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Fulltext Phytochemical Profile of Brown Rice and Its Nutrigenomic Implications

Ravichanthiran K, Ma ZF, Zhang H, Cao Y, Wang CW, Muhammad S, et al.

Antioxidants (Basel), 2018 May 23;7(6).
PMID: 29789516 DOI: 10.3390/antiox7060071

Whole grain foods have been promoted to be included as one of the important components of a healthy diet because of the relationship between the regular consumption of whole-grain foods and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Rice is a staple food, which has been widely consumed for centuries by many Asian countries. Studies have suggested that brown rice is associated with a wide spectrum of nutrigenomic implications such as anti-diabetic, anti-cholesterol, cardioprotective and antioxidant. This is because of the presence of various phytochemicals that are mainly located in bran layers of brown rice. Therefore, this paper is a review of publications that focuses on the bioactive compounds and nutrigenomic implications of brown rice. Although current evidence supports the fact that the consumption of brown rice is beneficial for health, these studies are heterogeneous in terms of their brown rice samples used and population groups, which cause the evaluation to be difficult. Future clinical studies should focus on the screening of individual bioactive compounds in brown rice with reference to their nutrigenomic implications.
Hyaluronic acid, a promising skin rejuvenating biomedicine: A review of recent updates and pre-clinical and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic effects

Bukhari SNA, Roswandi NL, Waqas M, Habib H, Hussain F, Khan S, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2018 Dec;120(Pt B):1682-1695.
PMID: 30287361 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.188

Hyaluronic acid (HA) plays multifaceted role in regulating the various biological processes such as skin repairmen, diagnosis of cancer, wound healing, tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulation. Owing to its remarkable biomedical and tissue regeneration potential, HA has been numerously employed as one of the imperative components of the cosmetic and nutricosmetic products. The present review aims to summarize and critically appraise recent developments and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic efficacy of HA for skin rejuvenation. A thorough analysis of the literature revealed that HA based formulations (i.e., gels, creams, intra-dermal filler injections, dermal fillers, facial fillers, autologous fat gels, lotion, serum, and implants, etc.) exhibit remarkable anti-wrinkle, anti-nasolabial fold, anti-aging, space-filling, and face rejuvenating properties. This has been achieved via soft tissue augmentation, improved skin hydration, collagen and elastin stimulation, and face volume restoration. HA, alone or in combination with lidocaine and other co-agents, showed promising efficacy in skin tightness and elasticity, face rejuvenation, improving aesthetic scores, reducing the wrinkle scars, longevity, and tear trough rejuvenation. Our critical analysis evidenced that application/administration of HA exhibits outstanding nutricosmetic efficacy and thus is warranted to be used as a prime component of cosmetic products.
Fulltext Anaemia among primary care patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD): a multicentred cross-sectional study

Idris I, Tohid H, Muhammad NA, A Rashid MR, Mohd Ahad A, Ali N, et al.

BMJ Open, 2018 12 22;8(12):e025125.
PMID: 30580276 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025125

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) at primary care settings and its associated factors.
DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study involved 808 adult patients with T2DM and CKD who were recruited via systematic sampling from 20 public primary care clinics in Peninsular Malaysia. Their sociodemographic, clinical and biomedical profiles were collected through interviews, examination of medical records and blood testing.
RESULTS: The prevalence of anaemia was 31.7% (256/808). The anaemia was mainly mild (61.5%) and normocytic normochromic (58.7%). About 88.7% of the patients with anaemia were not known to have anaemia prior to the study. Among 36 patients with documented history of anaemia, 80.6% were still anaemic, and only a half received iron therapy. Multivariate regression analysis showed that women (adjusted odd ratio (AOR): 1.57, 95% CI: 1.12 to 2.21, p=0.009) and those with older age (AOR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.06, p<0.001), CKD stage 3a (AOR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.25 to 4.87, p=0.009), CKD stage 3b (AOR: 4.36; 95% CI: 2.14 to 8.85, p<0.001), CKD stage 4 (AOR: 10.12; 95% CI: 4.36 to 23.47, p<0.001), CKD stage 5 (AOR: 10.80; 95% CI: 3.32 to 35.11, p<0.001) and foot complication (AOR 3.12, 95% CI: 1.51 to 6.46, p=0.002) were more likely to have anaemia. Having higher body mass index (AOR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92 to 0.99, p=0.012) and higher diastolic blood pressure (AOR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95 to 0.99, p<0.001) were associated with lower odds to have anaemia.
CONCLUSION: Anaemia among patients with T2DM and CKD in primary care was common, and the majority was unrecognised. Inadequate treatment of anaemia was also prevalent. Therefore, screening of anaemia should be incorporated into the routine assessment of diabetic complications particularly for those with significant associated factors. It is hoped that such strategy could lead to early treatment and hence improve their overall care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NMRR-15-660-24324.
Fulltext Environmental risk factors of leptospirosis in urban settings: a systematic review protocol

