Browse publications by year: 2004

Pathogenicity and molecular analysis of an infectious bursal disease virus isolated from Malaysian village chickens

Tan DY, Hair-Bejo M, Omar AR, Aini I

Avian Dis, 2004 Apr-Jun;48(2):410-6.
PMID: 15283430

The characteristics of the pathogenic infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) that infected avian species other than commercial chickens were largely unknown. In this study, by using in vivo and molecular methods, we had characterized an IBDV isolate (named 94268) isolated from an infectious bursal disease (IBD) outbreak in Malaysian village chickens--the adulterated descendant of the Southeast Asian jungle fowl (Gallus bankiva) that were commonly reared in the backyard. The 94268 isolate was grouped as the very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) strain because it caused severe lesions and a high mortality rate in village chickens (>88%) and experimentally infected specific-pathogen-free chickens (>66%). In addition, it possessed all of the vvIBDV molecular markers in its VP2 gene. Phylogenetic analysis using distance, maximum parsimony, and maximum likelihood methods revealed that 94268 was monophyletic with other vvIBDV isolates and closely related to the Malaysian vvIBDV isolates. Given that the VP2 gene of 94268 isolate was almost identical and evolutionarily closely related to other field IBDV isolates that affected the commercial chickens, we therefore concluded that IBD infections had spread across the farm boundary. IBD infection in the village chicken may represent an important part of the IBD epidemiology because these birds could harbor the vvIBDV strain and should not be overlooked in the control and prevention of the disease.

MeSH terms: Animals; Chickens/virology*; Cloning, Molecular; Disease Outbreaks/veterinary*; Immunohistochemistry/veterinary; Infectious bursal disease virus/genetics; Infectious bursal disease virus/isolation & purification*; Infectious bursal disease virus/pathogenicity; Malaysia/epidemiology; Phylogeny; Poultry Diseases/epidemiology*; Poultry Diseases/virology; RNA, Viral/isolation & purification; Serial Passage; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Microscopy, Immunoelectron/veterinary; Negative Staining/veterinary; Sequence Analysis, DNA/veterinary; Birnaviridae Infections/epidemiology; Birnaviridae Infections/veterinary*; Birnaviridae Infections/virology; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary
Influence of lipolysis and droplet size on tocotrienol absorption from self-emulsifying formulations

Yap SP, Yuen KH

Int J Pharm, 2004 Aug 20;281(1-2):67-78.
PMID: 15288344

A single dose comparative bioavailability study was conducted to evaluate the bioavailability of tocotrienols from two self-emulsifying formulations, one of which produced an emulsion that readily lipolysed under in vitro condition (SES-A), while the other produced a finer dispersion with negligible lipolysis (SES-B) in comparison with that of a non-self-emulsifying formulation in soya oil. The study was conducted according to a three-way crossover design using six healthy human volunteers. Statistically significant differences were observed between the logarithmic transformed peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and total area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)) values of both SES-A and -B compared to NSES-C indicating that SES-A and -B achieved a higher extent of absorption compared to NSES-C. Moreover, the 90% confidence interval of the AUC(0-infinity) values of both SES-A and -B over those of NSES-C were between 2-3 suggesting an increase in bioavailability of about two-three times compared to NSES-C. Both SES-A and -B also achieved a faster onset of absorption. However, both SES-A and -B had comparable bioavailability, despite the fact that SES-B was able to form emulsions with smaller droplet size. Thus, it appeared that both droplet sizes as well as the rate and extent of lipolysis of the emulsion products formed were important for enhancing the bioavailability of the tocotrienols from the self-emulsifying systems.

MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Adult; Biological Availability; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical/methods; Chromans/blood; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Emulsions/administration & dosage; Emulsions/pharmacokinetics; Emulsions/chemistry; Glycerides; Half-Life; Humans; Lipolysis/drug effects; Lipolysis/physiology*; Male; Organic Chemicals; Particle Size*; Polysorbates/administration & dosage; Polysorbates/pharmacokinetics; Polysorbates/chemistry; Soybean Oil/administration & dosage; Soybean Oil/pharmacokinetics; Soybean Oil/chemistry; Vitamin E/analogs & derivatives*; Vitamin E/blood; Cross-Over Studies; Area Under Curve; Tocotrienols/administration & dosage; Tocotrienols/metabolism; Tocotrienols/pharmacokinetics*
Specific detection of Nipah virus using real-time RT-PCR (TaqMan)

Guillaume V, Lefeuvre A, Faure C, Marianneau P, Buckland R, Lam SK, et al.

