Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 71 in total

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  1. Fulltext Emergency laparoscopic resection of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report
    Khairuddin A, Ong GH, Tan JS, Johan S, Hoe VC, Sharif MS, et al.
    Int J Surg Case Rep, 2020;66:104-106.
    PMID: 31830742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.11.055
    INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic liver resection is currently performed as a therapeutic modality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In an emergency setting such as bleeding or rupture, however it has not been well documented.

    PRESENTATION OF CASE: We describe a 55-year-old lady who presented to the emergency department with epigastric pain and symptoms of anaemia for one day duration. She was normotensive but tachycardic. Blood investigations revealed haemoglobin level of 6.5 g/dL and serum alpha-fetoprotein of 3136 g/dL. Contrast enhanced computed tomography scan revealed ruptured HCC of segment 2 and 3. She underwent emergency laparoscopic resection of the ruptured HCC. The postoperative recovery was uneventful and she was discharged well on postoperative day 7. Histology confirmed a 10 cm ruptured HCC with 3 mm tumour-free resection margin.

    DISCUSSION: Ruptured HCC is associated with a high mortality rate of 25-75 %. Traditional treatment involves initial stabilization and hemostasis through transarterial embolization followed by staged hepatic resection. However, laparoscopic liver resection has been shown to be superior than open surgery in terms of postoperative outcomes.

    CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic resection of bleeding HCC is achievable and can be considered in the treatment algorithm of selected patients.

  2. Isolation and characterization of Enterococcus faecium DSM 20477 with ability to secrete antimicrobial substance for the inhibition of oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans UKMCC 1019
    Ng ZJ, Zarin MA, Lee CK, Phapugrangkul P, Tan JS
    Arch Oral Biol, 2020 Feb;110:104617.
    PMID: 31794906 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2019.104617
    Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans are the main oral pathogens which contribute to dental caries that affects all ages of human being.

    OBJECTIVES: This study focuses on the potential of crude cell free supernatant (CCFS) from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to inhibit of the growth of S. mutans UKMCC 1019.

    DESIGN: A total of 61 CCFS from LAB strains were screened for their inhibitory ability against S. mutans UKMCC 1019 by broth microdilution method. The selected LAB with highest antimicrobial activity was identified and its CCFS was characterized for pH stability, temperature tolerance, enzyme sensitivity, metabolism of carbohydrates, enzymatic activities and antimicrobial activity against S. mutans UKMCC 1019 and C. albicans UKMCC 3001 by well diffusion assay. The effect of CCFS on cell structure of S. mutans UKMCC 1019 was observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

    RESULTS: The CCFS from isolate CC2 from Kimchi showed the highest inhibition against S. mutans UKMCC 1019, which was 76.46 % or 4406.08 mm2/mL and it was identified to be most closely related to Enterococcus faecium DSM 20477 based on 16 s rRNA sequencing. The CCFS of E. faecium DSM 20477 had high tolerance to acidic and alkaline environment as well as high temperature. It also shows high antifungal activities against C. albicans UKMCC 3001 with 2362.56 mm2/mL. Under TEM, the cell walls and the cytoplasm membrane of S. mutans UKMCC 1019 were disrupted by the antimicrobial substance, causing cell lysis.

    CONCLUSIONS: Hence, the CCFS from E. faecium DSM 20477 is a potential bacteriocin in future for the treatment of dental caries.

