Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Fulltext Phenotypic plasticity in the mandibular morphology of Japanese macaques: captive-wild comparison
    Kamaluddin SN, Tanaka M, Wakamori H, Nishimura T, Ito T
    R Soc Open Sci, 2019 Jul;6(7):181382.
    PMID: 31417687 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181382
    Despite the accumulating evidence suggesting the importance of phenotypic plasticity in diversification and adaptation, little is known about plastic variation in primate skulls. The present study evaluated the plastic variation of the mandible in Japanese macaques by comparing wild and captive specimens. The results showed that captive individuals are square-jawed with relatively longer tooth rows than wild individuals. We also found that this shape change resembles the sexual dimorphism, indicating that the mandibles of captive individuals are to some extent masculinized. By contrast, the mandible morphology was not clearly explained by ecogeographical factors. These findings suggest the possibility that perturbations in the social environment in captivity and resulting changes of androgenic hormones may have influenced the development of mandible shape. As the high plasticity of social properties is well known in wild primates, social environment may cause the inter- and intra-population diversity of skull morphology, even in the wild. The captive-wild morphological difference detected in this study, however, can also be possibly formed by other untested sources of variation (e.g. inter-population genetic variation), and therefore this hypothesis should be validated further.
  2. Fulltext Comparative static and shaking culture of metabolite derived from methyl red degradation by Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain W1B6
    Sari IP, Simarani K
    R Soc Open Sci, 2019 Jul;6(7):190152.
    PMID: 31417722 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190152
    This paper reports on the comparative characteristics and properties of the metabolites derived from methyl red (MR) decolorization by Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain W1B6 under static and shaking conditions. A batch culture system was used to investigate the effect of aeration on azoreductase activity in the biodegradation process, transformation of colour removal and the metabolite products. Biodegradation analysis was monitored using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography while metabolites were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Phytotoxicity and anti-microbial tests were also conducted to detect the toxicity of metabolites. The results showed that this strain grew more rapidly under shaking conditions while azoreductase activity increased more rapidly under static conditions. Despite that, no significant difference in the decolorization was observed under both static and shaking conditions with up to 96% and 93.6% decolorization achieved, respectively, within 4 h of incubation. MR was degraded into two fragmented compounds, i.e. 2-aminobenzoic acid and N,N-dimethyl-1.4-benzenediamine. The concentration of 2-amino benzoic acid was higher under static conditions resulting the biotransformation of 2-amino benzoic acid into methyl anthranilate more rapidly under static conditions. Other metabolites were also detected as intermediate biotransformation products and by-products. Less or no toxic effect was found in the metabolite degradation products under both culture conditions.
  3. Fulltext N,N'-Bis(pyridin-4-ylmeth-yl)oxalamide benzene monosolvate: crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study
    Tan SL, Halcovitch NR, Tiekink ERT
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2019 Aug 01;75(Pt 8):1133-1139.
    PMID: 31417779 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989019009551
    The asymmetric unit of the title 1:1 solvate, C14H14N4O2·C6H6 [systematic name of the oxalamide mol-ecule: N,N'-bis-(pyridin-4-ylmeth-yl)ethanedi-amide], comprises a half mol-ecule of each constituent as each is disposed about a centre of inversion. In the oxalamide mol-ecule, the central C2N2O2 atoms are planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0006 Å). An intra-molecular amide-N-H⋯O(amide) hydrogen bond is evident, which gives rise to an S(5) loop. Overall, the mol-ecule adopts an anti-periplanar disposition of the pyridyl rings, and an orthogonal relationship is evident between the central plane and each terminal pyridyl ring [dihedral angle = 86.89 (3)°]. In the crystal, supra-molecular layers parallel to (10) are generated owing the formation of amide-N-H⋯N(pyrid-yl) hydrogen bonds. The layers stack encompassing benzene mol-ecules which provide the links between layers via methyl-ene-C-H⋯π(benzene) and benzene-C-H⋯π(pyrid-yl) inter-actions. The specified contacts are indicated in an analysis of the calculated Hirshfeld surfaces. The energy of stabilization provided by the conventional hydrogen bonding (approximately 40 kJ mol-1; electrostatic forces) is just over double that by the C-H⋯π contacts (dispersion forces).
  4. Fulltext Bis(mefloquinium) butane-dioate ethanol monosolvate: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
    Wardell JL, Jotani MM, Tiekink ERT
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2019 Aug 01;75(Pt 8):1162-1168.
    PMID: 31417785 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989019009654
