Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 164 in total

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  1. Fulltext Simulium (Gomphostilbia) sofiani, a new species of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) from peninsular Malaysia
    Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Hashim R
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Aug;28(2):389-99.
    PMID: 22041761
    Simulium (Gomphostilbia) sofiani sp. nov. is described on the basis of reared adult female, male, pupal and larval specimens collected from Cameron Highlands, Pahang state, Malaysia. This new species is placed in the ceylonicum species-group within the subgenus Gomphostilbia and is easily distinguished from all the related known species by the combination of the following characteristics: an elongate sensory vesicle and yellow hair tuft on the stem vein of the wing in the female, the greater number of large upper-eye facets (15 or 16 vertical columns and 15 or 16 horizontal rows) and almost entirely darkened hind basitarsus in the male, and the gill bearing a long common basal stalk and 8 filaments arranged as [(1+2)+(1+2)] +2 filaments from dorsal to ventral in the pupa.
  2. Time-lapse resistivity investigation of salinity changes at an ex-promontory land: a case study of Carey Island, Selangor, Malaysia
    Tajul Baharuddin MF, Taib S, Hashim R, Zainal Abidin MH, Ishak MF
    Environ Monit Assess, 2011 Sep;180(1-4):345-69.
    PMID: 21136290 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-010-1792-x
    Time-lapse resistivity measurements and groundwater geochemistry were used to study salinity effect on groundwater aquifer at the ex-promontory-land of Carey Island in Malaysia. Resistivity was measured by ABEM Terrameter SAS4000 and ES10-64 electrode selector. Relationship between earth resistivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) was derived, and with resistivity images, used to identify water types: fresh (ρ ( e ) > 6.5 Ω m), brackish (3 Ω m < ρ ( e ) < 6.5 Ω m), or saline (ρ ( e ) < 3 Ω m). Long-term monitoring of the studied area's groundwater quality via measurements of its time-lapse resistivity showed salinity changes in the island's groundwater aquifers not conforming to seawater-freshwater hydraulic gradient. In some aquifers far from the coast, saline water was dominant, while in some others, freshwater 30 m thick showed groundwater potential. Land transformation is believed to have changed the island's hydrogeology, which receives saltwater pressure all the time, limiting freshwater recharge to the groundwater system. The time-lapse resistivity measurements showed active salinity changes at resistivity-image bottom moving up the image for two seasons' (wet and dry) conditions. The salinity changes are believed to have been caused by incremental tide passing through highly porous material in the active-salinity-change area. The study's results were used to plan a strategy for sustainable groundwater exploration of the island.
  3. A reevaluation of the epimeric and anomeric relationship of glucosides and galactosides in thermotropic liquid crystal self-assemblies
    Hashim R, Mirzadeh SM, Heidelberg T, Minamikawa H, Yoshiaki T, Sugimura A
    Carbohydr Res, 2011 Dec 27;346(18):2948-56.
    PMID: 22088885 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2011.10.032
    Anomers and epimers α- and β-gluco and -galactosides are expected to behave differently. However, recent results on a series of Guerbet glycosides have indicated similar liquid crystal clearing temperatures for pure β-glucosides and the corresponding α-galactosides. This observation has led to speculation on similarities in the self-assembly interactions between the two systems, attributed to the trans-configuration of the 4-OH group and the hydrophobic aglycon. Previous simulations on related bilayers systems support this hypothesis, by relating this clearing transition temperature to intralayer (sugar-sugar) hydrogen bonding. In order to confirm the hypothesis, the comparison was expanded to include the cis-configurated pair, that is, α-gluco/β-galactoside. A set of α-configurated Guerbet glucosides as well as octyl α-galactoside were prepared and their thermotropic phase behavior studied. The data obtained enabled a complete comparison of the isomers of interest. While the results in general are in line with a pairing of the stereo-isomers according to the indicated cis/trans-configuration, differences within the pairs can be explained based on the direction of hydrogen bonds from a simple modeling study.
  4. Fulltext Two new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera, Simuliidae) from Peninsular Malaysia, with keys to Peninsular Malaysian members of the Simulium ceylonicum species-group
    Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Hashim R, Ya'cob Z
    Zookeys, 2011.
