Browse publications by year: 2017

Fulltext Unsplinted metal reinforced implant retained overdenture for an edentulous arch

Nur Hafizah Kamar Affendi, Nor Faharina Bt Abd Hamid

Compendium of Oral Science, 2017;4(1):40-46.
MyJurnal

Objective: This article discuss a clinical case of implant retained overdenture as a predictable and effective treatment for completely edentulous arch. Material and method: A patient with an edentulous maxilla and periodontically compromised teeth in the mandible was treated using a specific surgical and prosthodontic protocol. Patient was followed for 12 months postloading. Result: The implants are still osseointegrated and able to maintain healthy mucosa surrounding implants. The patient have verbally indicated that she is satisfied with the design that gives her comfort and function. Conclusions: It appears that unsplinted freestanding implants can be used as a predictable treatment for edentulous arch.

MeSH terms: Denture, Overlay; Female; Humans; Mandible; Maxilla; Mouth, Edentulous; Mucous Membrane; Prosthodontics; Osseointegration; Treatment Outcome
Fulltext Dental students’ interaction with clinical instructors: students’ perspective and dental school’s administrator dean’s response

Al-Jaf, Nagham Mohammed Abdullah, Budi Aslinie Md Sabri, Muhamad Faizran Looszen Bin Fadly Loo, Ahmad Aizat Bin Ahmad Shaifuddin

Compendium of Oral Science, 2017;4(1):28-39.
MyJurnal

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the clinical instructor communication on dental students’ clinical training in Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM). Materials and Methods: A sample of 174 undergraduate clinical dental students were recruited to complete the Clinical Education Instructional Quality Questionnaire (ClinEd IQ) which consists of forty-five questions, forty-three multiple choice questions and two open-ended. The multiple-choice questions consist of 3 subscales which were measured on a six-point Likert Scale from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. The open-ended responses were analysed using thematic analysis. This paper discusses the Subscale of interaction with clinical instructors and the open-ended responses. Results: The responses of 150 students were evaluated. The students rated their interaction with instructors with a mean score of 4.64 on a six -point scale. There was a significant difference between mean scores for each academic level with year five students’ score being highest. There were four areas of concern identified through the open-ended responses. Conclusion: While the quality of supervision in terms of interaction with clinical instructors is considered satisfactory and the students generally reported positive experiences, there is room for improvements especially regarding areas of concern.

MeSH terms: Dentistry; Faculty; Humans; Surveys and Questionnaires; Students, Dental; Teacher Training; Educational Personnel
Fulltext Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients undergoing micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) to accelerate orthodontic space closure

Syed Bazli Alwi Syed Bakhtiar, Noraina Hafizan Norman, Sarah Haniza Abdul Ghani, Budi Aslinie Md Sabri

Compendium of Oral Science, 2017;4(1):19-27.
MyJurnal

Objectives: To assess and compare the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of orthodontic patients who had and had not undergone micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) during orthodontic space closure. Methods: 27 orthodontic patients with fixed appliance who are undergoing orthodontic space closure with Niti coil springs were given the validated short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (Malaysia) Questionnaire (S-OHIP) which was available in both Bahasa Melayu and English, containing 14 items. 17 patients underwent MOPs (MOP group) while 10 patients did not (control). Additive scores (ADD) were calculated by summing the response codes for the 14 items and simple count scores (SC) were calculated by a count of the number of items reported as occurring ‘quite often’ and ‘very often’. Results: A total of 24 patients responded to the questionnaire, with a response rate of 88.9%, and they comprised of 79.2% females and 20.8% males. There is no significant difference in the mean ADD (p = 0.347) and mean SC (p = 0.446) across both groups. Conclusions: The reported oral health-related quality of life is similar for orthodontic patients who did and did not undergo MOPs.

MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Nickel; Oral Health; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Titanium; Orthodontic Space Closure
Fulltext Oral health related quality of life assessment in orthodontic patients with anchorage reinforcement

Noreen Fitrisha Mat Nor, Sinniah, Saraswathy Devi, Maryati Md Dasor

Compendium of Oral Science, 2017;4(1):8-18.
MyJurnal

Objectives: To assess oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among orthodontic patients who had been allocated into three methods of orthodontic anchorage; transpalatal arch (TPA), modified TPA-Nance (TPA-Nance) and mini-implant (MI). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh and Puncak Perdana campus. Thirty-six orthodontic patients with anchorage requirement between 18 and 30 years old were recruited. The subjects were equally divided into three groups, which included 28 females and 8 males. The assessment of patients’ oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) towards the anchorage supplementation using modified oral health impact profile (S-OHIP-14) questionnaires were carried out. The questionnaire was given at two time points, which was before the insertion of the allocated anchorage regime (T0) and after a week of insertion of the allocated anchorage regime (T1). Results: There was no statistical significant difference on functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability and handicap domains of OHIP-14 questionnaire between the three anchorage groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The OHRQoL patterns, during the treatment with the anchorage reinforcement were very similar. This suggests that TPA, TPA-Nance and MI do not affect patients’ OHRQoL. The OHRQoL trends observed during the study can be communicated to patients and used to increase patients’ compliance since they are made aware of the whole treatment process.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Dentistry; Faculty; Female; Disabled Persons; Humans; Male; Oral Health; Pain; Patient Compliance; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Dietary Supplements; Young Adult
Fulltext Clinical characteristics of bimaxillary protrusion in different population

Naili Hayati Binti Abdul Mukti, Noviaranny, Indah Yuri, Venkiteswaran, Annapurny, Sarah Haniza Binti Abdul Ghani

Compendium of Oral Science, 2017;4(1):1-7.
MyJurnal

In this paper, we discussed the characteristic of bimaxillary protrusion in different population. We also incorporated about aetiology and management of bimaxillary protrusion. It is importance to understand the characteristics of skeletal and dental of bimaxillary protrusions in a specific population, in order to decide whether to treat by orthodontic camouflage only, or combination with orthognathic surgery and orthodontics.

MeSH terms: Facial Bones; Jaw Abnormalities; Malocclusion; Orthodontics; Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; Orthognathic Surgery
Fulltext Sugar craving and sugar intake pattern among Malay adults

Wan Fathin Fariza, Nik Mazlan Mamat

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(1):2-2.
MyJurnal

Objectives/Research Problem: A total of 6.3% of American adults showed specific craving to sweet foods and this was proven analogous to sweet foods intake. We attempted to measuresweet craving among Malaysians through the development of Sugar Craving Assessment Tool for Malaysians (MySCAT). The aim of this research was to explore the pattern of sugar craving and sugar intake among Malay adults.

Materials and Method: Subjects (age19 to 59 years old) were recruited among Kuantan residents from multiple centres. A total of 219 volunteers were recruited and they completed MySCAT questionnaire, in which the respondents rated their craving for 30 sweet foods and beverages from 0 (Never) to 4 (Always). Body mass index (BMI) was obtained from height and weight measurements.

Results and Discussion: Subjects consisted of 58 males and 161 females with mean age 29.6±10.7 y, BMI 23.5±4.4 kg/m2 total MySCAT score of 41.1±14.9. Results indicated that the most craved items were sugar sweetened beverages (mean score 2.46±1.18), fruit juices (2.16±1.08) and drinks with sweetened condensed milk (median 2.00, IQR = 2.00). A subset of 100 subjects also completed FFQ Sugar (mean age 21.2±1.6 y, BMI 21.0±3.1 kg/m2. Sugar intake was 79.5 g/day and contributed the most by sugar-sweetened beverages (56.5%) followed by non-carbonated soft drinks (13.9%) and sweets & chocolates (5.6%). Sugar intake was significantly higher in male (95.4 g/day) than female (54.3 g/day, p

MeSH terms: Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Beverages; Carbohydrates; Carbonated Beverages; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Milk; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweetening Agents; United States; Volunteers; Body Mass Index; Young Adult; Craving; Chocolate
Fulltext Antinociceptive activity of methanolic extract of melastoma malabathricum l.leaves and mechanisms of action in experimentalanimals

Erman Shah Jaios, Suzanah Abdul Rahman, Mooi, Ching Siew, Arifah Abdul Kadir, Mohd Nasir Mohd Desa, Zainul Amirudin Zakaria

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(1):1-1.
MyJurnal

Objectives/Research Problem:Melastoma malabathricum L., (Melastomaceae) is a medicinally important plant known as “Senduduk”. Traditionally, the leaves are used to relieve diverse pain-related ailments. Present study aims to examine the antinociceptive activity of methanolic extract of M. malabathricum (MEMM) leaves and its fractions via in vivo models of nociception.

