Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Anada RP, Wong KT, Jayapalan JJ, Hashim OH, Ganesan D
    Electrophoresis, 2018 09;39(18):2308-2315.
    PMID: 29570807 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201700407
    The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which classifies patients into mild, moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a system used to prioritize treatment and prognosticate the severity of head injury. In this study, sera of patients with various stages of TBI, as well as control subjects, were analyzed to screen for proteins that may be used to complement the GCS system. By subjecting pooled serum samples to iTRAQ analysis for quantitative comparison of protein abundance, and attesting their altered levels using ELISA, we have detected increased levels of serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein, leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, fibronectin, vitronectin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin in patients across all strata of TBI relative to the controls. However, kininogen was decreased only in moderate and severe TBI, whereas apolipoprotein E and zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein were only increased in severe TBI. Hence, we propose a panel of serum biomarkers, which if analyzed within 24 h of the injury, can be used to diagnose patients with TBI into mild, moderate or severe stratification objectively, thus complementing the traditional GCS.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Proteins/analysis*; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Biomarkers/blood*; Glasgow Coma Scale; Case-Control Studies; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Young Adult; Brain Injuries, Traumatic/blood; Brain Injuries, Traumatic/diagnosis*
  2. Fox SH, Katzenschlager R, Lim SY, Barton B, de Bie RMA, Seppi K, et al.
    Mov Disord, 2018 08;33(8):1248-1266.
    PMID: 29570866 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27372
    OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to update evidence-based medicine recommendations for treating motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD).

    BACKGROUND: The Movement Disorder Society Evidence-Based Medicine Committee recommendations for treatments of PD were first published in 2002 and updated in 2011, and we continued the review to December 31, 2016.

    METHODS: Level I studies of interventions for motor symptoms were reviewed. Criteria for inclusion and quality scoring were as previously reported. Five clinical indications were considered, and conclusions regarding the implications for clinical practice are reported.

    RESULTS: A total of 143 new studies qualified. There are no clinically useful interventions to prevent/delay disease progression. For monotherapy of early PD, nonergot dopamine agonists, oral levodopa preparations, selegiline, and rasagiline are clinically useful. For adjunct therapy in early/stable PD, nonergot dopamine agonists, rasagiline, and zonisamide are clinically useful. For adjunct therapy in optimized PD for general or specific motor symptoms including gait, rivastigmine is possibly useful and physiotherapy is clinically useful; exercise-based movement strategy training and formalized patterned exercises are possibly useful. There are no new studies and no changes in the conclusions for the prevention/delay of motor complications. For treating motor fluctuations, most nonergot dopamine agonists, pergolide, levodopa ER, levodopa intestinal infusion, entacapone, opicapone, rasagiline, zonisamide, safinamide, and bilateral STN and GPi DBS are clinically useful. For dyskinesia, amantadine, clozapine, and bilateral STN DBS and GPi DBS are clinically useful.

    CONCLUSIONS: The options for treating PD symptoms continues to expand. These recommendations allow the treating physician to determine which intervention to recommend to an individual patient. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

