Browse publications by year: 2020

  1. Flaherty GT, Nasir N
    J Travel Med, 2020 12 23;27(8).
    PMID: 32870275 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taaa150
    MeSH terms: Anxiety; Communicable Disease Control/methods*; Humans; Mental Health/trends*; Stress, Psychological; Global Health/trends*; Disease Transmission, Infectious/prevention & control; Resilience, Psychological
  2. Paudel YN, Angelopoulou E, Akyuz E, Piperi C, Othman I, Shaikh MF
    Pharmacol Res, 2020 10;160:105172.
    PMID: 32871246 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105172
    Understanding the interplay between the innate immune system, neuroinflammation, and epilepsy might offer a novel perspective in the quest of exploring new treatment strategies. Due to the complex pathology underlying epileptogenesis, no disease-modifying treatment is currently available that might prevent epilepsy after a plausible epileptogenic insult despite the advances in pre-clinical and clinical research. Neuroinflammation underlies the etiopathogenesis of epilepsy and convulsive disorders with Toll-like receptor (TLR) signal transduction being highly involved. Among TLR family members, TLR4 is an innate immune system receptor and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sensor that has been reported to contribute to epileptogenesis by regulating neuronal excitability. Herein, we discuss available evidence on the role of TLR4 and its endogenous ligands, the high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, the heat shock proteins (HSPs) and the myeloid related protein 8 (MRP8), in epileptogenesis and post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Moreover, we provide an account of the promising findings of TLR4 modulation/inhibition in experimental animal models with therapeutic impact on seizures.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Epilepsy/pathology; Epilepsy/physiopathology*; Humans; Immunity, Innate*; Inflammation/complications; Inflammation/pathology; Ligands; Toll-Like Receptor 4/drug effects*
  3. Lee ZX, Ng KT, Ang E, Wang CY, Binti Shariffuddin II
    Int J Surg, 2020 Oct;82:192-199.
    PMID: 32871271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.08.034
    BACKGROUND: Studies have reported that general anesthesia (GA), especially volatile agents were associated with higher cancer recurrence rate after cancer resection surgery. However, the effect of supplementary regional anesthesia (RA) in reducing the use of anesthetic agents on oncological outcomes remains unclear. The primary aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the effect of adjunctive use of RA on the cancer recurrence rate in adults undergoing cancer resection surgery.

    METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were systematically searched for randomized control trials (RCTs) from its inception until April 2020.

    RESULTS: Six RCTs (n = 3139 patients) were included. In comparison to the GA alone, our meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in the cancer recurrence rate in patients who received the adjunctive use of RA in the routine care of GA (3 studies, n = 2380 patients; odds ratio 0.93, 95%CI 0.63-1.39, ρ = 0.73, certainty of evidence = very low). Our review also showed no significant difference in cancer-related mortality (2 studies, n = 545; odds ratio 1.20, 95%CI 0.83-1.74, ρ = 0.33, certainty of evidence = low), all-cause mortality (3 studies, n = 2653; odds ratio 0.98, 95%CI 0.69-1.39, ρ = 0.89, certainty of evidence = low) and duration of cancer-free survival (2 studies, n = 659; mean difference 0.00 years, 95%CI -0.25-0.25, ρ = 1.00, certainty of evidence = high).

    CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis concluded that the adjunctive use of RA in the routine care of GA did not reduce cancer recurrence rate in cancer resection surgery. However, this finding needs to be interpreted with caution due to low level of evidence, substantial heterogeneity and potential risk of bias across the included studies.

    STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020171368.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Anesthesia, Conduction*; Anesthesia, General/adverse effects*; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/epidemiology*; Neoplasms/mortality; Neoplasms/surgery*; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  4. Ng CX, Lee SH
    Curr Cancer Drug Targets, 2020;20(3):187-196.
    PMID: 31713495 DOI: 10.2174/1568009619666191111141032
    Peptides have acquired increasing interest as promising therapeutics, particularly as anticancer alternatives during recent years. They have been reported to demonstrate incredible anticancer potentials due to their low manufacturing cost, ease of synthesis and great specificity and selectivity. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the leading cause of cancer death globally, and the effectiveness of current liver treatment has turned out to be a critical issue in treating the disease efficiently. Hence, new interventions are being explored for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Anticancer peptides (ACPs) were first identified as part of the innate immune system of living organisms, demonstrating promising activity against infectious diseases. Differentiated beyond the traditional effort on endogenous human peptides, the discovery of peptide drugs has evolved to rely more on isolation from other natural sources or through the medicinal chemistry approach. Up to the present time, the pharmaceutical industry intends to conduct more clinical trials for the development of peptides as alternative therapy since peptides possess numerous advantages such as high selectivity and efficacy against cancers over normal tissues, as well as a broad spectrum of anticancer activity. In this review, we present an overview of the literature concerning peptide's physicochemical properties and describe the contemporary status of several anticancer peptides currently engaged in clinical trials for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use*; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy*; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism; Humans; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy*; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism; Neoplasm Proteins/immunology; Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism*; Peptide Fragments/therapeutic use*; Peptide Fragments/chemistry
  5. Harapan H, Wagner AL, Yufika A, Setiawan AM, Anwar S, Wahyuni S, et al.
    Vaccine, 2020 10 07;38(43):6800-6806.
    PMID: 32861468 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.08.034
    BACKGROUND: A clinical trial is ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a monkeypox vaccine among healthcare workers (HCWs). The critical question that needs to be addressed is whether HCWs are willing to accept and purchase this vaccine. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptance and willingness to pay (WTP) for the vaccine among HCWs.

    METHODS: From May to July 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted among registered general practitioners (GPs) in Indonesia. A contingent valuation method was employed to evaluate the WTP. Besides acceptance and WTP, various explanatory variables were also collected and assessed. A logistic regression and a multivariable linear regression were used to explore the explanatory variables influencing acceptance and WTP, respectively.

    RESULTS: Among 407 respondents, 391 (96.0%) expressed acceptance of a free vaccination. The mean and median WTP was US$ 37.0(95%CI:US$ 32.76-US$ 41.23) and US$ 17.90(95%CI:US$ 17.90-US$ 17.90), respectively. In an unadjusted analysis, those 30 years old or younger had 2.94 times greater odds of vaccine acceptance compared to those who were older (95%CI: 1.07-8.08). Location of alma mater, type of workplace, length of individual medical experience, and monthly income of GPs were all significantly associated with WTP.

    CONCLUSION: Although the vast majority of GPs would accept a freely provided vaccine, they were also somewhat price sensitive. This finding indicates that partial subsidy maybe required to achieve high vaccine coverage, particularly among GPs at community health centres or those with a shorter duration of medical practice.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Animals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Indonesia; Monkeypox virus; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vaccines*; Monkeypox*
  6. Mohd Khairuddin KA, Ahmad K, Mohd Ibrahim H, Yan Y
    J Voice, 2020 Aug 26.
    PMID: 32861565 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.07.036
    Facilitative playback-based subjective measures offer a more reliable evaluation of the vocal fold vibration than those derived from direct inspection of video playback. One of the measures is a Nyquist plot, which presents the analyzed cycle-to-cycle vibratory information in a graphical form. While the potential is evident, the information of the features of the Nyquist plot, which the evaluation is based on, is still incomplete. The current identified features and their vibratory behaviors may be inadequate to guarantee accurate interpretation of the findings. The present study aims to address this issue by examining the features of the Nyquist plot and their vibratory behaviors. A total of 56 young normophonic speakers, that is, 20 males and 36 females were recruited as the participants. Each of them underwent laryngeal high-speed videoendoscopy to record the images of the vocal fold vibration, which were then analyzed to generate the Nyquist plots. The features were identified by inspecting the properties of the plot points forming the Nyquist plots. For each identified feature, its vibratory behaviors were examined. The results revealed four features: rim contour depicting the longitudinal phase difference; left edge shape signifying the glottal configuration, phase closure, and closed phase duration; rim width and rim pattern visualizing the regularity of glottal areas and the regularity of the intracycle variations, respectively. The findings present a more complete reference of the features and their vibratory behaviors that is pertinent for the Nyquist plot interpretation.
    MeSH terms: Female; Glottis; Humans; Larynx; Male; Vibration; Vocal Cords
  7. Al-Yahya SN, Mohamed Akram MHH, Vijaya Kumar K, Mat Amin SNA, Abdul Malik NA, Mohd Zawawi NA, et al.
    J Voice, 2020 Aug 27.
    PMID: 32861567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.07.015
    OBJECTIVE: Maximum phonation time (MPT) is a test to measure glottic efficiency for laryngeal pathology screening and treatment monitoring. The normative value of MPT for South East Asia population has yet to be reported. It is postulated that MPT may be affected by body mass index (BMI) despite the paucity of evidence. Therefore, this study was designed to establish the normative value of MPT for a South East Asia population and investigate its relation to BMI.

