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Facile synthesis of graphene oxide-silver nanocomposite and its modified electrode for enhanced electrochemical detection of nitrite ions

Ikhsan NI, Rameshkumar P, Pandikumar A, Mehmood Shahid M, Huang NM, Vijay Kumar S, et al.

Talanta, 2015 Nov 1;144:908-14.
PMID: 26452907 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2015.07.050

In this report, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were successfully deposited on graphene oxide (GO) sheets to form GO-Ag nanocomposite using garlic extract and sunlight and the nanocomposite modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was applied as an electrochemical sensor for the detection of nitrite ions. The formation of GO-Ag nanocomposite was confirmed by using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, TEM, XRD and FTIR spectroscopy analyses. Further, TEM pictures showed a uniform distribution Ag on GO sheets with an average size of 19 nm. The nanocomposite modified electrode produced synergistic catalytic current in nitrite oxidation with a negative shift in overpotential. The limit of detection (LOD) values were found as 2.1 µM and 37 nM, respectively using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and amperometric i-t curve techniques. The proposed sensor was stable, reproducible, sensitive and selective toward the detection nitrite and could be applied for the detection of nitrite in real water sample.
Minimization of Local and Systemic Adverse Effects of Topical Glucocorticoids by Nanoencapsulation: In Vivo Safety of Hydrocortisone-Hydroxytyrosol Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles

Siddique MI, Katas H, Amin MCIM, Ng SF, Zulfakar MH, Buang F, et al.

J Pharm Sci, 2015 Dec;104(12):4276-4286.
PMID: 26447747 DOI: 10.1002/jps.24666

Hydrocortisone (HC) is a topical glucocorticoid for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD); the local as well as systemic side effects limit its use. Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a polyphenol present in olive oil that has strong antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. HC-HT coloaded chitosan nanoparticles (HC-HT CSNPs) were therefore developed to improve the efficacy against AD. In this study, HC-HT CSNPs of 235 ± 9 nm in size and with zeta potential +39.2 ± 1.6 mV were incorporated into aqueous cream (vehicle) and investigated for acute dermal toxicity, dermal irritation, and repeated dose toxicity using albino Wistar rats. HC-HT CSNPs exhibited LD50 > 125 mg/body surface area of active, which is 100-fold higher than the normal human dose of HC. Compared with the commercial formulation, 0.5 g of HC-HT CSNPs did not cause skin irritation, as measured by Tewameter®, Mexameter®, and as observed visually. Moreover, no-observed-adverse-effect level was observed with respect to body weight, organ weight, feed consumption, blood hematological and biochemical, urinalysis, and histopathological parameters at a dose of 1000 mg/body surface area per day of HC-HT CSNPs for 28 days. This in vivo study demonstrated that nanoencapsulation significantly reduced the toxic effects of HC and this should allow further clinical investigations.
Effect of Religious Beliefs on the Smoking Behaviour of University Students: Quantitative Findings From Malaysia

Elkalmi RM, Alkoudmani RM, Elsayed TM, Ahmad A, Khan MU

J Relig Health, 2016 Dec;55(6):1869-75.
PMID: 26429730 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-015-0136-0

The Malaysian official Islamic authorities have issued a "fatwa" (Islamic ruling) regarding smoking practice which prohibits Muslims from smoking because of its potential harm to health. Since the prevalence of smoking among Malaysian students is high, this study was designed to explore the perceptions and opinions of Malaysian Muslim students towards smoking in International Islamic University of Malaysia. A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among School of Science students in International Islamic University Malaysia. Convenience sampling approach was used to recruit 323 students based on sample size calculation. A content- and face-validated questionnaire was used to collect the data from the participants. Non-smokers highly supported the fatwa on smoking forbiddance than smokers (94 vs 64.3 %, p = 0.001). A significant proportion of non-smokers believed that Islam prohibits smoking because of its potential harm (94.9 vs 71.4 %, p = 0.001). Majority of smokers agreed that addiction is the main barrier towards smoking cessation (78.6 vs 61.5 %, p = 0.019). The results showed positive influences of Islamic beliefs on the non-smokers. Further studies are required to validate these findings by surveying other universities of Malaysia.
Fulltext P300 correlates with learning & memory abilities and fluid intelligence

Amin HU, Malik AS, Kamel N, Chooi WT, Hussain M

J Neuroeng Rehabil, 2015;12:87.
PMID: 26400233 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-015-0077-6

