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Fulltext Age estimation from mandibles in Malay: A 2D geometric morphometric analysis

Zulkifli NAF, Mohd Saaid NAS, Alias A, Mohamed Ibrahim N, Woon CK, Kurniawan A, et al.

J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 2023 Dec;18(6):1435-1445.
PMID: 38162871 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2023.05.020

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the sizes and forms of mandibles in various age groups of the Malay population were measured and compared.
METHODS: Geometric morphometric (GM) analysis of mandibles from 400 dental panoramic tomography (DPT) specimens was conducted. The MorphoJ program was used to perform generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA), Procrustes ANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA), discriminant function analysis (DFA), and canonical variate analysis (CVA). In the tpsDig2 program, the 27 landmarks were applied to the DPT radiographs. Variations in mandibular size and form were categorized into four age groups: group 1 (15-24 years), group 2 (25-34 years), group 3 (35-44 years), and group 4 (45-54 years).
RESULTS: The diversity in mandibular shape among the first eight principal components was 81%. Procrustes ANOVA revealed significant shape differences (P
Fulltext Alkaloids from Fissistigma latifolium (Dunal) Merr

Alias A, Hazni H, Jaafar FM, Awang K, Ismail NH

Molecules, 2010 Jul;15(7):4583-8.
PMID: 20657378 DOI: 10.3390/molecules15074583

A phytochemical study of the bark of Fissistigma latifolium (Annonaceae) yielded a new aporphine alkaloid, (-)-N-methylguattescidine (1), and eight known alkaloids: liriodenine (2), oxoxylopine (3), (-)-asimilobine (4), dimethyltryptamine (5), (-)-remerine (6), (-)-anonaine (7), columbamine (8) and lysicamine (9). The compounds were isolated using various chromatographic methods and structural elucidation was accomplished by means of spectroscopic methods, notably 1D-NMR ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT), 2D-NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC), UV, IR and MS.
Fulltext Anthropometric analysis of mandible: an important step for sex determination

Alias A, Ibrahim A, Abu Bakar SN, Swarhib Shafie M, Das S, Abdullah N, et al.

Clin Ter, 2018 11 6;169(5):e217-e223.
PMID: 30393808 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2018.2082

INTRODUCTION: The first step in the forensic identification is sex determination followed by age and stature estimation, as both are sex-dependent. The mandible is the largest, strongest and most durable bone in the face. Mandible is important for sex confirmation in absence of a complete pelvis and skull.
AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine sex of human mandible from morphology, morphometric measurements as well as discriminant function analysis from the CT scan.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present retrospective study comprised 79 subjects (48 males, 31 females), with age group between 18 and 74 years, and were obtained from the post mortem computed tomography data in the Hospital Kuala Lumpur. The parameters were divided into three morphologic and nine morphometric parameters, which were measured by using Osirix MD Software 3D Volume Rendering.
RESULTS: The Chi-square test showed that men were significantly association with square-shaped chin (92%), prominent muscle marking (85%) and everted gonial glare, whereas women had pointed chin (84%), less prominent muscle marking (90%) and inverted gonial glare (80%). All parameter measurements showed significantly greater values in males than in females by independent t-test (p< 0.01). By discriminant analysis, the classification accuracy was 78.5%, the sensitivity was 79.2% and the specificity was 77.4%. The discriminant function equation was formulated based on bigonial breath and condylar height, which were the best predictors.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the mandible could be distinguished according to the sex. The results of the study can be used for identification of damaged and/or unknown mandible in the Malaysian population.
Fulltext Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Thymoquinone in Atherosclerosis: A Mini Review

Leong XF, Choy KW, Alias A

Front Pharmacol, 2021;12:758929.
PMID: 34975474 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.758929

Atherosclerosis poses serious health problems and increases the risk of various cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, heart failure, ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Atherosclerosis patients require long-term medications to prevent complications, some of which are costly and may result in unwanted adverse reactions. Natural products have emerged as potential sources of bioactive compounds that provide health benefits in cardiovascular diseases. Increased inflammation and vascular remodeling have been associated with atherosclerosis pathogenesis. The molecules involved in signaling pathways are considered valuable targets for new treatment approaches. Therefore, this review aimed to summarize the available evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of thymoquinone, the major active compound isolated from Nigella sativa L., via inflammatory signaling pathways in atherosclerosis. Specifically, nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways were considered. Furthermore, the potential toxic effects elicited by thymoquinone were addressed. These findings suggest a potential role of thymoquinone in managing atherosclerosis, and further studies are required to ascertain its effectiveness and safety profile.
Antioxidant capacity and phenolic composition of fermented Centella asiatica herbal teas

