Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Zihlif M, Afifi F, Abu-Dahab R, Majid AMSA, Somrain H, Saleh MM, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2018 02 16;18(1):64.
    PMID: 29452588 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2126-8
    CORRECTION: After the publication [1] it came to the attention of the authors that one of the co-authors was incorrectly included as Hamza Somrain. The correct spelling is as follows: Hamzeh Sumrein.
    MeSH terms: Attention; Language; Publications; Publishing
  2. Day AC, Cooper D, Burr J, Foster PJ, Friedman DS, Gazzard G, et al.
    Br J Ophthalmol, 2018 12;102(12):1658-1662.
    PMID: 29453222 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2017-311447
    BACKGROUND: To describe the surgical technique and refractive outcomes following clear lens extraction (CLE) in the Effectiveness, in Angle-closure Glaucoma, of Lens Extraction trial.

    METHODS: Review of prospectively collected data from a multicentre, randomised controlled trial comparing CLE and laser peripheral iridotomy. Eligible participants were ≥50 years old and newly diagnosed with (1) primary angle closure (PAC) with intraocular pressure above 30 mm Hg or (2) PAC glaucoma. We report the postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and refractive outcomes at 12 and 36 months postoperatively for those who underwent CLE.

    RESULTS: Of the 419 participants, 208 were randomised to CLE. Mean baseline CDVA was 77.9 (SD 12.4) letters and did not change significantly at 36 months when mean CDVA was 79.9 (SD 10.9) letters. Mean preoperative spherical equivalents were +1.7 (SD 2.3) and +0.08 (SD 0.95) diopters (D) at 36 months. Fifty-nine per cent and 85% eyes were within ±0.5D and ±1.0D of predicted refraction, respectively, at 36 months.

    CONCLUSIONS: Mean CDVA in patients undergoing CLE for angle-closure glaucoma appeared stable over the 3-year study period. Refractive error was significantly reduced with surgery but refractive predictability was suboptimal.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:

  3. Nugroho AE, Inoue D, Wong CP, Hirasawa Y, Kaneda T, Shirota O, et al.
    J Nat Med, 2018 Mar;72(2):588-592.
    PMID: 29453649 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-018-1188-8
    Bioactivity guided separation of Reinwardtiodendron cinereum barks methanol extract led to the isolation of two new onocerane triterpenoids, reinereins A and B (1 and 2), together with three known onocerane triterpenoids. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic data. In vitro cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds against several type of cancer cells were evaluated.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Triterpenes/chemistry*; Molecular Structure; Meliaceae/chemistry*
  4. Ya'cob Z, Takaoka H, Low VL, Sofian-Azirun M
    Acta Trop, 2018 Jun;182:1-3.
    PMID: 29453951 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.02.007
    Simulium (Simulium) rasuli sp. nov. is described from two females collected by a Malaise trap in Genting Highlands, Peninsular Malaysia. This new species is placed in the Simulium christophersi species-group of the subgenus Simulium. The female of this new specie is characterized by the scutum with three longitudinal vittae, dark legs, claw with a small subbasal tooth, and ovipositor valve triangular with its inner margin nearly straight. This new species is distinguished in the female from all the six named species of the species-group by the entirely brownish-black femora and tibiae.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Malaysia; Simuliidae/anatomy & histology; Simuliidae/classification*
  5. Wei L, Syed Mortadza SA, Yan J, Zhang L, Wang L, Yin Y, et al.
    Neurosci Biobehav Rev, 2018 Apr;87:192-205.
    PMID: 29453990 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.02.005
    Mood disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that represent leading global disease burdens. Increasing evidence from clinical and preclinical studies supports that innate immune system dysfunction plays an important part in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. P2X7 receptor, belonging to the ligand-gated ion channel P2X subfamily of purinergic P2 receptors for extracellular ATP, is highly expressed in immune cells including microglia in the central nervous system (CNS) and has a vital role in mediating innate immune response. The P2X7 receptor is also important in neuron-glia signalling in the CNS. The gene encoding human P2X7 receptor is located in a locus of susceptibility to mood disorders. In this review, we will discuss the recent progress in understanding the role of the P2X7 receptor in the pathogenesis and development of mood disorders and in discovering CNS-penetrable P2X7 antagonists for potential uses in in vivo imaging to monitor brain inflammation and antidepressant therapeutics.
    MeSH terms: Adenosine Triphosphate/physiology*; Animals; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use*; Encephalitis/complications; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7/physiology*; Purinergic P2X Receptor Antagonists/therapeutic use
  6. Suguna S, Shankar S, Jaganathan SK, Manikandan A
    J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2018 Feb 01;18(2):1019-1026.
    PMID: 29448527 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2018.13960
    Ni-doped cobalt aluminate NixCo1-xAl2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) spinel nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a simple microwave combustion method using urea as the fuel and as well as reducing agent. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was confirmed the formation of single phase, cubic spinel cobalt-nickel aluminate structure without any other impurities. Average crystallite sizes of the samples were found to be in the range of 18.93 nm to 21.47 nm by Scherrer's formula. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectral analysis was confirmed the corresponding functional groups of the M-O, Al-O and M-Al-O (M = Co and Ni) bonds of spinel NixCo1-xAl2O4 structure. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images was confirmed the particle like nanostructured morphology. Energy band gap (Eg) value was calculated using UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and the Eg values increased with increasing Ni2+ dopant from x = 0.2 (3.58 eV) to x = 1.0 (4.15 eV). Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements exposed that undoped and Ni-doped CoAl2O4 samples have superparamagnetic behavior and the magnetization (Ms) values were increased with increasing Ni2+ ions. Spinel NixCo1-xAl2O4 samples has been used for the catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde and was found that the sample Ni0.6Co0.4Al2O4 showed higher conversion 94.37% with 100% selectivity than other samples, which may be due to the smaller particle size and higher surface area.
    MeSH terms: Aluminum Oxide; Benzaldehydes; Cobalt; Fourier Analysis; Ions; Magnesium Oxide; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microwaves; Nickel; Particle Size; Urea; X-Ray Diffraction; X-Rays; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Reducing Agents; Benzyl Alcohol; Powder Diffraction; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Magnetite Nanoparticles
  7. Hashim Y
    J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2018 Feb 01;18(2):1199-1201.
    PMID: 29448557 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2018.13956
