Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan - Tesis

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Cytotoxicity study on the combination of cisplatin and gallic acid on cervical cancer cells (hela)
(2025-01)
Ramlan, Nur Iman Nafisa
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide and remains a major health concern. Cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent, is often limited by severe side effects and the development of resistance. Combining cisplatin with natural compounds, such as gallic acid, may enhance therapeutic efficacy while reducing toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of cisplatin combined with gallic acid on cervical cancer cells (HeLa). Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Serial dilution of cisplatin, starting from its IC50 was combined with a fixed concentration of gallic acid at its IC50. The combination effects were analyzed using CompuSyn software to assess potential synergy, additivity, or antagonism. The combination with the greatest synergistic effect was then chosen for wound healing assay, to examine the anti-migratory effects of the combination. The IC50 of cisplatin and gallic acid for HeLa cells were 25.12 μg/mL and 85.70 μg/mL, after 24 hours, which decreased to 1.786 μg/mL and 13.27 μg/mL at 48 hours. For WRL-68 cells, the IC50 values of cisplatin and gallic acid were 28.02 μg/mL and >100 μg/mL at 24 hours, decreasing to 8.842 μg/mL and 21.06 μg/mL at 48 hours. All combinations of cisplatin and gallic acid significantly inhibited HeLa cell proliferation with combination index values below 1, indicating a synergistic effect. Furthermore, the combination exhibited anti-migratory effects, showing the lowest percentage of wound closure compared to control and single treatment groups. These findings suggest that combining cisplatin with gallic acid holds potential as a novel therapeutic strategy to enhance cervical cancer treatment outcomes
Insights into the interaction between statins and monocarboxylate transporter 1: a molecular docking approachl
(2025-01)
Hassan, Nur Amirah Mumtaz Abd Jalil
Statins are commonly prescribed in the management of cardiovascular diseases; however, they can lead to statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS), which are often related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Monocarboxylate transporter (MCT1) is a proton-linked monocarboxylate transporter that facilitates the cellular uptake of statins, influencing their pharmacokinetics and potential effects on cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function. Although direct interactions between statins and MCT1 are not well-documented, emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction associated with statins may involve MCT1-mediated mechanisms, potentially through alterations in lactate transport and metabolic regulation.. This study explores the molecular interactions between statins and MCT1, focusing on their binding affinities and the subsequent effects on mitochondrial function and gene regulation. The 3D structure of MCT1 from Rattus norvegicus was modeled using the Swiss-Model database, based on similar sequences from Mus musculus. Molecular docking analyses, employing both blind and specific docking methods, indicated that atorvastatin lactone had the highest binding affinity to MCT1 (-8.7 kcal/mol and -9.2 kcal/mol, respectively), followed by rosuvastatin lactone (-7.5 kcal/mol and -7.9 kcal/mol), simvastatin lactone (-7.7 kcal/mol for both), pravastatin lactone (-7.4 kcal/mol for both), and simvastatin acid (-5.7 kcal/mol and -6.0 kcal/mol). Of all statins analyzed, simvastatin acid does not have any hydrogen bonds with amino acid residues of MCT1 thus could explained its lowest binding affinity. It unlike other statins. Important binding residues, including LEU132, TYR70, and THR388, were identified as essential for ligand interactions. By identifying the key molecular interactions that contribute to SAMS, this study establishes a solid framework for early prediction of MCT1 involvement during the pathology process
Evaluation of the effects of kaffir lime and lemon myrtle essential oils on the digestive vacuole of plasmodium falciparum
(2025-01)
Zaki, Nor Alia Sofea Mohd
Malaria is a severe and fatal disease caused by Plasmodium spp. and remains one of the leading global causes of morbidity and mortality. The emergence of drug- resistance P. falciparum in various countries has necessitated an effort to discover new antimalarial drugs targeting different pathways. Medicinal plants have been a fundamental part of traditional medicine for centuries. Natural compounds extracted from these plants have shown great promise in serving as lead candidates for drug development. Despite this, research on the effects of kaffir lime and lemon myrtle essential oils on the digestive vacuole of P. falciparum remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the antimalarial activity of kaffir lime and lemon myrtle essential oils. The antimalarial potential of the kaffir lime and lemon myrtle against the chloroquine-sensitive strain (3D7) of P. falciparum was assessed by using in vitro antimalarial assay. The kaffir lime and lemon myrtle essential oils demonstrated weak or no antimalarial activity with IC50 values of 150.6 μg/mL and 273.5 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the treatment with different concentrations of kaffir lime and lemon myrtle essential oil showed no changes on the digestive vacuole pH. This study revealed that the pH of the digestive vacuole treated with kaffir lime and lemon myrtle essential oils are stable and comparable to the untreated control. This suggests that these essential oils do not alters the digestive vacuole pH of P. falciparum
Anxiety, depression and coping strategies among parents of children with autism at zayed higher organization for-people of determination, Abu Dhabi
(2025-09)
Odat, Abeer Ali Ahmad Al
