Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 87 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. COVID-19 vaccination intention and vaccine characteristics influencing vaccination acceptance: a global survey of 17 countries
    Wong LP, Alias H, Danaee M, Ahmed J, Lachyan A, Cai CZ, et al.
    Infect Dis Poverty, 2021 Oct 07;10(1):122.
    PMID: 34620243 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-021-00900-w
    BACKGROUND: The availability of various types of COVID-19 vaccines and diverse characteristics of the vaccines present a dilemma in vaccination choices, which may result in individuals refusing a particular COVID-19 vaccine offered, hence presenting a threat to immunisation coverage and reaching herd immunity. The study aimed to assess global COVID-19 vaccination intention, vaccine characteristics influencing vaccination acceptance and desirable vaccine characteristics influencing the choice of vaccines.

    METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted between 4 January and 5 March 2021 in 17 countries worldwide. Proportions and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and vaccine characteristics influencing vaccination acceptance were generated and compared across countries and regions. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

    RESULTS: Of the 19,714 responses received, 90.4% (95% CI 81.8-95.3) reported likely or extremely likely to receive COVID-19 vaccine. A high proportion of likely or extremely likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was reported in Australia (96.4%), China (95.3%) and Norway (95.3%), while a high proportion reported being unlikely or extremely unlikely to receive the vaccine in Japan (34.6%), the U.S. (29.4%) and Iran (27.9%). Males, those with a lower educational level and those of older age expressed a higher level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Less than two-thirds (59.7%; 95% CI 58.4-61.0) reported only being willing to accept a vaccine with an effectiveness of more than 90%, and 74.5% (95% CI 73.4-75.5) said they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine with minor adverse reactions. A total of 21.0% (95% CI 20.0-22.0) reported not accepting an mRNA vaccine and 51.8% (95% CI 50.3-53.1) reported that they would only accept a COVID-19 vaccine from a specific country-of-origin. Countries from the Southeast Asia region reported the highest proportion of not accepting mRNA technology. The highest proportion from Europe and the Americas would only accept a vaccine produced by certain countries. The foremost important vaccine characteristic influencing vaccine choice is adverse reactions (40.6%; 95% CI 39.3-41.9) of a vaccine and effectiveness threshold (35.1%; 95% CI 33.9-36.4).

    CONCLUSIONS: The inter-regional and individual country disparities in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy highlight the importance of designing an efficient plan for the delivery of interventions dynamically tailored to the local population.

  2. Fulltext MycoCAP - Mycobacterium Comparative Analysis Platform
    Choo SW, Ang MY, Dutta A, Tan SY, Siow CC, Heydari H, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2015 Dec 15;5:18227.
    PMID: 26666970 DOI: 10.1038/srep18227
    Mycobacterium spp. are renowned for being the causative agent of diseases like leprosy, Buruli ulcer and tuberculosis in human beings. With more and more mycobacterial genomes being sequenced, any knowledge generated from comparative genomic analysis would provide better insights into the biology, evolution, phylogeny and pathogenicity of this genus, thus helping in better management of diseases caused by Mycobacterium spp.With this motivation, we constructed MycoCAP, a new comparative analysis platform dedicated to the important genus Mycobacterium. This platform currently provides information of 2108 genome sequences of at least 55 Mycobacterium spp. A number of intuitive web-based tools have been integrated in MycoCAP particularly for comparative analysis including the PGC tool for comparison between two genomes, PathoProT for comparing the virulence genes among the Mycobacterium strains and the SuperClassification tool for the phylogenic classification of the Mycobacterium strains and a specialized classification system for strains of Mycobacterium abscessus. We hope the broad range of functions and easy-to-use tools provided in MycoCAP makes it an invaluable analysis platform to speed up the research discovery on mycobacteria for researchers. Database URL: http://mycobacterium.um.edu.my.
  3. Fulltext HelicoBase: a Helicobacter genomic resource and analysis platform
    Choo SW, Ang MY, Fouladi H, Tan SY, Siow CC, Mutha NV, et al.
    BMC Genomics, 2014;15:600.
    PMID: 25030426 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-600
    Helicobacter is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria, possessing a characteristic helical shape that has been associated with a wide spectrum of human diseases. Although much research has been done on Helicobacter and many genomes have been sequenced, currently there is no specialized Helicobacter genomic resource and analysis platform to facilitate analysis of these genomes. With the increasing number of Helicobacter genomes being sequenced, comparative genomic analysis on members of this species will provide further insights on their taxonomy, phylogeny, pathogenicity and other information that may contribute to better management of diseases caused by Helicobacter pathogens.
