MyMedR

Displaying all 11 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext A catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by the yeast Kodamaea ohmeri

Ding, C.H., Tzar M.N., Biswas S., Muttaqillah N.A.S., Wahab A.A.

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(2):135-138.
MyJurnal

Catheter-related bloodstream infections caused by Kodamaea ohmeri are generally not considered due to the relative scarcity of reported cases. This is a case of an 85-year-old man with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus who was initially admitted to our hospital for diabetic ketoacidosis. An internal jugular catheter was inserted as part of the initial management. A week later the patient developed a temperature spike and a yeast identified as Kodamaea ohmeri by ID 32 C (bioMérieux, France) was isolated from both his central and peripheral blood cultures. The catheter was removed and the patient was treated with fluconazole despite the organism’s relatively high minimum inhibitory concentration (2 μg/mL) to this antifungal. The fungemia resolved following a 2-weeks course of fluconazole.
Fulltext The threat of increased transmission of non-knowlesi zoonotic malaria in humans: a systematic review

Chaturvedi R, Biswas S, Bisht K, Sharma A

Parasitology, 2023 Nov;150(13):1167-1177.
PMID: 37929579 DOI: 10.1017/S003118202300077X

Of the 5 human malarial parasites, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the most prevalent species globally, while Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri are less prevalent and typically occur as mixed-infections. Plasmodium knowlesi, previously considered a non-human primate (NHP) infecting species, is now a cause of human malaria in Malaysia. The other NHP Plasmodium species, Plasmodium cynomolgi, Plasmodium brasilianum, Plasmodium inui, Plasmodium simium, Plasmodium coatneyi and Plasmodium fieldi cause malaria in primates, which are mainly reported in southeast Asia and South America. The non-knowlesi NHP Plasmodium species also emerged and were found to cross-transmit from their natural hosts (NHP) – to human hosts in natural settings. Here we have reviewed and collated data from the literature on the NHPs-to-human-transmitting non-knowlesi Plasmodium species. It was observed that the natural transmission of these NHP parasites to humans had been reported from 2010 onwards. This study shows that: (1) the majority of the non-knowlesi NHP Plasmodium mixed species infecting human cases were from Yala province of Thailand; (2) mono/mixed P. cynomolgi infections with other human-infecting Plasmodium species were prevalent in Malaysia and Thailand and (3) P. brasilianum and P. simium were found in Central and South America.
Fulltext Presence of anti-mitochondrial antibodies and elevated serum immunoglobulin G levels: is this primary biliary cirrhosis-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome?

Muttaqillah NA, Abdul Wahab A, Ding CH, Mohammad M, Biswas S, Rahman MM

EXCLI J, 2015;14:175-8.
PMID: 26648811 DOI: 10.17179/excli2014-660

Primary biliary cirrhosis in combination with autoimmune hepatitis has been termed "overlap syndrome", but its diagnosis is challenging. We report a case of a 43-year-old lady who presented with a six-month history of jaundice and pruritus. She subsequently developed gum bleeds. Laboratory investigations revealed hypochromic microcytic anemia, abnormal coagulation profiles, elevated serum alanine transferase and alkaline phosphatase levels, and raised serum IgG and IgM levels. Her serum was also positive for anti-nuclear and anti-mitochondrial antibodies. The findings from her abdominal CT scan were suggestive of early liver cirrhosis and the histopathological examination results of her liver biopsy were consistent with primary biliary cirrhosis. The patient was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid and her liver function test parameters normalized after six months.
Fulltext Sustainability of rainwater harvesting system in terms of water quality

Rahman S, Khan MT, Akib S, Din NB, Biswas SK, Shirazi SM

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:721357.
PMID: 24701186 DOI: 10.1155/2014/721357

Water is considered an everlasting free source that can be acquired naturally. Demand for processed supply water is growing higher due to an increasing population. Sustainable use of water could maintain a balance between its demand and supply. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the most traditional and sustainable method, which could be easily used for potable and nonpotable purposes both in residential and commercial buildings. This could reduce the pressure on processed supply water which enhances the green living. This paper ensures the sustainability of this system through assessing several water-quality parameters of collected rainwater with respect to allowable limits. A number of parameters were included in the analysis: pH, fecal coliform, total coliform, total dissolved solids, turbidity, NH3-N, lead, BOD5, and so forth. The study reveals that the overall quality of water is quite satisfactory as per Bangladesh standards. RWH system offers sufficient amount of water and energy savings through lower consumption. Moreover, considering the cost for installation and maintenance expenses, the system is effective and economical.
Occult hepatitis B infection in blood donors from South East Asia: molecular characterisation and potential mechanisms of occurrence

Candotti D, Lin CK, Belkhiri D, Sakuldamrongpanich T, Biswas S, Lin S, et al.

