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Displaying publications 2001 - 2020 of 5566 in total

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Fulltext Comparative bioavailability study of a generic sustained release diclofenac sodium tablet

Magosso E, Yuen KH, Choy WP, Ling SSN, Ng BH, Ur-Rahman N, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Aug;59(3):352-6.
PMID: 15727381

The bioavailability of a generic diclofenac sodium sustained release tablet preparation (Zolterol, SR) was compared with the innovator product, Voltaren, SR. Twelve healthy adult male volunteers participated in the study, which was conducted according to a randomized, two-way crossover design with a wash out period of one week. The bioavailability of diclofenac was compared using the parameters area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)), peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax). No statistically significant difference was observed for both logarithmically transformed AUC(0-infinity), Cmax values and Tmax value of the two preparations.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/blood; Diclofenac/blood
Fulltext Pulmonary modulation of benzo[a]pyrene-induced hemato- and hepatotoxicity in broilers

Latif IK, Karim AJ, Zuki AB, Zamri-Saad M, Niu JP, Noordin MM

Poult Sci, 2010 Jul;89(7):1379-88.
PMID: 20548065 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2009-00622

Aftermath in several air pollution episodes with high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons did not significantly affect health and performance of broilers despite its renowned sensitivity to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The aim of the study was to elucidate the previous lack of response in birds exposed to such severe episodes of air pollution. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was used to simulate the influence of air pollution on hematology, selected organ function, and oxidative stress in broilers. One-day-old chicks were assigned to 5 equal groups composed of a control group, tricaprylin group, and 3 groups treated with BaP (at 1.5 microg, 150 microg, or 15 mg/kg of BW). The BaP was intratracheally administered to 1-d-old chicks for 5 consecutive days. The hematology, liver and kidney function, P450 activity, and malondialdehyde level especially in the group receiving 15 mg of BaP/kg of BW demonstrated evidence of hemato- and hepatoxicity via BaP-induced oxidative stress. The deleterious effect of exposure to high concentration of BaP in broiler chickens was probably due to the anatomy of this species and the half-life of BaP. Although the effect of BaP may be transient or irreversible, pathogen challenges faced during the period of suppression may prove fatal.

Matched MeSH terms: Alanine Transaminase/blood; Alkaline Phosphatase/blood; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood; Blood Cell Count/veterinary; Chickens/blood; Creatine Kinase/blood; gamma-Glutamyltransferase/blood; Glutathione Transferase/blood; Malondialdehyde/blood; Lactic Acid/blood
Identification of Ige-binding proteins of raw and cooked extracts of Loligo edulis (white squid)

Yadzir ZH, Misnan R, Abdullah N, Bakhtiar F, Arip M, Murad S

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2010 May;41(3):653-9.
PMID: 20578555

Allergy to different classes of mollusks, including squid, which are members of the class Cephalopods has been reported. Tropomyosin, a major muscle protein, is the only well-recognized allergen in squid. The aim of this study was to characterize IgE-binding proteins of local Loligo edulis (white squid) consumed in Malaysia. Protein profiles and IgE-binding proteins were detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting using sera from 23 patients with positive skin prick test to raw squid extract. SDS-PAGE of the raw extract exhibited 21 protein bands (10-170 kDa) but those ranging from 19 to 29 kDa and 41 to 94 kDa were not found in the cooked extract. Immunoblotting of raw extract demonstrated 16 IgE-binding bands, ranging from 13 to 170 kDa. A heat-resistant 36 kDa protein, corresponding to squid tropomyosin, was identified as the major allergen of both extracts. In addition, a 50 kDa heat-sensitive protein was shown to be a major allergen of the raw extract. Our findings indicate that the allergen extract used for diagnosis of squid allergy should contain both the 36 kDa and 50 kDa proteins.