Ariffin F, Heong Chew S, Bhupinder K, Karim AA, Huda N

J Sci Food Agric, 2011 Dec;91(15):2731-9.
PMID: 21987075 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.4454

C. asiatica was exposed to various fermentations: no fermentation (0 min), partial fermentation (120 min) and full fermentation (24 h). Total phenolic content (TPC) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of C. asiatica infusions were studied as a function of water temperature (60, 80 or 100 °C), the brewing stage (one, two or three) and the brewing time (1, 3, 5, 10, 15 or 20 min). The optimum brewing procedure was adopted to study the antioxidant properties and phenolic compounds in C. asiatica infusions.
Fulltext Application of antimicrobial, potential hazard and mitigation plans

Khoo SC, Goh MS, Alias A, Luang-In V, Chin KW, Ling Michelle TH, et al.

Environ Res, 2022 Dec;215(Pt 1):114218.
PMID: 36049514 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114218

The tremendous rise in the consumption of antimicrobial products had aroused global concerns, especially in the midst of pandemic COVID-19. Antimicrobial resistance has been accelerated by widespread usage of antimicrobial products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the widespread use of antimicrobial products releases biohazardous substances into the environment, endangering the ecology and ecosystem. Therefore, several strategies or measurements are needed to tackle this problem. In this review, types of antimicrobial available, emerging nanotechnology in antimicrobial production and their advanced application have been discussed. The problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB)and antimicrobial resistance genes (AMG) had become the biggest threat to public health. To deal with this problem, an in-depth discussion of the challenges faced in antimicrobial mitigations and potential alternatives was reviewed.
Assessment of the association between three pfmdr1 point mutations and chloroquine resistance in vitro of Malaysian Plasmodium falciparum isolates

Cox-Singh J, Singh B, Alias A, Abdullah MS

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1995 7 1;89(4):436-7.
PMID: 7570891
Azoxystrobin amine: A novel azoxystrobin degradation product from Bacillus licheniformis strain TAB7

Mpofu E, Alias A, Tomita K, Suzuki-Minakuchi C, Tomita K, Chakraborty J, et al.

Chemosphere, 2021 Jun;273:129663.
PMID: 33515965 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129663

Azoxystrobin (AZ) is a broad-spectrum synthetic fungicide widely used in agriculture globally. However, there are concerns about its fate and effects in the environment. It is reportedly transformed into azoxystrobin acid as a major metabolite by environmental microorganisms. Bacillus licheniformis strain TAB7 is used as a compost deodorant in commercial compost and has been found to degrade some phenolic and agrochemicals compounds. In this article, we report its ability to degrade azoxystrobin by novel degradation pathway. Biotransformation analysis followed by identification by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (MS), high-resolution MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy identified methyl (E)-3-amino-2-(2-((6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)oxy)phenyl)acrylate, or (E)-azoxystrobin amine in short, and (Z) isomers of AZ and azoxystrobin amine as the metabolites of (E)-AZ by TAB7. Bioassay testing using Magnaporthe oryzae showed that although 40 μg/mL of (E)-AZ inhibited 59.5 ± 3.5% of the electron transfer activity between mitochondrial Complexes I and III in M. oryzae, the same concentration of (E)-azoxystrobin amine inhibited only 36.7 ± 15.1% of the activity, and a concentration of 80 μg/mL was needed for an inhibition rate of 56.8 ± 7.4%, suggesting that (E)-azoxystrobin amine is less toxic than the parent compound. To our knowledge, this is the first study identifying azoxystrobin amine as a less-toxic metabolite from bacterial AZ degradation and reporting on the enzymatic isomerization of (E)-AZ to (Z)-AZ, to some extent, by TAB7. Although the fate of AZ in the soil microcosm supplemented with TAB7 will be needed, our findings broaden our knowledge of possible AZ biotransformation products.
Biochemical and radical-scavenging properties of sea cucumber (Stichopus vastus) collagen hydrolysates

Abedin MZ, Karim AA, Latiff AA, Gan CY, Ghazali FC, Barzideh Z, et al.

