Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Hassanein M, Echtay AS, Malek R, Omar M, Shaikh SS, Ekelund M, et al.
    Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2018 Jan;135:218-226.
    PMID: 29183844 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2017.11.027
    AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) and biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) before, during and after Ramadan in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who fasted during Ramadan.

    METHODS: In this multinational, randomised, treat-to-target trial, patients with T2DM who intended to fast and were on basal, pre- or self-mixed insulin ± oral antidiabetic drugs for ≥90 days were randomised (1:1) to IDegAsp twice daily (BID) or BIAsp 30 BID. Treatment period included pre-Ramadan treatment initiation (with insulin titration for 8-20 weeks), Ramadan (4 weeks) and post-Ramadan (4 weeks). Insulin doses were reduced by 30-50% for the pre-dawn meal (suhur) on the first day of Ramadan, and readjusted to the pre-Ramadan levels at the end of Ramadan. Hypoglycaemia was analysed as overall (severe or plasma glucose <3.1 mmol/L [56 mg/dL]), nocturnal (00:01-05:59) or severe (requiring assistance of another person).

    RESULTS: During the treatment period, IDegAsp (n = 131) had significantly lower overall and nocturnal hypoglycaemia rates with similar glycaemic efficacy, versus BIAsp 30 (n = 132). During Ramadan, despite achieving significantly lower pre-iftar (meal at sunset) self-measured plasma glucose (estimated treatment difference: -0.54 mmol/L [-1.02; -0.07]95% CI, p = .0247; post hoc) with similar overall glycaemic efficacy, IDegAsp showed significantly lower overall and nocturnal hypoglycaemia rates versus BIAsp 30.

    CONCLUSIONS: IDegAsp is a suitable therapeutic agent for patients who need insulin for sustained glucose control before, during and after Ramadan fasting, with a significantly lower risk of hypoglycaemia, versus BIAsp 30, an existing premixed insulin analogue.

    MeSH terms: Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drug Combinations; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin; Insulin, Isophane; Insulin, Long-Acting; Biphasic Insulins; Insulin Aspart
  2. Matsubayashi M, Matsuura Y, Nukata S, Daizi Y, Shibahara T, Teramoto I, et al.
    Parasitol Res, 2018 Jan;117(1):339-342.
    PMID: 29185030 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5689-2
    Thus far, Entamoeba species have been classified based on morphology such as the number of nuclei in mature cysts and their hosts. Using recently developed molecular tools, ruminant Entamoeba spp. are currently classified into four species/genotypes: E. bovis and Entamoeba ribosomal lineages (RL) 1, 2, and 4. However, the distribution or pathogenicity of ruminant Entamoeba has not been well documented. In the present study, we examined a total of 25 fecal and seven environmental samples collected from six farms in Japan from 2016 to 2017 by the floatation method and PCR and sequencing analyses. Consequently, we detected Entamoeba cysts in 18 of 25 cattle samples and four of the seven environmental samples, including soil and drinking water, by microscopic examinations. In sequential examinations, Entamoeba-positive cattle were found to shed cysts without any clinical symptoms for more than 8 months. By PCR for molecular identification, isolates in ten cattle and one soil sample were successfully sequenced and formed a cluster of E. bovis, which was separated from those of other Entamoeba species/genotypes such as RL1-4 in phylogenetic analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report about E. bovis in Japan, and our results may implicate that E. bovis is not pathogenic.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases/epidemiology; Cattle Diseases/parasitology*; Entamoeba/genetics; Entamoeba/isolation & purification*; Entamoeba/pathogenicity; Entamoebiasis/epidemiology; Entamoebiasis/parasitology; Entamoebiasis/veterinary*; Feces/parasitology; Genotype; Japan/epidemiology; Phylogeny
  3. Neoh CF, Senol E, Kara A, Dinleyici EC, Turner SJ, Kong DCM
    Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 2018 Mar;37(3):537-544.
