Browse publications by year: 2018

  1. Yee A, Ng CG, Seng LH
    Curr Drug Targets, 2018;19(12):1412-1423.
    PMID: 29149828 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666171117131151
    BACKGROUND: Vortioxetine is a multimodal antidepressant that has been developed for the treatment of major depressive and anxiety disorders. The aim of this review is to quantitatively synthesize all data of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Vortioxetine in treating anxiety disorder.

    METHOD: Terms of "Vortioxetine" OR "LuAA21004" AND "anxiety" OR "fear" OR "panic" OR "phobia" were searched. A total of two phase II and five phase III clinical trials were found.

    RESULTS: Vortioxetine was overall superior to placebo in terms of the mean change from baseline in HAM-A total score at week 8 with the pool effect size of -2.95, 95% CIs, -4.37 to -1.53, p<0.01. The patients who received 5 mg of Vortioxetine had higher response rate when compared to placebo (pooled odds ratio=1.4, 95% CI = 1.08 to 1.82, p=0.01). However, the pooled odds ratio of the HAMA remission rate was not statistically significant for both Vortioxetine and placebo (pooled odds ratio= 1.06, 95% CI = 0.86 to 1.30, p=0.62). Although the discontinuation due to adverse effects was higher in Vortioxetine than placebo group (pooled OR= 1.55, 95% CI = 1.04 to 2.31, P= 0.037), the lack of efficacy (pooled OR= 0.39, 95% CI = 0.27 to 0.57, P<0.01) was higher in placebo than Vortioxetine group. Most of the adverse effects were mild and moderate. Overall, Vortioxetine displayed a good safety and tolerability profile.

    CONCLUSION: This review supports the use of Vortioxetine for anxiety disorder. However, further longterm placebo-control observational study or a post market survey would help in strengthening the evidence for this treatment modality.

    MeSH terms: Anxiety Disorders/drug therapy*; Humans; Anti-Anxiety Agents/therapeutic use*
  2. Amin NAS, Talebian-Kiakalaieh A
    Waste Manag, 2018 Mar;73:256-264.
    PMID: 29150259 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.11.019
    As the world's second largest palm oil producer and exporter, Malaysia could capitalize on its oil palm biomass waste for power generation. The emission factors from this renewable energy source are far lower than that of fossil fuels. This study applies an integrated carbon accounting and mitigation (INCAM) model to calculate the amount of CO2 emissions from two biomass thermal power plants. The CO2 emissions released from biomass plants utilizing empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm oil mill effluent (POME), as alternative fuels for powering steam and gas turbines, were determined using the INCAM model. Each section emitting CO2 in the power plant, known as the carbon accounting center (CAC), was measured for its carbon profile (CP) and carbon index (CI). The carbon performance indicator (CPI) included electricity, fuel and water consumption, solid waste and waste-water generation. The carbon emission index (CEI) and carbon emission profile (CEP), based on the total monthly carbon production, were determined across the CPI. Various innovative strategies resulted in a 20%-90% reduction of CO2 emissions. The implementation of reduction strategies significantly reduced the CO2 emission levels. Based on the model, utilization of EFB and POME in the facilities could significantly reduce the CO2 emissions and increase the potential for waste to energy initiatives.
    MeSH terms: Carbon; Carbon Dioxide/analysis*; Malaysia; Power Plants*; Biomass
  3. Mohd Azlan P, Jahromi MF, Ariff MO, Ebrahimi M, Candyrine SCL, Liang JB
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 2018 Mar;50(3):565-571.
    PMID: 29150805 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-017-1470-x
    The objectives of this study were to test the efficacy of producing lovastatin in rice straw treated with Aspergillus terreus in larger laboratory scale following the procedure previously reported and to investigate the effectiveness of the treated rice straw containing lovastatin on methane mitigation in goats. The concentration of lovastatin in the treated rice straw was 0.69 ± 0.05 g/kg dry matter (DM) rice straw. Our results showed that supplementation of lovastatin at 4.14 mg/kg BW reduced methane production by 32% while improving the DM digestibility by 13% (P 
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed/analysis*; Aspergillus/metabolism*; Bacteria; Fermentation; Goats/growth & development*; Lovastatin/pharmacology; Male; Methane/metabolism; Oryza/microbiology*; Rumen/metabolism*; Ruminococcus
  4. Lim R, Liong ML, Leong WS, Khan NAK, Yuen KH
    Urology, 2018 Feb;112:46-51.
    PMID: 29146219 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2017.10.037
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between sexual function of couples with and without stress urinary incontinence (SUI) partners, and to identify predictors of poor sexual function.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving sexually active women with or without SUI aged at least 21 years old, and their respective partners. Both partners completed the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), a 28-item multidimensional measure with separate forms for male and female designed to assess sexual satisfaction of both partners. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze bivariate association, whereas multiple regression analysis was used to identify predictors for overall sexual function as measured using GRISS score.

