Browse publications by year: 2018

Transcriptional landscape of B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia based on an international study of 1,223 cases

Li JF, Dai YT, Lilljebjörn H, Shen SH, Cui BW, Bai L, et al.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2018 12 11;115(50):E11711-E11720.
PMID: 30487223 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1814397115

Most B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL) can be classified into known major genetic subtypes, while a substantial proportion of BCP ALL remains poorly characterized in relation to its underlying genomic abnormalities. We therefore initiated a large-scale international study to reanalyze and delineate the transcriptome landscape of 1,223 BCP ALL cases using RNA sequencing. Fourteen BCP ALL gene expression subgroups (G1 to G14) were identified. Apart from extending eight previously described subgroups (G1 to G8 associated with MEF2D fusions, TCF3-PBX1 fusions, ETV6-RUNX1-positive/ETV6-RUNX1-like, DUX4 fusions, ZNF384 fusions, BCR-ABL1/Ph-like, high hyperdiploidy, and KMT2A fusions), we defined six additional gene expression subgroups: G9 was associated with both PAX5 and CRLF2 fusions; G10 and G11 with mutations in PAX5 (p.P80R) and IKZF1 (p.N159Y), respectively; G12 with IGH-CEBPE fusion and mutations in ZEB2 (p.H1038R); and G13 and G14 with TCF3/4-HLF and NUTM1 fusions, respectively. In pediatric BCP ALL, subgroups G2 to G5 and G7 (51 to 65/67 chromosomes) were associated with low-risk, G7 (with ≤50 chromosomes) and G9 were intermediate-risk, whereas G1, G6, and G8 were defined as high-risk subgroups. In adult BCP ALL, G1, G2, G6, and G8 were associated with high risk, while G4, G5, and G7 had relatively favorable outcomes. This large-scale transcriptome sequence analysis of BCP ALL revealed distinct molecular subgroups that reflect discrete pathways of BCP ALL, informing disease classification and prognostic stratification. The combined results strongly advocate that RNA sequencing be introduced into the clinical diagnostic workup of BCP ALL.

MeSH terms: Adult; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Models, Genetic; Mutation; Prognosis; Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/classification*; Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics*; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Databases, Nucleic Acid; Oncogene Fusion; Transcriptome*
Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Atrial Systolic Function after Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty Using Tissue Doppler Imaging

Hasan MN, Banarjee SK, Ahsan SA, Habib SM, Mahmood M

Mymensingh Med J, 2018 Oct;27(4):851-858.
PMID: 30487504

Mitral stenosis (MS) affects left atrial (LA) function as a result of hemodynamic and myocardial factors that causes significant symptoms and complications. Conventional echocardiographic methods have been practicing to see the improvement of left atrial function after successful percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV). Introduction of tissue doppler imaging allows direct and non-invasive measurement of myocardial velocities. The aim of the study was to evaluate LA functions after PMBV using colour tissue doppler imaging. This cross sectional study was performed in Cardiology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 2014 to February 2015. Forty six (46) patients (28 females, mean age: 28.96±5.78 years) presenting with mitral valve stenosis who fulfilled the indications for PMBV were included in the study. Within 24 hours before PMBV, all the patients underwent colour tissue doppler study in addition to routine conventional echocardiographic examinations. Late diastolic velocities (A') measured at the septal and lateral annuli were recorded. All the measurements were repeated 24 hours after PMBV. The PMBV was done using the Inoue technique. After PMBV mitral valve areas (MVA) were significantly increased. Maximum and mean gradients, LA diameter, LA area, LA volume, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure and mean LA pressures were decreased while septal and lateral A' were significantly (p<0.001) increased. Lateral and septal A' velocities were correlated with MVA and inversely related to LA pressure measured invasively during PMBV. Tissue doppler velocities illustrated improvement of left atrial systolic function after PMBV in relation to decreased mean left atrial pressure and increased mitral valve area. Therefore, tissue doppler Imaging is a useful tool to detect improvement of left atrial systolic function after PMBV in patients with mitral stenosis.

