Browse publications by year: 1995

  1. Hugo G
    Asian Pac Migr J, 1995;4(2-3):273-301.
    PMID: 12320103
    This article addresses two dimensions of the complex interrelationship between the family and international labor migration in Indonesia: the role of the family in influencing labor movements out of Indonesia; and the consequences of this movement on family well-being, structure, and functioning. Research on this topic in Indonesia is highly limited due mainly to the recency of large scale international labor migration, inadequate data collection systems, a high incidence of undocumented migration, and failure of available research to be sensitive to family related issues. Against a rapidly changing economic and social situation, two major overlapping systems of migration have developed. The official system is focused strongly on the Middle East (although other Asian destinations are increasing in significance) and is dominated by female migrants. The undocumented system is much larger in volume, is focused upon Malaysia, involves more males than females, and is becoming permanent in some cases. The role, status, and experiences of women migrants in relation to their families (decision making, networks, remittances) are discussed with recommendations for other areas needing further research attention.
    MeSH terms: Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Behavior; Decision Making*; Demography; Developing Countries; Economics*; Emigration and Immigration*; Employment; Family Characteristics*; Geography*; Health Manpower; Indonesia; Population; Population Dynamics; Social Behavior; Socioeconomic Factors; Transients and Migrants*; Women's Rights*
  2. Law AT
    Environ Pollut, 1995;88(3):341-3.
    PMID: 15091547
    The effect of the oil-spill dispersant Corexit 9527 on egg-hatching rate of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) was studied by using an innovated flow-through bioassay technique. This bioassay method relies on the fact that M. rosenbergii fertilized eggs when detached from the mother prawn were able to hatch artificially. The flow-through system generated a stable and good water quality environment for hatching the eggs successfully. The Corexit 9527 had a pronounced effect on hatching rate of the M. rosenbergii eggs. In the control, the hatching rate of the eggs was 95.55% +/- 1.74%. However, it was reduced drastically with increasing concentrations of Corexit 9527. A 100% inhibition of egg hatchability was found when the level of Corexit 9527 was higher than 250 mg litre(-1). The EC(50) and the EC(95) values estimated by the probit method were 80.4 +/- 5.5 mg litre(-1) and 193.5 +/- 39.9 mg litre(-1) respectively (P = 0.05). The recommended safety level of Corexit 9527 for M. rosenbergii in Malaysian estuarine waters is below 40 mg litre(-1).
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biological Assay; Eggs; Female; Lipids; Mothers; Zygote; Palaemonidae; Parturition; Petroleum Pollution; Water Quality
  3. Surif S, Chai CY
    Environ Pollut, 1995;88(2):177-81.
    PMID: 15091558
    The study of lead exposure among workers in Selangor and the Federal Territory was carried out based on the delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) level in urine. Occupations which are expected to have higher lead exposure were chosen in this research. The ALA level in the workers' urine was linked to a few variables which may contribute to the lead level in the body. The result of this study showed that the ALA level of the urine of university students (0.352 +/- 0.038 mg/100 ml) < clerical staff (0.560 +/- 0.043 mg/100 ml) < traffic police (0.612 +/- 0.064 mg/100 ml) < vehicle workshop workers (0.673 +/- 0.099 mg/100 ml) < petrol kiosk workers (0.717 +/- 0.069 mg/100 ml) < bus drivers/conductors (0.850 +/- 0.055 mg/100 ml) which was similar to workers in the printing industry (0.852 +/- 0.110 mg/100 ml). The ALA levels in the urine of the exposed workers were significantly different from the control group (university students). However, results obtained from clerical staff revealed that they were also in the exposed group category. Analysis of variance showed that the exposed groups are in a population which is different from the control population. Correlation tests suggest that there is no significant connection between the ALA level in the urine and the variables tested. Furthermore, Duncan's Multiple Range Test showed no significant differences between the smoking/non smoking group, alcoholic/non-alcoholic group, race and sex (p > 0.05).
    MeSH terms: Aminolevulinic Acid; Analysis of Variance; Clergy; Gasoline; Industry; Lead; Occupations; Printing; Research; Smoking; Students; Universities; Police; Control Groups
  4. Ching CY
    IHRIM, 1995 Feb;36(1):3-5.
