Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Nguyen Bao KL, Sandjaja S, Poh BK, Rojroongwasinkul N, Huu CN, Sumedi E, et al.
    Nutrients, 2018 Jun 13;10(6).
    PMID: 29899251 DOI: 10.3390/nu10060759
    Despite a major decrease in undernutrition worldwide over the last 25 years, underweight and stunting in children still persist as public health issues especially in Africa and Asia. Adequate nutrition is one of the key factors for healthy growth and development of children. In this study, the associations between dairy consumption and nutritional status in the South East Asian Nutrition Survey (SEANUTS) were investigated. National representative data of 12,376 children in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam aged between 1 and 12 years were pooled, representing nearly 88 million children in this age category. It was found that the prevalence of stunting and underweight was lower in children who consumed dairy on a daily basis (10.0% and 12.0%, respectively) compared to children who did not use dairy (21.4% and 18.0%, respectively) (p < 0.05). The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency was lower in the group of dairy users (3.9% and 39.4%, respectively) compared to non-dairy consumers (7.5% and 53.8%, respectively) (p < 0.05). This study suggests that dairy as part of a daily diet plays an important role in growth and supports a healthy vitamin A and vitamin D status.
    MeSH terms: Age Factors; Asia, Southeastern; Child; Child Development*; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*; Child, Preschool; Dairy Products*; Growth Disorders/diagnosis; Growth Disorders/epidemiology; Growth Disorders/physiopathology*; Growth Disorders/prevention & control; Humans; Infant; Nutrition Surveys; Nutritional Status*; Risk Factors; Thinness/diagnosis; Thinness/epidemiology; Thinness/physiopathology*; Thinness/prevention & control; Vitamin A Deficiency/epidemiology; Vitamin A Deficiency/physiopathology; Vitamin D Deficiency/epidemiology; Vitamin D Deficiency/physiopathology; Prevalence; Recommended Dietary Allowances; Protective Factors; Healthy Diet
  2. Saleh MSM, Siddiqui MJ, Mat So'ad SZ, Roheem FO, Saidi-Besbes S, Khatib A
    Molecules, 2018 06 13;23(6).
    PMID: 29899270 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061434
    Salak fruit (Salacca zalacca), commonly known as snake fruit, is used indigenously as food and for medicinal applications in Southeast Asia. This study was conducted to evaluate the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of salak fruit extracts in correlation to its Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) fingerprint, utilizing orthogonal partial least square. This calibration model was applied to develop a rapid analytical method tool for quality control of this fruit. A total of 36 extracts prepared with different solvent ratios of ethanol⁻water (100, 80, 60, 40.20, 0% v/v) and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities determined. The FT-IR spectra of ethanol⁻water extracts measured in the region of 400 and 4000 cm−1 at a resolution of 4 cm−1. Multivariate analysis with a combination of orthogonal partial least-squares (OPLS) algorithm was used to correlate the bioactivity of the samples with the FT-IR spectral data. The OPLS biplot model identified several functional groups (C⁻H, C=O, C⁻N, N⁻H, C⁻O, and C=C) which actively induced α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.
    MeSH terms: alpha-Glucosidases; Enzyme Inhibitors/analysis*; Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology; Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry; Fruit/chemistry; Plant Extracts/analysis*; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Molecular Structure; Multivariate Analysis; Least-Squares Analysis; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared/methods*; Arecaceae/chemistry*; Carbohydrate Metabolism
  3. Ab Majid NL, Omar MA, Khoo YY, Mahadir Naidu B, Ling Miaw Yn J, Rodzlan Hasani WS, et al.
    J Hum Hypertens, 2018 Sep;32(8-9):617-624.
    PMID: 29899376 DOI: 10.1038/s41371-018-0082-x
    Hypertension is strongly associated with chronic diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and renal failure. The objective of this study is to determine the trend of prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among Malaysian population since 2006 to 2015. The study used the data from National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2006, 2011, and 2015. It was a cross-sectional with two-stage stratified random sampling throughout Malaysia for eligible respondents 18 years old and above. Respondents were interviewed face to face and blood pressure was recorded as the average reading from two electronic pressure monitoring measurements. Data was analyzed using the Complex sample module in SPSS Version 20. The prevalence of hypertension in Malaysia was 34.6% (95% CI: 33.9, 35.3) in 2006, 33.6% (95% CI: 32.6, 34.6) in 2011 and 35.3% (95% CI: 34.5, 36.3) in 2015. Awareness of hypertension in 2006, 2011, and 2015 was 35.6% (95% CI: 34.6, 36.6), 40.7% (95% CI: 39.3, 42.1), and 37.5% (95% CI: 36.1, 38.9) respectively. The trend of receiving treatment from 2006 to 2015 was 78.9% (95% CI: 77.5, 80.2) to 83.2% (95% CI: 81.3, 84.8). The control of hypertension increased significantly from 27.5% (95% CI: 25.9, 29.2) in 2006 to 37.4% (95% CI: 35.3, 39.5) in 2015. Despite higher proportions receiving treatment over time, the control of hypertension remained below 40% since NHMS 2006 until 2015. The strategies to further reduce the prevalence and increase awareness of hypertension should be enhanced particularly among the targeted age group to ensure early detection, treatment, and control thus preventing from long-term complications.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Hypertension/epidemiology*; Hypertension/therapy; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence
  4. Saleh RM, Zefarina Z, Che Mat NF, Chambers GK, Edinur HA
