Browse publications by year: 2013

1. Identifying factors associated with diagnostic concordance/discordance in oral lichen planus

   Siar CH, Lim JS, Tang SP, Chia HS, Loh YM, Ng KH

   J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2013 Oct;71(10):1688-93.

   PMID: 23773425 DOI: 10.1016/j.joms.2013.04.026

   Abstract

   To identify factors associated with concordance and discordance between clinical and histopathologic diagnoses of oral lichen planus lesions.

   MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biopsy; Child; Clinical Competence; Female; Forecasting; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Sex Factors; Time Factors; Cohort Studies; Lichen Planus, Oral/diagnosis*; Young Adult
2. Mutagenicity and genotoxicity effects of Lignosus rhinocerotis mushroom mycelium

   Chen TI, Zhuang HW, Chiao YC, Chen CC

   J Ethnopharmacol, 2013 Aug 26;149(1):70-4.

   PMID: 23773827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.06.001

   Abstract

   Lignosus rhinocerotis mushroom is widely used as traditional medicine and as soup ingredient in Malaysia and Hong Kong. Its sclerotium is the part of edibility and is traditionally used for the treatment of fever, cough, asthma and cancer. In view of its safety profile, very little information is found in scientific literature.

   MeSH terms: Animals; Biological Products/isolation & purification; Biological Products/toxicity*; China; Chromosome Aberrations/chemically induced; Cricetulus; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erythrocytes/drug effects; Erythrocytes/ultrastructure; Female; Male; Medicine, Chinese Traditional*; Mice, Inbred ICR; Mutagenicity Tests/methods; Polyporaceae/chemistry*; Salmonella typhimurium/drug effects; Salmonella typhimurium/genetics; CHO Cells; Ethnopharmacology*; Mycelium/chemistry*; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective/chemically induced; Mice
3. Strategies and challenges for systematically mapping biologically significant molecular pathways regulating carcinoma epithelial-mesenchymal transition

   Said NA, Simpson KJ, Williams ED

   Cells Tissues Organs, 2013;197(6):424-34.

   PMID: 23774256 DOI: 10.1159/000351717

   Abstract

   Enormous progress has been made towards understanding the role of specific factors in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT); however, the complex underlying pathways and the transient nature of the transition continues to present significant challenges. Targeting tumour cell plasticity underpinning EMT is an attractive strategy to combat metastasis. Global gene expression profiling and high-content analyses are among the strategies employed to identify novel EMT regulators. In this review, we highlight several approaches to systematically interrogate key pathways involved in EMT, with particular emphasis on the features of multiparametric, high-content imaging screening strategies that lend themselves to the systematic discovery of highly significant modulators of tumour cell plasticity.

   MeSH terms: Humans; Neoplasms/genetics; Neoplasms/metabolism; Neoplasms/pathology*; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Gene Expression Profiling; Cell Line, Tumor; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/physiology*
4. Genetic characterization of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (cox 1) gene of the zoonotic parasitic nematode, Ancylostoma ceylanicum from humans, dogs and cats

   Ngui R, Mahdy MA, Chua KH, Traub R, Lim YA

   Acta Trop, 2013 Oct;128(1):154-7.

   PMID: 23774318 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.06.003

   Abstract

   Ancylostoma ceylanicum is the only zoonotic hookworm species that is able to produce patent infections in humans with the majority of cases reported in South East Asia. Over the past few years, there have been an increasing number of studies investigating the prevalence of this parasitic zoonosis using molecular diagnostic tools and a single genetic locus as marker for species identification. As there can be limitations in using a single genetic locus for epidemiological studies and genetic discrimination, the complementary use of a more variable locus will provide additional evidence to support the zoonotic exchange of hookworm species between humans and animals. In the present study, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox 1) sequence of A. ceylanicum from positive human and animal fecal samples were determined and compared with published reference sequences. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that isolates of A. ceylanicum were divided into two clusters, one consisting 3 human isolates and the other comprising 19 isolates of human and animal origin from different geographical locations within Malaysia. The two groups of A. ceylanicum could be distinguished from one another through five fixed nucleotide differences at locations 891, 966, 1008, 1077 and 1083. The detection of genetically distinct groups and considerable level of genetic variation within the cox 1 sequence of A. ceylanicum might suggest potential haplotype-linked differences in zoonotic, epidemiological and pathobiological characteristics, a hypothesis that still needs further investigation.

