Browse publications by year: 2010

1. The potential role of honey and its polyphenols in preventing heart diseases: a review

   Khalil MI, Sulaiman SA

   Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med, 2010;7(4):315-21.

   PMID: 21731163

   Abstract

   Honey is rich in phenolic compounds, which act as natural antioxidants and are becoming increasingly popular because of their potential role in contributing to human health. A wide range of phenolic constituents is present in honey like quercetin, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), acacetin, kaempferol, galangin which have promising effect in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Many epidemiological studies have shown that regular intake of phenolic compounds is associated with reduced risk of heart diseases. In coronary heart disease, the protective effects of phenolic compounds include mainly antithrombotic, anti-ischemic, anti-oxidant, and vasorelaxant. It is suggested that flavonoids decrease the risk of coronary heart disease by three major actions: improving coronary vasodilatation, decreasing the ability of platelets in the blood to clot, and preventing low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) from oxidizing. In this review paper, we discussed the preventive role of polyphenols of honey against cardiovascular diseases.

   MeSH terms: Antioxidants/pharmacology*; Antioxidants/therapeutic use; Flavonoids/chemistry*; Heart Diseases/prevention & control*; Honey/analysis*; Humans; Phenols/chemistry*; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects; Polyphenols
2. Fulltext Caregivers in schizophrenia: A cross Cultural Perspective

   Talwar P, Matheiken ST

   Indian J Psychol Med, 2010 Jan;32(1):29-33.

   PMID: 21799556 DOI: 10.4103/0253-7176.70526

   Abstract

   Schizophrenia not only influences the lives of those affected but also those around them, especially the caregivers. This study examines the different determinants that are likely to contribute to the caregivers' perception of burden of care across different countries namely Malaysia and India, using the burden assessment schedule.
3. Fulltext Solanum trilobatum in the management of atopy: Through inhibition of mast cell degranulation and moderation of release of interleukins

   Ranjith MS, Ranjitsingh AJ, Shankar SG, Vijayalaksmi GS, Deepa K, Babu K, et al.

   Pharmacognosy Res, 2010 Jan;2(1):10-4.

   PMID: 21808531 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.60581

   Abstract

   Solanum trilobatum is a widely used plant in the Indian indigenous systems of medicine. It is mainly used in the treatment of respiratory diseases like bronchial asthma. In our present study, we report that the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of S. trilobatum exhibited inhibition of mast cell degranulation. Further, aqueous and alcoholic extracts of S. trilobatum significantly decreased the release of IL1α and increased the release of IL8 from the cultured keratinocytes. Oral administration of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of S. trilobatum stabilized mast cells in experimental rats.
4. Fulltext Effect of dragon fruit extract on oxidative stress and aortic stiffness in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

   Anand Swarup KR, Sattar MA, Abdullah NA, Abdulla MH, Salman IM, Rathore HA, et al.

   Pharmacognosy Res, 2010 Jan;2(1):31-5.

   PMID: 21808536 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.60582

   Abstract

   Cardiovascular complications are consistently observed in diabetic patients across all age groups. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of the fruit pulp of Hylocereus undatus (DFE) on aortic stiffness and oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Twenty-four male, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups: I (control), II (diabetic), III (DFE, 250 mg/kg) and IV (DFE 500 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced in groups II, III and IV by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of STZ (40 mg/kg). After confirmation of diabetes, group III and IV received DFE for 5 weeks. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was used as a marker of aortic stiffness and was determined at the end of 5 weeks. DFE significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic rats, but not to normal levels. Systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and PWV were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in diabetic rats at the end of 5 weeks in comparison with control group. DFE treatment significantly decreased (P < 0.05) these elevations. Oxidative damage was observed in group II after 5 weeks. Plasma malondialdehyde levels significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity significantly increased (P < 0.05) with DFE treatment in comparison with group II. These data demonstrate that DFE treatment was effective in controlling oxidative damage and decreasing the aortic stiffness measured by PWV in STZ-induced diabetes in rats.

   MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Fasting; Fruit; Humans; Male; Malondialdehyde; Streptozocin; Superoxide Dismutase; Biomarkers; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Oxidative Stress; Control Groups; Rats; Vascular Stiffness; Pulse Wave Analysis
5. Potential hydrophobic protein markers of breast cancer in Malaysian Chinese, Malay and Indian patients

   Liang S, Singh M, Gam LH

   Cancer Biomark, 2010;8(6):319-30.