MeSH terms: Adult; Bangladesh; Cross-Sectional Studies; Echocardiography; Female; Humans; Atrial Function, Left; Young Adult; Balloon Valvuloplasty*
Fulltext Disseminated AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma

Tang ASO, Teh YC, Chea CY, Yeo ST, Chua HH

Oxf Med Case Reports, 2018 Dec;2018(12):omy107.
PMID: 30487992 DOI: 10.1093/omcr/omy107

We present a case of disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma with both cutaneous and extracutaneous involvement in an HIV-infected patient with a relatively high CD4 count of 369 cell/mm3. He developed chronic diarrhea, constitutional symptoms, worsening bilateral pleural effusion with respiratory distress, and progression of skin lesions distributed over his chest and extremities. The temporal relationship between rapid clinical progression and initiation of HAART suggested the possibility of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, which eventually resulted in the death of this patient.

MeSH terms: Diarrhea; Humans; Male; Pleural Effusion; Sarcoma, Kaposi; HIV Infections; Disease Progression; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome
Fulltext Paradigm Shift in Drug Re-purposing From Phenalenone to Phenaleno-Furanone to Combat Multi-Drug Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi

Mujawar S, Gatherer D, Lahiri C

Front Cell Infect Microbiol, 2018;8:402.
PMID: 30488026 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00402

Over recent years, typhoid fever has gained increasing attention with several cases reporting treatment failure due to multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. While new drug development strategies are being devised to combat the threat posed by these MDR pathogens, drug repurposing or repositioning has become a good alternative. The latter is considered mainly due to its capacity for saving sufficient time and effort for pre-clinical and optimization studies. Owing to the possibility of an unsuccessful repositioning, due to the mismatch in the optimization of the drug ligand for the changed biochemical properties of "old" and "new" targets, we have chosen a "targeted" approach of adopting a combined chemical moiety-based drug repurposing. Using small molecules selected from a combination of earlier approved drugs having phenalenone and furanone moieties, we have computationally delineated a step-wise approach to drug design against MDR Salmonella. We utilized our network analysis-based pre-identified, essential chaperone protein, SicA, which regulates the folding and quality of several secretory proteins including the Hsp70 chaperone, SigE. To this end, another crucial chaperone protein, Hsp70 DnaK, was also considered due to its importance for pathogen survival under the stress conditions typically encountered during antibiotic therapies. These were docked with the 19 marketed anti-typhoid drugs along with two phenalenone-furanone derivatives, 15 non-related drugs which showed 70% similarity to phenalenone and furanone derivatives and other analogous small molecules. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation studies were performed to check the stability of the protein-drug complexes. Our results showed the best binding interaction and stability, under the parameters of a virtual human body environment, with XR770, a phenaleno-furanone moiety based derivative. We therefore propose XR770, for repurposing for therapeutic intervention against emerging and significant drug resistance conferred by pathogenic Salmonella strains.

MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Bacterial Proteins/drug effects; Bacterial Proteins/chemistry; Drug Combinations; Furans/pharmacology*; Salmonella typhi/drug effects*; Sigma Factor/drug effects; Protein Folding/drug effects; Molecular Chaperones/drug effects; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/drug effects*; Phenalenes/pharmacology*; HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins/drug effects; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; Molecular Docking Simulation
Ultrahigh luminescence quantum yield lanthanide coordination polymer as a multifunctional sensor

Zheng K, Liu Z, Jiang Y, Guo P, Li H, Zeng C, et al.

