Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Application of Fe-based metal-organic framework and its pyrolysis products for sulfonamide treatment
    Van Tran T, Nguyen DTC, Nguyen HT, Nanda S, Vo DN, Do ST, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Sep;26(27):28106-28126.
    PMID: 31363978 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06011-2
    The occurrence and fate of antibiotic compounds in water can adversely affect human and animal health; hence, the removal of such substrates from soil and water is indispensable. Herein, we described the synthesis method of mesoporous carbon (MPC) via the pyrolysis route from a coordination polymer Fe-based MIL-53 (or MIL-53, shortly). The MPC structure was analyzed by several physical techniques such as SEM, TEM, BET, FT-IR, VSM, and XRD. The response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to find out the effects of initial concentration, MPC dosage, and pH on the removal efficiency of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) antibiotics in water. Under the optimized conditions, the removal efficiencies of TMP and SMX were found to be 87% and 99%, respectively. Moreover, the adsorption kinetic and isotherm studies showed that chemisorption and the monolayer adsorption controlled the adsorption process. The leaching test and recyclability studies indicated that the MPC structure was stable and can be reused for at least four times without any considerable change in the removal efficiency. Plausible adsorption mechanisms were also addressed in this study. Because of high maximum adsorption capacity (85.5 mg/g and 131.6 mg/g for TMP and SMX, respectively) and efficient reusability, MPC is recommended to be a potential adsorbent for TMP and SMX from water media.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry; Carbon; Kinetics; Models, Chemical; Sulfamethoxazole/chemistry; Sulfonamides/chemistry*; Trimethoprim; Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry*; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  2. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Seed and its Potential Food Applications: A Review
    Giwa Ibrahim S, Karim R, Saari N, Wan Abdullah WZ, Zawawi N, Ab Razak AF, et al.
    J Food Sci, 2019 Aug;84(8):2015-2023.
    PMID: 31364175 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.14714
    Kenaf belongs to the family Malvaceae noted for their economic and horticultural importance. Kenaf seed is a valuable component of kenaf plant. For several years, it has been primarily used as a cordage crop and secondarily as a livestock feed. The potential for using kenaf seeds as a source of food-based products has not been fully exploited. Consumers are becoming more interested in naturally healthy plant-based food products. Kenaf seed, the future crop with a rich source of essential nutrients and an excellent source of phytocompounds, might serve suitable roles in the production of value-added plant-based foods. At present kenaf seed and its value-added components have not been effectively utilized for both their nutritional and functional properties as either ingredient or major constituent of food products. This review focuses on the possible food applications of kenaf seed and its value-added components based on their nutritional composition and functional properties available in literature, with the purpose of providing an overview on the possible food applications of this underutilized seed. The review focuses on a brief introduction on kenaf plant, nutritional function, lipids and proteins composition and food applications of the seed. The review elaborately discusses the seed in terms of; bioactive components, antioxidants enrichment of wheat bread, antimicrobial agents, as edible flour, as edible oil and a source of protein in food system. The review closes with discussion on other possible food applications of kenaf seed. The need for food scientists and technologists to exploit this natural agricultural product as a value-added food ingredient is of great significance and is emphasized.
    MeSH terms: Antioxidants/metabolism; Antioxidants/chemistry; Food Additives/metabolism; Food Additives/chemistry; Nutritive Value; Plant Extracts/metabolism; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Seeds/metabolism; Seeds/chemistry; Hibiscus/metabolism; Hibiscus/chemistry*
  3. Fulltext Prevalence of hand-arm vibration syndrome among tyre shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia
    Qamruddin AA, Nik Husain NR, Sidek MY, Hanafi MH, Ripin ZM, Ali N
    J Occup Health, 2019 Nov;61(6):498-507.
    PMID: 31364246 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12078
    BACKGROUND: Prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration is associated with a disorder of the vascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems of the upper limb known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Currently, the evidence of HAVS in tropical environments is limited.

    OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and severity of HAVS among tyre shop workers in Kelantan, Malaysia.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 200 tyre shop workers from two districts in Kelantan was performed. Part one data were collected at the field using questionnaire, and hand-arm vibration was measured. Part two involved a set of hand clinical examinations. The workers were divided into high (≥5 m s-2 ) and low/moderate (<5 m s-2 ) exposure group according to their 8-hr time weighted average [A(8)] of vibration exposure. The differences between the two exposure group were then compared.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of the vascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal symptoms was 12.5% (95% CI 10.16 to 14.84), 37.0% (95% CI 30.31 to 43.69), and 44.5% (95% CI 37.61 to 51.38) respectively. When divided according to their exposure statuses, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of HAVS for all three components of vascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal (22.68% vs 2.91%, 62.89% vs 12.62% and 50.52% and 38.83%) respectively. All the clinical examinations findings also significantly differed between the two groups with the high exposure group having a higher abnormal result.

