Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Mohd Asihin MA, Bajuri MY, Ahmad J, Syed Kamaruddin SF
    Ceylon Med J, 2018 03 31;63(1):11-16.
    PMID: 29754479
    Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of ultrasonographic examination in predicting 4-strand semitendinosus and gracilis tendon (4S-STG) autograft size preoperatively in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and to evaluate the use of anthropometric measurement to predict the 4-strand semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (4S-STG) autograft size pre-operatively in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

    Method: Twenty-seven patients were included in this study conducted from 1st January to 31st December 2013. All patients were skeletally mature and scheduled to undergo primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using 4S-STG autograft. Ultrasonographic examination of semitendinosus and gracilis tendons to measure the cross sectional area was conducted and anthropometric data (weight, height, leg length and thigh circumference) was measured one day prior to surgery. True autograft diameters were measured intraoperatively using closed-hole sizing block in 0.5 mm incremental size.

    Results: There is a statistically significant correlation between the measured combined cross sectional area (semitendinosus and gracilis tendons) and 4S-STG autograft diameter (p = 0.023). An adequate autograft size (at least 7 mm) can be obtained when the combined cross sectional area is at least 15 mm2. There was no correlation with the anthropometric data except for thigh circumference (p = 0.037). Autograft size of at least 7 mm can be obtained when the thigh circumference is at least 41 mm.

    Conclusions: Both combined cross sectional area (semitendinosus and gracilis tendons) and thigh circumference can be used to predict an adequate 4S-STG autograft size.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Anthropometry; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Preoperative Care/methods*; Ultrasonography/methods*; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods*; Autografts/anatomy & histology; Autografts/transplantation; Hamstring Tendons/anatomy & histology; Hamstring Tendons/transplantation; Hamstring Tendons/diagnostic imaging*
  2. Muralidhara DV, Mat Nor MN, Zubaidi AL
    Int J Yoga, 2018 5 15;11(2):148-151.
    PMID: 29755224 DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_78_16
    Background: Physical activity is an integral part of one's daily life. Obese (Ob) and undernourished (UN) persons are known to underperform physically as compared to normal weight (N) individuals. In this study, we have measured the energy spent to perform a prefixed exercise on treadmill walking and basal heart rate and blood pressure. Body mass index (BMI) and body fat of participating individuals were assessed. Fasting blood sugar and lipid profile were also evaluated.

    Materials and Methods: Eighty-three young individuals (male: 41; female: 42) of medical faculty, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, who volunteered for the study, were recruited. The mean age of the individuals was 19.8 ± 0 years (P < 1.08). The individuals were grouped as N, UN/underweight, and overweight (Ow)/Ob based on BMI.

    Results: The results of the study revealed that there were no differences in the energy spent on performing the predetermined treadmill walking of 20 min duration among the three groups (a mean of 78 and 70 calories in all male and female subgroups, respectively). The distance covered by the males was 1.6 km while the females covered 1.4 km on treadmill walking in 20 min time. Basal blood pressure and heart rate and fasting blood sugar did not reveal any significant difference among the groups. However, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were marginally higher in the Ow/Ob groups of male and female individuals as compared to other groups.

    Conclusion: Since the study individuals were very young and competitive by nature and possibly had no major metabolic disturbances, the differences in physical activity performances were not obvious. Possibly, such differences would become apparent only at later stages of life as age advances or when the intensity and duration of exercise are set at higher levels.

