Displaying publications 2721 - 2740 of 9219 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Landfill leachate treatment by an experimental subsurface flow constructed wetland in tropical climate countries
    Ujang Z, Soedjono E, Salim MR, Shutes RB
    Water Sci Technol, 2005;52(12):243-50.
    PMID: 16477992
    Municipal leachate was treated in an experimental unit of constructed wetlands of subsurface flow type. The parameters studied were organics (BOD and COD), solids and heavy metals (Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr and Pb). Using two types of emergent plants of Scirpus globulosus and Eriocaulon sexangulare, more than 80% removal was achieved for all the parameters. E. sexangulare removed organics and heavy metals better than Scirpus globulosus. A higher concentration of heavy metals in the influent did not change the removal efficiency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Organic Chemicals/metabolism; Oxygen/metabolism; Metals, Heavy/metabolism; Cyperaceae/metabolism
  2. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase expression in oral carcinogenesis--a preliminary report
    Kumar SK, Zain RB, Ismail SM, Cheong SC
    J Exp Clin Cancer Res, 2005 Dec;24(4):639-46.
    PMID: 16471328
    Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase, is strongly associated with telomerase activity implicated in cellular immortalization and tumorigenesis. In situ detection of hTERT will aid in determining the localization of telomerase positive cells. The aim of this study was to detect hTERT protein expression in multistep oral carcinogenesis using paraffin embedded tissue samples, and to study the relationship of hTERT expression with different histological stages in oral carcinogenesis. Normal (n = 4), hyperplastic (n = 4), dysplastic (n = 4) and neoplastic (n = 10) oral epithelia representing different histological stages in oral carcinogenesis were included in the study. hTERT protein detection was done by immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique. Nuclear staining intensities were noted and the hTERT-labelling index was determined. Dysplastic and neoplastic oral epithelia showed an increased percentage of hTERT positive cells (Grade 4: > 50% positive staining nuclei) with intense staining in the basal, parabasal and superficial layers of the epithelia, unlike normal oral mucosa which showed intense staining only in the basal and parabasal cell layers, which are the normal proliferative progenitor compartments. hTERT protein expression was elevated with the corresponding advancement of the histological stages of oral carcinogenesis, from normal to hyperplasia to dysplasia to carcinoma. There seems to be an upregulation of hTERT protein expression during the progression of oral cancer, therefore, this may indicate the feasibility of IHC detection of hTERT protein in oral carcinogenesis as a potential diagnostic or prognostic marker.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism*; Hyperplasia/metabolism; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism*; Precancerous Conditions/metabolism
  3. Fulltext Solution structures, dynamics, and ice growth inhibitory activity of peptide fragments derived from an antarctic yeast protein
    Shah SH, Kar RK, Asmawi AA, Rahman MB, Murad AM, Mahadi NM, et al.
    PLoS One, 2012;7(11):e49788.
    PMID: 23209600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049788
    Exotic functions of antifreeze proteins (AFP) and antifreeze glycopeptides (AFGP) have recently been attracted with much interest to develop them as commercial products. AFPs and AFGPs inhibit ice crystal growth by lowering the water freezing point without changing the water melting point. Our group isolated the Antarctic yeast Glaciozyma antarctica that expresses antifreeze protein to assist it in its survival mechanism at sub-zero temperatures. The protein is unique and novel, indicated by its low sequence homology compared to those of other AFPs. We explore the structure-function relationship of G. antarctica AFP using various approaches ranging from protein structure prediction, peptide design and antifreeze activity assays, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies and molecular dynamics simulation. The predicted secondary structure of G. antarctica AFP shows several α-helices, assumed to be responsible for its antifreeze activity. We designed several peptide fragments derived from the amino acid sequences of α-helical regions of the parent AFP and they also showed substantial antifreeze activities, below that of the original AFP. The relationship between peptide structure and activity was explored by NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. NMR results show that the antifreeze activity of the peptides correlates with their helicity and geometrical straightforwardness. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation also suggests that the activity of the designed peptides can be explained in terms of the structural rigidity/flexibility, i.e., the most active peptide demonstrates higher structural stability, lower flexibility than that of the other peptides with lower activities, and of lower rigidity. This report represents the first detailed report of downsizing a yeast AFP into its peptide fragments with measurable antifreeze activities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/metabolism; Peptide Fragments/metabolism; Yeasts/metabolism; Antifreeze Proteins/metabolism
  4. Use of cestodes as indicator of heavy-metal pollution
    Yen Nhi TT, Mohd Shazili NA, Shaharom-Harrison F
    Exp Parasitol, 2013 Jan;133(1):75-9.
