Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Jong WYL, Show PL, Ling TC, Tan YS
    J Biosci Bioeng, 2017 Jul;124(1):91-98.
    PMID: 28319022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2017.02.008
    Amauroderma rugosum is a wild mushroom species widely distributed in tropics and is classified under the class of Basidiomycetes. Basidiomycetes are well-known for their abilities of producing lignocellulolytic enzymes such as lignin peroxidase (LiP), laccase (Lac) and manganese peroxidase (MnP). Different factors such as nutrient sources, incubation period and agitation affect the production of lignocellulolytic enzymes. The A. rugosum produced LiP in the medium supplemented with potato dextrose broth (PDB), 0.5% yeast and 1.0% saw dust at 26.70±3.31 U/mL. However, the LiP activity was increased to 106.32±5.32 U/mL when supplemented with 150 μm of copper (CuSO4). The aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is a simple, rapid and low cost method for primary extraction and recovery of LiP. A total of 25 systems made from five different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol (PEG)/dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K2HPO4) were tested. PEG 600 produced the highest top phase purification factor (PFT) of 1.33±0.62 with yield of 72.18±8.50%. The optimization of the ATPS parameters, such as volume ratio VR, pH and crude enzyme loading are the factors controlling the phase partition. Our results showed that significant improvement (PFT of 6.26±2.87 with yield of 87.31±3.14%) of LiP recovery can be achieved by optimized the parameters.
    MeSH terms: Fermentation*; Chemical Fractionation/methods*; Immersion; Molecular Weight; Peroxidases/biosynthesis; Peroxidases/isolation & purification*; Peroxidases/chemistry; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry*; Sodium Chloride/chemistry; Water/chemistry*; Polyporales/metabolism*
  2. Norbäck D, Hashim JH, Hashim Z, Ali F
    Sci Total Environ, 2017 Aug 15;592:153-160.
    PMID: 28319702 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.215
    This paper studied associations between volatile organic compounds (VOC), formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in schools in Malaysia and rhinitis, ocular, nasal and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue among students. Pupils from eight randomly selected junior high schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia (N=462), participated (96%). VOC, formaldehyde and NO2 were measured by diffusion sampling (one week) and VOC also by pumped air sampling during class. Associations were calculated by multi-level logistic regression adjusting for personal factors, the home environment and microbial compounds in the school dust. The prevalence of weekly rhinitis, ocular, throat and dermal symptoms were 18.8%, 11.6%, 15.6%, and 11.1%, respectively. Totally 20.6% had weekly headache and 22.1% fatigue. Indoor CO2 were low (range 380-690 ppm). Indoor median NO2 and formaldehyde concentrations over one week were 23μg/m3 and 2.0μg/m3, respectively. Median indoor concentration of toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and limonene over one week were 12.3, 1.6, 78.4 and 3.4μg/m3, respectively. For benzaldehyde, the mean indoor concentration was 2.0μg/m3 (median<1μg/m3). Median indoor levels during class of benzene and cyclohexane were 4.6 and 3.7μg/m3, respectively. NO2 was associated with ocular symptoms (p<0.001) and fatigue (p=0.01). Formaldehyde was associated with ocular (p=0.004), throat symptoms (p=0.006) and fatigue (p=0.001). Xylene was associated with fatigue (p<0.001) and benzaldehyde was associated with headache (p=0.03). In conclusion, xylene, benzaldehyde, formaldehyde and NO2 in schools can be risk factors for ocular and throat symptoms and fatigue among students in Malaysia. The indoor and outdoor levels of benzene were often higher than the EU standard of 5μg/m3.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Asthma/chemically induced; Eye/drug effects; Fatigue/chemically induced; Female; Formaldehyde/adverse effects*; Headache/chemically induced; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide/adverse effects*; Pharynx/drug effects; Rhinitis/chemically induced; Schools; Skin/drug effects; Students; Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects*; Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects*; Volatile Organic Compounds/adverse effects*
  3. Low SS, Loh HS, Boey JS, Khiew PS, Chiu WS, Tan MTT
    Biosens Bioelectron, 2017 Aug 15;94:365-373.
    PMID: 28319904 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.02.038
