Browse publications by year: 2017

Fulltext Massive subcutaneous emphysema after a blunt neck injury

Mohamad, I., Md Shukri, N., Fauzi, M.H., Abdul Karim, A.H., Nik Hassan, N.F.H.

Malaysian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2017;2(1):16-20.
MyJurnal

Subcutaneous emphysema can occur after a breach to the air-containing space. The classical condition will be ruptured alveolus in chronic lung disease. A disruption of the upper airway such as trauma to the laryngotracheal framework may lead to similar presentation. The amount of air leak varies depending on site and size of the breach. We report a case of blunt neck trauma after a fall from bicycle, which ended with massive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum requiring intubation.

MeSH terms: Bicycling; Intubation; Lung Diseases; Mediastinal Emphysema; Pneumothorax; Rupture; Subcutaneous Emphysema; Wounds, Nonpenetrating; Neck Injuries
Fulltext The prevalence of injuries among participants during the 16th National Silat Championships 2012

Hassan, N.H., Nik Muhamad, N.A.

Malaysian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2017;2(1):11-15.
MyJurnal

This study is a descriptive epidemiology on the frequency of injuries, characteristics, and type of injuries incurred during the 16th National SilatChampionships 2012 competitions. This was a retrospective study by using a Pre Hospital Care Emergency Medicine PPUKM Form. All injuries sustained during the competition days were documented. The total number of participants involved in this tournament was 158 (114 males and 44 females). 51.6% participants sustained various injuries during the competition. The common sites of injuries involved the upper and lower extremities. The injuries sustained consist of swelling, fracture, dislocation, muscle sprain, strain and others. Most of the injuries were minor and did not require hospitalization. This study identified that soft tissue injuries due to blunt trauma were common among the silatparticipants. Strict observation of the tournament regulations, vigorous training and protective measures or equipments may contribute to the absence of severe or serious injury.

MeSH terms: Emergency Medicine; Female; Hospitalization; Male; Retrospective Studies; Sprains and Strains; Soft Tissue Injuries; Lower Extremity; Fractures, Bone
Fulltext Ruling out PE: anovelapproach usingend-tidal CO2 with compression Ultrasonography and transthoracic Echocardiography in Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (CUEPED)

Cheong, Chee Yen, Rashidi Ahmad, Nesarajah, Kiran, Aida Bustam, Muhaimin Noor Azhar

Malaysian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2017;2(1):1-8.
MyJurnal

Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a challenge in clinical practice, especially in emergency setting despite availability of various diagnostic tools. It is desirable to have a rapid and accurate bedside test to rule out PE.The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracyof CUEPED, a novel method of ruling out pulmonary embolism using a combination of end-tidal CO2(ETCO2), Compression Ultrasonography (CUS) and Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE).In this pilot study, patients who presented to the Emergency Department at Univers it y Malaya Medical Centre with suspected acute PE from December 2013 to October 2014,who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were assessed using CUEPED. CUEPED was considered positive if the measured ETCO2 was less than 35 mmHg, or if there was presence of venous incompressibility in lower limb ultrasonography orif tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in transthoracic echocardiography was less than 1.6. All patients received a computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for confirmation of diagnosis. Data obtained was analyzed to determine if a negative CUEPED has the potential to accurately rule out a PE. 30 patients (mean age = 48 years [SD = 13.6]) were involved with an equal distribut io nbetween gender. The incidence of PE was 56.7%. CUEPED had a sensitivity of 100% for PE. Negative CUEPED ruled out PE with a negative predictive value of 100%. Positive CUEPED ruled in PE with a low specificity of 53.8% and moderate positive predictive value of 73.9%. This diagnostic study showedthat a negative CUEPED is potentially accurate in ruling out PE.

