Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Wong LP, Alias H, Hassan J, AbuBakar S
    Vaccine, 2017 10 13;35(43):5912-5917.
    PMID: 28886944 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.08.074
    The aim of this study was to examine the willingness of pregnant women to have prenatal screening for the Zika virus (ZIKV). Secondly, the study also assessed the acceptability of a hypothetical Zika vaccination and its association with the health belief model (HBM) constructs. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 4th October to 11th November 2016, among pregnant women who attended antenatal care at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The majority (81.8%) was willing to be tested for ZIKV and 78% felt that their spouse would be willing to be tested for ZIKV. A total of 94% expressed a willingness to receive a Zika vaccination if available. The participants expressed high perceived benefits of a ZIKV vaccination. Although many have a high perception of the severity of ZIKV, the proportion with a strong perception of their susceptibility to ZIKV was low. In the multivariate analysis of all the HBM constructs, cue-to-action, namely physician recommendation (odds ratio [OR]=2.288; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.093-4.793) and recommendation from friends or relatives (OR=4.030; 95% CI 1.694-9.587), were significantly associated with a willingness to be vaccinated against ZIKV. The favourable response to a Zika vaccination implies that more research attention has to be given to develop a vaccine against ZIKV. Should the vaccine be available in the future, publicity and healthcare providers would play a vital role in ensuring vaccine uptake among pregnant women.
    MeSH terms: Zika Virus Infection/immunology*; Zika Virus Infection/prevention & control*; Zika Virus/immunology*; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology*; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/immunology; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/prevention & control*; Vaccination/psychology*; Pregnant Women/psychology*
  2. Khurana RK, Beg S, Burrow AJ, Vashishta RK, Katare OP, Kaur S, et al.
    Eur J Pharm Biopharm, 2017 Dec;121:42-60.
    PMID: 28887099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2017.09.001
    The aim of this study was to develop polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) long chain glyceride (LCG) enriched self-nanoemulsifying lipidic nanomicelles systems (SNELS) for augmenting lymphatic uptake and enhancing oral bioavailability of docetaxel and compare its biopharmaceutical performance with a medium-chain fatty acid glyceride (MCG) SNELS. Equilibrium solubility and pseudo ternary phase studies facilitated the selection of suitable LCG and MCG. The critical material attributes (CMAs) and critical process parameters (CPPs) were earmarked using Placket-Burman Design (PBD) and Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) for LCG- and MCG-SNELS respectively, and nano micelles were subsequently optimized using I- and D-optimal designs. Desirability function unearthed the optimized SNELS with Temul <5min, Dnm <100nm, Rel15min >85% and Perm45min >75%. The SNELS demonstrated efficient biocompatibility and energy dependent cellular uptake, reduced P-gp efflux and increased permeability using bi-directional Caco-2 model. Optimal PUFA enriched LCG-SNELS exhibited distinctly superior permeability and absorption parameters during ex vivo permeation, in situ single pass intestinal perfusion, lymphatic uptake and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies over MCG-SNELS.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics*; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry*; Biological Availability; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical/methods; Emulsions/pharmacokinetics*; Emulsions/chemistry*; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/chemistry*; Glycerides/chemistry; Humans; Intestinal Absorption/drug effects; Lipids/chemistry*; Micelles; Permeability; Solubility; Drug Delivery Systems/methods; Rats, Wistar; Caco-2 Cells; Taxoids/chemistry; Cell Line, Tumor; Rats; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  3. Krishnan P, Rajan M, Kumari S, Sakinah S, Priya SP, Amira F, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2017 09 08;7(1):10962.
    PMID: 28887536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09140-1
    Camptothecin (CPT) is an anti-cancer drug that effectively treats various cancers, including colon cancer. However, poor solubility and other drawbacks have restricted its chemotherapeutic potential. To overcome these restrictions, CPT was encapsulated in CEF (cyclodextrin-EDTA-FE3O4), a composite nanoparticle of magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4), and β-cyclodextrin was cross-linked with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). This formulation improved CPT's solubility and bioavailability for cancer cells. The use of magnetically responsive anti-cancer formulation is highly advantageous in cancer chemotherapy. The chemical characterisation of CPT-CEF was studied here. The ability of this nano-compound to induce apoptosis in HT29 colon cancer cells and A549 lung cancer cells was evaluated. The dose-dependent cytotoxicity of CPT-CEF was shown using MTT. Propidium iodide and Annexin V staining, mitochondrial membrane depolarisation (JC-1 dye), and caspase-3 activity were assayed to detect apoptosis in CPT-CEF-treated cancer cells. Cell cycle analysis also showed G1 phase arrest, which indicated possible synergistic effects of the nano-carrier. These study results show that CPT-CEF causes a dose-dependent cell viability reduction in HT29 and A549 cells and induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells via caspase-3 activation. These data strongly suggest that CPT could be used as a major nanocarrier for CPT to effectively treat colon cancer.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry*; Camptothecin/pharmacology; Camptothecin/chemistry*; Colonic Neoplasms/metabolism; Edetic Acid/chemistry; Ferric Compounds/chemistry; Humans; G1 Phase/drug effects; Apoptosis/drug effects; HT29 Cells; beta-Cyclodextrins/chemistry; Nanoconjugates/chemistry*
  4. Ramu A, Kathiresan S, Ali Ahmed B
    Phytomedicine, 2017 Sep 15;33:69-76.
    PMID: 28887922 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.05.008
    BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and its receptors are considered as a novel target in cancer chemotherapy. Gramine, an indole alkaloid, possesses various pharmacological properties including antiproliferative and anticancer. However, the anti-angiogenic property remains unexplored.

