Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 66 in total

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  1. Almaliky BSA, Abidin MAZ, Kader J, Wong MY
    Plant Dis, 2013 Jan;97(1):143.
    PMID: 30722276 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-07-12-0627-PDN
    In April and June 2010, coconut seedlings with symptoms of very slow growth, yellowing of leaves, and general abnormal leaf growth were observed in germination beds in Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia. The roots were soft, rotten, and brown, extending upward and downward from these lesions. Rhizomorphs and basidiocarps were produced on coconut seeds near the germination eye and identified as Marasmiellus palmivorus according description by Turner (2). Three isolates were obtained by plating surface sterilized symptomatic roots and basidiocarp on malt extract agar (MEA) amended with 85% lactic acid (1 ml added to 11 of the medium). To confirm the identity of the fungus, genomic DNA was extracted from mycelia and basidiocarps of isolates and the large subunit (LSU) region was amplified and sequenced using LR0R/LR7 primers (3). All isolates had identical LSU sequences (GenBank Accession No. JQ654233 to JQ654235). Sequences were identical to each other and 99% similar to a M. palmivorus sequence deposited in the NCBI database (Accession No. AY639434).To confirm pathogenicity, three isolates of M. palmivorus that were obtained from symptomatic plant tissue was inoculated onto seeds of Malaysian Red Dwarf variety. Each isolate was grown in 100 ml of malt extract broth in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks and incubated at 27 ± 2°C for 5 days on an orbital shaker (125 rpm). The resulting culture was passed through two layers of sterile cloth. Mycelial suspension was obtained by blending mycelia in 100 ml of sterile water. Seeds were sterilized by soaking in 10% v/v sodium hypochlorite in distilled water for 3 min. The seeds were then rinsed three times over running tap water. The calyx portion of the seed was removed and five holes were made around the germination eye. The seeds were inoculated by injecting 2 ml of suspension into each hole. The control seeds were inoculated with sterile distilled water only. The seeds were transferred to 40-cm diameter plastic pots containing a mixture of sand, soil, and peat in the ratio of 3:2:1, respectively, and steam treated at 100°C for 1.5 h. Pots were placed in the glasshouse with normal exposures to day-night cycles, temperatures of 29 ± 4°C, and high relative humidity (85 to 95%) achieved by spraying water twice daily. After 2 months, 75% of the inoculated seeds failed to germinate. It was speculated that the artificial inoculum was higher than under germination bed conditions. Rhizomorphs and basidiocarps were produced on husk seeds near the germination eye. Seedlings that emerged successfully developed symptoms similar to those observed in the germination bed. No symptoms developed in the noninoculated seeds and seedlings. At 80 days post inoculation, basidiocarps were observed emerging from three diseased seedlings near the germination eye. Three reisolations were made on MEA from root lesions surface sterilized. Pathogenicity tests and LSU sequence analyses indicated that M. palmivorus is the causal agent of the symptoms observed on coconut seedlings. M. palmivorus was first recorded on coconuts and oil palm in the 1920s (1) and attacks the fruit and the petiole on oil palm (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. palmivorus causing post-emergence damping off on coconut seedlings. References: (1) K. G. Singh. A check-list of host and diseases in Malaysia. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Malaysia, 1973. (2) P. D. Turner. Oil palm diseases and disorders. Oxford University Press. 1981. (3) R. Vilgalys et al. J. Bacteriol. 172:4238, 1990.
  2. Moy FM, Atiya AS, Wong ML
    Malays J Nutr, 2008 Mar;14(1):57-63.
    PMID: 22691764 MyJurnal
    Framingham Risk Scores is an established method to predict an individual's 10-year risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). It provides a more precise delineation of risk which might lead to appropriate selection of therapy and opportunities for patient education and motivation. A Healthy Lifestyle Project was initiated to decrease the modifiable risk factors for CHD in a worksite in Kuala Lumpur. The participants were Malay men (n=186) working as security guards in a public university. Their mean age was 46.6 + 6.6 years. The majority had secondary education and were married. The participants' 10-year risks based on the Framingham Risk Scores were 55.4%, 39.8% and 4.8% respectively for categories of low (< 10%), intermediate (10 to 20%) and high (>20%) risk. Their Framingham Risk Scores were then correlated with anthropometric measurements such as the Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-hip-ratio (WHR). All the anthropometric measurements had weak but significant correlation with the Framingham Risk Scores (WHR: r=0.26; waist circumference: r=0.23; BMI: r=0.16). In conclusion, 44.6% of our participants had more than 10% risk in developing CHD in the coming ten years. Hence, they are suitable target candidates for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle such as smoking cessation, weight control, healthy dietary patterns and increased physical activities. Indicators of abdominal obesity like WHR or waist circumference may be used to complement the Framingham Risk Scores for the prediction of CHD risk in this population.
