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  1. Fulltext Antimicrobial resistance among pilgrims: a retrospective study from two hospitals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
    Haseeb A, Faidah HS, Bakhsh AR, Malki WH, Elrggal ME, Saleem F, et al.
    Int J Infect Dis, 2016 Jun;47:92-4.
    PMID: 27312582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.06.006
    OBJECTIVE: To identify commonly reported community-acquired organisms and antimicrobial resistance patterns exhibited by Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens among pilgrims visiting emergency care departments in Makkah.
    METHOD: The study was designed as a retrospective audit of all patients (pilgrims) admitted to two hospitals and residing in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
    RESULTS: Among 374 isolates, Gram-negative pathogens accounted for 280 (75%), while the remaining 94 (25%) were Gram-positive organisms. Among all isolated pathogens, the highest resistance was observed for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Klebsiella pneumoniae had the highest resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and ampicillin. Most of the organisms were sensitive to tobramycin except Acinetobacter baumannii (n=3, 50%), Escherichia coli (n=4, 57%), and K. pneumoniae (n=6, 46%).
    CONCLUSION: Overall, a high resistance was observed for beta-lactam antibiotics. In addition, a high resistance was noted for ceftazidime with A. baumannii species (n=16, 77%). However, for quinolones, the highest resistance to ciprofloxacin was observed for E. coli, A. baumannii, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and K. pneumoniae.
    KEYWORDS: Antimicrobial resistance; Community-acquired organisms; Makkah; Pilgrims
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  2. Fulltext A two-year review on epidemiology and clinical characteristics of dengue deaths in Malaysia, 2013-2014
    Woon YL, Hor CP, Hussin N, Zakaria A, Goh PP, Cheah WK
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2016 05;10(5):e0004575.
    PMID: 27203726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004575
    BACKGROUND: Dengue infection is the fastest spreading mosquito-borne viral disease, which affects people living in the tropical and subtropical countries. Malaysia had large dengue outbreaks in recent years. We aimed to study the demographics and clinical characteristics associated with dengue deaths in Malaysia.

    METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review on all dengue deaths that occurred nationwide between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2014. Relevant data were extracted from mortality review reports and investigational forms. These cases were categorized into children (<15 years), adults (15-59 years) and elderly (≥60 years) to compare their clinical characteristics.

    RESULTS: A total of 322 dengue deaths were reviewed. Their mean age was 40.7±19.30 years, half were females and 72.5% were adults. The median durations of first medical contact, and hospitalization were 1 and 3 days, respectively. Diabetes and hypertension were common co-morbidities among adults and elderly. The most common warning signs reported were lethargy and vomiting, with lethargy (p = 0.038) being more common in children, while abdominal pain was observed more often in the adults (p = 0.040). But 22.4% did not have any warning signs. Only 34% were suspected of dengue illness at their initial presentation. More adults developed severe plasma leakage (p = 0.018). More than half (54%) suffered from multi-organ involvement, and 20.2% were free from any organ involvement. Dengue deaths occurred at the median of 3 days post-admission. Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) contributed to more than 70% of dengue deaths, followed by severe organ involvement (69%) and severe bleeding (29.7%).

    CONCLUSION: In Malaysia, dengue deaths occurred primarily in adult patients. DSS was the leading cause of death, regardless of age groups. The atypical presentation and dynamic progression of severe dengue in this cohort prompts early recognition and aggressive intervention to prevent deaths.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION: National Medical Research Registry (NMRR, NMRR-14-1374-23352).
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  3. Fulltext Hypertension in Malaysia: An analysis of trends from the national surveys 1996 to 2011
    Naing C, Yeoh PN, Wai VN, Win NN, Kuan LP, Aung K
    Medicine (Baltimore), 2016 Jan;95(2):e2417.
