MyMedR

Displaying all 11 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

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.
Fulltext Chronic low dose organic arsenic induced liver structural damage.

Shahida S, Zunariah B, Nor Zamzila A, Norlelawati AT, Azliana AF, Jamalludin AR

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2020;19(1):37-44.
MyJurnal

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
Fulltext Inherited Anti-Thrombin Deficiency in A Malay-Malaysian Family: A Missense Mutation at Nucleotide g.13267C>A aka anti-thrombin Budapest 5 (p.Pro439Thr) of the SERPINC 1 gene

Norlelawati AT, Rusmawati I, Naznin M, Nur Nadia O, Rizqan Aizzani R, Noraziana AW

Med J Malaysia, 2014 Feb;69(1):27-30.
PMID: 24814625 MyJurnal

OBJECTIVE: Inherited anti-thrombin deficiency is an autosomal dominant disorder which is associated with increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). This condition is very rare in Malaysia and there has been no documented report. Thus, the aim of the present study is to investigate the type of an inherited anti-thrombin deficiency mutation in a 25-year-old Malay woman who presented with deep vein thrombosis in her first pregnancy.

METHODS: DNA was extracted from the patient's blood sample and buccal mucosal swabs from family members. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assays were designed to cover all seven exons of the serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade C (antithrombin), member 1 (SERPINC1) gene; and the products were subjected to DNA sequencing. Sequences were referred to NCBI Reference Sequence: NG_012462.1.

RESULTS: A heterozygous substitution mutation at nucleotide position 13267 (CCT->ACT) was identified in the patient and two other family members, giving a possible change of codon 439 (Pro→Thr) also known as anti-thrombin Budapest 5. The genotype was absent in 90 healthy controls.

CONCLUSION: The study revealed a heterozygous antithrombin Budapest 5 mutation in SERPINC 1 giving rise to a possible anti-thrombin deficiency in a Malay-Malaysian family.
Fulltext Detection of SYT-SSX mutant transcripts in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sarcoma tissues using one-step reverse transcriptase real-time PCR

Norlelawati AT, Mohd Danial G, Nora H, Nadia O, Zatur Rawihah K, Nor Zamzila A, et al.

Malays J Pathol, 2016 Apr;38(1):11-8.
PMID: 27126659 MyJurnal

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare cancer and accounts for 5-10% of adult soft tissue sarcomas. Making an accurate diagnosis is difficult due to the overlapping histological features of SS with other types of sarcomas and the non-specific immunohistochemistry profile findings. Molecular testing is thus considered necessary to confirm the diagnosis since more than 90% of SS cases carry the transcript of t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2). The purpose of this study is to diagnose SS at molecular level by testing for t(X;18) fusion-transcript expression through One-step reverse transcriptase real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Fulltext Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia-1 SNPs and Susceptibility to Schizophrenia: Evidence from Malaysia

Norlelawati AT, Kartini A, Norsidah K, Ramli M, Tariq AR, Wan Rohani WT

Psychiatry Investig, 2015 Jan;12(1):103-11.
PMID: 25670952 DOI: 10.4306/pi.2015.12.1.103

Even though the role of the DICS1 gene as a risk factor for schizophrenia is still unclear, there is substantial evidence from functional and cell biology studies that supports the connection of the gene with schizophrenia. The studies associating the DISC1 gene with schizophrenia in Asian populations are limited to East-Asian populations. Our study examined several DISC1 markers of schizophrenia that were identified in the Caucasian and East-Asian populations in Malaysia and assessed the role of rs2509382, which is located at 11q14.3, the mutual translocation region of the famous DISC1 translocation [t (1; 11) (p42.1; q14.3)].
Relationship of psychological symptoms, antipsychotics and social data with psychosocial function in schizophrenia patients in Malaysia

Norlelawati AT, Kartini A, Norsidah K, Ramli M, Wan Azizi WS, Tariq AR

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2015 Mar;7(1):45-53.
PMID: 23857669 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12089

INTRODUCTION: The present study investigated the relationship between psychological symptoms and psychosocial function and the role of relevant sociodemographic data and antipsychotic use in the prediction of psychosocial function among multiracial schizophrenia outpatients in Malaysia.
METHODS: A total of 223 participants were recruited in this cross-sectional study conducted from December 2010 to April 2011. Psychological symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale whilst the psychosocial function was assessed using the Personal and Social Performance scale. Sociodemographic and treatment variables were gathered through interview or review of the medical records.
RESULTS: All dimensions of psychosocial functions were inversely correlated with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale sub-domains. Only the disorganization sub-domain significantly predicts all dimensions of psychosocial function. For social data, body mass index and employment status were significant predictors of all dimensions of psychosocial functions. Typical antipsychotics significantly predict social function negatively as compared to sulpiride (β = -0.152, P = 0.028).
DISCUSSION: We found that the relationship between psychological symptoms and psychosocial functions were relatively consistent with the findings from the Caucasian population. Additionally, disorganization was the only significant predictor of all dimensions of psychosocial functions. This further emphasized the importance of cognition in psychosocial function. The roles of sulpiride, body mass index and employment status as predictors of psychosocial function were also discussed.
KEYWORDS: antipsychotics; psychosocial function; schizophrenia; symptoms
Study site: Psychiatric clinic, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
Fulltext Obesity in multiracial schizophrenia patients receiving outpatient treatment in a regional tertiary hospital in malaysia

