Browse publications by year: 2008

  1. Diabetic retinopathy: a quadtree based blood vessel detection algorithm using RGB components in fundus images
    Reza AW, Eswaran C, Hati S
    J Med Syst, 2008 Apr;32(2):147-55.
    PMID: 18461818
    Blood vessel detection in retinal images is a fundamental step for feature extraction and interpretation of image content. This paper proposes a novel computational paradigm for detection of blood vessels in fundus images based on RGB components and quadtree decomposition. The proposed algorithm employs median filtering, quadtree decomposition, post filtration of detected edges, and morphological reconstruction on retinal images. The application of preprocessing algorithm helps in enhancing the image to make it better fit for the subsequent analysis and it is a vital phase before decomposing the image. Quadtree decomposition provides information on the different types of blocks and intensities of the pixels within the blocks. The post filtration and morphological reconstruction assist in filling the edges of the blood vessels and removing the false alarms and unwanted objects from the background, while restoring the original shape of the connected vessels. The proposed method which makes use of the three color components (RGB) is tested on various images of publicly available database. The results are compared with those obtained by other known methods as well as with the results obtained by using the proposed method with the green color component only. It is shown that the proposed method can yield true positive fraction values as high as 0.77, which are comparable to or somewhat higher than the results obtained by other known methods. It is also shown that the effect of noise can be reduced if the proposed method is implemented using only the green color component.
    MeSH terms: Algorithms*; Color*; Fluorescein Angiography*; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Retinal Vessels/physiopathology*
  2. A cycloartane incorporating a fused tetrahydrofuran ring and a cytotoxic lactam from Monocarpia marginalis
    Lim SH, Mahmood K, Komiyama K, Kam TS
    J Nat Prod, 2008 Jun;71(6):1104-6.
    PMID: 18462006 DOI: 10.1021/np800123g
    A new cycloartane, monocarpinine (1), incorporating a fused tetrahydrofuranyl ring, and a cytotoxic tetracyclic lactam, monomarginine (2), were isolated from a stem bark extract of the Malayan species Monocarpia marginalis. The structures of these compounds were determined using NMR and MS analysis. Monomarginine (2) showed appreciable cytotoxicity toward human KB (both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant) and Jurkat cells.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification*; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Furans/isolation & purification*; Furans/pharmacology*; Furans/chemistry; Humans; KB Cells; Lactams/isolation & purification*; Lactams/pharmacology*; Lactams/chemistry; Malaysia; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*; Triterpenes/isolation & purification*; Triterpenes/pharmacology*; Triterpenes/chemistry; Vincristine/pharmacology; Molecular Structure; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects; Jurkat Cells; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; Annonaceae/chemistry*
  3. Garcinia mangostana: a source of potential anti-cancer lead compounds against CEM-SS cell line
    Ee GC, Daud S, Izzaddin SA, Rahmani M
    J Asian Nat Prod Res, 2008 May-Jun;10(5-6):475-9.
    PMID: 18464091 DOI: 10.1080/10286020801948490
    Our current interest in searching for natural anti-cancer lead compounds from plants has led us to the discovery that the stem and roots of Garcinia mangostana can be a source of such compounds. The stem furnished 2,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-5-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-xanthone (1), which is a new xanthone. Meanwhile, the root bark of the plant furnished six xanthones, namely alpha-mangostin (2), beta-mangostin (3), gamma-mangostin (4), garcinone D (5), mangostanol (6), and gartanin (7). The hexane and chloroform extracts of the root bark of G. mangostana as well as the hexane extract of the stem bark were found to be active against the CEM-SS cell line. gamma-Mangostin (4) showed good activity with a very low IC(50) value of 4.7 microg/ml, while alpha-mangostin (2), mangostanol (6), and garcinone D (5) showed significant activities with IC(50) values of 5.5, 9.6, and 3.2 microg/ml, respectively. This is the first report on the cytotoxicity of the extracts of the stem and root bark of G. mangostana and of alpha-mangostin, mangostanol, and garcinone D against the CEM-SS cell line.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification*; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology; Humans; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Molecular Structure; Plant Bark/chemistry; Garcinia mangostana/chemistry*; Xanthones/isolation & purification*; Xanthones/pharmacology; Xanthones/chemistry; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation/drug effects
  4. Fulltext Unusual parapharyngeal lesion: aberrant thyroid gland
    Feisal TK, Prepageran N, Shahrizal T, Zulkiflee AB
    Singapore Med J, 2008 May;49(5):e137-8.
