MyMedR

Effective microbes for simultaneous bio-oxidation of ammonia and manganese in biological aerated filter system

Abu Hasan H, Abdullah SR, Kofli NT, Kamarudin SK

Bioresour Technol, 2012 Nov;124:355-63.

PMID: 22995166 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.08.055

This study determined the most effective microbes acting as ammonia-oxidising (AOB) and manganese-oxidising bacteria (MnOB) for the simultaneous removal of ammonia (NH(4)(+)-N) and manganese (Mn(2+)) from water. Two conditions of mixed culture of bacteria: an acclimatised mixed culture (mixed culture: MC) in a 5-L bioreactor and biofilm attached on a plastic medium (stages of mixed culture: SMC) in a biological aerated filter were isolated and identified using Biolog MicroSystem and 16S rRNA sequencing. A screening test for determining the most effective microbe in the removal of NH(4)(+)-N and Mn(2+) was initially performed using SMC and MC, respectively, and found that Bacillus cereus was the most effective microbe for the removal of NH(4)(+)-N and Mn(2+). Moreover, the simultaneous NH(4)(+)-N and Mn(2+) removal (above 95% removal for both NH(4)(+)-N and Mn(2+)) was achieved using a biological aerated filter under various operating conditions. Thus, the strain could act as an effective microbe of AOB and a MnOB for the simultaneous removal of NH(4)(+)-N and Mn(2+).

Characterisation of galloylated cyanogenic glucosides and hydrolysable tannins from leaves of Phyllagathis rotundifolia by LC-ESI-MS/MS

Hooi Poay T, Sui Kiong L, Cheng Hock C

Phytochem Anal, 2011 Nov-Dec;22(6):516-25.

PMID: 21495106 DOI: 10.1002/pca.1312

Phyllagathis rotundifolia (Jack) Bl. (Melastomataceae) is a creeping herb found in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. Traditionally, a decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of malaria, fever and stomach ache.

Formulation development and optimization of a novel Cremophore EL-based nanoemulsion using ultrasound cavitation

Tang SY, Manickam S, Wei TK, Nashiru B

Ultrason Sonochem, 2012 Mar;19(2):330-45.

PMID: 21835676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2011.07.001

In the present study, response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was employed to investigate the influence of main emulsion composition variables, namely drug loading, oil content, emulsifier content as well as the effect of the ultrasonic operating parameters such as pre-mixing time, ultrasonic amplitude, and irradiation time on the properties of aspirin-loaded nanoemulsions. The two main emulsion properties studied as response variables were: mean droplet size and polydispersity index. The ultimate goal of the present work was to determine the optimum level of the six independent variables in which an optimal aspirin nanoemulsion with desirable properties could be produced. The response surface analysis results clearly showed that the variability of two responses could be depicted as a linear function of the content of main emulsion compositions and ultrasonic processing variables. In the present investigation, it is evidently shown that ultrasound cavitation is a powerful yet promising approach in the controlled production of aspirin nanoemulsions with smaller average droplet size in a range of 200-300 nm and with a polydispersity index (PDI) of about 0.30. This study proved that the use of low frequency ultrasound is of considerable importance in the controlled production of pharmaceutical nanoemulsions in the drug delivery system.

Isolation and multiplex genotyping of polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in the snakehead murrel, Channa striata

Jamsari AF, Min-Pau T, Siti-Azizah MN

Genet Mol Biol, 2011 Apr;34(2):345-7.

PMID: 21734840

Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the snakehead murrel, Channa striata (Channidae), a valuable tropical freshwater fish species. Among 25 specimens collected from Kedah state in Malaysia, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 7. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.120 to 0.880 and 0.117 to 0.698, respectively. A single locus (CS1-C07) was significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. These novel markers would be useful for population genetic studies of the C. striata.

Fulltext A rare case of alpha-thalassaemia intermedia in a Malay patient double heterozygous for alpha(+)-thalassaemia and a mutation in alpha1 globin gene CD59 (GGC --> GAC)

George E, Jama T, Azian AS, Rahimah A, Zubaidah Z

Med J Malaysia, 2009 Dec;64(4):321-2.

PMID: 20954559

A rare case of thalassaemia-intermedia involving a non-deletion alpha thalassemia point mutation in the alpha1-globin gene CD59 (GGC --> GAC) and a deletion alpha+ (-alpha(3.7)) thalassaemia in which use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) C-gram Hb subtype profile and DNA molecular analysis helped establish the diagnosis.

Fulltext Antibacterial activities of a new brominated diterpene from Borneon Laurencia spp

Vairappan CS, Ishii T, Lee TK, Suzuki M, Zhaoqi Z

Mar Drugs, 2010;8(6):1743-9.

