Browse publications by year: 2004

Enhancement of ovalbumin-specific IgA responses via oral boosting with antigen co-administered with an aqueous Solanum torvum extract

Israf DA, Lajis NH, Somchit MN, Sulaiman MR

Life Sci, 2004 Jun 11;75(4):397-406.
PMID: 15147827

An experiment was conducted with the objective to enhance mucosal immunity against ovalbumin (OVA) by co-administration of OVA with an aqueous extract from the fruit of Solanum torvum (STE). Five groups of female ICR mice aged approximately 8 weeks at the commencement of the experiment were caged in groups of eight and received various treatments. The treatments included OVA alone, OVA with cholera toxin (CT), and OVA with various doses of STE. Mice were primed intraperitoneally with 500 microg of OVA alone or co-administered with 0.1 microg CT, or with 1 microg STE. All mice were boosted orally via gastric intubation 14 days after priming with 10 mg OVA alone, or co-administered with 10 microg CT or with 10 mg, 1 mg or 0.1 mg STE. One week later all mice were killed and organs obtained for analysis of the immune response. Intestinal, faecal and pulmonary OVA-specific sIgA concentration was significantly increased (p<0.05) in mice that received booster combinations of OVA/CT and OVA with all extract doses (p<0.05). Specific serum IgG titres did not differ significantly between groups. It is concluded that STE can significantly enhance secretory immunity in the intestine to OVA with mucosal homing to the lungs. The adjuvant effect of STE is comparable to that of CT.

MeSH terms: Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage; Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology*; Animals; Antigens/immunology; Cholera Toxin/administration & dosage; Cholera Toxin/pharmacology; Feces/chemistry; Female; Fruit/chemistry; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/analysis*; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/blood; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/immunology; Immunization; Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects; Intestinal Mucosa/immunology*; Intestinal Secretions/drug effects; Intestinal Secretions/immunology; Mice, Inbred ICR; Ovalbumin/administration & dosage; Ovalbumin/immunology*; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Immunity, Mucosal/drug effects; Solanum/chemistry*; Mice
Relationship between Type A and B personality and debrisoquine hydroxylation capacity

Gan SH, Ismail R, Wan Adnan WA, Zulmi W, Kumaraswamy N, Larmie ET

Br J Clin Pharmacol, 2004 Jun;57(6):785-9.
PMID: 15151524

A person with Type A personality is an 'aggressor' compared with the rarely harried Type B. Although debrisoquine hydroxylase (CYP2D6) capacity has been associated with personality, no study has specifically investigated its association with personality Type A and B. Therefore the aim of this research was to study the impact of CYP2D6 on Type A and B personality.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; DNA/analysis; Female; Genotype; Humans; Hydroxylation; Male; Middle Aged; Personality/physiology*; Type A Personality; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6/metabolism*
Herbal medicines: predictors of recommendation by physicians

Aziz Z

J Clin Pharm Ther, 2004 Jun;29(3):241-6.
PMID: 15153085

We hypothesized that as the use of herbal medicines increases in the general population, so do patients' requests to physicians for recommendations. However, why some physicians recommend herbal medicines while others do not is not well understood.

MeSH terms: Education, Medical/trends; Female; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Male; Phytotherapy*; Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends*; Physicians/statistics & numerical data; Plants, Medicinal; Health Care Surveys/methods; Herbal Medicine/trends*; Continental Population Groups/ethnology; Continental Population Groups/statistics & numerical data
Assessment of tracheal intubating conditions in children using remifentanil and propofol without muscle relaxant

Batra YK, Al Qattan AR, Ali SS, Qureshi MI, Kuriakose D, Migahed A

Paediatr Anaesth, 2004 Jun;14(6):452-6.
PMID: 15153205

Tracheal intubation in children can be achieved by deep inhalational anaesthesia or an intravenous anaesthetic and a muscle relaxant, suxamethonium being widely used despite several side-effects. Studies have shown that oral intubation can be facilitated safely and effectively in children after induction of anaesthesia with propofol and alfentanil without a muscle relaxant. Remifentanil is a new, ultra-short acting, selective mu-receptor agonist that is 20-30 times more potent than alfentanil. This clinical study was designed to assess whether combination of propofol and remifentanil could be used without a muscle relaxant to facilitate tracheal intubation in children.

