Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 278 in total

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  1. Fulltext Cervical dilatation at diagnosis of active phase of labour determines the mode of delivery and peripartum outcomes: a retrospective study in a single tertiary centre in Malaysia
    Rosli AA, Nawi AM, Atan IK, Kalok AM, Ahmad S, Ismail NAM, et al.
    BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2023 Apr 01;23(1):221.
    PMID: 37005571 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05523-7
    BACKGROUND: There is an increasing trend of Caesarean section rate in Malaysia. Limited evidence demonstrated the benefits of changing the demarcation of the active phase of labour.

    METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 3980 singletons, term pregnancy, spontaneous labouring women between 2015 and 2019 comparing outcomes between those with cervical dilation of 4 versus 6 cm at diagnosis of the active phase of labour.

    RESULTS: A total of 3403 (85.5%) women had cervical dilatation of 4 cm, and 577 (14.5%) at 6 cm upon diagnosis of the active phase of labour. Women in 4 cm group were significantly heavier at delivery (p = 0.015) but significantly more multiparous women were in 6 cm group (p 

  2. Fulltext Flavonoid analyses and antimicrobial activity of various parts of Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl fruit
    Hendra R, Ahmad S, Sukari A, Shukor MY, Oskoueian E
    Int J Mol Sci, 2011;12(6):3422-31.
    PMID: 21747685 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12063422
    Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl (Thymelaceae) is commonly known as 'Crown of God', 'Mahkota Dewa', and 'Pau'. It originates from Papua Island, Indonesia and it grows in tropical areas. Empirically, it is potent in treating the hypertensive, diabetic, cancer and diuretic patients. It has a long history of ethnopharmacological usage, and the lack of information about its biological activities led us to investigate the possible biological activities by characterisation of flavonoids and antimicrobial activity of various part of P. macrocarpa against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The results showed that kaempferol, myricetin, naringin, and rutin were the major flavonoids present in the pericarp while naringin and quercetin were found in the mesocarp and seed. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of different parts of P. macrocarpa fruit showed a weak ability to moderate antibacterial activity against pathogenic tested bacteria (inhibition range: 0.93-2.17 cm) at concentration of 0.3 mg/disc. The anti fungi activity was only found in seed extract against Aspergillus niger (1.87 cm) at concentration of 0.3 mg/well. From the results obtained, P. macrocarpa fruit could be considered as a natural antimicrobial source due to the presence of flavonoid compounds.
  3. Fulltext Physiological and biochemical responses of Kinnow mandarin grafted on diploid and tetraploid Volkamer lemon rootstocks under different water-deficit regimes
    Khalid MF, Hussain S, Anjum MA, Morillon R, Ahmad S, Ejaz S, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(4):e0247558.
    PMID: 33831006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247558
    Water shortage is among the major abiotic stresses that restrict growth and productivity of citrus. The existing literature indicates that tetraploid rootstocks had better water-deficit tolerance than corresponding diploids. However, the associated tolerance mechanisms such as antioxidant defence and nutrient uptake are less explored. Therefore, we evaluated physiological and biochemical responses (antioxidant defence, osmotic adjustments and nutrient uptake) of diploid (2x) and tetraploid (4x) volkamer lemon (VM) rootstocks grafted with kinnow mandarin (KM) under two water-deficit regimes. The KM/4xVM (VM4) and KM/2xVM (VM2) observed decrease in photosynthetic variables, i.e., photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), leaf greenness (SPAD), dark adopted chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), dark adopted chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv´/Fm´), relative water contents (RWC) and leaf surface area (LSA), and increase in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) under both water-deficit regimes. Moreover, oxidative stress indicators, i.e., malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide, and activities of antioxidant enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APx), glutathione reductase (GR) were increased under both water-deficit regimes. Nonetheless, increase was noted in osmoprotectants such as proline (PRO) and glycine betaine (GB) and other biochemical compounds, including antioxidant capacity (AC), total phenolic content (TPC) and total soluble protein (TSP) in VM2 and VM4 under both water-deficit regimes. Dry biomass (DB) of both rootstocks was decreased under each water-deficit condition. Interestingly, VM4 showed higher and significant increase in antioxidant enzymes, osmoprotectants and other biochemical compounds, while VM2 exhibited higher values for oxidative stress indicators. Overall, results indicated that VM4 better tolerated water-deficit stress by maintaining photosynthetic variables associated with strong antioxidant defence machinery as compared to VM2. However, nutrient uptake was not differed among tested water-deficit conditions and rootstocks. The results conclude that VM4 can better tolerate water-deficit than VM2. Therefore, VM4 can be used as rootstock in areas of high-water deficiency for better citrus productivity.