    PMID: 10142965
    MeSH terms: Curriculum; Hospitals, Public/manpower; Hospitals, Public/organization & administration; Inservice Training; Malaysia; Medical Records Department, Hospital/manpower; Medical Records Department, Hospital/organization & administration*; Program Development
  5. Adams SC, Broom AK, Sammels LM, Hartnett AC, Howard MJ, Coelen RJ, et al.
    Virology, 1995 Jan 10;206(1):49-56.
    PMID: 7530394
    Previous studies have found Kunjin (KUN) virus isolates from within Australia to be genetically homogenous and that the envelope protein of the type strain (MRM61C) was unglycosylated and lacked a potential glycosylation site. We investigated the extent of antigenic variation between KUN virus isolates from Australia and Sarawak using an immunoperoxidase assay and a panel of six monoclonal antibodies. The glycosylation status of the E protein of each virus was also determined by N glycosidase F (PNGase F) digestion and limited sequence analysis. The results showed that KUN viruses isolated within Australia oscillated between three antigenic types defined by two epitopes whose expression was influenced by passage history and host cell type. In contrast an isolate from Sarawak formed a stable antigenic type that was not influenced by passage history and was distinct from all Australian isolates. PNGase F digestions of KUN isolates indicated that 19 of the 33 viruses possessed a glycosylated E protein. Nucleotide sequence of the 5' third of the E gene of selected KUN isolates revealed that a single base change in PNGase F sensitive strains changed the tripeptide N-Y-F (amino acids 154-156 of the published sequence) to the potential glycosylation site N-Y-S. Further analysis revealed that passage history also had a significant influence on glycosylation.
    MeSH terms: Amidohydrolases/metabolism; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Animals, Suckling; Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology; Epitopes/immunology; Antigenic Variation*; Binding Sites, Antibody; Brain/virology; Cercopithecus aethiops; Glycosylation; Humans; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Molecular Sequence Data; Vero Cells; Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology; Viral Envelope Proteins/metabolism; Encephalitis Viruses, Japanese/immunology*; Peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl) Asparagine Amidase; Mice
  6. Cheong YM, Fairuz A, Jegathesan M
    Singapore Med J, 1995 Feb;36(1):43-6.
    PMID: 7570134
    Data on bacterial resistance in patients seen by general practitioners are usually not readily available. The objective of this paper is to present the antimicrobial resistance pattern of bacteria isolated from patients seen by private practitioners in the Klang Valley. A total of 18 clinics participated in this study. From mid August 1991 to end of June 1993, 2,823 specimens were received. Throat swabs and urine specimens constituted 56% of all the specimens. A large proportion of the specimens (55%) yielded no growth or just normal flora. The common bacteria encountered were Staphylococcus aureus (18.4%), Escherichia coli (16.2%), Klebsiella spp (13.7%) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (9.3%). The S. aureus strains were mainly isolated from wound, pus and ear swabs. Not one out of the 218 strains tested was resistant to methicillin. In vitro susceptibility tests showed that 91% were resistant to penicillin while 23% were resistant to tetracycline and 13% to erythromycin. Eighty-two percent of the E. coli were isolated from urine. It was also the most common isolate from urine. Fifty percent of these strains were resistant to ampicillin, 33% to cotrimoxazole, 17% to cephalothin, 21% to ampicillin-sulbactam, 18% to amoxycillin-clavulanic acid while only 2.3% were resistant to nalidixic acid and nitrofurantoin and none to cefuroxime. Generally the gram negative bacilli encountered in general practice are less resistant to the third generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides when compared to the hospital strains.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Bacterial Infections/drug therapy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family Practice; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects*; Gram-Negative Bacteria/isolation & purification; Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects*; Gram-Positive Bacteria/isolation & purification; Humans; Malaysia; Private Practice; Prospective Studies; Drug Resistance, Multiple*
  7. Zèches M, Mesbah K, Loukaci A, Richard B, Schaller H, Sévenet T, et al.
    Planta Med, 1995 Feb;61(1):97.
