Displaying publications 3861 - 3880 of 7301 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Structure Prediction of a Novel Exo-β-1,3-Glucanase: Insights into the Cold Adaptation of Psychrophilic Yeast Glaciozyma antarctica PI12
    Mohammadi S, Parvizpour S, Razmara J, Abu Bakar FD, Illias RM, Mahadi NM, et al.
    Interdiscip Sci, 2018 Mar;10(1):157-168.
    PMID: 27475956 DOI: 10.1007/s12539-016-0180-9
    We report a detailed structural analysis of the psychrophilic exo-β-1,3-glucanase (GaExg55) from Glaciozyma antarctica PI12. This study elucidates the structural basis of exo-1,3-β-1,3-glucanase from this psychrophilic yeast. The structural prediction of GaExg55 remains a challenge because of its low sequence identity (37 %). A 3D model was constructed for GaExg55. Threading approach was employed to determine a suitable template and generate optimal target-template alignment for establishing the model using MODELLER9v15. The primary sequence analysis of GaExg55 with other mesophilic exo-1,3-β-glucanases indicated that an increased flexibility conferred to the enzyme by a set of amino acids substitutions in the surface and loop regions of GaExg55, thereby facilitating its structure to cold adaptation. A comparison of GaExg55 with other mesophilic exo-β-1,3-glucanases proposed that the catalytic activity and structural flexibility at cold environment were attained through a reduced amount of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges, as well as an increased exposure of the hydrophobic side chains to the solvent. A molecular dynamics simulation was also performed using GROMACS software to evaluate the stability of the GaExg55 structure at varying low temperatures. The simulation result confirmed the above findings for cold adaptation of the psychrophilic GaExg55. Furthermore, the structural analysis of GaExg55 with large catalytic cleft and wide active site pocket confirmed the high activity of GaExg55 to hydrolyze polysaccharide substrates.
  2. Fulltext Physical activity, body composition and lipids changes in adolescents: analysis from the MyHeART Study
    Majid HA, Amiri M, Mohd Azmi N, Su TT, Jalaludin MY, Al-Sadat N
    Sci Rep, 2016 07 28;6:30544.
    PMID: 27465116 DOI: 10.1038/srep30544
    Insufficient physical activity and growing obesity levels among Malaysian adolescents are becoming a public health concern. Our study is to identify the trends of self-reported physical activity (PA) levels, blood lipid profiles, and body composition (BC) indices from a cohort of 820 adolescents. The self-reported PA was assessed using a validated Malay version of the PA Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Fasting blood samples were collected to investigate their lipid profiles. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences as well as body fat percentage were measured. The baseline and the first follow-up were conducted in 2012 and 2014, respectively. A downward trend in the PA level was seen in all categories with a significant reduction among all rural adolescents (P = 0.013) and more specifically, PA among girls residing in rural areas dropped significantly (P = 0.006). Either a significant reduction in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or a significant increment in BC indices (i.e., body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], hip circumference, and body fat percentage [BF %]) were seen in this group. Female adolescents experienced more body fat increment with the reduction of physical activity. If not intervened early, adolescents from rural areas may increase their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases earlier.
  3. Classification of ankle joint movements based on surface electromyography signals for rehabilitation robot applications
    Al-Quraishi MS, Ishak AJ, Ahmad SA, Hasan MK, Al-Qurishi M, Ghapanchizadeh H, et al.
    Med Biol Eng Comput, 2017 May;55(5):747-758.
    PMID: 27484411 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-016-1551-4
    Electromyography (EMG)-based control is the core of prostheses, orthoses, and other rehabilitation devices in recent research. Nonetheless, EMG is difficult to use as a control signal given the complex nature of the signal. To overcome this problem, the researchers employed a pattern recognition technique. EMG pattern recognition mainly involves four stages: signal detection, preprocessing feature extraction, dimensionality reduction, and classification. In particular, the success of any pattern recognition technique depends on the feature extraction stage. In this study, a modified time-domain features set and logarithmic transferred time-domain features (LTD) were evaluated and compared with other traditional time-domain features set (TTD). Three classifiers were employed to assess the two feature sets, namely linear discriminant analysis (LDA), k nearest neighborhood, and Naïve Bayes. Results indicated the superiority of the new time-domain feature set LTD, on conventional time-domain features TTD with the average classification accuracy of 97.23 %. In addition, the LDA classifier outperformed the other two classifiers considered in this study.
