Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Raharjo Y, Ismail AF, Othman MHD, Malek NANN, Santoso D
    Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2019 Oct;103:109722.
    PMID: 31349515 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.05.007
    In this work, the novel imprinted zeolite (IZ) was synthesized, and its properties and performance in terms of adsorption of p-Cresol, which represent the protein-bounded uremic toxins in aqueous phase under phosphate buffer saline, were studied and compared with the synthesized zeolite-Y (ZeoY-S) and commercial CBV 100 zeolite-Y (ZeoY-C). The ZeoY-S was synthesized from sodium aluminate, NaOH, H2O and SiO2 under aging for 24 h at room temperature and hydrothermal condition for 24 h at 100 °C, with an initial composition of 10SiO2:Al2O3:4Na2O:180H2O. The ZeoY-S has been modified by using the imprinting technology to produce the IZ via the use of p-Cresol as a template. The p-Cresol successfully imprinted on the zeolite-Y was proved through the multipoint Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and the performance of IZ that was compared to ZeoY-S and ZeoY-C. Based on the BET results, it proves that the pore size of IZ is in accordance with the target compound, which is p-Cresol at 0.79 nm. This modification was able to adsorb p-Cresol 2.5 and 3.5 times higher than ZeoY-S and ZeoY-C can, respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models, together with the pseudo-first and -second order and intra-particle diffusion kinetics models, were used to investigate the adsorption behavior of p-Cresol on the zeolites. The IZ has 4.30 times greater competitive molecules than ZeoY-S and the properties of IZ were not influenced by the content of other phenolic group uremic toxins as competitive molecules. It can be concluded that the micropores of zeolite as adsorbent can be modified using the imprinting technology in order to increase its sensitivity and selectivity towards p-Cresol.
    MeSH terms: Cresols/chemistry*; Renal Dialysis*; Humans; Zeolites/chemistry*; Molecular Imprinting*
  2. Ismail NA, Amin KAM, Majid FAA, Razali MH
    Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2019 Oct;103:109770.
    PMID: 31349525 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.109770
    In this work, the potential of titanium dioxide nanoparticles incorporated gellan gum (GG + TiO2-NPs) biofilm as wound dressing material was investigated. The GG + TiO2-NPs biofilm was prepared via evaporative casting technique and was characterized using FTIR, XRD, and SEM to study their physiochemical properties. The mechanical properties, swelling and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of biofilm was determined to comply with an ideal wound dressing material. In vitro and in vivo wound healing studies was carried out to evaluate the performance of GG + TiO2-NPs biofilm. In vitro wound healing was studied on 3 T3 mouse fibroblast cells for cell viability, cell proliferation, and scratch assay. The acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) staining and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay were used to evaluate the viability of cell and cell proliferation. Cell migration assay was analyzed using Essen BioScience IncuCyteTM Zoom system. In vivo wound healing via open excision wounds model on Sprague Dawley rat was studied within 14 days. The FT-IR spectra of GG + TiO2-NPs biofilm show main bands assigned to OH stretching, OH deformation, and TiO stretching modes. XRD pattern of GG + TiO2-NPs biofilm suggesting that TiO2-NPs was successfully incorporated in biofilm and well distributed on the surface as proved by SEM analysis. The GG + TiO2-NPs biofilm shows higher mechanical strength and swelling (3.76 ± 0.11 MPa and 1061 ± 6%) as compared to pure GG film (3.32 ± 0.08 Mpa and 902 ± 6%), respectively. GG + TiO2-NPs biofilm shows good antibacterial properties as 9 ± 0.25 mm and 11 ± 0.06 mm exhibition zone was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria, respectively. While no exhibition zone was obtained for pure GG biofilm. GG + TiO2-NPs biofilm also demonstrated better cell-to-cell interaction properties, as it's promoted cell proliferation and cell migration to accelerate open excision wound healing on Sprague Dawley rat. The wound treated with GG + TiO2-NPs biofilm was healed within 14 days, on the other hand, the wound is still can be seen when it was treated with GG. However, GG and GG + TiO2-NPs biofilm show no cytotoxicity effects on mouse fibroblast cells.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bandages*; Escherichia coli/growth & development*; Membranes, Artificial*; Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development*; Wound Healing/drug effects*; 3T3 Cells; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Mice; Rats; Nanoparticles/chemistry*
  3. Yusuf A, Mamun ASMA, Kamruzzaman M, Saw A, Abo El-Fetoh NM, Lestrel PE, et al.
    BMC Pediatr, 2019 Jul 26;19(1):258.