    MeSH terms: Antiparkinson Agents; Humans; International Cooperation; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology*; Parkinson Disease/therapy*; Societies, Scientific/standards*; Evidence-Based Medicine*; Physical Therapy Modalities; Deep Brain Stimulation
  3. Zainuddin NH, Chee HY, Ahmad MZ, Mahdi MA, Abu Bakar MH, Yaacob MH
    J Biophotonics, 2018 08;11(8):e201700363.
    PMID: 29570957 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201700363
    This paper presents the development of tapered optical fiber sensor to detect a specific Leptospira bacteria DNA. The bacteria causes Leptospirosis, a deadly disease but with common early flu-like symptoms. Optical single mode fiber (SMF) of 125 μm diameter is tapered to produce 12 μm waist diameter and 15 cm length. The novel DNA-based optical fiber sensor is functionalized by incubating the tapered region with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane and glutaraldehyde. Probe DNA is immobilized onto the tapered region and subsequently hybridized by its complementary DNA (cDNA). The transmission spectra of the DNA-based optical fiber sensor are measured in the 1500 to 1600 nm wavelength range. It is discovered that the shift of the wavelength in the SMF sensor is linearly proportional with the increase in the cDNA concentrations from 0.1 to 1.0 nM. The sensitivity of the sensor toward DNA is measured to be 1.2862 nm/nM and able to detect as low as 0.1 fM. The sensor indicates high specificity when only minimal shift is detected for non-cDNA testing. The developed sensor is able to distinguish between actual DNA of Leptospira serovars (Canicola and Copenhageni) against Clostridium difficile (control sample) at very low (femtomolar) target concentrations.
    MeSH terms: DNA, Bacterial/analysis*; Leptospira/genetics*; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation*; Genome, Bacterial/genetics; Optical Fibers*; Limit of Detection*
  4. Jani J, Toor GS
    Water Res, 2018 06 15;137:344-354.
    PMID: 29571112 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.02.042
    Nitrogen (N) transport from land to water is a dominant contributor of N in estuarine waters leading to eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and hypoxia. Our objectives were to (1) investigate the composition of inorganic and organic N forms, (2) distinguish the sources and biogeochemical mechanisms of nitrate-N (NO3-N) transport using stable isotopes of NO3- and Bayesian mixing model, and (3) determine the dissolved organic N (DON) bioavailability using bioassays in a longitudinal gradient from freshwater to estuarine ecosystem located in the Tampa Bay, Florida, United States. We found that DON was the most dominant N form (mean: 64%, range: 46-83%) followed by particulate organic N (PON, mean: 22%, range: 14-37%), whereas inorganic N forms (NOx-N: 7%, NH4-N: 7%) were 14% of total N in freshwater and estuarine waters. Stable isotope data of NO3- revealed that nitrification was the main contributor (36.4%), followed by soil and organic N sources (25.5%), NO3- fertilizers (22.4%), and NH4+ fertilizers (15.7%). Bioassays showed that 14 to 65% of DON concentrations decreased after 5-days of incubation indicating utilization of DON by microbes in freshwater and estuarine waters. These results suggest that despite low proportion of inorganic N forms, the higher concentrations and bioavailability of DON can be a potential source of N for algae and bacteria leading to water quality degradation in the estuarine waters.
    MeSH terms: Bayes Theorem; Biological Availability; Eutrophication; Fertilizers; Florida; Fresh Water/analysis*; Fresh Water/chemistry; Models, Theoretical; Nitrates/analysis; Nitrogen/analysis*; Nitrogen/pharmacokinetics*; Soil; Ecosystem; Nitrification; Water Quality; Estuaries*
  5. Riley TV, Collins DA, Karunakaran R, Kahar MA, Adnan A, Hassan SA, et al.
    J Clin Microbiol, 2018 Jun;56(6).
    PMID: 29563206 DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00170-18
    Accumulating evidence shows a high prevalence of Clostridium difficile in Southeast Asia associated with a range of clinical presentations. However, severe infections are rarely reported. We investigated C. difficile infection (CDI) across four hospitals in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu, Malaysia. Enzyme immunoassays for glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxin A or B were performed on diarrheal stool specimens collected from patients in 2015 and 2016. Specimens were also cultured and isolates of C. difficile characterized by PCR ribotyping and detection of toxin genes. In total, 437 specimens were collected and fecal toxin was detected in 3.0%. A further 16.2% of specimens were GDH positive and toxin negative. After culture, toxigenic strains were isolated from 10.3% and nontoxigenic strains from 12.4% of specimens. The most prevalent PCR ribotypes (RTs) were RT 017 (20.0%) and RT 043 (10.0%). The high prevalence of RT 017 and nontoxigenic strains in Malaysia and in neighboring Thailand and Indonesia suggests that they localize to the region of Southeast Asia, with an implication that they may mediate the burden of CDI in the region.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; Bacterial Toxins/genetics*; Clostridium Infections/epidemiology*; Diarrhea/microbiology; Diarrhea/epidemiology; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Enterotoxins/genetics*; Feces/microbiology; Feces/chemistry; Female; Glutamate Dehydrogenase/analysis; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Indonesia/epidemiology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Thailand/epidemiology; Prevalence; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Clostridium difficile/genetics*; Clostridium difficile/isolation & purification*; Ribotyping; Young Adult
  6. David SR, Malek N, Mahadi AH, Chakravarthi S, Rajabalaya R
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2018;12:481-494.
    PMID: 29563773 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S146549
    Background: Peritonitis is the most serious complication of peritoneal dialysis. Staphylococcus aureus infections could lead to peritonitis which causes reversal of peritoneal dialysis treatment back to hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to develop a controlled release silicone adhesive-based mupirocin patch for prophylactic effect and analyze its antibacterial effectiveness against S. aureus.

