Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Zaldi NB, Hussen RSD, Lee SM, Halcovitch NR, Jotani MM, Tiekink ERT
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2017 Jun 01;73(Pt 6):842-848.
    PMID: 28638641 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989017006855
    The title compound, [Sn(CH3)2(C5H8NOS2)2], has the Sn(IV) atom bound by two methyl groups which lie over the weaker Sn-S bonds formed by two asymmetrically chelating di-thio-carbamate ligands so that the coordination geometry is skew-trapezoidal bipyramidal. The most prominent feature of the mol-ecular packing are secondary Sn⋯S inter-actions [Sn⋯S = 3.5654 (7) Å] that lead to centrosymmetric dimers. These are connected into a three-dimensional architecture via methyl-ene-C-H⋯S and methyl-C-H⋯O(morpholino) inter-actions. The Sn⋯S inter-actions are clearly evident in the Hirshfeld surface analysis of the title compound along with a number of other inter-molecular contacts.
    MeSH terms: Bandages; Carbamates; Chelating Agents; Ligands; Names; Biophysical Phenomena; Morpholinos
  2. Sim A, Chidan Kumar CS, Kwong HC, Then LY, Win YF, Quah CK, et al.
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2017 Jun 01;73(Pt 6):896-900.
    PMID: 28638654 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989017007460
    In the title compounds, (2E,2'E)-3,3'-(1,4-phenyl-ene)bis-[1-(2-meth-oxy-phen-yl)prop-2-en-1-one], C26H22O4 (I), (2E,2'E)-3,3'-(1,4-phenyl-ene)bis-[1-(3-meth-oxy-phen-yl)prop-2-en-1-one], C26H22O4 (II) and (2E,2'E)-3,3'-(1,4-phenyl-ene)bis-[1-(3,4-di-meth-oxy-phen-yl)prop-2-en-1-one], C28H26O6 (III), the asymmetric unit consists of a half-mol-ecule, completed by crystallographic inversion symmetry. The dihedral angles between the central and terminal benzene rings are 56.98 (8), 7.74 (7) and 7.73 (7)° for (I), (II) and (III), respectively. In the crystal of (I), mol-ecules are linked by pairs of C-H⋯π inter-actions into chains running parallel to [101]. The packing for (II) and (III), features inversion dimers linked by pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming R2(2)(16) and R2(2)(14) ring motifs, respectively, as parts of [201] and [101] chains, respectively.
    MeSH terms: Bandages; Benzene; Crystallography; Heterocyclic Compounds; Hydrogen Bonding; Running; Physical Phenomena
  3. Zukerman-Schpector J, Prado KE, Name LL, Cella R, Jotani MM, Tiekink ERT
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2017 Jun 01;73(Pt 6):918-924.
    PMID: 28638659 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989017007605
    The title organoselenium compound, C19H13ClO3Se {systematic name: 2-[(4-chloro-phen-yl)selan-yl]-2H,3H,4H,5H,6H-naphtho-[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione}, has the substituted 2-pyranyl ring in a half-chair conformation with the methyl-ene-C atom bound to the methine-C atom being the flap atom. The dihedral angle between the two aromatic regions of the mol-ecule is 9.96 (9)° and indicates a step-like conformation. An intra-molecular Se⋯O inter-action of 2.8122 (13) Å is noted. In the crystal, π-π contacts between naphthyl rings [inter-centroid distance = 3.7213 (12) Å] and between naphthyl and chloro-benzene rings [inter-centroid distance = 3.7715 (13) Å], along with C-Cl⋯π(chloro-benzene) contacts, lead to supra-molecular layers parallel to the ab plane, which are connected into a three-dimensional architecture via methyl-ene-C-H⋯O(carbon-yl) inter-actions. The contributions of these and other weak contacts to the Hirshfeld surface is described.
    MeSH terms: Benzene; Carbon; Heterocyclic Compounds; Molecular Conformation; Names; Pyrans
  4. Daud ANA, Bergman JEH, Kerstjens-Frederikse WS, van der Vlies P, Hak E, Berger RMF, et al.
    Pharmacogenomics, 2017 Jul;18(10):987-1001.
    PMID: 28639488 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2017-0036
    AIM: To explore the role of pharmacogenetics in determining the risk of congenital heart anomalies (CHA) with prenatal use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