    PURPOSE: The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-angiogenic and apoptosis induction properties of gramine through inhibiting TGF-β on DMBA induced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the hamster buccal pouch (HBP).

    METHODS: The effects of gramine on TGF-β signalling in DMBA induced carcinogenic events such as angiogenesis and apoptosis were analysed by studying the mRNA expression using RT-PCR, protein expression by western blot and histopathological analysis using haematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining.

    RESULTS: Gramine significantly inhibited phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2 and Smad4 by blocking activity of the TGFβ-RII, RI and activation of inhibitory Smad7. Gramine inhibited angiogenic markers such as MMP-2, MMP-9, HIF-1α, VEGF, and VEGF-R2 as well as increased TIMP-2 expression. Furthermore, gramine induced apoptosis in DMBA induced tumour bearing animals by up regulating the pro apoptotic proteins Bax, cytochrome C, apaf-1, caspase-9 caspase-3 and PARP.

    CONCLUSION: In this study, we clearly demonstrated that gramine treatment diminishes angiogenesis and induces apoptosis in hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis by modulating TGF-β signals.

    MeSH terms: Alkaloids/pharmacology*; Animals; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/chemically induced; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy*; Cheek/pathology; Cricetinae; Male; Mesocricetus; Mouth Neoplasms/chemically induced; Mouth Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy; 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Signal Transduction; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism*; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2/metabolism; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Caspase 3/metabolism; Caspase 9/metabolism
  5. Hussein Z, Kamaruddin NA, Chan SP, Jain A, Uppal S, Bebakar WMW, et al.
    Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2017 Nov;133:40-49.
    PMID: 28888148 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2017.08.007
    AIMS: The present Malaysian cohort analysis determined the prevalence of hypoglycemia among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending primary care- or hospital-based diabetes clinics in Malaysia and their awareness of the symptoms of hypoglycemia.

    METHODS: The Hypoglycemia Assessment Tool (HAT) study was a non-interventional, 6-month retrospective and 4-week prospective analysis of hypoglycemic events in 24 countries, using self-assessment questionnaires and diaries among patients with T1DM/T2DM aged ≥18years, using insulin for >12months. This report focuses on prospective data, as they are less prone to recall bias.

