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  1. Fulltext Effective production of keratinase by gellan gum-immobilised Alcaligenes sp. AQ05-001 using heavy metal-free and polluted feather wastes as substrates
    Yusuf I, Ahmad SA, Phang LY, Yasid NA, Shukor MY
    3 Biotech, 2019 Jan;9(1):32.
    PMID: 30622870 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1555-x
    The ability of gellan gum-immobilised cells of the heavy metal-tolerant bacterium Alcaligenes sp. AQ05-001 to utilise both heavy metal-free and heavy metal-polluted feathers (HMPFs) as substrates to produce keratinase enzyme was studied. Optimisation of the media pH, incubation temperature and immobilisation parameters (bead size, bead number, gellan gum concentration) was determined for the best possible production of keratinase using the one-factor-at-a-time technique. The results showed that the immobilised cells could tolerate a broader range of heavy metal concentrations and produced higher keratinase activity at a gellan gum concentration of 0.8% (w/v), a bead size of 3 mm, bead number of 250, pH of 8 and temperature of 30 °C. The entrapped bacterium was used repeatedly for ten cycles to produce keratinase using feathers polluted with 25 ppm of Co, Cu and Ag as substrates without the need for desorption. However, its inability to tolerate/utilise feathers polluted with Hg, Pb, and Zn above 5 ppm, and Ag and Cd above 10 ppm resulted in a considerable decrease in keratinase production. Furthermore, the immobilised cells could retain approximately 95% of their keratinase production capacity when 5 ppm of Co, Cu, and Ag, and 10 ppm of As and Cd were used to pollute feathers. When the feathers containing a mixture of Ag, Co, and Cu at 25 ppm each and Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn at 5 ppm each were used as substrates, the immobilised cells maintained their operational stability and biological activity (keratinase production) at the end of 3rd and 4th cycles, respectively. The study indicates that HMPF can be effectively utilised as a substrate by the immobilised-cell system of Alcaligenes sp. AQ05-001 for the semi-continuous production of keratinase enzyme.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cells, Immobilized
  2. Fulltext A rare case of solitary unifocal Langerhans cell histiocytosis with orbital extension: Diagnostic dilemma
    Addenan M, May CM, Hooi TK, Ismail F, Kamalden TA
    Oman J Ophthalmol, 2018 12 7;11(3):284-287.
    PMID: 30505126 DOI: 10.4103/ojo.OJO_149_2017
    Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is rarely encountered in ophthalmology practice. It is a spectrum of disorder characterized by accumulation of histiocytes in various tissues. Diagnosis is challenging as it may simulate periorbital hematoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and neuroblastoma. We report a case of unifocal LCH with orbital extension. Diagnosis was obtained from incisional biopsy, and histopathological examination showed numerous histiocytes with eosinophilic infiltrations. The presence of Langerhans cells was confirmed by the presence of protein S-100, CD1a, and/or Langerin (CD207). Treatment depends on the degree of organ involvement. She responded well to cytotoxic drugs and steroids. This emphasized that prompt tissue diagnosis is crucial for early management.
    Matched MeSH terms: Langerhans Cells
  3. Fulltext Arctium lappa L. root extract induces cell death via mitochondrial-mediated caspase-dependent apoptosis in Jurkat human leukemic T cells
    Gurunanselage Don RAS, Yap MKK
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2019 Feb;110:918-929.
    PMID: 30572196 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.023
    Arctium lappa L. is a perennial herb traditionally consumed to improve well-being. It has been widely reported for its antioxidant properties; however, very little is known for its exact mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of anticancer action for different A. lappa root extracts. Arctium lappa root was extracted with ethanol, hexane and ethyl acetate, then examined for in vitro anticancer activity against cancerous HeLa, MCF-7, Jurkat cell lines and non-cancerous 3T3 cell lines. Induction of apoptosis was determined by cellular morphological changes, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), caspase-3/7 activity and DNA fragmentation. The active compounds present in the most potent root extracts were identified by LC-ESI-MS. Among all the extracts, ethyl acetate root extract has the highest potency with IC50 of 102.2 ± 42.4 μg/ml, followed by ethanolic root extract in Jurkat T cells, at 24 h. None of the extracts were cytotoxic against 3T3 cells, suggesting that the extracts were selective against cancerous cells only. Both ethyl acetate and ethanolic root extracts exhibited significant morphological changes in Jurkat T cells, including the detachment from adjacent cells, appearance of apoptotic bodies and cells shrinkage. The extracts treated cells also displayed an increase in caspase-3/7 activity and alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential. Only ethyl acetate root extract at IC50 induced DNA fragmentation in Jurkat T cells. LC-ESI-MS analysis of the extract revealed the presence of 8 compounds, of which only 6 compounds with various biological activities reported. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate extract of A. lappa had strong anticancer potential and induced intrinsic apoptosis via loss of ΔΨm and activation of caspase-3/7 This study can provide new insight to the discovery of new promising lead compound in chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies.
