Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Jankovic N, Geelen A, Winkels RM, Mwungura B, Fedirko V, Jenab M, et al.
    Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2017 Jan;26(1):136-144.
    PMID: 27793797 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-16-0428
    BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether dietary recommendations for cancer prevention are applicable to the elderly. We analyzed WCRF/AICR recommendations in cohorts of European and U.S. adults ages 60 years and above.

    METHODS: Individual participant data meta-analysis included 362,114 participants (43% women), from seven prospective cohort studies, free from cancer at enrollment. The WCRF/AICR diet score was based on: (i) energy-dense foods and sugary drinks, (ii) plant foods, (iii) red and processed meat, and (iv) alcoholic drinks. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association between the diet score and cancer risks. Adjusted, cohort-specific HRs were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Risk advancement periods (RAP) were calculated to quantify the time period by which the risk of cancer was postponed among those adhering to the recommendations.

    RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 11 to 15 years across cohorts, 70,877 cancer cases were identified. Each one-point increase in the WCRF/AICR diet score [range, 0 (no) to 4 (complete adherence)] was significantly associated with a lower risk of total cancer [HR, 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.92-0.97], cancers of the colorectum (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.80-0.89) and prostate (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.92-0.97), but not breast or lung. Adherence to an additional component of the WCRF/AICR diet score significantly postponed the incidence of cancer at any site by 1.6 years (RAP, -1.6; 95% CI, -4.09 to -2.16).

    CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to WCRF/AICR dietary recommendations is associated with lower risk of cancer among older adults.

    IMPACT: Dietary recommendations for cancer prevention are applicable to the elderly. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(1); 136-44. ©2016 AACR.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging/physiology; Europe/epidemiology; Female; Humans; Life Style; Male; Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Neoplasms/prevention & control*; Primary Prevention/methods*; United States/epidemiology; Geriatric Assessment; Nutrition Assessment; Prevalence; Practice Guidelines as Topic*; Healthy Diet*
  2. Lawrence RJ
    PMID: 28704943 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14070763
    The low impact of scientific research on the relations between housing and health during the last 30 years can be attributed to a number of reasons. First, statistical analyses have meant to improve understanding of the relations between what are interpreted and measured as causal factors. However, any single statistical approach fails to account for the dynamic non-linear relations between multiple factors and therefore cannot analyze systemic complexity. Second, there has been too little accumulation and validation of knowledge from scientific research owing to the dominance of cross-sectional studies, and the lack of coordinated research agendas using these approaches in order to confirm empirical findings. Hence, there is little evidence indicating that public policies in both the housing and the public health sectors in specific localities have benefited from the accumulated evidence of empirical research. Third, the findings from empirical studies have been published in academic journals and monographs but rarely disseminated to actors and institutions in the public and private sectors. Hence housing and health research and policy formulation have not been consolidated during the last three decades. The author of this communication argues for a radical shift from conventional disciplinary and multi-disciplinary contributions to transdisciplinary research programmes and projects that formulate and apply innovative approaches founded on conceptual frameworks that apply systems thinking for the integration of knowledge and know-how of researchers, policy makers, and professional practitioners in precise localities.
    MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Housing*; Humans; Public Health; Public Policy; Research; Empirical Research
  3. Chiu CK, Chan CYW, Kwan MK
    J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2017 May-Aug;25(2):2309499017713938.
    PMID: 28705124 DOI: 10.1177/2309499017713938
    PURPOSE: This study investigates the safety and accuracy of percutaneous pedicle screws placed using fluoroscopic guidance in the thoracolumbosacral spine among Asian patients.

    METHODS: Computerized tomography scans of 128 patients who had surgery using fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous pedicle screws were selected. Medial, lateral, superior, and inferior screw perforations were classified into grade 0 (no violation), grade 1 (<2 mm perforation), grade 2 (2-4 mm perforation), and grade 3(>4 mm perforation). Anterior perforations were classified into grade 0 (no violation), grade 1 (<4 mm perforation), grade 2 (4-6 mm perforation), and grade 3(>6 mm perforation). Grade 2 and grade 3 perforation were considered as "critical" perforation.