    PMID: 29185089 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-017-3147-9
    Micafungin was shown to be as efficacious as caspofungin in treating patients with candidaemia and invasive candidiasis (IC). However, it remains unknown if micafungin or caspofungin is a cost-effective definitive therapy for candidaemia and IC in Turkey. The present study aimed to determine the economic impact of using micafungin versus caspofungin for treatment of candidaemia and IC in the Turkish setting. A decision analytic model was constructed and was populated with data (i.e. transition probabilities, duration of initial antifungal treatment, reasons for treatment failure, percentage of patients who stepped down to oral fluconazole, and duration on oral fluconazole) obtained from a published randomised clinical trial. Cost inputs were derived from the latest Turkish resources while data that were not readily available in the literature were estimated by expert panels. One-way sensitivity analyses, threshold analyses, scenario analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. Caspofungin (€2693) incurred a lower total cost than micafungin (€4422), with a net cost saving of €1729 per treated patient. Drug acquisition cost was the main cost driver for both study arms. The model outcome was robust over wide variations (of ±100.0% from the base case value) for all input parameters except for micafungin drug cost and the duration of initial treatment with micafungin. Caspofungin appears to be a cost-saving option in treating candidaemia and IC from the Turkish hospital perspective.
    MeSH terms: Antifungal Agents/economics*; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Humans; Turkey/epidemiology; Databases, Factual; Treatment Outcome; Models, Economic*; Echinocandins/economics*; Echinocandins/therapeutic use; Lipopeptides/economics*; Lipopeptides/therapeutic use; Candidiasis, Invasive/drug therapy; Candidiasis, Invasive/economics; Candidiasis, Invasive/epidemiology; Candidemia/drug therapy*; Candidemia/economics; Candidemia/epidemiology
  4. Irna C, Jaswir I, Othman R, Jimat DN
    J Diet Suppl, 2018 Nov 02;15(6):805-813.
    PMID: 29185824 DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2017.1387885
    Astaxanthin is one of the main carotenoid pigments. It has beneficial effects on the immune system of the human body due to its powerful antioxidant properties. The application of this bioactive compound can be found to be significant in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. The aim of this research was to investigate astaxanthin yield from six species of Malaysian shrimp carapace. Six types of shrimp species-Parapenaeopsis sculptili, Metapenaeus lysianassa, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Metapenaeopsis hardwickii, Penaeus merguiensis, and Penaeus monodon-were used to investigate total carotenoid content and astaxanthin yield. The investigation was carried out using chemical extraction and high-pressure processing (HPP) methods at 210 MPa, for a period of 10 min with a solvent mixture of acetone and methanol (7:3, v/v). HPP was proven to have a significant impact in increasing the total carotenoid content and astaxanthin yield. The highest total carotenoid content and astaxanthin yield is shown to be contained in the Penaeus monodon species. Total carotenoid was increased from 46.95 µg/ml using chemical extraction to 68.26 µg/ml using HPP; yield of astaxanthin was increased from 29.44 µg/gdw using chemical extraction to 59.9744 µg/gdw using HPP. Therefore, comparison between the HPP and chemical extraction methods showed that HPP is more advantageous with higher astaxanthin yield, higher quality, and shorter extraction time.
    MeSH terms: Acetone; Methanol; Animals; Carotenoids/analysis; Crustacea; Pressure; Solvents; Species Specificity; Xanthophylls/analysis; Xanthophylls/isolation & purification; Penaeidae*; Animal Shells/chemistry*
  5. Abboud AS, Sanagi MM, Ibrahim WAW, Keyon ASA, Aboul-Enein HY
    J Chromatogr Sci, 2018 Feb 01;56(2):177-186.
    PMID: 29186451 DOI: 10.1093/chromsci/bmx095
    In this study, caged calcium alginate-caged multiwalled carbon nanotubes dispersive microsolid phase extraction was described for the first time for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from water samples prior to gas chromatographic analysis. Fluorene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene were selected as model compounds. The caged calcium alginate-caged multiwalled carbon nanotubes was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermal gravimetry analyses. The effective parameters namely desorption solvent, solvent volume, extraction time, desorption time, the mass of adsorbent and sample volume were optimized. Under the optimum extraction conditions, the developed method showed good linearity in the range of 0.5-50 ng mL-1 (R2 ≥ 0.996), low limits of detection and quantification (0.42-0.22 ng mL-1) (0.73-1.38 ng mL-1) respectively, good relative recoveries (71.2-104.2%) and reproducibility (RSD 1.8-12.4%, n = 3) for the studied PAHs in water sample. With high enrichment factor (1,000), short extraction time (<30 min), low amounts of adsorbent (100 mg) and low amounts of solvent (0.1 mol) have proven that the microsolid phase extraction method based on calcium alginate-caged multiwalled carbon nanotubes are environmentally friendly and convenient extraction method to use as an alternative adsorbent in the simultaneous preconcentration of PAHs from environmental water samples.
