Browse publications by year: 2018

In silico characterization and expression profiling of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene family (DGAT1, DGAT2, DGAT3 and WS/DGAT) from oil palm, Elaeis guineensis

Rosli R, Chan PL, Chan KL, Amiruddin N, Low EL, Singh R, et al.

Plant Sci, 2018 Oct;275:84-96.
PMID: 30107884 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.07.011

The diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT) (diacylglycerol:acyl-CoA acyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.20) are a key group of enzymes that catalyse the final and usually the most important rate-limiting step of triacylglycerol biosynthesis in plants and other organisms. Genes encoding four distinct functional families of DGAT enzymes have been characterised in the genome of the African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis. The contrasting features of the various isoforms within the four families of DGAT genes, namely DGAT1, DGAT2, DGAT3 and WS/DGAT are presented both in the oil palm itself and, for comparative purposes, in 12 other oil crop or model/related plants, namely Arabidopsis thaliana, Brachypodium distachyon, Brassica napus, Elaeis oleifera, Glycine max, Gossypium hirsutum, Helianthus annuus, Musa acuminata, Oryza sativa, Phoenix dactylifera, Sorghum bicolor, and Zea mays. The oil palm genome contains respectively three, two, two and two distinctly expressed functional copies of the DGAT1, DGAT2, DGAT3 and WS/DGAT genes. Phylogenetic analyses of the four DGAT families showed that the E. guineensis genes tend to cluster with sequences from P. dactylifera and M. acuminata rather than with other members of the Commelinid monocots group, such as the Poales which include the major cereal crops such as rice and maize. Comparison of the predicted DGAT protein sequences with other animal and plant DGATs was consistent with the E. guineensis DGAT1 being ER located with its active site facing the lumen while DGAT2, although also ER located, had a predicted cytosol-facing active site. In contrast, DGAT3 and some (but not all) WS/DGAT in E. guineensis are predicted to be soluble, cytosolic enzymes. Evaluation of E. guineensis DGAT gene expression in different tissues and developmental stages suggests that the four DGAT groups have distinctive physiological roles and are particularly prominent in developmental processes relating to reproduction, such as flowering, and in fruit/seed formation especially in the mesocarp and endosperm tissues.

MeSH terms: Computer Simulation; Phylogeny; Genes, Plant/genetics; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Gene Expression Profiling; Arecaceae/enzymology; Arecaceae/genetics; Arecaceae/metabolism*; Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase/genetics; Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase/metabolism*
Fulltext Role of febuxostat in retarding progression of diabetic kidney disease with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: A 6-months open-label, randomized controlled trial

Mukri MNA, Kong WY, Mustafar R, Shaharir SS, Shah SA, Abdul Gafor AH, et al.

EXCLI J, 2018;17:563-575.
PMID: 30108461 DOI: 10.17179/excli2018-1256

Introduction: Hyperuricemia is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and poor cardiovascular outcomes. We studied the effect of febuxostat on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria and monitored the safety profile of the medication.
Material and Methods: This is a prospective open-label, randomized study in CKD stage 3 and 4 patients with diabetic nephropathy and asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Patients were randomized into febuxostat 40 mg daily and no treatment group using block randomization method and were followed up for 6 months. Their usual care for diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia were continued in the study. Blood and urine investigations were monitored at baseline, 3 months and 6 months.
Results: The eGFR in febuxostat group was stabilized at 6 months with no significant reduction [26.2 (IQR 14.30) at baseline to 26.3 (IQR 15.2) ml/min/1.73 m2]. Whereas, there was a significant reduction of the eGFR in no treatment group from 28.2 (IQR 17.9) to 27.6 (IQR 19.3) ml/min/1.73 m2 (p value < 0.01). We found the HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) was significantly increased in febuxostat group from 7.2 ± 0.5 % at baseline to 7.6 ± 1.4 at 6 months (p value 0.04) but no significant change of HbA1c in the no treatment group. Proteinuria level was unchanged in both groups. The commonest adverse event was joint pain.
Conclusions: Febuxostat was able to preserve eGFR in CKD patients with diabetic nephropathy and this effect was beyond glycemic control. Increment of HbA1c level in febuxostat group needs further larger trials.
Study site: Chronic kidney disease clinic, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

