Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Lo TS, Jaili SB, Ibrahim R
    Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol, 2017 Aug;56(4):534-537.
    PMID: 28805613 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2016.10.004
    OBJECTIVE: Urethral diverticulum is uncommon, therefore appropriate evaluation, preoperative planning and counseling must be done in order to make correct diagnosis and prevent complications.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case of anterior vaginal wall mass was treated elsewhere by a gynecologist as periurethral cyst abscess; incision and drainage were done but a symptom of pus discharge was observed after 2 weeks. Therefore, exploration, cyst wall excision and primary closure were done though histopathological examination surprisingly confirmed the presence of urethral tissue suggestive of diverticulum.

    RESULTS: Subsequently, she developed persistent urinary leakage along with urethrovaginal fistula for which they again performed pervaginal multilayer closure. Patient was later referred to us with recurrent urethrovaginal fistula. We performed posterior urethral fistulectomy with anterior vaginal wall flap and multilayer closure. Three years follow up reveals complete recovery.

    CONCLUSION: Even urethral diverticulum is a rare condition, should be kept in mind as early diagnosis and management.

    MeSH terms: Diverticulum/surgery*; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications/etiology; Postoperative Complications/surgery*; Reoperation; Urologic Surgical Procedures/adverse effects*; Urologic Surgical Procedures/methods; Surgical Flaps; Urethra/pathology; Urethra/surgery; Urethral Diseases/etiology; Urethral Diseases/surgery*; Urinary Fistula/etiology; Urinary Fistula/surgery*; Vagina/pathology; Vagina/surgery; Vaginal Fistula/etiology; Vaginal Fistula/surgery*
  2. Yaacob N, Ahmad Kamarudin NH, Leow ATC, Salleh AB, Raja Abd Rahman RNZ, Mohamad Ali MS
    Molecules, 2017 Aug 12;22(8).
    PMID: 28805665 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22081312
    The alkaline cold-active lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens AMS8 undergoes major structural changes when reacted with hydrophobic organic solvents. In toluene, the AMS8 lipase catalytic region is exposed by the moving hydrophobic lid 2 (Glu-148 to Gly-167). Solvent-accessible surface area analysis revealed that Leu-208, which is located next to the nucleophilic Ser-207 has a focal function in influencing substrate accessibility and flexibility of the catalytic pocket. Based on molecular dynamic simulations, it was found that Leu-208 strongly facilitates the lid 2 opening via its side-chain. The KM and Kcat/KM of L208A mutant were substrate dependent as it preferred a smaller-chain ester (pNP-caprylate) as compared to medium (pNP-laurate) or long-chain (pNP-palmitate) esters. In esterification of ethyl hexanoate, L208A promotes a higher ester conversion rate at 20 °C but not at 30 °C, as a 27% decline was observed. Interestingly, the wild-type (WT) lipase's conversion rate was found to increase with a higher temperature. WT lipase AMS8 esterification was higher in toluene as compared to L208A. Hence, the results showed that Leu-208 of AMS8 lipase plays an important role in steering a broad range of substrates into its active site region by regulating the flexibility of this region. Leu-208 is therefore predicted to be crucial for its role in interfacial activation and catalysis in toluene.
    MeSH terms: Ethanol/chemistry; Amino Acid Sequence; Binding Sites; Caproates/chemistry; Caprylates/chemistry; Cold Temperature; Escherichia coli; Esterification; Hydrolysis; Kinetics; Lipase/metabolism*; Lipase/chemistry*; Molecular Weight; Protein Binding; Protein Conformation; Pseudomonas fluorescens/metabolism; Solvents/chemistry*; Thermodynamics; Toluene/chemistry*; Catalytic Domain; Molecular Dynamics Simulation*; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Molecular Docking Simulation/methods*
  3. Braun DA, Rao J, Mollet G, Schapiro D, Daugeron MC, Tan W, et al.
    Nat Genet, 2017 Oct;49(10):1529-1538.
    PMID: 28805828 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3933
    Galloway-Mowat syndrome (GAMOS) is an autosomal-recessive disease characterized by the combination of early-onset nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) and microcephaly with brain anomalies. Here we identified recessive mutations in OSGEP, TP53RK, TPRKB, and LAGE3, genes encoding the four subunits of the KEOPS complex, in 37 individuals from 32 families with GAMOS. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout in zebrafish and mice recapitulated the human phenotype of primary microcephaly and resulted in early lethality. Knockdown of OSGEP, TP53RK, or TPRKB inhibited cell proliferation, which human mutations did not rescue. Furthermore, knockdown of these genes impaired protein translation, caused endoplasmic reticulum stress, activated DNA-damage-response signaling, and ultimately induced apoptosis. Knockdown of OSGEP or TP53RK induced defects in the actin cytoskeleton and decreased the migration rate of human podocytes, an established intermediate phenotype of SRNS. We thus identified four new monogenic causes of GAMOS, describe a link between KEOPS function and human disease, and delineate potential pathogenic mechanisms.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Carrier Proteins/genetics; Cell Movement; Cytoskeleton/ultrastructure; DNA Repair/genetics; Hernia, Hiatal/genetics*; Humans; Metalloendopeptidases/deficiency; Metalloendopeptidases/genetics; Microcephaly/genetics*; Models, Molecular; Mutation*; Nephrosis/genetics*; Nephrotic Syndrome/genetics; Nephrotic Syndrome/pathology; Protein Conformation; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional/genetics; RNA, Transfer/metabolism; Zebrafish; Apoptosis/genetics; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/deficiency; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics; Zebrafish Proteins/deficiency; Zebrafish Proteins/genetics; Multiprotein Complexes/genetics*; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/deficiency; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics; Podocytes/metabolism; Podocytes/ultrastructure; Mice; Gene Knockout Techniques; Telomere Homeostasis/genetics; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/genetics; CRISPR-Cas Systems
  4. Sharif SP, Khanekharab J
    Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw, 2017 Aug;20(8):494-500.
    PMID: 28806123 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2017.0162
    This study investigates the mediating role of identity confusion and materialism in the relationship between social networking site (SNS) excessive usage and online compulsive buying among young adults. A total of 501 SNS users aged 17 to 23 years (M = 19.68, SD = 1.65) completed an online survey questionnaire. A serial multiple mediator model was developed and hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. The results showed that excessive young adult SNS users had a higher tendency toward compulsive buying online. This was partly because they experienced higher identity confusion and developed higher levels of materialism. Targeted psychological interventions seeking to gradually increase identity clarity to buffer the detrimental effects of SNS usage and identity confusion in young adults are suggested.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Confusion*; Humans; Personality; Surveys and Questionnaires; Social Support*; Internet; Young Adult
