Displaying publications 4961 - 4980 of 8215 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Expression of rice thaumatin-like protein gene in transgenic banana plants enhances resistance to fusarium wilt
    Mahdavi F, Sariah M, Maziah M
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2012 Feb;166(4):1008-19.
    PMID: 22183565 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-011-9489-3
    The possibility of controlling Fusarium wilt--caused by Fusarium oxysporum sp. cubensec (race 4)--was investigated by genetic engineering of banana plants for constitutive expression of rice thaumatin-like protein (tlp) gene. Transgene was introduced to cauliflower-like bodies' cluster, induced from meristemic parts of male inflorescences, using particle bombardment with plasmid carrying a rice tlp gene driving by the CaMV 35S promoter. Hygromycin B was used as the selection reagent. The presence and integration of rice tlp gene in genomic DNA confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses. RT-PCR revealed the expression of transgene in leaf and root tissues in transformants. Bioassay of transgenic banana plants challenged with Fusarium wilt pathogen showed that expression of TLP enhanced resistance to F. oxysporum sp. cubensec (race 4) compared to control plants.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Proteins/genetics; Plant Leaves/genetics*; Plant Roots/genetics*; Musa/genetics*; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics*
  2. mec-associated dru typing in the epidemiological analysis of ST239 MRSA in Malaysia
    Ghaznavi-Rad E, Goering RV, Nor Shamsudin M, Weng PL, Sekawi Z, Tavakol M, et al.
    Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 2011 Nov;30(11):1365-9.
    PMID: 21479532 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-011-1230-1
    The usefulness of mec-associated dru typing in the epidemiological analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated in Malaysia was investigated and compared with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and spa and SCCmec typing. The isolates studied included all MRSA types in Malaysia. Multilocus sequence type ST188 and ST1 isolates were highly clonal by all typing methods. However, the dru typing of ST239 isolates produced the clearest discrimination between SCCmec IIIa and III isolates, yielding more subtypes than any other method. Evaluation of the discriminatory power for each method identified dru typing and PFGE as the most discriminatory, with Simpson's index of diversity (SID) values over 89%, including an isolate which was non-typeable by spa, but dru-typed as dt13j. The discriminatory ability of dru typing, especially with closely related MRSA ST239 strains (e.g., Brazilian and Hungarian), underscores its utility as a tool for the epidemiological investigation of MRSA.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics; Staphylococcal Infections/genetics; Methicillin Resistance/genetics; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics
  3. Fulltext Emergence of Japanese encephalitis virus genotype V in the Republic of Korea
    Takhampunya R, Kim HC, Tippayachai B, Kengluecha A, Klein TA, Lee WJ, et al.
    Virol J, 2011;8:449.
    PMID: 21943222 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-8-449
    Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) genotype V reemerged in Asia (China) in 2009 after a 57-year hiatus from the continent, thereby emphasizing a need to increase regional surveillance efforts. Genotypic characterization was performed on 19 JEV-positive mosquito pools (18 pools of Culex tritaeniorhynchus and 1 pool of Cx. bitaeniorhynchus) from a total of 64 positive pools collected from geographically different locations throughout the Republic of Korea (ROK) during 2008 and 2010.
    Matched MeSH terms: Encephalitis Virus, Japanese/genetics*; Encephalitis, Japanese/genetics; RNA, Viral/genetics*; Viral Nonstructural Proteins/genetics; 3' Untranslated Regions/genetics
  4. Diversity of bovine rumen methanogens In vitro in the presence of condensed tannins, as determined by sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene library
    Tan HY, Sieo CC, Lee CM, Abdullah N, Liang JB, Ho YW
    J Microbiol, 2011 Jun;49(3):492-8.
