MyMedR

Displaying publications 341 - 360 of 1010 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Identification of local clinical Candida isolates using CHROMagar Candida™ as a primary identification method for various Candida species

Madhavan P, Jamal F, Chong PP, Ng KP

Trop Biomed, 2011 Aug;28(2):269-74.
PMID: 22041745

The objective of our study was to study the effectiveness of CHROMagar Candida™ as the primary identification method for various clinical Candida isolates, other than the three suggested species by the manufacturer. We studied 34 clinical isolates which were isolated from patients in a local teaching hospital and 7 ATCC strains. These strains were first cultured in Sabouraud dextrose broth (SDB) for 36 hours at 35ºC, then on CHROMagar plates at 30ºC, 35ºC and 37ºC. The sensitivity of this agar to identify Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida rugosa, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis ranged between 25 and 100% at 30ºC, 14% and 100% at 35ºC, 56% and 100% at 37ºC. The specificity of this agar was 100% at 30ºC, between 97% and 100% at 35ºC, 92% and 100% at 37ºC. The efficiency of this agar ranged between 88 and 100% at 30ºC, 83% and 100% at 35ºC, 88% and 100% at 37ºC. Each species also gave rise to a variety of colony colours ranging from pink to green to blue of different colony characteristics. Therefore, the chromogenic agar was found to be useful in our study for identifying clinical Candida isolates.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media/chemistry*
Fulltext "We are the soul, pearl and beauty of Hindu Kush Mountains": exploring resilience and psychological wellbeing of Kalasha, an ethnic and religious minority group in Pakistan

Choudhry FR, Park MS, Golden K, Bokharey IZ

Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being, 2017 Dec;12(1):1267344.
PMID: 28452608 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2016.1267344

The Kalasha are a marginalized ethnic and religious minority group in northern Pakistan. The Kalasha minority is known for their divergent polytheistic beliefs, and represents the outliers of the collectively monotheistic Muslim population of Pakistan. This study aimed to explore the psychological resilience beliefs and lived experiences of the Kalasha and to identify cultural protective factors and indigenous beliefs that help them maintain psychological wellbeing and resilience. Seven semi-structured interviews and two focus-group discussions were conducted. The total sample consisted of 6 women and 8 men, aged 20-58 years (Mage = 36.29, SD = 12.58). The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis qualitative method was chosen. Study findings identified that factors contributing to the wellbeing, happiness and resilience enhancement beliefs of Kalasha included five main themes, all influenced by their unique spirituality: contentment, pride in social identity, tolerance, gender collaboration and gratitude. The study also revealed the Kalasha's perception of their marginalization related to challenges and threats. The Kalasha emphasized bringing these resilience enhancement beliefs into practice, as a mean to buffer against challenges. In conclusion, this study revealed Kalasha's wellbeing and resilience enhancement factors, which they believed in and practiced as an element of their indigenous culture and religion.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture*
Fulltext Production of recombinant human epidermal growth factor in Pichia pastoris

Eissazadeh S, Moeini H, Dezfouli MG, Heidary S, Nelofer R, Abdullah MP

Braz J Microbiol, 2017 Apr-Jun;48(2):286-293.
PMID: 27998673 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjm.2016.10.017

This study was carried out to express human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) in Pichia pastoris GS115. For this aim, the hEGF gene was cloned into the pPIC9K expression vector, and then integrated into P. pastoris by electroporation. ELISA-based assay showed that the amount of hEGF secreted into the medium can be affected by the fermentation conditions especially by culture medium, pH and temperature. The best medium for the optimal hEGF production was BMMY buffered at a pH range of 6.0 and 7.0. The highest amount of hEGF with an average yield of 2.27μg/mL was obtained through an induction of the culture with 0.5% (v/v) methanol for 60h. The artificial neural network (ANN) analysis revealed that changes in both pH and temperature significantly affected the hEGF production with the pH change had slightly higher impact on hEGF production than variations in the temperature.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media/chemistry
Paradoxical sleep characteristics and cultural environment. Preliminary results

