Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Qiang S, Alsaeedi HA, Yuhong C, Yang H, Tong L, Kumar S, et al.
    J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol., 2018 Jun;183:127-132.
    PMID: 29704860 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2018.04.003
    BACKGROUND: Retinal degeneration is a condition ensued by various ocular disorders such as artery occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, retrolental fibroplasia and retinitis pigmentosa which cause abnormal loss of photoreceptor cells and lead to eventual vision impairment. No efficient treatment has yet been found, however, the use of stem cell therapy such as bone marrow and embryonic stem cells has opened a new treatment modality for retinal degenerative diseases. The major goal of this study is to analyze the potential of endothelial progenitor cells derived from bone marrow to differentiate into retinal neural cells for regenerative medicine purposes.

    METHODS: In this study, endothelial progenitor cells were induced in-vitro with photoreceptor growth factor (taurine) for 21 days. Subsequently, the morphology and gene expression of CRX and RHO of the photoreceptors-induced EPCs were examined through immunostaining assay.

    FINDINGS: The results indicated that the induced endothelial progenitor cells demonstrated positive gene expression of CRX and RHO. Our findings suggested that EPC cells may have a high advantage in cell replacement therapy for treating eye disease, in addition to other neural diseases, and may be a suitable cell source in regenerative medicine for eye disorders.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Bone Marrow Cells/cytology; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Immunohistochemistry; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Rhodopsin/genetics; Rhodopsin/metabolism*; Trans-Activators/genetics; Trans-Activators/metabolism*; Gene Expression; Homeodomain Proteins/genetics; Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism*; Antigens, CD34/metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/metabolism; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/metabolism; Mice; Endothelial Progenitor Cells/cytology; Endothelial Progenitor Cells/metabolism; AC133 Antigen/metabolism
  2. Tan KK, Zulkifle NI, Sulaiman S, Pang SP, NorAmdan N, MatRahim N, et al.
    BMC Evol. Biol., 2018 04 24;18(1):58.
    PMID: 29699483 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1175-4
    BACKGROUND: Dengue virus type 3 genotype III (DENV3/III) is associated with increased number of severe infections when it emerged in the Americas and Asia. We had previously demonstrated that the DENV3/III was introduced into Malaysia in the late 2000s. We investigated the genetic diversity of DENV3/III strains recovered from Malaysia and examined their phylogenetic relationships against other DENV3/III strains isolated globally.

    RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis revealed at least four distinct DENV3/III lineages. Two of the lineages (DENV3/III-B and DENV3/III-C) are current actively circulating whereas the DENV3/III-A and DENV3/III-D were no longer recovered since the 1980s. Selection pressure analysis revealed strong evidence of positive selection on a number of amino acid sites in PrM, E, NS1, NS2a, NS2b, NS3, NS4a, and NS5. The Malaysian DENV3/III isolates recovered in the 1980s (MY.59538/1987) clustered into DENV3/III-B, which was the lineage with cosmopolitan distribution consisting of strains actively circulating in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The Malaysian isolates recovered after the 2000s clustered within DENV3/III-C. This DENV3/III-C lineage displayed a more restricted geographical distribution and consisted of isolates recovered from Asia, denoted as the Asian lineage. Amino acid variation sites in NS5 (NS5-553I/M, NS5-629 T, and NS5-820E) differentiated the DENV3/III-C from other DENV3 viruses. The codon 629 of NS5 was identified as a positively selected site. While the NS5-698R was identified as unique to the genome of DENV3/III-C3. Phylogeographic results suggested that the recent Malaysian DENV3/III-C was likely to have been introduced from Singapore in 2008 and became endemic. From Malaysia, the virus subsequently spread into Taiwan and Thailand in the early part of the 2010s and later reintroduced into Singapore in 2013.

