Honey--a novel antidiabetic agent

Diabetes mellitus remains a burden worldwide in spite of the availability of numerous antidiabetic drugs. Honey is a natural substance produced by bees from nectar. Several evidence-based health benefits have been ascribed to honey in the recent years. In this review article, we highlight findings which demonstrate the beneficial or potential effects of honey in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), on the gut microbiota, in the liver, in the pancreas and how these effects could improve glycemic control and metabolic derangements. In healthy subjects or patients with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus, various studies revealed that honey reduced blood glucose or was more tolerable than most common sugars or sweeteners. Pre-clinical studies provided more convincing evidence in support of honey as a potential antidiabetic agent than clinical studies did. The not-too-impressive clinical data could mainly be attributed to poor study designs or due to the fact that the clinical studies were preliminary. Based on the key constituents of honey, the possible mechanisms of action of antidiabetic effect of honey are proposed. The paper also highlights the potential impacts and future perspectives on the use of honey as an antidiabetic agent. It makes recommendations for further clinical studies on the potential antidiabetic effect of honey. This review provides insight on the potential use of honey, especially as a complementary agent, in the management of diabetes mellitus. Hence, it is very important to have well-designed, randomized controlled clinical trials that investigate the reproducibility (or otherwise) of these experimental data in diabetic human subjects.     

Recent advances in elucidating the biological properties of Withania somnifera and its potential role in health benefits

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae), also known as ashwagandha, is an important medicinal plant that is widely used as a home remedy for several diseases in the Indian subcontinent and other parts of the world. W. somnifera is a dietary supplement composed of various nutrients, polyphenols and alkaloids that have free radical scavenging capacity, as well as other chemical constituents that possess anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-stress, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and rejuvenating properties. The mechanism of action for these properties are not fully understood. W. somnifera also appears to influence the endocrine, cardiopulmonary and central nervous systems. Toxicity studies reveal that W. somnifera can be used without side effects. The findings presented in this review are very encouraging and indicate that this herb should be studied more extensively to confirm these results and to reveal other potential therapeutic effects.     

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii Infection among Three Orang Asli Ethnic Groups in Malaysia

Background

Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar/Entamoeba moshkovskii infection is still prevalent in rural Malaysia especially among Orang Asli communities. Currently, information on prevalence of this infection among different ethnic groups of Orang Asli is unavailable in Malaysia. To contribute to a better comprehension of the epidemiology of this infection, a cross-sectional study aimed at providing the first documented data on the prevalence and risk factors associated with E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii infection was carried out among three Orang Asli ethnic groups (Proto-Malay, Negrito, and Senoi) in selected villages in Negeri Sembilan, Perak, and Pahang states, Malaysia.

Methods/Findings

Faecal samples were examined by formalin-ether sedimentation and trichrome staining techniques. Of 500 individuals, 8.7% (13/150) of Proto-Malay, 29.5% (41/139) of Negrito, and 18.5% (39/211) of Senoi were positive for E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii, respectively. The prevalence of this infection showed an age-dependency relationship, with higher rates observed among those aged less than 15 years in all ethnic groups studied. Multivariate analysis confirmed that not washing hands after playing with soils or gardening and presence of other family members infected with E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii were significant risk factors of infection among all ethnic groups. However, eating with hands, the consumption of raw vegetables, and close contact with domestic animals were identified as significant risk factors in Senoi.

Conclusions

Essentially, the findings highlighted that E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii parasites are still prevalent in Malaysia. Further studies using molecular approaches to distinguish the morphologically identical species of pathogenic, E. histolytica from the non-pathogenic, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii are needed. The establishment of such data will be beneficial for the public health authorities in the planning and implementation of specific prevention and control strategies of this infection in different Orang Asli ethnic groups in Malaysia.     

