Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Wahi R, Bidin ER, Mohamed Asif NM, Nor Hamizat NA, Ngaini Z, Omar R, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Aug;26(22):22246-22253.
    PMID: 31152421 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05548-6
    Sago bark (SB) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) are available abundantly as agricultural waste in Sarawak. This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of SB and EFB as composting materials and used as a plant growth medium. The SB and EFB composts were prepared in a separate container by mixing chicken manure as compost accelerator and wood chips as a bulking agent in dry weight equivalent ratio (1:1:1). The maturity and stability of compost in 60-day composting periods were evaluated via physicochemical characterization of the composts in terms of pH, elemental content, total ash content, moisture content and nutrient analyses. The effect of the compost usage as growth medium was assessed towards water spinach and green mustard via seed germination and pot study. After 2 months, the colour of both composts was dark brown with an earthy smell. The acidic pH of the initial composting stage has changed into alkaline pH after 60 days of composting. Total NPK present in the SB and EFB composts were 0.96% and 1.21%, respectively. The germination index (GI) for the studied vegetables was above 100%, while the pot study showed that vegetables in compost media has higher growth compared to the control, after 14 days. SB and EFB are renewable waste which can be used as an excellent compost and able to improve the quality of the soil.
    MeSH terms: Agriculture; Color; Fruit; Malaysia; Manure/analysis; Mustard Plant/growth & development*; Soil/chemistry*; Water/analysis*; Wood/chemistry; Plant Bark; Plant Development
  2. Moayyedi P, Eikelboom JW, Bosch J, Connolly SJ, Dyal L, Shestakovska O, et al.
    Gastroenterology, 2019 09;157(3):682-691.e2.
    PMID: 31152740 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.05.056
    BACKGROUND & AIMS: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective at treating acid-related disorders. These drugs are well tolerated in the short term, but long-term treatment was associated with adverse events in observational studies. We aimed to confirm these findings in an adequately powered randomized trial.

    METHODS: We performed a 3 × 2 partial factorial double-blind trial of 17,598 participants with stable cardiovascular disease and peripheral artery disease randomly assigned to groups given pantoprazole (40 mg daily, n = 8791) or placebo (n = 8807). Participants were also randomly assigned to groups that received rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily) with aspirin (100 mg once daily), rivaroxaban (5 mg twice daily), or aspirin (100 mg) alone. We collected data on development of pneumonia, Clostridium difficile infection, other enteric infections, fractures, gastric atrophy, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive lung disease, dementia, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality every 6 months. Patients were followed up for a median of 3.01 years, with 53,152 patient-years of follow-up.

    RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the pantoprazole and placebo groups in safety events except for enteric infections (1.4% vs 1.0% in the placebo group; odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.75). For all other safety outcomes, proportions were similar between groups except for C difficile infection, which was approximately twice as common in the pantoprazole vs the placebo group, although there were only 13 events, so this difference was not statistically significant.

    CONCLUSIONS: In a large placebo-controlled randomized trial, we found that pantoprazole is not associated with any adverse event when used for 3 years, with the possible exception of an increased risk of enteric infections. ClinicalTrials.gov Number: NCT01776424.

