MyMedR

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.

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.

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.

PMID: 10395758

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.

Microtetraspora malaysiensis sp. nov., isolated from Malaysian primary dipterocarp forest soil

Nakajima Y, Ho CC, Kudo T

J Gen Appl Microbiol, 2003 Jun;49(3):181-9.

PMID: 12949699

The taxonomic position of three actinomycete strains isolated from Malaysian soil was established by using a polyphasic approach. The isolates formed chains composed of four spores on the tip of sporophores branching from the aerial mycelium, and their chemotaxonomic properties were common to those of members of the family Streptosporangiaceae. These phenotypic properties as well as a phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that they should be classified in the genus Microtetraspora. The three isolates showed a unique pattern of cultural, physiological and biochemical properties that distinguished them from previously described species of the genus Microtetraspora. The isolates showed more than 72% DNA relatedness to each other, but only 58% or less relatedness to any previously described species. On the basis of the data presented, a new species of the genus Microtetraspora, Microtetraspora malaysiensis, is proposed. The type strain of the new species is strain H47-7(T) (=JCM 11278(T)=DSM 44579(T)).

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.

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).

Fulltext Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy: our experience in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Ho CC, Zulkifli MZ, Nazri J, Sundram M

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Mar;63(1):41-3.

PMID: 18935731

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HAL-N) and nephroureterectomy (HAL-NU) were introduced to bridge the gap between open and laparoscopic surgery. This newer technique has the benefits of both laparoscopic and open surgical approaches but has a shorter learning curve and decreased operative time compared to laparoscopic surgery. A review of our 2-year experience showed that for the seventeen cases of HAL-N that was performed, the mean operative time was 187.8 minutes while the mean length of hospital stay was 4.1 days. For the two HAL-NU cases, the mean operative time was 415 minutes while the mean length of hospital stay was 5.5 days. Only one complication occurred and it was an incisional hernia at the hand-port site. There was no recurrence for the carcinoma cases. Our experience shows that this technique is feasible and safe.

Fulltext Serum sex hormone levels in pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer patients

Ho CC, Rohaizak M, Zulkifli SZ, Siti-Aishah MA, Nor-Aini U, Sharifah-Noor-Akmal SH

Singapore Med J, 2009 May;50(5):513-8.

PMID: 19495523

This study was conducted to determine the association between serum sex hormone levels and breast cancer.

Fulltext Alum irrigation for the treatment of intractable haematuria

Ho CC, Md Zainuddin Z

Malays J Med Sci, 2009 Oct;16(4):66-8.

PMID: 22135514 MyJurnal

Managing intractable haematuria is a daunting task. One cause of this condition is radiationinduced haemorrhagic cystitis. Several treatments for the condition have been proposed and one non-invasive option is alum irrigation. Here, we report on a 65-year-old woman with intractable haematuria secondary to radiation cystitis who was successfully treated with alum irrigation. Alum irrigation is safe, well tolerated and relatively cheap. A review of the literature and a comprehensive discussion on alum irrigation as treatment for haematuria is discussed here to create an awareness regarding this treatment option.

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.

Fulltext Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcome of Gastrointestinal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Praveen S, Ho CC, Fadilah S, Sagap I

Med J Malaysia, 2010 Jun;65(2):98-100.

PMID: 23756789

Primary gastrointestinal (GIT) lymphoma constitutes only 5 - 10% of all gastrointestinal tumours. The optimal therapy for these lymphomas is poorly defined and still controversial. We present our experience in the treatment and outcome of primary GIT lymphomas in UKM Medical Center, Malaysia. A retrospective review of all patients with primary GIT lymphoma from the year 2002 until 2007 was done. Our series has shown that primary GIT lymphoma is a rare disease as it comprises only 6.5% of all lymphomas treated in this institution. We had a female predominance of this disease with a large majority at an advanced stage of the disease. There was equal distribution involving stomach, small and large intestines. The incidence of primary GIT lymphomas was 6.5% with a female predominance. The majority had advanced diseases (stage III and IV) with equal distribution involving the stomach, small and large intestines. The most common histological variant was diffuse large B cell lymphoma (66%). Most (83%) patients with intestinal lymphoma had surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. All patients with gastric lymphomas had chemotherapy alone. The mortality rate was 22% predominantly in younger patients with aggressive histology subtypes and advanced disease.

Fulltext Retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal stones smaller than 2 cm

Ho CC, Hafidzul J, Praveen S, Goh EH, Bong JJ, Lee BC, et al.

Singapore Med J, 2010 Jun;51(6):512-5.

PMID: 20658113

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is accepted as the gold standard treatment for renal stones that are smaller than 2 cm. Recently, retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) has been introduced as another form of treatment. We report our experience in dealing with renal stones smaller than 2 cm using RIRS as the primary treatment and following failed ESWL.

Fulltext Proptosis: a rare presentation of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Ho CC, Krishna KK, Praveen S, Goh EH, Lee BC, Zulkifli MZ

Med J Malaysia, 2010 Sep;65(3):229-30.

PMID: 21939176

We present a case of a middle-aged man who was incidentally found to have right renal solid mass while investigating for his left eye proptosis. Computerised tomography (CT) scan confirmed the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma and the tumour was successfully excised via open surgery. The histopathology examination revealed the 10x7x8 cm mass to be a clear cell type renal cell carcinoma. The rare presentation of this metastatic renal cell carcinoma, its diagnosis and management will be discussed.

Anti-proliferative and anti-invasive properties of a purified fraction from Streptomyces sp. H7372

Yip WK, Cheenpracha S, Chang LC, Ho CC, Seow HF

Int J Oncol, 2010 Nov;37(5):1229-41.

