1.Expression analysis of SIR2 and SAPs1-4 gene expression in Candida albicans treated with allicin compared tofluconazole
Alireza Khodavandi ; Fahimeh Alizadeh ; Nabil S Harmal ; Shiran M Sidik, ; Fauziah Othman ; Zamberi Sekawi ; Pei Pei Chong,
Tropical Biomedicine 2011;28(3):589-598
One of the main factors for virulence of fungus such as Candida albicans is the
ability to change its morphology from yeast to hyphae. Allicin, one of the volatile sulfur-oil
compounds from freshly crushed garlic, has a variety of antifungal activities. In this study,
the effect of allicin on growth and hyphae production in C. albicans as compared to fluconazole,
an antifungal drug was investigated using survival time in vitro and microscopic image at
different time intervals. Additionally, the expression of selected genes involved in hyphae
formation and development such as SIR2 and SAP1-4 was evaluated by semi-quantitative RTPCR
and relative real time RT-PCR. Allicin was shown to down-regulate the expression of
SIR2 (5.54 fold), similar to fluconazole (3.48 fold) at 2x MIC concentrations. Interestingly,
allicin had no effect on SAPs1-4 expression, whereas fluconazole was able to suppress SAP4
expression. Our findings showed that allicin was effective in suppressing hyphae development
of C. albicans to an extent that is sometimes equal or more than fluconazole. Moreover, allicin
and fluconazole seemed to share a common anti-Candida mechanism through inhibition of
SIR2 gene, while fluconazole appeared to also exert its fungistatic effect through another
pathway that involved SAP4 suppression.
2.Cytotoxicity and scanning electron microscopy study of gentamycin-coated HA effect on biofilm.
Au LF ; Othman F ; Mustaffa R ; Vidyadaran S ; Rahmat A ; Besar I ; Akim AM ; Khan MA ; Saidi M ; Shamsudin MN ; Froemming GA ; Ishak AK
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2008;63 Suppl A():16-17
Biofilms are adherent, multi-layered colonies of bacteria that are typically more resistant to the host immune response and routine antibiotic therapy. HA biomaterial comprises of a single-phased hydroxyapatite scaffold with interconnected pore structure. The device is designed as osteoconductive space filler to be gently packed into bony voids or gaps following tooth extraction or any surgical procedure. Gentamycin-coated biomaterial (locally made hydroxyapatite) was evaluated to reduce or eradicate the biofilm on the implant materials. The results indicated that the HA coated with gentamycin was biocompatible to human osteoblast cell line and the biofilm has been reduced after being treated with different concentrations of gentamycin-coated hydroxyapatite (HA).
3.Twin reverse arterial perfusion sequence.
N A Z Nik LAH ; C A Che YAAKOB ; M S OTHMAN ; N M Z Nik MAHMOOD
Singapore medical journal 2007;48(12):e335-7
Twin reverse arterial perfusion sequence occurs in approximately one percent of monochorionic twins. This condition is always fatal for the recipient twin and carries a high mortality rate for the pump twin. Various treatment options are described, but management is continually evolving with the publication of new data. We report an acardiac acephalic monochorionic twin who was diagnosed at 31 weeks gestation. Serial ultrasonographical examinations of the normal pump twin showed intrauterine growth restriction but with no evidence of heart failure. A healthy pump twin was delivered by caesarean section at 34 weeks.
Abnormalities, Multiple
;
diagnostic imaging
;
Cesarean Section
;
Female
;
Fetofetal Transfusion
;
diagnostic imaging
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Gestational Age
;
Heart Defects, Congenital
;
diagnostic imaging
;
Humans
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Pregnancy
;
Pregnancy Outcome
;
Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal
;
methods
;
Pregnancy, Multiple
;
Twins, Monozygotic
;
Ultrasonography, Prenatal
4.High incidence of Plasmodium knowlesi malaria compared to other human malaria species in several hospitals in Malaysia
Lai, M.Y. ; Rafieqin, N. ; Lee, P.Y.@Lee, Z. ; Amir Rawa, M.S. ; Dzul, S. ; Yahaya, N. ; Abdullah, F.H. ; Othman, N. ; Jelip, J. ; Ooi, C.H. ; Ibrahim, J. ; Aung, M. ; Abdullah, A.H. ; Laili, Z. ; Lau, Y.L.
Tropical Biomedicine 2021;38(No.3):248-253
Through the regional control programme, Malaysia has been successfully reducing the incidence of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections. However, the incidence of zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi infection is increasing and now has been the major cause of malaria in Malaysia especially Malaysian Borneo. The emergence of knowlesi infection has threatened the malaria elimination programme which the government aims to reduce the overall malaria infections by 2020. Unlike other benign human Plasmodium spp., P. knowlesi can cause fatal infections. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and distribution of five human malaria parasites including P. knowlesi in Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. A total of 112 blood samples were collected from seven states and district hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo from year 2015 to 2016. The samples were examined by microscopy and further confirmed by nested PCR assay targeting 18S rRNA gene of Plasmodium spp. Following the nested PCR assays, a total of 54 (48.2%) samples were positive for P. knowlesi infections, 12 (10.7%) cases were positive for P. vivax infections, followed by 7 (6.3%) cases of P. falciparum and 4 (3.5%) cases of P. malariae. There were 3 cases (2.7%) of mixed infections (P. knowlesi/P. vivax). However, no cases were identified as P. ovale. A total of 32 (28.6%) cases were found as negative infections. LoopMediated Isothermal Amplification Assay (LAMP) was performed to confirm inconclusive results produced by microscopy and nested PCR. P. knowlesi showed the highest prevalence in Sarawak (n= 30), Sabah (n=13), Pulau Pinang (n=5) and Pahang (n=6). PCR and LAMP was not able to detect a large number of microscopy positive samples due to DNA degradation during storage and shipping. Among all the states involved in this study, the highest prevalence of P. knowlesi infection was found in Sabah and Sarawak.