Browse publications by year: 2008

  1. Fulltext Expression of Galectin-3 and Galectin-7 in thyroid malignancy as potential diagnostic indicators
    Than TH, Swethadri GK, Wong J, Ahmad T, Jamil D, Maganlal RK, et al.
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Apr;49(4):333-8.
    PMID: 18418527
    It has been suggested that Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and Galectin-7 (Gal-7) are potential tumour markers for differentiating thyroid carcinoma from its benign counter part. Galectins are beta-galactoside-binding proteins with Gal-3 being a redundant pre-mRNA splicing factor. They are supposed to be p53-related regulators in cell growth and apoptosis, being either anti-apoptotic or pro-apoptotic. Although the value of Gal-3 has been studied extensively, there is little knowledge regarding the expression of Gal-7 in thyroid malignancy.
    MeSH terms: Adenoma/diagnosis; Adenoma/metabolism; Carcinoma, Papillary/diagnosis; Goiter, Nodular/diagnosis*; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism*; Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/diagnosis; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/metabolism; Galectins/metabolism*; Galectin 3/metabolism*
  2. Glove-based approach to online signature verification
    Kamel NS, Sayeed S, Ellis GA
    IEEE Trans Pattern Anal Mach Intell, 2008 Jun;30(6):1109-13.
    PMID: 18421114 DOI: 10.1109/TPAMI.2008.32
    Utilizing the multiple degrees of freedom offered by the data glove for each finger and the hand, a novel on-line signature verification system using the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) numerical tool for signature classification and verification is presented. The proposed technique is based on the Singular Value Decomposition in finding r singular vectors sensing the maximal energy of glove data matrix A, called principal subspace, so the effective dimensionality of A can be reduced. Having modeled the data glove signature through its r-principal subspace, signature authentication is performed by finding the angles between the different subspaces. A demonstration of the data glove is presented as an effective high-bandwidth data entry device for signature verification. This SVD-based signature verification technique is tested and its performance is shown to be able to recognize forgery signatures with a false acceptance rate of less than 1.2%.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Artificial Intelligence*; Automatic Data Processing/methods*; Biometry/instrumentation; Biometry/methods*; Clothing*; Computer Graphics; Documentation; Fingers/anatomy & histology*; Fingers/physiology; Handwriting*; Humans; Image Enhancement/methods; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; Pattern Recognition, Automated/methods*; Sensitivity and Specificity; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Subtraction Technique; Transducers; User-Computer Interface; Reproducibility of Results; Models, Statistical; Information Storage and Retrieval/methods
  3. Prevalence of Giardia lamblia with or without diarrhea in South East, South East Asia and the Far East
    Dib HH, Lu SQ, Wen SF
    Parasitol Res, 2008 Jul;103(2):239-51.
    PMID: 18425689 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-0968-6
    This article is a review of the latest information on the prevalence of G. lamblia in South Asia, South East Asia and Far East, characterizing the current endemic situation within these regions. Around 33 published papers from 2002-2007 were collected on G. lamblia. The included countries were Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Republic of Korea, and China. Only five published papers were discarded because data was extracted before 2002-2007 or they are not included within our regions, emphasizing more on G. lamblia in animals, or performed at extensive molecular level. The prevalence of G. lamblia varied markedly between studies illustrating higher levels in the urban than in the rural areas, more among poor communities, slightly higher in males than in females with age range of 2-5-year-old children, and among university students, old-aged people, HIV-positive patients, and gastric carcinoma patients. Though G. lamblia is not a life-threatening parasite, nevertheless, it is still considered as the most common water-borne diarrhea-causing disease. It is important to understand the etiology, frequency, and consequences of acute diarrhea in children. Routine surveillance such as bi-annual follow-up treatments, treating G. duodenalis cysts and other protozoa oocysts detected in ground water sources, and continuous health education are the most preventive measures.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Asia, Western/epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Diarrhea/diagnosis; Diarrhea/epidemiology*; Diarrhea/parasitology; Far East/epidemiology; Female; Giardiasis/diagnosis; Giardiasis/epidemiology*; Giardiasis/parasitology; Humans; Infant; Male; Prevalence; Giardia lamblia/isolation & purification*; Age Distribution; Sex Distribution
  4. Fulltext Therapy-based rehabilitation services for patients living at home more than one year after stroke
    Aziz NA, Leonardi-Bee J, Phillips M, Gladman JR, Legg L, Walker MF
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2008 Apr 16;2008(2):CD005952.
