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  1. Fulltext Delayed reverse sural flap for cover of heel defect in a patient with associated vascular injury. A case report
    Ali F, Harunarashid H, Yugasmavanan K
    Indian J Surg, 2013 Jun;75(Suppl 1):148-9.
    PMID: 24426545 DOI: 10.1007/s12262-012-0565-x
    The delay reverse sural neurofasciocutaneous flap is used to reconstruct soft tissue defects in the lower third of the leg to improve outcome in patients with associated comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, smokers and ischaemic heart disease. The author reports the use of a delayed reverse sural flap as soft tissue cover for a calcaneal defect in a patient with associated comorbidities who has an ipsilateral Gred 3C (Gustilo) tibial fracture after vascular reconstruction.
  2. Fulltext Impaired of a non-DNA dependent methylation status decides the fat decision of bone marrow-derived C3H10T1/2 stem cell
    Ali F, Ranneh Y, Ismail A, Vaes B
    Springerplus, 2013;2:590.
    PMID: 24294542 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-590
    A decrease in the lineage commitment of multipotent Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to the bone forming osteoblast lineage and an increase in the commitment to the fat forming adipocyte lineage is more common in bone marrow of elderly persons. A link between methylation status and MSC differentiation remains unclear. Therefore, we hypothesize that hypomethylation may decide the fate decisions of MSC. In the current study, murine bone marrow derived-C3H10T1/2 stem cell was used to examine the role of methylation mechanism on the differentiation potential of stem cells into osteoblasts or adipocytes. C3H10T1/2 cells were treated with Periodate oxidized adenosine (Adox), an inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine-dependent hydrolase (SAHH), which in turn block the non-DNA methylation pathway. The effect of hypomethylation on C3H10T1/2 stem cell differentiation was determined by measuring the alkaline phosphates activity and the degree of mineralization as well as Oil-red O staining and lipid content. The ratio of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) was determined as a metabolic indicator of cellular methylation potential. It was clearly observed that hypomethylation significantly (P 
  3. Association between indoor microbiome exposure and sick building syndrome (SBS) in junior high schools of Johor Bahru, Malaysia
    Fu X, Norbäck D, Yuan Q, Li Y, Zhu X, Hashim JH, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2021 Jan 20;753:141904.
    PMID: 32890872 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141904
    Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a collection of nonspecific syndromes linked with the built environment. The occurrence of SBS is associated with humidity, ventilation, moulds and microbial compounds exposure. However, no study has reported the association between indoor microbiome and SBS. In this study, 308 students were surveyed for SBS symptoms from 21 classrooms of 7 junior high schools from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and vacuum dust from floor, desks and chairs was collected. High throughput amplicon sequencing (16S rRNA gene and ITS region) and quantitative PCR were conducted to characterize the absolute concentration of bacteria and fungi taxa. In total, 326 bacterial and 255 fungal genera were detected in dust with large compositional variation among classrooms. Also, half of these samples showed low compositional similarity to microbiome data deposited in the public database. The number of observed OTUs in Gammaproteobacteria was positively associated with SBS (p = 0.004). Eight microbial genera were associated with SBS (p 
  4. Fulltext Associations between the indoor microbiome, environmental characteristics and respiratory infections in junior high school students of Johor Bahru, Malaysia
    Fu X, Yuan Q, Zhu X, Li Y, Meng Y, Hashim JH, et al.
    Environ Sci Process Impacts, 2021 Aug 01;23(8):1171-1181.
