Browse publications by year: 2011

First Report of Bark Dieback on Blueberry Caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea in Korea

Choi IY

Plant Dis, 2011 Feb;95(2):227.
PMID: 30743439 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-05-10-0371

This study was conducted to identify the causal organism of bark dieback disease of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) observed in Korea. Blueberry, a woody plant that is native to North America, belongs to the family Ericaceae and genus Vaccinium. Of the 400 species of blueberry in the world, most are distributed in the tropics of Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Highbush blueberry is abundantly grown in Canada and the United States and has become a popular commercial crop in Korea for products such as jam, wine, and sauce. Bark dieback disease of blueberry was found in Sunchang (<5% incidence), Jeollabuk-do, Korea in July 2009. Typical symptoms of the disease were blight and dieback on the stems with lesions extending along entire branches. Morphological examination revealed that the perithecia were of the globose type with a nipple, 155 to 490 (374.6) μm, and brown on the dead bark. Asci were bitunicate and clavate or cylindrical with dimensions of 63 to 125 × 16 to 20 μm and containing eight ascospores. Ascospores were of the long ovoid type with dimensions of 13.2 to 23.7 (17.98) × 25.4 to 41.1 (33.21) μm. From extracted genomic DNA, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-5.8S ribosomal DNA region was amplified with universal primers ITS1 (5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3') and ITS4 (5'-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3'). A BLAST search of GenBank with the ITS sequence revealed that the Sunchang isolate (GenBank Accession No. HQ384217) had 99 to 100% sequence identity with the following Botryosphaeria dothidea accessions: FJ517657, AJ938005, FJ478129, FJ171723, and AJ938004. Phylogenetic analysis with the Sunchang isolate, B. dothidea strains, and related species revealed that the B. dothidea isolate and strains comprised a monophyletic group distinguished from other Botryosphaeria spp. including B. ribis, B. parva, B. protearum, B. lutea, B. australis, B. rhodina, B. obtuse, and B. stevensii (2). On the basis of morphological and molecular results, the isolate was identified as B. dothidea (Moug.) Ces. & De Not. A culture of B. dothidea isolate was grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA) for 10 days. A 5-mm plug was inoculated into stem wounds created with a No. 2 cork borer in 20 2-year-old disease-free blueberry plants grown in a greenhouse. Six plants inoculated with only PDA plugs served as noninoculated controls. The wounds were covered with Parafilm. After 3 months, the Parafilm was removed and black lesions were observed at the fungal inoculation sites, while no lesion was observed on the control plants. To complete Koch's postulates, the fungus was reisolated from the lesions and confirmed to be B. Dothidea (1). There is an urgent need to determine the spread of this disease in Korea, estimate the losses, and develop methods for reducing damage through biological and eco-friendly cultural control methods. References: (1) D. Jurc et al. Plant Pathol. 55:299, 2006. (2) B. Slippers et al. Mycologia 96:83, 2004.

MeSH terms: Agar; Malaysia; Nipples; Paraffin; Phylogeny; Solanum tuberosum; United States; Wine; Incidence; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Plant Bark; Ericaceae; Vaccinium; Databases, Nucleic Acid; Republic of Korea
First Report of Spiroplasma citri (-Induced) Associated with Periwinkle Lethal Yellows in Southeast Asia

Nejat N, Vadamalai G, Sijam K, Dickinson M

Plant Dis, 2011 Oct;95(10):1312.
PMID: 30731679 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-03-11-0251

Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, is a member of the Apocynaceae plant family that is native to Madagascar and produces dimeric terpenoid indole alkaloids that are used in the treatment of hypertension and cancer. Periwinkle as an indicator plant is highly susceptible to phytoplasmas and spiroplasma infection from different crops, and has been found to be naturally infected with spiroplasmas in Arizona, California, and the Mediterranean countries. In this study, surveys of suspected diseased periwinkles were conducted in various regions of Selangor State, Malaysia. Periwinkles showing rapid decline in the number and size of the flowers, premature abscission of buds and flowers, reduction in leaf size, chlorosis of the leaf tips and margins, general chlorosis, and stunting and dying plants were collected. These symptoms were widespread on periwinkle in this state. Diagnosis of the disease was based on symptomatology, grafting, serology (ELISA), PCR techniques, and cultivation. Tests for transmission by grafting were conducted using symptomatic periwinkle plants. Symptoms were induced on all eight graft-inoculated healthy periwinkles approximately 2 weeks after side grafting. Preliminary examination was performed by ELISA with Spiroplasma citri Saglio polyclonal antibody that was prepared against an Iranian S. citri isolate (H. Rahimian, unpublished data). Leaf extracts of all 24 symptomatic periwinkles gave positive ELISA reactions at OD405 readings ranging from 0.310 to 0.654 to the antibody against S. citri by the indirect ELISA method. Six healthy periwinkle leaves gave OD405 readings around 0.128. Total nucleic acids were extracted from 10 symptomatic and 5 asymptomatic plants (4). PCR using the ScR16F1/ScR16R1 primer pair designed to detect S. citri in carrot and P1/P7 and secA for1/rev3 primer pairs designed for identification of phytoplasmas were used to detect the causal agent (1-3). Amplification failed when the P1/P7 universal phytoplasma primer pair was used for diseased samples. However, the PCR assays resulted in products of 1,833 and 800 bp with ScR16F1/ScR16R1 and secA for1/rev3, respectively. Five of each ScR16F1/ScR16R1 and SecAfor1/SecArev3 products were cloned with the Topo TA cloning kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA), sequenced, and deposited as GenBank Accession Nos. HM015669 and FJ011099, respectively. Sequences for both genes indicated that S. citri was associated with the disease on periwinkle. ScR16F1/ScR16R1 products cloned from symptomatic periwinkles had 98% sequence identity with S. citri (GenBank Accession No. AM285316), while nucleotide sequences of SecAfor1/SecArev3 products had 88% sequence identity with S. citri GII3-3X (GenBank Accession No. AM285304). S. citri was cultivated from 10 S. citri-infected periwinkles using filtration and SP-4 media. Twenty culture tubes started to change culture medium color from red to yellow 1 month after cultivation. Helical and motile S. citri was observed in the dark-field microscope. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence and occurrence of S. citri in Southeast Asia and its association with lethal yellows on periwinkle in Malaysia. References: (1) J. Hodgetts et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 58:1826, 2008. (2) I.-M. Lee et al. Phytopathology 85:728, 1995. (3) I.-M. Lee et al. Plant Dis. 90:989, 2006. (4) Y.-P. Zhang et al. J. Virol. Methods. 71:45, 1998.

MeSH terms: Antibodies; Arizona; California; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Growth Disorders; Hypertension; Iran; Madagascar; Malaysia; Neoplasms; Nucleic Acids; Nucleotides; Surveys and Questionnaires; Spiroplasma; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Daucus carota; Apocynaceae; Catharanthus; Databases, Nucleic Acid; Vinca; Flowers; Phytoplasma; Spiroplasma citri; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids; Plant Pathology
First Report of Fusarium Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae on Passion Fruit in North America

Rooney-Latham S, Blomquist CL, Scheck HJ

Plant Dis, 2011 Nov;95(11):1478.
PMID: 30731749 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-03-11-0261

Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis, known as purple passion fruit, is a woody, perennial vine that is grown for its attractive two-part flower and its purple, edible fruit (4). In November 2009, passion fruit vines were collected during a regulatory nursery inspection in Santa Barbara County and submitted to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Plant Pest Diagnostics Laboratory. Nearly 100% of the plants inspected, all of which were approximately 1.25 m tall, appeared stunted, defoliated, and severely wilted. Dark brown vascular discoloration was present in the roots and lower stems of the plants. A pinkish violet Fusarium oxysporum colony containing chlamydospores, multiseptate macroconidia, and microconidia formed on monophialidic conidiophores was consistently isolated from roots and stems onto half-strength acidified potato dextrose agar (aPDA). All further experiments were done with an isolate obtained from a single conidium. A portion of the translation elongation factor gene (TEF-1α) was amplified and sequenced with primers ef1 and ef2 from our isolate (GenBank No. JF332039) (3). BLAST analysis of the 615-bp amplicon with the FUSARIUM-ID database showed 99% similarity with a F. oxysporum passion fruit isolate from Australia (NRRL 38273) (3). To confirm pathogenicity, washed roots of four-leaf stage seedlings approximately 10 cm tall were submerged in a conidial spore suspension (106 spores/ml) for 15 min. The conidial suspension was prepared by flooding 10-day-old cultures grown on aPDA medium with sterile distilled water. Seven seedlings were inoculated and planted in 10-cm2 pots and kept in a 25°C growth chamber with a 12-h photoperiod. Seven seedlings were mock inoculated with sterile water. After 3 weeks, four of the seven inoculated plants had leaves with yellow veins and discolored roots and had partially defoliated. Two of the four symptomatic plants also had brown stem cankers. F. oxysporum grew from the isolated roots and stems of all the inoculated plants. F. oxysporum did not grow from root and stem pieces from the water-dipped plants and the plants remained asymptomatic. Inoculations were repeated on plants approximately 15 cm tall with F. oxysporum growing from roots and stem pieces of all inoculated plants. Symptoms of yellow veins and root necrosis were not observed until 4 weeks after inoculation. Fusarium wilt caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae is a significant disease of P. edulis f. edulis in Australia. The disease has also been reported in South Africa, Malaysia, Brazil, Panama, and Venezuela; but it is unclear as to whether the symptoms were caused by Fusarium wilt or Haematonectria canker (1). Banana poka (P. mollissima), P. ligularis, and P. foetida are also susceptible hosts (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Fusarium wilt caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. passiflorae on passion fruit in North America. Passion fruit is not commercially produced for consumption in California so the economic importance of this disease appears to be limited to nursery production and ornamental landscapes. The grower of the California nursery stated that the infected passion fruit plants had been propagated on site from seed. The source of inoculum at this nursery remains unknown. References: (1) I. H. Fischer and J. A. M. Rezende. Pest Tech. 2:1, 2008 (2) D. E. Garder. Plant. Dis. 73:476, 1989. (3) D. M. Geiser et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:473, 2004. (4) F. W. Martin et al. Econ. Bot. 24:333, 1970.

MeSH terms: Agar; Brazil; Fruit; Fusarium; Solanum tuberosum; South Africa; Spores, Fungal; Venezuela; Virulence; Water; Photoperiod; Musa; Passiflora; Databases, Nucleic Acid; Seedlings
First Report of Soft Rot Caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum on Cucumber in Malaysia

Nazerian E, Sijam K, Zainal Abidin MA, Vadamalai G

Plant Dis, 2011 Nov;95(11):1474.
PMID: 30731752 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-10-10-0754

