Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Arafath MA, Al-Suede FSR, Adam F, Al-Juaid S, Khadeer Ahamed MB, Majid AMSA
    Drug Dev Res, 2019 09;80(6):778-790.
    PMID: 31215682 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21559
    The bidentate N-cyclohexyl-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide Schiff base ligand (HL) was coordinated to divalent nickel, palladium and platinum ions to form square planar complexes. The nickel and palladium complexes, [NiL2 ], [PdL2 ] form square planar complexes with 2:1 ligand to metal ratio. The platinum complex, [PtL(dmso)Cl] formed a square planar complex with 1:1 ligand to metal ratio. Platinum undergoes in situ reaction with DMSO before complexing with the ligand in solution. The cytotoxicity of HL, [NiL2 ], [PdL2 ], and [PtL(dmso)Cl] were evaluated against human colon cancer cell line (HCT-116), human cervical cancer (Hela) cell line, melanoma (B16F10) cells, and human normal endothelial cell lines (Eahy926) by MTT assay. The [NiL2 ] complex displayed selective cytotoxic effect against the HCT 116 cancer cell line with IC50 of 7.9 ± 0.2 μM. However, HL, [PdL2 ], and [PtL(dmso)Cl] only exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity with IC50 = 75.9 ± 2.4, 100.0 ± 1.8, and 101.0 ± 3.6 μM, respectively. The potent cytotoxicity of [NiL2 ] was characterized using Hoechst and Rhodamine assays. The nickel complex, [NiL2 ], caused remarkable nuclear condensation and reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, molecular docking studies confirms that [NiL2 ] possesses significant binding efficiency with Tyrosine kinase. Altogether, the results revealed that [NiL2 ] exhibits cytotoxicity against the cancer cells via Tyrosine kinase-induced proapoptosis pathway. This study demonstrates that the [NiL2 ] complex could be a promising therapeutic agent against colorectal carcinoma.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry*; Benzaldehydes/chemistry; Cell Line; Cell Survival/drug effects; Humans; Hydrazines/chemistry; Ligands; Nickel/chemistry*; Palladium/chemistry*; Platinum/chemistry*; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/chemistry; Schiff Bases/chemistry*; Thioamides/chemistry; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy; Apoptosis/drug effects; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Coordination Complexes/chemistry*; Molecular Docking Simulation
  2. Yap NY, Yap FN, Perumal K, Rajandram R
    Biomarkers, 2019 Sep;24(6):607-614.
    PMID: 31215811 DOI: 10.1080/1354750X.2019.1634763
    Context: Metabolic imbalance in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can lead to abnormal adiponectin levels. Objective: To evaluate circulating adiponectin as a detection or predictive marker for RCC. Methods: A comprehensive literature search and meta-analysis was performed on studies reporting circulating adiponectin levels and RCC. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan. Results: Seven studies compared the circulating adiponection levels between RCC cases and controls. Adiponectin level was significantly lower in RCC cases compared to controls at pre-diagnosis and pre-operative time-points. RCC stage, grade and subtype did not affect adiponectin levels. Conclusion: Low circulating adiponectin could be a predictive or risk factor for RCC.
    MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Renal Cell/blood; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/diagnosis*; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/genetics; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms/blood; Kidney Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Kidney Neoplasms/genetics; Kidney Neoplasms/pathology; Neoplasm Staging; Risk Factors; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics*; Gene Expression; Case-Control Studies; Adiponectin/blood; Adiponectin/genetics*; Neoplasm Grading
  3. Pyvovar S, Rudyk Y, Lozyk T, Galchinskaya V, Chenchik T
    PMID: 31215885
