Browse publications by year: 2019

Fulltext Factors influencing vegetable consumption and weight loss awareness among private university students

Muhammad Syazwi Asna, Mazlan, Albattat, Ahmad Rasmi, Anis Sofea, A. Aziz, Farzana, et al.

Journal of Management & Science, 2019;17(2):32-40.
MyJurnal

Due to the recent increase in obesity, effective nutritional strategies for weight management is needed. Because vegetables and fruits are high in water, vitamins and minerals, it is possible to reduce the density of energy, promoting satiety and reducing energy consumption by incorporating them into the diet. While few interventions have specifically mentioned the consumption of fruit and vegetables, evidence indicates advice to increase coupling the consumption of such foods with recommendations for reducing energy intake are particularly important in efficient weight management strategies. The aims of this study are therefore to assess the level of awareness and factors influencing vegetable consumption behaviour among students. This study examined the advantages of eating more vegetables and whether it can contribute to weight loss among university students, about the nutrition knowledge of the benefits of eating vegetables and the demographic factors of gender, race, age, marital status, education level, occupation and monthly income. Using the quantitative research methodology, this study explores vegetable consumption and weight loss among university students to ensure a healthy lifestyle, there is a need to educate the youth about the importance of fruit and vegetables in their diet. Findings suggest that fruits and vegetables can play an important role in weight management. Studies show that certain fruits and vegetables increase the feeling of fullness and decrease hunger. There is however limited knowledge on factors affecting the consumption of vegetables in Malaysia. It is therefore important to identify factors that increase the consumption of more vegetables that will help to lose weight.
The impact of group and individual training on hemodynamics, lipid metabolism, physical activity and quality of life in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk

Isayeva G, Rieznik L, Buriakovska O, Vovchenko M, Emelyanova N, Shalimova A

Wiad Lek, 2019;72(12 cz 1):2315-2323.
PMID: 32124746

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Despite significant advances in prevention and treatment, cardiovascular disease remains the main cause of mortality and disability in Europe. This is largely due to the low level of commitment to doctors' recommendations for drug treatment and lifestyle modification. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of group and individual training in the basics of medical knowledge to control the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study included 210 patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk. The first group consisted of 75 patients who studied at the School of Health 'Fundamentals of Healthy Lifestyle'. The second group consisted of 75 patients who were offered individual counseling. The control group consisted of 60 individuals. Patients in both groups were examined before and after the end of the course.
RESULTS: Results and conclusions: We conducted a general clinical examination, determined anthropometric parameters, blood pressure (BP), glucose, cholesterol and its fractions in the blood. It has been established that the group training of patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk in Schools of Health 'Fundamentals of Healthy Lifestyle' promotes better BP control, but does not significantly affect the lipid metabolism. Individual training for patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk leads to a significant reduction in BP levels, improved lipid metabolism, increased physical activity, and improved quality of life.

MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases*; Europe; Hemodynamics; Humans; Life Style; Quality of Life*; Risk Factors; Exercise; Lipid Metabolism
Fulltext Isolation of Janthinobacterium lividum from early onset neonatal sepsis patients in Malaysia

Shinkafi SH, Umar S, Neela VK, Noordin SM, Noordin SA, Hudu SA, et al.

Afr Health Sci, 2019 Sep;19(3):2378-2389.
PMID: 32127808 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v19i3.11

Background: The term early onset neonatal septicaemia (EONS) refers to invasive bacterial infections that primarily involve the blood stream of neonates during the first 3 days of life. Although early onset neonatal septicaemia is relatively uncommon, it may be associated with case fatality rates of 15-30% and substantial morbidity in surviving infants.
Objectives: This study describes an unusual septicaemia cases with Janthinobacterium lividum in neonatal Intensive Care Units.
Methods: Bacterial causes of early onset neonatal sepsis in Kuala Lumpur Hospital Malaysia were investigated using broad range 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing. The bacterial DNA was isolated directly from blood without pre-incubation. All samples collected were equally cultured and incubated in automated BACTEC system.
Results: Two hundred and fifty two neonates were recruited in this study with mean (SD) gestational age of 35.9. Neonates with J. lividum infection lacked microbiological evidence of septicaemia as their blood culture yielded no bacterial growth. However, the PCR analysis of these samples yielded 1100bp corresponding to bacteria species.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the value of PCR in detecting bacteria where special growth requirement is involved.

MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Male; Risk Factors; Specimen Handling; Oxalobacteraceae/isolation & purification*; Neonatal Sepsis/diagnosis*
Fulltext Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma: a case report and review of literature

Khanna D, Chaubal T, Bapat R, Abdulla AM, Philip ST, Arora S

Afr Health Sci, 2019 Dec;19(4):3253-3263.
PMID: 32127904 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v19i4.50

Background: Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CA-ex-PA) is extremely unusual in minor salivary glands of oral cavity. CAex-PA is a carcinomatous change as a primary or as a recurrence of pleomorphic adenoma.
Objective: Due to resemblance of clinical symptoms of Ca ex PA and benign pleomorphic adenoma, it is mandatory for surgeons to keep high degree of clinical alertness, considering the peculiarity of this tumor.
Case Report: 54-year-old male presented with swelling on left side in the pre-auricular region from the middle of zygomatic arch to mastoid process and from tragus of the ear up to angle of mandible. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed a mixture of benign and malignant components. Total left parotidectomy with left radical neck dissection followed by reconstruction with cervicodeltopectoral flap was performed. Combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given to patient. Histologic examination and pre-operative fine needle aspiration cytology confirmed the diagnosis of Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CA-ex-PA). Two-year follow-up of patient showed no recurrence of the lesion.
Conclusion: Due to the similarity in the clinical symptoms of CA-ex-PA and benign pleomorphic adenoma, it is vital that clinicians maintain a high degree of clinical vigilance, considering the oddity of this malignancy.

MeSH terms: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Adenoma, Pleomorphic/diagnosis*; Adenoma, Pleomorphic/physiopathology; Adenoma, Pleomorphic/surgery*; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis*; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/physiopathology; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery*; Salivary Gland Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Salivary Gland Neoplasms/physiopathology; Salivary Gland Neoplasms/surgery*; Treatment Outcome
Fulltext Potential applications of horseshoe crab in biomedical research

Najian I,, Kannan TP,, Ahmad A,, Khairani IM,

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2019;4(2):1-7.
MyJurnal

Horseshoe crab is one of the oldest existing living fossils comprising four main species today. Of these, Limulus Polyphemus is found in North America and the other three species, Tachypleus tridentatus, Tachypleus gigas and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda are found in Southeast Asia. Horseshoe crabs play important roles in the regulation of the coastal ecology communities whereby the eggs serve as the main diet of shorebird species during the migrating season. Horseshoe crab is also seen as a versatile organism, useful in the biomedicine field particularly, as its blue blood has been widely integrated to be used for endotoxin tester in vaccines, drugs and injectables. Researchers have explored a material called perivitelline fluid (PVF) from the egg of a fertilized horseshoe crab which is rich in important proteins and amino acids that are crucial for embryogenesis. Previous studies have shown that PVF has the ability to enhance cell growth and differentiation as well as in promoting generation of certain organs. Testing of PVF on many types of cells has shown positive results and hence, it is suggested that PVF could be used as a supplement to support cell growth in future. Highlighting the horseshoe crab as a living fossil, this review brings out the relevance of the blue blood and PVF of the horseshoe crab as sources benefitting molecular research.
Fulltext Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa) orbital cellulitis- a case report and literature review

