Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Li A, Geyer FC, Blecua P, Lee JY, Selenica P, Brown DN, et al.
    NPJ Breast Cancer, 2019 11 19;5:44.
    PMID: 31754629 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-019-0140-8
    [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/s41523-019-0115-9.].
    MeSH terms: Humans
  2. Selamat R, Raib J, Abdul Aziz NA, Zulkafly N, Ismail AN, W Mohamad WNA, et al.
    Ecol Food Nutr, 2019 11 22;59(3):263-278.
    PMID: 31755310 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2019.1694922
    This study aimed to determine dietary practices and meal patterns among Malaysian overweight and obese school children at baseline. This study was part of a school-based obesity intervention study, My Body is Fit and Fabulous at School (MyBFF@school). It involved 1045 primary and 1041 secondary overweight and obese school children from a randomly selected 23 out of 1196 primary and 15 out of 416 secondary government schools in central Peninsular Malaysia. The results showed a significantly higher of adequate intake (4-8 servings/day) of cereals and grains among primary (54.7%) than secondary school children (48.2%). About 28.2% of primary and 32.6% of secondary school children had consumed adequate fruit (2 servings/day), while a very low percentage of both primary (5.0%) and secondary (3.6%) school children consumed adequate vegetables (3 servings/day). As for the meal patterns, school children in both primary and secondary were not taking breakfast regularly (mean±SD for primary: 3.16 ± 2.61 days/week vs secondary: 2.97 ± 2.52 days/week). There was also a significantly higher mean frequency of primary school children brought plain water to school than the secondary school children. In conclusion, urgent actions to address improper dietary practices and meal patterns of overweight and obese school children in Malaysia are warranted.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*; Diet/statistics & numerical data*; Female; Health Promotion/methods; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Schools; Overweight/epidemiology*; Meals*; Pediatric Obesity/epidemiology*; Recommended Dietary Allowances
  3. Othman S, A Essau C
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2019 11;31(8_suppl):6S-7S.
    PMID: 31747779 DOI: 10.1177/1010539519887322
    Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2017)
    MeSH terms: Morbidity; Surveys and Questionnaires
  4. Hildingsson I, Lindgren H, Karlström A, Christensson K, Bäck L, Mudokwenyu-Rawdon C, et al.
    Glob Health Action, 2019;12(1):1689721.
    PMID: 31747850 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2019.1689721
    Background: Evidence-based antenatal care is one cornerstone in Safe Motherhood and educated and confident midwives remain to be optimal caregivers in Africa. Confidence in antenatal midwifery skills is important and could differ depending on the provision of education among the training institutions across Africa.Objective: The aim of the study was to describe and compare midwifery students' confidence in basic antenatal skills, in relation to age, sex, program type and level of program.Methods: A survey in seven sub-Saharan African countries was conducted. Enrolled midwifery students from selected midwifery institutions in each country presented selfreported data on confidence to provide antenatal care. Data were collected using a selfadministered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 22 antenatal skills based on the competency framework from the International Confederation of Midwives. The skills were grouped into three domains; Identify fetal and maternal risk factors and educate parents; Manage and document emergent complications and Physical assessment and nutrition.Results: In total, 1407 midwifery students from seven Sub-Saharan countries responded. Almost one third (25-32%) of the students reported high levels of confidence in all three domains. Direct entry programs were associated with higher levels of confidence in all three domains, compared to post-nursing and double degree programs. Students enrolled at education with diploma level presented with high levels of confidence in two out of three domains.Conclusions: A significant proportion of student midwives rated themselves low on confidence to provide ANC. Midwifery students enrolled in direct entry programs reported higher levels of confidence in all domains. It is important that local governments develop education standards, based on recommendations from the International Confederation of midwives. Further research is needed for the evaluation of actual competence.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Attitude of Health Personnel; Clinical Competence/standards; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Midwifery/education*; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care/standards*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sex Factors; Students/psychology*; Africa South of the Sahara; Young Adult
  5. Venkatason P, Zubairi YZ, Zaharan NL, Wan Ahmad WA, Hafidz MI, Ismail MD, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2019 11 19;9(11):e030159.
    PMID: 31748289 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030159
    OBJECTIVE: Young women form a minority but an important group of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) as it can potentially cause devastating physical and socioeconomic impact. This study was aimed to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of young women with MI in Malaysia.

    DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of women with ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) from 18 hospitals across Malaysia using the Malaysian National Cardiovascular Database registry-acute coronary syndrome (NCVD-ACS).

    PARTICIPANTS: Women patients diagnosed with acute MI from year 2006 to 2013 were identified and divided into young (age ≤ 45, n=292) and older women (age >45, n=5580).

    PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Comparison of demographics, clinical characteristics and in-hospital management was performed between young and older women. In-hospital and 30-day all-cause mortality were examined.

    RESULTS: Young women (mean age 39±4.68) made up 5% of women with MI and were predominantly of Malay ethnicities (53.8%). They have a higher tendency to present as STEMI compared with older women. Young women have significantly higher rates of family history of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) (20.5% vs 7.8% p<0.0001). The prevalence of risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia was high in both groups. The primary reperfusion strategy was thrombolysis with no significant differences observed in the choice of intervention for both groups. Other than aspirin, rates of prescriptions for evidence-based medications were similar with >80% prescribed statins and aspirin. The all-cause mortality rates of young women were lower for both in-hospital and 30 days, especially in those with STEMI with adjusted mortality ratio to the older group, was 1:9.84.

    CONCLUSION: Young women with MI were over-represented by Malays and those with a family history of premature CAD. Preventive measures are needed to reduce cardiovascular risks in young women. Although in-hospital management was similar, short-term mortality outcomes favoured young compared with older women.

    MeSH terms: Acute Disease; Adult; Female; Humans; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data; Malaysia/epidemiology; Myocardial Infarction/epidemiology*; Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology; Myocardial Infarction/therapy*; Prospective Studies; Registries; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Databases, Factual; Hospital Mortality; Patient Outcome Assessment*
  6. Araujo G, Agustines A, Tracey B, Snow S, Labaja J, Ponzo A
    Sci Rep, 2019 11 20;9(1):17209.
    PMID: 31748588 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53718-w
    The Philippines is home to the second largest known population of whale sharks in the world. The species is listed as endangered due to continued population declines in the Indo-Pacific. Knowledge about the connectivity within Southeast Asia remains poor, and thus international management is difficult. Here, we employed pop-up archival tags, data mining and dedicated effort to understand an aggregation of whale sharks at Honda Bay, Palawan, Philippines, and its role in the species' conservation. Between Apr and Oct 2018, we conducted 159 surveys identifying 117 individual whale sharks through their unique spot patterns (96.5% male, mean 4.5 m). A further 66 individual whale sharks were identified from local operators, and data mined on social media platforms. The satellite telemetry data showed that the whale sharks moved broadly, with one individual moving to Sabah, Malaysia, before returning to the site <1 year later. Similarly, another tagged whale shark returned to the site at a similar periodicity after reaching the Malay-Filipino border. One individual whale shark first identified in East Kalimantan, Indonesia by a citizen scientist was resighted in Honda Bay ~3.5 years later. Honda Bay is a globally important site for the endangered whale shark with connectivity to two neighbouring countries, highlighting the need for international cooperation to manage the species.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Behavior, Animal/physiology*; Female; Indonesia; Malaysia; Male; Pattern Recognition, Visual*; Philippines; Photography/methods; Photography/veterinary*; Sharks/physiology*; Telemetry/methods; Telemetry/veterinary*; Animal Migration*
  7. Rosid SJM, Toemen S, Iqbal MMA, Bakar WAWA, Mokhtar WNAW, Aziz MMA
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Dec;26(36):36124-36140.
    PMID: 31748998 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06607-8
    A rapid growth in the development of power generation and transportation sectors would result in an increase in the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere. As it will continue to play a vital role in meeting current and future needs, significant efforts have been made to address this problem. Over the past few years, extensive studies on the development of heterogeneous catalysts for CO2 methanation have been investigated and reported in the literatures. In this paper, a comprehensive overview of methanation research studies over lanthanide oxide catalysts has been reviewed. The utilisation of lanthanide oxides as CO2 methanation catalysts performed an outstanding result of CO2 conversion and improvised the conversion of acidity from CO2 gas to CH4 gas. The innovations of catalysts towards the reaction were discussed in details including the influence of preparation methods, the structure-activity relationships as well as the mechanism with the purpose of outlining the pathways for future development of the methanation process.
    MeSH terms: Carbon Dioxide/analysis*; Catalysis; Lanthanum/chemistry*; Methane/analysis*; Oxides/chemistry*; Natural Gas/analysis*
  8. Kwan PP, Banerjee S, Shariff M, Yusoff FM
    Vet World, 2019 Sep;12(9):1416-1421.
    PMID: 31749575 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1416-1421
    Background and Aim: Malachite green (MG) is an effective antiparasitic and antifungal chemical for treatment of fish. However, MG is reported to be a potential carcinogen. Yet, it is widely used in aquaculture despite its prohibition for use in food-producing animals by the EU and USFDA. The present study quantified MG residues and evaluated the oxidative stress in red tilapia when exposed to subacute and sublethal concentrations of MG.