Abdul Mutalip MH, Mahmud MAF, Lodz NA, Yoep N, Muhammad EN, Ahmad A, et al.

BMJ Open, 2019 01 21;9(1):e023359.
PMID: 30670512 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023359

INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is the most common zoonotic disease that causes morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease can cause sporadic epidemics and recent epidemics have become more apparent in urban localities. There is lack of documented evidence on the specific risk factors of leptospirosis infection among the urbanites, thereby impeding initiatives for prevention in urban settings. We aim to systematically search published articles and synthesise evidence on the risk factors associated with leptospirosis infection among the susceptible populations in urban localities, particularly to identify the risk factors of non-recreational leptospirosis infection.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a systematic review of observational studies that investigated environmental risk factors of leptospirosis in urban localities. The search will be performed for any eligible articles from selected electronic databases from 1970 until May 2018. The study will include any studies that investigated risk factors of confirmed leptospirosis cases who acquired the infection in urban locality, particularly exposures from the non-recreational and non-water-related activities. Study selection and reporting will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guideline. All data will be extracted using a standardised data extraction form and quality of the studies will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale guideline. Descriptive and meta-analysis will be performed by calculating the standardised median ORs and risk ratios for types of the non-recreational risk factors stratified by social, living conditions and environmental exposures, types of reservoirs and transmissions and types of activities and employments associated with leptospirosis infection in urban locality.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No primary data will be collected thus no formal ethical approval is required. The results will be disseminated though a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentation.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42018090820.
Histopathological changes in placenta and liver of pregnant rats administered with aqueous extract of Dioscorea hispida var. daemona (Roxb) Prain & Burkill

Muhammad H, Maslan SF, Md Saad WM, Thani NSIA, Ibnu Rasid EN, Mahomoodally MF, et al.

Food Chem Toxicol, 2019 Sep;131:110538.
PMID: 31152790 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.05.046

Dioscorea hispida var. daemona (Roxb) Prain & Burkill (DH), also known a tropical yam or intoxicating yam is a bitter wild tuber which is consumed as a staple food and traditionally used as a remedy in Malaysia. However, DH is also notorious for its intoxicating effects and there is currently a dearth of study of possible effects of DH on liver and placental tissues and hence its safe consumption warrants in-depth investigation. This study was therefore designed to investigate into the effect of DH on liver and placenta of pregnant rat via histopathological examination. Thirty pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups consisting of a control (distilled water) and four DH aqueous extract groups (250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight). The extracts were administered via oral gavage daily throughout the study and animals were sacrificed on day 21. Paraffin-embedded, hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of placenta and liver were examined. Significant changes (p 
Fulltext Drought Resistance in Rice from Conventional to Molecular Breeding: A Review

Oladosu Y, Rafii MY, Samuel C, Fatai A, Magaji U, Kareem I, et al.

Int J Mol Sci, 2019 Jul 18;20(14).
PMID: 31323764 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143519

Drought is the leading threat to agricultural food production, especially in the cultivation of rice, a semi-aquatic plant. Drought tolerance is a complex quantitative trait with a complicated phenotype that affects different developmental stages in plants. The level of susceptibility or tolerance of rice to several drought conditions is coordinated by the action of different drought-responsive genes in relation with other stress components which stimulate signal transduction pathways. Interdisciplinary researchers have broken the complex mechanism of plant tolerance using various methods such as genetic engineering or marker-assisted selection to develop a new cultivar with improved drought resistance. The main objectives of this review were to highlight the current method of developing a durable drought-resistant rice variety through conventional breeding and the use of biotechnological tools and to comprehensively review the available information on drought-resistant genes, QTL analysis, gene transformation and marker-assisted selection. The response, indicators, causes, and adaptation processes to the drought stress were discussed in the review. Overall, this review provides a systemic glimpse of breeding methods from conventional to the latest innovation in molecular development of drought-tolerant rice variety. This information could serve as guidance for researchers and rice breeders.
Synthesis of new arylhydrazide bearing Schiff bases/thiazolidinone: α-Amylase, urease activities and their molecular docking studies

Rahim F, Taha M, Ullah H, Wadood A, Selvaraj M, Rab A, et al.

