Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 10124 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext Symmetric molecules with 1,4-triazole moieties as potent inhibitors of tumour-associated lactate dehydrogenase-A
    Altamimi AS, Alafeefy AM, Balode A, Vozny I, Pustenko A, El Shikh ME, et al.
    J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem, 2018 Dec;33(1):147-150.
    PMID: 29199484 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2017.1404593
    A series of symmetric molecules incorporating aryl or pyridyl moieties as central core and 1,4-substituted triazoles as a side bridge was synthesised. The new compounds were investigated as lactate dehydro-genase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) inhibitors. The cancer associated LDHA isoform was inhibited with IC50 = 117-174 µM. Seven compounds exhibited better LDHA inhibition (IC50 117-136 µM) compared to known LDH inhibitor - galloflavin (IC50 157 µM).
    Matched MeSH terms: Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry; Triazoles/chemistry; Isocoumarins/chemistry
  2. Fulltext Cell entry of a host-targeting protein of oomycetes requires gp96
    Trusch F, Loebach L, Wawra S, Durward E, Wuensch A, Iberahim NA, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2018 06 14;9(1):2347.
    PMID: 29904064 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04796-3
    The animal-pathogenic oomycete Saprolegnia parasitica causes serious losses in aquaculture by infecting and killing freshwater fish. Like plant-pathogenic oomycetes, S. parasitica employs similar infection structures and secretes effector proteins that translocate into host cells to manipulate the host. Here, we show that the host-targeting protein SpHtp3 enters fish cells in a pathogen-independent manner. This uptake process is guided by a gp96-like receptor and can be inhibited by supramolecular tweezers. The C-terminus of SpHtp3 (containing the amino acid sequence YKARK), and not the N-terminal RxLR motif, is responsible for the uptake into host cells. Following translocation, SpHtp3 is released from vesicles into the cytoplasm by another host-targeting protein where it degrades nucleic acids. The effector translocation mechanism described here, is potentially also relevant for other pathogen-host interactions as gp96 is found in both animals and plants.
    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/chemistry; Membrane Microdomains/chemistry*
  3. Molecular epidemiology of wild poliovirus type 1 in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent
    Mulders MN, Lipskaya GY, van der Avoort HG, Koopmans MP, Kew OM, van Loon AM
    J Infect Dis, 1995 Jun;171(6):1399-405.
    PMID: 7769273
    The genomic relationships of wild poliovirus type 1 strains recently isolated in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent was analyzed by automated amplicon sequencing of the VP1/2A junction region of the genome. Four major genotypes of poliovirus type 1 were found to circulate. Two genotypes were found predominantly in Eastern Europe, one of these in the Caucasian Region and the other in countries bordering the Black Sea. A third genotype circulated mainly in Egypt. The fourth and largest genotype circulated in the largest geographic area. Strains belonging to this genotype could be found in countries as far apart as Malaysia and Ukraine. Considerable genetic variation was observed among strains isolated in Egypt, Pakistan, and India, where poliovirus is endemic. Strains belonging to all four genotypes circulated in Pakistan. Data confirm the extent of poliovirus circulation in certain regions, stressing the need for intensification of vaccination in these regions.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA Primers/chemistry
  4. Fulltext Natural Clerodendrum-derived tick repellent: learning from Nepali culture
    Mazuecos L, Contreras M, Kasaija PD, Manandhar P, Grąźlewska W, Guisantes-Batan E, et al.
    Exp Appl Acarol, 2023 Jun;90(1-2):83-98.