    Int J Prev Med, 2018;9:45.
    PMID: 29899883 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_232_16
    Transfusion procedures are always complicated by potential genetic mismatching between donor and recipient. Compatibility is determined by several major antigens, such as the ABO and Rhesus blood groups. Matching for other blood groups (Kell, Kidd, Duffy, and MNS), human platelet antigens, and human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) also contributes toward the successful transfusion outcomes, especially in multitransfused or highly immunized patients. All these antigens of tissue identity are highly polymorphic and thus present great challenges for finding suitable donors for transfusion patients. The ABO blood group and HLA markers are also the determinants of transplant compatibility, and mismatched antigens will cause graft rejection or graft-versus-host disease. Thus, a single and comprehensive registry covering all of the significant transfusion and transplantation antigens is expected to become an important tool in providing an efficient service capable of delivering safe blood and quickly locating matching organs/stem cells. This review article is intended as an accessible guide for physicians who care for transfusion-dependent patients. In particular, it serves to introduce the new molecular screening methods together with the biology of these systems, which underlies the tests.
  5. Bakr ZH, Wali Q, Ismail J, Elumalai NK, Uddin A, Jose R
    Data Brief, 2018 Jun;18:860-863.
    PMID: 29900250 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.03.110
    In this data article, we provide energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) spectra of the electrospun composite (SnO2-TiO2) nanowires with the elemental values measured in atomic and weight%. The linear sweep voltammetry data of composite and its component nanofibers are provided. The data collected in this article is directly related to our research article "Synergistic combination of electronic and electrical properties of SnO2 and TiO2 in a single SnO2-TiO2 composite nanowire for dye-sensitized solar cells" [1].
    MeSH terms: Body Weights and Measures; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; Titanium; Nanowires; Nanofibers
  6. Aziz HA, Razak MHA, Rahim MZA, Kamar WISW, Abu Amr SS, Hussain S, et al.
    Data Brief, 2018 Jun;18:920-927.
    PMID: 29900259 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.03.113
    Wastewater treatment is a key challenge in the textile industry. The current treatment methods for textile wastewater are insufficient or ineffective for complex dyes generated from the textile industry. This study evaluated the performances of two novel inorganic coagulants with high cationic charges, namely, titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) and zirconium tetrachloride (ZrCl4). They were utilised to treat textile industry wastewater. Both coagulation processes were performed under the same experimental operational conditions. Turbidity, suspended solids (SS), colour, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia were measured to assess the efficiencies of the coagulants. Results indicated that ZrCl4 and TiCl4 exhibited high potentials for textile wastewater treatment. ZrCl4 presented high removal efficiency in COD and SS, whereas TiCl4 showed excellent removal in ammonia.
    MeSH terms: Ammonia; Chlorides; Color; Coloring Agents; Textile Industry; Textiles; Titanium; Zirconium; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; Waste Water
  7. Arapidi G, Osetrova M, Ivanova O, Butenko I, Saveleva T, Pavlovich P, et al.
    Data Brief, 2018 Jun;18:1204-1211.
    PMID: 29900295 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.04.018
    Blood as connective tissue potentially contains evidence of all processes occurring within the organism, at least in trace amounts (Petricoin et al., 2006) [1]. Because of their small size, peptides penetrate cell membranes and epithelial barriers more freely than proteins. Among the peptides found in blood, there are both fragments of proteins secreted by various tissues and performing their function in plasma and receptor ligands: hormones, cytokines and mediators of cellular response (Anderson et al., 2002) [2]. In addition, in minor amounts, there are peptide disease markers (for example, oncomarkers) and even foreign peptides related to pathogenic organisms and infection agents. To propose an approach for detailed peptidome characterization, we carried out an LC-MS/MS analysis of blood serum and plasma samples taken from 20 healthy donors on a TripleTOF 5600+ mass-spectrometer. We prepared samples based on our previously developed method of peptide desorption from the surface of abundant blood plasma proteins followed by standard chromatographic steps (Ziganshin et al., 2011) [3]. The mass-spectrometry peptidomics data presented in this article have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium (Deutsch et al., 2017) [4] via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD008141 and 10.6019/PXD008141.
    MeSH terms: Blood Proteins; Cell Membrane; Chromatography, Liquid; Connective Tissue; Ligands; Peptides; Spectrum Analysis; Cytokines; Serum; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  8. Veeramohan R, Azizan KA, Aizat WM, Goh HH, Mansor SM, Yusof NSM, et al.
    Data Brief, 2018 Jun;18:1212-1216.
    PMID: 29900296 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.04.001
    Mitragyna speciosa is a psychoactive plant known as "ketum" in Malaysia and "kratom" in Thailand. This plant is distinctly known to produce two important alkaloids, namely mitragynine (MG) and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH-MG) that can bind to opioid receptors [1]. MG was reported to exhibit antidepressant properties in animal studies [2]. These compounds were also proposed to have the potential to replace opioid analgesics with much lower risks of side effects [3]. To date, there are only over 40 metabolites identified in M. speciosa [4,5]. To obtain a more complete profile of secondary metabolites in ketum, we performed metabolomics study using mature leaves of the green M. speciosa variety. The leaf samples were extracted using methanol prior to liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-TOF-MS) analysis. This data can be useful to for the identification of unknown metabolites that are associated with alkaloid biosynthesis pathway in M. speciosa.