    RESULTS: Sixty-six couples with SUI partners and 95 couples with continent partners were recruited. Overall GRISS scores and thus sexual function of men and women were strongly correlated. The correlation coefficient was higher in couples with SUI partners (r = 0.702, P 

    MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Orgasm*; Prognosis; Sexual Partners; Urinary Incontinence, Stress*; Self Report
  5. Tan LK, Liew YM, Lim E, Abdul Aziz YF, Chee KH, McLaughlin RA
    Med Biol Eng Comput, 2018 Jun;56(6):1053-1062.
    PMID: 29147835 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-017-1750-7
    In this paper, we develop and validate an open source, fully automatic algorithm to localize the left ventricular (LV) blood pool centroid in short axis cardiac cine MR images, enabling follow-on automated LV segmentation algorithms. The algorithm comprises four steps: (i) quantify motion to determine an initial region of interest surrounding the heart, (ii) identify potential 2D objects of interest using an intensity-based segmentation, (iii) assess contraction/expansion, circularity, and proximity to lung tissue to score all objects of interest in terms of their likelihood of constituting part of the LV, and (iv) aggregate the objects into connected groups and construct the final LV blood pool volume and centroid. This algorithm was tested against 1140 datasets from the Kaggle Second Annual Data Science Bowl, as well as 45 datasets from the STACOM 2009 Cardiac MR Left Ventricle Segmentation Challenge. Correct LV localization was confirmed in 97.3% of the datasets. The mean absolute error between the gold standard and localization centroids was 2.8 to 4.7 mm, or 12 to 22% of the average endocardial radius. Graphical abstract Fully automated localization of the left ventricular blood pool in short axis cardiac cine MR images.
  6. Tang WJ, Mat Saad AZ
    J Vasc Access, 2018 Mar;19(2):191-194.
    PMID: 29148006 DOI: 10.5301/jva.5000801
    INTRODUCTION: Arteriovenous fistula is a lifeline for end-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis. The quality of the vein and artery to be used plays a crucial role in attaining a functioning, reliable and long-lasting arteriovenous fistula. The aim of the study is to present an alternative for haemodialysis access to preserve the upper arm vasculature for future use - the forearm loop arteriovenous fistula.

    METHODS: From October 2015 to September 2016, 202 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), stages 4 and 5, underwent arteriovenous fistula creation at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital, Malaysia. Nine patients, with severe atherosclerosis of the distal artery, but with satisfactory veins, underwent forearm loop arteriovenous fistula creation. Maturation of the fistula was based on the classification by the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF KDOQI).

    RESULTS: All nine patients who underwent forearm loop arteriovenous fistula have had diabetes mellitus for more than 10 years. Only one fistula failed to mature within 6 weeks. Two arteriovenous fistulas thrombosed at 3 and 5 months, respectively, after the commencement of haemodialysis. However, the other six matured fistulas are still functioning well after a year of regular usage.

