Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Eur Heart J Suppl, 2019 Apr;21(Suppl D):D133.
    PMID: 31198413 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suz181
    [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suz061.][This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suz061.].
    MeSH terms: Humans
  2. Singh S, Mirdha N, Shilpa PH, Tiwari RVC, Abdul MSM, Sainudeen S
    J Int Soc Prev Community Dent, 2019 06 07;9(3):245-249.
    PMID: 31198696 DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_411_18
    Aim and Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the apical transportation, centering ability, and volume of removed dentin of WaveOne Gold (WOG) and 2Shape with the use of cone-beam computed tomography.

    Materials and Methods: Freshly extracted mandibular teeth with sample size of thirty were carefully chosen and instrumented using the 2Shape and WOG rotary files. Preoperative and postinstrumentation cone-beam computed tomographic scans were done to accomplish mesial and distal dentin walls' measurements and volume of removed dentin calculations, apical transportation, and centering ratio. Statistical analysis was performed and confirmed by independent t-test. Statistical significance was set at 5%.

    Results: When shaping ability of 2Shape and WOG was evaluated, it was reported that there was no statistically significant differences noted among the groups in relation to the total volume of removed dentin, apical transportation, and centering ratio.

    Conclusion: It can be concluded that 2Shape and WOG preserved the original canal anatomy well and did not eliminate excess dentin during shaping and cleaning. Rotary nickel-titanium files which work on the principle of rotary movement attained an outcome analogous to that of the rotary files working on reciprocating motion in relation to alteration in angle.

    MeSH terms: Alloys; Dentin; Gold; Nickel; Titanium; Transportation; Sample Size; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
  3. Ismail NA, Rafii MY, Mahmud TMM, Hanafi MM, Miah G
    Biomed Res Int, 2019;2019:5904804.
    PMID: 31198786 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5904804
    Fifty-seven accessions of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) collected from seven states in Peninsular Malaysia were evaluated for their molecular characteristics using ISSR and SSR markers to assess the pattern of genetic diversity and association among the characteristics. Diversity study through molecular characterization showed that high variability existed among the 57 torch ginger accessions. ISSR and SSR molecular markers revealed the presence of high genetic variability among the torch ginger accessions. The combination of different molecular markers offered reliable and convincing information about the genetic diversity of torch ginger germplasm. This study found that SSR marker was more informative compared to ISSR marker in determination of gene diversity, polymorphic information content (PIC), and heterozygosity in this population. SSR also revealed high ability in evaluating diversity levels, genetic structure, and relationships of torch ginger due to their codominance and rich allelic diversity. High level of genetic diversity discovered by SSR markers showed the effectiveness of this marker to detect the polymorphism in this germplasm collection.
    MeSH terms: Malaysia; Genetic Variation*; Microsatellite Repeats*; Zingiberaceae/genetics*
  4. Abdullah S, Abd Hamid FF, Ismail M, Ahmed AN, Wan Mansor WN
    Data Brief, 2019 Aug;25:103969.
    PMID: 31198825 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.103969
    The aim of the measurement of this data is to evaluate the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in terms of chemical and physical parameters. Data were collected at three different kindergartens having different surrounding activities (industrial, institutional, residential area). The chemical parameters measured were respirable suspended particulates of PM10, PM2.5, PM1, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and the concentrations are within the acceptable limit. Physical parameters of wind speed are within the standard, while temperature and relative humidity exceeded the acceptable limit. A strong correlation was found between the chemical IAQ parameters with thermal comfort parameters (temperature and relative humidity). The concentration of IAQ pollutants is higher in order of residential > institutional > industrial.
    MeSH terms: Carbon Dioxide; Carbon Monoxide; Dust; Environmental Pollutants; Humidity; Industry; Respiration; Temperature; Wind; Air Pollution, Indoor; Cell Respiration
  5. Wang LY, Lew SL, Lau SH, Leow MC
    Heliyon, 2019 Jun;5(6):e01788.