Dalton Trans, 2018 Nov 29.
PMID: 30488066 DOI: 10.1039/c8dt03832e

The investigation and development of advanced multifunctional and sensitive sensors with high luminescent quantum yield and the capability of detecting different analytes, such as metal ions, is imperative. Due to its inherent properties the lanthanide coordination complex is one candidate for sensing applications, particularly for multifunctional sensors. Herein, we present two series of alkali ion decorated lanthanide coordination polymers (Ln-CPs), which show ultrahigh luminescence quantum yields (QYs) of 77% (1a) and 92% (2a). To the best of our knowledge, 1a represents the first trifunctional lanthanide complex sensor that can simultaneous detect and discriminate three different analytes, namely H+/Cd2+/Cr3+ through a multimode optical response. Furthermore, the limit of detection (LOD) for Cr3+ is an ultralow value of 2.0 × 10-9 M with a sensing time of 2 h, which is comparable to the most sensitive Cr3+ chemosensor. More interestingly, 92% (2a) is an unprecedented luminescence QY among the reported lanthanide coordination complexes.
Fulltext The COMiT'ID Study: Developing Core Outcome Domains Sets for Clinical Trials of Sound-, Psychology-, and Pharmacology-Based Interventions for Chronic Subjective Tinnitus in Adults

Hall DA, Smith H, Hibbert A, Colley V, Haider HF, Horobin A, et al.

Trends Hear, 2018;22:2331216518814384.
PMID: 30488765 DOI: 10.1177/2331216518814384

Subjective tinnitus is a chronic heterogeneous condition that is typically managed using intervention approaches based on sound devices, psychologically informed therapies, or pharmaceutical products. For clinical trials, there are currently no common standards for assessing or reporting intervention efficacy. This article reports on the first of two steps to establish a common standard, which identifies what specific tinnitus-related complaints ("outcome domains") are critical and important to assess in all clinical trials to determine whether an intervention has worked. Using purposive sampling, 719 international health-care users with tinnitus, health-care professionals, clinical researchers, commercial representatives, and funders were recruited. Eligibility was primarily determined by experience of one of the three interventions of interest. Following recommended procedures for gaining consensus, three intervention-specific, three-round, Delphi surveys were delivered online. Each Delphi survey was followed by an in-person consensus meeting. Viewpoints and votes involved all stakeholder groups, with approximately a 1:1 ratio of health-care users to professionals. "Tinnitus intrusiveness" was voted in for all three interventions. For sound-based interventions, the minimum set included "ability to ignore," "concentration," "quality of sleep," and "sense of control." For psychology-based interventions, the minimum set included "acceptance of tinnitus," "mood," "negative thoughts and beliefs," and "sense of control." For pharmacology-based interventions, "tinnitus loudness" was the only additional core outcome domain. The second step will next identify how those outcome domains should best be measured. The uptake of these intervention-specific standards in clinical trials will improve research quality, enhance clinical decision-making, and facilitate meta-analysis in systematic reviews.

MeSH terms: Clinical Trials as Topic/standards*; Delphi Technique; Humans; Research Design/standards*; Tinnitus/diagnosis; Tinnitus/physiopathology; Tinnitus/psychology; Tinnitus/therapy*; Treatment Outcome; Endpoint Determination/standards*; Consensus; Patient Reported Outcome Measures
Efficacy, safety, and prognostic indicators of first-line sunitinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A single center experience

Abd Ghafar NK, Alip A, Ong TA, Yap NY, Saad M

J Cancer Res Ther, 2018 11 30;14(6):1303-1311.
PMID: 30488848 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.189247

Background: We assessed the efficacy and safety of sunitinib as the first-line treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients. The predictors of survival and efficacy in mRCC as identified from previous studies, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) factors, were also evaluated.
Patients and Methods: Data from 56 patients with mRCC, treated with sunitinib at our institute (2006-2014), were analyzed retrospectively. Prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses performed by log-rank test and Cox regression.
Results: Fifty-one (91.1%) patients received starting dose of sunitinib of 50 mg/day in 4/2 schedule. The median PFS was 12.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5-20.9 months) and the median OS was 16.9 months (95% CI, 3.8-29.9 months). The objective response rate was 27.5%. Dose interruption and reduction due to toxicities were required in 37.5% and 60.7% of patients, respectively. The most common Grades 3-4 toxicities were hand-foot syndrome (HFS) (23.2%), thrombocytopenia (16.1%), and hypertension (14.3%). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2, hemoglobin < lower limit of normal, neutrophil > upper limit of normal (ULN), platelet > ULN, no prior nephrectomy, metastatic sites >1, liver metastases, lymph node metastases, and development of HFS were independent prognostic factors.
Conclusions: Sunitinib treatment has acceptable efficacy and safety profile in Malaysian mRCC patients. The MSKCC and IMDC factors are relevant for predicting survival in our patient cohort while HFS is a promising prognostic predictor which warrants further investigation.
Erythematous verrucous plaque on the hand

