Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Raghavendra U, Gudigar A, Bhandary SV, Rao TN, Ciaccio EJ, Acharya UR
    J Med Syst, 2019 Jul 30;43(9):299.
    PMID: 31359230 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-019-1427-x
    Glaucoma is a type of eye condition which may result in partial or consummate vision loss. Higher intraocular pressure is the leading cause for this condition. Screening for glaucoma and early detection can avert vision loss. Computer aided diagnosis (CAD) is an automated process with the potential to identify glaucoma early through quantitative analysis of digital fundus images. Preparing an effective model for CAD requires a large database. This study presents a CAD tool for the precise detection of glaucoma using a machine learning approach. An autoencoder is trained to determine effective and important features from fundus images. These features are used to develop classes of glaucoma for testing. The method achieved an F - measure value of 0.95 utilizing 1426 digital fundus images (589 control and 837 glaucoma). The efficacy of the system is evident, and is suggestive of its possible utility as an additional tool for verification of clinical decisions.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Algorithms; Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological*; Female; Fundus Oculi*; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Male; Middle Aged; Pattern Recognition, Automated/methods; Case-Control Studies; Tomography, Optical Coherence/methods*
  2. Adi O, Fong CP, Azil A, Wahab SFA
    Ultrasound J, 2019 Feb 25;11(1):1.
    PMID: 31359296 DOI: 10.1186/s13089-019-0116-9
    BACKGROUND: We report a case study of fat embolism seen on ultrasound at right internal jugular vein during central venous cannulation in a patient diagnosed with fat embolism syndrome. This case demonstrates the importance of ultrasound for evaluation of trauma cases with suspicion of fat embolism.

    CASE PRESENTATION: A 23-year-old trauma patient with closed fracture of left femoral shaft and left humerus presented to our emergency department (ED). 11 h after admission to ED, patient became confused, hypoxic and hypotensive. He was then intubated for respiratory failure and mechanically ventilated. Transesophageal ultrasound revealed hyperdynamic heart, dilated right ventricle with no regional wall abnormalities and no major aorta injuries. Whole-body computed tomography was normal. During central venous cannulation of right internal jugular vein (IJV), we found free floating mobile hyperechoic spots, located at the anterior part of the vein. A diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome later was made based on the clinical presentation of long bone fractures and fat globulin in the blood. Despite aggressive fluid resuscitation, patient was a non-responder and needed vasopressor infusion for persistent shock. Blood aspirated during cannulation from the IJV revealed a fat globule. Patient underwent uneventful orthopedic procedures and was discharged well on day 5 of admission.

    CONCLUSIONS: Point-of-care ultrasound findings of fat embolism in central vein can facilitate and increase the suspicion of fat embolism syndrome.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aorta; Catheterization, Central Venous; Embolism, Fat; Emergency Service, Hospital; Fractures, Closed; Globulins; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Humerus; Jugular Veins; Male; Patient Discharge; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Insufficiency; Ultrasonography; Point-of-Care Systems; Orthopedic Procedures; Young Adult
  3. Mohd Salleh NA, Fairbairn N, Nolan S, Barrios R, Shoveller J, Richardson L, et al.
    HIV Med, 2019 10;20(9):606-614.
    PMID: 31359615 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12777
    OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the association between dispensation of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the same facility, across multiple low-barrier dispensing outlets, and achieving optimal adherence to ART among people who use illicit drugs (PWUD).

    METHODS: We used data from the AIDS Care Cohort to Evaluate Exposure to Survival Services (ACCESS) study, a long-running study of a community-recruited cohort of HIV-positive PWUD, linked to comprehensive HIV clinical records in Vancouver, Canada, a setting of no-cost, universal access to HIV care. The longitudinal relationship between MMT-ART dispensation at the same facility and the odds of ≥ 95% ART adherence was analysed using multivariable generalized linear mixed-effects modelling. We conducted a further analysis using a marginal structural mode with inverse probability of treatment weights as a sensitivity analysis.

