Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Ping CP, Tengku Mohamad TAS, Akhtar MN, Perimal EK, Akira A, Israf Ali DA, et al.
    Molecules, 2018 Sep 03;23(9).
    PMID: 30177603 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23092237
    Pain is one of the most common cause for hospital visits. It plays an important role in inflammation and serves as a warning sign to avoid further injury. Analgesics are used to manage pain and provide comfort to patients. However, prolonged usage of pain treatments like opioids and NSAIDs are accompanied with undesirable side effects. Therefore, research to identify novel compounds that produce analgesia with lesser side effects are necessary. The present study investigated the antinociceptive potentials of a natural compound, cardamonin, isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda (L) Mansf. using chemical and thermal models of nociception. Our findings showed that intraperitoneal and oral administration of cardamonin (0.3, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) produced significant and dose-dependent inhibition of pain in abdominal writhing responses induced by acetic acid. The present study also demonstrated that cardamonin produced significant analgesia in formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate-induced paw licking tests. In the thermal-induced nociception model, cardamonin exhibited significant increase in response latency time of animals subjected to hot-plate thermal stimuli. The rota-rod assessment confirmed that the antinociceptive activities elicited by cardamonin was not related to muscle relaxant or sedative effects of the compound. In conclusion, the present findings showed that cardamonin exerted significant peripheral and central antinociception through chemical- and thermal-induced nociception in mice through the involvement of TRPV₁, glutamate, and opioid receptors.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Analgesics/administration & dosage*; Analgesics/pharmacology; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Pain/drug therapy*; Pain/etiology; Pain/metabolism; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Receptors, Opioid/metabolism*; Glutamic Acid/metabolism*; Zingiberaceae/chemistry; Chalcones/administration & dosage*; Chalcones/pharmacology; TRPV Cation Channels/metabolism*; Mice
  2. Farooq J, Mushtaq M, Munir S, Ramzan M, Chung JD, Farooq U
    Sci Rep, 2018 Sep 03;8(1):13137.
    PMID: 30177724 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31538-8
    This study deals with the steady laminar slip flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid in a non-uniform permeable channel under the influence of transverse magnetic field. The reabsorption through the wall is accounted for by considering flux as a function of downstream distance. The non-linear coupled partial differential equations of motion are first transformed into a single fourth order partial differential equation and then solved analytically using Adomain decomposition method. Effects of pertinent parameters on different flow properties are discussed by plotting graphs. Results reveal that magnetic field considerably influences the behavior of flow.
    MeSH terms: Motion; Physical Phenomena; Magnetic Fields
  3. Arulappen AL, Danial M, Sulaiman SAS
    Front Pharmacol, 2018;9:809.
    PMID: 30177879 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00809
    Adverse drug reaction (ADR) primarily caused by many drugs including antibiotics. At present, the incidence and pattern of ADR caused by antibiotics have remained as neglected area in Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the incidence and analyze the pattern of ADR caused by antibiotics among patients in a tertiary care hospital. It is a 2-year retrospective observational study conducted at Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. All eligible patients who had antibiotic prescribed belonging to any age group either from outpatient or inpatient that had experienced ADR was included in this study. The outcomes were measured with the aid of Naranjo's and Hartwig's scales. The incidence of the ADRs among patients prescribed with antibiotics in Hospital Pulau Pinang is about 1.1%. Vancomycin and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole both are considered to be the major contributors to ADR incidences. The skin was the most affected organ by ADRs followed by gastrointestinal system. Most of the severe ADRs were caused by Penicillin. The causality relationship of all the severe reactions was mostly probable. General Medicine unit had reported the highest number of ADRs caused by antibiotics. The common manifestations of ADRs are acute kidney injury and exanthem. In addition, majority of the ADRs caused by antibiotics were reversible. A large multicenter study is suggested to confirm the present findings.