Materials and Method: Extracts (100, 250, 500 mg/kg) were administered orally 60 minutes prior to subjection to the respective test, n=6/group. Evaluation of MEMM antinociceptive activity; chemically (acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction; ACT, formalin-induced paw licking test; FT) and thermally (hot plate test; HT) models of nociception and elucidation of mechanisms of action involved; role of opioid, vanilloid receptors, glutamatergic system and NO/cGMP pathway were determined. Continuously, MEMM, partitioned into three fractions: petroleum ether (PEMM), ethyl acetate (EAMM), and aqueous (AQMM) extracts and determine the most potent fraction. Therefore, experiment ED50 and its 95% confidence intervals (CI) values were conducted, and ACT was used to screen. Calculation, obtained, PEMM, the most effective was further used to assess the antinociceptive properties. Phytochemical screening, HPLC and GC-MS analysis were performed.

Results and Discussion: First stage, MEMM exhibited significant (P

MeSH terms: Methanol; Alkanes; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Constriction; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Pain; Pain Measurement; Petroleum; Confidence Intervals; Acetic Acid; Melastomataceae; TRPV Cation Channels; Nociception
Fulltext Production and Status of Bacterial Cellulose in Biomedical Engineering

Moniri M, Boroumand Moghaddam A, Azizi S, Abdul Rahim R, Bin Ariff A, Zuhainis Saad W, et al.

Nanomaterials (Basel), 2017 Sep 04;7(9).
PMID: 32962322 DOI: 10.3390/nano7090257

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a highly pure and crystalline material generated by aerobic bacteria, which has received significant interest due to its unique physiochemical characteristics in comparison with plant cellulose. BC, alone or in combination with different components (e.g., biopolymers and nanoparticles), can be used for a wide range of applications, such as medical products, electrical instruments, and food ingredients. In recent years, biomedical devices have gained important attention due to the increase in medical engineering products for wound care, regeneration of organs, diagnosis of diseases, and drug transportation. Bacterial cellulose has potential applications across several medical sectors and permits the development of innovative materials. This paper reviews the progress of related research, including overall information about bacterial cellulose, production by microorganisms, mechanisms as well as BC cultivation and its nanocomposites. The latest use of BC in the biomedical field is thoroughly discussed with its applications in both a pure and composite form. This paper concludes the further investigations of BC in the future that are required to make it marketable in vital biomaterials.

MeSH terms: Attention; Bacteria, Aerobic; Biocompatible Materials; Biopolymers; Cellulose; Electricity; Regeneration; Nanoparticles; Nanocomposites
Fulltext PVC as a potential filter material for ionising radiation

Laila Kalidah Junet, Zafri Azran Abdul Majid, Muhammad Syahmi Che Othaman

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(2):101-107.
MyJurnal

Aluminum (Al) is a standard material that has been used as a filter for ionising radiation however for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) there is no solid evidence to support but has been recommended. PVC has been selected as a potential filter material due to it is a long lasting constructing material and very durable, which can be used in a variety of application. The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of PVC on entrance surface dose (ESD) values as compare to the standard X-ray filter of Al. The effect of varying thickness of the materials and difference exposure settings were observed and compared to each other. From this study, the percentage difference for both PVC and Al thickness is less than ± 25.00 % shows that PVC has a potential to be used as one of the filter materials due to its ability to reduce the ESD value

MeSH terms: Aluminum; Construction Materials; Polyvinyl Chloride; Radiation, Ionizing; Radiography; X-Rays; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
Fulltext Translation and adaptation of hearing handicap inventory for adult (HHIA) into malay language: a pilot study

Tengku Zulaila Hasma Tengku Zam Zam, Ahmad Aidil Arafat Dzulkarnain, Sarah Rahmat, Masnira Jusoh

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(2):92-100.
MyJurnal

Patient’s self-perceived handicap inventory is an important tool for modern’s health care management including hearing loss. The HHIA is a selfreporting outcome measurement invented to identify hearing-impaired patients’ complaints for appropriate client-centred rehabilitation program. HHIA has been
reported among one of the valid self-perceived hearing handicap measures, and could even addressed issues for patient with mild and unilateral hearing loss. This study aims to translate HHIA into Malay language (HHIA-M) and to adapt the questionnaire culturally for clinical use among Malaysian population.