Gut, 2012 Dec;61(12):1744-53.
PMID: 22267593 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2011-301281

To investigate the molecular basis of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) in Asian blood donors.
Pinocembrin enriched fraction of Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser induces apoptosis in HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells

Kumar N, Biswas S, Hosur Shrungeswara A, Basu Mallik S, Hipolith Viji M, Elizabeth Mathew J, et al.

J Infect Chemother, 2017 Jun;23(6):354-359.
PMID: 28385566 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2017.02.009

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly predominant malignancy affecting millions worldwide. Plants belonging to Loranthaceae family have remarkable chemopreventive properties.
OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to assess the antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of stem parts of Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser (EP) on colorectal cancer and identify the bioactive phytochemicals.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: EP methanol extract (EP.M) and its subsequent fractions were screened for antiproliferative activity in human colorectal carcinoma HCT 116 cell line. Phytocomposition of the bioactive fraction was analyzed by GC-MS. Further, apoptotic induction and cell cycle arrest was assessed in the most bioactive fractions.
RESULTS: EP.DEE (Diethyl Ether) fraction and a subsequent fraction derived by column chromatography, Fraction 3A (FR 3A) significantly inhibited the proliferation of HCT 116 cells (P
Design, synthesis, anti-acetylcholinesterase evaluation and molecular modelling studies of novel coumarin-chalcone hybrids

Hasan AH, Shakya S, Hussain FHS, Murugesan S, Chander S, Pratama MRF, et al.

J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2023;41(21):11450-11462.
PMID: 36591704 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2162583

The major enzyme responsible for the hydrolytic breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) are the most prescribed class of medications for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. The limitations of available therapy, like side effects, drug tolerance, and inefficacy in halting disease progression, drive the need for better, more efficacious, and safer drugs. In this study, a series of fourteen novel chalcone-coumarin derivatives (8a-n) were designed, synthesized and characterized by spectral techniques like FT-IR, NMR, and HR-MS. Subsequently, the synthesized compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity by Ellman's method. All tested compounds showed AChE inhibition with IC50 value ranging from 0.201 ± 0.008 to 1.047 ± 0.043 μM. Hybrid 8d having chloro substitution on ring-B of the chalcone scaffold showed relatively better potency, with IC50 value of 0.201 ± 0.008 μM compared to other members of the series. The reference drug, galantamine, exhibited an IC50 at 1.142 ± 0.027 μM. Computational studies revealed that designed compounds bind to the peripheral anionic site (PAS), the catalytic active site (CAS), and the mid-gorge site of AChE. Putative binding modes, ligand-enzyme interactions, and stability of the best active compound are studied using molecular docking, followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The cytotoxicity of the synthesised derivatives was determined using the MTT test at three concentrations (100 g/mL, 500 g/mL, and 1 mg/mL). None of the chemicals had a significant effect on the body at the highest dose of 1 mg/mL.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Fulltext A Novel RNA Virus, Macrobrachium rosenbergii Golda Virus (MrGV), Linked to Mass Mortalities of the Larval Giant Freshwater Prawn in Bangladesh

Hooper C, Debnath PP, Biswas S, van Aerle R, Bateman KS, Basak SK, et al.

Viruses, 2020 10 02;12(10).
PMID: 33023199 DOI: 10.3390/v12101120

Mass mortalities of the larval stage of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, have been occurring in Bangladesh since 2011. Mortalities can reach 100% and have resulted in an 80% decline in the number of hatcheries actively producing M. rosenbergii. To investigate a causative agent for the mortalities, a disease challenge was carried out using infected material from a hatchery experiencing mortalities. Moribund larvae from the challenge were prepared for metatranscriptomic sequencing. De novo virus assembly revealed a 29 kb single‑stranded positive-sense RNA virus with similarities in key protein motif sequences to yellow head virus (YHV), an RNA virus that causes mass mortalities in marine shrimp aquaculture, and other viruses in the Nidovirales order. Primers were designed against the novel virus and used to screen cDNA from larvae sampled from hatcheries in the South of Bangladesh from two consecutive years. Larvae from all hatcheries screened from both years were positive by PCR for the novel virus, including larvae from a hatchery that at the point of sampling appeared healthy, but later experienced mortalities. These screens suggest that the virus is widespread in M. rosenbergii hatchery culture in southern Bangladesh, and that early detection of the virus can be achieved by PCR. The hypothesised protein motifs of Macrobrachium rosenbergii golda virus (MrGV) suggest that it is likely to be a new species within the Nidovirales order. Biosecurity measures should be taken in order to mitigate global spread through the movement of post-larvae within and between countries, which has previously been linked to other virus outbreaks in crustacean aquaculture.
Novel thiophene Chalcones-Coumarin as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, molecular docking, ADMET prediction and molecular dynamics simulation

Hasan AH, Murugesan S, Amran SI, Chander S, Alanazi MM, Hadda TB, et al.

