bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA hypermethylation of extracellular matrix‐related genes in human periodontal fibroblasts induced by stimulation for a prolonged period with lipopolysaccharide derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Takai R. , Uehara O. , Harada F. , Utsunomiya M. , Chujo T. , Yoshida K. , Sato J. , Nishimura M. , Chiba I. , Abiko Y.
Published: November 2015

Objectives and Background

The involvement of DNA methylation in periodontal disease is not clear. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis is involved in the progression of periodontal disease. We recently developed an in vitro model of LPS infection in human periodontal fibroblast cells (HPdLFs) for a prolonged period. In this study, we examined genome‐wide analysis of DNA methylation in HPdLFs stimulated with LPS derived from P. gingivalis for a prolonged period. We noted the hypermethylation of extracellular matrix (ECM)‐related genes and examined whether hypermethylation affected their transcription levels.

Material and Methods

HPdLFs were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. The culture was repeated, alternating 3 d with LPS derived from P. gingivalis and 3 d without LPS for 1 mo. Untreated samples were used as controls. DNA was analyzed using the human CpG island microarray. Quantitative methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction was carried out to confirm reproducibility of the microarray data. The expression levels of mRNA of the selected ECM‐related genes from the data were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.

Results

We found 25 ECM‐related genes with hypermethylation at the CpG island of the promoter region, which exhibited a fourfold greater hypermethylation than controls. Among these genes, hypermethylation of nine ECM‐related genes, FANK1, COL4A1‐A2, 12A1 and 15A1, LAMA5 and B1, MMP25, POMT1 and EMILIN3, induced a significantly downregulated expression of their mRNA.

Conclusion

These results indicate that LPS derived from P. gingivalis may cause DNA hypermethylation of some ECM‐related genes followed by downregulated expression of their transcriptional levels.
Making sense of it: intensive care patients' phenomenological accounts of story construction
Authors: Stayt Louise C , Seers Kate , Tutton Liz
Published: November 2015

Background

Patients entering intensive care encounter physical and psychological stress that may lead to psychological morbidity such as depression, anxiety and post‐traumatic stress. It has been suggested that constructing a story may assist psychological recovery. However, this has been minimally investigated in intensive care patients.

Aim

The aim of this article is to examine the process of story construction in people's phenomenological accounts of being a patient in the technological environment of intensive care.

Study design

The study design was informed by Heideggerian phenomenology.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 19 patients who had been in intensive care for at least 4 days. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed utilizing Van Manen's framework for thematic analysis.

Findings

Making sense of their experiences in an intensive care unit appeared to be fundamental to story construction. Themes that arose were ‘why am I here?’, ‘filling in the gaps’, ‘sorting the real from the unreal’ and ‘searching for familiarity’. These themes describe how participants sought temporal and causal coherence in order to construct their integrated and understandable story. Families appeared to play a critical role in helping participants fill in the gaps, sorting the real from the unreal and their subsequent psychological recovery.

Conclusions and relevance to clinical practice

The importance of early support from health care professionals to facilitate patients' story construction is highlighted. The study also emphasizes the role families play in supporting patients while they make sense of their experiences and the associated psychological recovery process. Further research to evaluate methods of facilitating story construction, such as nurse‐led debriefing and patient diaries, is recommended. In addition, an investigation of families' perceptions of their role in assisting patients construct their story may facilitate the development of strategies by health care professionals to effectively support families in their role.
Tomato MBD5, a methyl CpG binding domain protein, physically interacting with UV‐damaged DNA binding protein‐1, functions in multiple processes
Authors: Li Yuxiang , Deng Heng , Miao Min , Li Huirong , Huang Shengxiong , Wang Songhu , Liu Yongsheng
Published: November 2015

In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), high pigment mutations (hp‐1 and hp‐2) were mapped to genes encoding UV‐damaged DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1) and de‐etiolated‐1 (DET1), respectively.

Here we characterized a tomato methyl‐CpG‐binding domain protein SlMBD5 identified by yeast two‐hybrid screening using SlDDB1 as a bait.

Yeast two‐hybrid assay demonstrated that the physical interaction of SlMBD5 with SlDDB1 is mediated by the C‐termini of SlMBD5 and the β‐propeller‐C (BPC) of SlDDB1. Co‐immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that SlMBD5 associates with SlDDB1‐interacting partners including SlDET1, SlCUL4, SlRBX1a and SlRBX1b in vivo. SlMBD5 was shown to target to nucleus and dimerizes via its MBD motif. Electrophoresis mobility shift analysis suggested that the MBD of SlMBD5 specifically binds to methylated CpG dinucleotides but not to methylated CpHpG or CpHpH dinucleotides. SlMBD5 expressed in protoplast is capable of activating transcription of CG islands, whereas CUL4/DDB1 antagonizes this effect. Overexpressing SlMBD5 resulted in diverse developmental alterations including darker green fruits with increased plastid level and elevated pigmentation, as well as enhanced expression of SlGLK2, a key regulator of plastid biogenesis.

Taken together, we hypothesize that the physical interaction of SlMBD5 with the CUL4‐DDB1‐DET1 complex component may affect its binding activity to methylated DNA and subsequently attenuate its transcription activation of downstream genes.
Dizziness, but not falls rate, improves after routine cataract surgery: the role of refractive and spectacle changes
Authors: Supuk Elvira , Alderson Alison , Davey Christopher J. , Green Clare , Litvin Norman , Scally Andrew J. , Elliott David B.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To determine whether dizziness and falls rates change due to routine cataract surgery and to determine the influence of spectacle type and refractive factors.

