Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Khoo LW, Audrey Kow S, Lee MT, Tan CP, Shaari K, Tham CL, et al.
    PMID: 30105077 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9276260
    Clinacanthus nutans (Burm.f.) Lindau (Acanthaceae), commonly known as Sabah snake grass, is a vegetable and a well-known herb that is considered an alternative medicine for insect bites, skin rashes, herpes infection, inflammation, and cancer and for health benefits. Current review aims to provide a well-tabulated repository of the phytochemical screening, identification and quantification, and the pharmacological information of C. nutans according to the experimental design and the plant preparation methods which make it outstanding compared to existing reviews. This review has documented valuable data obtained from all accessible library databases and electronic searches. For the first time we analyzed the presence of flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, phytosterols, and glycosides in C. nutans based on the results from phytochemical screening which are then further confirmed by conventional phytochemical isolation methods and advanced spectroscopic techniques. Phytochemical quantification further illustrated that C. nutans is a good source of phenolics and flavonoids. Pharmacological studies on C. nutans revealed that its polar extract could be a promising anti-inflammation, antiviral, anticancer, immune and neuromodulating, and plasmid DNA protective agent; that its semipolar extract could be a promising antiviral, anticancer, and wound healing agent; and that its nonpolar extract could be an excellent anticancer agent.
    MeSH terms: Complementary Therapies; Antineoplastic Agents; Antiviral Agents; DNA; Flavonoids; Glycosides; Poaceae; Inflammation; Insect Bites and Stings; Libraries; Malaysia; Neoplasms; Phytosterols; Plasmids; Research Design; Snakes; Vegetables; Wound Healing; Protective Agents; Acanthaceae; Plant Preparations; Phytochemicals
  2. Yee W, Abdul-Kadir R, Lee LM, Koh B, Lee YS, Chan HY
    3 Biotech, 2018 Aug;8(8):354.
    PMID: 30105179 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1381-1
    In this work, a simple and inexpensive physical lysis method using a cordless drill fitted with a plastic pellet pestle and 150 mg of sterile sea sand was established for the extraction of DNA from six strains of freshwater microalgae. This lysis method was also tested for RNA extraction from two microalgal strains. Lysis duration between 15 and 120 s using the cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) buffer significantly increased the yield of DNA from four microalgalstrains (Monoraphidium griffithii NS16, Scenedesmus sp. NS6, Scenedesmus sp. DPBC1 and Acutodesmus sp. DPBB10) compared to control. It was also found that grinding was not required to obtain DNA from two strains of microalgae (Choricystis sp. NPA14 and Chlamydomonas sp. BM3). The average DNA yield obtained using this lysis method was between 62.5 and 78.9 ng/mg for M. griffithii NS16, 42.2-247.0 ng/mg for Scenedesmus sp. NS6, 70.2-110.9 ng/mg for Scenedesmus sp. DPBC1 and 142.8-164.8 ng/mg for Acutodesmus sp. DPBB10. DNA obtained using this method was sufficiently pure for PCR amplification. Extraction of total RNA from M. griffithii NS16 and Mychonastes sp. NPD7 using this lysis method yielded high-quality RNA suitable for RT-PCR. This lysis method is simple, cheap and would enable rapid nucleic acid extraction from freshwater microalgae without requiring costly materials and equipment such as liquid nitrogen or beadbeaters, and would facilitate molecular studies on microalgae in general.
    MeSH terms: Chlamydomonas; DNA; Fresh Water; Nitrogen; Nucleic Acids; Plastics; RNA; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Scenedesmus; Microalgae