    RESULTS: There were 1153 participants in the Malaysian cohort (114 T1DM; 1039 T2DM). In the prospective period, 50.4% and 33.4% of patients reported ≥1 hypoglycemic events, with estimated rates of 20.3 and 13.1 events per patient-year of exposure in patients with T1DM and T2DM, respectively. 24.8% and 16.1% of patients with T1DM or T2DM, respectively, reported ≥1 nocturnal hypoglycemic event. The majority of patients (96.5%, T1DM; 91.8%, T2DM) knew what hypoglycemia was prior to the study. Impaired awareness was present in 48.0% (T1DM) and 36.9% (T2DM) of patients. In the prospective period, 50% of patients with T1DM or T2DM consulted a doctor or nurse following a hypoglycemia episode.

    CONCLUSIONS: Half of patients with T1DM and a third of patients with T2DM reported ≥1 hypoglycemic event during the prospective period. Although the majority of patients knew the typical features of hypoglycemia, many reported impaired ability to recognize symptoms in real life. The present findings highlight the importance of patient education and physician awareness in dealing with hypoglycemia, in particular the burden of hypoglycemic unawareness.

    CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01696266 on 26 September 2012.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Awareness; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/drug therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Humans; Hypoglycemia/chemically induced*; Hypoglycemia/diagnosis; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use*; Insulin/therapeutic use*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Cohort Studies; Diabetes Complications/diagnosis*
  6. Sheikh BY, Sarker MMR, Kamarudin MNA, Ismail A
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2017 Nov;95:614-648.
    PMID: 28888208 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.08.043
    Amounting scientific evidences have revealed the antitumor, antimetastatic, antiangiogenic, antiproliferative, chemopreventive and neo-adjuvant efficacy of Prophetic Medicine in various in vitro, in vivo and clinical cancer models. Prophetic Medicine includes plants, dietary materials or spices that were used as remedy recipes and nutrition by the great Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) to treat various ailments. Prophetic medicine is the total authentic Hadith narrated by the Prophet (PBUH) in relation to medicine, whether Qur'anic verses or honourable Prophetic Hadith. The ability of functional foods from Prophetic Medicine to modulate various signalling pathways and multidrug resistance conferring proteins with low side-effects exemplify their great potential as neo-adjuvants and/or chemotherapeutics. The present review aims to provide the collective in vitro, in vivo, clinical and epidemiology information of Prophetic Medicines, and their bioactive constituents and molecular mechanisms as potential functional foods for the management of cancer.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; Humans; Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Neoplasms/pathology; Functional Food*
  7. Ng KL, Khor SM
    Anal Chem, 2017 09 19;89(18):10004-10012.
    PMID: 28845664 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b02432
    Guanine (G), adenine (A), thymine (T), and cytosine (C) are the four basic constituents of DNA. Studies on DNA composition have focused especially on DNA damage and genotoxicity. However, the development of a rapid, simple, and multiplex method for the simultaneous measurement of the four DNA bases remains a challenge. In this study, we describe a graphite-based nanocomposite electrode (Au-rGO/MWCNT/graphite) that uses a simple electro-co-deposition approach. We successfully applied the developed sensor for multiplex detection of G, A, T, and C, using square-wave voltammetry. The sensor was tested using real animal and plant DNA samples in which the hydrolysis of T and C could be achieved with 8 mol L-1 of acid. The electrochemical sensor exhibited excellent sensitivity (G = 178.8 nA/μg mL-1, A = 92.9 nA/μg mL-1, T = 1.4 nA/μg mL-1, and C = 15.1 9 nA/μg mL-1), low limit of detection (G, A = 0.5 μg mL-1; T, C = 1.0 μg mL-1), and high selectivity in the presence of common interfering factors from biological matrixes. The reliability of the established method was assessed by method validation and comparison with the ultraperformance liquid chromatography technique, and a correlation of 103.7% was achieved.
    MeSH terms: Adenine/analysis*; Cytosine/analysis*; DNA Damage; Electrodes; Graphite/chemistry*; Guanine/analysis*; Hydrolysis; Sulfuric Acids/pharmacology; Sulfuric Acids/chemistry; Thymine/analysis*; Nanocomposites/chemistry*; Electrochemical Techniques*
  8. Flaherty G, Moran B, Higgins P
    J Travel Med, 2017 05 01;24(3).
    PMID: 28881861 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tax004
    MeSH terms: Blood Transfusion/standards*; Humans; Travel*; Global Health; Risk Assessment; Communicable Diseases, Emerging/transmission*
  9. Azwani F, Suzuki K, Honjyo M, Tashiro Y, Futamata H
    Genome Announc, 2017 Sep 07;5(36).
    PMID: 28883136 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00875-17
    Comamonas testosteroni strain R2 was isolated from a continuous culture enriched by a low concentration of phenol-oxygenating activities with low Ks values (below 1 μM). The draft genome sequence of C. testosteroni strain R2 reported here may contribute to determining the phenol degradation gene cluster.
    MeSH terms: Base Sequence; Chromosome Mapping; Multigene Family; Longitudinal Studies; Phenols; Reactive Oxygen Species; Phenol; Comamonas testosteroni
  10. Davoodi S, Haghighi KS, Kalhori SRN, Hosseini NS, Mohammadzadeh Z, Safdari R
    Acta Inform Med, 2017 Jun;25(2):136-140.
    PMID: 28883681 DOI: 10.5455/aim.2017.25.136-140
    INTRODUCTION: Due to growth of occupational diseases and also increase of public awareness about their consequences, attention to various aspects of diseases and improve occupational health and safety has found great importance. Therefore, there is the need for appropriate information management tools such as registries in order to recognitions of diseases patterns and then making decision about prevention, early detection and treatment of them. These registries have different characteristics in various countries according to their occupational health priorities.