    CONCLUSIONS: Distinct clustering of the Malaysian old and new DENV3/III isolates suggests that the currently circulating DENV3/III in Malaysia did not descend directly from the strains recovered during the 1980s. Phylogenetic analyses and common genetic traits in the genome of the strains and those from the neighboring countries suggest that the Malaysian DENV3/III is likely to have been introduced from the neighboring regions. Malaysia, however, serves as one of the sources of the recent regional spread of DENV3/III-C3 within the Asia region.

    MeSH terms: Dengue/epidemiology; Dengue Virus/classification; Dengue Virus/genetics*; Dengue Virus/isolation & purification; Genotype; Geography; Humans; Malaysia; Phylogeny*; Selection, Genetic; Genetic Variation; Open Reading Frames/genetics; Amino Acid Substitution/genetics; Internationality; Phylogeography
  3. Khayi S, Blin P, Chong TM, Chan KG, Faure D
    Genome Announc, 2018 Apr 26;6(17).
    PMID: 29700139 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00233-18
    Dickeya solani species are emerging bacterial pathogens of Solanum tuberosum Here, we announce the complete genome sequences of two strains, Dickeya solani D s0432-1 and PPO 9019. Strain PPO 9019 represents the first described member of the genus Dickeya with an extrachromosomal genetic element.
    MeSH terms: Bacteria; Enterobacteriaceae; Solanum tuberosum
  4. Subramaniam R, Mani MP, Jaganathan SK
    Cardiovasc Eng Technol, 2018 09;9(3):503-513.
    PMID: 29700782 DOI: 10.1007/s13239-018-0357-y
    In this study, a small vascular graft based on polyurethane (PU) blended with chitosan (Ch) nanoparticles was fabricated using electrospinning technique. Initially, the chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized using ionic gelation method. UV-Vis spectrophotometer confirmed the presence of synthesized Ch nanoparticles by exhibiting absorption peak at 288 nm and the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the existence of the chitosan. Further, the synthesized Ch nanoparticles showed size diameter in the range of 134 ± 58 nm as measured using ImageJ. In the electrospun PU/chitosan graft, the fiber diameter and pore size diameter was found to be reduced compared to the pure PU owing to incorporation of chitosan into PU matrix. The FTIR spectrum revealed the presence of chitosan in the prepared nanocomposite membrane by the formation of the hydrogen bond and peak shift of CH and NH stretching. Moreover, the contact angle measurements revealed that the prepared graft showed decreased contact angle indicating hydrophilic nature compared to the pristine PU. The cytocompatibility studies revealed the non-toxic behavior of the fabricated graft. Hence, the prepared graft exhibiting significant physiochemical and non-toxic properties may be a plausible candidate for cardiovascular graft applications.
    MeSH terms: Cells, Cultured; Fibroblasts/drug effects; Fibroblasts/pathology; Humans; Hydrogen Bonding; Materials Testing; Particle Size; Polyurethanes/toxicity; Polyurethanes/chemistry*; Prosthesis Design; Surface Properties; Porosity; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/adverse effects; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/instrumentation*; Nanotechnology/methods*; Chitosan/analogs & derivatives; Chitosan/toxicity; Chitosan/chemistry*; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Nanoparticles*; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  5. Raja Jamaluddin RZA, Yook Heng L, Tan LL, Chong KF
    Sensors (Basel), 2018 Apr 26;18(5).
    PMID: 29701688 DOI: 10.3390/s18051343
    A new biosensor for the analysis of nitrite in food was developed based on hemoglobin (Hb) covalently immobilized on the succinimide functionalized poly(n-butyl acrylate)-graphene [poly(nBA)-rGO] composite film deposited on a carbon-paste screen-printed electrode (SPE). The immobilized Hb on the poly(nBA)-rGO conducting matrix exhibited electrocatalytic ability for the reduction of nitrite with significant enhancement in the reduction peak at −0.6 V versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Thus, direct determination of nitrite can be achieved by monitoring the cathodic peak current signal of the proposed polyacrylic-graphene hybrid film-based voltammetric nitrite biosensor. The nitrite biosensor exhibited a reproducible dynamic linear response range from 0.05⁻5 mg L−1 nitrite and a detection limit of 0.03 mg L−1. No significant interference was observed by potential interfering ions such as Ca2+, Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄⁺, Mg2+, and NO₃− ions. Analysis of nitrite in both raw and processed edible bird’s nest (EBN) samples demonstrated recovery of close to 100%. The covalent immobilization of Hb on poly(nBA)-rGO composite film has improved the performance of the electrochemical nitrite biosensor in terms of broader detection range, lower detection limit, and prolonged biosensor stability.
