Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Awang Kalong N, Yusof M
    Int J Health Care Qual Assur, 2017 May 08;30(4):341-357.
    PMID: 28470137 DOI: 10.1108/IJHCQA-06-2016-0082
    Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss a systematic review on waste identification related to health information systems (HIS) in Lean transformation. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review was conducted on 19 studies to evaluate Lean transformation and tools used to remove waste related to HIS in clinical settings. Findings Ten waste categories were identified, along with their relationships and applications of Lean tool types related to HIS. Different Lean tools were used at the early and final stages of Lean transformation; the tool selection depended on the waste characteristic. Nine studies reported a positive impact from Lean transformation in improving daily work processes. The selection of Lean tools should be made based on the timing, purpose and characteristics of waste to be removed. Research limitations/implications Overview of waste and its category within HIS and its analysis from socio-technical perspectives enabled the identification of its root cause in a holistic and rigorous manner. Practical implications Understanding waste types, their root cause and review of Lean tools could subsequently lead to the identification of mitigation approach to prevent future error occurrence. Originality/value Specific waste models for HIS settings are yet to be developed. Hence, the identification of the waste categories could guide future implementation of Lean transformations in HIS settings.
    MeSH terms: Computer Systems; Humans; Time Factors; Efficiency, Organizational*; Total Quality Management/organization & administration*; Quality Improvement/organization & administration; Health Information Systems/organization & administration*
  2. Yahya MFZR, Alias Z, Karsani SA
    Protein J, 2017 08;36(4):286-298.
    PMID: 28470375 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-017-9719-9
    Salmonella typhimurium is an important biofilm-forming bacteria. It is known to be resistant to a wide range of antimicrobials. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) against S. typhimurium biofilm and investigate whole-cell protein expression by biofilm cells following treatment with DMSO. Antibiofilm activities were assessed using pellicle assay, crystal violet assay, colony-forming unit counting and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix assay whilst differential protein expression was investigated using a combination of one dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, tandem mass spectrometry and bioinformatics. Treatment with 32% DMSO inhibited pellicle formation, biofilm viability, biofilm biomass and several important components of EPS matrix. Subtractive protein profiling identified two unique protein bands (25.4 and 51.2 kDa) which were present only in control biofilm and not in 32% DMSO-treated biofilm. In turn, 29 and 46 proteins were successfully identified from the protein bands of 25.4 and 51.2 kDa respectively. Protein interaction network analysis identified several biological pathways to be affected, including glycolysis, PhoP-PhoQ phosphorelay signalling and flagellar biosynthesis. The present study suggests that DMSO may inhibit multiple biological pathways to control biofilm formation.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Bacterial Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors; Bacterial Proteins/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism; Biological Assay; Dimethyl Sulfoxide/pharmacology*; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Flagella/drug effects; Flagella/genetics; Flagella/metabolism; Glycolysis/drug effects; Glycolysis/genetics; Salmonella typhimurium/drug effects*; Salmonella typhimurium/genetics; Salmonella typhimurium/metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects*; Biofilms/drug effects*; Biofilms/growth & development; Gene Expression Profiling/methods; Gene Regulatory Networks/drug effects; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Gene Ontology
  3. Dieng H, Ellias SB, Satho T, Ahmad AH, Abang F, Ghani IA, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Jun;24(17):14782-14794.
    PMID: 28470499 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8711-4
    In dengue mosquitoes, successful embryonic development and long lifespan are key determinants for the persistence of both virus and vector. Therefore, targeting the egg stage and vector lifespan would be expected to have greater impacts than larvicides or adulticides, both strategies that have lost effectiveness due to the development of resistance. Therefore, there is now a pressing need to find novel chemical means of vector control. Coffee contains many chemicals, and its waste, which has become a growing environmental concern, is as rich in toxicants as the green coffee beans; these chemicals do not have a history of resistance in insects, but some are lost in the roasting process. We examined whether exposure to coffee during embryonic development could alter larval eclosion and lifespan of dengue vectors. A series of bioassays with different coffee forms and their residues indicated that larval eclosion responses of Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti were appreciably lower when embryonic maturation occurred in environments containing coffee, especially roasted coffee crude extract (RCC). In addition, the lifespan of adults derived from eggs that hatched successfully in a coffee milieu was reduced, but this effect was less pronounced with roasted and green coffee extracts (RCU and GCU, respectively). Taken together, these findings suggested that coffee and its residues have embryocidal activities with impacts that are carried over onto the adult lifespan of dengue vectors. These effects may significantly reduce the vectorial capacity of these insects. Reutilizing coffee waste in vector control may also represent a realistic solution to the issues associated with its pollution.
