Browse publications by year: 2005

Ambulance services at hospital universiti sains malaysia and hospital kota bharu: a retrospective study of calls

Shah Che Hamzah MS, Ahmad R, Nik Abdul Rahman NH, Pardi KW, Jaafar N, Wan Adnan WA, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2005 Jul;12(2):34-42.
PMID: 22605956

This retrospective study attempted to identify the pattern of ambulance calls for the past two years at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) and Hospital Kota Bharu (HKB). This study will provide a simple method of acquiring information related to ambulance response time (ART) and to test whether it met the international standards and needs of the client. Additionally, this paper takes into account the management of emergency calls. This included ambulance response time, which was part of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) episode: onset of ART, which started when details like phone number of the caller, exact location of the incident and the nature of the main complaint had been noted. ART ended when the emergency team arrived at the scene of incident. Information regarding ambulance calls from the record offices of HUSM and HKB was recorded for the year 2001 and 2002, tabulated and analyzed. There was a significant difference in the total number of calls managed by HUSM and HKB in the year 2001. It was noted that 645 calls were managed by HUSM while 1069 calls were recorded at HKB. In the year 2002, however, HUSM led with 613 extra numbers of calls as compare to HKB with 1193 numbers of calls. The pattern of ambulance calls observed is thought to possibly be influenced by social activities like local festivities, school holidays and the seasons. Further, it is observed that no studies were previously undertaken to compare the ART at both the HUSM and HKB to that of the international standards. In fact, a literature review undertaken so far showed no similar studies have been done for the whole Malaysia.

MeSH terms: Ambulances; Emergency Medical Services; Holidays; Hospitals; Learning; Malaysia; Reaction Time; Retrospective Studies; Seasons; Thinking
Fulltext Usage of traditional medicines among elderly and the prevalence of prednisolone contamination

Ismail Z, Mohamed R, Mohd Hassan MH, Wan Su K

Malays J Med Sci, 2005 Jul;12(2):50-5.
PMID: 22605958

The elderly consume many medications including traditional medicines. In 1986, it was found that 29% of elderly took traditional medicines although in 1996, the National Health Morbidity survey reported a 2.3% prevalence. However, studies from other countries showed much higher percentages. The Ministry of Health in Malaysia is concerned that some of these preparations maybe contaminated with steroids, antihistamines, hormones and other poisons. The aims of the study were to determine a). the health seeking behaviour of elderly Malays living in rural areas, b). the utilization of both modern and traditional medicines and c). the steroid content of the traditional medicines used. Methodology included interviews using structured questionnaires of elderly Malays living in rural areas of Kelantan, aged above 60 years. Samples of traditional medications collected were sent to the Pharmacology Department, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, for steroid content analysis using Thin Layer Chromatography. A total of 599 elderly respondents were interviewed comprising 62.4% females and 37.6% males. The 60-69 years cohort group made up 48.7%, followed by 70-79 years at 36.1% and the remainder 15.2% were more than 80 years. There were 82% of elderly taking medicines. The trends of utilization of modern and traditional medicine in the last two weeks among elderly were 59.3% and 40.9% respectively. The utilization of traditional medicine by rural elderly Malays was therefore much higher than that reported in the previous study and nearly similar to that of France and Australian studies. There were 102 samples of traditional medications collected and analysed for steroid content. Results showed that 27.5% were positive for prednisolone, 34.3% positive for unknown steroids (a total of 61.8%) and 38.2% were negative for both steroids. The present study therefore once again confirmed the high usage of traditional medicines where some of which are contaminated with steroids.

