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Nuclear factor-kappa B as a promising target for selenium chemoprevention in rat hepatocarcinogenesis

Alwahaibi NY, Budin SB, Mohamed J, Alhamdani A

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2010 Apr;25(4):786-91.
PMID: 20492335 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2009.06160.x

Selenium's molecular mechanism for cancer chemoprevention remains unknown. We aimed to study the gene expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), tumor growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and cyclin D1 and the effects of sodium selenite using preventive and therapeutic approaches in chemically-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.

Matched MeSH terms: Transforming Growth Factor alpha/genetics
Fulltext Proceedings of the 3rd expert consultation and planning meeting on infant and young child nutrition-(part 2)

Amarra, Sofia, Chan, Pauline

Malays J Nutr, 2013;19(1):139-142.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The Infant and Early Childhood Nutrition Task Force, International Life Sciences Institute Southeast Asia (ILSI SEA) Region, organised the 1st and 2nd Expert Consultation and Planning Meeting on Infant and Early Childhood Nutrition in 2009 and 2011, respectively. The goal of the consultations was “to generate and promote relevant science-based information that will help improve nutritional status, growth and development of infants and young children in Southeast Asia.” Methods: An Expert Panel Core Group was created whose role is to provide advice and recommendations through a review of current scientific knowledge regarding issues related to early childhood growth and nutrition. The Panel is composed of experts representing 7 countries (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam). In July 2012, the Panel convened the 3rd Expert Consultation and Planning Meeting on Infant and Young Child Nutrition in Singapore. This report presents the highlights of the meeting and recommendations made by the Panel on ways to improve infant and young child nutrition in Southeast Asia. Results and Conclusion: The effective use of WHO indicators for assessing infant and young child feeding practices, mitigating the effects of maternal employment on breastfeeding, using behaviour change communication, updating the education of health personnel, and improving maternal health were considered important actions to be taken. Since current feeding practices in Southeast Asia fall short of WHO recommendations, studies are needed to develop strategies which take into consideration the diverse cultural settings that characterise the region.

Matched MeSH terms: Growth and Development
Effect of Water Salinity on the External Morphology of Ovarian Maturation Stages of Orange Mud Crab, Scylla olivacea (Herbst, 1796) in Captivity

Amin-Safwan A, Muhd-Farouk H, Nadirah M, Ikhwanuddin M

Pak J Biol Sci, 2016;19(5):219-226.
PMID: 29023026 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2016.219.226

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mud crab from the genus Scylla are considered as one of the most demanded seafood items nowadays as their flesh has high quality, tasty and higher growth rate thus support and boosted expansion in aquaculture sector especially in Malaysia. Present study was designed to focus on the effect of water salinity on the ovarian maturation of orange mud crab, Scylla olivacea based on morphological characteristics.

METHODOLOGY: Samples were collected from Setiu wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia from July-September, 2015. Ovarian maturation of S. olivacea was classified into four stages based on previous study which were: Immature (Stage 1), early mature (Stage 2), late mature (Stage 3) and fully mature (Stage 4).

RESULTS: Morphologically as the ovary develop the colouration start to change from translucent or whitish in colour and sometimes creamy to pale yellow, follow by light orange and lastly reddish orange. Stage 1 ovary was translucent and whitish in colour, stage 2 ovary was pale yellow in colour, stage 3 was light orange and stage 4 ovary was reddish orange in colour. Gonad Somatic Index (GSI) of S. olivacea remained low at stage 1 and 2 and began to increase started at stage 3. This present study involved three different salinities treatments, which treatment 1 (10 ppt), treatment 2 (20 ppt) and treatment 3 (30 ppt). Treatment 2 produce the highest number of stage 4 ovarian maturation based on colouration and the highest GSI recorded, follow by treatment 1 and lastly treatment 3.

CONCLUSION: This present study proved that salinity does affected the ovarian maturation of S. olivacea in captivity and provides important information regarding the effect of water salinity on ovarian maturation for further studies on reproductive biology of this species.