Methods

Self‐reported dizziness and falls were determined in 287 patients (mean age of 76.5 ± 6.3 years, 55% females) before and after routine cataract surgery for the first (81, 28%), second (109, 38%) and both eyes (97, 34%). Dizziness was determined using the short‐form of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Six‐month falls rates were determined using self‐reported retrospective data.

Results

The number of patients with dizziness reduced significantly after cataract surgery (52% vs 38%; χ2 = 19.14, p < 0.001), but the reduction in the number of patients who fell in the 6‐months post surgery was not significant (23% vs 20%; χ2 = 0.87, p = 0.35). Dizziness improved after first eye surgery (49% vs 33%, p = 0.01) and surgery on both eyes (58% vs 35%, p < 0.001), but not after second eye surgery (52% vs 45%, p = 0.68). Multivariate logistic regression analyses found significant links between post‐operative falls and change in spectacle type (increased risk if switched into multifocal spectacles). Post‐operative dizziness was associated with changes in best eye visual acuity and changes in oblique astigmatic correction.

Conclusions

Dizziness is significantly reduced by first (or both) eye cataract surgery and this is linked with improvements in best eye visual acuity, although changes in oblique astigmatic correction increased dizziness. The lack of improvement in falls rate may be associated with switching into multifocal spectacle wear after surgery.
Multiple Intercostal Space Electrocardiogram Allows Accurate Localization of Outflow Tract Ventricular Arrhythmia Origin
Authors: LIU ZHENG , JIA YU‐HE , REN LAN , FANG PI‐HUA , ZHOU GONG‐BU , HE JIA , ZHANG SHU
Published: November 2015

Background

Multiple intercostal recordings were supposed to get a more comprehensive view of the depolarization vector of the outflow tract ventricular arrhythmia (OT‐VA), which may help to identify the OT‐VA more accurately. This study was undertaken to develop a more accurate electrocardiogram (ECG) criterion for differentiating between left and right OT‐VA origins.

Methods

We studied OT‐VA with a left bundle branch block pattern and inferior axis QRS morphology in 47 patients with successful catheter ablation in the right ventricular OT (RVOT; n = 37) or aortic coronary cusp (ACC; n = 10). Superior and inferior precordial leads were taken together with the routine 12‐lead ECG. The ECG during the OT‐VA and during sinus beats were analyzed. Transition ratio, transition zone (TZ) index, R/S amplitude ratio, and R‐wave duration ratio were measured in the regular, superior, and inferior precordial leads.

Results

The combined TZ index, TZ index inferior was significantly smaller, while the V2 inferior transition ratio was significantly larger for ACC origins than RVOT origins (P < 0.05). The area under the curve for the combined TZ index by a receiver operating characteristic analysis was 0.974, which was significantly larger than other parameters. A cutoff value ≤0.25 predicted an ACC origin with 94% sensitivity and 100% specificity. This advantage of the parameter over others also held true for a subanalysis of OT‐VAs with a lead V3 precordial transition or TZ index = 0.

Conclusions

The combined TZ index outperformed other ECG criteria to differentiate left from right OT‐VA origins.
Inappropriate Shock Due to T‐Wave Oversensing by a Subcutaneous ICD after Alcohol Septal Ablation for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: VAN DIJK VINCENT F. , LIEBREGTS MAX , LUERMANS JUSTIN G. L. M. , BALT JIPPE C.
Published: November 2015

A 53‐year‐old female patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) was admitted for alcohol septal ablation (ASA). A subcutaneous internal cardioverter defibrillator (S‐ICD) was implanted for primary prevention. After ASA, the patient developed a right bundle branch block, and the S‐ICD delivered a total of five inappropriate shocks due to T‐wave oversensing (TWOS). TWOS is a relatively frequent cause of inappropriate shocks in S‐ICD patients. After invasive treatment for HOCM, there is a risk of developing intraventricular conduction delay and subsequent changes in QRS and T‐wave morphology. This should be taken into consideration when ICD indication is evaluated in HOCM patients.
Increased Nonalternans Repolarization Variability Precedes Ventricular Tachycardia Onset in Patients with Implantable Defibrillators
Authors: KROKHALEVA YULIYA , PATEL DIVYANG , SHAH HEMAL , SHUSTERMAN VLADIMIR , SABA SAMIR , NĚMEC JAN
Published: November 2015

Backround

T‐wave alternans (TWA) is associated with ventricular tachycardia (VT). Nonalternans repolarization variability (NARV) precedes VT in certain experimental models, but its link to clinical arrhythmia is unproven. This study was conducted to determine if NARV increases prior to VT in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).

Methods

TWA and NARV were calculated from shock‐channel electrograms preceding onset of VT or non‐VT events in patients with an ICD. In each patient, presence of both a VT and a non‐VT event with the same QRS morphology before the event was required. Mixed linear model was used for data analysis, using heart rate (HR) and the number of analyzed beats as covariates.

