Pattern of influenza viral infection in a private hospital in Sarawak.

Introduction: Influenza or flu is a contagious acute respiratory infection that spreads through viral-containing droplets in the air. Its symptoms vary from mild to severe, and can progress to serious complications leading to death. Globally, seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality. Yet, the disease burden remains under-appreciated in many developing countries due to misperceptions that it is a disease of temperate climates. In Malaysia, influenza surveillance reports are still lacking since the first pandemic case reported in 2009. Objectives: This research aimed to study the prevalence and seasonal pattern of influenza in Sarawak. Materials and methods: This was a 3-year retrospective study involving all influenza-like illness (ILI) cases presented at Borneo Medical Centre, Kuching from 2017-2019. Results and conclusion: From a total of 2758 ILI cases, 811 were laboratory confirmed as influenza by serological or RT-PCR assays, giving a prevalence of 30.1%. Influenza A (79.9%) was more prevalent than B (20.1%). Influenza in Sarawak demonstrated a year-round activity with multiple peaks. The highest peak occurred during Northeast monsoon (October-April) that coincided with winter (November-March) in Northern Hemisphere. Notably, influenza A consistently peaked ahead of B, and B was constantly low throughout the years. Incidence and hospitalisation rates were significantly higher in high-risk age groups (50 years old), although hospitalisation rate was not associated with influenza types. This study had shed light on values of haematological parameters in differentiating influenza A and B. Patients with influenza A showed significantly lower counts of red cell, lymphocyte and monocyte, indicating a more severe illness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the pattern of influenza in Sarawak. The yearly incidence of influenza is considerably high with year-round activity. Vaccine formulation for Northern Hemisphere is highly recommended for high-risk populations, and should be given before October for optimal efficacy

Ion uptake into demineralized dentine from glass ionomer cement following pretreatment with silver fluoride and potassium iodide

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Background: Diamine silver fluoride (Ag(NH3)2F), referred to as AgF, has been shown to provide a pronounced antimicrobial action against caries. The clinical application of this material has been limited by the staining associated with both teeth and tooth coloured restorative materials. The application of potassium iodide (KI) after AgF eliminates stain formation. The purpose of this study was to determine if a prior application of silver fluoride and potassium iodine to demineralized dentine affected the uptake of strontium and fluoride from a glass ionomer cement restoration. Method: Three cavities were prepared in each of five recently extracted human third molars. The cavities were demineralized and treated as follows. In each tooth, one cavity was left as a control, one cavity was restored with glass ionomer cement and one cavity was treated with 1.8M AgF and a saturated KI solution and then restored with glass ionomer cement. The penetration of the various elements into demineralized dentine was measured by their relative percentage weights using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Results: Fluoride uptake was significantly higher in the AgF and KI treated samples compared to the other two samples and significantly higher in the glass ionomer restored sample compared to the control. The application of AgF and KI did not significantly interfere with the transfer of strontium from glass ionomer cement into dentine. Silver and iodine deposits were present in the demineralized dentine treated with AgF and KI. Conclusions: The application of AgF and KI onto dentine prior to the placement of glass ionomer cement did not significantly affect the strontium uptake into the subjacent demineralized dentine and the fluoride levels in this zone were significantly increased

Seroprevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections among blood donors in a private hospital in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Introduction: Blood transfusion, an essential part of established medical practice, can save lives and improve health. However, it is not without risk as transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) remain a significant public health problem worldwide. Monitoring of TTI rates in blood donors and awareness of the changing trends are major safety initiatives. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and trends of TTIs among blood donors in Normah Medical Specialist Centre (NMSC), Kuching, Sarawak. Materials and Methods: This was a 10-year retrospective study utilising blood donation records and data on donation testing for TTIs from January 2010 to December 2019. Results & Discussion: A total of 16,085 blood units were collected from 7329 blood donors (year 2010 to 2019). There were 353 donors tested reactive for TTIs, giving a seroprevalence of 4.81%. Majority of the reactive donors were male (87.3%), Malays (62.6%) and first time (73.9%) donors. HCV (2.69%) recorded the highest seroprevalence, followed by HBV (1.41%), HIV (0.42%) and syphilis (0.39%). Over the 10-year period, HBV and HCV showed decreasing trends of seroprevalence, whereas prevalence of HIV and syphilis appeared to be constantly low. Only 4.0% of reactive donors responded to the notification of their TTI positivity, and seroconversion rate of repeat donors was 36.9%. There was no significant difference of seroprevalence and response rate between first time and repeat donors. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of TTIs among blood donors in NMSC was relatively low, however, it is still substantial. The response rate of reactive donors towards notification was very poor