  3. Efficiency of Ionic Liquids-Based Aqueous Two-phase Electrophoresis for Partition of Cytochrome c
    Kee PE, Lan JC, Yim HS, Tan JS, Chow YH, Ng HS
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2020 May;191(1):376-386.
    PMID: 31907777 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-019-03202-y
    Cytochrome c is a small water-soluble protein that is abundantly found in the mitochondrial intermembrane space of microorganism, plants and mammalians. Ionic liquids (ILs)-based aqueous two-phase electrophoresis system (ATPES) was introduced in this study to investigate the partition efficiency of cytochrome c to facilitate subsequent development of two-phase electrophoresis for the separation of cytochrome c from microbial fermentation. The 1-Hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, (C6mim)Br and potassium citrate salt were selected as the phase-forming components. Effects of phase composition; position of electrodes; pH and addition of neutral salt on the partition efficiency of cytochrome c in the ATPES were evaluated. Highest partition coefficient (K = 179.12 ± 0.82) and yield of cytochrome c in top phase (YT = 99.63% ± 0.00) were recorded with IL/salt ATPES composed of 30% (w/w) (C6mim)Br and 20% (w/w) potassium citrate salt of pH 7 and 3.0% (w/w) NaCl addition with anode at the bottom phase and cathode at the top phase. The SDS-PAGE profile revealed that cytochrome c with a molecular weight of 12 kDa was preferably partitioned to the IL-rich top phase. Present findings suggested that the single-step ATPES is a potential separation approach for the recovery of cytochrome c from microbial fermentation. Graphical Abstract.
  4. Insight into the pilot-scale fed-batch fermentation for production of Enterococcus faecium CW3801 using molasses-based medium
    Tang HW, Abbasiliasi S, Ng ZJ, Lee YY, Tang TK, Tan JS
    Prep Biochem Biotechnol, 2021 Oct 14.
    PMID: 34647854 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2021.1986721
    Enterococcus sp. has been used as starters in food fermentation due to their probiotic and antimicrobial properties in food biopreservation. The antimicrobial properties were mainly contributed by the bacteriocin called enterocin. Hence, the availability of a cost-effective pilot-scale cultivation conditions is a necessity for the production of probiotic bacteria. This study aims to investigate optimization of medium composition using sugarcane molasses as a carbon source using response surface methodology and the potential use of fed-batch cultivation for improvement of the cell viability of Enterococcus faecium CW3801 for the use as a probiotic starter culture. Two feeding strategies (ramp and constant) were applied in fed-batch cultivation for enhancement of the production of E. faecium in a 2-L stirred tank bioreactor using the optimized medium and scaled up to a 15-L bioreactor. Optimized fermentation medium which comprised of 10% (v/v) of molasses and 10 g/L of yeast extract at pH 7 yielded maximum cell viability of 29.4 × 1011 CFU/mL with 3900 AU/mL of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) activity. In the fed-batch, the cell viability (8.4 × 1013) and dry cell weight (6.34 g/L) reached the highest in optimized medium when the ramp (stepwise) feeding was applied. In scaling up to 15-L bioreactor, the growth of E. faecium was achieved at 2.3 × 1013 CFU/mL with the dry cell weight of 5.28 g/L under the same condition. The BLIS in 15-L bioreactor was 6% higher than the 2-L bioreactor. This study demonstrated that molasses and yeast extract are good feedstock for the growth of E. faecium. The E. faecium, a non-vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) was successfully produced by a fed-batch cultivation approach and scaled up to a 15-L bioreactor using a ramp feeding strategy. Results from this study revealed that the fed-batch cultivation using molasses-based medium has industrial potential for the production of probiotics.
  5. Fulltext Extraction behaviors of aqueous PEG impregnated resin system in terms of impregnation stability and recovery via protein impregnated resin interactions on bovine serum albumin
    Abdul Aziz NFH, Abbasiliasi S, Abu Zarin M, Ng HS, Lan C, Tan JS
    PeerJ, 2021;9:e11920.
    PMID: 34963820 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11920
    Background: Current advances in biotechnology have been looked at as alternative approaches towards the limited product recovery due to time- and cost-consuming drawbacks on the conventional purification methods. This study aimed to purify bovine serum albumin (BSA) as an exemplary target product using an aqueous impregnated resin system (AIRS). This method implies the concept of hydrophobicity of polymer that impregnated into the resins and driven by electrostatic attractions and hydrophilicity of aqueous salt solution to extract the target product.

    Methods: The extraction behaviors of impregnation in terms of stability and adsorption kinetics via protein-aqueous polymer impregnated resin were studied. Impregnation stability was determined by the leaching factor of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The major factors such as PEG molecular weights and concentration, pH of aqueous salt solution, extraction methods (sonication and agitation) and types of adsorbent material and concentration of aqueous salt phase influencing on partitioning of biomolecule were also investigated.

