Browse publications by year: 2001

  1. The science of climate change
    Australian Academy of Sciences, Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Sciences and the Arts, Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Royal Society of Canada, Caribbean Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, et al.
    Science, 2001 May 18;292(5520):1261.
    PMID: 11360966
    MeSH terms: Academies and Institutes; International Cooperation*; Public Policy; Reproducibility of Results; Greenhouse Effect*
  2. Fulltext DNA fingerprinting of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE): comparison of strains from 2 Malaysian hospitals
    Norazah A, Liew SM, Kamel AG, Koh YT, Lim VK
    Singapore Med J, 2001 Jan;42(1):15-9.
    PMID: 11361232
    To determine and compare the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns of endemic MRSA strains in 2 major Malaysian hospitals and to compare the PFGE patterns with antibiotypes of the strains studied.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia; Methicillin/administration & dosage; Methicillin/therapeutic use; Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy; Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology*; Staphylococcus aureus/genetics*; Methicillin Resistance/genetics*; DNA Fingerprinting/methods*; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field*
  3. Fulltext Simple approach to the management of aseptic non-union of the shaft of long bones
    Devnani AS
    Singapore Med J, 2001 Jan;42(1):20-5.
    PMID: 11361233
    Internal fixation with a plate in the management of non-union for shaft of long bones has been condemned but the review of the literature does not provide such unequivocal evidence. Also there are certain situations where it is either technically not feasible or contraindicated to do closed intramedullary nailing. This study was done to see the outcome of plate-fixation for the treatment of non-union of the shaft of long bones.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bone Plates; Female; Femoral Fractures/surgery; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*; Fractures, Ununited/surgery*; Humans; Humerus/injuries; Humerus/surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Period; Tibial Fractures/surgery; Bone Transplantation
  4. Differential expression and geographic variation of the venom phospholipases A2 of Calloselasma rhodostoma and Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus
    Tsai IH, Chen YH, Wang YM, Liau MY, Lu PJ
    Arch Biochem Biophys, 2001 Mar 15;387(2):257-64.
    PMID: 11370849
    To investigate the geographic variations in venoms of two medically important pitvipers, we have purified and characterized the phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) from the pooled venoms of Calloselasma rhodostoma from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, as well as the individual venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus collected from both North and South Taiwan. Enzymatic and pharmacological activities of the purified PLA2s were also investigated. The complete amino acid sequences of the purified PLA2s were determined by sequencing the corresponding cDNAs from the venom gland and shown to be consistent with their molecular weight data and the N-terminal sequences. All the geographic venom samples of C. rhodostoma contain a major noncatalytic basic PLA2-homolog and two or three acidic PLA2s in different proportions. These acidic PLA2s contain Glu6-substitutions and show distinct inhibiting specificities toward the platelets from human and rabbit. We also found that the T. mucrosquamatus venoms from North Taiwan but not those from South Taiwan contain an Arg6-PLA2 designated as TmPL-III. Its amino acid sequence is reported for the first time. This enzyme is structurally almost identical to the low- or nonexpressed Arg6-PLA2 from C. rhodostoma venom gland, and thus appears to be a regressing venom component in both of the Asian pitvipers.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cloning, Molecular; Crotalid Venoms/enzymology*; Crotalid Venoms/genetics*; Crotalid Venoms/pharmacology; Crotalid Venoms/chemistry; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Indonesia; Malaysia; Molecular Sequence Data; Phospholipases A/genetics*; Phospholipases A/pharmacology; Phospholipases A/chemistry; Platelet Aggregation/drug effects; Rabbits; Species Specificity; Taiwan; Thailand; Genetic Variation*; Vietnam; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Reptilian Proteins; Phospholipases A2; Group II Phospholipases A2
  5. Update on viral encephalitis
    Hinson VK, Tyor WR
    Curr. Opin. Neurol., 2001 Jun;14(3):369-74.
    PMID: 11371762
    Over 100 viruses have been associated with acute central nervous system infections. The present review focuses on some of the most common agents of viral encephalitis, as well as important emerging viral encephalitides. In this context, the initial detection of West Nile virus in the Western Hemisphere during the 1999 New York City outbreak, the first description of Nipah virus in Malaysia, and the appearance in Asia of a new neurovirulent enterovirus 71 strain that causes severe neurologic disease are highlighted. In addition, advances regarding diagnosis, neuroimaging and treatment of Japanese and herpes simplex encephalitis are presented.