MeSH terms: Adenoidectomy; Blood Pressure; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal/methods*; Laryngoscopy; Male; Neuromuscular Blocking Agents/administration & dosage; Piperidines/administration & dosage*; Tonsillectomy; Propofol/administration & dosage*; Anesthetics, Intravenous/administration & dosage*; Anesthetics, Combined/administration & dosage*
Fulltext Management of erectile dysfunction: barriers faced by general practitioners

Low WY, Ng CJ, Tan NC, Choo WY, Tan HM

Asian J Androl, 2004 Jun;6(2):99-104.
PMID: 15154082

Aim: To explore the barriers faced by general practitioners (GPs) in the management of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).
Methods: This was a qualitative analysis of focus group discussions and in-depth interviews involving 28 Malaysian GPs.
Results: GPs' perception of ED being not a serious condition was a major determinant of their prescribing practice. Doctor's age (younger), gender (female), short consultation time and lack of experience were cited as barriers. The GPs' prescribing habits were heavily influenced by the feedback from the first few patients under treatment, the uncertainty of etiology of ED without proper assessment and the profit margin with bulk purchase. Other barriers include Patients' coexisting medical conditions, older age, lower socio-economic status, unrealistic expectations and inappropriate use of the anti-impotent drugs. Cardiovascular side effects and cost were two most important drug barriers.
Conclusion: The factors influencing the management of ED among the general practitioners were multiple and complex. An adequate understanding of how these factors (doctors, patients and drugs) interact can assist in the formulation and implementation of strategies that encourage GPs to identify and manage ED patients.

MeSH terms: Sildenafil Citrate; Adult; Age Factors; Humans; Erectile Dysfunction/epidemiology; Erectile Dysfunction/psychology; Erectile Dysfunction/therapy*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors/adverse effects; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors/economics; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors/therapeutic use; Physicians, Family*; Piperazines/adverse effects; Piperazines/economics; Piperazines/therapeutic use; Drug Prescriptions; Purines; Referral and Consultation; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Sulfones; Drug Costs; Focus Groups; General Practitioners; Physicians, Primary Care
Risk management from an Asian/Pacific Rim regulatory perspective

McEwen J

Drug Saf, 2004;27(8):491-7.
PMID: 15154822

This article reviews the state of adverse drug reaction monitoring in five Asian/Pacific Rim countries (Australia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore). Each country has an active pharmacovigilance programme managed by a national regulatory agency. Current methods for assessing risks and current methods used for risk management and communication are compared with the 'tools' used by the US FDA. Major positive attributes of the programmes in all five countries include active involvement of independent expert clinical advisory committees in identifying and evaluating risks through the assessment of reports of serious and unusual reactions, and regular communications about risks from the national agencies to doctors and pharmacists by means of pharmacovigilance bulletins. Most components of the risk-management toolbox are currently used, in some instances without legislated support. Variations in the way risk-management tools are implemented within individual national health systems are illustrated.

MeSH terms: Asia; Australia; Humans; New Zealand; Risk Management/methods*; Databases, Factual; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems/organization & administration*
High prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among clinical Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in Asia (an ANSORP study)

Song JH, Jung SI, Ko KS, Kim NY, Son JS, Chang HH, et al.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 2004 Jun;48(6):2101-7.
PMID: 15155207

A total of 685 clinical Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from patients with pneumococcal diseases were collected from 14 centers in 11 Asian countries from January 2000 to June 2001. The in vitro susceptibilities of the isolates to 14 antimicrobial agents were determined by the broth microdilution test. Among the isolates tested, 483 (52.4%) were not susceptible to penicillin, 23% were intermediate, and 29.4% were penicillin resistant (MICs >/= 2 mg/liter). Isolates from Vietnam showed the highest prevalence of penicillin resistance (71.4%), followed by those from Korea (54.8%), Hong Kong (43.2%), and Taiwan (38.6%). The penicillin MICs at which 90% of isolates are inhibited (MIC(90)s) were 4 mg/liter among isolates from Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan. The prevalence of erythromycin resistance was also very high in Vietnam (92.1%), Taiwan (86%), Korea (80.6%), Hong Kong (76.8%), and China (73.9%). The MIC(90)s of erythromycin were >32 mg/liter among isolates from Korea, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Isolates from Hong Kong showed the highest rate of ciprofloxacin resistance (11.8%), followed by isolates from Sri Lanka (9.5%), the Philippines (9.1%), and Korea (6.5%). Multilocus sequence typing showed that the spread of the Taiwan(19F) clone and the Spain(23F) clone could be one of the major reasons for the rapid increases in antimicrobial resistance among S. pneumoniae isolates in Asia. Data from the multinational surveillance study clearly documented distinctive increases in the prevalence rates and the levels of antimicrobial resistance among S. pneumoniae isolates in many Asian countries, which are among the highest in the world published to date.

MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology*; Asia/epidemiology; Erythromycin/pharmacology; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle East/epidemiology; Penicillin Resistance; Pneumococcal Infections/microbiology*; Pneumococcal Infections/epidemiology*; Population Surveillance; Risk Factors; Streptococcus pneumoniae/drug effects*; Fluoroquinolones/pharmacology; Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
Genetic diversity of taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, in Southeast Asia and the Pacific

Kreike CM, Van Eck HJ, Lebot V

Theor Appl Genet, 2004 Aug;109(4):761-8.
PMID: 15156282

The genetic diversity of 255 taro (Colocasia esculenta) accessions from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia,Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu was studied using AFLPs. Three AFLP primer combinations generated a total of 465 scorable amplification products. The 255 accessions were grouped according to their country of origin, to their ploidy level (diploid or triploid) and to their habitat--cultivated or wild. Gene diversity within these groups and the genetic distance between these groups were computed. Dendrograms were constructed using UPGMA cluster analysis. In each country, the gene diversity within the groups of wild genotypes was the highest compared to the diploid and triploid cultivars groups. The highest gene diversity was observed for the wild group from Thailand (0.19), the lowest for the diploid cultivars group from Thailand(0.007). In Malaysia there was hardly any difference between the gene diversity of the cultivars and wild groups, 0.07 and 0.08, respectively. The genetic distances between the diploid cultivars groups ranges from 0.02 to 0.10, with the distance between the diploid accessions from Thailand and Malaysia being the highest. The genetic distances between the wild groups range from 0.05 to 0.07. First, a dendrogram was constructed with only the diploids cultivars from all countries. The accessions formed clusters largely according to the country from which they originated. Two major groups of clusters were revealed, one group assembling accessions from Asian countries and the other assembling accessions from the Pacific. Surprisingly, the group of diploid cultivars from Thailand clustered among the Pacific countries. Secondly,a dendrogram was constructed with diploid cultivated,triploid cultivated and wild accessions. Again the division of the accessions into an Asian and a Pacific gene pool is obvious. The presence of two gene pools for cultivated diploid taro has major implications for the breeding and conservation of germplasm.

MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern; Geography; Pacific Islands; Ploidies; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Genetic Variation*; Cluster Analysis; DNA Primers; Colocasia/genetics*
A thermoluminescent dosimetry postal dose inter-comparison of radiation therapy centres in Malaysia

Rassiah P, Ng KH, DeWerd LA, Kunugi K

Australas Phys Eng Sci Med, 2004 Mar;27(1):25-9.
PMID: 15156705

A thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) postal dose inter-comparison was carried out amongst radiotherapy centres in Malaysia. The aim of this TLD inter-comparison was to compare the uniformity involved in the measurement of absorbed dose among the participating centres. A set of 5 TLD chips placed within acrylic trays were mailed to all participating centres for irradiation to an absorbed dose to water of 2 Gy. Measurements were made for 6 MV and 60Co photon beams. Results show an agreement of +/- 5% for all but three radiotherapy centres. The ratios of the TLD readings to that of the reference centre are comparable with other national/regional dose inter-comparisons. The importance of a proper ongoing quality assurance program is essential in maintaining the consistency and uniformity of doses delivered.

MeSH terms: Malaysia; Medical Audit/methods; Medical Audit/standards*; Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital/standards*; Quality Assurance, Health Care/methods*; Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards*; Quality Control; Radiotherapy/standards*; Radiotherapy Dosage/standards*; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/standards*; Reference Standards; Sensitivity and Specificity; Thermoluminescent Dosimetry/standards*; Reproducibility of Results; Equipment Failure Analysis/instrumentation; Equipment Failure Analysis/methods; Equipment Failure Analysis/standards
Hepatitis disease management programs in Malaysia

Khairullah NS, Merican DI

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2004 Mar;19 Suppl:S13-6.
PMID: 15156929

The MLF since its inception in 1996 has endeavored to develop a coordinated approach towards the improved care and treatment of liver diseases in Malaysia. Its close liaison with the Malaysian MOH, local medical associations, and corporate bodies has contributed to the success of its many programs. Educating the public, research, and training have been important elements of successful hepatitis disease control programs. Hepatitis Days have been proven to be very successful in raising the awareness of the general public to hepatitis disease. Rapid screening and vaccination has also helped to remove the social stigma associated with the disease, eliminated the need for numerous clinic appointments, and rendered vaccination more accessible to the public. The MLF perspective emphasizes the need for collaborative effort between Government bodies and other agencies, such as non-governmental organizations, laboratories, and the medical fraternity, to ensure the overall success of hepatitis disease management programs.