Results

Five hundred and sixty‐eight events from 64 patients (males/females 51/13, 67 ± 13 years) were analyzed. HR preceding non‐VT events was higher than before VT events (RR interval 595 ± 159 vs 706 ± 111 ms; P < 0.0001). Both TWA and NARV increased with increasing HR (P < 0.001). TWA decreased with increasing number of analyzed beats. When controlled for number of analyzed beats and HR, both TWA and NARV were higher before VT than before non‐VT events (P < 0.002 and P < 0.0005, respectively).

Conclusions

NARV is elevated prior to spontaneous VT onset. Both NARV and TWA increase with HR. The decrease of TWA with increasing number of analyzed beats may indicate contamination with NARV or noise when only a small number of beats is available for analysis. NARV might be useful for VT prediction in the future.
Enacted and implied stigma for dementia in a community in south‐west Nigeria
Authors: Adebiyi Akindele O. , Fagbola Motunrayo A. , Olakehinde Olaide , Ogunniyi Adesola
Published: November 2015

Background

Dementia is a chronic progressive disease that mostly affects the elderly. There is often a stigma surrounding dementia patients because of poor awareness about the disease. In Nigeria, this stigma and related attitudes have not been fully explored. In this study, we assessed the attitude of people towards demented individuals in a transitional community in Nigeria.

Methods

The study used a mixed methods approach. Focused group discussions exploring the concept of dementia were conducted among six community groups, and quantitative data was obtained from an interviewer‐administered questionnaire. A total of 313 respondents were selected with a cluster sampling technique.

Results

Only 212 respondents (67.7%) were aware of dementia. ‘Memory loss disease’, ‘ageing disease’, ‘disease of insanity’, ‘brain disorder’, ‘disease of forgetfulness’, and ‘dull brain’ are the common names used to describe dementia in the community. Enacted stigma was evident as 36% of respondents felt dementia was associated with shame and embarrassment in the community. Implied stigma was evident in another third that opined that demented individuals would prefer not to know or let others know that they have the disease. Also, 28% were of the opinion that people do not take those with dementia seriously. Of the 22 (10.4%) that reported having received structured information about dementia, 16 (72.7%) got the information from health facilities. Qualitative data revealed the presence of enacted stigma in the community as some referred to affected individuals by derogatory names such as ‘madman’. Some statements from the focus group discussion participants also gave useful insights into the scorn with which demented individuals are sometimes treated.

Conclusion

The presence of enacted and implied stigma related to dementia within the community calls for concern. More research efforts are needed to unravel the burden of stigma within communities and best practice for stigma‐reducing interventions.
Pregnancy‐Induced ISG‐15 and MX‐1 Gene Expression is Detected in the Liver of Holstein–Friesian Heifers During Late Peri‐Implantation Period
Authors: Meyerholz MM , Mense K , Knaack H , Sandra O , Schmicke M
Published: November 2015

Contents

The bovine embryonic signal interferon‐τ (IFN‐τ) produced by the trophoblast is known to pass through the uterine fluid towards the endometrium and further into the maternal blood, where IFN‐τ induces specific expression of interferon‐stimulated gene expression (ISG), for example in peripheral leucocytes. In sheep, it was shown experimentally by administration of IFN‐τ that ISG is also detectable in the liver. The objective was to test whether ISG can be detected in liver biopsy specimens from Holstein–Friesian heifers during early pregnancy. Liver biopsies were taken on day 18 from pregnant and non‐pregnant heifers (n = 19), and the interferon‐stimulated protein 15 kDa (ISG‐15) and myxovirus‐resistance protein‐1 (MX‐1) gene expression was detected. The expression of both MX‐1 (p: 24.33 ± 7.40 vs np: 9.00 ± 4.02) and ISG‐15 (p: 43.73 ± 23.22 vs 7.83 ± 3.63) was higher in pregnant compared to non‐pregnant heifers (p < 0.05). In conclusion, pregnancy induced ISG‐15 and MX‐1 gene expression in the liver already at day 18 in cattle.
Practice Trends in the Use of Extracorporeal Treatments for Poisoning in Four Countries
Authors: Ghannoum Marc , Lavergne Valery , Gosselin Sophie , Mowry James B. , Hoegberg Lotte C. G. , Yarema Mark , Thompson Margaret , Murphy Nancy , Thompson John , Purssell Roy , Hoffman Robert S.
Published: November 2015

Extracorporeal treatments (ECTRs) such as hemodialysis (HD), enhance the elimination of a small number of toxins. Changes in overdose trends, prescribing practices, antidotes, and dialysis techniques may alter the indications and rates of ECTR use over time. This study analyzed trends in ECTR for poisonings in four countries. A retrospective study of national poison center databases from the United States, Denmark, United Kingdom, and five regional databases within Canada was performed. All cases of patients receiving an ECTR were included. ECTR cases were totalled annually and reported as annual rates per 100,000 exposures with stratification per types of ECTR and toxins. The data collection varied by countries. United States, 1985–2014; United Kingdom, 2011–2013; Denmark, 2005–2014, and regions of Canada as follows: Alberta, 1991–2015; Saskatchewan, 2001–2015; Nova Scotia‐PEI, 2006–2015; Quebec, 2008–2014; Ontario‐Manitoba, 2009–2015; British Columbia, 2012–2015. During the study period, the total number of ECTRs and rates per 100,000 exposures, respectively, were: United States, 40,258 and 65.7; United Kingdom, 343 and 232.6; Denmark, 616 and 305.5; Canada, 2709 and 177.5; case rates increased over time for the United States, Denmark, and Canada, but decreased in the United Kingdom. Across the United States and Denmark, HD was the preferred modality used. Toxins for which ECTR was most often used were: United States, ethylene glycol; Canada, methanol; United Kingdom, ethylene glycol; Denmark, salicylates. A high number of ECTRs were performed for atypical toxins such as acetaminophen and benzodiazepines. These data demonstrate a growing use of HD for poisoning with significant regional variations in the overall rates and indications.
Agreeing on Efficient Emissions Reduction
Authors: Bos Olivier , Roussillon Béatrice , Schweinzer Paul
Published: November 2015

