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Measurement of sulphated glycosaminoglycans production after autologous 'chondrocytes-fibrin' constructs implantation in sheep knee joint

Munirah S, Samsudin OC, Chen HC, Salmah SH, Aminuddin BS, Ruszymah BH

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:35-6.
PMID: 19024971

Chondrocytes were isolated from articular cartilage biopsy and were cultivated in vitro. Approximately 30 million of cultured chondrocytes per ml were incorporated with autologous plasma-derived fibrin to form three-dimensional construct. Full-thickness punch hole defects were created in lateral and medial femoral condyles. The defects were implanted either with the autologous 'chondrocytes-fibrin' construct (ACFC), autologous chondrocytes (ACI) or fibrin blank (AF). Sheep were euthanized after 12 weeks. The gross morphology of all defects treated with ACFC implantation, ACI and AF exhibited median scores which correspond to a nearly normal appearance according to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification. ACFC significantly enhanced cartilage repair compared to ACI and AF in accordance with the modified O'Driscoll histological scoring scale. The relative sulphated glycosaminoglycans content (%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in ACFC when compared to control groups; ACI vs. fibrin only vs. untreated (blank). Results showed that ACFC implantation exhibited superior cartilage-like tissue regeneration compared to ACI. If the result is applicable to the human, it possibly will improve the existing treatment approaches for cartilage restoration in orthopaedic surgery.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
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.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Effect of fluidising velocity on the combustion of rice husk in a bench-scale fluidised bed combustor for the production of amorphous rice husk ash

Rozainee M, Ngo SP, Salema AA, Tan KG, Ariffin M, Zainura ZN

Bioresour Technol, 2008 Mar;99(4):703-13.
PMID: 17379511

This study was focused on investigating the optimum fluidising velocity during the combustion of rice husk in a bench-scale fluidised bed combustor (ID 210mm) to obtain low carbon ash in the amorphous form. When all other parameters are held constant, the optimum fluidizing velocity aids in almost complete combustion, thereby releasing the entrapped carbon for further conversion. This results in ash with consistently low carbon content (less than 2wt%). The range of fluidising velocities investigated was from as low as 1.5U(mf) to as high as 8U(mf). It was found that the optimum fluidising velocity was approximately 3.3U(mf) as the mixing of rice husk with the bed was good with a high degree of penetration into the sand bed. The resulting ash retained its amorphous form with low residual carbon content (at 2.88wt%) and minimal sand contamination as shown by the X-ray diffraction analysis.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Fulltext Blood pressure distribution in an Iranian adolescent population: "Tehran Lipid and Glucose study"

Ghanbarian A, Rezaei-Ghaleh N, Salehi P, Azizi F

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Oct;61(4):433-7.
PMID: 17243520

Significant hypertension in adolescence is defined according to Blood Pressure (BP) distribution among general population. The present study was conducted to determine the BP distribution in Iranian adolescents. In a population-based study held in Tehran, BP data for 2560 participants aged 10-17 years (1247 boys and 1313 girls) were collected. The 90th and 95th percentiles of systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were obtained for different age and height subgroups of boys and girls. While the 90th and 95th percentiles of SBP obtained in our study were generally lower than international guidelines, the corresponding percentiles of DBP were higher. Significant associations were found between BP and age, height, weight and BMI. According to our findings, it is necessary to prepare BP reference tables according to regional surveys.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Fulltext Bacteriology of diabetic foot lesions

Yoga R, Khairul A, Sunita K, Suresh C

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Feb;61 Suppl A:14-6.
PMID: 17042222

