ABSTRACT
Cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) is associated with oxidative stress-mediatedcryodamage, hence compromising the therapeutic potency. The roles of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on the oxidativestress-mediated cryodamage and repopulation capacity of HSPCs into myeloid, erythroid, and pre-B lymphoidprogenitors were investigated. Mice bone marrow-derived HSPCs were cultured for 24 hours, followed bycryopreservation at 1 × 106/ml cells in cryomedium containing 10% dimethyl sulfoxide with NAC (0.25, 0.5, or 2.0µM) or without for 48 hours, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks at −80°C. Cryopreservation significantly reduced cell viability atpost-thawed (p < 0.05) with long-term cryopreservation conferred a greater cell recovery. NAC improved the bonemarrow-derived HSPC viability (p < 0.05) at 0.5 and 2.0 µM after 48 hours of cryopreservation. Cryopreservationlowered the malondialdehyde level (p < 0.05) although glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and protein carbonyl levelswere not significantly affected. Repopulation capacity of HSPCs into myeloid–erythroid progenitors was greatlyreduced (p < 0.05) after 4 weeks of cryopreservation as compared to precryopreservation group. Meanwhile, NACsupplementation showed no remarkable effect on oxidative stress-mediated cryodamage and repopulation capacity ofHSPCs. Conclusively, the cryoprotective role of NAC on the cryopreservation of HSPCs deserves further investigation
ABSTRACT
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) plays a crucial role in influencing the growth of osteoblast. This study was conducted to compare the performance of alginate/cockle shell powder nanobiocomposite (nCP) bone scaffold developed from naturally occurring CaCO3 with alginate/calcium carbonate (CC) bone scaffold developed using synthetic CaCO3. The study compares the performance of the scaffold in supporting the growth of osteoblast through in vitro evaluations as well as initial biocompatibility observations through in vivo methods. Both scaffolds were developed using the mixture of 40% alginate solution with either 60% of nano cockle shell powder or synthetic CaCO3 to obtain a three dimensional scaffold structure. In vitro evaluation on calcium release and ALP enzyme activity was conducted on both scaffolds seeded with osteoblast on day’s three, five and seven using commercial kits. In vivo observations using histological methods were further conducted by implanting osteoblast seeded scaffold subcutaneously at the dorsum of 8 albino mice for 21 days. Findings from in vitro studies showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the release of calcium and ALP enzyme activity in nCP scaffolds on day seven compared to days three and five of CC scaffold. Histological observations using H&E and von Kossa staining showed infiltration and proliferation of osteoblast on both scaffolds as well as early stage bone tissue formation. Formation of new blood vessels within the scaffolds was also observed in nCP scaffold. Both the developed scaffolds were noted to support osteoblast growth and new tissue formation with better potentials displayed by nCP scaffolds comparatively. This study shows that naturally occurring CaCO3 obtained from cockle shells in the form of nano powder has good potentials to be used as a biomaterial for bone tissue engineering applications.
ABSTRACT
Biocompatibility and growth of osteoblast on bone scaffolds play an important role towards their therapeutic application. The presence of oxidative stress generated by bone scaffolds highly influences osteoblast growth and its functional performance. In this study in-vitro interaction of developed Alginate/Cockle Shell powder nanobiocomposite bone scaffold on osteoblast with regards to cytotoxicity and oxidative stress are evaluated. Cytotoxicity studies using MTT assays revealed a significant increase in viability of cultured osteoblast in the presences of the scaffold extracts. The growth of osteoblast on the scaffold were not deterred with the presence of any major oxidative stress factors as determined through oxidative stress profile studies using SOD, GSH and ROS assays. The nanobiocomposite scaffold evaluated in this study shows promising use in regards to facilitating osteoblast proliferation, growth and viability.