    PMID: 31349810 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1607-3
    Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported that name that appeared in published online version is incorrect.
    MeSH terms: Names; Publications
  4. Nurumal MS, Salahuddin MA, Daud A, Shahadan SZ, Abdul-Mumin K, Shorey S
    Enferm Clin, 2019 09;29 Suppl 2:471-475.
    PMID: 31350157 DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.04.070
    OBJECTIVE: The learning styles of millennial students, also known as Generation 'Y', have been examined in the past to match the teaching style of an educator with the aim of improving behaviors, attitudes, and academic achievements. However, focus on Generation 'Y' healthcare undergraduates from a multi-cultural Asian society, is scarce and fragmented. Therefore, this research aims to identify the learning style preferences of Generation 'Y' undergraduates enrolled in varied healthcare programs at a Malaysian University.

    METHOD: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was adopted. Honey and Mumford's Learning Style Questionnaire was used to explore the learning styles.

    RESULTS: The reflector learning style was most preferred by the Malaysian healthcare undergraduates, and no significant difference was found between the learning styles of the clinical group and the semi-clinical group.

    CONCLUSIONS: Educators should engage Malaysian healthcare undergraduates in a non-threatening environment - Association between learning style and sociodemographic warrants further investigation.

    MeSH terms: Female; Financial Support; Humans; Learning/classification*; Malaysia; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Students, Health Occupations/psychology*; Teaching*; Cohort Effect*; Chi-Square Distribution; Sample Size
  5. Darsan Singh JK, Mat Jalaluddin NS, Sanan-Mishra N, Harikrishna JA
    Plant Cell Rep, 2019 Dec;38(12):1449-1463.
    PMID: 31350570 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-019-02446-6
    Recent developments in modern biotechnology such as the use of RNA interference (RNAi) have broadened the scope of crop genetic modification. RNAi strategies have led to significant achievements in crop protection against biotic and abiotic stresses, modification of plant traits, and yield improvement. As RNAi-derived varieties of crops become more useful in the field, it is important to examine the capacity of current regulatory systems to deal with such varieties, and to determine if changes are needed to improve the existing frameworks. We review the biosafety frameworks from the perspective of developing countries that are increasingly involved in modern biotechnology research, including RNAi applications, and make some recommendations. Malaysia and India have approved laws regulating living modified organisms and products thereof, highlighting that the use of any genetically modified step requires regulatory scrutiny. In view of production methods for exogenously applied double-stranded RNAs and potential risks from the resulting double-stranded RNA-based products, we argue that a process-based system may be inappropriate for the non-transformative RNAi technology. We here propose that the current legislation needs rewording to take account of the non-transgenic RNAi technology, and discuss the best alternative for regulatory systems in India and Malaysia in comparison with the existing frameworks in other countries.
    MeSH terms: Agriculture; Biotechnology/methods*; India; Malaysia; Crops, Agricultural/genetics*; Risk Assessment; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics; RNA Interference/physiology
  6. Chia SR, Tang MSY, Chow YH, Ooi CW, Rambabu K, Zhu L, et al.
    Mol Biotechnol, 2019 Oct;61(10):715-724.
    PMID: 31350687 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-019-00200-7
    Biomolecules produced by living organisms can perform vast array of functions and play an important role in the cell. Important biomolecules such as lysozyme, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and bromelain are often studied by researchers due to their beneficial properties. The application of reverse micelles is an effective tool for protein separation from their sources due to the special system structure. Mechanisms of transferring biomolecules and factors that influence the extraction of biomolecules are reviewed in this paper. The enhancement of biomolecule extraction could be achieved depending on the properties of reverse micelles. This paper provides an overall review on lysozyme, BSA, and bromelain extraction by reverse micelle for various applications.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bromelains/isolation & purification*; Cattle; Chemical Fractionation; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Micelles; Muramidase/isolation & purification*; Serum Albumin, Bovine/isolation & purification*; Surface-Active Agents/chemistry
  7. Poh ME, Liam CK, Mun KS, Chai CS, Wong CK, Tan JL, et al.
    Thorac Cancer, 2019 09;10(9):1841-1845.