  4. Fulltext Characteristics associated with the consumption of malted drinks among Malaysian primary school children: findings from the MyBreakfast study
    Jan Mohamed HJ, Loy SL, Mohd Taib MN, Karim NA, Tan SY, Appukutty M, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2015;15:1322.
    PMID: 26718818 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2666-5
    The consumption of beverages contributes to diet quality and overall nutrition. Studies on malted drinks, one of the widely consumed beverage choices among children in Asia, however, have received limited attention. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of malted drink consumption and explored associations of sociodemographic characteristics, nutrient intakes, weight status and physical activity levels with malted drink consumption among primary school children in Malaysia.
  5. Fulltext Whole Grain Intakes in the Diets Of Malaysian Children and Adolescents--Findings from the MyBreakfast Study
    Ak N, Koo HC, Hamid Jan JM, Mohd Nasir MT, Tan SY, Appukutty M, et al.
    PLoS One, 2015;10(10):e0138247.
    PMID: 26473369 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138247
    Diets rich in whole grain are associated with several health benefits. Little is known however, about whole grain consumption patterns in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to assess whole grain intakes and dietary source in Malaysian children and adolescents.
  6. Fulltext Erratum to: 'Characteristics associated with the consumption of malted drinks among Malaysian primary school children: findings from the MyBreakfast study'
    Jan Mohamed HJ, Loy SL, Taib MN, Karim NA, Tan SY, Appukutty M, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2016;16:162.
    PMID: 26883422 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-2745-2
  7. Fulltext Consumption of ready-to-eat cereals (RTEC) among Malaysian children and association with socio-demographics and nutrient intakes - findings from the MyBreakfast study
    Mohd Nasir MT, Nurliyana AR, Norimah AK, Jan Mohamed HJB, Tan SY, Appukutty M, et al.
    Food Nutr Res, 2017;61(1):1304692.
    PMID: 28469545 DOI: 10.1080/16546628.2017.1304692
    Background: The association between different types of breakfast meals and nutrient intakes has been studied to a lesser extent. Objective: This study compared nutrient intakes at breakfast and throughout the day between Malaysian children who consumed ready-to-eat cereals (RTEC) and those who did not. Methods: Anthropometric and dietary data for 1955 children aged 6-12 years from the MyBreakfast study were used in the analysis. Results: Overall, 18% of the children consumed RTEC at breakfast on at least one of the recall days. RTEC consumption was associated with younger age, urban areas, higher income and education level of parents. Among consumers, RTEC contributed 10% and 15% to daily intakes of calcium and iron respectively and ≥20% to daily intakes of vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. RTEC consumers had significantly higher mean intakes of vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron and sugar but lower intakes of fat and sodium than non-RTEC consumers at breakfast and for the total day. Conclusion: Consumption of fortified RTEC at breakfast was associated with lower fat and sodium intakes and higher intakes of several micronutrients both at breakfast and for the total day. However, total sugar intakes appeared to be higher.
  8. Integrating augmented reality technology in education: vector personal computer augmented reality
    Tan SY, Tay NNW
    F1000Res, 2021;10:987.
    PMID: 37767360 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.72948.2
    Background: Educators often face difficulties in explaining abstract concepts such as vectors. During the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, fully online classes have also caused additional challenges to using conventional teaching methods. To explain a vector concept of more than 2 dimensions, visualization becomes a problem. Although Microsoft PowerPoint can integrate animation, the illustration is still in 2-dimensions. Augmented reality (AR) technology is recommended to aid educators and students in teaching-learning vectors, namely via a vector personal computer augmented reality system (VPCAR), to fulfil the demand for tools to support the learning and teaching of vectors. Methods: A PC learning module for vectors was developed in a 3-dimensional coordinate system by using AR technology. Purposive sampling was applied to get feedback from educators and students in Malaysia through an online survey. The supportiveness of using VPCAR based on six items (attractiveness, easiness, visualization, conceptual understanding, inspiration and helpfulness) was recorded on 5-points Likert-type scales. Findings are presented descriptively and graphically. Results: Surprisingly, both students and educators adapted to the new technology easily and provided significant positive feedback that showed a left-skewed and J-shaped distribution for each measurement item, respectively. The distributions were proven significantly different among the students and educators, where supportive level result of educators was higher than students. This study introduced a PC learning module other than mobile apps as students mostly use laptops to attend online class and educators also engage other IT tools in their teaching. Conclusions: Based on these findings, VPCAR provides a good prospect in supporting educators and students during their online teaching-learning process. However, the findings may not be generalizable to all students and educators in Malaysia as purposive sampling was applied. Further studies may focus on government-funded schools using the newly developed VPCAR system, which is the novelty of this study.