MeSH terms: Angiography; Carbon Dioxide; Echocardiography; Emergency Service, Hospital; Humans; Malaysia; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Pulmonary Embolism; Ultrasonography; Incidence; Lower Extremity; Computed Tomography Angiography
Fulltext Self-planning traveller system

Khor, Chun Siang, Nasuha Lee Abdullah, Rosnah Idrus, Nura Muhammad Baba

Scientific Research Journal, 2017;14(2):73-87.
MyJurnal

This study aimed to understand the problems faced by self-planning
travellers when they plan for a trip by searching travel information from
the Internet and propose a system to facilitate the self-planning travellers
to obtain useful travel information. An online survey was conducted via
social media to understand the problems, the search criteria and types of
content of travel itinerary needed in facilitating the planning. A total of
65 responses were collected. The results showed that there were too many
unrelated information on the Web and travellers were unsure of where to
start the search. Also, the result revealed that the search criteria needed to
generate travel itinerary were travel date, travel duration, travel country
and travel budget. Finally, flight schedule, hotel accommodation, sightseeing
places, travelling route and things to do were the information required by
travellers for their travel itineraries. Based on the results, a travel itinerary
recommendation system named eTravelPlanner is proposed.

MeSH terms: Surveys and Questionnaires; Travel; Internet; Uncertainty; Social Media
Fulltext Isolation and characterization of a metal-reducing Pseudomonas sp. strain 135 with amide-degrading capability

Yakasai, M.H., Rahman, M.F., Khayat, M.E., Shukor, M.Y., Shamaan, N.A., Rahim, M.B.H.A.

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(2):32-38.
MyJurnal

The presence of both heavy metals and organic xenobiotic pollutants in a contaminated site
justifies the application of either a multitude of microbial degraders or microorganisms having
the capacity to detoxify a number of pollutants at the same time. Molybdenum is an essential
heavy metal that is toxic to ruminants at a high level. Ruminants such as cow and goats
experience severe hypocuprosis leading to scouring and death at a concentration as low as
several parts per million. In this study, a molybdenum-reducing bacterium with amide-degrading
capacity has been isolated from contaminated soils. The bacterium, using glucose as the best
electron donor reduces molybdenum in the form of sodium molybdate to molybdenum blue. The
maximal pH reduction occurs between 6.0 and 6.3, and the bacterium showed an excellent
reduction in temperatures between 25 and 40 oC. The reduction was maximal at molybdate
concentrations of between 15 and 25 mM. Molybdenum reduction incidentally was inhibited by
several toxic heavy metals. Other carbon sources including toxic xenobiotics such as amides
were screened for their ability to support molybdate reduction. Of all the amides, only
acrylamide can support molybdenum reduction. The other amides; such as acetamide and
propionamide can support growth. Analysis using phylogenetic analysis resulted in a tentative
identification of the bacterium as Pseudomonas sp. strain 135. This bacterium is essential in
remediating sites contaminated with molybdenum, especially in agricultural soil co-contaminated
with acrylamide, a known soil stabilizer.

MeSH terms: Acetamides; Amides; Animals; Carbon; Cattle; Electrons; Female; Glucose; Goats; Molybdenum; Phylogeny; Pseudomonas; Soil; Temperature; Xenobiotics; Metals, Heavy; Acrylamide
Fulltext Isolation and culture medium optimisation using one-factor-at-time and response surface methodology on the biodegradation of the azo-dye Amaranth

Noris Kartika Sari Islahuddin, Motharasan Manogaran, Mohd Izuan Effendi Halmi, Mohd Yunus Shukor

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(2):25-31.
MyJurnal

Isolate JR1 was isolated from the polluted textile industry activities site in the Juru Penang area.
This bacterium was characterized as a gram-positive Bacillus bacterium and also gave a
positive biochemical test for catalase test and oxidase test. The isolate JR1 gave a maximum
decolourization of Amaranth dye under static conditions with the rate of decolorization of
98.82%. Seven variables which are pH, temperature (°C), ammonium acetate (g/L), glucose
(g/L), sodium chloride (g/L), yeast (g/L) and dye concentration (ppm) was run by using
Plackett-Burman design for the effective parameter of the decolourization of Amaranth. From
the seven variables, three effective variables which were ammonium acetate, glucose, and dye
concentration were further optimized by using a central composite design. The optimum value
of ammonium acetate concentration at 0.74 g/L, glucose concentration at 3.0 g/L and a dye
concentration at 58.1 ppm gave the highest percentage of decolourization. Thus, this isolate
could provide an alternate solution in removing toxic dyes from environments.
Fulltext Isolation and characterisation of a Mo-reducing bacterium from Malaysian soil

Chee, H.S., Motharasan Manogaran, Yakasai, M.H., Rahman, M.F.A., Nur Adeela Yasid, Zarizal Suhaili, et al.