  5. Al-Ani LA, AlSaadi MA, Kadir FA, Hashim NM, Julkapli NM, Yehye WA
    Eur J Med Chem, 2017 Oct 20;139:349-366.
    PMID: 28806615 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.036
    Early detection and efficient treatment of cancer disease remains a drastic challenge in 21st century. Throughout the bulk of funds, studies, and current therapeutics, cancer seems to aggressively advance with drug resistance strains and recurrence rates. Nevertheless, nanotechnologies have indeed given hope to be the next generation for oncology applications. According to US National cancer institute, it is anticipated to revolutionize the perspectives of cancer diagnosis and therapy. With such success, nano-hybrid strategy creates a marvelous preference. Herein, graphene-gold based composites are being increasingly studied in the field of oncology, for their outstanding performance as robust vehicle of therapeutic agents, built-in optical diagnostic features, and functionality as theranostic system. Additional modes of treatments are also applicable including photothermal, photodynamic, as well as combined therapy. This review aims to demonstrate the various cancer-related applications of graphene-gold based hybrids in terms of detection and therapy, highlighting the major attributes that led to designate such system as a promising ally in the war against cancer.
    MeSH terms: Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gold/therapeutic use*; Gold/chemistry; Graphite/therapeutic use*; Graphite/chemistry; Humans; Neoplasms/diagnosis; Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Structure-Activity Relationship; Molecular Structure; Nanocomposites/therapeutic use*; Nanocomposites/chemistry
  6. Fong CY, Lim WK, Kong AN, Lua PL, Ong LC
    Epilepsy Behav, 2017 10;75:6-12.
    PMID: 28806633 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.06.037
    Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is an important cause of mortality in epilepsy. To date, there is only one published UK study evaluating information provision of SUDEP among parents of children with epilepsy (CWE), and there are no studies published from Asia. Although SUDEP information provision is recommended among parents of CWE, it is uncertain if these recommendations are applicable to Asian countries due to the different cultural attitude towards epilepsy. Our prospective cohort study consisted of multiethnic parents of children with epilepsy (CWE) seen in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Information on SUDEP was delivered to parents using an epilepsy educational software program. Participants completed a set of standardized questionnaire and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-Short Form (DASS-21) immediately after and retested 3-6months after the SUDEP information provision. A total of 127 parents (84 mothers) participated in the study. The CWE consisted of 3 ethnic groups (38% Malay, 30% Chinese, 32% Indian) with a mean age of 9.6years. Majority (70.9%) felt positive after SUDEP information provision, 90.6% wanted SUDEP discussion for themselves with 70.1% wanted SUDEP discussion with their child, and a lower proportion (58.3%) would discuss SUDEP with their child. None of the participants reported increased symptoms of depression, stress or anxiety attributed to SUDEP information provision. Most parents took steps to reduce SUDEP risk, and most parents did not report an impact on their own functioning. However, there was an increase in parental report over time of impact on their child's functioning following SUDEP information (P<0.05). In conclusion, most Malaysian parents of CWE wanted SUDEP information. Following SUDEP information disclosure, majority did not report negative emotions; however, an increase in parents over time reported an impact on their child. Our findings reiterate that provision of SUDEP information should form part of care of CWE and parents should receive ongoing support as they undergo a period of parenting adjustment when dealing with the information provided.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Child; Death, Sudden/ethnology*; Epilepsy/ethnology*; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice/ethnology*; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Parents/psychology*; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Disclosure*; Information Seeking Behavior*
  7. Chung NE, Castilani A, Tierra WE, Beh P, Mahmood MS
    Forensic Sci Int, 2017 Sep;278:367-373.
    PMID: 28806635 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.07.030
    On December 1st, 2014, the sinking of Oryong 501 occurred in the Bering Sea off the east coast of Russia. A total of 60 crew members, including 35 Indonesians, 13 Filipinos, 11 South Koreans and 1 Russian inspector were on board out of which only seven survived. Through an international rescue operation, the dead bodies of 27 were found and the remaining 26 crew are still missing. After transferring the dead bodies to the Busan Harbor in South Korea, the operation to identify the deceased began involving DVI teams from three countries: Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines. When a deep sea fishing boat sinks, it is very difficult to obtain antemortem data of the crew who had been on board for a long time. This is especially so if the crews are multinational. Further, the accuracy of the antemortem data provided by the families may be questionable, and the provided data is often not standardized. Despite the fact that the antemortem data were received in different formats, the identification process for the bodies of the 27 crew from the Oryong sinking was quickly completed through the cooperation among the three DVI teams. This case is an excellent example of how efficiently a DVI operation can be conducted in the Asia Pacific region. Issues raised during this operation should enable even better preparation for similar events in the future.
    MeSH terms: Accidents; Death Certificates; Dermatoglyphics; Disasters*; Humans; International Cooperation*; Oceans and Seas; Ships*; DNA Fingerprinting; Forensic Sciences/organization & administration*; Body Remains*
  8. Marcus R, Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Zelenev A, Polonsky M, Madden L, et al.
    Drug Alcohol Depend, 2017 Oct 01;179:213-219.
    PMID: 28806638 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.010
    BACKGROUND: Scaling up HIV prevention for people who inject drugs (PWID) using opioid agonist therapies (OAT) in Ukraine has been restricted by individual and structural factors. Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX), however, provides new opportunities for treating opioid use disorders (OUDs) in this region, where both HIV incidence and mortality continue to increase.