Siti Amirah Hassan, Rafidah MD Saleh, Norlaila Talib, Adil Hussein

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2019;4(2):1-4.
MyJurnal

Orbital cellulitis is a clinical diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, an empirical antibiotic is started, and in most cases, the clinical improvement can be observed within 24-48 hours. We discuss treatment options in managing orbital cellulitis in a 34-year-old male in which no improvement was seen despite being started on empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic. Patient had a prior history of being bitten by an insect in the left upper eyelid while doing gardening about 5 days prior to admission. The patient developed left orbital cellulitis a few days following the insect bite. Patient was started empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic immediately, but no improvement observed. Culture and sensitivity taken from the upper eyelid grew methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which was sensitive to vancomycin. Patient was treated with intensive fourteen days of intravenous vancomycin. The infection resolved as evidenced by clinical improvement and reduction of white blood cells count.
Fulltext Total ige levels and their relevance in the diagnosis of allergy among malaysian population in the north-east region of peninsular malaysia

Azid N.A.,, Md Sani M, Zamry A.A, Ahmad, S, Mohd Ashari N.S., Tan H.T.T., et al.

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2019;4(2):1-7.
MyJurnal

Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) has been an indicator for early diagnosis of allergic diseases due the important role of IgE in the sensitization towards allergens. Although total IgE is a common diagnostic test that screens for possible allergic diseases, reports are still lacking on the profile of total IgE levels of allergic patients from the north-east region of Peninsular Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association of total IgE levels with clinico-demographic parameters and whether increasing total IgE levels were associated with certain allergic manifestations in this study cohort. A local cohort of allergic patients (n=71) diagnosed in between 2009 and 2016 in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) were evaluated for the relevance of total IgE levels in allergy diagnosis. Our study did not demonstrate significant association between total IgE with age (p=0.75) or gender (p=0.65). However, we showed that elevated total IgE levels were associated with disease severity. Our data suggests that increasing total IgE levels beyond the conventional cutoff used to define abnormal IgE levels were more commonly associated with patients presenting allergic asthma and skin allergy manifestations. Total IgE level is a useful indicator for diagnosis of allergic diseases. Although total IgE level might not be sufficient to confirm the sensitization status of an individual, it may reflect the severity of the allergic disease suffered and it has a high correlation with positive sIgE values.
Fulltext Enhancement of dental pulp stem cell viability using acmella oleraceae extract combined with bioactive glass

Siti Fatimah Samsurrijal, Rohanizah Abdul Rahim, Nur Syazana Azizan, Siti Noor Fazliah Mohd Noor, Lim Vuanghao

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2019;4(1):1-10.
MyJurnal

This study aims to determine the effects of bioactive glass (BG) combined with Acmella oleracea (AO) extracts on dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) viability. DPSC were exposed to different combinations of BG-AO leave extract-conditioned medium. The BG 45S5 powder was synthesized using the sol-gel method. AO extract was prepared using ethanol extraction method. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of the AO ethanol extract was performed on a GCMS system consisting of an Agilent 6890 gas chromatograph coupled with an Agilent 5973 mass spectrometer. Sol-gel BG conditioned medium doped with AO extracts at various concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 250 μg/mL) with BG (1 mg/ mL) were prepared and exposed to DPSC. The DPSC was also treated using BG- and AO- only conditioned medium and non-treated cell as control. The DPSC cells’ responses were assessed using Alamar Blue (AB) assay. The results showed that GCMS analysis revealed the presence of amide, ester, terpenoid, fatty acid, alkene, terpene, carbohydrate, phenolic and alkane groups. Based on the AB assay, the BGAO- conditioned medium promoted DPSC viability. However, an increase in DPSC cell viability is clearly observed at Day 7 and 14 following exposure in BGAO-conditioned medium at the ratio of 1 mg/mL BG with 50 and 100 μg/mL of AO in comparison with AO alone. BGAO-conditioned medium at a dose of 25 μg/mL supported greater DPSC viability compared to other combination doses. The effect of combination of BG and AO towards DPSC at a certain dosage revealed continuous cell viability over the observation period and promoted cell growth that may be contributed by the combined effects of BG dissolution ions into the culture medium and also the presence of identified compound from the AO extracts namely phytol, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and 1, 4, 7,-Cycloundecatriene, 1, 5, 9, 9-tetramethyl, Z, Z, Z. Thus, it may have a significant potential to help in promoting dental and hard tissue regeneration
Fulltext Genetic basis of supernumerary tooth

