Browse publications by year: 2013

Fulltext Molecular techniques for detecting and typing of bacteria, advantages and application to foodborne pathogens isolated from ducks

Adzitey F, Huda N, Ali GR

3 Biotech, 2013 Apr;3(2):97-107.
PMID: 28324565 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-012-0074-4

In recent times, several foodborne pathogens have become important and a threat to public health. Surveillance studies have provided data and a better understanding into the existence and spread of foodborne pathogens. The application of molecular techniques for detecting and typing of foodborne pathogens in surveillance studies provide reliable epidemiological data for tracing the source of human infections. A wide range of molecular techniques (including pulsed field gel electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing, random amplified polymorphism deoxyribonucleic acid, repetitive extragenic palindromic, deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing, multiplex polymerase chain reaction and many more) have been used for detecting, speciating, typing, classifying and/or characterizing foodborne pathogens of great significance to humans. Farm animals including chickens, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, and others (such as domestic and wild animals) have been reported to be primary reservoirs for foodborne pathogens. The consumption of contaminated poultry meats or products has been considered to be the leading source of human foodborne infections. Ducks like other farm animals are important source of foodborne pathogens and have been implicated in some human foodborne illnesses and deaths. Nonetheless, few studies have been conducted to explore the potential of ducks in causing foodborne outbreaks, diseases and its consequences. This review highlights some common molecular techniques, their advantages and those that have been applied to pathogens isolated from ducks and their related sources.
Fulltext Development and Characterization of Biodegradable Composite Films Based on Gelatin Derived from Beef, Pork and Fish Sources

Nur Hanani ZA, Beatty E, Roos YH, Morris MA, Kerry JP

Foods, 2013 Jan 02;2(1):1-17.
PMID: 28239092 DOI: 10.3390/foods2010001

The objectives of this study were to develop composite films using various gelatin sources with corn oil (CO) incorporation (55.18%) and to investigate the mechanical and physical properties of these films as potential packaging films. There were increases (p < 0.05) in the tensile strength (TS) and puncture strength (PS) of films when the concentration of gelatin increased. The mechanical properties of these films were also improved when compared with films produced without CO. Conversely, the water barrier properties of composite films decreased (p < 0.05) when the concentration of gelatin in composite films increased. Comparing with pure gelatin films, water and oxygen barrier properties of gelatin films decreased when manufactured with the inclusion of CO.

MeSH terms: Corn Oil; Drug Packaging; Gelatin; Oxygen; Punctures; Tensile Strength; Water; Product Packaging; Physical Phenomena
Fulltext The Development of Expanded Snack Product Made from Pumpkin Flour-Corn Grits: Effect of Extrusion Conditions and Formulations on Physical Characteristics and Microstructure

Nor NM, Carr A, Hardacre A, Brennan CS

Foods, 2013 May 14;2(2):160-169.
PMID: 28239106 DOI: 10.3390/foods2020160

Pumpkin products confer natural sweetness, desirable flavours and β-carotene, a vitamin A precursor when added as ingredients to extruded snacks. Therefore, a potential use for dried pumpkin flour is as an ingredient in ready-to-eat (RTE) snack foods. Growth in this market has driven food manufacturers to produce a variety of new high value snack foods incorporating diverse ingredients to enhance the appearance and nutritional properties of these foods. Ready-to-eat snacks were made by extruding corn grits with 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of pumpkin flour. Snacks made from 100% corn grits were used as control products for this work. The effect of formulation and screw speeds of 250 rpm and 350 rpm on torque and specific mechanical energy (SME, kWh/kg), physical characteristics (expansion ratio, bulk density, true density and hardness) and the microstructure of the snacks were studied. Increasing the screw speed resulted in a decrease of torque for all formulations. When pumpkin flour was added the specific mechanical energy (SME) decreased by approximately 45%. Increasing the percentage of pumpkin flour at the higher screw speed resulted in a harder texture for the extruded products. X-ray tomography of pumpkin flour-corn grit snacks showed that increased levels of pumpkin flour decreased both the bubble area and bubble size. However, no significant differences (p > 0.05) in bubble wall thickness were measured. By understanding the conditions during extrusion, desirable nutritional characteristics can be incorporated while maximizing expansion to make a product with low bulk density, a fine bubble structure and acceptable organoleptic properties.