PMID: 20878070

Secondary metabolites from actinomycetes especially the genus Streptomyces may be one of the most important sources for novel anticancer agents. A purified fraction from a novel actinomycete strain, Streptomyces sp. H7372, was elucidated in breast cancer cells. We have isolated three purified fractions from a novel strain, Streptomyces sp. H7372. One of the fractions, designated as 31-2, exhibited the strongest growth-inhibitory effect and thereby was selected for further studies. 31-2 exerted a growth-inhibitory effect on a panel of 15 human cancer and 2 non-malignant cell lines. In MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, 31-2 induced a cytostatic (anti-proliferative) effect without causing cytotoxicity (cell death). Our data suggest that the cytostasis resulted from cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase in MCF-7 cells and at the S phase in MDA-MB-231 cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated a modulation of phosphorylation of the Rb and CDC2 proteins and of CDK4, cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 in the 31-2-treated breast cancer cell lines. The protein levels of CDK2, CDK6, and PCNA were not affected by 31-2 treatment. 31-2 also exhibited an anti-invasive effect in MDA-MB-231 cells. However, this effect is not attributed to the modulation of proteolytic activity in MDA-MB-231 cells as the enzymatic degradation of type IV collagen was not affected by 31-2. The 31-2 is a potent cytostatic and anti-invasive agent and modulates the cell cycle pathway. Together, these results will have important implications in searching for novel approaches to treat cancer.

Fulltext Encrusted and incarcerated urinary bladder catheter: what are the options?

Ho CC, Khandasamy Y, Singam P, Hong Goh E, Zainuddin ZM

Libyan J Med, 2010 Nov 25;5.

PMID: 21483557 DOI: 10.3402/ljm.v5i0.5686

Urinary bladder catheter encrustations are known complications of long-term urinary catheterisation, which is commonly seen in clinical practice. These encrustations can impede deflation of the balloon and therefore cause problems in the removal of the catheter. The options in managing an encrusted and incarcerated urinary bladder catheter include extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and lithoclast. We describe here another technique of dealing with a stuck and encrustated catheter, via direct crushing of the encrustations with a rigid cystoscope inserted through a suprapubic cystostomy tract.

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

Fulltext Male sexual dysfunction in Asia

Ho CC, Singam P, Hong GE, Zainuddin ZM

Asian J Androl, 2011 Jul;13(4):537-42.

PMID: 21643001 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2010.135

Sex has always been a taboo subject in Asian society. However, over the past few years, awareness in the field of men's sexual health has improved, and interest in sexual health research has recently increased. The epidemiology and prevalence of erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism and premature ejaculation in Asia are similar in the West. However, several issues are specific to Asian males, including culture and beliefs, awareness, compliance and the availability of traditional/complementary medicine. In Asia, sexual medicine is still in its infancy, and a concerted effort from the government, relevant societies, physicians and the media is required to propel sexual medicine to the forefront of health care.

Rise of herbal and traditional medicine in erectile dysfunction management

Ho CC, Tan HM

Curr Urol Rep, 2011 Dec;12(6):470-8.

PMID: 21948222 DOI: 10.1007/s11934-011-0217-x

Herbal medicine long has been used in the management of sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction. Many patients have attested to the efficacy of this treatment. However, is it evidence-based medicine? Studies have been done on animal models, mainly in the laboratory. However, randomized controlled trials on humans are scarce. The only herbal medications that have been studied for erectile dysfunction are Panax ginseng, Butea superba, Epimedium herbs (icariin), Tribulus terrestris, Securidaca longipedunculata, Piper guineense, and yohimbine. Of these, only Panax ginseng, B. superb, and yohimbine have published studies done on humans. Unfortunately, these published trials on humans were not robust. Many herbal therapies appear to have potential benefits, and similarly, the health risks of various phytotherapeutic compounds need to be elucidated. Properly designed human trials should be worked out and encouraged to determine the efficacy and safety of potential phytotherapies.

Clinicopathological features and survival of testicular tumours in a Southeast Asian university hospital: a ten-year review

Tan GH, Azrif M, Shamsul AS, Ho CC, Praveen S, Goh EH, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2011;12(10):2727-30.

PMID: 22320982

INTRODUCTION: Testicular cancer mainly affects young men worldwide. There is lack of published data on patients with this malignant condition from the Southeast Asian region. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the clinicopathologic features of testicular cancer patients treated in a Southeast Asian university hospital and their overall survival rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of testicular cancer patients treated between January 2001 and February 2011. Their epidemiological data, clinical presentation, pathologic diagnosis, stage of disease and treatment were gathered and the overall survival rate of this cohort was analyzed.

RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included in this study. The majority of them were of Malay ethnicity. The average age at presentation was 33.7 years. The commonest testicular cancer was non-seminomatous germ cell tumour, followed by seminoma, lymphoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. More than half of all testicular germ cell tumour (GCT) patients had some form of metastasis at diagnosis. All the patients were treated with radical orchidectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given to those with metastatic disease. Four seminoma patients received radiotherapy to the para-aortic lymph nodes. The 5-year survival rate for all testicular cancers in this cohort was 83.9%. The survival rate was 88.9% in 5 years when GCT were analyzed separately.

CONCLUSION: GCT affects patients in their third and fourth decades of life while lymphoma patients are generally older. Most of the patients treated for GCT are of Malay ethnicity. The majority have late presentation for treatment. The survival rate of GCT patients treated here is comparable to other published series in other parts of the world.

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