    PMID: 18425928 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005952.pub2
    BACKGROUND: Current practice of rehabilitation intervention mainly concentrates on the first six months of stroke. At present, there is no agreed consensus about the benefits of such a service more than one year after stroke.

    OBJECTIVES: To ascertain whether therapy-based rehabilitation services can influence outcome one year or more after stroke.

    SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the trials registers of the following Cochrane Review Groups: Stroke Group (last searched September 2007), Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group (last searched October 2006) and Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group (last searched October 2006). We also searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2006), MEDLINE (1966 to October 2006), EMBASE (1980 to October 2006), CINAHL (1982 to October 2006), AMED (1985 to October 2006), PEDro (1952 to October 2006), British Nursing Index (1993 to October 2006), DARE (1994 to October 2006), HMIC (1979 to October 2006) and NHS EED (1991 to October 2006). We also searched dissertation databases and ongoing trials and research registers, scanned reference lists and contacted researchers and experts in the field.

    SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials of community-based stroke patients, in which at least 75% were recruited one year after stroke and received a therapy-based rehabilitation intervention that was compared with conventional care.

    DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected trials and extracted data on a number of pre-specified outcomes. The primary outcomes were the proportion of participants who had deteriorated or were dependent in personal activities of daily living at the end of scheduled follow up.

    MAIN RESULTS: We identified five trials of 487 participants that were eligible for the review. Overall, there was inconclusive evidence as to whether therapy-based rehabilitation intervention one year after stroke was able to influence any relevant patient or carer outcome. Trials varied in design, type of interventions provided, quality, and outcomes assessed.

    AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the dearth of evidence investigating long-term therapy-based rehabilitation interventions for patients with stroke.

    MeSH terms: Humans; Long-Term Care*; Outpatients*; Time Factors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Recovery of Function; Stroke/therapy*; Stroke Rehabilitation
  5. A revision of the family Dissonidae Kurtz, 1924 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida)
    Boxshall GA, Lin CL, Ho JS, Ohtsuka S, Venmathi Maran BA, Justine JL
    Syst Parasitol, 2008 Jun;70(2):81-106.
    PMID: 18427956 DOI: 10.1007/s11230-008-9132-z
    Two new species of the parasitic copepod genus Dissonus Wilson, 1906 are described: D. excavatus n. sp. from the gills of a labrid, Bodianus perditio, and a lutjanid, Macolor niger, collected off New Caledonia and Taiwan, and D. inaequalis n. sp. from a hemiscylliid elasmobranch, Chiloscyllium punctatum, collected off Sarawak (Malaysia) and the Philippines. Material of D. heronensis Kabata, 1966 is described from a balistid host, Pseudobalistes fuscus, off New Caledonia, and this constitutes a new host record for this parasite. D. manteri Kabata, 1966 was collected from four serranid host species off New Caledonia and from one of the same hosts off Taiwan. Two of the hosts from New Caledonia, Plectropomus laevis and Epinephelus cyanopodus, represent new host records. D. pastinum Deets & Dojiri, 1990 was recognised as a new synonym of D. nudiventris Kabata, 1966, so the total number of valid species is now twelve. Material from museum collections of D. nudiventris, D. similis Kabata, 1966 and D. spinifer Wilson, 1906 was re-examined and provided new information which is utilised in a key to all valid species of Dissonus.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Fishes/parasitology*; Gills/parasitology; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Interference; Copepoda/anatomy & histology; Copepoda/classification*; Copepoda/ultrastructure
  6. Abstracts of the 11th Asian Pacific Congress of Nephrology, incorporating the 15th Asian Colloquium in Nephrology and 2nd Asian Forum of CKD Initiative. May 5-8, 2008. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Nephrology (Carlton), 2008 May;13 Suppl 1:A1-98.