PMID: 20631866 DOI: 10.3390/md8061743

In our continuous interest to study the diversity of halogenated metabolites of Malaysian species of the red algal genus Laurencia, we examined the chemical composition of five populations of unrecorded Laurencia sp. A new brominated diterpene, 10-acetoxyangasiol (1), and four other known metabolites, aplysidiol (2), cupalaurenol (3), 1-methyl-2,3,5-tribromoindole (4), and chamigrane epoxide (5), were isolated and identified. Isolated metabolites exhibited potent antibacterial activities against clinical bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella sp. and Vibrio cholerae.

Fulltext Detection and characterization of chicken anemia virus from commercial broiler breeder chickens

Hailemariam Z, Omar AR, Hair-Bejo M, Giap TC

Virol J, 2008;5:128.

PMID: 18954433 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-5-128

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) is the causative agent of chicken infectious anemia (CIA). Study on the type of CAV isolates present and their genetic diversity, transmission to their progeny and level of protection afforded in the breeder farms is lacking in Malaysia. Hence, the present study was aimed to detect CAV from commercial broiler breeder farms and characterize CAV positive samples based on sequence and phylogenetic analysis of partial VP1 gene.

Fluid compliance among patients having haemodialysis: can an educational programme make a difference?

Barnett T, Li Yoong T, Pinikahana J, Si-Yen T

J Adv Nurs, 2008 Feb;61(3):300-6.

PMID: 18197864 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04528.x

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to examine the effectiveness of a patient education programme on fluid compliance as assessed by interdialytic weight gain, mean predialysis blood pressure and rate of fluid adherence.
BACKGROUND: Patients with end stage renal disease who receive haemodialysis are often non-compliant with their treatment regime, especially adherence to fluid restrictions.
METHOD: An exploratory study was conducted in 2004-05 using a quasi-experimental, single group design to examine the effectiveness of patient education on fluid compliance in a dialysis centre located in a major teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Twenty-six patients with an interdialytic weight gain of greater than 2.5 kg were identified as non-compliant and recruited to the study. The intervention was carried out over a 2-month period and included teaching and weekly reinforcement about diet, fluids and control of weight gain.
FINDINGS: Patients' mean interdialytic weight gain decreased following the educational intervention from 2.64 kg to 2.21 kg (P < 0.05) and adherence to fluid restrictions increased from 47% to 71% following the intervention. Predialysis mean blood pressure did not improve following the intervention, although the maximum recording for predialysis systolic pressure dropped from 220 mmHg to 161 mmHg. Whilst no statistically significant associations were detected between interdialytic weight gain and age, educational level, marital status or employment status, women demonstrated a greater decrease in mean interdialytic weight gain than men.
CONCLUSION: Nephrology nurses often have long-term relationships with their patients and are ideally placed to provide ongoing education and encouragement, especially for those experiencing difficulties in adhering to fluid and dietary restrictions.

The pattern and frequency of t(14;18) translocation and immunophenotype in Asian follicular lymphoma

Peh SC, Shaminie J, Tai YC, Tan J, Gan SS

Histopathology, 2004 Nov;45(5):501-10.

PMID: 15500654

Follicular lymphoma is frequently associated with t(14;18)(q32;q21) translocation. This study was undertaken to determine the pattern of Bcl-2, CD10 and Bcl-6 expression in relation to t(14;18) translocation in follicular lymphoma from a cohort of a multi-ethnic Asian population.

Vermicomposting of cattle and goat manures by Eisenia foetida and their growth and reproduction performance

Loh TC, Lee YC, Liang JB, Tan D

Bioresour Technol, 2005 Jan;96(1):111-4.

PMID: 15364088

Vermicomposting is commonly adopted for the treatment of livestock organic wastes. In the present study, two types of livestock manure were used for culturing of the earthworm, Eisenia foetida. Each treatment group consisted of six replicates and worm vermicasts were examined after 5 weeks. The concentrations of total C, P and K in goat manure vermicasts were higher than those in cattle manure vermicasts. Cattle vermicasts had a higher N content than goat vermicasts but the C:N ratio of fresh manure was higher than that of vermicasts for both materials. Earthworm biomass and reproductive performance, in terms of number of worms after 5 weeks of experiment, were higher in cattle manure than in goat manure. The cocoon production per worm in cattle manure was higher than in goat manure. However, the hatchability of cocoons was not affected by manure treatments. In conclusion, cattle manure provided a more nutritious and friendly environment to the earthworms than goat manure.

Fulltext Detection of Bordetella pertussis from Clinical Samples by Culture and End-Point PCR in Malaysian Patients

Ting TX, Hashim R, Ahmad N, Abdullah KH

Int J Bacteriol, 2013;2013:324136.