    MeSH terms: Brain/pathology; Disease Outbreaks; Enterovirus Infections/diagnosis; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neurologic Examination; New York City; Virus Diseases/diagnosis*; Virus Diseases/virology; West Nile Fever/diagnosis; West Nile Fever/virology; Encephalitis, Viral/diagnosis*; Encephalitis, Viral/virology
  6. Cross-resistance and inheritance of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac in diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L) from lowland Malaysia
    Sayyed AH, Wright DJ
    Pest Manag Sci, 2001 May;57(5):413-21.
    PMID: 11374157
    A field population of Plutella xylostella from Malaysia (SERD4) was divided into five sub-populations and four were selected (G2-G5) with the Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal (Cry) toxins Cry1Ac, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ca and Cry1Da. Bioassay at G6 gave resistance ratios of 88, 5, 2 and 3 for Cry1Ac, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ca and Cry1Da respectively compared with the unselected sub-population (UNSEL-SERD4). The Cry1Ac-selected population showed little cross-resistance to Cry1Ab, Cry1Ca and Cry1Da, (3-, 2- and 3-fold compared with UNSEL-SERD4), whereas the Cry1Ab-SEL sub-population showed marked cross-resistance to Cry1Ac (40-fold), much greater than Cry1Ab itself. In contrast, the Cry1Ca- and Cry1Da-SEL sub-population showed little if any cross-resistance to Cry1Ac and Cry1Ab. The mode of inheritance of resistance to Cry1Ac was examined in Cry1Ac-selected SERD4 by standard reciprocal crosses and back-crosses using a laboratory insecticide-susceptible population (ROTH). Logit regression analysis of F1 reciprocal crosses indicated that resistance to Cry1Ac was inherited as an incompletely dominant trait. At the highest dose of Cry1Ac tested, resistance was recessive, while at the lowest dose it was almost completely dominant. The F2 progeny from a back-cross of F1 progeny with ROTH were tested with a concentration of Cry1Ac that would kill 100% of ROTH. The mortality ranged between 50 and 95% in seven families of back-cross progeny, which indicated that more than one allele on separate loci were responsible for resistance to Cry1Ac.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bacillus thuringiensis*; Bacterial Proteins/toxicity*; Bacterial Toxins*; Biological Assay; Crosses, Genetic; Endotoxins/toxicity*; Female; Genes, Dominant; Hemolysin Proteins; Insecticide Resistance/genetics; Larva/metabolism; Malaysia; Male; Moths/genetics*; Pest Control, Biological*; Selection, Genetic; Genetic Variation; Logistic Models; Multifactorial Inheritance
  7. Novel halogenated metabolites from the Malaysian Laurencia pannosa
    Suzuki M, Daitoh M, Vairappan CS, Abe T, Masuda M
    J Nat Prod, 2001 May;64(5):597-602.
    PMID: 11374951
    In connection with our chemotaxonomic studies of Malaysian species of the red algal genus Laurencia, the chemical composition of Laurencia pannosa Zanardini was examined. Two halogenated sesquiterpenoids, named pannosanol (1) and pannosane (2), have been isolated along with a halogenated C15-acetogenin, (3Z)-chlorofucin (3). The structures of these compounds were determined from their spectroscopic data (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR, and MS). Pannosanol and pannosane are novel halometabolites with an unusual rearranged chamigrane framework. Antibacterial activities of these metabolites against marine bacteria are also described.
    MeSH terms: Rhodophyta/chemistry*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/isolation & purification; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry*; Bacteria/drug effects; Furans/isolation & purification*; Furans/pharmacology*; Lactones/isolation & purification*; Lactones/pharmacology*; Malaysia; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification*; Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology*; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Mass Spectrometry
  8. Determination of polymorphic forms of ranitidine-HCl by DRIFTS and XRPD
    Agatonovic-Kustrin S, Rades T, Wu V, Saville D, Tucker IG
    J Pharm Biomed Anal, 2001 Jul;25(5-6):741-50.