    PMID: 31198866 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01788
    In this ever-progressive digital era, conventional e-learning methods have become inadequate to handle the requirements of upgraded learning processes especially in the higher education. E-learning adopting Cloud computing is able to transform e-learning into a flexible, shareable, content-reusable, and scalable learning methodology. Despite plentiful Cloud e-learning frameworks have been proposed across literature, limited researches have been conducted to study the usability factors predicting continuance intention to use Cloud e-learning applications. In this study, five usability factors namely Computer Self Efficacy (CSE), Enjoyment (E), Perceived Ease of Use (PEU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), and User Perception (UP) have been identified for factor analysis. All the five independent variables were hypothesized to be positively associated to a dependent variable namely Continuance Intention (CI). A survey was conducted on 170 IT students in one of the private universities in Malaysia. The students were given one trimester to experience the usability of Cloud e-Learning application. As an instrument to analyse the usability factors towards continuance intention of the application, a questionnaire consisting thirty questions was formulated and used. The collected data were analysed using SMARTPLS 3.0. The results obtained from this study observed that computer self-efficacy and enjoyment as intrinsic motivations significantly predict continuance intention, while perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and user perception were insignificant. This outcome implies that computer self-efficacy and enjoyment significantly affect the willingness of students to continue using Cloud e-learning application in their studies. The discussions and implications of this study are vital for researchers and practitioners of educational technologies in higher education.
    MeSH terms: Cloud Computing; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Factor V; Malaysia; Motivation; Perception; Surveys and Questionnaires; Students; Universities; Educational Technology; Self Efficacy; Intention
  6. Tan LT, Mahendra CK, Yow YY, Chan KG, Khan TM, Lee LH, et al.
    Microbiologyopen, 2019 10;8(10):e859.
    PMID: 31199601 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.859
    Microbial natural products serve as a good source for antioxidants. The mangrove-derived Streptomyces bacteria have been evidenced to produce antioxidative compounds. This study reports the isolation of Streptomyces sp. MUM273b from mangrove soil that may serve as a promising source of antioxidants and UV-protective agents. Identification and characterization methods determine that strain MUM273b belongs to the genus Streptomyces. The MUM273b extract exhibits antioxidant activities, including DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide radical scavenging activities and also metal-chelating activity. The MUM273b extract was also shown to inhibit the production of malondialdehyde in metal-induced lipid peroxidation. Strong correlation between the antioxidant activities and the total phenolic content of MUM273b extract was shown. In addition, MUM273b extract exhibited cytoprotective effect on the UVB-induced cell death in HaCaT keratinocytes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis detected phenolics, pyrrole, pyrazine, ester, and cyclic dipeptides in MUM273b extract. In summary, Streptomyces MUM273b extract portrays an exciting avenue for future antioxidative drugs and cosmeceuticals development.
    MeSH terms: Antioxidants/isolation & purification*; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Biological Products/isolation & purification*; Biological Products/pharmacology; Cell Survival/radiation effects; Chelating Agents/isolation & purification; Chelating Agents/pharmacology; Malaysia; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Radiation-Protective Agents/isolation & purification*; Radiation-Protective Agents/pharmacology; Soil Microbiology; Streptomyces/classification; Streptomyces/genetics; Streptomyces/isolation & purification; Streptomyces/chemistry*; Keratinocytes/physiology; Keratinocytes/radiation effects
  7. Myint CY, Pavlova M, Thein KN, Groot W
    PLoS One, 2019;14(6):e0217278.