   MeSH terms: Ancylostoma/enzymology*; Ancylostoma/genetics*; Ancylostoma/isolation & purification; Ancylostomiasis/parasitology*; Ancylostomiasis/veterinary*; Animals; Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Cats; Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics*; Dogs; Humans; Malaysia; Molecular Sequence Data; Genetic Variation*; Cluster Analysis; Sequence Analysis, DNA; DNA, Helminth/genetics; DNA, Helminth/chemistry; Protein Subunits/genetics; Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics*; Phylogeography
5. Fulltext Intravitreal ranibizumab in the management of stage 2B Coats disease in a young adult Malay man

   Teh SS, Ahem A, Bastion ML

   BMJ Case Rep, 2013;2013.

   PMID: 23774706 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2013-009697

   Abstract

   This paper describes a rare case of Coats disease with late presentation in a young adult. The condition improved with a combination of focal photocoagulation, cryotherapy and intravitreal ranibizumab.

   MeSH terms: Ranibizumab; Adult; Fluorescein Angiography; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Vitreous Body*; Treatment Outcome; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/therapeutic use*; Young Adult; Retinal Telangiectasis/diagnosis; Retinal Telangiectasis/drug therapy*; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use*
6. Admission hypothermia among VLBW infants in Malaysian NICUs

   Boo NY, Guat-Sim Cheah I, Malaysian National Neonatal Registry

   J Trop Pediatr, 2013 Dec;59(6):447-52.

   PMID: 23774951 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmt051

   Abstract

   This study aimed to determine the prevalence of admission hypothermia (AH) among very-low-birth-weight (≤1500 g) infants in 32 Malaysian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of all very-low-birth-weight infants admitted and a questionnaire survey of the practice of AH prevention. Of the 3768 (99.8%) infants with admission temperature recorded, 64.8% (n = 2440) were hypothermic: 40.3% (n = 983) mildly (36.0-36.4°C), 58.5% (n = 1428) moderately (32.0-35.9°C) and 1.2% (n = 29) severely (<32.0°C). Mean ambient temperature of these NICUs was 22.8°C (SD = 2.7, n = 28) in labour rooms and 20.1°C (SD = 1.6, n = 30) in operation theatres. None of the NICUs practised complete care bundle against AH at birth (i.e. use of pre-warmed radiant warmer and cling wrap, ambient temperature of at least 25°C and use of pre-warmed transport incubator). Care bundle against neonatal hypothermia should be actively promoted in Malaysian labour rooms and operation theatres.

   MeSH terms: Body Temperature; Humans; Hypothermia/diagnosis*; Hypothermia/mortality; Infant; Infant Mortality*; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases*; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal/statistics & numerical data; Malaysia/epidemiology; Morbidity; Patient Admission/statistics & numerical data*; Prospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Prevalence; Logistic Models; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*
7. Fulltext Push pull microfluidics on a multi-level 3D CD

   Thio TH, Ibrahim F, Al-Faqheri W, Moebius J, Khalid NS, Soin N, et al.

   Lab Chip, 2013 Aug 21;13(16):3199-209.

