Glycogenes regulate a large number of biological processes such as cancer and development. In this work, we created an interaction network of 923 glycogenes to detect potential hubs from different mouse tissues using RNA-Seq data. DAVID functional cluster analysis revealed enrichment of immune response, glycoprotein and cholesterol metabolic processes. We also explored nsSNPs that may modify the expression and function of identified hubs using computational methods. We observe that the number of nsSNPs predicted by any two methods to affect protein function is 4, 7 and 2 for FLT1, NID2 and TNFRSF1B. Residues in the native and mutant proteins were analyzed for solvent accessibility and secondary structure change. Analysis of hubs can help in determining their degree of conservation and understanding their functions in biological processes. The nsSNPs proposed in this work may be further targeted through experimental methods for understanding structural and functional relationships of hub mutants.
The adsorption behavior of chitosan (CS) beads modified with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) for the removal of reactive blue 4 (RB4) in batch studies has been investigated. The effects of modification conditions, such as the APTES concentration, temperature and reaction time on RB4 removal, were studied. The adsorbent prepared at a concentration of 2 wt% APTES for 8h at 50 °C was the most effective one for RB4 adsorption. The adsorption capacity of modified CS beads (433.77 mg/g) was 1.37 times higher than that of unmodified CS beads (317.23 mg/g). The isotherm data are adequately described by a Freundlich model, and the kinetic study revealed that the pseudo-second-order rate model was in better agreement with the experimental data. The negative values of the thermodynamic parameters, including ΔG° (-2.28 and -4.70 kJ/mol at 30 ± 2 °C), ΔH° (-172.18 and -43.82 kJ/mol) and ΔS° (-560.71 and -129.08 J/mol K) for CS beads and APTES modified beads, respectively, suggest that RB4 adsorption is a spontaneous and exothermic process.
Corrosion of reinforced concrete (RC) structures has been one of the major causes of structural failure. Early detection of the corrosion process could help limit the location and the extent of necessary repairs or replacement, as well as reduce the cost associated with rehabilitation work. Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods have been found to be useful for in-situ evaluation of steel corrosion in RC, where the effect of steel corrosion and the integrity of the concrete structure can be assessed effectively. A complementary study of NDT methods for the investigation of corrosion is presented here. In this paper, acoustic emission (AE) effectively detects the corrosion of concrete structures at an early stage. The capability of the AE technique to detect corrosion occurring in real-time makes it a strong candidate for serving as an efficient NDT method, giving it an advantage over other NDT methods.
To evaluate the diagnostic performance of (68)Ga-DOTATATE (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), (18)F-FDG PET/CT and (131)I-MIBG scintigraphy in the mapping of metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.
We report the challenges in managing a troubled, medically ill adolescent with end-of-life issues. Our role as multi-professional service providers complemented the family's efforts to help him reconcile with himself before death. The present experience enhances understanding of the biopsychosocial aspects of care. Every child has the right to optimal care.
Screening of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from ewe colostrum led to the identification and isolation of Enterococcus faecium CM33 with interesting features like high survival rates under acidic or bile salts condition, high tolerance for the simulated gastrointestinal condition, and high adhesive potential to Caco-2 cells. According the inhibition of pathogen adhesion test results, this strain can reduce more than 50% adhesion capacity of Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus to Caco-2 cells. Based on the antibiotic sensitivity test findings, E. faecium CM33 was susceptible to gentamycin, vancomycin, erythromycin, ampicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and rifampicin, but resistant to chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and kanamycin. Upon assessment of the virulence determinants for E. faecium CM33, this strain was negative for all tested virulence genes. Furthermore, the genome of this strain was evaluated for the incidence of the known enterocin genes by specific PCR amplification and discovered the genes encoding enterocins A, 31, X, and Q. Based on this study findings, the strain E. faecium CM33 can be considered as a valuable nutraceutical and can be introduced as a new potential probiotic.
