Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 89 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Sivakumar S, Kaur G
    Acta Cytol., 2009 May-Jun;53(3):303-5.
    PMID: 19534271 DOI: 10.1159/000325312
    BACKGROUND: Extraskeletal (soft tissue) chondromas are rare neoplasms. They are seen most frequently in the soft tissues of hands and feet. A chondroma occurring in the breast is exceedingly uncommon. We present a case of pure chondroma of the breast in a young woman in whom fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic features suggested a cartilaginous neoplasm.

    CASE: A 28-year-old woman presented with a mobile lump in the left breast. Mammography showed a high-density nodule without microcalcifications. A clinical diagnosis of fibroadenoma was made. A differential diagnosis was obtained on FNA. Excisional biopsy of the lump showed the histopathologic features of chondroma. There was no recurrence or appearance of new lesion during 13 months of follow-up.

    CONCLUSION: Chondroma of the breast shows FNA cytologic features of cartilaginous tumor, but specific tumor typing may not be possible. This case highlights the difficulties that may arise in FNA diagnosis of cartilaginous tumor especially when it occurs at an unusual site. Awareness of the cytologic features combined with clinical and radiologic findings should guide the cytopathologist to make correct diagnosis of this neoplasm.
  2. Mittal P, Briggs M, Klingler-Hoffmann M, Kaur G, Packer NH, Oehler MK, et al.
    Anal Bioanal Chem, 2021 Apr;413(10):2721-2733.
    PMID: 33222001 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-03039-z
    It is well established that cell surface glycans play a vital role in biological processes and their altered form can lead to carcinogenesis. Mass spectrometry-based techniques have become prominent for analysing N-linked glycans, for example using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). Additionally, MALDI MS can be used to spatially map N-linked glycans directly from cancer tissue using a technique termed MALDI MS imaging (MALDI MSI). This powerful technique combines mass spectrometry and histology to visualise the spatial distribution of N-linked glycans on a single tissue section. Here, we performed N-glycan MALDI MSI on six endometrial cancer (EC) formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections and tissue microarrays (TMA) consisting of eight EC patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and twenty without LNM. By doing so, several putative N-linked glycan compositions were detected that could significantly distinguish normal from cancerous endometrium. Furthermore, a complex core-fucosylated N-linked glycan was detected that could discriminate a primary tumour with and without LNM. Structural identification of these putative N-linked glycans was performed using porous graphitized carbon liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (PGC-LC-MS/MS). Overall, we observed higher abundance of oligomannose glycans in tumour compared to normal regions with AUC ranging from 0.85-0.99, and lower abundance of complex N-linked glycans with AUC ranges from 0.03-0.28. A comparison of N-linked glycans between primary tumours with and without LNM indicated a reduced abundance of a complex core-fucosylated N-glycan (Hex)2(HexNAc)2(Deoxyhexose)1+(Man)3(GlcNAc)2, in primary tumour with associated lymph node metastasis. In summary, N-linked glycan MALDI MSI can be used to differentiate cancerous endometrium from normal, and endometrial cancer with LNM from endometrial cancer without.
  3. Tee GH, Kaur G
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2014 Sep;26(5 Suppl):70S-80S.
    PMID: 24965781 DOI: 10.1177/1010539514540468
    Cigarette smoking in adolescent is a significant public health problem, leading to the risk of addiction, morbidity, and mortality in the long term. This study determined the prevalence and correlates of current smoking among adolescent school children. A nationwide school-based survey among 25 507 students between Forms 1 to 5 (aged 12-17) was conducted using a 2-stage cluster sampling design. The prevalence of current smoking was 11.5%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that current smoking was significantly associated with males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.87, 4.98), current drinking (aOR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.46, 3.74), drug used (aOR = 2.97; 95% CI = 1.24, 7.11), and being bullied (aOR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.00, 1.98) at least once in the past 12 months. Smoking is associated with several behaviors that pose risks to adolescents, such as social issues and smoking-related health problems. Thus, early and integrated prevention programs that address multiple risk behaviors simultaneously are required.