  4. Fulltext Colorectal cancer in Malaysia: Its burden and implications for a multiethnic country
    Veettil SK, Lim KG, Chaiyakunapruk N, Ching SM, Abu Hassan MR
    Asian J Surg, 2017 Nov;40(6):481-489.
    PMID: 27492344 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2016.07.005
    BACKGROUND: This study aims to provide an analytical overview of the changing burden of colorectal cancer and highlight the implementable control measures that can help reduce the future burden of colorectal cancer in Malaysia.

    METHODS: We performed a MEDLINE search via OVID with the ​Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms "Colorectal Neoplasms"[Mesh] and "Malaysia"[Mesh], and PubMed with the key words "colorectal cancer" and "Malaysia" from 1990 to 2015 for studies reporting any clinical, societal, and economical findings associated with colorectal cancer in Malaysia. Incidence and mortality data were retrieved from population-based cancer registries/databases.

    RESULTS: In Malaysia, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in males and the third most common cancer in females. The economic burden of colorectal cancer is substantial and is likely to increase over time in Malaysia owing to the current trend in colorectal cancer incidence. In Malaysia, most patients with colorectal cancer have been diagnosed at a late stage, with the 5-year relative survival by stage being lower than that in developed Asian countries. Public awareness of the rising incidence of colorectal cancer and the participation rates for colorectal cancer screening are low.

    CONCLUSION: The efficiency of different screening approaches must be assessed, and an organized national screening program should be developed in a phased manner. It is essential to maintain a balanced investment in awareness programs targeting general population and primary care providers, focused on increasing the knowledge on symptoms and risk factors of colorectal cancer, awareness on benefits of screening, and promotion of healthy life styles to prevent this important disease.

  5. The life cycle of Thelohanellus kitauei (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) infecting common carp (Cyprinus carpio) involves aurantiactinomyxon in Branchiura sowerbyi
    Zhao D, Borkhanuddin MH, Wang W, Liu Y, Cech G, Zhai Y, et al.
    Parasitol Res, 2016 Nov;115(11):4317-4325.
    PMID: 27492197
    Thelohanellus kitauei is a freshwater myxosporean parasite causing intestinal giant cystic disease of common carp. To clarify the life cycle of T. kitauei, we investigated the oligochaete populations in China and Hungary. This study confirms two distinct aurantiactinomyxon morphotypes (Aurantiactinomyxon type 1 and Aurantiactinomyxon type 2) from Branchiura sowerbyi as developmental stages of the life cycle of T. kitauei. The morphological characteristics and DNA sequences of these two types are described here. Based on 18S rDNA sequence analysis, Aurantiactinomyxon type 1 (2048 bp) and Aurantiactinomyxon type 2 (2031 bp) share 99.2-99.4 %, 99.8-100 % similarity to the published sequences of T. kitauei, respectively. The 18S rDNA sequences of these two aurantiactinomyxon morphotypes share 99.4 % similarity, suggesting intraspecific variation within the taxon, possibly due to geographic origin. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate the two aurantiactinomyxon types clustered with T. kitauei. Regardless, based on 18S rDNA synonymy, it is likely that Aurantiactinomyxon type 1 and 2 are conspecific with T. kitauei. This is the fourth elucidated two-host life cycle of Thelohanellus species and the first record of T. kitauei in Europe.
  6. Fulltext Amperometric Non-Enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Aligned Zinc Oxide Nanorods
    Al-Hardan NH, Abdul Hamid MA, Shamsudin R, Othman NK, Kar Keng L
    Sensors (Basel), 2016 Jun 29;16(7).