    PMID: 21998510 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.118.1552
    Two new species of black flies, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) roslihashimisp. n. and Simulium (Gomphostilbia) lurauensesp. n., are described on the basis of reared adult, pupal and larval specimens collected from Peninsular Malaysia. These two new species are placed in the ceylonicum species-group within the subgenus Gomphostilbia. Simulium (Gomphostilbia) roslihashimisp. n. is most distinctive with the male having almost entirely yellow antennae, and Simulium (Gomphostilbia) lurauensesp. n. is characterized in the female by having the elongate sensory vesicle and the yellowish-white hairs on the base of the costal vein and on the stem vein, in the male by the greater number of large upper-eye facets and the spindle-shaped hind basitarsi which are much narrower than the hind tibiae and femora and in the pupa by the small terminal hooks. Keys to species of the ceylonicum species-group reported from Peninsular Malaysia are provided for females, males, pupae and mature larvae.
  5. A novel caryophyllene type sesquiterpene lactone from Asparagus falcatus (Linn.); structure elucidation and anti-angiogenic activity on HUVECs
    Ghalib RM, Hashim R, Sulaiman O, Mehdi SH, Valkonen A, Rissanen K, et al.
    Eur J Med Chem, 2012 Jan;47(1):601-7.
    PMID: 22074984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2011.10.037
    In this study the novel caryophyllene type sesquiterpene lactone (aspfalcolide) has been isolated from the leaves of Asparagus falcatus (Linn.) and characterized by IR, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, EI-MS, HR-ESI-MS and X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. The aspfalcolide crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 6.37360(10), b = 7.6890(2), c = 27.3281(6) Å, α = β = γ = 90(°) and Z = 4. One intermolecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond enforces these natural molecules to form infinite chains through the crystal. Aspfalcolide was screened for its anti-angiogenic activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the result showed the remarkable inhibitory effect of aspfalcolide on the proliferation (IC(50) 1.82 μM), migration and tube formation of HUVECs.
  6. Physicochemical characterization of natural-like branched-chain glycosides toward formation of hexosomes and vesicles
    Ahmad N, Ramsch R, Esquena J, Solans C, Tajuddin HA, Hashim R
    Langmuir, 2012 Feb 7;28(5):2395-403.
    PMID: 22168405 DOI: 10.1021/la203736b
    Synthetic branched-chain glycolipids have become of great interest in biomimicking research, since they provide a suitable alternative for natural glycolipids, which are difficult to extract from natural resources. Therefore, branched-chain glycolipids obtained by direct syntheses are of utmost interest. In this work, two new branched-chain glycolipids are presented, namely, 2-hexyldecyl β(α)-D-glucoside (2-HDG) and 2-hexyldecyl β(α)-D-maltoside (2-HDM) based on glucose and maltose, respectively. The self-assembly properties of these glycolipids have been studied, observing the phase behavior under thermotropic and lyotropic conditions. Due to their amphiphilic characteristics, 2-HDG and 2-HDM possess rich phase behavior in dry form and in aqueous dispersions. In the thermotropic study, 2-HDG formed a columnar hexagonal liquid crystalline phase, whereas in a binary aqueous system, 2-HDG formed an inverted hexagonal liquid crystalline phase in equilibrium with excess aqueous solution. Furthermore, aqueous dispersions of the hexagonal liquid crystal could be obtained, dispersions known as hexosomes. On the other hand, 2-HDM formed a lamellar liquid crystalline phase (smectic A) in thermotropic conditions, whereas multilamellar vesicles have been observed in equilibrium with aqueous media. Surprisingly, 2-HDM mixed with sodium dodecyl sulfate or aerosol OT induced the formation of more stable unilamellar vesicles. Thus, the branched-chain glycolipids 2-HDG and 2-HDM not only provided alternative nonionic surfactants with rich phase behavior and versatile nanostructures, but also could be used as new drug carrier systems in the future.
