Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Marker-assisted introgression of broad-spectrum blast resistance genes into the cultivated MR219 rice variety
    Miah G, Rafii MY, Ismail MR, Puteh AB, Rahim HA, Latif MA
    J Sci Food Agric, 2017 Jul;97(9):2810-2818.
    PMID: 27778337 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8109
    BACKGROUND: The rice cultivar MR219 is famous for its better yield and long and fine grain quality; however, it is susceptible to blast disease. The main objective of this study was to introgress blast resistance genes into MR219 through marker-assisted selection (MAS). The rice cultivar MR219 was used as the recurrent parent, and Pongsu Seribu 1 was used as the donor.

    RESULTS: Marker-assisted foreground selection was performed using RM6836 and RM8225 to identify plants possessing blast resistance genes. Seventy microsatellite markers were used to estimate recurrent parent genome (RPG) recovery. Our analysis led to the development of 13 improved blast resistant lines with Piz, Pi2 and Pi9 broad-spectrum blast resistance genes and an MR219 genetic background. The RPG recovery of the selected improved lines was up to 97.70% with an average value of 95.98%. Selected improved lines showed a resistance response against the most virulent blast pathogen pathotype, P7.2. The selected improved lines did not express any negative effect on agronomic traits in comparison with MR219.

    CONCLUSION: The research findings of this study will be a conducive approach for the application of different molecular techniques that may result in accelerating the development of new disease-resistant rice varieties, which in turn will match rising demand and food security worldwide. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

    MeSH terms: Genetic Markers; Genotype; Plant Diseases/genetics*; Plant Diseases/immunology; Plant Diseases/prevention & control; Plant Proteins/genetics*; Plant Proteins/immunology; Oryza/genetics*; Oryza/immunology; Genome, Plant; Microsatellite Repeats; Disease Resistance
  2. Calixarene: A Versatile Material for Drug Design and Applications
    Hussain MA, Ashraf MU, Muhammad G, Tahir MN, Bukhari SNA
    Curr Pharm Des, 2017;23(16):2377-2388.
    PMID: 27779081 DOI: 10.2174/1381612822666160928143328
    The therapy of various diseases by the drugs entrapped in calixarene derivatives is gaining attraction of researchers nowadays. Calixarenes are macrocyclic nano-baskets which belong to cavitands class of host-guest chemistry. They are the marvelous hosts with distinct hydrophobic three dimensional cavities to entrap and encapsulate biologically active guest drugs. Calixarene and its derivatives develop inclusion complexes with various types of drugs and vitamins for their sustained/targeted release. Calixarene and its derivatives are used as carriers for anti-cancer, anti-convulsant, anti-hypertensive, anthelmentic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antipsychotic drugs. They are the important biocompatible receptors to improve solubility, chemical reactivity and decrease cytotoxicity of poorly soluble drugs in supramolecular chemistry. This review focuses on the calixarene and its derivatives as the state-of-the-art in host-guest interactions for important drugs. We have also critically evaluated calixarenes for the development of prodrugs.
    MeSH terms: Anthelmintics/chemical synthesis; Anthelmintics/chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents/chemical synthesis; Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemical synthesis; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry; Anticonvulsants/chemical synthesis; Anticonvulsants/chemistry; Antihypertensive Agents/chemical synthesis; Antihypertensive Agents/chemistry; Drug Carriers/chemistry*; Humans; Prodrugs/chemical synthesis; Prodrugs/chemistry; Antipsychotic Agents/chemical synthesis; Antipsychotic Agents/chemistry; Drug Design*; Calixarenes/chemistry*
  3. Development of highly porous biodegradable γ-Fe2O3/polyvinyl alcohol nanofiber mats using electrospinning process for biomedical application
    Ngadiman NH, Yusof NM, Idris A, Misran E, Kurniawan D
    Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2017 Jan 01;70(Pt 1):520-534.