ABSTRACT
Health awareness promotion among farming communities are important for a sustainable agriculture activities. A crosssectional study was conducted to assess health status among farming communities in Cameron Highlands, Pahang (n = 61) and Bachok and Pasir Puteh, Kelantan (n = 143). Mobile Health Screening Programme composed of assessment of blood glucose, blood cholesterol, haemoglobin, blood pressure, pterygium, lung function and nerve conductive velocity was utilized. Our results indicate that the percentage of Cameron Highland’s farmers with hyperglycaemia, systolic hypertension, diastolic hypertension and anaemia were 8.2%, 14.8%, 11.5% and 8.2%, respectively. However, higher percentage of farmers in Bachok and Pasir Puteh, Kelantan with hyperglycaemia (32.8%), hypercholesterolaemia (83%), anaemia (24.2%) and systolic hypertension (41.9%) were observed. Pterygium was positive for 88.6% of farmers in Cameron Highlands and 94.4% in Bachok and Pasir Puteh. Lung function test shows that 61.7% and 11.4% of farmers in Cameron Highlands had restrictive and obstructive lung, respectively. In Bachok and Pasir Puteh, a total of 19.8%, 55.5% and 23.9% of farmers were found to have obstructive, restrictive and combined obstructive and restrictive lung, respectively. Current Perception Threshold (CPT) value which indicate nerve conductive velocity were signifi cantly increased (p < 0.05) among Cameron Highland’s farmers for both median and peroneal nerve at all frequencies (5 Hz, 250 Hz and 2000 Hz). In Bachok and Pasir Puteh, the values of the CPT for median nerve was signifi cantly increased (p < 0.05) for all frequencies (5, 250 and 2000 Hz). Meanwhile, a signifi cant increased (p < 0.05) was observed for the CPT values for peroneal nerve at the frequencies of 250 and 2000 Hz as compared to control groups. In conclusion, analysis revealed different health problem among the studied farming communities which could be infl uenced by the differences in farming practices. Thus, employed Mobile Health Screening Programme offers a monitoring approach that could highlight the need for suitable health services and awareness programmes for different farming communities
ABSTRACT
Chromium is an essential mineral and cofactor for insulin that plays an important role as hormone that helps in the blood sugar regulation. Kelantanese were known as sugar-based food consumer. Farmers have high risk of health problem because of exposure to pesticide and sugar-based food intake can give an effect on the level of chromium. The objective of this research was to study the status of chromium among farmers exposed to pesticides and fertilizer in Kelantan. This was a cross-sectional study that was done at Bachok and Pasir Puteh, Kelantan. Respondent were 113 farmers who had been exposed to pesticides or fertilizer for not less than one year. Subjects were interviewed to obtain information on their demographic data by using validated knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire. Nails and hair chromium levels were analyzed by using acid digestion method and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Results showed that 81.4% were male while 18.6% were female. Farmer’s chromium level in nails (125.82 ± 47.81 μg/L) and hair (39.63 ± 5.70 μg/L) were very much lower when compared with standard value in nails (6200 μg/L) and hair (100-2500 μg/L). No signifi cantly differences (p > 0.05) were found between chromium level according to gender, age, level of pesticide exposure, dietary chromium intake and blood glucose. Chromium levels in nails and hair of farmers who smoke was signifi cantly lower (p < 0.05) than non-smoking farmers. As a conclusion, the level of chromium among farmers in Bachok and Pasir Puteh, Kelantan are lower than normal reference and farmers should stop smoking because smoking can lower the chromium level
ABSTRACT
Pesticide exposure can lead to low trace elements levels in human body. Trace element plays important role in body metabolism. The aim of this study was to study the levels of selenium, zinc and chromium among paddy farmers who expose to pesticide in Wilayah I, MADA, Perlis. This cross sectional study involved 70 males paddy farmers and 57subjects living in fisherman village as control group who were aged between 21 to 80 years old. Subjects were interviewed to obtain information on their demographic data by using validated questionnaire. Subjects also were examined for their blood pressure and glucose level. Selenium, zinc and chromium levels were analyzed by using acid digestion method and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that selenium levels in hairs (5.11 ± 17.05 μg/L) and nails (4.92 ± 2.17 μg/L) were significantly (p 0.05) between all trace element levels and duration of pesticide exposures. In conclusion, levels of trace elements were lower in nails and hairs of paddy farmers than fisherman community group