    RESULTS: In total, 1002 percutaneous pedicle screws from 128 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 52.7 ± 16.6. There were 70 male patients and 58 female patients. The total perforation rate was 11.3% (113) with 8.4% (84) grade 1, 2.6% (26) grade 2, and 0.3% (3) grade 3 perforations. The overall "critical" perforation rate was 2.9% (29 screws) and no complications were noted. The highest perforation rates were at T4 (21.6%), T2 (19.4%), and T6 (19.2%).

    CONCLUSION: The total perforation rate of 11.3% with the total "critical" perforation rate of 2.9% (2.6% grade 2 and 0.3% grade 3 perforations). The highest perforation rates were found over the upper to mid-thoracic region. Fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous pedicle screws insertion among Asians has the safety and accuracy comparable to the current reported percutaneous pedicle screws and open pedicle screws techniques.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Female; Fluoroscopy; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Diseases/etiology; Spinal Diseases/surgery*; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery*; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Surgery, Computer-Assisted*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group*; Pedicle Screws*
  4. Mohamad N, Jayalakshmi P, Rhodes A, Liam CK, Tan JL, Yousoof S, et al.
    Br J Biomed Sci, 2017 Oct;74(4):176-180.
    PMID: 28705139 DOI: 10.1080/09674845.2017.1331520
    BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major cause of cancer-related death. Approximately 2-16% of NSCLC patients with wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) harbour anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations. Both EGFR and ALK mutations occur most commonly in Asian patients with NSCLC. As targeted therapy is available for NSCLC patients with these mutations, it is important to establish reliable assays and testing strategies to identify those most likely to benefit from this therapy.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the lung between 2010 and 2014 were tested for EGFR mutations. Of these, 92 cases were identified as EGFR wild type and suitable candidates for ALK testing utilising immunohistochemistry and the rabbit monoclonal antibody D5F3. The reliability of the IHC was confirmed by validating the results against those achieved by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) to detect ALK gene rearrangements.

    RESULTS: Twelve (13%) cases were positive for ALK expression using immunohistochemistry. Of the 18 evaluable cases tested by FISH, there was 100% agreement with respect to ALK rearrangement/ALK expression between the assays, with 11 cases ALK negative and 7 cases ALK positive by both assays. ALK tumour expression was significantly more common in female compared to male patients (29.6% vs. 6.2%, P 