    MeSH terms: Aedes; Animals; Biological Assay; Coffee; Dengue; Disease Vectors; Larva
  4. Hampton K, Chowdary P, Dunkley S, Ehrenforth S, Jacobsen L, Neff A, et al.
    Haemophilia, 2017 Sep;23(5):689-696.
    PMID: 28470862 DOI: 10.1111/hae.13246
    BACKGROUND: N8-GP (turoctocog alfa pegol) is an extended half-life glycoPEGylated recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) product developed for the prevention and treatment of bleeds in haemophilia A patients.

    AIM: This is a planned interim analysis of pathfinder™3, an international, open-label, Phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety (including immunogenicity) of N8-GP administered before, during and after major surgery in severe haemophilia A patients aged ≥12 years.

    METHODS: Sixteen patients who underwent 18 major surgical procedures (including synovectomy, joint replacement and ankle arthrodesis) were included here. Postoperative assessments were conducted daily for days 1-6, and once for days 7-14. Primary endpoint was N8-GP haemostatic efficacy, assessed after completion of surgery using a four-point scale ('excellent', 'good', 'moderate', 'none').

    RESULTS: Haemostasis was successful (rated 'excellent' or 'good') on completion of surgery in 17 (94.4%) procedures and rated as 'moderate' (5.6%) for one surgery in a patient with multiple comorbidities who needed an intraoperative N8-GP dose (20.7 IU kg-1 ). In the postoperative period, three bleeds occurred (one during days 1-6; two during days 7-14); all were successfully treated with N8-GP. Mean N8-GP consumption on day of surgery was 80.0 IU kg-1 ; patients received a mean of 1.7 doses (median: 2, range: 1-3). No safety concerns were identified.

    CONCLUSION: The data showed that N8-GP was effective and well tolerated for the prevention and treatment of bleeds during major surgery; such FVIII products with extended half-lives may modify current treatment schedules, enabling fewer infusions and earlier patient discharge.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Factor VIII/administration & dosage; Factor VIII/adverse effects; Factor VIII/pharmacokinetics; Factor VIII/therapeutic use*; Half-Life; Hemophilia A/complications*; Hemophilia A/diagnosis; Hemophilia A/drug therapy*; Hemophilia A/surgery; Hemorrhage/etiology*; Hemorrhage/prevention & control*; Humans; Length of Stay; Male; Middle Aged; Polyethylene Glycols; Severity of Illness Index; Surgical Procedures, Operative/adverse effects*; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Young Adult
  5. Erabee IK, Ahsan A, Jose B, Arunkumar T, Sathyamurthy R, Idrus S, et al.
    PMID: 28471297 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2017.1303309
    This study investigated the effects of different parameters on the removal efficiencies of organic and inorganic pollutants in landfill leachate treatment by electrolysis. Different parameters were considered such as the electric potential (e.g., 24, 40 and 60 V), hydraulic retention time (HRT) (e.g., 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 min), sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration (e.g., 1, 3, 5 and 7%), pH (e.g., 3, 7 and 9), electrodes materials [e.g., aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe)] and distance between electrodes (e.g., 1, 2 and 3 cm). The best operational condition of electrolysis was then recommended. The electric potential of 60 V with HRT of 120 min at 5% of NaCl solution using Al as anode and Fe as cathode (kept at a distance of 3 cm) was the most efficient condition which increased the removal efficiencies of various parameters such as turbidity, salinity, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and heavy metals (e.g., Zn and Mn). The higher removal percentages of many parameters, especially COD (94%) and Mn (93%) indicated that the electrolysis is an efficient technique for multi-pollutants (e.g., organic, inorganic and heavy metals) removal from the landfill leachate.