    MeSH terms: Electrodes; Enzymes, Immobilized; Graphite; Hemoglobins; Nitrites; Biosensing Techniques*; Electrochemical Techniques
  6. Hossain M, Mekhilef S, Afifi F, Halabi LM, Olatomiwa L, Seyedmahmoudian M, et al.
    PLoS One, 2018;13(4):e0193772.
    PMID: 29702645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193772
    In this paper, the suitability and performance of ANFIS (adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system), ANFIS-PSO (particle swarm optimization), ANFIS-GA (genetic algorithm) and ANFIS-DE (differential evolution) has been investigated for the prediction of monthly and weekly wind power density (WPD) of four different locations named Mersing, Kuala Terengganu, Pulau Langkawi and Bayan Lepas all in Malaysia. For this aim, standalone ANFIS, ANFIS-PSO, ANFIS-GA and ANFIS-DE prediction algorithm are developed in MATLAB platform. The performance of the proposed hybrid ANFIS models is determined by computing different statistical parameters such as mean absolute bias error (MABE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The results obtained from ANFIS-PSO and ANFIS-GA enjoy higher performance and accuracy than other models, and they can be suggested for practical application to predict monthly and weekly mean wind power density. Besides, the capability of the proposed hybrid ANFIS models is examined to predict the wind data for the locations where measured wind data are not available, and the results are compared with the measured wind data from nearby stations.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Malaysia; Models, Theoretical*; Wind*; Fuzzy Logic; Renewable Energy*
  7. Daoud HA, Md Sabri AQ, Loo CK, Mansoor AM
    PLoS One, 2018;13(4):e0195878.
    PMID: 29702697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195878
    This paper presents the concept of Simultaneous Localization and Multi-Mapping (SLAMM). It is a system that ensures continuous mapping and information preservation despite failures in tracking due to corrupted frames or sensor's malfunction; making it suitable for real-world applications. It works with single or multiple robots. In a single robot scenario the algorithm generates a new map at the time of tracking failure, and later it merges maps at the event of loop closure. Similarly, maps generated from multiple robots are merged without prior knowledge of their relative poses; which makes this algorithm flexible. The system works in real time at frame-rate speed. The proposed approach was tested on the KITTI and TUM RGB-D public datasets and it showed superior results compared to the state-of-the-arts in calibrated visual monocular keyframe-based SLAM. The mean tracking time is around 22 milliseconds. The initialization is twice as fast as it is in ORB-SLAM, and the retrieved map can reach up to 90 percent more in terms of information preservation depending on tracking loss and loop closure events. For the benefit of the community, the source code along with a framework to be run with Bebop drone are made available at https://github.com/hdaoud/ORBSLAMM.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Calibration; Programming Languages; Robotics
  8. Anniebell S, Gopinath SCB
    Curr Med Chem, 2018;25(12):1433-1445.
    PMID: 28093984 DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170116123633
    BACKGROUND: Research interest on the properties of polymer conjugated gold nanoparticle (GNP) in biomedicine is rapidly rising because of the extensive evidences for their unique properties. In the field of biomedicine, GNPs have been widely used because of their inertness and low levels of cytotoxicity. Therefore, when exposed to cells, they are less prone to exert damaging effects. GNPs are capable of being functionalized as desired and are ideal as they do not encourage undesired side reactions that might counter react with the intention of the functionalization. Biofouling is an occurrence that takes place at cellular and biological molecular level, binds non-specifically on the detection surface and forms a wrong output. This undesired incidence can be avoided by conjugating the surface of biomolecules with polymers. Densely packed repeating chains of polymers such as polyethylene glycol are capable of decreasing non-specific reactions. Applications of polymer conjugated GNPs in the field of biomedicine are as biosensors, delivery and therapeutic agents.

