Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 43 in total

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  1. Yoon SY, Wong SW, Lim J, Ahmad S, Mariapun S, Padmanabhan H, et al.
    J Med Genet, 2022 Mar;59(3):220-229.
    PMID: 33526602 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2020-107416
    BACKGROUND: Identifying patients with BRCA mutations is clinically important to inform on the potential response to treatment and for risk management of patients and their relatives. However, traditional referral routes may not meet clinical needs, and therefore, mainstreaming cancer genetics has been shown to be effective in some high-income and high health-literacy settings. To date, no study has reported on the feasibility of mainstreaming in low-income and middle-income settings, where the service considerations and health literacy could detrimentally affect the feasibility of mainstreaming.

    METHODS: The Mainstreaming Genetic Counselling for Ovarian Cancer Patients (MaGiC) study is a prospective, two-arm observational study comparing oncologist-led and genetics-led counselling. This study included 790 multiethnic patients with ovarian cancer from 23 sites in Malaysia. We compared the impact of different method of delivery of genetic counselling on the uptake of genetic testing and assessed the feasibility, knowledge and satisfaction of patients with ovarian cancer.

    RESULTS: Oncologists were satisfied with the mainstreaming experience, with 95% indicating a desire to incorporate testing into their clinical practice. The uptake of genetic testing was similar in the mainstreaming and genetics arm (80% and 79%, respectively). Patient satisfaction was high, whereas decision conflict and psychological impact were low in both arms of the study. Notably, decisional conflict, although lower than threshold, was higher for the mainstreaming group compared with the genetics arm. Overall, 13.5% of patients had a pathogenic variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2, and there was no difference between psychosocial measures for carriers in both arms.

    CONCLUSION: The MaGiC study demonstrates that mainstreaming cancer genetics is feasible in low-resource and middle-resource Asian setting and increased coverage for genetic testing.

  2. Vani S, Lau SY, Lim BK, Omar SZ, Tan PC
    Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2009 Jan;104(1):28-31.
    PMID: 18922525 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.08.014
    To evaluate the success of external cephalic version (ECV) using an adjusted bolus dose of intravenous salbutamol compared with no tocolysis.
  3. Vallikkannu N, Laboh N, Tan PC, Hong JGS, Hamdan M, Lim BK
    Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2022 Jan 09.
    PMID: 34999923 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-021-06383-2
    PURPOSE: To evaluate Foley catheter and controlled release dinoprostone insert compared to foley catheter alone on induction to delivery interval and maternal satisfaction.

    METHODS: A randomized trial was conducted in a university hospital in Malaysia from December 2018 to May 2019. Term nulliparas with unfavorable cervix (Bishop score ≤ 5) scheduled for labor induction were randomized to Foley catheter and controlled release dinoprostone insert simultaneously or Foley catheter alone. Primary outcomes were induction to delivery interval (hours) and maternal satisfaction on birth experience (assessed by 11-point Visual Numerical Rating Scale VNRS 0-10, higher score more satisfied).

    RESULTS: Induction to vaginal delivery intervals was mean ± standard deviation 22.5 ± 10.4 vs. 35.1 ± 14.9 h, P =  