    DESIGN & SETTING: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center between May and September 2017.

    PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Three hundred males and females with mean age of 30.23 (±11.04) years were recruited in equal number for each gender (n = 150) and divided into 3 groups of 50 according to their BMI (n = 50). The three groups are non-obese (BMI≤22.9kg/m2); obese (BMI between 23 and 34.9 kg/m2); and morbidly obese (BMI >35kg/m2). BMI and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) were obtained. The average of three readings of MPT was measured using a stopwatch while the participants phonate /a/, /i/ and /u/. Unpaired t-test and ANOVA were used to compare means between and across groups. Spearman correlation assessed the correlation between MPT and BMI.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The normative values of MPT of both genders and correlation with BMI were analyzed.

    RESULTS: The MPT normative values for males and females in the non-obese group were of 21.41 (±6.85) seconds and 18.05 (±5.06)seconds respectively for /a/. The MPT for all vowels were significantly higher in males across the BMI groups (P ≤ 0.05). There was low negative correlation between MPT and BMI in both genders.

    CONCLUSIONS: This pioneering study documented the normative values of MPT among Malaysians showed that males had longer MPT than females across the BMI groups. Obesity affects the MPT in that as BMI increases, the MPT decreases.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Glottis; Humans; Larynx; Malaysia; Male; Morbidity; Obesity, Morbid; Phonation; Body Mass Index; Young Adult
  8. Jawad AH, Abdulhameed AS, Malek NNA, ALOthman ZA
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2020 Dec 01;164:4218-4230.
    PMID: 32861784 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.201
    In current research work, chitosan (Chi) was subjected to subsequent physical and chemical modifications by incorporating kaolin clay (KA) into its polymeric structure, and crosslinking process with a covalent cross-linker namely epichlorohydrin (ECH) respectively. The final product of crosslinked chitosan-epichlorohydrin/kaolin (Chi-ECH/KA) composite was successfully applied for color removal and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction of textile dye namely reactive blue 19 dye (RB19) from aqueous environment. The influence of pertinent parameters, i.e. A: Chi-ECH/KA dose (0.02-0.1 g), B: pH (4-10), and C: time (5-30 min) on the RB19 color removal and COD reduction were statistically optimized by using response surface methodology with Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD). The experimental data of the adsorption kinetic and the adsorption isotherm demonstrated a better fitness to pseudo-second order model and Langmuir isotherm model respectively. Excellent absorption ability of 560.9 mg/g was recorded for Chi-ECH/KA composite. The calculated thermodynamic functions clarified that the RB19 adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous in nature. The mechanism of RB19 adsorption onto the Chi-ECH/KA may include electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, Yoshida H-bonding, and n-π interactions. This study introduces Chi-ECH/KA composite as an eco-friendly, potential and multi-function composite bio adsorbent for removal of textile dye and COD reduction from aqueous environment.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Coloring Agents/chemistry*; Epichlorohydrin/chemistry*; Kaolin/chemistry*; Kinetics; Spectrum Analysis; Thermogravimetry; Chitosan/chemistry*; Chemical Phenomena
  9. Chowdhury TS, Naser MF, Haque M
    Int J Mycobacteriol, 2020 8 31;9(3):248-253.
    PMID: 32862156 DOI: 10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_101_20
    Urinary bladder tuberculosis (UB-TB) is one of the gravest public health issues of renal TB, and it is diagnosed with <50% of urogenital TB. Unsatisfactory and delayed diagnosis with imprudent medications for bladder TB frequently resulted in several urinary and complications, including contraction of the UB. The objectives of this research were to build awareness among medical professionals and subsequently minimize the sufferings of patients. This was a case report-based study regarding UB-TB. All routine tests for cystitis were conducted. In addition, 24-h urine sample for TB identification, including a polymerase chain reaction test, was performed. Twenty-four hours of urine sample revealed confirmatory findings of TB. The patient had responded well with the national TB guideline-designated medication. Recurrent cystitis had a higher possibility of tuberculous origin. Medical doctors must rethink when a patient visited multiple times for cystitis for the etiology of the disease.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use; Bangladesh; Cystitis/diagnosis*; Cystitis/microbiology*; Humans; Male; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/genetics; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/isolation & purification; Recurrence; Tuberculosis, Urogenital/diagnosis*; Tuberculosis, Urogenital/drug therapy; Tuberculosis, Urogenital/urine; Delayed Diagnosis
  10. Mat Luwi NE, Kadir R, Mohamud R, A Garcia-Santana ML, Acevedo R, Sarmiento ME, et al.
    Int J Mycobacteriol, 2020 8 31;9(3):261-267.
    PMID: 32862158 DOI: 10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_82_20
    Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality due to infectious diseases. The development of new generation vaccines against TB is of paramount importance for the control of the disease. In previous studies, liposomes obtained from lipids of Mycobacterium smegmatis (LMs) demonstrated their immunogenicity and protective capacity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mice. To characterize the immunomodulatory capacity of this experimental vaccine candidate, in the current study, the stimulatory capacity of LMs was determined on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) from mice.