    Methods: The matrix patches were prepared by using different polymers, with and without silicone adhesive, dibutyl sebacate and mupirocin. The patches were characterized for mechanical properties, drug content, moisture content, water absorption capacity and Fourier transform infrared spectrum. In vitro release studies were performed by using Franz diffusion cell. In vitro disk diffusion assay was performed on the Mueller-Hinton Agar plate to measure the zone of inhibition of the patches. The in vivo study was performed on four groups of rats with bacterial counts at three different time intervals, along with skin irritancy and histopathologic studies.

    Results: The patches showed appropriate average thickness (0.63-1.12 mm), tensile strength (5.08-10.08 MPa) and modulus of elasticity (21.53-42.19 MPa). The drug content ranged from 94.5% to 97.4%, while the moisture content and water absorption capacities at two relative humidities (75% and 93%) were in the range of 1.082-3.139 and 1.287-4.148 wt%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that there were no significant interactions between the polymer and the drug. The highest percentage of drug release at 8 hours was 47.94%. The highest zone of inhibition obtained was 28.3 mm against S. aureus. The in vivo studies showed that the bacterial colonies were fewer at 1 cm (7×101 CFU/mL) than at 2 cm (1.3×102 CFU/mL) over a 24-hour period. The patches were nonirritant to the skin, and histopathologic results also showed no toxic or damaging effects to the skin.

    Conclusion: The in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that controlled release patches reduced the migration of S. aureus on the live rat skin effectively, however, a longer duration of study is required to determine the effectiveness of the patch on a suitable peritonitis-induced animal model.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Silicones/pharmacology*; Silicones/chemistry; Skin/drug effects*; Skin/microbiology; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects*; Structure-Activity Relationship; Molecular Structure; Mupirocin/pharmacology*; Mupirocin/chemistry; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats
  7. Yoshikawa M, Ouji Y, Hirai N, Nakamura-Uchiyama F, Yamada M, Arizono N, et al.
    Trop Med Health, 2018;46:6.
    PMID: 29563849 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-018-0087-8
    Background: Countries in the Southeast Asia region have a high prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth, such as roundworm, whipworm, and hookworms [Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma ceylanicum]. Recent molecular-based surveys have revealed that A. ceylanicum, a zoonotic hookworm, is likely the second most prevalent hookworm species infecting humans in that part of the world, while others have noted that this infection is an emerging public health risk not only for indigenous people but also for visitors from other countries.

    Case presentation: We recently encountered four cases of A. ceylanicum infection in Japanese individuals who returned from Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea. Case 1 was a 25-year-old male who stayed in a rainforest in Malaysia for 4 weeks, where he developed abdominal pain and diarrhea in the third week. Eleven adult worms (five males, six females) were expelled after treatment with pyrantel pamoate and identified as A. ceylanicum based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Case 2 was a 26-year-old male who spent 2 years as an overseas cooperation volunteer for agriculture in Papua New Guinea. He did not note any symptoms at that time, though eggs were detected in feces samples at a medical check-up examination after returning. Although collection of adult worms was unsuccessful, DNA analysis of the eggs for cox1 and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 and ITS-2 genes demonstrated that they were A. ceylanicum. Case 3 was a 47-year-old male who spent 1 month in a rural village in Lao People's Democratic Republic and began suffering from watery diarrhea from the third week. A total of nine adult worms (three males, six females) were collected by endoscopic procedures and following treatment with pyrantel pamoate. Morphological examination and molecular analyses of the cox1 gene showed that they were A. ceylanicum. Case 4 was a 27-year-old male who participated in group travel to India for 5 days. Three weeks after returning, he developed abdominal pain and diarrhea. Hookworm eggs were found in feces samples and developed into larvae in culture, which were identified as A. ceylanicum based on molecular analysis of the cox1 gene. Eosinophilia was observed in all of the cases prior to treatment.

