MyMedR

Electrokinetic Behavior of Palm Oil Emulsions in Dilute Electrolyte Solutions

Ho CC, Ahmad K

J Colloid Interface Sci, 1999 Aug 1;216(1):25-33.

The effect of metal cations, both nonhydrolyzable and hydrolyzable, on the zeta potential of palm olein emulsions stabilized by the nonionic emulsifier, polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether, was investigated as a function of pH and cation concentrations, respectively. The oil drops were found to be negatively charged in the presence of simple mono- and divalent cations. Charge reversal of the oil drops was observed when hydrolyzable cations (Zn2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, and Al3+) were used and the behavior is strongly dependent on the type of cation, its concentration, and the pH of the dispersion. The results are discussed in terms of current theories of electrophoresis and adsorption-precipitation at interfaces. The chemical free energies of adsorption of the cations were calculated. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Fulltext Effect of Latex Purification and Accelerator Types on Rubber Allergens Prevalent in Sulphur Prevulcanized Natural Rubber Latex: Potential Application for Allergy-Free Natural Rubber Gloves

Rojruthai P, Sakdapipanich J, Wiriyanantawong J, Ho CC, Chaiear N

Polymers (Basel), 2022 Nov 02;14(21).

PMID: 36365670 DOI: 10.3390/polym14214679

Natural rubber (NR) gloves manufactured from NR latex are widely utilized in various applications as a personal protective device due to their exceptional barrier characteristics in infection control. However, the use of NR gloves was associated with concerns on NR protein allergy. With comprehensive leaching procedures now a common practice in NR latex glove factories to eliminate latent rubber proteins and chemical allergens, occurrences and complaints of protein allergy from medical glove users have decreased drastically over the past two decades. The present work aims to eliminate further the residual rubber allergens in NR latex through effective purification of the NR latex and compounding the thus purified latex with an established formulation for allergy-free NR for glove applications. NR latex was purified by deproteinization and saponification, respectively. Several analytical techniques were used to verify rubber allergens eliminated in the purified latexes. Saponified NR (SPNR) latex was the purified NR latex of choice since it is devoid of allergenic proteins and poses the lowest risk of Type I allergy. The purified NR latex was compounded with zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate (ZDBC), and zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT), respectively, for glove dipping. Among the investigated accelerators, only ZDBC was not detected in the artificial sweat that came into contact with the dipped articles. Thus, it is deduced that ZDBC poses the lowest risk of Type IV allergy to consumers. Additionally, the morphological and physical properties of dipped articles were assessed. It was revealed that the dipped film from the SPNR latex compounded with ZDBC provided thinner and less yellow products with a more uniform internal structure and a tensile strength comparable to those of commercial NR gloves.

Fulltext Vienna nomogram-based prostate biopsy: can it be a much better diagnostic tool than other conventional prostate biopsies?

Ho CC, Ho SE, Das S

Korean J Urol, 2014 Sep;55(9):628.

PMID: 25237467 DOI: 10.4111/kju.2014.55.9.628

Re: Giorgio Gandaglia, Alberto Briganti, Graham Jackson, et Al. A systematic review of the association between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Eur urol 2014;65:968-78

Ho CC, Ho SE, Das S

Eur Urol, 2014 Nov;66(5):e87.

PMID: 24951360 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2014.06.003

Perception of quality of life amongst end stage renal failure patients undergoing haemodialysis

Ho SE, Ho CC, Norshazwani N, Teoh KH, Ismail MS, Jaafar MZ, et al.

Clin Ter, 2013;164(6):499-505.

PMID: 24424213 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2013.1627

AIMS: The objective of the study was to examine the quality of life amongst the end stage renal disease (ESRD) haemodialysis patients in Malaysia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on 72 ESRD patients at a Dialysis Centre in Malaysia. The modified KDQOL-SF™ subscales, kidney disease-targeted scale and 36 item health survey scale questionnaires were used.