    The asymmetric unit of the centrosymmetric title salt solvate, 2C17H17F6N2O+· C4H4O4 2-·CH3CH2OH, (systematic name: 2-{[2,8-bis-(tri-fluoro-meth-yl)quinolin-4-yl](hy-droxy)meth-yl}piperidin-1-ium butane-dioate ethanol monosolvate) comprises two independent cations, with almost superimposable conformations and each approximating the shape of the letter L, a butane-dioate dianion with an all-trans conformation and an ethanol solvent mol-ecule. In the crystal, supra-molecular chains along the a-axis direction are sustained by charge-assisted hy-droxy-O-H⋯O(carboxyl-ate) and ammonium-N-H⋯O(carboxyl-ate) hydrogen bonds. These are connected into a layer via C-F⋯π(pyrid-yl) contacts and π-π stacking inter-actions between quinolinyl-C6 and -NC5 rings of the independent cations of the asymmetric unit [inter-centroid separations = 3.6784 (17) and 3.6866 (17) Å]. Layers stack along the c-axis direction with no directional inter-actions between them. The analysis of the calculated Hirshfeld surface reveals the significance of the fluorine atoms in surface contacts. Thus, by far the greatest contribution to the surface contacts, i.e. 41.2%, are of the type F⋯H/H⋯F and many of these occur in the inter-layer region. However, these contacts occur at separations beyond the sum of the van der Waals radii for these atoms. It is noted that H⋯H contacts contribute 29.8% to the overall surface, with smaller contributions from O⋯H/H⋯O (14.0%) and F⋯F (5.7%) contacts.
  5. Fulltext 2-Methyl-4-(4-nitro-phen-yl)but-3-yn-2-ol: crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational chemistry study
    Caracelli I, Zukerman-Schpector J, Schwab RS, da Silva EM, Jotani MM, Tiekink ERT
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2019 Aug 01;75(Pt 8):1232-1238.
    PMID: 31417798 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989019010284
    The di-substituted acetyl-ene residue in the title compound, C11H11NO3, is capped at either end by di-methyl-hydroxy and 4-nitro-benzene groups; the nitro substituent is close to co-planar with the ring to which it is attached [dihedral angle = 9.4 (3)°]. The most prominent feature of the mol-ecular packing is the formation, via hy-droxy-O-H⋯O(hy-droxy) hydrogen bonds, of hexa-meric clusters about a site of symmetry . The aggregates are sustained by 12-membered {⋯OH}6 synthons and have the shape of a flattened chair. The clusters are connected into a three-dimensional architecture by benzene-C-H⋯O(nitro) inter-actions, involving both nitro-O atoms. The aforementioned inter-actions are readily identified in the calculated Hirshfeld surface. Computational chemistry indicates there is a significant energy, primarily electrostatic in nature, associated with the hy-droxy-O-H⋯O(hy-droxy) hydrogen bonds. Dispersion forces are more important in the other identified but, weaker inter-molecular contacts.
  6. Fulltext Crystal structure of (E)-N'-(3,4-di-hydroxy-benzyl-idene)-4-hy-droxy-benzohydrazide
    Chantrapromma S, Kwong HC, Prachumrat P, Kobkeatthawin T, Chia TS, Quah CK
    Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun, 2019 Aug 01;75(Pt 8):1280-1283.
    PMID: 31417807 DOI: 10.1107/S2056989019010442
    In the title benzohydrazide derivative, C14H12N2O4, the azomethine C=N double bond has an E configuration. The hydrazide connecting bridge, (C=O)-(NH)-N=(CH), is nearly planar with C-C-N-N and C-N-N=C torsion angles of -177.33 (10) and -174.98 (12)°, respectively. The 4-hy-droxy-phenyl and 3,4-di-hydroxy-phenyl rings are slightly twisted, making a dihedral angle of 9.18 (6)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected by N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network, while further consolidated via π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distances = 3.6480 (8) and 3.7607 (8) Å]. The conformation is compared to those of related benzyl-idene-4-hy-droxy-benzohydrazide derivatives.
  7. Fulltext Natural Human Infections With Plasmodium cynomolgi and Other Malaria Species in an Elimination Setting in Sabah, Malaysia
    Grignard L, Shah S, Chua TH, William T, Drakeley CJ, Fornace KM
    J Infect Dis, 2019 11 06;220(12):1946-1949.
    PMID: 31418017 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz397
    To determine the presence and species composition of malaria infections, we screened a subset of samples collected during a cross-sectional survey in Northern Sabah, Malaysia using highly sensitive molecular techniques. Results identified 54 asymptomatic submicroscopic malaria infections, including a large cluster of Plasmodium falciparum and 3 P. knowlesi infections. We additionally identified 2 monoinfections with the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium cynomolgi, both in individuals reporting no history of forest activities or contact with macaques. Results highlight the need for improved surveillance strategies to detect these infections and determine public health impacts.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Infant; Malaria/epidemiology*; Malaria/parasitology; Malaria/prevention & control*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Population Surveillance; Zoonoses; Young Adult; Disease Eradication*; Geography, Medical
  8. Hematological and blood chemistry values in captive Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata fuscata)
    Miyabe-Nishiwaki T, MacIntosh AJJ, Kaneko A, Morimoto M, Suzuki J, Akari H, et al.
    J Med Primatol, 2019 Dec;48(6):338-350.
    PMID: 31418873 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12434
    BACKGROUND: Biological information about captive Japanese macaques, including hematology and blood chemistry, is still lacking despite the fact that ethological and ecological data have accumulated during decades of field research.