    The study was aimed at investigation of the effect of the "low triiodothyronin syndrome" (LT3S) on the course of heart failure (HF) developed on the background of post-infarction cardiosclerosis. The biennial study included 157 patients with HF (with a myocardial infarction on the background of coronary heart disease). During hospitalization, a standardized assessment was carried out, hemodynamic parameters, clinical and biochemical blood tests, levels of thyroid hormones (thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3f and T4f, reverse T3r) were determined. Statistical analysis has shown that for the diagnosis of LT3S in patients with HF on the background of post-infarction cardiosclerosis, it is advisable to use serum T3f level, ≤2.07 pmol/l. The frequency of LT3S in patients with HF during hospitalization is 17.8%. Patients with LT3S are younger, have larger left ventricular size, lower ejection fraction, a high relative risk of re-hospitalization within 2 years due to decompensation of HF (2.224 [1.363-3.630]). A regression model of the re-hospitalization of patients with HF has been described, which included: weight, thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations, non-toxic goiter, growth, total cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol, blood granulocyte content. It is shown that the risk of re-hospitalization of patients with HF due to decompensation of the disease increases when the equation of this model exceeds ≥1,321 (sensitivity - 93.78% and specificity - 40.45%, p=0.0001).
  4. Brown AAM, Hooper TJN, Veldhuis SA, Chin XY, Bruno A, Vashishtha P, et al.
    Nanoscale, 2019 Jul 07;11(25):12370-12380.
    PMID: 31215940 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr02566a
    We report the self-assembly of an extensive inter-ligand hydrogen-bonding network of octylphosphonates on the surface of cesium lead bromide nanocrystals (CsPbBr3 NCs). The post-synthetic addition of octylphosphonic acid to oleic acid/oleylamine-capped CsPbBr3 NCs promoted the attachment of octylphosphonate to the NC surface, while the remaining oleylammonium ligands maintained the high dispersability of the NCs in non-polar solvent. Through powerful 2D solid-state 31P-1H NMR, we demonstrated that an ethyl acetate/acetonitrile purification regime was crucial for initiating the self-assembly of extensive octylphosphonate chains. Octylphosphonate ligands were found to preferentially bind in a monodentate mode through P-O-, leaving polar P[double bond, length as m-dash]O and P-OH groups free to form inter-ligand hydrogen bonds. The octylphosphonate ligand network strongly passivated the nanocrystal surface, yielding a fully-purified CsPbBr3 NC ink with PLQY of 62%, over 3 times higher than untreated NCs. We translated this to LED devices, achieving maximum external quantum efficiency and luminance of 7.74% and 1022 cd m-2 with OPA treatment, as opposed to 3.59% and 229 cd m-2 for untreated CsPbBr3 NCs. This represents one of the highest efficiency LEDs obtained for all-inorganic CsPbBr3 NCs, accomplished through simple, effective passivation and purification processes. The robust binding of octylphosphonates to the perovskite lattice, and specifically their ability to interlink through hydrogen bonding, offers a promising passivation approach which could potentially be beneficial across a breadth of halide perovskite optoelectronic applications.
    MeSH terms: Acetates; Acetonitriles; Amines; Cesium; Hydrogen; Hydrogen Bonding; Ink; Ligands; Oxides; Solvents; Titanium; Calcium Compounds; Oleic Acid; Nanoparticles; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  5. Singh S, Zaki RA, Farid NDN
    J Adolesc, 2019 07;74:154-172.
    PMID: 31216495 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.06.004
    INTRODUCTION: Depression is a common mental health disorder and affects many adolescents worldwide. Depression literacy can improve mental health outcomes. The aim of this study was to collate and analyse the extant evidence on depression literacy among adolescents, with particular focus on tools used to examine depression literacy and the findings on components of depression literacy.