    PMID: 27367693 DOI: 10.3390/s16071004
    Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) have been synthesized via the hydrothermal process. The NRs were grown over a conductive glass substrate. A non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), based on the prepared ZnO NRs, was examined through the use of current-voltage measurements. The measured currents, as a function of H₂O₂ concentrations ranging from 10 μM to 700 μM, revealed two distinct behaviours and good performance, with a lower detection limit (LOD) of 42 μM for the low range of H₂O₂ concentrations (first region), and a LOD of 143.5 μM for the higher range of H₂O₂ concentrations (second region). The prepared ZnO NRs show excellent electrocatalytic activity. This enables a measurable and stable output current. The results were correlated with the oxidation process of the H₂O₂ and revealed a good performance for the ZnO NR non-enzymatic H₂O₂ sensor.
  7. Physicochemical properties and volatile profile of chili shrimp paste as affected by irradiation and heat
    Cheok CY, Sobhi B, Mohd Adzahan N, Bakar J, Abdul Rahman R, Ab Karim MS, et al.
    Food Chem, 2017 Feb 1;216:10-8.
    PMID: 27596386 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.08.011
    Chili shrimp paste (CSP) is an exotic traditional Southeast Asian condiment prepared using mainly fresh chilies and fermented shrimp paste (belacan) which attributed to strong pungent fishy odor. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of electron beam irradiation (EBI) exposure on CSP for microorganisms decontamination, and its physicochemical qualities changes. Changes in capsaicinoid contents and volatile compounds were analyzed using HPLC and GC-MS. Mesophilic bacteria, yeast, mold and pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae decreased as irradiation dose increasing from 0 to 10kGy. EBI at 10kGy effectively decontaminated the samples with no significant effects on phenolic and capsaicinoids contents compared to the fresh samples. From 24 compounds, irradiated CSP retained 23 volatile compounds, while thermally treated CSP has only 19 compounds. EBI at 10kGy is effective for decontamination in CSP with lesser destructive effect on volatile compounds and texture compared to thermal treatment.
  8. A comparative study between xerographic, computer-assisted overlay generation and animated-superimposition methods in bite mark analyses
    Tai MW, Chong ZF, Asif MK, Rahmat RA, Nambiar P
    Leg Med (Tokyo), 2016 Sep;22:42-8.
    PMID: 27591538 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.07.009
    This study was to compare the suitability and precision of xerographic and computer-assisted methods for bite mark investigations. Eleven subjects were asked to bite on their forearm and the bite marks were photographically recorded. Alginate impressions of the subjects' dentition were taken and their casts were made using dental stone. The overlays generated by xerographic method were obtained by photocopying the subjects' casts and the incisal edge outlines were then transferred on a transparent sheet. The bite mark images were imported into Adobe Photoshop® software and printed to life-size. The bite mark analyses using xerographically generated overlays were done by comparing an overlay to the corresponding printed bite mark images manually. In computer-assisted method, the subjects' casts were scanned into Adobe Photoshop®. The bite mark analyses using computer-assisted overlay generation were done by matching an overlay and the corresponding bite mark images digitally using Adobe Photoshop®. Another comparison method was superimposing the cast images with corresponding bite mark images employing the Adobe Photoshop® CS6 and GIF-Animator©. A score with a range of 0-3 was given during analysis to each precision-determining criterion and the score was increased with better matching. The Kruskal Wallis H test showed significant difference between the three sets of data (H=18.761, p<0.05). In conclusion, bite mark analysis using the computer-assisted animated-superimposition method was the most accurate, followed by the computer-assisted overlay generation and lastly the xerographic method. The superior precision contributed by digital method is discernible despite the human skin being a poor recording medium of bite marks.
  9. Safety profiling of pioglitazone and telmisartan combination by sub-chronic toxicity study in rat
    Sengupta P, Das A, Ibrahim F, Mandal UK, Chatterjee B, Mahmood S, et al.
    Regul Toxicol Pharmacol, 2016 Aug 26;81:155-161.