    METHODS: Hematological (511 examinations of 280 Japanese macaques) and blood chemistry data (between 33 and 284 examinations from between 29 and 257 individual macaques) in clinically healthy, simian retrovirus-free Japanese macaques tested between 2009 and 2013 were reviewed.

    RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Specific hematological and blood chemistry data for Japanese macaques without clinical signs of disease were provided in this study. Averages presented can be used as hematological parameters for Japanese macaques. Some differences between Japanese macaques and other closely related macaque species were found. Some parameters varied according to macaque age and sex, as well as regional origin. The data in this study will provide useful clinical indices for Japanese macaques in captive and similar conditions.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Blood Chemical Analysis/veterinary*; Hematologic Tests/veterinary*; Reference Values
  9. Fulltext Induction and Kinetics of Complement-Fixing Antibodies Against Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein 3α and Relationship With Immunoglobulin G Subclasses and Immunoglobulin M
    Oyong DA, Wilson DW, Barber BE, William T, Jiang J, Galinski MR, et al.
    J Infect Dis, 2019 11 06;220(12):1950-1961.
    PMID: 31419296 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz407
    BACKGROUND: Complement-fixing antibodies are important mediators of protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, complement-fixing antibodies remain uncharacterized for Plasmodium vivax malaria. P. vivax merozoite surface protein 3α (PvMSP3α) is a target of acquired immunity and a potential vaccine candidate.

    METHODS: Plasma from children and adults with P. vivax malaria in Sabah, Malaysia, were collected during acute infection, 7 and 28 days after drug treatment. Complement-fixing antibodies and immunoglobulin M and G (IgM and IgG), targeting 3 distinctive regions of PvMSP3α, were measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

    RESULTS: The seroprevalence of complement-fixing antibodies was highest against the PvMSP3α central region (77.6%). IgG1, IgG3, and IgM were significantly correlated with C1q fixation, and both purified IgG and IgM were capable of mediating C1q fixation to PvMSP3α. Complement-fixing antibody levels were similar between age groups, but IgM was predominant in children and IgG3 more prevalent in adults. Levels of functional antibodies increased after acute infection through 7 days after treatment but rapidly waned by day 28.

    CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that PvMSP3α antibodies acquired during P. vivax infection can mediate complement fixation and shows the important influence of age in shaping these specific antibody responses. Further studies are warranted to understand the role of these functional antibodies in protective immunity against P. vivax malaria.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Protozoan/blood; Antibodies, Protozoan/immunology; Antigens, Protozoan/immunology*; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Immunoglobulin G/immunology*; Immunoglobulin M/blood; Immunoglobulin M/immunology*; Infant, Newborn; Kinetics; Male; Middle Aged; Plasmodium vivax/classification; Plasmodium vivax/genetics; Plasmodium vivax/immunology*; Protozoan Proteins/immunology*; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Malaria, Vivax/drug therapy; Malaria, Vivax/immunology*; Malaria, Vivax/parasitology*; Merozoites/immunology; Young Adult
  10. Anti-cholinesterase potential of diverse botanical families from Malaysia: Evaluation of crude extracts and fractions from liquid-liquid extraction and acid-base fractionation
    Amir Rawa MS, Hassan Z, Murugaiyah V, Nogawa T, Wahab HA
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2019 Dec 05;245:112160.
    PMID: 31419500 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112160
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Enhancement of cholinergic functions in the brain via acetylcholinesterase inhibition is one of the main therapeutic strategies to improve symptoms associated with Alzheimer's or related cognitive deficits. There is a pathophysiological correlation between Alzheimer's and Diabetes Mellitus, as well as inflammation and oxidative stress that may cause cognitive decline.

    AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was intended to evaluate anti-cholinesterase potential of 177 Malaysian plant extracts from 148 species known to have related ethnomedicinal uses such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, epilepsy, headache, memory enhancement and anti-aging.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-cholinesterase screening against both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes was performed on the basis of in-vitro colorimetric 96-well microplate-based assay method. Potent active plant extracts were subjected to liquid-liquid extraction and acid-base fractionation for further analysis.

    RESULTS: Fifty-seven plant extracts exhibited potent anti-cholinesterase activities (50-100% inhibition) at 200 μg/ml. Majority of the active plants originated from Fabaceae family. Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L. stem extract manifested the lowest IC50 of 3.78 μg/ml for AChE and 5.94 μg/ml for BChE. A few native species including Tetracera indica (Christm. & Panz.) Merr., Cyrtostachys renda Blume and Ixora javanica (Blume) DC. showed cholinesterase inhibition despite limited local medical applications. Further anti-AChE evaluation (50 μg/ml) of 18 potent plant extracts harbored active polar components in butanol and water fractions, except Senna pendula (Willd.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby (leaves and stems), Acacia auriculiformis Benth. (leaves), Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson ex F.A.Zorn) Fosberg (leaves), and Macaranga tanarius (L.) Mull.Arg. (leaves) that showed inhibitory activity in less polar fractions. The acidic extraction of these four plant species improved their inhibition level against AChE.

    CONCLUSION: This study rendered a preliminary overview of anti-cholinesterase activity from diverse Malaysian botanical families in which provided the medical relevance toward these native plant species, especially ones with limited ethnobotanical record or practice.

    MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/chemistry; Butyrylcholinesterase/chemistry; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry*; Malaysia; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Angiosperms*; Liquid-Liquid Extraction
  11. The design of a thermoresponsive surface for the continuous culture of human pluripotent stem cells
    Sung TC, Yang JS, Yeh CC, Liu YC, Jiang YP, Lu MW, et al.
    Biomaterials, 2019 Nov;221:119411.
    PMID: 31419657 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119411
    Commonly, stem cell culture is based on batch-type culture, which is laborious and expensive. We continuously cultured human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) on thermoresponsive dish surfaces, where hPSCs were partially detached on the same thermoresponsive dish by decreasing the temperature of the thermoresponsive dish to be below the lower critical solution temperature for only 30 min. Then, the remaining cells were continuously cultured in fresh culture medium, and the detached stem cells were harvested in the exchanged culture medium. hPSCs were continuously cultured for ten cycles on the thermoresponsive dish surface, which was prepared by coating the surface with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-styrene) and oligovitronectin-grafted poly(acrylic acid-co-styrene) or recombinant vitronectin for hPSC binding sites to maintain hPSC pluripotency. After ten cycles of continuous culture on the thermoresponsive dish surface, the detached cells expressed pluripotency proteins and had the ability to differentiate into cells derived from the three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the detached cells differentiated into specific cell lineages, such as cardiomyocytes, with high efficiency.
    MeSH terms: Acrylates; Acrylic Resins; Binding Sites; Germ Layers; Humans; Polystyrenes; Temperature; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Lineage; Vitronectin; Myocytes, Cardiac; Pluripotent Stem Cells
  12. Impact of various microalgal-bacterial populations on municipal wastewater bioremediation and its energy feasibility for lipid-based biofuel production
    Leong WH, Azella Zaine SN, Ho YC, Uemura Y, Lam MK, Khoo KS, et al.
    J Environ Manage, 2019 Nov 01;249:109384.
    PMID: 31419674 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109384
    The microalgal-bacterial co-cultivation was adopted as an alternative in making microbial-based biofuel production to be more feasible in considering the economic and environmental prospects. Accordingly, the microalgal-bacterial symbiotic relationship was exploited to enhance the microbial biomass yield, while bioremediating the nitrogen-rich municipal wastewater. An optimized inoculation ratio of microalgae and activated sludge (AS:MA) was predetermined and further optimization was performed in terms of different increment ratios to enhance the bioremediation process. The nitrogen removal was found accelerating with the increase of the increment ratios of inoculated AS:MA, though all the increment ratios had recorded a near complete total nitrogen removal (94-95%). In light of treatment efficiency and lipid production, the increment ratio of 0.5 was hailed as the best microbial population size in accounting the total nitrogen removal efficiency of 94.45%, while not compromising the lipid production of 0.241 g/L. Moreover, the cultures in municipal wastewater had attained higher biomass and lipid productions of 1.42 g/L and 0.242 g/L, respectively, as compared with the synthetic wastewater which were only 1.12 g/L (biomass yield) and 0.175 g/L (lipid yield). This was possibly due to the presence of trace elements which had contributed to the increase of biomass yield; thus, higher lipid attainability from the microalgal-bacterial culture. This synergistic microalgal-bacterial approach had been proven to be effective in treating wastewater, while also producing useful biomass for eventual lipid production with comparable net energy ratio (NER) value of 0.27, obtained from the life-cycle analysis (LCA) studies. Thereby, contributing towards long-term sustainability and possible commercialization of microbial-based biofuel production.
    MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental; Feasibility Studies; Lipids; Biomass; Biofuels; Microalgae*; Waste Water
  13. Fulltext Identifying hotspots for antibiotic resistance emergence and selection, and elucidating pathways to human exposure: Application of a systems-thinking approach to aquaculture systems
    Brunton LA, Desbois AP, Garza M, Wieland B, Mohan CV, Häsler B, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2019 Oct 15;687:1344-1356.
    PMID: 31412468 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.134
    Aquaculture systems are highly complex, dynamic and interconnected systems influenced by environmental, biological, cultural, socio-economic and human behavioural factors. Intensification of aquaculture production is likely to drive indiscriminate use of antibiotics to treat or prevent disease and increase productivity, often to compensate for management and husbandry deficiencies. Surveillance or monitoring of antibiotic usage (ABU) and antibiotic resistance (ABR) is often lacking or absent. Consequently, there are knowledge gaps for the risk of ABR emergence and human exposure to ABR in these systems and the wider environment. The aim of this study was to use a systems-thinking approach to map two aquaculture systems in Vietnam - striped catfish and white-leg shrimp - to identify hotspots for emergence and selection of resistance, and human exposure to antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. System mapping was conducted by stakeholders at an interdisciplinary workshop in Hanoi, Vietnam during January 2018, and the maps generated were refined until consensus. Thereafter, literature was reviewed to complement and cross-reference information and to validate the final maps. The maps and component interactions with the environment revealed the grow-out phase, where juveniles are cultured to harvest size, to be a key hotspot for emergence of ABR in both systems due to direct and indirect ABU, exposure to water contaminated with antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and duration of this stage. The pathways for human exposure to antibiotics and ABR were characterised as: occupational (on-farm and at different handling points along the value chain), through consumption (bacterial contamination and residues) and by environmental routes. By using systems thinking and mapping by stakeholders to identify hotspots we demonstrate the applicability of an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to characterising ABU in aquaculture. This work provides a foundation to quantify risks at different points, understand interactions between components, and identify stakeholders who can lead and implement change.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Catfishes; Drug Resistance, Microbial/genetics*; Environmental Monitoring*; Humans; Vietnam; Aquaculture*; Penaeidae; Rivers
  14. Fulltext The Effects of Annatto Tocotrienol Supplementation on Cartilage and Subchondral Bone in an Animal Model of Osteoarthritis Induced by Monosodium Iodoacetate
    Chin KY, Wong SK, Japar Sidik FZ, Abdul Hamid J, Abas NH, Mohd Ramli ES, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2019 08 13;16(16).
    PMID: 31412648 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16162897
    Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which primarily affects the articular cartilage and subchondral bones. Since there is an underlying localized inflammatory component in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, compounds like tocotrienol with anti-inflammatory properties may be able to retard its progression. This study aimed to determine the effects of oral tocotrienol supplementation on the articular cartilage and subchondral bone in a rat model of osteoarthritis induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats (three-month-old) were randomized into five groups. Four groups were induced with osteoarthritis (single injection of MIA at week 0) and another served as the sham group. Three of the four groups with osteoarthritis were supplemented with annatto tocotrienol at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/day orally for five weeks. At week 5, all rats were sacrificed, and their tibial-femoral joints were harvested for analysis. The results indicated that the groups which received annatto tocotrienol at 100 and 150 mg/kg/day had lower histological scores and cartilage remodeling markers. Annatto tocotrienol at 150 mg/kg/day significantly lowered the osteocalcin levels and osteoclast surface of subchondral bone. In conclusion, annatto tocotrienol may potentially retard the progression of osteoarthritis. Future studies to confirm its mechanism of joint protection should be performed.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Carotenoids; Cartilage, Articular; Iodoacetates; Male; Osteoarthritis; Osteoclasts; Plant Extracts; Osteocalcin; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tocotrienols; Bixaceae; Rats
  15. Fulltext Pharmacological properties of Centella asiatica hydrogel in accelerating wound healing in rabbits
    Sh Ahmed A, Taher M, Mandal UK, Jaffri JM, Susanti D, Mahmood S, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2019 Aug 14;19(1):213.
    PMID: 31412845 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2625-2
    BACKGROUND: Various extracts of Centella asiatica (Apiaceae) and its active constituent, asiaticoside, have been reported to possess wound healing property when assessed using various in vivo and in vitro models. In an attempt to develop a formulation with accelerated wound healing effect, the present study was performed to examine in vivo efficacy of asiaticoside-rich hydrogel formulation in rabbits.

