Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 203 in total

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  1. Arham AF, Amin L, Mustapa MAC, Mahadi Z, Yaacob M, Wasli MMP, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2023 Jun 14;23(1):1140.
    PMID: 37312081 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16054-3
    BACKGROUND: Fogging is a conventional technique used to combat Aedes mosquitoes and prevent dengue disease. It is often implemented in outbreak areas or areas harbouring a high density of Aedes mosquitoes. Currently, studies on stakeholders' attitudes towards fogging are still limited in number. Therefore, this study aims to assess Malaysian attitudes, and identify the predicting factors influencing such attitudes.

    METHODS: A validated instrument was used to interview 399 randomly selected respondents from the public (n = 202, 50.6%) and scientists (n = 197, 49.4%) in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia. The data were analysed using PLS-SEM involving Smart-PLS software.

    RESULTS: The results confirmed that stakeholder attitudes toward fogging should be viewed in terms of a multi-dimensional association. The stakeholders surveyed were highly positive with regard to the application of fogging to control dengue but professed moderate concerns as to associated risks. The PLS-SEM analyses demonstrated that the perceived benefit was the most important factor influencing attitudes, followed by trust in key players.

    CONCLUSIONS: This result provides a good insight from the perspective of education and unravels the underlying fundamentals of stakeholders' attitudes toward the fogging technique. The findings also provide a positive indicator to the responsible parties involved to continue the usage of this technique in conjunction with improvements with regard to its safety aspects, and possibly in combination with other environmental-friendly alternatives in order to achieve a healthy environment without dengue in Malaysia.

    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  2. Dalzell O, Mohd Ariffin S, Patrick CJ, Hardiman R, Manton DJ, Parashos P, et al.
    Eur Arch Paediatr Dent, 2021 Oct;22(5):911-927.
    PMID: 34146251 DOI: 10.1007/s40368-021-00641-2
    PURPOSE: Pulpectomy may be indicated in restorable primary teeth exhibiting irreversible pulpitis or pulpal necrosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the cleaning and shaping efficacy of NiTi systems (Reciproc® Blue and MTwo®) with manual stainless-steel instrumentation in primary molars using micro-CT analysis.

    METHODS: Fifty-seven maxillary second primary molars were scanned using micro-CT. Teeth with three divergent roots were divided randomly (n = 15) according to instrument type (K file, MTwo®, and Reciproc® Blue). Teeth with root fusion were instrumented manually as a separate group (n = 12). Pre- and post-instrumentation micro-CT images were superimposed, and the instrumentation area (IA) and procedural complications were recorded.

    RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in IA between file systems was observed in the non-fused teeth. The mean IA of fused roots was significantly lower than in the non-fused distobuccal (p = 0.003) and palatal (p  60%) occurred in both non-fused and fused primary teeth with fewer procedural complications observed after manual instrumentation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  3. Collister D, Mbuagbaw L, Guyatt G, Devereaux PJ, Tennankore KK, Reis G, et al.
    Contemp Clin Trials, 2021 08;107:106466.
    PMID: 34098039 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2021.106466
    BACKGROUND/AIMS: To examine how measuring adherence at 3 weeks by self-report and pill counts compares to measurements at 7 weeks in a pre-randomization run-in period.

    METHODS: Study within a trial of an international parallel group randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compares spironolactone to placebo. Adults receiving dialysis enter an 8-week active run-in period with spironolactone. Adherence was assessed by both self-report and pill counts in a subgroup of participants at both 3 weeks and 7 weeks.