We propose a simple contest‐based mechanism providing incentives to reduce harmful emissions to their efficient level without infringing upon productive efficiency. Participation in the most stylized form of the scheme is voluntary and individually rational; all rules are mutually agreeable and are unanimously adopted if proposed. The scheme balances its budget and requires no principal. In a perhaps more realistic stochastic output version, which could potentially inform policy decisions, we show that the transfers required by the efficient mechanism create a mutual insurance motive that can serve as an effective rationale for the (gradual) formation of international environmental agreements.
Identifying Laffer Bounds: A Sufficient‐Statistics Approach with an Application to Germany
Authors: Lorenz Normann , Sachs Dominik
Published: November 2015

We derive a simple sufficient‐statistics test for whether a nonlinear tax‐transfer system is second‐best Pareto efficient. If it is not, then it is beyond the top of the Laffer curve and there exists a tax cut that is self‐financing. The test depends on the income distribution, extensive and intensive labor supply elasticities, and income effect parameters. A tax‐transfer system is likely to be inefficient if marginal tax rates are quickly falling in income. We apply this test to the German tax‐transfer system, and we find that the structure of effective marginal tax rates is likely to be inefficient in the region where transfers are phased out.
Tackling and Mitigating Health Inequalities – Policymakers and Practitioners ‘Talk and Draw’ their Theories
Authors: Mackenzie Mhairi , Hastings Annette , Babbel Breannon , Simpson Sarah , Watt Graham
Published: November 2015

In the context of a long‐standing academic acceptance of the socially structured nature of health inequalities, there has been a growing literature that critically examines policies that aim to reduce them. This has demonstrated inadequate policy assessment of the nature of the problem of health inequalities and correspondingly partial solutions that privilege interventions that focus on individual lifestyle solutions over more structural approaches. Much of the research that has been undertaken in this field to explore competing theories of inequalities has analyzed national policy documents or the views of senior policy advisers rather than practitioners.

This study uses Raphael’s ‘seven discourses of the social determinants of health’ to understand the implicit theories of health inequalities of both practitioners and policymakers working within a single health care system as they talk about different policy typologies. To help penetrate potentially well‐rehearsed discourses about health inequalities, it tests a visual method of stimulating discussion about how different types of policy might operate to narrow/widen existing gaps in outcomes. Building on Raphael, it finds that individuals’ theories of health inequalities contain co‐existing although not synthesized material and behavioural explanations and that, although the social patterning of material disadvantage was recognized, the role of power and politics is underplayed. Variations between participants did not align with role (policy/practice) and using visual methods to represent the impact of different policy types on health inequalities, though challenging for participants, stimulated reflection about a subject matter that has otherwise become rather stagnant.
Association of HLA‐DRB1 alleles with susceptibility to mixed connective tissue disease in Polish patients
Authors: Paradowska‐Gorycka A. , Stypińska B. , Olesińska M. , Felis‐Giemza A. , Mańczak M. , Czuszynska Z. , Zdrojewski Z. , Wojciechowicz J. , Jurkowska M.
Published: November 2015

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a systemic autoimmune disease, originally defined as a connective tissue inflammatory syndrome with overlapping features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), characterized by the presence of antibodies against components of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U1snRNP). The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of (high‐resolution‐typed) DRB1 alleles in a cohort of Polish patients with MCTD (n = 103). Identification of the variants potentially associated with risk and protection was carried out by comparison with the DKMS Polish Bone Marrow Donor Registry (41306 alleles). DRB1*15:01 (odds ratio (OR): 6.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.55–8.06), DRB1*04 (OR: 3.69; 95% CI 2.69–5.01) and *09:01 (OR: 8.12; 95% CI 2.15–21.75) were identified as risk alleles for MCTD, while HLA‐DRB1*07:01 allele was found to be protective (OR: 0.50; 95% CI 0.28–0.83). The carrier frequency of the DRB1*01 was higher in MCTD patients compared with controls, although the differences were not statistically significant. Our results confirm the modulating influence of HLA‐DRB1 genotypes on development of connective tissue diseases such as MCTD.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF EXTRACTS FROM THE LEAVES AND STEM BARKS OF Artocarpus scortechinii KING
Authors: Jamil Shajarahtunnur , Basar Norazah , Mohd Arriffin Norzafneza
Published: November 2015