Yee EY, Choon SE

Cutis, 2018 Oct;102(4):223;230;231.
PMID: 30489556
MeSH terms: Aged; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/diagnosis*; Agricultural Workers' Diseases/drug therapy; Amputation; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/complications; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnosis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery; Chromoblastomycosis/complications; Chromoblastomycosis/diagnosis*; Chromoblastomycosis/drug therapy; Diagnosis, Differential; Fingers/surgery; Hand Dermatoses/complications; Hand Dermatoses/diagnosis*; Hand Dermatoses/drug therapy; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/complications; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery; Skin Neoplasms/complications; Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis; Skin Neoplasms/surgery; Soil Microbiology
Parametric optimization of polycaprolactone synthesis catalysed by Candida antarctica lipase B using response surface methodology

Pakalapati H, Arumugasamy SK, Jewaratnam J, Wong YJ, Khalid M

Biopolymers, 2018 Dec;109(12):e23240.
PMID: 30489632 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23240

A statistical approach with D-optimal design was used to optimize the process parameters for polycaprolactone (PCL) synthesis. The variables selected were temperature (50°C-110°C), time (1-7 h), mixing speed (50-500 rpm) and monomer/solvent ratio (1:1-1:6). Molecular weight was chosen as response and was determined using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI TOF). Using the D-optimal method in design of experiments, the interactions between parameters and responses were analysed and validated. The results show a good agreement with a minimum error between the actual and predicted values.

MeSH terms: Algorithms; Candida/enzymology*; Fungal Proteins/metabolism*; Kinetics; Lipase/metabolism*; Models, Chemical; Molecular Weight; Polyesters/metabolism*; Polyesters/chemistry; Temperature; Time Factors; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Biocatalysis
Chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Seto WK, Lo YR, Pawlotsky JM, Yuen MF

Lancet, 2018 11 24;392(10161):2313-2324.
PMID: 30496122 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31865-8

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health threat that causes considerable liver-related morbidity and mortality. It is acquired at birth or later via person-to-person transmission. Vaccination effectively prevents infection and chronic hepatitis B virus carriage. In chronically infected patients, an elevated serum hepatitis B virus DNA concentration is the main risk factor for disease progression, although there are other clinical and viral parameters that influence disease outcomes. In addition to liver biochemistry, virological markers, and abdominal ultrasonography, non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis is emerging as an important assessment modality. Long-term nucleos(t)ide-analogue therapy is safe and well tolerated, achieves potent viral suppression, and reduces the incidence of liver-related complications. However, a need to optimise management remains. Promising novel therapies are at the developmental stage. With current vaccines, therapies, and an emphasis on improving linkage to care, WHO's goal of eliminating hepatitis B virus as a global health threat by 2030 is achievable.

MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; DNA, Viral/blood; Female; Hepatitis B virus/drug effects*; Hepatitis B virus/genetics; Humans; Liver/metabolism; Liver/pathology; Liver/chemistry; Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy*; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology; Male; Middle Aged; Nucleosides/administration & dosage; Nucleosides/therapeutic use; Risk Factors; Ultrasonography/methods; Vaccination/methods; World Health Organization/organization & administration; Disease Progression; Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy; Hepatitis B, Chronic/immunology; Hepatitis B, Chronic/mortality; Hepatitis B, Chronic/epidemiology*
Fulltext Morning boost on individuals' psychophysiological wellbeing indicators with supportive, dynamic lighting in windowless open-plan workplace in Malaysia

