Browse publications by year: 2020

  1. Idris MI, Tai SML, Tan CT, Tan KS
    Case Rep Neurol, 2020 12 14;12(Suppl 1):106-109.
    PMID: 33505281 DOI: 10.1159/000500950
    Streptococcus pneumoniae are Gram-positive bacteria that are responsible for many types of illnesses including pneumonia, sinus infections, and community-acquired meningitis. One important complication of bacterial meningitis is intracranial vasculopathy. Possible etiologies include vasculitis, vasospasm, endocarditis, or intra-arterial thrombosis. We present a case report of S. pneumoniae meningitis treated with antibiotics in which clinical improvement correlated with serial transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) improvement, suggesting vasospasm or vasculitis as a possible mechanism for intracranial vasculopathy.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Endocarditis; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Pneumonia; Sinusitis; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Thrombosis; Vasculitis; Meningitis, Bacterial; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
  2. Tai MS, Sia SF, Kadir KAA, Idris MI, Tan KS
    Case Rep Neurol, 2020 12 14;12(Suppl 1):149-155.
    PMID: 33505287 DOI: 10.1159/000501069
    Background: Coughing due to respiratory tract infections may lead to internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection.

    Aim: We are presenting a patient with an unusual cough-induced ICA dissection.

    Case Report: A 42-year-old health care worker presented with bilateral hand numbness which resolved spontaneously. This initial episode was followed 9 days later with intermittent episodes of right hand and leg weakness with speech difficulty. Two days later, he had another episode of speech difficulty. One week prior to the first presentation, he had upper respiratory tract infection with ongoing strong bouts of coughing. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the brain showed early ischaemic changes at the left frontal and left parietal regions. MR angiography (MRA) showed high signal intensity at the left proximal ICA and poor flow beyond the left carotid bulb. Cerebral angiography revealed left ICA dissection.

