Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 25 in total

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  1. Nongpiur ME, Khor CC, Jia H, Cornes BK, Chen LJ, Qiao C, et al.
    PLoS Genet, 2014 Mar;10(3):e1004089.
    PMID: 24603532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004089
    Anterior chamber depth (ACD) is a key anatomical risk factor for primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on ACD to discover novel genes for PACG on a total of 5,308 population-based individuals of Asian descent. Genome-wide significant association was observed at a sequence variant within ABCC5 (rs1401999; per-allele effect size =  -0.045 mm, P = 8.17 × 10(-9)). This locus was associated with an increase in risk of PACG in a separate case-control study of 4,276 PACG cases and 18,801 controls (per-allele OR = 1.13 [95% CI: 1.06-1.22], P = 0.00046). The association was strengthened when a sub-group of controls with open angles were included in the analysis (per-allele OR = 1.30, P = 7.45 × 10(-9); 3,458 cases vs. 3,831 controls). Our findings suggest that the increase in PACG risk could in part be mediated by genetic sequence variants influencing anterior chamber dimensions.
  2. Noh LM, Low SM, Lajin I, Abdullah N
    Malays J Pathol, 1992 Dec;14(2):121-3.
    PMID: 1304625
    A 20-month-old Indian boy presented with recurrent pyogenic infections and failure to thrive. His IgG and IgA levels were low, but his IgM was elevated. He also had undetectable isohaemagglutinin titre and neutropenia, both parameters being poor prognostic indicators in this very rare primary immunodeficiency state--antibody deficiency with hyper IgM. Our patient subsequently succumbed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicaemia and meningitis inspite of aggressive antibiotic and intravenous gammaglobulin therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case to be documented in Malaysia.
  3. Saw KY, Hussin P, Loke SC, Azam M, Chen HC, Tay YG, et al.
    Arthroscopy, 2009 Dec;25(12):1391-400.
    PMID: 19962065 DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2009.07.011
    PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine whether postoperative intra-articular injections of autologous marrow aspirate (MA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) after subchondral drilling resulted in better cartilage repair as assessed histologically by Gill scoring.
    METHODS: In a goat model we created a 4-mm full-thickness articular cartilage defect in the stifle joint (equivalent to 1.6 cm in the human knee) and conducted subchondral drilling. The animals were divided into 3 groups: group A (control), no injections; group B (HA), weekly injection of 1 mL of sodium hyaluronate for 3 weeks; and group C (HA + MA), similar to group B but with 2 mL of autologous MA in addition to HA. MA was obtained by bone marrow aspiration, centrifuged, and divided into aliquots for cryopreservation. Fifteen animals were equally divided between the groups and sacrificed 24 weeks after surgery, when the joint was harvested, examined macroscopically and histologically.
    RESULTS: Of the 15 animals, 2 from group A had died of non-surgery-related complications and 1 from group C was excluded because of a joint infection. In group A the repair constituted mainly scar tissue, whereas in group B there was less scar tissue, with small amounts of proteoglycan and type II collagen at the osteochondral junction. In contrast, repair cartilage from group C animals showed almost complete coverage of the defect with evidence of hyaline cartilage regeneration. Histology assessed by Gill scoring was significantly better in group C with 1-way analysis of variance yielding an F statistic of 10.611 with a P value of .004, which was highly significant.
    CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative intra-articular injections of autologous MA in combination with HA after subchondral drilling resulted in better cartilage repair as assessed histologically by Gill scoring in a goat model.
    CLINICAL RELEVANCE: After arthroscopic subchondral drilling, this novel technique may result in better articular cartilage regeneration.
  4. Noh LM, Ismail Z, Zainudin BM, Low SM, Azizi BH, Noah RM, et al.
    Acta Paediatr Jpn, 1995 Jun;37(3):331-5.
    PMID: 7645382
    X linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is rarely reported from developing countries especially from South East Asia. It appears that X linked agammaglobulinemia is less common in certain ethnic groups. It is very uncommon in black people in USA and South Africa. In multiracial Malaysia we have documented five XLA in Malays and Indians but not in the Chinese that constitute about 31% of the population. First degree relatives afflicted with XLA or other primary immunodeficiencies occurred more often in our study. All showed lung involvement although the etiologic organisms involved were atypical, being Gram negative.