Sithravel R, Ibrahim R, Lye MS, Perimal EK, Ibrahim N, Dahlan ND

PLoS One, 2018;13(11):e0207488.
PMID: 30496193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207488

Workplace architectural lighting conditions that are biologically dim during the day are causing healthy individuals to experience light-induced health and performance-related problems. Dynamic lighting was reported beneficial in supporting individuals' psychological behavior and physiological responses during work period in Europe. It has yet to be investigated in workplaces with minimal/no natural daylight contribution in tropical Malaysia. Hence, an exploratory experimental study was initiated in an experimental windowless open-plan workplace in Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang. The aim was to identify dynamic lighting configurations that were more supportive of a morning boosting effect than the control constant lighting, to support dayshift individuals' psychophysiological wellbeing indicators during the peak morning work period. The immediate impact of a 2-hour morning exposure to overhead white LED (6500 K) with different horizontal illuminance levels and oscillations (lighting patterns) were investigated on physiological indicator limited to urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, and psychological indicators for alertness, mood, visual comfort, cognitive and visual task performance. Not all of the investigated dynamic lighting configurations were supportive of a morning boost. Only configurations 500increased to750 and 500increased to1000 lx therapeutically supported most of the indicators. Both these configurations suppressed urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, and improved alertness, cognitive performance, positive affect, and visual comfort better than 'visit 1: 500constant500' lx (control). The increasing oscillation was observed more beneficial for the morning boost in tropical Malaysia, which is in reverse to that specified in the human rhythmic dynamic lighting protocol developed by researchers from the Netherlands for application during winter. The findings from this study present the feasibility of dynamic architectural lighting acting as an environmental therapeutic solution in supporting the individuals' psychophysiological wellbeing indicators in windowless open-plan workplace in tropical Malaysia. Further investigations on the two prospective configurations are recommended to determine the better supportive one for the morning boosting effect in Malaysia.

MeSH terms: Adult; Affect/physiology*; Circadian Rhythm; Cognition/physiology*; Female; Humans; Lighting*; Malaysia; Male; Melatonin/analogs & derivatives; Melatonin/urine; Task Performance and Analysis*; Workplace*
Fulltext Prevalence of chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus, and association with sleep quality among hemodialysis patients in Pakistan

Rehman IU, Munib S, Ramadas A, Khan TM

PLoS One, 2018;13(11):e0207758.
PMID: 30496235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207758

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) varies from 22% to 84% among patients receiving hemodialysis. It occurs more frequently at night, and often affects patient's sleep quality. CKD-aP is often unreported by patients, and many do not receive effective treatment. There is, however, a paucity of available data on the prevalence and impact of CKD-aP on patients receiving hemodialysis in Pakistan.
METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was undertaken from July 2016 to April 2017 at a tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan.
RESULTS: 354 patients undergoing hemodialysis were studied. 35.6% had CKD for 1-2 years, and 42.4% were receiving hemodialysis for 1-2 years. The prevalence of pruritus was 74%. The median [interquartile range] score for pruritus was 10.0 (out of possible 25) [8.0-12.0]; while the median [interquartile range] Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score was 8.0 (out of possible 21) [7.0-10.0]'. Pruritus was significantly correlated with the sleep score (r = 0.423, p<0.001). The results of the multivariate linear regression revealed a positive association between pruritus and age of patients (β = 0.031; 95% CI = 0.002-0.061; p = 0.038) and duration of CKD (β = -0.013; 95% CI = -0.023 --0.003; p = 0.014). Similarly there was a positive association between sleep score and duration of CKD (β = 0.010; 95% CI = 0.002-0.019; p = 0.012) and pruritus (β = 0.143; 95% CI = 0.056-0.230; p = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus is very common in patients receiving hemodialysis in Pakistan. Pruritus is significantly associated with poor sleep quality.

MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Renal Dialysis; Humans; Pakistan; Pruritus; Sleep; Prevalence; Linear Models; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Tertiary Care Centers
Fulltext Diabetic neuropathic cachexia in a young woman

Yusof NA, Idris NS, Zin FM

Korean J Fam Med, 2018 Nov 30.
PMID: 30497111 DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.17.0127

Profound weight loss with painful symmetrical peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients was first described as diabetic neuropathic cachexia more than 4 decades ago. It is a distinct type of diabetic peripheral neuropathy that occurs in the absence of other microvascular and autonomic complications of diabetes. The mechanism and precipitating cause are unknown. It was reported to have good prognosis with spontaneous recovery within months to 2 years. However, it was frequently missed by clinicians because the profound weight loss is the most outstanding complaint, rather than the pain, numbness, or weakness. This often leads to extensive investigation to exclude more sinister causes of weight loss, particularly malignancy. We report a case of a young woman with well-controlled diabetes who presented with profound unintentional weight loss (26 kg), symmetrical debilitating thigh pain, and clinical signs of peripheral neuropathy. As the disease entity may mimic an inflammatory demyelinating cause of neuropathy, she was treated with a trial of intravenous immunoglobulin, which failed to give any significant benefit. However, she recovered after 6 months without any specific treatment, other than an antidepressant for the neuropathic pain and ongoing rehabilitation.

MeSH terms: Antidepressive Agents; Cachexia; Diabetic Neuropathies; Female; Humans; Hypesthesia; Neoplasms; Neuralgia; Prognosis; Thigh; Weight Loss; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
Fulltext A validation study of the Bahasa Malaysia version of the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale

Najma Kori, Wan Asyraf Wan Zaidi, Rabani Remli, Azman Ali Raymond, Norlinah Mohamed Ibrahim, Tan, Hui Jan, et al.

Neurology Asia, 2018;23(3):225-232.
MyJurnal

Background & Objectives: The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) provides a valid and quick assessment of stroke severity in hyperacute stroke management. Stroke patients who are eligible for reperfusion therapy require prompt assessment. There is no validated Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the NIHSS that allows easier assessment by BM-speaking health professionals. This study aimed to translate and validate a BM version of the NIHSS.
Methods: The English NIHSS was translated to BM, then back translated to ensure linguistic accuracy. We also adapted the language assessment of the NIHSS to be more culturally appropriate. Training and certification videos were downloaded from the NIH website and dubbed into BM. We determined intra-class correlation and unweighted kappa as the best measure of reliability. Median scores were used in the analysis for language items.
Results: One hundred and one raters participated in the test-retest reliability study. Agreement between the original NIHSS and our translated version of the BM-NIHSS was good (ICC = 0.738, 95% CI: 0.611 to 0.823). Fair to moderate agreement was found on item-by-item analysis (unweighted κ=0.20-0.50) despite high observed agreement. Fifty patients participated in the language assessment arm. Scores were better in BM for reading, naming objects and repetition (Mdn = 100, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the median scores for the description component.
Conclusions: The BM-NIHSS is a valid translation of the NIHSS, and may be used in clinical practice by BM-speaking healthcare professionals.

MeSH terms: Humans; Malaysia; Stroke
Fulltext Effects of sports nutrition education intervention on sports nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice, and dietary intake of Malaysian team sports athletes

Siti Soraya Mohd Elias, Hazizi Abu Saad, Mohd Nasir Mohd Taib, Zubaidah Jamil

Malays J Nutr, 2018;24(1):103-116.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sports nutrition education intervention on improvements in sports nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP), and dietary intake among Malaysian team sports athletes. Methods: A total of 105 male participants representing four team sports under the elite sports programme were recruited based on a name list provided by National Sports Council of Malaysia. Teams were assigned by stratified random sampling to either the experimental group (EG) (n=52) or the comparison group (CG) (n=53). The EG received seven weeks of education intervention programme based on a validated booklet covering basic sports nutrition for team sports. A self-administered sports nutrition KAP questionnaire and dietary intake assessment of total energy, carbohydrates, proteins and fats based on three-day food records was conducted before and after the intervention. Results: There were significant increments (p