Petre-Quadens O, Hussain H, Balaratnan C

Acta Neurol Belg, 1975 Mar;75(2):85-92.
PMID: 168717

The Temiars are a tribe of negroid pygmies of basically Proto-Malaysian affinities. Field-work in the Malaysian jungle provided some observations on the sleep-wakefulness cycle of two young Temiar adults. This cycle was monophasic circumstances permitting. Their rest-activity cycle at night was similar in the jungle and in the laboratory. Polygraphic total night-sleep recordings were made with both of them in the EEG laboratory in the Hospital Besar in Kuala Lumpur. The eye-movement frequencies of PS were compared with those from young adults of the West. Although the differences were not statistically significant, the Rem-densities of the Temiars were constantly at the low side. The significance of the results are being discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Cultural Characteristics*; Culture*
Cross-cultural psychotherapy: the Malaysian experience. An open system model

Kinzie JD

Am J Psychother, 1972 Apr;26(2):220-31.
PMID: 5024276
Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison; Culture*
Proceedings: Cultural conflict and transition: epidemic hysteria and social sanction

Teoh JI, Yeoh KL

Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 1973 Dec;7(4):283-95.
PMID: 4522945
Matched MeSH terms: Culture*
Fulltext Establishing a culture system that supports in vitro expansion of adult microglia

Subramaniam, Hemavathy, Alireza Badiei, Ramasamy, Rajesh, Maha Abdullah, Vidyadaran, Sharmili

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2010;6(2):25-30.
MyJurnal

Introduction: The vast majority of in vitro research on microglia are based on cells isolated from
neonatal animals (3-5 days of age). Studying microglia of adults has been limited by the lack of a suitable culture system that supports their growth. In this study, we describe a protocol for growing microglia of adults based on modifications of the technique for culturing microglia isolated from neonatal rats. Methods: Mixed glia isolated from adult rats (age range of 1 month to 3 years old) were seeded in
culture flasks coated with poly-L-lysine. Cells were maintained in DMEM media supplemented with
insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS) and recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor
(M-CSF). Mild trypsinisation was carried out to isolate microglia from mixed glia culture. Results:
Microglia cells of adult rats were successfully grown in vitro. For the expansion of adult microglia,
it was observed that coating the cell culture flasks with poly-L-lysine was crucial to encourage cell
adherence. The substitution of insulin in culture media with ITS was found to improve cell yield and
reduced the number of days required for culture from 28 days to 14 days. Addition of M-CSF to cell
culture medium, along with the improvisations described above provided the best adult microglia cell
yield (2.91 ± 0.56 x 106 cells) compared to the technique of replating cells (0.91 ± 0.65 x 106 cells;
p

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media; Cell Culture Techniques
Communication problems with psychiatric patients in the multilingual society of Sarawak

Schmidt KE

Psychiatry, 1965 Aug;28:229-33.
PMID: 14318932 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.1965.11023430
Matched MeSH terms: Culture*
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN SINGAPORE

MURPHY HB

J Soc Psychol, 1963 Dec;61:201-31.
PMID: 14084801
Matched MeSH terms: Culture*
Determination of the Biological Efficiency and Antioxidant Potential of Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes), Cultivated Using Different Agro-Wastes in Malaysia

Sudheer S, Alzorqi I, Ali A, Cheng PG, Siddiqui Y, Manickam S

Int J Med Mushrooms, 2018;20(1):89-100.
PMID: 29604916 DOI: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2017024588

This study investigates the cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum using different agricultural biomasses from Malaysia. Five different combinations of rubber wood sawdust, empty fruit bunch fiber, and mesocarp fiber from oil palm, alone and in combination, were used to cultivate G. lucidum. Although all the substrate combinations worked well to grow the mushroom, the highest biological efficiency was obtained from the combination of empty fruit bunch fiber with sawdust. A total yield of 27% was obtained from empty fruit bunch fiber with sawdust, followed by sawdust (26%), empty fruit bunch fiber (19%), mesocarp fiber with sawdust (19%), and mesocarp fiber (16%). The quality of mushrooms was proved by proximate analysis and detection of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The antioxidant activity verified by DPPH, ferric-reducing ability of plasma, and ABTS analyses revealed that the empty fruit bunch fiber with sawdust had higher activity than the other substrates.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media/chemistry
Impact of a rapid molecular test for positive blood cultures from neonatal intensive care patients on clinical management: a retrospective audit

Koh LL, O'Rourke S, Brennan M, Clooney L, Cafferkey M, McCallion N, et al.

