Displaying publications 4941 - 4960 of 8215 in total

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  1. Low JS, Chin YM, Mushiroda T, Kubo M, Govindasamy GK, Pua KC, et al.
    PLoS One, 2016;11(1):e0145774.
    PMID: 26730743 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145774
    BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a neoplasm of the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx. Despite various reports linking genomic variants to NPC predisposition, very few reports were done on copy number variations (CNV). CNV is an inherent structural variation that has been found to be involved in cancer predisposition.

    METHODS: A discovery cohort of Malaysian Chinese descent (NPC patients, n = 140; Healthy controls, n = 256) were genotyped using Illumina® HumanOmniExpress BeadChip. PennCNV and cnvPartition calling algorithms were applied for CNV calling. Taqman CNV assays and digital PCR were used to validate CNV calls and replicate candidate copy number variant region (CNVR) associations in a follow-up Malaysian Chinese (NPC cases, n = 465; and Healthy controls, n = 677) and Malay cohort (NPC cases, n = 114; Healthy controls, n = 124).

    RESULTS: Six putative CNVRs overlapping GRM5, MICA/HCP5/HCG26, LILRB3/LILRA6, DPY19L2, RNase3/RNase2 and GOLPH3 genes were jointly identified by PennCNV and cnvPartition. CNVs overlapping GRM5 and MICA/HCP5/HCG26 were subjected to further validation by Taqman CNV assays and digital PCR. Combined analysis in Malaysian Chinese cohort revealed a strong association at CNVR on chromosome 11q14.3 (Pcombined = 1.54x10-5; odds ratio (OR) = 7.27; 95% CI = 2.96-17.88) overlapping GRM5 and a suggestive association at CNVR on chromosome 6p21.3 (Pcombined = 1.29x10-3; OR = 4.21; 95% CI = 1.75-10.11) overlapping MICA/HCP5/HCG26 genes.

    CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the association of CNVs towards NPC susceptibility, implicating a possible role of CNVs in NPC development.

    Matched MeSH terms: Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11/genetics*; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6/genetics*; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics
  2. Hasima N, Ozpolat B
    Cell Death Dis, 2014;5:e1509.
    PMID: 25375374 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.467
    Autophagy, a lysosomal degradation pathway for cellular constituents and organelles, is an adaptive and essential process required for cellular homeostasis. Although autophagy functions as a survival mechanism in response to cellular stressors such as nutrient or growth factor deprivation, it can also lead to a non-apoptotic form of programmed cell death (PCD) called autophagy-induced cell death or autophagy-associated cell death (type II PCD). Current evidence suggests that cell death through autophagy can be induced as an alternative to apoptosis (type I PCD), with therapeutic purpose in cancer cells that are resistant to apoptosis. Thus, modulating autophagy is of great interest in cancer research and therapy. Natural polyphenolic compounds that are present in our diet, such as rottlerin, genistein, quercetin, curcumin, and resveratrol, can trigger type II PCD via various mechanisms through the canonical (Beclin-1 dependent) and non-canonical (Beclin-1 independent) routes of autophagy. The capacity of these compounds to provide a means of cancer cell death that enhances the effects of standard therapies should be taken into consideration for designing novel therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the autophagy- and cell death-inducing effects of these polyphenolic compounds in cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Autophagy/genetics; Membrane Proteins/genetics; Neoplasms/genetics; Apoptosis/genetics; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics
  3. Kuppusamy UR, Arumugam B, Azaman N, Jen Wai C
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:737263.
