Search

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that accounted for the most common cause of dementia in the elderly population. Lately, 'infection hypothesis' has been proposed where the infection of microbes can lead to the pathogenesis of AD. Among different types of microbes, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), Chlamydia pneumonia, Spirochetes and Candida albicans are frequently detected in the brain of AD patients. Amyloid-beta protein has demonstrated to exhibit antimicrobial properties upon encountering these pathogens. It can bind to microglial cells and astrocytes to activate immune response and neuroinflammation. Nevertheless, HIV-1 and HSV-1 can develop into latency whereas Chlamydia pneumonia, Spirochetes and Candida albicans can cause chronic infections. At this stage, the DNA of microbes remains undetectable yet active. This can act as the prolonged pathogenic stimulus that over-triggers the expression of Aβ-related genes, which subsequently lead to overproduction and deposition of Aβ plaque. This review will highlight the pathogenesis of each of the stated microbial infection, their association in AD pathogenesis as well as the effect of chronic infection in AD progression. Potential therapies for AD by modulating the microbiome have also been suggested. This review will aid in understanding the infectious manifestations of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of vaping worldwide is showing an upward trend. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with motivation to quit vaping among vapers in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through a cross-sectional, purposive sampling study. Respondents were required to complete a questionnaire consisting of vapers' sociodemographic questions, habitual behavioral pattern questions, the e-Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence, the Glover–Nilsson Smoking Behavioral Dependence Questionnaire, perception questions, motivation to quit questions, and withdrawal symptom questions. A total of 311 vapers participated in this study. The majority of the vapers were male (84.6%), younger (18–25 years) (55.3%), and with monthly income less than RM 4000 (USD 868; 83.9%). The level of motivation to quit vaping was found to have a significant association with the perception of vaping being as satisfying as cigarette smoking (p = 0.006) and mild to very strong nicotine dependence (p = 0.001). Participants who recorded moderate and strong habitual vaping behaviors had lower odds of having high motivation to quit vaping compared to those recording slight habitual behaviors (OR = 0.279, 95%CI(0.110–0.708), p = 0.007 and OR = 0.185, 95%CI(0.052–0.654), p = 0.009, respectively). Factors associated with higher motivation to quit vaping could be explored to gain better understanding of how to increase their motivation level for future quit attempts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a worldwide outbreak. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus can be transmitted human-to-human through droplets and close contact where personal protective equipment (PPE) is imperative to protect the individuals. The advancement of nanotechnology with significant nanosized properties can confer a higher form of protection. Incorporation of nanotechnology into facemasks can exhibit antiviral properties. Nanocoating on surfaces can achieve self-disinfecting purposes and be applied in highly populated places. Moreover, nano-based hand sanitizers can confer better sterilizing efficacies with low skin irritation as compared to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The present review discusses the incorporation of nanotechnology into nano-based materials and coatings in facemasks, self-surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers, in the hope to contribute to the current understanding of PPE to combat COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study was aimed to characterise nine clinical isolates in our culture collection that were categorized as Diutina species based on their molecular genetic profiles. D. rugosa is a species complex comprising four taxa., i.e., D. rugosa sensu stricto, D. pseudorugosa, D. neorugosa and D. mesorugosa. The most commonly used phenotypic identification methods for yeasts often lead to the misidentification of this species complex. Methodology and results: The Diutina isolates were received from two local referral hospitals as pure cultures. Species confirmation was performed using conventional phenotypic methods; CHROMagar and RapID Yeast Plus Kit. To study the inter- and intraspecific relationships among the clinical isolates, ITS region, D1/D2 domain and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses were performed. The results were further validated using the housekeeping gene sequence similarity technique coupled with pairwise sequence alignment. The results from phenotypic methods results were ambiguous and inconclusive. The sequence analyses of ITS regions and D1/D2 domains revealed that the samples consisted of three yeast species; D. rugosa complex: D. rugosa (n=1), D. mesorugosa (n=6), Candida pararugosa (n=1) and Meyerozyma guilliermondii (n=1). The RAPD analysis with random primers, OPG4, OPG11 and OPA18, demonstrated good banding patterns that could distinguish between the Diutina isolates. The pairwise sequence alignment revealed that the Diutina isolates were genetically similar to D. rugosa ATCC 10571. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The molecular methods, D1/D2 domain, ITS1 and ITS4 region, and RAPD analyses have proven helpful for accurately identifying the yeasts, especially closely related species; D. rugosa and D. mesorugosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Acinetobacter baumannii has been identified as one of the six most pathogenic bacteria that is the cause of most hospital bacterial infections according to Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). These nosocomial pathogens are notorious worldwide due to its ability in causing lethal infections among immunocompromised patients and its resistance to many strong antibiotics. This study aims to compare the expressed proteins of two A. baumannii strain, ATCC 19606 and a pathogenic clinically isolated strain known as AB-13. Methodology and results: AB-13 clinically strain was isolated from the lower respiratory tract of a patient with pneumonia. In this study, the proteomic profile of both ATCC 19606 and AB-13 are produced using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The total protein contents were extracted, quantified and separated using 2-DE with a pH range of 4-7 to acquire the proteomic profile for comparison. The final analytical gel was analysed using Delta2D software and among the 324 protein spots successfully resolved, 10 spots exhibited signs of differential expression with 7 spots found to be downregulated and 3 spots upregulated (p< 0.01). These differences could signify the evolution AB-13 has undergone as it acquires traits ultimately aiding in its survivability, antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity within varied environments especially during infections. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: These findings support the presence of variation in AB-13 from a proteomic perspective, highlighting the pathogen's evolution improving survivability and pathogenicity, warranting indepth exploration towards understanding A. baumannii virulence and pathogenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, we reported the synergistic effects of curcumin and piperine in cell cultures as potential anti-cholinesterase and anti-amyloidogenic agents. Due to limited findings on the enrolment of these compounds on epigenetic events in AD, we aimed at elucidating the expression profiles of Aβ42-induced SH-SY5Y cells using microarray profiling. In this study, an optimized concentration of 35 mM of curcumin and piperine in combination was used to treat Aβ42 fibril and high-throughput microarray profiling was performed on the extracted RNA. This was then compared to curcumin and piperine used singularly at 49.11 mM and 25 mM, respectively. Our results demonstrated that in the curcumin treated group, from the top 10 upregulated and top 10 downregulated significantly differentially expressed genes (p<0:05; fold change ≥ 2 or ≤ -2), there were five upregulated and three downregulated genes involved in the amyloidogenic pathway. While from top 10 upregulated and top 10 downregulated significantly differentially expressed genes (p < 0:05; fold change ≥ 2 or ≤ -2) in the piperine treated group, there were four upregulated and three downregulated genes involved in the same pathway, whereas there were five upregulated and two downregulated genes involved (p<0:05; fold change ≥ 2 or ≤-2) in the curcumin- piperine combined group. Four genes namely GABARAPL1, CTSB, RAB5 and AK5 were expressed significantly in all groups. Other genes such as ITPR1, GSK3B, PPP3CC, ERN1, APH1A, CYCS and CALM2 were novel putative genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of AD. We revealed that curcumin and piperine have displayed their actions against Aβ via the modulation of various mechanistic pathways. Alterations in expression profiles of genes in the neuronal cell model may explain Aβ pathology post- treatment and provide new insights for remedial approaches of a combined treatment using curcumin and piperine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, the rights of pharmacists as health care professionals have been a controversial topic in the medical field. Pharmacists worldwide have always been independent in being able to practice medicine in their own way and have been given exclusive dispensing rights to distribute drugs and medicines to patients. In Malaysia, however, this is not the case. The overwhelming opinion has been that pharmacists are losing their dispensing rights because doctors are earning more. The current study was carried out in view of recent debates regarding the implementation of a dispensary separation policy in Malaysia. The main objective of this study was to gain an understanding of the views of and challenges experienced by the public in regards to the implementation of this type of policy. The overall results of this study show that dispensing rights are still viewed with mixed feelings. Study subjects reported believing that pharmacists were capable of dispensing medication but that they lack the confidence to make changes within the existing system. When their conditions were not severe, respondents indicated that they preferred the old system where doctors prescribe them with medicine and they subsequently visit the pharmacy. In conclusion, the majority of interview participants were of the opinion that maintaining the current system would benefit them holistically. In this study, input from a total of 929 respondents was gathered via a structured survey conducted throughout Malaysia. The study findings were also supported by data obtained during interviews carried out with 350 informants regarding their views of the implementation of dispensary separation in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Health care systems play a vital role in providing health services and in optimising the population's health of each nation. The Malaysian health care system primarily consists of the public and private health services. One of the prominent private health care services offered in the General Practitioner's (GP) Clinic. Despite the prominent role GPs play in the health care system in this country, little is known about their practices, the issues and challenges faced by GPs in this country. The objective of this study was to describe the current GP practice operations in Malaysia in terms of its general operations, financial expenditure and revenue, market competitiveness and laboratory services offered by the clinics. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used in this study. The study sample comprised of 1800 GPs throughout the West of Malaysia selected using convenient sampling technique. This study provides the general description of the GP operations in terms of the nature of business, operations hours, and number of patients, the third party administrator and managed care organisation linkages, financial expenditure, market competitiveness and laboratory services. Results The findings of the study reveal that the expenditure of managing GP services has increased over the years due to the changes in policies as well as the involvement of third party administrators in the healthcare system despite it playing an instrumental role in complimenting the healthcare services for the public at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the most common aetiology of opportunistic fungal infections in humans is Candida species. The virulence of Candida species is due to repertoire of factors, specifically, the ability to form biofilms. Medical devices such as intravenous catheters, prosthetic heart valves and surgical interventions provide pathogenic microorganisms with a surface to adhere to form biofilm. Fungi present as biofilms are often resistant to antifungal treatment because these biofilms offer a protective barrier that prohibits the drugs to get to the active site of the fungi. The objective of this study is to investigate the biofilm architecture of Candida rugosa (C.rugosa) at different developmental phases and to identify Sessile Minimum Inhibition Concentrations (SMICs) of amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole, and voriconazole for the biofilm of C. rugosa. Methods: Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to visualize C. rugosa biofilms at different developmental phases. The antifungal susceptibility test was performed using serial doubling dilution. The growth kinetics of Candida biofilms was quantified using XTT reduction assay and crystal violet assay. Results: From the antifungal susceptibility test, the biofilms had SMIC of >16µg/mL for amphotericin B, 6µg/mL for caspofungin, >64µg/mL for fluconazole and >16µg/mL for voriconazole. From the SEM micrographs, C. rugosa biofilm have a structure composed of an adherent yeast cells and blastopores with hyphal elements. There were significant alterations in the morphology after exposure to antifungal agents. The quantitative measurement of the matrix thickness of embedded yeast cells were obtained from CLSM micrographs. Conclusion: In conclusion, the ability of C. rugosa to form biofilms may attribute to one of the virulence factors that causes reduced susceptibility to antifungal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]