    PMID: 11377056
    The identification, characterization and quantification of crystal forms are becoming increasingly important within the pharmaceutical industry. A combination of different physical analytical techniques is usually necessary for this task. In this work solid-state techniques, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD) were combined to analyze polymorphic purity of crystalline ranitidine-HCl, an antiulcer drug, H2 receptor antagonists. A series of 12 different mixtures of Form 1 and 2 was prepared by geometric mixing and their DRIFT spectra and XRD powder patterns were obtained and analyzed, either alone or combined together, using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). A standard feed-forward network, with back-propagation rule and with multi layer perceptron architecture (MPL) was chosen. A working range of 1.0-100% (w/w) of crystal Form 2 in Form 1 was established with a minimum quantifiable level (MQL) of 5.2% and limit of detection of 1.5% (w/w). The results demonstrate that DRIFTS combined with XRPD may be successfully used to distinguish between the ranitidine-HCl polymorphs and to quantify the composition of binary mixtures of the two.
    MeSH terms: Ranitidine/analysis*; Ranitidine/chemistry; Sensitivity and Specificity; X-Ray Diffraction/methods*; Reproducibility of Results; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared/methods*
  9. Flexibility and hardness of dental stainless steel wrought wires used in Thailand
    Benjakul P, Cheunarrom C, Ongthiemsak C
    J Oral Sci, 2001 Mar;43(1):15-9.
    PMID: 11383631
    Stainless steel wrought wires used as clasp arms for removable partial dentures in Thailand were compared with those used in some other countries (in the as-received condition) in terms of flexibility, Vickers microhardness and composition. The results showed that there were significant differences (P< or =0.05) among the wires. A Japanese stainless steel wire (SK) was obviously different from the others. It had the lowest proportional limit and microhardness, but its flexibility was almost the same. The chemical composition of each wire was not greatly different. The wires were about 18-20 wt% chromium and 8-9 wt% nickel, except for the SK wire, which had about 12 wt% nickel.
    MeSH terms: Analysis of Variance; Chromium/analysis; Dental Alloys/analysis; Dental Alloys/chemistry*; Denture, Partial, Removable; Electron Probe Microanalysis; Hardness; Humans; Iron/analysis; Japan; Malaysia; Materials Testing; Metallurgy; Nickel/analysis; Stainless Steel/analysis; Stainless Steel/chemistry*; Statistics as Topic; Surface Properties; Thailand; United States; Dental Clasps; Pliability
  10. Nipah virus infection in bats (order Chiroptera) in peninsular Malaysia
    Yob JM, Field H, Rashdi AM, Morrissy C, van der Heide B, Rota P, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2001 May-Jun;7(3):439-41.
    PMID: 11384522
    Nipah virus, family Paramyxoviridae, caused disease in pigs and humans in peninsular Malaysia in 1998-99. Because Nipah virus appears closely related to Hendra virus, wildlife surveillance focused primarily on pteropid bats (suborder Megachiroptera), a natural host of Hendra virus in Australia. We collected 324 bats from 14 species on peninsular Malaysia. Neutralizing antibodies to Nipah virus were demonstrated in five species, suggesting widespread infection in bat populations in peninsular Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Viral/blood; Chiroptera/virology*; Malaysia; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Paramyxovirinae/isolation & purification*; Paramyxoviridae Infections/veterinary*
  11. Gay and lesbian couples in Malaysia
    Baba I
    J Homosex, 2001;40(3-4):143-63.
    PMID: 11386331 DOI: 10.1300/J082v40n03_08
    MeSH terms: Adult; Family Characteristics*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Politics; Social Conditions; Social Isolation; Homosexuality, Male*; Homosexuality, Female*
  12. Removal of copper from water using limestone filtration technique. Determination of mechanism of removal
    Aziz HA, Othman N, Yusuff MS, Basri DR, Ashaari FA, Adlan MN, et al.
    Environ Int, 2001 May;26(5-6):395-9.
    PMID: 11392757
    This paper discusses heavy metal removal from wastewater by batch study and filtration technique through low-cost coarse media. Batch study has indicated that more than 90% copper (Cu) with concentration up to 50 mg/l could be removed from the solution with limestone quantity above 20 ml (equivalent to 56 g), which indicates the importance of limestone media in the removal process. This indicates that the removal of Cu is influenced by the media and not solely by the pH. Batch experiments using limestone and activated carbon indicate that both limestone and activated carbon had similar metal-removal efficiency (about 95%). Results of the laboratory-scale filtration technique using limestone particles indicated that above 90% removal of Cu was achieved at retention time of 2.31 h, surface-loading rate of 4.07 m3/m2 per day and Cu loading of 0.02 kg/m3 per day. Analyses of the limestone media after filtration indicated that adsorption and absorption processes were among the mechanisms involved in the removal processes. This study indicated that limestone can be used as an alternative to replace activated carbon.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Calcium Carbonate/chemistry*; Charcoal/chemistry; Copper/chemistry*; Filtration; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods*
  13. Oxygen demand, nitrogen and copper removal by free-water-surface and subsurface-flow constructed wetlands under tropical conditions
    Lim PE, Wong TF, Lim DV
    Environ Int, 2001 May;26(5-6):425-31.