  4. Fulltext Cesarean scar pregnancy: What can we offer?
    Ng BK, Lim PS, Ahmad S, Kampan NC, Abdul Karim AK, Omar MH
    Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol, 2015 Apr;54(2):208-10.
    PMID: 25951734 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2014.11.022
  5. Fulltext Gene coexpression network analysis reveals perirenal adipose tissue as an important target of prenatal malnutrition in sheep
    Ahmad S, Drag MH, Mohamad Salleh S, Cai Z, Nielsen MO
    Physiol Genomics, 2023 Sep 01;55(9):392-413.
    PMID: 37458462 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00128.2022
    We have previously demonstrated that pre- and early postnatal malnutrition in sheep induced depot- and sex-specific changes in adipose morphological features, metabolic outcomes, and transcriptome in adulthood, with perirenal (PER) as the major target followed by subcutaneous (SUB) adipose tissue. We aimed to identify coexpressed and hub genes in SUB and PER to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to the early nutritional programming of adipose-related phenotypic outcomes. Transcriptomes of SUB and PER of male and female adult sheep with different pre- and early postnatal nutrition histories were used to construct networks of coexpressed genes likely to be functionally associated with pre- and early postnatal nutrition histories and phenotypic traits using weighted gene coexpression network analysis. The modules from PER showed enrichment of cell cycle regulation, gene expression, transmembrane transport, and metabolic processes associated with both sexes' prenatal nutrition. In SUB (only males), a module of enriched adenosine diphosphate metabolism and development correlated with prenatal nutrition. Sex-specific module enrichments were found in PER, such as chromatin modification in the male network but histone modification and mitochondria- and oxidative phosphorylation-related functions in the female network. These sex-specific modules correlated with prenatal nutrition and adipocyte size distribution patterns. Our results point to PER as a primary target of prenatal malnutrition compared to SUB, which played only a minor role. The prenatal programming of gene expression and cell cycle, potentially through epigenetic modifications, might be underlying mechanisms responsible for observed changes in PER expandability and adipocyte-size distribution patterns in adulthood in both sexes.
  6. Fulltext Transcriptomics analysis of differentially expressed genes in subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissue of sheep as affected by their pre- and early postnatal malnutrition histories
    Ahmad S, Drag MH, Salleh SM, Cai Z, Nielsen MO
    BMC Genomics, 2021 May 11;22(1):338.
    PMID: 33975549 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07672-5
    BACKGROUND: Early life malnutrition is known to target adipose tissue with varying impact depending on timing of the insult. This study aimed to identify differentially expressed genes in subcutaneous (SUB) and perirenal (PER) adipose tissue of 2.5-years old sheep to elucidate the biology underlying differential impacts of late gestation versus early postnatal malnutrition on functional development of adipose tissues. Adipose tissues were obtained from 37 adult sheep born as twins to dams fed either NORM (fulfilling energy and protein requirements), LOW (50% of NORM) or HIGH (110% of protein and 150% of energy requirements) diets in the last 6-weeks of gestation. From day 3 to 6 months of age, lambs were fed high-carbohydrate-high-fat (HCHF) or moderate low-fat (CONV) diets, and thereafter the same moderate low-fat diet.

    RESULTS: The gene expression profile of SUB in the adult sheep was not affected by the pre- or early postnatal nutrition history. In PER, 993 and 186 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in LOW versus HIGH and NORM, respectively, but no DEG was found between HIGH and NORM. DEGs identified in the mismatched pre- and postnatal nutrition groups LOW-HCHF (101) and HIGH-HCHF (192) were largely downregulated compared to NORM-CONV. Out of 831 DEGs, 595 and 236 were up- and downregulated in HCHF versus CONV, respectively. The functional enrichment analyses revealed that transmembrane (ion) transport activities, motor activities related to cytoskeletal and spermatozoa function (microtubules and the cytoskeletal motor protein, dynein), and responsiveness to the (micro) environmental extracellular conditions, including endocrine and nervous stimuli were enriched in the DEGs of LOW versus HIGH and NORM. We confirmed that mismatched pre- and postnatal feeding was associated with long-term programming of adipose tissue remodeling and immunity-related pathways. In agreement with phenotypic measurements, early postnatal HCHF feeding targeted pathways involved in kidney cell differentiation, and mismatched LOW-HCHF sheep had specific impairments in cholesterol metabolism pathways.