    RESULTS: This study included data on 1690 interviews of 345 ART- and MMT-exposed participants carried out between June 2012 and December 2017. In the final multivariable model, MMT-ART dispensation, compared with nondispensation at the same facility, was associated with greater odds of achieving ≥ 95% adherence [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-1.96]. A marginal structural model estimated a 1.48 (95% CI 1.15-1.80) greater odds of ≥ 95% adherence among participants who reported MMT-ART dispensation at the same facility compared with those who did not.

    CONCLUSIONS: The odds of achieving optimal adherence to ART were 56% higher during periods in which MMT and ART medications were dispensed at the same facility, in a low-barrier setting. Our findings highlight the need to consider a simpler integrated approach with medication dispensation at the same facility in low-threshold settings.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use; Canada/epidemiology; Delivery of Health Care/statistics & numerical data*; Female; Humans; Male; Methadone/therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; HIV Infections/drug therapy*; HIV Infections/epidemiology; Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use*; Substance-Related Disorders/drug therapy*; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology; Drug Users; Medication Adherence/statistics & numerical data*; Opiate Substitution Treatment/methods*
  4. Padur AA, Kumar N
    J Vasc Bras, 2019 Jul 12;18:e20190021.
    PMID: 31360158 DOI: 10.1590/1677-5449.190021
    The facial artery is the main artery of the face and variations in its origin and its branching pattern have been documented. We report herein multiple facial artery branch variations in the face. A large posterior (premasseteric) branch originated from the left facial artery and coursed upwards behind the main trunk of the facial artery. This artery presented with a straight course and was closely related to the anterior border of the masseter. The branch then terminated by supplying the adjacent connective tissue below the parotid duct. It was also observed that the facial artery was very thick and tortuous and terminated as the superior labial artery. Knowledge of this variation is of great clinical significance in facial operations, especially for maxillofacial surgeons and plastic surgeons, because it forms the anatomical basis for the facial artery musculo-mucosal flap.
    MeSH terms: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; Arteries; Connective Tissue; Face; Head; Masseter Muscle; Surgeons
  5. Zulkafli Z, Janaveloo T, Wan Ab Rahman WS, Hassan MN, Abdullah WZ
    Oman Med J, 2019 Jul;34(4):336-340.
    PMID: 31360323 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2019.65
    Thrombocytosis in children as well as in adult is defined as platelet count ≥ 450 × 109/L, and it is usually a reactive feature to various medical disorders. However, extreme thrombocytosis (platelet count ≥ 1000 × 109/L) is an uncommon finding among pediatric and adult patients, which may indicate more than a reactive phenomenon. We describe a case of a five-year-old boy who was admitted due to recurrent epistaxis. He had no history of allergic tendency or trauma. Physical examination was unremarkable except for shotty neck nodes. Laboratory results at presentation showed normal hemoglobin and total leukocyte count with eosinophilia (0.92 × 109/L), and extreme thrombocytosis. Other relevant investigations including coagulation profile, serum ferritin, liver, and renal function tests were all within normal ranges. Stool samples for ova and cysts were negative. The peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspirate confirmed thrombocytosis with increased megakaryocytic proliferation and no artefactual reasons for the high platelets such as red blood cell fragments. Different causes of thrombocytosis in childhood were investigated after considering the possible differential diagnoses for extreme thrombocytosis.
  6. Sulaiman W, Abdullah AC, Chung SF, Karim N, Tang JJ
    Oman Med J, 2019 Jul;34(4):345-349.
