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  1. Bin Abdul Rashid SN, Rahim AS, Thali MJ, Flach PM
    Forensic Sci Med Pathol, 2013 Mar;9(1):82-7.
    PMID: 23404531 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-012-9395-1
    Fatal acute methamphetamine (MA) poisoning in cases of internal drug trafficking is rarely described in the literature. This case study reports an MA 'body packer' who died from fatal methamphetamine intoxication due to leaking drug packages in the alimentary tract. The deceased was examined by postmortem computed tomography (PMCT), and the results were correlated to subsequent autopsy and toxicological findings. The deceased was arrested by the police when he was found disoriented in the city of Kuala Lumpur. He was transferred to the emergency department on suspicion of drug abuse. The initial drug screening was reactive for amphetamines. Shortly after admission to the hospital, he died despite rigorous resuscitation attempts. The postmortem plain chest and abdominal radiographs revealed multiple suspicious opacities in the gastrointestinal tract attributable to body packages. An unenhanced whole body PMCT revealed twenty-five drug packages, twenty-four in the stomach and one in the transverse colon. At least two were disintegrating, and therefore leaking. The autopsy findings were consistent with the PMCT results. Toxicology confirmed the diagnosis of fatal methamphetamine intoxication.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methamphetamine/blood; Poisoning/blood; Street Drugs/blood
  2. Ismail NA, Olaide Raji H, Abd Wahab N, Mustafa N, Kamaruddin NA, Abdul Jamil M
    Iran J Med Sci, 2011 Dec;36(4):254-9.
    PMID: 23115409
    BACKGROUND: Ramadan fasting for pregnant women with diabetes remains controversial and underreported. The objective of this study was to determine the glycemic control in pregnant diabetic women on insulin who fasted during Ramadan.
    METHODS: This was a retrospective study carried out over a period of three years including pregnant diabetic women, who were on short-acting, intermediate-acting, or a combination of them, and opted to carry out Ramadan fasting. Glycemic control was assessed before, middle and after Ramadan fasting.
    RESULTS: Thirty seven women opted to fast with 24 (64.9%) of them had type 2 diabetes mellitus and 83.8% of them required combined insulin (short- acting, intermediate-acting) therapy. The age of the participants was 32.13±4.68 years, and the age of their pregnancies was 25.60±7.12 weeks when the study was performed. The median number of days fasted was 25 days, and most of the women were able to fast for more than 15 days. There was no difference between glycemic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus women prior to fasting. In the middle of Ramadan, serum fructosamine decreased in both groups. However, only serum HbA1c reduced in gestational diabetes mellitus after Ramadan.
    CONCLUSION: the findings indicate that pregnant diabetic women on insulin were able to fast during Ramadan and that their glycemic control was improved during fasting period. They may also suggest that instead of absolute ban on fasting for pregnant diabetic women more practical approach and close consultation with health care providers might be more helpful.
    KEYWORDS: Fasting; diabetes; gestational diabetes; insulin; pregnancy
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose
  3. Selvaraj FJ, Mohamed M, Omar K, Nanthan S, Kusiar Z, Subramaniam SY, et al.
    BMC Fam Pract, 2012;13:97.
    PMID: 23046818 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2296-13-97
    BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of Counselling and Advisory Care for Health (COACH) programme in managing dyslipidaemia among primary care practices in Malaysia. This open-label, parallel, randomised controlled trial compared the COACH programme delivered by primary care physicians alone (PCP arm) and primary care physicians assisted by nurse educators (PCP-NE arm).
    METHODS: This was a multi-centre, open label, randomised trial of a disease management programme (COACH) among dyslipidaemic patients in 21 Malaysia primary care practices. The participating centres enrolled 297 treatment naïve subjects who had the primary diagnosis of dyslipidaemia; 149 were randomised to the COACH programme delivered by primary care physicians assisted by nurse educators (PCP-NE) and 148 to care provided by primary care physicians (PCP) alone. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean percentage change from baseline LDL-C at week 24 between the 2 study arms. Secondary endpoints included mean percentage change from baseline of lipid profile (TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, TC: HDL ratio), Framingham Cardiovascular Health Risk Score and absolute risk change from baseline in blood pressure parameters at week 24. The study also assessed the sustainability of programme efficacy at week 36.
