Migraine is associated with a variety of personality traits. The objective of this study was to reevaluate the personality traits using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) in migraine patients diagnosed by applying the new International Classification of Headache Disorders-2 criteria.
Dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever currently rank highly among the newly-emerging infectious diseases, and are considered to be the most important arboviral disease worldwide. The definitive diagnosis is culture analysis, but practical considerations limit its use. Also, the period for viral detection is limited. Within a day or two after fever subsides, rising levels of antibodies interfere with viral cultures. An alternative to this quandary is the use of viral RNA detection assays. In our laboratory, a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed using a set of degenerate primers.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the second most common cancer among Malaysian Chinese males. We determined the frequencies of 17 human leukocyte antigens (HLA), HLA-A and HLA-B, alleles in 88 Malaysian Chinese with NPC.
INTRODUCTION: Migraine is a common disabling condition that results in considerable socioeconomic loss. The role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in acute migraine has been well-established. We compared the efficacy of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib with the NSAID, naproxen sodium, in the treatment of acute migraine.
METHODS: This was a randomised, open label, controlled trial. We selected patients with a diagnosis of migraine, based on the International Headache Society revised criteria. 60 patients were randomised to either celecoxib 400 mg (30 patients) or naproxen sodium 550 mg (30 patients). Patients took the study medicine for the first acute migraine episode that occurred during the study period and reported the headache reduction based on a visual analogue score (VAS). Patients were reviewed after a month to check on VAS at one and two hours, compared to the baseline. Any side effects of the medication were also recorded.
RESULTS: Of the 52 patients who completed the study, eight did not experience any headaches. The mean VAS in the celecoxib group improved significantly from baseline (6.48 +/- 1.53) to one hour (4.28 +/- 2.11) and two hours (2.24 +/- 2.57) (p-value is less than 0.0005). The mean VAS in the naproxen sodium group also improved significantly from baseline (7.30 +/- 1.66) to one hour (4.81 +/- 2.50) and two hours (2.63 +/- 2.65) (p-value is less than 0.0005). However, there was no significant difference between the magnitudes of improvement between the treatment groups. The incidence of gastric pain was significantly higher in the naproxen sodium group (p-value is equal to 0.029).
CONCLUSION: In comparison with naproxen sodium, celecoxib was equally effective in relieving pain in acute migraine and caused significantly less gastric pain.
Study site: neurology outpatient clinic in Pusat Perubatan
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)
Non-O1 vibrio cholerae infections are associated with sporadic cases of gastroenteritis and extraintestinal infections. Septicaemia due to non-O1 vibrio cholerae is rare and are mainly reported in adults, particularly in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of non-O1 vibrio cholerae septicaemia and gastroenteritis in an 8-year-old child. The patient presented with bloody diarrhoea, fever and severe dehydration. Non-O1 vibrio cholerae were isolated from blood and stool cultures. The clinical course was uneventful after starting appropriate rehydration and supportive therapy.
Two hundred and eleven blood transfusions were administered to 26 multi-transfused thalassemic children (aged 9 months-13 years) over a 6-month period. Eighteen children were receiving buffy coat-poor packed red cells (PRC) prepared by centrifuge while 8 children received filtered blood through a leucocyte-filter (Sepacell R-500A). Transfusion reactions occurred in 8.5% (n = 18) of transfusions and in 42.3% (n = 11) of patients. 11.9% (n = 16) and 2.6% (n = 2) of reactions occurred in 50% (n = 9) and 25% (n = 2) of patients receiving buffy coat-poor PRC and filtered blood respectively. Transfusion reactions in toto were significantly reduced in the group receiving filtered blood (p < 0.05). However, febrile reaction alone was not significantly reduced (p > 0.1). The median onset and duration of reaction were 2 hours (range 10 minutes-18 hours) and 4 hours (range 1/2-24 hours) respectively. 72.2% (n = 13) of the reactions occurred occurred during transfusion. 88.8% (n = 16) of the reactions caused only one symptom. 19.2% (n = 5) of all patients had recurrent reactions, all of them receiving buffy coat-poor PRC. The commonest clinical manifestation was fever (n = 7), followed by urticaria (n = 5) and petechial rash (n = 2). The outcome was good, with no patient experiencing symptoms exceeding 24 hours. Only 0.9% (n = 2) of the transfusions were discontinued.