    PMID: 31360325 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2019.67
    Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Churg-Strauss syndrome) is a rare vasculitis in children. It commonly presents with respiratory symptoms, especially asthma, allergic rhinitis, and peripheral eosinophilia. Involvement of other systems, such as renal and cardiac, may carry a poor prognosis. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies have been found less frequently in children with this condition. We report a case of a 15-year-old male who presented with indurated and pruritic papules on both legs and peripheral eosinophilia without other system involvement. Histopathological findings from a skin biopsy were suggestive of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were negative.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Asthma; Biopsy; Child; Eosinophilia; Humans; Male; Prognosis; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis; Churg-Strauss Syndrome; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; Rhinitis, Allergic
  7. Mohammadi M, Ghaleiha A, Rahnama R
    Int J Prev Med, 2019;10:111.
    PMID: 31360358 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_493_17
    Background: Theory-based tobacco use prevention programs in schools were implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of this peer-led intervention on tobacco use-related knowledge, attitude, normative beliefs, and intention to tobacco use of school children aged 14-17 years old.

    Methods: A school-based cluster randomized controlled intervention study was conducted among 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade high school children in Sanandaj City, Iran. 4-h integrated tobacco use prevention program comprising of four structured modules was developed and delivered to the intervention group by trained peer educator. Outcome measures comprised changes in students' smoking-related knowledge, attitude, normative beliefs, and intention to tobacco use from baseline to 6-month follow-up through validated anonymous questionnaire.

    Results: The present study showed an intervention effect on tobacco use-related knowledge, normative beliefs, and intention to tobacco use but not attitude. The results indicated that there was significant decrease in intention to tobacco use (P ≤ 0.013) observed after 6-month postintervention. The intervention module was also effective in improving smoking knowledge (P ≤ 0.001), normative beliefs with regard to perceived prevalence of cigarette smoking and water-pipe use among adults and adolescents (P ≤ 0.001) in intervention group 6-month postintervention.

    Conclusions: Participation in the peer-led education program to tobacco use prevention may have improvement in knowledge, normative beliefs, and intention to tobacco use. An implementation of the peer-led behavioral intervention components in the school setting may have a beneficial effect on public health by decreasing intention to tobacco use among nonsmoker adolescents.

  8. Lanca C, Teo A, Vivagandan A, Htoon HM, Najjar RP, Spiegel DP, et al.
    Transl Vis Sci Technol, 2019 Jul;8(4):7.
    PMID: 31360613 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.8.4.7
    Purpose: Lack of outdoor time is a known risk factor for myopia. Knowledge of the light levels reaching the eye and exposure settings, including sun-protective measures, is essential for outdoor programs and myopia. We evaluated the impact of sun-protective strategies (hat and sunglasses) on maintaining high illuminance levels to prevent myopia.

    Methods: A child-sized mannequin head was developed to measure light illuminance levels with and without sun-protective equipment, across a wide range of environments in Singapore, outdoors (open park, under a tree, street) and indoors (under a fluorescent illumination with window, under white LED-based lighting without window). A comparison was made between indoor and outdoor light levels that are experienced while children are involved in day-to-day activities.

    Results: Outdoor light levels were much higher (11,080-18,176 lux) than indoors (112-156 lux). The higher lux levels protective of myopia (>1000 lux) were measured at the tree shade (5556-7876 lux) and with hat (4112-8156 lux). Sunglasses showed lux levels between 1792 and 6800 lux. Although with sunglasses readings were lower than tree shade and hat, light levels were still 11 to 43 times higher than indoors.

    Conclusions: Recommendations on spending time outdoors for myopia prevention with adequate sun protection should be provided while partaking in outdoor activities, including protection under shaded areas, wearing a hat or sunglasses, sunscreen, and adequate hydration.

    Translational Relevance: Light levels outdoors were higher than indoors and above the threshold illuminance for myopia prevention even with adequate sun-protective measures.

    MeSH terms: Child; Eyeglasses; Humans; Lighting; Manikins; Myopia; Protective Devices; Risk Factors; Singapore; Sunscreening Agents; Trees
  9. Kandar MZ, Nimlyat PS, Abdullahi MG, Dodo YA
    Heliyon, 2019 Jul;5(7):e02077.