Infection plays a pivotal role in enhancing a diabetic foot at risk toward amputation. Effective antibiotic therapy against the offending pathogens is an important component of treatment of diabetic foot infections. Recognition of the pathogen is always difficult as the representative deep tissue sample for culture is surrounded by ulcer surface harbouring colonies of organisms frequently labelled as skin commensals. The emergent of resistant strains represents a compounding problem standing against efforts to prevent amputation. This study was undertaken to identify the pathogens associated with diabetic foot infection in terms of their frequency and sensitivity against certain commonly used antibiotics. Forty-four consecutive patients with open diabetic foot infections had wound swab taken for culture and sensitivity testing. Cultures positive were observed in 89% of the cases with Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeroginosa encountered in 20%, 14% and 14% of cases respectively. Mixed growths were isolated in 6% of cultures. All Staphylcoccus aureus isolates were resistant to Penicillin but 80% were sensitive to Erythromycin and Co-trimoxazole. Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were sensitive to Methicillin and Gentamycin in 80% and 60% of cases respectively, and resistant to Ampicillin and Ceftazidime in 83% and 50% respectively. All Pseudomonas aeroginosa isolates were sensitive to Amikacin and Ciprofloxacin but 50% were resistant to Gentamycin. There was no single antibiotic possessing good coverage for all common organisms isolated from diabetic foot lesions. Staphylococcus aureus remains the predominant cause of diabetic foot infections followed by Klebsiela pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Most infections are monomicrobial. The emergence of multiresistant organisms is a worrying feature in diabetic foot infections.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Age determination by magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist in adolescent male football players

Dvorak J, George J, Junge A, Hodler J

Br J Sports Med, 2007 Jan;41(1):45-52.
PMID: 17021001

In football there are established age-related tournaments for males and females to guarantee equal chances within the game for all the different age groups. To prevent participation in the incorrect age group, and owing to the fact that in some Asian and African countries registration at birth is not compulsory, other methods of age determination need to be available. Standard radiographs of the left wrist have been used for assessment of skeletal age for many years. This is, however, not ethical in the sporting environment.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Fulltext Does clinical exposure to patients in medical school affect trainee doctors' attitudes towards mental disorders and patients?--A pilot study

Tan SMK, Azmi MT, Reddy JP, Shaharom MH, Rosdinom R, Maniam T, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2005 Aug;60(3):328-37.
PMID: 16379188

Stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness may improve with clinical exposure during medical school training. Attitudes of 48 fourth year medical students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia were assessed before and after their compulsory attachment in Psychiatry, using the Attitude Towards Psychiatry-30 (ATP) and the Attitude towards Mental Illness (AMI) questionnaires. ATP scores improved significantly with training (104.8 and 114.4, pre- and post-attachment respectively) as did AMI scores (63.4 and 68.1 respectively). Both improvements were statistically significant. (ATP: z = 4.55, p < 0.0005) (AMI: z = 3.75, p < 0.0005). Attitudes towards mental illness appeared to have become more favourable with clinical training in psychiatry.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
A preliminary study of the psychological differences in infertile couples and their relation to the coping styles

Musa R, Ramli R, Yazmie AW, Khadijah MB, Hayati MY, Midin M, et al.

Compr Psychiatry, 2014 Jan;55 Suppl 1:S65-9.
PMID: 23433218 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.01.001

Studies from Western countries have observed that couples undergoing infertility treatment suffer various physical and psychological difficulties at a higher frequency than the comparable general population. These relate to treatment challenges and other psychosocial stressors, often influenced by coping style, personality factors and available support systems. There is paucity of studies in non-Western populations.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Fulltext Detection of antibiotic resistance in probiotics of dietary supplements

Wong A, Ngu DY, Dan LA, Ooi A, Lim RL

Nutr J, 2015;14:95.
PMID: 26370532 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-015-0084-2

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer nutrition- and health-promoting benefits if consumed in adequate amounts. Concomitant with the demand for natural approaches to maintaining health is an increase in inclusion of probiotics in food and health products. Since probiotic bacteria act as reservoir for antibiotic resistant determinants, the transfer of these genes to pathogens sharing the same intestinal habitat is thus conceivable considering the fact that dietary supplements contain high amounts of often heterogeneous populations of probiotics. Such events can confer pathogens protection against commonly-used drugs. Despite numerous reports of antibiotic resistant probiotics in food and biological sources, the antibiogram of probiotics from dietary supplements remained elusive.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Modelling contaminant transport for pumping wells in riverbank filtration systems

Mustafa S, Bahar A, Aziz ZA, Suratman S

J Environ Manage, 2016 Jan 01;165:159-166.
PMID: 26433356 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.09.026