    CONCLUSIONS: Both pre- and postnatal malnutrition differentially programmed (patho-) physiological pathways with implications for adipose functional development associated with metabolic dysfunctions, and PER was a major target.

  7. Fulltext Numerical Investigation of 1 × 7 Steel Wire Strand under Fretting Fatigue Condition
    Ahmad S, Badshah S, Ul Haq I, Abdullah Malik S, Amjad M, Nasir Tamin M
    Materials (Basel), 2019 Oct 23;12(21).
    PMID: 31652687 DOI: 10.3390/ma12213463
    Wire ropes undergo a fretting fatigue condition when subjected to axial and bending loads. The fretting behavior of wires are classified as line contact and trellis point of contact. The experimental study on the fatigue of wire ropes indicates that most of the failure occurs due to high localized stresses at trellis point of contact. A continuum damage mechanics approach was previously proposed to estimate the fatigue life estimation of wire ropes. The approach majorly depends on the high value of localized stresses as well as the micro-slippage occurs at the contact region. Finite element approach has been used to study radial and axial distribution of stresses and displacement in order to clearly understand the evolution of stresses and existence of relative displacements between neighboring wires under various loading and frictional conditions. The relative movements of contacting wires are more when friction is not considered. In the presence of friction, the relative movement occurs at the boundaries of the contact region. The location of microslip in the presence of friction is backed by the experimental observation stating the crack is initiated at or the outer boundary of the contact spot. The existence of slip is due to different displacement of outer and central wires.
  8. In vitro anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of boesenbergin A, a chalcone isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) (fingerroot)
    Isa NM, Abdelwahab SI, Mohan S, Abdul AB, Sukari MA, Taha MM, et al.
    Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res., 2012 Jun;45(6):524-30.
    PMID: 22358425
    The current in vitro study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of boesenbergin A (BA), a chalcone derivative of known structure isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29), non-small cell lung cancer (A549), prostate adenocarcinoma (PC3), and normal hepatic cells (WRL-68) were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of BA using the MTT assay. The antioxidant activity of BA was assessed by the ORAC assay and compared to quercetin as a standard reference antioxidant. ORAC results are reported as the equivalent concentration of Trolox that produces the same level of antioxidant activity as the sample tested at 20 µg/mL. The toxic effect of BA on different cell types, reported as IC50, yielded 20.22 ± 3.15, 10.69 ± 2.64, 20.31 ± 1.34, 94.10 ± 1.19, and 9.324 ± 0.24 µg/mL for A549, PC3, HepG2, HT-29, and WRL-68, respectively. BA displayed considerable antioxidant activity, when the results of ORAC assay were reported as Trolox equivalents. BA (20 µg/mL) and quercetin (5 µg/mL) were equivalent to a Trolox concentration of 11.91 ± 0.23 and 160.32 ± 2.75 µM, respectively. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of BA was significant at 12.5 to 50 µM and without any significant cytotoxicity for the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 at 50 µM. The significant biological activities observed in this study indicated that BA may be one of the agents responsible for the reported biological activities of B. rotunda crude extract.
  9. Factor Structure of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale: Cross-Cultural Comparisons Between Jordanian Arab and Malaysian Muslim University Students in Jordan
    Musa AS
    J Transcult Nurs, 2016 Mar;27(2):117-25.
    PMID: 24867886 DOI: 10.1177/1043659614537305
    This study reported the differences in factor structure of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) among Jordanian Arab and Malaysian Muslim participants and further examined its validity and reliability. A convenience sample of 553 Jordanian Arab and 183 Malaysian Malay Muslim university students was recruited from governmental universities in northern Jordan. The findings of this study revealed that this scale consists of two factors for the Jordanian Arab group, representing the "Religious Well-Being" and the "Existential Well-Being" subscales, and consists of three factors for the Malaysian group, representing the "Affiliation/Meaning and Purpose," "Positive Existential Well-Being/God Caring and Love," and "Alienation/Despair" subscales. In conclusion, the factor structure of the SWBS for both groups in this study was psychometrically sound with evidence of acceptable to good validity and reliability. Furthermore, this study supported the multidimensional nature of the SWBS and the earlier notion that ethnicity shapes responses to this scale.