Norlelawati AT, Kartini A, Ramli M, Norsidah K, Wan Azizi WS, Tariq AR

East Asian Arch Psychiatry, 2012 Jun;22(2):49-56.
PMID: 22714874

OBJECTIVES. Obesity is an issue of concern among patients with schizophrenia as it is a co-morbid condition that is closely related to metabolic syndrome. The present study assessed the correlation of body mass index with antipsychotic use among multiracial schizophrenia outpatients. The study also compared the patients' body mass index with Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) data.
METHODS. A total of 216 participants were recruited into a cross-sectional study conducted over 5 months, from December 2010 to April 2011. Body weight and height were measured using the standard methods. Demographic data and treatment variables were gathered through interview or review of the medical records.
RESULTS. There were differences in mean body mass index between men and women (p = 0.02) and between Malay, Chinese and Indian races (p = 0.04). Stratified by sex, age, and race, the body mass index distributions of the patients were significantly different to those of the reference MANS population. The prevalence of obesity among patients was more than 2-fold greater than among the reference population in all variables. Although body mass index distribution was related to antipsychotic drugs (χ(2) = 33.42; p = 0.04), obesity could not be attributed to any specific drug.
CONCLUSION. The prevalence of obesity among patients with schizophrenia was significantly greater than that in the healthy Malaysian population, and affects the 3 main races in Malaysia.
Study site: Psychiatry Clinic, Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Fulltext Preliminary study on association of beta2-adrenergic receptor polymorphism with hypertension in hypertensive subjects attending Balok Health Centre, Kuantan

Atia AE, Norsidah K, Nor Zamzila A, Rafidah Hanim M, Samsul D, Aznan MA, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2012 Feb;67(1):25-30.
PMID: 22582545

Polymorphisms within the beta2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene have been repeatedly linked to hypertension. Among the ADRB2 polymorphisms detected, Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu codons are considered the two most important variations. The amino acid substitution at these codons may lead to abnormal regulation of ADRB2 activity. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between ADRB2 polymorphisms and hypertension. This case-control study consisted of 100 unrelated subjects (50 hypertensive and 50 matched normal controls). Arg16Gly and the Gln27Glu polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. There were no significant evidence of association in allelic and genotypes distribution of Arg16Gly and Glu27Gln with blood pressure and hypertension. These findings suggest that the variation within codon 16 and 27 of ADRB2 gene were unlikely to confer genetic susceptibility for hypertension in our population samples.
DNA methylation of membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase in Malaysian schizophrenia patients

Nour El Huda AR, Norsidah KZ, Nabil Fikri MR, Hanisah MN, Kartini A, Norlelawati AT

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 2018 Apr;72(4):266-279.
PMID: 29160620 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12622

AIM: This study examined catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) DNA methylation in the peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients and also in healthy controls to investigate its potential use as a peripheral biomarker of schizophrenia and its relations with the clinical variables of schizophrenia patients.
METHODS: We examined the DNA methylation levels of COMT using genomic DNA from the peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients (n = 138) and healthy control participants (n = 132); all were Malaysian Malays. The extracted DNA was bisulfite converted, and the percentage methylation ratio value was calculated based on the results following a MethyLight protocol analysis.
RESULTS: The percentage methylation ratio of COMT was lower in schizophrenia than it was in the healthy controls (P
Relationship of selective complement markers with schizophrenia

Mohd Asyraf AJ, Nour El Huda AR, Hanisah MN, Norsidah KZ, Norlelawati AT

J Neuroimmunol, 2022 02 15;363:577793.
PMID: 34990981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577793

Immune system dysregulation may be involved in schizophrenia, but biomarker studies have thus far reported inconsistent findings. The relationship of plasma levels of complement markers C3 and C4, with schizophrenia, sociodemographic and clinico-psychological factors were here studied in 183 patients and 212 controls. C3 and C4 levels were significantly higher in the patients and in subjects with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (p
Reelin (RELN) DNA methylation in the peripheral blood of schizophrenia

Nabil Fikri RM, Norlelawati AT, Nour El-Huda AR, Hanisah MN, Kartini A, Norsidah K, et al.

J Psychiatr Res, 2017 05;88:28-37.
PMID: 28086126 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.12.020

The epigenetic changes of RELN that are involved in the development of dopaminergic neurons may fit the developmental theory of schizophrenia. However, evidence regarding the association of RELN DNA methylation with schizophrenia is far from sufficient, as studies have only been conducted on a few limited brain samples. As DNA methylation in the peripheral blood may mirror the changes taking place in the brain, the use of peripheral blood for a DNA methylation study in schizophrenia is feasible due to the scarcity of brain samples. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the relationship of DNA methylation levels of RELN promoters with schizophrenia using genomic DNA derived from the peripheral blood of patients with the disorder. The case control studies consisted of 110 schizophrenia participants and 122 healthy controls who had been recruited from the same district. After bisufhite conversion, the methylation levels of the DNA samples were calculated based on their differences of the Cq values assayed using the highly sensitive real-time MethyLight TaqMan® procedure. A significantly higher level of methylation of the RELN promoter was found in patients with schizophrenia compared to controls (p = 0.005) and also in males compared with females (p = 0.004). Subsequently, the RELN expression of the methylated group was 25 fold less than that of the non-methylated group. Based upon the assumption of parallel methylation changes in the brain and peripheral blood, we concluded that RELN DNA methylation might contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, the definite effects of methylation on RELN function during development and also in adult life still require further elaboration.