Bioorg Chem, 2022 02;119:105572.
PMID: 34971946 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105572

A series of around eight novel chalcone based coumarin derivatives (23a-h) was designed, subjected to in-silico ADMET prediction, synthesized, characterized by IR, NMR, Mass analytical techniques and evaluated as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results of predicted ADMET study demonstrated the drug-likeness properties of the titled compounds with developmental challenges in lipophilicity and solubility parameters. The in vitro assessment of the synthesized compounds revealed that all of them showed significant activity (IC50 ranging from 0.42 to 1.296 µM) towards AChE compared to the standard drug, galantamine (IC50 = 1.142 ± 0.027 µM). Among these, compound 23e displayed the most potent inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 0.42 ± 0.019 µM. Cytotoxicity of all compounds was tested on normal human hepatic (THLE-2) cell lines at three different concentrations using the MTT assay, in which none of the compound showed significant toxicity at the highest concentration of 1000 µg/ml compared to the control group. Based on the docking study against AChE, the most active derivative 23e was orientated towards the active site and occupied both catalytic anionic site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of the target enzyme. In-silico studies revealed tested showed better inhibition activity of AChE compared to Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Molecular dynamics simulation explored the stability and dynamic behavior of 23e- AChE complex.
Fulltext Hydrogen-rich water: a key player in boosting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedling growth and drought resilience

Islam MA, Shorna MNA, Islam S, Biswas S, Biswas J, Islam S, et al.

Sci Rep, 2023 Dec 18;13(1):22521.
PMID: 38110488 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49973-7

In the modern world, wheat, a vital global cereal and the second most consumed, is vulnerable to climate change impacts. These include erratic rainfall and extreme temperatures, endangering global food security. Research on hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has gained momentum in plant and agricultural sciences due to its diverse functions. This study examined the effects of different HRW treatment durations on wheat, revealing that the 4-h treatment had the highest germination rate, enhancing potential, vigor, and germination indexes. This treatment also boosted relative water content, root and shoot weight, and average lengths. Moreover, the 4-h HRW treatment resulted in the highest chlorophyll and soluble protein concentrations in seeds while reducing cell death. The 4-h and 5-h HRW treatments significantly increased H2O2 levels, with the highest NO detected in both root and shoot after 4-h HRW exposure. Additionally, HRW-treated seeds exhibited increased Zn and Fe concentrations, along with antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, APX) in roots and shoots. These findings suggest that HRW treatment could enhance wheat seed germination, growth, and nutrient absorption, thereby increasing agricultural productivity. Molecular analysis indicated significant upregulation of the Dreb1 gene with a 4-h HRW treatment. Thus, it shows promise in addressing climate change effects on wheat production. Therefore, HRW treatment could be a hopeful strategy for enhancing wheat plant drought tolerance, requiring further investigation (field experiments) to validate its impact on plant growth and drought stress mitigation.
Fulltext Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes induce secretion of IGFBP7 to form type II rosettes and escape phagocytosis

Lee WC, Russell B, Sobota RM, Ghaffar K, Howland SW, Wong ZX, et al.

Elife, 2020 02 18;9.
PMID: 32066522 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.51546

In malaria, rosetting is described as a phenomenon where an infected erythrocyte (IRBC) is attached to uninfected erythrocytes (URBC). In some studies, rosetting has been associated with malaria pathogenesis. Here, we have identified a new type of rosetting. Using a step-by-step approach, we identified IGFBP7, a protein secreted by monocytes in response to parasite stimulation, as a rosette-stimulator for Plasmodium falciparum- and P. vivax-IRBC. IGFBP7-mediated rosette-stimulation was rapid yet reversible. Unlike type I rosetting that involves direct interaction of rosetting ligands on IRBC and receptors on URBC, the IGFBP7-mediated, type II rosetting requires two additional serum factors, namely von Willebrand factor and thrombospondin-1. These two factors interact with IGFBP7 to mediate rosette formation by the IRBC. Importantly, the IGFBP7-induced type II rosetting hampers phagocytosis of IRBC by host phagocytes.