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  1. A study evaluating the postprandial plasma glucose control among type 2 diabetes patients attending a teaching hospital in Malaysia
    Abougalambou SSI, Ahmed NO, Abougalambou AS
    Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2017 Nov;11 Suppl 1:S445-S449.
    PMID: 28434857 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2017.03.033
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Type 2 DM is rapidly rising as a global health care problem that threatens to reach pandemic levels by 2030. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disease with no cure and chronic disease that results in major morbidity and mortality. The main objective of this study is to evaluate postprandial plasma glucose level and to determine factors affect on postprandial plasma glucose level among type 2 diabetes outpatients attending endocrinology clinics at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Teaching Hospital.
    SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study design was observational prospective longitudinal follow-up study, the study was conducted with sample of 1077 type 2 diabetes mellitus outpatient recruited via attended the diabetes clinics at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) in Kelantan. Post prandial plasma glucose (PPG) parameter to measure the glycaemic control. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent variables that affect the PPG control.
    RESULTS: About 426 (39.6%) of the patients did not achieve the optimal postprandial plasma glucose level (<10mmol/l). In this study, the possible factors that affect postprandial plasma glucose levels (PPG) were found to be gender (OR=0.77) and the duration of diabetes (OR=1.12).
    CONCLUSION: It has been found that gender and the duration of diabetes are the factors affecting PPG. New strategy to improve the current status of control of diabetes is needed. The study recommends that health-care providers should pay more attention to type 2 DM male patients and patients who had diabetic for long time.
    Study site: Endocrine clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood*
  2. Characterisation of maternal human leukocyte antigen class I antibodies in suspected foetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
    Refsum E, Mörtberg A, Dahl J, Meinke S, Auvinen MK, Westgren M, et al.
    Transfus Med, 2017 Feb;27(1):43-51.
    PMID: 27862486 DOI: 10.1111/tme.12375
    OBJECTIVES: To investigate the specificities and level of HLA class I antibodies in selected cases referred for suspected foetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT).

    BACKGROUND: FNAIT occurs in 1 : 1-2000 live births, whereas maternal immunisation against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I is common. Whether HLA class I antibodies alone can cause FNAIT is debatable.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 260 patient samples were referred between 2007 and 2012. Referrals with maternal HLA class I antibodies and no other cause for the neonatal thrombocytopenia were included for analysis (cases, n = 23). HPA-1a negative mothers were excluded. Control groups were screened positive mothers of healthy neonates (controls, n = 33) and female blood donors (blood donors, n = 19). LABScreen single antigen HLA class I beads was used for antibody analysis. Clinical records were reviewed for cases.

    RESULTS: All groups had broad antibody reactivity. Cases had more antibodies with high SFI levels compared with the controls (SFI>9999; medians 26, 6 and 0; P blood donors. However, clinical outcome and antibody response correlated poorly in the heterogeneous case group, indicating a multifactorial cause to the thrombocytopenia in the majority of cases.

    Matched MeSH terms: Autoantibodies/blood*; Fetomaternal Transfusion/blood*; Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune/blood*
  3. Pregnancy outcome and cord blood cotinine level: A cross-sectional comparative study between secondhand smokers and non-secondhand smokers
    Abdullah B, Muadz B, Norizal MN, Ismail N, Kornain NK, Kutty M
    Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 2017 Jul;214:86-90.
    PMID: 28494268 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2017.05.002
    OBJECTIVE: To compare the pregnancy outcome and cord blood cotinine levels between secondhand smokers and non-secondhand smokers.

    STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional comparative study in a Malaysian tertiary obstetric hospital involving 200 non-smoking pregnant women at term, of whom 100 were secondhand smokers and 100 were non-secondhand smokers. Those with multiple pregnancies, with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30kg/m2or who delivered by Caesarean section were excluded. The participants' basic demographic details, delivery details, neonatal outcome and placental weight were recorded. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained, and cord blood cotinine levels were measured with a Cotinine ELISA kit. The primary outcomes were baby's birth weight, length, and head circumference, Apgar score at 5min and placental weight. The secondary outcome was difference in cord blood cotinine levels between the two groups and the correlation of these differences with the neonatal outcome.