   PMID: 23774994 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc00004d

   Abstract

   A technique known as thermo-pneumatic (TP) pumping is used to pump fluids on a microfluidic compact disc (CD) back towards the CD center against the centrifugal force that pushes liquids from the center to the perimeter of the disc. Trapped air expands in a TP air chamber during heating, and this creates positive pressure on liquids located in chambers connected to that chamber. While the TP air chamber and connecting channels are easy to fabricate in a one-level CD manufacturing technique, this approach provides only one way pumping between two chambers, is real-estate hungry and leads to unnecessary heating of liquids in close proximity to the TP chamber. In this paper, we present a novel TP push and pull pumping method which allows for pumping of liquid in any direction between two connected liquid chambers. To ensure that implementation of TP push and pull pumping also addresses the issue of space and heating challenges, a multi-level 3D CD design is developed, and localized forced convection heating, rather than infra-red (IR) is applied. On a multi-level 3D CD, the TP features are placed on a top level separate from the rest of the microfluidic processes that are implemented on a lower separate level. This approach allows for heat shielding of the microfluidic process level, and efficient usage of space on the CD for centrifugal handling of liquids. The use of localized forced convection heating, rather than infra-red (IR) or laser heating in earlier implementations allows not only for TP pumping of liquids while the CD is spinning but also makes heat insulation for TP pumping and other fluidic functions easier. To aid in future implementations of TP push and pull pumping on a multi-level 3D CD, study on CD surface heating is also presented. In this contribution, we also demonstrate an advanced application of pull pumping through the implementation of valve-less switch pumping.

   MeSH terms: Equipment Design; Hot Temperature; Compact Disks*; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques/instrumentation*; Mechanical Processes*
8. Molecular description of familial defective APOB-100 in Malaysia

   Al-Khateeb AR, Mohd MS, Yusof Z, Zilfalil BA

   Biochem Genet, 2013 Oct;51(9-10):811-23.

   PMID: 23775634 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-013-9609-6

   Abstract

   Familial ligand-defective apolipoprotein B-100 is characterized by elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein levels and premature heart disease. This study aims to determine apolipoprotein B gene mutations among Malaysians with clinical diagnoses of familial hypercholesterolemia and to compare the phenotype of patients with apolipoprotein B gene mutations to those with a low-density lipoprotein receptor gene mutation. A group of 164 patients with a clinical diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia was analyzed. Amplicons in exon 26 and exon 29 of the apolipoprotein B gene were screened for genetic variants using denaturing gradient high-performance liquid chromatography; 10 variants were identified. Five novel mutations were detected (p.Gln2485Arg, p.Thr3526Ala, p.Glu3666Lys, p.Tyr4343CysfsX221, and p.Arg4297His). Those with familial defective apolipoprotein had a less severe phenotype than those with familial hypercholesterolemia. An apolipoprotein gene defect is present among Malaysian familial hypercholesterolemics. Those with both mutations show a more severe phenotype than those with one gene defect.

   MeSH terms: Adult; Chromatography, Liquid; Female; Humans; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II/genetics*; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Receptors, LDL/genetics*; Genetic Variation; Case-Control Studies; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Mutation, Missense; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Apolipoprotein B-100/genetics*
9. Fulltext Impact of parameter variation in fabrication of nanostructure by atomic force microscopy nanolithography

   Dehzangi A, Larki F, Hutagalung SD, Goodarz Naseri M, Majlis BY, Navasery M, et al.

   PLoS One, 2013;8(6):e65409.

   PMID: 23776479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065409

   Abstract

   In this letter, we investigate the fabrication of Silicon nanostructure patterned on lightly doped (10(15) cm(-3)) p-type silicon-on-insulator by atomic force microscope nanolithography technique. The local anodic oxidation followed by two wet etching steps, potassium hydroxide etching for silicon removal and hydrofluoric etching for oxide removal, are implemented to reach the structures. The impact of contributing parameters in oxidation such as tip materials, applying voltage on the tip, relative humidity and exposure time are studied. The effect of the etchant concentration (10% to 30% wt) of potassium hydroxide and its mixture with isopropyl alcohol (10%vol. IPA ) at different temperatures on silicon surface are expressed. For different KOH concentrations, the effect of etching with the IPA admixture and the effect of the immersing time in the etching process on the structure are investigated. The etching processes are accurately optimized by 30%wt. KOH +10%vol. IPA in appropriate time, temperature, and humidity.