    RESULTS: 332 participants entered the run-in period of which 166 had complete data. By self-report, 146/166 (94.0%) and 153/166 (92.2%) had at least 80% adherence at 3 and 7 weeks respectively (kappa = 0.27 (95% C.I. 0.16 to 0.38). By pill counts, the mean (SD) adherence was 96.5% (16.1%) and 92.4% (18.2%) at 3 and 7 weeks respectively (r = 0.32) with a mean (SD) difference of 3.1% (17.8%) and a 95% limit of agreement from -31.7% to +37.9%. The proportion of adherent participants by self-report and pill counts at 3 weeks agreed in 87.4% of participants (McNemar's p-value 0.58, kappa 0.11, p = 0.02) and at 7 weeks agreed in 92.2% (McNemar's p-value 0.82, kappa 0.47, p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  4. Prathiviraj R, Rajeev R, Fernandes H, Rathna K, Lipton AN, Selvin J, et al.
    Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2021 May;112:92-107.
    PMID: 33675990 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.02.018
    Penaeus vannamei is one of the most economically vital shrimp globally, but infectious diseases have hampered its proper production and supply. As antibiotics pose a huge threat to the environment and humankind, it is essential to seek an alternative strategy to overcome infection and ensure proper culture and production. The present study investigates the effect of an anti-infective biosurfactant derivative lipopeptide MSA31 produced by a marine bacterium on the growth performance, disease resistance, and the gut microbiome of P. vannamei when challenged with pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus SF14. The shrimp were fed with a commercial and lipopeptide formulated diet for 60 days and the growth performance was analyzed. The lipopeptide fed shrimp group showed enhanced growth performance and specific growth rate with improved weight gain than the control group. The challenge experiment showed that the survival rate was significant in the lipopeptide fed group compared to the control group. The results revealed 100% mortality in the control group at the end of 12 h of challenge, while 50% of the lipopeptide diet-fed group survived 24 h, which indicates the enhanced disease resistance in shrimp fed with a lipopeptide diet. The test group also showed higher levels of digestive and immune enzymes, which suggests that the lipopeptide diet could positively modulate the digestive and immune activity of the shrimp. The gut microbiome profiling by Illumina high-throughput sequencing revealed that the most abundant genera in the lipopeptide diet-fed group were Adhaeribacter, Acidothermus, Brevibacillus, Candidatus, Mycobacterium, Rodopila, and Streptomyces, while opportunistic pathogens such as Streptococcus, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Neisseria, Rhizobium, and Salmonella were abundant in the control diet-fed shrimp. Also, lipopeptide diet-fed shrimp were found to have a high abundance of ammonia and nitrogen oxidizing bacteria, which are essential pollutant degraders. Therefore, the study reveals that the dietary supplementation of lipopeptide in shrimp aquaculture could positively modulate the gut microbiome and enhance the shrimp's overall health and immunity in an eco-friendly manner.
    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  5. Goni O, Khan MF, Rahman MM, Hasan MZ, Kader FB, Sazzad N, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2021 Mar 25;268:113664.
    PMID: 33278545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113664
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aglaonema hookerianum Schott is an ethnomedicinally important plant used to treat a variety of diseases, including sexual and depression-like disorders. However, the scientific basis underlying the aforesaid properties have not been well justified.

    AIM OF THE STUDY: The present investigation aimed to investigate the anxiolytic, antidepressant and aphrodisiac potentials of methanol leaves extract of A. hookerianum (MEAH) in Swiss albino mice.

    MATERIALS & METHODS: Swiss albino mice (20-30 g) were orally administrated with MEAH at the doses ranging from 100 to 400 mg/kg, b.w. The elevated plus maze (EPM) and hole board test (HBT) were performed to determine the anxiolytic activity and the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were performed to determine the antidepressant activity of MEAH. Besides, the aphrodisiac activity of MEAH was conducted through the mounting behaviour and orientation behaviour analysis. Diazepam (1 mg/kg, b.w., i.p.) for EPM and HBT; fluoxetine HCl (20 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) for FST and TST, and sildenafil (5 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) for the mounting behaviour analysis and orientation behaviour analysis were used as reference drugs.