Ir J Med Sci, 2018 May;187(2):423-427.
PMID: 28689228 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-017-1649-1

BACKGROUND: Both Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococci are common causes of late-onset neonatal sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), usually relating to intravascular access device infections.
AIMS: This project aimed to review the impact on antimicrobial treatment and clinical outcome in the NICU setting, of the introduction of the Xpert MRSA/SA BC test (Cepheid, USA) for the identification of staphylococci in blood cultures.
METHODS: A retrospective audit was carried out of the pre- and post-intervention periods; the intervention was the introduction of the Xpert MRSA/SA BC test.
RESULTS: In total, 88 neonates had positive blood cultures with Staphylococcus spp., comprising 42 neonates in the pre-intervention and 46 in the post-intervention groups. The pre-intervention group had a higher birth weight (1.541 kg vs. 1.219 kg, p = 0.05) and higher platelet count (288 vs. 224 × 109/L, p = 0.05). There was a trend towards a shorter duration of antimicrobial therapy in term infants and in the length of admission; however, this was not statistically significant (p = 0.2). All of the nine infants post-intervention with significant bacteraemia (S. aureus =3, CoNS =6) were changed to the optimal antimicrobial at the time the result was available.
CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the introduction of the Xpert MRSA/SA BC test can lead to a reduction in the length of admission and duration of antimicrobials in term infants; however, the difference was not statistically significant. All nine infants with clinically significant bacteraemia were treated with the appropriate antimicrobial when the Xpert MRSA/SA BC test result was available.

Matched MeSH terms: Blood Culture/methods*
Negative body image and eating disorder symptomatology among young women identifying with goth subculture

Swami V

Body Image, 2017 Jun;21:30-33.
PMID: 28285176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.02.001

The present study compared the rates of negative body image and risk for disordered eating in young women who identify as part of goth subculture and a matched sample. Participants were 80 women who identified as part of goth subculture and a matched sample of 82 women from London, United Kingdom. Participants completed measures of self-ideal body size discrepancy, body appreciation, appearance investment, and eating disorder symptomatology. Between-group comparisons indicated that goth women reported significantly higher drive for thinness (d=0.51), body dissatisfaction (d=0.62), and dysfunctional appearance investment (d=0.52), as well as lower body appreciation (d=0.55), than the matched sample. Heightened expectations about appearance and self-presentation, alongside appearance competitiveness, may result in more negative body image and disordered eating in young women who identify with goth subculture, but further research is necessary on this under-studied youth subculture.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture*
Fulltext Production and Characterization of a Bioflocculant Produced by Bacillussalmalaya 139SI-7 and Its Applications in Wastewater Treatment

Abu Tawila ZM, Ismail S, Dadrasnia A, Usman MM

Molecules, 2018 Oct 18;23(10).
PMID: 30340415 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23102689

The production, optimization, and characterization of the bioflocculant QZ-7 synthesized by a novel Bacillus salmalaya strain 139SI isolated from a private farm soil in Selangor, Malaysia, are reported. The flocculating activity of bioflocculant QZ-7 present in the selected strain was found to be 83.3%. The optimal culture for flocculant production was achieved after cultivation at 35.5 °C for 72 h at pH 7 ± 0.2, with an inoculum size of 5% (v/v) and sucrose and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources. The maximum flocculating activity was found to be 92.6%. Chemical analysis revealed that the pure bioflocculant consisted of 79.08% carbohydrates and 15.4% proteins. The average molecular weight of the bioflocculant was calculated to be 5.13 × 10⁵ Da. Infrared spectrometric analysis showed the presence of carboxyl (COO-), hydroxyl (-OH), and amino (-NH₂) groups, polysaccharides and proteins. The bioflocculant QZ-7 exhibited a wide pH stability range from 4 to 7, with a flocculation activity of 85% at pH 7 ± 0.2. In addition, QZ-7 was thermally stable and retained more than 80% of its flocculating activity after being heated at 80 °C for 30 min. SEM analysis revealed that QZ-7 exhibited a clear crystalline brick-shaped structure. After treating wastewater, the bioflocculant QZ-7 showed significant flocculation performance with a COD removal efficiency of 93%, whereas a BOD removal efficiency of 92.4% was observed in the B. salmalaya strain 139SI. These values indicate the promising applications of the bioflocculant QZ-7 in wastewater treatment.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media/chemistry
Fulltext Biohydrogen Production by Antarctic Psychrotolerant Klebsiella sp. ABZ11

Mohammed A, Abdul-Wahab MF, Hashim M, Omar AH, Md Reba MN, Muhamad Said MF, et al.