    This study explores optimization of resistance load (R-Load) of four silicon nanowire transistor (SiNWT)-based static random-access memory (SRAM) cell. Noise margins and inflection voltage of butterfly characteristics with static power consumption of SRAM cell are used as limiting factors in this optimization. Range of R-Load used in this study was 20-1000 KΩ with Vdd = 1 V. Results indicate that optimization depends critically on resistance load value. The optimized range of R-Load is 100-200 KΩ.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biochemical Phenomena; Butterflies; Data Collection; Physiological Phenomena; Silicon; Nanowires
  8. Bhavani P, Manikandan A, Jaganathan SK, Shankar S, Antony SA
    J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2018 Feb 01;18(2):1388-1395.
    PMID: 29448597 DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2018.14112
    Undoped and Mn2+ doped CoAl2O4 (MnxCo1-xAl2O4; x = 0.0 to 1.0) spinel nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a microwave heating method using glycine as the fuel. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was confirmed the cubic spinel structure. The average crystallite size of the samples was found to be in the range of 16.46 nm to 20.25 nm calculated by Scherrer's formula. The nano-sized particle-like morphology of the samples was confirmed by high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) results showed the pure form of spinel aluminate structure. The band gap energy (Eg) of pure CoAl2O4 was estimated to be 3.68 eV from UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and the Eg values increased with increase of Mn2+ ions, due to the smaller grain size. The magnetic hysteresis (M-H) loop showed the superparamagnetic nature, and the magnetization and coercivity values increased with increasing Mn2+ ions, which was confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). All compositions of the nano-catalysts were tested as catalyst successfully for the conversion of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde and observed good catalytic activity.
    MeSH terms: Aluminum Oxide; Benzaldehydes; Glycine; Heating; Ions; Magnesium Oxide; Magnetics; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microwaves; Spectrum Analysis; X-Rays; Benzyl Alcohol; Powder Diffraction; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Magnetite Nanoparticles
  9. Sweeti, Joshi D, Panigrahi BK, Anand S, Santhosh J
    J Med Eng Technol, 2018 Feb;42(2):113-120.
    PMID: 29448856 DOI: 10.1080/03091902.2018.1433244
    Selective visual attention is the ability to selectively pay attention to the targets while inhibiting the distractors. This paper aims to study the targets and non-targets interplay in spatial attention task while subject attends to the target object present in one visual hemifield and ignores the distractor present in another visual hemifield. This paper performs the averaged evoked response potential (ERP) analysis and time-frequency analysis. ERP analysis agrees to the left hemisphere superiority over late potentials for the targets present in right visual hemifield. Time-frequency analysis performed suggests two parameters i.e. event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) and inter-trial coherence (ITC). These parameters show the same properties for the target present in either of the visual hemifields but show the difference while comparing the activity corresponding to the targets and non-targets. In this way, this study helps to visualise the difference between targets present in the left and right visual hemifields and, also the targets and non-targets present in the left and right visual hemifields. These results could be utilised to monitor subjects' performance in brain-computer interface (BCI) and neurorehabilitation.
    MeSH terms: Neurological Rehabilitation; Evoked Potentials/physiology*; Female; Humans; Male; Reaction Time/physiology; Visual Perception/physiology
  10. Alam Shah S, Selamat J, Haque Akanda MJ, Sanny M, Khatib A
    PMID: 29448903 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2018.1440639
    The objective of the study was to determine the effect of different types of soy sauce and marinating time on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) in roasted chicken. Chicken breast samples were marinated with sweet, salty, light and dark soy sauce at 0, 3, 6 and 12 h (control treatment was the chicken without marinade). The concentrations of free amino acids, sugars and creatinine were determined before roasting while HCA concentrations were determined after roasting. All types of soy sauce significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) the concentration of HCAs in roasted chicken with increasing marinating time. The highest increment of total concentration of HCAs was found in samples marinated with light soy sauce (887%) followed by dark (375%), salty (193%) and sweet (169%) at 12 h. PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo(4,5-b)pyridine) showed a substantial reduction in samples only momentarily marinated with sweet, salty and dark soy sauce (0 h). Free amino acids were found to be more strongly correlated with the formation of HCAs than reducing sugars or creatinine.
    MeSH terms: Amines/analysis*; Amines/metabolism; Animals; Chickens*; Cooking*; Food Contamination/analysis*; Heterocyclic Compounds/analysis*; Heterocyclic Compounds/metabolism; Soy Foods*
  11. Jindal HM, Ramanathan B, Le CF, Gudimella R, Razali R, Manikam R, et al.
    J Biomed Sci, 2018 Feb 15;25(1):15.
    PMID: 29448938 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-018-0414-8
    BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, specifically in relation to community-acquired pneumonia. Due to the overuse of antibiotics, S. pneumoniae has developed a high degree of resistance to a wide range of antibacterial drugs.