Suhailiza S, Kannan TP, Sarliza Yasmin S

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2019;4(1):1-8.
MyJurnal

Odontogenesis is a complex process regulated by both genetic and molecular controls. The development of a tooth in the embryo stage is controlled by a series of signals which occur between tooth-forming epithelium and neural crest-derived ectomesenchyme. Though many genes are involved in tooth formation involving major signalling molecules, the bone morphogenetic protein and fibroblast growth factor are the most important ones involved in odontogenesis. Supernumerary tooth occurs because of imbalance in the expression of the signalling pathways and their inhibitors. This review highlights the various signalling molecules that play a role in odontogenesis in order to provide a better understanding on of the molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of supernumerary tooth in humans.
Fulltext Prevalence of physical activity and its associated factors among breast cancer patients in Peninsular Malaysia: a multi-centre cross-sectional study

Rufa’i AA, Yen SH, Wan Muda WAM

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2019;4(1):1-10.
MyJurnal

Shift in the dispersion of breast cancer population continues to be a major health concern for women in the developing countries. However, prevalence and associated factors of physical activity among this population have not been explored in Malaysia. This study determined the profile and factors associated with physical activity in the breast cancer women. A multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted among 399 breast cancer women. Socio-demographic questionnaire was used to generate socio-demographic and clinical data. Physical activity was assessed using the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Sociodemographic variables were summarized by descriptive statistics. Factors associated with physical activity were identified using Logistic regression analyses. Majority of the participants were married (83.9%), had surgery (92.4%) and menopause (74.1%). The overall physical activity prevalence was 39.4%. Non formal education (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 5.80; 95%CI: 1.65, 52.15;p=0.017), having had surgery (AOR 0.18; 95%CI: 0.04, 0.79; p=0.023),

MeSH terms: Adult; Breast Neoplasms*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hospitals; Humans; Malaysia; Motor Activity*; Exercise*; Prevalence*
Fulltext Associated factors for positive cxr among tb high risk group screening in Kedah

Ahmad Hanis AS, WM Zahiruddin, Effah LY, Zahariyah Y, Khairolnizam, alwati Nik Malek, et al.

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2019;4(1):1-5.
MyJurnal

Screening for Tuberculosis (TB) using Chest X-Rays (CXR) among high-risk individuals is essential to help reach the End TB Strategy goal in reduction of 90% in TB incidence by 2035. Even though Ministry of Health Malaysia has made screening compulsory, the number of cases detected is not encouraging. Therefore, it is essential to identify factors contributing to positive screening that would improve case detection. High-risk groups are individuals that are compulsory to be screened using chest x-ray, regardless of presence or absence of TB symptoms. A cross sectional study was done in 2016 involving individuals belonging to TB high-risk groups who underwent screening in Kedah, Malaysia. Data was obtained from the TB information system (TBIS) 104 A, an information system used for TB screening monitoring and chest x-ray report of the selected individuals. It involved 1417 individuals who were randomly selected from various health facilities in six districts of Kedah. Among all 1417 study samples, 1036 (73.1%) individuals were asymptomatic. Among the asymptomatic individuals, only 91 (8.8%) had positive CXR findings. Smokers were found to have almost 3 times the odds of having positive CXR findings compared to non-smokers [Adjusted OR (95% CI): 2.71 (1.03, 7.15), p-value
Fulltext Termites can decompose more than half of deadwood in tropical rainforest

Griffiths HM, Ashton LA, Evans TA, Parr CL, Eggleton P

Curr Biol, 2019 02 18;29(4):R118-R119.
PMID: 30779897 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.01.012

Termite-mediated decomposition is an important, but often overlooked, component of the carbon cycle. Using a large-scale suppression experiment in Borneo, Griffiths et al. found that termites contribute between 58 and 64% of mass loss from dead wood.

