Browse publications by year: 2013

  1. Fulltext Methyl oleate deoxygenation for production of diesel fuel aliphatic hydrocarbons over Pd/SBA-15 catalysts
    Lee SP, Ramli A
    Chem Cent J, 2013;7(1):149.
    PMID: 24011181 DOI: 10.1186/1752-153X-7-149
    Catalytic deoxygenation is a prominent process for production of renewable fuels from vegetable oil. In this work, deoxygenation of technical grade methyl oleate to diesel fuel aliphatic hydrocarbons (C15 - C18) is evaluated with several parameters including temperature, hydrogen pressure and reaction time in a stirred batch reactor over Pd/SBA-15 catalysts.
  2. Fulltext Characterization of magnetic nanoparticle by dynamic light scattering
    Lim J, Yeap SP, Che HX, Low SC
    Nanoscale Res Lett, 2013;8(1):381.
    PMID: 24011350 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276X-8-381
    Here we provide a complete review on the use of dynamic light scattering (DLS) to study the size distribution and colloidal stability of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The mathematical analysis involved in obtaining size information from the correlation function and the calculation of Z-average are introduced. Contributions from various variables, such as surface coating, size differences, and concentration of particles, are elaborated within the context of measurement data. Comparison with other sizing techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy and dark-field microscopy, revealed both the advantages and disadvantages of DLS in measuring the size of magnetic nanoparticles. The self-assembly process of MNP with anisotropic structure can also be monitored effectively by DLS.
    MeSH terms: Dynamic Light Scattering; Magnetics; Anisotropy; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Magnetite Nanoparticles
  3. Characteristics of overdose and non-overdose suicide attempts in a multi-ethnic Asian society
    Mak KK, Ho CS, Zhang MW, Day JR, Ho RC
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2013 Oct;6(5):373-9.
    PMID: 24011683 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2013.03.011
    Overdosing is an accessible method adopted by people attempting suicide in city settings.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; China/ethnology; Female; Humans; India/ethnology; Malaysia/ethnology; Male; Middle Aged; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Singapore/ethnology; Singapore/epidemiology; Suicide, Attempted/ethnology; Suicide, Attempted/psychology; Suicide, Attempted/statistics & numerical data*; Young Adult; Suicidal Ideation; Drug Overdose/ethnology; Drug Overdose/epidemiology*; Drug Overdose/psychology
  4. Indigenous cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic bacteria enhanced rapid co-composting of lignocellulose oil palm empty fruit bunch with palm oil mill effluent anaerobic sludge
    Zainudin MHM, Hassan MA, Tokura M, Shirai Y
    Bioresour Technol, 2013 Nov;147:632-635.
    PMID: 24012093 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.08.061
    The composting of lignocellulosic oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) with continuous addition of palm oil mill (POME) anaerobic sludge which contained nutrients and indigenous microbes was studied. In comparison to the conventional OPEFB composting which took 60-90 days, the rapid composting in this study can be completed in 40 days with final C/N ratio of 12.4 and nitrogen (2.5%), phosphorus (1.4%), and potassium (2.8%), respectively. Twenty-seven cellulolytic bacterial strains of which 23 strains were closely related to Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus firmus, Thermobifida fusca, Thermomonospora spp., Cellulomonas sp., Ureibacillus thermosphaericus, Paenibacillus barengoltzii, Paenibacillus campinasensis, Geobacillus thermodenitrificans, Pseudoxanthomonas byssovorax which were known as lignocellulose degrading bacteria and commonly involved in lignocellulose degradation. Four isolated strains related to Exiguobacterium acetylicum and Rhizobium sp., with cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic activities. The rapid composting period achieved in this study can thus be attributed to the naturally occurring cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic strains identified.
    MeSH terms: Anaerobiosis; Bacteria/metabolism*; Cellulose/metabolism*; Lignin/metabolism*; Plant Oils/metabolism*; Sewage*; Waste Water*
  5. Cost analysis of risperidone long-acting injection in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders in Hong Kong: an approach using generalised estimating equations
    Wu DB, Lee EH, Chung WS, Chow DP, Lee VW, Wong MC, et al.
    Psychiatry Res, 2013 Dec 30;210(3):745-50.