    PMID: 31199815 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217278
    We systematically review the health-financing mechanisms, revenue rising, pooling, purchasing, and benefits, in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People's Republic of China, and their impact on universal health coverage (UHC) goals in terms of universal financial protection, utilization/equity and quality. Two kinds of sources are reviewed: 1) academic articles, and 2) countries' health system reports. We synthesize the findings from ASEAN countries and China reporting on studies that are in the scope of our objective, and studies that focus on the system (macro level) rather than treatment/technology specific studies (micro level).The results of our review suggest that the main sources of revenues are direct/indirect taxes and out of pocket payments in all ASEAN countries and China except for Brunei where natural resource revenues are the main source of revenue collection. Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Viet Nam have a single pool for revenue collection constituting a national health insurance. Cambodia, China, Lao, Singapore, and Thailand have implemented multiple pooling systems while Myanmar has no formal arrangement. Capitation, Fee-for-Service, DRGs, Fee schedules, Salary, and Global budget are the methods of purchasing in the studied countries. Each country has its own definition of the basic benefit package which includes the services that are perceived as essential for the population health. Although many studies provide evidence of an increase in financial protection after reforming the health-financing mechanisms in the studied countries, inequity in financial protection continue to exist. Overall, the utilization of health care among the poor has increased as a consequence of the implementation of government subsidized health insurance schemes which target the poor in most of the studied countries. Inappropriate policies and provider payment mechanisms impact on the quality of health care provision. We conclude that the most important factors to attain UHC are to prioritize and include vulnerable groups into the health insurance scheme. Government subsidization for this kind of groups is found to be an effective method to achieve this goal. The higher the percentage of government expenditure on health, the greater the financial protection is. At the same time, there is a need to weigh the financial stability of the health-financing system. A unified health insurance system providing the same benefit package for all, is the most efficient way to attain equitable access to health care. Capacity building for both administrative and health service providers is crucial for sustainable and good quality health care.
    MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern; China; Humans; Universal Coverage/economics*
  8. Lombardo C, Panasiti MS, Vacca M, Grano C, Swami V
    Body Image, 2019 Sep;30:75-80.
    PMID: 31200234 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.05.005
    Perfectionistic self-presentation refers to a desire to create an image of flawlessness in the eyes of the others and has been associated with more negative body image. We extended previous research by examining associations between perfectionistic self-presentation and breast size dissatisfaction, and also examined whether motherhood status moderated this association. A total of 484 Italian women (age M = 40.39, SD = 13.73; mothers n = 53.9%) completed measures of perfectionistic self-presentation (perfectionistic self-promotion, nondisplay of imperfection, and nondisclosure of imperfection) and breast size dissatisfaction. Preliminary analyses indicated that a majority of the sample (69.2%) reported breast size dissatisfaction, with 44.4% and 24.4% desiring larger and smaller breasts, respectively, than they currently had. Only perfectionistic self-promotion and nondisplay of imperfection were significantly correlated with breast size dissatisfaction. Both associations were additionally moderated by motherhood status, with associations being significant in non-mothers but not in mothers. Our findings suggest that motherhood may help decouple the link between perfectionistic self-presentation and breast size dissatisfaction. Future studies should assess whether this effect is due to an enhanced maternal view of breasts that emphasises nurturing and biological functions or a result of weaker investment in sociocultural norms on physical appearance.
    MeSH terms: Body, Physical Appearance*; Adult; Body Image/psychology*; Breast*; Emotions; Female; Humans; Italy; Middle Aged; Mothers/psychology*; Personal Satisfaction*
  9. Saminathan TA, Rodzlan Hasani WS, Robert Lourdes TG, Mohd Yusoff MF, Ismail H, Akmal Abd Hamid H, et al.
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2019 10;31(7_suppl):53S-60S.
    PMID: 31189348 DOI: 10.1177/1010539519854873
    We assessed the prevalence of cessation of e-cigarette and its associated factors among adolescents in Malaysia. This study analyzed data from the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Survey among Malaysian Adolescent (TECMA) in 2016, a cross-sectional study with 2-stage stratification cluster sampling. A total of 14 832 school-going adolescents aged 10 to 19 years participated in this survey. A complex sampling design and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied. Nearly half of the adolescents (49.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 44.9-55.0) who had ever used e-cigarette ceased the usage. Based on multivariate analysis, adolescents were more likely to quit e-cigarette because they could not afford the e-cigarette (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.78-3.20), if they are aged 13 year and older (aOR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.25-2.61), and those who claimed their e-cigarette does not contain nicotine (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.03-1.78). E-cigarette prevention efforts among adolescents could consider the cessation factors described in this study.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior/psychology*; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Socioeconomic Factors; Smoking Cessation/statistics & numerical data*; Young Adult; Electronic Cigarettes*; Vaping/epidemiology; Vaping/prevention & control*
  10. Masir N, Akhter A, Roshan TM, Florence CS, Abdul-Rahman F, Tumian NR, et al.
    J Clin Pathol, 2019 Sep;72(9):630-635.