   PMID: 22072120 DOI: 10.3233/CBM-2011-0221

   Abstract

   Breast cancer is a leading cause of worldwide mortality in females. In Malaysia, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Of these, the Chinese had the most number of breast cancer cases, followed by the Indian and the Malay. The most common type of breast cancer is infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC). A proteomic approach was used to identify protein profile changes in cancerous tissues compared with the normal tissues, the tissues were collected from patients of three different ethnicities, i.e. Chinese, Malay and Indian. Ten differentially expressed hydrophobic proteins were identified. We had evaluated the potential of these proteins as biomarker for infiltrating ducal carcinoma (IDC) and the ethnic-specific expression of these proteins was also determined. The data showed that peroxiredoxin-2, heat shock protein 60, protein disulfide isomerase and calreticulin may serve as ethnic-related potential markers for either one or combination of Chinese, Malay and Indian cohorts as their expression levels were significantly high in the cancerous tissues compared to the normal tissues in the ethnic group tested.
   Publication year=2010-2011

   MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/ethnology; Breast Neoplasms/genetics; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism*; China/ethnology; Female; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia; Neoplasm Proteins/genetics; Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism*; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/ethnology; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/genetics; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/metabolism*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
6. Fulltext HIV- and AIDS-related Ocular Manifestations in Tanzanian Patients

   Sahoo S

   Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):12-6.

   PMID: 22135520 MyJurnal

   Abstract

   Although around 70% of HIV+ cases used to have ocular manifestations, the late reporting of cases often results in severe forms of ocular morbidity that would otherwise have been prevented. The objective of this study was to describe the ocular manifestations of HIV and AIDS-related patients who had been admitted to TM Jafferji Hospital, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

   MeSH terms: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Eye; Head; Hospitals; Humans; Morbidity; Tanzania
7. Fulltext Assessing patient pain scores in the emergency department

   Baharuddin KA, Mohamad N, Nik Abdul Rahman NH, Ahmad R, Nik Him NA

   Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):17-22.

   PMID: 22135521 MyJurnal

   Abstract

   BACKGROUND: Pain management in the Emergency Department is challenging. Do we need to ask patients specifically about their pain scores, or does our observational scoring suffice? The objective of this study was to determine the inter-rater differences in pain scores between patients and emergency healthcare (EHC) providers. Pain scores upon discharge or prior to ward admission were also determined.
   METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in which patients independently rated their pain scores at primary triage; EHC providers (triagers and doctors) separately rated the patients' pain scores, based on their observations.
   RESULTS: The mean patient pain score on arrival was 6.8 ± 1.6, whereas those estimated by doctors and triagers were 5.6±1.8 and 4.3±1.9, respectively. There were significant differences among patients, triagers and doctors (P< 0.001). There were five conditions (soft tissue injury, headache, abdominal pain, fracture and abscess/cellulites) that were significantly different in pain scores between patients and EHC providers (P<0.005). The mean pain score of patients upon discharge or admission to the ward was 3.3 ± 1.9.
   CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in mean patient pain scores on arrival, compared to those of doctors and triagers. Thus, asking for pain scores is a very important step towards comprehensive pain management in emergency medicine.
   KEYWORDS: emergency medicine; neurosciences; pain assessment; pain management; pain score
   Study site: Emergency department, Hospital Kuala Lumpur

   MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Emergency Service, Hospital; Hospitals, General; Humans; Malaysia; Pain*
8. Fulltext Treatment outcome of superficial cerebral abscess: an analysis of two surgical methods

   Tan WM, Adnan JS, Mohamad Haspani MS

   Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):23-9.

   PMID: 22135522 MyJurnal

   Abstract

   The purpose of the study is to compare the two surgical methods (burr hole and craniotomy) used as treatment for superficial cerebral abscess and its outcome in terms of radiological clearance on brain CT, improvement of neurological status, the need for repeated surgery, and survival and morbidity at three months after surgery. This report is a retrospective case review of the patients who were treated surgically for superficial cerebral abscess in Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) and Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) over a period of four years (2004 to 2007).

   MeSH terms: Brain; Brain Abscess; Craniotomy; Humans; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Trephining
9. Fulltext Prevalence and Sources of Stress among Universiti Sains Malaysia Medical Students

   Yusoff MS, Abdul Rahim AF, Yaacob MJ

   Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):30-7.

