Displaying publications 4641 - 4660 of 8505 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext The Efficacy of Gelam Honey Dressing towards Excisional Wound Healing
    Tan MK, Hasan Adli DS, Tumiran MA, Abdulla MA, Yusoff KM
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012;2012:805932.
    PMID: 22536292 DOI: 10.1155/2012/805932
    Honey is one of the oldest substances used in wound management. Efficacy of Gelam honey in wound healing was evaluated in this paper. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups of 24 rats each (untreated group, saline group, Intrasite Gel group, and Gelam honey group) with 2 cm by 2 cm full thickness, excisional wound created on neck area. Wounds were dressed topically according to groups. Rats were sacrificed on days 1, 5, 10, and 15 of treatments. Wounds were then processed for macroscopic and histological observations. Gelam-honey-dressed wounds healed earlier (day 13) than untreated and saline treated groups, as did wounds treated with Intrasite Gel. Honey-treated wounds exhibited less scab and only thin scar formations. Histological features demonstrated positive effects of Gelam honey on the wounds. This paper showed that Gelam honey dressing on excisional wound accelerated the process of wound healing.
  2. Fulltext Recombinant proteins from new constructs of SAG1 and GRA7 sequences and their usefulness to detect acute toxoplasmosis
    Kotresha D, Poonam D, Muhammad Hafiznur Y, Saadatnia G, Nurulhasanah O, Sabariah O, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Mar;29(1):129-37.
    PMID: 22543613 MyJurnal
    In this study we have cloned unreported gene fragments of Toxoplasma gondii GRA7 and SAG1 and expressed the corresponding recombinant proteins, followed by evaluation of their usefulness for the serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Both recombinant proteins were expressed efficiently in insoluble form, purified by single step Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and their antigenicity to detect toxoplasma specific IgG antibodies were determined by immunoblotting. A total of 60 serum samples from three groups of individuals based on their anti-toxoplasma antibody profiles were tested, namely (I) IgM+, IgG+ (n=20), (II) IgM-, IgG+ (n=20) and (III) IgM-, IgG- (n=20). Both recombinant proteins exhibited high sensitivity (100%) with sera from Group I. rGRA7 and rSAG1 reacted 40% and 80% respectively with Group II sera. The specificity of the recombinant proteins based on reactivities with Group III sera were 100% and 80% with rGRA7 and rSAG1 respectively. Thus rGRA7 was found to be better at discriminating probable acute from chronic phases of toxoplasmosis, and it also showed higher specificity.
  3. Isolation by the 5' anchored PCR technique and characterization of eighteen microsatellite loci in horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas)
    Ling LP, Adibah AB, Tan SG, Christianus A, Faridah QZ
    J Genet, 2011 Dec;90(3):e101-4.
    PMID: 22232191
  4. Exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) reduces blood pressure and prevents the progression of diabetic nephropathy in spontaneously hypertensive rats
    Ahmad FU, Sattar MA, Rathore HA, Abdullah MH, Tan S, Abdullah NA, et al.
    Ren Fail, 2012;34(2):203-10.
    PMID: 22229751 DOI: 10.3109/0886022X.2011.643365
    The coexistence of hypertension and diabetes results in the rapid development of nephropathy. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is claimed to control the vascular and renal functions. This study tested the hypothesis that exogenous H2S lowers the blood pressure and decreases the progression of nephropathy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that were diabetic. Eighteen SHR were divided into three groups: SHR, SHR diabetic, and SHR diabetic treated with a group of Wistar-Kyoto rats serving as normotensive nondiabetic control. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ) in two groups and one diabetic group received sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H2S donor for 5 weeks. Blood pressure was measured in conscious and anesthetized states and renal cortical blood perfusion in acute studies. Plasma and urinary H2S levels, creatinine concentrations, and electrolytes were measured on three different occasions throughout the 35-day period. Diabetic SHR had higher blood pressure, lower plasma and urinary H2S levels, and renal dysfunction as evidenced by increased plasma creatinine, creatinine clearance, and decreased urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio and renal cortical blood perfusion. NaHS reduced blood pressure, increased H2S levels in plasma and urinary excretion, and reversed the STZ-induced renal dysfunction. The findings of this study suggest that the administration of exogenous H2S lowers the blood pressure and confers protection against the progression of STZ-induced nephropathy in SHR.
  5. Fulltext Human facial neural activities and gesture recognition for machine-interfacing applications
    Hamedi M, Salleh ShH, Tan TS, Ismail K, Ali J, Dee-Uam C, et al.
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2011;6:3461-72.
