Displaying publications 241 - 260 of 281 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. The prevalence of physical activity and its associated factors among Malaysian adults: findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011
    Teh CH, Lim KK, Chan YY, Lim KH, Azahadi O, Hamizatul Akmar AH, et al.
    Public Health, 2014 May;128(5):416-23.
    PMID: 24726414 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2013.10.008
    OBJECTIVES: Despite the health-enhancing benefits of physical activity, a large segment of the Malaysian population does not engage in regular physical activity at the recommended level. This study aimed to determine physical activity patterns and the associated sociodemographic correlates of physical activity.
    STUDY DESIGN: Data on physical activity were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2011, a nationally representative, population-based cross-sectional study. A two-stage stratified sampling method was used to select a representative sample of Malaysian adults aged 16 years and above.
    METHODS: A total of 19,145 adults aged 16 years and above were recruited, and face-to-face interviews were conducted using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), short version. The correlates for physical activity were identified using multivariate analysis.
    RESULTS: In this study, 64.3% (95%CI: 63.1-65.5) of Malaysian adults aged 16 and above were physically active, but overall physical activity levels decreased with advancing age. Men, rural residents, 'other' ethnic groups, and married women were more likely to demonstrate higher levels of physical activity.
    CONCLUSION: Approximately 65% of Malaysian adults were physically active. However, it is recommended that health promotions for active lifestyles should be targeted to the least active segments, which constitute more than a quarter of the Malaysian population.
    KEYWORDS: Correlates; IPAQ; Malaysian adults; Physical activity; Sociodemographic
    Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2011)
  2. Seropositivity of HPV 16 E6 and E7 and the risk of oral cancer
    Wong GR, Ha KO, Himratul-Aznita WH, Yang YH, Wan Mustafa WM, Yuen KM, et al.
    Oral Dis, 2014 Nov;20(8):762-7.
    PMID: 24320099 DOI: 10.1111/odi.12218
    The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of HPV seropositivity among patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and healthy individuals and to correlate the association between HPV 16 seropositivity and risk of OSCC.
  3. Reciprocal expression of the endocytic protein HIP1R and its repressor FOXP1 predicts outcome in R-CHOP-treated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients
    Wong KK, Gascoyne DM, Brown PJ, Soilleux EJ, Snell C, Chen H, et al.
    Leukemia, 2014 Feb;28(2):362-72.
    PMID: 23884370 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.224
    We previously identified autoantibodies to the endocytic-associated protein Huntingtin-interacting protein 1-related (HIP1R) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. HIP1R regulates internalization of cell surface receptors via endocytosis, a process relevant to many therapeutic strategies including CD20 targeting with rituximab. In this study, we characterized HIP1R expression patterns, investigated a mechanism of transcriptional regulation and its clinical relevance in DLBCL patients treated with immunochemotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone, R-CHOP). HIP1R was preferentially expressed in germinal center B-cell-like DLBCL (P<0.0001) and inversely correlated with the activated B-cell-like DLBCL (ABC-DLBCL) associated transcription factor, Forkhead box P1 (FOXP1). HIP1R was confirmed as a direct FOXP1 target gene in ABC-DLBCL by FOXP1-targeted silencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Lower HIP1R protein expression (≤ 10% tumoral positivity) significantly correlated with inferior overall survival (OS, P=0.0003) and progression-free survival (PFS, P=0.0148) in R-CHOP-treated DLBCL patients (n=157). Reciprocal expression with ≥ 70% FOXP1 positivity defined FOXP1(hi)/HIP1R(lo) patients with particularly poor outcome (OS, P=0.0001; PFS, P=0.0016). In an independent R-CHOP-treated DLBCL (n=233) microarray data set, patients with transcript expression in lower quartile HIP1R and FOXP1(hi)/HIP1R(lo) subgroups exhibited worse OS, P=0.0044 and P=0.0004, respectively. HIP1R repression by FOXP1 is strongly associated with poor outcome, thus further understanding of FOXP1-HIP1R and/or endocytic signaling pathways might give rise to novel therapeutic options for DLBCL.
  4. Molecular phylogeny of modern coxsackievirus A16
    Perera D, Yusof MA, Podin Y, Ooi MH, Thao NT, Wong KK, et al.
    Arch Virol, 2007;152(6):1201-8.
