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Fulltext Effect of Luting Cements On the Bond Strength to Turkom-Cera All-Ceramic Material

Al-Makramani BMA, Razak AAA, Abu-Hassan MI, Al-Sanabani FA, Albakri FM

Open Access Maced J Med Sci, 2018 Mar 15;6(3):548-553.
PMID: 29610618 DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2018.111

BACKGROUND: The selection of the appropriate luting cement is a key factor for achieving a strong bond between prepared teeth and dental restorations.
AIM: To evaluate the shear bond strength of Zinc phosphate cement Elite, glass ionomer cement Fuji I, resin-modified glass ionomer cement Fuji Plus and resin luting cement Panavia-F to Turkom-Cera all-ceramic material.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Turkom-Cera was used to form discs 10mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness (n = 40). The ceramic discs were wet ground, air - particle abraded with 50 - μm aluminium oxide particles and randomly divided into four groups (n = 10). The luting cement was bonded to Turkom-Cera discs as per manufacturer instructions. The shear bond strengths were determined using the universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The data were analysed using the tests One Way ANOVA, the nonparametric Kruskal - Wallis test and Mann - Whitney Post hoc test.
RESULTS: The shear bond strength of the Elite, Fuji I, Fuji Plus and Panavia F groups were: 0.92 ± 0.42, 2.04 ± 0.78, 4.37 ± 1.18, and 16.42 ± 3.38 MPa, respectively. There was the statistically significant difference between the four luting cement tested (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: the phosphate-containing resin cement Panavia-F exhibited shear bond strength value significantly higher than all materials tested.
Impact of Ramadan fasting on disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis: a multicenter study

Hassan A, Merghany N, Ouchkat F, Regragui W, Kedah H, Hamdy SM, et al.

Nutr Neurosci, 2021 Nov 28.
PMID: 34842062 DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2021.2006955

BACKGROUND: The safety of Ramadan fasting for Muslim patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) is still a matter of debate. This work aimed to study the clinical course of MS during Ramadan fasting and to clarify the predictors of relapses and symptoms exacerbation.
METHODS: This retrospective study included 153 Muslim patients with MS. Data related to the disease course before Ramadan were obtained from patients' files, whereas data related to the disease activity during Ramadan, were collected from patients over the two months following Ramadan.
RESULTS: Patients with MS who experienced relapses, exacerbation of symptoms and development of new symptoms during Ramadan had a statistically significant longer disease duration compared to those who did not experience (P < 0.001, <0.001, 0.01 respectively). Also, patients who experienced relapses, exacerbation of symptoms and development of new symptoms during Ramadan had a statistically significant higher expanded disability status scale (EDSS) compared to those who did not experience (P <0.001, <0.001,0.01, respectively). The occurrence of relapses, exacerbation of symptoms and development of new symptoms during Ramadan, were significantly higher in patients who experienced relapses in the preceding year compared to those who did not (P= 0.002, 0.002, 0.01, respectively). Binary logistic regression revealed that each score elevation of EDSS increased the odds of relapse during Ramadan by 1.02 (P-value = 0.04). Also, each month's increase in disease duration increased the odds of relapse during Ramadan by 1.87 (P-value = 0.046).
CONCLUSION: High EDSS and long disease duration are independent predictors of relapse during Ramadan.
Fulltext The Efficacy of Squalene in Cardiovascular Disease Risk-A Systematic Review

Ibrahim N', Fairus S, Zulfarina MS, Naina Mohamed I

Nutrients, 2020 Feb 05;12(2).
PMID: 32033387 DOI: 10.3390/nu12020414

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Squalene (SQ), an intermediate for the cholesterol biosynthesis, has been proposed to act similarly to statins via inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in the liver.
PURPOSE: This paper explores the effects of SQ in CVD.
METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify relevant studies about SQ and CVD. A comprehensive search in Medline and Scopus for relevant studies published between the years 1946 and 2019 was performed. The main inclusion criteria were that the study was published in English; that the study reported association or effect of SQ and CVD; and that CVD should be related to lifestyle variables, aging, or experimentally induced conditions.
RESULTS: The literature searches identified 5562 potentially relevant articles, whereby 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. There were three human studies and 18 animal experimental studies included in this paper. Only one human study reported positive outcome of SQ in CVD. The remaining two studies reported inconsistent and/or no effect. For animal studies, 15 studies reported positive effect while the remaining reported negative and/or no effect of SQ on various related parameters.
CONCLUSIONS: This evidence-based review emphasizes the potential of SQ being used for cardiovascular-related diseases. The effect of SQ, especially of plant-based warrants further exploration. Controlled human observational studies should be performed to provide comprehensive evidence.
Fulltext Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Burstein R, Henry NJ, Collison ML, Marczak LB, Sligar A, Watson S, et al.

