MyMedR

Assessment of infectiousness of male Malaysian blood donors

So-Har T, Gladys LC, Ramli N

Vox Sang, 1983;45(5):389-91.

HBeAg and anti-HBe were determined in the blood of 189 male blood donors. The incidence of HBsAg was 6.9% while that for HBeAg and anti-HBe was 1.6 and 18%, respectively. Of the 13 samples positive for HBsAg, two (15.4%) were positive for HBe while six (46.2%) were positive for anti-HBe. One specimen was negative for HBsAg but was positive for HBeAg and anti-HBe. The observations are discussed.

A study on the age at menopause and menopausal symptoms among Malaysian women

Arshat H, Tey NP, Ramli N

Malays J Reprod Health, 1989 Jun;7(1):1-9.

PMID: 12342395

Fulltext Caffeine and theobromine levels in chocolate couverture and coating products

Ramli N, Abdul Rahman S, Hassan O, Mohd Yatim A, Said M, Lim LS, et al.

Malays J Nutr, 2000 Mar;6(1):55-63.

PMID: 22692392

Thirty-two samples of chocolate products were analysed by HPLC for caffeine and theobromine contents. Defatted residues of samples were extracted with 80% aqueous acetone. After extraction into boiling water, the methylxanthines were identified and quantified with the use of μ-Bondapak column and mobile phase of methanol:water:acetic acid (20:79:1). Levels of caffein and theobromine in 32 samples of chocolate products averaged 0.62-1.14 mg/g and 0.026-0.153 mg/g respectively. Mean values for theobromine and caffeine content for chocolate coating were 0.82 and 0.07 mg/g respectively. The chocolate coating made from fat substitute had theobromine and caffeine levels ranging from 0.36-0.70 mg/g and 0.027-0.061 mg/g respectively, with mean values of 0.49 mg theobromine/g and 0.039 mg caffeine/g. In local chocolate, the mean theobromine and caffeine levels respectively were 0.72 mg/g and 0.04 mg/g in milk chocolate, and 0.85 mg/g and 0.06 mg/g in dark chocolate. Meanwhile, for imported chocolate, the mean theobromine and caffeine levels respectively were 1.05 mg/g and 0.12 mg/g in dark chocolate; 0.76 mg/g and 0.04 mg/g in milk chocolate; and 0.74 mg/g and 0.03 mg/g in white chocolate. Compared with the local chocolates, imported chocolates had higher levels of theobromine and caffeine at 1.141 mg/g and 0.1533mg/g. The average theobromine and caffeine concentrations in local chocolate were 0.082mg/g and 0.066mg/g. Theobromine concentration in chocolate samples is within the range of 0.62mg/g-1.141mg/g and the range of caffeine concentration is 0.026mg/g-0.153mg/g respectively. Bittersweet chocolates were found to have higher theobromine and caffeine concentrations than normal sweet chocolates and milk chocolates.

Delayed post-irradiation bulbar palsy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Chew NK, Sim BF, Tan CT, Goh KJ, Ramli N, Umapathi P

Neurology, 2001 Aug 14;57(3):529-31.

PMID: 11502928

In a hospital series of 70 patients on follow-up after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 14 patients (20%) developed delayed post-irradiation bulbar palsy 1 to 18 years after radiotherapy (mean 5.5 years). Functional disability was moderate to severe. Three patients had aspiration pneumonia with one mortality. Post-irradiation bulbar palsy was a common complication and probably resulted from direct neuronal damage.

Post-traumatic arachnoiditis: an unusual cause of Brown-Sequard syndrome

Ramli N, Merican AM, Lim A, Kumar G

Eur Radiol, 2001;11(10):2011-4.

PMID: 11702136

Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS) is a unilateral cord injury characterised by an ipsilateral motor deficit with contralateral pain and temperature hypoaesthesia. Although there are a variety of causes, the majority of cases are generally of neoplastic origin or are traumatic in origin. We describe a rare cause of Brown-Sequard syndrome as a result of post-traumatic arachnoiditis. Magnetic resonance imaging with the use of thin-slice high-resolution constructive interference in steady state (CISS) and T2-weighted spin-echo sequence were used to demonstrate the cause and appearance of the lesion in the spinal canal and was useful in the assessment and management of the patient. This case illustrates the usefulness of the CISS sequence in MRI for elucidating arachnoiditis.