    Study site: Hospital Pulau Pinang
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Exanthema; Hospitals, General; Humans; Inpatients; Malaysia; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Outpatients; Penicillin G; Penicillins; Retrospective Studies; Vancomycin; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Incidence; Acute Kidney Injury; Tertiary Care Centers; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
  4. Bauer R, Glenn T, Strejilevich S, Conell J, Alda M, Ardau R, et al.
    Int J Bipolar Disord, 2018 Sep 04;6(1):20.
    PMID: 30178112 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-018-0127-7
    BACKGROUND: The world population is aging and the number of older adults with bipolar disorder is increasing. Digital technologies are viewed as a framework to improve care of older adults with bipolar disorder. This analysis quantifies Internet use by older adults with bipolar disorder as part of a larger survey project about information seeking.

    METHODS: A paper-based survey about information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder was developed and translated into 12 languages. The survey was anonymous and completed between March 2014 and January 2016 by 1222 patients in 17 countries. All patients were diagnosed by a psychiatrist. General estimating equations were used to account for correlated data.

    RESULTS: Overall, 47% of older adults (age 60 years or older) used the Internet versus 87% of younger adults (less than 60 years). More education and having symptoms that interfered with regular activities increased the odds of using the Internet, while being age 60 years or older decreased the odds. Data from 187 older adults and 1021 younger adults were included in the analysis excluding missing values.

    CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with bipolar disorder use the Internet much less frequently than younger adults. Many older adults do not use the Internet, and technology tools are suitable for some but not all older adults. As more health services are only available online, and more digital tools are developed, there is concern about growing health disparities based on age. Mental health experts should participate in determining the appropriate role for digital tools for older adults with bipolar disorder.

  5. Cheong AM, Tan CP, Nyam KL
    J Food Sci, 2018 Oct;83(10):2457-2465.
    PMID: 30178877 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.14332
    Kenaf seed oil-in-water nanoemulsions (NANO) stabilized by sodium caseinate (SC), beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD), and Tween 20 (T20) have been optimized and shown to improve in vitro bioaccessibility and physicochemical stability in the previous study. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of bioactive compounds and antioxidants in the NANO during storage at different temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C, and 40 °C). An evaluation of the antioxidant activities of each emulsifier showed that SC had good scavenging capability with 97.6% ABTS radical scavenging activity. Therefore, SC which was used as one of the main emulsifiers could further enhanced the antioxidant activity of NANO. At week 8 of storage, NANO that stored at 4 °C had maintained the best bioactive compounds stability and antioxidant activities with 90% retention of vitamin E and 65% retention of phytosterols. These results suggested that 4 °C would be the most suitable storage temperature for NANO containing naturally present vitamin E and phytosterols. From the accelerated storage results at 40 °C, NANO containing vitamin E and phytosterols had maintained half of its initial concentration until week 4 and week 2 of storage, which is equivalent to 16 weeks and 8 weeks of storage at room temperature, respectively.

    PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results of this study provide a better understanding on the stability of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities in oil-in-water nanoemulsions that stabilized by similar ternary emulsifiers during storage at different temperatures. In addition, this study could be used as a predictive model to estimate the shelf life of bioactive compounds encapsulated in the form of nanoemulsions.

    MeSH terms: Antioxidants/chemistry*; Emulsions/chemistry*; Phytosterols/chemistry; Plant Oils/chemistry*; Polysorbates/chemistry; Seeds/chemistry; Temperature; Vitamin E/chemistry; Hibiscus/chemistry*; Emulsifying Agents/chemistry; beta-Cyclodextrins/chemistry; Food Storage
  6. Vijayan V, Shalini K, Yugesvaran V, Yee TH, Balakrishnan S, Palanimuthu VR
    Curr Pharm Des, 2018;24(28):3366-3375.
    PMID: 30179118 DOI: 10.2174/1381612824666180903110301
    BACKGROUND: Triple-Negative Breast Cancer is an aggressive type of breast cancer, which is not treatable by chemotherapy drugs, due to the lack of Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR) expression and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) on the cell surface.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of paclitaxel loaded PLGA nanoparticle (PTX-NPs) on the cytotoxicity and apoptosis of the different MDA-MB type of cell lines.