    PMID: 31189540 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2019-205837
    AIMS: Heightened B-cell receptor (BCR) activity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is well established, and a subset of patients with relapsed DLBCL can benefit from BCR-targeted therapies. Universal outreach of such emerging therapies mandates forming a global landscape of BCR molecular signalling in DLBCL, including Southeast Asia.

    METHODS: 79 patients with DLBCL (nodal, 59% and extranodal, 41%) treated with rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) therapy were selected. Expression levels of BCR and linked signalling pathway molecules were inter-related with Lymph2Cx-based cell of origin (COO) types and overall survival (OS).

    RESULTS: Activated B-cell (ABC) type DLBCL constituted 49% (39/79) compared with germinal centre B-cell (GCB) type DLBCL (29/79; 37%) and revealed poor prognosis (p=0.013). In ABC-DLBCL, high BTK expression exerted poor response to R-CHOP, while OS in ABC-DLBCL with low BTK expression was similar to GCB-DLBCL subtype (p=0.004). High LYN expression coupled with a poor OS for ABC-DLBCL as well as GCB-DLBCL subtypes (p=0.001). Furthermore, high coexpression of BTK/LYN (BTKhigh/LYNhigh) showed poor OS (p=0.019), which linked with upregulation of several genes associated with BCR repertoire and nuclear factor-kappa B pathway (p<0.01). In multivariate analysis, high BTK and LYN expression retained prognostic significance against established clinical predictive factors such as age, International Prognostic Index and COO (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide a clear association between high BCR activity in DLBCL and response to therapy in a distinct population. Molecular data provided here will pave the pathway for the provision of promising novel-targeted therapies to patients with DLBCL in Southeast Asia.

    MeSH terms: Clinical Decision-Making; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*; Cyclophosphamide/adverse effects; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use; Doxorubicin/adverse effects; Doxorubicin/therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Prednisone/adverse effects; Prednisone/therapeutic use; Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/genetics*; Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/immunology; Registries; Time Factors; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics*; Biomarkers, Tumor/immunology; Vincristine/adverse effects; Vincristine/therapeutic use; Signal Transduction/drug effects; Prevalence; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy*; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/ethnology; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/mortality; Treatment Outcome; Patient Selection; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; Precision Medicine/methods*; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived/adverse effects; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived/therapeutic use
  11. Cheong PCH, Yong YS, Fatima A, Ng ST, Tan CS, Kong BH, et al.
    IUBMB Life, 2019 10;71(10):1579-1594.
    PMID: 31190445 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2101
    A lectin gene from the Tiger Milk Mushroom Lignosus rhinocerus TM02® was successfully cloned and expressed via vector pET28a in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The recombinant lectin, Rhinocelectin, with a predicted molecular mass of 22.8 kDa, was overexpressed in water-soluble form without signal peptide and purified via native affinity chromatography Ni-NTA agarose. Blast protein analysis indicated the lectin to be homologous to jacalin-related plant lectin. In its native form, Rhinocelectin exists as a homo-tetramer predicted with four chains of identical proteins consisting of 11 beta-sheet structures with only one alpha-helix structure. The antiproliferative activity of the Rhinocelectin against human cancer cell lines was concentration dependent and selective. The IC50 values against triple negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and breast cancer MCF-7 are 36.52 ± 13.55 μg mL-1 and 53.11 ± 22.30 μg mL-1 , respectively. Rhinocelectin is only mildly cytotoxic against the corresponding human nontumorigenic breast cell line 184B5 with IC50 value at 142.19 ± 36.34 μg mL-1 . The IC50 against human lung cancer cell line A549 cells is 46.14 ± 7.42 μg mL-1 while against nontumorigenic lung cell line NL20 is 41.33 ± 7.43 μg mL-1 . The standard anticancer drug, Doxorubicin exhibited IC50 values mostly below 1 μg mL-1 for the cell lines tested. Flow cytometry analysis showed the treated breast cancer cells were arrested at G0/G1 phase and apoptosis induced. Rhinocelectin agglutinated rat and rabbit erythrocytes at a minimal concentration of 3.125 μg mL-1 and 6.250 μg mL-1 , respectively.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; Cloning, Molecular; Humans; Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Neoplasms/pathology; Polyporaceae/genetics*; Polyporaceae/chemistry; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal/drug effects; Apoptosis/drug effects; Lectins/genetics*; Lectins/pharmacology; Lectins/chemistry; Cell Proliferation/drug effects*; MCF-7 Cells; A549 Cells
  12. Tan KH
    Bull. Entomol. Res., 2019 Jun 13.