    MeSH terms: Adenocarcinoma; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Female; Fluorescence; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mutation; Smoke; Reproducibility of Results; Gene Rearrangement; Genes, erbB-1; ErbB Receptors
  5. Yee PTI, Mohamed RAH, Ong SK, Tan KO, Poh CL
    Virus Res, 2017 06 15;238:243-252.
    PMID: 28705680 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.07.010
    One of the leading causes of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71), displaying symptoms such as fever and ulcers in children but some strains can produce cardiopulmonary oedema which leads to death. There is no FDA-approved vaccine for prevention of severe HFMD. The molecular determinants of virulence for EV-A71 are unclear. It could be a single or a combination of amino acids that determines virulence in different EV-A71 genotype/sub-genotypes. Several EV-A71 strains bearing single nucleotide (nt) mutations were constructed and the contribution of each mutation to virulence was evaluated. The nt(s) that contributed to significant reduction in virulence in vitro were selected and each mutation was introduced separately into the genome to construct the multiply mutated EV-A71 strain (MMS) which carried six substitutions of nt(s) at the 5'-NTR (U700C), VP1-145 (E to G), VP1-98E, VP1-244K and G64R in the vaccine seed strain that had a partial deletion within the 5'-NTR region (nt. 475-485) of Δ11bp. In comparison to the wild type strain, the MMS showed low virulence as it produced very low RNA copy number, plaque count, VP1 and had 105-fold higher TCID50, indicative of a promising LAV candidate that should be further evaluated in vivo.
    MeSH terms: DNA Mutational Analysis; Genes, Viral*; Humans; Viral Plaque Assay; RNA, Viral/analysis; Viral Proteins/analysis; Virulence; Virus Replication*; Viral Load; Enterovirus A, Human/genetics*; Enterovirus A, Human/growth & development*; Virulence Factors/genetics*; Cell Line, Tumor; Reverse Genetics
  6. Biabanikhankahdani R, Bayat S, Ho KL, Alitheen NBM, Tan WS
    Sci Rep, 2017 Jul 13;7(1):5303.
    PMID: 28706267 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05525-4
    pH-responsive virus-like nanoparticles (VLNPs) hold promising potential as drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. In the present study, hepatitis B virus (HBV) VLNPs harbouring His-tags were used to display doxorubicin (DOX) via nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) conjugation. The His-tags served as pH-responsive nanojoints which released DOX from VLNPs in a controlled manner. The His-tagged VLNPs conjugated non-covalently with NTA-DOX, and cross-linked with folic acid (FA) were able to specifically target and deliver the DOX into ovarian cancer cells via folate receptor (FR)-mediated endocytosis. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake results revealed that the His-tagged VLNPs significantly increased the accumulation of DOX in the ovarian cancer cells and enhanced the uptake of DOX, which improved anti-tumour effects. This study demonstrated that NTA-DOX can be easily displayed on His-tagged VLNPs by a simple Add-and-Display step with high coupling efficiency and the drug was only released at low pH in a controlled manner. This approach facilitates specific attachment of any drug molecule on His-tagged VLNPs at the very mild conditions without changing the biological structure and native conformation of the VLNPs.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/metabolism*; Doxorubicin/metabolism*; Drug Carriers*; Endocytosis; Epithelial Cells/metabolism; Hepatitis B virus*; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Protein Binding; Drug Delivery Systems*; Virosomes*; Cell Line, Tumor; Folic Acid Transporters/metabolism; Cell Surface Display Techniques/methods*
  7. Chek MF, Kim SY, Mori T, Arsad H, Samian MR, Sudesh K, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2017 07 13;7(1):5312.
    PMID: 28706283 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05509-4
    Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a promising candidate for use as an alternative bioplastic to replace petroleum-based plastics. Our understanding of PHA synthase PhaC is poor due to the paucity of available three-dimensional structural information. Here we present a high-resolution crystal structure of the catalytic domain of PhaC from Chromobacterium sp. USM2, PhaC Cs -CAT. The structure shows that PhaC Cs -CAT forms an α/β hydrolase fold comprising α/β core and CAP subdomains. The active site containing Cys291, Asp447 and His477 is located at the bottom of the cavity, which is filled with water molecules and is covered by the partly disordered CAP subdomain. We designated our structure as the closed form, which is distinct from the recently reported catalytic domain from Cupriavidus necator (PhaC Cn -CAT). Structural comparison showed PhaC Cn -CAT adopting a partially open form maintaining a narrow substrate access channel to the active site, but no product egress. PhaC Cs -CAT forms a face-to-face dimer mediated by the CAP subdomains. This arrangement of the dimer is also distinct from that of the PhaC Cn -CAT dimer. These findings suggest that the CAP subdomain should undergo a conformational change during catalytic activity that involves rearrangement of the dimer to facilitate substrate entry and product formation and egress from the active site.
    MeSH terms: Acyltransferases/metabolism; Acyltransferases/chemistry*; Chromobacterium/enzymology*; Models, Molecular; Protein Conformation; Crystallography, X-Ray; Catalytic Domain; Biodegradable Plastics/metabolism
  8. Lee JAC, Otaiba SA
    Read Writ Q, 2017;33(3):226-238.
    PMID: 28706433 DOI: 10.1080/10573569.2016.1165639
    In this article, the authors examined the spelling performance of 430 kindergarteners, which included a high risk sample, to determine the relations between end of kindergarten reading and spelling in a high quality language arts setting. The spelling outcomes including the spelling errors between the good and the poor readers were described, analyzed, and compared. The findings suggest that not all the children have acquired the desired standard as outlined by the Common Core State Standards. In addition, not every good reader is a good speller and that not every poor speller is a poor reader. The study shows that spelling tasks that are accompanied by spelling errors analysis provide a powerful window for making instructional sense of children's spelling errors and for individualizing spelling instructional strategies.