Noninvasive oximetry provides continuous monitoring of arterial oxygen saturation and hence, early detection of hypoxia. This has proved to be a useful adjunct to patients' safety, and is considered indispensable in certain settings. However, errors may be present in the pulse oximeter estimation (SpO2) of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), which may be due to various parameters. We have studied a multi-ethnic population where the skin pigmentation is different, and also under different conditions comparing SpO2 with SaO2. Our results showed that SpO2 estimation of SaO2 amongst the three racial groups (Chinese, Malays, and Indians) varied significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.05). The over-estimation was more pronounced by hypoxic conditions and jaundice. Haemoglobin and systolic blood pressure did not affect the difference between SpO2 and SaO2.
Mitochondrial dysfunctions have been described in Down syndrome (DS) caused by either partial or full trisomy of chromosome 21 (HSA21). Mitochondria play a crucial role in various vital functions in eukaryotic cells, especially in energy production, calcium homeostasis and programmed cell death. The function of mitochondria is primarily regulated by genes encoded in the mitochondrion and nucleus. Many genes on HSA21 are involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and regulation of mitochondrial functions. This review highlights the HSA21 dosage-sensitive nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes associated with overexpression-related phenotypes seen in DS. This includes impaired mitochondrial dynamics, structural defects and dysregulated bioenergetic profiles such as OXPHOS deficiency and reduced ATP production. Various therapeutic approaches for modulating energy deficits in DS, effects and molecular mechanism of gene therapy and drugs that exert protective effects through modulation of mitochondrial function and attenuation of oxidative stress in DS cells were discussed. It is prudent that improving DS pathophysiological conditions or quality of life may be feasible by targeting something as simple as cellular mitochondrial biogenesis and function.
A review of rhabdomyosarcoma in childhood reveals that the pattern and results of treatment have changed with the introduction of multimodal therapy. Outcome in our series have been poor due to advanced disease, poor compliance to follow up resulting from poor socio-economics and educational levels of our patients and their faith in traditional medicine. Improvement in the prognosis can only be anticipated with earlier diagnosis and reduction in defaulter rate.
The prevalence of coinfection, superinfection and chronic infection with the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) was studied in 324 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive Malaysians. Of these, 10.0% (5/50) had coinfection, 5.7% (11/194) had superinfection, but none of the 80 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) or primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) had chronic infection with HDV. The overall HDV infection was 4.9% (16/324). One of the coinfection cases acquired the HDV infection as early as 1982. HDV superinfection was detected mainly among IV drug abusers (20% or 7/35) and promiscuous males and females (13.6% or 3/22). They were all asymptomatic. Only 0.8% (1/125) apparently healthy blood donors was infected with HDV. None of the 12 multi-transfused patients examined were positive. Malaysia is the only Southeast Asian country examined so far in which HDV infection was detected. The reason could be that the IV drug abusers and the sexually promiscuous groups missed being examined in the other countries. Comparing the HDV infection rates in 4 categories of infected Malaysians (viz. acute hepatitis B patients, IV drug abusers, blood donors and CLD patients) with those of other countries, it was noted that the Malaysian rates were similar to the lowest in the range of prevalence rates of each category in the latter group. The rate of coinfection in a preliminary study in 1982-84 (9.0% or 1/11) was not very different from that obtained to date (10.0% or 5/50).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
In coastal waters, particulate metals constitute a substantial fraction of the total metals; however, the prevalent water quality criteria are primarily based on dissolved metals, seemingly neglecting the contribution of particulate metals. Here we developed a method to quantify the toxicity risk of particulate metals, and proposed a way to calculate modifying factors (MFs) for setting site-specific criteria in turbid waters. Specifically, we used a side-by-side experimental design to study copper (Cu) bioaccumulation and toxicity in an estuarine clam, Potamocorbula laevis, under the exposure to "dissolved only" and "dissolved + particulate" 65Cu. A toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic model (TK-TD) was used to quantify the processes of Cu uptake, ingestion, assimilation, egestion, and elimination, and to relate mortality risk to tissue Cu. We find that particulate Cu contributes 40-67% of the Cu bioaccumulation when the suspended particulate matter (SPM) ranges from 12 to 229 mg L-1. The Cu-bearing SPM also increases the sensitivity of organisms to internalized Cu by decreasing the internal threshold concentration (CIT) from 141 to 76.8 μg g-1. MFs were derived based on the TK-TD model to consider the contribution of particulate Cu (in the studied SPM range) for increasing Cu bioaccumulation (MF = 1.3-2.2) and toxicity (MF = 2.3-3.9). Water quality criteria derived from dissolved metal exposure need to be lowered by dividing by an MF to provide adequate protection. Overall, the method we developed provides a scientifically sound framework to manage the risks of metals in turbid waters.
