Blastocystis sp. reduces the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil as a colorectal cancer chemotherapeutic treatment.

Blastocystis is an enteric protozoan parasite with extensive genetic variation and unclear pathogenicity. It is commonly associated with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain in immunocompromised individuals. In this study, we explored the in vitro and in vivo effects of Blastocystis on the activity of a commonly used CRC chemotherapeutic agent, 5-FU.

Molecular Investigation of miRNA Biomarkers as Chemoresistance Regulators in Melanoma: A Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Melanoma is a global disease that is predominant in Western countries. However, reliable data resources and comprehensive studies on the theragnostic efficiency of miRNAs in melanoma are scarce. Hence, a decisive study or comprehensive review is required to collate the evidence for profiling miRNAs as a theragnostic marker.

Clinical Theragnostic Potential of Diverse miRNA Expressions in Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Prostate cancer (PrC) is the second-most frequent cancer in men, its incidence is emerging globally and is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. While diagnosis and prognosis of PrC have been studied well, the associated therapeutic biomarkers have not yet been investigated comprehensively. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the theragnostic effects of microRNA expressions on chemoresistance in prostate cancer and to analyse the utility of miRNAs as clinical theragnostic biomarkers.

Research funding impact and priority setting - advancing universal access and quality healthcare research in Malaysia.

Background: Health Research Priority Setting (HRPS) in the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia was initiated more than a decade ago to drive effort toward research for informed decision and policy-making. This study assessed the impact of funded prioritised research and identified research gaps to inform future priority setting initiatives for universal access and quality healthcare in Malaysia.

Methods: Research impact of universal access and quality healthcare projects funded by the National Institutes of Health Malaysia were assessed based on the modified Payback Framework, addressing categories of informing policy, knowledge production, and benefits to health and health sector.

Establishing a protocol for water sample processing for the detection of Blastocystis sp.

This study was aimed at establishing a protocol for water sample processing for the detection of Blastocystis sp. using distilled water spiked with Blastocystis sp. cysts.

Factors that influence the shedding of Blastocystis cysts in an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patient--an evidence-based case study.

Blastocystis is one of the most common gut parasites found in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. We have previously reported the irregular shedding of Blastocystis cysts in stools from infected patients. In the present study, we assess the factors influencing shedding patterns from a Blastocystis ST3-infected IBS patient.

Modified fields' stain: ideal to differentiate Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis sp.

Dientamoeba fragilis, a trichomonad parasite is usually found in the gastrointestinal tract of human, and it is known to be the cause for gastrointestinal disease. The parasite is globally distributed and mostly found in rural and urban areas. The parasite is found in humans and nonhuman primates such as the macaques, baboons, and gorillas.

High lipid storage in vacoular forms of subtype 6 Blastocystis sp. in ostrich.

Background: Blastocystis sp., a widely prevalent intestinal protozoan parasite is found in a wide range of animals, including humans. The possibility of zoonotic transmission to human from birds especially ostriches led us to investigate on the cross infectivity of Blastocystis sp.

Phenotypic variation in Blastocystis sp. ST3.

Background: Blastocystis, is one of the most common human intestinal protozoan, which has many conflicting reports on its pathogenic role. Gut conditions which obviously varies in asymptomatic individuals, symptomatic and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients in terms of gut flora, pH, osmotic pressure and water potentials could play an important role in its pathogenicity. The present study is the first study to investigate phenotypic characteristics of Blastocystis sp.

Advantage of using colonic washouts for Blastocystis detection in colorectal cancer patients.

Background: There have been previous studies associating microorganisms to cancer and with our recent findings of Blastocytsis antigen having a higher in vitro proliferation of cancer cells strengthens the suspicion. Collecting faecal samples alone to associate this parasite with cancer may not be accurate due to the phenomenon of irregular shedding and the possible treatment administrated to the cancer patients. Hence, this become the basis to search for an alternate method of sample collection.

Genetic diversity of caprine Blastocystis from Peninsular Malaysia.

Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal parasite found in humans and animals. The possibility of zoonotic transmission to humans from livestock especially goats led us to investigate the genetic diversity of caprine Blastocystis sp.

Blastocystis sp.: waterborne zoonotic organism, a possibility?

Background: Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal parasite found in faecal sample surveys. Several studies have implicated human-to-human, zoonotic and waterborne transmissions by Blastocystis sp.

Urinary hyaluronidase activity in rats infected with Blastocystis hominis--evidence for invasion?

The fact whether Blastocystis hominis can invade has always been in question. Apart from a few sporadic studies such as that done on gnotobiotic guinea pigs which showed surface invasion and mucosal inflammation of the host's intestine caused by B. hominis infection, no real documentation of invasion has been proven.

Attenuation of hydrogen peroxide and ferric reducing/antioxidant power serum levels in colorectal cancer patients with intestinal parasitic infection.

Background: This study assessed several common oxidative indices in subjects infected with intestinal parasites, as well as in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients both with and without intestinal parasites.

Method: Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) were measured, as were plasma levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), all according to established methods. The presence of intestinal parasites was confirmed by stool examination.