  7. Fluorescence probing of the temperature-induced phase transition in a glycolipid self-assembly: hexagonal ↔ micellar and cubic ↔ lamellar
    Zahid NI, Abou-Zied OK, Hashim R, Heidelberg T
    Langmuir, 2012 Mar 20;28(11):4989-95.
    PMID: 22364590 DOI: 10.1021/la3001976
    Water-driven self-assembly of lipids displays a variety of liquid crystalline phases that are crucial for membrane functions. Herein, we characterize the temperature-induced phase transitions in two compositions of an aqueous self-assembly system of the octyl β-D-glucoside (βGlcOC(8)) system, using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The phase transitions hexagonal ↔ micellar and cubic ↔ lamellar were investigated using tryptophan (Trp) and two of its ester derivatives (Trp-C(4) and Trp-C(8)) to probe the polar headgroup region and pyrene to probe the hydrophobic tail region. The polarity of the headgroup region was estimated to be close to that of simple alcohols (methanol and ethanol) for all phases. The pyrene fluorescence indicates that the pyrene molecules are dispersed among the tails of the hydrophobic region, yet remain in close proximity to the polar head groups. Comparing the present results with our previously reported one for βMaltoOC(12), increasing the tail length of the hexagonal phase from C(8) to C(12) leads to less interaction with pyrene, which is attributed to the more random and wobbling motion of the longer alkyl tail. We measured a reduction (more hydrophobic) in the ratio of the vibronic peak intensities of pyrene (I(1)/I(3)) for the lamellar phase compared to that of the cubic phase. The higher polarity in the cubic phase can be correlated to the nature of its interface, which curves toward the bulk water. This geometry also explains the slight reduction in polarity of the headgroup region compared to the other phases. Upon the addition of Trp-C(8), the fluorescence lifetime of pyrene is reduced by 28% in the lamellar and cubic phases, whereas the I(1)/I(3) value is only slightly reduced. The results reflect the dominant role of dynamic interaction mechanism between the C(8) chain of Trp-C(8) and pyrene. This mechanism may be important for these two phases since they participate in the process of membrane fusion. Both lipid compositions show completely reversible temperature-induced phase transitions, reflecting the thermodynamic equilibrium structures of their mesophases. Probing both regions of the different lipid phases reveals a large degree of heterogeneity and flexibility of the lipid self-assembly. These properties are crucial for carrying out different biological functions such as the ability to accommodate various molecular sizes.
  8. Measurement of mass attenuation coefficients of Rhizophora spp. binderless particleboards in the 16.59-25.26 keV photon energy range and their density profile using x-ray computed tomography
    Marashdeh MW, Bauk S, Tajuddin AA, Hashim R
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2012 Apr;70(4):656-62.
    PMID: 22304963 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2012.01.008
    The mass attenuation coefficients of Rhizophora spp. binderless particleboard with four different particle sizes (samples A, B, C and D) and natural raw Rhizophora spp. wood (sample E) were determined using single-beam photon transmission in the energy range between 16.59 and 25.26 keV. This was done by determining the attenuation of K(α1) X-ray fluorescent (XRF) photons from niobium, molybdenum, palladium, silver and tin targets. The results were compared with theoretical values of young-age breast (Breast 1) and water calculated using a XCOM computer program. It was found that the mass attenuation coefficient of Rhizophora spp. binderless particleboards to be close to the calculated XCOM values in water than natural Rhizophora spp. wood. Computed tomography (CT) scans were then used to determine the density profile of the samples. The CT scan results showed that the Rhizophora spp. binderless particleboard has uniform density compared to natural Rhizophora spp. wood. In general, the differences in the variability of the profile density decrease as the particle size of the pellet samples decreases.
  9. The use of date palm as a potential adsorbent for wastewater treatment: a review
    Ahmad T, Danish M, Rafatullah M, Ghazali A, Sulaiman O, Hashim R, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2012 Jun;19(5):1464-84.
    PMID: 22207239 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-011-0709-8
    BACKGROUND: In tropical countries, the palm tree is one of the most abundant and important trees. Date palm is a principal fruit grown in many regions of the world. It is abundant, locally available and effective material that could be used as an adsorbent for the removal of different pollutants from aqueous solution.

