A Systematic Review of the Role of Mitochondria in Cleft Pathology: A Forgotten General?

ABSTRACT@#Orofacial clefts (OFC) are one of the most common birth defects that affects the lip, palate, or lip and palate of an infant. The deterioration of clefts is multifactorial involving multiple genes, various interactions from environmental factor and most forgotten, mitochondrial abnormality. The aim of this review is to highlight the importance of mitochondrial activity related to non-syndromic OFC deformity. Despite its important role in cells, the study on mitochondrial activity in cleft pathology was scarce and almost forgotten compared to other genetic investigations. This systematic review was completed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. The literature search was done via the following databases: Google Scholar, Pubmed and Scopus with a total of nine studies of mitochondrial abnormalities were included. We hypothesise that mitochondria play an important role in early craniofacial development. A decreased in its function or activity may result in cleft lip formation. Hence, we would like to shed light on the remarkable role of mitochondria activity in the pathogenesis of non-syndromic OFC.

Modeling the Growth of Bacteria Streptococcus sobrinus Using Exponential Regression

Abstract Objective: To build an exponential regression model based on parameter estimation. Material and Methods: We developed a simple mathematical model to simulate the growth of bacteria and the exponential growth is often used to model population growth as such cell growth while the exponential decay is portraying a declining or decreases in the size of the population. An exponential regression method was used to fit the data and estimate growth parameter values Streptococcus sobrinus using statistical software SPSS version 20. Results: Based on the results of the parameter estimates, which is constant are 83.039 and b1 is 0.005 while R-square is 0.952. According to the R-Square results obtained, the model is good and appropriate. Conclusion: The model can be used to find the potential biological parameters, which may be able to predict the treatment outcome. This study helps researchers to understand the specific growth rate(s), which can be used to best grow the organism.

Incidence Of Firearm-Related Deaths And Epidemiology In Klang Valley, Malaysia From 2006 To 2016: A Retrospective Study

@#Death due to firearm is more common in countries with higher gun ownership such as United States of America compared to countries with restrictive gun ownership such as European countries and Malaysia. However, the increasing number of shooting cases in Malaysia recently should not be overlooked. This study was carried out to investigate the incidence of firearm-related deaths and epidemiology in Klang Valley for 11-year period. The demographic data on the incidence of firearm-related deaths from 2006 to 2016 was collected retrospectively from four government hospitals in Klang Valley. 204 cases of firearm-related deaths were reported with irregular trend of the incidence throughout the 11-year period. The results revealed that most victims were male, aged between 30 to 34 years old and Malaysian citizen. Firearms fatalities were higher among Malaysian specifically Indian, as compared to non-Malaysian. Most firearms fatalities were homicides and took place during late night between 12.00 am to 5.59 am. The highest cause of death was head injury due to gunshot wound. It is hoped that this study will raise awareness to Malaysian citizen regarding firearm-related cases and to develop strategies to overcome the issue of gun violence in Malaysia with appropriate authorities.

In Vitro Antifungal Activities against Moulds Isolated from Dermatological Specimens

Background: This study aimed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of various antifungal agents against moulds isolated from dermatological specimens. Methods: We identified 29 moulds from dermatological specimens between October 2012 and March 2013 by conventional methods. We performed antifungal susceptibility testing on six antifungal agents, amphotericin B, clotrimazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole and terbinafine, according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines contained in the M38-A2 document. Results: Most antifungal agents were active against the dermatophytes, except for terbinafine against Trichophyton rubrum (geometric mean MIC, MICGM 3.17 µg/mL). The dematiaceous moulds were relatively susceptible to amphotericin B and azoles (MICGM 0.17-0.34 µg/mL), but not to terbinafine (MICGM 3.62 µg/mL). Septate hyaline moulds showed variable results between the relatively more susceptible Aspergillus spp. (MICGM 0.25-4 µg/mL) and the more resistant Fusarium spp. (MICGM 5.66-32 µg/mL). The zygomycetes were susceptible to amphotericin B (MICGM 0.5 µg/mL) and clotrimazole (MICGM 0.08 µg/mL), but not to other azoles (MICGM 2.52-4 µg/mL). Conclusion: Amphotericin B and clotrimazole were the most effective antifungal agents against all moulds excepting Fusarium spp., while terbinafine was useful against dermatophytes (except T. rubrum) and Aspergillus spp. However, a larger study is required to draw more solid conclusions.