    RESULTS: Both study arms demonstrated improvement in LDL-C from baseline. The least squares (LS) mean change from baseline LDL-C were -30.09% and -27.54% for PCP-NE and PCP respectively. The difference in mean change between groups was 2.55% (p=0.288), with a greater change seen in the PCP-NE arm. Similar observations were made between the study groups in relation to total cholesterol change at week 24. Significant difference in percentage change from baseline of HDL-C were observed between the PCP-NE and PCP groups, 3.01%, 95% CI 0.12-5.90, p=0.041, at week 24. There was no significant difference in lipid outcomes between 2 study groups at week 36 (12 weeks after the programme had ended).
    CONCLUSION: Patients who received coaching and advice from primary care physicians (with or without the assistance by nurse educators) showed improvement in LDL-cholesterol. Disease management services delivered by PCP-NE demonstrated a trend towards add-on improvements in cholesterol control compared to care delivered by physicians alone; however, the improvements were not maintained when the services were withdrawn.
    TRIAL REGISTRATION:
    National Medical Research Registration (NMRR) Number: NMRR-08-287-1442Trial Registration Number (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier): NCT00708370.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cholesterol, HDL/blood; Cholesterol, LDL/blood*; Triglycerides/blood
  4. Chia SE, Mohamed Ali S, Yap PH, Gan L, Ong YB, Chia KS
    Neurotoxicology, 2009 Mar;30(2):214-9.
    PMID: 19135476 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2008.12.004
    Organophosphate (OP)-containing pesticides are widely used worldwide for domestic and industrial purposes. Studies on acute and chronic exposure to OPs have revealed numerous health effects attributed mainly to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. The enzyme human serum paraoxonase (PON1) is involved in the detoxification of OP compounds. PON1 polymorphisms have been shown to affect susceptibility to OP exposure. We studied the effect of OP exposure on pest control workers and assessed the distribution of two common PON1 polymorphisms in our local population. The exposed group consisted of 103 workers from various pest control companies under the Singapore Pest Management Association while the 91 unexposed workers were from a lead stabilizer factory. For all workers, the mean age was 36.9 (20-70) years and the ethnic distribution was 38.1% Chinese, 44.3% Malay and 17.5% Indian. The mean+/-S.D. exposure duration among the pesticide workers was 10.4+/-8.4 years. The mean+/-S.D. RBC cholinesterase level was 18436.2+/-2078U/L and 18079.6+/-1576U/L for the exposed and unexposed groups, respectively (p=0.216). The mean+/-S.D. serum pseudocholinesterase was 11028.4+/-2867.4U/L and 9433.6+/-2022.6U/L in the exposed and unexposed groups, respectively (p<0.0001). Mean paraoxonase activity was similar among Chinese and Malays (266.5 and 266.3U/L, respectively) whereas that of the Indians was significantly lower (165.6U/L). Our study showed that cholinesterase levels among the exposed were not lower than those in the unexposed group. PON1 polymorphisms differed among ethnic groups, implying that ethnicity could be an important surrogate for identifying susceptible groups in case of OP exposure. Although OP poisoning is rare among occupationally exposed workers in Singapore, this information is useful for other developing countries that have large populations of Chinese, Malays and Indians where OP exposure could be very high especially in agricultural settings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/blood; Organophosphates/blood; Aryldialkylphosphatase/blood
  5. Dhanoa A, Singh VA
    BMJ Case Rep, 2009;2009.
    PMID: 21686336 DOI: 10.1136/bcr.12.2008.1401
    This is a presentation of a case of mono microbial necrotising fasciitis due to the unusual organism Salmonella enteritidis. The patient presented with swelling and blistering of the right calf. There are only five other such cases reported in the literature. This was the only case that had positive blood cultures for the organism. Prompt and appropriate treatment was intuited but the patient died because of multi-organ failure.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Culture
  6. Takeuchi M, Okamoto K, Takagi T, Ishii H
    Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 2008 Sep;81(3):370-6.
    PMID: 18649967 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2008.05.013
    To investigate ethnic difference by focusing on fasting serum insulin (FSI) in inter-East Asian patients with type 2 diabetes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood*; Insulin/blood*; Lipids/blood
  7. NoorShahida A, Wong TW, Choo CY
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2009 Jul 30;124(3):586-91.
    PMID: 19439174 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.058
    The seeds of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr (Simaroubaceae) are recommended by traditional practitioners for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose/metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/blood
  8. Velaiutham S, Taib NA, Ng KL, Yoong BK, Yip CH
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2008 Jul-Sep;9(3):445-8.