Pol J Microbiol, 2018 11 20;67(3):283-290.
PMID: 30451444 DOI: 10.21307/pjm-2018-033

Lower temperature biohydrogen production has always been attractive, due to the lower energy requirements. However, the slow metabolic rate of psychrotolerant biohydrogen-producing bacteria is a common problem that affects their biohydrogen yield. This study reports on the improved substrate synthesis and biohydrogen productivity by the psychrotolerant Klebsiella sp. strain ABZ11, isolated from Antarctic seawater sample. The isolate was screened for biohydrogen production at 30°C, under facultative anaerobic condition. The isolate is able to ferment glucose, fructose and sucrose with biohydrogen production rate and yield of 0.8 mol/l/h and 3.8 mol/g, respectively at 10 g/l glucose concentration. It also showed 74% carbohydrate uptake and 95% oxygen uptake ability, and a wide growth temperature range with optimum at 37°C. Klebsiella sp. ABZ11 has a short biohydrogen production lag phase, fast substrate uptake and is able to tolerate the presence of oxygen in the culture medium. Thus, the isolate has a potential to be used for lower temperature biohydrogen production process.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media/chemistry
Fulltext University Students' Notion of Autism Spectrum Conditions: A Cross-Cultural Study

de Vries M, Cader S, Colleer L, Batteux E, Yasdiman MB, Tan YJ, et al.

J Autism Dev Disord, 2020 Apr;50(4):1281-1294.
PMID: 31901119 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04343-z

Cultural background might influence knowledge and attitudes regarding autism, influencing willingness to interact. We studied whether beliefs, knowledge, contact, and attitude differed between the UK and Malaysia. With mediation analyses, we studied how these factors influenced willingness to interact. Autism was more often linked to food in the UK, and to upbringing in Malaysia. Knowledge, contact, and acceptance were greater in the UK. When excluding psychology students, Malaysian students were less willing to interact with autistic people. Knowledge and contact appeared to improve acceptance, but acceptance did not mediate the relation between country, beliefs, knowledge, and experience; and willingness to interact. Knowledge and contact regarding autism might improve acceptance in different cultures, but how acceptance could improve interaction is unclear.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison; Culture*
Fulltext Continuous Butanol Fermentation of Dilute Acid-Pretreated De-oiled Rice Bran by Clostridium acetobutylicum YM1

Al-Shorgani NKN, Al-Tabib AI, Kadier A, Zanil MF, Lee KM, Kalil MS

Sci Rep, 2019 03 15;9(1):4622.
PMID: 30874578 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40840-y

Continuous fermentation of dilute acid-pretreated de-oiled rice bran (DRB) to butanol by the Clostridium acetobutylicum YM1 strain was investigated. Pretreatment of DRB with dilute sulfuric acid (1%) resulted in the production of 42.12 g/L total sugars, including 25.57 g/L glucose, 15.1 g/L xylose and 1.46 g/L cellobiose. Pretreated-DRB (SADRB) was used as a fermentation medium at various dilution rates, and a dilution rate of 0.02 h-1 was optimal for solvent production, in which 11.18 g/L of total solvent was produced (acetone 4.37 g/L, butanol 5.89 g/L and ethanol 0.92 g/L). Detoxification of SADRB with activated charcoal resulted in the high removal of fermentation inhibitory compounds. Fermentation of detoxified-SADRB in continuous fermentation with a dilution rate of 0.02 h-1 achieved higher concentrations of solvent (12.42 g/L) and butanol (6.87 g/L), respectively, with a solvent productivity of 0.248 g/L.h. This study showed that the solvent concentration and productivity in continuous fermentation from SADRB was higher than that obtained from batch culture fermentation. This study also provides an economic assessment for butanol production in continuous fermentation process from DRB to validate the commercial viability of this process.

