Despite publishing and securing research grants being obligatory in research universities, the literature on the factors influencing academic productivity is relatively scarce. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the personal and behavioural-related factors that influence the culture of publishing and securing research grants among academicians with lower research-related performance. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 49 academic staff members of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). A self-administered questionnaire consisting of personal, attitude and behavioural (barriers, perceived stress scale, work extrinsic and intrinsic motivation scale, psychological well-being scale, and basic needs satisfaction scale) questions were distributed during a workshop and online. Simple linear regression (SLR) analyses were performed for each variable, followed by multiple linear regression (MLR) to identify the associated factors of research output. After adjusting for covariates, having a doctoral degree (β=0.396, 95% CI=0.221-2.146, p<0.05) and integrated regulation (β=0.574, 95% CI=0.036-3.612, p<0.05) were found to be associated with research grant acquisition (R2=0.273). Moreover, increasing age (β=0.426, 95% CI=0.088-0.397, p<0.05), living alone (β=0.331, 95% CI=0.944-6.626, p<0.05), having a doctoral degree (β=0.248, 95% CI=0.174-6.747, p<0.05), environmental mastery (β=0.318, 95% CI=0.013-0.347, p<0.05), self-acceptance (β=0.284, 95% CI=0.010-0.242, p<0.05), satisfaction incompetence (β=0.273, 95% CI=0.001-0.200, p<0.05) and relatedness (β=0.280, 95% CI=0.001-0.116, p<0.05) were found to be the factors that influence the publications produced among participants (R2 =0.423). The findings of this study could be used by management to formulate effective strategies to increase the productivity of academics in their research-related performance.

BACKGROUND: The urinary tract can be affected by both congenital abnormalities as well as acquired disorders, such ascancer, trauma, infection, inflammation, and iatrogenic injuries, all of which may lead to organ damage requiring eventualreconstruction. As a gold standard, gastrointestinal segment is used for urinary bladder reconstruction. However, one majorproblem is that while bladder tissue prevents reabsorption of specific solutes, gastrointestinal tissue actually absorbs them.Therefore, tissue engineering approach had been attempted to provide an alternative tissue graft for urinary bladderreconstruction. METHODS: Human adipose-derived stem cells isolated from fat tissues were differentiated into smooth muscle cells andthen seeded onto a triple-layered PLGA sheet to form a bladder construct. Adult athymic rats underwent subtotal urinarybladder resection and were divided into three treatment groups (n = 3): Group 1 (‘‘sham’’) underwent anastomosis of theremaining basal region, Group 2 underwent reconstruction with the cell-free scaffold, and Group 3 underwent reconstructionwith the tissue-engineered bladder construct. Animals were monitored on a daily basis and euthanisation wasperformed whenever a decline in animal health was detected. RESULTS: All animals in Groups 1, 2 and 3 survived for at least 7 days and were followed up to a maximum of 12 weekspost-operation. It was found that by Day 14, substantial ingrowth of smooth muscle and urothelial cells had occurred inGroup 2 and 3. In the long-term follow up of group 3 (tissue-engineered bladder construct group), it was found that theurinary bladder wall was completely regenerated and bladder function was fully restored. Urodynamic and radiologicalevaluations of the reconstructed bladder showed a return to normal bladder volume and function.Histological analysisrevealed the presence of three muscular layers and a urothelium similar to that of a normal bladder. Immunohistochemicalstaining using human-specific myocyte markers (myosin heavy chain and smoothelin) confirmed the incorporation of theseeded cells in the newly regenerated muscular layers. CONCLUSION Implantation of PLGA construct seeded with smooth muscle cells derived from human adipose stemcells can lead to regeneration of the muscular layers and urothelial ingrowth, leading to formation of a completelyfunctional urinary bladder.

