test. Amplitudes and latencies of N100 and P300 event related potential (ERP) components were analysed from 19 electrode sites in the international 10-20 system. A brain topographic map, cortical activation patterns and Granger causation (effective connectivity) were analysed from 128 electrode sites. No major significant differences between N100 ERP components in either stimulus indicate early selective attention processing was similar for Number and Non-number plate stimuli, but Non-number plate stimuli evoked significantly higher amplitudes, longer latencies of the P300 ERP component with a slower reaction time compared to Number plate stimuli imply the allocation of attentional load was more in Non-number plate processing. A different pattern of asymmetric scalp voltage map was noticed for P300 components with a higher intensity in the left hemisphere for Number plate tasks and higher intensity in the right hemisphere for Non-number plate tasks. Asymmetric cortical activation and connectivity patterns revealed that Number recognition occurred in the occipital and left frontal areas where as the consequence was limited to the occipital area during the Non-number plate processing. Finally, the results displayed that the visual recognition of Numbers dissociates from the recognition of Non-numbers at the level of defined neural networks. Number recognition was not only a process of visual perception and attention, but it was also related to a higher level of cognitive function, that of language.
  18. Nies YH, Islahudin F, Chong WW, Abdullah N, Ismail F, Ahmad Bustamam RS, et al.
    Patient Prefer Adherence, 2017;11:1767-1777.
    PMID: 29081652 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S143611
    PURPOSE: This study investigated breast cancer patients' involvement level in the treatment decision-making process and the concordance between patients' and physician's perspectives in decision-making.

    PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving physicians and newly diagnosed breast cancer patients from three public/teaching hospitals in Malaysia. The Control Preference Scale (CPS) was administered to patients and physicians, and the Krantz Health Opinion Survey (KHOS) was completed by the patients alone. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the association between sociodemographic characteristics, the patients' involvement in treatment decision-making, and patients' preference for behavioral involvement and information related to their disease.

    RESULTS: The majority of patients preferred to share decision-making with their physicians (47.5%), while the second largest group preferred being passive (42.6%) and a small number preferred being active (9.8%). However, the physicians perceived that the majority of patients preferred active decision-making (56.9%), followed by those who desired shared decision-making (32.8%), and those who preferred passive decision-making (10.3%). The overall concordance was 26.5% (54 of 204 patient-physician dyads). The median of preference for information score and behavioral involvement score was 4 (interquartile range [IQR] =3-5) and 2 (IQR =2-3), respectively. In univariate analysis, the ethnicity and educational qualification of patients were significantly associated with the patients' preferred role in the process of treatment decision-making and the patients' preference for information seeking (p>0.05). However, only educational qualification (p=0.004) was significantly associated with patients' preference for information seeking in multivariate analysis.

    CONCLUSION: Physicians failed to understand patients' perspectives and preferences in treatment decision-making. The concordance between physicians' perception and patients' perception was quite low as the physicians perceived that more than half of the patients were active in treatment decision-making. In actuality, more than half of patients perceived that they shared decision-making with their physicians.

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