    MeSH terms: Electricity; Electrodes; Electrolysis/methods*; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Sodium Chloride/chemistry*; Time Factors; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry; Water Purification/methods*; Metals, Heavy/analysis*; Metals, Heavy/chemistry; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis
  6. Luo D, Li P, Yue Y, Ma J, Yang H
    Sensors (Basel), 2017 May 04;17(5).
    PMID: 28471372 DOI: 10.3390/s17050962
    The protection of concrete structures against corrosion in marine environments has always been a challenge due to the presence of a saline solution-A natural corrosive agent to the concrete paste and steel reinforcements. The concentration of salt is a key parameter influencing the rate of corrosion. In this paper, we propose an optical fiber-based salinity sensor based on bundled multimode plastic optical fiber (POF) as a sensor probe and a concave mirror as a reflector in conjunction with an intensity modulation technique. A refractive index (RI) sensing approach is analytically investigated and the findings are in agreement with the experimental results. A maximum sensitivity of 14,847.486/RIU can be achieved at RI = 1.3525. The proposed technique is suitable for in situ measurement and monitoring of salinity in liquid.
    MeSH terms: Corrosion; Plastics; Refractometry; Sodium Chloride; Steel; Sodium Chloride, Dietary; Salinity; Optical Fibers
  7. Salamone F, Belussi L, Danza L, Galanos T, Ghellere M, Meroni I
    Sensors (Basel), 2017 May 04;17(5).
    PMID: 28471398 DOI: 10.3390/s17051021
    The article describes the results of the project "open source smart lamp" aimed at designing and developing a smart object able to manage and control the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of the built environment. A first version of this smart object, built following a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach using a microcontroller, an integrated temperature and relative humidity sensor, and techniques of additive manufacturing, allows the adjustment of the indoor thermal comfort quality (ICQ), by interacting directly with the air conditioner. As is well known, the IEQ is a holistic concept including indoor air quality (IAQ), indoor lighting quality (ILQ) and acoustic comfort, besides thermal comfort. The upgrade of the smart lamp bridges the gap of the first version of the device providing the possibility of interaction with the air exchange unit and lighting system in order to get an overview of the potential of a nearable device in the management of the IEQ. The upgraded version was tested in a real office equipped with mechanical ventilation and an air conditioning system. This office was occupied by four workers. The experiment is compared with a baseline scenario and the results show how the application of the nearable device effectively optimizes both IAQ and ILQ.
    MeSH terms: Acoustics; Air Conditioning; Household Articles; Household Products; Humans; Humidity; Lighting; Respiration, Artificial; Temperature; Air Pollution, Indoor
  8. Awaiz A, Yunus RM, Khan S, Memon B, Memon MA
    Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech, 2017 Jun;27(3):123-131.
    PMID: 28472017 DOI: 10.1097/SLE.0000000000000402
    AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) is the preferred surgical method for treating achalasia. However, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is providing good short-term results. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the safety and efficacy of LHM and POEM.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of PubMed, Cochrane database, Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index, and current contents for English-language articles comparing LHM and POEM between 2007 and 2016 was performed. Variables analyzed included prior endoscopic treatment, prior medical treatment, prior Heller myotomy, operative time, overall complications rate, postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), length of hospital stay, postoperative pain score, and long-term GERD.

    RESULTS: Seven trials consisting of 483 (LHM=250, POEM=233) patients were analyzed. Preoperative variables, for example, prior endoscopic treatment [odds ratio (OR), 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.23-4.61; P=0.96], prior medical treatment [weighted mean difference (WMD), 1.22; 95% CI, 0.52-2.88; P=0.65], and prior Heller myotomy (WMD, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.13-1.67; P=0.25) were comparable. Operative time was 26.28 minutes, nonsignificantly longer for LHM (WMD, 26.28; 95% CI, -11.20 to 63.70; P=0.17). There was a comparable overall complication rate (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.56-2.77; P=0.59), postoperative GERD rate (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.70-2.30; P=0.44), length of hospital stay (WMD, 0.30; 95% CI, -0.24 to 0.85; P=0.28), postoperative pain score (WMD, -0.26; 95% CI, -1.58 to 1.06; P=0.70), and long-term GERD (WMD, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.27-4.1; P=0.08) for both procedures. There was a significantly higher short-term clinical treatment failure rate for LHM (OR, 9.82; 95% CI, 2.06-46.80; P<0.01).