    PMID: 25180205 DOI: 10.1155/2014/737263
    Leucaena leucocephala had been traditionally used to treat diabetes. The present study was designed to evaluate in vitro "insulin-like" activities of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) deWit. aqueous fruit extract on lipid and glucose metabolisms. The ability of the extract to stimulate adipogenesis, inhibit lipolysis, and activate radio-labeled glucose uptake was assessed using primary rat adipocytes. Quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR was performed to investigate effects of the extract on expression levels of genes (protein kinases B, AKT; glucose transporter 4, GLUT4; hormone sensitive lipase, HSL; phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases, PI3KA; sterol regulatory element binding factor 1, Srebp1) involved in insulin-induced signaling pathways. L. leucocephala aqueous fruit extract stimulated moderate adipogenesis and glucose uptake into adipocytes when compared to insulin. Generally, the extract exerted a considerable level of lipolytic effect at lower concentration but decreased gradually at higher concentration. The findings concurred with RT-PCR analysis. The expressions of GLUT4 and HSL genes were upregulated by twofold and onefold, respectively, whereas AKT, PI3KA, and Srebp1 genes were downregulated. The L. leucocephala aqueous fruit extract may be potentially used as an adjuvant in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and weight management due to its enhanced glucose uptake and balanced adipogenesis and lipolysis properties.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sterol Esterase/genetics; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics; Glucose Transporter Type 4/genetics; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1/genetics
  4. Suthandiram S, Gan GG, Zain SM, Bee PC, Lian LH, Chang KM, et al.
    Pharmacogenomics, 2014 Aug;15(11):1479-94.
    PMID: 25303299 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.14.97
    Pharmacogenetics of methotrexate (MTX) contributes to interindividual differences in toxicity. We aimed to evaluate the impact of SNPs within the MTX pathway genes on MTX-induced toxicity and MTX plasma levels at 48 h following treatment in Asian adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
    Matched MeSH terms: Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/genetics; Pharmacogenetics/methods; Hematologic Neoplasms/genetics*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics
  5. Heidari F, Vasudevan R, Mohd Ali SZ, Ismail P, Etemad A, Pishva SR, et al.
    PMID: 25002132 DOI: 10.1177/1470320314538878
    Several studies show that the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with hypertension in various populations. The present study sought to determine the association of the I/D gene polymorphism among Malay male essential hypertensive subjects in response to ACE inhibitors (enalapril and lisinopril).
    Matched MeSH terms: Gene Frequency/genetics; Hypertension/genetics*; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/genetics*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; INDEL Mutation/genetics*
  6. Farhadi A, Behzad-Behbahani A, Geramizadeh B, Sekawi Z, Rahsaz M, Sharifzadeh S
    J Med Virol, 2014 Jul;86(7):1134-44.
    PMID: 24700118 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23945
    Limited data exist regarding whether a high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection increases the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate whether HPV infection has a role in the pathogenesis or development of a certain histological subtype of renal cell carcinoma. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens of 122 patients with histopathologically proven renal cell carcinoma and their respective peritumoral tissues were examined. The presence of HPV-DNA was determined by a combination of MY/GP+ consensus primers and HPV-16/18 type specific nested PCRs followed by direct sequencing. Catalyzed signal-amplified colorimetric in situ hybridization (CSAC-ISH) technique was applied to determine the physical status of viral genome. The expression of p16INK4a and HPV L1 capsid proteins was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. HPV genome was detected in 37 (30.3%) tumor specimens and their four (4.1%) corresponding peritumoral tissues. HPV-18 was the most common viral type identified followed by HPV-16 and 58. Immunoexpression of p16INK4a was detected in 24 (20.3%) cases. Data analysis showed a significant correlation between p16INK4a expression and the presence of HR-HPV DNA (P 
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Viral/genetics; Oncogene Proteins, Viral/genetics; DNA Primers/genetics; Papillomaviridae/genetics; Capsid Proteins/genetics
  7. Noor YM, Samsulrizal NH, Jema'on NA, Low KO, Ramli AN, Alias NI, et al.
    Gene, 2014 Jul 25;545(2):253-61.
    PMID: 24811681 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.05.012
    Bacillus lehensis G1 is a Gram-positive, moderately alkalitolerant bacterium isolated from soil samples. B. lehensis produces cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase), an enzyme that has enabled the extensive use of cyclodextrin in foodstuffs, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The genome sequence of B. lehensis G1 consists of a single circular 3.99 Mb chromosome containing 4017 protein-coding sequences (CDSs), of which 2818 (70.15%) have assigned biological roles, 936 (23.30%) have conserved domains with unknown functions, and 263 (6.55%) have no match with any protein database. Bacillus clausii KSM-K16 was established as the closest relative to B. lehensis G1 based on gene content similarity and 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis. A total of 2820 proteins from B. lehensis G1 were found to have orthologues in B. clausii, including sodium-proton antiporters, transport proteins, and proteins involved in ATP synthesis. A comparative analysis of these proteins and those in B. clausii and other alkaliphilic Bacillus species was carried out to investigate their contributions towards the alkalitolerance of the microorganism. The similarities and differences in alkalitolerance-related genes among alkalitolerant/alkaliphilic Bacillus species highlight the complex mechanism of pH homeostasis. The B. lehensis G1 genome was also mined for proteins and enzymes with potential viability for industrial and commercial purposes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Adaptation, Biological/genetics; Bacillus/genetics*; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics; Antiporters/genetics; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/genetics