    REVIEW: This article presents a review on the role of date palm as adsorbents in the removal of unwanted materials such as acid and basic dyes, heavy metals, and phenolic compounds. Many studies on adsorption properties of various low cost adsorbent, such as agricultural waste and activated carbons based on agricultural waste have been reported in recent years.

    CONCLUSION: Studies have shown that date palm-based adsorbents are the most promising adsorbents for removing unwanted materials. No previous review is available where researchers can get an overview of the adsorption capacities of date palm-based adsorbent used for the adsorption of different pollutants. This review provides the recent literature demonstrating the usefulness of date palm biomass-based adsorbents in the adsorption of various pollutants.

  10. Two new species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Peninsular Malaysia
    Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Hashim R, Yacob Z, Chen CD
    J Med Entomol, 2012 Jul;49(4):803-12.
    PMID: 22897040
    Two new species of black flies, Simulium (Comphostilbia) terengganuense sp. nov. and Simulium (Gomphostilbia) aziruni sp. nov. (Diptera: Simuliidae), are described on the basis of reared adult, pupal, and larval specimens collected from Peninsular Malaysia. Both species are placed in the batoense species-group within the subgenus Gomphostilbia, one of two dominant subgenera of the genus Simulium in Peninsular Malaysia as well as in the Oriental Region. Strikingly, three morphological characteristics that rarely occur in the subgenus Gomphostilbia are found in these two new species: the very narrow female frons and the mushroom-like pupal terminal hooks in S. (G.) terengganuense sp. nov. and the pupal gill composed of an inflated horn-like structure and eight slender filaments in S. (G.) aziruni sp. nov.
  11. Alkyl triazole glycosides (ATGs)--a new class of bio-related surfactants
    Sani FA, Heidelberg T, Hashim R, Farhanullah
    Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2012 Sep 1;97:196-200.
    PMID: 22609603 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2012.03.030
    A series of glucose based surfactants varying in chain length and anomeric configuration were synthesized and investigated on their surfactant properties. The synthesis applied glycosylation of propargyl alcohol followed by cycloaddition with alkyl azides in CLICK chemistry fashion. This approach enables a homogeneous coupling of hydrophilic unprotected sugars and hydrophobic paraffin components in low molecular weight alcohols without solvent side reactions, as commonly found for APGs. The combination of alcohols as inert medium with practically quantitative coupling of the surfactant domains avoids particularly hydrophobic contaminations of the surfactant, thus providing access to pure surfactants. ATGs with chain lengths up to 12 carbons exhibit Krafft points below room temperature and no cloud points were detected. The values for the CMC of ATGs with 12 carbon alkyl chains and above were in good agreement with those of corresponding alkyl glucosides. However, lower homologues exhibited significantly smaller CMCs, and the trend of the CMC upon the chain length did not match common surfactant behavior. This deviation may be related to the triazole that links the two surfactant domains.
  12. Locating abnormalities in brain blood vessels using parallel computing architecture
    Adeshina AM, Hashim R, Khalid NE, Abidin SZ
    Interdiscip Sci, 2012 Sep;4(3):161-72.
    PMID: 23292689 DOI: 10.1007/s12539-012-0132-y
    CT and MRI scans are widely used in medical diagnosis procedures, but they only produce 2-D images. However, the human anatomical structure, the abnormalities, tumors, tissues and organs are in 3-D. 2-D images from these devices are difficult to interpret because they only show cross-sectional views of the human structure. Consequently, such circumstances require doctors to use their expert experiences in the interpretation of the possible location, size or shape of the abnormalities, even for large datasets of enormous amount of slices. Previously, the concept of reconstructing 2-D images to 3-D was introduced. However, such reconstruction model requires high performance computation, may either be time-consuming or costly. Furthermore, detecting the internal features of human anatomical structure, such as the imaging of the blood vessels, is still an open topic in the computer-aided diagnosis of disorders and pathologies. This paper proposes a volume visualization framework using Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA), augmenting the widely proven ray casting technique in terms of superior qualities of images but with slow speed. Considering the rapid development of technology in the medical community, our framework is implemented on Microsoft.NET environment for easy interoperability with other emerging revolutionary tools. The framework was evaluated with brain datasets from the department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, United States, containing around 109 MRA datasets. Uniquely, at a reasonably cheaper cost, our framework achieves immediate reconstruction and obvious mappings of the internal features of human brain, reliable enough for instantaneous locations of possible blockages in the brain blood vessels.
