Browse publications by year: 2018

Fulltext To Pace or Not To Pace? A Narrative Review of VIP Syndrome

Khoo CS

Perm J, 2018;22:18-081.
PMID: 30227913 DOI: 10.7812/TPP/18-081
MeSH terms: Delivery of Health Care/methods*; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Pacemaker, Artificial*; Syndrome; Vertigo/diagnosis*; Syncope, Vasovagal/diagnosis*; Unnecessary Procedures; Health Communication*
Fulltext Effect of various food processing and handling methods on preservation of natural antioxidants in fruits and vegetables

Al-Juhaimi F, Ghafoor K, Özcan MM, Jahurul MHA, Babiker EE, Jinap S, et al.

J Food Sci Technol, 2018 Oct;55(10):3872-3880.
PMID: 30228385 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-018-3370-0

Bioactive compounds from plant sources are generally categorized as natural antioxidants with well-known health benefits. The health-promoting characteristics of natural antioxidants include anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and hepatic effects as well as free radical scavenging. Herein, a comprehensive and comparative review are presented about the effects of conventional (thermal and mechanical) and relatively new (non-thermal) processing methods on phytochemicals and discussed the importance of implementing the use of those methods that could be of very helpful retaining the quality of the bioactive compounds in plant-based foods. Plant-based foods rich in phenolics, vitamin C, carotenoids, and other compounds undergo a range of processing operations before they are consumed. Most of these methods involve thermal treatments of fruits, stems, leaves, and roots. These techniques have varying effects on bioactive compounds and their activities, and the magnitude of these effects depends on process parameters such as temperature, time, and the food matrix. Thermal processing can be detrimental to bioactive compounds while nonthermal procedures may not cause significant deterioration of important health-promoting phytochemicals and in some cases can improve their bio-activity and bio-availability. The detrimental effects of conventional processing on the quality of natural antioxidants have been compared to the effects of innovative nonthermal food treatments such as gamma and ultraviolet irradiation, ultraviolet light, pulsed electric fields, and high hydrostatic pressure.

MeSH terms: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Carotenoids; Diabetes Mellitus; Free Radicals; Fruit; Hydrostatic Pressure; Phenols; Plants, Edible; Temperature; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamins; Phytochemicals
Fulltext Performance of a Two-Stage Membrane System for Bromelain Separation from Pineapple Waste Mixture as Impacted by Enzymatic Pretreatment and Diafiltration

Nor MZM, Ramchandran L, Duke M, Vasiljevic T

Food Technol Biotechnol, 2018 Jun;56(2):218-227.
PMID: 30228796 DOI: 10.17113/ftb.56.02.18.5478

Membrane technology has been successfully applied for the purification of bromelain, a protease enzyme from pineapple. However, the current system operates less optimally in terms of flux and separation primarily due to properties of the feed, such as viscosity. Hence, in this study, enzymatic pretreatment and diafiltration operation were employed in a two-stage ultrafiltration (UF) system to enhance the performance of the purification and concentration process of bromelain enzyme from an extract of pineapple crude waste mixture (CWM). Pretreatment of the CWM extract using either pectinase or cellulase, or the combination of both, was applied and compared regarding the apparent viscosity reduction. Diafiltration step was introduced in UF stage 2 and observations on the flux performance, enzyme recovery and enzyme purity were made. A 12% apparent viscosity reduction was achieved when the CWM extract was pretreated with pectinase which led to 37-38% improvement in the flux performance of both UF stages, as well as higher enzyme recovery in UF stage 1. The introduction of diafiltration mode in UF stage 2 managed to sustain high flux values while yielding 4.4-fold enzyme purity (higher than a 2.5-fold purity achieved in our previous work); however, high diluent consumption was needed. The outcomes of this study showed that the flux performance and bromelain separation can be enhanced by reducing the viscosity with the employment of enzymatic pretreatment and diafiltration operation. Thus, both techniques can be potentially applied in a large-scale membrane-based process for bromelain production.
Fulltext Fourteen new mutations of BCKDHA, BCKDHB and DBT genes associated with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) in Malaysian population