MeSH terms: Febuxostat*; Diabetes Mellitus*; Hospitals, University; Malaysia; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Hyperuricemia*; Renal Insufficiency*
Fulltext Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Erythropoietin Enhance Survivability of Retinal Neurons Against Oxidative Stress: An In Vitro Study

Shirley Ding SL, Kumar S, Ali Khan MS, Ling Mok P

Front Cell Neurosci, 2018;12:190.
PMID: 30108483 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00190

Retinal degeneration is a prominent feature in ocular disorders. In exploring possible treatments, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have been recognized to yield therapeutic role for retinal degenerative diseases. Studies have also displayed that erythropoietin (EPO) administration into degenerative retina models confers significant neuroprotective actions in limiting pathological cell death. In this study, we aimed to use MSCs to deliver EPO and to evaluate the ability of EPO to rescue retinal neurons from dying upon reactive oxidative stress induction. We derived human MSCs from Wharton's jelly (hWJMSCs) of the umbilical cord and cells were transduced with lentivirus particles encoding EPO and a reporter gene of green fluorescent protein (GFP). The supernatants of both transduced and non-transduced cells were collected and used as a pre-conditioning medium for Y79 retinoblastoma cells (retinal neuron cell line) following exposure to glutamate induction. Retinal cells exposed to glutamate showed reduced mitochondrial depolarization and enhanced improvement in cell viability when incubated with pre-conditioned media of transduced cells. Our results established a proof-of-concept that MSCs could be used as a candidate for the delivery of EPO therapeutic gene in the treatment of retinal degenerations.
Fulltext Combination of Epicatechin 3-Gallate from Euphorbia hirta and Cefepime Promotes Potential Synergistic Eradication Action against Resistant Clinical Isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Perumal S, Mahmud R, Mohamed N

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018;2018:5713703.
PMID: 30108657 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5713703

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is naturally resistant to many classes of antipseudomonal antibiotics due to the species ability to easily acquire resistance. Plant-based antibacterial agent in combination with the existing antibiotic proposes an alternative treatment regimen for the eradication of resistant bacterial infections. The antibacterial effects of the isolated epicatechin 3-gallate compound from Euphorbia hirta in combination with cefepime were investigated in vitro against resistant P. aeruginosa. The fractional inhibitory concentration index of the combination was determined using checkerboard broth microdilution method. Epicatechin 3-gallate combined with cefepime had produced synergistic effect against P. aeruginosa (with average FIC index of 0.24). The MIC of epicatechin 3-gallate was effectively reduced to MIC/4, MIC/8, MIC/16, and MIC/32 in the presence of cefepime. Time-kill study of epicatechin 3-gallate combined with cefepime exhibited remarkable bactericidal activity where the eradication of P. aeruginosa occurred within 4 h of treatment. Scanning electron micrographs revealed apparent cell membrane damage and leakage of cytoplasmic contents from P. aeruginosa cells which eventually led to the cell lysis after the combination treatment of epicatechin 3-gallate and cefepime. The potential of epicatechin 3-gallate to act synergistically with cefepime against clinically resistant P. aeruginosa strain possibly will maximize the successful outcomes when choosing empirical antibiotic treatment in hospitals or health care institutions.
Fulltext Tualang Honey Reduced Neuroinflammation and Caspase-3 Activity in Rat Brain after Kainic Acid-Induced Status Epilepticus

Mohd Sairazi NS, Sirajudeen KNS, Muzaimi M, Mummedy S, Asari MA, Sulaiman SA

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018;2018:7287820.
PMID: 30108663 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7287820

The protective effect of tualang honey (TH) on neuroinflammation and caspase-3 activity in rat cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brainstem after kainic acid- (KA-) induced status epilepticus was investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated orally with TH (1.0 g/kg body weight) five times at 12 h intervals. KA (15 mg/kg body weight) was injected subcutaneously 30 min after last oral treatment. Rats were sacrificed at 2 h, 24 h, and 48 h after KA administration. Neuroinflammation markers and caspase-3 activity were analyzed in different brain regions 2 h, 24 h, and 48 h after KA administration. Administration of KA induced epileptic seizures. KA caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF-1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and increase in the caspase-3 activity in the rat cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brainstem at multiple time points. Pretreatment with TH significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the elevation of TNF-α, IL-1β, GFAP, AIF-1, and COX-2 level in those brain regions at multiple time points and attenuated the increased caspase-3 activity in the cerebral cortex. In conclusion, TH reduced neuroinflammation and caspase-3 activity after kainic acid- (KA-) induced status epilepticus.