    PMID: 18990019
    INTRODUCTION: CA15-3 is a well-known tumour marker for breast cancer. Currently it is not recommended for screening or diagnosis of breast cancer and its main application is in monitoring response to treatment in women with metastatic breast cancer. The aim of this study was to correlate serum CA15-3 at presentation with the stage of disease and overall survival in women with breast cancer in the University Malaya Medical Centre.

    METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 437 women who had CA15-3 levels determined at initial presentation of breast cancer to UMMC between Jan 1999 and Oct 2003.

    RESULTS: Of those patients who were adequately staged, CA15-3 was found to be elevated (defined as >51 U/ml) in 0% of Stage 1, 7.9% of Stage 2, 36.7% of Stage 3 and 68.6% of Stage 4 cases. In a subset of 331 patients with survival data, patients with normal CA15-3 had a 85% five year overall survival rate compared to 38% in their counterparts with elevation of the tumor marker. The level of elevation was also significantly related to survival; patients with values more than 200 U/ml exhibited only a 28% five year survival. The association of elevated CA15-3 at initial presentation with poor outcome was maintained over univariate and multivariate analyses.

    CONCLUSION: Estimation of CA15-3 at presentation of breast cancer is important as it is an independent prognostic indicator and may prompt the physician to investigate for metastases if elevated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/blood; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood*; Mucin-1/blood
  9. Shafarin MS, Zamri-Saad M, Khairani BS, Saharee AA
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 2008 Jun;40(5):335-40.
    PMID: 18509941
    This report describes the proliferation and transmission patterns of Pasteurella multocida B:2 among stressful goats, created through dexamethasone injections. Thirty seven clinically healthy adult goats were divided into three groups consisted of 15 goats in group A, 11 goats in group B and the remaining 11 in group C. At the start of the study, all goats of group A were exposed intranasally to 1.97 x 10(10) CFU/ml of live P multocida B:2. Dexamethasone was immediately administered intramuscularly for 3 consecutive days at a dosage rate of 1 mg/kg. The exposed goats were observed for signs of HS for a period of 1 month. At the end of the 1-month period, 11 goats from group B were introduced into and commingled with the surviving goats of group A before all goats from both groups were immediately injected intramuscularly with dexamethasone for 3 consecutive days. The treatment with dexamethasone was then carried out at monthly interval throughout the 3-month study period. Goats of group C were kept separately as negative control. Three surviving goats from each group were killed at 2-week interval for a complete post-mortem examination. Two (13%) goats of group A were killed within 24 hours after intranasal exposure to P multocida B:2 while another two (13%) goats from the same group were killed on day 40, approximately 10 days after the second dexamethasone injection. All four goats showed signs and lesions typical of haemorrhagic septicaemia. Bacteraemia was detected in 3 goats of group A that were having rectal temperature higher than 41degrees C. The P. multocida B:2 isolation pattern was closely associated with dexamethasone injections when significantly (p < 0.05) higher rate of isolations from both groups were observed after each dexamethasone injection. Transmission of P multocida B:2 from goats of group A to group B was successful when P multocida B:2 was isolated from goats of group B for a period of 28 days. There was a strong correlation between dexamethasone injections, rate of bacterial isolation and serum cortisol level. The IgG level showed an increasing trend 2 weeks after exposure to P multocida B:2 and remained high throughout the study period.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Bacterial/blood; Hemorrhagic Septicemia/blood; Hydrocortisone/blood
  10. Radhakrishnan AK, Lee AL, Wong PF, Kaur J, Aung H, Nesaretnam K
    Br J Nutr, 2009 Mar;101(6):810-5.
    PMID: 18702848 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114508039998
    Vitamin E is divided into two subgroups; tocopherols and tocotrienols. Both have protective roles in biological systems. The present study was conducted to compare the effect of short-term supplementation at 200 mg/d of either alpha-tocopherol or a tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) from palm oil on immune modulation and plasma vitamin E levels in normal healthy Asian volunteers. In a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial conducted, fifty-three healthy volunteers aged 20-50 years were recruited based on the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned into three groups, i.e. two experimental groups that received daily supplementation at 200 mg of either alpha-tocopherol or the TRF, and the control group that received a placebo. Blood was drawn on days 0, 28 and 56 for several laboratory analyses. Differences in the production of IL-4 or interferon-gamma by concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes isolated from these volunteers were not significant (P>0.05). There were no significant differences observed in immune parameters between the healthy volunteers who received daily supplementation with either alpha-tocopherol or the TRF. As these observations were made in the absence of any immunogenic challenge, we feel it would be of benefit to study if there would be any differences observed when an immunogenic challenge such as vaccination were introduced.