    CONCLUSION: Therefore, the properties and applications of polymer conjugated GNPs are studied widely as overviewed here.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Gold/chemistry*; Humans; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry*; Cell Line, Tumor; Nanomedicine/methods*; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  9. See HH, Mamat NA, Hauser PC
    Molecules, 2018 Apr 24;23(5).
    PMID: 29695126 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23051000
    A method for on-line matrix elimination to enable selective quantification of ultraviolet absorbing analytes by a flow-injection analysis procedure is described. Selectivity is achieved by electric field driven extraction across a polymer inclusion membrane. The method was demonstrated on the example of the determination of naproxen from spiked human urine. Membranes of 10 μm thickness were employed which consisted of 7.5 mg cellulose triacetate as base polymer, 5 mg of o-nitrophenyl octyl ether as plasticizer and 7.5 mg of Aliquat 336 as cationic carrier. Ten μL of sample was introduced into a continuous stream of background solution consisting of 100 µM aqueous NaClO₄ with a flow rate of 2 μL/min while applying a voltage of 150 V to the extraction cell. The target ion was electrokinetically transported across the membrane and enriched in 1.5 μL of a stagnant acceptor solution. This was subsequently pumped past a flow-through UV detector for quantification. The method showed a linear range from 5 to 200 µM with a correlation coefficient of 0.9978 and a reproducibility of typically 7% (n = 8). The detection limit of the method for naproxen was 2 µM.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Models, Theoretical*; Flow Injection Analysis*
  10. Ramalingam S, Samsuddin SM, Yusof N, Mohd S, Hanafi NN, Min NW, et al.
    J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2018 4 27;26(2):2309499018770906.
    PMID: 29695196 DOI: 10.1177/2309499018770906
    PURPOSE: Bone allografts supplied by University Malaya Medical Centre Bone Bank are sterilized by gamma radiation at 25 kGy in dry ice (DI) to minimize radiation effects. Use of cheaper and easily available cooling materials, gel ice (GI) and ice pack (IP), was explored. Composites of DI and GI were also studied for the use in routine transportations and radiation process.

    METHODS: (a) Five dummy bones were packed with DI, GI, or IP in a polystyrene box. The bone temperatures were monitored while the boxes were placed at room temperature over 96 h. Durations for each cooling material maintaining freezing temperatures below -40°C, -20°C, and 0°C were obtained from the bone temperature over time profiles. (b) Composites of DI (20, 15, 10, 5, and 0 kg) and GI were used to pack five dummy bones in a polystyrene box. The durations maintaining varying levels of freezing temperature were compared.

    RESULTS: DI (20 kg) maintained temperature below -40°C for 76.4 h as compared to 6.3 h in GI (20 bags) and 4.0 h in IP (15 packs). Composites of 15DI (15 kg DI and 9 GI bags) and 10DI (10 kg DI and 17 GI bags) maintained the temperature below -40°C for 61 and 35.5 h, respectively.

    CONCLUSION: Composites of DI and GI can be used to maintain bones in deep frozen state during irradiation, thus avoiding radiation effects on biomechanical properties. Sterile frozen bone allograft with preserved functional properties is required in clinical applications.

  11. Ibrahim M, Yap JY
    BMJ Case Rep, 2018 Apr 25;2018.