  4. Kaur J, Cheong SM, Mahadir Naidu B, Kaur G, Manickam MA, Mat Noor M, et al.
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2014 Sep;26(5 Suppl):53S-62S.
    PMID: 25070697 DOI: 10.1177/1010539514544356
    Depression among adolescents has been recognized as a major public health issue. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of depression among school-going adolescents in Malaysia. Data from the Malaysia Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) 2012 were analyzed with additional data from the validated DASS21 (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress) questionnaire. The study revealed that 17.7% of respondents had depressive symptoms. Multivariate analysis further showed that feeling lonely (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.99; 95% CI = 2.57-3.47), Indian ethnicity (aOR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.63-2.44), using drugs (aOR = 1.85; 95% CI = 1.21-2.82), and being bullied (aOR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.60-1.99) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Lack of parental supervision, alcohol use, and tobacco use were also significant risk factors. Addressing depressive symptoms among adolescents may have implications for managing their risks of being bullied and substance use. This study also highlights the need to further investigate depressive symptoms among adolescents of Indian ethnicity.
    Study name: Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS)
  5. Kaur J, Kaur G, Ho BK, Yao WK, Salleh M, Lim KH
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Apr;27(3):314-22.
    PMID: 24425796 DOI: 10.1177/1010539513517257
    Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Regular moderate-intensity physical activity has significant benefits for health. To determine the socioeconomic predictors of physical inactivity among elderly Malaysian population. A nationwide community-based survey was conducted among 4831 respondents aged ≥60 years with a face-to-face questionnaire. The prevalence of physical inactivity among the elderly was 88.0%, highest in respondents aged older than 80 years (95.4%), females (90.1%), other Bumiputra (92.2%), earning household income less than RM1000 (87.9%), and residing in urban locality (88.4%). In the multivariate model, the predictors of physical inactivity were only sex, ethnicity, locality, and age group (adjusted odds ratio = 1.3-3.6). The predictors of physical inactivity can identify the risk factors to develop policies that will reduce the public health burden of noncommunicable diseases.
  6. Kaur G
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2009 Apr;21(2):205-15.
    PMID: 19223366 DOI: 10.1177/1010539509331594
    The Asia-Pacific region has at least 50% of its population at risk for malaria. In Malaysia, indigenous malaria is largely concentrated among the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an Orang Asli community in the district of Raub, Pahang, to determine the predictors of malaria. Age, seldom/never wearing protective clothing while in the jungle, going out at night, ever staying in another village, and living in bamboo-walled homes were found to be associated with malaria (crude odds ratio = 1.8-4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-9.1) After adjusting for confounding, major predictors of malaria were age < or =12 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.3;95% CI = 2.2-8.4),), never/seldom wearing protective clothing while in the jungle (aOR = 3.8; 95% CI = 1.8-8.0), and going out at night (aOR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.4-4.8). The findings lend support for intensifying behaviour modification in this population.
  7. Nizam ZM, Abdul Aziz AA, Kaur G, Abu Hassan MR, Mohd Sidek AS, Yeh LY, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(2):619-24.
    PMID: 23621208
    BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) exists in a more common sporadic form and less common hereditary forms, associated with the Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and other rare syndromes. Sporadic CRC is believed to arise as a result of close interaction between environmental factors, including dietary and lifestyle habits, and genetic predisposition factors. In contrast, hereditary forms such as those related to the Lynch syndrome result from inheritance of germline mutations of mismatch repair (MMR) genes. However, in certain cases, the influence of low penetrance alleles in familial colorectal cancer susceptibility is also undeniable.

