Displaying publications 3301 - 3320 of 10026 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext Evaluation of the surface roughness and dimensional accuracy of low-cost 3D-printed parts made of PLA-aluminum
    Sukindar NA, Md Yasir ASH, Azhar MD, Md Azhar MA, Abd Halim NFH, Sulaiman MH, et al.
    Heliyon, 2024 Feb 29;10(4):e25508.
    PMID: 38384568 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25508
    Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is currently used in several fields, such as architecture, manufacturing, and medical applications. FDM was initially developed to produce and create prototypes, but the expense appears excessive for producing final products. Nevertheless, in this day and age, engineers have developed a low-cost 3D printer. One of the major issues with low-cost 3D printers is the low dimensional accuracy and high tolerances of the printed products. Herein, different printing parameters, i.e., layer thickness, printing speed, and raster angle, need to be investigated to enhance the surface roughness of the parts produced using FDM. Thus, the present study focuses on investigating the performance of the surface finish produced by FDM by manipulating different parameters such as layer thickness, printing speed, and raster angle. Taguchi's method, based on the L9 array for experimental design, was employed to elucidate the response variables. The sample model was developed following ISO standards, utilizing polylactic acid (PLA)-aluminum as the filament material. The analysis of variance results indicated that the layer thickness and raster angle significantly affect the surface roughness of the printed parts, with statistical P-values of 0.016 and 0.039, respectively. This enables an easy selection of the optimal printing parameters to achieve the desired surface roughness. The dimensional accuracy of the fabricated part was also evaluated. Thirteen dimensions of the part features were analyzed, and the results showed that the FDM machine exhibited good accuracy for most of the shapes, with a deviation below 5%.
  2. Microplastics pollution in mud crab (Scylla sp.) aquaculture system: First investigation and evidence
    Hossain S, Ahmad Shukri ZN, Waiho K, Ibrahim YS, Minhaz TM, Kamaruzzan AS, et al.
    Environ Pollut, 2023 Jul 15;329:121697.
    PMID: 37088255 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121697
    Microplastics (MPs) occurrence in farmed aquatic organisms has already been the prime priority of researchers due to the food security concerns for human consumption. A number of commercially important aquaculture systems have already been investigated for MPs pollution but the mud crab (Scylla sp.) aquaculture system has not been investigated yet even though it is a highly demanded commercial species globally. This study reported the MPs pollution in the mud crab (Scylla sp.) aquaculture system for the first time. Three different stations of the selected aquafarm were sampled for water and sediment samples and MPs particles in the samples were isolated by the gravimetric analysis (0.9% w/v NaCl solution). MP abundance was visualized under a microscope along with their size, shape, and color. A subset of the isolated MPs was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for the surface and chemical characterization respectively. The average MPs concentration was 47.5 ± 11.875 particles/g in sediment and 127.92 ± 14.99 particles/100 L in the water sample. Fibrous-shaped (72.17%) and transparent-colored (59.37%) MPs were dominant in all the collected samples. However, smaller MPs (>0.05-0.5 mm) were more common in the water samples (47.69%) and the larger (>1-5 mm) MPs were in the sediment samples (47.83%). SEM analysis found cracks and roughness on the surface of the MPs and nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene MPs were identified by FTIR analysis. PLI value showed hazard level I in water and level II in sediment. The existence of deleterious MPs particles in the mud crab aquaculture system was well evident. The other commercial mud crab aquafarms must therefore be thoroughly investigated in order to include farmed mud crabs as an environmentally vulnerable food security concern.
  3. Fulltext Non-rebreather mask and low-flow nasal cannula vs high-flow nasal cannula in severe COVID-19 pneumonia in the emergency department
    Mohd Kamil MK, Yuen Yoong KP, Noor Azhar AM, Bustam A, Abdullah AH, Md Yusuf MH, et al.
    Am J Emerg Med, 2023 Jan;63:86-93.
    PMID: 36327755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2022.10.029
    BACKGROUND: To assess the effectiveness of non-rebreather mask combined with low-flow nasal cannula (NRB + NC) compared to high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in improving oxygenation in patients with COVID-19-related hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF).

    METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in emergency departments of two tertiary hospitals from June 1 to August 31, 2021. Consecutive patients aged >18 years admitted for COVID-19-related HRF (World Health Organization criteria: confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia with respiratory rate > 30 breaths/min, severe respiratory distress, or peripheral oxygen saturation < 90% on room air) requiring NRB + NC or HFNC were screened for enrollment. Primary outcome was improvement of partial pressure arterial oxygen (PaO2) at two hours. Secondary outcomes were intubation rate, ventilator-free days, hospital length of stay, and 28-day mortality. Data were analyzed using linear regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) based on propensity score.

    RESULTS: Among the 110 patients recruited, 52 (47.3%) were treated with NRB + NC, and 58 (52.7%) with HFNC. There were significant improvements in patients' PaO2, PaO2/FIO2 ratio, and respiratory rate two hours after the initiation of NRB + NC and HFNC. Comparing the two groups, after IPTW adjustment, there were no statistically significant differences in PaO2 improvement (adjusted mean ratio [MR] 2.81; 95% CI -5.82 to 11.43; p = .524), intubation rate (adjusted OR 1.76; 95% CI 0.44 to 6.92; p = .423), ventilator-free days (adjusted MR 0.00; 95% CI -8.84 to 8.85; p = .999), hospital length of stay (adjusted MR 3.04; 95% CI -2.62 to 8.69; p = .293), and 28-day mortality (adjusted OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.15 to 2.98; p = .608).

    CONCLUSION: HFNC may be beneficial in COVID-19 HRF. NRB + NC is a viable alternative, especially in resource-limited settings, given similar improvement in oxygenation at two hours, and no significant differences in long-term outcomes. The effectiveness of NRB + NC needs to be investigated by a powered randomized controlled trial.

  4. Fulltext Potential Roles of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Cellular Proteins Implicated in Diabesity
    Mustapha S, Mohammed M, Azemi AK, Yunusa I, Shehu A, Mustapha L, et al.
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2021;2021:8830880.
    PMID: 33995826 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8830880
    The role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has evolved from protein synthesis, processing, and other secretory pathways to forming a foundation for lipid biosynthesis and other metabolic functions. Maintaining ER homeostasis is essential for normal cellular function and survival. An imbalance in the ER implied stressful conditions such as metabolic distress, which activates a protective process called unfolded protein response (UPR). This response is activated through some canonical branches of ER stress, i.e., the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Therefore, chronic hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased proinflammatory cytokines, and free fatty acids (FFAs) found in diabesity (a pathophysiological link between obesity and diabetes) could lead to ER stress. However, limited data exist regarding ER stress and its association with diabesity, particularly the implicated proteins and molecular mechanisms. Thus, this review highlights the role of ER stress in relation to some proteins involved in diabesity pathogenesis and provides insight into possible pathways that could serve as novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
  5. Fulltext The State of the Art of Natural Polymer Functionalized Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticle Composites for Drug Delivery Applications: A Review
    Nordin AH, Ahmad Z, Husna SMN, Ilyas RA, Azemi AK, Ismail N, et al.
    Gels, 2023 Feb 01;9(2).
    PMID: 36826291 DOI: 10.3390/gels9020121
    Natural polymers have received a great deal of interest for their potential use in the encapsulation and transportation of pharmaceuticals and other bioactive compounds for disease treatment. In this perspective, the drug delivery systems (DDS) constructed by representative natural polymers from animals (gelatin and hyaluronic acid), plants (pectin and starch), and microbes (Xanthan gum and Dextran) are provided. In order to enhance the efficiency of polymers in DDS by delivering the medicine to the right location, reducing the medication's adverse effects on neighboring organs or tissues, and controlling the medication's release to stop the cycle of over- and under-dosing, the incorporation of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles with the polymers has engaged the most consideration due to their rare characteristics, such as easy separation, superparamagnetism, and high surface area. This review is designed to report the recent progress of natural polymeric Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles in drug delivery applications, based on different polymers' origins.
  6. Fulltext Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Nanosized Polyaniline
    Banjar MF, Joynal Abedin FN, Fizal ANS, Muhamad Sarih N, Hossain MS, Osman H, et al.
    Polymers (Basel), 2023 Nov 29;15(23).
