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  1. Sirajudeen KN, Gurumoorthy P, Devaraj H, Devaraj SN
    Drug Chem Toxicol, 2002 Aug;25(3):247-54.
    PMID: 12173246
    Amiodarone (AD), a potent antiarrhythmic drug, is often associated with several adverse effects. It is shown to accumulate phospholipids in various tissues, and the impaired catabolism of phospholipids has been implicated in AD-induced phospholipidosis. The synthesis of phospholipids in tissues has not been dealt with. Hence, the incorporation of [14C]-acetate into phospholipids has been studied to understand the AD-induced phospholipidosis in lung and liver. A significant increase in lung and liver phospholipids was observed after 21 and 28 days of AD (175 mg/kg body weight/day) treatment. In the lung and liver, the incorporation of [14C]-acetate into all phospholipid fractions was elevated, while in the lung mitochondria phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and the cardiolipin levels were significantly increased. The results indicate that, in addition to the impaired catabolism of phospholipid, AD treatment resulted in increased phospholipid synthesis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Phospholipids/blood
  2. Ainsah O, Nabishah BM, Osman CB, Khalid BA
    PMID: 10595599
    Normal rats, on being repetitively stressed by being restrained in a tight container for two hours, had higher levels of plasma corticosterone compared to pre stress values. These rats also reacted to the stress by a behavioral response in which there was marked decrease in locomotor activity assessed by the open field test (pre stress: 71.3 +/- 2.6 squares crossed versus post stress: 14.3 +/- 2.5 squares crossed) by counting the number of squares entered by the rat over 5 minutes. By the 6th to 7th exposures to the repetitive stress, the rats adapted to the stress and had normal plasma corticosterone levels and locomotor activity scores comparable to the pre stress values. These responses to stress were completely blocked by the administration of 0.32 microg/100 g BW of naloxone i.p at 10 minutes prior to the stress. In rats fed with rat chow supplemented with 90 mg/kg rat chow or 150 mg/kg rat chow of vitamin E, there was significant reduction of the plasma corticosterone levels and improvement in the locomotor activity. Stress thus caused opioid mediated increase in plasma corticosterone and reduction in locomotor activity which could be blocked by naloxone. These stress responses probably also involved generation of oxygen free radicals which were scavenged by the vitamin E, thus reducing the effects of repetitive stress on locomotor activity and serum corticosterone levels.
    Matched MeSH terms: Corticosterone/blood*
  3. Abbas SA, Sharma JN, Yusof AP
    Immunopharmacology, 1999 Oct 15;44(1-2):93-8.
    PMID: 10604530
    It is known that BK does play a role in the cardioprotective effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The present study therefore was conducted to examine the effects of bradykinin (BK) and its antagonist on survival time in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with coronary artery ligation for 15 min and continuously. We also evaluated the heart rate and blood pressure (BP) in the presence and absence of BK and BK2 receptor antagonist, D-Arg-[Hyp-D-Phe7]BK. Coronary artery was ligated in anaesthetized rats and they were artificially ventilated with room air (stroke volume, 4 ml; 48 strokes/min) as described by the previous investigators. Lead II elecrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded from subcutaneous steel needle electrodes. Results of this investigation indicated that BK treatment 4 microg/kg (i.v.) and 8 microg/kg (i.v.) caused significant (P < 0.05) increase in survival time in SHR with coronary artery ligation for 15 min and continuously as compare to their respective saline-treated controls. However, BK antagonist treatment 4 microg/kg (i.v.) abolished the increase in survival time caused by BK treatment. The mean values of survival time between the saline-treated and BK antagonist plus BK-treated rats did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). The heart rate and BP responses were greatly reduced (P < 0.001) in the presence of coronary artery ligation. These findings suggest that BK might have cardioprotective effect to increase the survival time in rats by activating BK2 receptors after coronary artery ligation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure/drug effects
  4. Wan Mohd Saman WA, Hassan R, Mohd Yusoff S, Che Yaakob CA, Abdullah NA, Ghazali S, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2016 Dec;38(3):235-239.
    PMID: 28028293 MyJurnal
    BACKGROUND: Thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies are inherited red blood cell disorders found worldwide. Hemoglobin (Hb) E disorder is one of the hemoglobinopathies known to have the high prevalence in South East Asia. Most of transfusion-dependent thalassemias were genotypically compound heterozygous Hb E/ β-thalassemia. In Malaysia, the national screening program for thalassemia was implemented for early pregnancy or secondary school girls; however many participants do not turn-up and missed the screening test. Screening for thalassemia using samples from cord blood is an alternative choice as it is a readily available source of blood and hence early detection of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential use of cord blood for the screening of HbE hemoglobinopathy by using capillary electrophoresis (CE).

