Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Au A, Cheng KK, Wei LK
    Adv Exp Med Biol, 2017;956:599-613.
    PMID: 27722964 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2016_79
    Hypertension is a common but complex human disease, which can lead to a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or other complications. Since the pathogenesis of hypertension is heterogeneous and multifactorial, it is crucial to establish a comprehensive metabolomic approach to elucidate the molecular mechanism of hypertension. Although there have been limited metabolomic, lipidomic and pharmacometabolomic studies investigating this disease to date, metabolomic studies on hypertension have provided greater insights into the identification of disease-specific biomarkers, predicting treatment outcome and monitor drug safety and efficacy. Therefore, we discuss recent updates on the applications of metabolomics technology in human hypertension with a focus on metabolic biomarker discovery.
    MeSH terms: Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use*; Blood Pressure/drug effects*; Humans; Hypertension/blood*; Hypertension/diagnosis; Hypertension/drug therapy*; Hypertension/physiopathology; Lipids/blood*; Predictive Value of Tests; Risk Factors; Biomarkers/blood; Metabolomics/methods*
  2. Khan AM, Bakar NKA, Bakar AFA, Ashraf MA
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Oct;24(29):22764-22789.
    PMID: 27722986 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7427-1
    Rare earths (RE), chemically uniform group of elements due to similar physicochemical behavior, are termed as lanthanides. Natural occurrence depends on the geological circumstances and has been of long interest for geologist as tools for further scientific research into the region of ores, rocks, and oceanic water. The review paper mainly focuses to provide scientific literature about rare earth elements (REEs) with potential environmental and health effects in understanding the research. This is the initial review of RE speciation and bioavailability with current initiative toward development needs and research perceptive. In this paper, we have also discussed mineralogy, extraction, geochemistry, analytical methods of rare earth elements. In this study, REEs with their transformation and vertical distribution in different environments such as fresh and seawater, sediments, soil, weathering, transport, and solubility have been reported with most recent literature along key methods of findings. Speciation and bioavailability have been discussed in detail with special emphasis on soil, plant, and aquatic ecosystems and their impacts on the environment. This review shows that REE gained more importance in last few years due to their detrimental effects on living organisms, so their speciation, bioavailability, and composition are much more important to evaluate their health risks and are discussed thoroughly as well.
    MeSH terms: Biological Availability; Metals, Rare Earth; Plants; Seawater; Soil; Solubility; Water; Ecosystem; Lanthanoid Series Elements
  3. Amin MZM, Shaaban AJ, Ercan A, Ishida K, Kavvas ML, Chen ZQ, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2017 Jan 01;575:12-22.
    PMID: 27723460 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.009
    Impacts of climate change on the hydrologic processes under future climate change conditions were assessed over Muda and Dungun watersheds of Peninsular Malaysia by means of a coupled regional climate and physically-based hydrology model utilizing an ensemble of future climate change projections. An ensemble of 15 different future climate realizations from coarse resolution global climate models' (GCMs) projections for the 21st century was dynamically downscaled to 6km resolution over Peninsular Malaysia by a regional climate model, which was then coupled with the watershed hydrology model WEHY through the atmospheric boundary layer over Muda and Dungun watersheds. Hydrologic simulations were carried out at hourly increments and at hillslope-scale in order to assess the impacts of climate change on the water balances and flooding conditions in the 21st century. The coupled regional climate and hydrology model was simulated for a duration of 90years for each of the 15 realizations. It is demonstrated that the increase in mean monthly flows due to the impact of expected climate change during 2040-2100 is statistically significant from April to May and from July to October at Muda watershed. Also, the increase in mean monthly flows is shown to be significant in November during 2030-2070 and from November to December during 2070-2100 at Dungun watershed. In other words, the impact of the expected climate change will be significant during the northeast and southwest monsoon seasons at Muda watershed and during the northeast monsoon season at Dungun watershed. Furthermore, the flood frequency analyses for both watersheds indicated an overall increasing trend in the second half of the 21st century.
    MeSH terms: Forecasting; Malaysia; Models, Theoretical; Seasons; Physical Phenomena; Floods; Climate Change; Hydrology
  4. Anasamy T, Thy CK, Lo KM, Chee CF, Yeap SK, Kamalidehghan B, et al.
    Eur J Med Chem, 2017 Jan 05;125:770-783.
    PMID: 27723565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.09.061
    This study seeks to investigate the relationship between the structural modification and bioactivity of a series of tribenzyltin complexes with different ligands and substitutions. Complexation with the N,N-diisopropylcarbamothioylsulfanylacetate or isonicotinate ligands enhanced the anticancer properties of tribenzyltin compounds via delayed cancer cell-cycle progression, caspase-dependent apoptosis induction, and significant reduction in cell motility, migration and invasion. Halogenation of the benzyl ring improved the anticancer effects of the tribenzyltin compounds with the N,N-diisopropylcarbamothioylsulfanylacetate ligand. These compounds also demonstrated far greater anticancer effects and selectivity than cisplatin and doxorubicin, which provides a rationale for their further development as anticancer agents.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry*; Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Cell Movement/drug effects*; Female; Humans; Ligands; Neoplasm Invasiveness/prevention & control*; Structure-Activity Relationship; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects
  5. Akram Z, Abduljabbar T, Kellesarian SV, Abu Hassan MI, Javed F, Vohra F
    Br J Clin Pharmacol, 2017 03;83(3):444-454.
    PMID: 27718252 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13147
    AIMS: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of bisphosphonate therapy as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the management of periodontitis.

