Browse publications by year: 2012

Fulltext Influence of chemical extraction conditions on the physicochemical and functional properties of polysaccharide gum from durian (Durio zibethinus) seed

Mirhosseini H, Amid BT

Molecules, 2012 May 29;17(6):6465-80.
PMID: 22643356 DOI: 10.3390/molecules17066465

Durian seed is an agricultural biomass waste of durian fruit. It can be a natural plant source of non-starch polysaccharide gum with potential functional properties. The main goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of chemical extraction variables (i.e., the decolouring time, soaking temperature and soaking time) on the physicochemical properties of durian seed gum. The physicochemical and functional properties of chemically-extracted durian seed gum were assessed by determining the particle size and distribution, solubility and the water- and oil-holding capacity (WHC and OHC). The present work revealed that the soaking time should be considered as the most critical extraction variable affecting the physicochemical properties of crude durian seed gum.

MeSH terms: Particle Size; Plant Extracts/chemistry*; Polysaccharides/chemistry*; Seeds/chemistry*; Solubility; Temperature; Bombacaceae/chemistry*; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
Governance and assessment in a widely distributed medical education program in Australia

Solarsh G, Lindley J, Whyte G, Fahey M, Walker A

Acad Med, 2012 Jun;87(6):807-14.
PMID: 22643380 DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0b013e318253226a

The learning objectives, curriculum content, and assessment standards for distributed medical education programs must be aligned across the health care systems and community contexts in which their students train. In this article, the authors describe their experiences at Monash University implementing a distributed medical education program at metropolitan, regional, and rural Australian sites and an offshore Malaysian site, using four different implementation models. Standardizing learning objectives, curriculum content, and assessment standards across all sites while allowing for site-specific implementation models created challenges for educational alignment. At the same time, this diversity created opportunities to customize the curriculum to fit a variety of settings and for innovations that have enriched the educational system as a whole.Developing these distributed medical education programs required a detailed review of Monash's learning objectives and curriculum content and their relevance to the four different sites. It also required a review of assessment methods to ensure an identical and equitable system of assessment for students at all sites. It additionally demanded changes to the systems of governance and the management of the educational program away from a centrally constructed and mandated curriculum to more collaborative approaches to curriculum design and implementation involving discipline leaders at multiple sites.Distributed medical education programs, like that at Monash, in which cohorts of students undertake the same curriculum in different contexts, provide potentially powerful research platforms to compare different pedagogical approaches to medical education and the impact of context on learning outcomes.

MeSH terms: Australia; Education, Medical/organization & administration*; Education, Medical/standards; Educational Measurement/methods; Educational Measurement/standards; Malaysia; Schools, Medical/organization & administration*; Schools, Medical/standards; Program Evaluation; Program Development/methods*; Program Development/standards
Aqueous ammonia pretreatment, saccharification, and fermentation evaluation of oil palm fronds for ethanol production

Jung YH, Kim S, Yang TH, Lee HJ, Seung D, Park YC, et al.

Bioprocess Biosyst Eng, 2012 Nov;35(9):1497-503.
PMID: 22644062 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-012-0739-8

Oil palm fronds are the most abundant lignocellulosic biomass in Malaysia. In this study, fronds were tested as the potential renewable biomass for ethanol production. The soaking in aqueous ammonia pretreatment was applied, and the fermentability of pretreated fronds was evaluated using simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. The optimal pretreatment conditions were 7 % (w/w) ammonia, 80 °C, 20 h of pretreatment, and 1:12 S/L ratio, where the enzymatic digestibility was 41.4 % with cellulase of 60 FPU/g-glucan. When increasing the cellulase loading in the hydrolysis of pretreated fronds, the enzymatic digestibility increased until the enzyme loading reached 60 FPU/g-glucan. With 3 % glucan loading in the SSF of pretreated fronds, the ethanol concentration and yield based on the theoretical maximum after 12 and 48 h of the SSF were 7.5 and 9.7 g/L and 43.8 and 56.8 %, respectively. The ethanol productivities found at 12 and 24 h from pretreated fronds were 0.62 and 0.36 g/L/h, respectively.

