Browse publications by year: 2004

  1. An evaluation of the modified Airway Management Device
    Chiu CL, Wang CY
    Anaesth Intensive Care, 2004 Feb;32(1):77-80.
    PMID: 15058125
    This is a preliminary report on the use of the modified Airway Management Device in 50 spontaneously breathing patients undergoing elective day care surgery. We were successful in establishing a clear airway in all 50 patients, 46 of these patients had a patient airway on the first attempt. All patients were successfully managed with the Airway Management Device throughout the surgery. Partial airway obstruction during maintenance of anaesthesia occurred in three cases requiring only minor manipulations. Our result showed that the Airway Management Device may be used as an alternative airway management in anaesthesia.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Anesthesia, General; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure; Female; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal/instrumentation*; Male; Middle Aged; Elective Surgical Procedures
  2. Effect of pulping variables on the characteristics of oil-palm frond-fiber
    Wan Rosli WD, Law KN, Zainuddin Z, Asro R
    Bioresour Technol, 2004 Jul;93(3):233-40.
    PMID: 15062817
    Caustic pulping of oil-palm frond-fiber strands was conducted following a central composite design using a two-level factorial plan involving three pulping variables (temperature: 160-180 degrees C, time: 1-2 h, alkali charge: 20-30% NaOH). Responses of pulp properties to the process variables were analyzed using a statistical software (DESIGN-EXPERT). The results indicated that frond-fiber strands could be pulped with ease to about 35-45% yield. Statistically, the reaction time was not a significant factor while the influences of the treatment temperature and caustic charge were in general significantly relative to the properties of the resultant pulps.
    MeSH terms: Caustics/chemistry*; Materials Testing; Paper; Sodium Hydroxide/chemistry; Temperature; Time Factors; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Arecaceae/chemistry*
  3. The Malaysian Telehealth Flagship Application: a national approach to health data protection and utilisation and consumer rights
    Mohan J, Razali Raja Yaacob R
    Int J Med Inform, 2004 Mar 31;73(3):217-27.
    PMID: 15066550
    Telehealth refers to the integration of information, telecommunication, human-machine interface technologies and health technologies to deliver health care, to promote the heath status of the people and to create health. The Malaysian Telehealth Application will, on completion, provide every resident of the country an electronic Lifetime Health Record (LHR) and Lifetime Health Plan (LHP). He or she will also hold a smart card that will contain a subset of the data in the Lifetime Health Record. These will be the means by which Malaysians will receive "seamless continuous quality care" across a range of health facilities and health care providers, and by which Malaysia's health goal of a nation of "healthy individuals, families and communities" is achieved. The challenges to security and privacy in providing access to an electronic Lifetime Health Record at private and government health facilities and to the electronic Lifetime Health Plan at homes of consumers require not only technical mechanisms but also national policies and practices addressing threats while facilitating access to health data during health encounters in different care settings. Organisational policies establish the goals that technical mechanisms serve. They should outline appropriate uses and access to information, create mechanisms for preventing and detecting violations, and set sanctions for violations. Some interesting innovations have been used to address these issues against the background of the launching of the multimedia supercorridor (MSC) in Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Health Promotion; Humans; Malaysia; National Health Programs*; Patient Care Planning; Medical Records Systems, Computerized*; Computer Security*; Program Development; Telemedicine*; Delivery of Health Care, Integrated*; Multimedia; Patient Rights
  4. Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and epidemiological significance of ctx+ strains of Vibrio cholerae isolated from seafood in Malaysia
    Chen CH, Shimada T, Elhadi N, Radu S, Nishibuchi M
    Appl Environ Microbiol, 2004 Apr;70(4):1964-72.
