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Fulltext The epiphytic microbiota of the globally widespread macroalga Cladophora glomerata (Chlorophyta, Cladophorales)

Zulkifly S, Hanshew A, Young EB, Lee P, Graham ME, Graham ME, et al.

Am J Bot, 2012 Sep;99(9):1541-52.
PMID: 22947483 DOI: 10.3732/ajb.1200161

The filamentous chlorophyte Cladophora produces abundant nearshore populations in marine and freshwaters worldwide, often dominating periphyton communities and producing nuisance growths under eutrophic conditions. High surface area and environmental persistence foster such high functional and taxonomic diversity of epiphytic microfauna and microalgae that Cladophora has been labeled an ecological engineer. We tested the hypotheses that (1) Cladophora supports a structurally and functionally diverse epiphytic prokaryotic microbiota that influences materials cycling and (2) mutualistic host-microbe interactions occur. Because previous molecular sequencing-based analyses of the microbiota of C. glomerata found as western Lake Michigan beach drift had identified pathogenic associates such as Escherichia coli, we also asked if actively growing lentic C. glomerata harbors known pathogens.
Fulltext Daytime sleepiness and sleep quality among Malaysian medical students

Zailinawati AH, Teng CL, Chung YC, Teow TL, Lee PN, Jagmohni KS

Med J Malaysia, 2009 Jun;64(2):108-10.
PMID: 20058567 MyJurnal

Poor sleep quality and daytime somnolence is reported to be associated with cardiovascular events, road traffic accident, poor academic performance and psychological distress. Some studies documented that it is prevalent in most populations but its frequency among medical students has not been documented in Malaysia. This is a self-administered questionnaire survey of medical students from International Medical University, Malaysia. Daytime sleepiness of medical students was assessed using Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Student scoring ESS > 11 was regarded as having excessive daytime sleepiness. Psychological distress was measured using 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A total of 799 medical students participated in this survey (response rate 69.5%). Daytime sleepiness occurred in 35.5%, psychological distress was present in 41.8% and 16.1% reported bad sleep quality. Daytime sleepiness was significantly more common among the clinical students, those with self-reported bad sleep quality and psychological distress; but unrelated to the number of hours sleep at night. We have documented high prevalence of daytime sleepiness, poor sleep quality and psychological distress. Higher frequency among clinical students and the significant relationship with psychological distress suggest possible link to the stressful clinical training.
Fulltext Does the attire of a primary care physician affect patients' perceptions and their levels of trust in the doctor?

Zahrina AZ, Haymond P, Rosanna P, Ho R, Rajini AR, Low BT, et al.

Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(3):3-11.
PMID: 30800227

INTRODUCTION: With increasing evidence of disease transmission through doctors' white coats, many countries have discouraged doctors from wearing their white coats during consultations. However, there have been limited studies about patients' preferences concerning doctors' attire in Malaysia. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate patients' perceptions of doctors' attire before and after the disclosure of information about the infection risk associated with white coats.
METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st June 2015 to 31st July 2015 at three different primary care settings (government, private, and university primary care clinics) using a self-administered questionnaire. A 1:5 systematic random sampling method was employed to select the participants. The respondents were shown photographs of male and female doctors in four different types of attire and asked to rate their level of confidence and trust in and ease with doctors in each type of attire. Subsequently, the respondents were informed of the risk of white coat-carried infections, and their responses were reevaluated. Data analysis was completed using SPSS Version 24.0. Associations of categorical data were assessed using the Chi-Square test, while the overall change in perceptions after the disclosure of additional information was examined using the McNemar test. Results with p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: A total of 299 respondents completed the questionnaire. Most of the respondents had more confidence and trust in the male (62.5%) and female (59.2%) doctors wearing white coats. A high proportion of the respondents from the government clinic (70.5%) felt more confidence in male doctors dressed in white coats (p-value = 0.018). In terms of ethnicity, male doctors in white coats were highly favored by Malays (61.0%), followed by the Chinese (41.2%) and Indians (38%) (p = 0.005). A similar preference was observed for the female doctors, whereby the highest number of Malays (60.3%), followed by the Chinese (41.2%) and Indians (40.0%) (p = 0.006), had a preference for female doctors wearing white coats. Only 21.9% of the initial 71.9% of patients who preferred white coats maintained their preference (p < 0.001) after learning of the risk of microbial contamination associated with white coats.
CONCLUSION: Most patients preferred that primary care doctors wear white coats. Nevertheless, that perception changed after they were informed about the infection risk associated with white coats.
Compound heterozygous mutations in TTC7A cause familial multiple intestinal atresias and severe combined immunodeficiency

Yang W, Lee PP, Thong MK, Ramanujam TM, Shanmugam A, Koh MT, et al.