  3. French IT, Muthusamy KA
    PMID: 29755338 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00099
    The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is situated in the upper pons in the dorsolateral portion of the ponto-mesencephalic tegmentum. Its main mass is positioned at the trochlear nucleus level, and is part of the mesenphalic locomotor region (MLR) in the upper brainstem. The human PPN is divided into two subnuclei, the pars compacta (PPNc) and pars dissipatus (PPNd), and constitutes both cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons with afferent and efferent projections to the cerebral cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia (BG), cerebellum, and spinal cord. The BG controls locomotion and posture via GABAergic output of the substantia nigra pars reticulate (SNr). In PD patients, GABAergic BG output levels are abnormally increased, and gait disturbances are produced via abnormal increases in SNr-induced inhibition of the MLR. Since the PPN is vastly connected with the BG and the brainstem, dysfunction within these systems lead to advanced symptomatic progression in Parkinson's disease (PD), including sleep and cognitive issues. To date, the best treatment is to perform deep brain stimulation (DBS) on PD patients as outcomes have shown positive effects in ameliorating the debilitating symptoms of this disease by treating pathological circuitries within the parkinsonian brain. It is therefore important to address the challenges and develop this procedure to improve the quality of life of PD patients.
  4. Atherton G, Cross L
    Front Psychol, 2018;9:528.
    PMID: 29755383 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00528
    Theory of mind (ToM) is defined as the process of taking another's perspective. Anthropomorphism can be seen as the extension of ToM to non-human entities. This review examines the literature concerning ToM and anthropomorphism in relation to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), specifically addressing the questions of how and why those on the spectrum both show an increased interest for anthropomorphism and may even show improved ToM abilities when judging the mental states of anthropomorphic characters. This review highlights that while individuals with ASD traditionally show deficits on a wide range of ToM tests, such as recognizing facial emotions, such ToM deficits may be ameliorated if the stimuli presented is cartoon or animal-like rather than in human form. Individuals with ASD show a greater interest in anthropomorphic characters and process the features of these characters using methods typically reserved for human stimuli. Personal accounts of individuals with ASD also suggest they may identify more closely with animals than other humans. It is shown how the social motivations hypothesized to underlie the anthropomorphizing of non-human targets may lead those on the spectrum to seek social connections and therefore gain ToM experience and expertise amongst unlikely sources.
  5. Zaharan NL, Muhamad NH, Jalaludin MY, Su TT, Mohamed Z, Mohamed MNA, et al.
    PMID: 29755414 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00209
    Background: Several non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) have been shown to be associated with obesity. Little is known about their associations and interactions with physical activity (PA) in relation to adiposity parameters among adolescents in Malaysia.

    Methods: We examined whether (a) PA and (b) selected nsSNPs are associated with adiposity parameters and whether PA interacts with these nsSNPs on these outcomes in adolescents from the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team study (n = 1,151). Body mass indices, waist-hip ratio, and percentage body fat (% BF) were obtained. PA was assessed using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Five nsSNPs were included: beta-3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) rs4994, FABP2 rs1799883, GHRL rs696217, MC3R rs3827103, and vitamin D receptor rs2228570, individually and as combined genetic risk score (GRS). Associations and interactions between nsSNPs and PAQ-C scores were examined using generalized linear model.

    Results: PAQ-C scores were associated with % BF (β = -0.44 [95% confidence interval -0.72, -0.16], p = 0.002). The CC genotype of ADRB3 rs4994 (β = -0.16 [-0.28, -0.05], corrected p = 0.01) and AA genotype of MC3R rs3827103 (β = -0.06 [-0.12, -0.00], p = 0.02) were significantly associated with % BF compared to TT and GG genotypes, respectively. Significant interactions with PA were found between ADRB3 rs4994 (β = -0.05 [-0.10, -0.01], p = 0.02) and combined GRS (β = -0.03 [-0.04, -0.01], p = 0.01) for % BF.

    Conclusion: Higher PA score was associated with reduced % BF in Malaysian adolescents. Of the nsSNPs, ADRB3 rs4994 and MC3R rs3827103 were associated with % BF. Significant interactions with PA were found for ADRB3 rs4994 and combined GRS on % BF but not on measurements of weight or circumferences. Targeting body fat represent prospects for molecular studies and lifestyle intervention in this population.