    PMID: 15066786
    Of 97 strains of Vibrio cholerae isolated from various seafoods in Malaysia in 1998 and 1999, 20 strains carried the ctx gene and produced cholera toxin. Fourteen, one, and five of these toxigenic strains belonged to the O139, O1 Ogawa, and rough serotypes, respectively. The rough strains had the rfb gene of the O1 serotype. The toxigenic strains varied in their biochemical characteristics, the amount of cholera toxin produced, their antibiograms, and the presence or absence of the pTLC plasmid sequence. DNA fingerprinting analysis by arbitrarily primed PCR, ribotyping, and a pulsed-field gel electrophoresis method classified the toxigenic strains into 3, 7, and 10 types, respectively. The relatedness of these toxigenic strains to clinical strains isolated in other countries and from international travelers was examined by using a dendrogram constructed from the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles. The results of the examination of the antibiogram and the possession of the toxin-linked cryptic plasmid were consistent with the dendrogram-based relatedness: the O139 strains isolated from Malaysian seafoods could be separated into two groups that appear to have been introduced from the Bengal area independently. The rough strains of Malaysian seafood origin formed one group and belonged to a cluster unique to the Thailand-Malaysia-Laos region, and this group may have persisted in this area for a long period. The single O1 Ogawa strain detected in Malaysian seafood appears to have an origin and route of introduction different from those of the O139 and the rough strains.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cholera/epidemiology; Cholera Toxin/biosynthesis; Cholera Toxin/genetics*; Food Microbiology*; Genotype; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Phenotype; Vibrio cholerae/classification; Vibrio cholerae/genetics*; Vibrio cholerae/isolation & purification*; Vibrio cholerae/pathogenicity; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Epidemiologic Factors; DNA Fingerprinting; Seafood/microbiology*
  5. Anthraquinones production, hydrogen peroxide level and antioxidant vitamins in Morinda elliptica cell suspension cultures from intermediary and production medium strategies
    Chong TM, Abdullah MA, Fadzillah NM, Lai OM, Lajis NH
    Plant Cell Rep, 2004 Jul;22(12):951-8.
    PMID: 15067428
    The effects of medium strategies [maintenance (M), intermediary (G), and production (P) medium] on cell growth, anthraquinone (AQ) production, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant vitamins in Morinda elliptica cell suspension cultures were investigated. These were compared with third-stage leaf and 1-month-old callus culture. With P medium strategy, cell growth at 49 g l(-1), intracellular AQ content at 42 mg g(-1) DW, and H2O2 level at 9 micromol g(-1) FW medium were the highest as compared to the others. However, the extent of lipid peroxidation at 40.4 nmol g(-1) FW and total carotenoids at 13.3 mg g(-1) FW for cultures in P medium were comparable to that in the leaf, which had registered sevenfold lower AQ and 2.2-fold lower H2O2 levels. Vitamin C content at 30-120 microg g(-1) FW in all culture systems was almost half the leaf content. On the other hand, vitamin E content was around 400-500 microg g(-1) FW in 7-day-old cultures from all medium strategies and reduced to 50-150 microg g(-1) FW on day 14 and 21; as compared to 60 microg g(-1) FW in callus and 200 microg g(-1) FW in the leaf. This study suggests that medium strategies and cell growth phase in cell culture could influence the competition between primary and secondary metabolism, oxidative stresses and antioxidative measures. When compared with the leaf metabolism, these activities are dynamic depending on the types and availability of antioxidants.
    MeSH terms: Anthraquinones/metabolism*; Antioxidants/metabolism*; Ascorbic Acid/metabolism*; Cells, Cultured; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism*; Vitamin E/metabolism*; Lipid Peroxidation; Plant Leaves/metabolism; Morinda/cytology*; Morinda/metabolism*
  6. The effects of exclusion of dietary egg and milk in the management of asthmatic children: a pilot study
    Yusoff NA, Hampton SM, Dickerson JW, Morgan JB
    J R Soc Promot Health, 2004 Mar;124(2):74-80.