    PMID: 18465039
    An ectopic location of the thyroid gland usually occurs in the midline, starting anywhere from the tongue to the diaphragm. The occurrence of an ectopic thyroid gland in a non-midline site is extremely rare. We report a 32-year-old Malay woman with an aberrant thyroid gland presenting as a parapharyngeal lesion. She had a normally functioning thyroid gland. An ectopic thyroid should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in the parapharyngeal mass.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pharyngeal Neoplasms/diagnosis; Thyroid Gland/abnormalities*
  5. Fulltext Turner syndrome diagnosed in northeastern Malaysia
    Kannan TP, Azman BZ, Ahmad Tarmizi AB, Suhaida MA, Siti Mariam I, Ravindran A, et al.
    Singapore Med J, 2008 May;49(5):400-4.
    PMID: 18465051
    Turner syndrome affects about one in 2,000 live-born females, and the wide range of somatic features indicates that a number of different X-located genes are responsible for the complete phenotype. This retrospective study highlights the Turner syndrome cases confirmed through cytogenetic analysis at the Human Genome Centre of Universiti Sains Malaysia, from 2001 to 2006.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Humans; Karyotyping; Malaysia; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Turner Syndrome/diagnosis*; Turner Syndrome/genetics
  6. Fulltext Prevalence and risk factors for menstrual disorders among systemic lupus erythematosus patients
    Fatnoon NN, Azarisman SM, Zainal D
    Singapore Med J, 2008 May;49(5):413-8.
    PMID: 18465054
    INTRODUCTION: This study aims to determine the prevalence and the types of menstrual disorders among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to identify factors that influence their development.
    METHODS: 61 patients with SLE were enrolled into a cross-sectional, observational study at the medical outpatient clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. A total of 120 healthy women were selected randomly to act as the control group. A questionnaire was administered, vital signs were recorded, and blood was evaluated for routine investigations. A review of past medical records was also undertaken.
    RESULTS: The mean age and standard deviation for the study group was 33.23 +/- 10.96 years, the majority being ethnic Malays. 75 percent had a severe SLE disease activity index score on initial presentation, and 59 percent were on cyclophosphamide. 49 percent of the study population had menstrual irregularities, of which 60 percent had sustained amenorrhoea. Nine patients with sustained amenorrhoea had hormonal assays, which confirmed the diagnosis of premature menopause.
    CONCLUSION: This study showed that SLE patients had a higher risk of developing menstrual irregularities compared to the normal/healthy population. The risk was higher in the older age group (greater than 30 years old) and those on cyclophosphamide therapy, especially those with a cumulative dose of more than 10 g. Sustained amenorrhoea was the commonest irregularity and a majority of them had confirmed premature menopause.
    Study site: medical outpatient clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kelantan, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hospitals, University; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications*; Malaysia; Menstruation Disturbances/complications*; Middle Aged; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Risk Factors; Prevalence; Case-Control Studies
  7. Self-care practices of Malaysian adults with diabetes and sub-optimal glycaemic control
    Tan MY, Magarey J
    Patient Educ Couns, 2008 Aug;72(2):252-67.
    PMID: 18467068 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2008.03.017
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the self-care practices of Malaysian adults with diabetes and sub-optimal glycaemic control.
    METHODS: Using a one-to-one interviewing approach, data were collected from 126 diabetic adults from four settings. A 75-item questionnaire was used to assess diabetes-related knowledge and self-care practices regarding, diet, medication, physical activity and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).
    RESULTS: Most subjects had received advice on the importance of self-care in the management of their diabetes and recognised its importance. Sixty-seven subjects (53%) scored below 50% in their diabetes-related knowledge. Subjects who consumed more meals per day (80%), or who did not include their regular sweetened food intakes in their daily meal plan (80%), or who were inactive in daily life (54%), had higher mean fasting blood glucose levels (p=0.04). Subjects with medication non-adherence (46%) also tended to have higher fasting blood glucose levels. Only 15% of the subjects practiced SMBG. Predictors of knowledge deficit and poor self-care were low level of education (p = <0.01), older subjects (p=0.04) and Type 2 diabetes subjects on oral anti-hyperglycaemic medication (p = <0.01).
