MyMedR

[Modification of blood coagulation through Arwin]

Vinazzer H

Subsid Med, 1974;4:53-5.

PMID: 4450561

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

[Long-term treatment using Arwin of patients with chronic peripheral arterial blood circulation disorders]

Ehrly AM

Subsid Med, 1974;4:56-7.

PMID: 4548779

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Fulltext Use of Chinese herbal medicine and health-related quality of life among cancer patients in Johor, Malaysia

Loke, Mi Mi, Chong, Kah Hui, Noor Salihah Zakaria, Hayati Mohd Yusof

Malays J Nutr, 2017;23(2):227-238.

MyJurnal

Introduction: Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is becoming increasingly popular among cancer patients worldwide. While health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in relation to cancer outcomes has attracted global attention, there are few studies on CHM use and HRQoL among cancer patients in Malaysia. This study attempted to determine the association between use of CHM, including the types, reasons, and beliefs, and HRQoL among Malaysian cancer patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 cancer patients (60 male and 60 female) recruited from government oncology clinics in Johor state. A purposive non-probability sampling was applied to recruit respondents.
Results: Use of CHM was reported by about half of the patients (49.2%). Common types of CHM used included Chinese herbal extracts (27.5%), Sabah snake grass (12.2%), and ginger (11.5%). The median score for overall belief in CHM significantly differed between
CHM users (71.7%) and non-users (65.0%) (p<0.001). The HRQoL was generally reported as ‘good’ with high scores for overall functioning scales and low scores for symptom scales. However, no significant difference in HRQoL between CHM users and non-users was noted. ‘Social Functioning’ scores between both groups showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) with respect to sex, with females scoring higher than males. No significant association was noted between CHM use and socio-demographic characteristics except for sex.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of self-prescription of CHM among the cancer patients studied. Nonetheless use of CHM did not show any significant difference in terms of quality of life among CHM users.
Study site: Oncology clinics, Hospital Sultan Ismail (Johor Bahru) and Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail (Batu Pahat), Johor, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Toxicity of the venom of the sea-snake, Laticauda colubrina, with observations on a Malay "folk cure"

Levey HA

Toxicon, 1969 May;6(4):269-76.

PMID: 5805121

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes*

Fulltext The use of venom and venom-derived products in medicine and cosmetics: the ethical issues from Islamic perspective

Muhamad Rusdi Ahmad Rusmil, Iekhsan Othman, Che Anuar Che Mohamad

International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(101):1-6.

MyJurnal

Venom is a mixture of biologically active toxins that affect normal physiological functions. With the advance in technology, the complexity and functions of venom and its toxins are slowly being revealed. It has become important source for therapeutic, diagnostic and cosmetic agents. However, there is concern among the Muslim community pertaining to halal and safety issues on the venom and venom-derived product usage. There are few studies that discuss the Islamic views in the usage of venom and venom-based product in medicine and cosmetic applications. There is a need for Muslim scientists and scholars to seriously identify the potential ethical and safety issues in the usage of venom and venom-derived products in view of the widespread application in medicine and cosmetic, which subsequently forming the basis for relevant and reliable shariah ruling. This is an attempt to review the relevant articles based on the following keywords: venom and Islamic ruling, venom-based product, venom and medicine, venom and cosmetic, antivenom, venom toxin, snake poison and venom diagnostics. It will also attempt to clarify and elaborate the implication of the “halal” status for venom-based product. Finaly the current available shariah rulings on the usage of venom and venom-based product both in medical and cosmetic area and the related principle of fiqh involved will be analyzed. The findings from this review, particularly the current available ruling will allow various parties to be well informed on the current ruling and related issues on the usage of this products.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

The rediscovery of Schaefer's Spine-jawed Snake (Xenophidion schaeferi Günther Manthey, 1995) (Serpentes, Xenophidiidae) from Peninsular Malaysia with notes on its variation and the first record of the genus from Sumatra, Indonesia

Quah ESH, Grismer LL, Jetten T, Wood PLJ, Miralles A, Sah SAM, et al.

Zootaxa, 2018 Jun 27;4441(2):366-378.