  3. Liew KJ, Teo SC, Shamsir MS, Sani RK, Chong CS, Chan KG, et al.
    3 Biotech, 2018 Aug;8(8):376.
    PMID: 30105201 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1391-z
    Rhodothermaceae bacterium RA is a halo-thermophile isolated from a saline hot spring. Previously, the genome of this bacterium was sequenced using a HiSeq 2500 platform culminating in 91 contigs. In this report, we report on the resequencing of its complete genome using a PacBio RSII platform. The genome has a GC content of 68.3%, is 4,653,222 bp in size, and encodes 3711 genes. We are interested in understanding the carbohydrate metabolic pathway, in particular the lignocellulosic biomass degradation pathway. Strain RA harbors 57 glycosyl hydrolase (GH) genes that are affiliated with 30 families. The bacterium consists of cellulose-acting (GH 3, 5, 9, and 44) and hemicellulose-acting enzymes (GH 3, 10, and 43). A crude cell-free extract of the bacterium exhibited endoglucanase, xylanase, β-glucosidase, and β-xylosidase activities. The complete genome information coupled with biochemical assays confirms that strain RA is able to degrade cellulose and xylan. Therefore, strain RA is another excellent member of family Rhodothermaceae as a repository of novel and thermostable cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes.
    MeSH terms: Base Composition; Base Sequence; beta-Glucosidase; Cellulase; Cellulose; Lignin; Polysaccharides; Xylans; Xylosidases; Biomass; Enzyme Activators; Hot Springs
  4. Nevame AYM, Xia L, Nchongboh CG, Hasan MM, Alam MA, Yongbo L, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2018;2018:8120281.
    PMID: 30105248 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8120281
    Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) responsible for tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) causes a substantial decrease in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) yield worldwide. The use of resistant variety as a sustainable management strategy has been advocated. Tremendous progress has been made in genetically characterizing the resistance genes (R gene) in tomato. Breeding tomato for TYLCV resistance has been based mostly on Ty-3 as a race-specific resistance gene by introgression originating from wild tomato species relatives. Improvement or development of a cultivar is achievable through the use of marker-assisted selection (MAS). Therefore, precise and easy use of gene-targeted markers would be of significant importance for selection in breeding programs. The present study was undertaken to develop a new marker based on Ty-3 gene sequence that can be used for MAS in TYLCV resistant tomato breeding program. The new developed marker was named ACY. The reliability and accuracy of ACY were evaluated against those of Ty-3 linked marker P6-25 through screening of commercial resistant and susceptible tomato hybrids, and genetic segregation using F2 population derived from a commercial resistant hybrid AG208. With the use of bioinformatics and DNA sequencing analysis tools, deletion of 10 nucleotides was observed in Ty-3 gene sequence for susceptible tomato variety. ACY is a co-dominant indel-based marker that produced clear and strong polymorphic band patterns for resistant plant distinguishing it from its susceptible counterpart. The obtained result correlates with 3:1 segregation ratio of single resistant dominant gene inheritance, which depicted ACY as gene-tag functional marker. This marker is currently in use for screening 968 hybrids varieties and one thousand breeding lines of tomato varieties stocked in Jiangsu Green Port Modern Agriculture Development Company (Green Port). So far, ACY has been used to identify 56 hybrids and 51 breeding lines. These newly detected breeding lines were regarded as potential source of resistance for tomato breeding. This work exploited the sequence of Ty-3 and subsequently contributed to the development of molecular marker ACY to aid phenotypic selection. We thus recommend this marker to breeders, which is suitable for marker-assisted selection in tomato.
    MeSH terms: Plant Breeding; Plant Diseases*; Reproducibility of Results; Lycopersicon esculentum/genetics*; Begomovirus/pathogenicity*; Disease Resistance/genetics*
  5. Oladosu Y, Rafii MY, Magaji U, Abdullah N, Miah G, Chukwu SC, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2018;2018:8936767.
