ABSTRACT
Metabolic footprinting involves the determination of metabolites excreted or secreted by the cells.
This study aimed to identify the differential extracellular metabolites in colorectal cancer (CRC)
cells for the determination of molecular changes that occur as CRC progresses. CRC cells at
different stages ie; SW 1116 (stage A), HT 29 and SW 480 (stage B), HCT 15 and DLD-1 (stage
C), and HCT 116 (stage D) were grown in culture. The media in which the cells were grown are
subjected to metabolomics profiling using Liquid Chromatography Mass SpectrometryQuadrupole Time of Flight (LC/MS Q-TOF). Statistical and metabolic pathway analysis was
performed using Metaboanalyst software and identification of metabolites was determined by the
METLIN database. A total of 27 differential extracellular metabolites were identified in CRC cells
of different stages compared to stage A cells. Data from the Partial least squares-discriminant
analysis (PLS-DA) score plot shows a clear separation between CRC cells of different stages with
a few overlaps between stage B and C. Further analysis using variable importance in projection
(VIP) revealed 14 differential extracellular metabolites that were most significant in differentiating
CRC cells of the advanced stages from stage A which are 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan,
indoleacetaldehyde, 4,5-dimethylthiazole, 8-oxodiacetoxyscirpenol, bisnorbiotin, 5-amino-6-
(5'phosphoribosylamino) uracil, glyceryl 5-hydroxydecanoate, sphinganine, 8,8-diethoxy-2,6-
dimethyl-2-octanol, l-cystine, thiamine acetic acid, phytosphingosine, PE
(20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)/22:6(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)), N-(2R-hydroxypentacosano-yl)-2Samino-1,3S,4R-octadecanetriol. The different expressions of metabolites may indicate altered
metabolic pathways in the more advanced CRC cells compared to stage A. This study highlights
the importance of conducting both metabolomics profiling of extracellular and intracellular to
generate a more complete understanding on the molecular changes that occur as CRC progresses
Malnutrition is common among pediatric oncology patients. Factors contributing to malnutrition include physiological abnormalities, response to the tumors and side effects of the treatment. A pilot study was carried out to determine the nutritional status of 17 pediatric oncology patients aged 4 to 12 years old in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The
nutritional status was assessed via anthropometric measurements and dietary intake through 3 days repeatitive 24 hours diet recall with subjects and their carers. Biochemical profiles (serum albumin and hemoglobin) were reviewed from the medical record. Through anthropometry measurements, weight and height were used to calculate Z-scores and further determine the percentile weight-for-age, height-for-age using NCHS percentile charts (WHO 1983). Frisancho’s standards (1981) were used to define malnutrition based on MUACfor- age. Underweight as determined using z scores below -2 for weight-for-age was observed in 70.6% of the subjects. Whilst, 76.5% of the subjects were classified as stunted (z score < –2) for height-for-age. Based on MUAC-for-age percentile, the sign of severe malnutrition category (<5 percentile) was observed in 35.3% of the subject and 23.6% of the subject were in the moderate malnutrition (>5 – <10 percentile). About 70.6% of the subject had low haemoglobin (< 11 g/dl) and 29.4% of the subject were hypoalbuminemia (< 35 g/dl) . Total macronutrient intake was assessed and compared with the individual requirement (Seashore 1984) for energy and protein intake were satisfactory, except for subjects in age group 10 – 12 years who achieved only 70% of the individuals requirements. As a conclusion, although food intake of the subjects was satisfactory but chronic malnutrition was prevalent. Early recognition of malnutrition is essential in order to plan for a nutritional intervention and further enhancing the quality of life.
Key words: Nutritional status, pediatric oncology, anthropometric, dietary intake, biochemical profile.
In thalassaemic patients, the impact of the disease especially on quality of life (QOL) of the caregivers in Malaysia has not been established. This study was conducted to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of thalassaemia patients and their caregivers in order to explore factors affecting their QOL. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 75 thalassaemic children and adolescents aged between 7 and 18 years old and their caregivers. The PedsQLTM 4.0
generic core scales questionnaire was administered to both thalassaemic children and their caregivers while the health questionnaire EQ 5D was given to caregivers only. The subjects were recruited from Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). The results revealed that the mean of psychosocial HRQOL score in patients (63.91±14.65) was significantly lower than parent proxy reports (67.14±10.48) (p=0.008). The
school functioning score (50.59±15.31) was the lowest of the psychosocial measure, followed by emotional functioning (59.92±16.83) and social functioning (78.01±13.92) score. The patients’ pre-transfusion haemoglobin concentration was significantly associated with their QOL (p=0.02). Having more children, higher numbers of thalassaemic children and lower educational level of caregivers were associated with poorer QOL. In conclusion, caregivers underestimated
the QOL of their thalassaemic children. The school functioning domain was affected the most domain. There is a need to improve the QOL of thalassaemic children and their caregivers.
A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional status of 51 subjects with leukemia aged 4 to 12 years from the Haematology and Oncology Paediatric Ward, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (PPUKM) and the Paediatric Institute of Kuala Lumpur. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements, biochemical and haematological parameters. Subjects comprised 32 (62.7%) males and 19 (27.3%) females. Most of the subjects (41.2%) were in the age group of 4 to 6 years. More than half of the children were Malays (70.6%) followed by Indians (15.7%) and Chinese (13.7%). The subjects were diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (84.3%) followed by acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) (13.7%) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) (2.0%) respectively. Most of the children were in remission status (54.9%). Underweight (