The effect of obsessive compulsive symptoms on psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia

Background: There is a growing interest on the impact of comorbid obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) on the course and severity of schizophrenia in recent years. Objectives: This study determined the prevalence of OCS in schizophrenia patients and the clinical outcomes of the comorbidity. Methods: A total of 220 schizophrenia patients were recruited. All the participants completed Structure Clinical Interview version, Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale and World Health Organization Quality of Life – Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: Significantly higher number of schizophrenia patients with OCS were taking Clozapine (p = 0.023) and antidepressants (p = 0.013). Schizophrenia patients with OCS showed more severe positive (p < 0.001) and general symptoms (p < 0.001) of schizophrenia, higher depressive symptoms (p = 0.013), higher suicidality (p < 0.001), more hospitalization (p = 0.044), poorer physical (p = 0.034) and psychological (p = 0.032) domain in WHOQOLBREF. Discussion: Schizophrenia patients with OCS are associated with more severe psychopathology and depressive symptoms which subsequently suffered poorer physical and psychological health. Hence, recognition of OCS in schizophrenia and early initiation of effective treatment may be able to reduce the burden for people with chronic mental illness

Evaluating the ESL Reading Texts for Intermediate Learners of English from the Perspective of Students

In order to provide an evaluation of the suitability of reading texts from the perspective of students in university-based intensive English programme this study examined 53 international ESL intermediate learners perceptions of reading texts for a period of 14 weeks reading proficiency lessons Features evaluated include content readability exploitability and authenticity of the reading texts The participants responded to a textbook evaluation questionnaire to express their perceptions with reference to the features of the reading texts Results indicated the extent of appropriateness of the reading texts incorporated in the programme s reading textbook used by intermediate learners of English Further consideration must be given to text selection by including the aspect of authentic text presentatio

Chemical transfection of dye‐conjugated microRNA precursors for microRNA functional analysis of M2 macrophages

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding ribonucleic acids known to affect gene expression at the translational level and there is mounting evidence that miRNAs play a role in the function of tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs). To aid the functional analyses of miRNAs in an in‐vitro model of TAMs known as M2 macrophages, a transfection method to introduce artificial miRNA constructs or miRNA molecules into primary human monocytes is needed. Unlike differentiated macrophages or dendritic cells, undifferentiated primary human monocytes have been known to show resistance to lentiviral transduction. To circumvent this challenge, other techniques such as electroporation and chemical transfection have been used in other applications to deliver small gene constructs into human monocytes. To date, no studies have compared these two methods objectively to evaluate their suitability in the miRNA functional analysis of M2 macrophages. Of the methods tested, the electroporation of miRNA‐construct containing plasmids and the chemical transfection of miRNA precursor molecules are the most efficient approaches. The use of a silencer siRNA labeling kit (Ambion) to conjugate Cy 3 fluorescence dyes to the precursor molecules allowed the isolation of successfully transfected cells with fluorescence‐activated cell sorting. The chemical transfection of these dye‐conjugated miRNA precursors yield an efficiency of 37.5 ± 0.6% and a cell viability of 74 ± 1%. RNA purified from the isolated cells demonstrated good quality, and was fit for subsequent mRNA expression qPCR analysis. While electroporation of plasmids containing miRNA constructs yield transfection efficiencies comparable to chemical transfection of miRNA precursors, these electroporated primary monocytes seemed to have lost their potential for differentiation. Among the most common methods of transfection, the chemical transfection of dye‐conjugated miRNA precursors was determined to be the best‐suited approach for the functional analysis of M2 macrophages. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1714–1723, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90531/1/24041_ftp.pd

The Impact of PowerPoint on Undergraduates’ Technical Communication Achievement

AbstractPowerPoint, one of the most well known ICT tools, plays a vital role in our society nowadays as it has been utilized widely and actively in facilitating the process of teaching and learning, especially in the educational domain. The study examined the effect of PowerPoint lecturing on undergraduates’ Technical Communication final examination grade. The experimental group was taught in a PowerPoint lecture format while the control group in a traditional whiteboard lecture format. The results revealed that the experimental group grades were significantly higher than the control group at p = 0.00

Educating Effervescent Women Scientists through Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables

The series Anne of the Green Gables is sequential children books that focus on Anne Shirley, the story's protagonist. The series of books explore Anne's life from a girl to a charming pretty young lady. In the story, Anne is portrayed as an inquisitive young girl. She explores her life philosophically. She also explores many aspects of nature and its relation to science. Her inquisitiveness is extremely sharp, that the skill helps her in learning the science of everyday life. The paper discusses Anne of the Green Gables' use in educating female students to enjoy STEM education. At present, the proportion of women engineers in Malaysia is disproportionate, and the Ministry of Education is working on inculcating female students' effervescence in STEM subjects. The methodological framework utilised in this study adhered to the approach of the phenomenological case study's paradigm. Interviews were conducted, and qualitative data were gathered and analysed using Atlas.ti, a qualitative data analysis software. The findings indicated that female students could draw links between themselves and Anne, the protagonist in the novels. The protagonist's various occupational explorations helped female students understand that they can excel in STEM and arouse their interests to become scientists or engineers. In conclusion, the use of literary texts written by female authors such as Anne of Green Gables could draw attention from female students towards STEM. This study fills the gap in the existing literature where no scholars have used the classic Anne of Green Gables to illicit interests among young female students