    Materials and Methods: Red tilapia exposed to subacute (0.105 mg/L for 20 days) and sublethal (0.053 mg/L for 60 days) concentrations were evaluated for total plasma protein, total immunoglobulin, nitroblue tetrazolium activity, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) activity levels. The residues of MG and leuco-MG (LMG) were also quantified in the fish muscles using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

    Results: Fish exposed to subacute concentration showed higher CAT on day 10 in the liver and days 5 and 15 in the spleen, whereas in fish exposed to the sublethal concentration, higher levels of GSH were observed on day 1 in the kidney and day 50 in the spleen. Fish muscle was able to accumulate the sum of MG and LMG of 108.04 µg/kg for subacute (day 20) and 82.68 µg/kg for sublethal (day 60).

    Conclusion: This study showed that red tilapia was able to adapt to the stress caused by exposure to MG at sublethal concentration.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Blood Proteins; Carcinogens; Catalase; Chromatography, Liquid; Glutathione; Immunoglobulins; Kidney; Liver; Malondialdehyde; Nitroblue Tetrazolium; Rosaniline Dyes; Spleen; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration; Tilapia; Aquaculture; Oxidative Stress; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  9. Tengku Mohamad TAS, Islahudin F, Jasamai M, Jamal JA
    Patient Prefer Adherence, 2019;13:1829-1837.
    PMID: 31749609 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S227780
    BACKGROUND: Preference for herbal use is increasing worldwide. This is especially true for Malay women in Malaysia that is steeped in traditional and cultural values and surrounded by diverse flora. However, concerns arise with the use of herbs due to the lack of monitoring, scientific evidence and risk of adverse effects. As such identifying potential herbal users is vital to ensure appropriate management is optimised.

    OBJECTIVE: This study derives insights on preferred herbs, perception and predictors of herbal use for health among Malay women in Malaysia.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey, comprising of Malay women, performed in all fourteen states in Malaysia. Respondents were assessed for demographic characteristic, current use of herbal medicine, their preferred herbal medicine and perception of herbal use. Predictors of herbal use were then determined using a multivariate logistic regression model.

    RESULTS: A total of 1067 respondents were included in the study of which 592 (55.5%) admitted to using herbs for health. In general, raw herbs were the most preferred herbal remedies used (n=407, 69.5%). A significantly higher number of respondents perceived that herbal remedies would not cause any problems to women's overall health (n=725, 67.9%) (χ2=137.5, df(1), p<0.001), although a large majority agreed that not all remedies were safe for pregnant women (n=979, 91.8%) (χ2=744.03, df(1), p<0.001). Among predictors of herbal use were marital status and income (χ2=203.98, df(795) p<0.001). Those that were married were 3.9 times more likely to use herbs than unmarried women (p<0.001). Having an income of