MeSH terms: Animals; Brain; Cerebral Cortex; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Honey; Kainic Acid; Male; Seizures; Status Epilepticus; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats; Cyclooxygenase 1; Cyclooxygenase 2; Caspase 3; Interleukin-1beta
Fulltext Synthesis and evaluation of nuciferine and roemerine enantiomers as 5-HT2 and α1 receptor antagonists

Heng HL, Chee CF, Chin SP, Ouyang Y, Wang H, Buckle MJC, et al.

Medchemcomm, 2018 Mar 01;9(3):576-582.
PMID: 30108948 DOI: 10.1039/c7md00629b

In this study, the (S)-enantiomers of the aporphine alkaloids, nuciferine and roemerine, were prepared via a synthetic route involving catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation and both stereoisomers were evaluated in vitro for functional activity at human 5-HT2 and adrenergic α1 receptor subtypes using a transforming growth factor-α shedding assay. Both enantiomers of each of the compounds were found to act as antagonists at 5-HT2 and α1 receptors. (R)-roemerine was the most potent compound at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors (pKb = 7.8-7.9) with good selectivity compared to (S)-roemerine at these two receptors and compared to its activity at 5-HT2B, α1A, α1B and α1D receptors.
Fulltext New sporopollenin-based β-cyclodextrin functionalized magnetic hybrid adsorbent for magnetic solid-phase extraction of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from water samples

Syed Yaacob SFF, Kamboh MA, Wan Ibrahim WA, Mohamad S

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Jul;5(7):171311.
PMID: 30109037 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171311

A magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) procedure on the newly synthesized magnetic β-cyclodextrin functionalized with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) as a linker and further modified with bio-polymeric spores of sporopollenin (MSp-TDI-βCD), was developed for the extraction of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), namely, indoprofen (INP), ketoprofen (KTP), ibuprofen (IBP) and fenoprofen (FNP) from water samples prior to their HPLC-DAD determination. The newly synthesized MSp-TDI-βCD was comprehensibly characterized using FT-IR, XRD, SEM-EDX, BET and VSM analyses. The separation of selected NSAIDs on MSp-TDI-βCD from aqueous solution was simply achieved by applying an external magnetic field via a permanent magnet. The MSPE parameters affecting extraction performance, i.e. sorbent dosage, sample volume, extraction and desorption time, type of organic eluent and volume and solution pH were investigated and optimized. The proposed method showed linear range between 0.5 and 500 ng ml-1, low limit of detection at S/N = 3 (0.16-0.37 ng ml-1) and limit of quantification at S/N = 10 (0.53-1.22 ng ml-1). The inter-day (n = 15) and intra-day (n = 5) precision for the proposed methods given by relative standard deviation (RSD%) was in the range of 2.5-4.0 and 2.1-5.5, respectively. The extraction recoveries of NSAIDs from environmental samples (tap, drinking and river water) ranged from 92.5% to 123.6%, with satisfactory precision (RSD% less than 12.4%).
Fulltext Students' learning style detection using tree augmented naive Bayes

Li LX, Abdul Rahman SS

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Jul;5(7):172108.
PMID: 30109052 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.172108

Students are characterized according to their own distinct learning styles. Discovering students' learning style is significant in the educational system in order to provide adaptivity. Past researches have proposed various approaches to detect the students' learning styles. Among all, the Bayesian network has emerged as a widely used method to automatically detect students' learning styles. On the other hand, tree augmented naive Bayesian network has the ability to improve the naive Bayesian network in terms of better classification accuracy. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of the tree augmented naive Bayesian in automatically detecting students' learning style in the online learning environment. The experimental results are promising as the tree augmented naive Bayes network is shown to achieve higher detection accuracy when compared to the Bayesian network.