MeSH terms: Aged; Australia; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Female; France; Health Surveys; Histamine Antagonists; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Medicine, Traditional; Poisons; Prednisolone; Surveys and Questionnaires; Cohort Studies; Prevalence; Anti-Allergic Agents
Fulltext The co-existence of pure red cell aplasia and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in a child with malignant lymphoma

Ahmed SA, Hassan R

Malays J Med Sci, 2005 Jul;12(2):56-9.
PMID: 22605959 MyJurnal

The association between pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) has rarely been reported. PRCA represents an isolated process, characterized by normochromic, normocytic anaemia, reticulocytopenia and erythroid hypoplasia in the bone marrow, and may be attributable to infection with Parvo virus B19. AIHA is a condition in which peripheral red blood cell destruction is induced by the presence of autoantibodies. However, the co-existence of these conditions is very rare, since only few cases of PRCA and AIHA associated with malignant lymphoma (ML) were reported. A case of PRCA and AIHA was detected and described, for the first time in Malaysia, in a 10-year-old child suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma from the Department of Haematology, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Following the induction course of chemotherapy, the patient turned anaemic, with tendency for red cell clumping, reticulocytopenia and anisocytosis. AIHA was suspected in spite of the weak Coomb reaction obtained. The bone marrow aspirate revealed the presence of giant pronormoblasts, suggesting PRCA. Serological tests for Parvo virus and other viruses were negative.

MeSH terms: Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune; Autoantibodies; Bone Marrow; Child; Erythroblasts; Hematology; Humans; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Malaysia; Parvoviridae Infections; Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure; Parvovirus B19, Human
A retrospective study of the accuracy of sonographic chorionicity determination in twin pregnancies

Menon DK

Twin Res Hum Genet, 2005 Jun;8(3):259-61.
PMID: 15989753

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of sonographic chorionicity determination in the largest sample of twin pregnancies to date. We retrospectively analyzed 463 twin pregnancies delivered over a 6-year period to determine in each case what the antenatal sonographic prediction of chorionicity was, and then what the subsequent post partum pathological diagnosis of chorionicity was. Out of 436 twin pregnancies, 428 were correctly diagnosed for chorionicity as confirmed by pathology reports. Sonography as a screening tool for monochorionic twin pregnancies has a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 97.9% and a predictive value positive of 88.2%. Transvaginal scanning in the first trimester determined twin chorionicity with a sensitivity and a specificity of 100%. This study has confirmed in the largest sample to date that sonographic chorionicity determination is best done in the first trimester using vaginal scans, where it has 100% accuracy.

MeSH terms: Chorion/pathology; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy, Multiple*; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Twins; Ultrasonography, Prenatal*
Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in a developing country over a 10-year period

Thong MK, Bazlin RI, Wong KT

Dev Med Child Neurol, 2005 Jul;47(7):474-7.
PMID: 15991868

Clinical data on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are lacking in developing countries. The objective of this study was to delineate the demographic characteristics, investigations, and outcome of 21 Malaysian males diagnosed with DMD over a period of 10 years. Mean age presentation was 3 years 8 months (SD 23mo; range 10 to 84mo), mean duration from first presentation to diagnosis was 3y 7mo (SD 26mo; range 5 to 84) and the mean age for loss of ambulation was 11 years (SD 25mo; range 102 to 168). There was family history of DMD in five of the 21 patients. Muscle biopsy showed confirmatory findings of DMD in the 16 patients tested. Molecular genetic analysis showed dystrophin gene deletions in 11 of these 16 patients. Four and seven of the students stopped schooling and had learning difficulties, respectively; only nine had satisfactory school performances. Eight out of 14 patients evaluated were classified as having severe to total dependency levels on the modified Barthel Index for activities of daily living assessment. DMD is associated with significant medical and social needs for a developing country such as Malaysia. Earlier referral, genetic counselling, and provision of support and rehabilitative services are the main priorities.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Developing Countries*; Family Health; Genetic Counseling; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Prevalence; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/diagnosis; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/epidemiology*; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/therapy
Optimization of medium composition for the production of a probiotic microorganism, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, using response surface methodology

Liew SL, Ariff AB, Raha AR, Ho YW

Int J Food Microbiol, 2005 Jul 15;102(2):137-42.
PMID: 15992613

This study was undertaken to optimize yeast extract, glucose, and vitamin concentrations; and also culture pH for maximizing the growth of a probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and to assess the effects of these factors by using response surface methodology. A central composite design was used as an experimental design for the allocation of treatment combinations. A polynomial regression model with cubic and quartic terms was used for analysis of the experimental data. It was found that the effects involving yeast extract, glucose, vitamins and pH on the growth of L. rhamnosus were significant, and the strongest effect was given by the yeast extract concentration. Estimated optimum conditions of the factors for the growth of L. rhamnosus are as follows: pH=6.9; vitamin solution=1.28% (v/v); glucose=5.01% (w/v) and yeast extract=6.0% (w/v).

MeSH terms: Bacteriological Techniques; Culture Media/chemistry*; Food Microbiology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactobacillus/growth & development*; Lactobacillus/metabolism; Models, Biological; Regression Analysis; Vitamins/analysis; Vitamins/metabolism; Colony Count, Microbial; Probiotics*
Giardiasis as a predictor of childhood malnutrition in Orang Asli children in Malaysia

Al-Mekhlafi MS, Azlin M, Nor Aini U, Shaik A, Sa'iah A, Fatmah MS, et al.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2005 Sep;99(9):686-91.
PMID: 15992838

A cross-sectional study to examine the association of giardiasis with protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia was conducted among Orang Asli children in Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 281 children aged 2-15 years were studied. The data were collected using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis of blood and faecal samples. The results showed that 24.9% of the children were infected with Giardia duodenalis, while 56.5, 61.3 and 15.1% had significant underweight, stunting and wasting, respectively. Giardiasis was statistically identified as a strong predictor of significant wasting in this study population.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Giardiasis/epidemiology*; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Protein-Energy Malnutrition/epidemiology*; Protein-Energy Malnutrition/parasitology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vitamin A Deficiency/epidemiology*; Vitamin A Deficiency/parasitology; Prevalence; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/epidemiology*; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/parasitology
Darier disease: a case report

Jalil AA, Zain RB, van der Waal I

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2005 Aug;43(4):336-8.
PMID: 15993288

The diagnosis of Darier disease of the oral mucosa was made only after biopsying a leukoplakia-like lesion of the palate.

MeSH terms: Adult; Biopsy; Humans; Darier Disease/pathology*; Male; Mouth Diseases/pathology*; Mouth Mucosa/pathology; Palate; Treatment Refusal
Plasmid profiling and curing of Lactobacillus strains isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of chicken

Chin SC, Abdullah N, Siang TW, Wan HY

J Microbiol, 2005 Jun;43(3):251-6.
PMID: 15995642

In this study, we assessed the susceptibility of 12 Lactobacillus strains, all of which had been isolated from the gastrointestinal tracts of chicken, to three antibiotics (chloramphenicol, erythromycin and tetracycline) used commonly as selective markers in transformation studies of lactic acid bacteria. Among these strains, 17%, 58%, and 25% were found to exhibit a high degree of resistance to 200 microg/ml of tetracycline, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol, respectively. Seven of the 12 Lactobacillus strains exhibiting resistance to at least 50 microg/ml of chloramphenicol or erythromycin, and five strains exhibiting resistance to at least 50 microg/ml of tetracycline, were subsequently subjected to plasmid curing with chemical curing agents, such as novobiocin, acriflavin, SDS, and ethidium bromide. In no cases did the antibiotic resistance of these strains prove to be curable, with the exception of the erythromycin resistance exhibited by five Lactobacillus strains (L. acidophilus I16 and I26, L. fermentum I24 and C17, and L. brevis C10). Analysis of the plasmid profiles of these five cured derivatives revealed that all of the derivatives, except for L. acidophilus I16, possessed profiles similar to those of wild-type strains. The curing of L. acidophilus I16 was accompanied by the loss of 4.4 kb, 6.1 kb, and 11.5 kb plasmids.

MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Chickens/microbiology*; Chloramphenicol/pharmacology; DNA, Bacterial; Erythromycin/pharmacology; Ethidium/pharmacology; Lactobacillus/classification; Lactobacillus/drug effects*; Lactobacillus/genetics*; Lactobacillus/isolation & purification; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate/pharmacology; Tetracycline/pharmacology; Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology*
Comparative evaluation of three purification methods for the nucleocapsid protein of Newcastle disease virus from Escherichia coli homogenates

Tan YP, Ling TC, Yusoff K, Tan WS, Tey BT

J Microbiol, 2005 Jun;43(3):295-300.
PMID: 15995649

In the present study, the performances of conventional purification methods, packed bed adsorption (PBA), and expanded bed adsorption (EBA) for the purification of the nucleocapsid protein (NP) of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) from Escherichia coli homogenates were evaluated. The conventional methods for the recovery of NP proteins involved multiple steps, such as centrifugation, precipitation, dialysis, and sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. For the PBA, clarified feedstock was used for column loading, while in EBA, unclarified feedstock was used. Streamline chelating immobilized with Ni2+ ion was used as an affinity ligand for both PBA and EBA. The final protein yield obtained in conventional and PBA methods was 1.26% and 5.56%, respectively. It was demonstrated that EBA achieved the highest final protein yield of 9.6% with a purification factor of 7. Additionally, the total processing time of the EBA process has been shortened by 8 times compared to that of the conventional method.

MeSH terms: Adsorption; Biotechnology/methods; Chelating Agents; Chromatography/methods; Escherichia coli/genetics; Escherichia coli/metabolism*; Newcastle disease virus/metabolism*; Nickel; Nucleoproteins/genetics; Nucleoproteins/isolation & purification*; Nucleoproteins/metabolism; Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Recombinant Proteins/isolation & purification*; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism; Viral Proteins/genetics; Viral Proteins/isolation & purification*; Viral Proteins/metabolism
Removal of dyes using immobilized titanium dioxide illuminated by fluorescent lamps

Zainal Z, Hui LK, Hussein MZ, Taufiq-Yap YH, Abdullah AH, Ramli I

J Hazard Mater, 2005 Oct 17;125(1-3):113-20.
PMID: 15996813

The photodegradation of various dyes in aqueous solution was studied. Experiments were carried out using glass coated titanium dioxide thin film as photocatalyst. Photodegradation processes of methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), indigo carmine (IC), chicago sky blue 6B (CSB), and mixed dye (MD, mixture of the four mentioned single dye) were reported. As each photodegradation system is pH dependent, the photodegradation experiment was carried out in each dye photodegradation reactive pH range at approximately 28 degrees C. The dyes removal efficiency was studied and compared using UV-vis spectrophotometer analysis. The total removal of each dye was: methylene blue (90.3%), methyl orange (98.5%), indigo carmine (92.4%), chicago sky blue 6B (60.3%), and mixed dyes (70.1%), respectively. The characteristic of the photocatalyst was investigated using X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The amount of each dye intermediate produced in the photodegradation process was also determined with the help of total organic carbon (TOC) analysis.

MeSH terms: Azo Compounds/isolation & purification; Coloring Agents/isolation & purification*; Fluorescence*; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Indigo Carmine/isolation & purification; Methylene Blue/isolation & purification; Photochemistry/instrumentation; Photochemistry/methods; Titanium*; Trypan Blue; Water/chemistry*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification*; Water Pollution, Chemical/prevention & control*; X-Ray Diffraction/methods
Malaysia: Judge refuses to reduce sentence on account of HIV

Ketter A

HIV AIDS Policy Law Rev, 2005 Apr;10(1):62-3.
PMID: 15997473
MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Prisoners/legislation & jurisprudence*; HIV Infections*
Asthma prescribing practices of government and private doctors in Malaysia--a nationwide questionnaire survey

Loh LC, Wong PS

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2005 Mar;23(1):7-17.
PMID: 15997869

A self-answered, anonymously completed questionnaire survey was performed between June 2002 and May 2003 where doctors from government and private sectors in Malaysia were invited to participate by post or during medical meetings. One hundred and sixteen government doctors and 110 private doctors provided satisfactorily completed questionnaires (effective respondent rate: 30.1%). The most preferred medications for 'first-line', 'second-line' and 'third-line' treatment were for government doctors: inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) (98%), inhaled corticosteroids (CS) (75%), and leukotriene antagonist (52%); and for private doctors: oral SABA (81%), inhaled CS (68%), and oral CS (58%). The first choice inhaler device for most government and private doctors were metered dose inhalers, with cost and personal preferences (for private doctors), and technical ability (for government doctors) as the key considerations when deciding on the choice of device. This benchmark data on the asthma prescribing practices of a healthcare delivery system fully dichotomized into government and private sector, provides evidence for practice differences affected by the nature of the healthcare system, and might have implications on healthcare systems of other countries that share similarities with that of Malaysia.