    PMID: 34278392 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00115a
    Pathogens are commonly present in the human respiratory tract, but symptoms are varied among individuals. The interactions between pathogens, commensal microorganisms and host immune systems are important in shaping the susceptibility, development and severity of respiratory diseases. Compared to the extensive studies on the human microbiota, few studies reported the association between indoor microbiome exposure and respiratory infections. In this study, 308 students from 21 classrooms were randomly selected to survey the occurrence of respiratory infections in junior high schools of Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Vacuum dust was collected from the floor, chairs and desks of these classrooms, and high-throughput amplicon sequencing (16S rRNA and ITS) and quantitative PCR were conducted to characterize the absolute concentration of the indoor microorganisms. Fifteen bacterial genera in the classes Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Cyanobacteria were protectively associated with respiratory infections (p < 0.01), and these bacteria were mainly derived from the outdoor environment. Previous studies also reported that outdoor environmental bacteria were protectively associated with chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, but the genera identified were different between acute and chronic respiratory diseases. Four fungal genera from Ascomycota, including Devriesia, Endocarpon, Sarcinomyces and an unclassified genus from Herpotrichillaceae, were protectively associated with respiratory infections (p < 0.01). House dust mite (HDM) allergens and outdoor NO2 concentration were associated with respiratory infections and infection-related microorganisms. A causal mediation analysis revealed that the health effects of HDM and NO2 were partially or fully mediated by the indoor microorganisms. This is the first study to explore the association between environmental characteristics, microbiome exposure and respiratory infections in a public indoor environment, expanding our understanding of the complex interactions among these factors.
  5. Fulltext Indoor microbiome, environmental characteristics and asthma among junior high school students in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
    Fu X, Norbäck D, Yuan Q, Li Y, Zhu X, Hashim JH, et al.
    Environ Int, 2020 05;138:105664.
    PMID: 32200316 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105664
    Indoor microbial diversity and composition are suggested to affect the prevalence and severity of asthma by previous home microbiome studies, but no microbiome-health association study has been conducted in a school environment, especially in tropical countries. In this study, we collected floor dust and environmental characteristics from 21 classrooms, and health data related to asthma symptoms from 309 students, in junior high schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The bacterial and fungal composition was characterized by sequencing 16s rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and the absolute microbial concentration was quantified by qPCR. In total, 326 bacterial and 255 fungal genera were characterized. Five bacterial (Sphingobium, Rhodomicrobium, Shimwellia, Solirubrobacter, Pleurocapsa) and two fungal (Torulaspora and Leptosphaeriaceae) taxa were protective for asthma severity. Two bacterial taxa, Izhakiella and Robinsoniella, were positively associated with asthma severity. Several protective bacterial taxa including Rhodomicrobium, Shimwellia and Sphingobium have been reported as protective microbes in previous studies, whereas other taxa were first time reported. Environmental characteristics, such as age of building, size of textile curtain per room volume, occurrence of cockroaches, concentration of house dust mite allergens transferred from homes by the occupants, were involved in shaping the overall microbial community but not asthma-associated taxa; whereas visible dampness and mold, which did not change the overall microbial community for floor dust, was negatively associated with the concentration of protective bacteria Rhodomicrobium (β = -2.86, p = 0.021) of asthma. The result indicates complex interactions between microbes, environmental characteristics and asthma symptoms. Overall, this is the first indoor microbiome study to characterize the asthma-associated microbes and their environmental determinant in the tropical area, promoting the understanding of microbial exposure and respiratory health in this region.
  6. Fulltext Effects of wall shear stress on unsteady MHD conjugate flow in a porous medium with ramped wall temperature
    Khan A, Khan I, Ali F, Ulhaq S, Shafie S
    PLoS One, 2014;9(3):e90280.
    PMID: 24621775 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090280
    This study investigates the effects of an arbitrary wall shear stress on unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of a Newtonian fluid with conjugate effects of heat and mass transfer. The fluid is considered in a porous medium over a vertical plate with ramped temperature. The influence of thermal radiation in the energy equations is also considered. The coupled partial differential equations governing the flow are solved by using the Laplace transform technique. Exact solutions for velocity and temperature in case of both ramped and constant wall temperature as well as for concentration are obtained. It is found that velocity solutions are more general and can produce a huge number of exact solutions correlative to various fluid motions. Graphical results are provided for various embedded flow parameters and discussed in details.
  7. Fulltext Closed form solutions for unsteady free convection flow of a second grade fluid over an oscillating vertical plate
    Ali F, Khan I, Shafie S
    PLoS One, 2014;9(2):e85099.