BACKGROUND: One of the long-standing problems of myoblasts in vitro expansion is slow cell migration and this causes fibroblast population to exceed myoblasts. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of laminin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on co-cultured myoblasts and fibroblasts for cell attachment, proliferation and migration. METHODS: Skeletal human muscle cells were cultured in four different conditions; control, EGF, laminin (Lam) and laminin EGF (Lam ? EGF). Using live imaging system, their cellular properties; attachment, migration and growth were exposed to Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, and EGF-receptor (EGF-R) inhibitor, gefitinib were measured. RESULTS: Myoblast migration and proliferation was enhanced significantly by synergistic stimulation of laminin and EGF (0.61 ± 0.14 ㎛/min, 0.008 ± 0.001 h-1 ) compare to that by EGF alone (0.26 ± 0.13 ㎛/min, 0.004 ± 0.0009 h-1 ). However, no changes in proliferation and migration were observed for fibroblasts among the culture conditions. Inhibition of Rho kinase resulted in the increase of the myoblast migration on the laminin-coated surface with EGF condition (0.64 ± 0.18 ㎛/min). Compared to the untreated conditions, myoblasts cultured on the laminin-coated surface and EGF demonstrated elongated morphology, and average cell length increase significantly. In contrast, inhibition of EGF-R resulted in the decrease of myoblast migration on the laminin coated surface with EGF supplemented condition (0.43 ± 0.05 ㎛/min) in comparison to the untreated control (0.53 ± 0.05 ㎛/min). CONCLUSION Laminin and EGF preferentially enhance the proliferation and migration of myoblasts, and Rho kinase and EGF-R play a role in this synergistic effect. These results will be beneficial for the propagation of skeletal muscle cells for clinical applications.

BACKGROUND: The urinary tract can be affected by both congenital abnormalities as well as acquired disorders, such ascancer, trauma, infection, inflammation, and iatrogenic injuries, all of which may lead to organ damage requiring eventualreconstruction. As a gold standard, gastrointestinal segment is used for urinary bladder reconstruction. However, one majorproblem is that while bladder tissue prevents reabsorption of specific solutes, gastrointestinal tissue actually absorbs them.Therefore, tissue engineering approach had been attempted to provide an alternative tissue graft for urinary bladderreconstruction. METHODS: Human adipose-derived stem cells isolated from fat tissues were differentiated into smooth muscle cells andthen seeded onto a triple-layered PLGA sheet to form a bladder construct. Adult athymic rats underwent subtotal urinarybladder resection and were divided into three treatment groups (n = 3): Group 1 (‘‘sham’’) underwent anastomosis of theremaining basal region, Group 2 underwent reconstruction with the cell-free scaffold, and Group 3 underwent reconstructionwith the tissue-engineered bladder construct. Animals were monitored on a daily basis and euthanisation wasperformed whenever a decline in animal health was detected. RESULTS: All animals in Groups 1, 2 and 3 survived for at least 7 days and were followed up to a maximum of 12 weekspost-operation. It was found that by Day 14, substantial ingrowth of smooth muscle and urothelial cells had occurred inGroup 2 and 3. In the long-term follow up of group 3 (tissue-engineered bladder construct group), it was found that theurinary bladder wall was completely regenerated and bladder function was fully restored. Urodynamic and radiologicalevaluations of the reconstructed bladder showed a return to normal bladder volume and function.Histological analysisrevealed the presence of three muscular layers and a urothelium similar to that of a normal bladder. Immunohistochemicalstaining using human-specific myocyte markers (myosin heavy chain and smoothelin) confirmed the incorporation of theseeded cells in the newly regenerated muscular layers. CONCLUSION Implantation of PLGA construct seeded with smooth muscle cells derived from human adipose stemcells can lead to regeneration of the muscular layers and urothelial ingrowth, leading to formation of a completelyfunctional urinary bladder.