    CONCLUSION: There were diabetes-related knowledge deficits and inadequate self-care practices among the majority of diabetic patients with sub-optimal glycaemic control.
    PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study should contribute to the development of effective education strategies to promote health for adults with sub-optimal diabetes control.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Energy Intake; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/prevention & control*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/psychology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/prevention & control*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology; Diet, Diabetic; Educational Status; Female; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Life Style; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance/psychology*; Patient Compliance/statistics & numerical data; Patient Education as Topic; Surveys and Questionnaires; Self Care*; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; Health Behavior; Exercise; Treatment Outcome; Statistics, Nonparametric
  8. Effect of green and ripe Carica papaya epicarp extracts on wound healing and during pregnancy
    Anuar NS, Zahari SS, Taib IA, Rahman MT
    Food Chem Toxicol, 2008 Jul;46(7):2384-9.
    PMID: 18468758 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.03.025
    The traditional use of papaya to treat many diseases, especially skin conditions and its prohibition for consumption during pregnancy has prompted us to determine whether papaya extracts both from green and ripe fruits improve wound healing and also produce foetal toxicity. Aqueous extracts of green papaya epicarp (GPE) and ripe papaya epicarp (RPE) were applied on induced wounds on mice. GPE treatment induced complete healing in shorter periods (13 days) than that required while using RPE (17 days), sterile water (18 days) and Solcoseryl ointment (21 days). Extracts were administered orally (1 mg/g body weight/day) to pregnant mice from day 10 and onwards after conception. 3 (n=7) mice and 1 (n=6) mice given RPE and misoprostol, an abortive drug, respectively experienced embryonic resorption while this effect was observed in none of the mice given GPE (n=5) and water (n=5). The average body weight of live pups delivered by mice given GPE (1.12+/-0.04 g) was significantly lower than those delivered by mice given water (1.38+/-0.02 g). In SDS-PAGE, proteins were distributed in three bands (Mr range approximately 8-29 kDa). Band intensity at Mr approximately 28-29 kDa was higher in GPE than in RPE. In contrast, band intensity at low Mr (approximately 8 kDa) was found to be higher in RPE than in GPE. Notably, the band corresponding to Mr approximately 23-25 kDa was absent in RPE. These differences in composition may have contributed to the different wound healing and abortive effects of green and ripe papaya.
    MeSH terms: Abortifacient Agents/pharmacology; Abortion, Induced; Administration, Oral; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Birth Weight/drug effects; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Female; Mice, Inbred ICR; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/toxicity*; Pregnancy; Random Allocation; Time Factors; Wound Healing/drug effects*; Wound Healing/physiology; Misoprostol/pharmacology; Embryo Loss/chemically induced*; Models, Animal; Carica/chemistry*; Mice
  9. Using overseas registered nurses to fill employment gaps in rural health services: quick fix or sustainable strategy?
    Francis K, Chapman Y, Doolan G, Sellick K, Barnett T
    Aust J Rural Health, 2008 Jun;16(3):164-9.
    PMID: 18471187 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2008.00967.x
    OBJECTIVE:This study sought to identify and evaluate approaches used to attract internationally trained nurses from traditional and non-traditional countries and incentives employed to retain them in small rural hospitals in Gippsland, Victoria.
    DESIGN: An exploratory descriptive design.
    SETTING: Small rural hospitals in Gippsland, Victoria.
    PARTICIPANTS: Hospital staff responsible for recruitment of nurses and overseas trained nurses from traditional and non-traditional sources (e.g. England, Scotland, India, Zimbabwe, Holland, Singapore, Malaysia).
    RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Recruitment of married overseas trained nurses is more sustainable than that of single registered nurses, however, the process of recruitment for the hospital and potential employees is costly. Rural hospitality diffuses some of these expenses by the employing hospitals providing emergency accommodation and necessary furnishings. Cultural differences and dissonance regarding practice create barriers for some of the overseas trained nurses to move towards a more sanguine position. On the positive side, single overseas registered nurses use the opportunity to work in rural Australian hospitals as an effective working holiday that promotes employment in larger, more specialized hospitals. Overall both the registered nurses and the employees believe the experience to be beneficial rather than detrimental.
