Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Muhamad Effendi F, Sikkandar MF
    Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(2):45-46.
    PMID: 30302186
  2. Duangjai A, Goh BH, Lee LH, Saokaew S
    J Tradit Complement Med, 2018 Oct;8(4):515-520.
    PMID: 30302332 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.01.003
    Azadirachta indica A. Juss var. siamensis Valeton or commonly known as Siamese neem is one of the most well-known plant in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relaxant effects of A. indica on isolated rat ileum contractions and its potential underlying mechanisms involved. The isometric contractions of ileum segments were investigated in organ baths for spontaneous activity and response to aqueous extract of Siamese neem flower (SNF). The spasmolytic action of the extract was also assessed on contraction induced by acetylcholine and high potassium. Our findings indicate that cumulative concentrations of SNF aqueous extract induced relaxant effect on spontaneous rat ileum contractions. The extract has also suppressed the cumulative concentration response curve for acetylcholine and pottasium ions-induced contraction. The presence and absence of propranol (antagonist of β-adrenergic receptor) and l-Name (antagonist of nitric oxide synthase) in SNF aqeous extract co-treatment demonstrated no significant different in term of contraction activity when compared to SNF extract treatment alone. The treatment of SNF extract caused a significant inhibition in tissue contraction stimulated by accumulation of calcium ions. Our results showed the relaxant effect of SNF aqueous extract on the isolated rat ileum. In short, the SNF aqueous extract exhibited an inhibitory effect on the spontaneous ileum contactions particularly on the contraction stimulated by acetylcholine and high potassium. The observed effect might acted through the modulation of calcium channels. This findings provide a pharmacological basis for the traditional use of SNF for the treatment of gastrointestinal spasms.
  3. Saleem Z, Hassali MA, Hashmi FK
    Lancet Infect Dis, 2018 10;18(10):1066-1067.
    PMID: 30303099 DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30516-4
    MeSH terms: Drug Resistance, Microbial*; Pakistan; Global Health*
  4. Ahmad M, Zafar M, Sultana S, Ahmad M, Abbas Q, Ayoub M, et al.
    Microsc Res Tech, 2018 Sep;81(9):1004-1016.
    PMID: 30303585 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23066
    Pollen micro-morphological features have proven to be helpful for the plant taxonomists in the identification and classification of plants. The utilization of this plantmayhelpfulin the areas of lignocellulosic conversion to biofuels and diversify application toward biomass. The current study was planned with the aim to evaluate the pollen features of complex Ranunculaceous flora of District Chitral, Northern Pakistan using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Light Microscope (LM) for their taxonomic importance. Pollens of 18 Ranunculaceous species belonging to 6 genera were collected from different localities of the research area. SEM and LM were used to examine both qualitative and quantitative micro-morphological features. Sculptring of the sexine include; Scabrate, psilate, echinate, verrucate, perforate gemmate, and reticulate and so forth. Shape of the pollens was sub-spheroidal, spheroidal, prolate, subprolate and oblate and so forth. Type of pollen was ranged from mono to tricolpate and tricolporate. Quantitative characters include length/width of the pollen, colpus, exine thickness, and P/E ratio. Based on these micro-morphological features a taxonomic key was prepared for the fast and correct identification. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: Study of the pollen micro-morphological features of Ranunculaceous species by SEM and LM. Analysing both qualitative and quantitative characters of the pollens. Preparation of taxonomic key based on micro-morphological features for the correct and fast identification.
    MeSH terms: Biometry; Microscopy/methods*; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/methods*; Pakistan; Pollen/anatomy & histology*; Pollen/ultrastructure; Ranunculaceae/anatomy & histology*; Ranunculaceae/classification*
  5. Fazry S, Noordin MAM, Sanusi S, Noor MM, Aizat WM, Lazim AM, et al.
    Toxics, 2018 Oct 09;6(4).
    PMID: 30304811 DOI: 10.3390/toxics6040060
    Xanthone is an organic compound mostly found in mangosteen pericarp and widely known for its anti-proliferating effect on cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the effects of xanthone crude extract (XCE) and α-mangostin (α-MG) on normoxic and hypoxic human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells and their toxicity towards zebrafish embryos. XCE was isolated using a mixture of acetone and water (80:20) and verified via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Both XCE and α-MG showed higher anti-proliferation effects on normoxic HepG2 cells compared to the control drug, 5-fluorouracil (IC50 = 50.23 ± 1.38, 8.39 ± 0.14, and 143.75 ± 15.31 μg/mL, respectively). In hypoxic conditions, HepG2 cells were two times less sensitive towards XCE compared to normoxic HepG2 cells (IC50 = 109.38 ± 1.80 μg/mL) and three times less sensitive when treated with >500 μg/mL 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). A similar trend was seen with the α-MG treatment on hypoxic HepG2 cells (IC50 = 10.11 ± 0.05 μg/mL) compared to normoxic HepG2 cells. However, at a concentration of 12.5 μg/mL, the α-MG treatment caused tail-bend deformities in surviving zebrafish embryos, while no malformation was observed when embryos were exposed to XCE and 5-FU treatments. Our study suggests that both XCE and α-MG are capable of inhibiting HepG2 cell proliferation during normoxic and hypoxic conditions, more effectively than 5-FU. However, XCE is the preferred option as no malformation was observed in surviving zebrafish embryos and it is more cost efficient than α-MG.