    PMID: 31360788 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02077
    External shading geometry on buildings has been found to contribute substantially to reducing energy consumption for cooling. This study examines the effect of inclined wall self-shading strategy on heat gain in an office building. Field measurement of environmental variables such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, dew point, and wet bulb temperature was carried out in a case study inclined wall self-shading office building located in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The results of the validation of ApacheSim simulation software tool against the measured environmental variables indicated significant reliability having Pearson correlations ranging from 0.56 to 0.90. In establishing the relationship between different inclined wall strategies to the amount of heat gain, modification of the inclined wall self-shading projection (SSP) was modelled and experimented using ApacheSim simulation. Findings from the analysis revealed a relationship between heat gains into a building space and self-shading projection (SSP), as heat gains tend to reduce with increased SSP. From the findings, the optimum inclination angle of self-shading for effective heat gain reduction is based on a 45% self-shading projection. The application of inclined wall self-shading strategy in buildings would, therefore, bring about a reduction in heat gain, which invariably reduces energy consumption for cooling.
    MeSH terms: Cold Temperature; Hot Temperature; Humidity; Malaysia; Physiological Phenomena; Software; Temperature; Reproducibility of Results; Phase Transition; Physical Phenomena
  10. Jaffar FHF, Osman K, Ismail NH, Chin KY, Ibrahim SF
    Tohoku J Exp Med, 2019 07;248(3):169-179.
    PMID: 31353326 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.248.169
    Extensive use of Wi-Fi has contributed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) pollution in environment. Various studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of RF-EMR emitted by Wi-Fi transmitter on male reproduction health. However, there are conflicting findings between studies. Thus, this review aims to elucidate the possible effects of 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi exposure on both animal and human male reproductive system. A computerized database search performed through MEDLINE via Ovid and PUBMED with the following set of keywords: 'Wi-Fi or WiFi or wireless fidelity or Wi-Fi router or WiFi router or electromagnetic or radiofrequency radiation' AND 'sperm or spermatozoa or spermatogenesis or semen or seminal plasma or testes or testis or testosterone or male reproduction' had returned 526 articles. Only 17 studies conformed to pre-set inclusion criterion. Additional records identified through Google Scholar and reviewed article further revealed six eligible articles. A total of 23 articles were used for data extraction, including 15 studies on rats, three studies on mice, and five studies on human health. Sperm count, motility and DNA integrity were the most affected parameters when exposed to RF-EMR emitted by Wi-Fi transmitter. Unfortunately, sperm viability and morphology were inconclusive. Structural and/or physiological analyses of the testes showed degenerative changes, reduced testosterone level, increased apoptotic cells, and DNA damage. These effects were mainly due to the elevation of testicular temperature and oxidative stress activity. In conclusion, exposure towards 2.45 GHz RF-EMR emitted by Wi-Fi transmitter is hazardous on the male reproductive system.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Genitalia, Male/radiation effects*; Humans; Male; Electromagnetic Radiation*
  11. Acquah C, Chan YW, Pan S, Agyei D, Udenigwe CC
    J Food Biochem, 2019 01;43(1):e12765.
    PMID: 31353493 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12765
    The application of proteomic and peptidomic technologies for food-derived bioactive peptides is an emerging field in food sciences. These technologies include the use of separation tools coupled to a high-resolution spectrometric and bioinformatic tools for prediction, identification, sequencing, and characterization of peptides. To a large extent, one-dimensional separation technologies have been extensively used as a continuous tool under different optimized conditions for the identification and analysis of food peptides. However, most one-dimensional separation technologies are fraught with significant bottlenecks such as insufficient sensitivity and specificity limits for complex samples. To address this limitation, separation systems based on orthogonal, multidimensional principles, which allow for the coupling of more than one analytical separation tool with different operational principles, provide a higher separation power than one-dimensional separation tools. This review describes the structure-informed separation and purification of protein hydrolyzates to obtain peptides with desirable bioactivities. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Application of bioactive peptides in the formulation of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and therapeutic agents have increasingly gained scholarly and industrial attention. The bioactive peptides exist originally in protein sources and are only active after hydrolysis of the parent protein. Currently, several tools can be configured in one-dimensional or multidimensional systems for the separation and purification of protein hydrolyzates. The separations are informed by the structural properties such as the molecular weight, charge, hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity, and the solubility of peptides. This review provides a concise discussion on the commonly used analytical tools, their configurations, advantages and challenges in peptide separation. Emphasis is placed on how the structural properties of peptides assist in the separation and purification processes and the concomitant effect of the separation on peptide bioactivity.