MeSH terms: Zea mays; Flavoring Agents; Flour; Hardness; Sensation; Tomography, X-Ray; Vitamin A; beta Carotene; Torque; Cucurbita; Snacks
Fulltext Oral squamous cell carcinoma with pseudo-glandular differentiation

Hartanto, F.K., Auzair, L., Mohd Tahir, N.F., Harun, N., Aung, L.O., Siar, C.H., et al.

Ann Dent, 2013;20(2):29-33.
MyJurnal

Conventional oral squamous cell carcinomas are readily
recognized histopathologically but the presence of
additional atypical features may be challenging from
a diagnostic point of view. We present a case of a welldifferentiated
oral squamous cell carcinoma with pseudoglandular
differentiation and discuss the possible differential
diagnoses on a histopathological basis. Accurate diagnosis
is imperative for timely and appropriate intervention and
denotes distinctive prognostic implications. The presence
of perivascular and perineural infiltrations as observed in
this case would indicate the need for further post-operative
therapeutic decision-making aimed at controlling local
spread as well as distant metastases
Fulltext Tissue response of type 2 diabetics towards non-surgical periodontal therapy: a retrospective, comparative study with non-diabetics - a preliminary investigation

Goh, Y.C., Lau, S.L., Ramanathan, A., Swaminathan, D.

Ann Dent, 2013;20(2):24-28.
MyJurnal

The purpose of this study was to assess the tissue
response of Type 2 diabetic subjects towards non surgical
periodontal therapy as compared with matched, nondiabetic
subjects. This was a retrospective, comparative
study using periodontal case notes of 40 subjects attending
undergraduates’ periodontal clinics (20 diabetics, 20 nondiabetics),
who were selected based on the inclusion
and exclusion criteria. Response towards non surgical
periodontal therapy was assessed through three clinical
periodontal parameters, namely plaque score, gingivitis
score and number of periodontal pocket ≥5mm at the
baseline and after initial non surgical periodontal therapy.
Data obtained was then analyzed by SPSS Version 12.
Both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects showed significant
improvements (p-value = 0.021; 0.000; 0.001 and 0.010;
0.014; 0.001) in all three parameters after the therapy.
However, when comparison was made between the two
groups, there was no significant difference (p-value = 0.913;
0.892 and 0.903) in any of the parameters. Periodontal
conditions improved clinically in both diabetic and nondiabetic
subjects after non-surgical periodontal therapy.
Therefore, both groups responded similarly towards the
therapy and thus it can be postulated that well-controlled
diabetic status does not have a significant effect on the
outcome of periodontal therapy.

MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Gingivitis; Periodontal Index; Periodontal Pocket; Retrospective Studies
Fulltext Oral health related quality of life and periodontal status of a selected Malaysian adult population: a pilot study

Abdullah, N.S., Radzali, N.F.M., Saub, R., R.D. Vaithilingam,

Ann Dent, 2013;20(2):16-23.
MyJurnal

To assess the oral health related quality of life
(OHQoL) of a selected population of Malaysian adults and to compare the OHQoL by periodontal status. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study comprises a convenient sampling of fifty subjects from the Primary Care Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. OHQoL was assessed using the Malaysian version of Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Basic periodontal examination (BPE) was performed on all subjects to determine their periodontal status. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were performed.
Results: Psychological discomfort, physical pain and psychological disability domains were the most affected dimensions in this population. Subjects with income levels >RM2,500 had higher impacts on their OHQoL as compared to those from other income levels (p0.05).
Conclusion: Subjects with high income levels had high impacts on their OHQoL. Those with periodontitis experienced higher impacts on their OHQoL as compared to those who had a healthy periodontium or gingivitis and affected a wide range of domains of quality of life.

MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Cross-Sectional Studies; General Practice, Dental; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia; Quality of Life*
Fulltext Developing a caries risk assessment model for patients attending University Malaya dental clinic

Asma, M., Ho, S.L., Yong, J.S., Nor, N.A.M., Yusof, Z.Y.M.

