Browse publications by year: 2005

  1. Choi BC
    Occup Med (Lond), 2005 Oct;55(7):515-22.
    PMID: 16174662
    An international comparison study of women's occupational health issues was carried out in 2000 for the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore. The study was funded by the Canadian International Development Agency's Southeast Asia Gender Equity Program.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Asia/epidemiology; Canada/epidemiology; Developing Countries*; Female; Humans; Life Style; Obesity/epidemiology; Occupational Diseases/epidemiology*; Risk Factors; Smoking/epidemiology; Prevalence; Occupational Health*; Women's Health*; Workload; Developed Countries*
  2. Kuppusamy UR, Indran M, Rokiah P
    Diabet Med, 2005 Oct;22(10):1343-6.
    PMID: 16176194 DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2005.01630.x
    Aims: Increased oxidative stress and oxidative damage are present in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to assess the oxidative stress levels in the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia and to study the association between glycaemic control and oxidant-antioxidant levels in these patients.

    Methods: Oxidative indices and glycaemic control were assessed in 650 Type 2 DM patients and 280 healthy age-matched controls by known established methods.

    Results: Type 2 DM patients had significantly lower levels of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidant (FRAP) and increased levels of HbA(1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), malondialdehyde (MDA) and xanthine oxidase (XO) when compared with control subjects. Markers of oxidative stress were more apparent in Indian patients compared with Malay and Chinese patients. Correlation analysis of oxidant-antioxidant parameters as a function of HbA(1c) in each ethnic group revealed a strong association of HbA(1c) with oxidative indices.

    Conclusions: The present study provides evidence for the possible contribution of XO to oxidative stress and the pathophysiology of diabetes. HbA(1c) remains an important marker of glycaemic control for the management of Type 2 DM, but other confounding factors that predispose or lead to oxidative stress should also be taken into consideration.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antioxidants/analysis*; Blood Glucose/analysis*; China/ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism*; Female; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/analysis; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Xanthine Oxidase/blood*; Biomarkers/blood; Oxidative Stress/physiology
  3. Morad Z, Lee DG, Lim YN, Tan PC
    Perit Dial Int, 2005 9 24;25(5):426-31.
    PMID: 16178472
    MeSH terms: Developing Countries*; Direct Service Costs; Financing, Government; Humans; Kidney Failure, Chronic/epidemiology*; Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Peritoneal Dialysis/economics*; Peritoneal Dialysis/statistics & numerical data*
  4. Cheah MH, Kam PC
    Anaesthesia, 2005 Oct;60(10):1009-21.
    PMID: 16179047 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2005.04229.x
    Obesity is becoming a major public health problem throughout the world. It is now the second leading cause of death in the United States and is associated with significant, potentially life-threatening co-morbidities. Significant advances in the understanding of the physiology of body weight regulation and the pathogenesis of obesity have been achieved. A better understanding of the physiology of appetite control has enabled advances in the medical and surgical treatment of obesity. Visceral or abdominal obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Various drugs are used in the treatment of mild obesity but they are associated with adverse effects. Surgery has become an essential part of the treatment of morbid obesity, notwithstanding the potential adverse events that accompany it. An appreciation of these problems is essential to the anaesthetist and intensivist involved in the management of this group of patients.
    MeSH terms: Anesthetics; Appetite/physiology; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology; Humans; Obesity/complications; Obesity/physiopathology; Obesity/therapy*; Obesity, Morbid/surgery; Respiration Disorders/etiology; Bariatrics/methods
  5. Srinivasan V, Pandi-Perumal SR, Maestroni GJ, Esquifino AI, Hardeland R, Cardinali DP
    Neurotox Res, 2005;7(4):293-318.
    PMID: 16179266
    The pineal product melatonin has remarkable antioxidant properties. It scavenges hydroxyl, carbonate and various organic radicals, peroxynitrite and other reactive nitrogen species. Melatonyl radicals formed by scavenging combine with and, thereby, detoxify superoxide anions in processes terminating the radical reaction chains. Melatonin also enhances the antioxidant potential of the cell by stimulating the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, and by augmenting glutathione levels. The decline in melatonin production in aged individuals has been suggested as one of the primary contributing factors for the development of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases, e.g., Alzheimer's disease. Melatonin has been shown to be effective in arresting neurodegenerative phenomena seen in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsonism and ischemic stroke. Melatonin preserves mitochondrial homeostasis, reduces free radical generation, e.g., by enhancing mitochondrial glutathione levels, and safeguards proton potential and ATP synthesis by stimulating complex I and IV activities. Therapeutic trials with melatonin have been effective in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease but not of Parkinson's disease. Melatonin's efficacy in combating free radical damage in the brain suggests that it may be a valuable therapeutic agent in the treatment of cerebral edema after traumatic brain injury.
    MeSH terms: Aging/physiology; Alzheimer Disease/metabolism; Alzheimer Disease/pathology; Animals; Antioxidants*; Brain Chemistry/physiology; Brain Injuries/metabolism; Brain Injuries/pathology; Free Radicals/metabolism; Humans; Huntington Disease/metabolism; Huntington Disease/pathology; Melatonin/metabolism; Melatonin/physiology*; Mitochondria/drug effects; Mitochondria/metabolism; Nerve Regeneration/drug effects; Parkinson Disease/metabolism; Parkinson Disease/pathology; Reperfusion Injury/metabolism; Reperfusion Injury/pathology; Free Radical Scavengers*; Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism; Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology*
  6. Chen PC, Lee LK, Wong KC, Kaur J
    J Adolesc Health, 2005 Oct;37(4):337.
    PMID: 16182146
    This study was undertaken to examine factors relating to adolescent suicide behavior.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior/psychology*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Educational Status; Ethnic Groups; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Suicide, Attempted/psychology*; Logistic Models
  7. Koshy M, Vijayananthan A, Vadiveloo V
    Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2005 Oct;1(2):e10.
    PMID: 21625278 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.1.2.e10
    Ovarian germ cell tumours are very rare and affect mainly young girls and women. Due to this, the conservation of reproductive potential is of great concern. One of the most remarkable advances in oncology is in the treatment of malignant ovarian germ cell tumours. Two histological groups are distinguished: dygerminomas, equivalent to testicular seminomas, and non-dysgerminomatous tumours. We report a case of a 30-year-old nulliparous woman who presented with persistent per vaginal bleeding and was found to have a malignant mixed germ cell tumour comprising of both embryonal carcinoma and choriocarcinoma.
    MeSH terms: Choriocarcinoma; Female; Humans; Male; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pregnancy; Testicular Neoplasms; Uterine Hemorrhage; Carcinoma, Embryonal; Seminoma
  8. Syahrilfazli AJ, Nursharmizam MB, Azizi AB, Zurin AA
    Pediatr Neurosurg, 2005 Sep-Oct;41(5):283-4.
    PMID: 16195685
    MeSH terms: Intracranial Aneurysm/pathology*; Intracranial Aneurysm/radiography*; Intracranial Aneurysm/surgery; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans
  9. Kumar V, Li AK, Zanial AZ, Lee DA, Salleh SA
    J Clin Forensic Med, 2005 Oct;12(5):254-7.
    PMID: 16198967
    The main aim of this study was to determine the causes and epidemiological aspects of homicidal deaths. Data were collected on 217 homicidal victims from the total number of 2762 autopsies performed in UMMC, Kuala Lumpur over a five-year period, from year 1999 to 2003. There were 194 male victims and 23 female victims. The largest number of victims (63.6%) were in the age group of 20-39 years. Indians comprised the maximum proportion of victims (28.1%). Approximately 71.9% of victims came from the semiskilled and unskilled group. A majority of victims were married (47%). Injuries caused by sharp weapons (41%) were the most common cause of death, followed by blunt trauma and firearm injuries.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Ethnic Groups/statistics & numerical data; Female; Forensic Medicine; Homicide/statistics & numerical data*; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Marital Status; Age Distribution; Sex Distribution
  10. Barman A
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2005 Sep;34(8):478-82.
    PMID: 16205824
    INTRODUCTION: The main aim of medical education is to foster the development of clinical competence in students at all levels. Differences in experiences, methods of instruction and ambiguous forms of assessment are obstacles to attaining this goal. Dissatisfaction with the conventional methods of clinical assessment on the part of teachers and students led assessors to search for appropriate alternatives and in 1975, Harden and his colleagues introduced the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). It is nearly impossible to have a test that satisfies all the criteria of a good test. Sometimes, a compromise has to be made between the available resources (in terms of man, money and time), and the method and quality of assessment (in terms of reliability, validity, objectivity and practicability).

    METHODS: This critique on the OSCE is based on the published findings of researchers from its inception in 1975 to 2004.

    RESULTS: The reliability, validity, objectivity and practicability or feasibility of this examination are based on the number of stations, construction of stations, method of scoring (checklists and/ or global scoring) and number of students assessed. For a comprehensive assessment of clinical competence, other methods should be used in conjunction with the OSCE.

    CONCLUSION: The OSCE can be a reasonably reliable, valid and objective method of assessment, but its main drawback is that it is resource-intensive.

    MeSH terms: Clinical Competence*; Education, Medical*; Educational Measurement*; Humans
  11. Reddy JP, Tan SM, Azmi MT, Shaharom MH, Rosdinom R, Maniam T, et al.
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2005 Sep;34(8):505-10.
    PMID: 16205829
    INTRODUCTION: The stigma attached to mental illness and the mentally ill is a universal phenomenon and a major barrier to the provision of mental health services. Stigmatising attitudes among doctors themselves can result in compromised patient care. The aim of this research project is to study the impact of a clinical posting in psychiatry on the attitudes of medical students to mental illness and to psychiatry. This paper reports the results of the first phase of a longitudinal study.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 122 year 4 medical students responded to this study. The Attitudes Towards Mental Illness (AMI) and Attitudes Towards Psychiatry (ATP) questionnaires were administered before and after an 8-week attachment in psychiatry.

    RESULTS: We found that students had somewhat favourable attitudes towards psychiatry and mental illness at the start of their attachment, with a mean score of 108.34 on ATP (neutral score, 90) and 68.24 on AMI (neutral score, 60). There was a significant increase in the mean scores of both scales following the psychiatric attachment for female students (ATP: P = 0.003; AMI: P <0.0005), but not male students (ATP: P = 0.435; AMI: P = 0.283).

    CONCLUSIONS: An 8-week clinical posting of fourth-year medical students in psychiatry was associated with an increase in positive attitudes to mental illness and to psychiatry among female students but not among male students.