    METHODS: Survey results from 1613 randomly selected PWID from 5 regions in Ukraine who were currently, previously or never on OAT were analyzed for their preference of pharmacological therapies for treating OUDs. For those preferring XR-NTX, independent correlates of their willingness to initiate XR-NTX were examined.

    RESULTS: Among the 1613 PWID, 449 (27.8%) were interested in initiating XR-NTX. Independent correlates associated with interest in XR-NTX included: being from Mykolaiv (AOR=3.7, 95% CI=2.3-6.1) or Dnipro (AOR=1.8, 95% CI=1.1-2.9); never having been on OAT (AOR=3.4, 95% CI=2.1-5.4); shorter-term injectors (AOR=0.9, 95% CI 0.9-0.98); and inversely for both positive (AOR=0.8, CI=0.8-0.9), and negative attitudes toward OAT (AOR=1.3, CI=1.2-1.4), respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: In the context of Eastern Europe and Central Asia where HIV is concentrated in PWID and where HIV prevention with OAT is under-scaled, new options for treating OUDs are urgently needed.

    FINDINGS: here suggest that XR-NTX could become an option for addiction treatment and HIV prevention especially for PWID who have shorter duration of injection and who harbor negative attitudes to OAT. Decision aids that inform patient preferences with accurate information about the various treatment options are likely to guide patients toward better, patient-centered treatments and improve treatment entry and retention.

    MeSH terms: Humans; Injections; Naltrexone/therapeutic use*; Narcotic Antagonists/therapeutic use*; Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy*; Ukraine/epidemiology; Patient Preference
  9. Fitzpatrick C, Haines A, Bangert M, Farlow A, Hemingway J, Velayudhan R
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2017 Aug;11(8):e0005785.
    PMID: 28806786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005785
    INTRODUCTION: Dengue is a rapidly emerging vector-borne Neglected Tropical Disease, with a 30-fold increase in the number of cases reported since 1960. The economic cost of the illness is measured in the billions of dollars annually. Environmental change and unplanned urbanization are conspiring to raise the health and economic cost even further beyond the reach of health systems and households. The health-sector response has depended in large part on control of the Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus (mosquito) vectors. The cost-effectiveness of the first-ever dengue vaccine remains to be evaluated in the field. In this paper, we examine how it might affect the cost-effectiveness of sustained vector control.