Matched MeSH terms: Brachyura/growth & development; Ovary/growth & development
Polymorphisms in P53 and VEGFA genes in different subtypes of periorbital hyperpigmentation in a Malaysian Chinese population

Amini F, Thazin Oo NM, Okechukwu PN, Seghayat MS, Ng ESC

Australas J Dermatol, 2019 May;60(2):e99-e104.
PMID: 30215845 DOI: 10.1111/ajd.12918

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The unknown pathogenesis of periorbital hyperpigmentation makes its treatment difficult. Existing evidence links p53 and VEGFA genes with skin hyperpigmentation. This study was aimed at (i) identifying the clinical pattern of periorbital hyperpigmentation; and (ii) detecting the presence of VEGFA and P53 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in different subtypes of periorbital hyperpigmentation in Malaysian Chinese.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Malaysian Chinese. Clinical assessments were performed, and medical history was collected. Three regions of p53 and two of VEGFA were amplified by PCR followed by direct sequencing using saliva-extracted DNA.
RESULTS: Eighty-four participants were recruited (average age 22.2 years). In the majority (n = 62), both eyelids were affected. Facial pigmentary, demarcation lines, tear trough and eye bags were not observed. Mixed (pigmented-vascular) was the most common subtype. Thirteen SNPs were found, nine of which are new. Only three out of 13 SNPs showed significant association with periorbital hyperpigmentation presentation. TA genotype in rs1437756379 (p53) was significantly more prevalent among participants with mixed subtype (P = 0.011) while AC genotype in rs1377053612 (VEGFA) was significantly more prevalent among pigmented subtype (P = 0.028). AA genotype in rs1479430148 (VEGFA) was significantly associated with allergic rhinitis in mixed subtype (P = 0.012).
CONCLUSION: Mixed subtype was the most prevalent type of periorbital hyperpigmentation in the study population. Three polymorphisms in p53 and VEGFA genes were statistically linked with different clinical presentations of periorbital hyperpigmentation.

Matched MeSH terms: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics*
Fulltext Soluble Flt-1 gene delivery in acute myeloid leukemic cells mediating a nonviral gene carrier

Amini R, Azizi Jalilian F, Veerakumarasivam A, Abdullah S, Abdulamir AS, Nadali F, et al.

Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:752603.
PMID: 23509773 DOI: 10.1155/2013/752603

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor involved in angiogenesis-mediated progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Studies have reported the role of soluble form of fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlT-1) delivery as an antitumor agent by inhibiting VEGF. This study investigates the outcome of delivery of a VEGF165 antagonist, soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, namely sFLT-1, mediating lipofectamine 2000 in acute myeloid leukemic cells. A recombinant plasmid expressing sFLT-1 was constructed and transfected into the K562 and HL60 cells using lipofectamine 2000 transfection reagent. sFLT-1 expression/secretion in pVAX-sFLT-1 transfected cells was verified by RT-PCR and western blot. MTS assay was carried out to evaluate the effect of sFLT-1 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and K562 and HL60 cells in vitro. Treatment with pVAX-sFLT-1 showed no association between sFLT-1 and proliferation of infected K562 and HL60 cells, while it demonstrated a significant inhibitory impact on the proliferation of HUVECs. The results of the current study imply that the combination of nonviral gene carrier and sFLT-1 possesses the potential to provide efficient tool for the antiangiogenic gene therapy of AML.

Matched MeSH terms: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/genetics*; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
Fulltext Transcriptome landscape of Rafflesia cantleyi floral buds reveals insights into the roles of transcription factors and phytohormones in flower development

Amini S, Rosli K, Abu-Bakar MF, Alias H, Mat-Isa MN, Juhari MA, et al.

PLoS One, 2019;14(12):e0226338.
PMID: 31851702 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226338

Rafflesia possesses unique biological features and known primarily for producing the world's largest and existing as a single flower. However, to date, little is known about key regulators participating in Rafflesia flower development. In order to further understand the molecular mechanism that regulates Rafflesia cantleyi flower development, RNA-seq data from three developmental stages of floral bud, representing the floral organ primordia initiation, floral organ differentiation, and floral bud outgrowth, were analysed. A total of 89,890 transcripts were assembled of which up to 35% could be annotated based on homology search. Advanced transcriptome analysis using K-mean clustering on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was able to identify 12 expression clusters that reflect major trends and key transitional states, which correlate to specific developmental stages. Through this, comparative gene expression analysis of different floral bud stages identified various transcription factors related to flower development. The members of WRKY, NAC, bHLH, and MYB families are the most represented among the DEGs, suggesting their important function in flower development. Furthermore, pathway enrichment analysis also revealed DEGs that are involved in various phytohormone signal transduction events such as auxin and auxin transport, cytokinin and gibberellin biosynthesis. Results of this study imply that transcription factors and phytohormone signalling pathways play major role in Rafflesia floral bud development. This study provides an invaluable resource for molecular studies of the flower development process in Rafflesia and other plant species.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Growth Regulators/metabolism*; Flowers/growth & development*
Fulltext Colonization of Anopheles cracens: a malaria vector of emerging importance