    PMID: 27770924 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2016.09.002
    The use of electrospinning process in fabricating tissue engineering scaffolds has received great attention in recent years due to its simplicity. The nanofibers produced via electrospinning possessed morphological characteristics similar to extracellular matrix of most tissue components. Porosity plays a vital role in developing tissue engineering scaffolds because it influences the biocompatibility performance of the scaffolds. In this study, maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) was mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and subsequently electrospun to produce nanofibers. Five factors; nanoparticles content, voltage, flow rate, spinning distance, and rotating speed were varied to produce the electrospun nanofibrous mats with high porosity value. Empirical model was developed using response surface methodology to analyze the effect of these factors to the porosity. The results revealed that the optimum porosity (90.85%) was obtained using 5% w/v nanoparticle content, 35kV of voltage, 1.1ml/h volume flow rate of solution, 8cm spinning distance and 2455rpm of rotating speed. The empirical model was verified successfully by performing confirmation experiments. The properties of optimum PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofiber mats such as fiber diameter, mechanical properties, and contact angle were investigated. In addition, cytocompatibility test, in vitro degradation rate, and MTT assay were also performed. Results revealed that high porosity biodegradable γ-Fe2O3/polyvinyl alcohol nanofiber mats have low mechanical properties but good degradation rates and cytocompatibility properties. Thus, they are suitable for low load bearing biomedical application or soft tissue engineering scaffold.
    MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Biocompatible Materials/chemical synthesis*; Cell Survival; Ferric Compounds/chemistry*; Fibroblasts/cytology; Fibroblasts/ultrastructure; Humans; Models, Theoretical; Particle Size; Polyvinyl Alcohol/chemical synthesis*; Polyvinyl Alcohol/chemistry; Reproducibility of Results; Porosity; Biomedical Technology/methods*; Tissue Engineering/methods*; Cell Proliferation; Nanofibers/ultrastructure; Nanofibers/chemistry*
  4. A direct detection of human papillomavirus 16 genomic DNA using gold nanoprobes
    Azizah N, Hashim U, Gopinath SCB, Nadzirah S
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2017 Jan;94(Pt A):571-575.
    PMID: 27771413 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.10.060
    Nanoparticles have been investigated as flagging tests for the sensitive DNA recognition that can be utilized as a part of field applications to defeat restrictions. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely utilized due to its optical property and capacity to get functionalized with a mixed bag of biomolecules. This study exhibits the utilization of AuNPs functionalized with single-stranded oligonucleotide (AuNP-oligo test) for fast the identification of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This test is displayed on interdigitated electrode sensor and supported by colorimetric assay. DNA conjugated AuNP has optical property that can be controlled for the applications in diagnostics. With its identification abilities, this methodology incorporates minimal effort, strong reagents and basic identification of HPV.
    MeSH terms: Colorimetry/methods*; DNA, Single-Stranded/chemical synthesis; DNA, Single-Stranded/chemistry; DNA, Viral/blood*; Electrodes; Gold/chemistry*; Humans; Oligonucleotides/chemical synthesis; Oligonucleotides/chemistry; Sensitivity and Specificity; Silicon Dioxide/chemistry; Base Pairing; Human papillomavirus 16/isolation & purification*; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  5. The occurrence and potential ecological risk assessment of bauxite mine-impacted water and sediments in Kuantan, Pahang,Malaysia
    Kusin FM, Rahman MS, Madzin Z, Jusop S, Mohamat-Yusuff F, Ariffin M, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Jan;24(2):1306-1321.
    PMID: 27771881 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7814-7
    Recent bauxite mining activities in the vicinity of Kuantan, Pahang, have been associated with apparent environmental quality degradation and have raised environmental concerns among the public. This study was carried out to evaluate the overall ecological impacts on water and sediment quality from the bauxite mining activities. Water and sediment samples were collected at seven sampling locations within the bauxite mining areas between June and December 2015. The water samples were analyzed for water quality index (WQI) and distribution of major and trace element geochemistry. Sediment samples were evaluated based on geochemical indices, i.e., the enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I geo). Potential ecological risk index was estimated to assess the degree to which sediments of the mine-impacted areas have been contaminated with heavy metals. The results showed that WQIs of some locations were classified as slightly polluted and contained metal contents exceeding the recommended guideline values. The EFs indicated minimal to moderate enrichment of metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co, and Sr) in the sediments. I geo showed slightly to partially polluted sediments with respect to As at some locations. The potential ecological risk index (RI) showed that As posed the highest potential ecological risk with RI of 52.35-60.92 at two locations, while other locations indicated low risk. The findings from this study have demonstrated the impact of recent bauxite mining activities, which might be of importance to the local communities and relevant authorities to initiate immediate rehabilitation phase of the impacted area.
