Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Hirano M, Takada Y, Wong CF, Yamaguchi K, Kotani H, Kurokawa T, et al.
    J Biol Chem, 2017 06 02;292(22):9365-9381.
    PMID: 28377503 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M117.778829
    Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) mediate neurotransmitter release controlled by presynaptic proteins such as the scaffolding proteins Rab3-interacting molecules (RIMs). RIMs confer sustained activity and anchoring of synaptic vesicles to the VDCCs. Multiple sites on the VDCC α1 and β subunits have been reported to mediate the RIMs-VDCC interaction, but their significance is unclear. Because alternative splicing of exons 44 and 47 in the P/Q-type VDCC α1 subunit CaV2.1 gene generates major variants of the CaV2.1 C-terminal region, known for associating with presynaptic proteins, we focused here on the protein regions encoded by these two exons. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that the C-terminal domain (CTD) encoded by CaV2.1 exons 40-47 interacts with the α-RIMs, RIM1α and RIM2α, and this interaction was abolished by alternative splicing that deletes the protein regions encoded by exons 44 and 47. Electrophysiological characterization of VDCC currents revealed that the suppressive effect of RIM2α on voltage-dependent inactivation (VDI) was stronger than that of RIM1α for the CaV2.1 variant containing the region encoded by exons 44 and 47. Importantly, in the CaV2.1 variant in which exons 44 and 47 were deleted, strong RIM2α-mediated VDI suppression was attenuated to a level comparable with that of RIM1α-mediated VDI suppression, which was unaffected by the exclusion of exons 44 and 47. Studies of deletion mutants of the exon 47 region identified 17 amino acid residues on the C-terminal side of a polyglutamine stretch as being essential for the potentiated VDI suppression characteristic of RIM2α. These results suggest that the interactions of the CaV2.1 CTD with RIMs enable CaV2.1 proteins to distinguish α-RIM isoforms in VDI suppression of P/Q-type VDCC currents.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism*; Calcium Channels/genetics; Calcium Channels/metabolism*; GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics; GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism*; Calcium Channels, N-Type/genetics; Calcium Channels, N-Type/metabolism*; Mice; HEK293 Cells; Protein Domains
  2. Hamidi MFFA, Harun WSW, Samykano M, Ghani SAC, Ghazalli Z, Ahmad F, et al.
    Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2017 Sep 01;78:1263-1276.
    PMID: 28575965 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2017.05.016
    Biocompatible metals have been revolutionizing the biomedical field, predominantly in human implant applications, where these metals widely used as a substitute to or as function restoration of degenerated tissues or organs. Powder metallurgy techniques, in specific the metal injection moulding (MIM) process, have been employed for the fabrication of controlled porous structures used for dental and orthopaedic surgical implants. The porous metal implant allows bony tissue ingrowth on the implant surface, thereby enhancing fixation and recovery. This paper elaborates a systematic classification of various biocompatible metals from the aspect of MIM process as used in medical industries. In this study, three biocompatible metals are reviewed-stainless steels, cobalt alloys, and titanium alloys. The applications of MIM technology in biomedicine focusing primarily on the MIM process setting parameters discussed thoroughly. This paper should be of value to investigators who are interested in state of the art of metal powder metallurgy, particularly the MIM technology for biocompatible metal implant design and development.
    MeSH terms: Biocompatible Materials; Humans; Metals/chemistry*; Porosity; Prostheses and Implants
  3. Mohd Bakhori SK, Mahmud S, Ling CA, Sirelkhatim AH, Hasan H, Mohamad D, et al.
    Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2017 Sep 01;78:868-877.
    PMID: 28576061 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2017.04.085
    ZnO with two different morphologies were used to study the inhibition of Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans which are closely associated with tooth cavity. Rod-like shaped ZnO-A and plate-like shaped ZnO-B were produced using a zinc boiling furnace. The nanopowders were characterized using energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to confirm the properties of the ZnO polycrystalline wurtzite structures. XRD results show that the calculated crystallite sizes of ZnO-A and ZnO-B were 36.6 and 39.4nm, respectively, whereas DLS revealed particle size distributions of 21.82nm (ZnO-A) and 52.21nm (ZnO-B). PL spectra showed ion vacancy defects related to green and red luminescence for both ZnO particles. These defects evolved during the generation of reactive oxygen species which contributed to the antibacterial activity. Antibacterial activity was investigated using microdilution technique towards S. sobrinus and S. mutans at different nanopowder concentrations. Results showed that ZnO-A exhibited higher inhibition on both bacteria compared with ZnO-B. Moreover, S. mutans was more sensitive compared with S. sobrinus because of its higher inhibition rate.
    MeSH terms: Streptococcus mutans; X-Ray Diffraction; Zinc Oxide; Streptococcus sobrinus; Nanostructures/chemistry*; Luminescence
  4. Nurdiana S, Goh YM, Ahmad H, Dom SM, Syimal'ain Azmi N, Noor Mohamad Zin NS, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2017 Jun 02;17(1):290.
    PMID: 28576138 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1762-8
    BACKGROUND: The potential application of Ficus deltoidea and vitexin for the management of symptomatologies associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) has gained much attention. However, less firm evidence comes from data to augment our understanding of the role of F. deltoidea and vitexin in protecting pancreatic β-cells. The aim of this study was to assess histological and oxidative stress changes in the pancreas of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats following F. deltoidea extract and vitexin treatment.