    MeSH terms: Peptides/isolation & purification*; Peptides/pharmacology*; Peptides/chemistry; Protein Conformation; Structure-Activity Relationship; Proteomics/methods; Functional Food; Proteolysis
  12. Agyei D, Pan S, Acquah C, Bekhit AEA, Danquah MK
    J Food Biochem, 2019 01;43(1):e12482.
    PMID: 31353495 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12482
    Peptides with biological properties, that is, bioactive peptides, are a class of biomolecules whose health-promoting properties are increasingly being exploited in food and health products. However, research on targeted techniques for the detection and quantification of these peptides is still in its infancy. Such information is needed in order to enhance the biological and chemometric characterization of peptides and their subsequent application in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries. In this review, the role of classic techniques such as electrophoretic, chromatographic, and peptide mass spectrometry in the structure-informed detection and quantitation of bioactive peptides are discussed. Prospects for the use of aptamers in the characterization of bioactive peptides are also discussed. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Although bioactive peptides have huge potential applications in the functional foods and health area, there are limited techniques in enhancing throughput detection, quantification, and characterization of these peptides. This review discusses state-of-the-art techniques relevant in complementing bioactive detection and profiling irrespective of the small number of amino acid units. Insights into challenges, possible remedies and prevailing areas requiring thorough research in the extant literature for food chemists and biotechnologists are also presented.
    MeSH terms: Body Fluids/chemistry*; Chromatography, Liquid/methods; Dietary Proteins/chemistry*; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel/methods; Humans; Peptides/analysis*; Peptides/pharmacology; Peptides/chemistry; Protein Conformation; Mass Spectrometry/methods; Structure-Activity Relationship; Electrophoresis, Capillary/methods; Aptamers, Nucleotide/chemistry; Functional Food/analysis
  13. Tan ST, Ismail A, Hamid M, Chong PP, Sun J
    J Food Biochem, 2019 05;43(5):e12843.
    PMID: 31353513 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12843
    Unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activities are among the contributing factors for obesity and diabetes. It has been reported that consumption of naturally occurring phenolics could exert beneficial effects toward these diseases. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the ability of phenolic-rich soy husk powder extract (SHPE) in modifying the physical and biochemical parameters for obesity and diabetes. Forty-nine Sprague Dawley rats were divided into seven groups, including three supplementary/treatment groups. Rats in supplementary/treatment groups were provided with either 4 mg/kg BW Rosiglitazone Maleate, 250 mg SHPE/kg BW, or 500 mg SHPE/kg BW. The effectiveness of SHPE in alleviating obesity-diabetes was evaluated by measuring body weight (physical parameter), blood glucose metabolisms (biochemical parameters), and PPARγ expression. Findings in the present study revealed that short-term SHPE and Rosiglitazone Maleate administration improved the physical and biochemical parameters of obese-diabetic rats. In addition, SHPE was also demonstrated to upregulate PPARγ expression in adipocytes. These findings suggest that soy husk could emerge as a potential hypoglycemic and anti-adipogenic nutraceutical in future. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This was the first study to evaluate the potential effects of soy husk against the parameters of obese-diabetes in rats. In addition, promising effects derived from this study might explore the possibility of soy husk to be utilized as an antidiabetes nutraceutical.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Blood Glucose/drug effects*; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/chemically induced; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/drug therapy*; Female; Hypoglycemic Agents/isolation & purification; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology*; Male; Obesity/drug therapy*; Phenotype; Plant Extracts/isolation & purification; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Soybeans/chemistry*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Adipocytes/drug effects; PPAR gamma/metabolism; Adipogenesis/drug effects; Rats
  14. Wan Osman WN, Che Ahmad Tantowi NA, Lau SF, Mohamed S
    J Food Biochem, 2019 03;43(3):e12755.
