Browse publications by year: 2008

  1. Fulltext Dengue virus type 2 envelope protein displayed as recombinant phage attachment protein reveals potential cell binding sites
    Abd-Jamil J, Cheah CY, AbuBakar S
    Protein Eng. Des. Sel., 2008 Oct;21(10):605-11.
    PMID: 18669522 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzn041
    A method to map the specific site on dengue virus envelope protein (E) that interacts with cells and a neutralizing antibody is developed using serially truncated dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) E displayed on M13 phages as recombinant E-g3p fusion proteins. Recombinant phages displaying the truncated E consisting of amino acids 297-423 (EB2) and amino acids 379-423 (EB4) were neutralized by DENV-2 patient sera and the DENV-2 E-specific 3H5-1 monoclonal antibodies suggesting that the phages retained the DENV-2 E antigenic properties. The EB4 followed by EB2 recombinant phages bound the most to human monocytes (THP-1), African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells, mosquito (C6/36) cells, ScFv specific against E and C6/36 cell proteins. Two potential cell attachment sites were mapped to loop I (amino acids 297 to 312) and loop II (amino acids 379-385) of the DENV-2 E using the phage-displayed truncated DENV-2 E fragments and by the analysis of the E structure. Loop II was present only in EB4 recombinant phages. There was no competition for binding to C6/36 cell proteins between EB2 and EB4 phages. Loop I and loop II are similar to the sub-complex specific and type-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibody binding sites, respectively. Hence, it is proposed that binding and entry of DENV involves the interaction of loop I to cell surface glycosaminoglycan-motif and a subsequent highly specific interaction involving loop II with other cell proteins. The phage displayed truncated DENV-2 E is a powerful and useful method for the direct determination of DENV-2 E cell binding sites.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antibody Specificity; Binding Sites; Binding, Competitive; Cell Line; Cells/immunology; Cells/metabolism*; Dengue Virus/immunology; Dengue Virus/metabolism; Dengue Virus/physiology*; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Immunoglobulin Variable Region/immunology; Culicidae/immunology; Culicidae/metabolism; Neutralization Tests; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism*; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry; Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics; Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology; Viral Envelope Proteins/metabolism*; Viral Envelope Proteins/chemistry; Bacteriophage M13/immunology; Bacteriophage M13/metabolism; Bacteriophage M13/physiology*; Gene Deletion; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Virus Attachment*
  2. Fulltext Linking data to tobacco control program action among students aged 13-15 in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, 2000-2006
    Sirichotiratana N, Sovann S, Aditama TY, Krishnan M, Kyaing NN, Miguel-Baquilod M, et al.
    Tob Control, 2008 Dec;17(6):372-8.
    PMID: 18669557 DOI: 10.1136/tc.2007.024190
    The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has made tobacco use prevention a primary health issue. All ASEAN countries except Indonesia have ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the world's first public health treaty on tobacco control.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Advertising as Topic/legislation & jurisprudence; Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence; Female; Health Promotion*; Humans; Male; Smoking/legislation & jurisprudence; Smoking/prevention & control*; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/legislation & jurisprudence; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/prevention & control; Prevalence; Smoking Cessation; Tobacco Industry/legislation & jurisprudence
  3. Malignant hypertension in a child with phakomatosis pigmentovascularis type II b
    Kanaheswari Y, Hamzaini AH, Wong SW, Zulfiqar A
    Acta Paediatr, 2008 Nov;97(11):1589-91.
    PMID: 18671691 DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00971.x
    Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV) is a rare congenital syndrome characterized predominantly by cutaneous vascular malformations and pigmentary naevi. The most frequently reported form, Type II b, is associated with systemic involvement. Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS) with concomitant glaucoma, Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS) and naevus of Ota have been frequently described, but there have only been two case reports with asymptomatic renal anomalies.