    CONCLUSIONS: POEM compares favorably to LHM for achalasia treatment in short-term perioperative outcomes. However, there was a significantly higher clinical treatment failure rate for LHM on short-term postoperative follow-up. Presently long-term postoperative follow-up data for POEM beyond 1 year are unavailable and eagerly awaited.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Esophageal Achalasia/surgery*; Esophagoscopy/methods*; Humans; Middle Aged; Pain, Postoperative/etiology; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Operative Time
  9. Jamar NH, Kritsiligkou P, Grant CM
    Nucleic Acids Res, 2017 Jun 20;45(11):6881-6893.
    PMID: 28472342 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx306
    Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are toxic by-products of normal aerobic metabolism. ROS can damage mRNAs and the translational apparatus resulting in translational defects and aberrant protein production. Three mRNA quality control systems monitor mRNAs for translational errors: nonsense-mediated decay, non-stop decay (NSD) and no-go decay (NGD) pathways. Here, we show that factors required for the recognition of NSD substrates and components of the SKI complex are required for oxidant tolerance. We found an overlapping requirement for Ski7, which bridges the interaction between the SKI complex and the exosome, and NGD components (Dom34/Hbs1) which have been shown to function in both NSD and NGD. We show that ski7 dom34 and ski7 hbs1 mutants are sensitive to hydrogen peroxide stress and accumulate an NSD substrate. We further show that NSD substrates are generated during ROS exposure as a result of aggregation of the Sup35 translation termination factor, which increases stop codon read-through allowing ribosomes to translate into the 3΄-end of mRNAs. Overexpression of Sup35 decreases stop codon read-through and rescues oxidant tolerance consistent with this model. Our data reveal an unanticipated requirement for the NSD pathway during oxidative stress conditions which prevents the production of aberrant proteins from NSD mRNAs.
    MeSH terms: Adaptation, Physiological; Endoribonucleases/physiology; Peptide Elongation Factors/physiology; Peptide Termination Factors/genetics; Peptide Termination Factors/metabolism; RNA, Fungal/metabolism*; RNA, Messenger/metabolism*; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism*; Protein Biosynthesis; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Oxidative Stress*; Cell Cycle Proteins/physiology; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/physiology; GTP-Binding Proteins/physiology; RNA Stability*; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/physiology; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/physiology; Microbial Viability
  10. Wong LY, Chua SS, Husin AR, Arshad H
    Fam Pract, 2017 09 01;34(5):564-573.
    PMID: 28472499 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmx028
    Background: Although clinical guidelines are available for the management of asthma, this health condition is still poorly managed in many countries.
    Objectives: To assess the effects of a Pharmacy Management Service (PharMS) on asthma control of adult patients.
    Methods: This study comprised of a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) that was conducted from April 2014 to July 2015 at four government health clinics. The control participants received usual pharmacy service, while the intervention participants were recruited into the PharMS. Each participant was monitored for 6 months, and the outcome measures included asthma control using the Asthma Control Test (ACT), inhaler technique using a checklist and medication adherence using the Malaysian Medication Adherence Scale.
    Results: A total of 157 participants were recruited: 77 in the control and 80 in the intervention group. At the end of the study, 90% of the intervention participants achieved well-controlled asthma compared to 28.6% in the control group (P < 0.001). The differences in the proportion of participants with correct inhaler technique was also significant, with an adjusted effect size of 0.953 (P < 0.001). In addition, the intervention participants showed significantly higher medication adherence than the control group (92.5% versus 45.5%, P < 0.001). The Generalised Estimated Equation analysis further confirmed that the PharMS (P < 0.001) was significantly related to an improvement in the ACT scores.