    RESULTS: The administration of the MEAH produced a strong (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  6. Rezvanian M, Ng SF, Alavi T, Ahmad W
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2021 Feb 28;171:308-319.
    PMID: 33421467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.12.221
    Previously we developed and characterized a novel hydrogel film wound dressing containing Sodium Alginate and Pectin loaded with Simvastatin with multi-functional properties. This study investigated the in-vivo efficacy of the developed wound dressing on type I diabetic wound model. Experiments were performed on male Wistar rats for the period of 21-days. Animals developed diabetes after intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg) of Streptozotocin then randomly divided into different groups. On days 7, 14, and 21 of post-wounding, animals were euthanized and the wounds tissue were harvested for analysis. The wound healing rate, hematology and histological analysis, hydroxyproline assay, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A measurements were noted. The results revealed that the wound dressing healed the wounded area significantly (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  7. Ismail CAN, Suppian R, Ab Aziz CB, Long I
    J Mol Neurosci, 2021 Feb;71(2):379-393.
    PMID: 32671697 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01661-1
    The pharmacological inhibition of glial activation is one of the new approaches for combating neuropathic pain in which the role of glia in the modulation of neuropathic pain has attracted significant interest and attention. Neuron-glial crosstalk is achieved with N-methyl-D-aspartate-2B receptor (NMDAR-2B) activation. This study aims to determine the effect of ifenprodil, a potent noncompetitive NMDAR-2B antagonist, on activated microglia, brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) and downstream regulatory element antagonist modulator (DREAM) protein expression in the spinal cord of streptozotocin-induced painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) rats following formalin injection. In this experimentation, 48 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly selected and divided into four groups: (n = 12): control, PDN, and ifenprodil-treated PDN rats at 0.5 μg or 1.0 μg for 7 days. Type I diabetes mellitus was then induced by injecting streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p.) into the rats which were then over a 2-week period allowed to progress into the early phase of PDN. Ifenprodil was administered in PDN rats while saline was administered intrathecally in the control group. A formalin test was conducted during the fourth week to induce inflammatory nerve injury, in which the rats were sacrificed at 72 h post-formalin injection. The lumbar enlargement region (L4-L5) of the spinal cord was dissected for immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses. The results demonstrated a significant increase in formalin-induced flinching and licking behavior with an increased spinal expression of activated microglia, BDNF and DREAM proteins. It was also shown that the ifenprodil-treated rats following both doses reduced the extent of their flinching and duration of licking in PDN in a dose-dependent manner. As such, ifenprodil successfully demonstrated inhibition against microglia activation and suppressed the expression of BDNF and DREAM proteins in the spinal cord of PDN rats. In conclusion, ifenprodil may alleviate PDN by suppressing spinal microglia activation, BDNF and DREAM proteins.
    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  8. Abd Hamid MH, Abdullah S, Ahmad AA, Narin Singh PSG, Soh EZF, Liu CY, et al.
    Cureus, 2021 Jan 23;13(1):e12876.
    PMID: 33633905 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.12876
    INTRODUCTION: Distal end radius fractures are common fractures commonly treated with an option of open reduction and plating. Traditionally, plating is performed under general anesthesia (GA) or regional block. Recently, a new technique of plating under wide-awake local anesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) has been introduced. We aim to compare the preoperative anxiety level, intraoperative pain scores, post-operative pain scores, operating time, blood loss and clinical outcome of distal end radius plating with WALANT versus GA with tourniquet.

    METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled study on patients with closed fracture of the distal end of the radius requiring open reduction and plating from January 2019 till April 2020. We recruited 65 patients (33 patients in the WALANT group and 32 patients in the GA group). Randomization was done via block randomization. Data were collected to evaluate preoperative anxiety using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) score, intraoperative pain score during injection (baseline) (V1), 10 minutes after injection (V2), during incision (V3), during gentle manipulation (V4), during aggressive manipulation (V5) and during first drilling of screw (V6), blood loss, duration of surgery and post-operative pain score. Additionally, intraoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score was obtained in the WALANT group. At three weeks, six weeks, three months and six months after operation, the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) scores and range of motion (ROM) of the wrists were obtained.