    METHODS: We employ a dynamic Markov model of the effects of vector control on dengue in both vectors and humans over a 15-year period, in six countries: Brazil, Columbia, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, and Thailand. We evaluate the cost (direct medical costs and control programme costs) and cost-effectiveness of sustained vector control, outbreak response and/or medical case management, in the presence of a (hypothetical) highly targeted and low cost immunization strategy using a (non-hypothetical) medium-efficacy vaccine.

    RESULTS: Sustained vector control using existing technologies would cost little more than outbreak response, given the associated costs of medical case management. If sustained use of existing or upcoming technologies (of similar price) reduce vector populations by 70-90%, the cost per disability-adjusted life year averted is 2013 US$ 679-1331 (best estimates) relative to no intervention. Sustained vector control could be highly cost-effective even with less effective technologies (50-70% reduction in vector populations) and in the presence of a highly targeted and low cost immunization strategy using a medium-efficacy vaccine.

    DISCUSSION: Economic evaluation of the first-ever dengue vaccine is ongoing. However, even under very optimistic assumptions about a highly targeted and low cost immunization strategy, our results suggest that sustained vector control will continue to play an important role in mitigating the impact of environmental change and urbanization on human health. If additional benefits for the control of other Aedes borne diseases, such as Chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika fever are taken into account, the investment case is even stronger. High-burden endemic countries should proceed to map populations to be covered by sustained vector control.