    PMID: 29695396 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-224552
    We describe the first clinical case of Burkholderia cepacia keratitis registered in Southeast Asia. A man in his mid-70s with underlying poorly controlled diabetes mellitus came with complaints of painful red left eye for 4 days. This was accompanied with photophobia and blurring of vision after being injured by a wooden particle while cutting grass. Slit-lamp examination showed a paracentral anterior corneal stromal infiltrates with overlying epithelial defect. Culture of the corneal smear isolated B. cepacia that was sensitive to ceftazidime, meropenem and bactrim (trimethorprim and sulfomethoxazole). Topical ceftazidime was given intensively to the patient and the infection resolved after 6 weeks of treatment.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Topical; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage; Ceftazidime/administration & dosage; Corneal Ulcer; Eye Injuries/complications; Humans; Immunocompetence; Male; Visual Acuity; Burkholderia cepacia/isolation & purification*; Burkholderia Infections/diagnosis; Burkholderia Infections/drug therapy; Burkholderia Infections/microbiology*; Diabetes Complications
  12. Kaka U, Rahman NA, Abubakar AA, Goh YM, Fakurazi S, Omar MA, et al.
    J Pain Res, 2018;11:743-752.
    PMID: 29695926 DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S152475
    Objectives: The effects of pre-emptive infusion of ketamine-lidocaine with tramadol on the suppression of central sensitization were investigated in a dog ovariohysterectomy model.

    Patients and methods: Twelve dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: ketamine-lidocaine-tramadol (KLT) and tramadol (T) groups. Both groups received intravenous tramadol 4 mg/kg body weight as premedication. Immediately after induction, the KLT group received ketamine and lidocaine at 0.5 and 2 mg/kg loading dose, followed by continuous rate infusion of 50 and 100 µg/kg/min, respectively, for 2 hours. Dogs in T group received saline bolus and continuous rate infusion at equi-volume. Intraoperatively, hemodynamic responses to surgical stimulation were recorded, whereas postoperative pain was evaluated using an algometer and short form of the Glasgow composite measure pain scale.

    Results: Intraoperatively, hemodynamic responses to surgical stimulation were obtunded to a greater degree in KLT compared to T group. Postoperatively, the pain scores increased only for the first hour in KLT group, compared to 12 hours in T group. Mechanical thresholds at the abdomen decreased postoperatively between 12 and 60 hours in KLT group versus the entire 72 hours in T group. Thresholds at tibia and radius in both groups increased in the immediate 1 hour postoperatively, but decreased thereafter. Significant decrement of thresholds from baseline were detected in the tibia at 24, 42, and 60 hours in KLT group compared to 24-72 hours in T group, and in the radius between 36 and 48 hours in T group, but none in KLT group.

    Conclusion: Addition of pre-emptive ketamine-lidocaine infusion to single intravenous dose of tramadol enhanced attenuation of central sensitization and improved intra- and postoperative analgesia.

  13. Mustapha NA, Hu A, Yu CP, Sharuddin SS, Ramli N, Shirai Y, et al.
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2018 Jun;102(12):5323-5334.
    PMID: 29696331 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9003-8
    Efficient approaches for the utilization of waste sewage sludge have been widely studied. One of them is to use it for the bioenergy production, specifically methane gas which is well-known to be driven by complex bacterial interactions during the anaerobic digestion process. Therefore, it is important to understand not only microorganisms for producing methane but also those for controlling or regulating the process. In this study, azithromycin analogs belonging to macrolide, ketolide, and lincosamide groups were applied to investigate the mechanisms and dynamics of bacterial community in waste sewage sludge for methane production. The stages of anaerobic digestion process were evaluated by measuring the production of intermediate substrates, such as protease activity, organic acids, the quantification of bacteria and archaea, and its community dynamics. All azithromycin analogs used in this study achieved a high methane production compared to the control sample without any antibiotic due to the efficient hydrolysis process and the presence of important fermentative bacteria and archaea responsible in the methanogenesis stage. The key microorganisms contributing to the methane production may be Clostridia, Cladilinea, Planctomycetes, and Alphaproteobacteria as an accelerator whereas Nitrosomonadaceae and Nitrospiraceae may be suppressors for methane production. In conclusion, the utilization of antibiotic analogs of macrolide, ketolide, and lincosamide groups has a promising ability in finding the essential microorganisms and improving the methane production using waste sewage sludge.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Archaea; Bacteria; Clostridium; Fermentation; Hydrolysis; Methane; Peptide Hydrolases; Sewage; Azithromycin; Alphaproteobacteria; Nitrosomonadaceae; Ketolides; Lincosamides
  14. Hanapi NHM, Yuliawiratman BS, Lai LL, Halil H, Koo JG, Suhaimi A
    Obes Surg, 2018 07;28(7):2130-2134.