  8. Elias MH, Baba AA, Azlan H, Rosline H, Sim GA, Padmini M, et al.
    Leuk. Res., 2014 Apr;38(4):454-9.
    PMID: 24456693 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2013.12.025
    Discovery of imatinib mesylate (IM) as the targeted BCR-ABL protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) has resulted in its use as the frontline therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) across the world. Although high response rates are observed in CML patients who receive IM treatment, a significant number of patients develop resistance to IM. Resistance to IM in patients has been associated with a heterogeneous array of mechanisms of which point mutations within the ABL tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) are the frequently documented. The types and frequencies of mutations reported in different population studies have shown wide variability. We screened 125 Malaysian CML patients on IM therapy who showed either TKI refractory or resistance to IM to investigate the frequency and pattern of BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations among Malaysian CML patients undergoing IM therapy and to determine the clinical significance. Mutational screening using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) followed by DNA sequencing was performed on 125 IM resistant Malaysian CML patients. Mutations were detected in 28 patients (22.4%). Fifteen different types of mutations (T315I, E255K, G250E, M351T, F359C, G251E, Y253H, V289F, E355G, N368S, L387M, H369R, A397P, E355A, D276G), including 2 novel mutations were identified, with T315I as the predominant type of mutation. The data generated from clinical and molecular parameters studied were correlated with the survival of CML patients. Patients with Y253H, M351T and E355G TKD mutations showed poorer prognosis compared to those without mutation. Interestingly, when the prognostic impact of the observed mutations was compared inter-individually, E355G and Y253H mutations were associated with more adverse prognosis and shorter survival (P=0.025 and 0.005 respectively) than T315I mutation. Results suggest that apart from those mutations occurring in the three crucial regions (catalytic domain, P-loop and activation-loop), other rare mutations also may have high impact in the development of resistance and adverse prognosis. Presence of mutations in different regions of BCR-ABL TKD leads to different levels of resistance and early detection of emerging mutant clones may help in decision making for alternative treatment. Serial monitoring of BCR-ABL1 transcripts in CML patients allows appropriate selection of CML patients for BCR-ABL1 KD mutation analysis associated with acquired TKI resistance. Identification of these KD mutations is essential in order to direct alternative treatments in such CML patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics*; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/genetics*; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics*; Catalytic Domain/genetics; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics
  9. Looi CY, Moharram B, Paydar M, Wong YL, Leong KH, Mohamad K, et al.
    PMID: 23837445 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-166
    Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze (scientific synonyms: Vernonia anthelmintica; black cumin) is one of the ingredients of an Ayurvedic preparation, called "Kayakalp", commonly applied to treat skin disorders in India and Southeast Asia. Despite its well known anti-inflammatory property on skin diseases, the anti-cancer effect of C. anthelminticum seeds on skin cancer is less documented. The present study aims to investigate the anti-cancer effect of Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) seeds chloroform fraction (CACF) on human melanoma cells and to elucidate the molecular mechanism involved.
    Matched MeSH terms: Melanoma/genetics; Skin Neoplasms/genetics; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics; NF-kappa B/genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics
  10. Amerizadeh A, Khoo BY, Teh AY, Golkar M, Abdul Karim IZ, Osman S, et al.
    BMC Infect Dis, 2013;13:287.
    PMID: 23800344 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-287
    Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa which infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans. In this study in-vivo induced antigens of this parasite was investigated using in-vivo induced antigen technology (IVIAT) and pooled sera from patients with serological evidence of acute infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antigens, Protozoan/genetics; Escherichia coli/genetics; Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Toxoplasma/genetics; DNA, Complementary/genetics
  11. Ramli AN, Azhar MA, Shamsir MS, Rabu A, Murad AM, Mahadi NM, et al.
    J Mol Model, 2013 Aug;19(8):3369-83.