    MeSH terms: Australia; Hospitals, Rural/economics; Hospitals, Rural/manpower; Humans; Nurses/supply & distribution*; Personnel Selection/economics; Personnel Selection/methods; Personnel Selection/organization & administration*; Personnel Selection/statistics & numerical data; Pilot Projects; Victoria; Marital Status; Rural Health Services/manpower*; Emigrants and Immigrants/psychology; Emigrants and Immigrants/statistics & numerical data*
  10. Cases of melioidosis in a university teaching hospital in Malaysia
    Raja NS
    J Microbiol Immunol Infect, 2008 Apr;41(2):174-9.
    PMID: 18473106
    Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei that is endemic in Southeast Asia and northern Australia and has also been reported from non-endemic areas of the world. Little is known about the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and the demography of melioidosis patients in Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Melioidosis/drug therapy; Melioidosis/microbiology*; Melioidosis/epidemiology*; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Burkholderia pseudomallei/drug effects*; Burkholderia pseudomallei/isolation & purification
  11. Dental therapists: a global perspective
    Nash DA, Friedman JW, Kardos TB, Kardos RL, Schwarz E, Satur J, et al.
    Int Dent J, 2008 Apr;58(2):61-70.
    PMID: 18478885
    In 1921, New Zealand began training school dental nurses, subsequently deploying them throughout the country in school-based clinics providing basic dental care for children. The concept of training dental nurses, later to be designated dental therapists, was adopted by other countries as a means of improving access to care, particularly for children. This paper profiles six countries that utilise dental therapists, with a description of the training that therapists receive in these countries, and the context in which they practice. Based on available demographic information, it also updates the number of dental therapists practising globally, as well as the countries in which they practice. In several countries, dental therapy is now being integrated with dental hygiene in training and practice to create a new type of professional complementary to a dentist. Increasingly, dental therapists are permitted to treat adults as well as children. The paper also describes the status of a current initiative to introduce dental therapy to the United States. It concludes by suggesting that dental therapists can become valued members of the dental team throughout the world, helping to improve access to care and reducing existing disparities in oral health.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Alaska; Australia; Canada; Child; Dental Auxiliaries/education; Dental Auxiliaries/statistics & numerical data*; Dentistry; Great Britain; Humans; Malaysia; New Zealand; Tanzania; Dental Care for Children
  12. The effect of TGF-beta1 and beta-estradiol on glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen distribution in articular chondrocyte cultures
    Ab-Rahim S, Selvaratnam L, Kamarul T
    Cell Biol Int, 2008 Jul;32(7):841-7.
    PMID: 18479947 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellbi.2008.03.016
    Articular cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in regulating chondrocyte functions via cell-matrix interaction, cytoskeletal organization and integrin-mediated signaling. Factors such as interleukins, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) have been shown to modulate the synthesis of extracellular matrix in vitro. However, the effects of TGF-beta1 and beta-estradiol in ECM regulation require further investigation, although there have been suggestions that these factors do play a positive role. To establish the role of these factors on chondrocytes derived from articular joints, a study was conducted to investigate the effects of TGF-beta1 and beta-estradiol on glycosaminoglycan secretion and type II collagen distribution (two major component of cartilage ECM in vivo). Thus, chondrocyte cultures initiated from rabbit articular cartilage were treated with 10ng/ml of TGF-beta1, 10nM of beta-estradiol or with a combination of both factors. Sulphated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and type II collagen levels were then measured in both these culture systems. The results revealed that the synthesis of GAG and type II collagen was shown to be enhanced in the TGF-beta1 treated cultures. This increase was also noted when TGF-beta1 and beta-estradiol were both used as culture supplements. However, beta-estradiol alone did not appear to affect GAG or type II collagen deposition. There was also no difference between the amount of collagen type II and GAG being expressed when chondrocyte cultures were treated with TGF-beta1 when compared with cultures treated with combined factors. From this, we conclude that although TGF-beta1 appears to stimulate chondrocyte ECM synthesis, beta-estradiol fails to produce similar effects. The findings of this study confirm that contrary to previous claims, beta-estradiol has little or no effect on chondrocyte ECM synthesis. Furthermore, the use of TGF-beta1 may be useful in future studies looking into biological mechanisms by which ECM synthesis in chondrocyte cultures can be augmented, particularly for clinical application.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cartilage, Articular/cytology; Cells, Cultured; Estradiol/pharmacology*; Estrogens/pharmacology; Extracellular Matrix/drug effects; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism*; Glycosaminoglycans/metabolism*; Rabbits; Chondrocytes/cytology; Chondrocytes/drug effects; Chondrocytes/metabolism*; Collagen Type II/metabolism*; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology*
  13. Huge uterine fibroid in a postmenopausal woman associated with polycythaemia: a case report
    Abdul Ghaffar NA, Ismail MP, Nik Mahmood NM, Daud K, Abu Dzarr GA
    Maturitas, 2008 Jun 20;60(2):177-9.