    METHODS: Asiaticoside-rich fraction was prepared from C. asiatica aerial part and then incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol (PVA/PEG) hydrogel. The hydrogel was subjected to wound healing investigation using the in vivo incision model.

    RESULTS: The results obtained demonstrated that: i) the hydrogel formulation did not cause any signs of irritation on the rabbits' skin and; ii) enhanced wound healing 15% faster than the commercial cream and > 40% faster than the untreated wounds. The skin healing process was seen in all wounds marked by formation of a thick epithelial layer, keratin, and moderate formation of granulation tissues, fibroblasts and collagen with no fibrinoid necrosis detected.

    CONCLUSION: The asiaticoside-rich hydrogel developed using the freeze-thaw method was effective in accelerating wound healing in rabbits.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Male; Plant Extracts; Rabbits; Triterpenes/administration & dosage*; Triterpenes/chemistry; Wound Healing/drug effects*; Wounds and Injuries/drug therapy*; Wounds and Injuries/physiopathology; Hydrogels/administration & dosage; Hydrogels/chemistry; Centella/chemistry*
  16. Fulltext It is time to change the way we manage mild asthma: an update in GINA 2019
    Muneswarao J, Hassali MA, Ibrahim B, Saini B, Ali IAH, Verma AK
    Respir Res, 2019 Aug 14;20(1):183.
    PMID: 31412856 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-019-1159-y
    Asthma is a heterogeneous lung disease, usually characterised by chronic airway inflammation. Although evidence-based treatments are available in most countries, asthma control remains suboptimal, and asthma-related deaths continue to be an ongoing concern. Generally, it is believed that between 50 to 75% of patients with asthma can be considered as having mild asthma.Previous versions of Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) suggested that mild asthma in adults can be well managed with either reliever medications, for example, short-acting beta2 agonists (SABA) alone or with the additional use of controllers such as regular low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Given the low frequency or non-bothersome nature of symptoms in mild asthma, patients' adherence towards their controller medications, especially to ICS is usually not satisfactory. Such patients often rely on SABA alone to relieve symptoms, which may contribute to SABA over-reliance. Overuse of relievers such as SABAs has been associated with poor asthma outcomes, such as exacerbations and even deaths. The new GINA 2019 asthma treatment recommendations represent significant shifts in asthma management at Steps 1 and 2 of the 5 treatment steps. The report acknowledges an emerging body of evidence suggesting the non-safety of SABAs overuse in the absence of concomitant controller medications, therefore does not support SABA-only therapy in mild asthma and has included new off-label recommendations such as symptom-driven (as-needed) low dose ICS-formoterol and "low dose ICS taken whenever SABA is taken".The GINA 2019 report highlights significant updates in mild asthma management and these recommendations represent a clear deviation from decades of clinical practice mandating the use of symptom-driven SABA treatment alone in those with mild asthma. While the new inclusions of strategies such as symptom-driven (as-needed) ICS-formoterol and "ICS taken whenever SABA is taken" are based on several key trials, data in this context are still only emergent data, with clear superiority of as needed ICS-formoterol combinations over maintenance ICS regimens yet to be established for valid endpoints. Nevertheless, current and emerging data position the clinical asthma realm at a watershed moment with imminent changes for the way we manage mild asthma likely in going forward.
    MeSH terms: Formoterol Fumarate; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Asthma; Humans; Inflammation; Patient Compliance; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Off-Label Use
  17. Fulltext White Light Emission from a Simple Mixture of Fluorescent Organic Compounds
    Muhamad Sarih N, Myers P, Slater A, Slater B, Abdullah Z, Tajuddin HA, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 08 14;9(1):11834.
    PMID: 31413269 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47847-5
    Three fluorescent organic compounds-furocoumarin (FC), dansyl aniline (DA), and 7-hydroxycoumarin-3-carboxylic acid (CC)-are mixed to produce almost pure white light emission (WLE). This novel mixture is immobilised in silica aerogel and applied as a coating to a UV LED to demonstrate its applicability as a low-cost, organic coating for WLE via simultaneous emission. In ethanol solution and when immobilised in silica aerogel, the mixture exhibits a Commission Internationale d'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity index of (0.27, 0.33). It was observed that a broadband and simultaneous emission involving coumarin carboxylic acid, furocoumarin and dansyl aniline played a vital role in obtaining a CIE index close to that of pure white light.