    PMID: 22267930 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S26619
    The authors present a new method of recognizing different human facial gestures through their neural activities and muscle movements, which can be used in machine-interfacing applications. Human-machine interface (HMI) technology utilizes human neural activities as input controllers for the machine. Recently, much work has been done on the specific application of facial electromyography (EMG)-based HMI, which have used limited and fixed numbers of facial gestures. In this work, a multipurpose interface is suggested that can support 2-11 control commands that can be applied to various HMI systems. The significance of this work is finding the most accurate facial gestures for any application with a maximum of eleven control commands. Eleven facial gesture EMGs are recorded from ten volunteers. Detected EMGs are passed through a band-pass filter and root mean square features are extracted. Various combinations of gestures with a different number of gestures in each group are made from the existing facial gestures. Finally, all combinations are trained and classified by a Fuzzy c-means classifier. In conclusion, combinations with the highest recognition accuracy in each group are chosen. An average accuracy >90% of chosen combinations proved their ability to be used as command controllers.
  6. Endogenous and induced angiogenic characteristics of human chorion-derived stem cells
    Nur Fariha MM, Chua KH, Tan GC, Lim YH, Hayati AR
    Cell Biol Int, 2012;36(12):1145-53.
    PMID: 22957758 DOI: 10.1042/CBI20120044
    Cell-based therapy using stem cells has emerged as one of the pro-angiogenic methods to enhance blood vessel growth and sprouting in ischaemic conditions. This study investigated the endogenous and induced angiogenic characteristics of hCDSC (human chorion-derived stem cell) using QPCR (quantitative PCR) method, immunocytochemistry and fibrin-matrigel migration assay. The results showed that cultured hCDSC endogenously expressed angiogenic-endogenic-associated genes (VEGF, bFGF, PGF, HGF, Ang-1, PECAM-1, eNOS, Ve-cad, CD34, VEGFR-2 and vWF), with significant increase in mRNA levels of PGF, HGF, Ang-1, eNOS, VEGFR-2 and vWF following induction by bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). These enhanced angiogenic properties suggest that induced hCDSC provides a stronger angiogenic effect for the treatment of ischaemia. After angiogenic induction, hCDSC showed no reduction in the expression of the stemness genes, but had significantly higher levels of mRNA of Oct-4, Nanog (3), FZD9, ABCG-2 and BST-1. The induced cells were positive for PECAM-1 (platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1) and vWF (von Willebrand factor) with immunocytochemistry staining. hCDSC also showed endothelial migration behaviour when cultured in fibrin-matrigel construct and were capable of forming vessels in vivo after implanting into nude mice. These data suggest that hCDSC could be the cells of choice in the cell-based therapy for pro-angiogenic purpose.
  7. The effects of physical refining on the formation of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters in relation to palm oil minor components
    Zulkurnain M, Lai OM, Latip RA, Nehdi IA, Ling TC, Tan CP
    Food Chem, 2012 Nov 15;135(2):799-805.
    PMID: 22868161 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.04.144
    The formation of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters in refined palm oil during deodorisation is attributed to the intrinsic composition of crude palm oil. Utilising D-optimal design, the effects of the degumming and bleaching processes on the reduction in 3-MCPD ester formation in refined palm oil from poor-quality crude palm oil were studied relative to the palm oil minor components that are likely to be their precursors. Water degumming remarkably reduced 3-MCPD ester formation by up to 84%, from 9.79 mg/kg to 1.55 mg/kg. Bleaching with synthetic magnesium silicate caused a further 10% reduction, to 0.487 mg/kg. The reduction in 3-MCPD ester formation could be due to the removal of related precursors prior to the deodorisation step. The phosphorus content of bleached palm oil showed a significant correlation with 3-MCPD ester formation.
  8. Fulltext Annotated genome sequence of Mycobacterium massiliense strain M154, belonging to the recently created taxon Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii comb. nov
    Choo SW, Wong YL, Tan JL, Ong CS, Wong GJ, Ng KP, et al.
    J Bacteriol, 2012 Sep;194(17):4778.
    PMID: 22887675 DOI: 10.1128/JB.01043-12
    Mycobacterium massiliense has recently been proposed as a member of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii comb. nov. Strain M154, a clinical isolate from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of a Malaysian patient presenting with lower respiratory tract infection, was subjected to shotgun DNA sequencing with the Illumina sequencing technology to obtain whole-genome sequence data for comparison with other genetically related strains within the M. abscessus species complex.