MeSH terms: Administration, Inhalation; Administration, Oral; Adult; Asthma/drug therapy*; Child; Drug Utilization/statistics & numerical data; Government; Humans; Malaysia; Perception; Physicians*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Patient Satisfaction*; Anti-Asthmatic Agents/administration & dosage*
Epstein-Barr virus serology in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Wong MM, Lye MS, Cheng HM, Sam CK

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2005 Mar;23(1):65-7.
PMID: 15997877

The antibody levels to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and early antigen (EA) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in 164 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients from Sarawak, East Malaysia were significantly higher than those in 147 sex, age and ethnically matched healthy controls. As diagnostic markers of NPC, IgG/VCA at reciprocal titers > or =160 was the most sensitive (89%, with 98% specificity), while IgA/EA at > or =5 was the most specific (100%) but the least sensitive (75%). The sensitivity and specificity of IgA/VCA at reciprocal titers > or =10 were 84% and 97%. IgA/VCA has an advantage over IgG/VCA despite the slightly lower sensitivity due to its consistently more distinct fluorescence reaction. The sensitivity and specificity can be marginally improved by a combination of two tests.

MeSH terms: Antibodies, Viral/blood*; Antigens, Viral/immunology*; Carcinoma/diagnosis*; Carcinoma/immunology; Carcinoma/virology; Herpesvirus 4, Human/immunology*; Humans; Immunoglobulin A/blood; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Malaysia/epidemiology; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/immunology; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/virology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Capsid Proteins/immunology*
Performance of a mixed Lagrange time delay estimation autoregressive (MLTDEAR) model for single-image signal- to-noise ratio estimation in scanning electron microscopy

Sim KS, Chuah HT, Zheng C

J Microsc, 2005 Jul;219(Pt 1):1-17.
PMID: 15998361

A novel technique based on the statistical autoregressive (AR) model has recently been developed as a solution to estimate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. In another research study, the authors also developed an algorithm by cascading the AR model with the Lagrange time delay (LTD) estimator. This technique is named the mixed Lagrange time delay estimation autoregressive (MLTDEAR) model. In this paper, the fundamental performance limits for the problem of single-image SNR estimation as derived from the Cramer-Rao inequality is presented. We compared the experimental performances of several existing methods--the simple method, the first-order linear interpolator, the AR-based estimator as well as the MLTDEAR method--with respect to this performance bound. In a few test cases involving different images, the efficiency of the MLTDEAR single-image estimation technique proved to be significantly better than that of the other three methods. Study of the effect of different SEM setting conditions that affect the autocorrelation function curve is also discussed.
Use of fungi to improve bioconversion of activated sludge

Mannan S, Fakhru'l-Razi A, Alam MZ

Water Res, 2005 Aug;39(13):2935-43.
PMID: 16000208

The present study was designed to evaluate the potential of microbial adaptation and its affinity to biodegradation as well as bioconversion of soluble/insoluble (organic) substances of domestic wastewater treatment plant (DWTP) sludge (activated domestic sludge) under natural/non-sterilized conditions. The two filamentous fungi, Penicillium corylophilum (WWZP1003) and Aspergillus niger (SCahmA103) were used to achieve the objectives. It was observed that P. corylophilum (WWZP1003) was the better strain compared to A. niger (SCahmA103) for the bioconversion of domestic activated sludge through adaptation. The visual observation in plate culture showed that about 95-98% of cultured microbes (P. corylophilum and A. niger) dominated in treated sludge after 2 days of treatment. In this study, it was also found that the P. corylophilum was capable of removing 94.40% of COD and 98.95% of turbidity of filtrate with minimum dose of inoculum of 10% v/v in DWTP sludge (1% w/w). The pH level was lower (acidic condition) in the fungal treatment and maximum reduction of COD and turbidity was observed (at lower pH). The results for specific resistance to filtration (SRF) showed that the fungi played a great role in enhancing the dewaterability and filterability. In particular, the strain Penicillium had a more significant capability (than A. niger) of reducing 93.20% of SRF compared to the uninoculated sample. Effective results were observed by using fungal inoculum after 2 days of treatment. The developed LSB process is a new biotechnological approach for sludge management strategy.