    PMID: 24012164 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2013.07.012
    Schizophrenia is one of the most expensive psychiatric illnesses. This study compared retrospectively health-care resources consumed 12 months before and 24 months after risperidone long-acting injection (RLAI) treatment in Hong Kong. A mirror-image analysis was conducted using data (N=191) from three public hospitals in Hong Kong from 2003 to 2007. The main outcome measure was hospitalisation cost. Other secondary outcomes such as hospitalisation episodes, outpatient visits and adverse events were also compared. A predictive model was established using linear regression based on generalised estimating equations. Analysis showed that RLAI was associated with a reduction in hospitalisation cost by HK$10,001,390 (24.7%) (HK$40,418,694 vs. HK$30,417,303; P-value <0.05). Days of hospitalisation were reduced by 1538 days (10.1%) (15,271 vs. 13,733; P-value <0.05). The predictive model estimated that the hospitalisation cost of patients using RLAI was only 11.1% (3.1-3.93%, 95% confidence interval (CI)) compared to those receiving conventional antipsychotics combined with oral risperidone. Cost of hospitalisation was significantly reduced after RLAI therapy. However, results should be considered as indicative or suggestive only, due to potential channelling bias where certain drug regimens are preferentially prescribed to patients with particular conditions. The findings from our study may be useful in health-care decision making considering treatment options for schizophrenia in resource-limited settings.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Delayed-Action Preparations/administration & dosage*; Delayed-Action Preparations/economics; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Hong Kong; Hospitalization/economics*; Humans; Injections/economics; Male; Middle Aged; Psychotic Disorders/drug therapy*; Psychotic Disorders/economics; Regression Analysis; Retrospective Studies; Schizophrenia/drug therapy*; Schizophrenia/economics; Antipsychotic Agents/administration & dosage*; Antipsychotic Agents/economics; Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use; Health Care Costs/statistics & numerical data*; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Risperidone/administration & dosage*; Risperidone/economics; Risperidone/therapeutic use
  6. Predictors of the yield of mobilized peripheral blood CD34+ cells in HLA-matched sibling donor
    Fadilah SA, Mohd-Razif MI, Seery ZA, Nor-Rafeah T, Wan-Fariza WJ, Habsah A, et al.
    Transfus Apher Sci, 2013 Dec;49(3):583-9.
    PMID: 24012241 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2013.07.032
    We examined the donor factors that may affect the yield of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilized from healthy donors. Pre-apheresis PB-CD34(+) cell count was the only factor that correlated with PBSC yield. Leukocyte count (LC) and monocyte count (MC) correlated with PB-CD34(+) cell. Male gender and PB-CD34(+) cell count of at least 87.1/μL and 69.8/μL on day-4 and -5 of G-CSF were associated with the ability to harvest at least 5×10(6)/kg CD34(+) cells after one apheresis. We concluded that gender and PB-CD34(+) cell count are important predictors of PBSC yield. LC and MC may serve as surrogate markers for estimating the PB-CD34(+) cell count.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Component Removal/methods*; Child; Female; HLA Antigens/immunology*; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Tissue Donors; Antigens, CD34/immunology*; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization/methods; Siblings; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation/methods*; Young Adult
  7. Plasma progesterone changes and length of oestrous cycle in Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis)
    Mahre MB, Wahid H, Rosnina Y, Jesse FF, Azlan CA, Yap KC
    Anim. Reprod. Sci., 2013 Oct;141(3-4):148-53.
    PMID: 24012278 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.07.012
    A study was conducted to profile the plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations and establish the length of oestrous cycle in the Rusa timorensis during the breeding season. Five healthy hinds were selected for peripheral blood sampling twice weekly to gauge the P4 levels by radioimmunoassay, at the start of the breeding season indicated by rutting behaviours of sexually active males. The hinds were polyestrous as proven by the cyclic trend of P4 levels. After the presumptive oestrus indicated by the lowest P4 concentrations (0.20±0.09ng/ml), this ovarian hormone was markedly elevated on day 7 of the cycle (0.78±0.20ng/ml), reached its peak (2.61±0.23ng/ml, P<0.05) on day 14, and then declined to the basal level in the subsequent oestrus. The mean oestrous cycle length in R. timorensis during the breeding season was 19.2 days with a range of 18-21 days, and the pattern of circulating progesterone during the oestrous cycle of the R. timorensis is similar to those of other deer species. It was also observed that the length of oestrous cycle of R. timorensis determined by gauging the progesterone levels and observation of the oestrous behaviours as well as changes in the cellular pattern of vaginal epithelial cells are highly consistent.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Deer/blood*; Deer/physiology*; Estrus/physiology; Female; Progesterone/blood*; Time Factors; Estrous Cycle/blood*; Estrous Cycle/physiology*
  8. Fulltext Synthesis, evaluation of antioxidant activity and crystal structure of 2,4-dimethylbenzoylhydrazones
    Taha M, Ismail NH, Jamil W, Yousuf S, Jaafar FM, Ali MI, et al.