    MeSH terms: Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Hypertension, Malignant/etiology*; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Nevus of Ota/complications; Renal Artery Obstruction/complications*; Sturge-Weber Syndrome/complications*
  4. Evaluation of the antinociceptive activity of Ficus deltoidea aqueous extract
    Sulaiman MR, Hussain MK, Zakaria ZA, Somchit MN, Moin S, Mohamad AS, et al.
    Fitoterapia, 2008 Dec;79(7-8):557-61.
    PMID: 18672036 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2008.06.005
    The aqueous extract of Ficus deltoidea leaves was evaluated for possible antinociceptive activity in three models of nociception, namely, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin and hot plate test. The results of the present study showed that intraperitoneal administration of the F. deltoidea leaves aqueous extract at the dose of 1, 50 and 100 mg/kg, 30 min prior to pain induction produced significant dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in all the models used, which indicating the presence of both central and peripherally mediated activities. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effect of the extract in the formalin and hot plate test was reversed by the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone suggesting that the endogenous opioid system is involved in its analgesic mechanism of action. Thus, the present results demonstrated that F. deltoidea leaves aqueous extract contains pharmacologically active constituents which possess antinociceptive activity justifying its popular therapeutic use in treating conditions associated with the painful conditions.
    MeSH terms: Analgesics/pharmacology; Analgesics/therapeutic use*; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Formaldehyde/adverse effects; Hot Temperature; Male; Phytotherapy*; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Naloxone/pharmacology; Narcotic Antagonists/pharmacology; Pain/chemically induced; Pain/prevention & control*; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use*; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Plant Leaves; Acetic Acid/adverse effects; Mice; Rats
  5. An analysis of the healthcare informatics and systems in Southeast Asia: a current perspective from seven countries
    Nguyen QT, Naguib RN, Abd Ghani MK, Bali RK, Lee IM
    Int J Electron Healthc, 2008;4(2):184-207.
    PMID: 18676343
    This paper presents an overview of the healthcare systems in Southeast Asia, with a focus on the healthcare informatics development and deployment in seven countries, namely, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, the Philippines and Vietnam. Brief geographic and demographic information is provided for each country, followed by a historical review of the national strategies for healthcare informatics development. An analysis of the state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure is also given, along with a critical appraisal of national healthcare provisions.
    MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration; Hospital Information Systems/organization & administration; Humans; Medical Informatics/methods; Medical Informatics/organization & administration*; Medical Records Systems, Computerized/organization & administration; Telemedicine/methods; Telemedicine/organization & administration*; Decision Support Systems, Clinical/organization & administration
  6. Myxoid liposarcoma of the breast in a 25-year-old female as a diagnostic pitfall in fine needle aspiration cytology: report of a rare case
    Pant I, Kaur G, Joshi SC, Khalid IA
    Diagn Cytopathol, 2008 Sep;36(9):674-7.
    PMID: 18677756 DOI: 10.1002/dc.20913
    Primary sarcomas of the breast are extremely rare comprising less than 1.0% of all malignant tumors of the breast. It is even rarer to be reported in a 25-year-old female. This can cause a diagnostic dilemma not only for the clinician but also for the cytopathologist. A 25-year-old woman presented with a well defined firm, mobile lump in her right breast. With fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and ultrasonography a diagnosis of fibroadenoma was made. The patient underwent lumpectomy. Histopathologically it was diagnosed as myxoid liposarcoma. This case is reported to highlight the fact that, even though rare in young females but the possibility of a breast lump being a myxoid liposarcoma does exist. This report discusses a primary myxoid liposarcoma of female breast, considers cytologic differential diagnoses with review of the relevant literature.
    MeSH terms: Adipose Tissue/pathology; Adult; Breast/pathology*; Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Breast Neoplasms/pathology*; Diagnostic Errors*; Female; Humans; Liposarcoma, Myxoid/diagnosis*; Liposarcoma, Myxoid/pathology*; Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  7. Further observations in an area with an exceptionally low prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection
    Raj SM, Lee YY, Choo KE, Noorizan AM, Zulkifli A, Radzi M, et al.