    CONCLUSIONS: Distal forearm arteries in diabetics may be severely atherosclerotic. Forearm loop arteriovenous fistula can be considered as the primary access for cases decided as inconvenient for fistula creation due to severe occlusive atherosclerotic disease of the forearm arteries; in order to preserve upper arm veins for future access procedures.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical/adverse effects; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical/methods*; Brachial Artery/physiopathology; Brachial Artery/surgery*; Diabetic Nephropathies/complications; Diabetic Nephropathies/therapy*; Female; Forearm/blood supply*; Graft Occlusion, Vascular/etiology; Graft Occlusion, Vascular/physiopathology; Renal Dialysis*; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Thrombosis/etiology; Thrombosis/physiopathology; Time Factors; Vascular Patency; Treatment Outcome; Atherosclerosis/complications*; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/diagnosis; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/therapy*
  7. Pourshahrestani S, Kadri NA, Zeimaran E, Gargiulo N, Samuel S, Naveen SV, et al.
    Biomed Mater, 2018 02 08;13(2):025020.
    PMID: 29148431 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605X/aa9b3e
    Mesoporous bioactive glass containing 1% Ga2O3 (1%Ga-MBG) is attractive for hemorrhage control because of its surface chemistry which can promote blood-clotting. The present study compares this proprietary inorganic coagulation accelerator with two commercial hemostats, CeloxTM (CX) and QuikClot Advanced Clotting Sponge PlusTM (ACS+). The results indicate that the number of adherent platelets were higher on the 1%Ga-MBG and CX surfaces than ACS+ whereas a greater contact activation was seen on 1%Ga-MBG and ACS+ surfaces than CX. 1%Ga-MBG not only resulted in larger platelet aggregates and more extensive platelet pseudopodia compared to CX and ACS+ but also significantly accelerated the intrinsic pathways of the clotting cascade. In vitro thrombin generation assays also showed that CX and ACS+ induced low levels of thrombin formation while 1%Ga-MBG had significantly higher values. 1%Ga-MBG formed a larger red blood cell aggregate than both CX and ACS+. Direct exposure of 1%Ga-MBG to fibroblast cells increased cell viability after 3 days relative to CX and ACS+, inferring excellent cytocompatibility. The results of this study promote 1%Ga-MBG as a promising hemostat compared to the commercially available products as it possesses essential factors required for coagulation activation.
    MeSH terms: Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*; Blood Coagulation*; Cell Survival; Erythrocytes/cytology; Fibroblasts/cytology; Glass*; Hemorrhage/therapy*; Hemostasis; Humans; Materials Testing; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Platelet Adhesiveness*; Thrombin/chemistry; Water/chemistry; Porosity; Microscopy, Confocal; Cell Proliferation; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry*
  8. Sathasivam HP, Davies GR, Boyd NM
    Head Neck, 2018 Jan;40(1):46-54.
    PMID: 29149496 DOI: 10.1002/hed.24907
    BACKGROUND: Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) is a well-recognized complication of radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to assess predictive factors for the development of ORNJ.

    METHODS: A retrospective study of 325 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated at one institution between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2008, was conducted. Outcome measure was the presence/absence of ORNJ. Time to event was recorded and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to determine statistically significant predictive factors.

    RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients had ORNJ. Statistical analysis using Cox regression analysis identified several statistically significant variables: dentoalveolar surgery; peri-resective surgery of the jaw; continued tobacco usage after radiotherapy, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2); and total radiation dose.

    CONCLUSION: Patients at greater risk of developing ORNJ can be identified and measures can be instituted to reduce its incidence and expedite management when it does occur.