  4. Tok Ch, Bux S, Mohamed S, Lim B
    Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2006 Oct;2(4):e42.
    PMID: 21614328 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.2.4.e42
    Fibroids are the commonest uterine neoplasms, occurring in 20% - 30% of women of reproductive age. In women who have pelvic masses of unknown cause, unusual manifestations of fibroids such as necrosis or degeneration may simulate a carcinoma or hydrometra resulting in problems with image interpretation. We report a case of an unsuspected large degenerated uterine fibroid in a lady mistakenly diagnosed as hydrometra on computed tomography scanning.
  5. Teo IH, Hong J, Tan PC, Lim BK
    Cureus, 2022 Dec;14(12):e32226.
    PMID: 36620851 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32226
    Background Women experience significant sleep disruption throughout pregnancy. Lack of sleep during the last month of pregnancy is associated with longer labor, a higher rate of Cesarean births, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preterm birth. Eye-mask and earplugs through sensory deprivation increase sleep duration and quality in patients in the intensive care environment but their impact at home or during pregnancy is not known. We sought to evaluate eye-mask and earplugs compared to sham/placebo headbands on night sleep duration in pregnancy. Materials and methods A randomized trial was performed in a university hospital in Malaysia. Nulliparas between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation with self-reported night sleep of fewer than six hours were randomized to the use of eye-mask and earplugs or "sham" headbands during night sleep (both introduced as sleep aids). Night sleep duration was measured through a wrist actigraphy monitor during non-intervention week one and intervention week two with the allocated sleep aid. Results Data from 56 participants were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Mean night sleep duration increased in intervention week two compared to non-intervention week one in both trial arms, which were 279 ± 19 vs. 304 ± 19 minutes (mean increase of 25 minutes) p = <0.001 and 286 ± 21 vs. 302 ± 22 minutes (mean increase of 16 minutes) p = <0.001 for eye-masks-earplugs and headband respectively. However, the mean increase in night sleep duration across trial arms (p=0.13) was not significant. A higher proportion of participants in the eye-masks and earplugs arm had their night sleep duration increased by at least 30 minutes, 13/29 (45%) vs. 5/26 (19%), relative risk (RR) 2.3 (95% CI 1.0-5.6) p = 0.04, more likely to agree that they slept better 19/29 (66%) vs. 7/27 (26%), RR 2.2 (95% CI 1.1-4.6) p = 0.03, expressed higher satisfaction score with their sleep aid 7 (7.0-7.5) vs. 6 (5-7), p = 0.003 and had lower induction of labor rates 4/29 (14%) vs. 12/27 (44%), RR 0.3 (95%CI 0.1-0.8) p = 0.02. Conclusion Eye masks and earplugs use in nulliparas with short night sleep duration in late pregnancy, lengthen their night sleep duration over baseline. Sleep is reportedly better and maternal satisfaction is higher with eye masks and earplugs use.
  6. Tan PC, Vani S, Lim BK, Omar SZ
    Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 2010 Apr;149(2):153-8.
    PMID: 20097465 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.12.031
    To evaluate prevalence, risk factors and clinical severity correlates of anxiety and depression caseness in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
  7. Tan PC, Abdussyukur SA, Lim BK, Win ST, Omar SZ
    BJOG, 2020 10;127(11):1430-1437.
    PMID: 32356413 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16290
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fasting for 12 hours compared with expedited oral feeding in hospitalised women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).

    DESIGN: Randomised trial.

    SETTING: University Hospital, Malaysia: April 2016-April 2017.

    POPULATION: One hundred and sixty women hospitalised for HG.

    METHOD: Women were randomised upon admission to fasting for 12 hours or expedited oral feeding. Standard HG care was instituted.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Primary outcome was satisfaction score with overall treatment at 24 hours (0-10 Visual Numerical Rating Scale VNRS), vomiting episodes within 24 hours and nausea VNRS score at enrolment, and at 8, 16 and 24 hours.

    RESULTS: Satisfaction score, median (interquartile range) 8 (5-9) versus 8 (7-9) (P = 0.08) and 24-hour vomiting episodes were 1 (0-4) versus 1 (0-5) (P = 0.24) for 12-hour fasting versus expedited feeding, respectively. Repeated measures analysis of variance of nausea scores over 24 hours showed no difference (P = 0.11) between trial arms. Participants randomised to 12-hour fasting compared with expedited feeding were less likely to prefer their feeding regimen in future hospitalisation (41% versus 65%, P = 0.001), to recommend to a friend (65% versus 84%, P = 0.01; RR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-0.9) and to adhere to protocol (85% versus 95%, P = 0.04; RR 0.9, 95% CI 0.8-1.0). Symptoms profile, ketonuria status at 24 hours and length of hospital stay were not different.

    CONCLUSION: Advisory of 12-hour fasting compared with immediate oral feeding resulted in a non-significant difference in satisfaction score but adherence to protocol and fidelity to and recommendation of immediate oral feeding to a friend were lower. The 24-hour nausea scores and vomiting episodes were similar.

    TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Women hospitalised for hyperemesis gravidarum could feed as soon, as much and as often as can be tolerated compared with initial fasting.

  8. Tan JT, Letchuman Ramanathan G, Choy MP, Leela R, Lim BK
    Med J Malaysia, 2013 Oct;68(5):384-8.
    PMID: 24632866 MyJurnal
    INTRODUCTION: Paraquat is a quaternary nitrogen herbicide which is highly toxic to human. Death is usually from respiratory failure and may occur within days up to a month after exposure. It is easily available and commonly abused to commit suicide.

    METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective study describing the demographic characteristics, clinical features and outcomes of paraquat poisoning cases admitted to Hospital Taiping from 1st January 2008 to 30th October 2011. Medical records of 79 patients were reviewed.