    PMID: 30105259 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8936767
    The associations among yield-related traits and the pattern of influence on rice grain yield were investigated. This evaluation is important to determine the direct and indirect effects of various traits on yield to determine selection criteria for higher grain yield. Fifteen rice genotypes were evaluated under tropical condition at five locations in two planting seasons. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications across the locations. Data were collected on vegetative and yield components traits. The pooled data based on the analysis of variance revealed that there were significant differences (p < 0.001) among the fifteen genotypes for all the characters studied except for panicle length and 100-grain weight. Highly significant and positive correlations at phenotypic level were observed in grain weight per hill (0.796), filled grains per panicle (0.702), panicles per hill (0.632), and tillers per hill (0.712) with yield per hectare, while moderate positive correlations were observed in flag leaf length to width ratio (0.348), days to flowering (0.412), and days to maturity (0.544). By contrast, unfilled grains per panicle (-0.225) and plant height (-0.342) had a negative significant association with yield per hectare. Filled grains per panicle (0.491) exhibited the maximum positive direct effect on yield followed by grain weight per hill (0.449), while unfilled grain per panicle (-0.144) had a negative direct effect. The maximum indirect effect on yield per hectare was recorded by the tillers per hill through the panicles per hill. Therefore, tillers per hill, filled grains per panicle, and grain weight per hill could be used as selection criteria for improving grain yield in rice.
    MeSH terms: Edible Grain; Genotype*; Phenotype; Oryza/genetics*; Oryza/growth & development; Tropical Climate; Plant Leaves
  6. Karunanidhi A, Ghaznavi-Rad E, Hamat RA, Pichika MR, Lung LTT, Mohd Fauzi F, et al.
    Biomed Res Int, 2018;2018:9845075.
    PMID: 30105271 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9845075
    The present study assessed the in vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of hexane (ASHE) and dichloromethane (ASDE) extracts of Allium stipitatum (Persian shallot) against planktonic cells and biofilm structures of clinically significant antibiotic resistant pathogens, with a special emphasis on methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and emerging pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Antibacterial activities were determined through disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time-kill kinetics, and electron microscopy. Antibiofilm activity was assessed by XTT [2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfo-phenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] reduction assay and by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The zone of inhibition ranged from 13 to 33 mm, while the MICs and MBCs ranged from 16 to 1024 μg mL-1. Both ASHE and ASDE completely eradicated overnight cultures of the test microorganisms, including antibiotic resistant strains. Time-kill studies showed that the extracts were strongly bactericidal against planktonic cultures of S. aureus, MRSA, Acinetobacter baumannii, and S. maltophilia as early as 4 hours postinoculation (hpi). ASHE and ASDE were shown to inhibit preformed biofilms of the four biofilm phenotypes tested. Our results demonstrate the potential therapeutic application of ASHE and ASDE to inhibit the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative biofilms of clinical significance and warrant further investigation of the potential of A. stipitatum bulbs against biofilm-related drug resistance.
    MeSH terms: Allium/chemistry*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Bacteria; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Staphylococcus aureus; Biofilms; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia/drug effects; Acinetobacter baumannii/drug effects; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*
  7. Abd Hamid IJ, Slatter MA, McKendrick F, Pearce MS, Gennery AR
    J Clin Immunol, 2018 08;38(6):727-732.
    PMID: 30105620 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-018-0540-9
    Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is curative for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), but data on long-term impact of pre-HSCT chemotherapy, immune reconstitution and quality of life (QoL) of specific SCID genotypes are limited. We evaluated the long-term immune-reconstitution, health outcome and QoL in IL7Rα SCID, Artemis and RAG1 and 2 SCID survivors > 2 years post-HSCT in our center. Clinical data and immune reconstitution parameters were collated, and patients/families answered PedsQL generic core scale v4.0 questionnaires. Thirty-nine patients with a diagnosis of IL7Rα SCID (17 patients), Artemis SCID (8 patients) and RAG1/2 SCID (13 patients) had undergone HSCT with median age at last follow up for IL7Rα SCID, 14 years (range 4-27) and Artemis and RAG1/2 SCID, 10 years (range 2-18). Many patients have ongoing medical issues at latest follow-up [IL7Rα (73%), Artemis (85%), RAG1/2 (55%)]. Artemis SCID patients experienced more sequela than RAG1/2 SCID. Conditioned recipients with Artemis and RAG SCID had more CD4+ naïve lymphocytes compared to unconditioned recipients. All patients except those of IL7Rα SCID reported lower QoL; further subset group analysis showed parents and Artemis and RAG1/2 survivors without ongoing medical issues reported normal QoL. Conditioned recipients have superior long-term thymopoiesis, chimerism and immunoglobulin-independence. QoL was normal in those who did not have medical issues at long-term follow-up.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Disease Susceptibility; DNA-Binding Proteins/deficiency*; Endonucleases/deficiency*; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Nuclear Proteins/deficiency*; Quality of Life*; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors; Severe Combined Immunodeficiency/diagnosis; Severe Combined Immunodeficiency/etiology*; Severe Combined Immunodeficiency/epidemiology*; Severe Combined Immunodeficiency/therapy; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Homeodomain Proteins/genetics*; Receptors, Interleukin-7/deficiency*; Young Adult