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most important vegetable fruits in Malaysia. Cucumber is principally grown in the states of Johor, Kelantan, and Perak. The broad host range Enterobacteriaceae pathogen, Pectobacterium carotovorum, can cause soft rot on stems or cucumber fruit. In Malaysia, cucumber is produced in a warm, humid climate, thus the plant is susceptible to attack by P. carotovorum at any time during production. In 2010, cucumber samples with wilted and chlorotic leaves, water-soaked lesions, and collapsed fruits were found in multiple fields. Small pieces of infected stems and fruit were immersed in 5 ml of saline solution (0.85% NaCl) for 20 min and then 50 μl of this suspension was spread onto nutrient agar (NA) and incubated at 27°C for 24 h. White-to-pale gray colonies with irregular margins were selected for analysis. For pathogenicity tests, cucumber fruits were surface sterilized by ethyl alcohol 70%, washed with sterilized distilled water, cut into small pieces, and inoculated with 20 μl of 108 CFU/ml suspensions of five representative strains. Cucumber plants were grown for 3 weeks in sterilized soil and their stems were inoculated with 20 μl of 108 CFU/ml of bacterial suspension. Inoculated samples and control (noninoculated) plants were placed in a growth chamber with 80 to 90% relative humidity at 27°C. Symptoms occurred on fruit slices and stems after 1 to 3 days and appeared the same as naturally infected samples, but the control samples remained healthy. Koch's postulates were fulfilled with the reisolation of cultures with the same characteristics as described earlier. Hypersensitivity reaction (HR) assays were done by infiltrating 108 CFU/ml of bacterial suspension into tobacco leaf epidermis and HR developed. All strains were subjected to biochemical and morphological assays, as well as molecular assessment. The strains were gram negative, facultative anaerobes, rod shaped, able to macerate potato slices and growth at 37°C; catalase positive; oxidase and phosphatase negative; able to degrade pectate; sensitive to erythromycin; negative for utilization of α-methyl glycoside, indole production, and reduction of sugars from sucrose; acid production from arabitol, sorbitol, and utilization of citrate were negative, but positive for raffinose and melibiose utilization. PCR amplification of the pel gene by Y1 and Y2 primers produced a 434-bp fragment on agarose gel 1% (1). Amplification of intergenic transcribed spacer region by G1 and L1 primers gave two main bands at approximately 535 and 580 bp on agarose gel 1.5%. The ITS-PCR products were digested with RsaI restriction enzyme (3). On the basis of biochemical and morphological characteristics, PCR-based pel gene and characterization of the ITS region, and digestion of the ITS-PCR products with RsaI restriction enzyme, all isolates were identified as P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of soft rot caused by P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum on cucumber from Malaysia. References: (1) A. Darraas et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 60:1437, 1994. (2) N. W Schaad et al. Laboratory Guide for the Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria. 3rd ed. The American Phytopathological Society Press, St. Paul, 2001. (3) I. K. Toth et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 67:4070, 2001.

MeSH terms: Agar; Catalase; Fruit; Melibiose; Solanum tuberosum; Raffinose; Sepharose; Sodium Chloride; Tobacco; United States; Vegetables; Pectobacterium carotovorum; Cucumis sativus
Comparing physicochemical properties of banana pulp and peel flours prepared from green and ripe fruits

Alkarkhi AFM, Ramli SB, Yong YS, Easa AM

Food Chem, 2011 Nov 15;129(2):312-318.
PMID: 30634232 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.04.060

Banana pulp and peel flour prepared from green and ripe Cavendish banana were assessed for physicochemical properties such as pH, total soluble solids (TSS), water holding capacity (WHC) and oil holding capacity (OHC) at 40, 60 and 80°C, colour values L∗, a∗ and b∗, back extrusion force (BEF) and viscosity. Data obtained were analysed by MANOVA, discriminant analysis and cluster analysis. All statistical analyses showed that physicochemical properties of flour prepared from pulp and peel, and green and ripe banana were different from each other. TSS, WHC40, WHC60 and BEF can be used to discriminate between peel and pulp flour, whilst TSS and viscosity can be used to discriminate between flour prepared from green and ripe banana.
The use of Fourier transform mid infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy for detection and quantification of adulteration in virgin coconut oil

Rohman A, Che Man YB

Food Chem, 2011 Nov 15;129(2):583-588.
PMID: 30634271 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.04.070

Currently, the authentication of virgin coconut oil (VCO) has become very important due to the possible adulteration of VCO with cheaper plant oils such as corn (CO) and sunflower (SFO) oils. Methods involving Fourier transform mid infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics techniques (partial least square (PLS) and discriminant analysis (DA)) were developed for quantification and classification of CO and SFO in VCO. MIR spectra of oil samples were recorded at frequency regions of 4000-650cm-1 on horizontal attenuated total reflectance (HATR) attachment of FTIR. DA can successfully classify VCO and that adulterated with CO and SFO using 10 principal components. Furthermore, PLS model correlates the actual and FTIR estimated values of oil adulterants (CO and SFO) with coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.999.

