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The Malaysian Association of Clinical Biochemists (MACB) and the Malaysian Biomedical Science Association (MyBiomed) successfully organized the 34th MACB Conference in conjunction with the 2nd MyBiomed Symposium 2024. Under the theme 'Towards Holistic Integration and Sustainability in Medical Laboratories, the event brought together experts from various disciplines to explore advancements and sustainability in laboratory medicine and biomedical science. The conference featured a comprehensive program including plenary lectures, industrial talks, oral and poster presentations, and trade exhibitions. It provided a platform for the exchange of scientific knowledge and insights into emerging technologies and practices. A diverse range of professionals participated, including local and international chemical pathologists, clinical biochemists, medical laboratory scientists, researchers, and postgraduate students. Key topics covered included natural product research, herbs and metabolic disease, molecular diagnostics, pharmacology and toxicology, endocrinology, reference intervals, value-based laboratory medicine, newborn screening, the role of digital technologies in medical labs, and strategies for developing green & sustainable medical laboratories. The discussions were aligned with the conference’s goal of fostering integration and sustainable practices in the medical laboratory sector, reflecting the latest trends and future directions of the field. The event achieved its aim of providing participants with valuable updates on scientific and technological innovations while fostering collaboration and dialogue among laboratory professionals at a global scale.

Overactivation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) pathway leads to vasoconstriction and elevated blood pressure. Persicaria minor (Huds.) Opiz is an herbal plant known for its antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-atherosclerotic properties, with bioactive compounds that exhibit antihypertensive effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of the standardized aqueous extract of P. minor leaf (AEPM) through the ACE/AT1R pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). HUVECs were stimulated with PMA to induce ACE, with or without AEPM or captopril treatment, for 24 h. Subsequently, ACE mRNA expression, ACE protein levels, ACE activity, angiotensin II levels, and AT1R expression were measured. The results demonstrated that AEPM treatment significantly reduced ACE mRNA expression, ACE protein levels, ACE activity, angiotensin II levels, and AT1R expression in PMA-induced HUVECs. The modulatory effects of AEPM on the ACE/AT1R pathway were comparable to those of captopril. Ex vivo experiments further confirmed that AEPM reduced the contraction responses of rat aortic rings to PMA. In conclusion, P. minor effectively inhibits the ACE/AT1R pathway in PMA-induced HUVECs, suggesting its potential as a natural antihypertensive agent.

Background and Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis is known as common pathogen for endodontic infections and cause secondary and refractory pulp periapical periodontitis. The bacteria can opportunistically colonize periodontal pockets and presents a possibility of infection developing in other organs. This research will investigate the dissemination of E. faecalis from the gingival tissue to the heart and kidney. Materials and Methods: Three groups were formed, consisting of twelve male Sprague Dawley rats: a control group designated as 0-day, and experimental groups labeled as 7-days and 14-days. Periodontitis induced by concurrent infection with sterile wire 0.2 mm insertion and E. faecalis inoculation is performed into the gingival sulcus located between the maxillary right 1st and 2nd molar teeth area. After euthanasia, tissue samples around the maxillary gingiva, maxillary jaw samples, kidney and heart tissues were obtained for quantitative Real-Time PCR assay and histopathological analysis. Results: Results showed at 7-days, there was an upregulation of E. faecalis gene expression in the gingiva, heart, and kidney samples as well as infiltration of the inflammatory cells at 7-days post induction, which consequently decreased at 14-days. Conclusion: Thus, the study suggests dissemination of E. faecalis from gingival tissue to the heart, kidney which could be probable link between periodontal disease, heart, and kidney disease.

Organotin (IV) dithiocarbamate has recently received attention as a therapeutic agent among organotin (IV) compounds. The individual properties of the organotin (IV) and dithiocarbamate moieties in the hybrid complex form a synergy of action that stimulates increased biological activity. Organotin (IV) components have been shown to play a crucial role in cytotoxicity. The biological effects of organotin compounds are believed to be influenced by the number of Sn-C bonds and the number and nature of alkyl or aryl substituents within the organotin structure. Ligands target and react with molecules while preventing unwanted changes in the biomolecules. Organotin (IV) dithiocarbamate compounds have also been shown to have a broad range of cellular, biochemical, and molecular effects, with their toxicity largely determined by their structure. Continuing the investigation of the cytotoxicity of organotin (IV) dithiocarbamates, this mini-review delves into the appropriate method for synthesis and discusses the elemental and spectroscopic analyses and potential cytotoxic effects of these compounds from articles published since 2010.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a broad spectrum of diseases afflicting the heart and blood vessels and remain a major cause of death and disability worldwide. CVD progression is strongly associated with risk factors, including hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis. These risk factors lead to oxidative damage that results in various cardiovascular complications including endothelial dysfunctions, alterations in vascular integrity, the formation of atherosclerosis, as well as incorrigible cardiac remodeling. The use of conventional pharmacological therapy is one of the current preventive measures to control the development of CVDs. However, as undesirable side effects from drug use have become a recent issue, alternative treatment from natural products is being sought in medicinal plants and is gaining interest. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) has been reported to contain various bioactive compounds that exert anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-hypertension, antioxidative, anti-inflammation, and anti-fibrosis effects. These properties of roselle, especially from its calyx, have relevance to its therapeutic and cardiovascular protection effects in humans. This review summarizes the findings of recent preclinical and clinical studies on roselle as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent in attenuating cardiovascular risk factors and associated mechanisms.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are one of the most important endopeptidases in periodontal disease that generally degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) components of periodontal supporting tissues, leading to tooth loss. Among the MMP family, MMP-1, -8 and -13, which are also known as the collagenase group, play a vital role in the degradation of ECM collagen and non-collagen substances. Elevated levels of MMP -1, -8 and -13 are markedly significant within tissue, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and saliva of patients with periodontitis, which help to explain the progression pattern of the disease. This review provides an overview of MMP -1, -8, and -13 on their structures, functions and their critical role in periodontitis.