    Conclusions: A. ceylanicum should be recognized as an important etiologic pathogen of hookworm diseases in travelers to countries in the Southeast Asia and West Pacific Ocean regions.

  8. Mumtaz W, Vuong PL, Malik AS, Rashid RBA
    Cogn Neurodyn, 2018 Apr;12(2):141-156.
    PMID: 29564024 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-017-9465-x
    The screening test for alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients has been of subjective nature and could be misleading in particular cases such as a misreporting the actual quantity of alcohol intake. Although the neuroimaging modality such as electroencephalography (EEG) has shown promising research results in achieving objectivity during the screening and diagnosis of AUD patients. However, the translation of these findings for clinical applications has been largely understudied and hence less clear. This study advocates the use of EEG as a diagnostic and screening tool for AUD patients that may help the clinicians during clinical decision making. In this context, a comprehensive review on EEG-based methods is provided including related electrophysiological techniques reported in the literature. More specifically, the EEG abnormalities associated with the conditions of AUD patients are summarized. The aim is to explore the potentials of objective techniques involving quantities/features derived from resting EEG, event-related potentials or event-related oscillations data.
    MeSH terms: Clinical Decision-Making; Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholism; Electroencephalography; Evoked Potentials; Humans; Neuroimaging
  9. Le MHT, Lau SF, Ibrahim N, Noor Hayaty AK, Radzi ZB
    Korean J Orthod, 2018 Mar;48(2):98-106.
    PMID: 29564219 DOI: 10.4041/kjod.2018.48.2.98
    Objective: This study aimed to explore the usefulness of adjunctive buccal and palatal corticotomy for adult maxillary expansion in an animal model using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

    Methods: Twelve adult sheep were randomly divided into two groups (each n = 6): a control group, where no treatment was administered, and a treatment group, where buccal and palatal corticotomy-assisted maxillary expansion was performed. CBCT scans were taken before (T1) and after (T2) treatment. Differences in all transverse dental and alveolar dimensions, alveolar width at crest level, hard palate level, horizontal bone loss, interdental cusp width and inter-root apex were assessed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-WhitneyU-tests. Kruskal-Wallis tests and pairwise comparisons were used to detect the significance of differences among the inter-premolar and inter-molar widths.

    Results: CBCT data revealed significant changes in all transverse dental and alveolar dimensions. The mean interpremolar alveolar width showed an increase of 2.29 to 3.62 mm at the hard palate level, 3.89 to 4.38 mm at the alveolar crest level, and 9.17 to 10.42 mm at the buccal cusp level. Dental changes in the vertical dimension were not significant.

    Conclusions: Our findings based on an adult animal model suggest that adjunctive buccal and palatal corticotomy can allow for both skeletal and dental expansion, with the amount of dental expansion exceeding that of skeletal expansion at alveolar crest and hard palate levels by two and three folds, respectively. Therefore, this treatment modality is potential to enhance the outcomes of maxillary expansion in adults.

  10. Suhaili Z, Rafee P', Mat Azis N, Yeo CC, Nordin SA, Abdul Rahim AR, et al.
    Germs, 2018 Mar;8(1):21-30.
    PMID: 29564245 DOI: 10.18683/germs.2018.1129
    Introduction: This study aims to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles ofStaphylococcus aureusstrains isolated from university students and to determine the prevalence of constitutive and inducible clindamycin resistance, the latter being able to cause therapeutic failure due to false in vitro clindamycin susceptibility.

    Methods: S. aureus
    strains were isolated from the nasal swabs of 200 health sciences students of a Malaysian university. Twelve classes of antibiotics were used to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles with the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) phenotype for inducible clindamycin resistance determined by the double-diffusion test (D-test). Carriage of resistance and virulence genes was performed by PCR onS. aureusisolates that were methicillin resistant, erythromycin resistant and/or positive for the leukocidin gene,pvl(n=15).