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(2):17-24.
MyJurnal

The issue of heavy metal contamination and toxic xenobiotics has become a rapid global
concern. This has ensured that the bioremediation of these toxicants, which are being carried out
using novel microbes. A bacterium with the ability to reduce molybdenum has been isolated
from contaminated soils and identified as Serratia marcescens strain DR.Y10. The bacterium
reduced molybdenum (sodium molybdate) to molybdenum blue (Mo-blue) optimally at pHs of
between 6.0 and 6.5 and temperatures between 30°C and 37°C. Glucose was the best electron
donor for supporting molybdate reduction followed by sucrose, adonitol, mannose, maltose,
mannitol glycerol, salicin, myo-inositol, sorbitol and trehalose in descending order. Other
requirements include a phosphate concentration of 5 mM and a molybdate concentration of
between 10 and 30 mM. The absorption spectrum of the Mo-blue produced was similar to the
previously isolated Mo-reducing bacterium and closely resembles a reduced phosphomolybdate.
Molybdenum reduction was inhibited by Hg (ii), Ag (i), Cu (ii), and Cr (vi) at 78.9, 69.2, 59.5
and 40.1%, respectively. We also screen for the ability of the bacterium to use various organic
xenobiotics such as phenol, acrylamide, nicotinamide, acetamide, iodoacetamide, propionamide,
acetamide, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and diesel as electron donor sources for aiding
reduction. The bacterium was also able to grow using amides such as acrylamide, propionamide
and acetamide without molybdenum reduction. The unique ability of the bacterium to detoxify
many toxicants is much in demand, making this bacterium a vital means of bioremediation.
Fulltext Screening of hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial isolates using the redox application of 2,6-DCPIP

Syahir Habib, Mohd Yunus Abd Shukor, Nur Adeela Yasid, Wan Lutfi Wan Johari

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(2):13-16.
MyJurnal

Petroleum hydrocarbons remain as the major contaminants that could be found across the world.
Remediation approach through the utilisation of microbes as the bioremediation means widely
recognised due to their outstanding values. As a result, scientific reports on the isolation and
identification of new hydrocarbon-degrading strains were on the rise. Colourimetric-based assays
are one of the fastest methods to identify the capability of hydrocarbon-degrading strains in both
qualitative and quantitative assessment. In this study, the hydrocarbon-degrading potential of
nine bacterial isolates was observed via 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) test. Two potent
diesel-utilising isolates show a distinctive tendency to utilise aromatic (ADL15) and aliphatic
(ADL36) hydrocarbons. Both isolates prove to be a good candidate for bioremediation of wide
range of petroleum hydrocarbon components.

MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental; Colorimetry; Hydrocarbons; Petroleum; Soil Microbiology; 2,6-Dichloroindophenol
Fulltext Acrylamide toxicity and its biodegradation

Gafar, A.A., Khayat, M.E., Abdul Rahim, M.B.H., Shukor, M.Y.

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(2):8-12.
MyJurnal

Acrylamide is a synthetic monomer that has been classified as toxic and carcinogenic apart
from its diverse application in the industry. Its application is in the formation of
polyacrylamide. Polyacrylamide usage is diverse and is found as herbicide formulation, as soil
treatment agent and in water treatment plants. Deaths and sickness due to the accidental
exposure to acrylamide have been reported while chronic toxicity is also a source of the
problem. This review highlighted the toxic effect of acrylamide to various organisms like
human, animal and plant. This review also discusses on the potential use of biological
technologies to remediate acrylamide pollution in the environment and the degradation
pathways these microorganisms utilize to assimilate acrylamide as a nitrogen, carbon or both as
carbon and nitrogen sources.

