Browse publications by year: 2012

Fulltext Evaluation of quality of DNA extracted from buccal swabs for microarray based genotyping

Livy A, Lye S, Jagdish CK, Hanis N, Sharmila V, Ler LW, et al.

Indian J Clin Biochem, 2012 Jan;27(1):28-33.
PMID: 23277709 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-011-0154-y

Buccal cell usage has been shown by many to be a cost effective and safe method to isolate DNA for various biological experiments especially large epidemiological studies (Garcia-Closas et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 10:687-696, 2001). Non-invasive DNA collection methods are preferred over phlebotomy in order to increase study participation and compliance in research centers and for sick patients in hospital settings. There have been conflicting reports about the methodology and results obtained from using buccal DNA. It is not very clear if phlebotomy can be confidently replaced by buccal cell DNA. It is often left for the user to take an intelligent decision. To address this issue, we compared the performance of buccal and blood DNA from same subjects in a genotyping experiment and this paper reports the results. Cotton swab derived buccal cells were scraped from the inner side of cheeks from 16 subjects, and blood was also drawn from the same 16 subjects participating in a genotypic association study of a lipid disease. The DNA quality was assessed by resolving on agarose gels, checking purity (A260/A280) and finally by microarray hybridization. This study showed that DNA degradation affects the total yield and performance of the buccal DNA when compared to the blood DNA in microarray based genotyping. Genotyping results can be seriously compromised if care is not taken to check the quality and yields of such specimens.
Fulltext 3-epi-Dammarenediol II 1.075 hydrate: a dammarane triterpene from the bark of Aglaia eximia

Fun HK, Chantrapromma S, Supriadin A, Harneti D, Supratman U

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2012 Nov 01;68(Pt 11):o3089-90.
PMID: 23284420 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536812040366

The title dammarane tritepene, 3α,20(S)-dihy-droxy-dammar-24-ene, which crystallized out in a hydrated form, C(30)H(52)O(2).1.075H(2)O, was isolated from the Aglaia eximia bark. The three cyclo-hexane rings adopt chair conformations. The cyclo-pentane has an envelope conformation with the quaternary C at position 14 as the flap atom with the maximum deviation of 0.288 (2) Å. The methyl-heptene side chain is disordered over two positions with 0.505 (1):0.495 (1) site occupancies and is axially attached with an (+)-syn-clinal conformation. The hydroxyl group at position 3 of dammarane is in a different conformation to the corresponding hydroxyl in Dammarenediol II. In the crystal, the dammarane and water mol-ecules are linked by O(Dammarane)-H⋯O(water) and O(water)-H⋯O(Dammarane) hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network.
Fulltext 2-Cyclo-hexyl-idene-N-methyl-hydrazine-carbothio-amide

Tayamon S, Mazlan NA, Ravoof TB, Mohamed Tahir MI, Crouse KA

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2012 Nov 1;68(Pt 11):o3104-5.
PMID: 23284431 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536812042018

The title compound C(8)H(15)N(3)S has two mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit in which cis-trans isomerism is exhibited around the N(NH)C=S bonds. The cyclo-hexyl rings in both mol-ecules adopt a chair conformation. In the crystal, N-H⋯S hydrogen bonding produces dimers, which are inter-connected through further N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the b-axis direction.
Fulltext 2-Amino-5-methyl-pyridinium 6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridine-2-carboxyl-ate

Thanigaimani K, Farhadikoutenaei A, Khalib NC, Arshad S, Razak IA

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2012 Nov 1;68(Pt 11):o3151-2.
PMID: 23284469 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536812041359

The anion of the title salt, C(6)H(9)N(2) (+)·C(6)H(4)NO(3) (-), undergoes an enol-to-keto tautomerism during the crystallization. In the crystal structure, the cation and anion are held together by a relatively short N-H⋯O hydrogen bond, and the two anions are further connected to each other by a pair of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds with an R(2) (2)(8) ring motif, thus forming a centrosymmetric 2 + 2 aggregate. The aggregates are further linked through weak N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, resulting a three-dimensional network.
Fulltext (2E)-1-[2,3-Dichloro-6-methyl-5-(trifluoro-meth-yl)phen-yl]-2-(1-phenyl-ethyl-idene)hydrazine

