Quantification of Her-2/Neu Gene in Breast Cancer Patients using Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (Q-PCR) and Correlation with Immunohistochemistry Findings

Abdul Murad, Nor Azian,Razak, Zuraini Abdul,Hussain, Rosniza Muhammmad,Syed Hussain, Sharifah Noor Akmal,Ching Huat, Clarence Ko,Siti Aishah, Che Md. Ali,Abdullah, Norlia,Muhammad, Rohaizak,Ibrahim, N Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Background: HER-2/neu is a proto-oncogene that encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase growth factor which is crucial for stimulating growth and cellular motility. Overexpression of HER-2/neu is observed in 10-35% of human breast cancers and is associated with pathogenesis, prognosis as well as response to therapy. Given the imperative role of HER-2/neu overexpression in breast cancer, it is important to determine the magnitude of amplification which may facilitate a better prognosis as well as personalized therapy in affected patients. In this study, we determined HER-2/neu protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) concurrently with HER-2/neu DNA amplification by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). Materials and Methods: A total of 53 paired tissue samples from breast cancer patients were frozen-sectioned to characterize the tumour and normal tissues. Only tissues with 80% tumour cells were used in this study. For confirmation, Q-PCR was used to determine the HER-2/neu DNA amplification. Results: We found 20/53 (37.7%) of the tumour tissues to be positive for HER-2/neu protein overexpression using IHC. Out of these twenty, only 9/53 (17%) cases were in agreement with the Q-PCR results. The concordance rate between IHC and Q-PCR was 79.3%. Approximately 20.7% of positive IHC cases showed no HER-2/neu gene amplification using Q-PCR. Conclusion: In conclusion, IHC can be used as an initial screening method for detection of the HER-2/neu protein overexpression. Techniques such as Q-PCR should be employed to verify the IHC results for uncertain cases as well as determination of HER-2/neu gene amplification.

Mechanism of Chemoprevention against Colon Cancer Cells Using Combined Gelam Honey and Ginger Extract via mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin Pathways

Wee, Lee Heng,Morad, Noor Azian,Aan, Goon Jo,Makpol, Suzana,Ngah, Wan Zurinah Wan,Yusof, Yasmin Anum Mohd Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

The PI3K-Akt-mTOR, $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin and apoptosis signaling pathways have been shown to be involved in genesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to elucidate whether combination of Gelam honey and ginger might have chemopreventive properties in HT29 colon cancer cells by modulating the mTOR, $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin and apoptosis signaling pathways. Treatment with Gelam honey and ginger reduced the viability of the HT29 cells dose dependently with $IC_{50}$ values of 88 mg/ml and 2.15 mg/ml respectively, their while the combined treatment of 2 mg/ml of ginger with 31 mg/ml of Gelam honey inhibited growth of most HT29 cells. Gelam honey, ginger and combination induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner with the combined treatment exhibiting the highest apoptosis rate. The combined treatment downregulated the gene expressions of Akt, mTOR, Raptor, Rictor, ${\beta}$-catenin, $Gsk3{\beta}$, Tcf4 and cyclin D1 while cytochrome C and caspase 3 genes were shown to be upregulated. In conclusion, the combination of Gelam honey and ginger may serve as a potential therapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer through inhibiton of mTOR, $Wnt/{\beta}$ catenin signaling pathways and induction of apoptosis pathway.

Gelam Honey and Ginger Potentiate the Anti Cancer Effect of 5-FU against HCT 116 Colorectal Cancer Cells

Hakim, Luqman,Alias, Ekram,Makpol, Suzana,Ngah, Wan Zurinah Wan,Morad, Nor Azian,Yusof, Yasmin Anum Mohd Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.11

The development of chemopreventive approaches using a concoction of phytochemicals is potentially viable for combating many types of cancer including colon carcinogenesis. This study evaluated the anti-proliferative effects of ginger and Gelam honey and its efficacy in enhancing the anti-cancer effects of 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) against a colorectal cancer cell line, HCT 116. Cell viability was measured via MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulphenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay showing ginger inhibiting the growth of HCT 116 cells more potently ($IC_{50}$ of 3mg/mL) in comparison to Gelam honey ($IC_{50}$ of 75mg/mL). Combined treatment of the two compounds (3mg/mL ginger+75mg/mL Gelam honey) synergistically lowered the $IC_{50}$ of Gelam honey to 22mg/mL. Combination with 35 mg/mL Gelam honey markedly enhanced 5-FU inhibiting effects on the growth of HCT 116 cells. Subsequent analysis on the induction of cellular apoptosis suggested that individual treatment of ginger and Gelam honey produced higher apoptosis than 5-FU alone. In addition, treatment with the combination of two natural compounds increased the apoptotic rate of HCT 116 cells dose-dependently while treatment of either ginger or Gelam honey combined with 5-FU only showed modest changes. Combination index analysis showed the combination effect of both natural compounds to be synergistic in their inhibitory action against HCT 116 colon cancer cells (CI 0.96 < 1). In conclusion, combined treatment of Gelam honey and ginger extract could potentially enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-FU against colorectal cancer.