    PMID: 21717338 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-011-0319-7
    Molecular diversity of rumen archaeal populations from bovine rumen fluid incubated with or without condensed tannins was investigated using 16S rRNA gene libraries. The predominant order of rumen archaea in the 16S rRNA gene libraries of the control and condensed tannins treatment was found to belong to a novel group of rumen archaea that is distantly related to the order Thermoplasmatales, with 59.5% (15 phylotypes) and 81.43% (21 phylotypes) of the total clones from the control and treatment clone libraries, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene library of the control was found to have higher proportions of methanogens from the orders Methanomicrobiales (32%) and Methanobacteriales (8.5%) as compared to those found in the condensed tannins treatment clone library in both orders (16.88% and 1.68% respectively). The phylotype distributed in the order Methanosarcinales was only found in the control clone library. The study indicated that condensed tannins could alter the diversity of bovine rumen methanogens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Archaea/genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics; Methanobacteriales/genetics; Methanomicrobiales/genetics; Methanosarcinales/genetics
  5. Immunogenic characterization of the chimeric surface antigen 1 and 2 (SAG1/2) of Toxoplasma gondii expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris
    Lau YL, Thiruvengadam G, Lee WW, Fong MY
    Parasitol Res, 2011 Sep;109(3):871-8.
    PMID: 21455621 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2315-6
    In this study, we successfully expressed a chimerical surface antigen 1 and 2 (SAG1/2) of Toxoplasma gondii in Pichia pastoris. Eighty human serum samples, including 60 from confirmed cases of toxoplasmosis, were tested against the purified recombinant SAG1/2 in Western blots. Results of Western blots targeted at Toxoplasma IgG and IgM showed that the recombinant SAG1/2 reacted with all sera from the toxoplasmosis cases but none with the Toxoplasma-negative serum samples. These results showed that the P. pastoris-derived recombinant SAG1/2 was sensitive and specific and suitable for use as antigen for detecting anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. To further investigate the immunological characteristic of the recombinant protein, the recombinant SAG1/2 was injected subcutaneously into BALB/c mice, and their serum was tested against total protein lysate of T. gondii. Mice immunized with the recombinant SAG1/2 reacted specifically with the native SAG1 and SAG2 of T. gondii. Significant proliferation of splenocytes stimulated with tachyzoite total protein lysate was observed in vaccinated BALB/c mice but not in those from negative control mice. Specific production of IFN-γ, the Th1-type cytokines, was also found in stimulated splenocytes from vaccinated mice. These results show that the chimeric protein recombinant SAG1/2 can elicit a Th1-associated protection against T. gondii infections in mice. Finally, vaccinated mice were significantly protected against lethal challenge with live T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites (P 
    Matched MeSH terms: Antigens, Protozoan/genetics; Pichia/genetics*; Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Toxoplasma/genetics; Protozoan Proteins/genetics
  6. Fulltext High prevalence of human papillomavirus DNA detected in cervical swabs from women in southern Selangor, Malaysia
    Chong PP, Asyikin N, Rusinahayati M, Halimatun S, Rozita R, Ng CK, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2010;11(6):1645-51.
    PMID: 21338211
    Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is known to play an important role in the genesis of cervical cancer. Since new screening and prevention strategies, namely improved HPV testing and HPV vaccination have been aggressively promoted recently, it is crucial to investigate the HPV distribution in Malaysia in order to maximize their cost-effectiveness. This study was therefore conducted to assess the HPV type distribution in the most populous region, the state of Selangor. A total of 200 cervical swab samples were collected in two health-screening campaigns, and also from women attending obstetrics and gynecology clinics in several hospitals in Selangor. DNA extraction was performed and HPV DNA was detected via nested PCR using MY09/MY11 as outer primers and GP5+/GP6+ as inner primers which target the L1 gene of the viral genome. The purified PCR products were subjected to automated DNA sequencing to determine the HPV genotype. Out of 180 β-globin positive samples, 84 (46.7%) were positive for HPV DNA. The most common HPV type found was high-risk oncogenic type 16 (40%), followed by HPV type 18 (3.3%), HPV 33 (1.7%), HPV 31 (0.6%), and low-risk HPV 87 (0.6%). Our study confirmed that nested PCR method is highly sensitive in detecting HPV DNA even in low risk patients. Since a relatively high prevalence rate of HPV infection was found in this population, prompt healthcare policy changes to bring about implementation of early HPV vaccination program is desirable to prevent a high incidence of cervical cancer.

    Study site: Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinics in Selangor (Hospital Kajang, Hospital Serdang, and the Britannia Women and Children Specialist Centre)
    Matched MeSH terms: Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/genetics; DNA, Viral/genetics*; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia/genetics; Papillomaviridae/genetics*; Papillomavirus Infections/genetics
  7. Fulltext Susceptible and protective HLA class 1 alleles against dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever patients in a Malaysian population
    Appanna R, Ponnampalavanar S, Lum Chai See L, Sekaran SD
    PLoS One, 2010;5(9).