MeSH terms: Deafness; Hearing; Humans; Language; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Translating; Hearing Loss; Hearing Loss, Unilateral
Fulltext Undernutrition prevalence and its determinants among children below five years of age in shabelle zone, Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia

Abdi Guled, Rashid, Nik Mazlan Mamat, Wan Azdie Mohd Abu Bakar, Belachew, Tefera, Assefa, Nega

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(2):72-91.
MyJurnal

Malnutrition is a major public health problem worldwide. More than half of under-five child deaths are due to undernutrition, mainly in developing countries. Ethiopia is among the highestin Sub-Saharan Africa. While,Somali regionis the worstin Ethiopia.

MeSH terms: Child; Developing Countries; Ethiopia; Humans; Medical History Taking; Public Health; Somalia; Child Nutrition Disorders; Malnutrition
Fulltext Assessment of blurring effect and its associated factors by using imagej: a multiparameter double holes contrast-detail phantom study

Nur Farahana Pauzi, Zafri Azran Abdul Majid, Wan Muhamad Nasuha Wan Hussin, Abdul Halim Sapuan, Mohd Zulfaezal Che Azemin

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(2):107-119.
MyJurnal

X-ray is produced in form of divergent beam. The beam divergence results to blurring effect that influences image diagnosis. Thus, the blurring effect assessment should be enrolled within the quality control (QC) program of an imaging unit.

MeSH terms: Carmustine; Quality Control; Radiography; X-Rays; Physical Phenomena
Fulltext Food security status and childhood obesity in Kuantan Pahang

Roselawati Mat Ya, Wan Azdie Mohd Abu Bakar, Aflah Afandi, Jamalludin Ab Rahman, Zalilah Mohd Shariff

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(2):56-71.
MyJurnal

Food insecurity has become one of the concerning issues in public health. The purpose of this study was to investigate household food security status and its relationship with childhood obesity in Kuantan, Pahang. This comparative cross sectional study was conducted in Kuantan, Pahang among 128 mothers aged 18 to 55 years with the children aged 7 and 13 years. Data on food security status was collected using Radimer/Cornell hunger and food insecurity instrument through telephone survey while children's height and weight as well as socio-demographic data were measured and obtained during schools visits. A total of 23% of the respondents were food secure. However, 77% experienced food insecurity where 52% were household food insecure, 9% women were individual food insecure and 16% fell into the child hunger category. Income (p=0.04), income per capita (p=0.033), household size (p=0.032) and area of living (p=0.001) were the significant risk factors for household food insecurity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children were 60.6% in food insecure households which was higher compared to food-secure households (38.4%). However, there were no significant association between childhood obesity and food security status. This study demonstrates that the prevalence of food insecurity and childhood obesity in Kuantan, Pahang is a major concern. The results warrant the need
for further investigation to identify complex interaction between food insecurity and
childhood obesity.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Body Weight; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Food Supply; Humans; Hunger; Male; Middle Aged; Mothers; Public Health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Telephone; Prevalence; Overweight; Young Adult; Pediatric Obesity
Fulltext Animal studies on male fertility enhancing properties of plants in Malaysia: a review of the past 16 years

Redzuan Nul Hakim Abdul Razak, Muhammad Lokman Md Isa, Hussin Muhammad, Roszaman Ramli

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(2):44-55.
MyJurnal

For centuries, people have been practising phytomedicine in treating ailments or reducing risk of suffering certain diseases. It is considered as a part of an ancient medicine with interest in it becomes rapidly escalating in this modern era. Expansive and prescribed medicine is not the only true path to treat various illnesses. Without disclaiming the modern medicine, herbs can be used as an alternative or a combined therapy with conventional medication. Phytomedicine or ethnomedicine is not a new
field in the world of research. It has been started long ago since the ancient times. As we realized the expensive modern medication is not the only mean to treat illness, interest in the discovery of remedy through natural or conventional products has become more escalating. (Copied from article)

MeSH terms: Medicine, Traditional; Risk Reduction Behavior; Prescription Drugs
Fulltext Cytotoxicity of leukemic cells by nypa fruticans through regulation of adiponectin expression

Mohammad Fauzan Zainudin, Ummu Afifah Fadzir, Athirah Rosdi, Muhammad Farid Johan, Ridzwan Hashim, Ridhwan Abdul Wahab, et al.

