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Aflatoxins are ubiquitous and occur in food. Exposure to aflatoxins seriously impact the health of human and animal. It is concerning especially when aflatoxins are odourless, colourless, and tasteless that hardly be detected through naked eyes. Ingestion of aflatoxin-contaminated food contributes the major route of exposure. The present review is an update on the aflatoxin occurrence in food, aflatoxin regulations in food, and recent risk assessment of aflatoxin exposure in Malaysia. Peanuts and chili were more prone to aflatoxin contamination in Malaysia. The extreme weather experienced in Malaysia and global climatic change may worsen the aflatoxin contamination in food. The regulatory standards for aflatoxins imposed by Malaysia are less stringent than developed countries. The dietary exposure of aflatoxins among Malaysian was relatively high as compared with other Asia countries, ranging from 0.002 to 34.00 ng/kg body weight/day. Nonetheless, Malaysian population had low risk of aflatoxin-related liver cancer, with an estimated liver cancer risk of

The use of primary or revision stem during revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) for aseptic stem loosening with Paprosky type I/II femoral defect remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients who underwent revision THA with a primary or revision stem.We retrospectively reviewed 78 patients who received revision THA for aseptic stem loosening using primary (N = 28) or revision stems (N = 50). The bone defects were classified as Paprosky type I or II. The mean follow-up duration was 72.3 ± 34.7 months. The primary outcome domains included surgical complications and implant failures. The secondary outcome domains included medical complications, 30- and 90-day readmission, and Harris hip score (HHS).The use of revision stem was associated with a higher incidence than primary stem of patient complications (60.0% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.018), including intraoperative femur fracture (28.0% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.029) and greater trochanter fracture (16.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.045). The implant survival rate was comparable between groups. HHS at the final follow-up was similar.With a lower risk of surgical complications and a similar rate of mid-term implant survival, cementless primary stem appears superior to revision stem in revision THA for aseptic stem loosening with Paprosky type I/II femoral defect.

Supplementation with select nutrients facilitate wound healing, thereby supporting the association between nutrition and wound healing. In recent years, studies have assessed the relationship of amino acid supplements and basic nutrition with wound healing. The present study is a case report on about a 35-year-old woman whose wound measured 0.7 × 1 cm2 after laparoscopic surgery but did not heal for more than 5 weeks after surgery and drainage tube removal. Nutritional care comprising the required calories and a high-protein diet was initiated. The average actual daily calorie intake was 1,556 kcal (88% of the required amount), and the average daily protein intake was 91 g (126% of the required amount). After 11 days on a diet containing mixed amino acids (arginine, glutamine, and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate), the wound size reduced from 0.7 × 1 cm2 to 0.3 × 0.5 cm2. The case findings suggest that the provision of sufficient calories and protein nutrition, supplemented with mixed amino acids containing arginine, glutamine, and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate can contribute to the healing of chronic wounds.

Yellowstripe scad (YSS) have comparable eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA+DHA) content to salmon. We aimed to compare the effects of YSS and salmon on lipid profile and inflammatory markers. A randomized crossover trial with two diet periods was conducted among healthy overweight (with BMI 23.0–27.4 kg/m2) Malaysian adults aged 21–55 years. Steamed whole YSS fish (≈385 g whole fish/day) or salmon fillets (≈246 g fillet/day) were given for eight weeks (3 days per week), retaining approximately 1000 mg EPA+DHA per day. Diets were switched after an 8-week washout period. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after each diet period. A total of 49 subjects participated in the intervention (35% male and 65% female, mean age 29 (7) years). YSS did not induce any significant changes in outcome measures. However, the consumption of salmon as compared with YSS was associated with reduction in triglycerides (between-group difference: −0.09 mmol/1, p = 0.01), VLDL-cholesterol (between-group difference: −0.04 mmol/1, p = 0.01), atherogenic index of plasma (between-group difference: −0.05 mmol/1, p = 0.006), and IL-6 (between-group difference: −0.01 pg/mL, p = 0.03). Despite their comparable EPA+DHA content, short-term consumption of salmon but not YSS induced significant changes in lipid profile and inflammatory markers. Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings.