Solid waste collection and recycling in Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia: a case study

Isa MH, Asaari FA, Ramli NA, Ahmad S, Siew TS

Waste Manag Res, 2005 Dec;23(6):565-70.

PMID: 16379126

The implementation of a suitable solid waste management programme with appropriate methods of recycling as an inherent element is vital to the alleviation of the problems associated with solid waste generation, handling and disposal, environmental conservation, public hygiene, etc. The present work is a case study on solid waste collection and recycling practices in Nibong Tebal town, Penang, Malaysia. The amount and types of domestic waste generated, household participation in recycling, identification of existing problems related to the implementation of the recycling programme, etc. formed the basis of this study. Surveys (interviews/questionnaires) and on-site observations were conducted to gather information on the solid waste collection and recycling practice of the residents. A focus group of 60 individuals was selected and their response to a questionnaire, prepared according to a Likert scale, was obtained and analysed. The majority of the respondents expressed concerns about recycling and wanted more to be done in this regard. Illegal collection, aesthetically displeasing sites and a lack of public awareness were problems of major concern. Issues related to inadequate funding and manpower as well as end market are also addressed and suggestions made.

Magnetic resonance imaging of Asians with multiple sclerosis was similar to that of the West

Chong HT, Ramli N, Lee KH, Kim BJ, Ursekar M, Dayananda K, et al.

Can J Neurol Sci, 2006 Feb;33(1):95-100.

PMID: 16583730

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is the most important paraclinical diagnostic test in multiple sclerosis (MS). The appearance of MRI in Asians with MS is not well defined. We retrospectively surveyed the first brain and spinal cord MRI in patients diagnosed to have MS, according to Poser's criteria in seven regions throughout Asia to define the MRI changes among Asians with MS. There were 101 patients with first brain, and 86 with first spinal cord MRI, 66 of whom had both. The brain MRI showed a mean of 17 lesions per patient in T2 weighted images, mostly asymptomatic. Almost all the lesions were in the white matter, particularly in the juxtacortical, deep and periventricular white matter. A third of the lesions were greater than 5 mm, 14% enhanced with gadolinium. There were more supratentorial than infratentorial lesions at a ratio of 7.5: 1. Ninety five percent of the spinal cord lesions were in cervical and thoracic regions, 34% enhanced with gadolinium. The lesions extended over a mean of 3.6 +/- 3.3 vertebral bodies in length. Fifty (50%) of the brain and 54 (63%) of the spinal MRI patients had the optic-spinal form of MS. The MRI of the optic-spinal and classical groups of patients were similar in appearance and distribution, except that the optic-spinal MS patients have fewer brain but longer and more severe spinal cord lesions. In conclusion, the brain and spinal cord MRI of Asian patients with MS was similar to that of the West, although, in this study, Asian MS patients had larger spinal cord lesions.

Fulltext CT perfusion as a useful tool in the evaluation of leuko-araiosis

Ramli N, Ho K, Nawawi O, Chong H, Tan C

Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2006 Apr;2(2):e16.

PMID: 21614226 DOI: 10.2349/biij.2.2.e16

BACKGROUND: Leuko-araiosis (LA) and dementia are common geriatric conditions but their pathogenesis and clinical significance are not completely understood. An evaluation of CT perfusion (CTP) in both these conditions can further enhance the understanding of these diseases.

METHODS: Twenty-one patients with LA and 21 age-matched controls were studied with CTP and assessed for their cognitive function. The subjects were classified into four groups: Group 1, with LA (n = 21); Group 2, without LA (n = 21); Group 3, with dementia (n = 7); Group 4, without dementia (n = 11). The mean cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT) values were compared between groups 1 and 2, while mean CBF values were compared between groups 3 and 4.