    PMID: 37285111 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00804-4
    Ticks attaching to ear canals of humans and animals are the cause of otoacariasis, common in rural areas of Nepal. The plant Clerodendrum viscosum is used in multiple indigenous systems of medicine by ethnic communities in the Indo-Nepali-Malaysian region. Visiting the Chitwan National Park, we learned that in indigenous medicine, flower extract of C. viscosum is utilized to treat digestive disorders and extracts from leaves as tick repellent to prevent ticks from invading or to remove them from the ear canal. The objective of our study was to provide support to indigenous medicine by characterizing the in vivo effect of leave extracts on ticks under laboratory conditions and its phytochemical composition. We collected plant parts of C. viscosum (leaves and flowers) and mango (Mangifera indica) leaves at the Chitwan National Park, previously associated with repellent activity to characterize their effect on Ixodes ricinus ticks by in vivo bioassays. A Q-ToF high-resolution analysis (HPLC-ESI-QToF) was conducted to elucidate phenolic compounds with potential repellent activity. Clerodendrum viscosum and M. indica leaf extracts had the highest tick repellent efficacy (%E = 80-100%) with significant differences when compared to C. viscosum flowers extracts (%E = 20-60%) and phosphate-buffered saline. Phytochemicals with tick repellent function as caffeic acid, fumaric acid and p-coumaric acid glucoside were identified in C. viscosum leaf extracts by HPLC-ESI-QToF, but not in non-repellent flower extracts. These results support the Nepali indigenous medicine application of C. viscosum leaf extracts to repel ticks. Additional research is needed for the development of natural and green repellent formulations to reduce the risks associated with ticks resistant to acaricides.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Extracts/chemistry
  5. Ability of field populations of Coptotermes spp., Reticulitermes flavipes, and Mastotermes darwiniensis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae; Mastotermitidae) to damage plastic cable sheathings
    Lenz M, Kard B, Creffield JW, Evans TA, Brown KS, Freytag ED, et al.
    J Econ Entomol, 2013 Jun;106(3):1395-403.
    PMID: 23865207
    A comparative field study was conducted to evaluate the ability of subterranean termites to damage a set of four different plastic materials (cable sheathings) exposed below- and above-ground. Eight pest species from six countries were included, viz., Coptotermes formosanus (Shiraki) in China, Japan, and the United States; Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) in Thailand and Malaysia; Coptotermes curvignathus (Holmgren) and Coptotermes kalshoveni (Kemner) in Malaysia; Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) with two forms of the species complex and Mastotermes darwiniensis (Froggatt) in Australia; and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) in the United States. Termite species were separated into four tiers relative to decreasing ability to damage plastics. The first tier, most damaging, included C. acinaciformis, mound-building form, and M. darwiniensis, both from tropical Australia. The second tier included C. acinaciformis, tree-nesting form, from temperate Australia and C. kalshoveni from Southeast Asia. The third tier included C. curcignathus and C. gestroi from Southeast Asia and C. formosanus from China, Japan, and the United States, whereas the fourth tier included only R. flavipes, which caused no damage. A consequence of these results is that plastics considered resistant to termite damage in some locations will not be so in others because of differences in the termite fauna, for example, resistant plastics from the United States and Japan will require further testing in Southeast Asia and Australia. However, plastics considered resistant in Australia will be resistant in all other locations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plastics/chemistry
  6. Fulltext A comparative effect of various surface chemical treatments on the resin composite-composite repair bond strength
    Gupta S, Parolia A, Jain A, Kundabala M, Mohan M, de Moraes Porto IC
    J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent, 2015 Jul-Sep;33(3):245-9.
    PMID: 26156281 DOI: 10.4103/0970-4388.160402
    The aim of this in vitro study was an attempt to investigate the effect of different surface treatments on the bond strength between pre-existing composite and repair composite resin.
    Matched MeSH terms: Composite Resins/chemistry*; Hydrofluoric Acid/chemistry*; Maleates/chemistry; Phosphoric Acids/chemistry; Citric Acid/chemistry
  7. PEGylation: a promising strategy to overcome challenges to cancer-targeted nanomedicines: a review of challenges to clinical transition and promising resolution
    Hussain Z, Khan S, Imran M, Sohail M, Shah SWA, de Matas M
    Drug Deliv Transl Res, 2019 06;9(3):721-734.