MeSH terms: Achievement; Bayes Theorem; Environment; Research; Students; Education, Distance
Fulltext Formulation of chelating agent with surfactant in cloud point extraction of methylphenol in water

Hazrina HZ, Noorashikin MS, Beh SY, Loh SH, Zain NNM

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Jul;5(7):180070.
PMID: 30109066 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180070

Cloud point extraction (CPE) is a separation and preconcentration of non-ionic surfactant from one liquid phase to another. In this study, Sylgard 309 and three different types of additives for CPE, namely CPE-Sylgard, CPE-Sylgard-BMIMBr and CPE-Sylgard-GLDA, are investigated to extract methylphenol from water samples. The methylphenols are well separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with isocratic elution of acetonitrile : water; 60 : 40 (v/v) and detection at 260 nm. The optimized parameters for the effect of salt, surfactant, temperature, time of extraction, pH, interference study and the performance of different additives on methylphenol extraction are investigated. CPE-Sylgard-GLDA is chosen because it gives us a high peak and good peak area compared with CPE-Sylgard and CPE-Sylgard-BMIMBr. The recovery extractions of CPE-Sylgard-GLDA are obtained in the range of 80-99% as the percentage of relative standard deviation (RSD) is less than 10. The LOD and LOQ are 0.05 ppm and 0.18 ppm, respectively. The method developed for CPE-Sylgard-GLDA coupled with HPLC is feasible for the determination of methylphenol because it is simple, effective, cheap, and produces a high percentage of recovery.

MeSH terms: Acetonitriles; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cresols; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Plant Extracts; Surface-Active Agents; Temperature; Water; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase
Fulltext SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM OF ECCB5 GENE OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS COMPLEX ISOLATES FROM SUSPECTED PULMONARY TB PATIENTS IN SURABAYA INDONESIA

Kurniawati S, Soedarsono S, Aulanni'am A, Mertaniasih NM

Afr J Infect Dis, 2018;12(2):37-42.
PMID: 30109284 DOI: 10.21010/ajid.v12i2.6

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) is a group of Mycobacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). TB is an infectious disease that remains a global health problem. Indonesia is one of the five countries in the world where TB is the most prevalent and became the country with tle second largest rate of TB in 2014 and 2015. MTBC has high pathogenicity that can cause infections in animals and humans. The most common route of transmission is via airborne droplet nuclei and contact with animals or humans infected with TB. MTBC has many virulence factors. One of these factors is EccB5 that is encoded by eccB5 gene. EccB5 is a transmembrane protein-conserved membrane protein and could play a role in inducing damage in host cells, macrophage infection, and may correlate with active disease. The characterization of eccB5 gene needs to be studied to determine the nucleotide sequences, which may be associated with active disease. The aim of this research was to analyze the nuclotide sequences of eccB5 gene of MTBC from suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients, SNPs of eccB5 gene and possible correlation with the disease, especially in Indonesia.
Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from the Tuberculosis Laboratory, Clinical Microbiology of Dr. Soetomo Hospital Surabaya Indonesia. DNA extraction used boiling extraction method and continued nucleic acid amplification using PCR techniques. Primer pairs used eccB5 SK.. The positivity of DNA specific revealed amplicon in 1592 bp. PCR product was sequenced by 1st Base (First BASE Laboratories Sdn Bhd, Selangor, Malaysia). The sequence analysis used Genetyx-Win version 10.0 (Genetyx Corporation, Tokyo, Japan).
Results: Total isolates of Mycobacterium spp. were 28 and those that showed positive MTBC were 24 isolates and 4 nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) using immunochromatographic test (ICT). The amount of homology from MTBC using blast NCBI was 99%-100%. Two SNPs were found in position c.1277 which revealed replacement of amino acid in 426 of codon position.
Conclusion: The sequence of eccB5 gene of MTBC showed high significant homology, while proposed non-synoymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNP) may associated with clinical outcomes.

MeSH terms: Amino Acids; Animals; Codon; DNA; Humans; Indonesia; Japan; Macrophages; Malaysia; Membrane Proteins; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; Nucleic Acids; Nucleotides; Tokyo; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Virulence; Global Health; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sequence Analysis; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Virulence Factors
Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension

Hanipah ZN, Punchai S, McCullough A, Dasarathy S, Brethauer SA, Aminian A, et al.

