Browse publications by year: 2012

  1. Tang SY, Manickam S, Wei TK, Nashiru B
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2012 Mar;19(2):330-45.
    PMID: 21835676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2011.07.001
    In the present study, response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was employed to investigate the influence of main emulsion composition variables, namely drug loading, oil content, emulsifier content as well as the effect of the ultrasonic operating parameters such as pre-mixing time, ultrasonic amplitude, and irradiation time on the properties of aspirin-loaded nanoemulsions. The two main emulsion properties studied as response variables were: mean droplet size and polydispersity index. The ultimate goal of the present work was to determine the optimum level of the six independent variables in which an optimal aspirin nanoemulsion with desirable properties could be produced. The response surface analysis results clearly showed that the variability of two responses could be depicted as a linear function of the content of main emulsion compositions and ultrasonic processing variables. In the present investigation, it is evidently shown that ultrasound cavitation is a powerful yet promising approach in the controlled production of aspirin nanoemulsions with smaller average droplet size in a range of 200-300 nm and with a polydispersity index (PDI) of about 0.30. This study proved that the use of low frequency ultrasound is of considerable importance in the controlled production of pharmaceutical nanoemulsions in the drug delivery system.
    MeSH terms: Aspirin/chemistry*; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical/methods*; Drug Stability; Emulsions; Glycerol/analogs & derivatives*; Glycerol/chemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Models, Theoretical; Oils/chemistry; Sonication/methods*; Surface-Active Agents/chemistry; Water/chemistry; Nanostructures/chemistry*
  2. Cheah CS, Bayram Özdemir S, Leung CY
    J Adolesc, 2012 Jun;35(3):628-37.
    PMID: 21840586 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.07.001
    The present study examined the mediating role of perceived parental warmth and support in predicting Chinese Malaysian adolescents' filial behaviors from their age, perceived parental investments, and positive filial emotions toward their parents. The effects of these predictors were examined separately for mothers and fathers. Participants included 122 Chinese adolescents (M = 13.14 years; SD = 2.22) in Malaysia. Adolescents' perceived parental investments, filial emotions, and warmth and support from each parent were positively, and age was negatively associated with their filial behaviors. No gender differences were found. Perceived maternal warmth and support significantly mediated the effect of age, perceived investments from, and filial emotions toward mothers on adolescents' filial behaviors, but perceived paternal warmth and support did not have a mediating role. The present study sheds light on the unique maternal versus paternal filial role, and important familial processes in Chinese-Malaysian children and adolescents from a cultural perspective.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior*; Child; China/ethnology; Culture; Emotions*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Parent-Child Relations/ethnology*; Parents/psychology*; Surveys and Questionnaires
  3. Dahlan HM, Karsani SA, Rahman MA, Hamid NA, Top AG, Ngah WZ
    J Nutr Biochem, 2012 Jul;23(7):741-51.
    PMID: 21840697 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2011.03.018
    Vitamin E has been suggested to modulate age-associated changes by altering the redox balance resulting in altered gene and/or protein expression. Here we have utilized proteomics to determine whether such regulation in protein expression occurs in human lymphocytes from two different age groups stressed with H₂O₂ and then treated with vitamin E in the form of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF). In this study, lymphocytes obtained from young (30-49 years old) and old (>50 years old) volunteers were first challenged with 1 mM H₂O₂. They were then treated by exposure to 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml TRF. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by MALDI-TOF/TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight) tandem mass spectrometry was then performed on whole-cell protein extracts to identify proteins that have changed in expression. A total of 24 proteins were found to be affected by H₂O₂ and/or TRF treatment. These included proteins that were related to metabolism, antioxidants, structural proteins, protein degradation and signal transduction. Of particular interest was the regulation of a number of proteins involved in stress response--peroxiredoxin-2, peroxiredoxin-3 and peroxiredoxin-6-all of which were shown to be down-regulated with H₂O₂ exposure. The effect was reversed following TRF treatment. The expression of peroxiredoxin-2 and peroxiredoxin-6 was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. These results suggested that TRF directly influenced the expression dynamics of the peroxiredoxin-2, thus improving the cells ability to resist damage caused by oxidative stress.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Age Factors; Antioxidants/pharmacology*; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism*; Lymphocytes/drug effects*; Lymphocytes/metabolism; Middle Aged; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional/methods; Down-Regulation; Oxidative Stress; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization/methods; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods; Tocotrienols/pharmacology*; Proteomics/methods*; Peroxiredoxins/genetics; Peroxiredoxins/metabolism*; Young Adult; Proteolysis/drug effects
  4. Lee CK, Chua YP, Saw A
    Clin Orthop Relat Res, 2012 Feb;470(2):610-5.