    PMID: 24551033 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085099
    Closed form solutions for unsteady free convection flows of a second grade fluid near an isothermal vertical plate oscillating in its plane using the Laplace transform technique are established. Expressions for velocity and temperature are obtained and displayed graphically for different values of Prandtl number Pr, thermal Grashof number Gr, viscoelastic parameter α, phase angle ωτ and time τ. Numerical values of skin friction τ 0 and Nusselt number Nu are shown in tables. Some well-known solutions in literature are reduced as the limiting cases of the present solutions.
  8. Fulltext Conjugate effects of heat and mass transfer on MHD free convection flow over an inclined plate embedded in a porous medium
    Ali F, Khan I, Samiulhaq, Shafie S
    PLoS One, 2013;8(6):e65223.
    PMID: 23840321 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065223
    The aim of this study is to present an exact analysis of combined effects of radiation and chemical reaction on the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) free convection flow of an electrically conducting incompressible viscous fluid over an inclined plate embedded in a porous medium. The impulsively started plate with variable temperature and mass diffusion is considered. The dimensionless momentum equation coupled with the energy and mass diffusion equations are analytically solved using the Laplace transform method. Expressions for velocity, temperature and concentration fields are obtained. They satisfy all imposed initial and boundary conditions and can be reduced, as special cases, to some known solutions from the literature. Expressions for skin friction, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are also obtained. Finally, the effects of pertinent parameters on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are graphically displayed whereas the variations in skin friction, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are shown through tables.
  9. Fulltext Stokes' second problem for magnetohydrodynamics flow in a Burgers' fluid: the cases γ = λ²/4 and γ>λ²/4
    Khan I, Ali F, Shafie S
    PLoS One, 2013;8(5):e61531.
    PMID: 23667442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061531
    The present work is concerned with exact solutions of Stokes second problem for magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) flow of a Burgers' fluid. The fluid over a flat plate is assumed to be electrically conducting in the presence of a uniform magnetic field applied in outward transverse direction to the flow. The equations governing the flow are modeled and then solved using the Laplace transform technique. The expressions of velocity field and tangential stress are developed when the relaxation time satisfies the condition γ =  λ²/4 or γ> λ²/4. The obtained closed form solutions are presented in the form of simple or multiple integrals in terms of Bessel functions and terms with only Bessel functions. The numerical integration is performed and the graphical results are displayed for the involved flow parameters. It is found that the velocity decreases whereas the shear stress increases when the Hartmann number is increased. The solutions corresponding to the Stokes' first problem for hydrodynamic Burgers' fluids are obtained as limiting cases of the present solutions. Similar solutions for Stokes' second problem of hydrodynamic Burgers' fluids and those for Newtonian and Oldroyd-B fluids can also be obtained as limiting cases of these solutions.
  10. Fulltext SNG and DNG meta-absorber with fractional absorption band for sensing application
    Hoque A, Islam MT, Almutairi AF, Chowdhury MEH, Samsuzzaman M
    Sci Rep, 2020 Aug 04;10(1):13086.
    PMID: 32753600 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69792-4
    This paper reports on a tunable transmission frequency characteristics-based metamaterial absorber of an X band sensing application with a fractional bandwidth. Tunable resonator metamaterial absorbers fabricated with dielectric surface have been the subject of growing attention of late. Absorbers possess electromagnetic properties and range modification capacity, and they have yet to be studied in detail. The proposed microstructure resonator inspired absorber with triple fractional band absorption consists of two balanced symmetrical vertical patches at the outer periphery and a tiny drop hole at two edges. Experimental verification depicted two absorption bands with single negative (SNG) characteristics for two resonances, but double negative (DNG) for single resonance frequency. The mechanism of sensing and absorption was analyzed using the transmission line principle with useful parameter analysis. Cotton, a hygroscopic fiber with moisture content, was chosen to characterize the proposed absorber for the X band application. The electrical properties of the cotton changed depending on the moisture absorption level. The simulation and the measured absorption approximately justified the result; the simulated absorption was above 90% (at 10.62, 11.64, and 12.8 GHz), although the steady level was 80%. The moisture content of the cotton (at different levels from 0 to 32.13%) was simulated, and the transmission resonance frequency changed its point in two significant ranges. However, comparing the two adopted measurement method and algorithm applied to the S parameter showed a closer variation between the two resonances (11.64 and 12.8 GHz) which signified that a much more accurate measurement of the cotton dielectric constant was possible up to a moisture content of 16.1%. However, certain unwanted changes were noted at 8.4-8.9 GHz and 10.6-12.4 GHz. The proposed triple-band absorber has potential applications in the X band sensing of moisture in capsules or tablet bottles.