    An efficient electrochemical impedance genosensing platform has been constructed based on graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite produced via a facile and green approach. Highly pristine graphene was synthesised from graphite through liquid phase sonication and then mixed with zinc acetate hexahydrate for the synthesis of graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite by solvothermal growth. The as-synthesised graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite was characterised with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) to evaluate its morphology, crystallinity, composition and purity. An amino-modified single stranded DNA oligonucleotide probe synthesised based on complementary Coconut Cadang-Cadang Viroid (CCCVd) RNA sequence, was covalently bonded onto the surface of graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite by the bio-linker 1-pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The hybridisation events were monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under optimised sensing conditions, the single stranded CCCVd RNA oligonucleotide target could be quantified in a wide range of 1.0×10-11M to 1.0×10-6 with good linearity (R =0.9927), high sensitivity with low detection limit of 4.3×10-12M. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was also performed for the estimation of nucleic acid density on the graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite-modified sensing platform. The current work demonstrates an important advancement towards the development of a sensitive detection assay for various diseases involving RNA agents such as CCCVd in the future.
    MeSH terms: Base Sequence/genetics; DNA, Single-Stranded/genetics; DNA, Single-Stranded/chemistry*; Graphite/chemistry; Plant Viruses/genetics; Plant Viruses/isolation & purification*; RNA, Viral/genetics; RNA, Viral/isolation & purification*; Zinc Oxide/chemistry; Oligonucleotide Probes/genetics; Oligonucleotide Probes/chemistry; Biosensing Techniques/methods*; Nanocomposites/chemistry; Dielectric Spectroscopy
  4. Mohamad Shalan NAA, Mustapha NM, Mohamed S
    Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 2017 Feb;83:46-53.
    PMID: 27871867 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.11.022
    Noni (Morinda citrifolia) leaf and fruit are used as food and medicine. This report compares the chronic toxicity of Noni fruit and edible leaf water extracts (two doses each) in female mice. The 6 months study showed the fruit extract produced chronic toxicity effects at the high dose of 2 mg/ml drinking water, evidenced through deteriorated liver histology (hepatocyte necrosis), reduced liver length, increased liver injury marker AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and albumin reduction, injury symptoms (hypoactivity, excessive grooming, sunken eyes and hunched posture) and 40% mortality within 3 months. This hepatotoxicity results support the six liver injury reports in humans which were linked to chronic noni fruit juice consumption. Both doses of the leaf extracts demonstrated no observable toxicity. The hepatotoxicity effects of the M. citrifolia fruit extract in this study is unknown and may probably be due to the anthraquinones in the seeds and skin, which had potent quinone reductase inducer activity that reportedly was 40 times more effective than l-sulforaphane. This report will add to current data on the chronic toxicity cases of Morinda citrifolia fruit. No report on the chronic toxicity of Morinda citrifolia fruit in animal model is available for comparison.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Fruit/toxicity*; Fruit/chemistry; Grooming/drug effects; Humans; Liver/drug effects*; Liver/metabolism; Liver/pathology; Male; Phytotherapy; Mice, Inbred ICR; Motor Activity/drug effects; Necrosis; Plant Extracts/isolation & purification; Plant Extracts/toxicity*; Plants, Medicinal; Solvents/chemistry; Time Factors; Water/chemistry; Biomarkers/blood; Plant Leaves/toxicity*; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Risk Assessment; Morinda/toxicity*; Morinda/chemistry; Toxicity Tests, Chronic; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/blood; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/etiology*; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/pathology; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/psychology
  5. Khalid A, Shakeel R, Justin S, Iqbal G, Shah SAA, Zahid S, et al.
    Curr Drug Targets, 2017;18(13):1545-1557.
    PMID: 28302036 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666170315120627
    BACKGROUND: Stress is involved in memory impairment through multiple mechanisms, including activation of hypothalamic-pituitary axis, which in turn activates release of corticosterone in blood. Cholinergic system blockade by the muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine, also impairs memory.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of turmeric (20mg/kg) on learning and memory and cholinergic system in a mouse model of stress along with cholinergic blockade.