    PMID: 26765422 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002417
    This study aimed to determine trends in prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension in Malaysia and to assess the relationship between socioeconomic determinants and prevalence of hypertension in Malaysia.The distribution of hypertension in Malaysia was assessed based on available data in 3 National Health and Morbidity Surveys (NHMSs) and 1 large scale non-NHMS during the period of 1996 to 2011. Summary statistics was used to characterize the included surveys. Differences in prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension between any 2 surveys were expressed as ratios. To assess the independent associations between the predictors and the outcome variables, regression analyses were employed with prevalence of hypertension as an outcome variable.Overall, there was a rising trend in the prevalence of hypertension in adults ≥30 years: 32.9% (30%-35.8%) in 1996, 42.6% (37.5%-43.5%) in 2006, and 43.5% (40.4%-46.6%) in 2011. There were significant increase of 32% from 1996 to 2011 (P 
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  4. Deep Infections after Endoprosthetic Replacement Operations in Orthopedic Oncology Patients
    Dhanoa A, Ajit Singh V, Elbahri H
    Surg Infect (Larchmt), 2015 Jun;16(3):323-32.
    PMID: 26046246 DOI: 10.1089/sur.2014.049
    Numerous studies have described various complications after endoprosthetic reconstructive operations. However, there are limited reports that focus specifically on deep infections (e.g., deep incisional surgical site infections), which remain one of the most dreaded complications of these operations, with rates ranging from 10% to 17%. Thus, this study was undertaken to determine the deep infection rates and to analyze possible risk factors, clinico-pathologic characteristics, and treatment modalities of endoprosthetic infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  5. Fulltext Effectiveness and safety of a 10mg warfarin initiation nomogram in Asian population
    Chandriah H, Kumolosasi E, Islahudin F, Makmor-Bakry M
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2015 May;28(3):927-32.
    PMID: 26004726
    Anticoagulant responses to warfarin vary among patients, based on genetic factors, diet, concomitant medications, and disease state. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of a 10mg warfarin initiation nomogram in an Asian population. Retrospective cross-sectional audit studies were conducted from March 2009 to March 2010. The use of a 10mg-loading dose to initiate warfarin treatment resulted in 33(84.6%) patients attaining a therapeutic INR within four days (mean time, 2.6 days). There was no significant correlation between age, gender, race, and serum albumin for the time to reach a therapeutic INR. A significant correlation was noted for patient's baseline INR and time to reach a therapeutic INR (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in time to reach a therapeutic INR in patients treated with specific class of concomitant drugs or patients with specific disease states. The overall incidence of over-anticoagulation was 35.9%; however, no bleeding episodes were encountered. In conclusion, the use of a 10mg warfarin nomogram was effective in rapidly achieving a therapeutic INR. However, the nomogram's safety is debatable owing to the high over-anticoagulation rate warfarin-administered patients. Caution is recommended in the initiation of warfarin treatment using the 10mg nomogram.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  6. Fulltext Validation of the Framingham general cardiovascular risk score in a multiethnic Asian population: a retrospective cohort study
    Chia YC, Gray SY, Ching SM, Lim HM, Chinna K
    BMJ Open, 2015;5(5):e007324.
    PMID: 25991451 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007324
    OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the validity of the Framingham general cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk chart in a primary care setting.
    DESIGN: This is a 10-year retrospective cohort study.
    SETTING: A primary care clinic in a teaching hospital in Malaysia.
    PARTICIPANTS: 967 patients' records were randomly selected from patients who were attending follow-up in the clinic.
    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline demographic data, history of diabetes and smoking, blood pressure (BP), and serum lipids were captured from patient records in 1998. Each patient's Framingham CVD score was computed from these parameters. All atherosclerotic CVD events occurring between 1998 and 2007 were counted.
