Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. McJarrow P, Radwan H, Ma L, MacGibbon AKH, Hashim M, Hasan H, et al.
    Nutrients, 2019 Oct 08;11(10).
    PMID: 31597293 DOI: 10.3390/nu11102400
    Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), phospholipids (PLs), and gangliosides (GAs) are components of human breast milk that play important roles in the development of the rapidly growing infant. The differences in these components in human milk from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were studied in a cross-sectional trial. High-performance liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry was used to determine HMO, PL, and GA concentrations in transitional (5-15 days) and mature (at 6 months post-partum) breast milk of mothers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The results showed that the average HMO (12 species), PL (7 species), and GA (2 species) concentrations quantified in the UAE mothers' transitional milk samples were (in mg/L) 8204 ± 2389, 269 ± 89, and 21.18 ± 11.46, respectively, while in mature milk, the respective concentrations were (in mg/L) 3905 ± 1466, 220 ± 85, and 20.18 ± 9.75. The individual HMO concentrations measured in this study were all significantly higher in transitional milk than in mature milk, except for 3 fucosyllactose, which was higher in mature milk. In this study, secretor and non-secretor phenotype mothers showed no significant difference in the total HMO concentration. For the PL and GA components, changes in the individual PL and GA species distribution was observed between transitional milk and mature milk. However, the changes were within the ranges found in human milk from other regions.
    MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gangliosides/analysis*; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lactation/physiology; Milk, Human/chemistry*; Oligosaccharides/analysis*; Phenotype; Phospholipids/analysis*; United Arab Emirates; Cohort Studies
  2. Mohd Sharif NA, Usman J, Wan Safwani WKZ, Siew Li G, Abdul Karim S, Mohamed NA, et al.
    Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 2019 Nov;233(11):1132-1140.
    PMID: 31597554 DOI: 10.1177/0954411919874614
    Knee sleeves are often prescribed to alleviate pain in people with early knee osteoarthritis. However, the biomechanics underlying their pain-relieving effect are still not well understood. This pre-post study aims at evaluating and comparing the effects of two different types of knee sleeves on knee adduction moment. Patients with clinically diagnosed knee osteoarthritis were recruited from the University of Malaya Medical Centre and were randomly assigned to two test groups using (1) a simple knee sleeve and (2) a simple sleeve with patella cutout. Knee adduction moment was collected using the Vicon motion capture system with two Kistler force plates. Pain, stiffness and physical functions were recorded using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. All measurements were taken before, immediately after and at the completion of 6 weeks of application (primary time point). In total, 17 participants with early unilateral knee osteoarthritis (47.7 (9.7) years) completed the study. Overall results show significant reduction in pain, early stance and late stance knee adduction moment and increased walking speed after 6 weeks of both knee sleeves application. This study results suggest that knee sleeves can reduce knee adduction moments in early unilateral knee osteoarthritis by 14.0% and 12.1% using the simple sleeve and the sleeve with patella cutout, respectively, and can potentially delay disease progression. In addition, knee sleeve with patella cutout does not provide additional benefits when compared to the simple knee sleeve.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Knee; Knee Joint; Ontario; Pain; Patella; Universities; Disease Progression; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Walking Speed
  3. Sazali NH, Alshishani A, Saad B, Chew KY, Chong MM, Miskam M
    R Soc Open Sci, 2019 Aug;6(8):190952.
    PMID: 31598260 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190952
    In this study, salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) as a simple and efficient extraction technique followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed for the determination of vitamin D3 in milk samples. The sample treatment is based on the use of water-miscible acetonitrile as the extractant and acetonitrile phase separation under high-salt conditions. Under the optimum conditions, acetonitrile and ammonium sulfate were used as the extraction solvent and salting-out agent, respectively. The vitamin D3 extract was separated using Hypersil ODS (250x i.d 4.6 mm, 5 µm) HPLC column that was coupled with diode array detector. Vitamin D2 was used as internal standard (IS) to offset any variations in chromatographic conditions. The vitamin D3 and the IS were eluted in 18 min. Good linearity (r 2 > 0.99) was obtained within the range of 25-600 ng g-1 with the limit of detection of 15 ng g-1 and limit of quantification of 25 ng g-1. The validated method was applied for the determination of vitamin D3 in milk samples. The recoveries for spiked samples were from 94.4 to 113.5%.