MeSH terms: Callosities; Zea mays; Fourier Analysis; Helianthus; Plant Oils; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Discriminant Analysis; Least-Squares Analysis; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
Centenary celebrations article: Plasmodium knowlesi: from macaque monkeys to humans in South-east Asia and the risk of its spread in India

Subbarao SK

J Parasit Dis, 2011 Oct;35(2):87-93.
PMID: 23024487

The identification of a large focus of Plasmodium knowlesi in Malaysian Borneo and subsequent reports from several countries in South-east Asia has led its recognition as the fifth human malaria parasite. The natural preferred hosts of this species still continue to be macaque monkeys that live in broad-leaf rain forests. This review describes the distribution of macaque monkeys, the Anopheles species belonging to the Leucosphyrus Group that have been incriminated as vectors, morphological and clinical features of this parasite, and the transmission cycles that have been identified for this parasite. As the North-eastern states of India share their borders with P. knowlesi malaria endemic countries and because travelers from countries in South-east Asia visit India and vice versa, risks of this parasite entering India and its spread are also discussed.
Metabolism studies of the Kratom alkaloid speciociliatine, a diastereomer of the main alkaloid mitragynine, in rat and human urine using liquid chromatography-linear ion trap mass spectrometry

Philipp AA, Wissenbach DK, Weber AA, Zapp J, Maurer HH

Anal Bioanal Chem, 2011 Mar;399(8):2747-53.
PMID: 21249338 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-011-4660-9

Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom) is currently used as a drug of abuse. When monitoring its abuse in urine, several alkaloids and their metabolites must be considered. In former studies, mitragynine (MG), its diastereomer speciogynine (SG), and paynantheine and their metabolites could be identified in rat and human urine using LC-MS(n). In Kratom users' urines, besides MG and SG, further isomeric compounds were detected. To elucidate whether the MG and SG diastereomer speciociliatine (SC) and its metabolites represent further compounds, the phase I and II metabolites of SC were identified first in rat urine after the administration of the pure alkaloid. Then, the identified rat metabolites were screened for in the urine of Kratom users using the above-mentioned LC-MS(n) procedure. Considering the mass spectra and retention times, it could be confirmed that SC and its metabolites are so far the unidentified isomers in human urine. In conclusion, SC and its metabolites can be used as further markers for Kratom use, especially by consumption of raw material or products that contain a high amount of fruits of the Malaysian plant M. speciosa.

MeSH terms: Animals; Chromatography, Liquid/methods*; Humans; Plant Extracts/metabolism; Plant Extracts/urine*; Plant Extracts/chemistry; Mass Spectrometry/methods*; Stereoisomerism; Substance Abuse Detection/methods*; Mitragyna/chemistry*; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/metabolism; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/urine*; Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/chemistry; Rats
Fulltext Lymphoma presenting as gynaecomastia

Mahmood S, Sabih Z, Sabih D

Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2011 Apr;7(2):e10.
PMID: 22287984 DOI: 10.2349/biij.7.2.e10

Breast lymphoma is an uncommon neoplasm affecting the breast and is extremely rare in males. While gynaecomastia is common and in most cases benign, it can sometimes result from significant pathology and the physician should keep in mind the possible diseases that can lead to gynaecomastia. This paper reports a case of lymphoma presenting as unilateral gynaecomastia. The paper discusses the differential diagnosis and emphasises the points that should raise the suspicion of pathology.Mammography, high resolution ultrasound and biopsy findings are discussed and literature survey is presented.

MeSH terms: Biopsy; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; Gynecomastia; Humans; Lymphoma; Male; Mammography; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ultrasonography
Fulltext An Uncommon Hero: MK Rajakumar in Politics and Medicine

Tan P L

ISBN: 978-967-5832-27-7

Citation: Tan PL. An Uncommon Hero: MK Rajakumar in Politics and Medicine. Petaling Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia: Strategic Information and Research Development Centre; 2011.

Many witness momentous events in their lives, but few participate, much less leave their mark. Dr M K Rajakumar, on the contrary, left an indelible mark at every phase of his eventful life.