    Molecules, 2013 Sep 05;18(9):10912-29.
    PMID: 24013406 DOI: 10.3390/molecules180910912
    2,4-Dimethylbenzoylhydrazones 1-30 were synthesized by condensation reactions of 2,4-dimethylbenzoylhydrazide with various aromatic aldehydes and characterized. The assigned structures of compounds 10, 15 and 22 were further supported by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro DPPH radical scavenging activity. They exerted varying degree of scavenging activity toward DPPH radical with IC₅₀ values between 25.6-190 µM. Compounds 1, 4, 2, 3, 7, and 6 have IC₅₀ values of 25.6, 28.1, 29.3, 29.8, 30.0 and 30.1 µM respectively, showing better activity than an n-propyl gallate standard (IC₅₀ value = 30.30 µM). For super oxide anion scavenging activity compounds 1, 2 and 3 with IC₅₀ values of 98.3, 102.6, and 105.6, respectively, also showed better activity than the n-propyl gallate standard (IC₅₀ value = 106.34 µM).
    MeSH terms: Biphenyl Compounds/chemistry; Hydrazones/chemical synthesis*; Picrates/chemistry; Superoxides/chemistry; Free Radical Scavengers/chemical synthesis*; Crystallography, X-Ray
  9. Fulltext Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers application on the phytochemical and antioxidant activity of Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila Benth)
    Ibrahim MH, Jaafar HZ, Karimi E, Ghasemzadeh A
    Molecules, 2013 Sep 05;18(9):10973-88.
    PMID: 24013410 DOI: 10.3390/molecules180910973
    A study was conducted to compare secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity of Labisia pumila Benth (Kacip Fatimah) in response to two sources of fertilizer [i.e., organic (chicken dung; 10% N:10% P₂O₅:10% K₂O) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK green; 15% N, 15% P₂O₅, 15% K₂O)] under different N rates of 0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. At the end of 15 weeks, it was observed that the application of organic fertilizer enhanced the production of total phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, saponin and gluthathione content in L. pumila, compared to the use of inorganic fertilizer. The nitrate content was also reduced under organic fertilization. The application of nitrogen at 90 kg N/ha improved the production of secondary metabolites in Labisia pumila. Higher rates in excess of 90 kg N/ha reduced the level of secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity of this herb. The DPPH and FRAP activity was also highest at 90 kg N/ha. The results indicated that the use of chicken dung can enhance the production of secondary metabolites and improve antioxidant activity of this herb.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Ascorbic Acid/metabolism; Ascorbic Acid/chemistry; Biphenyl Compounds/chemistry; Chickens; Feces; Fertilizers*; Flavonoids/metabolism; Flavonoids/chemistry; Free Radicals/chemistry; Glutathione/metabolism; Glutathione/chemistry; Nitrates/metabolism; Phenols/metabolism; Phenols/chemistry; Picrates/chemistry; Saponins/metabolism; Saponins/chemistry; Free Radical Scavengers/metabolism*; Free Radical Scavengers/chemistry; Primulaceae/metabolism*; Primulaceae/chemistry; Phytochemicals/metabolism
  10. Imported tropical neuroinfections: practice skills and knowledge among nurses and nursing students
    Rajoo M, Sulicova A, Mroskova S, Supinova M, Plackova A, Bystra M, et al.
    Neuro Endocrinol. Lett., 2013 Sep;34(Suppl 1):45-7.
    PMID: 24013609
    OBJECTIVE: Tropical neuroinfections are still cause of substantial mortality in travelers. Therefore, good knowledge of early symptoms is very important for nurses acting as first contact persons.

    METHODS: Nurse's practical skills and knowledge of signs and early recognition of tropical neuroinfections, providing first aid and quick action has been studied among graduates of two Tropical Nursing PhD programs (in EU-Countries vs. tropical country) using a standardized questionnaire. Statistical package EPI info was used to determine potential differences between both groups of graduates.

