Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Deerochanawong C, Chan SP, Matawaran BJ, Sheu WH, Chan J, Man NH, et al.
    Diabetes Obes Metab, 2019 Nov;21(11):2354-2367.
    PMID: 31264765 DOI: 10.1111/dom.13819
    Diabetes mellitus in Asia accounts for more than half of the global prevalence. There is a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the region among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and it is often associated with multiple risk factors including hypertension, renal disease and obesity. The early onset of T2DM and the eventual long disease duration portends an increasing proportion of the population to premature CVD. In addition to lowering blood glucose, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors exert favourable effects on multiple risk factors (including blood pressure, body weight and renal function) and provide an opportunity to reduce the risk of CVD in patients with T2DM. In this article, we consolidated the existing literature on SGLT-2 inhibitor use in Asian patients with T2DM and established contemporary guidance for clinicians. We extensively reviewed recommendations from international and regional guidelines, published data from clinical trials in the Asian population (dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, empagliflozin, ipragliflozin, luseogliflozin and tofogliflozin), CVD outcomes trials (EMPAREG-OUTCOME, CANVAS and DECLARE-TIMI 58) and real-world evidence studies (CVD-REAL, EASEL, CVD-REAL 2 and OBSERVE-4D). A series of clinical recommendations on the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors in Asian patients with T2DM was deliberated among experts with multiple rounds of review and voting. Based on the available evidence, we conclude that SGLT-2 inhibitors represent an evidence-based therapeutic option for the primary prevention of heart failure hospitalization and secondary prevention of CVD in patients with T2DM, and should be considered early on in the treatment algorithm for patients with multiple risk factors, or those with established CVD.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Asia; Blood Pressure; Humans; Lipids/blood; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Young Adult
  2. Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Ambrogi F, Asilar E, Bergauer T, et al.
    Eur Phys J C Part Fields, 2019;79(5):444.
    PMID: 31265003 DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-019-6926-x
    A search for supersymmetry is presented based on events with at least one photon, jets, and large missing transverse momentum produced in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13



    Te



    . The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9



    fb

    -
    1



    and were recorded at the LHC with the CMS detector in 2016. The analysis characterizes signal-like events by categorizing the data into various signal regions based on the number of jets, the number of
    b
    -tagged jets, and the missing transverse momentum. No significant excess of events is observed with respect to the expectations from standard model processes. Limits are placed on the gluino and top squark pair production cross sections using several simplified models of supersymmetric particle production with gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking. Depending on the model and the mass of the next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle, the production of gluinos with masses as large as 2120



    Ge



    and the production of top squarks with masses as large as 1230



    Ge



    are excluded at 95% confidence level.
  3. Rafieerad A, Yan W, Sequiera GL, Sareen N, Abu-El-Rub E, Moudgil M, et al.
    Adv Healthc Mater, 2019 08;8(16):e1900569.
    PMID: 31265217 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201900569
    Inflammation is tightly linked to tissue injury. In regenerative medicine, immune activation plays a key role in rejection of transplanted stem cells and reduces the efficacy of stem cell therapies. Next-generation smart biomaterials are reported to possess multiple biologic properties for tissue repair. Here, the first use of 0D titanium carbide (Ti3 C2 ) MXene quantum dots (MQDs) for immunomodulation is presented with the goal of enhancing material-based tissue repair after injury. MQDs possess intrinsic immunomodulatory properties and selectively reduce activation of human CD4+ IFN-γ+ T-lymphocytes (control 87.1 ± 2.0%, MQDs 68.3 ± 5.4%) while promoting expansion of immunosuppressive CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ regulatory T-cells (control 5.5 ± 0.7%, MQDs 8.5 ± 0.8%) in a stimulated lymphocyte population. Furthermore, MQDs are biocompatible with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived fibroblasts. Finally, Ti3 C2 MQDs are incorporated into a chitosan-based hydrogel to create a 3D platform with enhanced physicochemical properties for stem cell delivery and tissue repair. This composite hydrogel demonstrates increased conductivity while maintaining injectability and thermosensitivity. These findings suggest that this new class of biomaterials may help bridge the translational gap in material and stem cell-based therapies for tissue repair and treatment of inflammatory and degenerative diseases.
    MeSH terms: Flow Cytometry; Humans; Immunologic Factors/pharmacology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/drug effects; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism; Regenerative Medicine/methods*; Quantum Dots*; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism; Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/metabolism; Immunomodulation/drug effects*; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/drug effects; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/metabolism
  4. Muglu J, Rather H, Arroyo-Manzano D, Bhattacharya S, Balchin I, Khalil A, et al.
    PLoS Med, 2019 07;16(7):e1002838.
    PMID: 31265456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002838
    BACKGROUND: Despite advances in healthcare, stillbirth rates remain relatively unchanged. We conducted a systematic review to quantify the risks of stillbirth and neonatal death at term (from 37 weeks gestation) according to gestational age.