    PMID: 7701009
    MeSH terms: Alkaloids/isolation & purification*; Alkaloids/chemistry; Chromatography, Liquid; Malaysia; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Spectrum Analysis; Trees/chemistry*; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Plant Stems/chemistry
  8. Segasothy M, Chin GL, Sia KK, Zulfiqar A, Samad SA
    Br J Rheumatol, 1995 Feb;34(2):162-5.
    PMID: 7704463
    We determined the consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the prevalence of chronic renal impairment and renal papillary necrosis (RPN) in patients with various types of arthritis. Ninety-four patients with chronic arthritis who had consumed more than 1000 capsules and/or tablets of NSAIDs were studied. Renal profiles and radiological investigations such as intravenous urogram (IVU), ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) were performed to look for evidence of RPN. Twelve patients did not complete the study. Ten of the 82 patients who had completed the study (12.2%) had radiologic evidence of RPN. Five out of 53 patients (9.4%) with rheumatoid arthritis, three out of 11 patients (27.3%) with gouty arthritis and two out of seven patients (28.6%) with osteoarthritis had RPN. Renal impairment (serum creatinine levels of 125-451 mumol/l) was found in 20 patients (24.4%). The patients had consumed 1000-26,300 capsules and/or tablets over a period ranging from 1 yr to more than 30 yr. Patients with chronic arthritis who consume excessive amount of NSAIDs are at risk of developing RPN and chronic renal impairment.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/adverse effects*; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use*; Arthritis/drug therapy*; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Kidney Diseases/chemically induced*; Kidney Papillary Necrosis/chemically induced; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Time Factors
  9. Saha N, Mak JW, Tay JS, Liu Y, Tan JA, Low PS, et al.
    Hum Biol, 1995 Feb;67(1):37-57.
    PMID: 7721278
    A population genetic study was undertaken to provide gene frequency data on the additional blood genetic markers in the Semai and to estimate the genetic relations between the Semai and their neighboring and linguistically related populations by genetic distance and principal components analyses. Altogether 10 polymorphic and 7 monomorphic blood genetic markers (plasma proteins and red cell enzymes) were studied in a group of 349 Senoi Semai from 11 aboriginal settlements (villages) in the Pahang State of western Malaysia. Both the red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD) loci reveal the presence of polymorphic frequencies of a nondeficient slow allele at the G6PD locus and a fast allele at the PGD locus. The Semai are characterized by high prevalences of ahaptoglobinemia and G6PD deficiency, high frequencies of HP*1, HB*E, RH*R1, ACP*C, GLO1*1, PGM1*2+, and GC*1F and corresponding low frequencies of ABO*A, HbCoSp, HB*B0, TF*D, CHI, and GC*2. Genetic distance analyses by both cluster and principal components models were performed between the Semai and 14 other populations (Malay; Javanese; Khmer; Veddah; Tamils of Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and India; Sinhalese; Oraon; Toda and Irula of India; Chinese; Japanese; Koreans) on the basis of 30 alleles at 7 polymorphic loci. A more detailed analysis using 53 alleles at 13 polymorphic loci with 10 populations was carried out. Both analyses give genetic evidence of a close relationship between the Semai and the Khmer of Cambodia. Furthermore, the Semai are more closely related to the Javanese than to their close neighbors--the Malay, Chinese, and Tamil Indians. There is no evidence for close genetic relationship between the Semai and the Veddah or other Indian tribes. The evidence fits well with the linguistic relationship of the Semai with the Mon-Khmer branch of the Austro-Asiatic language family.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alleles; Blood Proteins/genetics*; Child; Child, Preschool; Erythrocytes/enzymology; Female; Gene Frequency/genetics*; Genetic Markers; Genetics, Population; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/blood; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/genetics*; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase/blood; Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase/genetics*; Polymorphism, Genetic; Continental Population Groups
  10. Leong KW, Bosco JJ, Shaik IB
    Postgrad Med J, 1995 Feb;71(832):112-3.
    PMID: 7724422
    Acute aortic thrombosis is a rare condition, occurring mainly as a result of trauma or atherosclerosis and occasionally secondary to hypercoagulable states. We report a patient with relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia who developed an unusual complication, acute aortic thrombosis.