    RESULTS: In 1998, mean age was 57 years with 33.8% men, 6.1% smokers, 43.3% diabetics and 59.7% hypertensive. Median BP was 140/80 mm Hg and total cholesterol 6.0 mmol/L (1.3). The predicted median Framingham general CVD risk score for the study population was 21.5% (IQR 1.2-30.0) while the actual CVD events that occurred in the 10 years was 13.1% (127/967). The median CVD points for men was 30.0, giving them a CVD risk of more than 30%; for women it is 18.5, a CVD risk of 21.5%. Our study found that the Framingham general CVD risk score to have moderate discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.63 [c-statistic or c-index]. It also discriminates well for Malay (AUC 0.65, p=0.01), Chinese (AUC 0.60, p=0.03), and Indians (AUC 0.65, p=0.001). There was good calibration with Hosmer-Lemeshow test χ(2)=3.25, p=0.78.
    CONCLUSIONS: Taking into account that this cohort of patients were already on treatment, the Framingham General CVD Risk Prediction Score predicts fairly accurately for men and overestimates somewhat for women. In the absence of local risk prediction charts, the Framingham general CVD risk prediction chart is a reasonable alternative for use in a multiethnic group in a primary care setting.
    Study site: Primary care clinic,University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  7. Fulltext Tuberculosis in Malaysia: predictors of treatment outcomes in a national registry
    Liew SM, Khoo EM, Ho BK, Lee YK, Mimi O, Fazlina MY, et al.
    Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 2015 Jul;19(7):764-71.
    PMID: 26056099 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.14.0767
    OBJECTIVES: To determine treatment outcomes and associated predictors of all patients registered in 2012 with the Malaysian National Tuberculosis (TB) Surveillance Registry.
    METHODS: Sociodemographic and clinical data were analysed. Unfavourable outcomes included treatment failure, transferred out and lost to follow-up, treatment defaulters, those not evaluated and all-cause mortality.
    RESULTS: In total, 21 582 patients were registered. The mean age was 42.36 ± 17.77 years, and 14.2% were non-Malaysians. The majority were new cases (93.6%). One fifth (21.5%) had unfavourable outcomes; of these, 46% died, 49% transferred out or defaulted and 1% failed treatment. Predictors of unfavourable outcomes were older age, male sex, foreign citizenship, lower education, no bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination scar, treatment in tertiary settings, smoking, previous anti-tuberculosis treatment, human immunodeficiency virus infection, not receiving directly observed treatment, advanced chest radiography findings, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extra-pulmonary TB. For all-cause mortality, predictors were similar except for rural dwelling and nationality (higher mortality among locals). Absence of BCG scar, previous treatment for TB and MDR-TB were not found to be predictors of all-cause mortality. Indigenous populations in East Malaysia had lower rates of unfavourable treatment outcomes.
    CONCLUSIONS: One fifth of TB patients had unfavourable outcomes. Intervention strategies should target those at increased risk of unfavourable outcomes and all-cause mortality.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  8. Epidemiology of adenovirus respiratory infections among hospitalized children in Seremban, Malaysia
    Foong Ng K, Kee Tan K, Hong Ng B, Nair P, Ying Gan W
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2015 Jul;109(7):433-9.
    PMID: 26038572 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trv042
    There is scarcity of data regarding epidemiology and clinical aspects of human adenovirus acute respiratory infection (ARI) among children in developing countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  9. High tibial osteotomy in combination with chondrogenesis after stem cell therapy: a histologic report of 8 cases
    Saw KY, Anz A, Jee CS, Ng RC, Mohtarrudin N, Ragavanaidu K
    Arthroscopy, 2015 Oct;31(10):1909-20.
    PMID: 26008951 DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2015.03.038
    PURPOSE: To histologically evaluate the quality of articular cartilage regeneration from the medial compartment after arthroscopic subchondral drilling followed by postoperative intra-articular injections of autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) and hyaluronic acid with concomitant medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in patients with varus deformity of the knee joint.