PMID: 26904725 DOI: 10.1155/2013/324136

Pertussis or whooping cough is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. In vaccinating countries, infants, adolescents, and adults are relevant patients groups. A total of 707 clinical specimens were received from major hospitals in Malaysia in year 2011. These specimens were cultured on Regan-Lowe charcoal agar and subjected to end-point PCR, which amplified the repetitive insertion sequence IS481 and pertussis toxin promoter gene. Out of these specimens, 275 were positive: 4 by culture only, 6 by both end-point PCR and culture, and 265 by end-point PCR only. The majority of the positive cases were from ≤3 months old patients (77.1%) (P < 0.001). There was no significant association between type of samples collected and end-point PCR results (P > 0.05). Our study showed that the end-point PCR technique was able to pick up more positive cases compared to culture method.

Noncompaction cardiomyopathy manifesting as retinal artery occlusion

Jin-Poi T, Shatriah I, Ng SL, Zurkurnai Y, Yunus R

JAMA Ophthalmol, 2013 Feb;131(2):263-5.

PMID: 23411903 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.587

Autosomal STR polymorphism in Sikh population of Peninsular Malaysia

Teck TC, Kook SC, Badruddin N, Panneerchelvam S, Norazmi MN

J Forensic Sci, 2005 Sep;50(5):1223-4.

PMID: 16225236 DOI: 10.1520/JFS2005156

Plasmid profiling and curing of Lactobacillus strains isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of chicken

Chin SC, Abdullah N, Siang TW, Wan HY

J Microbiol, 2005 Jun;43(3):251-6.

PMID: 15995642

In this study, we assessed the susceptibility of 12 Lactobacillus strains, all of which had been isolated from the gastrointestinal tracts of chicken, to three antibiotics (chloramphenicol, erythromycin and tetracycline) used commonly as selective markers in transformation studies of lactic acid bacteria. Among these strains, 17%, 58%, and 25% were found to exhibit a high degree of resistance to 200 microg/ml of tetracycline, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol, respectively. Seven of the 12 Lactobacillus strains exhibiting resistance to at least 50 microg/ml of chloramphenicol or erythromycin, and five strains exhibiting resistance to at least 50 microg/ml of tetracycline, were subsequently subjected to plasmid curing with chemical curing agents, such as novobiocin, acriflavin, SDS, and ethidium bromide. In no cases did the antibiotic resistance of these strains prove to be curable, with the exception of the erythromycin resistance exhibited by five Lactobacillus strains (L. acidophilus I16 and I26, L. fermentum I24 and C17, and L. brevis C10). Analysis of the plasmid profiles of these five cured derivatives revealed that all of the derivatives, except for L. acidophilus I16, possessed profiles similar to those of wild-type strains. The curing of L. acidophilus I16 was accompanied by the loss of 4.4 kb, 6.1 kb, and 11.5 kb plasmids.

The needs of the deaf and hard of hearing when seeking pharmaceutical care

Jacob SA, Chin JR, Ying Qi T, Palanisamy UD

Res Social Adm Pharm, 2016 03 04;12(4):664-5.

PMID: 27012972 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.02.009

Fulltext Myeloma Associated Primary Systemic Amyloidosis

Kamal WS, Taib T, Noor NM, Jong TJ

Indian J Dermatol, 2016 Jan-Feb;61(1):124.

PMID: 26955151 DOI: 10.4103/0019-5154.174166

Fulltext An optical biosensor from green fluorescent Escherichia coli for the evaluation of single and combined heavy metal toxicities

Futra D, Heng LY, Ahmad A, Surif S, Ling TL

Sensors (Basel), 2015 May 28;15(6):12668-81.

PMID: 26029952 DOI: 10.3390/s150612668

A fluorescence-based fiber optic toxicity biosensor based on genetically modified Escherichia coli (E. coli) with green fluorescent protein (GFP) was developed for the evaluation of the toxicity of several hazardous heavy metal ions. The toxic metals include Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Cr(VI), Co(II), Ni(II), Ag(I) and Fe(III). The optimum fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths of the optical biosensor were 400 ± 2 nm and 485 ± 2 nm, respectively. Based on the toxicity observed under optimal conditions, the detection limits of Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Cr(VI), Co(II), Ni(II), Ag(I) and Fe(III) that can be detected using the toxicity biosensor were at 0.04, 0.32, 0.46, 2.80, 100, 250, 400, 720 and 2600 μg/L, respectively. The repeatability and reproducibility of the proposed biosensor were 3.5%-4.8% RSD (relative standard deviation) and 3.6%-5.1% RSD (n = 8), respectively. The biosensor response was stable for at least five weeks, and demonstrated higher sensitivity towards metal toxicity evaluation when compared to a conventional Microtox assay.

Factors that influence the shedding of Blastocystis cysts in an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patient--an evidence-based case study

Ragavan ND, Govind SK, Chye TT, Mahadeva S

Parasitol Res, 2015 Aug;114(8):2999-3005.