    Matched MeSH terms: HeLa Cells; 3T3 Cells; Jurkat Cells; MCF-7 Cells
  4. Fulltext Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen leaf water extract triggered apoptosis and activated caspase-dependent pathway in HT-29 human colorectal cancer cell line
    Tan BL, Norhaizan ME
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2019 Feb;110:748-757.
    PMID: 30554113 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.027
    Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen (Family: Sapotaceae), commonly called as sapodilla, has been applied as traditional folk medicine for diarrhea and pulmonary infections. Conventional therapy in colorectal cancer is not likely effective due to undesirable outcomes. The anti-colon cancer properties of Manilkara zapota leaf water extract have yet to be investigated thus far. Therefore, our present study aimed to evaluate the ability to induce apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms of Manilkara zapota leaf water extract against human colorectal cancer (HT-29) cells. The cytotoxicity of Manilkara zapota leaf water extract was screened in different cancer cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analyses. The morphological changes in HT-29 cell lines after exposure to Manilkara zapota leaf water extract were viewed under fluorescence and inverted light microscope. The apoptotic cell was measured by Annexin V-propidium iodide staining. The caspase-3 and -8 activities were assessed by colorimetric assay. Overall analyses revealed that treatment with Manilkara zapota leaf water extract for 72 h can inhibit the viability of HT-29 cells. Incubation with Manilkara zapota leaf water extract for 24, 48, and 72 h significantly increased (p < 0.05) the total apoptotic cells compared to the control. Treatment with 21, 42, and 84 μg/mL of Manilkara zapota leaf water extract for 72 h triggered both caspase-3 and -8 activities in a concentration-dependent pattern. We also found that the catalase level in the two treatment groups (21 and 42 μg/mL) was significantly elevated after 24 h incubation. Incubation with Manilkara zapota leaf water extract for 72 h triggered the transcriptional elevation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), AXIN1, and casein kinase 1 (CK1). The β-catenin mRNA levels were reduced accordingly when the concentration of the Manilkara zapota leaf water extract was increased. Our results suggested that Manilkara zapota leaf water extract offer great potential against colorectal cancer through modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, caspase-dependent pathway, and antioxidant enzyme.
    Matched MeSH terms: HT29 Cells
  5. The design of a thermoresponsive surface for the continuous culture of human pluripotent stem cells
    Sung TC, Yang JS, Yeh CC, Liu YC, Jiang YP, Lu MW, et al.
    Biomaterials, 2019 Nov;221:119411.
    PMID: 31419657 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119411
    Commonly, stem cell culture is based on batch-type culture, which is laborious and expensive. We continuously cultured human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) on thermoresponsive dish surfaces, where hPSCs were partially detached on the same thermoresponsive dish by decreasing the temperature of the thermoresponsive dish to be below the lower critical solution temperature for only 30 min. Then, the remaining cells were continuously cultured in fresh culture medium, and the detached stem cells were harvested in the exchanged culture medium. hPSCs were continuously cultured for ten cycles on the thermoresponsive dish surface, which was prepared by coating the surface with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-styrene) and oligovitronectin-grafted poly(acrylic acid-co-styrene) or recombinant vitronectin for hPSC binding sites to maintain hPSC pluripotency. After ten cycles of continuous culture on the thermoresponsive dish surface, the detached cells expressed pluripotency proteins and had the ability to differentiate into cells derived from the three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the detached cells differentiated into specific cell lineages, such as cardiomyocytes, with high efficiency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pluripotent Stem Cells
  6. Adhesion ability and cytotoxic evaluation of lactobacillus strains isolated from malaysian fermented fish (pekasam) on ht-29 and ccd-18co intestinal cells
    Ida Muryany, Ahmad Rohi Ghazali, Nor Fadilah Rajab, Hing HL, Ina-Salwany, Mohd Zamri Saad, et al.
    Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:2391-2399.
    Bacterial adhesion to host cells is the most important probiotic character. However, the adhesion of probiotic should not
    affect the viability of the host cells. In this study, Lactobacillus plantarum strain L8, Lactobacillus plantarum strain L20
    and Lactobacillus pentosus strain S1 were tested for their cytotoxic effects through MTT assay and their ability to adhere
    and colonize on HT-29 and CCD-18Co intestinal cells as detected microscopically using light microscopy and Scanning
    Electron Microscopy (SEM). No cytotoxicity effects were observed on both intestinal cells following 24 h treatment with
    all Lactobacillus strains. Additionally, all strains demonstrated strong adhesive activity where more than 100 bacteria
    adhered to both intestinal cells although differences in the adhesion scores observed among different strains. The adhesion
    as observed via SEM showed an autoagreggative pattern and adhered as clusters on the surface of both intestinal cells.
    In conclusion, all three Lactobacillus strains are non-cytotoxic to both cells with strong adhesion ability on intestinal
    cells and this study also proved that Malaysian fermented fish are good source of probiotic bacteria.
    Matched MeSH terms: HT29 Cells
  7. Magnetic cellulose nanocrystal stabilized Pickering emulsions for enhanced bioactive release and human colon cancer therapy
    Low LE, Tan LT, Goh BH, Tey BT, Ong BH, Tang SY
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2019 Apr 15;127:76-84.
    PMID: 30639596 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.01.037
    Stimuli-responsive drug release and controlled delivery play crucial roles in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and lowering over-dosage induced side effects. In this paper, we report magnetically-triggered drug release and in-vitro anti-colon cancer efficacy of Fe3O4@cellulose nanocrystal (MCNC)-stabilized Pickering emulsions containing curcumin (CUR). The loading efficiency of CUR in the micron-sized (≈7 μm) MCNC-stabilized Pickering emulsions (MCNC-PE) template was found to be 99.35%. The drug release profiles showed that the exposure of MCNC-PE to external magnetic field (EMF) (0.7 T) stimulated the release of bioactive from MCNC-PE achieving 53.30 ± 5.08% of the initial loading over a 4-day period. The MTT assay demonstrated that the CUR-loaded MCNC-PE can effectively inhibits the human colon cancer cells growth down to 18% in the presence of EMF. The formulation also resulted in 2-fold reduction on the volume of the 3-D multicellular spheroids of HCT116 as compared to the control sample. The MCNC particle was found to be non-toxic to brine shrimp up to a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Our findings suggested that the palm-based MCNC-PE could be a promising yet effective colloidal drug delivery system for magnetic-triggered release of bioactive and therapeutics.
    Matched MeSH terms: HCT116 Cells
  8. Phyla nodiflora L. Extracts Induce Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Breast Cancer Cell Line, MCF-7
    Teoh PL, Liau M, Cheong BE
    Nutr Cancer, 2019;71(4):668-675.
    PMID: 30663402 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2018.1559942
    Phyla nodiflora L. has been used as medicinal remedies for various ailments due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor activity. Previously, we found that the plant extracts induced DNA fragmentation in MCF-7. This study was to investigate the modes of action of P. nodiflora in inhibiting breast cancer cells using leaf ethyl acetate (EA leaf), stem ethyl acetate (EA stem) and stem methanol (Met stem) extracts. The MTT assay showed that the anti-proliferative effects of P. nodiflora extracts were selective towards MCF-7 with a minimal effect on MCF10A. Morphological changes such as cell shrinkage and nuclear condensation were observed in treated cells. We found that induction of apoptosis by EA leaf and EA stem was mitochondrial-dependent while loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was not found in Met stem-treated cells. In addition, the expression levels of AIFM1, CASP9, CFLAR, and IGF1R were altered after treatment. Decreased BCL-2 expression was found in treated cells while BAX and caspases' expression was upregulated or maintained. All extracts caused perturbation of cell cycle at S phase by dysregulating the expression of cell cycle regulators such as CDKs and cyclins. Our findings indicate that P. nodiflora inhibits MCF-7 cells by inducing apoptosis and perturbing cell cycle.