    PMID: 17308978
    A phylogenetic analysis of VP1 and VP4 nucleotide sequences of 52 recent CVA16 strains demonstrated two distinct CVA16 genogroups, A and B, with the prototype strain being the only member of genogroup A. CVA16 G-10, the prototype strain, showed a nucleotide difference of 27.7-30.2% and 19.9-25.2% in VP1 and VP4, respectively, in relation to other CVA16 strains, which formed two separate lineages in genogroup B with nucleotide variation of less than 13.4% and less than 16.3% in VP1 and VP4, respectively. Lineage 1 strains circulating before 2000 were later displaced by lineage 2 strains.
  5. Fulltext FOXP1 suppresses immune response signatures and MHC class II expression in activated B-cell-like diffuse large B-cell lymphomas
    Brown PJ, Wong KK, Felce SL, Lyne L, Spearman H, Soilleux EJ, et al.
    Leukemia, 2016 Mar;30(3):605-16.
    PMID: 26500140 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.299
    The FOXP1 (forkhead box P1) transcription factor is a marker of poor prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here microarray analysis of FOXP1-silenced DLBCL cell lines identified differential regulation of immune response signatures and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) genes as some of the most significant differences between germinal center B-cell (GCB)-like DLBCL with full-length FOXP1 protein expression versus activated B-cell (ABC)-like DLBCL expressing predominantly short FOXP1 isoforms. In an independent primary DLBCL microarray data set, multiple MHC II genes, including human leukocyte antigen DR alpha chain (HLA-DRA), were inversely correlated with FOXP1 transcript expression (P<0.05). FOXP1 knockdown in ABC-DLBCL cells led to increased cell-surface expression of HLA-DRA and CD74. In R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone)-treated DLBCL patients (n=150), reduced HLA-DRA (<90% frequency) expression correlated with inferior overall survival (P=0.0003) and progression-free survival (P=0.0012) and with non-GCB subtype stratified by the Hans, Choi or Visco-Young algorithms (all P<0.01). In non-GCB DLBCL cases with <90% HLA-DRA, there was an inverse correlation with the frequency (P=0.0456) and intensity (P=0.0349) of FOXP1 expression. We propose that FOXP1 represents a novel regulator of genes targeted by the class II MHC transactivator CIITA (MHC II and CD74) and therapeutically targeting the FOXP1 pathway may improve antigen presentation and immune surveillance in high-risk DLBCL patients.
  6. Fulltext Deaths of children during an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease in Sarawak, Malaysia: clinical and pathological characteristics of the disease. For the Outbreak Study Group
    Chan LG, Parashar UD, Lye MS, Ong FG, Zaki SR, Alexander JP, et al.
    Clin Infect Dis, 2000 Sep;31(3):678-83.
    PMID: 11017815
    From April through June 1997, 29 previously healthy children aged <6 years (median, 1.5 years) in Sarawak, Malaysia, died of rapidly progressive cardiorespiratory failure during an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease caused primarily by enterovirus 71 (EV71). The case children were hospitalized after a short illness (median duration, 2 days) that usually included fever (in 100% of case children), oral ulcers (66%), and extremity rashes (62%). The illness rapidly progressed to include seizures (28%), flaccid limb weakness (17%), or cardiopulmonary symptoms (of 24 children, 17 had chest radiographs showing pulmonary edema, and 24 had echocardiograms showing left ventricular dysfunction), resulting in cardiopulmonary arrest soon after hospitalization (median time, 9 h). Cardiac tissue from 10 patients showed normal myocardium, but central nervous system tissue from 5 patients showed inflammatory changes. Brain-stem specimens from 2 patients were available, and both specimens showed extensive neuronal degeneration, inflammation, and necrosis, suggesting that a central nervous system infection was responsible for the disease, with the cardiopulmonary dysfunction being neurogenic in origin. EV71 and possibly an adenovirus, other enteroviruses, or unknown cofactors are likely responsible for this rapidly fatal disease.
  7. Continuous glucose monitoring results in lower HbA1c in Malaysian women with insulin-treated gestational diabetes: a randomized controlled trial
    Paramasivam SS, Chinna K, Singh AKK, Ratnasingam J, Ibrahim L, Lim LL, et al.
    Diabet Med, 2018 08;35(8):1118-1129.