    CONCLUSION: Exposure to high A(8) of vibration exposure was associated with a higher prevalence of all three component of HAVS. There is a need for better control of vibration exposure in Malaysia.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Industry*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Tropical Climate; Prevalence; Occupational Exposure*; Motor Vehicles*; Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome/etiology*; Young Adult
  4. MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Early- and Late-Stage Serous Ovarian Cancer Tissue Reveals Stage-Specific N-Glycans
    Briggs MT, Condina MR, Ho YY, Everest-Dass AV, Mittal P, Kaur G, et al.
    Proteomics, 2019 11;19(21-22):e1800482.
    PMID: 31364262 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201800482
    Epithelial ovarian cancer is one of the most fatal gynecological malignancies in adult women. As studies on protein N-glycosylation have extensively reported aberrant patterns in the ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment, obtaining spatial information will uncover tumor-specific N-glycan alterations in ovarian cancer development and progression. matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is employed to investigate N-glycan distribution on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded ovarian cancer tissue sections from early- and late-stage patients. Tumor-specific N-glycans are identified and structurally characterized by porous graphitized carbon-liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (PGC-LC-ESI-MS/MS), and then assigned to high-resolution images obtained from MALDI-MSI. Spatial distribution of 14 N-glycans is obtained by MALDI-MSI and 42 N-glycans (including structural and compositional isomers) identified and structurally characterized by LC-MS. The spatial distribution of oligomannose, complex neutral, bisecting, and sialylated N-glycan families are localized to the tumor regions of late-stage ovarian cancer patients relative to early-stage patients. Potential N-glycan diagnostic markers that emerge include the oligomannose structure, (Hex)6 + (Man)3 (GlcNAc)2 , and the complex neutral structure, (Hex)2 (HexNAc)2 (Deoxyhexose)1 + (Man)3 (GlcNAc)2 . The distribution of these markers is evaluated using a tissue microarray of early- and late-stage patients.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, Liquid; Female; Glycosylation; Humans; Neoplasm Staging; Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics*; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology; Polysaccharides/genetics*; Polysaccharides/chemistry; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics*; Biomarkers, Tumor/chemistry; Cystadenoma, Serous/genetics*; Cystadenoma, Serous/pathology; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Genomics/methods; Molecular Imaging; Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
  5. Recent Development in the Fabrication of Collagen Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications: A Review
    Busra MFM, Lokanathan Y
    Curr Pharm Biotechnol, 2019;20(12):992-1003.
    PMID: 31364511 DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666190731121016
    Tissue engineering focuses on developing biological substitutes to restore, maintain or improve tissue functions. The three main components of its application are scaffold, cell and growthstimulating signals. Scaffolds composed of biomaterials mainly function as the structural support for ex vivo cells to attach and proliferate. They also provide physical, mechanical and biochemical cues for the differentiation of cells before transferring to the in vivo site. Collagen has been long used in various clinical applications, including drug delivery. The wide usage of collagen in the clinical field can be attributed to its abundance in nature, biocompatibility, low antigenicity and biodegradability. In addition, the high tensile strength and fibril-forming ability of collagen enable its fabrication into various forms, such as sheet/membrane, sponge, hydrogel, beads, nanofibre and nanoparticle, and as a coating material. The wide option of fabrication technology together with the excellent biological and physicochemical characteristics of collagen has stimulated the use of collagen scaffolds in various tissue engineering applications. This review describes the fabrication methods used to produce various forms of scaffolds used in tissue engineering applications.
    MeSH terms: Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*; Collagen/chemistry*; Humans; Tensile Strength; Hydrogels/chemistry; Tissue Engineering/methods*; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry*
  6. Induction of ROS‑mediated cell death and activation of the JNK pathway by a sulfonamide derivative
    Ahmad R, Vaali-Mohammed MA, Elwatidy M, Al-Obeed O, Al-Khayal K, Eldehna WM, et al.
    Int J Mol Med, 2019 Jul 23.