    AIM: Aim of this study is evaluate dimensions of occupational diseases registries including objectives, data sources, responsible institutions, minimum data set, classification systems and process of registration in different countries.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, the papers were searched using the MEDLINE (PubMed) Google scholar, Scopus, ProQuest and Google. The search was done based on keyword in English for all motor engines including "occupational disease", "work related disease", "surveillance", "reporting", "registration system" and "registry" combined with name of the countries including all subheadings. After categorizing search findings in tables, results were compared with each other.

    RESULTS: Important aspects of the registries studied in ten countries including Finland, France, United Kingdom, Australia, Czech Republic, Malaysia, United States, Singapore, Russia and Turkey. The results show that surveyed countries have statistical, treatment and prevention objectives. Data sources in almost the rest of registries were physicians and employers. The minimum data sets in most of them consist of information about patient, disease, occupation and employer. Some of countries have special occupational related classification systems for themselves and some of them apply international classification systems such as ICD-10. Finally, the process of registration system was different in countries.

    CONCLUSION: Because occupational diseases are often preventable, but not curable, it is necessary to all countries, to consider prevention and early detection of occupational diseases as the objectives of their registry systems. Also it is recommended that all countries reach an agreement about global characteristics of occupational disease registries. This enables country to compare their data at international levels.

  11. Tyng CM, Amin HU, Saad MNM, Malik AS
    Front Psychol, 2017;8:1454.
    PMID: 28883804 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01454
    Emotion has a substantial influence on the cognitive processes in humans, including perception, attention, learning, memory, reasoning, and problem solving. Emotion has a particularly strong influence on attention, especially modulating the selectivity of attention as well as motivating action and behavior. This attentional and executive control is intimately linked to learning processes, as intrinsically limited attentional capacities are better focused on relevant information. Emotion also facilitates encoding and helps retrieval of information efficiently. However, the effects of emotion on learning and memory are not always univalent, as studies have reported that emotion either enhances or impairs learning and long-term memory (LTM) retention, depending on a range of factors. Recent neuroimaging findings have indicated that the amygdala and prefrontal cortex cooperate with the medial temporal lobe in an integrated manner that affords (i) the amygdala modulating memory consolidation; (ii) the prefrontal cortex mediating memory encoding and formation; and (iii) the hippocampus for successful learning and LTM retention. We also review the nested hierarchies of circular emotional control and cognitive regulation (bottom-up and top-down influences) within the brain to achieve optimal integration of emotional and cognitive processing. This review highlights a basic evolutionary approach to emotion to understand the effects of emotion on learning and memory and the functional roles played by various brain regions and their mutual interactions in relation to emotional processing. We also summarize the current state of knowledge on the impact of emotion on memory and map implications for educational settings. In addition to elucidating the memory-enhancing effects of emotion, neuroimaging findings extend our understanding of emotional influences on learning and memory processes; this knowledge may be useful for the design of effective educational curricula to provide a conducive learning environment for both traditional "live" learning in classrooms and "virtual" learning through online-based educational technologies.
  12. Abdulla AM, Sivadas G, Surej Kumar LK, Sheejith Hari Peeceeyen CS, Vedam V
    Case Rep Med, 2017;2017:9483738.
    PMID: 28883834 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9483738
    Ameloblastic fibroodontoma is a benign mixed odontogenic neoplasm considered in patients with asymptomatic swelling and unerupted teeth that exhibit histologic features between ameloblastic fibroma and complex odontoma. Radiographically, this lesion appears as radiolucency admixed with focal radio opaque masses of irregular shapes and sizes. This lesion is confirmed by the presence of proliferating odontogenic epithelium, ectomesenchyme, and dental hard tissue formation on pathological analysis supplementing clinical and radiographic findings. As this tumour is less commonly seen in routine clinical practice, ameloblastic fibroodontoma with detailed orofacial features and periodic approach to its diagnosis is discussed. This paper reports a case of ameloblastic fibroodontoma of the mandible in a 6-year-old male patient with an uncommon case presentation and review of the literature.
