Displaying publications 521 - 540 of 5549 in total

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  1. Hemovigilance in developing countries
    Ayob Y
    Biologicals, 2010 Jan;38(1):91-6.
    PMID: 20133151 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2009.10.002
    Hemovigilance like quality systems and audits has become an integral part of the Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) in the developed world and has contributed greatly to the development of the blood service. However developing countries are still grappling with donor recruitment and efforts towards sufficiency and safety of the blood supply. In these countries the BTS is generally fragmented and a national hemovigilance program would be difficult to implement. However a few developing countries have an effective and sustainable blood program that can deliver equitable, safe and sufficient blood supply to the nation. Different models of hemovigilance program have been introduced with variable success. There are deficiencies but the data collected provided important information that can be presented to the health authorities for effective interventions. Hemovigilance program modeled from developed countries require expertise and resources that are not available in many developing countries. Whatever resources that are available should be utilized to correct deficiencies that are already apparent and obvious. Besides there are other tools that can be used to monitor the blood program in the developing countries depending on the need and the resources available. More importantly the data collected should be accurate and are used and taken into consideration in formulating guidelines, standards and policies and to affect appropriate interventions. Any surveillance program should be introduced in a stepwise manner as the blood transfusion service develops.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Banks/organization & administration*; Blood Banks/standards; Blood Banks/supply & distribution; Blood Donors/supply & distribution; Blood Transfusion/methods; Blood Transfusion/standards; Blood Transfusion/utilization*; Blood Transfusion/statistics & numerical data; Blood-Borne Pathogens
  2. Fulltext Serum lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease in Hospital Kuala Lumpur
    Hakim NA, Hafizan MT, Baizurah MH, Zainal AA
    Asian J Surg, 2008 Jan;31(1):11-5.
    PMID: 18334463 DOI: 10.1016/S1015-9584(08)60048-2
    The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease (PVD) who had elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, as well as to determine the latter's significance as a risk factor for PVD in the local population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Lipoprotein(a)/blood*; Atherosclerosis/blood*
  3. Fulltext Rubella outbreak amongst residential students in a military vocational school of Malaysia
    Yusof AB, Selvanesan S, Norizah I, Zuridah H, Kumarasamy V, Mariam M, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2006 Aug;61(3):296-301.
    PMID: 17240579 MyJurnal
    An outbreak of rubella occurred amongst 303 newly recruited residential Form IV students in a military vocational training school in Malaysia. Of the 303 Form IV students, 77 gave a history of acute illness. Rubella specific IgM was detected in the sera of 46.5% (141/303) whereas rubella specific IgG was detected in 100% of all Form IV students. Sixty five students with no clinical history of acute illness during the outbreak period had detectable rubella IgM in their sera and rubella specific IgM was detected in the sera of all symptomatic students except one. Maculopapular rash was the commonest presenting clinical feature among students with acute rubella infection in this outbreak (97.4%) followed by fever (88.2%). The duration of rash ranged from one to nine days with a mean of 4.6 days. Of the 65 students that had both fever and rash, 56 (85.2%) students had maculopapular skin eruption on the same day as the date of onset of fever, six (9.2%) developed the rash a day after the onset of fever and three (4.6%) had the rash after two days of fever. The duration of fever ranged from one to eight days with a mean of 3.5 days. The duration of conjunctivitis ranged from one to four days with a mean of 2.3 days, and all those who developed conjunctivitis had mild eye-discharge without photophobia. The duration of arthralgia ranged from one to three days with a mean of 2.1 days. The commonest type of joints affected was knee joints (66.7%, 12/18), followed by elbow and shoulder joints (27.8%, 5/18) and wrist joints (5.6%, 1/18). A good clinical history of the temporal relationship between the occurrence of rash and fever during the outbreak could easily differentiate rubella illness from that of measles.
    Matched MeSH terms: Immunoglobulin G/blood; Immunoglobulin M/blood
  4. Fulltext The HOPE Asia network 2022 up-date consensus statement on morning hypertension management
    Kario K, Wang JG, Chia YC, Wang TD, Li Y, Siddique S, et al.
    J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich), 2022 Sep;24(9):1112-1120.
    PMID: 36196465 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14555