  10. Acetylsalicylic acid-sulfa drugs conjugates as potential urease inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents: bio-oriented drug synthesis, molecular docking, and dynamics simulation studies
    Ahmad S, Abdul Qadir M, Ahmed M, Imran M, Yousaf N, Asari A, et al.
    J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2023 Aug 29.
    PMID: 37643014 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2252083
    To explore the new mode of action and reduce side effects, making conjugates of existing drugs is becoming an attractive tool in the realm of medicinal chemistry. In this work, we exploited this approach and synthesized new conjugates to assess their activities against the enzymes involved in different pathological conditions. Specifically, we design and synthesized conjugates involving acetylsalicylic acid and sulfa drugs, validating the newly crafted conjugates using techniques like IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and elemental analysis. These conjugates underwent assessment for their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), urease enzymes, and their anti-inflammatory potential. A competitive mode of urease inhibition was observed for acetylsalicylic acid conjugated with sulfanilamide, sulfacetamide, and sulfadiazine with IC50 of 2.49 ± 0.35 µM, 6.21 ± 0.28 µM, and 6.57 ± 0.44 µM, respectively. Remarkably, the acetylsalicylic acid-sulfamethoxazole conjugate exhibited exceptional anti-inflammatory activity, effectively curtailing induced edema by 83.7%, a result akin to the reference anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin's performance (86.8%). Additionally, it demonstrated comparable COX-2 inhibition (75.8%) to the reference selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib that exhibited 77.1% inhibition at 10 µM concentration. To deepen our understanding, we employed molecular docking techniques to predict the binding interactions of competitive inhibitors with COX-2 and urease receptors. Additionally, MD simulations were carried out, confirming the stability of inhibitor-target complexes throughout the simulation period, devoid of significant conformational changes. Collectively, our research underscores the potential of coupling approved medicinal compounds to usher in novel categories of pharmacological agents, holding promise for addressing a wide spectrum of pathological disorders involving COX-2 and urease enzymes.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
  11. Fulltext Cost analysis of periodontitis management in public sector specialist dental clinics
    Mohd-Dom T, Ayob R, Mohd-Nur A, Abdul-Manaf MR, Ishak N, Abdul-Muttalib K, et al.
    BMC Oral Health, 2014 May 20;14:56.
    PMID: 24884465 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6831-14-56
    BACKGROUND: The objective of this paper is to quantify the cost of periodontitis management at public sector specialist periodontal clinic settings and analyse the distribution of cost components.

    METHODS: Five specialist periodontal clinics in the Ministry of Health represented the public sector in providing clinical and cost data for this study. Newly-diagnosed periodontitis patients (N = 165) were recruited and followed up for one year of specialist periodontal care. Direct and indirect costs from the societal viewpoint were included in the cost analysis. They were measured in 2012 Ringgit Malaysia (MYR) and estimated from the societal perspective using activity-based and step-down costing methods, and substantiated by clinical pathways. Cost of dental equipment, consumables and labour (average treatment time) for each procedure was measured using activity-based costing method. Meanwhile, unit cost calculations for clinic administration, utilities and maintenance used step-down approach. Patient expenditures and absence from work were recorded via diary entries. The conversion from MYR to Euro was based on the 2012 rate (1€ = MYR4).

    RESULTS: A total of 2900 procedures were provided, with an average cost of MYR 2820 (€705) per patient for the study year, and MYR 376 (€94) per outpatient visit. Out of this, 90% was contributed by provider cost and 10% by patient cost; 94% for direct cost and 4% for lost productivity. Treatment of aggressive periodontitis was significantly higher than for chronic periodontitis (t-test, P = 0.003). Higher costs were expended as disease severity increased (ANOVA, P = 0.022) and for patients requiring surgeries (ANOVA, P 

  12. Fulltext Impact of different lifting height and load mass on muscle performance using periodogram
    Shair, E. F., Ahmad, S. A., Marhaban, M. H., Abdullah, A. R., Mohd Tamrin, S. B.
    Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(101):1-8.