    PMID: 23686283 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-013-1861-5
    A novel α-amylase was isolated successfully from Glaciozyma antarctica PI12 using DNA walking and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. The structure of this psychrophilic α-amylase (AmyPI12) from G. antarctica PI12 has yet to be studied in detail. A 3D model of AmyPI12 was built using a homology modelling approach to search for a suitable template and to generate an optimum target-template alignment, followed by model building using MODELLER9.9. Analysis of the AmyPI12 model revealed the presence of binding sites for a conserved calcium ion (CaI), non-conserved calcium ions (CaII and CaIII) and a sodium ion (Na). Compared with its template-the thermostable α-amylase from Bacillus stearothermophilus (BSTA)-the binding of CaII, CaIII and Na ions in AmyPI12 was observed to be looser, which suggests that the low stability of AmyPI12 allows the protein to work at different temperature scales. The AmyPI12 amino acid sequence and model were compared with thermophilic α-amylases from Bacillus species that provided the highest structural similarities with AmyPI12. These comparative studies will enable identification of possible determinants of cold adaptation.
    Matched MeSH terms: alpha-Amylases/genetics; Geobacillus stearothermophilus/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/genetics; Basidiomycota/genetics; Fungal Proteins/genetics
  12. Ngui R, Ching LS, Kai TT, Roslan MA, Lim YA
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2012 May;86(5):837-42.
    PMID: 22556084 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0446
    Species identification of human hookworm infections among eight communities in rural areas of Peninsular Malaysia was determined during 2009-2011. Fecal samples were examined by microscopy and subsequently, the internal transcribed spacer 2 and 28S ribosomal RNA region of Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp. were sequenced. Overall, 9.1% (58 of 634) were identified positive by microscopy for hookworm infection, and 47 (81.0%) of 58 were successfully amplified and sequenced. Sequence comparison found that N. americanus (87.2%) was the most predominant hookworm identified, followed by Ancylostoma ceylanicum (23.4%). No A. duodenale infection was detected in this study. Detection of A. ceylanicum in humans highlighted the zoonotic transmission among humans living near dogs. Thus, implementation of effective control measures for hookworm infections in future should seriously consider this zoonotic implication.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ancylostoma/genetics*; RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/genetics; Necator americanus/genetics*; DNA, Helminth/genetics*; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics
  13. Jazayeri SD, Ideris A, Zakaria Z, Shameli K, Moeini H, Omar AR
    J Control Release, 2012 Jul 10;161(1):116-23.
    PMID: 22549012 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2012.04.015
    DNA formulations provide the basis for safe and cost effective vaccine. Low efficiency is often observed in the delivery of DNA vaccines. In order to assess a new strategy for oral DNA vaccine formulation and delivery, plasmid encoding hemagglutinin (HA) gene of avian influenza virus, A/Ck/Malaysia/5858/04 (H5N1) (pcDNA3.1/H5) was formulated using green synthesis of sliver nanoparticles (AgNP) with polyethylene glycol (PEG). AgNP were successfully synthesized uniformly dispersed with size in the range of 4 to 18 nm with an average size of 11 nm. Cytotoxicity of the prepared AgNP was investigated in vitro and in vivo using MCF-7 cells and cytokine expression, respectively. At the concentration of -5 log₁₀AgNP, no cytotoxic effects were detected in MCF-7 cells with 9.5% cell death compared to the control. One-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicks immunized once by oral gavage with 10 μl of pcDNA3.1/H5 (200 ng/ml) nanoencapsulated with 40 μl AgNP (3.7×10⁻² μg of Ag) showed no clinical manifestations. PCR successfully detect the AgNP/H5 plasmid from the duodenum of the inoculated chicken as early as 1h post-immunization. Immunization of chickens with AgNP/H5 enhanced both pro inflammatory and Th1-like expressions, although no significant differences were recorded in the chickens inoculated with AgNP, AgNP/pcDNA3.1 and the control. In addition, serum samples collected from immunized chickens with AgNP/H5 showed rapidly increasing antibody against H5 on day 14 after immunization. The highest average antibody titres were detected on day 35 post-immunization at 51.2±7.5. AgNP/H5 also elicited both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the immunized chickens as early as day 14 after immunization, at 7.5±2.0 and 20±1.9 percentage, respectively. Hence, single oral administrations of AgNP/H5 led to induce both the antibody and cell-mediated immune responses as well as enhanced cytokine production.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/genetics; Influenza Vaccines/genetics; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics*; Vaccines, DNA/genetics; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/genetics*
  14. Zamri HF, Shamsudin MN, Rahim RA, Neela V
    Vaccine, 2012 May 2;30(21):3231-8.