    METHODS: Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register databases) were searched up to and including July 2016. The primary outcome was probing depth (PD), and the secondary outcomes were changes in clinical attachment level (CAL) and bone defect (BD) fill. The mean differences (MD) of outcomes and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each variable were calculated using random effect model.

    RESULTS: Eight clinical studies were included. Seven studies used alendronate as an adjunct to SRP; of these, four studies used topical application and three used oral alendronate. Considering the effects of adjunctive bisphosphonates as compared to SRP alone, a high degree of heterogeneity for PD (Q value = 39.6, P 

    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Administration, Topical; Combined Modality Therapy; Diphosphonates/administration & dosage; Diphosphonates/therapeutic use*; Humans; Dental Scaling/methods*; Root Planing/methods*; Alendronate/administration & dosage; Alendronate/therapeutic use*; Chronic Periodontitis/drug therapy*; Chronic Periodontitis/therapy
  6. Goh SG, Bayen S, Burger D, Kelly BC, Han P, Babovic V, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2017 Jan 15;114(1):627-634.
    PMID: 27712861 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.036
    Water quality in Singapore's coastal area was evaluated with microbial indicators, pathogenic vibrios, chemical tracers and physico-chemical parameters. Sampling sites were grouped into two clusters (coastal sites at (i) northern and (ii) southern part of Singapore). The coastal sites located at northern part of Singapore along the Johor Straits exhibited greater pollution. Principal component analysis revealed that sampling sites at Johor Straits have greater loading on carbamazepine, while turbidity poses greater influence on sampling sites at Singapore Straits. Detection of pathogenic vibrios was also more prominent at Johor Straits than the Singapore Straits. This study examined the spatial variations in Singapore's coastal water quality and provided the baseline information for health risk assessment and future pollution management.
    MeSH terms: Environmental Monitoring/methods*; Escherichia coli/growth & development; Singapore; Vibrio/growth & development*; Water Microbiology/standards*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Enterococcus/growth & development; Principal Component Analysis; Water Quality
  7. Khong TK, Selvanayagam VS, Sidhu SK, Yusof A
    Scand J Med Sci Sports, 2017 Apr;27(4):376-384.
    PMID: 27714855 DOI: 10.1111/sms.12754
    Carbohydrate (CHO) depletion is linked to neuromuscular fatigue during exercise. While its role at peripheral level is relatively well understood, less is known about its impact centrally. The aim of this systematic review was to critically analyze the effects of CHO on central fatigue (CF) assessed by various neurophysiological techniques. Four databases were searched using PRISMA guidelines through February 2016. The inclusion criteria were: CHO as intervention against a placebo control, fatigue induced by prolonged exercise and assessed using neurophysiological measures [voluntary activation (VA), superimposed twitch (SIT), M-wave, electromyography], alongside maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Seven papers were reviewed, where exercise duration lasted between 115 and 180 min. CHO improved exercise performance in three studies, whereby two of them attributed it to CF via attenuation of VA and SIT reductions, while the other indicated peripheral involvement via attenuation of M-wave reduction. Although a few studies suggest that CHO attenuates CF, data on its direct effects on neurophysiological outcome measures are limited and mixed. Generally, measures employed in these studies were inadequate to conclude central contribution to fatigue. Factors including the techniques used and the lack of controls render additional confounding factors to make definitive deductions. Future studies should employ consistent techniques and appropriate neurophysiological controls to distinguish CHO effect at central level. The use of pharmacological intervention should be incorporated to elucidate involvement of central mechanisms.
    MeSH terms: Dietary Carbohydrates/therapeutic use*; Electromyography; Fatigue/metabolism; Fatigue/prevention & control; Fatigue/therapy*; Humans; Muscle Contraction; Exercise*; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism*; Muscle Fatigue; Carbohydrate Metabolism*; Athletic Performance*
  8. Ibrahim NF, Yanagisawa D, Durani LW, Hamezah HS, Damanhuri HA, Wan Ngah WZ, et al.
    J Alzheimers Dis, 2017;55(2):597-612.
    PMID: 27716672
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. The cardinal neuropathological characteristic of AD is the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) into extracellular plaques that ultimately disrupt neuronal function and lead to neurodegeneration. One possible therapeutic strategy therefore is to prevent Aβ aggregation. Previous studies have suggested that vitamin E analogs slow AD progression in humans. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF), a mixture of vitamin E analogs from palm oil, on amyloid pathology in vitro and in vivo. TRF treatment dose-dependently inhibited the formation of Aβ fibrils and Aβ oligomers in vitro. Moreover, daily TRF supplementation to AβPPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice for 10 months attenuated Aβ immunoreactive depositions and thioflavin-S-positive fibrillar type plaques in the brain, and eventually improved cognitive function in the novel object recognition test compared with control AβPPswe/PS1dE9 mice. The present result indicates that TRF reduced amyloid pathology and improved cognitive functions, and suggests that TRF is a potential therapeutic agent for AD.
    MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease/complications*; Alzheimer Disease/genetics; Alzheimer Disease/pathology; Amyloid/drug effects; Amyloid/metabolism; Animals; Antioxidants/therapeutic use*; Cognition Disorders/drug therapy*; Cognition Disorders/etiology*; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Mutation/genetics; Neuroblastoma/pathology; Peptide Fragments/metabolism; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics; Tocotrienols/therapeutic use*; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice; Presenilin-1/genetics
  9. Bogard JR, Marks GC, Mamun A, Thilsted SH
    Public Health Nutr, 2017 03;20(4):702-711.
    PMID: 27702421 DOI: 10.1017/S1368980016002615
    OBJECTIVE: Fish is the most important animal-source food (ASF) in Bangladesh, produced from capture fisheries (non-farmed) and aquaculture (farmed) sub-sectors. Large differences in micronutrient content of fish species from these sub-sectors exist. The importance of fish in diets of vulnerable groups compared with other ASF; contribution from non-farmed and farmed species to nutrient intakes; and differences in fish consumption among age, gender, wealth groups and geographic regions were analysed, using quantitative intra-household fish consumption data, focusing on the first 1000 d of life.

    DESIGN: Two-stage stratified sample.

    SETTING: Nationally representative of rural Bangladesh.

    SUBJECTS: Households (n 5503) and individuals (n 24 198).

    RESULTS: Fish consumption in poor households was almost half that in wealthiest households; and lower in females than males in all groups, except the wealthiest, and for those aged ≥15 years (P<0·01). In infants of complementary feeding age, 56 % did not consume ASF on the survey day, despite 78 % of mothers knowing this was recommended. Non-farmed fish made a larger contribution to Fe, Zn, Ca, vitamin A and vitamin B12 intakes than farmed fish (P<0·0001).