    MeSH terms: Aedes; Americas; Animals; Asia; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Dengue/economics*; Dengue/prevention & control*; Humans; Mosquito Control/economics*; Mosquito Control/methods*; Communicable Diseases, Emerging/economics; Communicable Diseases, Emerging/prevention & control; Dengue Vaccines/administration & dosage*; Dengue Vaccines/economics*; Neglected Diseases/economics; Neglected Diseases/prevention & control; Mosquito Vectors
  10. Jafri AJA, Arfuzir NNN, Lambuk L, Iezhitsa I, Agarwal R, Agarwal P, et al.
    J Trace Elem Med Biol, 2017 Jan;39:147-154.
    PMID: 27908408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2016.09.005
    Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity involving N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors has been recognized as a final common outcome in pathological conditions involving death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Overstimulation of NMDA receptors results in influx of calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) ions and efflux of potassium (K). NMDA receptors are blocked by magnesium (Mg). Such changes due to NMDA overstimulation are also associated with not only the altered levels of minerals but also that of trace elements and redox status. Both the decreased and elevated levels of trace elements such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) affect NMDA receptor excitability and redox status. Manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) are also part of antioxidant defense mechanisms in retina. Additionally endogenous substances such as taurine also affect NMDA receptor activity and retinal redox status. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Mg acetyltaurate (MgAT) on the retinal mineral and trace element concentration, oxidative stress, retinal morphology and retinal cell apoptosis in rats after-NMDA exposure. One group of Sprague Dawley rats received intravitreal injection of vehicle while 4 other groups similarly received NMDA (160nmolL(-1)). Among the NMDA injected groups, 3 groups also received MgAT (320nmolL(-1)) as pre-treatment, co-treatment or post-treatment. Seven days after intravitreal injection, rats were sacrificed, eyes were enucleated and retinae were isolated for estimation of mineral (Ca, Na, K, Mg) and trace element (Mn, Cu, Fe, Se, Zn) concentration using Inductively Coupled Plasma (DRC ICP-MS) techniques (NexION 300D), retinal oxidative stress using Elisa, retinal morphology using H&E staining and retinal cell apoptosis using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Intravitreal NMDA injection resulted in increased concentration of Ca (4.6 times, p<0.0001), Mg (1.5 times, p<0.01), Na (3 times, p<0.0001) and K (2.3 times, p<0.0001) compared to vehicle injected group. This was accompanied with significant increase of Ca/Mg and Na/K ratios, 3 and 1.27 times respectively, compared to control group. The trace elements such as Cu, Fe and Zn also showed a significant increase amounting to 3.3 (p<0.001), 2.3 (p<0.0001) and 3 (p<0.0001) times respectively compared to control group. Se was increased by 60% (p<0.005). Pre-treatment with MgAT abolished effect of NMDA on minerals and trace elements more effectively than co- and post-treatment. Similar observations were made for retinal oxidative stress, retinal morphology and retinal cell apoptosis. In conclusion, current study demonstrated the protective effect of MgAT against NMDA-induced oxidative stress and retinal cell apoptosis. This effect of MgAT was associated with restoration of retinal concentrations of minerals and trace elements. Further studies are warranted to explore the precise molecular targets of MgAT. Nevertheless, MgAT seems a potential candidate in the management of diseases involving NMDA-induced excitotoxicity.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Homeostasis/drug effects*; Male; Minerals/metabolism*; Retinal Diseases/chemically induced; Retinal Diseases/metabolism*; Retinal Diseases/pathology; Taurine/administration & dosage; Taurine/analogs & derivatives*; Taurine/pharmacology; Trace Elements/metabolism*; N-Methylaspartate/antagonists & inhibitors*; N-Methylaspartate/toxicity; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Protective Agents/administration & dosage; Protective Agents/pharmacology*; Rats
  11. Zheltova AA, Kharitonova MV, Iezhitsa IN, Serebryansky EP, Evsyukov OY, Spasov AA, et al.
    J Trace Elem Med Biol, 2017 Jan;39:36-42.
    PMID: 27908421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2016.07.002
    The aim of the present study was to assess whether dietary magnesium deficiency can alter distribution of macroelements and trace elements in different organs and tissues. Experiments were carried out on 12 adult female Wistar rats, which were fed either a diet with low Mg content (≤20mgkg(-1) of diet) (LMgD) or a diet with daily recommended Mg content (≈500mgkg(-1)) as control group (CG) for 70 days. On the 70th day of the experiment heart, aorta, femoral skeletal muscle, forebrain, cerebellum, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, ovaries, uterus, liver, kidneys, and spleen were taken for analysis of mineral content. Concentrations of Fe and Ca were measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, and levels of Na, K, Mg, Co, Cu, Zn, Ni, Se, I were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. On the 70th day, LMgD led to significant reduction of Mg level in red blood cells, plasma, aorta, uterus and thyroid gland compared to CG as well as resulted in significant decrease of Mg/Ca ratio in kidneys, spleen and ovaries. Contrary to this, an increase of Mg/Ca ratio was found in cerebellum of LMgD group. Significant decrease of K concentration was shown in aorta of LMgD animals compared to CG whereas myocardial K concentration was increased in LMgD group. Na level was two-fold higher in skeletal muscles of rats that received LMgD in comparison to CG (p=0.006). Increased concentrations of Fe in ovaries and uterus were found in LMgD. Mg restriction did not affect Zn concentration in any of tasted tissues. Se level was higher in spleen and lower in uterus of LMgD animals compared to CG. MgD was accompanied by increased level of Co in skeletal muscles and decreased its level in kidneys and uterus. LMgD feeding was associated with decreased concentrations of Ni in heart, thyroid gland, spleen, uterus and Co in heart, aorta, liver, kidneys, spleen and ovaries. The changes of Mg, K, Co content were accompanied by dramatic (10-fold) decrease of I concentration in aorta of LMgD animals. LMgD causes decrease of I content in ovaries and increase of I level in uterus vs CG. Thus, distribution of macroelements (Ca, Na, K) was weakly affected by Mg restriction that led to the most evident alterations of Co and Ni tissue levels. Moreover, mineral balance of uterus seems to be the most susceptible to low Mg intake. Hypomagnesaemia resulted in significant changes of 5 studied trace elements (Fe, Se, Cu, Ni and Co).
    MeSH terms: Animals; Diet*; Female; Magnesium/administration & dosage*; Magnesium/blood; Magnesium/metabolism; Magnesium Deficiency/blood; Magnesium Deficiency/metabolism*; Minerals/blood; Minerals/metabolism*; Trace Elements/blood; Trace Elements/metabolism*; Rats, Wistar; Rats
  12. Lim KL, Amir A, Lau YL, Fong MY
    Malar J, 2017 08 11;16(1):331.
    PMID: 28800732 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1984-8
    BACKGROUND: The zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi is a major cause of human malaria in Malaysia. This parasite uses the Duffy binding protein (PkDBPαII) to interact with the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) receptor on human and macaque erythrocytes to initiate invasion. Previous studies on P. knowlesi have reported distinct Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo PkDBPαII haplotypes. In the present study, the differential binding activity of these haplotypes with human and macaque (Macaca fascicularis) erythrocytes was investigated.

    METHODS: The PkDBPαII of Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo were expressed on the surface of COS-7 cells and tested with human and monkey erythrocytes, with and without anti-Fy6 (anti-Duffy) monoclonal antibody treatment. Binding activity level was determined by counting the number of rosettes formed between the transfected COS-7 cells and the erythrocytes.