  4. Lee CL, H'ng PS, Chin KL, Paridah MT, Rashid U, Go WZ
    R Soc Open Sci, 2019 Sep;6(9):190667.
    PMID: 31598301 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190667
    The production of bioadsorbent from palm kernel shell (PKS) and coconut shell (CS) pretreated with 30% phosphoric acid (H3PO4) was optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). Iodine adsorption for both bioadsorbents was optimized by central composite design. Two parameters including the H3PO4 pretreatment temperature and carbonization temperature were determined as significant factors to improve the iodine adsorption of the bioadsorbent. Statistical analysis results divulge that both factors had significant effect on the iodine adsorption for the bioadsorbent. From the RSM analysis, it was suggested that using 80 and 79°C as H3PO4 pretreatment temperature and 714 and 715°C as carbonization temperature would enhance the iodine adsorption of the CS and PKS bioadsobent, respectively. These results indicated that H3PO4 is a good pretreatment for preparing PKS and CS prior to carbonization process to produce bioadsorbent with well-developed microporous and mesoporous volume. The effort to produce alternative high grade and inexpensive adsorbent derived from lignocellulosic biomass, particularly in the nut shell form was implied in this research.
  5. Nayak SB, Shetty SD
    Anat Cell Biol, 2019 Sep;52(3):337-339.
    PMID: 31598364 DOI: 10.5115/acb.19.017
    Variations of the dural folds and the dural venous sinuses are infrequently reported in the existing medical literature. Such variations in the posterior cranial fossa may pose difficulties in various analytical and surgical procedures of this region. We present a rare concurrent variation of the falx cerebelli and tentorium cerebelli that was detected during routine dissection of an adult male cadaver. While removing the brain, a partial duplication of tentorium cerebelli was observed below the left half of the tentorium cerebelli and above the left cerebellar hemisphere. This fold did not have any dural venous sinus in it. Further, a complete duplication of falx cerebelli with a single occipital venous sinus within its attached border was also observed. We present the review of literature and discuss the comparative anatomy of this case.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Anatomy, Comparative; Brain; Cadaver; Cranial Fossa, Posterior; Cranial Sinuses; Dissection; Dura Mater; Humans; Male; Spinal Cord
  6. Shetty P, Nayak SB
    Anat Cell Biol, 2019 Sep;52(3):340-343.
    PMID: 31598365 DOI: 10.5115/acb.19.018
    We present a unique, unreported variation of the left coronary artery. During dissection classes for first-year medical students, we observed the absence of left coronary artery in an adult male cadaver aged approximately 78 years. The left aortic sinus was dilated and it gave origin to anterior interventricular and left marginal arteries independently. Left marginal artery was large and the circumflex artery arose from it. There were two independent opening for anterior interventricular and left marginal arteries in the left posterior aortic sinus. No variations were found in the origin and branching pattern of right coronary artery and the walls and chambers of the heart.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cadaver; Coronary Vessels; Dissection; Heart; Humans; Male; Sinus of Valsalva; Students, Medical
  7. Subha ST, Abu-Bakar S, Prepageran N
    Iran J Otorhinolaryngol, 2019 Sep;31(106):315-318.
    PMID: 31598500
    Introduction: Parotid gland squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon aggressive neoplasm with poor prognosis. Aural polyps are usually the presenting features of chronic suppurative otitis media, tuberculous otitis media, and adenoma or carcinoma. The malignant aural polyp is very rare. Parotid gland carcinoma masquerading as an aural polyp has rarely been described in the literature.

    Case Report: We report a case study of parotid squamous cell carcinoma in a 29-year-old male masquerading as an ear polyp.

    Conclusion: Parotid gland primary squamous cell carcinoma is a rapidly advancing neoplasm which carries poor prognosis despite multimodality treatment. Diligent clinical and histopathological evaluation is imperative to discriminate this rare aggressive disease from the metastatic and other primary cancers of the parotid. A high index of suspicion is crucial in refractory aural polyps to arrive at early diagnosis.

    MeSH terms: Adenoma; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Male; Otitis Media, Suppurative; Parotid Gland; Parotid Neoplasms; Polyps; Prognosis; Early Detection of Cancer
  8. Lim CC, Misron K, Loong SP, Liew YT, Sawali H
    Iran J Otorhinolaryngol, 2019 Sep;31(106):319-322.