    PMID: 29696574 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-018-3256-2
    Bariatric surgery offers a therapeutic alternative with favourable weight management, cardiovascular, metabolic and functional outcomes. Bariatric individuals often have functional impairments pre-operatively that can be addressed to improve post-operative results and eventual functional independence. Multidisciplinary team offers the best approach to address peri-operative needs and sustainable weight loss thereafter. We exemplified the application of cardiac rehabilitation therapeutic model in managing two bariatric clients with specific bariatric-related challenges. Our approach focuses on adaptive physical activity, sustainable lifestyle changes to promote post-operative weight loss through education and problem solving as well as secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Putting emphasis on addressing physical and psychosocial barriers towards physical activity alongside nutritional aspects potentially confers sustained if not better outcomes on weight reduction and functional improvement.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control*; Female; Humans; Male; Obesity, Morbid/complications; Obesity, Morbid/rehabilitation*; Obesity, Morbid/surgery; Weight Loss; Exercise/physiology; Osteoarthritis, Knee/complications; Osteoarthritis, Knee/therapy*; Mobility Limitation*; Secondary Prevention; Preoperative Period; Precision Medicine/standards
  15. Nagel G, Stafoggia M, Pedersen M, Andersen ZJ, Galassi C, Munkenast J, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2018 10 01;143(7):1632-1643.
    PMID: 29696642 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31564
    Air pollution has been classified as carcinogenic to humans. However, to date little is known about the relevance for cancers of the stomach and upper aerodigestive tract (UADT). We investigated the association of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution with incidence of gastric and UADT cancer in 11 European cohorts. Air pollution exposure was assigned by land-use regression models for particulate matter (PM) below 10 µm (PM10 ), below 2.5 µm (PM2.5 ), between 2.5 and 10 µm (PMcoarse ), PM2.5 absorbance and nitrogen oxides (NO2 and NOX ) as well as approximated by traffic indicators. Cox regression models with adjustment for potential confounders were used for cohort-specific analyses. Combined estimates were determined with random effects meta-analyses. During average follow-up of 14.1 years of 305,551 individuals, 744 incident cases of gastric cancer and 933 of UADT cancer occurred. The hazard ratio for an increase of 5 µg/m3 of PM2.5 was 1.38 (95% CI 0.99; 1.92) for gastric and 1.05 (95% CI 0.62; 1.77) for UADT cancers. No associations were found for any of the other exposures considered. Adjustment for additional confounders and restriction to study participants with stable addresses did not influence markedly the effect estimate for PM2.5 and gastric cancer. Higher estimated risks of gastric cancer associated with PM2.5 was found in men (HR 1.98 [1.30; 3.01]) as compared to women (HR 0.85 [0.5; 1.45]). This large multicentre cohort study shows an association between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and gastric cancer, but not UADT cancers, suggesting that air pollution may contribute to gastric cancer risk.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Air Pollution/adverse effects*; Europe/epidemiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Head and Neck Neoplasms/etiology; Head and Neck Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Stomach Neoplasms/etiology; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Incidence
  16. Murphy N, Achaintre D, Zamora-Ros R, Jenab M, Boutron-Ruault MC, Carbonnel F, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2018 Oct 01;143(7):1620-1631.