    PMID: 38232004 DOI: 10.3390/polym15234565
    Polyaniline (PANI) is a conductive polymer easily converted into a conducting state. However, its limited mechanical properties have generated interest in fabricating PANI composites with other polymeric materials. In this study, a PANI-prevulcanized latex composite film was synthesized and fabricated in two phases following chronological steps. The first phase determined the following optimum parameters for synthesizing nanosized PANI, which were as follows: an initial molar ratio of 1, a stirring speed of 600 rpm, a synthesis temperature of 25 °C, purification via filtration, and washing using dopant acid, acetone, and distilled water. The use of a nonionic surfactant, Triton X-100, at 0.1% concentration favored PANI formation in a smaller particle size of approximately 600 nm and good dispersibility over seven days of observation compared to the use of anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) showed that the PANI synthesized using a surfactant was in the emeraldine base form, as the washing process tends to decrease the doping level in the PANI backbone. Our scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the optimized synthesis parameters produced colloidal PANI with an average particle size of 695 nm. This higher aspect ratio explained the higher conductivity of nanosized PANI compared to micron-sized PANI. Following the chronological steps to determine the optimal parameters produced a nanosized PANI powder. The nanosized PANI had higher conductivity than the micron-sized PANI because of its higher aspect ratio. When PANI is synthesized in smaller particle sizes, it has higher conductivity. Atomic force microscopy analysis showed that the current flow is higher across a 5 µm2 scanned area of nanosized PANI because it has a larger surface area. Thus, more sites for the current to flow through were present on the nanosized PANI particles.
  7. Factors associated with physical inactivity among school-going adolescents: data from the Malaysian School-Based Nutrition Survey 2012
    Baharudin A, Zainuddin AA, Manickam MA, Ambak R, Ahmad MH, Naidu BM, et al.
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2014 Sep;26(5 Suppl):27S-35S.
    PMID: 25070696 DOI: 10.1177/1010539514543682
    The importance of physical activity to health is well recognized. Good health habits should begin from a young age. This article aims to explore physical activity among Malaysian school adolescents and factors associated with it. Data from the Malaysian School-Based Nutrition Survey (MSNS), comprising a nationally representative sample of school-going children aged 10 to 17 years, were used. The overall prevalence of physically inactive adolescents was 57.3%. Age in years (adjusted odds ratio = 1.2; 95% confidence interval = 1.16-1.23), gender - females (adjusted odds ratio = 2.9; 95% confidence interval = 2.66-3.10), afternoon school session, breakfast consumption (no breakfast and irregular breakfast), body mass index status (obese and underweight), and body weight perception (underweight perceivers) were significant factors associated with physical inactivity among Malaysian adolescents. Thus, there is evidence that programs to promote physical activity in this group should consider the combination of the aforementioned factors at the household, school, and community levels.
  8. Rational design of carbonitrile-carboxaldehyde cation receptor models: probing the nature of the heteroatom-metal interaction
    Rosli AN, Abu Bakar MA, Lee VS, Zain SM, Ahmad MR, Abdul Manan NS, et al.
    J Mol Model, 2014 Sep;20(9):2428.
    PMID: 25149440 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-014-2428-9
    In this work, hybrid functional and G4 methods were employed in the rational design of carbonitrile-carboxaldehyde receptor models for cation recognition. Electron-sharing and ionic interactions between the models and the cations were analyzed utilizing the concepts of overlap population, atomic valence, electrostatic potential, and CHELPG charge in order to elucidate the nature of the heteroatom-metal interaction, the N versus O disparity, and the effect of pH. Receptor fragment models from ionomycin were employed to rationalize the selection of receptor models for discriminating group I cations and enhancing the selectivity for Mg(II) rather than Ca(II), and to examine the effects of keto-enol forms and negatively charged sites. The changes in geometries, overlap population, metal valence, and CHELPG charge upon solvation in heptane medium as compared to the gas phase were negligible. The optimized geometries reveal that the interaction between group II cations and the keto, enol, and enolate forms of 2-cyanoethanal causes 12 % bending of the C-C-N angle from linearity. Overlap populations show that the electron-sharing interaction favors group II cations but that the same mechanism allows Li(I) to compete. The total spin of Li(I) is 17 % greater than that of Ca(II), but the G4 binding energies of the two are separated by more than 50 kcal/mol, favoring group II cations, which may eliminate interference from Li(I). 1,2-Dicyanoethylene, which has only one form, shows similar characteristics. CHELPG analysis shows that Mg(II) transfers 25 and 18 % of its positive charge to 2-cyanoethanal enolate and 1,2-dicyanoethylene, respectively. Hydrogen atoms receive most of the positive charge in both receptors, but the N-termini exhibit strikingly different characteristics. Electrostatic potential contour profiles were found to be in good agreement with the atomic charge distributions. The application of uncharged 1,3-dicarbonyl and 2-cyanocarbonyl receptors and a judicious choice of polymeric membrane that suppresses the Hofmeister effect should lead to high selectivity for magnesium, whereas the utilization of multiple negatively charged ionophores should result in selectivity for calcium.