    PMID: 29663517 DOI: 10.1111/dme.13649
    AIMS: To determine if therapeutic, retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) improves HbA1c with less hypoglycaemia in women with insulin-treated gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

    METHODS: This prospective, randomized controlled, open-label trial evaluated 50 women with insulin-treated GDM randomized to either retrospective CGM (6-day sensor) at 28, 32 and 36 weeks' gestation (Group 1, CGM, n = 25) or usual antenatal care without CGM (Group 2, control, n = 25). All women performed seven-point capillary blood glucose (CBG) profiles at least 3 days per week and recorded hypoglycaemic events (symptomatic and asymptomatic CBG

  8. Multiplex sequencing of SARS-Cov-2 genome directly from clinical samples using the Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM)
    Tan KK, Tiong V, Tan JY, Wong JE, Teoh BT, Abd-Jamil J, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Sep 01;38(3):283-288.
    PMID: 34362871 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.3.069
    Various methods have been developed for rapid and high throughput full genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we described a protocol for targeted multiplex full genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA directly extracted from human nasopharyngeal swabs using the Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM). This protocol involves concomitant amplification of 237 gene fragments encompassing the SARS-CoV-2 genome to increase the abundance and yield of viral specific sequencing reads. Five complete and one near-complete genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 were generated with a single Ion PGM sequencing run. The sequence coverage analysis revealed two amplicons (positions 13 751-13 965 and 23 941-24 106), which consistently gave low sequencing read coverage in all isolates except 4Apr20-64- Hu. We analyzed the potential primer binding sites within these low covered regions and noted that the 4Apr20-64-Hu possess C at positions 13 730 and 23 929, whereas the other isolates possess T at these positions. The genome nucleotide variations observed suggest that the naturally occurring variations present in the actively circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains affected the performance of the target enrichment panel of the Ion AmpliSeq™ SARS CoV 2 Research Panel. The possible impact of other genome nucleotide variations warrants further investigation, and an improved version of the Ion AmpliSeq™ SARS CoV 2 Research Panel, hence, should be considered.
  9. High thermal stress responses of Echinolittorina snails at their range edge predict population vulnerability to future warming
    Han GD, Cartwright SR, Ganmanee M, Chan BKK, Adzis KAA, Hutchinson N, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2019 Jan 10;647:763-771.
    PMID: 30092533 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.005
    Populations at the edge of their species' distribution ranges are typically living at the physiological extreme of the environmental conditions they can tolerate. As a species' response to global change is likely to be largely determined by its physiological performance, subsequent changes in environmental conditions can profoundly influence populations at range edges, resulting in range extensions or retractions. To understand the differential physiological performance among populations at their distribution range edge and center, we measured levels of mRNA for heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) as an indicator of temperature sensitivity in two high-shore littorinid snails, Echinolittorina malaccana and E. radiata, between 1°N to 36°N along the NW Pacific coast. These Echinolittorina snails are extremely heat-tolerant and frequently experience environmental temperatures in excess of 55 °C when emersed. It was assumed that animals exhibiting high temperature sensitivity will synthesize higher levels of mRNA, which will thus lead to higher energetic costs for thermal defense. Populations showed significant geographic variation in temperature sensitivity along their range. Snails at the northern range edge of E. malaccana and southern range edge of E. radiata exhibited higher levels of hsp70 expression than individuals collected from populations at the center of their respective ranges. The high levels of hsp70 mRNA in populations at the edge of a species' distribution range may serve as an adaptive response to locally stressful thermal environments, suggesting populations at the edge of their distribution range are potentially more sensitive to future global warming.
  10. A review on colorimetric methods for determination of organophosphate pesticides using gold and silver nanoparticles
    Che Sulaiman IS, Chieng BW, Osman MJ, Ong KK, Rashid JIA, Wan Yunus WMZ, et al.
    Mikrochim Acta, 2020 01 15;187(2):131.