Matched MeSH terms: Allergens/blood; Galectin 3/blood
Fulltext Evaluation of difference in the neurotoxicity produced by dermal application of chlorpyrifos on the neonatal and adult mice

Mitra NK, Lee MS, Nadarajah VD

Trop Biomed, 2010 Apr;27(1):19-29.
PMID: 20562809

Dermal exposure to organophosphate pesticide is important because of its popular use. This study planned to compare the changes in serum acetylcholinesterase, paraoxonase and neuronal density of hippocampus and iso-cortex between two age groups of Swiss albino mice (18-day-old and 150-day-old) after dermal application of (1/2) LD50 of chlorpyrifos for 14 days. Statistically significant reduction was observed in serum acetylcholinesterase (Mann-Whitney test, p<0.05) and neuronal density (Independent samples t-test, p<0.05) in exposed groups compared to the control. The reduction in serum AChE and neuronal density was more pronounced in exposed adult mice than in exposed neonatal mice. The paraoxonase level was insignificant in control neonatal mice, whereas it was 890-fold more in exposed neonatal mice. Upregulated paraoxonase levels may be extrapolated to produce relatively lower reduction of cholinesterase and neuronal density in neonatal mice.

Matched MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/blood; Aryldialkylphosphatase/blood
Fulltext Prevalence of canine ehrlichiosis in Perak State, peninsular Malaysia

Rahman WA, Ning CH, Chandrawathani P

Trop Biomed, 2010 Apr;27(1):13-8.
PMID: 20562808 MyJurnal

The Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and thin blood smears were conducted to establish the prevalence of Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs presented for treatment by pet owners at five private and one government veterinary clinic. Results showed that 15% of the dogs were positive for the parasite via IFAT, but none using blood smears. However, infected dogs did not show severe clinical symptoms of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME).

Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Bacterial/blood; Dog Diseases/blood
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of self-microemulsifying drug delivery system of buparvaquone

Venkatesh G, Majid MI, Mansor SM, Nair NK, Croft SL, Navaratnam V

Drug Dev Ind Pharm, 2010 Jun;36(6):735-45.
PMID: 20136493 DOI: 10.3109/03639040903460446

The aim of this study was to prepare a lipid-based self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to increase the solubility and oral bioavailability of a poorly water-soluble compound, buparvaquone (BPQ).

Matched MeSH terms: Naphthoquinones/blood; Emulsifying Agents/blood
Fulltext A comparative study on the performance of two commercial anti-dengue IgM assay kits

Kumarasamy V, Zuridah H, Hani AW, Mariam M, Chua KB

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Mar;62(1):85-6.
PMID: 17682584 MyJurnal

The performance of a commercial rapid immunochromatographic dengue IgG/IgM assay device was evaluated against an in-place dengue IgM-capture ELISA in the National Public Health laboratory. Of the 239 serum samples from patients with clinical diagnosis of acute dengue illness, 140 and 99 samples were tested positive and negative respectively for anti-dengue IgM by the in-placed ELISA. Comparatively, 72 and 76 samples were tested positive and negative respectively, and 91 samples gave equivocal results by the rapid dengue test device. The rapid immunochromatographic assay device gave a relative sensitivity of 49.3% and a relative specificity of 62.6%. Though the rapid immunochromatographic assay device has the advantages of rapid testing which simultaneously detects both IgG and IgM and can also be performed with whole blood, serum or plasma, the user has to exercise extreme caution with the interpretation of the test result.

Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Viral/blood; Immunoglobulin M/blood*
Fulltext Elevated plasma tissue factor levels in neonates with umbilical arterial catheter-associated thrombosis

Tay SP, Cheong SK, Boo NY

Malays J Pathol, 2006 Jun;28(1):41-8.
PMID: 17694958 MyJurnal

Catheterization of the umbilical artery has been a useful aid in the management of sick neonates for the past few decades. However, it is associated with various complications. Reported studies strongly suggest a significant role of intravascular catheterization in the development of aortic thrombi. Increase in thrombosis of large vessels is believed to be related to mechanical injury in the catheterized vessels, which provide direct exposure of blood to tissue factor (TF), the primary cellular initiator of the extrinsic coagulation pathway. This study was conducted to determine the levels of plasma TF, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and D-dimer (DD) in infants with umbilical arterial catheter (UAC)-associated thrombosis. Quantification of TF was carried out using an in-house sandwich ELISA, whereas TFPI and DD levels were measured with commercial immunoassay kits. Infants with UAC inserted were found to have significantly higher levels of plasma TF (p < 0.001) than baseline levels. However, there were no significantly elevated levels of TFPI or DD. Infants with UAC-associated thrombosis demonstrated a greater increase of TF level (median: 414.5 pg/mL; range: -76.0, 6667.0) than infants without UAC-associated thrombosis (105.0 pg/mL; -976.0, 9480.0; p = 0.009) following UAC insertion. Our findings indicate that quantification and monitoring of TF levels could predict thrombus formation in infants with indwelling UAC. Following umbilical arterial catheterisation, infants with an approximately 3-fold rise in plasma TF levels were most at risk of developing abdominal aorta thrombosis as confirmed by real-time abdominal ultrasonography.