    MeSH terms: Acrylic Resins; Child; Fibroma; Humans; Male; Mandible; Odontogenic Tumors; Odontoma; Tooth, Unerupted
  13. Riyadi FA, Alam MZ, Salleh MN, Salleh HM
    3 Biotech, 2017 Oct;7(5):300.
    PMID: 28884067 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-017-0932-1
    This study enhanced the production of thermostable organic solvent-tolerant (TS-OST) lipase by locally isolated thermotolerant Rhizopus sp. strain using solid-state fermentation (SSF) of palm kernel cake (PKC). The optimum conditions were achieved using a series of statistical approaches. The cultivation parameters, which include fermentation time, moisture content, temperature, pH, inoculum size, various carbon and nitrogen sources, as well as other supplements, were initially screened by the definitive screening design, and one-factor-at-a-time using PKC as the basal medium. Three significant factors (olive oil concentration, pH, and inoculum size) were further optimized using face-centred central composite design. The results indicated a successful and significant improvement of lipase activity by almost two-fold compared to the initial screening production. The findings showed that the optimal conditions were 2% (v/w) inoculum size, 2% (v/w) olive oil, 0.6% (w/w) peptone, 2% (v/w) ethanol, 70% moisture content at initial pH 10.0 and 45 °C within 72 h of fermentation. Process optimization resulted in maximum lipase activity of 58.63 U/gram dry solids (gds). The analysis of variance showed that the statistical model was significant (p value <0.0001) and reliable with a high value of R2 (0.98) and adjusted R2 (0.96). This indicates a better correlation between the actual and predicted responses of lipase production. By considering this study, the low-cost PKC through SSF appears to be promising in the utilization of agro-industrial waste for TS-OST lipase production. This is because satisfactory enzyme activity could be attained that promises industrial applications.
    MeSH terms: Olive Oil; Ethanol; Biometry; Carbon; Fermentation; Industrial Waste; Lipase; Nitrogen; Peptones; Rhizopus; Solvents; Temperature; Models, Statistical; Dietary Supplements; Thermotolerance
  14. Munisvaradass R, Kumar S, Govindasamy C, Alnumair KS, Mok PL
    Int J Mol Sci, 2017 Sep 08;18(9).
    PMID: 28885562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18091797
    Breast cancer is a common malignancy among women. The innate and adaptive immune responses failed to be activated owing to immune modulation in the tumour microenvironment. Decades of scientific study links the overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ERBB2) antigen with aggressive tumours. The Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) coding for specific tumour-associated antigens could initiate intrinsic T-cell signalling, inducing T-cell activation, and cytotoxic activity without the need for major histocompatibility complex recognition. This renders CAR as a potentially universal immunotherapeutic option. Herein, we aimed to establish CAR in CD3+ T-cells, isolated from human peripheral blood mononucleated cells that could subsequently target and induce apoptosis in the ERBB2 overexpressing human breast cancer cell line, SKBR3. Constructed CAR was inserted into a lentiviral plasmid containing a green fluorescent protein tag and produced as lentiviral particles that were used to transduce activated T-cells. Transduced CAR-T cells were then primed with SKBR3 cells to evaluate their functionality. Results showed increased apoptosis in SKBR3 cells co-cultured with CAR-T cells compared to the control (non-transduced T-cells). This study demonstrates that CAR introduction helps overcome the innate limitations of native T-cells leading to cancer cell apoptosis. We recommend future studies should focus on in vivo cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells against ERBB2 expressing tumours.
    MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/immunology*; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism*; Breast Neoplasms/pathology; Breast Neoplasms/therapy; Female; Genetic Vectors/genetics; Humans; Interferon-gamma/metabolism; Lymphocyte Activation/genetics; Lymphocyte Activation/immunology; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism*; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Transduction, Genetic; Biomarkers; Gene Expression; Lentivirus/genetics; Immunophenotyping; T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology*; T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism*; Cytokines/biosynthesis; Apoptosis/genetics; Apoptosis/immunology; Receptor, ErbB-2/antagonists & inhibitors; Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism*; Coculture Techniques; Cell Line, Tumor; Single-Chain Antibodies/genetics; Single-Chain Antibodies/immunology; Single-Chain Antibodies/metabolism