    MyJurnal
    Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by muscle fatigue have been a major problem for industry
    which needs to be resolved to save costs related to human resource development (extra training and
    compensation). Detailed fatigue monitoring researches aimed at finding the best fatigue indices is not
    new although studies on the causes of fatigue can be explored further. Identification analysis is required
    to monitor the factors that influence muscle performance characteristic of surface electromyography
    (sEMG) signal. Periodogram monitoring technique applies a frequency domain signal and represents the
    distribution of the signal power over the frequency. It is a technique that allows the tracing of small
    changes in the behaviour of sEMG signal when external parameters are varied. This technique is used
    in this paper to monitor the sEMG signal changes in muscle performance when the lifting height and
    load mass are varied. The periodogram amplitude, which represents the power, increases with the rise in
    lifting height and load mass. From the frequency representation of the periodogram, the root mean square
    voltage (Vrms) is calculated where the muscle performance characteristic could be further identified. The
    Vrms also shows a similar trend when the lifting height and load mass are varied proving the periodogram
    technique is useful to monitor changes in the muscle performance during manual lifting.
  13. A randomized control trial evaluating the prevalence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries in primigravida in routine versus selective mediolateral episiotomy
    Sulaiman AS, Ahmad S, Ismail NA, Rahman RA, Jamil MA, Mohd Dali AZ
    Saudi Med J, 2013 Aug;34(8):819-23.
    PMID: 23974453
    To evaluate the prevalence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), which include third and fourth degree perineal tears in primigravida in routine versus selective mediolateral episiotomy. Secondly, to determine the rate of episiotomy in local settings.
  14. Antenatal calcium intake in Malaysia
    Mahdy ZA, Basri H, Md Isa Z, Ahmad S, Shamsuddin K, Mohd Amin R
    J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2014 Apr;40(4):983-7.
    PMID: 24320794 DOI: 10.1111/jog.12277
    To determine the adequacy of antenatal calcium intake in Malaysia, and the influencing factors.
  15. Fulltext Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Effects of Phytochemicals from Honey against COVID-19: Potential Mechanisms of Action and Future Directions
    Al-Hatamleh MAI, Hatmal MM, Sattar K, Ahmad S, Mustafa MZ, Bittencourt MC, et al.
    Molecules, 2020 Oct 29;25(21).
    PMID: 33138197 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215017
    The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has recently put the world under stress, resulting in a global pandemic. Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines, and this severe respiratory illness has cost many lives. Despite the established antimicrobial and immune-boosting potency described for honey, to date there is still a lack of evidence about its potential role amid COVID-19 outbreak. Based on the previously explored antiviral effects and phytochemical components of honey, we review here evidence for its role as a potentially effective natural product against COVID-19. Although some bioactive compounds in honey have shown potential antiviral effects (i.e., methylglyoxal, chrysin, caffeic acid, galangin and hesperidinin) or enhancing antiviral immune responses (i.e., levan and ascorbic acid), the mechanisms of action for these compounds are still ambiguous. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work exclusively summarizing all these bioactive compounds with their probable mechanisms of action as antiviral agents, specifically against SARS-CoV-2.
  16. Fulltext A Perspective Review on the Role of Nanomedicine in the Modulation of TNF-TNFR2 Axis in Breast Cancer Immunotherapy
    Al-Hatamleh MAI, Ahmad S, Boer JC, Lim J, Chen X, Plebanski M, et al.
    J Oncol, 2019;2019:6313242.
    PMID: 31239840 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6313242
    In the past decade, nanomedicine research has provided us with highly useful agents (nanoparticles) delivering therapeutic drugs to target cancer cells. The present review highlights nanomedicine applications for breast cancer immunotherapy. Recent studies have suggested that tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and its receptor 2 (TNFR2) expressed on breast cancer cells have important functional consequences. This cytokine/receptor interaction is also critical for promoting highly immune-suppressive phenotypes by regulatory T cells (Tregs). This review generally provides a background for nanoparticles as potential drug delivery agents for immunomodulators and further discusses in depth the potential of TNF antagonists delivery to modulate TNF-TNFR2 interactions and inhibit breast cancer progression.
  17. Fulltext Targeting dendritic cells through gold nanoparticles: A review on the cellular uptake and subsequent immunological properties
    Ahmad S, Zamry AA, Tan HT, Wong KK, Lim J, Mohamud R
    Mol Immunol, 2017 11;91:123-133.