    Matched MeSH terms: Vitamin E/blood; alpha-Tocopherol/blood; Tocotrienols/blood
  11. Sharhar S, Normah H, Fatimah A, Fadilah RN, Rohi GA, Amin I, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2008 Apr-Jun;9(2):343-49.
    PMID: 18712988
    A case control study was carried out to investigate associations between breast cancer risk, antioxidant status and oxidative stress among women in Klang Valley and Selangor. A total of 57 newly diagnosed cases aged 30 to 66 years old participated and were matched for age and ethnicity with 139 controls with no diagnosis of cancer or other chronic diseases. An interview based questionnaire designed to collect information on demographic and socioeconomic status, as well as reproductive, medical and dietary history was used. Anthropometric measurements including weight, height, waist and hip circumference were made and a 10 ml fasting venous blood sample was taken for glucose testing and analysis of plasma vitamin antioxidants and malondialdehyde. Hair and toenail samples were taken for selenium analysis. Results showed that the mean intake of vitamin A, vitamin E and selenium among cases (606.8 +/- 334.8 microg/d, 6.1 +/- 2.4 g/d, 56.9 +/- 16.2 microg/d) was lower than controls (724.7 +/- 414 microg/day, 6.9 +/- 3.0 g/d, 60.8 +/- 17.5 microg/d, respectively) (p<0.05 for all parameters). A similar trend was noted for plasma vitamin A and E and also selenium in hair and toenails. Poor antioxidant status as indicated by low plasma vitamin A (<284.3 microg/l or <366.3 microg/l) increased risk of breast cancer by approximately two fold, whilst low plasma vitamin E (<2.5 mg/dl, <2.8 mg/dl and <3.1 mg/dl) increased the risk by two to three fold [Adjusted OR 2.97 (95% CI 1.38-3.48), 2.32 (95% CI 1.07-2.41) and 2.12 (95% CI 1.00-4.21)]. Cases had a greater level of malondialdehyde 4.4 +/- 1.1 mmol/g protein), an indicator of oxidative stress, as compared to controls (3.2 +/- 1.7 mmol/g protein) (p<0.05). A high level of MDA (> or = 4.8 mmol/g protein) was associated with breast cancer [Adjusted OR 6.82 (95% CI 1.95-23.9)]. It is concluded that a poor antioxidant status and high oxidative stress are associated with breast cancer risk. Thus, it is essential for Malaysian women to obtain a good antioxidant status by consuming a diet rich in vitamins A and E as well as selenium and adopt healthy behaviour to reduce oxidative stress in order to prevent breast cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/blood; Vitamin A/blood; Vitamin E/blood
  12. Siar CH, Oo VP, Nagatsuka H, Nakano K, Ng KH, Kawakami T
    Eur J Med Res, 2009 Jul 22;14(7):315-9.
    PMID: 19661015
    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Dysplasia, the morphological yardstick of epithelial precursor lesions, is the collective term for a variety of architectural and cytological changes within the altered oral epithelium. Angiogenic squamous dysplasia (ASD), a distinct morphological characteristic in pre-invasive bronchial lesions, describes the presence of capillary tufts that are closely juxtaposed to and projecting into the dysplastic bronchial epithelium.

    OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ASD-like phenomenon occurs in oral epithelial precursor lesions, and to speculate on its relevance.

    METHODS: Twenty cases each of mild, moderate and severe oral dysplasia (inclusive of carcinoma-in-situ), and 10 normal oral mucosa (normal controls) were serial sectioned for H and E staining, and for microvessel density (MVD) scoring with CD31, CD34 and CD105. Microcapillary pattern images were digitally captured for 3-D reconstruction.

    RESULTS: Oral ASD foci consisting of CD31- and CD34-positive capillary loops abutting onto the overlying dysplastic oral epithelium (and causing it to assume an irregular or papillary surface configuration) were identified in moderate (3/20; 15%) and severe dysplasia (13/20; 65%), but not in normal oral mucosa and mild dysplasia. MVD score demonstrated increasing vascularity as epithelium progressed from normal to severe dysplasia (p<0.05). CD105 demonstrated increase neovascularization in all dysplasia grades (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings taken together suggest that: 1. ASD-like phenomenon may be an important intermediary biomarker in oral precursor lesions; and 2. architectural alterations of the entire disturbed mucosa may be a more useful pre-malignancy index.