   MeSH terms: Hydroxides/chemistry; Potassium Compounds/chemistry; Microscopy, Atomic Force/methods*; 2-Propanol/chemistry; Nanotechnology*; Nanostructures/chemistry
10. Malaysia makes progress against HIV, but challenges remain

    Barmania S

    Lancet, 2013 Jun 15;381(9883):2070-1.

    PMID: 23776960

    MeSH terms: Cooperative Behavior*; Counseling; Female; Health Education/organization & administration*; Humans; Islam; Malaysia; Male; Mass Screening; Schools; Sexual Behavior; HIV Infections/prevention & control*; Spouses; Needle-Exchange Programs
11. Fulltext Interleukin-6 via sputum induction as biomarker of inflammation for indoor particulate matter among primary school children in Klang Valley, Malaysia

    Nazariah SS, Juliana J, Abdah MA

    Glob J Health Sci, 2013 Jul;5(4):93-105.

    PMID: 23777726 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v5n4p93

    Abstract

    In the last few years, air within homes have been indicates by various and emerging body as more serious polluted than those outdoor. Prevalence of respiratory inflammation among school children aged 8 and 10 years old attending national primary schools in urban and rural area were conducted in Klang Valley. Two population studies drawn from the questionnaires were used to investigate the association between indoor particulate matter (PM2.5 & PM10) in a home environment and respiratory implication through the understanding of biological responses. Approximately 430 healthy school children of Standard 2 and Standard 5 were selected. Indication of respiratory symptoms using adaptation questionnaire from American Thoracic Society (1978). Sputum sample collection taken for biological analysis. IL-6 then was analyse by using ELISA techniques. Indoor PM2.5 and PM10 were measured using Dust Trak Aerosol Monitor. The mean concentration of PM2.5 (45.38 µg/m3) and PM10 (80.07 µg/m3) in urban home environment is significantly higher compared to those in rural residential area (p=0.001). Similar trend also shows by the prevalence of respiratory symptom. Association were found with PM2.5 and PM10 with the level of IL-6 among school children. A greater exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 are associated with higher expression of IL-6 level suggesting that the concentration of indoor particulate in urban density area significantly influence the health of children.

    MeSH terms: Child; Environmental Monitoring/methods; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Residence Characteristics; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data; Socioeconomic Factors; Sputum/immunology*; Sputum/metabolism; Urban Population/statistics & numerical data; Biomarkers; Interleukin-6/analysis*; Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects*; Air Pollution, Indoor/statistics & numerical data; Inflammation Mediators/analysis*; Inflammation Mediators/metabolism; Inhalation Exposure/analysis; Inhalation Exposure/statistics & numerical data; Particulate Matter/adverse effects*; Particulate Matter/analysis
12. Neurorestorative effect of FTY720 in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease: comparison with memantine

    Hemmati F, Dargahi L, Nasoohi S, Omidbakhsh R, Mohamed Z, Chik Z, et al.

    Behav Brain Res, 2013 Sep 1;252:415-21.

    PMID: 23777795 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.06.016

    Abstract

    Alzheimer's disease (AD) as a neurodegenerative brain disorder is the most common cause of dementia. To date, there is no causative treatment for AD and there are few preventive treatments either. The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator FTY720 (fingolimod) prevents lymphocytes from contributing to an autoimmune reaction and has been approved for multiple sclerosis treatment. In concert with other studies showing the anti-inflammatory and protective effect of FTY720 in some neurodegenerative disorders like ischemia, we have recently shown that FTY720 chronic administration prevents from impairment of spatial learning and memory in AD rats. Here FTY720 was examined on AD rats in comparison to the only clinically approved NMDA receptor antagonist, Memantine. Passive avoidance task showed significant memory restoration in AD animals received FTY720 comparable to Memantine. Upon gene profiling by QuantiGene Plex, this behavioral outcomes was concurrent with considerable alterations in some genes transcripts like that of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and some inflammatory markers that may particularly account for the detected decline in hippocampal neural damage or memory impairment associated with AD. From a therapeutic standpoint, our findings conclude that FTY720 may suggest new opportunities for AD management probably based on several modulatory effects on genes involved in cell death or survival.