    PMID: 23146722 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2012.10.014
    Thirty snakehead fish, Channa micropeltes (Cuvier, 1831) were collected at Lake Kenyir, Malaysia. Muscle, liver, intestine and kidney tissues were removed from each fish and the intestine was opened to reveal cestodes. In order to assess the concentration of heavy metal in the environment, samples of water in the surface layer and sediment were also collected. Tissues were digested and the concentrations of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were analysed by using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS) equipment. The results demonstrated that the cestode Senga parva (Fernando and Furtado, 1964) from fish hosts accumulated some heavy metals to a greater extent than the water and some fish tissues, but less than the sediment. In three (Pb, Zn and Mn) of the five elements measured, cestodes accumulated the highest metal concentrations, and in remaining two (Cu and Cd), the second highest metal accumulation was recorded in the cestodes when compared to host tissues. Therefore, the present study indicated that Senga parva accumulated metals and might have potential as a bioindicator of heavy-metal pollution.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cestoda/metabolism*; Liver/metabolism; Perciformes/metabolism; Metals, Heavy/metabolism
  5. Kinetic studies of bioactive products nitric oxide and 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) in Burkholderia pseudomallei infected human macrophages, and their role in the intracellular survival of these organisms
    Nathan SA, Qvist R, Puthucheary SD
    FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol., 2005 Feb 1;43(2):177-83.
    PMID: 15681148
    The oxidative response of Burkholderia pseudomallei and Escherichia coli infected macrophages from normal and melioidosis subjects was determined by measuring the production of nitric oxide which is one of the reactive nitrogen intermediates, and the activation state of these macrophages was determined by measuring the generation of 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), a bioactive product of free radical induced lipid peroxidation. Macrophages obtained from the melioidosis patients generated significantly lower levels of nitric oxide and 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) compared to macrophages obtained from the normal subjects (P<0.001). The reduced efficiency of the oxygen dependent microbicidal mechanism in macrophages of melioidosis patients may be one of the survival strategies developed by B. pseudomallei to remain viable intracellularly.
    Matched MeSH terms: Macrophages/metabolism*; Melioidosis/metabolism; Nitric Oxide/metabolism*; Dinoprost/metabolism*
  6. Amplifying the manganese scavenging potential of Streptococcus zooepidemicus to reactive oxygen species during production of hyaluronic acid
    Mashitah MD, Masitah H, Ramachandran KB
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 May;59 Suppl B:59-60.
    PMID: 15468818
    Streptococcus zooepidemicus (SZ) is an aerotolerant bacteria and its ability to survive under reactive oxidant challenge raises the question of the existence of a defense system. Thus growth, hyaluronic acid (HA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production by SZ in the presence of increasing concentration of Mn2+ were studied. The results suggested that the tested strain supported growth and HA production in cultures treated with 1 and 10 mM of Mn2+ regardless of H2O2 presence in the medium. This showed that SZ have acquired elaborate defense mechanisms to scavenge oxygen toxicity and thus protect cells from direct and indirect effect of this radical. In contrast, cells treated with 25 mM Mn2+ were sensitive, in which, the HA production was reduced considerably. Thus showing that the oxygen scavenger systems of the cells may be fully saturated at this concentration.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism*; Free Radical Scavengers/metabolism*; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*; Streptococcus equi/metabolism
  7. Cytology of mucinous carcinoma of breast: a report of 28 cases with histological correlation
    Jayaram G, Swain M, Chew MT, Yip CH, Moosa F
    Malays J Pathol, 2000 Dec;22(2):65-71.