    PMID: 31598501
    Introduction: Primary tuberculosis (TB) of the oropharynx and nasopharynx is an extremely rare form of extra-pulmonary TB in children. Primary tuberculosis occurs more likely secondary to pulmonary TB and is more common in immunocompromised patients.

    Case Report: We reported the case of a young male presented with the symptoms of non-specific chronic adenotonsillitis, mild obstructive sleep apnoea, and cervical lymphadenopathy. Subsequently, he underwent adenotonsillectomy and excision of the cervical lymph node with the tissue specimens came back strongly positive for TB. Then, he started using antituberculous medication and recovered well.

    Conclusion: The authors would like to highlight this rare clinical entity in which accurate diagnosis is essential for complete treatment.

    MeSH terms: Adenoidectomy; Antitubercular Agents; Child; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Male; Oropharynx; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Immunocompromised Host; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Lymphadenopathy
  9. Islam MJ, Saha SK, Das AK, Jahan MS, Pervin S, Karim CF, et al.
    Mymensingh Med J, 2019 Oct;28(4):935-939.
    PMID: 31599264
    Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important reason of liver-related death globally. HCC is the fifth most common cancer, the third most common cause for cancer related death in the world and responsible for approximately one million deaths each year. The incidence of HCC is expected to increase in the next two decades, largely due to hepatitis C infection and secondary cirrhosis. We have reported a case of hepatocellular carcinoma in a 56-year-old man with peritoneal metastasis. Diagnostic imaging (Ultra sonogram & CT-Scan) shown: a large hypo density, irregular outline lesion noted in right lower liver, post contrast image shown patchy enhancement of the lesion. His serum Alpha-Feto Protein (AFP) level was very high with elevated serum alanine amino transaminase (ALT) enzyme and prothrombin time. Histopathological (microscopic) features are compatible with Hepatocellular carcinoma. His Hepatitis C viral DNA load e.g., core protein variants and genotype 1, have been reported. The patient was treated by surgical resection followed by conservative treatment includes sorafenib & interferon alpha. This case report aims to outlines the epidemiology of HCC in chronic HCV, risk factors and pathophysiology that contribute to this disease process, related pathophysiology of patient's clinical features, screening recommendations, and the available statistics on the impact of new direct-acting antiviral treatment on the development on HCC.
    MeSH terms: Alanine; Transaminases; Antiviral Agents; DNA, Viral; Genotype; Hepatitis C; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Niacinamide; Peritoneal Neoplasms; Phenylurea Compounds; Prothrombin Time; Risk Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Incidence; Interferon-alpha; Conservative Treatment
  10. Amri NA, Quar TK, Chong FY
    Am J Audiol, 2019 Dec 16;28(4):877-894.
    PMID: 31600460 DOI: 10.1044/2019_AJA-18-0156
    Purpose This study examined the current pediatric amplification practice with an emphasis on hearing aid verification using probe microphone measurement (PMM), among audiologists in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Frequency of practice, access to PMM system, practiced protocols, barriers, and perception toward the benefits of PMM were identified through a survey. Method A questionnaire was distributed to and filled in by the audiologists who provided pediatric amplification service in Klang Valley, Malaysia. One hundred eight (N = 108) audiologists, composed of 90.3% women and 9.7% men (age range: 23-48 years), participated in the survey. Results PMM was not a clinical routine practiced by a majority of the audiologists, despite its recognition as the best clinical practice that should be incorporated into protocols for fitting hearing aids in children. Variations in practice existed warranting further steps to improve the current practice for children with hearing impairment. The lack of access to PMM equipment was 1 major barrier for the audiologists to practice real-ear verification. Practitioners' characteristics such as time constraints, low confidence, and knowledge levels were also identified as barriers that impede the uptake of the evidence-based practice. Conclusions The implementation of PMM in clinical practice remains a challenge to the audiology profession. A knowledge-transfer approach that takes into consideration the barriers and involves effective collaboration or engagement between the knowledge providers and potential stakeholders is required to promote the clinical application of evidence-based best practice.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Audiology/methods; Audiology/standards; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Forecasting; Hearing Aids/standards*; Hearing Aids/trends; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Practice Guidelines as Topic*; Prosthesis Fitting/methods; Prosthesis Fitting/standards*; Prosthesis Fitting/trends; Hearing Loss/therapy; Young Adult
  11. Martins J, Brijesh S
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2019 Oct 07.