Sudden unexpected death among healthy military personnel leads to a false allegation from family members. However, majority of the deaths were related to an abnormal cardiac condition. Objective: The occurrence of patent coronary vessels in sudden deaths demands histological examination and/or molecular study to detect underlying diseases, which need to be highlighted especially in a centre with limitation of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) or virtopsy. In this article, a case of a young healthy male personnel, who died during routine training was reported. He collapsed after a 10-minute jog. An autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death. The autopsy showed a moderately built male. No fatal external injuries were found. Internal examination showed cardiomegaly and patent coronaries. The cardiac markers were markedly raised with normal toxicological analysis. Histology of the heart showed a recent myocardial infarct, hence the cause of death was determined as myocardial infarction in normal coronary artery (MINCA). Conclusion: Annual medical screening is highly recommended to detect any cardiac abnormalities among military personnel. Screening may be extended for a genetic study in suspicious and strong family history to exclude a conduction defect or channelopathy.

Initially thought to only provide mechanical support for the underlying blood vessels, perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has now emerged as a regulator of vascular function. A healthy PVAT exerts anticontractile and anti-inflammatory actions on the underlying vasculature via the release of adipocytokines such as adiponectin, nitric oxide, and omentin. However, dysfunctional PVAT produces more proinflammatory adipocytokines such as leptin, resistin, interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, thus inducing an inflammatory response that contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. In this review, current knowledge on the role of PVAT inflammation in the development of vascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis and hypertension was discussed.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is directly linked to diabetes mellitus (DM), and its morbidity and mortality are rising at an alarming rate. Individuals with DM experience significantly worse clinical outcomes due to heart failure as a CVD consequence than non-diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia is the main culprit that triggers the activation of oxidative damage, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis pathways that aggravate diabetic CVD progression. In recent years, the development of phytochemical-based nutraceutical products for diabetic treatment has risen due to their therapeutic properties. Anthocyanin, which can be found in various types of plants, has been proposed for preventing and treating various diseases, and has elicited excellent antioxidative, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and anti-apoptosis effects. In preclinical and clinical studies, plants rich in anthocyanin have been reported to attenuate diabetic CVD. Therefore, the development of anthocyanin as a nutraceutical in managing diabetic CVD is in demand. In this review, we unveil the role of anthocyanin in modulating diabetic CVD, and its potential to be developed as a nutraceutical for a therapeutic strategy in managing CVD associated with DM.

Persicaria minor (Huds.) Opiz is an herb with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-atherosclerosis effects. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying its anti-atherosclerosis effect is poorly comprehended. This in vitro study assessed the protective effects of standardized aqueous extract of P. minor leaves (PM) on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced monocyte adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), which is one of the pivotal early steps in atherogenesis. The results showed that PM decreased the mRNA and protein expression of cellular adhesion molecules, vascular adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, resulting in reduced adhesion of monocytes to HUVEC. Additionally, PM inhibited nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) activation as indicated by reduced NF-κB p65 levels in TNF-α-induced HUVEC. Overall, PM could prevent in vitro atherogenesis by inhibiting NF-κB activation and adhesion of monocytes to HUVEC. The effects of PM are probably mediated by its bioactive compound, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide. The findings may provide a rationale for the in vivo anti-atherosclerosis effect of PM, and support its potential use in atherosclerosis.