    MeSH terms: Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/radiotherapy*; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Head and Neck Neoplasms/radiotherapy*; Head and Neck Neoplasms/surgery; Humans; Jaw Diseases/etiology*; Jaw Diseases/physiopathology; Jaw Diseases/therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoradionecrosis/etiology*; Osteoradionecrosis/physiopathology; Osteoradionecrosis/therapy; Predictive Value of Tests; Radiotherapy Dosage; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Cohort Studies; Multivariate Analysis; Proportional Hazards Models; Risk Assessment
  9. Zulkifly NR, Wahab RA, Layang E, Ismail D, Desa WNSM, Hisham S, et al.
    J Forensic Leg Med, 2018 Jan;53:35-45.
    PMID: 29149652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2017.10.011
    Handprints and dismembered hands are commonly found during crime scene investigations and disaster victim identifications, respectively. It has been indicated that the accuracy of handprint and hand measurements for estimating stature maybe population specific. Since Iban is the largest ethnic population in Sarawak, Malaysia and because the application of anthropometry of hand and handprint within this population as well as other populations within the Southeast Asian countries remain unreported, this present study that investigated the reliability and accuracy of these two anthropometric aspects acquires forensic significance. Upon measuring the height, 21 measurements were recorded on each hand and the corresponding handprint of 50 male and 52 female consented adult Iban subjects. Using univariate statistics as well as simple and multiple regression analyses, interpretation of the measurements examined here was attempted. Results revealed that lengths of hand and handprint are the more reliable traits for estimating stature in both the male and female Iban subjects (p 
  10. Hafidh RR, Hussein SZ, MalAllah MQ, Abdulamir AS, Abu Bakar F
    Curr Cancer Drug Targets, 2018;18(8):807-815.
    PMID: 29141549 DOI: 10.2174/1568009617666171114144236
    BACKGROUND: Citrus bioactive compounds, as active anticancer agents, have been under focus by several studies worldwide. However, the underlying genes responsible for the anticancer potential have not been sufficiently highlighted.

    OBJECTIVES: The current study investigated the gene expression profile of hepatocellular carcinoma, HepG2, cells after treatment with Limonene.

    METHODS: The concentration that killed 50% of HepG2 cells was used to elucidate the genetic mechanisms of limonene anticancer activity. The apoptotic induction was detected by flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscope. Two of the pro-apoptotic events, caspase-3 activation and phosphatidylserine translocation were manifested by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Highthroughput real-time PCR was used to profile 1023 cancer-related genes in 16 different gene families related to the cancer development.

    RESULTS: In comparison to untreated cells, limonene increased the percentage of apoptotic cells up to 89.61%, by flow cytometry, and 48.2% by fluorescence microscopy. There was a significant limonene- driven differential gene expression of HepG2 cells in 15 different gene families. Limonene was shown to significantly (>2log) up-regulate and down-regulate 14 and 59 genes, respectively. The affected gene families, from the most to the least affected, were apoptosis induction, signal transduction, cancer genes augmentation, alteration in kinases expression, inflammation, DNA damage repair, and cell cycle proteins.

    CONCLUSION: The current study reveals that limonene could be a promising, cheap, and effective anticancer compound. The broad spectrum of limonene anticancer activity is interesting for anticancer drug development. Further research is needed to confirm the current findings and to examine the anticancer potential of limonene along with underlying mechanisms on different cell lines.

    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use*; Cell Cycle/drug effects; Flow Cytometry; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy*; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics*; Humans; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Liver Neoplasms/genetics*; Oncogenes/drug effects; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Linear Models; Treatment Outcome; Apoptosis/drug effects; Microscopy, Confocal; Genes, Neoplasm/drug effects*; Drug Discovery/methods; Hep G2 Cells; Transcriptome; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  11. Fazal SA, Khan M, Nishi SE, Alam F, Zarin N, Bari MT, et al.
    Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets, 2018 Feb 13;18(2):98-109.
    PMID: 29141572 DOI: 10.2174/1871530317666171114122417
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a predominant inflammatory autoimmune disorder. The incidence and prevalence of RA is increasing with considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. The pathophysiology of RA has become clearer due to many significant research outputs during the last two decades. Many inflammatory cytokines involved in RA pathophysiology and the presence of autoantibodies are being used as potential biomarkers via the use of effective diagnostic techniques for the early diagnosis of RA. Currently, several disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are being prescribed targeting RA pathophysiology, which have shown significant contributions in improving the disease outcomes.