    PMID: 20927388 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013029
    The human leukocyte antigen alleles have been implicated as probable genetic markers in predicting the susceptibility and/or protection to severe manifestations of dengue virus (DENV) infection. In this present study, we aimed to investigate for the first time, the genotype variants of HLA Class 1(-A and -B) of DENV infected patients against healthy individuals in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Dengue/genetics*; Dengue Virus/genetics; HLA-A Antigens/genetics*; HLA-B Antigens/genetics*; Severe Dengue/genetics
  8. Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium parvum from avian hosts
    Quah JX, Ambu S, Lim YA, Mahdy MA, Mak JW
    Parasitology, 2011 Apr;138(5):573-7.
    PMID: 21232175 DOI: 10.1017/S0031182010001691
    Cryptosporidium species are protozoan parasites that infect humans and a wide variety of animals. This study was aimed at identifying Cryptosporidium species and genotypes isolated from avian hosts. A total of 90 samples from 37 different species of birds were collected throughout a 3-month period from April 2008 to June 2008 in the National Zoo of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Prior to molecular characterization, all samples were screened for Cryptosporidium using a modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Subsequently samples were analysed with nested-PCR targeting the partial SSU rRNA gene. Amplicons were sequenced in both directions and used for phylogenetic analysis using Neighbour-Joining and Maximum Parsimony methods. Although 9 (10%) samples were positive for Cryptosporidium via microscopy, 8 (8.9%) produced amplicons using nested PCR. Phylogenetic trees identified all the isolates as Cryptosporidium parvum. Although C. parvum has not been reported to cause infection in birds, and the role of birds in this study was postulated mainly as mechanical transporters, these present findings highlight the significant public health risk posed by birds that harbour the zoonotic species of Cryptosporidium.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/genetics; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics; DNA, Protozoan/genetics; Cryptosporidium parvum/genetics*
  9. Isolation and characterization of differentially expressed transcripts from the suspension cells of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in response to different concentration of auxins
    Roowi SH, Ho CL, Alwee SS, Abdullah MO, Napis S
    Mol Biotechnol, 2010 Sep;46(1):1-19.
    PMID: 20390382 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-010-9262-9
    Oil palm suspension cultures were initiated by transferring the gel-like friable embryogenic tissue onto liquid medium supplemented with auxins. In this study, transcripts that were differentially expressed in oil palm suspension cells cultured at different auxin concentrations were examined using suppression subtractive hybridization. Total RNA was first isolated from oil palm suspension cells proliferated in liquid medium with different hormone concentrations for 6 months. Four different hormone combinations: T1 (0.1 mg/l 2,4-D and 1.0 mg/l NAA), T2 (0.4 mg/l 2,4-D and 1.0 mg/l NAA), T3 (1.0 mg/l NAA), and T4 (0.4 mg/l 2,4-D) were used for the treatments. The first and second subtractions were performed using samples T1 and T2 in forward and reverse order. The other two subtractions were forward and reverse subtractions of T3 and T4, respectively. Reverse northern analyses showed that 14.13% of these clones were preferentially expressed in T1, 13.70% in T2, 14.75% in T3, and 15.70% in T4. Among the 294 cDNA clones that were sequenced, 61 contigs (assembled from 165 sequences) and 129 singletons were obtained. Among the 61 contigs, 10 contigs consist of sequences from treatment T1, 8 contigs were from treatment T2, 10 contigs were contains sequences of treatment T3 and 13 contigs contains sequences of treatment T4. Northern analyses of five transcripts that were shown to be differentially expressed in the oil palm suspension cells by reverse northern analysis revealed that transcripts 16A1 (a putative lignostilbene-alpha,beta-dioxygenase, EgLSD) and 16H12 (a putative ethylene responsive 6, EgER6) were differentially expressed in oil palm suspension cells treated with different levels of auxin.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Proteins/genetics; RNA, Messenger/genetics; DNA, Complementary/genetics; Arecaceae/genetics*; Embryonic Development/genetics
  10. Apoptotic effects of Physalis minima L. chloroform extract in human breast carcinoma T-47D cells mediated by c-myc-, p53-, and caspase-3-dependent pathways
    Ooi KL, Tengku Muhammad TS, Lim CH, Sulaiman SF
    Integr Cancer Ther, 2010 Mar;9(1):73-83.