    PMID: 31940088 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-019-3893-8
    This review (with 99 refs.) summarizes the progress that has been made in colorimetric (i.e. spectrophotometric) determination of organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) using gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs). Following an introduction into the field, a first large section covers the types and functions of organophosphate pesticides. Methods for colorimetric (spectrophotometric) measurements including RGB techniques are discussed next. A further section covers the characteristic features of gold and silver-based NPs. Syntheses and modifications of metal NPs are covered in section 5. This is followed by overviews on enzyme inhibition-based assays, aptamer-based assays and chemical (non-enzymatic) assays, and a discussion of specific features of colorimetric assays. Several Tables are presented that give an overview on the wealth of methods and materials. A concluding section addresses current challenges and discusses potential future trends and opportunities. Graphical abstractSchematic representation of organophosphate pesticide determinations based on aggregation of nanoparticles (particular silver or gold nanoparticles). This leads to a color change which can be determined visually and monitored by a red shift in the absorption spectrum.
  11. Fulltext Prevalence and Correlates of HIV and Hepatitis C Virus Infections and Risk Behaviors among Malaysian Fishermen
    Choo MK, El-Bassel N, Adam PC, Gilbert L, Wu E, West BS, et al.
    PLoS One, 2015;10(8):e0118422.
    PMID: 26244844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118422
    Fishermen in Southeast Asia have been found to be highly vulnerable to HIV, with research evidence highlighting the role of sexual risk behaviors. This study aims to estimate the rate of HIV as well as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among Malaysian fishermen, and the risky sexual and injection drug use behaviors that may contribute to these infections. The study also includes an assessment of socio-demographic, occupational and behavioral correlates of testing positive for HIV or HCV, and socio-demographic and occupational correlates of risk behaviors. The study had a cross-sectional design and recruited 406 fishermen through respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Participants self-completed a questionnaire and provided biological specimens for HIV and HCV testing. We conducted and compared results of analyses of both unweighted data and data weighted with the Respondent-Driven Sampling Analysis Tool (RDSAT). Of the participating fishermen, 12.4% were HIV positive and 48.6% had HCV infection. Contrary to expectations and findings from previous research, most fishermen (77.1%) were not sexually active. More than a third had a history of injection drug use, which often occurred during fishing trips on commercial vessels and during longer stays at sea. Of the fishermen who injected drugs, 42.5% reported unsafe injection practices in the past month. Reporting a history of injection drug use increased the odds of testing HIV positive by more than 6 times (AOR = 6.22, 95% CIs [2.74, 14.13]). Most fishermen who injected drugs tested positive for HCV. HCV infection was significantly associated with injection drug use, being older than 25 years, working on a commercial vessel and spending four or more days at sea per fishing trip. There is an urgent need to strengthen current harm reduction and drug treatment programs for Malaysian fishermen who inject drugs, especially among fishermen who work on commercial vessels and engage in deep-sea fishing.
  12. Cost-utility analysis of antiviral use under pandemic influenza using a novel approach - linking pharmacology, epidemiology and heath economics
    Wu DBC, Chaiyakunapruk N, Pratoomsoot C, Lee KKC, Chong HY, Nelson RE, et al.
    Epidemiol Infect, 2018 03;146(4):496-507.
    PMID: 29446343 DOI: 10.1017/S0950268818000158
    Simulation models are used widely in pharmacology, epidemiology and health economics (HEs). However, there have been no attempts to incorporate models from these disciplines into a single integrated model. Accordingly, we explored this linkage to evaluate the epidemiological and economic impact of oseltamivir dose optimisation in supporting pandemic influenza planning in the USA. An HE decision analytic model was linked to a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) - dynamic transmission model simulating the impact of pandemic influenza with low virulence and low transmissibility and, high virulence and high transmissibility. The cost-utility analysis was from the payer and societal perspectives, comparing oseltamivir 75 and 150 mg twice daily (BID) to no treatment over a 1-year time horizon. Model parameters were derived from published studies. Outcomes were measured as cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the integrated model's robustness. Under both pandemic scenarios, compared to no treatment, the use of oseltamivir 75 or 150 mg BID led to a significant reduction of influenza episodes and influenza-related deaths, translating to substantial savings of QALYs. Overall drug costs were offset by the reduction of both direct and indirect costs, making these two interventions cost-saving from both perspectives. The results were sensitive to the proportion of inpatient presentation at the emergency visit and patients' quality of life. Integrating PK/PD-EPI/HE models is achievable. Whilst further refinement of this novel linkage model to more closely mimic the reality is needed, the current study has generated useful insights to support influenza pandemic planning.