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder causing social communication impairments, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. A global prevalence of one in every 100 children presents lifelong challenges for affected families. Parents often experience psychological stress due to caregiving issues, inadequate support systems, and societal stigma, especially in Arab countries. This study aims to assess the levels of anxiety, depression, and coping strategies as well as determining factors associated with depression, anxiety, and coping strategies among parents of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children at the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, Abu Dhabi. This cross-sectional study involved 200 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), recruited through convenience sampling. Data was collected by inviting available and willing parents of children with ASD at the Zayed Higher Organization in Abu Dhabi to participate in the study by completing an online self-administered questionnaire. The data was collected using a validated online self-administered questionnaire consisting of the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) to measure anxiety and depression and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOC) to measure coping methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 with a chi-square test for categorical data. The results show that the majority of the respondents had moderate anxiety levels n=72 (36%) and high depression levels (48.5%), and most of the respondents were moderate-level copers (81.3%). There was no significant association between the respondents' coping levels and their levels of depression and anxiety. The analysis identifies several factors that are significantly associated with anxiety levels: education level (p = 0.011), employment (p = 0.028), marital status (p = 0.022), number of children (p = 0.001), and children’s sex (p = 0.028). In addition to the children age/year (p = 0.010). Depression levels are associated with marital status (p = 0.035) and the children’s method of education (p = 0.002). For coping levels, the factors associated are the respondent's age (p = 0.019), marital status (p = 0.009), and the children’s method of education (p = 0.002). In addition, Income (p = <0.001) and Children age (p = <0.001). In conclusion, understanding the experiences and concerns of parents can guide the provision of services that help parents identify needs related to the challenges of raising children with autism. It suggests that nursing professionals, psychoeducation, collaboration between practitioners and families, and future research should involve a large population and awareness-raising programs. The practical implications of these findings highlight the need for targeted psychological support, counseling services, and family-centered interventions, especially for parents with limited education, low income, and those managing older children. Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, should be trained to provide culturally sensitive psychoeducation and early emotional support. Workplace flexibility, accessible educational resources for children with ASD, and marital support programs may help improve parental well-being. Future research should involve larger, more diverse populations and support awareness-raising programs at the community and institutional levels
Development and validation of a malnutrition risk assessment scale for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in shaanxi province, China
(2025-01)
Rui, Zhu Sheng
Malnutrition remains a significant complication in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), contributing to poor clinical outcomes and reduced quality of life, yet effective tools for its early identification are limited. The current study aimed to develop and validate the Malnutrition Risk Assessment Scale (CKD-MRAS) tailored specifically for CKD patients. Conducted at Xi’an Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, the study followed a multi-phase approach. In the first phase, initial items for the Malnutrition Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Scale and CKD-MRAS were formulated through semi-structured interviews (n=13). These initial items were refined using two rounds of the Delphi method, involving a panel of 15 experts. In the second phase, a pilot study involving 20 CKD patients was conducted to ensure clarity, feasibility, and relevance of the items before large-scale testing. Subsequently the Malnutrition KAP scale underwent validation in the first part, with CKD patients (n=152) participating in item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Item analysis revealed the need to eliminate item K1 due to its low difficulty and discrimination index. EFA for the Attitude (A) and Practice (P) domains demonstrated factor loadings above the cut-off value of > 0.5, explaining 69.87% and 61.84% of the total variance, respectively. The scale exhibited strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.967, split-half reliability = 0.974). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted (n=151). The final 6-item model for the 'K' domain displayed good fit based on several fit indices (RMSEA (90%CI) = 0.070 (0.000, 0.124), CFI=0.978, TLI=0.963, SRMR=0.061). Similarly, the 9-item model for the 'A' domain and the 10-item model for the 'P' domain exhibited excellent fit indices. The final measurement model comprised 25 items. In the second part, multivariable logistic regression identified independent risk factors for malnutrition, including Knowledge [AOR 0.719 (0.529-0.978), p=0.035], Attitude [AOR 0.875 (0.826-0.927), p<0.001], Practice [AOR 0.895 (0.847-0.946), p<0.001], monthly per capita household income [AOR 4.658 (1.489-14.566), p=0.008)], appetite [AOR 3.575 (1.602-7.978), p=0.002], and gastrointestinal status [AOR 8.174 (3.622-18.448), p<0.001]. The CKD-MRAS achieved an area under the curve of 0.925 and an overall accuracy of 92.5%. In the third part, the prevalence of malnutrition among CKD patients was found to be 33.7%, with 40.7% at risk according to the CKD-MRAS. Additionally, substantial agreement was observed between the CKD-MRAS and Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS2002) (Kappa = 0.657, p < 0.001). Malnutrition risk demonstrated a negative correlation with various dimensions of quality of life (r value ranging from -0.386 to -0.722, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the CKD-MRAS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing malnutrition risk in CKD patients, offering an opportunity for early intervention to improve patient outcomes. Further studies should explore its application in diverse populations and settings.

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