Browse publications by year: 2008

  1. Comparative study between Pap smear cytology and FTIR spectroscopy: a new tool for screening for cervical cancer
    El-Tawil SG, Adnan R, Muhamed ZN, Othman NH
    Pathology, 2008 Oct;40(6):600-3.
    PMID: 18752127 DOI: 10.1080/00313020802320622
    AIMS: To evaluate Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as new tool for screening of cervical cancer in comparison with cervical cytology.

    METHODS: A total of 800 cervical scrapings were taken by cytobrush and placed in ThinPrep medium. The samples were dried over infrared transparent matrix. Beams of infrared light were directed at the dried samples at frequency of 4000 to 400 cm(-1). The absorption data were produced using a Spectrum BX II FTIR spectrometer. Data were compared with the reference absorption data of known samples using FTIR spectroscopy software. FTIR spectroscopy was compared with cytology (gold standard).

    RESULTS: FTIR spectroscopy could differentiate normal from abnormal cervical cells in the samples examined. The sensitivity was 85%, specificity 91%, positive predictive value 19.5% and negative predictive value of 99.5%.

    CONCLUSION: This study suggests that FTIR spectroscopy could be used as an alternative method for screening for cervical cancer.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & control*; Female; Humans; Mass Screening/methods*; Middle Aged; Sensitivity and Specificity; Vaginal Smears*; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared*; Papanicolaou Test*
  2. A modern African perspective on the role of the clinical nurse specialist
    Mapanga KG, Mapanga MB
    Clin Nurse Spec, 2008 Sep-Oct;22(5):226-30.
    PMID: 18753880 DOI: 10.1097/01.NUR.0000325367.54044.d5
    In Africa, there is an overwhelming and increasing prevalence of illnesses such as HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. This constitutes a "burden of disease" facing Africa. Nursing must evolve accordingly to the changing needs of clients, many of whom have chronic illnesses. In achieving desirable outcomes, it is essential to adopt and adapt the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) role so that expert and specialist practice is available to clients in a cost-effective manner. The role of the CNS singles out clinical responsibilities in a hospital setting so that nurse administrators can concentrate on the provision of resources. A CNS position in the hospital structure would offer a clinical career pathway for advanced practice nurses who wish to remain "by-the-bedside." Regional initiatives are already beginning to show a need for master's-prepared, advanced practice nurses in the clinical areas so as to reduce maternal mortality.
    MeSH terms: Africa; Humans; Malaria/nursing*; Malaria/epidemiology; Specialties, Nursing*; Tuberculosis/nursing*; Tuberculosis/epidemiology; HIV Infections/nursing*; HIV Infections/epidemiology; Nurse's Role*
  3. Fulltext 9th Workshop on the Neurobiology of Epilepsy (WONOEP IX): the transition from the interictal to the ictal state (Teluk Nibong, Langkawi Island, Malaysia, July 4-7, 2007)
    de Curtis M, Murashima Y, Sankar R
    Epilepsia, 2008 Aug;49(8):1475-9.
    PMID: 18754944 DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01618_1.x
    MeSH terms: Animals; Electroencephalography; Epilepsy/diagnosis*; Epilepsy/physiopathology*; Humans; Neural Inhibition/physiology*; Receptors, GABA-A/physiology*; Severity of Illness Index; Signal Transduction/physiology; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/physiology*; Receptors, GABA-B/physiology*
  4. LNCaP prostate cancer cells are insensitive to zinc-induced senescence
    Wong PF, Abubakar S
    J Trace Elem Med Biol, 2008;22(3):242-7.
    PMID: 18755400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2008.03.008
    Prostate cancer is an age-related disease that is linked to the inability of prostate cells to accumulate zinc following transformation. It is shown in the present study that the basal percentage of normal prostate cells expressing senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) is higher than that of the cancer cells. In the presence of high zinc in the cell culture medium, the percentage of normal prostate cells expressing the SA-beta-gal increased but not that of the cancer cells. Increased intracellular zinc occurs in the prostate cancer cells treated with supraphysiologic concentration of zinc but it does not induce senescence or decrease the telomerase activities in these cells. Senescence, however, occurred when the prostate cancer cells DNA is damaged by irradiation. These findings suggest that prostate cancer cells are insensitive to the senescence-inducing effects of zinc but the cancer cells retain the capacity to undergo senescence through other pathways.