    Morning hypertension is an important clinical target in the management of hypertension for perfect 24-h blood pressure (BP) control. Morning hypertension is generally categorized into two types: "morning surge" type and "sustained nocturnal and morning hypertension" type. The "morning surge" type is characterized by an exaggerated morning blood pressure surge (MBPS), and the "sustained nocturnal and morning hypertension" type with continuous hypertension from nighttime to morning (non-dipper/riser type). They can be detected by home and ambulatory blood pressure measurements (HBPM and ABPM). These two forms of morning hypertension both increase the risk of cardiovascular and renal diseases, but may occur via different pathogenic mechanisms and are associated with different conditions. Morning hypertension should be treated to achieve a morning BP level of 
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure/physiology; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory
  5. Fulltext Current realities of home blood pressure monitoring from physicians' perspectives: results from Asia HBPM survey 2020
    Wang TD, Ohkubo T, Bunyi ML, Chadachan VM, Chia YC, Kario K, et al.
    Hypertens Res, 2023 Jul;46(7):1638-1649.
    PMID: 37041412 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-023-01259-1
    Uncontrolled hypertension is a significant problem in many parts of Asia. Effective management is essential to reduce the burden of hypertension. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is a promising tool that can aid in the diagnosis and management of hypertension. Experts from 11 countries/regions in Asia conceptualized a large-scale survey to examine the current realities of HBPM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among health care professionals from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam between November 2019 and June 2021. Physicians' responses were summarized using descriptive statistics. A total of 7945 physicians participated in the survey. Among all respondents, 50.3% and 33.5% viewed HBPM as highly recognized by physicians and patients in their country/region, respectively. Lack of understanding of HBPM and concern with the accuracy and reliability of HBPM devices were identified as key barriers to HBPM recognition. Nearly all physicians (95.9%) reported recommending HBPM to their patients; however, they reported less than 50% of their patients measured home blood pressure (HBP). Among physicians who recommended HBPM, only 22.4% and 54.1% cited HBP diagnostic threshold values and timing of taking antihypertensive drugs that were consistent with available guidelines, respectively. The survey reveals that the recognition of HBPM as a valuable tool to diagnose and manage hypertension is suboptimal in most parts of Asia. Despite high recommendation of HBPM to hypertensive patients by physicians, there are considerable discrepancies between guidelines recommendations and practice realities. The recognition of HBPM as a valuable tool for the diagnosis and management of hypertension is suboptimal among both physicians and patients in Asia. A clear and consistent guidance for proper HBPM practice and use of validated and calibrated HBP monitors are among the top priorities to support the integration of HBPM into daily patient care. HBPM: home blood pressure monitoring, HBP: home blood pressure.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure/physiology; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory
  6. Hypertension in the first blood pressure reading and the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in the general population: findings from the prospective KORA study
    Atasoy S, Henningsen P, Johar H, Middeke M, Sattel H, Linkohr B, et al.
    J Hypertens, 2024 Mar 01;42(3):521-529.
    PMID: 38088424 DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000003629
    BACKGROUND: The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in individuals with an alerting reaction, assessed by hypertension in the first blood pressure (BP) reading but normal BP in further readings, remains unknown in the general population.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: In a sample of 11 146 adults (51.5% men and 48.5% women) with a mean age of 47.1 years (SD ± 12.3) from a German population-based cohort, we analyzed risk factors and CVD mortality risk associated with an alerting reaction. An alerting reaction was prevalent in 10.2% of the population and associated with sociodemographic, lifestyle, and somatic CVD risk factors. Within a mean follow-up period of 22.7 years (SD ± 7.05 years; max: 32 years; 253 201 person years), 1420 (12.7%) CVD mortality cases were observed. The CVD mortality rate associated with an alerting reaction was significantly higher than in normotension (64 vs. 32 cases/10 000 person-years), but lower than hypertension (118 cases/10 000 person-years). Correspondingly, the alerting reaction was associated with a 23% higher hazard ratio of CVD mortality than normal blood pressure [hazard ratio 1.23 (95% confidence interval 1.02-1.49), P  = 0.04]. However, adjustment for antihypertensive medication use attenuated this association [1.19 (0.99-1.44), P  = 0.06].