    MeSH terms: Alginates/chemistry*; Chromatography, Gas/methods*; Hexuronic Acids/chemistry; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic/analysis*; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic/isolation & purification; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic/chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry; Reproducibility of Results; Linear Models; Glucuronic Acid/chemistry; Nanotubes, Carbon/chemistry*; Solid Phase Extraction/methods*; Limit of Detection
  6. Tapsir Z, Jamaludin FH, Pingguan-Murphy B, Saidin S
    J Biomater Appl, 2018 02;32(7):987-995.
    PMID: 29187035 DOI: 10.1177/0885328217744081
    The utilisation of hydroxyapatite and collagen as bioactive coating materials could enhance cells attachment, proliferation and osseointegration. However, most methods to form crystal hydroxyapatite coating do not allow the incorporation of polymer/organic compound due to production phase of high sintering temperature. In this study, a polydopamine film was used as an intermediate layer to immobilise hydroxyapatite-collagen without the introduction of high sintering temperature. The surface roughness, coating adhesion, bioactivity and osteoblast attachment on the hydroxyapatite-collagen coating were assessed as these properties remains unknown on the polydopamine grafted film. The coating was developed by grafting stainless steel 316L disks with a polydopamine film. Collagen type I fibres were then immobilised on the grafted film, followed by the biomineralisation of hydroxyapatite. The surface roughness and coating adhesion analyses were later performed by using AFM instrument. An Alamar Blue assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of the coating, while an alkaline phosphatase activity test was conducted to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation of human fetal osteoblasts on the coating. Finally, the morphology of cells attachment on the coating was visualised under FESEM. The highest RMS roughness and coating adhesion were observed on the hydroxyapatite-collagen coating (hydroxyapatite-coll-dopa). The hydroxyapatite-coll-dopa coating was non-toxic to the osteoblast cells with greater cells proliferation, greater level of alkaline phosphate production and more cells attachment. These results indicate that the immobilisation of hydroxyapatite and collagen using an intermediate polydopamine is identical to enhance coating adhesion, osteoblast cells attachment, proliferation and differentiation, and thus could be implemented as a coating material on orthopaedic and dental implants.
    MeSH terms: Cell Adhesion; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Humans; Indoles/chemistry*; Osteoblasts/cytology*; Osteogenesis*; Polymers/chemistry*; Stainless Steel/chemistry*; Surface Properties; Durapatite/chemistry*; Coated Materials, Biocompatible/chemistry*; Cell Proliferation
  7. Amelia TSM, Amirul AA, Bhubalan K
    Data Brief, 2018 Feb;16:75-80.
    PMID: 29188224 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.11.011
    We report data associated with the identification of three polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase genes (phaC) isolated from the marine bacteria metagenome of Aaptos aaptos marine sponge in the waters of Bidong Island, Terengganu, Malaysia. Our data describe the extraction of bacterial metagenome from sponge tissue, measurement of purity and concentration of extracted metagenome, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-mediated amplification using degenerate primers targeting Class I and II phaC genes, sequencing at First BASE Laboratories Sdn Bhd, and phylogenetic analysis of identified and known phaC genes. The partial nucleotide sequences were aligned, refined, compared with the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) databases, and released online in GenBank. The data include the identified partial putative phaC and their GenBank accession numbers, which are Rhodocista sp. phaC (MF457754), Pseudomonas sp. phaC (MF437016), and an uncultured bacterium AR5-9d_16 phaC (MF457753).
    MeSH terms: Acyltransferases; Animals; Base Sequence; Malaysia; Phylogeny; Porifera; Pseudomonas; Polymerase Chain Reaction; DNA Primers; Databases, Nucleic Acid; Metagenome; Islands
  8. Mazlan O, Abdul-Rahman A, Goh HH, Aizat WM, Mohd Noor N
    Data Brief, 2018 Feb;16:90-93.
    PMID: 29188226 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.11.001
    Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) has exceptional potential for commercial and pharmaceutical applications due to its delicious fruit and medicinal properties. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanism of mangosteen seed development is poorly understood. In this study, we performed transcriptomic analysis of four seed developmental stages; eight, ten, twelve and fourteen weeks after anthesis. Illumina HiSeq™ 4000 sequencer was used to generate raw data of approximately 68 Gb in size. From 451,495,326 raw reads, 406,143,756 clean reads were obtained. The raw data were uploaded to SRA database and the BioProject ID is PRJNA395504. These data provide the basis for further exploration and understanding of the molecular mechanism in mangosteen seed development.