    CONCLUSIONS: Policies and programmes aimed to increase fish consumption as a means to improve nutrition in rural Bangladesh should focus on women and young children, and on the poorest households. Aquaculture plays an important role in increasing availability and affordability of fish; however, non-farmed fish species are better placed to contribute to greater micronutrient intakes. This presents an opportunity for aquaculture to contribute to improved nutrition, utilising diverse production technologies and fish species, including small fish.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Bangladesh; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Fishes*; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Surveys/methods; Nutrition Surveys/statistics & numerical data*; Nutritional Status*; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*; Aquaculture/statistics & numerical data*; Micronutrients*; Young Adult
  10. Low LE, Tey BT, Ong BH, Chan ES, Tang SY
    Carbohydr Polym, 2017 Jan 02;155:391-399.
    PMID: 27702526 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.08.091
    We studied the formation of palm olein-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsion stabilized by Fe3O4-cellulose nanocrystals (MCNC) nanocomposites obtained by ultrasound assisted in-situ co-precipitation method. The synthesized MCNC nanocomposites successfully stabilized Pickering emulsion with dual responses. The magnetic tests revealed a direct-relation between attractability of MCNC-stabilized Pickering emulsions and the emulsion droplet diameter. The Pickering emulsions were stable under pH ranging from 3 to 6. The stability substantially reduced around pH 8-10, and regained slowly when approaching pH 13. From microscopic and mastersizer analysis, monodisperse emulsion droplets were noticed at pH 3-6, and 13, while polydisperse emulsion were obtained at pH 8-12. The Pickering emulsions prepared at pH 6 are stable up to 14 days, while Pickering emulsions at pH 8 experienced coalescence. In this study, the dual stimuli-responsive Pickering emulsion stabilized by MCNC may hold potentials for biomedical and drug delivery as new generation of smart nanotherapeutic carrier.
  11. Kaikabo AA, AbdulKarim SM, Abas F
    Poult Sci, 2017 Feb 01;96(2):295-302.
    PMID: 27702916 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pew255
    Disease inflicted by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes economic losses and burden to the poultry industry worldwide. In this study, the efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles loaded ΦKAZ14 (C-ΦKAZ14 NPs) as an oral biological therapy for Colibacillosis was evaluated. C-ΦKAZ14 NPs containing 10(7) PFU/ml of ΦKAZ14 (Myoviridae; T4-like coliphage) bacteriophage were used to treat experimentally APEC-infected COBB 500 broiler chicks. C-ΦKAZ14 NPs and ΦKAZ14 bacteriophage were administered orally in a single dose. The clinical symptoms, mortality, and pathology in the infected birds were recorded and compared with those of control birds that did not receive C-ΦKAZ14 NPs or naked ΦKAZ14 bacteriophage. The results showed that C-ΦKAZ14 NP intervention decreased mortality from 58.33 to 16.7% with an increase in the protection rate from 42.00 to 83.33%. The bacterial colonization of the intestines of infected birds was significantly higher in the untreated control than in the C-ΦKAZ14 NP-treated group (2.30×10(9) ± 0.02 and 0.79×10(3) ± 0.10 CFU/mL, respectively) (P ≤ 0.05). Similarly, a significant difference in the fecal shedding of Escherichia coli was observed on d 7 post challenge between the untreated control and the C-ΦKAZ14 NP-treated group (2.35×10(9) ± 0.05 and 1.58×10(3) ± 0.06 CFU/mL, respectively) (P ≤ 0.05). Similar trends were observed from d 14 until d 21 when the experiment was terminated. Treatment with C-ΦKAZ14 NPs improved the body weights of the infected chicks. A difference in body weight on d 7 post challenge was observed between the untreated control and the C-ΦKAZ14 NP-treated group (140 ± 20 g and 160 ± 20 g, respectively). The increase was significant (P ≤ 0.05) on d 21 between the 2 groups (240 ± 30 g and 600 ± 80 g, respectively). Consequently, the clinical signs and symptoms were ameliorated upon treatment with C-ΦKAZ14 NPs compared with infected untreated birds. In all, based on the results, it can be concluded that the encapsulation of bacteriophage could enhance bacteriophage therapy and is a valuable approach for controlling APEC infections in poultry.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bacteriophages; Body Weight; Chickens; Coliphages; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Intestines; Poultry; Myoviridae; Escherichia coli Proteins; Sirtuins; Chitosan; Nanoparticles; Phage Therapy