    RESULT: Majority were of the Indian ethnicity (72.2%) followed by Chinese (13.9%) and Malay (10.1%). Majority was male (73.4%) and between 20 to 29 years old (34.2%). The median age of the patients was 30 years old. The mean length of stay was 6.2 days. Most exposures were intentional (69.6%) and presented to the hospital early at less than 6 hours after exposure (72.2%). Patients with positive urine paraquat result had significantly higher mortality rate compared to patients with negative results (47.4% vs 15.2% respectively). We found that neither hemofiltration nor immunosuppressive therapies help to improve survival.

    CONCLUSION: The non-survivor characteristics of patients with paraquat poisoning are intentional exposure, delay from exposure to hospital admission, urine paraquat positivity and manifestation of respiratory failure. The demographic characteristics, reasons for exposure and mortality rate are similar to previous reports. Urine paraquat may be used to assess severity of the exposure as well as prognosis. Hemofiltration and immunosuppression therapy do not improve patients' survival and paraquat remains a lethal killer.
  9. Sulaiman S, Sivaranjani S, Razali N, Lim BK, Hamdan M, Tan PC
    Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2023 Mar;160(3):814-822.
    PMID: 35869955 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14364
    OBJECTIVE: To compare Foley catheter and controlled-release dinoprostone vaginal insert on induction-to-delivery interval and maternal satisfaction in women with one previous cesarean delivery.

    METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from December 12, 2018, to May 28, 2019. A total of 78 term women scheduled for labor induction with one previous cesarean delivery who had ripe cervixes, singleton gestation, cephalic presentation, intact membranes, and reassuring cardiotocogram were randomized to Foley catheter or dinoprostone insert. The primary outcome was induction-to-delivery interval (in hours) and the secondary outcomes included maternal satisfaction on birth experience (assessed by 100-mm visual analog scale).

    RESULTS: Induction-to-delivery intervals were as follows: median 33.5 h (interquartile range [IQR], 26.1-36.2 h) versus 23.5 h (IQR, 12.7-34.5 h) (P = 0.004), and maternal satisfaction on birth process 100-mm visual analog scale was 80 mm (IQR, 64-88 mm) versus 82 mm (IQR, 67-88 mm) (P = 0.919) for the Foley and controlled-release dinoprostone arms, respectively. Cesarean delivery rates were 23 of 39 (59%) versus 20 of 39 (51%) (relative risk, 1.15 [95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.72]) (P = 0.496) and trial device insertion to removal time mean ± standard deviation was 20.1 ± 7.1 h versus 14.2 ± 7.3 h (P = 0.001) for Foley versus controlled-release dinoprostone, respectively.

    CONCLUSION: In term women after one previous cesarean delivery with unripe cervixes, controlled-release dinoprostone vaginal insert compared with Foley catheter shortens the induction-to-delivery interval but maternal satisfaction was not significantly increased.

    CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with ISRCTN on November 30, 2018, with trial identification number: ISRCTN16957529 (https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16957529). The first participant was recruited on December 12, 2018.

  10. Singh DK, Mohd Nordin NA, Abd Aziz NA, Lim BK, Soh LC
    BMC Neurol, 2013 Dec 13;13:199.
    PMID: 24330250 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2377-13-199
    BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that the continuation of therapy among community-dwelling stroke survivors improves physical function. Community rehabilitation programmes often face limitations in terms of resources. It is imperative to include new motivational interventions to encourage some level of non-clinician management. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were any changes in physical function and activities of daily living when substituting a portion of the standard physiotherapy time with virtual reality games among community-dwelling stroke survivors.

    METHODS: In this controlled trial, the experimental group received 30 minutes of virtual reality balance games in addition to 90 minutes of standard physiotherapy. The control group continued with their two hours of routine standard physiotherapy. Both groups received 12 therapy sessions: two-hour sessions twice per week for six continuous weeks. Changes in physical function, activities of daily living and balance ability were assessed using the Timed Up and Go test, 30-second Sit to Stand test, Timed Ten-Metre Walk test, Six-Minute Walk test and the Barthel Index, and static balance was assessed using a probalance board.

    RESULTS: Twenty-eight participants completed post-intervention assessments. The results showed a significant within-subject effect on the Timed Up and Go test: F (1, 26) = 5.83, p = 0.02; and the 30-second Sit to Stand test; F (1, 26) = 13.50, p = 0.001. The between-subject effect was not significant (p > 0.05) for any of the outcome measurements.