MeSH terms: Acrylic Resins; Animals; Carbon; Carcinogens; Environment; Herbicides; Humans; Nitrogen; Soil; Water Purification; Acrylamide
Fulltext Phenol removal via cellular immobilization: a review

Aisami Abubakar, Mohd Yunus Shukor

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(2):1-7.
MyJurnal

Environmental pollution is one of the major concerns in the 21st century; where billions of tonnes
of harmful chemicals are produced by industries such as petroleum, paints, food, rubber, and
plastic. Phenol and its derivatives infiltrate the ecosystems and have become one of the top major
pollutants worldwide. This review covers the major aspects of immobilization of phenoldegrading
bacteria as a method to improve phenol bioremediation. The use of various forms of
immobilization matrices is discussed along with the advantages and disadvantages of each of the
immobilization matrices especially when environmental usage is warranted. To be used as a
bioremediation tool, the immobilized system must not only be effective, but the matrices must be
non-toxic, non-polluting and if possible non-biodegradable. The mechanical, biological and
chemical stability of the system is paramount for long-term activity as well as price is an
important factor when the very large scale is a concern. The system must also be able to tolerate
high concentration of other toxicants especially heavy metals that form as co-contaminants, and
most immobilized systems are geared towards this last aspect as immobilization provides
protection from other contaminants.

MeSH terms: Bacteria; Biodegradation, Environmental; Paint; Petroleum; Phenols; Plastics; Rubber; Ecosystem; Metals, Heavy; Phenol
Fulltext Estimation of the Q10 value; the temperature coefficient for the growth of Pseudomonas sp. AQ5-04 on phenol

Abubakar Aisami, Nur Adeela Yasid, Wan Lutfi Wan Johari, Mohd Yunus Shukor

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(1):24-26.
MyJurnal

The Q10 value is tied to an increase in the surrounding temperature with an increase in 10 ◦C,
and usually resulted in a doubling of the reaction rate. When this happens, the Q10 value for the
reaction is 2. This value holds true to numerous biological reactions. To date, the Q10 value for
the biodegradation of phenol is almost not reported. The Q10 values can be determined from the
Arrhenius plots. In this study, the growth rate or biodegradation rates in logarithmic value for
the bacterium Pseudomonas sp. AQ5-04 was plotted against 1000/temperature (Kelvin) and the
slope of the Arrhenius curve is the value of the Ea, which was utilized to obtain the Q10. The
value obtained in this work was 1.834, which is slightly lower than the normal range of between
2 and 3 for the biodegradation rates of hydrocarbon in general and shows that this bacterium is a
very efficient phenol-degrading bacterium.
Fulltext Kinetic studies of the partially purified molybdenum-reducing enzyme from Bacillus pumilus strain Lbna

Abo-Shakeer, L.K.A., Rahman, M.F.A., Yakasai, H., Syed, M.A., Shukor M.Y., Bakar, N.A., et al.

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(1):18-23.
MyJurnal

Bacterial based remediation of environmental toxicants is a promising innovative technology
for molybdenum pollution. To date, the enzyme responsible for molybdate reduction to Moblue
from bacteria show that the Michaelis-Menten constants varies by one order of magnitude.
It is important that the constants from newer enzyme sources be characterized so that a
comparison can be made. The aim of this study is to characterize kinetically the enzyme from a
previously isolated Mo-reducing bacterium; Bacillus pumilus strain Lbna. The maximum
activity of this enzyme occurred at pH 5.5 and in between 25 and 35 oC. The Km and Vmax of
NADH were 6.646 mM and 0.057 unit/mg enzyme, while the Km and Vmax of LPPM were 3.399
mM and 0.106 unit/mg enzyme. The results showed that the enzyme activity for Bacillus
pumilus strain Lbna were inhibited by all heavy metals used. Zinc, copper, silver, chromium,
cadmium and mercury all caused more than 50% inhibition to the Mo-reducing enzyme activity
with copper being the most potent with an almost complete inhibition of enzyme activity
observed.