  3. Wang FL, Boo NY, Ainoon O, Wong MK
    Singapore Med J, 2009 Jan;50(1):62-7.
    PMID: 19224086
    INTRODUCTION:
    This study aimed to compare the detection rates of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in neonates by fluorescent spot test (FST), enzyme assay and molecular methods, and to identify which method was a significant predictor of severe hyperbilirubinaemia.
    METHODS:
    74 term infants of Chinese descent admitted with severe hyperbilirubinaemia (total serum bilirubin equal or greater than 300 micromol/L) and 125 healthy term infants born in the hospital without severe hyperbilirubinaemia were recruited into the study. Specimens of blood were collected from each infant for FST, G6PD enzyme assay and TaqMan minor groove binder single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay.
    RESULTS:
    26 (13.1 percent) infants were diagnosed to have G6PD deficiency by FST. They had significantly lower median enzyme levels (0.8 IU/g Hb, interquartile range [IQR] 0.4-4.3) than those diagnosed to be normal (12.0 IU/g Hb, IQR 10.3-15.8) (p-value is less than 0.0001). Based on the enzyme assay, 39 (19.6 percent) infants had G6PD deficiency at an enzyme cut-off level of less than 8.5 IU/g Hb. G6PD mutation was detected in 27 (13.6 percent) infants. Logistic regression analysis showed that the only significant predictors of severe hyperbilirubinaemia were G6PD deficiency based on a cut-off level of less than 8.5 IU/g Hb (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.3, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] 2.4-11.4; p-value is less than 0.0001) and exclusive breast-feeding (adjusted OR 11.4, 95 percent CI 3.1-42.4; p-value is less than 0.0001). The gender and birth weight of infants, FST results, G6PD mutation and the actual G6PD enzyme levels were not significant predictors.
    CONCLUSION:
    A G6PD enzyme level of less than 8.5 IU/g Hb is a significant predictor of severe hyperbilirubinaemia
  4. Loh J, Huang D, Lei J, Yeo W, Wong MK
    Malays Orthop J, 2021 Jul;15(2):115-121.
    PMID: 34429831 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2107.017
    INTRODUCTION: Both short and long PFNA are employed to treat intertrochanteric fractures. Controversy exists in the choice between the two nails as each implant has specific characteristics and theoretical advantages. This retrospective study seeks to examine the operative complication rates and clinical outcomes of short versus long (Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation) PFNA in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July 2011 and February 2015, 155 patients underwent PFNA insertion. The decision on whether to use a short or long PFNA nail, locked or unlocked, was determined by the attending operating surgeon. Visual Analogue Pain Score (VAS) Harris Hip Scores (HHS), Short-form 36 Health Questionnaire (SF-36) and Parker Mobility Scores (PMS) were collected at six weeks, six months and one year post-operatively.

    RESULTS: A total of 137 (88.4%) patients were successfully followed-up. Forty-two (30.7%) patients received a short PFNA. The patients were similar in baseline characteristics of age, gender, and comorbidities. Operative time was significantly longer in the short PFNA group (62 ±17 mins) versus the long PFNA group (56±17). While the patients in both groups achieved improvement in all outcome measures, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of HHS (61.0 ±16.0 vs 63.0 ±16.8, p=0.443), PMS (2.3±1.5 vs 2.7±2.1, p=0.545) and VAS (1.7±2.9 vs 1.8 ±2.2 p=0.454). There were 3 (7.1%) and 7 (7.4%) complications in the short versus long PFNA group, respectively.

    CONCLUSION: Both short and long PFNA had similar clinical outcomes and complication rates in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in an Asian population.

  5. Sim KH, Ong TK, Chin SP, Wong M
    Indian Heart J, 2007 Mar-Apr;59(2 Suppl B):B25-32.
    PMID: 19153433
  6. Moy F, Sallam AA, Wong M
    Health Promot Int, 2006 Dec;21(4):301-10.
