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Background: This systematic review explores the level of oxidative stress (OS) markers during pregnancy and their correlation with complications. Unlike previous studies, it refrains from directly investigating the role of OS but instead synthesises data on the levels of these markers and their implications for various pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restrictions, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm labour, gestational diabetes mellitus and miscarriages., Method: STUDY DESIGN: Utilizing a systematic review approach, we conducted a comprehensive search across databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and SCOPUS. Our search encompassed all publication years in English., Results: After evaluating 54,173 records, 45 studies with a low risk of bias were selected for inclusion. This systematic review has underscored the importance of these markers in both physiological and pathological pregnancy states such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restrictions, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm labour, gestational diabetes mellitus and miscarriages., Conclusion: This systematic review provides valuable insights into the role of OS in pregnancy and their connection to complications. These selected studies delved deeply into OS markers during pregnancy and their implications for associated complications. The comprehensive findings highlighted the significance of OS markers in both normal and pathological pregnancy conditions, paving the way for further research in this field., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aim: To assess the presence of mitochondrial (mt) DNA somatic mutations, determine the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and mutations, and assess the survival outcomes in Malay patients with primary brain tumors., Methods: The study enrolled 54 patients with primary brain tumors. DNA extracted from paired tissue and blood samples was subjected to Sanger sequencing to identify alterations in the entire mtDNA. The associations between clinicopathological characteristics and mutations were evaluated. Cox-regression multivariate analysis was conducted to identify factors significantly associated with survival, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the survival of patients with and without mutations., Results: Overall, 29.6% of the patients harbored 19 somatic mutations distributed across 15 loci within the mtDNA. Notably, 36.8% of these mutations were not previously documented in MITOMAP. One newly identified mutation caused a frameshift in the ATPase6 gene, resulting in a premature stop codon. Three mutations were classified as deleterious in the MitImpact2 database. Overall, 1097 mtDNA polymorphisms were identified across 331 different locations. Patients with mutations exhibited significantly shorter survival than patients without mutations., Conclusions: mtDNA mutations negatively affected the survival outcomes of Malaysian patients with primary brain tumors. However, studies with larger samples are needed to confirm the association between mutation burden and survival rates.

Aim: To assess the association of the expression of apolipoprotein B (apoB) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) with the clinicopathological data of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC)., Methods: We obtained 80 CRC histopathological specimens sent to the Pathology Laboratory of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from 2015 to 2019. Data on demographic factors, body mass index (BMI), and clinicopathological characteristics were also collected. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were stained by using an optimized immunohistochemical protocol., Results: Patients were mostly older than 50 years, male, Malay, and overweight or obese. A high apoB expression was observed in 87.5% CRC samples (70/80), while a high 4HNE expression was observed in only 17.5% (14/80) of CRCs. The expression of apoB was significantly associated with the sigmoid and rectosigmoid tumor sites (p =0.001) and tumor size 3-5 cm (p =0.005). 4HNE expression was significantly associated with tumor size 3-5 cm (p =0.045). Other variables were not significantly associated with the expression of either marker., Conclusion: ApoB and 4HNE proteins may play a role in promoting CRC carcinogenesis.

Objective: This study aims to explore and compare the histopathology of upper cleft lip tissue in order to identify the abnormalities and orientation of muscle and collagen fibers in patients affected with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL±P) and normal controls., Materials and Methods: Eight fresh lip tissues of consented patients with NSCL±P and two controls were fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome (MT), and modified Gomori trichrome techniques. The images were captured and examined using imaging cellSens software (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and Mirax Scan (Carl Zeiss, Germany). The H&E stained tissues were analysed for muscle fiber size using image processing program (imageJ, USA). Histopathological appearance of epidermal and dermal layers including collagen orientation, as well as muscle fibers abnormalities were observed., Results: Tissues stained with H&E exhibit pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, epidermal and sebaceous glands hyperplasia. Morphometric analysis of muscle fibers showed the diameter was between 6.912 and 10.246 µm. Collagen fibers were densely packed in cleft tissue, but muscle fibers were sparse in MT stain. Modified Gomori trichrome stain revealed hypoplastic muscle with fibrosis, including ragged red fibers., Conclusion: Disoriented collagen fibers, significant sparse and disorganized orbicularis oris muscle fibers with classical myopathic appearances proved that cleft tissue had abnormal histology findings. These findings further support the mechanism of collagen and muscle fibers during embryonic development that causing cleft formation., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) has been used to develop the arthritic or inflammatory condition in the animal, but there is a lack of information concerning high CFA doses on nociceptive behaviour and inflammatory parameters. This study aimed to compare the effects of different high doses of CFA in rat to closely mimic nociceptive and inflammatory parameters of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in humans. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): Control (C), CFA-induced polyarthritic groups at 5.0 mg/mL (CFA 5.0), 7.5 mg/mL (CFA 7.5) and 10.0mg/mL (CFA 10.0). The rats' right hindpaw was inoculated with CFA intradermally and developed into a polyarthritic state within 20 days. Nociceptive behavioural assessments, including von Frey and hot plate tests and spontaneous activities, were conducted on day 0, 7, 15 and 20. Bilateral ankle joints diameter and circumference, full blood count, joints and paw histological examinations were also conducted throughout the study period. Based on the results, CFA 5.0 and CFA 7.5 groups showed a significant increase in spontaneous activities and development of thermal hyperalgesia but no change in body weight and food intake, no development of tactile allodynia and haematological indices, and no significant morphological changes of joints histology. Meanwhile, CFA 10.0 group demonstrated significant and constant changes in all nociceptive and inflammatory parameters investigated. In conclusion, CFA at the dose of 10mg/mL has the most potential and reliable dosage to develop polyarthritis in a rat model to mimic RA condition in humans., Competing Interests: The authors have declared no competing interests exist.