    PMID: 15067979 DOI: 10.1177/146642400412400211
    Current understanding of the use of exclusion diets in the management of asthma in children is limited and controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of excluding eggs and milk on the occurrence of symptoms in children with asthma and involved 22 children aged between three and 14 years clinically diagnosed as having mild to moderate disease. The investigation was single blind and prospective, and parents were given the option of volunteering to join the 'experiment' group, avoiding eggs, milk and their products for eight weeks, or the 'control' group, who consumed their customary food. Thirteen children were recruited to the experimental group and nine to the control group. A trained paediatrician at the beginning and end of the study period assessed the children. A seven-day assessment of food intake was made before, during and immediately after the period of dietary intervention in both groups. A blood sample was taken from each child for determination of food specific antibodies and in those children who could do so, the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured. Based on the recommended nutrient intake (RNI), the mean percentage energy intake of the children in the experimental group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the experimental group. After the eight-week study period and compared with baseline values, the mean serum anti-ovalbumin IgG and anti-beta lactoglobulin IgG concentrations were statistically significantly reduced (p < 0.05) for both in the experimental group. In contrast, the values for anti-ovalbumin IgG in the control group were significantly increased and those for anti-beta lactoglobulin IgG were practically unchanged. The total IgE values were unchanged in both groups. Over the study period, the PEFR in those children in the experimental group able to perform the test was significantly increased, but no such change was noted in the children in the control group who could do the test. These results suggest that even over the short time period of eight weeks, an egg- and milk-free diet can reduce atopic symptoms and improve lung function in asthmatic children.
    Study site: Outpatient Department, Royal County Hospital and the Frimley Children’s Centre, United Kingdom
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Animals; Asthma/diet therapy*; Asthma/immunology; Asthma/physiopathology; Energy Intake; Child; Child, Preschool; Eggs/adverse effects*; England; Female; Great Britain; Humans; Immunoglobulin E/blood; Immunoglobulin E/immunology; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Immunoglobulin G/immunology; Lactoglobulins/blood; Lactoglobulins/immunology; Male; Milk/adverse effects*; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Pilot Projects; Diet Records; Single-Blind Method; Milk Hypersensitivity/prevention & control
  7. Auricular pseudocyst in the tropics: a multi-racial Singapore experience
    Tan BY, Hsu PP
    J Laryngol Otol, 2004 Mar;118(3):185-8.
    PMID: 15068513
    Endochondral pseudocyst of the auricle is an uncommon condition that affects predominantly Chinese males, with many reports studying this condition in homogenous Chinese populations. There have been few large-scale reports describing the features of this disease among the other Asian groups. In one of the largest series described to date, we report the epidemiological features, clinico-pathologic characteristics, and success of surgical treatment in 40 patients of different Asian groups presenting with pseudocyst of the auricle. Results showed a Chinese predominance (90 per cent), followed by Malays (five per cent) and Eurasians (five per cent). All had unilateral presentations apart from one patient. Most (55 per cent) presented within two weeks of auricular swelling. Few (10 per cent) had a history of trauma. The pseudocysts predominantly affected the concha (61 per cent). Surgery comprised excision of the anterior wall followed by local pressure application. Only 2.5 per cent had recurrence after surgery. These findings confirm earlier understood features of this disease while revealing some notable variations.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use; China/ethnology; Cysts/ethnology; Cysts/epidemiology*; Cysts/surgery; Ear Cartilage/surgery*; Ear Deformities, Acquired/ethnology; Ear Deformities, Acquired/epidemiology; Ear Diseases/ethnology; Ear Diseases/epidemiology*; Ear Diseases/surgery; Female; Humans; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Singapore/epidemiology; Suction; Time Factors
  8. Work-related musculoskeletal problems among women workers in the semiconductor industry in Peninsular Malaysia
    Chee HL, Rampal KG
    Int J Occup Environ Health, 2004 Jan-Mar;10(1):63-71.
    PMID: 15070027 DOI: 10.1179/oeh.2004.10.1.63
    A cross-sectional study to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and work-related risk factors was conducted among 906 women semiconductor workers. Highest prevalences were pain in the lower limbs, neck/shoulders, and upper back, and highest exposures were prolonged (> or = four hours per workshift) hand/wrist movement, standing, and lifting with hands. After logistic regression, lower-limb pain was significantly associated with standing, neck/shoulder pain with sitting and lifting, upper-back pain with climbing steps, low back pain with hand/wrist movement, and hand/wrist pain with lifting. Neck/shoulder pain was significantly higher for workers with shorter working durations, while lower-limb pain was significantly higher for workers with longer working durations. End-of-line assembly workers had significantly higher odds ratios for pain at all sites, while middle-of-line workers had higher odds ratios for pain in neck/shoulders and upper back, and wafer-fabrication workers had higher odds ratios for pain in low back and lower limbs.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Back Pain; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Human Engineering; Malaysia/epidemiology; Middle Aged; Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology*; Occupational Diseases/epidemiology*; Pain; Musculoskeletal Pain
  9. Anti-inflammatory agents from Sandoricum koetjape Merr
    Rasadah MA, Khozirah S, Aznie AA, Nik MM
    Phytomedicine, 2004 Feb;11(2-3):261-3.