    METHODS: We included 33 case-mother dyads and 2 mother-only (child deceased) cases of CHA in a case-only study. Ten genes important in determining fetal exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitors were examined: CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, ABCB1, SLC6A4, HTR1A, HTR1B, HTR2A and HTR3B.

    RESULTS: Among the exposed cases, polymorphisms that tended to be associated with an increased risk of CHA were SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTVNTR, HTR1A rs1364043, HTR1B rs6296 and rs6298 and HTR3B rs1176744, but none reached statistical significance due to our limited sample sizes.

    CONCLUSION: We identified several polymorphisms that might potentially affect the risk of CHA among exposed fetuses, which warrants further investigation.

    MeSH terms: Female; Genotype; Heart Defects, Congenital/chemically induced*; Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/chemically induced*; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/genetics; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors/adverse effects*; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors/pharmacokinetics; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use; Maternal Exposure/adverse effects*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*; Fetal Development/drug effects; Pharmacogenomic Variants*
  5. Che Ahmad Tantowi NA, Hussin P, Lau SF, Mohamed S
    Menopause, 2017 Sep;24(9):1071-1080.
    PMID: 28640163 DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000882
    OBJECTIVE: Ficus deltoidea Jack (mistletoe fig) is an ornamental plant found in various parts of the world and used as traditional herbal medicine in some countries. This study investigated the potential use of F deltoidea leaf extract to mitigate osteoarthritis (OA) in ovariectomized (estrogen-deficient postmenopausal model) rats and the mechanisms involved. Diclofenac was used for comparison.

    METHODS: Sprague-Dawley female rats (12 weeks old) were divided randomly into five groups (n = 6): healthy; nontreated OA; OA + diclofenac (5 mg/kg); OA + extract (200 mg/kg); and OA + extract (400 mg/kg). Two weeks after bilaterally ovariectomy, OA was induced by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate into the right knee joints. After 28 days of treatment, the rats were evaluated for knee OA via physical (radiological and histological observations), biochemical, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and gene expression analysis, for inflammation and cartilage degradation biomarkers.

    RESULTS: The osteoarthritic rats treated with the extract, and diclofenac showed significant reduction of cartilage erosion (via radiological, macroscopic, and histological images) compared with untreated osteoarthritic rats. The elevated serum interleukin-1β, prostaglandin E2, and C-telopeptide type II collagen levels in osteoarthritic rats were significantly reduced by F deltoidea leaf extract comparable to diclofenac. The extract significantly down-regulated the interleukin-1β, prostaglandin E2 receptor, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 mRNA expressions in the osteoarthritic cartilages, similar to diclofenac.