    MeSH terms: Ethanol; Aniline Compounds; Carboxylic Acids; Color; Coumarins; Light; Furocoumarins; Silicon Dioxide; Umbelliferones
  18. Voltammetric determination of iodide in iodized table salt using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as ion-pairing
    Jamilan MA, Abdullah J, Alang Ahmad SA, Md Noh MF
    J Food Sci Technol, 2019 Aug;56(8):3846-3853.
    PMID: 31413410 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-019-03855-x
    In this work, voltammetric study based on cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as an ion-pairing agent for the determination of iodine level in iodized table salt has been explored. CTAB was used as an intermediate compound between iodide (I-) and the electrode due to its ability to dissociate to produce cetyltrimethylammonium ions ([CTA]+). The [CTA]+ with a long hydrophobic alkyl chain can be directly adsorbed onto the surface of the working electrode, and this in turns coated the electrode with cationic charge and enhance the electrode ability to bind to iodide (I-) and other molecular iodine ions. A mixture of iodide and CTAB ([CTA]+I-) was prepared and potential of 1.0 V for 60.0 s was applied to pre-concentrate the solution on the working electrode causing the [CTA]+I- to oxidize to iodine (I2). The produced I2 immediately react with chloride ion (Cl-) from the electrolyte of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to produce I2Cl- and form ion-pair with CTA+ as [CTA]+I2Cl-. The linear calibration curve of the developed method towards iodide was in the concentration range of 0.5-4.0 mg/L with sensitivity of - 1.383 µA mg/L-1 cm-2 (R2 = 0.9950), limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3 mg/L and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.0 mg/L, respectively. The proposed method indicates good agreement with the standard method for iodine determination with recovery range from 95.0 to 104.3%. The developed method provided potential application as a portable on-site iodine detector.
    MeSH terms: Calibration; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Hydrochloric Acid; Iodides; Iodine; Ions; Sodium Chloride, Dietary; Limit of Detection
  19. Fulltext Habitual sugar intake and cognitive impairment among multi-ethnic Malaysian older adults
    Chong CP, Shahar S, Haron H, Din NC
    Clin Interv Aging, 2019;14:1331-1342.
    PMID: 31413554 DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S211534
    Background: Sugar is widely consumed in Malaysia, and the excessive intake of sugar has been associated with cognitive functions. However, the association between sugar intake and cognitive impairment among Malaysian older adults is yet to be determined. Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between types and sources of sugar intake and cognitive functions and to identify their risk in predicting cognitive impairment (MMSE score <24). Subjects and methods: A total of 1,209 subjects aged ≥60 years were recruited through multi-stage random sampling from selected states in Malaysia. Dietary intake was derived using a 7-day dietary history questionnaire and supplemented with a quantitative food frequency questionnaire for added sugar intake. Results: The prevalence of cognitive impairment as defined by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) less than 24 was 31.9%, while the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment was 13.1%. The median (IQR) for total sugar intake was 44.60 g/day (26.21-68.81) or 8 tsp, and free sugar intake was 33.08 g/day (17.48-57.26) or 6 tsp. The higher intake of total sugars, free sugars, sucrose, lactose, sugar-sweetened beverages, sugar-sweetened cakes, and dessert was found to be significantly associated with a lower MMSE score, after adjusting for covariates. On the other hand, the consumption of cooked dishes and fruits was significantly associated with a better MMSE score. The adjusted OR for risk of cognitive impairment (MMSE score <24) was 3.30 (95% CI 2.15-5.08) for total sugars and 3.58 (95% CI 2.32-5.52) for free sugars, comparing the highest with the lowest intake percentiles. Conclusion: Excessive sugar consumption among older adults showed a notable association with poor cognitive functions, but longitudinal studies and clinical trials are further needed to clarify the direction of causality and to investigate the underlying mechanism.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Beverages; Cognition; Ethnic Groups; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Dietary Sucrose/administration & dosage*; Mild Cognitive Impairment/ethnology*
  20. Fulltext Cognitive frailty among Malaysian older adults: baseline findings from the LRGS TUA cohort study
    Malek Rivan NF, Shahar S, Rajab NF, Singh DKA, Din NC, Hazlina M, et al.
    Clin Interv Aging, 2019;14:1343-1352.
    PMID: 31413555 DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S211027
    PURPOSE: This study was aimed at determining the presence of cognitive frailty and its associated factors among community-dwelling older adults from the "LRGS-Towards Useful Aging (TUA)" longitudinal study.