    Results: For impregnation stability, the leaching factor for Amberlite XAD4 did not exceed 1%. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image analysis of Amberlite XAD4 attributes the structural changes with impregnation of resins. For adsorption kinetics, Freundlich adsorption isotherm with the highest R2 value (0.95) gives an indication of favorable adsorption process. Performance of AIRS impregnated with 40% (w/w) of PEG 2000 was found better than aqueous-two phase system (ATPS) by yielding the highest recovery of BSA (53.72%). The outcomes of this study propound the scope for the application of AIRS in purification of biomolecules.

  6. Response surface methodology optimization of polyhydroxyalkanoate production by Burkholderia cepacia BPT1213 using waste glycerol from palm oil-based biodiesel production
    Mohd Zain NF, Paramasivam M, Tan JS, Lim V, Lee CK
    Biotechnol Prog, 2021 01;37(1):e3077.
    PMID: 32894656 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3077
    The feasibility of using waste glycerol from the biodiesel industry for biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) by Burkholderia cepacia BPT1213 was evaluated. Culture conditions were optimized by growing B. cepacia BPT1213 in mineral salt medium supplemented with 2% waste glycerol in a 2.5 L bioreactor. Response surface methodology was used to determine the influence of aeration rate (0.6-1.8 vvm), agitation speed (100-300 rpm), and cultivation period (48-72 hr) on PHA production. The optimum conditions for the growth and PHA accumulation were 1.5 vvm, 300 rpm, and 72 hr, with predicted values of 5.08 g/L cell dry weight (CDW), 66.07% PHA content, and 3.35 g/L total PHA concentration. Using these conditions, the experimental system produced 5.63 g/L of CDW with 64.00% wt/wt PHA content, which is threefold higher PHA concentration (3.60 g/L) compared to the non-optimized conditions. The melting temperature (Tm ) of purified PHA was 173.45 ± 1.05°C. In conclusion, the statistical approach was significantly increased the PHA production using waste glycerol as the sole carbon source.
  7. Fulltext Haematococcus pluvialis as a Potential Source of Astaxanthin with Diverse Applications in Industrial Sectors: Current Research and Future Directions
    Oslan SNH, Tan JS, Oslan SN, Matanjun P, Mokhtar RAM, Shapawi R, et al.
    Molecules, 2021 Oct 27;26(21).
    PMID: 34770879 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216470
    Haematococcus pluvialis, a green microalga, appears to be a rich source of valuable bioactive compounds, such as astaxanthin, carotenoids, proteins, lutein, and fatty acids (FAs). Astaxanthin has a variety of health benefits and is used in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. Astaxanthin, for example, preserves the redox state and functional integrity of mitochondria and shows advantages despite a low dietary intake. Because of its antioxidant capacity, astaxanthin has recently piqued the interest of researchers due to its potential pharmacological effects, which include anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, as well as neuro-, cardiovascular-, ocular, and skin-protective properties. Astaxanthin is a popular nutritional ingredient and a significant component in animal and aquaculture feed. Extensive studies over the last two decades have established the mechanism by which persistent oxidative stress leads to chronic inflammation, which then mediates the majority of serious diseases. This mini-review provides an overview of contemporary research that makes use of the astaxanthin pigment. This mini-review provides insight into the potential of H. pluvialis as a potent antioxidant in the industry, as well as the broad range of applications for astaxanthin molecules as a potent antioxidant in the industrial sector.
  8. Improved stability of live attenuated vaccine gdhA derivative Pasteurella multocida B:2 by freeze drying method for use as animal vaccine
    Oslan SNH, Halim M, Ramle NA, Saad MZ, Tan JS, Kapri MR, et al.
    Cryobiology, 2017 12;79:1-8.
    PMID: 29037980 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2017.10.004
    The efficacy of attenuated strain of gdhA derivative Pasteurella multocida B:2 mutant as a live vaccine to control haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) disease in cattle and buffaloes has been demonstrated. In order to use P. multocida B:2 mutant as a commercial product, it is essential to optimise its formulation for high viability and stability of the live cells. The effectiveness of freeze-drying process using different protective agent formulations for improving cells viability was explored. Sugar and nitrogen compounds were used as protective agents in freeze-drying and the capability of these compounds in maintaining the viability of mutant P. multocida B:2 during subsequent storage was investigated. A complete loss in viability of freeze-dried mutant P. multocida B:2 was monthly observed until 6-12 months of storage at -30 °C, 4 °C and 27 °C when nitrogen compound or no protective agent was added. Trehalose and sucrose showed significantly high survival rate of 93-95% immediately after freeze-drying and the viability was retained during the subsequent storage at -30 °C and 4 °C. A smooth cell surface without any cell-wall damage was observed for the cells formulated with trehalose under scanning electron micrograph. This study presented a freeze-drying process generating a dried live attenuated vaccine formulation with high stability for commercial applications.