    CONCLUSIONS: F deltoidea leaf extract mitigated postmenopausal osteoarthritic joint destruction by inhibiting inflammation and cartilage degradation enzymes, at an effective extract dose equivalent to about 60 mg/kg for humans. The main bioactive compounds are probably the antioxidative flavonoids vitexin and isovitexin.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cartilage/drug effects; Cartilage/enzymology; Cartilage/pathology; Diclofenac/administration & dosage; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Inflammation/prevention & control; Phytotherapy; Osteoarthritis/chemically induced; Osteoarthritis/pathology; Osteoarthritis/prevention & control*; Ovariectomy; Peptide Fragments/blood; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage*; Dinoprostone/blood; Down-Regulation/drug effects; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Postmenopause*; Receptors, Prostaglandin E/genetics; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1/genetics; Collagen Type II/blood; Ficus/chemistry*; Apigenin/administration & dosage; Rats; Interleukin-1beta/blood; Interleukin-1beta/genetics
  6. Cheng Q, Jing Q, Spear RC, Marshall JM, Yang Z, Gong P
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2017 Jun;11(6):e0005701.
    PMID: 28640895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005701
    Dengue is a fast spreading mosquito-borne disease that affects more than half of the population worldwide. An unprecedented outbreak happened in Guangzhou, China in 2014, which contributed 52 percent of all dengue cases that occurred in mainland China between 1990 and 2015. Our previous analysis, based on a deterministic model, concluded that the early timing of the first imported case that triggered local transmission and the excessive rainfall thereafter were the most important determinants of the large final epidemic size in 2014. However, the deterministic model did not allow us to explore the driving force of the early local transmission. Here, we expand the model to include stochastic elements and calculate the successful invasion rate of cases that entered Guangzhou at different times under different climate and intervention scenarios. The conclusion is that the higher number of imported cases in May and June was responsible for the early outbreak instead of climate. Although the excessive rainfall in 2014 did increase the success rate, this effect was offset by the low initial water level caused by interventions in late 2013. The success rate is strongly dependent on mosquito abundance during the recovery period of the imported case, since the first step of a successful invasion is infecting at least one local mosquito. The average final epidemic size of successful invasion decreases exponentially with introduction time, which means if an imported case in early summer initiates the infection process, the final number infected can be extremely large. Therefore, dengue outbreaks occurring in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam in early summer merit greater attention, since the travel volumes between Guangzhou and these countries are large. As the climate changes, destroying mosquito breeding sites in Guangzhou can mitigate the detrimental effects of the probable increase in rainfall in spring and summer.
    MeSH terms: Animals; China/epidemiology; Climate*; Dengue/epidemiology*; Dengue Virus/isolation & purification; Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data*; Humans; Malaysia; Models, Theoretical; Culicidae/virology; Seasons*; Singapore; Thailand; Travel*; Vietnam; Climate Change*
  7. Wong LP, Edib Z, Alias H, Mohamad Shakir SM, Raja Muhammad Yusoff RNA, Sam IC, et al.
    J Obstet Gynaecol, 2017 Oct;37(7):937-943.
    PMID: 28641049 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2017.1317239
    Assessing physicians' experiences in HPV vaccine recommendation and delivery to adolescent boys is essential to providing an understanding of the issues of vaccine acceptance and an insight for policymakers to enhance HPV vaccinations among adolescent boys. Between January and April 2014 a mail survey was conducted using physicians in Malaysia known to provide either one or both HPV vaccine (Gardasil and Cervarix) immunisation services. A total of 357 completed questionnaires were received (response rate 22.5%). Of these, 335 physicians see adolescent boys aged 11 to 18 years old in their practice. Only 26.3% (n = 88) recommended the HPV vaccine to these boys. A total of 46.6% (n = 41) have successfully given the HPV vaccine to adolescent boys. A lack of proper guidelines from the health authorities regarding the recommendation of HPV vaccine to the boys (37.2%) and a lack of awareness of the availability of the vaccine for boys (32.8%) were the most commonly cited reasons for non-recommendation. Impact statement Recommending the HPV vaccine for adolescent boys remains a challenge for physicians. Our study provides evidence of challenges and barriers faced by Malaysian physicians who recommend the HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) in their practices. In this study, physicians reported HPV vaccine uptake by adolescent boys was very poor. A lack of proper guidelines from the health authorities regarding the recommendation of HPV vaccine to boys and a lack of awareness of the availability of the vaccine for boys were the most commonly cited reasons for non-recommendation. Physicians viewed that support and encouragement from the health authorities are needed to promote the recommendation of the HPV vaccine to adolescent boys. Physicians were also of the opinion that the lay public should be educated about the availability of the HPV vaccine for boys, and its benefits, safety and efficacy, and the high susceptibility of boys to getting HPV infections. The findings provide insights that could be helpful to policymakers or high-level decision-makers of the potential strategies to enhance HPV uptake among adolescent boys.
    MeSH terms: Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18/administration & dosage*; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Attitude of Health Personnel*; Child; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Physician-Patient Relations; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Physicians/psychology*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vaccination/psychology*; Papillomavirus Infections/prevention & control; Papillomavirus Infections/psychology; Papillomavirus Vaccines/administration & dosage*
  8. Abduljabbar T, Vohra F, Akram Z, Ghani SMA, Al-Hamoudi N, Javed F
    J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol., 2017 Aug;173:353-359.
    PMID: 28641206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.06.016
    BACKGROUND: Oral pigmentation, especially in the gingiva poses esthetic problems. Laser therapy has been widely used for cosmetic therapy in dentistry. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the efficacy of surgical laser therapy (SLT) in the management of oral pigmented lesions (OPL).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The addressed focused question was "Is SLT effective in the management of OPL?" Databases (MEDLINE via PubMed; EMBASE; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register databases) were searched from 1970 up to and including February 2017.