    METHOD: PTX-NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method and characterized earlier. The cytotoxicity of PTX-NPs was evaluated by MTT and LDH assay, later apoptosis was calculated by flow cytometry analysis.

    RESULTS: The prepared NP size of 317.5 nm and zetapontial of -12.7 mV showed drug release of 89.1 % at 48 h. MDA-MB-231 type cell showed significant cytotoxicity by MTT method of 47.4 ± 1.2 % at 24 h, 34.6 ± 0.8 % at 48 h and 23.5 ± 0.5 % at 72 h and LDH method of 35.9 ± 1.5 % at 24 h, 25.4 ± 0.6 % at 48 h and 19.8 ± 2.2 % at 72 h with apoptosis of 47.3 ± 0.4 %.

    CONCLUSION: We have found that PTX-NPs showed the cytotoxic effect on all the MDA-MB cancer cell lines and showed potent anticancer activities against MDA-MB-231 cell line via induction of apoptosis.

    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Humans; Polyesters/chemistry*; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry*; Structure-Activity Relationship; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Paclitaxel/pharmacology*; Paclitaxel/chemistry; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  7. Sohaimi NM, Bejo MH, Omar AR, Ideris A, Isa NM
    J Vet Sci, 2018 Nov 30;19(6):759-770.
    PMID: 30173491 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2018.19.6.759
    Fowl adenovirus (FAdV) is distributed worldwide and causes economic losses in the poultry industry. The objectives of this study were to determine the hexon and fiber gene changes in an attenuated FAdV isolate from Malaysia in specific pathogen-free chicken embryonated eggs (SPF CEE) and its infectivity in commercial broiler chickens. SPF CEE were inoculated with 0.1 mL FAdV inoculum via the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) for 20 consecutive passages. The isolate at passage 20 (E20), with a virus titer of 108.7TCID50/mL (TCID50, 50% tissue culture infective dose), was inoculated (0.5 mL) into one-day-old commercial broiler chicks either via oral or intraperitoneal routes. The study demonstrated that 100% embryonic mortality was recorded from E2 to E20 with a delayed pattern at E17 onwards. The lesions were confined to the liver and CAM. Substitutions of amino acids in the L1 loop of hexon at positions 49 and 66, and in the knob of fiber at positions 318 and 322 were recorded in the E20 isolate. The isolate belongs to serotype 8b and is non-pathogenic to broiler chickens, but it is able to induce a FAdV antibody titer. It appears that molecular changes in the L1 loop of hexon and the knob of fiber are markers for FAdV infectivity.
    MeSH terms: Adenoviridae Infections/veterinary*; Adenoviridae Infections/virology; Animals; Chick Embryo/virology; Chickens/virology; Cloning, Molecular; Liver/pathology; Liver/virology; Malaysia; Phylogeny; Poultry Diseases/virology; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary; Sequence Alignment/veterinary; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Capsid Proteins/genetics*; DNA, Z-Form/genetics
  8. Eachempati P, Aggarwal H, Shenoy VK, Baliga M
    J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 2018 Sep;28(9):S187-S189.
    PMID: 30173693 DOI: 10.29271/jcpsp.2018.09.S187
    Oral mucosal melanoma is rare and more aggressive than cutaneous melanoma. Hard palate and maxillary alveolar crest are most commonly involved. Multidisciplinary team approach is necessary for successful management of this tumor. The main treatment modality is surgical resection, which usually results in impaired mastication, deglutition, speech, oral competence and significant cosmetic deformity. Here, a rare case of oral mucosal melanoma of mandibular gingiva in a 44-year man is reported, who was treated by en-block mandibular resection followed by adjuvant therapy with high dose interferons (IFN) - 2b. Following two weeks of healing period, prosthetic rehabilitation of the patient was done with an interim removable denture prosthesis, which effectively limited the unfavourable effects of surgery and helped him in resocialisation.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use; Dentures; Gingival Neoplasms/drug therapy; Gingival Neoplasms/pathology*; Gingival Neoplasms/surgery; Humans; Male; Mandible/pathology*; Mandible/surgery; Melanoma/drug therapy; Melanoma/pathology*; Melanoma/surgery; Mouth Mucosa/pathology*; Treatment Outcome; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  9. Khanh NP, Tan SW, Yeap SK, Lee HJ, Choi KS, Hair-Bejo M, et al.
    J Comp Pathol, 2018 May;161:43-54.
    PMID: 30173857 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2018.04.006
    Infectious bronchitis viruses (IBVs) circulating in Malaysia are classified into two groups as Malaysian QX-like and variant strains. In this study, the pathogenicity of IBS130/2015 (QX-like) and IBS037A/2014 (variant) IBVs in 1-day-old and 30-day-old specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens was characterized. Both strains caused respiratory and kidney infections based on immunohistochemistry (IHC), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and a ciliostasis study; however, the results showed that the QX-like strain was more pathogenic, caused higher mortality and showed higher tissue tropism for the kidney than the variant strain. In contrast, despite causing low or no mortality depending on the age of the infected chickens, the Malaysian variant strain showed high tissue tropism for the respiratory tract compared with the QX-like strain. IHC and qPCR indicated the presence of both IBV strains in the epithelial lining of villi in the jejunum and the caecal tonsil; however, no pathological changes were detected in these organs. Both the Malaysian QX-like and variant IBV strains are able to infect the respiratory tract and kidney of chickens irrespective of age.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Infectious bronchitis virus/pathogenicity*; Chickens; Malaysia; Poultry Diseases/pathology*; Poultry Diseases/virology*; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Coronavirus Infections/veterinary*
  10. Liao SJ, Chong MC, Tan MP, Chua YP
    Geriatr Nurs, 2018 08 31;40(2):154-159.
    PMID: 30173939 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.08.001
    Depression leads to a poorer quality of life (QOL) which is a determinant of healthy ageing. Cost-effective solutions for enhancing QOL in the older population are much needed in China, with its rapidly ageing population. We conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 112 community-dwelling older participants with mild to moderate depression, to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi with music on QOL (57 in intervention group, 55 in control group). WHO Quality of Life-BREF was used to measure QOL at baseline and at every month for three months. Following the adjustments for sociodemographic data, the effect of intervention on QOL was assured (F = 25.145, P 
    MeSH terms: Aged; China; Depression/psychology*; Female; Humans; Male; Music*; Quality of Life/psychology*; Tai Ji*; Independent Living
  11. Loh LC, Ong CK, Koo HJ, Lee SM, Lee JS, Oh YM, et al.
    PMID: 30174423 DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S165898
    Background: COPD-associated mortality was examined using a novel approach of phenotyping COPD based on computed tomography (CT)-emphysema index from quantitative CT (QCT) and post-bronchodilator (BD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in a local Malaysian cohort.