  9. Fulltext Pathogenicity of a microsporidium isolate from the diamondback moth against Noctuid moths: characterization and implications for microbiological pest management
    Ghani IA, Dieng H, Abu Hassan ZA, Ramli N, Kermani N, Satho T, et al.
    PLoS One, 2013;8(12):e81642.
    PMID: 24349104 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081642
    Due to problems with chemical control, there is increasing interest in the use of microsporidia for control of lepidopteran pests. However, there have been few studies to evaluate the susceptibility of exotic species to microsporidia from indigenous Lepidoptera.
  10. Loneliness and depression among the elderly in an agricultural settlement: mediating effects of social support
    Wan Mohd Azam WM, Din NC, Ahmad M, Ghazali SE, Ibrahim N, Said Z, et al.
    Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2013 Apr;5 Suppl 1:134-9.
    PMID: 23857850 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12061
    INTRODUCTION: Loneliness has long been known to have strong association with depression. The relationship between loneliness and depression, however, has been associated with other risk factors including social support. The aim of this paper is to describe the role of social support in the association between loneliness and depression.
    METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined the mediating effects of social support among 161 community-based elderly in agricultural settlement of a rural area in Sungai Tengi, Malaysia. Subjects were investigated with De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale and Medical Outcome Survey Social Support Survey. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, linear and hierarchical regression.
    RESULTS: Results indicated that social support partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and depression.
    DISCUSSION: This suggests that social support affects the linear association between loneliness and depression in the elderly.
    KEYWORDS: depression; elderly; loneliness; rural community; social support
    Study site; FELDA Sungai Tengi, Selangor, Malaysia
    Device, Questionnaire & Scale: De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale; Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15): Medical Outcome Survey Social Support Survey
  11. Fulltext G3 assisted rational design of chemical sensor array using carbonitrile neutral receptors
    Rosli AN, Bakar MA, Manan NS, Woi PM, Lee VS, Zain SM, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2013;13(10):13835-60.
    PMID: 24129020 DOI: 10.3390/s131013835
    Combined computational and experimental strategies for the systematic design of chemical sensor arrays using carbonitrile neutral receptors are presented. Binding energies of acetonitrile, n-pentylcarbonitrile and malononitrile with Ca(II), Mg(II), Be(II) and H⁺ have been investigated with the B3LYP, G3, CBS-QB3, G4 and MQZVP methods, showing a general trend H⁺ > Be(II) > Mg(II) > Ca(II). Hydrogen bonding, donor-acceptor and cation-lone pair electron simple models were employed in evaluating the performance of computational methods. Mg(II) is bound to acetonitrile in water by 12.5 kcal/mol, and in the gas phase the receptor is more strongly bound by 33.3 kcal/mol to Mg(II) compared to Ca(II). Interaction of bound cations with carbonitrile reduces the energies of the MOs involved in the proposed σ-p conjugated network. The planar malononitrile-Be(II) complex possibly involves a π-network with a cationic methylene carbon. Fabricated potentiometric chemical sensors show distinct signal patterns that can be exploited in sensor array applications.
  12. Fulltext A population-based study measuring the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among adults in West Malaysia
    Hooi LS, Ong LM, Ahmad G, Bavanandan S, Ahmad NA, Naidu BM, et al.
    Kidney Int, 2013 Nov;84(5):1034-40.