Fun HK, Loh WS, Bhat M, Arulmoli T, Nagaraja GK

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2012 Nov 01;68(Pt 11):o3189.
PMID: 23284500 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536812042419

The title compound, C(16)H(13)Cl(2)F(3)N(2), exists in an E conformation with respect to the C=N bond [1.2952 (11) Å] and the C-N-N=C torsion angle is 175.65 (8)°. The dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 42.09 (4)°. An intra-molecular C-H⋯F hydrogen bond generates an S(6) ring. In the crystal, the mol-ecules are linked into [101] chains by C-H⋯F hydrogen bonds.
Fulltext 2-Amino-5-methyl-pyridinium 3-chloro-benzoate

Thanigaimani K, Farhadikoutenaei A, Khalib NC, Arshad S, Razak IA

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2012 Nov 1;68(Pt 11):o3195.
PMID: 23284506 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536812043231

The 3-chloro-benzoate anion of the title salt, C(6)H(9)N(2) (+)·C(7)H(4)ClO(2) (-), is nearly planar with a dihedral angle of 2.44 (13)° between the benzene ring and the carboxyl-ate group. In the crystal, the protonated N atom and the 2-amino group of the cation are hydrogen bonded to the carboxyl-ate O atoms of the anion via a pair of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds with an R(2) (2)(8) ring motif, forming an approximately planar ion pair with a dihedral angle of 7.92 (5)° between the pyridinium and benzene rings. The ion pairs are further connected via N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to the bc plane.
Fulltext 2-Amino-5-methyl-pyridinium 2-amino-benzoate

Thanigaimani K, Farhadikoutenaei A, Khalib NC, Arshad S, Razak IA

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2012 Nov 1;68(Pt 11):o3196-7.
PMID: 23284507 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536812043243

In the 2-amino-benzoate anion of the title salt, C(6)H(9)N(2) (+)·C(7)H(6)NO(2) (-), an intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond is observed. The dihedral angle between the ring and the CO(2) group is 8.41 (13)°. In the crystal, the protonated N atom and the 2-amino group of the cation are hydrogen bonded to the carboxyl-ate O atoms via a pair of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming an R(2) (2)(8) ring motif. The ion pairs are further connected via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, resulting in a donor-donor-acceptor-acceptor (DDAA) array of quadruple hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure also features a weak N-H⋯O hydrogen bond and a C-H⋯π inter-action, resulting in a three-dimensional network.
Fulltext A second polymorph of 2,4,6-tris-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine

Ng SW

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2012 Nov 1;68(Pt 11):o3201.
PMID: 23284510 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536812043255

The mol-ecule of the title compound, C(18)H(21)N(9), is nearly planar, with the three pyrazole rings aligned at 2.40 (5), 9.27 (5) and 9.71 (5)° with respect to the triazine ring. The triazine ring is planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.005 Å), the distortion from a hexa-gonal arrangement arising from the angles at the N [112.4 (1)-113.1 (1)°] and C [127.1 (1)-127.6 (1)°] atoms deviating from 120°. The crystal studied was an inversion twin.
Fulltext Utilization of health care services for childhood morbidity and associated factors in India: a national cross-sectional household survey

Sreeramareddy CT, Sathyanarayana TN, Kumar HN

PLoS One, 2012;7(12):e51904.
PMID: 23284810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051904

BACKGROUND: Information about utilization of health services and associated factors are useful for improving service delivery to achieve universal health coverage.
METHODS: Data on a sample of ever-married women from India Demographic and Health survey 2005-06 was used. Mothers of children aged 0-59 months were asked about child's illnesses and type of health facilities where treatment was given during 15 days prior to the survey date. Type of health facilities were grouped as informal provider, public provider and private provider. Factors associated with utilization of health services for diarrhea and fever/cough was assessed according to Andersen's health behavior model. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were done considering sampling weights for complex sampling design.
RESULTS: A total of 48,679 of ever-married women reported that 9.1% 14.8% and 17.67% of their children had diarrhea, fever and cough respectively. Nearly one-third of the children with diarrhea and fever/cough did not receive any treatment. Two-thirds of children who received treatment were from private health care providers (HCPs). Among predisposing factors, children aged 1-2 years and those born at health facility (public/private) were more likely to be taken to any type of HCP during illness. Among enabling factors, as compared to poorer household, wealthier households were 2.5 times more likely to choose private HCPs for any illness. Children in rural areas were likely to be taken to any type of HCP for diarrhea but rural children were less likely to utilize private HCP for fever/cough. 'Need' factors i.e. children having severe symptoms were 2-3 times more likely to be taken to any type of HCP.
CONCLUSION: Private HCPs were preferred for treatment of childhood illnesses. Involvement of private HCPs may be considered while planning child health programs. Health insurance scheme for childhood illnesses may to protect economically weaker sections from out-of-pocket health expenditure during child illness.