    MeSH terms: Acute Disease; Adult; Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Diseases/complications*; Aortography; Humans; Male; Thrombosis/complications*; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute/complications*
  11. Lau CH, Yusoff K, Tan SG, Yamada Y
    Biotechniques, 1995 Feb;18(2):262-6.
    PMID: 7727128
    Laboratories intending to adopt cycle sequencing of PCR products in their routine analysis often face a confusing range of methods and kits. Through the study of mitochondrial cytochrome b, we have shown that clean and highly reproducible sequences could be obtained by using a combination of existing simple and economical methods in the preparation of DNA templates, PCR, purification of PCR products and sequencing. Our protocol is useful in itself or as a standard in typing other PCR-amplified DNA at the population level.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Base Sequence; Buffaloes; Chickens; Cytochrome b Group/genetics*; DNA, Mitochondrial/blood; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics*; Genetic Markers; Genetics, Population; Goats; Horses; Molecular Sequence Data; Sheep; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods*
  12. Tan GH
    Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 1995 Feb;54(2):171-6.
    PMID: 7742623
    MeSH terms: Dibutyl Phthalate/analysis; Diethylhexyl Phthalate/analysis; Fresh Water/chemistry*; Malaysia; Phthalic Acids/analysis*; Water Pollution, Chemical/analysis*
  13. Maah MJ, Mat I, Johari A
    Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 1995 Feb;54(2):191-7.
    PMID: 7742626
    MeSH terms: Animals; Malaysia; Trace Elements/analysis*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Aquaculture*; Bivalvia*
  14. Boo NY, Ainoon O, Arif ZA, Cheong SK, Haliza MS
    J Paediatr Child Health, 1995 Feb;31(1):44-6.
    PMID: 7748690
    OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the degree of severity of enzyme deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient Malaysian neonates as part of an effort to identify risk factors associated with severe hyperbilirubinaemia in G6PD-deficient infants.

    METHODOLOGY: During this study, enzyme activity was measured in 53/59 (89.8%) hospital-diagnosed G6PD-deficient neonates (34 Malays, 12 Chinese, and seven other ethnic groups) born consecutively in the Kuala Lumpur Maternity Hospital. All neonates, except one, were males.

    RESULTS: The mean level of enzyme activity of the 52 males G6PD-deficient neonates (0.47 iu/g Hb, 95% confidence intervals: 0.37, 0.57) was less than 10% of that of normal Malaysian male neonates. The enzyme activity of the only female G6PD-deficient infant, at 1.11 iu/g Hb, was 12.5% of the mean G6PD enzyme activity of normal females.

    CONCLUSION: Our results showed that G6PD deficiency in Malaysian neonates predominantly affects males and is usually severe.

    MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Ethnic Groups; Female; Fetal Blood/enzymology; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency/complications; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency/enzymology*; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency/ethnology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Male; Risk Factors; Sex Factors
  15. Wang CL, Wang F, Bosco JJ
    Lupus, 1995 Feb;4(1):11-4.
    PMID: 7767332 DOI: 10.1177/096120339500400103
    Ninety-two women with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with oral cyclophosphamide were studied to ascertain the prevalence and the factors associated with ovarian dysfunction. Menstrual disturbance during treatment occurred in 55% of patients: 36% had amenorrhoea and 19% had oligomenorrhoea. Sustained oligomenorrhoea occurred in 12% patients. Permanent amenorrhoea (> 12 months) after cessation of oral cyclophosphamide occurred in 27% of patients. Hormonal studies in these patients were consistent with ovarian failure. Older age at initiation of treatment and high cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide were found to be associated with this outcome. There was a trend towards linear relationship between the age of initiation of cyclophosphamide therapy and frequency of amenorrhoea. A statistically significant association between amenorrhoea and cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide after adjustment for age was found whereas no such association was linked to the duration of treatment. Fourteen of the 23 women who wished to become pregnant after cessation of treatment conceived resulting in 20 live births and two abortions.
    MeSH terms: Abortion, Spontaneous; Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Amenorrhea/chemically induced*; Amenorrhea/epidemiology; Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage; Cyclophosphamide/adverse effects*; Female; Hospitals, University; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/drug therapy*; Malaysia; Oligomenorrhea/chemically induced*; Oligomenorrhea/epidemiology; Ovary/drug effects*; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Prevalence
  16. Sharifah SH, Ali MA, Gard GP, Polkinghorne IG
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 1995 Feb;27(1):37-42.
