Browse publications by year: 2001

Utilization of public and private dental services in Sibu, Sarawak: a sociodemographic appraisal and types of treatment received

Chu GT, Latifah RJ

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2001;13(2):79-84.
PMID: 12597503 DOI: 10.1177/101053950101300204

This study investigated the sociodemographic profiles of patients attending public and private dental clinics and the types of treatment received. Patients (n=454) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire at two public and four private clinics in Sibu District, Sarawak. Generally, Chinese (74.7%), females (60.0%) and urban dwellers (83.7%) were more likely to visit the dentist. Both clinics had more females and more Chinese but private clinics had a lower percentage of female attendees (53.1% versus 67.0%) but a higher percentage of Chinese (85.0% versus 64.5%). Private attendees were younger (mean age of 31.0 years compared to 41.0 years) and from higher income households (median value of MR 2,000 versus MR 900) than public attendees. Treatments were mostly curative and a third of the visits were associated with painful conditions. Age (p=0.006), gender (p=0.003), ethnicity (p<0.001) and household income (p<0.001) were associated with the type of clinic visited. Choice of clinic was not related to having painful conditions (p=0.970). To ensure a more affordable and equitable distribution of oral healthcare, health planners need to identify disparities in the utilization of services and differences between public and private attendees.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Clinics/utilization*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Private Practice; Private Practice/utilization*; Socioeconomic Factors; Toothache/therapy*; Public Sector/utilization*
Issues in public health: assuaging concern from contaminated land resulting from land use dynamics in Malaysia

Singh H

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2001;13(2):122-7.
PMID: 12597510

The anthropogenic disturbance of pristine natural areas caused by land use and transformation from one use to another as a result of increased pressure from demographic changes and the economics of this shrinking resource can result in adverse health hazards for the community. This paper appraises the consequential impact of land use dynamics, its assessment and measures required to assuage this overlooked public health issue. The anthropogenic impact from land use in Malaysia from the industrial sector alone points toward the potential capacity to cause adverse health hazards. A deficiency in assessing this impact due to limited information has resulted in the inability to establish the extent of this problem. Several necessary measures to establish the extent of the problem involving ways to characterise contaminated land and the evolution of a strategy to resolve it are discussed.

MeSH terms: Agriculture/methods; Environmental Pollution*; Humans; Malaysia; Public Health*
Microvascular thrombosis in pediatric multiple organ failure: Is it a therapeutic target?

Nguyen T, Hall M, Han Y, Fiedor M, Hasset A, Lopez-Plaza I, et al.

Pediatr Crit Care Med, 2001 Jul;2(3):187-196.
PMID: 12793940

PURPOSE: To discuss the current rationale for the use of specific and nonspecific therapies for thrombotic microangiopathy in thrombocytopenia-associated pediatric multiple organ failure syndromes. Methods: Pertinent PubMed and MEDLINE citations and proceedings of recent critical care meeting presentations were reviewed. RESULTS: Critical care clinicians have reported using antithrombin III concentrate, protein C concentrate, activated protein C, prostacyclin and its analogues, heparin, tissue factor pathway inhibitor concentrate, plasma infusion, plasma exchange, whole blood exchange, pentoxifylline, tissue plasminogen activator, urokinase, and streptokinase with perceived therapeutic benefits in patients with thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure, including those with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, and secondary thrombotic microangiopathy syndrome without prolonged prothrombin time/activated partial thromboplastin time. CONCLUSION: Assuming that underlying disease is remediable, a consensus has developed that thrombotic microangiopathy is a therapeutic target in children with thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure syndromes. Studies are warranted to delineate efficacious use of specific and nonspecific therapies to prevent and reverse thrombotic microangiopathy in these patients.

MeSH terms: Antithrombin III; Child; Critical Care; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome; Heparin; Humans; Multiple Organ Failure; Partial Thromboplastin Time; Pentoxifylline; Plasma Exchange; Plasmapheresis; Tissue Plasminogen Activator; Epoprostenol; Protein C; Prothrombin Time; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic; Streptokinase; Thromboplastin; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator; MEDLINE; Consensus; Thrombotic Microangiopathies
Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) Green manures as a potential source of N for maize production in the tropics