    PMID: 18412802 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2008.00953.x
    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Kidney Diseases*; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Nephrology*
  7. Fulltext Functional subtypes of renal alpha1-adrenoceptor in diabetic and non-diabetic 2K1C Goldblatt renovascular hypertension
    Armenia A, Sattar MA, Abdullah NA, Khan MA, Johns EJ
    Acta Pharmacol Sin, 2008 May;29(5):564-72.
    PMID: 18430364 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2008.00788.x
    This study investigates the subtypes of the alpha1-adrenoceptor mediating the adrenergically-induced renal vasoconstrictor responses in streptozotocin-induced diabetic and non-diabetic 2-kidney one clip (2K1C) Goldblatt hypertensive rats.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Clonidine/analogs & derivatives; Clonidine/pharmacology; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism*; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/physiopathology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electric Stimulation; Hypertension, Renovascular/physiopathology*; Kidney/blood supply*; Kidney/innervation; Kidney/physiopathology; Male; Methoxamine/pharmacology; Nitrendipine/pharmacology; Norepinephrine/pharmacology; Phenylephrine/pharmacology; Piperazines/pharmacology; Vasoconstriction/drug effects*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats; Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists*; Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists*
  8. Fulltext BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations in Malaysian women with early-onset breast cancer without a family history
    Toh GT, Kang P, Lee SS, Lee DS, Lee SY, Selamat S, et al.
    PLoS One, 2008;3(4):e2024.
    PMID: 18431501 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002024
    BACKGROUND: In Asia, breast cancer is characterised by an early age of onset: In Malaysia, approximately 50% of cases occur in women under the age of 50 years. A proportion of these cases may be attributable, at least in part, to genetic components, but to date, the contribution of genetic components to breast cancer in many of Malaysia's ethnic groups has not been well-characterised.
    METHODOLOGY: Given that hereditary breast carcinoma is primarily due to germline mutations in one of two breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, we have characterised the spectrum of BRCA mutations in a cohort of 37 individuals with early-onset disease (
    MeSH terms: Adult; Breast Neoplasms/genetics*; Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology*; Family; Female; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Age of Onset; Germ-Line Mutation*; BRCA1 Protein/genetics*; BRCA2 Protein/genetics*
  9. Removal of phenol from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto activated carbon prepared from biomass material
    Hameed BH, Rahman AA
    J Hazard Mater, 2008 Dec 30;160(2-3):576-81.
    PMID: 18434009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.03.028
    Activated carbon derived from rattan sawdust (ACR) was evaluated for its ability to remove phenol from an aqueous solution in a batch process. Equilibrium studies were conducted in the range of 25-200mg/L initial phenol concentrations, 3-10 solution pH and at temperature of 30 degrees C. The experimental data were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models. Equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 149.25mg/g. The dimensionless separation factor RL revealed the favorable nature of the isotherm of the phenol-activated carbon system. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the adsorption process. The results proved that the prepared activated carbon was an effective adsorbent for removal of phenol from aqueous solution.
    MeSH terms: Adsorption; Carbon/chemistry*; Diffusion; Dust; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Phenols/isolation & purification*; Solutions; Thermodynamics; Water; Wood; Biomass
  10. Catalytic processes towards the production of biofuels in a palm oil and oil palm biomass-based biorefinery
    Chew TL, Bhatia S
    Bioresour Technol, 2008 Nov;99(17):7911-22.
    PMID: 18434141 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.03.009
    In Malaysia, there has been interest in the utilization of palm oil and oil palm biomass for the production of environmental friendly biofuels. A biorefinery based on palm oil and oil palm biomass for the production of biofuels has been proposed. The catalytic technology plays major role in the different processing stages in a biorefinery for the production of liquid as well as gaseous biofuels. There are number of challenges to find suitable catalytic technology to be used in a typical biorefinery. These challenges include (1) economic barriers, (2) catalysts that facilitate highly selective conversion of substrate to desired products and (3) the issues related to design, operation and control of catalytic reactor. Therefore, the catalytic technology is one of the critical factors that control the successful operation of biorefinery. There are number of catalytic processes in a biorefinery which convert the renewable feedstocks into the desired biofuels. These include biodiesel production from palm oil, catalytic cracking of palm oil for the production of biofuels, the production of hydrogen as well as syngas from biomass gasification, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) for the conversion of syngas into liquid fuels and upgrading of liquid/gas fuels obtained from liquefaction/pyrolysis of biomass. The selection of catalysts for these processes is essential in determining the product distribution (olefins, paraffins and oxygenated products). The integration of catalytic technology with compatible separation processes is a key challenge for biorefinery operation from the economic point of view. This paper focuses on different types of catalysts and their role in the catalytic processes for the production of biofuels in a typical palm oil and oil palm biomass-based biorefinery.