PMID: 30314015 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4441.2.10

The family Xenophidiidae is an extremely rare and little-known family of snakes that contains only two species, Xenophidion acanthognathus Günther Manthey and X. schaeferi Günther Manthey that are each known only from their holotypes. We report on the rediscovery of X. schaeferi from two new locations in southern Peninsular Malaysia. The new specimens differ markedly from the holotype of X. schaeferi in colour pattern and are more akin to the patterning of X. acanthognathus from Borneo. However, molecular analyses of one of the new specimens reveal that it only differs from the holotype of X. schaeferi by a minimum sequence divergence of 0.27%. An expanded description of the species based on these specimens is provided and phenotypic variation within the species is discussed. We also report the first record of the genus Xenophidion from West Sumatra, Indonesia. These sensational discoveries continue to underscore the fact that southern Peninsular Malaysia and upland areas of Southeast Asia in general still harbour unrealized herpetological diversity and are still in need of field research-based taxonomic studies.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes*

The protective effect of Mucuna pruriens seeds against snake venom poisoning

Tan NH, Fung SY, Sim SM, Marinello E, Guerranti R, Aguiyi JC

J Ethnopharmacol, 2009 Jun 22;123(2):356-8.

PMID: 19429384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.03.025

The seed, leaf and root of Mucuna pruriens have been used in traditional medicine for treatments of various diseases. In Nigeria, the seed is used as oral prophylactics for snakebite.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

The original description and date of publication of emCylindrophis/em emlineatus/em and remarks on its type locality (Reptilia: Squamata: Cylindrophiidae)

Figueroa A, Low MEY

Zootaxa, 2021 Apr 01;4951(1):zootaxa.4951.1.10.

PMID: 33903421 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4951.1.10

The snake genus Cylindrophis Wagler, 1828 belongs to the monogeneric family Cylindrophiidae comprising 15 species distributed predominately throughout SE Asia, with one extralimital species occurring in Sri Lanka (Bernstein et al. 2020: 535). Cylindrophis lineatus is a rare species known from only eight museum specimens (discussed herein), and a photograph of one live individual from Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Stuebing et al. 2014: 63). Despite being originally described with Singapore as the type-locality (Blanford 1881: 217, 218), it is currently understood that C. lineatus is endemic to western Sarawak, East Malaysia (Stuebing et al. 2014: 63). Wallach et al. (2014: 204) stated that C. lineatus is also found in Kalimantan, but did not provide any references. This appears to have been followed by Bernstein et al. (2020: 537), who provide a map indicating C. lineatus occurrences in Kalimantan. The original description of Cylindrophis lineatus is conventionally cited as Blanford (1881: 217, 218, pl. 20). Herein, we demonstrate that the authorship and date of publication of this taxon should correctly be Cylindrophis lineatus Dennys, 1880b, and discuss that the type locality should be changed to "Borneo".

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes/classification*

The comparison of the antitomboc action of the thrombin-like fraction of Malayan pit viper venom and heparin

Chan KE

Cardiovasc Res, 1969 Apr;3(2):171-8.

PMID: 5821043

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes*

The anticoagulant activity of Malayan cobra (Naja naja sputatrix) venom and venom phospholipase A2 enzymes

Tan NH, Arunmozhiarasi A

Biochem. Int., 1989 Oct;19(4):803-10.

PMID: 2619749

Malayan cobra (Naja naja sputatrix) venom was found to exhibit an in vitro anticoagulant activity that was much stronger than most common cobra (genus Naja) venoms. The most potent anticoagulants of the venom are two lethal phospholipase A2 enzymes with pI's of 6.15 and 6.20, respectively. The anticoagulant activity of the venom is due to the synergistic effect of the venom phospholipase A2 enzymes and polypeptide anticoagulants. Bromophenacylation of the two phospholipase A2 enzymes reduced their enzymatic activity with a concomitant drop in both the lethal and anticoagulant activities.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Studies on ascaridoid nematodes in pythons: speciation of Ophidascaris in the Oriental and Australian regions

Sprent JF

Parasitology, 1969 Nov;59(4):937-59.

PMID: 5390578

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes*

Sphaerechinorhynchus serpenticola sp. n. (Acanthocephala: Sphaerechinorhynchinae), a parasite of the asian cobra, Naja naja (Cantor), in Borneo (Malaysia)

Schmidt GD, Kuntz RE

J Parasitol, 1966 Oct;52(5):913-6.

PMID: 5927219

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Six platyhelminths from Malaysian reptiles including Paradistomoidella cerberi n.g., n.sp. (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae)

Brooks DR, Palmieri JR

J Helminthol, 1981 Mar;55(1):39-43.