    PMID: 31190651 DOI: 10.1017/S0007485319000208
    Two major fruit fly pest species, Bactrocera dorsalis and B. umbrosa, are strongly attracted to methyl eugenol (ME) found in >450 plant species. They are, however, exclusive pollinators of certain daciniphilous (attracting Dacini fruit flies) Bulbophyllum orchids. A comparison between the recaptures of feral males after feeding ad libitum on 0.6 mg ME (simulating an average floral quantity of an orchid flower - Trial 1) and 480 mg in Trial 2 was investigated using the non-invasive capture-mark-release-recapture (CMRR) technique. Based on daily CMRR over a 16-day period, using a different colour enamel paint each day, percentages of B. dorsalis males recaptured in Trial 1 were significantly higher than those in Trial 2. However, for B. umbrosa, percentages of recaptures for different day-specific colours were highly variable due to low fly numbers captured/day. In Trial 1, of 756 B. dorsalis males released, 36.4% were recaptured once, 7.7 twice, 2.4 three times and 0.4 four times. While in Trial 2 of 1157 released males, 6% were recaptured once and 0.3% twice. Of 67 B. umbrosa males released, 28.4% were recaptured once and none more than once in Trial 1. Nevertheless, of 119 flies released in Trial 2, 25.2% were recaptured once and 3.3% twice. Overall, many marked males did return to a single ME-source to 'refuel' ME (a sex pheromone precursor). The results also show that a relatively high number of flies paid multi-visitations to a single 0.6 mg ME-source and indicate that the presence of natural ME-sources may impact area-wide IPM programmes.
  13. Jajere SM
    Vet World, 2019;12(4):504-521.
    PMID: 31190705 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.504-521
    Salmonella genus represents the most common foodborne pathogens frequently isolated from food-producing animals that is responsible for zoonotic infections in humans and animal species including birds. Thus, Salmonella infections represent a major concern to public health, animals, and food industry worldwide. Salmonella enterica represents the most pathogenic specie and includes > 2600 serovars characterized thus far. Salmonella can be transmitted to humans along the farm-to-fork continuum, commonly through contaminated foods of animal origin, namely poultry and poultry-related products (eggs), pork, fish etc. Some Salmonella serovars are restricted to one specific host commonly referred to as "host-restricted" whereas others have broad host spectrum known as "host-adapted" serovars. For Salmonella to colonize its hosts through invading, attaching, and bypassing the host's intestinal defense mechanisms such as the gastric acid, many virulence markers and determinants have been demonstrated to play crucial role in its pathogenesis; and these factors included flagella, capsule, plasmids, adhesion systems, and type 3 secretion systems encoded on the Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-1 and SPI-2, and other SPIs. The epidemiologically important non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serovars linked with a high burden of foodborne Salmonella outbreaks in humans worldwide included Typhimurium, Enteritidis, Heidelberg, and Newport. The increased number of NTS cases reported through surveillance in recent years from the United States, Europe and low- and middle-income countries of the world suggested that the control programs targeted at reducing the contamination of food animals along the food chain have largely not been successful. Furthermore, the emergence of several clones of Salmonella resistant to multiple antimicrobials worldwide underscores a significant food safety hazard. In this review, we discussed on the historical background, nomenclature and taxonomy, morphological features, physical and biochemical characteristics of NTS with a particular focus on the pathogenicity and virulence factors, host specificity, transmission, and antimicrobial resistance including multidrug resistance and its surveillance.