    DISCUSSION: Even though innovations in treatment strategies and monitoring are helping the patients to achieve early and sustained clinical and radiographic remission, the high cost of drugs and limited health care budgets are restricting the easy access of RA treatment. Both direct and indirect high cost of treatment are creating economic burden for the patients and affecting their quality of life.

    CONCLUSION: The aim of this review is to describe the updated concept of RA pathophysiology and highlight current diagnostic tools used for the early detection as well as prognosis - targeting several biomarkers of RA. Additionally, we explored the updated treatment options with side effects besides discussing the global economic burden.
    MeSH terms: Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/economics; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/physiopathology; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/therapy*; Bone Resorption/etiology; Bone Resorption/immunology; Bone Resorption/prevention & control; Cartilage Diseases/etiology; Cartilage Diseases/immunology; Cartilage Diseases/prevention & control; Combined Modality Therapy/adverse effects; Combined Modality Therapy/economics; Combined Modality Therapy/trends; Drug Therapy, Combination/adverse effects; Drug Therapy, Combination/economics; Drug Therapy, Combination/trends; Humans; Prognosis; Quality of Life*; Synovitis/etiology; Synovitis/immunology; Synovitis/prevention & control; Global Health*; Biomarkers/blood; Health Care Costs*; Cost of Illness*; Early Diagnosis
  12. Jeffree SM, Ahmed K, Safian N, Hassan R, Mihat O, Lukman KA, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2018 Jan;98(1):45-50.
    PMID: 29141714 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0081
    Sabah is a Malaysian state situated in the northern part of Borneo, and it is endemic for malaria. The incidence of malaria is the lowest (0.05/1,000 population) in Penampang districts of Sabah. In June 26, 2012, two Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases were notified to public health department from a village in Penampang. Immediate investigation was initiated to identify the risk factors and to institute control measures. We performed active case finding by asking household members of all houses in the village regarding malaria symptoms and by examining blood smears. Environmental investigation was performed by collecting samples to detect mosquito breeding sites and to identify malaria transmitting vector mosquitoes. A case-control study with a ratio of 1:4 (11 cases and 44 controls) was conducted using self-administered questionnaire. The microscopic examination of blood smear for malarial parasite and entomology sampling was carried out. The malarial attack rate was 2.3%, 6/11 smears have gametocyte, and the case fatality rate was 9.1%. One case was a migrant rubber tapper from Indonesia which happened to be the first case with gametocyte positive. Overall, the incidence of malaria was higher (6/11) among rubber tappers. The odds of cases for those living nearby stagnant water were 7.3 [95% confidence interval: 1.2-43.5] times higher. In conclusion, an outbreak of P. falciparum malaria was introduced into a malaria-free village by a migrant rubber tapper, by whom the imported parasite was introduced to the community via vector Anopheles balabacensis. Living near stagnant water bodies was the risk factor in this outbreak.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Agriculture; Animals; Anopheles/parasitology; Child; Child, Preschool; Disease Outbreaks*; Female; Humans; Indonesia/ethnology; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Plasmodium falciparum; Risk Factors; Rubber; Case-Control Studies; Malaria, Falciparum/epidemiology*; Emigrants and Immigrants*; Young Adult
  13. Yunus MH, Tan Farrizam SN, Abdul Karim IZ, Noordin R
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2018 Jan;98(1):32-38.
    PMID: 29141740 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0632
    Laboratory diagnosis of toxocariasis is still a challenge especially in developing endemic countries with polyparasitism. In this study, three Toxocara canis recombinant antigens, rTES-26, rTES-30, and rTES-120, were expressed and used to prepare lateral flow immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) dipsticks. The concordance of the results of the rapid test (comprising three dipsticks) with a commercial IgG-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Cypress Diagnostics, Belgium) was compared against the concordance of two other commercial IgG-ELISA kits (Bordier, Switzerland and NovaTec, Germany) with the Cypress kit. Using Toxocara-positive samples, the concordance of the dipstick dotted with rTES-26, rTES-30, and rTES-120 was 41.4% (12/29), 51.7% (15/29), and 72.4% (21/29), respectively. When positivity with any dipstick was considered as an overall positive rapid test result, the concordance with the Cypress kit was 93% (27/29). Meanwhile, when compared with the results of the Cypress kit, the concordance of IgG-ELISA from NovaTec and Bordier was 100% (29/29) and 89.7% (26/29), respectively. Specific IgG4 has been recognized as a marker of active infection for several helminthic diseases; therefore, the two non-concordant results of the rapid test when compared with the NovaTec IgG-ELISA kit may be from samples of people with non-active infection. All the three dipsticks showed 100% (50/50) concordance with the Cypress kit when tested with serum from individuals who were healthy and with other infections. In conclusion, the lateral flow rapid test is potentially a good, fast, and easy test for toxocariasis. Next, further validation studies and development of a test with the three antigens in one dipstick will be performed.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antigens, Helminth/immunology*; Antigens, Helminth/isolation & purification; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods; Humans; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Recombinant Proteins; Toxocariasis/diagnosis*; Toxocariasis/immunology; Blotting, Western; Toxocara canis/immunology*; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  14. Lee OS, Ahn S, Ahn JH, Teo SH, Lee YS
    Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 2018 Feb;138(2):227-236.
    PMID: 29143167 DOI: 10.1007/s00402-017-2826-4
    INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of concurrent cartilage procedures during high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA) by comparing the outcomes of studies that directly compared the use of HTO plus concurrent cartilage procedures versus HTO alone.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Results that are possible to be compared in more than two articles were presented as forest plots. A 95% confidence interval was calculated for each effect size, and we calculated the I 2 statistic, which presents the percentage of total variation attributable to the heterogeneity among studies. The random effects model was used to calculate the effect size.