  9. Aqueous two-phase flotation for primary recovery of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) from Pediococcus acidilactici Kp10
    Md Sidek NL, Tan JS, Abbasiliasi S, Wong FW, Mustafa S, Ariff AB
    J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci, 2016 Aug 01;1027:81-7.
    PMID: 27262666 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2016.05.024
    An aqueous two-phase flotation (ATPF) system based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium citrate (NaNO3C6H5O7·2H2O) was considered for primary recovery of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) from Pediococcus acidilactici Kp10. The effects of ATPF parameters namely phase composition, tie-line length (TLL), volume ratio between the two phases (VR), amount of crude load (CL), pH, nitrogen gas flow rate (FR) and flotation time (FT) on the performance of recovery were evaluated. BLIS was mainly concentrated into the upper PEG-rich phase in all systems tested so far. The optimum conditions for BLIS purification, which composed of PEG 8000/sodium citrate, were: TLL of 42.6, VR of 0.4, CL of 22% (w/w), pH 7, average FT of 30min and FR of 20mL/min. BLIS was partially purified up to 5.9-fold with a separation efficiency of 99% under this optimal conditions. A maximum yield of BLIS activity of about 70.3% was recovered in the PEG phase. The BLIS from the top phase was successfully recovered with a single band in SDS-gel with molecular weight of about 10-15kDa. ATPF was found to be an effective technique for the recovery of BLIS from the fermentation broth of P. acidilactici Kp10.
  10. Purification of lipase from Burkholderia metallica fermentation broth in a column chromatography using polymer impregnated resins
    Ng ZJ, Abbasiliasi S, Yew Joon T, Ng HS, Phapugrangkul P, Tan JS
    Prep Biochem Biotechnol, 2023;53(7):872-879.
    PMID: 36594706 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2022.2158468
    In this work, porous glass beads grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used as an adsorbent to purify lipase from Burkholderia metallica in column chromatography. The purification parameters viz. salt stability, types and concentrations of PEG and salt, pH of the binding solution, and flow rate were studied to determine the performance of the purification system in an XK16/20 column. The crude lipase was mixed with different types and concentrations of salts 1-5% (w/w) (sodium citrate, potassium citrate, and sodium acetate) and subjected to the column containing the polymeric glass bead. One-variable-at-a-time experimentation revealed that 20% (w/w) PEG 6000 g/mol impregnated glass beads with a binding solution of 5% sodium citrate at pH 7.7, a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and extraction time of 10 min resulted in the highest purification factor and recovery yield at 3.67 and 88%, respectively. The purified lipase has 55 ∼ 60 kDa molecular mass. The outcome of the study showed PEG could be applied to modify the inert glass beads into polymeric form, providing a biocompatible and mild separation condition for lipase. Thus, PEG could be successfully applied for the purification of lipase from B. metallica fermentation broth using column chromatography.
  11. Tropical Seaweeds as a Sustainable Resource Towards Circular Bioeconomy: Insights and Way Forward
    Kee PE, Phang SM, Lan JC, Tan JS, Khoo KS, Chang JS, et al.
    Mol Biotechnol, 2023 Nov 08.
    PMID: 37938536 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00940-7
    Seaweeds are photosynthetic marine macroalgae known for their rapid biomass growth and their significant contributions to global food and feed production. Seaweeds play a crucial role in mitigating various environmental issues, including greenhouse gases, ocean acidification, hypoxia, and eutrophication. Tropical seaweeds are typically found in tropical and subtropical coastal zones with warmer water temperatures and abundant sunlight. These tropical seaweeds are rich sources of proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibers, polysaccharides, and bioactive compounds, contributing to their health-promoting properties and their diverse applications across a range of industries. The productivity, cultivability, nutritional quality, and edibility of tropical seaweeds have been well-documented. This review article begins with an introduction to the growth conditions of selected tropical seaweeds. Subsequently, the multifunctional properties of tropical seaweeds including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-proliferative, anti-viral, therapeutic and preventive properties were comprehensively evaluated. The potential application of tropical seaweeds as functional foods and feeds, as well as their contributions to sustainable cosmetics, bioenergy, and biofertilizer production were also highlighted. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers involved in seaweed farming as it provides current knowledge and insights into the cultivation and utilization of seaweeds.