    MeSH terms: Fingolimod Hydrochloride; Alzheimer Disease/chemically induced; Alzheimer Disease/pathology; Alzheimer Disease/prevention & control*; Animals; Avoidance Learning/drug effects; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects; Hippocampus/pathology; Male; Memantine/therapeutic use*; Nerve Degeneration/chemically induced; Nerve Degeneration/prevention & control; Peptide Fragments/toxicity; Propylene Glycols/therapeutic use*; Sex Factors; Sphingosine/analogs & derivatives*; Sphingosine/therapeutic use; Cytokines/genetics; Cytokines/metabolism*; Amyloid beta-Peptides/toxicity; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use*; Gene Expression Profiling; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*; Rats
13. Fulltext Effect of the tocotrienol-rich fraction on the lifespan and oxidative biomarkers in Caenorhabditis elegans under oxidative stress

    Aan GJ, Zainudin MS, Karim NA, Ngah WZ

    Clinics (Sao Paulo), 2013 May;68(5):599-604.

    PMID: 23778402 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2013(05)04

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine the effect of the tocotrienol-rich fraction on the lifespan and oxidative status of C. elegans under oxidative stress.

    METHOD: Lifespan was determined by counting the number of surviving nematodes daily under a dissecting microscope after treatment with hydrogen peroxide and the tocotrienol-rich fraction. The evaluated oxidative markers included lipofuscin, which was measured using a fluorescent microscope, and protein carbonyl and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, which were measured using commercially available kits.

    RESULTS: Hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress significantly decreased the mean lifespan of C. elegans, which was restored to that of the control by the tocotrienol-rich fraction when administered before or both before and after the hydrogen peroxide. The accumulation of the age marker lipofuscin, which increased with hydrogen peroxide exposure, was decreased with upon treatment with the tocotrienol-rich fraction (p<0.05). The level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine significantly increased in the hydrogen peroxide-induced group relative to the control. Treatment with the tocotrienol-rich fraction before or after hydrogen peroxide induction also increased the level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine relative to the control. However, neither hydrogen peroxide nor the tocotrienol-rich fraction treatment affected the protein carbonyl content of the nematodes.

    CONCLUSION: The tocotrienol-rich fraction restored the lifespan of oxidative stress-induced C. elegans and reduced the accumulation of lipofuscin but did not affect protein damage. In addition, DNA oxidation was increased.

    MeSH terms: Animals; Antioxidants/pharmacology*; DNA Damage/drug effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Lipofuscin/metabolism; Longevity/drug effects*; Oxidation-Reduction/drug effects; Time Factors; Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects*; Caenorhabditis elegans/physiology; Oxidative Stress/drug effects*; Tocotrienols/pharmacology*
14. Fulltext Genotoxicity and acute and subchronic toxicity studies of a standardized methanolic extract of Ficus deltoidea leaves

    Farsi E, Shafaei A, Hor SY, Ahamed MB, Yam MF, Asmawi MZ, et al.

    Clinics (Sao Paulo), 2013 Jun;68(6):865-75.

    PMID: 23778480 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2013(06)23

    Abstract

    Ficus deltoidea leaves have been used in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia to treat diabetes, inflammation, diarrhea, and infections. The present study was conducted to assess the genotoxicity and acute and subchronic toxicity of a standardized methanol extract of F. deltoidea leaves.

    MeSH terms: Methanol; Animals; Body Weight/drug effects; Chromatography, Liquid; Female; Male; Phytotherapy; Organ Size/drug effects; Plant Extracts/administration & dosage; Plant Extracts/toxicity*; Random Allocation; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Plant Leaves/toxicity*; Toxicity Tests, Acute; Ficus/toxicity*; Apigenin/analysis; Rats; Toxicity Tests, Subchronic
15. Fulltext Thyroid-stimulating hormone is significantly associated with bone health status in men

    Chin KY, Ima-Nirwana S, Mohamed IN, Aminuddin A, Johari MH, Ngah WZ

    Int J Med Sci, 2013;10(7):857-63.