    PMID: 20150224 DOI: 10.1177/1534735409356443
    The chloroform extract of Physalis minima produced a significant growth inhibition against human T-47D breast carcinoma cells as compared with other extracts with an EC(50) value of 3.8 microg/mL. An analysis of cell death mechanisms indicated that the extract elicited an apoptotic cell death. mRNA expression analysis revealed the coregulation of apoptotic genes, that is, c-myc , p53, and caspase-3. The c-myc was significantly induced by the chloroform extract at the earlier phase of treatment, followed by p53 and caspase-3. Biochemical assay and ultrastructural observation displayed typical apoptotic features in the treated cells, including DNA fragmentation, blebbing and convolution of cell membrane, clumping and margination of chromatin, and production of membrane-bound apoptotic bodies. The presence of different stages of apoptotic cell death and phosphatidylserine externalization were further reconfirmed by annexin V and propidium iodide staining. Thus, the results from this study strongly suggest that the chloroform extract of P. minima induced apoptotic cell death via p53-, caspase-3-, and c-myc-dependent pathways.
    Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/genetics; Carcinoma/genetics; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics; Apoptosis/genetics
  11. Resistance to extended-spectrum beta-lactams by the emergence of SHV-12 and the loss of OmpK35 in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in Malaysia
    Palasubramaniam S, Muniandy S, Navaratnam P
    J Microbiol Immunol Infect, 2009 Apr;42(2):129-33.
    PMID: 19597644
    In addition to beta-lactamase production, loss of porins confers resistance to extended-spectrum beta-lactams in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli infection. This study describes the detection of SHV-12 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) subtype and the loss of OmpK35 porin in 4 strains of K. pneumoniae and E. coli.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; beta-Lactamases/genetics; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Porins/genetics*; Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics*
  12. Expression of the Na+/H+ antiporter gene (g1-nhaC) of alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. G1 in Escherichia coli
    Liew CW, Illias RM, Mahadi NM, Najimudin N
    FEMS Microbiol Lett, 2007 Nov;276(1):114-22.
    PMID: 17937670
    A Na(+)/H(+) antiporter gene was isolated from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. G1. The full-length sequence of the Na(+)/H(+) antiporter gene was obtained using a genome walking method, and designated as g1-nhaC. An ORF preceded by a promoter-like sequence and a Shine-Dalgarno sequence, and followed by a terminator-like sequence was identified. The deduced amino acid sequence consists of 535 amino acids, and a calculated molecular mass of 57 776 Da. g1-nhaC was subsequently cloned into pET22b(+) and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Recombinant E. coli harboring the g1-nhaC gene was able to grow in modified L medium at various concentrations of NaCl (0.2-2.0 M) at different pH values. The recombinant bacteria grew well in the medium with concentrations of NaCl as high as 1.75 M at pH 8.0-9.0. Minimal growth was observed at 2.0 M NaCl, pH 8.0-9.0. At pH 10, the recombinant bacteria grew well in a medium with a low concentration of NaCl (0.2 M). These results suggested that the g1-NhaC antiporter from Bacillus sp. G1 plays a role in Na(+) extrusion at lower pH values and in pH homeostasis at pH 10 under Na(+)-limiting conditions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacillus/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Escherichia coli/genetics*; Sodium-Hydrogen Antiporter/genetics*
  13. Extended-spectrum beta-lactam resistance due to AmpC hyperproduction and CMY-2 coupled with the loss of OMPK35 in Malaysian strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
    Palasubramaniam S, Subramaniam G, Muniandy S, Parasakthi N
    Microb Drug Resist, 2007;13(3):186-90.