    RESULTS: The average age in the WALANT group was 47.19 (range, 36-64) years and GA group was 49.48 (range, 38-60) years. The mean APAIS score obtained was 7.78 (WALANT group) and 7.36 (GA group) with no statistical difference. For intraoperative VAS, only during V4 and V5 were the scores 1/10; otherwise at all other phases, the VAS score was 0. The average time for surgery was statistically longer in the WALANT group (61.22 minutes) compared to the GA group (55.33 minutes) (p = 0.003). There was no statistical difference in mean blood loss in both groups. The average post-operative VAS showed statistical significance only at 1 hour and 12 hours post-operation with no statistical difference at 2 and 24 hours post-operation. There was no difference in the post-operative ROM including wrist flexion, extension, supination and pronation for both groups up to six months' follow-up.

    CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference in terms of preoperative anxiety level, intraoperative and post-operative VAS score, amount of blood loss and clinical outcome in both groups for plating of the distal end radius. However, the operating time was slightly longer in the WALANT group. We conclude that distal radius plating under WALANT has similar outcomes to GA. In centres with limited resources, WALANT offers a safe, reliable and cheaper option, reserving GA time for head, abdominal and thoracic surgery.

    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  9. Noh ASM, Chuan TD, Khir NAM, Zin AAM, Ghazali AK, Long I, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0260423.
    PMID: 34879087 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260423
    Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) has been used to develop the arthritic or inflammatory condition in the animal, but there is a lack of information concerning high CFA doses on nociceptive behaviour and inflammatory parameters. This study aimed to compare the effects of different high doses of CFA in rat to closely mimic nociceptive and inflammatory parameters of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in humans. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): Control (C), CFA-induced polyarthritic groups at 5.0 mg/mL (CFA 5.0), 7.5 mg/mL (CFA 7.5) and 10.0mg/mL (CFA 10.0). The rats' right hindpaw was inoculated with CFA intradermally and developed into a polyarthritic state within 20 days. Nociceptive behavioural assessments, including von Frey and hot plate tests and spontaneous activities, were conducted on day 0, 7, 15 and 20. Bilateral ankle joints diameter and circumference, full blood count, joints and paw histological examinations were also conducted throughout the study period. Based on the results, CFA 5.0 and CFA 7.5 groups showed a significant increase in spontaneous activities and development of thermal hyperalgesia but no change in body weight and food intake, no development of tactile allodynia and haematological indices, and no significant morphological changes of joints histology. Meanwhile, CFA 10.0 group demonstrated significant and constant changes in all nociceptive and inflammatory parameters investigated. In conclusion, CFA at the dose of 10mg/mL has the most potential and reliable dosage to develop polyarthritis in a rat model to mimic RA condition in humans.
    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  10. Alkhawaldeh JM, Soh KL, Mukhtar F, Peng OC, Alkhawaldeh HM, Al-Amer R, et al.
    J Adv Nurs, 2020 Nov;76(11):3123-3135.
    PMID: 32856353 DOI: 10.1111/jan.14506
    AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the stress management interventional program in reducing occupational stress and improving coping strategies among public health nurses.

    DESIGN: A double-blind, cluster-randomized approach was used as a randomization method for this study to evaluate the stress management interventional program.

    METHODS: A cluster-randomized controlled trial was carried out in eight comprehensive healthcare centres in Amman city, Jordan; four centres were randomly assigned to each experimental and control group. One hundred and seventy nurses were selected randomly from March 2019 - August 2019 and data were collected by using the Nursing Stress Scale & brief COPE over three data collection times. Both descriptive and inferential statistics (repeated measure ANOVA, Independent t test, and chi-squared) were used to answer the research questions of this study.

    RESULTS: The results showed that both the levels of occupational stress and coping strategies were significantly different between the two study groups over the three data collection points (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  11. Fayaz MA, Awang-Junaidi AH, Singh J, Honaramooz A
    Ultrasound Med Biol, 2020 11;46(11):3088-3103.
    PMID: 32800471 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.07.010
    Testis tissue xenografting and testis cell aggregate implantation from various donor species into recipient mice are novel models for the study and manipulation of testis formation and function in target species. Thus far, the analysis of such studies has been limited to surgical or post-mortem retrieval of samples. Here we used ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) to monitor the development of neonatal porcine testis grafts and implants in host mice for 24 wk, and to correlate UBM and (immuno)histologic changes. This led to long-term visualization of gradual changes in volume, dimension and structure of grafts and implants; detection of a 4 wk developmental gap between grafts and implants; and revelation of differences in implant development depending on the craniocaudal site of implantation on the back of host mice. Our data support the reliability and precision of UBM for longitudinal study of transplants, which eliminates the need for frequent surgical sampling.
    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  12. Suleiman JB, Nna VU, Othman ZA, Zakaria Z, Bakar ABA, Mohamed M
    Andrology, 2020 09;8(5):1471-1485.
    PMID: 32438512 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12824
    BACKGROUND: Steroidogenesis decline is reported to be one of the mechanisms associated with obesity-induced male factor subfertility/infertility.