    PMID: 11392762
    This study was conducted to: (1) assess the role of wetland vegetation in the removal of oxygen demand and nitrogen under tropical conditions, (2) estimate the uptake of nitrogen and copper by wetland plants and (3) investigate the speciation of Cu in wetland media among four operationally defined host fractions, namely exchangeable, carbonate, reducible and organically bound. Four laboratory-scale wetland units, two free-water-surface (FWS) and two subsurface-flow (SF) with one of each planted with cattails (Typha augustifolia), were fed with primary-treated sewage and operated at nominal retention times of 0.6-7 days. The influent and effluent BOD/COD and nitrogen concentrations were monitored to assess the performance of the wetland units for various mass loading rates. At the end of the study, all cattail plants were harvested and analyzed for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN). Four other wetland units, which were identical to the first four, were fed with domestic wastewater spiked with copper in increasing concentrations. Copper speciation patterns in the sand layer were determined at the end of the study. The results showed that wetland vegetation did not play an important role in oxygen demand removal but were capable of removing about 22% and 26% of the nitrogen input in the FWS and SF wetland units, respectively. Mass balance analysis indicated that less than 1% of copper introduced was taken up by the cattails. Copper speciation patterns in the sand media showed that the exchangeable fraction contributed 30-57% and 63-80% of the nonresidual copper in the planted and unplanted FWS wetlands, respectively. For SF units, the percentages were 52-62% and 59-67%, respectively. This indicates that large amount of copper in the media were potentially remobilizable.
    MeSH terms: Copper/metabolism; Copper/pharmacokinetics*; Nitrogen/metabolism*; Nitrogen/pharmacokinetics; Organic Chemicals; Oxygen/metabolism*; Plants; Tissue Distribution; Tropical Climate; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Water Pollutants/metabolism; Water Pollutants/pharmacokinetics*
  14. Artificial wetlands and water quality improvement
    Shutes RB
    Environ Int, 2001 May;26(5-6):441-7.
    PMID: 11392764
    This paper illustrates the role of plants to assist the treatment of water pollution in man-made wetlands in tropical and temperate climates. It also considers the potential for environmental education of these wetland systems. The management and natural treatment of pollution is described in the Mai Po Marshes, Hong Kong and a wetland in London which is also an important site for birds. The design of the Putrajaya Lake and Wetland system in Malaysia is compared with a constructed wetland and lake for the treatment of urban surface runoff in a new residential development in the United Kingdom. The benefits of these natural systems are discussed in the context of the global trend for introducing sustainable methods of environmental management and low cost pollution treatment systems.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Birds; Cities; Conservation of Natural Resources*; Plants; Soil Pollutants/analysis*; Water Movements; Water Pollution/prevention & control*; Ecosystem*
  15. Determination of absorbed dose for photon and electron beams from a linear accelerator by comparing various protocols on different phantoms
    Banjade DP, Tajuddin AA, Shukri A
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2001 Aug;55(2):235-43.
    PMID: 11393765
    Protocols developed for high-energy dosimetry IAEA (Technical Reports Series No. 277, 1997), AAPM (Med. Phys. 10 (1983) 741: Med. Phys. 18 (1991) 73: Med. Phys. 21 (1994) 1251), IPEMB (Phys. Med. Biol. 41 (1996) 2557), and HPA (Phys. Med. Biol. 28 (1983) 1097) have continued to enhance precision in dose measurements and the optimization of radiotherapy procedures. While recent dosimetry protocols, including those due to the IAEA and IPEMB, have made a number of improvements compared with previous protocols, it is further desirable to develop absolute dosimetry methods of dose measurements. Measurements based on careful implementation of procedures contained within the various protocols have been carried out in an effort to determine the extent to which discrepancies exist among the protocols. Dose in water at dmax was measured using cylindrical and parallel-plate ionization chambers for 6 MV photon beams and 5 and 12 MeV electron beams. Results obtained from the use of the AAPM and HPA protocols for 6 MV photon beams were found to be 0.9% larger and 0.1% smaller, respectively, than those measured following the IAEA protocol. Calibration dose measurements for 5 and 12 MeV electron beams in water phantoms were found to agree to within 1%, this being well within recommendations from the ICRU and other sources regarding the accuracy of dose delivery.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Quality Control; Radiometry/instrumentation; Radiometry/methods*; Radiometry/standards; Radiotherapy/methods*; Radiotherapy Dosage*; Radiotherapy, High-Energy/instrumentation; Radiotherapy, High-Energy/methods; Radiotherapy, High-Energy/standards*; Water/analysis; Phantoms, Imaging*
  16. Methyl chanofruticosinates from leaves of Kopsia flavida Blume
    Husain K, Jantan I, Kamaruddin N, Said IM, Aimi N, Takayama H
    Phytochemistry, 2001 Jun;57(4):603-6.