Synthesis and performance evaluation of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 membranes deposited onto alumina hollow fiber for desalination

Nizar Mu’ammar Mahpoz,Norfazliana Abdullah,Mohamad Zahir Mohd Pauzi,Mukhlis A. Rahman,Khairul Hamimah Abas,Azian Abd Aziz,Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman,Juhana Jaafar,Ahmad Fauzi Ismail 한국화학공학회 2019 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.36 No.3

This work describes the development of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) membranes on modified alumina hollow fiber for desalination by forward osmosis. Effects of different seeds (ZnO, NiO and PDA) and sodium formate on in-situ deposition of ZIF-8 were studied in relation to the membrane’s morphology and performance. XRD result shows that ZIF-8 was successfully synthesized in the presence of sodium formate. FESEM images showed PDA modified support was unsuccessful in producing well defined and dense ZIF-8 membrane layer even after another ZIF-8 re-deposition due to its minimal amount. The NiO modified support was also found unsuccessful, as ZIF-8 crystals were formed in clusters. On the contrary, dense ZIF-8 membrane was successfully prepared on ZnO modified support with SF-1 synthesis solution producing bigger ZIF-8 crystal and thinner ZIF-8 membrane than as of SF-2. Water flux performance in forward osmosis showed that NiO/ZIF-8, PDA/ZIF-8 and PDA/ZIF-8 (re-deposition) membranes gave negative water fluxes of 50 kg/m2·h, 5.2 kg/m2·h and 1.7 kg/m2·h with reverse solutes of 42.66 mol/m2·h, 27.42mol/m2·h and 3.22 mol/m2·h, respectively, indicating the solute from draw solution diffused into the feed solution. However, ZIF-8 membrane prepared using SF with molar ratio of 1, on the ZnO modified support had a water flux of 13.3 kg/m2·h, reverse solute of 0.95 kg/m2·h and salt rejection of 52.1%. When the SF ratio was increased to 2, the ZIF-8 membranes showed a water flux of 12.5 kg/m2·h, reverse solute of 1.64 kg/m2·h and salt rejection of 54.9%. The moderate salt rejection could be associated with defects in the ZIF-8 membranes due to poor grain boundaries.

Smoking among Secondary School Students in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia - Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

Lim, Hock Kuang,Teh, Huey Chien,Lim, Li Hui,Lau, Joo Keng,Kee, Cheong Chee,Ghazali, Sumarni Mohd,Chan, Ying Ying,Sabtu, Mohd Yusoff,Ismail, Hasimah,Zaki, Nor Azian Mohd,Thomas, Leni Tupang,Lim, Kuay K Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.11

Background: Smoking is a learnt behavior during adolescence and understanding the factor/s associated with smoking will assist in identifying suitable measures in combating the rising prevalence of smoking among adolescents. This research aimed to identify the factor/s associated with smoking among form four students in Kota Tinggi, Johor. Multistage sampling was used to select a representative sample of students in 2008 and data were collected using a self-administered validated questionnaire. This study revealed that the overall smoking prevalence was 19.0% with a significantly higher proportion of male smokers (35.8%) as compared to females (3.15%). Adolescents who were male (aOR 6.6, 95%CI 2.61-16.4), those who had peer/s who smoked (aOR 4.03, 95% CI 1.31-12.4), and those who studied in rural areas and Felda Settlements ( aOR 4.59, 95 CI 1.11-18.0; aOR 9.42, 95%CI 3.91-29.1) were more likely to smoke in the past one week. On the other hand, adolescents with better knowledge on the hazards of smoking and negative attitudes towards smoking were less likely to smoke (aOR 0.51, 95%CI 0.37-0.72; aOR 0.67, 95%CI 0.46-0.99). Future promotional and interventional programmes on smoking should be considered and the above identified risk factors integrated to reduce smoking prevalence among students of school-going ages in Kota Tinggi. Johor.