    PMID: 29696648 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31563
    Polyphenols have been shown to exert biological activity in experimental models of colon cancer; however, human data linking specific polyphenols to colon cancer is limited. We assessed the relationship between pre-diagnostic plasma polyphenols and colon cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. Using high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, we measured concentrations of 35 polyphenols in plasma from 809 incident colon cancer cases and 809 matched controls. We used multivariable adjusted conditional logistic regression models that included established colon cancer risk factors. The false discovery rate (qvalues ) was computed to control for multiple comparisons. All statistical tests were two-sided. After false discovery rate correction and in continuous log2 -transformed multivariable models, equol (odds ratio [OR] per log2 -value, 0.86, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.79-0.93; qvalue  = 0.01) and homovanillic acid (OR per log2 -value, 1.46, 95% CI = 1.16-1.84; qvalue  = 0.02) were associated with colon cancer risk. Comparing extreme fifths, equol concentrations were inversely associated with colon cancer risk (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.41-0.91, ptrend  = 0.003), while homovanillic acid concentrations were positively associated with colon cancer development (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.17-2.53, ptrend  
    MeSH terms: Colonic Neoplasms/blood; Colonic Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Colonic Neoplasms/etiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood*; Body Mass Index; Case-Control Studies; Polyphenols/blood*
  17. Mbandzi N, Wasserman RJ, Deyzel SHP, Vine NG, Whitfield AK
    J Fish Biol, 2018 Jun;92(6):1747-1767.
    PMID: 29696653 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13617
    The possible links between river flow, zooplankton abundance and the responses of zooplanktivorous fishes to physico-chemical and food resource changes are assessed. To this end, the seasonal abundance, distribution and diet of the estuarine round-herring Gilchristella aestuaria and Cape silverside Atherina breviceps were studied in the Kariega Estuary. Spatio-temporal differences were determined for selected physico-chemical variables, zooplankton abundance and zooplanktivorous fish abundance and distribution. Results indicated that, following a river flood event in winter (>30 m3  s-1 ), altered physico-chemical conditions occurred throughout the estuary and depressed zooplankton stocks. Abundance of G. aestuaria was highest in spring, with this species dominant in the upper and middle zones of the estuary, while A. breviceps was dominant in summer and preferred the middle and lower zones. The catch per unit of effort of both zooplanktivores also declined significantly following the flooding, thus suggesting that these fishes are reliant on zooplankton as a primary food source for healthy populations. Copepods dominated the stomach contents of both fish species, indicating a potential for strong interspecific competition for food, particularly in the middle reaches. Temporal differences were evident in dietary overlap between the two zooplanktivorous fish species and were correlated with river flow, zooplankton availability and fish distribution. The findings of this study emphasize the close trophic linkages between zooplankton and zooplanktivorous fishes under changing estuarine environmental conditions, particularly river flow and provide important baseline information for similar studies elsewhere in South Africa and the rest of the world.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Diet; Ecology; Fishes; Food; Gastrointestinal Contents; Nutritional Status; Seasons; South Africa; Zooplankton; Copepoda; Rivers; Floods; Estuaries
  18. Chellappan DK, Yap WS, Bt Ahmad Suhaimi NA, Gupta G, Dua K
    Panminerva Med, 2018 Sep;60(3):117-131.
    PMID: 29696964 DOI: 10.23736/S0031-0808.18.03455-9
    The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been increasing at an alarming rate. With an increased understanding of the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of T2DM, various new therapeutic options have been developed to target different key defects in T2DM. Incremental innovations of existing therapies either through unprecedented drug combinations, modified drug molecules, or improved delivery systems are capable to nullify some of the undesirable side effects of traditional therapies as well as to enhance effectiveness. The existing administration routes include inhalation, nasal, buccal, parenteral and oral. Newer drug targets such as protein kinase B (Akt/PKB), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin (SIRT), and others are novel approaches that act via different mechanisms and possibly treating T2DM of distinct variations and aetiologies. Other therapies such as endobarrier, gene therapy, and stem cell technology utilize advanced techniques to treat T2DM, and the potential of these therapies are still being explored. Gene therapy is plausible to fix the underlying pathology of T2DM instead of using traditional reactive treatments, especially with the debut of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-CRISPR associated protein9 (CRISPR-Cas9) gene editing tool. Molecular targets in T2DM are also being extensively studied as it could target the defects at the molecular level. Furthermore, antibody therapies and vaccinations are also being developed against T2DM; but the ongoing clinical trials are relatively lesser and the developmental progress is slower. Although, there are many therapies designed to cure T2DM, each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages. The preference for the treatment plan usually depends on the health status of the patient and the treatment goal. Therefore, an ideal treatment should take patient's compliance, efficacy, potency, bioavailability, and other pharmacological and non-pharmacological properties into account.