    PMID: 17949305
    In this report, we describe the detection of AmpC and CMY-2 beta-lactamases with the loss of OmpK35 porin among seven sporadic strains of ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and ceftazidime-resistant Escherichia coli. Cefoxitin, which was used as a marker of resistance toward 7-alpha-methoxy-cephalosporins, exhibited high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging between 128 microg/ml and >256 microg/ml in all the strains. The presence of hyperproducing AmpC enzymes was indicated by the positive three-dimensional test. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) study confirmed the presence of AmpC enzymes in all the strains. The ampC gene was detected by PCR in all the strains and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Large plasmids in all the strains, ranging from 60 kb to 150 kb in size, most likely encode the ampC gene. Two E. coli strains out of the seven strains showed positive amplification of the bla(CMY-2) gene, an AmpC variant, and was confirmed by DNA sequence analyses. DNA hybridization confirmed the bla(CMY-2) gene to be plasmid-mediated in both of these strains. However, one of these two strains also mediated a chromosomal CMY gene. All the strains showed an absence of OmpK35 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS/PAGE) and was confirmed by western blot analyses using raised polyclonal anti-OmpK35 antiserum. This suggests that, apart from CMY production, absence of OmpK35 porin also contributed to cefoxitin resistance resulting in extended-spectrum beta-lactam resistance among these isolates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/genetics; beta-Lactamases/genetics; Escherichia coli/genetics; Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics; Cephalosporin Resistance/genetics*
  14. Construction and characterization of recombinant single-chain variable fragment antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii MIC2 protein
    Hoe LN, Wan KL, Nathan S
    Parasitology, 2005 Dec;131(Pt 6):759-68.
    PMID: 16336729
    The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii produces a family of microneme proteins that are thought to play diverse roles in aiding the parasite's intracellular existence. Among these, TgMIC2 has a putative function in parasite adhesion to the host cell to initiate the invasion process. The invasion process may be localized and inhibited by monoclonal antibodies against the protein(s) involved. Here we report on the construction of a phage-displayed single-chain variable fragment (scFv) library from mice immunized with whole T. gondii parasites. The library was subsequently panned against recombinant TgMIC2 (rpTgMIC2) and 2 different groups of antibody clones were obtained, based on fingerprinting and sequencing data. The expressed recombinant scFv antibody was able to recognize rpTgMIC2 in a Western blot detection experiment. These results show that the phage display technology allows quick and effective production of monoclonal antibodies against parasite antigens. By panning the scFv-displayed library, we should be able to obtain a plethora of multi-functional scFv antibodies towards T. gondii proteins.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics; Immunoglobulin Variable Region/genetics; Plasmids/genetics; Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Gene Order/genetics
  15. Tumour necrosis factor alpha down-regulates the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells by activation of NF-κB pathway
    Lim WS, Ng DL, Kor SB, Wong HK, Tengku-Muhammad TS, Choo QC, et al.
    Cytokine, 2013 Jan;61(1):266-74.
    PMID: 23141142 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2012.10.007
    Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) plays a major role in the regulation of lipid and glucose homeostasis, and inflammatory responses. The objectives of the study were to systematically investigate the effects of TNF-α and its regulatory pathway on PPARα expression in HepG2 cells using Real-Time RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Here, TNF-α suppressed PPARα mRNA expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner at the level of gene transcription. Pre-treatment of cells with 10μM of Wedelolactone for 2h was sufficient to restore PPARα expression to basal levels and also affected the expression of PPARα-regulated genes. This study also demonstrated that TNF-α represses PPARα expression by augmenting the activity of canonical NF-κB signalling pathway. This was shown by the abrogation of TNF-α-mediated PPARα down-regulation, after both p65 and p50 were knocked down via siRNA. The IKK contributes to IκBα degradation and mediates inducible phosphorylation of p105 at Ser933. Surprisingly, phosphorylation of p65 at Ser468 and Ser536 were severely abrogated with Wedelolactone inhibition, suggesting that Ser468 and Ser536, but not Ser276, may mediate the TNF-α inhibitory action on PPARα gene expression. These results suggest that TNF-α might, at least in part, suppress PPARα expression through activation of IKK/p50/p105/p65 pathway. Furthermore, phosphorylation of p65 at Ser468 and Ser536 may play a crucial role in the mechanism that limits PPARα production in the human HepG2 cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Signal Transduction/genetics; PPAR alpha/genetics; I-kappa B Kinase/genetics; Transcription Factor RelA/genetics; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit/genetics
  16. Nutrigenomic effects of germinated brown rice and its bioactives on hepatic gluconeogenic genes in type 2 diabetic rats and HEPG2 cells
    Imam MU, Ismail M
    Mol Nutr Food Res, 2013 Mar;57(3):401-11.