Cucullosporella mangrovei, ultrastructure of ascospores and their appendages

The ultrastructure ofCucullosporella mangrovei ascospores is described. Mature ascospores possess two wall layers, an outer electron-dense episporium and an innermost tripartite mesosporium. Episporial elaborations form electrondense spore wall ornamentations from which extend fibrils that may constitute a highly hydrated exosporium which was not visualised at either the scanning electron microscope or light microscope level. Ascospores possess a hamate appendage at each pole which unfolds in seawater to form a long thread. Ultrastructurally the polar appendage comprises folded fibro-granular electron-dense material and fine fibrils. The fibrils form a matrix around and within the fibro-granular appendage and around the entire unreleased ascospore. These fibrils have not been observed associated with the ascospore appendages in other species of the Halosphaeriales and are a discrete and new appendage component. The fibro-granular appendage and fibrils are bounded by the outer delimiting membrane which is absent around released ascospores. The nature of the spore appendage is compared with that of other marine and freshwater ascomycetes and the taxonomic assignment of the species is discussed.     

Assessment of plant secondary metabolites in oil palm seedlings after being treated with calcium,copper ions and salicylic acid

The effect of calcium, copper ions and salicylic acid (SA) amendment on the incidence of basal stem rot and activity of secondary metabolites in oil palm seedlings were investigated in glasshouse study. Disease incidence (DI) in positive control (T8) was 75% at nine months after inoculation (9 MAI). However, weekly pre-immunisation with Ca^2+?+^?Cu^2+?+^?SA prior to inoculation significantly suppressed DI and delayed disease onset as noted in T7. In the present study, the lowest %DI was observed in T7 (15%) followed by T1, T5, T6, T3, T4 and T2. The Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺ and SA amendments were resulted in earlier and higher accumulation of plant secondary metabolites as noted in leaves, stems and root tissues in response to invasion by Ganoderma boninense. High total phenolic content concentration was detected in T7 (leaf: 233.38 ± 0.12 mg/g; stem: 132.78 ± 0.04 mg/g and root: 86.98 ± 0.28 mg/g). Similar trend was obtained in peroxidase activity, total lignin content and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. These results suggested that it could be due to the accumulation of phenolics, peroxidase activities, lignin content and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities in oil palm seedling tissues which might have collectively contributed to induce resistance against G. boninense.     

Trajectory log file sensitivity: A critical analysis using DVH and EPID

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of the trajectory log file based quality assurance to detect potential errors such as MLC positioning and gantry positioning by comparing it with EPID measurement using the most commonly used criteria of 3%/3?mm.

Olfactory behavior and response of household ants (Hymenoptera) to different types of coffee odor: A coffee-based bait development prospect

Odor sensation is a sensory modality of considerable significance in the foraging behavior and interactional organization of ants. In the food bait technology, smell is the basis of attraction, which, in turn, is the line of bait use and a key parameter for judging efficacy. Yet, the currently available baits possess low attractiveness to many ant pests. Hence, strategies to produce ant bait with increased attractiveness are needed. Despite evidence that coffee has a diverse aroma complex that affects the behavior of honey bees and ants, its attraction to house-invading ants has yet to be investigated. In a series of Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, we examined the behavioral responses of Tapinoma indicum (TI), Monomorium pharaonis (MP) and Solenopsis geminata (SG) to various coffee-induced odor stimuli, comprised of extracts from Arabica, Robusta and Liberica. All coffee extracts showed an influence on the behavior of TI, MP and SG workers, with Arabica showed the most significant influence to the tested ants. The workers of TI, MP and SG were more attracted to the odor of 0.01% Arabica extract (ONE), in comparison with 0.05% Arabica extract (TWO) or 0.10% Arabica extract (THREE). Arabica extract mixed with sugar (S) elicited a significant attraction from workers of all three species in a balanced competition with either unsweetened Arabica extract or water. These results indicated that coffee, particularly Arabica, was attractive to the foragers of TI, MP and SG, thus, the use of coffee as a novel stimulus agent seems plausible in ant bait development.     