  11. Fulltext An Octagonal Ring-shaped Parasitic Resonator Based Compact Ultrawideband Antenna for Microwave Imaging Applications
    Hossain A, Islam MT, Almutairi AF, Singh MSJ, Mat K, Samsuzzaman M
    Sensors (Basel), 2020 Mar 01;20(5).
    PMID: 32121477 DOI: 10.3390/s20051354
    An Ultrawideband (UWB) octagonal ring-shaped parasitic resonator-based patch antenna for microwave imaging applications is presented in this study, which is constructed with a diamond-shaped radiating patch, three octagonal, rectangular slotted ring-shaped parasitic resonator elements, and partial slotting ground plane. The main goals of uses of parasitic ring-shaped elements are improving antenna performance. In the prototype, various kinds of slots on the ground plane were investigated, and especially rectangular slots and irregular zigzag slots are applied to enhance bandwidth, gain, efficiency, and radiation directivity. The optimized size of the antenna is 29 × 24 × 1.5 mm3 by using the FR-4 substrate. The overall results illustrate that the antenna has a bandwidth of 8.7 GHz (2.80 ̶ 11.50 GHz) for the reflection coefficient S11 < -10 dB with directional radiation pattern. The maximum gain of the proposed prototype is more than 5.7 dBi, and the average efficiency over the radiating bandwidth is 75%. Different design modifications are performed to attain the most favorable outcome of the proposed antenna. However, the prototype of the proposed antenna is designed and simulated in the 3D simulator CST Microwave Studio 2018 and then effectively fabricated and measured. The investigation throughout the study of the numerical as well as experimental data explicit that the proposed antenna is appropriate for the Ultrawideband-based microwave-imaging fields.
  12. Fulltext Depletion of psychological, financial, and social resources in the hospitality sector during the pandemic
    Nisar QA, Haider S, Ali F, Naz S, Ryu K
    Int J Hosp Manag, 2021 Feb;93:102794.
    PMID: 33519016 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102794
    This study details how psychological, financial, and social factors shape employee deviant interpersonal behaviors during a pandemic. Data were collected with a survey of 372 front-line employees of hotels and analyzed with PLS-SEM. The findings showed social disconnectedness and perceived risk of unemployment leads to perceived isolation, which further creates depression in employees. The findings also showed that depression is positively related to employee deviance. Financial strain is a major cause of perceived isolation, depression, and deviant behaviors among front-line employees. Results also proved that social support reduces fear of isolation, depression, and employee deviance. This study provides guidelines that hotels need to understand the psychological stance of employees and design policies to overcome employee perceived fears and psychological disorders.
  13. Fulltext Nutritional Compositions and Antiproliferative Activities of Different Solvent Fractions from Ethanol Extract of Cyphomandra betacea (Tamarillo) Fruit
    Mutalib MA, Rahmat A, Ali F, Othman F, Ramasamy R
    Malays J Med Sci, 2017 Oct;24(5):19-32.
    PMID: 29386969 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.5.3
    BACKGROUND: This study aims to examine various solvent extracts of Cyphomandra betacea (tamarillo) also known as the tree tomato, for their bioactive constituents and antioxidant activity. The study also aims to examine its effect on cancer cell death using two types of cancer cell lines (liver and breast cancer cell).

    METHODS: The first part of the study evaluates the nutritional composition of tamarillo. Then, phytochemical profiling using GC-MS analysis in ethanolic tamarillo extract was conducted. Different fractions of n-butanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were obtained from the ethanolic extract of tamarillo. Then, the fractions were subjected to the quantification of total phenol (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC), free radical scavenging activity (SA) and also antioxidant activity (AOX) assayed by beta-carotene bleaching (BCB) assay. Finally, the capability of the ethanolic extract of tamarillo and different fractions were evaluated for their anticancer properties.