Halophilic cellulases from the newly isolated fungus, Aspergillus terreus UniMAP AA-6 were found to be useful for in situ saccharification of ionic liquids treated lignocelluloses. Efforts have been taken to improve the enzyme production through statistical optimization approach namely Plackett-Burman design and the Face Centered Central Composite Design (FCCCD). Plackett-Burman experimental design was used to screen the medium components and process conditions. It was found that carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), FeSO4·7H2O, NaCl, MgSO4·7H2O, peptone, agitation speed and inoculum size significantly influence the production of halophilic cellulase. On the other hand, KH2PO4, KOH, yeast extract and temperature had a negative effect on enzyme production. Further optimization through FCCCD revealed that the optimization approach improved halophilic cellulase production from 0.029 U/ml to 0.0625 U/ml, which was approximately 2.2-times greater than before optimization.
Malaysia has abundant sources of drinking water from river and groundwater. However, rapid developments have deteriorated quality of drinking water sources in Malaysia. Heavy metal studies in terms of drinking water, applications of health risk assessment and bio-monitoring in Malaysia were reviewed from 2003 to 2013. Studies on heavy metal in drinking water showed the levels are under the permissible limits as suggested by World Health Organization and Malaysian Ministry of Health. Future studies on the applications of health risk assessment are crucial in order to understand the risk of heavy metal exposure through drinking water to Malaysian population. Among the biomarkers that have been reviewed, toenail is the most useful tool to evaluate body burden of heavy metal. Toenails are easy to collect, store, transport and analysed. This review will give a clear guidance for future studies of Malaysian drinking water. In this way, it will help risk managers to minimize the exposure at optimum level as well as the government to formulate policies in safe guarding the population.
Giant lipomatous lesions of the thigh swelling with extension into retroperitoneum are rare. Lesions can be malignant or benign and can have similar clinical presentation. Treatments options differ and their prognosis varies with histology. We present two cases of liposarcoma and lipoma with the same clinical presentations that underwent surgical resection.
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) serve as low-costing alternatives to silicon solar cells because of their low material and fabrication costs. Usually, they utilize Pt as the counter electrode (CE) to catalyze the iodine redox couple and to complete the electric circuit. Given that Pt is a rare and expensive metal, various carbon materials have been intensively investigated because of their low costs, high surface areas, excellent electrochemical stabilities, reasonable electrochemical activities, and high corrosion resistances. In this feature article, we provide an overview of recent studies on the electrochemical properties and photovoltaic performances of carbon-based CEs (e.g., activated carbon, nanosized carbon, carbon black, graphene, graphite, carbon nanotubes, and composite carbon). We focus on scientific challenges associated with each material and highlight recent advances achieved in overcoming these obstacles. Finally, we discuss possible future directions for this field of research aimed at obtaining highly efficient DSSCs.
Taking into account the effect of constant convective thermal and mass boundary conditions, we present numerical solution of the 2-D laminar g-jitter mixed convective boundary layer flow of water-based nanofluids. The governing transport equations are converted into non-similar equations using suitable transformations, before being solved numerically by an implicit finite difference method with quasi-linearization technique. The skin friction decreases with time, buoyancy ratio, and thermophoresis parameters while it increases with frequency, mixed convection and Brownian motion parameters. Heat transfer rate decreases with time, Brownian motion, thermophoresis and diffusion-convection parameters while it increases with the Reynolds number, frequency, mixed convection, buoyancy ratio and conduction-convection parameters. Mass transfer rate decreases with time, frequency, thermophoresis, conduction-convection parameters while it increases with mixed convection, buoyancy ratio, diffusion-convection and Brownian motion parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper on this topic and hence the results are new. We believe that the results will be useful in designing and operating thermal fluids systems for space materials processing. Special cases of the results have been compared with published results and an excellent agreement is found.
AIM: This systematic review investigated the oral health status of children with type 1 diabetes.
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed/Medline, Web of Knowledge, SCOPUS and EMBASE. The search included all studies published from inception of database to January 2014. A total of 1179 abstracts were analyzed for selection in 2 phases. The first phase selection was based on the title and abstracts alone. The selected abstracts were then included for second phase, where full articles were obtained. The selection was carried out by 2 independent reviewers (Kappa value=0.809). Only 37 articles were included for final analysis in this review.