    METHODS: In this study, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed for 10 clinical strains of S. pneumoniae with different levels of sensitivity to standard antibiotics. The main objective was to investigate genetic changes associated with antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae.

    RESULTS: Our results showed that resistant isolates contain a higher number of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as compared to susceptible isolates. We were able to identify SNPs that alter a single amino acid in many genes involved in virulence and capsular polysaccharide synthesis. In addition, 90 SNPs were only presented in the resistant isolates, and 31 SNPs were unique and had not been previously reported, suggesting that these unique SNPs could play a key role in altering the level of resistance to different antibiotics.

    CONCLUSION: Whole genome sequencing is a powerful tool for comparing the full genome of multiple isolates, especially those closely related, and for analysing the variations found within antibiotic resistance genes that lead to differences in antibiotic sensitivity. We were able to identify specific mutations within virulence genes related to resistant isolates. These findings could provide insights into understanding the role of single nucleotide mutants in conferring drug resistance.

    Study site: University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia; Pneumococcal Infections/microbiology*; Streptococcus pneumoniae/genetics*; Streptococcus pneumoniae/isolation & purification; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics*
  12. Veeramuthu V, Seow P, Narayanan V, Wong JHD, Tan LK, Hernowo AT, et al.
    Acad Radiol, 2018 09;25(9):1167-1177.
    PMID: 29449141 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2018.01.005
    RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a noninvasive imaging technique that allows for reliable assessment of microscopic changes in brain cytoarchitecture, neuronal injuries, and neurochemical changes resultant from traumatic insults. We aimed to evaluate the acute alteration of neurometabolites in complicated and uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients in comparison to control subjects using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy).

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight subjects (23 complicated mTBI [cmTBI] patients, 12 uncomplicated mTBI [umTBI] patients, and 13 controls) underwent magnetic resonance imaging scan with additional single voxel spectroscopy sequence. Magnetic resonance imaging scans for patients were done at an average of 10 hours (standard deviation 4.26) post injury. The single voxel spectroscopy adjacent to side of injury and noninjury regions were analysed to obtain absolute concentrations and ratio relative to creatine of the neurometabolites. One-way analysis of variance was performed to compare neurometabolite concentrations of the three groups, and a correlation study was done between the neurometabolite concentration and Glasgow Coma Scale.

    RESULTS: Significant difference was found in ratio of N-acetylaspartate to creatine (NAA/Cr + PCr) (χ2(2) = 0.22, P 

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aspartic Acid/analogs & derivatives*; Aspartic Acid/metabolism; Brain/metabolism; Brain Concussion/complications; Brain Concussion/metabolism*; Creatine/metabolism; Dipeptides/metabolism*; Female; Humans; Male; Biomarkers/metabolism; Glasgow Coma Scale; Case-Control Studies; Young Adult; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*
  13. Shuib S, Ibrahim I, Mackeen MM, Ratledge C, Hamid AA
    Sci Rep, 2018 Feb 15;8(1):3077.
    PMID: 29449592 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21452-4
    Malic enzyme (ME) plays a vital role in determining the extent of lipid accumulation in oleaginous fungi being the major provider of NADPH for the activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS). We report here the first direct evidence of the existence of a lipogenic multienzyme complex (the lipid metabolon) involving ME, FAS, ATP: citrate lyase (ACL), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in Cunninghamella bainieri 2A1. Cell-free extracts prepared from cells taken in both growth and lipid accumulation phases were prepared by protoplasting and subjected to Blue Native (BN)-PAGE coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A high molecular mass complex (approx. 3.2 MDa) consisting of the above enzymes was detected during lipid accumulation phase indicating positive evidence of multienzyme complex formation. The complex was not detected in cells during the balanced phase of growth or when lipid accumulation ceased, suggesting that it was transiently formed only during lipogenesis.
    MeSH terms: Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase; Adenosine Triphosphate; ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase; Chromatography, Liquid; Lipids; Malate Dehydrogenase; Multienzyme Complexes; NADP; Pyruvate Carboxylase; Cunninghamella; Lipogenesis; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Fatty Acid Synthases
  14. Chiam SL, Lim HN, Hafiz SM, Pandikumar A, Huang NM
    Sci Rep, 2018 02 15;8(1):3093.
    PMID: 29449631 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21572-x
    The energy density of conventional supercapacitors is in the range of 6-10 Wh kg-1, which has restricted them from many applications that require devices with long durations. Herein, we report a method for enhancing the energy density of a device through the parallel stacking of five copper foils coated on each side with graphene nanoplatelets. Microporous papers immersed in 2 M aqueous sodium sulphate were used as separators. With a low contact resistance of 0.05 Ω, the supercapacitor yielded an optimum specific energy density and a specific power density of 24.64 Wh kg-1 and 402 W kg-1 at 0.8 V, respectively. The working potential was increased to 2.4 V when three of the supercapacitors were connected in series, forming a tandem device. Its potential for real applications was manifested by the ability to light up a light-emitting diode for 40 s after charging for 60 s.
    MeSH terms: Copper; Data Collection; Graphite; Sulfates; Water; Electric Capacitance
  15. Erukainure OL, Hafizur RM, Kabir N, Choudhary MI, Atolani O, Banerjee P, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2018;9:8.
    PMID: 29449808 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00008
    Type 2 diabetes is the most prominent of all diabetes types, contributing to global morbidity and mortality. Availability and cost of treatment with little or no side effect especially in developing countries, remains a huge burden. This has led to the search of affordable alternative therapies especially from medicinal plants. In this study, the antidiabetic effect of the methanolic extract, dichloromethane (DCM), butanol (BuOH) and aqueous fractions ofClerodendrum volubileleaves were investigated in type 2 diabetic rats for their effect on glucose homeostasis, serum insulin level and hepatic biomarkers, lipid profile, pancreatic redox balance and Ca2+levels, and β-cell distribution and function. The DCM was further fractionated to isolate the active compounds, biochanin and 5,7,4'-trimethoxykaempferol. They were investigated for their toxicity and ADMET properties, α-glucosidase and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activitiesin silico. There were significant (p< 0.05) decrease in blood glucose, cholesterol, LDL-C, vLDL-C, triglyceride, AST and ALT levels in all treated groups, with DCM fraction showing the best activity. All treated rats showed significantly (p< 0.05) improved anti-oxidative activities. Treatment with the DCM fraction led to significant (p< 0.05) increased serum insulin and pancreatic Ca2+levels, as well as improved β-cell distribution and function. DCM fraction also showed improved glucose tolerance. DCM fraction dose-dependently inhibited ACE activity. The toxicity class of the isolated compounds was predicted to be 5. They were also predicted to be potent inhibitors of cytochrome P (CYPs) 1A2, 2D6 and 3A4. They docked well with α-glucosidase and ACE. These results indicate the therapeutic potential of the plant against type 2 diabetes, with the DCM fraction being the most potent which may be attributed to the isolated flavones. It further suggests antihypertensive potentials of the DCM fraction. However, inhibition of CYPs by the flavones may suggest caution in usage with other prescribed drugs metabolized by these enzymes.
  16. Sharif SP, Lehto RH, Nia HS, Goudarzian AH, Haghdoost AA, Yaghoobzadeh A, et al.
    Support Care Cancer, 2018 Aug;26(8):2571-2579.
    PMID: 29450638 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4088-2
    PURPOSE: The study investigated relationships among the extent of disease, religious coping, and death depression in Iranian patients with cancer.

    METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 482 Iranian cancer patients. Participants completed demographic and health, death depression, and religious coping surveys.

    RESULTS: After controlling for demographic and health characteristics, positive and negative religious coping behaviors were significantly related to the experience of death depression. There was an interaction effect between negative religious coping and extent of disease with significant positive relationships to the experience of death depression.

    CONCLUSIONS: Negative religious coping was found to be more closely associated with death depression in patients with earlier stage disease than those with advanced stages of cancer in this sample of patients with cancer from Iran. Findings support assessing patients for use of religious coping strategies. Muslim patients who are religiously alienated and have existential anguish may be vulnerable and need heightened support following diagnosis and during treatment of early stage cancer.

    MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological/physiology*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder/etiology; Depressive Disorder/pathology; Depressive Disorder/psychology*; Female; Humans; Iran; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms/complications*; Neoplasms/pathology; Neoplasms/psychology*; Religion
  17. de Vries B, Narayan R, McGeechan K, Santiagu S, Vairavan R, Burke M, et al.
    Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 2018 Jun;97(6):668-676.
    PMID: 29450884 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13310
    INTRODUCTION: Cesarean section rates continue to increase globally. Prediction of intrapartum cesarean section could lead to preventive measures. Our aim was to assess the association between sonographically measured cervical length at 37 weeks of gestation and cesarean section among women planning a vaginal birth. The population was women with a low-risk pregnancy or with gestational diabetes.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary referral hospital in Sydney, Australia. In all, 212 women with a low-risk pregnancy or with gestational diabetes were recruited including 158 nulliparous and 54 parous women. Maternal demographic, clinical and ultrasound characteristics were collected at 37 weeks of gestation. Semi-Bayesian logistic regression and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation were used to assess the relation between cervical length and cesarean section in labor.