    RESULTS: Findings from this study revealed that the nutritional composition (ash, protein, carbohydrate and total dietary fiber), and mineral levels (calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron) of tamarillo were moderate. The crude ethanol extract of tamarillo contained the highest phenolic and total flavonoid content. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of alkanes, carboxylic acid, phenol, alkanes, carboxylic acids, aromatics and nitro compounds. Twelve bioactive constituents in tamarillo have been identified through GC-MS analysis. Cytotoxic activity suggests the potential of ethanolic extracts of tamarillo having a chemopreventive effect on breast and liver cancer cells.

    CONCLUSION: This study reveals that tamarillo has substantial antioxidant activity as well as anticancer properties.

  14. Chalcones and bis-chalcones: As potential α-amylase inhibitors; synthesis, in vitro screening, and molecular modelling studies
    Tajudeen Bale A, Mohammed Khan K, Salar U, Chigurupati S, Fasina T, Ali F, et al.
    Bioorg Chem, 2018 09;79:179-189.
    PMID: 29763804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.05.003
    Despite of a diverse range of biological activities associated with chalcones and bis-chalcones, they are still neglected by the medicinal chemist for their possible α-amylase inhibitory activity. So, the current study is based on the evaluation of this class for the identification of new leads as α-amylase inhibitors. For that purpose, a library of substituted chalcones 1-13 and bis-chalcones 14-18 were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques EI-MS and 1H NMR. CHN analysis was carried out and found in agreement with the calculated values. All compounds were evaluated for in vitro α-amylase inhibitory activity and demonstrated good activities in the range of IC50 = 1.25 ± 1.05-2.40 ± 0.09 µM as compared to the standard acarbose (IC50 = 1.04 ± 0.3 µM). Limited structure-activity relationship (SAR) was established by considering the effect of different groups attached to aryl rings on varying inhibitory activity. SMe group in chalcones and OMe group in bis-chalcones were found more influential on the activity than other groups. However, in order to predict the involvement of different groups in the binding interactions with the active site of α-amylase enzyme, in silico studies were also conducted.
  15. Flurbiprofen derivatives as novel α-amylase inhibitors: Biology-oriented drug synthesis (BIODS), in vitro, and in silico evaluation
    Khan M, Alam A, Khan KM, Salar U, Chigurupati S, Wadood A, et al.
    Bioorg Chem, 2018 12;81:157-167.
    PMID: 30125730 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.07.038
    Novel derivatives of flurbiprofen 1-18 including flurbiprofen hydrazide 1, substituted aroyl hydrazides 2-9, 2-mercapto oxadiazole derivative 10, phenacyl substituted 2-mercapto oxadiazole derivatives 11-15, and benzyl substituted 2-mercapto oxadiazole derivatives 16-18 were synthesized and characterized by EI-MS, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. All derivatives 1-18 were screened for α-amylase inhibitory activity and demonstrated a varying degree of potential ranging from IC50 = 1.04 ± 0.3 to 2.41 ± 0.09 µM as compared to the standard acarbose (IC50 = 0.9 ± 0.04 µM). Out of eighteen compounds, derivatives 2 (IC50 = 1.69 ± 0.1 µM), 3 (IC50 = 1.04 ± 0.3 µM), 9 (IC50 = 1.25 ± 1.05 µM), and 13 (IC50 = 1.6 ± 0.18 µM) found to be excellent inhibitors while rest of the compounds demonstrated comparable inhibition potential. A limited structure-activity relationship (SAR) was established by looking at the varying structural features of the library. In addition to that, in silico study was conducted to understand the binding interactions of the compounds (ligands) with the active site of α-amylase enzyme.
  16. Fulltext Indole-3-acetamides: As Potential Antihyperglycemic and Antioxidant Agents; Synthesis, In Vitro α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity, Structure-Activity Relationship, and In Silico Studies
    Kanwal, Khan KM, Chigurupati S, Ali F, Younus M, Aldubayan M, et al.
    ACS Omega, 2021 Jan 26;6(3):2264-2275.