IntroductionThe use of primary or revision stem during the first-time revision total hip arthroplasty(THA) procedure for aseptic stem loosening remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of patients that underwent revision THA with a primary or revision stem.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 78 patients that received first-time revision THA for aseptic stem loosening using primary(N=28) or revision stems(N=50). The bone defects were classified as Paprosky type I or II. The mean follow-up duration was 72.3±34.7 months. The primary outcome domains included surgical complications and implant failures. The secondary outcome domains included medical complications, 30-day and 90-day readmission, and Harris hip score (HHS).ResultsThe use of revision stem was associated with higher incidence of patient having complications (60.0% vs. 32.1%, p=0.018), including intraoperative femur fracture (28.0% vs. 7.1%, p=0.029) and greater trochanter fracture (16.0% vs. 0%, p=0.045), compared with the use of primary stem. The implant survival was comparable in both groups. HHS at the final follow-up was similar.ConclusionWith a lower risk of surgical complication and similar mid-term implant survival, cementless primary stem might be a better alternative to revision stem in the first-time revision THA for aseptic stem loosening.

Background: Aflatoxin occurrence could be affected by several factors. This study aimed to assess the association between knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards aflatoxin and sociodemographic factors with urinary AFM1 occurrence among residents in Hulu Langat, Selangor. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthy Malaysian adults aged 18 to 60 years in six subdistricts of Hulu Langat, Selangor. Sociodemographic factors and KAP towards aflatoxin were assessed via questionnaires while morning urine sample was collected for AFM 1 analysis. Of 444 respondents, the urinary AFM 1 level was detected in 199 samples (detection rate = 44.8 %). From 37 positive samples with AFM 1 level above the detection limit of 0.64 ng/ml, the mean value was 1.23 ± 0.91 ng/ml with a range of 0.65 – 5.34 ng/ml (median = 0.89 ng/ml). The variables were examined based on the occurrence of urinary AFM 1 biomarker. Results: Findings showed that there were significant differences in urinary AFM1 occurrence across ethnicity ( p

Nitric oxide-releasing core–shell nanoparticles possessing silica cores and S-nitrosothiol-modified chitosan shells have been prepared. The S-nitroso groups are incorporated to the thiol-modified chitosan shell layers of the nanoparticles. The synthesis route involves two major reactions of (a) incorporation of chitosan chains to silica nanoparticles and (b) thiolation of chitosan chains. The sample made with the synthesis route which performs first the b reaction shows a higher NO-releasing amount than does the analogue prepared with the a-reaction-first synthesis route. The chemical structures and morphology of the nanoparticles have been characterized with spectral methods and electronic microscopies. The prepared sample shows a NO-releasing amount of 0.15 μmol SNO group/mg with a prolonged NO release.

Recent creation of a Unified Microbiome Initiative (UMI) has the aim of understanding how microbes interact with each other and with us. When pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infects the skin, the interplay between S. aureus and skin commensal bacteria occurs. Our previous data revealed that skin commensal bacteria can mediate fermentation against the growth of USA300, a community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus MRSA (CA-MRSA). By using a fermentation process with solid media on a small scale, we define poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEG-DMA) as a selective fermentation initiator (SFI) which can specifically intensify the probiotic ability of skin commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) bacteria. At least five SCFAs including acetic, butyric and propionic acids with anti-USA300 activities were produced by PEG-DMA fermentation of S. epidermidis. Furthermore, the S. epidermidis-laden PEG-DMA hydrogels effectively decolonized USA300 in skin wounds in mice. The PEG-DMA and its derivatives may become novel biomaterials to specifically tailor the human skin microbiome against invading pathogens.

The injection molding IC packaging process involves chip packaging and encapsulation techniques comprising mainly of cavity-filling and curing processes. In this paper, the complex 3D geometries and flow behaviors are simplified and modeled by a 2.5D thin-shell simulation. Important aspects of the cavity-filling process include the choosing of bumps array types, the cavity geometry, the injection process, the packing pressure, and the process temperature. The current investigation considers the filling and curing in the different bumps array types. It is shown that the applicable array arrangement provides improved filling results on the flow front, curing, shear strain-rate and velocity vector distributions. These results show the better choice using the geometry parameters in the bumps array arrangement is to consider the performances of the local and global penetrations together.

Single-particle tracking (SPT) is a powerful approach to investigate dynamics without ensemble average. Continuing effort has been made to track smaller particles with better spatial precision at higher speed. In this work, we demonstrate SPT of 20 nm gold nanoparticle (GNP) with 2 nm spatial precision up to 500 kHz by using microsecond interferometric scattering (μs-iSCAT) microscopy. The linear scattering signal from single GNPs is detected by a high-speed CMOS camera via interference. Through this homodyne detection, shot-noise limited sensitivity, and therefore optimal localization precision are achieved at high speed where considerable electronic noise is present. Using μs-iSCAT microscopy, we observe anomalous diffusion of GNPs labeled to lipid molecules in a supported bilayer membrane prepared on a glass substrate. The combination of nanometer spatial precision and microsecond temporal resolution provides the opportunity to study rapid motions of nano-objects on molecular scale with unprecedented clarity.