    PMID: 22426330 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.02.012
    A gene associated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) transport was cloned from a local clinical Vibrio cholerae O1 strain of the Ogawa serotype by using the Lactococcus lactis nisin-controlled expression (NICE) system. The V. cholerae wzm gene, which codes for an integral membrane transporter protein, was expressed and targeted to the cytoplasmic membrane, and was crudely isolated through simple centrifugation and SDS solubilization. To examine seroreactivity of this construct, rabbits were orally fed with 10(9) cfu/ml of live, recombinant L. lactis carrying the wzm gene, induced with nisin prior to administration. Recombinant plasmids were retrieved from L. lactis cultured directly from stool samples of inoculated rabbits. Reverse-transcriptase PCR of wzm using the retrieved plasmids confirmed transcription of this gene, indicating viability and stability of the recombinants in vivo. The L. lactis-Wzm construct elicited substantial levels of IgG and sIgA, and challenge with virulent V. cholerae O1 evoked severe diarrhoea in the naive, non-immunised control group, but not in those fed with either recombinant or non-recombinant L. lactis. Oral administration with recombinant L. lactis expressing the V. cholerae wzm gene increases both systemic and mucosal immunity, whereas L. lactis itself appears capable of protecting against the diarrhoeal symptoms caused by V. cholerae. Wzm is a conserved membrane protein associated with the LPS endotoxin, and together with the food-grade L. lactis, represent an attractive target for the development of a safer, live anti-infective therapy against V. cholerae.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/genetics; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Lactococcus lactis/genetics*; Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics; Vibrio cholerae O1/genetics
  15. Abu Bakar MF, Mohamed M, Rahmat A, Burr SA, Fry JR
    Food Chem, 2013 Jan 1;136(1):18-25.
    PMID: 23017387 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.07.099
    This study was conducted to investigate the potential of bambangan (Mangifera pajang) fruit extracts in the protection against oxidative damage caused by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the human hepatocellular HepG2 cell line. Proteins which might be involved in the cytoprotective mechanism were investigated using western blotting technique. Quercetin was used as a positive control. The results showed that only the kernel extract of M. pajang and quercetin displayed cytoprotective activity in HepG2 cells, with EC(50) values of 1.2 and 5.3μg/ml, respectively. Expression of quinone reductase, glutathione reductase and methionine sulfoxide reductase A proteins were significantly up-regulated by quercetin, suggesting their involvement in the cytoprotective activity of quercetin. However, expressions of only glutathione reductase and methionine sulfoxide reductase A proteins were significantly up-regulated by the kernel extract, again suggesting their involvement in the cytoprotective activity of bambangan kernel extract. Future study is needed to investigate the involvement of other cytoprotective proteins in the cytoprotection mechanism.
    Matched MeSH terms: Glutathione Reductase/genetics; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics; Liver Neoplasms/genetics; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/genetics; Methionine Sulfoxide Reductases/genetics
  16. Alfizah H, Ramelah M, Rizal AM, Anwar AS, Isa MR
    Helicobacter, 2012 Oct;17(5):340-9.
    PMID: 22967117 DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-5378.2012.00956.x
    Polymorphisms of Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA genes do exist and may contribute to differences in H. pylori infection and gastroduodenal diseases among races in the Malaysian population. This study was conducted to characterize the polymorphisms in H. pylori cagA and vacA in Malaysian population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antigens, Bacterial/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/genetics; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Helicobacter pylori/genetics*; Virulence Factors/genetics*
  17. Chan MY, Tan K, Tan HC, Huan PT, Li B, Phua QH, et al.
    Pharmacogenomics, 2012 Apr;13(5):533-42.