    METHODS AND FINDINGS: We searched the major electronic databases Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar (January 1990-October 2018) without language restrictions. We included cohort studies on term pregnancies that provided estimates of stillbirths or neonatal deaths by gestation week. We estimated the additional weekly risk of stillbirth in term pregnancies that continued versus delivered at various gestational ages. We compared week-specific neonatal mortality rates by gestational age at delivery. We used mixed-effects logistic regression models with random intercepts, and computed risk ratios (RRs), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Thirteen studies (15 million pregnancies, 17,830 stillbirths) were included. All studies were from high-income countries. Four studies provided the risks of stillbirth in mothers of White and Black race, 2 in mothers of White and Asian race, 5 in mothers of White race only, and 2 in mothers of Black race only. The prospective risk of stillbirth increased with gestational age from 0.11 per 1,000 pregnancies at 37 weeks (95% CI 0.07 to 0.15) to 3.18 per 1,000 at 42 weeks (95% CI 1.84 to 4.35). Neonatal mortality increased when pregnancies continued beyond 41 weeks; the risk increased significantly for deliveries at 42 versus 41 weeks gestation (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.86, p = 0.012). One additional stillbirth occurred for every 1,449 (95% CI 1,237 to 1,747) pregnancies that advanced from 40 to 41 weeks. Limitations include variations in the definition of low-risk pregnancy, the wide time span of the studies, the use of registry-based data, and potential confounders affecting the outcome.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest there is a significant additional risk of stillbirth, with no corresponding reduction in neonatal mortality, when term pregnancies continue to 41 weeks compared to delivery at 40 weeks.

    SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015013785.