    METHODS: Cord blood samples were collected from 300 newborns of healthy mothers. Hematological parameters were determined and hemoglobin quantitation for all cord blood samples were performed using capillary electrophoresis system (CES) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

    RESULTS: Majority of cord blood samples (63%) revealed Hb AF followed by Hb AFA2 (20%). Hb AFE was detected in 10.7% with the mean value of Hb E ranging from 2.3%-11.1%.

    CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin E was detected in cord blood using capillary electrophoresis system. It can be recommended in areas where Hb E/β is prevalent. Implementation of a screening strategy using CE on cord blood sampling will identify the disease early. With regular follow-up on these patients, the status of their disease can be determined earlier and appropriate management implemented.

    Matched MeSH terms: Fetal Blood*
  5. Jahan I, Begum M, Akhter S, Islam MZ, Jahan N, Samad N, et al.
    Ann Afr Med, 2021 7 3;20(2):69-77.
    PMID: 34213471 DOI: 10.4103/aam.aam_114_20
    Introduction: Alternate nostril breathing (ANB) is an effective breathing exercise with therapeutic benefits on cardiorespiratory functions for healthy and diseased individuals. This study was conducted to assess the effects of ANB exercise on cardiorespiratory tasks in healthy adults.

    Materials and Methods: This randomized experimental study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, from July 2017 to June 2018. A total of 100 1st-year students, aged between 18 and 20 years, were included by a random sampling method. Fifty participants (25 males and 25 females) were enrolled in the experimental group, while age- and body mass index-matched another 50 participants (25 males and 25 females) served as the control group. Experimental group participants performed ANB exercise for 4 weeks. Cardiorespiratory parameters (pulse rate, blood pressure, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1st s [FEV1], and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] were measured. Data were taken at the start and after 4 weeks in both groups.

    Results: Independent t-test showed no significant differences in the cardiorespiratory functions between the experimental and control groups among the male and female participants, except for the females' PEFR which showed small differences. On the other hand, repeated measure ANOVA shows significant improvement in the experimental groups among males (P < 0.001-0.028) and females (P < 0.001-0.001) in all the cardiorespiratory functions measured, except for the FEV1 and PEFR among males.

    Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that cardiorespiratory functions were improved after breathing exercise, and therefore, ANB can be recommended for increasing cardiorespiratory efficiency.