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2008 Nov;102(11):1163-4.
    PMID: 18678380 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.06.015
    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Helicobacter pylori/isolation & purification*; Helicobacter Infections/epidemiology*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/ethnology
  8. Fulltext Knowlesi malaria: newly emergent and of public health importance?
    Cox-Singh J, Singh B
    Trends Parasitol, 2008 Sep;24(9):406-10.
    PMID: 18678527 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2008.06.001
    Several questions on public health impact have arisen from the discovery of a large focus of the simian malaria parasite, Plasmodium knowlesi, in the human population. P. knowlesi malaria is not newly emergent and was overlooked until molecular tools to distinguish between P. knowlesi and the morphologically similar Plasmodium malariae became available. Knowlesi malaria is a zoonosis that is widely distributed in Southeast Asia and can be fatal. Information on knowlesi malaria should be included in medical and public health guidelines to encourage the accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients, and monitor the incidence and distribution of cases. A complete emergence of P. knowlesi into the human population could be overwhelming and, although challenging, the prevention of this situation deserves serious consideration.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Humans; Malaria/epidemiology*; Malaria/parasitology*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Public Health*; Plasmodium knowlesi*; Communicable Diseases, Emerging*
  9. Immunomodulation by melatonin: its significance for seasonally occurring diseases
    Srinivasan V, Spence DW, Trakht I, Pandi-Perumal SR, Cardinali DP, Maestroni GJ
    Neuroimmunomodulation, 2008;15(2):93-101.
    PMID: 18679047 DOI: 10.1159/000148191
    Melatonin is not only synthesized by the pineal gland but also in many other organs and tissues of the body, particularly by lymphoid organs such as the bone marrow, thymus and lymphocytes. Melatonin participates in various functions of the body, among which its immunomodulatory role has assumed considerable significance in recent years. Melatonin has been shown to be involved in the regulation of both cellular and humoral immunity. Melatonin not only stimulates the production of natural killer cells, monocytes and leukocytes, but also alters the balance of T helper (Th)-1 and Th-2 cells mainly towards Th-1 responses and increases the production of relevant cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-12 and interferon-gamma. The regulatory function of melatonin on immune mechanisms is seasonally dependent. This fact may in part account for the cyclic pattern of symptom expression shown by certain infectious diseases, which become more pronounced at particular times of the year. Moreover, melatonin-induced seasonal changes in immune function have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of seasonal affective disorder and rheumatoid arthritis. The clinical significance of the seasonally changing immunomodulatory role of melatonin is discussed in this review.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology; Humans; Immunity, Cellular/physiology*; Immunologic Factors/immunology*; Immunologic Factors/metabolism; Immunologic Factors/secretion; Lymphoid Tissue/immunology*; Lymphoid Tissue/metabolism; Lymphoid Tissue/secretion; Melatonin/metabolism; Melatonin/physiology*; Melatonin/secretion; Seasons*; T-Lymphocytes/immunology; T-Lymphocytes/metabolism; T-Lymphocytes/secretion; Cytokines/metabolism; Cytokines/physiology; Cytokines/secretion; Seasonal Affective Disorder/immunology
  10. HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among Malaysian young adults: findings from a nationwide survey
    Wong LP, Chin CK, Low WY, Jaafar N
    Medscape J Med, 2008 Jun 24;10(6):148.
    PMID: 18679535
    PURPOSE: HIV/AIDS poses a serious threat to young people, both in Malaysia and throughout the world. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HIV/AIDS among the Malaysian public. This article reports the findings of knowledge about HIV/AIDS among young adults.

    METHODS: A total of 1075 young adult respondents aged 15-24 years participated in this survey. The response rate was 82.2%.

    RESULTS: The data indicated that HIV/AIDS knowledge among the respondents was moderate, with a mean knowledge score of 20.1 out of 32 points. The great majority had adequate knowledge of the major routes of HIV transmission, but fewer were aware of other modes of transmission, such as tattooing and piercing, sharing personal items, and breast-feeding from an infected mother. The great majority knew that HIV is not transmitted by mosquito bites, sharing meals, casual contact, and using public swimming pools and toilets.