    PMID: 30895453 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-019-00631-4
    On account of heterogeneity, intrinsic ability of drug resistance, and the potential to invade to other parts of the body (malignancy), the development of a rational anticancer regimen is dynamically challenging. Chemotherapy is considered the gold standard for eradication of malignancy and mitigation of its reoccurrence; nevertheless, it has also been associated with detrimental effects to normal tissues owing to its nonselectivity and nominal penetration into the tumor tissues. In recent decades, nanotechnology-guided interventions have been well-acclaimed due to their ability to facilitate target-specific delivery of drugs, avoidance of nontarget distribution, alleviated systemic toxicity, and maximized drug internalization into cancer cells. Despite their numerous biomedical advantages, clinical translation of nanotechnology-mediated regimens is challenging due to their short plasma half-life and early clearance. PEGylation of nanomedicines has been adapted as an efficient strategy to extend plasma half-life and diminished early plasma clearance via alleviating the opsonization (uptake by monocytes and macrophages) of drug nanocarriers. PEGylation provides "stealth" properties to nanocarrier's surfaces which diminished their recognition or uptake by cellular immune system, leading to longer circulation time, reduced dosage and frequency, and superior site-selective delivery of drugs. Therefore, this review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the pharmaceutical advantages and therapeutic feasibility of PEGylation of nanocarriers in improving tumor-specific targetability, reversing drug resistance, and improving pharmacokinetic profile of drugs and anticancer efficacy. Challenges to PEGylated cancer nanomedicines, possible adaptations to resolve those challenges, and pivotal requirement for interdisciplinary research for development of rational anticancer regimen have also been pondered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry
  8. Clostridium bifermentans serovar malaysia: characterization of putative mosquito larvicidal proteins
    Nicolas L, Charles JF, de Barjac H
    FEMS Microbiol Lett, 1993 Oct 01;113(1):23-8.
    PMID: 8243978
    The toxicity of Clostridium bifermentans serovar malaysia to mosquito larvae is due to protein toxins, belonging to a novel class of insecticidal toxins. Toxic extracts contains three major proteins of 66, 18 and 16 kDa. The 18-kDa and 16-kDa proteins are probably involved in toxicity. They are synthesised during sporulation, concomitant with activity. They are absent from non-toxic strains of C. bifermentans and are present at very low levels in non-toxic C. bifermentans serovar malaysia cultures produced at 42 degrees C. The 66-kDa protein is present throughout the growth phases of C. bifermentans serovar malaysia, and an immunologically related 66-kDa protein is present in non-toxic C. bifermentans strains.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Toxins/chemistry
  9. Validation of ELISA test kits for detection of beta-agonist residues in meat
    Ponniah J, Muhammad K, Abdullah S, Ganapathy KK, bt Sheikh Abdul Hamid N
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2004 Jun;35(2):481-7.
    PMID: 15691160
    Three ELISA test kits, the Randox ELISA beta-agonist test kit, Euro-Diagnostica test kit, and Ridascreen beta-agonist test kit, were evaluated for screening of meat and liver for beta-agonist residues in fortified and field-incurred samples. It was found that the Randox beta-agonist test kit was more suitable as a screening tool due to its accuracy, ease of use, and lower cost. The tests were able to detect beta-agonist residues at the minimum level of detection, as claimed by the suppliers. The performance of the method as assessed through recovery rates of beta-agonists in fortified samples was satisfactory with a low coefficient of variation (1-3%). Repeatability, as measured through the coefficient of correlation was also satisfactory. For field-incurred positive samples, the test kit showed a sensitivity of 100% and a low rate of false positives for goat and cow tissues. However, a high rate of apparent false positives was obtained for tissues of swine.
    Matched MeSH terms: Liver/chemistry
  10. Evaluating belinjau (Gnetum gnemon L.) seed flour quality as a base for development of novel food products and food formulations
    Bhat R, binti Yahya N
    Food Chem, 2014 Aug 1;156:42-9.