    MeSH terms: Adipose Tissue; Adolescent; Body Weight; Child; Humans; Life Style; Malaysia; Obesity; Exercise; Body Mass Index; Confidence Intervals; Linear Models; Receptors, Calcitriol; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3; Waist-Hip Ratio; Adiposity
  6. Osman MA, Neoh HM, Ab Mutalib NS, Chin SF, Jamal R
    Front Microbiol, 2018;9:767.
    PMID: 29755427 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00767
    The human gut holds the densest microbiome ecosystem essential in maintaining a healthy host physiology, whereby disruption of this ecosystem has been linked to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies such as the 16S rRNA gene sequencing has enabled characterization of the CRC gut microbiome architecture in an affordable and culture-free approach. Nevertheless, the lack of standardization in handling and storage of biospecimens, nucleic acid extraction, 16S rRNA gene primer selection, length, and depth of sequencing and bioinformatics analyses have contributed to discrepancies found in various published studies of this field. Accurate characterization of the CRC microbiome found in different stages of CRC has the potential to be developed into a screening tool in the clinical setting. This mini review aims to concisely compile all available CRC microbiome studies performed till end of 2016 and to suggest standardized protocols that are crucial in developing a gut microbiome screening panel for CRC.
    MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Colonic Neoplasms; Humans; Maintenance; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Colorectal Neoplasms; Computational Biology; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Microbiota
  7. Abdulameer SA, Sahib MN, Sulaiman SAS
    Open Rheumatol J, 2018;12:50-64.
    PMID: 29755605 DOI: 10.2174/1874312901812010050
    Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and osteoporosis are both chronic conditions and the relationship between them is complex.
    Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of Low Bone Mineral density (LBMD, i.e., osteopenia and osteoporosis), as well as, the difference and associations between Quantitative Ultrasound Scan (QUS) parameters with socio-demographic data and clinical related data among T2DM in Penang, Malaysia.
    Method: An observational, cross-sectional study with a convenient sample of 450 T2DM patients were recruited from the outpatient diabetes clinic at Hospital Pulau Pinang (HPP) to measure Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at the heel bone using QUS. In addition, a self-reported structured questionnaire about the socio-demographic data and osteoporosis risk factors were collected. Moreover, the study included the retrospective collection of clinical data from patients' medical records.
    Results: The mean value of T-score for normal BMD, osteopenic and osteoporotic patients' were (-0.41±0.44), (-1.65±0.39) and (-2.76±0.27), respectively. According to QUS measurements, more than three quarters of T2DM patients (82%) were at high risk of abnormal BMD. The results showed that QUS scores were significantly associated with age, gender, menopausal duration, educational level and diabetic related data. Moreover, the QUS parameters and T-scores demonstrated significant negative correlation with age, menopausal duration, diabetic duration and glycaemic control, as well as, a positive correlation with body mass index and waist to hip ratio. The current study revealed that none of the cardiovascular disease risk factors appear to influence the prevalence of low BMD among T2DM Malaysian patients.
    Conclusion: The study findings revealed that the assessment of T2DM patients' bone health and related factor are essential and future educational programs are crucial to improve osteoporosis management.
    Study site: Diabetes clinic, Hospital Pulau Pinang
    MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Hospitals, General; Humans; Malaysia; Osteoporosis*; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Prevalence*
  8. Laes JF, Aftimos P, Barthelemy P, Bellmunt J, Berchem G, Camps C, et al.
    Oncotarget, 2018 Apr 17;9(29):20282-20293.
    PMID: 29755651 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24757
    Molecular profiling and functional assessment of signalling pathways of advanced solid tumours are becoming increasingly available. However, their clinical utility in guiding patients' treatment remains unknown. Here, we assessed whether molecular profiling helps physicians in therapeutic decision making by analysing the molecular profiles of 1057 advanced cancer patient samples after failing at least one standard of care treatment using a combination of next-generation sequencing (NGS), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and other specific tests. The resulting information was interpreted and personalized treatments for each patient were suggested. Our data showed that NGS alone provided the oncologist with useful information in 10-50% of cases (depending on cancer type), whereas the addition of IHC/other tests increased extensively the usefulness of the information provided. Using internet surveys, we investigated how therapy recommendations influenced treatment choice of the oncologist. For patients who were still alive after the provision of the molecular information (76.8%), 60.4% of their oncologists followed report recommendations. Most treatment decisions (93.4%) were made based on the combination of NGS and IHC/other tests, and an approved drug- rather than clinical trial enrolment- was the main treatment choice. Most common reasons given by physicians to explain the non-adherence to recommendations were drug availability and cost, which remain barriers to personalised precision medicine. Finally, we observed that 27% of patients treated with the suggested therapies had an overall survival > 12 months. Our study demonstrates that the combination of NGS and IHC/other tests provides the most useful information in aiding treatment decisions by oncologists in routine clinical practice.