  15. Salarzadeh Jenatabadi H, Moghavvemi S, Wan Mohamed Radzi CWJB, Babashamsi P, Arashi M
    PLoS One, 2017;12(9):e0182311.
    PMID: 28886019 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182311
    Learning is an intentional activity, with several factors affecting students' intention to use new learning technology. Researchers have investigated technology acceptance in different contexts by developing various theories/models and testing them by a number of means. Although most theories/models developed have been examined through regression or structural equation modeling, Bayesian analysis offers more accurate data analysis results. To address this gap, the unified theory of acceptance and technology use in the context of e-learning via Facebook are re-examined in this study using Bayesian analysis. The data (S1 Data) were collected from 170 students enrolled in a business statistics course at University of Malaya, Malaysia, and tested with the maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. The difference between the two methods' results indicates that performance expectancy and hedonic motivation are the strongest factors influencing the intention to use e-learning via Facebook. The Bayesian estimation model exhibited better data fit than the maximum likelihood estimator model. The results of the Bayesian and maximum likelihood estimator approaches are compared and the reasons for the result discrepancy are deliberated.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Bayes Theorem*; Humans; Learning*; Reproducibility of Results; Models, Statistical; Social Media*
  16. Reijnders MRF, Ansor NM, Kousi M, Yue WW, Tan PL, Clarkson K, et al.
    Am J Hum Genet, 2017 Sep 07;101(3):466-477.
    PMID: 28886345 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.08.007
    RAC1 is a widely studied Rho GTPase, a class of molecules that modulate numerous cellular functions essential for normal development. RAC1 is highly conserved across species and is under strict mutational constraint. We report seven individuals with distinct de novo missense RAC1 mutations and varying degrees of developmental delay, brain malformations, and additional phenotypes. Four individuals, each harboring one of c.53G>A (p.Cys18Tyr), c.116A>G (p.Asn39Ser), c.218C>T (p.Pro73Leu), and c.470G>A (p.Cys157Tyr) variants, were microcephalic, with head circumferences between -2.5 to -5 SD. In contrast, two individuals with c.151G>A (p.Val51Met) and c.151G>C (p.Val51Leu) alleles were macrocephalic with head circumferences of +4.16 and +4.5 SD. One individual harboring a c.190T>G (p.Tyr64Asp) allele had head circumference in the normal range. Collectively, we observed an extraordinary spread of ∼10 SD of head circumferences orchestrated by distinct mutations in the same gene. In silico modeling, mouse fibroblasts spreading assays, and in vivo overexpression assays using zebrafish as a surrogate model demonstrated that the p.Cys18Tyr and p.Asn39Ser RAC1 variants function as dominant-negative alleles and result in microcephaly, reduced neuronal proliferation, and cerebellar abnormalities in vivo. Conversely, the p.Tyr64Asp substitution is constitutively active. The remaining mutations are probably weakly dominant negative or their effects are context dependent. These findings highlight the importance of RAC1 in neuronal development. Along with TRIO and HACE1, a sub-category of rare developmental disorders is emerging with RAC1 as the central player. We show that ultra-rare disorders caused by private, non-recurrent missense mutations that result in varying phenotypes are challenging to dissect, but can be delineated through focused international collaboration.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Brain Diseases/genetics*; Brain Diseases/pathology; Child; Developmental Disabilities/genetics*; Developmental Disabilities/pathology; Child, Preschool; Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism; Embryo, Nonmammalian/pathology; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Microcephaly/genetics*; Microcephaly/pathology; Pedigree; Phenotype; Zebrafish/genetics; Zebrafish/growth & development; Mutation, Missense*; rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/genetics*; Mice
  17. Choudhury H, Gorain B, Chatterjee B, Mandal UK, Sengupta P, Tekade RK
    Curr Pharm Des, 2017;23(17):2504-2531.
    PMID: 27908273 DOI: 10.2174/1381612822666161201143600
    BACKGROUND: Most of the active pharmaceutical ingredients discovered recently in pharmaceutical field exhibits poor aqueous solubility that pose major problem in their oral administration. The oral administration of these drugs gets further complicated due to their short bioavailability, inconsistent absorption and inter/intra subject variability.