    OBJECTIVES: We explored the possible preventive/therapeutic effects of orlistat (a medication prescribed for weight loss) on obesity-induced steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis decline.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were randomized into four groups (n = 6/group), namely; normal control, high-fat diet, high-fat diet plus orlistat preventive group and high-fat diet plus orlistat treatment group. Orlistat (10 mg/kg/b.w./d suspended in distilled water) was either concurrently administered with high-fat diet for 12 weeks (high-fat diet plus orlistat preventive group) or administered from week 7-12 post- high-fat diet feeding (high-fat diet plus orlistat treatment group). Thereafter, serum, testes and epididymis were collected for analyses.

    RESULTS: Obesity increased serum leptin and decreased adiponectin levels, decreased serum and intra-testicular levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and testosterone, sperm count, motility, viability, normal morphology and epididymal antioxidants, but increased epididymal malondialdehyde level and sperm nDNA fragmentation. Testicular mRNA transcript levels of androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP11A1), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were significantly decreased in the testes of the high-fat diet group. Further, the levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein protein and enzymatic activities of CYP11A1, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were also significantly decreased in the testes of the high-fat diet group. Treatment with orlistat significantly decreased leptin and increased adiponectin levels, improved sperm parameters, decreased sperm DNA fragmentation, increased the levels of steroidogenic hormones, proteins and associated genes in high-fat diet-induced obese male rats, with the preventive group (high-fat diet plus orlistat preventive group) having better results relative to the treatment group (high-fat diet plus orlistat treatment group).

    DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Orlistat attenuated impaired spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis decline by up-regulating steroidogenic genes. This may not be unconnected to its significant effect in lowering serum leptin levels, since the hormone is known to dampen fertility potential. Therefore, orlistat may improve fertility potential in overweight/obese men.

    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  13. Daghash H, Lim Abdullah K, Ismail MD
    J Eval Clin Pract, 2020 Aug;26(4):1280-1291.
    PMID: 31489762 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13280
    BACKGROUND: Health care institutions need to construct management strategies for patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that focus on evidence-based treatments, adherence to treatment guidelines, and organized care. These help to reduce variations as well as the mortality and morbidity rates, which indicates the critical need for standardized care and adherence to evidence-based practices for patients hospitalized with ACS. The care pathways translate research and guidelines into clinical practice to close the gap between the guidelines and the clinical practices.

    OBJECTIVES: This review focuses on identifying the indicators used to evaluate ACS care pathways and their effect on the care process and clinical outcomes.

    METHODS: This review follows the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The systematic research was conducted using five research databases. Two groups were created by dividing the studies according to their year of publication. The first group included those studies published from 1997 to 2007 ("Group 1"), while the second included those published from 2008 to 2018 ("Group 2"). Selected studies were screened using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) quality assessment tool.

    RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included in this review. One study was a randomized controlled trial, 14 were predesigns and postdesigns, and two were longitudinal observational designs. The Group 1 studies demonstrated that ACS care pathways had a positive effect on reducing the length of the hospital stay and the door-to-balloon times. Similar effects were observed for the Group 2 studies.

    CONCLUSION: Implementing ACS care pathway helps to organize care processes and decrease treatment delays as well as improve the patient outcomes without adverse consequences for patients or additional resources and costs. While the current level of evidence is inadequate to warrant a formal recommendation, there is a need for more studies with an emphasis on well-designed randomization to measure patient outcomes.