    MeSH terms: Decision Making; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Neoplasms; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires; Internet; Precision Medicine; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Standard of Care; Oncologists
  9. Zainal N, Hasbullah HH
    J Gastrointest Oncol, 2018 Apr;9(2):E6-E8.
    PMID: 29755781 DOI: 10.21037/jgo.2018.01.04
    Management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) generally follows EASL-EORTC clinical practise guideline. We report a case of a 50-year-old man who had multinodular HCC with lung metastases, whose management had deviated from the standard guideline but still survive 5 years after initial diagnosis.
    MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged
  10. Mat Bah MN, Sapian MH, Jamil MT, Alias A, Zahari N
    Pediatr Cardiol, 2018 Oct;39(7):1389-1396.
    PMID: 29756159 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-018-1908-6
    Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, data on survival of CCHD and the risk factors associated with its mortality are limited. This study examined CCHD survival and the risk factors for CCHD mortality. Using a retrospective cohort study of infants born with CCHD from 2006 to 2015, survival over 10 years was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the risk factors for mortality were analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression. A total of 491 CCHD cases were included in the study, with an overall mortality rate of 34.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.6-39.2). The intervention/surgical mortality rate was 9.8% ≤ 30 days and 11.5% > 30 days after surgery, and 17% died before surgery or intervention. The median age at death was 2.7 months [first quartile: 1 month, third quartile: 7.3 months]. The CCHD survival rate was 90.4% (95% CI 89-91.8%) at 1 month, 69.3% (95% CI 67.2-71.4%) at 1 year, 63.4% (95% CI 61.1-65.7%) at 5 years, and 61.4% (95% CI 58.9-63.9%) at 10 years. Weight of
    MeSH terms: Developing Countries; Female; Heart Defects, Congenital/diagnosis; Heart Defects, Congenital/mortality*; Humans; Infant; Infant Mortality; Male; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Cohort Studies; Survival Rate; Proportional Hazards Models; Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  11. Rejab M, Wong JHD, Jamalludin Z, Jong WL, Malik RA, Wan Ishak WZ, et al.
    Australas Phys Eng Sci Med, 2018 Jun;41(2):475-485.
    PMID: 29756166 DOI: 10.1007/s13246-018-0647-6
    This study investigates the characteristics and application of the optically-stimulated luminescence dosimeter (OSLD) in cobalt-60 high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, and compares the results with the dosage produced by the treatment planning system (TPS). The OSLD characteristics comprised linearity, reproducibility, angular dependence, depth dependence, signal depletion, bleaching rate and cumulative dose measurement. A phantom verification exercise was also conducted using the Farmer ionisation chamber and in vivo diodes. The OSLD signal indicated a supralinear response (R2 = 0.9998). It exhibited a depth-independent trend after a steep dose gradient region. The signal depletion per readout was negligible (0.02%), with expected deviation for angular dependence due to off-axis sensitive volume, ranging from 1 to 16%. The residual signal of the OSLDs after 1 day bleached was within 1.5%. The accumulated and bleached OSLD signals had a standard deviation of ± 0.78 and ± 0.18 Gy, respectively. The TPS was found to underestimate the measured doses with deviations of 5% in OSLD, 17% in the Farmer ionisation chamber, and 7 and 8% for bladder and rectal diode probes. Discrepancies can be due to the positional uncertainty in the high-dose gradient. This demonstrates a slight displacement of the organ at risk near the steep dose gradient region will result in a large dose uncertainty. This justifies the importance of in vivo measurements in cobalt-60 HDR brachytherapy.
    MeSH terms: Brachytherapy*; Calibration; Cobalt Radioisotopes/chemistry*; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Reproducibility of Results; Phantoms, Imaging; Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimetry
  12. Attanayake K, Munasinghe S, Goonewardene M, Widanapathirana P, Sandeepani I, Sanjeewa L
    Ceylon Med J, 2018 Mar 31;63(1):17-23.
    PMID: 29756422
    Aims: To estimate the gestational age and birth weight centiles of babies delivered normally, without any obstetric intervention, in women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies establishing spontaneous onset of labour.