Ann Dent, 2013;20(2):9-14.
MyJurnal

In response to the introduction of an integrated dental education program at University of Malaya (UM) in 2011, a study was conducted to develop a caries risk assessment model (CRA) for use in non-surgical caries management for Year 3 and 4 students of the new integrated program. Methods: The CRA model was based on risk indicators used by dental students in the Preventive Dental Clinic (PDC). Patients aged 15 years and above who attended the PDC for the first time in year 2009 and 2010 were used as study sample. Four hundred and fourteen patient names were identified from the student PDC logbook. Of the 414, 359 dental records had complete data and included in the analysis. Data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Chi-square test was used for group comparison and associated factors for coronal caries were analysed using Multiple Logistic Regression (MLR). Results: The final model showed that adults, brushing teeth once daily, and not having dental prosthesis/appliance were 3.31 (CI=1.64-6.69), 2.53 (CI=1.19-5.40), and 2.25 (CI=1.25-4.10) more likely to develop coronal caries, respectively, than adolescents, brushing teeth at least twice a day, and having dental prosthesis/appliance. Conclusions: The results indicate that age group, toothbrushing frequency and dental prosthesis status are significant indicators for coronal caries among patients. Outcomes of the study contributed towards bridging the gap between cariology
and preventive modules in the new integrated dental program.

MeSH terms: Dental Clinics; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia
Fulltext The effect of oral health education seminar on the oral health knowledge, practice and perception of role of the preschool teachers

Mohd Nor, N.A., Zakaria, S., Amminudin, N.H., Malik, N.A., Mohd Khairi, A.M.

Ann Dent, 2013;20(2):4-8.
MyJurnal

Background: In Malaysia, preschool teachers have long been utilised as oral health educators. However their level of oral health knowledge and effectiveness of the training they received are seldom investigated. This study aims to evaluate the of oral health education seminar (OHE) held for public preschool teachers (KEMAS) in terms of the improvement of their knowledge, practices and attitudes.
Methods: This was a one arm interventional study (before and after survey following OHE seminar intervention). All KEMAS preschool teachers (n=107) in Hulu Terengganu were invited to attend OHE seminar which consisted of 1 hour lecture and 40 minutes OHE demonstration. Pretest questionnaire was collected before the seminar started and post-test questionnaire was collected two weeks later. A self-administered questionnaire used in this study was adapted from “preschool teachers’ knowledge, practices and attitudes towards oral health”, National Oral Health Survey of Preschool Children, 2005. Data were analysed using descriptive and McNemar test, SPSS version 15.0.
Results: Of 107 subjects, only 61 teachers responded yielding to 57% response rate. All subjects were female with mean age of 46 years (SD: 6.03). Overall, there was an improvement of teachers’ oral health knowledge, practices and attitudes after the seminar. Several items seem to have be improved significantly after the seminar, for example knowledge item on factors causing periodontal disease (p=0.03). In terms of practice, all teachers reported they brushed teeth at least twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and use of dental floss was increased significantly after the seminar (p<0.001). Majority of teachers have positive perceptions on their roles in oral health education.
Conclusion: Oral health education seminar appeared to be effective at influencing certain aspects of teachers’ oral health knowledge, practices and attitudes.
Keywords: attitudes, knowledge, oral health promotion, practice, preschool teachers

MeSH terms: Child, Preschool; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Malaysia; Oral Health*; Prospective Studies; School Teachers*
Fulltext A consensus report from the first Asian regional meeting on the terminology and criteria for verruco-papillary lesions of the oral cavity held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, December 15-18, 2013

Zain, R.B., Thomas George Kallarakkal, Anand Ramanathan, Jin, Kim, Tilakaratne, W.M., Takashi Takata, et al.