Amir A, Sum JS, Lau YL, Vythilingam I, Fong MY

Parasit Vectors, 2013;6:81.
PMID: 23537404 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-81

Anopheles cracens has been incriminated as a vector for the simian malaria parasite, Plasmodium knowlesi, that is the fifth Plasmodium species infecting humans. Little experimental data exists on this mosquito species due to the lack of its availability in laboratories.

Matched MeSH terms: Anopheles/growth & development*
Biosynthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) copolymer by Cupriavidus sp. USMAA1020 isolated from Lake Kulim, Malaysia

Amirul AA, Yahya AR, Sudesh K, Azizan MN, Majid MI

Bioresour Technol, 2008 Jul;99(11):4903-9.
PMID: 17981028

Cupriavidus sp. USMAA1020 was isolated from Malaysian environment and able to synthesize poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate), [P(3HB-co-4HB)] when grown on gamma-butyrolactone as the sole carbon source. The polyester was purified from freeze-dried cells and analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. 1H and 13C NMR results confirmed the presence of 3HB and 4HB monomers. In a one-step cultivation process, P(3HB-co-4HB) accumulation by Cupriavidus sp. USMAA1020 was affected by carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N). A two-step cultivation process accumulated P(3HB-co-4HB) copolyester with a higher 4HB fraction (53 mol%) in nitrogen-free mineral medium containing gamma-butyrolactone. The biosynthesis of P(3HB-co-4HB) was also achieved by using 4-hydroxybutyric acid and alkanediol as 1,4-butanediol. The composition of copolyesters varied from 32 to 51 mol% 4HB, depending on the carbon sources supplied. The copolyester produced by Cupriavidus sp. USMAA1020 has a random sequence distribution of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB) units when analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. When gamma-butyrolactone was used as the sole carbon source, the 4HB fraction in copolyester increased from 25 to 60 mol% as the concentration of gamma-butyrolactone in the culture medium increased from 2.5 g/L to 20.0 g/L.

Matched MeSH terms: Cupriavidus/growth & development
Genetic improvement of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and its future prospects

Amirul Alam M, Juraimi AS, Rafii MY, Hamid AA, Kamal Uddin M, Alam MZ, et al.

Mol Biol Rep, 2014 Nov;41(11):7395-411.
PMID: 25085039 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-014-3628-1

Common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), also known as pigweed, fatweed, pusle, and little hogweed, is an annual succulent herb in the family Portulacaceae that is found in most corners of the globe. From the ancient ages purslane has been treated as a major weed of vegetables as well as other crops. However, worldwide researchers and nutritionists have studied this plant as a potential vegetable crop for humans as well as animals. Purslane is a nutritious vegetable with high antioxidant properties and recently has been recognized as the richest source of α-linolenic acid, essential omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, ascorbic acid, glutathione, α-tocopherol and β-carotene. The lack of vegetable sources of ω-3 fatty acids has resulted in a growing level of attention to introduce purslane as a new cultivated vegetable. In the rapid-revolutionizing worldwide atmosphere, the ability to produce improved planting material appropriate to diverse and varying rising conditions is a supreme precedence. Though various published reports on morphological, physiological, nutritional and medicinal aspects of purslane are available, research on the genetic improvement of this promising vegetable crop are scant. Now it is necessary to conduct research for the genetic improvement of this plant. Genetic improvement of purslane is also a real scientific challenge. Scientific modernization of conventional breeding with the advent of advance biotechnological and molecular approaches such as tissue culture, protoplast fusion, genetic transformation, somatic hybridization, marker-assisted selection, qualitative trait locus mapping, genomics, informatics and various statistical representation have opened up new opportunities of revising the relationship between genetic diversity, agronomic performance and response to breeding for varietal improvement. This review is an attempt to amalgamate the assorted scientific information on purslane propagation, cultivation, varietal improvement, nutrient analyses, medicinal uses and to describe prospective research especially for genetic improvement of this crop.