    MeSH terms: Methanol; Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Chromatography, Liquid; Malaysia; Receptors, Opioid; Thailand; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Mitragyna; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Metabolomics
  9. Lee MK, Millns P, Mbaki Y, Ng ST, Tan CS, Lim KH, et al.
    Data Brief, 2018 Jun;18:1322-1326.
    PMID: 29900310 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.04.033
    The data in this article contain supporting evidence for the research manuscript entitled "Bronchodilator effects of Lignosus rhinocerotis extract on rat isolated airways is linked to the blockage of calcium entry" by Lee et al. (2018) [1]. The data were obtained by calcium imaging technique with fluorescent calcium indicator dyes, Fura 2-AM, to visualize calcium ion movement in the rat dorsal ganglion (DRG) cells. The effects of L. rhinocerotis cold water extract (CWE1) on intracellular calcium levels in the DRG cells were presented.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bronchodilator Agents; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Cytoplasm; Fluorescent Dyes; Neurons; Research; Water; Fura-2; Rats
  10. Zarkasi KZ, Halim MA, Nazari TF, Daud F
    Data Brief, 2018 Aug;19:514-519.
    PMID: 29900350 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.05.052
    This article contains data on the bacterial communities and its diversity associated with Anadara granosa. The A. granosa samples were obtained from two major estuaries in Penang, Malaysia using a culture dependent and 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing approaches. A. granosa, a commercial blood cockles and popular seafoods, is fragile to the surrounding environments. Thus, our research focused to better understand the bacterial communities and it diversity in the A. granosa, as well as on the generation of a metagenomic library from A. granosa to further understanding on it diversity. The bacteria Vibrionaceae (34.1%) was predominant in the A. granosa from both environments followed by Enterobacteriaceae (33.3%) and Bacillaceae (16.75%). Vibrio sp., Klebsiella sp., and Bacillus subtilis were the most abundant species present. The data generated in this research is the first metagenomic examination of A. granosa and will provide as a baseline to understand the bacterial communities associated with A. granosa and its surrounding natural environments.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bacillaceae; Bacillus subtilis; Klebsiella; Libraries; Malaysia; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Vibrio; Vibrionaceae; Seafood; Cardiidae; Arcidae; Metagenomics; Estuaries
  11. Kayode JS, Yusup Y
    Data Brief, 2018 Aug;19:798-803.
    PMID: 29900375 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.05.090
    A secondary dataset was generated from the Euldph-λ semi-automatic Algorithm, (ESA) developed to automatically computes various depths to the magnetic anomalies using a primary data set from gridded aeromagnetic data obtained in the study area. Euler Deconvolution techniques, (EDT), was adopted in the identification and definition of the magnetic anomaly source rocks in the study area. The aim is to use the straightforward technique to pinpoint magnetic anomalies at a depth which substantiate mineralization potential of the area. The ESA was integrated with the imaging function of Oasis Montaj 2014 source parameter from Geosoft® Inc. From the data, it could be summarized that similar tectonic processes during the deformation and metamorphic activities, the subsurface structures of the study area produce corresponding trending form.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Computers; Magnetics; Physical Phenomena; Magnetic Phenomena
  12. Abu Amr SS, Alkarkhi AFM, Alslaibi TM, Abujazar MSS
    Data Brief, 2018 Aug;19:951-958.
    PMID: 29900392 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2018.05.111
    Although landfilling is still the most suitable method for solid waste disposal, generation of large quantity of leachate is still considered as one of the main environmental problem. Efficient treatment of leachate is required prior to final discharge. Persulfate (S2O82-) recently used for leachate oxidation, the oxidation potential of persulfate can be improved by activate and initiate sulfate radical. The current data aimed to evaluate the performance of utilizing Al2SO4 reagent for activation of persulfate to treat landfill leachate. The data on chemical oxygen demand (COD), color, and NH3-H removals at different setting of the persulfate, Al2SO4 dosages, pH, and reaction time were collected using a central composite design (CCD) were measured to identify the optimum operating conditions. A total of 30 experiments were performed, the optimum conditions for S2O82-/Al2SO4 oxidation process was obtained. Quadratic models for chemical oxygen demand (COD), color, and NH3-H removals were significant with p-value 
    MeSH terms: Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Oxidation-Reduction; Patient Discharge; Reaction Time; Refuse Disposal; Sulfates; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis
  13. Samba AA, Bhoopathi PH, Sundaram RM, Patil AK, Gupta BV, Rao VT
    Indian J Dent Res, 2018 6 15;29(3):286-290.
    PMID: 29900910 DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_32_17
    Objectives: To compare the cephalometric characteristics of thalassemic children in the Indian subcontinent with the controls, matched for sex and dental age.