  13. Molecular dynamics study of anhydrous lamellar structures of synthetic glycolipids: effects of chain branching and disaccharide headgroup
    Achari VM, Nguan HS, Heidelberg T, Bryce RA, Hashim R
    J Phys Chem B, 2012 Sep 27;116(38):11626-34.
    PMID: 22967067
    Glycolipids form materials of considerable potential for a wide range of surfactant and thin film applications. Understanding the effect of glycolipid covalent structure on the properties of their thermotropic and lyotropic assemblies is a key step toward rational design of new glycolipid-based materials. Here, we perform molecular dynamics simulations of anhydrous bilayers of dodecyl β-maltoside, dodecyl β-cellobioside, dodecyl β-isomaltoside, and a C(12)C(10) branched β-maltoside. Specifically, we examine the consequences of chain branching and headgroup identity on the structure and dynamics of the lamellar assemblies. Chain branching of the glycolipid leads to measurable differences in the dimensions and interactions of the lamellar assembly, as well as a more fluid-like hydrophobic chain region. Substitution of the maltosyl headgroup of βMal-C(12) by an isomaltosyl moiety leads to a significant decrease in bilayer spacing as well as a markedly altered pattern of inter-headgroup hydrogen bonding. The distinctive simulated structures of the two regioisomers provide insight into the difference of ~90 °C in their observed clearing temperatures. For all four simulated glycolipid systems, with the exception of the sn-2 chain of the branched maltoside, the alkyl chains are ordered and exhibit a distinct tilt, consistent with recent crystallographic analysis of a branched chain Guerbet glycoside. These insights into structure-property relationships from simulation provide an important molecular basis for future design of synthetic glycolipid materials.
  14. Optimisation of glycaemic control during episodes of severe/acute hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
    Huri HZ, Makmor-Bakry M, Hashim R, Mustafa N, Wan Ngah WZ
    Int J Clin Pharm, 2012 Dec;34(6):863-70.
    PMID: 22869200 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-012-9682-7
    BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are frequently admitted to the hospital with severe or acute hyperglycaemia secondary to an acute illness or disease. Uncontrolled glycaemia is a significant problem during severe or acute hyperglycaemia.

    OBJECTIVE: This study sought to identify demographic, clinical, and genetic factors that may contribute to increased insulin resistance or worsening of glycaemic control in patients with T2DM.

    SETTING: This prospective cohort study included 156 patients with T2DM and severe or acute hyperglycaemia who were treated with insulin at any medical ward of the National University of Malaysia Medical Centre.

    METHOD: Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance index. Glycaemic control during the episode of hyperglycaemia was assessed as the degree to which the patient achieved the target glucose levels. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to identify polymorphisms in insulin receptor substrate (IRS) genes.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Identification of possible predictors (demographic, clinical, or genetic) for insulin resistance and glycaemic control during severe/acute hyperglycaemia.

    RESULTS: A polymorphism in IRS1, r.2963 G>A (p.Gly972Arg), was a significant predictor of both insulin resistance [odds ratios (OR) 4.48; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.2-16.7; P = 0.03) and worsening of glycaemic control (OR 6.04; 95 % CI 0.6-64.6; P = 0.02). The use of loop diuretics (P < 0.05) and antibiotics (P < 0.05) may indirectly predict worsening of insulin resistance or glycaemic control in patients with severe/acute hyperglycaemia.

    CONCLUSION: Clinical and genetic factors contribute to worsening of insulin resistance and glycaemic control during severe/acute hyperglycaemia in patients with T2DM. Early identification of factors that may influence insulin resistance and glycaemic control may help to achieve optimal glycaemic control during severe/acute hyperglycaemia.