    AIM: To investigate the genotype frequencies of MLH1 promoter polymorphism -93G>A and to determine whether it could play any role in modulating familial and sporadic CRC susceptibility risk.

    METHODS: A case-control study comprising of 104 histopathologically confirmed CRC patients as cases (52 sporadic CRC and 52 Lynch syndrome patients) and 104 normal healthy individuals as controls was undertaken. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and the polymorphism was genotyped employing PCR-RFLP methods. The genotypes were categorized into homozygous wild type, heterozygous and homozygous variants. The risk association between these polymorphisms and CRC susceptibility risk was calculated using binary logistic regression analysis and deriving odds ratios (ORs).

    RESULTS: When risk association was investigated for all CRC patients as a single group, the heterozygous (G/A) genotype showed a significantly higher risk for CRC susceptibility with an OR of 2.273, (95%CI: 1.133-4.558 and p-value=0.021). When analyzed specifically for the 2 types of CRC, the heterozygous (G/A) genotype showed significantly higher risk for sporadic CRC susceptibility with and OR of 3.714, (95%CI: 1.416-9.740 and p-value=0.008). Despite high OR value was observed for Lynch syndrome (OR: 1.600, 95%CI: 0.715-3.581), the risk was not statistically significant (P=0.253).

    CONCLUSION: Our results suggest an influence of MLH1 promoter polymorphism -93G>A in modulating susceptibility risk in Malaysian CRC patients, especially those with sporadic disease.

  8. Moad AI, Tan ML, Kaur G, Mabruk M
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2012;13(12):6239-44.
    PMID: 23464438
    BACKGROUND: The basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSK). BCC might develop because of the faulty cell cycle arrest. P15INK4b is a tumor suppressor gene, involved in cell cycle arrest and inactivated in most human cancers. The role of p15INK4b protein expression in the genesis of BCC is as yet unknown. In a previous study we showed the absence of p15INK4b expression in the majority of tissue microarray cores of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs), another type of non-melanoma skin cancer, indicating that p15INK4b could possibly be involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous SCC. The aim of this study was to investigate p15INK4b protein expression in BCCs.

    MATERIALS AND METHOD: Protein expression of p15INK4b in 35 cases of BCC tissue arrays and 19 cases of normal human skin tissue was studied using an immunohistochemical approach.

    RESULTS: The expression of p15INK4b was not significantly different in the BCC cases as compared with normal human skin (p=0.356; p>0.05). In addition, there were no significant relationship between clinicopathologic variables of patients (age and sex) and p15INK4b protein expression.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our finding may indicate that p15INK4b protein expression does not play a role in the genesis of BCC.

  9. Tee GH, Hairi NN, Nordin F, Choo WY, Chan YY, Kaur G, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(9):3659-65.
    PMID: 25987018
    BACKGROUND: Waterpipe tobacco smoking has becoming popular especially among young people worldwide. Smokers are attracted by its sweeter, smoother smoke, social ambience and the misconception of reduced harm. The objective of this study was to systematically review the effects of waterpipe tobacco policies and practices in reducing its prevalence.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted electronically using the PubMed, OVID, Science Direct, Proquest and Embase databases. All possible studies from 1980 to 2013 were initially screened based on titles and abstracts. The selected articles were subjected to data extraction and quality rating.

    RESULTS: Three studies met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for this review. Almost all of the waterpipe tobacco products and its accessories did not comply with the regulations on health warning labelling practices as stipulated under Article 11 of WHO FCTC. In addition, the grisly new warning labels for cigarettes introduced by Food and Drug Administration did not affect hookah tobacco smoking generally. Indoor air quality in smoking lounges was found to be poor and some hookah lounges were operated without smoke shop certification.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed the availability of minimal information on the practices in controlling waterpipe smoking in reducing its prevalence. The lack of comprehensive legislations or practices in controlling waterpipe smoking warrants further research and policy initiatives to curb this burgeoning global epidemic, especially among the vulnerable younger population.
  10. Okekpa SI, S M N Mydin RB, Mangantig E, Azmi NSA, Zahari SNS, Kaur G, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 Nov 01;20(11):3505-3514.
    PMID: 31759378 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.11.3505
    OBJECTIVE: Risk factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have been linked with diets, life style and viral
    infections. NPC is more rampant in Asian populations than non-Asian countries. Our study aims to assess the validity
    of the suggestions provided by multiple case control studies demonstrating that salted fish consumption, smoking and
    alcohol consumption are associated with the risk of NPC in Asia.

    METHODS: Search for related literature on salted fish,
    smoking and alcohol consumption were performed via Science Direct, PubMed databases and Google Scholar. Articles
    included in this study were from 2009 to 2017, with specific focus on salted fish, smoking and alcohol consumption
    as risk factors of NPC. This study excluded all articles published prior to 2009 and articles involving other cancers.
    Data were extracted independently by two different researchers and harmonized. Meta-analysis was conducted on the
    obtained data, by using R package Meta to create funnel and forest plots.

    RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed that
    salted fish, smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly associated to NPC risk with random effect model score
    showing OR of 1.41 at 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.13-1.75 (P<0.01), OR of 1.89 at 95 % CI of 1.49 - 2.38, and
    OR: 1.42 at 95 % CI of 1.23 - 1.65 respectively. Our results also revealed significant association of salted meat, salted
    vegetables, house type, wood dust exposure associated with NPC risk with p values less than 0.05.