  5. Low SC, Shaimi R, Thandaithabany Y, Lim JK, Ahmad AL, Ismail A
    Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2013 Oct 1;110:248-53.
    PMID: 23732801 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2013.05.001
    Protein adsorption onto membrane surfaces is important in fields related to separation science and biomedical research. This study explored the molecular interactions between protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and nitrocellulose films (NC) using electrokinetic phenomena and the effects of these interactions on the streaming potential measurements for different membrane pore morphologies and pH conditions. The data were used to calculate the streaming ratios of membranes-to-proteins and to compare these values to the electrostatic or hydrophobic attachment of the protein molecules onto the NC membranes. The results showed that different pH and membrane pore morphologies contributes to different protein adsorption mechanisms. The protein adsorption was significantly reduced under conditions where the membrane and protein have like-charges due to electrostatic repulsion. At the isoelectric point (IEP) of the protein, the repulsion between the BSA and the NC membrane was at the lowest; thus, the BSA could be easily attached onto the membrane/solution interface. In this case, the protein was considered to be in a compact layer without intermolecular protein repulsions.
  6. Wong GW, Lim KH, Wan WK, Low SC, Kong SC
    Med J Malaysia, 2015 08;70(4):232-7.
    PMID: 26358020
    BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) can mimic symptoms of common gastrointestinal (GI) disorders but responds well to appropriate treatment. Accurate diagnosis is central to effective management. Data on EG in Southeast Asia is lacking. We aim to describe the clinical profiles and treatment outcomes of adult patients with EG in a Singapore Tertiary Hospital.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved archival search of patients with GI biopsies that showed eosinophilic infiltration from January 2004 to December 2012. Patients' clinical data from computerised hospital records and clinical notes was reviewed. Diagnostic criteria for EG included presence of GI symptoms with more than 30 eosinophils/high power field on GI biopsies. Patients with secondary causes for eosinophilia were excluded.

    RESULTS: Eighteen patients with EG were identified (mean age 52 years; male/female: 11/7). Fifteen patients (83%) had peripheral blood eosinophilia. Seven patients (39%) had atopic conditions. Most common symptoms were diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Small intestine was the most common site involved. Endoscopic finding was non-specific. Ten patients were treated with corticosteroids (nine prednisolone, one budesonide): eight patients (89%) responded clinically to prednisolone but four patients (50%) relapsed following tapering-off of prednisolone and required maintenance dose. One patient each responded to diet elimination and montelukast respectively. Half of the remaining six patients who were treated with proton-pump inhibitors, antispasmodic or antidiarrheal agents still remained symptomatic.

    CONCLUSION: Prednisolone is an effective treatment though relapses are common. Small intestine is most commonly involved. EG should be considered in the evaluation of unexplained chronic recurrent GI symptoms.

  7. Zhang X, Liu JJ, Sum CF, Ying YL, Tavintharan S, Ng XW, et al.
    Atherosclerosis, 2015 Sep;242(1):22-8.
    PMID: 26162317 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.06.019
    OBJECTIVE: We previously reported ethnic disparity in adverse outcomes among Asians with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Singapore. Central arterial stiffness can aggravate systemic vasculopathy by propagating elevated systolic and pulse pressures forward, thereby accentuating global vascular injury. We aim to study ethnic disparity in central arterial stiffness and its determinants in a multi-ethnic T2DM Asian cohort.
    METHODS: Arterial stiffness was estimated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) using applanation tonometry method in Chinese (N = 1045), Malays (N = 458) and Indians (N = 468). Linear regression model was used to evaluate predictors of PWV and AI.
    RESULTS: PWV was higher in Malays (10.1 ± 3.0 m/s) than Chinese (9.7 ± 2.8 m/s) and Indians (9.6 ± 3.1 m/s) (P = 0.018). AI was higher in Indians (28.1 ± 10.8%) than Malays (25.9 ± 10.1%) and Chinese (26.1 ± 10.7%) (P < 0.001). Malays remain associated with higher PWV (β = 0.299, P = 0.048) post-adjustment for age, gender, duration of diabetes, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and insulin usage, which were all independent predictors of PWV. Indians remain associated with higher AI (β = 2.776, P < 0.001) post-adjustment for age, gender, BMI, SBP, DBP, and height, which were independent predictors of AI. These variables explained 27.7% and 33.4% of the variance in PWV and AI respectively.