    RESULTS: Anti-Fy6 treatment was shown to completely block the binding of human erythrocytes with the transfected COS-7 cells, thus verifying the specific binding of human DARC with PkDBPαII. Interestingly, the PkDBPαII of Peninsular Malaysia displayed a higher binding activity with human erythrocytes when compared with the Malaysian Borneo PkDBPαII haplotype (mean number of rosettes formed = 156.89 ± 6.62 and 46.00 ± 3.57, respectively; P 

    MeSH terms: Animals; Borneo; Carrier Proteins/metabolism*; Erythrocytes/parasitology*; Humans; Macaca fascicularis/parasitology*; Malaysia; Protein Binding; Protozoan Proteins/metabolism*; Plasmodium knowlesi/metabolism*
  13. Ganapathy SS, Yi Yi K, Omar MA, Anuar MFM, Jeevananthan C, Rao C
    BMC Public Health, 2017 08 11;17(1):653.
    PMID: 28800758 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4668-y
    BACKGROUND: Mortality statistics by age, sex and cause are the foundation of basic health data required for health status assessment, epidemiological research and formation of health policy. Close to half the deaths in Malaysia occur outside a health facility, are not attended by medical personnel, and are given a lay opinion as to the cause of death, leading to poor quality of data from vital registration. Verbal autopsy (VA) is a very useful tool in diagnosing broad causes of deaths for events that occur outside health facilities. This article reports the development of the VA methods and our principal finding from a validation study.

    METHODS: A cross sectional study on nationally representative sample deaths that occurred in Malaysia during 2013 was used. A VA questionnaire suitable for local use was developed. Trained field interviewers visited the family members of the deceased at their homes and conducted face to face interviews with the next of kin. Completed questionnaires were reviewed by trained physicians who assigned multiple and underlying causes. Reference diagnoses for validation were obtained from review of medical records (MR) available for a sample of the overall study deaths.

    RESULTS: Corresponding MR diagnosis with matched sample of the VA diagnosis were available in 2172 cases for the validation study. Sensitivity scores were good (>75%) for transport accidents and certain cancers. Moderate sensitivity (50% - 75%) was obtained for ischaemic heart disease (64%) and cerebrovascular disease (72%). The validation sample for deaths due to major causes such as ischaemic heart disease, pneumonia, breast cancer and transport accidents show low cause-specific mortality fraction (CSMF) changes. The scores obtained for the top 10 leading site-specific cancers ranged from average to good.

    CONCLUSION: We can conclude that VA is suitable for implementation for deaths outside the health facilities in Malaysia. This would reduce ill-defined mortality causes in vital registration data, and yield more accurate national mortality statistics.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Autopsy/methods*; Autopsy/standards*; Cause of Death*; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Male; Medical Records/standards*; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires/standards*; Reproducibility of Results*; Narration*; Young Adult
  14. Govindaraj D, Rajan M, Munusamy MA, Alarfaj AA, Sadasivuni KK, Kumar SS
    Nanomedicine, 2017 Nov;13(8):2661-2669.
    PMID: 28800874 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.07.017
    Minerals substituted apatite (M-HA) nanoparticles were prepared by the precipitation of minerals and phosphate reactants in choline chloride-Thiourea (ChCl-TU) deep eutectic solvent (DESs) as a facile and green way approach. After preparation of nanoparticles (F-M-HA (F=Fresh solvent)), the DESs was recovered productively and reprocess for the preparation of R-M-HA nanoparticles (R=Recycle solvent).The functional groups, phase, surface texture and the elemental composition of the M-HA nanoparticles were evaluated by advance characterization methods. The physicochemical results of the current work authoritative the successful uses of the novel (ChCl-TU) DESs as eco-friendly recuperate and give the medium for the preparation of M-HA nanoparticles. Moreover, the as-synthesized both M-HA nanoparticles exhibit excellent biocompatibility, consisting of cell co-cultivation and cell adhesion, in vivo according to surgical implantation of Wistar rats.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bone and Bones/injuries*; Bone and Bones/physiology; Bone Regeneration*; Cell Line; Humans; Male; Osteoblasts/metabolism; Rejuvenation; Rats, Wistar; Durapatite/therapeutic use*; Nanoparticles/therapeutic use*; Nanoparticles/ultrastructure; Green Chemistry Technology
  15. Mak J, Abramsky T, Sijapati B, Kiss L, Zimmerman C
    BMJ Open, 2017 Aug 11;7(8):e015835.
    PMID: 28801409 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-015835
    OBJECTIVES: Growing numbers of people are migrating outside their country for work, and many experience precarious conditions, which have been linked to poor physical and mental health. While international dialogue on human trafficking, forced labour and slavery increases, prevalence data of such experiences remain limited.

    METHODS: Men from Dolakha, Nepal, who had ever migrated outside of Nepal for work were interviewed on their experiences, from predeparture to return (n=194). Forced labour was assessed among those who returned within the past 10 years (n=140) using the International Labour Organization's forced labour dimensions: (1) unfree recruitment; (2) work and life under duress; and (3) impossibility to leave employer. Forced labour is positive if any one of the dimensions is positive.