  9. Ab-Externo Implantation of XEN Gel Stent for Refractory Steroid-Induced Glaucoma After Lamellar Keratoplasty
    Tan SY, Md Din N, Mohd Khialdin S, Wan Abdul Halim WH, Tang SF
    Cureus, 2021 Feb 12;13(2):e13320.
    PMID: 33738163 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.13320
    The hazy corneal donor-recipient interface after corneal transplant may cause difficulties when implanting the XEN gel stent via ab-interno approach. We aim to describe XEN gel stent implantation via ab-externo approach in refractory steroid-induced glaucoma after corneal lamellar keratoplasty. Under local anaesthesia, the XEN injector needle was inserted 7 mm behind the limbus with the bevel facing up, directly beneath the conjunctiva and advanced to the marked 2.5 mm scleral entry wound. The needle then pierced the sclera until the needle tip was just visible in the anterior chamber (AC). The slider was pushed until the tip of the XEN stent was seen in the AC. The needle was slowly withdrawn while still pushing the slider to complete stent deployment. Subconjunctival Mitomycin C 0.01% (30 µg/0.3 mL) was then injected posterior to the bleb. Three eyes of three patients with steroid-induced glaucoma after lamellar keratoplasty underwent XEN gel stent implantation via ab-externo approach placed at the superotemporal quadrant. Pre-operatively, all patients had uncontrolled IOP between 30-45 mmHg despite maximum medications and selective laser trabeculoplasty. After XEN gel stent implantation, IOP ranged between 10-17 mmHg with one or two topical antiglaucoma at 12 months. Complications include hypotony maculopathy, stent migration and hyphaema, all of which were successfully managed. Corneal graft remained clear at 12 months. XEN gel stent implantation via ab-externo approach is able to achieve good intraocular pressure (IOP) control without compromising cornea graft in patients with steroid-induced glaucoma after lamellar keratoplasty at 12 months.
  10. Colorectal carcinoma in Malaysians: DNA mismatch repair pattern in a multiethnic population
    Cheah PL, Looi LM, Teoh KH, Rahman NA, Wong LX, Tan SY
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014;15(7):3287-91.
    PMID: 24815484
    BACKGROUND: The interesting preponderance of Chinese with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) amongst the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia prompted a study to determine DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status in our CRC and attempt correlation with patient age, gender and ethnicity as well as location, grade, histological type and stage of tumour. Histologically re-confirmed CRC, diagnosed between 1st January 2005 and 31st December 2007 at the Department of Pathology, University of Malaya Medical Centre, were immunohistochemically stained with monoclonal antibodies to MMR proteins, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 on the Ventana Benchmark XT autostainer. Of the 142 CRC cases entered into the study, there were 82 males and 60 females (M:F=1.4:1). Ethnically, 81 (57.0%) were Chinese, 32 (22.5%) Malays and 29 (20.4%) Indians. The patient ages ranged between 15-87 years (mean=62.4 years) with 21 cases <50-years and 121 ≥50-years of age. 14 (9.9%) CRC showed deficient MMR (dMMR). Concurrent loss of MLH1 and PMS2 occurred in 10, MSH2 and MSH6 in 2 with isolated loss of MSH6 in 1 and PMS2 in 1. dMMR was noted less frequently amongst the Chinese (6.2%) in comparison with their combined Malay and Indian counterparts (14.8%), and was associated with right sided and poorly differentiated tumours (p<0.05). 3 of the 5 (60.0%) dMMR CRC cases amongst the Chinese and 1 of 9 cases (11.1%) amongst the combined Malay and Indian group were <50-years of age. No significant association of dMMR was noted with patient age and gender, tumour stage or mucinous type.
  11. Impact of interventional nephrology on outcome and penetration rate of a CAPD program
    Wong CM, Ng KP, Keng TC, Lim SK, Tan SY
    Perit Dial Int, 2011 3 24;31(2):194-6.