    PMID: 7770950
    Sixteen isolations of bluetongue virus (BTV) were made from the heparinised bloods of 4 groups of cattle and sheep in Peninsular Malaysia. These viruses were typed as BTV serotypes 1, 2, 3, 9, 16 and 23. Multiple serotypes of BTV are apparently endemic in Malaysia and in other countries in the region.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Viral/biosynthesis; Bluetongue virus/classification*; Bluetongue virus/immunology; Bluetongue virus/isolation & purification*; Cattle/virology*; Malaysia; Rain; Seasons; Serotyping/veterinary; Sheep/virology*; Sentinel Surveillance/veterinary
  17. Tan NH, Abu M, Woo JL, Tahir HM
    Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 1995 Feb;35(1):42-5.
    PMID: 7771998 DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1995.tb01828.x
    Transvaginal sonography was performed in 70 patients diagnosed to have placenta praevia by transabdominal sonography. The diagnosis was confirmed either by digital examination in theatre at term or operative finding at delivery. Forty-nine cases (70%) were correctly diagnosed to have placenta praevia by both modes of sonography. Transvaginal sonography ruled out placenta praevia in 12 cases (17%) thought to be placenta praevia by transabdominal ultrasound. Both transabdominal and transvaginal sonography demonstrated 'placental migration' in 4 cases (6%) which were no longer praevia at delivery. Five patients (7%) were erroneously believed to have placenta praevia by both sonographic techniques. Overall, the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal sonography was 92.8% compared with 75.7% for transabdominal sonography. None of the subjects experienced any exacerbation of bleeding or other complications. The results suggest that transvaginal sonographic localization of the placenta is safe and superior to the transabdominal route.
    MeSH terms: Abdomen; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Sensitivity and Specificity; Uterine Hemorrhage/etiology; Vagina; Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods*
  18. Lim JM, Soh EB, Raman S
    Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 1995 Feb;35(1):54-5.
    PMID: 7772001
    Misoprostol seems to be a drug with many potential uses apart from the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. The oral tablet appears to be effective for termination of midtrimester pregnancy when administered intravaginally. Further research should be carried out to determine its full range of action in order that the drug can be utilized to its maximum potential.
    MeSH terms: Abortion, Induced/methods*; Administration, Intravaginal; Adult; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Drug Costs; Misoprostol*
  19. Grulich AE, McCredie M, Coates M
    Br. J. Cancer, 1995 Feb;71(2):400-8.
    PMID: 7841061
    Cancer incidence during 1972-90 in Asian migrants to New South Wales, Australia, is described. Overall cancer incidence was lower than in the Australia born in most migrant groups, and this reached significance in migrants born in China/Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam and India/Sri Lanka, and in male migrants born in Indonesia. For the majority of cancers, rates were more similar to those in the Australia born than to those in the countries of birth. For cancers of the breast, colorectum and prostate, rates were relatively low in the countries of birth, but migrants generally exhibited rates nearer those of the Australia born. For cancers of the liver and cervix and, in India/Sri Lanka-born migrants, of the oral cavity, incidence was relatively high in the countries of birth but tended to be lower, nearer Australia-born rates, in the migrants. For these cancers, environmental factors related to the migrant's adopted country, and migrant selection, appeared to have a major effect on the risk of cancer. For certain other cancers, incidence was more similar to that in the countries of birth. Nasopharyngeal cancer, and lung cancer in females, had high rates in both the countries of birth and in migrants to Australia. Nasopharyngeal cancer rates were highest in China/Taiwan and Hong Kong-born migrants, and were also significantly high in migrants from Malaysia/Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines. Rates of lung cancer were significantly high in women born in China/Taiwan, and the excess was greater for adenocarcinoma than for squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma had low rates in both the migrants and in the countries of birth. For these cancers, it was probable that genetic factors, or environmental factors acting prior to migration, were important in causation.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Asia/ethnology; Asia/epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Ethnic Groups; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms/ethnology; Neoplasms/etiology; Neoplasms/epidemiology*; New South Wales/epidemiology; Risk Factors; Incidence
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