    PMID: 24629936 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.01.063
    Belinjau (Gnetum gnemon L.) seed flour was evaluated for nutritional composition, antioxidant activity and functional properties. Seed flour was found to be rich in protein (19.0g/100g), crude fibre (8.66g/100g), carbohydrates (64.1%), total dietary fibre (14.5%) and encompassed adequate amounts of essential amino acids, fatty acids and minerals. Antioxidant compounds such as total phenols (15.1 and 12.6mgGAE/100g), tannins (35.6 and 16.1mgCE/100g) and flavonoids (709 and 81.6mgCEQ/100g) were higher in ethanolic extracts over aqueous extracts, respectively. Inhibition of DPPH was high in ethanol extracts (48.9%) compared to aqueous extracts (19.7%), whereas aqueous extracts showed a higher FRAP value compared to ethanol extracts (0.98 and 0.61mmolFe(II)/100g, respectively). Results on functional properties revealed acceptable water and oil absorption capacities (5.51 and 1.98g/g, respectively), emulsion capacity and stability (15.3% and 6.90%, respectively), and foaming capacity (5.78%). FTIR spectral analysis showed seed flour to encompass major functional groups such as: amines, amides, amino acids, polysaccharides, carboxylic acids, esters and lipids. As belinjau seed flour possesses a rich nutraceutical value, it has high potential to be used as a basic raw material to develop new low cost nutritious functional foods.
    Matched MeSH terms: Seeds/chemistry*; Gnetum/chemistry*
  11. Effects of season and storage period on accumulation of individual carotenoids in pumpkin flesh (Cucurbita moschata)
    Jaswir I, Shahidan N, Othman R, Has-Yun Hashim YZ, Octavianti F, bin Salleh MN
    J Oleo Sci, 2014;63(8):761-7.
    PMID: 25007748
    Carotenoids are antioxidants with pharmaceutical potential. The major carotenoids important to humans are α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin. Some of the biological functions and actions of these individual carotenoids are quite similar to each other, whereas others are specific. Besides genotype and location, other environmental effects such as temperature, light, mineral uptake, and pH have been found affect carotenoid development in plant tissues and organs. Therefore, this research investigated the effects of the season and storage periods during postharvest handling on the accumulation of carotenoid in pumpkin. This study shows that long-term storage of pumpkins resulted in the accumulation of lutein and β-carotene with a slight decrease in zeaxanthin. The amounts of β-carotene ranged from 174.583±2.105 mg/100g to 692.871±22.019 mg/100g, lutein from 19.841±9.693 mg/100g to 59.481±1.645 mg/100g, and zeaxanthin from not detected to 2.709±0.118 mg/100g. The pumpkins were collected three times in a year; they differed in that zeaxanthin was present only in the first season, while the amounts of β-carotene and lutein were the highest in the second and third seasons, respectively. By identifying the key factors among the postharvest handling conditions that control specific carotenoid accumulations, a greater understanding of how to enhance the nutritional values of pumpkin and other crops will be gained. Postharvest storage conditions can markedly enhance and influence the levels of zeaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene in pumpkin. This study describes how the magnitudes of these effects depend on the storage period and season.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cucurbita/chemistry*
  12. Fulltext Changes in the amino acid sequence of the recombinant human factor VIIa analog, vatreptacog alfa, are associated with clinical immunogenicity
    Mahlangu JN, Weldingh KN, Lentz SR, Kaicker S, Karim FA, Matsushita T, et al.
    J Thromb Haemost, 2015 Nov;13(11):1989-98.
    PMID: 26362483 DOI: 10.1111/jth.13141
    BACKGROUND: Vatreptacog alfa, a recombinant human factor VIIa (rFVIIa) analog developed to improve the treatment of bleeds in hemophilia patients with inhibitors, differs from native FVIIa by three amino acid substitutions. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover, confirmatory phase III trial (adept(™) 2), 8/72 (11%) hemophilia A or B patients with inhibitors treated for acute bleeds developed anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) to vatreptacog alfa.

    OBJECTIVES: To characterize the formation of anti-vatreptacog alfa ADAs in hemophilia patients with inhibitors.

    METHODS/PATIENTS: This was a post hoc analysis of adept(™) 2. Immunoglobulin isotype determination, specificity analysis of rFVIIa cross-reactive antibodies, epitope mapping of rFVIIa single mutant analogs and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiling were performed to characterize the ADAs.