    PMID: 31600560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112280
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Erythrina variegata, commonly referred to as 'tiger's claw' or 'Indian coral tree' and 'Parijata' in Sanskrit, belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is a plant native to the coast of India, China, Malaysia, East Africa, Northern Australia and distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In traditional medicine, 'Paribhadra' an Indian preparation, makes use of the leaves and bark of E. variegata to destroy pathogenic parasites and relieve joint pains. E. variegata is known to exhibit anxiolytic and anti-convulsant activities. Folkore medicine also suggests that E. variegata barks act on the central nervous system. However, there is a lack of data demonstrating this. The anti-depressant activity of E. variegata bark has not been reported in literature.

    AIM OF THE STUDY: Our study focuses on previously unreported anti-depressant activity of E. variegata bark ethanolic extract (EBE) and determination of its mechanism of action possibly through regulation of monoamine oxidase activity in mouse brain homogenates.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: EBE was characterized using standard protocols for phytochemical analysis, followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Anti-depressant activity of EBE (50, 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg) was evaluated in Swiss white albino mice using acute and chronic forced swim test (FST) models. Furthermore, the potential use of the extract as an adjunct to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), escitalopram, was evaluated using the chronic unpredictable mild stress test model wherein inhibitory effects on monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B were assessed by spectrophotometric-chemical analysis in mouse whole brain homogenates.

    RESULTS: The extract showed significant reduction in immobility time periods in both acute (200 mg/kg) and chronic (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg) FST models. When used as an adjunct with escitalopram (15 mg/kg), the extract (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg) showed significantly greater inhibition of MAO-A and B activities when compared to escitalopram alone (30 mg/kg). Phytochemical analysis of EBE revealed presence of sugars, steroids, glycosides, alkaloids and tannins. LC-MS and GC-MS analysis identified components such as 2-amino-3-methyl-1-butanol, phenylethylamine, eriodictyol, daidzein and pomiferin, N-ethyl arachidonoyl amine, inosine diphosphate, trimipramine, granisetron, 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid, ethyl ester, tri-TMS and dodecane, previously reported for their anti-depressant activity.

    CONCLUSIONS: The study thus demonstrated potential for use of the E. variegata bark ethanolic extract as an adjunct to currently available SSRI treatment. The study also identified components present in E. variegata bark ethanolic extract that may be responsible for its anti-depressant activity. Furthermore, the study thus confirms the traditional use of E. variegata barks in improving CNS function through its anti-depressant like activity.

    MeSH terms: Africa, Eastern; Alkaloids; Animals; Australia; Brain; China; Chromatography, Liquid; Convulsants; Erythrina; Exercise Test; Glycosides; Hoof and Claw; India; Inosine Diphosphate; Isoflavones; Fabaceae; Malaysia; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Monoamine Oxidase; Nervous System; Parasites; Phenethylamines; Tannins; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Trimipramine; Valine; Citalopram; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors; Granisetron; Arthralgia; Ethnopharmacology; Flavanones; Tigers; Mice; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Phytochemicals
  12. Yong HY, Mohd Shariff Z, Mohd Yusof BN, Rejali Z, Tee YYS, Bindels J, et al.
    PMID: 31590213 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193735
    Poor diet quality in pregnancy could impact gestational weight gain (GWG) and consequently fetal growth and development. But today there is limited data available on gestational diet quality. This study investigated the association between diet quality in each pregnancy trimester and GWG in Malaysian women. Diet quality was assessed using the modified Healthy Eating Index for Malaysians (HEI). Total GWG was defined as the difference between measured weight at last prenatal visit and pre-pregnancy weight. About one-fourth of women (23.3%) had excessive total GWG. There were significant differences in the HEI component score across trimesters, except for fruits. Overall, overweight/obese women had lower total HEI score (51.49-55.40) during pregnancy compared to non-overweight/obese women (53.38-56.50). For non-overweight/obese women, higher total HEI scores in the second and third trimesters were significantly associated with lower risk of inadequate GWG (aOR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95-0.99, p = 0.01) and higher risk of excessive GWG (aOR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.07, p = 0.03), respectively. Overweight/obese women with higher total HEI scores in the second (aOR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.07, p = 0.02) and third trimester (aOR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.08, p = 0.02) were significantly at higher risk for excessive GWG. Pregnant women had relatively low diet quality throughout pregnancy. Diet quality and GWG association differed according to pre-pregnancy BMI with excessive GWG more likely to be associated with higher total HEI scores in the third trimester.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Diet*; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Prenatal Care; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Body Mass Index*
  13. Zghaibi N, Omar R, Kamal SMM, Biak DRA, Harun R
    Molecules, 2019 Oct 04;24(19).
