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Weight Loss Supplements: Boon or Bane?

Ansari RM, Omar NS

Malays J Med Sci, 2017 May;24(3):1-4.
PMID: 28814927 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.3.1

Dietary health supplements for weight loss seem to be the future nowadays. However, this industry is plagued by lack of regulations and ignorance regarding the constituents of the supplements. Of all the supplements consumed, the ones for weight loss are most commonly found in the market. Reports of liver failure, kidney impairment and worsening of chronic ailments in patients who consume these supplements are surfacing recently which make us question the credibility of these products. The safety of these products lie in the clear stating of the ingredients by the manufacturer, well informed patient, knowledgeable physician and tight regulations from the regulatory board.
Fulltext Physical properties and cytotoxicity comparison of experimental gypsum-based biomaterials with two current dental cement materials on L929 fibroblast cells

Mahshim N, Reza F, Omar NS

J Conserv Dent, 2013 Jul;16(4):331-5.
PMID: 23956536 DOI: 10.4103/0972-0707.114364

To evaluate physical properties and cytotoxicity of pure gypsum-based (pure-GYP) and experimental gypsum-based biomaterials mixed with polyacrylic acid (Gyp-PA). The results were compared with calcium hydroxide (CH) and glass ionomer cement (GIC) for application as base/liner materials.
Fulltext Cytotoxicity of accelerated white MTA and Malaysian white Portland cement on stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED): An in vitro study

Ong RM, Luddin N, Ahmed HM, Omar NS

Singapore Dent J, 2012 Dec;33(1):19-23.
PMID: 23739319 DOI: 10.1016/j.sdj.2012.11.001

The aim of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity of accelerated-set white MTA (AWMTA) and accelerated-set Malaysian white PC (AMWPC) on stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). The test materials were introduced into paraffin wax moulds after mixing with calcium chloride dihydrate and sterile distilled water. Subsequently, the set cement specimens were sterilized, incubated in a prepared Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) for seven days. The biomarker CD166 was used for characterization of SHED using flow cytometry. The material extracts were diluted at five different concentrations and incubated for 72h with SHED. The cell viability was evaluated using Dimethylthiazol diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and the data was analysed using Mann-Whitney test (P<0.05). The results showed that AWMTA revealed significantly greater cell viability at 25 and 12.5mg/ml concentrations (P<0.05). Concomitantly, AMWPC exhibited greater cell viability at concentrations <12.5mg/ml and the results were significant at 1.563mg/ml (P<0.05). Both materials demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity at 25mg/ml and slight cytotoxicity at 6.25 and 3.125mg/ml. At 1.563mg/ml, no cytotoxic activity was merely observed with AMWPC. In conclusion, AMWPC exhibited favourable and comparable cell viability to that of AWMTA, and has the potential to be used as an alternative and less costly material in dental applications.
Fulltext Cytotoxicity evaluation of a new fast set highly viscous conventional glass ionomer cement with L929 fibroblast cell line

Ahmed HM, Omar NS, Luddin N, Saini R, Saini D

J Conserv Dent, 2011 Oct;14(4):406-8.
PMID: 22144813 DOI: 10.4103/0972-0707.87212

This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxicity of a new fast set highly viscous conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) with L929 fibroblasts.
Fulltext Coitus to expedite the onset of labour: a randomised trial

Omar NS, Tan PC, Sabir N, Yusop ES, Omar SZ

BJOG, 2013 Feb;120(3):338-45.
PMID: 23145957 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.12054

To evaluate the effect of suggesting coitus as a safe and effective means to expedite labour on pregnancy duration and requirement for labour induction.
Fulltext Spontaneous Rupture in a Non-Laboring Uterus at 20 Weeks: A Case Report

Omar NS, Mat Jin N, Mohd Zahid AZ, Abdullah B

Am J Case Rep, 2020 Aug 10;21:e924894.
PMID: 32776917 DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.924894