    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure/physiology
  6. Narita K, Hoshide S, Tsoi K, Siddique S, Shin J, Chia YC, et al.
    J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich), 2021 03;23(3):575-583.
    PMID: 33527663 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14192
    The incidence of large disasters has been increasing worldwide. This has led to a growing interest in disaster medicine. In this review, we report current evidence related to disasters and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, such as cardiovascular diseases during disasters, management of disaster hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases associated with COVID-19. This review summarizes the time course and mechanisms of disaster-related diseases. It also discusses the use of information and communication technology (ICT) as a cardiovascular risk management strategy to prevent cardiovascular events. During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, we used the "Disaster Cardiovascular Prevention" system that was employed for blood pressure (BP) monitoring and risk management using ICT. We introduced an ICT-based BP monitoring device at evacuation centers and shared patients' BP values in the database to support BP management by remote monitoring, which led to improved BP control. Effective use of telemedicine using ICT is important for risk management of cardiovascular diseases during disasters and pandemics in the future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Determination
  7. Nur Hanani binti Mohamad Yusoff, Joyce Leong Whye Sook, Soo Man Jun, Ching Siew Mooi
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Hypertension contributes to major cardiovascular morbidities and mortalities worldwide and medica- tion compliance is crucial in achieving target blood pressure control. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with non-compliance towards anti-hypertensive medication in Malaysia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study among hypertensive patients who were attending the medical outpatient department, Hospital Serdang from March until May 2018. Systematic random sampling was used to recruit patients and a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information. Non-compliance is defined as attaining a score of 26 and below from the Medication Compliance Scale. Data analysis was done using SPSS v. 23. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of medication non-compliance among hypertensive patients. Re- sults: A total of 120 respondents were recruited into this study with a response rate of 60.9%. Mean age of the study respondents was 60.82 ± 11.25 years old. They were predominantly female (60.8%), Malay (58.3%) and attained at least secondary educational level (75.0%). The prevalence of non-compliance towards anti-hypertensive medi- cation was 25%. Multiple logistic regression showed that side effects of medication (OR=5.59; 95% CI=1.29-24.21, p=0.021), traditional medications usage (OR=19.19; 95% CI=3.90-94.45, p=
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Determination
  8. Lim L, Ab Majid AH
    Sci Rep, 2021 Apr 19;11(1):8465.
    PMID: 33875727 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87946-w
    With the development of new metagenomic techniques, the microbial community structure of common bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, is well-studied, while information regarding the constituents of the bacterial communities associated with tropical bed bugs, Cimex hemipterus, is lacking. In this study, the bacteria communities in the blood-fed and starved tropical bed bugs were analysed and characterized by amplifying the v3-v4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene region, followed by MiSeq Illumina sequencing. Across all samples, Proteobacteria made up more than 99% of the microbial community. An alpha-proteobacterium Wolbachia and gamma-proteobacterium, including Dickeya chrysanthemi and Pseudomonas, were the dominant OTUs at the genus level. Although the dominant OTUs of bacterial communities of blood-fed and starved bed bugs were the same, bacterial genera present in lower numbers were varied. The bacteria load in starved bed bugs was also higher than blood-fed bed bugs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood/microbiology*
  9. Kalantari N, Sheikhansari MR, Ghaffari S, Alipour J, Gorgani-Firouzjaee T, Tamadoni A, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2018 Dec 01;35(4):1017-1027.
    PMID: 33601849