    MeSH terms: Attitude of Health Personnel*; Mental Disorders/psychology*; Education, Medical, Undergraduate*; Female; Humans; Male; Psychiatry/education*; Students, Medical/psychology*
  12. Elango S, Jutti RC, Lee LK
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 2005 Sep;34(8):511-4.
    PMID: 16205830
    Portfolio writing is a method of encouraging reflective learning among professionals. Although portfolio-based learning is popular among educators, not many studies have been done to determine students' perceptions of portfolio as a learning tool. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 143 medical students to find out their perceptions of the portfolio as a learning tool. A majority of the students felt that the portfolio is a good learning tool. However, they also perceived that it is stressful and time-consuming to develop a proper portfolio. The study indicates that students need appropriate guidance from the academic staff for the system to succeed.
    MeSH terms: Documentation; Education, Medical, Undergraduate*; Learning*; Students, Medical/psychology*; Teaching/methods*; Writing*
  13. Low BS, Ng BH, Choy WP, Yuen KH, Chan KL
    Planta Med, 2005 Sep;71(9):803-7.
    PMID: 16206032
    A validated HPLC analysis of eurycomanone (1), a bioactive quassinoid, in rat plasma following oral and intravenous administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack extract was developed for pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies. Relatively high plasma eurycomanone concentrations were detected after an intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg extract F2 containing 1.96 mg/kg of the quassinoid. However, it declined rapidly to zero after 8 h. Its mean elimination rate constant (k(e)), biological half-life (t(1/2)), volume of distribution (V(d)) and clearance (CL) were 0.88 +/- 0.19 h (-1), 1.00 +/- 0.26 h, 0.68 +/- 0.30 L/kg and 0.39 +/- 0.08 L/h/kg, respectively. Following oral administration of eurycomanone, its Cmax and Tmax values were detected as 0.33 +/- 0.03 microg/mL and 4.40 +/- 0.98 h, respectively. The plasma concentration of the quassinoid after oral administration was much lower than after intravenous application in spite of the oral dose being 5 times higher. The results indicate that eurycomanone is poorly bioavailable when given orally. A comparison of the AUC (0-->infinity) obtained orally to that obtained after an intravenous administration (normalized for dose differences) revealed that the absolute bioavailability of the compound was low with 10.5 %. Furthermore, the compound appeared to be well distributed in the extravascular fluids because of its relatively high V(d) value. The poor oral bioavailability was not attributed to instability problems because eurycomanone has been shown to be stable under different pH conditions. Thus, its poor oral bioavailability may be due to poor membrane permeability in view of its low P value and/or high first-pass metabolism.
    MeSH terms: Administration, Oral; Animals; Biological Availability; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Phytotherapy*; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/pharmacokinetics*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Plant Roots; Area Under Curve; Eurycoma*; Quassins/administration & dosage; Quassins/pharmacokinetics*; Rats
  14. Abdul-Talib S, Ujang Z, Vollertsen J, Hvitved-Jacobsen T
    Water Sci Technol, 2005;52(3):181-9.
    PMID: 16206858
    A two-stage anoxic transformation process, involving growth of biomass utilizing two types of different electron acceptors, namely nitrate and nitrite, has been observed. The present water quality modules established for sewer processes cannot account for the two-stage process. This paper outlines the development of a model concept that enables the two-stage anoxic transformation process to be simulated. The proposed model is formulated in a matrix form that is similar to the Activated Sludge Models and Sewer Process Model matrices. The model was successfully applied to simulate changes in nitrate and nitrite concentrations during anoxic transformations in the bulkwater phase of municipal wastewater.
    MeSH terms: Models, Chemical; Nitrates/analysis; Nitrates/chemistry*; Nitrites/analysis; Nitrites/chemistry*; Oxygen/analysis; Sewage/chemistry*; Waste Disposal, Fluid*; Water/chemistry*; Water Pollutants/analysis
  15. Mortimer RB
    Wilderness Environ Med, 2005;16(3):129-31.
    PMID: 16209467
    This article describes a case of leptospirosis in a man who returned from caving in Sarawak, Malaysia, and includes a discussion of epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The patient presented with symptoms of leptospirosis, which was confirmed by microhemagglutination titers. He became infected despite taking doxycycline daily for malaria prophylaxis. Leptospirosis is an important consideration in any returned traveler with fever. The spirochete spreads from animals to humans via water. Caving in tropical endemic zones may increase exposure risk due to the combination of multiple skin abrasions with immersions. Water in caves may increase infection risk because of increased water pH. Standard prophylaxis may be inadequate in cases of high-risk exposures.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Animals; California; Diagnosis, Differential; Fever/etiology; Hemagglutination Tests; Humans; Leptospira/immunology; Leptospira/isolation & purification; Leptospirosis/complications; Leptospirosis/diagnosis*; Leptospirosis/etiology; Leptospirosis/pathology; Malaysia; Male; Travel*; Tropical Climate
  16. Al-Zuhair S
    Biotechnol Prog, 2005 Sep-Oct;21(5):1442-8.
    PMID: 16209548
    Kinetics of production of biodiesel by enzymatic methanolysis of vegetable oils using lipase has been investigated. A mathematical model taking into account the mechanism of the methanolysis reaction starting from the vegetable oil as substrate, rather than the free fatty acids, has been developed. The kinetic parameters were estimated by fitting the experimental data of the enzymatic reaction of sunflower oil by two types of lipases, namely, Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RM) immobilized on ion-exchange resins and Thermomyces lanuginosa lipase (TL) immobilized on silica gel. There was a good agreement between the experimental results of the initial rate of reaction and those predicted by the proposed model equations, for both enzymes. From the proposed model equations, the regions where the effect of alcohol inhibition fades, at different substrate concentrations, were identified. The proposed model equation can be used to predict the rate of methanolysis of vegetable oils in a batch or a continuous reactor and to determine the optimal conditions for biodiesel production.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Catalysis; Computer Simulation; Enzyme Activation; Esterification; Fatty Acids/chemistry*; Gasoline*; Kinetics; Lipase/classification; Lipase/chemistry*; Models, Chemical*; Plant Oils/chemistry*; Spiroplasma/enzymology*; Rhizomucor/enzymology*