J Virol Methods, 2004 Sep 15;120(2):229-37.
PMID: 15288966

Nipah and Hendra viruses belong to the novel Henipavirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family. Its zoonotic circulation in bats and recent emergence in Malaysia with fatal consequences for humans that were in close contact with infected pigs, has made the reinforcement of epidemiological and clinical surveillance systems a priority. In this study, TaqMan RT-PCR of the Nipah nucleoprotein has been developed so that Nipah virus RNA in field specimens or laboratory material can be characterized rapidly and specifically and quantitated. The linearity of the standard curve allowed quantification of 10(3) to 10(9) RNA transcripts. The sensitivity of the test was close to 1 pfu. The kinetics of Nipah virus production in Vero cells was monitored by the determination of infectious virus particles in the supernatant fluid and by quantitation of the viral RNA. Approximately, 1000 RNA molecules were detected per virion, suggesting the presence of many non-infectious particles, similar to other RNA viruses. TaqMan real-time RT-PCR failed to detect Hendra virus DNA. Importantly, the method was able to detect virus despite a similar ratio in viremic sera from hamsters infected with Nipah virus. This standardized technique is sensitive and reliable and allows rapid detection and quantitation of Nipah RNA in both field and experimental materials used for the surveillance and specific diagnosis of Nipah virus.

MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Line; Cricetinae; Humans; Mesocricetus; RNA, Viral/analysis*; RNA, Viral/isolation & purification; Sensitivity and Specificity; Species Specificity; Taq Polymerase; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*; Nipah Virus/genetics; Nipah Virus/isolation & purification*
Cost efficiency and cost effectiveness of cataract surgery at the Malaysian Ministry of Health ophthalmic services

Loo CY, Kandiah M, Arumugam G, Goh PP, John E, Gurusami B, et al.

Int Ophthalmol, 2004 Mar;25(2):81-7.
PMID: 15290886

PURPOSE: To determine the cost efficiency and to compare the cost effectiveness of conventional extracapsular cataract surgery (ECCE) and phacoemulsification at three hospitals of the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH).
METHODS: Patient demography, pre-operative visual acuity, intra-operative complications, post-operative complications and post-operative visual acuity were recorded for two hundred and forty seven of the 400 patients who underwent cataract surgery during a 2-week period. The cost of surgery, which included capital, staff and overhead, and patient care consumable costs were assessed prospectively in 8 randomly sampled patients over a 3-month period. Cost efficiency refers to cost per cataract surgery. Cost effectiveness refers to cost per successful cataract surgery. This is estimated by the ratio of cost efficiency to the proportion of successful cataract surgery. Successful surgery was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of better than 6/12 at 3 months post-operatively.
RESULTS: Proportion of patients who had post-operative visual acuity of 6/12 or better was higher in phacoemulsification group (94%) than in the ECCE group (81%). Conventional extracapsular cataract surgery with intraocular lens implant costs RM3442 (USD 905.79) and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implant costs RM4288 (USD 1128.42).
DISCUSSION: There was no significant difference in cost effectiveness between ECCE and phacoemulsification. The cost of cataract surgery in the MOH hospital was found to be high due to the high overhead costs.

MeSH terms: Aged; Cataract Extraction/economics*; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Costs and Cost Analysis; Delivery of Health Care/economics*; Female; Government Agencies; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; National Health Programs/economics*; Health Care Costs
Increasing prostate biopsy cores based on volume vs the sextant biopsy: a prospective randomized controlled clinical study on cancer detection rates and morbidity

Mariappan P, Chong WL, Sundram M, Mohamed SR

BJU Int, 2004 Aug;94(3):307-10.
PMID: 15291857

To determine if a volume-adjusted increase in the number of biopsy cores could detect more prostate cancers than the standard sextant biopsy alone, without increasing morbidity, and to determine its applicability in Malaysian patients, as a standard sextant biopsy misses 20-25% of prostate malignancies.

MeSH terms: Aged; Biopsy, Needle/adverse effects; Biopsy, Needle/methods; Biopsy, Needle/standards; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Prostate/pathology*; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology*; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography, Interventional
Interspecific variation of photosynthesis and leaf characteristics in canopy trees of five species of Dipterocarpaceae in a tropical rain forest

Kenzo T, Ichie T, Yoneda R, Kitahashi Y, Watanabe Y, Ninomiya I, et al.

Tree Physiol, 2004 Oct;24(10):1187-92.
PMID: 15294766

Photosynthetic rate, nitrogen concentration and morphological properties of canopy leaves were studied in 18 trees, comprising five dipterocarp species, in a tropical rain forest in Sarawak, Malaysia. Photosynthetic rate at light saturation (Pmax) differed significantly across species, varying from 7 to 18 micro mol m(-2) s(-1). Leaf nitrogen concentration and morphological properties, such as leaf blade and palisade layer thickness, leaf mass per area (LMA) and surface area of mesophyll cells per unit leaf area (Ames/A), also varied significantly across species. Among the relationships with leaf characteristics, Pmax had the strongest correlation with leaf mesophyll parameters, such as palisade cell layer thickness (r2 = 0.76, P < 0.001) and Ames/A (r2 = 0.73, P < 0.001). Leaf nitrogen concentration and Pmax per unit area also had a significant but weaker correlation (r2 = 0.46, P < 0.01), whereas Pmax had no correlation, or only weakly significant correlations, with leaf blade thickness and LMA. Shorea beccariana Burck, which had the highest P(max) of the species studied, also had the thickest palisade layer, with up to five or more layers. We conclude that interspecific variation in photosynthetic capacity in tropical rain forest canopies is influenced more by leaf mesophyll structure than by leaf thickness, LMA or leaf nitrogen concentration.

MeSH terms: Photosynthesis/physiology*; Trees/anatomy & histology; Trees/physiology*; Tropical Climate; Plant Leaves/anatomy & histology; Plant Leaves/physiology*; Theales/anatomy & histology; Theales/physiology*
Ergonomic risk factors of work processes in the semiconductor industry in Peninsular Malaysia

Chee HL, Rampal KG, Chandrasakaran A

Ind Health, 2004 Jul;42(3):373-81.
PMID: 15295910

A cross-sectional survey of semiconductor factories was conducted to identify the ergonomic risk factors in the work processes, the prevalence of body pain among workers, and the relationship between body pain and work processes. A total of 906 women semiconductor workers took part in the study. In wafer preparation and polishing, a combination of lifting weights and prolonged standing might have led to high pain prevalences in the low back (35.0% wafer preparation, 41.7% wafer polishing) and lower limbs (90.0% wafer preparation, 66.7% wafer polishing). Semiconductor front of line workers, who mostly walked around to operate machines in clean rooms, had the lowest prevalences of body pain. Semiconductor assembly middle of line workers, especially the molding workers, who did frequent lifting, had high pain prevalences in the neck/shoulders (54.8%) and upper back (43.5 %). In the semiconductor assembly end of line work section, chip inspection workers who were exposed to prolonged sitting without back support had high prevalences of neck/shoulder (62.2%) and upper back pain (50.0%), while chip testing workers who had to climb steps to load units had a high prevalence of lower limb pain (68.0%). Workers in the assembly of electronic components, carrying out repetitive tasks with hands and fingers, and standing in awkward postures had high pain prevalences in the neck/shoulders (61.5%), arms (38.5%), and hands/wrists (30.8%).

MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Human Engineering*; Industry; Malaysia/epidemiology; Pain/etiology; Pain/epidemiology*; Semiconductors*; Prevalence; Occupational Exposure*
Hospital service quality: a managerial challenge

Rose RC, Uli J, Abdul M, Ng KL

Int J Health Care Qual Assur Inc Leadersh Health Serv, 2004;17(2-3):146-59.
PMID: 15301271

While much is known generally about predictions of customer-perceived service quality, their application to health services is rarer. No attempt has been made to examine the impact of social support and patient education on overall service quality perception. Together with six quality dimensions identified from the literature, this study seeks to provide a more holistic comprehension of hospital service quality prediction. Although 79 percent of variation is explained, other than technical quality the impact of the remaining factors on quality perception is far from constant, and socio-economic variables further complicate unpredictability. Contrary to established beliefs, the cost factor was found to be insignificant. Hence, to manage service quality effectively, the test lies in how well healthcare providers know the customers they serve. It is not only crucial in a globalized environment, where trans-national patient mobility is increasingly the norm, but also within homogeneous societies that appear to converge culturally.

MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior; Data Collection; Hospitals/standards*; Humans; Malaysia; Quality of Health Care*
Practical difficulties in the management of hepatitis B in the Asia-Pacific region

Mohamed R, Desmond P, Suh DJ, Amarapurkar D, Gane E, Guangbi Y, et al.

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2004 Sep;19(9):958-69.
PMID: 15304110

The Asia-Pacific Expert Committee on Hepatitis B Management recently reviewed the impact of hepatitis B in the region and assessed the differences and similarities observed in the practical management of the disease in individual Asia-Pacific countries. Hepatitis B is a major health concern in the Asia-Pacific region, and of all chronically infected carriers worldwide, approximately 75% are found in Asia. The disease poses a considerable burden on healthcare systems, and is likely to remain a cause of substantial morbidity and mortality for several decades. Disease prevention activities, including screening and vaccination programs, have been implemented successfully in some Asia-Pacific countries and similar measures are being established in other parts of the region. The management of hepatitis B in the Asia-Pacific varies throughout the region, with each country confronting different issues related to treatment options, disease monitoring and duration of therapy. The influence of cost, availability of diagnostic equipment, and patient awareness and compliance are of additional concern. Although guidelines such as those developed by the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver have been created to address problems encountered in the management of hepatitis B, many physicians in the region still find it difficult to make satisfactory management decisions because of the treatment choices available. This article examines the different approaches to hepatitis B management in a number of Asia-Pacific countries, and highlights the difficulties that can arise when adhering to treatment guidelines and disease prevention solutions that have proved to be successful in the region.

MeSH terms: Asia/epidemiology; Carrier State; Genotype; Health Education; Hepatitis B/epidemiology; Hepatitis B/prevention & control*; Humans; Mass Screening; Pacific Islands/epidemiology; Population Surveillance; Prevalence; Hepatitis B Vaccines
Images of interest. Gastrointestinal: tropical sprue

Rajendra S, Dharnal HK

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2004 Sep;19(9):1083.
PMID: 15304129
MeSH terms: Diagnosis, Differential; Folic Acid/therapeutic use; Humans; Male; Sprue, Tropical/diagnosis*; Sprue, Tropical/drug therapy; Sprue, Tropical/pathology; Tetracycline/therapeutic use
Reductive alkylation of lipase: experimental and molecular modeling approaches

Rahman RN, Tejo BA, Basri M, Rahman MB, Khan F, Zain SM, et al.

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2004 8 12;118(1-3):11-20.
PMID: 15304735

Candida rugosa lipase was modified via reductive alkylation to increase its hydrophobicity to work better in organic solvents. The free amino group of lysines was alkylated using propionaldehyde with different degrees of modification obtained (49 and 86%). Far-ultraviolet circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy of the lipase in aqueous solvent showed that such chemical modifications at the enzyme surface caused a loss in secondary and tertiary structure that is attributed to the enzyme unfolding. Using molecular modeling, we propose that in an aqueous environment the loss in protein structure of the modified lipase is owing to disruption of stabilizing salt bridges, particularly of surface lysines. Indeed, molecular modeling and simulation of a salt bridge formed by Lys-75 to Asp-79, in a nonpolar environment, suggests the adoption of a more flexible alkylated lysine that may explain higher lipase activity in organic solvents on alkylation.

MeSH terms: Alkylation; Candida/enzymology; Circular Dichroism; Hydrogen Bonding; Lipase/isolation & purification; Lipase/metabolism*; Lipase/chemistry; Models, Molecular; Oxidation-Reduction; Transferases/metabolism*
Enzyme production and profile by Aspergillus niger during solid substrate fermentation using palm kernel cake as substrate

Ong LG, Abd-Aziz S, Noraini S, Karim MI, Hassan MA

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2004 8 12;118(1-3):73-9.
PMID: 15304740

The oil palm sector is one of the major plantation industries in Malaysia. Palm kernel cake is a byproduct of extracted palm kernel oil. Mostly palm kernel cake is wasted or is mixed with other nutrients and used as animal feed, especially for ruminant animals. Recently, palm kernel cake has been identified as an important ingredient for the formulation of animal feed, and it is also exported especially to Europe, South Korea, and Japan. It can barely be consumed by nonruminant (monogastric) animals owing to the high percentages of hemicellulose and cellulose contents. Palm kernel cake must undergo suitable pretreatment in order to decrease the percentage of hemicellulose and cellulose. One of the methods employed in this study is fermentation with microorganisms, particularly fungi, to partially degrade the hemicellulose and cellulose content. This work focused on the production of enzymes by Aspergillus niger and profiling using palm kernel cake as carbon source.

MeSH terms: Aspergillus niger/enzymology*; Cellulase/metabolism; Fermentation; Seeds/metabolism*; Arecaceae/metabolism*
Immobilization of lipase from Candida rugosa on layered double hydroxides for esterification reaction

Rahman MB, Basri M, Hussein MZ, Rahman RN, Zainol DH, Salleh AB

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2004 8 12;118(1-3):313-20.
PMID: 15304759

Synthesis of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of Zn/Al-NO3- hydrotalcite (HIZAN) and Zn/Al-diocytyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) nanocomposite (NAZAD) with a molar ratio of Zn/Al of 4:1 were carried out by coprecipitation through continuous agitation. Their structures were determined using X-ray diffractometer spectra, which showed that basal spacing for LDH synthesized by both methods was about 8.89 A. An expansion of layered structure of about 27.9 A was observed to accommodate the surfactant anion between the interlayer. This phenomenon showed that the intercalation process took place between the LDH interlayer. Lipase from Candida rugosa was immobilized onto these materials by physical adsorption method. It was found that the protein loading onto NAZAD is higher than HIZAN. The activity of immobilized lipase was investigated through esterification of oleic acid and 1-butanol in hexane. The effects of pore size, surface area, reaction temperature, thermostability of the immobilized lipases, storage stability in organic solvent, and leaching studies were investigated. Stability was found to be the highest in the nanocomposite NAZAD.

MeSH terms: Candida/enzymology*; Enzyme Stability; Enzymes, Immobilized/metabolism*; Esterification; Hexanes; Hydroxides/metabolism*; Lipase/metabolism*; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Chemistry and pharmacology of analgesic indole alkaloids from the rubiaceous plant, Mitragyna speciosa

Takayama H

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 2004 Aug;52(8):916-28.
PMID: 15304982

The leaves of a tropical plant, Mitragyna speciosa KORTH (Rubiaceae), have been traditionally used as a substitute for opium. Phytochemical studies of the constituents of the plant growing in Thailand and Malaysia have led to the isolation of several 9-methoxy-Corynanthe-type monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, including new natural products. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic and/or synthetic methods. The potent opioid agonistic activities of mitragynine, the major constituent of this plant, and its analogues were found in in vitro and in vivo experiments and the mechanisms underlying the analgesic activity were clarified. The essential structural features of mitragynines, which differ from those of morphine and are responsible for the analgesic activity, were elucidated by pharmacological evaluation of the natural and synthetic derivatives. Among the mitragynine derivatives, 7-hydroxymitragynine, a minor constituent of M. speciosa, was found to exhibit potent antinociceptive activity in mice.

MeSH terms: Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology; Analgesics, Opioid/chemistry*; Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Receptors, Opioid/agonists; Structure-Activity Relationship; Rubiaceae/chemistry*; Indole Alkaloids/isolation & purification; Indole Alkaloids/pharmacology; Indole Alkaloids/chemistry*; Monoterpenes/chemistry; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/pharmacology; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/chemistry*
Phytochemistry and preliminary biological evaluation of Cyathostemma argenteum, a malaysian plant used traditionally for the treatment of breast cancer

Khamis S, Bibby MC, Brown JE, Cooper PA, Scowen I, Wright CW

Phytother Res, 2004 Jul;18(7):507-10.
PMID: 15305306

Bioassay guided fractionation of the roots of Cyathostemma argenteum using the brine shrimp resulted in the isolation of two uncommon flavanones, 2,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy flavanone 1 and 2,5-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy flavanone 2 while the stem bark yielded the related compounds 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy flavone 3 and 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy flavone 4. The alkaloids liriodenine 5 and discretamine 6 as well as benzyl benzoate 7 were isolated from the roots and 6 was also isolated from the stembark. In cytotoxicity tests using four human breast cancer cell lines, 1 and 2 were weakly toxic to MCF-7 cells (IC(50) = 19.6 and 19.0 microM, respectively) but showed little activity against MCF-7 cells resistant to doxorubicin or against two oestrogen receptor-deficient cell lines. Compound 5, but not 6 and 7, was moderately cytotoxic against all four cell lines. These results are discussed in the context of the traditional use of C. argenteum in the treatment of breast cancer.

MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use; Artemia/drug effects; Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms/pathology; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Phytotherapy*; Medicine, Traditional; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Plant Oils/administration & dosage; Plant Oils/pharmacology; Plant Oils/therapeutic use; Plant Roots; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Annonaceae*; Cell Line, Tumor/drug effects
Abstracts of the 10th Asia-Oceania ORL Head and Neck Congress. 22-26 February 2004, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Feb;59 Suppl A:1-257.
PMID: 15307243
MeSH terms: Animals; Head and Neck Neoplasms*; Humans; Otolaryngology*; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases*; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures*
Genetics of spinosad resistance in a multi-resistant field-selected population of Plutella xylostella

Sayyed AH, Omar D, Wright DJ

Pest Manag Sci, 2004 Aug;60(8):827-32.
PMID: 15307676

Resistance to the bacteria-derived insecticides spinosad (Conserve), abamectin (Vertimec), Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk) (Dipel), B thuringiensis var aizawai (Bta) (Xentari), B thuringiensis crystal endotoxins Cry1Ac and Cry1Ca, and to the synthetic insecticide fipronil was estimated in a freshly-collected field population (CH1 strain) of Plutella xylostella (L) from the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. Laboratory bioassays at G1 indicated significant levels of resistance to spinosad, abamectin, Cry1Ac, Btk, Cry1Ca, fipronil and Bta when compared with a laboratory insecticide-susceptible population. Logit regression analysis of F1 reciprocal crosses indicated that resistance to spinosad in the CH1 population was inherited as a co-dominant trait. At the highest dose of spinosad tested, resistance was close to completely recessive, while at the lowest dose it was incompletely dominant. A direct test of monogenic inheritance based on a back-cross of F1 progeny with CH1 suggested that resistance to spinosad was controlled by a single locus.

MeSH terms: Animals; Bacillus thuringiensis/growth & development; Bacterial Proteins/toxicity; Bacterial Toxins/toxicity; Drug Combinations; Endotoxins/toxicity; Genes, Dominant/genetics; Genes, Recessive/genetics; Genetic Complementation Test; Hemolysin Proteins; Insecticide Resistance/genetics; Insecticides/toxicity*; Ivermectin/analogs & derivatives*; Ivermectin/toxicity; Moths/drug effects; Moths/genetics*; Moths/metabolism; Protein Precursors/toxicity; Pyrazoles/toxicity; Macrolides/toxicity*
Comparison of IgG4 assays using whole parasite extract and BmR1 recombinant antigen in determining antibody prevalence in brugian filariasis

Noordin R, Wahyuni S, Mangali A, Huat LB, Yazdanbakhsh M, Sartono E

Filaria journal, 2004 Aug 12;3(1):8.
PMID: 15307892

BACKGROUND: Brugia malayi is endemic in several Asian countries with the highest prevalence in Indonesia. Determination of prevalence of lymphatic filariasis by serology has been performed by various investigators using different kinds of antigen (either soluble worm antigen preparations or recombinant antigens). This investigation compared the data obtained from IgG4 assays using two different kinds of antigen in a study on prevalence of antibodies to B. malayi. METHODS: Serum samples from a transmigrant population and life long residents previously tested with IgG4 assay using soluble worm antigen (SWA-ELISA), were retested with an IgG4 assay that employs BmR1 recombinant antigen (BmR1 dipstick [Brugia Rapid trade mark ]). The results obtained with the two antigens were compared, using Pearson chi-square and McNemar test. RESULTS: There were similarities and differences in the results obtained using the two kinds of antigen (SWA and BmR1). Similarities included the observation that assays using both antigens demonstrated an increasing prevalence of IgG4 antibodies in the transmigrant population with increasing exposure to the infection, and by six years living in the area, antibody prevalence was similar to that of life-long residents. With regards to differences, of significance is the demonstration of similar antibody prevalence in adults and children by BmR1 dipstick whereas by SWA-ELISA the antibody prevalence in adults was higher than in children. CONCLUSIONS: Results and conclusions made from investigations of prevalence of anti-filarial IgG4 antibody in a population would be affected by the assay employed in the study.

MeSH terms: Adult; Animals; Asia; Brugia; Child; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Indonesia; Prevalence; Brugia malayi
Fulltext Effect of petroleum derivatives and solvents on colour perception

Sharanjeet-Kaur, Mursyid A, Kamaruddin A, Ariffin A

Clin Exp Optom, 2004 Jul;87(4-5):339-43.
PMID: 15312037 DOI: 10.1111/j.1444-0938.2004.tb05064.x

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to various neurotoxic chemicals has been shown to be associated with colour vision impairment. It seems that this can occur at low exposure levels, sometimes well below the recommended occupational threshold limits. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of exposure to petroleum derivatives (polyethylene, polystyrene) and solvents (perchloroethylene) on colour perception.
METHODS: Colour vision was assessed using the Ishihara plates, the D-15 test and the Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue test. Two factories using petroleum derivatives and three dry cleaning premises were chosen at random. A total of 93 apparently healthy employees were recruited from the five workplaces. Two age-matched control groups comprising 56 people, who were support staff of the university with no exposure to petroleum, solvents or their derivatives, were also recruited.
RESULTS: All subjects passed the Ishihara test, showing that none had a congenital red-green defect. Some of the exposed employees failed the D-15 and had abnormally high FM100 Hue scores. All control subjects passed all the colour vision tests. The D-15 test showed that 28 per cent (26 of 93) of exposed employees had a colour vision defect whereas the FM 100 Hue test found that 63 per cent (59 of 93) had a colour vision defect. Most defects were of the blue-yellow type (22.6 per cent) when using the D-15 test. However, with the FM 100 Hue test, most defects were of the non-polar type with no specific axis (50.5 per cent). Mean total error scores calculated from the FM100 Hue test for exposed employees were statistically significantly higher than those of the control subjects.
CONCLUSION: Employees directly exposed to petroleum derivatives and solvents have a higher risk of acquiring colour vision defects compared to subjects who are not.
Study sites: Factories; the control subjects were tested at the Optometry Clinic in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Color Perception/drug effects*; Color Perception Tests; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Optometry; Polystyrenes/adverse effects*; Solvents/adverse effects*; Tetrachloroethylene/adverse effects*; Case-Control Studies; Occupational Exposure; Polyethylene/adverse effects*
Services for older people in Malaysia: issues and challenges

Poi PJ, Forsyth DR, Chan DK

Age Ageing, 2004 Sep;33(5):444-6.
PMID: 15315917
MeSH terms: Aged; Developing Countries*; Forecasting; Health Services Accessibility/trends; Health Services for the Aged/trends*; Health Services Needs and Demand/trends*; Humans; Malaysia; Patient Care Team/trends; Population Dynamics

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