MeSH terms: Adult; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Delivery of Health Care*; Diarrhea/therapy; Family Characteristics; Female; Fever/therapy; Health Personnel; Health Services*; Humans; India; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Morbidity*; Epidemiologic Factors*; Health Care Surveys
Fulltext Phylogeographic pattern of the striped snakehead, Channa striata in Sundaland: ancient river connectivity, geographical and anthropogenic signatures [corrected]

Tan MP, Jamsari AF, Siti Azizah MN

PLoS One, 2012;7(12):e52089.
PMID: 23284881 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052089

A phylogeographic study of an economically important freshwater fish, the striped snakehead, Channa striata in Sundaland was carried out using data from mtDNA ND5 gene target to elucidate genetic patterning. Templates obtained from a total of 280 individuals representing 24 sampling sites revealed 27 putative haplotypes. Three distinct genetic lineages were apparent; 1)northwest Peninsular Malaysia, 2)southern Peninsular, east Peninsular, Sumatra and SW (western Sarawak) and 3) central west Peninsular and Malaysian Borneo (except SW). Genetic structuring between lineages showed a significant signature of natural geographical barriers that have been acting as effective dividers between these populations. However, genetic propinquity between the SW and southern Peninsular and east Peninsular Malaysia populations was taken as evidence of ancient river connectivity between these regions during the Pleistocene epoch. Alternatively, close genetic relationship between central west Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo populations implied anthropogenic activities. Further, haplotype sharing between the east Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra populations revealed extraordinary migration ability of C. striata (>500 km) through ancient connectivity. These results provide interesting insights into the historical and contemporary landscape arrangement in shaping genetic patterns of freshwater species in Sundaland.

MeSH terms: Animals; DNA, Mitochondrial; Fishes/classification*; Fishes/genetics*; Haplotypes; Malaysia; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Genetic Variation; Evolution, Molecular; Electron Transport Complex I/genetics; Gene Flow; Phylogeography
Fulltext Cytokine expression profile of dengue patients at different phases of illness

Rathakrishnan A, Wang SM, Hu Y, Khan AM, Ponnampalavanar S, Lum LC, et al.

PLoS One, 2012;7(12):e52215.
PMID: 23284941 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052215

BACKGROUND: Dengue is an important medical problem, with symptoms ranging from mild dengue fever to severe forms of the disease, where vascular leakage leads to hypovolemic shock. Cytokines have been implicated to play a role in the progression of severe dengue disease; however, their profile in dengue patients and the synergy that leads to continued plasma leakage is not clearly understood. Herein, we investigated the cytokine kinetics and profiles of dengue patients at different phases of illness to further understand the role of cytokines in dengue disease.
METHODS AND FINDINGS: Circulating levels of 29 different types of cytokines were assessed by bead-based ELISA method in dengue patients at the 3 different phases of illness. The association between significant changes in the levels of cytokines and clinical parameters were analyzed. At the febrile phase, IP-10 was significant in dengue patients with and without warning signs. However, MIP-1β was found to be significant in only patients with warning signs at this phase. IP-10 was also significant in both with and without warning signs patients during defervescence. At this phase, MIP-1β and G-CSF were significant in patients without warning signs, whereas MCP-1 was noted to be elevated significantly in patients with warning signs. Significant correlations between the levels of VEGF, RANTES, IL-7, IL-12, PDGF and IL-5 with platelets; VEGF with lymphocytes and neutrophils; G-CSF and IP-10 with atypical lymphocytes and various other cytokines with the liver enzymes were observed in this study.
CONCLUSIONS: The cytokine profile patterns discovered between the different phases of illness indicate an essential role in dengue pathogenesis and with further studies may serve as predictive markers for progression to dengue with warning signs.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Dengue/blood*; Dengue/pathology*; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Biomarkers/blood*; Interleukin-5/blood; Interleukin-7/blood; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/blood; Cytokines/blood*; Disease Progression; Interleukin-12/blood; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/blood; Chemokine CXCL10/blood; Chemokine CCL4/blood; Young Adult
Fulltext Morphological phylogenetic analysis of seven varieties of Ficus deltoidea Jack from the Malay Peninsula of Malaysia