    PMID: 23307605 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201200429
    SCOPE: Chronic sustained hyperglycemia underlies the symptomatology and complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dietary components contribute to it. Germinated brown rice (GBR) improves glycemic control but the mechanisms involved are still the subject of debate. We now show one mechanism by which GBR lowers blood glucose.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: Effects of GBR, brown rice, and white rice (WR) on fasting plasma glucose and selected genes were studied in type 2 diabetic rats. GBR reduced plasma glucose and weight more than metformin, while WR worsened glycemia over 4 weeks of intervention. Through nutrigenomic suppression, GBR downregulated gluconeogenic genes (Fbp1 and Pck1) in a manner similar to, but more potently than, metformin, while WR upregulated the same genes. Bioactives (gamma-amino butyric acid, acylated steryl glycoside, oryzanol, and phenolics) were involved in GBR's downregulation of both genes. Plasma glucose, Fbp1 and Pck1 changes significantly affected the weight of rats (p = 0.0001).

    CONCLUSION: The fact that GBR downregulates gluconeogenic genes similar to metformin, but produces better glycemic control in type 2 diabetic rats, suggests other mechanisms are involved in GBR's antihyperglycemic properties. GBR as a staple could potentially provide enhanced glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus better than metformin.

    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose/genetics; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics; Gluconeogenesis/genetics*; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP)/genetics; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics
  17. First molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in Yemen
    Alyousefi NA, Mahdy MA, Lim YA, Xiao L, Mahmud R
    Parasitology, 2013 May;140(6):729-34.
    PMID: 23369243 DOI: 10.1017/S0031182012001953
    Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite of humans and animals and has a worldwide distribution. The parasite has a unique epidemiology in Middle Eastern countries where the IId subtype family of Cryptosporidium parvum dominates. However, there has been no information on Cryptosporidium species in Yemen. Thus, this study was conducted in Yemen to examine the distribution of Cryptosporidium species and subtype families. Fecal samples were collected from 335 patients who attended hospitals in Sana'a city. Cryptosporidium species were determined by PCR and sequence analysis of the 18 s rRNA gene. Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis subtypes were identified based on sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Out of 335 samples, 33 (9.9%) were positive for Cryptosporidium. Of them, 97% were identified as C. parvum whilst 1 case (3%) was caused by C. hominis. All 7 C. parvum isolates subtyped belonged to the IIaA15G2R1 subtype. The common occurrence of the zoonotic IIa subtype family of C. parvum highlights the potential occurrence of zoonotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis in Yemen. However, this postulation needs confirmation with future molecular epidemiological studies of cryptosporidiosis in both humans and animals in Yemen.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics; RNA, Protozoan/genetics; DNA, Protozoan/genetics; Cryptosporidium parvum/genetics
  18. Expression profile of immune-related genes in Lates calcarifer infected by Cryptocaryon irritans
    Mohd-Shaharuddin N, Mohd-Adnan A, Kua BC, Nathan S
    Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2013 Mar;34(3):762-9.
    PMID: 23296118 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2012.11.052
    Cryptocaryon irritans causes Cyptocaryonosis or white spot disease in a wide range of marine fish including Lates calcarifer (Asian seabass). However, the immune response of this fish to the parasite is still poorly understood. In this study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to assess the expression profile of immune-related genes in L. calcarifer infected by C. irritans. A total of 21 immune-related genes encoding various functions in the fish immune system were utilized for the qPCR analysis. The experiment was initiated with the infection of juvenile fish by exposure to theronts from 200 C. irritans cysts, and non-infected juvenile fish were used as controls. Spleen, liver, gills and kidney tissues were harvested at three days post-infection from control and infected fish. In addition, organs were also harvested on day-10 post-infection from fish that had been allowed to recover from day-4 up to day-10 post-infection. L. calcarifer exhibited pathological changes on day-3 post-infection with the characteristic presence of white spots on the entire fish body, excessive mucus production and formation of a flap over the fish eye. High quality total RNA was extracted from all tissues and qPCR was performed. The qPCR analysis on the cohort of 21 immune-related genes of the various organs harvested on day-3 post-infection demonstrated that most genes were induced significantly (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Acute-Phase Proteins/genetics; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/genetics; Perciformes/genetics*; RNA, Messenger/genetics; Lectins, C-Type/genetics
  19. Increased expression and hotspot mutations of the multidrug efflux transporter, CDR1 in azole-resistant Candida albicans isolates from vaginitis patients
    Looi CY, D' Silva EC, Seow HF, Rosli R, Ng KP, Chong PP
    FEMS Microbiol Lett, 2005 Aug 15;249(2):283-9.
