Effect Of Tualang Honey Treatment On Human Keloid And Normal Fibroblast And Its Relationship With TGF-Β Expression

Keloid scar develops on the human skin after trauma, surgery or burn. Keloid grows beyond the boundaries of the wound site and is distinguishable from hypertrophic scar. Due to discomfort caused by keloid growth especially at exposed area, keloid excision might be needed. However, recurrence is common after surgical incision. Tualang honey is a local honey which is found on Tualang tree known as Koompassia excelsa found in Southeast Asia rainforests. Tualang honey is a multifloral honey which is produced by Apis dorsata or Asian rock bees that nested on the Tualang tree

Antiproliferative effect of methanolic extraction of tualang honey on human keloid fibroblasts

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Keloid is a type of scar which extends beyond the boundaries of the original wound. It can spread to the surrounding skin by invasion. The use of Tualang honey is a possible approach for keloid treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the antiproliferative effect of methanolic extraction of Tualang honey to primary human keloid fibroblasts and to identify the volatile compounds in methanol extraction of Tualang honey.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Crude Tualang honey was extracted with methanol and then dried using rota vapor to remove remaining methanol from honey. Normal and keloid fibroblasts were verified and treated with the extracted honey. Cell proliferation was tested with [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yi)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt] (MTS) assay. Extraction of Tualang honey using methanol was carried out and the extracted samples were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The result was analysed using SPSS and tested with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Methanolic extraction of honey has positive anti proliferative effect on keloid fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and octadecanoic acid may contribute to the anti-proliferative effect in keloid fibroblasts.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The methanolic honey extraction has an antiproliferative effect on keloid fibroblasts and a range of volatile compounds has been identified from Tualang honey. The antiproliferative effect of keloid fibroblasts towards Tualang honey may involve cell signaling pathway. Identifying other volatile compounds from different organic solvents should be carried out in future.</p

ANALYSIS OF VOLATILE COMPOUNDS OF MALAYSIAN TUALANG (KOOMPASSIA EXCELSA) HONEY USING GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROMETRY

The constituents of honey’s volatile compounds depend on the nectar source and differ depending on the place of origin. To date, the volatile constituents of Tualang honey have never been investigated. The objective of this study was to analyze the volatile compounds in local Malaysian Tualang honey. A continuous extraction of Tualang honey using five organic solvents was carried out starting from non-polar to polar solvents and the extracted samples were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Overall, 35 volatile compounds were detected. Hydrocarbons constitute 58.5% of the composition of Tualang honey. Other classes of chemical compounds detected included acids, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, terpenes, furans and a miscellaneous group. Methanol yielded the highest number of extracted compounds such as acids and 5-(Hydroxymethyl) furfural (HMF). This is the first study to describe the volatile compounds in Tualang honey. The use of a simple one tube, step-wise, non-thermal liquid-liquid extraction of honey is a advantageous as it prevents sample loss. Further research to test the clinical benefits of these volatile compounds is recommended

Downregulation of WNT8A, LRP5, LRP6 and FGF8 in Malay non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate patients

Non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P) is a one of the most common birth defects occurs as a result of multi-factorial determinants such as genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factor has been studying widely across different population in identifying genes causing cleft defects. This study aims to validate the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and signalling molecules Wingless-type (Wnt) to the occurrence of cleft lip and/or palate among Malay population. Tissue skin was obtained from consented NSCL/P patients who underwent the cleft lip repair operation at the upper lip skin area and non NSCL/P individual was obtained from patient having traumatic injury at the lip area as a control. Expression pattern of FGF8, FGF10, Wnt8a, and LRP5/6 were tested and validated using Western Blot (WB) and quantitative Reverse Transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR). The fold change difference of FGF8 (0.614 ± 0.1012-fold), FGF10 (0.7188 ± 0.1017-fold) and Wnt8a protein (0.9051 ± 0.0142-fold) was downregulated by 1-fold in cleft lip (CL) tissues compared to the normal meanwhile LRP5/6 protein (1.2201 ± 0.1404-fold) was found upregulated by 1-fold. Validation testing confirmed that expression of FGF8 (p=0.014), Wnt8a (0.0762 ± 0.0227), LRP5 (0.3577 ± 0.1362) and LRP6 (0.3093 ± 0.2541) were significantly reduced in CL tissues compared to normal. This is the first study identified defective regulation of Wnt8a, LRP5, LRP6 and FGF8 in NSCL/P among Malays. These novel findings clearly explained the important role of growth factors FGF and Wnt signalling pathway in lip and palate formation during craniofacial development

Skin Tissue Surface Morphology and Quality of RNA and Protein Extracted from Fresh and Stabilized Human Cleft Lip and Palate Tissue