  12. Shokryazdan P, Faseleh Jahromi M, Navidshad B, Liang JB
    Med Microbiol Immunol, 2017 Feb;206(1):1-9.
    PMID: 27704207 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-016-0481-y
    Nowadays, use of prebiotics as feed and food additives has received increasing interest because of the beneficial effects of prebiotics on the health of animals and humans. One of the beneficial effects of prebiotics is stimulation of immune system, which can be direct or indirect through increasing population of beneficial microbes or probiotics, especially lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria, in the gut. An important mechanism of action of probiotics and prebiotics, by which they can affect the immune system, is changing the expression of cytokines. The present review tried to summarize the findings of studies that investigated the effects of prebiotics on immune system with focusing on their effects on cytokine expression. Generally, most of reviewed studies indicated beneficial effects for prebiotics in terms of improving immune system, by increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, while reducing the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines. However, most of studies mainly considered the indirect effects of prebiotics on the immune system (through changing the composition and population of gut microbiota), and their direct effects still need to be further studied using prebiotics with different degree of polymerization in different hosts.
    MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*; Animals; Humans; Immune System/drug effects*; Immunologic Factors/administration & dosage*; Cytokines/secretion*; Prebiotics/administration & dosage*
  13. Kotirum S, Chongmelaxme B, Chaiyakunapruk N
    J Thromb Thrombolysis, 2017 Feb;43(2):252-262.
    PMID: 27704332 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-016-1433-5
    To analyze the cost-utility of oral dabigatran etexilate, enoxaparin sodium injection, and no intervention for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after total hip or knee replacement (THR/TKR) surgery among Thai patients. A cost-utility analysis using a decision tree model was conducted using societal and healthcare payers' perspectives to simulate relevant costs and health outcomes covering a 3-month time horizon. Costs were adjusted to year 2014. The willingness-to-pay threshold of THB 160,000 (USD 4926) was used. One-way sensitivity and probabilistic sensitivity analyses using a Monte Carlo simulation were performed. Compared with no VTE prophylaxis, dabigatran and enoxaparin after THR and TKR surgery incurred higher costs and increased quality adjusted life years (QALYs). However, their incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were high above the willingness to pay. Compared with enoxaparin, dabigatran for THR/TKR lowered VTE complications but increased bleeding cases; dabigatran was cost-saving by reducing the costs [by THB 3809.96 (USD 117.30) for THR] and producing more QALYs gained (by 0.00013 for THR). Dabigatran (vs. enoxaparin) had a 98 % likelihood of being cost effective. Dabigatran is cost-saving compared to enoxaparin for VTE prophylaxis after THR or TKR under the Thai context. However, both medications are not cost-effective compared to no thromboprophylaxis.
    MeSH terms: Dabigatran/economics; Dabigatran/therapeutic use*; Cost-Benefit Analysis/methods*; Decision Trees; Humans; Monte Carlo Method; Postoperative Complications/drug therapy; Postoperative Complications/economics; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control; Premedication/economics; Thailand; Health Care Costs*; Enoxaparin/economics; Enoxaparin/therapeutic use*; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/economics; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/economics; Venous Thromboembolism/economics; Venous Thromboembolism/prevention & control*
  14. Ng KF, Tan KK, Sam ZH, Ting GS, Gan WY
    J Paediatr Child Health, 2017 Apr;53(4):399-407.
    PMID: 27704652 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.13375
    AIM: The aim of this study is to describe epidemiology, clinical features, laboratory data and severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in Malaysian children and to determine risk factors associated with prolonged hospital stay, paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission and mortality.