    RESULTS: Participants had worked in India (34%), Malaysia (34%) and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (29%), working in factories (29%), as labourers/porters (15%) or in skilled employment (12%). Among more recent returnees (n=140), 44% experienced unfree recruitment, 71% work and life under duress and 14% impossibility to leave employer. Overall, 73% experienced forced labour during their most recent labour migration.Forced labour was more prevalent among those who had taken loans for their migration (PR 1.23) and slightly less prevalent among those who had migrated more than once (PR 0.87); however the proportion of those who experienced forced labour was still high (67%). Age, destination and duration of stay were associated with only certain dimensions of forced labour.

    CONCLUSION: Forced labour experiences were common during recruitment and at destination. Migrant workers need better advice on assessing agencies and brokers, and on accessing services at destinations. As labour migration from Nepal is not likely to reduce in the near future, interventions and policies at both source and destinations need to better address the challenges migrants face so they can achieve safer outcomes.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Coercion; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developing Countries; Emigration and Immigration*; Employment/statistics & numerical data*; Ethnic Groups/statistics & numerical data*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nepal; Regression Analysis; Social Class; Transients and Migrants/statistics & numerical data*; Young Adult; Human Trafficking*
  16. Jacklin PB, Maresh MJ, Patterson CC, Stanley KP, Dornhorst A, Burman-Roy S, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2017 Aug 11;7(8):e016621.
    PMID: 28801424 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016621
    OBJECTIVES: To compare the cost-effectiveness (CE) of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2015 and the WHO 2013 diagnostic thresholds for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

    SETTING: The analysis was from the perspective of the National Health Service in England and Wales.

    PARTICIPANTS: 6221 patients from four of the Hyperglycaemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes (HAPO) study centres (two UK, two Australian), 6308 patients from the Atlantic Diabetes in Pregnancy study and 12 755 patients from UK clinical practice.

    PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES PLANNED: The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), net monetary benefit (NMB) and the probability of being cost-effective at CE thresholds of £20 000 and £30 000 per QALY.

    RESULTS: In a population of pregnant women from the four HAPO study centres and using NICE-defined risk factors for GDM, diagnosing GDM using NICE 2015 criteria had an NMB of £239 902 (relative to no treatment) at a CE threshold of £30 000 per QALY compared with WHO 2013 criteria, which had an NMB of £186 675. NICE 2015 criteria had a 51.5% probability of being cost-effective compared with the WHO 2013 diagnostic criteria, which had a 27.6% probability of being cost-effective (no treatment had a 21.0% probability of being cost-effective). For women without NICE risk factors in this population, the NMBs for NICE 2015 and WHO 2013 criteria were both negative relative to no treatment and no treatment had a 78.1% probability of being cost-effective.

    CONCLUSION: The NICE 2015 diagnostic criteria for GDM can be considered cost-effective relative to the WHO 2013 alternative at a CE threshold of £30 000 per QALY. Universal screening for GDM was not found to be cost-effective relative to screening based on NICE risk factors.