    CONCLUSION: The results may warrant monitoring of an alerting reaction as a preventive measure of CVD mortality in untreated individuals with elevated first BP readings, as well as optimized treatment in treated individuals.

    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure/physiology; Blood Pressure Determination
  7. Targeting the vivid facets of apolipoproteins as a cardiovascular risk factor in rheumatoid arthritis
    Sharma A, Sharma C, Sharma L, Wal P, Mishra P, Sachdeva N, et al.
    Can J Physiol Pharmacol, 2024 May 01;102(5):305-317.
    PMID: 38334084 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2023-0259
    Mostly, cardiovascular diseases are blamed for casualties in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Customarily, dyslipidemia is probably the most prevalent underlying cause of untimely demise in people suffering from RA as it hastens the expansion of atherosclerosis. The engagement of inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), etc., is crucial in the progression and proliferation of both RA and abnormal lipid parameters. Thus, lipid abnormalities should be monitored frequently in patients with both primary and advanced RA stages. An advanced lipid profile examination, i.e., direct role of apolipoproteins associated with various lipid molecules is a more dependable approach for better understanding of the disease and selecting suitable therapeutic targets. Therefore, studying their apolipoproteins is more relevant than assessing RA patients' altered lipid profile levels. Among the various apolipoprotein classes, Apo A1 and Apo B are primarily being focused. In addition, it also addresses how calculating Apo B:Apo A1 ratio can aid in analyzing the disease's risk. The marketed therapies available to control lipid abnormalities are associated with many other risk factors. Hence, directly targeting Apo A1 and Apo B would provide a better and safer option.
    Matched MeSH terms: Apolipoproteins B/blood; Dyslipidemias/blood
  8. I-int phenotype among three individuals of a Parsi community from Mumbai, India
    Joshi SR
    Immunohematology, 2014;30(1):11-3.
    PMID: 25238244
    The red blood cells (RBCs) of most adult individuals display an I+i- phenotype, whereas those of newborns and some rare adult individuals are typed as I-i+. The phenotype in the latter category, designated as adult i, is under genetic influence as the RBCs of I+i+ individuals display strengths of I and i antigen expression intermediate to that of ordinary adults and ii-adults. As there was no information on the occurrence of adult i phenotype in the Indian population, the present study was undertaken. The RBCs of randomly selected subjects were screened with anti-I and anti-i reagents by a saline tube technique at 220C. Individuals with unusual I and i antigen reactivity patterns were further tested by a semi-quantitative method with a battery of anti-I and anti-i reagents, followed by family studies. Three of the 5864 donors tested showed an elevated strength of i antigen. Further study revealed an intermediate strength of both I and i antigens compared with those on RBCs from adult and cord blood samples. All three probands came from an ethnic Parsi community. The phenotype (referred to as I-int) was shown to be inherited, being passed through two generations, but none of the members of the families had displayed an adult i phenotype. The I-int phenotype detected showed an ethnic association because all three subjects belonged to an endogamous Parsi community that has migrated to India some centuries ago from Persia, the present-day Iran.
    Matched MeSH terms: I Blood-Group System/analysis*; I Blood-Group System/genetics
  9. Magnesium deficiency: a possible cause of restless leg syndrome in haemodialysis patients
    Sinniah D
    Intern Med J, 2015 Apr;45(4):467-8.
    PMID: 25827521 DOI: 10.1111/imj.12715
    Matched MeSH terms: Magnesium Deficiency/blood; Restless Legs Syndrome/blood
  10. Fulltext Feasibility Study of NMR Based Serum Metabolomic Profiling to Animal Health Monitoring: A Case Study on Iron Storage Disease in Captive Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)
    Watanabe M, Roth TL, Bauer SJ, Lane A, Romick-Rosendale LE
    PLoS One, 2016;11(5):e0156318.
    PMID: 27232336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156318
    A variety of wildlife species maintained in captivity are susceptible to iron storage disease (ISD), or hemochromatosis, a disease resulting from the deposition of excess iron into insoluble iron clusters in soft tissue. Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is one of the rhinoceros species that has evolutionarily adapted to a low-iron diet and is susceptible to iron overload. Hemosiderosis is reported at necropsy in many African black and Sumatran rhinoceroses but only a small number of animals reportedly die from hemochromatosis. The underlying cause and reasons for differences in susceptibility to hemochromatosis within the taxon remains unclear. Although serum ferritin concentrations have been useful in monitoring the progression of ISD in many species, there is some question regarding their value in diagnosing hemochromatosis in the Sumatran rhino. To investigate the metabolic changes during the development of hemochromatosis and possibly increase our understanding of its progression and individual susceptibility