    RESULTS: Acceptable knowledge on early symptoms and signs of cerebral malaria and meningococcal meningitis in returning travelers was found among 121 graduates of two PhD programs who were included in the study. Of these, 99 questionnaires were filled in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Germany and another 22 were filled in Malaysia, as a part of the Tropical Nursing PhD Study Programs.

    CONCLUSION: Nursing students and recent graduates in two PhD programs demonstrated acceptable, although not large-scaled, knowledge of early signs and symptoms of tropical neuroinfections.

    MeSH terms: Communicable Diseases; First Aid; Germany; Malaysia; Meningitis, Meningococcal; Surveys and Questionnaires; Students, Nursing; Malaria, Cerebral; Czech Republic; Slovakia
  11. Microsporum fulvum IBRL SD3: as novel isolate for chicken feathers degradation
    Darah I, Nur-Diyana A, Nurul-Husna S, Jain K, Lim SH
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2013 Dec;171(7):1900-10.
    PMID: 24013862 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-013-0496-4
    Keratinous wastes have increasingly become a problem and accumulate in the environment mainly in the form of feathers, generated mainly from a large number of poultry industries. As keratins are very difficult to degrade by general proteases, they pose a major environmental problem. Therefore, microorganisms which would effectively degrade keratins are needed for recycling such wastes. A geophilic dermatophyte, Microsporum fulvum IBRL SD3 which was isolated from a soil sample collected from a chicken feather dumping site using a baiting technique, was capable to produce keratinase significantly. The crude keratinase was able to degrade whole chicken feathers effectively. The end product of the degradation was protein that contained essential amino acids and may have potential application in animal feed production. Thus, M. fulvum could be a novel organism to produce keratinase for chicken feathers degradation.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acids/biosynthesis; Amino Acids/metabolism; Animals; Chickens*; Feathers/metabolism*; Fermentation; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Industrial Waste; Keratins/metabolism*; Microsporum/enzymology; Microsporum/metabolism*; Peptide Hydrolases/metabolism; Proteolysis*
  12. Fulltext New insights of Microsporidial infection among asymptomatic aboriginal population in Malaysia
    Shahrul Anuar T, M Al-Mekhlafi H, Md Salleh F, Moktar N
    PLoS One, 2013;8(8):e71870.
    PMID: 24014078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071870
    Studies on microsporidial infection mostly focus on immunodeficiency or immunosuppressive individuals. Therefore, this cross-sectional study describes the prevalence and risk factors of microsporidiosis among asymptomatic individuals in Malaysia.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feces/microbiology; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Risk Factors; Spores, Fungal/isolation & purification; Prevalence; Microsporidia/isolation & purification; Microsporidiosis/epidemiology*; Age Distribution; Young Adult; Asymptomatic Infections/epidemiology*
  13. Engaging with Lyell: Alfred Russel Wallace's Sarawak Law and Ternate papers as reactions to Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology
    Costa JT
    Theory Biosci, 2013 Dec;132(4):225-37.
    PMID: 24014172 DOI: 10.1007/s12064-013-0188-1
    Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) and Charles Darwin (1809-1882) are honored as the founders of modern evolutionary biology. Accordingly, much attention has focused on their relationship, from their independent development of the principle of natural selection to the receipt by Darwin of Wallace's essay from Ternate in the spring of 1858, and the subsequent reading of the Wallace and Darwin papers at the Linnean Society on 1 July 1858. In the events of 1858 Wallace and Darwin are typically seen as central players, with Darwin's friends Charles Lyell (1797-1875) and Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911) playing supporting roles. This narrative has resulted in an under-appreciation of a more central role for Charles Lyell as both Wallace's inspiration and foil. The extensive anti-transmutation arguments in Lyell's landmark Principles of Geology were taken as the definitive statement on the subject. Wallace, in his quest to solve the mystery of species origins, engaged with Lyell's arguments in his private field notebooks in a way that is concordant with his engagement with Lyell in the 1855 and 1858 papers. I show that Lyell was the object of Wallace's Sarawak Law and Ternate papers through a consideration of the circumstances that led Wallace to send his Ternate paper to Darwin, together with an analysis of the material that Wallace drew upon from the Principles. In this view Darwin was, ironically, intended for a supporting role in mediating Wallace's attempted dialog with Lyell.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Biology/history*; Borneo; Biological Evolution*; Famous Persons*; Geology/history*; Great Britain; Humans; Indonesia; Selection, Genetic; History, 19th Century
  14. Counseling for prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy due to thalassemia major: a survey of health care workers' practices in Malaysia
    Ngim CF, Lai NM, Ibrahim H
    Prenat Diagn, 2013 Dec;33(13):1226-32.
