Introduction: There is an increasing demand for additional techniques to diagnose and treat cancer including CRC or colorectal cancer effectively. Utilizing antibodies as biomarker could contribute to accurate diagnosis of cancer due to its high specificity and sensitivity. One of the etiologies of CRC progression was proposed as the alterations of hexosamine biosynthetic pathway which could subsequently influence the rate-limiting enzyme, glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (GFAT1). These increased enzymatic activities resulted in an elevation of glucose uptake that provides nutrients facilitating the progression of cancer cells. Therefore, we attempted to determine the potential of GFAT1 as the biomarker for CRC by correlating its expression with clinicopathological features of the patients. Methods: A total of 132 10% formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue were retrieved. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on the tissue sections and digital images were subsequently acquired. All the images were automatedly analyzed using IHC Profiler. GFAT1 immunoreactivity in colorectal tissues was calculated using an adapted H-score formula. Clinicopathological features of the patients were statistically correlated with the status of GFAT1. Results: Colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues had the significantly highest GFAT1 H-scores with the mean of 103.18 compared to adenoma and non-tumor tissues. There have been no significant associations between clinicopathological characteristics of the patients and the status of GFAT1 except for tumor size. Conclusion: Immunoreactivity of GFAT1 was significantly different between non-tumorous tissues and adenocarcinoma as well as between adenoma and adenocarcinoma tissues. GFAT1 could serve as one of the prognostic biomarkers or useful targets.

Introduction: Most women with postpartum depression (PPD) remain undiagnosed and untreated, despite the adverse effects known to be felt by women and children. The aim of this study was to examine the coping strategies and help seeking behavior used by women having symptoms of postpartum depression. Methods: Using a mixed-method study design, the researcher used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Brief COPE and General Help Seeking Behavior (GHSQ) inventories for the quantitative approach, while the qualitative approach was conducted by a semi-structured interview based on the topics listed. A total of 30 respondents participated in the quantitative study while seven respondents were chosen for the qualitative study. Results: Data analyses identified coping strategies with domains of emotion-focused and religion-focused subscales as the main coping styles, while help seeking behavior identified that families were the main groups of people that were sought by them. Conclusion: Women with symptoms of postpartum depression tended to cope with their mental health issues by strengthening their spiritual bonds and with help and support from their family members.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite the proven benefit of secondary prevention medications (SPMs), their utilisation remains suboptimal in many countries. This study aimed to assess the use of SPMs in a Malaysian primary care clinic and factors associated with it. Methods: A retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted to assess the prescription of SPMs among patients with coronary artery disease who attended the clinic between 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2018. Prescriptions of SPMs were documented in numbers and percentages. Multiple logistic regressions were used to analyse factors associated with the prescription of SPMs. Results: Of the 662 patients included in the study, 99.1% were prescribed statins, 97% antiplatelets, 81.7% angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors or angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARBs), and 78.7% beta-blockers. Male patients were more likely to be prescribed statins (OR = 8.584, 95% CI: 1.431 – 51.510) and antiplatelets (OR = 6.818, 95% CI: 2.294 – 20.257). Another significant factor for antiplatelets prescription was having diabetes (OR = 3.318, 95% CI: 1.148 – 9.590). Having hypertension was associated with ACE-inhibitors or ARBs prescription (OR = 4.008, 95% CI: 2.522 – 6.370). Conclusion: Although the majority of patients received SPMs, there were significant disparities for some SPMs prescriptions among female patients. As these medications are widely available in the Malaysian primary care setting, steps should be taken to ensure that these medications are prescribed equally for all eligible patients.

Syzygium polyanthum is traditionally used as anti-hypertensive agent. However, the nephroprotective effects of S. polyanthum against hypertensive induced chronic kidney disease has yet to be elucidated. This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant properties and nephroprotective effects of aqueous extract of S. polyanthum (AESP) in the spontaneous hypertensive rat model (SHR). The phytochemical constituent was identified using the phytochemical screening and HPLC methods. The in vitro antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Fifty male SHR were equally divided into 5 groups, (n=10/group); Untreated-SHR, 20 mg/kg Losartan-treated SHR, 1500 mg/kg AESP treated SHR, 1750 mg/kg AESP treated SHR and 2250 mg/kg AESP treated SHR, while 10 male Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were used as control. Losartan and AESP were administered by oral gavage. Rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks of experiment. The phytochemicals include phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids were identified. AESP has high antioxidant activity as shown by antioxidant assays. AESP normalised systolic blood pressure (p<0.05) and significantly improved renal function (p<0.05). AESP also significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.05) and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the serum as compared to untreated-SHR group (p<0.05). Ultrastructure of renal damage improved by supplementation of AESP. Conclusively, S. polyanthum is potential to alleviate hypertensive induced chronic kidney disease through its antioxidant properties.