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(2):28-43.
MyJurnal

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common leukemia subtypes among paediatrics in Malaysia. Although treatment options are available but some patients remain incurable, some undergo relapse and many experiences adverse effects by the conventional therapies. Thus, we aim to investigate possible treatment alternative by studying the antileukemogenesis properties of concentrated Nypa fruticans sap called nisaan by focusing on adiponectin expression.
Our study model was CCRF-CEM, an acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines. The cells were treated with nisaan at a range of concentration and treated for 24, 48 and 72 hours followed by determination of the leukemic cells viability using tryphan blue method. Effective nisaan concentrations that significantly reduced the cells viability were again treated to the cells followed by determination of the cell proliferation using BrdU colorimetric kit and adiponectin level using adiponectin ELISA kit.
The results showed that, increase concentration of nisaan treatment reduced the cells viability and cells proliferation and enhance the adiponectin level in the leukemic cells.
This preliminary data suggest that Nypa fruticans might has the antileukemogenesis effect on acute lymphoblastic cells by regulating the adiponectin expression.

MeSH terms: Bromodeoxyuridine; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Child; Colorimetry; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Malaysia; Pediatrics; Recurrence; Cell Proliferation; Adiponectin; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
Fulltext The presence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in Hps4 gene in a subset of schizophrenic patients in Pahang: a preliminary study

Norafiza Zainuddin, Maizatul Akma Mamat, Norlelawati A. Talib

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(2):14-27.
MyJurnal

Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disorder that affects people’s normal life with heterogeneous features of its clinical presentation, as well as its molecular attribute. In order to identify the potential molecular aberration, particularly single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) which could be important in the aetiology of schizophrenia, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-DNA sequencing approach was utilized for targeting the exon (and intron) 9 of the Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 4 (HPS4) gene. DNAs were extracted from peripheral blood of nine schizophrenic patients and one normal individual prior to PCR-DNA sequencing. Following DNA sequencing, a SNP (A>G) which is rs713998 at nucleotide position 22618 of exon 9 of the HPS4 gene was observed in eight schizophrenia samples. Moreover, DNA sequencing results also revealed an intronic aberration/SNP which is rs3747129 (C>T) at nucleotide position 22789 of intron 9 of the HPS4 gene in four schizophrenia samples. A SNP which is rs739289 (G>T) at nucleotide position 22677 of the intron was also found in eight schizophrenia samples. The importance of both the exonic and intronic aberrations is yet to be confirmed with further research involving larger population and other relevant clinical parameters. That notwithstanding, these preliminary results suggested that single nucleotide aberrations, particularly SNPs might have a role in the development of schizophrenia

MeSH terms: Base Sequence; Exons; Humans; Introns; Nucleotides; Schizophrenia; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Hermanski-Pudlak Syndrome
Fulltext Anti-proliferative property of porcupine bezoar extract on melanoma (A375)

Al’aina Yuhainis Firus Khan, Faizah Abdullah Asuhaimi, Tara Jalal, Hatim Abdullah Natto, Opeyemi Roheem, Fatimah, Qamar Uddin Ahmed, et al.

International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 2017;1(2):1-13.
MyJurnal

Porcupine bezoar (PB) has been previously reported to possess various medicinal properties. However, its potential as an anticancer agent against human cancers is still poorly studied and understood. Hence, in this study, porcupine bezoar (PB) aqueous extract was evaluated for its potential as a safe anticancer agent. Initially PB was infused in water for 18 h to get PB aqueous extract which was preliminary tested for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH activity in order to confirm the presence of bioactive agents as antioxidants in PB. Later, PB aqueous extract was subjected to A375 (Melanoma) (IC50, cell proliferation assay) and HGF-1
(normal cell, for cytotoxicity assay) to evaluate its anticancer potential. PB aqueous extract showed 11.68 μg/mL ± 0.67 TPC value expressed as gallic acid equivalents while TFC was not detected confirming the absence of flavonoids in PB aqueous extract. IC50 for DPPH was found to be 0.79 μg/mL ± 0.07. The IC50 result for A375 was found to be 10.1 µg/mL ± 0.17. PB aqueous extract showed significant antiproliferation pattern at 24, 48 and 72 hours exposures. The data from this study suggest the potential alternative use of PB in developing natural antioxidants and antiproliferative agents for improving human health.

MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Bezoars; Flavonoids; Gallic Acid; Humans; Melanoma; Phenols; Water; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Porcupines; Cell Proliferation
Self-efficacy as a mediator of the relationship between parental closeness and suicidal ideation among Malaysian adolescents

Wu SL, Yaacob SN

Child Adolesc Ment Health, 2017 May;22(2):84-90.
PMID: 32680320 DOI: 10.1111/camh.12188

BACKGROUND: Suicide has become a serious worldwide mental health problem, including Asian countries. Suicidal ideation happens prior to the actual suicidal behaviour; thus, identifying the roots of suicidal ideation is vital. This study investigated the relationships between parental closeness, self-efficacy and suicidal ideation among adolescents in Malaysia. The mediation effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between parental closeness and suicidal ideation was also examined.
METHOD: A total of 684 school-going adolescents aged 14-17 years old were recruited via multistage cluster sampling. Bivariate analysis was conducted using Pearson's correlation analysis. The mediation model was tested using SPSS macro developed by Preacher and Hayes.
RESULTS: The results showed that mother closeness, father closeness and self-efficacy had significant negative correlation with suicidal ideation. Specifically, self-efficacy emerged as a partial mediator in the relation between mother closeness and suicidal ideation. Self-efficacy also fully mediated the relationship between father closeness and suicidal ideation.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings implied that mother closeness had stronger correlation with adolescents' suicidal ideation compared to father closeness, while self-efficacy plays an important role in the relationship between parental closeness and suicidal ideation. Prevention and intervention efforts by practitioners dealing with adolescents' mental health issues, specifically on suicidal ideation, should seriously consider providing them with skills to enhance mother-adolescent relationship and their self-efficacy.
Fulltext Extractive disruption process integration using ultrasonication and an aqueous two-phase system for protein recovery from Chlorella sorokiniana

Phong WN, Le CF, Show PL, Chang JS, Ling TC

Eng Life Sci, 2017 Apr;17(4):357-369.
PMID: 32624781 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201600133

Microalgae emerge as the most promising protein sources for aquaculture industry. However, the commercial proteins production at low cost remains a challenge. The process of harnessing microalgal proteins involves several steps such as cell disruption, isolation and extraction. The discrete processes are generally complicated, time-consuming and costly. To date, the notion of integrating microalgal cell disruption and proteins recovery process into one step is yet to explore. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of applying methanol/potassium ATPS in the integrated process for proteins recovery from Chlorella sorokiniana. Parameters such as salt types, salt concentrations, methanol concentrations, NaCl addition were optimized. The possibility of upscaling and the effectiveness of recycling the phase components were also studied. The results showed that ATPS formed by 30% (w/w) K3PO4 and 20% (w/w) methanol with 3% (w/w) NaCl addition was optimum for proteins recovery. In this system, the partition coefficient and yield were 7.28 and 84.23%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the partition coefficient and yield when the integrated process was upscaled to 100-fold. The recovered phase components can still be recycled effectively at fifth cycle. In conclusions, this method is simple, rapid, environmental friendly and could be implemented at large scale.
Fulltext A porous medium-chain-length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates)/hydroxyapatite composite as scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Ansari NF, Annuar MSM, Murphy BP

Eng Life Sci, 2017 Apr;17(4):420-429.
PMID: 32624787 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201600084

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are hydrophobic biopolymers with huge potential for biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, excellent mechanical properties and biodegradability. A porous composite scaffold made of medium-chain-length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) (mcl-PHA) and hydroxyapatite (HA) was fabricated using particulate leaching technique and NaCl as a porogen. Different percentages of HA loading was investigated that would support the growth of osteoblast cells. Ultrasonic irradiation was applied to facilitate the dispersion of HA particles into the mcl-PHA matrix. The different P(3HO-co-3HHX)/HA composites were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). The scaffolds were found to be highly porous with interconnecting pore structures and the HA particles were homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix. The scaffolds biocompatibility and osteoconductivity were also assessed following the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells on the scaffolds. From the results, it is clear that scaffolds made from P(3HO-co-3HHX)/HA composites are viable candidate materials for bone tissue engineering applications.

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