    Methods: LMs were obtained and incubated with mature BMDCs. The internalization of LMs by BMDCs was studied by confocal microscopy, and the LMs immune-stimulatory capacity was determined by the expression of surface molecules (CD86 and MHCII) and the cytokine production (interleukin [IL]-12, interferon-Υ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-10) 24 h after exposure to LMs.

    Results: The interaction of LMs with BMDCs and its internalization was demonstrated as well as the immune activation of BMDCs, characterized by the increased expression of CD86 and the production of IL-12. The LMs internalization and immune activation of BMDCs were blocked in the presence of cytochalasin, filipin III and chlorpromazine, which demonstrated that internalization of LMs by BMDCs is a key process for the LMs induced immune activation of BMDCs.

    Conclusions: The results obtained support the further evaluation of LMs as a mycobacterial vaccine, adjuvant, and in immunotherapy.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Bone Marrow Cells/immunology; Dendritic Cells/drug effects*; Dendritic Cells/immunology*; Lipids/immunology; Liposomes/pharmacology*; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Cytokines/immunology; Mycobacterium smegmatis/chemistry*; Mice
  11. Laghari M, Talpur BA, Syed Sulaiman SA, Khan AH, Bhatti Z
    Int J Mycobacteriol, 2020 8 31;9(3):281-288.
    PMID: 32862161 DOI: 10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_75_20
    Background: The frequency, severity, and the nature of anti-tuberculosis (TB)-induced adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have always been the matter of concern. The present study was, therefore, aimed to study the incidence, risk factors, and effect of anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) among TB children.

    Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in the Sindh province, Pakistan. A total of 508 TB children in multicenter hospitals under ATT were assessed for ADRs. Naranjo Causality Assessment and Hartwig's Severity Assessment Scale were used.

    Results: A total of 105 ADRs were reported in 67 (13.2%) of 508 patients. Gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequently observed ADRs (65.7%), followed by arthralgia (24.8%). Around 65 (61.9%) of ADRs were identified as probable and 78 (74.3%) as mild severe ADRs during the study. A total of four cases of mild hepatotoxicity were observed among children. On multivariate analysis, the independent variables which had statistically significant positive association with ADRs were female (OR; 2.66, P = 0.004), retreatment (OR; 22.32, P = ≤ 0.001), and absence of BCG scar (OR; 17.84, P = 0.001).

    Conclusions: The finding of the current study suggests that close monitoring of females, patients with previous TB treatment, and those without BCG is warranted at the study site.