    RESULTS: Seven articles were included to the final analysis. Case groups were composed of HTO without concurrent procedures and control groups were composed of HTO with concurrent procedures such as marrow stimulation procedure, mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, and injection. The case group showed a higher hospital for special surgery score and mean difference was 4.10 [I 2 80.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 9.02 to 4.82]. Mean difference of the mechanical femorotibial angle in five studies was 0.08° (I 2 0%, 95% CI - 0.26 to 0.43). However, improved arthroscopic, histologic, and MRI results were reported in the control group.

    CONCLUSION: Our analysis support that concurrent procedures during HTO for medial compartment OA have little beneficial effect regarding clinical and radiological outcomes. However, they might have some beneficial effects in terms of arthroscopic, histologic, and MRI findings even though the quality of healed cartilage is not good as that of original cartilage. Therefore, until now, concurrent procedures for medial compartment OA have been considered optional. Nevertheless, no conclusions can be drawn for younger patients with focal cartilage defects and concomitant varus deformity. This question needs to be addressed separately.

    MeSH terms: Cartilage/physiology; Cartilage/surgery; Humans; Osteotomy*; Tibia/surgery*; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery*
  15. Wong F, Sargison N
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 2018 Mar;50(3):581-587.
    PMID: 29143232 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-017-1472-8
    Haemonchosis is a common problem on goat farms in tropical countries such as Malaysia. Prevention of production losses generally depends on the use of anthelmintic drugs, but is threatened by the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. This study investigates anthelmintic efficacy on small-scale Malaysian goat farms and describes putative risk factors. Adult goats had moderate to high pre-treatment faecal trichostrongyle egg counts, despite being housed on slatted floors and fed on cut-and-carry forage, raising questions about the source of nematode infection. Our results show multiple resistance to benzimidazole and macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic drugs and allow us to discuss the genetic origins of resistance with reference to farm husbandry and management. We conclude that improvement in Malaysian goat production efficiency will require the development of sustainable helminth control strategies, underpinned by a better understanding of the origins and population genetics of anthelmintic resistance.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Husbandry/methods; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use*; Benzimidazoles/therapeutic use; Drug Resistance/drug effects*; Feces; Gastrointestinal Diseases/drug therapy; Gastrointestinal Diseases/parasitology; Gastrointestinal Diseases/veterinary*; Goats; Malaysia; Nematoda/drug effects*; Nematode Infections/drug therapy; Nematode Infections/veterinary*; Parasite Egg Count/veterinary; Goat Diseases/drug therapy*; Goat Diseases/epidemiology; Goat Diseases/parasitology; Farms
  16. Dalu T, Wasserman RJ, Wu Q, Froneman WP, Weyl OLF
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2018 Jan;25(3):2842-2852.
    PMID: 29143261 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0728-1
    The effect of metals on environmental health is well documented and monitoring these and other pollutants is considered an important part of environmental management. Developing countries are yet to fully appreciate the direct impacts of pollution on aquatic ecosystems and as such, information on pollution dynamics is scant. Here, we assessed the temporal and spatial dynamics of stream sediment metal and nutrient concentrations using contaminant indices (e.g. enrichment factors, pollution load and toxic risk indices) in an arid temperate environment over the wet and dry seasons. The mean sediment nutrient, organic matter and metal concentration were highest during the dry season, with high values being observed for the urban environment. Sediment