    MeSH terms: Aluminum Oxide/analysis; Aluminum Oxide/toxicity*; Malaysia; Mining*; Soil Pollutants/analysis; Soil Pollutants/toxicity*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity*; Risk Assessment; Geologic Sediments/chemistry*; Metals, Heavy/analysis; Water Quality
  6. Rapid-synthesis of zeolite T via sonochemical-assisted hydrothermal growth method
    Jusoh N, Yeong YF, Mohamad M, Lau KK, M Shariff A
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2017 01;34:273-280.
    PMID: 27773246 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.05.033
    Sonochemical-assisted method has been identified as one of the potential pre-treatment methods which could reduce the formation duration of zeolite as well as other microporous and mesoporous materials. In the present work, zeolite T was synthesized via sonochemical-assisted pre-treatment prior to hydrothermal growth. The durations for sonochemical-assisted pre-treatment were varied from 30min to 90min. Meanwhile, the hydrothermal growth durations were ranged from 0.5 to 3days. The physicochemical properties of the resulting samples were characterized using XRD, FESEM, FTIR and BET. As verified by XRD, the samples synthesized via hydrothermal growth durations of 1, 2 and 3days and sonochemical-assisted pre-treatment durations of 60min and 90min demonstrated zeolite T structure. The samples which underwent sonochemical-assisted pre-treatment duration of 60min yielded higher crystallinity with negligible change of zeolite T morphology. Overall, the lengthy synthesis duration of zeolite T has been successfully reduced from 7days to 1day by applying sonochemical-assisted pre-treatment of 60min, while synthesis duration of 0.5days via sonochemical-assisted pre-treatment of 60min was not sufficient to produce zeolite T structure.
  7. Investigation of mass transfer intensification under power ultrasound irradiation using 3D computational simulation: A comparative analysis
    Sajjadi B, Asgharzadehahmadi S, Asaithambi P, Raman AA, Parthasarathy R
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2017 01;34:504-518.
    PMID: 27773275 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.06.026
    This paper aims at investigating the influence of acoustic streaming induced by low-frequency (24kHz) ultrasound irradiation on mass transfer in a two-phase system. The main objective is to discuss the possible mass transfer improvements under ultrasound irradiation. Three analyses were conducted: i) experimental analysis of mass transfer under ultrasound irradiation; ii) comparative analysis between the results of the ultrasound assisted mass transfer with that obtained from mechanically stirring; and iii) computational analysis of the systems using 3D CFD simulation. In the experimental part, the interactive effects of liquid rheological properties, ultrasound power and superficial gas velocity on mass transfer were investigated in two different sonicators. The results were then compared with that of mechanical stirring. In the computational part, the results were illustrated as a function of acoustic streaming behaviour, fluid flow pattern, gas/liquid volume fraction and turbulence in the two-phase system and finally the mass transfer coefficient was specified. It was found that additional turbulence created by ultrasound played the most important role on intensifying the mass transfer phenomena compared to that in stirred vessel. Furthermore, long residence time which depends on geometrical parameters is another key for mass transfer. The results obtained in the present study would help researchers understand the role of ultrasound as an energy source and acoustic streaming as one of the most important of ultrasound waves on intensifying gas-liquid mass transfer in a two-phase system and can be a breakthrough in the design procedure as no similar studies were found in the existing literature.
  8. Effect of ultrasonic vibration time on the Cu/Sn-Ag-Cu/Cu joint soldered by low-power-high-frequency ultrasonic-assisted reflow soldering
    Tan AT, Tan AW, Yusof F
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2017 01;34:616-625.