    PMID: 22462746 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.12.24
    AIM, MATERIALS & METHODS: We investigated the functional significance of CYP2C19*2, *3, *17 and PON1 Q192R SNPs in 89 consecutive Asian patients on clopidogrel treatment and the prevalence of functionally significant polymorphisms among 300 Chinese, Malays and Asian Indians.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases/genetics*; Platelet Aggregation/genetics; Aryldialkylphosphatase/genetics*; European Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*
  18. Khor BS, Jamil MF, Adenan MI, Shu-Chien AC
    PLoS One, 2011;6(12):e28340.
    PMID: 22205946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028340
    A major obstacle in treating drug addiction is the severity of opiate withdrawal syndrome, which can lead to unwanted relapse. Mitragynine is the major alkaloid compound found in leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a plant widely used by opiate addicts to mitigate the harshness of drug withdrawal. A series of experiments was conducted to investigate the effect of mitragynine on anxiety behavior, cortisol level and expression of stress pathway related genes in zebrafish undergoing morphine withdrawal phase. Adult zebrafish were subjected to two weeks chronic morphine exposure at 1.5 mg/L, followed by withdrawal for 24 hours prior to tests. Using the novel tank diving tests, we first showed that morphine-withdrawn zebrafish display anxiety-related swimming behaviors such as decreased exploratory behavior and increased erratic movement. Morphine withdrawal also elevated whole-body cortisol levels, which confirms the phenotypic stress-like behaviors. Exposing morphine-withdrawn fish to mitragynine however attenuates majority of the stress-related swimming behaviors and concomitantly lower whole-body cortisol level. Using real-time PCR gene expression analysis, we also showed that mitragynine reduces the mRNA expression of corticotropin releasing factor receptors and prodynorphin in zebrafish brain during morphine withdrawal phase, revealing for the first time a possible link between mitragynine's ability to attenuate anxiety during opiate withdrawal with the stress-related corticotropin pathway.
    Matched MeSH terms: Enkephalins/genetics; Protein Precursors/genetics; RNA, Messenger/genetics; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/genetics; Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/genetics
  19. Lee CH, Liam CK, Pang YK, Chua KT, Lim BK, Lai NL
    Lung Cancer, 2011 Nov;74(2):349-51.
    PMID: 21920622 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2011.08.008
    We report a woman presenting with respiratory failure due to a right-sided pleural effusion, lung metastases and lymphangitis carcinomatosis from advanced lung adenocarcinoma in the third trimester of pregnancy, who showed good response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
    Matched MeSH terms: Adenocarcinoma/genetics; Lung Neoplasms/genetics; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic/genetics; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor/genetics; Sequence Deletion/genetics
  20. Arockiaraj J, Easwvaran S, Vanaraja P, Singh A, Othman RY, Bhassu S
    Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2012 May;32(5):670-82.
    PMID: 22293093 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2012.01.013
    In this study, we reported a full length of catalase gene (designated as MrCat), identified from the transcriptome database of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The complete gene sequence of the MrCat is 2504 base pairs in length, and encodes 516 amino acids. The MrCat protein contains three domains such as catalase 1 (catalase proximal heme-ligand signature) at 350-358, catalase 2 (catalase proximal active site signature) at 60-76 and catalase 3 (catalase family profile) at 20-499. The mRNA expressions of MrCat in healthy and the infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) challenged M. rosenbergii were examined using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The MrCat is highly expressed in digestive tract and all the other tissues (walking leg, gills, muscle, hemocyte, hepatopancreas, pleopods, brain and eye stalk) of M. rosenbergii taken for analysis. The expression is strongly up-regulated in digestive tract after IHHNV challenge. To understand its biological activity, the recombinant MrCat gene was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant MrCat existed in high thermal stability and broad spectrum of pH, which showed over 95% enzyme activity between pH 5 and 10.5, and was stable from 40 °C to 70 °C, and exhibited 85-100% enzyme activity from 30 °C to 40 °C.
    Matched MeSH terms: Catalase/genetics*; Escherichia coli/genetics; Recombinant Proteins/genetics; RNA, Messenger/genetics; Palaemonidae/genetics*
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