    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  14. Lee CY, Song AA, Loh TC, Abdul Rahim R
    Poult Sci, 2020 Jun;99(6):2916-2925.
    PMID: 32475425 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.03.013
    Globally, the poultry industry is 1 of the most advanced livestock industries. Feed contributes to the biggest proportion (65-70%) of the production cost. Most feed ingredients in Malaysia are imported, which contributes to the high food bill annually, and alternative feed formulation may help decrease the cost of poultry feed. Feed formulation are improved to efficiently meet the dietary requirements of the broilers and 1 of the ways is by reducing the level of crude protein in the diet while supplementing essential amino acids. In this study, the effects of methionine and lysine, which are the 2 most limiting amino acids in the chicken diet, were supplemented in a low crude protein diet, and its effects on the growth and expression of immunity genes such as MUC2, SLC, GAL6, and LEAP-2 were studied. A total of 300 Cobb500 broilers were tested with 10 different dietary treatments. Experimental treatment diets consist of high, standard, and low levels of methionine and lysine in the diet with reduced crude protein. The control group consists of diet with standard levels of lysine, methionine, and crude protein as recommended for Cobb500 broilers. Ribonucleic acid was extracted from the jejunum, spleen, and liver for gene expression analysis which was performed with real-time polymerase chain reaction using SYBR Green chemistry. Results of the growth performance at 6 wk showed improved feed conversion ratio when lysine was increased by 0.2% in a low crude protein diet at 1.96 ± 0.11. Gene expression of MUC2 gene in the jejunum showed a significant increase across all experimental diets with the treatment with higher lysine in low crude protein diet with the highest increase of 3.8 times as compared with the control diet. The other genes expressed in the spleen and liver were mostly downregulated. It was concluded that supplementation of high lysine with standard methionine in a low crude protein diet performed better in terms of lowest feed conversion ratio and high upregulation of MUC2 gene.
    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  15. Yunus J, Salman M, Lintin GBR, Muchtar M, Sari DCR, Arfian N, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 05;75(Suppl 1):5-9.
    PMID: 32471962
    BACKGROUND: Kidney fibrosis, characterised by tubulointerstitial fibrosis, is a histological landmark of chronic kidney disease. The body attempts to compensate for progressive detrimental process of kidney fibrosis by producing antifibrotic substances, such as bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Chlorogenic acid is known to have renoprotective and antifibrotic properties. This study aims to evaluate the effect of chlorogenic acid on unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced kidney fibrosis mice model.

    METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental with posttestonly control group design. Twenty-five adult male Swiss Webster mice were randomly divided into five groups: shamoperated group (SO), UUO-control day-7 (U7), UUO-control day-14 (U14), UUO-chlorogenic acid day-7 (UC7), and UUOchlorogenic acid day 14 (UC14). Myofibroblasts were identified by immunohistochemical staining of alphasmooth muscle actin (α-SMA) while collagen fibers were identified by Sirius Red staining. Both data were presented as area fraction. BMP-7 and HGF mRNA expressions were assessed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Data were quantified using ImageJ software.

    RESULTS: UUO-control groups (U7 and U14) showed higher α- SMA-immunopositive (6.52±1.33, 18.24±1.39 vs. 0.22±0.01; p<0.05) and Sirius Red-positive area fractions (6.61±0.8, 12.98±2.31 vs. 0.62±0.10; p<0.05), lower BMP-7 (1.02±0.47, 1.18±0.65 vs. 2.09±0.87; p<0.05) and HGF mRNA expressions (1.06±0.31, 0.89±0.14 vs. 1.88±0.81; p<0.05) compared to SO group. UUO-chlorogenic acid groups (UC7 and UC14) showed lower α-SMA-immunopositive (1.24±0.37, 4.58±0.61; p<0.05) and Sirius Red-positive area fractions (4.76±1.03, 3.72±0.54; p<0.05), higher BMP-7 (1.84±0.49, 2.19±0.43; p<0.05) and HGF (1.58±0.38; p>0.05, 1.84±0.42; p<0.05) mRNA expressions compared to UUO-control groups. UUOchlorogenic acid groups showed BMP-7 and HGF mRNA expressions that were not significantly different from the SO group.