    CONCLUSION: This
    study proposes that salted fish intake, smoking and alcohol consumption might be linked to NPC risk in Asians. Further
    studies are necessary to ascertain the molecular mechanisms and clarify if the associated path that could function as
    therapeutic target.

  11. Kaur G, Balasubramaniam SD, Lee YJ, Balakrishnan V, Oon CE
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 Oct 01;20(10):3043-3049.
    PMID: 31653153 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.10.3043
    OBJECTIVE: Minichromosome maintenance complex (MCM) proteins are essential for the process of DNA replication and cell division. This study aimed to evaluate MCM genes expression profiles and MCM2 protein in HPV-associated cervical carcinogenesis.

    METHODOLOGY: MCM2, 4, 5 and 7 genes expression profiles were evaluated in three cervical tissue samples each of normal cervix, human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), using Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 and validated by nCounter® PanCancer Pathway NanoString Array. Immunohistochemical expression of MCM2 protein was semi-quantitatively assessed by histoscore in tissue microarrays containing 9 cases of normal cervix, 10 LSIL, 10 HSIL and 42 cases of SCC.

    RESULTS: MCM2, 4, 5 and 7 genes expressions were upregulated with increasing fold change during the progression from LSIL to HSIL and the highest in SCC. MCM2 gene had the highest fold change in SCC compared to normal cervix. Immunohistochemically, MCM2 protein was localised in the nuclei of basal cells of normal cervical epithelium and dysplastic-neoplastic cells of CIN and SCC. There was a significant difference in MCM2 protein expression between the histological groups (P = 0.039), and histoscore was the highest in HSIL compared to normal cervix (P = 0.010).

    CONCLUSION: The upregulation of MCM genes expressions in cervical carcinogenesis reaffirms MCM as a proliferative marker in DNA replication pathway, whereby proliferation of dysplastic and cancer cells become increasingly dysregulated and uncontrolled. A strong expression of MCM2 protein in HSIL may aid as a concatenated screening tool in detecting pre-cancerous cervical lesions.

  12. Selvarajah S, Haniff J, Kaur G, Guat Hiong T, Bujang A, Chee Cheong K, et al.
    PMID: 23442728 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2261-13-10
    Recent increases in cardiovascular risk-factor prevalences have led to new national policy recommendations of universal screening for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in Malaysia. This study assessed whether the current national policy recommendation of universal screening was optimal, by comparing the effectiveness and impact of various cardiovascular screening strategies.
  13. Kamaruzaman NA, Sulaiman SA, Kaur G, Yahaya B
    PMID: 24886260 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-176
    Honey is widely used in folk medicine to treat cough, fever, and inflammation. In this study, the effect of aerosolised honey on airway tissues in a rabbit model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma was investigated. The ability of honey to act either as a rescuing agent in alleviating asthma-related symptoms or as a preventive agent to preclude the occurrence of asthma was also assessed.
  14. Kaur G, Tee GH, Ariaratnam S, Krishnapillai AS, China K
    BMC Fam Pract, 2013;14:69.
    PMID: 23710584 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2296-14-69
    Diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent condition in Malaysia, increasing from 11.6% in 2006 to 15.2% in 2011 among individuals 18 years and above. Co-morbid depression in diabetics is associated with hyperglycemia, diabetic complications and increased health care costs. The aims of this study are to determine the prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in Type II diabetics attending government primary care facilities in the urban area of Klang Valley, Malaysia.
  15. Karbwang J, Koonrungsesomboon N, Torres CE, Jimenez EB, Kaur G, Mathur R, et al.
    BMC Med Ethics, 2018 09 15;19(1):79.
    PMID: 30219106 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-018-0318-x
    BACKGROUND: The use of lengthy, detailed, and complex informed consent forms (ICFs) is of paramount concern in biomedical research as it may not truly promote the rights and interests of research participants. The extent of information in ICFs has been the subject of debates for decades; however, no clear guidance is given. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the perspectives of research participants about the type and extent of information they need when they are invited to participate in biomedical research.

    METHODS: This multi-center, cross-sectional, descriptive survey was conducted at 54 study sites in seven Asia-Pacific countries. A modified Likert-scale questionnaire was used to determine the importance of each element in the ICF among research participants of a biomedical study, with an anchored rating scale from 1 (not important) to 5 (very important).