MeSH terms: Aspergillus niger/metabolism*; Biodegradation, Environmental; Filtration; Glucose; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; Penicillium/metabolism*; Solanum tuberosum; Sewage*; Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods*
Purification and characterization of Nipah virus nucleocapsid protein produced in insect cells

Eshaghi M, Tan WS, Ong ST, Yusoff K

J Clin Microbiol, 2005 Jul;43(7):3172-7.
PMID: 16000431

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of Nipah virus (NiV) is a major constituent of the viral proteins which play a role in encapsidation, regulating the transcription and replication of the viral genome. To investigate the use of a fusion system to aid the purification of the recombinant N protein for structural studies and potential use as a diagnostic reagent, the NiV N gene was cloned into the pFastBacHT vector and the His-tagged fusion protein was expressed in Sf9 insect cells by recombinant baculovirus. Western blot analysis of the recombinant fusion protein with anti-NiV antibodies produced a band of approximately 62 kDa. A time course study showed that the highest level of expression was achieved after 3 days of incubation. Electron microscopic analysis of the NiV recombinant N fusion protein purified on a nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid resin column revealed different types of structures, including spherical, ring-like, and herringbone-like particles. The light-scattering measurements of the recombinant N protein also confirmed the polydispersity of the sample with hyrdrodynamic radii of small and large types. The optical density spectra of the purified recombinant fusion protein revealed a high A(260)/A(280) ratio, indicating the presence of nucleic acids. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that the recombinant N protein exhibited the antigenic sites and conformation necessary for specific antigen-antibody recognition.

MeSH terms: Animals; Antibodies, Viral/immunology; Cells, Cultured; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Microscopy, Electron; Swine Diseases/diagnosis; Swine Diseases/virology; Baculoviridae/genetics; Baculoviridae/metabolism; Spodoptera/virology; Nipah Virus/genetics; Nipah Virus/immunology; Nipah Virus/metabolism*; Henipavirus Infections/diagnosis; Henipavirus Infections/veterinary; Henipavirus Infections/virology
Colonic diverticular disease in a multiracial Asian patient population has an ethnic predilection

Rajendra S, Ho JJ

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2005 Aug;17(8):871-5.
PMID: 16003138

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, diverticular disease of the colon has been attributed to ageing, low dietary fibre and a high intraluminal pressure. Recently, genetic and racial factors have also been implicated.
METHODS: Four-hundred and ten consecutive multiracial Asian patients undergoing colonoscopy for a variety of bowel symptoms in a private endoscopy unit were studied for differing frequencies (if any) in colonic diverticular disease and concomitant abnormalities.
RESULTS: Forty-one patients (10%) had diverticular disease. Diverticula were present in 22/147 Chinese (15%), 14/153 Indians (9%) and 5/110 Malays (4.5%). The mean age of patients with diverticular disease was 55 years as compared with 51.3 years in those without (P = 0.12) and there was no gender difference. Thirty-six patients (88%) had diverticula in the right colon only, four patients (10%) exclusively in the left hemicolon, and one patient (2%) had bilateral involvement. Using regression analysis, Chinese ethnicity [odds ratio (OR)=2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-4.09; P = 0.027), constipation (OR = 2.65; 95% CI, 1.23-5.42; P = 0.007) and colorectal adenomas (OR = 2.65; 95% CI, 1.08-6.46; P = 0.033) were independently associated with diverticular disease.
CONCLUSIONS: Colonic diverticular disease in a multiracial Asian patient population has an ethnic predilection and is predominantly right-sided.