Ali EZ, Ngu LH

Mol Genet Metab Rep, 2018 Dec;17:22-30.
PMID: 30228974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2018.08.006

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder. This disorder is usually caused by mutations in any one of the genes; BCKDHA, BCKDHB and DBT, which represent E1α, E1β and E2 subunits of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex, respectively. This study presents the molecular characterization of 31 MSUD patients. Twenty one mutations including 14 new mutations were identified. The BCKDHB gene was the most commonly affected (45.2%) compared to BCKDHA gene (16.1%) and DBT gene (38.7%). In silico webservers predicted all mutations were disease-causing. In addition, structural evaluation disclosed that all new missenses in BCKDHA, BCKDHB and DBT genes affected stability and formation of E1 and E2 subunits. Majority of the patients had neonatal onset MSUD (26 of 31). Meanwhile, the new mutation; c.1196C > G (p.S399C) in DBT gene was noted to be recurrent and found in 9 patients. Conclusion: Our findings have expanded the mutational spectrum of the MSUD and revealed the genetic heterogeneity among Malaysian MSUD patients. We also discovered the p.S399C from DBT gene was noted as a recurrent mutation in Malay community and it suggested the existence of common and unique mutation in Malay population.
Fulltext Data on Fourier transform-infrared of Cosmos caudatus Kunth. tissues analyzed with chemometric analysis

Gunasekaran D, Bunawan H, Ismail I, Noor NM

Data Brief, 2018 Aug;19:1423-1427.
PMID: 30229014 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.06.025

In this dataset, we differentiate four different tissues of Cosmos caudatus Kunth (leaves, flowers, stem and root) obtained from UKM Bangi plot, based on Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. Different tissues of C. caudatus demonstrated the position and intensity of characteristic peaks at 4000-450 cm-1. Principal component analysis (PCA) shows three main groups were formed. The samples from leaves and flowers were found to be clustered together in one group, while the samples from stems and roots were clustered into two separate groups, respectively. This data provides an insight into the fingerprint identification and distribution of metabolites in the different organs of this species.

MeSH terms: Fourier Analysis; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Plant Leaves; Asteraceae; Principal Component Analysis; Flowers
Fulltext Experimental data on the air-sea energy fluxes at the tropical coastal ocean in the southern South China Sea

Yusup Y, Kayode JS, Alkarkhi AFM

Data Brief, 2018 Aug;19:1477-1481.
PMID: 30229020 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.06.020

Air-sea flux exchanges influence the climate condition and the global carbon-moisture cycle. It is imperative to understand the fundamentals of the natural systems at the tropical coastal ocean and how the transformation takes place over the time. Hence, latent and sensible heat fluxes, microclimate variables, and surface water temperature data were collected using eddy covariance instruments mounted on a platform at a tropical coastal ocean station from November 2015 to October 2017. The research data is to gain the needful knowledge of the energy exchanges in the tropical climatic environment to further improve predictive algorithms or models. Therefore, it is intended that this data report will offer appropriate information for the Monsoonal, and diurnal patterns of latent (LE) and sensible (H) heats and hence, establish the relationship between microclimate variables on the energy fluxes at the peninsular Malaysian tropical coastal ocean.

MeSH terms: Algorithms; Carbon; Hot Temperature; Microclimate; Oceans and Seas; Temperature; Tropical Climate; Water; Physical Phenomena; Carbon Cycle
Fulltext Data article on elemental and metabolomic-based alkaloidal composition in black pepper oleoresin using a positive ESI-mode LC-QToF and ICP-mass spectroscopy

Olalere OA, Abdurahman NH, Yunus RBM, Alara OR

Data Brief, 2018 Aug;19:1627-1630.
PMID: 30229034 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.06.034

This paper contains data from the elemental and phytochemical profiling of black pepper oleoresin extracts using the LC-MS QToF and ICP-MS analysis. In recent years studies have shown the medicinal properties of extracts from these two cultivars of Piper nigrum. The medicinal properties are attributed to the presence of many secondary metabolites and mineral element in them. The phytochemical profiling was conducted using a Liquid Chromatography equipped with an electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometer detectors. The mass spectrometer was equipped with an electrospray ionization sources operated in positive ion mode. The alkaloid compounds in the optimized black pepper extract were tentatively characterized in accordance with their ions׳ mass fragmentation.