  13. A comparative study based on performance and techno-economic analysis of different strategies for PV-Electrolyzer (green) hydrogen fueling incinerator system
    Majeed Butt O, Shakeel Ahmad M, Kai Lun T, Seng Che H, Fayaz H, Abd Rahim N, et al.
    Waste Manag, 2023 Feb 01;156:1-11.
    PMID: 36424243 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.11.016
    The integration of hydrogen in the primary energy mix requires a major technological shift in virtually every energy-related application. This study has attempted to investigate the techno-economic solar photovoltaic (PV) integrated water electrolysis and waste incineration system. Three different strategies, i.e., (i) PV + Battery(Hybrid mode with required batteries); (ii) auto-ignition (Direct coupling); and (iii) PV + Secondary-Electrolyzer(Direct coupling assisted with secondary electrolyzer), have been envisioned. The 'PV + Battery' consume 42.42 % and 15.07 % less energy than the auto-ignition and 'PV + Secondary-Electrolyzer' methods. However, the capital cost of 'PV + Battery' has been calculated to be 15.4 % and 11.8 % more than auto-ignition and 'PV + Secondary-Electrolyzer, respectively.The energy consumption relative to waste input, the 'PV + Battery' method used 80 % less energy, while auto-ignition and 'PV + Secondary-Electrolyzer' showed 70.5 % and 77.5 % less energy, respectively. Furthermore, these approaches showed a vast difference in cost-benefit for the longer run. 'PV + Battery' was forecasted to be 73.3 % and 23.3 % more expensive than auto-ignition and 'PV + Secondary-Electrolyzer' methods, respectively, for 30 years. Overall, this study can benefit from using either of these methods depending on the application, usage scale, and climatic conditions.
  14. Development of a TaqMan minor groove binding probe-based quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for the detection and quantification of Zika virus
    Chin KL, Teoh BT, Sam SS, Loong SK, Tan KK, Azizan NS, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2022 Dec 01;39(4):518-523.
    PMID: 36602210 DOI: 10.47665/tb.39.4.005
    Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has emerged as a global health concern following epidemic outbreaks of severe neurological disorders reported in Pacific and Americas since 2016. Therefore, a rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic test for ZIKV infection is critical for the appropriate patient management and the control of disease spread. A TaqMan minor groove binding (MGB) probe-based quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was developed based on the conserved sequence regions of 463 ZIKV NS2B genes. The designed ZIKV qRT-PCR assay was evaluated for its detection limit, strain coverage and cross-reactivity. We further assessed the clinical applicability of qRT-PCR assay for ZIKV RNA detection using a total 18 simulated clinical specimens. The detection limit of the qRT-PCR assay was 11.276 ZIKV RNA copies at the 95% probability level (probit analysis, p<= 0.05). Both Asian and African ZIKV strains were detected by the qRT-PCR assay without cross-reacting with DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4, CHIKV, JEV, LGTV, GETV and SINV. The qRT-PCR assay demonstrated a perfect agreement (k = 1.000, P < 0.001) with the reference assay; the sensitivity and specificity of the qRT-PCR assay were 100% (95% CI= 79.6-100) and 100% (95% CI= 43.9-100) respectively. The qRT-PCR assay developed in this study is a useful diagnostic tool for the broad coverage detection and quantification of both the Asian and African ZIKV strains.
  15. Fulltext Clinical-radiological features and diagnostic modalities for mediastinal melioidosis
    Nyanti LE, Lee SSY, Shanmugam V, Muien MZBA, Othman AA, Chia YL, et al.
    Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 2023 Oct 01;27(10):724-728.
    PMID: 37749834 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.23.0079
    Melioidosis is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by the Gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei. Mediastinal melioidosis has a range of clinical presentations, making it difficult to diagnose: we therefore reviewed the evidence on the clinical characteristics, radiological features and invasive diagnostic modalities or interventions. An electronic search was conducted on three databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Google Scholar) from November to December 2022. The initial search yielded 120 results, of which 34 studies met the inclusion criteria, but only 31 full-texts were retrievable. Among these, 4 were cohort studies, 26 case reports or series and 1 a conference abstract. The four main themes covered were mediastinal melioidosis as a diagnostic dilemma, unexpected complications, invasive interventions or an accompanying thoracic feature. Radiological manifestations included matting, necrosis and abscess-like collection. Severe presentations of mediastinal melioidosis included superior vena cava obstruction, sinus tract formation and pericardial tamponade. Transbronchial needle aspiration was the most common invasive diagnostic modality. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between the thoracic features of melioidosis on patient prognosis, its relationship to melioidosis transmission and potential preventive measures.