    MeSH terms: Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pregnancy; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Risk Assessment; Stillbirth/ethnology; Stillbirth/epidemiology*; Perinatal Death*
  5. Gill MSA, Hassan SS, Ahemad N
    Eur J Med Chem, 2019 Oct 01;179:423-448.
    PMID: 31265935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.06.058
    HIV infection is a major challenge to mankind and a definitive cure or a viable vaccine for HIV is still elusive. HIV-1 is constantly evolving and developing resistant against clinically used anti-HIV drugs thus posing serious hurdles in the treatment of HIV infection. This prompts the need to developed new anti-HIV drugs; preferentially adopting intelligent ways to counteract an evolving virus. Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART): a strategy involving multiple targeting through various drugs has proven beneficial in the management of AIDS. However, it is a complex regimen with high drug load, increased risk of drug interactions and adverse effects, which lead to poor patient compliance. Reverse transcriptase (RT) and Integrase (IN) are two pivotal enzymes in HIV-1 lifecycle with high structural and functional analogy to be perceived as drug-able targets for novel dual-purpose inhibitors. Designed multi-functional ligand (DML) is a modern strategy by which multiple targets can be exploited using a single chemical entity. A single chemical entity acting on multiple targets can be much more effective than a complex multi-drug regimen. The development of such multifunctional ligands is highly valued in anti-HIV drug discovery with the proposed advantage of being able to stop two or more stages of viral replication cycle. This review will encompass the evolution of the RT-IN dual inhibitory scaffolds reported so far and the contribution made by the leading research groups over the years in this field.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Molecular Structure; HIV-1/drug effects*; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/chemistry; Anti-HIV Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-HIV Agents/chemistry; HIV Integrase/metabolism*; HIV Integrase Inhibitors/pharmacology*; HIV Integrase Inhibitors/chemistry; HIV Reverse Transcriptase/antagonists & inhibitors*; HIV Reverse Transcriptase/metabolism
  6. Lah ZMANH, Ahmad SAA, Zaini MS, Kamarudin MA
    J Pharm Biomed Anal, 2019 Sep 10;174:608-617.
    PMID: 31265987 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.06.024
    A facile electrochemical sandwich immunosensor for the detection of a breast cancer biomarker, the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), was designed, using lead sulfide quantum dots-conjugated secondary HER2 antibody (Ab2-PbS QDs) as a label. Using Ab2-PbS QDs in the development of electrochemical immunoassays leads to many advantages such as straightforward synthesis and well-defined stripping signal of Pb(II) through acid dissolution, which in turn yields better sensing performance for the sandwiched immunosensor. In the bioconjugation of PbS QDs, the available amine and hydroxyl groups from secondary anti-HER2 and capped PbS QDs were bound covalently together via carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) acting as a linker. In order to quantify the biomarker, SWV signal was obtained, where the Pb2+ ions after acid dissolution in HCl was detected. The plated mercury film SPCE was also detected in situ. Under optimal conditions, HER2 was detected in a linear range from 1-100 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 0.28 ng/mL. The measures of satisfactory recoveries were 91.3% to 104.3% for the spiked samples, displaying high selectivity. Therefore, this method can be applied to determine HER2 in human serum.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Antibodies/chemistry*; Breast Neoplasms/blood; Carbon/chemistry; Female; Humans; Imidazoles/chemistry; Immunoassay; Lead/chemistry*; Mercury; Sulfides/chemistry*; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood; Reproducibility of Results; Biosensing Techniques; Linear Models; Receptor, ErbB-2/chemistry*; Quantum Dots*; Nanostructures; Nanomedicine; Metal Nanoparticles; Electrochemical Techniques*; Limit of Detection
  7. Erfanian, A., Rasti, B.
    MyJurnal
    The aim of the present work was to produce a new soy milk-based cake. Soy milk was added at different percentages (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) during cake making to replace milk. Nutritional composition, batter characteristics, physical, and sensory properties, as well as the stability of cake during storage, were investigated. Sensory results indicated that cake with 50% soy milk had the most favourable acceptance scores with the highest score in the aroma, colour, and taste attributes. The addition of soy milk up to 50% produced a cake with higher protein content and lower carbohydrate content, along with lower density and higher specific volume compared to control. Cake with 50% soy milk addition had lower microbial counts as compared to control. Therefore, soy milk has the potential to act as a milk replacer in cake production.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Carbohydrates; Color; Milk; Taste; Soy Milk
  8. Saludin, S.F.,, Kamarulzaman, N.H., Ismail, M.M.
    MyJurnal
    Nowadays, stingless bee honey (meliponine honey) or locally known as ‘madu lebah kelulut’ is becoming popular among Malaysian consumers due to its acclaimed health benefits and advantages such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Usually, stingless bee honey is used as a supplement to modern medicine, and the increase in health awareness among consumers has also increased the demand for stingless bee honey. However, due to the low production of stingless bee honey in the local market, Malaysia continues to import honey from other countries. As there is an abundant of imported honey products, local beekeepers are facing stiff competition, and consumers also need to make a difficult purchasing decision on the most preferable honey products in the market. Therefore, the main objective of the present work was to determine the consumers’ quality preferences towards stingless bee honey based on sensory characteristics. A total of 406 respondents of honey consumers were selected to test stingless bee honey sample based on its appearance, aroma, texture and flavour. The respondents responded based on a structured questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale statements about their responses towards stingless bee honey sensory characteristics. The responses of the respondents were analysed based on descriptive analysis, factor analysis and logistic regression analysis. The results revealed nine factors that influenced consumers’ preferences towards stingless bee honey such as granularity, colour, bitterness, sweetness, viscosity, spice aroma, sourness, herbal aroma and fruity aroma, with viscosity being the most influential factor. The present work concluded that sensory characteristics were important to determine the consumers’ quality preferences towards stingless bee honey on purchasing decision.
  9. Dass RM, Kim E, Kim HK, Lee JY, Lee HJ, Rhee SJ
    Korean J Pain, 2019 Jul 01;32(3):223-227.
    PMID: 31257831 DOI: 10.3344/kjp.2019.32.3.223
    Radiofrequency neurolysis (RFN) of the genicular nerves has recently become accepted as an effective technique to alleviate knee pain particularly in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) or postoperative pain. However, genicular nerve RFN can produce high procedure and equipment costs, longer procedural times, procedure-related pain, and failure rate of over 25%. We are presenting two cases of alcohol neurolysis of the genicular nerve using fluoroscopy and ultrasonography in patients with knee OA or persistent postsurgical pain of the knee. Alcohol neurolysis of the genicular nerve with dual imaging modality can be a cheap, safe and effective method in patients with chronic knee pain.
    MeSH terms: Fluoroscopy; Humans; Knee; Knee Joint; Pain, Postoperative; Ultrasonography; Osteoarthritis, Knee
  10. Muhamad II, Zulkifli N, Selvakumaran SA, Lazim NAM
    Curr Pharm Des, 2019;25(11):1147-1162.
    PMID: 31258069 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190618152133
    BACKGROUND: In recent decades, there has been an increased interest in the utilization of polysaccharides showing biological activity for various novel applications owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and some specific therapeutic activities. Increasing studies have started in the past few years to develop algal polysaccharides-based biomaterials for various applications.