contaminant assessment scores indicated that during the wet season, the sediment quality was acceptable, but not so during the dry season. The dry season had low to moderate levels of enrichment for metals B, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, K and Zn. Overall, applying the sediment pollution load index highlighted poor quality river sediment along the length of the river. Toxic risk index indicated that most sites posed no toxic risk. The results of this study highlighted that river discharge plays a major role in structuring temporal differences in sediment quality. It was also evident that infrastructure degradation was likely contributing to the observed state of the river quality. The study contributes to our understanding of pollution dynamics in arid temperate landscapes where vast temporal differences in base flow characterise the riverscape. Such information is further useful for contrasting sediment pollution dynamics in aquatic environments with other climatic regions.
    MeSH terms: Agriculture; Desert Climate; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring/methods*; Nitrogen/analysis; Phosphorus/analysis; Seasons; South Africa; Urbanization; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Geologic Sediments/chemistry*; Metals, Heavy/analysis*; Rivers/chemistry*
  17. Alawieyah Syed Mortadza S, Sim JA, Neubrand VE, Jiang LH
    Glia, 2018 03;66(3):562-575.
    PMID: 29143372 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23265
    Amyloid β (Aβ)-induced neuroinflammation plays an important part in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Emerging evidence supports a role for the transient receptor potential melastatin-related 2 (TRPM2) channel in Aβ-induced neuroinflammation, but how Aβ induces TRPM2 channel activation and this relates to neuroinflammation remained poorly understood. We investigated the mechanisms by which Aβ42 activates the TRPM2 channel in microglial cells and the relationships to microglial activation and generation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a key cytokine implicated in AD. Exposure to 10-300 nM Aβ42 induced concentration-dependent microglial activation and generation of TNF-α that were ablated by genetically deleting (TRPM2 knockout ;TRPM2-KO) or pharmacologically inhibiting the TRPM2 channel, revealing a critical role of this channel in Aβ42 -induced microglial activation and generation of TNF-α. Mechanistically, Aβ42 activated the TRPM2 channel via stimulating generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of poly(ADPR) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Aβ42 -induced generation of ROS and activation of PARP-1 and TRPM2 channel were suppressed by inhibiting protein kinase C (PKC) and NADPH oxidases (NOX). Aβ42 -induced activation of PARP-1 and TRPM2 channel was also reduced by inhibiting PYK2 and MEK/ERK. Aβ42 -induced activation of PARP-1 was attenuated by TRPM2-KO and moreover, the remaining PARP-1 activity was eliminated by inhibiting PKC and NOX, but not PYK2 and MEK/ERK. Collectively, our results suggest that PKC/NOX-mediated generation of ROS and subsequent activation of PARP-1 play a role in Aβ42 -induced TRPM2 channel activation and TRPM2-dependent activation of the PYK2/MEK/ERK signalling pathway acts as a positive feedback to further facilitate activation of PARP-1 and TRPM2 channel. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying Aβ-induced AD-related neuroinflammation.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Calcium/metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Necrosis/metabolism; Peptide Fragments/administration & dosage; Peptide Fragments/metabolism*; Protein Kinase C/metabolism; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*; Amyloid beta-Peptides/administration & dosage; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism; Microglia/metabolism*; Mice, Knockout; NADPH Oxidase/metabolism; MAP Kinase Signaling System/physiology; TRPM Cation Channels/genetics; TRPM Cation Channels/metabolism*; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1/metabolism
  18. Chaiyakunapruk N, Kotirum S, Newall AT, Lambach P, Hutubessy RCW
    Influenza Other Respir Viruses, 2018 01;12(1):13-21.