Matched MeSH terms: Portulaca/growth & development*
In Vivo Antitumor Activity of Folate-Conjugated Cholic Acid-Polyethylenimine Micelles for the Codelivery of Doxorubicin and siRNA to Colorectal Adenocarcinomas

Amjad MW, Amin MC, Katas H, Butt AM, Kesharwani P, Iyer AK

Mol Pharm, 2015 Dec 7;12(12):4247-58.
PMID: 26567518 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00827

Multidrug resistance poses a great challenge to cancer treatment. In order to improve the targeting and codelivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) and doxorubicin, and to overcome multidrug resistance, we conjugated a cholic acid-polyethylenimine polymer with folic acid, forming CA-PEI-FA micelles. CA-PEI-FA exhibited a low critical micelle concentration (80 μM), small average particle size (150 nm), and positive zeta potential (+ 12 mV). They showed high entrapment efficiency for doxorubicin (61.2 ± 1.7%, w/w), forming D-CA-PEI-FA, and for siRNA, forming D-CA-PEI-FA-S. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of external FA on D-CA-PEI-FA micelles. About 25% doxorubicin was released within 24 h at pH 7.4, while more than 30% release was observed at pH 5. The presence of FA enhanced micelle antitumor activity. The D-CA-PEI-FA and D-CA-PEI-FA-S micelles inhibited tumor growth in vivo. No significant differences between their in vitro cytotoxic activities or their in vivo antitumor effects were observed, indicating that the siRNA coloading did not significantly increase the antitumor activity. Histological analysis revealed that tumor tissues from mice treated with D-CA-PEI-FA or D-CA-PEI-FA-S showed the lowest cancer cell density and the highest levels of apoptosis and necrosis. Similarly, the livers of these mice exhibited the lowest level of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase among all treated groups. The lowest serum vascular endothelial growth factor level (VEGF) (24.4 pg/mL) was observed in mice treated with D-CA-PEI-FA-S micelles using siRNA targeting VEGF. These findings indicated that the developed CA-PEI-FA nanoconjugate has the potential to achieve targeted codelivery of drugs and siRNA.

Matched MeSH terms: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Inhibitory effect of oxalic acid on bacterial spoilage of raw chilled chicken

Anang DM, Rusul G, Radu S, Bakar J, Beuchat LR

J Food Prot, 2006 Aug;69(8):1913-9.
PMID: 16924917

Oxalic acid was evaluated as a treatment for reducing populations of naturally occurring microorganisms on raw chicken. Raw chicken breasts were dipped in solutions of oxalic acid (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%, wt/vol) for 10, 20, and 30 min, individually packed in oxygen-permeable polyethylene bags, and stored at 4 degrees C. Total plate counts of aerobic bacteria and populations of Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae on breasts were determined before treatment and after storage for 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days. The pH and Hunter L, a, and b values of the breast surface were measured. Total plate counts were ca. 1.5 and 4.0 log CFU/g higher on untreated chicken breasts after storage for 7 and 14 days, respectively, than on breasts treated with 0.5% oxalic acid, regardless of dip time. Differences in counts on chicken breasts treated with water and 1.0 to 2.0% of oxalic acid were greater. Populations of Pseudomonas spp. on chicken breasts treated with 0.5 to 2.0% oxalic acid and stored at 4 degrees C for 1 day were less than 2 log CFU/g (detection limit), compared with 5.14 log CFU/g on untreated breasts. Pseudomonas grew on chicken breasts treated with 0.5% oxalic acid to reach counts not exceeding 3.88 log CFU/g after storage for 14 days. Counts on untreated chicken exceeded 8.83 log CFU/g at 14 days. Treatment with oxalic acid caused similar reductions in Enterobacteriaceae counts. Kocuria rhizophila was the predominant bacterium isolated from treated chicken. Other common bacteria included Escherichia coli and Empedobacter brevis. Treatment with oxalic acid caused a slight darkening in color (decreased Hunter L value), retention of redness (increased Hunter a value), and increase in yellowness (increased Hunter b value). Oxalic acid has potential for use as a sanitizer to reduce populations of spoilage microorganisms naturally occurring on raw chicken, thereby extending chicken shelf life.