    CONCLUSIONS: Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS exist although generally knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention was accurate. Education and intervention programs are needed to increase the level of knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS. The findings have important implications for the development of primary HIV/AIDS prevention programs for young adults in Malaysia.

    MeSH terms: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology*; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/therapy; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/transmission; Adolescent; Age Factors; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; HIV Infections/epidemiology; HIV Infections/therapy; HIV Infections/transmission; Young Adult
  11. Fulltext Survey of knowledge and perception on the access to evidence-based practice and clinical practice change among maternal and infant health practitioners in South East Asia
    Martis R, Ho JJ, Crowther CA, SEA-ORCHID Study Group
    BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2008;8:34.
    PMID: 18680603 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-8-34
    Evidence-based practice (EBP) can provide appropriate care for women and their babies; however implementation of EBP requires health professionals to have access to knowledge, the ability to interpret health care information and then strategies to apply care. The aim of this survey was to assess current knowledge of evidence-based practice, information seeking practices, perceptions and potential enablers and barriers to clinical practice change among maternal and infant health practitioners in South East Asia.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Asia, Southeastern; Attitude of Health Personnel*; Female; Gynecology; Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data*; Health Surveys; Humans; Information Services; Internship and Residency; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Male; Middle Aged; Neonatology; Nurses; Obstetrics; Pediatrics; Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*; Physicians; Surveys and Questionnaires; Evidence-Based Medicine*
  12. Fulltext Accelerating harm reduction interventions to confront the HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific and Asia: the role of WHO (WPRO)
    Mesquita F, Jacka D, Ricard D, Shaw G, Tieru H, Hu Y, et al.
    Harm Reduct J, 2008 Aug 05;5:26.
    PMID: 18680604 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-5-26
    The epidemic of HIV/AIDS linked to injecting drug usage is one of the most explosive in recent years. After a historical epicentre in Europe, South and North America, at present it is clearly the main cause of dissemination of the epidemic in Eastern Europe and some key Asian countries. Recently, 10 African countries reported the spread of HIV through people who inject drugs (PWID), breaking one of the final geographical barriers to the globalization of the epidemic of HIV among and from PWID. Several countries of the Asia and Pacific Region have HIV epidemics that are driven by injecting drug usage. Harm reduction interventions have been implemented in many countries and potential barriers to implementation are being overcome. Harm reduction is no longer a marginal approach in the Region; instead, it is the core tool for responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic among PWID. The development of a comprehensive response in the Region has been remarkable, including scaling up of needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), and care, support and treatment for PWID. This development is being followed up by strong ongoing changes in policies and legislations. The main issue now is to enhance interventions to a level that can impact the epidemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) is one of the leading UN agencies promoting harm reduction. Since the establishment of the Global Programme on AIDS, WHO has been working towards an effective response to the HIV epidemic among PWID. WHO's work is organized into a number of components: establishing an evidence base; advocacy; development of normative standards, tools and guidelines; providing technical support to countries; ensuring access to essential medicines, diagnostics and commodities; and mobilizing resources. In this paper, we trace the course of development of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among and from PWID in the Western Pacific and Asia Region (WPRO) as well as WHO's role in supporting the response in some of the key countries: Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines and Viet Nam.
  13. Bipleiophylline, an unprecedented cytotoxic bisindole alkaloid constituted from the bridging of two indole moieties by an aromatic spacer unit
    Kam TS, Tan SJ, Ng SW, Komiyama K
    Org. Lett., 2008 Sep 4;10(17):3749-52.
    PMID: 18683934 DOI: 10.1021/ol801354s
    A cytotoxic bisindole alkaloid possessing an unprecedented structure in which two indole moieties are bridged by an aromatic spacer unit has been isolated from Alstonia angustifolia. The structure was established by analysis of the spectroscopic data and confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. A possible biogenetic pathway from pyrocatechuic acid and pleiocarpamine is presented.