    METHODS: F. deltoidea and vitexin was administrated orally to six-weeks STZ-induced diabetic rats over 8 weeks period. The glucose and insulin tolerances were assessed by intraperitoneal glucose (2 g/kg) tolerance test (IPGTT) and intraperitoneal insulin (0.65 U/kg) tolerance test (IPITT), respectively. Subsequently, insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis assessment model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and the insulin/triglyceride-derived McAuley index. The histological changes in the pancreas were then observed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Further, the pattern of fatty acid composition and infrared (IR) spectra of the serum and pancreas were monitored by gas chromatography (GC) method and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.

    RESULTS: F. deltoidea and vitexin increased pancreatic antioxidant enzymes and promoted islet regeneration. However, a significant increase in insulin secretion was observed only in rats treated with F. deltoidea. More importantly, reduction of fasting blood glucose is consistent with reduced FT-IR peaks at 1200-1000 cm-1.

    CONCLUSIONS: These results accentuate that F. deltoidea and vitexin could be a potential agent to attenuate pancreatic oxidative damage and advocate their therapeutic potential for treating DM.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/metabolism; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism; Histology; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage*; Insulin/metabolism*; Male; Pancreas/metabolism*; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Ficus/chemistry*; Apigenin/administration & dosage*; Rats
  5. Balan S, Hassali MA, Mak VSL
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2017 Nov;13(6):1219-1221.
    PMID: 28576615 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2017.05.013
    MeSH terms: Child Health*; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Pharmaceutical Preparations/administration & dosage; Health Personnel/psychology; Humans; Parents/psychology; Practice Patterns, Physicians'*; Caregivers/psychology; Off-Label Use*
  6. Maher S, Hallahan B, Flaherty G
    Travel Med Infect Dis, 2017 05 31;18:70-72.
    PMID: 28576666 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2017.05.011
    MeSH terms: Age Factors; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Male; Sex Factors; Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use; Travel Medicine*; Delusional Parasitosis/diagnosis*; Delusional Parasitosis/drug therapy; Delusional Parasitosis/psychology
  7. Lee SH, Lee OS, Teo SH, Lee YS
    Gait Posture, 2017 09;57:57-68.
    PMID: 28577508 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.05.023
    We conducted a meta-analysis to analyze how high tibial osteotomy (HTO) changes gait and focused on the following questions: (1) How does HTO change basic gait variables? (2) How does HTO change the gait variables in the knee joint? Twelve articles were included in the final analysis. A total of 383 knees was evaluated. There were 237 open wedge (OW) and 143 closed wedge (CW) HTOs. There were 4 level II studies and 8 level III studies. All studies included gait analysis and compared pre- and postoperative values. One study compared CWHTO and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), and another study compared CWHTO and OWHTO. Five studies compared gait variables with those of healthy controls. One study compared operated limb gait variables with those in the non-operated limb. Gait speed, stride length, knee adduction moment, and lateral thrust were major