  9. Fulltext Optimal protein extraction methods from diverse sample types for protein profiling by using Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis (2DE)
    Tan AA, Azman SN, Abdul Rani NR, Kua BC, Sasidharan S, Kiew LV, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Dec;28(3):620-9.
    PMID: 22433892 MyJurnal
    There is a great diversity of protein samples types and origins, therefore the optimal procedure for each sample type must be determined empirically. In order to obtain a reproducible and complete sample presentation which view as many proteins as possible on the desired 2DE gel, it is critical to perform additional sample preparation steps to improve the quality of the final results, yet without selectively losing the proteins. To address this, we developed a general method that is suitable for diverse sample types based on phenolchloroform extraction method (represented by TRI reagent). This method was found to yield good results when used to analyze human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), Vibrio cholerae, Cryptocaryon irritans cyst and liver abscess fat tissue. These types represent cell line, bacteria, parasite cyst and pus respectively. For each type of samples, several attempts were made to methodically compare protein isolation methods using TRI-reagent Kit, EasyBlue Kit, PRO-PREP™ Protein Extraction Solution and lysis buffer. The most useful protocol allows the extraction and separation of a wide diversity of protein samples that is reproducible among repeated experiments. Our results demonstrated that the modified TRI-reagent Kit had the highest protein yield as well as the greatest number of total proteins spots count for all type of samples. Distinctive differences in spot patterns were also observed in the 2DE gel of different extraction methods used for each type of sample.
  10. Suppression of BCL-2 synergizes cisplatin sensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells
    Low SY, Tan BS, Choo HL, Tiong KH, Khoo AS, Leong CO
    Cancer Lett, 2012 Jan 28;314(2):166-75.
    PMID: 22033244 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.09.025
    The efficacy of cisplatin for treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is limited by the dose-related toxicities and the development of resistance to cisplatin. Recent studies have shown that B cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) is overexpressed and confers chemoresistance in NPC. Thus, targeted therapy against BCL-2 may enhance the antitumour effects of chemotherapy by sensitizing the tumor cells to undergo apoptosis. This study evaluated the combined effects of BCL-2 inhibition and cisplatin in NPC cells. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of BCL-2 by small-hairpin RNA (shRNA) or the BCL-2 inhibitor YC137, synergizes cisplatin sensitivity in NPC cells that overexpress BCL-2. We also show that YC137 enhance cisplatin-induced apoptosis in HK1 and CNE1 cells through suppression of BCL-2 protein expression, induction of mitochondrial depolarization and activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3/7. These findings suggest that the combination of BCL-2 inhibition and cisplatin represents a promising strategy for treating NPC.
  11. Fulltext Rehydrated sterically stabilized phospholipid nanomicelles of budesonide for nebulization: physicochemical characterization and in vitro, in vivo evaluations
    Sahib MN, Darwis Y, Peh KK, Abdulameer SA, Tan YT
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2011;6:2351-66.
    PMID: 22072872 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S25363
    Inhaled corticosteroids provide unique systems for local treatment of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the use of poorly soluble drugs for nebulization has been inadequate, and many patients rely on large doses to achieve optimal control of their disease. Theoretically, nanotechnology with a sustained-release formulation may provide a favorable therapeutic index. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using sterically stabilized phospholipid nanomicelles of budesonide for pulmonary delivery via nebulization.
  12. Extractive fermentation for improved production and recovery of lipase derived from Burkholderia cepacia using a thermoseparating polymer in aqueous two-phase systems
    Show PL, Tan CP, Shamsul Anuar M, Ariff A, Yusof YA, Chen SK, et al.
    Bioresour Technol, 2012 Jul;116:226-33.
    PMID: 22061444 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.09.131
    An extractive fermentation technique was developed using a thermoseparating reagent to form a two-phase system for simultaneous cell cultivation and downstream processing of extracellular Burkholderia cepacia lipase. A 10% (w/w) solution of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide (EOPO) with a molecular mass of 3900 g/mol and pH 8.5, a 200 rpm speed, and 30 °C were selected as the optimal conditions for lipase production (55 U/ml). Repetitive batch fermentation was performed by continuous replacement of the top phase every 24h, which resulted in an average cell growth mass of 4.7 g/L for 10 extractive batches over 240 h. In scaling-up the process, a bench-scale bioreactor was tested under the conditions that had been optimized in flasks. The production rate and recovery yield were higher in the bioreactor compared to fermentation performed in flasks.
  13. Evaluation of carbon-based nanosorbents synthesised by ethylene decomposition on stainless steel substrates as potential sequestrating materials for nickel ions in aqueous solution
    Lee XJ, Lee LY, Foo LP, Tan KW, Hassell DG
    J Environ Sci (China), 2012;24(9):1559-68.