Gynura bicolor (Roxb. & Willd.) DC. is widely distributed in certain areas of Asia and is very popular in vegetarian cuisine in Taiwan. This study investigates the effects of G. bicolor extracts with different polarities of 80 mg/kg body weight (BW) G. bicolor alcohol extract, 80 mg/kg BW G. bicolor water extract, and 80 mg/kg BW G. bicolor ether extract on Fe bioavailability using the hemoglobin repletion efficiency assay. Wistar rats were assigned to five groups: a group receiving an iron-deficient (ID) diet; a group receiving an ID diet supplemented with ferrous sulfate (20 mg Fe/kg BW); and three groups receiving ID diets supplemented with ferrous sulfate and one of G. bicolor alcohol extract, G. bicolor water extract, or G. bicolor water extract. The results indicated that the levels of hemoglobin, serum iron, serum ferritin, liver ferritin, hemoglobin regeneration efficiency, relative biological value, and hepcidin all were significantly higher than those of the ID diet group. Besides, the iron transporter divalent metal transporter-1 was significantly reduced, but iron release protein expression of ferroportin was significantly increased. It was concluded that G. bicolor extracts may promote iron bioavailability and regulate the expressions of divalent metal transporter-1 and ferroportin.

We propose a quantum secure direct communication protocol with a controller, who assists the agent gets the secret messages sent from the dealer. Single photons are used to carry dealer’s message, so the cost of our protocol is less than others use entangled qubits. If any eavesdropper tries to steal dealer’s messages, the lawful participants will perceive it and abort their transmission.

In recent years, vehicle safety application has played a more important role in Vehicle ad-hoc network (VANET). Multi-hop broadcast method is widely used in these applications to propagate emergent messages to surrounding vehicles. However, it will lead to higher packet loss rate and transmission latency while massive emergent packets make data collision occurs frequently. This paper proposes a position base broadcast module, named Broadcast Control Unit (BCUnit), in order to reduce the re-broadcast nodes and minimize emergent message conflict. This module can be easily implemented to WAVE/DSRC devices without any additional transmission overhead and explicit coordination among vehicles. The simulation results show significant progress in multi-hop delay.

e14640 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) rarely metastasizes to the brain. With improved survival of patients (pts) with metastatic CRC following the advent of targeted agents such as bevacizumab...

e15291 Background: Heterogeneity of cancer cells within tumors and established cancer cell lines is well known. We found that CD44, a non-kinase transmembrane receptor that binds hyaluronan, showed...

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is associated with low resectability and poor survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and its tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) in tumor invasion or as a prognostic factor in patients with human hilar cholangiocarcinoma.The expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were investigated in patients. Paraffinized tissue sections obtained from 50 patients with human hilar cholangiocarcinoma were analysed. The expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were examined immunohistochemically. Image analysis with image-pro plus analysis software was used to semiquantitatively determine the ratio of MMP-2 to TIMP-2.The expression levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were strongly associated with tumor hepatic invasion in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Significant differences in the ratio of MMP-2 to TIMP-2 between some pathologic factors were observed in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.MMP-2 plays an essential role in tumor invasion and metastasis, while TIMP-2 is shown to strongly inhibit cancer invasion and metastasis. The ratio of MMP-2 to TIMP-2 may be a prognostic indicator for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Gynura bicolor (Roxb & Willd.) DC. is widely distributed in Asia and is very popular for vegetarian cuisine in Taiwan. This study used G. bicolor as the main ingredient to develop a new vegetable juice. Its chemical composition and antioxidant activity were analyzed, and consumer preferences of G. bicolor vegetable juice (GBVJ) evaluated. The results showed that the major compounds in GBVJ were rutin, β-carotene, anthocyanin, and chlorophyll. The antioxidant activity of GBVJ including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity, 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and superoxide anion were 85.1%, 95.9%, and 80.1%, respectively. The reducing power was about 60% of that of vitamin C (1 g/L). The consumer preferences for each investigated item were all above 5 points (total score 7 points). These results suggest that GBVJ may have positive effects on the antioxidant activity, and the high consumer acceptance may be used as the preliminary information to support that G. bicolor would be commercially viable in the food industry.