    PMID: 31590304 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24193581
    Toward attaining a sustainability and eco-friendly process, a green and low-cost solvent-brine (NaCl solution) is proposed, as microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique solvent to extract lipids from microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. The effect of NaCl concentration on the quantity and quality of the extracted lipid was assessed, while MAE parameters were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The content of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in the lipid was analyzed by using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC/FID). The highest lipid yield (16.1%) was obtained using 10% (w/v) brine at optimum extraction parameters of 5% (w/v) solid loading, 100 °C, and 30 min. The lipid extraction yield via optimized MAE-brine technique was thrice better than that Soxhlet extraction did and only 2% less than Bligh and Dyer (B&D) lipid extraction, which utilized harmful solvents. The proposed MAE-brine technique offered better quality lipids containing the highest amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (44.5%) and omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) (43%). Hence, the MAE-brine solvent technique appears to be a promising extraction method for cheaper, greener, and faster extraction of a high-quality lipid for specialty food applications.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, Gas; Fatty Acids/analysis*; Flame Ionization; Chemical Fractionation/methods*; Microwaves; Sodium Chloride/chemistry; Green Chemistry Technology; Microalgae/metabolism*
  14. Zarei M, Abidin NBZ, Auwal SM, Chay SY, Haiyee ZA, Sikin AM, et al.
    Biomolecules, 2019 10 04;9(10).
    PMID: 31590308 DOI: 10.3390/biom9100569
    Three novel peptide sequences identified from palm kernel cake (PKC) generated protein hydrolysate including YLLLK, WAFS and GVQEGAGHYALL were used for stability study against angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ACE-inhibition kinetics and molecular docking studies. Results showed that the peptides were degraded at different cleavage degrees of 94%, 67% and 97% for YLLLK, WAFS and GVQEGAGHYALL, respectively, after 3 h of incubation with ACE. YLLLK was found to be the least stable (decreased ACE-inhibitory activity) compared to WAFS and GVQEGAGHYALL (increased ACE-inhibitory activity). YLLLK showed the lowest Ki (1.51 mM) in inhibition kinetics study when compared to WAFS and GVQEGAGHYALL with Ki of 2 mM and 3.18 mM, respectively. In addition, ACE revealed the lowest Kmapp and Vmaxapp and higher catalytic efficiency (CE) in the presence of YLLLK at different concentrations, implying that the enzyme catalysis decreased and hence the inhibition mode increased. Furthermore, YLLLK showed the lowest docking score of -8.224 and seven interactions with tACE, while peptide GVQEGAGHYALL showed the higher docking score of -7.006 and five interactions with tACE.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Catalysis; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects; Humans; Hydrolysis; Kinetics; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/metabolism*; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/chemistry*; Models, Molecular; Peptide Fragments/pharmacology*; Peptide Fragments/chemistry; Plant Proteins/chemistry*; Catalytic Domain/drug effects; Molecular Docking Simulation
  15. Shazali NAH, Zaidi NE, Ariffin H, Abdullah LC, Ghaemi F, Abdullah JM, et al.
    Materials (Basel), 2019 Oct 04;12(19).
    PMID: 31590332 DOI: 10.3390/ma12193251
    The aim was to isolate cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) from commercialized oil palm empty fruit bunch cellulose nanofibre (CNF) through sulphuric acid hydrolysis and explore its safeness as a potential nanocarrier. Successful extraction of CNC was confirmed through a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transmission infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrometry analysis. For subsequent cellular uptake study, the spherical CNC was covalently tagged with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), resulting in negative charged FITC-CNC nanospheres with a dispersity (Ð) of 0.371. MTT assay revealed low degree cytotoxicity for both CNC and FITC-CNC against C6 rat glioma and NIH3T3 normal fibroblasts up to 50 µg/mL. FITC conjugation had no contribution to the particle's toxicity. Through confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), synthesized FITC-CNC manifested negligible cellular accumulation, indicating a poor non-selective adsorptive endocytosis into studied cells. Overall, an untargeted CNC-based nanosphere with less cytotoxicity that posed poor selectivity against normal and cancerous cells was successfully synthesized. It can be considered safe and suitable to be developed into targeted nanocarrier.