MeSH terms: Alkaloids; Chromatography, Liquid; Ions; Minerals; Plant Extracts; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Piper nigrum; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Phytochemicals
Fulltext De novo transcriptome resources of the lichens, Dirinaria sp. UKM-J1 and UKM-K1 collected from Jerantut and Klang, Malaysia

Bharudin I, Abdul Rahim SN, Abu Bakar MF, Ibrahim SN, Kamaruddin S, Latif MT, et al.

Data Brief, 2018 Aug;19:2416-2419.
PMID: 30229114 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.07.020

Lichen is a symbiotic organism that exists as a single composite body consisting of a mycobiont (fungus) and a photobiont (algae or a cyanobacterium). Many lichen species are considered as extremophiles due to their tolerance to radiation, desiccation, temperature and pollution. However, not all lichen species are tolerant to harsh environmental conditions as several species are sensitive for example to nitrogen, sulphur, acidity, heavy metals, halogens (e.g. fluoride) and ozone. Thus, to better understand why some lichens can withstand exposure to pollutants as opposed to those that are susceptible, we focused on the lichen species of Dirinaria known for their wide distribution in the tropics, subtropics and pantropical, and moderate tolerance to air pollution. Their moderate tolerance to air pollution affords them to thrive in good air quality environments as well as polluted air environments. Lichen samples of Dirinaria sp., UKM-J1 and UKM-K1, were respectively collected from two areas with different levels of air quality based on Air Pollutant Index or API (with index pollutant criteria of PM10, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide) in the outskirt of Jerantut (UKM-J1), a rural area in the middle of Peninsular Malaysia and the township of Klang (UKM-K1), in a busy area of the Klang Valley, Malaysia. API was monitored throughout 2012-2013 whereby the sample collection site in Klang showed markedly higher concentrations of pollutants in all the index pollutant criteria as compared to that of Jerantut. We performed transcriptome sequencing using Illumina RNA-seq technology and de novo assembly of the transcripts from the lichen samples. Raw reads from both libraries were deposited in the NCBI database with the accession number SRP138994.

MeSH terms: Air Pollutants; Carbon Monoxide; Desiccation; Environmental Pollutants; Fluorides; Halogens; Lichens; Malaysia; Nitrogen; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Sulfur Dioxide; Temperature; Extremophiles
Wirelessly activated device with an integrated ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) cantilever valve for targeted drug delivery

Cheong HR, Nguyen NT, Khaw MK, Teoh BY, Chee PS

Lab Chip, 2018 10 09;18(20):3207-3215.
PMID: 30229248 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00776d

This paper reports a wirelessly powered ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) soft actuator operated by external radio frequency (RF) magnetic fields for targeted drug delivery. A 183 μm thick IPMC cantilever valve was fitted with an embedded LC resonant circuit to wirelessly control the actuator when the field frequency is tuned to its resonant frequency of approximately 25 MHz. Experimental characterization of the fabricated actuator showed a cumulative cantilever deflection of 160 μm for three repeated RF ON-OFF cycles at 0.6 W input power. The device was loaded with a dye solution and immersed in DI water to demonstrate wireless drug release. The qualitative result shows the successful release of the dye solution from the device reservoir. The release rate can be controlled by tuning the RF input power. We achieved a maximum average release rate of ∼0.1 μl s-1. We further conducted an in vitro study with human tumor cells (HeLa) to demonstrate the proof of concept of the developed device. The experiments show promising results towards the intended drug delivery application.