    MeSH terms: Bioelectric Energy Sources*; Catalysis; Plant Oils/metabolism*; Biomass*; Bioreactors*
  11. Analysis of pterygium size and induced corneal astigmatism
    Mohammad-Salih PA, Sharif AF
    Cornea, 2008 May;27(4):434-8.
    PMID: 18434847 DOI: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e3181656448
    To study the relationship between pterygium size (extension, width, total area) and corneal astigmatism in eyes with unilateral primary pterygium. Also to determine the critical size for surgery before the occurrence of a significant corneal astigmatism.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Astigmatism/diagnosis; Astigmatism/etiology*; Corneal Diseases/diagnosis; Corneal Diseases/etiology*; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pterygium/complications*; Pterygium/pathology; ROC Curve
  12. Histomorphometric profile of the corneal response to short-term reverse-geometry orthokeratology lens wear in primate corneas: a pilot study
    Cheah PS, Norhani M, Bariah MA, Myint M, Lye MS, Azian AL
    Cornea, 2008 May;27(4):461-70.
    PMID: 18434851 DOI: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e318165642c
    To investigate the histological changes in primate cornea induced by short-term overnight orthokeratology (OK).
    MeSH terms: Animals; Contact Lenses*; Cornea/physiology*; Cornea/ultrastructure*; Female; Macaca fascicularis; Male; Pilot Projects; Prosthesis Design; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Orthokeratologic Procedures*
  13. The prevalence of enamel opacities in permanent teeth of 11-12 year-old school children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Yusoff N, Jaafar N, Razak IA, Chew YY, Ismail N, Bulgiba AM
    Community Dent Health, 2008 Mar;25(1):55-8.
    PMID: 18435236
    To determine the prevalence, distribution, severity and treatment need of enamel opacities among 11-12 year-old school children in a fluoridated urban community.
    MeSH terms: Child; China/ethnology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Enamel/abnormalities*; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia/ethnology; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia/epidemiology; Ethnic Groups/statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/ethnology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Urban Health/statistics & numerical data; Prevalence; Tooth Crown/abnormalities; Needs Assessment/statistics & numerical data
  14. Solid-phase microextraction for determining twelve orange flavour compounds in a model beverage emulsion
    Mirhosseini H, Tan CP, Yusof S, Hamid NS
    Phytochem Anal, 2008 Sep-Oct;19(5):429-37.
    PMID: 18435528 DOI: 10.1002/pca.1068
    Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography has been applied for the headspace analysis (HS) of 12 target flavour compounds in a model orange beverage emulsion. The main volatile flavour compounds studied were: acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, alpha-pinene, ethyl butyrate, beta-pinene, myrcene, limonene, gamma-terpinene, octanal, decanal, linalool and citral (neral plus geranial). After screening the fibre type, the effect of other HS-SPME variables such as adsorption temperature (25-55 degrees C), extraction time (10-40 min), sample concentration (1-100% w/w), sample amount (5-10 g) and salt amount (0-30% w/w) were determined using a two-level fractional factorial design (2(5-2)) that was expanded further to a central composite design. It was found that an extraction process using a carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane fibre coating at 15 masculineC for 50 min with 5 g of diluted emulsion 1% (w/w) and 30% (w/w) of sodium chloride under stirring mode resulted in the highest HS extraction efficiency. For all volatile flavour compounds, the linearity values were accurate in the concentration ranges studied (r(2) > 0.97). Average recoveries that ranged from 90.3 to 124.8% showed a good accuracy for the optimised method. The relative standard deviation for six replicates of all volatile flavour compounds was found to be less than 15%. For all volatile flavour compounds, the limit of detection ranged from 0.20 to 1.69 mg/L.