    MeSH terms: Rivaroxaban/administration & dosage*; Rivaroxaban/adverse effects; Aged; Aspirin/administration & dosage*; Aspirin/adverse effects; Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases/drug therapy*; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/chemically induced; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/microbiology; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/chemically induced; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/prevention & control*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/administration & dosage*; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/adverse effects; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Risk Assessment; Proton Pump Inhibitors/administration & dosage*; Proton Pump Inhibitors/adverse effects; Peripheral Arterial Disease/diagnosis; Peripheral Arterial Disease/drug therapy*; Factor Xa Inhibitors/administration & dosage*; Factor Xa Inhibitors/adverse effects
  3. Muhammad H, Maslan SF, Md Saad WM, Thani NSIA, Ibnu Rasid EN, Mahomoodally MF, et al.
    Food Chem Toxicol, 2019 Sep;131:110538.
    PMID: 31152790 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.05.046
    Dioscorea hispida var. daemona (Roxb) Prain & Burkill (DH), also known a tropical yam or intoxicating yam is a bitter wild tuber which is consumed as a staple food and traditionally used as a remedy in Malaysia. However, DH is also notorious for its intoxicating effects and there is currently a dearth of study of possible effects of DH on liver and placental tissues and hence its safe consumption warrants in-depth investigation. This study was therefore designed to investigate into the effect of DH on liver and placenta of pregnant rat via histopathological examination. Thirty pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups consisting of a control (distilled water) and four DH aqueous extract groups (250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight). The extracts were administered via oral gavage daily throughout the study and animals were sacrificed on day 21. Paraffin-embedded, hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of placenta and liver were examined. Significant changes (p 
    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Animals; Female; Liver/drug effects*; Liver/pathology; Organ Size/drug effects; Placenta/drug effects*; Placenta/pathology; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/toxicity*; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Pregnancy; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Dioscorea/chemistry*
  4. Nasir AM, Goh PS, Abdullah MS, Ng BC, Ismail AF
    Chemosphere, 2019 Oct;232:96-112.
    PMID: 31152909 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.174
    Heavy metal contamination in aqueous system has attracted global attention due to the toxicity and carcinogenicity effects towards living bodies. Among available removal techniques, adsorptive removal by nanosized materials such as metal oxide, metal organic frameworks, zeolite and carbon-based materials has attracted much attention due to the large active surface area, large number of functional groups, high chemical and thermal stability which led to outstanding adsorption performance. However, the usage of nanosized materials is restricted by the difficulty in separating the spent adsorbent from aqueous solution. The shift towards the use of adsorptive composite membrane for heavy metal ions removal has attracted much attention due to the synergistic properties of adsorption and filtration approaches in a same chamber. Thus, this review critically discusses the development of nanoadsorbents and adsorptive nanocomposite membranes for heavy metal removal over the last decade. The adsorption mechanism of heavy metal ions by the advanced nanoadsorbents is also discussed using kinetic and isotherm models. The challenges and future prospect of adsorptive membrane technology for heavy metal removal is presented at the end of this review.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Carbon; Filtration; Ions; Kinetics; Oxides; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis; Zeolites/chemistry; Water Purification/methods; Metals, Heavy/analysis; Metals, Heavy/chemistry*; Environmental Restoration and Remediation*; Nanocomposites/chemistry
  5. Lim LY, Lee CT, Bong CPC, Lim JS, Klemeš JJ
    J Environ Manage, 2019 Aug 15;244:431-439.
    PMID: 31153031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.05.050
    Waste prevention and management become a significant issue worldwide to achieve sustainable development. Similar to many developing countries, Malaysia has faced severe problems in waste management due to its rapid economic growth and urbanisation. The municipal solid waste (MSW) production rate in Malaysia had increased significantly in a recent year, ranging from 0.8 to 1.25 kg/person∙d. The wastes generated contain a high amount of organic portion with high moisture content. Improper MSW management practice or delayed in waste collection and transportation can lead to severe health issues. This paper presents a case study in Johor Bahru, Malaysia (FOLO Farm), in which a composting prototype is used as the waste management technology to recycle the food and vegetable wastes. The greenhouse gases (GHG) mitigation and economic feasibility of the integrated composting and organic farming in this study are reported. This study showed a reduction of 27% of GHG by diverting the food and vegetable wastes from open dumping to the composting plant. Higher reduction rate (∼44%) can be achieved with better planning of waste collection route and applying the mitigation strategies during the composting process. By adapting the membership concept, this project not only ensures the economic feasibility of running a composting plant but also secures a channel for the growth of vegetable distribution. This study provides an insight into the feasibility and desirability to implement a pilot-scale composting for organic waste management to achieve the low carbon and self-sustain community.