Educational psychology research has linked fluid intelligence with learning and memory abilities and neuroimaging studies have specifically associated fluid intelligence with event related potentials (ERPs). The objective of this study is to find the relationship of ERPs with learning and memory recall and predict the memory recall score using P300 (P3) component.
Classification, processing and application of hydrogels: A review

Ullah F, Othman MB, Javed F, Ahmad Z, Md Akil H

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2015 Dec 1;57:414-33.
PMID: 26354282 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.07.053

This article aims to review the literature concerning the choice of selectivity for hydrogels based on classification, application and processing. Super porous hydrogels (SPHs) and superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) represent an innovative category of recent generation highlighted as an ideal mould system for the study of solution-dependent phenomena. Hydrogels, also termed as smart and/or hungry networks, are currently subject of considerable scientific research due to their potential in hi-tech applications in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, bioseparation, biosensor, agriculture, oil recovery and cosmetics fields. Smart hydrogels display a significant physiochemical change in response to small changes in the surroundings. However, such changes are reversible; therefore, the hydrogels are capable of returning to its initial state after a reaction as soon as the trigger is removed.
Fulltext Validation of ethnopharmacological uses of Murraya paniculata in disorders of diarrhea, asthma and hypertension

Saqib F, Ahmed MG, Janbaz KH, Dewanjee S, Jaafar HZ, Zia-Ul-Haq M

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2015;15:319.
PMID: 26354022 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0837-7

Murraya paniculata is traditionally used for management of gut, air way and cardiovascular disorders. The study was conducted for provision of pharmacological rationalization for folkloric uses of Murraya paniculata in gut, air way and cardiovascular problems.
Fulltext Antihypercholesterolemic and antioxidant efficacies of zerumbone on the formation, development, and establishment of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Hemn HO, Noordin MM, Rahman HS, Hazilawati H, Zuki A, Chartrand MS

Drug Des Devel Ther, 2015;9:4173-208.
PMID: 26347047 DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S76225

Owing to the high incidence of cholesterol-induced cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis, the current study was designed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic efficacies of dietary zerumbone (ZER) supplementation on the formation and development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with a high cholesterol diet. A total of 72 New Zealand white rabbits were divided randomly on two experimental studies carried out 8 weeks apart. The first experiment was designed to investigate the prophylactic efficacy of ZER in preventing early developed atheromatous lesion. The second experimental trial was aimed at investigating the therapeutic effect of ZER in reducing the atherosclerotic lesion progression and establishment. Sudanophilia, histopathological, and ultrastructural changes showed pronounced reduction in the plaque size in ZER-medicated aortas. On the other hand, dietary supplementation of ZER for almost 10 weeks as a prophylactic measure indicated substantially decreasing lipid profile values, and similarly, plaque size in comparison with high-cholesterol non-supplemented rabbits. Furthermore, the results of oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarker evaluation indicated that ZER is a potent antioxidant in suppressing the generation of free radicals in terms of atherosclerosis prevention and treatment. ZER significantly reduced the value of malondialdehyde and augmented the value of superoxide dismutase. In conclusion, our data indicated that dietary supplementation of ZER at doses of 8, 16, and 20 mg/kg alone as a prophylactic measure, and as a supplementary treatment with simvastatin, significantly reduced early plague formation, development, and establishment via significant reduction in serum lipid profile, together with suppression of oxidative damage, and therefore alleviated atherosclerosis lesions.
Fulltext Japanese Encephalitis in Assam, India: Need to Increase Healthcare Workers' Understanding to Improve Health Care

Ahmad A, Khan MU, Gogoi LJ, Kalita M, Sikdar AP, Pandey S, et al.

PLoS One, 2015;10(8):e0135767.
PMID: 26296212 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135767