Cleft lip palate is a human congenital disorder worldwide and the study of this genetic disease requires molecular genetic analysis. This analysis required the use of nucleic acid and protein, thus good quality and quantity of its extraction is important. We are comparing RNA and protein extractions from tissue biopsy of cleft lip palate in both fresh and stabilized condition. Tissue morphology was also captured using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for any morphology differences. Tissue homogenization may destroy nucleic acid stability but not its morphology. Low RNA concentration from stabilized tissue was found. However, there was no crucial issue of protein extraction, degradation or concentration. Tissue morphology was slight different between normal and CL/P tissue

Flat lens design using phase correction technique for horn antenna applications

A design of a flat dielectric lens is presented in this study to enhance directivity of a pyramidal horn antenna. The horn antenna is proposed to cover frequency of medical imaging system, which is between 5 and 6 GHz, and dielectric lens is designed based on phase correction techniques. The spherical waves produced by conventional horn antenna is being transform to planar waves by resorting flat lens in order to achieve a highly directive radiation in the farfield region. This is done by drilling numerous holes with different diameters through the dielectric material to produce different phase delay. The radiation characteristics of the lens are simulated using CST Microwave Studio and then compared with measured results. The results showed a good performance for radiation pattern when the lens is attached. This proposed design shows a significant increment of sidelobe level and 3-dB beamwidth between 5 and 6 GHz

First dorsal metacarpal artery flap in soft tissue reconstruction of recurrent thumb squamous cell carcinoma

Background. Subungual squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of thumb is a rare disease. However, it is the most common malignancy affecting the nail bed. Early recognition is crucial and important for prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. Often this tumour needs to be treated surgically with wide local resection, which results in a defect in the thumb. If not handled appropriately, such defects render restriction in functionality of the involved thumb as well as a poor aesthetic outcome. In the worst-case scenario, it may result in a poor function of involved hand. Thus, reconstruction of the involved thumb is necessary. The main aim of reconstruction is to regain the hands’ function and preserved the thumbs’ sensation. Secondarily, to have an aesthetically pleasing hand. Our hands carry out delegate job and important duty for daily function. Especially, the thumb working together with the other fngers to carry out the hand function as one unit. Loss of thumb function affects the whole performance of the hand. Case descriptions. We report a case of recurrent subungual squamous cell carcinoma of thumb, which had wide local resection and subsequently underwent soft tissue coverage with an islanded frst dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMA) perforator fap. One month after surgery, the patient was able to regain a good functional outcome of the hand. In this report, we discussed the procedures that had been done. Conclusion. The patient regained full functional hand after reconstruction with preserved sensation over distal thumb. The aesthetic outcome is satisfactory. The FDMA perforator fap is a very pliable and robust fap for reconstruction of distal thumb defect

Flat lens design using phase correction technique for horn antenna applications

A design of a flat dielectric lens is presented in this study to enhance directivity of a pyramidal horn antenna. The horn antenna is proposed to cover frequency of medical imaging system, which is between 5 and 6 GHz, and dielectric lens is designed based on phase correction techniques. The spherical waves produced by conventional horn antenna is being transform to planar waves by resorting flat lens in order to achieve a highly directive radiation in the farfield region. This is done by drilling numerous holes with different diameters through the dielectric material to produce different phase delay. The radiation characteristics of the lens are simulated using CST Microwave Studio and then compared with measured results. The results showed a good performance for radiation pattern when the lens is attached. This proposed design shows a significant increment of sidelobe level and 3-dB beamwidth between 5 and 6 GHz

A complex scalp resurfacing utilizing Integra® as temporary dressing in aplasia cutis congenita

BACKGROUND: Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare newborn malformation characterized by focal absence of skin. It possesses difficulty in reconstruction surgery for neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons. We report a challenging case of aplasia cutis congenita who received treatment in our center. CLINICAL CASE: A 2-year-old boy, presented to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital USM, with bilateral vertex defect with encephalocele who received a series of surgical interventions since 1 month old. Unfortunately, he returned after 2 years with a chronic nonhealing scalp wound associated with dura defect and cerebral spinal fluid leakage. The wound was debrided and the swab culture result showed no organism growth. Part of the wound bed with dura defect was repaired using a small piece of transplanted fascia lata and Integra® was applied. DISCUSSION: There is scarcity in the medical literature on the reconstructive technique of aplasia cutis congenita. In the case we described here, we successfully managed the wound with multiple application of dermal substitute (Integra®) dressing with negative pressure wound therapy and split-thickness skin graft. CONCLUSIONS: Management of aplasia cutis congenita with skull defect remains a controversy. Its management varies depends on its pattern and underlying condition. We successfully develop a new simple method in treating scalp accutilizing Integra®