    PMID: 23760287 DOI: 10.1038/ki.2013.220
    In this population-based study, we determine the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in West Malaysia in order to have accurate information for health-care planning. A sample of 876 individuals, representative of 15,147 respondents from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011, of the noninstitutionalized adult population (over 18 years old) in West Malaysia was studied. We measured the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (CKD-EPI equation); albuminuria and stages of chronic kidney disease were derived from calibrated serum creatinine, age, gender and early morning urine albumin creatinine ratio. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease in this group was 9.07%. An estimated 4.16% had stage 1 chronic kidney disease (eGFR >90 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and persistent albuminuria), 2.05% had stage 2 (eGFR 60-89 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and persistent albuminuria), 2.26% had stage 3 (eGFR 30-59 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)), 0.24% had stage 4 (eGFR 15-29 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)), and 0.36% had stage 5 chronic kidney disease (eGFR <15 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)). Only 4% of respondents with chronic kidney disease were aware of their diagnosis. Risk factors included increased age, diabetes, and hypertension. Thus, chronic kidney disease in West Malaysia is common and, therefore, warrants early detection and treatment in order to potentially improve outcome.
    Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2011)
  13. Fulltext Improved maturity and ripeness classifications of Magnifera Indica cv. Harumanis mangoes through sensor fusion of an electronic nose and acoustic sensor
    Zakaria A, Shakaff AY, Masnan MJ, Saad FS, Adom AH, Ahmad MN, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2012;12(5):6023-48.
    PMID: 22778629 DOI: 10.3390/s120506023
    In recent years, there have been a number of reported studies on the use of non-destructive techniques to evaluate and determine mango maturity and ripeness levels. However, most of these reported works were conducted using single-modality sensing systems, either using an electronic nose, acoustics or other non-destructive measurements. This paper presents the work on the classification of mangoes (Magnifera Indica cv. Harumanis) maturity and ripeness levels using fusion of the data of an electronic nose and an acoustic sensor. Three groups of samples each from two different harvesting times (week 7 and week 8) were evaluated by the e-nose and then followed by the acoustic sensor. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) were able to discriminate the mango harvested at week 7 and week 8 based solely on the aroma and volatile gases released from the mangoes. However, when six different groups of different maturity and ripeness levels were combined in one classification analysis, both PCA and LDA were unable to discriminate the age difference of the Harumanis mangoes. Instead of six different groups, only four were observed using the LDA, while PCA showed only two distinct groups. By applying a low level data fusion technique on the e-nose and acoustic data, the classification for maturity and ripeness levels using LDA was improved. However, no significant improvement was observed using PCA with data fusion technique. Further work using a hybrid LDA-Competitive Learning Neural Network was performed to validate the fusion technique and classify the samples. It was found that the LDA-CLNN was also improved significantly when data fusion was applied.
  14. The methanolic extract of Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. and its major compound pinostrobin induces anti-ulcerogenic property in vivo: possible involvement of indirect antioxidant action
    Abdelwahab SI, Mohan S, Abdulla MA, Sukari MA, Abdul AB, Taha MM, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2011 Sep 2;137(2):963-70.
    PMID: 21771650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.010
    Boesenbergia rotunda (L) Mansf. has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders including peptic ulcer. In the current study we aimed to investiagte the anti-ulcer activities of methanolic extract of B. rotunda (MEBR) and its main active compound, pinostrobin on ethanol-induced ulcer in rats. The possible involevement of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, cyclooxygenases and free radical scavenging mechanisms also has been investigated.
  15. Fulltext Improved classification of Orthosiphon stamineus by data fusion of electronic nose and tongue sensors
    Zakaria A, Shakaff AY, Adom AH, Ahmad MN, Masnan MJ, Aziz AH, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2010;10(10):8782-96.
    PMID: 22163381 DOI: 10.3390/s101008782
    An improved classification of Orthosiphon stamineus using a data fusion technique is presented. Five different commercial sources along with freshly prepared samples were discriminated using an electronic nose (e-nose) and an electronic tongue (e-tongue). Samples from the different commercial brands were evaluated by the e-tongue and then followed by the e-nose. Applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA) separately on the respective e-tongue and e-nose data, only five distinct groups were projected. However, by employing a low level data fusion technique, six distinct groupings were achieved. Hence, this technique can enhance the ability of PCA to analyze the complex samples of Orthosiphon stamineus. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) was then used to further validate and classify the samples. It was found that the LDA performance was also improved when the responses from the e-nose and e-tongue were fused together.
  16. Levels of metallic elements and their potential relationships to cognitive function among elderly from Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) settlement in Selangor Malaysia
    Ghazali AR, Kamarulzaman F, Normah CD, Ahmad M, Ghazali SE, Ibrahim N, et al.
    Biol Trace Elem Res, 2013 Jun;153(1-3):16-21.