    Methodology: A total of 31 thalassemic children were a part of the study. Cephalometric readings were recorded for the study and the control group.

    Results: Within the Group I stage, the anterior cranial base length was 68.40±2.93 mm, shorter when compared to the control group. In the Group II stage, the maxillary/mandibular angle was 31.58° for the case group and the mandibular length was shorter in comparison to the controls. In the Group III stage, the SNB angle was 76.42°, lesser than the control group. A relative maxillary prognathism of 9.88 mm and 12.85 mm was observed in thalassemic males and females respectively through the Wiley's analysis.

    Conclusion: The overall picture depicted a retruded position of the maxilla and a retrognathic mandible within the study group. A class II profile has also been observed among the study subjects.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Cephalometry*; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; India; Male; Maxillofacial Development*; Thalassemia/complications*
  14. Singh MKD, Abdulrahman SA, Rashid A
    Indian J Dent Res, 2018 6 15;29(3):378-390.
    PMID: 29900926 DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_545_17
    Background: Given background sparsity of country-specific literature evidence, and the pervasive unhealthy lifestyle habits such as tobacco, alcohol use, and high sugar consumption among fishermen, the aim of this study was to assess the oral health status and associated lifestyle factors among Malaysian fishermen in Teluk Bahang, Penang.

    Subjects and Methods: In an analytical cross-sectional design, we used simple random sampling technique to select 242 multiracial Malaysian male fishermen aged between 18 and 75 years from five fishing villages located at Gurney Drive, Tanjong Tokong, Tanjong Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, and Teluk Bahang to participate in this study. During four consecutive weekends in January 2017, we conducted face-to-face interviews with participants using a pre-validated, interviewer-administered WHO oral health questionnaire. We categorized participants as having "good" or "poor" oral health based on a mean cutoff score of 14. Multivariate regression models were fitted to assess the oral health status and associated lifestyle factors among the study population, using SPSS version 22.