  14. Ashraf Z, Mahmood T, Hassan M, Afzal S, Rafique H, Afzal K, et al.
    Drug Des Devel Ther, 2019;13:1643-1657.
    PMID: 31190743 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S178595
    BACKGROUND: The amide derivatives of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been reported to possess antitumor activity. The present work describes the synthesis of dexibuprofen amide analogues (4a-j) as potential anticancer agents.

    METHODS: The title amides (4a-j) were obtained by simple nucleophilic substitution reaction of dexibuprofen acid chloride with substituted amines in good yield and chemical structures were confirmed by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral data.

    RESULTS: The brine shrimp lethality assay results showed that all of the synthesized compounds are non-toxic to shrimp larvae. The inhibitory effects on tumor growth were evaluated and it was observed that N-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-isobutylphenyl) propionamide (4e) and N-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-isobutylphenyl) propionamide (4g) exhibited excellent antitumor activity compared to all other derivatives. The compound 4e bearing 2,5-dichloro substituted phenyl ring and 4g possesses 2-chloro substituted phenyl ring exhibited 100% inhibition of the tumor growth. The anticancer activity was evaluated against breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and it was observed that derivative 4e exhibited excellent growth inhibition of cancer cells with IC50 value of 0.01±0.002 µm, which is better than the standard drugs. The docking studies against breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein BRCA1 (PDBID 3K0H) exhibited good binding affinities, which are in good agreement with the wet lab results. The compounds 4e and 4g showed the binding energy values of -6.39 and -6.34 Kcal/mol, respectively. The molecular dynamic (MD) simulation was also carried out to evaluate the residual flexibility of the best docking complexes of compounds 4e and 4g. The MD simulation analysis assured that the 4e formed a more stable complex with the target protein than the 4g. The synthesized amide derivatives exhibited were devoid of gastrointestinal side effects and no cytotoxic effects against human normal epithelial breast cell line (MCF-12A) were found.

    CONCLUSION: Based upon our wet lab and dry lab findings we propose that dexibuprofen analogue 4e may serve as a lead structure for the design of more potent anticancer drugs.

    MeSH terms: Amides/chemical synthesis; Amides/pharmacology*; Amides/chemistry; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; Artemia; Cell Line; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Ibuprofen/analogs & derivatives*; Ibuprofen/chemical synthesis; Ibuprofen/pharmacology; Ibuprofen/chemistry; Structure-Activity Relationship; Molecular Structure; Cell Proliferation/drug effects; Molecular Dynamics Simulation*; Molecular Docking Simulation*
  15. Hamidu A, Mokrish A, Mansor R, Razak ISA, Danmaigoro A, Jaji AZ, et al.
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2019;14:3615-3627.
    PMID: 31190815 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S190830
    Purpose: Modified top-down procedure was successfully employed in the synthesis of aragonite nanoparticles (NPs) from cheaply available natural seawater cockle shells. This was with the aim of developing a pH-sensitive nano-carrier for effective delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Methods: The shells were cleaned with banana pelts, ground using a mortar and pestle, and stirred vigorously on a rotary pulverizing blending machine in dodecyl dimethyl betane solution. This simple procedure avoids the use of stringent temperatures and unsafe chemicals associated with NP production. The synthesized NPs were loaded with DOX to form DOX-NPs. The free and DOX-loaded NPs were characterized for physicochemical properties using field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The release profile, cytotoxicity, and cell uptake were evaluated. Results: NPs had an average diameter of 35.50 nm, 19.3% loading content, 97% encapsulation efficiency, and a surface potential and intensity of 19.1±3.9 mV and 100%, respectively. A slow and sustained pH-specific controlled discharge profile of DOX from DOX-NPs was observed, clearly showing apoptosis/necrosis induced by DOX-NPs through endocytosis. The DOX-NPs had IC50 values 1.829, 0.902, and 1.0377 µg/mL at 24, 48, and 72 hrs, while those of DOX alone were 0.475, 0.2483, and 0.0723 µg/mL, respectively. However, even at higher concentration, no apparent toxicity was observed with the NPs, revealing their compatibility with MCF-7 cells with a viability of 92%. Conclusions: The modified method of NPs synthesis suggests the tremendous potential of the NPs as pH-sensitive nano-carriers in cancer management because of their pH targeting ability toward cancerous cells.