    Method: Consecutive women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies, attending the Academic Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of the Teaching Hospital Mahamodara Galle, Sri Lanka, with confirmed dates and establishing spontaneous onset of labor and delivering vaginally between gestational age of 34 - 41 weeks, without any obstetric intervention , during the period September 2013 to February 2014 were studied. The gestational age at spontaneous onset of labor and vaginal delivery and the birth weights of the babies were recorded.

    Results: There were 3294 consecutive deliveries during this period, and of them 1602 (48.6%) met the inclusion criteria. Median gestational age at delivery was 275 days (range 238-291 days, IQR 269 to 280 days) and the median birth weight was 3000 g (range1700g - 4350g; IQR 2750-3250g). The 10th, 50th and 90th birth weight centiles of the babies delivered at a gestational age of 275 days were approximately 2570g, 3050g and 3550g respectively.

    Conclusions: The median gestational age among women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies who established spontaneous onset of labor and delivered vaginally, without any obstetric intervention, was approximately five days shorter than the traditionally accepted 280 days. At a gestational age of 275 days, the mean birth weight was approximately 3038g and the 50th centile of the birth weight of the babies delivered was approximately 3050g.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Birth Weight*; Female; Gestational Age*; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Labor Onset; Pregnancy; Sri Lanka; Delivery, Obstetric/methods; Delivery, Obstetric/statistics & numerical data*
  13. How SW, Lim SY, Lim PB, Aris AM, Ngoh GC, Curtis TP, et al.
    Water Sci Technol, 2018 May;77(9-10):2274-2283.
    PMID: 29757179 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2018.143
    Intensive aeration for nitrification is a major energy consumer in sewage treatment plants (STPs). Low-dissolved-oxygen (low-DO) nitrification has the potential to lower the aeration demand. However, the applicability of low-DO nitrification in the tropical climate is not well-understood. In this study, the potential of low-DO nitrification in tropical setting was first examined using batch kinetic experiments. Subsequently, the performance of low-DO nitrification was investigated in a laboratory-scale sequential batch reactor (SBR) for 42 days using real tropical sewage. The batch kinetic experiments showed that the seed sludge has a relatively high oxygen affinity. Thus, the rate of nitrification was not significantly reduced at low DO concentrations (0.5 mg/L). During the operation of the low-DO nitrification SBR, 90% of NH4-N was removed. The active low-DO nitrification was mainly attributed to the limited biodegradable organics in the sewage. Fluorescence in-situ hybridisation and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed the nitrifiers were related to Nitrospira genus and Nitrosomonadaceae family. Phylogenetic analysis suggests 47% of the operational taxonomic units in Nitrospira genus are closely related to a comammox bacteria. This study has demonstrated active low-DO nitrification in tropical setting, which is a more sustainable process that could significantly reduce the energy footprint of STPs.
    MeSH terms: Bacteria; Oxygen*; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sewage/microbiology*; Tropical Climate; Bioreactors/microbiology*; Nitrification*
  14. Radin Umar RZ, Sommerich CM, Lavender SA, Sanders E, Evans KD
    Ergonomics, 2018 Sep;61(9):1173-1186.
    PMID: 29757713 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2018.1475016
    Sound workplace ergonomics and safety-related interventions may be resisted by employees, and this may be detrimental to multiple stakeholders. Understanding fundamental aspects of decision-making, behavioural change, and learning cycles may provide insights into pathways influencing employees' acceptance of interventions. This manuscript reviews published literature on thinking processes and other topics relevant to decision making and incorporates the findings into two new conceptual frameworks of the workplace change adoption process. Such frameworks are useful for thinking about adoption in different ways and testing changes to traditional intervention implementation processes. Moving forward, it is recommended that future research focuses on systematic exploration of implementation process activities that integrate principles from the research literature on sense-making, decision-making, and learning processes. Such exploration may provide the groundwork for development of specific implementation strategies that are theoretically grounded and provide a revised understanding of how successful intervention adoption processes work. Practitioner summary: Adoption and acceptance of workplace changes may be facilitated through sound implementation strategies. This manuscript explores several principles of sense-making and decision-making processes that can potentially be used by industrial practitioners to inform the design and development of implementation strategies for interventions that improve workplace ergonomics and safety.

    ABBREVIATIONS:  Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs); National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA); Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

