MyMedR

Through-knee amputation for a patient with proximal femur focal deficiency and tibial hemimelia: surgical anatomy and clinical implications

Lloyd S, Rashid AH, Das S, Ibrahim S

Anat Sci Int, 2014 Mar;89(2):122-5.

PMID: 24158808 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-013-0211-0

Tibial hemimelia is a rare anomaly of unknown etiology. This condition can occur sporadically or may have a familial inheritance. It is characterized by deficiency of the tibia with a relatively intact fibula. The anomaly may be unilateral or bilateral. We report a case of a 2-year-old girl who presented with right lower limb deformity since birth. She was diagnosed with proximal femur focal deficiency with absence of the ipsilateral tibia. She presented with a shorter right lower limb and a deformed foot. She was treated with a through-knee amputation. Anatomical dissection of the amputated limb was carried out to verify the anomalies. The dissection showed that the distal phalanx of the great toe was trifid. The anatomical and clinical significance of this interesting case is discussed.

Therapeutic effect of Vitamin E in preventing bone loss: An evidence-based review

Nazrun Shuid A, Das S, Mohamed IN

Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2019 Nov;89(5-6):357-370.

PMID: 30856080 DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000566

The present review explored the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of vitamin E, which has protective action against osteoporosis. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify the published bone studies on vitamin E. The studies included inflammatory or immunology-related parameters. Medline and Scopus databases were searched for relevant studies published from 2005 till 2015. Research articles published in English and confined to the effect of vitamin E on bone were included. It is pertinent to mention that these studies took into consideration inflammatory or immunology parameters including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), serum amyloid A (SAA), e-selection and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). An extended literature search yielded 127 potentially relevant articles with seven articles meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Another recent article was added with the total number accounting to eight. All these included literature comprised five animal studies, one in-vitro study and two human studies. These studies demonstrated that vitamin E, especially tocotrienol, was able to alleviate IL-1, IL-6, RANKL, iNOS and hs-CRP levels in relation to bone metabolism. In conclusion, vitamin E exerts its anti-osteoporotic actions via its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

Therapeutic Targeting of Inflammatory Pathways with Emphasis on NLRP3 Inflammasomes by Natural Products: A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Inflammatory Eye Diseases

Soliman AM, Sim RH, Das S, Mahakkannurauh P

Curr Med Chem, 2021 Sep 10.

PMID: 34514977 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210910154330

There is an increase in the incidence of inflammatory eye diseases worldwide. Several dysregulated inflammatory pathways, including the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, have been reported to contribute significantly to the pathogenesis and progression of ophthalmic diseases. Although the available allopathic/conventional medicine has demonstrated effectiveness in managing eye diseases, there is an ongoing global demand for alternative therapeutics with minimal adverse drug reactions, easy availability, increase in patient-compliance, and better disease outcome. Therefore, several studies are investigating the utilization of natural products and herbal formulations in impeding inflammatory pathways, including the NLRP3 inflammasome, in order to prevent or manage eye diseases. In the present review, we highlight the recently reported inflammatory pathways with special emphasis on NLRP3 Inflammasomes involved in the development of eye diseases. Furthermore, we present a variety of natural products and phytochemicals that were reported to interfere with these pathways and their underlying mechanisms of action. These natural products represent potential therapeutic applications for the treatment of several inflammatory eye diseases.

The underlying mechanism of action for various medicinal properties of Piper betle (betel)

Haslan H, Suhaimi FH, Thent ZC, Das S

Clin Ter, 2015;166(5):208-14.

PMID: 26550811 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2015.1880

Piper betle (betel) plant belongs to the Piperaceae family. Piper. betle is widely known for its potent medicinal properties. Various active compounds are present in Piper. betle such as allylpyrocatechol, hydroxychavicol, piperbetol, ethylpiperbetol, piperol A, piperol B, chavibetol, and alkaloids which account for these beneficial medicinal properties. In the present narrative review, we looked into the various active compounds present in the Piper betle and attempted to understand their underlying mechanism of action. Proper understanding of the molecular biology involving the mechanism of action may help in better drug formulation and provide better therapeutic actions in the field of alternative and complementary medicine.

The transcript level of interleukin-6 in the cartilage of idiopathic osteoarthritis of knee

Moktar NM, Yusof HM, Yahaya NH, Muhamad R, Das S

Clin Ter, 2010;161(1):25-8.