    METHODS: Saccharide mapping or enzymatic profiling plays a role in quality control of polysaccharides. Whereby, in vitro and in vivo tests as well as toxicity level discriminating polysaccharides biological activities. Extraction and purification methods are performed in obtaining algal derived polysaccharides followed by chromatographic profiles of their active compounds, structural features, physicochemical properties, and reported biological activities.

    RESULTS: Marine algae are capable of synthesizing Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and non-GAGs or GAG mimetics such as sulfated glycans. The cell walls of algae are rich in sulfated polysaccharides, including alginate, carrageenan, ulvan and fucoidan. These biopolymers are widely used algal-derived polysaccharides for biological and biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and availability. They constitute biochemical compounds that have multi-functionalization, therapeutic potential and immunomodulatory abilities, making them promising bioactive products and biomaterials with a wide range of biomedical applications.

    CONCLUSION: Algal-derived polysaccharides with clearly elucidated compositions/structures, identified cellular activities, as well as desirable physical properties have shown the potential that may create new opportunities. They could be maximally exploited to serve as therapeutic tools such as immunoregulatory agents or drug delivery vehicles. Hence, novel strategies could be applied to tailor multi-functionalization of the polysaccharides from algal species with vast biomedical application potentials.

    MeSH terms: Phaeophyta/chemistry*; Chlorophyta/chemistry*; Rhodophyta/chemistry*; Alginates; Biocompatible Materials*; Carrageenan; Polysaccharides/chemistry*; Sulfates; Drug Delivery Systems
  11. Zainudin H, Caszo BA, Knight VF, Gnanou JV
    Eurasian J Med, 2019 Jun;51(2):116-120.
    PMID: 31258349 DOI: 10.5152/eurasianjmed.2019.18106
    Objective: Regular moderate-intensity exercise has beneficial health effects, whereas regular strenuous exercise increases the production of oxidants that may lead to DNA, skeletal, and cardiac muscle damages. Triathletes experience strenuous muscular activity both during competition and training, being at risk of developing these tissue damages. The objective of the present study was to estimate DNA, skeletal, and cardiac muscle damages using blood biomarkers, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), myoglobin, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) among young triathletes.