BACKGROUND: One of the long-standing problems of myoblasts in vitro expansion is slow cell migration and this causes fibroblast population to exceed myoblasts. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of laminin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on co-cultured myoblasts and fibroblasts for cell attachment, proliferation and migration. METHODS: Skeletal human muscle cells were cultured in four different conditions; control, EGF, laminin (Lam) and laminin EGF (Lam ? EGF). Using live imaging system, their cellular properties; attachment, migration and growth were exposed to Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, and EGF-receptor (EGF-R) inhibitor, gefitinib were measured. RESULTS: Myoblast migration and proliferation was enhanced significantly by synergistic stimulation of laminin and EGF (0.61 ± 0.14 ㎛/min, 0.008 ± 0.001 h-1 ) compare to that by EGF alone (0.26 ± 0.13 ㎛/min, 0.004 ± 0.0009 h-1 ). However, no changes in proliferation and migration were observed for fibroblasts among the culture conditions. Inhibition of Rho kinase resulted in the increase of the myoblast migration on the laminin-coated surface with EGF condition (0.64 ± 0.18 ㎛/min). Compared to the untreated conditions, myoblasts cultured on the laminin-coated surface and EGF demonstrated elongated morphology, and average cell length increase significantly. In contrast, inhibition of EGF-R resulted in the decrease of myoblast migration on the laminin coated surface with EGF supplemented condition (0.43 ± 0.05 ㎛/min) in comparison to the untreated control (0.53 ± 0.05 ㎛/min). CONCLUSION Laminin and EGF preferentially enhance the proliferation and migration of myoblasts, and Rho kinase and EGF-R play a role in this synergistic effect. These results will be beneficial for the propagation of skeletal muscle cells for clinical applications.

BACKGROUND: Centella asiatica (L.) is a plant with neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties; however, its effects on the neurodifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and on peripheral nerve injury are poorly explored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of C. asiatica (L.)-neurodifferentiated MSCs on the regeneration of peripheral nerve in a critical-size defect animal model. METHODS: Nerve conduit was developed using decellularised artery seeded with C. asiatica-neurodifferentiated MSCs (ndMSCs). A 1.5 cm sciatic nerve injury in Sprague–Dawley rat was bridged with reversed autograft (RA) (n = 3, the gold standard treatment), MSC-seeded conduit (MC) (n = 4) or ndMSC-seeded conduit (NC) (n> = 4). Pinch test and nerve conduction study were performed every 2 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. At the 12th week, the conduits were examined by histology and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: NC implantation improved the rats’ sensory sensitivity in a similar manner to RA. At the 12th week, nerve conduction velocity was the highest in NC compared with that of RA and MC. Axonal regeneration was enhanced in NC and RA as shown by the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP). The average number of myelinated axons was significantly higher in NC than in MC but significantly lower than in RA. The myelin sheath thickness was higher in NC than in MC but lower than in RA. CONCLUSION NC showed promising effects on nerve regeneration and functional restoration similar to those of RA. These findings revealed the neuroregenerative properties of C. asiatica and its potential as an alternative strategy for the treatment of critical size nerve defect.

Umbilical cord (UC) is a discarded product from the operating theatre and a ready source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). MSCs from UC express both embryonic and adult mesenchymal stem cell markers and are known to be hypoimmunogenic and non-tumorigenic and thus suitable for allogeneic cell transplantation. Our study aimed to determine the degree of immunotolerance and bone-forming capacity of osteodifferentiated human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hWJ-MSCs) from different segments of UC in an allogenic setting. UCs were obtained from healthy donors delivering a full-term infant by elective Caesarean section. hWJ-MSCs were isolated from 3 cm length segment from the maternal and foetal ends of UCs. Three-dimensional fibrin constructs were formed and implanted intramuscularly into immunocompetent mice. The mice were implanted with 1) fibrin construct with maternal hWJ-MSCs, 2) fibrin construct with foetal hWJ-MSCs, or 3) fibrin without cells; the control group received sham surgery. After 1 month, the lymphoid organs were analysed to determine the degree of immune rejection and bone constructs were analysed to determine the amount of bone formed. A pronounced immune reaction was noted in the fibrin group. The maternal segment constructs demonstrated greater osteogenesis than the foetal segment constructs. Both maternal and foetal segment constructs caused minimal immune reaction and thus appear to be safe for allogeneic bone transplant. The suppression of inflammation may be a result of increased anti-inflammatory cytokine production mediated by the hWJ-MSC. In summary, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using bone constructs derived from hWJ-MSCs in an allogenic setting.
Adult ; Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; Cell Transplantation ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Fibrin ; Humans ; Infant ; Inflammation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Mice ; Osteogenesis ; Pregnancy ; Tissue Donors ; Tissue Engineering ; Transplants ; Umbilical Cord ; Wharton Jelly