Bah AR, Rahman ZA

ScientificWorldJournal, 2001 Nov 22;1 Suppl 2:90-5.
PMID: 12805783

Use of cheap, N-rich, and environmentally benign legume green manures to correct N deficiency in infertile soils is a very attractive option in the humid tropics. Understanding the influence of management and climate on their effectiveness, and quantifying their contribution to crop productivity, is therefore crucial for technology adoption and adaptation. Mineral N buildup and the contribution to N uptake in maize were studied in an Ultisol amended with fresh Gliricidia leaves. Net mineral N accumulation was compared in mulched and incorporated treatments in a field incubation study. The 15 N isotope dilution technique was used to quantify N supplied to maize by Gliricidia leaves in an alley cropping. Mineral N accumulation was slow, but was much greater after incorporation than after mulching. Also, N buildup was always higher in the topsoil (0 to 10 cm) than in the subsoil (10 to 20 cm). More NO3-N was leached than NH4-N, and the effect was greater in the incorporated treatment. Surface-applied Gliricidia leaves significantly increased N uptake by maize, and supplied >30% of the total N in the stover and >20% of that in the corn grain, even in the presence of hedgerows. Thus Gliricidia leaf mulch has immense potential to improve productivity in tropical soils.

MeSH terms: Agriculture/methods*; Ammonia/analysis; Fabaceae/chemistry*; Malaysia; Nitrates/analysis; Nitrogen Isotopes; Tropical Climate
Fulltext Orthopaedic training in Malaysia 1981-2001: two decades of the masters programme

Sharaf I

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:1-2.
PMID: 14569756 MyJurnal
MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia; Orthopedics/education*; Time Factors
Fulltext Orthopaedic research in Malaysia: our legacy and some thoughts on future directions

Harwant S

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:3-4.
PMID: 14569757
MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia; Orthopedics/trends*; Research/trends*
Fulltext Risk factors for infection in total knee replacement surgery at Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Syahrizal AB, Kareem BA, Anbanadan S, Harwant S

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:5-8.
PMID: 14569758 MyJurnal

One hundred primary TKR surgeries done between January 1994 and December 1999 were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 37.4 months. The rate of superficial and deep wound infection were 2% and 9% respectively. The most common organism in wound infection was Staphylococcus aureus. The factors that were significantly associated with superficial wound infection were diabetes mellitus (p = 0.005) and rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.0000). The factors that were significantly associated with deep wound infection were diabetes mellitus (p = 0.000). There was no significant difference between duration of surgery, and the mean age among patients with and without wound infections.

MeSH terms: Follow-Up Studies; Hospitals/statistics & numerical data; Hospitals, General; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Surgical Wound Infection/etiology*; Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects*; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/statistics & numerical data
Fulltext Vulnerability of the lower limb in non-fatal motorcycle injuries

Pang TY, Radin Umar RS, Harwant S

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:9-11.
PMID: 14569759 MyJurnal

Motorcyclists form the highest group of fatalities on Malaysian roads. This is a prospective study conducted at 3 major hospitals for a period of 12 months to determine the type of motorcyclist injuries that usually required hospitalization. Four hundred and twelve consecutively injured motorcyclists were available for study. One hundred and eighty six (45.15%) were fatally injured and 226 (54.85%) were seriously injured and surviving. The main cause of fatalities was head injury, while lower limb injuries accounted for majority of hospitalizations. This study highlights the vulnerability of the motorcyclist to lower limb injuries.

MeSH terms: Humans; Leg Injuries/etiology; Leg Injuries/epidemiology*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Motorcycles/statistics & numerical data*; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors
Fulltext Mechanical failure of Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) fixation in intertrochanteric fracture of the femur

Nordin S, Zulkifli O, Faisham WI

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:12-7.
PMID: 14569760

We studied 60 intertrochanteric fractures of the femur fixed with Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS). There were 10 cases (16.7%) with cutting-out of device through femoral head and neck. Stable fracture pattern, postero-inferior and central position of screw in the femoral neck and head produced high percentage of good result, whereas anterior or superior position of screw produced higher incidence of cut-out. We found osteoporosis and distance of screw tip to subchondral bone to have no influence on the final outcome.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bone Screws/adverse effects*; Bone Screws/statistics & numerical data; Equipment Failure/statistics & numerical data; Female; Fracture Fixation, Internal/adverse effects; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*; Fracture Fixation, Internal/statistics & numerical data; Hip Fractures/surgery*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications*; Retrospective Studies
Fulltext Outcome of meniscus surgery at University Malaya Medical Centre

Vinayaga P, Amalourde A, Tay YG, Chan KY

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:18-23.
PMID: 14569761 MyJurnal

Between January 1994 to December 1998, 133 patients had a meniscal surgery at University Malaya Medical Centre. Fifty-four patients were assessed and scored with the Lysholm and Tegner scoring system. Twenty-nine patients had partial meniscectomies and 25 had meniscus repair. The outcome was successful in 80% with meniscal repair and 51.7% with partial meniscectomy. The outcome of meniscal repair in this study is comparable to other reported series. However, the failure rate for partial meniscectomy was high.