MeSH terms: Animals; Borneo; Malaysia; Wood*; Isoptera/physiology*; Carbon Cycle*; Rainforest*
Production of Different Mushroom Protein Hydrolysates as Potential Flavourings in Chicken Soup Using Stem Bromelain Hydrolysis

Ang SS, Ismail-Fitry MR

Food Technol Biotechnol, 2019 Dec;57(4):472-480.
PMID: 32123509 DOI: 10.17113/ftb.57.04.19.6294

The pleasant taste of edible mushrooms, which is attributed to their high protein content, makes them an attractive source for the production of protein hydrolysates with good taste properties. In the present work, different mushroom protein hydrolysates were produced from shiitake, oyster, bunashimeji and enoki mushrooms using stem bromelain hydrolysis at 0.5% (m/m) enzyme/substrate ratio at pH=6.5 and 40 °C for 20 h. The produced liquid mushroom protein hydrolysate yielded 0.77-0.92% crude protein (p>0.05). Bunashimeji mushroom protein hydrolysate was the lightest in colour, while shiitake mushroom protein hydrolysate was the darkest (p<0.05). Enoki mushroom protein hydrolysate had the highest dry matter content. There was no significant difference in the degree of hydrolysis among different mushroom protein hydrolysates (53.52-67.13%, p>0.05), with the highest yield of bunashimeji and the lowest of shiitake mushroom protein hydrolysate (p<0.05). Preference test of chicken soup with added different mushroom protein hydrolysates was performed using 58 untrained panellists to evaluate their taste-enhancing effect, compared to monosodium glutamate (MSG). Soup with MSG had the highest score for the tested attributes, while soups with bunashimeji and oyster mushroom protein hydrolysates showed higher aroma, taste, mouthfeel and overall preference scores than negative control, which contained neither MSG nor any of the hydrolysates (p<0.05). This finding suggests that bunashimeji and oyster mushroom protein hydrolysate have the potential to be used as taste enhancers in food applications.
Fulltext S-Nitrosated alpha-1-acid glycoprotein exhibits antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria strains and synergistically enhances the effect of antibiotics

Ishima Y, Watanabe K, Chuang VTG, Takeda I, Kuroda T, Ogawa W, et al.

FASEB Bioadv, 2019 Mar;1(3):137-150.
PMID: 32123826 DOI: 10.1096/fba.1018

Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a major acute-phase protein. Biosynthesis of AGP increases markedly during inflammation and infection, similar to nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis. AGP variant A (AGP) contains a reduced cysteine (Cys149). Previously, we reported that S-nitrosated AGP (SNO-AGP) synthesized by reaction with a NO donor, possessed very strong broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity (IC50 = 10-9-10-6 M). In this study, using a cecal ligation and puncture animal model, we confirmed that AGP can be endogenously S-nitrosated during infection. Furthermore, we examined the antibacterial property of SNO-AGP against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to investigate the involvement of SNO-AGP in the host defense system. Our results showed that SNO-AGP could inhibit multidrug efflux pump, AcrAB-TolC, a major contributor to bacterial multidrug resistance. In addition, SNO-AGP decreased biofilm formation and ATP level in bacteria, indicating that SNO-AGP can revert drug resistance. It was also noteworthy that SNO-AGP showed synergistic effects with the existing antibiotics (oxacillin, imipenem, norfloxacin, erythromycin, and tetracycline). In conclusion, SNO-AGP participated in the host defense system and has potential as a novel agent for single or combination antimicrobial therapy.
Fulltext Case Series of Cornea Bee Sting: Different Approaches of Management

Michael Dau Bing Ngu, Tengku Norina Tuan Jaffar, Adil Hussein

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2019;4(1):1-4.
MyJurnal

Cornea bee sting is a rare condition with mild to severe complications. We report a case series of three patients with cornea bee sting presented to a tertiary center. All patients sustained embedded stingers in the cornea stroma and presented within a few hours of injuries. All patients received topical antibiotics, topical steroids and removal of stingers. However, techniques of stinger removal and administration of the medications are among factors that contributed to different outcomes in these patients
Fulltext Ethnopharmacological Applications Targeting Alcohol Abuse: Overview and Outlook

Singh L, Joshi T, Tewari D, Echeverría J, Mocan A, Sah AN, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2019;10:1593.
PMID: 32116660 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01593