Ann Dent, 2013;20(2):1-3.
MyJurnal

Verruco-papillary lesions (VPLs) of the oral cavity
described in the literature involve a spectrum of conditions
including squamous papilloma, verruca vulgaris, focal
epithelial hyperplasia, condyloma, proliferative verrucous
leukoplakia and verrucous carcinoma. The majority of the
VPLs are slow growing, benign in nature and have a viral
aetiology (1). Mucosal HPV types (HPV 6, 11, 13, 30,
32, 45, 52, 55, 59, 69, 72 and 73) have been implicated
as possible etiological causes for these benign lesions (2)
while virus associated benign mucosal outgrowths are not
too difficult to diagnose either clinically or by microscopy.
Apart from virus-associated lesions, VPLs harboring
malignant potential such as verrucous carcinoma,
proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and oral verrucous
hyperplasia (OVH) need to be further clarified for better
understanding of their predictable biologic behavior and
appropriate treatment. In particular, the condition referred
to as oral verrucous hyperplasia (OVH) poses a major
diagnostic challenge. OVH represents a histopathological
entity whose clinical features are not well recognised and
is usually clinically indistinguishable from a verrucous
carcinoma (3).
In 1980, Shear and Pindborg classified OVHs into
two clinical variants, a sharp variety comprising of long,
narrow, heavily keratinized verrucous processes which
appears white as a result of heavy keratinization and a
second variant referred to as the blunt variety consisting
of verrucous processes that are broader, flatter and not
heavily keratinized (3). A new pathological entity distinct
from what Shear and Pindborg earlier described has been
found in recent years among betel-quid chewers mainly
from Taiwan. In 2005, Chung et al., in a field survey of
1075 adults noted 9 verrucous lesions which they described
as exophytic outgrowths, which the authors hinted had
hitherto not been reported in the scientific literature (4).
Their Figure: 1 illustrated this newly described “verrucous
lesion”. Subsequently in 2009 Wang et al described a case
series of 60 cases from Taipei and classified these lesions as
plaque-type and mass-type lesions primarily based on their
histopathological features. It was also documented that the
mass-type verrucous hyperplasia may manifest as single
or multiple verrucous whitish pink lesions clinically while
the plaque-type lesions may appear as whitish verrucous
plaques. They also concluded that the terminology OVH
should be reserved to denote only the mass-type lesions
both clinically and histologically and suggested that the
plaque-type lesions should be clinically classified as oral
verruciform leukoplakia and histologically as verruciform
hyperplasia (5).
In an effort to bring uniformity in reporting
these lesions both clinically and histopathologically a
consensus meeting was held in Kuala lumpur, Malaysia
during December 15-18, 2013. A working committee
that included specialists working on oral malignant andpotentially malignant disorders attempted to formulate the
clinical and histopathological criteria of OVH based on
the discussion among the participants in the meeting. The
meeting was attended by 46 participants from 7 countries
and included specialists and trainees in the disciplines
of Oral Medicine and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.
Consensus guidelines arising from this meeting is as
follows.
Fulltext Health risk of dental unit waterline system to dental patients – an issue of concern

Chua, C.S., Fathilah, A.R., Himratul-Aznita, W.H.

Ann Dent, 2013;20(1):20-26.
MyJurnal

Water delivered through dental unit waterline system
(DUWS) is often reported contaminated with microbes
dislodged from biofilm that forms within the tubing
of a dental chair unit (DCU). ADM: The study aimed
at evaluating the sanitary level of DCU water from
a teaching dental clinic. Materials: The presence of
pathogenic bacteria which include total coliforms, faecal
coliforms, E. coli, faecal streptococci and P. aeruginosa
were determined using conventional microbiological
methods while PCR technique was used to identify other
microbial contaminants. Result: pH of DCU water was
found slightly acidic at pH 5.4-5.5 and the temperature
was 23°C. Pathogenic contaminants were absent but
the DCU water was highly loaded with Sphingomonas
rhizogenes (17.9%), Sphingomonas dokdonesis
(79.5%), Sphingomonas mucosissima (1.1%) and
Methylobacterium radiotolerans (1.5%). The high load of
microbes that exceeded 200 cfu/ml was of great concern
as it failed to meet recommendation set by the American
Dental Association.
Fulltext Development of a health promotion questionnaire index (HPQI) to measure doktor muda (junior doctor) programme impact on schoolchildren’s oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviour

Yusof, Z.Y.M., Jaafar, N.

Ann Dent, 2013;20(1):13-19.
MyJurnal

Long term evaluations of impacts of community
based health promotion programmes are not an easy or
straightforward task to do due to lack of validated and
reliable indices. Objective: To develop and test an index
to measure schoolchildren’s oral health knowledge,
attitudes, and behaviour as a result of a school-based health
promotion programme in Malaysia called the Doktor
Muda (Junior Doctor) Programme (DMP). Materials and
Methods: The index was developed in English based on
the DMP module and translated into Malay. The Malay
version was tested on 174, 11-12 year old schoolchildren.
Psychometric analysis of the index involved content and
face validity tests as well as factor analysis, internal and
test-retest reliability. Results: Factor analysis yielded 3
factors with groups of items viz. oral health knowledge
(OHK), oral health attitudes (OHA) and oral health
behaviour (OHB). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the
three factors were 0.61, 0.73, and 0.64, respectively. The
Kappa coefficients were 0.70, 0.77 and 0.73, respectively
(intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.72, 0.70 and 0.78).
The final questionnaire comprised 33 items, namely; OHK
11 items, OHA 15 items, and OHB 7 items. Conclusion:
The Health Promotion Questionnaire Index (HPQI) to
measure the DMP impact on schoolchildren’s oral health
knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours was empirically
verified to be valid and reliable for use among 11-12 year
old Malaysian schoolchildren.