    METHODS: Pharmaceutical emulsion holds a significant place as a primary choice of oral drug delivery system for lipophilic drugs used in pediatric and geriatric patients. Pharmacokinetic studies on nanoemulsion mediated drugs delivery approach indicates practical feasibility in regards to their clinical translation and commercialization.

    RESULTS: This review article is to provide an updated understanding on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of nanoemulsion delivered via oral, intravenous, topical and nasal route.

    CONCLUSION: The article is of huge interest to formulation scientists working on range of lipophilic drug molecules intended to be administered through oral, intravenous, topical and nasal routes for vivid medical benefits.

    MeSH terms: Drug Administration Routes; Pharmaceutical Preparations/administration & dosage*; Pharmaceutical Preparations/chemistry*; Emulsions/administration & dosage*; Emulsions/chemistry*; Humans; Drug Delivery Systems; Nanostructures/administration & dosage*; Nanostructures/chemistry*
  18. Madhu A, Gupta G, Arali B, Chellappan DK, Dua K
    Recent Pat Drug Deliv Formul, 2017;11(1):36-41.
    PMID: 27993107 DOI: 10.2174/1872211310666161216111515
    AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Psychosis is a neurological disorder, which is usually defined as the &quot;loss of contact with reality.&quot; As medicine 'Hemidesmusindicus' holds a reputed place in all systems of medicine in India. It is given in the form of infusion, fine particles, or syrup. It is also a component of several medicinal preparations. The present research work is pertaining to find out an anti-psychotic activity of an aqueous root extract of Hemidesmusindicus- a time bound study in rats.