    CONCLUSION: Chlorogenic acid administration prevents kidney fibrosis in UUO mice model through modulating antifibrotic pathway.

    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  16. Harun N, Johari IS, Mansor SM, Shoaib M
    Psychopharmacology (Berl), 2020 Mar;237(3):855-867.
    PMID: 31832720 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05418-6
    RATIONALE: Kratom is proposed to exhibit therapeutic potential as an opium substitute, but little is known about its dependence-producing profile, particularly of its main psychoactive compound, mitragynine (MG).

    OBJECTIVES: This study examined the dependence-producing effects of MG using operant-scheduled behaviour in rats and investigated the potential therapeutic effect of MG by comparing effects to buprenorphine in morphine-dependent rats using the same schedule-controlled behavioural task.

    METHODS: The effects of acutely administered MG and morphine were determined in rats trained to respond under fixed-ratio (FR) 10 schedule of food reinforcement. Next, the rats were administered MG and morphine twice daily for 14 consecutive days to determine if physiological dependence would develop by examining cessation of drug treatment and following antagonist-precipitated withdrawal. The study then examined the effects of MG substitution to suppress naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal effects on scheduled responding.

    RESULTS: Acute doses of MG did not produce dose-related decreases on FR schedules of responding compared to morphine. Unlike morphine, MG-treated rats showed no suppression of response rates following cessation of MG treatment. However, withdrawal effects were evident for MG after precipitation by either naloxone or SR141716A (rimonabant), similar to morphine-treated rats. MG in higher doses (10 and 30 mg/kg) attenuated the naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal effects while smaller doses of buprenorphine (0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg) were necessary to alleviate these effects.

    CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that MG does not induce physiological dependence but can alleviate the physical symptoms associated with morphine withdrawal which represent the desired characteristics of novel pharmacotherapeutic interventions for managing opioid use disorder (OUD).