    PMID: 15070182
    The anti-inflammatory activity of the stem extracts of Sandoricum koetjape was investigated on topical administration using the TPA (tetradecanoylphorbol acetate)-induced mouse ear inflammation model. Bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation of active fractions led to the isolation 3-oxo-12-oleanen-29-oic acid and katonic acid as the bioactive principles responsible for the anti-inflammatory acitivity. The percentage of inhibition exhibited by 3-oxo-12-oleanen-29-oic acid was almost equivalent to indomethacin.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use; Female; Inflammation/chemically induced; Inflammation/prevention & control*; Phytotherapy*; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Plant Stems; Meliaceae*; Mice
  10. Localization of dengue virus in naturally infected human tissues, by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization
    Jessie K, Fong MY, Devi S, Lam SK, Wong KT
    J Infect Dis, 2004 Apr 15;189(8):1411-8.
    PMID: 15073678
    Dengue viral antigens have been demonstrated in several types of naturally infected human tissues, but little is known of whether these same tissues have detectable viral RNA. We studied tissue specimens from patients with serologically or virologically confirmed dengue infections by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH), to localize viral antigen and RNA, respectively. IHC was performed on specimens obtained from 5 autopsies and 24 biopsies and on 20 blood-clot samples. For ISH, antisense riboprobes to the dengue E gene were applied to tissue specimens in which IHC was positive. Viral antigens were demonstrated in Kupffer and sinusoidal endothelial cells of the liver; macrophages, multinucleated cells, and reactive lymphoid cells in the spleen; macrophages and vascular endothelium in the lung; kidney tubules; and monocytes and lymphocytes in blood-clot samples. Positive-strand viral RNA was detected in the same IHC-positive cells found in the spleen and blood-clot samples. The strong, positive ISH signal in these cells indicated a high copy number of viral RNA, suggesting replication.
    MeSH terms: Antigens, Viral/analysis*; Dengue/virology*; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Kidney/virology; Liver/virology; Lung/virology; Lymphocytes/virology; RNA, Viral/analysis*; Spleen/virology; Virus Replication; In Situ Hybridization
  11. Evaluation of a new biopsy urease test: Pronto Dry, for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection
    Said RM, Cheah PL, Chin SC, Goh KL
    Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2004 Feb;16(2):195-9.
    PMID: 15075994
    BACKGROUND: The gastric biopsy urease test is the most frequently used test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in routine gastrointestinal endoscopy practice. In Malaysia up to recently, only one commercial biopsy urease test was available: the CLO test (Ballard Medical Products, Draper, Utah, USA). Large endoscopy units use their own 'homemade' unbuffered ultra rapid urease test for diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

    OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy and reaction time of a new biopsy urease test, Pronto Dry (Medical Instruments Corporation, Solothurn, Switzerland) and the CLO test in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

    METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting with dyspepsia to the endoscopy unit, University of Malaya Medical Centre were recruited for the study. Patients who were previously treated for H. pylori infection or who had received antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors or bismuth compounds in the preceding 4 weeks were excluded. H. pylori diagnosis was made based on the ultra rapid urease test and histological examination of gastric biopsies. Four antral and four corpus biopsies were taken for this purpose from all patients. A diagnosis of H. pylori infection was made when both the ultra rapid urease test and histology were positive in either the antral or corpus biopsies. A negative diagnosis of H. pylori was made when both tests from antral and corpus biopsies were all negative. Another four antral and four corpus biopsies (two each) were taken for the Pronto Dry and CLO tests. The Pronto Dry and CLO tests were stored and performed according to the manufacturer's instruction.

    RESULTS: Two hundred and eight patients were recruited in the study. Eighty-six of the patients were males and 122 were females. The mean age was 46.3 years with a range of 15-82 years. The results for both the Pronto Dry and the CLO tests were completely concordant with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of 98.1%, 100%, 100%, 98.1% and 99%, respectively. The Pronto Dry test showed a faster reaction time to positive compared with the CLO test, with 96.2% positive reaction by 30 min versus 70.8% and 100% positive reaction time by 55 min versus 83%. The colorimetric change was also more distinct with the Pronto Dry test compared with the CLO test.