    PMID: 31353568 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12755
    The scopoletin (coumarin) and epicatechin (flavonoid) rich Morinda citrifolia L. (MC) Noni leaves are non-toxic (unlike the fruits) and consumed as vegetables. The anti-osteoarthritis effects of the MC leaf extract against joint cartilage degradation and inflammation were investigated through cartilage explant cultures and pre-clinical animal study. Osteoarthritis were induced by intra-articular monosodium iodoacetate injection into the right knee. The extract, scopoletin and epicatechin, suppressed glycosaminoglycan and nitric oxide release from the cartilage explant in the presence of Interleukin-1β. After 28 days, the extract treatment reduced the in vivo serum levels and joint tissues mRNA expressions for joint cartilage degradation, aggrecanase, and collagenase biomarkers. The extract increased the bone formation marker PINP levels, besides improving the articular cartilage structure and chondrocytes cellularity. The extract improved bone formation/repair, subchondral bone structure, strength and integrity, as well as cartilage synthesis by suppressing inflammation, nitric oxide production, joint catabolism by proteases, and oxidative stress. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The scopoletin (coumarin) and epicatechin (flavonoid) rich Morinda citrifolia (Noni) leaves may be used as vegetables, functional food ingredient, or dietary supplements to suppress osteoarthritis progression against joint cartilage degradation and inflammation. The extract, scopoletin, or epicatechin, suppressed glycosaminoglycan, and nitric oxide release from the cartilage. The Morinda citrifolia leaf extract suppressed inflammation, nitric oxide production, tissues catabolism by proteases and oxidative stress to help reduce joint cartilage degradation, besides improving the articular cartilage structure, chondrocytes health, subchondral bone structure, bone formation/repair, and cartilage synthesis.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage*; Antioxidants/administration & dosage*; Cartilage, Articular/drug effects; Cartilage, Articular/metabolism; Catechin/administration & dosage*; Female; Humans; Male; Nitric Oxide/immunology; Osteoarthritis/drug therapy*; Osteoarthritis/genetics; Osteoarthritis/immunology; Endopeptidases/genetics; Endopeptidases/immunology; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage*; Scopoletin/administration & dosage*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Collagenases/genetics; Collagenases/immunology; Oxidative Stress; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Morinda/chemistry*; Rats
  15. Mustafa SM, Chua LS, El-Enshasy HA, Abd Majid FA, Hanapi SZ, Abdul Malik R
    J Food Biochem, 2019 04;43(4):e12805.
    PMID: 31353583 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12805
    This study was focused on the effects of fermentation temperature and pH on the quality of Punica granatum juice probioticated with Lactobacillus species: Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus salivarius. The whole fruit juice of P. granatum which is rich with phytonutrients appeared to be a good probiotic carrier. The probiotication was carried out for 24 hr at 30, 35, and 37°C and pH 2.5, 4.0, and 5.5 under microaerophilic conditions. The results found that P. granatum juice cultivated with L. casei had a better growth profile with a higher biomass density at 37°C around pH 3.5-4.0. Probiotication could maintain the scavenging activity of P. granatum juice cultivated with L. casei. The scavenging activity achieved up to 90% inhibition at the concentration of 5 mg/ml. The whole fruit-squeezed P. granatum juice was suitable for the growth of Lactobacillus species even without supplementation during cultivation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The findings of this study presented the potential of P. granatum juice (whole fruit) to be used as a good probiotic carrier, particularly for Lactobacillus species without supplementation. High nutritious P. granatum juice catered the need of probiotic bacteria during fermentation. Probiotication could maintain the antioxidant capacity of the juice in term of its radical scavenging activity. The antioxidant capacity was mainly attributed to the metabolites such as phenolic acids (romarinic acid and caftaric acid) and flavonoids (quercetin, quercetin 3-glucoside, rutin and kaempferol rutinoside). With the optimized temperature (37°C) and pH (4.00), probiotic bacteria could growth well up to a cell viability of 2.46 × 1010  cfu/ml. This offers P. granatum to be developed into functional food to cater to the needs of the consumers who are lactose intolerant to dairy products.