RESULTS: The overall health rating was 66.73 ± 11.670 indicating good quality of life. There was no significant difference between quality of life for the different domains according to gender (p >0.05). However, there were significant differences between quality of life in the domain of burden of kidney disease. Physical functioning deteriorated significantly with age (p=0.012) while social functioning was lowest in the 50-65 years age group (p=0.037). Those who had no morbidities had significantly better scores on the effects of kidney (p=0.036), burden of kidney disease (p=0.011) and physical functioning (p=0.025).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing haemodialysis have been found to have good quality of life despite having ESRD. It is therefore of paramount importance to constantly monitor the standard of care for these patients to enable them to live their life to the fullest.

A study of knowledge and attitudes of registered nurses towards pain management in an urban hospital

Ho SE, Ho CC, Pang Yuen H, Lexshimi R, Choy YC, Jaafar MZ, et al.

Clin Ter, 2013 May-Jun;164(3):215-9.

PMID: 23868622 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2013.1551

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nurses play a pivotal role in pain management. Unrelieved pain significantly interferes with patient's quality of life and is of great concern to nurses. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge level and attitudes of nurses related to pain management.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted in an urban hospital. A total of 84 registered nurses were recruited using a modified version of questionnaire of Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain.
RESULTS: The findings showed that respondents possessed good knowledge (99.12±14.810) and attitude (66.00 ±10.415) towards pain management. Fifty five respondents (66%) responded as positive to cultural beliefs affecting their pain management and 65 respondents (77%) viewed that their personal experiences had influenced their practice in pain management. Another 45 respondents (54%) reported they have attended pain course. There was no significant difference in pain management between respondents' year of service, cultural belief and personal experiences (p=>0.05). In terms of knowledge towards to pain management, respondents' age groups of more than 40 years were noted to possess better knowledge (p=0.046), unmarried respondents (p=0.018), and attended pain course (p=0.001) were significant. Attitude towards to pain management was not significant (p≤0.05).
CONCLUSION: Nurses' knowledge and attitudes scores were impressive but there is room for further improvement to pain management. Continuing education organized by the hospital had significant impact on the nurses. However, this education course has to be reinforced from time to time in order to improve patients' pain experiences.

Ureteric stone in the presence of existing backache: lessons to learn

Zulkifli MZ, Ho CC, Goh EH, Praveen S, Das S

Clin Ter, 2012;163(1):23-5.

PMID: 22362229

Incidence of urolithiasis is on the rise due to climatic changes especially global warming.The pain due to presence of ureteric stone is a well known identity but many times it may be asymptomatic or even masked by concurrent presence of backache. In the present article, we describe the case of a 43-year-old male who came to the clinic for treatment of backache persisting for more than two years. The patient complained of backache two years back for which he was treated with analgesics and physiotherapy which relieved his pain. No X-ray was taken earlier because the attending clinician thought the backache to be musculo-skeletal in origin. Recently, one day a sudden episode of backache in the midst of night compelled him to seek medical treatment. However, this time a X-ray was performed and it showed the presence of calculi in the right upper pelvis of ureter which measured 1.9 cm vertically. An ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with two episodes of shock wave therapy which failed to crush the stone. A Double-J stent was inserted under general anaesthesia. The stone was crushed using a ureteroscope guided laser. The present case report describes how backache in professionals cannot be lightly attended. Even the characteristic groin to loin pain may be absent. All cases of backache should be properly investigated with an X-ray to rule out renal or ureteric calculi.

Fulltext Metastatic penile cancer presenting as hypercalcemia and pathological fracture of the humerus: a rare event

Ho CC, Nazri J, Zulkifli MZ, Sritharan S, Hayati AR

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Oct;61(4):503-5.

PMID: 17243535 MyJurnal

Distant haematogenous metastasis in penile cancer is rare. A patient who had total penectomy and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy for penile cancer but later presented with hypercalcemia of malignancy and pathological fracture of the humerus is reported.

Primary chemotherapy in management of tumors of undescended testis: Where it stands?

Ho CC

Urol Ann, 2013 Jul;5(3):182-3.

PMID: 24049382

Fulltext Fast-track urology training without a Masters in General Surgery

Ho CC

Indian J Urol, 2011 Apr;27(2):291-2.

PMID: 21814332 DOI: 10.4103/0970-1591.82862

Men's health: sexual dysfunction, physical, and psychological health--is there a link?

Tan HM, Tong SF, Ho CC

J Sex Med, 2012 Mar;9(3):663-71.