  6. Abdulsalam M, Che Man H, Isma Idris A, Zainal Abidin Z, Faezah Yunos K
    PMID: 30304814 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15102200
    Palm oil mill effluent contains carcinogenic coloured compounds that are difficult to separate due to their aromatic structure. Though colour treatment using adsorption processes at lower pH (<4) have been reported effectual, due to its acidity the remediated effluent poses an environmental hazard as a result. Thus, the current study focused on achieving decolourization at neutral pH by enhancing the morphology of the coconut shell activated carbon (CSAC) using N₂ as activating-agent with microwave irradiation heating. The microwave pretreated and non-pretreated CSAC were characterized using scanned electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. A significant modification in the porous structure with a 66.62% increase in the specific surface area was achieved after the pretreatment. The adsorption experimental matrix was developed using the central composite design to investigate the colour adsorption performance under varied pH (6⁻7), dosage (2⁻6 g) and contact time (10⁻100 min). At optimum conditions of neutral pH (7), 3.208 g dosage and contact time of 35 min, the percentage of colour removal was 96.29% with negligible differences compared with the predicted value, 95.855%. The adsorption equilibrium capacity of 1430.1 ADMI × mL/g was attained at the initial colour concentration of 2025 ADMI at 27 °C. The experimental data fitted better with the Freundlich isotherm model with R² 0.9851.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Charcoal/chemistry; Cocos/chemistry*; Microwaves*; Photosynthesis; Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry*; Ecosystem; Water Purification/methods*; Waste Water/chemistry*; Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities
  7. Yap HY, Tee SZ, Wong MM, Chow SK, Peh SC, Teow SY
    Cells, 2018 Oct 09;7(10).
    PMID: 30304822 DOI: 10.3390/cells7100161
    Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, systemic, inflammatory disorder that affects synovial joints, both small and large joints, in a symmetric pattern. This disorder usually does not directly cause death but significantly reduces the quality of life and life expectancy of patients if left untreated. There is no cure for RA but, patients are usually on long-term disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to suppress the joint inflammation, to minimize joint damage, to preserve joint function, and to keep the disease in remission. RA is strongly associated with various immune cells and each of the cell type contributes differently to the disease pathogenesis. Several types of immunomodulatory molecules mainly cytokines secreted from immune cells mediate pathogenesis of RA, hence complicating the disease treatment and management. There are various treatments for RA depending on the severity of the disease and more importantly, the patient's response towards the given drugs. Early diagnosis of RA and treatment with (DMARDs) are known to significantly improve the treatment outcome of patients. Sensitive biomarkers are crucial in early detection of disease as well as to monitor the disease activity and progress. This review aims to discuss the pathogenic role of various immune cells and immunological molecules in RA. This review also highlights the importance of understanding the immune cells in treating RA and in exploring novel biomarkers.
    MeSH terms: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Humans; Inflammation; Joints; Life Expectancy; Quality of Life; Biomarkers; Cytokines; Treatment Outcome; Antirheumatic Agents; Early Diagnosis
  8. Machado AM, Tørresen OK, Kabeya N, Couto A, Petersen B, Felício M, et al.
    Genes (Basel), 2018 Oct 09;9(10).
    PMID: 30304855 DOI: 10.3390/genes9100485
    Clupeiformes, such as sardines and herrings, represent an important share of worldwide fisheries. Among those, the European sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Walbaum 1792) exhibits significant commercial relevance. While the last decade showed a steady and sharp decline in capture levels, recent advances in culture husbandry represent promising research avenues. Yet, the complete absence of genomic resources from sardine imposes a severe bottleneck to understand its physiological and ecological requirements. We generated 69 Gbp of paired-end reads using Illumina HiSeq X Ten and assembled a draft genome assembly with an N50 scaffold length of 25,579 bp and BUSCO completeness of 82.1% (Actinopterygii). The estimated size of the genome ranges between 655 and 850 Mb. Additionally, we generated a relatively high-level liver transcriptome. To deliver a proof of principle of the value of this dataset, we established the presence and function of enzymes (Elovl2, Elovl5, and Fads2) that have pivotal roles in the biosynthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential nutrients particularly abundant in oily fish such as sardines. Our study provides the first omics dataset from a valuable economic marine teleost species, the European sardine, representing an essential resource for their effective conservation, management, and sustainable exploitation.
  9. Saravanan S, Sareen N, Abu-El-Rub E, Ashour H, Sequiera GL, Ammar HI, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2018 10 10;8(1):15069.
    PMID: 30305684 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33144-0
    Abnormal conduction and improper electrical impulse propagation are common in heart after myocardial infarction (MI). The scar tissue is non-conductive therefore the electrical communication between adjacent cardiomyocytes is disrupted. In the current study, we synthesized and characterized a conductive biodegradable scaffold by incorporating graphene oxide gold nanosheets (GO-Au) into a clinically approved natural polymer chitosan (CS). Inclusion of GO-Au nanosheets in CS scaffold displayed two fold increase in electrical conductivity. The scaffold exhibited excellent porous architecture with desired swelling and controlled degradation properties. It also supported cell attachment and growth with no signs of discrete cytotoxicity. In a rat model of MI, in vivo as well as in isolated heart, the scaffold after 5 weeks of implantation showed a significant improvement in QRS interval which was associated with enhanced conduction velocity and contractility in the infarct zone by increasing connexin 43 levels. These results corroborate that implantation of novel conductive polymeric scaffold in the infarcted heart improved the cardiac contractility and restored ventricular function. Therefore, our approach may be useful in planning future strategies to construct clinically relevant conductive polymer patches for cardiac patients with conduction defects.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cicatrix; Electric Conductivity; Gold; Graphite; Humans; Myocardial Infarction; Oxides; Polymers; Ventricular Function; Connexin 43; Myocytes, Cardiac; Chitosan; Rats
  10. Olorunnisola KS, Jamal P, Alam MZ
    3 Biotech, 2018 Oct;8(10):429.
    PMID: 30305998 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1452-3
    Kinetic analysis of solid-state fermentation (SSF) of fruit peels with Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Schizophyllum commune mixed culture was studied in flask and 7 kg capacity reactor. Modified Monod kinetic model suggested by Haldane sufficiently described microbial growth with co-efficient of determination (R2) reaching 0.908 at increased substrate concentration than the classical Monod model (R2 = 0.932). Leudeking-Piret model adequately described product synthesis in non-growth-dependent manner (R2 = 0.989), while substrate consumption by P. chrysosporium and S. commune fungal mixed culture was growth-dependent (R2 = 0.938). Hanes-Woolf model sufficiently represented α-amylase and cellulase enzymes synthesis (R2 = 0.911 and 0.988); α-amylase had enzyme maximum velocity (Vmax) of 25.19 IU/gds/day and rate constant (Km) of 11.55 IU/gds/day, while cellulase enzyme had Vmax of 3.05 IU/gds/day and Km of 57.47 IU/gds/day. Product yield in the reactor increased to 32.65 mg/g/day compared with 28.15 mg/g/day in shake flask. 2.5 cm media thickness was adequate for product formation within a 6 day SSF in the tray reactor.
    MeSH terms: alpha-Amylases; Amylases; Biological Phenomena; Cellulase; Chrysosporium; Fermentation; Fruit; Kinetics; Physiological Phenomena; Schizophyllum; Stereotypic Movement Disorder; Phanerochaete
  11. Zakaria MA, Mohd Yusoff MZ, Zakaria MR, Hassan MA, Wood TK, Maeda T
    3 Biotech, 2018 Oct;8(10):435.
    PMID: 30306004 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1461-2
    Pseudogenes in the Escherichia coli genome are assumed to be non-functional. In this study, Keio collection BW25113∆yqiG and YqiG-producing strain (BW25113/pCA24N-YqiG) were used to evaluate the importance of pseudogene yqiG in hydrogen metabolism. Our results show pseudogene protein YqiG was identified as an essential protein in the production of biohydrogen from glucose. The mutant yqiG decreased biohydrogen production from 37 µmol mg-1 protein to 6 µmol mg-1 protein compared to the wild-type strain, and glucose consumption was reduced by 80%. Through transcriptional analysis, we found that the yqiG mutation represses pflB transcription tenfold; pflB encodes pyruvate-formate lyase, one of the key enzymes in the anaerobic metabolism of E. coli. Moreover, production of YqiG stimulated glycolysis and increased biohydrogen productivity 1.5-fold compared to that of the wild-type strain. Thus, YqiG is important for the central glycolysis reaction and is able to influence hydrogen metabolism activity in E. coli.
    MeSH terms: Acetyltransferases; Anaerobiosis; Escherichia coli; Formates; Glucose; Glycolysis; Hydrogen; Lyases; Mutation; Pseudogenes; Pyruvates
  12. D'Silva EC, Muda AM, Safiee AI, Ghazali WAHW
    Gynecol Minim Invasive Ther, 2018 09 26;7(4):161-166.
    PMID: 30306035 DOI: 10.4103/GMIT.GMIT_38_18
    Study Objective: This study aimed to investigate the morbidity of laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) versus open myomectomy (OM), including intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, hospital stay, and complications and to evaluate the criteria for selection of cases suitable for LM.