    Patients and methods: Prospectively collected data of 112 eligible COPD subjects (mean age, 67 years; male, 93%; mean post-BD FEV1, 45.7%) was available for mortality analysis. Median follow-up time was 1,000 days (range, 60-1,400). QCT and clinicodemographic data were collected at study entry. Based on CT-emphysema index and post-BD FEV1% predicted, subjects were categorized into "emphysema-dominant," "airway-dominant," "mild mixed airway-emphysema," and "severe mixed airway-emphysema" diseases.

    Results: Sixteen patients (14.2%) died of COPD-associated causes. There were 29 (25.9%) "mild mixed," 23 (20.5%) "airway-dominant," 15 (13.4%) "emphysema-dominant," and 45 (40.2%) "severe mixed" cases. "Mild mixed" disease was proportionately more in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Group A, while "severe mixed" disease was proportionately more in GOLD Groups B and D. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates showed increased mortality risk with "severe mixed" disease (log rank test, p=0.03) but not with GOLD groups (p=0.08). Univariate Cox proportionate hazard analysis showed that age, body mass index, long-term oxygen therapy, FEV1, forced volume capacity, COPD Assessment Test score, modified Medical Research Council score, St Georges' Respiratory Questionnaire score, CT-emphysema index, and "severe mixed" disease (vs "mild mixed" disease) were associated with mortality. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age, body mass index, and COPD Assessment Test score remain independently associated with mortality.