    PMID: 16329537
    Pure mucinous carcinoma (MC) of the breast is a relatively uncommon variant of breast carcinoma with distinctive histological and cytological features. In this study we have analysed fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytological material from 28 cases of MC of breast and correlated the cytomorphological features with histopathology. The 28 patients consisted of 27 females and one male patient. 14 patients were Chinese, 10 were Indian and four were Malay. Their ages ranged from 38 to 90 with a mean at 52 years. The left breast was involved in 17 and the right in 11 cases. The duration of the lump varied from two weeks to 10 years. The cytological picture was characterized by abundant extracellular mucin giving a "sea of mucin" or "whirlpools of mucin" effect, in which were seen floating clusters of tumour cells with relatively bland cytological features. Myxo-vascular fragments were seen in 12 cases. Dissociated tumour cells showed a plasmacytoid appearance with eccentric nuclei. In four cases, the mucin was scanty in amount and the cellularity was high while in two cases, the cellularity was very low. Psammoma bodies were seen in cytological smears in one case. Histological study of excision or mastectomy specimens confirmed all 28 cases to be pure MC. Knowledge of the distinctive cytomorphological appearance of MC would enable correct identification of these lesions as malignant and prompt treatment that could further enhance the survival of these prognostically good breast cancers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/metabolism; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous/metabolism; Mucins/metabolism; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
  8. Biosynthesis and mobilization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] by Spirulina platensis
    Jau MH, Yew SP, Toh PS, Chong AS, Chu WL, Phang SM, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2005 Aug;36(3):144-51.
    PMID: 16005060
    Three strains of Spirulina platensis isolated from different locations showed capability of synthesizing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] under nitrogen-starved conditions with a maximum accumulation of up to 10 wt.% of the cell dry weight (CDW) under mixotrophic culture conditions. Intracellular degradation (mobilization) of P(3HB) granules by S. platensis was initiated by the restoration of nitrogen source. This mobilization process was affected by both illumination and culture pH. The mobilization of P(3HB) was better under illumination (80% degradation) than in dark conditions (40% degradation) over a period of 4 days. Alkaline conditions (pH 10-11) were optimal for both biosynthesis and mobilization of P(3HB) at which 90% of the accumulated P(3HB) was mobilized. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the mobilization of P(3HB) involved changes in granule quantity and morphology. The P(3HB) granules became irregular in shape and the boundary region was less defined. In contrast to bacteria, in S. platensis the intracellular mobilization of P(3HB) seems to be faster than the biosynthesis process. This is because in cyanobacteria chlorosis delays the P(3HB) accumulation process.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cyanobacteria/metabolism; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism*; Cytoplasm/metabolism; Thylakoids/metabolism
  9. Differential gene expression and characterization of tissue-specific cDNA clones in oil palm using mRNA differential display
    San CT, Shah FH
    Mol Biol Rep, 2005 Dec;32(4):227-35.
    PMID: 16328884
    The mRNA differential display method was utilized to study the differential expression and regulation of genes in two species of oil palm, the commercially grown variety Elaeis guineensis, var. tenera and the South American species, Elaeis oleifera. We demonstrated the differential expression of genes in the mesocarp and kernel at the week of active oil synthesis (15 week after anthesis) during fruit development as compare to the roots and leaves and the isolation of tissue-specific and species-specific cDNA clones. A total of eight specific cDNA clones were isolated and their specificities were confirmed by Northern hybridization and classified into three groups. Group one contains four clones (KT3, KT4, KT5 and KT6) that are kernel-specific for E. guineensis, tenera and E. oleifera. The second group represents clone FST1, which is mesocarp and kernel-specific for E. guineensis, tenera and E. oleifera. The third group represents clones MLT1, MLT2 and MLO1 that are mesocarp and leaf-specific. Northern analysis showed that their expressions were developmentally regulated. Nucleotide sequencing and homology search in GenBank data revealed that clones KT3 and KT4 encode for the same maturation protein PM3. While clones MLT1 and MLT2 encode for S-ribonuclease binding protein and fibrillin, respectively. The other clones (KT5, KT6, FST1 and MLO1) did not display any significant homology to any known protein.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Oils/metabolism; Seeds/metabolism; Plant Leaves/metabolism; Arecaceae/metabolism*
  10. Fulltext Bixa orellana leaf extract suppresses histamine-induced endothelial hyperpermeability via the PLC-NO-cGMP signaling cascade
    Yong YK, Chiong HS, Somchit MN, Ahmad Z
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2015;15:356.