  8. Binti Mohd Yusuf Yeo NA, Muthuraju S, Wong JH, Mohammed FR, Senik MH, Zhang J, et al.
    Brain Behav, 2018 09;8(9):e01093.
    PMID: 30105867 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1093
    INTRODUCTION: Centella asiatica is an herbal plant that contains phytochemicals that are widely believed to have positive effects on cognitive function. The adolescent stage is a critical development period for the maturation of brain processes that encompass changes in physical and psychological systems. However, the effect of C. asiatica has not been extensively studied in adolescents. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of a C. asiatica extract on the enhancement of learning and memory in adolescent rats.

    METHODS: The locomotor activity, learning, and memory were assessed by using open field test and water T-maze test. This study also examined changes in neuronal cell morphology using cresyl violet and apoptosis staining. We also performed immunohistochemical study to analyse the expression of the glutamate AMPA receptor (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) GluA1 subunit and the GABA receptor (γ-Aminobutyric Acid) subtype GABAA α1 subunit in the hippocampus of the same animals.

    RESULTS: We found no significant changes in locomotor activity (p > 0.05). The water T-maze data showed that 30 mg/kg dose significantly (p  0.05). Histological data revealed no neuronal morphological changes. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased expression of the AMPA GluA1 receptor subunit but there was no effect on GABAA receptor α1 subunit expression in the CA1 and CA2 subregions of the hippocampus.

    CONCLUSIONS: The C. asiatica extract therefore improved hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory in a dose-dependent manner in rats through the GluA1-containing AMPA receptor in the CA1 and CA2 sub regions of the hippocampus.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Behavior, Animal/drug effects; Hippocampus/drug effects*; Hippocampus/metabolism; Learning/drug effects*; Locomotion/drug effects; Male; Memory/drug effects*; Neurons/drug effects; Neurons/metabolism; Triterpenes/pharmacology*; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, AMPA/drug effects*; Receptors, AMPA/metabolism; alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid; Models, Animal; Rats
  9. Zulfarina MS, Sharif R, Syarifah-Noratiqah SB, Sharkawi AM, Aqilah-Sm ZS, Mokhtar SA, et al.
    PLoS One, 2018;13(8):e0202321.
    PMID: 30106982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202321
    Maximizing bone mineral accrual to attain an optimal peak bone mass (PBM), particularly during adolescence, appears to be an effective protective strategy in the prevention of osteoporosis. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of physical activity (PA), fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), body mass index (BMI), calcium, or combination of vitamin D supplement intake, smoking and alcohol drinking status on bone health assessed by calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in a healthy adolescent population. The participants comprised of 920 male and female secondary school adolescents aged 15-17 years old. Quantitative ultrasound measurements of the left heel were performed using Lunar Achilles EX II, which included results of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS), and a calculated stiffness index (SI). Multivariable linear regression analyses revealed that-PA was positively associated with all three QUS indices in both genders; BMI was positively associated with SI and SOS in females; LM was positively associated with BUA in both genders; and FM was negatively associated with SI in females. These variables accounted for 32.1%, 21.2% and 29.4% of females' SOS, BUA and SI variances (p<0.001), respectively and 23.6%, 15.4% and 17.2% of males' SOS, BUA and SI variances (p<0.001), respectively. Promoting health benefits from physical activity could influence bone status and consequently improve PBM, which is a potent protective determinant against osteoporosis in adulthood.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Biomechanical Phenomena; Calcium/administration & dosage; Elasticity; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Organ Size; Sex Factors; Ultrasonography*; Vitamin D/administration & dosage; Health Behavior*; Exercise; Body Mass Index; Dietary Supplements; Adiposity
  10. Estudillo AJ, Kaufmann JM, Bindemann M, Schweinberger SR
    Eur J Neurosci, 2018 09;48(5):2259-2271.