    METHODS: Restrained stress was induced and cholinergic receptors were blocked using scopolamine in mice. Animals were treated with turmeric (turmeric rhizome powder which was also subjected to NMR analyses) and learning and social behavior was examined. Effect of turmeric on cholinergic muscarinic receptors (mAChR; M1, M3 and M5) gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR in both pre-frontal cortex and hippocampus.

    RESULTS: Ar-turmerone, curcuminoids and α-linolenic acid were the lead compounds present in turmeric extract. Increased serum corticosterone levels were observed in stressed mice when compared to the control group, while turmeric treatment significantly reduced serum corticosterone level. Turmeric treatment caused an improved learning and memory in Morris water maze test in stressed animals. Social novelty preference was also restored in turmeric treated animals. Following turmeric treatment, M5 expression was improved in the cortex and M3 expression was improved in the hippocampus of stress + scopolamine + turmeric treated group.

    CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the therapeutic role of turmeric by increasing the expression of M3, M5 and improving learning and memory. Turmeric can be an effective candidate for the treatment of amnesia caused by the stress.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Behavior, Animal/drug effects; Disease Models, Animal; Learning/drug effects; Male; Memory/drug effects; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage*; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Receptors, Muscarinic/metabolism*; Scopolamine Hydrobromide/administration & dosage*; Scopolamine Hydrobromide/pharmacology; Stress, Psychological/drug therapy*; Stress, Psychological/psychology; Curcuma/chemistry; Mice
  6. Hamzah AA, Keow CK, Syazri A, Mallhi TH, Khan AH, Khan YH, et al.
    J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 2017 Mar;27(3):S13-S15.
    PMID: 28302231 DOI: 238
    A bezoar is a concretion of foreign or indigestible matter in the alimentary canal and is usual cause of gastric obstruction. Bezoars can become fragmented and migrate downward leading to intestinal obstruction. Diagnosis of phytobezoar has become challenging in clinical practice due to lack of patient history and inability of patient to correlate preceding events with the episode of bowel obstruction. Bezoar associated small bowel obstruction rarely occurs and is usually found in patients with history of gastrointestinal surgery. Very few cases are reported of small bowel obstruction due to bezoar in healthy population without prior illness or surgery. We present a case of small bowel obstruction due to mushroom bezoar in a 62-year patient with no past history of medical illness or gastric surgery. Enterotomy was performed and a whole piece of undigested mushroom measuring 5 x 3 cm was successfully removed.
    MeSH terms: Agaricales*; Bezoars/complications*; Bezoars/diagnosis*; Bezoars/surgery; Humans; Ileum*; Intestinal Obstruction/diagnosis; Intestinal Obstruction/etiology*; Intestinal Obstruction/surgery; Male; Middle Aged
  7. Patmanathan SN, Wang W, Yap LF, Herr DR, Paterson IC
    Cell Signal, 2017 06;34:66-75.
    PMID: 28302566 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.03.002
    S1P is a small bioactive lipid which exerts its effects following binding to a family of five G protein-coupled receptors, known as S1P1-5. Following receptor activation, multiple signalling cascades are activated, allowing S1P to regulate a range of cellular processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration and angiogenesis. There is strong evidence implicating the involvement of S1P receptors (S1PRs) in cancer progression and the oncogenic effects of S1P can result from alterations in the expression of one or more of the S1PRs and/or the enzymes that regulate the levels of S1P. However, cooperativity between the individual S1PRs, functional interactions with receptor tyrosine kinases and the sub-cellular localisation of the S1PRs within tumour cells also appear to play a role in mediating the effects of S1PR signalling during carcinogenesis. Here we review what is known regarding the role of individual S1PRs in cancer and discuss the recent evidence to suggest cross-talk between the S1PRs and other cellular signalling pathways in cancer. We will also discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the S1PRs and their downstream signalling pathways for the treatment of cancer.