MeSH terms: Academic Medical Centers/statistics & numerical data; Adolescent; Adult; Child; Female; Humans; Knee Injuries/surgery*; Malaysia; Male; Menisci, Tibial/injuries*; Menisci, Tibial/surgery*; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies
Fulltext Comparison study between reamed and unreamed nailing of closed femoral fractures

Selvakumar K, Saw KY, Fathima M

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:24-8.
PMID: 14569762

Intramedullary nailing is an accepted procedures for femoral fractures gives uniformly good results. Various methods of intramedullary fixation have been practiced in the past. Recently intramedullary fixation without reaming has come into vogue. Preservation of the endosteal blood supply, less blood loss and quicker union have been the alleged benefits of not reaming the medullary canal. This study is a prospective randomised study conducted to compare intramedullary nail fixation of closed femoral fractures with and without a reaming procedure to assess the validity of the above assumptions. One hundred and two consecutive cases of skeletally mature patients with closed fracture of femoral shaft were randomised into two groups, i.e. Reamed (52) and Unreamed (50). The average follow-up was 36 weeks (range 28-86 weeks). Average time taken for various stages of the operation and total operating time were longer in the reamed group (109.9 min vs 78.6 min) and the blood loss was also increased (320 mls vs. 190 mls). Bridging and callus formation were seen to occur earlier in the reamed group compared to the unreamed enabling the patients in the reamed group to return to normal functions earlier. Limb length discrepancy and rotational alignment measured clinically and with CT scan did not however show any significant difference between the two methods. Nails used in this study group were notably of a smaller diameter and of shorter length when compared to those used in the western population highlighting the difference in the femur in the Asian population. Complications were notably more in the unreamed group where these were screw breakage (3/50) delayed unions (9/50) and non-unions (4/50). In the reamed group however there were only delayed union (2/50) and all fractures eventually united without any implant failure. We conclude that closed, reamed, antegrade insertion of an intramedullary nail is the treatment of choice in femoral shaft fractures, especially those involving the distal 1/3. The unreamed procedure should be reserved for certain exceptions, such as in polytrauma, where a shorter operative time and less blood loss is desired.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bone Nails/adverse effects*; Female; Femoral Fractures/surgery*; Follow-Up Studies; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary/adverse effects*; Hospitals; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications*; Prospective Studies; Time Factors; Clinical Trial
Fulltext Are diabetic foot lesions precipitated by accidental trauma?

Doshi HK, Moissinac K, Harwant S

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:29-33.
PMID: 14569763

Diabetic foot lesions may arise from frictional trauma due to tight or inappropriate footwear, repetitive stresses on parts of the foot, overlying bony prominence generated by walking and accidental trauma to the neuropathic foot. Many diabetics have been found to be unaware of their foot lesion, or know what the precipitating cause was. Based on the assumption that accidental trauma would affect the foot in a random fashion and result in lesions distributed evenly throughout the foot, a study was performed to determine whether foot lesions were distributed evenly or concentrated to certain areas of predilection. It was found that foot lesions were not evenly distributed but concentrated to certain areas of predilection. Even though relatively high proportion of the study population walked about in open slippers and barefeet, the study showed that accidental trauma was not a predominant precipitant of diabetic foot lesions. Diabetic foot lesions tend to occur as a result of cumulative, repetitive trauma to areas of prediliection rather than accidental trauma.

MeSH terms: Accidents*; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Diabetic Foot/etiology*; Foot Injuries/complications*
Fulltext Early remodeling in children's forearm fractures

Qairul IH, Kareem BA, Tan AB, Harwant S

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:34-7.
PMID: 14569764

The forearm fracture is a fracture of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. It is a common injury in children, accounting for more than half of all children's fractures, and mostly occur when a child falls on the outstretched arm. A difficult clinical problem that often arises is how much angulation can be accepted in the child and how much remodeling will occur. One hundred consecutive cases of forearm fractures that were admitted at Childrens Orthopaedic Ward, Institute of Paediatrics at Hospital Kuala Lumpur between 1st January 1997 to 31st December 1998 were studied. We found that all fractures united 3 to 6 weeks, with a remodeling rate of about 2.5 degrees/month: the proximal fractures having the most potential to remodel. We conclude that the early remodeling potential of forearm fractures in children is 1.5 degrees/month in midshaft fractures and 2.5 degrees/month in distal and proximal fractures. We recommend accepting a 10-20 degree angulation in midshaft fractures, and a 20-30 degree angulation in metaphyseal fractures; based on our study of early remodeling potential.