MeSH terms: Dimethylpolysiloxanes/chemistry*; Equipment Design; HeLa Cells; Humans; Metals/chemistry*; Radio Waves; Drug Delivery Systems/instrumentation*; Wireless Technology*
Three dimensional neuro-retinal rim thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness using high-definition optical coherence tomography for open-angle glaucoma

Subramaniam S, Jeoung JW, Lee WJ, Kim YK, Park KH

Jpn. J. Ophthalmol., 2018 Nov;62(6):634-642.
PMID: 30229404 DOI: 10.1007/s10384-018-0620-7

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic capability of three-dimensional (3D) neuro-retinal rim thickness (NRR) with existing optic nerve head and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) scan parameters using high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT).
DESIGN: Retrospective study.
METHODS: Based on the mean deviation (MD) of the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA), the 152 subjects were categorized into mild (MD > - 6 dB, 100), moderate (MD - 6 to - 12 dB, 26), and severe (MD

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/diagnosis*; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/physiopathology; Humans; Intraocular Pressure*; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Fibers/pathology*; Optic Disk/pathology; Retinal Ganglion Cells/pathology*; Retrospective Studies; ROC Curve; Severity of Illness Index; Visual Fields*; Imaging, Three-Dimensional*; Tomography, Optical Coherence/methods*
Observation of the χ_{b1}(3P) and χ_{b2}(3P) and Measurement of their Masses

Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Ambrogi F, Asilar E, Bergauer T, et al.

Phys Rev Lett, 2018 Aug 31;121(9):092002.
PMID: 30230889 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.092002

The χ_{b1}(3P) and χ_{b2}(3P) states are observed through their ϒ(3S)γ decays, using an event sample of proton-proton collisions collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC. The data were collected at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 80.0 fb^{-1}. The ϒ(3S) mesons are identified through their dimuon decay channel, while the low-energy photons are detected after converting to e^{+}e^{-} pairs in the silicon tracker, leading to a χ_{b}(3P) mass resolution of 2.2 MeV. This is the first time that the J=1 and 2 states are well resolved and their masses individually measured: 10513.42±0.41(stat)±0.18(syst) MeV and 10524.02±0.57(stat)±0.18(syst) MeV; they are determined with respect to the world-average value of the ϒ(3S) mass, which has an uncertainty of 0.5 MeV. The mass splitting is measured to be 10.60±0.64(stat)±0.17(syst) MeV.

MeSH terms: Gamma Rays; Mesons; Protons; Silicon; United States; Photons; Uncertainty; Physical Phenomena
Fulltext 24-hour discharge post Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy: a feasibility study

Wan Ahmad Hazim, Nur Hidayah Aeshah Ng, Salleha Khalid

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2018;26(2):719-728.
MyJurnal

Minimally invasive surgery results in faster recovery. The objective of this study is to identify criteria for the feasibility of 24-hour discharge post laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. This is a prospective cross-sectional study that was carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department in Putrajaya Hospital between 1 January and 31 December, 2016. The inclusion criteria were: age between 15 and 45, no comorbidities, no family history of malignancy, BMI of less than 30, mass size less than 18 weeks, single uninoculated simple cyst and no ascites. The exclusion criteria were post-menopause women, known medical illness, family history of malignancy, mass size more than 18 weeks, multiloculated or bilateral ovarian cyst, presence of solid area within the cyst and ascites. The sample size was calculated to be 14. A total of 16 participants were identified. Results showed that using the Visual Analogue Score (VAS), the mean pain score post operatively in the first six hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, two weeks and three months were 3.67, 2.57, 0.5, 0 and 0, respectively. Two of the subjects experienced post-operative nausea and vomiting, one had urinary tract infection and one had minor bleeding from the surgical site. All the participants were discharged within 24 hours post-operatively. There was no readmission. In conclusion, 24-hour discharge post laparoscopic cystectomy is safe and feasible. Factors determining the success must be adhered to closely to ensure a good and satisfactory outcome. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

MeSH terms: Ascites; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cysts; Female; Gynecology; Humans; Obstetrics; Ovarian Cysts; Pain, Postoperative; Laparoscopy; Prospective Studies; Urinary Tract Infections; Cystectomy; Body Mass Index; Postmenopause; Sample Size; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Fulltext Simulation and optimisation of Bioethanol purification using extractive distillation with additive solvent

Anisuzzaman, S.M., Krishnaiah, D., Bono, A., Lahin, F.A., Suali, E., Zuyyin, I.A.Z.