PMID: 22188573 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02582.x

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction in men, such as erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and premature ejaculation, generates considerable attention. Its association with physical and psychological health is an issue which should be addressed seriously.
AIM: A review of the literature pertaining to the correlation between sexual dysfunction and physical and psychological health.
METHODS: PubMed search for relevant publications on the association between sexual dysfunction in men and physical and psychological health.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinical and epidemiological evidence that demonstrates the association between sexual dysfunction in men and physical and psychological health.
RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction, i.e., erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and premature ejaculation, has been shown to be associated with physical and psychological health. There is a strong correlation between sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, quality of life, and depression.
CONCLUSION: The association between men's sexual dysfunction and physical and psychological health is real and proven. Therefore, it should not be taken lightly but instead treated as a life-threatening medical problem.

Screening and characterization of microbial inhibitors against eukaryotic protein phosphatases (PP1 and PP2A)

Ong SM, Voo LY, Lai NS, Stark MJ, Ho CC

J Appl Microbiol, 2007 Mar;102(3):680-92.

PMID: 17309617

To identify novel microbial inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1).

The Burden of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreatic Diseases: The Global Scenario

Das S, Mahakkanukrauh P, Ho CC

Gastroenterology, 2016 Apr;150(4):1045-6.

PMID: 26930015 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.01.036

Production of clavulanic acid and cephamycin C by Streptomyces clavuligerus in palm-oil medium

Lee PC, Ho CC

World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 1996 Jan;12(1):73-5.

PMID: 24415093 DOI: 10.1007/BF00327805

Palm and palm-kernel oils and their olein and stearin fractions were suitable as the main carbon sources for growth and production of clavulanic acid by Streptomyces clavuligerus. However, oleic and lauric acids were not utilized for growth. A spontaneous mutant, which was selected for higher cephamycin C production, also produced more clavulanic acid with these oils in the medium.

Fulltext Pseudomyxoma peritonei--a case report

Ho CC

Med J Malaysia, 1980 Jun;34(4):375-8.

PMID: 7219267

A case of pseudomyxoma peritonei is reported. Pathogenesis, clinical features and modes of treatment are discussed. This patient appears to have responded to laparotomy, paracentesis and instillation of cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally.

Growth and the production of penicillins in Penicillium chrysogenum with palm oil and its various fractions as carbon sources

Tan IK, Ho CC

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 1991 Nov;36(2):163-6.

PMID: 1368105

The utilisation of palm oil and its fractions by Penicillium chrysogenum for growth and penicillin production is strain-dependent. Strain H1107 could utilise crude palm oil, its liquid (palm olein) and solid (palm stearin) fractions and its component fatty acids (oleic, palmitic, stearic and myristic) as the main carbon source; strain M223 could not. Cell-bound lipase activity was higher in H1107 than in M223.

Fulltext The Interplay of Protein Hydrolysis and Ammonia in the Stability of Hevea Rubber Latex during Storage

Payungwong N, Sakdapipanich J, Wu J, Ho CC

Polymers (Basel), 2023 Dec 07;15(24).

PMID: 38139887 DOI: 10.3390/polym15244636

Natural rubber (NR) latex derived from Hevea brasiliensis is a complex colloid comprising mainly rubber hydrocarbons (latex particles) and a multitude of minor non-rubber constituents such as non-rubber particles, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and soluble organic and inorganic substances. NR latex is susceptible to enzymatic attack after it leaves the trees. It is usually preserved with ammonia and, to a lesser extent, with other preservatives to enhance its colloidal stability during storage. Despite numerous studies in the literature on the influence of rubber proteins on NR latex stability, issues regarding the effect of protein hydrolysis in the presence of ammonia on latex stability during storage are still far from resolved. The present work aims to elucidate the interplay between protein hydrolysis and ammoniation in NR latex stability. Both high- and low-ammonia (with a secondary preservative) NR latexes were used to monitor the changes in their protein compositions during storage. High-ammonia (FNR-A) latex preserved with 0.6% (v/v) ammonia, a low 0.1% ammonia/TMTD/ZnO (FNR-TZ) latex, and a deproteinized NR (PDNR) latex were labeled with fluorescence agents and observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy to determine their protein composition. Protein hydrolysis was confirmed via sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The results revealed that protein hydrolysis increased with the storage duration. The change in protein composition accompanying hydrolysis also allows the spatial distribution of allergenic proteins to be estimated in the latex. Concurrently, the latex stability increased with the storage duration, as measured by the latex's mechanical stability time (MST) and the zeta potential of the latex particles. As monitored by AFM, the surface roughness of the NR latex film increased markedly during extended storage compared with that of the DPNR latex, which remained smooth. These results underscore the pivotal role of ammonia in bolstering NR latex stability brought on by protein hydrolysis, which greatly impacts latex film's formation behavior. NR latex stability underpins the quality of latex-dipped goods during manufacturing, particularly those for medical gloves.