   PMID: 22135523 MyJurnal

   Abstract

   Being in medical school has always been regarded as highly stressful. Excessive stress causes physical and mental health problems. Persistent stress can impair students' academic achievement and personal or professional development. The aim of this study is to explore the nature of stress among medical students by determining the prevalence, sources and pattern of stress and the factors affecting it.

   MeSH terms: Education, Medical, Undergraduate; Humans; Mental Health; Physical Examination; Schools, Medical; Students, Medical; Prevalence
10. A study on the magnitude and the effectiveness of the observation ward of hospital universiti sains malaysia

    Ahmad R, Nik Abdul Rahman NH, Mohd Noh AY, Nik Abdul Rahman NA, Mohamad N, Baharudin KA

    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):38-43.

    PMID: 22135524 MyJurnal

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: The observation ward (OW) allows patients to be reassessed and monitored before deciding either to admit or to discharge them. This is a six-month descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the observation ward of the Emergency Department (ED) of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan. The objective of this study was to examine the demographic characteristics and clinical profiles of adult observed patients and to determine the effectiveness of OW management.

    METHODS: Patients were selected randomly by convenience sampling. One hundred and twenty-four patients were included in the study. The mean age was 40.3 ± 18.5 years (95% CI: 37.2 to 43.8).

    RESULTS: Among the common clinical problems were abdominal discomfort (23%), diarrhoea and vomiting (13%) and fever (13%). Reasons for OW admission included diagnostic uncertainty (63%) and short course of treatment (33%). The mean length of stay was 4.1 ± 1.8 hours (95% CI=3.8 to 4.4 hours). Most of the patients (85%) were discharged.

    CONCLUSIONS: The OW of HUSM is effective in managing adult patients as determined by the hospitalisation rate and the length of stay.
11. Fulltext Angioarchitecture of brain arteriovenous malformations and the risk of bleeding: an analysis of patients in northeastern malaysia

    Kandai S, Abdullah MS, Naing NN

    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):44-8.

    PMID: 22135525

    Abstract

    Central nervous system arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a vascular malformation of the brain and involves entanglement of veins and arteries without an intervening capillary bed. Affecting predominantly young male patients, AVM presents with different clinical manifestations namely headache, seizures, neurological deficit and intracranial haemorrhage. The patients who present acutely with intracranial bleeding have a significant morbidity and mortality. The aim is to study the angioarchitecture of brain AVM (BAVM) and determine the risk factors for intracranial bleeding. Ultimately, the goal of the study is to look for the association between volume of haematoma and architecture of BAVM.

    MeSH terms: Arteries; Brain; Capillaries; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations; Goals; Headache; Hematoma; Humans; Male; Risk Factors; Seizures; Intracranial Hemorrhages
12. Fulltext Phonophobia and hyperacusis: practical points from a case report

    Asha'ari ZA, Mat Zain N, Razali A

    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):49-51.

    PMID: 22135526 MyJurnal

    Abstract

    Phonophobia and hyperacusis are two separate but closely related symptoms that are often mistakenly used in clinical practice as the same entity. Here we present a case report to highlight the distinguishing features of both and discuss the steps of management in these conditions. It is vital for the attending doctors to recognise hyperacusis and phonophobia as different entities to manage them successfully.

    MeSH terms: Auditory Pathways; Health Personnel; Medical Staff, Hospital; Hyperacusis; Tinnitus
13. Fulltext An unexpected cause of hoarseness of voice in a healthy teenager

    Wong SL, Ibrahim ZA

    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):52-5.

    PMID: 22135527 MyJurnal

    Abstract

    Laryngeal amyloidosis is a rare cause of stridor in a healthy young adult. We report a case of localised laryngeal amyloidosis, including our MRI findings, which included a necrotic centre that has not previously been described. This case also highlights the need for a high index of clinical suspicion to achieve the correct histopathological interpretation.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Amyloidosis; Humans; Laryngeal Diseases; Larynx; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Necrosis; Respiratory Sounds; Young Adult
14. Fulltext Endoscopic-assisted Enucleation of Radicular Cysts - A Case Report

    Kahairi A, Ahmed Khan S, Amirozi A

    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):56-9.