Clin Genet, 2015 Dec;88(6):542-9.
PMID: 25534311 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12553

Familial multiple intestinal atresias is an autosomal recessive disease with or without combined immunodeficiency. In the last year, several reports have described mutations in the gene TTC7A as causal to the disease in different populations. However, exact correlation between different genotypes and various phenotypes are not clear. In this study, we report identification of novel compound heterozygous mutations in TTC7A gene in a Malay girl with familial multiple intestinal atresias and severe combined immunodeficiency (MIA-SCID) by whole exome sequencing. We found two mutations in TTC7A: one that destroyed a putative splicing acceptor at the junction of intron 17/exon 18 and one that introduced a stop codon that would truncate the last two amino acids of the encoded protein. Reviewing the recent reports on TTC7A mutations reveals correlation between the position and nature of the mutations with patient survival and clinical manifestations. Examination of public databases also suggests carrier status for healthy individuals, making a case for population screening on this gene, especially in populations with suspected frequent founder mutations.
Fulltext Development of a controlled release of salicylic acid loaded stearic acid-oleic acid nanoparticles in cream for topical delivery

Woo JO, Misran M, Lee PF, Tan LP

ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:205703.
PMID: 24578624 DOI: 10.1155/2014/205703

Lipid nanoparticles are colloidal carrier systems that have extensively been investigated for controlled drug delivery, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. In this work, a cost effective stearic acid-oleic acid nanoparticles (SONs) with high loading of salicylic acid, was prepared by melt emulsification method combined with ultrasonication technique. The physicochemical properties, thermal analysis and encapsulation efficiency of SONs were studied. TEM micrographs revealed that incorporation of oleic acid induces the formation of elongated spherical particles. This observation is in agreement with particle size analysis which also showed that the mean particle size of SONs varied with the amount of OA in the mixture but with no effect on their zeta potential values. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the SONs prepared in this method have lower crystallinity as compared to pure stearic acid. Different amount of oleic acid incorporated gave different degree of perturbation to the crystalline matrix of SONs and hence resulted in lower degrees of crystallinity, thereby improving their encapsulation efficiencies. The optimized SON was further incorporated in cream and its in vitro release study showed a gradual release for 24 hours, denoting the incorporation of salicylic acid in solid matrix of SON and prolonging the in vitro release.
Fulltext Inhibitory effect of onion extract on cassava leaf (Manihot esculenta Crantz) polyphenol oxidase

Wong, C. W., Angel Lee, P. L.

International Food Research Journal, 2014;21(2):755-758.
MyJurnal

The inhibitory effect of onion extract on cassava leaf polyphenol oxidase was investigated. The polyphenol oxidase from cassava leaves was strongly inhibited by various anti-browning agents such as L-ascorbic acid and L-cysteine. The percentage of inhibition increased with the increased of anti-browning agents concentrations. The addition of heated onion extract exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on cassava leaf polyphenol oxidase than the fresh onion extract. The highest percentage of inhibition was exhibited with heated onion extract in the presence of glucose and glycine, which was 87.18%. The onion extract inhibited the cassava leaf polyphenol oxidase non-competitively.
The state of lipid control in patients with diabetes in a public health care centre

Wong JS, Tan F, Lee PY

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2007;19(3):16-21.
PMID: 18330400 DOI: 10.1177/101053950701900304

Achieving treatment targets has been difficult in treating diabetic patients. This cross-sectional study describes the lipid profiles of patients with diabetes mellitus at a public primary health care centre in Sarawak, Malaysia. The targets for lipid control were based on the International Diabetes Federation recommendation (2002). 1031 patients (98% Type 2 Diabetes) were studied. Fasting lipid profiles were available in 990 (96%) patients. The mean total cholesterol was 5.3 +/- 1.0 mmol/L, Triglycerides 1.90 +/- 1.26 mmol/L, HDL-C 1.28 +/- 0.33 mmol/L and LDL-C 3.2 +/- 0.9 mmol/L. Overall, 22% of patients achieved the treatment target for LDL-C level < 2.6mmol/L. 67% of patients had HDL-C > 1.1 mmol/L and 42% of patients had a target TG level below 1.5 mmol/L. Of the 40% of patients who received lipid-lowering drug, 17% achieved LDL-C target, 50% had LDL-C 2.6-4.4 mmol/ L and 33% have LDL-C > 4.0 mmol/L. For the remaining 60% not receiving any lipid lowering therapy, 68% had LDL-C between 2.6-4.0 mmol/L and 7% had LDL-C level > 4 mmol/L. Dyslipidemia is still under-treated despite the availability of effective pharmacological agents and the greatly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients.
Fulltext Accuracy of the funnel technique of thoracic pedicle screws insertion in scoliosis surgery--an evaluation by CT-scans