    Materials and Methods: Age-matched seven male and seven female triathletes were recruited for the study. They were on a standardized training regimen and on average competed in at least one endurance event every month for the past 3-4 years. Serum biomarkers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the start and at end of the racing season.

    Results: Both male and female triathletes showed a statistically significant increase in 8-OHdG. A similar pattern of increase was seen with serum myoglobin, which was not statistically significant in both male and female triathletes. cTnI levels did not show any change in both sexes.

    Conclusion: Our study shows that there could be an increased evidence of DNA damage among triathletes. However, similar effects were not observed with skeletal and cardiac muscle biomarkers.

    MeSH terms: Deoxyguanosine; DNA; DNA Damage; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Male; Myocardium; Myoglobin; Seasons; Biomarkers; Oxidants; Troponin I
  12. Govindasamy P, Del Carmen Salazar M, Lerner J, Green KE
    Front Psychol, 2019;10:1363.
    PMID: 31258502 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01363
    This manuscript reports results of an empirical assessment of a newly developed measure designed to assess apprentice teaching proficiency. In this study, Many Facets Rasch model software was used to evaluate the psychometric quality of the Framework for Equitable and Effective Teaching (FEET), a rater-mediated assessment. The analysis focused on examining variability in (1) supervisor severity in ratings, (2) level of item difficulty, (3) time of assessment, and (4) teacher apprentice proficiency. Added validity evidence showed moderate correlation with self-reports of apprentice teaching. The findings showed support for the FEET as yielding reliable ratings with a need for added rater training.
    MeSH terms: Psychometrics; Software; Self Report; Educational Personnel
  13. Sattar MU, Palaniappan S, Lokman A, Hassan A, Shah N, Riaz Z
    Pak J Med Sci, 2019;35(3):852-857.
    PMID: 31258607 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.35.3.44
    Objectives: To determine the need of contemporary immersive approaches (Virtual Reality) in teaching and training at medical sector. The main objective of this study was to explore the effects of text, video and immersive technologies learning methodologies for participants' learning in public and private medical colleges and universities of Pakistan.

    Methods: In this quantitative research 87 medical students of 4th year from three public and five private medical colleges and universities participated. A laparoscopy operation was selected in consultation with senior medical consultants for this experiment. The experimental material was arranged in virtual reality, video and text based learning. At completion of each of which, participants completed a questionnaire about learning motivation and learning competency through the different mediums.

    Results: Statistical t-test was selected for the analysis of this study. By comparing the mean values of virtual reality, video, and text based learning methodologies in medical academics; result of virtual reality is at top of others. All performed model are statistically significant (P=0.000) and results can be applied at all population.

    Conclusion: Through this research, we contribute to medical students learning methodologies. In medical studies, both theoretical and practical expertise has a vital role, while repetition of hands-on practice can improve young doctors' professional competency. Virtual reality was found best for medical students in both learning motivation and learning competency. Medical students and educationist may select virtual reality as new learning methodology for curriculum learning.

    MeSH terms: Consultants; Curriculum; Humans; Learning; Motivation; Pakistan; Laparoscopy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Referral and Consultation; Research; Students, Medical; Universities
  14. Theou O, Andrew M, Ahip SS, Squires E, McGarrigle L, Blodgett JM, et al.
    Can Geriatr J, 2019 Jun;22(2):64-74.
    PMID: 31258829 DOI: 10.5770/cgj.22.357
    Background: Standardized frailty assessments are needed for early identification and treatment. We aimed to develop a frailty scale using visual images, the Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale (PFFS), and to examine its feasibility and content validity.