    Conclusion: Proper identification of cough-induced extracranial ICA dissection is important because this is treatable.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Brain; Carotid Artery, Internal; Cerebral Angiography; Cough; Dissection; Hand; Health Personnel; Humans; Hypesthesia; Leg; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Parietal Lobe; Respiratory Tract Infections; Speech; Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  3. Israfil SMH, Sarker MMR, Rashid PT, Talukder AA, Kawsar KA, Khan F, et al.
    Front Public Health, 2020;8:567395.
    PMID: 33505949 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.567395
    Clinical characteristics are essential for the correct diagnosis of diseases. The current review aimed to summarize the global clinical characteristics of the COVID-19 patients systematically and identify their diagnostic challenges to help the medical practitioners properly diagnose and for better management of COVID-19 patients. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases for original articles containing clinical information of COVID-19 published up to 7th May 2020. Two researchers independently searched the databases to extract eligible articles. A total of 34 studies from 8 different countries with 10889 case-patients were included for clinical characteristics. The most common clinical symptoms were cough 59.6, fever 46.9, fatigue 27.8, and dyspnea 20.23%. The prominent laboratory findings were lymphocytopenia 55.9, elevated levels of CRP 61.9, aspartate aminotransferase 53.3, LDH 40.8, ESR 72.99, serum ferritin 63, IL-6 52, and prothrombin time 35.47%, and decreased levels of platelets 17.26, eosinophils 59.0, hemoglobin 29, and albumin 38.4%. CT scan of the chest showed an abnormality in 93.50% cases with bilateral lungs 71.1%, ground-glass opacity 48%, lesion in lungs 78.3%, and enlargement of lymph node 50.7%. Common comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. The estimated median incubation period was 5.36 days, and the overall case fatality rate was 16.9% (Global case fatality outside China was 22.24%: USA 21.24%, Italy 25.61%, and others 0%; whereas the case fatality inside the Hubei Province of China was found to be 11.71%). Global features on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 obtained from laboratory tests and CT scan results will provide useful information to the physicians to diagnose the disease and for better management of the patients as well as to address the diagnostic challenges to control the infection.
    MeSH terms: Cough/etiology*; Dyspnea/etiology; Fatigue/etiology*; Fever/etiology*; Humans; Lymphopenia/blood; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Global Health; Comorbidity
  4. Arthur D, Foong A, McMaster R, Cleary M
    Issues Ment Health Nurs, 2020 Mar;41(3):261-264.
    PMID: 31917620 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2019.1701931
    MeSH terms: Australia; Humans; Japan; Malaysia; Mental Health*; Mental Health Services/organization & administration*; Pakistan; Psychiatric Nursing/organization & administration*
  5. Anandan V, Goh TC, Zamri KS
    Cureus, 2020 Dec 23;12(12):e12243.
    PMID: 33500862 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.12243
    Objective To compare long-term functional results of ACL reconstruction with a single bundle (SB) and double bundle (DB). Methods Sixty patients who underwent ACL reconstructions from January 2007 to December 2008 were retrospectively evaluated (30 SB and 30 DB ACL reconstructions). Clinical and functional outcomes were measured pre- and postoperatively in terms of anterior drawer test, Lachman's test, pivot shift test, KT1000 side-to-side difference, range of motion, International Knee Documentation Committee Scoring, Lysholm knee scoring scale (LKS), and Tegner activity level scale. The period of follow-up was 10 years. Results Clinical outcome measured showed that anterior drawer test result were equally normal for both groups (93.3%; p > 0.995); however, the Lachman test was 76.7% in the DB group and 56.7% in the SB group (p > 0.100), the pivot shift was 83% in the DB group and 50% in the SB group (p < 0.001), and KT1000 was 76.7% in the DB group and 56.7% in the SB group (p > 0.100). Regarding the functional outcome, it favored the DB group of patients, with the LKS being statistically significant (p < 0.007) and the Tegner activity level scale p-value being <0.001 Conclusions DB ACL reconstruction produces better rotational stability and gives superior functional outcome in terms of return to pre-injury activity level in comparison to SB reconstruction. DB ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft produces better functional results at 10 years follow-up.
    MeSH terms: Documentation; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Knee Joint; Physical Examination; Retrospective Studies; Range of Motion, Articular; Autografts; Lysholm Knee Score; Hamstring Tendons
  6. Barki N, Choudhry FR, Munawar K
    PMID: 33500886 DOI: 10.47176/mjiri.34.159
    Background: The construct of satisfaction with life has been studied across various cultures through the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) has been validated across several populations and languages. There are no published psychometric properties of its Urdu version. Hence, the aim of this study was to ascertain the psychometric properties of the Urdu version of the SWLS among the Urdu speaking population of Pakistan. Methods: The SWLS has already been translated into Urdu, and the Urdu version is available on the author's website however there is no information about its psychometric properties. To establish the psychometric properties especially the factor structure of the already translated Urdu SWLS, the SWLS-Urdu was administered to Urdu speaking population residing in Pakistan. The statistical analyses (i.e., normality through skewness and kurtosis, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett's test of sphericity, and test and re-test reliability) were conducted through SPSS version 25.0. Structure Equation Modelling via maximum likelihood method of estimation was used to perform confirmatory factor analysis on the data using AMOS 20.0. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The study was completed by recruiting 120 participants from different universities in Lahore, Pakistan. The sample was equally divided between male and female participants. The mean age of participants was 22.7(3.6) years. Test of the adequacy of the sample through Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin showed KMO=0.88 and Bartlett's test of sphericity (p<0.001). The Cronbach's alpha reliability of the scale was 0.90 and Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed a one-factor model as a good fit with strong statistical evidence. No factorial group variances were noticed in male and female participants. Conclusion: This study shows that Urdu SWLS has sound psychometric properties, is linguistically and culturally acceptable, and equally useful in assessing satisfaction with life in the Urdu speaking population.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Biometry; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Humans; Language; Linguistics; Male; Pakistan; Personal Satisfaction; Psychometrics; Translating; Universities; Reproducibility of Results; Likelihood Functions; Young Adult