Matched MeSH terms: Lipoproteins/blood; Thrombosis/blood
Fulltext Acupuncture and immune function in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a randomized, controlled study

Lee SW, Liong ML, Yuen KH, Krieger JN

Complement Ther Med, 2014 Dec;22(6):965-9.
PMID: 25453515 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2014.10.010

Objective: The immune system has been implicated as one mechanism underlying the benefits of acupuncture therapy. Evidence suggests that acupuncture can ameliorate symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), but the association between clinical response and the immune system has not been investigated.

Design/setting: We investigated 12 CP/CPPS patients participating in a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for effects on cellular immunity. Blood samples were taken before the first needling and after the last of 20 treatment sessions (week 10). Patients also completed questionnaires examining their CP/CPPS symptoms and mood status at the baseline and end of study visits.

Results: At the end of study 8 of 12 participants (67%) were classified as treatment responders, four participants each from the acupuncture and sham groups. The acupuncture group averaged a 5% increase in natural killer cell levels compared to corresponding sham (-13%; p=0.03). Similarly, patients randomized to acupuncture reported a reduction in other white blood cell parameters examined, supporting the possibility that immunity might be important in the pathophysiology of CP/CPPS.

Conclusions: The specific effect of acupuncture on CP/CPPS remains unclear. Further research is warranted to examine the mechanisms by which acupuncture therapy may improve clinical symptoms in patients with CP/CPPS.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00260637).

Keywords: Acupuncture; Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome; Immune system; Neuroendocrine system; Traditional Chinese medicine.

Matched MeSH terms: Prostatitis/blood; Pelvic Pain/blood
Fulltext Rapid and simultaneous quantification of levetiracetam and its carboxylic metabolite in human plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Yeap LL, Lo YL

PLoS One, 2014;9(11):e111544.
PMID: 25375249 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111544

A simple liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated according to the guidelines of the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for a simultaneous quantification of levetiracetam (LEV) and its metabolite, UCB L057 in the plasma of patients. A 0.050 mL plasma sample was prepared by a simple and direct protein precipitation with 0.450 mL acetonitrile (ACN) containing 1 µg/mL of internal standard (IS, diphenhydramine), then vortex mixed and centrifuged. A 0.100 mL of the clear supernatant was diluted with 0.400 mL water and well mixed. A 0.010 mL of the resultant solution was injected into an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 (2.1 mm×100 mm, 3.5 µm) column with an isocratic elution at 0.5 mL/min using a mixture of 0.1% formic acid in water and ACN (40:60 v/v). Detection was performed using an AB Sciex API 3000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, equipped with a Turbo Ion Spray source, operating in a positive mode: LEV at transition 171.1>154.1, UCB L057 at 172.5>126.1, and IS at 256.3>167.3; with an assay run time of 2 minutes. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for both LEV and UCB L057 was validated at 0.5 µg/mL, while their lower limit of detection (LOD) was 0.25 µg/mL. The calibration curves were linear between 0.5 and 100 µg/mL for both analytes. The inaccuracy and imprecision of both intra-assay and inter-assay were less than 10%. Matrix effects were consistent between sources of plasma and the recoveries of all compounds were between 100% and 110%. Stability was established under various storage and processing conditions. The carryovers from both LEV and UCB L057 were less than 6% of the LLOQ and 0.13% of the IS. This assay method has been successfully applied to a population pharmacokinetic study of LEV in patients with epilepsy.