    RESULTS: Ten studies were included. The reported number of OPL ranged between 8 and 140. Oral pigmented sites included, gingiva, buccal and labial mucosa, alveolar mucosa and lips. Lasers used in the studies included Q-switched alexandrite, Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet, diode, Erbium: yttrium aluminium garnet and carbon dioxide laser. Laser wavelength, power output and number of irradiations were 635-10,600nm, 1-10W and 1 to 9 times, respectively. The follow up period ranged from 6 to 24months. All studies reported SLT to be effective in the treatment of OPL. In five studies, recurrence of OPL occurred which ranged from 21.4% to 45%.

    CONCLUSIONS: Lasers are effective in the management of OPL including physiologic gingival pigmentation, smokers' melanosis and pigmentation in Laugier-Hunziker syndrome. Different laser types (CO2, Er:YAG and Diode) showed comparable outcomes in the treatment of OPL.

    MeSH terms: Gingiva/metabolism; Gingiva/radiation effects*; Humans; Mouth Mucosa/metabolism; Mouth Mucosa/radiation effects*; Pigmentation/radiation effects*; Treatment Outcome; Laser Therapy/methods*
  9. Subin TS, Vijayan V, Kumar KJR
    Pharm Nanotechnol, 2017;5(3):180-191.
    PMID: 28641516 DOI: 10.2174/2211738505666170615095542
    BACKGROUND: Nanomedicine is a branch which deals with medicinal products, devices, nonbiological complex drugs and antibody-nanoparticle conjugates and general health products that are manufactured using nanotechnology.

    OBJECTIVE: Nano-medicine provides the same efficacies as traditional medicines owing to their improved solubility and bioavailability with reduced dosages. However, there are currently safety concerns due to the difficulties related to nanomaterial characterization; this might be the reason for unawareness of such medicines among the patients. The absence of clear regulatory guidelines further complicates matters, as it makes the path to registering them with regulatory bodies difficult. However, some products have overcome these obstacles and have been registered. While there are many international initiatives to harmonize the regulatory requirements and helps the industry to determine the most important characteristics that influence in vivo product performance.

    CONCLUSION: This review focuses on the various types of nanopharmaceuticals, and developments process with strategies tailored to upcoming regulations may satisfy the patients' needs.

    MeSH terms: Drug Industry/legislation & jurisprudence; Humans; Legislation, Drug; Drug Delivery Systems/methods; Guidelines as Topic; Nanostructures/therapeutic use; Nanostructures/chemistry; Nanomedicine/instrumentation; Nanomedicine/legislation & jurisprudence*; Nanomedicine/methods; Nanoparticles/therapeutic use; Nanoparticles/chemistry
  10. Balakrishnan KN, Abdullah AA, Bala J, Abba Y, Sarah SA, Jesse FFA, et al.
    Infect Genet Evol, 2017 10;54:81-90.
    PMID: 28642159 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.06.020
    BACKGROUND: Rat cytomegalovirus ALL-03 (Malaysian strain) which was isolated from a placenta and uterus of a house rat, Rattus rattus diardii has the ability to cross the placenta and infecting the fetus. To further elucidate the pathogenesis of the Malaysian strain of Rat Cytomegalovirus ALL-03 (RCMV ALL-03), detailed analysis on the viral genome sequence is crucial.