Testicular mass: do not forget filariasis

Ho CC, Ideris N

Infection, 2013 Aug;41(4):893-6.

PMID: 23471824 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-013-0443-x

Parasite infestation of the testicular tunica and spermatic cord by filariae are rarely reported and may present with few clinical signs, depending upon the stage. Occasionally, it may mimic a testicular tumor. We present a case of a 29-year-old man who presented with left testicular swelling and discomfort for 4 months. Clinical examination and imaging suggested an intrascrotal cystic lesion with a normal left testis. However, the intraoperative findings revealed a tumor-like mass; hence, a left orchidectomy was performed. However, histopathology reported a diagnosis of a cystic testicular tunica and spermatic cord with parasite infection. Here, we review the literature of scrotal and testicular parasite disease and discuss the course of the appropriate management involved.

Polylactic-co-glycolic acid mesh coated with fibrin or collagen and biological adhesive substance as a prefabricated, degradable, biocompatible, and functional scaffold for regeneration of the urinary bladder wall

Salem SA, Hwei NM, Bin Saim A, Ho CC, Sagap I, Singh R, et al.

J Biomed Mater Res A, 2013 Aug;101(8):2237-47.

PMID: 23349110 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.34518

The chief obstacle for reconstructing the bladder is the absence of a biomaterial, either permanent or biodegradable, that will function as a suitable scaffold for the natural process of regeneration. In this study, polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) plus collagen or fibrin was evaluated for its suitability as a scaffold for urinary bladder construct. Human adipose-derived stem cells (HADSCs) were cultured, followed by incubation in smooth muscle cells differentiation media. Differentiated HADSCs were then seeded onto PLGA mesh supported with collagen or fibrin. Evaluation of cell-seeded PLGA composite immersed in culture medium was performed under a light and scanning microscope. To determine if the composite is compatible with the urodynamic properties of urinary bladder, porosity and leaking test was performed. The PLGA samples were subjected to tensile testing was pulled until PLGA fibers break. The results showed that the PLGA composite is biocompatible to differentiated HADSCs. PLGA-collagen mesh appeared to be optimal as a cell carrier while the three-layered PLGA-fibrin composite is better in relation to its leaking/ porosity property. A biomechanical test was also performed for three-layered PLGA with biological adhesive and three-layered PLGA alone. The tensile stress at failure was 30.82 ± 3.80 (MPa) and 34.36 ± 2.57 (MPa), respectively. Maximum tensile strain at failure was 19.42 ± 2.24 (mm) and 23.06 ± 2.47 (mm), respectively. Young's modulus was 0.035 ± 0.0083 and 0.043 ± 0.012, respectively. The maximum load at break was 58.55 ± 7.90 (N) and 65.29 ± 4.89 (N), respectively. In conclusion, PLGA-Fibrin fulfils the criteria as a scaffold for urinary bladder reconstruction.

Fulltext Ketamine-associated ulcerative cystitis: a case report and literature review

Ho CC, Pezhman H, Praveen S, Goh EH, Lee BC, Zulkifli MZ, et al.

Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Apr;17(2):61-5.

PMID: 22135540 MyJurnal

Ketamine can be abused as a recreational drug, and there has been a recent surge in its usage. The effects of ketamine on the urinary system were unknown until the recent publication of a few case reports. Many doctors are still unaware of this new clinical entity, termed ketamine-associated ulcerative cystitis. We report a case that we encountered and discuss the diagnosis and disease management in addition to a review of the literature.

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