    Matched MeSH terms: MCF-7 Cells
  9. Fulltext Shiga toxin sub-type 2a increases the efficiency of Escherichia coli O157 transmission between animals and restricts epithelial regeneration in bovine enteroids
    Fitzgerald SF, Beckett AE, Palarea-Albaladejo J, McAteer S, Shaaban S, Morgan J, et al.
    PLoS Pathog, 2019 10;15(10):e1008003.
    PMID: 31581229 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008003
    Specific Escherichia coli isolates lysogenised with prophages that express Shiga toxin (Stx) can be a threat to human health, with cattle being an important natural reservoir. In many countries the most severe pathology is associated with enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) serogroups that express Stx subtype 2a. In the United Kingdom, phage type (PT) 21/28 O157 strains have emerged as the predominant cause of life-threatening EHEC infections and this phage type commonly encodes both Stx2a and Stx2c toxin types. PT21/28 is also epidemiologically linked to super-shedding (>103 cfu/g of faeces) which is significant for inter-animal transmission and human infection as demonstrated using modelling studies. We demonstrate that Stx2a is the main toxin produced by stx2a+/stx2c+ PT21/28 strains induced with mitomycin C and this is associated with more rapid induction of gene expression from the Stx2a-encoding prophage compared to that from the Stx2c-encoding prophage. Bacterial supernatants containing either Stx2a and/or Stx2c were demonstrated to restrict growth of bovine gastrointestinal organoids with no restriction when toxin production was not induced or prevented by mutation. Isogenic strains that differed in their capacity to produce Stx2a were selected for experimental oral colonisation of calves to assess the significance of Stx2a for both super-shedding and transmission between animals. Restoration of Stx2a expression in a PT21/28 background significantly increased animal-to-animal transmission and the number of sentinel animals that became super-shedders. We propose that while both Stx2a and Stx2c can restrict regeneration of the epithelium, it is the relatively rapid and higher levels of Stx2a induction, compared to Stx2c, that have contributed to the successful emergence of Stx2a+ E. coli isolates in cattle in the last 40 years. We propose a model in which Stx2a enhances E. coli O157 colonisation of in-contact animals by restricting regeneration and turnover of the colonised gastrointestinal epithelium.
    Matched MeSH terms: Epithelial Cells/cytology; Epithelial Cells/metabolism; Epithelial Cells/microbiology*
  10. Fulltext Draft genome sequence of fastidious pathogen Ceratobasidium theobromae, which causes vascular-streak dieback in Theobroma cacao
    Ali SS, Asman A, Shao J, Firmansyah AP, Susilo AW, Rosmana A, et al.
    Fungal Biol Biotechnol, 2019;6:14.
    PMID: 31583107 DOI: 10.1186/s40694-019-0077-6
    Background: Ceratobasidium theobromae, a member of the Ceratobasidiaceae family, is the causal agent of vascular-streak dieback (VSD) of cacao, a major threat to the chocolate industry in the South-East Asia. The fastidious pathogen is very hard to isolate and maintain in pure culture, which is a major bottleneck in the study of its genetic diversity and genome.

    Result: This study describes for the first time, a 33.90 Mbp de novo assembled genome of a putative C. theobromae isolate from cacao. Ab initio gene prediction identified 9264 protein-coding genes, of which 800 are unique to C. theobromae when compared to Rhizoctonia spp., a closely related group. Transcriptome analysis using RNA isolated from 4 independent VSD symptomatic cacao stems identified 3550 transcriptionally active genes when compared to the assembled C. theobromae genome while transcripts for only 4 C. theobromae genes were detected in 2 asymptomatic stems. De novo assembly of the non-cacao associated reads from the VSD symptomatic stems uniformly produced genes with high identity to predicted genes in the C. theobromae genome as compared to Rhizoctonia spp. or genes found in Genbank. Further analysis of the predicted C. theobromae transcriptome was carried out identifying CAZy gene classes, KEGG-pathway associated genes, and 138 putative effector proteins.