Nature, 2019 Oct;574(7778):353-358.
PMID: 31619795 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1545-0

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2-to end preventable child deaths by 2030-we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000-2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations.
Fulltext Coconut oil and cholesterol as challenge agents to induce hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in hamster animal model

Syarifah-Noratiqah, S.B., Zulfarina, M.S., 'Atiqah, A., Qodriyah, H.M.S., Naina-Mohamed, I., Fairus, S.

Medicine & Health, 2018;13(1):29-48.
MyJurnal

Hyperlipidemia is a condition of high lipid levels in the plasma and often linked with the deposition of lipid droplets in the aorta which initiate the progression of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a common cardiovascular disorder initiated by the formation of foams cells in the vascular wall which leads to turbulent blood flow, injury to the endothelial layer and subsequent vascular thrombosis. Since the early 1980’s, Golden-Syrian hamsters have been widely used as an animal model in the research of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. The use of hamsters in the hyperlipidemic and atherosclerotic model is due to their lipoprotein profile that is closer to human setting, sensitive to high-fat high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet and a suitable rodent model. Atherosclerosis can be induced in hamsters through dietary challenge with HFHC diet. Over the decades, coconut oil (CNO) was commonly used as the source of fat in the diet design of high saturated fatty acids (SFA) composition. In this review, we summarized published literature with designs involving CNO plus cholesterol-induced hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis or both. The factors that may influence the ability of CNO and cholesterol combination to induce hyperlipidemia such as the period of dietary intervention, hamster strains and the dietary amount were evaluated and summarized.
Fulltext Interdependence of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Squalene-Implication for Cardiovascular Health

Ibrahim N', Naina Mohamed I

Life (Basel), 2021 Jan 29;11(2).
PMID: 33573041 DOI: 10.3390/life11020103

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been recognized as the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for 31% of global mortality. Among the risk factors of CVD, hyperlipidemia has been established as the most potent risk factor. Statins, a class of drug that reduces lower-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), are the preferred medical treatment. However, due to the development of statin-associated muscle symptoms, statins are associated with patients' discontinuation and nonadherence. Other statin-induced side effects, such as hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal upset, all contribute to patients choosing alternative medicines. Squalene (SQ), an unsaturated hydrocarbon naturally synthesized in plants and animals, could become the alternative treatment or supplementary agent for cardiovascular health. SQ has been shown to exert cardioprotective effect via its antioxidant activity. Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses are closely related to each other, which proposes an interdependence relation between antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Therefore, this review explores the interdependence between the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of SQ implicated on cardiovascular health.
Fulltext Subxiphoid uniportal lobectomy

ElSaegh MMM, Ismail NA, Mydin MI, Nardini M, Dunning J

J Vis Surg, 2017;3:24.
PMID: 29078587 DOI: 10.21037/jovs.2016.12.05

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) surgery has seen an evolution from multiple ports to uniportal and finally subxiphoid uniportal recently. In traditional VATS surgery, the instruments and the thoracoscope enter the thoracic cavity through two to four operating ports on the lateral chest wall, which can cause chronic pain and chest wall numbness. However single-portal VATS surgery could potentially cause similar problems as the port is placed in between the ribs. In March 2015 Liu et al. reported a VATS bilateral pulmonary metastasectomy and right middle lobectomy via a subxiphoid uniportal technique. The advantage of the uniportal subxiphoid approach is the ability to use different size of instruments and freedom of movement as there is no limitation by the ribs. Post-operative pain typically experienced due to bruising of the intercostal nerves is also avoided in this approach. Shanghai Pulmonary hospital has taken VATS surgery to the next level with subxiphoid uniportal VATS (SVATS) lung resection, whereby this method is performed in large volumes of cases. Here we describe our experience of a uniportal subxiphoid VATS right middle lobectomy using the Shanghai technique, the first in the UK. A uniportal sub-xiphoid lobectomy was performed on a 62-year-old lifelong smoker male patient with a histological diagnosis of right middle lobe adenocarcinoma, measuring 1.5 cm and radiological staging of T1aN0M0. We have been performing microlobectomies in our institution (with the utility port placed in the subxiphoid region) which is technically similar to this approach. This is the first subxiphoid uniportal lobectomy performed in the UK. The operation was done successfully and the patient was discharged home 2 days later without any complications.
Fulltext Inducible T7 RNA Polymerase-mediated Multigene Expression System, pMGX