    RESULTS: Immunoglobulin isotyping indicated that the ADAs were of the immunoglobulin G subtype. In epitope mapping, none of the rFVIIa single mutant analogs (V158D, E296V or M298Q) contained the complete antibody epitope, confirming that the antibodies were specific for vatreptacog alfa. In two patients, for whom PK profiling was performed both before and after the development of ADAs, vatreptacog alfa showed a prolonged elimination phase following ADA development. During the follow-up evaluation, the rFVIIa cross-reactivity disappeared after the last vatreptacog alfa exposure, despite continued exposure to rFVIIa as part of standard care.

    CONCLUSIONS: Results from the vatreptacog alfa phase III trial demonstrate that the specific changes made, albeit relatively small, to the FVIIa molecule alter its clinical immunogenicity.

    Matched MeSH terms: Epitopes/chemistry; Recombinant Proteins/chemistry; Factor VIIa/chemistry
  13. Fulltext Synthesis of novel cytotoxic tetracyclic acridone derivatives and study of their molecular docking, ADMET, QSAR, bioactivity and protein binding properties
    Veligeti R, Madhu RB, Anireddy J, Pasupuleti VR, Avula VKR, Ethiraj KS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 11 26;10(1):20720.
    PMID: 33244007 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77590-1
    Acridone based synthetic and natural products with inherent anticancer activity advancing the research and generating a large number of structurally diversified compounds. In this sequence we have designed, synthesized a series of tetracyclic acridones with amide framework viz., 3-(alkyloyl/ aryloyl/ heteroaryloyl/ heteroaryl)-2,3-dihydropyrazino[3,2,1-de]acridin-7(1H)-ones and screened for their in vitro anti-cancer activity. The in vitro study revealed that compounds with cyclopropyl-acetyl, benzoyl, p-hydroxybenzoyl, p-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl, p-fluorobenzoyl, m-fluorobenzoyl, picolinoyl, 6-methylpicolinoyl and 3-nicotinoyl groups are active against HT29, MDAMB231 and HEK293T cancer cell lines. The molecular docking studies performed for them against 4N5Y, HT29 and 2VWD revealed the potential ligand-protein binding interactions among the neutral aminoacid of the enzymes and carbonyl groups of the title compounds with a binding energy ranging from - 8.1394 to - 6.9915 kcal/mol. In addition, the BSA protein binding assay performed for them has confirmed their interaction with target proteins through strong binding to BSA macromolecule. The additional studies like ADMET, QSAR, bioactivity scores, drug properties and toxicity risks ascertained them as newer drug candidates. This study had added a new collection of piperazino fused acridone derivatives to the existing array of other nitrogen heterocyclic fused acridone derivatives as anticancer agents.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry*; Acridones/chemistry*
  14. Bixa orellana leaves extract inhibits bradykinin-induced inflammation through suppression of nitric oxide production
    Yoke Keong Y, Arifah AK, Sukardi S, Roslida AH, Somchit MN, Zuraini A
    Med Princ Pract, 2011;20(2):142-6.
    PMID: 21252569 DOI: 10.1159/000319907
    The present study was conducted to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of a crude aqueous extract of Bixa orellana leaves (AEBO) and to examine the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in its anti-inflammatory mechanism.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bixaceae/chemistry*
  15. Recent advances in encapsulation of fat-soluble vitamins using polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids: A review on delivery systems, formulation, and industrial applications
    Wijekoon MMJO, Mahmood K, Ariffin F, Mohammadi Nafchi A, Zulkurnain M
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2023 Jun 30;241:124539.
