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Nipa palm sap (NPS) as source of medicine traditionally used to treat various diseases. This study identified good radical scavenging activity in NPS with the IC50 value of 33.36 μg/mL using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. NPS comprises of moisture (72.44%), ash (1.04%), protein (7.04%), carbohydrate (19.48%), fat (0%), and energy level (106 kcal). Glucose (0.3%) and fructose (1.8%) were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography. Maleic acid, cinnamic acid, chlorogenic acid, and kaempferol were the predominant compounds revealed by ultrahigh- performance liquid chromatography. Overall, NPS has the potential antioxidants sources with significant health benefits and values for commercialisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) is a group of myeloid disorders which leads to erythrocytosis, thrombocytosis and leucocytosis. MPN with BCR-ABL positive is chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) while BCR-ABL negative MPN includes polycythaemia Vera (PV), essential thrombocytemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). One of the major criteria for diagnosis of BCR-ABL negative MPN is the presence of JAK2-V617F mutation which is positive in 95% of PV and around 60% of ET and MF. Beside peripheral blood specimen, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) marrow specimen can be used for detection of this mutation. Unfortunately, FFPE produces low quality DNA that put a challenge for successful amplification of DNA. We aimed to evaluate the utility of High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis for detection of JAK2-V617F mutation in FFPE specimen from MPN cases. Materials and Methods: This study is a descriptive crosssectional study. Forty FFPE marrow specimens were retrieved from the years 2014-2016. Bio-Rad Precision Melt Analysis software was used for analysis of HRM data. Allele-specific PCR was done for validation of results. Positive samples were subjected to Sanger sequencing. Results: JAK2-V617F mutation was positive in 13 out of 40 MPN cases. Level of agreement between HRM and AS-PCR was 97.5%. Conclusion: HRM is a rapid and powerful diagnostic assay which is suitable for detection of JAK2-V617F mutation in FFPE marrow specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare cancer and accounts for 5-10% of adult soft tissue sarcomas. Making an accurate diagnosis is difficult due to the overlapping histological features of SS with other types of sarcomas and the non-specific immunohistochemistry profile findings. Molecular testing is thus considered necessary to confirm the diagnosis since more than 90% of SS cases carry the transcript of t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2). The purpose of this study is to diagnose SS at molecular level by testing for t(X;18) fusion-transcript expression through One-step reverse transcriptase real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Method: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 23 cases of soft tissue sarcomas, which included 5 and 8 cases reported as SS as the primary diagnosis and differential diagnosis respectively, were retrieved from the Department of Pathology, Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan, Pahang. RNA was purified from the tissue block sections and then subjected to One-step reverse transcriptase real-time PCR using sequence specific hydrolysis probes for simultaneous detection of either SYT-SSX1 or SYT-SSX2 fusion transcript. Results: Of the 23 cases, 4 cases were found to be positive for SYT-SSX fusion transcript in which 2 were diagnosed as SS whereas in the 2 other cases, SS was the differential diagnosis. Three cases were excluded due to failure of both amplification assays SYT-SSX and control β-2-microglobulin. The remaining 16 cases were negative for the fusion transcript. Conclusion: This study has shown that the application of One-Step reverse transcriptase real time PCR for the detection SYT-SSX transcript is feasible as an aid in confirming the diagnosis of synovial sarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Research findings have linked exposure to pesticides to an increased risk of cardiovascular (CVS) diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of chronic mix-pesticides exposure on CVS hemodynamic parameters. METHODS A total of 198 male Malay pesticide-exposed and 195 male Malay nonexposed workers were examined. Data were collected through exposure-matrix assessment, questionnaire, blood analyses, and CVS assessment. Explanatory variables comprised of lipid profiles, paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Outcome measures comprised of brachial and aortic diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic BP (SBP), heart rate, and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Linear regressions identified the B coefficient showing how many units of CVS parameters are associated with each unit of covariates. RESULTS Diazoxonase was significantly lower and ox-LDL was higher among pesticide-exposed workers than the comparison group. The final multivariate linear regression model revealed that age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and pesticide exposure were independent predictors of brachial and aortic DBP and SBP. Pesticide exposure was also associated with heart rate, but not with PWV. Lipid profiles, PON1 enzymes, and ox-LDL showed no association with any of the CVS parameters. CONCLUSIONS Chronic mix-pesticide exposure among workers