    MeSH terms: Humans; KB Cells; Models, Molecular; Molecular Conformation; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; X-Ray Diffraction; Molecular Structure; Jurkat Cells; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; Plant Bark/chemistry; Indole Alkaloids/isolation & purification; Indole Alkaloids/pharmacology; Indole Alkaloids/chemistry*; Alstonia/chemistry*
  14. Nuclear magnetic resonance structure and IgE epitopes of Blo t 5, a major dust mite allergen
    Chan SL, Ong TC, Gao YF, Tiong YS, Wang de Y, Chew FT, et al.
    J Immunol, 2008 Aug 15;181(4):2586-96.
    PMID: 18684949
    A high incidence of sensitization to Blomia tropicalis, the predominant house dust mite species in tropical regions, is strongly associated with allergic diseases in Singapore, Malaysia, and Brazil. IgE binding to the group 5 allergen, Blo t 5, is found to be the most prevalent among all B. tropicalis allergens. The NMR structure of Blo t 5 determined represents a novel helical bundle structure consisting of three antiparallel alpha-helices. Based on the structure and sequence alignment with other known group 5 dust mite allergens, surface-exposed charged residues have been identified for site-directed mutagenesis and IgE binding assays. Four charged residues, Glu76, Asp81, Glu86, and Glu91 at around the turn region connecting helices alpha2 and alpha3 have been identified to be involved in the IgE binding. Using overlapping peptides, we have confirmed that these charged residues are located on a major putative linear IgE epitope of Blo t 5 from residues 76-91 comprising the sequence ELKRTDLNILERFNYE. Triple and quadruple mutants have been generated and found to exhibit significantly lower IgE binding and reduced responses in skin prick tests. The mutants induced similar PBMC proliferation as the wild-type protein but with reduced Th2:Th1 cytokines ratio. Mass screening on a quadruple mutant showed a 40% reduction in IgE binding in 35 of 42 sera of atopic individuals. Findings in this study further stressed the importance of surface-charged residues on IgE binding and have implications in the cross-reactivity and use of Blo t 5 mutants as a hypoallergen for immunotherapy.
    MeSH terms: Allergens/administration & dosage; Allergens/genetics; Allergens/immunology*; Allergens/chemistry*; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Binding Sites, Antibody; Desensitization, Immunologic; Dust/immunology; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin E/metabolism; Immunoglobulin E/chemistry*; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mites/immunology*; Molecular Sequence Data; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*; Peptide Fragments/immunology; Peptide Fragments/metabolism; Peptide Fragments/chemistry; Protein Binding/immunology; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; Sequence Alignment; Protein Structure, Secondary; Crystallography, X-Ray; Epitope Mapping*; Mice; Antigens, Plant
  15. Kiwi Omnicup versus Malmstrom metal cup in vacuum assisted delivery: a randomized comparative trial
    Ismail NA, Saharan WS, Zaleha MA, Jaafar R, Muhammad JA, Razi ZR
    J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2008 Jun;34(3):350-3.
    PMID: 18686348
    AIM: To compare the success, clinical outcomes, and maternal and neonatal complications between the Kiwi Omnicup and the Malmstrom metal cup in vacuum assisted delivery.

    METHODS: This was a prospective randomized comparative trial. Women who required vacuum assisted vaginal delivery were randomized into the Kiwi Omnicup (KO) group and the Malmstrom metal cup (MM) group. The vacuum assisted deliveries were conducted according to hospital protocol. Details of the procedure and delivery outcomes including success and complications were analyzed.

    RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four women were recruited - 85 were assigned to vacuum assisted delivery using the KO and 79 the MM. One hundred percent delivery success was achieved with no significant differences between the two instruments in terms of maternal morbidity (P = 0.66). Six women in the MM group sustained post delivery complications in comparison to five in the KO group. Three babies were diagnosed with birth asphyxia in each group. More babies in the MM group were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (10 babies versus 5 babies) and suffered complications (14 versus 12 babies), compared to the KO group, although the difference was not statistically significant. There were no intrapartum or neonatal deaths and of those admitted to the NICU, all were discharged within a week without any serious consequences.