    PMID: 27773288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.06.039
    Techniques to improve solder joint reliability have been the recent research focus in the electronic packaging industry. In this study, Cu/SAC305/Cu solder joints were fabricated using a low-power high-frequency ultrasonic-assisted reflow soldering approach where non-ultrasonic-treated samples were served as control sample. The effect of ultrasonic vibration (USV) time (within 6s) on the solder joint properties was characterized systematically. Results showed that the solder matrix microstructure was refined at 1.5s of USV, but coarsen when the USV time reached 3s and above. The solder matrix hardness increased when the solder matrix was refined, but decreased when the solder matrix coarsened. The interfacial intermetallic compound (IMC) layer thickness was found to decrease with increasing USV time, except for the USV-treated sample with 1.5s. This is attributed to the insufficient USV time during the reflow stage and consequently accelerated the Cu dissolution at the joint interface during the post-ultrasonic reflow stage. All the USV-treated samples possessed higher shear strength than the control sample due to the USV-induced-degassing effect. The shear strength of the USV-treated sample with 6s was the lowest among the USV-treated samples due to the formation of plate-like Ag3Sn that may act as the crack initiation site.
  9. Sono-assisted TEMPO oxidation of oil palm lignocellulosic biomass for isolation of nanocrystalline cellulose
    Rohaizu R, Wanrosli WD
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2017 01;34:631-639.
    PMID: 27773290 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.06.040
    Highly stable and dispersible nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was successfully isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunch microcrystalline cellulose (OPEFB-MCC), with yields of 93% via a sono-assisted TEMPO-oxidation and a subsequent sonication process. The sono-assisted treatment has a remarkable effect, resulting in an increase of more than 100% in the carboxylate content and a significant increase of approximately 39% in yield compared with the non-assisted process. TEM images reveal the OPEFB-NCC to have rod-like crystalline morphology with an average length and width of 122 and 6nm, respectively. FTIR and solid-state 13C-NMR analyses suggest that oxidation of cellulose chain hydroxyl groups occurs at C6. XRD analysis shows that OPEFB-NCC consists primarily of a crystalline cellulose I structure. Both XRD and 13C-NMR indicate that the OPEFB-NCC has a lower crystallinity than the OPEFB-MCC starting material. Thermogravimetric analysis illustrates that OPEFB-NCC is less thermally stable than OPEFB-MCC but has a char content of 46% compared with 7% for the latter, which signifies that the carboxylate functionality acts as a flame retardant.
    MeSH terms: Cellulose/isolation & purification*; Cellulose/chemistry; Cyclic N-Oxides/chemistry*; Lignin/chemistry*; Oxidation-Reduction; Sonication*; Biomass*; Arecaceae/chemistry*; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  10. Enhancements in crystallinity, thermal stability, tensile modulus and strength of sisal fibres and their PP composites induced by the synergistic effects of alkali and high intensity ultrasound (HIU) treatments
    Krishnaiah P, Ratnam CT, Manickam S
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2017 01;34:729-742.
    PMID: 27773300 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.07.008
    In this investigation, sisal fibres were treated with the combination of alkali and high intensity ultrasound (HIU) and their effects on the morphology, thermal properties of fibres and mechanical properties of their reinforced PP composites were studied. FTIR and FE-SEM results confirmed the removal of amorphous materials such as hemicellulose, lignin and other waxy materials after the combined treatments of alkali and ultrasound. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed an increase in the crystallinity of sisal fibres with an increase in the concentration of alkali. Thermogravimetric results revealed that the thermal stability of sisal fibres obtained with the combination of both alkali and ultrasound treatment was increased by 38.5°C as compared to the untreated fibres. Morphology of sisal fibre reinforced composites showed good interfacial interaction between fibres and matrix after the combined treatment. Tensile properties were increased for the combined treated sisal fibres reinforced PP composites as compared to the untreated and pure PP. Tensile modulus and strength increased by more than 50% and 10% respectively as compared to the untreated sisal fibre reinforced composite. It has been found that the combined treatment of alkali and ultrasound is effective and useful to remove the amorphous materials and hence to improve the mechanical and thermal properties.