    CONCLUSIONS: Malays and Indians with T2DM have higher central arterial stiffness, which may explain their higher risk for adverse outcomes. Modifying traditional major vascular risk factors may partially alleviate their excess cardiovascular risk through modulating arterial stiffness.
    KEYWORDS: Arterial stiffness; Augmentation index; Pulse wave velocity; Type 2 diabetes
  8. Tan YK, Khoo KL, Low JA, Wong ZW, Theng CT, Ong TH, et al.
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1999 Mar;28(2):214-6.
    PMID: 10497669
    We studied the relationship between different ethnic groups, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and ischaemic heart disease. Four hundred and thirty-two inpatients from the medical wards were interviewed. Limited overnight sleep studies were done in 129 of those who had habitual snoring, daytime sleepiness based on an Epworth sleepiness scale of 8 or more, or a large neck size of 40 cm or more. There were 315 Chinese (72.9%), 67 Malays (15.5%), 43 Indians (10%) and 3 from other races (1.4%). The prevalence of OSA was 19.7%, 30% and 12% among the Chinese, Malays and Indians, respectively. The prevalence ratio for OSA was 1.52 in Malays using Chinese patients as the baseline (P = 0.07). The median neck circumference was 37 cm in both racial groups. The median body mass index was 22.7 kg/m2 in Chinese compared to 23.6 kg/m2 in Malays. The median apnoea-hypopnoea index was 22.7, 19.0 and 26.9 events/hour among the Chinese, Malays and Indians, respectively. OSA was independently associated with the prevalence of IHD (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.68; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.46; P = 0.009). The prevalence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) was 31%, 24% and 28% in Chinese, Malays and Indians, respectively. The prevalence ratio for IHD in Malays compared to Chinese was 0.77. After adjusting for OSA, there was an even greater reduction in the risk of IHD (adjusted prevalence ratio 0.70). This suggests that OSA is a confounder in the relationship between race and ischaemic heart disease.
  9. Tan CY, Thanawongnuwech R, Arshad SS, Hassan L, Lee CY, Low SE, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Sep 01;40(3):301-306.
    PMID: 37897162 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.3.005
    Porcine circovirus type 4 (PCV4) is the newest member in the porcine circovirus family, first reported in 2020. To date, the presence of PCV4 has only been reported in China, South Korea and most recently in Thailand. Detection of PCV4 have been reported in various production stages of pigs from piglets, finishers to sows; associated with a myriad of clinical manifestations including porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS), postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), respiratory, enteric and neurological diseases. While successful virus isolation and culture has yet to be reported, pathogenicity of PCV4 has been demonstrated through infectious clone studies. The objective of this study is to investigate the presence of PCV4 in Malaysian porcine population to update the epidemiology of porcine circoviruses in Malaysia. A total of 49 samples from commercial intensive pig farms, abattoir and wild boar population were subjected to conventional polymerase chain reaction assay to detect PCV4 capsid (cap) genome. Resulting cap nucleotide sequences were analyzed for maximum likelihood phylogeny relationship. Results revealed that PCV4 is present in Peninsular Malaysia at a molecular prevalence of 4.08% (2 / 49 samples). Both PCV4 positive samples originated from clinically healthy finishers. Malaysian PCV4 strains were classified as genotype PCV4b, and were found to be phylogenetically distinct from the China, South Korea and Thailand strains. With this latest update of the novel PCV4 in Malaysia, it is clear that more attention needs to be given to the investigation of novel porcine circoviruses (PCV) and management of PCV diseases.
  10. Low SL, Wong SY, Ooi IH, Hesse M, Städler Y, Schönenberger J, et al.
    Plant Biol (Stuttg), 2016 Jan;18(1):84-97.
    PMID: 25688576 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12320
    Homoplastic evolution of 'unique' morphological characteristics in the Schismatoglottideae - many previously used to define genera - prompted this study to compare morphology and function in connection with pollination biology for Aridarum nicolsonii, Phymatarum borneense and Schottarum sarikeense. Aridarum nicolsonii and P. borneense extrude pollen through a pair of horned thecae while S. sarikeense sheds pollen through a pair of pores on the thecae. Floral traits of spathe constriction, presence and movement of sterile structures on the spadix, the comparable role of horned thecae and thecae pores, the presence of stamen-associated calcium oxalate packages, and the timing of odour emission are discussed in the context of their roles in pollinator management. Pollinators for all investigated species were determined to be species of Colocasiomyia (Diptera: Drosophilidae).