  10. Choy KW, Murugan D, Leong XF, Abas R, Alias A, Mustafa MR
    Front Pharmacol, 2019;10:1295.
    PMID: 31749703 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01295
    Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as angina, hypertension, myocardial ischemia, and heart failure are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One of the major transcription factors widely associated with CVDs is nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB). NFκB activation initiates the canonical and non-conical pathways that promotes activation of transcription factors leading to inflammation, such as leukocyte adhesion molecules, cytokines, and chemokines. Flavonoids are bioactive polyphenolic compounds found abundantly in various fruits, vegetables, beverages (tea, coffee), nuts, and cereal products with cardiovascular protective properties. Flavonoids can be classified into six subgroups based on their chemical structures: flavanones, flavones, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, isoflavones, and anthocyanidins. As NFκB inhibitors, these flavonoids may modulate the expression of pro-inflammatory genes leading to the attenuation of the inflammatory responses underlying various cardiovascular pathology. This review presents an update on the anti-inflammatory actions of flavonoids via inhibition of NFκB mechanism supporting the therapeutic potential of these natural compounds in various CVDs.
    MeSH terms: Angina Pectoris; Anthocyanins; Edible Grain; Coffee; Coronary Artery Disease; Flavonoids; Fruit; Heart Failure; Hypertension; Inflammation; Isoflavones; Nuts; Tea; Transcription Factors; Vegetables; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Cytokines; NF-kappa B; Chemokines; Flavonols; Flavanones; Flavones
  11. Ling ML, Apisarnthanarak A, Abbas A, Morikane K, Lee KY, Warrier A, et al.
    PMID: 31749962 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-019-0638-8
    Background: The Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC) launched the APSIC Guidelines for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections in 2018. This document describes the guidelines and recommendations for the setting prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). It aims to highlight practical recommendations in a concise format designed to assist healthcare facilities at Asia Pacific region in achieving high standards in preoperative, perioperative and postoperative practices.

    Method: The guidelines were developed by an appointed workgroup comprising experts in the Asia Pacific region, following reviews of previously published guidelines and recommendations relevant to each section.

    Results: It recommends that healthcare facilities review specific risk factors and develop effective prevention strategies, which would be cost effective at local levels. Gaps identified are best closed using a quality improvement process. Surveillance of SSIs is recommended using accepted international methodology. The timely feedback of the data analysed would help in the monitoring of effective implementation of interventions.

    Conclusions: Healthcare facilities should aim for excellence in safe surgery practices. The implementation of evidence-based practices using a quality improvement process helps towards achieving effective and sustainable results.