MeSH terms: Age Factors; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Radius Fractures/physiopathology*; Radius Fractures/therapy; Time Factors; Ulna Fractures/physiopathology*; Ulna Fractures/therapy; Bone Remodeling/physiology*; Fracture Healing/physiology*
Fulltext Crossed-pin versus lateral-pin fixation in pediatric supracondylar fractures

Shamsuddin SA, Penafort R, Sharaf I

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:38-44.
PMID: 14569765 MyJurnal

A retrospective study was done on 56 patients treated with percutaneous pinning of displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in the Paediatrics Institute of Hospital Kuala Lumpur between November 1999 and October 2000, to ascertain whether there is any significance clinically in the stability of a crossed pinning medial compared with lateral pinning method. There was equal number of patients in each group (28 patients). The radiographs were evaluated for change in Baumann's angle and Lateral Humero-capitellar angle from immediate post-op until the last follow-up. The changes in the angles did not reveal any statistically significant difference in the ability to maintain reduction of the fractures. There were 3 instances of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury in the crossed pinning group; the lateral pinning group had 1 case each of anterior interosseous nerve and radial nerve injury post operatively. No vascular injury was noted. Two cases of superficial pin tract infection were present in each group. The lateral percutaneous pinning technique of displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus therefore offers a viable alternative to the crossed pinning group as it offers the same stability without the incipient risk of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury.

MeSH terms: Child; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fracture Fixation, Internal/adverse effects; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*; Humans; Humeral Fractures/radiography; Humeral Fractures/surgery*; Male; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Fulltext Screw osteosynthesis in the treatment of fracture lateral humeral condyle in children

Baharuddin M, Sharaf I

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:45-7.
PMID: 14569766

We reviewed the results of screw osteosynthesis for the treatment of fracture lateral condylar physis in twenty children whose average age was six years old (range, two to ten years) at the time of operation from January 1998 till December 2000. The average interval between the injury and the operation was three and half days (range, one day to two weeks). The average duration of follow up was one year (range, one year to two years). Osteosynthesis was revised in two patients due to anterior placement of screw and rotated distal fracture fragment. Osseous union was achieved in all twenty patients. The result was rated excellent in nineteen patients and good in one patient.

MeSH terms: Bone Screws/adverse effects*; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fracture Fixation, Internal/adverse effects*; Humans; Humeral Fractures/surgery*; Male; Postoperative Complications*; Prospective Studies; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Fulltext Relevance of Cobb method in progressing sagittal plane spinal deformity

Harwant S

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:48-53.
PMID: 14569767

Non-traumatic, progressing sagittal plane deformities are uncommon, but can lead to neurological deficit if untreated. The currently used Cobb method in assessing sagittal spinal curves is based on measuring the tilt of the end vertebrae. This study describes a method which quantifies the apex of the sagittal curve based on the apical quality as measured by the radius of curvature. Both this and the Cobb methods are compared to determine which has relevance in determining neurological deficit. Radiographs of 36 consecutive patients diagnosed with congenital kyphosis were reviewed. Twenty-four had normal neurology and 12 had neurological deficit as a result of sagittal curve progression. Both groups of patients had their weight bearing lateral radiographs analysed to measure the sagittal curve by the usual Cobb method and the Radius of Curvature method. There was no difference for the Cobb values for negative neurology and patients with positive neurological deficit (p = 0.3). There was a difference in these two groups when the radius of curvature method was used (p < 0.0005). The Radius of Curvature method has more relevance than Cobb method in quantifying sagittal plane deformity in congenital kyphosis when assessing neurological deficit.

MeSH terms: Humans; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted*; Severity of Illness Index; Spinal Curvatures/physiopathology; Spinal Curvatures/radiography*; Spine/physiopathology; Spine/radiography; Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext Acute haematogenous osteomyelitis: an unusual complication following a closed fracture of the femur in a child

Baharuddin M, Sharaf I

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:54-6.
PMID: 14569768

We report a rare case of an acute haematogenous osteomyelitis of the femur in a five-year-old boy following a closed fracture of the femur. Because of its rare occurrence, the diagnosis of osteomyelitis was missed initially. He presented with a groin abscess seven weeks after injury. He was treated with external fixation, repeated debridements and intravenous antibiotics. Culture grew Staphylococcus aureus. The latest follow-up one-year after the injury showed resolution of the infection and union of the fracture. The range of knee movement is limited from 0-90 degrees due to quadriceps contracture.