    Conclusion: These findings put forth, for the first time, a predicted genome for the fastidious basidiomycete C. theobromae causing VSD on cacao providing a model for testing and comparison in the future. The C. theobromae genome predicts a pathogenesis model involving secreted effector proteins to suppress plant defense mechanisms and plant cell wall degrading enzymes.

    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Cells
  11. Cardiomyopathy induced by T-2 toxin in rats
    Jaćević V, Wu Q, Nepovimova E, Kuča K
    Food Chem Toxicol, 2020 Jan 22.
    PMID: 31981685 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111138
    T-2 toxin, A trichothecenes mycotoxin, is immunotoxic to animals and humans. Although it is highly cardiotoxic, the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy caused by T-2 toxin is not entirely clear. Hence, in our research, cardiomyopathy was induced by a single injection of T-2 mycotoxin (0.23 mg/kg s.c., 1 LD50.) to Wistar rats. The cardiac tissue was carefully examinated by using basic histopathology, semiquantitative (tissue grading score scales) and imaging (a total number of mast cells - MCs) analyses on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 60 of the study. The most intensive myocardial alterations (cardiac damage score, CDS = 4.20-4.40), irregular glycogen distribution (glycogen distribution score, GDS = 4.07-4.17), haemorrhagic foci (vascular damage score, VDS = 4.57-4.90), diffuse accumulation and degranulation of MCs were observed on day 28 and 60 after treatment (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Mast Cells
  12. Fulltext Polycaprolactone-Based Scaffolds Facilitates Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in a Co-Culture System
    Rozila I, Azari P, Munirah S, Safwani WKZW, Pingguan-Murphy B, Chua KH
    Polymers (Basel), 2021 Feb 17;13(4).
    PMID: 33671175 DOI: 10.3390/polym13040597
    (1) Background: Stem cells in combination with scaffolds and bioactive molecules have made significant contributions to the regeneration of damaged bone tissues. A co-culture system can be effective in enhancing the proliferation rate and osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells when co-cultured with human osteoblasts and seeded on polycaprolactone (PCL):hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffold; (2) Methods: Human adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) and human osteoblasts (HOB) were seeded in three different ratios of 1:2, 1:2 and 2:1 in the PCL-HA scaffolds. The osteogenic differentiation ability was evaluated based on cell morphology, proliferation rate, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition and osteogenic genes expression levels using quantitative RT-PCR; (3) Results: The co-cultured of ASC/HOB in ratio 2:1 seeded on the PCL-HA scaffolds showed the most positive osteogenic differentiation as compared to other groups, which resulted in higher ALP activity, calcium deposition and osteogenic genes expression, particularly Runx, ALP and BSP. These genes indicate that the co-cultured ASC/HOB seeded on PCL-HA was at the early stage of osteogenic development; (4) Conclusions: The combination of co-culture system (ASC/HOB) and PCL-HA scaffolds promote osteogenic differentiation and early bone formation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Stem Cells
  13. Fulltext Chronic low dose organic arsenic induced liver structural damage
    Shahida S, Nor Zamzila A, Norlelawati AT, Jamalludin AR, Azliana AF, Zunariah Buyong
    IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2020;19(1):37-44.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Over the decades, organic arsenic has been thought to be less toxic than inorganic arsenic.