Analytical study of the influence of both the pumping well discharge rate and pumping time on contaminant transport and attenuation is significant for hydrological and environmental science applications. This article provides an analytical solution for investigating the influence of both pumping time and travelling time together for one-dimensional contaminant transport in riverbank filtration systems by using the Green's function approach. The basic aim of the model is to understand how the pumping time and pumping rate, which control the travelling time, can affect the contaminant concentration in riverbank filtration systems. Results of analytical solutions are compared with the results obtained using a MODFLOW numerical model. Graphically, it is found that both analytical and numerical solutions have almost the same behaviour. Additionally, the graphs indicate that any increase in the pumping rate or simulation pumping time should increase the contamination in groundwater. The results from the proposed analytical model are well matched with the data collected from a riverbank filtration site in France. After this validation, the model is then applied to the first pilot project of a riverbank filtration system conducted in Malaysia. Sensitivity analysis results highlight the importance of degradation rates of contaminants on groundwater quality, for which higher utilization rates lead to the faster consumption of pollutants.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Fecal indicator bacteria in tropical beach sand: Baseline findings from Port Dickson coastline, Strait of Malacca (Malaysia)

Praveena SM, Shamira SS, Ismail SNS, Aris AZ

Mar Pollut Bull, 2016 Sep 15;110(1):609-612.
PMID: 27289286 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.024

This pilot study aims to assess Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination and its perceived health risks among beachgoers in ten tropical beach sands along Port Dickson coastline (Malaysia). This study also aims to determine the relationship between perceived health symptoms and tropical beach sand exposure behavior. The concentration of E. coli in tropical beach sand ranged from 60cfu/100g to 4113cfu/100g. E. coli contamination was the highest at Tanjung Gemuk (4113±30cfu/100g) and the lowest at Tanjung Tuan (60±15cfu/100g); the high level of contamination could be due to the location of the former at the sewage outlet of nearby hotels. Skin symptoms were the most predominant among the health symptoms indicated by beachgoers. Exposure duration was significantly correlated with the perceived health symptoms among beachgoers in the beaches studied.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Translation, Validation, and Adaptation of the Time Use Diary from English into the Malay Language for Use in Malaysia

Asmuri SN, Brown T, Broom LJ

Occup Ther Health Care, 2016 Jul;30(3):289-309.
PMID: 27219119 DOI: 10.1080/07380577.2016.1183066

Valid translations of time use scales are needed by occupational therapists for use in different cross-cultural contexts to gather relevant data to inform practice and research. The purpose of this study was to describe the process of translating, adapting, and validating the Time Use Diary from its current English language edition into a Malay language version. Five steps of the cross-cultural adaptation process were completed: (i) translation from English into the Malay language by a qualified translator, (ii) synthesis of the translated Malay version, (iii) backtranslation from Malay to English by three bilingual speakers, (iv) expert committee review and discussion, and (v) pilot testing of the Malay language version with two participant groups. The translated version was found to be a reliable and valid tool identifying changes and potential challenges in the time use of older adults. This provides Malaysian occupational therapists with a useful tool for gathering time use data in practice settings and for research purposes.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Suitability of a Group Behavioural Therapy Module for Workplace Smoking Cessation Programs in Malaysia: a Pilot Study

Maarof MF, Ali AM, Amit N, Bakry MM, Taha NA

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2016;17(1):207-14.
PMID: 26838211

In Malaysia, data on components suitability the established smoking cessation module is limited. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the suitability of the components developed in the module for group behavioural therapy in workplace smoking cessation programs. Twenty staff were identified but only eight individuals were selected according to the study criteria during the recruitment period in May 2014. Focus group discussion was conducted to identify themes relevant to the behavioural issues among smokers. Thematic analysis yielded seven major themes which were reasons for regular smoking, reasons for quitting, comprehending smoking characteristics, quit attempt experiences, support and encouragement, learning new skills and behaviour, and preparing for lapse/relapse or difficult situations. As a result, the developed module was found to be relevant and suitable for use based on these themes.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Fulltext A pilot study to determine the short-term effects of milk with differing glycaemic properties on sleep among toddlers: a randomised controlled trial