MeSH terms: Attitude to Health; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Health Promotion; Malaysia; Oral Health; Psychometrics; Surveys and Questionnaires; School Health Services; Translating; Reproducibility of Results
Fulltext A retrospective study to evaluate the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on the severity of periodontal disease. A preliminary investigation

Ismail, N., Mohd Ali, S. S., Swaminathan, D.

Ann Dent, 2013;20(1):8-12.
MyJurnal

A preliminary investigation to assess the relationship
in the severity of periodontal disease in diabetics when
compared with non-diabetic subjects. Materials and
Methods: A retrospective, comparative study using
periodontal case notes of 40 subjects (20 Type 2 diabetics,
20 non-diabetics) who were selected based on the
inclusion and exclusion criteria. Severity of periodontal
disease was assessed through number of periodontal
pocket ≥5mm. The results were compared between
subjects whose age, gender and plaque scores are matched
with the test group. Data obtained was then analyzed by
SPSS Version 12. Results: When comparisons were made
between test (Type 2 diabetic) and control (non-diabetic)
groups, there were no significant difference (p>0.05) in
the severity of periodontal disease. However, there was
a clinically mean difference between the two groups.
Conclusions: This preliminary investigation indicated
that the severity of chronic periodontitis, as indicated in
periodontal pocketing, increased in diabetic patients when
compared to non-diabetics clinically, although it was not
statistically significant. The finding of this investigation
was thus not conclusive as it was only a retrospective
study using patients’ case notes. However, the results
are now being further investigated with a proper clinical
trial which examines periodontal parameters and diabetic
status (HbA1c) of the subjects to determine the association
between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus.

MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Gingival Diseases; Humans; Periodontal Pocket; Retrospective Studies; Chronic Periodontitis
Fulltext Perceptions of dental stress and social support among Malaysian dental students

Rajesh, S.M., Muirhead, V., Mohd Dom, T.N., Ismail, N.M., Jamaludin, M., Saub, R.

Ann Dent, 2013;20(1):1-7.
MyJurnal

To explore the association between social
support and stress levels in preclinical and clinical dental
students in Malaysia. Method: A cross sectional survey
of dental undergraduate students was conducted at the
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Stress was measured using the Dental Environment Stress
(DES) questionnaire. A DES-32 item was used to measure
stress for the clinical students and DES-16 item for the
preclinical students. Four questions were used to measure
social support. The total stress scores were standardized
for comparison purposes. Results: A total of 357 (79.7%)
preclinical and 417 (71.8%) clinical undergraduate dental
students responded to the questionnaires. The clinical
students experienced higher stress [mean standardized
DES score = 72.63, SD = 10.64] than preclinical students
[mean standardized DES score = 70.19, SD=12.01]. The
two most stressful items reported by preclinical students
were “fear of failing” and “examination and grades”.
Among clinical students, the two most stressful items related
to academic were “completing course requirement” and
“fear of failing course” and items related to clinical session
were “fear of being barred due to the clinical schedule”
and “patients late or absent”. Multiple regression analyses
revealed that low stress levels among preclinical students
were significantly associated to a lot of contact with
students of the same course. Conclusion: To some extent,
social support does play a role in explaining differences in
perceived stress, in particular among preclinical students.

MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentistry; Faculty; Fear; Humans; Malaysia; Perception; Surveys and Questionnaires; Regression Analysis; Social Support; Students, Dental
Treatment of the Hypogonadal Infertile Male-A Review