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2018;26(2):707-718.
MyJurnal

In this study, simulation and optimisation of the purification of bioethanol from an azeotropic mixture was done using the Aspen HYSYS and the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), respectively, to achieve an acceptable bioethanol content with minimal energy use. The objective of this study is to develop the simulation process of bioethanol production from a fermentation effluent. Additionally, the effects of parameters such as solvent temperature, number of entrainer feed stage, mass flow rate and third components of the process for production of bioethanol were studied. As bioethanol is a product of biofuel production, the main challenge facing bioethanol production is the separation of high purity ethanol. However, the separation of ethanol and water can be achieved with the addition of a suitable solvent such as 1,3-butylene glycol (13C4Diol), mixture 13C4Diol and ethylene glycol (EGlycol) and mixture 13C4Diol and glycol ethyl ether (DEG) in the extractive distillation process. For the 13C4Diol mixture, the temperature of entrainer is 90oC with 1500 kg/hr of entrainer rate, while the number of entrainer feed stage is one. The optimum conditions for mixture 13C4Diol and EGlycol require a temperature of entrainer of 90.77oC with an entrainer rate of 1500 kg/hr, while the number of entrainer feed stage is one. Lastly, for optimum conditions for the mixture 13C4Diol and DEG, the temperature of entrainer should be 90oC with an entrainer rate of 1564.04 kg/hr, while the number of entrainer feed stage is one. This study shows that process simulation and optimisation can enhance the removal of water from an azeotropic mixture.

MeSH terms: Ethanol; Butylene Glycols; Ether; Ethers; Fermentation; Glycols; Solvents; Temperature; Water; Ethylene Glycol; Biofuels; Distillation
Fulltext Culture Medium Development for Microbial-Derived Surfactants Production-An Overview

Nurfarahin AH, Mohamed MS, Phang LY

Molecules, 2018 May 01;23(5).
PMID: 29723959 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23051049

Surfactants are compounds that can reduce the surface tension between two different phases or the interfacial tension of the liquid between water and oil, possessing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties. Biosurfactants have traits that have proven to be advantageous over synthetic surfactants, but these compounds do not compete economically with synthetic surfactants. Different alternatives increase the yield of biosurfactants; development of an economical production process and the usage of cheaper substrates during process have been employed. One of the solutions relies on the suitable formulation of a production medium by including alternative raw materials sourced from agro-wastes, hydrocarbons, or by-products of a process might help in boosting the biosurfactant production. Since the nutritional factors required will be different among microorganisms, the establishment of a suitable formulation for biosurfactant production will be challenging. The present review describes various nutrients and elements considered in the formulation of a production medium with an approach focusing on the macronutrient (carbon, nitrogen source, and C/N ratio), minerals, vitamins, metabolic regulators, and salinity levels which may aid in the study of biosurfactant production in the future.

MeSH terms: Bacteria/growth & development*; Culture Media/chemistry*; Surface-Active Agents/metabolism*
Fulltext The Sensitivity, Specificity and Accuracy of Warning Signs in Predicting Severe Dengue, the Severe Dengue Prevalence and Its Associated Factors

Ahmad MH, Ibrahim MI, Mohamed Z, Ismail N, Abdullah MA, Shueb RH, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2018 09 15;15(9).
PMID: 30223572 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15092018