Matched MeSH terms: Epilepsy/blood; Piracetam/blood
Fulltext Distribution of lipid parameters according to different socio-economic indicators- the EPIC-Norfolk prospective population study

Shohaimi S, Boekholdt MS, Luben R, Wareham NJ, Khaw KT

BMC Public Health, 2014 Aug 28;14:782.
PMID: 25179437 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-782

BACKGROUND: Data on the relationship between plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and social class have been inconsistent. Most previous studies have used one classification of social class.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population based study with data on occupational social class, educational level obtained using a detailed health and lifestyle questionnaire. A total of 10,147 men and 12,304 women aged 45-80 years living in Norfolk, United Kingdom, were recruited using general practice age-sex registers as part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC-Norfolk). Plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in baseline samples. Social class was classified according to three classifications: occupation, educational level, and area deprivation score according to Townsend deprivation index. Differences in lipid levels by socio-economic status indices were quantified by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression after adjusting for body mass index and alcohol consumption.
RESULTS: Total cholesterol levels were associated with occupational level among men, and with educational level among women. Triglyceride levels were associated with educational level and occupational level among women, but the latter association was lost after adjustment for age and body mass index. HDL-cholesterol levels were associated with both educational level and educational level among men and women. The relationships with educational level were substantially attenuated by adjustment for age, body mass index and alcohol use, whereas the association with educational class was retained upon adjustment. LDL-cholesterol levels were not associated with social class indices among men, but a positive association was observed with educational class among women. This association was not affected by adjustment for age, body mass index and alcohol use.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that there are sex differences in the association between socio-economic status and serum lipid levels. The variations in lipid profile with socio-economic status may be largely attributed to potentially modifiable factors such as obesity, physical activity and dietary intake.

Matched MeSH terms: Cholesterol/blood; Hyperlipidemias/blood
A Molecular Approach to Epilepsy Management: from Current Therapeutic Methods to Preconditioning Efforts

Amini E, Rezaei M, Mohamed Ibrahim N, Golpich M, Ghasemi R, Mohamed Z, et al.

Mol Neurobiol, 2015 Aug;52(1):492-513.
PMID: 25195699 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8876-5

Epilepsy is the most common and chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. The key aim in treating patients with epilepsy is the suppression of seizures. An understanding of focal changes that are involved in epileptogenesis may therefore provide novel approaches for optimal treatment of the seizure. Although the actual pathogenesis of epilepsy is still uncertain, recently growing lines of evidence declare that microglia and astrocyte activation, oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondria dysfunction, and damage of blood-brain barrier (BBB) are involved in its pathogenesis. Impaired GABAergic function in the brain is probably the most accepted hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Clinical neuroimaging of patients and experimental modeling have demonstrated that seizures may induce neuronal apoptosis. Apoptosis signaling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of several types of epilepsy such as temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The quality of life of patients is seriously affected by treatment-related problems and also by unpredictability of epileptic seizures. Moreover, the available antiepileptic drugs (AED) are not significantly effective to prevent epileptogenesis. Thus, novel therapies that are proficient to control seizure in people who are suffering from epilepsy are needed. The preconditioning method promises to serve as an alternative therapeutic approach because this strategy has demonstrated the capability to curtail epileptogenesis. For this reason, understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying brain tolerance induced by preconditioning is crucial to delineate new neuroprotective ways against seizure damage and epileptogenesis. In this review, we summarize the work to date on the pathogenesis of epilepsy and discuss recent therapeutic strategies in the treatment of epilepsy. We will highlight that novel therapy targeting such as preconditioning process holds great promise. In addition, we will also highlight the role of gene reprogramming and mitochondrial biogenesis in the preconditioning-mediated neuroprotective events.

Matched MeSH terms: Blood-Brain Barrier/drug effects; Blood-Brain Barrier/pathology
Fulltext Genotyping of the Duffy blood group among Plasmodium knowlesi-infected patients in Malaysia

De Silva JR, Lau YL, Fong MY

PLoS One, 2014;9(9):e108951.
PMID: 25268233 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108951

The Duffy blood group is of major interest in clinical medicine as it plays an important role in Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium vivax infection. In the present study, the distribution of Duffy blood group genotypes and allelic frequencies among P. knowlesi infected patients as well as healthy individuals in Peninsular Malaysia were determined. The blood group of 60 healthy blood donors and 51 P. knowlesi malaria patients were genotyped using allele specific polymerase chain reaction (ASP-PCR). The data was analyzed using Fisher's exact test in order to assess the significance of the variables. Our results show a high proportion of the FY*A/FY*A genotype (>85% for both groups) and a high frequency of the FY*A allele (>90% for both groups). The FY*A/FY*A genotype was the most predominant genotype in both infected and healthy blood samples. The genotype frequency did not differ significantly between the donor blood and the malaria patient groups. Also, there was no significant correlation between susceptibility to P. knowlesi infection with any Duffy blood genotype.