    Methods: In Phase 1, a multidisciplinary team identified domains for measurement, operationalized impairment levels, and reviewed visual languages for the scale. In Phase 2, feedback was sought from health professionals and the general public. In Phase 3, 366 participants completed preliminary testing on the revised draft, including 162 UK paramedics, and rated the scale on feasibility and usability. In Phase 4, following translation into Malay, the final prototype was tested in 95 participants in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.

    Results: The final scale incorporated 14 domains, each conceptualized with 3-6 response levels. All domains were rated as "understood well" by most participants (range 64-94%). Percentage agreement with positive statements regarding appearance, feasibility, and usefulness ranged from 66% to 95%. Overall feedback from health-care professionals supported its content validity.

    Conclusions: The PFFS is comprehensive, feasible, and appears generalizable across countries, and has face and content validity. Investigation into the reliability and predictive validity of the scale is currently underway.

    MeSH terms: Allied Health Personnel; Borneo; Concept Formation; Health Personnel; Humans; Language; Malaysia; Patient Care Team; Translations; Reproducibility of Results
  15. Jatau AI, Shitu Z, Khalid GM, Yunusa I, Awaisu A
    Ther Adv Drug Saf, 2019;10:2042098619852552.
    PMID: 31258886 DOI: 10.1177/2042098619852552
    Background: The burden of adverse drug event (ADE)-related emergency department (ED) visits is increasing despite several preventive measures. The objective of this paper was to develop and validate a conceptual model for a better understanding of ADE-related ED visits and to guide the design and implementation of effective interventions.

    Methods: The development of the model involved a systematic review of the literature using PubMed and Embase databases. Studies reporting the risk factors associated with ADE-related ED visits were included. The methodological qualities of the included studies were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The model was mapped and validated using face and content validity by an expert panel. Deficiencies and targeted interventions were identified, and steps for the design and implementation were recommended.

    Results: The literature search generated 1361 articles, of which 38 were included in the review; 41 risk factors associated with ADE-related ED visits were identified. All factors were mapped, and the model was validated through face and content validity. The model consisted of six concepts related to sociodemographic factors, clinical factors, ADE-related to ED visits, ADE while in the ED, outcomes, and consequences. Interventions could be targeted at the factors identified in each concept to prevent ADE-related ED burden.

    Conclusion: A conceptual model to guide the successful design and implementation of strategies to prevent ADE-related ED visits and the occurrence of ADE at ED was developed. Clinicians should take these factors into consideration to prevent untoward events, especially when treating high-risk patients.

    MeSH terms: Emergency Service, Hospital; Humans; Risk Factors; PubMed; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
  16. He Z, Li X, Yang M, Wang X, Zhong C, Duke NC, et al.
    Natl Sci Rev, 2019 Mar;6(2):275-288.
    PMID: 31258952 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwy078
    Allopatric speciation requiring an unbroken period of geographical isolation has been the standard model of neo-Darwinism. While doubts have been repeatedly raised, strict allopatry without any gene flow remains a plausible mechanism in most cases. To rigorously reject strict allopatry, genomic sequences superimposed on the geological records of a well-delineated geographical barrier are necessary. The Strait of Malacca, narrowly connecting the Pacific and Indian Ocean coasts, serves at different times either as a geographical barrier or a conduit of gene flow for coastal/marine species. We surveyed 1700 plants from 29 populations of 5 common mangrove species by large-scale DNA sequencing and added several whole-genome assemblies. Speciation between the two oceans is driven by cycles of isolation and gene flow due to the fluctuations in sea level leading to the opening/closing of the Strait to ocean currents. Because the time required for speciation in mangroves is longer than the isolation phases, speciation in these mangroves has proceeded through many cycles of mixing-isolation-mixing, or MIM, cycles. the MIM mechanism, by relaxing the condition of no gene flow, can promote speciation in many more geographical features than strict allopatry can. Finally, the MIM mechanism of speciation is also efficient, potentially yielding m n (m > 1) species ather n cycles.

    SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Mechanisms of species formation have always been a conundrum. Speciation between populations that are fully geographically isolated, or allopatric speciation, has been the standard solution in the last 50 years. Complete geographical isolation with no possibility of gene flow, however, is often untenable and is inefficient in generating the enormous biodiversity. By studying mangroves on the Indo-Malayan coasts, a global hotspot of coastal biodiversity, we were able to combine genomic data with geographical records on the Indo-Pacific Barrier that separates Pacific and Indian Ocean coasts. We discovered a novel mechanism of speciation that we call mixingisolation-mixing (MIM) cycles. By permitting intermittent gene flow during speciation,MIMcycles can potentially generate species at an exponential rate, thus combining speciation and biodiversity in a unified framework.

  17. Bergin PS, Brockington A, Jayabal J, Scott S, Litchfield R, Roberts L, et al.
    Epilepsia, 2019 Aug;60(8):1552-1564.
    PMID: 31260104 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16277
    OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, etiology, and outcome of status epilepticus (SE) in Auckland, New Zealand, using the latest International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) SE semiological classification.

    METHODS: We prospectively identified patients presenting to the public or major private hospitals in Auckland (population = 1.61 million) between April 6, 2015 and April 5, 2016 with a seizure lasting 10 minutes or longer, with retrospective review to confirm completeness of data capture. Information was recorded in the EpiNet database.

    RESULTS: A total of 477 episodes of SE occurred in 367 patients. Fifty-one percent of patients were aged <15 years. SE with prominent motor symptoms comprised 81% of episodes (387/477). Eighty-four episodes (18%) were nonconvulsive SE. Four hundred fifty episodes occurred in 345 patients who were resident in Auckland. The age-adjusted incidence of 10-minute SE episodes and patients was 29.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 27.34-31.27) and 22.22 (95% CI = 20.57-23.99)/100 000/year, respectively. SE lasted 30 minutes or longer in 250 (56%) episodes; age-adjusted incidence was 15.95 (95% CI = 14.56-17.45) SE episodes/100 000/year and 12.92 (95% CI = 11.67-14.27) patients/100 000/year. Age-adjusted incidence (10-minute SE) was 25.54 (95% CI = 23.06-28.24) patients/100 000/year for males and 19.07 (95% CI = 16.91-21.46) patients/100 000/year for females. The age-adjusted incidence of 10-minute SE was higher in Māori (29.31 [95% CI = 23.52-37.14]/100 000/year) and Pacific Islanders (26.55 [95% CI = 22.05-31.99]/100 000/year) than in patients of European (19.13 [95% CI = 17.09-21.37]/100 000/year) or Asian/other descent (17.76 [95% CI = 14.73-21.38]/100 000/year). Seventeen of 367 patients in the study died within 30 days of the episode of SE; 30-day mortality was 4.6%.