MeSH terms: Humans
Clinical efficacy and safety evaluation of tailoring iron chelation practice in thalassaemia patients from Asia-Pacific: a subanalysis of the EPIC study of deferasirox

Viprakasit V, Ibrahim H, Ha SY, Ho PJ, Li CK, Chan LL, et al.

Int J Hematol, 2011 Mar;93(3):319-328.
PMID: 21374076 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-011-0789-8

Although thalassaemia is highly prevalent in the Asia-Pacific region, clinical data on efficacy and safety profiles of deferasirox in patients from this region are rather limited. Recently, data from the multicentre Evaluation of Patients' Iron Chelation with Exjade (EPIC) study in 1744 patients with different anaemias has provided an opportunity to analyse 1115 thalassaemia patients, of whom 444 patients were from five countries in the Asia-Pacific region (AP) for whom thalassaemia management and choice of iron chelators were similar. Compared to the rest of the world (ROW), baseline clinical data showed that the AP group appeared to be more loaded with iron (3745.0 vs. 2822.0 ng/ml) and had a higher proportion on deferoxamine monotherapy prior to the study (82.9 vs. 58.9%). Using a starting deferasirox dose based on transfusional iron intake and tailoring it to individual patient response, clinical efficacy based on serum ferritin reduction in AP and ROW thalassaemia patients was similar. Interestingly, the AP group developed a higher incidence of drug-related skin rash compared to ROW (18.0 vs. 7.2%), which may indicate different pharmacogenetic backgrounds in the two populations. Our analysis confirms that, with appropriate adjustment of dose, deferasirox can be clinically effective across different regions, with manageable side effects.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Asia, Southeastern; Benzoates/administration & dosage*; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Ferritins/blood; Humans; Iron Chelating Agents/administration & dosage*; Male; Thalassemia/blood; Thalassemia/drug therapy*; Triazoles/administration & dosage*
Chronic adult primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in the Asia-Pacific region

Heng LL, Caguioa P, Chin NS, Chiou TJ, Lee JW, Miyakawa Y, et al.

Int J Hematol, 2011 Aug;94(2):142-149.
PMID: 21766185 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-011-0894-8

Patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) from the Asia-Pacific region often exhibit characteristics distinct from those of patients from the West. Moreover, as the region itself is heterogeneous, the ITP landscape among individual Asia-Pacific countries can be diverse. The recently released international consensus report on ITP places new emphasis on ITP, but does not address the unique ITP landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to 60% of the world's population. In an attempt to characterize how the ITP landscape differs between the West and the Asia-Pacific region, an expert panel with representatives from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia was convened. Important differences were identified between the guidance provided in the international consensus report and experience in the Asia-Pacific region, namely diagnostic practices, incidence and approach to ITP secondary to H. pylori infection, systemic lupus erythematosus-related ITP, the use of bone marrow examination, initial treatment strategies, and the role of splenectomy, rituximab, and thrombopoietin receptor agonists.

MeSH terms: Adult; Asia/ethnology; Asia/epidemiology; Ethnic Groups; Far East/ethnology; Far East/epidemiology; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic
Fulltext Knowledge and attitude of women regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, its relationship to cervical cancer and prevention methods

Farzaneh F, Esmaeilnia H, Barouti E, Salehpour S, Khodakarami N, Alizadeh K, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2011 Dec;66(5):468-73.
PMID: 22390103

This study aimed to determine knowledge and attitude of women to HPV and its association with cervical cancer and prevention methods. In a cross-sectional study, 500 women, aged between 20 and 50 presenting to local health centers in Tehran, were asked about demographic factors and questioned about cervical cancer, HPV, and prevention methods. Responses were tabulated and summarized. Although knowledge of HPV, its relation to cervical cancer and prevention methods among Iranian women is not enough, their attitude towards education in this regards is extremely high. The results reflect the need of advertising and educational programs for public about HPV prevention methods, to reduce the prevalence of this infection and its severe consequences.

MeSH terms: Adult; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Iran/epidemiology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Focus Groups; Papillomavirus Infections*; Papillomavirus Vaccines*
Implementation of problem-based learning in child and adolescent psychiatry: shared experiences of a special-interest study group

Skokauskas N, Guerrero APS, Hanson MD, Coll X, Paul M, Szatmari P, et al.