    PMID: 26468073 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0901-3
    Histamine is established as a potent inflammatory mediator and it is known to increased endothelial permeability by promoting gap formation between endothelial cells. Previous studies have shown that aqueous extract of Bixa orellana leaves (AEBO) exhibits antihistamine activity in vivo, yet the mechanism of its action on endothelial barrier function remains unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the protective effect of AEBO against histamine-induced hyperpermeability in vitro.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cyclic GMP/metabolism*; Histamine/metabolism; Nitric Oxide/metabolism; Type C Phospholipases/metabolism*
  11. Fulltext KCNJ11: Genetic Polymorphisms and Risk of Diabetes Mellitus
    Haghvirdizadeh P, Mohamed Z, Abdullah NA, Haghvirdizadeh P, Haerian MS, Haerian BS
    J Diabetes Res, 2015;2015:908152.
    PMID: 26448950 DOI: 10.1155/2015/908152
    Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major worldwide health problem and its prevalence has been rapidly increasing in the last century. It is caused by defects in insulin secretion or insulin action or both, leading to hyperglycemia. Of the various types of DM, type 2 occurs most frequently. Multiple genes and their interactions are involved in the insulin secretion pathway. Insulin secretion is mediated through the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel in pancreatic beta cells. This channel is a heteromeric protein, composed of four inward-rectifier potassium ion channel (Kir6.2) tetramers, which form the pore of the KATP channel, as well as sulfonylurea receptor 1 subunits surrounding the pore. Kir6.2 is encoded by the potassium inwardly rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 11 (KCNJ11) gene, a member of the potassium channel genes. Numerous studies have reported the involvement of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the KCNJ11 gene and their interactions in the susceptibility to DM. This review discusses the current evidence for the contribution of common KCNJ11 genetic variants to the development of DM. Future studies should concentrate on understanding the exact role played by these risk variants in the development of DM.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cell Membrane/metabolism; Insulin/metabolism; Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism; Sulfonylurea Receptors/metabolism
  12. Obesity can predict and promote systemic inflammation in healthy adults
    Ellulu MS, Khaza'ai H, Rahmat A, Patimah I, Abed Y
    Int J Cardiol, 2016 Jul 15;215:318-24.
    PMID: 27128554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.04.089
    BACKGROUND: To find out the differences on biomedical data between obese and non-obese participants, and to identify risk factors associated with systemic inflammation in healthy Palestinian adults.

    METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study involved 105 apparently healthy adults. Interview questionnaire was used to collect personal information. Participants were excluded if they suffered from acute or chronic inflammatory diseases, or continued using medicines, which might affect the biomedical results.

    RESULTS: In association with increased Body Mass Index (BMI), the obese group displayed significant higher markers including: interleukin 6 (IL-6), high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), total cholesterol (TC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Obese group in association with increased waist circumference (WC) was higher significantly in inflammatory markers (IL-6, hs-CRP), lipid profile (TC) and triglyceride (TG), and blood pressure (SBP, DBP). A tertile of a feature of systemic inflammation (hs-CRP) was created, by Ordinal Logistic Regression, after adjusting for the age, gender, smoking habits, physical activity pattern, father and mother's health history; risk factors were the increased BMI [OR: 1.24] (95% CI: 1.005-1.548, P=0.050), IL-6 [OR: 3.35] (95% CI: 1.341-8.398, P=0.010), DBP [OR: 1.19] (95% CI: 1.034-1.367, P=0.015), and reduced Adiponectin [OR: 0.59] (95% CI: 0.435-0.820, P=0.001). Finally, BMI correlated with IL-6 and hs-CRP (r=0.326, P=0.005; r=0.347, P<0.001; respectively), and hs-CRP correlated with IL-6 (r=0.303, P=0.010), and inversely with Adiponectin (r=-0.342, P=0.001).