MeSH terms: Adenoma/epidemiology; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; China/ethnology; Colonoscopy/methods; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Humans; India/ethnology; Infant; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Colorectal Neoplasms/epidemiology; Age Distribution; Diverticulosis, Colonic/ethnology*; Diverticulosis, Colonic/epidemiology
Biosynthesis and mobilization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] by Spirulina platensis

Jau MH, Yew SP, Toh PS, Chong AS, Chu WL, Phang SM, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2005 Aug;36(3):144-51.
PMID: 16005060

Three strains of Spirulina platensis isolated from different locations showed capability of synthesizing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] under nitrogen-starved conditions with a maximum accumulation of up to 10 wt.% of the cell dry weight (CDW) under mixotrophic culture conditions. Intracellular degradation (mobilization) of P(3HB) granules by S. platensis was initiated by the restoration of nitrogen source. This mobilization process was affected by both illumination and culture pH. The mobilization of P(3HB) was better under illumination (80% degradation) than in dark conditions (40% degradation) over a period of 4 days. Alkaline conditions (pH 10-11) were optimal for both biosynthesis and mobilization of P(3HB) at which 90% of the accumulated P(3HB) was mobilized. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the mobilization of P(3HB) involved changes in granule quantity and morphology. The P(3HB) granules became irregular in shape and the boundary region was less defined. In contrast to bacteria, in S. platensis the intracellular mobilization of P(3HB) seems to be faster than the biosynthesis process. This is because in cyanobacteria chlorosis delays the P(3HB) accumulation process.

MeSH terms: Adenosine Triphosphate/chemistry; Cyanobacteria/metabolism; Cyanobacteria/chemistry; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism*; Biodegradation, Environmental; Carbon/chemistry; Chromatography, Gas; Cytoplasm/metabolism; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydroxybutyrates/chemistry*; Kinetics; Light; Nitrogen/chemistry; Polyesters/chemistry*; Temperature; Time Factors; Ultraviolet Rays; Thylakoids/metabolism; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Macromolecular Substances/chemistry; Spirulina
Increased expression and hotspot mutations of the multidrug efflux transporter, CDR1 in azole-resistant Candida albicans isolates from vaginitis patients

Looi CY, D' Silva EC, Seow HF, Rosli R, Ng KP, Chong PP

FEMS Microbiol Lett, 2005 Aug 15;249(2):283-9.
PMID: 16006060

The aims of our research were to investigate the gene expression of the multidrug efflux transporter, CDR1 and the major drug facilitator superfamily transporter, MDR1 gene in azole drug-resistant Candida albicans and Candida glabrata clinical isolates recovered from vaginitis patients; and to identify hotspot mutations that may be present in the C. albicans CaCDR1 gene that could be associated with drug-resistance. The relative expression of the CDR1 and MDR1 transcripts in ketoconazole and clotrimazole-resistant isolates and drug-susceptible ATCC strains were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Expression of CaCDR1 transcript was upregulated to varying extents in all three azole-resistant C. albicans isolates studied (1.6-, 3.7- and 3.9-fold) and all three C. glabrata isolates tested (at 1.9-, 2.3- and 2.7-fold). The overexpression level of CaCDR1 in the isolates correlated with the degree of resistance as reflected by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the drugs. The messenger RNA for another efflux pump, MDR1, was also overexpressed in one of the azole-resistant C. albicans isolates that overexpressed CDR1. This finding suggests that drug-resistance may involve synergy between energy-dependent drug efflux pumps CDR1p and MDR1p in some but not all isolates. Interestingly, DNA sequence analysis of the promoter region of the CaCDR1 gene revealed several point mutations in the resistant clinical isolates compared to the susceptible isolates at 39, 49 and 151 nucleotides upstream from the ATG start codon. This finding provides new information on point mutations in the promoter region which may be responsible for the overexpression of CDR1 in drug-resistant isolates.

MeSH terms: Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use; Base Sequence; Candida albicans/genetics; Candida albicans/isolation & purification*; Candidiasis/microbiology*; Clotrimazole/therapeutic use; Female; Fungal Proteins/genetics*; Humans; Ketoconazole/therapeutic use; Molecular Sequence Data; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Transcription, Genetic; Vaginitis/microbiology*; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal*; Point Mutation*; DNA Primers; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Drug Resistance, Fungal/genetics; Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics*; Candida glabrata/genetics; Candida glabrata/isolation & purification*

External Links