    MeSH terms: Antitubercular Agents/adverse effects*; Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use; Child; Female; Humans; Liver/drug effects; Liver/pathology; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Pakistan; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Tuberculosis/drug therapy*; Incidence
  12. Abdul Hamid MF, Rajandiran SR, Yu-Lin AB, Sapuan J
    Int J Mycobacteriol, 2020 8 31;9(3):325-328.
    PMID: 32862171 DOI: 10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_97_20
    Tuberculosis (TB) is the most prevalent infectious disease in Southeast Asia. It causes both pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases. TB of the wrist is rare and presents as osteomyelitis or tenosynovitis. We report a middle-aged male with carpal bone tuberculous osteomyelitis. He presented with left wrist pain initially treated as gouty arthritis. Within 2 weeks, he developed seropurulent discharge with osteomyelitic changes on imaging. He underwent debridement, and intraoperatively, there was destruction of most carpal bones. Histopathological examination revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation with abscess formation. Anti-TB medication was initiated, and he made a complete recovery with almost full range of wrist movement after 9 months of treatment. This case serves as a reminder that TB is a great mimicker, and a high index of suspicion is required to make a diagnosis of TB of the wrist. Early initiation of anti-TB is pivotal to prevent complications and deterioration of joint functions.
    MeSH terms: Abscess; Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use; Carpal Bones/microbiology*; Carpal Bones/pathology*; Histological Techniques; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Osteomyelitis/diagnosis; Osteomyelitis/microbiology*; Osteomyelitis/surgery; Radiography; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular/drug therapy; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular/microbiology; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular/surgery; Wrist/microbiology; Wrist/pathology; Arthritis, Gouty/pathology*; Treatment Outcome
  13. Chong MY, Gu B, Chan BT, Ong ZC, Xu XY, Lim E
    Int J Numer Method Biomed Eng, 2020 12;36(12):e3399.
    PMID: 32862487 DOI: 10.1002/cnm.3399
    A monolithic, fully coupled fluid-structure interaction (FSI) computational framework was developed to account for dissection flap motion in acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD). Analysis of results included wall deformation, pressure, flow, wall shear stress (WSS), von Mises stress and comparison of hemodynamics between rigid wall and FSI models. Our FSI model mimicked realistic wall deformation that resulted in maximum compression of the distal true lumen (TL) by 21.4%. The substantial movement of intimal flap mostly affected flow conditions in the false lumen (FL). Flap motion facilitated more flow entering the FL at peak systole, with the TL to FL flow split changing from 88:12 in the rigid model to 83:17 in the FSI model. There was more disturbed flow in the FL during systole (5.8% FSI vs 5.2% rigid) and diastole (13.5% FSI vs 9.8% rigid), via a λ2 -criterion. The flap-induced disturbed flow near the tears in the FSI model caused an increase of local WSS by up to 70.0% during diastole. This resulted in a significant reduction in the size of low time-averaged WSS (TAWSS) regions in the FL (113.11 cm2 FSI vs 177.44 cm2 rigid). Moreover, the FSI model predicted lower systolic pressure, higher diastolic pressure, and hence lower pulse pressure. Our results provided new insights into the possible impact of flap motion on flow in aortic dissections, which are particularly important when evaluating hemodynamics of acute TBAD. NOVELTY STATEMENT: Our monolithic fully coupled FSI computational framework is able to reproduce experimentally measured range of flap deformation in aortic dissection, thereby providing novel insights into the influence of physiological flap motion on the flow and pressure distributions. The drastic flap movement increases the flow resistance in the true lumen and causes more disturbed flow in the false lumen, as visualized through the λ2 criterion. The flap-induced luminal pressure is dampened, thereby affecting pressure measures, which may serve as potential prognostic indicators for late complications in acute uncomplicated TBAD patients.
    MeSH terms: Aneurysm, Dissecting*; Computer Simulation; Hemodynamics; Humans; Models, Cardiovascular*; Stress, Mechanical
  14. Ibraheem F, Ahmad M, Ashfaq UA, Aslam S, Khan ZA, Sultan S
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2020 Mar;33(2(Supplementary)):847-854.
    PMID: 32863261
    Pyrazoline and benzimidazoles derivatives have been widely studied due to their potential applications in the medicinal field. In this research project, we have hybridized these two heterocyclic systems in the same molecule. A new series of compounds, 2-((3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (5a-i) were synthesized through a multistep reaction. In the first step, chalcones 3a-i were prepared by coupling of various acetophenones and benzaldehydes under alkaline conditions. These chalcones were cyclized with hydrazine hydrate to form a series of pyrazolines which were finally coupled with 2-chloromethyl-1H-benzimidazole to get a new series of titled hybrid molecules. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectral (1H NMR and 13C NMR) analysis. The anti-diabetic potential of these compounds was studied by screening them for their α-glucosidase inhibition activity. The SAR was established through molecular docking analysis. Compound 5d appeared as effective inhibitor with IC50 = 50.06μM as compared to reference drug (acarbose) having IC50 = 58.8μM.