RESULTS: There is conflicting evidence in the caries experience between children with type 1 diabetes and healthy children. For periodontal health, most studies reported significantly greater plaque accumulation and higher gingival index in children with type 1 diabetes. Cohort studies reported no significant differences in perioodontal parameters over time.
CONCLUSIONS: There is conflicting evidence regarding the caries experience of children with type 1 diabetes, but they exhibit poorer periodontal health status with greater plaque accumulation compared to healthy children. Further studies are warranted to assess the oral health status of children with type 1 diabetes.
KEYWORDS: Caries; Children; Oral health; Periodontal health; Systematic review; Type 1 diabetes
Highly effective WO3/ZnO nanorods (NRs) were synthesized via a hydrothermal-deposition method for degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) under natural sunlight. The structural properties of WO3/ZnO NRs such as morphology, crystal structure, porous properties and light absorption characteristics were investigated in detail. The X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicated that the prepared samples were two-phase photocatalysts consisted of WO3 and ZnO NRs. The UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy result showed that the addition of WO3 altered the optical properties of the photocatalysts. In contrast with the pure ZnO NRs, commercial anatase TiO2 and commercial WO3, the WO3/ZnO NRs showed excellent sunlight photocatalytic activities in degrading 2,4-D. The optimal WO3 loading and calcination temperature were also determined. Based on the band position, the synergetic effect of WO3 and ZnO NRs was the source of the enhanced photocatalytic activity as validated by PL and terephthalic acid-photoluminescence measurements. The reaction intermediates and degradation pathways of 2,4-D were elucidated by a HPLC method. In addition, the extent of mineralization during the 2,4-D degradation was also estimated using total organic carbon (TOC) and ion chromatography (IC) analyses.
Gunshot residues, produced after shooting activity, have acquired their importance in analysis due to the notoriety of firearms-related crimes. In this study, solid-phase microextraction was performed to extract the headspace composition of spent cartridges using 85-μm polyacrylate fiber at 66°C for 21 min. Organic compounds, that is, naphthalene, 2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, diphenylamine, and dibutyl phthalate were detected and analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection technique. Evaluation of chromatograms for diphenylamine, dibutyl phthalate, and naphthalene indicates the period after a gunshot was discharged, whether it was 1 days, 2-4 days, <5 days, 10 days, 20 days, or more than 30 days ago. This study revealed the potential effects of environmental factors such as occasional wind blow and direct sunlight on the estimation of time after spent cartridges were discharged. In conclusion, we proposed reliable alternative in analyzing the headspace composition of spent cartridges in a simulated crime scene.
This study reviews the deliveries of macrosomic babies and their outcomes. A total of 330 macrosomic (birth weight > or =4 kg) cases were studied retrospectively from July 1999 to December 1999 in the Maternity Hospital of Kuala Lumpur. The variables studied included induction of labour, mode of delivery and the incidence of maternal and perinatal complications. Three hundred and thirty macrosomic infants were delivered during the period of study. Vaginal delivery was achived in 56% of the study cases. The percentage of vaginal delivery was higher among those who had induction of labour (63%) compared to the group without induction of labour (50%). Vaginal delivery was planned in 267 mothers and of these 69% achieved vaginal delivery. Twelve per cent of the macrosomic infants were delivered by elective caesarean section. Shoulder dystocia occurred in 4.9% of vaginal deliveries. Eighty-eight neonates were admitted to the special care nursery unit and 57% of these infants were delivered by elective caesarean section. Perineal trauma occurred in 26% of vaginal deliveries. Post-partum haemorrhage occurred in 32% of caesarean deliveries compared to 4% in vaginal deliveries. Two cases of stillbirths were documented but no maternal death occurred during the period of study. Vaginal delivery is the most frequent mode of delivery for a fetus weighing in excess of 4 kg and vaginal delivery should be attempted in the absence of contraindications, because vaginal delivery has less maternal morbidity compared to caesarean delivery. However, shoulder dystocia remains a significant complication of vaginal delivery for macrosomic fetuses.