Nat Prod Res, 2014;28(16):1302-5.
PMID: 24670209 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2014.900617

The molecular mass distribution, amino acid composition and radical-scavenging activity of collagen hydrolysates prepared from collagen isolated from the sea cucumber Stichopus vastus were investigated. β and α1 chains of the collagen were successfully hydrolysed by trypsin. The molecular mass distribution of the hydrolysates ranged from 5 to 25 kDa, and they were rich in glycine, alanine, glutamate, proline and hydroxyproline residues. The hydrolysates exhibited excellent radical-scavenging activity. These results indicate that collagen hydrolysates from S. vastus can be used as a functional ingredient in food and nutraceutical products.
Fulltext Biological Activities of Paeonol in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review

Vellasamy S, Murugan D, Abas R, Alias A, Seng WY, Woon CK

Molecules, 2021 Aug 17;26(16).
PMID: 34443563 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164976

Paeonol is a naturally existing bioactive compound found in the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa and it is traditionally used in Chinese medicine for the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. To date, a great deal of studies has been reported on the pharmacological effects of paeonol and its mechanisms of action in various diseases and conditions. In this review, the underlying mechanism of action of paeonol in cardiovascular disease has been elucidated. Recent studies have revealed that paeonol treatment improved endothelium injury, demoted inflammation, ameliorated oxidative stress, suppressed vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, and repressed platelet activation. Paeonol has been reported to effectively protect the cardiovascular system either employed alone or in combination with other traditional medicines, thus, signifying it could be a hypothetically alternative or complementary atherosclerosis treatment. This review summarizes the biological and pharmacological activities of paeonol in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and its associated underlying mechanisms for a better insight for future clinical practices.
Fulltext Challenges in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a review

Abdullah B, Alias A, Hassan S

Malays J Med Sci, 2009 Oct;16(4):50-4.
PMID: 22135512 MyJurnal

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a non-lymphomatous, squamous cell carcinoma that occurs in the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx, an area that shows varying degrees of differentiation. Although relatively rare worldwide, NPC has substantial incidence and mortality in populations in Southeast Asia and in people with Southern Chinese ancestry. In Malaysia, NPC is a leading cancer type. In the clinic, NPC presents on a very wide spectrum. Therefore, a high degree of suspicion on the part of the clinician and an increased awareness by the patient is essential for the recognition of an early lesion. Early detection of the cancer is important as it affects the patient's prognosis and the mode of treatment. Managing patients with NPC is very challenging as patients usually present late when the cancer is already in an advanced stage. Here, we review the challenges in the management of NPC.
Characteristics of Metroxylon sagu resistant starch type III as prebiotic substance

Zi-Ni T, Rosma A, Napisah H, Karim AA, Liong MT

J Food Sci, 2015 Apr;80(4):H875-82.
PMID: 25739421 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.12817

Resistant starch type III (RS3 ) was produced from sago (Metroxylon sagu) and evaluated for its characteristics as a prebiotic. Two RS3 samples designated sago RS and HCl-sago RS contained 35.71% and 68.30% RS, respectively, were subjected to hydrolyses by gastric juice and digestive enzymes and to absorption. Both sago RS and HCl-sago RS were resistant to 180 min hydrolysis by gastric acidity at pH 1 to 4 with less than 0.85% hydrolyzed. Both samples were also resistant toward hydrolysis by gastrointestinal tract enzymes and intestinal absorption with 96.75% and 98.69% of RS3 were recovered respectively after 3.5 h digestion and overnight dialysis at 37 °C. Sago RS3 supported the growth of both beneficial (lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria) and pathogenic microbes (Escherichia coli, Campylobacter coli, and Clostridium perfringens) in the range of 2.60 to 3.91 log10 CFU/mL. Hence, prebiotic activity score was applied to describe the extent to which sago RS3 supports selective growth of the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria strains over pathogenic bacteria. The highest scores were obtained from Bifidobacterium sp. FTDC8943 grown on sago RS (+0.26) and HCl-sago RS (+0.24) followed by L. bulgaricus FTDC1511 grown on sago RS (+0.21). The findings had suggested that sago RS3 has the prebiotic partial characteristics and it is suggested to further assess the suitability of sago RS3 as a prebiotic material.
Co-combustion of agricultural residues with coal in a fluidized bed combustor