    MeSH terms: Health; Humans; Male; Prostate/drug effects; Prostatic Neoplasms/enzymology; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology*; Substrate Specificity; Zinc/pharmacology*; Cell Aging/drug effects*; Telomerase/metabolism; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Shape/drug effects
  5. Fulltext Reconstruction of severe patellar infera syndrome with free vascularised composite tensor fascia lata flap
    Sulaiman AR, Halim AS, Azman WS, Eskandar H
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Aug;49(8):e205-7.
    PMID: 18756334
    Post-traumatic severe patella infera and intra-articular adhesion may lead to a severe knee stiffness. We report a 29-year-old man, a muslim prayer leader, who had a previous knee injury. He presented with knee movement from ten degrees to 30 degrees, patellar infera with a length of patella to length of patellar tendon ratio of 2:5, and severe knee arthrofibrosis. He underwent incision of the patella ligament and open arthrofibrosis release, leaving a tendon gap and skin defect of 5 cm. Reconstruction was successfully done using a free vascularised composite tensor fascia lata flap. He regained full range of knee motion with normal strength quadriceps mechanism at five months after surgery, and remained in full function at 18 months follow-up.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Knee Injuries/diagnosis*; Knee Injuries/surgery*; Male; Movement; Patella/injuries*; Patella/surgery*; Surgical Flaps; Syndrome; Range of Motion, Articular; Patellar Ligament/injuries; Patellar Ligament/physiopathology; Patellar Ligament/surgery*; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/methods*; Recovery of Function; Quadriceps Muscle
  6. Fulltext Cardiovascular outcomes in the comparative hypertension drug trials: more consensus than controversy
    Ong HT
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Aug;49(8):599-605; quiz 606.
    PMID: 18756340
    The comparative anti-hypertensive drug trials conducted to assess their cardiovascular protective efficacy actually produce compatible, not conflicting, results. In the last decade, there were 13 major comparative hypertension drug trials with the cardiovascular primary outcome being statistically equivalent in 11 of these 13 trials, involving over 90 percent of the randomised 168,593 patients. Where secondary outcomes favour a drug in these trials, that arm has a significantly lower treated blood pressure as in LIFE, VALUE, ASCOT and ALLHAT. Controversy occurs in seeking to attribute the benefit to drug effect; if the benefit is attributed to the lower achieved blood pressure, then the trials become consistent. The safety and value of diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers in reducing blood pressure, and in reducing clinical cardiovascular outcomes, is now clearly established. Overall, the importance of tight blood pressure control in reducing cardiovascular outcomes must be emphasised. Physicians should concentrate on achieving good blood pressure control, which often requires a combination of several antihypertensive drugs.
    MeSH terms: Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use; Cardiovascular Diseases/drug therapy*; Cardiovascular System; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diuretics; Humans; Hypertension/drug therapy*; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects; Research Design; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
  7. Fulltext Patients' perception of the ambulance services at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
    Anisah A, Chew KS, Mohd Shaharuddin Shah CH, Nik Hisamuddin NA
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Aug;49(8):631-5.
    PMID: 18756347
    Little is known regarding public opinion of prehospital care in Malaysia. This study was conducted to find out the public's perception and expectations of the ambulance services in one of the university hospitals in Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Academic Medical Centers; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ambulances*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Delivery of Health Care/standards; Emergency Medical Services; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Perception*; Prospective Studies; Public Opinion
  8. Fulltext How frequent is bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed in the community of Kota Bharu, Malaysia?
    Chew KS, Mohd Idzwan Z, Nik Hishamuddun NA, Wan Aasim WA, Kamaruddin J
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Aug;49(8):636-9.
    PMID: 18756348
    INTRODUCTION: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) serves as a vital link to improve the chance of survival among the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHA) patients. The frequency of bystander CPR in Malaysia is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to find out how frequently bystander CPR was performed among OHA patients with CPR performed at the Emergency Department (ED), Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), prior to their arrival to the department.
    METHODS: In this one-year observational study, data was collected from cases of CPR performed in ED, HUSM. In the OHA category, a subanalysis was further performed to look into the frequency and effects of bystander CPR on achieving return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital admission. The categorical data collected was analysed using chi-square test or Fisher-exact test.
    RESULTS: Out of a total of 23 OHA patients that had CPR performed on arrival at the ED, HUSM, from March 2005 to March 2006, only two cases (8.7 percent) had bystander CPR performed. None of these two cases achieved return of spontaneous circulation.