    RESULTS: The secondhand smoker group had significantly lower baby weight (2.94±0.31kg vs 3.05±0.40kg), head circumference (30.87±2.35cm vs 37.13±2.36cm), length (46.58±1.95cm vs 51.53±2.05cm) and placental weight (520±73.5g vs 596±61.3g) and significantly higher cord blood cotinine levels (16.35±12.84ng/mL vs 0.56±0.22ng/mL). Cord blood cotinine levels had significant negative correlations with placental weight (r=-0.461), baby's weight (r=-0.297), baby's head circumference (r=-0.501) and baby's length (r=-0.374).

    CONCLUSION: Secondhand smoke increases the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (newborns'anthropometric measurements and placental weight) and causes higher cord blood cotinine levels.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cotinine/blood*; Fetal Blood/chemistry*
  4. Fulltext The effect of pravastatin in patients with primary hyperlipidaemia
    Mafauzy M, Mokhtar M, Wan Mohamad WB, Musalmah M
    Med J Malaysia, 1995 Sep;50(3):272-7.
    PMID: 8926908
    Thirty-four (34) subjects with primary hyperlipidaemia were enrolled for this study. After low fat dietary therapy for 6 weeks, subjects' whose serum total cholesterol fell to below 6.2 mmol/l (11 subjects) were excluded from the study and those whose serum total cholesterol were 6.2 mmol/l or more (23 subjects) were started on pravastatin 10 mg nocte. After 8 weeks of treatment, there was a significant decrease in the mean total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. However 13 of the subjects still had serum total cholesterol 6.2 mmol/l or more and their pravastatin dose was increased to 20 mg nocte. After 12 weeks, there was a significant reduction in triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. There was also a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol. The triglyceride fell by a mean of 15.7%, total cholesterol by a mean of 18.1% and LDL-cholesterol by a mean of 26.3%. HDL-cholesterol on the other hand, increased by 19.4%. The subjects whose total cholesterol fell below 6.2 mmol/l at week 8 had significantly lower total cholesterol to begin with than those whose total cholesterol failed to do so and hence were commenced on 20 mg pravastatin. This suggests that the optimum dose of the drug is dependent on the initial level of total cholesterol. We conclude that pravastatin is effective as a lipid lowering agent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hyperlipidemias/blood; Cholesterol, HDL/blood; Cholesterol, LDL/blood
  5. Fulltext Using acute hypervolaemic haemodilution as blood conservation technique in a Jehovah's witness patient undergoing an emergency transphenoidal surgery: a Sabah experience
    Yeap TB, Teah MK, Zenian S
    BMJ Case Rep, 2021 Mar 04;14(3).
    PMID: 33664045 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-241916
    Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) is a branch of Christianity which was founded in 1872. However, their beliefs differ from other Christians in many ways. Majority of JW believe that it is against the teaching of God should they receive blood transfusion, while minority think receiving own blood or others is acceptable. These vast beliefs should always be respected by all medical practitioners to avoid medicolegal implications. The differing beliefs about blood transfusion is certainly a huge challenge to the surgeons and anesthesiologists, especially dealing with major surgeries. Thus, effective surgical and anaesthetic techniques are focused to minimise blood loss to avoid unnecessary blood transfusion. We report a JW patient who successfully underwent an emergency endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery secondary to pituitary apoplexy; highlighting our intraoperative acute hypervolaemic haemodilution technique to reduce blood loss.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Transfusion
  6. Genotyping and characterization of Toxoplasma gondii strain isolated from pigs in Hubei province, central China
    Xia NB, Lu Y, Zhao PF, Wang CF, Li YY, Tan L, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Jun 01;37(2):489-498.
    PMID: 33612818
    Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous pathogen that infects nearly all warm-blooded animals and humans, can cause severe complications to the infected people and animals as well as serious economic losses and social problems. Here, one local strain (TgPIG-WH1) was isolated from an aborted pig fetus, and the genotype of this strain was identified as ToxoDB #3 by the PCR RFLP typing method using 10 molecular markers (SAG1, SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, PK1, C22-8, C29-2 and Apico). A comparison of the virulence of this isolate with other strains in both mice and piglets showed that TgPIG-WH1 was less virulent than type 1 strain RH and type 2 strain ME49 in mice, and caused similar symptoms to those of ME49 such as fever in piglets. Additionally, in piglet infection with both strains, the TgPIG-WH1 caused a higher IgG response and more severe pathological damages than ME49. Furthermore, TgPIG-WH1 caused one death in the 5 infected piglets, whereas ME49 did not, suggesting the higher virulence of TgPIG-WH1 than ME49 during piglet infection. Experimental infections indicate that the virulence of TgPIG-WH1 relative to ME49 is weaker in mice, but higher in pigs. This is probably the first report regarding a ToxoDB #3 strain from pigs in Hubei, China. These data will facilitate the understanding of genetic diversity of Toxoplasma strains in China as well as the prevention and control of porcine toxoplasmosis in the local region.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Protozoan/blood; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Immunoglobulin M/blood
  7. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in people in southeast Hubei province, China
    Shen ZZ, Li K, Li ZJ, Shang XL, Hu F, Zhou WJ, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Jun 01;37(2):452-457.
    PMID: 33612814
    Toxoplasma gondii is a world-widely spread zoonotic parasite. However, scarce knowledge is known about the prevalence of T. gondii infection in people in Hubei province, China. This study herein was to perform epidemiological investigation of T. gondii infection in people in this region. A total 12527 blood samples were obtained during 2015-2018, and were assayed for T. gondii antibodies of IgG and IgM, respectively by employing an indirect hemagglutination test (IHA). The results discovered that the prevalence of T. gondii in people was 2.44% and 6.1%, respectively based on antibodies of IgG and IgM, respectively. The prevalence was ranged from 0.3% to 5.4% during 2015-2018 based on IgM antibodies. For genders, the prevalence was 0.7% and 2.6% in males and females, respectively based on IgM antibodies. In different years, the prevalence was ranged from 4.9% to 14.0% based on IgG antibodies. The prevalence of T. gondii was 4.9% and 6.6% in males and femalesy based on IgG antibodies. The current results may be helpful for the implementation of preventive measures against Toxoplasma infection among people living in this region.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Protozoan/blood; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Immunoglobulin M/blood
  8. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis among Hemato-oncology patients in Kelantan
    Kholib-Jati AK, Wan-Ahmad WMA, Mohamad S, Wan-Mahmood WH, Husin A, Wan-Ab-Rahman WS
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):218-226.
    PMID: 33612733
    Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that is prevalent in humans and animals. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among hemato-oncology patients and its association with sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) involving 56 blood samples from hemato-oncology patients. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies and IgG avidity were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The association of T. gondii exposure, sociodemographic, and behavioural characteristics were assessed by a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Twenty-eight (50%) patients were seropositive for T. gondii antibodies, where 27 (48.21%) patients were IgG+/IgM- and one patient (1.79%) was IgG+/IgM+ with high avidity index, indicating infection of more than 20 weeks. A univariate analysis showed that age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, employment status, stem cell transplant, blood transfusion, close contact with cats, water supply, and consumption of undercooked meat were not significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity (p < 0.05). Our study has demonstrated, for the first time, the serological evidence of T. gondii exposure among hemato-oncology patients in Hospital USM. Our findings indicated that latent toxoplasmosis was relatively prevalence among our patients. Therefore, serological screening tests should be considered for immunocompromised patients as well as the implementation of health education programmes to encourage a healthy lifestyle and the consumption of healthy food among them.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Protozoan/blood; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Immunoglobulin M/blood