    MeSH terms: Pharmaceutical Preparations; Fruit; Seeds; Gene Expression Profiling; Garcinia mangostana; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Transcriptome
  9. Thergarajan G, Govind SK, Bhassu S
    Parasitol Res, 2018 Jan;117(1):177-187.
    PMID: 29188368 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5688-3
    Blastocystis sp. is known to be the most commonly found intestinal protozoan parasite in human fecal surveys and has been incriminated to cause diarrhea and abdominal bloating. Binary fission has been widely accepted as the plausible mode of reproduction for this parasite. The present study demonstrates that subjecting the parasites in vitro to higher temperature shows the proliferation of parasite numbers in cultures. Transmission electron microscopy was used to compare the morphology of Blastocystis sp. subtype 3 isolated from a dengue patient having high fever (in vivo thermal stress) and Blastocystis sp. 3 maintained at 41 °C (in vitro thermal stress) and 37 °C (control). Fluorescence stains like acridine orange (AO) and 4',6'-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) were used to demonstrate the viability and nuclear content of the parasite for both the in vitro and in vivo thermal stress groups of parasites. Blastocystis sp. at 37 °C was found to be mostly vacuolar whereas the in vitro thermal stressed isolates at 41 °C were granular with electron dense material seen to protect the granules within the central body. Parasites of the in vivo thermal stressed group showed similar ultrastructure as the in vitro ones. AO and DAPI staining provided evidence that these granules are viable which develop into progenies of Blastocystis sp. These granular forms were then observed to rupture and release progenies from the mother cells whilst the peripheral cytoplasmic walls were seen to degrade. Upon exposure to high temperature both in vitro and in vivo, Blastocystis sp. in cultures show higher number of granular forms seen to be protected by the electron dense material within the central body possibly acting as a protective mechanism. This is possibly to ensure the ability to survive for the granules to be developed as viable progenies for release into the host system.
    MeSH terms: Acridine Orange; Adult; Animals; Dengue/parasitology; Diarrhea/parasitology; Feces/parasitology; Humans; Indoles; Reproduction; Blastocystis Infections/parasitology; Blastocystis/isolation & purification; Blastocystis/physiology*; Blastocystis/ultrastructure; Heat-Shock Response*; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Cell Proliferation
  10. Soon CF, Tee KS, Wong SC, Nayan N, Sargunan Sundra, Ahmad MK, et al.
    Cytotechnology, 2018 Feb;70(1):13-29.
    PMID: 29189979 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-017-0168-2
    Growing three dimensional (3D) cells is an emerging research in tissue engineering. Biophysical properties of the 3D cells regulate the cells growth, drug diffusion dynamics and gene expressions. Scaffold based or scaffoldless techniques for 3D cell cultures are rarely being compared in terms of the physical features of the microtissues produced. The biophysical properties of the microtissues cultured using scaffold based microencapsulation by flicking and scaffoldless liquid crystal (LC) based techniques were characterized. Flicking technique produced high yield and highly reproducible microtissues of keratinocyte cell lines in alginate microcapsules at approximately 350 ± 12 pieces per culture. However, microtissues grown on the LC substrates yielded at lower quantity of 58 ± 21 pieces per culture. The sizes of the microtissues produced using alginate microcapsules and LC substrates were 250 ± 25 μm and 141 ± 70 μm, respectively. In both techniques, cells remodeled into microtissues via different growth phases and showed good integrity of cells in field-emission scanning microscopy (FE-SEM). Microencapsulation packed the cells in alginate scaffolds of polysaccharides with limited spaces for motility. Whereas, LC substrates allowed the cells to migrate and self-stacking into multilayered structures as revealed by the nuclei stainings. The cells cultured using both techniques were found viable based on the live and dead cell stainings. Stained histological sections showed that both techniques produced cell models that closely replicate the intrinsic physiological conditions. Alginate microcapsulation and LC based techniques produced microtissues containing similar bio-macromolecules but they did not alter the main absorption bands of microtissues as revealed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cell growth, structural organization, morphology and surface structures for 3D microtissues cultured using both techniques appeared to be different and might be suitable for different applications.