    PMID: 31364730 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4284
    The emergence of colorectal cancer in developed nations can be attributed to dietary habits, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Several treatment regimens are available for primary and metastatic colorectal cancer; however, these treatment options have had limited impact on cure and disease‑free survival, and novel agents need to be developed for treating colorectal cancer. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore the anticancer mechanism of a benzo(1,3)dioxol‑based derivative of sulfonamide. The compound's inhibitory effect on cell proliferation was determined using the MTT assay and the xCelligence RTDP machine. Alternations in the expression of Bcl‑2 and inhibitor of apoptosis protein families were detected by western blotting. Apoptotic marker protein expression, including cytochrome c and cleaved poly(ADP‑ribose)polymerase was measured in the cytosolic extract of cells. Apoptosis and necrosis were detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), and activation of caspase‑3 and caspase‑7 were measured using flow cytometry. Activation of the JNK pathway was detected by western blotting. We investigated the molecular mechanism of action of the sulfonamide derivative on colorectal cancer cells and found that the compound possesses a potent anticancer effect, which is primarily exerted by inducing apoptosis and necrosis. Interestingly, this compound exhibited little antiproliferative effect against the normal colonic epithelial cell line FHC. Furthermore, our results showed that the compound could significantly increase ROS production. Apoptosis induction could be attenuated by the free oxygen radical scavenger N‑acetyl cysteine (NAC), indicating that the antiproliferative effect of this compound on colorectal cancer cells is at least partially dependent on the redox balance. In addition, JNK signaling was activated by treatment with this derivative, which led to the induction of apoptosis. On the contrary, a JNK inhibitor could suppress the cell death induced by this compound. Our findings thus suggested a novel anticancer mechanism of a benzo(1,3)dioxol‑based derivative of sulfonamide for colorectal cancer cells and may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of colorectal cancer; however, further investigation is required.
    MeSH terms: Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose; Cysteine; Epithelial Cells; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Necrosis; Obesity; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxygen; Plant Extracts; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; Smoking; Sulfonamides; Blotting, Western; Free Radical Scavengers; Cell Death; Apoptosis; Reactive Oxygen Species; Disease-Free Survival; Developed Countries; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Cytochromes c; Cell Proliferation; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; Caspase 3; Caspase 7
  7. Fulltext Mapping histoplasmosis in South East Asia - implications for diagnosis in AIDS
    Baker J, Setianingrum F, Wahyuningsih R, Denning DW
    Emerg Microbes Infect, 2019;8(1):1139-1145.
    PMID: 31364950 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1644539
    Histoplasmosis caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum is often lethal in patients with AIDS. Urine antigen testing is highly sensitive and much quicker for diagnosis than culture. Histoplasmosis has a patchy and incompletely appreciated distribution around the world especially in South East Asia. We conducted a systematic literature review of cases of all disease forms of histoplasmosis in SE Asia, not including the Indian sub-continent. We also reviewed all histoplasmin skin test mapping studies to determine localities of exposure. We found a total of 407 cases contracted or likely to have been contracted in SE Asia. Numbers of cases by country varied: Thailand (233), Malaysia (76), Indonesia (48) and Singapore (21), with few or no cases reported in other countries. Most cases (255 (63%)) were disseminated histoplasmosis and 177 (43%) cases were HIV associated. Areas of high histoplasmin skin test sensitivity prevalence were found in Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam - 86.4%, 26.0%, 63.6%, 36.0% and 33.7%, respectively. We have drawn maps of these data. Further study is required to ascertain the extent of histoplasmosis within SE Asia. Diagnostic capability for patients with HIV infection is urgently required in SE Asia, to reduce mortality and mis-diagnosis as tuberculosis.
    MeSH terms: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications*; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Histoplasma/isolation & purification*; Histoplasmosis/epidemiology*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Topography, Medical*; Young Adult
  8. Fulltext Study the effect of various wash-coated metal oxides over synthesized carbon nanofibers coated monolith substrates
    Malekbala MR, Soltani S, Abdul Rashid S, Abdullah LC, Choong TSY
    PLoS One, 2019;14(7):e0219936.