variables assessed in 2 or more studies. Walking speed increased and stride length was increased or similar after HTO compared to the preoperative value in basic gait variables. Knee adduction moment and lateral thrust were decreased after HTO compared to the preoperative knee joint gait variables. Change in co-contraction of the medial side muscle after surgery differed depending on the degree of frontal plane alignment. The relationship between change in knee adduction moment and change in mechanical axis angle was controversial. Based on our systematic review and meta-analysis, walking speed and stride length increased after HTO. Knee adduction moment and lateral thrust decreased after HTO compared to the preoperative values of gait variables in the knee joint.
    MeSH terms: Gait/physiology*; Humans; Knee Joint/physiopathology*; Knee Joint/surgery; Osteotomy*; Postoperative Period; Tibia/surgery*; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery*; Walking Speed/physiology
  8. Shahdan IA, Regenstein JM, Rahman MT
    Poult Sci, 2017 Jun 01;96(6):1970-1981.
    PMID: 27965405 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pew427
    This study proposes critical limits (CL) for control points for halal slaughter (CPHS). Previously, 6 control points (CP) were determined, and CL for these 6 CPHS are suggested based on: 1) a literature survey for the CL for CP 1 (poultry breeding, rearing, and poultry feed) and CP 2 (welfare of poultry during transportation and lairage); 2) a field survey of slaughter plants in Kuantan (Malaysia) for CP 3 (immobilization), CP 4 (slaughter), CP 5 (time for full bleed-out), and CP 6 (washing and packaging); and 3) controlled experiments to refine the CL for CP 3, 4, and 5. The CL for CP 1 focused on stress reduction during rearing and use of substances that could compromise poultry meat wholesomeness. The CL for CP 2 emphasizes humane best-practices for handling poultry during lairage. The CL for CP 3 suggests a gap of 5 s between 2 shackles if only one shackler is employed and shackling times of <1 min for live chickens. In countries permitting water-bath electrical stunning of halal poultry, the stunning current needed to induce unconsciousness must be defined for the breed and bird size but not cause any chicken deaths. The CL for CP 4 mandates the recitation of the tasmiyah (the invocation), which if done for every chicken, will require ≥5 s between stunning and neck cutting. The CL for CP 4 also includes information about the slaughter knife. In CP 5 the recommended minimum time between neck cutting and scalding is 9.5 min. Finally, the CL for CP 6 emphasizes good supply chain hygiene and zero adulteration from haram species and substances.
    MeSH terms: Abattoirs/standards*; Animals; Animal Feed/standards; Animal Husbandry/standards; Animal Welfare*; Chickens*; Food Handling/methods*; Islam; Malaysia
  9. Singh A, Patel P, Patel VK, Jain DK, Veerasamy R, Sharma PC, et al.
    Curr Cancer Drug Targets, 2017;17(5):456-466.
    PMID: 28067178 DOI: 10.2174/1568009617666170109150134
    BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a devastating disease with a dismal prognosis which is heavily hampered by delayed diagnosis. Surgical resection, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the curative options. Due to few therapeutic treatments available i.e., mono and combination therapy and development of resistance towards drug response, novel and efficacious therapy are urgently needed.

    OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have studied the potential of histone deacetylase inhibitors in colorectal cancer.