    Conclusion: "Severe mixed airway-emphysema" disease may predict COPD-associated mortality. Age, body mass index, and COPD Assessment Test score remain as key mortality risk factors in our cohort.
    MeSH terms: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cause of Death; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume*; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Malaysia; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Phenotype*; Pulmonary Emphysema/complications; Pulmonary Emphysema/mortality; Pulmonary Emphysema/physiopathology; Severity of Illness Index; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods*; Body Mass Index; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*; Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  12. Song CV, Teo SH, Taib NA, Yip CH
    Ecancermedicalscience, 2018;12:863.
    PMID: 30174725 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2018.863
    Introduction: The presence of a deleterious mutation, most commonly a BRCA mutation, has a tremendous impact on the management of breast cancer. We review the surgical management of BRCA mutation carriers, and two other potentially high-risk mutations, TP53 and PALB2.

    Methodology: A search was done on PubMed, limited to reviews and the English language only. The search terms used were 'BRCA' or 'PALB2' or 'TP53' and 'surgery'. Fifteen articles were identified by searching and one article was obtained from other sources.

    Results: Breast-conserving surgery has equivalent survival, but may have an increased risk of local recurrence, compared to mastectomy among BRCA mutation carriers. Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy may not improve overall survival, despite reducing the risk of developing contralateral breast cancer. The use of preoperative genetic testing allows patients to have combined curative and prophylactic surgery. However, preoperative genetic testing may influence patients to make rash decisions. In healthy BRCA mutation carriers, bilateral prophylactic mastectomy is done to prevent breast cancer from occurring. Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy is highly effective in reducing the risk of breast cancer in healthy BRCA mutation-positive women and may have a survival benefit. Prophylactic oophorectomy reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, but may not have an effect on the risk of breast cancer. There is a lack of studies on surgery for non-BRCA mutations. TP53 and PALB2 are potentially high-risk mutations for breast cancer, which may justify the use of prophylactic surgery. Advice should be given on a case-by-case basis.

    Conclusion: A comprehensive approach is needed to provide optimum treatment for breast cancer patients with deleterious mutations.