PMID: 20393674

AIMS: The mRNA level for interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important marker of osteoarthritis (OA). The present study aimed to investigate the level of IL-6 mRNA in the cartilage of OA knee while comparing it to the normal cartilage obtained from the same patient.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients who underwent total knee replacement were recruited for this study. Sectioning of the destructive cartilage was performed in the medial part of the proximal tibiofemoral cartilage. The unaffected lateral part of the knee in the same patient, served as a control. The mRNA level for IL-6 was assessed using LightCycler 2.0 quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). actin mRNA was used as an endogenous control.
RESULTS: Twelve out of 21 patients (57.1%) exhibited up regulation of IL-6 mRNA in the OA cartilage as compared to the normal cartilage. The rest of the patients (42.9%) showed down regulation of IL-6 mRNA. The statistical analysis showed there was insignificant level of IL-6 mRNA in the OA (1.91 +/- 0.45) as compared to the normal cartilage (1.13 +/- 0.44) (p > 0.05). The inter-individual variation in the level of IL-6 mRNA in the cartilage of idiopathic knee was in accordance with previous findings.
CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest IL-6 could also act as a catabolic agent in some patients or its expression might be influenced by other cytokines.
Study site: Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The sternalis muscle in cadavers: anatomical facts and clinical significance

Rahman NA, Das S, Maatoq Sulaiman I, Hlaing KP, Haji Suhaimi F, Latiff AA, et al.

Clin Ter, 2009;160(2):129-31.

PMID: 19452102

The sternalis is an anomalous muscle located in the anterior wall of thorax and several past reports have described its presence with clinical implications. The sternalis muscle may be incidentally detected during routine cadaveric dissections and autopsies. We observed the presence of anomalous sternalis muscle on both sides of the anterior chest wall in 25 cadavers (n = 50), over a span of three years. Out of a 50 cases, we observed a single case of sternalis on the right side of the 55-year-old male cadaver (2%). The sternalis was found to be absent in the rest 49 cases (98%). The sternalis muscle displayed an oblique course in the anterior wall of the thorax. The muscle originated near the seventh costal cartilage extending obliquely upwards to insert into the second costal cartilage close to the sternum. The originating portion of the muscle was located at a distance of 3.5 cm lateral to the mid-sternal plane. The vertical length and the maximum width of the anomalous sternalis muscle measured 9 cm and 1.9 cm, respectively. The fibers of the muscle vertically ascended upwards. No other associated anomalies were observed in the same cadaver. The presence of sternalis muscle is considered to be a rare variation with no earlier studies being performed in the Malaysian population. The anomalous sternalis muscle may be important for reconstructive surgeons performing mastectomy and radiologists interpreting mammograms. Thus, the sternalis muscle may be academically, anthropologically and surgically important.

The risk and associated factors of methamphetamine psychosis in methamphetamine-dependent patients in Malaysia

Sulaiman AH, Said MA, Habil MH, Rashid R, Siddiq A, Guan NC, et al.

Compr Psychiatry, 2014 Jan;55 Suppl 1:S89-94.

PMID: 23433219 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.01.003

The objective of this study was to determine the risk of lifetime and current methamphetamine-induced psychosis in patients with methamphetamine dependence. The association between psychiatric co-morbidity and methamphetamine-induced psychosis was also studied.

The relationship between sexual functioning among couples undergoing infertility treatment: a pair of perfect gloves

Yeoh SH, Razali R, Sidi H, Razi ZR, Midin M, Nik Jaafar NR, et al.

Compr Psychiatry, 2014 Jan;55 Suppl 1:S1-6.

PMID: 23116967 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2012.09.002

The study aimed to measure the relationship of sexual functioning between male and female partners, who sought infertility treatment in a university hospital setting in Malaysia.

The quality of life among coronary heart disease patients at a teaching hospital

Ho SE, Ting CK, Das S, Loo CY, Rohayu AB, Khor SY, et al.

Clin Ter, 2011;162(3):217-22.

PMID: 21717045

Quality of life after acute coronary heart disease amongst patients is important outcome factor in deliberations of patient's care. The main aim of the study was to examine the quality of life amongst acute CHD patients.

The predictive values of urinalysis in intravenous urogram. Is intravenous urography really necessary in mild hydronephrotic patient?

Hamzaini AH, Helmee MN, Masoud S, Suraya A, Nazri MS, Das S

Clin Ter, 2009;160(6):473-5.