    CONCLUSION: The increased level of IL-6 and reduced Adiponectin, which strongly associated with obesity, indicated that having high BMI is a useful marker in association with IL-6 and further developed systemic inflammation.

    Matched MeSH terms: C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*; Obesity/metabolism*; Interleukin-6/metabolism*; Adiponectin/metabolism*
  13. Characterization of the binding of an anticancer drug, lapatinib to human serum albumin
    Kabir MZ, Mukarram AK, Mohamad SB, Alias Z, Tayyab S
    J. Photochem. Photobiol. B, Biol., 2016 Jul;160:229-39.
    PMID: 27128364 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.04.005
    Interaction of a promising anticancer drug, lapatinib (LAP) with the major transport protein in human blood circulation, human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated using fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy as well as molecular docking analysis. LAP-HSA complex formation was evident from the involvement of static quenching mechanism, as revealed by the fluorescence quenching data analysis. The binding constant, Ka value in the range of 1.49-1.01×10(5)M(-1), obtained at three different temperatures was suggestive of the intermediate binding affinity between LAP and HSA. Thermodynamic analysis of the binding data (∆H=-9.75kJmol(-1) and ∆S=+65.21Jmol(-1)K(-1)) suggested involvement of both hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding in LAP-HSA interaction, which were in line with the molecular docking results. LAP binding to HSA led to the secondary and the tertiary structural alterations in the protein as evident from the far-UV and the near-UV CD spectral analysis, respectively. Microenvironmental perturbation around Trp and Tyr residues in HSA upon LAP binding was confirmed from the three-dimensional fluorescence spectral results. LAP binding to HSA improved the thermal stability of the protein. LAP was found to bind preferentially to the site III in subdomain IB on HSA, as probed by the competitive drug displacement results and supported by the molecular docking results. The effect of metal ions on the binding constant between LAP and HSA was also investigated and the results showed a decrease in the binding constant in the presence of these metal ions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/metabolism*; Metals/metabolism; Quinazolines/metabolism*; Serum Albumin/metabolism*
  14. Fulltext Integrated pathway analysis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma implicates the axonemal dynein complex in the Malaysian cohort
    Chin YM, Tan LP, Abdul Aziz N, Mushiroda T, Kubo M, Mohd Kornain NK, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2016 10 15;139(8):1731-9.
    PMID: 27236004 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30207
    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial squamous cell carcinoma on the mucosal lining of the nasopharynx. The etiology of NPC remains elusive despite many reported studies. Most studies employ a single platform approach, neglecting the cumulative influence of both the genome and transcriptome toward NPC development. We aim to employ an integrated pathway approach to identify dysregulated pathways linked to NPC. Our approach combines imputation NPC GWAS data from a Malaysian cohort as well as published expression data GSE12452 from both NPC and non-NPC nasopharynx tissues. Pathway association for GWAS data was performed using MAGENTA while for expression data, GSA-SNP was used with gene p values derived from differential expression values from GEO2R. Our study identified NPC association in the gene ontology (GO) axonemal dynein complex pathway (pGWAS-GSEA  = 1.98 × 10(-2) ; pExpr-GSEA  = 1.27 × 10(-24) ; pBonf-Combined  = 4.15 × 10(-21) ). This association was replicated in a separate cohort using gene expression data from NPC and non-NPC nasopharynx tissues (pAmpliSeq-GSEA  = 6.56 × 10(-4) ). Loss of function in the axonemal dynein complex causes impaired cilia function, leading to poor mucociliary clearance and subsequently upper or lower respiratory tract infection, the former of which includes the nasopharynx. Our approach illustrates the potential use of integrated pathway analysis in detecting gene sets involved in the development of NPC in the Malaysian cohort.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carcinoma/metabolism*; Dyneins/metabolism*; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/metabolism*; RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
  15. Fulltext The genome of newly classified Ochroconis mirabilis: Insights into fungal adaptation to different living conditions
    Yew SM, Chan CL, Kuan CS, Toh YF, Ngeow YF, Na SL, et al.