    MeSH terms: Australia; Cost-Benefit Analysis*; Female; Great Britain; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Risk Factors; State Medicine; World Health Organization; Diabetes, Gestational/diagnosis*; Diabetes, Gestational/etiology; Patient Selection*; Quality-Adjusted Life Years*
  17. Lee SWH, Chan EMC, Lai YK
    Sci Rep, 2017 08 11;7(1):7984.
    PMID: 28801563 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06628-8
    Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common non-malignant condition among older men, but the epidemiology is poorly characterised. We summarised and determined the global prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A systematic search on PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL was performed up until 31st July 2016. Studies that described the epidemiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia were included and cumulative plots of prevalence estimates were calculated. A total of 31 prevalence rate estimates from 25 countries were identified. The combined prevalence estimates showed that the lifetime prevalence of BPH was 26.2% (95% CI: 22.8-29.6%). We found that there was an increasing prevalence of BPH with age. However, we found no significant difference between (a) rural, urban or mixed sites, (b) different countries, (c) respondent representativeness. (d) sample size or (e) study quality. We also found no significant change in the prevalence over the past 20 years. While there is substantial variation between sites estimates, results suggest that nearly 1 in 4 men will suffer from BPH over their lifetime. The study revealed there are significant gaps in knowledge, which provides opportunities for future research to further enrich the epidemiological landscape with data.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Male; Prostatic Hyperplasia/epidemiology*; Urinary Tract/pathology; Global Burden of Disease
  18. Moriya S, Tahsin N, Parhar IS
    Sci Rep, 2017 08 11;7(1):7926.
    PMID: 28801581 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08248-8
    The bactericidal/permeability-increasing (BPI) fold-containing (BPIF) superfamily of genes expressed in the brain are purportedly involved in modulating brain function in response to stress, such as inflammation. Kisspeptin, encoded by kiss, is affected by inflammation in the brain; therefore, BPIF family genes might be involved in the modulation of kisspeptin in the brain. In this study, we investigated the expression of BPIF family C, like (bpifcl) in zebrafish brain and its involvement in kiss2 regulation. The identified, full-length sequence of a bpifcl isoform expressed in the zebrafish brain contained the BPI fold shared by BPIF family members. bpifcl mRNA expression in female zebrafish brains was significantly higher than that in males. Exposure of female zebrafish to 11-ketotestosterone decreased bpifcl and kiss2 mRNA expression. bpifcl knockdown by bpifcl-specific small interfering RNA administration to female zebrafish brain decreased kiss2 mRNA expression. bpifcl expression was widely distributed in the brain, including in the dorsal zone of the periventricular hypothalamus (Hd). Furthermore, bpifcl was also expressed in KISS2 neurons in the Hd. These results suggest that the Bpifcl modulates kiss2 mRNA expression under the influence of testosterone in the Hd of female zebrafish.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Gene Expression Regulation*; Hypothalamus/physiology*; Male; Testosterone/analogs & derivatives*; Testosterone/metabolism; Zebrafish/genetics*; Zebrafish/physiology*; Gene Expression Profiling; Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism*
  19. Mansor NA, Tay KS
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Oct;24(28):22361-22370.
    PMID: 28801887 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9892-6
    This study investigated the reaction kinetics and mechanism of the degradation of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin (DPH) during conventional chlorination and UV/chlorination. DPH is one of the antiepileptic drugs, which has frequently been detected in the aquatic environment. For chlorination, the second-order rate constant for the reaction between DPH and free active chlorine (FAC) was determined at pH 5 to 8. At pH 6 to 8, the efficiency of chlorination in the removal of DPH was found to be dominated by the reaction involving hypochlorous acid (HOCl). The result also showed that anionic species of DPH was more reactive toward FAC as compared with neutral DPH. For UV/chlorination, the effect of FAC dosage and pH on the degradation of DPH was evaluated. UV/chlorination is a more effective method for removing DPH as compared with conventional chlorination and UV irradiation. The DPH degradation rate was found to increase with increasing FAC concentration. On the other hand, the degradation of DPH was found to be more favorable under the acidic condition. Based on the identified transformation by-products, DPH was found to be degraded through the reaction at imidazolidine-2,4-dione moiety of DPH for both chlorination and UV/chlorination. Toxicity study on the chlorination and UV/chlorination-treated DPH solutions suggested that UV/chlorination is a more efficient method for reducing the toxicity of DPH.
    MeSH terms: Chlorine/chemistry*; Escherichia coli/drug effects; Kinetics; Oxidation-Reduction; Phenytoin/analysis*; Phenytoin/radiation effects; Phenytoin/toxicity; Ultraviolet Rays*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/radiation effects; Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity; Water Purification/methods*; Toxicity Tests; Halogenation
  20. Chan KO, Alexander AM, Grismer LL, Su YC, Grismer JL, Quah ESH, et al.
    Mol Ecol, 2017 Oct;26(20):5435-5450.
    PMID: 28802073 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14296
    Accurately delimiting species boundaries is a nontrivial undertaking that can have significant effects on downstream inferences. We compared the efficacy of commonly used species delimitation methods (SDMs) and a population genomics approach based on genomewide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to assess lineage separation in the Malaysian Torrent Frog Complex currently recognized as a single species (Amolops larutensis). First, we used morphological, mitochondrial DNA and genomewide SNPs to identify putative species boundaries by implementing noncoalescent and coalescent-based SDMs (mPTP, iBPP, BFD*). We then tested the validity of putative boundaries by estimating spatiotemporal gene flow (fastsimcoal2, ABBA-BABA) to assess the extent of genetic isolation among putative species. Our results show that the A. larutensis complex runs the gamut of the speciation continuum from highly divergent, genetically isolated lineages (mean Fst  = 0.9) to differentiating populations involving recent gene flow (mean Fst  = 0.05; Nm  > 5). As expected, SDMs were effective at delimiting divergent lineages in the absence of gene flow but overestimated species in the presence of marked population structure and gene flow. However, using a population genomics approach and the concept of species as separately evolving metapopulation lineages as the only necessary property of a species, we were able to objectively elucidate cryptic species boundaries in the presence of past and present gene flow. This study does not discount the utility of SDMs but highlights the danger of violating model assumptions and the importance of carefully considering methods that appropriately fit the diversification history of a particular system.
    MeSH terms: Animals; DNA, Mitochondrial; Nucleotides; Ranidae; 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Genetic Drift; Gene Flow; Metagenomics; Reproductive Isolation
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