Hassan MI, McSorley FR, Hotta K, Boddy CN

J Vis Exp, 2017 06 27.
PMID: 28715370 DOI: 10.3791/55187

Co-expression of multiple proteins is increasingly essential for synthetic biology, studying protein-protein complexes, and characterizing and harnessing biosynthetic pathways. In this manuscript, the use of a highly effective system for the construction of multigene synthetic operons under the control of an inducible T7 RNA polymerase is described. This system allows many genes to be expressed simultaneously from one plasmid. Here, a set of four related vectors, pMGX-A, pMGX-hisA, pMGX-K, and pMGX-hisK, with either the ampicillin or kanamycin resistance selectable marker (A and K) and either possessing or lacking an N-terminal hexahistidine tag (his) are disclosed. Detailed protocols for the construction of synthetic operons using this vector system are provided along with the corresponding data, showing that a pMGX-based system containing five genes can be readily constructed and used to produce all five encoded proteins in Escherichia coli. This system and protocol enables researchers to routinely express complex multi-component modules and pathways in E. coli.
Comparison of the load at fracture of Turkom-Cera to Procera AllCeram and In-Ceram all-ceramic restorations

AL-Makramani BM, Razak AA, Abu-Hassan MI

J Prosthodont, 2009 Aug;18(6):484-8.
PMID: 19694015

PURPOSE: This study investigated the occlusal fracture resistance of Turkom-Cerafused alumina compared to Procera AllCeram and In-Ceram all-ceramic restorations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixmaster dies were duplicated from the prepared maxillary first premolar tooth using nonprecious metal alloy (Wiron 99). Ten copings of 0.6 mm thickness were fabricated from each type of ceramic, for a total of thirty copings. Two master dies were used for each group, and each of them was used to lute five copings. All groups were cemented with resin luting cement Panavia F according to manufacturer's instructions and received a static load of 5 kg during cementation. After 24 hours of distilled water storage at 37 degrees C, the copings were vertically compressed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min.
RESULTS: The results of the present study showed the following mean loads at fracture: Turkom-Cera (2184 +/- 164 N), In-Ceram (2042 +/- 200 N), and Procera AllCeram (1954 +/- 211 N). ANOVA and Scheffe's post hoc test showed that the mean load at fracture of Turkom-Cera was significantly different from Procera AllCeram (p < 0.05). Scheffe's post hoc test showed no significant difference between the mean load at fracture of Turkom-Cera and In-Ceram or between the mean load at fracture of In-Ceram and Procera AllCeram.
CONCLUSION: Because Turkom-Cera demonstrated equal to or higher loads at fracture than currently accepted all-ceramic materials, it would seem to be acceptable for fabrication of anterior and posterior ceramic crowns.
Fulltext Comparing the appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing among medical patients in two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia

Loong LS, Siew Mei Lai P, Jamaluddin NAH, Naina-Mohamed I, Periyasamy P, Lau CL, et al.

J Infect Dev Ctries, 2022 Dec 31;16(12):1877-1886.
PMID: 36753656 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.15925

INTRODUCTION: Malaysia is an upper-middle-income country with national antimicrobial stewardship programs in place. However, hospitals in this country are faced with a high incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms and high usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Therefore, this study aimed to use a standardized audit tool to assess clinical appropriateness, guideline compliance, and prescribing patterns of antimicrobial use among medical patients in two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia to benchmark practice.
METHODOLOGY: A prospective hospital-wide point prevalence survey was carried out by a multidisciplinary team in April 2019 at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and the Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Data was collected from the patient's electronic medical records and recorded using the Hospital National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey toolkit developed by the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Australia.
RESULTS: The appropriateness of prescriptions was 60.1% (UMMC) and 67% (HCTM), with no significant difference between the two hospitals. Compliance with guidelines was 60.0% (UMMC) and 61.5% (HCTM). Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial (UMMC = 16.9%; HCTM = 11.9%).
CONCLUSIONS: The appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing in medical wards, compliance with guidelines, and prescribing patterns were similar between the two hospitals in Malaysia. The survey identified several areas of prescribing that would need targeted AMS interventions.
Fulltext Perspectives and Consensus among International Orthopaedic Surgeons during Initial and Mid-lockdown Phases of Coronavirus Disease

Jerome JTJ, Mercier F, Mudgal CS, Arenas-Prat J, Vinagre G, Goorens CK, et al.