    PMID: 21842299 DOI: 10.1007/s11999-011-1990-z
    Pin site infection is a common problem in external fixation. Plain gauze wetted with normal saline is commonly used for a pin site dressing owing to the simplicity and low cost. Evidence to support adding an antimicrobial agent in the dressing material is lacking.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bandages*; Biguanides/administration & dosage*; Bone Nails/adverse effects*; Child; Child, Preschool; Disinfectants/administration & dosage*; Double-Blind Method; Female; Fracture Fixation/adverse effects*; Fracture Fixation/instrumentation*; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Metals; Middle Aged; Prosthesis Design; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Chi-Square Distribution; Prosthesis-Related Infections/microbiology; Prosthesis-Related Infections/prevention & control*; Treatment Outcome; Risk Assessment; Young Adult
  5. Akhtarkavan E, Salleh MF
    IEEE Trans Image Process, 2012 Feb;21(2):653-61.
    PMID: 21843990 DOI: 10.1109/TIP.2011.2164419
    Multiple description (MD) coding has been a popular choice for robust data transmission over the unreliable network channels. Lattice vector quantization provides lower computation for efficient data compression. In this paper, a new MD coinciding lattice vector quantizer (MDCLVQ) is presented. The design of the quantizer is based on coinciding 2-D hexagonal sublattices. The coinciding sublattices are geometrically similar sublattices, with the same index but generated by different generator matrices. A novel labeling algorithm based on the hexagonal coinciding sublattices is also developed. Performance results of the MDCLVQ scheme, together with the new labeling algorithm applied to standard test images, show improvements of the central and side decoders, as compared with the renowned techniques for several test images.
  6. Ebrahimi M, Rajion MA, Goh YM, Sazili AQ
    J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 2012 Dec;96(6):962-9.
    PMID: 21848848 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01206.x
    The effects of different inclusion levels of oil palm fronds (OPF) on the fatty acid profile of the longissimus dorsi (LD), biceps femoris (BF) and infraspinatus (IS) muscle of goats fed for 100 days are described. Twenty-four individually housed Kacang crossbred male goats (averaged 21.7 ± 0.97 kg BW) were allocated to three groups receiving either a 100% concentrate control diet (CON), diet with 25% inclusion level of OPF (HAF) or a diet with 50% inclusion of OPF. The diets were adjusted to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous and fed at 3.0% of BW daily. Samples of LD, BF and IS muscles were taken at slaughter for the determination of fatty acid profiles. The total saturated fatty acids (SFA) in the LD and BF muscles of the OPF group were significantly (p 
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Diet/veterinary; Fatty Acids/metabolism; Fatty Acids/chemistry*; Goats/metabolism*; Male; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism; Muscle, Skeletal/chemistry*; Plant Leaves/chemistry*; Elaeocarpaceae/chemistry*
  7. Masre SF, Yip GW, Sirajudeen KN, Ghazali FC
    Nat Prod Res, 2012;26(7):684-9.
    PMID: 21859370 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2010.545354
    Stichopus hermanni and Stichopus vastus are sea cucumber species from the Stichopodidae family within the coastal waters of Malaysia. The integument of these invertebrates is hypothesised to contain abundant glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). GAGs are divided into non-sulphated and sulphated GAGs. Sulphated GAGs have various chemico-biological functions that are beneficial to humans. This study quantitatively analysed N-, O-sulphated and total sulphated GAG content from three different anatomical regions (integument, internal organs and coelomic fluid) of S. hermanni and S. vastus. The integument revealed the highest content of total, O- and N-sulphated GAGs, followed by the internal organs and the coelomic fluid for both species of sea cucumbers. The percentage division of O- and N-sulphated GAGs suggested that anatomical parts of both species showed higher levels of O-sulphated GAGs compared to N-sulphated GAGs. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the integument body wall of S. hermanni and S. vastus is a rich source of sulphated GAGs.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Glycosaminoglycans/analysis*; Glycosaminoglycans/isolation & purification; Malaysia; Spectrophotometry; Sulfur/chemistry*; Stichopus/chemistry*
  8. Lew KS, Othman R, Ishikawa K, Yeoh FY
    J Biomater Appl, 2012 Sep;27(3):345-58.