Introduction: Collagen type I is widely used as a biomaterial for tissue-engineered substitutes. This study aimed to fabricate different three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds using ovine tendon collagen type I (OTC-I), and compare the attachment, proliferation and morphological features of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) on the scaffolds. Methods: This study was conducted between the years 2014 to 2016 at the Tissue Engineering Centre, UKM Medical Centre. OTC-I was extracted from ovine tendon, and fabricated into 3D scaffolds in the form of sponge, hydrogel and film. A polystyrene surface coated with OTC-I was used as the 2D culture condition. Genipin was used to crosslink the OTC-I. A noncoated polystyrene surface was used as a control. The mechanical strength of OTC-I scaffolds was evaluated. Attachment, proliferation and morphological features of HDF were assessed and compared between conditions. Results: The mechanical strength of OTC-I sponge was significantly higher than that of the other scaffolds. OTC-I scaffolds and the coated surface significantly enhanced HDF attachment and proliferation compared to the control, but no differences were observed between the scaffolds and coated surface. In contrast, the morphological features of HDF including spreading, filopodia, lamellipodia and actin cytoskeletal formation differed between conditions. Conclusion: OTC-I can be moulded into various scaffolds that are biocompatible and thus could be suitable as scaffolds for developing tissue substitutes for clinical applications and in vitro tissue models. However, further study is required to determine the effect of morphological properties on the functional and molecular properties of HDF.

Electrospinning is a simple and versatile technique to fabricate continuous fibers with diameter ranging from micrometers to a few nanometers. To date, the number of polymers that have been electrospun has exceeded 200. In recent years, electrospinning has become one of the most popular scaffold fabrication techniques to prepare nanofiber mesh for tissue engineering applications. Collagen, the most abundant extracellular matrix protein in the human body, has been electrospun to fabricate biomimetic scaffolds that imitate the architecture of native human tissues. As collagen nanofibers are mechanically weak in nature, it is commonly cross-linked or blended with synthetic polymers to improve the mechanical strength without compromising the biological activity. Electrospun collagen nanofiber mesh has high surface area to volume ratio, tunable diameter and porosity, and excellent biological activity to regulate cell function and tissue formation. Due to these advantages, collagen nanofibers have been tested for the regeneration of a myriad of tissues and organs. In this review, we gave an overview of electrospinning, encompassing the history, the instrument settings, the spinning process and the parameters that affect fiber formation, with emphasis given to collagen nanofibers' fabrication and application, especially the use of collagen nanofibers in skin tissue engineering.
Biomimetics ; Collagen* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Human Body ; Humans ; Nanofibers* ; Polymers ; Porosity ; Regeneration ; Skin* ; Tissue Engineering*

Centella asiatica, locally well known in Malaysia as pegaga, is a traditional herb that has been used widely in Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and in the traditional medicine of other Southeast Asian countries including Malaysia. Although consumption of the plant is indicated for various illnesses, its potential neuroprotective properties have been well studied and documented. In addition to past studies, recent studies also discovered and/or reconfirmed that C. asiatica acts as an antioxidant, reducing the effect of oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo. At the in vitro level, C. asiatica promotes dendrite arborisation and elongation, and also protects the neurons from apoptosis. In vivo studies have shown that the whole extract and also individual compounds of C. asiatica have a protective effect against various neurological diseases. Most of the in vivo studies on neuroprotective effects have focused on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, learning and memory enhancement, neurotoxicity and other mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and epilepsy. Recent studies have embarked on finding the molecular mechanism of neuroprotection by C. asiatica extract. However, the capability of C. asiatica in enhancing neuroregeneration has not been studied much and is limited to the regeneration of crushed sciatic nerves and protection from neuronal injury in hypoxia conditions. More studies are still needed to identify the compounds and the mechanism of action of C. asiatica that are particularly involved in neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. Furthermore, the extraction method, biochemical profile and dosage information of the C. asiatica extract need to be standardised to enhance the economic value of this traditional herb and to accelerate the entry of C. asiatica extracts into modern medicine.
Centella ; Antioxidants