    CONCLUSION: Substituting a portion of the standard physiotherapy time with virtual reality games was equally effective in maintaining physical function outcomes and activities of daily living among community-dwelling stroke survivors.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register, ACTRN12613000478718.

  11. Raj VI, Hassan A, Hanafiah N, Azhary JMK, Lim BK, Saaid R, et al.
    Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2024 Feb 23.
    PMID: 38391250 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15431
    OBJECTIVE: To compare polyethylene glycol 4000 versus lactulose in chronic constipation during pregnancy.

    METHODS: Women at 28-32 weeks' gestation attending antenatal clinic for routine care were screened using the Rome IV chronic constipation criterion. Eligible women were approached and consented. Participants were randomized to oral polyethylene glycol (10 g/day) or lactulose (10 g/day) for 4 weeks. A bowel movement diary was kept and outcomes using the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms questionnaire (PAC-SYM), Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire (PAC-QoL) and Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), which were evaluated at the start and end of the four-week period. Relative risks (RR) were determined for the coprimary outcomes of complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) and PAC-SYM mean score improvement (decrease in score of >1 from the baseline).

    RESULTS: A total of 4323 women underwent screening, of which 780 fulfilled the Rome IV criterion, and 360 consented to participate (180 randomized to PEG and lactulose, respectively). Data from 247 women who completed the study were analyzed. CSBM was achieved in 107/124 (86.3%) versus 102/123 (82.9%) (RR 1.04, 95% CI: 0.93-1.16, P = 0.464) for PEG and lactulose trial arms, respectively. PAC-SYM mean score improvement was 62/118 (52.5%) in the PEG arm versus 44/118 (37.3%) in the lactulose arm (RR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.05-1.88). Of secondary outcomes, a significant difference was found in favor of PEG, with respect to PAC-SYM abdominal symptoms subscale, normal stool versus loose stool consistency and side effects of vomiting and diarrhea. After controlling for parity, baseline PAC-SYM, PAC-QoL scores, characteristics different at baseline, only diarrhea and loose stools remained significant.

    CONCLUSION: Both PEG 4000 and lactulose are effective laxatives in pregnancy with similar performance after adjusted analysis. Diarrhea and loose stools are less frequently reported with PEG.

  12. Quek SC, Lim BK, Domingo E, Soon R, Park JS, Vu TN, et al.
    Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer, 2013 Jan;23(1):148-56.
    PMID: 23221730 DOI: 10.1097/IGC.0b013e31827670fd
    OBJECTIVE: Independent, prospective, multicenter, hospital-based cross-sectional studies were conducted across 5 countries in Asia, namely, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, and the Philippines. The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) types (high risk and others including coinfections) in women with invasive cervical cancer (ICC) and high-grade precancerous lesions.

    METHODS: Women older than 21 years with a histologic diagnosis of ICC and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN 2 or 3 and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)] were enrolled. Cervical specimens were reviewed by histopathologists to confirm the presence of ICC or CIN 2/3/AIS lesion and tested with short PCR fragment 10-DNA enzyme immunoassay-line probe assay for 14 oncogenic HPV types and 11 non-oncogenic HPV types. The prevalence of HPV 16, HPV 18, and other high-risk HPV types in ICC [including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma (ADC/ASC)] and CIN 2/3/AIS was estimated.

    RESULTS: In the 5 Asian countries, diagnosis of ICC was confirmed in 500 women [SCC (n = 392) and ADC/ASC (n = 108)], and CIN 2/3/AIS, in 411 women. Human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 93.8% to 97.0% (84.5% for the Philippines) of confirmed ICC cases [94.0%-98.7% of SCC; 87.0%-94.3% (50.0% for the Philippines) of ADC/ASC] and in 93.7% to 100.0% of CIN 2/3/AIS. The most common types observed among ICC cases were HPV 16 (36.8%-61.3%), HPV 18 (12.9%-35.4%), HPV 52 (5.4%-10.3%), and HPV 45 (1.5%-17.2%), whereas among CIN 2/3/AIS cases, HPV 16 (29.7%-46.6%) was the most commonly observed type followed by HPV 52 (17.0%-66.7%) and HPV 58 (8.6%-16.0%).

    CONCLUSIONS: This article presents the data on the HPV prevalence, HPV type distribution, and their role in cervical carcinogenesis in 5 Asian countries. These data are of relevance to public health authorities for evaluating the existing and future cervical cancer prevention strategies including HPV-DNA testing-based screening and HPV vaccination in these Asian populations.