    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  17. Guo W, Wu X, Li Y, Gao J, Wang F, Jin Y, et al.
    J Drug Target, 2020 01;28(1):41-45.
    PMID: 30943812 DOI: 10.1080/1061186X.2019.1601199
    Purpose: The present study evaluated biochemical as well as biophysical mechanisms behind the synergistic effects of curcumin and resveratrol during prostate carcinogenesis.Methods: The rats were segregated into five groups that included normal control, 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB)treated, DMAB + curcumin treated, DMAB + resveratrol-treated and DMAB + curcumin + resveratrol-treated.Results: The DMAB treatment resulted in a significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in DMAB treated rats. Also, significant changes were recorded in the enzyme activities of both drug metabolising enzyme and antioxidant enzymes after DMAB treatment. Further, radiorespirometric studies showed a significant increase in the 14C-glucose turnover as well as 14C-glucose uptake in the prostate slices of DMAB treated rats. Moreover, a significant rise in cell proliferation was confirmed indirectly by enhanced uptake of 3H-thymidine in the prostate slices of DMAB treated rats. Interestingly, combined treatment of curcumin and resveratrol to DMAB treated animals resulted in a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, 14C glucose uptakes/turnover and 3H-thymidine uptake in the DMAB treated rats. Besides this, curcumin and resveratrol in combination significantly modulated biochemical indices including drug-metabolising enzymes; antioxidant enzymes in DMBA treated rats.Conclusion: The study, therefore, concludes that the combination of curcumin and resveratrol holds strong modulatory potential against prostate carcinogenesis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  18. Kamarudin SN, Iezhitsa I, Tripathy M, Alyautdin R, Ismail NM
    Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars), 2020;80(1):1-18.
    PMID: 32214270
    Poly (lactide‑co‑glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) are biodegradable carriers that participate in the transport of neuroprotective drugs across the blood brain barrier (BBB). Targeted brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) delivery across the BBB could provide neuroprotection in brain injury. We tested the neuroprotective effect of PLGA nanoparticle‑bound BDNF in a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) model of ischemia in rats. Sprague‑Dawley rats were subjected to pMCAO. Four hours after pMCAO, two groups were intravenously treated with BDNF and NP‑BDNF, respectively. Functional outcome was assessed at 2 and 24 h after pMCAO, using the modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) and rotarod performance tests. Following functional assessments, rats were euthanized blood was taken to assess levels of the neurobiomarkers neuron‑specific enolase and S100 calcium‑binding protein β (S100β), and the brain was evaluated to measure the infarct volume. The NP‑BDNF‑treated group showed significant improvement in mNSS compared with pMCAO and BDNF‑treated groups and showed improved rotarod performance. The infarct volume in rats treated with NP‑BDNFs was also significantly smaller. These results were further corroborated by correlating differences in estimated NSE and S100β. NP‑BDNFs exhibit a significant neuroprotective effect in the pMCAO model of ischemia in rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  19. Mazlinda M, Azra F A, Segaran Ramodran, Marlinah P, Adawiyah N R, Randall M, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Resilience is an important coping mechanism that nurses need to inculcate as they often faced with numerous psychosocial conflicts and stressors in providing day to day patient care. Student nurses are particularly vulnerable to psychosocial stressors and studies indicates that poor resilience is associated with poor academic performance, burn out, depression and high risk of drop out. This study was to examine the level of resilience and associated factors among nursing students in University Malaysia Sabah. Methods: The study entailed a descriptive cross-sectional survey assessing the level of resilience involving student nurses. Ethical clearance for this study was obtained from REC UMS and as well as respondent’s consent. A total of 100(N) nursing students was selected through stratified sampling by year of study (year 1, n=35; year 2 n=35; and year 3 n=30). Sample selection randomization for each year of study was done using full name list generated using Microsoft excel. The study tool consists of a validated instrument (reliability α= 0.82) benchmarked from a previous study which captured respondent`s demo- graphics and a 28-item inquiry related to resilience. Data analysis use descriptive statistics and Fisher`s-Exact test for correlates. Results: In this study among 100 nursing students 82% (n=82) had high resilience score (cut-off mean score more than 3.5) and 18% low resilience score (cut-off mean score lower than 3.4). Comparing distribution of resilience scores, respondents with low resilience scores were higher among thefirst-year nursing student and stu- dents of family origin from rural settings. Conclusion: Findings imply that most nursing students in this study have a high level of resilience and a small cohort of the student nurses have low resilience vulnerable to stressors and risk poor achievement and drop out. There is a need to address nursing students with poor resilience and this paper will discuss some pragmatic strategies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
  20. Aisha Maqsad Hussain, Gururajaprasad Kaggal Lakshmana Rao, Mohd Fadhli Khamis, Norehan Mokhtar
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: A parallel design randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare dentoalveolar and skeletal changes in two groups of patients who had completed twin block therapy; one group had a three-month night-time retention period whereas the other group had no retention period, after twin block therapy but before fixed applianc- es. Methods: 26 participants of Malay ethnicity aged 10 to 15 years were included in the trial and had an overjet of 5mm or greater, molar relationship greater than half cusp Class II on a skeletal Class II base which had been corrected to a Class I molar relationship following twin block therapy. Following randomization, the 26 were divided into two groups of 13. Group A had fixed appliances bonded immediately whereas group B continued wearing twin block at night for three months, after which fixed appliances were bonded. Lateral cephalograms assessed were those taken before randomization, upon twin block therapy completion (T1) and six months after bond-up of fixed appliances (T2). Results: Paired t-test showed several statistically significant dentoalveolar and skeletal changes in group A. In contrast, only condylar head position exhibited a statistically significant change in group B. Despite a statistical sig- nificance, changes measured in both groups were minimal at less than 2mm and therefore clinically insignificant. Independent t-test showed no statistically significant difference between the changes recorded in both groups. Con- clusion: The results suggest that a three-month night-time retention period after twin block therapy does not lead to any changes that may be considered clinically beneficial.
    Matched MeSH terms: Random Allocation
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