    PMID: 23475372 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-013-9642-7
    Exposure to toxic metals and excessive amount of trace elements is a risk factor of cognitive decline. Continuous monitoring of these elements by the use of metabolically inactive tissues such as fingernails may help in taking preventive measures to delay the cognitive decline process. In this study, the cognitive function of 54 elderlies (60-72 years old) from FELDA Sungai Tengi, Selangor, was evaluated using the Malay version of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in fingernail were detected using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Results showed that (92.6 %) our population was cognitively impaired based on the MoCA with mean score of 18.07 ± 5.11. The mean level of elements in fingernails for As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn were 16.68 ± 3.52, 4.26 ± 0.91, 4.81 ± 1.16, 1.00 ± 0.23, 1.83 ± 0.47, and 40.86 ± 10.81 μg/g, respectively. Significant inverse correlations were observed between MoCA with age (r = -0.543, p 
  17. Fulltext The use of paclitaxel coated balloon (PCB) in acute coronary syndrome of small vessel de novo lesions: an analysis of a prospective 'real world' registry
    Mahmood Zuhdi AS, Zeymer U, Waliszewski M, Spiecker M, Ismail MD, Boxberger M, et al.
    Springerplus, 2016;5:373.
    PMID: 27066381 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2014-y
    Paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) angioplasty in small vessel de novo lesions has favourable outcome and appears to be an alternative to stent implantation. However there is limitted data on its use specifically in small vessel acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
  18. Immunomodulatory Effect of Cytokines in the Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Review
    Zahari W, Hashim SN, Yusof MF, Osman ZF, Kannan TP, Mokhtar KI, et al.
    Curr Stem Cell Res Ther, 2017;12(3):197-206.
    PMID: 27306400 DOI: 10.2174/1574888X11666160614103404
    Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are stromal origin cells with multilineage differentiation capacity. The immunoregulatory properties of MSCs can be interfered effectively by cytokines. Cytokines, produced by a broad range of cells, act at the systemic level to influence biological phenomena such as inflammation, wound healing, organogenesis and oncogenesis. Cytokines also play vital roles in the differentiation of MSCs into several cell lineages. This review summarizes on how cytokines can affect MSCs differentiation and their relative signaling pathways, which may serve to understand the possible underlying mechanisms. Also, this review reveals the potential clinical use of MSCs as promising therapeutic agents due to their special characteristics such as multipotent differentiation, immunomodulatory properties, and selfrestoration.
  19. Fulltext Does Short-Term Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Influence Brain Hippocampus Gene Expression of Zinc Transporter-3?
    Sopian NF, Ajat M, Shafie NI, Noor MH, Ebrahimi M, Rajion MA, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2015;16(7):15800-10.
    PMID: 26184176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160715800
    Dietary omega-3 fatty acids have been recognized to improve brain cognitive function. Deficiency leads to dysfunctional zinc metabolism associated with learning and memory impairment. The objective of this study is to explore the effect of short-term dietary omega-3 fatty acids on hippocampus gene expression at the molecular level in relation to spatial recognition memory in mice. A total of 24 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups and fed a standard pellet as a control group (CTL, n = 6), standard pellet added with 10% (w/w) fish oil (FO, n = 6), 10% (w/w) soybean oil (SO, n = 6) and 10% (w/w) butter (BT, n = 6). After 3 weeks on the treatment diets, spatial-recognition memory was tested on a Y-maze. The hippocampus gene expression was determined using a real-time PCR. The results showed that 3 weeks of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improved cognitive performance along with the up-regulation of α-synuclein, calmodulin and transthyretin genes expression. In addition, dietary omega-3 fatty acid deficiency increased the level of ZnT3 gene and subsequently reduced cognitive performance in mice. These results indicate that the increased the ZnT3 levels caused by the deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids produced an abnormal zinc metabolism that in turn impaired the brain cognitive performance in mice.
  20. Fulltext Phytochemicals from Mangifera pajang Kosterm and their biological activities
    Ahmad S, Sukari MA, Ismail N, Ismail IS, Abdul AB, Abu Bakar MF, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2015;15:83.
    PMID: 25887035 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0594-7
    Mangifera pajang Kosterm is a plant species from the mango family (Anacardiaceae). The fruits are edible and have been reported to have high antioxidant content. However, the detailed phytochemical studies of the plant have not been reported previously. This study investigates the phytochemicals and biological activities of different parts of Mangifera pajang.
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links