    CONCLUSION: Although this study has many limitations, it does indicate that the frequency of bystander CPR is dismally low in our community and the mere fact that bystander CPR was reported to be done does not seem to translate into a higher chance of survival to admission. The quality and effectiveness of the technique is equally important.
    KEYWORDS: bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest , return of spontaneous circulation
    MeSH terms: Electric Countershock/utilization; Emergency Medical Services/statistics & numerical data; Emergency Service, Hospital; Emergency Treatment; First Aid/statistics & numerical data*; Health Education; Heart Arrest/mortality; Heart Arrest/therapy*; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/mortality; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/statistics & numerical data
  9. Fulltext Genetic population structure of red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) and orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coiodes) in Brunei and Sabah
    Sulaiman ZH, Abdul Rahman KH, Ying TY, Taha HH, Muhd Taha NH
    Integr Zool, 2008 Sep;3(3):208-15.
    PMID: 21396070 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2008.00098.x
    The genetic population structure of red snapper Lutjanus malabaricus and orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coiodes in Brunei and Sabah was investigated using allozyme electrophoresis. Samples were collected from three sites in Brunei for E. coiodes and from three sites in Brunei and Sabah for L. malabaricus. A total of 22 loci and 16 loci were scored, respectively. The index of fixation (F(ST) ) for the E. coiodes population was 0.176 but, in general, it lacked within-population structuring. The F(ST) was particularly high between Brunei Bay/Jerudong and Brunei Bay/ Kuala Belait, suggesting genetic subdivision on a small spatial scale. Isolation of Brunei Bay from the South China Sea may constrain the movement of adult fishes and larval dispersal, thereby reducing homogeneity among subpopulations. All variable loci for E. coiodes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except for MDH* and GTDHP* (P < 0.01), in which two subpopulations showed an excess of heterozygotes (P < 0.01). The study on the L. malabaricus population showed a heterozygote deficit of approximately 60% in variable loci (F(ST) genetic variation within population = 0.45; P < 0.05); however, the mean observed heterozygosity for the population far exceeded L. malabaricus populations in Australia and Indonesia. A F(ST) value of 0.076 revealed moderate genetic differentiation among subpopulations of L. malabaricus. The genotypes were likely to be drawn from the same distribution in Jerudong and Kuala Belait. This study infers that sustainable management of snapper and grouper resources in Brunei waters must take into account the presence of a single stock and two stocks, respectively.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Brunei; Fishes; Malaysia
  10. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Malaysian giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
    Bhassu S, See LM, Hassan R, Siraj SS, Tan SG
    Mol Ecol Resour, 2008 Sep;8(5):983-5.
    PMID: 21585948 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-0998.2008.02127.x
    Eight single locus microsatellite markers were developed to characterize the Malaysian giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. These microsatellites were isolated from an enriched genomic library contained by using a 5'-anchored polymerase chain reaction technique. Primers were designed to flank the repeat sequences and subsequently used to characterize 30 unrelated individuals of the giant freshwater prawn. The polymerase chain reaction amplification products of these eight microsatellite loci were polymorphic with the number of alleles ranging from two to 10 alleles per locus while the levels of heterozygosity ranged from 0.6333 to 0.8667.
    MeSH terms: Alleles; Animals; Fresh Water; Heterozygote; Genomic Library; Polymerase Chain Reaction; DNA Primers; Microsatellite Repeats; Palaemonidae
  11. Fulltext Abdominal Obesity in Malaysian Adults: National Health and Morbidity Survey III (NHMS III, 2006)
    Kee CC, Jamaiyah H, Noor Safiza MN, Khor GL, Suzana S, Jamalludin AR, et al.
    Malays J Nutr, 2008 Sep;14(2):125-35.
    PMID: 22691770 MyJurnal
    Abdominal obesity (AO) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus in adults. There is a lack of data on the magnitude and socio-demographic profile of AO among Malaysian adults at the national level. In the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS III) conducted in 2006, AO of adults aged 18 years and above was determined based on the waist circumference as part of the nutritional status assessment. This article reports the prevalence of AO in relation to socio-economic factors and demographic characteristics of adult subjects. Out of a total of 33,465 eligible individuals 18 years and above, waist circumference was measured in 32,900 (98.3%) individuals. The prevalence of AO was assessed using the cut-off points recommended by World Health Organization. The mean waist circumference in men and women was 84.0cm [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 83.8, 84.3] and 80.3cm (95% CI: 80.1, 80.6) respectively. The national prevalence of AO was 17.4% (95% CI: 16.9, 17.9). The identified risks of AO were women (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 3.8, 4.6), aged 50-59 years (OR: 5.6, 95% CI: 4.0, 7.7), Indians (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 2.4, 3.8), housewives (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7), subjects with primary education (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.5) and ever married (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.6). Being the largest population-based study on AO among Malaysians, these findings have important public health implications. There is an urgent need to revise public health policies and programmes aimed at prevention of abdominal obesity especially in the groups at risk.
    Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)
    MeSH terms: Adult; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Health Policy; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Morbidity; Nutritional Status; Public Health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Nutrition Assessment; Prevalence; Confidence Intervals; Family Conflict; Waist Circumference; Obesity, Abdominal
  12. Fulltext Reliability and technical error of calf circumference and mid-half arm span measurements for nutritional status assessment of elderly Persons in Malaysia
    Jamaiyah H, Geeta A, Safiza MN, Wong NF, Kee CC, Ahmad AZ, et al.
    Malays J Nutr, 2008 Sep;14(2):137-50.
    PMID: 22691771 MyJurnal
    This study sought to examine the reliability of two measurements; Calf Circumference (CC) and Mid-half Arm Span (MHAS). A sample of 130 elderly persons aged 60 years and above seen consecutively in the Kuala Lumpur Hospital outpatient clinic during the period of December 2005 to January 2006, upon consent, were recruited to the study. There was a high degree of reliability for both inter- and intra-examiner (r close to 1). For inter-examiner, on average the CC measurements taken by the first examiner were 0.3 cm lower than that of the second examiner. The upper and lower limit of the differences were +0.4 to -0.9 cm respectively. Inter-examiner MHAS measurements on average by the first examiner were 0.2 cm lower than that of the second examiner. The limits were +1.7 to -2.1 cm. By comparison, the inter-examiner CC measurements were more reliable than the MHAS measurements. For intra-examiner, on average the CC measurements at Time 1 were consistent with Time 2 (mean difference=0) with limits of the difference at + 0.5 cm. MHAS measurements at Time 1 were on average 0.1 cm less than at Time 2 with limits at +1.7 and -1.8 cm. The technical error of measurement (TEM) and coefficient of variation of CC and MHAS for both interexaminer and intra-examiner measurements were within acceptable limits with the exception of MHAS TEM. This study suggests that CC and MHAS measured in elderly persons 60 years and above, using Seca Circumference Tape ® 206, Germany (0.05 cm) are reliable and can be used in a community survey.

    Study site: Outpatient clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur
    MeSH terms: Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hospitals, General; Humans; Malaysia; Nutritional Status; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Reproducibility of Results
  13. Fulltext Changes in nutritional, functional status and quality of life of COPD out-patients after a pulmonary rehabilitation programme in HUKM: a pilot study
    Suzana S, Hanis MY, Tang SY, Ayiesah R, Roslina AM
    Malays J Nutr, 2008 Sep;14(2):151-62.
    PMID: 22691772 MyJurnal
    This quasi-experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of an eight-week multi-disciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation programme in improving nutritional and functional status and quality of life of COPD out patients at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. A total of 9 COPD outpatients aged 40 years and above (6 men and 3 women) completed at least 50% of 16 sessions of an eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Their nutritional and functional status and rating of quality of life were measured at baseline (0 day) and after 8 weeks and these were compared to those of the control group matched for age, comprising 13 subjects (11 men and 2 women). Nutritional status was determined using anthropometry, body composition (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) and three-day food record. Assessment of appetite for food was also carried out using the Simplified Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ). Functional status was assessed using the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire-modified version(PFSDQ-M). The handgrip strength was also measured using handgrip dynamometer. The SF36 questionnaire was used to measure the quality of life of the subjects. There was a reduction in dyspnea (-49.0%, p<0.05) and fatigue (-47.8%, p<0.05) in men after the intervention programme, as compared to their controls (dyspnea -2.9% and fatigue 8.9%). Quality of life in this group was also significantly improved by 31.8% (p<0.05) as compared to their controls (-3.0%,p>0.05). Similar trends were noted for the women, although the difference was not significant. No significant changes were seen in nutritional status assessed by anthropometry, dietary intake and appetite. However, there was a trend of increased nutrient intake and SNAQ score in the intervention group as compared to control. An eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme was effective in improving the functional status particularly in men, by reducing dyspnea and fatigue; and also improving their quality of life, but was not effective in changing the nutritional status.