    SIGNIFICANCE: In this population-based study, incidence and mortality of SE in Auckland lie in the lower range when compared to North America and Europe. For pragmatic reasons, we only included convulsive SE if episodes lasted 10 minutes or longer, although the 2015 ILAE SE classification was otherwise practical and easy to use.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; New Zealand/epidemiology; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Status Epilepticus/etiology; Status Epilepticus/mortality; Status Epilepticus/epidemiology*; Incidence; European Continental Ancestry Group/statistics & numerical data; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
  18. Lew B, Huen J, Yu P, Yuan L, Wang DF, Ping F, et al.
    PLoS One, 2019;14(7):e0217372.
    PMID: 31260454 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217372
    Suicide is a major public health concern worldwide. This study aimed to predict the suicidal behavior of Chinese university students by studying psychological measures such as hopelessness, orientation to happiness, meaning in life, depression, anxiety, stress, and coping styles. In November 2016, a stratified-clustered-random sampling approach was utilized to select subjects from two large public medical-related universities in Shandong province, China. This sample consisted of 2,074 undergraduate students (706 males, 1,368 females; mean age = 19.79±1.39 years). The students' major risk factors for suicide were depression, anxiety, stress, and hopelessness, and the students' minor risk factors included orientation to happiness and coping styles (including self-distraction, self-blame and substance use). Notably, the presence of meaning in life had a positive effect on preventing suicide and acted as a protective factor, which suggests that it is important to identify risk factors as well as protective factors relevant to the target population group in order to increase the effectiveness of counseling and suicide prevention programs.
    MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological*; Adolescent; Anxiety/complications; Anxiety/ethnology; Anxiety/epidemiology; Anxiety/psychology*; China/epidemiology; Depression/complications; Depression/ethnology; Depression/epidemiology; Depression/psychology*; Female; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Self-Assessment; Stress, Psychological/complications*; Stress, Psychological/ethnology; Stress, Psychological/epidemiology; Students/psychology; Suicide/ethnology; Suicide/prevention & control; Suicide/psychology*; Suicide/statistics & numerical data; Universities; Substance-Related Disorders/complications; Substance-Related Disorders/ethnology; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders/psychology*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Young Adult; Suicidal Ideation
  19. Lee SY, Fazlina N, Tye GJ
    Anal Biochem, 2019 09 15;581:113352.
    PMID: 31260647 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2019.113352
    DNA-templated silver nanocluster (AgNC), a new promising fluorescence probe has gained importance in biosensing and bioimaging in recent years. We employed a label-free AgNC to detect an intracellular transcription factor known as forkhead box p3 (FOXP3), which is the master regulator of regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppressive function. We developed an optimized method for the detection of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) of FOXP3 by hybridizing AgNC and G-rich to the target FOXP3 mRNA of a MCF-7 cells. MCF-7 cells are chosen as a model as it readily expresses FOXP3. The hybridized samples were examined with UV illuminator and further verified with fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry. The successful hybridization of a three-way junction with AgNC, G-rich and mRNA FOXP3 target generated an improved fluorescence intensity with a spectral shift. We have successfully delivered the green fluorescing AgNC and G-rich into MCF-7 cells, producing a shift to red fluorescing cells corroborated by flow cytometry results. In summary, our approach enables the detection of intracellular FOXP3 nucleic acid and holds considerable potential in establishing a non-lethal intracellular detection system which would be crucial for the isolation of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) when combined with other cell surface markers.
    MeSH terms: DNA/chemistry*; Humans; Silver/chemistry*; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry*; MCF-7 Cells
  20. Ding L, Zhang B, Tan CP, Fu X, Huang Q
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2019 Sep 15;137:1068-1075.
    PMID: 31260761 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.06.226
    The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of limited moisture content and storing temperature on the retrogradation of rice starch. Starch was gelatinized in various moisture contents (30-42%) and rice paste was stored at different temperatures (4 °C, 15 °C, 30 °C, -18/30 °C and 4/30 °C). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that after retrogradation, the crystalline type of rice starch changed from A-type to B + V type. The B-type crystallinity of retrograded rice starch under 30 °C was the highest among the five temperature conditions, and an increase in B-type crystallinity with increasing moisture content was observed. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results revealed that rice starch retrogradation consists of recrystallization of amylopectin and amylose, and is mainly attributed to amylopectin. The higher moisture content was favorable for amylopectin recrystallization, whereas the moisture content had little effect on the amylose recrystallization. The optimal temperature for amylopectin and amylose recrystallization was 4 °C and 15 °C, respectively. The amylopectin recrystallization enthalpy of rice starch stored at 4/30 °C was mediated between 4 °C and 30 °C but always higher than that at -18/30 °C. On the whole, after being heated at 42% moisture content and stored at 4 °C, rice starch showed the maximum total retrogradation enthalpy (8.44 J/g).
    MeSH terms: Food Handling; Oryza/chemistry*; Starch/chemistry*; Temperature*; Transition Temperature; Food Storage*
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