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Lysophospholipids/metabolism*; Neoplasms/metabolism; Neoplasms/pathology*; Sphingosine/analogs & derivatives*; Sphingosine/metabolism; Signal Transduction; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid/antagonists & inhibitors; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid/metabolism*; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid/agonists
  8. Shair EF, Ahmad SA, Marhaban MH, Mohd Tamrin SB, Abdullah AR
    Biomed Res Int, 2017;2017:3937254.
    PMID: 28303251 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3937254
    Manual lifting is one of the common practices used in the industries to transport or move objects to a desired place. Nowadays, even though mechanized equipment is widely available, manual lifting is still considered as an essential way to perform material handling task. Improper lifting strategies may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), where overexertion contributes as the highest factor. To overcome this problem, electromyography (EMG) signal is used to monitor the workers' muscle condition and to find maximum lifting load, lifting height and number of repetitions that the workers are able to handle before experiencing fatigue to avoid overexertion. Past researchers have introduced several EMG processing techniques and different EMG features that represent fatigue indices in time, frequency, and time-frequency domain. The impact of EMG processing based measures in fatigue assessment during manual lifting are reviewed in this paper. It is believed that this paper will greatly benefit researchers who need a bird's eye view of the biosignal processing which are currently available, thus determining the best possible techniques for lifting applications.
  9. Rozana M, Soaid NI, Kian TW, Kawamura G, Matsuda A, Lockman Z
    Nanotechnology, 2017 Apr 18;28(15):155604.
    PMID: 28303803 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa5fac
    ZrO2 nanotubes (ZrNTs) were produced by anodisation of zirconium foil in H2O2/NH4F/ethylene glycol electrolyte. The as-anodised foils were then soaked in the anodising electrolyte for 12 h. Soaking weakens the adherence of the anodic layer from the substrate resulting in freestanding ZrNTs (FS-ZrNTs). Moreover, the presence of H2O2 in the electrolyte also aids in weakening the adhesion of the film from the foil, as foil anodised in electrolyte without H2O2 has good film adherence. The as-anodised FS-ZrNTs film was amorphous and crystallised to predominantly tetragonal phase upon annealing at >300 °C. Annealing must, however, be done at <500 °C to avoid monoclinic ZrO2 formation and nanotubes disintegration. FS-ZrNTs annealed at 450 °C exhibited the highest photocatalytic ability to degrade methyl orange (MO), whereby 82% MO degradation was observed after 5 h, whereas FS-ZrNTs with a mixture of monoclinic and tetragonal degraded 70% of MO after 5 h.
  10. Swathirajan CR, Vignesh R, Pradeep A, Solomon SS, Solomon S, Balakrishnan P
    Indian J Med Microbiol, 2017 Jan-Mar;35(1):37-40.
    PMID: 28303816 DOI: 10.4103/ijmm.IJMM_16_164
    CONTEXT: Diarrhoea is one of the major complications occurring in over 90% of HIV-infected individuals in developing countries. Coccidian group of parasites, being opportunistic pathogens, have been implicated as the most common causative agents of diarrhoea among HIV-infected population.