  13. Ng YL, Segaran S, Yim CCW, Lim BK, Hamdan M, Gan F, et al.
    Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2024 Mar 21.
    PMID: 38521233 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.03.018
    BACKGROUND: Contemporary guidance for preoperative feeding allows solids up to 6 hours and clear fluids up to 2 hours before anesthesia. Clinical trial evidence to support this approach for cesarean delivery is lacking. Many medical practitioners continue to follow conservative policies of no intake from midnight to the time of surgery, especially in pregnant women.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the pragmatic approach of permitting free access to water up to the call to dispatch to the operating theater vs fasting from midnight in preoperative oral intake restriction for planned cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia on perioperative vomiting and maternal satisfaction.

    STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the obstetrical unit of the University of Malaya Medical Centre from October 2020 to May 2022. A total of 504 participants scheduled for planned cesarean delivery were randomized: 252 undergoing preoperative free access to water up to the call to dispatch to the operating theater (intervention group) and 252 undergoing fasting from midnight (fasting arm). The primary outcomes were perioperative vomiting and maternal satisfaction. Analyses were performed using t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test, as appropriate.

    RESULTS: Of note, 9 of 252 patients (3.6%) in the intervention group and 24 of 252 patients (9.5%) in the control group had vomiting at up to 6 hours after completion of cesarean delivery (relative risk, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.79; P=.007), and the maternal satisfaction scores (0-10 visual numerical rating scale) were 9 (interquartile range, 8-10) in the intervention group and 5 (interquartile range, 3-7) in the control group (P