    PMID: 11394866
    Three new indole alkaloids with methyl chanofruticosinates skeletal system, viz., methyl 12-methoxy-N1-decarbomethoxychanofruticosinate, methyl 12-methoxychanofruticosinate and methyl 11,12-dimethoxychanofruticosinate, in addition to methyl 11,12-methylenedioxy-N1-decarbomethoxychanofruticosinate, have been isolated from the leaves of Kopsia flavida Blume. The structures of these three new indole alkaloids were assigned by NMR spectral data using various 2D-techniques.
    MeSH terms: Alkaloids/isolation & purification*; Alkaloids/chemistry*; Biological Factors/isolation & purification; Biological Factors/chemistry; Indoles/chemistry*; Malaysia; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Angiosperms/chemistry*
  17. Immunochemical characterization of edible bird's nest allergens
    Goh DL, Chua KY, Chew FT, Liang RC, Seow TK, Ou KL, et al.
    J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2001 Jun;107(6):1082-7.
    PMID: 11398089
    BACKGROUND: We have previously described anaphylaxis induced by edible bird's nest (BN) and demonstrated that this condition is IgE mediated.

    OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at describing the immunochemical properties of the BN allergens. Comparative studies between 3 commercially available sources (according to the country of origin) of BN were also made.

    METHODS: Crude extracts of commercially available processed BN from Sarawak (Malaysia), Thailand, and Indonesia and fresh unprocessed BN from the caves of Sarawak were obtained by means of aqueous extraction. Specific IgE toward these sources were determined by using fluorescence allergosorbent tests (FASTs). Cross-reactivity studies between the 3 sources of commercially available processed BN were carried out by means of FAST inhibition. Immunochemical characterization by means of IgE immunoblot, periodate treatment, and heat stability studies were carried out on fresh unprocessed BN from Sarawak.

    RESULTS: Serum from allergic patients showed differences in IgE binding to the 3 sources of commercially available BN, with the highest levels of specific IgE recorded with the Sarawak source (P

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Allergens/immunology*; Allergens/metabolism; Allergens/chemistry*; Amino Acid Sequence; Anaphylaxis/etiology; Animals; Birds*; Child; Child, Preschool; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Female; Food Hypersensitivity/etiology*; Hot Temperature; Humans; Immunoglobulin E/blood; Immunoglobulin E/immunology; Immunoglobulin E/metabolism; Infant; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Periodic Acid/pharmacology; Saliva/immunology*; Saliva/chemistry; Immunoblotting
  18. Characterization and fat migration of palm kernel stearin as affected by addition of desiccated coconut used as base filling centre in dark chocolate
    Ali A, Selamat J, Man YB, Suria AM
    Int J Food Sci Nutr, 2001 May;52(3):251-61.
    PMID: 11400474
    The characterization and fat migration of palm kernel stearin (PKS) and desiccated coconut, used as base filling centre in dark chocolate were studied. C36 and C38 triglycerides of PKS decreased by 11% and 9.6% respectively, whereas C32 and C34 increased by 97% and 48% respectively. The change in the triglycerides composition of PKS shift the melting point of PKS from 33.2 to 31.4 degrees C. Solid fat content (SFC) of PK reduced by 40% at 30 degrees C. The rate of fat migration was very slow at 18 degrees C storage compared to 30 degrees C. The rate of change of C36 in the chocolate layer was 0.1% week-1 and 1.2% week-1 at 18 and 30 degrees C respectively. Chocolate stored at 18 degrees C showed post hardening during storage period and withstood bloom during the storage period, whereas that stored at 30 degrees C became soft and bloomed faster after 3 weeks of storage.