    Conclusion: A community-based asthma management program, the PharMS, that provided asthma education and skill training by a trained pharmacist, resulted in positive and significant improvements in clinical and management outcomes of adult asthma patients.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Inhalation*; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Asthma/drug therapy*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Education as Topic; Pharmacies; Pharmacists/utilization*; Quality of Life; Medication Adherence*
  11. Wickens JM, Alsaab HO, Kesharwani P, Bhise K, Amin MCIM, Tekade RK, et al.
    Drug Discov Today, 2017 Apr;22(4):665-680.
    PMID: 28017836 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.12.009
    The cluster-determinant 44 (CD44) receptor has a high affinity for hyaluronic acid (HA) binding and is a desirable receptor for active targeting based on its overexpression in cancer cells compared with normal body cells. The nanocarrier affinity can be increased by conjugating drug-loaded carriers with HA, allowing enhanced cancer cell uptake via the HA-CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis pathway. In this review, we discuss recent advances in HA-based nanocarriers and micelles for cancer therapy. In vitro and in vivo experiments have repeatedly indicated HA-based nanocarriers to be a target-specific drug and gene delivery platform with great promise for future applications in clinical cancer therapy.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry*; Drug Carriers/chemistry*; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid/chemistry*; Micelles; Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Drug Delivery Systems/methods; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  12. Ravanfar SA, Orbovic V, Moradpour M, Abdul Aziz M, Karan R, Wallace S, et al.
    Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev, 2017 Apr;33(1):1-25.
    PMID: 28460558 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2017.1309821
    Development of in vitro plant regeneration method from Brassica explants via organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis is influenced by many factors such as culture environment, culture medium composition, explant sources, and genotypes which are reviewed in this study. An efficient in vitro regeneration system to allow genetic transformation of Brassica is a crucial tool for improving its economical value. Methods to optimize transformation protocols for the efficient introduction of desirable traits, and a comparative analysis of these methods are also reviewed. Hence, binary vectors, selectable marker genes, minimum inhibitory concentration of selection agents, reporter marker genes, preculture media, Agrobacterium concentration and regeneration ability of putative transformants for improvement of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Brassica are discussed.
    MeSH terms: Brassica/genetics; Brassica/growth & development*; Transformation, Genetic*; Gene Transfer Techniques; Cell Culture Techniques/methods*; Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques; Organogenesis, Plant
  13. Balasingam M, Ebrahim J, Ariffin IA
    Indian Heart J, 2017 Mar-Apr;69(2):252-254.
    PMID: 28460775 DOI: 10.1016/j.ihj.2017.01.010
    Telemedicine, ie 'the delivery of healthcare and sharing of medical knowledge using telecommunication systems' has penetrated every field of medicine. As a result, tele-echocardiography, the study of the heart via telemedicine started expanding. Ironically, space became the next frontier for mankind's new innovations and technology pursuit. However, the microgravity environment of space is known to be challenging to astronauts hearts. As such, new tele-echocardiography techniques have evolved. The main aim was to research a system that can be operated by a layperson but still be able to provide high yield diagnostic information in real time to specialists on earth. This spin-off space technology is recognized to have a positive impact, especially in developing countries with vast terrain. It is now utilized in hospitals and other terrestial locations where patients in remote regions can have their hearts analysed and data relayed to specialists in bigger centres for interpretation and further management.
    MeSH terms: Aerospace Medicine/methods*; Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis*; Echocardiography/methods*; Hospitals*; Humans; Telemedicine*; Astronauts*
  14. Wickramatilake CM, Mohideen MR, Pathirana C
    Indian Heart J, 2017 02 12;69(2):291.
    PMID: 28460787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ihj.2017.02.002
    MeSH terms: Echocardiography; Electrocardiography*; Humans; Inflammation/blood*; Severity of Illness Index; Testosterone/blood*; Biomarkers/blood; Ventricular Function, Left/physiology*; Coronary Angiography; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/blood; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis*; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology
  15. Gurdeep Singh HK, Yusup S, Abdullah B, Cheah KW, Azmee FN, Lam HL
    J Environ Manage, 2017 Apr 28.