  14. Ng KL, Nawawi O, Lim BK, Htun TH, Dublin N, Razack AH
    Asian J Surg, 2017 Apr;40(2):171-174.
    PMID: 24210538 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2013.09.012
    Ureteric strictures are common and can be due to benign or malignant causes. Various surgical treatments can be used from minimally invasive endoscopic retrograde JJ stent insertion, balloon dilatation, ureterolithotomy, to open surgical exploration and repair. Memokath 051 stent is a metallic stent designed for long-term ureteral stenting in the management of ureteral strictures. The insertion of this device is usually a straightforward procedure performed endoscopically in a retrograde fashion via cystoscopy. However, this procedure can be difficult in complicated scenarios when the bladder has been removed with neoureteral reimplantations or high-grade strictures. Here, we report a case of Memokath stent insertion complicated by placement difficulties in a lady with ileal conduit due to previous ovarian cancer complicated by vesicovaginal fistula, who presented with malignant stricture of the ureteroileal anastomosis. We describe a simple yet effective antegrade technique to precisely reposition the malpositioned Memokath stent, along with illustrations.
  15. Mu AK, Lim BK, Hashim OH, Shuib AS
    Int J Mol Sci, 2012;13(8):9489-501.
    PMID: 22949810 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13089489
    Cancers can cause some proteins to be aberrantly excreted or released in the urine, which can be used as biomarkers. To screen for potential biomarkers for endometrial cancer (ECa), the urinary proteins from patients who were newly diagnosed with early stage ECa and untreated controls were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and followed by image analysis. The altered levels of zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, and CD59 were detected in the patients compared to the controls. In addition, the urine of the ECa patients was also found to contain relatively lower levels of a fragment of nebulin when the 2-DE separated urinary proteins were probed using champedak galactose binding (CGB) lectin. The different levels of the nebulin fragment were further validated by subjecting the urinary protein samples to CGB lectin affinity chromatography and analysis of the bound fractions by LC-MS/MS. Our data is suggestive of the potential use of the differentially expressed urinary proteins as biomarkers for ECa although this requires further extensive validation on clinically representative populations.
  16. Mu AK, Lim BK, Aminudin N, Hashim OH, Shuib AS
    Arch Physiol Biochem, 2016 Jul;122(3):111-6.
    PMID: 26849673 DOI: 10.3109/13813455.2016.1151441
    Endometrial (ECa), ovarian (OCa) and cervical (CCa) cancers are among 10 of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. Cancers are known to cause some proteins to be differentially glycosylated or aberrantly excreted in the urine, which can be used as biomarkers. Since ECa, OCa and CCa are difficult to diagnose at the early stage, the aim of the present study was to identify a panel of new biomarkers for early detection of the cancers using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) technology. Identification of early biomarkers that are specific and efficient can increase the survival rate of the patients.
  17. Mu AK, Lim BK, Hashim OH, Shuib AS
    Int J Mol Sci, 2013 Apr 11;14(4):7923-31.
    PMID: 23579955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms14047923
    Cancer is known to induce or alter the O-glycosylation of selective proteins that may eventually be excreted in the patients' urine. The present study was performed to identify O-glycosylated proteins that are aberrantly excreted in the urine of patients with early stage ovarian cancer (OCa). These urinary glycoproteins are potential biomarkers for early detection of OCa. In this study, urinary proteins of patients with early stage OCa and age-matched OCa negative women were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and detection using a lectin that binds to the O-glycosylated proteins. Our analysis demonstrated significant enhanced expression of clusterin and leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein, but lower levels of kininogen in the urine of the OCa patients compared to the controls. The different altered levels of these urinary glycoproteins were further confirmed using competitive ELISA. Our data are suggestive of the potential use of the aberrantly excreted urinary O-glycosylated proteins as biomarkers for the early detection of OCa, although this requires further validation in a large clinically representative population.
  18. Mohamed E, Abdul-Rahman PS, Doustjalali SR, Chen Y, Lim BK, Omar SZ, et al.
    Electrophoresis, 2008 Jun;29(12):2645-50.
    PMID: 18494030 DOI: 10.1002/elps.200700828
    A 35 kDa glycoprotein whose abundance was previously demonstrated to be enhanced in sera of patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma (n = 12), was isolated from pooled sera of three of the cancer patients using champedak galactose-binding lectin affinity chromatography in the present study. Subjecting it to 2-DE and MS/MS, the glycoprotein was identified as the O-glycosylated fragment of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4). When compared to control sera (n = 17), expression of the 35 kDa ITIH4 cleavage fragment was demonstrated to be significantly enhanced in sera of patients with breast carcinoma (n = 10), epithelial ovarian carcinoma (n = 10), and germ cell ovarian carcinoma (n = 10) but not in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (n = 13) and osteosarcoma (n = 7). The lectin-based electrophoretic bioanalytical method adopted in the present study may be used to assess the physiological relevance of ITIH4 fragmentation and its correlation with different malignancies, their stages and progression.
  19. Loh LC, Lim BK, Wan Yusuf S
    J R Coll Physicians Edinb, 2010 Jun;40(2):100-4.
    PMID: 21125048 DOI: 10.4997/JRCPE.2010.202
    As a standard, significant pleural effusion, whether tuberculous (TB) or not, requires therapeutic thoracocentesis. We tested the hypothesis that standard anti-TB chemotherapy alone can resolve significant pleural effusion.
  20. Loh LC, Lim BK, Raman S, Vijayasingham P, Mohd Yusuf S
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Aug;63(3):188-92.
    PMID: 19248687
    Budesonide/Formoterol (Symbicort) combination therapy as both maintenance and reliever treatment (SMART) is a novel approach in asthma management. We examined its 'real-life effectiveness' in treating Malaysian patients with moderate-to-severe asthma in whom despite on combined inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonist, were still inadequately controlled. In a retrospective study, 22 eligible adult patients on SMART [mean (range) age: 49 (36-65) years; FEV1: 41 (21-74)% predicted] were identified from medical records of an urban-based university hospital chest clinic, and their clinical outcomes studied at three months. Another 16 patients [50 (14-66) years; 48 (20-91)% predicted] of similar severity and treatment (i.e. Symbicort maintenance treatment plus short-acting beta2-agonist as reliever), but not on SMART, were used as comparator over the same assessment period. In addition, the patients were separately interviewed with standard questionnaire on their satisfaction and compliance to the SMART approach. In SMART group, rescue treatment requirement (p<0.001) and FEV1 [median difference = 2.5%, p=0.015; mean difference: 90 ml, p=0.013] showed significant improvement while in comparator, there was significant improvement only in the requirement for rescue treatment (p=0.023). Hospital admission rates were significantly reduced in SMART group compared to the other (p=0.039), but not in emergency treatment. Five patients asked to discontinue SMART while all others were satisfied, compliant and perceived improvement of their asthma with SMART. The maximum daily doses of inhaled budesonide and formoterol were 1400 microg and 31.5 microg respectively. Our preliminary findings suggest that SMART approach can be attempted as an effective and safe treatment option for patients with inadequately controlled moderate-to-severe asthma in Malaysian setting.
    Study site: Chest clinic, Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
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