MeSH terms: Acute Disease; Child, Preschool; Femoral Fractures/complications*; Femoral Fractures/radiography; Femur/blood supply; Fractures, Closed/complications*; Fractures, Closed/radiography; Humans; Male; Osteomyelitis/etiology*; Osteomyelitis/microbiology; Osteomyelitis/radiography
Fulltext Haemorrhagic lumbar synovial cyst

Soon CK, Razak M

Med J Malaysia, 2001 Dec;56 Suppl D:57-60.
PMID: 14569769

Hemorrhagic lumbar synovial cysts are not commonly reported in English literature. Post-resection recurrence of synovial cyst is unusual and therefore recurrence symptoms required repeat MRI or CT scan. We reported a case of hemorrhagic lumbar synovial cyst presented with neurological deficit that recovered initially after surgery but subsequently developed recurrent of symptoms at a higher level due to fibrous tissue.

MeSH terms: Back Pain/etiology; Female; Hemorrhage/complications*; Hemorrhage/diagnosis; Hemorrhage/therapy; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology; Lumbar Vertebrae/radiography; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery; Middle Aged; Paresthesia/etiology; Recurrence; Synovial Cyst/complications*; Synovial Cyst/diagnosis; Synovial Cyst/therapy
Modulation of intraocular pressure by unilateral and forced unilateral nostril breathing in young healthy human subjects

Mohan SM, Reddy SC, Wei LY

Int Ophthalmol, 2001;24(6):305-11.
PMID: 14750567

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of unilateral right/left nostril breathing (URNB/ULNB) and forced unilateral right/left nostril breathing (FURNB/FULNB) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and to examine the differences in the IOP during the various phases of nasal cycle.
METHODS: Young healthy volunteers of either sex aged between 19-24 years, participated in the sessions using URNB/ULNB (n = 52) and FURNB/FULNB (n = 28). The nostril dominance was calculated from signals recorded on the PowerLab equipment, representing pressure changes at the end of the nostrils during respiration. The IOP was measured with Tono-Pen. The subjects were divided into 4 groups viz. right nostril dominant (RND), left nostril dominant (LND), transitional right nostril dominant (TRND) and transitional left nostril dominant (TLND) groups. The IOP data 'before and after' URNB/ULNB or FURNB/FULNB were compared by using paired t-test. The baseline data of IOP between the groups were analysed by using independent samples t-test.
RESULTS: The URNB decreased the IOP in the LND and TLND (p < 0.01) and also in the RND (p < 0.05) groups but not significantly in the TRND group. The ULNB decreased the IOP in the RND group (p < 0.01) only. The FURNB significantly reduced the IOP (p < 0.05) only in the LND and RND groups. The FULNB decreased the IOP but not significantly. The baseline IOP did not differ significantly between the LND, RND, TLND and TRND groups.
CONCLUSION: The URNB/FURNB reduced the IOP, while ULNB/FULNB failed to increase the IOP significantly. It is suggested that the lowering of IOP by URNB indicated sympathetic stimulation.

MeSH terms: Adult; Female; Humans; Intraocular Pressure/physiology*; Male; Nasal Cavity/physiology*; Reference Values; Respiratory Mechanics/physiology*
Genetic diversity of Ostreopsis ovata (Dinophyceae) from Malaysia

Pin LC, Teen LP, Ahmad A, Usup G

Mar Biotechnol (NY), 2001 May;3(3):246-55.
PMID: 14961362

The genus Ostreopsis is an important component of benthic and epiphytic dinoflagellate assemblages in coral reefs and seaweed beds of Malaysia. Members of the species may produce toxins that contribute to ciguatera fish poisoning. In this study, two species have been isolated and cultured, Ostreopsis ovata and Ostreopsis lenticularis. Analyses of the 5.8S subunit and internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2 of the ribosomal RNA gene sequences of these two species showed that they are separate species, consistent with morphological designations. The nucleotide sequences of the 5.8S subunit and ITS1 and ITS2 regions of the rRNA gene were also used to evaluate the interpopulation and intrapopulation genetic diversity of O. ovata found in Malaysian waters. Results showed a low level of sequence divergence within populations. At the interpopulation level, the rRNA gene sequence distinguished two groups of genetically distinct strains, representative of a Malacca Straits group (isolates from Port Dickson) and a South China Sea group (isolates from Pulau Redang and Kota Kinabalu). Part of the sequences in the ITS regions may be useful in the design of oligonucleotide probes specific for each group. Results from this study show that the ITS regions can be used as genetic markers for taxonomic, biogeographic, and fine-scale population studies of this species.

MeSH terms: Animals; Base Sequence; China; Dinoflagellida; Genetic Markers; Malaysia; Seaweed; Toxins, Biological; Genetic Variation; Oligonucleotide Probes; Genes, rRNA; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Ciguatera Poisoning; Coral Reefs

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