INTRODUCTION: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a major cause of high morbidity and mortality in several states across India. However, in 2014, a sharp rise was observed in the number of cases of JE in north-eastern Assam state, and 51% of the total cases of JE in India were reported from the Assam in the same year. In this regard, a study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers in Darrang, a district of Assam highly affected by JE.
METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted for 2 months among HCWs in the major district hospital of Darrang, Assam. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Convenience sampling approach was used to collect data from different departments of the hospitals. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to express the results.
RESULTS: The knowledge of HCWs regarding JE was poor with a mean knowledge score of 11.02±2.39 (out of 17), while their attitudes were positive with a mean attitudes score of 43.16± 2.47 (ranging from 13 to 52). Overall, 40.4% and 74.3% of participants demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitudes respectively. Cut-off score for good knowledge and positive attitudes toward JE was set as ≥12 and >40 respectively. Older participants (40-49 years) and experienced workers (>10 years) were significantly associated with good knowledge as compared to their referent group (p<0.05), while knowledge of nurses and other orderlies were significantly lower than physicians (p<0.01). Similar factors were associated with the positive attitudes of the participants with the exception of experience. Television was the major source of information regarding JE reported by HCWs (79%).
CONCLUSION: Although the knowledge was not optimized, HCWs exhibited positive attitudes towards JE. Future research is required to design, implement and evaluate interventions to improve the knowledge of JE among HCWs.
Fulltext Synthesis, Characterization, and Anti-Cancer Activity of Some New N'-(2-Oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-2-propylpentane hydrazide-hydrazones Derivatives

El-Faham A, Farooq M, Khattab SN, Abutaha N, Wadaan MA, Ghabbour HA, et al.

Molecules, 2015;20(8):14638-55.
PMID: 26287132 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200814638

Eight novel N'-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-2-propylpentane hydrazide-hydrazone derivatives 4a-h were synthesized and fully characterized by IR, NMR ((1)H-NMR and (13)C-NMR), elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. The cyto-toxicity and in vitro anti-cancer evaluation of the prepared compounds have been assessed against two different human tumour cell lines including human liver (HepG2) and leukaemia (Jurkat), as well as in normal cell lines derived from human embryonic kidney (HEK293) using MTT assay. The compounds 3e, 3f, 4a, 4c, and 4e revealed promising anti-cancer activities in tested human tumour cells lines (IC50 values between 3 and 7 μM) as compared to the known anti-cancer drug 5-Fluorouracil (IC50 32-50 μM). Among the tested compounds, 4a showed specificity against leukaemia (Jurkat) cells, with an IC50 value of 3.14 μM, but this compound was inactive in liver cancer and normal cell lines.
Incidental radiographic finding of the concealed art of susuk

Devang Divakar D, Mavinapalla S, Al Kheraif AA, Ramakrishnaiah R, Abd Rahim MF, Khan AA

Med Sci Law, 2016 Jul;56(3):230-2.
PMID: 26271077 DOI: 10.1177/0025802415599567

Susuk, or charm needles, are small, metallic needles inserted under the skin, considered to enhance beauty, health and luck. This hidden secret of inserting susuk is a traditional superstitious ritual, widely practiced among women of Southeast Asia. Here, we present an interesting case of incidental radiographic finding of the concealed art of susuk, which was exposed on a panoramic radiograph taken on a routine basis as a part of diagnostic work up at our centre. An orthopantomogram revealed bilateral metallic foreign bodies in the maxillo-facial region. Anamnestic data affirmed the practice of the body art of susuk. The charm needles were present in the orofacial region without the patient experiencing any pathological signs or symptoms.
Fulltext Evaluation of Workload and its Impact on Satisfaction Among Pharmacy Academicians in Southern India

Ahmad A, Khan MU, Srikanth AB, Patel I, Nagappa AN, Jamshed SQ

J Clin Diagn Res, 2015 Jun;9(6):FC01-6.
PMID: 26266133 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/12921.6023

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of workload among pharmacy academicians working in public and private sector universities in India. The study also aimed to assess the satisfaction of academicians towards their workload.
Expression and characterization of a cellobiohydrolase (CBH7B) from the thermophilic fungus Thielavia terrestris in Pichia pastoris

Woon JS, Mackeen MM, Mahadi NM, Illias RM, Abdul Murad AM, Abu Bakar FD

Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2016 Sep;63(5):690-698.
PMID: 26265428 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1431

The gene encoding a cellobiohydrolase 7B (CBH7B) of the thermophilic fungus Thielavia terrestris was identified, subcloned, and expressed in Pichia pastoris. CBH7B encoded 455 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 51.8 kDa. Domain analysis indicated that CBH7B contains a family 7 glycosyl hydrolase catalytic core but lacks a carbohydrate-binding module. Purified CBH7B exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH 5.0 and 55 °C with 4-methylumbelliferryl-cellobioside as the substrate and retained 85% of its activity following 24 H incubation at 50 °C. Despite the lack of activity toward microcrystalline substrates, this enzyme worked synergistically with the commercial enzyme cocktail Cellic(®) CTec2 to enhance saccharification by 39% when added to a reaction mixture containing 0.25% alkaline pretreated oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested a reduction of lignin and crystalline cellulose in OPEFB samples supplemented with CBH7B. Scanning electron microscopy revealed greater destruction extent of OPEFB strands in samples supplemented with CBH7B as compared with the nonsupplemented control. Therefore, CBH7B has the potential to complement commercial enzymes in hydrolyzing lignocellulosic biomass.
Continuous microwave flow synthesis of mesoporous hydroxyapatite