    PMID: 31350945 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.13156
    Adjuvant chemotherapy has long been indicated to extend survival in completely resected stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there is accumulating evidence that chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in disseminated or circulating NSCLC cells. Here, we describe the first case of EMT as the cause of recurrence and metastasis in a patient with resected stage IIB lung adenosquamous carcinoma after adjuvant chemotherapy. We review the literature and explore the possible mechanisms by which EMT occurs in disseminated tumor cells (DTC) or circulating tumor cells (CTC) in response to adjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin) as a stressor. We also explore the possible therapeutic strategies to reverse EMT in patients with recurrence. In summary, although adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy in resected NSCLC does extend survival, it may lead to the adverse phenomenon of EMT in disseminated tumor cells (DTC) or circulating tumor cells (CTC) causing recurrence and metastasis.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects*; Cisplatin/administration & dosage; Humans; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Lung Neoplasms/pathology; Male; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy*; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology; Prognosis; Sarcoma/etiology*; Sarcoma/pathology*; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects*; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous/drug therapy*; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous/pathology; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects*
  8. Sharif OM, Hassan R, Mohammed Basbaeen AA, Mohmed AH, Ibrahim IK
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 07 01;20(7):1939-1943.
    PMID: 31350948 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.7.1939
    Background: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a multifunctional cytokine with both immunosuppressive and antiangiogenicfunctions
    and may have both tumor-promoting and -inhibiting properties. We examined the association
    between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in IL-10 -1082G/A (rs1800896) in Sudanese acute myeloid leukemia
    (AML) patients and to assess the association between polymorphisms in IL-10 -1082G/A (rs1800896) and the
    hematological profile in Sudanese patients with AML. Methods: A total of 30 patients with acute myeloid leukemia
    and 30 control subjects were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected from all patients in EDTA containing
    tubes. Genomic DNA was extracted from all blood samples using salting out method. The genotypic variants of
    IL-10 (-1082G/A) polymorphism were detected by allele specific-PCR. Results: We found that (36.7%) of patients have
    homogenous GG genotype, (43.3%) have heterogeneous GA genotype and (20.0%) have AA genotype. GA genotype
    was significantly associated with higher risk of AML compared with the homozygous Genotypes (GG and AA), there is
    no association between IL-10 (-1082G/A) polymorphism and AML sub-type, gender, age group, mean of hematological
    parameters. Conclusion: Our study concluded that GA genotype of IL-10 -1082G/A (rs1800896) polymorphism is a
    risk factor for AML and G allele is insignificantly higher than A allele in AML patient. No association between IL-10
    (-1082G/A) polymorphism and AML sub-type, gender, age group, mean of hematological parameters.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Genotype; Humans; Male; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Sudan/epidemiology; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics*; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/epidemiology*; Case-Control Studies; Interleukin-10/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*; Young Adult
  9. Abdul Wahab S, Hassan A, Latif MT, Vadiveel Y, Jeyabalan T, Soo CI, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 07 01;20(7):1959-1965.