    Study site: Physiotherapy Unit, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    MeSH terms: Adult; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Rehabilitation*; Cohort Studies; Physical Therapy Modalities; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
  14. Fulltext Biological Properties of Tinospora crispa (Akar Patawali) and Its Antiproliferative Activities on Selected Human Cancer Cell Lines
    Zulkhairi A, Abdah MA, M Kamal NH, Nursakinah I, Moklas MA, Hasnah B, et al.
    Malays J Nutr, 2008 Sep;14(2):173-87.
    PMID: 22691774 MyJurnal
    The antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of the aqueous crude extract of Tinospora crispa stem was investigated. The proximate composition of its stem and leaves was determined. Proximate analysis revealed that T. crispa contains - protein: leaves = 4.7%, stem = 1.2%; fat: leaves = 1.5%, stem = 0.43%; carbohydrate: leaves = 11.8%, stem = 19.4%; ash: leaves = 2.7%, stem = 1.1%; moisture: leaves = 79.3%, stem = 77.9%; fibre: leaves = 1.59%, stem = 0.65%; and energy: leaves = 1.59%, stem = 0.65%. The antioxidant activity of the extract prepared at various temperatures and incubation time was evaluated to determine the optimum extraction procedure. Based on DPPH and TBA tests, the preparation of the extract at 60oC for 6 hours was established as the best possible method as it demonstrated the highest inhibition percentage. The extract was tested against brine shrimp to evaluate its toxicity and no significant toxicity was recorded since the IC50 value was more than 1000 μg/ml. The extract produced moderate anti-proliferative activity on selected human cancer cell lines (IC50 MCF-7: 107 μg/ml, HeLa: 165 μg/ml, Caov-3: 100 μg/ml, and HepG2: 165 μg/ml). The findings from this study suggest that T. crispa has the potential to be a source of natural antioxidants and nutrients, besides having a moderate anti-proliferative effect on selected human cancer cell lines.
  15. Fulltext Determination of daidzein and genistein contents in mangifera fruit
    Khoo HE, Ismail A
    Malays J Nutr, 2008 09;14(2):189-98.
    PMID: 22691775 MyJurnal
    The aim of this study was to determine the daidzein and genistein contents in Mangifera fruits. Three Mangifera species namely 'bacang' (Mangifera foetida), 'kuini' (M. odorata) and 'bambangan' (M. pajang) each from two different locations were selected. The extraction of isoflavones was carried out at 80oC for 30, 60 and 90 min. HPLC method was performed with a flow rate of 1.00 ml/min using three different separation columns to determine isoflavone contents. The Zorbax Eclipse RP C18 reverse-phase column was found to give the best resolution for isoflavone separation in Mangifera fruits. Moreover, extraction time of 90 min was found to increase the isoflavone aglycone contents. At optimised condition, 'kuini'' had relatively high daidzein (9.4-10.5 mg/100 g) and genistein (1.6-1.7 mg/100 g) contents. Daidzein content of 'bambangan' (8.3-8.7 mg/100 g) was higher than 'bacang', but the genistein content of 'bambangan' (0.4-0.6 mg/100 g) was similar to that of 'bacang' (0.4-0.8 mg/100 g). However, there was a variation in daidzein and genistein contents in Mangifera fruits between two geographical locations.
  16. The asian Federation of psychiatric associations society section
    Parameshwara Dev M
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2008 Sep;1(1):15-9.
    PMID: 23050980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2008.07.007
  17. Imidazolium-based ionic liquid salts: 3,3'-dimethyl-1,1'-(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium bis(tetrafluoroborate) and 3,3'-di-n-butyl-1,1'-(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate)
    Ganesan K, Alias Y, Ng SW
    Acta Crystallogr C, 2008 Sep;64(Pt 9):o478-80.
    PMID: 18758014 DOI: 10.1107/S0108270108023111
    Crystallization of the ionic liquid 3,3'-dimethyl-1,1'-(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium bis(tetrafluoroborate), C(16)H(20)N(4)(2+).2BF(4)(-), (I), from its solution in water has permitted the first single-crystal study of an imidazolium-based ionic liquid having a tetrafluoroborate ion as counter-ion. Despite the expectation that the anion would not participate in nonclassical hydrogen bonding, the ionic liquid features C-H...F hydrogen bonds. The dication lies about a center of inversion. The ionic liquid 3,3'-di-n-butyl-1,1'-(1,4-phenylenedimethylene)diimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate), C(22)H(32)N(4)(2+).2CF(3)SO(3)(-), (II), features both C-H...F and C-H...O hydrogen bonds.