PMID: 25982571 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4502-3

Blastocystis is one of the most common gut parasites found in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. We have previously reported the irregular shedding of Blastocystis cysts in stools from infected patients. In the present study, we assess the factors influencing shedding patterns from a Blastocystis ST3-infected IBS patient. The stools samples were voluntarily submitted for examination for a period of 30 days from Blastocystis ST3-infected IBS patient. A questionnaire on the factors that could influence the shedding pattern of the cysts was designed to assess the following information: (a) the frequency of frequenting the toilet in a day, (b) the timing of frequenting the toilet, (c) the stool forms, (d) the type of mood the patient was in when frequenting the toilet and (e) food intake. A total of 79 stool samples were collected for 30 days. The highest number of cysts recorded when the patient visited the toilet three times a day was 22.2 × 10(6) cysts/g. Frequenting the toilet between 6 a.m. to 11.59 a.m. showed the highest number of cysts, i.e. 21.7 × 10(6) cysts/g. Semi-solid forms showed the highest cyst count, i.e. 2.00 × 10(6) cysts/g. Irregular shedding of cysts was seen in 10 out of 30 days where the widest range recorded on day 17 was between 0 to 1.2 × 10(6) cysts/g. The average daily cyst count on days of emotional fluctuations was from 0 to 5.13 × 10(6) cysts/g. In conclusion, the study confirms that there are factors influencing shedding patterns of Blastocystis, and these have important implications when it comes to diagnosis and transmission of the parasite.

Fulltext Delayed presentation of compartment syndrome of the thigh secondary to quadriceps trauma and vascular injury in a soccer athlete

How MI, Lee PK, Wei TS, Chong CT

Int J Surg Case Rep, 2015;11:56-58.

PMID: 25931302 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2015.04.003

INTRODUCTION: Compartment syndrome isolated to the anterior thigh is a rare complication of soccer injury. Previous reports in the English literature on sports trauma-related compartment syndrome of the thigh are vague in their description of the response of thigh musculature to blunt trauma, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of high-risk features of compartment syndrome, vascular injury in quadriceps trauma, and the role of vascular study in blunt thigh injury.

CASE REPORT: We present herein the rare case of a 30-year-old man who developed thigh compartment syndrome 8 days after soccer injury due to severe edema of vastus intermedius and large thigh hematoma secondary to rupture of the profunda femoris vein. MRI revealed "blow-out" rupture of the vastus lateralis. Decompressive fasciotomy and vein repair performed with subsequent split-skin grafting of the wound defect resulted in a good functional outcome at 2-years follow-up.

CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion for compartment syndrome is needed in all severe quadriceps contusion. Vascular injury can cause thigh compartment syndrome in sports trauma. MRI findings of deep thigh muscle swelling and "blow-out" tear of the vastus lateralis are strongly suggestive of severe quadriceps injury, and may be a harbinger of delayed thigh compartment syndrome.

Fulltext Health status of senior civil servants in Kuala Lumpur

Liew YM, Zulkifli A, Tan H, Ho YN, Khoo KL

Med J Malaysia, 1997 Dec;52(4):348-66.

PMID: 10968112

733 senior civil servants comprising 520 males and 213 females with a mean age of 44 years (range 25-56 years) were screened for their health status. The sample population comprised of 67.9% Malays, 22.5% Chinese, 9.1% Indians and 0.4% other ethnic origins. The subjects' medical histories were recorded and a full medical examination including anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist and hip circumference), blood biochemistry and urine analysis, chest X-ray and electrocardiograms were done. The results obtained showed that 36.0% of the study population were overweight with 6.5% being obese. Of this 32.0% had central obesity. 15.2% of the subjects had systolic hypertension (systolic BP > or = 140 mmHg) whilst 27.6% had diastolic hypertension (diastolic BP > or = 90 mmHg). Hyperlipidaemia was common, with 75.2% subjects having raised cholesterol, 19.9% raised triglycerides, 50.2% raised LDL-C, 74.6% raised TC:HDL-C and 26.6% raised LDL:HDL-C. An elevated blood glucose was found in 8.4% subjects, whilst urine sugar was detected in only 2.6%, and a raised uric acid was found in 2.8% subjects. The prevalence of hypertension, raised blood glucose and hyperlipidaemia increased with age with more males affected than females. Although hypercholesterolaemia appeared more frequently amongst the Malays, the Indians, by comparison had the highest prevalence for a raised LDL:HDL-C ratio, a reflection of the increase in LDL-C and a concomitant decrease in HDL-C. The latter findings indicate that the Indians are at greater risk for the development of coronary heart disease than the Chinese and Malays. In addition, the mean levels of serum cholesterol found in this study seemed to have exceeded the levels found in populations in the industrialised countries such as the USA. There is thus an urgent need for more public health campaigns aimed at the reduction and control of such coronary risk factors.

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