    PMID: 21427247 DOI: 10.3747/pdi.2009.00237
  12. Clinical predictors of non-diabetic renal disease and role of renal biopsy in diabetic patients with renal involvement: a single centre review
    Chong YB, Keng TC, Tan LP, Ng KP, Kong WY, Wong CM, et al.
    Ren Fail, 2012;34(3):323-8.
    PMID: 22250665 DOI: 10.3109/0886022X.2011.647302
    BACKGROUND:
    Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is reportedly the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. However, non-diabetic renal diseases (NDRD) are not uncommon among T2DM patients with renal involvement. Our study aimed to examine the prevalence of NDRD in T2DM and clinical markers for diabetic nephropathy (DN) and NDRD and to determine the role of renal biopsy in T2DM patients and its impact on clinical practice.

    METHODS:
    We conducted a retrospective analysis of T2DM patients in whom renal biopsies were performed from January 2004 to March 2008 (n = 110).

    RESULTS:
    Biopsy results were divided into three groups: group I/pure DN (62.7%), group II/isolated NDRD (18.2%), and group III/mixed lesions (19.1%). The causes of NDRD in decreasing order of frequency were acute interstitial nephritis, glomerulonephritides, hypertensive renal disease, and acute tubular necrosis. Significant clinical markers for DN are presence of diabetic retinopathy and longer duration of diabetes. For NDRD, useful clinical markers include the presence of acute renal failure and microscopic hematuria. In the DN subgroup, Indians had significantly shorter duration of diabetes on biopsy compared with Malays and Chinese.

    CONCLUSIONS:
    NDRD is prevalent in T2DM patients, and given its potentially treatable nature, renal biopsy should be considered in T2DM patients with nephropathy, especially in those with atypical features.
  13. Grossly delayed graft function in a living related kidney transplant recipient: a case report
    Thye YL, Lim SK, Wong CM, Keng TC, Chong YB, Tan SY
    Transplant Proc, 2008 Sep;40(7):2435-6.
    PMID: 18790259 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.07.051
    Delayed graft function is a potentially challenging problem especially in cadaveric kidney transplant recipients. It adversely impacts long-term graft survival. It is rarely seen in living kidney transplants. Recovery of graft function usually occurs within a month. The chances of recovery of graft function diminish with further prolongation of delayed function. In fact, recovery of graft function after 3 months has rarely been described, we report herein recovery of graft function after 132 days of nonfunction in a living related kidney transplant.
  14. Optimization of peritoneal dialysis services through research activities
    Tan SY
    Perit Dial Int, 2008 Jun;28 Suppl 3:S49-52.
    PMID: 18552263
    Although peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an effective alternative to hemodialysis (HD) and indeed, in terms of survival, superior to HD in first year of dialysis, the utilization rate for PD remains low. Although the utilization rate of PD varies considerably, the worldwide penetration rate appears to be falling. Still, in rapidly developing countries such as China, the PD penetration rate is rising-an encouraging sign. Clearly, considerable room for improvement remains, particularly with the take-on rate of PD, and one of the potentially influential factors is the role of research activities in improving both the quantity and quality of life of patients on PD.
  15. A study of association of the complement C4 mutations with systemic lupus erythematosus in the Malaysian population
    Puah SM, Lian LH, Chew CH, Chua KH, Tan SY
    Lupus, 2007;16(9):750-4.
    PMID: 17728371 DOI: 10.1177/0961203307079454
    The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of C4 gene mutations with systemic lupus erythematosus, in 130 Malaysian SLE patients and 130 healthy controls. Generally, various PCR approaches were used to screen the mutations of the C4 genes, which included 2 bp (+TC) insertions at codon 1213 in exon 29, 1 bp deletions (-C) at codon 811 in exon 20, 1 bp (-C), 2 bp (-GT) deletions at codons 522 and 497 in exon 13 and null alleles. No mutations located at exons 13, 20 and 29 of the C4 gene, were detected amongst the patient and control samples in this study. C4A*Q0 was found in two out of the 130 control samples, while C4B*Q0 was present in two out of the 130 SLE patients. Overall, our results do not demonstrate a significant association to these known C4 mutations identified by previous studies, in the Malaysian scenario.