MeSH terms: Bacillus; Bacteria; Cadmium; Chromium; Copper; Environmental Pollution; Kinetics; Mercury; Molybdenum; NAD; Silver; Zinc; Metals, Heavy; Bacillus pumilus
Fulltext The development of banana peel/corn starch bioplastic film: a preliminary study

Noor Fatimah Kader Sultan, Wan Lutfi Wan Johari

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(1):12-17.
MyJurnal

The aim of this study is to develop bioplastic film from a combination of two biopolymers of same
source, namely banana peel and corn starch. Five banana peel films (BP film) were prepared with
different concentrations of corn starch (1% up to 5%) as co-biopolymer and film without corn
starch acted as a control. The films were carried out with several durability tests and
characterization analyses. Based on the results obtained, the BP film with 4% corn starch gave the
highest tensile strength 34.72 N/m2 compared to other samples. The water absorption test showed
that BP films with 3% corn starch were resistant to water uptake by absorbing water up to 60.65%.
In terms of characterization, spectra of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) obtained
for BP control film and BP film with 4% corn starch were comparable with most of the peaks were
present. The thermal analysis by differential screening calorimetric (DSC) detected the melting
temperature for both BP control film and BP film with 4% corn respectively at Tonset of 54.41°C
and 67.83°C. Overall, combination of starches from two different sources can be used as an
alternative in producing bioplastics.
Fulltext Assay for heavy metals using an inhibitive assay based on the acetylcholinesterase from Channa striatus

Zulkifli, A.F., Tham, L.G., Perumal, N., Azzeme, A., Shukor, M.Y., Shaharuddin, N.A., et al.

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(1):7-11.
MyJurnal

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is usually used as an inhibitive assay for insecticides. A lesser
known property of AChE is its inhibition by heavy metals. In this work we evaluate an AChE
from brains of striped snakehead (Channa striatus) wastes from aquaculture industry as an
inhibitive assay for heavy metals. We discovered that the AChE was inhibited almost completely
by Hg2+, Ag2+ and Cu2+ during an initial screening. When tested at various concentrations, the
heavy metals exhibited exponential decay type inhibition curves. The calculated IC50 for the
heavy metals Hg2+, Ag2+, Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cr6+ were 0.08432, 0.1008, 0.1255, 0.0871, and 0.1771,
respectively. The IC50 for these heavy metals are comparable and some are lower than the IC50
values from the cholinesterases from previously studied fish. The assay can be carried out in less
than 30 minutes at ambient temperature.

MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase; Animals; Biological Assay; Brain; Cholinesterases; Fishes; Insecticides; Temperature; Aquaculture; Metals, Heavy; Inhibitory Concentration 50
Fulltext Production of rhamnolipids by locally isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa using sunflower oil as carbon source

Helmi Wasoh, Sarinah Baharun, Murni Halim, Arbakariya B. Ariff, Lai, Oi-Ming, Ahmad Firdaus Lajis

Bioremediation Science and Technology Research, 2017;5(1):1-6.
MyJurnal

Biosurfactants are surface active compounds and amphiphatic in nature which consist of
hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail accumulating at the interphase of two immiscible liquid
with different polarity. A study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of sunflower oil in
the production of rhamnolipids (RLs) by locally isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa in shake flask
fermentation. In this process, four different fermentation treatments were done for seven days at
30°C and 180 rpm. Sampling was carried out in time intervals of 24 h followed by monitoring of
cell growth and biosurfactants production. Colorimetric Orcinol analysis was used for
determination of RLs concentrations (g/L). The RLs were studied for emulsification activity
using emulsification index (E24%) methods. In addition, oil displacement activity and thermal
stability were also studied (4-120°C). All treatments allow the growth of P. aeruginosa and the
utilization of sunflower oil as carbon source and glucose as growth initiator were observed to be
the best strategy for maximum RLs production. The maximum RLs production was achieved
after 120 h with 3.18 g/L of RLs. Diesel shows the highest emulsification activity among the
substrate tested ranging from 55.56% - 60.00%. The oil displacement activity was corresponding
to RLs concentration with stability up to 120°C (for 60 min). Therefore, from this research a
good potential of RLs that may provide good application for industry were produced.
MULTILEVEL LINEAR REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING BODY MASS INDEX AMONG BANGLADESHI MARRIED NON-PREGNANT WOMEN