  11. Matinmanesh A, Li Y, Nouhi A, Zalzal P, Schemitsch EH, Towler MR, et al.
    J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2018 02;78:273-281.
    PMID: 29190533 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.11.015
    It has been reported that the adhesion of bioactive glass coatings to Ti6Al4V reduces after degradation, however, this effect has not been quantified. This paper uses bilayer double cantilever (DCB) specimens to determine GIC and GIIC, the critical mode I and mode II strain energy release rates, respectively, of bioactive coating/Ti6Al4V substrate systems degraded to different extents. Three borate-based bioactive glass coatings with increasing amounts of incorporated SrO (0, 15 and 25mol%) were enamelled onto Ti6Al4V substrates and then immersed in de-ionized water for 2, 6 and 24h. The weight loss of each glass composition was measured and it was found that the dissolution rate significantly decreased with increasing SrO content. The extent of dissolution was consistent with the hypothesis that the compressive residual stress tends to reduce the dissolution rate of bioactive glasses. After drying, the bilayer DCB specimens were created and subjected to nearly mode I and mode II fracture tests. The toughest coating/substrate system (one composed of the glass containing 25mol% SrO) lost 80% and 85% of its GIC and GIIC, respectively, in less than 24h of degradation. The drop in GIC and GIIC occurred even more rapidly for other coating/substrate systems. Therefore, degradation of borate bioactive glass coatings is inversely related to their fracture toughness when coated onto Ti6A4V substrates. Finally, roughening the substrate was found to be inconsequential in increasing the toughness of the system as the fracture toughness was limited by the cohesive toughness of the glass itself.
    MeSH terms: Glass/chemistry*; Stress, Mechanical*; Titanium/chemistry*
  12. Jamison DT, Alwan A, Mock CN, Nugent R, Watkins D, Adeyi O, et al.
    Lancet, 2018 03 17;391(10125):1108-1120.
    PMID: 29179954 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32906-9
    The World Bank is publishing nine volumes of Disease Control Priorities, 3rd edition (DCP3) between 2015 and 2018. Volume 9, Improving Health and Reducing Poverty, summarises the main messages from all the volumes and contains cross-cutting analyses. This Review draws on all nine volumes to convey conclusions. The analysis in DCP3 is built around 21 essential packages that were developed in the nine volumes. Each essential package addresses the concerns of a major professional community (eg, child health or surgery) and contains a mix of intersectoral policies and health-sector interventions. 71 intersectoral prevention policies were identified in total, 29 of which are priorities for early introduction. Interventions within the health sector were grouped onto five platforms (population based, community level, health centre, first-level hospital, and referral hospital). DCP3 defines a model concept of essential universal health coverage (EUHC) with 218 interventions that provides a starting point for country-specific analysis of priorities. Assuming steady-state implementation by 2030, EUHC in lower-middle-income countries would reduce premature deaths by an estimated 4·2 million per year. Estimated total costs prove substantial: about 9·1% of (current) gross national income (GNI) in low-income countries and 5·2% of GNI in lower-middle-income countries. Financing provision of continuing intervention against chronic conditions accounts for about half of estimated incremental costs. For lower-middle-income countries, the mortality reduction from implementing the EUHC can only reach about half the mortality reduction in non-communicable diseases called for by the Sustainable Development Goals. Full achievement will require increased investment or sustained intersectoral action, and actions by finance ministries to tax smoking and polluting emissions and to reduce or eliminate (often large) subsidies on fossil fuels appear of central importance. DCP3 is intended to be a model starting point for analyses at the country level, but country-specific cost structures, epidemiological needs, and national priorities will generally lead to definitions of EUHC that differ from country to country and from the model in this Review. DCP3 is particularly relevant as achievement of EUHC relies increasingly on greater domestic finance, with global developmental assistance in health focusing more on global public goods. In addition to assessing effects on mortality, DCP3 looked at outcomes of EUHC not encompassed by the disability-adjusted life-year metric and related cost-effectiveness analyses. The other objectives included financial protection (potentially better provided upstream by keeping people out of the hospital rather than downstream by paying their hospital bills for them), stillbirths averted, palliative care, contraception, and child physical and intellectual growth. The first 1000 days after conception are highly important for child development, but the next 7000 days are likewise important and often neglected.
    MeSH terms: Universal Coverage*
  13. Chan JCN, Bunnag P, Chan SP, Tan ITI, Tsai ST, Gao L, et al.
    Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2018 Jan;135:199-205.