    Results: We achieved a response rate of 97.6%. Overall, the prevalence of poor oral health in this study was 47.5%. "Income" (RM/month), "type of fishing," "additional occupation," "age" (years), "frequency of pies, buns consumed," and "frequency of sweets, soft drinks consumed" were significant predictors of oral health status among the fishermen.

    Conclusion: Poor oral health is relatively highly prevalent among the fishermen in our study. The oral health status of fishermen in Teluk Bahang was consistent with the national average and significantly associated with their sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Targeted interventions are required to arrest and reverse this trend.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Status*; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Life Style*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Diseases/epidemiology*; Occupations*; Oral Health*; Prevalence
  15. Abdallah Q, Al-Deeb I, Bader A, Hamam F, Saleh K, Abdulmajid A
    Mol Med Rep, 2018 Aug;18(2):2441-2448.
    PMID: 29901194 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9155
    Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in malignant tumor progression and development. The present study aimed to identify lead plants with selective anti-angiogenic properties. A total of 26 methanolic extracts obtained from 18 plants growing in Saudi Arabia and Jordan that belong to the Lamiaceae family were screened for their cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic activities using MTT and rat aortic ring assays, respectively. Four novel extracts of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Phlomis viscosa Poir, Salvia samuelssonii Rech.f., and Premna resinosa (Hochst.) Schauer were identified for their selective anti-angiogenic effects. These extracts did not exhibit cytotoxic effects on human endothelial cells (EA.hy926) indicating the involvement of indirect anti-angiogenic mechanisms. The active extracts are potential candidates for further phytochemical and mechanistic studies.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/administration & dosage*; Antioxidants/chemistry; Aorta/drug effects; Aorta/growth & development; Humans; Jordan/epidemiology; Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Neoplasms/epidemiology; Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy*; Neovascularization, Pathologic/epidemiology; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry; Saudi Arabia/epidemiology; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/chemistry; Rats
  16. Negrini S, Arienti C, Pollet J, Engkasan JP, Gimigliano F, Grubisic F, et al.
    Eur J Phys Rehabil Med, 2018 Jun;54(3):463-465.
    PMID: 29901359 DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.18.05317-0
    Since his launch Cochrane Rehabilitation has started working to be a bridge between Cochrane and rehabilitation. After a fist period of work organization, the field has started producing actions through its committees: communication, education, methodology, publication and reviews. All the results of this first year of activity are listed in this report.
    MeSH terms: Female; Health Promotion; Humans; Male; Musculoskeletal Diseases/rehabilitation*; Rehabilitation/organization & administration*; Global Health; Program Evaluation; Databases, Bibliographic*; Program Development; Advisory Committees/organization & administration*
  17. Bashirom N, Kian TW, Kawamura G, Matsuda A, Razak KA, Lockman Z
    Nanotechnology, 2018 Sep 14;29(37):375701.
    PMID: 29901455 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aaccbd
    Visible-light-active freestanding zirconia (ZrO2) nanotube (FSZNT) arrays were fabricated by a facile electrochemical anodization method in fluoride containing ethylene glycol electrolyte added to it was 1 vol% of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) at 60 V for 1 h. Poor adhesion at the metal∣oxide interface was induced by K2CO3 leading to the formation of FSZNT flakes. The effect of the crystal structures of the FSZNTs e.g., amorphous, amorphous/tetragonal, and tetragonal/monoclinic was investigated towards the photocatalytic reduction of 10 ppm hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI) at pH 2 under sunlight. The results demonstrate the amorphous FSZNTs exhibited the highest Cr(VI) removal efficiency than the crystalline FSZNTs (95% versus 33% after 5 h). The high photocatalytic activity of the amorphous FSZNTs can be attributed to enhanced Cr(VI) adsorption, high visible light absorption, and better charge carrier separation. The low photocatalytic activity of the crystalline FSZNTs annealed at 500 °C was mainly attributed to poor Cr(VI) adsorption, low visible light absorption, and less photoactive monoclinic-ZrO2.
  18. Mohamed Haflah NH, Ng MH, Mohd Yunus MH, Naicker AS, Htwe O, Abdul Razak KA, et al.
    JBJS Case Connect, 2018 6 15;8(2):e38.
    PMID: 29901479 DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.17.00250
    CASE: A 22-year-old man sustained a laceration that measured 180 cm, after debridement, over the anterolateral aspect of the right leg following a road traffic accident. The wound was treated with MyDerm (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), a cell-based, bilayered, bioengineered dermal substitute that contains no animal-derived components and is fully autologous. For its construction, only a small area of skin was harvested from the left groin, which was closed primarily with absorbable sutures.