  7. Fang QJ, Liu JJ, Wan YG, Liu BH, Tu Y, Wu W, et al.
    Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi, 2020 Dec;45(24):6003-6011.
    PMID: 33496141 DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20200709.401
    Fucoidan(FPS) is an effective component of the Chinese patent medicine named Haikun Shenxi, which treats schronic renal failure in clinics, and has the potential anti-aging effects. However, it is still unclear whether FPS can improve renal aging, especially the molecular mechanism of its anti-aging. The human proximal renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2) in vitro were divided into normal group(N), D-gal model group(D), low dose of FPS group(L-FPS), high dose of FPS group(H-FPS) and vitamin E group(VE), and treated by the different measures, respectively. More specifically, the HK-2 cells in each group were separately treated by 1 mL of 1% fetal bovine serum(FBS) or D-galactose(D-gal, 75 mmol·L~(-1)) or D-gal(75 mmol·L~(-1))+FPS(25 μg·mL~(-1)) or D-gal(75 mmol·L~(-1))+FPS(50 μg·mL~(-1)) or D-gal(75 mmol·L~(-1))+VE(50 μg·mL~(-1)). After the treatment for 24 h, firstly, the effects of D-gal on senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal) staining characteristics and klotho, P53 and P21 protein expression le-vels, as well as adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase(AMPK)-uncoordinated 51-like kinase 1(ULK1) signaling pathway activation in the HK-2 cells were detected, respectively. Secondly, the effects of FPS and VE on SA-β-gal staining characteristics and klotho, P53 and P21 protein expression levels in the HK-2 cells exposed to D-gal were investigated, respectively. Finally, the effects of FPS and VE on microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3) protein expression level and AMPK-ULK1 signaling pathway activation in the HK-2 cells exposed to D-gal were examined severally. The results indicated that, for the HK-2 cells, the dose of 75 mmol·L~(-1) D-gal could induce the changes of SA-β-gal staining characteristics and klotho, P53 and P21 protein expression levels. That is causing cells aging. FPS and VE could both ameliorate the changes of SA-β-gal staining characteristics and klotho, P53 and P21 protein expression levels in the HK-2 cells exposed to D-gal. That is anti-cells aging, here, the functions of FPS and VE are similar. D-gal could not only induce cell aging but also increase LC3Ⅱ, phosphorylated-AMPK(p-AMPK) and phosphorylated-ULK1(p-ULK1) protein expressions, and activate autophagy-related AMPK-ULK1 signaling pathway. FPS and VE could both improve the changes of LC3Ⅱ, p-AMPK and p-ULK1 protein expression levels in the HK-2 cells exposed to D-gal. That is inhibiting autophagy-related AMPK-ULK1 signaling pathway activation. On the whole, for the human proximal renal tubular epithelial cells aging models induced by D-gal, FPS similar to VE, can ameliorate renal cells aging by possibly inhibiting autophagy-related AMPK-ULK1 signaling pathway activation. This finding provides the preliminary pharmacologic evidences for FPS protecting against renal aging.
    MeSH terms: Aging; Autophagy*; Epithelial Cells; Humans; Polysaccharides; Signal Transduction*
  8. Wong, C. W., Leow, R. K. S., Lim, W. Y., Siew, Z. Z.
    MyJurnal
    The present work was undertaken to investigate the effect of different packaging materials, namely polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and aluminium laminated polyethylene (ALP) on the physicochemical properties and microbiological stability of spray-dried honey jackfruit powder over seven weeks of storage at 38 ± 2°C and 90% relative humidity. The moisture content of honey jackfruit powder packaged in PET was doubled (12.32%) than of those packaged in ALP (5.31%). The water activity (aw) of the powders were lower than 0.6 for both packaging materials, thus considered shelf-stable. Hygroscopicity increased up to 42.44 and 39.84% for powder packaged in PET and ALP, respectively. The angle of repose for powders flowability increased to 19° (ALP) and 28° (PET), which indicated that the powders flowabili- ty significantly decreased upon storage. The degree of caking for powder packaged in ALP (43.69%) was much less severe than that of PET (84.51%). Powder packaged in ALP showed good solubility (81.07 - 99.01%) and satisfactory microbiological results (< log 2.58 CFU/g). The results recommended that ALP packaging was better suited for keeping spray-dried honey jackfruit powder.
    MeSH terms: Aluminum; Drug Packaging; Honey; Humidity; Polyethylene Terephthalates; Powders; Solubility; Water; Wettability; Polyethylene; Artocarpus; Physical Phenomena
  9. How, Y. H., Ewe, J. A., Song, K. P., Kuan, C. H., Kuan, C. S., Yeo, S. K.
    MyJurnal
    The present work aimed to determine the antagonistic effect of probiotic-fermented soy against oral pathogens. Indigenous oral probiotics (Streptococcus salivarius Taylor’s Univer- sity Collection Centre (TUCC) 1251, S. salivarius TUCC 1253, S. salivarius TUCC 1254, S. salivarius TUCC 1255, and S. orisratti TUCC 1253) were incorporated into soy fermentation at 37°C for 24 h. Growth characteristics, β-glucosidase activity, and total isoflavones content of Streptococcus strains following soy fermentation were analysed. Antimicrobial test of Streptococcus-fermented soy was carried out against oral pathogens Enterococcus faecalis American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 700802, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Streptococcus strains showed a significant increase in growth following soy fermentation. S. salivarius TUCC 1253-fermented soy showed signif- icantly higher extracellular β-glucosidase activity and amount of aglycones. S. salivarius TUCC 1253-fermented soy showed antimicrobial effect against all oral tested pathogens in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. These results showed that S. salivarius TUCC 1253-fermented soy could potentially be used as a preventive action or alternative treatment for oral infections.