    PMID: 31350951 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.7.1959
    Objective: Epidemiological studies have reported the close relationship between risk for lung cancers and air pollution
    in particular, for non-smoking related lung cancers. However, most studies used residential address as proxies which may
    not estimate accurately an individual’s air pollution exposure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify risk factors
    such as occupation and mode of transportation associated with lung cancer diagnosis and death. Methods: Subjects
    with lung cancer (n=514) were evaluated both by chart reviews for clinical data and interviews to determine residential
    address for ten years, main occupation and main mode of transportation. Annual particulate matter with diameter size
    less than 2.5 micrometre (PM2.5) concentration were calculated based on particulate matter with diameter size less than
    10 micrometre (PM10) data recorded by Malaysian Department of Environment. Logistic regression analysis, cluster
    analysis and the Cox regression analysis were performed to the studied variables. Results: This study concurred with
    previous studies that lung adenocarcinoma were diagnosed in predominantly younger, female non-smokers compared
    to the other types of lung cancers. Lung adenocarcinoma subjects had annual PM2.5 that was almost twice higher than
    squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and other histological subtypes (p=0.024). Independent of smoking,
    the κ -means cluster analysis revealed two clusters in which the high risk cluster involves occupation risk with air
    pollution of more than four hours per day, main transportation involving motorcycle and trucks and mean annual PM2.5
    concentration of more than 30 based on residential address for more than ten years. The increased risk for the high-risk
    cluster was more than five times for the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma (OR=5.69, 95% CI=3.14-7.21, p<0.001).
    The hazard ratio for the high-risk cluster was 3.89 (95% CI=2.12-4.56, p=0.02) for lung adenocarcinoma mortality at
    1 year. Conclusion: High-risk cluster including PM2.5, occupation risk and mode of transportation as surrogates for
    air-pollution exposure was identified and highly associated with lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis and 1-year mortality.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Air Pollution/adverse effects*; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis; Lung Neoplasms/etiology; Lung Neoplasms/mortality*; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Time Factors; Transportation/statistics & numerical data*; Survival Rate; Cluster Analysis; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects*; Particulate Matter/adverse effects*
  10. Widjaja VN
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 Jul 01;20(7):2045-2050.
    PMID: 31350964 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.7.2045
    Objective: Assess and analyse the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of university students regarding HPV and its vaccine. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed with questionnaire serving as the research instrument. A total of 425 university students were recruited voluntarily. Thirteen assessable questions were analysed to reveal the mean total knowledge score of HPV and its vaccine. Both descriptive and statistical approach were employed to analyse the research outcomes. Results: Students were moderately aware as 59.8% and 49.6% have heard about HPV and its vaccine, respectively. The mean total knowledge score was 5.26 ± 3.10 out of 13 which was found to be moderately knowledgeable. Female (N= 235) have a significantly higher mean knowledge score in comparison to male (N= 190) at 5.58 ± 2.80 versus 4.87 ± 3.40, respectively (p<0.05), likely due to the disease profiles favouring female. As hypothesised, health-related school students (N= 171) outperformed other schools (N= 254) at 7.00 ± 2.95 versus 4.10 ± 2.62, respectively (p<0.001). In general, the score depends on participant’s gender and educational background (χ2= 25.426, p<0.01 and χ2= 105.337, p<0.001, respectively). Despite low vaccination uptakes (28.5%), students accept the vaccine following physician’s recommendation and reject due to its cost. A positive attitude was seen as majority (88.7%) wished to know more about HPV. Conclusion: Moderation in awareness, knowledge and attitudes reflect the lifestyle of an urbanised population where information is accessible. Healthcare professionals, media campaign, and educational talk refinement are therefore essential in controlling the disease by spreading awareness.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Students/psychology; Students/statistics & numerical data*; Universities/statistics & numerical data*; Vaccination/psychology; Vaccination/statistics & numerical data*; Papillomaviridae/drug effects; Papillomaviridae/isolation & purification; Papillomavirus Infections/epidemiology; Papillomavirus Infections/prevention & control*; Papillomavirus Infections/virology; Papillomavirus Vaccines/administration & dosage*; Young Adult
  11. Karan S, Choudhury H, Chakra BK, Chatterjee TK
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 07 01;20(7):2181-2194.