    PMID: 29179974 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2017.11.025
    AIMS: To compare outcomes between Asian and non-Asian patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) initiating insulin glargine 100 units (U)/mL (Gla-100) in randomised controlled clinical trials.

    METHODS: Post hoc analysis of patient-level data (Asian n = 235; non-Asian n = 3351) from 16 trials.

    RESULTS: At baseline, Asian patients were younger with lower body mass index (BMI), fasting C-peptide, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) than non-Asian patients (all P 

    MeSH terms: Insulin Glargine; Blood Glucose; C-Peptide; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Fasting; Glucose; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Weight Gain; Body Mass Index; Incidence; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Insulin, Long-Acting; Meals
  14. Vazquez-Mendoza P, Elghandour MMM, Alaba PA, Sánchez-Aparicio P, Alonso-Fresán MU, Barbabosa-Pliego A, et al.
    Microb Pathog, 2018 Jan;114:458-463.
    PMID: 29180295 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.11.040
    Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the bactericidal impacts of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 on the shedding of faecal pathogenic bacteria in dairy calves (Experiment 1) and in adults dogs (experiment 2). In the calves experiment, a completely randomized design was used to investigate the faecal bacteria profile of Holstein dairy calves fed with either pasteurized waste milk (PWM; n = 9) or a formulated non-medicated milk replacer (NMR; n = 9) for 60 d. The NMR containing sodium-butyrate and the active probiotic B. amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940. In the dogs experiment, addition of same probiotic (i.e., B. amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940) was carried out in two stages. The first stage started from day 7-37, and the second from day 44-71. The assessment of faecal score measured on day 22, 37, 42, 57, 71 and 77 to determine the texture of the stools. Calves received PWM consumed (P 
    MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Animals; Animal Feed; Animals, Domestic; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Bacteria/drug effects*; Cattle; Dairying; Diet/veterinary; Dogs; Feces/microbiology*; Female; Male; Mexico; Milk/metabolism*; Milk/chemistry; Colony Count, Microbial; Dietary Supplements*; Probiotics*; Pasteurization; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens/metabolism*
  15. Khoo SP, Bhoo-Pathy N, Yap SH, Anwar Shafii MK, Hairizan Nasir N, Belinson J, et al.
    Sex Transm Infect, 2018 06;94(4):277-283.
    PMID: 29180538 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2017-053320
    OBJECTIVES: Cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease, and the strategic implementation of a cervical cancer prevention programme is partly dependent on the impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection interpreted within the context of the country's sociodemographic attributes. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of cervicovaginal HPV infection among a healthy, community-based, multiethnic Malaysian population. The HPV prevalence was subsequently correlated to the individual's sociodemographics and sexual/reproductive history. Of significance, the observed prevalence captured was in a birth cohort not included in the national school-based HPV vaccination programme.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study where 1293 healthy women aged between 18 and 60 years were recruited via convenience sampling from five community-based clinics in Selangor, Malaysia. Cervicovaginal self-samples were obtained and DNA was extracted for HPV detection and genotyping. A comprehensive questionnaire was administered to determine the sociodemographics and behavioural patterns of participants.

    RESULTS: The median age at enrolment was 37 years old (IQR: 30-47). In total, 86/1190 (7.2%) of the samples collected were positive for HPV infection, with the highest HPV prevalence (11.9%) detected in the subgroup of 18-24 years old. The top three most prevalent HPV genotypes were HPV 16, 52 and 58. The independent risk factors associated with higher rates of HPV infection included Indian ethnicity, widowed status and women with partners who are away from home for long periods and/or has another sexual partner.

    CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of HPV infection in this Malaysian multiethnic population was 7.2%, with 6.5% being high-risk genotypes. The top three most common high-risk HPV types were HPV 16, 52 and 58. This information is important for the planning of primary (HPV vaccination) and secondary (screening) cervical cancer prevention programmes in Malaysia.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Cross-Sectional Studies; DNA; Ethnic Groups; Female; Genotype; Humans; Malaysia; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Partners; Vaccination; Prevalence; Reproductive History; Widowhood; Papillomavirus Infections; Human papillomavirus 16
  16. Krzemińska U, Morales HE, Greening C, Nyári ÁS, Wilson R, Song BK, et al.
    Heredity (Edinb), 2018 04;120(4):296-309.