RESULTS: Mean white matter CBF was considerably reduced in patients with LA in the frontal region by 42% (p = 0.000), basal ganglia by 37% (p = 0.000) and occipital region by 18% (p = 0.019). The mean white matter CBV was reduced in patients with LA in the frontal region by 36% (p = 0.000) and basal ganglia by 28% (p = 0.017). The mean white matter CBF was dramatically reduced in patients with dementia in the frontal region by 44% (p = 0.000), basal ganglia by 32% (p = 0.038) and occipital regions by 24% (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The CTP showed reduced white matter CBF and CBV in patients with LA. This is consistent with chronic ischemia as the pathogenesis of LA. The CTP is also a potentially important technique in the diagnosis and management of dementia, because of its ability to reveal cerebral hypoperfusion.

Unilateral moyamoya disease with co-existing arteriovenous malformation

Nawawi O, Sinnasamy M, Ramli N

Br J Radiol, 2006 Jul;79(943):e12-5.

PMID: 16823046

A case of an intracerebral bleed in a young man with a rare combination of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and unilateral moyamoya disease is presented. The location of the bleed in the left basal ganglia corresponded to the area supplied by the basal moyamoya vessels. The AVM which received supply from collateral moyamoya vessels as well as normal cerebral arteries was located in the ipsilateral parieto-occipital region posterior to the basal ganglia bleed. This is the first reported cerebral AVM co-existing with a unilateral moyamoya disease in the English literature. Unusual features of the case such as the unilaterality of the angiographic abnormalities, their coexistence and hypotheses as to their development are discussed.

Frequencies of A(TA)7TAA, G71R, and G493R mutations of the UGT1A1 gene in the Malaysian population

Yusoff S, Van Rostenberghe H, Yusoff NM, Talib NA, Ramli N, Ismail NZ, et al.

Biol. Neonate, 2006;89(3):171-6.

PMID: 16210851

Gilbert syndrome is caused by defects in the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene. These mutations differ among different populations and many of them have been found to be genetic risk factors for the development of neonatal jaundice.

Pleomorphic adenoma in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland misdiagnosed as chalazion

Ramlee N, Ramli N, Tajudin LS

Orbit, 2007 Jun;26(2):137-9.

PMID: 17613864

We reported a case of pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland involving the palpebral lobe in young teenage girl of Asian origin. The presentation at young age group is rare, which initially misdiagnosed as a large chalazion. The benign tumor with its intact pseudocapsule was removed through lateral orbitotomy together with the suspicious looking orbital lobe.

Fulltext Extrapulmonary sarcoidosis: unusual cause of epiphora

Ramlee N, Ramli N, Liza-Sharmini AT

Singapore Med J, 2007 Jun;48(6):e168-70.

PMID: 17538739

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology mainly affecting African-Americans, Scandinavians, and the Irish. However, individuals of other races and ethnicities are still not immune. The clinical presentations vary widely with most patients having some respiratory problems. Though extrapulmonary sarcoidosis is no longer rare, sarcoidosis involving the lacrimal sac is an infrequently-reported problem. We present a case of sarcoidosis involving the lacrimal sac in a 42-year-old Malay woman who presented with epiphora. She was successfully treated with steroids and dacryocystorhinostomy. There was no evidence of systemic involvement. It is suggested that in an unusual presentation of sarcoidosis, a thorough search should be made for localisation of other sites, lungs in particular, even in the absence of respiratory complaints.

A viable secondary intra-abdominal pregnancy resulting from rupture of uterine scar: role of MRI

Teng HC, Kumar G, Ramli NM

Br J Radiol, 2007 Jul;80(955):e134-6.

PMID: 17704308

Pre-natal diagnosis of intra-abdominal pregnancy is difficult. Ultrasound has been the frontline modality to date; however, it gives a diagnostic error of 50-90% and its use is disappointing. In recent years, MRI has emerged as an appealing imaging modality. With its good soft tissue contrast and non-ionizing property, it acts as a means of definitive non-invasive assessment before surgical intervention when ultrasound is inconclusive.

Fulltext Bilateral internal carotid artery hypotrophy in malignant osteopetrosis

Ramli N, Rahmat K, Tan GP

Singapore Med J, 2008 Jul;49(7):e175-7.