    Results: Forty-nine isolates were viable and identified asS. aureuswith four of the isolates characterized as methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA; 2.0%). All isolates were susceptible to the antibiotics tested except for penicillin (resistance rate of 49%), erythromycin (16%), oxacillin (8%), cefoxitin (8%) and clindamycin (4%). Of the eight erythromycin-resistant isolates, iMLSBwas identified in five isolates (three of which were also MRSA). The majority of the erythromycin-resistant isolates harbored themsrAgene (four iMLSB) with the remaining iMLSBisolate harboring theermCgene.

    Conclusion: The presence of MRSA isolates which are also iMLSBin healthy individuals suggests that nasal carriage may play a role as a potential reservoir for the transmission of these pathogens.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cefoxitin; Clindamycin; Erythromycin; Humans; Leukocidins; Oxacillin; Staphylococcus aureus; Universities; Virulence; Prevalence; Methicillin Resistance; Streptogramin B; Lincosamides; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
  11. Ghoreyshi M, Khalilian A, Peyman M, Mohammadinia M, Peyman A
    J Curr Ophthalmol, 2018 Mar;30(1):63-67.
    PMID: 29564411 DOI: 10.1016/j.joco.2017.06.008
    Purpose: To compare the performance of OKULIX ray-tracing software with SRK-T and Hoffer Q formula in intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in patients presenting with cataract.

    Methods: In this prospective study, 104 eyes of 104 patients with cataract who underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation were recruited. Three IOL brands were used and for all eyes, IOL power calculation was performed using SRK-T, Hoffer Q formula and also OKULIX ray-tracing software. For all patients, axial length and keratometry data was obtained with IOLMaster 500 device and IOL power was determined using Hoffer Q and SRK-T formula. The IOL powers were also calculated using the OKULIX ray-tracing software combined with CASIA AS-OCT and IOLMaster 500 device. Optically measured axial length of eyes were inserted to OKULIX software from IOLMaster 500 device, and anterior and posterior tomographic and corneal pachymetry data was imported from CASIA AS-OCT into the OKULIX.The performance of each calculation methods was measured by subtracting the predicted postoperative refraction from the postoperative manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE). For each of the 3 methods, the mean absolute prediction error was determined, too.

    Results: The mean value absolute prediction error by OKULIX, SRK-T and Hoffer Q formulas, respectively, were 0.42 (±0.03), 0.36 (±0.02) and 0.37 (±0.02). The mean absolute prediction error by OKULIX had no significant difference between three IOL groups (P = 0.96), and it was confirmed that there was no meaningful statistically difference in mean absolute prediction error between the OKULIX, SRK-T and Hoffer Q formula. (P = 0.25). Also in each group of implanted IOLs, all three formulas worked with the same accuracy. The prediction error using OKULIX were within ±0.50 diopter in 63.5% of eyes and within ±1.00 diopter in 94.2% of eyes.

    Conclusion: OKULIX ray-tracing IOL power measurements provides reliable and satisfactory postoperative results, which are comparable to other 3rd generation formulas of SRK-T and Hoffer Q.

  12. Kamisan Atan I, Lin S, Dietz HP, Herbison P, Wilson PD, ProLong Study Group
    Int Urogynecol J, 2018 Nov;29(11):1637-1643.
    PMID: 29564511 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-018-3616-4
    INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Levator ani muscle (LAM) and anal sphincter tears are common after vaginal birth and are associated with female pelvic organ prolapse and anal incontinence. The impact of subsequent births on LAM and external anal sphincter (EAS) integrity is less well defined. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of LAM and EAS trauma in primiparous (VP1) and multiparous (VP2+) women who had delivered vaginally to assess if there were differences between the two groups. The null hypothesis was: there is no significant difference in the prevalence of LAM and EAS trauma between the two groups.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 195 women, participants of the Dunedin arm of the ProLong study (PROlapse and incontinence LONG-term research study) seen 20 years after their index birth. Assessment included a standardized questionnaire, ICS POP-Q and 4D translabial ultrasound. Post-imaging analysis of LAM and EAS integrity was undertaken blinded against other data. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test and results were expressed as odds ratios (OR).