    Monosodium methylarsonate (MSMA) is a potent organoarsenical herbicide that is still being used in most
    Asian countries. Reported studies on the effects of organic arsenic are mainly to the gastrointestinal system,
    however there are limited research on its impacts to the liver. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the
    effect of MSMA exposure on hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). Materials and Methods:
    Fourteen Sprague Dawley rats (n=14) were divided equally into arsenic-exposed (n=7) and control (n=7)
    groups. The rats in arsenic-exposed group were given MSMA at 63.20 mg/kg daily for 6 months through oral
    gavage. While the rats in control group were given distilled water ad libitum. At the end of the duration,
    they were euthanized and underwent liver perfusion for tissue preservation. Liver tissues were harvested and
    processed for light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The findings were analysed
    descriptively. Results: MSMA had caused necrotic and apoptotic changes to the liver. Normal organelles
    morphology were loss in the hepatocytes while LSEC revealed defenestration. Conclusion: In this study,
    chronic low dose organic arsenic exposure showed evidence of toxicity to hepatocytes. Interestingly, LSEC
    demonstrated capillarization changes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endothelial Cells
  14. Fulltext Ethical Guiding Principles of "Do No Harm" and the "Intention to Save Lives" in relation to Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Finding Common Ground between Religious Views and Principles of Medical Ethics
    Sivaraman MAF
    Asian Bioeth Rev, 2019 Dec;11(4):409-435.
    PMID: 33717326 DOI: 10.1007/s41649-019-00103-4
    One of the goals of medicine is to improve well-being, in line with the principle of beneficence (do no harm). Likewise, scientists claim that the goal of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research is to find treatments for diseases. In hESC research, stem cells are harvested from a 5-day-old embryo. Surplus embryos from infertility treatments or embryos created for the sole purpose of harvesting stem cells are used in the research, and in the process the embryos get destroyed. The use of human embryos for research purpose raises ethical concern. In this context, the religious leaders play the role to be the moral compass and "reality check" to engage with the public. In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has outlined the Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Therapy, reflecting on Islamic principles. Since there has not been much focus on the viewpoints of other faiths in Malaysia, this study attempts to (i) explore the ethical guiding principles deliberated by religious leaders from the Buddhist, Hindu and Catholic traditions and (ii) identify if there is a common ground between the mainstream religious views and principles of medical ethics, in relation to hESC research. Eleven religious leaders representing the Buddhist, Hindu and Catholic traditions were interviewed. Interestingly, though reasoning of religious leaders came from different angles, their underlying concerns revolve around the values of "do no harm" and "intention to save lives". These values are also the key principles in medical ethics. The findings are applied to answer the question as to whether religious and medical guiding principles can co-exist and complement in ethical decision-making, without compromising the values.
    Matched MeSH terms: Human Embryonic Stem Cells
  15. Reproductive viability of paradoxically masculinised Gambusia holbrooki generated following diethylstilbestrol (DES) treatment
    Patil JG, Norazmi-Lokman NH, Kwan TN
    Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol, 2020 07 22;248-249:110468.
    PMID: 32710933 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2020.110468
    Hormonal sex reversal can produce monosex fish stocks and provide insights into their gamity and reproductive physiology. However, paradoxical effects have been reported in several fish species that remain largely ignored as anomalies, particularly those of masculinisation. As a first step, this study examined reproductive viability of paradoxically masculinised Gambusia holbrooki produced following oral administration (20-100 mg/kg feed) of a feminizing hormone diethylstilbestrol (DES). Contrary to expectation, all treatment groups produced 100% male populations. Survival, mating behaviour, gamete production, breeding output as well as expression of anti-Mullerian hormone (amh), ovarian (cyp19a1a) and brain (cyp19a1b) aromatase of masculinised fish were also examined. Survival (≤ 54.1 ± 7.3%) at termination of DES treatment was significantly lower compared with controls (88.6 ± 4.3%) but remained unaffected post treatment. Gonopodium thrusting frequency (33 ± 9.8 per 10 min) was not significantly different to untreated males just as sperm abundance (3.9 ± 1.5 × 108/male) and their motility (88.6 ± 29.1%). Importantly, paradoxically masculinised fish mated with virgin females and produced clutch sizes (22 ± 4) and progeny survival (87.0 ± %) that were comparable to that of untreated males. Masculinised testes showed high amh and low cyp19a1a expression, a pattern resembling those of untreated males. Production of paradoxically sex-reversed males with a capability to produce viable offspring has not been reported previously in this or other fish species. The outcomes support a feed-back regulation of oestrogenic pathways in this viviparous fish and could be useful for ecological applications such as controlling invasive fish populations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Germ Cells
  16. Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability of Asiaticoside, Madecassoside and Asiatic Acid in Porcine Brain Endothelial Cell Model
    Hanapi NA, Mohamad Arshad AS, Abdullah JM, Tengku Muhammad TS, Yusof SR
    J Pharm Sci, 2021 02;110(2):698-706.