    PMID: 30107052 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14112
    Seeing a face being touched in spatial and temporal synchrony with the own face produces a bias in self-recognition, whereby the other face becomes more likely to be perceived as the self. The present study employed event-related potentials to explore whether this enfacement effect reflects initial face encoding, enhanced distinctiveness of the enfaced face, modified self-identity representations, or even later processing stages that are associated with the emotional processing of faces. Participants were stroked in synchrony or asynchrony with an unfamiliar face they observed on a monitor in front of them, in a situation approximating a mirror image. Subsequently, event-related potentials were recorded during the presentation of (a) a previously synchronously stimulated face, (b) an asynchronously stimulated face, (c) observers' own face, (d) filler faces, and (e) a to-be-detected target face, which required a response. Observers reported a consistent enfacement illusion after synchronous stimulation. Importantly, the synchronously stimulated face elicited more prominent N170 and P200 responses than the asynchronously stimulated face. By contrast, similar N250 and P300 responses were observed in these conditions. These results suggest that enfacement modulates early neural correlates of face encoding and facial prototypicality, rather than identity self-representations and associated emotional processes.
    MeSH terms: Facial Recognition/physiology; Adult; Evoked Potentials/physiology*; Face; Female; Humans; Illusions/physiology; Male; Pattern Recognition, Visual/physiology*; Physical Stimulation/methods; Self Concept; Touch/physiology; Recognition (Psychology)/physiology*; Touch Perception/physiology*; Young Adult
  11. Xing SC, Chen JY, Lv N, Mi JD, Chen WL, Liang JB, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2018 Nov;211:804-816.
    PMID: 30099165 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.08.005
    The lead (Pb2+) bioaccumulation capacities and mechanisms of three different physiological structures (vegetative cells, decay cells and spores) of B. coagulans R11 isolated from a lead mine were examined in this study. The results showed that the total Pb2+ removal capacity of vegetative cells (17.53 mg/g) was at its optimal and higher than those of the spores and decay cells at the initial lead concentration of 50 mg/L. However, when the initial lead concentration surpassed 50 mg/L, Pb2+ removal capacity of decay cells was more efficient. Zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and functional group modification analyses demonstrated that the electrostatic attraction and chelating activity of the functional groups were the primary pathways involved in the extracellular accumulation of Pb2+ by the vegetative cells and spores. However, the primary Pb2+ binding pathway in the decay cells was hypothesized to be due to physical adsorption, which easily led to Pb2+ desorption. Based on these results, we conclude that the vegetative cell is the ideal lead sorbent. Therefore, it is important to inhibit the transformation of the vegetative cells into decay cells and spores, which can be achieved by culturing the bacteria under anaerobic conditions to prevent spore formation. Heat stimulation can effectively enhance spore germination to generate vegetative cells.
    MeSH terms: Lead/chemistry*; Soil/chemistry*; Soil Pollutants/chemistry*; Spores, Bacterial/chemistry*; Bacillus coagulans/chemistry*
  12. Tan SK, Tang ATH, Leung WK, Zwahlen RA
    J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2018 Dec;119(6):461-468.
    PMID: 30099221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jormas.2018.07.004
    PURPOSE: To investigate short- and long-term post-surgical three-dimensional changes of pharyngeal airway morphology and hyoid bone position in dento-skeletal class II deformity patients after two-jaw surgery with segmentation.