Fatihah HN, Mat N, Zaimah AR, Zuhailah MN, Norhaslinda H, Khairil M, et al.

PLoS One, 2012;7(12):e52441.
PMID: 23285045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052441

This study is the first report to suggest a morphological phylogenetic framework for the seven varieties of Ficus deltoidea Jack (Ficus: Moraceae) from the Malay Peninsula of Malaysia. Several molecular-based classifications on the genus Ficus had been proposed, but neither had discussed the relationship between seven varieties of F. deltoidea to its allies nor within the varieties. The relationship between seven varieties of F. deltoidea is still debated due to the extreme morphological variabilities and ambiguous boundaries between taxa. Thus, the correct identification of these varieties is important as several morphological characters are variety-specific. To test the monophyly and further resolved the relationship in F. deltoidea, a morphological phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on herbarium specimens representing the seven varieties of F. deltoidea that were collected from the Malay Peninsula of Malaysia, by using related species of the genus Ficus; F. grossularioides, F. ischnopoda and F. oleifolia as the outgroups. Parsimony and neighbour-joining analyses indicated that F. deltoidea is monophyletic, in that the seven varieties of F. deltoidea nested into two clades; clade subspecies deltoidea (var. deltoidea, var. bilobata, var. angustifolia, var. kunstleri and var. trengganuensis) and clade subspecies motleyana (var. intermedia and var. motleyana).

MeSH terms: Geography; Malaysia; Phylogeny*; Quantitative Trait, Heritable; Ficus/anatomy & histology*; Ficus/classification*; Ficus/genetics
Fulltext Influenza vaccination guidelines and vaccine sales in southeast Asia: 2008-2011

Gupta V, Dawood FS, Muangchana C, Lan PT, Xeuatvongsa A, Sovann L, et al.

PLoS One, 2012;7(12):e52842.
PMID: 23285200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052842

Southeast Asia is a region with great potential for the emergence of a pandemic influenza virus. Global efforts to improve influenza surveillance in this region have documented the burden and seasonality of influenza viruses and have informed influenza prevention strategies, but little information exists about influenza vaccination guidelines and vaccine sales.

MeSH terms: Asia, Southeastern/epidemiology; Humans; Influenza, Human/history; Influenza, Human/epidemiology; Influenza, Human/prevention & control*; Influenza Vaccines/economics*; Influenza Vaccines/immunology; Vaccination/economics*; Vaccination/legislation & jurisprudence*; Practice Guidelines as Topic; History, 21st Century
Fulltext Assessment of four molecular markers as potential DNA barcodes for red algae Kappaphycus Doty and Eucheuma J. Agardh (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta)

Tan J, Lim PE, Phang SM, Hong DD, Sunarpi H, Hurtado AQ

PLoS One, 2012;7(12):e52905.
PMID: 23285223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052905