    Design: This was a retrospective study.

    Setting: This study was conducted at tertiary hospital.

    Participants: The records of 67 women who underwent LM, 22 women who underwent OM, and 14 women who had laparo-conversion from January 2010 to November 2014 were reviewed.

    Measurement and Main Results: Fibroids up to 10 cm were removed by LM, while most fibroids more than 10 cm were managed through OM. The number and weight of myomas are significantly associated with laparo-conversion, with a rate of 17%. Mean blood loss was significantly reduced in LM group than the OM and laparo-conversion groups. Duration of hospital stay was also significantly less in LM (2 ± 1 days) compared to both OM and laparo-conversion groups (3 ± 1 days). Most women underwent LM (88%) had no postoperative complications compared to OM (50%) and laparo-conversion (57.1%). The number of fibroids removed and duration of surgery was positively correlated with blood loss in the women who underwent myomectomy.

    Conclusion: LM is an ideal surgical approach for removal of fibroids which are up to 10 cm diameter and <5 in number, while OM is useful for cases with multiple (5 or more), larger fibroids (>10 cm), and deeply located fibroids. Preoperative evaluation of the size and number of myomas is necessary to avoid laparo-conversion and to reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications.

  13. Muda R, Vayavari V, Subbiah D, Ishak H, Adnan A, Mohamed SO
    J Ophthalmic Inflamm Infect, 2018 Oct 11;8(1):14.
    PMID: 30306361 DOI: 10.1186/s12348-018-0158-3
    BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical presentation, systemic risk factors, source of infective microorganism, treatment outcomes, and prognostic indicators of endogenous endophthalmitis at a main tertiary referral hospital for uveitis in Malaysia. A retrospective review of medical records of 120 patients (143 eyes) with endogenous endophthalmitis over a period of 9 years between January 2007 and December 2015 was undertaken.

    RESULTS: Identifiable systemic risk factors were present in 79.2%, with the majority related to diabetes mellitus (60.0%). The most common source of bacteremia was urinary tract infection (17.5%). A positive culture from ocular fluid or other body fluids was obtained in 82 patients (68.9%), and the blood was the highest source among all culture-positive results (42.0%). Gram-negative organisms accounted 42 cases (50.6%) of which Klebsiella pneumonia was the most common organism isolated (32.5%). Sixty-nine eyes (48.6%) were managed medically, and 73 eyes (51.4%) underwent vitrectomy. Final visual acuity of counting fingers (CF) or better was achieved in 100 eyes (73.0%). Presenting visual acuity of CF or better was significantly associated with a better final acuity of CF or better (p = 0.001).

    CONCLUSIONS: The visual prognosis of endogenous endophthalmitis is often poor, leading to blindness. As expected, gram-negative organisms specifically Klebsiella pneumonia were the most common organisms isolated. Urinary tract infection was the main source of infection. Poor presenting visual acuity was significantly associated with grave visual outcomes. A high index of suspicion, early diagnosis, and treatment are crucial to salvage useful vision.