    PMID: 27569202 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.08.009
    It has been reported that the major cause of mortality in diabetes is cardiovascular diseases and contribution of hypertension is significant in this context. Pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione class of therapeutic agent is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Telmisartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker antihypertensive has been reported to have beneficial effect if co-administered with pioglitazone for the management of diabetes complications. The present research work aims to evaluate the safety/toxicity profile of this combination in rat model. The investigation was carried out after co-administering the drugs to the rats for 28 days at three dose levels of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg covering low to high dose ranges. Various hematological and biochemical parameters were studied in addition to the histopathology of the major organs in order to evaluate the toxicity profile of the combination. Absence of mortality and histopathological changes as well as unaltered hematological and biochemical parameters was observed. This preliminary investigation concludes that the combination of pioglitazone and telmisartan can primarily be stated as safe in animals, even at the dose level which is several folds higher than the intended human dose. Thus, this combination can be explored in future to develop a rational therapy regimen to treat hypertensive diabetic patients.
  10. Fulltext Anti-cancer effect of Annona Muricata Linn Leaves Crude Extract (AMCE) on breast cancer cell line
    Syed Najmuddin SU, Romli MF, Hamid M, Alitheen NB, Nik Abd Rahman NM
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016 Aug 24;16(1):311.
    PMID: 27558166 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1290-y
    Annona muricata Linn which comes from Annonaceae family possesses many therapeutic benefits as reported in previous studies and to no surprise, it has been used in many cultures to treat various ailments including headaches, insomnia, and rheumatism to even treating cancer. However, Annona muricata Linn obtained from different cultivation area does not necessarily offer the same therapeutic effects towards breast cancer (in regards to its bioactive compound production). In this study, anti-proliferative and anti-cancer effects of Annona muricata crude extract (AMCE) on breast cancer cell lines were evaluated.
  11. Fulltext A prospective observational study assessing the outcome of Sepsis in intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital, Peshawar
    Ullah AR, Hussain A, Ali I, Samad A, Ali Shah ST, Yousef M, et al.
    Pak J Med Sci, 2016 May-Jun;32(3):688-93.
    PMID: 27375715 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.323.9978
    The current study aims to explore the factors associated with outcome among patients with severe sepsis and septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit, Northwest General Hospital and Research Centre, Peshawar, Pakistan.
  12. Syntheses of new 3-thiazolyl coumarin derivatives, in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and molecular modeling studies
    Salar U, Taha M, Khan KM, Ismail NH, Imran S, Perveen S, et al.
    Eur J Med Chem, 2016 Oct 21;122:196-204.
    PMID: 27371923 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.06.037
    3-Thiazolylcoumarin derivatives 1-14 were synthesized via one-pot two step reactions, and screened for in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. All compounds showed inhibitory activity in the range of IC50 = 0.12 ± 0.01-16.20 ± 0.23 μM as compared to standard acarbose (IC50 = 38.25 ± 0.12 μM), and also found to be nontoxic. Molecular docking study was carried out in order to establish the structure-activity relationship (SAR) which demonstrated that electron rich centers at one and electron withdrawing centers at the other end of the molecules showed strong inhibitory activity. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as EI-MS, HREI-MS, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. CHN analysis was also performed.
  13. Synthesis of high 4-hydroxybutyrate copolymer by Cupriavidus sp. transformants using one-stage cultivation and mixed precursor substrates strategy
    Syafiq IM, Huong KH, Shantini K, Vigneswari S, Aziz NA, Amirul AA, et al.
    Enzyme Microb Technol, 2017 Mar;98:1-8.