    PMID: 23781131 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.5870

    Abstract

    Recent studies revealed a novel association between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and bone health status in healthy male populations. The present study aimed to validate this association and provide new information on the relationship between TSH levels and calcaneal speed of sound (SOS) in men.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Anthropometry; Calcaneus/anatomy & histology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Thyrotropin/blood*; Thyroxine/blood; Triiodothyronine/blood; Bone Density*
16. Fulltext Acute toxicity and gastroprotective role of M. pruriens in ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injuries in rats

    Golbabapour S, Hajrezaie M, Hassandarvish P, Abdul Majid N, Hadi AH, Nordin N, et al.

    Biomed Res Int, 2013;2013:974185.

    PMID: 23781513 DOI: 10.1155/2013/974185

    Abstract

    The investigation was to evaluate gastroprotective effects of ethanolic extract of M. pruriens leaves on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injuries in rats. Forty-eight rats were divided into 8 groups: negative control, extract control, ulcer control, reference control, and four experimental groups. As a pretreatment, the negative control and the ulcer control groups were orally administered carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). The reference control was administered omeprazole orally (20 mg/kg). The ethanolic extract of M. pruriens leaves was given orally to the extract control group (500 mg/kg) and the experimental groups (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg). After 1 h, CMC was given orally to the negative and the extract control groups. The other groups received absolute ethanol. The rats were sacrificed after 1 h. The ulcer control group exhibited significant mucosal injuries with decreased gastric wall mucus and severe damage to the gastric mucosa. The extract caused upregulation of Hsp70 protein, downregulation of Bax protein, and intense periodic acid schiff uptake of glandular portion of stomach. Gastric mucosal homogenate showed significant antioxidant properties with increase in synthesis of PGE2, while MDA was significantly decreased. The ethanolic extract of M. pruriens leaves was nontoxic (<5 g/kg) and could enhance defensive mechanisms against hemorrhagic mucosal lesions.

    MeSH terms: Ethanol; Animals; Antioxidants/pharmacology; Gastric Mucosa/drug effects; Gastric Mucosa/injuries*; Gastric Mucosa/pathology*; Glycoproteins/metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Fabaceae/chemistry*; Malondialdehyde/metabolism; Phytotherapy; Mucus/metabolism; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Stomach Ulcer/drug therapy; Stomach Ulcer/pathology; Dinoprostone/metabolism; Protective Agents/pharmacology*; Protective Agents/therapeutic use; Protective Agents/toxicity*; Toxicity Tests, Acute*; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism; Rats
17. Sustainable complete remission in recurrence yolk sac tumor patient treated with tandem high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell

    Abdullah NA, Wang PN, Huang KG, Adlan AS, Casanova J

    Eur. J. Gynaecol. Oncol., 2013;34(2):183-5.

    PMID: 23781595

    Abstract

    A 21-year-old lady diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian yolk sac tumor (YST) underwent primary cytoreductive fertility sparing surgery, followed by conventional courses of platinum-based chemotherapy and etoposide. Recurrence at cul-da-sac was noted after a short period of remission and secondary debulking performed followed by four cycles of conventional chemotherapy. The patient's disease progressed despite courses of treatments. A joint team management including a hematologist was commenced following the failure of conventional chemotherapies. Two cycles of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with ifosfamide/cisplatin/etoposide (ICE) regimen, followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) were given. With this salvage treatment, she remained in complete remission and disease-free for more than 30 months, while maintaining her reproductive function. These approaches appear to be effective as a salvage treatment in selected cases of patients with ovarian germ cell tumor, especially those who failed primary conventional chemotherapy.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*; Female; Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/therapy*; Ovarian Neoplasms/therapy*; Transplantation, Autologous; Endodermal Sinus Tumor/therapy*; Stem Cell Transplantation
18. Education and imaging. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic: A huge liver paraganglioma

    Koh PS, Koong JK, Westerhout CJ, Yoong BK

    J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2013 Jul;28(7):1075.