    PMID: 33521466 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c05581
    Indole-3-acetamides (1-24) were synthesized via coupling of indole-3-acetic acid with various substituted anilines in the presence of coupling reagent 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole. The structures of synthetic molecules were elucidated through different spectroscopic techniques including electron ionization-mass spectroscopy (EI-MS), 1H-, 13C NMR, and high-resolution EI-MS (HREI-MS). These compounds were screened for their antihyperglycemic and antioxidant potentials. All compounds displayed good to moderate inhibition against α-amylase enzyme with IC50 values ranging between 1.09 ± 0.11 and 2.84 ± 0.1 μM compared to the standard acarbose (IC50 = 0.92 ± 0.4 μM). Compound 15 (IC50 = 1.09 ± 0.11 μM) was the most active compound of the series and exhibited good inhibition against α-amylase; in addition, this compound also exhibited good antioxidant potential with IC50 values of 0.35 ± 0.1 and 0.81 ± 0.25 μM in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, respectively. The binding interactions of synthetic molecules with the enzyme's active site were confirmed via in silico studies. The current study had identified a number of lead molecules as potential antihyperglycemic and antioxidant agents.
  17. Hydrazinyl arylthiazole based pyridine scaffolds: Synthesis, structural characterization, in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and in silico studies
    Ali F, Khan KM, Salar U, Taha M, Ismail NH, Wadood A, et al.
    Eur J Med Chem, 2017 Sep 29;138:255-272.
    PMID: 28672278 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.06.041
    Acarbose, miglitol, and voglibose are the inhibitors of α-glucosidase enzyme and being clinically used for the management of type-II diabetes mellitus. However, many adverse effects are also associated with them. So, the development of new therapeutic agents is an utmost interest in medicinal chemistry research. Current study is based on the identification of new α-glucosidase inhibitors. For that purpose, hydrazinyl arylthiazole based pyridine derivatives 1-39 were synthesized via two step reaction and fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques EI-MS, HREI-MS, (1)H-, and (13)C NMR. However, stereochemistry of the iminic bond was confirmed by NOESY. All compounds were subjected to in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and found many folds active (IC50 = 1.40 ± 0.01-236.10 ± 2.20 μM) as compared to the standard acarbose having IC50 value of 856.45 ± 5.60 μM. A limited structure-activity relationship was carried out in order to make a presumption about the substituent's effect on inhibitory activity which predicted that substituents of more negative inductive effect played important role in the activity as compared to the substituents of less negative inductive effect. However, in order to have a good understanding of ligand enzyme interactions, molecular docking study was also conducted. In silico study was confirmed that substituents like halogens (Cl) and nitro (NO2) which have negative inductive effect were found to make important interactions with active site residues.
  18. Transcriptomics expression analysis to unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying the cocoa polyphenol treatment in diet-induced obesity rats
    Ali F, Ismail A, Esa NM, Pei CP
    Genomics, 2015 Jan;105(1):23-30.
    PMID: 25451742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2014.11.002
    Cocoa polyphenol (CP), due to their biological actions, may be supplementary treatments for adipose tissue-fat gain. However, the molecular mechanism of CPs is still ambiguous. This study investigated the hypothesis that CP treatment modulates expressing of lipid metabolism genes in mesenteric white adipose tissue (MES-WAT). Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed a low-fat (LF) or high-fat (HF) diet for 12 weeks. Thereafter, HFD rats (n = 10/group) were treated at a dose of 600 mg/kg bw/day CPs (HFD + CPs) for 4 weeks. DNA microarray analysis resulted in 753 genes of the 13,008 genes expressed. Bioinformatics tools showed CP treatment significantly decreased gene expression levels for lipogenic enzymes, while increased the mRNA levels responsible for lipolysis enzymes. CP administration differentially regulates gene expression involved in lipid metabolism in MES-WAT. These data unveil a new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the pharmacological effect of CPs on obesity biomarkers in obese rats.
  19. Fungal DNA, allergens, mycotoxins and associations with asthmatic symptoms among pupils in schools from Johor Bahru, Malaysia
    Cai GH, Hashim JH, Hashim Z, Ali F, Bloom E, Larsson L, et al.