Cyanobacteria bioactive compounds are chemical treasure troves for product discovery and development. The wound healing effects and antioxidant capacities of water extracts from Nostoc NIES-2111_MUM004 were evaluated via in vitro wound scratch assay and three antioxidant assays respectively. Results showed that the water extracts were protein-rich and exhibited good antioxidant properties in ABTS radical scavenging (11.27 ± 0.205 mg TAE g-1 extract), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (1652.71 ± 110.71 mg TAE g-1 extract) and β-carotene bleaching assay (354.90 ± 31.80 mg TAE g-1 extract). Also, extracts were non-cytotoxic in concentrations up to 250 µg/mL as reflected in cytotoxicity assay. Importantly, water extracts showed considerable proliferation and migration activity at 125 µg/mL with wound closure rate as high as 42.67%. Statistical correlation revealed no significant relationship (p > 0.05) between protein fraction and the wound healing properties, confirming that phycobiliproteins were not solely responsible for wound healing activities. Subsequent Q-TOF-LCMS analysis identified six protein families involved in enhancing the proliferation and migration of epithelial cells. These findings are antecedent in the uncovering of continuous supplies of bioactive compounds from new and sustainable sources. Ultimately, enriching the microalgae menu for applications in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmeceuticals.
This study aimed to determine bioavailable heavy metal concentrations (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn) and their potential sources in classroom dust collected from children's hand palms in Rawang (Malaysia). This study also aimed to determine the association between bioavailable heavy metal concentration in classroom dust and children's respiratory symptoms. Health risk assessment (HRA) was applied to evaluate health risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic) due to heavy metals in classroom dust. The mean of bioavailable heavy metal concentrations in classroom dust found on children's hand palms was shown in the following order: Zn (1.25E + 01 μg/g) > Cu (9.59E-01 μg/g) > Ni (5.34E-01 μg/g) > Cr (4.72E-02 μg/g) > Co (2.34E-02 μg/g) > As (1.77E-02 μg/g) > Cd (9.60E-03 μg/g) > Pb (5.00E-03 μg/g). Hierarchical cluster analysis has clustered 17 sampling locations into three clusters, whereby cluster 1 (S3, S4, S6, S15) located in residential areas and near to roads exposed to vehicle emissions, cluster 2 (S10, S12, S9, S7) located near Rawang town and cluster 3 (S13, S16, S1, S2, S8, S14, S11, S17, S5) located near industrial, residential and plantation areas. Emissions from vehicles, plantations and industrial activities were found as the main sources of heavy metals in classroom dust in Rawang. There is no association found between bioavailable heavy metal concentrations and respiratory symptoms, except for Cu (OR = 0.03). Health risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) indicated that there are no potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of heavy metals in classroom dust toward children health.
The demand for primary energy resources has increased significantly due to the rapid growth of the global economy and increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, improving energy efficiency levels is essential for global energy, energy security, and environmental sustainability. In the context of the Asia-Pacific region, the study of energy efficiency among different countries can play a role in better energy utilization. These countries also provide a policy for the Asia-Pacific region to improve its energy utilization. This study's primary focus is to investigate the optimal efficiency score of 15 areas of the Asia-Pacific region, and the analysis is based on super-efficiency (radical) and super slacks-based measure (SBM) data in a nonparametric DEA model. Three areas in the Asia-Pacific are selected for energy efficiency measures: South Asia, East Asia, and Australasia. The results suggest that Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Singapore, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam obtain the most efficient score of 1 in both DEA models throughout the study period. Australia and Sri Lanka receive a low score during all study periods, while Hong Kong does not have data for all study years. The results of the study will help improve energy performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability, increasing the competitiveness and scalability of efficient energy sources.
This study aims to investigate and establish a suitable model that can help to estimate aerosol optical depth (AOD) in order to monitor aerosol variations especially during non-retrieval time. The relationship between actual ground measurements (such as air pollution index, visibility, relative humidity, temperature, and pressure) and AOD obtained with a CIMEL sun photometer was determined through a series of statistical procedures to produce an AOD prediction model with reasonable accuracy. The AOD prediction model calibrated for each wavelength has a set of coefficients. The model was validated using a set of statistical tests. The validated model was then employed to calculate AOD at different wavelengths. The results show that the proposed model successfully predicted AOD at each studied wavelength ranging from 340 nm to 1020 nm. To illustrate the application of the model, the aerosol size determined using measure AOD data for Penang was compared with that determined using the model. This was done by examining the curvature in the ln [AOD]-ln [wavelength] plot. Consistency was obtained when it was concluded that Penang was dominated by fine mode aerosol in 2012 and 2013 using both measured and predicted AOD data. These results indicate that the proposed AOD prediction model using routine measurements as input is a promising tool for the regular monitoring of aerosol variation during non-retrieval time.
