Browse publications by year: 2000

1. 4-(N-Hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone

   Shanmuga Sundara Raj S, Fun HK, Zhang XJ, Tian YP, Xie FX, Ma JL

   Acta Crystallogr C, 2000 Oct;56 (Pt 10):1238-9.

   PMID: 11025310

   Abstract

   In the crystal structure of the title compound, C(11)H(16)N(4)OS, the phenyl ring and the thiosemicarbazone moiety from a dihedral angle of 7.7 (1) degrees. The crystal structure is governed by N-H.O and O-H.S hydrogen bonds leading to the formation of a two-dimensional network.

   MeSH terms: Government; Hydrogen; Hydrogen Bonding; Names; Thiosemicarbazones
2. Where is Malaysia in the midst of the Asian epidemic of diabetes mellitus?

   Zaini A

   Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2000 Oct;50 Suppl 2:S23-8.

   PMID: 11024580 DOI: 10.1016/S0168-8227(00)00175-3

   Abstract

   Population studies all over the world have clearly showed that the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is escalating at phenomenal scale and very likely we are heading towards epidemic proportions. In 1985, the estimated population of diabetic individuals in the world was 30 million but by 1995 this figure soared to 135 million. Based on current trends, epidemiologists predict that the population of diabetic individuals will swell up to a staggering 300 million by the year 2025. Almost half of that will be in the Asia Oceania region alone. Dr Hilary King of WHO pointed out that there will be a projected rise of about 42% in developed countries whereas the developing countries will see an escalation to the magnitude of 170% (H. King, R.E. Aubert, W.H. Herman, Global burden of diabetes, 1995-2025: prevalence, numerical estimates and projections, Diabetes Care 21 (1998) 1414-1431; WHO Health Report 1997, WHO Switzerland). There will be a 3-fold rise of the disease in Asia and much of these will be seen in China (40 million) and India (55 million) by virtue of the massive population of these countries. Nevertheless, the other rapidly developing Asian nations like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and those making up Indochina will experience the surge. At the same time the prevalence and incidence of diabetes complications will also increase. Based on recent WHO prediction (WHO Newsletter, The global burden of diabetes 1995-2025. World Diabetes 3 (1997) 5-6), it is estimated that by the year 2000 the following figures will be seen:Diabetes complications are major causes of premature death all over the world and most of these are avoidable. DCCT and UKPDS are landmark studies showing strong evidence that major complications can be drastically reduced by maintaining to near normoglycaemic control.

   MeSH terms: Adult; Asia/epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/epidemiology*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/physiopathology; Diabetic Angiopathies/epidemiology; Diabetic Nephropathies/epidemiology; Diabetic Retinopathy/epidemiology; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Risk Factors; Prevalence; European Continental Ancestry Group; Asian Continental Ancestry Group
3. The changing demography of diabetes mellitus in Singapore

   Lee WR

   Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2000 Oct;50 Suppl 2:S35-9.

   PMID: 11024582 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8227(00)00184-4

   Abstract

   Diabetes mellitus has been on the rise in Singapore, while Singaporeans are becoming more affluent, our lifestyles are more sedentary and our population is ageing rapidly. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus rose from 2% in 1975 to 4.7% in 1984, 8.6% in 1992 and 9.0% of adults 18-69 years old in 1998. Malay and Indian women and Indian men were at higher risk, with 14.3, 14.9 and 16.7% prevalence rates, respectively. A further 15% of the adult population have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Diabetes was a factor in 39.7% of strokes and in 9.3% of all deaths in Singapore, and is the sixth most common cause of death. In the Diabcare Singapore 1998 Study, 91% of participants were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, with mean BMI of 25.1+/-4.4 kg/m(2). The incidence of Type 1 diabetes in childhood is 2.46 per 100000 children 0-12 years of age, while Type 2 diabetes in childhood is an emerging problem. The prevalence of obesity (BMI >30 kg/m(2)) among persons aged 18-69 years rose to 6% in 1998, up from 5.1% in 1992. The prevalence of obesity was highest among the Malays (16.2%) followed by the Indians (12.2%) and the Chinese (3.8%). About 12% of schoolchildren are obese. Increased efforts must be made to change lifestyle and eating patterns in our society, reduce childhood obesity and encourage adults to make lifelong sports and exercise part of the Singaporean way of life. Singapore has one of the world's fastest ageing populations, and even now, 32.4% of Singaporeans 60-69 years of age have diabetes. We should consider screening for diabetes in obese schoolchildren and seek to improve quality of care for people with diabetes, including enlisting the aid of community organisations to improve access to diabetes education, monitoring, support and complications screening services.

   MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; China/ethnology; Demography; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology*; Diabetes Mellitus/prevention & control; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology; Female; Health Education; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Singapore/epidemiology; Incidence; Prevalence
4. The wound healing properties of Channa striatus-cetrimide cream-wound contraction and glycosaminoglycan measurement

   Baie SH, Sheikh KA

   J Ethnopharmacol, 2000 Nov;73(1-2):15-30.

   PMID: 11025135

   Abstract

   Haruan has been proved to influence the different phases of wound healing process. The current research focuses on the effects of haruan on the different constituents of extracellular matrix of healing wounds in normal and diabetic rats. Anaesthetized normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were provided with excision wounds at the back and then animals were divided into four groups as: group 1, wounds treated with cetrimide+haruan cream; group 2, wounds treated with haruan cream; group 3, wounds treated with cetrimide (commercial) cream; and group 4, wounds untreated and served as control. Animals were sacrificed after 3, 6, 9 and 12 days. These wounds were used to determine the hexosamine, protein, uronic acid and glycosaminoglycan contents and the wound contraction. The results suggested a marked increase (P<0.05) in the uronic acid, hexosamine and dermatan sulfate contents on day 3 of group 1 when compared with groups 2-4. Wound contraction of group 1 was also markedly enhanced of group 1 (P<0.01) when compared with groups 2- 4. On the basis of these results, we conclude that haruan enhances the synthesis of different glycosaminoglycans in healing wounds, which are the first component of extracellular matrix to be synthesized during the wound healing process. The enhanced levels of glycosaminoglycans may help in the formation of a resistant scar and enhanced wound contraction represents the positive influence of haruan on the fibroplastic phase of wound healing.

   MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents, Local/pharmacology; Anti-Infective Agents, Local/therapeutic use*; Cetrimonium Compounds/pharmacology; Cetrimonium Compounds/therapeutic use*; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism*; Drug Therapy, Combination; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism*; Glycosaminoglycans/metabolism*; Male; Ointments; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*; Uronic Acids/metabolism; Wound Healing/drug effects*; Wounds and Injuries/metabolism*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats
5. Fulltext Brief acute psychosis following hysterectomy in ethnopsychiatric context

   Tsoh JM, Leung HC, Ungvari GS, Lee DT

   Singapore Med J, 2000 Jul;41(7):359-62.

   PMID: 11026805

   Abstract

   The psychiatric morbidity following hysterectomy has received increasing attention. One of the sequelae of hysterectomy has been a brief, acute psychosis with excellent outcome, the etiology and pathomechanism of which is still unclear. Two Chinese patients born of Southeast Asian origin who manifested brief, acute psychosis following hysterectomy are presented. Therapy comprised drug treatment with low dose antipsychotics and benzodiazepines coupled with hypnosis and marital therapy to explore and treat the underlying pathology. Both psychotic states resolved. Follow-up at 12 months revealed stable mental condition in one subject; however, the second patient was lost to follow up. The impact of the womb's removal is explored in the context of the ethnicity of the patients and their sociocultural background.

   MeSH terms: Acute Disease; Adult; Anxiety Disorders/complications; Myanmar/ethnology; China/ethnology; Culture; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hong Kong; Humans; Hypnosis; Hysterectomy/adverse effects; Hysterectomy/psychology*; Lorazepam/therapeutic use; Malaysia/ethnology; Marital Therapy; Psychotic Disorders/drug therapy; Psychotic Disorders/ethnology; Psychotic Disorders/etiology*; Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use; Anti-Anxiety Agents/therapeutic use; Trifluoperazine/therapeutic use
6. Accurate measurement of exposure rate from a 60Co teletherapy source: deviations from the inverse-square law

   Samat SB, Evans CJ, Kadni T, Dolah MT

   Br J Radiol, 2000 Aug;73(872):867-77.