    PMID: 32949562 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2020.09.015
    Neurotherapeutic potentials of Centella asiatica and its reputation to boost memory, prevent cognitive deficits and improve brain functions are widely acknowledged. The plant's bioactive compounds, i.e. asiaticoside, madecassoside and asiatic acid were reported to have central nervous system (CNS) actions, particularly in protecting the brain against neurodegenerative disorders. Hence, it is important for these compounds to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to be clinically effective therapeutics. This study aimed to explore the capability of asiaticoside, madecassoside and asiatic acid to cross the BBB using in vitro BBB model from primary porcine brain endothelial cells (PBECs). Our findings showed that asiaticoside, madecassoside and asiatic acid are highly BBB permeable with apparent permeability (Papp) of 70.61 ± 6.60, 53.31 ± 12.55 and 50.94 ± 10.91 × 10-6 cm/s respectively. No evidence of cytotoxicity and tight junction disruption of the PBECs were observed in the presence of these compounds. Asiatic acid showed cytoprotective effect towards the PBECs against oxidative stress. This study reported for the first time that Centella asiatica compounds demonstrated high capability to cross the BBB, comparable to central nervous system drugs, and therefore warrant further development as therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endothelial Cells
  17. The methanolic fraction of Centratherum anthelminticum seed downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and hyperglycemia in STZ-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rats
    Arya A, Cheah SC, Looi CY, Taha H, Mustafa MR, Mohd MA
    Food Chem Toxicol, 2012 Nov;50(11):4209-20.
    PMID: 22939938 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.08.012
    This study aimed to ascertain the potential of Centratherum anthelminticum seeds methanolic fraction (CAMFs) for the management of type 2 diabetes and its associated complications. CAMFs was initially tested on β-TC6 cells for H(2)O(2)-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) translocation effects. The result displayed that CAMFs significantly inhibited NF-κB translocation from cytoplasm into the nucleus, dose-dependently. Furthermore, a 12-week sub-chronic CAMFs study was carried out on streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rat model to evaluate glycemia, essential biochemical parameters, lipid levels, oxidative stress markers, and pro-inflammatory cytokines level. Our study result showed that CAMFs reduced hyperglycemia by increasing serum insulin, C-peptide, total protein, and albumin levels, significantly. Whereas, elevated blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lipids and enzyme activities were restored to near normal. CAMFs confirmed antioxidant potential by elevating glutathione (GSH) and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in diabetic rats. Interestingly, CAMFs down-regulated elevated tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the tissues and serum of the diabetic rats. We conclude that CAMFs exerted apparent antidiabetic effects and demonstrated as a valuable candidate nutraceutical for insulin-resistant type 2 diabetes and its associated complications such as dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cells, Cultured; Insulin-Secreting Cells/drug effects; Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism
  18. Lineage-related and particle size-dependent cytotoxicity of chitosan nanoparticles on mouse bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
    Omar Zaki SS, Katas H, Hamid ZA
    Food Chem Toxicol, 2015 Nov;85:31-44.
    PMID: 26051352 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2015.05.017
    Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have potential applications in stem cell research. In this study, ex vivo cytotoxicity of CSNPs on mouse bone marrow-derived (MBMCs) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) was determined. MBMCs were exposed to CSNPs of different particle sizes at various concentrations for up to 72 h. Cytotoxicity effect of CSNPs on MBMCs was determined using MTT, Live/Dead Viability/Cytotoxicity assays and flow cytometry analysis of surface antigens on HSCs (Sca-1(+)), myeloid-committed progenitors (CD11b(+), Gr-1(+)), and lymphoid-committed progenitors (CD45(+), CD3e(+)). At 24 h incubation, MBMCs' viability was not affected by CSNPs. At 48 and 72 h, significant reduction was detected at higher CSNPs concentrations. Small CSNPs (200 nm) significantly reduced MBMCs' viability while medium-sized particle (∼400 nm) selectively promoted MBMCs growth. Surface antigen assessment demonstrated lineage-dependent effect. Significant decrease in Sca-1(+) cells percentage was observed for medium-sized particle at the lowest CSNPs concentration. Meanwhile, reduction of CD11b(+) and Gr-1(+) cells percentage was detected at high and intermediate concentrations of medium-sized and large CSNPs. Percentage of CD45(+) and CD3e(+) cells along with ROS levels were not significantly affected by CSNPs. In conclusion, medium-sized and large CSNPs were relatively non-toxic at lower concentrations. However, further investigations are necessary for therapeutic applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hematopoietic Stem Cells
  19. Interspecific hybridization of cultivated rice, Oryza sativa L. with the wild rice, O. minuta Presl
    Mariam AL, Zakri AH, Mahani MC, Normah MN
    Theor Appl Genet, 1996 Oct;93(5-6):664-71.