Ho CC, Tan HM

Sex Med Rev, 2013 May;1(1):42-49.
PMID: 27784559 DOI: 10.1002/smrj.4

INTRODUCTION: Testosterone treatment for hypogonadism is detrimental for men in reproductive age as it impairs spermatogenesis, and therefore affects fertility. It is, therefore, not indicated in men with hypogonadism and infertility.
AIM: The aim of this review is to analyze current data regarding options of treatment for men with hypogonadism and infertility.
MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: A comprehensive review of the current literature on management of infertility among hypogonadal men.
METHODS: A literature search using PubMed from 1980 to 2012 was done on articles published in the English language. The following medical subject heading terms were used: "infertility," "infertile," "hypogonadism;" "testosterone deficiency" and "men" or "male;" and "treatment" or "management."
RESULTS: The options for hypogonadal testicular failure are limited. Hormonal treatment is by and large ineffective. For secondary hypogonadism (hypogonadotropic/normogonadotropic hypogonadism), the options include gonadotropin-releasing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and anti-estrogens and aromatase inhibitors. Dopamine antagonist is indicated for prolactinoma. Artificial reproductive technique is indicated for primary testicular failure and also when medical therapy fails.
CONCLUSION: The most suitable option with the current data available is hCG with or without hMG/FSH. Testosterone supplementation should be avoided, but if they are already on it, it is still possible for a return of normal sperm production within 1 year after discontinuing testosterone. Ho CCK and Tan HM. Treatment of the hypogonadal infertile male-A review. Sex Med Rev 2013;1:42-49.

MeSH terms: Estrogens; Fertility; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Humans; Hypogonadism; Infertility; Language; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Male; Menotropins; Reproductive Techniques; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa; Testosterone; Prolactinoma; Dopamine Antagonists; PubMed; Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; Medical Subject Headings; Aromatase Inhibitors; Urofollitropin
Fulltext Modeling Melanoma In Vitro and In Vivo

Beaumont KA, Mohana-Kumaran N, Haass NK

Healthcare (Basel), 2013;2(1):27-46.
PMID: 27429258 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare2010027

The behavior of melanoma cells has traditionally been studied in vitro in two-dimensional cell culture with cells adhering to plastic dishes. However, in order to mimic the three-dimensional architecture of a melanoma, as well as its interactions with the tumor microenvironment, there has been the need for more physiologically relevant models. This has been achieved by designing 3D in vitro models of melanoma, such as melanoma spheroids embedded in extracellular matrix or organotypic skin reconstructs. In vivo melanoma models have typically relied on the growth of tumor xenografts in immunocompromised mice. Several genetically engineered mouse models have now been developed which allow the generation of spontaneous melanoma. Melanoma models have also been established in other species such as zebrafish, which are more conducive to imaging and high throughput studies. We will discuss these models as well as novel techniques that are relevant to the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying melanoma progression.
Fulltext Differential outcomes in an extended family with constitutional t(11;22)(q23.3;q11.2)

Kee SK, See VH, Chia P, Tan WC, Tien SL, Lim ST

J Pediatr Genet, 2013 Mar;2(1):37-41.
PMID: 27625838 DOI: 10.3233/PGE-13046

The t(11;22) rearrangement is the most common recurrent familial reciprocal translocation in man. Heterozygote carriers are phenotypically normal but are at risk of subfertility in the male, miscarriages, and producing chromosomally unbalanced offspring. The unbalanced progeny usually results from an extra der(22) chromosome resulting from a 3:1 malsegregation. We present here a family with t(11;22). Of six siblings, three were found to be carriers following prenatal diagnosis of the proband fetus. Neither of the two married carrier siblings have a live born child. In keeping with the prevailing knowledge of the pregnancy outcomes of heterozygote carriers, between the siblings they had recurrent miscarriages, a fetus with a +der(22) chromosome, and other subfertility issues resulting in multiple failed in vitro fertilization cycles with preimplantation genetic diagnosis. However, unlike the siblings, their extended family comprising their heterozygote translocation mother, married aunts and an uncle had normal fertility and a lack of a history of miscarriages or an abnormal child. The differing outcomes may be related to the male partners having additional semen anomalies which may further exacerbate problems associated with the t(11;22). Because the t(11;22) rearrangement tends to run in families, it is recommended that chromosome studies are offered to family members of an affected relative as an option, and provide them with appropriate genetic counseling so that they will have the necessary information with regard to their risk for subfertility, miscarriages, and production of viable unbalanced offspring. Follow-up prenatal diagnosis should also be offered to affected expectant family members, especially after preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

MeSH terms: Abortion, Habitual; Child; Chromosomes; Female; Fertility; Fertilization in Vitro; Fetus; Follow-Up Studies; Genetic Counseling; Heterozygote; Humans; Infertility; Male; Mothers; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prenatal Diagnosis; Semen; Preimplantation Diagnosis; Siblings; Live Birth
Graph-Based Consensus Clustering for Combining Multiple Clusterings of Chemical Structures