    MeSH terms: Benzaldehydes/chemical synthesis; Benzaldehydes/pharmacology; Benzimidazoles/chemical synthesis*; Benzimidazoles/pharmacology*; Hydrazines/chemical synthesis; Hydrazines/pharmacology; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology*; Hypoglycemic Agents/chemistry*; Pyrazoles/chemical synthesis*; Pyrazoles/pharmacology*; Structure-Activity Relationship; Chalcones/chemical synthesis; Chalcones/pharmacology; Molecular Docking Simulation/methods
  15. Walayat K, Ahmad M, Rasul A, Aslam S, Anjum MN, Sultan S, et al.
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2020 Mar;33(2(Supplementary)):855-860.
    PMID: 32863262
    The drug resistance phenomenon in microbes is resulting in the ineffectiveness of available drugs to treat the infections. Thus, there is a continued need to discover new molecules to combat the drug resistance phenomenon. Norfloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that is used for the treatment of urinary tract infections. In this research work, norfloxacin is structurally modified by hybridizing with a range of substituted acetohydrazidic moieties through a multistep reaction. The first step involves the coupling of norfloxacin 1 with methyl chloroacetate followed by the treatment with hydrazine hydrate to result in corresponding acetohydrazide 3. A range of substituted benzaldehydes were reacted with the acetohydrazide to form the targeted series of norfloxacin derivatives 4a-i. The final compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity. Among the tested compounds, 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f displayed better antifungal activity against F.avenaceum, while compound 4c and 4e were active against F. bubigeum.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemical synthesis*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Antifungal Agents/chemical synthesis; Antifungal Agents/pharmacology; Benzaldehydes/chemistry; Fungi/drug effects; Hydrazines/chemical synthesis*; Hydrazines/pharmacology*; Hydrazines/chemistry; Norfloxacin/chemical synthesis*; Norfloxacin/pharmacology*; Structure-Activity Relationship
  16. Aziz-Ur-Rehman -, Khan SG, Bokhari TH, Anjum F, Akhter N, Rasool S, et al.
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2020 Mar;33(2(Supplementary)):871-876.
    PMID: 32863264
    A novel series of 5-(3-Chlorophenyl)-2-((N-(substituted)-2-acetamoyl)sulfanyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives was efficiently synthesized and screened for antibacterial, hemolytic and thrombolytic activities. The molecule 7c remained the best inhibitor of all selected bacterial strains and furthermore possessed very low toxicity, 8.52±0.31. Compound 7a 7b and 7f showed very good thrombolytic activity relative to Streptokinase employed as reference drug. In addition to low toxicity and moderately good thrombolytic activity, the synthesized compounds possessed excellent to moderate antibacterial activity, relative to ciprofloxacin. All compounds especially 7b and 7f can be consider for further clinical studies and might be helpful in synthesis of new drugs for treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry*; Bacteria/drug effects; Ciprofloxacin/pharmacology; Fibrinolytic Agents/pharmacology*; Fibrinolytic Agents/chemistry*; Hemolysis/drug effects*; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods; Oxadiazoles/pharmacology*; Oxadiazoles/chemistry*
  17. Mahmoudi MR, Baleanu D, Mansor Z, Tuan BA, Pho KH
    Chaos Solitons Fractals, 2020 Nov;140:110230.
    PMID: 32863611 DOI: 10.1016/j.chaos.2020.110230
    The numbers of confirmed cases of new coronavirus (Covid-19) are increased daily in different countries. To determine the policies and plans, the study of the relations between the distributions of the spread of this virus in other countries is critical. In this work, the distributions of the spread of Covid-19 in Unites States America, Spain, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, France, and Iran were compared and clustered using fuzzy clustering technique. At first, the time series of Covid-19 datasets in selected countries were considered. Then, the relation between spread of Covid-19 and population's size was studied using Pearson correlation. The effect of the population's size was eliminated by rescaling the Covid-19 datasets based on the population's size of USA. Finally, the rescaled Covid-19 datasets of the countries were clustered using fuzzy clustering. The results of Pearson correlation indicated that there were positive and significant between total confirmed cases, total dead cases and population's size of the countries. The clustering results indicated that the distribution of spreading in Spain and Italy was approximately similar and differed from other countries.
  18. Nair AK, Haranal M, Elkhatim IM, Dillon J, Hew CC, Sivalingam S
    Ann Pediatr Cardiol, 2020 06 23;13(3):212-219.
    PMID: 32863656 DOI: 10.4103/apc.APC_111_19
    Background: Absent pulmonary valve syndrome (APVS) is a variant of tetralogy of Fallot characterized by aneurysmal pulmonary arteries, which compresses the tracheobronchial tree, leading to respiratory symptoms. We report the mid-term outcomes of surgical correction of patients with APVS.