    PMID: 23782121 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12254

    MeSH terms: Embolization, Therapeutic; Female; Hepatectomy; Humans; Liver Neoplasms/pathology*; Liver Neoplasms/radiography*; Liver Neoplasms/surgery; Middle Aged; Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal/pathology*; Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal/radiography*; Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal/surgery; Portal Vein; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
19. Prevalence and risk factors for proteinuria: the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia Lifecheck Health Screening programme

    Ong LM, Punithavathi N, Thurairatnam D, Zainal H, Beh ML, Morad Z, et al.

    Nephrology (Carlton), 2013 Aug;18(8):569-75.

    PMID: 23782264 DOI: 10.1111/nep.12112

    Abstract

    Aim: Treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a huge burden to the healthcare system. To address the problem, the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia embarked on a programme to screen for proteinuria and educate the public on CKD.
    
    Methods: The public was invited for health screening and the data collected over a 21 month period was analyzed.
    
    Results: In total, 40400 adults from all the states in Malaysia were screened. The screening population had a mean age of 41 years, 30.1% had hypertension and 10.6% had diabetes. Proteinuria was detected in 1.4% and haematuria in 8.9% of the participants. Factors associated with the highest risk for proteinuria were the presence of diabetes (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.63 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.16-3.21)), hypertension (OR 2.49 (95% CI 2.03-3.07)) and cardiac disease (OR 2.05 (95% CI 1.50-2.81)). Other risk factors identified were lower educational level, family history of kidney disease, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity and lack of regular exercise. Chinese had the lowest risk for proteinuria among the races (OR 0.71 (95% CI 0.57-0.87) compared with Malays). The combination of high blood glucose and high blood pressure (BP) substantially increased the risk for proteinuria (OR 38.1 for glucose ≥ 10 mmol/L and systolic BP ≥ 180 mm Hg and OR 47.9 for glucose ≥ 10 mmol/L and diastolic BP ≥ 110 mm Hg).
    
    Conclusion: The prevalence of proteinuria in Malaysia is similar to other countries. The major risk factors for proteinuria were diabetes, hypertension and cardiac disease. The presence of both high blood pressure and high blood glucose exert a synergistic effect in substantially increasing the risk for proteinuria.
    
    Keywords: epidemiology; population studies; proteinuria.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology; Female; Heart Diseases/epidemiology; Humans; Hypertension/epidemiology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Proteinuria/diagnosis; Proteinuria/epidemiology*; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Comorbidity; Prevalence; Multivariate Analysis; Logistic Models; Odds Ratio; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/diagnosis; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology*; Young Adult
20. Fulltext Reliability of automated biochemical identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei is regionally dependent

    Podin Y, Kaestli M, McMahon N, Hennessy J, Ngian HU, Wong JS, et al.

    J Clin Microbiol, 2013 Sep;51(9):3076-8.

    PMID: 23784129 DOI: 10.1128/JCM.01290-13

    Abstract

    Misidentifications of Burkholderia pseudomallei as Burkholderia cepacia by Vitek 2 have occurred. Multidimensional scaling ordination of biochemical profiles of 217 Malaysian and Australian B. pseudomallei isolates found clustering of misidentified B. pseudomallei isolates from Malaysian Borneo. Specificity of B. pseudomallei identification in Vitek 2 and potentially other automated identification systems is regionally dependent.

    MeSH terms: Australia; Diagnostic Errors*; Geography; Humans; Malaysia; Sensitivity and Specificity; Bacterial Typing Techniques/methods*; Burkholderia pseudomallei/classification; Burkholderia pseudomallei/isolation & purification*; Burkholderia pseudomallei/metabolism; Automation, Laboratory/methods*