Obes Surg, 2018 11;28(11):3431-3438.
PMID: 30109667 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-018-3372-z

INTRODUCTION: Studies on bariatric patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension are limited. The aim of this study was to review our experience in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who had bariatric surgery.
METHOD: All cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery, from 2007 to 2017, were retrospectively reviewed.
RESULTS: Thirteen patients were included; eight (62%) were female. The median age was 54 years (interquartile range, IQR 49-60) and median BMI was 48 kg/m2 (IQR 43-55). Portal hypertension was diagnosed based on endoscopy (n = 5), imaging studies (n = 3), intraoperative increased collateral circulation (n = 2), and endoscopy and imaging studies (n = 3). The bariatric procedures included sleeve gastrectomy (n = 10, 77%) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 3, 23%). The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (IQR 2-4). Three 30-day complications occurred including wound infection (n = 1), intra-abdominal hematoma (n = 1), and subcutaneous hematoma (n = 1). No intraoperative or 30-day mortalities. There were 11 patients (85%) at 1-year follow-up and 9 patients (69%) at 2-year follow-up. At 2 years, the median percentage of excess weight loss (EWL) and total weight loss (TWL) were 49 and 25%, respectively. There was significant improvement in diabetes (100%), dyslipidemia (100%), and hypertension (50%) at 2 years after surgery.
CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery in selected cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension is relatively safe and effective.

MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Weight Loss; Treatment Outcome
Fulltext Circulating plasma phospholipid fatty acids and risk of pancreatic cancer in a large European cohort

Matejcic M, Lesueur F, Biessy C, Renault AL, Mebirouk N, Yammine S, et al.

Int J Cancer, 2018 Nov 15;143(10):2437-2448.
PMID: 30110135 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31797

There are both limited and conflicting data on the role of dietary fat and specific fatty acids in the development of pancreatic cancer. In this study, we investigated the association between plasma phospholipid fatty acids and pancreatic cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. The fatty acid composition was measured by gas chromatography in plasma samples collected at recruitment from375 incident pancreatic cancer cases and375 matched controls. Associations of specific fatty acids with pancreatic cancer risk were evaluated using multivariable conditional logistic regression models with adjustment for established pancreatic cancer risk factors. Statistically significant inverse associations were found between pancreatic cancer incidence and levels of heptadecanoic acid (ORT3-T1 [odds ratio for highest versus lowest tertile] =0.63; 95%CI[confidence interval] = 0.41-0.98; ptrend = 0.036), n-3 polyunsaturated α-linolenic acid (ORT3-T1 = 0.60; 95%CI = 0.39-0.92; ptrend = 0.02) and docosapentaenoic acid (ORT3-T1 = 0.52; 95%CI = 0.32-0.85; ptrend = 0.008). Industrial trans-fatty acids were positively associated with pancreatic cancer risk among men (ORT3-T1 = 3.00; 95%CI = 1.13-7.99; ptrend = 0.029), while conjugated linoleic acids were inversely related to pancreatic cancer among women only (ORT3-T1 = 0.37; 95%CI = 0.17-0.81; ptrend = 0.008). Among current smokers, the long-chain n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio was positively associated with pancreatic cancer risk (ORT3-T1 = 3.40; 95%CI = 1.39-8.34; ptrend = 0.007). Results were robust to a range of sensitivity analyses. Our findings suggest that higher circulating levels of saturated fatty acids with an odd number of carbon atoms and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may be related to lower risk of pancreatic cancer. The influence of some fatty acids on the development of pancreatic cancer may be sex-specific and modulated by smoking.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Europe/epidemiology; Fatty Acids/blood*; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Neoplasms/blood*; Pancreatic Neoplasms/epidemiology; Phospholipids/blood*; Risk; Cohort Studies; Incidence; Case-Control Studies
Fulltext Surveillance for respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus among patients hospitalized with pneumonia in Sarawak, Malaysia

Fieldhouse JK, Toh TH, Lim WH, Ting J, Ha SJ, Hii KC, et al.

PLoS One, 2018;13(8):e0202147.
PMID: 30110367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202147