J Hand Microsurg, 2020 Dec;12(3):135-162.
PMID: 33408440 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713964

With a lot of uncertainty, unclear, and frequently changing management protocols, COVID-19 has significantly impacted the orthopaedic surgical practice during this pandemic crisis. Surgeons around the world needed closed introspection, contemplation, and prospective consensual recommendations for safe surgical practice and prevention of viral contamination. One hundred orthopaedic surgeons from 50 countries were sent a Google online form with a questionnaire explicating protocols for admission, surgeries, discharge, follow-up, relevant information affecting their surgical practices, difficulties faced, and many more important issues that happened during and after the lockdown. Ten surgeons critically construed and interpreted the data to form rationale guidelines and recommendations. Of the total, hand and microsurgery surgeons (52%), trauma surgeons (32%), joint replacement surgeons (20%), and arthroscopy surgeons (14%) actively participated in the survey. Surgeons from national public health care/government college hospitals (44%) and private/semiprivate practitioners (54%) were involved in the study. Countries had lockdown started as early as January 3, 2020 with the implementation of partial or complete lifting of lockdown in few countries while writing this article. Surgeons (58%) did not stop their surgical practice or clinics but preferred only emergency cases during the lockdown. Most of the surgeons (49%) had three-fourths reduction in their total patients turn-up and the remaining cases were managed by conservative (54%) methods. There was a 50 to 75% reduction in the number of surgeries. Surgeons did perform emergency procedures without COVID-19 tests but preferred reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR; 77%) and computed tomography (CT) scan chest (12%) tests for all elective surgical cases. Open fracture and emergency procedures (60%) and distal radius (55%) fractures were the most commonly performed surgeries. Surgeons preferred full personal protection equipment kits (69%) with a respirator (N95/FFP3), but in the case of unavailability, they used surgical masks and normal gowns. Regional/local anesthesia (70%) remained their choice for surgery to prevent the aerosolized risk of contaminations. Essential surgical follow-up with limited persons and visits was encouraged by 70% of the surgeons, whereas teleconsultation and telerehabilitation by 30% of the surgeons. Despite the protective equipment, one-third of the surgeons were afraid of getting infected and 56% feared of infecting their near and dear ones. Orthopaedic surgeons in private practice did face 50 to 75% financial loss and have to furlough 25% staff and 50% paramedical persons. Orthopaedics meetings were cancelled, and virtual meetings have become the preferred mode of sharing the knowledge and experiences avoiding human contacts. Staying at home, reading, and writing manuscripts became more interesting and an interesting lifestyle change is seen among the surgeons. Unanimously and without any doubt all accepted the fact that COVID-19 pandemic has reached an unprecedented level where personal hygiene, hand washing, social distancing, and safe surgical practices are the viable antidotes, and they have all slowly integrated these practices into their lives. Strict adherence to local authority recommendations and guidelines, uniform and standardized norms for admission, inpatient, and discharge, mandatory RT-PCR tests before surgery and in selective cases with CT scan chest, optimizing and regularizing the surgeries, avoiding and delaying nonemergency surgeries and follow-up protocols, use of teleconsultations cautiously, and working in close association with the World Health Organization and national health care systems will provide a conducive and safe working environment for orthopaedic surgeons and their fraternity and also will prevent the resurgence of COVID-19.
Trend analysis of a tropical urban river water quality in Malaysia