DNA barcoding has been a major advancement in the field of taxonomy, seeing much effort put into the barcoding of wide taxa of organisms, macro and microalgae included. The mitochondrial-encoded cox1 and plastid-encoded rbcL has been proposed as potential DNA barcodes for rhodophytes, but are yet to be tested on the commercially important carrageenophytes Kappaphycus and Eucheuma. This study gauges the effectiveness of four markers, namely the mitochondrial cox1, cox2, cox2-3 spacer and the plastid rbcL in DNA barcoding on selected Kappaphycus and Eucheuma from Southeast Asia. Marker assessments were performed using established distance and tree-based identification criteria from earlier studies. Barcoding patterns on a larger scale were simulated by empirically testing on the commonly used cox2-3 spacer. The phylogeny of these rhodophytes was also briefly described. In this study, the cox2 marker which satisfies the prerequisites of DNA barcodes was found to exhibit moderately high interspecific divergences with no intraspecific variations, thus a promising marker for the DNA barcoding of Kappaphycus and Eucheuma. However, the already extensively used cox2-3 spacer was deemed to be in overall more appropriate as a DNA barcode for these two genera. On a wider scale, cox1 and rbcL were still better DNA barcodes across the rhodophyte taxa when practicality and cost-efficiency were taken into account. The phylogeny of Kappaphycus and Eucheuma were generally similar to those earlier reported. Still, the application of DNA barcoding has demonstrated our relatively poor taxonomic comprehension of these seaweeds, thus suggesting more in-depth efforts in taxonomic restructuring as well as establishment.

MeSH terms: Rhodophyta/classification*; Rhodophyta/genetics*; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics; Genetic Markers/physiology*; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Genes, Plant; DNA, Plant/analysis; DNA, Plant/genetics; DNA, Intergenic/genetics; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods*
Predictors of thickened carotid intima media thickness among well controlled lupus nephritis patients in a Malaysian tertiary centre

Shaharir SS, Mohamed Said MS, Kong NC

Reumatismo, 2012;64(6):341-9.
PMID: 23285477 DOI: 10.4081/reumatismo.2012.341

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of thickened carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and its associated risk factors in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) who were in remission.
METHODS: This was a cross sectional study in which consecutive LN patients who were in remission and attending our Nephrology/SLE Clinic were included. Their demographic profile, traditional cardiovascular risk factors and treatment medications were evaluated by clinical interview and review of medical records. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) was measured using B Mode carotid ultrasonography. CIMT was considered to be abnormally thickened if it exceeded the 75th percentile matched for age-and sex-matched normal controls. The associated factors for thickened CIMT were examined.
RESULTS: A total of 39 patients with a mean remission duration of 29 ± 24.3 months and on a mean prednisolone dose of 9.10 ± 7.83 mg daily completed the study. Six patients (15.4%) had thickened CIMT. On univariate analysis, male gender, patient age, older age at diagnosis, higher serum CRP levels, greater proteinuria and higher mean cumulative azathioprine dose were associated with thickened CIMT (P<0.05). Lower mean cumulative doses of cyclosporine A (CyA) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) (P<0.05) each were associated with thickened CIMT. Using regression analysis, the associated factors of CIMT were older age at diagnosis and proteinuria.
CONCLUSIONS: Lupus factors particularly age at diagnosis and proteinuria were the associated factors of thickened CIMT. Larger prospective trials are indicated to confirm our findings.

MeSH terms: Adult; China/ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology; Female; Hospitals, University; Humans; Hypertension/epidemiology; Immunosuppressive Agents; India/ethnology; Lupus Nephritis/complications; Lupus Nephritis/drug therapy; Lupus Nephritis/ethnology; Lupus Nephritis/pathology*; Lupus Nephritis/urine; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Prospective Studies; Proteinuria/etiology; Risk Factors; Comorbidity; Carotid Artery, Common/pathology; Dyslipidemias/epidemiology; Atherosclerosis/ethnology; Atherosclerosis/etiology; Atherosclerosis/pathology*; Atherosclerosis/prevention & control; Young Adult; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*; Tertiary Care Centers/statistics & numerical data
Molecular characterization of Chittoor (Batai) virus isolates from India

Yadav PD, Sudeep AB, Mishra AC, Mourya DT

Indian J Med Res, 2012 Nov;136(5):792-8.
PMID: 23287126

Chittoor virus (CHITV) belongs to genus Orthobunyavirus, family Bunyaviridae. It has been isolated from various species of mosquitoes and pig from different parts of India. Five isolates of CHITV were characterized at the molecular level and compared with other Batai viruses (BATV) to find out any kind of reassortment in their genome.