Objectives: To study Malaysian dengue clinical practice guideline (CPG) warning signs (WS) in predicting severe dengue (SD) and its associated factors among confirmed cases presented to a teaching hospital in north-eastern Malaysia in 2014. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in February 2015 using secondary data acquired from the hospital records. There were 2607 confirmed dengue cases presented to Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) in 2014. Seven hundred patients were selected after proportionate stratified random sampling conducted according to the number of cases in 12 different months in 2014. Data were collected and analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Severe dengue outcomes represented 4.9% of cases. The prevalence of any of WS in SD was 91.2%. The most common WSs prior to SD were persistent vomiting (55.9%), and abdominal pain/tenderness (52.9%). The most sensitive warning sign in detecting SD was abdominal pain (59%). Specificity of individual WS were generally good, especially of clinical fluid accumulation (99%), hepatomegaly (98%) and mucosal bleeding (93%). Factors associated with SD were persistent vomiting (Adjusted odds ratio (aOR)): 2.41), mucosal bleeding (aOR: 4.73) and haematocrit rise with rapid platelet drop (aOR: 2.74). Conclusion: A focus on sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and association of a number of particular WS should be emphasized in order to better predict severe dengue outcomes.

MeSH terms: Blood Platelets; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dengue; Hematocrit; Hepatomegaly; Hospital Records; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Malaysia; Vomiting; Abdominal Pain; Prevalence; Odds Ratio; Severe Dengue
Fulltext Combination of Sensory, Chromatographic, and Chemometrics Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds for the Discrimination of Authentic and Unauthentic Harumanis Mangoes

Zakaria SR, Saim N, Osman R, Abdul Haiyee Z, Juahir H

Molecules, 2018 Sep 16;23(9).
PMID: 30223605 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23092365

This study analyzed the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of three mango varieties (Harumanis, Tong Dam and Susu) for the discrimination of authentic Harumanis from other mangoes. The VOCs of these mangoes were extracted and analysed nondestructively using Head Space-Solid Phase Micro Extraction (HS-SPME) coupled to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Prior to the analytical method, two simple sensory analyses were carried out to assess the ability of the consumers to differentiate between the Harumanis and Tong Dam mangoes as well as their preferences towards these mangoes. On the other hand, chemometrics techniques, such as principal components analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and discriminant analysis (DA), were used to visualise grouping tendencies of the volatile compounds detected. These techniques were successful in identifying the grouping tendencies of the mango samples according to the presence of their respective volatile compounds, thus enabling the identification of the groups of substances responsible for the discrimination between the authentic and unauthentic Harumanis mangoes. In addition, three ocimene compounds, namely beta-ocimene, trans beta-ocimene, and allo-ocimene, can be considered as chemical markers of the Harumanis mango, as these compounds exist in all Harumanis mango, regardless the different sources of the mangoes obtained.

MeSH terms: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Plant Extracts/analysis*; Cluster Analysis; Discriminant Analysis; Least-Squares Analysis; Principal Component Analysis; Mangifera/chemistry*; Solid Phase Microextraction; Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis*; Food Quality
Fulltext Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia Using Trail Making Test: A Meta-Analysis

Laere E, Tee SF, Tang PY

Psychiatry Investig, 2018 Oct;15(10):945-955.
PMID: 30223641 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2018.07.22

OBJECTIVE: The present meta-analysis aimed to analyze the cognitive performance of schizophrenia patients measured by Trail Making Tests (TMT) and the contribution of socio-demographic factors to cognitive impairments.
METHODS: PubMed and PsycARTICLES databases were searched for the studies published between January 1985 and November 2017. Data were drawn from 19 studies encompassing 1095 patients and 324 controls. The effect size and heterogeneity were assessed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2 using random-effect model.
RESULTS: Overall, the results showed that the schizophrenia patients performed significantly (p<0.001) worse than healthy controls in both TMT-A and B. However, concurrent substance abuse, clinical status (inpatient or outpatient), duration of education and duration of illness were not associated with cognitive impairment among the schizophrenia patients.
CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis confirmed the cognitive processing speed and flexibility of schizophrenia patients were impaired. However, their duration of education, duration of illness and clinical status (inpatient or outpatient) were not the risk factors.
Fulltext Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura associated with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency in a 3-year-old boy: a case report and review of the literature

Alias H, Yong WL, Muttlib FAA, Koo HW, Loh CK, Lau SCD, et al.