  9. Luke SH, Barclay H, Bidin K, Chey VK, Ewers RM, Foster WA, et al.
    Ecohydrology, 2017 06;10(4):e1827.
    PMID: 28706573 DOI: 10.1002/eco.1827
    Freshwaters provide valuable habitat and important ecosystem services but are threatened worldwide by habitat loss and degradation. In Southeast Asia, rainforest streams are particularly threatened by logging and conversion to oil palm, but we lack information on the impacts of this on freshwater environmental conditions, and the relative importance of catchment versus riparian-scale disturbance. We studied 16 streams in Sabah, Borneo, including old-growth forest, logged forest, and oil palm sites. We assessed forest quality in riparian zones and across the whole catchment and compared it with stream environmental conditions including water quality, structural complexity, and organic inputs. We found that streams with the highest riparian forest quality were nearly 4 °C cooler, over 20 cm deeper, had over 40% less sand, greater canopy cover, more stored leaf litter, and wider channels than oil palm streams with the lowest riparian forest quality. Other variables were significantly related to catchment-scale forest quality, with streams in the highest quality forest catchments having 40% more bedrock and 20 times more dead wood, along with higher phosphorus, and lower nitrate-N levels compared to streams with the lowest catchment-scale forest quality. Although riparian buffer strips went some way to protecting waterways, they did not maintain fully forest-like stream conditions. In addition, logged forest streams still showed signs of disturbance 10-15 years after selective logging. Our results suggest that maintenance and restoration of buffer strips can help to protect healthy freshwater ecosystems but logging practices and catchment-scale forest management also need to be considered.
    MeSH terms: Borneo; Fresh Water; Maintenance; Malaysia; Nitrates; Phosphorus; Wood; Ecosystem; Plant Leaves; Rivers; Water Quality; Forests; Rainforest
  10. Shariat BS, Meng Q, Mahmud AS, Wu Z, Bakhtiari R, Zhang J, et al.
    Data Brief, 2017 Aug;13:562-568.
    PMID: 28706965 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.06.017
    Functionally graded NiTi structures benefit from the combination of the smart properties of NiTi and those of functionally graded structures. This article provides experimental data for thermomechanical deformation behaviour of microstructurally graded, compositionally graded and geometrically graded NiTi alloy components, related to the research article entitled "Functionally graded shape memory alloys: design, fabrication and experimental evaluation" (Shariat et al., 2017) [1]. Stress-strain variation of microstructurally graded NiTi wires is presented at different heat treatment conditions and testing temperatures. The complex 4-way shape memory behaviour of a compositionally graded NiTi strip during one complete thermal cycle is demonstrated. The effects of geometrical design on pseudoelastic behaviour of geometrically graded NiTi plates over tensile loading cycles are presented on the stress-strain diagrams.
    MeSH terms: Alloys; Bone Wires; Hot Temperature; Nickel; Temperature; Titanium
  11. Nor ANM, Corstanje R, Harris JA, Grafius DR, Siriwardena GM
    Heliyon, 2017 Jun;3(6):e00325.
    PMID: 28706999 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00325
    Urban expansion increases fragmentation of the landscape. In effect, fragmentation decreases connectivity, causes green space loss and impacts upon the ecology and function of green space. Restoration of the functionality of green space often requires restoring the ecological connectivity of this green space within the city matrix. However, identifying ecological corridors that integrate different structural and functional connectivity of green space remains vague. Assessing connectivity for developing an ecological network by using efficient models is essential to improve these networks under rapid urban expansion. This paper presents a novel methodological approach to assess and model connectivity for the Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus) and Yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) in three cities (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jakarta, Indonesia and Metro Manila, Philippines). The approach identifies potential priority corridors for ecological connectivity networks. The study combined circuit models, connectivity analysis and least-cost models to identify potential corridors by integrating structure and function of green space patches to provide reliable ecological connectivity network models in the cities. Relevant parameters such as landscape resistance and green space structure (vegetation density, patch size and patch distance) were derived from an expert and literature-based approach based on the preference of bird behaviour. The integrated models allowed the assessment of connectivity for both species using different measures of green space structure revealing the potential corridors and least-cost pathways for both bird species at the patch sites. The implementation of improvements to the identified corridors could increase the connectivity of green space. This study provides examples of how combining models can contribute to the improvement of ecological networks in rapidly expanding cities and demonstrates the usefulness of such models for biodiversity conservation and urban planning.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cities; City Planning; Indonesia; Malaysia; Philippines; Biodiversity; Sparrows
  12. Vijayanathan Y, Lim FT, Lim SM, Long CM, Tan MP, Majeed ABA, et al.
    Neurotox Res, 2017 Oct;32(3):496-508.
    PMID: 28707266 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-017-9778-x