Excessive alcohol consumption is the cause of several diseases and thus is of a major concern for society. Worldwide alcohol consumption has increased by many folds over the past decades. This urgently calls for intervention and relapse counteract measures. Modern pharmacological solutions induce complete alcohol self-restraint and prevent relapse, but they have many side effects. Natural products are most promising as they cause fewer adverse effects. Here we discuss in detail the medicinal plants used in various traditional/folklore medicine systems for targeting alcohol abuse. We also comprehensively describe preclinical and clinical studies done on some of these plants along with the possible mechanisms of action.
Fulltext Edible Bird's Nest Protects Against Hyperglycemia-Induced Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Dysfunction

Murugan DD, Md Zain Z, Choy KW, Zamakshshari NH, Choong MJ, Lim YM, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2019;10:1624.
PMID: 32116666 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01624

Increased oxidative stress by hyperglycemia is a major cause of vascular complications in diabetes. Bird's nest, which is made from the saliva of swiftlets has both medicinal and nutritional values dated back to ancient China. However, its role in improving endothelial dysfunction due to diabetes is yet to be elucidated. The present study examined the protective effect and mechanism of action of the aqueous extract of hydrolyzed edible bird nest (HBN) on endothelium in models of diabetes, in vitro and in vivo. Male db/m+ and db/db mice were orally administered with or without HBN and glibenclamide for 28 days, followed by vascular reactivity studies in mouse aortas. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and isolated mouse aorta from C57BL/6J were treated with high glucose (HG), HBN, sialic acid (SA), glibenclamide, and apocynin, respectively. The effects of HBN on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability were assessed by Western blot, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin-diacetate (DCF-DA), and 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7' difluorofluorescein (DAF-FM DA) in HUVECs, isolated mouse aorta, and db/db diabetic mice. HBN significantly reversed the endothelial dysfunction in diabetic mice and isolated mouse aorta. HBN normalized ROS over-production of NOX2 and nitrotyrosine, reversed the reduction of anti-oxidant marker, SOD-1 as well as restored NO bioavailability in both HUVECs challenged with HG and in db/db diabetic mice. Similarly, HG-induced elevation of oxidative stress in HUVECs were reversed by SA, glibenclamide, and apocynin. This attests that HBN restores endothelial function and protects endothelial cells against oxidative damage induced by HG in HUVECs, isolated mouse aorta, and db/db diabetic mice via modulating ROS mechanism, which subsequently increases NO bioavailability. This result demonstrates the potential role of HBN in preserving endothelial function and management of micro- or macrovascular complications in diabetes.

MeSH terms: Acetophenones; Animals; Antioxidants; Biological Availability; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Glyburide; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Nitric Oxide; Saliva; Umbilical Veins; Reactive Oxygen Species; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; Mice
Fulltext Factors Influencing Professional Help-Seeking Behavior During First Episode Psychosis in Schizophrenia: An Exploratory Study on Caregivers' Perspective

Wong DTL, Tong SF, Daud TIM, Aziz SA, Midin M

Front Psychiatry, 2019;10:962.
PMID: 32116809 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00962

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that leads to significant productivity loss and is listed in the top 15 global burdens of disease. One important contributor to the high disease burden is duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) which can be shortened with promotion of professional help-seeking behavior. This study explored caregivers' perspective on factors influencing professional help-seeking behavior during first episode psychosis (FEP) in schizophrenia in Malaysia. The results of this study would inform the development of intervention strategies targeted at promoting professional help-seeking behavior in caregivers of individuals experiencing first episode psychosis (FEP). This is a thematic exploratory study which employed purposive sampling using focus group discussion (FGD). These interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Basic thematic approach was used in analyzing the transcribed interviews. Two main themes identified were adequacy of knowledge and stigma. These two factors were found to co-influence each other. Stigma undermined the impact of knowledge on professional help-seeking; likewise, the reverse was also observed. Intervention strategies for promoting help-seeking behavior during FEP should simultaneously focus on improving knowledge about schizophrenia and reducing the stigma attached to it.
Fulltext Application of Biochar Derived From Pyrolysis of Waste Fiberboard on Tetracycline Adsorption in Aqueous Solution

Xu D, Gao Y, Lin Z, Gao W, Zhang H, Karnowo K, et al.