    PATIENTS AND METHODS: The available data related to cognitive frailty among a sub-sample of older adults aged 60 years and above (n=815) from two states in Malaysia were analysed. In the LRGS-TUA study, a comprehensive interview-based questionnaire was administered to obtain the socio-demographic information of the participants, followed by assessments to examine the cognitive function, functional status, dietary intake, lifestyle, psychosocial status and biomarkers associated with cognitive frailty. The factors associated with cognitive frailty were assessed using a bivariate logistic regression (BLR).

    RESULTS: The majority of the older adults were categorized as robust (68.4%), followed by cognitively pre-frail (37.4%) and cognitively frail (2.2%). The data on the cognitively frail and pre-frail groups were combined for comparison with the robust group. A hierarchical BLR indicated that advancing age (OR=1.04, 95% CI:1.01-1.08, p<0.05) and depression (OR=1.49, 95% CI:1.34-1.65, p<0.001) scored lower on the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) scale (OR=0.98, 95% CI:0.96-0.99, p<0.05), while low social support (OR=0.98, 95% CI:0.97-0.99, p<0.05) and low niacin intake (OR=0.94, 95% CI:0.89-0.99, p<0.05) were found to be significant factors for cognitive frailty. Higher oxidative stress (MDA) and lower telomerase activity were also associated with cognitive frailty (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSION: Older age, a lower niacin intake, lack of social support, depression and lower functional status were identified as significant factors associated with cognitive frailty among older Malaysian adults. MDA and telomerase activity can be used as potential biomarkers for the identification of cognitive frailty.

    MeSH terms: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Female; Humans; Life Style; Longitudinal Studies; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Niacin/blood; Socioeconomic Factors; Biomarkers; Logistic Models; Frail Elderly/statistics & numerical data*; Oxidative Stress/physiology; Telomerase/metabolism; Independent Living; Mild Cognitive Impairment/epidemiology*
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