   PMID: 11026863

   Abstract

   A cylindrical gamma-ray 60Co source of activity alpha is predicted to produce an exposure rate X at a distance d in vacuum, given by X = gamma(T)(alpha/d2), where gamma(T) is the specific gamma-ray constant. It has been documented that this formula may be used to approximate X with an accuracy of 1% from a source of length l, provided that d/l > or = 5. It is shown that the formula is accurate to 0.1% under these conditions, provided that the distance is measured from the centre of the source. When absorption in the source and scattering in the collimator are considered, the position of the origin d = 0 can shift by a distance of the order of centimetres. Absorption in air between the source and the ionization chamber adds an exponential factor to the formula. It is shown that even when these modifications are included the discrepancy in the results, although generally less than 1%, is still large compared with the measurement errors. Some suggestions are made for the origin of this discrepancy.

   MeSH terms: Cobalt Radioisotopes/therapeutic use*; Humans; Models, Theoretical*; Radioisotope Teletherapy*; Radiometry/methods; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Statistics as Topic
7. Sensitivity of the nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for Brugia malayi and significance of 'free' DNA in PCR-based assays

   Cox-Singh J, Pomrehn AS, Wolfe ND, Rahman HA, Lu HY, Singh B

   Int J Parasitol, 2000 Oct;30(11):1177-9.

   PMID: 11027784

   Abstract

   The blood filtration method was used as the gold standard to determine the detection level of simple blood-spot sampling and nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Brugia malayi. Of 100 samples, 48 were filtration-positive. Of these, 26 had microfilaria counts that were low enough (<1-29 microfilariae/ml) to accurately assess the limit of detection by nested-PCR. Nested-PCR consistently detected B. malayi DNA in samples with > or = 10 microfilariae/ml. Post-filtration, microfilaria-depleted, blood-spots from microfilaria-positive samples were screened by nested-PCR and B. malayi specific 'free' DNA was detected in 51.7% of these samples. There was no evidence for 'free' DNA in microfilaria-negative individuals from this endemic community.

   MeSH terms: Animals; Filariasis/blood; Filariasis/diagnosis*; Humans; Microfilaria/isolation & purification; Sensitivity and Specificity; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Brugia malayi/genetics; Brugia malayi/isolation & purification*; DNA, Helminth/blood*; Parasitemia
8. Fulltext The flea genus Sigmactenus (Siphonaptera: Leptopsyllidae): three new taxa from Sulawesi, updated identification key, and distribution map for all known species and subspecies

   Durden LA, Beaucournu JC

   Parasite, 2000 Sep;7(3):151-65.

   PMID: 11031750 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2000073151

   Abstract

   One new species and two new subspecies of fleas are described. These are S. sulawesiensis n. sp. from North and Central Sulawesi, S. alticola pilosus n. ssp. from Central Sulawesi, and S. alticola crassinavis n. ssp. from North Sulawesi. All three of these new taxa are ectoparasites of native, endemic murine rodents. Two of the new taxa, S. sulawesiensis and S. alticola crassinavis, coexist on the same mountain, Gunung Moajat, in North Sulawesi. The related S. alticola alticola, which becomes the nominate subspecies, parasitises the murine rodent Maxomys alticola in northern Borneo (Sabah) and it is hypothesized that Sigmactenus first colonized Sulawesi as an ectoparasite of ancestral Maxomys, or perhaps Rattus, as these murines dispersed from southeast Asia to Sulawesi; 15 endemic murine rodent species belonging to these two genera are known to currently inhabit Sulawesi. An identification key and distribution map are included for all known species and subspecies of Sigmactenus. In addition to the three new taxa and S. a. alticola, these include: S. celebensis from South Sulawesi, S. timorensis from Timor, S. toxopeusi from New Guinea, and S. werneri from the Philippines (Mindanao and Negros).

   MeSH terms: Animals; Ectoparasitic Infestations/parasitology; Ectoparasitic Infestations/veterinary*; Female; Siphonaptera/anatomy & histology; Siphonaptera/classification*; Indonesia; Male; Muridae/parasitology*; New Guinea; Philippines; Phylogeny; Rodent Diseases/parasitology*; Rats
9. The spectrum of ocular involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus without ocular symptoms

   Soo MPK, Chow SK, Tan CT, Nadior N, Yeap SS, Hoh HB

   Lupus, 2000;9(7):511-4.