  15. DFT study of glucose based glycolipid crown ethers and their complexes with alkali metal cations Na(+) and K(+)
    Nguan H, Ahmadi S, Hashim R
    J Mol Model, 2012 Dec;18(12):5041-50.
    PMID: 22752540 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-012-1497-x
    A theoretical study of a series of five glucose based glycolipid crown ethers and their complexes with Na(+) and K(+) was performed using the density functional theory with B3LYP/6-31 G* to obtain the optimized geometrical structures and electronic properties. The local nucleophilicity of the five molecules was investigated using Fukui function, while the global nucleophilicity was calculated from the ionization potential and electron affinity. The structures and coordination of the complexes were studied to identify the best match of the glycolipid crown ethers with cations. In general, it was found that the oxygen atoms pairs O2 and O3 (or O4 and O6) on the sugar ring are constrained from moving toward the cation, which results in a weaker O-cation coordination strength for the oxygen pair compared to the other oxygen atoms in the crown ether ring. The thermodynamic properties of the binding of the complexes and the exchange reaction in gas phase were evaluated. The cation selectivity pattern among the five molecules was in good agreement with the experiment.
  16. Phytochemical analysis, cytotoxic activity and constituents-activity relationships of the leaves of Cinnamomum iners (Reinw. ex Blume-Lauraceae)
    Ghalib RM, Hashim R, Sulaiman O, Mehdi SH, Anis Z, Rahman SZ, et al.
    Nat Prod Res, 2012;26(22):2155-8.
    PMID: 22181707 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2011.633083
    The leaves of Cinnamomum iners (Reinw. ex Blume-Lauraceae) have been refluxed successively with chloroform and alcohol to get chloroform extract and alcoholic extract. Both the extracts have been assayed for cytotoxicity against human colorectal tumour cells. The chloroform extract exhibited significant cytotoxicity with IC(50) 31 µg mL(-1) (p  200 µg mL(-1). The chloroform extract has been further proceeded for chemical analysis by GC-TOFMS and 178 components were identified including acids, amines, amides, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, benzene derivatives, bicyclic compounds, terpenes, hydrocarbons, naphthalene derivatives, furan derivatives, azulenes, etc. Nine components representing 51.73% of the total chloroform extract were detected as major components. Caryophyllene (14.41%) and Eicosanoic acid ethyl ester (12.17%) are the most prominent components of the chloroform extract. β-Caryophyllene (14.41%) as most abundant compound supports potent cytotoxicity as shown by chloroform extract.
  17. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Malaysian tertiary centre
    Rashid ZZ, Bahari N, Othman A, Jaafar R, Mohamed NA, Jabbari I, et al.
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2013 Jan;44(1):104-8.
    PMID: 23682444
    Abstract. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a pathogen recognized to be distinct in both phenotype and genotype from hospital-acquired MRSA. We have identified CA-MRSA cases in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, including their antibiotic susceptibility patterns and genotypic characteristics. Cases were identified during January to December 2009 from routine clinical specimens, where culture and antibiotic susceptibility results yielded pauci-resistant MRSA isolates suspected as being CA-MRSA. The patients' clinical data were collected and their specimens were sent for molecular confirmation and analysis. Five cases of CA-MRSA were identified, which had a multi-sensitive pattern on antibiotic susceptibility tests and were resistant to only penicillin and oxacillin. All cases were skin and soft-tissue infections, including diabetic foot with gangrene, infected scalp hematoma, philtrum abscess in a healthcare worker, thrombophlebitis complicated with abscess and infected bedsore. All five cases were confirmed MRSA by detection of mecA. SCCmec typing (ccr and mec complex) revealed SCCmec type IV for all cases except the infected bedsore case. Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene was positive in all isolates. As clinical features among methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, CA-MRSA and "nosocomial CA-MRSA" are indistinct, early recognition is necessary in order to initiate appropriate antibiotics and infection control measures. Continual surveillance of pauci-resistant MRSA and molecular analysis are necessary in order to identify emerging strains as well as their epidemiology and transmission, both in the community and in healthcare setting.