    AIMS: The aim was to study the magnitude of parasitic diarrhoea with special context to coccidian parasitic infections in HIV-infected individuals and their association with the patient's immunological status measured by CD4 T-cell counts.

    SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This investigation was performed between January 2002 and December 2014 at a tertiary HIV care centre in Chennai, South India.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stool samples were collected and microscopically observed for parasites using direct, formal-ether-concentrated wet mounts and modified acid-fast staining for coccidian parasites. CD4 T-cell counts were done by FACScount.

    STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: All statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software, version 5.0, andP < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

    RESULTS: Coccidian parasitic infection accounted for about 23.4% of parasitic infections, and of these, Cystoisospora belli was observed to be the most common cause of diarrhoea (88.8%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp. (9.9%) and Cyclospora spp. (1.3%). Trend analysis of coccidian aetiology during the study period revealed a significant rise in the positivity of C. belli and Cryptosporidium spp. (P = 0.001). Among the HIV patients with CD4+ T-cell counts <200 cells/μL, Cryptosporidium infection was most common (90%), followed by infection with C. belli(61.4%).

    CONCLUSIONS: Coccidian parasites continue to be the most common aetiological agent of diarrhoea among patients with HIV. The increasing trend of positivity of both cystoisosporiasis and cryptosporidiosis over the study period and the high positivity of cryptosporidiosis in patients with lower CD4+ T-cell counts are issues of serious concern. The findings call for the need for the early diagnosis of coccidian parasites and appropriate intervention among HIV-infected patients.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Animals; Coccidia/classification; Coccidia/isolation & purification*; Coccidiosis/epidemiology*; Coccidiosis/parasitology; Diarrhea/etiology; Diarrhea/epidemiology; Feces/parasitology; Female; Humans; India/epidemiology; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology; Male; Microscopy; Parasitology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology*; HIV Infections/complications*; HIV Infections/immunology*; Prevalence; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/epidemiology*; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/parasitology; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Tertiary Care Centers
  11. Benacer D, Zain SN, Ooi PT, Thong KL
    Indian J Med Microbiol, 2017 Jan-Mar;35(1):124-128.
    PMID: 28303833 DOI: 10.4103/ijmm.IJMM_15_458
    Leptospirosis is a zoonosis with worldwide distribution caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of isolates obtained from different hosts. A total of 65 Leptospira isolates from humans (n = 1), zoonoses (rat, n = 60; dog, n = 1; swine, n = 1) and environment (n = 2) were tested against six antibiotics. All the isolates were resistant to trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole and had high MIC toward chloramphenicol (MIC90: 6.25 μg/ml). All except one environment isolate were sensitive to ampicillin, doxycycline and penicillin G.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Dogs; Environmental Microbiology*; Humans; Leptospira/drug effects*; Leptospira/isolation & purification*; Leptospirosis/microbiology*; Leptospirosis/veterinary*; Malaysia; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Swine; Rats
  12. Lee WX, Basri DF, Ghazali AR
    Molecules, 2017 Mar 17;22(3).
    PMID: 28304328 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22030463
    The antibacterial activity of pterostilbene in combination with gentamicin against six strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of pterostilbene were determined using microdilution technique whereas the synergistic antibacterial activities of pterostilbene in combination with gentamicin were assessed using checkerboard assay and time-kill kinetic study. Results of the present study showed that the combination effects of pterostilbene with gentamicin were synergistic (FIC index < 0.5) against three susceptible bacteria strains: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli O157 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 15442. However, the time-kill study showed that the interaction was indifference which did not significantly differ from the gentamicin treatment. Furthermore, time-kill study showed that the growth of the tested bacteria was completely attenuated with 2 to 8 h treatment with 0.5 × MIC of pterostilbene and gentamicin. The identified combinations could be of effective therapeutic value against bacterial infections. These findings have potential implications in delaying the development of bacterial resistance as the antibacterial effect was achieved with the lower concentrations of antibacterial agents.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Bacteria/drug effects*; Bacteria/ultrastructure; Drug Synergism; Gentamicins/pharmacology*; Gentamicins/chemistry; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects; Gram-Negative Bacteria/ultrastructure; Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects; Gram-Positive Bacteria/ultrastructure; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Stilbenes/pharmacology*; Stilbenes/chemistry
  13. Ebrahimi F, Ibrahim B, Teh CH, Murugaiyah V, Chan KL
    Syst Biol Reprod Med, 2017 Jun;63(3):179-191.
    PMID: 28306342 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2017.1295332
    Male infertility is one of the leading causes of infertility which affects many couples worldwide. Semen analysis is a routine examination of male fertility status which is usually performed on semen samples obtained through masturbation that may be inconvenient to patients. Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali, TA), native to Malaysia, has been traditionally used as a remedy to boost male fertility. In our recent studies in rats, upon the administration of high-quassinoid content extracts of TA including TA water (TAW), quassinoid-rich TA (TAQR) extracts, and a low-quassinoid content extract including quassinoid-poor TA (TAQP) extract, sperm count (SC) increased in TAW- and TAQR-treated rats when compared to the TAQP-treated and control groups. Consequently, the rats were divided into normal- (control and TAQP-treated) and high- (TAW- and TAQR-treated) SC groups [Ebrahimi et al. 2016]. Post-treatment rat plasma was collected. An optimized plasma sample preparation method was developed with respect to the internal standards sodium 3- (trimethylsilyl) propionate- 2,2,3,3- d4 (TSP) and deuterated 4-dimethyl-4-silapentane-1-ammonium trifluoroacetate (DSA). Carr-Purcell-Meibum-Gill (CPMG) experiments combined with orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was employed to evaluate plasma metabolomic changes in normal- and high-SC rats. The potential biomarkers associated with SC increase were investigated to assess fertility by capturing the metabolomic profile of plasma. DSA was selected as the optimized internal standard for plasma analysis due to its significantly smaller half-height line width (W h/2) compared to that of TSP. The validated OPLS-DA model clearly discriminated the CPMG profiles in regard to the SC level. Plasma profiles of the high-SC group contained higher levels of alanine, lactate, and histidine, while ethanol concentration was significantly higher in the normal-SC group. This approach might be a new alternative applicable to the fertility assessment in humans through the quantitative metabolomic analysis of plasma without requiring semen.