    CONCLUSIONS: Both the Pronto Dry and the CLO tests were highly accurate for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. The Pronto Dry test showed a quicker positive reaction time and the positive colour change was more distinct.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biopsy/methods; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Time Factors; Urease/analysis*; Reproducibility of Results; Biomarkers/analysis; Helicobacter pylori*; Helicobacter Infections/diagnosis*
  12. Physico-chemical removal of iron from semi-aerobic landfill leachate by limestone filter
    Aziz HA, Yusoff MS, Adlan MN, Adnan NH, Alias S
    Waste Manag, 2004;24(4):353-8.
    PMID: 15081062
    Limestone has been proven effective in removing metals from water and wastewater. A literature review indicated that limestone is capable of removing heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Fe and Mn are through a batch process or by filtration technique. The removal capability is reported at up to 90%. However, to date most of the studies have been focused on synthetic wastewater. The present study attempts to investigate the suitability of limestone to attenuate total iron (Fe) from semi aerobic leachate at Pulau Burung Landfill Site in Penang, Malaysia. Iron was found in significant quantities at the landfill site. The study also aims to establish the Fe isotherm and breakthrough time of the proposed limestone filter for post-treatment to the migrating landfill leachate before its release to the environment. The Fe isotherms were established using a batch equilibrium test, while the breakthrough characteristics were determined using continuous flow permeating through a limestone column. The latter was used in order to simulate the continuous flow of leachate that would occur in the proposed limestone filter. The limestone media used in the experiment contain more than 90% CaCO3 with particle sizes ranging from 2 to 4 mm. Four filter columns (each 150 mm in diameter and 1000 mm depth) were installed at the landfill site. Metal loadings were kept below 0.5 kg /m3 day and the experiment was run continuously for 30 days. Initial results indicated that 90% of Fe can be removed from the leachate based on retention time of 57.8 min and surface loading of 12.2 m3/m2 day. For the batch study on the Fe isotherm, the results indicated that limestone is potentially useful as an alternative leachate treatment system at a relatively low cost.
    MeSH terms: Bacteria, Aerobic; Calcium Carbonate/chemistry*; Filtration; Iron/isolation & purification*; Iron/chemistry*; Refuse Disposal/methods*; Soil Pollutants/isolation & purification*; Solubility; Water
  13. Effects of adding organic materials to an acid sulfate soil on the growth of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings
    Shamshuddin J, Muhrizal S, Fauziah I, Husni MH
    Sci Total Environ, 2004 May 5;323(1-3):33-45.
    PMID: 15081715
    Acid sulfate soils having a pH of less than 3.5 are widespread in Malaysia. Some of these soils are planted to cocoa, but the yield is reported to be low due to soil infertility related to Al toxicity. Cocoa growth is sensitive to the presence of Al in the soil. To a certain extent, Al toxicity in soils can be reduced by organic matter application and to a greater extent in iron-poor acid sulfate soil. A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of various types of organic materials easily available in the country to ameliorate acid sulfate soil infertility for growing cocoa seedlings. The treatments were control (nil), lime (3 t/ha), peat (10% w/w), peat plus green manure (10% w/w), peat plus rice straw (10% w/w), peat plus chicken dung (10% w/w) and peat plus POMS (Palm oil mill sludge) (10% w/w). The growth of cocoa seedlings was affected significantly by the presence of Al in the cocoa tissues. As the amount of Al in the leaves increased, the relative top dry weight of cocoa seedlings decreased. Likewise, the relative plant height was negatively correlated with Al in the leaves. Peat as well as peat in combination with green manure, rice straw, chicken dung or palm oil mill sludge was able to reduce Al toxicity in acid sulfate soil; the highest top dry weight of cocoa seedlings were obtained in the peat plus green manure treatment. The best cocoa seedlings root growth was found for the peat treatment alone. The relative top dry weight of cocoa seedlings was negatively correlated with Al(3+) as well as Al(3+)+Al(OH)(2+)+Al(OH)(2)(+) activity in the soil solution. The critical values for Al(3+) and the combination of Al(3+)+Al(OH)(2+)+Al(OH)(2)(+) activity in the soil solution were 10 microM and 15 microM, respectively.