    MeSH terms: Cacao; Candy*; Food Preservation; Food Technology*; Hardness; Humans; Plant Oils*; Temperature; Triglycerides/chemistry
  19. Asynchronous emergence by loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) hatchlings
    Houghton JD, Hays GC
    Naturwissenschaften, 2001 Mar;88(3):133-6.
    PMID: 11402844
    For many decades it has been accepted that marine turtle hatchlings from the same nest generally emerge from the sand together. However, for loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting on the Greek Island of Kefalonia, a more asynchronous pattern of emergence has been documented. By placing temperature loggers at the top and bottom of nests laid on Kefalonia during 1998, we examined whether this asynchronous emergence was related to the thermal conditions within nests. Pronounced thermal variation existed not only between, but also within, individual nests. These within-nest temperature differences were related to the patterns of hatchling emergence, with hatchlings from nests displaying large thermal ranges emerging over a longer time-scale than those characterised by more uniform temperatures. In many egg-laying animals, parental care of the offspring may continue while the eggs are incubating and also after they have hatched. Consequently, the importance of the nest site for determining incubation conditions may be reduced since the parents themselves may alter the local environment. By contrast, in marine turtles, parental care ceases once the eggs have been laid and the nest site covered. The positioning of the nest site, in both space and time, may therefore have profound effects for marine turtles by affecting, for example, the survival of the eggs and hatchlings as well as their sex (Janzen and Paukstis 1991). During incubation, sea turtle embryos grow from a few cells at oviposition to a self-sufficient organism at hatching some 50-80 days later (Ackerman 1997). After hatching, the young turtles dig up through the sand and emerge typically en masse at the surface 1-7 nights later, with a number of stragglers following over the next few nights (Christens 1990). This contrasts with the frequently observed pattern of hatching asynchrony in birds. It has been suggested that the cause of mass emergence in turtles is that eggs within a clutch are fertilised within a short period of time and then, when thermal conditions within the nest are uniform, develop at very similar rates and hence hatch and emerge together (Porter 1972). As a corollary of this idea, it would be predicted that when there are pronounced within-nest thermal gradients, development rates of siblings will be different and hence asynchronous hatching and emergence might occur. While it may be energetically beneficial for hatchlings to emerge in a group (Carr and Hirth 1961), if the extent of hatching asynchrony is marked then there may be severe costs for individuals if they wait for all their siblings to hatch before attempting to dig out of the sand (Hays and Speakman 1992). Under such conditions, the protracted emergence of small groups of hatchlings over several nights may be favoured. Examination of the literature suggests that emergence asynchrony may be more widespread than generally considered. For example, Witherington et al. (1990) described loggerhead turtle hatchlings (Caretta caretta) emerging over 4 days in Florida; for green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Hendrickson (1958) documented that nests in Malaysia and Sarawak produced hatchlings for up to 8 days; whilst Diamond (1976) found that hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) nests on Cousin Island, Seychelles, were active for up to 4 days. Similarly, on the Greek Island of Kefalonia, we have shown that emergence from individual loggerhead turtle nests may occur on up to 11 nights (Hays and Speakman 1992). It is logical to suppose that asynchronous emergence relates to thermal gradients within nests, since the incubation duration of sea turtle eggs is related to temperature, with eggs hatching quicker when the temperature is higher. Here we test this hypothesis by measuring thermal variations within loggerhead turtle nests and comparing these variations to the patterns of hatchling emergence.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Greece; Mediterranean Islands; Oviposition; Social Behavior*; Temperature; Turtles/physiology*
  20. A study of the appropriateness of antibiotic use in the medical wards of a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia
    Hooi PY, Yong CM, Cheong I
    Int J Clin Pract, 2001 May;55(4):272-4.
    PMID: 11406914
    A prospective study was conducted to determine the proportion of patients who received an antibiotic within 12 hours of admission to the medical wards. During the four-week study, 234 patients were admitted to medical wards from casualty; 68 patients (29%) received an antibiotic. The survey indicated that antibiotics were inappropriate in 22-65% of those treated. This study also shows that as many as 67% of patients who received intravenous antibiotics could have been equally well treated with oral preparations.
    MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use*; Decision Making; Hospitalization; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Malaysia; Medical Audit; Prospective Studies; Sepsis/diagnosis; Sepsis/drug therapy*; Unnecessary Procedures
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