Ultraviolet Laser Action in Ferromagnetic Zn1−xFexO Nanoneedles

Fe-doped ZnO nanoneedles (NDs) were fabricated by an Ar+ ion sputtering technique operated at room temperature. The as-grown samples show both ferromagnetic and lasing properties. The saturated magnetization moment was measured from 0.307 to 0.659 emu cm−3 at the field of 10 kOe with various Fe concentrations. Intense ultraviolet random lasing emission was observed from Zn1 − xFexO NDs at room temperature. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy result reveals that the doped Fe atoms occupy the Zn sites and lead to a decrease in oxygen deficiency

The effect of silver fluoride and potassium iodide on the bond strength of auto cure glass ionomer cement to dentine

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Background: Diamine silver fluoride (Ag(NH3)2F), referred to as AgF, has been shown to reduce the incidence of caries in primary dentitions. The clinical application of this material has been limited by staining associated with both teeth and restorative materials. The application of potassium iodide (KI) after AgF eliminates stain formation. There is a lack of information as to how the addition of AgF followed by KI may affect the bond strength to dentine. The purpose of this study was to compare the bond strengths of auto cure glass ionomer cement to dentine surfaces that had been treated with AgF and KI and without treatment. Methods: Ten recently extracted human third molars were embedded into methyl methacrylate resin and sliced to form a square block of exposed dentine surfaces. Each of the four surfaces were treated by one of the following procedures: (a) etching with 37 per cent phosphoric acid; (b) applying GC dentine conditioner; (c) etching, followed by application of AgF/KI then washing off the precipitate and air drying; and (d) etching, applying AgF/KI and air drying the reaction products on the surface. Fuji VII auto cure glass ionomer cement was bonded onto each sample and fracture tested. Results: The dentine samples treated with AgF/KI followed by washing away the precipitate and air drying had bond strengths (2.83MPa) not significantly different from samples that had been conditioned (2.40MPa). Samples where the AgF/KI precipitate had been air dried onto the dentine surface had significantly lower bond strengths (1.49MPa) than the washed samples. Samples that were etched had significantly lower bond strengths (1.91MPa) than the conditioned samples. Conclusions: This study found that the application of AgF/KI to etched dentine samples followed by washing off the precipitate, created bond strengths that were not significantly different to conditioned samples. Leaving the AgF/KI precipitate on the dentine surface significantly reduced the bond strength of auto cured glass ionomer cement to dentine. Washing away the reaction products and air drying is recommended as the clinical protocol for using AgF and KI on dentine surfaces prior to application of an auto cure glass ionomer cement.GM Knight, JM McIntyre, Mulyan

Dre-miR-2188 Targets Nrp2a and Mediates Proper Intersegmental Vessel Development in Zebrafish Embryos

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNAs that are implicated in the control of eukaryotic gene expression by binding to the 3'UTR of target mRNAs. Several algorithms have been developed for miRNA target prediction however, experimental validation is still essential for the correct identification of miRNA targets. We have recently predicted that Neuropilin2a (Nrp2a), a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor which is essential for normal developmental angiogenesis in zebrafish, is a dre-miR-2188 target. METHODOLOGY: Here we show that dre-miR-2188 targets the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of Nrp2a mRNA and is implicated in proper intersegmental vessel development in vivo. Over expression of miR-2188 in zebrafish embryos down regulates Nrp2a expression and results in intersegmental vessel disruption, while its silencing increases Nrp2a expression and intersegmental vessel sprouting. An in vivo GFP sensor assay based on a fusion between the GFP coding region and the Nrp2a 3'UTR confirms that miR-2188 binds to the 3'UTR of Nrp2a and inhibits protein translation. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that miR-2188 targets Nrp2a and affects intersegmental vessel development in zebrafish embryos

Functional Remineralization of Dentin Lesions Using Polymer-Induced Liquid-Precursor Process

It was hypothesized that applying the polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) system to artificial lesions would result in time-dependent functional remineralization of carious dentin lesions that restores the mechanical properties of demineralized dentin matrix. 140 µm deep artificial caries lesions were remineralized via the PILP process for 7–28 days at 37°C to determine temporal remineralization characteristics. Poly-L-aspartic acid (27 KDa) was used as the polymeric process-directing agent and was added to the remineralization solution at a calcium-to-phosphate ratio of 2.14 (mol/mol). Nanomechanical properties of hydrated artificial lesions had a low reduced elastic modulus (ER = 0.2 GPa) region extending about 70 μm into the lesion, with a sloped region to about 140 μm where values reached normal dentin (18–20 GPa). After 7 days specimens recovered mechanical properties in the sloped region by 51% compared to the artificial lesion. Between 7–14 days, recovery of the outer portion of the lesion continued to a level of about 10 GPa with 74% improvement. 28 days of PILP mineralization resulted in 91% improvement of ER compared to the artificial lesion. These differences were statistically significant as determined from change-point diagrams. Mineral profiles determined by micro x-ray computed tomography were shallower than those determined by nanoindentation, and showed similar changes over time, but full mineral recovery occurred after 14 days in both the outer and sloped portions of the lesion. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis showed similar morphologies that were distinct from normal dentin with a clear line of demarcation between the outer and sloped portions of the lesion. Transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction showed that the starting lesions contained some residual mineral in the outer portions, which exhibited poor crystallinity. During remineralization, intrafibrillar mineral increased and crystallinity improved with intrafibrillar mineral exhibiting the orientation found in normal dentin or bone