    PMID: 31365558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219936
    In this research work, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized on honeycomb monolith substrates using injection chemical vapor deposition (ICVD) technique. The effect of various wash-coated materials and catalyst promoter on the growth rate of CNFs on monolith substrates were examined. The characteristics of the synthesized CNFs-coated monolith composites were examined using Raman spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. According to the textural characterization study, the specific surface area and pore volume of CNFs-coated monolith composites were significantly improved as compared to bare monolith which might be attributed to the growth of highly pure and aligned CNFs over monolith substrate. Besides that, the synthesized CNFs-coated monolith possessed extremely well thermal stability up to the temperature of 550 °C which was corresponded to the strong attachment of highly graphitized CNFs over monolith substrates.
    MeSH terms: Carbon/chemistry*; Catalysis; Hot Temperature; Metals/chemistry*; Oxides/chemistry; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Thermogravimetry; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanofibers/chemistry*
  9. Fulltext Electrospinning synthesis and assessment of physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of cobalt nitrate fibers for wound healing applications
    Jaganathan SK, Mani MP
    An Acad Bras Cienc, 2019 Jul 29;91(3):e20180237.
    PMID: 31365648 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201920180237
    The aim of this study was to develop polyurethane (PU) wound dressing incorporated with cobalt nitrate using electrospinning technique. The morphology analysis revealed that the developed composites exhibited reduced fiber and pore diameter than the pristine PU. The electrospun membranes exhibited average porosity in the range of 67% - 71%. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS) showed the presence of cobalt in the PU matrix. The interaction of cobalt nitrate with PU matrix was evident in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The contact angle results indicated the improved wettability of the prepared PU/cobalt nitrate composites (82° ± 2) than the pure PU (100° ± 1). The incorporation of cobalt nitrate into the PU matrix enhanced the surface roughness and mechanical strength as evident in the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and tensile test analysis. The blood compatibility assays revealed the anticoagulant nature of the prepared composites by displaying prolonged blood clotting time than the PU control. Further, the developed composite exhibited less toxicity nature as revealed in the hemolysis and cytotoxicity studies. It was observed that the PU wound dressing added with cobalt nitrate fibers exhibited enhanced physicochemical, better blood compatibility parameters and enhanced fibroblast proliferation rates which may serve as a potential candidate for wound dressings.
    MeSH terms: Biocompatible Materials/administration & dosage*; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry; Cobalt/administration & dosage*; Cobalt/chemistry; Humans; Materials Testing*; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Wound Healing*; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Tissue Engineering*
  10. Efficacy of methylprednisolone on T-2 toxin-induced cardiotoxicity in vivo: A pathohistological study
    Jaćević V, Wu Q, Nepovimova E, Kuča K
    Environ Toxicol Pharmacol, 2019 Oct;71:103221.
    PMID: 31365892 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2019.103221
    Our aim was to compare the protective efficacy of two different formulations of methylprednisolone in T-2 toxin-induced cardiomyopathy. Methylprednisolone (soluble form, Lemod-solu® and/or depot form, Lemod-depo®, a total single dose of 40 mg/kg im) was given immediately after T-2 toxin (1 LD50 0.23 mg/kg sc). The myocardial tissue samples were examinated by using histopathology, semiquantitative and imaging analyses on day 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 60 of the study. Therapeutic application of Lemod-solu® significantly decreased the intensity of myocardial degeneration and haemorrhages, distribution of glycogen granules in the endo- and perimysium, a total number of mast cells and the degree of their degranulation was in correlation with the reversible heart structural lesions (p 
    MeSH terms: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Glycogen; Lethal Dose 50; Mast Cells; Methylprednisolone; Cardiomyopathies; Myocardium; Oxadiazoles; T-2 Toxin
  11. Fulltext Current status, challenges and the way forward for dairy goat production in Asia - conference summary of dairy goats in Asia
    Liang JB, Paengkoum P
    Asian-Australas J Anim Sci, 2019 Aug;32(8):1233-1243.
    PMID: 31357264 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.19.0272
    Asia hosts more than half of the world's 1 billion goats and is also where domestication of wild goats began. Goats, including dairy goats, are adapted to a wide variety of harsh environments and thus play key roles as providers of nutrition, food security and socio-economic status to their human owners in many low-income Asian countries. In many countries in Southeast and East Asia, medium and large scale commercial dairy goat farming can be profitable enterprises because of the high price of goat milk, and good demand due to its health and medicinal properties. In some Asian countries, dairy goats play important roles in non-commercial activities, including use as educational animals in elementary schools in Japan and show animals in Indonesia. Dairy goat farmers in Asia are faced with numerous challenges, such as a shortage of high producing animals adapted to the local environment, lack of quality feeds during a prolonged dry season, many diseases and difficulty getting their product to market, however, the increasing demand for goat milk in the newly developed and developed economies in Asia provides an optimistic future for dairy goat production in this region.