    METHODS: Nine electronic databases and 1 grey literature source were searched for studies published in English between January 2006 and December 2018 and involving adolescents aged 10-19 years. We included studies that reported on components of depression literacy such as knowledge, help-seeking and stigmatising attitudes. We excluded qualitative studies. Two independent reviewers verified that the studies met the inclusion criteria, assessed the quality of the studies and extracted their characteristics. The data were descriptively analysed and appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), Cochrane Collaboration's tool and the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies (QATSQ).

    RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Fifty of the 14,626 references identified met the inclusion criteria. Depression literacy was most commonly (58%) assessed using tools that utilize a vignette-based methodology. A lack of uniformity in reporting of depression literacy was noted. Adolescents were poor at recognising depression, likely to seek help from informal sources and tended to attach stigma to depression. The implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions made for future research.

    MeSH terms: Help-Seeking Behavior; Adolescent; Adult; Child; Depression/psychology*; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Male; Stereotyping; Young Adult; Health Literacy*
  6. Ghani KA, Sudik S, Omar AF, Mail MH, Seeni A
    PMID: 31216502 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.117241
    Cancer is increasing in incidence and the leading cause of death worldwide. Controlling and reducing cancer requires early detection and technique to accurately detect and quantify predictive biomarkers. Optical spectroscopy has shown promising non-destructive ability to display distinctive spectral characteristics between cancerous and normal tissues from different part of human organ. Nonetheless, not many information is available on spectroscopic properties of cancer cell lines. In this research, the visible-near infrared (VIS-NIR) absorbance spectroscopy measurement of cultured cervical cancer (HeLa) and prostate cancer cells (DU145) lines has been performed to develop spectral signature of cancer cells and to generate algorithm to quantify cancer cells. Spectroscopic measurement on mouse skin fibroblast (L929) was also taken for comparative purposes. In visible region, the raw cells' spectra do not produce any noticeable peak absorbance that provides information on color because the medium used for cells is colorless and transparent. NIR wavelength between 950 and 975 nm exhibit significant peak due to water absorbance by the medium. Development of spectral signature for the cells through the application of regression technique significantly enhances the diverse characteristics between L929, HeLa and DU145. The application of multiple linear regression allows high measurement accuracy of the cells with coefficient of determination above 0.94.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Animals; Cell Line; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/chemistry*; Female; HeLa Cells; Humans; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis; Prostatic Neoplasms/chemistry*; Linear Models; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods*; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice
  7. Wan Khalid WEF, Mat Arip MN, Jasmani L, Lee YH
    Sensors (Basel), 2019 Jun 18;19(12).
    PMID: 31216625 DOI: 10.3390/s19122726
    A new cellulose nanocrystal-reduced graphene oxide (CNC-rGO) nanocomposite was successfully used for mediatorless electrochemical sensing of methyl paraben (MP). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) studies confirmed the formation of the CNC-rGO nanocomposite. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies of the nanocomposite showed quasi-reversible redox behavior. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was employed for the sensor optimization. Under optimized conditions, the sensor demonstrated a linear calibration curve in the range of 2 × 10-4-9 × 10-4 M with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 × 10-4 M. The MP sensor showed good reproducibility with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of about 8.20%. The sensor also exhibited good stability and repeatability toward MP determinations. Analysis of MP in cream samples showed recovery percentages between 83% and 106%. Advantages of this sensor are the possibility for the determination of higher concentrations of MP when compared with most other reported sensors for MP. The CNC-rGO nanocomposite-based sensor also depicted good reproducibility and reusability compared to the rGO-based sensor. Furthermore, the CNC-rGO nanocomposite sensor showed good selectivity toward MP with little interference from easily oxidizable species such as ascorbic acid.