    PMID: 28460799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.04.021
    Crude rubber seed oil is a potential source for biofuel production. However it contains undesirable impurities such as peroxides and high oxidative components that not only affect the oil stability, colour and shelf-life but promote insoluble gums formation with time that could cause deposition in the combustion engines. Therefore to overcome these problems the crude rubber seed oil is refined by undergoing degumming and bleaching process. The effect of bleaching earth dosage (15-40 wt %), phosphoric acid dosage (0.5-1.0 wt %) and reaction time (20-40 min) were studied over the reduction of the peroxide value in a refined crude rubber seed oil. The analysis of variance shows that bleaching earth dosage was the most influencing factor followed by reaction time and phosphoric acid dosage. A minimum peroxide value of 0.1 milliequivalents/gram was achieved under optimized conditions of 40 wt % of bleaching earth dosage, 1.0 wt % of phosphoric acid dosage and 20 min of reaction time using Response Surface Methodology design.
    MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Color; Fats, Unsaturated; Hypochlorous Acid; Oxidation-Reduction; Peroxides; Phosphoric Acids; Reaction Time; Oxidative Stress; Biofuels
  16. Rozaimi M, Fairoz M, Hakimi TM, Hamdan NH, Omar R, Ali MM, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2017 Jun 30;119(2):253-260.
    PMID: 28460878 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.073
    Seagrass meadows provide important carbon sequestration services but anthropogenic activities modify the natural ecosystem and inevitably lower carbon storage capacity. The tropical mixed-species meadows in the Sungai Pulai Estuary (Johor, Malaysia) are impacted by such activities. In this study, we provide baseline estimates for carbon stores analysed from sediment cores. In sediment depths up to 100cm, organic (OC) and inorganic carbon (IC) stores were 43-101MgCha-1 and 46-83MgCha-1, respectively, and are in the lower end of global average values. The bulk of OC (53-98%) originated from seston suggesting that the meadows had low capacity to retain seagrass-derived organic matter. The species factor resulted in some variability in OC stores but did not appear to influence IC values. The low carbon stores in the meadow may be a direct result of sediment disturbances but natural biogeochemical processes are not discounted as possible causal factors.
    MeSH terms: Carbon/analysis*; Malaysia; Ecosystem; Geologic Sediments; Carbon Sequestration; Grassland*
  17. Sengupta P, Chatterjee B
    Int J Pharm, 2017 Jun 30;526(1-2):353-365.
    PMID: 28461261 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.04.068
    The Nanoemulgel drug delivery system is a formulation related intervention to improve the systemic delivery and therapeutic profile of lipophilic drugs. Nanoemulgel is an amalgamated formulation of two different systems in which nanoemulsion containing drug is incorporated into a gel base. The fusion of the two systems makes this formulation advantageous in several ways. Lipophilic drugs can be easily incorporated and the skin permeability of the incorporated drugs can be enhanced in several folds due to the finely distributed droplets of nanoemulsion phase. As a result, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the lipophilic drugs are improved significantly. An increasing trend in topical nanoemulgel use in recent years has been noticed because of the better acceptability of the preparation to the patients due to their noninvasive delivery, avoidance of gastrointestinal side effects, easier applicability and good therapeutic and safety profile. Despite of having few limitations, nanoemulgel formulation can be considered as a potential and promising candidates for topical delivery of lipophilic drugs in the future. The aim of this review is to evaluate and report the current potential and future scope of nanoemulgel formulation for becoming an effective delivery system for poorly water soluble drugs. In this review, we have summarized and discussed the outcome of different studies on permeability, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profile of the drugs delivered topically through nanoemulgel. Rationality of use along with the major challenges to overcome for nanoemulgel formulation has been discussed.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Topical; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Emulsions*; Humans; Lipids/chemistry; Skin Absorption*; Drug Delivery Systems*; Nanotechnology*
  18. Jamaluddin ND, Mohd Noor N, Goh HH
    Physiol Mol Biol Plants, 2017 Apr;23(2):357-368.