    METHODS: In the present study, the dried roots of Hemidesmusindicus were crushed to a coarse powder and extracted with water under reflux for 36 hours to obtain the aqueous extract of roots of Hemidesmusindicus (AERHI). The extract was reconstituted in 2% aqueous tragacanth just before use and administered orally at a dose 0f 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. In a single dose study, the parameters were assessed after oral administration of the single dose of the AERHI, whereas in a multiple dose study, the animals daily received the suitable oral dose of the AERHI for a period of 30 days. The parameters were assessed on the 15th and 30th day. The antipsychotic activity was screened using Apomorphine induced Stereotyped behavior in rats and Haloperidol induced catalepsy models were used. In Apomorphine induced Stereotyped behavior inhibition of the Stereotyped behavior was considered to be anti-psychotic activity and in Haloperidol induced catalepsy, we observed whether the AERHI potentate or attenuate the catalepsy in rats.

    RESULTS: In this study, the extract of Hemidesmusindicus significantly inhibited the stereotyped behavior induced by apomorphine in rats and also potentiate the catalepsy induced by haloperidol, thereby showing its anti-psychotic activity.

    CONCLUSION: All these observations imply that Hemidesmusindicus extract possesses anti-psychotic activity in experimental animals.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Catalepsy/chemically induced; Catalepsy/drug therapy*; Haloperidol; Patents as Topic; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Antipsychotic Agents/pharmacology*; Drug Delivery Systems; Plant Roots/chemistry; Hemidesmus/chemistry*; Rats
  19. Ihara H, Kasamatsu S, Kitamura A, Nishimura A, Tsutsuki H, Ida T, et al.
    Chem Res Toxicol, 2017 09 18;30(9):1673-1684.
    PMID: 28837763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.7b00120
    Electrophiles such as methylmercury (MeHg) affect cellular functions by covalent modification with endogenous thiols. Reactive persulfide species were recently reported to mediate antioxidant responses and redox signaling because of their strong nucleophilicity. In this study, we used MeHg as an environmental electrophile and found that exposure of cells to the exogenous electrophile elevated intracellular concentrations of the endogenous electrophilic molecule 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-nitro-cGMP), accompanied by depletion of reactive persulfide species and 8-SH-cGMP which is a metabolite of 8-nitro-cGMP. Exposure to MeHg also induced S-guanylation and activation of H-Ras followed by injury to cerebellar granule neurons. The electrophile-induced activation of redox signaling and the consequent cell damage were attenuated by pretreatment with a reactive persulfide species donor. In conclusion, exogenous electrophiles such as MeHg with strong electrophilicity impair the redox signaling regulatory mechanism, particularly of intracellular reactive persulfide species and therefore lead to cellular pathogenesis. Our results suggest that reactive persulfide species may be potential therapeutic targets for attenuating cell injury by electrophiles.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies/immunology; Cell Survival/drug effects; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cyclic GMP/analogs & derivatives; Cyclic GMP/immunology; Cyclic GMP/metabolism; Cyclic GMP/chemistry; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Methylmercury Compounds/analysis; Methylmercury Compounds/toxicity; Methylmercury Compounds/chemistry*; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Naphthoquinones/toxicity; Naphthoquinones/chemistry; Nitric Oxide/analysis; Oxidation-Reduction; Sulfides/pharmacology; Sulfides/chemistry*; Signal Transduction/drug effects; PC12 Cells; Rats, Wistar; Reactive Oxygen Species/analysis; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism; ras Proteins/genetics; ras Proteins/metabolism; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/genetics; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism; Rats
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