  12. Determination of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors in instant coffee premixes using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)
    Mohd Yusop AY, Xiao L, Fu S
    Talanta, 2019 Nov 01;204:36-43.
    PMID: 31357306 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.05.078
    As a widely consumed beverage, coffee tends to be a target for intentional adulteration. This study describes the application of modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) coupled to liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) for simultaneous screening, identification, and quantification of undeclared phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors in instant coffee premixes (ICPs). The mass spectrometer was operated in auto MS/MS acquisition for simultaneous MS and MS/MS experiments. Qualitative establishments from the suspected-target screening and targeted identification processes led to an unambiguous analyte assignment from the protonated molecule ([M+H]+) precursor ion which is subsequently used for quantification of 23 targeted PDE5 inhibitors. The analytical method validation covered specificity, linearity, range, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precisions, matrix effect (ME), and extraction recovery (RE). The specificity was established using the optimised chromatographic separation as well as the distinguishable [M+H]+ precursor ion. The linearity of each target analyte was demonstrated with a coefficient of determination (r2) of >0.9960 over the expected range of sample concentrations. The accuracy ranged from 88.1%-119.3% with LOD and LOQ of <70 ng/mL and 80 ng/mL, respectively. Excellent precisions were established within 0.4%-9.1% of the relative standard deviation. An insignificant ME within -5.2% to +8.7% was achieved using three different strategies of chromatography, sample extraction, and sample dilution. The RE was good for all target analytes within 84.7%-123.5% except for N-desethylacetildenafil at low (53.8%) and medium (65.1%) quality control levels. The method was successfully applied to 25 samples of ICPs where 17 of them were found to be adulterated with PDE5 inhibitors and their analogues. Further quantification revealed the total amount of these adulterants ranged from 2.77 to 121.64 mg per sachet.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, Liquid/methods*; Coffee/chemistry*; Food Contamination/analysis*; Mass Spectrometry/methods*; Solid Phase Extraction/methods; Limit of Detection; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors/analysis*
  13. Fulltext Green Synthesis and Characterization of Pullulan Mediated Silver Nanoparticles through Ultraviolet Irradiation
    Khan MJ, Kumari S, Shameli K, Selamat J, Sazili AQ
    Materials (Basel), 2019 Jul 26;12(15).
    PMID: 31357398 DOI: 10.3390/ma12152382
    Nanoparticles (NPs) are, frequently, being utilized in multi-dimensional enterprises. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted researchers in the last decade due to their exceptional efficacy at very low volume and stability at higher temperatures. Due to certain limitations of the chemical method of synthesis, AgNPs can be obtained by physical methods including sun rays, microwaves and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the current study, the synthesis of pullulan mediated silver nanoparticles (P-AgNPs) was achieved through ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, with a wavelength of 365 nm, for 96 h. P-AgNPs were formed after 24 h of UV-irradiation time and expressed spectra maxima as 415 nm, after 96 h, in UV-vis spectroscopy. The crystallographic structure was "face centered cubic (fcc)" as confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Furthermore, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) proved that P-AgNPs were covered with a thin layer of pullulan, with a mean crystalline size of 6.02 ± 2.37. The average lattice fringe spacing of nanoparticles was confirmed as 0.235 nm with quasi-spherical characteristics, by selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis. These green synthesized P-AgNPs can be utilized efficiently, as an active food and meat preservative, when incorporated into the edible films.
    MeSH terms: Crystallography; Electrons; Glucans; Meat; Microwaves; Silver; Spectrum Analysis; Temperature; Ultraviolet Rays; X-Ray Diffraction; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Metal Nanoparticles
  14. Fulltext Poly(2,6-Dimethyl-1,4-Phenylene Oxide)-Based Hydroxide Exchange Separator Membranes for Zinc-Air Battery
    Abbasi A, Hosseini S, Somwangthanaroj A, Mohamad AA, Kheawhom S
    Int J Mol Sci, 2019 Jul 26;20(15).