Acad Psychiatry, 2011 Jul-Aug;35(4):249-251.
PMID: 21804045 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ap.35.4.249

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Problem-based learning (PBL) represents a major development and change in educational practice that continues to have a large impact across subjects and disciplines worldwide. It would seem that child and adolescent psychiatry, because of its inherently integrative, bio-psycho-social nature and emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, would be a specialty learned optimally through PBL. Thus, there was a need to establish an international group where experiences in implementing PBL in child and adolescent psychiatry could be shared. This article reports on the first meeting and plans of the Problem-Based Learning in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) Special Interest Study Group (SISG), held at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

METHODS: Through international collaboration and information-sharing, the SISG aims to promote knowledge among Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists on PBL, to explore evaluation methods of PBL in CAP, and to discuss development of PBL-based curricula.

RESULTS: Problem-based learning (PBL) represents a major change in education that has had a large impact across disciplines worldwide.

CONCLUSION: The core steps in PBL are the following: presentation of the initial problem; discussion of the problem, and development of learning objectives; independent learning focused on the objectives; and discussion, exploration of new ideas, and discovery of solutions in the reconvened group. Different from the traditional teacher's role, the PBL tutor is an active facilitator who guides learners to identify issues and ways to learn, rather than a "content expert" who provides facts.

MeSH terms: Adolescent Psychiatry/education*; Adolescent Psychiatry/methods; Adolescent Psychiatry/trends; Child Psychiatry/education*; Child Psychiatry/methods; Child Psychiatry/trends; Cooperative Behavior; Curriculum/standards; Curriculum/trends; Humans; Public Opinion*; Problem-Based Learning*
Fulltext Posterior reversible encephalopathy in undiagnosed systemic lupus erythematous: a case report

Sulaiman W, Husin NM, Baba MS

Oman Med J, 2011 Nov;26(6):e026.
PMID: 28861180 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2011.119

A 33-year old Malay woman with undiagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other comorbids presented with acute glomerularnephritis, hypertensive emergency and later acute confusional state. Cranial MRI revealed features consistent with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).

MeSH terms: Confusion; Female; Humans; Hypertension, Malignant; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Malaysia; Skull; Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome
Fulltext Separate Belly and Tendon of Flexor Digitorum Superficialis to the Fifth Digit

Rao M, Ashwini LS, Somayaji SN, Mishra S, Guru A, Rao A

Oman Med J, 2011 Nov;26(6):e027.
PMID: 28861181 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2011.120

Variation in the origin of long flexor tendons in the anterior compartment of forearm is common. During routine cadaveric dissection at Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus), we observed a separate muscle belly and tendon of flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) to the fifth digit in the right upper limb of a 60 year-old male cadaver. The anomalous muscle belly originated from the common flexor tendon from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and continued as a thin tendon at the middle of the forearm to get inserted into the middle phalanx of the fifth digit. This can be considered as a case of split flexor digitorum superficialis. Such muscle variations and knowledge of their frequency, appearance, and location can be helpful for surgeons.

MeSH terms: Cadaver; Fingers; Forearm; Humerus; Male; Tendons; Muscle, Skeletal; Surgeons
An integrative look at frugivory and seed dispersal studies

Campos-Arceiz A, Steele MA, Carlo TA, Xiong W

Integr Zool, 2011 Jun;6(2):71-73.
PMID: 21645272 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2011.00241.x
MeSH terms: Animals; Diet*; Feeding Behavior; Fruit*; Seed Dispersal*
Fulltext Adult-onset Still's disease: a case report

Ong PS, Sulaiman W

Oman Med J, 2011 Sep;26(5):e022.
PMID: 28845225 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2011.96

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare clinical entity with unknown etiology, characterized by arthritis, fever, evanescent rash and other systemic presentations. This report described a 45-year-old male who presented with sore throat, fever, arthritis, evanescent rash, raised liver enzymes and hyperferritinemia. He was diagnosed to have AOSD based on Yamuguchi criteria after the exclusion of other potential diagnoses. The patient partially responded to combined celecoxib and prednisolone. He was also prescribed methotrexate and his symptoms improved.