    PMID: 18482807 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2008.03.013
    Uterine fibroid or leiomyoma is the commonest benign uterine tumour. Its occurrence in the postmenopausal age group is rare and if enlargement of the fibroid noted during this time, the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma is provisional until proven otherwise. A case of a postmenopausal woman with a huge uterine fibroid associated with polycythaemia is presented whereby the mass was noted to increase in size within 2 years. The patient was otherwise well except for the growing uterine mass. She had venesection done to treat her polycythaemia and later underwent surgery for total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophoorectomy. The histopathology report confirmed leiomyoma of uterus with no evidence of sarcomatous changes. It was suggested that large uterine myoma may cause secondary polycythaemia by three postulated mechanisms, i.e. presence of hypoxia suggesting shunting within the tumour, second, the uterine fibroid was compressing the ureters resulting in inappropriate excessive production of erythropoietin by the kidneys, and third, the tumour itself may have been producing the erythropoietin.
    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Leiomyoma/complications*; Middle Aged; Polycythemia/complications*; Uterine Neoplasms/complications*
  14. Fulltext Isolation, identification and quantification of differentially expressed proteins from cancerous and normal breast tissues
    Othman MI, Majid MI, Singh M, Man CN, Lay-Harn G
    Ann. Clin. Biochem., 2008 May;45(Pt 3):299-306.
    PMID: 18482919 DOI: 10.1258/acb.2007.007104
    Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDCA) is the most common type of breast cancer accounting for 85% of all invasive breast cancers.
    MeSH terms: Breast/metabolism*; Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Female; Humans; Neoplasm Proteins/analysis; Neoplasm Proteins/isolation & purification; Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism*; Mass Spectrometry; Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis; Biomarkers, Tumor/isolation & purification; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/diagnosis*; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/metabolism; Collagen Type I/analysis; Collagen Type I/isolation & purification; Proteomics
  15. Clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) predation on proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in Sabah, Malaysia
    Matsuda I, Tuuga A, Higashi S
    Primates, 2008 Jul;49(3):227-31.
    PMID: 18484152 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-008-0085-2
    In this study, we have reported two direct observations of individuals from a one-male group of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) being killed by clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi) in the riverine forest along the Menanggul river, a tributary of the Kinabatangan river in Sabah, Malaysia. One of the two individuals was an infant female and the other was a juvenile female. Based on literature reviews and the observations reported here, we suggest that clouded leopard and crocodile might be significant potential predators of proboscis monkeys of any age or sex and that predation threats elicit the monkeys' anti-predator strategies. Moreover, the observations of the monkeys' behaviour when the group is attacked by a predator suggest that the adult males in one-male groups play an important role as protectors.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Haplorhini*; Behavior, Animal; Female; Malaysia; Male; Predatory Behavior*; Sex Characteristics; Felidae/physiology*
  16. A prospective study on elderly patients with facial fractures in a developing country
    Royan SJ, Hamid AL, Kovilpillai FJ, Junid NZ, Mustafa WM
    Gerodontology, 2008 Jun;25(2):124-8.
    PMID: 18485141 DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-2358.2007.00189.x
    This paper describes the incidence, aetiology, treatment and complications of facial fractures seen among the elderly in a developing country.