Kamruzzaman M, Mamun ASMA, Bakar SMA, Saw A, Kamarul T, Islam MN, et al.

J Biosoc Sci, 2017 Jul;49(4):498-508.
PMID: 27866490 DOI: 10.1017/S0021932016000572

The aim of this study was to investigate the socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing the body mass index (BMI) of non-pregnant married Bangladeshi women of reproductive age. Secondary (Hierarchy) data from the 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, collected using two-stage stratified cluster sampling, were used. Two-level linear regression analysis was performed to remove the cluster effect of the variables. The mean BMI of married non-pregnant Bangladeshi women was 21.60±3.86 kg/m2, and the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 22.8%, 14.9% and 3.2%, respectively. After removing the cluster effect, age and age at first marriage were found to be positively (p<0.01) related with BMI. Number of children was negatively related with women's BMI. Lower BMI was especially found among women from rural areas and poor families, with an uneducated husband, with no television at home and who were currently breast-feeding. Age, total children ever born, age at first marriage, type of residence, education level, level of husband's education, wealth index, having a television at home and practising breast-feeding were found to be important predictors for the BMI of married Bangladeshi non-pregnant women of reproductive age. This information could be used to identify sections of the Bangladeshi population that require special attention, and to develop more effective strategies to resolve the problem of malnutrition.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Bangladesh/epidemiology; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developing Countries*; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Middle Aged; Obesity/epidemiology*; Socioeconomic Factors; Thinness/epidemiology*; Body Mass Index*; Linear Models; Spouses*; Overweight/epidemiology*; Young Adult
Use of microwave to improve nanomedicine application on skin

Wong TW

Expert Opin Drug Deliv, 2017 02;14(2):283.
PMID: 27898219 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2017.1266160
Expression of clusterin in colorectal carcinoma in relation to clinicopathological criteria

Gomaa W, Al-Ahwal M, Al-Maghrabi H, Buhmeida A, Al-Qahtani M, Al-Maghrabi B, et al.

Malays J Pathol, 2017 Dec;39(3):243-250.
PMID: 29279586

BACKGROUND/AIM: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) carries a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. Prognosis is related to nodal metastasis and stage. Clusterin is a widely distributed glycoprotein with not yet fully understood functions. Clusterin may be overexpressed in some tumours or under expressed in other tumours. The aim behind this study is to examine the relation of clusterin cytoplasmic immunostaining to tumour characteristics, disease relapse, and survival in CRC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin blocks of 133 CRCs were retrieved from the Department of Pathology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Immunostaining was done using antibody to clusterin. Staining expression in 10% of malignant cells was used as a cut-off to determine low immunostaining and high immunostaining. Statistical tests were used to evaluate the association of clusterin immunostaining with clinicopathological parameters.
RESULTS: Immunohistochemical results showed clusterin low immunostaining in CRC and nodal metastases. No association was found between clusterin immunostaining and tumour grade, age, tumour invasiveness, distant metastases, vascular invasion, nodal metastases, relapse, and survival.
CONCLUSION: Our study showed low clusterin immunostaining in CRC with lack of association with prognostic indicators in CRC. These results raise the controversy of understanding the role of clusterin in CRC. Further molecular studies are required to explore more about possible mechanisms of clusterin association with tumorigenicity, apoptosis, tumour growth progression, local and vascular invasion, and metastasis of CRC.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis*; Colorectal Neoplasms/mortality; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology*; Disease-Free Survival; Clusterin/analysis; Clusterin/biosynthesis*; Kaplan-Meier Estimate
Comparison of the sensitivity and specificity of p16/Ki-67 dual staining and HPV DNA testing of abnormal cervical cytology in the detection of histology proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 and above (CIN 2+)

Tay TKY, Lim KL, Hilmy MH, Thike AA, Goh ST, Song LH, et al.