    MeSH terms: Age Factors; Humans; Intraoperative Care; Preoperative Care/methods; Surgical Wound Infection/diagnosis; Surgical Wound Infection/etiology*; Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology; Surgical Wound Infection/prevention & control*; Infection Control; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Health Care Surveys
  12. Goh BS, Tang CL, Tan GC
    Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2019 Nov;71(Suppl 2):1023-1026.
    PMID: 31750119 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-015-0930-8
    Myeloid sarcoma is a rare malignant extramedullary neoplasm of myeloid precursor cells. This disorder may occur in concomitance with or precede development of acute or chronic myeloid leukemia. Sometimes, it is the initial manifestation of relapse in a previously treated acute myeloid leukemia. We report a case of 11 years old boy with acute myeloid leukemia in remission state, presented with short history of right otalgia associated with facial nerve palsy. Diagnosis of right acute mastoiditis with facial nerve palsy as complication of acute otitis media was made initially. Patient underwent simple cortical mastoidectomy but histopathology from soft tissue that was sent revealed diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma. A leukemic relapse was confirmed by paediatric oncologist through bone marrow biopsy. Chemotherapy was commenced but patient responded poorly to the treatment.
    MeSH terms: Biopsy; Bone Marrow; Child; Earache; Facial Nerve; Facial Paralysis; Humans; Male; Mastoiditis; Recurrence; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Bell Palsy; Sarcoma, Myeloid; Oncologists
  13. Roy S, Kumarasamy G, Salim R
    Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2019 Nov;71(Suppl 2):1599-1602.
    PMID: 31750223 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-019-01685-z
    Vestibular dehiscence or atelectasis is a rarity known to cause vertigo. This pathology poses many challenges especially in diagnosis and treatment simply due to the scarcity of reported cases. The etiologic factors, disease pathophysiology and complications remain unclear. We report a young adult female who presented with unsteadiness for 2 years associated with headache. Tullio's phenomenon was observed which led to a finding of bilateral vestibular dehiscence involving the medial walls on high resolution computed tomography.
    MeSH terms: Pulmonary Atelectasis; Female; Headache; Humans; Nystagmus, Pathologic; Tomography; Vertigo; Vestibule, Labyrinth; Young Adult
  14. Ahmed MA, Saif A, Quan FS
    PLoS One, 2019;14(11):e0224743.
    PMID: 31751362 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224743
    Human infections due to the monkey malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi are increasingly being reported from Malaysia. The parasite causes high parasitaemia, severe and fatal malaria in humans thus there is a need for urgent measures for its control. The MSP4 is a potential vaccine candidate, which is well studied in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax; however, no study has been conducted in the orthologous gene of P. knowlesi. In this study, we investigated the level of polymorphisms, haplotypes, natural selection and population structure of full-length pkmsp4 in 32 clinical samples from Malaysian Borneo along with 4 lab-adapted strains. We found low levels of polymorphism across the gene with exon I showing higher diversity than the exon II. The C- terminal epidermal growth factor (EGF) domains and GPI-anchored region within exon II were mostly conserved with only 2 non-synonymous substitutions. Although 21 amino acid haplotypes were found, the frequency of mutation at the majority of the polymorphic positions was low. We found evidence of negative selection at the exon II of the gene indicating existence of functional constraints. Phylogenetic haplotype network analysis identified shared haplotypes and indicated geographical clustering of samples originating from Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. High population differentiation values were observed within parasite populations originating from Malaysian Borneo (Kapit, Sarikei and Betong) and laboratory-adapted strains obtained from Peninsular Malaysia and Philippines indicating distinct population structure. This is the first study to genetically characterize the full-length msp4 gene from clinical isolates of P. knowlesi from Malaysia and thus would be very useful for future rational vaccine studies. Further studies with higher number of samples and functional characterization of the protein will be necessary.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Borneo; Epidermal Growth Factor; Exons; Haplotypes; Humans; Malaria; Malaysia; Parasites; Philippines; Phylogeny; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax; Polymorphism, Genetic; Selection, Genetic; Plasmodium knowlesi; Parasitemia
  15. Mat S, Jaafar MH, Ng CT, Sockalingam S, Raja J, Kamaruzzaman SB, et al.
    PLoS One, 2019;14(11):e0225075.
    PMID: 31751378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225075
    Knee pain is often underreported, underestimated and undertreated. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence, burden and further identify socioeconomic factors influencing ethnic differences in knee pain and symptoms of OA among older adults aged 55 years and over in Greater Kuala Lumpur (the capital city of Malaysia). The sample for the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) was selected using stratified random sampling, by age and ethnicity from the electoral rolls of three parliamentary constituencies. Information on knee pain was available in 1226 participants, mean age (SD) 68.96 (1.57) years (409 Malay, 416 Chinese, 401 Indian). The crude and weighted prevalence of knee pain and self-reported knee OA symptoms were 33.3% and 30.8% respectively. There were significant ethnic differences in knee pain (crude prevalence: Malays 44.6%, Chinese 23.5% and Indians 31.9%, p<0.001). The presence of two or more non-communicable diseases (NCD) attenuated the increased risk of knee pain among the ethnic Indians compared to the ethnic Chinese. The prevalence of knee pain remained significantly higher among the ethnic Malays after adjustment for confounders. While the prevalence of knee pain in our older population appears similar to that reported in other published studies in Asia, the higher prevalence among the ethnic Malays has not previously been reported. Further research to determine potential genetic susceptibility to knee pain among the ethnic Malays is recommended.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Ethnic Groups*; Female; Humans; Knee Joint/pathology*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Osteoarthritis/ethnology*; Osteoarthritis/epidemiology*; Pain/epidemiology*; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors*; Prevalence; Multivariate Analysis