α-Synuclein Expression Selectively Affects Tumorigenesis in Mice Modeling Parkinson's Disease

Alpha Synuclein (α-Syn) is a protein implicated in mechanisms of neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). α-Syn is primarily a neuronal protein, however, its expression is found in various tumors including ovarian, colorectal and melanoma tumors. It has been hypothesized that neurodegeneration may share common mechanisms with oncogenesis. We tested whether α-Syn expression affects tumorigenesis of three types of tumors. Specifically, B16 melanoma, E0771 mammary gland adenocarcinoma and D122 Lewis lung carcinoma. For this aim, we utilized transgenic mice expression the human A53T α-Syn form. We found that the in vivo growth of B16 and E0771 but not D122 was enhanced in the A53T α-Syn mice. The effect on tumorigenesis was not detected in age-matched APP/PS1 mice, modeling Alzheimer's disease (AD), suggesting a specific effect for α-Syn- dependent neurodegeneration. Importantly, transgenic α-Syn expression was detected within the three tumor types. We further show uptake of exogenously added, purified α-Syn, by the cultured tumor cells. In accord, with the affected tumorigenesis in the young A53T α-Syn mice, over- expression of α-Syn in cultured B16 and E0771 cells enhanced proliferation, however, had no effect on the proliferation of D122 cells. Based on these results, we suggest that certain forms of α-Syn may selectively accelerate cellular mechanisms leading to cancer

At Least Ten Genes Define the Imprinted Dlk1-Dio3 Cluster on Mouse Chromosome 12qF1

Background: Genomic imprinting is an exception to Mendelian genetics in that imprinted genes are expressed monoallelically, dependent on parental origin. In mammals, imprinted genes are critical in numerous developmental and physiological processes. Aberrant imprinted gene expression is implicated in several diseases including Prader-Willi/ Angelman syndromes and cancer. Methodology/Principal Findings: To identify novel imprinted genes, transcription profiling was performed on two uniparentally derived cell lines, androgenetic and parthenogenetic primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts. A maternally expressed transcript termed Imprinted RNA near Meg3/Gtl2 (Irm) was identified and its expression studied by Northern blotting and whole mounts in situ hybridization. The imprinted region that contains Irm has a parent of origin effect in three mammalian species, including the sheep callipyge locus. In mice and humans, both maternal and paternal uniparental disomies (UPD) cause embryonic growth and musculoskeletal abnormalities, indicating that both alleles likely express essential genes. To catalog all imprinted genes in this chromosomal region, twenty-five mouse mRNAs in a 1.96Mb span were investigated for allele specific expression. Conclusions/Significance: Ten imprinted genes were elucidated. The imprinting of three paternally expressed protein coding genes (Dlk1, Peg11, and Dio3) was confirmed. Seven noncoding RNAs (Meg3/Gtl2, Anti-Peg11, Meg8, Irm/‘‘Rian’’

Long-Term Durability of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Prostheses.

BACKGROUND: Very little is known about long-term valve durability after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the incidence of structural valve degeneration (SVD) 5 to 10 years post-procedure. METHODS: Demographic, procedural, and in-hospital outcome data on patients who underwent TAVR from 2007 to 2011 were obtained from the U.K. TAVI (United Kingdom Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) registry. Patients in whom echocardiographic data were available both at baseline and ≥5 years post-TAVR were included. Hemodynamic SVD was determined according to European task force committee guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 241 patients (79.3 ± 7.5 years of age; 46% female) with paired post-procedure and late echocardiographic follow-up (median 5.8 years, range 5 to 10 years) were included. A total of 149 patients (64%) were treated with a self-expandable valve and 80 (34.7%) with a balloon-expandable valve. Peak aortic valve gradient at follow-up was lower than post-procedure (17.1 vs. 19.1 mm Hg; p = 0.002). More patients had none/trivial aortic regurgitation (AR) (47.5% vs. 33%), and fewer had mild AR (42.5% vs. 57%) at follow-up (p = 0.02). There was 1 case (0.4%) of severe SVD 5.3 years after implantation (new severe AR). There were 21 cases (8.7%) of moderate SVD (mean 6.1 years post-implantation; range 4.9 to 8.6 years). Twelve of these (57%) were due to new AR and 9 (43%) to restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term transcatheter aortic valve function is excellent. In the authors' study, 91% of patients remained free of SVD between 5 and 10 years post-implantation. The incidence of severe SVD was <1%. Moderate SVD occurred in 1 in 12 patients