Modelling of chromatin morphologies in breast cancer cells undergoing apoptosis using generalized Cauchy field.

Chromatin morphologies in human breast cancer cells treated with an anti-cancer agent are analyzed at their early stage of programmed cell death or apoptosis. The gray-level images of nuclear chromatin are modelled as random fields. We used two-dimensional isotropic generalized Cauchy field to characterize local self-similarity and global long-range dependence behaviors in the image spatial data. Generalized Cauchy field allows the description of fractal behavior inferred from fractal dimension and the long-range dependence inferred from correlation exponent to be carried out independently. We demonstrated the usefulness of locally self-similar random fields with long-range dependence for modelling chromatin condensation

In vitro mass propagation of Typhonium flagelliforme as affected by plant growth regulators

Tubers were used as explants in in vitro mass propagation of Rodent Tuber (Typhonium flagelliforme). The explants were obtained from sterile plantlets and placed in shoot induction medium containing basal salts of Murashige and Skoog (MS) and various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Treatment containing 5 mg/l (w/v) of BAP with 1 mg/l (w/v) of NAA produced the highest number of shoots per explant (29.17) after 12 weeks of culture and also the highest mean fresh weight of shoots formed in treatment containing 5 mg/l (w/v) of BAP with 1 mg/l (w/v) of NAA. For ex vitroestablishment, well- rooted plantlets were transferred in potting medium containing peatmoss, perlite and vermiculite (3:1:1)

Analysis of 14 genetic polymorphisms for risk factors in Malaysian essential hypertension with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the association of insertion/deletion (I/D), G2350A and T3892C polymorphisms of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, A20C and A6G polymorphism of angiotensinogen (AGT) gene, BglI and MboI polymorphisms of renin gene, I/D of alpha 2B adrenoceptor gene, Gly460Trp of aldosterone synthase gene, Lys173Arg of adducin gene, A6244G polymorphism of the insulin receptor gene, S477X polymorphism of the lipoprotein lipase gene, C511T polymorphism of the interleukin gene and C825T polymorphism of the G protein beta 3 subunit (GNβ3) gene in essential hypertension (EHT) with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) of Malaysian subjects. Methods This cross-sectional study includes 70 EHT without T2DM, 65 EHT with T2DM and 75 unrelated healthy control subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism, mutagenically PCR and the hot-start PCR methods were carried out to detect the genotypes of the various genetic polymorphisms. All the PCR products and the restricted fragments were resolved electrophoretically on agarose and polyacrylamide gels. Statistical analyses was done using SPPS version 14.0. Results Among the 14 genetic polymorphisms, only I/D and G2350A polymorphism of ACE gene, I/D polymorphism of alpha adrenoceptor gene and A6G variant of AGT gene differed significantly (p0.05) when compared to control subjects. Conclusions The alleles of I/D and G2350A polymorphisms of ACE, A6G of AGT and I/D of alpha 2B adrenoceptor genes can be considered as possible genetic markers or predisposing risk factors for EHT with or without T2DM in Malaysian subjects

Analysis of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system gene polymorphisms in malaysian essential hypertensive and type 2 diabetic subjects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) plays an important role in regulating the blood pressure and the genetic polymorphisms of RAAS genes has been extensively studied in relation to the cardiovascular diseases in various populations with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine the association of five genetic polymorphisms (A6G and A20C of angiotensinogen (AGT), <it>MboI </it>of renin, Gly460Trp of aldosterone synthase and Lys173Arg of adducin) of RAAS genes in Malaysian essential hypertensive and type 2 diabetic subjects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>RAAS gene polymorphisms were determined using mutagenically separated PCR and PCR-RFLP method in a total of 270 subjects consisting of 70 hypertensive subjects without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 60 T2DM, 65 hypertensive subjects with T2DM and 75 control subjects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was significant difference found in age, body mass index, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels between the hypertensive subjects with or without T2DM and control subjects. No statistically significant differences between groups were found in the allele frequency and genotype distribution for A20C variant of AGT gene, <it>MboI </it>of renin, Gly460Trp of aldosterone and Lys173Arg of adducin (p > 0.05). However, the results for A6G of AGT gene revealed significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies in essential hypertension with or without T2DM (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among the five polymorphisms of RAAS genes only A6G variant of AGT gene was significantly associated in Malaysian essential hypertensive and type 2 diabetic subjects. Therefore, A6G polymorphism of the AGT gene could be a potential genetic marker for increased susceptibility to essential hypertension with or without T2DMin Malaysian subjects.</p

No association of BgII dimorphism of human renin gene in hypertensive subjects in Malaysia.