  17. How HS, Ng KH, Yeo HB, Tee HP, Shah A
    J Microbiol Immunol Infect, 2005 Oct;38(5):314-9.
    PMID: 16211138
    Melioidosis is much less common in children than in adults. This study investigated the incidence, demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms and outcome of pediatric melioidosis in Pahang, Malaysia. This retrospective study included patients < or =18 years old with positive body fluid cultures for Burkholderia pseudomallei from January 2000 to June 2003. Data on culture results were obtained from 2 referral hospitals. The incidence of pediatric melioidosis was 0.68/100,000 population per year. Of the 13 patients identified during the study period, 10 were male; 9 were Malays, 2 were Indians and 2 were aborigines. The mean age of these patients was 9.5 +/- 5.4 years. None of the patients had a previous history of confirmed melioidosis or predisposing factors for infection. Localized melioidosis was the most common presentation (46.2%) followed by melioidosis with septic shock (38.4%). Among patients with localized melioidosis, head and neck involvement (83.3%) was the most common presentation (2 patients with cervical abscesses, 1 with submandibular abscesses and 2 with acute suppurative parotitis) and another patient had right axillary abscess. All of the patients with septic shock had pneumonia and 2 of them had multi-organ involvement. The mortality among patients with septic shock was 80% and death occurred within 24 h of admission in all cases. In contrast, no complications or death occurred among patients with localized melioidosis. Melioidosis with septic shock is less common than localized melioidosis in pediatric patients, but is associated with very high mortality.
    MeSH terms: Abscess; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use; Body Fluids/microbiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Parotitis; Retrospective Studies; Shock, Septic/mortality; Incidence; Burkholderia pseudomallei/drug effects; Burkholderia pseudomallei/isolation & purification*
  18. Nessa F, Ismail Z, Karupiah S, Mohamed N
    J Chromatogr Sci, 2005 Sep;43(8):416-20.
    PMID: 16212782
    A selective and sensitive reversed-phase (RP) high-performance liquid chromatographic method is developed for the quantitative analysis of five naturally occurring flavonoids of Blumea balsamifera DC, namely dihydroquercetin-7,4'-dimethyl ether (DQDE), blumeatin (BL), quercetin (QN), 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanone (THFE), and dihydroquercetin-4'-methyl ether (DQME). These compounds have been isolated using various chromatographic methods. The five compounds are completely separated within 35 min using an RP C18, Nucleosil column and with an isocratic methanol-0.5% phosphoric acid (50:50, v/v) mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.9 mL/min. The separation of the compounds is monitored at 285 nm using UV detection. Identifications of specific flavonoids are made by comparing their retention times with those of the standards. Reproducibility of the method is good, with coefficients of variation of 1.48% for DQME, 2.25% for THFE, 2.31% for QN, 2.23% for DQDE, and 1.51% for BL. The average recoveries of pure flavonoids upon addition to lyophilized powder and subsequent extraction are 99.8% for DQME, 99.9% for THFE, 100.0% for BL, 100.6% for DQDE, and 97.4% for QN.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*; Flavonoids/analysis*; Reference Standards; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet/methods; Reproducibility of Results; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Asteraceae/chemistry*
  19. Kirton LG
    Ann Trop Med Parasitol, 2005 Oct;99(7):695-714.
    PMID: 16212803
    Citridiol is an extract of the leaves of Corymbia citriodora (Myrtaceae), the lemon eucalyptus, and mostly consists of p-menthane-3,8-diol isomers. The effectiveness of this extract as a repellent against land leeches of the genus Haemadipsa (Haemadipsidae), primarily H. sylvestris, was tested in the laboratory and field, in Peninsular Malaysia. The formulation tested, Mosi-guard Natural spray, contained 40% (w/w) Citridiol in a base of ethanol, water and isopropanol. In the laboratory test, specimens of H. sylvestris that were placed within moist, untreated arenas enclosed by treated paper rings made numerous attempts to cross the rings but were prevented or delayed from crossing over, in a dose-dependent manner. Mortality was high among the leeches that attempted to cross over the paper rings that had been sprayed to saturation point but low among the leeches that attempted to cross over paper rings that had only been partially treated, with a droplet-spray. The field study was carried out using indices that were formulated to reflect the severity of leech attack and the degree of repellency. Heavy or moderate spraying of footwear and trouser legs (tucked into socks) not only gave complete protection against bites by H. sylvestris and H. picta but also provided high enough repellency to keep the treated footwear virtually free of leeches. Even a light spray greatly reduced the numbers of leeches on footwear and delayed their progression toward biting the test subjects, although it failed to prevent bites completely. There was no decline in the repellency of the Citridiol when hourly assessments were made over a 6-h test period in the field. The results of the study show that Citridiol is highly repellent as well as toxic to leeches, and can be effectively used to prevent leech bites in the field.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Leeches/drug effects*; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Shoes; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Myrtaceae/chemistry*
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