Zerumbone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier induces apoptosis in human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco2) cell line

The incorporation of zerumbone (Zer) into nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) is hypothesized to increase the efficacy of the drug. Nanostructured lipid carrier has sustained-drug release characteristics and is able to improve the solubility and bioavailability of the lipophilic drug. In this study, the anti-cancer effect of Zer was tested on human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell line. The effect of Zer, zerumbone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (Zer-NLC) and NLC on the Caco-2 cell viability were determined using the MTT assay. The treatment concentration ranges from 0 to 120 μM at four different time intervals (i.e., 0 h, 24 hrs, 48 hrs and 72 hrs) were evaluated. At 24 hrs, the half-growth inhibitory concentration (GI50) of Zer-NLC (i.e., 4.25 μM) is lower than that of Zer (i.e., 23.75 μM). However, Zer outperformed the Zer-NLC at the subsequent time points. Similar trend was observed in other parameters including the cytostatic concentration (CC) and half-lethal concentration 50 (LC50). Phase contrast imaging and AO/PI fluorescence staining were performed at the CC and LC50 values. The morphological changes and the apoptosis features could be seen in cells treated with Zer and Zer-NLC while cells treated with NLC showed minor morphological changes. The cells treated with Zer-NLC demonstrated a slightly slower progression of apoptosis, which could be due to the controlled release of Zer from the NLC matrix. It was concluded that the incorporation of Zer into NLC did not compromise the potency and efficacy of the drug

Identifikacija bioaktivnih proteina gljive Ophiocordyceps sinensis i određivanje njihovog antioksidacijskog i citotoksičnog učinka pomoću shotgun analize proteoma

Research background. Ophiocordyceps sinensis, a highly valued medicinal fungus, is close to extinction due to overexploitation. Successful cultivation of O. sinensis fruiting body (OCS02®) shows that the cultivar has a promising nutritional value and numerous bioactive compounds. Antioxidant and antiproliferative properties and biologically active proteins of the OCS02® are investigated for possible development into nutraceuticals. Experimental approach. The chemical composition of the OCS02® cold water extract was determined, and the antioxidant activities were examined using ferric reducing, DPPH• and O2•- scavenging assays. Tetrazolium dye (MTT) cytotoxic assay was performed to assess the antiproliferative activity of the extract. Bioactive proteins in the active fraction of the extract were identified using liquid chromatography (LC) and tandem-mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Results and conclusions. The OCS02® extract exhibited strong O2•- scavenging (expressed as Trolox equivalents (18.4±1.1) mol/g) and potent cytotoxic activities against adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial (A549) cells (IC50=(58.2±6.8) µg/mL). High molecular mass polysaccharides, proteins and protein-polysaccharide complexes could have contributed to the antioxidant and cytotoxic selectivity of the OCS02®. LC-MS/MS analysis identified several potential cytotoxic proteases and an oxalate decarboxylase protein which may exhibit protection effects on kidneys. Novelty and scientific contribution. The findings demonstrate the potential of OCS02® to be developed into functional food due to its promising superoxide anion radical scavenging capacity, cytotoxic effect and presence of biopharmaceutically active proteins.Pozadina istraživanja. Vrlo cijenjena medicinska gljiva Ophiocordyceps sinensis je na rubu izumiranja zbog njezine prekomjerne eksploatacije. Uspješnim uzgojem plodišta gljive O. sinensis (OCS02®) potvrđeno je da taj kultivar ima obećavajuća hranjiva svojstva te sadržava brojne bioaktivne spojeve. Ispitana su njegova antioksidacijska i antiproliferacijska svojstva te sastav biološki aktivnih proteina, s ciljem mogućeg razvoja nutraceutika. Eksperimentalni pristup. Utvrđen je kemijski sastav ekstrakta gljive u hladnoj vodi, a antioksidacijska je aktivnost ispitana pomoću FRAP metode te metodama uklanjanja DPPH˙ i O2 radikala. Citotoksičnost odnosno antiproliferacijska aktivnost ekstrakta ispitana je testom na osnovi tetrazolija (MTT test). Bioaktivni proteini su identificirani u aktivnoj frakciji ekstrakta pomoću tekućinske kromatografije i tandemske spektrometrije masa. Rezultati i zaključci. Ekstrakt gljive OCS02® imao je izrazito jako svojstvo uklanjanja superoksid radikala (izraženo u ekvivalentima Troloxa (18,4±1,1) mol/g) i snažan citotoksični učinak (IC50=(58,2±6,8) µg/mL) na humane epitelne stanice adenokarcinoma pluća (A549). Moguće je da polisaharidi, proteini i kompleksi proteina s polisaharidima velike molekularne mase pridonose antioksidacijskoj i citotoksičnoj selektivnosti gljive OCS02®. Tekućinskom kromatografijom i tandemskom spektrometrijom masa identificirano je nekoliko potencijalno citotoksičnih proteaza te protein oksalat dekarboksilaza koji bi mogli imati zaštitni učinak na bubrege. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da se gljiva OCS02® može upotrijebiti u proizvodnji funkcionalne hrane zbog njezine obećavajuće sposobnosti uklanjanja superoksidnih aniona, citotoksičnog učinka te prisutnosti biofarmaceutski aktivnih proteina

