MyMedR

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.

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.

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

Ho CC

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

PMID: 24049382

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.

Men's health issues in Asia

Ho CC, Tan HM

Aging Male, 2013 Sep;16(3):81-4.

PMID: 23822757 DOI: 10.3109/13685538.2013.809414

Men's health has gained prominence over the past few years but it is still not on par with the attention or funding that women and child health is getting. In Asia, this issue is even more conspicuous. With westernization of lifestyle, Asian men's problems emulate their Western counterparts but there are certain issues unique to Asian men due to cultural differences. This review will discuss the health issues affecting Asian men and suggest measures that can be taken to overcome them.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

Fulltext SNP array technology: an array of hope in breast cancer research

Ho CC, Mun KS, Naidu R

Malays J Pathol, 2013 Jun;35(1):33-43.

PMID: 23817393 MyJurnal

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. The incidence of breast cancer in Malaysia is lower compared to international statistics, with peak occurrence in the age group between 50 to 59 years of age and mortality rates of 18.6%. Despite current diagnostic and prognostic methods, the outcome for individual subjects remain poor. This is in part due to breast cancers' wide genetic heterogeneity. Various platforms for genetics studies are now employed to determine the identity of these genetic abnormalities, including microarray methods like high density single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) oligonucleotide arrays which combine the power of chromosomal comparative genomic hybridization (cCGH) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the offering of higher-resolution mappings. These platforms and their applications in highlighting the genomic alteration frameworks manifested in breast carcinoma will be discussed.

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 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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

A consensus on men's health status and policy in Asia: a Delphi survey

Teo CH, Ng CJ, Ho CC, Tan HM

Public Health, 2015 Jan;129(1):60-7.

PMID: 25542745 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2014.11.009

OBJECTIVE: There is currently no documentation on the availability and implementation of policies related to men's health in Asia. This Delphi study aimed to achieve an Asian consensus on men's health policy based on the opinions and recommendations from men's health key opinion leaders.
STUDY DESIGN: A two-phase Delphi online survey was used to gather information from men's health stakeholders across Asian countries.
METHODS: All stakeholders were invited to participate in the survey through men's health conferences, personal contacts, recommendations from international men's health organizations and snowballing method. Stakeholders were asked about their concerns on 17 men's health key issues as well as their opinion on the availability and recommendations on men's health policies and programmes in their countries.
RESULTS: There were a total of 128 stakeholders (policy makers, clinicians, researchers and consumers), from 28 Asian countries, who responded in the survey. Up to 85% of stakeholders were concerned about various men's health issues in Asia and in their respective country, particularly in smoking, ischaemic heart disease and high blood pressure. There is a lack of men's health policies and programmes in Asia (availability = 11.6-43.5%) and up to 92.9% of stakeholders recommended that these should be developed.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings call for policy change and development, and more importantly a concerted effort to elevate men's health status in Asia.

Fulltext The status of men's health in Asia

Ng CJ, Teo CH, Ho CC, Tan WP, Tan HM

Prev Med, 2014 Oct;67:295-302.

PMID: 25117523 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.08.007

This study aims to compare health status and its risk factors between men and women who are from countries of different income status in Asia.

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.

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