    RESULTS: LAM avulsion and EAS defects were diagnosed in 31 (16%) and 24 (12.4%) women respectively. No significant difference in the prevalence of levator avulsion and EAS defects between primiparous (VP1) and multiparous (VP2+) women who had delivered vaginally (OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.72-5.01, p = 0.26) and (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.4-3.8, p = 0.76) respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: Most LAM avulsions and EAS defects seem to be caused by the first vaginal birth. Subsequent vaginal deliveries after the first were unlikely to cause further LAM trauma.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Anal Canal/injuries*; Anus Diseases/etiology; Anus Diseases/epidemiology*; Birth Order; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Obstetric Labor Complications/etiology; Obstetric Labor Complications/epidemiology*; Longitudinal Studies; Middle Aged; Parity; Pregnancy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ultrasonography/methods; Vagina; Prevalence; Odds Ratio; Delivery, Obstetric/adverse effects*; Delivery, Obstetric/methods; Postpartum Period; Pelvic Floor Disorders/etiology; Pelvic Floor Disorders/epidemiology*
  13. Wong CL, Yong CY, Muhamad A, Syahir A, Omar AR, Sieo CC, et al.
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2018 May;102(9):4131-4142.
    PMID: 29564523 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8921-9
    Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a major threat to the livestock industry worldwide. Despite constant surveillance and effective vaccination, the perpetual mutations of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) pose a huge challenge to FMD diagnosis. The immunodominant region of the FMDV VP1 protein (residues 131-170) displayed on phage T7 has been used to detect anti-FMDV in bovine sera. In the present study, the functional epitope was further delineated using amino acid sequence alignment, homology modelling and phage display. Two highly conserved regions (VP1145-152 and VP1159-170) were identified among different FMDV serotypes. The coding regions of these two epitopes were fused separately to the T7 genome and displayed on the phage particles. Interestingly, chimeric phage displaying the VP1159-170 epitope demonstrated a higher antigenicity than that displaying the VP1131-170 epitope. By contrast, phage T7 displaying the VP1145-152 epitope did not react significantly with the anti-FMDV antibodies in vaccinated bovine sera. This study has successfully identified a smaller functional epitope, VP1159-170, located at the C-terminal end of the structural VP1 protein. The phage T7 displaying this shorter epitope is a promising diagnostic reagent to detect anti-FMDV antibodies in vaccinated animals.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Viral/blood; Antibodies, Viral/metabolism; Epitopes/genetics; Epitopes/metabolism*; Cattle; Foot-and-Mouth Disease/diagnosis; Bacteriophage T7/genetics; Bacteriophage T7/metabolism*; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus/metabolism*; Capsid Proteins/genetics
  14. Albahri OS, Albahri AS, Mohammed KI, Zaidan AA, Zaidan BB, Hashim M, et al.
    J Med Syst, 2018 Mar 22;42(5):80.
    PMID: 29564649 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-018-0943-4
    The new and ground-breaking real-time remote monitoring in triage and priority-based sensor technology used in telemedicine have significantly bounded and dispersed communication components. To examine these technologies and provide researchers with a clear vision of this area, we must first be aware of the utilised approaches and existing limitations in this line of research. To this end, an extensive search was conducted to find articles dealing with (a) telemedicine, (b) triage, (c) priority and (d) sensor; (e) comprehensively review related applications and establish the coherent taxonomy of these articles. ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore and Web of Science databases were checked for articles on triage and priority-based sensor technology in telemedicine. The retrieved articles were filtered according to the type of telemedicine technology explored. A total of 150 articles were selected and classified into two categories. The first category includes reviews and surveys of triage and priority-based sensor technology in telemedicine. The second category includes articles on the three-tiered architecture of telemedicine. Tier 1 represents the users. Sensors acquire the vital signs of the users and send them to Tier 2, which is the personal gateway that uses local area network protocols or wireless body area network. Medical data are sent from Tier 2 to Tier 3, which is the healthcare provider in medical institutes. Then, the motivation for using triage and priority-based sensor technology in telemedicine, the issues related to the obstruction of its application and the development and utilisation of telemedicine are examined on the basis of the findings presented in the literature.