    CONCLUSION: Kiwi Omnicup is an effective alternative to the currently available Malmstrom metal cup for vacuum assisted delivery with no increase in maternal or neonatal morbidity or mortality.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Birth Injuries/epidemiology; Female; Postpartum Hemorrhage/epidemiology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Perineum/injuries; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical/adverse effects; Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical/instrumentation*; Intensive Care, Neonatal; Treatment Outcome
  16. Optimization of growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus FTCC 0291 and evaluation of growth characteristics in soy whey medium: a response surface methodology approach
    Fung WY, Woo YP, Liong MT
    J Agric Food Chem, 2008 Sep 10;56(17):7910-8.
    PMID: 18686970 DOI: 10.1021/jf801567j
    Four strains of probiotics were evaluated for their alpha-galactosidase activity. Lactobacillus acidophilus FTCC 0291 displayed the highest specific alpha-galactosidase activity and was thus selected to be optimized in soy whey medium supplemented with seven nitrogen sources. The first-order model showed that meat extract, vegetable extract, and peptone significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the growth of L. acidophilus. The second-order polynomial regression estimated that maximum growth was obtained from the combination of 7.25% (w/v) meat extract, 4.7% (w/v) vegetable extract, and 6.85% (w/v) peptone. The validation experiment showed that response surface methodology was reliable with a variation of only 1.14% from the actual experimental data. Increased utilization of oligosaccharides and reducing sugars contributed to increased growth of L. acidophilus in the soy whey medium. This was accompanied by increased production of short-chain fatty acids and a decrease in pH.
    MeSH terms: alpha-Galactosidase/metabolism; Culture Media*; Fatty Acids/biosynthesis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactobacillus acidophilus/enzymology; Lactobacillus acidophilus/growth & development*; Nitrogen/analysis; Nitrogen/metabolism; Oligosaccharides/metabolism; Soybeans*
  17. Splenic infarct as a diagnostic pitfall in radiology
    Joshi SC, Pant I, Shukla AN, Anshari MA
    J Cancer Res Ther, 2008 8 9;4(2):99-101.
    PMID: 18688130
    Follow-up of colorectal carcinoma after therapy is based on symptoms, tumor markers, and imaging studies. Clinicians sometimes face diagnostic dilemmas because of unusual presentations on the imaging modalities coupled with rising serum markers. We report a case of colorectal carcinoma that presented with gastrointestinal symptoms 14 months after completion of treatment. Investigations showed rise in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Suspecting disease recurrence, complete radioimaging workup was performed; the only abnormality detected was a smooth, hypodense area in the posterior third of the spleen on contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen. In view of the previous diagnosis of carcinoma colon, the symptoms reported by the patient, the elevated CEA, and the atypical CECT appearance, a diagnosis of splenic metastasis was made. The patient was subjected to splenectomy as a curative treatment. However, the histopathological report revealed it to be a splenic infarct. The present case reemphasizes the limitations of radiological studies in the follow-up of carcinoma colon.
    MeSH terms: Capecitabine; Adenocarcinoma/diagnosis; Adenocarcinoma/pathology; Adenocarcinoma/surgery; Aged; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/therapeutic use; Carcinoembryonic Antigen/blood; Colectomy; Colonic Neoplasms/diagnosis; Colonic Neoplasms/pathology*; Colonic Neoplasms/surgery; Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives; Deoxycytidine/therapeutic use; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Administration Schedule; Fluorouracil/analogs & derivatives; Fluorouracil/therapeutic use; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology; Male; Radiography; Splenectomy; Splenic Neoplasms/diagnosis; Splenic Neoplasms/secondary*; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  18. Development of species-specific diagnostic primers for Zoophthora radicans and Pandora blunckii; two co-occurring fungal pathogens of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
    Guzmán-Franco AW, Atkins SD, Alderson PG, Pell JK
    Mycol. Res., 2008 Oct;112(Pt 10):1227-40.