    PMID: 28110659 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2016.11.011
    Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)] copolymer is noted for its high biocompatibility, which makes it an excellent candidate for biopharmaceutical applications. The wild-type Cupriavidus sp. USMAA1020 strain is able to synthesize P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymers with different 4HB monomer compositions (up to 70mol%) in shaken flask cultures. Combinations of 4HB carbon precursors consisting of 1,6-hexanediol and γ-butyrolactone were applied for the production of P(3HB-co-4HB) with different 4HB molar fraction. A sharp increase in 4HB monomer composition was attained by introducing additional copies of PHA synthase gene (phaC), responsible for P(3HB-co-4HB) polymerization. The phaC of Cupriavidus sp. USMAA1020 and Cupriavidus sp. USMAA2-4 were cloned and heterologously introduced into host, wild-type Cupriavidus sp. USMAA1020. The gene dosage treatment resulted in the accumulation of 93mol% 4HB by the transformant strains when grown in similar conditions as the wild-type USMAA1020. The PHA synthase activities for both transformants were almost two-fold higher than the wild-type. The ability of the transformants to produce copolymers with high 4HB monomer composition was also tested in large scale production system using 5L and 30L bioreactors with a constant oxygen mass transfer rate. The 4HB monomer composition could be maintained at a range of 83-89mol%. The mechanical and thermal properties of copolymers improved with increasing 4HB monomer composition. The copolymers produced could be tailored for specific biopharmaceutical applications based on their properties.
  14. Fulltext Significantly improved photovoltaic performance in polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells with graphene oxide /PEDOT:PSS double decked hole transport layer
    Rafique S, Abdullah SM, Shahid MM, Ansari MO, Sulaiman K
    Sci Rep, 2017 01 13;7:39555.
    PMID: 28084304 DOI: 10.1038/srep39555
    This work demonstrates the high performance graphene oxide (GO)/PEDOT:PSS doubled decked hole transport layer (HTL) in the PCDTBT:PC71BM based bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic device. The devices were tested on merits of their power conversion efficiency (PCE), reproducibility, stability and further compared with the devices with individual GO or PEDOT:PSS HTLs. Solar cells employing GO/PEDOT:PSS HTL yielded a PCE of 4.28% as compared to either of individual GO or PEDOT:PSS HTLs where they demonstrated PCEs of 2.77 and 3.57%, respectively. In case of single GO HTL, an inhomogeneous coating of ITO caused the poor performance whereas PEDOT:PSS is known to be hygroscopic and acidic which upon direct contact with ITO reduced the device performance. The improvement in the photovoltaic performance is mainly ascribed to the increased charge carriers mobility, short circuit current, open circuit voltage, fill factor, and decreased series resistance. The well matched work function of GO and PEDOT:PSS is likely to facilitate the charge transportation and an overall reduction in the series resistance. Moreover, GO could effectively block the electrons due to its large band-gap of ~3.6 eV, leading to an increased shunt resistance. In addition, we also observed the improvement in the reproducibility and stability.
  15. Biology-oriented drug synthesis (BIODS): In vitro β-glucuronidase inhibitory and in silico studies on 2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethyl aryl carboxylate derivatives
    Salar U, Khan KM, Taha M, Ismail NH, Ali B, Qurat-Ul-Ain, et al.
    Eur J Med Chem, 2017 Jan 05;125:1289-1299.
    PMID: 27886546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.11.031
    Current study is based on the biology-oriented drug synthesis (BIODS) of 2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethyl aryl carboxylate derivatives 1-26, by treating metronidazole with different aryl and hetero-aryl carboxylic acids in the presence of 1,1'-carbonyl diimidazole (CDI) as a coupling agent. Structures of all synthetic derivatives were confirmed with the help of various spectroscopic techniques such as EI-MS, (1)H -NMR and (13)C NMR. CHN elemental analyses were also found in agreement with the calculated values. Synthetic derivatives were evaluated to check their β-glucuronidase inhibitory activity which revealed that except few derivatives, all demonstrated good inhibition in the range of IC50 = 1.20 ± 0.01-60.30 ± 1.40 μM as compared to the standard d-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone (IC50 = 48.38 ± 1.05 μM). Compounds 1, 3, 4, 6, 9-19, and 21-24 were found to be potent analogs and showed superior activity than standard. Limited structure-activity relationship is suggested that the molecules having electron withdrawing groups like NO2, F, Cl, and Br, were displayed better activity than the compounds with electron donating groups such as Me, OMe and BuO. To verify these interpretations, in silico study was also performed, a good correlation was observed between bioactivities and docking studies.