Background: Sudden death (SD) is defined as an unexpected natural death within an hour onset of symptoms or unwitnessed death that occurs within 24 hours, which accounts for most cardiovascular deaths in Malaysia. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of histopathological changes in the heart and to study the demographic trend in SD cases in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: Specimens from all SD cases were received from 2017 to 2018 by the Forensic Unit, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Mukhriz (HCTM) were studied. The specimens were the left ventricular myocardium and left anterior descending artery (LAD), which were fixed in 10% formalin with haematoxylin and eosin staining. The tissues were graded histologically based on changes such as arterial occlusion, myocardial infarction, and/or thrombus formation. Results: Out of 545 medicolegal deaths, only 25 cases (4.6%) had samples available for analysis. Among these 25 patients, 24 (96%) were male patients and only one (4%) was a female patient. The available samples were from patients aged between 30 to 79 years old. In terms of ethinicity, Malays (40%) were the most numerous, followed by patients of Chinese and Indian ethnicities.The majority of the SD cases had a body mass index (BMI) that ranged between underweight (56%) and obese (40%). Besides, there were 10 (40%) cases of coronary artery with atheroma and 15 (60%) cases of myocardial infarction. The most common presentation of atherosclerosis was grade III and IV, and acute MI was the most common presentation at death, followed by healed infarcts and old infarcts. Discussion and Conclusion: Our findings reflect worsening risk factor levels in cardiovascular diseases, compounded by demographic trends. Further studies on biomarkers specific for cardiac diseases are warranted to understand imminent sudden cardiac death.

B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) family proteins primarily work as a programmed cell death regulator, whereby multiple interactions between them determine cell survival. This explains the two major classes of BCL-2 proteins which are anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic proteins. The anti-apoptotic proteins are attractive targets for BCL-2 family inhibitors, which result in the augmentation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. BCL-2 family inhibitors have been studied extensively for novel targeted therapies in various cancer types, fibrotic diseases, aging-related as well as autoimmune diseases. Navitoclax is one of them and it has been discovered to have a high affinity toward BCL-2 anti-apoptotic proteins, including BCL-2, BCL-W and B-cell lymphoma-extra-large. Navitoclax has been demonstrated as a single agent or in combination with other drugs to successfully ameliorate tumor progression and fibrosis development. To date, navitoclax has entered phase I and phase II clinical studies. Navitoclax alone potently treats small cell lung cancer and acute lymphocytic leukemia, whilst in combination therapy for solid tumors, it enhances the therapeutic effect of other chemotherapeutic agents. A low platelet count has always associated with single navitoclax treatments, though this effect is tolerable. Moreover, the efficacy of navitoclax is determined by the expression of several BCL-2 family members. Here, we elucidate the complex mechanisms of navitoclax as a pro-apoptotic agent, and review the early and current clinical studies of navitoclax alone as well as with other drugs. Additionally, some suggestions on the development of navitoclax clinical studies are presented in the future prospects section.

Introduction: Increased demand and low blood supply have been a critical issue in many countries, including Malaysia. This issue occurs due to a lack of awareness towards the importance of blood donation. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards blood donation among undergraduate students of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FSK), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on undergraduate students of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FSK), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, which is comprised of 9 programmes: Biomedical Science, Optometry, Nutrition Science, Dietetics, Audiology, Speech Science, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Environmental Health. The respondents were recruited by a stratified random sampling technique with an informed consent. Questionnaire that consisted of four sections, namely: (A) sociodemographic characteristics, (B) knowledge on blood donation, (C) attitude towards blood donation and (D) practice of blood donation were distributed and a total of 274 responses were obtained for further evaluation. The significance values were set as P < 0.05. Results: Our research findings showed that the majority of students had a good level of knowledge (99.6%) and attitude (95.3%) about blood donation but most of them demonstrated a poor practice (59.1%). As for genders, female students had a better level of knowledge and attitude than males, but male students committed better practice towards blood donation than females. However, there were no significant differences between gender and programme of study as the respondents shared a similar background in health-related courses. Conclusion: A majority of the students had a good level of knowledge and attitude, but they are poor in practice. More campaigns need to be conducted to create awareness on the importance of blood donation.

Combination therapy emerges as a fundamental scheme in cancer. Many targeted therapeutic agents are developed to be used with chemotherapy or radiation therapy to enhance drug efficacy and reduce toxicity effects. ABT-263, known as navitoclax, mimics the BH3-only proteins of the BCL-2 family and has a high affinity towards pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins (i.e., BCL-XL, BCL-2, BCL-W) to induce cell apoptosis effectively. A single navitoclax action potently ameliorates several tumor progressions, including blood and bone marrow cancer, as well as small cell lung carcinoma. Not only that, but navitoclax alone also therapeutically affects fibrotic disease. Nevertheless, outcomes from the clinical trial of a single navitoclax agent in patients with advanced and relapsed small cell lung cancer demonstrated a limited anti-cancer activity. This brings accumulating evidence of navitoclax to be used concomitantly with other chemotherapeutic agents in several solid and non-solid tumors that are therapeutically benefiting from navitoclax treatment in preclinical studies. Initially, we justify the anti-cancer role of navitoclax in combination therapy. Then, we evaluate the current evidence of navitoclax in combination with the chemotherapeutic agents comprehensively to indicate the primary regulator of this combination strategy in order to produce a therapeutic effect.