    MeSH terms: Ascorbic Acid; Calibration; Cellulose; Cellulose, Oxidized; Graphite; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxides; Parabens; Reproducibility of Results; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Nanoparticles; Nanocomposites; Limit of Detection
  8. Tou KAS, Rehman K, Ishak WMW, Zulfakar MH
    Drug Dev Ind Pharm, 2019 Sep;45(9):1451-1458.
    PMID: 31216907 DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2019.1628042
    Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a coenzyme Q10 nanoemulsion cream, characterize and to determine the influence of omega fatty acids on the delivery of coenzyme Q10 across model skin membrane via ex vivo and in silico techniques. Methods: Coenzyme Q10 nanoemulsion creams were prepared using natural edible oils such as linseed, evening primrose, and olive oil. Their mechanical features and ability to deliver CoQ10 across rat skin were characterized. Computational docking analysis was performed for in silico evaluation of CoQ10 and omega fatty acid interactions. Results: Linseed, evening primrose, and olive oils each produced nano-sized emulsion creams (343.93-409.86 nm) and exhibited excellent rheological features. The computerized docking studies showed favorable interactions between CoQ10 and omega fatty acids that could improve skin permeation. The three edible-oil nanoemulsion creams displayed higher ex vivo skin permeation and drug flux compared to the liquid-paraffin control cream. The linseed oil formulation displayed the highest skin permeation (3.97 ± 0.91 mg/cm2) and drug flux (0.19 ± 0.05 mg/cm2/h). Conclusion: CoQ10 loaded-linseed oil nanoemulsion cream displayed the highest skin permeation. The highest permeation showed by linseed oil nanoemulsion cream may be due to the presence of omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids which might serve as permeation enhancers. This indicated that the edible oil nanoemulsion creams have potential as drug vehicles that enhance CoQ10 delivery across skin.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Computer Simulation; Drug Carriers/chemistry*; Drug Compounding; Emulsions; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/chemistry*; Permeability; Skin/drug effects; Skin/metabolism; Skin Absorption; Ubiquinone/administration & dosage; Ubiquinone/analogs & derivatives*; Ubiquinone/pharmacokinetics; Rats; Nanoparticles/chemistry; Skin Cream/administration & dosage; Skin Cream/pharmacokinetics*
  9. Koh ICC, Badrul Nizam BH, Muhammad Abduh Y, Abol Munafi AB, Iehata S
    Evol Bioinform Online, 2019;15:1176934319850821.
    PMID: 31217688 DOI: 10.1177/1176934319850821
    Malaysian Mahseer (Tor tambroides) is considered as a good prospect for aquaculture in Malaysia. However, knowledge about Malaysian Mahseer-associated sperm microbiota is still limited, although some studies reported that sperm-related bacteria are a factor in the decline of sperm quality, as sperm may become the carrier of pathogenic bacteria to the egg. The goal of this study was to evaluate the sperm microbiota associated with Malaysian Mahseer from 3 different locations (Universiti Malaysia Terengganu [UMT], Ajil, and Pahang) using polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) fingerprinting and to compare location differences by cluster analysis. Our results showed that the UMT sample had different sperm microbiota composition and a different trend in its relationship with sperm quality. Correlation analysis showed a relationship between bacterial diversity and sperm quality. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that sperm microbiota was composed of diverse phyla, including Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Interestingly, bacteria such as Salinisphaera sp., Pelomonas sp., and Staphylococcus spp. were detected in all the locations, suggesting that these bacteria are indigenous bacterial members of the Malaysian Mahseer sperm microbiota, although their function is still unclear.
    MeSH terms: Firmicutes; Bacteria; Goals; Malaysia; Phylogeny; Spermatozoa; Staphylococcus; Cluster Analysis; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Aquaculture; Proteobacteria; Actinobacteria; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis; Microbiota
  10. Amankwah O, Weng-Wai C, Mohammed AH
    Environ Health Insights, 2019;13:1178630219852115.
    PMID: 31217690 DOI: 10.1177/1178630219852115
    OBJECTIVE: The multifaceted nature of health care delivery has led to the need to incorporate strategies that will help to enhance performance and maintain the quality of the health care environment. However, even though dedicated health care staffs contribute to patients' satisfaction of health care delivery, the health care environment must ensure the safety and well-being of patients. Like most developing countries, many public hospitals in Ghana are faced with challenges in the area of health care healing environment. Therefore, this article investigates the mediating effect of health care healing environment between health care core business and patients' satisfaction.

    METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study involving adult patients of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, and Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Ghana. A questionnaire survey based on the 'A Staff and Patient Environment Calibration Toolkit (ASPECT)' dimensions and health care core service dimensions was used to collect data from 622 patients. SmartPLS was used to analyse the data collected.

    RESULTS: The findings of the study show that the quality of health care healing environment mediates the relationship between patients' satisfaction and all of the constructs under the core health care delivery.

    CONCLUSION: Stakeholders of the Ghanaian health care sector should take initiatives to constantly improve the quality of health care healing environment as it has an influence on patient satisfaction of the overall core health care delivery.

  11. Syarifah-Noratiqah SB, Zulfarina MS, Ahmad SU, Fairus S, Naina-Mohamed I
    Int J Med Sci, 2019;16(5):711-719.
    PMID: 31217739 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.29934
    The oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) from the family Arecaceae is a high oil-producing agricultural crop. A significant amount of vegetation liquor is discarded during the palm oil milling process amounting to 90 million tons per year around the world. This water-soluble extract is rich in phenolic compounds known as Oil Palm Phenolics (OPP). Several phenolic acids including the three isomers of caffeoylshikimic acid (CFA), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), protocatechuic acid (PCA) and hydroxytyrosol are among the primary active ingredients in the OPP. Previous investigations have reported several positive pharmacological potentials by OPP such as neuroprotective and atheroprotective effects, anti-tumor and reduction in Aβ deposition in Alzheimer's disease model. In the current review, the pharmacological potential for CFA, PHBA, PCA and hydroxytyrosol is carefully reviewed and evaluated.
    MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease/diet therapy; Antioxidants/therapeutic use*; Antioxidants/chemistry; Humans; Phenols/classification; Phenols/therapeutic use; Phenols/chemistry*; Arecaceae/chemistry*; Hydroxybenzoates/chemistry
  12. Teng TS, Ishak NL, Subha ST, Bakar SA
    EXCLI J, 2019;18:223-228.
    PMID: 31217785 DOI: 10.17179/excli2018-1971
    CSF leak in penetrating skull base injury is relatively rare compared to close head injury involving skull base fracture. We report a 5-year-old boy presented with epistaxis and impacted pencil into the left nostril. The child was hemodynamically stable without any neurological deficit. Intraoperatively, there was a nasal septal defect posteriorly with anterior skull base fracture associated with CSF leak. The pencil was removed from the left nostril and the CSF leak was repaired using harvested abdominal fat under the same setting. Computed Tomography (CT) of the brain showed right cribriform plate fracture with small pneumocranium. Postoperatively, a prophylactic antibiotic was given for seven days and he was discharged well. Subsequent clinic visits up to one-year postoperative period showed no recurrence of the CSF leak. History taking, physical examination and CT imaging give valuable diagnostic values in managing the penetrating skull base injury. Early intervention for removal of the foreign body and repair of the CSF leak is advocated to prevent catastrophic complication.
    MeSH terms: Ambulatory Care; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Brain; Child; Child, Preschool; Epistaxis; Ethmoid Bone; Foreign Bodies; Craniocerebral Trauma; Humans; Male; Medical History Taking; Nasal Septum; Physical Examination; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Early Intervention (Education); Skull Base; Skull Fracture, Basilar; Abdominal Fat
  13. Nabil S, Kuppusamy E, Nordin R, Nazimi AJ, Ramli R
    Case Rep Dent, 2019;2019:6810461.
    PMID: 31218085 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6810461
    Anterosuperior temporomandibular joint dislocation is rare. Manual reduction of such dislocation is difficult especially when treatment is delayed. Therefore, it has an increased likelihood of needing surgical intervention to achieve reduction. The authors report a case of an anterosuperior temporomandibular dislocation in a 19-year-old male following a motor vehicle accident. Difficulties were encountered in reducing the dislocation necessitating surgically assisted reduction. The long-term outcome following management by condylotomy is reported. This present report also reviews the literature regarding the classification and management of this uncommon dislocation.
  14. Khan ES, Kow RY, Arifin KBBM, Komahen C, Low CL, Lim BC
    Cureus, 2019 Apr 03;11(4):e4377.
    PMID: 31218142 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.4377
    Introduction Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common healthcare-related infection in surgical patients. Patients who have undergone spinal surgeries and have contracted postoperative SSI face increased morbidity and mortality, which invariably leads to additional burden on the healthcare system and higher costs. The risk factors for the increase in SSI in patients who have undergone spinal surgery have been investigated in numerous studies but no studies have been performed in Malaysia. The aim of this pilot study is to determine the incidence and factors associated with deep SSIs in patients that have undergone spinal surgeries. Methods This retrospective study includes all patients who underwent spinal surgeries at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan, from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017. Patients with an active spinal infection, polytrauma, and open fractures were excluded from this study. Patient characteristics and laboratory investigations were extracted to determine the risk factors for deep SSI events. Associations between SSI and risk factors were analyzed with SPSS V21.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY). Results The univariate analysis indicated that fracture dislocation at the thoraco-lumbar junction (p=0.008) and a history of preoperative blood product transfusion (p=0.003) were associated with deep SSI. Other factors such as age (p=0.162), gender (p=0.262), body mass index (p=0.215), smoking status (0.272), number of vertebrae involved in the surgery (p=0.837), spinal cord involvement (p=0.259), postoperative hemoglobin reduction (p=0.816), and preoperative white blood cell count (p=0.278) were not associated with deep SSI. Conclusions This pilot study highlights the factors associated with deep SSI in spinal surgeries. A larger study is needed to further confirm these findings.
    MeSH terms: Fractures, Open; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Malaysia; Morbidity; Multiple Trauma; Pilot Projects; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Spinal Cord; Spine; Surgical Wound Infection; Body Mass Index; Incidence; Fracture Dislocation
  15. Jayapalan RR, Mun KS, Wong KT, Sia SF
    World Neurosurg X, 2019 Apr;2:100006.
    PMID: 31218281 DOI: 10.1016/j.wnsx.2018.100006
    Background: Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor (World Health Organization grade I) is considered as a benign tumor with very low potential for progression. The potential for malignant transformation of this tumor is not known and has never been reported before in literature.