The antioxidant activities of extracts (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol) from the leaves and stem barks of Artocarpus scortechinii were evaluated using various biochemical assays. The quantification of the Total Antioxidant Capacity was measured using ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) assays. While, the qualitative of The Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was determined via standard gallic acid calibration graph which was expressed as mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g of dry weight (dw) using Folin Ciocalteau’s reagent. Among all the extracts tested, the methanolic extract of the stem barks showed the highest phenolic content with TPC value of 136.84 mg GAE/g dry weight (dw). FRAP results were expressed as mM equivalent to FeSO4.7H2O by calculating from the standard FeSO4.7H2O calibration graph. The ethyl acetate extract of the stem barks showed the most significant reducing potential in the range between 0.27-2.47 mM FRAP. ABTS+˙ radical scavenging capacity showed that the ethyl acetate extract of the stem barks had the highest scavenging capacity at concentration 1.0 mM with percentage of 90.9%.
SUGGESTIVE PLACEMENT OF Quassia borneensis Noot. (Simaroubaceae) AS INDICATED BY ISOLATION OF ITS QUASSINOIDS
Authors: Ag Nuddin Julenah , Adam Aishah , Hamzah Ahmad Sazali
Published: November 2015

Quassinoids have been reported to possess numerous biological activities such as anticancer, antimalarial and phytotoxicity. They are degraded triterpenoids which give bitterness characteristic of Simaroubaceae and classified according to their basic skeletons; C18, C19, C20, C22, C25 which correspond to their particular genus Quassia, Brucea, Soulamea, Eurycoma, Picrolemnia and others. Quassia borneensis Noot. (Simaroubaceae) (Qb) have not been properly placed in Quassia s.l. thus created confusion. Therefore, a study on Qb for its chemical compounds and biological activity are appropriate for data gathering. There is positive possibility for new quassinoids with potent biological activity to be discovered, in addition to confirmation of placement in Simaroubaceae. The study was accomplished by extracting the secondary metabolites from Qb by soxhlet in methanol. The methanol extract was partitioned to acquire n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous extracts. These extracts underwent isolation and purification through chromatographic techniques before subjected to spectroscopic instruments for structural elucidation. Preliminary findings identified five quassinoids and one canthin-6-one as glaucarubolone (1), chaparrinone (2), holacanthone (3), glaucarubinone (4), ailanthinone (5) and canthin-6-one (6) in reference to past reports. The isolation confirms Qb placement in Simaroubaceae, however, not in Quassia section as indicated by isolated quassinoids. Hence, further study would confirm its proper section in Quassia.
EVALUATION BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF Piper Sp INTENDED FOR SKIN FORMULATION PRESERVATIVE
Authors: Saidin Saidatul Husni , Yusoff Norulaiman , Abdullah Fauziah , Mohtar Mastura , Kean Ong Boo , Subramaniam Vimala , Mohamad Ali Nor Azah , Khoo Mary , Hashim Nuziah , Mustafar Mohd Irman Shah
Published: November 2015

Preservatives are substances added into product to prevent their premature spoilage. Preservative helps to prolong the product’s shelf life by protecting the product from microbial growth and oxidation process. In this study, the potential of a Piper sp. as preservative for cosmetic products is being investigated. The exploration begins with the screening of major phytochemical groups; flavonoid, steroid, alkaloid, saponin and triterpene. Evaluation of biological activities exhibited the plant possessed antimicrobial property towards two strains of Staphylococcus aureus and free radical scavenging capacity. The minimum inhibitory concentration values (MIC) for both S. aureus ATCC 25923 and S. aureus ATCC 6538 is 2500 mg/mL and 312.5 mg/mL respectively. Free radical scavenging capacity of the plant was determined via Superoxide scavenging assay and DPPH radical scavenging assay and the capacity values are 76.4+0.35% and 59.7+0.75% respectively. Cytotoxicity study was also carried out to determine the safety of Piper sp. where median inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for normal kidney cell lines (Vero) is 62.96 mg/mL and normal liver cell lines (WRL-68) is 69.91mg/mL. The extract of Piper sp. was formulated as cosmetic preservative ingredient especially for topical product. The specification of ingredient’s characteristic and performance were described based on colour, odour, pH value as well the solubility in product formulation and stability at 4°C, room temperature and 40°C.
GC-MS ANALYSES OF ESSENTIAL OILS OF THREE VARIETIES OF Mangifera indica
Authors: Osman Che Puteh , Ramlan Izyan Hanis
Published: November 2015

Mangifera indica or commonly known as mango, is one of the 30 species of Mangifera genus from the family of Anacardiaceae. The fruit of M. indica is consumed for its antioxidant and health promoting activities in addition to its exotic flavor and texture. The present study was aimed to comparatively analyze the volatile constituents in the peel and pulp of M. indica cultivar Falan, Water Lily and Chok-anan. The mango peel and pulp were subjected to hydrodistillation using Clavenger type apparatus and the essential oils obtained were analyzed using GC-MS. There were 32 compounds identified in the essential oils of peel and pulp of three M. indica L. cultivars. Falan mango has the highest monoterpenes hydrocarbon composition in the essential oils of peel and pulp with 30.67% and 45.65%, respectively, whereas the essential oils of Water Lily mango are mainly dominated by the presence of sesquiterpenes hydrocarbon in both peel and pulp with 50.75% and 67.11%, respectively. The essential oils of Chok-anan mango are mainly consist of miscellaneous compounds in the peel and pulp with 22.56% and 44.1%, respectively. 4-Carene, b-caryophyllene, a-terpinolene, cyclohexadecane and n-hexadecanoic acid were the major volatile constituents in the essential oils of the three mango varieties.
IDENTIFICATION OF ODOR COMPONENTS OF AGARWOOD
Authors: Mohamad Ali Nor Azah , Ismail Nurlaila , Jamil Mailina , Aziz Azrina , Lias Sahrim , Rahiman Mohd Hezri Fazalul , Taib Mohd Nasir
Published: November 2015