differences, the serum metabolome from a Sumatran rhinoceros was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics. The study involved samples from female rhinoceros at the Cincinnati Zoo (n = 3), including two animals that died from liver failure caused by ISD, and the Sungai Dusun Rhinoceros Conservation Centre in Peninsular Malaysia (n = 4). Principal component analysis was performed to visually and statistically compare the metabolic profiles of the healthy animals. The results indicated that significant differences were present between the animals at the zoo and the animals in the conservation center. A comparison of the 43 serum metabolomes of three zoo rhinoceros showed two distinct groupings, healthy (n = 30) and unhealthy (n = 13). A total of eighteen altered metabolites were identified in healthy versus unhealthy samples. Results strongly suggest that NMR-based metabolomics is a valuable tool for animal health monitoring and may provide insight into the progression of this and other insidious diseases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hemochromatosis/blood; Perissodactyla/blood
  11. Fulltext What influences patients' acceptance of a blood pressure telemonitoring service in primary care? A qualitative study
    Abdullah A, Liew SM, Hanafi NS, Ng CJ, Lai PS, Chia YC, et al.
    Patient Prefer Adherence, 2016;10:99-106.
    PMID: 26869773 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S94687
    BACKGROUND: Telemonitoring of home blood pressure (BP) is found to have a positive effect on BP control. Delivering a BP telemonitoring service in primary care offers primary care physicians an innovative approach toward management of their patients with hypertension. However, little is known about patients' acceptance of such service in routine clinical care.
    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore patients' acceptance of a BP telemonitoring service delivered in primary care based on the technology acceptance model (TAM).
    METHODS: A qualitative study design was used. Primary care patients with uncontrolled office BP who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled into a BP telemonitoring service offered between the period August 2012 and September 2012. This service was delivered at an urban primary care clinic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Twenty patients used the BP telemonitoring service. Of these, 17 patients consented to share their views and experiences through five in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions. An interview guide was developed based on the TAM. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used for analysis.
    RESULTS: Patients found the BP telemonitoring service easy to use but struggled with the perceived usefulness of doing so. They expressed confusion in making sense of the monitored home BP readings. They often thought about the implications of these readings to their hypertension management and overall health. Patients wanted more feedback from their doctors and suggested improvement to the BP telemonitoring functionalities to improve interactions. Patients cited being involved in research as the main reason for their intention to use the service. They felt that patients with limited experience with the internet and information technology, who worked out of town, or who had an outdoor hobby would not be able to benefit from such a service.
    CONCLUSION: Patients found BP telemonitoring service in primary care easy to use but needed help to interpret the meanings of monitored BP readings. Implementations of BP telemonitoring service must tackle these issues to maximize the patients' acceptance of a BP telemonitoring service.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Determination*
  12. Effects of amount and type of dietary fats on postprandial lipemia and thrombogenic markers in individuals with metabolic syndrome
    Teng KT, Chang CY, Kanthimathi MS, Tan AT, Nesaretnam K
    Atherosclerosis, 2015 Sep;242(1):281-7.
    PMID: 26232169 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.07.003
    Postprandial lipemia has been reported to affect endothelial function by thrombogenic and inflammatory pathways. We set out to investigate the impact of a) specific amount (50 g vs 20 g fat), and b) type of fatty acids (saturated, monounsaturated or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids; SFA, MUFA, PUFA) on postprandial lipemia, thrombogenic and inflammatory factors in metabolic syndrome subjects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Coagulation*; Dietary Fats/blood; Fatty Acids/blood; Hyperlipidemias/blood; Lipids/blood*; Thrombosis/blood; Biomarkers/blood; Inflammation Mediators/blood; Metabolic Syndrome X/blood; Fatty Acids, Omega-6/blood
  13. Fulltext Aerobic exercise increases brain vessel lumen size and blood flow in young adults with elevated blood pressure. Secondary analysis of the TEPHRA randomized clinical trial
    Lapidaire W, Forkert ND, Williamson W, Huckstep O, Tan CM, Alsharqi M, et al.
    Neuroimage Clin, 2023;37:103337.
    PMID: 36709637 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103337
    IMPORTANCE: Cerebrovascular changes are already evident in young adults with hypertension and exercise is recommended to reduce cardiovascular risk. To what extent exercise benefits the cerebrovasculature at an early stage of the disease remains unclear.

    OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether structured aerobic exercise increases brain vessel lumen diameter or cerebral blood flow (CBF) and whether lumen diameter is associated with CBF.

    DESIGN: Open, parallel, two-arm superiority randomized controlled (1:1) trial in the TEPHRA study on an intention-to-treat basis. The MRI sub-study was an optional part of the protocol. The outcome assessors remained blinded until the data lock.

    SETTING: Single-centre trial in Oxford, UK.

    PARTICIPANTS: Participants were physically inactive (<150 min/week moderate to vigorous physical activity), 18 to 35 years old, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure 115/75 mmHg-159/99 mmHg, body mass index below 35 kg/m2 and never been on prescribed hypertension medications. Out of 203 randomized participants, 135 participated in the MRI sub-study. Randomisation was stratified for sex, age (<24, 24-29, 30-35 years) and gestational age at birth (<32, 32-37, >37 weeks).

    INTERVENTION: Study participants were randomised to a 16 week aerobic exercise intervention targeting 3×60 min sessions per week at 60 to 80 % peak heart rate.

    MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps from ASL MRI scans, internal carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 and M2 segments, anterior cerebral artery (ACA), basilar artery (BA), and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) diameters extracted from TOF MRI scans.

    RESULTS: Of the 135 randomized participants (median age 28 years, 58 % women) who had high quality baseline MRI data available, 93 participants also had high quality follow-up data available. The exercise group showed an increase in ICA (0.1 cm, 95 % CI 0.01 to 0.18, p =.03) and MCA M1 (0.05 cm, 95 % CI 0.01 to 0.10, p =.03) vessel diameter compared to the control group. Differences in the MCA M2 (0.03 cm, 95 % CI 0.0 to 0.06, p =.08), ACA (0.04 cm, 95 % CI 0.0 to 0.08, p =.06), BA (0.02 cm, 95 % CI -0.04 to 0.09, p =.48), and PCA (0.03 cm, 95 % CI -0.01 to 0.06, p =.17) diameters or CBF were not statistically significant. The increase in ICA vessel diameter in the exercise group was associated with local increases in CBF.

    CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Aerobic exercise induces positive cerebrovascular remodelling in young people with early hypertension, independent of blood pressure. The long-term benefit of these changes requires further study.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02723552, 30 March 2016.