MeSH terms: Ethanol/metabolism*; Ammonia/chemistry*; Fermentation*; Hydrolysis; Lignin/chemistry*; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/growth & development*; Arecaceae/chemistry*
Vertical variation in leaf gas exchange parameters for a Southeast Asian tropical rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia

Kosugi Y, Takanashi S, Yokoyama N, Philip E, Kamakura M

J Plant Res, 2012 Nov;125(6):735-48.
PMID: 22644315 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-012-0495-5

Vertical variation in leaf gas exchange characteristics of trees grown in a lowland dipterocarp forest in Peninsular Malaysia was investigated. Maximum net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and electron transport rate of leaves at the upper canopy, lower canopy, and forest floor were studied in situ with saturated condition photosynthetic photon flux density. The dark respiration rate of leaves at the various heights was also studied. Relationships among gas exchange characteristics, and also with nitrogen content per unit leaf area and leaf dry matter per area were clearly detected, forming general equations representing the vertical profile of several important parameters related to gas exchange. Numerical analysis revealed that the vertical distribution of gas exchange parameters was well determined showing both larger carbon gain for the whole canopy and at the same time positive carbon gain for the leaves of the lowest layer. For correct estimation of gas exchange at both leaf and canopy scales using multi-layer models, it is essential to consider the vertical distribution of gas exchange parameters with proper scaling coefficients.

MeSH terms: Carbon/metabolism; Computer Simulation; Electron Transport; Gases/metabolism*; Geography; Humidity; Malaysia; Photosynthesis; Rain; Temperature; Tropical Climate; Plant Leaves/metabolism*; Plant Leaves/physiology; Cell Respiration; Dipterocarpaceae/metabolism*; Dipterocarpaceae/physiology; Plant Stomata/metabolism; Plant Stomata/physiology
Fulltext Genome sequence of an unclassified pleosporales species isolated from human nasopharyngeal aspirate

Ng KP, Yew SM, Chan CL, Soo-Hoo TS, Na SL, Hassan H, et al.

Eukaryot Cell, 2012 Jun;11(6):828.
PMID: 22645233 DOI: 10.1128/EC.00133-12

Pleosporales is the largest order in the fungal class Dothideomycetes. We report the 36,814,818-bp draft genome sequence and gene annotation of UM1110, a Pleosporales isolate associated with unclassified genera that is potentially a new fungal species. Analysis of the genome sequence led to the finding of genes associated with fungal adhesive proteins, secreted proteases, allergens, and pseudohyphal development.

MeSH terms: Ascomycota/classification; Ascomycota/genetics*; Ascomycota/isolation & purification*; Base Sequence; DNA, Fungal/genetics; Genes, Fungal/genetics; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Nasopharynx/microbiology*; Species Specificity; Suction; Genome, Fungal/genetics*
Fulltext Engineering the production of major catechins by Escherichia coli carrying metabolite genes of Camellia sinensis

Umar KM, Abdulkarim SM, Radu S, Abdul Hamid A, Saari N

ScientificWorldJournal, 2012;2012:529031.
PMID: 22645428 DOI: 10.1100/2012/529031

A mimicked biosynthetic pathway of catechin metabolite genes from C. sinensis, consisting of flavanone 3 hydroxylase (F3H), dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR), and leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LCR), was designed and arranged in two sets of constructs: (a) single promoter in front of F3H and ribosome-binding sequences both in front of DFR and LCR; (b) three different promoters with each in the front of the three genes and ribosome-binding sequences at appropriate positions. Recombinant E. coli BL (DE3) harbouring the constructs were cultivated for 65 h at 26 °C in M9 medium consisting of 40 g/L glucose, 1 mM IPTG, and 3 mM eriodictyol. Compounds produced were extracted in ethyl acetate in alkaline conditions after 1 h at room temperature and identified by HPLC. Two of the four major catechins, namely, (-)-epicatechin (0.01) and (-)-epicatechin gallate (0.36 mg/L), and two other types ((+)-catechin hydrate (0.13 mg/L) and (-)-catechin gallate (0.04 mg/L)) were successfully produced.

MeSH terms: Alcohol Oxidoreductases/genetics; Anthocyanins/metabolism; Catechin/genetics*; Catechin/chemistry; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods; Escherichia coli/genetics*; Escherichia coli/metabolism*; Genetic Engineering/methods; Mixed Function Oxygenases/genetics; Oxidoreductases/genetics; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Recombinant Proteins/chemistry; Ribosomes/chemistry; Temperature; Time Factors; Protein Engineering/methods*; Genes, Plant/genetics*; Camellia sinensis/metabolism*
Fulltext Correlation of oxidative stress with serum trace element levels and antioxidant enzyme status in Beta thalassemia major patients: a review of the literature