Bioorg Chem, 2019 10;91:103112.
PMID: 31349115 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103112

Alpha-amylase and urease enzyme over expression endorses various complications like rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infection, colon cancer, metabolic disorder, cardiovascular risk, and chronic kidney disease. To overcome these complications, we have synthesized new arylhydrazide bearing Schiff bases/thiazolidinone analogues as α-amylase and urease inhibitors. The analogues 1a-r were evaluated for α-amylase inhibitory potential. All analogues were found active and show IC50 value ranging between 0.8 ± 0.05 and 12.50 ± 0.5 μM as compare to standard acarbose (IC50 = 1.70 ± 0.10 μM). Among the synthesized analogs, compound 1j, 1r, 1k, 1e, 1b and 1f having IC50 values 0.8 ± 0.05, 0.9 ± 0.05, 1.00 ± 0.05, 1.10 ± 0.10, 1.20 ± 0.10 and 1.30 ± 0.10 μM respectively showed an excellent inhibitory potential. Analogs 2a-o were evaluated against urease activity. All analogues were found active and show IC50 value ranging between 4.10 ± 0.02 and 38.20 ± 1.10 μM as compare to standard thiourea (IC50 = 21.40 ± 0.21 μM). Among the synthesized analogs, compound 2k, 2a, 2h, 2j, 2f, 2e, 2g, 2b and 2l having IC50 values 4.10 ± 0.02, 4.60 ± 0.02, 4.70 ± 0.03, 5.40 ± 0.02, 6.70 ± 0.05, 8.30 ± 0.3, 11.20 ± 0.04, 16.90 ± 0.8 and 19.80 ± 0.60 μM respectively showed an excellent inhibitory potential. All compounds were characterized through 1H, 13C NMR and HR-EIMS analysis. Structure activity relationship of the synthesized analogs were recognized and confirmed through molecular docking studies.
Fulltext Deep Small RNA Sequencing of BRAF V600E Mutated Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma With Lymph Node Metastasis

Yusof AM, Jamal R, Saidin S, Muhammad R, Suhaimi SNA, Rose IM, et al.

Front Genet, 2019;10:941.
PMID: 31649724 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00941
Fulltext Prevalence and Histopathological Characteristics of KCNJ5 Mutant Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas in a Multi-Ethnic Malaysian Cohort

Mohideen SK, Mustangin M, Kamaruddin NA, Muhammad R, Jamal ARA, Sukor N, et al.

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 2019;10:666.
PMID: 31636604 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00666

Studies on excised adrenals from primary aldosteronism patients have found that somatic mutations in KCNJ5 frequently cause excess aldosterone production in the culprit aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). KCNJ5 mutant APAs were reported to be peculiarly overrepresented among young females and in Oriental cohorts, compared to their older male, or Caucasian counterparts. These larger APAs were also reported to have similarities with the zona fasciculata (ZF) in the adrenal both from the steroid production profile and the morphology of the cell. We therefore aimed to corroborate these findings by characterizing the APAs from a multi-ethnic Malaysian cohort. The prevalence of KCNJ5 mutations was estimated through targeted DNA sequencing of KCNJ5 in 54 APAs. Confirmation of APA sample acquisition was performed by CYP11B2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The ZF steroid production profile was based on the ZF enzyme CYP17A1 IHC staining, and ZF cell morphology was based on a high cytoplasm to nucleus ratio. Seventeen (31.5%) APAs studied, harbored a KCNJ5 mutation. No female over-representation was seen in this cohort though females were found to have a higher expression of CYP11B2 than males (p = 0.009; Mann-Whitney U test). Age at adrenalectomy correlated negatively with the percentage of ZF-like cells in the APA (p = 0.01; Spearman's rho) but not with the KCNJ5 genotype. KCNJ5 mutant APAs had a high percentage of ZF-like cells (and high CYP17A1 expression) but so did the wild-type APAs. In summary, prevalence of KCNJ5 mutant APAs in this cohort was similar to other Caucasian cohorts, however, over-representation of females did not occur, which is similar to some studies in Oriental cohorts.
Fulltext Synthesis, anti-leishmanial and molecular docking study of bis-indole derivatives

Taha M, Uddin I, Gollapalli M, Almandil NB, Rahim F, Farooq RK, et al.