BACKGROUND Uterine rupture is uncommon but when it happens, it can cause significant morbidity and mortality to both mother and fetus. Incidence reportedly is higher in scarred than in unscarred uteri. Most cases occur in laboring women in their third trimester with a previous history of uterine surgery, such as caesarean delivery or myomectomy. We present a case of spontaneous uterine rupture in a non-laboring uterus in the mid-trimester of pregnancy. CASE REPORT The patient presented with threatened miscarriage at 17 weeks' gestation and ultrasound findings were that raised suspicion of a morbidly adherent placenta. Her history was significant for two previous cesarean deliveries more than 5 years ago followed by two spontaneous complete miscarriages in the first trimester. The patient was managed conservatively until 20 weeks' gestation, when she presented with acute abdomen with hypotensive shock. Her hemoglobin dropped to a level such that she required blood transfusion. An emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed, which revealed a 5-cm rupture in the lower part of the anterior wall of the uterus, out of which there was extrusion of part of the placenta. Given the patient's massive bleeding, the decision was made to proceed with subtotal hysterectomy. Histopathology of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of placenta percreta. CONCLUSIONS Identification of uterine scarring with morbidly adherent placenta is crucial because even in early pregnancy, it can lead to uterine rupture. Furthermore, failure to recognize and promptly manage uterine rupture may prove fatal.
Fulltext Molecular characterization and screening for sheath blight resistance using Malaysian isolates of Rhizoctonia solani

Nadarajah K, Omar NS, Rosli MM, Shin Tze O

Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:434257.
PMID: 25258710 DOI: 10.1155/2014/434257

Two field isolates of Rhizoctonia solani were isolated from infected paddy plants in Malaysia. These isolates were verified via ITS-rDNA analysis that yielded ~720 bp products of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS4 region, respectively. The sequenced products showed insertion and substitution incidences which may result in strain diversity and possible variation in disease severity. These strains showed some regional and host-specific relatedness via Maximum Likelihood and further phylogenetic analysis via Maximum Parsimony showed that these strains were closely related to R. solani AG1-1A (with 99-100% identity). Subsequent to strain verification and analysis, these isolates were used in the screening of twenty rice varieties for tolerance or resistance to sheath blight via mycelial plug method where both isolates (1801 and 1802) showed resistance or moderate resistance to Teqing, TETEP, and Jasmine 85. Isolate 1802 was more virulent based on the disease severity index values. This study also showed that the mycelial plug techniques were efficient in providing uniform inoculum and humidity for screening. In addition this study shows that the disease severity index is a better mode of scoring for resistance compared to lesion length. These findings will provide a solid basis for our future breeding and screening activities at the institution.
Fulltext Gastrulation and Body Axes Formation: A Molecular Concept and Its Clinical Correlates

Abas R, Masrudin SS, Harun AM, Omar NS

Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):6-14.
PMID: 36818899 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.2

During the third week of human pregnancy, an embryo transforms from two germinal disc layers of hypoblast and epiblast to three germinal layers of endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. Gastrulation is a complex process that includes cellular mobility, morphogenesis and cell signalling, as well as chemical morphogenic gradients, transcription factors and differential gene expression. During gastrulation, many signalling channels coordinate individual cell actions in precise time and location. These channels control cell proliferation, shape, fate and migration to the correct sites. Subsequently, the anteroposterior (AP), dorsoventral (DV) and left-right (LR) body axes are formed before and during gastrulation via these signalling regulation signals. Hence, the anomalies in gastrulation caused by insults to certain molecular pathways manifest as a wide range of body axes-related disorders. This article outlines the formation of body axes during gastrulation and the anomalies as well as the clinical implications.
The microscopic biological response of human chondrocytes to bovine bone scaffold

Abdullah B, Shibghatullah AH, Hamid SS, Omar NS, Samsuddin AR

Cell Tissue Bank, 2009 Aug;10(3):205-13.
PMID: 18975136 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-008-9111-2

This study was performed to determine the microscopic biological response of human nasal septum chondrocytes and human knee articular chondrocytes placed on a demineralized bovine bone scaffold. Both chondrocytes were cultured and seeded onto the bovine bone scaffold with seeding density of 1 x 105 cells per 100 microl/scaffold and incubated for 1, 2, 5 and 7 days. Proliferation and viability of the cells were measured by mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (MTT assay), adhesion study was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and differentiation study was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and confocal laser scanning electron microscopy. The results showed good proliferation and viability of both chondrocytes on the scaffolds from day 1 to day 7. Both chondrocytes increased in number with time and readily grew on the surface and into the open pores of the scaffold. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated collagen type II on the scaffolds for both chondrocytes. The results showed good cells proliferation, attachment and maturity of the chondrocytes on the demineralized bovine bone scaffold. The bovine bone being easily resourced, relatively inexpensive and non toxic has good potential for use as a three dimensional construct in cartilage tissue engineering.
Effects of Perivitelline Fluid Obtained from Horseshoe Crab on The Proliferation and Genotoxicity of Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Musa M, Mohd Ali K, Kannan TP, Azlina A, Omar NS, Chatterji A, et al.