  16. Pleural fluid residue as a diagnostic tool for cytology-negative malignant pleural effusion: A proof-of-concept study
    Nyanti LE, Huan NC, Ramarmurty HY, Renganathan T, Bin Abdul Aziz MA, Low JL, et al.
    Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med, 2023;29(4):e1149.
    PMID: 38239775 DOI: 10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i4.1149
    BACKGROUND: Pleural fluid residue, or macroscopic tissue, circulating freely in the pleural fluid obtained through direct filtration, may carry diagnostic histopathological information. We aimed to determine the histopathological concordance of pleural fluid residue in diagnosing TPE and MPE, compared with conventional pleural biopsy. This was a prospective cohort study of consecutive inpatients with cytology-negative exudative effusion who underwent pleuroscopy and had their initial suctioned pleural fluid filtered for residue samples. Pleural fluid residue demonstrated malignant cells in four out of seven cases of pleural biopsy-confirmed malignancy. Pleural fluid residue has comparable cytomorphology but reduced cellularity compared with pleural biopsy. No tuberculous histological features were present in the pleural fluid residue samples. In this preliminary study pleural fluid residue provided histopathological information for malignant pleural effusion, but no incremental diagnostic information for tuberculous effusion. However larger and more definitive studies are required to clarify these findings, and to explore the utility and suitability of pleural fluid residue for mutational analysis.

    WHAT THE STUDY ADDS: This study demonstrates the potential of pleural fluid residue as a non-invasive diagnostic method for confirming malignancy in cytology-negative exudative effusion.

    WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: In resource-limited settings or patients contraindicated for pleural biopsy, pleural fluid residue may provide a viable diagnostic alternative; however, this observation needs further validation.

  17. Application of different feeding strategies in fed batch culture for pullulanase production using sago starch
    R S, M S M, E M S, K O NA, A A S, K K
    Carbohydr Polym, 2014 Feb 15;102:962-9.
    PMID: 24507370 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.10.031
    The production of pullulanase by Bacillus flavothermus KWF-1 in batch and fed batch culture were compared using 2L bioreactor. In batch culture, 0.0803 U/mL of pullulanase activity with specific activity of 0.0213 U/mg was produced by controlling the agitation speed and temperature at 200 rpm and 50 °C, respectively. Fed batch production was studied by feeding the culture with different sago starch concentrations in various feeding modes for enhanced pullulanase production. Exponential feeding mode at dilution rate of 0.01/h was the preeminent strategy for enhanced pullulanase production of 0.1710 U/mL with specific activity of 0.066 U/mg. It had shown an increment of pullulanase production and specific activity by 2.1 and 3.1-fold, respectively when compared to batch culture. Increment of pullulanase activity in exponential feeding mode improved hydrolyzation of sago starch into maltotriose and panose by 4.5 and 2.5-fold respectively compared to batch system.
  18. Severity of anxiety disorder and other factors associated with disease severity among COVID-19 patients in a hospital, Bali, Indonesia
    Suryana K K, Widiana RIG, Suharsono H, Pujasakti MP, Putra WWS, Yaniswari NMD
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 07;76(4):461-465.
    PMID: 34305105
    INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic has a substantial impact on human life including the tourism sector (TS). Bali as a tourism destinations and the TS as major incomes of its population is greatly impacted, causing many to be jobless among those involved in TS. This situation may give psychological impact causing anxiety disorder (AD).

    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between severe anxiety disorder and other factors with COVID-19 disease severity.

    METHODS: This was cross-sectional study during March - November 2020. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 was done by using RT-PCR from throat swabs, based on WHO's interim guidelines. AD was measured using self-reporting Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). All participants underwent, history taking, physical examinations, blood routine examination and chest radiography. Association between severe AD and other factors with COVID-19 disease severity were analyzed. Chi-square test (bivariate) and Logistic regression (multivariate) with the precision value of 95% was done and p-value less than 5% was considered significant.