Genetic variations in influx transporter gene <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">SLC22A1</Emphasis> are associated with clinical responses to imatinib mesylate among Malaysian chronic myeloid leukaemia patients

Imatinib mesylate (IM), a well-established gold standard drug in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), is a synthetic tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Despite excellent efficacy, a significant number of patients on IM therapy develop resistance to IM. Currently, great focus has been laid on the effect of interindividual pharmacogenetic variability on IM treatment responses. IM uptake is mediated by the hOCT1 protein encoded by the solute carrier 22 gene (SLC22A1). The current study investigated the impact of few single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of SLC22A1 on mediating resistance and/or good response to IM among 278 Malaysian CML patients (146 IM-resistant group and 132 IM good response group) undergoing IM therapy on 400 mg daily. Our results showed that the allelic frequencies of heterozygous (CG) and homozygous variant (GG) genotypes of SLC22A1 C480G were significantly higher in the IM-resistant group compared with the IM good response group (41.8% versus 30.3% and 10.9% versus 4.5% with P values of 0.047 and 0.048, respectively). On evaluating the association of genotypes with risk of IM resistance development, heterozygous (CG) and homozygous (GG) variant genotypes showed significantly higher risk for developing resistance to IM treatment with odds ratio (OR): 1.901 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.142–3.163, \(P=0.013\)) and 3.324 (95% CI: 1.235–8.947, \(P=0.017\)), respectively. Two SNPs and two insertions/deletions were detected in exon 7 of SLC22A1. For exon 7, 1222AA carriers together with the presence of both the 8-bp insertion and 3-bp deletion, and M420del alleles showed higher possibility of developing resistance towards IM treatment. Our results warrant the need of genotyping this SNP in terms of modulating IM treatment in CML patients.     

Embryo apoptosis identification: Oocyte grade or cleavage stage?

Apoptosis is a programed cell death that is vital for tissue homeostasis. However, embryo apoptosis had been known to be related to embryo fragmentation which should be avoided in in vitro fertilization (IVF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of embryo apoptosis with the grade of immature oocytes and cleavage stage of in vitro produced (IVP) cattle embryos. This study consisted of 345 oocytes collected through ovary slicing. Immature oocytes were graded as A, B and C. This grading was based on cumulus cell thickness and compactness. All oocytes then underwent an in vitro maturation (IVM) procedure. An IVF was done 24 h after IVM culture. Prior to staining, stage of cleaved embryos was determined and classified as either 2, 4, 8 or >8-cell embryo stage. Apoptosis status of cleaved IVP embryos was determined by using annexin V-FITC staining technique at 48 and 72 h post insemination (hpi). Apoptosis status for each embryo was classified as either early or late. The result showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) of apoptosis status among grade A, B and C embryos. All grades of oocytes showed embryo apoptosis where 1.5% late apoptosis for grade A, 4.5% and 10.4% of early and late apoptosis for grade B and grade C. Early apoptosis was not seen in grade A embryo. We also noted no significant difference (p > 0.05) of apoptosis status between 2, 4, 8 and >8-cell embryo stage. Early apoptosis was also not seen in >8-cell stage. Even though there were no differences in apoptosis expression between the three classes, the cleavage rate of grade A oocytes was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than grade B and grade C. In conclusion, the apoptosis expression in the embryo can occur regardless of the oocyte quality and the cleavage stage of the embryo produced.Abbreviations: ART, assisted reproductive technologies; BO, Brackett and Oliphant; BSA, bovine serum albumin; CaI, calcium ionophore; CC, cumulus cells; COC, cumulus–oocyte complex; CO₂, carbon dioxide; CR1aa, Charles Rosenkran’s 1 amino acid; DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; DO, denuded oocyte; EA, early apoptosis; FBS, fetal bovine serum; FITC, fluorescein isothiocyanate; FSH, follicle stimulating hormone; GSH, glutathione; hpi, hours post insemination; IVC, in vitro culture; IVF, in vitro fertilization; IVM, in vitro maturation; IVP, in vitro produced; LA, late apoptosis; LH, luteinizing hormone; PBS, phosphate buffered saline; PI, propidium iodide; PS, phosphatidylserine; TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transfer-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling.