Browse publications by year: 2005

  1. Tay ST, Rohani YM, Ho TM, Shamala D
    Microbiol. Immunol., 2005;49(1):67-71.
    PMID: 15665455
    The DNA sequences encompassing two hypervariable regions, VD II and III of the 56 kDa immunodominant protein gene of 21 Malaysian strains of Orientia tsutsugamushi were determined. Two strains demonstrated a 100% DNA homology with the Gilliam prototype strain, and one with TH1817 strain and TA678 strain respectively. High percentages of DNA similarity (95-99%) were observed with Karp (4 strains), Gilliam (2 strains), TH1817 (4 strains), TC586 (3 strains) and TA763 (1 strain). The remaining strains demonstrated the highest DNA similarity with TA763 (1 strain, 89%), TA678 (1 strain, 86%) and TA686 (1 strain, 87%). Our study provides additional evidence on the existence and the genetic heterogeneity of TA strains of the Southeast Asia and their closely related strains in Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Antigens, Bacterial/genetics*; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Genes, Bacterial*; Malaysia; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Polymorphism, Genetic; Orientia tsutsugamushi/classification; Orientia tsutsugamushi/genetics*; Orientia tsutsugamushi/immunology; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Sequence Analysis, DNA
  2. Mohamad H, Abas F, Permana D, Lajis NH, Ali AM, Sukari MA, et al.
    Z Naturforsch C J Biosci, 2005 1 26;59(11-12):811-5.
    PMID: 15666539
    The methanol extract of the dried ripe fruits of Alpinia rafflesiana was investigated for its DPPH free radical scavenger constituents. 2',3',4',6'-Tetrahydroxychalcone (7), which has never been isolated from natural sources was found to be most active as a DPPH free radical scavenger with the IC50 value of 55 microM. Other known compounds isolated from this species include 5,6-dehydrokawain (1), flavokawin B (2). 1,7-diphenyl-5-hydroxy-6-hepten-3-one (3), (-)-pinocembrin (4), cardamonin (5) and (-)-pinostrobin (6). The DPPH free radical scavenger compounds were detected using TLC autographic analysis. The percentage inhibition of DPPH free radical scavenging activity was measured on isolates (5-7) using colorimetric analysis.
    MeSH terms: Biphenyl Compounds/isolation & purification; Biphenyl Compounds/pharmacology*; Hydrazines/isolation & purification; Hydrazines/pharmacology*; Malaysia; Models, Molecular; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Picrates; Seeds/chemistry; Molecular Structure; Free Radical Scavengers/isolation & purification; Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology*; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Alpinia/chemistry*; Chalcones/isolation & purification; Chalcones/chemistry
  3. Tee KK, Pon CK, Kamarulzaman A, Ng KP
    AIDS, 2005 Jan 28;19(2):119-26.
    PMID: 15668536
    OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 and to screen for the emergence of intersubtype recombinants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    DESIGN: A molecular epidemiology study was conducted among HIV-1 seropositive patients attending the University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC) from July 2003 to June 2004.

    METHODS: Protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT) gene sequences were derived from drug resistance genotyping assay of 100 newly diagnosed or antiretroviral-naive patients. These were phylogenetically analysed to determine the subtypes and recombination breakpoint analyses were performed on intersubtype recombinants to estimate the recombination breakpoint(s).

    RESULTS: CRF01_AE predominated in Kuala Lumpur with 65% in both PR and RT genes. B subtype was detected at 14% and 12% in PR and RT genes, respectively. C subtype was present at 1% in both genes. Overall, the concordance of PR and RT genes in discriminating subtypes/circulating recombinant forms (CRF) was high at 96%. In this study, novel CRF01_AE/B intersubtype recombinants were detected at high prevalence (22%), including those isolates with subtype discordance. Thai variants of CRF01_AE and B subtype were involved in the genesis of these unique recombinant forms (URF). Interestingly, 19 CRF01_AE/B intersubtype recombinant isolates shared similar recombination breakpoints in both PR and RT genes. Several distinct URF were also identified.

    CONCLUSION: PR and RT genes can be utilized for subtype/CRF assessment with high degree of agreement, allowing concurrent surveillance of circulating HIV-1 subtypes with antiretroviral drug resistance genotyping tests. The emergence of highly identical CRF01_AE/B intersubtype recombinants suggests the possibility of the appearance of a new circulating recombinant form in Kuala Lumpur.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Base Sequence; Feasibility Studies; Female; Genotype; HIV Seropositivity/genetics*; HIV Seropositivity/epidemiology; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Peptide Hydrolases/genetics; Phylogeny; Recombination, Genetic/genetics*; RNA, Viral/genetics; HIV-1/genetics*; Prevalence; HIV Reverse Transcriptase/genetics
  4. Khoo JJ, Pee S, Thevarajah B, Yap YC, Chin CK
    J Paediatr Child Health, 2005 Jan-Feb;41(1-2):31-5.
    PMID: 15670221 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2005.00532.x
    OBJECTIVES: To determine the pattern of renal histology, clinical outcome of children with lupus nephritis and to identify any associated risk factors predicting renal failure in these children.
    METHODS: Retrospectively, 27 children under 16 years of age with lupus nephritis who had renal biopsies done at Sultanah Aminah Hospital Johor, Malaysia from 1994 to 2002 were studied. The renal histology was graded according to WHO classification system (1982). The medical records, laboratory data and the clinical outcome of the patients were studied.
    RESULTS: There were 24 cases of WHO Class IV, two cases of WHO Class II and a case of WHO Class V. Twenty children were in the good renal outcome group while six children progressed into the poor renal outcome group and required renal replacement. One child was lost to follow-up. All six children in the poor renal outcome group had WHO Class IV histology. The 5-year patient and renal survival rates were 84% and 75%, respectively. Age, sex, activity and chronicity indices in the renal histology, anaemia, elevated serum creatinine, depressed levels of C3 and C4, heavy proteinuria or presence of urinary active sediments were not associated with progression to renal failure.
    CONCLUSIONS: Presently, children with lupus nephritis appeared to have better patient and renal survival rates. Assessment of renal histology in these children was important for diagnosis, treatment and probably prognosis. In this study, there was a 25% incidence of loss of renal function over 5 years in children with WHO Class IV renal histology.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Lupus Nephritis/classification; Lupus Nephritis/mortality; Lupus Nephritis/pathology*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Survival Rate; Treatment Outcome; Age Distribution; Sex Distribution
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 2005 Jan 28;54(3):61-4.
    PMID: 15674183
    On December 26, 2004, an earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami that caused an estimated 225,000 deaths in eight countries (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) on two continents. In Thailand, six provinces (Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, and Trang) were impacted, including prominent international tourist destinations. The Thai Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) responded with rapid mobilization of local and nonlocal clinicians, public health practitioners, and medical supplies; assessment of health-care needs; identification of the dead, injured, and missing; and active surveillance of syndromic illness. The MOPH response was augmented by technical assistance from the Thai MOPH-U.S. CDC Collaboration (TUC) and the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), with support from the office of the World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Thailand. This report summarizes these activities. The experiences in Thailand underscore the value of written and rehearsed disaster plans, capacity for rapid mobilization, local coordination of relief activities, and active public health surveillance.
    MeSH terms: Disaster Planning; Disasters*; Humans; International Cooperation; Thailand; Public Health Practice*; Rescue Work*; Needs Assessment
  6. Ahmed OH, Ahmad HM, Musa HM, Rahim AA, Rastan SO
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2005 Jan 21;5:42-9.
    PMID: 15674449
    In Malaysia, pineapples are grown on peat soils, but most K fertilizer recommendations do not take into account K loss through leaching. The objective of this study was to determine applied K use efficiency under a conventionally recommended fertilization regime in pineapple cultivation with residues removal. Results showed that K recovery from applied K fertilizer in pineapple cultivation on tropical peat soil was low, estimated at 28%. At a depth of 0-10 cm, there was a sharp decrease of soil total K, exchangeable K, and soil solution K days after planting (DAP) for plots with K fertilizer. This decline continued until the end of the study. Soil total, exchangeable, and solution K at the end of the study were generally lower than prior values before the study. There was no significant accumulation of K at depths of 10-25 and 25-45 cm. However, K concentrations throughout the study period were generally lower or equal to their initial status in the soil indicating leaching of the applied K and partly explained the low K recovery. Potassium losses through leaching in pineapple cultivation on tropical peat soils need to be considered in fertilizer recommendations for efficient recovery of applied K.
    MeSH terms: Agriculture/methods; Environmental Pollution; Fertilizers/analysis*; Malaysia; Potassium/analysis*; Soil Pollutants/analysis; Tropical Climate; Ananas/growth & development*; Ananas/chemistry
  7. Nathan SA, Qvist R, Puthucheary SD
    FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol., 2005 Feb 1;43(2):177-83.
    PMID: 15681148
    The oxidative response of Burkholderia pseudomallei and Escherichia coli infected macrophages from normal and melioidosis subjects was determined by measuring the production of nitric oxide which is one of the reactive nitrogen intermediates, and the activation state of these macrophages was determined by measuring the generation of 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), a bioactive product of free radical induced lipid peroxidation. Macrophages obtained from the melioidosis patients generated significantly lower levels of nitric oxide and 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) compared to macrophages obtained from the normal subjects (P<0.001). The reduced efficiency of the oxygen dependent microbicidal mechanism in macrophages of melioidosis patients may be one of the survival strategies developed by B. pseudomallei to remain viable intracellularly.
    MeSH terms: Cells, Cultured; Escherichia coli/drug effects; Escherichia coli/growth & development*; Humans; Kinetics; Macrophages/immunology; Macrophages/metabolism*; Macrophages/microbiology*; Melioidosis/immunology*; Melioidosis/metabolism; Nitric Oxide/metabolism*; Dinoprost/analogs & derivatives*; Dinoprost/metabolism*; Burkholderia pseudomallei/growth & development*
  8. Devnani AS
    PMID: 15685053
    In children with delayed presentation of displaced supracondylar fractures, closed or open reduction with K-wire fixation risks complications. Gradually reducing the fracture with traction potentially reduces these risks. An unacceptable deformity can be corrected later by an osteotomy. This concept was used for 28 children, with an average age of 7 years 6 months, who presented after an average delay of 5.6 days. Their stay in the hospital was 14 days on average. At followup (average, 24 months), five children (18%) who had cubitus varus greater than 10 degrees had corrective osteotomy. There were no additional neurovascular injuries after treatment. The results are comparable with other methods of treatment.
    MeSH terms: Child; Elbow/injuries*; Elbow Joint/physiopathology; Female; Humans; Humerus/injuries*; Length of Stay; Male; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors; Traction; Range of Motion, Articular; Fractures, Bone/surgery*
  9. Abu Bakar I, Shuaib IL, Mohd Ariff AR, Naing NN, Abdullah JM
    Asian J Surg, 2005 Jan;28(1):1-6.
    PMID: 15691788
    OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage constitutes 18-40% of all stroke cases. Indications for cerebral angiography to find underlying potentially treatable vascular abnormalities are not clear. This study determined which intracranial haemorrhage patients need cerebral angiography by correlating computed tomography (CT) findings, age and hypertension history with cerebral angiography findings.

    METHODS: A total of 54 patients (8-79 years) with intracranial haemorrhage who underwent both CT examination and six-vessel cerebral angiography were studied over a 2-year period. Cerebral angiography was repeated within 6 weeks if the first angiogram was negative.

    RESULTS: Angiography detected vascular lesions in 50% of cases (aneurysm 38.9% and arteriovenous malformation, AVM, 11.1%). In the aneurysm group, angiographic yield was 34.3% whereas in the AVM group, it was 37.9%. Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) combined with other types of haemorrhage (such as intracerebral haemorrhage, ICH) was not significantly correlated with the likelihood of finding a vascular lesion, both aneurysm and AVM (p = 0.157). Age less than 50 years had significant correlation (p = 0.021) in the AVM group as well as in the aneurysm group (p < 0.001). A history of hypertension was associated with both aneurysm (p = 0.039) and AVM (p = 0.008). No patients with deep intracerebral haematoma had vascular lesions. The presence of an intravascular haemorrhage (IVH) had significant correlation with aneurysm (p = 0.008) but not AVM. There was no significant difference in mean age between patients with and without a vascular lesion (p = 0.134).

    CONCLUSION: Cerebral angiography is justified in patients with ICH accompanied by pure SAH (p = 0.001). Other factors associated with finding a vascular lesion were a history of hypertension and the presence of IVH. Diagnostic cerebral angiography is indicated for patients with ICH and SAH and IVH with a history of hypertension, regardless of age.

    MeSH terms: Cerebral Angiography*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developing Countries*; Female; Humans; Hypertension/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Intracranial Hemorrhages/etiology
  10. Jahendran J, Sani A, Rajan P, Mann GS, Appoo B
    Asian J Surg, 2005 Jan;28(1):41-4.
    PMID: 15691797
    A pyolaryngocele is an uncommon complication of a laryngocele that has become infected. We present a case of a pyolaryngocele that was probably due to repeated injections in the neck veins. The pathogenesis, clinical features and management are discussed in detail.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Airway Obstruction/etiology; Humans; Infection/etiology; Laryngeal Diseases/etiology*; Male; Neck/blood supply*; Veins; Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications*
  11. Sreetharan SS, Prepageran N
    Asian J Surg, 2005 Jan;28(1):45-7.
    PMID: 15691798
    The case of a 44-year-old man with left parotid enlargement that was initially diagnosed as cementifying fibroma is presented. The lesion was found in the deep lobe of the parotid gland and was successfully removed. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well with intact facial nerve function and remained asymptomatic after 1 year. Subsequent histology revealed the mass to be a benign fibrous tumour. The diagnosis and management of this rare entity are discussed.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Male; Parotid Gland/pathology
  12. Harjit KD, Hisham AN
    Asian J Surg, 2005 Jan;28(1):48-51.
    PMID: 15691799
    Large goitres are common in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa. Nonetheless, large fungating goitres are extremely rare and represent a unique challenge to surgeons. Surgery should always be considered, when the general condition of the patient permits, to provide a better quality of life as it offers the only hope of long-term survival. The potential gain with surgery is that it allows maximum benefit for more effective radioactive iodine ablation and radiotherapy treatment. We report two cases of large fungating thyroid cancers complicated by anaemia and foul-smelling discharge.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Carcinoma, Papillary/pathology; Carcinoma, Papillary/surgery*; Female; Goiter/pathology; Goiter/surgery; Humans; Middle Aged; Thyroid Gland/pathology; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery*; Carcinoma, Medullary/pathology; Carcinoma, Medullary/surgery*
  13. Jabar MF, Prasannan S, Gul YA
    Asian J Surg, 2005 Jan;28(1):58-61.
    PMID: 15691802
    Adult intussusception is a rare entity that may present in the acute and subacute setting principally related to the degree of bowel obstruction. Preoperative diagnosis of this condition may be difficult. The intussusception is usually due to a definable intraluminal lesion, most probably neoplasia, unlike intussusception in children. We present the cases of two adult male patients with intussusception. The first presented with acute small-bowel obstruction secondary to a retrograde ileojejunal intussusception with a pseudopolyp as the lead point. This was possibly due to a retrograde ball-valve effect. The intussuscepting segment was resected. The second patient presented with unexplained chronic diarrhoea and an intussusception occurring within the caecum, as demonstrated at colonoscopy, with a terminal ileal pedunculated fibroid polyp as the lead point. A limited right hemicolectomy was performed. Both patients recovered uneventfully and have remained well. A brief literature review of adult intussusception complements the case reports, with an emphasis on the pathogenesis of inflammatory polyps and recommended surgical management.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Ileal Diseases/etiology*; Ileal Neoplasms/complications*; Intestinal Polyps/complications*; Intussusception/etiology*; Male; Middle Aged
  14. Venketasubramanian N, Tan LC, Sahadevan S, Chin JJ, Krishnamoorthy ES, Hong CY, et al.
    Stroke, 2005 Mar;36(3):551-6.
    PMID: 15692124
    Stroke prevalence data among mixed Asian populations are lacking. Prevalence rates of stroke were studied among Singaporeans aged > or =50 years of Chinese, Malay, and Indian origin.
    MeSH terms: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; China/ethnology; China/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; India/ethnology; India/epidemiology; Malaysia/ethnology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Population Surveillance; Singapore/ethnology; Singapore/epidemiology; Prevalence; Stroke/ethnology*; Stroke/epidemiology*
  15. Hughes AJ, Ariffin N, Huat TL, Abdul Molok H, Hashim S, Sarijo J, et al.
    Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2005 Jan;26(1):100-4.
    PMID: 15693416
    Most reports of nosocomial infection (NI) prevalence have come from developed countries with established infection control programs. In developing countries, infection control is often not as well established due to lack of staff and resources. We examined the rate of NI in our institution.
    MeSH terms: Academic Medical Centers/statistics & numerical data; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use*; Cross Infection/drug therapy; Cross Infection/epidemiology*; Humans; Inpatients; Malaysia/epidemiology; Risk Factors; Prevalence; Drug Utilization Review/statistics & numerical data*
  16. Jantan I, Rafi IA, Jalil J
    Phytomedicine, 2005 Jan;12(1-2):88-92.
    PMID: 15693713
    Forty-nine methanol extracts of 37 species of Malaysian medicinal plants were investigated for their inhibitory effects on platelet-activating factor (PAF) binding to rabbit platelets, using 3H-PAF as a ligand. Among them, the extracts of six Zingiberaceae species (Alpinia galanga Swartz., Boesenbergia pandurata Roxb., Curcuma ochorrhiza Val., C. aeruginosa Roxb., Zingiber officinale Rosc. and Z. zerumbet Koenig.), two Cinnamomum species (C. altissimum Kosterm. and C. pubescens Kochummen.), Goniothalamus malayanus Hook. f. Momordica charantia Linn. and Piper aduncum L. are potential sources of new PAF antagonists, as they showed significant inhibitory effects with IC50 values ranging from 1.2 to 18.4 microg ml(-1).
    MeSH terms: Animals; Fruit; Malaysia; Phytotherapy*; Medicine, Traditional; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Platelet Activating Factor/antagonists & inhibitors*; Platelet Aggregation/drug effects*; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/administration & dosage; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/pharmacology*; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use; Protein Binding; Rabbits; Seeds; Plant Leaves; Plant Stems; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Plant Bark; Rhizome; Zingiberaceae*; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
  17. Paxton A, Maine D, Freedman L, Fry D, Lobis S
    Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2005 Feb;88(2):181-93.
    PMID: 15694106
    We searched for evidence for the effectiveness of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) interventions in reducing maternal mortality primarily in developing countries.
    MeSH terms: Developing Countries*; Emergency Medical Services/standards*; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Maternal Health Services/standards*; Maternal Mortality*; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications/prevention & control; Sri Lanka/epidemiology
  18. Matsuzaki Y, Sato K, Sugawara K, Takashita E, Muraki Y, Morishita T, et al.
    J Clin Microbiol, 2005 Feb;43(2):993-5.
    PMID: 15695727
    An influenza C virus was isolated from a Japanese traveler who had visited Malaysia in April 1999. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the genome composition of this virus was distinct from that of any other strain isolated in Japan. The possibility that a genetically unique influenza C virus was introduced into Japan by a traveler is shown.
    MeSH terms: Adult; DNA, Viral/analysis; Humans; Influenza, Human/epidemiology; Influenza, Human/virology*; Japan/epidemiology; Malaysia; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Influenzavirus C/genetics; Influenzavirus C/isolation & purification*; Phylogeny; Travel*; Viral Proteins/genetics; Sequence Analysis, DNA
  19. Ng CV
    Med J Aust, 2005 Feb 07;182(3):120.
    PMID: 15698357
    We describe a patient with myasthenia gravis and thymoma who developed recurrent severe myasthenic crises associated with the use of combination chemotherapy.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects*; Cholinesterase Inhibitors/administration & dosage; Cisplatin/administration & dosage; Dexamethasone/administration & dosage; Doxorubicin/administration & dosage; Etoposide/administration & dosage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myasthenia Gravis/etiology*; Myasthenia Gravis/therapy; Pyridostigmine Bromide/administration & dosage; Recurrence; Thymoma/complications*; Thymoma/drug therapy*; Thymus Neoplasms/complications*; Thymus Neoplasms/drug therapy*
  20. Nicolosi A, Glasser DB, Kim SC, Marumo K, Laumann EO, GSSAB Investigators' Group
    BJU Int, 2005 Mar;95(4):609-14.
    PMID: 15705089
    To study sexual activity, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and related help-seeking behaviour among middle-aged and elderly people in Asia.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asia/epidemiology; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data*; Sexual Behavior/statistics & numerical data*; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/epidemiology*; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/therapy; Prevalence; Age Distribution; Sex Distribution
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