    METHODS: Eight patients with varus deformity of the knee joint underwent arthroscopic subchondral drilling of International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade 4 bone-on-bone lesions of the medial compartment with concomitant HTO. These patients were part of a larger pilot study in which 18 patients underwent the same procedure. PBSCs were harvested and cryopreserved preoperatively. At 1 week after surgery, 8 mL of PBSCs was mixed with 2 mL of hyaluronic acid and injected intra-articularly into the knee joint; this was repeated once a week for 5 consecutive weeks. Three additional intra-articular injections were administered weekly at intervals of 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. Informed consent was obtained at the time of hardware removal for opportunistic second-look arthroscopy and chondral biopsy. Biopsy specimens were stained with H&E, safranin O, and immunohistochemical staining for type I and II collagen. Specimens were graded using the 14 components of the ICRS Visual Assessment Scale II, and a total score was obtained.
    RESULTS: Second-look arthroscopy showed satisfactory healing of the regenerated cartilage. Histologic analysis showed significant amounts of proteoglycan and type II collagen. The total ICRS Visual Assessment Scale II histologic scores comparing the regenerated articular cartilage (mean, 1,274) with normal articular cartilage (mean, 1,340) indicated that the repair cartilage score approached 95% of the normal articular cartilage score. There were no infections, delayed unions, or nonunions.
    CONCLUSIONS: Chondrogenesis with stem cells in combination with medial open-wedge HTO for varus deformity correction of the knee joint regenerates cartilage that closely resembles the native articular cartilage.
    LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  10. HBV and HIV co-infection: Prevalence and clinical outcomes in tertiary care hospital Malaysia
    Akhtar A, Khan AH, Sulaiman SA, Soo CT, Khan K
    J Med Virol, 2016 Mar;88(3):455-60.
    PMID: 26255632 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24347
    According to WHO, Malaysia has been classified as a concentrated epidemic country due to progression of HIV infection in the population of injecting drug users. The main objectives of current study are to determine the prevalence of HBV among HIV-positive individuals in a tertiary care hospital of Malaysia and to assess the predictors involved in the outcomes of HIV-HBV co-infected patients. A retrospective, cross-sectional study is conducted at Hospital Palau Pinang, Malaysia. The collection of socio-demographic data as well as clinical data is done with the help of data collection form. Data were analyzed after putting the collected values of required data by using statistical software SPSS version 20.0 and P > 0.05 is considered as significant. Results show that the overall prevalence of HBV was 86 (13%) including 495 (74.5%) males and 169 (25.5%) females among a total of 664 HIV-infected patients. It was observed that there is a high prevalence of HIV-HBV co-infection in males 76 (11.4%) as compared to females 10 (1.5%) (P = 0.002). The median age of the study population was 39 years. The statistical significant risk factors involved in the outcomes of HIV-HBV co-infected patients were observed in the variables of gender, age groups, and injecting drug users. The findings of the present study shows that the prevalence of HBV infection among HIV-positive patients was 13% and the risk factors involved in the outcomes of HIV-HBV co-infected patients were gender, age, and intravenous drug users.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  11. The accuracy and safety of fluoroscopically guided percutaneous pedicle screws in the lumbosacral junction and the lumbar spine: a review of 880 screws
    Chiu CK, Kwan MK, Chan CY, Schaefer C, Hansen-Algenstaedt N
    Bone Joint J, 2015 Aug;97-B(8):1111-7.
    PMID: 26224830 DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.97B8.35330
    We undertook a retrospective study investigating the accuracy and safety of percutaneous pedicle screws placed under fluoroscopic guidance in the lumbosacral junction and lumbar spine. The CT scans of patients were chosen from two centres: European patients from University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, and Asian patients from the University of Malaya, Malaysia. Screw perforations were classified into grades 0, 1, 2 and 3. A total of 880 percutaneous pedicle screws from 203 patients were analysed: 614 screws from 144 European patients and 266 screws from 59 Asian patients. The mean age of the patients was 58.8 years (16 to 91) and there were 103 men and 100 women. The total rate of perforation was 9.9% (87 screws) with 7.4% grade 1, 2.0% grade 2 and 0.5% grade 3 perforations. The rate of perforation in Europeans was 10.4% and in Asians was 8.6%, with no significant difference between the two (p = 0.42). The rate of perforation was the highest in S1 (19.4%) followed by L5 (14.9%). The accuracy and safety of percutaneous pedicle screw placement are comparable to those cited in the literature for the open method of pedicle screw placement. Greater caution must be taken during the insertion of L5 and S1 percutaneous pedicle screws owing to their more angulated pedicles, the anatomical variations in their vertebral bodies and the morphology of the spinal canal at this location.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  12. Clinical and Imaging Features of Lacrimal Gland Involvement in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
    Tan LT, Davagnanam I, Isa H, Rose GE, Verity DH, Pusey CD, et al.