    PMID: 31357565 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153678
    Rechargeable zinc-air batteries are deemed as the most feasible alternative to replace lithium-ion batteries in various applications. Among battery components, separators play a crucial role in the commercial realization of rechargeable zinc-air batteries, especially from the viewpoint of preventing zincate (Zn(OH)42-) ion crossover from the zinc anode to the air cathode. In this study, a new hydroxide exchange membrane for zinc-air batteries was synthesized using poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) as the base polymer. PPO was quaternized using three tertiary amines, including trimethylamine (TMA), 1-methylpyrolidine (MPY), and 1-methylimidazole (MIM), and casted into separator films. The successful synthesis process was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, while their thermal stability was examined using thermogravimetric analysis. Besides, their water/electrolyte absorption capacity and dimensional change, induced by the electrolyte uptake, were studied. Ionic conductivity of PPO-TMA, PPO-MPY, and PPO-MIM was determined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to be 0.17, 0.16, and 0.003 mS/cm, respectively. Zincate crossover evaluation tests revealed very low zincate diffusion coefficient of 1.13 × 10-8, and 0.28 × 10-8 cm2/min for PPO-TMA, and PPO-MPY, respectively. Moreover, galvanostatic discharge performance of the primary batteries assembled using PPO-TMA and PPO-MPY as initial battery tests showed a high specific discharge capacity and specific power of ~800 mAh/gZn and 1000 mWh/gZn, respectively. Low zincate crossover and high discharge capacity of these separator membranes makes them potential materials to be used in zinc-air batteries.
    MeSH terms: Electrochemistry; Hydroxides/chemistry*; Membranes, Artificial*; Phenyl Ethers/chemistry*; Polymers/chemistry*; Electric Power Supplies*; Spectrum Analysis; Zinc/chemistry*; Molecular Structure
  15. Fulltext Supersaturation Potential of Amorphous Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients after Long-Term Storage
    Edueng K, Mahlin D, Gråsjö J, Nylander O, Thakrani M, Bergström CAS
    Molecules, 2019 Jul 27;24(15).
    PMID: 31357587 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24152731
    This study explores the effect of physical aging and/or crystallization on the supersaturation potential and crystallization kinetics of amorphous active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Spray-dried, fully amorphous indapamide, metolazone, glibenclamide, hydrocortisone, hydrochlorothiazide, ketoconazole, and sulfathiazole were used as model APIs. The parameters used to assess the supersaturation potential and crystallization kinetics were the maximum supersaturation concentration (Cmax,app), the area under the curve (AUC), and the crystallization rate constant (k). These were compared for freshly spray-dried and aged/crystallized samples. Aged samples were stored at 75% relative humidity for 168 days (6 months) or until they were completely crystallized, whichever came first. The solid-state changes were monitored with differential scanning calorimetry, Raman spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. Supersaturation potential and crystallization kinetics were investigated using a tenfold supersaturation ratio compared to the thermodynamic solubility using the µDISS Profiler. The physically aged indapamide and metolazone and the minimally crystallized glibenclamide and hydrocortisone did not show significant differences in their Cmax,app and AUC when compared to the freshly spray-dried samples. Ketoconazole, with a crystalline content of 23%, reduced its Cmax,app and AUC by 50%, with Cmax,app being the same as the crystalline solubility. The AUC of aged metolazone, one of the two compounds that remained completely amorphous after storage, significantly improved as the crystallization kinetics significantly decreased. Glibenclamide improved the most in its supersaturation potential from amorphization. The study also revealed that, besides solid-state crystallization during storage, crystallization during dissolution and its corresponding pathway may significantly compromise the supersaturation potential of fully amorphous APIs.
    MeSH terms: Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Crystallization; Drug Stability; Pharmaceutical Preparations/chemistry*; Kinetics; Preservation, Biological*; Solubility; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Time Factors; Chemical Phenomena
  16. Swelling on the Upper Lip: A Diagnostic Challenge
    Tegginamani AS, Hs V, Wanjari SG, Dubey G
    J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 2019 Aug;29(8):796.
    PMID: 31358112 DOI: 10.29271/jcpsp.2019.08.796
    MeSH terms: Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Infant; Lip Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Male; Rhabdomyosarcoma/diagnosis*
  17. Dermoid cyst simulating recurrent dacryocystitis in a toddler
    Tengku-Fatishah A, Abdullah B, Sanjeevan N, Nurul-Shuhada AH, Sharifah-Emilia TS, Haron J, et al.
    Can J Ophthalmol, 2019 08;54(4):e196-e199.