    PMID: 22135528

    Abstract

    The standard management for the majority of benign jaw cysts is enucleation, marsupialisation, curettage and decompression. Enucleation has the advantage that the whole specimen is sent for microscopic evaluation so that more sinister pathological processes (i.e. squamous cell carcinoma) may not be missed. In a large cystic lesion, enucleation is still possible, but technical difficulties might be encountered. In such instances, inevitable damage can occur to the surrounding structures. We report a case of a large radicular cyst of the maxilla that was enucleated via endoscopic assistance through the Caldwell Luc approach.

    MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Curettage; Jaw Cysts; Maxilla; Radicular Cyst; Decompression, Surgical; Neurosurgical Procedures
15. Fulltext Scalene myofascial pain syndrome mimicking cervical disc prolapse: a report of two cases

    Abd Jalil N, Awang MS, Omar M

    Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jan;17(1):60-6.

    PMID: 22135529 MyJurnal

    Abstract

    Scalene myofascial pain syndrome is a regional pain syndrome wherein pain originates over the neck area and radiates down to the arm. This condition may present as primary or secondary to underlying cervical pathology. Although scalene myofascial pain syndrome is a well known medical entity, it is often misdiagnosed as being some other neck pain associated with radiculopathy, such as cervical disc prolapse, cervical spinal stenosis and thoracic outlet syndrome. Because scalene myofascial pain syndrome mimics cervical radiculopathy, this condition often leads to mismanagement, which can, in turn, result in persistent pain and suffering. In the worst-case scenarios, patients may be subjected to unjustifiable surgical intervention. Because the clinical findings in scalene myofascial pain syndrome are "pathognomonic", clinicians should be aware of ways to recognize this disorder and be able to differentiate it from other conditions that present with neck pain and rediculopathy. We present two cases of unilateral scalene myofascial pain syndrome that significantly impaired the patients' functioning and quality of life. This case report serves to create awareness about the existence of the syndrome and to highlight the potential morbidity due to clinical misdiagnosis.

    MeSH terms: Diagnostic Errors; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Prolapse; Quality of Life; Radiculopathy; Spinal Stenosis; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome; Neck Pain
16. Fulltext Improved classification of Orthosiphon stamineus by data fusion of electronic nose and tongue sensors

    Zakaria A, Shakaff AY, Adom AH, Ahmad MN, Masnan MJ, Aziz AH, et al.

    Sensors (Basel), 2010;10(10):8782-96.

    PMID: 22163381 DOI: 10.3390/s101008782

    Abstract

    An improved classification of Orthosiphon stamineus using a data fusion technique is presented. Five different commercial sources along with freshly prepared samples were discriminated using an electronic nose (e-nose) and an electronic tongue (e-tongue). Samples from the different commercial brands were evaluated by the e-tongue and then followed by the e-nose. Applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA) separately on the respective e-tongue and e-nose data, only five distinct groups were projected. However, by employing a low level data fusion technique, six distinct groupings were achieved. Hence, this technique can enhance the ability of PCA to analyze the complex samples of Orthosiphon stamineus. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) was then used to further validate and classify the samples. It was found that the LDA performance was also improved when the responses from the e-nose and e-tongue were fused together.

    MeSH terms: Electronics/methods*; Food Technology/methods*; Nose; Taste*; Tongue; Discriminant Analysis; Principal Component Analysis/methods; Orthosiphon/classification*
17. Fulltext Image reconstruction of a charge coupled device based optical tomographic instrumentation system for particle sizing

    Idroas M, Rahim RA, Green RG, Ibrahim MN, Rahiman MH

    Sensors (Basel), 2010;10(10):9512-28.

    PMID: 22163423 DOI: 10.3390/s101009512

    Abstract

    This research investigates the use of charge coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) linear image sensors in an optical tomographic instrumentation system used for sizing particles. The measurement system, consisting of four CCD linear image sensors are configured around an octagonal shaped flow pipe for a four projections system is explained. The four linear image sensors provide 2,048 pixel imaging with a pixel size of 14 micron × 14 micron, hence constituting a high-resolution system. Image reconstruction for a four-projection optical tomography system is also discussed, where a simple optical model is used to relate attenuation due to variations in optical density, [R], within the measurement section. Expressed in matrix form this represents the forward problem in tomography [S] [R] = [M]. In practice, measurements [M] are used to estimate the optical density distribution by solving the inverse problem [R] = [S](-1)[M]. Direct inversion of the sensitivity matrix, [S], is not possible and two approximations are considered and compared-the transpose and the pseudo inverse sensitivity matrices.