PMID: 20198290

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many patients who presented to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) with signs and symptoms of urolithiasis had mild hydronephrosis with non visualization of calculus on ultrasound examination. These patients underwent an intravenous urogram (IVU) in order to determine the presence of urolithiasis and most of them had normal IVU. The main aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of urinalysis in this group of patients in determining the need for IVU examinations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively the ultrasound, urinalysis and intravenous urography reports of 53 patients were reviewed and evaluated.
RESULTS: The positive predictive and negative predictive value of urinalysis was found to be 68% and 96.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS; The results indicate that the urinalysis was an excellent negative predictor for IVU. In view of high radiation dose, risk of contrast reaction and contrast induced nephropathy of IVU, we suggest that it should not be performed in patient with non visualization of calculus mild hydronephrosis when the urinalysis is negative for blood.

Study site: Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)

The ideal measurement of the quality of life in post stroke patients: an urban study

Samsiah M, Das S, Chee SY, Rashidah R, Siti H, Ruth P, et al.

Clin Ter, 2011;162(3):209-15.

PMID: 21717044

There is paucity of literature on the measurement of the quality of life in post stroke patients in the developing countries. The main objective of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) of post stroke patients.

The harmful effects of consumption of repeatedly heated edible oils: a short review

Ku SK, Muhamad Ruhaifi MS, Fatin SS, Saffana M, Taty Anna K, Das S, et al.

Clin Ter, 2014;165(4):217-21.

PMID: 25203337 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2014.1737

It has been a regular practice to repeatedly heat the cooking oil and consume it without knowing the harmful effects of such. The procedure to use repeatedly heated cooking oil is aimed to curb the cost of expenses. Heating results is the formation of free reactive oxygen species (ROS) which is responsible for the oxidative stress and damage to various organs in the body. The present review article discusses the harmful events occurring due to consumption of repeated heating of edible oil. A strong message is aimed to generate public awareness of the deleterious effects of consumption of heated edible oil which may help in curbing hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Fulltext The effects of virgin coconut oil on fibroblasts and myofibroblasts on diabetic wound healing

Wong, S.K., Rangiah T., Bakri, N.S.A., Ismail, W.N.A, Bojeng, E.E.F., Abd Rahiman, M.A., et al.

Medicine & Health, 2019;14(2):132-141.

MyJurnal

Delayed wound healing is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus where it often leads to amputation. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is a natural oil widely used to treat wounds and burns traditionally. It possesses potent antioxidant and antibacterial activities. This study aimed to determine the effect of VCO on the fibroblast population in diabetic wound healing. Full thickness cutaneous wound tissues were collected from non-treated, VCO-treated, and silver sulfadiazine (SS)- treated diabetic rats. The tissues were then subjected to Verhoeff eosin staining and immunohistology of fibroblast and myofibroblast. Histological analysis showed increased collagen deposition with intact epidermis in the VCO treated group compared to decreased collagen deposition with damaged epidermis in both non-treated and SS-treated groups. Interestingly, more fibroblasts and myofibroblasts were observed in the non-treated group compared to the VCO- and SS-treated groups. VCO significantly promoted wound healing process in diabetic rats via promoting re-epithelialization, and increasing collagen fibres deposition and wound contraction. The results suggested VCO can be used to treat diabetic wounds.

The effects of palm oil tocotrienol-rich fraction supplementation on biochemical parameters, oxidative stress and the vascular wall of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Budin SB, Othman F, Louis SR, Bakar MA, Das S, Mohamed J

Clinics (Sao Paulo), 2009;64(3):235-44.

PMID: 19330251

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of palm oil tocotrienol-rich fractions on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS: Animals were divided into three groups: (i) normal non-diabetic (NDM), (ii) diabetic treated (tocotrienol-rich fractions - TRF) and (iii) diabetic untreated (non-TRF). The treatment group received oral administration of tocotrienol-rich fractions (200 mg/kg body weight) daily for eight weeks. The normal non-diabetic and the diabetic untreated groups were fed standard rat feed. Blood glucose and lipid profiles, oxidative stress markers and morphological changes of the thoracic aorta were evaluated.

RESULTS: Tocotrienol-rich fractions treatment reduced serum glucose and glycated hemoglobin concentrations. The tocotrienol-rich fractions group also showed significantly lower levels of plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride, as compared to the untreated group. The tocotrienol-rich fractions group had higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as compared to the untreated group. Superoxide dismutase activity and levels of vitamin C in plasma were increased in tocotrienol-rich fractions-treated rats. The levels of plasma and aorta malondealdehyde + 4-hydroxynonenal (MDA + 4-HNE) and oxidative DNA damage were significant following tocotrienol-rich fractions treatment. Electron microscopic examination showed that the normal morphology of the thoracic aorta was disrupted in STZ-diabetic rats. Tocotrienol-rich fractions supplementation resulted in a protective effect on the vessel wall.