    BMC Genomics, 2016 Feb 03;17:91.
    PMID: 26842951 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2409-8
    Ochroconis mirabilis, a recently introduced water-borne dematiaceous fungus, is occasionally isolated from human skin lesions and nails. We identified an isolate of O. mirabilis from a skin scraping with morphological and molecular studies. Its genome was then sequenced and analysed for genetic features related to classification and biological characteristics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ascomycota/metabolism; Carbohydrate Metabolism/genetics; Secondary Metabolism
  16. Fulltext Modulation of Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Neuronal Cells by Thymoquinone-Rich Fraction and Thymoquinone via Transcriptomic Regulation of Antioxidant and Apoptotic Signaling Genes
    Ismail N, Ismail M, Azmi NH, Abu Bakar MF, Basri H, Abdullah MA
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2016;2016:2528935.
    PMID: 26823946 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2528935
    Nigella sativa Linn. (N. sativa) and its bioactive constituent Thymoquinone (TQ) have demonstrated numerous pharmacological attributes. In the present study, the neuroprotective properties of Thymoquinone-rich fraction (TQRF) and TQ against hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced neurotoxicity in differentiated human SH-SY5Y cells were investigated. TQRF was extracted using supercritical fluid extraction while TQ was acquired commercially, and their effects on H2O2 were evaluated using cell viability assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, morphological observation, and multiplex gene expression. Both TQRF and TQ protected the cells against H2O2 by preserving the mitochondrial metabolic enzymes, reducing intracellular ROS levels, preserving morphological architecture, and modulating the expression of genes related to antioxidants (SOD1, SOD2, and catalase) and signaling genes (p53, AKT1, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, JNK, and NF-κβ). In conclusion, the enhanced efficacy of TQRF over TQ was likely due to the synergism of multiple constituents in TQRF. The efficacy of TQRF was better than that of TQ alone when equal concentrations of TQ in TQRF were compared. In addition, TQRF also showed comparable effects to TQ when the same concentrations were tested. These findings provide further support for the use of TQRF as an alternative to combat oxidative stress insults in neurodegenerative diseases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antioxidants/metabolism*; Mitochondria/metabolism; Neurons/metabolism*; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
  17. Absorption and Bioavailability of Nano-Size Reduced Calcium Citrate Fortified Milk Powder in Ovariectomized and Ovariectomized-Osteoporosis Rats
    Erfanian A, Mirhosseini H, Rasti B, Hair-Bejo M, Bin Mustafa S, Abd Manap MY
    J Agric Food Chem, 2015 Jun 24;63(24):5795-804.
    PMID: 26022498 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b01468
    The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fortification and nano-size reduction on calcium absorption and bioavailability of milk powder formula in sham, ovariectomized, and ovariectomized-osteoporosis rats as a menopause and menopause-osteoporosis model. Skim milk powder and skim milk powder fortified with calcium citrate and the suitable doses of inulin, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and vitamins D3, K1, and B6 were formulated based on the North American and Western European recommended dietary allowances. Optimization on cycle and pressure of high-pressure homogenizer was done to produce nano-fortified milk powder. In vivo study demonstrated that fortification and calcium citrate nano-fortified milk powder increased absorption and bioavailability of calcium, as well as bone stiffness and bone strength in sham, ovariectomized, and ovariectomized-osteoporosis rats. This study successfully developed an effective fortified milk powder for food application.
    Matched MeSH terms: Milk/metabolism*; Osteoporosis/metabolism; Powders/metabolism; Calcium Citrate/metabolism
  18. Isolation and mode of action of bacteriocin BacC1 produced by nonpathogenic Enterococcus faecium C1
    Goh HF, Philip K
    J Dairy Sci, 2015 Aug;98(8):5080-90.