    PMID: 16963785
    The worksite is one of the key channels for the delivery of interventions to reduce chronic diseases among adult populations. It provides easy and regular access to a relatively stable population and it encourages sustained peer support. This paper reports a 2-year follow-up of the impact of a worksite health promotion programme on serum cholesterol and dietary changes among employees in a city in Malaysia. A quasi-experimental study was conducted among Malay-Muslim male security guards, with those working in a public university in Kuala Lumpur comprising the intervention group, and those working in the teaching hospital of the same university as the comparison group. They were comparable in socio-demographic characteristics. The intervention group received intensive individual and group counselling on diet, physical activity and quitting smoking. The comparison group was given minimal education on the same lifestyle changes through mail and group counselling. The intervention group showed a statistically significant reduction in their mean total cholesterol levels as compared with the comparison group, with an intervention effect of -0.38 (95% CI = -0.63, -0.14) mmol/l. The intervention group also reported a reduction in the amount of cigarettes smoked. The worksite was shown to be an effective channel for health promotion. The adoption of the new lifestyle behaviours should be supported and sustained through modification of work policies.
  7. Jaafar S, Mohd Noh K, Suhaili MR, Kiyu A, Ong F, Wong M
    Int J Public Health Res, 2011;1(Special Issue):1-8.
    Public health nursingis a specialized nursing combining both nursing and public health principles with the primary focus of improving the health of the whole community rather than just an individual. Its documented history started in the 1800s and has evolved from home visiting to the varied settings that public health nurses find themselves working in as members of public health teams in clinics, schools, workplaces and government health departments.Public health nursing has been a critical component of the country’s health care system, uplifting of the health status of Malaysians and playing a dominant role in the fight against communicable diseases, and is set to face the challenges of the 21st century with public health nurses practising to the full capacity of their training in a restructured Malaysian health system – 1Care for 1Malaysia. The health sector reform allows for optimisation of scarce health care resources to deliver expansion of quality services based on needs, appropriateness, equity &allocative efficiency. The proposed model will be better than the current system, preserving the strengths of the current system but able to respond to increasing population health needs and expectations. There will be increased autonomy for healthcare providers with incentives in place for greater performance. Some of the implications of reform include allowing public- private integration, a slimmer Ministry of Health with a stronger governance role, enhancing the gatekeeping role of the primary care providers and the autonomous management of the public healthcare providers. In this restructured health system, the roles of the public health nurses are no less important than in the current one. In fact, with the increasing emphasis placed on prevention and primary care as the hub of community care with nurses as part of the primary care team delivering continuous comprehensive person-centered care,public health nurses in the future will be able to meet the challenge of refocusing on the true mission of public health: to look at the health problems of a community as a whole and work with the community in alleviating those problems by applying the nursing process to improve health, not just as providers of personal care only.
  8. Tan TH, Chen EJ, Chew MT, Chye PC, Wong M
    Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 2021 Jun;55(3):130-135.
    PMID: 34109008 DOI: 10.1007/s13139-021-00695-6
    Tumour-induced osteomalacia is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that manifests as chronic hypophosphataemia, non-specific bone pain and muscle weakness. It is generally caused by phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour (PMT), which is uncommonly associated with synchronous tumours. However, diagnosis is often delayed for several years due to the rarity, indolent growing nature and non-specific symptoms of the disease, often resulting in an overlook by clinicians during assessments. The patient initially presented with hypophosphataemia and generalised skeletal pain with multiple atraumatic fractures. Blood tests revealed serum calcium levels at the upper limit and extremely low inorganic phosphate levels. Herein, we report a case where two synchronous PMTs from two different sites were detected by 'extended' whole-body Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT, leading to remission of the disease after complete surgical removal. Early detection and diagnosis of PMT neoplasm is crucial, as complete surgical resection of this tumour is the only definitive treatment currently known. Upon excision, this curable disease will result in complete resolution of symptoms and blood parameters, leading to remission of the disease which significantly improves the patient's quality of life. PMT often over-expresses somatostatin receptors (SSTR), predominantly subtype 2A, and Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT is a selective SSTR imaging that targets this characteristic over-expression in these tumours. The high diagnostic accuracy of Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT should be the primary imaging modality for full evaluation of this disease.
  9. Yaiw KC, Hyatt A, Vandriel R, Crameri SG, Eaton B, Wong MH, et al.
    Arch Virol, 2008;153(5):865-75.