Othman F, M E AE, Mohamed I

J Environ Monit, 2012 Dec;14(12):3164-73.
PMID: 23128415 DOI: 10.1039/c2em30676j

Rivers play a significant role in providing water resources for human and ecosystem survival and health. Hence, river water quality is an important parameter that must be preserved and monitored. As the state of Selangor and the city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are undergoing tremendous development, the river is subjected to pollution from point and non-point sources. The water quality of the Klang River basin, one of the most densely populated areas within the region, is significantly degraded due to human activities as well as urbanization. Evaluation of the overall river water quality status is normally represented by a water quality index (WQI), which consists of six parameters, namely dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, ammoniacal nitrogen and pH. The objectives of this study are to assess the water quality status for this tropical, urban river and to establish the WQI trend. Using monthly WQI data from 1997 to 2007, time series were plotted and trend analysis was performed by employing the first-order autocorrelated trend model on the moving average values for every station. The initial and final values of either the moving average or the trend model were used as the estimates of the initial and final WQI at the stations. It was found that Klang River water quality has shown some improvement between 1997 and 2007. Water quality remains good in the upper stream area, which provides vital water sources for water treatment plants in the Klang valley. Meanwhile, the water quality has also improved in other stations. Results of the current study suggest that the present policy on managing river quality in the Klang River has produced encouraging results; the policy should, however, be further improved alongside more vigorous monitoring of pollution discharge from various point sources such as industrial wastewater, municipal sewers, wet markets, sand mining and landfills, as well as non-point sources such as agricultural or urban runoff and commercial activity.
Malaysian dental graduates' competence in holistic care: what do graduates and employers think?

Yusof ZY, Jaafar N, Jallaludin RL, Abu-Hassan MI, Razak IA

J Dent Educ, 2010 Dec;74(12):1380-7.
PMID: 21123505

The purpose of this study was to explore the University of Malaya (UM) dental graduates' competence in holistic care in real settings from the employers' and graduates' perspectives. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of ten domains was sent to thirty senior dental officers of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and 164 UM graduates. In this article, nineteen major competencies that best represent the graduates' competence in the provision of holistic care are discussed. Each competency was rated on a scale of 1 (very poor) to 4 (very good) and was categorized as "poor and of major concern" (if less than 60 percent of respondents scored good or very good), "satisfactory and of minor concern" (60-69 percent), or "excellent" (70 percent and above). One hundred and six out of 164 graduates (64.6 percent) and twenty-nine out of thirty employers (96.7 percent) responded. Overall, the employers rated the graduates lower than what the graduates rated themselves on all items. While the graduates felt they were excellent and satisfactory in sixteen out of nineteen items (84.2 percent), the employers felt they were poor in fourteen out of nineteen (73.7 percent). Both groups agreed that the graduates were excellent in communication, but poor in life-saving skills, obtaining patient's family and psychosocial histories, and recognizing signs and symptoms (not intraoral) indicating the presence of a systemic disease. In conclusion, although the graduates felt competent in the majority of the holistic care competencies, the employers had some reservations over such claims. Outcomes of the study led to recommendations to incorporate longer community-based learning hours, an improved behavioral science component, a module for special care patients, and multidepartmental collaborative teachings in the new integrated program aimed for implementation in 2011.
A comparison of different standard-setting methods for professional qualifying dental examination

Abd-Rahman ANA, Baharuddin IH, Abu-Hassan MI, Davies SJ

J Dent Educ, 2021 Jul;85(7):1210-1216.
PMID: 33792052 DOI: 10.1002/jdd.12600

BACKGROUND: The outcome of assessments is determined by the standard-setting method used. Standard setting is the process of deciding what is good enough. A cutoff score of 50% was commonly used in dental schools in Malaysia. This study aims to compare the conventional, norm-referenced, and modified-Angoff standard-setting methods.
METHODS: The norm-referenced method of standard setting was applied to the real scores of 40 final-year dental students on a multiple-choice question (MCQ), a short answer question (SAQ), and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). A panel of 10 judges set the standard using the modified-Angoff method for the same paper in one sitting. One judge set the passing score of 10 OSCE questions after 2 weeks. A comparison of the grades and pass/fail rates derived from the absolute standard, norm-referenced, and modified-Angoff methods was made. The intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities of the modified-Angoff method were assessed.
RESULTS: The passing rate for the absolute standard was 100% (40/40), for the norm-referenced method it was 62.5% (25/40), and for the modified-Angoff method it was 80% (32/40). The modified-Angoff method had good inter-rater reliability of 0.876 and excellent test-retest reliability of 0.941.
CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in the outcomes of these three standard-setting methods, as shown by the difference in the proportion of candidates who passed and failed the assessment. The modified-Angoff method was found to have good reliability for use with a professional qualifying dental examination.
Influence of Adolescents' Physical Activity on Bone Mineral Acquisition: A Systematic Review Article