    PMID: 21862511 DOI: 10.1177/0885328211406459
    This review summarises the major developments of macroporous bioceramics used mainly for repairing bone defects. Porous bioceramics have been receiving attention ever since their larger surface area was reported to be beneficial for the formation of more rigid bonds with host tissues. The study of porous bioceramics is important to overcome the less favourable bonds formed between dense bioceramics and host tissues, especially in healing bone defects. Macroporous bioceramics, which have been studied extensively, include hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, alumina, and zirconia. The pore size and interconnections both have significant effects on the growth rate of bone tissues. The optimum pore size of hydroxyapatite scaffolds for bone growth was found to be 300 µm. The existence of interconnections between pores is critical during the initial stage of tissue ingrowth on porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds. Furthermore, pore formation on β-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds also allowed the impregnation of growth factors and cells to improve bone tissues growth significantly. The formation of vascularised tissues was observed on macroporous alumina but did not take place in the case of dense alumina due to its bioinert nature. A macroporous alumina coating on scaffolds was able to improve the overall mechanical properties, and it enabled the impregnation of bioactive materials that could increase the bone growth rate. Despite the bioinertness of zirconia, porous zirconia was useful in designing scaffolds with superior mechanical properties after being coated with bioactive materials. The pores in zirconia were believed to improve the bone growth on the coated system. In summary, although the formation of pores in bioceramics may adversely affect mechanical properties, the advantages provided by the pores are crucial in repairing bone defects.
    MeSH terms: Bone Regeneration*; Ceramics*; Tissue Scaffolds
  9. Yousif AA, Bin Bahari I, Yasir MS
    Curr Radiopharm, 2012 Jan;5(1):34-7.
    PMID: 21864247
    Inactivation constant for V79 cells has been extracted from radiobiology experiments that utilize charged particles to irradiate mammal cells in vitro. Physical parameters such as effective charge, radiation mean free path and linear ionization which characterized protons and heluim-4 particles are determined using of standard values. The relationship between inactivation constant α and physical quality parameters have been determined, in this research, for protons and heluim-4 particles. This approach allows getting the characteristic biological response of inactivation of V79 cells in terms of each selected physical quality parameter. The best regression models are formulated for each obtained relationship.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Helium*; Mammals; Protons*; Radiation Dosage; Radiation, Ionizing*; Relative Biological Effectiveness; Linear Energy Transfer*; Static Electricity
  10. Schutze MK, Jessup A, Clarke AR
    Bull. Entomol. Res., 2012 Feb;102(1):103-11.
    PMID: 21867577 DOI: 10.1017/S0007485311000423
    Four morphologically cryptic species of the Bactrocera dorsalis fruit fly complex (B. dorsalis s.s., B. papayae, B. carambolae and B. philippinensis) are serious agricultural pests. As they are difficult to diagnose using traditional taxonomic techniques, we examined the potential for geometric morphometric analysis of wing size and shape to discriminate between them. Fifteen wing landmarks generated size and shape data for 245 specimens for subsequent comparisons among three geographically distinct samples of each species. Intraspecific wing size was significantly different within samples of B. carambolae and B. dorsalis s.s. but not within samples of B. papayae or B. philippinensis. Although B. papayae had the smallest wings (average centroid size=6.002 mm±0.061 SE) and B. dorsalis s.s. the largest (6.349 mm±0.066 SE), interspecific wing size comparisons were generally non-informative and incapable of discriminating species. Contrary to the wing size data, canonical variate analysis based on wing shape data discriminated all species with a relatively high degree of accuracy; individuals were correctly reassigned to their respective species on average 93.27% of the time. A single sample group of B. carambolae from locality 'TN Malaysia' was the only sample to be considerably different from its conspecific groups with regards to both wing size and wing shape. This sample was subsequently deemed to have been originally misidentified and likely represents an undescribed species. We demonstrate that geometric morphometric techniques analysing wing shape represent a promising approach for discriminating between morphologically cryptic taxa of the B. dorsalis species complex.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Asia; Female; Insect Control; Male; Queensland; Regression Analysis; Species Specificity; Suriname; Wings, Animal/anatomy & histology; Tephritidae/anatomy & histology*; Tephritidae/classification*
  11. Kew TY, Abdullah A
    J Laryngol Otol, 2012 Jan;126(1):66-71.
    PMID: 21867589 DOI: 10.1017/S0022215111002258
    We report an extremely rare case of duplication of the internal auditory canal associated with dysfunction of both the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves. We also review the literature regarding the integrity of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves in such cases.