    MeSH terms: Computer Systems; Emergency Medical Services/methods*; Emergency Service, Hospital/organization & administration; Humans; Monitoring, Physiologic/methods*; Triage/methods*; Computer Security; Telemedicine/methods*; Vital Signs; Remote Sensing Technology/methods*; Wireless Technology
  15. Lim YC, Quek H, Offenhäuser C, Fazry S, Boyd A, Lavin M, et al.
    J Neurooncol, 2018 Jul;138(3):509-518.
    PMID: 29564746 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-018-2838-0
    Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly fatal disease with a 5 year survival rate of less than 22%. One of the most effective treatment regimens to date is the use of radiotherapy which induces lethal DNA double-strand breaks to prevent tumour growth. However, recurrence occurs in the majority of patients and is in-part a result of robust radioresistance mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrate that the multifunctional cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), confers a growth advantage in GBM cells but does not have the same effect on normal neural progenitor cells. Further analysis showed IL-6 can promote radioresistance in GBM cells when exposed to ionising radiation. Ablation of the Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated serine/threonine kinase that is recruited and activated by DNA double-strand breaks reverses the effect of radioresistance and re-sensitised GBM to DNA damage thus leading to increase cell death. Our finding suggests targeting the signaling cascade of DNA damage response is a potential therapeutic approach to circumvent IL-6 from promoting radioresistance in GBM.
    MeSH terms: Cell Line; Cell Survival/physiology; Cell Survival/radiation effects; DNA Damage/radiation effects; Glioblastoma/metabolism; Glioblastoma/radiotherapy*; Humans; Radiation Tolerance/physiology; Radiation, Ionizing; RNA, Messenger/metabolism; Interleukin-6/metabolism*; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/metabolism; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/radiotherapy*; Cell Death/physiology; Cell Death/radiation effects; Receptors, Interleukin-6/metabolism; Cell Proliferation/physiology; Cell Proliferation/radiation effects*; Neural Stem Cells/metabolism; Neural Stem Cells/radiation effects; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors*; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins/metabolism
  16. Nair HKR
    Int J Low Extrem Wounds, 2018 Mar;17(1):54-61.
    PMID: 29564953 DOI: 10.1177/1534734618762225
    The management of chronic nonhealing ulcers pose a great challenge because they are associated with morbidity and increased costs. This report presents the observations of standard management along with application of modified collagen with glycerin (MCG) in the periwound area for management of nonhealing wounds. This observational report included 50 patients (33 male, 17 female) aged 24 to 94 years having nonhealing wounds. All wounds were treated using standard treatment protocols (TIME concept), whereas the periwound severity was assessed using the Harikrishna Periwound Skin Classification (HPSC). All patients received once-daily application of MCG lotion directly in the periwound areas and compression bandaging until there was complete wound healing. Patient compliance was ensured by regular follow-up and counseling. All diabetic patients were counseled to ensure glycemic control during the entire follow-up period. The criteria used for wound healing were based on clinical observation, and proper epithelialization of the wound was the end point. The median age of the wounds was 12.0 weeks (95% CI = 8.00 - 58.08). Majority of the non-healing wounds were diabetic foot ulcers with age of wound between 4 weeks to 15 years. The median time to complete wound healing was 12.71 (95% CI = 10.00-16.67) weeks. Standard treatment protocol of TIME principle with periwound area assessment based on HPSC 2015 and treatment accordingly with topical application of MCG along with additional measures has shown complete healing of nonhealing wounds. However, further large-scale comparative studies are needed to substantiate these effects on a larger population.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Topical; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chronic Disease; Collagen/administration & dosage*; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glycerol/administration & dosage*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Skin/drug effects*; Solvents/administration & dosage; Wound Healing/drug effects*; Foot Ulcer/diagnosis; Foot Ulcer/drug therapy*; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Compression Bandages*
  17. Aw YY, Yeoh CK, Idris MA, Teh PL, Hamzah KA, Sazali SA
    Materials (Basel), 2018 Mar 22;11(4).
    PMID: 29565286 DOI: 10.3390/ma11040466