    RESULTS: Positive rate of Covid-19 patients was 43% (292 / 678). Among those 292 with Covid-19, 74 (25.3%) participants had severe disease. Multivariate analysis showed severe anxiety (OR 696.11; 95%CI: 78.54 to 6169.98; p<0.001), hypertension (OR 37.02; 95%CI: 4.49 to 305.39; p=0.001) and neutrophyl lymphocyte ratio (NLR) less than 2.89 (OR 0.15; 95%CI: 0.04 to 0.62; p=0.009).

    CONCLUSION: Severe anxiety, hypertension and NLR less than 2.89 are potential independent risk factors for severe infection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

  19. An updated Asia Pacific Consensus Recommendations on colorectal cancer screening
    Sung JJ, Ng SC, Chan FK, Chiu HM, Kim HS, Matsuda T, et al.
    Gut, 2015 Jan;64(1):121-32.
    PMID: 24647008 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306503
    OBJECTIVE: Since the publication of the first Asia Pacific Consensus on Colorectal Cancer (CRC) in 2008, there are substantial advancements in the science and experience of implementing CRC screening. The Asia Pacific Working Group aimed to provide an updated set of consensus recommendations.
    DESIGN: Members from 14 Asian regions gathered to seek consensus using other national and international guidelines, and recent relevant literature published from 2008 to 2013. A modified Delphi process was adopted to develop the statements.
    RESULTS: Age range for CRC screening is defined as 50-75 years. Advancing age, male, family history of CRC, smoking and obesity are confirmed risk factors for CRC and advanced neoplasia. A risk-stratified scoring system is recommended for selecting high-risk patients for colonoscopy. Quantitative faecal immunochemical test (FIT) instead of guaiac-based faecal occult blood test (gFOBT) is preferred for average-risk subjects. Ancillary methods in colonoscopy, with the exception of chromoendoscopy, have not proven to be superior to high-definition white light endoscopy in identifying adenoma. Quality of colonoscopy should be upheld and quality assurance programme should be in place to audit every aspects of CRC screening. Serrated adenoma is recognised as a risk for interval cancer. There is no consensus on the recruitment of trained endoscopy nurses for CRC screening.
    CONCLUSIONS: Based on recent data on CRC screening, an updated list of recommendations on CRC screening is prepared. These consensus statements will further enhance the implementation of CRC screening in the Asia Pacific region.
  20. Fulltext Community-based cardiovascular Risk Factors Intervention Strategies (CORFIS) in managing hypertension: A pragmatic non-randomised controlled trial
    Low WHH, Seet W, Ramli AS, Ng KK, Jamaiyah H, Dan SP, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2013 Apr;68(2):129-35.
    PMID: 23629558 MyJurnal
    BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the number one cardiovascular risk factor in Malaysia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Community-Based Cardiovascular Risk Factors Intervention Strategies (CORFIS) in the management of hypertension in primary care.
    METHODS: This is a pragmatic, non-randomized controlled trial. Seventy general practitioners (GPs) were selected to provide either CORFIS (44 GPs) or conventional care (26 GPs) for 6 months. A total of 486 hypertensive patients were recruited; 309 were in the intervention and 177 in the control groups. Primary outcome was the proportion of hypertensive patients who achieved target blood pressure (BP) of <140/90mmHg (for those without diabetes mellitus) and <130/80mmHg (with diabetes mellitus). Secondary outcomes include change in the mean/median BP at 6-month as compared to baseline.
    RESULTS: The proportion of hypertensive patients who achieved target BP at 6-month was significantly higher in the CORFIS arm (69.6%) as compared to the control arm (57.6%), P=0.008. Amongst those who had uncontrolled BP at baseline, the proportion who achieved target BP at 6-month was also significantly higher in the CORFIS arm (56.6%) as compared to the control arm (34.1%), p<0.001. There was no difference in the patients who had already achieved BP control at baseline. There were significant reductions in SBP in the CORFIS arm (median -9.0mmHg; -60 to 50) versus control (median -2mmHg; -50 to 48), p=0.003; as well as in DBP (CORFIS arm: median -6.0mmHg; ranged from -53 to 30 versus control arm: median 0.0mmHg; ranged from -42 to 30), p<0.001.
    CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received CORFIS care demonstrated significant improvements in achieving target BP.
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links