    Ophthalmology, 2015 Oct;122(10):2125-9.
    PMID: 26233627 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.06.026
    Lacrimal gland involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) commonly accompanies orbital disease, but occasionally may be the sole presentation preceding any other organ manifestation or systemic disease. Diagnosis of orbital GPA, especially in patients with lacrimal involvement as the initial presentation, can be difficult because of nonspecific clinical features and lack of diagnostic specificity on histologic and antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) testing. Orbital GPA can be associated with a high morbidity from potential visual loss or rapid progression of latent systemic disease, making early diagnosis important. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and imaging features of patients with lacrimal gland involvement secondary to GPA and to compare them with those of other orbital inflammatory conditions in the lacrimal gland fossa.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  13. Fulltext Opportunistic mammography screening provides effective detection rates in a limited resource healthcare system
    Teh YC, Tan GH, Taib NA, Rahmat K, Westerhout CJ, Fadzli F, et al.
    BMC Cancer, 2015;15:405.
    PMID: 25972043 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1419-2
    Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women world-wide. In low and middle income countries, where there are no population-based mammographic screening programmes, late presentation is common, and because of inadequate access to optimal treatment, survival rates are poor. Mammographic screening is well-studied in high-income countries in western populations, and because it has been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality, it has become part of the healthcare systems in such countries. However the performance of mammographic screening in a developing country is largely unknown. This study aims to evaluate the performance of mammographic screening in Malaysia, a middle income country, and to compare the stage and surgical treatment of screen-detected and symptomatic breast cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  14. Changes in the prevalence of influenza-like illness and influenza vaccine uptake among Hajj pilgrims: A 10-year retrospective analysis of data
    Alfelali M, Barasheed O, Tashani M, Azeem MI, El Bashir H, Memish ZA, et al.
    Vaccine, 2015 May 21;33(22):2562-9.
    PMID: 25887084 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.04.006
    Influenza is an important health hazard among Hajj pilgrims. For the last ten years, pilgrims are being recommended to take influenza vaccine before attending Hajj. Vaccination coverage has increased in recent years, but whether there has been any change in the prevalence of influenza-like illness (ILI) is not known. In this analysis, we examined the changes in the rate of ILI against seasonal influenza vaccine uptake among Hajj pilgrims over the last decade.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  15. Treatment outcome for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in a developing country: University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia from 2003-2010
    Wong YF, Yusof MM, Wan Ishak WZ, Alip A, Phua VC
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(7):2903-8.
    PMID: 25854381
    BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the eighth most common cancer as estimated from worldwide data. The incidence of HNC in Peninsular Malaysia was reported as 8.5 per 100,000 population. This study was aimed to determine the treatment outcomes for HNC patients treated in the Oncology Unit of University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: All newly diagnosed patients with squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (HNSCC) referred for treatment to the Oncology Unit at UMMC from 2003-2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment outcomes were 5-year overall survival (OS), cause specific survival (CSS), loco-regional control (LRC) and radiotherapy (RT) related side effects. Kaplan-Meier and log rank analyses were used to determine survival outcomes, stratified according to American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage.