    MeSH terms: Aluminum/toxicity; Cacao/growth & development*; Fertilizers*; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Malaysia; Soil*; Seedlings/growth & development
  14. Distribution of radium in oil and gas industry wastes from Malaysia
    Omar M, Ali HM, Abu MP, Kontol KM, Ahmad Z, Ahmad SH, et al.
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2004 May;60(5):779-82.
    PMID: 15082059
    Radium concentrations in 470 samples of the various types of waste from oil and gas industries were analysed using gamma spectrometers. The results showed that the radium concentration varied within a wide range. The highest mean 226Ra and 228Ra concentrations of 114,300 and 130,120 Bq/kg, respectively, were measured in scales. Overall, 75% of the waste, mostly sludge and extraction residue lies within the normal range of radium concentration in soils of Malaysia. However, some platform sludge can have radium concentration up to 560 Bq/kg.
    MeSH terms: Industrial Waste*; Industry; Malaysia; Petroleum; Radiation Monitoring/methods; Radium/analysis*; Spectrometry, Gamma; Water Pollutants, Radioactive/analysis*
  15. Smoothing a discrete hazard function for the number of patients colonized with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in an intensive care unit
    Ismail NA, Pettitt AN
    Stat Med, 2004 Apr 30;23(8):1247-58.
    PMID: 15083481
    A new method for estimating the time to colonization of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) patients is developed in this paper. The time to colonization of MRSA is modelled using a Bayesian smoothing approach for the hazard function. There are two prior models discussed in this paper: the first difference prior and the second difference prior. The second difference prior model gives smoother estimates of the hazard functions and, when applied to data from an intensive care unit (ICU), clearly shows increasing hazard up to day 13, then a decreasing hazard. The results clearly demonstrate that the hazard is not constant and provide a useful quantification of the effect of length of stay on the risk of MRSA colonization which provides useful insight.
    MeSH terms: Bayes Theorem; Humans; Intensive Care Units/utilization; Length of Stay; Staphylococcus aureus/cytology; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects; Time Factors; Colony Count, Microbial; Models, Statistical; Linear Models; Proportional Hazards Models*; Survival Analysis*; Methicillin Resistance*; Statistics, Nonparametric
  16. Issues of livelihood, sustainable development, and governance: Bay of Bengal
    Samarakoon J
    Ambio, 2004 Feb;33(1-2):34-44.
    PMID: 15083648
    This article is based on the findings of the Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA) Subregion 53, Bay of Bengal. It introduces the Subregion. The wide disparity in development indicators in the Bay of Bengal Subregion (BOBSR) is presented. The large population of poor people living in South Asia is presented as a factor that needs special attention. The article focuses on the 3 geographic sites selected for detailed analysis: i) the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river systems; ii) the Merbok Estuary mangroves, Malaysia; and iii) the Sunderbans mangroves, Bangladesh. Integrated water management based upon regional cooperation among Bangladesh, India and Nepal holds opportunities for mutual benefit. Policy options are proposed. For mangrove ecosystems, the impacts of urbanization in Malaysia and the unmanaged expansion of shrimp farming in Bangladesh are analyzed. Improved governance was seen to hold promise for enhancing economic benefits from shrimp farming while safeguarding the natural ecological system. However, these measures need to be a part of national efforts to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Asia; Environment*; India; International Cooperation*; Policy Making; Poverty; United Nations; Water Pollution/prevention & control*; Water Supply*; Ecosystem; Aquaculture/economics; Penaeidae; Rivers
  17. The Sulu-Sulawesi Sea: environmental and socioeconomic status, future prognosis and ameliorative policy options
    DeVantier L, Alcala A, Wilkinson C
    Ambio, 2004 Feb;33(1-2):88-97.