    MeSH terms: Feasibility Studies; Malaysia; Refuse Disposal*; Waste Management*; Organic Agriculture
  6. Jahmunah V, Oh SL, Wei JKE, Ciaccio EJ, Chua K, San TR, et al.
    Phys Med, 2019 Jun;62:95-104.
    PMID: 31153403 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2019.05.004
    The heart muscle pumps blood to vital organs, which is indispensable for human life. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump blood adequately throughout the body without an increase in intracardiac pressure. The symptoms include lung and peripheral congestion, leading to breathing difficulty and swollen limbs, dizziness from reduced delivery of blood to the brain, as well as arrhythmia. Coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and medical co-morbidities such as kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure all take a toll on the heart and can impair myocardial function. CHF prevalence is growing worldwide. It afflicts millions of people globally, and is a leading cause of death. Hence, proper diagnosis, monitoring and management are imperative. The importance of an objective CHF diagnostic tool cannot be overemphasized. Standard diagnostic tests for CHF include chest X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear imaging, echocardiography, and invasive angiography. However, these methods are costly, time-consuming, and they can be operator-dependent. Electrocardiography (ECG) is inexpensive and widely accessible, but ECG changes are typically not specific for CHF diagnosis. A properly designed computer-aided detection (CAD) system for CHF, based on the ECG, would potentially reduce subjectivity and provide quantitative assessment for informed decision-making. Herein, we review existing CAD for automatic CHF diagnosis, and highlight the development of an ECG-based CAD diagnostic system that employs deep learning algorithms to automatically detect CHF.
    MeSH terms: Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Electrocardiography*; Heart Failure/diagnosis*; Humans; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  7. Srisuka W, Takaoka H, Fukuda M, Otsuka Y, Saeung A
    Acta Trop, 2019 Sep;197:105043.
    PMID: 31153893 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105043
    A new species of black fly, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) rampae, is described, based on adult male, its pupal exuviae and mature larvae collected from Doi Inthanon National Park, northern Thailand. This new species is placed in the Simulium asakoae species-group, and is characterized in the male by the high number of upper-eye facets in 17 vertical columns and 18 horizontal rows, in the pupa by the gill with a long common basal stalk, cone-shaped terminal hook, and cocoon with an anterodorsal projection, and in the larva by the medium-long postgenal cleft. A DNA analysis using COI gene supported its assignment to the S. asakoae species-group and showed its close relationship to S. (G.) udomi Takaoka & Choochote and S. (G.) chiangdaoense Takaoka & Srisuka. This is the fourth member of the S. asakoae species-group recorded from Thailand.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Larva/anatomy & histology; Larva/classification; Male; Phylogeny*; Pupa/anatomy & histology; Pupa/classification; Simuliidae/anatomy & histology; Simuliidae/classification*; Species Specificity; Thailand
  8. Jaćević V, Nepovimova E, Kuča K
    Chem Biol Interact, 2019 Aug 01;308:312-316.
    PMID: 31153983 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.05.035
    K-oximes were developed as modern drug candidates acting as AChE reactivators. In this study, it has been investigated which interspecies and intergender differences changes could be observed in Wistar rats and Swiss mice, both genders, after the treatment with increasing doses of selected acetylcholinesterase reactivators - asoxime, obidoxime, K027, K048, and K075. After the 24 h, a number of died animals was counted and the median lethal dose (LD50) for each oxime was calculated. By using the intramuscular route of administration, asoxime and K027 had the least toxicity in female rats (640.21 mg/kg and 686.08 mg/kg), and in female mice (565.75 mg/kg and 565.74 mg/kg), respectively. Moreover, asoxime and K027 showed 3, 4 or 8 times less acute toxicity in comparison to K048, obidoxime and K075, respectively. Beyond, K075 had the greatest toxicity in male rats (81.53 mg/kg), and in male mice (57.34 mg/kg), respectively. Our results can help to predict likely adverse toxic effects, target organ systems and possible outcome in the event of massive human overexposure, and in establishing risk categories or in dose selection for the initial repeated dose toxicity tests to be conducted for each oxime.
    MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism; Acetylcholinesterase/chemistry; Animals; Cholinesterase Reactivators/metabolism; Cholinesterase Reactivators/toxicity; Cholinesterase Reactivators/chemistry; Female; Lethal Dose 50; Male; Obidoxime Chloride/toxicity; Oximes/toxicity*; Prodrugs/toxicity; Rats, Wistar; Toxicity Tests, Acute/methods*; Mice; Rats