Wong CC, Ting F, Wong B, Lee PI

Med J Malaysia, 2005 Jul;60 Suppl C:35-40.
PMID: 16381281

Pedicle screw system has increasingly been used for correction of thoracic scoliosis. It offers several biomechanical advantages over hook system as it controls all three-column of the spine with enhanced stability. Of many techniques of pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine, the funnel technique has been used in Sarawak General Hospital since 2002. This prospective study aims to assess the accuracy of the placement of thoracic pedicle screws using the funnel technique in the corrective surgery of idiopathic scoliosis. A total of 88 thoracic pedicle screws were inserted into the T4 to T12 vertebrae of 11 patients. Post-operative CT-scan was performed to evaluate the position of the pedicle screw. Seventy six (86.4%) screws were noted to be totally within the pedicle. There was no screw with medial violation of the pedicle, 8 (9.1%) screws breeching the lateral wall of the pedicle and 4 (4.5%) screws with anterior and lateral penetration of the vertebral body. No clinical sequel with the mal-positioned screws was noted. In conclusion, the funnel technique enabled simple, accurate and reliable insertion of pedicle screw even in the scoliotic thoracic spine without the need of any imaging guidance. It is however imperative for the surgeon to have a thorough knowledge of the thoracic spine anatomy, and to be familiar with the technique to insert these screws diligently.
The menopausal experience among indigenous women of Sarawak, Malaysia

Syed Alwi SA, Lee PY, Awi I, Mallik PS, Md Haizal MN

Climacteric, 2009 Dec;12(6):548-56.
PMID: 19905907 DOI: 10.3109/13697130902919519

OBJECTIVES:
To document the common menopausal symptoms and quality of life in indigenous women of Sarawak in Malaysia.

METHODS:
A face-to-face interview using the Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire was conducted with 276 indigenous Sarawakian women aged 40-65 years to determine the mean age of menopause and common symptoms (divided into vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual domains) associated with menopause.

RESULTS:
The mean age at menopause of postmenopausal women was 50.78 +/- 2.47 years (range 47.3-58.2 years). The most common symptoms reported were aching in muscles and joints (82.6%), lack of energy (77.5%) and low backache (77.2%). The typical menopausal symptoms of hot flushes, night sweats, sweating and vaginal dryness were experienced by 42.4%, 34.8%, 29.7% and 49.3%, respectively of the women studied. Perimenopausal women (n = 114) experienced the most physical and psychosocial symptoms, while postmenopausal women (n = 102) experienced most sexual symptoms. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women were reported to suffer more than premenopausal women (p < 0.001) within the four domains of symptoms (vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual).

CONCLUSIONS:
The menopausal symptoms in this study correspond to those in other studies on Asian women but the prevalence of typical and classical menopausal symptoms was lower compared to studies on Caucasian women. The perimenopausal women had the most significant decrease in quality of life, followed by postmenopausal women and premenopausal women. Vasomotor symptoms had a predominant influence on the quality of life.
Fulltext Anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory effects of Gleichenia truncata mediated through inhibition of GSK3β

Suhaini S, Liew SZ, Norhaniza J, Lee PC, Jualang G, Embi N, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2015 Sep;32(3):419-33.
PMID: 26695202 MyJurnal