MeSH terms: Carbohydrates; Malaysia; Male; Pamphlets; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sports; Nutrition Assessment; Athletes; Sports Nutritional Sciences
Fulltext Comparing the nutritional status of vegetarians and non-vegetarians from a Buddhist Organisation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Gan, Wan Ying, Boo, Shirley, Seik, Mei Yee, Khoo, Hock Eng

Malays J Nutr, 2018;24(1):89-101.
MyJurnal

Introduction: A vegetarian diet is generally considered as healthy for preventing metabolic-related diseases. There is lack of studies in Malaysia comparing the nutritional status of vegetarians and non-vegetarians. This cross-sectional study aims to compare body weight status, dietary intake and blood pressure level between these two groups. Methods: A total of 131 vegetarians and 135 non-vegetarians were recruited using convenience sampling from a Buddhist organisation in Kuala Lumpur. Body weight, height, waist circumference, percentage of body fat, and blood pressure measurements were taken, while dietary intake was assessed using a 2-day 24-hour dietary recall. Results: More vegetarians were underweight than non-vegetarians (31.3% vs 15.6%), while prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among the non-vegetarians (23.7% vs 9.9%). A higher proportion of nonvegetarians (34.1%) had an unhealthy range of body fat percentage and significantly higher risk of abdominal obesity (24.4%) than the vegetarians (19.1% body fat; 13.7% abdominal obesity). Mean intakes for protein and fat were significantly lower among the vegetarians, while no significant differences were observed in the mean intake for energy and carbohydrate. Vegetarians had significantly higher intakes of vitamins C, D and E, calcium, potassium and folate, while vitamin B12 intake was significantly higher in the non-vegetarians. More non-vegetarians presented with unhealthy blood pressure status. Conclusion: Vegetarians in this study generally showed healthier dietary intake and lower body fatness than the non-vegetarians. Studies are suggested to be undertaken on a bigger sample size of vegetarians to confirm these findings.

MeSH terms: Vegetarians; Adipose Tissue; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Pressure; Body Weight; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Folic Acid; Malaysia; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Potassium; Thinness; Diet, Vegetarian; Vitamin B 12; Vitamins; Prevalence; Sample Size; Waist Circumference; Obesity, Abdominal
Fulltext Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dietary fibre intake among Malaysian rural and urban adolescents

Norlida Mat Daud, Nor Izati Fadzil, Lam, Kit Yan, Ika Aida Aprilini Makbul, Noor Fairuzi Suhana Yahya, Arnida Hani Teh, et al.

Malays J Nutr, 2018;24(1):77-88.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Awareness of the importance of dietary fibre (DF) in health among adolescents is seldom reported in Malaysia. This study aimed to compare the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of DF intake between Malaysian rural and urban school-going adolescents. Pulau Pangkor in Perak and Damansara in Selangor were randomly selected as rural and urban schools, respectively. Methods: A total of 305 school adolescents with a mean age of 13.5±0.6 years were randomly selected from rural (72 Malay, 85 Chinese) and urban (86 Malay, 62 Chinese) schools completed socio-demographic, validated KAP on DF intake questionnaire, as well as a 24-hour dietary recall. Results: Adolescents from both areas have moderate knowledge (54.4±11.3%), positive attitude (78.7±13.1%) and good practice (65.8±19.9%) scores towards DF intake. Although rural adolescents had significantly (p=0.022) higher DF intake (7.8±3.5 g) compared to urban adolescents (6.9±3.5 g), their DF intake was still lower than the Malaysian recommendation of 20-30 g/day. The attitude of DF intake of rural (r=0.390) and urban (r=0.370) adolescents showed significant positive correlations with practice score of DF intake. While a significant correlation was found between the practice score and DF intake (r=0.191, p=0.017), no significant correlation was found between knowledge and attitude scores with DF intake. Conclusion: Public health authorities and schools should raise awareness on health benefit of consuming DF to promote an increase in DF consumption among school adolescents.
Fulltext Food choices among Malaysian adults: Findings from Malaysian Adults Nutrition Survey (MANS) 2003 and MANS 2014