Enrichment of minor components from crude palm oil and palm-pressed mesocarp fibre oil via sequential adsorption-desorption strategy

Crude palm oil (CPO) and palm-pressed mesocarp fibre oil (PPMFO) consist of minor components such as Vitamin E, phytosterols, squalene, and carotene that play numerous health function in human. However, limitations are present in current separation processes to separate or enrich minor components from plant sources. In this study, interest is focusing on the enrichment efficiency of the minor components from CPO and PPMFO through proposed sequential adsorption-desorption strategy. The strategy started with the adsorption-desorption properties evaluation of six adsorbents. Both Diaion HP20 and Sepabeads SP850 showed better adsorption-desorption properties than silica gel, Florisil, Diaion HP2MG and Amberlite XAD-7HP. Diaion HP20 was selected as the suitable adsorbent to perform a series of selective desorption process using three different solvents: methanol, IPA, and n-hexane in Soxhlet extraction. Vitamin E, phytosterols, and squalene from CPO were obtained in the 1st fraction using methanol solution and their concentration increased from the initial concentration with the enrichment factor (EF) of 3.4, 3.9, and 1.8, respectively, which slightly higher than those minor components obtained from PPMFO, 1.2, 1.8, and 1.4, respectively. The carotene from both CPO and PPMFO was enriched in the 3rd fraction by using n-hexane solution with an enrichment factor of 1.1 and 1.5, respectively. In conclusion, the obtained result revealed the efficiency of the proposed sequential adsorption-desorption strategy to enrich the minor components from CPO and PPMFO

The genome of the Tiger Milk mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerotis, provides insights into the genetic basis of its medicinal properties

BACKGROUND The sclerotium of Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden or Tiger milk mushroom (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) is a valuable folk medicine for indigenous peoples in Southeast Asia. Despite the increasing interest in this ethnobotanical mushroom, very little is known about the molecular and genetic basis of its medicinal and nutraceutical properties. RESULTS The de novo assembled 34.3 Mb L. rhinocerotis genome encodes 10,742 putative genes with 84.30% of them having detectable sequence similarities to others available in public databases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close evolutionary relationship of L. rhinocerotis to Ganoderma lucidum, Dichomitus squalens, and Trametes versicolor in the core polyporoid clade. The L. rhinocerotis genome encodes a repertoire of enzymes engaged in carbohydrate and glycoconjugate metabolism, along with cytochrome P450s, putative bioactive proteins (lectins and fungal immunomodulatory proteins) and laccases. Other genes annotated include those encoding key enzymes for secondary metabolite biosynthesis, including those from polyketide, nonribosomal peptide, and triterpenoid pathways. Among them, the L. rhinocerotis genome is particularly enriched with sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis genes. CONCLUSIONS The genome content of L. rhinocerotis provides insights into the genetic basis of its reported medicinal properties as well as serving as a platform to further characterize putative bioactive proteins and secondary metabolite pathway enzymes and as a reference for comparative genomics of polyporoid fungi.This research is supported by High Impact Research Grant UM.C/625/1/HIR/ MoE/E20040-20001 from the University of Malaya/Ministry of Education, Malaysia. H-YYY is supported by the postgraduate research grant (PPP) PV024/ 2012A from University of Malaya, Malaysia. Y-HC is a recipient of Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (ARC DECRA)

The genome of the Tiger Milk mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerotis, provides insights into the genetic basis of its medicinal properties

BACKGROUND: The sclerotium of Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden or Tiger milk mushroom (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) is a valuable folk medicine for indigenous peoples in Southeast Asia. Despite the increasing interest in this ethnobotanical mushroom, very little is known about the molecular and genetic basis of its medicinal and nutraceutical properties. RESULTS: The de novo assembled 34.3 Mb L. rhinocerotis genome encodes 10,742 putative genes with 84.30% of them having detectable sequence similarities to others available in public databases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close evolutionary relationship of L. rhinocerotis to Ganoderma lucidum, Dichomitus squalens, and Trametes versicolor in the core polyporoid clade. The L. rhinocerotis genome encodes a repertoire of enzymes engaged in carbohydrate and glycoconjugate metabolism, along with cytochrome P450s, putative bioactive proteins (lectins and fungal immunomodulatory proteins) and laccases. Other genes annotated include those encoding key enzymes for secondary metabolite biosynthesis, including those from polyketide, nonribosomal peptide, and triterpenoid pathways. Among them, the L. rhinocerotis genome is particularly enriched with sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis genes. CONCLUSIONS: The genome content of L. rhinocerotis provides insights into the genetic basis of its reported medicinal properties as well as serving as a platform to further characterize putative bioactive proteins and secondary metabolite pathway enzymes and as a reference for comparative genomics of polyporoid fungi. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-635) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users