Gleichenia truncata is a highland fern from the Gleicheniaceae family known for its traditional use among indigenous communities in Asia to treat fever. The scientific basis of its effect has yet to be documented. A yeast-based kinase assay conducted in our laboratory revealed that crude methanolic extract (CME) of G. truncata exhibited glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3)-inhibitory activity. GSK3β is now recognized to have a pivotal role in the regulation of inflammatory response during bacterial infections. We have also previously shown that lithium chloride (LiCl), a GSK3 inhibitor suppressed development of Plasmodium berghei in a murine model of malarial infection. The present study is aimed at evaluating G. truncata for its anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory effects using in vivo malarial and melioidosis infection models respectively. In a four-day suppressive test, intraperitoneal injections of up to 250 mg/kg body weight (bw) G. truncata CME into P.berghei-infected mice suppressed parasitaemia development by >60%. Intraperitoneal administration of 150 mg/kg bw G. truncata CME into Burkholderia pseudomallei-infected mice improved survivability by 44%. G. truncata CME lowered levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ) in serum and organs of B. pseudomallei-infected mice. In both infections, increased phosphorylations (Ser9) of GSK3β were detected in organ samples of animals administered with G. truncata CME compared to controls. Taken together, results from this study strongly suggest that the anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory effects elicited by G. truncata in part were mediated through inhibition of GSK3β. The findings provide scientific basis for the ethnomedicinal use of this fern to treat inflammation-associated symptoms.
Fulltext Awareness of colorectal cancer among the urban population in the Klang Valley

Sindhu CK, Nijar AK, Leong PY, Li ZQ, Hong CY, Malar L, et al.

Malays Fam Physician, 2019;14(3):18-27.
PMID: 32175037

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in Malaysia. Awareness of risk factors, symptoms and warning signs of CRC will help in early detection. This paper presents the level of CRC awareness among the urban population in Malaysia.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 till December 2016 at three government clinics in the Klang Valley. The validated Bowel Cancer Awareness Measure questionnaire in both English and Malay was used. The mean knowledge scores for the warning signs and risk factors of CRC in different socio-demographic groups were compared using ANOVA in SPSS version 23. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05 and a 95% confidence level.
Results: Of the 426 respondents, 29.1% were unable to recall the warning signs and symptoms of CRC. Average recall was less than two warning signs and symptoms (mean 1.62, SD 1.33). The mean total knowledge score for CRC was 9.91 (SD 4.78), with a mean knowledge scores for warning signs and risk factors at 5.27 (SD 2.74) and 4.64 (SD 2.78), respectively. Respondents with a higher level of education were found to have higher level of knowledge regarding the warning signs of CRC. There was a significant positive association between knowledge score for warning signs and level of confidence in detecting warning signs. Regarding the total knowledge score for CRC, 3.3% of respondents scored zero. For warning signs and risk factors, 8.2% and 8.5% of respondents had zero knowledge scores, respectively.
Conclusions: Generally, awareness of CRC is poor among the urban population of Klang Valley. Greater education and more confidence in detecting warning signs are significantly associated with better knowledge of warning signs. CRC awareness programs should be increased to improve awareness.
Fulltext COVID-19: Four Paediatric Cases in Malaysia

See KC, Liew SM, Ng DCE, Chew EL, Khoo EM, Sam CH, et al.

Int J Infect Dis, 2020 May;94:125-127.
PMID: 32304822 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.03.049

OBJECTIVE: This is a brief report of 4 paediatric cases of COVID-19 infection in Malaysia BACKGROUND: COVID-19, a coronavirus, first detected in Wuhan, China has now spread rapidly to over 60 countries and territories around the world, infecting more than 85000 individuals. As the case count amongst children is low, there is need to report COVID-19 in children to better understand the virus and the disease.
CASES: In Malaysia, until end of February 2020, there were four COVID-19 paediatric cases with ages ranging from 20 months to 11 years. All four cases were likely to have contracted the virus in China. The children had no symptoms or mild flu-like illness. The cases were managed symptomatically. None required antiviral therapy.
DISCUSSION: There were 2 major issues regarding the care of infected children. Firstly, the quarantine of an infected child with a parent who tested negative was an ethical dilemma. Secondly, oropharyngeal and nasal swabs in children were at risk of false negative results. These issues have implications for infection control. Consequently, there is a need for clearer guidelines for child quarantine and testing methods in the management of COVID-19 in children.
The value of potency testing of poliomyelitis and measles vaccines as an integral part of cold chain surveillance

Saraswathy TS, Sinniah M, Lee WS, Lee PC

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1993 Jun;24(2):265-8.
PMID: 8266228