    PMID: 23520862
    The present work covers the preparation of carbon-based nanosorbents by ethylene decomposition on stainless steel mesh without the use of external catalyst for the treatment of water containing nickel ions (Ni2+). The reaction temperature was varied from 650 to 850 degrees C, while reaction time and ethylene to nitrogen flow ratio were maintained at 30 min and 1:1 cm3/min, respectively. Results show that nanosorbents synthesised at a reaction temperature of 650 degrees C had the smallest average diameter (75 nm), largest BET surface area (68.95 m2/g) and least amount of impurity (0.98 wt.% Fe). A series of batch-sorption tests were performed to evaluate the effects of initial pH, initial metal concentration and contact time on Ni2+ removal by the nanosorbents. The equilibrium data fitted well to Freundlich isotherm. The kinetic data were best correlated to a pseudo second-order model indicating that the process was of chemisorption type. Further analysis by the Boyd kinetic model revealed that boundary layer diffusion was the controlling step. This primary study suggests that the prepared material with Freundlich constants compared well with those in the literature, is a promising sorbent for the sequestration of Ni2+ in aqueous solutions.
  14. Fulltext Lignosus rhinocerus (Cooke) Ryvarden: A Medicinal Mushroom That Stimulates Neurite Outgrowth in PC-12 Cells
    Eik LF, Naidu M, David P, Wong KH, Tan YS, Sabaratnam V
    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012;2012:320308.
    PMID: 22203867 DOI: 10.1155/2012/320308
    A national treasure mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerus, has been used to treat variety of ailments by local and indigenous communities in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the most valuable part of L. rhinocerus, the sclerotium, on neurite outgrowth activity by using PC-12Adh cell line. Differentiated cells with one thin extension at least double the length of the cell diameter were scored positive. Our results showed that aqueous sclerotium L. rhinocerus extract induced neurite outgrowths of 24.4% and 42.1% at 20 μg/mL (w/v) of aqueous extract alone and a combination of 20 μg/mL (w/v) aqueous extract and 30 ng/mL (w/v) of NGF, respectively. Combination of NGF and sclerotium extract had additive effects and enhanced neurite outgrowth. Neuronal differentiation was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence of neurofilament protein. Aqueous sclerotium extract contained neuroactive compounds that stimulated neurite outgrowth in vitro. To our knowledge this is the first report on neurite-stimulating activities of L. rhinocerus.
  15. Fulltext Acute myocardial infarction in young Asian women: a comparative study on Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups
    Xie CB, Chan MY, Teo SG, Low AF, Tan HC, Lee CH
    Singapore Med J, 2011 Nov;52(11):835-9.
    PMID: 22173254
    There is a paucity of data on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young Asian women and of comparative data among various ethnic groups with respect to risk factor profile and clinical outcomes. We present a comprehensive overview of the clinical characteristics of young Asian women with AMI and a comparative analysis among Chinese, Malay and Indian women in a multi-ethnic Asian country.
  16. Nain-e Havandi Andrographis paniculata present yesterday, absent today: a plenary review on underutilized herb of Iran's pharmaceutical plants
    Valdiani A, Kadir MA, Tan SG, Talei D, Abdullah MP, Nikzad S
    Mol Biol Rep, 2012 May;39(5):5409-24.
    PMID: 22198549 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-011-1341-x
    Nain-e Havandi (Andrographis paniculata Nees.) (AP) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the family Acanthacea. Only a few species of Andrographis genus out of 28 are medicinally concerned of which AP is the most important. Knowledge about the arrival of AP to Iran is extremely lacking but most probably it has been imported from India. However, evidence implies the familiarity of Iran's folkloric medicine with this plant, but it has been disappeared from contemporary medicine for unknown reasons. Presence of active ingredients from diterpenoids group such as andrographolide, neoandrographolide and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide has given incredible unique medicinal properties to the plant. Traditionally, Nain-e Havandi has been used in the role of a non-farm plant as a remedy for skin problems, flu, respiratory disease, and snakebite in East and Southeast Asia for centuries. Recently, it has been utilized as a treatment for HIV, hepatitis, diabetes, cancer and kidney disorders. Intensive cultivation of the herb started only in the past decade in countries such as China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, West Indies, Mauritius and to some extent, in Malaysia. Availability of different ecological zones in Iran complies with reestablishment of AP in tropical and temperate regions of the country. This is killing two birds with one stone, supporting the conservational and economic aspects.