    CONCLUSION: MyDerm is an alternative option for the treatment of a massive skin defect in patients who desire removal of only a negligible amount of skin from the donor site and when use of an autograft is insufficient.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Leg/pathology; Leg/surgery; Leg Injuries/surgery*; Male; Transplantation, Autologous/instrumentation*; Skin, Artificial*; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/instrumentation*; Lacerations/surgery*; Tissue Engineering; Young Adult
  19. Guarino A, Lo Vecchio A, Dias JA, Berkley JA, Boey C, Bruzzese D, et al.
    J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 2018 11;67(5):586-593.
    PMID: 29901556 DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002053
    OBJECTIVE: Despite a substantial consistency in recommendations for the management of children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE), a high variability in clinical practice and a high rate of inappropriate medical interventions persist in both developing and developed countries.The aim of this study was to develop a set of clinical recommendations for the management of nonseverely malnourished children with AGE to be applied worldwide.

    METHODS: The Federation of International Societies of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (FISPGHAN) Working Group (WG) selected care protocols on the management of acute diarrhea in infants and children aged between 1 month and 18 years. The WG used a 3-step approach consisting of: systematic review and comparison of published guidelines, agreement on draft recommendations using Delphi methodology, and external peer-review and validation of recommendations.

    RESULTS: A core of recommendations including definition, diagnosis, nutritional management, and active treatment of AGE was developed with an overall agreement of 91% (range 80%-96%). A total of 28 world experts in pediatric gastroenterology and emergency medicine successively validated the set of 23 recommendations with an agreement of 87% (range 83%-95%). Recommendations on the use of antidiarrheal drugs and antiemetics received the lowest level of agreement and need to be tailored at local level. Oral rehydration and probiotics were the only treatments recommended.

    CONCLUSIONS: Universal recommendations to assist health care practitioners in managing children with AGE may improve practitioners' compliance with guidelines, reduce inappropriate interventions, and significantly impact clinical outcome and health care-associated costs.

    MeSH terms: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Protocols/standards; Diarrhea/therapy*; Female; Gastroenteritis/therapy*; Gastroenterology/standards*; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pediatrics/standards*; Societies, Medical; Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  20. Seow P, Wong JHD, Ahmad-Annuar A, Mahajan A, Abdullah NA, Ramli N
    Br J Radiol, 2018 Dec;91(1092):20170930.
    PMID: 29902076 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20170930
    OBJECTIVE:: The diversity of tumour characteristics among glioma patients, even within same tumour grade, is a big challenge for disease outcome prediction. A possible approach for improved radiological imaging could come from combining information obtained at the molecular level. This review assembles recent evidence highlighting the value of using radiogenomic biomarkers to infer the underlying biology of gliomas and its correlation with imaging features.

    METHODS:: A literature search was done for articles published between 2002 and 2017 on Medline electronic databases. Of 249 titles identified, 38 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with 14 articles related to quantifiable imaging parameters (heterogeneity, vascularity, diffusion, cell density, infiltrations, perfusion, and metabolite changes) and 24 articles relevant to molecular biomarkers linked to imaging.

    RESULTS:: Genes found to correlate with various imaging phenotypes were EGFR, MGMT, IDH1, VEGF, PDGF, TP53, and Ki-67. EGFR is the most studied gene related to imaging characteristics in the studies reviewed (41.7%), followed by MGMT (20.8%) and IDH1 (16.7%). A summary of the relationship amongst glioma morphology, gene expressions, imaging characteristics, prognosis and therapeutic response are presented.

    CONCLUSION:: The use of radiogenomics can provide insights to understanding tumour biology and the underlying molecular pathways. Certain MRI characteristics that show strong correlations with EGFR, MGMT and IDH1 could be used as imaging biomarkers. Knowing the pathways involved in tumour progression and their associated imaging patterns may assist in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment management, while facilitating personalised medicine.

    ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:: Radiogenomics can offer clinicians better insight into diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of therapeutic responses of glioma.

    MeSH terms: Brain Neoplasms/genetics; Genetic Markers; Glioma/genetics; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*; Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis; Gene Expression Profiling*; Genomics
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