    PMID: 24014379 DOI: 10.1002/pd.4233
    OBJECTIVE: Genetic counseling for thalassemia carriers is conducted by nongeneticist health care workers (HCWs) in many countries. The aim of the study was to assess Malaysian HCWs' genetic counseling practices with regards to discussing prenatal diagnosis (PND) and termination of pregnancy (TOP) when counseling thalassemia carriers.
    METHOD: A total of 118 Malaysian HCWs (52 doctors and 66 nurses) completed a structured questionnaire that enquired if they would discuss PND and TOP when counseling couples with thalassemia traits, and reasons for their responses were explored.
    RESULTS: All the nurses and 50 (96.1%) doctors were in favor of discussing PND. Only 29 (58%) doctors and 33 (50%) nurses were agreeable to discuss about the option of TOP. Main reasons given for declining to discuss TOP were views that "the condition was not serious enough" (54.9%), TOP is not permissible by their religion (17.6%) and abortion for this indication was illegal (13.7%).
    CONCLUSION: The results showed that HCWs in Malaysia lacked the comprehensive information and necessary skills required when counseling thalassemia carriers. When nongeneticist HCWs are tasked with such responsibilities, their practices and attitudes should be regularly evaluated so that areas of deficiencies could be identified and addressed.
    MeSH terms: Abortion, Induced/psychology; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Personnel/psychology; Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data*; Humans; Malaysia; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Nurses/psychology; Nurses/statistics & numerical data; Physicians/psychology; Physicians/statistics & numerical data; Pregnancy; Professional Practice/statistics & numerical data*; Surveys and Questionnaires; Religion; beta-Thalassemia/diagnosis*; beta-Thalassemia/genetics; beta-Thalassemia/psychology
  15. Kodamaea transpacifica f.a., sp. nov., a yeast species isolated from ephemeral flowers and insects in the Galapagos Islands and Malaysia: further evidence for ancient human transpacific contacts
    Freitas LFD, Barriga EJC, Barahona PP, Lachance MA, Rosa CA
    Int J Syst Evol Microbiol, 2013 Nov;63(Pt 11):4324-4329.
    PMID: 24014626 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.052282-0
    Twenty-four yeast strains were isolated from ephemeral flowers of Ipomoea spp. and Datura sp. and their associated insects in the Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador, and from Ipomoea spp. and associated insects in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. Sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene indicated that these strains belong to a novel yeast species of the Kodamaea clade, although the formation of ascospores was not observed. The closest relative is Candida restingae. The human-mediated dispersion of this species by transpacific contacts in ancient times is suggested. The name Kodamaea transpacifica f.a., sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these isolates. The type strain is CLQCA-24i-070(T) ( = CBS 12823(T) = NCYC 3852(T)); MycoBank number MB 803609.
    MeSH terms: Animals; DNA, Fungal/genetics; Ecuador; Saccharomycetales/classification*; Saccharomycetales/genetics; Saccharomycetales/isolation & purification; Humans; Insects/microbiology*; Malaysia; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny*; RNA, Ribosomal/genetics; Mycological Typing Techniques; Sequence Analysis, DNA; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics; Ipomoea/microbiology*; Flowers/microbiology*; Ribosome Subunits, Large, Eukaryotic/genetics
  16. Fulltext Editorial: Evidence-based medicine
    Sivananthan DK
    J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2013 Aug;21(2):139.
    PMID: 24014768
    MeSH terms: Hip Fractures/complications; Hip Fractures/surgery*; Humans; Orthopedics*; Evidence-Based Medicine*; Venous Thromboembolism/etiology; Venous Thromboembolism/prevention & control*
  17. Fulltext Gelam honey attenuates carrageenan-induced rat paw inflammation via NF-κB pathway
    Hussein SZ, Mohd Yusoff K, Makpol S, Mohd Yusof YA
    PLoS One, 2013;8(8):e72365.