    MeSH terms: Decision Making*; Humans; Human Engineering/methods*; Learning; Musculoskeletal System/injuries; Organizational Innovation; Organizational Culture; Workplace/psychology*; Occupational Injuries/prevention & control*
  15. Leong CS, Vythilingam I, Wong ML, Wan Sulaiman WY, Lau YL
    Acta Trop, 2018 Sep;185:115-126.
    PMID: 29758171 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.05.008
    The resistance status of Selangor Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) larvae against four major groups of insecticides (i.e., organochlorines, carbamates, organophosphates and pyrethroids) was investigated. Aedes aegypti were susceptible against temephos (organophosphate), although resistance (RR50 = 0.21-2.64) may be developing. The insecticides susceptibility status of Ae. aegypti larvae were found heterogeneous among the different study sites. Results showed that Ae. aegypti larvae from Klang, Sabak Bernam and Sepang were susceptible against all insecticides tested. However, other study sites exhibited low to high resistance against all pyrethroids (RR50 = 1.19-32.16). Overall, the application of synergists ethacrynic acid, S.S.S.- tributylphosphorotrithioate and piperonyl butoxide increased the toxicity of insecticides investigated. However, the application failed to increase the mortality to susceptible level (>97%) for certain populations, therefore there are chances of alteration of target site resistance involved. Biochemical assays revealed that α-esterase, (Gombak, Kuala Langat, Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam strains) β-esterase (Klang and Sabak Bernam strains), acetylcholinesterase (Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam strains), glutathione-S-transferase (Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam strains) and mono-oxygenases (Gombak, Hulu Langat, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Langat strains) were elevated. Spearman rank-order correlation indicated a significant correlation between resistance ratios of: DDT and deltamethrin (r = 0.683, P = 0.042), cyfluthrin and deltamethrin (r = 0.867, P =0.002), cyflyuthrin and lambdacyhalothrin (r = 0.800, P =0.010), cyfluthrin and permethrin (r = 0.770, P =0.015) deltamethrin and permethrin (r = 0.803, P =0.088), propoxur and malathion (r = 0.867, P = 0.002), malathion and temephos (r = 0.800, P = 0.010), etofenprox and MFO enzyme (r = 0.667, P =0.050). The current study provides baseline information for vector control programs conducted by local authorities. The susceptibility status of Ae. aegypti should be monitored sporadically to ensure the effectiveness of current vector control strategy in Selangor.
    MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism; Aedes/drug effects*; Aedes/enzymology; Animals; Carbamates; Dengue/epidemiology*; Disease Outbreaks*; Esterases/metabolism; Female; Glutathione Transferase/metabolism; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Mixed Function Oxygenases/metabolism; Insecticide Resistance*; Insecticides*; Larva/drug effects*; Larva/enzymology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Pesticide Synergists; Organophosphates*; Pyrethrins*; Mosquito Vectors/drug effects; Mosquito Vectors/enzymology
  16. Chinitz L, Ritter P, Khelae SK, Iacopino S, Garweg C, Grazia-Bongiorni M, et al.
    Heart Rhythm, 2018 09;15(9):1363-1371.
    PMID: 29758405 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2018.05.004
    BACKGROUND: Micra is a leadless pacemaker that is implanted in the right ventricle and provides rate response via a 3-axis accelerometer (ACC). Custom software was developed to detect atrial contraction using the ACC enabling atrioventricular (AV) synchronous pacing.

    OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to sense atrial contractions from the Micra ACC signal and provide AV synchronous pacing.

    METHODS: The Micra Accelerometer Sensor Sub-Study (MASS) and MASS2 early feasibility studies showed intracardiac accelerations related to atrial contraction can be measured via ACC in the Micra leadless pacemaker. The Micra Atrial TRacking Using A Ventricular AccELerometer (MARVEL) study was a prospective multicenter study designed to characterize the closed-loop performance of an AV synchronous algorithm downloaded into previously implanted Micra devices. Atrioventricular synchrony (AVS) was measured during 30 minutes of rest and during VVI pacing. AVS was defined as a P wave visible on surface ECG followed by a ventricular event <300 ms.

    RESULTS: A total of 64 patients completed the MARVEL study procedure at 12 centers in 9 countries. Patients were implanted with a Micra for a median of 6.0 months (range 0-41.4). High-degree AV block was present in 33 patients, whereas 31 had predominantly intrinsic conduction during the study. Average AVS during AV algorithm pacing was 87.0% (95% confidence interval 81.8%-90.9%), 80.0% in high-degree block patients and 94.4% in patients with intrinsic conduction. AVS was significantly greater (P