  9. Toxoplasma gondii infection among selected indigenous community in Sarawak, East Malaysia
    Ngui R, Hassan NA, Chang LY, Teh SJC, Chua KH, Kee BP, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):155-164.
    PMID: 33612726
    Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in humans. To date, little is known about T. gondii infection among the indigenous community, particularly in East Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the status of T. gondii infection and to investigate associated risk factors among the indigenous community of Sarawak, East Malaysia. The sociodemographic data was obtained using a pretested questionnaire. A serological test was done to detect the presence of specific IgM and IgG antibodies against T. gondii in serum samples. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine acute infection among seropositive individuals. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 50% (95% CI = 43.3 - 56.7). From this subset, 40.1%, 5.7%, and 4.2% were positive for anti-T. Gondii IgG antibodies, IgM, and both IgG and IgM, respectively. Four seropositive samples were amplified through PCR. None of the pregnant women tested positive for T. gondii infection based on the serological and PCR assays. A significant association was found between age, low monthly household income, unemployment, usage of untreated water and close contact with T. gondii seropositive cats. These results provide basic information on T. gondii infection and may be useful for policymakers to initiate prevention and control programs, especially amongst pregnant women and women of childbearing age in the indigenous community.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Protozoan/blood*; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Immunoglobulin M/blood
  10. Fulltext Deciphering the role of nanoparticles for management of bacterial meningitis: an update on recent studies
    Sharma N, Zahoor I, Sachdeva M, Subramaniyan V, Fuloria S, Fuloria NK, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2021 Nov;28(43):60459-60476.
    PMID: 34545518 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16570-y
    Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes called meninges and fluid adjacent the brain and spinal cord. The inflammatory progression expands all through subarachnoid space of the brain and spinal cord and occupies the ventricles. The pathogens like bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites are main sources of infection causing meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening health problem that which needs instantaneous apprehension and treatment. Nesseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus flu are major widespread factors causing bacterial meningitis. The conventional drug delivery approaches encounter difficulty in crossing this blood-brain barrier (BBB) and therefore are insufficient to elicit the desired pharmacological effect as required for treatment of meningitis. Therefore, application of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems has become imperative for successful dealing with this deadly disease. The nanoparticles have ability to across BBB via four important transport mechanisms, i.e., paracellular transport, transcellular (transcytosis), endocytosis (adsorptive transcytosis), and receptor-mediated transcytosis. In this review, we reminisce distinctive symptoms of meningitis, and provide an overview of various types of bacterial meningitis, with a focus on its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology. This review describes conventional therapeutic approaches for treatment of meningitis and the problems encountered by them while transmitting across tight junctions of BBB. The nanotechnology approaches like functionalized polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carrier, nanoemulsion, liposomes, transferosomes, and carbon nanotubes which have been recently evaluated for treatment or detection of bacterial meningitis have been focused. This review has also briefly summarized the recent patents and clinical status of therapeutic modalities for meningitis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood-Brain Barrier
  11. Fulltext 'Energy-Dense, High-SFA and Low-Fiber' Dietary Pattern Lowered Adiponectin but Not Leptin Concentration of Breast Cancer Survivors
    Shahril MR, Zakarai NS, Appannah G, Nurnazahiah A, Mohamed HJJ, Ahmad A, et al.
    Nutrients, 2021 Sep 24;13(10).
    PMID: 34684340 DOI: 10.3390/nu13103339