  11. Risk factors for high death and loss-to-follow-up rates among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis at a programmatic management unit
    Javaid A, Shaheen Z, Shafqat M, Khan AH, Ahmad N
    Am J Infect Control, 2017 Feb 01;45(2):190-193.
    PMID: 27769706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.07.026
    Among 186 retrospectively evaluated patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, 33.9% were cured, 6.6% completed treatment, 25% died, 18.3% were lost to follow-up, 2.2% failed treatment, and 13.8% were still undergoing treatment by the end of the study period. Rural residence was a risk factor for loss to follow-up (odds ratio [OR], 3.315; P = .016), whereas baseline body weight <40 kg (OR, 2.175; P = .042) and resistance to ofloxacin (OR, 2.889; P = .025) were risk factors for death. Despite programmatic management, treatment outcomes of the current cohort were distressing.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Survival Analysis; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant/mortality*; Young Adult; Lost to Follow-Up*
  12. Association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and postresection lung cancer survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Tan LE, A M R, Lim CS
    J Investig Med, 2017 02;65(2):342-352.
    PMID: 27770016 DOI: 10.1136/jim-2016-000059
    Patients with lung cancer often have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the impact of COPD on postresection survival of patients with lung cancer is unclear. This study evaluated the impact of COPD on survival of patients with lung cancer following pulmonary resection. Databases searched included PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase until March 2016. Study outcomes were overall survival and pulmonary complication rate (pneumonia, bronchial fistula, and prolonged mechanical ventilation). 6 studies with a total of 3761 patients were included. The presence of COPD was associated with lower overall survival, increased frequency of pneumonia, and prolonged mechanical ventilation (p values ≤0.001). COPD had no influence on bronchial fistula development (p=0.098). In summary, COPD was associated with poorer survival and an increased frequency of certain adverse events in patients with lung cancer following resection.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms/surgery*; Male; Middle Aged; Sensitivity and Specificity; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications*
  13. Fulltext Assessment of the Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association Chronic Constipation Criteria: An Asian Multicenter Cross-sectional Study
    Gwee KA, Bergmans P, Kim J, Coudsy B, Sim A, Chen M, et al.
    J Neurogastroenterol Motil, 2017 Apr 30;23(2):262-272.
    PMID: 27764907 DOI: 10.5056/jnm16095
    Background/Aims: There is a need for a simple and practical tool adapted for the diagnosis of chronic constipation (CC) in the Asian population. This study compared the Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association (ANMA) CC tool and Rome III criteria for the diagnosis of CC in Asian subjects.
    Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included subjects presenting at outpatient gastrointestinal clinics across Asia. Subjects with CC alert symptoms completed a combination Diagnosis Questionnaire to obtain a diagnosis based on 4 different diagnostic methods: self-defined, investigator's judgment, ANMA CC tool, and Rome III criteria. The primary endpoint was the level of agreement/disagreement between the ANMA CC diagnostic tool and Rome III criteria for the diagnosis of CC.
    Results: The primary analysis comprised of 449 subjects, 414 of whom had a positive diagnosis according to the ANMA CC tool. Rome III positive/ANMA positive and Rome III negative/ANMA negative diagnoses were reported in 76.8% and 7.8% of subjects, respectively, resulting in an overall percentage agreement of 84.6% between the 2 diagnostic methods. The overall percentage disagreement between these 2 diagnostic methods was 15.4%. A higher level of agreement was seen between the ANMA CC tool and self-defined (374 subjects [90.3%]) or investigator's judgment criteria (388 subjects [93.7%]) compared with the Rome III criteria.
    Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the ANMA CC tool can be a useful for Asian patients with CC.
    Study site in Malaysia: Gastroenterology clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Adult; China; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Philippines; Singapore
  14. Effects of temperature and NaCl on the formation of 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters in refined, bleached and deodorized palm olein during deep-fat frying of potato chips
    Wong YH, Muhamad H, Abas F, Lai OM, Nyam KL, Tan CP
    Food Chem, 2017 Mar 15;219:126-130.