    METHODS: Retrospective data on demographics, clinical presentation, outcomes and laboratory findings of 450 children admitted into Tuanku Jaafar Hospital in Seremban, Malaysia from 2008 to 2013 with documented diagnosis of RSV ALRI were collected and analysed.

    RESULTS: Most admissions were children below 2 years old (85.8%; 386/450). Commonest symptoms were fever (84.2%; 379/450), cough (97.8%; 440/450) and rhinorrhea (83.6%; 376/450). The median age among febrile patients (n = 379) was 9.0 months with interquartile range (IQR) of 4.0-19.0 months whereas the median age among those who were apyrexial (n = 71) was 2 months with IQR of 1-6 months (P-value <0.001). 15.3% (69/450) needed intensive care and 1.6% (7/450) died. Young age, history of prematurity, chronic comorbidity and thrombocytosis were significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay, PICU admission and mortality.

    CONCLUSIONS: Infants less than 6 months old with RSV ALRI tend to be afebrile at presentation. Younger age, history of prematurity, chronic comorbidity and thrombocytosis are predictors of severe RSV ALRI among Malaysian children. Case fatality rate for Malaysian children below 5 years of age with RSV ALRI in our centre is higher than what is seen in developed countries, suggesting that there is room for improvement.

    MeSH terms: Child, Preschool; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Infant; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Medical Audit; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult/diagnosis; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult/epidemiology*; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult/physiopathology*; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/isolation & purification*; Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology*; Respiratory Tract Infections/physiopathology*; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/diagnosis; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/epidemiology*; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/physiopathology*
  15. Kamada T, Vairappan CS
    Nat Prod Res, 2017 Feb;31(3):333-340.
    PMID: 27707003
    Two new non-halogenated sesquiterpenes, snakeol (1) and snakediol (2) were isolated together with 9 known sesquiterpenes such as (R,Z)-33-dimethyl-5-methylene-4-(3-methylpenta-24-dien-1-yl)cyclohex-1-ene (3), palisol (4), pacifigorgiol (5), palisadin D (6), palisadin A (7), palisadin B (8), 5-acetoxypalisadin B (9), debromolaurinterol (10) and α-bromocuparane (11) from the red algae Laurencia snackeyi. The structures of two new metabolites were determined from their spectroscopic data (IR, 1D and 2D NMR and MS). Compounds 1, 2, 10 and 11 showed strong antibacterial activity against selected human clinical bacterial pathogens.
    MeSH terms: Rhodophyta/chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation & purification; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification; Sesquiterpenes/chemistry*; Molecular Structure; Laurencia/chemistry*; Halogenation
  16. Barber BE, Grigg MJ, William T, Yeo TW, Anstey NM
    Trends Parasitol, 2017 03;33(3):242-253.
    PMID: 27707609 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.09.002
    Plasmodium knowlesi occurs across Southeast Asia and is the most common cause of malaria in Malaysia. High parasitaemias can develop rapidly, and the risk of severe disease in adults is at least as high as in falciparum malaria. Prompt initiation of effective treatment is therefore essential. Intravenous artesunate is highly effective in severe knowlesi malaria and in those with moderately high parasitaemia but otherwise uncomplicated disease. Both chloroquine and artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT) are highly effective for uncomplicated knowlesi malaria, with faster parasite clearance times and lower anaemia rates with ACT. Given the difficulties with microscope diagnosis of P. knowlesi, a unified treatment strategy of ACT for all Plasmodium species is recommended in coendemic regions.
    MeSH terms: Antimalarials/therapeutic use; Asia, Southeastern; Chloroquine/therapeutic use*; Humans; Malaria/drug therapy*; Malaria, Falciparum/drug therapy; Plasmodium knowlesi*; Artemisinins/therapeutic use*; Coinfection/drug therapy