  16. Oluchi SE, Manaf RA, Ismail S, Udeani TK
    PMID: 31590340 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193752
    Fever is one of the most common symptoms of pediatric illnesses; it is an important early symptom of malaria. Fever had served as the entry point for presumptive treatment of malaria among children in Nigerian. Appropriate HSB is important when seeking treatment for fever among under-five children; this will help for better prognosis because treatment will be initiated early. This study attempted to identify caregiver's HSB for under-five children with fever. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Imo-State, Nigeria. Appropriate HSB was operationally defined as seeking treatment from health facility within 24 h of fever. Data were obtained using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Simple and multiple logistic regression were used to determine predictors of appropriate HSB. A total of 559 eligible respondents were recruited; 103 (18.6%) caregivers had appropriate HSB. The predictors of HSB are being male child (aOR = 2.760; 95% CI:1.536-4.958), the age of child younger than 27 months (aOR = 2.804; 95% CI:1.485-5.295), employed caregivers (aOR = 1.882; 95% CI:1.014-3.493), number of household members (aOR = 2.504; 95% CI:1.464-4.283), and caregivers who decided to seek treatment at early stage (aOR = 7.060; 95% CI:1.616-30.852). Only 18.6% caregivers practiced appropriate HSB for fever cases among under-five children. It is essential to educate caregivers and emphasise on early treatment of fever and appropriate use of health facilities for fever. The findings will be used to improve intervention at the community level and will be compared with follow-up data to evaluate their effectiveness.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Age Factors; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Decision Making*; Female; Fever/etiology*; Humans; Infant; Malaria/diagnosis*; Male; Middle Aged; Nigeria; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Health Behavior; Multivariate Analysis; Logistic Models; Caregivers/statistics & numerical data*; Young Adult
  17. Loh HY, Norman BP, Lai KS, Rahman NMANA, Alitheen NBM, Osman MA
    Int J Mol Sci, 2019 Oct 06;20(19).
    PMID: 31590453 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194940
    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules which function as critical post-transcriptional gene regulators of various biological functions. Generally, miRNAs negatively regulate gene expression by binding to their selective messenger RNAs (mRNAs), thereby leading to either mRNA degradation or translational repression, depending on the degree of complementarity with target mRNA sequences. Aberrant expression of these miRNAs has been linked etiologically with various human diseases including breast cancer. Different cellular pathways of breast cancer development such as cell proliferation, apoptotic response, metastasis, cancer recurrence and chemoresistance are regulated by either the oncogenic miRNA (oncomiR) or tumor suppressor miRNA (tsmiR). In this review, we highlight the current state of research into miRNA involved in breast cancer, with particular attention to articles published between the years 2000 to 2019, using detailed searches of the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The post-transcriptional gene regulatory roles of various dysregulated miRNAs in breast cancer and their potential as therapeutic targets are also discussed.
    MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/genetics*; Female; Humans; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*; MicroRNAs/genetics*; Cell Proliferation; Gene Regulatory Networks
  18. Mustafa I, Chin NL, Fakurazi S, Palanisamy A
    Foods, 2019 Oct 06;8(10).
    PMID: 31590464 DOI: 10.3390/foods8100456
    The effects of different drying methods, including sun-, oven-, and freeze-drying on the changes in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Rubra) rhizome were studied. Sun-, oven-, and freeze-dried ginger showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in phenolic content by 1.79, 1.53, and 1.91-fold; flavonoid content increased by 6.06, 5.27, and 4.90-fold; FRAP increased by 3.95, 3.51, and 3.15-fold; ABTS•+ scavenging activity increased by 2.07, 1.72, and 1.61-fold; and DPPH• inhibition increased by 78%, 58%, and 56%, respectively. Dried ginger also exhibited better inhibitory effects on the lipopolysaccharides-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophage RAW 264.7. The drying process demonstrated a positive effect on the bioactivities of ginger. The sun-dried ginger exhibited the most potent antioxidant properties with the best enhanced anti-inflammatory activity followed by the oven-dried ginger and lastly, the freeze-dried ginger.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Flavonoids; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Nitric Oxide; Phenols; Ginger; Rhizome; Mice
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