Akram M, Alshemary AZ, Goh YF, Wan Ibrahim WA, Lintang HO, Hussain R

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2015 Nov 1;56:356-62.
PMID: 26249601 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.06.040

We have successfully used continuous microwave flow synthesis (CMFS) technique for the template free synthesis of mesoporous hydroxyapatite. The continuous microwave flow reactor consisted of a modified 2.45GHz household microwave, peristaltic pumps and a Teflon coil. This cost effective and efficient system was exploited to produce semi-crystalline phase pure nano-sized hydroxyapatite. Effect of microwave power, retention time and the concentration of reactants on the phase purity, degree of crystallinity and surface area of the final product was studied in detail. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to study the phase purity and composition of the product, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the effect of process parameters on the morphology of hydroxyapatite. The TEM analysis confirmed the formation of spherical particles at low microwave power; however the morphology of the particles changed to mesoporous needle and rod-like structure upon exposing the reaction mixture to higher microwave power and longer retention time inside the microwave. The in-vitro ion dissolution behavior of the as synthesized hydroxyapatite was studied by determining the amount of Ca(2+) ion released in SBF solution.
Comprehensive evaluation of the neuropeptide-Y gene variants in the risk of obesity: a case-control study and meta-analysis

Zain SM, Mohamed Z, Jalaludin MY, Fauzi F, Hamidi A, Zaharan NL

Pharmacogenet Genomics, 2015 Oct;25(10):501-10.
PMID: 26240981 DOI: 10.1097/FPC.0000000000000164

Orexigenic actions mediated by neuropeptide-Y (NPY) promote body weight regulation. Genetic variations in the NPY gene could therefore influence susceptibility to obesity, but results have been conflicting. We have carried out, for the first time, a case-control study to examine the effect of NPY rs16147 and rs5574 variants with the risk of obesity in Asians and also a meta-analysis to summarize the effect of these variants including that of the widely studied rs16139.
Fulltext A science framework (SF) for agricultural sustainability

Ahmed F, Al-Amin AQ, Masud MM, Kari F, Mohamad Z

An Acad Bras Cienc, 2015 Sep;87(3):1887-902.
PMID: 26221988 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201520130368

The significance of Science Framework (SF) to date is receiving more acceptances all over the world to address agricultural sustainability. The professional views, however, advocate that the SF known as Mega Science Framework (MSF) in the transitional economies is not converging effectively in many ways for the agricultural sustainability. Specially, MSF in transitional economies is mostly incapable to identify barriers in agricultural research, inadequate to frame policy gaps with the goal of strategizing the desired sustainability in agricultural technology and innovation, inconsistent in finding to identify the inequities, and incompleteness to rebuild decisions. Therefore, this study critically evaluates the components of MSF in transitional economies and appraises the significance, dispute and illegitimate issue to achieve successful sustainable development. A sound and an effective MSF can be developed when there is an inter-linkage within principal components such as of (a) national priorities, (b) specific research on agricultural sustainability, (c) adequate agricultural research and innovation, and (d) alternative policy alteration. This maiden piece of research which is first its kind has been conducted in order to outline the policy direction to have an effective science framework for agricultural sustainability.
Fulltext PCDD and PCDF exposures among fishing community through intake of fish and shellfish from the Straits of Malacca

Azlan A, Nasir NN, Shamsudin N, Rahman HA, Khoo HE, Razman MR

BMC Public Health, 2015;15:683.
PMID: 26194098 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2044-3

Exposure to PCDD/PCDF (dioxin and furan) through consumption of fish and shellfish is closely related to the occurrence of skin diseases, such as chloracne and hyperpigmentation. This study aimed to determine the exposure of PCDD/PCDF and its congeners in fish and shellfish obtained from different regions of the Straits of Malacca among the fishing community.
Characterisation and Clinical Significance of FLT3-ITD and non-ITD in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Patients in Kelantan, Northeast Peninsular Malaysia