    MeSH terms: Biocompatible Materials/chemistry; Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Breast Neoplasms/pathology; Calcium Carbonate/chemistry; Doxorubicin/administration & dosage*; Doxorubicin/pharmacology; Doxorubicin/therapeutic use*; Drug Carriers/chemistry*; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; X-Ray Diffraction; Drug Delivery Systems*; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Musa/chemistry; Nanoparticles/ultrastructure; Nanoparticles/chemistry*; Static Electricity; MCF-7 Cells; Drug Liberation
  16. Haque M, Rahman NAA, McKimm J, Kibria GM, Azim Majumder MA, Haque SZ, et al.
    Infect Drug Resist, 2019;12:1333-1351.
    PMID: 31190922 DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S203364
    Background: Self-medication of drugs to alleviate symptoms is a common global behavior, helping relieve burdens on health services, but many drugs eg, antibiotics are prescription-only. Self-medication of antibiotics (SMA) is an irrational use of drugs, contributing to microbial resistance increasing health care costs and higher mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to assess SMA among university students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among medical and non-medical students of the National Defence University of Malaysia. A validated instrument was used to gather data. Ethics approval was obtained. Random and universal sampling was adopted, and SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 649 students participated in the study: 48.5% male and 51.5% female, 39.3% reported self-medicating with antibiotics. Penicillin, doxycycline, clarithromycin were the antibiotics most used with the majority reporting no adverse drug reactions. Cost savings and convenience were the principal reasons for SMA which were mainly obtained from local retail pharmacies. Despite medical students (particularly the more senior) having better knowledge of antibiotic use than non-medical students, 89% of all research participants responded that practicing SMA was a good/acceptable practice. Conclusion: SMA is common amongst Malaysian students and, despite understanding why SMA is unwise, even medical students self-medicate.
  17. Kistenich S, Bendiksby M, Vairappan CS, Weerakoon G, Wijesundara S, Wolseley PA, et al.
    MycoKeys, 2019;53:23-72.
    PMID: 31191113 DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.53.33425
    Phyllopsora is a crustose to squamulose lichen genus inhabiting the bark of trees in moist tropical forests and rainforests. Species identification is generally challenging and is mainly based on ascospore morphology, thallus morphology and anatomy, vegetative dispersal units, and on secondary chemistry. While regional treatments of the genus have been conducted for Africa, South America and Australia, there exists no study focusing on the Asian and Melanesian species. Previously, 24 species of Phyllopsora s. str. have been reported from major national studies and checklists representing 13 countries. We have studied herbarium material of 625 Phyllopsora specimens from 18 countries using morphology, anatomy, secondary chemistry, and molecular data to investigate the diversity of Phyllopsora species in Asia and Melanesia. We report the occurrence of 28 species of Phyllopsora including the following three species described as new to science: P.sabahana from Malaysia, P.siamensis from Thailand and P.pseudocorallina from Asia and Africa. Eight species are reported as new to Asia. A key to the Asian and Melanesian species of Phyllopsora is provided.
    MeSH terms: Africa; Australia; Lichens; Malaysia; Melanesia; South America; Thailand; Trees; Checklist; Forests; Rainforest
  18. Eur Heart J Suppl, 2019 04;21(Suppl D):D133.
    PMID: 31191120 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suz181
    [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suz061.][This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suz061.].
    MeSH terms: Humans
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