MeSH terms: Celecoxib; Adult; Arthritis; Exanthema; Fever; Hospitals, General; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Methotrexate; Middle Aged; Pharyngitis; Prednisolone; Still's Disease, Adult-Onset
Reduced dose and duration of peginterferon alfa-2b and weight-based ribavirin in patients with genotype 2 and 3 chronic hepatitis C

Manns M, Zeuzem S, Sood A, Lurie Y, Cornberg M, Klinker H, et al.

J Hepatol, 2011 Sep;55(3):554-563.
PMID: 21237227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2010.12.024

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There is increasing interest in identifying patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 2 or 3 infection in whom it is possible to lower the burden of therapy while retaining high levels of efficacy.
METHODS: Treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 2/3 infection were randomized to receive peginterferon alfa-2b (1.5μg/kg/wk) for 24weeks (group A); peginterferon alfa-2b (1.0μg/kg/wk) for 24weeks (group B); or peginterferon alfa-2b (1.5μg/kg/wk) for 16weeks (group C), each in combination with weight-based ribavirin (800-1200mg/d). The study population comprised two cohorts: the Hep-Net cohort enrolled in Germany and an International cohort enrolled at study sites throughout Europe and Asia. The primary end point was sustained virological response (SVR).
RESULTS: The study included 682 patients; 80.2% had genotype 3 infection. In the intent-to-treat population, SVR rates were 66.5%, 64.3%, and 56.6% in groups A, B, and C, and were similar in Asian and white patients. Treatment differences (A vs. B and A vs. C) failed to reach the predefined margin for noninferiority of -10%; and thus groups B and C failed to show noninferiority relative to group A. Among patients with undetectable HCV RNA at week 4, SVR rates were 75.3%, 75.9%, and 72.4%, respectively. Relapse rates were 17.8%, 16.3%, and 29.3%, respectively. Treatment-emergent serious adverse events were highest in group A and lowest in group C, and adverse events leading to discontinuation were similar across treatment arms.
CONCLUSIONS: For patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 2/3 infection, 24weeks of peginterferon alfa-2b (1.5μg/kg/wk) plus weight-based ribavirin remains a standard-of-care therapy; however, treatment for 16weeks may be considered for patients with undetectable HCV RNA at week 4 of the treatment.

MeSH terms: Adult; Body Weight; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Genotype; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polyethylene Glycols/administration & dosage*; Polyethylene Glycols/adverse effects; Polyethylene Glycols/therapeutic use; Recombinant Proteins/administration & dosage; Recombinant Proteins/adverse effects; Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use; Recurrence; Ribavirin/administration & dosage*; Ribavirin/adverse effects; Ribavirin/therapeutic use; RNA, Viral/blood; Time Factors; Hepacivirus/genetics*; Interferon-alpha/administration & dosage*; Interferon-alpha/adverse effects; Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use; Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy*; Hepatitis C, Chronic/ethnology; Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology*; Intention to Treat Analysis
Fulltext Health care delivery in Malaysia: changes, challenges and champions

Thomas S, Beh L, Nordin RB

J Public Health Afr, 2011 Sep 05;2(2):e23.
PMID: 28299064 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2011.e23

Since 1957, there has been major reorganization of health care services in Malaysia. This article assesses the changes and challenges in health care delivery in Malaysia and how the management in health care processes has evolved over the years including equitable health care and health care financing. The health care service in Malaysia is changing towards wellness service as opposed to illness service. The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH), being the main provider of health services, may need to manage and mobilize better health care services by providing better health care financing mechanisms. It is recommended that partnership between public and private sectors with the extension of traditional medicine complementing western medicine in medical therapy continues in the delivery of health care.

MeSH terms: Delivery of Health Care; Health Services; Malaysia; Medicine, Traditional; Private Sector; Healthcare Financing

External Links