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Prevalence and risk factors of genitourinary Chlamydia trachomatis infection among patients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in northern Malaysia

Yeoh CA, Chan CL, Chin CC, Tan WC

Med J Malaysia, 2020 03;75(2):103-109.
PMID: 32281589

INTRODUCTION: Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) globally. However, data on its prevalence and risk factors in Malaysia is still scarce.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of genitourinary C.trachomatis infection among patients attending STD clinics in northern Peninsular Malaysia.
METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in STD clinics of Hospital Pulau Pinang and Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Kedah from January to November 2014. Participants were individually interviewed using a structured data collection form followed by a physical examination and laboratory tests. Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) was used to detect C.trachomatis infection. Analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 15.
RESULTS: Eighty-three sexually active patients were enrolled, consisting of 51 males and 32 females. The median age was 28.0 years. In general, 32.5% patients were asymptomatic, the remaining presented with genital discharge (41.0%), genital warty lesion (25.3%), genital ulcer (13.3%), dysuria (13.3%), dyspareunia (2.4%), urine hesistancy (1.2%) and genital swelling (1.2%). The prevalence of genitourinary C.trachomatis infection was 21.7% in the study population; 17.6% in males and 28.1% in females. Among the infected females, 44.4% were pregnant. Of those infected 56.6% did not show any symptoms of genital infection, and 77.8% were aged between 18 and 30 years, of which most were females. Among newly diagnosed HIV patients, the prevalence was 14.3%. From multivariable logistic regression analysis, age under 28 years, being married and engagement in oral sex had significantly increased odds of C.trachomatis infection.
CONCLUSIONS: C.trachomatis infection was common among patients attending STD clinics in northern Penisular Malaysia especially in the younger age groups. Majority of the infected patients were asymptomatic.

Matched MeSH terms: Laboratories
Luteolin and apigenin derived glycosides from Alphonsea elliptica abrogate LPS-induced inflammatory responses in human plasma

Attiq A, Jalil J, Husain K, Mohamad HF, Ahmad A

J Ethnopharmacol, 2021 Jul 15;275:114120.
PMID: 33857595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114120

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Numerous Alphonsea species including Alphonsea elliptica (mempisang) leaves and fruits are indigenously used in inflammatory conditions such as postpartum swelling and rheumatism in southeast Asian countries. In our previous in-vitro findings, A. elliptica methanol extract exhibited platelet-activating factor inhibition, suggesting the presence of phyto-constituents with anti-inflammatory potential.
AIM OF THE STUDY: However, so far there is no literature available on the anti-inflammatory activity of this species. Henceforth, based on the above background and our previous laboratory findings, we hypothesize that phytoconstituents of A. elliptica could possess anti-inflammatory potential against inflammatory mediators including prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), cyclooxegenase-2 (COX-2) and cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vacuum and column chromatography techniques were employed for the isolation of phytoconstituents. The structure elucidation was carried out using HRESI-MS, 1H and 13C-NMR analysis and compared with the published literature. For cytotoxicity analysis, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In-vitro anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated against the levels of PGE2, COX-2, IL-1β and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay.
RESULTS: Unprecedentedly, chromatographic purification of methanolic leaves extract afforded five flavones namely vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, isoorientin, schaftoside with three flavanols; kaempferol, myricetin and rutin from A elliptica. In cell viability analysis, isolates did not present cytotoxicity up to 50 μM. In anti-inflammatory evaluation, orientin and isoorientin exhibited strong (≥70%), while isovitexin and vitexin produced strong to moderate (50-69%) PGE2, COX-2, IL-1β and IL-6 inhibition at 25 and 50 μM. Isoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, and vitexin showed significant (p

Matched MeSH terms: Laboratories
Determination of CYP3A4 Inducing Properties of Compounds Using a Laboratory-Developed Cell-Based Assay

Seah TC, Tay YL, Tan HK, Muhammad TS, Wahab HA, Tan ML

Int J Toxicol, 2015 08 12;34(5):454-68.
PMID: 26268769 DOI: 10.1177/1091581815599335

A cell-based assay to measure cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) induction was developed to screen for potential CYP3A4 inducers. This 96-well format assay utilizes HepG2 cells transfected with a gene construct of CYP3A4 proximal promoter linked to green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene, and the expression of the GFP is then measured quantitatively. Bergamottin at 5 to 25 µmol/L produced low induction relative to the positive control. Both curcumin and lycopene were not found to affect the expression of GFP, suggesting no induction properties toward CYP3A4. Interestingly, resveratrol produced significant induction from 25 µmol/L onward, which was similar to omeprazole and may warrant further studies. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that this cell-based assay can be used as a tool to evaluate the potential CYP3A4 induction properties of compounds. However, molecular docking data have not provided satisfactory pointers to differentiate between CYP3A4 inducers from noninducers or from inhibitors, more comprehensive molecular screening may be indicated.

Matched MeSH terms: Laboratories
Gene isolation using degenerate primers targeting protein motif: A laboratory exercise

Yeo BPH, Foong LC, Tam SM, Lee V, Hwang SS

Biochem Mol Biol Educ, 2018 01;46(1):47-53.
PMID: 29131478 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21089

Structures and functions of protein motifs are widely included in many biology-based course syllabi. However, little emphasis is placed to link this knowledge to applications in biotechnology to enhance the learning experience. Here, the conserved motifs of nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeats (NBS-LRR) proteins, successfully used for the isolation and characterization of many plant resistance gene analogues (RGAs), is featured in the development of a series of laboratory experiments using important molecular biology techniques. A set of previously isolated RGA sequences is used as the model for performing sequence alignment and visualising 3D protein structure using current bioinformatics programs (Clustal Omega and Argusdock software). A pair of established degenerate primer sequences is provided for the prediction of targeted amino acids sequences in the RGAs. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is used to amplify RGAs from total RNA samples extracted from the tropical wild relative of black pepper, Piper colubrinum (Piperaceae). This laboratory exercise enables students to correlate specific DNA sequences with respective amino acid codes and the interaction between conserved motifs of resistance genes with putatively targeted proteins. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(1):47-53, 2018.

Matched MeSH terms: Laboratories
Fulltext Pyoderma gangrenosum and cobalamin deficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus: a rare but non fortuitous association

Teoh SC, Sim CY, Chuah SL, Kok V, Teh CL

BMC Rheumatol, 2021 Mar 03;5(1):7.
PMID: 33653418 DOI: 10.1186/s41927-021-00177-4

BACKGROUND: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon, idiopathic, ulcerative neutrophilic dermatosis. In many cases, PG is associated with a wide variety of different disorders but SLE in association with PG is relatively uncommon. In this article we present the case of a middle aged patient with PG as the initial clinical presentation of SLE. We also provide a brief review of cobalamin deficiency which occurred in our patient and evidence-based management options.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 35 years old man presented with a 5 month history of debilitating painful lower limb and scrotal ulcers. This was associated with polyarthralgia and morning stiffness involving both hands. He also complained of swallowing difficulties. He had unintentional weight loss of 10 kg and fatigue. Physical examination revealed alopecia, multiple cervical lymphadenopathies, bilateral parotid gland enlargement and atrophic glossitis. There was Raynaud's phenomenon noted over both hands and generalised hyper-pigmented fragile skin. Laboratory results disclosed anaemia, leukopenia, hyponatraemia and hypocortisolism. Detailed anaemic workup revealed low serum ferritin and cobalamin level. The autoimmune screen showed positive ANA, anti SmD1, anti SS-A/Ro 52, anti SSA/Ro 60, anti U1-snRNP with low complement levels. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies confirmed atrophic gastritis and duodenitis. Intrinsic factor antibodies and anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA were all negative. Punch biopsies of the leg ulcer showed neutrophilic dermatosis consistent with pyoderma gangrenosum. Based on the clinical findings and positive immunologic studies, he was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus. His general condition improved substantially with commencement of corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and vitamin supplements.
CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of PG as the first manifestation of SLE which was treated successfully with immunosuppressants and vitamin supplements. Our report highlighted the need to consider connective tissue diseases such as SLE in a patient presenting with PG in order for appropriate treatment to be instituted thereby achieving a good outcome.

Matched MeSH terms: Laboratories