    T. gondii is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients which may be transmitted through blood transfusion. The present study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and molecular detection of T. gondii infection and the associated risk factors among young healthy blood donors in the central part of Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Blood samples were taken from 500 participants and the serum was separated. All serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG) and then all positive samples were evaluated for IgM antibodies using commercial ELISA kits. All IgM positive samples and 66 randomly selected IgG positive samples were further tested by PCR of the REP-529 gene. Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG) avidity test was performed for 142 IgG positive samples which were randomly selected. In the current study, anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG) and (IgM) were found in 316 (63.2%) and 3 (0.95 %) participants, respectively. Seropositivity rate of Toxoplasma was higher among blood donors living in rural areas (P=0.000) and those with a history of soil and animal contact (P<0.05). PCR of the REP-529 gene showed T. gondii DNA in 21 out of 66 samples. The REP-529 gene was not detected in IgM positive samples. Low avidity antibodies (IgG) was found in 23.2% of the IgG positive samples. In conclusions, this study found that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among young healthy blood donors in north of Iran was high. To reduce the risk of parasite transmission, leukofilteration method are recommended for donated blood used for immunosuppressed patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Donors; Blood Transfusion
  10. Norfazilah Ahmad, Santhna Letchmi Panduragan, Yee,San Khor, Kalaiarasan Gemini, Nur Atikah Bahrin, Nur Husnina Azhar, et al.
    Borneo Epidemiology Journal, 2020;1(1):35-45.
    MyJurnal
    Strategising, which is an effective workplace intervention to curb cardiovascular disease (CVD), requires understanding of the CVD risk related to a specific working population. The Framingham Risk Score (FRS) is widely used in predicting the ten-year CVD risk of various working populations. This study aimed to use FRS to determine the ten-year CVD risk amongst workers in a tertiary healthcare setting and its associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on workers who participated in the special health check programme at the staff clinic of a tertiary healthcare institution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A set of data sheets was used to retrieve the workers’ sociodemographic and CVD risk information. The prevalence of high, moderate and low ten-year CVD risk was 12.8%, 20.0% and 67.2%, respectively. Workers in the high-risk group were older [mean age: 54.81 (standard deviation, 5.72) years], male (44%), smokers (72.7%) and having hyperglycaemia (46.7%) and hypertriglyceridemia [median triglycerides: 1.75 (interquartile range, 1.45) mmol/L]. Diastolic blood pressure (aOR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01,1.14), hyperglycaemia (aOR 8.80, 95% CI: 1.92,40.36) and hypertriglyceridemia (aOR 4.45, 95% CI: 1.78,11.09) were significantly associated with high ten-year CVD risk. Diastolic blood pressure (aOR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03,1.13) and hypertriglyceridemia (aOR 2.51, 95% CI: 1.12-5.61) were significantly associated with moderate ten-year CVD risk. The prevalence of high and moderate ten-year CVD risk was relatively high. Amongst the workers in the high-risk group, they were older, male, smokers and with high fasting blood sugar and triglyceride. Understanding the ten-year CVD risk and its associated factors could be used to plan periodic workplace health assessment and monitor to prevent CVD
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure
  11. Aneesa Abdul Rashid, Navin Kumar Devaraj, Zuhra Hamzah, Tan Chai Eng
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Diabetic control depends partially on self-management. Diabetes self-care is reported to be a strong predictor of glycemic control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. Factors contributing to better self-care include self-efficacy and social support. We aim to determine effects of these factors on glucose control in T2DM patients in a primary care clinic. Methods: This study utilised data from a bigger study looking into factors affecting social support and self-efficacy and their correlation in T2DM patients. This study was done among 329 T2DM pa- tients attending a primary care clinic in Selangor, Malaysia between November 2013- January 2014. Systematic ran- dom sampling was used. Instruments used were the MOS Social Support Survey and the Diabetic Management Self Efficacy Scale (DMSES). Patients’ socio-demographic data and glucose monitoring records were obtained. The asso- ciation between social support and self-efficacy with blood glucose control was determined using logistic regression. Results: The mean age of the respondents is 54.6 (+11.2), mostly female (55.3%) and Malay ethnicity (63.5%). Being older and retired were predictors for good glucose control (OR=1.05,p=0.01 and OR=2.2,p=0.023) respectively. There is also significant correlations between number of close friends/relatives with social support and self-efficacy (r=0.162,p=0.030 and r=0.190,p=0.01) respectively. The correlation of social support and self-efficacy with HbA1c levels are r= -0.044(p=0.426) and r= -0.08(p= 0.744) respectively. Conclusion: There were no correlations between social support and self-efficacy with the level of HbA1c among patients with T2DM in this study. We found older aged and retired patients to have better HbA1c levels.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring
  12. El-Aswad BEW, Ammar AI, Mahmoud SF, Soliman SS, Abd El-Atty AF
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):75-88.
    PMID: 33612720
    The course of Trichinella (T.) spiralis infection includes intestinal and muscle phases. The aims of this work were to evaluate IL-23 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by immunohistochemistry in the muscles of T. spiralis infected mice in a time-course study and to correlate their level with the serum levels of IL-23, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines. The mice were divided into an un-infected control group (UC) (10 mice) and 5 infected mouse groups (each 10 mice/group. Each mouse was infected with 200 T. spiralis larvae) and sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 post-infection (dpi). IL-23 showed weak expression (+1) on the 21st dpi, then it became moderately expressed (+2) on the 28th dpi and on day 35 pi, the immunoreactivity was strong (+3). COX-2 expressed weakly on 14 dpi, while the other mouse groups (21, 28 and 35) showed strong (+3) expression. IL-23 serum concentrations increased gradually in a significant pattern, in comparison to that of UC mice, from the 21st dpi to the end of the experiment. IFN-γ increased gradually and was significantly higher than those of UC mice from the 7th dpi, reached its maximum level on the 21st dpi, after which it decreased non-significantly. IL-4 up-regulated significantly in all infected groups in comparison to UC mice achieving its highest level on the 21st dpi and decreased after that. IL-10 increased significantly on the 7th dpi, but dropped at the 14th dpi, then reached its peak on the 21st dpi, and decreased again on the 28th and 35th dpi. In conclusion, T. spiralis infection caused increased expression of IL-23 and COX-2 in the muscle of infected mice, the effect being strongest on the 35th day. Also, the infection induced a mixed Th1/Th2 profile with a predominance of Th2 at the early muscle phase, after which the immune repose became mainly Th2.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cytokines/blood
  13. Nurul-Alia Samiun, Barakatun-Nisak Mohd Yusof, Irmi Zarina Ismail, Norfarhana Mohd Anuar, Winnie Chee Siew Swee
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Optimal nutritional status is of utmost importance not only for foetal
    development but also to maintain normoglycemia in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
    (GDM). This cross-sectional study described the nutritional status of women with GDM and
    explored whether self-reported nutrition education (NEd) exposure before a GDM diagnosis
    would be able to promote better nutrition status. Methods: GDM women (n= 60; age= 31.6 ±
    5.0 years) diagnosed between 13th and 28th week of gestation participated in the study. We
    assessed nutritional status that included anthropometric and blood pressure assessments,
    biochemical data, and dietary intake. The respondents self-reported their NEd exposure before
    a GDM diagnosis was made. Results: The pre-pregnancy BMI of the participants was 27.9 ±
    6.8 kg/m2
    , which was categorised as overweight. Total (4.3 ± 5.6 kg) and rate (0.2 ± 0.3
    kg/week) of gestational weight gain were within the recommendations. Glycemic parameters
    and blood pressure were also within the normal range. Nevertheless, they had high intakes of
    fat (35.5%) and sugar (14.4%) proportionate to their energy intake. They did not meet the
    recommended nutrient intakes for fibre, calcium, and iron. Only 28.3% of women had prior
    NEd exposure. Among them, almost all (94.1%) had recurrent GDM. Those with NEd
    exposure had lower pre-prandial blood glucose profiles, systolic blood pressure, and
    proportion of protein intake from energy than those without (p< 0.05). Conclusions:
    Suboptimal maternal nutritional status and low exposure to NEd are evident in women with
    GDM. Those with self-reported NEd exposure had better parameters of nutritional status. The
    findings recognised the need of having proper nutrition education for women who are at high
    risk of GDM since at early pregnancy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure
  14. Noor NHM, Joibe KF, Hasan MN
    Oman Med J, 2021 Mar;36(2):e249.
    PMID: 33898061 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2021.55
    Objectives: A near miss in transfusion practice is defined as a deviation from standard procedures discovered before transfusion and can lead to a transfusion error. Information on near-miss events provides pivotal data on areas of improvement to prevent actual errors in the future. Our study sought to determine the prevalence and rate of near-miss events and their associated factors amongst house officers (HO) in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