    RESULTS: Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) are an emerging class of therapeutic agents having potential anticancer activity with minimal toxicity for different types of malignancies in preclinical studies. HDACIs have proven less effective in monotherapy thus the combination of HDACIs with other anticancer agents are being assessed for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

    CONCLUSION: The molecular mechanism emphasizing the anticancer effect of HDACIs in colorectal cancer was illustrated and a recapitulation was carried out on the recent advances in the rationale behind combination therapies currently underway in clinical evaluations.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Histone Deacetylases/metabolism; Histones/metabolism; Humans; Mice, Nude; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Colorectal Neoplasms/enzymology; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism; Mice; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
  10. Sundaram A, Plumb R, Appathurai S, Mariappan M
    Elife, 2017 05 15;6.
    PMID: 28504640 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.27187
    IRE1α is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localized endonuclease activated by misfolded proteins in the ER. Previously, we demonstrated that IRE1α forms a complex with the Sec61 translocon, to which its substrate XBP1u mRNA is recruited for cleavage during ER stress (Plumb et al., 2015). Here, we probe IRE1α complexes in cells with blue native PAGE immunoblotting. We find that IRE1α forms a hetero-oligomeric complex with the Sec61 translocon that is activated upon ER stress with little change in the complex. In addition, IRE1α oligomerization, activation, and inactivation during ER stress are regulated by Sec61. Loss of the IRE1α-Sec61 translocon interaction as well as severe ER stress conditions causes IRE1α to form higher-order oligomers that exhibit continuous activation and extended cleavage of XBP1u mRNA. Thus, we propose that the Sec61-IRE1α complex defines the extent of IRE1α activity and may determine cell fate decisions during ER stress conditions.
    MeSH terms: Endoribonucleases/metabolism*; Humans; Protein Binding; Immunoblotting; Signal Transduction*; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*; Protein Multimerization; Unfolded Protein Response*; HEK293 Cells; SEC Translocation Channels/metabolism*
  11. Rajeshwari K, Kohli S, Mathew XK
    J Clin Diagn Res, 2017 Apr;11(4):ZC61-ZC63.
    PMID: 28571264 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2017/23709.9683
    INTRODUCTION: Presence of abnormal resting tongue position can lead to poor denture retention and stability. The prevalence of retracted tongue position has been found to be higher in partially edentulous subjects compared to dentate subjects and is greatest in completely edentulous individuals.

    AIM: To evaluate resting tongue position in recently extracted and long term completely edentulous patients, and to evaluate the efficacy of achieving retracted tongue position by simple modification in complete denture along with certain tongue exercises.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 62 study subjects were classified into two groups based on duration of edentulousness. Group A: Recently extracted completely edentulous subjects (<1 year), Group B: Long term completely edentulous subjects (>1-10 year). The patients with retracted tongue position were subjected to a simple modification in complete denture along with inclusion of certain tongue exercises. After eight months patients were recalled and evaluated. The data was analysed using SPSS statistical tests like mean, standard deviation, proportion, Chi square test and McNemar Test.

    RESULTS: Among the study subjects, 54.9% had retracted tongue position. Group B showed high proportion of retracted tongue position (68.8%) as compared to Group A. After the intervention, 42.8% study subjects gained normal resting tongue position.

    CONCLUSION: Long term completely edentulous subjects presented retracted tongue position in higher percentage when compared to the recently extracted group. The interventional method employed for the subjects with retracted tongue position, played a significant role to assume normal resting tongue position and showed improvement in denture stability and retention.

    MeSH terms: Denture Retention; Denture, Complete; Humans; Mouth, Edentulous; Tongue; Prevalence; Chi-Square Distribution; Glossoptosis
  12. Noorani TY, Luddin N, Rahman IA, Masudi SM
    J Clin Diagn Res, 2017 Apr;11(4):ZC105-ZC109.
    PMID: 28571275 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2017/24753.9739
    INTRODUCTION: Glass Ionomer Cements (GIC) are among the most popular restorative materials, but their use in dentistry is limited due to their physical properties. The hardness of GIC was improved by incorporation of nano-hydroxyapatite-silica into GIC, to expand its applicability.

    AIM: To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of nano-hydroxyapatite-silica incorporated glass ionomer cement (HA-SiO2-GIC) on human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSC) and compare it with conventional GIC and resin modified GIC.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Material extracts of Fuji IX, Fuji II LC and HA-SiO2-GIC were prepared into seven serial concentrations and applied to 96-well-plates seeded with DPSC. The 96-well-plates were incubated for 24 and 72 hours. The morphology of DPSC was observed under the inverted phase contrast microscope, and the cell viability was determined using MTT assay at both time intervals. Kruskal-Wallis test was performed for statistical analysis.