MeSH terms: Animals; Base Sequence; Bunyamwera virus/classification; Bunyamwera virus/genetics*; Bunyamwera virus/isolation & purification; Cercopithecus aethiops; India; Phylogeny; Vero Cells; DNA Primers
Preventive behaviours towards influenza A(H1N1) and factors associated with the intention to take influenza A(H1N1) vaccination

Naing C, Tan RY, Soon WC, Parakh J, Sanggi SS

J Infect Public Health, 2012 Dec;5(6):412-9.
PMID: 23287612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2012.07.005

PURPOSE: (i) To determine knowledge of, and self-protecting preventive behaviours towards influenza A(H1N1) and (ii) to identify the factors influencing intention to take influenza A(H1N1) vaccination among the study population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey carried out in Mantin Town, a semi-urban area of Malaysia. A structured questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of pandemic influenza symptoms, mode of transmission, self-protecting preventive behaviours, and intention to receive the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine was used for face-to-face interviews with the household members.
RESULTS: Of 230 who heard about pandemic influenza A(H1N1), 86% had misconception about mode of transmission of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, and 52% had sufficient self-protecting behaviours. A majority (58.3%; 134/230) had intended to receive the vaccine. In the multivariate analysis, the intention to get vaccinated was significantly higher among 'those who trusted in efficacy of vaccine for prevention of influenza A(H1N1)' (p<0.001), 'those who were equipped with higher education level' (p=0.015) and 'those who worry about themselves contracting illness' (p=0.008).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the need to scale up the community's knowledge regarding influenza A(H1N1). Recognizing the factors affecting the acceptance of vaccination documented in this study will allow decision makers to devise effective and efficient vaccination strategies.

MeSH terms: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Influenza, Human/prevention & control*; Influenza, Human/transmission; Influenza Vaccines/therapeutic use*; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Surveys and Questionnaires; Multivariate Analysis; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype*; Young Adult
Sphenoethmoid sinusitis in a child resulting in a disastrous intracranial sequela

Sow AJ, Jahendran J, Toh CJ, Kew TY

Ear Nose Throat J, 2012 Nov;91(11):E20-2.
PMID: 23288800

Localized sphenoethmoid sinusitis in children is a rare occurrence. It is usually overlooked because of the misconception that the sinuses are not developed. We describe a case of localized acute sphenoid and right posterior ethmoid sinusitis that presented as right frontobasal subdural empyema and multiple deep cerebral abscesses. Morbidity from subdural empyema in children is high. Early diagnosis and treatment based on recognition that the etiology might involve the paranasal sinuses affects the overall prognosis.

MeSH terms: Brain Abscess/etiology*; Child; Female; Humans; Streptococcal Infections/complications*; Empyema, Subdural/etiology*; Ethmoid Sinusitis/complications*; Sphenoid Sinusitis/complications*; Streptococcus milleri Group*
Hypoglossal nerve tumor: A rare primary extracranial meningioma of the neck

Zulkiflee AB, Prepageran N, Rahmat O, Jayalaskhmi P, Sharizal T

Ear Nose Throat J, 2012 Nov;91(11):E26-9.
PMID: 23288802

We report a case of primary extracranial meningioma arising from the hypoglossal nerve in a 54-year-old man who presented with a 9-month history of hoarseness and progressive dysphagia. He had also noticed that his tongue was deviated to the left and, as a result, he was having difficulty pronouncing words. Examination revealed fasciculation and muscle wasting on the left side of the tongue. Other cranial nerve functions were normal. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography detected a heterogeneous mass that had arisen above the bifurcation of the left common carotid artery and had extended to near the skull base. Transcervical excision of the tumor was performed, and histopathology identified it as a meningioma of the hypoglossal nerve. The patient recovered uneventfully, and he was without recurrence at more than 2 years of follow-up. A primary extracranial meningioma is extremely rare, and its presentation may be subtle. A thorough investigation is necessary to avoid fatal compressive symptoms.

MeSH terms: Cranial Nerve Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms/surgery; Humans; Male; Meningeal Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Meningeal Neoplasms/surgery; Meningioma/diagnosis*; Meningioma/surgery; Middle Aged; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases/diagnosis*; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases/surgery
Fulltext The burden is great and the money little: Changing chronic disease management in low- and middle-income countries

Reidpath DD, Allotey P

J Glob Health, 2012 Dec;2(2):020301.
PMID: 23289072 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.02.020301

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