    METHODS: Genome sequencing of RCMV ALL-03 was carried out in order to identify the open reading frame (ORF), homology comparison of ORF with other strains of CMV, phylogenetic analysis, classifying ORF with its corresponding conserved genes, and determination of functional proteins and grouping of gene families in order to obtain fundamental knowledge of the genome.

    RESULTS: The present study revealed a total of 123 Coding DNA sequences (CDS) from RCMV ALL-03 with 37 conserved ORF domains as with all herpesvirus genomes. All the CDS possess similar function with RCMV-England followed by RCMV-Berlin, RCMV-Maastricht, and Human CMV. The phylogenetic analysis of RCMV ALL-03 based on conserving genes of herpes virus showed that the Malaysian RCMV isolate is closest to RCMV-English and RCMV-Berlin strains, with 99% and 97% homology, respectively. Similarly, it also demonstrated an evolutionary relationship between RCMV ALL-03 and other strains of herpesviruses from all the three subfamilies. Interestingly, betaherpesvirus subfamily, which has been shown to be more closely related with gammaherpesviruses as compared to alphaherpesviruses, shares some of the functional ORFs. In addition, the arrangement of gene blocks for RCMV ALL-03, which was conserved among herpesvirus family members was also observed in the RCMV ALL-03 genome.

    CONCLUSION: Genomic analysis of RCMV ALL-03 provided an overall picture of the whole genome organization and it served as a good platform for further understanding on the divergence in the family of Herpesviridae.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Line; DNA, Viral/genetics; Herpesviridae Infections/veterinary*; Herpesviridae Infections/virology*; Phylogeny; Viral Proteins/genetics; Open Reading Frames/genetics*; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Muromegalovirus/classification; Muromegalovirus/genetics*; Rats
  11. Mulimani P
    Br Dent J, 2017 Jun 23;222(12):954-961.
    PMID: 28642517 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.546
    Dentistry is highly energy and resource intensive with significant environmental impact. Factors inherent in the profession such as enormous electricity demands of electronic dental equipment, voluminous water requirements, environmental effects of biomaterials (before, during and after clinical use), the use of radiation and the generation of hazardous waste involving mercury, lead etc have contributed towards this. With rising temperatures across the world due to global warming, efforts are being made worldwide to mitigate the effects of environmental damage by resorting to sustainability concepts and green solutions in a myriad of ways. In such a scenario, a professional obligation and social responsibility of dentists makes it imperative to transform the practice of dentistry from a hazardous to a sustainable one, by adopting environmental-friendly measures or 'green dentistry'. The NHS in the UK has been proactive in implementing sustainability in healthcare by setting targets, developing guidance papers, initiating steering groups to develop measures and implementing actions through its Sustainable Development Unit (SDU). Such sustainable frameworks, specific to dentistry, are not yet available and even the scientific literature is devoid of studies in this field although anecdotal narratives abound. Hence this paper attempts to present a comprehensive evaluation of the existing healthcare sustainability principles, for their parallel application in the field of dentistry and lays out a blueprint for integrating the two main underlying principles of sustainability - resource use efficiency and eliminating or minimising pollution - in the day-to-day practice. The article also highlights the importance of social values, community care, engaging stakeholders, economic benefits, developing policy and providing leadership in converting the concept of green dentistry into a practised reality.
    MeSH terms: Biocompatible Materials; Conservation of Natural Resources; Dental Equipment; Dentistry; Dentists; Electricity; Environmental Pollution; Hazardous Waste; Humans; Leadership; Mercury; Social Responsibility; Social Values; State Medicine; Temperature; Global Warming
  12. Hamid MH, Rozano L, Yeong WC, Abdullah JO, Saidi NB
    Bioinformation, 2017;13(2):31-41.
    PMID: 28642634 DOI: 10.6026/97320630013031