    RESULTS: At maximum concentration, DPSC appeared fewer in number, but the normal spindle morphology was maintained in all groups except for Fuji II LC. At lower concentrations, DPSC appeared normal and more confluent in all groups. The cytotoxic effects of all groups were dose dependent. Fuji IX demonstrated the lowest cytotoxicity, followed by HA-SiO2-GIC. Fuji II LC demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity. The difference was significant between all groups at 200 mg/ml concentration (p<0.05). At concentration <100 mg/ml, cytotoxicity of HA-SiO2-GIC was comparable to that of Fuji IX and lower than that of Fuji II LC.

    CONCLUSION: HA-SiO2-GIC showed a favourable cytotoxicity response and thus holds promise as a future potential restorative material in clinical dentistry.

  13. Townend J, Minelli C, Mortimer K, Obaseki DO, Al Ghobain M, Cherkaski H, et al.
    Eur Respir J, 2017 06;49(6).
    PMID: 28572124 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01880-2016
    Poverty is strongly associated with mortality from COPD, but little is known of its relation to airflow obstruction.In a cross-sectional study of adults aged ≥40 years from 12 sites (N=9255), participating in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study, poverty was evaluated using a wealth score (0-10) based on household assets. Obstruction, measured as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) (%) after administration of 200 μg salbutamol, and prevalence of FEV1/FVC
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Albuterol/administration & dosage; Bronchodilator Agents/therapeutic use; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume*; Humans; International Cooperation; Lung/physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Poverty*; Respiratory Function Tests; Risk Factors; Spirometry; Vital Capacity*; Prevalence; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology*
  14. Badrun R, Abu Bakar N, Laboh R, Redzuan R, Bala Jaganath I
    Genome Announc, 2017 Jun 01;5(22).
    PMID: 28572313 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00408-17
    Blood disease bacterium A2 HR-MARDI was isolated from banana plants infected with banana blood disease and which were planted in Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia. Here, we report a draft genome sequence of blood disease bacterium A2 HR-MARDI, which could provide important information on the virulence mechanism of this pathogen.
    MeSH terms: Base Sequence; Chromosome Mapping; Hematologic Diseases; Malaysia; Virulence; Musa
  15. Loughland JR, Minigo G, Sarovich DS, Field M, Tipping PE, Montes de Oca M, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2017 06 01;7(1):2596.
    PMID: 28572564 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02096-2
    Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are activators of innate and adaptive immune responses that express HLA-DR, toll-like receptor (TLR) 7, TLR9 and produce type I interferons. The role of human pDC in malaria remains poorly characterised. pDC activation and cytokine production were assessed in 59 malaria-naive volunteers during experimental infection with 150 or 1,800 P. falciparum-parasitized red blood cells. Using RNA sequencing, longitudinal changes in pDC gene expression were examined in five adults before and at peak-infection. pDC responsiveness to TLR7 and TLR9 stimulation was assessed in-vitro. Circulating pDC remained transcriptionally stable with gene expression altered for 8 genes (FDR 
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Blood/parasitology; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Dendritic Cells/immunology*; Dendritic Cells/parasitology; Female; Humans; Life Cycle Stages; Male; Middle Aged; Plasmodium falciparum/immunology*; Malaria, Falciparum/immunology*; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Toll-Like Receptor 7/immunology; Toll-Like Receptor 9/immunology; Young Adult; Transcriptome
  16. Mohd Abd Ghafar SL, Hussein MZ, Rukayadi Y, Abu Bakar Zakaria MZ
    Nanotechnol Sci Appl, 2017;10:79-94.
    PMID: 28572724 DOI: 10.2147/NSA.S120868
    Calcium carbonate aragonite polymorph nanoparticles derived from cockle shells were prepared using surface functionalization method followed by purification steps. Size, morphology, and surface properties of the nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zetasizer, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry techniques. The potential of surface-functionalized calcium carbonate aragonite polymorph nanoparticle as a drug-delivery agent were assessed through in vitro drug-loading test and drug-release test. Transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and particle size distribution analyses revealed that size, morphology, and surface characterization had been improved after surface functionalization process. Zeta potential of the nanoparticles was found to be increased, thereby demonstrating better dispersion among the nanoparticles. Purification techniques showed a further improvement in the overall distribution of nanoparticles toward more refined size ranges <100 nm, which specifically favored drug-delivery applications. The purity of the aragonite phase and their chemical analyses were verified by X-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry studies. In vitro biological response of hFOB 1.19 osteoblast cells showed that surface functionalization could improve the cytotoxicity of cockle shell-based calcium carbonate aragonite nanocarrier. The sample was also sensitive to pH changes and demonstrated good abilities to load and sustain in vitro drug. This study thus indicates that calcium carbonate aragonite polymorph nanoparticles derived from cockle shells, a natural biomaterial, with modified surface characteristics are promising and can be applied as efficient carriers for drug delivery.
  17. Crum EM, Che Muhamed AM, Barnes M, Stannard SR
    PMID: 28572749 DOI: 10.1186/s12970-017-0172-0
    BACKGROUND: Recent research has indicated that pomegranate extract (POMx) may improve performance during aerobic exercise by enhancing the matching of vascular oxygen (O2) provision to muscular requirements. POMx is rich in ellagitannin polyphenols and nitrates (NO3-), which are both associated with improvements in blood flow and O2 delivery. Primarily, this study aimed to determine whether POMx improves performance in a cycling time trial to exhaustion at 100%VO2max (TTE100%) in highly-trained cyclists. In addition, we investigated if the O2 cost (VO2) of submaximal exercise was lower with POMx, and whether any changes were greater at high altitude where O2 delivery is impaired.