    PMID: 37085081 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124539
    Fat-soluble vitamins (FSVs) offer a range of beneficial properties as important nutrients in human nutrition. However, the high susceptibility to environmental conditions such as high temperature, light, and oxygen leads to the degradation of these compounds. This review highlights the different formulations underlying the encapsulation of FSVs in biopolymer (polysaccharide and protein) and lipid-based micro or nanocarriers for potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. In particular, the function of these carrier systems in terms of encapsulation efficiency, stability, bioavailability, and bio-accessibility is critically discussed. Recently, tremendous attention has been paid to encapsulating FSVs in commercial applications. According to the chemical nature of the active compound, the vigilant selection of delivery formulation, method of encapsulation, and final application (type of food) are the key important factors to be considered in the encapsulation of FSVs to ensure a high loading capacity, stability, bioavailability, and bio-accessibility. Future studies are recommended on the effect of different vitamin types and micro and nano encapsulate sizes on bioaccessibility and biocompatibility through in vitro/in vivo studies. Moreover, the toxicity and safety evaluation of encapsulated FSVs in human health should be evaluated before commercial application in food and pharmaceuticals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Lipids/chemistry; Polysaccharides/chemistry; Proteins/chemistry
  16. Antibacterial and antibiotic potentiating capabilities of extracts isolated from Burkillanthus malaccensis, Diospyros hasseltii and Cleisthanthus bracteosus against human pathogenic bacteria
    Kathirvalu G, Chandramathi S, S A A, Atiya N, Begum S, Christophe W, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Jun 01;40(2):152-159.
    PMID: 37650400 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.2.004
    Antibiotics which once a boon in medicine and saved millions of lives are now facing an ever-growing menace of antibacterial resistance, which desperately needs new antibacterial drugs which are innovative in chemistry and mode of action. For many years, the world has turned to natural plants with antibacterial properties to combat antibiotic resistance. On that basis, we aimed to identify plants with antibacterial and antibiotic potentiating properties. Seventeen different extracts of 3 plants namely Burkillanthus malaccensis, Diospyros hasseltii and Cleisthanthus bracteosus were tested against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Antibacterial activity of hexane, methanol and chloroform extracts of bark, seed, fruit, flesh and leaves from these plants were tested using, disk diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. Antibiotic potentiating capabilities were tested using time-kill assay. B. malaccensis fruit chloroform extract showed the biggest zone of inhibition against MRSA (13.00±0.0 mm) but C. bracteosus bark methanol extract showed the biggest inhibition zone against MSSA (15.33±0.6 mm). Interestingly, bark methanol extract of C. bracteosus was active against MRSA (8.7±0.6 mm), MSSA (7.7±0.6 mm) (Gram-positive) and A. baumannii (7.7±0.6 mm) (Gram-negative). Overall, the leaf methanol and bark methanol extract of C. bracteosus warrants further investigation such as compound isolation and mechanism of action for validating its therapeutic use as antibiotic potentiator importantly against MRSA and A. baumannii.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rutaceae/chemistry; Diospyros/chemistry; Phyllanthus/chemistry
  17. Estimation and influence of physicochemical properties and chemical fractions of surface sediment on the bioaccessibility of Cd and Hg contaminant in Langat River, Malaysia
    Kadhum SA, Ishak MY, Zulkifli SZ
    Environ Geochem Health, 2017 Oct;39(5):1145-1158.
    PMID: 27848092 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-016-9883-4
    This study applied the use of sequential extraction technique and simple bioaccessibility extraction test to quantify the bioavailable fractions and the human bioaccessible concentration of metals collected from nine stations in surface sediment of the Langat River. The concentrations of total and bioaccessible metals from different stations were in the range of 0.49-1.04, 0.10-0.32 μg g-1 for T-Cd, Bio-Cd, respectively, and 12.9-128.03, 2.06-8.53 μg kg-1 for T-Hg, Bio-Hg, respectively. The results revealed highest R-Bio-Cd in Banting station (55.3 %), while the highest R-Bio-Hg was in Kajang station (49.61 %). The chemical speciation of Cd in most sampling stations was in the order of oxidisable-organic > residual > exchangeable > acid-reducible, while speciation of Hg was in the order of exchangeable > residual > oxidisable-organic > acid-reducible. The correlation matric of mean content showed that the TOM, particle size and Mg++ in polluted surface sediments was highly correlated with total mercury. The PCA showed that the main factors influencing the bioaccessibility of Hg in surface sediments were the sediment TOM, F1 (EFLE) and F3 (oxidation-organic), while the factor influencing the bioaccessibility of Cd was the F3 (oxidation-organic) and T-Cd.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cadmium/chemistry; Mercury/chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical/chemistry; Geologic Sediments/chemistry*; Rivers/chemistry*
  18. Evaluation and assessment of baseline metal contamination in surface sediments from the Bernam River, Malaysia
    Kadhum SA, Ishak MY, Zulkifli SZ
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2016 Apr;23(7):6312-21.