This article presents the use of Z-score in assessing the significant chemical compounds extracted by head space solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of an agarwood oil obtained from Melaka, Malaysia. Two types of SPME fiber; polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and divinylbenzene-carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (DVB-CAR-PDMS) were used. During the extraction analysis, the results showed that at least 27 and 29 compounds were identified using PDMS and DVB-CAR-PDMS fiber, respectively. DVB-CAR-PDMS fiber was found to be more efficient in terms of selectivity of compounds extraction. The application of Z-score showed that eight and eleven marker compounds were determined in PDMS and DVB-CAR-PDMS fibers, respectively. 4-Phenyl-2-butanone, a-guaiene, β-agarofuran, a-bulnesene, a-agarofuran and 10-epi-g-eudesmol were some of the compounds selected and were often reported significantly in agarwood oils as key odor compounds. The information gathered will be used for compound selection towards grading of agarwood oils by sensor technology.
IN VITRO CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF Ferula assafoetida ON OSTEOSARCOMA CELL LINE (HOS CRL)
Authors: Mohd Shafri Mohd Affendi , Yusof Fathin Athirah , Md Zain Ahmad Zulkarami
Published: November 2015

Ferula assafoetida is a herb that has been used traditionally to treat rheumatism, broken bones and stomach illness. The aim of this research is to study the cytotoxicity of F. assafoetida as an anti-cancer agent. Briefly, resin of F. assafoetida was macerated with ethanol or methanol for 3 days. The mixtures were then filtered, concentrated and dried. The cytotoxicity of extracts on an osteosarcoma cell line, HOS CRL, was determined using MTT assay method. The results were analysed with Tukey’s test (p<0.05) showed that F. assafoetida extract has cytotoxic effect which is dependent on the type of solvent (methanol > ethanol) and concentration (higher methanolic content > lower methanolic content). In conclusion, extracts of Ferula assafoetida might possess cytotoxic activity which could be useful to be developed for an anti-cancer treatment.
ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-CANCER ACTVITY OF STANDARDIZED EXTRACTS OF THREE VARIETIES OF Ficus deltoidea’s LEAVES
Authors: Soib Husnul Hanani , Ware Ismail , Yaakob Harisun , Mukrish Hanafi , Sarmidi Mohamad Roji
Published: November 2015

The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of aqueous extracts of three varieties of Ficus deltoidea (var. angustifolia, var. deltoidea, var. kunstleri) on prostate cancer DU145 cell line. The results showed that, F. deltoidea var. kunstleri contained the highest total phenolic (44.7 ± 0.022 mg GAE/10 g sample) and flavonoid contents (23.1 ± 0.005 mg CE/10 g sample) as well as the highest radical scavenging activity (IC50 0.039 mg/mL) followed by F. deltoidea var. deltoidea and F. deltoidea var. angustifolia. Similarly, based on anti-cancer activities, F. deltoidea var. kunstleri demonstrated the lowest IC50 value (93.11 mg/mL) followed by F. deltoidea var. deltoidea (204.17 mg/mL) and F. deltoidea var. angustifolia (429.54 mg/mL). Other than that, vitexin which is a bioactive marker was appeared to be the highest in F. deltoidea var. kunstleri compared to others. Hence, the results suggested that there might be an association between antioxidant activities and bioactive markers against prostate cancer cell line (DU145).
OPTIMIZATION OF SOXHLET EXTRACTION PARAMETER OF Annona muricata LEAVES USING BOX-BEHNKEN DESIGN (BBD) EXPERT AND ANTIOXIDANT ANALYSIS
Authors: Mat Daud Nik Nurul Najihah Nik , Mohamad Rosdi Mohamad Norisham , Ya’akob Harisun , Musa Nur Fashya
Published: November 2015

Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the extraction of herbal plant of Annona muricata L. using Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The Box-Behnken Design (BBD) with three factors and two responses (yield and total solid content) was implemented. The processing parameters of A. muricata leaves by soxhlet extraction were solvent to raw material ratio, ethanol concentration, and duration of extraction using soxhlet extractor. The presence of acetogenins compounds was screened by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Optimum condition with the solvent to raw material ratio (1:5.92), ethanol concentration (1.67 %), and duration of extraction (6.84 hours) was obtained and further analyzed with antioxidant tests. Analyses showed the A. muricata leaves contained high total phenolic and flavonoid contents which corresponding to the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity test. The DPPH result showed that the extract has the highest percentage of scavenging activity with the inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of leaves is 0.243 mg/mL + 0.001 nearly comparable to butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and ascorbic acid (Vit. C), which indicated that the leaves also have higher free radical scavenging activity compared to these commercial standards. Besides, the presence of primary; polysacharide (21.85 % + 0.001), protein (19.59 % + 0.000), glycosaponin (18.87 % + 0.001) and secondary; phenolic (47.26 mg GAE/1g + 0.001), flavonoid (22.12 mg CE/1g + 0.001) metabolites in A. muricata leaves suggested that the leaves contained strong antioxidant properties that are believed can act as anticancer agent for the body.
ANTIPROLIFERATIVE PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS Labisia pumila EXTRACT ON PROSTATE CANCER CELL LINES
Authors: Jamaludin Nurhikmah , Hasham Rosnani , Ware Ismail , Sarmidi Mohamad Roji , Abd Aziz Ramlan
Published: November 2015