    PMID: 31350983 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.7.2181
    Controlled release delivery system of chemotherapeutic agents at the site of colon endorses modern drug-entrapped
    delivery tools, which release the entrappedagents at a controlled rate for anextended period providing patient compliance
    and additional protection from the degradinggastric environment. Thus, the present study was aimed to develop
    and optimize a novel polymeric microsphere of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) using natural gum katira to obtain an optimal
    therapeutic response at the colon. Due course of experimentation, in-vivo safety profile of the gum katira in an animal
    model was established. Modified solvent extraction/evaporation technique wasemployed to encapsulate 5-FU in the
    natural polymeric microsphere and was characterized using in-vitro studies to investigate particle size, morphology,
    encapsulation efficiency and release of the drug from developed formulation. Formulated and optimized polymeric
    microsphere of 5-FU using gum katira polymer own optimal physicochemical characteristics with a fine spherical particle
    with size ranged from 210.37±7.50 to 314.45±7.80 μm.Targeted microsphere exhibited good cytotoxicity and also has
    high drug entrapment efficiency, and satisfactory release pattern of the drug within a time frame of 12 h. Finally, we
    foresee that the optimized polymeric gum katiramicrosphere of 5-FU could be a promising micro-carrier for efficient
    colon drug targeting delivery tool with improved chemotherapeutic efficacy against colon cancer.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/administration & dosage*; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/chemistry; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*; Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Colonic Neoplasms/pathology; Drug Carriers/chemistry; Fluorouracil/administration & dosage*; Fluorouracil/chemistry; Humans; Male; Microspheres*; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Drug Delivery Systems/methods*; Rats, Wistar; Rats; Plant Gums/chemistry*
  12. Tang KS
    Life Sci, 2019 Sep 15;233:116695.
    PMID: 31351082 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116695
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is neurodegenerative disorder that is associated with memory and cognitive decline in the older adults. Scopolamine is commonly used as a behavioral model in studying cognitive disorders including AD. Many studies have also concurrently examined the neurochemical mechanisms underlying the behavioral modifications by scopolamine treatment. Nonetheless, the scopolamine model has not become a standard tool in the early assessment of drugs. Furthermore, the use of scopolamine as a pharmacological model to study AD remains debatable. This report reviews the scopolamine-induced cellular and molecular changes and discusses how these changes relate to AD pathogenesis.
    MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy; Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology*; Animals; Humans; Memory Disorders/chemically induced; Memory Disorders/metabolism; Memory Disorders/pathology*; Scopolamine Hydrobromide/adverse effects*; Biomarkers/metabolism*; Cholinergic Antagonists/adverse effects*; Metabolic Networks and Pathways/drug effects*
  13. Rais NNM, Bradley DA, Hashim A, Osman ND, Noor NM
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2019 Nov;153:108810.
    PMID: 31351374 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.108810
    For a range of doses familiarly incurred in computed tomography (CT), study is made of the performance of Germanium (Ge)-doped fibre dosimeters formed into cylindrical and flat shapes. Indigenously fabricated 2.3 mol% and 6 mol% Ge-dopant concentration preforms have been used to produce flat- and cylindrical-fibres (FF and CF) of various size and diameters; an additional 4 mol% Ge-doped commercial fibre with a core diameter of 50 μm has also been used. The key characteristics examined include the linearity index f(d), dose sensitivity and minimum detectable dose (MDD), the performance of the fibres being compared against that of lithium-fluoride based TLD-100 thermoluminescence (TL) dosimeters. For doses in the range 2-40 milligray (mGy), delivered at constant potential of 120 kilovoltage (kV), both the fabricated and commercial fibres demonstrate supralinear behaviours at doses  4 mGy. In terms of dose sensitivity, all of the fibres show superior TL sensitivity when compared against TLD-100, the 2.3 mol% and 6 mol% Ge-doped FF demonstrating the greatest TL sensitivity at 84 and 87 times that of TLD-100. The TL yields for the novel Ge-doped silica glass render them appealing for use within the present medical imaging dose range, offering linearity at high sensitivity down to less than 2 mGy.
    MeSH terms: Germanium/chemistry*; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods*; Limit of Detection; Radiation Dosimeters*
  14. Sulaiman RNR, Jusoh N, Othman N, Noah NFM, Rosly MB, Rahman HA
    J Hazard Mater, 2019 12 15;380:120895.