  16. A Limited Survey of Aflatoxins and Zearalenone in Feed and Feed Ingredients from Pakistan
    Iqbal SZ, Asi MR, Nisar S, Zia KM, Jinap S, Malik N
    J Food Prot, 2016 Oct;79(10):1798-1801.
    PMID: 28221839 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-16-091
    This work presents current information on the presence of aflatoxins (AFs) and zearalenone (ZEN) in feed and feed ingredients from Punjab, Pakistan. The 105 samples tested were concentrated feed, i.e., cotton seed meal (18 samples) and soybean meal (14), and feed ingredients, i.e., crushed corn (17), crushed wheat (15), barley (17). and poultry feed (24). Samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a fluorescence detector. Analysis revealed that 69 of 105 samples were contaminated with AFs, and the highest mean concentrations of AFB1 (6.20 μg/kg) and total AFs (9.30 μg/kg) were found in poultry feed samples. The mean total AF concentrations ranged from the limit of quantification to 165.5 μg/kg. However, 75 of the 105 samples were positive for ZEN. The highest mean concentration (19.45 μg/kg) was found in poultry feed samples. The mean ZEN concentrations were 0.15 to 145.30 μg/kg. The prevalence of AFs and ZEN was high in feed and feed ingredients and needs urgent attention.
  17. Fulltext Prescription patterns and appropriateness of antibiotics in the management of cough/cold and diarrhea in a rural tertiary care teaching hospital
    Ahmad A, Khan MU, Malik S, Mohanta GP, Parimalakrishnan S, Patel I, et al.
    J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2016 Oct-Dec;8(4):335-340.
    PMID: 28216959 DOI: 10.4103/0975-7406.199340
    BACKGROUND: Acute gastroenteritis and respiratory illnesses are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prescription pattern of antibiotic utilization during the treatment of cough/cold and/or diarrhea in pediatric patients.

    METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted for 6 months in pediatric units of a tertiary care hospital in South India. Children under 5 years of age presenting with illness related to diarrhea and/or cough/cold were included in this study. Data were collected by reviewing patient files and then assessed for its appropriateness against the criteria developed in view of the Medication Appropriateness Index and Guidelines of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. The results were expressed in frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test was used to analyze the data. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

    RESULTS: A total of 303 patients were studied during the study period. The mean age of the patients was 3.5 ± 0.6 years. The majority of children were admitted mainly due to chief complaint of fever (63%) and cough and cold (56.4%). The appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions was higher in bloody and watery diarrhea (83.3% and 82.6%; P < 0.05). Cephalosporins (46.2%) and penicillins (39.9%) were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, though the generic prescriptions of these drugs were the lowest (13.5% and 10%, respectively). The seniority of prescriber was significantly associated with the appropriateness of prescriptions (P < 0.05). Antibiotics prescription was higher in cold/cough and diarrhea (93.5%) in comparison to cough/cold (85%) or diarrhea (75%) alone.

    CONCLUSIONS: The study observed high rates of antibiotic utilization in Chidambaram during the treatment of cough/cold and/or diarrhea in pediatric patients. The findings highlight the need for combined interventions using education and expert counseling, targeted to the clinical conditions and classes of antibiotic for which inappropriate usage is most common.
  18. The Phosphodiasterase 5-Inhibitors (PDE-5i) for Erectile Dysfunction (ED): A Therapeutic Challenge For Psychiatrists
    Koon CS, Sidi H, Kumar J, Xi OW, Das S, Hatta MH, et al.
    Curr Drug Targets, 2018;19(12):1366-1377.