    PMID: 26004828 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-9240
    Lactic acid bacteria are present in fermented food products and help to improve shelf life and enhance the flavor of the food. They also produce metabolites such as bacteriocins to prevent the growth of undesirable or pathogenic bacteria. In this study, Enterococcus faecium C1 isolated from fermented cow milk was able to produce bacteriocin BacC1 and inhibit the growth of selected food-spoilage bacteria. The bacteriocin was purified through 4 steps: ammonium sulfate precipitation, hydrophobic interaction column, a series of centrifugal steps, and finally reversed-phase HPLC. A membrane permeability test using SYTOX green dye (Invitrogen, Grand Island, NY) showed that the bacteriocin caused significant disruptions to the test bacterial membrane, as shown by transmission electron microscopy. The molecular weight of the BacC1 obtained from SDS-PAGE was around 10kDa, and N-terminal sequencing revealed a partial amino acid sequence of BacC1: GPXGPXGP. The bacterial strain was nonhemolytic and not antibiotic resistant. Therefore, it has high potential for application in the food industry as an antimicrobial agent to extend the shelf life of food products.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacteriocins/metabolism; DNA, Bacterial/metabolism; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/metabolism; Enterococcus faecium/metabolism
  19. Fulltext Variations in DREB1A and VP1.1 Genes Show Association with Salt Tolerance Traits in Wild Tomato (Solanum pimpinellifolium)
    Rao ES, Kadirvel P, Symonds RC, Geethanjali S, Thontadarya RN, Ebert AW
    PLoS One, 2015;10(7):e0132535.
    PMID: 26161546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132535
    Association analysis was conducted in a core collection of 94 genotypes of Solanum pimpinellifolium to identify variations linked to salt tolerance traits (physiological and yield traits under salt stress) in four candidate genes viz., DREB1A, VP1.1, NHX1, and TIP. The candidate gene analysis covered a concatenated length of 4594 bp per individual and identified five SNP/Indels in DREB1A and VP1.1 genes explaining 17.0% to 25.8% phenotypic variation for various salt tolerance traits. Out of these five alleles, one at 297 bp in DREB1A had in-frame deletion of 6 bp (CTGCAT) or 12 bp (CTGCATCTGCAT), resulting in two alleles, viz., SpDREB1A_297_6 and SpDREB1A_297_12. These alleles individually or as haplotypes accounted for maximum phenotypic variance of about 25% for various salt tolerance traits. Design of markers for selection of the favorable alleles/haplotypes will hasten marker-assisted introgression of salt tolerance from S. pimpinellifolium into cultivated tomato.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Proteins/metabolism; Transcription Factors/metabolism; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases/metabolism; Solanum/metabolism
  20. Microenvironmental factors involved in human amnion mesenchymal stem cells fate decisions
    Syva SH, Ampon K, Lasimbang H, Fatimah SS
    J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2017 02;11(2):311-320.
    PMID: 26073746 DOI: 10.1002/term.2043
    Human amnion mesenchymal stem cells (HAMCs) show great differentiation and proliferation potential and also other remarkable features that could serve as an outstanding alternative source of stem cells in regenerative medicine. Recent reports have demonstrated various kinds of effective artificial niche that mimic the microenvironment of different types of stem cell to maintain and control their fate and function. The components of the stem cell microenvironment consist mainly of soluble and insoluble factors responsible for regulating stem cell differentiation and self-renewal. Extensive studies have been made on regulating HAMCs differentiation into specific phenotypes; however, the understanding of relevant factors in directing stem cell fate decisions in HAMCs remain underexplored. In this review, we have therefore identified soluble and insoluble factors, including mechanical stimuli and cues from the other supporting cells that are involved in directing HAMCs fate decisions. In order to strengthen the significance of understanding on the relevant factors involved in stem cell fate decisions, recent technologies developed to specifically mimic the microenvironments of specific cell lineages are also reviewed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cell Membrane/metabolism; Cytokines/metabolism; Chemokines/metabolism; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links