   PMID: 11035416 DOI: 10.1177/096120330000900706

   Abstract

   The aim of the study was to determine the spectrum of clinical ocular involvement in patients with inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have no ocular symptoms. Patients with a diagnosis of SLE based on the 1982 revised American College of Rheumatology criteria and with no ocular complaints were recruited from the SLE clinic. Clinical data regarding their systemic disease and disease activity were recorded and a full ophthalmic examination carried out. 52 patients of mixed ethnicity comprising of 75% Chinese, 19% Malays and 6% Indian patients were recruited. Of these, 51 (98%) were female with a mean age of 34+/-11 (range 16-74 y). 16 (31%) patients had dry eyes while corticosteroid induced glaucoma and cataract was detected in 1 (2%) and 7 (14%) patients, respectively. No patients were found to have sight-threatening ocular conditions such as cotton wool spots, vasculitis, optic neuropathy or uveitis. Patients with clinically inactive disease were found not to have sight-threatening ocular diseases that are known to be associated with SLE. Although they have no ocular complaints, nearly one-third of these patients have dry eyes. Ocular examination may be unnecessary when the disease is clinically inactive and in the absence of ocular symptoms.
   Study site: SLE clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

   MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/adverse effects; Adult; Aged; Cataract/chemically induced; Cataract/epidemiology; China/ethnology; Ethnic Groups; Eye Diseases/classification; Eye Diseases/epidemiology*; Female; Glaucoma/chemically induced; Glaucoma/epidemiology; Hospitals, University; Humans; India/ethnology; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/drug therapy; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/physiopathology*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Retrospective Studies; Dry Eye Syndromes/epidemiology
10. Emerging viral diseases

    Nichol ST, Arikawa J, Kawaoka Y

    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2000 Nov 07;97(23):12411-2.

    PMID: 11035785

    MeSH terms: Animals; Asia/epidemiology; Disease Outbreaks*; Disease Reservoirs; Hong Kong/epidemiology; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/epidemiology*; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/transmission; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology; RNA Virus Infections/epidemiology; RNA Virus Infections/transmission; RNA Virus Infections/virology; Sudan/epidemiology; Swine/virology; Democratic Republic of the Congo/epidemiology; Paramyxovirinae/physiology*; Paramyxoviridae Infections/epidemiology*; Paramyxoviridae Infections/virology; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Hantavirus Infections/epidemiology*; Hantavirus Infections/transmission; Hantavirus Infections/virology; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/epidemiology*; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/virology; Communicable Diseases, Emerging/virology*
11. Parental awareness of side effects associated with the use of inhaled corticosteroids in Malaysian asthmatic children

    Chan PW

    J Paediatr Child Health, 2000 Oct;36(5):522.

    PMID: 11036818

    MeSH terms: Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/adverse effects*; Asthma/drug therapy*; Awareness*; Child, Preschool; Glucocorticoids/adverse effects*; Humans; Malaysia; Parents*; Steroids; Anti-Asthmatic Agents/adverse effects*
12. Appraisal of latex glove proteins in the induction of sensitivity to multiple latex allergens

    Yeang HY, Chow KS, Yusof F, Arif SA, Chew NP, Loke YH

    J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol, 2000 Jul-Aug;10(4):215-22.

    PMID: 11039838

    Abstract

    Six Hevea brasiliensis latex protein allergens, Hevb 1, Hev b 2, Hev b 3, Hev b 4, and two variants of Hev b 7 (7b and 7c), were purified from Hevea latex, while a seventh protein, Hev b 5, was prepared in recombinant form. The presence of these proteins in glove extracts was indicated by their respective antibodies in the serum of rabbits immunized against the extracts. The relative propensities of IgE binding to the individual latex allergens were compared using sera from latex-allergic patients. IgE recognition of Hev b 4, Hev b 7b, Hev b 5 and Hev b 2 was most frequently encountered, with 75, 61, 31 and 28%, respectively, of the patient sera reacting. Sensitivity to multiple latex proteins was common, and out of the 31 seropositive patients, 23 (74%/ ) had IgE against at least two latex allergens, while 12 (39%) had IgE specific for at least three allergens. Statistical analysis of the data suggested that many patients might have acquired sensitivity to Hev b 2, Hev b 4 and Hev b 7b from a common source. (e.g., from latex products). On the other hand, sensitivity to Hev b 5 and to Hev b 7c were interrelated. It is plausible that sensitivity to these two proteins might have been acquired from sources other than latex products (e.g., from certain foods).