BMC Chem, 2019 Dec;13(1):102.
PMID: 31410413 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-019-0617-4

We have synthesized new series of bisindole analogs (1-27), characterized by 1HNMR and HR-EI-MS and evaluated for their anti-leishmanial potential. All compounds showed outstanding inhibitory potential with IC50 values ranging from 0.7 ± 0.01 to 13.30 ± 0.50 µM respectively when compared with standard pentamidine with IC50 value of 7.20 ± 0.20 µM. All analogs showed greater potential than standard except 10, 19 and 23 when compared with standard. Structure activity relationship has been also established for all compounds. Molecular docking studies were carried out to understand the binding interaction of active molecules.
Fulltext Levels of Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Osteoporosis and the Associations with Bone Mineral Density among Populations More Than 40 Years Old in Malaysia

Chan CY, Subramaniam S, Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S, Muhammad N, Fairus A, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2019 Oct 25;16(21).
PMID: 31731507 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214115

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder commonly found among the elderly, in which the bones become weak, brittle, and more susceptible to fracture. Adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards the disease and osteoprotective activities may prevent osteoporosis, but comprehensive studies to verify this hypothesis are limited in Malaysia. This study aims to bridge the research gap by determining the levels of knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding osteoporosis and their associations with bone mineral density (BMD) among men and women ≥ 40 years in Klang Valley, Malaysia. In this cross-sectional study, 786 Malaysians (382 men, 404 women) completed a questionnaire on knowledge, beliefs, and osteoprotective practices, and underwent BMD scan using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device. The current study found moderate levels of knowledge and beliefs regarding osteoporosis but poor osteoprotective practices. Osteoporosis knowledge, beliefs, and practices were significantly different based on subjects' demographic characteristics (p < 0.05). Osteoporosis knowledge and beliefs were correlated significantly with osteoprotective practices (p < 0.05). Bone health status of the subjects was associated positively with calcium supplement intake, and negatively with exercise barriers and smoking status of the subjects (p < 0.05). However, no significant correlation was noted between osteoporosis knowledge and bone health (p > 0.05). Conclusively, despite some correlations between individual components, the detachment between bone health knowledge and beliefs, and osteoprotective practices among Malaysians is apparent. Integrating all three components into a comprehensive osteoporosis prevention program is warranted.
Removal efficiency of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using a natural coagulant during coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes

Sha'arani S, Azizan SNF, Md Akhir FN, Muhammad Yuzir MA, Othman N, Zakaria Z, et al.

Water Sci Technol, 2019 Nov;80(9):1787-1795.
PMID: 32039910 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2019.433

Staphylococcus sp. as Gram-positive and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative are bacterial pathogens and can cause primary bloodstream infections and food poisoning. Coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes could be a reliable treatment for bacterial removal because suspended, colloidal, and soluble particles can be removed. Chemical coagulants, such as alum, are commonly used. However, these chemical coagulants are not environmentally friendly. This present study evaluated the effectiveness of coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes for removing Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli using diatomite with standard jar test equipment at different pH values. Staphylococcus sp. demonstrated 85.61% and 77.23% significant removal in diatomite and alum, respectively, at pH 5. At pH 7, the removal efficiency decreased to 79.41% and 64.13% for Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli, respectively. At pH 9, there was a decrease in Staphylococcus sp. after adding diatomite or alum compared with that of E. coli. The different removal efficiencies of the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria could be owing to the membrane composition and different structures in the bacteria. This study indicates that diatomite has higher efficiency in removing bacteria at pH 5 and can be considered as a potential coagulant to replace alum for removing bacteria by the coagulation process.
Biology-oriented drug synthesis (BIODS), in vitro urease inhibitory activity, and in silico studies on ibuprofen derivatives

Seraj F, Kanwal, Khan KM, Khan A, Ali M, Khalil R, et al.