involved in mosquito control has possible association with depression of diazoxonase and the increase in ox-LDL, brachial and aortic DBP and SBP, and heart rate. This study raises concerns that those using pesticides may be exposed to hitherto unrecognized CVS risks among others. If this is confirmed by further studies, greater efforts will be needed to protect these workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Preanalytical variation as a result of sample storage conditions are common issues in a large scale study since the sample has to be kept for an extended duration at ultra low temperature (-70ºC) before analysis. However, ultra low freezers may not be available in some laboratories. Sometimes, the laboratory test may need to be repeated on the previously frozen and thawed samples. The aim of this research was to study the effect of storage temperature and freeze-thaw cycles on some biochemical parameters in our laboratory. Methods: An experimental study was carried out on 50 volunteers. Serum were aliquoted and stored at 4ºC, -30ºC and -70ºC. The serum was analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density-lipoprotein (HDL-C) and glucose after 3 months of storage. The effects of freeze-thaw cycles were also recorded. Results: No significant differences (p>0.05) were seen in the level of the biochemical parameters between the samples stored at -70ºC and at -30ºC. The levels of selected parameters were higher after second freeze-thaw cycles as compared to the first thaw. All parameters showed significant positive correlations between the samples stored at -70ºC and the samples stored at -30ºC and 4ºC as well as between the first and second freeze-thaw cycles in samples kept at both -70ºC and -30ºC. Conclusions: Our finding suggested that the level of TC, TG and glucose in sample stored for 3 months at -70ºC are comparable with the samples stored at -30ºC. Only one freeze-thaw cycle is acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is an emerging chronic liver disease with limited therapy available. Studies utilizing animal models induced with cholesterol diet ranging from 1-2% are hampered by inconsistent yield of NASH features. Therefore, we aimed to establish a NASH animal model utilizing 12% cholesterol diet (CD) and to investigate the effects of Tualang honey (TH) known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties in this model. Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups (12% CD and standard diet) and were fed for 6 weeks. Following the establishment of NASH, the rats in the 12% CD group were subsequently divided into 3 groups. The first group was continued with only 12% CD. In the other 2 groups in addition to the 12% CD they were given TH treatment at different concentrations (1.2 and 2.4 g/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Blood biochemical analysis and histological assessment of liver were subsequently performed. Results: The liver histological sections of the rats fed with 12% CD showed macrovesicular steatosis, ballooning degeneration with lobular and portal inflammation. They also had increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Meanwhile, the TH treatment groups exhibited significant improvement in both the NASH grading and activity scores. The ALT, LDL-C, TC, triglyceride (TG), fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels were reduced significantly. Conclusions: The 12% CD was able to induce NASH in the animal model. Tualang honey improved insulin sensitivity, dyslipidaemia, steatohepatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact globally. Healthcare workers (HCWs) were forced to work with uncertainties about the virus, extended working hours, and increasing cases. It is known that stress causes immunosuppression, and salivary IgA (sIgA) is the immune marker most strongly related to work stress. However, the relationship between stress level, COVID-19 fear, and immunosuppression was unknown. The study investigated the relationship between COVID-19-related fear and stress of the sIgA level. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 109 staff nurses in SASMEC, Kuantan, Pahang. Stratified randomised sampling was done for selection of participants. The PSS-10 and FCV -19S-M Questionnaires were administered to objectively assess stress and fear, followed by non-invasive saliva sample collection. Quantitative measurement of IgA level was done using an Enzyme- linked Immunosorbent Assay Kit (ELISA) for sIgA. Pearson correlation test and coefficient of determination (R2) were applied. 86% of participants were female, 83% were aged between 26-45 years old, 75% were married, 95% had worked for more than 1 year, and 68% worked in high-risk stations. The majority of the participants scored moderate severity in terms of perceived stress (84%) and fear level (61%), and the mean sIgA level was 3.96ng/mL. Further analysis showed no linear correlation between stress and fear with salivary IgA levels. Conclusion: HCWs are inevitably exposed to high stress, especially during the pandemic, not just work-related stress and COVID exposure but also other demographic and situational factors. Though the current study revealed moderate stress and fear levels among the staff nurses with no significant association between salivary IgA and stress and fear, further study should examine other factors such as coping skills, working environment, and protective factors that may modify perceived stress and, subsequently, immunological response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]