Labisia pumila or locally known as Kacip Fatimah has been widely used by women in Malaysia to treat post-partum illnesses. This herbaceous undershrub of the Myrsinaceae family has been exploited aggressively as beverages, cosmetics as well as health supplement to promote wellness in the past. This present study was to determine the anti-proliferative properties of L. pumila aqueous extract against prostate cancer cell lines and to identify the active compound which may contribute to the anti-proliferative activity of L. pumila. In this study, the aqueous extract was prepared by using ultrasound assisted extraction method. The preliminary result revealed that L. pumila aqueous extract inhibited the proliferation of the prostate cancer cell lines. The aqueous extract was further fractionated using column chromatography. The result from the scavenging activity test confirmed that L. pumila crude extract and its fraction (F2) displayed a strong activity with 70% inhibition. Total phenolic contents assay was carried out to determine the phenolic compound of the extract and its fractions and the results showed the total phenolic content was higher in the F2 (96.82±0.3 GAE mg/g) compared to crude (63.75±0.1 GAE mg/g) and F1 (73.75±0.1 GAE mg/g). In conclusion, these findings suggested that the crude and fraction (F2) of L. pumila contain phenolic compounds that act as anti-proliferative agent against proliferation of prostate cancer cell lines in vitro.
CYTOTOXIC EFFECT OF HEPCIDIN (TH1-5) ON HUMAN BREAST CANCER CELL LINE (MCF7)
Authors: Al-kassim Hassan Mohammed , Azemin Wan-Atirah , Dharmaraj Saravanan , Mohd Khamsah Suryati
Published: November 2015

Hepcidin (TH1-5) is a cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide originally isolated from the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus. A synthesized form of the peptide has been reported to exhibit cytotoxic activity against few human cancer cell lines. This study investigated the potential cytotoxicity of the peptide against human breast cancer cell line and normal mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line (NIH/3T3) using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Morphological changes by acridine orange and propidium iodide (AO/PI) double staining were also studied to determine apoptotic evidences. Hepcidin (TH1-5) showed cytotoxic activity against MCF7 with an IC50 of 20 mg/mL but no significant effect against NIH/3T3. This outcome indicates hepcidin (TH1-5) to be a promising cytotoxic peptide that warrants further studies as a potential anticancer agent for breast cancer therapy.
THE DESIGN OF TOPSIS4BIM DECISION SUPPORT FOR BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING SOFTWARE SELECTION
Authors: Nursal Ahmad Taufik , Omar Mohd Faizal , Mohd Nawi Mohd Nasrun
Published: November 2015

The emerging of new Information Communication Technology (ICT) technology namely Building Information Modeling been proven benefits toward construction industry. As a result, the list of BIM software available in the market is keep increasing in recent years. This has led to the selection problem among construction companies. Moreover, the selection BIM software also required high investment in term of software, hard ware and training expenses. These aforementioned issues have increased the complexities of decision process and the need of decision aid in BIM software selection. Thus, this paper has introduced a new approach in MCDMDSS web development by utilization of Web 2.0 application. The rapid development of Information technology has highly benefit to the development of web based DSS. The design and validation architecture of a web base DSS called topsis4BIM for Building Information Modeling (BIM) is presented.
ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN PARTNERING: THE EXPERIENCE CONSULTANT FIRMS IN THE MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Abdul Nifa Faizatul Akmar , Ahmed Vian , Abdul Rahim Syukran
Published: November 2015

Partnering is believed to be a viable approach to integrate the construction industry supply chain, improve client-constructor relationship, innovation, enhances levels of productivity and quality of construction project implementation, as well as creating conducive environment for innovations. Considering partnering is noted as an enabler for innovation, the perceptions of the consultant engineers towards partnering is crucial as they are at a pivotal stage of introducing innovation in construction projects. This paper aims to explore the perceptions of consultant engineers towards the role of organizational culture in partnering through the use of qualitative methods. Findings indicate that although the consultant engineers in Malaysia are positive towards partnering, there exists some hesitation in fully engaging in partnering ventures due to dissimilarities in organizational culture among firms involved.
TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN IN MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS: A PRELIMINARY FRAMEWORK FOR UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA
Authors: Abdul Nifa Faizatul Akmar , Mohd Nawi Mohd Nasrun , Osman Wan Nadzri , Abdul Rahim Syukran
Published: November 2015

his paper highlights the framework derived from a research in developing a framework for Development and Maintenance Department (JPP UUM) which employs sustainable design within the development of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) campus. In realizing the aim of implementing sustainability, this paper also showcases Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method as the potential mechanism in enabling sustainable design in planning for campus development. Through a number of semi-structured interviews, a framework for integrated project delivery is derived from themes identified in the insights of various functions within JPP UUM. It is concluded that a more proactive approach from the campus management is needed to ensure all components in the framework to come together for sustainable efforts to succeed.
STRUCTURAL, OPERATIONAL AND MARKET RELATED FEATURES AMONG HOUSING DEVELOPERS IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Kamaruddeen A.M. , Yussof N. , Said I.
Published: November 2015