Mol Divers, 2021 Feb;25(1):143-157.
PMID: 31965436 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-019-10032-x

Novel ibuprofen derivatives 1-19 including ibuprofen hydrazide 1, and substituted thiourea derivatives 2-19 were synthesized and characterized by EI-MS, FAB-MS, HREI-MS, HRFAB-MS, 1H-, and 13C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. The synthetic molecules 1-19 were examined for their in vitro urease inhibition and were found to display a diversified degree of inhibitory potential in the range of IC50 = 2.96-178 μM as compared to the standard thiourea (IC50 = 21.32 ± 0.22 μM). Out of nineteen, thirteen derivatives 2-4, 6, 7, 9, 11-15, 17, and 18 demonstrated remarkable inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 2.96 ± 1.11 to 16.1 ± 1.07 μM, compound 5 exhibited moderate inhibition with IC50 value of 37.3 ± 0.41 μM, whereas, compounds 1, 8, and 10 demonstrated weak inhibition against urease enzyme. Almost all structural features are participating in the activity; however, limited structure-activity relationship was discussed on the basis of different structural features, i.e., different functional groups and their positions at aryl part. In addition, molecular docking study was performed in order to understand the ligands binding interactions with the active site of urease enzyme.
The performance of osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) in identifying the risk of osteoporosis among Malaysian population aged 40 years and above

Subramaniam S, Chan CY, Soelaiman IN, Mohamed N, Muhammad N, Ahmad F, et al.

Arch Osteoporos, 2019 11 28;14(1):117.
PMID: 31781876 DOI: 10.1007/s11657-019-0666-2

The concordance between osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was fair in the study. Modification of OSTA cutoff values improved its sensitivity to identify subjects at risk for suboptimal bone health (osteopenia/osteoporosis) and osteoporosis.
PURPOSE: Osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) is a convenient screening algorithm used widely to identify patients at risk of osteoporosis. Currently, the number of studies validating OSTA in Malaysian population is limited. This study aimed to validate the performance of OSTA in identifying subjects with osteoporosis determined with DXA.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 786 Malaysians in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Their bone health status was assessed by DXA and OSTA. The association and agreement between OSTA and bone mineral density assessment by DXA were determined by Pearson's correlation and Cohen's kappa, respectively. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for OSTA.
RESULTS: OSTA and DXA showed a fair association in the study (r = 0.382, κ = 0.159, p
Fulltext Investigation on Hamburg Wheel-Tracking Device Stripping Performance Properties of Recycled Hot-Mix Asphalt Mixtures

Rafiq W, Bin Napiah M, Hartadi Sutanto M, Salah Alaloul W, Nadia Binti Zabri Z, Imran Khan M, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2020 Oct 22;13(21).
PMID: 33105633 DOI: 10.3390/ma13214704

Moisture damage in hot mix asphalt pavements is a periodic but persistent problem nowadays, even though laboratory testing is performed to identify different moisture-susceptible mixtures. In this study, a Hamburg Wheel Tracking device (HWTD) was used for rutting tests which were conducted on control and a high percentage of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), i.e., 30%, 50% and 100% of virgin mixtures, under air dry and water-immersed conditions. Similarly, the extracted bitumen from RAP was tested for binder physical properties. Results showed that the asphalt mixtures containing RAP have less rut depth as compared to the control mix both in air dry and immersion conditions and hence showed better anti-rutting properties and moisture stability. Stripping performance of control and RAP containing mixtures was also checked, concluding that the RAP mixture was greatly dependent on the interaction between the binder (virgin plus aged) and aggregates.
Fulltext Engineering of Naproxen Loaded Polymer Hybrid Enteric Microspheres for Modified Release Tablets: Development, Characterization, in silico Modelling and in vivo Evaluation

Hameed HA, Khan S, Shahid M, Ullah R, Bari A, Ali SS, et al.