Motorcyclists make up the largest group of fatalities on Malaysian roads, majority succumbing to head injuries despite the compulsory safety helmet laws in the country. One possible reason for this high fatality is improper usage of safety helmets. This study examines the compliance of proper safety helmet use in motorcyclists in a typical Malaysian town. Five hundred motorcyclists were studied. Only 54.4% of motorcyclists used helmets properly, 21.4% used them improperly; and 24.2% did not wear helmets. Six variables were found to be significant in improper safety helmet use. They were age, gender, race, formal education level, prior accident experience and type of license held. Marital status and riding experience were not significant. Efforts promoting proper use of safety helmets should focus on the young, male, less formally educated, unlicensed rider, who has had a prior accident.
We surveyed parents of school-aged hearing impaired children to investigate their awareness and knowledge of the special needs of their child, especially in the area of the usage of hearing aids and methods of communication. Questionnaires were distributed to parents of hearing impaired children at 13 special schools for the deaf in Malaysia. Out of 1,267 questionnaires given out, 787 (62.1%) were completed and returned. Results of the survey indicated the majority of parents (68.6%) suspected hearing loss late, that is after their child's first birthday, and there was a significant time lag before the suspicion was confirmed. Over 82.8% of the children were diagnosed only after 1 year of age, with 41.3% being diagnosed after 3 years of age. Hearing aids were fitted late (mean = 5.32 years; SD = 2.66). Hearing aid ownership was influenced by the factors of socio-economic level and ethnic group (p < 0.01) whereas knowledge of use and proper care of the aids was influenced by socio-economic level (p < 0.01). Communication methods were generally inappropriate with 41.3% of the mothers and 48.5% of the fathers reporting ignorance of Bahasa Malaysia Kod Tangan, the sign language that is commonly used by their children. The parents' choice of communication method was not significantly influenced by socio-economic level or ethnic group. The study revealed the present inadequate state of services available for the rehabilitation of children with congenital hearing impairment.
We report a case of left pulmonary artery sling in a child who also had duodenal atresia. He was admitted for respiratory failure requiring prolonged respiratory support due to a bronchiolitis-like illness at two months of age. Diagnostic procedures confirmed the presence of left pulmonary artery sling. He had a corrective procedure which relieved the compression. However postoperatively he had intermittent episodes of severe bronchospasm in addition to a persistent airway obstruction. Finally one such episode of severe bronchospasm did not respond to medical and resuscitative therapy and the baby succumbed. To our knowledge no case of left pulmonary artery sling has been described previously in a Malaysian child. This case also highlights the postoperative airway problems that may be encountered.
Over the six-veer periodfrom. 1976 to 1981, there were 241 neonates referred to the U.K.M. Paediatric Surgical Unit, General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur for alimentary tract obstruction and 207 were operated on. The three commonest conditions were anorectal anomalies (91 cases), Hirschsprung's disease (31 cases) and oesophageal atresia (30 cases). Overall operatioe mortality was 28.0 percent. This was high when preoperative complications lihe gut perforation (88.9 percent) or pneumonia (61.9 percent) and associated severe anomalies (90.9 percent) or chromosomal abnormalities (66.7 percent) were present. Emphasis is placed on the establishment of early diagnosis and the significance of the green vomit and maternal hydramnios is highlighted, The need is felt for more specialised nurses and the creation of a separate neonatal ICU in this hospital.
The physical mechanisms of ultrasound, namely cavitation and acoustic streaming, generated by the Enac-Osada ultrasonic unit were investigated for effectiveness in disrupting Streptococcus mitis. In addition, the bactericidal effect of ultrasound in the presence of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite was examined. Bacterial suspensions were irradiated directly with ultrasound in simulated root canals, and the viability of bacteria was examined after growth on a blood agar medium under anaerobic conditions at 37 degrees C for 5 days. The results indicated that ultrasound per se failed to disrupt bacteria but resulted in increases in the viable counts; the former was considered to be because of the lack of cavitation and the latter because of the dispersal effects of acoustic streaming. The 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution demonstrated powerful bactericidal activity.