Matched MeSH terms: Enterobacteriaceae/growth & development; Pseudomonas/growth & development
Fulltext Detection of quorum sensing signal molecules and identification of an autoinducer synthase gene among biofilm forming clinical isolates of Acinetobacter spp

Anbazhagan D, Mansor M, Yan GO, Md Yusof MY, Hassan H, Sekaran SD

PLoS One, 2012;7(7):e36696.
PMID: 22815678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036696

Quorum sensing is a term that describes an environmental sensing system that allows bacteria to monitor their own population density which contributes significantly to the size and development of the biofilm. Many gram negative bacteria use N-acyl-homoserine lactones as quorum sensing signal molecules. In this study, we sought to find out if the biofilm formation among clinical isolates of Acinetobacter spp. is under the control of autoinducing quorum sensing molecules.

Matched MeSH terms: Biofilms/growth & development*
In vivo study of human Plasmodium knowlesi in Macaca fascicularis

Anderios F, Noorrain A, Vythilingam I

Exp Parasitol, 2010 Feb;124(2):181-9.
PMID: 19765587 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.09.009

Plasmodium knowlesi is a malaria parasite of Old World monkeys and is infectious to humans. In this study Macaca fascicularis was used as a model to understand the host response to P. knowlesi using parasitological and haematological parameters. Three M. fascicularis of either sex were experimentally infected with P. knowlesi erythrocytic parasites from humans. The pre-patent period for P. knowlesi infection in M. fascicularis ranged from seven to 14 days. The parasitemia observed was 13,686-24,202 parasites per microL of blood for asexual stage and 88-264 parasites per microL of blood for sexual stage. Periodicity analysis adopted from microfilaria periodicity technique of asexual stage showed that the parasitemia peak at 17:39h while the sexual stage peaked at 02:36 h. Mathematical analysis of the data indicates that P. knowlesi gametocytes tend to display periodicity with a peak (24:00-06:00) that coincides with the peak biting activity (19:00-06:00) of the local vector, Anopheles latens. The morphology of P. knowlesi resembled P. falciparum in early trophozoite and P. malariae in late trophozoite. However, it may be distinguishable by observing the appliqué appearance of the cytoplasm and the chromatin lying inside the ring. Haematological analysis on macaques with knowlesi malaria showed clinical manifestations of hypoglycaemia, anaemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Gross examination of spleen and liver showed malaria pigments deposition in both organs.

Matched MeSH terms: Plasmodium knowlesi/growth & development*
Maturation of the adrenal medulla--IV. Effects of morphine

Anderson TR, Slotkin TA

Biochem Pharmacol, 1975 Aug 15;24(16):1469-74.
PMID: 7
Matched MeSH terms: Adrenal Medulla/growth & development*
Effects of Eurycoma longifolia jack on laevator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats

Ang HH, Cheang HS

Arch Pharm Res, 2001 Oct;24(5):437-40.
PMID: 11693547 DOI: 10.1007/BF02975191

It has been reported that Eurycoma longifolia Jack commonly known as Tongkat Ali has gained notoreity as a symbol of man's ego and strength by the Malaysian men because it increases male virility and sexual prowess during sexual activities. As such, the effects of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of butanol, methanol, water and chloroform fractions of E. longifolia Jack were studied on the laevator ani muscle in both uncastrated and testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats after dosing them for 12 consecutive weeks. Results showed that 800 mg/kg of butanol, methanol, water and chloroform fractions of E. longifolia Jack significantly increased (p<0.05) the leavator ani muscle to 58.56+/-1.22, 58.23+/-0.31, 60.21 +/-0.86 and 62.35 +/-0.98 mg/100 g body weight, respectively, when compared with the control (untreated) in the uncastrated intact male rats and 49.23+/-0.82, 52.23+/-0.36, 50.21+/-0.66 and 52.35+/-0.58 mg/100 g body weight, respectively, when compared to control (untreated) in the testosterone-stimulated castrated intact male rats. Hence, the pro-androgenic effect as shown by this study further supported the traditional use of this plant as an aphrodisiac.