    Mitogen-activated protein kinase 4 (MPK4) interacts with the (Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 1) MEKK1/ Mitogenactivated protein kinase kinase 1 (MKK1)/ Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 (MKK2) complex to affect its function in plant development or against pathogen attacks. The KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) network analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana revealed close interactions between those four genes in the same plant-pathogen interaction pathway, which warrants further study of these genes due to their evolutionary conservation in different plant species. Through targeting the signature sequence in MPK4 of papaya using orthologs from Arabidopsis, the predicted sequence of MPK4 was studied using a comparative in silico approach between different plant species and the MAP cascade complex of MEKK1/MKK1/MKK2. This paper reported that MPK4 was highly conserved in papaya with 93% identical across more than 500 bases compared in each species predicted. Slight variations found in the MEKK1/MKK1/MKK2 complex nevertheless still illustrated sequence similarities between most of the species. Localization of each gene in the cascade network was also predicted, potentiating future functional verification of these genes interactions using knock out or/and gene silencing tactics.
  13. Chew KS, Durning SJ, van Merriënboer JJ
    Singapore Med J, 2017 06;58(6):343-344.
    PMID: 28642962 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2017051
  14. Yong HS, Song SL, Chua KO, Lim PE
    Curr Microbiol, 2017 Sep;74(9):1076-1082.
    PMID: 28642971 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-017-1287-x
    Bactrocera carambolae is a highly polyphagous fruit pest of agricultural importance. This study reports the bacterial communities associated with the developmental stages of B. carambolae. The microbiota of the developmental stages were investigated by targeted 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4 region) sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq. At 97% similarity, there were 19 bacterial phyla and unassigned bacteria, comprising 39 classes, 86 orders, 159 families and 311 genera. The bacterial composition varied among the specimens of developmental stage and across developmental stages as well as exuviae. Four phyla of bacteria (with relative abundance of ≥1% in at least one specimen)-Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria-were recovered from the larva, pupa, adult stages and exuviae. Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum in all the developmental stages as well as the exuviae. Enterobacteriaceae (Proteobacteria) was the predominant family in the adult flies while the family [Weeksellaceae] (Bacteroidetes) was predominant in the larval and pupal stages. Among the genera occurring in more than one developmental stage of B. carambolae, Erwinia was more abundant in the larval stage, Halomonas more abundant in adult female, Stenotrophomonas more abundant in adult male, and Chryseobacterium more abundant in the larval and pupal stages. The results indicate transmission of bacteria OTUs from immatures to the newly emerged adults, and from exuviae to the environment.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bacteria/classification*; Bacteria/genetics*; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics; DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry; Larva/growth & development; Larva/microbiology; Phylogeny; Pupa/growth & development; Pupa/microbiology; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics; Cluster Analysis; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Genes, rRNA; Tephritidae/growth & development; Tephritidae/microbiology*; Biota*
  15. Khan RA, Aziz Z
    Int J Clin Pharm, 2017 Aug;39(4):906-912.
    PMID: 28643112 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-017-0499-2
    Background Antibiotic de-escalation is an important strategy to conserve the effectiveness of broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, the outcome of this strategy for the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has not been widely studied in developing countries. Objectives To evaluate the outcome on intensive care unit (ICU) mortality, 28 days mortality, and length of ICU stay among VAP patients who receive de-escalation therapy. Setting This study was conducted in an ICU of a Malaysian public hospital. Method The electronic medical records of patients who developed VAP in the ICU were retrieved and relevant data was collected. Records of antibiotic prescriptions were also reviewed to collect the details of changes to antibiotic therapy (de-escalation). Main outcome measure Impact of antibiotic de-escalation on mortality. Results The mean age of the 108 patients was 46.2 ± 18.2 years; the majority being males (80%). The antibiotic de-escalation rate was about 30%. Out of this, 84% involved a change from broad to narrow-spectrum antibiotics and the remaining, withdrawal of one or more antibiotics. ICU mortality was 23% while 28 days mortality was 37%. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality rate, survival probability and the mean length of ICU stay between the de-escalation and the non-de-escalation group. However, patients with Simplified Acute Physiology Score II of ≥50 were significantly associated with ICU mortality and 28 days mortality. Conclusions In VAP patients, antibiotic de-escalation provides an opportunity to promote the judicious use of antibiotics without affecting the clinical outcomes.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage*; Female; Humans; Intensive Care Units/trends*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated/diagnosis; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated/drug therapy*; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated/epidemiology*
  16. Yaacob EN, Goethals J, Bajek A, Dierckens K, Bossier P, De Geest BG, et al.
    Mar Biotechnol (NY), 2017 Aug;19(4):391-400.
    PMID: 28643227 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-017-9758-4
    Aquaculture is the fastest growing animal production sector. However, the production of marine fish is still hampered by the high mortality rate in the first few weeks after hatching. Mortality in larvae is often caused by microbial infections. Today, the incorporation of immunostimulants into microparticles provides us new tools to enhance disease resistance in marine larviculture. In this study, we prepared alginate microparticles loaded with the model antigen fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated-bovine serum albumin. Optimum concentrations of alginate and CaCl2, the correct alginate viscosity and the appropriate preparatory conditions led to the creation of desirable microparticles with the correct size for oral feeding in gnotobiotic European sea bass larvae. The prepared alginate microparticles were stable in sea water and were successfully ingested by gnotobiotic sea bass larvae at day after hatching 7 without causing any negative effects. Results suggest the suitability of this drug delivery system for targeting the innate immune system of fish larvae in order to enhance disease resistance and thus reduce mortality in larviculture.
    MeSH terms: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Alginates; Animals; Bass; Calcium Chloride; Germ-Free Life; Immune System; Larva; Seawater; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Viscosity; Drug Delivery Systems; Aquaculture; Isothiocyanates; Fluorescein; Disease Resistance
  17. Collins DS, Avdis A, Allison PA, Johnson HD, Hill J, Piggott MD, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2017 06 15;8:15698.
    PMID: 28643789 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15698
    Modern mangroves are among the most carbon-rich biomes on Earth, but their long-term (≥106 years) impact on the global carbon cycle is unknown. The extent, productivity and preservation of mangroves are controlled by the interplay of tectonics, global sea level and sedimentation, including tide, wave and fluvial processes. The impact of these processes on mangrove-bearing successions in the Oligo-Miocene of the South China Sea (SCS) is evaluated herein. Palaeogeographic reconstructions, palaeotidal modelling and facies analysis suggest that elevated tidal range and bed shear stress optimized mangrove development along tide-influenced tropical coastlines. Preservation of mangrove organic carbon (OC) was promoted by high tectonic subsidence and fluvial sediment supply. Lithospheric storage of OC in peripheral SCS basins potentially exceeded 4,000 Gt (equivalent to 2,000 p.p.m. of atmospheric CO2). These results highlight the crucial impact of tectonic and oceanographic processes on mangrove OC sequestration within the global carbon cycle on geological timescales.
    MeSH terms: Carbon; Carbon Dioxide; China; Ecosystem; Facies; Carbon Cycle; Carbon Sequestration
  18. Chu RX, Lin J, Wu CQ, Zheng J, Chen YL, Zhang J, et al.
    Nanoscale, 2017 Jun 23.
    PMID: 28644506 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr02423a
    Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted great attention owing to their excellent electrochemical properties, such as the high discharge voltage of 2.3 V, specific capacity of 1675 mA h g(-1) and energy density of 2600 Wh kg(-1). The widely used slurry made electrodes of Li-S batteries are plagued by the serious shuttle effect and insulating nature of sulfur. Herein, a reduced graphene oxide coated porous carbon nanofiber flexible paper (rGO@S-PCNP) was fabricated and directly used as an additive-free cathode for Li-S batteries. The results show that the rGO@S-PCNP is certified to be effective at relieving the shuttle effect and improving the conductivity, thus achieving high electrochemical performance. The rGO@S-PCNP composite with a sulfur content of 58.4 wt% delivers a high discharge capacity of 623.7 mA h g(-1) after 200 cycles at 0.1 C (1 C = 1675 mA g(-1)) with the average Coulombic efficiency of 97.1%. The excellent cyclability and high Coulombic efficiency indicate that the as-prepared rGO@S-PCNP composite paper can be a promising cathode for lithium-sulfur batteries, and is envisioned to have great potential in high energy density flexible power devices. This facile strategy brings great significance for large-scale industrial fabrication of flexible lithium-sulfur batteries.
  19. Kandasamy G, Shaleh SRM
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2017 Jun;182(2):586-597.
    PMID: 27957653 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-016-2346-7
    Harvesting microalgae from medium is a major challenge due to their small size and low concentrations. In an attempt to find a cost-effective and eco-friendly harvesting technique, mung bean (Vigna radiata) protein extract (MBPE) was used for flocculation of Nannochloropsis sp. The effects of parameters such as pH, flocculant dose, algae concentration, and mixing time were used to study the flocculation efficiency (FE) of MBPE. Optimum parameters of MBPE dosage of 20 mL L(-1) and a mixing rate of 300 rpm for 6 min achieved a FE of >92% after 2 h of settling time. MBPE-aggregated microlga flocs were characterized by microscopy. Zeta potential values decreased with increasing flocculant dose, and the values obtained were -6.93 ± 0.60, -5.36 ± 0.64, and -4.44 ± 0.22 for doses of 10, 20, and 30 mL L(-1), respectively. In conclusion, MBPE flocculants used in this study are safe, nontoxic, and pollution free, so they could be used for an effective, convenient, and rapid harvesting of microalgae in an eco-friendly approach. These methods are sustainable and could be applied in industrial scale for aquaculture nutrition.
    MeSH terms: Flocculation; Plant Proteins/chemistry*; Stramenopiles/isolation & purification*; Microalgae/isolation & purification*; Vigna/chemistry*
  20. Abu Bakar Sajak A, Mediani A, Maulidiani, Ismail A, Abas F
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2017 Jun;182(2):653-668.
    PMID: 27995574 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-016-2352-9
    Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered as a complex metabolic disease because it affects the metabolism of glucose and other metabolites. Although many diabetes studies have been conducted in animal models throughout the years, the pathogenesis of this disease, especially between lean diabetes (ND + STZ) and obese diabetes (OB + STZ), is still not fully understood. In this study, the urine from ND + STZ, OB + STZ, lean/control (ND), and OB + STZ rats were collected and compared by using (1)H NMR metabolomics. The results from multivariate data analysis (MVDA) showed that the diabetic groups (ND + STZ and OB + STZ) have similarities and dissimilarities for a certain level of metabolites. Differences between ND + STZ and OB + STZ were particularly noticeable in the synthesis of ketone bodies, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), and sensitivity towards the oral T2DM diabetes drug metformin. This finding suggests that the ND + STZ group was more similar to the T1DM model and OB + STZ to the T2DM model. In addition, we also managed to identify several pathways and metabolism aspects shared by obese (OB) and OB + STZ. The results from this study are useful in developing drug target-based research as they can increase understanding regarding the cause and effect of DM.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism*; Male; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods; Obesity/chemically induced; Obesity/metabolism*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats; Metabolome*
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