    RESULTS: A total of 130 cases were analysed. Most cases (81.5%) were at late stage (AJCC III-IVB) at presentation. The 5-year OS for the whole study population was 34.4% with a median follow up of 24 months. The 5-year OS according to AJCC stage was 100%, 48.2%, 41.4% and 22.0% for stage I, II, III and IVA-B, respectively. The 5-year overall CSS and LCR were 45.4% and 55.4%, respectively. Late effects of RT were documented in 41.4% of patients. The most common late effect was xerostomia.

    CONCLUSIONS: The treatment outcome of HNSCC at our centre is lagging behind those of developed nations. Efforts to increase the number of patients presenting in earlier stages, increase in the use of combined modality treatment, especially concurrent chemoradiotherapy and implementation of intensity modulated radiotherapy, may lead to better outcomes for our HNC patients.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  16. Prognostic factors in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma and brain metastases: a Malaysian perspective
    Tang WH, Alip A, Saad M, Phua VC, Chandran H, Tan YH, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2015;16(5):1901-6.
    PMID: 25773842
    BACKGROUND: Brain metastases occur in about 20-40% of patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), and are usually associated with a poor outcome. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is widely used but increasingly, more aggressive local treatments such as surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) are being employed. In our study we aimed to describe the various factors affecting outcomes in NSCLC patients receiving local therapy for brain metastases.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The case records of 125 patients with NSCLC and brain metastases consecutively treated with radiotherapy at two tertiary centres from January 2006 to June 2012 were analysed for patient, tumour and treatment-related prognostic factors. Patients receiving SRS/SRT were treated using Cyberknife. Variables were examined in univariate and multivariate testing.

    RESULTS: Overall median survival was 3.4 months (95%CI: 1.7-5.1). Median survival for patients with multiple metastases receiving WBRT was 1.5 months, 1-3 metastases receiving WBRT was 3.6 months and 1-3 metastases receiving surgery or SRS/SRT was 8.9 months. ECOG score (≤2 vs >2, p=0.001), presence of seizure (yes versus no, p=0.031), treatment modality according to number of brain metastases (1-3 metastases+surgery or SRS/SRT±WBRT vs 1-3 metastases+WBRT only vs multiple metastases+WBRT only, p=0.007) and the use of post-therapy systemic treatment (yes versus no, p=0.001) emerged as significant on univariate analysis. All four factors remained statistically significant on multivariate analysis.

    CONCLUSIONS: ECOG ≤2, presence of seizures, oligometastatic disease treated with aggressive local therapy (surgery or SRS/SRT) and the use of post-therapy systemic treatment are favourable prognostic factors in NSCLC patients with brain metastases.

    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  17. Transcatheter closure of defects within the oval fossa using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder
    Latiff HA, Alwi M, Samion H, Kandhavel G
    Cardiol Young, 2002 May;12(3):224-8.
    PMID: 12365167
    This study reviewed the short-term outcome of transcatheter closure of the defects within the oval fossa using an Amplatzer Septal Occluder. From January 1997 to December 2000, 210 patients with defects within the oval fossa underwent successful transcatheter closure. We reviewed a total of 190 patients with left-to-right shunts, assessing the patients for possible complications and the presence of residual shunts using transthoracic echocardiogram at 24 h, 1 month, 3 months and one year. Their median age was 10 years, with a range from 2 to 64 years, and their median weight was 23.9 kg, with a range from 8.9 to 79 kg. In 5 patients, a patent arterial duct was closed, and in 2 pulmonary balloon valvoplasty performed, at the same sitting. The median size of the Amplatzer device used was 20 mm, with a range from 9 to 36 mm. The median times for the procedure and fluoroscopy were 95 min, with a range from 30 to 210 min, and 18.4 min, with a range from 5 to 144 min, respectively. Mean follow-up was 20.8 +/- 12.4 months. Complete occlusion was obtained in 168 of 190 (88%) patients at 24 h, 128 of 133 (96.2%) at 3 months, and 103 of 104 (99%) at one year. Complications occurred in 4 (2.1%) patients. In one, the device became detached, in the second the device embolized into the right ventricular outflow tract, the lower end of the device straddled in the third, and the final patient had significant bleeding from the site of venupuncture. There were no major complications noted on follow-up. We conclude that transcatheter closure of defects within the oval fossa using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder is safe and effective. Long-term follow-up is required, nonetheless, before it is recommended as a standard procedure.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  18. Thiopurine methyltransferase polymorphisms in a multiracial asian population and children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
    Kham SK, Tan PL, Tay AH, Heng CK, Yeoh AE, Quah TC
    J Pediatr Hematol Oncol, 2002 Jun-Jul;24(5):353-9.