Misra S, Khor GL, Mitchell P, Haque S, Benton D

BMC Pediatr, 2015;15:79.
PMID: 26174581 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-015-0393-9

BACKGROUND: Sleep is important for children as it directly impacts their mental and physical development. Sleep is not only influenced by the timing but also the macronutrient (carbohydrate and protein) content of meals. Glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) describe the quality of carbohydrates in a food and the burden of these foods on the body's blood glucose response. Diets with a high GI/GL may increase the risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adulthood. The present study is piloted to evaluate the short-term impact of milk products with differing glycaemic properties on the sleep patterns of toddlers.
METHODS: Toddlers were recruited from various day care centres. Informed consent was obtained from both the mothers and the centres. A double-blind randomised controlled trial with a between-subjects design was adopted. The toddlers were randomised to either one of two types of milk with a differing GI ("Low" = 23 and "High = 65") for a period of 3.5 days. There were no other dietary restrictions imposed except that the enrolled child did not consume any other milk during the study period. The sleep patterns were recorded using a Phillips Actiwatch-2, which was worn on the wrist for 24 h over 4 days. The parameters used to measure the sleep pattern were sleep-onset latency (SOL), total sleep time (TST), wake after sleep onset (WASO) and sleep efficiency (SE).
RESULTS: A total of 56 toddlers completed the study. The toddlers had a mean age of 19.9 +/- 4.3 months. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two GI groups for SOL, TST, WASO and SE at the end of the feeding period.
CONCLUSIONS: Sleep patterns of toddlers on low-GI milk did not differ from those with high-GI milk consumed over a short period. Future studies should consider the glycaemic effects of other foods, along with milk with differing GI, consumed for a longer feeding duration.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov NCT01589003.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Fulltext Using the Vibrance Kegel Device With Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise for Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Ong TA, Khong SY, Ng KL, Ting JR, Kamal N, Yeoh WS, et al.

Urology, 2015 Sep;86(3):487-91.
PMID: 26142713 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2015.06.022

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) performed with the new biofeedback Vibrance Kegel Device (VKD), compared to PFMEs alone, in treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a pilot prospective, randomized trial of women aged ≥18 years with SUI symptoms who underwent PFMEs at University Malaya Medical Centre from October 2011 to October 2013. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: control (PFMEs alone) and VKD (PFMEs with VKD biofeedback). The patients underwent 16 weeks of pelvic floor training, during which they were assessed using Australian pelvic floor questionnaires and modified Oxford scales for pelvic floor muscle strength at week 0, 4, and 16.
RESULTS: Forty patients were recruited (control 19, VKD 21). Three patients in the control group dropped out during week 16 training, whereas the VKD group had no dropouts. The VKD group reported significantly earlier improvement in SUI scores, as assessed by the Australian pelvic floor questionnaires (P = .035) at week 4. However, there was no significant difference between the groups' SUI scores at week 16. Pelvic floor muscle strength was significantly better in the VKD group at week 4 (P = .025) and week 16 (P = 0.001). The subjective cure rate was similar in both groups at week 16 (62.5% for control and 61.9% for VKD) (P = 0.742).
CONCLUSION: Using the VKD resulted in significant early improvement in SUI scores, and pelvic muscle strength had improved significantly by the end of the study. The VKD proved useful as an adjunct for pelvic floor training.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Fulltext Relationship between trusting behaviors and psychometrics associated with social network and depression among young generation: a pilot study

Watabe M, Kato TA, Teo AR, Horikawa H, Tateno M, Hayakawa K, et al.