    Case Description: We report a 42-year-old man, diagnosed with rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor of the fourth ventricle with a positive isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation, progressed to glioblastoma after 6 years from diagnosis. We discuss the clinical history, radiological findings, and histopathological characteristic with immunohistochemistry findings observed in this unique case.

    Conclusions: Despite being acceptable as benign, based on our observations in this case, there is a potential for malignant transformation of rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor. The role of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation leading to malignant transformation could not be established as our finding is novel and further prospective studies are required to prove this association.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms; Glioblastoma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase; Male; Mutation; Prospective Studies; Disease Progression; Fourth Ventricle
  16. Singh D, Narayanan S, Grundmann O, Boyer EW, Vicknasingam B
    J Psychoactive Drugs, 2019 06 20;52(1):86-92.
    PMID: 31218929 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2019.1632505
    The leaves from Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) trees, also known as kratom, are traditionally used in Southeast Asia as a mild psychotropic agent. We investigated the demographic characteristics of persons who used both kratom cocktail and benzodiazepines (BZO) in a sample drawn from a rural area in Penang, Malaysia, and the reasons for BZO use. Seventy-seven participants who currently use a kratom cocktail along with BZO were recruited through snowball sampling for this cross-sectional study. The participants were male, and the majority were Malays (99%, n = 76/77), single (57%, n = 44/77) and employed (91%, n = 70/77). BZO was used with kratom cocktail 1) to increase euphoria; 2) to reduce dependence on methamphetamine; 3) to promote sleep; 4) to ease methamphetamine-associated psychological symptoms and 5) to decrease the craving for kratom. There were no significant differences in the intake of kratom use (p = .751), BZO use duration (p = .259), frequency (p = .188) and quantity (p = .888) of BZO use in the last 7 days, and quantity of BZO use in the last 30 days (p = .337) between kratom users and kratom poly-drug users. An awareness of the health consequences of the co-use of kratom with BZO is needed to prevent untoward health incidents.
    MeSH terms: Benzodiazepines; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demography; Euphoria; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Methamphetamine; Psychotropic Drugs; Sleep; Trees; Plant Leaves; Substance-Related Disorders; Mitragyna; Drug Users; Craving
  17. Yunus MH, Arifin N, Balachandra D, Anuar NS, Noordin R
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2019 08;101(2):432-435.
    PMID: 31218996 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0053
    The conventional method of detecting Strongyloides stercoralis in fecal samples has poor diagnostic sensitivity. Detection of Strongyloides-specific antibodies increases the sensitivity; however, most tests are ELISAs that use parasite extract which may cross-react with the sera of other helminth infections. To improve the serological diagnosis of strongyloidiasis, this study aimed at developing a sensitive and specific lateral flow rapid dipstick test. Two recombinant proteins, recombinant NIE (rNIE) and recombinant Ss1a (rSs1a), were used in preparing the dipstick, with gold-conjugated antihuman IgG4 as detector reagent. In parallel, the corresponding ELISA was performed. Both assays demonstrated diagnostic sensitivity of 91.3% (21/23) when tested with serum samples of patients with Strongyloides infection, and 100% specificity with 82 sera of asymptomatic (healthy) and those with other parasitic infections. The ELISA and dipstick test results were positively correlated to each other (r = 0.6114, P = 0.0019). The developed lateral flow dipstick test may improve the serodiagnosis of strongyloidiasis and merit further validation studies.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Helminth/blood*; Antigens, Helminth/immunology; Cross Reactions; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Recombinant Proteins/immunology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serologic Tests/methods*; Strongyloidiasis/diagnosis*; Strongyloidiasis/immunology; Strongyloides stercoralis
  18. Chan JY, Ahmad Kayani AB, Md Ali MA, Kok CK, Ramdzan Buyong M, Hoe SLL, et al.
    Electrophoresis, 2019 10;40(20):2728-2735.
    PMID: 31219180 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201800442
    This paper presents the development and experimental analysis of a curved microelectrode platform for the DEP deformation of breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). The platform is composed of arrays of curved DEP microelectrodes which are patterned onto a glass slide and samples containing MDA-MB-231 cells are pipetted onto the platform's surface. Finite element method is utilised to characterise the electric field gradient and DEP field. The performance of the system is assessed with MDA-MB-231 cells in a low conductivity 1% DMEM suspending medium. We applied sinusoidal wave AC potential at peak to peak voltages of 2, 5, and 10 Vpp at both 10 kHz and 50 MHz. We observed cell blebbing and cell shrinkage and analyzed the percentage of shrinkage of the cells. The experiments demonstrated higher percentage of cell shrinkage when cells are exposed to higher frequency and peak to peak voltage electric field.
    MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/pathology*; Cell Membrane/physiology*; Electrophoresis/instrumentation*; Electrophoresis/methods; Female; Humans; Microelectrodes; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Shape/physiology*
  19. Negrini S, Arienti C, Pollet J, Engkasan JP, Francisco GE, Frontera WR, et al.
    J Clin Epidemiol, 2019 10;114:108-117.
    PMID: 31220570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2019.06.008
    OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to study if randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in rehabilitation (a field where complex interventions prevail) published in main journals include all the details needed to replicate the intervention in clinical practice (clinical replicability).

    STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Forty-seven rehabilitation clinicians of 5 professions from 7 teams (Belgium, Italy, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland, Puerto Rico, the USA) reviewed 76 RCTs published by main rehabilitation journals exploring 14 domains chosen through consensus and piloting.

    RESULTS: The response rate was 99%. Inter-rater agreement was moderate/good. All clinicians considered unanimously 12 (16%) RCTs clinically replicable and none not replicable. At least one "absent" information was found by all participants in 60 RCTs (79%), and by a minimum of 85% in the remaining 16 (21%). Information considered to be less well described (8-19% "perfect" information) included two providers (skills, experience) and two delivery (cautions, relationships) items. The best described (50-79% "perfect") were the classic methodological items included in CONSORT (descending order: participants, materials, procedures, setting, and intervention).

    CONCLUSION: Clinical replicability must be considered in RCTs reporting, particularly for complex interventions. Classical methodological checklists such as CONSORT are not enough, and also Template for Intervention Description and Clinical replication do not cover all the requirements. This study supports the need for field-specific checklists.

    MeSH terms: Humans; Rehabilitation/methods*; Rehabilitation/statistics & numerical data; Reproducibility of Results; Observer Variation; Checklist*; Research Report/standards
  20. Fukuda M, Uni S, Igari T, Utsumi Y, Otsuka Y, Nakatani J, et al.
    Parasitol Int, 2019 Oct;72:101943.
    PMID: 31220633 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.101943
    A 73-year-old man living in Kawamata-machi, Fukushima Prefecture, Northeastern Honshu, Japan, visited a hospital with complaints of a subcutaneous swelling that had developed on the back of his left hand. The nodule was surgically removed from the vagina fibrosa tendinis of his left forefinger. Based on the histopathological characteristics, the causative agent of this nodule was identified as a female Onchocerca dewittei japonica (Spirurida: Onchocercidae). The species identification was confirmed by cox1 gene sequencing of the worm tissues from paraffin-embedded sections of the nodule. Although 11 cases of zoonotic onchocercosis have previously been recorded in Kyushu and Western Honshu, Japan, the present findings represent the first human case of infection with O. dewittei japonica in Northeastern Honshu, Japan.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Animals; Female; Hand/parasitology; Hand/pathology; Humans; Japan; Male; Onchocerca/genetics*; Onchocerca/isolation & purification; Onchocerciasis/diagnosis*; Swine; Swine Diseases/parasitology; Swine Diseases/transmission*; Zoonoses/parasitology; Zoonoses/transmission*; Sus scrofa/parasitology; Cyclooxygenase 1/genetics
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