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza virus (PIV) are frequent causes of pneumonia and death among children at Sibu and Kapit Hospitals in Sarawak, Malaysia.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for RSV subtypes A and B and PIV types 1-4 among patients hospitalized with pneumonia.
METHODS: In a cross-sectional, pilot study nasopharyngeal swabs were studied with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. Concurrently, we helped Sibu and Kapit Hospitals adapt their first molecular diagnostics for RSV and PIV.
RESULTS: Of 129 specimens collected (June to July 2017), 39 tested positive for RSV-A (30.2%), two were positive for RSV B (1.6%), one was positive for PIV-3 (0.8%) and one was positive for PIV-4 (0.8%). No samples were positive for PIV-1 or PIV-2. Of the 39 RSV-A positive specimens, 46.2% were collected from children under one year of age and only 5.1% were from patients over the age of 18. A multivariable analysis found the odds of children <1 year of age testing positive for RSV-A were 32.7 (95% CI: 3.9, 276.2) times larger than >18 years of age, and the odds of patients hospitalized at Kapit Hospital testing positive for RSV-A were 3.2 (95% CI: 1.3, 7.8) times larger than patients hospitalized at Sibu Hospital.
CONCLUSION: This study found an unusually high prevalence of RSV-A among pneumonia patients admitted to the two hospitals. Subsequently, Sibu Hospital adapted the molecular assays with the goal of providing more directed care for such pneumonia patients.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hospitalization*; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology*; Pneumonia, Viral/virology; Risk Factors; Prevalence; Odds Ratio; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/classification; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/genetics; Paramyxoviridae Infections/epidemiology*; Paramyxoviridae Infections/virology; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/epidemiology*; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/virology; Young Adult; Public Health Surveillance
Fulltext Sensing study of quinoxaline analogues with theoretical calculation, single-crystal X-ray structure and real application in commercial fruit juices

Chakraborty S, Goswami S, Quah CK, Pakhira B

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 Jun;5(6):180149.
PMID: 30110468 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180149

Single-crystal X-ray structures of dimeric quinoxaline aldehyde (QA), quinoxaline dihydrazone (DHQ) and HQNM (Goswami S et al. 2013 Tetrahedron Lett.54, 5075-5077. (doi:10.1016/j.tetlet.2013.07.051); Goswami S et al. 2014 RSC Adv.4, 20 922-20 926. (doi:10.1039/C4RA00594E); Goswami S et al. 2014 New J. Chem.38, 6230-6235. (doi:10.1039/C4NJ01498G)) are reported along with the theoretical study. Among them, QA is not acting as an active probe, but DHQ and HQNM are serving as selective and sensitive probe for the Fe3+ cation and the Ni2+ cation, respectively. DHQ can also detect the Fe3+ in commercial fruit juices (grape and pomegranate).

MeSH terms: Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Aldehydes; Cations; Fruit; Models, Theoretical; Quinoxalines; Radiography; X-Rays; Vitis
Fulltext Correction to 'Determination of carcinogenic herbicides in milk samples using green non-ionic silicone surfactant of cloud point extraction and spectrophotometry'

Mohd NI, Raoov M, Mohamad S, Zain NNM

R Soc Open Sci, 2018 06;5(6):180777.
PMID: 30110477 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180777

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171500.].

MeSH terms: Humans
Fulltext Factors associated with Knowledge of Healthy Community, Empowers Nation (KOSPEN) and its implementation among community health volunteers in Kulim district, 2017

Sondaram NK, Kadir@Shahar H, Abdul Manaf R

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018;14(2):7-16.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The increasing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases and their prevalence has led Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia to introduce a community empowerment program “Komuniti Sihat, Perkasa Negara” acronymed as KOSPEN in July 2013. Thirty thousand community health volunteers have been trained nationwide up to May 2015.
Objective: To identify the factors associated with knowledge on KOSPEN and its implementation among community health volunteers in Kulim District.
Methods: A cross-sectional study based on simple random sampling was conducted among community health volunteers Kulim District. Volunteers participated in this study were 194. Data collected using self-administered questionnaire. All data collected were analysed using IBM SPSS version 22 involving descriptive and inferential statistics with significance level set at 0.05.
Results: The study found that level of knowledge on KOSPEN is associated with employment status (p=0.02) and awareness level (p<0.001) among the community health volunteers. The level of implementation is associated with age (p=0.025), education level (p=0.007) and employment status (p=0.017) of the community health volunteers. Employment status (aOR=2.133, 95% CI=1.056-4.306, p=0.035) and awareness level (aOR=6.119, 95% CI=2.701-13.867 p<0.001) were predictors of level of knowledge on KOSPEN. Level of implementation of KOSPEN by the community health volunteers could be predicted by education level (aOR=4.085, 95% CI=1.299-12.851 p=0.016).
Conclusion: Generally the KOSPEN volunteers had good knowledge on KOSPEN and implementation of KOSPEN program. However, there are still misconceptions among the KOSPEN volunteers regarding their functions and role. Therefore it is important to empower the volunteers with awareness on their roles, functions and good knowledge.

MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia; Patient Participation
Fulltext Influence of an intervention program promoting voluntary fasting practices and its perceived barriers among overweight or obese Muslim women working in the public sector, Malaysia

Suriani Ismail, Rosliza Abdul Manaf, Aidalina Mahmud, Khadijah Shamsuddin

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018;14(2):1-2.
MyJurnal

Introduction: This article aims to describe the effect of an intervention to promote the practice of voluntary Islamic fasting and its barriers among a group of overweight and obese Muslim women working in the public sector in Malaysia. Materials and methods: In this quasi-experimental study, an intervention to encourage voluntary fasting was delivered in a half day seminar, supported by relevant booklets prepared. A self-administered questionnaire was used to capture data on voluntary fasting practices and its perceived barriers before and four months after the intervention. Data was analysed using Mc Nemar test to compare the proportion before and after the intervention. Significant level was set at p

MeSH terms: Fasting; Female; Humans; Islam; Malaysia; Obesity; Pamphlets; Perception; Surveys and Questionnaires; Public Sector; Overweight
Fulltext Isolated complete popliteus tendon rupture following a trivial occupational injury

Arifaizad Abdullah, Mohd Hezery Harun, Hariati Jamil, Ezamin Abdul Rahim

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018;14(1):73-75.
MyJurnal

Traumatic rupture of the popliteus tendon is a rare type of knee injury. Most reported cases had occurred in athletes or following high impact trauma. We report a case of a 23-year-old male with an isolated complete popliteus tendon rupture that was diagnosed arthroscopically. The patient worked as a general labourer in a sawmill. He fell at his workplace and presented with acute painful fixed flexion of the right knee. Initially he was suspected to have a meniscus tear. Diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee was carried out; and diagnosis of popliteal tendon rupture was established. The patient was subsequently managed conservatively by arthroscopic debridement. He was allowed to mobilize the knee as tolerated after the surgery. He was well with a full knee range of movement and was able to walk normally at six weeks after surgery. This article highlights the possibility of complete popliteus tendon rupture following a minor occupational injury in a previously normal knee.

MeSH terms: Adult; Arthroscopy; Debridement; Humans; Knee; Knee Injuries; Knee Joint; Male; Rupture; Tendon Injuries; Tendons; Workplace; Young Adult; Athletes; Occupational Injuries
Fulltext Pulmonary haemorrhage associated with severe leptospirosis – the role of low dose intravenous methylprednisolone

Thiam Seong Christopher Lim, Tan Yi Jun, Then Ru Fah

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018;14(1):69-72.
MyJurnal

Leptospirosis has a wide range of presentation which ranges from mild flu-like symptoms, to severe form including renal failure, liver failure, and hemorrhage. Pulmonary involvement can progress from subtle clinical features to life threatening pulmonary hemorrhage and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although benefits of corticosteroids in adult respiratory distress syndrome have been proven and accepted, evidence for use of corticosteroids in pulmonary leptospirosis is still limited. Given the vasculitic nature of severe leptospirosis, it has been proposed that addition of intravenous corticosteroid therapy, particularly in cases of pulmonary involvement is beneficial. We report a case of leptospirosis with suspected pulmonary hemorrhage which deteriorates after a few days of admission in our tertiary hospital. We have demonstrated that the prescription of a lower dose of corticosteroid than what was widely reported in the literature can equally led to a satisfactory recovery of the pulmonary hemorrhage.

MeSH terms: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Hemorrhage; Humans; Leptospirosis; Lung; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult; Liver Failure; Renal Insufficiency; Tertiary Care Centers
Fulltext Helium gas inhalation as a suicide technique

Sarjit Singh, Siti Nidzwani Mohamad Mahdi

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018;14(1):65-67.
MyJurnal

Helium gas inhalation for suicide is a relatively new technique and practically unheard of in Malaysia. The internet has helped spread this technique rapidly across the globe. We report a case of helium gas inhalation as a suicide attempt in Malaysia. Such a case offers a diagnostic challenge upon presentation. Simple techniques of ensuring adequate oxygenation can help in treatment of such cases.

MeSH terms: Administration, Inhalation; Helium; Malaysia; Suicide; Suicide, Attempted; Internet

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