    Dietary pattern (DP) and its relationship with disease biomarkers have received recognition in nutritional epidemiology investigations. However, DP relationships with adipokines (i.e., adiponectin and leptin) among breast cancer survivors remain unclear. Therefore, we assessed relationships between DP and high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and leptin concentration among breast cancer survivors. This cross-sectional study involved 128 breast cancer survivors who attended the oncology outpatient clinic at two main government hospitals in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The serum concentration of HMW adiponectin and leptin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. A reduced rank regression method was used to analyze DP. Relationships between DP with HMW adiponectin and leptin were examined using regression models. The findings show that with every 1-unit increase in the 'energy-dense, high-SFA, low-fiber' DP z-score, there was a reduction by 0.41 μg/mL in HMW adiponectin which was independent of age, BMI, education level, occupation status, cancer stage, and duration since diagnosis. A similar relationship with leptin concentration was not observed. In conclusion, the 'energy-dense, high-saturated fat and low-fiber' DP, which is characterized by high intake levels of sugar-sweetened drinks and fat-based spreads but low intake of fruits and vegetables, is an unhealthy dietary pattern and unfavorable for HMW adiponectin concentration, but not for leptin. These findings could serve as a basis in developing specific preventive strategies that are tailored to the growing population of breast cancer survivors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/blood*; Leptin/blood*; Adiponectin/blood*
  12. Zika virus modulates blood-brain barrier of brain microvascular endothelial cells
    Ismail AA, Mahboob T, Samudi Raju C, Sekaran SD
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Dec 01;36(4):888-897.
    PMID: 33597462
    Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne Flaviviruses. ZIKV is known to cause birth defect in pregnant women, especially microcephaly in the fetus. Hence, more study is required to understand the infection of Zika virus towards human brain microvascular endothelial cells (MECs). In this study, brain MECs were infected with ZIKV at MOI of 1 and 5 in vitro. The changes in barrier function and membrane permeability of ZIKV-infected brain MECs were determined using electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) system followed by gene expression of ZIKV-infected brain MECs at 24 hours post infection using one-color gene expression microarray. The ECIS results demonstrated that ZIKV infection enhances vascular leakage by increasing cell membrane permeability via alteration of brain MECs barrier function. This was further supported by high expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes (lnc-IL6-2, TNFAIP1 and TNFAIP6), adhesion molecules (CERCAM and ESAM) and growth factor (FIGF). Overall, findings of this study revealed that ZIKV infection could alter the barrier function of brain MECs by altering adhesion molecules and inflammatory response.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood-Brain Barrier/virology*; Brain/blood supply
  13. Fulltext Insulin therapy in patients with COVID-19
    Kow CS, Ramachandram DS, Hasan SS
    Acta Diabetol, 2022 Feb;59(2):285-286.
    PMID: 34648089 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-021-01810-x
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose
  14. Survey on serum protein electrophoresis and recommendations for standardised reporting
    Sthaneshwar P, Thambiah SC, Mat Salleh MJ, Nasuruddin DN, Ahmad Zabidi NF, Jelani AM, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2021 Aug;43(2):281-290.
    PMID: 34448792
    INTRODUCTION: Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is a well-established laboratory technique. However, reporting of results varies considerably between laboratories. The variation in reporting can cause confusion to the clinician with a potential of adversely impacting patient care. The purpose of the survey was to find out the variation in reporting and to prepare recommendations to the Malaysian laboratories based on the survey to reduce both the variation in reporting between laboratories and the risk of misinterpretation of reports.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine the extent of variation in reporting of protein electrophoresis results questionnaires were distributed to the pathologists of various laboratories in Malaysia regarding the method, quantification of paraprotein concentrations and immunoglobulin assays, and information regarding current laboratory electrophoresis practices.