    Conventional mammalian models of neurodegeneration are often limited by futile axonogenesis with minimal functional recuperation of severed neurons. The emergence of zebrafish, a non-mammalian model with excellent neuroregenerative properties, may address these limitations. This study aimed to establish an adult zebrafish-based, neurotoxin-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) model and subsequently validate the regenerative capability of dopaminergic neurons (DpN). The DpN of adult male zebrafish (Danio rerio) were lesioned by microinjecting 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) neurotoxin (6.25, 12.5, 18.75, 25, 37.5, 50 and 100 mg/kg) into the ventral diencephalon (Dn). This was facilitated by an optimised protocol that utilised 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanineperchlorate (DiI) dye to precisely identify the injection site. Immunostaining was utilised to identify the number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-ir) DpN in brain regions of interest (i.e. olfactory bulb, telencephalon, preoptic area, posterior tuberculum and hypothalamus). Open tank video recordings were performed for locomotor studies. The Dn was accessed by setting the injection angle of the microinjection capillary to 60° and injection depth to 1200 μm (from the exposed brain surface). 6-OHDA (25 mg/kg) successfully ablated >85% of the Dn DpN (preoptic area, posterior tuberculum and hypothalamus) whilst maintaining a 100% survival. Locomotor analysis of 5-min recordings revealed that 6-OHDA-lesioned adult zebrafish were significantly (p 
    MeSH terms: Animals; Brain/pathology; Brain/physiopathology; Cell Count; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Microinjections; Motor Activity; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism; Zebrafish*; Microscopy, Confocal; Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
  13. Abdullah RM, Zukarnain ZA
    Sensors (Basel), 2017 Jul 14;17(7).
    PMID: 28708067 DOI: 10.3390/s17071626
    Transferring a huge amount of data between different network locations over the network links depends on the network's traffic capacity and data rate. Traditionally, a mobile device may be moved to achieve the operations of vertical handover, considering only one criterion, that is the Received Signal Strength (RSS). The use of a single criterion may cause service interruption, an unbalanced network load and an inefficient vertical handover. In this paper, we propose an enhanced vertical handover decision algorithm based on multiple criteria in the heterogeneous wireless network. The algorithm consists of three technology interfaces: Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). It also employs three types of vertical handover decision algorithms: equal priority, mobile priority and network priority. The simulation results illustrate that the three types of decision algorithms outperform the traditional network decision algorithm in terms of handover number probability and the handover failure probability. In addition, it is noticed that the network priority handover decision algorithm produces better results compared to the equal priority and the mobile priority handover decision algorithm. Finally, the simulation results are validated by the analytical model.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Local Area Networks; Microwaves; Probability
  14. Mohamad NZ, Hamzaid NA, Davis GM, Abdul Wahab AK, Hasnan N
    Sensors (Basel), 2017 Jul 14;17(7).
    PMID: 28708068 DOI: 10.3390/s17071627
    A mechanomyography muscle contraction (MC) sensor, affixed to the skin surface, was used to quantify muscle tension during repetitive functional electrical stimulation (FES)-evoked isometric rectus femoris contractions to fatigue in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Nine persons with motor complete SCI were seated on a commercial muscle dynamometer that quantified peak torque and average torque outputs, while measurements from the MC sensor were simultaneously recorded. MC-sensor-predicted measures of dynamometer torques, including the signal peak (SP) and signal average (SA), were highly associated with isometric knee extension peak torque (SP: r = 0.91, p < 0.0001), and average torque (SA: r = 0.89, p < 0.0001), respectively. Bland-Altman (BA) analyses with Lin's concordance (ρC) revealed good association between MC-sensor-predicted peak muscle torques (SP; ρC = 0.91) and average muscle torques (SA; ρC = 0.89) with the equivalent dynamometer measures, over a range of FES current amplitudes. The relationship of dynamometer torques and predicted MC torques during repetitive FES-evoked muscle contraction to fatigue were moderately associated (SP: r = 0.80, p < 0.0001; SA: r = 0.77; p < 0.0001), with BA associations between the two devices fair-moderate (SP; ρC = 0.70: SA; ρC = 0.30). These findings demonstrated that a skin-surface muscle mechanomyography sensor was an accurate proxy for electrically-evoked muscle contraction torques when directly measured during isometric dynamometry in individuals with SCI. The novel application of the MC sensor during FES-evoked muscle contractions suggested its possible application for real-world tasks (e.g., prolonged sit-to-stand, stepping,) where muscle forces during fatiguing activities cannot be directly measured.
    MeSH terms: Electric Stimulation; Humans; Isometric Contraction; Muscle Contraction; Spinal Cord Injuries; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscle Fatigue; Torque*
  15. Daniel-Jambun D, Dwiyanto J, Lim YY, Tan JBL, Muhamad A, Yap SW, et al.
    J Appl Microbiol, 2017 Oct;123(4):810-818.
    PMID: 28708293 DOI: 10.1111/jam.13536
    AIMS: To investigate the antimicrobial properties of Etlingera coccinea and Etlingera sessilanthera and to isolate and identify the antimicrobial compounds.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: Extracts were obtained via sequential solvent extraction method using hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Antimicrobial activity testing was done using broth microdilution assay against 17 strains of bacteria. The leaf hexane extract of E. coccinea and rhizome hexane extract of E. sessilanthera showed best antimicrobial activities, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0·016 to 1 mg ml-1 against Gram-positive bacteria. From these active extracts, two antimicrobials were isolated and identified as trans-2-dodecenal and 8(17),12-labdadiene-15,16-dial with MIC values ranging from 4 to 8 μg ml-1 against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.