Saeed F, Salim N, Abdo A, Hentabli H

Mol Inform, 2013 Feb;32(2):165-78.
PMID: 27481278 DOI: 10.1002/minf.201200110

Consensus clustering methods have been successfully used for combining multiple classifiers in many areas such as machine learning, applied statistics, pattern recognition and bioinformatics. In this paper, consensus clustering is used for combining the clusterings of chemical structures to enhance the ability of separating biologically active molecules from inactive ones in each cluster. Two graph-based consensus clustering methods were examined. The Quality Partition Index method (QPI) was used to evaluate the clusterings and the results were compared to the Ward's clustering method. Two homogeneous and heterogeneous subsets DS1-DS2 of MDL Drug Data Report database (MDDR) were used for experiments and represented by two 2D fingerprints. The results, obtained by a combination of multiple runs of an individual clustering and a single run of multiple individual clusterings, showed that graph-based consensus clustering methods can improve the effectiveness of chemical structures clusterings.
Information Theory and Voting Based Consensus Clustering for Combining Multiple Clusterings of Chemical Structures

Saeed F, Salim N, Abdo A

Mol Inform, 2013 Jul;32(7):591-8.
PMID: 27481767 DOI: 10.1002/minf.201300004

Many consensus clustering methods have been applied in different areas such as pattern recognition, machine learning, information theory and bioinformatics. However, few methods have been used for chemical compounds clustering. In this paper, an information theory and voting based algorithm (Adaptive Cumulative Voting-based Aggregation Algorithm A-CVAA) was examined for combining multiple clusterings of chemical structures. The effectiveness of clusterings was evaluated based on the ability of the clustering method to separate active from inactive molecules in each cluster, and the results were compared with Ward's method. The chemical dataset MDL Drug Data Report (MDDR) and the Maximum Unbiased Validation (MUV) dataset were used. Experiments suggest that the adaptive cumulative voting-based consensus method can improve the effectiveness of combining multiple clusterings of chemical structures.
Fulltext Puspati triga reactor (RTP) radiation monitoring program

Ligam, Alfred Sanggau, Zarina Masood, Mohd Fairus Abdul Farid, Ahmad Nabil Abd Rahim, Nurhayati Ramli, Mohammad Suhaimi Kassim

Jurnal Sains Nuklear Malaysia, 2013;25(2):68-74.
MyJurnal

Radiation Monitoring System aims to limit the exposure dose to personnel to the lowest level
referring to the concept of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). Atomic Energy Licensing
(Basic Safety Radiation Protection) Regulations 2010 is useful to control employee and public
radiation protection program and guideline. This paper discussed the methodology and
implementation of the radiation protection program at PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP) which is
implemented in Nuklear Malaysia, Complex Bangi.

MeSH terms: Licensure; Malaysia; Nuclear Energy; Radiation; Radiation Monitoring; Radiation Protection; Safety
Fulltext A comparison technique of alpha and gamma spectrometry to measure 210Pb activity in marine sediment core

Zal Uyun Wan Mahmood, Yii, Mei-Wo, Che Abd. Rahim Mohamed, Norfaizal Mohamed @ Mohamad, Abdul Kadir Ishak

Jurnal Sains Nuklear Malaysia, 2013;25(2):61-67.
MyJurnal

The most commonly used techniques of alpha and gamma spectrometry were performed to measure
210Pb activity in marine sediment core as a comparison. Alpha analytical technique measured the
activity of 210Pb from it’s in-grow grand-daughter 210Po after a chemical separation, assuming
radioactive equilibrium between the two radionuclides. Meanwhile, gamma analysis technique
allows direct measurement, non-destructive and no preliminary chemical separation. Through the
comparison, it is found that both alpha and gamma analysis techniques were slightly difference.
Overall, the results from alpha analytical technique were basically higher than those from the
gamma analytical techniques. Some logical argument had been discussed to explain this situation.
In routine analysis, the analytical technique used should be chosen carefully based on advantages
and disadvantages of the each technique and analysis requirements. Therefore, it is recommended to
determine exactly the needs and purpose of analysis and to know the sample history before decide
the appropriate analytical technique

MeSH terms: Nuclear Family; Radioactivity; Radioisotopes; Spectrometry, Gamma; Geologic Sediments; Biological Processes; Physiological Processes

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