  17. Neuroprotective activity of galloylated cyanogenic glucosides and hydrolysable tannins isolated from leaves of Phyllagathis rotundifolia
    Tan HP, Wong DZ, Ling SK, Chuah CH, Kadir HA
    Fitoterapia, 2012 Jan;83(1):223-9.
    PMID: 22093753 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2011.10.019
    The galloylated cyanogenic glucosides based on prunasin (1-7), gallotannins (8-14), ellagitannins (15-17), ellagic acid derivatives (18, 19) and gallic acid (20) isolated from the leaves of Phyllagathis rotundifolia (Melastomataceae) were investigated for their neuroprotective activity against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced oxidative damage in NG108-15 hybridoma cell line. Among these compounds, the gallotannins and ellagitannins exhibited remarkable neuroprotective activities against oxidative damage in vitro as compared to galloylated cyanogenic glucosides and ellagic acid derivatives in a dose-dependent manner. They could be explored further as potential natural neuroprotectors in various remedies of neurodegenerative diseases.
  18. Fulltext Head and neck cancer: possible causes for delay in diagnosis and treatment
    Lee SC, Tang IP, Avatar SP, Ahmad N, Selva KS, Tay KK, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2011 Jun;66(2):101-4.
    PMID: 22106686 MyJurnal
    To explore the possible causes for delay in diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
  19. Evaluation of power Doppler ultrasonography for prostate biopsy in men with elevated serum prostate specific antigen levels
    Ho CC, Khor TW, Singam P, Goh EH, Tan GH, Bahadzor B, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2012;163(3):211-4.
    PMID: 22964693
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate power doppler ultrasonography (PDU)-directed prostate biopsy in patients with elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men with serum total PSA levels of more than 4 ng/ml undergoing biopsy for the first time were included. Grey-scale transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and PDU were performed. PDU signal on vascularity accumulation and perfusion characteristics were recorded and graded as normal or abnormal in the peripheral zone of the prostate. Abnormalities were defined on transverse image as radial or arc hypervascularities. A biopsy regime based on Vienna-normogram was performed in all patients.
    RESULTS: Overall, prostate adenocarcinoma detection rate was 21.4% and abnormal accumulation on PDU signal was identified in 96.7% of those patients (p = 0.01). PDU directed prostate biopsies were positive in 66.7% of the patients with prostate cancer. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of PDU signal alone for prostate cancer detection was 96.7%, 24.5% and 96.4% respectively, and PDU guided biopsies were 66.7%, 24.5%, 19.4% and 73% respectively.
    CONCLUSIONS: The high sensitivity and negative predictive value of PDU makes it useful as an aid for TRUS biopsy in selected patient with previous negative biopsies at risk of harbouring prostate cancer.
  20. Fulltext Cross neutralization of Afro-Asian cobra and Asian krait venoms by a Thai polyvalent snake antivenom (Neuro Polyvalent Snake Antivenom)
    Leong PK, Sim SM, Fung SY, Sumana K, Sitprija V, Tan NH
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2012;6(6):e1672.
    PMID: 22679522 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001672
    BACKGROUND: Snake envenomation is a serious public health threat in the rural areas of Asian and African countries. To date, the only proven treatment for snake envenomation is antivenom therapy. Cross-neutralization of heterologous venoms by antivenom raised against venoms of closely related species has been reported. The present study examined the cross neutralizing potential of a newly developed polyvalent antivenom, termed Neuro Polyvalent Snake Antivenom (NPAV). NPAV was produced by immunization against 4 Thai elapid venoms.

    PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In vitro neutralization study using mice showed that NPAV was able to neutralize effectively the lethality of venoms of most common Asiatic cobras (Naja spp.), Ophiophagus hannah and kraits (Bungarus spp.) from Southeast Asia, but only moderately to weakly effective against venoms of Naja from India subcontinent and Africa. Studies with several venoms showed that the in vivo neutralization potency of the NPAV was comparable to the in vitro neutralization potency. NPAV could also fully protect against N. sputatrix venom-induced cardio-respiratory depressant and neuromuscular blocking effects in anesthetized rats, demonstrating that the NPAV could neutralize most of the major lethal toxins in the Naja venom.

    CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The newly developed polyvalent antivenom NPAV may find potential application in the treatment of elapid bites in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, a neighboring nation of Thailand. Nevertheless, the applicability of NPAV in the treatment of cobra and krait envenomations in Southeast Asian victims needs to be confirmed by clinical trials. The cross-neutralization results may contribute to the design of broad-spectrum polyvalent antivenom.

Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links