PLoS One, 2015;10(3):e0120183.
PMID: 25836972 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120183

Maladaptive social interaction and its related psychopathology have been highlighted in psychiatry especially among younger generations. In Japan, novel expressive forms of psychiatric phenomena such as "modern-type depression" and "hikikomori" (a syndrome of severe social withdrawal lasting for at least six months) have been reported especially among young people. Economic games such as the trust game have been utilized to evaluate real-world interpersonal relationships as a novel candidate for psychiatric evaluations. To investigate the relationship between trusting behaviors and various psychometric scales, we conducted a trust game experiment with eighty-one Japanese university students as a pilot study. Participants made a risky financial decision about whether to trust each of 40 photographed partners. Participants then answered a set of questionnaires with seven scales including the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS)-6 and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9. Consistent with previous research, male participants trusted partners more than female participants. Regression analysis revealed that LSNS-family (perceived support from family) for male participants, and item 8 of PHQ-9 (subjective agitation and/or retardation) for female participants were associated with participants' trusting behaviors. Consistent with claims by social scientists, our data suggest that, for males, support from family was negatively associated with cooperative behavior toward non-family members. Females with higher subjective agitation (and/or retardation) gave less money toward males and high attractive females, but not toward low attractive females in interpersonal relationships. We believe that our data indicate the possible impact of economic games in psychiatric research and clinical practice, and validation in clinical samples including modern-type depression and hikikomori should be investigated.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Cross-cultural adaptation of the Malay version of the parent-proxy Health-Related Quality of Life Measure for Children with Epilepsy (CHEQOL-25) in Malaysia

Wo SW, Lai PS, Ong LC, Low WY, Lim KS, Tay CG, et al.

Epilepsy Behav, 2015 Apr;45:118-23.
PMID: 25819800 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.02.037

We aimed to cross-culturally adapt the parent-proxy Health-Related Quality of Life Measure for Children with Epilepsy (CHEQOL-25) into Malay and to determine its validity and reliability among parents of children with epilepsy in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Fulltext Development and validation of the Asian Diabetes Quality of Life (AsianDQOL) Questionnaire

Goh SG, Rusli BN, Khalid BA

Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2015 Jun;108(3):489-98.
PMID: 25790899 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2015.02.009

To construct a type-2 diabetes specific quality of life (QOL) tool for Asian populations that is valid and reliable across different ethnicities, languages, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
A potential resource for bioconversion of domestic wastewater sludge

Molla AH, Fakhru'l-Razi A, Abd-Aziz S, Hanafi MM, Roychoudhury PK, Alam MZ

Bioresour Technol, 2002 Dec;85(3):263-72.
PMID: 12365494

Twenty seven filamentous fungal strains representing five genera; Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Myriodontium and Pleurotus were isolated from four sources; domestic wastewater sludge cake (SC) from IWK (Indah Water Konsortium) wastewater treatment plant, palm oil mill effluent compost from Sri Ulu palm Oil Processing Mill, compost of plant debris, and fungal fruiting bodies from a rotten wood stump. Thirty-three strains/isolates were tested for their ability to convert domestic wastewater sludge into compost by assessing biomass production and growth rate on sludge enriched media. The strains/isolates Aspergillus niger, SS-T2008, WW-P1003 and RW-P1 512 produced the highest dry biomass at higher sludge supplemented culture media from their respective group (Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Penicillium and Basidiomycetes, respectively). This implied these strains are better adapted for growth at higher sludge rich substances, and subsequently may be efficient in bioconversion/biodegradation of sludge. The fungi isolated from ecological closely related sources were more amendable to adaptation in a sludge rich culture media.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects
Fulltext Pilot study of formestane in postmenopausal women with breast cancer

Joseph JK, Lim AKH

Med J Malaysia, 1998 Mar;53(1):37-41.
PMID: 10968135

A pilot study of Formestane or 4-Hydroxyandrostenedione (Lentaron), a new endocrine agent, was conducted on 18 postmenopausal patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer. 16 patients were evaluable for response and objective responses were seen in 4 patients (25%). Stabilisation of disease was seen in 5 patients (32%). Out of 17 patients evaluable for toxicity, 3 (18%) reported adverse effects including hot flushes, lethargy and myalgia. Adverse effects were mild, transient and no patient required discontinuation of drug. Our study confirms that Formestane is a well tolerated endocrine agent with low toxicity and reasonable efficacy in postmenopausal patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer.

Matched MeSH terms: Pilot Projects

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