  11. Vithana EN, Khor CC, Qiao C, Nongpiur ME, George R, Chen LJ, et al.
    Nat Genet, 2012 Oct;44(10):1142-1146.
    PMID: 22922875 DOI: 10.1038/ng.2390
    Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) is a major cause of blindness worldwide. We conducted a genome-wide association study including 1,854 PACG cases and 9,608 controls across 5 sample collections in Asia. Replication experiments were conducted in 1,917 PACG cases and 8,943 controls collected from a further 6 sample collections. We report significant associations at three new loci: rs11024102 in PLEKHA7 (per-allele odds ratio (OR)=1.22; P=5.33×10(-12)), rs3753841 in COL11A1 (per-allele OR=1.20; P=9.22×10(-10)) and rs1015213 located between PCMTD1 and ST18 on chromosome 8q (per-allele OR=1.50; P=3.29×10(-9)). Our findings, accumulated across these independent worldwide collections, suggest possible mechanisms explaining the pathogenesis of PACG.
  12. Khor CC, Do T, Jia H, Nakano M, George R, Abu-Amero K, et al.
    Nat Genet, 2016 May;48(5):556-62.
    PMID: 27064256 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3540
    Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) is a major cause of blindness worldwide. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) followed by replication in a combined total of 10,503 PACG cases and 29,567 controls drawn from 24 countries across Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. We observed significant evidence of disease association at five new genetic loci upon meta-analysis of all patient collections. These loci are at EPDR1 rs3816415 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.24, P = 5.94 × 10(-15)), CHAT rs1258267 (OR = 1.22, P = 2.85 × 10(-16)), GLIS3 rs736893 (OR = 1.18, P = 1.43 × 10(-14)), FERMT2 rs7494379 (OR = 1.14, P = 3.43 × 10(-11)), and DPM2-FAM102A rs3739821 (OR = 1.15, P = 8.32 × 10(-12)). We also confirmed significant association at three previously described loci (P < 5 × 10(-8) for each sentinel SNP at PLEKHA7, COL11A1, and PCMTD1-ST18), providing new insights into the biology of PACG.
  13. Low SC, Ahmad AL, Ideris N, Ng QH
    Bioresour Technol, 2012 Jun;113:219-24.
    PMID: 22153291 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.11.048
    The aim of this study was to explore the utilization of polymeric membrane for bio-sensing application in most efficient and rapid way. Customization of membrane formulation via phase separation study to modify its morphologies and properties enable the detection of different pathogens in a specific manner. Experimental findings (FESEM, through-pore distribution, porosity, capillary flow test and protein binding test) verified the predictions of faster capillary flow time and higher membrane's protein binding by the addition of cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose to the membrane casting dope, respectively. Throughout the phase separation study, the potential phase behavior was investigated, which was correlating various membrane structures to its performances for potential pathogens detection in water.
  14. Ahmad AL, Low SC, Shukor SR, Ismail A
    J Immunoassay Immunochem, 2012 Jan;33(1):48-58.
    PMID: 22181820 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2011.591479
    This study was aimed at gaining a quantitative understanding of the effect of protein quantity and membrane pore structure on protein immobilization. The concentration of immobilized protein was measured by staining with Ponceau S and measuring its color intensity. In this study, both membrane morphology and the quantity of deposited protein significantly influenced the quantity of protein immobilization on the membrane surface. The sharpness and intensity of the red protein spots varied depending on the membrane pore structure, indicating a dependence of protein immobilization on this factor. Membranes with smaller pores resulted in a higher color density, corresponding to enhanced protein immobilization and an increased assay sensitivity level. An increased of immobilized volume has a significant jagged outline on the protein spot but, conversely, no difference in binding capacity.
  15. Ngiu CS, Said MS, Periyasamy P, Low SF
    BMJ Case Rep, 2010;2010.