    METHODS: Relations between skeletal movement, hyoid bone position and three-dimensional pharyngeal airway changes were retrospectively analyzed on pre- and post-surgical CBCTs in dento-skeletal class II patients who underwent orthognathic two-jaw surgery with segmentation.

    RESULTS: While long-term significant reductions in length (P= 0.003), surface area (P= 0.042) and volume (P= 0.004) were found in the nasopharynx, the highly significant increases in oropharyngeal airway length, surface area, volume and the minimal cross-sectional area (P 

    MeSH terms: Humans; Mandible; Maxilla; Pilot Projects; Retrospective Studies; Orthognathic Surgery*
  13. Quek JA, Lam SM, Sin JC, Mohamed AR
    PMID: 30099271 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2018.07.030
    Flower-like ZnO micro/nanostructures were successfully fabricated via a surfactant-free co-precipitation method. The as-synthesized product was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) analyses. In the presence of visible light irradiation, the as-synthesized flower-like ZnO showed higher antibacterial activities against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Micrococcus luteus (M. luteus) than that of commercial ZnO. The excellent antibacterial performance of synthesized flower-like ZnO was also observed via the bacterial morphological change, K+ ions leakage and protein leakage in extracellular suspension. In addition, the FTIR investigation on both treated bacteria further confirmed the bacterial membrane damage via cellular substance alteration. The enhancement of the antibacterial activity of synthesized ZnO can be attributed to the unique flower-like morphology which can increase the surface OH- groups and the quantity of photogenerated electron-hole pair available to participate in the photocatalytic reaction. The reactive oxidizing species (ROS) scavengers experiments showed that H2O2 played a main role in the photocatalytic antibacterial process. Our study showed that the synthesized flower-like ZnO micro/nanostructures can act as efficient antibacterial agents in the photocatalytic antibacterial process under visible light irradiation.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry*; Antioxidants/chemistry; Catalysis; Hydrogen Peroxide/toxicity; Light*; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Enterococcus faecalis/drug effects; X-Ray Diffraction; Zinc Oxide/chemical synthesis; Zinc Oxide/pharmacology; Zinc Oxide/chemistry*; Micrococcus luteus/drug effects; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanostructures/chemistry
  14. Pandy V, Wai YC, Amira Roslan NF, Sajat A, Abdulla Jallb AH, Vijeepallam K
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2018 Nov;107:368-373.
    PMID: 30099340 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.08.008
    The first objective of the present study was to determine the appropriate dose of methamphetamine (Meth) to induce a successful conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice. The next objective was to examine the effect of a methanolic extract of M. citrifolia unripe fruit (MMC) against Meth-induced CPP in mice. In answering to the first objective, following the preconditioning test, an intraperitoneal injection of a fixed dose of Meth (0.5 or 1 or 2 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline (10 ml/kg, i.p.) was given on alternate days during the 10 days conditioning period followed by a postconditioning test conducted in Meth-free state. The first experiment revealed that 0.5 mg/kg of Meth could be an appropriate fixed low dose to induce CPP in mice. Meanwhile, in other experiments, the effect of MMC and bupropion (BUPR) against the expression, extinction, and reinstatement of Meth (0.5 mg/kg)-induced CPP in mice, respectively, was investigated. In a separate set of studies on each phase, an oral administration of MMC (1, 3 and 5 g/kg, p.o.) or BUPR (20 mg/kg, p.o.) was given 60 min prior to CPP postconditioning testing or extinction testing or reinstatement testing in mice. Extinction trials were conducted in Meth-free state to weaken CPP over the next 5 days. Reinstatement test was conducted by a single low dose priming injection of Meth (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.). The present study, however, failed to establish a successful extinction and reinstatement of Meth-CPP in mice. Further studies using other doses of Meth are warranted for a successful establishment of all phases of Meth CPP in mice. This study also demonstrates that MMC (3 and 5 g/kg, p.o.) and BUPR (20 mg/kg, p.o.) could attenuate the expression of Meth-induced CPP in mice.