    PMID: 18330496 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-008-0059-0
    Tioman virus (TioPV) and Menangle virus (MenPV) are two antigenically and genetically related paramyxoviruses (genus: Rubulavirus, family: Paramyxoviridae) isolated from Peninsular Malaysia (2001) and Australia (1997), respectively. Both viruses are potential zoonotic agents. In the present study, the infectivity, growth kinetics, morphology and morphogenesis of these two paramyxoviruses in a human neuronal cell (SK-N-SH) line were investigated. Sub-confluent SK-N-SH cells were infected with TioPV and MenPV at similar multiplicity of infection. These cells were examined by conventional and immunoelectron microscopy, and virus titres in the supernatants were assayed. Syncytia were observed for both infections in SK-N-SH cells and were more pronounced during the early stages of TioPV infection. The TioPV titre increased consistently (10(1)) every 12 h after infection. In MenPV-infected cells, cellular material was frequently observed within budding virions, and microfilaments and microtubules were abundant. Viral budding was common, and extracellular MenPVs tended to be more pleomorphic compared to TioPVs, which appeared to be more spherical in appearance. The MenPV cytoplasmic viral inclusion appeared to be comparatively smaller, loose and interspersed with randomly scattered circle-like particles, whereas huge tubule-like cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in TioPV-infected cells. Both viruses also displayed different cellular pathology in the SK-N-SH cells. The intracellular ultrastructural characteristics of these two viruses in infected neuronal cells may allow them to be differentiated by electron microscopy.
  10. Tumian NR, Wong M, Wong CL
    J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2015 Jun;41(6):967-70.
    PMID: 25510540 DOI: 10.1111/jog.12648
    α°-thalassemia is a well-known cause of hydrops fetalis in South-East Asia and can be detected in utero. We report a very rare case of thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy associated with hyperplacentosis secondary to α°-thalassemia-associated hydrops fetalis. A 22-year-old primigravida with microcytic anemia presented at 27 weeks' gestation with pre-eclampsia, hyperthyroidism and cardiac failure. Serum β-human chorionic gonadotrophin was markedly elevated and abdominal ultrasound revealed severe hydropic features and enlarged placenta. Serum β-human chorionic gonadotrophin, cardiac function and thyroid function tests normalized after she delivered a macerated stillbirth. Histopathology of the placenta showed hyperplacentosis. Blood DNA analysis revealed that both patient and husband have the α°-thalassemia trait. This case illustrates a very atypical presentation of α°-thalassemia-associated hydrops fetalis and the importance of early prenatal diagnosis of α-thalassemia in women of relevant ethnic origin with microcytic anemia so that appropriate genetic counseling can be provided to reduce maternal morbidity and the incidence of hydrops fetalis.
  11. Wong MM, Lim CL, Wilson JJ
    Bull. Entomol. Res., 2015 Aug;105(4):515-20.
    PMID: 25913190 DOI: 10.1017/S0007485315000358
    Chinese knotweed (Persicaria chinensis) is of ecological and economic importance as a high-risk invasive species and a traditional medicinal herb. However, the insects associated with P. chinensis pollination have received scant attention. As a widespread invasive plant we would expect P. chinensis to be associated with a diverse group of insect pollinators, but lack of taxonomic identification capacity is an impediment to confirm this expectation. In the present study we aimed to elucidate the insect pollinators of P. chinensis in peninsular Malaysia using DNA barcoding. Forty flower visitors, representing the range of morphological diversity observed, were captured at flowers at Ulu Kali, Pahang, Malaysia. Using Automated Barcode Gap Discovery, 17 morphospecies were assigned to 23 species representing at least ten families and four orders. Using the DNA barcode library (BOLD) 30% of the species could be assigned a species name, and 70% could be assigned a genus name. The insects visiting P. chinensis were broadly similar to those previously reported as visiting Persicaria japonica, including honey bees (Apis), droneflies (Eristalis), blowflies (Lucilia) and potter wasps (Eumedes), but also included thrips and ants.
  12. Vythilingam I, Wong ML, Wan-Yussof WS
    Parasitology, 2018 01;145(1):32-40.
    PMID: 27222102 DOI: 10.1017/S0031182016000901
    Plasmodium knowlesi a simian malaria parasite is currently affecting humans in Southeast Asia. Malaysia has reported the most number of cases and P. knowlesi is the predominant species occurring in humans. The vectors of P. knowlesi belong to the Leucosphyrus group of Anopheles mosquitoes. These are generally described as forest-dwelling mosquitoes. With deforestation and changes in land-use, some species have become predominant in farms and villages. However, knowledge on the distribution of these vectors in the country is sparse. From a public health point of view it is important to know the vectors, so that risk factors towards knowlesi malaria can be identified and control measures instituted where possible. Here, we review what is known about the knowlesi malaria vectors and ascertain the gaps in knowledge, so that future studies could concentrate on this paucity of data in-order to address this zoonotic problem.
  13. Nyaka Ngobisa AI, Zainal Abidin MA, Wong MY, Wan Noordin MW
    Plant Pathol J, 2013 Mar;29(1):10-6.