Introduction: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been found to improve cardiometabolic health outcome as compared to moderate-intensity continuous exercise. However, there is still limited data on the benefits of HIIT on the expression of regulatory proteins that are linked to skeletal muscle metabolism and insulin sensitivity in obese adults. This study investigated the effects of HIIT intervention on expressions of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-γ coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) and adiponectin receptor-1 (AdipoR1), insulin sensitivity (HOMAIR index), and body composition in overweight/obese individuals. Methods: Fifty overweight/obese individuals aged 22-29 years were assigned to either no-exercise control (n=25) or HIIT (n=25) group. The HIIT group underwent a 12-week intervention, three days/week, with intensity of 65-80% of age-based maximum heart rate. Anthropometric measurements, homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and gene expression analysis were conducted at baseline and post intervention. Results: Significant time-by-group interactions (p<0.001) were found for body weight, BMI, waist circumference and body fat percentage. The HIIT group had lower body weight (2.3%, p<0.001), BMI (2.7%, p<0.001), waist circumference (2.4%, p<0.001) and body fat percentage (4.3%, p<0.001) post intervention. Compared to baseline, expressions of PGC-1α and AdipoR1 were increased by approximately three-fold (p=0.019) and two-fold (p=0.003) respectively, along with improved insulin sensitivity (33%, p=0.019) in the HIIT group. Conclusion: Findings suggest that HIIT possibly improved insulin sensitivity through modulation of PGC-1α and AdipoR1. This study also showed that improved metabolic responses can occur despite modest reduction in body weight in overweight/obese individuals undergoing HIIT intervention.

Artocarpus heterophyllus has been used as traditional medicine. This plant is one of the sources of flavonoid. Flavonoid compounds possessed a wide range of biological properties including anticancer. This study was performed to investigate the cytotoxic effect of flavonoids from A. heterophyllus on H460 and MCF-7 cell lines. The interaction of flavonoids and cisplatin against tested cancer cells was also evaluated. MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effect of flavonoid. Isobologram analysis was selected to evaluate the synergistic effect between flavonoid and cisplatin, their interaction was then confirmed using AO/PI staining method. Amongst of flavonoid compounds, artocarpin exhibited strong cytotoxic effect on both MCF-7 and H460 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 12.53 µg/mL (28.73 µM) and 9.77 µg/mL (22.40 µM), respectively. This compound enhanced anticancer activity of cisplatin against H460 and MCF-7. The combination produced a synergistic effect on H460 and MCF-7 cell lines with a combination index (CI) values of 0.2 and 0.18, respectively. The AO/PI stained demonstrated that the combination of artocarpin and cisplatin caused morphological changes that indicated apoptosis. Moreover, artocarpanone also significantly increased cytotoxic effect of cisplatin compared to its single concentration with CI below than 1. This result suggested the potency of flavonoid named artocarpin to enhance the anticancer activity of cisplatin on H460 and MCF-7 cell lines.
Apoptosis ; Artocarpus ; Cell Line ; Cisplatin ; Flavonoids ; MCF-7 Cells ; Medicine, Traditional ; Methods ; Plants

Objective: To examine the proapoptotic properties of Oroxylum indicum methanol extract on cervical cancer cells. Methods: Methylene blue assay was used to determine the IC

Acute Rheumatic fever (ARF) is commonly associated with ECG abnormalities particularly atrioventricular block. However, third degree atrioventricular block or complete heart block is a rare manifestation. Most cases occurred in children. We reported a 25 year old man who developed complete heart block during an acute episode of ARF. He presented to hospital with five days history of fever, malaise and migrating arthralgia, followed by pleuritic chest pain. One day after admission his electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed complete heart block. Transthoracic echocardiography showed good left ventricular function with thickened, mild mitral regurgitation with minimal pericardial effusion. ASOT titer was positive with elevated white blood count and acute phase reactant. A temporary pacemaker was inserted in view of symptomatic bradycardia. The complete heart block resolved after medical therapy. He was successfully treated with penicillin, steroid and aspirin. He was discharged well with oral penicillin. The rarity of this presentation is highlighted.

Brain tumour occurrence in Malaysia demonstrates an increasing trend from year to year among adults and the second most common cancer among children. Thus, the expansion of numerous research for novel therapy and treatment are necessary. The distribution of brain tumour in a specific population is important to provide substantial information about the current trends for developing new diagnostic technique and research. Consequently, this study is opted to provide descriptive data of brain tumour in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). 217 brain tumour cases were collected from the hospital record between 2011 and 2014. The brain tumour cases were confirmed by pathologists according to WHO classification and grading. Descriptive analysis was evaluated by using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS version 22. Gender preponderance in this study shows very little difference. The most common adult primary brain tumour in this study was meningioma (32.7%) followed by glioblastoma (7.8%), a type of diffuse astrocytic tumour. According to age factor, brain tumour distribution pattern shows an increasing trend as the age increases and meningioma is the most common among the elder patients. Secondary tumour takes more than 10% from overall percentage of brain tumour cases. In conclusion, the descriptive data presentation in this study is very helpful to provide baseline information on the current brain tumour occurrence in this region.
Brain tumor ; descriptive epidemiology ; WHO classification ; Hospital USM

Brain tumour occurrence in Malaysia demonstrates an increasing trend from year to year among adults and the second most common cancer among children. Thus, the expansion of numerous research for novel therapy and treatment are necessary. The distribution of brain tumour in a specific population is important to provide substantial information about the current trends for developing new diagnostic technique and research. Consequently, this study is opted to provide descriptive data of brain tumour in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). 217 brain tumour cases were collected from the hospital record between 2011 and 2014. The brain tumour cases were confirmed by pathologists according to WHO classification and grading. Descriptive analysis was evaluated by using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS version 22. Gender preponderance in this study shows very little difference. The most common adult primary brain tumour in this study was meningioma (32.7%) followed by glioblastoma (7.8%), a type of diffuse astrocytic tumour. According to age factor, brain tumour distribution pattern shows an increasing trend as the age increases and meningioma is the most common among the elder patients. Secondary tumour takes more than 10% from overall percentage of brain tumour cases. In conclusion, the descriptive data presentation in this study is very helpful to provide baseline information on the current brain tumour occurrence in this region.