MeSH terms: Hepatitis A/diagnosis; Hepatitis A/epidemiology*; Hepatitis A/prevention & control*; Hepatitis B/diagnosis; Hepatitis B/epidemiology*; Hepatitis B/prevention & control*; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Incidence; Prevalence; Disease Management*
Induced expression of the antimicrobial peptide melittin inhibits experimental infection by Mycoplasma gallisepticum in chickens

Lazarev VN, Stipkovits L, Biro J, Miklodi D, Shkarupeta MM, Titova GA, et al.

Microbes Infect., 2004 May;6(6):536-41.
PMID: 15158186

The in vivo action of the antimicrobial peptide melittin, expressed from a recombinant plasmid vector, on chickens experimentally infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum was studied. The plasmid vector pBI/mel2/rtTA includes the melittin gene under the control of an inducible tetracycline-dependent human cytomegalovirus promoter and the gene coding for the trans-activation protein rtTA. Aerosol administration of the vector, followed by infecting the chickens with M. gallisepticum 1226, is shown to inhibit development of infection. The inhibitory action was confirmed by a complex of clinical, pathomorphological, histological and serological studies, and also by comparing the M. gallisepticum reisolation frequency from the respiratory tract and internal organs. The data suggest that plasmid vectors expressing genes of antimicrobial peptides can be considered as potential agents for the prevention and treatment of mycoplasma infections in poultry farming.

MeSH terms: Air Sacs/microbiology; Air Sacs/pathology; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial/blood; Chickens; Genetic Vectors; Heart/microbiology; Kidney/microbiology; Kidney/pathology; Liver/microbiology; Liver/pathology; Lung/microbiology; Lung/pathology; Melitten/genetics*; Mycoplasma Infections/microbiology; Mycoplasma Infections/pathology; Mycoplasma Infections/prevention & control; Mycoplasma Infections/veterinary*; Plasmids; Poultry Diseases/microbiology; Poultry Diseases/pathology; Poultry Diseases/prevention & control*; Spleen/microbiology; Spleen/pathology; Trachea/microbiology; Trachea/pathology; Genetic Therapy/veterinary*; Respiratory Mucosa
Geriatric training in problem-based learning: an Asian perspective

Majumder MA, Rahim AF, Rahman S

J Am Geriatr Soc, 2004 Jun;52(6):1038-9.
PMID: 15161490
MeSH terms: Asia; Education, Medical, Undergraduate*; Geriatrics/education*; Humans; Malaysia; Problem-Based Learning*
Determination of mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer in Tongkat Ali preparations obtained in Malaysia

Ang HH, Lee EL, Cheang HS

Int J Toxicol, 2004 Jan-Feb;23(1):65-71.
PMID: 15162849 DOI: 10.1080/10915810490269654

The DCA (Drug Control Authority), Malaysia, has implemented the phase 3 registration of traditional medicines on 1 January 1992, with special emphasis on the quality, efficacy, and safety (including the presence of heavy metals) in all pharmaceutical dosage forms of traditional medicine preparations. As such, a total of 100 products in various pharmaceutical dosage forms of a herbal preparation, containing Tongkat Ali, were analyzed for mercury content using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results showed that 36% of the above products possessed 0.52 to 5.30 ppm of mercury and, therefore, do not comply with the quality requirement for traditional medicines in Malaysia. Out of these 36 products, 5 products that possessed 1.05 to 4.41 ppm of mercury were in fact have already registered with the DCA, Malaysia. However, the rest of the products that contain 0.52 to 5.30 ppm of mercury still have not registered with the DCA, Malaysia. Although this study showed that only 64% of the products complied with the quality requirement for traditional medicines in Malaysia pertaining to mercury, they cannot be assumed safe from mercury contamination because of batch-to-batch inconsistency.