    PMID: 12142782
    The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) polymorphisms in a multiracial Asian population and to assess its relevance in the management of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Six hundred unrelated cord blood samples from 200 Chinese, Malay, and Indian healthy newborns were collected at the National University Hospital, Singapore; an additional 100 children with ALL were analyzed for five of the commonly reported TPMT variant alleles using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism and allele-specific polymerase chain reaction-based assays. In the cord blood study, the TPMT*3C variant was detected in all three ethnic groups; Chinese, Malays, and Indians had allele frequencies of 3%, 2.3%, and 0.8%, respectively. The TPMT*3A variant was found only among the Indians at a low allele frequency of 0.5%. The TPMT*6 variant was found in one Malay sample. Among the children with ALL, two white and one Chinese were heterozygous for the TPMT*3A variant and showed intermediate sensitivity to 6-mercaptopurine during maintenance therapy. Three Chinese patients and one Malay patient were heterozygous for the TPMT*3C variant. Mercaptopurine sensitivity could be validated in only one out of four TPMT*3C heterozygous patients. The overall allele frequency of the TPMT variants in this multiracial population was 2.5%. The TPMT*3C was the most common variant allele; TPMT*3A and TPMT*6 were rare. These results support the feasibility of performing TPMT genotyping in all children diagnosed with acute leukemia to minimize toxicity from thiopurine chemotherapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  19. Treatment of acute Nipah encephalitis with ribavirin
    Chong HT, Kamarulzaman A, Tan CT, Goh KJ, Thayaparan T, Kunjapan SR, et al.
    Ann Neurol, 2001 Jun;49(6):810-3.
    PMID: 11409437
    Nipah virus, a newly identified paramyxovirus caused a severe outbreak of encephalitis in Malaysia with high fatalities. We report an open-label trial of ribavirin in 140 patients, with 54 patients who were managed prior to the availability of ribavirin or refused treatment as control. There were 45 deaths (32%) in the ribavirin arm; 29 deaths (54%) occurred in the control arm. This represents a 36% reduction in mortality (p = 0.011). There was no associated serious side effect. This study suggests that ribavirin is able to reduce the mortality of acute Nipah encephalitis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
  20. Fulltext Contributing factors in non-union of the humeral shaft fracture and the results of treatments
    Baba R, Razak M
    Med J Malaysia, 1998 Sep;53 Suppl A:42-51.
    PMID: 10968182
    Out of 218 fractures of humeral shaft treated in the department, 23 (10.5%) of them developed non-union. 14/23 (60.9%) fracture were located in middle third. Transverse (52.2%), short oblique (17.4%) and comminuted fracture (13.0%) constituted about 82% of all initial fracture pattern. Twelve cases (52.5%) were initially treated with hanging cast. Radial nerve palsy occurred in 4/23 (17.4%) of patient and all of them located at lower third of humerus and only one recovered after eight weeks of injury. Factors such as middle third comminuted opened fractures, soft tissue interposition, improper immobilization and poor patient compliance were found to be directly associated with the non-union. All non-unions healed following plating and bone grafting. Overall 17/23 patient (74%) had good results, 4/23 (17%) fair and 2/23 (9%) with poor functional results.
    Matched MeSH terms: Retrospective Studies
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