    PMID: 18693001 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycres.2008.04.006
    Species-specific primers for Zoophthora radicans and Pandora bluckii were developed. To achieve this, partial sequences of DNA that encode for rRNA, more specifically, the ITS region (rDNA-ITS) were obtained from different isolates and analysed. Seven Z. radicans isolates (four from P. xylostella, and three from other lepidopteran hosts) and one P. blunckii isolate (from P. xylostella) were used. These isolates were selected based on PCR-RFLP patterns obtained from 22 isolates of P. blunckii and 39 isolates of Z. radicans. All P. blunckii isolates were from the same host (P. xylostella); 20 isolates were from Mexico, one from the Philippines, and one from Germany. The Z. radicans isolates were more diverse in geographical origin (Mexico, Kenya, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Uruguay, France, USA, Poland, Indonesia, Switzerland, Israel, China, and Denmark) and host origin (Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Hymentoptera, and Diptera). Using conventional PCR, each pair of species-specific primers successfully detected each species of fungus from DNA extracted from infected host larvae either single- or dual-inoculated with both fungal species. The PCR-RFLP analysis also showed that Z. radicans was genetically more diverse than P. blunckii, although only a limited number of P. blunckii isolates from one country were considered. There was no direct relationship between genetic diversity and host or geographical origin. The relationship between genetic variation within both fungal species and host specificity or ecological adaptation is discussed.
    MeSH terms: Animals; DNA, Fungal/genetics; Larva/microbiology; Mexico; Molecular Sequence Data; Moths/microbiology*; Phylogeny; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Species Specificity; Genetic Variation; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*; DNA Primers/genetics*; Entomophthorales/classification; Entomophthorales/genetics; Entomophthorales/isolation & purification*; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics
  19. The jurisprudential nature of fraud in biomedical publishing
    Candlish J
    Med Law, 2008 Jun;27(2):285-305.
    PMID: 18693482
    When instances of fraud in biomedical publishing come to light there is widespread indignation, not least because the consequences seem usually only to be internal enquiries and professional displeasure. A number of bodies have been constituted to improve publishing ethics and but these are largely advisory. Potentially though, actions in the tort of deceit and negligence, possibly misfeasance in a public office, and loss of chance could be brought against those responsible. These aspects are examined in the context of English law. In addition the new Fraud Act (2006) appears to be wide enough in scope to cover publishing fraud as a criminal offence. Any organisation such as a drug company financing clinical trials which produce spurious results could face serious losses and might well look to remedies in contract as well as in tort. A theoretical scenario centered on a drug trial is presented in order to explore these issues.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Publishing/legislation & jurisprudence*; Scientific Misconduct/legislation & jurisprudence*; Biomedical Research/legislation & jurisprudence*
  20. The decline of judicial deference to medical opinion in medical negligence litigation in Malaysia
    Kassim PN
    Med Law, 2008 Jun;27(2):307-24.
    PMID: 18693483
    The decision of the Federal Court of Malaysia in abandoning the Bolam principle in relation to doctor's duty to disclose risks has clearly marked the decline of judicial deference to medical opinion in medical negligence litigation in Malaysia. It is undeniable that the Bolam principle has acted as a gatekeeper to the number of claims against medical practitioners. This has always been seen as necessary to protect the society from unwanted effects of defensive medicine. However, will these changes contribute significantly to the growth of medical negligence cases in Malaysia? This article will trace the development of the Bolam principle in medical negligence litigation in Malaysia since 1965 and analyse the influence of selected Commonwealth cases on the development. The implications of the Federal Court ruling will also be discussed.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia; Malpractice/legislation & jurisprudence*; Duty to Warn/legislation & jurisprudence*
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