  12. Effects of Phomopsidione on the Viability, Virulence, and Metabolites Profile of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
    Wei YM, Tong WY, Tan JS, Lim V, Leong CR, Tan WN
    Curr Microbiol, 2024 Mar 10;81(4):108.
    PMID: 38461425 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03627-7
    Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections have become one of the most threatening multidrug-resistant pathogens. Thus, an ongoing search for anti-MRSA compounds remains an urgent need to effectively treating MRSA infections. Phomopsidione, a novel antibiotic isolated from Diaporthe fraxini, has previously demonstrated potent anti-candidal activity. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of phomopsidione on the viability, virulence, and metabolites profile of MRSA. MRSA was sensitive to phomopsidione in a concentration-dependent manner. Phomopsidione exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of 62.5 and 500.00 µg/mL against MRSA on broth microdilution assay. The compound showed significant reduction in virulence factors production including extracellular polymeric substances quantification, catalase, and lipase. An untargeted metabolomics analysis using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry revealed a significant difference in the metabolites profile of MRSA with 13 putatively identified discriminant metabolites. The present study suggested the potential of phomopsidione as a promising anti-MRSA agent.
  13. Extractive purification of recombinant thermostable lipase from fermentation broth of Escherichia coli using an aqueous polyethylene glycol impregnated resin system
    Tan JS, Abbasiliasi S, Ariff AB, Ng HS, Bakar MHA, Chow YH
    3 Biotech, 2018 Jun;8(6):288.
    PMID: 29938157 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1295-y
    This study aimed at recovery of thermostable lipase from Escherichia coli BL21 using porous glass beads grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) in aqueous impregnated resins system (AIRS). The influencing parameters such as concentration and pH of extraction solution, concentration of NaCl, size of the beads, and pH of the desorption solution on the partition behaviour of lipase were evaluated. Smaller adsorbent (4 mm) had a 65.5% of recovery yield with approximately two-fold higher purification factor compared to that obtained with the larger adsorbent. Recombinant lipase was purified successfully using AIRS with a purification factor of 7.6 and yield of 78.4% under optimum conditions of 18% (w/w) PEG 4000, 10% (w/w) of potassium citrate at pH 9 with 3% (w/w) of NaCl. Optimum desorption was obtained with 4.0 mm of porous glass beads at pH 9.
  14. Pullulanase: role in starch hydrolysis and potential industrial applications
    Hii SL, Tan JS, Ling TC, Ariff AB
    Enzyme Res, 2012;2012:921362.
    PMID: 22991654
    The use of pullulanase (EC 3.2.1.41) has recently been the subject of increased applications in starch-based industries especially those aimed for glucose production. Pullulanase, an important debranching enzyme, has been widely utilised to hydrolyse the α-1,6 glucosidic linkages in starch, amylopectin, pullulan, and related oligosaccharides, which enables a complete and efficient conversion of the branched polysaccharides into small fermentable sugars during saccharification process. The industrial manufacturing of glucose involves two successive enzymatic steps: liquefaction, carried out after gelatinisation by the action of α-amylase; saccharification, which results in further transformation of maltodextrins into glucose. During saccharification process, pullulanase has been used to increase the final glucose concentration with reduced amount of glucoamylase. Therefore, the reversion reaction that involves resynthesis of saccharides from glucose molecules is prevented. To date, five groups of pullulanase enzymes have been reported, that is, (i) pullulanase type I, (ii) amylopullulanase, (iii) neopullulanase, (iv) isopullulanase, and (v) pullulan hydrolase type III. The current paper extensively reviews each category of pullulanase, properties of pullulanase, merits of applying pullulanase during starch bioprocessing, current genetic engineering works related to pullulanase genes, and possible industrial applications of pullulanase.
  15. Optimization of conditions for the single step IMAC purification of miraculin from Synsepalum dulcificum
    He Z, Tan JS, Lai OM, Ariff AB
    Food Chem, 2015 Aug 15;181:19-24.
    PMID: 25794715 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.11.166