Shazia Q, Mohammad ZH, Rahman T, Shekhar HU

Anemia, 2012;2012:270923.
PMID: 22645668 DOI: 10.1155/2012/270923

Beta thalassemia major is an inherited disease resulting from reduction or total lack of beta globin chains. Patients with this disease need repeated blood transfusion for survival. This may cause oxidative stress and tissue injury due to iron overload, altered antioxidant enzymes, and other essential trace element levels. The aim of this review is to scrutinize the relationship between oxidative stress and serum trace elements, degree of damage caused by oxidative stress, and the role of antioxidant enzymes in beta thalassemia major patients. The findings indicate that oxidative stress in patients with beta thalassemia major is mainly caused by tissue injury due to over production of free radical by secondary iron overload, alteration in serum trace elements and antioxidant enzymes level. The role of trace elements like selenium, copper, iron, and zinc in beta thalassemia major patients reveals a significant change of these trace elements. Studies published on the status of antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione S-transferase in beta thalassemia patients also showed variable results. The administration of selective antioxidants along with essential trace elements and minerals to reduce the extent of oxidative damage and related complications in beta thalassemia major still need further evaluation.

MeSH terms: Humans; Trace Elements*; beta-Thalassemia*; Oxidative Stress*
Fulltext Growing teratoma syndrome: a rare case report and review of the literature

Kampan N, Irianta T, Djuana A, Pei Shan L, Hashim Omar M, Hatta Mohd Dali AZ

Case Rep Obstet Gynecol, 2012;2012:134032.
PMID: 22645693 DOI: 10.1155/2012/134032

Growing teratoma syndrome is rare and usually it occurs in the younger aged group. The use of chemotherapy following initial surgical resection will yield the diagnosis following tumour enlargement. Complete resection is usually curative and renders better prognosis.

MeSH terms: Hypertrophy; Prognosis; Syndrome; Teratoma
Tocotrienol rich fraction prevents fenitrothion induced pancreatic damage by restoring antioxidant status

Budin SB, Han CM, Jayusman PA, Taib IS

Pak J Biol Sci, 2012 Jun 01;15(11):517-23.
PMID: 24191625

Fenitrothion (FNT) is extensively used as pesticide and may induce oxidative stress in various organs. Tocotrienol, a form of vitamin E found in palm oil, reduces oxidative impairments in pathological conditions. This study aims to investigate the effects of palm oil tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) on fenitrothion-induced oxidative damage in rat pancreas. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control group, FNT group, TRF group and FNT+TRF group. Regimens FNT (20 mg kg(-1) b.wt.) and TRF (200 mg kg(-1) b.wt.) were force-fed for 28 consecutive days with control group only receiving corn oil. Chronic administration of fenitrothion significantly (p < 0.05) induced oxidative damage in pancreas of rats with elevated malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl level. Depletion of glutathione and significant (p < 0.05) reduction in antioxidant enzyme activities in pancreas homogenate additionally suggested induction of oxidative stress. Despite these changes in pancreas of intoxicated rats, no significant (p < 0.05) changes in blood glucose and pancreas histology were observed. Co-administration of FNT with TRF alleviated these oxidative changes and significantly (p < 0.05) restored antioxidant status. Enzymatic activities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) were normalized. In conclusion, tocotrienol rich fraction of palm oil prevents fenitrothion-induced pancreatic oxidative damage in rats.

MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/metabolism*; Blood Glucose/metabolism; Catalase/metabolism; Fenitrothion/toxicity*; Glutathione/metabolism; Homeostasis; Male; Malondialdehyde/metabolism; Pancreas/drug effects*; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Oxidative Stress*; Tocotrienols/pharmacology*; Protein Carbonylation; Rats
Fulltext Clubfoot: the treatment outcome using quantitative assessment of deformity

Rasit A, Rasit A, Azani H, Zabidah P, Merikan A, Nur Alyana B

Malays Orthop J, 2012 Jun;6(SupplA):2-5.
PMID: 25279066 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1211.002
Fulltext Osteoporotic compression fracture of spine treated with posterior instrumentation and transpedicular bone grafting

Foead A, Thanapipatsiri S, Pichaisak W, Varmvanij V

Malays Orthop J, 2012 Jun;6(SupplA):6-10.
PMID: 25279067 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1211.003