Matched MeSH terms: Muscle, Skeletal/growth & development*
Analysis of differentially expressed proteins in late-stationary growth phase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv

Ang KC, Ibrahim P, Gam LH

Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2014 Mar-Apr;61(2):153-64.
PMID: 23826872 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1137

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a causative agent of tuberculosis (TB). The ability of M. tuberculosis to be quiescent in the cell has caused the emergence of latent infection. A comprehensive proteomic analysis of M. tuberculosis H37Rv over three growth phases, namely mid-log (14-day culture), early stationary (28-day culture), and late stationary (50-day culture), was performed in order to study the change in proteome from the mid-log phase to late-stationary phase. Combination methods of two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and tandem mass spectrometry were used to generate proteome maps of M. tuberculosis at different growth phases. Ten proteins were detected differentially expressed in the late-stationary phase compared with the other two phases. These proteins were SucD, TrpD, and Rv2161c, which belong to metabolic pathway proteins; FadE5, AccD5, DesA1, and Rv1139c are proteins involved in cell wall or lipid biosynthesis, whereas TB21.7 and Rv3224 are conserved hypothetical proteins with unknown function. A surface antigen protein, DesA1, was not detectable in the late-stationary phase, although present in both log and early-stationary phases. The changes in the expression levels of these proteins were in line with the growth environment changes of the bacteria from mid-log phase to late-stationary phase. The information gathered may be valuable in the intervention against latent TB infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Mycobacterium tuberculosis/growth & development
Detection of the A302S Rdl mutation in fipronil bait-selected strains of the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

Ang LH, Nazni WA, Kuah MK, Shu-Chien AC, Lee CY

J Econ Entomol, 2013 Oct;106(5):2167-76.
PMID: 24224261

Extensive usage and heavy reliance on insecticides have led to the development of insecticide resistance in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). Six field-collected strains of B. germanica from Singapore were used to investigate resistance to fipronil and dieldrin. The three strains (Boat Quay, Cavenagh Road, and Ghimmoh Road) with greatest resistance to fipronil were subjected to selection with fipronil bait up to the F5 generation. Synergism assay and molecular detection of a target site mutation were used to elucidate the mechanism of fipronil resistance in these strains. With the exception of the Cavenagh Road strain, all parental strains were susceptible to dieldrin. This strain exhibited resistance to dieldrin and fipronil with resistance ratios of 4.1 and 3.0, respectively. Piperonyl butoxide and S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithioate were antagonistic toward fipronil toxicity in all strains. Bait selection significantly increased fipronil and dieldrin resistance in the three chosen strains, either in topical bioassay or bait evaluations. There was a significant positive relationship [y = (6,852.69 +/- 1,988.37) x - (708.93 +/- 1,226.28), where x = fipronil toxicity and y = dieldrin toxicity] between dieldrin and fipronil resistance levels, indicating significant cross-resistance between the insecticides. High frequencies of individuals possessing the Rdl gene mutation were found in the F5 generation of the three strains selected with fipronil bait. The synergism assays indicated that monooxygenase and esterase were not involved in fipronil resistance in the strains studied herein. The A302S Rdl mutation was the major mechanism contributing to fipronil and dieldrin resistance in these strains.

Matched MeSH terms: Nymph/growth & development; Blattellidae/growth & development
Fulltext Evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor levels in tears and serum among diabetic patients

Ang WJ, Zunaina E, Norfadzillah AJ, Raja-Norliza RO, Julieana M, Ab-Hamid SA, et al.