  14. Kumaresan V, Pasupuleti M, Arasu MV, Al-Dhabi NA, Arshad A, Amin SMN, et al.
    Mol Biol Rep, 2018 Dec;45(6):2511-2523.
    PMID: 30306509 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-018-4418-y
    Snakehead murrel, Channa striatus is an economically important aquatic species in Asia and are widely cultured and captured because of its nutritious and medicinal values. Their growth is predominantly affected by epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) which is primarily caused by an oomycete fungus, Aphanomyces invadans. However, the molecular mechanism of immune response in murrel against this infection is still not clear. In this study, transcriptome technique was used to understand the molecular changes involved in C. striatus during A. invadans infection. RNA from the control (CF) and infected fish (IF) groups were sequenced using Illumina Hi-seq sequencing technology. For control group, 28,952,608 clean reads were generated and de novo assembly was performed to produce 60,753 contigs. For fungus infected group, 25,470,920 clean reads were obtained and assembled to produce 58,654 contigs. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that a total of 146 genes were up-regulated and 486 genes were down regulated. Most of the differentially expressed genes were involved in innate immune mechanism such as pathogen recognition, signalling and antimicrobial mechanisms. Interestingly, few adaptive immune genes, especially immunoglobulins were also significantly up regulated during fungal infection. Also, the results were validated by qRT-PCR analysis. These results indicated the involvement of various immune genes involved in both innate and adaptive immune mechanism during fungal infection in C. striatus which provide new insights into murrel immune mechanisms against A. invadans.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Asia; Base Sequence; Fishes; Fungi; Immunoglobulins; Mycoses; Oomycetes; RNA; Up-Regulation; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Control Groups; Aphanomyces; Transcriptome
  15. Chew BS, Ghazali R, Othman H, Ismail NAM, Othman AS, Laim NMST, et al.
    J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2018 Oct 10.
    PMID: 30306675 DOI: 10.1111/jog.13836
    AIM: The aim of our study was to determine the endocan-1 expression in placenta of hypertensive women, and its association with maternal and fetal outcomes.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study consisted of 21 pregnant women with hypertension and 23 without hypertension. The gestational age ranged from 28 to 39 weeks (hypertensive) and 32 to 40 weeks (normotensive). The paraffin embedded formalin fixed placenta tissue blocks were retrieved from the pathology archives. Endocan immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue sections of full thickness and maternal surface of the placenta. The endocan expression was determined in fetal endothelial cells, maternal endothelial cells, cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts and decidual cells. The differences in endocan expression in placenta between hypertensive and normotensive subjects were evaluated by Pearson chi-square test and t-test were used in the statistical analysis.

    RESULTS: The endocan expression was significantly higher in fetal endothelial cells (P

    MeSH terms: Blood Pressure; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Fetus; Formaldehyde; Gestational Age; Humans; Hypertension; Immunohistochemistry; Placenta; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Trophoblasts; Paraffin Embedding; Endothelial Cells
  16. Olufisayo O, Mohd Yusof M, Ezat Wan Puteh S
    Stud Health Technol Inform, 2018;255:112-116.
    PMID: 30306918
    Despite the widespread use of clinical decision support systems with its alert function, there has been an increase in medical errors, adverse events as well as issues regarding patient safety, quality and efficiency. The appropriateness of CDSS must be properly evaluated by ensuring that CDSS provides clinicians with useful information at the point of care. Inefficient clinical workflow affects clinical processes; hence, it is necessary to identify processes in the healthcare system that affect provider's workflow. The Lean method was used to eliminate waste (non-value added) activities that affect the appropriate use of CDSS. Ohno's seven waste model was used to categorize waste in the context of healthcare and information technology.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Medical Errors; Decision Support Systems, Clinical*; Workflow*; Patient Safety
  17. Leow AH, Azmi AN, Loke MF, Vadivelu J, Graham DY, Goh KL
    J Dig Dis, 2018 Nov;19(11):674-677.
    PMID: 30307122 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.12679
    OBJECTIVE: The 7-day standard triple therapy (STT) gives unacceptablly low eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). We aimed to examine whether extending STT from 7 days to 14 days or adding a bismuth compound to a 7-day STT would result in better eradication rates.