    RESULTS: Rates of cesarean section were 5% (2/55) for cervical length ≤20 mm, 17% (17/101) for cervical length 20-32 mm, and 27% (13/56) for cervical length >32 mm. These rates were 4, 22 and 33%, respectively, in nulliparous women. In the semi-Bayesian analysis, the odds ratio for cesarean section was 6.2 (95% confidence interval 2.2-43) for cervical length 20-32 mm and 10 (95% confidence interval 4.8-74) for cervical length >32 mm compared with the lowest quartile of cervical length, after adjusting for maternal age, parity, height, prepregnancy body mass index, gestational diabetes, induction of labor, neonatal sex and birthweight centile.

    CONCLUSIONS: Cervical length at 37 weeks of gestation is associated with intrapartum cesarean section.

    MeSH terms: Australia; Bayes Theorem; Cervix Uteri; Cesarean Section; Demography; Female; Humans; Labor, Obstetric; Labor, Induced; Markov Chains; Maternal Age; Monte Carlo Method; Parity; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Body Mass Index; Confidence Intervals; Logistic Models; Odds Ratio; Diabetes, Gestational; Parturition; Tertiary Care Centers
  18. Kario K, Park S, Buranakitjaroen P, Chia YC, Chen CH, Divinagracia R, et al.
    J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich), 2018 03;20(3):456-461.
    PMID: 29450979 DOI: 10.1111/jch.13216
    Hypertension is an important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor and a leading cause of death throughout Asia. Effective prevention and control of hypertension in the region remain a significant challenge despite the availability of several regional and international guidelines. Out-of-office measurement of blood pressure (BP), including home BP monitoring (HBPM), is an important hypertension management tool. Home BP is better than office BP for predicting cardiovascular risk and HBPM should be considered for all patients with office BP ≥ 130/85 mm Hg. It is important that HBPM is undertaken using a validated device and patients are educated about how to perform HBPM correctly. During antihypertensive therapy, monitoring of home BP control and variability is essential, especially in the morning. This is because HBPM can facilitate the choice of individualized optimal therapy. The evidence and practice points in this document are based on the Hypertension Cardiovascular Outcome Prevention and Evidence (HOPE) Asia Network expert panel consensus recommendations for HBPM in Asia.
    MeSH terms: Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use*; Humans; Hypertension/diagnosis; Hypertension/drug therapy*; Patient Compliance; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory/methods*; Guideline Adherence; Precision Medicine
  19. McDowell N, Allen CD, Anderson-Teixeira K, Brando P, Brienen R, Chambers J, et al.
    New Phytol, 2018 08;219(3):851-869.
    PMID: 29451313 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15027
    Tree mortality rates appear to be increasing in moist tropical forests (MTFs) with significant carbon cycle consequences. Here, we review the state of knowledge regarding MTF tree mortality, create a conceptual framework with testable hypotheses regarding the drivers, mechanisms and interactions that may underlie increasing MTF mortality rates, and identify the next steps for improved understanding and reduced prediction. Increasing mortality rates are associated with rising temperature and vapor pressure deficit, liana abundance, drought, wind events, fire and, possibly, CO2 fertilization-induced increases in stand thinning or acceleration of trees reaching larger, more vulnerable heights. The majority of these mortality drivers may kill trees in part through carbon starvation and hydraulic failure. The relative importance of each driver is unknown. High species diversity may buffer MTFs against large-scale mortality events, but recent and expected trends in mortality drivers give reason for concern regarding increasing mortality within MTFs. Models of tropical tree mortality are advancing the representation of hydraulics, carbon and demography, but require more empirical knowledge regarding the most common drivers and their subsequent mechanisms. We outline critical datasets and model developments required to test hypotheses regarding the underlying causes of increasing MTF mortality rates, and improve prediction of future mortality under climate change.
    MeSH terms: Carbon Dioxide/metabolism; Humidity*; Models, Theoretical; Trees/physiology*; Tropical Climate*; Forests*
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