Matched MeSH terms: Duffy Blood-Group System/classification; Duffy Blood-Group System/genetics*
Fulltext Comparison of the health implications on the use of As and Cd contaminated water supply between urban and rural communities

Zailina H, Najibah H, Aiezzati AN, Praveena SM, Patimah I

Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:797603.
PMID: 25530970 DOI: 10.1155/2014/797603

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in blood, urine, and drinking water as well as the health implications on 100 residents in an urban and a rural community. Results showed the blood As, urinary Cd, DNA damage, and water As and Cs were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the rural community. Findings showed significant (P < 0.005) correlations between blood As and DNA damage with household income, years of residence, and total glasses of daily water consumption among the rural residents. The urinary NAG concentrations, years of residence, milk powder intake (glass/week), and seafood intake (per week) were significantly correlated (P < 0.005) with urinary Cd concentrations among respondents. In addition, urinary Cd level significantly influenced the urinary NAG concentrations (P < 0.001). The rural respondents experienced significantly higher lymphocyte DNA damage and blood As influenced by their years of residence and water consumption. The Cd in drinking water also resulted in the rural respondents having significantly higher urinary NAG which had a significant relationship with urinary Cd.

Matched MeSH terms: Arsenic/blood; Cadmium/blood
Autoantibody profile of patients infected with knowlesi malaria

Liew J, Amir A, Chen Y, Fong MY, Razali R, Lau YL

Clin Chim Acta, 2015 Aug 25;448:33-8.
PMID: 26086445 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2015.06.006

Autoantibodies or antibodies against self-antigens are produced either during physiological processes to maintain homeostasis or pathological process such as trauma and infection. Infection with parasites including Plasmodium has been shown to generally induce elevated self-antibody (autoantibody) levels. Plasmodium knowlesi is increasingly recognized as one of the most important emerging human malaria in Southeast Asia that can cause severe infection leading to mortality. Autoimmune-like phenomena have been hypothesized to play a role in the protective immune responses in malaria infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Autoantibodies/blood*; Malaria/blood
Fulltext A Colorimetric Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Detection Platform for a Point-of-Care Dengue Detection System on a Lab-on-Compact-Disc

Thiha A, Ibrahim F

Sensors (Basel), 2015;15(5):11431-41.
PMID: 25993517 DOI: 10.3390/s150511431

The enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is the gold standard clinical diagnostic tool for the detection and quantification of protein biomarkers. However, conventional ELISA tests have drawbacks in their requirement of time, expensive equipment and expertise for operation. Hence, for the purpose of rapid, high throughput screening and point-of-care diagnosis, researchers are miniaturizing sandwich ELISA procedures on Lab-on-a-Chip and Lab-on-Compact Disc (LOCD) platforms. This paper presents a novel integrated device to detect and interpret the ELISA test results on a LOCD platform. The system applies absorption spectrophotometry to measure the absorbance (optical density) of the sample using a monochromatic light source and optical sensor. The device performs automated analysis of the results and presents absorbance values and diagnostic test results via a graphical display or via Bluetooth to a smartphone platform which also acts as controller of the device. The efficacy of the device was evaluated by performing dengue antibody IgG ELISA on 64 hospitalized patients suspected of dengue. The results demonstrate high accuracy of the device, with 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity in detection when compared with gold standard commercial ELISA microplate readers. This sensor platform represents a significant step towards establishing ELISA as a rapid, inexpensive and automatic testing method for the purpose of point-of-care-testing (POCT) in resource-limited settings.

Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Viral/blood; Immunoglobulin G/blood
Fulltext Benchtop technologies for circulating tumor cells separation based on biophysical properties

Low WS, Wan Abas WA

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:239362.
PMID: 25977918 DOI: 10.1155/2015/239362

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are tumor cells that have detached from primary tumor site and are transported via the circulation system. The importance of CTCs as prognostic biomarker is leveraged when multiple studies found that patient with cutoff of 5 CTCs per 7.5 mL blood has poor survival rate. Despite its clinical relevance, the isolation and characterization of CTCs can be quite challenging due to their large morphological variability and the rare presence of CTCs within the blood. Numerous methods have been employed and discussed in the literature for CTCs separation. In this paper, we will focus on label free CTCs isolation methods, in which the biophysical and biomechanical properties of cells (e.g., size, deformability, and electricity) are exploited for CTCs detection. To assess the present state of various isolation methods, key performance metrics such as capture efficiency, cell viability, and throughput will be reported. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future perspectives of CTC isolation technologies.

Matched MeSH terms: Neoplasms/blood*; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood*
Fulltext Biomarker as a research tool in linking exposure to air particles and respiratory health

Suhaimi NF, Jalaludin J

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:962853.
PMID: 25984536 DOI: 10.1155/2015/962853

Some of the environmental toxicants from air pollution include particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and ultrafine particles (UFP). Both short- and long-term exposure could result in various degrees of respiratory health outcomes among exposed persons, which rely on the individuals' health status.
METHODS: In this paper, we highlight a review of the studies that have used biomarkers to understand the association between air particles exposure and the development of respiratory problems resulting from the damage in the respiratory system. Data from previous epidemiological studies relevant to the application of biomarkers in respiratory system damage reported from exposure to air particles are also summarized.
RESULTS: Based on these analyses, the findings agree with the hypothesis that biomarkers are relevant in linking harmful air particles concentrations to increased respiratory health effects. Biomarkers are used in epidemiological studies to provide an understanding of the mechanisms that follow airborne particles exposure in the airway. However, application of biomarkers in epidemiological studies of health effects caused by air particles in both environmental and occupational health is inchoate.
CONCLUSION: Biomarkers unravel the complexity of the connection between exposure to air particles and respiratory health.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood*; Respiratory System Abnormalities/blood*
Vitamin D is significantly associated with total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin in Malaysian men

Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S, Wan Ngah WZ

Aging Male, 2015;18(3):175-9.
PMID: 26004987 DOI: 10.3109/13685538.2015.1034686

OBJECTIVE: Cross-sectional studies in the Caucasian population have shown a significant relationship between vitamin D and testosterone levels, but data in the Asian population are limited. This study aimed to determine the association between vitamin D and testosterone levels in Malaysian men.
METHODS: Chinese and Malay men (n = 382) aged 20 years or above residing in the Klang Valley, Malaysia were recruited. Their fasting blood was collected for serum testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) assays. Relationship between 25(OH)D and testosterone levels was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Testosterone and SHBG levels among subjects with different vitamin D status were compared using univariate analysis. Confounders such as age, ethnicity and body mass index (BMI) were adjusted.
RESULTS: 25(OH)D was significantly and positively associated with total testosterone and SHBG levels before and after adjustment for age and ethnicity (p 0.05).
CONCLUSION: 25(OH)D is significantly associated with total testosterone and SHBG in Malaysian men but this association is BMI-dependent.

Matched MeSH terms: Testosterone/blood*; Vitamin D/blood
Optical and analytical investigations on dengue virus rapid diagnostic test for IgM antibody detection

Jahanshahi P, Sekaran SD, Adikan FR

Med Biol Eng Comput, 2015 Aug;53(8):679-87.
PMID: 25791696 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-015-1262-2

Evaluation of binding between analytes and its relevant ligands on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor is of considerable importance for accurate determination and screening of an interference in immunosensors. Dengue virus serotype 2 was used as a case study in this investigation. This research work compares and interprets the results obtained from analytical analysis with the experimental ones. Both the theoretical calculations and experimental results are verified with one sample from each category of dengue serotypes 2 (low, mid, and high positive), which have been examined in the database of established laboratorial diagnosis. In order to perform this investigation, the SPR angle variations are calculated, analyzed, and then validated via experimental SPR angle variations. Accordingly, the error ratios of 5.35, 6.54, and 3.72% were obtained for the low-, mid-, and high-positive-specific immune globulins of patient serums, respectively. In addition, the magnetic fields of the biosensor are numerically simulated to show the effect of different binding mediums.

Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Viral/blood*; Immunoglobulin M/blood*

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