Malays J Pathol, 2017 Dec;39(3):257-265.
PMID: 29279588

INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is used as a means of triaging cervico-vaginal smears with low grade squamous abnormalities or as part of co-testing with cytology. While HPV testing has a high sensitivity, it has a low specificity in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 and above (CIN 2+) leading to unnecessary colposcopy referrals. We investigate the accuracy of the p16/Ki-67 dual immunocytochemical stain in determining the presence of CIN 2+ lesions on histology and its potential as a superior biomarker for triage.
METHODS: Liquid based cervico-vaginal cytology specimens with squamous abnormalities and corresponding histology from 97 women with subsequent colposcopy and biopsy were included. The specimens were then subjected to the dual stain and Roche Cobas 4800 multiplex real time PCR HPV DNA testing. The sensitivity and specificity of the dual stain and HPV testing were calculated using CIN 2+ on histology as a reference standard.
RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the dual stain in detecting histology proven CIN 2+ was 93.7% and 76.5% while HPV testing was 85.7% and 14.7% respectively. Of the 44 women with ASCUS or LSIL on cytology, the dual stain also reduced the number of unnecessary colposcopy referrals from 27 to 7 when used as a triage marker compared to HPV testing.
CONCLUSION: p16/Ki-67 dual stain was more sensitive and specific than HPV testing in determining the presence of CIN 2+ on histology. It could triage low grade cervico-vaginal specimens more effectively and potentially help women avoid unnecessary colposcopies. Future studies are needed to further evaluate its role in cervical cancer screening programmes.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/virology; Cytodiagnosis/methods; DNA, Viral/analysis; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry/methods; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Staining and Labeling/methods; Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis*; Vaginal Smears; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia/diagnosis*; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia/pathology; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia/virology; Ki-67 Antigen/analysis; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16/analysis; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections/complications; Early Detection of Cancer/methods*; Young Adult
DNA vaccination with a plasmid encoding LACK-TSA fusion against Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice

Maspi N, Ghaffarifar F, Sharifi Z, Dalimi A, Khademi SZ

Malays J Pathol, 2017 Dec;39(3):267-275.
PMID: 29279589

Vaccination would be the most important strategy for the prevention and elimination of leishmaniasis. The aim of the present study was to compare the immune responses induced following DNA vaccination with LACK (Leishmania analogue of the receptor kinase C), TSA (Thiol-specific-antioxidant) genes alone or LACK-TSA fusion against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated before and after challenge with Leishmania major (L. major). In addition, the mean lesion size was also measured from 3th week post-infection. All immunized mice showed a partial immunity characterized by higher interferon (IFN)-γ and Immunoglobulin G (IgG2a) levels compared to control groups (p<0.05). IFN-γ/ Interleukin (IL)-4 and IgG2a/IgG1 ratios demonstrated the highest IFN-γ and IgG2a levels in the group receiving LACK-TSA fusion. Mean lesion sizes reduced significantly in all immunized mice compared with control groups at 7th week post-infection (p<0.05). In addition, there was a significant reduction in mean lesion size of LACK-TSA and TSA groups than LACK group after challenge (p<0.05). In the present study, DNA immunization promoted Th1 immune response and confirmed the previous observations on immunogenicity of LACK and TSA antigens against CL. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that a bivalent vaccine can induce stronger immune responses and protection against infectious challenge with L. major.

MeSH terms: Animals; Antigens, Protozoan/immunology*; Female; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Plasmids; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology; Protozoan Proteins/immunology*; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/immunology*; Leishmania major; Vaccines, DNA/immunology*; Leishmaniasis Vaccines/immunology*; Peroxiredoxins/immunology*

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