    PMID: 31351388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.120895
    A sustainable and stable supported liquid membrane (SLM) extraction of nickel was developed via impregnation of sustainable liquid membrane in the composite membrane support consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK). Bis-2-ethylhexyl phosphate (D2EHPA), 1-octanol, refined palm oil and sulfuric acid were employed as extractant, synergist extractant, diluent and strippant, respectively. Variables studied including effect of refined palm oil compositions as well as the configurations and thicknesses of SPEEK. Lifespan of SLM was evaluated by recycling the composite membrane support. Results revealed that upon using 100% refined palm oil, about 100% of nickel was extracted and recovered in 10 and 14 h, respectively. Composite SPEEK/PVDF stabilized SLM by reducing liquid membrane loss from 47 to 23% upon applying SPEEK at the feed side of PVDF support. High permeability and flux values were obtained at 9.26 x 10-4 cms-1 and 6.48 x 10-7 molcm-2s-1 when increasing SPEEK thickness from 0.025 to 0.055 mm, respectively. The lifespan of SLM was extended up to ninth cycles with low weight loss percentage of the impregnated composite membrane (8%). In conclusion, the SPEEK/PVDF impregnated with refined palm oil has improved the stability of SLM extraction of nickel ions from industrial wastewater.
    MeSH terms: Alkanesulfonates; Ether; Ketones; Longevity; Nickel; Phosphates; Polyvinyls; Sulfuric Acids; Weight Loss; 1-Octanol; Recycling; Waste Water
  15. Balakrishnan P, Katakam PK, Hegde AP
    BMJ Case Rep, 2019 Mar 25;12(3).
    PMID: 30914414 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-228687
    Headache is a common presenting complaint in the paediatric population, with often migraine being a clinical diagnosis. Hemiplegic migraine is characterised by aura, sudden onset weakness of one side of the body which usually recovers without any residual neurological deficit. We report a child with a history of seizure disorder, well controlled and off medication for 3 years, who presented with a headache, aura and transient hemiplegia. Similar history in the patient's mother suggests the diagnosis of familial hemiplegic migraine. We would like to emphasise the importance of detailed history as an important aid in the diagnosis of neurological disorders in children.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Epilepsy/complications*; Humans; Male; Medical History Taking; Migraine with Aura/diagnosis*; Migraine with Aura/etiology
  16. Al-Ahdal SA, Ahmad Kayani AB, Md Ali MA, Chan JY, Ali T, Adnan N, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2019 Jul 23;20(14).
    PMID: 31340481 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143595
    We employed dielectrophoresis to a yeast cell suspension containing amyloid-beta proteins (Aβ) in a microfluidic environment. The Aβ was separated from the cells and characterized using the gradual dissolution of Aβ as a function of the applied dielectrophoretic parameters. We established the gradual dissolution of Aβ under specific dielectrophoretic parameters. Further, Aβ in the fibril form at the tip of the electrode dissolved at high frequency. This was perhaps due to the conductivity of the suspending medium changing according to the frequency, which resulted in a higher temperature at the tips of the electrodes, and consequently in the breakdown of the hydrogen bonds. However, those shaped as spheroidal monomers experienced a delay in the Aβ fibril transformation process. Yeast cells exposed to relatively low temperatures at the base of the electrode did not experience a positive or negative change in viability. The DEP microfluidic platform incorporating the integrated microtip electrode array was able to selectively manipulate the yeast cells and dissolve the Aβ to a controlled extent. We demonstrate suitable dielectrophoretic parameters to induce such manipulation, which is highly relevant for Aβ-related colloidal microfluidic research and could be applied to Alzheimer's research in the future.
    MeSH terms: Electrodes; Electrophoresis/instrumentation; Electrophoresis/methods*; Freeze Drying; Hydrogen Bonding; Kinetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/cytology; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/chemistry*; Solubility; Temperature; Amyloid beta-Peptides/isolation & purification*; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/instrumentation*
  17. Mat Razali N, Cheah BH, Nadarajah K
    Int J Mol Sci, 2019 Jul 23;20(14).