    PMID: 15083654
    The Sulu-Sulawesi Sea, with neighboring Indonesian Seas and South China Sea, lies at the center of the world's tropical marine biodiversity. Encircled by 3 populous, developing nations, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, the Sea and its adjacent coastal and terrestrial ecosystems, supports ca. 33 million people, most with subsistence livelihoods heavily reliant on its renewable natural resources. These resources are being impacted severely by rapid population growth (> 2% yr-1, with expected doubling by 2035) and widespread poverty, coupled with increasing international market demand and rapid technological changes, compounded by inefficiencies in governance and a lack of awareness and/or acceptance of some laws among local populations, particularly in parts of the Philippines and Indonesia. These key root causes all contribute to illegal practices and corruption, and are resulting in severe resource depletion and degradation of water catchments, river, lacustrine, estuarine, coastal, and marine ecosystems. The Sulu-Sulawesi Sea forms a major geopolitical focus, with porous borders, transmigration, separatist movements, piracy, and illegal fishing all contributing to environmental degradation, human suffering and political instability, and inhibiting strong trilateral support for interventions. This review analyzes these multifarious environmental and socioeconomic impacts and their root causes, provides a future prognosis of status by 2020, and recommends policy options aimed at amelioration through sustainable management and development.
    MeSH terms: Animals; China; Conservation of Natural Resources*; Environment*; Humans; Indonesia; Philippines; Politics; Population Dynamics*; Poverty; Social Conditions*; Tropical Climate; Water Supply*; Ecosystem
  18. Factors influencing health-related quality of life of Asians with anxiety disorders in Singapore
    Luo N, Fones CS, Thumboo J, Li SC
    Qual Life Res, 2004 Mar;13(2):557-65.
    PMID: 15085928 DOI: 10.1023/B:QURE.0000018484.89711.e2
    As little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Asians with anxiety disorders, we assessed HRQoL in Singaporeans with anxiety disorders and identified factors influencing their HRQoL. Outpatients with anxiety disorders (n = 119) attending a hospital psychiatric clinic completed the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). SF-36 score reduction from population norms (quantified as the number of standard deviations below the mean) in these subjects was compared with existing data on Singaporeans with various medical conditions and Americans with panic disorder (PD). Factors influencing HRQoL were examined using stepwise multiple linear regression models. SF-36 score reduction in these subjects (0.3-1.4 SD) was greater than that in Singaporeans with systemic lupus erythematosus or thyroid cancer survivors for seven scales but similar to that in Americans with PD (0.5-1.7 SD). BAI and GHQ-12 scores, presence of PD/generalized anxiety disorder, presence of chronic medical conditions, being married or increasing age accounted for 19-61% of the variance in six selected SF-36 scales. In conclusion, it can be said that Singaporeans with anxiety disorders experience clinically important reductions in HRQoL; both clinical and socio-demographic factors influence HRQoL in such subjects.
    Study site: Neuroscience Psychiatric Clinic, tertiary referral hospital, Singapore
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anxiety Disorders/diagnosis; Anxiety Disorders/ethnology*; Anxiety Disorders/psychology*; China/ethnology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hospitals; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Psychometrics; Self-Assessment; Singapore; Linear Models; Sickness Impact Profile*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/psychology*
  19. Fulltext Ethnic differences among Chinese, Malay and Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Singapore
    Hong CY, Chia KS, Hughes K, Ling SL
    Singapore Med J, 2004 Apr;45(4):154-60.
    PMID: 15094983
    Ethnic differences exist in patients with diabetes mellitus. Not much is known about such differences in Asian populations. The aim of the study was to determine ethnic differences among Chinese, Malay and Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Singapore.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diagnosis*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/ethnology*; Ethnic Groups/statistics & numerical data*; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Humans; India/ethnology; Life Style; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Probability; Prognosis; Severity of Illness Index; Singapore/epidemiology; Body Mass Index; Prevalence; Risk Assessment; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/statistics & numerical data
  20. Fulltext Prevalence and risk factors of job strain among laboratory technicians in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
    Aziah BD, Rusli BN, Winn T, Naing L, Tengku MA
    Singapore Med J, 2004 Apr;45(4):170-5.
    PMID: 15094986
    Several sources of job stress exist. Some of these stressors are intrinsic to the job, while some are related to psychosocial and other factors.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases/epidemiology*; Probability; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Stress, Psychological/epidemiology*; Prevalence; Confidence Intervals; Logistic Models; Workload/statistics & numerical data*; Medical Laboratory Personnel*
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