PLoS One, 2019;14(8):e0221481.
PMID: 31437234 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221481

OBJECTIVE: Detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in ocular tissue may perhaps provide insight into the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of VEGF in tears and serum amongst type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.
METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2016 and May 2018 involving type 2 DM patients with no DR, non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR). Tear samples were collected using no.41 Whatman filter paper (Schirmer strips) and 5 mL blood samples were drawn by venous puncture. VEGF levels in tears and serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS: A total of 88 type 2 DM patients (no DR: 30 patients, NPDR: 28 patients, PDR: 30 patients) were included in the study. Mean tear VEGF levels were significantly higher in the NPDR and PDR groups (114.4 SD 52.5 pg/mL and 150.8 SD 49.7 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the no DR group (40.4 SD 26.5 pg/mL, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean serum VEGF levels between the three groups. There was a fair correlation between serum and tear VEGF levels (p = 0.015, r = 0.263).
CONCLUSION: VEGF levels in tears were significantly higher amongst diabetic patients with DR compared to those without DR and were significantly associated with the severity of DR. There was a fair correlation between serum and tear VEGF levels. Detection of VEGF in tears is a good non-invasive predictor test for the severity of DR. A large cohort study is needed for further evaluation.

Matched MeSH terms: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/blood*; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
Comparison of the third molar maturity index (I3M) between left and right lower third molars to assess the age of majority: a multi-ethnic study sample

Angelakopoulos N, Galić I, Balla SB, Kiş HC, Gómez Jiménez L, Zolotenkova G, et al.

Int J Legal Med, 2021 Nov;135(6):2423-2436.
PMID: 34228192 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02656-2

The diagnostic accuracy of the I3M to assess the legal age of 18 years has already been tested in several specific-population samples. The left lower third molar has been extensively used for discriminating between minors and adults. This research aimed to compare the usefulness of lower third molar maturity indexes, from both left and right side (I3ML and I3MR), in samples originating from four distinct continents in order to examine possible differences in their accuracy values. For this purpose, a sample of 10,181 orthopantomograms (OPGs), from Europe, Africa, Asia and America, was analysed and previously scored in other studies. The samples included healthy subjects with no systemic disorders with both third molars and clear depicted root apices. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test for left and right asymmetry did not show any significant differences. Data about sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratio and accuracy were pooled together and showed similar results for I3ML and I3MR, respectively. In addition, all these quantities were high when only the I3MR was considered to discriminate between adults and minors. The present referable database was the first to pool third molar measurements using panoramic radiographs of subjects coming from different continents. The results highlighted that both I3ML and I3MR are reliable indicators for assessing the legal age of 18 years old in those jurisdictions where this legal threshold has been set as the age of majority.

Matched MeSH terms: Mandible/growth & development; Molar, Third/growth & development*
Fulltext Genetic Insights into the Molecular Pathophysiology of Depression in Parkinson's Disease

Angelopoulou E, Bougea A, Paudel YN, Georgakopoulou VE, Papageorgiou SG, Piperi C

Medicina (Kaunas), 2023 Jun 13;59(6).
PMID: 37374342 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59061138

Background and Objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder with poorly understood pathological contributing factors. Depression presents one of the most frequent non-motor PD manifestations, and several genetic polymorphisms have been suggested that could affect the depression risk in PD. Therefore, in this review we have collected recent studies addressing the role of genetic factors in the development of depression in PD, aiming to gain insights into its molecular pathobiology and enable the future development of targeted and effective treatment strategies. Materials and Methods: we have searched PubMed and Scopus databases for peer-reviewed research articles published in English (pre-clinical and clinical studies as well as relevant reviews and meta-analyses) investigating the genetic architecture and pathophysiology of PD depression. Results: in particular, polymorphisms in genes related to the serotoninergic pathway (sodium-dependent serotonin transporter gene, SLC6A4, tryptophan hydrolase-2 gene, TPH2), dopamine metabolism and neurotransmission (dopamine receptor D3 gene, DRD3, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, ALDH2), neurotrophic factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene, BDNF), endocannabinoid system (cannabinoid receptor gene, CNR1), circadian rhythm (thyrotroph embryonic factor gene, TEF), the sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter B(0)AT2 gene, SLC6A15), and PARK16 genetic locus were detected as altering susceptibility to depression among PD patients. However, polymorphisms in the dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3), monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and B (MAOB) genes, catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT), CRY1, and CRY2 have not been related to PD depression. Conclusions: the specific mechanisms underlying the potential role of genetic diversity in PD depression are still under investigation, however, there is evidence that they may involve neurotransmitter imbalance, mitochondrial impairment, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, as well as the dysregulation of neurotrophic factors and their downstream signaling pathways.

Matched MeSH terms: Nerve Growth Factors

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