    PMID: 31358169 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2018.10.006
    MeSH terms: Dacryocystitis/diagnosis*; Dacryocystorhinostomy/methods; Dermoid Cyst/diagnosis*; Dermoid Cyst/surgery; Diagnosis, Differential; Eye Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Eye Neoplasms/surgery; Humans; Infant; Lacrimal Apparatus/surgery; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases/diagnosis*; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases/surgery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Recurrence; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  18. Fulltext A plasmid-encoded peptide from Staphylococcus aureus induces anti-myeloperoxidase nephritogenic autoimmunity
    Ooi JD, Jiang JH, Eggenhuizen PJ, Chua LL, van Timmeren M, Loh KL, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2019 07 29;10(1):3392.
    PMID: 31358739 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11255-0
    Autoreactivity to myeloperoxidase (MPO) causes anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Here, we show that a Staphylococcus aureus peptide, homologous to an immunodominant MPO T-cell epitope (MPO409-428), can induce anti-MPO autoimmunity. The peptide (6PGD391-410) is part of a plasmid-encoded 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase found in some S. aureus strains. It induces anti-MPO T-cell autoimmunity and MPO-ANCA in mice, whereas related sequences do not. Mice immunized with 6PGD391-410, or with S. aureus containing a plasmid expressing 6PGD391-410, develop glomerulonephritis when MPO is deposited in glomeruli. The peptide induces anti-MPO autoreactivity in the context of three MHC class II allomorphs. Furthermore, we show that 6PGD391-410 is immunogenic in humans, as healthy human and AAV patient sera contain anti-6PGD and anti-6PGD391-410 antibodies. Therefore, our results support the idea that bacterial plasmids might have a function in autoimmune disease.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Bacterial Proteins/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/immunology*; Glomerulonephritis/immunology; Humans; Male; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Peroxidase/immunology*; Peroxidase/metabolism; Peptides/genetics; Peptides/immunology*; Plasmids/genetics; Staphylococcus aureus/genetics; Staphylococcus aureus/immunology*; Staphylococcus aureus/physiology; Autoimmunity/immunology*; Mice, Knockout; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology; Heymann Nephritis Antigenic Complex/immunology*; Heymann Nephritis Antigenic Complex/metabolism; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis/blood; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis/immunology
  19. Anionic Surfactants and Traffic Related Emission from an Urban Area of Perak, Malaysia
    Razak HA, Wahid NBA, Latif MT
    Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 2019 Nov;77(4):587-593.
    PMID: 31359072 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-019-00656-3
    Anionic surfactants are one of the pollutants derived from particulate matter (PM) and adversely affect the health of living organisms. In this study, the compositions of surfactants extracted from PM and vehicle soot collected in an urban area were investigated. A high-volume air sampler was used to collect PM sample at urban area based on coarse (> 1.5 µm) and fine (
    MeSH terms: Air Pollutants/analysis*; Anions/analysis; Vehicle Emissions/analysis*; Cities; Environmental Monitoring/instrumentation; Environmental Monitoring/methods; Malaysia; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/instrumentation; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/methods; Particle Size; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Surface-Active Agents/analysis*; Particulate Matter/analysis; Soot/analysis
  20. Fulltext Cardiac A-lines in fast scan as a sign of pneumopericardium
    Md Noor J, Eddie EA
    Ultrasound J, 2019 Apr 25;11(1):7.
    PMID: 31359168 DOI: 10.1186/s13089-019-0123-x
    BACKGROUND: Traumatic pneumopericardium is rare and usually results from blunt injury. Diagnosis through clinical and chest X-ray is often difficult. Ultrasound findings of A-line artifacts in the cardiac window may suggest pneumopericardium.

    CASE PRESENTATION: A young man involved in a car accident and sustained blunt thoracic injuries, among others. As part of primary survey, FAST scan was performed. Subxiphoid view to look for evidence of pericardial effusion showed part of the cardiac image obscured by A-lines. Other cardiac windows showed only A-lines, as well. A suspicion of pneumopericardium was raised and CT scan confirmed the diagnosis.

    CONCLUSIONS: Although FAST scan was originally used to look for presence of free fluid, with the knowledge of lung ultrasound for pneumothorax, our findings suggest that FAST scan can also be used to detect pneumopericardium.

    MeSH terms: Accidents; Humans; Male; Pericardial Effusion; Pneumopericardium; Pneumothorax; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thoracic Injuries; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography; Wounds, Nonpenetrating; X-Rays; Artifacts
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