PMID: 7229330

Paradistomoidella cerberi n.g., n.sp. and Paracanthostomum cerberi from Cerberus rhynchops, Xenopharynx pyriformis and Allopharynx mehrai from Ptyas korros, Neopronocephalus orientalis from Geoemyda spinosa, and Duthiersia expansa from Varanus salvator are all reported from the area of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Paradistomoidella cerberi most closely resembles members of Paradistomoides but is characterized by relatively short caeca, a cirrus sac containing a bipartite rather than sinous internal seminal vesicle, and unevenly-sized suckers. Kuala Lumpur is a new locality for Paracanthostomum cerberi, X. pyriformis, A. mehrai, and D. expansa. Ptyas korros is a new host for X. pyriformis and G. spinosa is a new host for N. orientalis.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes/parasitology*

Fulltext Sarcocystis nesbitti infection in human skeletal muscle: possible transmission from snakes

Lau YL, Chang PY, Tan CT, Fong MY, Mahmud R, Wong KT

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2014 Feb;90(2):361-4.

PMID: 24420776 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0678

Sarcocystis nesbitti is an intracellular protozoan parasite found as sarcocysts within muscle fibers of intermediate hosts (monkey and baboon). The definitive host is suspected to be the snake. We report two cases from a larger cohort of 89 patients who had fever, headache, and generalized myalgia after a trip to Pangkor Island, Malaysia. Sarcocysts were detected in skeletal muscle biopsy specimens by light and electron microscopy from these two patients. DNA sequencing based on the 18S ribosomal DNA region identified the Sarcocystis species as S. nesbitti. We also identified S. nesbitti sequences in the stools of a snake (Naja naja). Phylogenetic analysis showed that these sequences form a cluster with most of the other known Sarcocystis species for which the snake is a definitive host. We believe these two patients were likely to have symptomatic acute muscular sarcocystosis after S. nesbitti infection that may have originated from snakes.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes/parasitology*

Revision of Sarcocystis orientalis Zaman and Colley, 1975

Zaman V

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1975 Dec;6(4):603.

PMID: 818718

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes/parasitology

Fulltext Preliminary checklist of the herpetofauna of Pulau Besar, Melaka, Malaysia

Chan KO, Grismer LL, Wood, PL, Grismer JL, Ahmad N

Trop Life Sci Res, 2009;20(1):-.

MyJurnal

A herpetological survey was conducted at Pulau Besar, Melaka from 10 to 12 June 2008, resulting in the discovery of five species of amphibians, nine species of lizards (including one new species of the gekkonid Cyrtodactylus) and one snake species. This report constitutes the first checklist of the herpetofauna of Pulau Besar and the Water Islands Archipelago.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Fulltext Potential economic and clinical implications of improving access to snake antivenom in five ASEAN countries: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Patikorn C, Ismail AK, Zainal Abidin SA, Othman I, Chaiyakunapruk N, Taychakhoonavudh S

PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2022 Nov;16(11):e0010915.

PMID: 36383562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010915

BACKGROUND: Despite domestic production of antivenoms in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, not all victims with snakebite envenomings indicated for antivenom received the appropriate or adequate effective dose of antivenom due to insufficient supply and inadequate access to antivenoms. We aimed to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis to project the potential economic and clinical impact of improving access to antivenoms when all snakebite envenomings in ASEAN countries were hypothetically treated with geographically appropriate antivenoms.

METHODOLOGY: Using a decision analytic model with input parameters from published literature, local data, and expert opinion, we projected the impact of "full access" (100%) to antivenom, compared to "current access" in five most impacted ASEAN countries, including Indonesia (10%), Philippines (26%), Vietnam (37%), Lao PDR (4%), and Myanmar (64%), from a societal perspective with a lifetime time horizon. Sensitivity analyses were performed.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In base-case analyses, full access compared to current access to snake antivenom in the five countries resulted in a total of 9,362 deaths averted (-59%), 230,075 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted (-59%), and cost savings of 1.3 billion USD (-53%). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of improving access to antivenom found higher outcomes but lower costs in all countries. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses of 1,000 iterations found that 98.1-100% of ICERs were cost-saving.

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Improving access to snake antivenom will result in cost-saving for ASEAN countries. Our findings emphasized the importance of further strengthening regional cooperation, investment, and funding to improve the situation of snakebite victims in ASEAN countries.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Porocephaliasis: a description of two cases in Sabah

Rail GA

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1967;61(5):715-7.

PMID: 6069733 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(67)90140-X

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Porocephaliasis in Western Malaysia

Burns-Cox CJ, Prathap K, Clark E, Gillman R

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1969;63(3):409-11.

PMID: 5815876

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Pentastomiasis: a common finding at autopsy among Malaysian aborigines