    MeSH terms: Methanol/chemistry*; Animals; Conditioning (Psychology)/drug effects*; Extinction, Psychological/drug effects; Fruit/chemistry*; Male; Methamphetamine/pharmacology*; Mice, Inbred ICR; Motor Activity/drug effects; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Bupropion/pharmacology; Morinda/chemistry*
  15. Rafieerad AR, Bushroa AR, Amiri A, Kalaiselvam K, Vellasamy KM, Vadivelu J
    J Hazard Mater, 2018 10 15;360:132-140.
    PMID: 30099356 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.07.107
    Antibacterial ability is vital in biological approaches as well as functional biomaterials. Besides, cytocompatibility aspect of biologic media, tissue and organs is always concern for appropriate synthesis. From the past, metallic/oxide phases of silver (Ag) material in various macro, micro or nano configurations have been widely used for antibacterial targets. While, background of Ag toxicity within particle, film and composites is posing gradual ion release affected by molecular bounding. Recent researches conducted to control, optimize and neutralize Ag limitations finding the benefits of ideal (∼ 100%) mediation against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Whereas, non-degradable releases history is still a challenge and its longer accumulation may cause to disrupt biostructures and disease risk. Thus, facile development of large-area organic materials with switchable bacteria toxicity and normal cell compatibility function is interesting for concerned approaches. Here, smart positively-charged stable arginine amino acid incorporated mono layer graphene (Arg-EMGr) nanobiocomposite introduced as useful antibacterial and safe bactericidal agent competitive with Ag direct. The immunity characteristic versus Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) comparably assessed with graphene oxide (GO) and different concentrations GO-AgNPs morphology. As cell viability matter, 1,3,5,7-days vitro culture assay shown attachment proliferation and cytotoxicity due to short interaction.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acids; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Arginine; Bacteria; Biocompatible Materials; Biological Products; Cell Survival; Escherichia coli; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Graphite; Oxides; Silver; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Cell Proliferation
  16. Deopujari CE, Padayachy L, Azmi A, Figaji A, Samantray SK
    Childs Nerv Syst, 2018 10;34(10):1905-1914.
    PMID: 30099619 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-018-3901-z
    The treatment of hydrocephalus has changed in recent years with better imaging and introduction of endoscopic procedures as well as enhanced shunts. Indications of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) are now more refined with better quantification of outcome. This article reviews the current state of neuroendoscopy for infective hydrocephalus in children. The roles of third ventriculostomy as a primary procedure or after shunt malfunction, endoscopic interventions in multiloculated hydrocephalus and introduction of intraventricular lavage to salvage severely infected children are evaluated.
    MeSH terms: Infectious Encephalitis/complications; Child; Female; Humans; Hydrocephalus/etiology; Hydrocephalus/surgery*; Male; Neuroendoscopy/methods*
  17. Tamadoni Jahromi S, Othman AS, Rosazlina R
    Biochem Genet, 2018 Aug 12.
    PMID: 30099639 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-018-9884-3
    There are two morphotypes of Penaeus semisulcatus described hitherto in the Persian Gulf, namely the banded and non-banded antennae morphotypes. In this study, we used morphometric measurements and two mitochondrial genes (16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I-COI) to assess relationships between the two morphotypes of P. semisulcatus. Out of 25 morphological characters examined, 10 characters were found significantly different between the two morphotypes when tested against separate sexes or both sexes combined. Results from the 16S rRNA and COI sequence analysis of two morphotypes of P. semisulcatus morphotype showed up to 6% and 17% sequence divergence, respectively. The 16S rDNA and COI sequences of the non-banding morphotype were not only very different to those of the banding morphotype but was also very different to all other Penaeus species (i.e., P. monodon, P. merguiensis, and P. indicus) included in the study. Both parsimony and Neighbor-Joining trees based on 16S rDNA and COI sequences provide similar tree topology that clearly separated the two morphotypes into two distinct groups. Based on these findings, we propose the two morphotypes of P. semisulcatus to be relegated as two sympatric species.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cetacea; Electron Transport Complex IV; DNA, Ribosomal; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sexual Behavior; Trees; Sequence Analysis; Indian Ocean; Chromosome Structures; Penaeidae; Genes, Mitochondrial; Sympatry
  18. Sani NDM, Heng LY, Marugan RSPM, Rajab NF
    Food Chem, 2018 Dec 15;269:503-510.