    PMID: 22778377 DOI: 10.1136/bcr.11.2009.2421
    Rituximab is a B-cell-depleting monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody. It is widely used in haematology and rheumatology. However, usage of rituximab in immunosupressed patient has been associated with various opportunistic infections. The authors reported a case of refractory rheumatoid arthritis treated with rituximab, which later presented with non-resolving pneumonia with pulmonary nodule. Percutaneous computer tomogram guided lung biopsy was arranged to confirm the suspicion of tuberculosis, but did not yield conclusive results. Later, she presented left-chest abscess and underwent incision and drainage. The pus culture and sensitivity confirmed pulmonary nocardiosis with chest wall dissemination. She was treated with 2-week course of trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole and responded. The authors also reviewed published cases of nocardiosis post-rituximab.
  16. Ahmad AL, Ideris N, Ooi BS, Low SC, Ismail A
    J Immunoassay Immunochem, 2016;37(4):421-37.
    PMID: 27088961 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2016.1157489
    Statistical experimental design was employed to optimize the preparation conditions of polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) membranes. Three variables considered were polymer concentration, dissolving temperature, and casting thickness, whereby the response variable was membrane-protein binding. The optimum preparation for the PVDF membrane was a polymer concentration of 16.55 wt%, a dissolving temperature of 27.5°C, and a casting thickness of 450 µm. The statistical model exhibits a deviation between the predicted and actual responses of less than 5%. Further characterization of the formed PVDF membrane showed that the morphology of the membrane was in line with the membrane-protein binding performance.
  17. Saw KY, Jee C, Ramlan A, Dawam A, Saw YC, Low SF
    Malays Orthop J, 2022 Nov;16(3):128-131.
    PMID: 36589370 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2211.019
    Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) may progress to ankle arthritis needing ankle arthroplasty or arthrodesis. We report five cases of OLTs treated along the principles developed for chondrogenesis of the knee joint with autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs), resulting in repair and regeneration of the bone and cartilage components. Improvement in Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) scores with minimum two years follow-up showed statistical significance (p < 0.05).
  18. Shin Low S, Nong Lim C, Yew M, Siong Chai W, Low LE, Manickam S, et al.
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2021 Dec;80:105805.
    PMID: 34706321 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105805
    Recent advances in ultrasound (US) have shown its great potential in biomedical applications as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The coupling of US-assisted drug delivery systems with nanobiomaterials possessing tailor-made functions has been shown to remove the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems. The low-frequency US has significantly enhanced the targeted drug delivery effect and efficacy, reducing limitations posed by conventional treatments such as a limited therapeutic window. The acoustic cavitation effect induced by the US-mediated microbubbles (MBs) has been reported to replace drugs in certain acute diseases such as ischemic stroke. This review briefly discusses the US principles, with particular attention to the recent advancements in drug delivery applications. Furthermore, US-assisted drug delivery coupled with nanobiomaterials to treat different diseases (cancer, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, thrombosis, and COVID-19) are discussed in detail. Finally, this review covers the future perspectives and challenges on the applications of US-mediated nanobiomaterials.
  19. Radhika S, Lee YL, Low SF, Fazalina MF, Sharifah Majedah IA, Suraya A, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2015 Jun;70(3):158-61.
    PMID: 26248778 MyJurnal
    AIM: This study was conducted to measure the cross sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve (UN) in the cubital tunnel and to evaluate the role of high-resolution ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ulnar nerve neuropathy (UNN).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional study with 64 arms from 32 patients (34 neuropathic, 30 nonneuropathic). Diagnosis was confirmed by nerve conduction study and electromyography. The ulnar nerves were evaluated with 15MHz small footprint linear array transducer. The ulnar nerve CSA was measured at three levels with arm extended: at medial epicondyle (ME), 5cm proximal and 5cm distal to ME. Results from the neuropathic and nonneuropathic arms were compared. Independent T-tests and Pearson correlation tests were used. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

    RESULTS: Mean CSA values for the UN at levels 5cm proximal to ME, ME and 5cm distal to ME were 0.055, 0.109, 0.045 cm(2) respectively in the neuropathic group and 0.049, 0.075, 0.042 cm2 respectively in the non-neuropathic group. The CSA of the UN at the ME level was significantly larger in the neuropathic group, with p value of 0.005. However, there was no statistical difference between the groups at 5cm proximal and distal to the ME, with p values of 0.10 and 0.35 respectively.

    CONCLUSION: There is significant difference in CSA values of the UN at ME between the neuropathic and non-neuropathic groups with mean CSA value above the predetermined 0.10cm(2) cut-off point. High-resolution ultrasonography is therefore useful to diagnose and follow up cases of elbow UNN.

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