Zulfarina MS, Sharkawi AM, Aqilah-S N ZS, Mokhtar SA, Nazrun SA, Naina-Mohamed I

Iran J Public Health, 2016 Dec;45(12):1545-1557.
PMID: 28053920

BACKGROUND: This study conducted to examine and to provide a systematic literature over the influence of adolescents' physical activity (PA) in maximizing`s peak bone mass (PBM). PBM or the 'bone bank' is an important determinant in achieving healthy bone. PA is one of the bone's lifestyle contributors and high PBM is one of the major strategies for preventing osteoporosis.
METHODS: A computerized literature search using Medline (Ovid) and Scopus were conducted to identify relevant observational studies on the influence of different level of PA on bone acquisition among the healthy adolescent population. All articles included, were limited to original articles and English language.
RESULTS: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Reported bone outcomes were of bone mass, bone structure and bone strength. Eight studies showed positive association between adolescents' PA and high bone variables. The influence of PA may differ according to sex, skeletal sites and bone outcomes.
CONCLUSION: This study supported the importance of increase adolescents' regular PA in optimizing PBM thus preventing osteoporosis at later life.
Reliability and validity of MicroScribe-3DXL system in comparison with radiographic cephalometric system: Angular measurements

Barmou MM, Hussain SF, Abu Hassan MI

Int Orthod, 2018 06;16(2):314-327.
PMID: 29673688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ortho.2018.03.005

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the reliability and validity of cephalometric variables from MicroScribe-3DXL.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven cephalometric variables (facial angle, ANB, maxillary depth, U1/FH, FMA, IMPA, FMIA) were measured by a dentist in 60 Malay subjects (30 males and 30 females) with class I occlusion and balanced face. Two standard images were taken for each subject with conventional cephalometric radiography and MicroScribe-3DXL. All the images were traced and analysed. SPSS version 2.0 was used for statistical analysis with P-value was set at P<0.05.
RESULTS: The results revealed a significant statistic difference in four measurements (U1/FH, FMA, IMPA, FMIA) with P-value range (0.00 to 0.03). The difference in the measurements was considered clinically acceptable. The overall reliability of MicroScribe-3DXL was 92.7% and its validity was 91.8%.
CONCLUSION: The MicroScribe-3DXL is reliable and valid to most of the cephalometric variables with the advantages of saving time and cost. This is a promising device to assist in diverse areas in dental practice and research.
Fulltext The ability of streptomycin-loaded chitosan-coated magnetic nanocomposites to possess antimicrobial and antituberculosis activities

El Zowalaty ME, Hussein Al Ali SH, Husseiny MI, Geilich BM, Webster TJ, Hussein MZ

Int J Nanomedicine, 2015;10:3269-74.
PMID: 25995633 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S74469

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized by the coprecipitation of Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) iron salts in alkali media. MNPs were coated by chitosan (CS) to produce CS-MNPs. Streptomycin (Strep) was loaded onto the surface of CS-MNPs to form a Strep-CS-MNP nanocomposite. MNPs, CS-MNPs, and the nanocomposites were subsequently characterized using X-ray diffraction and were evaluated for their antibacterial activity. The antimicrobial activity of the as-synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated using different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. For the first time, it was found that the nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activities against the tested microorganisms (albeit with a more pronounced effect against Gram-negative than Gram-positive bacteria), and thus, should be further studied as a novel nano-antibiotic for numerous antimicrobial and antituberculosis applications. Moreover, since these nanoparticle bacteria fighters are magnetic, one can easily envision magnetic field direction of these nanoparticles to fight unwanted microorganism presence on demand. Due to the ability of magnetic nanoparticles to increase the sensitivity of imaging modalities (such as magnetic resonance imaging), these novel nanoparticles can also be used to diagnose the presence of such microorganisms. In summary, although requiring further investigation, this study introduces for the first time a new type of magnetic nanoparticle with microorganism theranostic properties as a potential tool to both diagnose and treat diverse microbial and tuberculosis infections.
Fulltext o-Vanillin Derived Schiff Bases and Their Organotin(IV) Compounds: Synthesis, Structural Characterisation, In-Silico Studies and Cytotoxicity

Yusof ENM, Latif MAM, Tahir MIM, Sakoff JA, Simone MI, Page AJ, et al.