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Electrocardiography/methods*; Equipment Design; Feasibility Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Heart Atria/physiopathology*; Heart Rate/physiology*; Heart Ventricles/physiopathology*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pacemaker, Artificial*; Prospective Studies; Atrioventricular Block/physiopathology; Atrioventricular Block/therapy*; Young Adult; Accelerometry/instrumentation*
  17. Masni-Azian, Tanaka M
    Comput Biol Med, 2018 07 01;98:26-38.
    PMID: 29758454 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2018.05.010
    Intervertebral disc degeneration involves changes in its material properties that affect the mechanical functions of the spinal system. However, the alteration of the biomechanics of a spinal segment through specific material degradation in a specific region is poorly understood. In this study, the influence of the constitutive material degeneration of disc tissues on the mechanics of a lower lumbar spinal unit was examined using a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model of the L4-L5 functional spinal unit. Different grades of disc degeneration were simulated by introducing a degeneration factor to the corresponding material properties to represent fibrous nucleus, increased fibre and ground substance laxity, increased fibre stiffness and total annular fracture along posterior and posterolateral regions. The model was loaded with an axial compression of 500 N and pure moments of up to 10 Nm to simulate extension, flexion, lateral bending and axial rotation. To validate the model, the spinal motion and intradiscal pressure of healthy and degenerated discs with existing in vitro data were compared. The disc with a fibrous nucleus and the presence of intradiscal pressure increase the spinal instability during flexion and axial rotation, and the absence of intradiscal pressure increases the spinal instability in all directions. Bulging displacement and shear strains in the disc with total fracture and ground substance laxity are high in all of the loading cases. Our study could provide useful information to enhance our understanding of the influence of each constitutive component of the intervertebral disc on the mechanics of the spinal segment.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Biomechanical Phenomena/physiology*; Humans; Intervertebral Disc/physiology*; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology*; Male; Models, Biological; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Range of Motion, Articular/physiology; Finite Element Analysis; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/physiopathology*
  18. Akhter S, Basirun WJ, Alias Y, Johan MR, Bagheri S, Shalauddin M, et al.
    Anal Biochem, 2018 06 15;551:29-36.
    PMID: 29753720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2018.05.004
    In the present study, a nanocomposite of f-MWCNTs-chitosan-Co was prepared by the immobilization of Co(II) on f-MWCNTs-chitosan by a self-assembly method and used for the quantitative determination of paracetamol (PR). The composite was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). The electroactivity of cobalt immobilized on f-MWCNTs-chitosan was assessed during the electro-oxidation of paracetamol. The prepared GCE modified f-MWCNTs/CTS-Co showed strong electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of PR. The electrochemical performances were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under favorable experimental conditions, differential pulse voltammetry showed a linear dynamic range between 0.1 and 400 μmol L-1 with a detection limit of 0.01 μmol L-1 for the PR solution. The fabricated sensor exhibited significant selectivity towards PR detection. The fabricated sensor was successfully applied for the determination of PR in commercial tablets and human serum sample.
    MeSH terms: Acetaminophen/analysis*; Acetaminophen/blood; Acetaminophen/toxicity; Cobalt/chemistry; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Tablets/chemistry; Biosensing Techniques/methods; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/analysis; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/blood; Nanotubes, Carbon/ultrastructure; Nanotubes, Carbon/chemistry; Chitosan/chemistry; Nanocomposites/ultrastructure; Nanocomposites/chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry; Electrochemical Techniques/methods*; Dielectric Spectroscopy; Antipyretics/analysis; Antipyretics/blood
  19. Far FE, Al-Obaidi MMJ, Desa MNM
    J Mycol Med, 2018 Sep;28(3):486-491.
    PMID: 29753721 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2018.04.007
    BACKGROUND: Malassezia furfur is lipodependent yeast like fungus that causes superficial mycoses such as pityriasis versicolor and dandruff. Nevertheless, there are no standard reference methods to perform susceptibility test of Malassezia species yet.

    AIMS: Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the optimized culture medium for growth of this lipophilic yeast using modified leeming-Notman agar and colorimetric resazurin microtiter assay to assess antimycotic activity of fluconazole against M. furfur.

    RESULTS: The result showed that these assays were more adjustable for M. furfur with reliable and reproducible MIC end-point, by confirming antimycotic activity of fluconazole with MIC of 2μg/ml.

    CONCLUSION: We conclude that this method is considered as the rapid and effective susceptibility testing of M. furfur with fluconazole antifungal activity.

    MeSH terms: Antifungal Agents/pharmacology*; Colorimetry/methods; Culture Media/chemistry; Dermatomycoses/microbiology; Humans; Malassezia/drug effects*; Malassezia/growth & development; Malassezia/physiology; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods; Oxazines/chemistry*; Tinea Versicolor/microbiology; Xanthenes/chemistry*; Fluconazole/pharmacology*
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