    MeSH terms: Allergens/adverse effects*; Allergens/immunology; Animals; Humans; Immunoglobulin E/blood; Immunoglobulin E/metabolism; Latex/adverse effects*; Latex/immunology; Latex/chemistry; Plant Proteins/adverse effects*; Plant Proteins/genetics; Plant Proteins/immunology; Rabbits; Gloves, Protective; Latex Hypersensitivity/diagnosis*; Latex Hypersensitivity/etiology*
13. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreak of acute febrile illness among participants in EcoChallenge Sabah 2000--Malaysia, 2000

    JAMA, 2000 Oct 4;284(13):1646.

    PMID: 11041742

    MeSH terms: Anniversaries and Special Events; Disease Outbreaks*; Fever/etiology*; Humans; Leptospirosis/diagnosis*; Leptospirosis/epidemiology*; Malaysia; Sports*; United States/epidemiology
14. Improved high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of terazosin in human plasma

    Cheah PY, Yuen KH, Liong ML

    J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl, 2000 Aug 18;745(2):439-43.

    PMID: 11043762

    Abstract

    A simple, sensitive and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of terazosin in human plasma. The method involves a one-step single solvent extraction procedure using dichloromethane with a 0.25 ml plasma sample. Recovery values were all greater than 90% over the concentration range 0.25-100 ng/ml. Terazosin was found to adsorb to glass or plastic tubes, but this could be circumvented by using disposable plastic tubes. Also, rinsing the injector port with methanol after each injection helped to prevent any carry-over effect. The internal standard, prazosin, did not exhibit this problem. The method has a quantification limit of 0.25 ng/ml. The within- and between-day coefficient of variation and accuracy values were all less than 7% over the concentration range 0.25-100 ng/ml and hence the method is suitable for use in pharmacokinetic studies of terazosin.

    MeSH terms: Calibration; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*; Humans; Prazosin/analogs & derivatives*; Prazosin/blood*; Prazosin/pharmacokinetics; Reference Standards; Sensitivity and Specificity; Reproducibility of Results
15. Epidural analgesia in primigravidae in spontaneous labour at term: a prospective study

    Leong EW, Sivanesaratnam V, Oh LL, Chan YK

    J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2000 Aug;26(4):271-5.

    PMID: 11049237

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES: To prospectively study the intervention rate, duration of labour, malpositions, fetal outcome, maternal satisfaction, voiding complications and adverse events in healthy primigravidae in spontaneous labour at term following epidural analgesia.

    METHODS: A prospective randomized study involving 55 patients in the epidural group and 68 in the control pethidine--inhalational entonox group.

    RESULTS: There were significantly more obstetric interventions (instrumental deliveries) in the epidural group (p < 0.01). The total duration of labour and the duration of the second stage was prolonged in the epidural group (p < 0.01). There were more malpositions at the second stage of labour in the epidural group (p < 0.02). There were no differences in fetal outcome (Apgar scores and Special Care Nursery admissions). Patients in the epidural group were consistently happier with their method of pain relief (p < 0.01). Two patients required blood patches while another 2 patients had persistent backache post epidural analgesia.

    CONCLUSION: Epidural analgesia in primigravidae in spontaneous labour at term led to an increased instrumental delivery rate, prolonged duration of labour, greater rate of malpositions in the second stage, increased oxytocin requirements but with no difference in fetal outcomes but with happier mothers as compared to the control group.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Humans; Labor, Obstetric/physiology*; Labor Presentation; Parity; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome*; Prospective Studies; Time Factors; Urination Disorders; Analgesia, Epidural*; Analgesia, Obstetrical*; Patient Satisfaction
16. The isolation and characterization of microsatellites from Anopheles dirus mosquitoes

    Walton C, Chang MS, Handley JM, Harbach RE, Collins FH, Baimai V, et al.

    Mol Ecol, 2000 Oct;9(10):1665-7.

    PMID: 11050564

    MeSH terms: Animals; Anopheles/genetics*; Genetics, Population; Heterozygote; Malaysia; Thailand; Genetic Variation; Microsatellite Repeats*
17. Encephalitis in the 21 st century

    Marra CM

    Semin Neurol, 2000;20(3):323-7.