    PMID: 31340492 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143597
    Transposable elements (TEs) are agents of genetic variability in phytopathogens as they are a source of adaptive evolution through genome diversification. Although many studies have uncovered information on TEs, the exact mechanism behind TE-induced changes within the genome remains poorly understood. Furthermore, convergent trends towards bigger genomes, emergence of novel genes and gain or loss of genes implicate a TE-regulated genome plasticity of fungal phytopathogens. TEs are able to alter gene expression by revamping the cis-regulatory elements or recruiting epigenetic control. Recent findings show that TEs recruit epigenetic control on the expression of effector genes as part of the coordinated infection strategy. In addition to genome plasticity and diversity, fungal pathogenicity is an area of economic concern. A survey of TE distribution suggests that their proximity to pathogenicity genes TEs may act as sites for emergence of novel pathogenicity factors via nucleotide changes and expansion or reduction of the gene family. Through a systematic survey of literature, we were able to conclude that the role of TEs in fungi is wide: ranging from genome plasticity, pathogenicity to adaptive behavior in evolution. This review also identifies the gaps in knowledge that requires further elucidation for a better understanding of TEs' contribution to genome architecture and versatility.
    MeSH terms: DNA Transposable Elements*; Biological Evolution; Fungi/genetics*; Fungi/pathogenicity; Plant Diseases/microbiology*; Plants/microbiology; Genome, Fungal*; Genomic Islands; Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics*; Host Specificity
  18. Zaharuddin L, Mokhtar NM, Muhammad Nawawi KN, Raja Ali RA
    BMC Gastroenterol, 2019 Jul 24;19(1):131.
    PMID: 31340751 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-019-1047-4
    BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to determine the effect of probiotic consumption containing six viable microorganisms of 30 × 1010 cfu Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains for six months on clinical outcomes and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-17C and IL-22) in patients with colorectal cancer.

    METHODS: Fifty-two patients with colorectal cancer were randomized at four weeks after surgery to receive either a placebo (n = 25) or 30 billion colony-forming unit (CFU) of a mixture of six viable strains including 107 mg of Lactobacillus acidophilus BCMC® 12,130, Lactobacillus lactis BCMC® 12,451, Lactobacillus casei subsp BCMC® 12,313, Bifidobacterium longum BCMC® 02120, Bifidobacterium bifidum BCMC® 02290 and Bifidobacterium infantis BCMC® 02129 (n = 27). Patients were instructed to take the product orally twice daily for six months. Infection status, diarrhea or hospital admission were recorded throughout the study. Blood was taken pre- and post-intervention to measure TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-17C and IL-22 using ELISA multiplex kit.

    RESULTS: The majority of cases (~ 70%) were in Duke's C colorectal cancer for both groups. No surgical infection occurred and no antibiotics were required. Chemotherapy induced diarrhea was observed in both groups. Significant reduction in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-17C and IL-22 were observed in CRC patients who received probiotics as compared to pre-treatment level (P 

    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bifidobacterium; Humans; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Lactobacillus casei; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Interleukin-6; Cytokines; Interleukin-10; Probiotics; Interleukin-17; Bifidobacterium longum; Bifidobacterium bifidum; Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis
  19. Muthuvelu S, Lim KS, Huang LY, Chin ST, Mohan A
    BMC Pediatr, 2019 07 24;19(1):251.
    PMID: 31340782 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1635-z
    BACKGROUND: Reactivation of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), manifesting as erythema, induration, ulceration or crust formation at a previous BCG inoculation site, is a common and highly specific feature of Kawasaki disease (KD). We report the unusual finding of BCG reactivation in an infant with laboratory-confirmed measles.

    CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 7-month old infant presented initially with fever, cough and coryza, and subsequently developed Koplik's spots followed by a typical morbilliform skin rash. There was significant contact history with a household relative who had recently been diagnosed with measles. On examination, a 2.5 cm area of erythema and induration was seen at the previous BCG inoculation site, in addition to the widespread maculopapular rash. No other clinical features of KD were present. Measles virus was isolated from the throat swab and measles antibodies (IgM) were present in the serum. The patient recovered completely with oral vitamin A and supportive therapy, and had normal echocardiography examination on follow up.

    CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the rare finding of BCG reactivation in a child with confirmed measles infection, and suggests that this clinical manifestation may occasionally occur in children with infections or conditions other than KD.

    MeSH terms: BCG Vaccine/immunology*; Humans; Infant; Male; Measles/immunology*; Measles virus/isolation & purification*; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/immunology
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