    CONCLUSION: Etlingera coccinea and E. sessilanthera demonstrated good antimicrobial activities against clinically relevant bacteria strains. The antimicrobial compounds isolated showed low MIC values, hence suggesting their potential use as antimicrobial agents.

    SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study is the first to identify the potent antimicrobials from these gingers. The antimicrobials isolated could potentially be developed further for use in treatment of bacterial infections. Also, this study warrants further research into other Etlingera species in search for more antimicrobial compounds.

    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Bacillus cereus/drug effects; Bacillus cereus/growth & development; Borneo; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development; Plant Leaves/drug effects; Ginger/chemistry*
  16. Ahmad NS, Abdul Aziz A, Kong KW, Hamid MSA, Cheong JPG, Hamzah SH
    J Altern Complement Med, 2017 Dec;23(12):989-995.
    PMID: 28708420 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2017.0129
    OBJECTIVES: Tualang honey (TH) contains antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, phenolic acids, and flavonoids that may be protective against oxidative stress of exercise. The aim of this study was to examine the postprandial antioxidant activity and oxidative stress after ingestion of high and low dosages of TH in female athletes.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty female athletes (aged 21.3 [2.1] years; body weight [BW] 54.1 [5.7] kg) were randomly assigned into two groups and consumed either 1.5 g/kg BW TH (high honey; HH; n = 10) or 0.75 g/kg BW TH (low honey; LH; n = 10). Blood sample was collected at fasting and at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 h after TH consumption. Plasma was analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP]), and oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde [MDA] and reactive oxygen species [ROS]).