    METHODS: Eight cyclists exercised at three submaximal intensities before completing a TTE100% at sea-level (SEA) and at 1657 m of altitude (ALT), with pre-exercise consumption of 1000 mg of POMx or a placebo (PLAC) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Data were analysed using a three way (treatment x altitude x intensity) or two-way (treatment x altitude) repeated measures ANOVA with a Fisher's LSD post-hoc analysis. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. The effect size of significant interactions was calculated using Cohen's d.

    RESULTS: TTE100% performance was reduced in ALT but was not influenced by POMx (p > 0.05). Plasma NO3- were 10.3 μmol greater with POMx vs. PLAC (95% CI, 0.8, 19.7,F1,7 = 7.83, p  0.05). Submaximal VO2 values were not affected by POMx (p ≥ 0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: The restoration of SEA VO2 values at ALT is likely driven by the high polyphenol content of POMx, which is proposed to improve nitric oxide bioavailability. Despite an increase in VO2, no change in exercise performance occurred and therefore this study does not support the use of POMx as an ergogenic supplement.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Altitude*; Bicycling/physiology*; Double-Blind Method; Exercise Test; Female; Humans; Male; Oxygen Consumption; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage*; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary Supplements; Punicaceae/chemistry*; Athletic Performance*; Performance-Enhancing Substances/administration & dosage
  18. Pateel DGS, Gunjal S, Math SY, Murugeshappa DG, Nair SM
    Int J Dent, 2017;2017:2857629.
    PMID: 28572822 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2857629
    BACKGROUND: Salivary constituents have a wide range of functions including oral calcium homeostasis. Salivary proteins such as statherin inhibit crystal growth of calcium phosphate in supersaturated solutions and interact with several oral bacteria to adsorb on hydroxyapatite. Concurrently, saliva, which is supersaturated with respect to calcium phosphates, is the driving force for plaque mineralization and formation of calculus. Thus, the aim of the present study was to estimate and correlate salivary statherin and calcium concentration to the dental calculus formation.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the relationship between salivary statherin, calcium, and dental calculus among 70 subjects, aged 20-55 years. Subjects were divided into 3 groups based on the calculus scores as interpreted by Calculus Index which was followed by collection of whole saliva using Super•SAL™. Salivary calcium levels were assessed by calorimetric method using Calcium Assay kit (Cayman Chemical, Michigan, USA) and statherin levels by using ELISA Kit (Cusabio Biotech).