Ghani WA, Alias AB, Savory RM, Cliffe KR

Waste Manag, 2009 Feb;29(2):767-73.
PMID: 18614348 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2008.03.025

Power generation from biomass is an attractive technology that utilizes agricultural residual waste. In order to explain the behavior of biomass-fired fluidized bed incinerator, biomass sources from agricultural residues (rice husk and palm kernel) were co-fired with coal in a 0.15m diameter and 2.3m high fluidized bed combustor. The combustion efficiency and carbon monoxide emissions were studied and compared with those for pure coal combustion. Co-combustion of a mixture of biomass with coal in a fluidized bed combustor designed for coal combustion increased combustion efficiency up to 20% depending upon excess air levels. Observed carbon monoxide levels fluctuated between 200 and 900 ppm with the addition of coal. It is evident from this research that efficient co-firing of biomass with coal can be achieved with minimal modifications to existing coal-fired boilers.
Comparison of physicochemical and functional properties of duck feet and bovine gelatins

Kuan YH, Nafchi AM, Huda N, Ariffin F, Karim AA

J Sci Food Agric, 2017 Mar;97(5):1663-1671.
PMID: 27465360 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7970

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that duck feet are a rich source of gelatin extractable from avian sources. In this study, the physicochemical and functional properties of avian gelatin extracted from duck feet (DFG) with acetic acid were compared with those of commercial bovine gelatin (BG).
RESULTS: The yield of DFG obtained in this study was 7.01 ± 0.31%. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis indicated that the imino acid content was slightly lower for DFG compared with BG (P < 0.05). Differences in molecular size and amino acids between DFG and BG were also observed. The isoelectric points of DFG and BG were at pH 8 and 5 respectively, and the overall protein solubility of BG was higher than that of DFG. Gels prepared from BG exhibited higher bloom strength, viscosity and clarity and were darker in colour compared with DFG gels (P < 0.05). The gelling and melting points of BG were 21.8 and 29.47 °C respectively, while those of DFG were 20.5 and 27.8 °C respectively. BG exhibited slightly better emulsifying and foaming properties compared with DFG.
CONCLUSION: Although some differences between DFG and BG were observed, the disparities were small, which indicates that DFG could be exploited commercially as an alternative source of gelatin. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate content and bronchial smooth muscle contractility of hyper- and hypothyroid lungs

Nabishah BM, Morat PB, Alias AK, Kadir BA, Khalid BA

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol, 1992 Dec;19(12):839-42.
PMID: 1335381

1. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were made either hyper- or hypothyroid with thyroxine or 4-methyl-2-thiouracil, respectively. Bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) contractility and lung cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) content were measured in both conditions. 2. Bronchial smooth muscle contractility was significantly weaker in hyperthyroid rats, while the BSM contractility of hypothyroid rats was the same as controls. 3. The cAMP content of hyperthyroid rat lungs was similar to controls but was decreased in hypothyroid rats. 4. These studies demonstrated that both the hyper- and hypothyroid states affect respiration, although the mechanisms involved with different for each condition.
Fulltext Cyclosporiasis in a HIV-positive patient

Alias A, Shukri A

Med J Malaysia, 1998 Sep;53(3):311-2.
PMID: 10968174
Fulltext Deep Vein Thrombosis and the Neurosurgical Patient

Rethinasamy R, Alias A, Kandasamy R, Raffiq A, Looi MC, Hillda T

Malays J Med Sci, 2019 Sep;26(5):139-147.
PMID: 31728126 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.5.13