    MeSH terms: Vestibulocochlear Nerve/abnormalities*; Adult; Betahistine/therapeutic use; Constriction, Pathologic; Facial Nerve/abnormalities*; Facial Nerve/physiopathology; Facial Paralysis/physiopathology; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural*; Humans; Ear, Inner/abnormalities*; Ear, Inner/radiography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods; Male; Tinnitus/drug therapy; Hearing Loss, Unilateral
  12. Abioye OP, Agamuthu P, Abdul Aziz AR
    Biodegradation, 2012 Apr;23(2):277-86.
    PMID: 21870160 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-011-9506-9
    Soil contamination by hydrocarbons, especially by used lubricating oil, is a growing problem in developing countries, which poses a serious threat to the environment. Phytoremediation of these contaminated soils offers environmental friendly and a cost effective method for their remediation. Hibiscus cannabinus was studied for the remediation of soil contaminated with 2.5 and 1% used lubricating oil and treated with organic wastes [banana skin (BS), brewery spent grain (BSG) and spent mushroom compost (SMC)] for a period of 90 days under natural conditions. Loss of 86.4 and 91.8% used lubricating oil was recorded in soil contaminated with 2.5 and 1% oil and treated with organic wastes respectively at the end of 90 days. However, 52.5 and 58.9% oil loss was recorded in unamended soil contaminated with 2.5 and 1% oil, respectively. The plant did not accumulate hydrocarbon from the soil but shows appreciable accumulation of Fe and Zn in the root and stem of H. cannabinus at the end of the experiment. The first order kinetic rate of uptake of Fe and Zn in H. cannabinus was higher in organic wastes amendment treatments compared to the unamended treatments, which are extremely low. The results of this study suggest that H. cannabinus has a high potential for remediation of hydrocarbon and heavy metal contaminated soil.
    MeSH terms: Bacteria/growth & development; Bacteria/metabolism; Biodegradation, Environmental; Hydrocarbons/metabolism; Oils/metabolism*; Organic Chemicals/analysis; Soil Microbiology; Soil Pollutants/metabolism*; Waste Products/analysis; Colony Count, Microbial; Plant Roots/metabolism; Plant Stems/metabolism; Metals, Heavy/analysis; Hibiscus/metabolism*; Lubricants/metabolism*; Physicochemical Phenomena
  13. Tee SF, Tang PY, Loh HC
    Psychiatry Res, 2012 Jan 30;195(1-2):83-4.
    PMID: 21872942 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2011.07.039
    The present study included a total 261 patients with schizophrenia and 261 healthy controls to replicate the genetic association between the cathechol-o-methyltransferase gene and schizophrenia using a haplotype block-based gene-tagging. The G-G-G haplotype was found to show a highly significant association with schizophrenia.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Catechol O-Methyltransferase/genetics*; Female; Gene Frequency; Genotype; Humans; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Schizophrenia/ethnology; Schizophrenia/genetics*; Chi-Square Distribution; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics*; Young Adult
  14. Wong JH, Namasivayam P, Abdullah MP
    Planta, 2012 Feb;235(2):267-77.
    PMID: 21874349 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-011-1506-9
    Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) plays a major role in plant growth, development and adaptation. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the enzyme is encoded by four genes, namely PAL1, PAL2, PAL3, and PAL4 with PAL1 and PAL2 being closely related phylogenetically and functionally. PAL1 promoter activities are associated with plant development and are inducible by various stress agents. However, PAL2 promoter activities have not been functionally analysed. Here, we show that the PAL2 promoter activities are associated with the structural development of a plant and its organs. This function was inducible in an organ-specific manner by the avirulent strain of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (JL1065). The PAL2 promoter was active throughout the course of the plant development particularly in the root, rosette leaf, and inflorescence stem that provide the plant with structural support. In aerial organs, the levels of PAL2 promoter activities were negatively correlated with relative positions of the organs to the rosette leaves. The promoter was inducible in the root following an inoculation by JL1065 in the leaf suggesting PAL2 to be part of an induced defence system. Our results demonstrate how the PAL2 promoter activities are being coordinated and synchronised for the structural development of the plant and its organs based on the developmental programme. Under certain stress conditions the activity may be induced in favour of certain organs.