The Virology Division in the Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia performs potency tests on oral polio vaccines and live attenuated measles vaccines. Since these potency tests were introduced in 1981 a total of 752 tests have been performed on vaccine samples from peripheral immunization centers. Of 165 representative vaccine samples sent for potency evaluation after a cold chain breakdown 154 (87%) passed minimum potency requirements recommended for immunization of infants. In the absence of potency evaluation, those vaccines exposed to temperatures higher than the recommended storage range would be discarded, perhaps resulting in unnecessary wastage and economic loss. Results of the vaccine potency evaluation has enabled health authorities to indirectly monitor cold chain efficiency and ensure the high quality of viral vaccines used in our childhood immunization program.
Fulltext Health literacy levels and its determinants among people with asthma in Malaysian primary healthcare settings: a cross-sectional study

Salim H, Shariff Ghazali S, Lee PY, Cheong AT, Harrun NH, Mohamed Isa S, et al.

BMC Public Health, 2021 06 22;21(1):1186.
PMID: 34158013 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11194-w

BACKGROUND: Limited health literacy among people with asthma is associated with poor adherence to self-management activities, thus poor clinical outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of health literacy level and its determinants among people with asthma in the Malaysian primary healthcare settings.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants aged > 18 years with asthma who attended five primary health clinics in Malaysia. Systematic random sampling was employed with a final sample of 550 participants. The questionnaires included the validated Malay version of Health Literacy Scale (HLS) and asthma control questionnaire (ACQ). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the determinants for limited health literacy.
RESULTS: The participants mean age of the participants was 48 (SD15.4) years. Most of the participants were women (64%) and of Malay ethnicity (51.1%). Nearly half had a secondary level of education, n = 112, (45.8%). Mean duration of asthma diagnosis is 20.6 (SD 15.9) years. More than half (62.5%) had a family history of asthma. About half (50.9%) had uncontrolled asthma, with 87.3% self-rated themselves as having controlled asthma. About a third (29.1%) received education on of asthma action plan, but only 7.1% of these owned a written version an asthma action plan. Limited health literacy accounts for 60.5% of the participants. The significant determinants for limited health literacy included lower educational attainment (p p = 0.034), p = 0.031) and not receiving asthma action plan education (p
Bodyweight status misperception among reproductive-aged women in primary care settings

Sahiran MF, Lee PY, Mawardi M, Mohd Azizi F

Malays Fam Physician, 2020;15(3):62-73.
PMID: 33329864

Introduction: It is common, and many international and local studies confirm this, that women of reproductive age misperceive their body-weight status. This phenomenon can lead to their being less likely to adopt a healthy lifestyle which later exposes them to increased health problems and risks including those of a gynecological and obstetric nature. Generally, there have been inconsistent findings concerning the association between the self-perceived weight status and sociodemographic factors, physical activities, and previous weight loss attempts of women of reproductive age in an Asian population like Malaysia.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors associated with body weight status misperception among reproductive-aged women at a primary care setting in Malaysia.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at Klinik Kesihatan Durian Tunggal in 2016-2017. The questionnaire included questions on the perception of weight status, sociodemographic factors, smoking status, level of physical activity, and weight loss attempts. Logistic regressions were used for statistical analysis to examine the association between body weight status misperception and related factors.
Results: The study recruited 630 reproductive-aged women. The mean age and SD of the respondents was 32.7 + 8.9 years, and 84% of the respondents were Malays. More than three-quarters of the respondents (75.5%, n = 476) had received up to a secondary level of education. The majority of the respondents were in the overweight/obese group (59.4%, n = 374). The mean BMI of the respondents was 27.1 kg/m2 + 6.61. Approximately 65.4% (n = 412) of the respondents had an inactive lifestyle. However, 60% (n = 378) of the respondents reported that they had attempted to reduce their weight in the last year. A total of 141 respondents (22.4%) misperceived their weight status with 113 (80.1% ) of them underestimating their weight status. Women with primary-level education (OR: 3.545, 95% CI: 1.530-8.215, p = 0.003) and secondary-level education (OR: 1.933, 95% CI: 1.065-3.510, p = 0.030) had a greater likelihood of misperceiving their body weight status as compared to those who have a tertiary level of education. Women with no weight loss attempts were also at risk of body weight status misperception (OR: 1.850, 95% CI: 1.195, 2.865, p = 0.006).
Conclusion: Bodyweight status misperception among reproductive-aged women was associated with a low level of education and with those who had made no weight loss attempts. Identifying women who are at risk of misperceiving their weight status would enable early counseling on weight management.
Fulltext Study Protocol for a Global Survey: Awareness and Preparedness of Hospital Staff Against Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak

Qarawi ATA, Ng SJ, Gad A, Luu MN, Al-Ahdal TMA, Sharma A, et al.