    Subject and Methods: A total of 27 patients underwent surgery between 2001 and 2015, and they were followed up for a mean period of 6.4 ± 4.1 years. Out of the 27 patients, 14 (51.9%) were infants. The median age at repair was 9.8 months. Preoperative intubation was required in six patients (22.2%), and 11 patients (40.7%) had symptoms of respiratory distress. The pulmonary valve was replaced with a valved conduit in 15 patients (55.6%), monocusp valve in 6 patients (22.2%), and a transannular patch in 6 patients (22.2%). Reduction pulmonary arterioplasty was done in all patients.

    Results: The overall 10-year survival was 82.1%. There was 81.1% overall freedom from re-intervention at 10 years. No statistically significant difference was found in 10-year survival (P = 0.464) and reoperation rates (P = 0.129) between valved conduit, monocusp, or transannular patch techniques. Older children had statistically significantly longer survival (P = 0.039) and freedom from re-intervention (P = 0.016) compared to infants. Patients without respiratory complications had 100% 10-year survival and 93.3% freedom from reoperation at 10 years compared to 55.6% and 60.1%, respectively, for patients with respiratory complications.

    Conclusion: There has been improvement in surgical results for APVS over the years. However, it still remains a challenge to manage infants and patients with persistent respiratory problems.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Child; Freedom; Humans; Infant; Intubation, Intratracheal; Pulmonary Artery; Pulmonary Circulation; Pulmonary Valve; Reoperation; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult; Tetralogy of Fallot; Vascular Surgical Procedures; Pulmonary Atresia; Second-Look Surgery
  19. Pannell CM, Schnitzler J, Muellner-Riehl AN
    PhytoKeys, 2020;155:33-51.
    PMID: 32863723 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.155.53833
    Two new species of Aglaia from Indonesia are described, Aglaia monocaula restricted to West Papua, and Aglaia nyaruensis occurring on Borneo (Kalimantan, Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak). A phylogenetic analysis using nuclear ITS and ETS, and plastid rps15-ycf1 sequence data indicates that the two new species of Aglaia are also genetically distinct. Aglaia monocaula belongs to sectionAmoora, while A. nyaruensis is included in section Aglaia. A dichotomous key, drawings and three-locus DNA barcodes are provided as aids for the identification of the two new species of Aglaia. In addition, the geographic range of Aglaia mackiana (section Amoora) is expanded from a single previously known site in Papua New Guinea to West Papua, Indonesia.
  20. Shekh Ibrahim SA, Hamzah N, Abdul Wahab AR, Abdullah JM, Nurul Hashimah Ahamed Hassain Malim, Sumari P, et al.
    Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Jul;27(4):1-8.
    PMID: 32863741 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.4.1
    Universiti Sains Malaysia has started the Big Brain Data Initiative project since the last two years as brain mapping techniques have proven to be important in understanding the molecular, cellular and functional mechanisms of the brain. This Big Brain Data Initiative can be a platform for neurophysicians and neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, cognitive neuroscientists, neurotechnologists and other researchers to improve brain mapping techniques. Data collection from a cohort of multiracial population in Malaysia is important for present and future research and finding cure for neurological and mental illness. Malaysia is one of the participant of the Global Brain Consortium (GBC) supported by the World Health Organization. This project is a part of its contribution via the third GBC goal which is influencing the policy process within and between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries, such as pathways for fair data-sharing of multi-modal imaging data, starting with electroencephalographic data.
    MeSH terms: Neurosurgeons; Brain; Brain Mapping; Cognition; Developing Countries; Electroencephalography; Goals; Humans; Malaysia; Psychiatry; World Health Organization; Cohort Studies; Developed Countries; Multimodal Imaging
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