    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory*
  14. Association between serum uric acid levels with essential hypertension and its metabolic variables in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
    Zulkarnain M, Wan Zain WMS, Najib MY, Aniza MJ
    Med J Malaysia, 2024 Jul;79(4):457-463.
    PMID: 39086344
    INTRODUCTION: Hyperuricaemia is common in essential hypertension with varying results in different populations. This study sought to ascertain the association between serum uric acid levels and essential hypertension in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study design involving 132 subjects (88 subjects of hypertension patients for case group and 44 subjects for control group) aged 18 to 40 years old of both genders was conducted at HUSM primary care clinic and physician clinic from May 2020 to May 2021. Blood samples were collected from each of the case and control subjects and analysed for serum uric acid, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL on chemical analyser Architect c8000. The data were analysed by using SPSS Statistics 26.0 version.

    RESULTS: The proportion of subjects with hyperuricaemia in the case group was 48.9%. A significant difference in the uric acid levels between the case group (390.64±92.65μmol/L) and control group (352.09±86.07μmol/L), (p<0.05) was observed. There was no significant difference in the serum uric acid mean ± SD based on the duration of hypertension (<5 years and ≥5 years), (p=0.331) and stages of hypertension (p>0.05). In case group, significant correlations were established between uric acid and triglycerides (r=0.255, p<0.05), uric acid and HDL (r= -0.223, p<0.05), uric acid and urea (r=0.299, p<0.05), uric acid and creatinine (r=0.486, p<0.01). No correlation among uric acid and total cholesterol levels (p>0.05), uric acid and LDL (p>0.05). Serum uric acid was a vital variable in developing hypertension (p<0.05) but not when adapted for age and body mass index (BMI) (p>0.05).

    CONCLUSION: Serum uric acid was significantly elevated in essential hypertension. The significant associations were established between uric acid and triglycerides, HDL, urea and creatinine in essential hypertension. Serum uric acid was a vital variable to develop hypertension, but the association was weakened by other co-founders as age and BMI. A large-scale population-based study is required to truly conclude the association between serum uric acid levels and essential hypertension in our population.

    Matched MeSH terms: Creatinine/blood; Urea/blood
  15. Fulltext Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) reduced phoenixin expression, induced abnormal sperm and testis morphology in male rats
    Mohamed ZI, Sivalingam M, Radhakrishnan AK, Jaafar F, Zainal Abidin SA
    Neuropeptides, 2024 Oct;107:102447.
    PMID: 38870753 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2024.102447
    Chronic stress caused by prolonged emotional pressure can lead to various physiological issues, including reproductive dysfunction. Although reproductive problems can also induce chronic stress, the impact of chronic stress-induced reproductive dysfunction remains contentious. This study investigates the effects of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) on reproductive neuropeptides, sperm quality, and testicular morphology. Sixteen twelve-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups: a non-stress control group and a CUS-induced group. The CUS regimen involved various stressors over 28 days, with both groups undergoing behavioural assessments through sucrose-preference and forced-swim tests. Hypothalamic gene expression levels of CRH, PNX, GPR173, kisspeptin, GnRH, GnIH, and spexin neuropeptides were measured via qPCR, while plasma cortisol, luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone concentrations were quantified using ELISA. Seminal fluid and testis samples were collected for sperm analysis and histopathological evaluation, respectively. Results showed altered behaviours in CUS-induced rats, reflecting stress impacts. Hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression and plasma cortisol levels were significantly higher in CUS-induced rats compared to controls (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Luteinizing Hormone/blood; Testosterone/blood
  16. Investigating serum concentration profiles of orally ingested short-chain fatty acid supplements
    Green CG, Ong MLY, Rowland SN, Bongiovanni T, James LJ, Clifford T, et al.
    Food Funct, 2024 Nov 25;15(23):11525-11536.
    PMID: 39498577 DOI: 10.1039/d4fo04028g
    Acetate, propionate, and butyrate are naturally-occurring short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) derived from bacterial metabolism of dietary fibre and have been associated with numerous positive health outcomes. All three acids have been shown to offer unique physiological and metabolic effects and, therefore, could be targeted for co-ingestion as part of a nutritional/medicinal plan. However, a better understanding of the outcomes of supplementing in combination on circulating concentration profiles is necessary to confirm uptake efficacy. This study sought to investigate the acute circulating concentration profiles of acetate, propionate, and butyrate following oral supplementation. Three experimental trials were conducted including investigations to understand the impact of capsule coating on circulating concentration profiles, the effect of supplementation dose on uptake kinetics, and the outcome of a short, repeated, supplementation routine on circulating levels. Serum samples were analysed for SCFA content using a quantitative GC-MS assay. It was observed that an acid-resistant coated capsule caused a delayed and blunted blood concentration response, with the non-acid resistant trial displaying earlier and more intense peak serum concentrations. For dose comparison investigations, all SCFAs peaked within 60 min and returned to baseline concentrations by 120 min post-supplementation. A graded dose relationship was present for propionate and butyrate when considering the total circulating exposure across a 240 min monitoring period. In addition, a one-week, twice-daily, repeated supplementation protocol resulted in no changes in basal serum SCFA concentrations. Overall, these data indicate that acetate, propionate, and butyrate display relatively similar circulating concentration profiles following oral co-ingestion, adding knowledge to help inform supplementation strategies for future outcomes where acute elevation of circulating SCFAs is desired.
    Matched MeSH terms: Butyrates/blood; Propionates/blood
  17. ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acid status within a week of birth in a cross-sectional study of very preterm infants
    Gibson RA, Bednarz JM, Sullivan TR, Makrides M, McPhee AJ, Davis PG, et al.
    Am J Clin Nutr, 2025 Aug;122(2):593-600.
    PMID: 40754390 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.05.014
    BACKGROUND: Concentrations of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular, the ω-3 (n-3) fatty acid DHA and the ω-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA), decrease in infant blood during the first days after very preterm birth.

    OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore factors associated with blood DHA and AA concentrations of very preterm infants receiving standard care, in the days following birth.

    METHODS: We examined the fatty acid composition of whole blood samples collected on cards at 0-6 d after birth, from a cross-sectional study of 1174 infants born <29 weeks of gestation in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

    RESULTS: Considerable variation was observed in the proportions of blood AA (1.4%-18.0%) and DHA (0.4%-5.7%) concentrations. Infant blood DHA status was not associated with gestational age at birth, but AA was lower by 0.11% for each week of gestation (95% CI: -0.07%, 0.15%). There was an inverse relationship between age of sampling after birth and DHA (0.07% lower per day; 95% CI: 0.04%, 0.09%) and AA (0.09% lower; 95% CI: 0.04%, 0.14%). A concomitant positive relationship was observed between days after birth and the fatty acids present in the intravenous lipid emulsion administered: ω-6 linoleic acid (range: 2.1%-35.1%) and ω-9 oleic acid (range: 12.2%-52.9%).

    CONCLUSIONS: Preterm infants whose blood was sampled later after birth have lower DHA and AA status relative to those sampled earlier after birth; samples taken at later timepoints are concurrently higher in the fatty acids of linoleic acid and oleic acid, which are the major compositional components of intravenous lipid emulsions routinely administered to preterm infants. The results support calls to develop intravenous feeds closely matching the fatty acid composition of infant blood at birth. The N3RO Trial is registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry as ACTRN12612000503820 (https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12612000503820).