    RESULTS: Variation was found in the following reporting practices: (a) screening protocol; (b) reporting of serum albumin; (c) numerical reporting of protein fractions and paraprotein; (d) co-migration of a paraprotein with a normal serum protein; (e) reporting of multiple paraprotein bands (f) appearance of small abnormal band and oligoclonal bands and (g) communication about of interferences.

    CONCLUSION: The pathologists of the country made recommendations on the reporting of protein electrophoresis. Harmonised reporting will reduce inconsistency, variation in reporting, improve the quality of the report and most importantly improve patient care.

    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Proteins
  15. Fulltext A case study: wrong patient; wrong blood transfusion:is there a theory – practice – ethics gap?
    Manfred Mortell
    The Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 2019;10(3):22-28.
    MyJurnal
    This case study illustrates an ongoing therapeutic dilemma which continues to place the patient's welfare at risk. The safety predicament is associated with the transfusion of blood or their products to the correct patient. Predictably, healthcare scholars declare that when clinical practice is ineffective, a “theory-practice gap” is typically responsible. Within this paradigm there is often a gap between theoretical knowledge and its application in clinical practice. Most of the evidence relating to the non-integration of theory and practice makes the premise that environmental factors will influence learning and practice outcomes, hence the "gap". However, it is the author's belief, that to "bridge the gap" between theory and practice an additional component called “Ethics” must be appreciated. This introduces a new concept “theory-practice-ethics gap” which must be considered when reviewing some of the unacceptable appalling outcomes in health care practice
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Transfusion
  16. Coinfection between SARS-CoV-2 and HIV with a low CD4+ T-cells count
    Suryana K CS
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 05;76(3):446-448.
    PMID: 34031352
    Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that started in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has spread rapidly worldwide. It's critical to take extra precautions if a person has chronic illnesses (comorbidities), such as human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection. Concerns about people living with HIV (PLHIV) having a higher risk of serious COVID-19 disease may be based on the assumption that PLHIV are more likely to be immunocompromised. On the other hand, limited information is available in such people about the characteristics of co-infection between SARS-CoV-2 and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) who are at greater risk than the general population. Our findings, is of a 32 year old patient who came to Emergency Unit of Wangaya Hospital, Medical Faculty, Udayana University in Denpasar, Bali with complaint of fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath since prior 3 days and had also the past history prolonged fever, weight loss more than 10% 4 weeks. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by nasopharyngeal swab sample was used for RT-PCR assay and PITC to confirm HIV infection. He had prolonged hospitalized and discharge after 18 days.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers/blood; HIV Infections/blood; Coinfection/blood
  17. Fulltext Nanomaterials in Alzheimer's disease treatment: a comprehensive review
    Faiyaz M, Ganayee MA, Akhtar S, Krishnan S, Flora B, Dogra D, et al.
    Front Biosci (Landmark Ed), 2021 10 30;26(10):851-865.
    PMID: 34719210 DOI: 10.52586/4992
    Alzheimer's, a progressive neurodegenerative disease affects brain and neurons through enormous reduction in nerve cell regenerative capacity. Dementia and impairment of cognitive functions are more prevalent in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients in both industrialized and non-industrialized countries. Various factors play significant role in molecular cascades that leads to neuronal inflammation, dementia and thereby AD progression. Current medications are symptomatic that alleviates pain while lack in absolute cure, urging researchers to explore targets and therapeutics. Interestingly, nanomedicines developed due to the onset of nanotechnology, are being extensively investigated for the treatment of AD. This review presents the advancement in nanotherapeutic strategies, involving the emergence of nanomaterials that offers advantage to pass through the blood-brain barrier and acts as a therapeutic modality against AD.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood-Brain Barrier
  18. Fulltext Natural Product-based Nanomedicine: Recent Advances and Issues for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
    Woon CK, Hui WK, Abas R, Haron MH, Das S, Lin TS
    Curr Neuropharmacol, 2022;20(8):1498-1518.
    PMID: 34923947 DOI: 10.2174/1570159X20666211217163540
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects the elderly and is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration caused by different pathologies. The most significant challenges in treating AD include the inability of medications to reach the brain because of its poor solubility, low bioavailability, and the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Additionally, current evidence suggests the disruption of BBB plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. One of the critical challenges in treating AD is the ineffective treatments and their severe adverse effects. Nanotechnology offers an alternative approach to facilitate the treatment of AD by overcoming the challenges in drug transport across the BBB. Various nanoparticles (NP) loaded with natural products were reported to aid in drug delivery for the treatment of AD. The nano-sized entities of NP are great platforms for incorporating active materials from natural products into formulations that can be delivered effectively to the intended action site without compromising the material's bioactivity. The review highlights the applications of medicinal plants, their derived components, and various nanomedicinebased approaches for the treatment of AD. The combination of medicinal plants and nanotechnology may lead to new theragnostic solutions for the treatment of AD in the future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood-Brain Barrier
  19. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and antibody trends in vaccinated, multi-ethnic healthcare employees
    Beh CC, Zulkufli NS, Loh LM, Cheng KW, Choo LM, Cheah MW, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):552-560.
    PMID: 35001921 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.098
    Understanding of antibody kinetics against SARS-CoV-2 and its vaccines is rapidly evolving. This study aims to (1) determine post-vaccination seroprevalence; (2) compare antibody levels between vaccine types and various clinical/demographic determinants; and (3) determine post-vaccination antibody concentrations against time. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 148 healthcare employees all over Malaysia. IgG Spike (RBD), IgM Spike and IgG Nucleocapsid concentration medians were compared using Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis tests. Chi Square and Spearman correlation coefficient tests were performed to identify variables associated with antibody titers. A scatter plot of IgG Spike (RBD) against time from last vaccine dose was also plotted. At 1-month post-vaccination, all employees successfully seroconverted regardless of vaccine type, health status and COVID- 19 history. Comirnaty, convalescent, female or Malay vaccinees had significantly higher IgG Spike (RBD) titers compared to their respective counterparts. No correlation was found between age and IgG Spike (RBD) levels. Concentration of all three antibodies waned with time post-vaccination, with IgM Spike and IgG Nucleocapsid waning faster than IgG Spike (RBD).
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Viral/blood*; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Immunoglobulin M/blood
  20. Changes in dietary intake improve glycemic control following a structured nutrition therapy during Ramadan in individuals with type 2 diabetes
    Mohd Yusof BN, Hasbullah FY, Mohd Shahar AS, Omar N, Abu Zaid Z, Mukhtar F, et al.
    Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2021 12;46:314-324.
    PMID: 34857213 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.09.738
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is unknown whether dietary modifications during Ramadan could influence glycemic control in diabetes. This study assessed dietary intake following structured Ramadan nutrition therapy and determined the association between changes in dietary intake and glycemic control parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes.