  18. Hydrogen bonds in galactopyranoside and glucopyranoside: a density functional theory study
    Mosapour Kotena Z, Behjatmanesh-Ardakani R, Hashim R, Manickam Achari V
    J Mol Model, 2013 Feb;19(2):589-99.
    PMID: 22972691 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-012-1576-z
    Density functional theory calculations on two glycosides, namely, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (C(8)O-β-Glc) and n-octyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (C(8)O-β-Gal) were performed for geometry optimization at the B3LYP/6-31G level. Both molecules are stereoisomers (epimers) differing only in the orientation of the hydroxyl group at the C4 position. Thus it is interesting to investigate electronically the effect of the direction (axial/equatorial) of the hydroxyl group at the C4 position. The structure parameters of X-H∙∙∙Y intramolecular hydrogen bonds were analyzed, while the nature of these bonds and the intramolecular interactions were considered using the atoms in molecules (AIM) approach. Natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) was used to determine bond orders, charge and lone pair electrons on each atom and effective non-bonding interactions. We have also reported electronic energy and dipole moment in gas and solution phases. Further, the electronic properties such as the highest occupied molecular orbital, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronic chemical potential, chemical hardness, softness and electrophilicity index, are also presented here for both C(8)O-β-Glc and C(8)O-β-Gal. These results show that, while C(8)O-β-Glc possess- only one hydrogen bond, C(8)O-β-Gal has two intramolecular hydrogen bonds, which further confirms the anomalous stability of the latter in self-assembly phenomena.
  19. Fulltext Polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis and simplified polymer recovery by a novel moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from hypersaline microbial mats
    Rathi DN, Amir HG, Abed RM, Kosugi A, Arai T, Sulaiman O, et al.
    J Appl Microbiol, 2013 Feb;114(2):384-95.
    PMID: 23176757 DOI: 10.1111/jam.12083
    Halophilic micro-organisms have received much interest because of their potential biotechnological applications, among which is the capability of some strains to synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Halomonas sp. SK5, which was isolated from hypersaline microbial mats, accumulated intracellular granules of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] in modified accumulation medium supplemented with 10% (w/v) salinity and 3% (w/v) glucose.
  20. Multimodal 3-D reconstruction of human anatomical structures using SurLens Visualization System
    Adeshina AM, Hashim R, Khalid NE, Abidin SZ
    Interdiscip Sci, 2013 Mar;5(1):23-36.
    PMID: 23605637 DOI: 10.1007/s12539-013-0155-z
    In the medical diagnosis and treatment planning, radiologists and surgeons rely heavily on the slices produced by medical imaging devices. Unfortunately, these image scanners could only present the 3-D human anatomical structure in 2-D. Traditionally, this requires medical professional concerned to study and analyze the 2-D images based on their expert experience. This is tedious, time consuming and prone to error; expecially when certain features are occluding the desired region of interest. Reconstruction procedures was earlier proposed to handle such situation. However, 3-D reconstruction system requires high performance computation and longer processing time. Integrating efficient reconstruction system into clinical procedures involves high resulting cost. Previously, brain's blood vessels reconstruction with MRA was achieved using SurLens Visualization System. However, adapting such system to other image modalities, applicable to the entire human anatomical structures, would be a meaningful contribution towards achieving a resourceful system for medical diagnosis and disease therapy. This paper attempts to adapt SurLens to possible visualisation of abnormalities in human anatomical structures using CT and MR images. The study was evaluated with brain MR images from the department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, United States and CT abdominal pelvic, from the Swedish National Infrastructure for Computing. The MR images contain around 109 datasets each of T1-FLASH, T2-Weighted, DTI and T1-MPRAGE. Significantly, visualization of human anatomical structure was achieved without prior segmentation. SurLens was adapted to visualize and display abnormalities, such as an indication of walderstrom's macroglobulinemia, stroke and penetrating brain injury in the human brain using Magentic Resonance (MR) images. Moreover, possible abnormalities in abdominal pelvic was also visualized using Computed Tomography (CT) slices. The study shows SurLens' functionality as a 3-D Multimodal Visualization System.
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