    PMID: 24162392 DOI: 10.1007/BF00224060
    Crosses were made between four varieties ('Mahsuri', 'Setanjung", 'MR84" and 'MR103") of Oryza sativa L. (2n=24, AA) and one accession of O. minuta (2n= 8, BBCC). The seed set obtained ranged between 9.5% and 25.1% depending on the rice variety used. By rescuing 14-day-old embryos and culturing them on 25%-strength MS medium we obtained a total of 414 F1 hybrids. The F1s were vigorous, tillered profusely, were perennial and male-sterile. The hybrids were triploid (ABC) with 36 chromosomes and showed irregular meiosis. The average frequency and range of chromosome associations at metaphase I or early anaphase I pollen mother cells of F1 plants were 29.31(16-36) Is +3.32(0-10) IIs+0.016(0-1) IIIs+0.002(0-1) IVs. Upon backcrossing the original triploid hybrids and colchicine-treated hybrids to their respective recurrent parents, and further embryo rescue, 17 backcross-1 (BC1) plants were obtained. Of all the crosses using MR84, no BC1 plant was obtained even after pollinating 13 894 spikelets of the triploid hybrid. The BC1s were similar in appearence to the F1s and were male-sterile, their chromosome number ranged from 44 to 48. By backcrossing these BC1s and nurturing them through embryo rescue, we obtained 32 BC2 plants. Of these, however, only 18 plants grew vigorously. One of these plants has 24 chromosomes and the other 17 have chromosome numbers ranging between 30 and 37. The 24-chromosome plant was morphologically similar to the O. sativa parent and was partially fertile with a pollen and spikelet fertility of 58.8% and 12.5% respectively. All of the F1 and BC1 plants were found to be resistant to five Malaysian isolates (XO66, XO99, XO100, XO257 and XO319) of Xanthomonas campestris pv oryzae. Amongst the BC2s, the reaction varied from resistant to moderately susceptible. The 24-chromosome BC2 plant was resistant to the four isolates and moderately resistant to isolate XO100 to which the O. sativa parent was susceptible.
    Matched MeSH terms: Stem Cells
  20. Fulltext Sustainable drug release from polycaprolactone coated chitin-lignin gel fibrous scaffolds
    Abudula T, Gauthaman K, Mostafavi A, Alshahrie A, Salah N, Morganti P, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 11 24;10(1):20428.
    PMID: 33235239 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76971-w
    Non-healing wounds have placed an enormous stress on both patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Severe complications induced by these wounds can lead to limb amputation or even death and urgently require more effective treatments. Electrospun scaffolds have great potential for improving wound healing treatments by providing controlled drug delivery. Previously, we developed fibrous scaffolds from complex carbohydrate polymers [i.e. chitin-lignin (CL) gels]. However, their application was limited by solubility and undesirable burst drug release. Here, a coaxial electrospinning is applied to encapsulate the CL gels with polycaprolactone (PCL). Presence of a PCL shell layer thus provides longer shelf-life for the CL gels in a wet environment and sustainable drug release. Antibiotics loaded into core-shell fibrous platform effectively inhibit both gram-positive and -negative bacteria without inducting observable cytotoxicity. Therefore, PCL coated CL fibrous gel platforms appear to be good candidates for controlled drug release based wound dressing applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: NIH 3T3 Cells; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/cytology; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/drug effects
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