Mohamad Kasim N, Ahmad MH, Shaharudin AB, Naidu BM, Chan YY, Aris T

Malays J Nutr, 2018;24(1):63-75.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Changes in dietary habits are known to be associated with changes in health outcomes. This study determined food choices among Malaysian adults using secondary data of the Malaysian Adults Nutrition Survey (MANS) in 2003 and MANS in 2014.
Methods: A total of 6,742 and 3,000 adults aged 18 to 59 years participated in MANS 2003 and MANS 2014, respectively. Both studies used a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess habitual food intake.
Results: Overall, the prevalence of adults consuming rice twice daily were 97.3% and 86.9% in 2003 and 2014, respectively. While the percentage of urban dwellers who consumed rice daily differed significantly between 2003 (96.7%) and 2014 (86.9%), the percentage remained quite similar among rural adults in 2003 (97.8%) and 2014 (96.3%). Other top ten food items consumed daily were sugar (2003, 58.5% vs 2014, 55.9%), marine fish (40.8% vs 29.4%), green leafy vegetables (39.9% vs 43.2%) and sweetened condensed milk (35.2% vs 29.3%). In both surveys, a higher percentage of men consumed rice, sugar and sweetened condensed milk on a daily basis compared to women, a higher proportion of whom daily consumed green leafy vegetables and marine fish. Majority of the adults reported drinking plain water daily. Other beverages taken daily were tea, coffee and chocolate-malt drinks.
Conclusion: Rice, sugar and sweetened condensed milk were among the top food items consumed daily in 2003 and 2014. Educational efforts to improve dietary intake of Malaysian adults is recommended.
Study name: Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS-2003); Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS-2014)

MeSH terms: Adult; Diet Surveys*; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Nutrition Surveys; Prevalence
Fulltext Dynamical behaviours of prey-predator fishery model with harvesting affected by toxic substances

Keong, Ang Tau

MATEMATIKA, 2018;34(1):143-151.
MyJurnal

In this paper we consider a harvesting model of predator-prey fishery in which
the prey is directly infected by some external toxic substances. The toxic infection is
indirectly transmitted to the predator during the feeding process. The model is a modified
version from the classic Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model. The stability and bifurcation
analyses are addressed. Numerical simulations of the model are performed and bifurcation
diagrams are studied to investigate the dynamical behaviours between the predator and
the prey. The effects of toxicity and harvesting on the stability of steady states found in
the model are discussed.

MeSH terms: Animals; Fisheries; Predatory Behavior; Food Chain
Fulltext QuickCount®: a novel automated software for rapid cell detection and quantification

Tiong KH, Chang JK, Pathmanathan D, Hidayatullah Fadlullah MZ, Yee PS, Liew CS, et al.

Biotechniques, 2018 12;65(6):322-330.
PMID: 30477327 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2018-0072

We describe a novel automated cell detection and counting software, QuickCount® (QC), designed for rapid quantification of cells. The Bland-Altman plot and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses demonstrated strong agreement between cell counts from QC to manual counts (mean and SD: -3.3 ± 4.5; ICC = 0.95). QC has higher recall in comparison to ImageJauto, CellProfiler and CellC and the precision of QC, ImageJauto, CellProfiler and CellC are high and comparable. QC can precisely delineate and count single cells from images of different cell densities with precision and recall above 0.9. QC is unique as it is equipped with real-time preview while optimizing the parameters for accurate cell count and needs minimum hands-on time where hundreds of images can be analyzed automatically in a matter of milliseconds. In conclusion, QC offers a rapid, accurate and versatile solution for large-scale cell quantification and addresses the challenges often faced in cell biology research.

MeSH terms: Animals; Cell Count/economics; Cell Count/methods*; Cell Line; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/economics; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*; Microscopy/economics; Microscopy/methods; Software*; Time Factors; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice; Workflow

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