    RESULTS: Statherin levels showed a weak negative correlation with the calcium levels and with calculus formation. The mean salivary statherin and calcium concentration were found to be 0.96 μg/ml and 3.87 mg/ml, respectively. Salivary statherin levels differed significantly among the three groups (p < 0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data indicates that statherin could possibly play a role in the formation of dental calculus.

  19. Adebayo IA, Arsad H, Samian MR
    PMID: 28573245 DOI: 10.21010/ajtcam.v14i2.30
    BACKGROUND: Moringa oleifera belongs to plant family, Moringaceae and popularly called "wonderful tree", for it is used traditionally to cure many diseases including cancer in Africa and Asia, however, there is limited knowledge on cytotoxic activity of Moringa oleifera seeds on MCF7 breast cancer cell. The present study evaluated antiproliferative effect on MCF7 of the seed.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seeds of Moringa oleifera were grinded to powder and its phytochemicals were extracted using water and 80% ethanol solvents, part of the ethanolic extract were sequentially partitioned to fractions with four solvents (hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform, and n-butanol). Antiproliferative effects on MCF7 of the samples were determined. Finally, potent samples that significantly inhibited MCF7 growth were tested on MCF 10A.
    RESULTS: Crude water extract, hexane and dichloromethane fractions of the seeds inhibited the proliferation of MCF7 with the following IC50 values 280 μg/ml, 130 μg/ml and 26 μg/ml respectively, however, of the 3 samples, only hexane fraction had minimal cytotoxic effect on MCF 10A (IC50 > 400μg/ml).
    CONCLUSION: Moringa oleifera seed has antiproliferative effect on MCF7.
    MeSH terms: Africa; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use*; Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Humans; Phytotherapy*; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*; Seeds; Medicine, African Traditional; Moringa*; Cell Proliferation/drug effects*; MCF-7 Cells
  20. Jamila N, Khan N, Khan AA, Khan I, Khan SN, Zakaria ZA, et al.
    PMID: 28573253 DOI: 10.21010/ajtcam.v14i2.38
    BACKGROUND: Garcinia hombroniana, known as "manggis hutan" (jungle mangosteen) in Malaysia, is distributed in tropical Asia, Borneo, Thailand, Andaman, Nicobar Islands, Vietnam and India. In Malaysia, its ripened crimson sour fruit rind is used as a seasoning agent in curries and culinary dishes. Its roots and leaves decoction is used against skin infections and after child birth. This study aimed to evaluate in vivo hepatoprotective and in vitro cytotoxic activities of 20% methanolic ethyl acetate (MEA) G. hombroniana bark extract.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: In hepatoprotective activity, liver damage was induced by treating rats with 1.0 mL carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)/kg and MEA extract was administered at a dose of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg 24 h before intoxication with CCl4. Cytotoxicity study was performed on MCF-7 (human breast cancer), DBTRG (human glioblastoma), PC-3 (human prostate cancer) and U2OS (human osteosarcoma) cell lines. 1H, 13C-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), and IR (infrared) spectral analyses were also conducted for MEA extract.

    RESULTS: In hepatoprotective activity evaluation, MEA extract at a higher dose level of 500 mg/kg showed significant (p<0.05) potency. In cytotoxicity study, MEA extract was more toxic towards MCF-7 and DBTRG cell lines causing 78.7% and 64.3% cell death, respectively. MEA extract in 1H, 13C-NMR, and IR spectra exhibited bands, signals and J (coupling constant) values representing aromatic/phenolic constituents.

    CONCLUSIONS: From the results, it could be concluded that MEA extract has potency to inhibit hepatotoxicity and MCF-7 and DBTRG cancer cell lines which might be due to the phenolic compounds depicted from NMR and IR spectra.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use*; Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Carbon Tetrachloride; Female; Glioblastoma/drug therapy*; Humans; Male; Phytotherapy*; Phenols/pharmacology; Phenols/therapeutic use; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Plant Bark; Garcinia/chemistry*; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/prevention & control*
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