MeSH terms: Indicators and Reagents; Malaysia; Mercury/analysis*; Reference Standards; Spectrophotometry, Atomic; Tin Compounds/chemistry; Herbal Medicine/legislation & jurisprudence; Herbal Medicine/standards*; Eurycoma/chemistry*
An insight into Malaysian herbal medicines

Ang HH

Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 2004 Jun;25(6):297-8.
PMID: 15165743
MeSH terms: Aphrodisiacs; Humans; Malaysia; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry
Mapping of domains responsible for nucleocapsid protein-phosphoprotein interaction of Henipaviruses

Chan YP, Koh CL, Lam SK, Wang LF

J Gen Virol, 2004 Jun;85(Pt 6):1675-1684.
PMID: 15166452 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.19752-0

Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are members of a new genus, Henipavirus, in the family paramyxoviridae. Each virus encodes a phosphoprotein (P) that is significantly larger than its counterparts in other known paramyxoviruses. The interaction of this unusually large P with its nucleocapsid protein (N) was investigated in this study by using recombinant full-length and truncated proteins expressed in bacteria and a modified protein-blotting protein-overlay assay. Results from our group demonstrated that the N and P of both viruses were able to form not only homologous, but also heterologous, N-P complexes, i.e. HeV N was able to interact with NiV P and vice versa. Deletion analysis of the N and P revealed that there were at least two independent N-binding sites on P and they resided at the N and C termini, respectively. Similarly, more than one P-binding site was present on N and one of these was mapped to a 29 amino acid (aa) C-terminal region, which on its own was sufficient to interact with the extreme C-terminal 165 aa region of P.

MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Escherichia coli/genetics; Molecular Sequence Data; Phosphoproteins/chemistry*; Recombinant Proteins/chemistry; Viral Proteins/chemistry*; Nucleocapsid Proteins/chemistry*; Henipavirus/chemistry*
Association of p53 tumor suppressor gene with paraclinical and clinical modalities of gliomas patients in Malaysia

Yusoff AA, Abdullah J, Abdullah MR, Mohd Ariff AR, Isa MN

Acta Neurochir (Wien), 2004 Jun;146(6):595-601.
PMID: 15168228

Alteration of the tumor suppressor gene p53 is considered to be a critical step in the development of human cancer. Changes in this gene have been detected in a wide range of human tumours, including gliomas. In glioma, the presence of p53 gene alterations has been associated with worse prognosis.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Astrocytoma/diagnosis; Astrocytoma/genetics*; Astrocytoma/surgery; Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis; Brain Neoplasms/genetics*; Brain Neoplasms/surgery; DNA Mutational Analysis*; Exons; Female; Glioblastoma/diagnosis; Glioblastoma/genetics*; Glioblastoma/surgery; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Malaysia; Male; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Genes, Tumor Suppressor*; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics*; Frameshift Mutation/genetics; Point Mutation/genetics; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational; Amino Acid Substitution; Base Pairing/genetics; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*
Comparison of the expression of beta-catenin in hepatocellular carcinoma in areas with high and low levels of exposure to aflatoxin B1

Chen Ban K, Singh H, Krishnan R, Fong Seow H

J Surg Oncol, 2004 Jun 1;86(3):157-63.
PMID: 15170655

Previous studies showed that the frequency of beta-catenin mutation was different in mice when induced by different chemicals. The aim of this study is to compare the expression of beta-catenin and p53 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from areas with exposure to high and low levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1).

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; China; Cytoskeletal Proteins/biosynthesis*; Environmental Exposure; Female; Hepatitis B/metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism*; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Liver Neoplasms/genetics; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism*; Liver Neoplasms/pathology; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Trans-Activators/biosynthesis*; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/biosynthesis*; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics; Aflatoxin B1/analysis*; Sequence Analysis, DNA; beta Catenin
The contribution of adrenoceptor subtype(s) in the renal vasculature of diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats

Armenia A, Munavvar AS, Abdullah NA, Helmi A, Johns EJ

Br J Pharmacol, 2004 Jun;142(4):719-26.
PMID: 15172958

1. Diabetes and hypertension are both associated with an increased risk of renal disease and are associated with neuropathies, which can cause defective autonomic control of major organs including the kidney. This study aimed to examine the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype(s) involved in mediating adrenergically induced renal vasoconstriction in a rat model of diabetes and hypertension. 2. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), 220-280 g, were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone 7-day poststreptozotocin (55 mg x kg(-1) i.p.) treatment. The reductions in renal blood flow (RBF) induced by increasing frequencies of electrical renal nerve stimulation (RNS), close intrarenal bolus doses of noradrenaline (NA), phenylephrine (PE) or methoxamine were determined before and after administration of nitrendipine (Nit), 5-methylurapidil (5-MeU), chloroethylclonidine (CEC) and BMY 7378. 3. In the nondiabetic SHR group, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 146+/-6 mmHg, RBF was 28.0+/-1.4 ml x min(-1) x kg(-1) and blood glucose was 112.3+/-4.7 mg x dl(-1), and in the diabetic SHR Group, MAP was 144+/-3 mmHg, RBF 26.9+/-1.3 ml(-1) min x kg(-1) and blood glucose 316.2+/-10.5 mg x dl(-1). Nit, 5-MeU and BMY 7378 blunted all the adrenergically induced renal vasoconstrictor responses in SHR and diabetic SHR by 25-35% (all P<0.05), but in diabetic rats the responses induced by RNS and NA treated with 5-MeU were not changed. By contrast, during the administration of CEC, vasoconstrictor responses to all agonists were enhanced by 20-25% (all P<0.05) in both the SHR and diabetic SHR. 4. These findings suggest that alpha(1A) and alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor subtypes contribute in mediating the adrenergically induced constriction of the renal vasculature in both the SHR and diabetic SHR. There was also an indication of a greater contribution of presynaptic adrenoceptors, that is, alpha(1B)-, and/or alpha(2)-subtypes.

MeSH terms: Animals; Blood Glucose/drug effects; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Clonidine/administration & dosage; Clonidine/analogs & derivatives*; Clonidine/pharmacokinetics; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/chemically induced*; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/physiopathology; Disease Models, Animal*; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Electric Stimulation/methods; Infusions, Intravenous; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Injections, Intravenous; Kidney/blood supply*; Kidney/innervation; Kidney/physiopathology; Kidney Cortex/blood supply; Kidney Cortex/drug effects; Malaysia; Male; Methoxamine/administration & dosage; Methoxamine/antagonists & inhibitors; Methoxamine/pharmacokinetics; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiopathology; Nitrendipine/administration & dosage; Nitrendipine/pharmacokinetics; Norepinephrine/administration & dosage; Norepinephrine/pharmacokinetics; Phenylephrine/administration & dosage; Phenylephrine/antagonists & inhibitors; Phenylephrine/pharmacokinetics; Piperazines/administration & dosage; Piperazines/pharmacokinetics; Rats, Inbred SHR; Streptozocin/administration & dosage; Streptozocin/adverse effects; Time Factors; Vasoconstriction/drug effects; Vasoconstriction/physiology; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1/classification*; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1/drug effects; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1/physiology*; Rats
Malaysia: racing round the hurdles

Simpson D

Tob Control, 2004 Jun;13(2):106-7.
PMID: 15175520
MeSH terms: Advertising as Topic*; Automobile Driving*; Humans; Malaysia; Sports*; Television; Tobacco Industry*
Interleukin-2 levels in chronic schizophrenia patients

Mahendran R, Mahendran R, Chan YH

Ann Acad Med Singap, 2004 May;33(3):320-3.
PMID: 15175772

INTRODUCTION: Most research in interleukin activity in schizophrenia has been in Caucasian populations. We examined interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels and their relation to the duration of the illness, psychopathology and treatment effects, in chronic schizophrenia patients of Asian origin.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty chronic schizophrenia patients were recruited for the study and their demographic data and medication dosage were noted. Symptom severity was scored on the Positive And Negative Syndrome scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) and blood sampling done. Ten healthy Chinese males were recruited as controls. Phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated production of serum levels of IL-2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS: IL-2 levels (1327 +/- 596.2) of all 30 patients were significantly lower than that of the Chinese controls (2420 +/- 342.5). This effect was noted throughout the entire duration of the illness. Ethnic and age differences in IL-2 levels were not found. There was, however, a negative correlation with the duration of the illness and a positive correlation with the dosage of medication.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study of a population of mostly Chinese patients with schizophrenia replicate an important finding. Data such as this has not been reported previously on Asians of this racial group.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; China/ethnology; Chronic Disease; Humans; Interleukin-2/blood*; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Schizophrenia/drug therapy; Schizophrenia/ethnology; Schizophrenia/immunology*

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