Cell J, 2015;17(2):253-63.
PMID: 26199904

OBJECTIVE: Perivitelline fluid (PVF) of the horseshoe crab embryo has been reported to possess an important role during embryogenesis by promoting cell proliferation. This study aims to evaluate the effect of PVF on the proliferation, chromosome aberration (CA) and mutagenicity of the dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an in vitro experimental study. PVF samples were collected from horseshoe crabs from beaches in Malaysia and the crude extract was prepared. DPSCs were treated with different concentrations of PVF crude extract in an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay (cytotoxicity test). We choose two inhibitory concentrations (IC50 and IC25) and two PVF concentrations which produced more cell viability compared to a negative control (100%) for further tests. Quantitative analysis of the proliferation activity of PVF was studied using the AlamarBlue®assay for 10 days. Population doubling times (PDTs) of the treatment groups were calculated from this assay. Genotoxicity was evaluated based on the CA and Ames tests. Statistical analysis was carried out using independent t test to calculate significant differences in the PDT and mitotic indices in the CA test between the treatment and negative control groups. Significant differences in the data were P<0.05.
RESULTS: A total of four PVF concentrations retrieved from the MTT assay were 26.887 mg/ml (IC50), 14.093 mg/ml (IC25), 0.278 mg/ml (102% cell viability) and 0.019 mg/ml (102.5% cell viability). According to the AlamarBlue®assay, these PVF groups produced comparable proliferation activities compared to the negative (untreated) control. PDTs between PVF groups and the negative control were insignificantly different (P>0.05). No significant aberrations in chromosomes were observed in the PVF groups and the Ames test on the PVF showed the absence of significant positive results.
CONCLUSION: PVF from horseshoe crabs produced insignificant proliferative activity on treated DPSCs. The PVF was non-genotoxic based on the CA and Ames tests.
In vitro cytotoxic evaluation of processed natural coral in human osteoblasts

Omar NS, Kannan TP, Ismail AR, Abdullah SF, Samsudin AR, Hamid SS

Int J Toxicol, 2011 Aug;30(4):443-51.
PMID: 21540334 DOI: 10.1177/1091581811399474

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic effects of locally produced processed natural coral (PNC) using human osteoblasts (HOS). Cytotoxicity was not observed when HOS cells were cultured with PNC, as assessed by (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide; MTT) and Neutral Red (NR) assays at concentration up 200 mg/mL for up to 72 hours. Flow cytometry (FCM) analysis showed that PNC (200 mg/mL) did not decrease viability of HOS cells after 48 and 72 hours of treatment. In a cell attachment study, the HOS cells attached to the edge of the PNC disc, and later grew into the pores of the PNC disc. All results from these studies indicate that locally produced PNC material is noncytotoxic and favors the growth of HOS cells.
Proliferation rate of stem cells derived from human dental pulp and identification of differentially expressed genes

Abdullah MF, Abdullah SF, Omar NS, Mahmood Z, Fazliah Mohd Noor SN, Kannan TP, et al.

Cell Biol Int, 2014 May;38(5):582-90.
PMID: 24375868 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10229

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) obtained from the dental pulp of human extracted tooth were cultured and characterized to confirm that these were mesenchymal stem cells. The proliferation rate was assessed using AlamarBlue® cell assay. The differentially expressed genes in SHED and DPSCs were identified using the GeneFishing™ technique. The proliferation rate of SHED (P < 0.05) was significantly higher than DPSCs while SHED had a lower multiplication rate and shorter population doubling time (0.01429, 60.57 h) than DPSCs (0.00286, 472.43 h). Two bands were highly expressed in SHED and three bands in DPSCs. Sequencing analysis showed these to be TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1), and ribosomal protein s8, (RPS8) in SHED and collagen, type I, alpha 1, (COL1A1), follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1), lectin, galactoside-binding, soluble, 1, (LGALS1) in DPSCs. TIMP1 is involved in degradation of the extracellular matrix, cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic function and RPS8 is involved as a rate-limiting factor in translational regulation; COL1A1 is involved in the resistance and elasticity of the tissues; FSTL1 is an autoantigen associated with rheumatoid arthritis; LGALS1 is involved in cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, RNA processing, apoptosis and malignant transformation. This, along with further protein expression analysis, holds promise in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.