    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation*; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation*; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Particle Size*; Tomography, Optical/instrumentation*; Tomography, Optical/methods*
18. Fulltext A potentiometric formaldehyde biosensor based on immobilization of alcohol oxidase on acryloxysuccinimide-modified acrylic microspheres

    Ling YP, Heng LY

    Sensors (Basel), 2010;10(11):9963-81.

    PMID: 22163450 DOI: 10.3390/s101109963

    Abstract

    A new alcohol oxidase (AOX) enzyme-based formaldehyde biosensor based on acrylic microspheres has been developed. Hydrophobic poly(n-butyl acrylate-N-acryloxy-succinimide) [poly(nBA-NAS)] microspheres, an enzyme immobilization matrix, was synthesized using photopolymerization in an emulsion form. AOX-poly(nBA-NAS) microspheres were deposited on a pH transducer made from a layer of photocured and self-plasticized polyacrylate membrane with an entrapped pH ionophore coated on a Ag/AgCl screen printed electrode (SPE). Oxidation of formaldehyde by the immobilized AOX resulted in the production of protons, which can be determined via the pH transducer. Effects of buffer concentrations, pH and different amount of immobilization matrix towards the biosensor's analytical performance were investigated. The formaldehyde biosensor exhibited a dynamic linear response range to formaldehyde from 0.3-316.2 mM and a sensitivity of 59.41 ± 0.66 mV/decade (R(2) = 0.9776, n = 3). The lower detection limit of the biosensor was 0.3 mM, while reproducibility and repeatability were 3.16% RSD (relative standard deviation) and 1.11% RSD, respectively (n = 3). The use of acrylic microspheres in the potentiometric formaldehyde biosensor improved the biosensor's performance in terms of response time, linear response range and long term stability when compared with thick film immobilization methods.

    MeSH terms: Alcohol Oxidoreductases/chemistry*; Enzymes, Immobilized; Microspheres*; Potentiometry/methods*; Succinimides/chemistry*; Biosensing Techniques/methods*
19. Fulltext System interface for an integrated intelligent safety system (ISS) for vehicle applications

    Hannan MA, Hussain A, Samad SA

    Sensors (Basel), 2010;10(2):1141-53.

    PMID: 22205861 DOI: 10.3390/s100201141

    Abstract

    This paper deals with the interface-relevant activity of a vehicle integrated intelligent safety system (ISS) that includes an airbag deployment decision system (ADDS) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). A program is developed in LabWindows/CVI, using C for prototype implementation. The prototype is primarily concerned with the interconnection between hardware objects such as a load cell, web camera, accelerometer, TPM tire module and receiver module, DAQ card, CPU card and a touch screen. Several safety subsystems, including image processing, weight sensing and crash detection systems, are integrated, and their outputs are combined to yield intelligent decisions regarding airbag deployment. The integrated safety system also monitors tire pressure and temperature. Testing and experimentation with this ISS suggests that the system is unique, robust, intelligent, and appropriate for in-vehicle applications.

    MeSH terms: Algorithms; Computer Systems; Humans; Safety*; Software*
20. Fulltext Real-time gas identification by analyzing the transient response of capillary-attached conductive gas sensor

    Bahraminejad B, Basri S, Isa M, Hambli Z

    Sensors (Basel), 2010;10(6):5359-77.

    PMID: 22219666 DOI: 10.3390/s100605359

    Abstract

    In this study, the ability of the Capillary-attached conductive gas sensor (CGS) in real-time gas identification was investigated. The structure of the prototype fabricated CGS is presented. Portions were selected from the beginning of the CGS transient response including the first 11 samples to the first 100 samples. Different feature extraction and classification methods were applied on the selected portions. Validation of methods was evaluated to study the ability of an early portion of the CGS transient response in target gas (TG) identification. Experimental results proved that applying extracted features from an early part of the CGS transient response along with a classifier can distinguish short-chain alcohols from each other perfectly. Decreasing time of exposition in the interaction between target gas and sensing element improved the reliability of the sensor. Classification rate was also improved and time of identification was decreased. Moreover, the results indicated the optimum interval of the early transient response of the CGS for selecting portions to achieve the best classification rates.

    MeSH terms: Computer Systems; Electric Conductivity; Equipment Design; Gases/analysis*; Models, Biological; Time Factors; Biosensing Techniques/classification; Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation*; Neural Networks (Computer); Capillary Tubing*; Support Vector Machine