    PMID: 25288924 DOI: 10.5423/PPJ.OA.07.2012.0110
    Hevea brasiliensis is a natural source of rubber and an important plantation tree species in Malaysia. Leaf blight disease caused by Fusicoccum substantially reduces the growth and performance of H. brasiliensis. The aim of this study was to use a combination of both morphological characteristics and molecular data to clarify the taxonomic position of the fungus associated with leaf blight disease. Fusicoccum species were isolated from infected leaves collected from plantations at 3 widely separated locations - Selangor, Perak, and Johor states - in Peninsular Malaysia in 2010. All the isolates were identified according to their conidial patterns and DNA sequences generated from internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2), the 5.8S rRNA, and an unknown locus (BotF15) containing microsatellite repeats. Based on taxonomic and sequence data, Neofusicoccum ribis was identified as the main cause of leaf blight disease in H. brasiliensis in commercial plantations in Malaysia. A pathogenicity trial on detached leaves further confirmed that N. ribis causes leaf blight disease. N. ribis is an important leaf pathogen, and its detection in Malaysia has important implications for future planting of H. brasiliensis.
  14. Lim PH, Ng FC, Cheng CW, Wong MY, Chee CT, Moorthy P, et al.
    J Int Med Res, 2002 Mar-Apr;30(2):137-43.
    PMID: 12025521 DOI: 10.1177/147323000203000206
    Safety and tolerability of sildenafil citrate was assessed in a population subset of 60 Singaporean men with erectile dysfunction taken from the Asian Sildenafil Efficacy and Safety Study (ASSESS-I), a double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose study. The men, from two centres, with > or = 6 months' history of erectile dysfunction, were randomized to two treatment arms for 12 weeks. One group (30 patients) received sildenafil (initial dose 50 mg taken 1 h before sexual activity for the first 2 weeks, increased to 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg, according to efficacy and/or tolerability). The remaining 30 patients received a matching placebo. Incidence and type of adverse effects were evaluated at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Nine patients (30.0%) on sildenafil (33.1% in the full ASSESS-I study) and one patient (3.3%) on placebo (22.8% in the full ASSESS-I study) experienced treatment-related adverse events, the most frequent being headache in the sildenafil group (reported by five patients [16.7%]; 11.0% in the full ASSESS-I study). Flushing, visual disturbance, dizziness, insomnia, myalgia and back pain each occurred in one patient in the sildenafil group (3.3%); in the placebo group, one patient (3.3%) had headache. Importantly, the incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory system adverse events were relatively less than in the full ASSESS-I population (cardiovascular 3.3% in the present study versus 10.2% in the full ASSESS-I population; respiratory 3.3% versus 5.5%). All adverse events were transient and mild, and did not lead to treatment withdrawal. There was no effect on sitting blood pressure, heart rate or standard laboratory parameters; more importantly, there was no incidence of myocardial infarction, stroke or priapism. These results should reassure Singaporean patients and their physicians of the safety of sildenafil for erectile dysfunction.
  15. Kung AW, Chao HT, Huang KE, Need AG, Taechakraichana N, Loh FH, et al.
    J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2003 Jul;88(7):3130-6.
    PMID: 12843154
    In healthy Caucasian postmenopausal women, raloxifene increases bone mineral density (BMD), decreases biochemical markers of bone turnover, and lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, without effects on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. This randomized, double-blind study examines the effects of raloxifene 60 mg/d (n = 483) or placebo (n = 485) in healthy postmenopausal Asian women (mean age 57 yr) from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Serum osteocalcin, serum N-telopeptide, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were assessed at baseline and 6 months. Lumbar spine BMD was measured at baseline and 1 yr in 309 women from 4 countries. Clinical adverse events were recorded at each interim visit. At 6 months, raloxifene 60 mg/d significantly decreased osteocalcin, N-telopeptide, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol by medians of 15.9%, 14.6%, 5.3%, and 7.7%, respectively, from placebo. Changes in HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were similar between raloxifene and placebo. Raloxifene 60 mg/d increased mean lumbar spine BMD (1.9%) from placebo at 1 yr (P = 0.0003). The incidences of hot flashes (placebo 3.5%, raloxifene 5.6%, P = 0.12), and leg cramps (placebo 2.7%, raloxifene 4.3%, P = 0.16) were not different between groups. No case of venous thromboembolism was reported. The effects of raloxifene 60 mg/d on bone turnover, BMD, and serum lipids in healthy postmenopausal Asian women were similar to that previously reported in Caucasian women.
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