    PMID: 27765207 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.09.130
    The effects of frying duration, frying temperature and concentration of sodium chloride on the formation of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters and glycidyl esters (GEs) of refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm olein during deep-fat frying (at 160°C and 180°C) of potato chips (0%, 1%, 3% and 5% NaCl) for 100min/d for five consecutive days in eight systems were compared in this study. All oil samples collected after each frying cycle were analyzed for 3-MCPD esters, GEs, free fatty acid (FFA) contents, specific extinction at 232 and 268 nm (K232 and K268), p-anisidine value (pAV), and fatty acid composition. The 3-MCPD ester trend was decreasing when the frying duration increased, whereas the trend was increasing when frying temperature and concentration of NaCl increased. The GEs trend was increasing when the frying temperature, frying duration and concentration of NaCl increased. All of the oil qualities were within the safety limit.
  15. Fulltext Test-retest reliability, internal consistency and concurrent validity of Fatigue Severity Scale in measuring post-stroke fatigue
    Nadarajah M, Mazlan M, Abdul-Latif L, Goh HT
    Eur J Phys Rehabil Med, 2017 Oct;53(5):703-709.
    PMID: 27768012 DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.16.04388-4
    BACKGROUND: Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a common complaint among stroke survivors and has significant impacts on recovery and quality of life. Limited tools that measure fatigue have been validated in stroke.
    AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in patients with stroke.
    DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
    SETTING: Teaching hospital outpatient setting.
    POPULATION: Fifty healthy controls (mean age 61.1±7.4 years; 22 males) and 50 patients with stroke (mean age 63.6±10.3 years; 34 males).
    METHODS: FSS was administered twice approximately a week apart through face-to-face interview. In addition, we measured fatigue with Visual Analogue Scale - Fatigue (VAS-F) and Short-Form Health Survey 36 version 2 vitality scale. We used Cronbach alpha to determine internal consistency of FSS. Reliability and validity of FSS were determined by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman correlation coefficient (r).
    RESULTS: FSS showed excellent internal consistency for both stroke and healthy groups (Cronbach's alpha >0.90). FSS had excellent test-retest reliability for stroke patients and healthy controls (ICC=0.93 and ICC=0.90, respectively). The scale demonstrated good concurrent validity with VAS-Fatigue (all r>.60) and a moderate validity with the SF36-vitality scale. Furthermore, FSS was sensitive to distinguish fatigue in stroke from the healthy controls (P<0.01).
    CONCLUSIONS: FSS has excellent internal consistency, test-retest reliability and good concurrent validity with VAS-F for both groups.
    CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This study provides evidence that FSS is a reliable and valid tool to measure post-stroke fatigue and is readily to be used in clinical settings.

    Study site: Teaching hospital outpatient setting
    MeSH terms: Aged; Ambulatory Care/methods; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hospitals, Teaching; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Pain Measurement; Prognosis; Quality of Life*; Reference Values; Severity of Illness Index; Reproducibility of Results; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/diagnosis*; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/etiology; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/epidemiology; Incidence; Age Distribution; Sex Distribution; Risk Assessment; Statistics, Nonparametric; Stroke/complications; Stroke/diagnosis*; Stroke/therapy; Stroke Rehabilitation/methods*
  16. Nucleation and growth of zinc oxide nanorods directly on metal wire by sonochemical method
    Rayathulhan R, Sodipo BK, Aziz AA
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2017 Mar;35(Pt A):270-275.
    PMID: 27756524 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.10.002
    ZnO nanorods were directly grown on four different wires (silver, nickel, copper, and tungsten) using sonochemical method. Zinc nitrate hexahydrate and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) were used as precursors. Influence of growth parameters such as precursors' concentration and ultrasonic power on the grown nanorods were determined. The results demonstrated that the precursor concentration affected the growth structure and density of the nanorods. The morphology, distribution, and orientation of nanorods changed as the ultrasonic power changed. Nucleation of ZnO nanorods on the wire occurred at lower ultrasonic power and when the power increased, the formation and growth of ZnO nanorods on the wires were initiated. The best morphology, size, distribution, and orientation of the nanorods were observed on the Ag wire. The presence of single crystal nanorod with hexagonal shaped was obtained. This shape indicates that the ZnO nanorods corresponded to the hexagonal wurtzite structure with growth preferential towards the (002) direction.