    PMID: 29180719 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-017-0020-7
    The House Crow (Corvus splendens) is a useful study system for investigating the genetic basis of adaptations underpinning successful range expansion. The species originates from the Indian subcontinent, but has successfully spread through a variety of thermal environments across Asia, Africa and Europe. Here, population mitogenomics was used to investigate the colonisation history and to test for signals of molecular selection on the mitochondrial genome. We sequenced the mitogenomes of 89 House Crows spanning four native and five invasive populations. A Bayesian dated phylogeny, based on the 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes, supports a mid-Pleistocene (~630,000 years ago) divergence between the most distant genetic lineages. Phylogeographic patterns suggest that northern South Asia is the likely centre of origin for the species. Codon-based analyses of selection and assessments of changes in amino acid properties provide evidence of positive selection on the ND2 and ND5 genes against a background of purifying selection across the mitogenome. Protein homology modelling suggests that four amino acid substitutions inferred to be under positive selection may modulate coupling efficiency and proton translocation mediated by OXPHOS complex I. The identified substitutions are found within native House Crow lineages and ecological niche modelling predicts suitable climatic areas for the establishment of crow populations within the invasive range. Mitogenomic patterns in the invasive range of the species are more strongly associated with introduction history than climate. We speculate that invasions of the House Crow have been facilitated by standing genetic variation that accumulated due to diversifying selection within the native range.
    MeSH terms: Africa; Animals; Asia; Bayes Theorem; Codon; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics; Biological Evolution*; Genetics, Population*; Phylogeny; Selection, Genetic*; Genetic Variation; Ecosystem; Crows/genetics*; Genome, Mitochondrial*; Phylogeography
  17. Kantito S, Saokaew S, Yamwong S, Vathesatogkit P, Katekao W, Sritara P, et al.
    J Thromb Thrombolysis, 2018 Feb;45(2):281-290.
    PMID: 29181693 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-017-1588-8
    Patient Self-testing (PST) could be an option for present anticoagulation therapy monitoring, but current evidence on its cost-effectiveness is limited. This study aims to estimate the cost-effectiveness of PST to other different care approaches for anticoagulation therapy in Thailand, a low-to-middle income country (LMIC). A Markov model was used to compare lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) accrued to patients receiving warfarin through PST or either anticoagulation clinic (AC) or usual care (UC). The model was populated with relevant information from literature, network meta-analysis, and database analyses. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were presented as the year 2015 values. A base-case analysis was performed for patients at age 45-year-old. Sensitivity analyses including one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were constructed to determine the robustness of the findings. From societal perspective, PST increased QALY by 0.87 and costs by 112,461 THB compared with UC. Compared with AC, PST increased QALY by 0.161 and costs by 21,019 THB. The ICER with PST was 128,697 (3625 USD) and 130,493 THB (3676 USD) per QALY gained compared with UC and AC, respectively. The probability of PST being cost-effective is 74.1% and 51.9%, compared to UC and AC, respectively, in Thai context. Results were sensitive to the efficacy of PST, age and frequency of hospital visit or self-testing. This analysis suggested that PST is highly cost-effective compared with usual care and less cost-effective against anticoagulation clinic. Patient self-testing strategy appears to be economically valuable to include into healthcare system within the LMIC context.
    MeSH terms: Thailand
  18. Zulfakar MH, Chan LM, Rehman K, Wai LK, Heard CM
    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2018 Apr;19(3):1116-1123.