  17. Goh KM, Liew KJ, Chai KP, Illias RM
    Methods Mol Biol, 2017;1498:385-396.
    PMID: 27709591
    Protein engineering is a very useful tool for probing structure-function relationships in proteins. Specifically, site-directed mutagenized proteins can provide useful insights into structural, binding and catalytic mechanisms of a protein, particularly when coupled with crystallization. In this chapter, we describe two protocols for performing site-directed mutagenesis of any protein-coding sequence, namely, megaprimer PCR and overlapping extension PCR (OE-PCR). We use as an example how these two SDM methods enhanced the function of a cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase (CGTase) from Bacillus lehensis strain G1.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Bacillus/genetics; Base Sequence; Binding Sites/genetics; Crystallization/methods; Cyclodextrins/genetics*; Glucosyltransferases/genetics*; Mutagens/metabolism; Protein Engineering/methods; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed/methods; DNA Primers/genetics*; Crystallography, X-Ray/methods
  18. AlOmar MK, Alsaadi MA, Hayyan M, Akib S, Ibrahim M, Hashim MA
    Chemosphere, 2017 Jan;167:44-52.
    PMID: 27710842 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.09.133
    Recently, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have shown their new and interesting ability for chemistry through their involvement in variety of applications. This study introduces carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized with DES as a novel adsorbent for Hg(2+) from water. Allyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide (ATPB) was combined with glycerol as the hydrogen bond donor (HBD) to form DES, which can act as a novel CNTs functionalization agent. The novel adsorbent was characterized using Raman, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, BET surface area, TGA, TEM and Zeta potential. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the removal conditions for Hg(2+). The optimum removal conditions were found to be pH 5.5, contact time 28 min, and an adsorbent dosage of 5 mg. Freundlich isotherm model described the adsorption isotherm of the novel adsorbent, and the maximum adsorption capacity obtained from the experimental data was 186.97 mg g(-1). Pseudo-second order kinetics describes the adsorption rate order.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Allyl Compounds/chemistry*; Bromides/chemistry*; Kinetics; Mercury/chemistry*; Models, Theoretical; Solvents/chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry*; Water Purification/methods; Nanotubes, Carbon/chemistry*
  19. Haris H, Aris AZ, Mokhtar MB
    Chemosphere, 2017 Jan;166:323-333.
    PMID: 27710880 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.09.045
    Total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations were determined from sediment samples collected from thirty sampling stations in Port Klang, Malaysia. Three stations had THg concentrations exceeding the threshold effect level of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Canadian interim sediment quality guidelines. THg and MeHg concentrations were found to be concentrated in the Lumut Strait where inputs from the two most urbanized rivers in the state converged (i.e. Klang River and Langat River). This suggests that Hg in the study area likely originated from the catchments of these rivers. MeHg made up 0.06-94.96% of the sediment's THg. There is significant positive correlation (p 
    MeSH terms: Saline Waters/analysis*; Environmental Monitoring/methods*; Malaysia; Mercury/analysis*; Methylmercury Compounds/analysis*; Particle Size; Risk Factors; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis; Water Purification/methods; Geologic Sediments/analysis; Rivers
  20. Nathan AM, Loo HY, de Bruyne JA, Eg KP, Kee SY, Thavagnanam S, et al.
    Pediatr Pulmonol, 2017 04;52(4):500-507.
    PMID: 27712049 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.23569
    INTRODUCTION: Home ventilation (HV) for children is growing rapidly worldwide. The aim was to describe (1) the sociodemographic characteristics of children on HV and (2) the indications for, means and outcome of initiating HV in children from a developing country.

    METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study included patients sent home on noninvasive or invasive ventilation, over 13 years, by the pediatric respiratory unit in a single center. Children who declined treatment were excluded.

    RESULTS: Seventy children were initiated on HV: 85.7% on noninvasive ventilation, 14.3% on invasive ventilation. There was about a threefold increase from 2001-2008 (n = 18) to 2009-2014 (n = 52). Median (range) age of initiating HV was 11 (1-169) months and 73% of children were <2 years old. Common indications for HV were respiratory (57.2%), chest/spine anomalies (11.4%), and neuromuscular (10.0%). Fifty-two percent came off their devices with a median (interquartile range) usage duration of 12 (4.8, 21.6) months. Ten children (14.3%) died with one avoidable death. Children with neuromuscular disease were less likely to come off their ventilator (0.0%) compared to children with respiratory disease (62.1%). Forty-one percent of parents bought their equipment, whereas 58.6% borrowed their equipment from the medical social work department and other sources.

    CONCLUSION: HV in a resource-limited country is possible. Children with respiratory disease made up a significant proportion of those requiring HV and were more likely to be weaned off. The mortality rate was low. The social work department played an important role in facilitating early discharge. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:500-507. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Child; Child Health Services; Child, Preschool; Developing Countries; Female; Home Care Services; Humans; Infant; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Respiration, Artificial/utilization*; Respiratory Insufficiency/epidemiology*; Respiratory Insufficiency/therapy; Retrospective Studies; Socioeconomic Factors; Noninvasive Ventilation/utilization
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