    Fused deposition modelling (FDM) has been widely used in medical appliances, automobile, aircraft and aerospace, household appliances, toys, and many other fields. The ease of processing, low cost and high flexibility of FDM technique are strong advantages compared to other techniques for thermoelectric polymer composite fabrication. This research work focuses on the effect of two crucial printing parameters (infill density and printing pattern) on the tensile, dynamic mechanical, and thermoelectric properties of conductive acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/zinc oxide (CABS/ZnO composites fabricated by FDM technique. Results revealed significant improvement in tensile strength and Young's modulus, with a decrease in elongation at break with infill density. Improvement in dynamic storage modulus was observed when infill density changed from 50% to 100%. However, the loss modulus and damping factor reduced gradually. The increase of thermal conductivity was relatively smaller compared to the improvement of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient, therefore, the calculated figure of merit (ZT) value increased with infill density. Line pattern performed better than rectilinear, especially in tensile properties and electrical conductivity. From the results obtained, FDM-fabricated CABS/ZnO showed much potential as a promising candidate for thermoelectric application.
    MeSH terms: Acrylonitrile; Aircraft; Automobiles; Butadienes; Electric Conductivity; Epoxy Compounds; Polymers; Printing; Tensile Strength; Thermal Conductivity; Zinc; Zinc Oxide; Styrene; Elastic Modulus
  18. Mohamed Mahzir KA, Abd Gani SS, Hasanah Zaidan U, Halmi MIE
    Molecules, 2018 Mar 22;23(4).
    PMID: 29565312 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23040724
    In this study, the optimal conditions for the extraction of antioxidants from the Buah Mahkota Dewa fruit (Phaleria macrocarpa) was determined by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimisation was applied using a Central Composite Design (CCD) to investigate the effect of three independent variables, namely extraction temperature (°C), extraction time (minutes) and extraction solvent to-feed ratio (% v/v) on four responses: free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), ferric ion reducing power assay (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The optimal conditions for the antioxidants extraction were found to be 64 °C extraction temperature, 66 min extraction time and 75% v/v solvent to-feed ratio giving the highest percentage yields of DPPH, FRAP, TPC and TFC of 86.85%, 7.47%, 292.86 mg/g and 3.22 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the data were subjected to Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the results showed that the polynomial equations for all models were significant, did not show lack of fit, and presented adjusted determination coefficients (R²) above 99%, proving that the yield of phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidants activities obtained experimentally were close to the predicted values and the suitability of the model employed in RSM to optimise the extraction conditions. Hence, in this study, the fruit from P. macrocarpa could be considered to have strong antioxidant ability and can be used in various cosmeceutical or medicinal applications.
    MeSH terms: Antioxidants/chemistry*; Flavonoids/chemistry*; Fruit/chemistry*; Phenols/chemistry*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Thymelaeaceae/chemistry*
  19. Ahmad T, Ismail A, Ahmad SA, Khalil KA, Leo TK, Awad EA, et al.
    Molecules, 2018 Mar 22;23(4).
    PMID: 29565325 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23040730
    Actinidin was used to pretreat the bovine hide and ultrasonic wave (53 kHz and 500 W) was used for the time durations of 2, 4 and 6 h at 60 °C to extract gelatin samples (UA2, UA4 and UA6, respectively). Control (UAC) gelatin was extracted using ultrasound for 6 h at 60 °C without enzyme pretreatment. There was significant (p < 0.05) increase in gelatin yield as the time duration of ultrasound treatment increased with UA6 giving the highest yield of 19.65%. Gel strength and viscosity of UAC and UA6 extracted gelatin samples were 627.53 and 502.16 g and 16.33 and 15.60 mPa.s, respectively. Longer duration of ultrasound treatment increased amino acids content of the extracted gelatin and UAC exhibited the highest content of amino acids. Progressive degradation of polypeptide chains was observed in the protein pattern of the extracted gelatin as the time duration of ultrasound extraction increased. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy depicted loss of molecular order and degradation in UA6. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed protein aggregation and network formation in the gelatin samples with increasing time of ultrasound treatment. The study indicated that ultrasound assisted gelatin extraction using actinidin exhibited high yield with good quality gelatin.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cattle; Cysteine Endopeptidases/chemistry*; Gelatin/chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Peptides/chemistry; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
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