Int J Mol Sci, 2019 Feb 15;20(4).
PMID: 30781445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040854

Six new organotin(IV) compounds of Schiff bases derived from S-R-dithiocarbazate [R = benzyl (B), 2- or 4-methylbenzyl (2M and 4M, respectively)] condensed with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (oVa) were synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, various spectroscopic techniques including infrared, UV-vis, multinuclear (¹H, 13C, 119Sn) NMR and mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The organotin(IV) compounds were synthesised from the reaction of Ph₂SnCl₂ or Me₂SnCl₂ with the Schiff bases (S2MoVaH/S4MoVaH/SBoVaH) to form a total of six new organotin(IV) compounds that had a general formula of [R₂Sn(L)] (where L = Schiff base; R = Ph or Me). The molecular geometries of Me₂Sn(S2MoVa), Me₂Sn(S4MoVa) and Me₂Sn(SBoVa) were established by X-ray crystallography and verified using density functional theory calculations. Interestingly, each experimental structure contained two independent but chemically similar molecules in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. The coordination geometry for each molecule was defined by thiolate-sulphur, phenoxide-oxygen and imine-nitrogen atoms derived from a dinegative, tridentate dithiocarbazate ligand with the remaining positions occupied by the methyl-carbon atoms of the organo groups. In each case, the resulting five-coordinate C₂NOS geometry was almost exactly intermediate between ideal trigonal-bipyramidal and square-pyramidal geometries. The cytotoxic activities of the Schiff bases and organotin(IV) compounds were investigated against EJ-28 and RT-112 (bladder), HT29 (colon), U87 and SJ-G2 (glioblastoma), MCF-7 (breast) A2780 (ovarian), H460 (lung), A431 (skin), DU145 (prostate), BE2-C (neuroblastoma) and MIA (pancreatic) cancer cell lines and one normal breast cell line (MCF-10A). Diphenyltin(IV) compounds exhibited greater potency than either the Schiff bases or the respective dimethyltin(IV) compounds. Mechanistic studies on the action of these compounds against bladder cancer cells revealed that they induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The bladder cancer cells were apoptotic after 24 h post-treatment with the diphenyltin(IV) compounds. The interactions of the organotin(IV) compounds with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were experimentally explored using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. This study revealed that the organotin(IV) compounds have strong DNA binding affinity, verified via molecular docking simulations, which suggests that these organotin(IV) compounds interact with DNA via groove-binding interactions.
Fulltext The Pharmacological Potential of Oil Palm Phenolics (OPP) Individual Components

Syarifah-Noratiqah SB, Zulfarina MS, Ahmad SU, Fairus S, Naina-Mohamed I

Int J Med Sci, 2019;16(5):711-719.
PMID: 31217739 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.29934

The oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) from the family Arecaceae is a high oil-producing agricultural crop. A significant amount of vegetation liquor is discarded during the palm oil milling process amounting to 90 million tons per year around the world. This water-soluble extract is rich in phenolic compounds known as Oil Palm Phenolics (OPP). Several phenolic acids including the three isomers of caffeoylshikimic acid (CFA), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), protocatechuic acid (PCA) and hydroxytyrosol are among the primary active ingredients in the OPP. Previous investigations have reported several positive pharmacological potentials by OPP such as neuroprotective and atheroprotective effects, anti-tumor and reduction in Aβ deposition in Alzheimer's disease model. In the current review, the pharmacological potential for CFA, PHBA, PCA and hydroxytyrosol is carefully reviewed and evaluated.
Fulltext Health-Seeking Behavior for Erectile Dysfunction in Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients

Ramli FF, Shuid AN, Pakri Mohamed RM, Tg Abu Bakar Sidik TMI, Naina Mohamed I

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2019 11 01;16(21).
PMID: 31683816 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214249

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is commonly associated with methadone usage. However, little data is known regarding the health-seeking behavior for ED in the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) population. This study aimed to determine the health-seeking behavior of MMT patients with ED who perceived themselves as having ED. We aimed to assess the attitudes and health-seeking behavior, the effectiveness of the treatment and the factors associated with treatment-seeking behavior. Methods: This was an observational questionnaire-based study. Patients were first screened for ED (n = 154) using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). Fifty patients with ED were evaluated for health-seeking behavior for ED. Results: More than half of the patients who thought they had ED (78%) believed their sex life was affected. Most patients (48%) did not seek any information regarding ED. Education level (p = 0.017) and marital status (p = 0.008) were predictive factors of health-seeking behavior. Conclusions: The health-seeking rate among MMT patients with ED needs to be improved. Measures to increase awareness of ED in MMT patients should be taken to overcome the barrier to health-seeking behavior. Health practitioners should take action to screen ED in this population to increase the detection rate and offer appropriate management according to the patients' needs.

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