    METHODS: This was an 8-week, parallel-group, non-randomised study of 60 type 2 diabetes patients who opted for structured Ramadan Nutrition Therapy (sRNT; n = 38) or standard care (SC; n = 22) group. The sRNT group received a structured Ramadan Nutrition Plan incorporated with diabetes-specific formula throughout the study, while SC received standard nutrition care. The 3-day food records assessed dietary intake at three-time points.

    RESULTS: At baseline, dietary characteristics were comparable; both groups had macronutrient intakes within the recommended range, but inadequate intakes of fiber and 11 essential micronutrients. After 8 weeks, the sRNT group significantly reduced intakes of carbohydrate, dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, and increased percentage of total energy intake from protein, fiber, pyridoxine, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and chromium compared with the SC group. In the sRNT group, compliance to diabetes-specific formula predicted changes in HbA1c (p = 0.024), while fiber intake predicted fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.035), after adjusting for age, sex, weight changes and other dietary variables.

    CONCLUSION: Intakes of certain nutrients improved significantly in sRNT group after 8 weeks of receiving a structured Ramadan Nutrition Plan compared to the standard care. The structured Ramadan Nutrition Plan with the incorporation of diabetes-specific formula significantly improved glycemic control and dietary adequacy during Ramadan fasting.

    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose
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