    PMID: 28461724 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-017-0429-8
    Genome-wide transcriptome profiling is a powerful tool to study global gene expression patterns in plant development. We report the first transcriptome profile analysis of papaya embryogenic callus to improve our understanding on genes associated with somatic embryogenesis. By using 3' mRNA-sequencing, we generated 6,190,687 processed reads and 47.0% were aligned to papaya genome reference, in which 21,170 (75.4%) of 27,082 annotated genes were found to be expressed but only 41% was expressed at functionally high levels. The top 10% of genes with high transcript abundance were significantly enriched in biological processes related to cell proliferation, stress response, and metabolism. Genes functioning in somatic embryogenesis such as SERK and LEA, hormone-related genes, stress-related genes, and genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways were highly expressed. Transcription factors such as NAC, WRKY, MYB, WUSCHEL, Agamous-like MADS-box protein and bHLH important in somatic embryos of other plants species were found to be expressed in papaya embryogenic callus. Abundant expression of enolase and ADH is consistent with proteome study of papaya somatic embryo. Our study highlights that some genes related to secondary metabolite biosynthesis, especially phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, were highly expressed in papaya embryogenic callus, which might have implication for cell factory applications. The discovery of all genes expressed in papaya embryogenic callus provides an important information into early biological processes during the induction of embryogenesis and useful for future research in other plant species.
    MeSH terms: Biological Phenomena; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Repressor Proteins; RNA, Messenger; Transcription Factors; Proteome; Gene Expression Profiling; Carica; Cell Proliferation; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Transcriptome; Plant Development
  19. Ghani AA, Nayan SAM, Kandasamy R, Ghani ARI, Rosman AK
    Malays J Med Sci, 2017 Feb;24(1):47-58.
    PMID: 28461780 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.1.6
    BACKGROUND: Intracranial aneurysms may rupture and are typically associated with high morbidity and mortality, commonly due to vasospasm after rupture. Once the aneurysm ruptures, the patient's cerebral blood flow may be disturbed during the acute phase, affecting cerebral circulation and thus cerebral perfusion prior to the onset of vasospasm. Fisher and Navarro scores are used to predict vasospasm, while World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) scores are used to predict patient outcomes. Several score modifications are available to obtain higher sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of vasospasm development, but these scores are still unsuccessful. Alternatively, cerebral CT perfusion scan (CTP) is a non-invasive method for measuring cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT) in regions of interests (ROI) to obtain the cerebral perfusion status as well as detecting vasospasm.

    METHODS: A total of 30 patients' data with clipped anterior circulation intracranial aneurysms admitted to the hospital between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2014, were collected from the hospital's electronic database. The data collected included patients' admissions demographic profiles, Fisher, Navarro and WFNS scores; and their immediate pre- and post-operative CTP parameters.

    RESULTS: This study found a significant increase in post-operative MTT (pre- and post-operative MTT) were 9.75 (SD = 1.31) and 10.44 (SD = 1.56) respectively, (P < 0.001)) as well as a significant reduction in post-operative CBF (pre- and post-operative mean CBF were 195.29 (SD = 24.92) and 179.49 (SD = 31.17) respectively (P < 0.001)). There were no significant differences in CBV. There were no significant correlations between the pre- and post-operative CTP parameters and Fisher, Navarro or WFNS scores.

    CONCLUSION: Despite the interest in using Fisher, Navarro and WFNS scores to predict vasospasm and patient outcomes for ruptured intracranial aneurysms, this study found no significant correlations between these scores in either pre- or post-operative CTP parameters. These results explain the disagreement in the field regarding the multiple proposed grading systems for vasospasm prediction. CTP measures more than just anatomical structures; therefore, it is more sensitive towards minor changes in cerebral perfusion that would not be detected by WFNS, Fisher or Navarro scores.

    MeSH terms: Intracranial Aneurysm; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Demography; Humans; Perfusion; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Aneurysm, Ruptured; Cerebral Blood Volume
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