    ABBREVIATIONS: TA: Tongkat Ali; LOD: limit of detection; LOQ: limit of quantification; HPLC-UV: high performance liquid chromatography-ultrviolet; PDA: photodiode array; NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance; FID: free induction decay; LC-MS: liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; GC-MS: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; HSQC: heteronuclear single quantum coherence; CPMG: Carr-Purcell-Meibum-Gill; VLDL: very low density lipoprotein; HDL: high density lipoprotein; EDTA: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; ANOVA: analysis of variance; AMIX: analysis of mixtures; SIMCA: soft independent modeling of class analogy; PCA: principal components analysis; OPLS-DA: orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis; VIP: variable importance plot; AUROC: area under the receiver operating characteristic; TSP: sodium 3-(trimethylsilyl) propionate- 2,2,3,3- d4; DSA: deuterated 4-dimethyl-4-silapentane-1-ammonium trifluoroacetate; ESI: electrospray ionization; TCA: trichloroacetic acid; ACN: acetonitrile; dd H2O: distilled deionized water; FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone; LH: luteinizing hormone; OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

  14. AlOmar MK, Alsaadi MA, Jassam TM, Akib S, Ali Hashim M
    J Colloid Interface Sci, 2017 07 01;497:413-421.
    PMID: 28314146 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2017.03.014
    Due to the interestingly tolerated physicochemical properties of deep eutectic solvents (DESs), they are currently in the process of becoming widely used in many fields of science. Herein, we present a novel Hg(2+) adsorbent that is based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized by DESs. A DES formed from tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) and glycerol (Gly) was used as a functionalization agent for CNTs. This novel adsorbent was characterized using Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, XRD, FESEM, EDX, BET surface area, and Zeta potential. Later, Hg(2+) adsorption conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). A pseudo-second order model accurately described the adsorption of Hg(2+). The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models described the absorption of Hg(2+) on the novel adsorbent with acceptable accuracy. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 177.76mg/g.
  15. Rusli R, Haque MM, King M, Voon WS
    Accid Anal Prev, 2017 May;102:153-164.
    PMID: 28314189 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2017.03.002
    Mountainous highways generally associate with complex driving environment because of constrained road geometries, limited cross-section elements, inappropriate roadside features, and adverse weather conditions. As a result, single-vehicle (SV) crashes are overrepresented along mountainous roads, particularly in developing countries, but little attention is known about the roadway geometric, traffic and weather factors contributing to these SV crashes. As such, the main objective of the present study is to investigate SV crashes using detailed data obtained from a rigorous site survey and existing databases. The final dataset included a total of 56 variables representing road geometries including horizontal and vertical alignment, traffic characteristics, real-time weather condition, cross-sectional elements, roadside features, and spatial characteristics. To account for structured heterogeneities resulting from multiple observations within a site and other unobserved heterogeneities, the study applied a random parameters negative binomial model. Results suggest that rainfall during the crash is positively associated with SV crashes, but real-time visibility is negatively associated. The presence of a road shoulder, particularly a bitumen shoulder or wider shoulders, along mountainous highways is associated with less SV crashes. While speeding along downgrade slopes increases the likelihood of SV crashes, proper delineation decreases the likelihood. Findings of this study have significant implications for designing safer highways in mountainous areas, particularly in the context of a developing country.
  16. Nasuha N, Ismail S, Hameed BH
    J Environ Manage, 2017 Jul 01;196:323-329.
    PMID: 28314221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.02.070
    In this work, an activated electric arc furnace slag (A-EAFS) was investigated as an effective Fenton catalyst for the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) and acid blue 29 (AB29). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV-visible absorption analyses indicated that A-EAFS offers additional Fe3O4 because of the changes in the iron oxide phase and the favorable response to visible light. It has been found that the highest degradation efficiency can reach up to 94% for MB under optimal conditions of 1 g L-1 of A-EAFS, 20 mM H2O2, and pH 3. The optimal conditions for AB29 were 0.1 g L-1 A-EAFS, 4 mM H2O2, and pH 3 to reach 98% degradation efficiency. Visible light enhanced the degradation of both dyes. In addition, A-EAFS, could be easily separated magnetically, exhibited good chemical stability after seven successive photodegradation cycles.
    MeSH terms: Azo Compounds*; Catalysis; Hydrogen Peroxide; Methylene Blue*; Naphthalenes*; Photolysis*
  17. Chai-Lee T, Nadarajah S, Abdullah B, Mohamad I, Maruthamuthu T, Nadarajan C, et al.
    Int J Surg Case Rep, 2017;33:119-123.
    PMID: 28314224 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2017.02.051
    INTRODUCTION: The management of orbital abscesses in neonates and infants is very challenging. Surgical drainage of the abscess is aimed at removing the pus and preventing blindness. We describe a case of orbital abscess in an infant that was caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and that was successfully drained with image-guided endoscopic surgery.

    PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 39-day-old infant presented with progressive right maxillary swelling complicated by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus orbital abscess. Tooth bud abscess was the most likely primary cause and a combination of intravenous antibiotics was initially prescribed. The collection of intra-orbital pus was removed using image-guided system-aided endoscopic surgical drainage.

    DISCUSSION: Prompt diagnosis and management are very crucial. Endoscopic drainage of these abscesses in children has been described. Image-guided drainage of the orbital abscess is a newer technique that has been reported in a teenager and in adult patients. This is the first reported case of endoscopic orbital drainage surgery in an infant. The procedure was performed successfully. This approach provides for better identification of the anatomical structures in a very young patient. Injuries to the medial rectus, globe and optic nerve can be avoided with this technique.

    CONCLUSION: Aggressive management of orbital abscesses in infants is mandatory. Image-guided endoscopic orbital drainage offers precise visualization and a safer technique in a relatively smaller orbit.

  18. Mullins ES, Stasyshyn O, Alvarez-Román MT, Osman D, Liesner R, Engl W, et al.
    Haemophilia, 2017 Mar;23(2):238-246.
    PMID: 27891721 DOI: 10.1111/hae.13119
    INTRODUCTION: Primary factor VIII (FVIII) prophylaxis is the optimal treatment in children with severe haemophilia A. They are expected to benefit from extended half-life (T1/2 ) FVIII coverage by reduced infusion frequency while maintaining haemostatic efficacy.

    AIMS: To determine immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy, safety and quality of life of prophylaxis with a polyethylene glycol (peg)-ylated FVIII (BAX 855) based on full-length recombinant FVIII (ADVATE) in paediatric previously treated patients (PTPs) with severe haemophilia A.

    METHODS: PTPs <12 years without history of FVIII inhibitors received twice-weekly infusions of 50 ± 10 IU kg(-1) BAX 855 for ≥50 exposure days. Prophylactic dose increases to ≤80 IU kg(-1) were allowed under predefined conditions. PK was evaluated after single infusions of 60 ± 5 IU kg(-1) .

    RESULTS: T1/2 and mean residence time were extended 1.3- to 1.5-fold compared to ADVATE (n = 31), depending on the analysis used. The point estimate for the mean annualized bleeding rate in 66 subjects receiving a median of 1.9 weekly infusions of 51.3 IU kg(-1) of BAX 855 each was 3.04 (median 2.0); 1.10 (median 0) for joint and 1.16 (median 0) for spontaneous bleeds. Overall, 38% of subjects had zero bleeds. No bleeds were severe. Haemostatic efficacy was rated excellent or good for 90% of bleeds; 91% were treated with one or two infusions. In 8/14 subjects all target joints resolved. No subject developed FVIII inhibitors or persistent binding antibodies that affected safety or efficacy. No adverse reactions occurred.