    Matched MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/blood supply*; Mouth Mucosa/blood supply*; Precancerous Conditions/blood supply*
  13. Adam Y, Somchit MN, Sulaiman MR, Nasaruddin AA, Zuraini A, Bustamam AA, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2009 Jul 6;124(1):154-8.
    PMID: 19375494 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.04.014
    Orthosiphon stamineus has been used in traditional medicine for centuries especially to treat diseases of the urinary system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Creatinine/blood
  14. Kasiman K, Eikelboom JW, Hankey GJ, Lee SP, Lim JP, Lee JH, et al.
    Stroke, 2009 Jun;40(6):2209-11.
    PMID: 19372453 DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.535237
    Increased total homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for stroke. This study examines whether the efficacy of B-vitamins in reducing tHcy is modified by ethnicity in a Singaporean ischemic stroke population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Folic Acid/blood; Homocysteine/blood*; Stroke/blood*
  15. Omar SZ, Qvist R, Khaing SL, Muniandy S, Bhalla S
    J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2008 Apr;34(2):174-8.
    PMID: 18412778 DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2008.00755.x
    The aim of the present study was to determine the existence or prevalence of thrombophilic markers such as Factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, protein S, protein C, activated protein C and anti-thrombin in pre-eclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertensive patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pre-Eclampsia/blood; Thrombophilia/blood; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced/blood
  16. Mahalingam D, Radhakrishnan AK, Amom Z, Ibrahim N, Nesaretnam K
    Eur J Clin Nutr, 2011 Jan;65(1):63-9.
    PMID: 20859299 DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.184
    Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that has been shown to induce favorable effects on animal and human immune systems. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) supplementation on immune response following tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine challenge in healthy female volunteers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Bacterial/blood; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Tocotrienols/blood
  17. Roohinejad S, Omidizadeh A, Mirhosseini H, Saari N, Mustafa S, Yusof RM, et al.
    J Sci Food Agric, 2010 Jan 30;90(2):245-51.
    PMID: 20355038 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.3803
    Brown rice is unpolished rice with immeasurable benefits for human health. Brown rice (BR) and pre-germinated brown rice (PGBR) are known to contain various functional compounds such as gamma-oryzanol, dietary fibre and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In the present study, the experimental diets containing BR and PGBR (24, 48 h pre-germination) were used to investigate the influence of pre-germination time of brown rice on blood cholesterol in Sprague-Dawley male rats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cholesterol/blood*; Lipids/blood; Cholesterol, LDL/blood
  18. Banabilh SM, Samsudin AR, Suzina AH, Dinsuhaimi S
    Angle Orthod, 2010 Jan;80(1):37-42.
    PMID: 19852637 DOI: 10.2319/011509-26.1
    To test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in facial profile shape, malocclusion class, or palatal morphology in Malay adults with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure/physiology; Oxygen/blood
  19. Gao H, Salim A, Lee J, Tai ES, van Dam RM
    Int J Obes (Lond), 2012 Aug;36(8):1086-93.
    PMID: 21946705 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2011.185
    Diabetes in Asia constitutes approximately half of the global burden. Although insulin resistance and incidence of type 2 diabetes differ substantially between ethnic groups within Asia, the reasons for these differences are poorly understood. We evaluated to what extent body fatness, adiponectin levels and inflammation mediate the relationship between ethnicity and insulin resistance in an Asian setting.
    Matched MeSH terms: Inflammation/blood; Obesity/blood; Adiponectin/blood*
  20. Collaris R, Sidhu K, Chan JM
    Menopause, 2010 Mar;17(2):351-8.
    PMID: 19890223 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3181bcd6f8
    Surgical menopause, in comparison with natural menopause, has traditionally been claimed to lead to faster onset of more severe menopausal symptoms. There is little prospective research to support this view. We aimed to evaluate the speed of onset and magnitude of climacteric symptoms after oophorectomy and whether they relate to serum hormone changes. This would aide in counseling women before surgery.
    Matched MeSH terms: Estradiol/blood*; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood*; Luteinizing Hormone/blood*
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