Front Chem, 2019;7:943.
PMID: 32117859 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00943

In this study, biochars derived from waste fiberboard biomass were applied in tetracycline (TC) removal in aqueous solution. Biochar samples were prepared by slow pyrolysis at 300, 500, and 800°C, and were characterized by ultimate analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), etc. The effects of ionic strength (0-1.0 mol/L of NaCl), initial TC concentration (2.5-60 ppm), biochar dosage (1.5-2.5 g/L), and initial pH (2-10) were systemically determined. The results present that biochar prepared at 800°C (BC800) generally possesses the highest aromatization degree and surface area with abundant pyridinic N (N-6) and accordingly shows a better removal efficiency (68.6%) than the other two biochar samples. Adsorption isotherm data were better fitted by the Freundlich model (R2 is 0.94) than the Langmuir model (R2 is 0.85). Thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption process is endothermic and mainly physical in nature with the values of ΔH0 being 48.0 kJ/mol, ΔS0 being 157.1 J/mol/K, and ΔG0 varying from 1.02 to -2.14 kJ/mol. The graphite-like structure in biochar enables the π-π interactions with a ring structure in the TC molecule, which, together with the N-6 acting as electron donor, is the main driving force of the adsorption process.

MeSH terms: Adsorption; Charcoal; Electrons; Fourier Analysis; Graphite; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Osmolar Concentration; Sodium Chloride; Tetracycline; Thermodynamics; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Biomass; Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Fulltext Isolation of lignocellulose bioconversion bacteria for reducing sugar production from coconut husk

Mariam Aisha Fatima, Foo, Y.H, Tan, J.W, Nurain Nasrudin, Sangaran, P

Journal of Management & Science, 2019;17(2):23-31.
MyJurnal

Lignocellulose is the most abundant renewable resource naturally available with great potential for bioconversion to value-added bio-products in this case from coconut husk to reducing sugar. This study was to isolate the lignocellulose bioconversion bacteria from cow dung and termite gut for reducing sugar production. CMC and Congo red dye was used as a selective media to screen for cellulose degrading bacteria while alkaline lignin media used to screen for lignin degrading bacteria. Coconut husk was pretreated using alkaline precipitation method. The 16s rRNA sequence analysis, Gram staining, motility test, crystal formation test and penicillin sensitivity test were used to confirm the bacteria identity. The reducing sugars production was monitor using 3, 5-dinitrosalicyclic acid (DNS) method. Bacterial enzymatic hydrolysis were facilitated through fermentation of 5 locally isolated bacteria at 6 shaking regimes which were 0rpm, 50rpm, 100rpm, 150rpm, 200rpm and 250rpm and conditions were fixed at pH7.0 and temperature 25oC. The total of 39 and 28 colonies were isolated from cow dung and termite gut respectively. The isolates T10, T19, T22, T24, C19, and C37 were identified as Bacillus thuringiensis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus vireti, Bacillus anthracis, and Bacillus thuringiensis. In PC medium, 2 bacteria strains, T19 and C37 showed the highest concentration of reducing sugar production (after 18 to 20 hours) which was 1.28 g/L at 150rpm (T19) and 1.27 g/L at 200rpm (C37). While in CMC medium, T19 and C37 also showed the highest concentration of reducing sugar production which was 0.72 g/L at 150rpm (T19) and 0.70 g/L at 200rpm (C37). These bacteria demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) to degrade cellulose was shown by measuring the diameter of clearing zone signifying metabolism of cellulose and also the ability to convert both PC and CMC to reducing sugars measurable by DNS method. This study suggests that the PC resulted in higher reducing sugar production compare to CMC at 150rpm and 200rpm by E. aerogenes and B. thuringiensis which these bacteria isolated from cow dung and termite gut. Future studies on metabolic pathway and specific reducing sugar produced may be done using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis.

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