    MeSH terms: Beverages/analysis*; Calibration; Emulsions; Flavoring Agents/analysis; Flavoring Agents/isolation & purification*; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Reference Standards; Sensitivity and Specificity; Volatilization; Reproducibility of Results; Citrus sinensis*
  15. Typhonium flagelliforme inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro and induces apoptosis: an evaluation by the bioactivity guided approach
    Lai CS, Mas RH, Nair NK, Majid MI, Mansor SM, Navaratnam V
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2008 Jun 19;118(1):14-20.
    PMID: 18436400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.02.034
    Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd.) Blume (Araceae) is a Malaysian plant used locally to combat cancer. In order to evaluate its antiproliferative activity in vitro and to possibly identify the active chemical constituents, a bioactivity guided study was conducted on the extracts of this plant.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Humans; Malaysia; Medicine, East Asian Traditional; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Apoptosis/drug effects; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Araceae/chemistry*; BALB 3T3 Cells; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice
  16. Retinal vascular caliber, blood pressure, and cardiovascular risk factors in an Asian population: the Singapore Malay Eye Study
    Sun C, Liew G, Wang JJ, Mitchell P, Saw SM, Aung T, et al.
    Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2008 May;49(5):1784-90.
    PMID: 18436813 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.07-1450
    To describe the relationship of retinal vascular caliber with cardiovascular risk factors in an Asian population.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Blood Pressure*; Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Hyperglycemia/ethnology; Hyperglycemia/etiology; Hypertension/ethnology; Hypertension/etiology*; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Photography; Retinal Artery/pathology*; Retinal Vein/pathology*; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Singapore/epidemiology; Body Mass Index; Dyslipidemias/ethnology; Dyslipidemias/etiology
  17. Applying the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer risk scoring in predicting outcome of febrile neutropenia patients in a cohort of patients
    Baskaran ND, Gan GG, Adeeba K
    Ann Hematol, 2008 Jul;87(7):563-9.
    PMID: 18437382 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-008-0487-7
    The purpose of this study was to determine if the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk-index score is able to predict the outcome of febrile neutropenia in patients with underlying hematological malignancy and to look at the other possible predictors of outcome. A retrospective study of 116 episodes of febrile neutropenia in patients who were admitted to the hematology ward of a local medical center in Malaysia between January 1st 2004 and January 31st 2005. Patient characteristics and the MASCC score were compared with outcome. The MASCC score predicted the outcome of febrile neutropenic episodes with a positive predictive value of 82.9%, a sensitivity of 93%, and specificity of 67%. Other predictors of a favorable outcome were those patients who had lymphomas versus leukemias, duration of neutropenia of less than 7 days, low burden of illness characterized by the absence of an infective focus and absence of lower respiratory tract infection, a serum albumin of >25 g/l, and the absence of gram-negative bacteremia on univariate analysis but only serum albumin level, low burden of illness, and presence of respiratory infection were significantly associated with unfavorable outcome after multivariate analysis. The MASCC score is a useful predictor of outcome in patients with febrile neutropenia with underlying hematological malignancies. This scoring system may be adapted for use in local settings to guide the clinical management of patients with this condition.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use; Bacterial Infections/complications; Bacterial Infections/drug therapy; Bacterial Infections/prevention & control; Female; Fever/etiology; Hospitals, University/statistics & numerical data; Humans; Inpatients/classification; Inpatients/statistics & numerical data; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Neutropenia/etiology; Neutropenia/mortality*; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Risk; Sensitivity and Specificity; Severity of Illness Index*; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Immunocompromised Host; Treatment Outcome; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Hematologic Neoplasms/complications*; Hematologic Neoplasms/drug therapy
  18. Fulltext Induction of apoptosis in yeast by L-amino acid oxidase from the Malayan pit viper Calloselasma rhodostoma
    Ande SR, Fussi H, Knauer H, Murkovic M, Ghisla S, Fröhlich KU, et al.
    Yeast, 2008 May;25(5):349-57.