  13. Poh ME, Liam CK, Rajadurai P, Chai CS
    J Thorac Dis, 2018 Jul;10(7):E560-E563.
    PMID: 30174934 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.06.122
    We report the first case of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as the cause of acquired resistance to the second-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), afatinib in a patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring a sensitizing EGFR mutation. Patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC inevitably develop acquired resistance while on EGFR-TKI treatment. EMT which renders cancer cells more invasive and migratory is one of the mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs and correlates with a poor prognosis. Possible therapeutic strategies in patients with EMT include blocking M2 muscarinic receptor signalling, targeting EMT with histone deacetylase inhibitors such as entinostat and MEK-inhibitors such as selumetinib, inhibition of microRNAs, immunotherapy and inhibiting fibroblast growth factor receptor-1.
    MeSH terms: Benzamides; Benzimidazoles; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Humans; Immunotherapy; Lung Neoplasms; Mutation; Prognosis; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Pyridines; Quinazolines; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; MicroRNAs; Receptor, Muscarinic M2; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  14. Gounder SS, Abdullah BJJ, Radzuanb NEIBM, Zain FDBM, Sait NBM, Chua C, et al.
    Anal Cell Pathol (Amst), 2018;2018:7871814.
    PMID: 30175033 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7871814
    Age-associated changes in natural killer (NK) cell population, phenotype, and functions are directly attributed to the risk of several diseases and infections. It is predicted to be the major cause of the increase in mortality. Based on the surface density of CD56, NK cells are subdivided into two types, such as CD56bright and CD56dim cells, which represent cytokine production and cytotoxicity. In our study, we have examined the age-associated changes in the NK cell population and their subsets at different age groups of males and females (at a range from 41 to 80 years). We found that the total lymphocyte count significantly dropped upon aging in both genders. Although, the level of total immune cells also dropped on aging, and surprisingly the total NK cell population was remarkably increased with the majority of NK cells being CD56dim. Subsequently, we evaluated the proliferation potential of NK cells and our results showed that the NK cell proliferation ability declines with age. Overall, our findings prove that there is an increase in the circulating NK cell population upon aging. However, the proliferation rate upon aging declines when compared to the young age group (<41 yrs).
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging/physiology*; Female; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Killer Cells, Natural/cytology*; Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism; Killer Cells, Natural/physiology; Male; Middle Aged; Lymphocyte Count; Antigens, CD56/metabolism; Cell Proliferation/physiology*
  15. Sahebi M, Hanafi MM, Rafii MY, Mahmud TMM, Azizi P, Osman M, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2018;2018:3158474.
    PMID: 30175125 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3158474
    Drought tolerance is an important quantitative trait with multipart phenotypes that are often further complicated by plant phenology. Different types of environmental stresses, such as high irradiance, high temperatures, nutrient deficiencies, and toxicities, may challenge crops simultaneously; therefore, breeding for drought tolerance is very complicated. Interdisciplinary researchers have been attempting to dissect and comprehend the mechanisms of plant tolerance to drought stress using various methods; however, the limited success of molecular breeding and physiological approaches suggests that we rethink our strategies. Recent genetic techniques and genomics tools coupled with advances in breeding methodologies and precise phenotyping will likely reveal candidate genes and metabolic pathways underlying drought tolerance in crops. The WRKY transcription factors are involved in different biological processes in plant development. This zinc (Zn) finger protein family, particularly members that respond to and mediate stress responses, is exclusively found in plants. A total of 89 WRKY genes in japonica and 97 WRKY genes in O. nivara (OnWRKY) have been identified and mapped onto individual chromosomes. To increase the drought tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.), research programs should address the problem using a multidisciplinary strategy, including the interaction of plant phenology and multiple stresses, and the combination of drought tolerance traits with different genetic and genomics approaches, such as microarrays, quantitative trait loci (QTLs), WRKY gene family members with roles in drought tolerance, and transgenic crops. This review discusses the newest advances in plant physiology for the exact phenotyping of plant responses to drought to update methods of analysing drought tolerance in rice. Finally, based on the physiological/morphological and molecular mechanisms found in resistant parent lines, a strategy is suggested to select a particular environment and adapt suitable germplasm to that environment.
    MeSH terms: Plant Breeding; Adaptation, Physiological; Oryza/genetics*; Oryza/physiology; Stress, Physiological; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*; Genomics*; Quantitative Trait Loci; Droughts*
  16. Ali EZ, Zakaria Y, Mohd Radzi MA, Ngu LH, Jusoh SA
    Biomed Res Int, 2018;2018:4320831.
    PMID: 30175132 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4320831
    Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD), an X-linked disorder that results from mutations in the OTC gene, causes hyperammonemia and leads to various clinical manifestations. Mutations occurring close to the catalytic site of OTCase can cause severe OTCD phenotypes compared with those caused by mutations occurring on the surface of this protein. In this study, we report two novel OTC missense mutations, Q171H and N199H, found in Malaysian patients. Q171H and N199H caused neonatal onset OTCD in a male and late OTCD in a female, respectively. In silico predictions and molecular docking were performed to examine the effect of these novel mutations, and the results were compared with other 30 known OTC mutations. In silico servers predicted that Q171H and N199H, as well as 30 known missense mutations, led to the development of OTCD. Docking analysis indicated that N-(phosphonoacetyl)-L-ornithine (PALO) was bound to the catalytic site of OTCase mutant structure with minimal conformational changes. However, the mutations disrupted interatomic interactions in the catalytic site. Therefore, depending on the severity of disruption occurring at the catalytic site, the mutation may affect the efficiency of mechanism and functions of OTCase.
    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Male; Mutation; Computational Biology; Mutation, Missense*; Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase Deficiency Disease/genetics*; Molecular Docking Simulation*
  17. Bello MB, Yusoff K, Ideris A, Hair-Bejo M, Peeters BPH, Omar AR
    Biomed Res Int, 2018;2018:7278459.
    PMID: 30175140 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7278459
    Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most devastating diseases that considerably cripple the global poultry industry. Because of its enormous socioeconomic importance and potential to rapidly spread to naïve birds in the vicinity, ND is included among the list of avian diseases that must be notified to the OIE immediately upon recognition. Currently, virus isolation followed by its serological or molecular identification is regarded as the gold standard method of ND diagnosis. However, this method is generally slow and requires specialised laboratory with biosafety containment facilities, making it of little relevance under epidemic situations where rapid diagnosis is seriously needed. Thus, molecular based diagnostics have evolved to overcome some of these difficulties, but the extensive genetic diversity of the virus ensures that isolates with mutations at the primer/probe binding sites escape detection using these assays. This diagnostic dilemma leads to the emergence of cutting-edge technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) which have so far proven to be promising in terms of rapid, sensitive, and accurate recognition of virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates even in mixed infections. As regards disease control strategies, conventional ND vaccines have stood the test of time by demonstrating track record of protective efficacy in the last 60 years. However, these vaccines are unable to block the replication and shedding of most of the currently circulating phylogenetically divergent virulent NDV isolates. Hence, rationally designed vaccines targeting the prevailing genotypes, the so-called genotype-matched vaccines, are highly needed to overcome these vaccination related challenges. Among the recently evolving technologies for the development of genotype-matched vaccines, reverse genetics-based live attenuated vaccines obviously appeared to be the most promising candidates. In this review, a comprehensive description of the current and emerging trends in the detection, identification, and control of ND in poultry are provided. The strengths and weaknesses of each of those techniques are also emphasised.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Chickens; Newcastle Disease/diagnosis*; Newcastle Disease/prevention & control; Newcastle disease virus*; Phylogeny; Poultry; Poultry Diseases/diagnosis*; Poultry Diseases/prevention & control; Vaccination/veterinary*; Viral Vaccines
  18. Ma ZF
    Clin Endocrinol (Oxf), 2018 11;89(5):677-678.
    PMID: 30176058 DOI: 10.1111/cen.13846
    MeSH terms: Denmark; Humans; Hyperthyroidism*; Iodides; Iodine*; Thyrotoxicosis*
  19. Halim ALA, Kamari A, Phillip E
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2018 Dec;120(Pt A):1119-1126.
    PMID: 30176328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.08.169
    In this work, chitosan, gelatin and methylcellulose films incorporated with tannic acid (TA) were synthesised, characterised and applied for the first time to preserve cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) and grapes (Vitis vinifera). The addition of TA at 15% (w/w) increased the transparency value of biopolymer films. The highest increment of transparency value was obtained for MC-TA film, increased from 0.572 to 4.73 A/mm. Based on antimicrobial study, the addition of TA improved the antibacterial properties of biopolymers against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The ability of films to preserve both fruits was evaluated in a 14-day preservation study. The application of biopolymer films treated with TA has decreased the weight loss and browning index of fruits, as compared to control films. A significant reduction in the weight loss of cherry tomatoes wrapped with chitosan (from 21.3 to 19.6%), gelatin (from 22.1 to 15.5%) and methylcellulose (26.2 to 20.5%) films were obtained following TA treatment. Overall, results obtained from this study highlight the effects of TA on physiochemical properties of biopolymer films and their ability to preserve fruits.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Biopolymers/chemistry; Escherichia coli/drug effects; Gelatin/chemistry*; Humans; Methylcellulose/chemistry*; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity; Tannins/chemistry; Lycopersicon esculentum/microbiology; Food Packaging*; Vitis/microbiology; Chitosan/chemistry*
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