  16. Diabetes mellitus exacerbates advanced glycation end product accumulation in the veins of end-stage renal failure patients
    Nazratun N, Mahmood AA, Kuppusamy UR, Ahmad TS, Tan SY
    Vasc Med, 2006 Nov;11(4):245-50.
    PMID: 17390548
    The excess accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contributes to the chronic complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and renal failure. Biopsy specimens (n = 184) of arterial (n = 92) and venous (n = 92) tissues were obtained (radial artery and cephalic vein) from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with or without DM and normal healthy subjects (n = 12) requiring surgery (trauma patients). Immunohistochemical assessment of the blood vessels revealed the presence of pentosidine (AGE marker) in both veins and arteries in 72% of the ESRD patients. The percentage of arteries and veins that showed positive pentosidine staining in ESRD patients with type 2 DM alone was 100% and 92% respectively, in the non-diabetic ESRD patients it was < 70% (for arteries and veins), and in the ESRD patients with hypertension as an additional co-morbidity to type 2 DM it was 70% and 82%, respectively. The veins of ESRD patients with DM showed a strong (+++) positive staining and very strong (++++) positive staining was observed in the patients with DM and hypertension. Only mild (+) or moderate (++) pentosidine staining intensity was observed in the arteries of ESRD patients without or with comorbidities, respectively. The accumulation of AGE in the vein rather than the artery may be a better reflection of the extent of complications of ESRD.
  17. The influence of CYP3A gene polymorphisms on cyclosporine dose requirement in renal allograft recipients
    Eng HS, Mohamed Z, Calne R, Lang CC, Mohd MA, Seet WT, et al.
    Kidney Int, 2006 May;69(10):1858-64.
    PMID: 16612333
    Cyclosporine is a substrate of cytochrome P-450 3A (CYP3A) subfamily of enzymes and characterized by a narrow therapeutic range with wide interindividual variation in pharmacokinetics. A few single-nucleotide polymorphisms detected in CYP3A genes have been shown to correlate significantly with the CYP3A protein expression and activity. We therefore postulated that these polymorphisms could be responsible for some of the interindividual variation in cyclosporine pharmacokinetics. The objective of our study is to determine correlation if any between single-nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP3A5 and CYP3AP1 on cyclosporine dose requirement and concentration-to-dose ratio in renal allograft recipients. Cyclosporine-dependent renal allograft recipients were genotyped for CYP3A5 A6986G and CYP3AP1 G-44A. The cyclosporine dosages prescribed and the corresponding cyclosporine trough levels for each patient were recorded so that cyclosporine dose per weight (mg/kg/day) and concentration-to-dose ratio (C(0)/D, whereby C(0) is trough level and D is daily dose per weight) could be calculated. A total of 67 patients were recruited for our study. The dose requirement for 1, 3, and 6 months post-transplantation ranged 2.3-11.4, 1.0-9.0, and 1.4-7.2 mg/kg/day, respectively. Patients with *1*1*1*1 (n=5) CYP3A5- and CYP3AP1-linked genotypes needed higher dose of cyclosporine compared to patients with *1*3*1*3 (n = 27) and *3*3*3*3 (n = 33) linked genotypes in months 3 and 6 post-transplantation (P < 0.016). The identification of patients with *1*1*1*1 by CYP3A5 and CYP3AP1 genotyping may have a clinically significant and positive impact on patient outcome with reduced rejection rate by providing pretransplant pharmacogenetic information for optimization of cyclosporine A dosing.
  18. Evaluation of live renal donors with three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in comparison to catheter angiography
    Tan SP, Bux SI, Kumar G, Razack AH, Chua CB, Lee SH, et al.
    Transplant Proc, 2004 Sep;36(7):1914-6.
    PMID: 15518697
    Catheter angiography is traditionally used to determine renal arterial anatomy in live renal donors. Three-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRA) has been suggested as a noninvasive replacement. We assessed the possibility of using MRA in live renal donors in Malaysia.
  19. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease masquerading as postbiopsy hematoma
    Gan WH, Thye YL, Chang SH, Chua CB, Looi LM, Tan SY
    Transplant Proc, 2004 Sep;36(7):2148-9.
    PMID: 15518779
  20. Cyclosporine-associated encephalopathy: a case report and literature review
    Chang SH, Lim CS, Low TS, Chong HT, Tan SY
    Transplant Proc, 2001 12 26;33(7-8):3700-1.
    PMID: 11750577
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links