    PMID: 28898717 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.09.001
    Gold nanoparticles (NPs) have been proposed as a highly potential tool in immunotherapies due to its advantageous properties including customizable size and shapes, surface functionality and biocompatibility. Dendritic cells (DCs), the sentinels of immune response, have been of interest to be manipulated by using gold NPs for targeted delivery of immunotherapeutic agent. Researches done especially in human DCs showed a variation of gold NPs effects on cellular uptake and internalization, DC maturation and subsequent T cells priming as well as cytotoxicity. In this review, we describe the synthesis and physiochemical properties of gold NPs as well as the importance of gold NPs in immunotherapies through their actions on human DCs.
  18. A profile of TNFR2+ regulatory T cells and CD103+ dendritic cells in the peripheral blood of patients with asthma
    Azid NA, Ahmad S, Boer JC, Al-Hatamleh MAI, Mohammad N, Mohd Ashari NS, et al.
    Hum Immunol, 2020 08 06;81(10-11):634-643.
    PMID: 32771274 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2020.07.006
    The interaction of tolerogenic CD103+ dendritic cells (DCs) with regulatory T (Tregs) cells modulates immune responses by inducing immune tolerance. Hence, we determined the proportion of these cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of asthmatic patients. We observed lower trends of CD11b-CD103+ DCs and CD86 within CD11b-CD103+ DCs, while increased levels of Foxp3 expressing CD25+/-TNFR2+ cells in asthmatics. There was a positive correlation in the expression of Foxp3 within CD3+CD4+CD25+TNFR2+ Tregs and CD11b-CD103+ as well as the expression of CD86 within HLA-DR+CD11c+CD11b-CD103+ DCs. In conclusion, we suggest that the increased levels of Tregs in blood could continuously suppress the T helper 2 (Th2) cells activation in the circulation which is also supported by the increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TNF. Overall, functional immunoregulation of the regulatory cells, particularly Tregs, exhibit immune suppression and induce immune tolerance linked with the immune activation by the antigen presenting cells (APC).
  19. Fulltext The Key Role of TNF-TNFR2 Interactions in the Modulation of Allergic Inflammation: A Review
    Ahmad S, Azid NA, Boer JC, Lim J, Chen X, Plebanski M, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2018;9:2572.
    PMID: 30473698 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02572
    Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which is thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including allergy. TNF is produced at the early stage of allergen sensitization, and then continues to promote the inflammation cascade in the effector phase of allergic reactions. Consequently, anti-TNF treatment has been proposed as a potential therapeutic option. However, recent studies reveal anti-intuitive effects of TNF in the activation and proliferative expansion of immunosuppressive Tregs, tolerogenic DCs and MDSCs. This immunosuppressive effect of TNF is mediated by TNFR2, which is preferentially expressed by immunosuppressive cells. These findings redefine the role of TNF in allergic reaction, and suggest that targeting TNF-TNFR2 interaction itself may represent a novel strategy in the treatment of allergy.
  20. Fulltext Total ige levels and their relevance in the diagnosis of allergy among malaysian population in the north-east region of peninsular malaysia
    Azid N.A.,, Md Sani M, Zamry A.A, Ahmad, S, Mohd Ashari N.S., Tan H.T.T., et al.
    Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2019;4(2):1-7.
    MyJurnal
    Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) has been an indicator for early diagnosis of allergic diseases due the important role of IgE in the sensitization towards allergens. Although total IgE is a common diagnostic test that screens for possible allergic diseases, reports are still lacking on the profile of total IgE levels of allergic patients from the north-east region of Peninsular Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association of total IgE levels with clinico-demographic parameters and whether increasing total IgE levels were associated with certain allergic manifestations in this study cohort. A local cohort of allergic patients (n=71) diagnosed in between 2009 and 2016 in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) were evaluated for the relevance of total IgE levels in allergy diagnosis. Our study did not demonstrate significant association between total IgE with age (p=0.75) or gender (p=0.65). However, we showed that elevated total IgE levels were associated with disease severity. Our data suggests that increasing total IgE levels beyond the conventional cutoff used to define abnormal IgE levels were more commonly associated with patients presenting allergic asthma and skin allergy manifestations. Total IgE level is a useful indicator for diagnosis of allergic diseases. Although total IgE level might not be sufficient to confirm the sensitization status of an individual, it may reflect the severity of the allergic disease suffered and it has a high correlation with positive sIgE values.
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