    RESULTS: The 3-h area under the curve (AUC) for MDA was significantly lower in the LH group compared with HH group, suggesting less oxidative stress in the LH group. However, the AUCs for TPC, FRAP, and ROS were not affected by the dosages. The concentrations of TPC and FRAP increased from baseline to 2 and 1 h after TH consumption, respectively, and concentrations returned toward baseline at 3 h in both LH and HH groups. MDA concentration significantly decreased (p 

    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Antioxidants/administration & dosage; Antioxidants/therapeutic use*; Biological Products/administration & dosage; Biological Products/therapeutic use*; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Honey*; Humans; Malondialdehyde/blood; Oxidative Stress/drug effects*; Young Adult; Athletes/statistics & numerical data*
  17. Schauer PR, Nor Hanipah Z, Rubino F
    Cleve Clin J Med, 2017 Jul;84(7 Suppl 1):S47-S56.
    PMID: 28708482 DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.84.s1.06
    The term metabolic surgery describes bariatric surgical procedures used primarily to treat type 2 diabetes and related metabolic conditions. Originally, bariatric surgery was used as an alternative weight-loss therapy for patients with severe obesity, but clinical data revealed its metabolic benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes. Metabolic surgery is more effective than lifestyle or medical management in achieving glycemic control, sustained weight loss, and reducing diabetes comorbidities. Perioperative adverse events are similar to other gastrointestinal surgeries. New guidelines for type 2 diabetes expand use of metabolic surgery to patients with a lower body mass index.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/surgery*; Female; Humans; Male; Weight Loss; Body Mass Index; Treatment Outcome; Bariatric Surgery/methods*
  18. Moradi F, Ung NM, Khandaker MU, Mahdiraji GA, Saad M, Abdul Malik R, et al.
    Phys Med Biol, 2017 Jul 28;62(16):6550-6566.
    PMID: 28708603 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/aa7fe6
    The relatively new treatment modality electronic intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) is gaining popularity, irradiation being obtained within a surgically produced cavity being delivered via a low-energy x-ray source and spherical applicators, primarily for early stage breast cancer. Due to the spatially dramatic dose-rate fall off with radial distance from the source and effects related to changes in the beam quality of the low keV photon spectra, dosimetric account of the Intrabeam system is rather complex. Skin dose monitoring in IORT is important due to the high dose prescription per treatment fraction. In this study, modeling of the x-ray source and related applicators were performed using the Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code. The dosimetric characteristics of the model were validated against measured data obtained using an ionization chamber and EBT3 film as dosimeters. By using a simulated breast phantom, absorbed doses to the skin for different combinations of applicator size (1.5-5 cm) and treatment depth (0.5-3 cm) were calculated. Simulation results showed overdosing of the skin (>30% of prescribed dose) at a treatment depth of 0.5 cm using applicator sizes larger than 1.5 cm. Skin doses were significantly increased with applicator size, insofar as delivering 12 Gy (60% of the prescribed dose) to skin for the largest sized applicator (5 cm diameter) and treatment depth of 0.5 cm. It is concluded that the recommended 0.5-1 cm distance between the skin and applicator surface does not guarantee skin safety and skin dose is generally more significant in cases with the larger applicators.

    HIGHLIGHTS: • Intrabeam x-ray source and spherical applicators were simulated and skin dose was calculated. • Skin dose for constant skin to applicator distance strongly depends on applicator size. • Use of larger applicators generally results in higher skin dose. • The recommended 0.5-1 cm skin to applicator distance does not guarantee skin safety.