  16. Singh RK, Dhama K, Chakraborty S, Tiwari R, Natesan S, Khandia R, et al.
    Vet Q, 2019 Dec;39(1):26-55.
    PMID: 31006350
    Nipah (Nee-pa) viral disease is a zoonotic infection caused by Nipah virus (NiV), a paramyxovirus belonging to the genus Henipavirus of the family Paramyxoviridae. It is a biosafety level-4 pathogen, which is transmitted by specific types of fruit bats, mainly Pteropus spp. which are natural reservoir host. The disease was reported for the first time from the Kampung Sungai Nipah village of Malaysia in 1998. Human-to-human transmission also occurs. Outbreaks have been reported also from other countries in South and Southeast Asia. Phylogenetic analysis affirmed the circulation of two major clades of NiV as based on currently available complete N and G gene sequences. NiV isolates from Malaysia and Cambodia clustered together in NiV-MY clade, whereas isolates from Bangladesh and India clusterered within NiV-BD clade. NiV isolates from Thailand harboured mixed population of sequences. In humans, the virus is responsible for causing rapidly progressing severe illness which might be characterized by severe respiratory illness and/or deadly encephalitis. In pigs below six months of age, respiratory illness along with nervous symptoms may develop. Different types of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays along with molecular methods based on polymerase chain reaction have been developed for diagnostic purposes. Due to the expensive nature of the antibody drugs, identification of broad-spectrum antivirals is essential along with focusing on small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). High pathogenicity of NiV in humans, and lack of vaccines or therapeutics to counter this disease have attracted attention of researchers worldwide for developing effective NiV vaccine and treatment regimens.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cat Diseases/epidemiology; Cat Diseases/prevention & control; Cat Diseases/virology; Cats; Dog Diseases/epidemiology; Dog Diseases/prevention & control; Dog Diseases/virology; Dogs; Humans; Nipah Virus/classification; Nipah Virus/immunology*; Henipavirus Infections/epidemiology; Henipavirus Infections/prevention & control; Henipavirus Infections/veterinary*; Henipavirus Infections/virology
  17. Kamelian K, Montoya V, Olmstead A, Dong W, Harrigan R, Morshed M, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 Nov 11;9(1):16433.
    PMID: 31712570 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52613-8
    In 2018, the World Health Organization identified the Zika virus (ZIKV) as a pathogen that should be prioritized for public health research due to its epidemic potential. In this study, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of travel-acquired ZIKV infections was used to examine the limitations of phylogenetic analysis. WGS and phylogenetic analysis were performed to investigate geographic clustering of samples from five Canadians with travel-acquired ZIKV infections and to assess the limitations of phylogenetic analysis of ZIKV sequences using a phylogenetic cluster approach. Genomic variability of ZIKV samples was assessed and for context, compared with hepatitis C virus (HCV) samples. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the suspected region of ZIKV infection for one of five samples and one sample failed to cluster with sequences from its suspected country of infection. Travel-acquired ZIKV samples depicted low genomic variability relative to HCV samples. A floating patristic distance threshold classified all pre-2000 ZIKV sequences into separate clusters, while only Cambodian, Peruvian, Malaysian, and South Korean sequences were similarly classifiable. While phylogenetic analysis of ZIKV data can identify the broad geographical region of ZIKV infection, ZIKV's low genomic variability is likely to limit precise interpretations of phylogenetic analysis of the origins of travel-related cases.
    MeSH terms: Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology*; Zika Virus Infection/transmission*; Zika Virus Infection/virology*; Zika Virus/classification*; Zika Virus/genetics*; Humans; Phylogeny*; Travel; Genetic Variation; Global Health; Genome, Viral*; Phylogeography; Public Health Surveillance
  18. Hon KW, Ab-Mutalib NS, Abdullah NMA, Jamal R, Abu N
    Sci Rep, 2019 Nov 11;9(1):16497.
    PMID: 31712601 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53063-y
    Chemo-resistance is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC), with the absence of early biomarker. Exosomes are microvesicles released by body cells for intercellular communication. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with covalently closed loops and enriched in exosomes. Crosstalk between circRNAs in exosomes and chemo-resistance in CRC remains unknown. This research aims to identify exosomal circRNAs associated with FOLFOX-resistance in CRC. FOLFOX-resistant HCT116 CRC cells (HCT116-R) were generated from parental HCT116 cells (HCT116-P) using periodic drug induction. Exosomes were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Zetasizer and Western blot. Our exosomes were translucent cup-shaped structures under TEM with differential expression of TSG101, CD9, and CD63. We performed circRNAs microarray using exosomal RNAs from HCT116-R and HCT116-P cells. We validated our microarray data using serum samples. We performed drug sensitivity assay and cell cycle analysis to characterize selected circRNA after siRNA-knockdown. Using fold change >2 and p 
    MeSH terms: Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism*; Extracellular Vesicles/ultrastructure; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Cell Communication/genetics; Humans; Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics*; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism*; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*; Computational Biology/methods; Gene Silencing; Gene Expression Profiling; MicroRNAs; Exosomes/metabolism; Molecular Sequence Annotation
  19. Khalivulla SI, Mohammed A, Sirajudeen KNS, Shaik MI, Ye W, Korivi M
    Curr Drug Metab, 2019;20(12):946-957.
    PMID: 31744445 DOI: 10.2174/1389200220666191118102616
    BACKGROUND: Typhonium is the largest genus in the Araceae family (~70 species), distributed in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia. Typhonium is well-known for its ethnopharmacological uses, and Southeast Asians consider it as an alternative medicine to treat cancer. This review elucidated the confirmed chemical structures of the isolated compounds of Typhonium and emphasized on their anticancer activities against various human cancer cells.