Cement is a vital material used in the construction of concrete buildings. World annual cement demand is increasing rapidly along with the improvement in infrastructure development. However, cement manufacturing industries are facing challenges in reducing the environmental impacts of cement production. To resolve this issue, a suitable methodology is crucial to ensure the selected processes are effective and efficient and at the same time environmentally friendly. Different technologies and equipment have potential to produce variations in operational effectiveness, environmental impacts, and manufacturing costs in cement manufacturing industries. Therefore, this work aims to present the sustainability assessment of cement plants by taking into consideration of environmental, social, and economic impacts. Three cement production plants located in Western Indonesian are used as case studies where social impact and environmental impact are evaluated via life cycle assessment (LCA) model. This model is integrated with analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision analysis tool in selecting the most sustainable cement manufacturing plant.
This study aimed to predict monthly columnar ozone (O3) in Peninsular Malaysia by using data on the concentration of environmental pollutants. Data (2003-2008) on five atmospheric pollutant gases (CO2, O3, CH4, NO2, and H2O vapor) retrieved from the satellite Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY) were employed to develop a model that predicts columnar ozone through multiple linear regression. In the entire period, the pollutants were highly correlated (R = 0.811 for the southwest monsoon, R = 0.803 for the northeast monsoon) with predicted columnar ozone. The results of the validation of columnar ozone with column ozone from SCIAMACHY showed a high correlation coefficient (R = 0.752-0.802), indicating the model's accuracy and efficiency. Statistical analysis was utilized to determine the effects of each atmospheric pollutant on columnar ozone. A model that can retrieve columnar ozone in Peninsular Malaysia was developed to provide air quality information. These results are encouraging and accurate and can be used in early warning of the population to comply with air quality standards.
The present study investigates the impact of climate change on biodiversity loss using global data consisting of 115 countries. In this study, we measure biodiversity loss using data on the total number of threatened species of amphibians, birds, fishes, mammals, mollusks, plants, and reptiles. The data were compiled from the Red List published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). For climate change variables, we have included temperature, precipitation, and the number of natural disaster occurrences. As for the control variable, we have considered governance indicator and the level of economic development. By employing ordinary least square with robust standard error and robust regression (M-estimation), our results suggest that all three climate change variables - temperature, precipitation, and the number of natural disasters occurrences - increase biodiversity loss. Higher economic development also impacted biodiversity loss positively. On the other hand, good governance such as the control of corruption, regulatory quality, and rule of law reduces biodiversity loss. Thus, practicing good governance, promoting conservation of the environment, and the control of greenhouse gasses would able to mitigate biodiversity loss.
Conventional establishment of laboratory cultures of duckweed Lemna minor are prepared in beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks or Schott bottles. These conventional cultivation methods limit the available surface area for growth which then causes layering of fronds that reduces the efficiency of plants in sunlight capturing. Here, acrylic sheets were spray-coated with a superhydrophobic (SHP) beeswax suspension and these coated acrylic sheets were used as a novel cultivation platform for L. minor. L. minor was grown for 7 days in conventional glass jar which acted as the control and were compared to SHP coated acrylic (SHPA) and SHP coated acrylic with aluminium mesh centrally placed (SHPAM) at similar duration and cultivation conditions. Addition of mesh was to entrap the plantlets and fixed the plantlets' position on the growing platform. The effects of cultivation platforms on growth rate and biochemical compositions of L. minor were monitored. The highest biomass growth was obtained from SHPA cultivation where the relative growth rate (RGR) was 0.0909 ± 0.014 day-1 and the RGR was 2.17 times higher than the control. Moreover, L. minor harvested from SHPA displayed the highest values in total protein content, total carbohydrates content and crude lipid percentage. The values were 156.04 ± 12.13 mg/g, 94.75 ± 9.02 mg/g and 7.09 ± 1.14% respectively. However, the control showed the highest total chlorophyll content which was 0.7733 ± 0.042 mg/g FW. Although SHPA obtained a slightly lower chlorophyll content than the control, this growing platform is still promising as it displayed the highest growth rate as well as other biochemical composition. Hence, this study proved that the proposed method that applied superhydrophobic properties in cultivation of L. minor provided a larger surface area for L. minor to grow, which then resulted in a greater biomass production while simultaneously maintaining the quality of the biochemical compositions of duckweeds.