    MeSH terms: Anaerobiosis; Anti-Infective Agents; Biological Phenomena; Fermentation; Isoflavones; Mouth Diseases; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Enterococcus faecalis; Streptococcus pyogenes; United States; Probiotics; Cellulases; Streptococcus salivarius
  10. Sajjan MCS, Eachempati P, Dhall RS, Fulari D, Shigli K, Soe HHK
    J Indian Prosthodont Soc, 2020;20(4):402-408.
    PMID: 33487968 DOI: 10.4103/jips.jips_313_20
    AIM: A variety of anthropometric techniques have been proposed to determine the correct vertical dimension of occlusion. However, none have reported correlating thumb length (TL) with vertical dimension at rest (VDR). This study aimed to correlate the VDR to measurements of the thumb in a multi-national, multi-centric trial in participants with and without orthodontic treatment and establish a regression equation for each region.

    SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional multi-national, multi-centric correlation trial.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in India and Malaysia with a total of 688 participants. Measurements of thumb and VDR were obtained using a modified Willi's gauge using a standard operating procedure.

    STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the correlation between TL and VDR. A multiple linear regression was done to correlate VDR from gender, orthodontic treatment, and length of thumb.

    RESULTS: Correlation coefficient between TL and VDR in patients with orthodontic treatment was 0.829 and 0.774 in patients without orthodontic treatment. The correlation between TL and VDR in patients with orthodontic treatment in North India was 0.484, P = 0.010 and Malaysia was 0.946, P < 0.001. There were significant correlations between TL and VDR in patients without orthodontic treatment in all regions (P < 0.001). Regression equations were obtained for different ethnic groups for calculating the VDR.

    CONCLUSION: There was an overall positive correlation between TL and VDR in patients with and without orthodontic treatment. The regression equations presented in this article could help clinicians in their clinical practice and researchers to conduct future trials.