The presence of a dimorphic BglI site in the first intron of the Renin (REN) gene is an increased risk in essential hypertension. Several studies have found the association between BglI dimorphism and essential hypertension with conflicting results in various populations, which might be due to ethnic and geographical variations. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between the BglI dimorphism of REN gene and Essential Hypertension (EHT) with or without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Malaysian subjects. The study includes 70 EHT, 60 EHT with T2DM and 70 unrelated healthy subjects from the three ethnic groups of Malaysian Subjects. The genotype of BglI dimorphism was done by PCR-RFLP method using BglI restriction enzyme. The frequency of the BglI (+) allele was 37.86% in EHT, 40.83% in EHT with T2DM subjects and 35.71% in control subjects. The results of this study indicate that the BglI (+) allele of REN gene is not associated with essential hypertension with or without T2DM in Malaysian Subjects

Identification of ethnomedicinally important Kaempferia L. (Zingiberaceae) species based on morphological traits and suitable DNA region

Nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and morphological characteristics were used to identify medicinally important Kaempferia species cultivated in Peninsular Malaysia. Six species were evaluated for parameters such as nucleotide diversity (0.458) and estimated values of transition/transversion bias (0.89) using sequence data. Maximum parsimony (MP) analysis inferred divergence pattern in the Kaempferia genus. The resulting phylogenetic tree was compared to one formed using morphological traits. Morphological and molecular data both show 3 distinctive groupings within selected Kaempferia species. ITS 4 and 5 sequences are proposed as DNA barcodes for identification of Kaempferia species. In terms of morphological traits, plant habit, rhizome colour and leaf variation can be used for preliminary identification of this genus

Encephalitis followed by optic neuritis: a case report and review of literature

Encephalitis has been included in the causes of optic neuritis, but post encephalitic optic neuritis has been rarely reported. Majority of the cases of optic neuritis are either idiopathic or associated with multiple sclerosis, especially in western countries. This is very important in the Asian population where the incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis is not as high as in the Western countries. Although post infectious optic neuritis is more common in children, it can also be found in adults and is usually seen one to three weeks after a symptomatic infective prodrome. Here, we present a case of a 48 year-old-male who developed optic neuritis following viral encephalitis. His first presentation was with severe headache of two weeks duration. Viral encephalitis was diagnosed and treated. The patient presented again three weeks later with right eye pain and other features typical of optic neuritis. Corticosteroid therapy facilitated prompt recovery. Optic neuritis is an uncommon manifestation of encephalitis. It is important that both doctors and patients remain aware of post infectious cause of optic neuritis, which would enable a timely diagnosis and treatment of this reversible cause of vision loss

Phytochemicals from Phyllanthus niruri Linn. and their pharmacological properties: a review

This review discusses the medicinal plant Phyllanthus niruri Linn. (Euphorbiaceae), its wide variety of phytochemicals and their pharmacological properties. The active phytochemicals, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, lignans, polyphenols, tannins, coumarins and saponins, have been identified from various parts of P. niruri. Extracts of this herb have been proven to have therapeutic effects in many clinical studies. Some of the most intriguing therapeutic properties include anti-hepatotoxic, anti-lithic, anti-hypertensive, anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis B. Therefore, studies relating to chemical characteristics and structural properties of the bioactive phytochemicals found in P. niruri are very useful for further research on this plant as many of the phytochemicals have shown preclinical therapeutic efficacies for a wide range of human diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B

Genetic polymorphisms and drug interactions leading to clopidogrel resistance: why the Asian population requires special attention

Ischemic heart disease and stroke are the two leading causes of death worldwide. Antiplatelet therapy plays the most significant role in the management of these cardiovascular and cerebrovascular occlusive events to prevent recurrent ischemic attack. Clopidogrel, an antiplatelet drug, is widely prescribed either alone or in combination with aspirin as dual antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of vascular occlusive events. The antiplatelet response to clopidogrel varies widely. Hyporesponders and nonresponders are likely to have adverse cardiovascular events during follow-up. Some drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole), calcium channel blockers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (nefazadone), coumarin derivatives (phenprocoumon), benzodiazepines, sulfonylurea, erythromycin, and itraconazole, decrease the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel when administered concomitantly. Decreased response to clopidogrel is common among Asians due to genetic polymorphisms associated with clopidogrel resistance, and it is nearly 70% in some of the Asian communities. It is necessary to study Asian populations, because there are a large number of Asians throughout the world due to increased migration. Current guidelines do not make genetic testing or platelet response testing mandatory prior to clopidogrel prescription. Therefore, it is important for clinicians treating Asian patients to keep in mind the interindividual variability in response to clopidogrel when prescribing the drug

Association of Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism of Alpha-Adrenoceptor Gene in Essential Hypertension with or without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Malaysian Subjects

An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of Alpha2B-Adrenoceptor (ADRA2B) gene located on chromosome 2 has been studied extensively in related to cardiovascular diseases. The main aim of the present study was to examine the potential association of D allele frequency of I/D polymorphism of ADRA2B gene in Malaysian essential hypertensive subjects with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study includes 70 hypertensive subjects without T2DM, 65 hypertensive subjects with T2DM and 75 healthy volunteers as control subjects. Genotyping of I/D polymorphism was performed by conventional PCR method. There was significant difference found in age, body mass index, systolic/diastolic blood pressure and high density lipoprotein cholesterol level between the case and control subjects. DD genotypic frequency of I/D polymorphism was significantly higher in hypertensive subjects (42.84% vs. 29.33%; P­=0.029) and in hypertensive with T2DM subjects (46.15% vs. 29.33%; P=0.046) than control group. D allele frequency was higher in hypertensive group (67.41%) than control subjects (52.67%). However, no significant difference was found between the three genotypes of I/D polymorphism of ADRA2B gene and the clinical characteristics of the subjects. The result obtained in this study show D allele of ADRA2B gene was associated with essential hypertension with or without T2DM in Malaysian subjects