    PMID: 24015236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072365
    The activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of a number of inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Gelam honey in inflammation induced rats via NF-κB signalling pathway. Rats paw edema was induced by subplantar injection of 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw. Rats were pre-treated with Gelam honey at different doses (1 or 2 g/kg, p.o.) and NSAID Indomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o.), in two time points (1 and 7 days). Our results showed that Gelam honey at both concentrations suppressed the gene expressions of NF-κB (p65 & p50) and IκBα in inflamed rats paw tissues. In addition, Gelam honey inhibited the nuclear translocation and activation of NF-κB and decreased the cytosolic degradation of IκBα dose dependently in inflamed rats paw tissues. The immunohistochemical expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators COX-2 and TNF-α were also decreased in inflamed rats paw tissues when treated with Gelam honey. The results of our findings suggest that Gelam honey exhibits its inhibitory effects by attenuating NF-κB translocation to the nucleus and inhibiting IκBα degradation, with subsequent decrease of inflammatory mediators COX-2 and TNF-α.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*; Carrageenan; Cell Nucleus/metabolism; Foot/pathology; Honey*; Inflammation/chemically induced; Inflammation/drug therapy; Inflammation/metabolism; Male; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism; Signal Transduction; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; I-kappa B Proteins/genetics; I-kappa B Proteins/metabolism; Protein Transport; Rats; Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism; Transcription Factor RelA/genetics; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism*; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit/genetics; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit/metabolism
  18. Fulltext Are there gender differences in coronary artery disease? The Malaysian National Cardiovascular Disease Database - Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (NCVD-PCI) Registry
    Lee CY, Hairi NN, Wan Ahmad WA, Ismail O, Liew HB, Zambahari R, et al.
    PLoS One, 2013;8(8):e72382.
    PMID: 24015238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072382
    To assess whether gender differences exist in the clinical presentation, angiographic severity, management and outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
    MeSH terms: Aged; Coronary Artery Disease/mortality; Coronary Artery Disease/epidemiology*; Coronary Artery Disease/pathology; Coronary Artery Disease/therapy; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Registries; Risk; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Characteristics; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; Proportional Hazards Models; Treatment Outcome; Hospital Mortality; Sex Distribution; Observational Studies as Topic
  19. Fulltext Epidemiologic update on the dengue situation in the Western Pacific Region, 2011
    Arima Y, Edelstein ZR, Han HK, Matsui T
    Western Pac Surveill Response J, 2013 May 14;4(2):47-54.
    PMID: 24015372 DOI: 10.5365/WPSAR.2012.3.4.019
    Dengue is an emerging vectorborne infectious disease that is a major public health concern in the Asia and the Pacific. Official dengue surveillance data for 2011 provided by ministries of health were summarized as part of routine activities of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Based on officially reported surveillance data, dengue continued to show sustained activity in the Western Pacific Region. In 2011, Member States reported a total of 244,855 cases of which 839 died for a case fatality rate of 0.34%. More than 1000 cases were reported each from Cambodia, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Singapore and Viet Nam. Cambodia, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands reported higher activity relative to 2010. There continues to be great variability among the dengue-endemic countries and areas in the Region in the number of cases and serotype distribution. The continued high notification rate and complex dengue epidemiology in the Region highlight the need for information-sharing on a routine and timely basis.
    MeSH terms: Dengue/diagnosis*; Dengue/epidemiology*; Dengue Virus/isolation & purification; Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data*; Humans; Pacific Islands/epidemiology; Population Surveillance*; Risk Factors; World Health Organization; Epidemiological Monitoring
  20. Fulltext Forest production predicted from satellite image analysis for the Southeast Asia region
    Potter C, Klooster S, Genovese V, Hiatt C
    Carbon Balance Manag, 2013;8(1):9.
    PMID: 24016254 DOI: 10.1186/1750-0680-8-9
    The objective of this study was to demonstrate a new, cost-effective method to define the sustainable amounts of harvested wood products in Southeast Asian countries case studies, while avoiding degradation (net loss) of total wood carbon stocks. Satellite remote sensing from the MODIS sensor was used in the CASA (Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach) carbon cycle model to map forest production for the Southeast Asia region from 2000 to 2010. These CASA model results have been designed to be spatially detailed enough to support carbon cycle assessments in different wooded land cover classes, e.g., open woodlands, wetlands, and forest areas.
External Links