    RESULTS: Of the 2484 questionnaires distributed, 2113 (85.1%) were returned. The majority of respondents considered most elements required in the ICF to be 'moderately important' to 'very important' for their decision making (mean score, ranging from 3.58 to 4.47). Major foreseeable risk, direct benefit, and common adverse effects of the intervention were considered to be of most concerned elements in the ICF (mean score = 4.47, 4.47, and 4.45, respectively).

    CONCLUSIONS: Research participants would like to be informed of the ICF elements required by ethical guidelines and regulations; however, the importance of each element varied, e.g., risk and benefit associated with research participants were considered to be more important than the general nature or technical details of research. Using a participant-oriented approach by providing more details of the participant-interested elements while avoiding unnecessarily lengthy details of other less important elements would enhance the quality of the ICF.

  16. Lim HK, Ghazali SM, Kee CC, Lim KK, Chan YY, Teh HC, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2013 Jan 07;13:8.
    PMID: 23294728 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-8
    BACKGROUND: Three National Health and Morbidity Surveys (NHMSs) had been conducted in Malaysia in 10-year intervals from 1986-2006. Based on the latest NHMS survey in 2006, we describe the prevalence of smoking and identify the social and demographic factors associated with smoking among adult males in Malaysia.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study among 15,639 Malaysian adult males aged 18 years and above was conducted using proportional to size stratified sampling method. The socio-demographic variables examined were level of education, occupation, marital status, residential area, age group and monthly household income.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking among adult males in Malaysia was 46.5% (95% CI: 45.5-47.4%), which was 3% lower than a decade ago. Mean age of smoking initiation was 18.3 years, and mean number of cigarettes smoked daily was 11.3. Prevalence of smoking was highest among the Malays (55.9%) and those aged 21-30 years (59.3%). Smoking was significantly associated with level of education (no education OR 2.09 95% CI (1.67-2.60), primary school OR 1.95, 95% CI (1.65-2.30), secondary school OR 1.88, 95% CI (1.63-2.11), with tertiary education as the reference group). Marital status (divorce OR 1.67, 95% CI (1.22-2.28), with married as the reference group), ethnicity (Malay, OR 2.29, 95% CI ( 1.98-2.66; Chinese OR 1.23 95% CI (1.05-1.91), Other Bumis OR 1.75, 95% CI (1.46-2.10, others OR 1.48 95% CI (1.15-1.91), with Indian as the reference group), age group (18-20 years OR 2.36, 95% CI (1.90-2.94); 20-29 years OR 3.31 , 95% CI 2.82-3.89; 31-40 years OR 2.85 , 95% CI ( 2.47-3.28); 41-50 years OR 1.93, 95% CI (1.69-2.20) ; 51-60 years OR 1.32, 95% CI (1.15-1.51), with 60 year-old and above as the reference group) and residential area (rural OR 1.12 , 95% CI ( 1.03-1.22)) urban as reference.

    CONCLUSION: The prevalence of smoking among Malaysian males remained high in spite of several population interventions over the past decade. Tobacco will likely remain a primary cause of premature mortality and morbidity in Malaysia. Continuous and more comprehensive anti-smoking policy measures are needed in order to further prevent the increasing prevalence of smoking among Malaysian men, particularly those who are younger, of Malay ethnicity, less educated, reside in rural residential area and with lower socio-economic status.