Drug Des Devel Ther, 2020;14:27-41.
PMID: 32021089 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S232111

BACKGROUND: Naproxen (NP) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability, which may lead to therapeutic failure. NP causes crucial GIT irritation, bleeding, and peptic and duodenal ulcers.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to engineer and characterize polymer hybrid enteric microspheres using an integrated (experimental and molecular modelling) approach with further development to solid dosage form with modified drug release kinetics and improved bioavailability.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: NP loaded polymer hybrid enteric microspheres (PHE-Ms) were fabricated by using a modified solvent evaporation technique coupled with molecular modelling (MM) approach. The PHE-Ms were characterized by particle size, distribution, morphology, crystallinity, EE, drug-polymer compatibility, and DSC. The optimized NP loaded PHE-Ms were further subjected to downstream procedures including tablet dosage form development, stability studies and comparative in vitro-in vivo evaluation.
RESULTS: The hydrophobic polymer EUD-L100 and hydrophilic polymer HPMC-E5 delayed and modified drug release at intestinal pH while imparting retardation of NP release at gastric pH to diminish the gastric side effects. The crystallinity of the NP loaded PHE-Ms was established through DSC and P (XRD). The particle size for the developed formulations of PEH-Ms (M1-M5) was in the range from 29.06 ±7.3-74.31 ± 17.7 μm with Span index values of 0.491-0.69, respectively. The produced NP hybrid microspheres demonstrated retarded drug release at pH 1.2 and improved dissolution at pH 6.8. The in vitro drug release patterns were fitted to various release kinetic models and the best-followed model was the Higuchi model with a release exponent "n" value > 0.5. Stability studies at different storage conditions confirmed stability of the NP loaded PHE-Ms based tablets (P<0.05). The molecular modelling (MM) study resulted in adequate binding energy of co-polymer complex SLS-Eudragit-HPMC-Naproxen (-3.9 kcal/mol). In contrast to the NP (unprocessed) and marketed formulations, a significant increase in the Cmax of PHE-MT1 (44.41±4.43) was observed.
CONCLUSION: The current study concludes that developing NP loaded PHE-Ms based tablets could effectively reduce GIT consequences with restored therapeutic effects. The modified release pattern could improve the dissolution rate and enhancement of oral bioavailability. The MM study strengthens the polymer-drug relationship in microspheres.
Fulltext Recent Strategies for Detection and Improvement of Brown Planthopper Resistance Genes in Rice: A Review

Sani Haliru B, Rafii MY, Mazlan N, Ramlee SI, Muhammad I, Silas Akos I, et al.

Plants (Basel), 2020 Sep 14;9(9).
PMID: 32937908 DOI: 10.3390/plants9091202

Brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens Stal) is considered the main rice insect pest in Asia. Several BPH-resistant varieties of rice have been bred previously and released for large-scale production in various rice-growing regions. However, the frequent surfacing of new BPH biotypes necessitates the evolution of new rice varieties that have a wide genetic base to overcome BPH attacks. Nowadays, with the introduction of molecular approaches in varietal development, it is possible to combine multiple genes from diverse sources into a single genetic background for durable resistance. At present, above 37 BPH-resistant genes/polygenes have been detected from wild species and indica varieties, which are situated on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Five BPH gene clusters have been identified from chromosomes 3, 4, 6, and 12. In addition, eight BPH-resistant genes have been successfully cloned. It is hoped that many more resistance genes will be explored through screening of additional domesticated and undomesticated species in due course.
mHealth adoption among primary care physicians in Malaysia and its associated factors: a cross-sectional study

Lim HM, Dunn AG, Muhammad Firdaus Ooi S, Teo CH, Abdullah A, Woo WJ, et al.

Fam Pract, 2021 06 17;38(3):210-217.
PMID: 32968795 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa103

BACKGROUND: mHealth apps potentially improve health care delivery and patient outcomes, but the uptake of mHealth in primary care is challenging, especially in low-middle-income countries.
OBJECTIVE: To measure factors associated with mHealth adoption among primary care physicians (PCPs) in Malaysia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among PCPs. The usage of mHealth apps by the PCPs has divided into the use of mHealth apps to support PCPs' clinical work and recommendation of mHealth apps for patient's use. Factors associated with mHealth adoption were analysed using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS: Among 217 PCPs in the study, 77.0% used mHealth apps frequently for medical references, 78.3% medical calculation and 30.9% interacting with electronic health records (EHRs). Only 22.1% of PCPs frequently recommended mHealth apps to patients for tracking health information, 22.1% patient education and 14.3% use as a medical device. Performance expectancy and facilitating conditions were associated with mHealth use for medical references. Family medicine trainees, working in a government practice and performance expectancy were the facilitators for the use of mHealth apps for medical calculation. Internet connectivity, performance expectancy and use by colleagues were associated with the use of mHealth with EHR. Performance expectancy was associated with mHealth apps' recommendation to patients to track health information and provide patient education.
CONCLUSIONS: PCPs often used mHealth apps to support their clinical work but seldom recommended mHealth apps to their patients. Training for PCPs is needed on the appraisal and knowledge of the mHealth apps for patient use.
Fulltext Positive association between metabolic syndrome and bone mineral density among Malaysians