PMID: 18695851

Malignant osteopetrosis is associated with petrous carotid canal and internal carotid artery stenosis in the skull base. We present a four-year-old boy with malignant osteopetrosis who developed right frontal lobe infarction as a result of bilateral internal carotid artery hypotrophy.

Fulltext A child with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour of the posterior cranial fossa

Rahmat K, Kua CH, Ramli N

Singapore Med J, 2008 Dec;49(12):e365-8.

PMID: 19122937

Primary central nervous system (CNS) atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours (ATRT) are highly malignant neoplasms which usually present in infancy or early childhood. Although ATRT may arise anywhere within the CNS, the majority (approximately two-thirds) arise in the cerebellum or posterior fossa, and the remainder in the cerebrum. We described the imaging characteristics of CNS ATRT in the posterior cranial fossa of a 14-month-old boy.

Fulltext Post viral acute multifocal posterior placoid pigment epithiopathy in a teenage child

Nga AD, Ramli N, Mimiwati Z

Med J Malaysia, 2009 Jun;64(2):176-8.

PMID: 20058585 MyJurnal

We report a rare case of a young boy presenting with bilateral blurring of vision following a viral like illness. Fundus examination revealed multiple pale cream-coloured lesions scattered across the posterior pole of both eyes. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed characteristic features of early hypofluorescence and late hyperfluorescence, further confirming the diagnosis of acute posterior placoid pigment epitheliopathy (AMPPPE). He was treated with topical steroids for the accompanying mild anterior uveitis. He had a prompt visual recovery with no adverse sequelae.

Fulltext Venipuncture versus heel prick for blood glucose monitoring in neonates

Saththasivam P, Umadevan D, Ramli N, Voralu K, Naing NN, Ilias MI, et al.

Singapore Med J, 2009 Oct;50(10):1004-7.

PMID: 19907892

The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in the pain indicators and effectiveness between venipuncture (VP) and heel prick (HP) for blood glucose monitoring in term neonates (recently, venipuncture was shown superior for the Guthrie test).

The past, present and future of imaging in multiple sclerosis

Ramli N, Rahmat K, Azmi K, Chong HT

J Clin Neurosci, 2010 Apr;17(4):422-7.

PMID: 20167498 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2009.09.014

Despite technological advances in imaging, multiple sclerosis (MS) remains a clinical diagnosis that is supported, but not replaced, by laboratory or imaging findings. However, imaging is essential in the current diagnostic criteria of MS, for prediction of the likelihood of MS for patients with clinically isolated syndromes, correlation with lesion pathology and assessment of treatment outcome. This article gives an overview of imaging in MS with particular emphasis on the role of MRI in various diagnostic imaging criteria. Novel imaging for MS using 3 Tesla field strengths, magnetization transfer imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and cell-specific contrast will be reviewed.

Fulltext The effect of delayed transportation of blood samples on serum bilirubin values in neonates

Saththasivam P, Voralu K, Ramli N, Mustapha MR, Omar J, Van Rostenberghe H

Malays J Med Sci, 2010 Jul;17(3):27-31.

PMID: 22135546 MyJurnal

Delays in transporting blood samples may cause inaccurate results. Samples may be exposed to light or heat during delays, resulting in the degradation of analytes, for example, bilirubin. This study was done to determine the effect of delays in the transportation of blood samples on serum bilirubin test results.

Fulltext Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) treatment for uterine fibroids

Abdullah B, Subramaniam R, Omar S, Wragg P, Ramli N, Wui A, et al.

Biomed Imaging Interv J, 2010 Apr-Jun;6(2):e15.

PMID: 21611036 MyJurnal DOI: 10.2349/biij.6.2.e15

Magnetic Resonance-guided focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS) is gaining popularity as an alternative to medical and surgical interventions in the management of symptomatic uterine fibroids. Studies have shown that it is an effective non-invasive treatment with minimal associated risks as compared to myomectomy and hysterectomy. MRgFUS can be offered to a majority of patients suffering from symptomatic uterine fibroids. It has been suggested that the use of broader inclusion criteria as well as the mitigation techniques makes it possible to offer MRgFUS to a much larger subset of patients than previously believed. This paper will describe how MRgFUS treatment for uterine fibroids is performed at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 161 in total