  11. Zaharani L, Ghaffari Khaligh N, Shahnavaz Z, Rafie Johan M
    Turk J Chem, 2020;44(3):535-542.
    PMID: 33488175 DOI: 10.3906/kim-2002-26
    In the current protocol, the arene diazonium saccharin derivatives were initially produced from various substituted aromatic amines; subsequently, these intermediates were treated with a greener organic iodide for the preparation of the aryl iodide. We tried to choose low-cost, commercially available, biodegradable, recoverable, ecofriendly, and safe reagents and solvents. The arene diazonium saccharin intermediates could be stored in the liquid phase into a refrigerator for a long time with no significant loss activity. The outstanding merits of the current protocol (a) included the partial recovering of saccharin and tetraethylammonium salt, (b) reduce the use of solvents and the reaction steps due to eliminating separation and purification of intermediates, (c) good yield of the sterically hindered substrates, and (d) avoid the generation of heavy metal or corrosive waste.
    MeSH terms: Amines; Caustics; Family Characteristics; Indicators and Reagents; Iodides; Saccharin; Sodium Chloride; Solvents; Sodium Chloride, Dietary; Metals, Heavy; Tetraethylammonium
  12. Ghaffari Khaligh N, Mihankhah T, Titinchi S, Shahnavaz Z, Rafie Johan M
    Turk J Chem, 2020;44(4):1100-1109.
    PMID: 33488215 DOI: 10.3906/kim-2005-6
    This work introduces a new additive named 4,4'-trimethylenedipiperidine for the practical and ecofriendly preparation of ethyl 5-amino-7-(4-phenyl)-4,7-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate derivatives. This chemical is commercially available and easy to handle. It also possesses a low melting point and a broad liquid range temperature, high thermal stability, and good solubility in water. Based on green chemistry principles, the reaction was performed in a) a mixture of green solvents i.e. water and ethanol (1:1 v/v) at reflux temperature, and b) the additive was liquefied at 65 °C and the reaction was conducted in the liquid state of the additive. High yields of the desired triazolo-pyrimidines were obtained under both aforementioned conditions. Our results demonstrated that this additive, containing 2 Lewis base sites and able to act as an acceptor-donor hydrogen bonding group, is a novel and efficient alternative to piperidine, owing to its unique properties such as its reduced toxicity, nonflammable nature, nonvolatile state, broad liquid range temperature, high thermal stability, and ability to be safely handled. Furthermore, this additive could be completely recovered and exhibited high recyclability without any change in its chemical structure and no significant reduction in its activity. The current methodology has several advantages: (a) it avoids the use of hazardous materials, as well as toxic, volatile, and flammable solvents, (b) it does not entail tedious processes, harsh conditions, and the multistep preparation of catalysts, (c) it uses a metal-free and noncorrosive catalyst, and (d) reduces the generation of hazardous waste and simple work-up processes. The most important result of this study is that 4,4'-trimethylenedipiperidine can be a promising alternative for toxic, volatile, and flammable base reagents in organic synthesis owing to its unique properties.
    MeSH terms: Ethanol; Catalysis; Esophagitis, Peptic; Family Characteristics; Hazardous Waste; Hydrogen Bonding; Indicators and Reagents; Piperidines; Pyrimidines; Solubility; Solvents; Temperature; Water; Hazardous Substances; Lewis Bases; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic
  13. Ravi Kumar G, Dasireddy CR, Varala R, Kotra V, Bollikolla HB
    Turk J Chem, 2020;44(5):1386-1394.
    PMID: 33488238 DOI: 10.3906/kim-2003-10
    A series of nine methyl sulphones ( 3a -3 i ) starting from the aldehydes ( 1a-1i ) were synthesized in two consecutive steps. In the first step, preparation of allyl alcohols ( 2a-2i ) from their corresponding aldehydes by the reaction of sodium borohydride in methanol at room temperature is reported. Finally, methyl sulphones are synthesized by condensing sodium methyl sulfinates with allyl alcohols in the presence of BF 3 .Et 2 O in acetic acid medium at room temperature for about 2-3 h. The reaction conditions are simple, yields are high (85%-95%), and the products were obtained with good purity. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by their 1 H, 13 C NMR, and mass spectral analysis. All the title compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity. Among the compounds tested, the compound 3f has inhibited both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria effectively and compound 3i has shown potent antifungal activity. These promising components may help to develop more potent drugs in the near future for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.
    MeSH terms: Methanol; Aldehydes; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antifungal Agents; Bacteria; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Mycoses; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Sodium; Sulfones; Temperature; Acetic Acid
  14. Maryam M, Tan SL, Crouse KA, Mohamed Tahir MI, Chee HY
    Turk J Chem, 2020;44(5):1395-1409.
    PMID: 33488239 DOI: 10.3906/kim-2006-22
    A series of Schiff bases have been successfully synthesized through the acid-catalyzed condensation of S-substituted dithiocarbazates and three enantiomerically pure monoterpenes, (1 R )-(+)-camphor, (1 S )-(-)-camphor, (1 R )-(-)-camphorquinone, (1 S )-(+)-camphorquinone, ( R )-(-)-carvone and ( S )-(+)-carvone. Spectroscopic results revealed that the Schiff bases containing camphor or carvone likely adopted an E -configuration along the characteristic imine bond while those containing camphorquinone assumed a Z -configuration. The antidengue potential of these compounds was evaluated based on DENV 2 caused cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction-based in vitro evaluation. The compounds were validated through secondary foci forming unit reduction assay (FFURA). Compounds were also tested for their cytotoxicity against Vero cells. The compounds showed variable degrees of antiviral activity with the camphor compounds displaying the highest antidengue potential. The enantiomers of the compounds behaved almost similarly during the antiviral evaluation.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Camphor; Catalysis; Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; Imines; Schiff Bases; Spectrum Analysis; Stereoisomerism; Vero Cells; Monoterpenes
  15. Rasool N, Ikram HM, Rashid A, Afzal N, Hashmi MA, Khan MN, et al.
    Turk J Chem, 2020;44(5):1410-1422.
    PMID: 33488240 DOI: 10.3906/kim-1911-51