    In this study, the methods for extraction and purification of miraculin from Synsepalum dulcificum were investigated. For extraction, the effect of different extraction buffers (phosphate buffer saline, Tris-HCl and NaCl) on the extraction efficiency of total protein was evaluated. Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) with nickel-NTA was used for the purification of the extracted protein, where the influence of binding buffer pH, crude extract pH and imidazole concentration in elution buffer upon the purification performance was explored. The total amount of protein extracted from miracle fruit was found to be 4 times higher using 0.5M NaCl as compared to Tris-HCl and phosphate buffer saline. On the other hand, the use of Tris-HCl as binding buffer gave higher purification performance than sodium phosphate and citrate-phosphate buffers in IMAC system. The optimum purification condition of miraculin using IMAC was achieved with crude extract at pH 7, Tris-HCl binding buffer at pH 7 and the use of 300 mM imidazole as elution buffer, which gave the overall yield of 80.3% and purity of 97.5%. IMAC with nickel-NTA was successfully used as a single step process for the purification of miraculin from crude extract of S. dulcificum.
  16. Transcriptomic data of mature oil palm basal trunk tissue infected with Ganoderma boninense
    Othman NQ, Sulaiman S, Lee YP, Tan JS
    Data Brief, 2019 Aug;25:104288.
    PMID: 31453289 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104288
    To date, Ganoderma boninense is known to be the causal agent of basal stem rot (BSR) disease in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). This disease causes rotting in the roots, basal and upper stem of oil palm. Infection causes progressive destruction of the basal tissues at the oil palm trunk and internal dry rotting, particularly at the intersection between the bole and trunk. Molecular responses of oil palm during infection are not well study although this information is crucial to strategize effective measures to control or eliminate BSR. Here we report three sets of transcriptome data from samples of near-rot section of basal stem tissue of oil palm tree infected with G. boninense (IPIT), healthy section of basal stem tissue of the same G. boninense infected palm (IPHT) and the healthy section of basal stem tissue of the healthy palm (HPHT). The raw reads were deposited into NCBI database and can be accessed via BioProject accession number PRJNA530030.
  17. Celastrol attenuates inflammatory responses in adipose tissues and improves skeletal muscle mitochondrial functions in high fat diet-induced obese rats via upregulation of AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathways
    Abu Bakar MH, Shariff KA, Tan JS, Lee LK
    Eur J Pharmacol, 2020 Sep 15;883:173371.
    PMID: 32712089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173371
    Accumulating evidence indicates that adipose tissue inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle are inextricably linked to obesity and insulin resistance. Celastrol, a bioactive compound derived from the root of Tripterygium wilfordii exhibits a number of attributive properties to attenuate metabolic dysfunction in various cellular and animal disease models. However, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of celastrol in the obesogenic environment in vivo remain elusive. Therefore, the current study investigated the metabolic effects of celastrol on insulin sensitivity, inflammatory response in adipose tissue and mitochondrial functions in skeletal muscle of the high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Our study revealed that celastrol supplementation at 3 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks significantly reduced the final body weight and enhanced insulin sensitivity of the HFD-fed rats. Celastrol noticeably improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake activity and increased expression of plasma membrane GLUT4 protein in skeletal muscle. Moreover, celastrol-treated HFD-fed rats showed attenuated inflammatory responses via decreased NF-κB activity and diminished mRNA expression responsible for classically activated macrophage (M1) polarization in adipose tissues. Significant improvement of muscle mitochondrial functions and enhanced antioxidant defense machinery via restoration of mitochondrial complexes I + III linked activity were effectively exhibited by celastrol treatment. Mechanistically, celastrol stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis attributed by upregulation of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) signaling pathways. Together, these results further demonstrate heretofore the conceivable therapeutic mechanisms of celastrol in vivo against HFD-induced obesity mediated through attenuation of inflammatory response in adipose tissue and enhanced mitochondrial functions in skeletal muscle.
  18. Fulltext Investigation of potential anti-urolithiatic activity from different types of Musa pseudo-stem extracts in inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallization
    Abu Zarin M, Tan JS, Murugan P, Ahmad R
    BMC Complement Med Ther, 2020 Oct 19;20(1):317.
    PMID: 33076892 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03113-0
    BACKGROUND: The banana or scientifically referred to as Musa sp., is one of the most popular fruits all over the world. Almost all parts of a banana tree, including the fruits, stem juice, and flowers are commonly used as traditional medicine for treating diarrhoea (unripe), menorrhagia, diabetes, dysentery, and antiulcerogenic, hypoglycemic, antilithic, hypolipidemic conditions, plus antioxidant actions, inflammation, pains and even snakebites. The study carried out was to evaluate in vitro anti-urolithiatic activity from different types of Musa pseudo-stems.

    METHODS: Observing anti-urolithiathic activity via in vitro nucleation and aggregation assay using a spectrophotometer followed by microscopic observation. A total of 12 methanolic extracts were tested to determine the potential extracts in anti-urolithiasis activities. Cystone was used as a positive control.

    RESULTS: The results manifested an inhibition of nucleation activity (0.11 ± 2.32% to 55.39 ± 1.01%) and an aggregation activity (4.34 ± 0.68% to 58.78 ± 1.81%) at 360 min of incubation time. The highest inhibition percentage in nucleation assay was obtained by the Musa acuminate x balbiciana Colla cv "Awak Legor" methanolic pseudo-stem extract (2D) which was 55.39 ± 1.01%at 60 min of incubation time compared to the cystone at 30.87 ± 0.74%. On the other hand,the Musa acuminate x balbiciana Colla cv "Awak Legor" methanolic bagasse extract (3D) had the highest inhibition percentage in the aggregation assay incubated at 360 min which was obtained at 58.78 ± 1.8%; 5.53% higher than the cystone (53.25%).The microscopic image showed a great reduction in the calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals formation and the size of crystals in 2D and 3D extracts, respectively, as compared to negative control.

    CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained from this study suggest that the extracts are potential sources of alternative medicine for kidney stones disease.

  19. Withaferin A Protects Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Via Attenuation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance
    Abu Bakar MH, Azmi MN, Shariff KA, Tan JS
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2019 May;188(1):241-259.
    PMID: 30417321 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-018-2920-2
    Withaferin A (WA), a bioactive constituent derived from Withania somnifera plant, has been shown to exhibit many qualifying properties in attenuating several metabolic diseases. The current investigation sought to elucidate the protective mechanisms of WA (1.25 mg/kg/day) on pre-existing obese mice mediated by high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Following dietary administration of WA, significant metabolic improvements in hepatic insulin sensitivity, adipocytokines with enhanced glucose tolerance were observed. The hepatic oxidative functions of obese mice treated with WA were improved via augmented antioxidant enzyme activities. The levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and hepatic mRNA expressions of toll-like receptor (TLR4), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand-receptor, and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) in HFD-induced obese mice were reduced. Mechanistically, WA increased hepatic mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), fatty acid synthase (FAS), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), glucokinase (GCK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) that were associated with enhanced lipid and glucose metabolism. Taken together, these results indicate that WA exhibits protective effects against HFD-induced obesity through attenuation of hepatic inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance in mice.
  20. Fulltext Draft genome assembly dataset of the Basidiomycete pathogenic fungus, Ganoderma boninense
    Sulaiman S, Othman NQ, Tan JS, Lee YP
    Data Brief, 2020 Apr;29:105167.
    PMID: 32025548 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105167
    Ganoderma boninense is a soil-borne Basidiomycete pathogenic fungus that eminent as the key causal of devastating disease in oil palm, named basal stem rot. Being a threat to sustainable palm oil production, it is essential to comprehend the fundamental view of this fungus. However, there is gap of information due to its limited number of genome sequence that is available for this pathogenic fungus. This implies the hitches in performing biological research to unravel the mechanism underlying the pathogen attack in oil palm. Therefore, here we report a dataset of draft genome of G. boninense that was sequenced using Illumina Hiseq 2000. The raw reads were deposited into NCBI database (SRX7136614 and SRX7136615) and can be accessed via Bioproject accession number PRJNA503786.
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