In advancing our knowledge of the Malaysian housing industry, this paper presents the characteristics among housing developers operating in Malaysia. Despite the stream of research on organizations, limited attention has been directed towards the extent of the formalization, centralization, adhocracy culture, market orientation; level of transformational leadership and organizational learning; environmental uncertainty and market competition among housing developers in Malaysia. We used a proportionate stratified random sampling to collect data from micro, small, large and public listed housing developers in Peninsular Malaysia. We received 183 out of 504 questionnaires distributed, yielding 36.3 percent response rate. While formalization and government support were found to be low; centralization, adhocracy culture, organizational learning and environmental uncertainty were found to be moderate, while market orientation, transformational leadership and market competition were found to be high among the housing developers.  Our findings provide a new impetus for a better understanding of the characteristics of housing developers operating in Malaysia. It can also provide a foreground for comparison with the housing industries in other countries.
QUANTIFYING ENERGY SAVINGS FOR RETROFIT CENTRALIZED HVAC SYSTEMS AT SELANGOR STATE SECRETARY COMPLEX
Authors: Mohd Aris Suhaidi , Dahlan Nofri Yenita , Mohd Nawi Mohd Nasrun , Ahmad Nizam Tengku , Tahir Mohamad Zamhari
Published: November 2015

Objective of this study is to estimate building energy saving at Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah from a retrofit of Water Cooling Package Unit (WCPU) system. This research calculates energy savings as recommended by International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) using Option C-Whole Facility Measurement. In this study, the baseline period is defined from July 2012 to June 2013, the retrofit of WCPU was performed on July 2013 and the reporting period is from August 2013 to July 2014. The baseline energy use and the post retrofit energy use data are collected from utility bills. On the other hand, the energy governing factors other than the retrofit such as outdoor temperature or Cooling Degree Day (CDD), number of working days (NWD) and occupancy on the building are gathered corresponding to the pre-defined baseline and post-retrofit period. These non-retrofit energy governing factors are used to model adjusted baseline energy in calculating energy savings using regression analysis. Two types of energy saving analyses have been presented in the case study; 1) Single linear regression for each independent variable, 2) Multiple linear regression. Results show that number of occupancy has the highest coefficient regression, R2 followed by NWD and CDD. This indicates that occupancy has stronger correlation with the energy use in the building than NWD and CDD. Finding also shows that the R² for multiple linear regression model are higher than single linear regression model. This shows the fact that more than one component are affecting the energy use in the building.
THE IMPACT OF GREEN MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING IN BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Md Taib Mohd Yazid , Mohamed Udin Zulkifli , Hj Abdul Ghani Abdullah
Published: November 2015

This paper  is aim to investigating the impact of green management (GM) and technology (GT)in the electrical and electronics industry.  Environmental issues, pollution and corruption due to wrong doing.  This questionnaire survey-based paper  was a cross sectional approach.  The samples were derived by simple random sampling from the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing report of 2013/2014.  A pilot test data of 40 respondents was collected and tested using factor analysis, construct validity and  reliability.  The data obtained and used in this survey were self-reporting by respondent from the respective industry.  The outcome, suggested that GM and GT should be holistically implemented. This paper contributed to the body of knowledge through identifying the relationship between GM and GT practices in Business Sustainability.
Equidistribution of primitive rational points on expanding horospheres
Authors: Einsiedler Manfred , Mozes Shahar , Shah Nimish , Shapira Uri
Published: November 2015

We confirm a conjecture of Marklof regarding the limiting distribution of certain sparse collections of points on expanding horospheres. These collections are obtained by intersecting the expanded horosphere with a certain manifold of complementary dimension and turns out to be of arithmetic nature. This result is then used along the lines suggested by Marklof to give an analogue of a result of Schmidt regarding the distribution of shapes of lattices orthogonal to integer vectors.
Every in the Monster contains -elements
Authors: Wilson Robert A.
Published: November 2015

We prove the assertion in the title by conducting an exhaustive computational search for subgroups isomorphic to $\text{PSL}_{2}(13)$ and containing elements in class $13B$.

Supplementary materials are available with this article.
Amine neurotransmitters, inflammation and epithelial sodium transport
Authors: Soares‐da‐Silva Patrício , Cabral José Miguel , Magalhães Diogo , Fraga Sónia , Magro Fernando
Published: November 2015

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

The present work reviews the roles of renal and intestinal dopamine and 5‐HT in the maintenance of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. The role of inflammatory agents at the intestinal level that affect fluid and electrolyte homeostasis is also addressed.

What advances does it highlight?

General mechanisms of epithelial cell ion transport in the gastrointestinal tract and kidney share considerable similarities, particularly with regard to basolateral Na+,K+‐ATPase as a driving force for the movement of numerous substrates across the cell membrane.

The physiological importance of the renal actions of monoamines (dopamine, noradrenaline and 5‐HT) mainly depends on the sources of the amines in the kidney and on their availability to activate the amine‐specific receptors. Dopamine and 5‐HT are also relatively abundant in the mucosal cell layer of the intestine, and recent evidence suggests their physiological relevance in regulating electrolyte transport. The gastrointestinal tract can be an important site for the loss of water and electrolytes, in the presence of intestinal inflammation. General mechanisms of epithelial cell ion transport in the gastrointestinal tract and kidney share considerable similarities with regard to basolateral Na+,K+‐ATPase as a driving force for the movement of numerous substrates across the cell membrane. The present work reviews the roles of renal and intestinal dopamine and 5‐HT in the maintenance of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. The role of inflammatory agents at the intestinal level that affect fluid and electrolyte homeostasis is also addressed.