    PMID: 11051296

    Abstract

    As the 21st century begins, several outbreaks of encephalitis have been reported. An examination of these outbreaks brings into focus important epidemiological developments. Specifically, urbanization and encroachment on natural environments, the ease of world travel, and global trade can lead to spread of vectors and viruses from the developing world to the developed world. This review focuses on two recent epidemics of encephalitis: West Nile virus encephalitis in the eastern United States and Nipah virus encephalitis in Malaysia and Singapore. These examples demonstrate spread of a known viral agent from an endemic area to an area in which it had not previously been found and identification of a new viral agent. Infectious diseases in the developed world once considered "exotic" are now potential threats to all patients.

    MeSH terms: Forecasting; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; New York City/epidemiology; Romania/epidemiology; Singapore/epidemiology; West Nile virus/pathogenicity; Encephalitis, Viral/diagnosis*; Encephalitis, Viral/epidemiology*
18. Collaborative off-shore nurse education: an Australian initiative

    Jones B, Serrell M, Maltby H

    Nurse Educ, 2000 10 29;25(2):57, 69.

    PMID: 11051998

    MeSH terms: Australia; Cooperative Behavior; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate/organization & administration*; Education, Nursing, Diploma Programs/organization & administration*; Humans; Interinstitutional Relations*; International Educational Exchange*; Malaysia; Education, Distance/organization & administration*
19. Latent polyphenol oxidases from sago log (Metroxylon sagu): partial purification, activation, and some properties

    Onsa GH, bin Saari N, Selamat J, Bakar J

    J Agric Food Chem, 2000 Oct;48(10):5041-5.

    PMID: 11052775

    Abstract

    Latent polyphenol oxidase (LPPO), an enzyme responsible for the browning reaction of sago starches during processing and storage, was investigated. The enzyme was effectively extracted and partially purified from the pith using combinations of nonionic detergents. With Triton X-114 and a temperature-induced phase partitioning method, the enzyme showed a recovery of 70% and purification of 4. 1-fold. Native PAGE analysis of the partially purified LPPO revealed three activity bands when stained with catechol and two bands with pyrogallol. The molecular masses of the enzymes were estimated by SDS-PAGE to be 37, 45, and 53 kDa. The enzyme showed optimum pH values of 4.5 with 4-methylcatechol as a substrate and 7.5 with pyrogallol. The LPPO was highly reactive toward diphenols and triphenols. The activity of the enzyme was greatly enhanced in the presence of trypsin, SDS, ethanol, and linoleic acid.

    MeSH terms: Catechol Oxidase/metabolism*; Catechol Oxidase/chemistry; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Enzyme Activation; Plants/chemistry*; Substrate Specificity
20. The effect of early age feed restriction on subsequent response to high environmental temperatures in female broiler chickens

    Zulkifli I, Che Norma MT, Israf DA, Omar AR

    Poult Sci, 2000 Oct;79(10):1401-7.

    PMID: 11055844

    Abstract

    This study was conducted to determine whether early age feed restriction improves heat tolerance in female broiler chickens. Chicks were brooded for 3 wk and then maintained at 24+/-1 C. On Day 0, chicks were assigned to one of four feeding regimens; each regimen was applied to four cages of chicks. The feeding regimens were 1) ad libitum feeding (ALF); 2) 40% feed restriction at 4, 5, and 6 d of age (F40); 3) 60% feed restriction at 4, 5, and 6 d of age (F60); and (4) 80% feed restriction at 4, 5, and 6 d of age (F80). From 35 to 41 d of age, all birds were exposed to 38+/-1 C for 2 h/d. Serum concentrations of glucose were elevated by the heat challenge, but were not affected by the feeding regimen. The heat treatment resulted in hypocholesteremia among ALF and F80 chicks, whereas the concentrations increased and remained constant in the F60 and F40 birds, respectively. Subjecting chicks to F60 improved growth and survivability and reduced heterophil to lymphocyte ratios (H/L) in response to the heat treatment as compared with the ALF and F80 regimens. The survivability rate and H/L of F40 chicks were similar to those attained by chicks on other regimens. Newcastle disease antibody titer of ALF birds declined with duration of heat treatment. It is concluded that the F60 regimen is beneficial for alleviating, at least in part, the detrimental effects of heat stress in female broiler chickens.

    MeSH terms: Aging*; Animals; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Chickens/growth & development; Chickens/physiology*; Cholesterol/blood; Female; Food Deprivation*; Hot Temperature*; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocyte Count