    Pediatr Allergy Immunol, 2011 May;22(3):290-7.
    PMID: 21457336 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.01127.x
    While there is a large variation of prevalence of asthma symptoms worldwide, what we do know is that it is on the rise in developing countries. However, there are few studies on allergens, moulds and mycotoxin exposure in schools in tropical countries. The aims were to measure selected fungal DNA, furry pet allergens and mycotoxins in dust samples from schools in Malaysia and to study associations with pupils' respiratory health effects. Eight secondary schools and 32 classrooms in Johor Bahru, Malaysia were randomly selected. A questionnaire with standardized questions was used for health assessment in 15 randomly selected pupils from each class. The school buildings were inspected and both indoor and outdoor climate were measured. Dust samples were collected by cotton swabs and Petri dishes for fungal DNA, mycotoxins and allergens analysis. The participation rate was 96% (462/480 invited pupils), with a mean age of 14 yr (range 14-16). The pupils mostly reported daytime breathlessness (41%), parental asthma or allergy (22%), pollen or pet allergy (21%) and doctor-diagnosed asthma (13%) but rarely reported night-time breathlessness (7%), asthma in the last 12 months (3%), medication for asthma (4%) or smoking (5%). The inspection showed that no school had any mechanical ventilation system, but all classrooms had openable windows that were kept open during lectures. The mean building age was 16 yr (range 3-40) and the mean indoor and outdoor CO(2) levels were 492 ppm and 408 ppm, respectively. The mean values of indoor and outdoor temperature and relative humidity were the same, 29°C and 70% respectively. In cotton swab dust samples, the Geometric Mean (GM) value for total fungal DNA and Aspergillus/Penicillium (Asp/Pen) DNA in swab samples (Cell Equivalents (CE)/m(2)) was 5.7*10(8) and 0.5*10(8), respectively. The arithmetic mean (CE/m(2)) for Aspergillus versicolor DNA was 8780, Stachybotrys chartarum DNA was 26 and Streptomyces DNA was 893. The arithmetic means (pg/m(2)) for the mycotoxins sterigmatocystin and verrucarol were 2547 and 17, respectively. In Petri dish dust samples, the GM value for total fungal DNA and Asp/Pen DNA (CE/m(2) per day) was 9.2*10(6) and 1.6*10(6), respectively. The arithmetic mean (CE/m(2) per day) for A. versicolor DNA was 1478, S. chartarum DNA was 105 and Streptomyces DNA was 1271, respectively. The GM value for cat (Fel d1) allergen was 5.9 ng/m(2) per day. There were positive associations between A. versicolor DNA, wheeze and daytime breathlessness and between Streptomyces DNA and doctor-diagnosed asthma. However, the associations were inverse between S. chartarum DNA and daytime breathlessness and between verrucarol and daytime breathlessness. In conclusion, fungal DNA and cat allergen contamination were common in schools from Malaysia and there was a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms among pupils. Moreover, there were associations between levels of some fungal DNA and reported respiratory health in the pupils.
  20. Fulltext New cholinesterase inhibitory constituents from Lonicera quinquelocularis
    Khan D, Khan HU, Khan F, Khan S, Badshah S, Khan AS, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(4):e94952.
    PMID: 24733024 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094952
    A phytochemical investigation on the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Lonicera quinquelocularis (whole plant) led to the first time isolation of one new phthalate; bis(7-acetoxy-2-ethyl-5-methylheptyl) phthalate (3) and two new benzoates; neopentyl-4-ethoxy-3, 5-bis (3-methyl-2-butenyl benzoate (4) and neopentyl-4-hydroxy-3, 5-bis (3-methyl-2-butenyl benzoate (5) along with two known compounds bis (2-ethylhexyl phthalate (1) and dioctyl phthalate (2). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with available data in the literature. All the compounds (1-5) were tested for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities in dose dependent manner. The IC50 (50% inhibitory effect) values of compounds 3 and 5 against AChE were 1.65 and 3.43 µM while the values obtained against BChE were 5.98 and 9.84 µM respectively. Compounds 2 and 4 showed weak inhibition profile.
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