A series of 11 patients with osteoporotic compression fracture of the spine who underwent posterior instrumentation and transpedicular bone drafting in Siriraj Hospital Bangkok was analysed retrospectively. The indications for surgery were neurological deficit, kyphotic deformity and intractable pain. The mean follow up period was 10.1 months (range, 2.1 - 25.5 months). On follow up, all patients indicated recovery from pain. Most patients (7/11) regained one Frankel grade and one patient who was Frankel grade D preoperatively remained grade D postoperatively. Daily functionality improved in nine patients, but two patients still required aid for walking and standing. There was no pedicle screw loosening, pull-out or implant breakage as of the last date of follow up. Adjacent vertebrae also did not show any fracture or reduction in height. We conclude that this operative method is acceptable for osteoporotic fracture of the spine, although a longer period of follow up is needed to further evaluate its efficacy.
Fulltext Pre-injury demographic patterns of patients sustaining hip fractures in malaysia

Isnoni I, Mohamad Adam B, Murallitharam M, Tajuddin A, Jaya Purany S, Manmohan S, et al.

Malays Orthop J, 2012 Jun;6(SupplA):11-5.
PMID: 25279068 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1211.004

INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures entail a growing economic burden on the health care system. Study is warranted to further our understanding of its patterns and to create increased awareness in health care providers and the public.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was extracted from the ongoing National Orthopaedic Registry of Malaysia (NORM), for the period June 2008 till December 2009. Patients aged 50 years and above without previous pathological fracture hip fractures were included in the study.
RESULTS: Most hip fracture patients were 70 years and above (69.5%) with a mean (SD) age of 73.8 (10.3) years. Females represented the majority of the patients in this study (68.4%). Low energy trauma (i.e. trivial fall) was to the main mechanism of hip fractures in this study (81.3%).
CONCLUSIONS: Aging adults should be made aware of timely preventive strategies (including osteoporosis prevention) fall prevention measures, and encouraged to maintain physically active lifestyles.
KEY WORDS: Hip fracture, pre-fracture status.
Fulltext Outcome of calcaneoplasty in insertional achilles tendinopathy

Lim S, Yeap E, Lim Y, Yazid M

Malays Orthop J, 2012 Jun;6(SupplA):28-34.
PMID: 25279071 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1211.007

BACKGROUND:
Research is an essential activity required for the advancement of science and improvement of human existence. To carry out a research, a proposal is mandatory. However, in spite of the widespread demand for research proposals, experience has shown that a number of them are so poorly written that they rejected by assessors. This article aims at assisting researchers develop acceptable research proposals by reviewing the different components of a research proposal.
METHOD:
A review of relevant literature on research proposal writing sourced from manual library and internet search was used for this review
RESULT:
A research proposal is a formal and detailed statement of intent to carry out a research. It presents and justifies a plan of action and shows how the investigator thinks. A research protocol on the other hand is a plan written to seek approval for research from a supervisor or an organization. It is developed as a guide for a study and helps to keep the researcher focused on the topic and scope of the research. A research proposal has the following components: The Title page; The Abstract/Executive Summary; The Introduction/Statement of the Problem; Literature Review; Information on the applicant's centre; The Objectives/Research Questions/Hypotheses; The Study Design; Methods; Plans for Analysis; Data Analysis; Plans for Data Interpretation; Plans to report. Thus, although proposals and protocols are sometimes used interchangeably, a proposal precedes a protocol.
CONCLUSION:
To reduce the time wastage and frustration faced by intending researchers and their assessors it is essential that good proposals be written at all times.

MeSH terms: Achilles Tendon*; Adult; Humans; Malaysia; Prospective Studies; Tendinopathy*
Fulltext Congenital humeroradial synostosis: a case report

Nema S, Vyas G, Sirsikar A, Bhoj PK

Malays Orthop J, 2012 Jun;6(SupplA):41-2.
PMID: 25279074 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1211.010

We present here a unique case of humeroradial synostosis. These anomalies are due to longitudinal failure of differentiation. Approximately 150 cases of humeroradial synostosis have been reported worldwide, the majority of which are familial in nature or associated with syndromes. The case presented here involves an infant aged 1½ months, born with bilateral humeroradial synostosis without familial or syndromic association. To the best of our knowledge, no such case has been reported in Asia.