    Methods: The initial part of this study is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving data collection from all requests sent for group, screen, and hold (GSH) and group and cross match (GXM) tests from 2011 to 2017. The association between sociodemographic, workplace, and experience factors with near-miss events amongst HO was analyzed with a case-control study using logistic regression.

    Results: We reported 83 near-miss events with a prevalence of 0.034% (95% confidence interval 0.027-0.042). The rate of near-miss events was one in every 2916 requests. The mean reporting rate was 11.9 events per year. Clinical near miss predominated at 89.2% compared to 10.8% laboratory near miss. Mislabeled events (33.7%) were more than miscollected events (10.8%). HO were implicated with most events (83.1%). Most events were predominantly in the medical and obstetrics and gynecology wards amounting to 31.3% each. We found a significant association between the ages of HO with near-miss events.

    Conclusions: The prevalence of near-miss events in our hospital was relatively low. Our study has shown areas for improvement include improving sampling practices in clinical areas, adequate training of laboratory technicians, and providing proper transfusion education. Interventions such as encouraging compliance to guidelines and training in clinical and laboratory areas to minimize the risk of mistransfusion should be considered.

    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; Blood Transfusion
  15. Tan LY, Komarasamy TV, Rmt Balasubramaniam V
    Front Immunol, 2021;12:742941.
    PMID: 34659238 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.742941
    The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) elicited by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused devastating health, economic and social impact worldwide. Its clinical spectrum ranges from asymptomatic to respiratory failure and multi-organ failure or death. The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is attributed to a complex interplay between virus and host immune response. It involves activation of multiple inflammatory pathways leading to hyperinflammation and cytokine storm, resulting in tissue damage, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ failure. Accumulating evidence has raised concern over the long-term health effects of COVID-19. Importantly, the neuroinvasive potential of SARS-CoV-2 may have devastating consequences in the brain. This review provides a conceptual framework on how the virus tricks the host immune system to induce infection and cause severe disease. We also explore the key differences between mild and severe COVID-19 and its short- and long-term effects, particularly on the human brain.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cytokines/blood
  16. Daodu OB, Adebiyi AI, Oluwayelu DO
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Dec 01;36(4):1054-1060.
    PMID: 33597474
    Evidence of influenza A virus (IAV) infection in dogs, a major companion animal of humans, suggests the possibility that they may constitute a new source for transmission of novel influenza viruses to humans. The potential public health risk posed by this possibility of interspecies spread of IAV between dogs and humans necessitated surveillance for the virus in dogs and their human contacts. Sera from 239 asymptomatic pet and hunting dogs in Oyo state, Nigeria were screened for anti-IAV nucleoprotein antibodies using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while haemagglutination inhibiting (HI) antibodies in the positive sera were detected using influenza virus H3 and H5 subtypespecific antigens. Suspensions prepared from 239 and 39 nasal swabs from dogs and human contacts, respectively were tested for presence of the highly conserved IAV matrix gene by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Only 4 (1.7%) of the 239 sera tested were positive by the ELISA. The HI test confirmed the presence of H3 influenza virus subtype-specific antibodies in one (25.0%) of the 4 ELISA-positive sera with a titre of 1:128 while none was positive for H5 subtype-specific antibodies. All the nasal swabs assayed by RT-PCR were negative for IAV nucleic acid. The detection of IAV antibodies in pet and hunting dogs in this study, although at a low rate, suggests that these dogs could play a crucial role in the zoonotic transmission of influenza viruses especially considering the close interaction between them and their human contacts. Continuous surveillance for IAV among dog populations in Oyo State (and Nigeria) is therefore advocated to facilitate early detection of infection or emergence of novel influenza virus strains that could be potentially harmful to humans and or animals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Viral/blood
  17. Noha MA, Enas AE, Aly E, Mohamed AE
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Dec 01;36(4):833-844.
    PMID: 33597455
    BACKGROUND: Biomarkers by definition are measurable molecules that mark the evidence of certain pathological processes. Collaboration of various biomarkers influences morbidity of schsitosomiasis in Egypt.

    OBJECTIVES: To identify the biomarkers: CRP, IgE, hemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin D, and platelets in terms of relationship with active and chronic schistosomiasis; demographic data, and their interinfluence.

    STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.

    METHODS: Parasitological analysis of stool and urine samples, Indirect Hemagglutination Test, Enzyme linked Immunoassay, Hematology Analyzer, and Statistical Package SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 25.

    RESULTS: Out of 400 participants, 25% suffered of schistosomiasis: active S. mansoni infections in 7 cases (1.75%), S. haematobium infections in 6 cases (1.5%), and chronic schistosomiasis infections in 20 cases (5%). Creactive protein (CRP) likewise IgE levels were higher in active S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections when compared with chronic schistosomiasis. IgE levels appeared to affect infection intensity in S. haematobium. Inversely, hemoglobin (Hb) values were low in active schistosomiasis and upgraded in chronic infection (*p<0.05). Ferritin levels varied in active Schistosoma infection and normalized during chronicity. Vitamin D was reduced in active and chronic schistosomiais. Platelet counts were within normal ranges throughout the study groups. Distribution of ferritin, vit D, and platelets was statistically insignificant among Schistosoma infected population. Age affected only hemoglobin, CRP, and IgE biomarkers. CRP and IgE were in direct relationship together and inversely proportional with hemoglobin (*P <0.05).