Background: Neurosurgical patients are varied, encompassing cranial and spinal diseases and trauma, and are admitted under both elective and emergency settings. In all settings, neurosurgery patients are at risk of deep vein thrombosis. D-dimer and ultrasound Doppler have long been good screening and confirmatory tools for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We conducted a study to identify the factors associated with DVT among neurosurgical patients, and the overall rate of occurrence at our centre. We aimed to also compare our results to the incidence in similar studies elsewhere in which more judicious use of pharmacological prophylaxis was undertaken. We also included the Well's score to validate its usefulness in screening for DVT in our local setting.
Methods: All patients admitted into our centre were screened for eligibility and those who underwent surgery from September 2016 to September 2017 had a D-dimer screening after surgery, followed by an ultrasound Doppler if the former was positive. The choice of anticoagulant therapy was not influenced by this study, and observation of the use was in keeping with usual practices in our centre was done.
Results: A total number of 331 patients were recruited in this study, however, after the inclusion and exclusion criteria had been met, 320 patients remained eligible, i.e. suitable for analysis. The mean age of our patients was 46 years, with 66% being male patients. A majority of the cases in this study were cranial related, with only 5% being spine surgeries. On the multivariate analysis, the Well's score and the number of days in bed remained statistically significant, after adjusting for age group, gender, ethnicity, type of central venous access and type of DVT prophylaxis with an adjusted odd's ratio, and a confidence interval of 95%, and P < 0.05 for each.
Conclusion: Well's scoring and number of days in bed were independent factors affecting the rate of DVT in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures in our centre.
Effects of steroid hormones on cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels in the rat lung

Nabishah BM, Khalid BA, Morat PB, Alias AK, Zainuddin M

J Endocrinol, 1992 Jul;134(1):73-6.
PMID: 1323640

The possible role of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) in mediating the action of steroid hormones was investigated using the rat lung. Male rats were adrenalectomized and treated with olive oil, dexamethasone, corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone (DOC) or progesterone. At the end of 10 days, 100 micrograms isoprenaline/kg was injected intraperitoneally 5 min before the animals were killed to stimulate cAMP production. Adrenalectomy significantly decreased cAMP levels in the rat lung. Dexamethasone and corticosterone pretreatment reversed the effect of adrenalectomy whereas progesterone pretreatment but not DOC pretreatment significantly decreased lung cAMP levels. Cyclic AMP levels in normal female rats, whether pregnant or not, were not significantly different from those in male rats. We concluded that the absence of glucocorticoid, as after adrenalectomy, decreased the cAMP levels in rat lungs and that this could be reversed by either dexamethasone or corticosterone replacement. Progesterone reduced the cAMP content in rat lungs by acting as a glucocorticoid antagonist or by acting directly via progesterone receptors.
Effects of steroid hormones pretreatment on isoprenaline-induced cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in rat lung

Nabishah BM, Merican Z, Morat PB, Alias AK, Khalid BA

Gen. Pharmacol., 1990;21(6):935-8.
PMID: 2177714

1. Steroid hormones have been shown to regulate the concentration of adrenergic and muscarinic receptors in many tissues. 2. The cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) content in rat lung tissues in response to either dexamethasone, corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone or progesterone for 7 days were measured following intraperitoneal injection of isoprenaline just before sacrificed. 3. There was a significant increase in cAMP level (P less than 0.001) in dexamethasone and corticosterone-treated rats compared to controls that received isoprenaline alone. 4. Pretreatment with deoxycorticosterone and progesterone suppressed the increase in cAMP in response to isoprenaline. 5. The effect of glucocorticoids in causing bronchodilatation in asthmatic patients is partly due to the restoration of adenyl cyclase responsiveness to beta-agonist.
Effects of ultraviolet irradiation on the physicochemical and functional properties of gum arabic

Kuan YH, Bhat R, Senan C, Williams PA, Karim AA

J Agric Food Chem, 2009 Oct 14;57(19):9154-9.
PMID: 19757813 DOI: 10.1021/jf9015625

The impact of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the physicochemical and functional properties of gum arabic was investigated. Gum arabic samples were exposed to UV irradiation for 30, 60, 90, and 120 min; gum arabic was also treated with formaldehyde for comparison. Molecular weight analysis using gel permeation chromatography indicated that no significant changes occurred on the molecular structure on the samples exposed to UV irradiation. Free amino group analysis indicated that mild UV irradiation (30 min) could induce cross-linking on gum arabic; this result was comparable with that of samples treated with formaldehyde. However, viscosity break down was observed for samples exposed to UV irradiation for longer times (90 and 120 min). All irradiated and formaldehyde-treated samples exhibited better emulsification properties than unirradiated samples. These results indicate that UV-irradiated gum arabic could be a better emulsifier than the native (unmodified) gum arabic and could be exploited commercially.

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