    MeSH terms: Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data; Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Facial Bones/injuries*; Female; Fracture Fixation/methods; Hospitals, Public; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Sex Ratio; Skull Fractures/etiology; Skull Fractures/epidemiology*; Skull Fractures/therapy; Violence/statistics & numerical data; Incidence; Health Care Costs
  17. Outcome of 2 different types of operative techniques practiced for chronic subdural hematoma in Malaysia: an analysis
    Zakaraia AM, Adnan JS, Haspani MS, Naing NN, Abdullah JM
    Surg Neurol, 2008 Jun;69(6):608-15; discussion 616.
    PMID: 18486703 DOI: 10.1016/j.surneu.2007.01.054
    Traumatic chronic subdural hematomas in Malaysia are increasingly common in young patients after road traffic accidents as well as the elderly who fall at home. Most surgeons in this country manage these pathologies without irrigation, with only a drainage system. This has led to criticism that the recurrence rate might be higher when no irrigation is done and that rates are lower with irrigation and drainage. Thus, a study was done to look into the outcome of TCSH operated with and without irrigation, followed by drainage, to guide the surgeons in Malaysia as to what best could be done for these cases.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Craniotomy*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drainage*; Female; Humans; Therapeutic Irrigation*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Treatment Outcome; Recovery of Function; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic/diagnosis; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic/etiology; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic/surgery*
  18. Beliefs about schizophrenia and its treatment in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
    Swami V, Furnham A, Kannan K, Sinniah D
    Int J Soc Psychiatry, 2008 Mar;54(2):164-79.
    PMID: 18488409
    Lay beliefs about schizophrenia have been extensively studied in cross-cultural settings, but research on ethnic differences are currently lacking.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Attitude to Health/ethnology*; Culture*; Delivery of Health Care/standards; Ethnic Groups/psychology*; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Hospitals, Psychiatric/standards; Humans; Islam/psychology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Morals; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Surveys and Questionnaires; Schizophrenia/ethnology*; Schizophrenia/therapy*; Sex Factors; Social Environment; Stereotyping; Witchcraft; Population Groups/psychology; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/psychology
  19. Laparoscopic appendicectomy: the ideal procedure for laparoscopic skill training for surgical registrars
    Tata MD, Singh R, Bakar AA, Selvindoss P, P K, Gurunathan R
    Asian J Surg, 2008 Apr;31(2):55-8.
    PMID: 18490215
    OBJECTIVE: Appendicectomy is a very common surgical procedure performed by registrars. It is mainly carried out by surgical registrars as an open procedure in many government hospitals. We aimed to evaluate laparoscopic appendicectomy as a laparoscopic training skill in a clinical setting for our registrars.

    METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all attempted laparoscopic appendicectomies over 12 months by experienced surgeons and registrars was done. Factors evaluated were operating time, conversion rate, postoperative hospital stay, morbidity and mortality.

    RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in operating time for surgeons and registrars (mean, 53 minutes vs. 60 minutes), conversion rate (10% vs. 11%). Mean hospital stay for patients operated on by surgeons was 3.1 days and 3.2 days for registrars. Morbidity was equal with both surgeons and registrars.

    CONCLUSION: We conclude that laparoscopic appendicectomy is a safe laparoscopic training tool for registrars with basic laparoscopic knowledge who have had a proper apprenticeship, and can be done in a clinical setting.

    MeSH terms: Appendectomy/methods*; Education, Medical, Graduate*; Humans; Malaysia; Laparoscopy*; Retrospective Studies; General Surgery/education
  20. Fulltext Total thyroidectomy: the procedure of choice for toxic goitre
    Hussain M, Hisham AN
    Asian J Surg, 2008 Apr;31(2):59-62.
    PMID: 18490216 DOI: 10.1016/S1015-9584(08)60059-7
    Over the years, subtotal thyroidectomy has been the mainstay of treatment for toxic goitre; however, total thyroidectomy is increasingly being considered as the procedure of choice. This study aimed to review our experience with total thyroidectomy in toxic goitre and evaluate the outcome of this procedure.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Goiter/surgery*; Humans; Middle Aged; Thyroidectomy*
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