  17. Mittal P, Klingler-Hoffmann M, Arentz G, Winderbaum L, Kaur G, Anderson L, et al.
    Biochim Biophys Acta Proteins Proteom, 2017 Jul;1865(7):846-857.
    PMID: 27784647 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2016.10.010
    The prediction of lymph node metastasis using clinic-pathological data and molecular information from endometrial cancers lacks accuracy and is therefore currently not routinely used in patient management. Consequently, although only a small percentage of patients with endometrial cancers suffer from metastasis, the majority undergo radical surgery including removal of pelvic lymph nodes. Upon analysis of publically available data and published research, we compiled a list of 60 proteins having the potential to display differential abundance between primary endometrial cancers with versus those without lymph node metastasis. Using data dependent acquisition LC-ESI-MS/MS we were able to detect 23 of these proteins in endometrial cancers, and using data independent LC-ESI-MS/MS the differential abundance of five of those proteins was observed. The localization of the differentially expressed proteins, was visualized using peptide MALDI MSI in whole tissue sections as well as tissue microarrays of 43 patients. The proteins identified were further validated by immunohistochemistry. Our data indicate that annexin A2 protein level is upregulated, whereas annexin A1 and α actinin 4 expression are downregulated in tumours with lymph node metastasis compared to those without lymphatic spread. Moreover, our analysis confirmed the potential of these markers, to be included in a statistical model for prediction of lymph node metastasis. The predictive model using highly ranked m/z values identified by MALDI MSI showed significantly higher predictive accuracy than the model using immunohistochemistry data. In summary, using publicly available data and complementary proteomics approaches, we were able to improve the prediction model for lymph node metastasis in EC.
  18. Vigneswari S, Murugaiyah V, Kaur G, Abdul Khalil HP, Amirul AA
    Biomed Mater, 2016 10 06;11(5):055009.
    PMID: 27710927
    Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a microbial polymer that has been at the forefront of many attempts at tissue engineering. However, the surface of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB-co-4HB)) is hydrophobic with few recognition sites for cell attachment. Various concentrations of fish-scale collagen peptides (FSCPs) were incorporated into P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymer by aminolysis. Later, FSCPs were introduced onto the aminolyzed P(3HB-co-4HB) scaffolds. Introduction of the FSCP groups was verified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the ninhydrin method. The effect of the incorporation of FSCPs on hydrophilicity was investigated using the water contact angle. As the concentration of FSCPs increased, the water contact angle decreased. In vitro study demonstrated that P(3HB-co-4HB)/FSCP scaffolds provided better cell attachment and growth of L929 mouse fibroblast cells and better cell proliferation. In vivo study showed that P(3HB-co-4HB)/1.5 wt% FSCPs had a significant effect on wound contractions, with the highest percentage of wound closure (61%) in 7 d.
  19. Ong KL, Kaur G, Pensupa N, Uisan K, Lin CSK
    Bioresour Technol, 2018 Jan;248(Pt A):100-112.
    PMID: 28662903 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.06.076
    Staggering amounts of food waste are being generated in Asia by means of agricultural processing, food transportation and storage, and human food consumption activities. This along with the recent sustainable development goals of food security, environmental protection, and energy efficiency are the key drivers for food waste valorization. The aim of this review is to provide an insight on the latest trends in food waste valorization in Asian countries such as India, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Landfilling, incineration, and composting are the first-generation food waste processing technologies. The advancement of valorisation alternatives to tackle the food waste issue is the focus of this review. Furthermore, a series of examples of key food waste valorization schemes in this Asian region as case studies to demonstrate the advancement in bioconversions in these countries are described. Finally, important legislation aspects for food waste disposal in these Asian countries are also reported.
  20. Ahmad A, Sattar MA, Rathore HA, Abdulla MH, Khan SA, Abdullah NA, et al.
    Can J Physiol Pharmacol, 2014 Dec;92(12):1029-35.
    PMID: 25403946 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2014-0236
    This study investigated the role of α1D-adrenoceptor in the modulation of renal haemodynamics in rats with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). LVH was established in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats with isoprenaline (5.0 mg · (kg body mass)(-1), by subcutaneous injection every 72 h) and caffeine (62 mg · L(-1) in drinking water, daily for 14 days). Renal vasoconstrictor responses were measured for noradrenaline (NA), phenylephrine (PE), and methoxamine (ME) before and immediately after low or high dose intrarenal infusions of BMY 7378, a selective α1D-adrenoceptor blocker. The rats with LVH had higher mean arterial blood pressure and circulating NA levels, but lower renal cortical blood perfusion compared with the control group (all P < 0.05). In the LVH group, the magnitude of the renal vasoconstrictor response to ME was blunted, but not the response to NA or PE (P < 0.05), compared with the control group (LVH vs. C, 38% vs. 50%). The magnitude of the drop in the vasoconstrictor responses to NA, PE, and ME in the presence of a higher dose of BMY 7378 was significantly greater in the LVH group compared with the control group (LVH vs. C, 45% vs. 25% for NA, 52% vs. 33% for PE, 66% vs. 53% for ME, all P < 0.05). These findings indicate an impaired renal vasoconstrictor response to adrenergic agonists during LVH. In addition, the α1D-adrenoceptor subtype plays a key role in the modulation of vascular responses in this diseased state.
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links