MeSH terms: Asia; Female; Humans; Humerus; Infant; Pregnancy; Radius; Syndrome; Synostosis; Parturition
Fulltext Management of osteonecrosis of the hip complicated with fracture: a case report

Chua Y, Wazir N, Chiu C, Kareem B

Malays Orthop J, 2012 Jun;6(SupplA):43-5.
PMID: 25279075 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1211.011

A 47-year-old gentleman, with underlying seborrhoeic dermatitis that was treated with steroid therapy, and hepatitis B, presented with pain in his right hip. He was diagnosed with stage 2 osteonecrosis of the right hip (Ficat and Arlet classification). Core decompression and bone grafting was performed but recovery was complicated by a surgical site infection. Wound debridement, removal of bone graft and clearance of the bone tunnel were carried out. The patient was allowed to bear weight after surgery. Twelve days later, he developed right hip pain and radiographs showed fractured femur neck; the patient then underwent a two-stage total hip replacement (THR).

MeSH terms: Debridement; Femoral Neck Fractures; Femur Neck; Hepatitis B; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Osteonecrosis; Pain; Dermatitis, Seborrheic; Surgical Wound Infection; Bone Transplantation; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip
Asian-Pacific consensus statement on the management of chronic hepatitis B: a 2012 update

Liaw YF, Kao JH, Piratvisuth T, Chan HL, Chien RN, Liu CJ, et al.

Hepatol Int, 2012 Jun;6(3):531-61.
PMID: 26201469 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-012-9365-4

Large volume of new data on the natural history and treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have become available since 2008. These include further studies in asymptomatic subjects with chronic HBV infection and community-based cohorts, the role of HBV genotype/naturally occurring HBV mutations, the application of non-invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis and quantitation of HBV surface antigen and new drug or new strategies towards more effective therapy. To update HBV management guidelines, relevant new data were reviewed and assessed by experts from the region, and the significance of the reported findings was discussed and debated. The earlier "Asian-Pacific consensus statement on the management of chronic hepatitis B" was revised accordingly. The key terms used in the statement were also defined. The new guidelines include general management, indications for fibrosis assessment, time to start or stop drug therapy, choice of drug to initiate therapy, when and how to monitor the patients during and after stopping drug therapy. Recommendations on the therapy of patients in special circumstances, including women in childbearing age, patients with antiviral drug resistance, concurrent viral infection, hepatic decompensation, patients receiving immune suppression or chemotherapy and patients in the setting of liver transplantation and hepatocellular carcinoma, are also included.

MeSH terms: Antigens, Surface; Female; Genotype; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis B virus; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Humans; Immunosuppression; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Mutation; Liver Transplantation; Pacific States; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Drug Resistance, Viral; Consensus
Mental health literacy: A cross-cultural study from Britain, Hong Kong and Malaysia

Loo PW, Wong S, Furnham A

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2012 Jun;4(2):113-25.
PMID: 26767355 DOI: 10.1111/j.1758-5872.2012.00198.x

A cross-cultural study was conducted on the identification of psychiatric problems comparing British, Hong Kong and Malaysian participants.
Polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) in major depressive disorder patients in Malaysia

Mohamed Saini S, Muhamad Radzi A, Abdul Rahman AH

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2012 Jun;4(2):126-30.
PMID: 26767356 DOI: 10.1111/j.1758-5872.2012.00190.x

The serotonin transporter promoter (5-HTTLPR) is a potential susceptibility locus in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder. However, data from Malaysia is lacking. The present study aimed to determine the association between the homozygous short variant of the serotonin transporter promoter gene (5-HTTLPR) with major depressive disorder.
Prevalence of postpartum depression in a hospital setting among Malaysian mothers

Zainal NZ, Kaka AS, Ng CG, Jawan R, Singh Gill J

Asia Pac Psychiatry, 2012 Jun;4(2):144-9.
PMID: 26767359 DOI: 10.1111/j.1758-5872.2011.00173.x

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a disorder that affects not only mothers, but also can lead to family, social, economic and vocational breakdown. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with postpartum depression among mothers in an urban hospital setting in Malaysia.
Assessment of body fluid status in hemodialysis patients using the body composition monitor measurement technique

Mamat R, Kong NC, Ba'in A, Shah SA, Cader R, Wong V, et al.

J Clin Nurs, 2012 Oct;21(19-20):2879-85.
PMID: 22646855 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2012.04091.x

The main objective of the study was to correlate the target dry weight in haemodialysis (HD) patients as assessed clinically by nephrologists to those measured by the Body Composition Monitor (BCM - Fresenius) machine. The second objective was to compare pre and postdialysis changes of extracellular fluid and clinical parameters.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Body Composition*; Body Fluids*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Renal Dialysis*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies

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