    CONCLUSION: Anemia increased proportionally with biomarkers of inflammatory stress (CRP and IgE) in early infections. Meanwhile, Hb and ferritin (iron stores) improved during chronicity. Hypovitaminosis-D associated the entire course of schistosomiasis while platelet counts were not affected.

    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  18. Hasain Z, Che Roos NA, Rahmat F, Mustapa M, Raja Ali RA, Mokhtar NM
    Nutrients, 2021 Aug 30;13(9).
    PMID: 34578921 DOI: 10.3390/nu13093045
    Dynamic interactions among gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gut microbiota, inflammation, oxidative stress, and probiotics are increasingly acknowledged. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the effects of probiotics in GDM, focusing on lifestyle intervention and pre-intervention washout, in addition to metabolic, inflammation, oxidative stress, and pregnancy outcomes. Three electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, and CENTRAL) were searched from inception until October 2020. A meta-analysis was performed, and the effect sizes were reported as either mean differences or odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Altogether, 10 randomized controlled trials enrolling 594 participants were included. The meta-analysis indicated that probiotics supplementation effectively reduced fasting plasma glucose by 3.10 mg/dL, and subgroup analyses suggested that the duration of intervention, number of species, pre-intervention washout period, and dietary intervention may determine the effects of probiotics. Probiotics also reduced the level of inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde), incidence of macrosomia, and newborn hospitalization. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that probiotics may have positive effects on metabolic, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neonatal outcomes in women with GDM. Additionally, diet and pre-intervention washout may modify the effects of probiotics. Future studies are warranted on a larger scale to ascertain the clinical significance.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose/drug effects*
  19. Barber BE, Grigg MJ, Piera KA, Chen Y, William T, Weinberg JB, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2021 May 07;11(1):9741.
    PMID: 33963210 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88962-6
    Degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx is associated with mortality in adult falciparum malaria. However, its role in the pathogenesis of non-falciparum malaria is unknown. In Malaysian patients with knowlesi (n = 200) and vivax (n = 61) malaria, and in healthy controls (n = 50), we measured glycocalyx breakdown products plasma syndecan-1 and urinary glycosaminoglycans, and evaluated correlations with biomarkers of disease severity. Urinary glycosaminoglycans were increased in patients with knowlesi and vivax malaria compared to healthy controls, and in knowlesi malaria were highest in those with severe disease. In knowlesi malaria, plasma syndecan-1 was also highest in those with severe disease, and correlated with markers of endothelial activation (angiopoietin-2, osteoprotegerin, ICAM-1), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and impaired microvascular reactivity. Syndecan-1 also correlated with endothelial activation (ICAM-1, angiopoietin-2) and ADMA in vivax malaria. In knowlesi malaria increased syndecan-1 was associated with acute kidney injury, after controlling for age and parasitemia. In knowlesi malaria, the difference in median syndecan-1 between severe and non-severe disease was more marked in females than males. Endothelial glycocalyx degradation is increased in knowlesi and vivax malaria, and associated with disease severity and acute kidney injury in knowlesi malaria. Agents that inhibit glycocalyx breakdown may represent adjunctive therapeutics for severe non-falciparum malaria.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood
  20. Chee May Tee, Ajit Singh, Shi-Hui Cheng
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Hypertension is a public health concern that is associated with heart disease. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors among the staff in a private uni- versity in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: 100 respondents participated in this cross-sectional study. Blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), percentage body fat (%BF), visceral fat rating (VFR), and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Questionnaires regarding knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of salt diet validated from WHO/PAHO and Food Frequency Questionnaires regarding sodium intake validated from IPH Malaysia were administered. Sta- tistical data was analysed using SPSS. Results: The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 24%. About 66% of the participants had excessive sodium intake. The mean sodium intake was 2869.43±930.75mg/d. Simple linear regression showed that BMI. %BF, VFR, and WC were significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP). Age and sodium intake were not correlated with SBP. After controlling all the variables in multiple linear regression, VFR remained as a significant contributor to SBP (adjusted R2=0.419, F=18.833, p=2400mg/d). Conclusion: Our study found a high prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among the private university staff. The association between VFR and SBP is an important finding for community study. Increased awareness on the excessive salt consumed and its association with health is needed to reduce the sodium intake.

    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Determination
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