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Fulltext Physicochemical properties of pectin extracted from jackfruit and chempedak fruit rinds using various acids

Leong, C.M., Noranizan, M.A, Kharidah, M., Choo, W. S.

International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(3):973-978.
MyJurnal

This study investigated the effect of citric, nitric and sulfuric acid on the yield and
physicochemical properties of pectin extracted from jackfruit and chempedak fruit rinds. Yield
and physicochemical properties such as uronic acid content, degree of esterification, degree of
acetylation and colour of pectin solution were determined and compared. Yield of pectin from
jackfruit and chempedak fruit rinds with nitric acid as extractant were 14.81 ± 1.02% and 17.62
± 0.69%, respectively, which were the lowest. The uronic acid content of all extracted pectin
was more than 65%. All jackfruit and chempedak fruit rind pectins in this study were high
methoxyl pectin with degree of esterification ranging from 72-75% for jackfruit rind pectin and
66-69% for chempedak rind pectin. The degree of acetylation of all extracted pectin was lower
than 1%. For both jackfruit and chempedak fruit rind pectins, the citric acid-extracted pectin
produced darker, more reddish and yellowish solution and thus is least preferable. Among
the acids studied, sulfuric acid was the best extractant due to the high yield of pectin and the
solution of this pectin was brighter, less reddish and yellowish.
Fulltext Cardiac imaging in valvular heart disease

Choo WS, Steeds RP

Br J Radiol, 2011 Dec;84 Spec No 3:S245-57.
PMID: 22723532 DOI: 10.1259/bjr/54030257

The aim of this article is to provide a perspective on the relative importance and contribution of different imaging modalities in patients with valvular heart disease. Valvular heart disease is increasing in prevalence across Europe, at a time when the clinical ability of physicians to diagnose and assess severity is declining. Increasing reliance is placed on echocardiography, which is the mainstay of cardiac imaging in valvular heart disease. This article outlines the techniques used in this context and their limitations, identifying areas in which dynamic imaging with cardiovascular magnetic resonance and multislice CT are expanding.
Biofilm inhibiting activity of betacyanins from red pitahaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and red spinach (Amaranthus dubius) against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

Yong YY, Dykes G, Lee SM, Choo WS

J Appl Microbiol, 2019 Jan;126(1):68-78.
PMID: 30153380 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14091

AIMS: To investigate the biofilm inhibitory activity of betacyanins from red pitahaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and red spinach (Amaranthus dubius) against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.
METHODS AND RESULTS: The pulp of red pitahaya and the leaves of red spinach were extracted using methanol followed by subfractionation to obtain betacyanin fraction. The anti-biofilm activity was examined using broth microdilution assay on polystyrene surfaces and expressed as minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC). The betacyanin fraction from red spinach showed better anti-biofilm activity (MBIC: 0·313-1·25 mg ml-1 ) against five Staph. aureus strains while the betacyanin fraction from red pitahaya showed better anti-biofilm activity (MBIC: 0·313-0·625 mg ml-1 ) against four P. aeruginosa strains. Both betacyanin fraction significantly reduced hydrophobicity of Staph. aureus and P. aeruginosa strains. Numbers of Staph. aureus and P. aeruginosa attached to polystyrene were also reduced without affecting their cell viability.
CONCLUSION: Betacyanins can act as anti-biofilm agents against the initial step of biofilm formation, particularly on a hydrophobic surface like polystyrene.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study is the first to investigate the use of betacyanin as a biofilm inhibitory agent. Betacyanin could potentially be used to reduce the risk of biofilm-associated infections.
Fulltext Acute stroke patients with high BMI are less likely to have severe disability at initial presentation

Choo WS, Foo S, Tan E, Thayaparan FS, Chung YY, Raman S, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2009 Mar;64(1):34-6.
PMID: 19852318 MyJurnal

This is a prospective study to determine the severity of disability and prognosis of acute stroke patients related to their Body Mass index (BMI). A total of 79 consecutive CT-scan-proven acute stroke patients who were admitted to Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar, Seremban between November 2006 and April 2007 were recruited (male:female 49:30; mean age 62.7 years; ischemic stroke 70, intracerebral bleed 9). The patients were divided according to BMI less than 25 (Group A) and equal or greater than 25 (Group B). Severity of disability was measured between 24-48 hours by modified Rankin's score. Patients were followed up after one month. Thirty-seven patients had severe disability (Rankin Score 5). Twenty-nine patients had adverse outcomes including 11 deaths and 18 rehospitalizations or prolonged hospital/nursing home stay. 34.3% of Group B had severe disability compared to 56.8% of Group A (chi2 P = 0.046). Conversely 42.9% of Group B had adverse events at one month compared to 31.8% of Group A (chi2 P = 0.312). There were no statistical differences between high- and low-BMI groups for gender ratio, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, prior cardiovascular disease, mean age, mean lipid profile and blood pressure. When comparing patients with Rankin Score 1-4 versus 5, age and BMI were statistically significant between the two groups. By multivariate analysis only age is independent predictor for severe disability (P < 0.05). The results of this pilot study should be confirmed in larger prospective multicentre trial.