    PMID: 28215172 DOI: 10.2174/1389450118666170215164747
    Erectile function (EF) is a prerequisite for satisfactory sexual intercourse (SI) and central to male sexual functioning. Satisfactory SI eventually initiates orgasm - a biopsychophysiological state of euphoria - leading to a sense of bliss, enjoyment and positive mental well being. For a psychiatrist, treating ED is self-propelled to harmonize these pleasurable experiences alongside with encouragement of physical wellness and sensuality. Hence, the role of PDE-5i is pivotal in this context and constitutes a therapeutic challenge. PDE-5i work via the dopaminergic-oxytocin-nitric oxide pathway by increasing the availability of endothelial's guanosine monophosphate (GMP), immediately causing relaxation of the penile smooth muscle and an erection. The PDE-5i, like sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil, are effective in the treatment of ED with some benefits/ flexibilities and disadvantages compared to other treatment modalities. Prescribed PDE-5i exclusively improve EF, fostering male's self-confidence and self-esteem. Treatment failures are associated with factors such as absent (or insufficient) sexual stimulation, psychosexual conflicts and the co-existence of medical disorders. Managing ED requires dealing with underlying medical diseases, addressing other co-morbid sexual dysfunctions like premature ejaculation (PE), and educating the patient on healthy life-styles. Furthermore, by dealing with interpersonal dynamics within the couple and embracing adequate lifestyles (managing stress and revising one's sexual scripts), PDE-5i treatment benefits may be enhanced. In this review, we propose a holistic conceptual framework approach for psychiatric management of patients with ED.
  19. Fulltext Anti-obesity effect of ethanolic extract from Cosmos caudatus Kunth leaf in lean rats fed a high fat diet
    Rahman HA, Sahib NG, Saari N, Abas F, Ismail A, Mumtaz MW, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2017 Feb 22;17(1):122.
    PMID: 28228098 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1640-4
    BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major health concern both in developed and developing countries. The use of herbal medicines became the subject of interest for the management of obesity due to its natural origin, cost effectiveness and minimal side effects. The present study aimed at investigating anti-obesity potential of ethanolic extract from Cosmos caudatus Kunth leaf (EECCL).

    METHODS: In this study, the rats were randomly divided into six groups i.e., (1) Normal Diet (ND); (2) Normal Diet and 175 mg/kgBW of EECCL (ND + 175 mg/kgBW); (3) Normal Diet and 350 mg/kgBW of EECCL (ND + 350 mg/kgBW); (4) High Fat Diet (HFD); (5) High Fat Diet and 175 mg/kgBW of EECCL (HFD + 175 mg/kgBW); (6) High Fat Diet and 350 mg/kgBW of EECCL (HFD + 350 mg/kgBW). The anti-obesity potential was evaluated through analyses of changes in body weight, visceral fat weight, and blood biochemicals including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), leptin, insulin, adiponectin, ghrelin and fecal fat content. In addition, metabolite profiling of EECCL was carried out using NMR spectroscopy.

    RESULTS: Rats receiving EECCL together with HFD showed significant (p  0.05) different with those of ND rats. Other related obesity biomarkers including plasma lipid profiles, insulin, leptin, ghrelin and adiponectin levels also showed significant improvement (p 

  20. Fulltext Research on the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in children by macrolide antibiotics
    Huang XQ, Deng L, Lu G, He CH, Wu PQ, Xie ZW, et al.
    Open Med (Wars), 2015;10(1):479-482.
    PMID: 28352740 DOI: 10.1515/med-2015-0082
    To observe a therapeutic effect of macrolide antibiotics in children with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. Fifty-four cases of children with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia were randomly divided into an observation group (n=30) and a control group (n=24). The observation group was treated with macrolide antibiotics and cefoperazone/sulbactam. The control group was treated with cefoperazone/sulbactam during a course of 10-14 days. The total effective rate was 93.3% in the observation group, and 58.3% in the control group, and results in the observation group were superior to the control group notably (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in bacterial clearance rate, adverse reaction rate between two groups (P>0.05). The combined application of cefoperazone/sulbactam with macrolide antibiotics to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in children would be a more effective clinical method.
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links