    MeSH terms: Anions; Borates; Crystallization; Hydrogen; Hydrogen Bonding; Ions; Mesylates; Water; Ionic Liquids
  18. Congenital arteriovenous communication in the arm: a cadaveric study
    Das S, Othman F, Suhaimi FH, Latiff AA
    Rom J Morphol Embryol, 2008;49(3):421-3.
    PMID: 18758652
    An abnormal communication between an artery and a vein is known as arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The AVM or the AVF might be congenital in origin or even acquired. The arteriovenous communications are usually surgically made in patients undergoing repeated hemodialysis, while suffering from any chronic renal disease. The abnormal arteriovenous communications may be asymptomatic in nature. The arteriovenous communications might be an incidental finding during any anatomical dissections or medico-legal autopsies. The present study reports the presence of BBC on both sides of a 54-year-old male cadaver who died of road traffic accident. There was a communication between the brachial artery and the brachial vein, 11.5 cm above the medial epicondyle. The oblique communicating channel measured 1.5 cm in length and connected the brachial artery to the brachial vein. A detailed histological study of the communication showed the presence of thick tunica media. Knowledge of arteriovenous communications may be beneficial for any academic studies and equally important for vascular surgeons and radiologists performing angiographic studies.
    MeSH terms: Arm/blood supply*; Arm/pathology; Arteriovenous Fistula/diagnosis*; Arteriovenous Fistula/pathology; Axillary Vein/abnormalities*; Brachial Artery/abnormalities*; Cadaver; Humans; Male; Middle Aged
  19. Cloning of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from an Antarctic psychrophilic bacterium by inverse and splinkerette PCR
    Too WC, Liew YC, Few LL
    J Basic Microbiol, 2008 Oct;48(5):430-5.
    PMID: 18759222 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.200800008
    Psychrophiles are organisms that thrive in cold environments. One of the strategies for their cold adaptation is the ability to synthesize cold-adapted enzymes. These enzymes usually display higher catalytic efficiency and thermolability at lower temperatures compared to their mesophilic and thermophilic counterparts. In this work, a psychrophilic bacterium codenamed pi9 was selected for the cloning of the gene encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), an enzyme in the glycolytic pathway. Here, the cloning of an 1,113 bp fragment of GAPDH gene which covers the 1,002 bp open reading frame by using multiple PCR steps is described. The partial sequence of this gene was PCR amplified by using degenerate primers followed by the cloning of the flanking sequences by inverse and splinkerette PCR techniques. The success in cloning the GAPDH gene by PCR has bypassed the more time consuming genomic library construction and screening method. The full length GAPDH protein was subsequently expressed in E. coli, purified as His-tag protein and confirmed to be catalytically active. This work demonstrated the use of multiple PCR techniques to clone a gene based solely on sequence comparison. It also laid the foundation for further biochemical and structural characterizations of GAPDH from a psychrophilic bacterium by providing a highly purified recombinant protein sample.
    MeSH terms: Antarctic Regions; Bacteria/enzymology*; Bacteria/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism; Cloning, Molecular; Cold Temperature; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Escherichia coli/enzymology; Escherichia coli/genetics; Genes, Bacterial; Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases/genetics*; Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases/metabolism; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  20. Fulltext Monkey malaria in a European traveler returning from Malaysia
    Kantele A, Marti H, Felger I, Müller D, Jokiranta TS
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2008 Sep;14(9):1434-6.
    PMID: 18760013 DOI: 10.3201/eid1409.080170
    In 2007, a Finnish traveler was infected in Peninsular Malaysia with Plasmodium knowlesi, a parasite that usually causes malaria in monkeys. P. knowlesi has established itself as the fifth Plasmodium species that can cause human malaria. The disease is potentially life-threatening in humans; clinicians and laboratory personnel should become more aware of this pathogen in travelers.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Antimalarials/therapeutic use; Doxycycline/therapeutic use; Finland; Humans; Malaria/drug therapy; Malaria/epidemiology*; Malaria/parasitology*; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Quinine/therapeutic use; Travel; Plasmodium knowlesi/isolation & purification*
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