  17. Fabrication, characterization and application of laccase-nylon 6,6/Fe(3+) composite nanofibrous membrane for 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine detoxification
    Jasni MJ, Sathishkumar P, Sornambikai S, Yusoff AR, Ameen F, Buang NA, et al.
    Bioprocess Biosyst Eng, 2017 Feb;40(2):191-200.
    PMID: 27757535 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-016-1686-6
    In this study, laccase was immobilized on nylon 6,6/Fe(3+) composite (NFC) nanofibrous membrane and used for the detoxification of 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine (DMOB). The average size and tensile strength of the NFC membrane were found to be 60-80 nm (diameter) and 2.70 MPa, respectively. The FTIR results confirm that the amine (N-H) group of laccase was attached with Fe(3+) particles and the carbonyl (C=O) group of NFC membrane via hydrogen bonding. The half-life of the laccase-NFC membrane storage stability was increased from 6 to 11 weeks and the reusability was significantly extended up to 43 cycles against ABTS oxidation. Enhanced electro-oxidation of DMOB by laccase was observed at 0.33 V and the catalytic current was found to be 30 µA. The DMOB-treated mouse fibroblast 3T3-L1 preadipocytes showed maximum (97 %) cell inhibition at 75 µM L(-1) within 24 h. The cytotoxicity of DMOB was significantly decreased to 78 % after laccase treatment. This study suggests that laccase-NFC membrane might be a good candidate for emerging pollutant detoxification.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Caprolactam/analogs & derivatives*; Caprolactam/chemistry; Enzymes, Immobilized/chemistry; Ferric Compounds/chemistry*; Fungal Proteins/chemistry*; Membranes, Artificial*; Polymers/chemistry*; 3T3-L1 Cells; Laccase/chemistry*; Mice; Trametes/enzymology*; Nanofibers/chemistry*
  18. Fulltext Short Communication: Impact of Viral Load Use on Treatment Switch in Perinatally HIV-Infected Children in Asia
    Jamal Mohamed T, Teeraananchai S, Kerr S, Phongsamart W, Nik Yusoff NK, Hansudewechakul R, et al.
    AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses, 2017 03;33(3):230-233.
    PMID: 27758114 DOI: 10.1089/AID.2016.0039
    We sought to assess the impact of routine HIV viral load (VL) monitoring on the incidence of switching from a first- to a second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen, and to describe factors associated with switch. Data from a regional cohort of 16 clinical programs in six Asian countries were analyzed. Second-line switch was defined as a change from a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) to a protease inhibitor (PI) or vice versa, and ≥1 of the following: (1) reported treatment failure by local criteria, (2) switch of ≥1 additional drug, or (3) a preceding HIV VL ≥1,000 copies/ml. Routine VL was having ≥1 test after ≥24 weeks of ART and ≥1 time/year thereafter. Factors associated with time to switch were evaluated with death and loss to follow-up as competing risks. A total of 2,398 children were included in this analysis. At ART initiation, the median (interquartile range) age was 6.0 (3.3-8.9) years, more than half had WHO stage 3 or 4, the median CD4 was 189 (47-456) cells/mm3, 93% were on NNRTI-based first-line ART, and 34% had routine VL monitoring. Treatment switch occurred in 17.6% of patients, at a median of 35 (22-49) months. After adjusting for country, sex, first ART regimen, and CD4% at ART initiation, children with routine VL monitoring were 1.46 (95% confidence interval 1.11-1.93) times more likely to be switched (p = .007). Scale-up of VL testing will lead to earlier identification of treatment failure, and it can help guide earlier switches to prevent resistance.