Yunus NM, Johan MF, Ali Nagi Al-Jamal H, Husin A, Hussein AR, Hassan R

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(12):4869-72.
PMID: 26163606

BACKGROUND: Mutations of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) receptor gene may promote proliferation via activation of multiple signaling pathways. FLT3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) is the most common gene alteration found in patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and has been associated with poor prognosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed mutational analysis of exons 14-15 and 20 of the FLT3 gene in 54 AML patients using PCR-CSGE (conformational sensitive gel electrophoresis) followed by sequencing analysis to characterise FLT3 mutations in adult patients diagnosed with AML at Hospital USM, Kelantan, Northeast Peninsular Malaysia.
RESULTS: FLT3 exon 14-15 mutations were identified in 7 of 54 patients (13%) whereas no mutation was found in FLT3 exon 20. Six ITDs and one non-ITD mutation were found in exon 14 of the juxtamembrane (JM) domain of FLT3. FLT3-ITD mutations were associated with a significantly higher blast percentage (p-value=0.008) and white blood cell count (p-value=0.023) but there was no significant difference in median overall survival time for FLT3-ITD+/FLT3-ITD- within 2 years (p-value=0.374).
CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of FLT3-ITD in AML patients in this particular region of Malaysia is low compared to the Western world and has a significant association with WBC and blast percentage.
Asiaticoside Inhibits TNF-α-Induced Endothelial Hyperpermeability of Human Aortic Endothelial Cells

Fong LY, Ng CT, Zakaria ZA, Baharuldin MT, Arifah AK, Hakim MN, et al.

Phytother Res, 2015 Oct;29(10):1501-8.
PMID: 26171791 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5404

The increase in endothelial permeability often promotes edema formation in various pathological conditions. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-atherogenic cytokine, impairs endothelial barrier function and causes endothelial dysfunction in early stage of atherosclerosis. Asiaticoside, one of the triterpenoids derived from Centella asiatica, is known to possess antiinflammatory activity. In order to examine the role of asiaticoside in preserving the endothelial barrier, we assessed its effects on endothelial hyperpermeability and disruption of actin filaments evoked by TNF-α in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). TNF-α caused an increase in endothelial permeability to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran. Asiaticoside pretreatment significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced increased permeability. Asiaticoside also prevented TNF-α-induced actin redistribution by suppressing stress fiber formation. However, the increased F to G actin ratio stimulated by TNF-α was not changed by asiaticoside. Cytochalasin D, an actin depolymerizing agent, was used to correlate the anti-hyperpermeability effect of asiaticoside with actin cytoskeleton. Surprisingly, asiaticoside failed to prevent cytochalasin D-induced increased permeability. These results suggest that asiaticoside protects against the disruption of endothelial barrier and actin rearrangement triggered by TNF-α without a significant change in total actin pool. However, asiaticoside seems to work by other mechanisms to maintain the integrity of endothelial barrier rather than stabilizing the F-actin organization.
Transcription profile of genes affected in response to pathological changes in drug-induced rat model of acute kidney injury

Habib R, Begum S, Alam G, Ali A, Khan I, Waseem M, et al.

Ren Fail, 2015 Aug;37(7):1225-31.
PMID: 26114661 DOI: 10.3109/0886022X.2015.1057801

The objective of the present study was to examine the changes in the expression profile of certain genes in rat model of gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and to see whether time period and routes of administration affect their expression levels.
Fulltext The contradictory effects of coffee intake on periodontal health: a systematic review of experimental and observational studies

Bramantoro T, Zulfiana AA, Amir MS, Irmalia WR, Mohd Nor NA, Nugraha AP, et al.

F1000Res, 2022;11:924.
PMID: 36313542 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.124547.3

Background: Drinking coffee is known to have both positive and negative aftermath on periodontal health. The current study is aiming to systematically review the impact of coffee consumption on periodontal health status. Methods: An article search was carried out in two electronic databases (PUBMED and Web of Sciences). All type of experimental and observational studies were included. The assessment of the included articles were conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. Data were analyzed qualitatively. Result: A total of 10 articles were included in this study. Most (5) of the studies discovered a negative correlation between coffee intake and periodontal health, while 4 other studies found the protective effect of daily coffee consumption against alveolar bone loss. Last, only one study found that coffee intake did not relate with periodontitis. Conclusion: The effect of coffee consumption on periodontal health was fragmented since coffee has complex components that may give either beneficial effects or negative impact on periodontal health.

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