    PMID: 30100466 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.07.035
    The presence of carcinogens in food is a major food safety concern. A nanocomposite-based electrochemical DNA biosensor was constructed for potential carcinogen detection in food samples by immobilizing amine terminated single stranded DNA onto silica nanospheres deposited onto a screen-printed electrode modified using gold nanoparticles. The effect of three different DNA sequences: 15-base guanine, 24-base guanine and 24-base adenine-thymine rich DNA on carcinogen (formaldehyde and acrylamide) detection was evaluated. The competitive binding of the DNA with the carcinogen and electroactive indicator, Methylene blue (MB) was measured using differential pulse voltammetry. Optimization studies were conducted for MB concentration and accumulation time, DNA concentration, buffer concentration, pH and ionic strength. Overall, the 24-base guanine rich DNA yielded the best results with a detection limit of 0.0001 ppm, linear range between 0.0001 ppm and 0.1 ppm and reproducibility below 5% R.S.D. Finally, the results obtained using the biosensor were validated using Ames test.
  19. Aman S, Khan I, Ismail Z, Salleh MZ
    Neural Comput Appl, 2018;30(3):789-797.
    PMID: 30100679 DOI: 10.1007/s00521-016-2688-7
    Impacts of gold nanoparticles on MHD Poiseuille flow of nanofluid in a porous medium are studied. Mixed convection is induced due to external pressure gradient and buoyancy force. Additional effects of thermal radiation, chemical reaction and thermal diffusion are also considered. Gold nanoparticles of cylindrical shape are considered in kerosene oil taken as conventional base fluid. However, for comparison, four other types of nanoparticles (silver, copper, alumina and magnetite) are also considered. The problem is modeled in terms of partial differential equations with suitable boundary conditions and then computed by perturbation technique. Exact expressions for velocity and temperature are obtained. Graphical results are mapped in order to tackle the physics of the embedded parameters. This study mainly focuses on gold nanoparticles; however, for the sake of comparison, four other types of nanoparticles namely silver, copper, alumina and magnetite are analyzed for the heat transfer rate. The obtained results show that metals have higher rate of heat transfer than metal oxides. Gold nanoparticles have the highest rate of heat transfer followed by alumina and magnetite. Porosity and magnetic field have opposite effects on velocity.
    MeSH terms: Aluminum Oxide; Copper; Gold; Hot Temperature; Kerosene; Physics; Silver; Temperature; Porosity; Convection; Ferrosoferric Oxide; Metal Nanoparticles; Thermal Diffusion; Physical Phenomena; Magnetic Fields
  20. Schilthuizen M, Perreau M, Njunjić I
    Zookeys, 2018.
    PMID: 30100790 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.777.23212
    The available knowledge of the round fungus beetle subfamily Cholevinae (Leiodidae) from the island of Borneo is reviewed, and the results of newly studied material presented. The currently known 30 species (of which 14 are newly described herein) represent the genera Micronemadus (one species), Catops (one species), Baryodirus (one species), Ptomaphaginus (14 species), and Ptomaphaminus (13 species). The following new species are described: Micronemadussondaicus Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., Ptomaphaginusgrandis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.louis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.muluensis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., and P.isabellarossellini Schilthuizen, Njunjić & Perreau, sp. n., and Ptomaphaminuskinabatanganensis Njunjić, Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.testaceus Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.nanus Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.marshalli Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.hanskii Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.sarawacensis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.layangensis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., P.microphallus Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n., and P.alabensis Schilthuizen & Perreau, sp. n. It is expected that the cholevine biodiversity of Borneo is still far from completely known. Nonetheless, provisional identification keys to all species known so far are presented.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Borneo; Fungi; Trematoda; Biodiversity; Islands
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