    PMID: 16006060
    The aims of our research were to investigate the gene expression of the multidrug efflux transporter, CDR1 and the major drug facilitator superfamily transporter, MDR1 gene in azole drug-resistant Candida albicans and Candida glabrata clinical isolates recovered from vaginitis patients; and to identify hotspot mutations that may be present in the C. albicans CaCDR1 gene that could be associated with drug-resistance. The relative expression of the CDR1 and MDR1 transcripts in ketoconazole and clotrimazole-resistant isolates and drug-susceptible ATCC strains were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Expression of CaCDR1 transcript was upregulated to varying extents in all three azole-resistant C. albicans isolates studied (1.6-, 3.7- and 3.9-fold) and all three C. glabrata isolates tested (at 1.9-, 2.3- and 2.7-fold). The overexpression level of CaCDR1 in the isolates correlated with the degree of resistance as reflected by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the drugs. The messenger RNA for another efflux pump, MDR1, was also overexpressed in one of the azole-resistant C. albicans isolates that overexpressed CDR1. This finding suggests that drug-resistance may involve synergy between energy-dependent drug efflux pumps CDR1p and MDR1p in some but not all isolates. Interestingly, DNA sequence analysis of the promoter region of the CaCDR1 gene revealed several point mutations in the resistant clinical isolates compared to the susceptible isolates at 39, 49 and 151 nucleotides upstream from the ATG start codon. This finding provides new information on point mutations in the promoter region which may be responsible for the overexpression of CDR1 in drug-resistant isolates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Candida albicans/genetics; Fungal Proteins/genetics*; Drug Resistance, Fungal/genetics; Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics*; Candida glabrata/genetics
  20. Fulltext Identification of Pathways Mediating Growth Differentiation Factor5-Induced Tenogenic Differentiation in Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells
    Tan SL, Ahmad TS, Ng WM, Azlina AA, Azhar MM, Selvaratnam L, et al.
    PLoS One, 2015;10(11):e0140869.
    PMID: 26528540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140869
    To date, the molecular signalling mechanisms which regulate growth factors-induced MSCs tenogenic differentiation remain largely unknown. Therefore, a study to determine the global gene expression profile of tenogenic differentiation in human bone marrow stromal cells (hMSCs) using growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) was conducted. Microarray analyses were conducted on hMSCs cultures supplemented with 100 ng/ml of GDF5 and compared to undifferentiated hMSCs and adult tenocytes. Results of QuantiGene® Plex assay support the use and interpretation of the inferred gene expression profiles and pathways information. From the 27,216 genes assessed, 873 genes (3.21% of the overall human transcriptome) were significantly altered during the tenogenic differentiation process (corrected p<0.05). The genes identified as potentially associated with tenogenic differentiation were ARHGAP29, CCL2, integrin alpha 8 and neurofilament medium polypeptides. These genes, were mainly associated with cytoskeleton reorganization (stress fibers formation) signaling. Pathway analysis demonstrated the potential molecular pathways involved in tenogenic differentiation were: cytoskeleton reorganization related i.e. keratin filament signaling and activin A signaling; cell adhesion related i.e. chemokine and adhesion signaling; and extracellular matrix related i.e. arachidonic acid production signaling. Further investigation using atomic force microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated apparent cytoskeleton reorganization in GDF5-induced hMSCs suggesting that cytoskeleton reorganization signaling is an important event involved in tenogenic differentiation. Besides, a reduced nucleostemin expression observed suggested a lower cell proliferation rate in hMSCs undergoing tenogenic differentiation. Understanding and elucidating the tenogenic differentiation signalling pathways are important for future optimization of tenogenic hMSCs for functional tendon cell-based therapy and tissue engineering.
    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Chemokine CCL2/genetics; GTPase-Activating Proteins/genetics; Integrin alpha Chains/genetics; Growth Differentiation Factor 5/genetics
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links