CONCLUSION: These results show that tocotrienol-rich fractions lowers the blood glucose level and improves dyslipidemia. Levels of oxidative stress markers were also reduced by administration of tocotrienol-rich fractions. Vessel wall integrity was maintained due to the positive effects mediated by tocotrienol-rich fractions.

The effects of metallothionein in paraquat-induced Parkinson disease model of zebrafish

Mohamad Najib NH, Yahaya MF, Das S, Teoh SL

Int J Neurosci, 2023 Dec;133(8):822-833.

PMID: 34623211 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2021.1990916

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease caused by selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Metallothionein has been shown to act as a neuroprotectant in various brain injury. Thus, this study aims to identify the effects of full-length human metallothionein 2 peptide (hMT2) in paraquat-induced brain injury in the zebrafish.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 80 adult zebrafish were divided into 4 groups namely control, paraquat-treated, pre-hMT2-treated, and post-hMT2-treated groups. Fish were treated with paraquat intraperitoneally every 3 days for 15 days. hMT2 were injected intracranially on day 0 (pre-treated group) and day 16 (post-treated group). Fish were sacrificed on day 22 and the brains were collected for qPCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistry analysis.

RESULTS: qPCR analysis showed that paraquat treatment down-regulated the expression of genes related to dopamine activity and biosynthesis (dat and th1) and neuroprotective agent (bdnf). Paraquat treatment also up-regulated the expression of the mt2, smtb and proinflammatory genes (il-1α, il-1β, tnf-α and cox-2). hMT2 treatment was able to reverse the effects of paraquat. Lipid peroxidation decreased in the paraquat and pre-hMT2-treated groups. However, lipid peroxidation increased in the post-hMT2-treated group. Paraquat treatment also led to a reduction of dopaminergic neurons while their numbers showed an increase following hMT2 treatment.

CONCLUSION: Paraquat has been identified as one of the pesticides that can cause the death of dopaminergic neurons and affect dopamine biosynthesis. Treatment with exogenous hMT2 could reverse the effects of paraquat in the zebrafish brain.

The effects of TNF α antagonist therapy on bone metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review

Sakthiswary R, Das S

Curr Drug Targets, 2013 Dec;14(13):1552-7.

PMID: 23848441

Osteoporosis is a common complication observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Accelerated bone loss is always a matter of concern. The pathogenesis of RA may be important for better understanding of the bone loss. The mechanism involved in the bone loss in RA is not well understood although cytokines such as interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF α) have been strongly implicated. TNF α antagonists have revolutionised the treatment of RA in the recent years. Beyond the control of disease activity in RA, accumulating evidence suggests that this form of therapy may provide beneficial effects to the bone metabolism and remodeling. An extensive search of the literature was performed in the Medline, Scopus and EBSCO databases to evaluate the documented research on the effects of TNF α antagonists in RA on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers. The available data based on our systematic review, depict a significant association between TNF α antagonists treatment and suppression of bone resorption.

The effect of topical extract of Momordica charantia (bitter gourd) on wound healing in nondiabetic rats and in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin

Teoh SL, Latiff AA, Das S

Clin Exp Dermatol, 2009 Oct;34(7):815-22.

PMID: 19508570 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2008.03117.x

Momordica charantia (MC; bitter gourd) is a traditional herb commonly used for its antidiabetic, antioxidant, contraceptive and antibacterial properties. It is also used for the rapid healing of wounds.

The effect of physical activity, body mass index and waist circumference on incident diabetes

Mahakkanukrauh P, Sinthubua A, Das S

Postgrad Med, 2018 03;130(2):186.

PMID: 29115878 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2018.1402657

Fulltext The effect of eurycoma longifolia Jack on spermatogenesis in estrogen-treated rats

Wahab NA, Mokhtar NM, Halim WN, Das S

Clinics (Sao Paulo), 2010;65(1):93-8.

PMID: 20126351 DOI: 10.1590/S1807-59322010000100014

There is little data concerning the ability of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (EL) to reverse the inhibitory effects of estrogen on testosterone production and spermatogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of EL on testicular histology and sperm count in estrogen-treated male rats.

The effect of alcohol level on male and female drivers: Important facts

Murthy JK, Das S

Drug Alcohol Depend, 2020 Sep 01;214:108146.

PMID: 32634715 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108146

Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 546 in total