    MeSH terms: Fruit and Vegetable Juices/analysis; Fruit and Vegetable Juices/microbiology*; Fermentation; Fruit/metabolism; Fruit/microbiology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactobacillus casei/growth & development; Lactobacillus casei/metabolism*; Temperature; Probiotics/analysis*; Probiotics/metabolism; Lactobacillus plantarum/growth & development; Lactobacillus plantarum/metabolism*; Phytochemicals/analysis; Phytochemicals/metabolism
  16. Ngaha Njila MI, Massoma Lembè D, Koloko BL, Yong Meng G, Ebrahimi M, Awad EA, et al.
    Andrologia, 2019 Oct;51(9):e13359.
    PMID: 31353623 DOI: 10.1111/and.13359
    The effect of the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves on the fertility of senescent male rats was assessed in this study. 40 rats received daily distilled water, testosterone, 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract of Alchornea cordifolia. The reproductive organs weight, the gonadotropins, testosterone and cholesterol level, the sperm parameters, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. The weight of testes and prostate (400 mg/kg) significantly increased (p 
    MeSH terms: Aging/physiology*; Methanol/chemistry; Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epididymis/drug effects; Epididymis/physiology; Fertility/drug effects*; Fertility/physiology; Male; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage*; Plant Extracts/isolation & purification; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility/drug effects; Sperm Motility/physiology; Spermatozoa/drug effects; Spermatozoa/physiology; Testis/drug effects; Testis/physiology; Rats, Wistar; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Euphorbiaceae/chemistry*; Models, Animal; Rats
  17. Cheng HS, Phang SCW, Ton SH, Abdul Kadir K, Tan JBL
    J Food Biochem, 2019 02;43(2):e12717.
    PMID: 31353646 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12717
    The present study aimed to outline the physiological and metabolic disparity between chow- and purified ingredient-based high-fat diets and their efficacy in the induction of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Male, 3-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to chow-based control diet, chow-based high-fat diet, purified control diet, and purified high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Physical and biochemical changes were documented. Chow-based diets, irrespective of the lipid content, resulted in significantly lower weight gain and organ weight compared to purified ingredient-based diets. Circulating insulin, total proteins, albumin, and certain lipid components like the triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were also lower in the chow-based diet groups. Both chow- and purified high-fat diets induced central obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycaemia, but the latter was associated with earlier onset of the metabolic aberrations and additionally, dyslipidaemia. In conclusion, purified high-fat diet is a better diet for MetS induction in rats. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Modeling metabolic syndrome is commonly accomplished with the use of chow- or purified ingredient diets enriched with carbohydrates and/or lipids, but the differences and associated drawbacks are unclear. This study highlights that chow- or modified chow-based diets have a tendency to introduce unwanted metabolic changes which are inconsistent with the progression of metabolic syndrome. Thus, the use of these diets in metabolic disease study should be avoided. On the other hand, purified high-fat diet which can effectively induce the features of metabolic syndrome is highly recommended.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed/analysis*; Cholesterol/blood; Dietary Fats/analysis*; Dietary Fats/metabolism; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Insulin/blood; Male; Triglycerides/blood; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Metabolic Syndrome X/etiology*; Metabolic Syndrome X/metabolism; Rats; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*
  18. Oh HKF, Siow LF, Lim YY
    J Food Biochem, 2019 07;43(7):e12856.