    MeSH terms: Adaptation, Biological*; Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase/genetics; Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase/metabolism*; Promoter Regions, Genetic*; Sodium Chloride/pharmacology; Stress, Physiological; Water/metabolism; Transcriptional Activation; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Genes, Plant; Arabidopsis/enzymology; Arabidopsis/genetics*; Arabidopsis/growth & development; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Roots/genetics; Plant Roots/growth & development; Plant Roots/metabolism; Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics; Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism; Plants, Genetically Modified/enzymology; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics; Plants, Genetically Modified/growth & development; Plant Components, Aerial/genetics; Plant Components, Aerial/growth & development; Plant Components, Aerial/metabolism; Pseudomonas syringae/pathogenicity; Enzyme Assays; Plant Immunity
  15. Lian LH, Ching AS, Chong ZY, Chua KH
    Rheumatol Int, 2012 Nov;32(11):3665-8.
    PMID: 21881993 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-011-2070-0
    There have been numerous studies linking complement components and the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This is due to their numerous roles in modulating immune responses in the human body. This study examined the association of C2 and C7 genetic polymorphisms with the susceptibility to SLE based on two separate cohorts of patient and control samples from Malaysia. The 28-bp deletion in the C2 exon-intron junction and single nucleotide polymorphism in the 3'untranslated region in the C7 genes were detected based on direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, respectively. A total of 150 patient and 150 healthy control samples were screened, but there was no association detected between either genes. All individuals presented with null deletion in C2 genes, while the C allele and CC genotypes were most commonly scored. These overall results suggest a lack of strong association with the C2 and C7 gene polymorphisms to the susceptibility of SLE in the Malaysian population.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Alleles; Complement C2/genetics*; Complement C7/genetics*; Genotype; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics*; Malaysia; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; Genetic Association Studies
  16. Borland R, Li L, Driezen P, Wilson N, Hammond D, Thompson ME, et al.
    Addiction, 2012 Jan;107(1):197-205.
    PMID: 21883605 DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03636.x
    AIMS: To describe some of the variability across the world in levels of quit smoking attempts and use of various forms of cessation support.

    DESIGN: Use of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project surveys of smokers, using the 2007 survey wave (or later, where necessary).

    SETTINGS: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay and United States.

    PARTICIPANTS: Samples of smokers from 15 countries.

    MEASUREMENTS: Self-report on use of cessation aids and on visits to health professionals and provision of cessation advice during the visits.

    FINDINGS: Prevalence of quit attempts in the last year varied from less than 20% to more than 50% across countries. Similarly, smokers varied greatly in reporting visiting health professionals in the last year (<20% to over 70%), and among those who did, provision of advice to quit also varied greatly. There was also marked variability in the levels and types of help reported. Use of medication was generally more common than use of behavioural support, except where medications are not readily available.

    CONCLUSIONS: There is wide variation across countries in rates of attempts to stop smoking and use of assistance with higher overall use of medication than behavioural support. There is also wide variation in the provision of brief advice to stop by health professionals.

    MeSH terms: Asia/epidemiology; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Europe/epidemiology; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Income; North America/epidemiology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data*; Public Policy; Smoking/epidemiology; Uruguay/epidemiology; Hotlines/statistics & numerical data*; Program Evaluation; Prevalence; Smoking Cessation/methods; Smoking Cessation/statistics & numerical data*; Health Care Surveys; Internet/statistics & numerical data*; Australasia/epidemiology; Self Report; Tobacco Use Cessation Products/statistics & numerical data*
  17. Rejab SB, Zessin KH, Fries R, Patchanee P
    J Vet Med Sci, 2012 Jan;74(1):121-4.
    PMID: 21891977
    A total of 360 samples including fresh fecal droppings, neck skins, and swab samples was collected from 24 broiler flocks and processed by 12 modern processing plants in 6 states in Malaysia. Ninety samples from 10 traditional wet markets located in the same states as modern processing plants were also collected. Microbiological isolation for Campylobacter was performed following ISO 10272-1:2006 (E). The overall rate of contamination for Campylobacter in modern processing plants and in traditional wet markets was 61.1% (220/360) and 85.6% (77/90), respectively. Campylobacter jejuni was detected as the majority with approximately 70% for both facilities. In the modern processing plants, the contamination rate for Campylobacter gradually declined from 80.6% before the inside-outside washing to 62.5% after inside-outside washing and to 38.9% after the post chilling step. The contamination rate for Campylobacter from processed chicken neck skin in traditional wet markets (93.3%) was significantly (P<0.01) higher than in modern processing plants (38.9%).
    MeSH terms: Abattoirs/standards*; Animals; Campylobacter/isolation & purification*; Chickens; Commerce; Food Microbiology*; Malaysia; Meat/microbiology*
  18. Rajendra M, Han HC, Lee LC, Tseng LA, Wong HF
    Int Urogynecol J, 2012 Mar;23(3):327-34.