Chin KY, Chan CY, Subramaniam S, Muhammad N, Fairus A, Ng PY, et al.

Int J Med Sci, 2020;17(16):2585-2593.
PMID: 33029101 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.49030

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that elevates the individual risk of cardiovascular diseases. These abnormalities are also known to alter bone remodelling. Therefore, MetS may be associated with osteoporosis. This study aims to determine the association between MetS and its components and bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) among Malaysians. Methods: 400 Malaysians aged ≥ 40 years (52.5% women) residing in Klang Valley, Malaysia, were recruited. Subjects' demographic and lifestyle details were collected using a questionnaire, and blood pressure and body anthropometry were measured. Subjects' lumbar spine and total hip BMD were measured by DXA. Their fasting blood was collected for blood glucose level and lipid profile analysis. Regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between MetS or its components and BMD. Results: Subjects with MetS had higher BMD compared to subjects without MetS in models unadjusted for BMI (spine p=0.008; hip p<0.001). This difference was attenuated with BMI adjustment (spine p=0.625; hip p=0.478). Waist circumference was associated positively with BMD in models unadjusted for BMI (spine p=0.012; hip p<0.001), but the association became negative with BMI adjustment (spine p=0.044; hip p=0.021). Systolic blood pressure was associated positively with total hip BMD (p=0.019) but BMI adjustment attenuated the relationship (p=0.080). Triglyceride level was associated with osteoporosis in a fully adjusted model (p=0.001). Overall, MetS was associated with osteoporosis (p=0.019) but lifestyle (p=0.188) and BMI adjustment attenuated the relationship (p=0.904). Conclusion: MetS is positively associated with BMD, and this relationship is predominantly mediated by BMI. Although MetS is not a significant risk factor for osteoporosis, the inverse relationship between waist circumference, a marker of central obesity, and BMD highlights the need to prevent adiposity to improve metabolic and skeletal health.
Fulltext Economic Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients in Malaysia: A Longitudinal Study

Ur Rehman A, Hassali MAA, Muhammad SA, Shakeel S, Chin OS, Ali IABH, et al.

Pharmacoecon Open, 2021 Mar;5(1):35-44.
PMID: 32291727 DOI: 10.1007/s41669-020-00214-x

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires long-term pharmacological and non-pharmacological management that encompasses continuous economic burden on patients and society, and also results in productivity losses due to compromised quality of life. Among working-age patients, COPD is the 11th leading cause of work productivity loss.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the economic burden of COPD in Malaysia, including direct costs for the management of COPD and indirect costs due to productivity losses for COPD patients.
METHODOLOGY: Overall, 150 patients with an established diagnosis of COPD were followed-up for a period of 1 year from August 2018 to August 2019. An activity-based costing, 'bottom-up' approach was used to calculate direct costs, while indirect costs of patients were assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire.
RESULTS: The mean annual per-patient direct cost for the management of COPD was calculated as US$506.92. The mean annual costs per patient in the management phase, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions were reported as US$395.65, US$86.4, and US$297.79, respectively; 31.66% of COPD patients visited the emergency department and 42.47% of COPD patients were admitted to the hospital due to exacerbation. The annual mean indirect cost per patient was calculated as US$1699.76. Productivity losses at the workplace were reported as 31.87% and activity limitations were reported as 17.42%.
CONCLUSION: Drugs and consumables costs were the main cost-driving factors in the management of COPD. The higher ratio of indirect cost to direct medical costs shows that therapeutic interventions aimed to prevent work productivity losses may reduce the economic burden of COPD.

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