    PMID: 31353691 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12856
    Different drying methods and blanching were investigated as to their effects on antioxidant and oxidase activities of Thunbergia laurifolia leaves. Results showed that oven-drying had the highest degradation of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity at >85%, while freeze-drying had the lowest at <20%. However, inactivation of oxidase enzymes by blanching at 100°C resulted in a lesser decrease in TPC for oven-drying at 50 and 100°C (51% and 65%, respectively), indicating the importance of inactivating the oxidase enzymes for lower degradation of phenolics on drying. The high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that its major antioxidant, rosmarinic acid, degraded tremendously in the presence of oxidase enzymes, but only degraded slightly upon inactivation of oxidase enzymes. Hence, this work showed that by controlling the enzymatic activity, the preservation of phenolics with specific bioactivity in herbal tea leaves can be achieved. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Thunbergia laurifolia leaves have been frequently consumed in the form of a tea or pill due to its medicinal properties. Processing of fresh herbal plant leaves by drying is required to preserve antioxidant phenolic compounds and quality of the plant leaves. Although the drying effects on the antioxidant properties have been studied, the factors that cause the change in properties have not been investigated in-depth. Controlling the factors that affect the phenolic content can help to preserve the beneficial antioxidants when processing the leaves by drying. The result of this study will be of relevance and beneficial to the herbal tea industry.
    MeSH terms: Antioxidants/analysis*; Cinnamates/analysis; Desiccation/methods*; Flavonoids/analysis; Freeze Drying/methods; Phenols/analysis*; Preservation, Biological/methods; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Acanthaceae/chemistry*; Depsides/analysis
  19. Ahmadi N, Mohamed S, Sulaiman Rahman H, Rosli R
    J Food Biochem, 2019 07;43(7):e12868.
    PMID: 31353737 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12868
    The anti-leukemia mechanisms of Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract were investigated on human Jurkat leukemia cells and in leukemia-induced BALB/c mice. The leukemia-induced mice were fed daily with the extract (100 or 200 mg/kg BW) and compared to ATRA (All-trans-retinoic-acid; 5 mg/kg BW). After 4 weeks' treatment, the extract (standardized to epicatechin and scopoletin), arrested Jurkat cell-cycle at the G0/G1 phase and activated the caspase-3 and caspase-8 (death-receptor extrinsic pathways). The extract dose-dependently reduced the blood and bone marrow myeloblasts levels of leukemia-induced mice; upregulated cancer suppressor genes CSF3, SOCS1, PTEN and TRP53; increased anti-inflammatory IL10 and IL4; downregulated anti-apoptotic or proliferation genes; decreased the pro-inflammatory NF-κβ; suppressed pro-angiogenesis VEGFA mRNA expressions, and restored the homeostatic immune or leukocytes levels. The extract directly ameliorated leukemia via cancer cells apoptosis, suppressed inflammation and angiogenesis; and mitigated bone marrow myeloblasts imbalance, without any observable toxicity on the animals. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The scopoletin (coumarin) and epicatechin (flavonoid)-rich Morinda citrifolia (Noni) leaves may be used as functional food ingredient, vegetables, or dietary supplements to treat and suppress leukemia progression by directly killing the cancer cells and preventing new cancer cells development and bone marrow myeloblast imbalance in the bone marrow, without being toxic to normal cells. The M. citrifolia leaf extract suppressed inflammation, and potential metastasis by inhibiting new cancer-related blood vessel formation.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bone Marrow; Catechin; Humans; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Scopoletin; Vegetables; Interleukin-4; Interleukin-10; Jurkat Cells; Morinda; Granulocyte Precursor Cells; Mice; Caspase 3; Caspase 8
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