    METHODS: H. pylori-positive patients were assigned to Group A (7-day STT; rabeprazole 20 mg twice daily, amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, for 7 days), Group B (7-day STT with bismuth; rabeprazole 20 mg twice daily, amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily and bismuth subcitrate 240 mg twice daily, for 7 days) and Group C (14-day STT; rabeprazole 20 mg twice daily, amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily for 14 days). Eradication was tested using 13 C-UBT at least 4 weeks after the completion of therapy.

    RESULTS: A total of 364 patients were recruited. In the intention-to-treat analysis, eradication rates were 79.3% (96/121; 95% confidence interval [CI] 71.3-85.6%) for 7-day STT, 81.7% (98/120; 95% CI 73.8-87.6%) for 7-day STT with bismuth, and 88.6% (109/123; 95% CI 81.8-93.1%) for 14-day STT, respectively. Statistical significance was achieved between the 7-day and the 14-day STT treatment (P = 0.048).

    CONCLUSIONS: Adding bismuth to the 7-day STT did not result in an increase in the eradication rate. Extending the STT to 14 days, however, achieved a significantly higher eradication rate. Nevertheless, this did not achieve the targeted 90% eradication rate on intention-to-treat analysis.

  18. Keserci B, Duc NM
    Int J Hyperthermia, 2018;35(1):626-636.
    PMID: 30307340 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2018.1516301
    OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed (1) to investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features influencing a nonperfused volume ratio (NPVr) ≥ 90% after high-intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of adenomyosis, and (2) to assess the safety, which was defined in terms of adverse events (AEs) and changes in anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, and clinical efficacy, which was defined in terms of adenomyosis volume reduction and symptom improvement at 6 months' follow-up.

    METHODS: Sixty-six women who underwent HIFU treatment were divided into groups A (NPVr ≥90%; n = 26) and B (NPVr <90%, n = 40). Multivariate logistic regression analyses of MRI features were conducted to identify the potential predictors of an NPVr ≥90%.

    RESULTS: Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis was used to model the prediction of an NPVr ≥90% with four significant predictors from multivariate analyses: the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer, adenomyosis volume, T2 signal intensity (SI) ratio of adenomyosis to myometrium, and the Ktrans ratio of adenomyosis to myometrium. Clinical efficacy was significantly greater in group A than in group B. The findings showed no serious AEs and no significant differences between AMH concentrations before and 6 months after treatment.

    CONCLUSIONS: The present retrospective study demonstrated that achievement of NPVr ≥90% as a measure of clinical treatment success in MRI-guided HIFU treatment of adenomyosis using multivariate analyses and a prediction model is clinically possible without compromising the safety of patients.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods*; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Multivariate Analysis; High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation/methods*; Adenomyosis/surgery*
  19. Tariq G, Alvarez HP, Nair HKR, Cordero GL
    J Wound Care, 2018 Oct 01;27(Sup10):S39-S41.
    PMID: 30307814 DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2018.27.Sup10.S39
  20. Ong KS, Mawang CI, Daniel-Jambun D, Lim YY, Lee SM
    Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther, 2018 11;16(11):855-864.
    PMID: 30308132 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2018.1535898
    INTRODUCTION: Biofilm formation is a strategy for microorganisms to adapt and survive in hostile environments. Microorganisms that are able to produce biofilms are currently recognized as a threat to human health. Areas covered: Many strategies have been employed to eradicate biofilms, but several drawbacks from these methods had subsequently raised concerns on the need for alternative approaches to effectively prevent biofilm formation. One of the main mechanisms that drives a microorganism to transit from a planktonic to a biofilm-sessile state, is oxidative stress. Chemical agents that could target oxidative stress regulators, for instance antioxidants, could therefore be used to treat biofilm-associated infections. Expert commentary: The focus of this review is to summarize the function and limitation of the current anti-biofilm strategies and will propose the use of antioxidants as an alternative method to treat, prevent and eradicate biofilms. Studies have shown that water-soluble and lipid-soluble antioxidants can reduce and prevent biofilm formation, by influencing the expression of genes associated with oxidative stress. Further in vivo work should be conducted to ensure the efficacy of these antioxidants in a biological environment. Nevertheless, antioxidants are promising anti-biofilm agents, and thus is a potential solution for biofilm-associated infections in the future.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Antioxidants/therapeutic use*; Antioxidants/chemistry; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects; Humans; Solubility; Oxidative Stress/drug effects*; Oxidative Stress/genetics; Biofilms/drug effects*
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