    Matched MeSH terms: Docosahexaenoic Acids/blood; Arachidonic Acid/blood
  18. Structural dynamics of LDL receptor interactions with E498A and R499G variants of PCSK9
    Azhar NAA, Chua YA, Nawawi H, Jusoh SA
    J Mol Model, 2025 May 19;31(6):161.
    PMID: 40388017 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-025-06380-1
    CONTEXT: The low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) regulates cholesterol uptake by mediating the hepatic clearance of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) attenuates LDLR function by binding to the LDLR, leading to its lysosomal degradation and preventing the total depletion of circulating LDL-C. However, pathogenic PCSK9 variants can reduce LDLR availability, significantly increase plasma LDL-C levels. Despite this understanding, the detailed molecular mechanism of LDLR-PCSK9 interaction remains unclear due to the incomplete LDLR structure. This study uses molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict LDLR structural dynamics upon binding to PCSK9. Furthermore, PCSK9 variants, E498A and R499G, that were identified in Malaysian FH patients were investigated for their mutational effects. Throughout the simulations, PCSK9 remained stable, while LDLR explored a larger conformational space. The LDLR-PCSK9 wild-type (WT) complex showed minimal changes, while the LDLR-PCSK9(R499G) complex exhibited pronounced conformational rearrangement. The MM/GBSA analysis revealed that the LDLR-PCSK9(E498A) complex had the highest binding affinity (- 63.81 kcal/mol), followed by the WT complex (- 33.07 kcal/mol), and LDLR-PCSK9(R499G) (- 24.21 kcal/mol). These findings offer novel insights into the dynamic interactions between LDLR and PCSK9, highlighting the role of structural flexibility in their relationship. Further MD simulation studies with the complete LDLR structure as well as experimental validation are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying LDLR-PCSK9-mediated cholesterol homeostasis.

    METHODS: The initial structure of the wild-type (WT) LDLR-PCSK9 complex was obtained from PDB ID 3P5C, and the PCSK9 mutant structures (E498A and R499G) were modeled using the SPDBV program. MD simulations for each complex-LDLR-PCSK9 WT, LDLR-PCSK9(E498A), and LDLR-PCSK9(R499G)-were conducted using the GROMACS package with the CHARMM36m force field. The simulations were performed at 310.15 K with 2-fs timesteps under the isothermal-isobaric (NPT) ensemble, with each run lasting 500 ns. Including triplicates, the total duration of MD simulation time for all complexes amounted to 3.5 μs.

    Matched MeSH terms: Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II/blood; Cholesterol, LDL/blood
  19. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in rheumatoid arthritis and its correlation with sonographic knee cartilage thickness and disease activity
    Sakthiswary R, Rajalingam S, Hussein H, Sridharan R, Asrul AW
    Clin Rheumatol, 2017 Dec;36(12):2683-2688.
    PMID: 28889184 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-017-3817-0
    The aim of the study is to investigate the correlation of serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels with articular cartilage damage based on sonographic knee cartilage thickness (KCT) and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 61 RA patients and 27 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Serum samples were obtained from all subjects to determine the serum COMP levels. All subjects had bilateral ultrasound scan of their knees. The KCT was based on the mean of measurements at three sites: the medial condyle, lateral condyle and intercondylar notch. Besides, the RA patients were assessed for their disease activity based on 28-joint-based Disease Activity Score (DAS 28). Serum COMP concentrations were significantly elevated in the RA patients compared to the controls (p = 0.001). The serum COMP levels had an inverse relationship with bilateral KCT in RA subjects and the healthy controls. COMP correlated significantly with disease activity based on DAS 28 (r = 0.299, p = 0.010), disease duration (r = 0.439, p = 
    Matched MeSH terms: Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood*; Blood Sedimentation; Inflammation/blood; Biomarkers/blood; Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein/blood*
  20. Fulltext Platelet-related cytokines among normal body mass index, overweight, and obese Malaysians
    Riyahi N, Tohit ERM, Thambiah SC, Ibrahim Z
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2017 12 10;27(1):182-188.
    PMID: 29222897 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.032017.01
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have reported that obesity is associated with platelet activation and systemic inflammation. Malaysia has the highest prevalence of obesity, hence, this research is performed to evaluate the development of low-grade inflammation and platelet activation, measured using soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and soluble P-selectin (sP-sel), and to determine their association with obesity. In addition, we assessed the mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (PLT), which are novel parameters consistently associated with obesity.

    METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 112 healthy men and women from 3 main ethnic group (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) who were aged 18-60 years. The participants were categorized into normal body mass index (BMI), overweight and obese groups according to WHO criteria for BMI in Asian populations (18.5 kg/m2

    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Platelets; Inflammation/blood*; Obesity/blood; Cytokines/blood*; Overweight/blood*
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