Front Public Health, 2021;9:580427.
PMID: 34277529 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.580427

Background: The outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus (named SARS-CoV-2) has gained attention globally and has been recognized as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to the rapidly increasing number of deaths and confirmed cases. Health care workers (HCWs) are vulnerable to this crisis as they are the first frontline to receive and manage COVID-19 patients. In this multicenter multinational survey, we aim to assess the level of awareness and preparedness of hospital staff regarding COVID-19 all over the world. Methods: From February to March 2020, the web-based or paper-based survey to gather information about the hospital staff's awareness and preparedness in the participants' countries will be carried out using a structured questionnaire based on the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) checklist and delivered to participants by the local collaborators for each hospital. As of March 2020, we recruited 374 hospitals from 58 countries that could adhere to this protocol as approved by their Institutional Review Boards (IRB) or Ethics Committees (EC). Discussion: The awareness and preparedness of HCWs against COVID-19 are of utmost importance not only to protect themselves from infection, but also to control the virus transmission in healthcare facilities and to manage the disease, especially in the context of manpower lacking and hospital overload during the pandemic. The results of this survey can be used to inform hospitals about the awareness and preparedness of their health staff regarding COVID-19, so appropriate policies and practice guidelines can be implemented to improve their capabilities of facing this crisis and other future pandemic-prone diseases.
Fulltext Clinical observations of hydatidiform moles in a Malaysian hospital

Ong HC, Lee PYA, Ng TK, Chong CH

Singapore Med J, 1978 Mar;19(1):33-6.
PMID: 663681

A retrospective analysis of 102 cases of hydatidiform moles seen in the Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is presented. The incidence was 1 : 669. The tumour was more common In the Malays and in the lower social class patients. No specific age group or parity group was exempted. Vaginal bleeding and amenorrhoea were prominent features. Hyperemesis and abdominal cramps occurred less commonly. The uterine size was larger than dates in 62.7% of patients. Pre-eclampsia complicated 23.5% of the moles and Its severity was inversely related to the uterine size. Spontaneous abortion occurred In 57.8% of patients at a mean gestational period of 19 weeks.

Study site: Maternity Hospital Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia
Fulltext Effects of vitamin E supplementation on bone metabolism in nicotine-treated rats

Norazlina M, Lee PL, Lukman HI, Nazrun AS, Ima-Nirwana S

Singapore Med J, 2007 Mar;48(3):195-9.
PMID: 17342286

Nicotine has been shown to exert negative effects on bone. This study determined whether vitamin E supplementation is able to repair the nicotine-induced adverse effects in bone.
Image analysis by Tchebichef moments

Mukundan R, Ong SH, Lee PA

IEEE Trans Image Process, 2001;10(9):1357-64.
PMID: 18255550 DOI: 10.1109/83.941859

This paper introduces a new set of orthogonal moment functions based on the discrete Tchebichef polynomials. The Tchebichef moments can be effectively used as pattern features in the analysis of two-dimensional images. The implementation of the moments proposed in this paper does not involve any numerical approximation, since the basis set is orthogonal in the discrete domain of the image coordinate space. This property makes Tchebichef moments superior to the conventional orthogonal moments such as Legendre moments and Zernike moments, in terms of preserving the analytical properties needed to ensure information redundancy in a moment set. The paper also details the various computational aspects of Tchebichef moments and demonstrates their feature representation capability using the method of image reconstruction.
Fulltext Diabetic retinopathy in native and non-native Sarawakians--findings from the Diabetic Eye Registry

Mallika PS, Aziz S, Goh PP, Lee PY, Cheah WL, Chong MS, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2012 Aug;67(4):369-74.
PMID: 23082443

This study aims to determine the risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) among natives and non-natives Sarawakians who were seen at 3 public hospitals and one health clinic in Sarawak. It is a cross sectional study where data on patients with DM were collected by staff at these healthcare facilities and entered into the web-based Diabetic Eye Registry. Univariate and multivariate analysis was used to determine the association factors for DR. DR was significantly less associated with natives (24.4%) compared to non-native Sarawakians (34.1%) (p < 0.001). The odds of getting DR was higher in patients whose duration of DM was more than 20 years (OR = 2.6), who have renal impairment (OR = 1.7) and non-natives (OR = 1.4).

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