J Med Case Rep, 2018 Sep 17;12(1):276.
PMID: 30223886 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-018-1806-9

BACKGROUND: Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura is very rarely encountered in children. It is often misdiagnosed initially when the condition is not inherited.
CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 3-year-old Malay boy who presented with simple febrile seizure and had no neurological deficit, however, he was found to have microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase. An ADAMTS13 assay results showed zero activities (0%), and markedly high level of ADAMTS13 inhibitor (93.15 U/mL) confirming the diagnosis of secondary thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura. He received fresh frozen plasma infusions for 3 days and subsequently his platelet levels normalized. Serial ADAMTS13 assay results showed improvement. He was also given a short course of prednisolone after which the ADAMTS13 activity normalized (> 114%) at the end of prednisolone course.
CONCLUSIONS: At presentation, acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura in a very young child is commonly misdiagnosed as other conditions like idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Evans syndrome, atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome, or malignancy. ADAMTS13 assay should be performed early when thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura is suspected as this condition is associated with dire consequences.
Fulltext Water related ocular diseases

Ahmad SS

Saudi J Ophthalmol, 2018;32(3):227-233.
PMID: 30224888 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjopt.2017.10.009

A number of ocular diseases can be attributed to contaminated water and we have coined a term "Water-related ocular diseases (WRODs)" to denote this wide-spectrum of conditions. WRODs are directly related to human contact with water and can occur through toxic, allergic, inflammatory or infective mechanisms. The non-infective causes can include chemicals used to clean swimming pools, oil spills and water-sport related injuries. Similarly, a number of infective organisms causing ocular diseases are transmitted through water. Since, these conditions can occasionally prove devastating, a review was done with the following aims: (i) To study the epidemiology of WRODs (ii) To assess the clinical presentation and current management of WRODs (iii) To highlight the future challenges and possible solutions to these problems. The online search was conducted utilizing search engines such as PubMed, Google Scholar, ClinicalKey and the Virtual Library of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia for relevant terms such as water-borne, swimming pool and eye infections.
Fulltext β-Cyclodextrin conjugated bifunctional isocyanate linker polymer for enhanced removal of 2,4-dinitrophenol from environmental waters

Anne JM, Boon YH, Saad B, Miskam M, Yusoff MM, Shahriman MS, et al.

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Aug;5(8):180942.
PMID: 30225083 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180942

In this work, we reported the synthesis, characterization and adsorption study of two β-cyclodextrin (βCD) cross-linked polymers using aromatic linker 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI) and aliphatic linker 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (1,6-HDI) to form insoluble βCD-TDI and βCD-HDI. The adsorption of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) on both polymers as an adsorbent was studied in batch adsorption experiments. Both polymers were well characterized using various tools that include Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis and scanning electron microscopy, and the results obtained were compared with the native βCD. The adsorption isotherm of 2,4-DNP onto polymers was studied. It showed that the Freundlich isotherm is a better fit for βCD-TDI, while the Langmuir isotherm is a better fit for βCD-HMDI. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model represented the adsorption process for both of the polymers. The thermodynamic study showed that βCD-TDI polymer was more favourable towards 2,4-DNP when compared with βCD-HDI polymer. Under optimized conditions, both βCD polymers were successfully applied on various environmental water samples for the removal of 2,4-DNP. βCD-TDI polymer showed enhanced sorption capacity and higher removal efficiency (greater than 80%) than βCD-HDI (greater than 70%) towards 2,4-DNP. The mechanism involved was discussed, and the effects of cross-linkers on βCD open up new perspectives for the removal of toxic contaminants from a body of water.

MeSH terms: Adsorption; Cellulose; Cyclodextrins; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Polymers; Thermodynamics; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate; Water; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Isocyanates; 2,4-Dinitrophenol; beta-Cyclodextrins

External Links