    CONCLUSION: Twice-weekly prophylaxis with BAX 855 was safe and efficacious in paediatric PTPs with severe haemophilia A.

    MeSH terms: Child; Child, Preschool; Factor VIII/therapeutic use*; Female; Hemophilia A/drug therapy*; Hemophilia A/pathology; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life
  19. Asha'ari ZA, Rahman JA, Mohamed AH, Abdullah K, Leman WI
    JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2017 03 01;143(3):239-246.
    PMID: 27893073 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2016.3268
    Importance: In patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), operative risks depend on the severity of the underlying OSA and the invasiveness of the surgical procedure.

    Objective: To investigate the nature of the associations between the severity of OSA and the number and anatomical sites of upper airway operations with operative complications.

    Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective study included adult patients diagnosed with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI], >5) who underwent upper airway surgery at a single tertiary referral hospital between October 1, 2008, and October 1, 2015.

    Interventions: All patients underwent single or combination surgery on the nose, palatopharyngeal (tonsils, adenoids, and soft palate), and tongue base as a treatment of OSA.

    Main Outcomes and Measures: Pulmonary, surgical, and cardiovascular complications within the first 30 postoperative days were analyzed according to OSA severity and types of upper airway surgery. Logistic regression was used to assess the multivariable association of OSA, age, sex, body mass index, medical comorbidities, and types of upper airway surgery with short-term operative complications.

    Results: The study included 95 patients (87 males [91.6%]; 83 were Malay [87.4%]; mean [SD] age, 37.7 [1.6] years) with complete data and follow-up who underwent upper airway surgery to treat OSA. Patients with more severe OSA had greater body mass index (Cohen d, 0.27; 95% CI, -0.28 to 0.82), longer surgical time (Cohen d, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.95-2.15), and older age (Cohen d, 3.06; 95% CI, 2.29-3.77). At least 1 operative complication occurred in 48 of 95 patients (51%). In a multivariable model, the overall complication rate was increased with age and body mass index. Complication rates were not associated with AHI severity, type of procedure performed, and whether the surgery was single or combination surgery. Lowest oxygen desaturation (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.96-1.45; P = .04) and longest apnea duration (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08; P = .02) were polysomnographic variables that predict the short-term operative complications.

    Conclusions and Relevance: In patients with OSA undergoing upper airway surgery, the severity of OSA as assessed by AHI, and the sites and numbers of concurrent operations performed were not associated with the rate of short-term operative complications.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Postoperative Complications/etiology*; Reoperation; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Socioeconomic Factors; Logistic Models; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/diagnosis*; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/etiology; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/surgery*
  20. Kusin FM, Akhir NIM, Mohamat-Yusuff F, Awang M
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Feb;24(6):5293-5304.
    PMID: 28004372 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-8270-0
    The environmental impacts with regard to agro-based biofuel production have been associated with the impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this study, field GHG emissions during plantation stage of palm oil-based biofuel production associated with land use changes for oil palm plantation development have been evaluated. Three different sites of different land use changes prior to oil palm plantation were chosen; converted land-use (large and small-scales) and logged-over forest. Field sampling for determination of soil N-mineralisation and soil organic carbon (SOC) was undertaken at the sites according to the age of palm, i.e. <5 years (immature), 5-20 and >21 years (mature oil palms). The field data were incorporated into the estimation of nitrous oxide (N2O) and the resulting CO2-eq emissions as well as for estimation of carbon stock changes. Irrespective of the land conversion scenarios, the nitrous oxide emissions were found in the range of 6.47-7.78 kg N2O-N/ha resulting in 498-590 kg CO2-eq/ha. On the other hand, the conversion of tropical forest into oil palm plantation has resulted in relatively higher GHG emissions (i.e. four times higher and carbon stock reduction by >50%) compared to converted land use (converted rubber plantation) for oil palm development. The conversion from previously rubber plantation into oil palm plantation would increase the carbon savings (20% in increase) thus sustaining the environmental benefits from the palm oil-based biofuel production.
    MeSH terms: Crop Production; Agriculture/methods; Carbon/analysis*; Malaysia; Nitrous Oxide; Plant Oils*; Soil; Arecaceae/growth & development; Biofuels*; Forests
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