    METHODS: Among several species, Typhonium blumei, T. flagelliforme, T. divaricatum and T. giganteum were extensively studied due to the presence of a class of secondary metabolites. All the available reports on Typhonium were included and discussed in this article.

    RESULTS: Until now several groups of compounds, namely amino acids (1, 2), cinnamic acid (3), fatty acids (4-14), glycerol derivatives (15-18) and cerebrosides (19-34), flavonoids (35), hydantoins (36-38), lignin monomers (39-44), nucleobases (45-48), pheophorbides (49-52), phthalate (53), terpene and steroids (54-59) and vitamins (60, 61) were isolated and characterized from Typhonium. These phytochemicals were investigated for their anticancer properties, and results confirmed the promising growth inhibitory effect and anticancer activities against human lung, breast, prostate and colon cancer cells. The anticancer activity of these compounds appears to be mediated through the induction of apoptotic cell death. These phytochemicals further reported to exhibit other pharmacological efficacies, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-allergic, neuroprotective and hepato-protective properties.

    CONCLUSION: This is the first review to summarize the anticancer properties of all isolated compounds of Typhonium genus with confirmed chemical structures. Further advanced studies are necessary to establish the detailed signaling pathways that are involved in the anticancer property of the compounds.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry*; Humans; Phytotherapy; Medicine, Traditional; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Apoptosis/drug effects; Anti-Allergic Agents; Araceae/chemistry*; Phytochemicals/pharmacology; Phytochemicals/chemistry*
  20. Ramesh T, Foo KL, R H, Sam AJ, Solayappan M
    Sci Rep, 2019 Nov 19;9(1):17039.
    PMID: 31745139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53476-9
    Detection of host integrated viral oncogenes are critical for early and point-of-care molecular diagnostics of virus-induced carcinoma. However, available diagnostic approaches are incapable of combining both cost-efficient medical diagnosis and high analytical performances. To circumvent this, we have developed an improved IDE-based nanobiosensor for biorecognition of HPV-16 infected cervical cancer cells through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The system is fabricated by coating gold (Au) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods interfaced with HPV-16 viral DNA bioreceptors on top of the Interdigitated Electrode (IDE) chips surface. Due to the concurrently improved sensitivity and biocompatibility of the designed nanohybrid film, Au decorated ZnO-Nanorod biosensors demonstrate exceptional detection of HPV-16 E6 oncogene, the cancer biomarker for HPV infected cervical cancers. This sensor displayed high levels of sensitivity by detecting as low as 1fM of viral E6 gene target. The sensor also exhibited a stable functional life span of more than 5 weeks, good reproducibility and high discriminatory properties against HPV-16. Sensor current responses are obtained from cultured cervical cancer cells which are close to clinical cancer samples. Hence, the developed sensor is an adaptable tool with high potential for clinical diagnosis especially useful for economically challenged countries/regions.
    MeSH terms: Point-of-Care Testing; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/genetics*; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology; Cervix Uteri/pathology; Female; Gold Alloys/chemistry; Humans; Oncogene Proteins, Viral/genetics*; Repressor Proteins/genetics*; Sensitivity and Specificity; Zinc Oxide/chemistry; Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation; Biosensing Techniques/methods*; Papillomavirus Infections/diagnosis*; Nanotubes/chemistry; Human papillomavirus 16/genetics*
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