    MeSH terms: Asia; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; HIV Infections/drug therapy*; HIV Infections/virology*; Drug Monitoring/methods*; Treatment Failure; Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use*; Viral Load*; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/methods*; Drug Substitution*
  19. Hepatoprotective potential of glyceryl trinitrate against chemically induced oxidative stress and hepatic injury in rats
    Rahman A, Vasenwala SM, Iqbal M
    Hum Exp Toxicol, 2017 Aug;36(8):785-794.
    PMID: 27758841 DOI: 10.1177/0960327116665675
    Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) has been used widely as a potent vasodilator to treat heart conditions, such as angina pectoris and chronic heart failure. This study aims to elucidate the effect of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) administration, using GTN, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and liver injury in rats. The results obtained demonstrated that NO generated by the administration of GTN affords protection against CCl4-induced oxidative stress and liver injury. Administration of CCl4resulted in a significant ( p < 0.001) increase in lipid peroxidation and tissue damage markers (aspartate and alanine transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase) release in serum. Parallel to these changes, CCl4also caused downregulation of antioxidant enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and several fold induction in γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity. Subsequent administration of GTN resulted in significant ( p < 0.001) recovery of GSH-metabolizing enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. Further, administration of NO inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), exacerbated CCl4-induced oxidative tissue injury. Overall, the study suggests that GTN might suppress oxidant-induced tissue injury and hepatotoxicity in rats.
    MeSH terms: Alanine Transaminase/genetics; Alanine Transaminase/metabolism; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases/genetics; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning*; gamma-Glutamyltransferase/genetics; gamma-Glutamyltransferase/metabolism; Nitroglycerin/pharmacology*; Nitric Oxide/metabolism; Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology*; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/drug effects; Rats, Wistar; Oxidative Stress/drug effects*; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/pharmacology; Rats; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/pathology; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/prevention & control*
  20. Acute effects of a single dose of tocotrienols on insulinemic and inflammatory responses in metabolic syndrome subjects after a high-fat challenge
    Che HL, Kanthimathi MS, Loganathan R, Yuen KH, Tan AT, Selvaduray KR, et al.
    Eur J Clin Nutr, 2017 01;71(1):107-114.
    PMID: 27759074 DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2016.200
    BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Evidence shows that tocotrienols potentially reverse various chronic disease progressions caused by the metabolic syndrome. We aimed to investigate the acute effects of a single-dose supplementation of gamma and delta tocotrienols (γδ-T3, 1:4 ratio) compared with those in placebo on the insulinemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic responses in metabolic syndrome subjects.

    SUBJECTS/METHODS: Thirty metabolic syndrome subjects (15 men and 15 women) were recruited to a randomized, double-blinded and crossover study. The subjects were administered a single dose of 200 mg or 400 mg γδ-T3 emulsions or placebo incorporated into a glass of strawberry-flavored milkshake, consumed together with a high-fat muffin. Blood samples were collected at 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 min after meal intake.

    RESULTS: Plasma vitamin E levels reflected the absorption of γδ-T3 after treatments. Postprandial changes in serum C-peptide, serum insulin, plasma glucose, triacylglycerol, non-esterified fatty acid and adiponectin did not differ between treatments, with women displaying delayed increase in the aforementioned markers. No significant difference between treatments was observed for plasma cytokines (interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha) and thrombogenic markers (plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and D-dimer).

    CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of a single dose of γδ-T3 did not change the insulinemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic responses in metabolic syndrome subjects.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology; Blood Glucose/drug effects; C-Peptide/blood; Double-Blind Method; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/blood; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents/pharmacology; Humans; Insulin/blood; Male; Middle Aged; Triglycerides/blood; Vitamin E/blood; Vitamins/pharmacology*; Cross-Over Studies; Postprandial Period/drug effects*; Dietary Supplements*; Tocotrienols/pharmacology*; Metabolic Syndrome X/physiopathology; Metabolic Syndrome X/therapy*; Adiponectin/blood; Young Adult; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects; Diet, High-Fat/methods
External Links