    PMID: 18437704 DOI: 10.1002/yea.1592
    Here we report for the first time that L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO), a major component of snake venom, induces apoptosis in yeast. The causative agent for induction of apoptosis has been shown to be hydrogen peroxide, produced by the enzymatic activity of LAAO. However, the addition of catalase, a specific hydrogen peroxide scavenger, does not prevent cell demise completely. Intriguingly, depletion of leucine from the medium by LAAO and the interaction of LAAO with yeast cells are shown to be the major factors responsible for cell demise in the presence of catalase.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Catalase/metabolism; Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology; Leucine/metabolism*; Malaysia; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/cytology; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/drug effects; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/physiology*; Viper Venoms/enzymology; Viper Venoms/chemistry*; Colony Count, Microbial; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Viperidae*; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; L-Amino Acid Oxidase/pharmacology*
  19. Fulltext Does a positive family history influence the presentation of breast cancer?
    Yip CH, bt Mohd Taib NA, Lau PC
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2008 Jan-Mar;9(1):63-5.
    PMID: 18439076
    INTRODUCTION: An important risk factor for developing breast cancer is a positive family history of breast cancer. In Malaysia, there is no population-based breast screening programme, but the clinical practice guidelines suggest increased surveillance for those with a positive family history ie mammography for those 40 years old and above, breast self-examination and clinical breast examination yearly.
    OBJECTIVE: To determine if women with a family history of breast cancer present with earlier stages of disease.
    METHODOLOGY: From Jan 2001 to Dec 2006, 1553 women with breast cancer presenting to the University Malaya, where family history was recorded, were eligible for this study. Women with a first or second degree relative with breast cancer were compared with those who have no family history with regard to their race, age, stage, size and duration of symptoms. The Chi Square test of significance was used for analysis.
    RESULTS: Out of 1553 patients, 252 (16.2%) were found to have a relative with breast cancer out of which 174 (11.2%) had at least one affected first degree relative. There were no significant difference in the incidence of positive family history between the Malays, Chinese and Indians. 20% below the age of 40 years old had a positive family history compared with 12.6% in women with no family history. (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in stage at diagnosis between those with and without family history, ie 24.2% late stages (Stage 3 and 4) in the group with no family history compared with 21.8% in the group with family history. (p>0.05). The mean size in the group with no family history was 4.4 cm compared to 4.1 cm in the group with family history. There was a significant difference in screen-detected cancers in the women with family history, 10.7% compared with 5.1% of screen-detected cancers in the group without a family history. However there was no difference in the duration of symptoms between the 2 groups--25.8% in the women without a family history presented after 1 year of symptoms compared with 22.4% in the group with a family history (p>0.05).
    CONCLUSION: Having a family history of breast cancer does not appear to have much impact on the health-seeking behavior of women. Even though there were more screen detected cancers, these comprised only 10% of the group with family history. Public education should target women at risk ie with family history to encourage these women to present earlier and to undergo screening for breast cancer.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Breast Neoplasms/genetics*; Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology; Family Health; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Mammography; Mass Screening/methods; Neoplasm Staging; Palpation; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Incidence
  20. Kinetics and mechanism of large rate enhancement in an acidic aqueous cleavage of the tertiary amide bond of N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-N'-morpholinophthalamide (1)
    Sim YL, Ariffin A, Khan MN
    Bioorg Chem, 2008 Aug;36(4):178-82.
    PMID: 18440044 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2008.03.003
    The rate of conversion of 1 to N-(2-methoxyphenyl)phthalimide (2) within [HCl] range 5.0x10(-3)-1.0 M at 1.0M ionic strength (by NaCl) reveals the presence of both uncatalyzed and specific acid-catalyzed kinetic terms in the rate law. Intramolecular carboxamide group-assisted cleavage of amide bond of 1 reveals rate enhancement of much larger than 10(6)-fold compared to the expected rate of analogous intermolecular reaction.
    MeSH terms: Acids/chemistry*; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Morpholines/chemical synthesis; Morpholines/chemistry*; Phthalic Acids/chemical synthesis; Phthalic Acids/chemistry*; Temperature; Molecular Structure
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