    In the current research work, a facile synthesis of a series of novel thiophene-based derivatives of 5-bromothiophene-2-carboxylic acid ( 1 ) have been synthesized. All analogs ( 5a - 5e , 10a - 10f ) were obtained from the coupling reaction of 5-bromothiophene-2-carboxylic acid ( 1 ) and different arylboronic acids with moderate-to-good yields under controlled and optimal conditions. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were characterized through spectral analysis and their spasmolytic activity, and most of the compounds exhibited potentially good spasmolytic effect. Among the synthesized analogs, compound phenethyl 5-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate ( 10d ) particular showed an excellent spasmolytic effect with an EC 50 value of 1.26. All of the compounds were also studied for their structural and electronic properties by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Through detailed insight into frontier molecular orbitals of the compounds and their different reactivity descriptors, it was found that the compounds 10c and 5c are the most reactive, while 10a is the most stable in the series. Furthermore, compounds 10c and 5c showed a very good NLO response with the highest β values.
    MeSH terms: Carboxylic Acids; Electronics; Parasympatholytics; Thiophenes
  16. Che Soh N', Rapi HS, Mohd Azam NS, Santhanam RK, Assaw S, Haron MN, et al.
    PMID: 33488747 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6688084
    Diopatra claparedii which is colloquially known as Ruat Sarung can be found along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The species has a unique ability to regenerate anterior and posterior segments upon self-amputation or injury, thus having potential as a wound healing promoter. In this study, the wound healing potential of D. claparedii aqueous extract on acute wound model in rats was revealed for the first time. Various concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0% w/w) of D. claparedii ointment were formulated and tested on Sprague Dawley rats through topical application on full-thickness skin wounds for 14 days. The wound healing effects were investigated via behaviour observation, wound contraction, and histopathological analysis. Quality assessment was performed via skin irritation test, microbial contamination test (MCT), and heavy metal detection. The study also included test for antibacterial activities and detection of bioactive compounds in D. claparedii. One percent of D. claparedii ointment showed rapid wound healing potential with good soothing effects and more collagen deposition in comparison to the commercial wound healing ointments such as acriflavine (0.1% w/v) and traditional ointment gamat (sea cucumber extract) (15.0% w/v). No local skin irritation, microbial contamination, and insignificant concentration of heavy metals were observed, which indicate its safe application. Moreover, the aqueous extract of D. claparedii exhibited antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value at 0.4 g/ml. 1H NMR analysis of the aqueous extract of D. claparedii revealed some metabolites that might be responsible for its wound healing properties such as amino acids, halogenated aromatics, organic acids, vitamins, and others. Altogether, these results suggested that the aqueous extract of D. claparedii could be utilised as an alternative natural wound healing promoter.
    MeSH terms: Behavior Observation Techniques; Acriflavine; Amino Acids; Amputation; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Collagen; Escherichia coli; Malaysia; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Ointments; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Sea Cucumbers; Skin Diseases; Vitamin A; Vitamins; Wound Healing; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Metals, Heavy; Rats; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  17. Marya A, Venugopal A, Vaid N, Alam MK, Karobari MI
    Pain Res Manag, 2020;2020:6677929.
    PMID: 33488889 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6677929
    Fixed orthodontic treatment has been compromised at many levels during the pandemic period, as clinics underwent a prolonged lockdown and patients could not be treated regularly. With the end of the pandemic nowhere in sight, may be it is time to put newer tools, such as clear aligner therapy, for better use. Fixed orthodontic appliances by nature are not always self-limiting, which, if left unmonitored over a long period may cause undesirable side effects, pain, and discomfort. The undesired tooth movements that may occur with arch wire-guided mechanics in addition to problems with cut wires or removed brackets may be minimized with the use of aligners. While the benefits of using aligners are for all to see, they do require extensive planning and careful evaluation of the progress. This article reviews the advantages of using aligners during the pandemic period and how it can be beneficial in helping orthodontists resume their practice.
    MeSH terms: Dental Care; Humans; Hygiene; Malocclusion/therapy*; Orthodontic Appliances, Removable*; Pain/etiology; Tooth Movement/instrumentation*
  18. Thong HK, Mohamad Mahbob H, Sabir Husin Athar PP, Tengku Kamalden TMI
    Cureus, 2020 Dec 19;12(12):e12163.
    PMID: 33489575 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.12163
    Sialolithiasis is a commonly encountered disease of the salivary glands, reported to represent up to 30% of all salivary gland diseases. However, the condition is rarely encountered in the pediatric population. The formation of a salivary stone is believed to be secondary to the deposition of calcium salts around a nidus. The formation of a nidus is commonly associated with desquamated epithelial or sloughing from a recent bacterial infection. Patients with submandibular sialolithiasis usually present with acute swelling over the neck associated with pain, fever, and purulent intraoral discharge. Neglected and poorly treated acute infection may progress to life-threatening abscess formation. Here we are describing our encounter with a 10-year-old boy with recurrent submandibular sialolithiasis. He was initially treated with conservative measures and antibiotics regimen. Failure of medical treatment and recurring symptoms led to submandibular gland excision followed by a full recovery.
    MeSH terms: Abscess; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Calcium; Child; Humans; Male; Pain; Patient Discharge; Salivary Gland Diseases; Salivary Glands; Salts; Submandibular Gland; Salivary Gland Calculi
  19. Upadhyay DK, Manirajan Y, Iqbal MZ, Paliwal N, Pandey S
    J Res Pharm Pract, 2020 10 08;9(3):128-134.
    PMID: 33489980 DOI: 10.4103/jrpp.JRPP_20_8
    Objective: The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of 3rd- and 4th-year medical, dental, and pharmacy students about hepatitis B (HB) infection at a private medical university, Malaysia.

    Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 482 medical, dental, and pharmacy students of 3rd- and 4th-year degree program of Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology University to assess their KAP about HB infection using 34 prevalidated questions by convenient sampling method. A questionnaire was administered to the students, and their responses were measured at "yes" and "no" scale. Students' responses were entered in SPSS version 22, and quantitative analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests at P < 0.05.

    Findings: The medical, dental, and pharmacy students had good knowledge and practice with positive attitude about HB infection. Mann-Whitney U-test determined a significant difference in knowledge (P < 0.001) and practice (P < 0.001) scores between medical and pharmacy, attitude (P < 0.001) scores between medical and dental, and attitude (P < 0.001) and practice (P < 0.001) scores between pharmacy and dental students. Students' age was correlated with their attitude, practice, and KAP scores and family income with their knowledge, attitude, practice, and KAP scores.

    Conclusion: Although students' knowledge and practice were good with positive attitude, all the students did not participate in health education program, screening, and vaccination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection which makes them more vulnerable to occupational HBV infection. Hence, it is recommended to organize a regular health education program for the students on screening and vaccination against HBV to prevent its infection.

    MeSH terms: Optimism; Biometry; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Education; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Humans; Malaysia; Pharmacy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Students, Dental; Students, Pharmacy; Technology; United States; Universities; Vaccination
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