    PMID: 29181705 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-017-0923-x
    Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like oil-soluble molecule that has anti-oxidant and anti-ageing effects. To determine the most optimal CoQ10 delivery vehicle, CoQ10 was solubilised in both water and fish oil, and formulated into hydrogel, oleogel and bigel. Permeability of CoQ10 from each formulation across porcine ear skin was then evaluated. Furthermore, the effects of the omega-3 fatty eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids from fish oil on skin permeation were investigated by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and computerised molecular modelling docking experiments. The highest drug permeation was achieved with the bigel formulation that proved to be the most effective vehicle in delivering CoQ10 across the skin membrane due to a combination of its adhesive, viscous and lipophilic properties. Furthermore, the interactions between CoQ10 and fatty acids revealed by NMR and molecular modelling experiments likely accounted for skin permeability of CoQ10. NMR data showed dose-dependent changes in proton chemical shifts in EPA and DHA. Molecular modelling revealed complex formation and large binding energies between fatty acids and CoQ10. This study advances the knowledge about bigels as drug delivery vehicles and highlights the use of NMR and molecular docking studies for the prediction of the influence of drug-excipient relationships at the molecular level.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/administration & dosage*; Antioxidants/metabolism; Antioxidants/chemistry; Docosahexaenoic Acids/chemistry*; Fish Oils/chemistry; Permeability; Skin/metabolism; Skin Absorption; Swine; Ubiquinone/administration & dosage; Ubiquinone/analogs & derivatives*; Ubiquinone/metabolism; Ubiquinone/chemistry; Pharmaceutical Vehicles; Eicosapentaenoic Acid/chemistry*; Hydrogels; Molecular Docking Simulation
  19. Ibitoye EB, Lokman IH, Hezmee MNM, Goh YM, Zuki ABZ, Jimoh AA
    Biomed Mater, 2018 01 30;13(2):025009.
    PMID: 29182521 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605X/aa9dde
    Chitin ranks next to cellulose as the most important bio-polysaccharide which can primarily be extracted from crustacean shells. However, the emergence of new areas of the application of chitin and its derivatives are on the increase and there is growing demand for new chitin sources. In this study, therefore, an attempt was made to extract chitin from the house cricket (Brachytrupes portentosus) by a chemical method. The physicochemical properties of chitin and chitosan extracted from crickets were compared with commercial chitin and chitosan extracted from shrimps, in terms of proximate analysis in particular, of their ash and moisture content. Also, infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis were conducted. The chitin and chitosan yield of the house cricket ranges over 4.3%-7.1% and 2.4%-5.8% respectively. Chitin and chitosan from crickets compares favourably with those extracted from shrimps, and were found to exhibit some similarities. The result shows that cricket and shrimp chitin and chitosan have the same degree of acetylation and degree of deacetylation of 108.1% and 80.5% respectively, following Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The characteristic XRD strong/sharp peaks of 9.4 and 19.4° for α-chitin are common for both cricket and shrimp chitin. The percentage ash content of chitin and chitosan extracted from B. portentosus is 1%, which is lower than that obtained from shrimp products. Therefore, cricket chitin and chitosan can be said to be of better quality and of purer form than commercially produced chitin and chitosan from shrimp. Based on the quality of the product, chitin and chitosan isolated from B. portentosus can replace commercial chitin and chitosan in terms of utilization and applications. Therefore, B. portentosus is a promising alternative source of chitin and chitosan.
    MeSH terms: Acetylation; Animals; Chitin/analysis; Chitin/isolation & purification*; Chitin/chemistry*; Female; Gryllidae/chemistry*; Infrared Rays; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Thermogravimetry; X-Ray Diffraction; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Penaeidae; Chitosan/analysis; Chitosan/isolation & purification*; Chitosan/chemistry*
  20. Azlina MFN, Qodriyah MS, Kamisah Y
    Curr Drug Targets, 2018;19(12):1456-1462.
    PMID: 29173163 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666171122130338
    BACKGROUND: Scientific reports had shown that stress is related to numerous pathological changes in the body. These pathological changes can bring about numerous diseases and can significantly cause negative effects in an individual. These include gastric ulcer, liver pathology and neurobehavioral changes. A common pathogenesis in many diseases related to stress involves oxidative damage. Therefore, the administration of antioxidants such as vitamin E is a reasonable therapeutic approach. However, there is conflicting evidence about antioxidant supplementation.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to summarize documented reports on the effects of tocopherol and tocotrienol on various pathological changes induced by stress.

    RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This review will reveal the scientific evidence of enteral supplementation of vitamin E in the forms of tocotrienol and tocopherol in animal models of stress. These models mimic the stress endured by critically ill patients in a clinical setting and psychological stress in individuals. Positive outcomes from enteral feeding of vitamin E in reducing the occurrence of stress-induced pathological changes are discussed in this review. These positive findings include their ability to reduced stress-induced gastric ulcers, elevated liver enzymes and improved locomotors activity. Evidences showing tocotrienol and tocopherol effects are not just related to its ability to reduce oxidative stress but also acting on other mechanism, are discussed.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/therapeutic use; Disease Models, Animal; Stress, Psychological/drug therapy*; Oxidative Stress; Tocopherols/therapeutic use*; Tocotrienols/therapeutic use*
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