    PMID: 29143498 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12491
    Influenza disease burden is recognized as one of the major public health problems globally. Much less is known about the economic burden of influenza especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A recent systematic review on the economic burden of influenza in LMICs suggests that information is scarce and/or incomplete and that there is a lack of standardized approaches for cost evaluations in LMICs. WHO commissioned and publicized a Manual for estimating the economic burden of seasonal influenza to support the standardization of estimates of the economic burden of seasonal influenza across countries. This article aims to describe the rationale of this manual development and opportunities that lie in collecting data to help policymakers estimate the economic burden of seasonal influenza. It describes a manual developed by WHO to help such estimation and also links to relevant literature and tools to ensure robustness of applied methods to assess the economic burden associated with seasonal influenza, including direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs and indirect costs.
    MeSH terms: Data Collection; Hospitalization/economics; Humans; Influenza, Human/economics*; Global Health/economics*; World Health Organization/organization & administration*; Databases, Factual; Health Care Costs; Cost of Illness; Models, Economic
  19. Tan CS, Loh YC, Ng CH, Ch'ng YS, Asmawi MZ, Ahmad M, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2018 Jan;97:985-994.
    PMID: 29136777 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.021
    Although Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang (BBT) has been long administered for hypertensive treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the ratio of the herbal components that makes up the formulation has not been optimized with respect to the anti-hypertensive effect that it inherently possesses. A newly amended BBT (ABBT) formulation was developed using the evidence-based approach of orthogonal stimulus-response compatibility model. The ABBT showed enhanced therapeutic effect while maintaining its traditional theoretical approach rooted in TCM. This study was designed to investigate the possible mechanism of actions involved in the vasodilatory activity of ABBT-50 by evaluating its vasodilative effect on isolated Sprague Dawley rats in the presence of absence of various antagonists. When pre-contracted with phenylephrine, relaxation was observed in endothelium intact (EC50=0.027±0.003mg/ml, Rmax=109.8±2.12%) and denuded aortic rings (EC50=0.409±0.073mg/ml, Rmax=63.15±1.78%), as well as in endothelium intact aortic rings pre-contracted with potassium chloride (EC50=32.7±12.16mg/ml, Rmax=34.02±3.82%). Significant decrease in the vasodilative effect of ABBT-50 was observed in the presence of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (EC50=0.12±0.021mg/ml, Rmax=75.33±3.28%), 1H-[1,2,4] Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (EC50=0.463±0.18mg/ml, Rmax=54.48±2.02%), methylene blue (EC50=0.19±0.037mg/ml, Rmax=83.69±3.19%), indomethacin (EC50=0.313±0.046mg/ml, Rmax=71.33±4.12%), atropine (EC50=0.146±0.013mg/ml, Rmax=77.2±3.41%), and 4-aminopyridine (EC50=0.045±0.008mg/ml, Rmax=95.55±2.36%). ABBT-50 was also suppressing Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum and inhibiting calcium channels. Vasodilatory effects of ABBT-50 are mediated through NO/sGC/cGMP cascade and PGI2, followed by muscarinic pathways and calcium channels.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antihypertensive Agents/pharmacology*; Calcium/metabolism; Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*; Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects; Cyclic GMP/metabolism; Male; Phenylephrine/pharmacology; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum/drug effects; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism; Vasodilation/drug effects*; Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology*; Calcium Channels/drug effects; Calcium Channels/metabolism; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats
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