    PMID: 21892684 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-011-1552-7
    INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We aim to report the 3-year outcome and complications of the tension-free vaginal tape obturator (TVT-O) in treating female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

    METHODS: Retrospective analysis for complications and outcome of surgery was performed in 419 women undergoing the TVT-O from 2004 to 2006.

    RESULTS: Three patients (0.8%) with an isolated TVT-O had a blood loss of more than 200 ml. Two patients (0.5%) had bladder perforation. Out of 11 readmitted patients (2.6%), 10 were due to voiding difficulty. Six patients (1.4%) required tape loosening or division. Persistent pain occurred in 3.6% and erosion in 2.4% of patients. One hundred eighty-five patients (44.2%) came for follow-up at 3 years. The actual subjective and objective success rates were 89.7% and 99.9% at 3 years follow-up, respectively. With imputation, the 3-year subjective and objective success rates were 86.9% and 97.4%, respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: The TVT-O is effective in treating female SUI with minimal complications.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology; Retrospective Studies; Singapore/epidemiology; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/surgery*; Treatment Outcome; Suburethral Slings/adverse effects*
  19. Yap WH, Khoo KS, Lim SH, Yeo CC, Lim YM
    Phytomedicine, 2012 Jan 15;19(2):183-91.
    PMID: 21893403 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2011.08.058
    Maslinic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpene has been shown to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in some tumour cell lines. We studied the molecular response of Raji cells towards maslinic acid treatment. A proteomics approach was employed to identify the target proteins. Seventeen differentially expressed proteins including those involved in DNA replication, microtubule filament assembly, nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking, cell signaling, energy metabolism and cytoskeletal organization were identified by MALDI TOF-TOF MS. The down-regulation of stathmin, Ran GTPase activating protein-1 (RanBP1), and microtubule associated protein RP/EB family member 1 (EB1) were confirmed by Western blotting. The study of the effect of maslinic acid on Raji cell cycle regulation showed that it induced a G1 cell cycle arrest. The differential proteomic changes in maslinic acid-treated Raji cells demonstrated that it also inhibited expression of dUTPase and stathmin which are known to induce early S and G2 cell cycle arrests. The mechanism of maslinic acid-induced cell cycle arrest may be mediated by inhibiting cyclin D1 expression and enhancing the levels of cell cycle-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 protein. Maslinic acid suppressed nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity which is known to stimulate expression of anti-apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory gene products. These results suggest that maslinic acid affects multiple signaling molecules and inhibits fundamental pathways regulating cell growth and survival in Raji cells.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/metabolism; Nuclear Proteins/metabolism; Pyrophosphatases/metabolism; Time Factors; Triterpenes/pharmacology*; Blotting, Western; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; NF-kappa B/metabolism; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization/methods; Cyclin D1/metabolism; Proteome/analysis*; Coleus/chemistry; Proteomics/methods; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/metabolism; Stathmin/metabolism; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints*
  20. Muhammad BG, Jaafar MS, Abdul Rahman A, Ingawa FA
    Environ Monit Assess, 2012 Aug;184(8):5043-9.
    PMID: 21901308 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2320-3
    Soil serves as a major reservoir for contaminants as it posseses an ability to bind various chemicals together. To safeguard the members of the public from an unwanted exposure, studies were conducted on the sediments and soil from water bodies that form the major sources of domestic water supply in northern peninsular Malaysia for their trace element concentration levels. Neutron Activation Analysis, using Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) located at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Zaria, Nigeria was employed as the analytical tool. The elements identified in major quantities include Na, K, and Fe while As, Br, Cr, U, Th, Eu, Cs, Co, La, Sm, Yb, Sc, Zn, Rb, Ba, Lu, Hf, Ta, and Sb were also identified in trace quantities. Gamma spectroscopy was also employed to analyze some soil samples from the same area. The results indicated safe levels in terms of the radium equivalent activity, external hazard index as well as the mean external exposure dose rates from the soil. The overall screening of the domestic water sources with relatively high heavy metals concentration values in sediments and high activity concentration values in soil is strongly recommended as their accumulation overtime as a consequence of leaching into the water may be of health concern to the members of the public.
    MeSH terms: Elements, Radioactive/analysis*; Environmental Monitoring; Fresh Water/chemistry; Malaysia; Radiation Dosage; Soil/chemistry; Soil Pollutants/analysis*; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*; Water Supply/statistics & numerical data; Geologic Sediments/chemistry; Metals, Heavy/analysis*
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