    PMID: 26614452 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5853-0
    The Bernam River is one of the most important rivers in Malaysia in that it provides water for industries and agriculture located along its banks. The present study was conducted to assess the level of contamination of heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Cr, Sn, and Fe) in surface sediments in the Bernam River. Nine surface sediment samples were collected from the lower, middle, and upper courses of the river. The results indicated that the concentrations of the metals decreased in the order of Sn > Cr > Ni > Fe > Cd (56.35, 14.90, 5.3, 4.6, and 0.62 μg/g(1) dry weight). Bernam River sediments have moderate to severe enrichment for Sn, moderate for Cd, and no enrichment for Cr, Ni, and Fe. The contamination factor (CF) results demonstrated that Cd and Sn are responsible for the high contamination. The pollution load index (PLI), for all the sampling sites, suggests that the sampling stations were generally unpolluted with the exception of the Bagan Tepi Sungai, Sabak Bernam, and Tanjom Malim stations. Multivariate techniques including Pearson's correlation and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to apportion the various sources of the metals. The results suggested that the sediment samples collected from the upper course of the river had lower metal concentrations, while sediments in the middle and lower courses of the river had higher metal concentrations. Therefore, our results can be useful as a baseline data for government bodies to adopt corrective measure on the issues related to heavy metal pollution in the Bernam River in the future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Rivers/chemistry*
  19. Geofractionation of heavy metals and application of indices for pollution prediction in paddy field soil of Tumpat, Malaysia
    Sow AY, Ismail A, Zulkifli SZ
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2013 Dec;20(12):8964-73.
    PMID: 23757028 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1857-9
    The present study investigates the concentration of Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu in the paddy field soils collected from Tumpat, Kelantan. Soil samples were treated with sequential extraction to distinguish the anthropogenic and lithogenic origin of Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu. ELFE and oxidizable-organic fractions were detected as the lowest accumulation of Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu. Therefore, all the heavy metals examined were concentrated, particularly in resistant fraction, indicating that those heavy metals occurred and accumulated in an unavailable form. The utilization of agrochemical fertilizers and pesticides might not elevate the levels of heavy metals in the paddy field soils. In comparison, the enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index for Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu suggest that these heavy metals have the potential to cause environmental risk, although they present abundance in resistant fraction. Therefore, a complete study should be conducted based on the paddy cycle, which in turn could provide a clear picture of heavy metals distribution in the paddy field soils.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soil/chemistry
  20. Antioxidant activities and tyrosinase inhibition effects of Phaleria macrocarpa extracts
    Nadri MH, Salim Y, Basar N, Yahya A, Zulkifli RM
    Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med, 2014;11(3):107-11.
    PMID: 25371571
    BACKGROUND: The ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of stems, leaves and fruits of Phaleria macrocarpa were screened for their antioxidant capacity and tyrosinase inhibition properties.

    MATERIAL AND METHOD: The total phenolic content (TPC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and ferric-ion reducing power (FRAP) were used to evaluate their antioxidant capacity. Tyrosinase inhibition effect was measured using mushroom tyrosinase inhibition assay.

    RESULT: Ethyl acetate extract of P. macrocarpa's stem exhibited highest total phenolic content, DPPH free radical scavenging and ferric reducing power. Meanwhile, chloroform extracts of leaves and fruits demonstrated potent anti-tyrosinase activities as compared to a well-known tyrosinase inhibitor, kojic acid.

    CONCLUSION: Since chloroform extracts of leaves and fruits have low antioxidant capacities, the tyrosinase inhibition effect observed are antioxidant independent. This study suggests direct tyrosinase inhibition by chloroform extracts of Phaleria macrocarpa.

    Matched MeSH terms: Fruit/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Thymelaeaceae/chemistry*
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links