    MeSH terms: Adenylate Kinase/metabolism; Administration, Inhalation; Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy*; Fatty Acids/metabolism; Humans; Insulin/administration & dosage; Insulin/metabolism; Drug Design; Genetic Therapy; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/metabolism; Sirtuin 1/metabolism; CRISPR-Cas Systems
  19. Gwee KA, Lee WW, Ling KL, Ooi CJ, Quak SH, Dan YY, et al.
    J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2018 Oct;33(10):1707-1716.
    PMID: 29697855 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.14268
    The concept of consuming microorganisms in the treatment of a medical condition and in health maintenance has gained much attraction, giving rise to an abundance of medical claims and of health supplements. This study identified relevant clinical questions on the therapeutic use of probiotics and reviewed the literature in irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, impaired intestinal immunity, liver disease, intestinal infections, and common childhood digestive disorders. Statements were developed to address these clinical questions. A panel of experienced clinicians was tasked to critically evaluate and debate the available data. Both consensus and contentious statements are presented to provide to clinicians a perspective on the potential of probiotics and importantly their limitations.
    MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern; Digestive System Diseases/therapy*; Gastroenterology/organization & administration*; Gastrointestinal Diseases/therapy*; Humans; Societies, Medical/organization & administration*; Consensus*; Research Report*
  20. Rahman INA, Attan N, Mahat NA, Jamalis J, Abdul Keyon AS, Kurniawan C, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2018 Aug;115:680-695.
    PMID: 29698760 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.04.111
    The chemical-catalyzed transesterification process to produce biofuels i.e. pentyl valerate (PeVa) is environmentally unfriendly, energy-intensive with tedious downstream treatment. The present work reports the use of Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RML) crosslinked onto magnetic chitosan/chitin nanoparticles (RML-CS/CH/MNPs). The approach used to immobilize RML onto the CS/CH/MNPs yielded RML-CS/CH/MNPs with an immobilized protein loading and specific activity of 7.6 mg/g and 5.0 U·g-1, respectively. This was confirmed by assessing data of field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A three-level-four-factor Box-Behnken design (incubation time, temperature, substrate molar ratio, and enzyme loading) was used to optimize the RML-CS/CH/MNP-catalyzed esterification synthesis of PeVa. Under optimum condition, the maximum yield of PeVa (97.8%) can be achieved in 5 h at 50 °C using molar ratio valeric acid:pentanol (1:2) and an enzyme load of 2 mg/mL. Consequently, operational stability experiments showed that the protocol adopted to prepare the CS/CH/MNP nanoparticles had increased the durability of RML. The RML-CS/CH/MNP could catalyze up to eight successive esterification cycles to produce PeVa. The study also demonstrated the functionality of CS/CH/MNP nanoparticles as an eco-friendly support matrix for improving enzymatic activity and operational stability of RML to produce PeVa.
    MeSH terms: Chitin/chemistry*; Enzyme Stability; Enzymes, Immobilized/metabolism; Enzymes, Immobilized/chemistry; Lipase/metabolism*; Lipase/chemistry*; Temperature; Valerates/chemical synthesis*; Rhizomucor/enzymology*; Chitosan/chemistry*; Magnetite Nanoparticles/chemistry*; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic
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