    MeSH terms: Brachytherapy/instrumentation*; Brachytherapy/methods; Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy*; Computer Simulation*; Female; Humans; Intraoperative Care; Monte Carlo Method*; Radiometry/methods; Radiotherapy Dosage; Skin/radiation effects*; X-Rays; Phantoms, Imaging*
  19. Lakshmanan S, Murugesan T
    Water Sci Technol, 2017 Jul;76(1-2):87-94.
    PMID: 28708613 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2017.182
    Chlorates are present in the brine stream purged from chlor-alkali plants. Tests were conducted using activated carbon from coconut shell, coal or palm kernel shell to adsorb chlorate. The results show varying levels of adsorption with reduction ranging between 1.3 g/L and 1.8 g/L. This was higher than the chlorate generation rate of that plant, recorded at 1.22 g/L, indicating that chlorate can be adequately removed by adsorption using activated carbon. Coconut based activated carbon exhibited the best adsorption of chlorate of the three types of activated carbon tested. Introducing an adsorption step prior to purging of the brine will be able to reduce chlorate content in the brine stream. The best location for introducing the adsorption step was identified to be after dechlorination of the brine and before resaturation. Introduction of such an adsorption step will enable complete recovery of the brine and prevent brine purging, which in turn will result in less release of chlorides and chlorates to the environment.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Alkalies/analysis; Charcoal/chemistry*; Chlorates/chemistry*; Chlorides/chemistry; Coal/analysis*; Cocos/chemistry; Industrial Waste/analysis*; Salts/chemistry; Water Purification/instrumentation; Water Purification/methods*; Rivers/chemistry; Waste Water/chemistry*; Phoeniceae/chemistry
  20. Wickersham JA, Gibson BA, Bazazi AR, Pillai V, Pedersen CJ, Meyer JP, et al.
    Sex Transm Dis, 2017 11;44(11):663-670.
    PMID: 28708696 DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000662
    BACKGROUND: Sex workers face a disproportionate burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) worldwide. For cisgender women sex workers (CWSW), global HIV prevalence is over 10%, whereas transgender women sex workers (TWSW) face an HIV burden of 19% to 27%.

    METHODS: We used respondent-driven sampling to recruit 492 sex workers, including CWSW (n = 299) and TWSW (n = 193) in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Participants completed an in-depth survey and were screened for HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Sample characteristics stratified by gender identity and interview site are presented. Bivariate analyses comparing CWSW and TWSW were conducted using independent samples t tests for continuous variables and χ tests for categorical variables.

    RESULTS: Pooled HIV prevalence was high (11.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.8-14.5), and was similar for CWSW (11.1%) and TWSW (12.4%). Rates of syphilis 25.5% (95% CI, 21.6-29.5), C. trachomatis (14.8%; 95% CI, 11.6-18.0) and N. gonorrhoeae (5.8%; 95% CI, 3.7-7.9) were also concerning. Both groups reported lifetime HIV testing (62.4%), but CWSW were less likely to have ever been HIV tested (54.5%) than TWSW (74.6%). Median time since last HIV test was 24 months. Previous screening for STI was low. Inconsistent condom use and drug use during sex work were not uncommon.

    CONCLUSIONS: High HIV and STI prevalence, coupled with infrequent HIV and STI screening, inconsistent condom use, and occupational drug use, underscore the need for expanded HIV and STI prevention, screening, and treatment efforts among CWSW and TWSW in Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Chlamydia Infections/epidemiology*; Female; Gonorrhea/epidemiology*; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Mass Screening/statistics & numerical data; Middle Aged; Sampling Studies; Sexual Partners; Syphilis/epidemiology*; HIV Infections/epidemiology*; Prevalence; Condoms/statistics & numerical data; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology; Unsafe Sex/statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Sex Workers/statistics & numerical data*; Transgender Persons/statistics & numerical data*
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