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@#Aedes mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika are classified as emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases across the globe. There is no permanent treatment or vaccine developed and the effort is still on-going. Several mitigation methods were introduced to control Aedes mosquitoes and the outbreak of these diseases. However, they had only been temporarily effective due to the lack of practices and participation of all community members who can contribute to the prevention of Aedes mosquito-borne diseases. Awareness on these diseases is still limited while the knowledge, attitude and practice of an individual strongly determines their level of involvement at community level towards prevention. This review highlights an overview of knowledge, attitude and practice studies on Aedes mosquito-borne diseases among different communities in Malaysia, the limitation in the knowledge, attitude and practice studies and the improvement that can be made to the knowledge, attitude and practice approach to encourage a more inclusive community involvement in Malaysia.
ABSTRACT
@#Chikungunya is an infection caused by chikungunya virus which at present has spread to new countries and continents. Chikungunya is associated with self-limiting and non-fatal infection in the past. However, in recent times, increased severity of the disease has been reported resulting in health and economic burden. The threat and burden of chikungunya would grow in future in the absence of specific antiviral or vaccine to control or eliminate the infection. This review discusses chikungunya in general including transmission of its etiological agent and clinical manifestations of the disease. Subsequently, management and treatment of chikungunya virus will be reviewed with particular emphasis on natural products or their active compounds with potential anti-chikungunya virus activities.
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Objective: To examine the proapoptotic properties of Oroxylum indicum methanol extract on cervical cancer cells. Methods: Methylene blue assay was used to determine the IC
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Objective: To examine the proapoptotic properties of Oroxylum indicum methanol extract on cervical cancer cells. Methods: Methylene blue assay was used to determine the IC50 value of the extract. Western blotting assays were done to analyze the expression of HPV oncoproteins (HPV18 E6 and E7) and apoptotic molecules (caspase-3 and caspase-8). Reverse transcriptase PCR assays were performed to determine genetic alteration of tumor suppressors p53 and pRb and apoptosis markers Fas and FasL. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was done to determine the expression of cytokine levels (IL-6 and IL-12). Results: The determination of IC50 value indicated a higher anti-proliferative activity of the extract compared to cisplatin. After 24 hours of treatment, Western blot analysis showed that treated HeLa cells exhibited a significant down-regulation of HPV18 oncoproteins E6 and E7, and a significant induction of caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation level. Meanwhile, the mRNA expressions of p53, pRb, Fas and FasL were significantly upregulated in treated cells. Moreover, ELISA showed an increased IL-12 and decreased IL-6 production after Oroxylum indicum treatment. Conclusions: The methanol extract of Oroxylum indicum has an anti-proliferative activity and proapoptotic potential. It induces localized-immunity improvements by altering cytokine production in HPV-positive cervical cancer cells.
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Objective: To investigate the role of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in inflammatory activity of macrophage infected with the recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (rBCG). Methods: Mouse macrophage cell line J774A.1 was infected with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and rBCG cultures for 48 h in the presence or absence of 10 μg/mL of TLR2 inhibitor. Untreated macrophages were used as a negative control while lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages were used as a positive control. The ability of the macrophage to engulf the BCG and rBCG in the absence or presence of TLR2 inhibitor was assessed using a phagocytic assay, while the production of inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide by the infected macrophages was evaluated using ELISA and Griess reagent method, while the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase was determined using Western blot analysis. Results: The results showed that blocking TLR2 function reduced the phagocytic activity, nitric oxide production and proinflammatory cytokine secretion such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-12p40 as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in the infected macrophages. These data showed the importance of TLR2 in the activation of macrophages following BCG and rBCG infections. Conclusions: Through exploring the immunological mechanism which underlies the protection conferred by the candidate vaccine, this study will improve our understanding of the vaccine candidate's mechanism to protect the host from malaria infection.