  9. Soo HL, Quah SY, Sulaiman I, Sagineedu SR, Lim JCW, Stanslas J
    Drug Discov Today, 2019 09;24(9):1890-1898.
    PMID: 31154065 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.05.017
    Andrographolide (AGP), a naturally occurring bioactive compound, has been investigated as a lead compound in cancer drug development. Its multidimensional therapeutic effects have raised interest among medicinal chemists, which has led to extensive structural modification of the compound, resulting in analogues with improved pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties. Nevertheless, the analogues with the improved properties need to be rigorously studied to identify drug-like lead compounds. We scrutinised articles published from 2012 to 2018, to objectively provide opinions on the mechanisms of action of AGP and its analogues, as well as their potential as viable anticancer drugs. Preclinical and clinical data, along with the extensive medicinal chemistry efforts, indicate the compounds are potential anticancer agents with specific value in treating recalcitrant cancers such as pancreatic and lung cancers.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Diterpenes; Lead; Lung Neoplasms
  10. Saleem H, Zengin G, Locatelli M, Ahmad I, Khaliq S, Mahomoodally MF, et al.
    Food Chem Toxicol, 2019 Sep;131:110535.
    PMID: 31154083 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.05.043
    This study endeavours to investigate the phytochemical composition, biological properties and in vivo toxicity of methanol and dichloromethane extracts of Zaleya pentandra (L.) Jeffrey. Total bioactive contents, antioxidant (phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and CUPRAC) and enzyme inhibition (cholinesterases, tyrosinase α-amylase, and α-glucosidase) potential were assessed utilizing in vitro bioassays. UHPLC-MS phytochemical profiling was carried out to identify the essential compounds. The methanol extract was found to contain highest phenolic (22.60 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (31.49 mg QE/g) contents which correlate with its most significant radical scavenging, reducing potential and tyrosinase inhibition. The dichloromethane extract was most potent for phosphomolybdenum, ferrous chelation, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and cholinesterase inhibition assays. UHPLC-MS analysis of methanol extract unveiled to identify 11 secondary metabolites belonging to five sub-groups, i.e., phenolic, alkaloid, carbohydrate, terpenoid, and fatty acid derivatives. Additionally, in vivo toxicity was conducted for 21 days and the methanol extract at different doses (150, 200, 250 and 300 mg/kg) was administered in experimental chicks divided into five groups each containing five individuals. Different physical, haematological and biochemical parameters along with the absolute and relative weight of visceral body organs were studied. Overall, no toxic effect was noted for the extract at tested doses.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Methanol/chemistry; Animals; Chickens; Enzyme Inhibitors/administration & dosage; Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology; Enzyme Inhibitors/toxicity; Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/toxicity*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Free Radical Scavengers/administration & dosage; Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology; Free Radical Scavengers/toxicity; Free Radical Scavengers/chemistry; Aizoaceae/chemistry*
  11. Koh AE, Alsaeedi HA, Rashid MBA, Lam C, Harun MHN, Saleh MFBM, et al.
    J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol., 2019 Jul;196:111514.
    PMID: 31154277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.111514
    Retinal disorders account for a large proportion of ocular disorders that can lead to visual impairment or blindness, and yet our limited knowledge in the pathogenesis and choice of appropriate animal models for new treatment modalities may contribute to ineffective therapies. Although genetic in vivo models are favored, the variable expressivity and penetrance of these heterogeneous disorders can cause difficulties in assessing potential treatments against retinal degeneration. Hence, an attractive alternative is to develop a chemically-induced model that is both cost-friendly and standardizable. Sodium iodate is an oxidative chemical that is used to simulate late stage retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. In this study, retinal degeneration was induced through systemic administration of sodium iodate (NaIO3) at varying doses up to 80 mg/kg in Sprague-Dawley rats. An analysis on the visual response of the rats by electroretinography (ERG) showed a decrease in photoreceptor function with NaIO3 administration at a dose of 40 mg/kg or greater. The results correlated with the TUNEL assay, which revealed signs of DNA damage throughout the retina. Histomorphological analysis also revealed extensive structural lesions throughout the outer retina and parts of the inner retina. Our results provided a detailed view of NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration, and showed that the administration of 40 mg/kg NaIO3 was sufficient to generate disturbances in retinal function. The pathological findings in this model reveal a degenerating retina, and can be further utilized to develop effective therapies for RPE, photoreceptor, and bipolar cell regeneration.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; DNA Damage/drug effects; Electroretinography; Iodates/toxicity*; Retina/drug effects*; Retina/pathology; Retina/physiology; Retinal Degeneration/pathology*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Apoptosis/drug effects; Rats
  12. Alsalem MA, Zaidan AA, Zaidan BB, Albahri OS, Alamoodi AH, Albahri AS, et al.
    J Med Syst, 2019 Jun 01;43(7):212.
    PMID: 31154550 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-019-1338-x
    This paper aims to assist the administration departments of medical organisations in making the right decision on selecting a suitable multiclass classification model for acute leukaemia. In this paper, we proposed a framework that will aid these departments in evaluating, benchmarking and ranking available multiclass classification models for the selection of the best one. Medical organisations have continuously faced evaluation and benchmarking challenges in such endeavour, especially when no single model is superior. Moreover, the improper selection of multiclass classification for acute leukaemia model may be costly for medical organisations. For example, when a patient dies, one such organisation will be legally or financially sued for incidents in which the model fails to fulfil its desired outcome. With regard to evaluation and benchmarking, multiclass classification models are challenging processes due to multiple evaluation and conflicting criteria. This study structured a decision matrix (DM) based on the crossover of 2 groups of multi-evaluation criteria and 22 multiclass classification models. The matrix was then evaluated with datasets comprising 72 samples of acute leukaemia, which include 5327 gens. Subsequently, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques are used in the benchmarking and ranking of multiclass classification models. The MCDM used techniques that include the integrated BWM and VIKOR. BWM has been applied for the weight calculations of evaluation criteria, whereas VIKOR has been used to benchmark and rank classification models. VIKOR has also been employed in two decision-making contexts: individual and group decision making and internal and external group aggregation. Results showed the following: (1) the integration of BWM and VIKOR is effective at solving the benchmarking/selection problems of multiclass classification models. (2) The ranks of classification models obtained from internal and external VIKOR group decision making were almost the same, and the best multiclass classification model based on the two was 'Bayes. Naive Byes Updateable' and the worst one was 'Trees.LMT'. (3) Among the scores of groups in the objective validation, significant differences were identified, which indicated that the ranking results of internal and external VIKOR group decision making were valid.
    MeSH terms: Bayes Theorem; Decision Support Techniques*; Humans; Sensitivity and Specificity; Time Factors; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis*; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology*
  13. Tomlinson KR, Pablo-Rodriguez JL, Bunawan H, Nanyiti S, Green P, Miller J, et al.
    Mol Plant Pathol, 2019 08;20(8):1080-1092.
    PMID: 31154674 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12813
    Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is a leading cause of cassava losses in East and Central Africa, and is currently having a severe impact on food security. The disease is caused by two viruses within the Potyviridae family: Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV), which both encode atypical Ham1 proteins with highly conserved inosine triphosphate (ITP) pyrophosphohydrolase (ITPase) domains. ITPase proteins are widely encoded by plant, animal, and archaea. They selectively hydrolyse mutagenic nucleotide triphosphates to prevent their incorporation into nucleic acid and thereby function to reduce mutation rates. It has previously been hypothesized that U/CBSVs encode Ham1 proteins with ITPase activity to reduce viral mutation rates during infection. In this study, we investigate the potential roles of U/CBSV Ham1 proteins. We show that both CBSV and UCBSV Ham1 proteins have ITPase activities through in vitro enzyme assays. Deep-sequencing experiments found no evidence of the U/CBSV Ham1 proteins providing mutagenic protection during infections of Nicotiana hosts. Manipulations of the CBSV_Tanza infectious clone were performed, including a Ham1 deletion, ITPase point mutations, and UCBSV Ham1 chimera. Unlike severely necrotic wild-type CBSV_Tanza infections, infections of Nicotiana benthamiana with the manipulated CBSV infectious clones do not develop necrosis, indicating that that the CBSV Ham1 is a necrosis determinant. We propose that the presence of U/CBSV Ham1 proteins with highly conserved ITPase motifs indicates that they serve highly selectable functions during infections of cassava and may represent a euphorbia host adaptation that could be targeted in antiviral strategies.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Fluorouracil/pharmacology; Hydrolysis; Mutagens/metabolism*; Necrosis; Nucleotides/metabolism*; Plant Diseases/virology; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism; Tobacco/genetics; Tobacco/virology; Viral Proteins/metabolism*; Viral Proteins/chemistry; Conserved Sequence; Potyviridae/metabolism*; Amino Acid Motifs; Plants, Genetically Modified; Mutation Rate
  14. Beng TB, Kotani Y, Sia U, Gonchar I
    Asian Spine J, 2019 10;13(5):809-814.
    PMID: 31154702 DOI: 10.31616/asj.2018.0283
    Study Design: Retrospective clinical study on the indirect decompressive effect of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) for adult spinal deformity.

    Purpose: To evaluate the effect of interbody distraction by OLIF for the treatment of adult spinal deformity.

    Overview of Literature: Adult spinal deformity with symptomatic stenosis has been addressed conventionally using a direct posterior decompression approach with fusion. However, stenotic symptoms can also be alleviated indirectly through restoration of intervertebral and foraminal heights and correction of spinal alignment.

    Methods: Twenty-eight patients with adult spinal deformity underwent OLIF combined with modified cortical bone trajectory screws at 94 lumbar levels with neuromonitoring. The patients were divided into three groups based on their preoperative lumbar lordosis: group A, <0°; group B, 0°-20°; and group C, >20°. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the thecal sac was measured preoperatively and postoperatively on axial magnetic resonance images. Differences in CSA were evaluated, and the relationship between the CSA extension ratio and preoperative CSA was assessed. Changes in disc height and segmental disc angle were measured from plain radiographs.

    Results: OLIFs were performed successfully without neural complications. In group A, the mean CSA increased from 120.6 mm2 preoperatively to 148.5 mm2 postoperatively (p <0.001). The mean CSA for group B increased from 120.1 mm2 preoperatively to 154.4 mm2 postoperatively (p <0.001). Group C had an increase in mean CSA from 114.7 mm2 preoperatively to 160.7 mm2 postoperatively (p <0.001). The mean CSA enlargement ratio was 27.5%, 32.1%, and 60.4% in groups A, B, and C, respectively. The mean CSA extension ratio was inversely correlated with preoperative CSA.

    Conclusions: The effect of indirect neural decompression in adult spinal deformity with OLIF varies with the degree of preoperative lumbar lordosis.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Bone Screws; Constriction, Pathologic; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Lordosis; Lumbosacral Region; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Retrospective Studies; Decompression, Surgical; Neurosurgical Procedures; Cortical Bone
  15. Tanko PN, Mohd Yusoff S, Emikpe BO, Bejo SK, Salisi S
    J Immunoassay Immunochem, 2019;40(4):419-438.
    PMID: 31154897 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2019.1620766
    Brucellosis constitutes an infectious re-emerging zoonosis. Spread of diseases could be exacerbated by stress-induced immunosuppression. This study evaluated relationship between Brucella melitensis infection, shedding dynamics, dexamethasone-induced stress, pathological alterations and resveratrol ameliorative effects in goats. Twelve nonpregnant goats were divided into four groups A, B, C, and D of three animals each. Groups A and B were administered 107 CFU/mL of B. melitensis ocularly, 21 days prior to 7 days consecutive administration of dexamethasone (2 mg/kg). Group A was further administered resveratrol (5 mg/kg) intravenously for 5 consecutive days from day 31 post B. melitensis inoculation. Group C was administered similar dose of B. melitensis while group D was inoculated normal saline. Blood, nasal, ocular, and vaginal swabs were collected at intervals for analysis. The does were sacrificed at day 42 post inoculation (pi). Tissues were collected for tissue bacterial load determination, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Dexamethasone administration from day 21 pi increased the frequency in the shedding dynamics, tissue bacterial load, pathological alterations (frequency of microgranuloma and intensity of immunostaining) in group B while 5 days treatment with resveratrol following dexamethasone administration significantly reduced tissue bacterial load, decline in shedding dynamics, and ameliorate damage by dexamethasone administration/B. melitensis infection.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*; Brucellosis/drug therapy*; Brucellosis/pathology; Dexamethasone/administration & dosage; Dexamethasone/pharmacology*; Female; Goats; Injections, Intravenous; Brucella melitensis/drug effects*; Bacterial Shedding/drug effects*
  16. Allotey P, Remme M, Lo S
    Lancet, 2019 06 15;393(10189):2371-2373.
    PMID: 31155269 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30988-2
    MeSH terms: Female; Gender Identity; Humans; Male; United Nations*
  17. Arslan H, Ahmed HMA, Şahin Y, Doğanay Yıldız E, Gündoğdu EC, Güven Y, et al.
    J Endod, 2019 Jul;45(7):863-872.
    PMID: 31155298 DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2019.04.005
    INTRODUCTION: This preliminary study compared clinical and radiographic outcomes of regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) with that of conventional root canal treatment (CRCT) in necrotic mature teeth with periapical radiolucencies.

    METHODS: Fifty-six mature necrotic teeth with large periapical radiolucencies were distributed into 2 groups: group 1, REPs and group 2, CRCT (n = 28/group). Clinical and radiographic follow-up assessments were undertaken up to 12 months. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent samples t test and the chi-square test, and the level of significance was set at P = .05.

    RESULTS: With a follow-up rate of about 73.4% of the total patients for 12 months, favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes were found in 92.3% and 80% in REPs and CRCT groups, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). Half of the teeth treated with REPs responded to the electric pulp test.

    CONCLUSIONS: Regenerative endodontic procedures have the potential to be used as a treatment option for mature teeth with large periapical radiolucencies.

    MeSH terms: Dental Pulp; Humans; Root Canal Therapy
  18. Gautam RK, Gupta G, Sharma S, Hatware K, Patil K, Sharma K, et al.
    Int J Rheum Dis, 2019 Jul;22(7):1247-1254.
    PMID: 31155849 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.13602
    AIM: The purpose of our investigation is to evaluate the anti-arthritic potential of isolated rosmarinic acid from the rind of Punica granatum.

    METHOD: Rosmarinic acid was isolated by bioactivity-guided isolation from butanolic fraction of Punica granatum and acute toxicity of rosmarinic acid was carried out. The experiment was conducted at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritic rats. Various parameters, that is arthritic score, paw volume, thickness of paw, hematological, antioxidant and inflammatory parameters such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were also estimated.

    RESULTS: Rosmarinic acid significantly decreased the arthritic score, paw volume, joint diameter, white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It also significantly increased body weight, hemoglobin and red blood cells. The significantly decreased levels of TNF-α were observed in treated groups as compared to arthritic control rats (P 

    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*; Arthritis, Experimental/chemically induced; Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism; Arthritis, Experimental/pathology; Arthritis, Experimental/prevention & control*; Cinnamates/pharmacology*; Freund's Adjuvant*; Glutathione/metabolism; Joints/drug effects*; Joints/metabolism; Joints/pathology; Malondialdehyde/metabolism; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood; Rats, Wistar; Inflammation Mediators/blood; Depsides/pharmacology*
  19. Bhuvanendran S, Hanapi NA, Ahemad N, Othman I, Yusof SR, Shaikh MF
    Front Neurosci, 2019;13:495.
    PMID: 31156375 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00495
    Embelin is well-known in ethnomedicine and reported to have central nervous system activities. However, there is no report on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of embelin. Here the BBB permeability of embelin was evaluated using in vitro primary porcine brain endothelial cell (PBEC) model of the BBB. Embelin was also evaluated for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and docking prediction for interaction with AChE and amyloid beta (Aβ) binding sites. Embelin was found to be non-toxic to the PBECs and did not disturb the PBEC barrier function. The PBECs showed restrictive tight junctions with average transendothelial electrical resistance of 365.37 ± 113.00 Ω.cm2, for monolayers used for permeability assays. Permeability assays were conducted from apical-to-basolateral direction (blood-to-brain side). Embelin showed apparent permeability (Papp) value of 35.46 ± 20.33 × 10-6 cm/s with 85.53% recovery. In vitro AChE inhibitory assay demonstrated that embelin could inhibit the enzyme. Molecular docking study showed that embelin binds well to active site of AChE with CDOCKER interaction energy of -65.75 kcal/mol which correlates with the in vitro results. Docking of embelin with Aβ peptides also revealed the promising binding with low CDOCKER interaction energy. Thus, findings from this study indicate that embelin could be a suitable molecule to be further developed as therapeutic molecule to treat neurological disorders particularly Alzheimer's disease.
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