Matched MeSH terms: Batch Cell Culture Techniques/methods*
Fulltext 3D Culture of MSCs on a Gelatin Microsphere in a Dynamic Culture System Enhances Chondrogenesis

Sulaiman S, Chowdhury SR, Fauzi MB, Rani RA, Yahaya NHM, Tabata Y, et al.

Int J Mol Sci, 2020 Apr 13;21(8).
PMID: 32294921 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082688

Recent advancement in cartilage tissue engineering has explored the potential of 3D culture to mimic the in vivo environment of human cartilaginous tissue. Three-dimensional culture using microspheres was described to play a role in driving the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to chondrocyte lineage. However, factors such as mechanical agitation on cell chondrogenesis during culture on the microspheres has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we compared the 2D and 3D culture of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on gelatin microspheres (GMs) in terms of MSC stemness properties, immune-phenotype, multilineage differentiation properties, and proliferation rate. Then, to study the effect of mechanical agitation on chondrogenic differentiation in 3D culture, we cultured BMSCs on GM (BMSCs-GM) in either static or dynamic bioreactor system with two different mediums, i.e., F12: DMEM (1:1) + 10% FBS (FD) and chondrogenic induction medium (CIM). Our results show that BMSCs attached to the GM surface and remained viable in 3D culture. BMSCs-GM proliferated faster and displayed higher stemness properties than BMSCs on a tissue culture plate (BMSCs-TCP). GMs also enhanced the efficiency of in-vitro chondrogenesis of BMSCs, especially in a dynamic culture with higher cell proliferation, RNA expression, and protein expression compared to that in a static culture. To conclude, our results indicate that the 3D culture of BMSCs on gelatin microsphere was superior to 2D culture on a standard tissue culture plate. Furthermore, culturing BMSCs on GM in dynamic culture conditions enhanced their chondrogenic differentiation.

Matched MeSH terms: Cell Culture Techniques*
Transcriptional and physiological responses to inorganic nutrition in a tropical Pacific strain of Alexandrium minutum: Implications for nutrient uptakes and assimilation

Hii KS, Lim PT, Kon NF, Usup G, Gu H, Leaw CP

Gene, 2019 Aug 30;711:143950.
PMID: 31255736 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.143950

The marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum is known to produce saxitoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning in human worldwide through consumption of the contaminated shellfish mollusks. Despite numerous studies on the growth physiology and saxitoxin production of this species, the knowledge on the molecular basis of nutrient uptakes in relation to toxin production in this species is limited. In this study, relative expressions of the high-affinity transporter genes of nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate (AmNrt2, AmAmt1 and AmPiPT1) and the assimilation genes, nitrate reductase (AmNas), glutamine synthase (AmGSIII) and carbamoyl phosphate synthase (AmCPSII) from A. minutum were studied in batch clonal culture condition with two nitrogen sources (nitrate: NO3- or ammonium: NH4+) under different N:P ratios (high-P: N:P of 14 and 16, and low-P: N:P of 155). The expression of AmAmt1 was suppressed in excess NH4+-grown condition but was not observed in AmNrt2 and AmNas. Expressions of AmAmt1, AmNrt2, AmNas, AmGSIII, AmCPSII, and AmPiPT1 were high in P-deficient condition, showing that A. minutum is likely to take up nutrients for growth under P-stress condition. Conversely, relative expression of AmCPSII was incongruent with cell growth, but was well correlated with toxin quota, suggesting that the gene might involve in arginine metabolism and related toxin production pathway. The expression of AmGSIII is found coincided with higher toxin production and is believed to involve in mechanism to detoxify the cells from excess ammonium stress. The gene regulation observed in this study has provided better insights into the ecophysiology of A. minutum in relation to its adaptive strategies in unfavorable environments.

Matched MeSH terms: Batch Cell Culture Techniques/methods*
Team Resource Management Perception Under Managerial Coaching Skills and Organizational Climate: Cross-Level Analysis in Taiwan's Hospitals

Chen IC, Khan SK, Lin CH

Health Care Manag (Frederick), 2019 7 2;38(3):228-238.
PMID: 31261192 DOI: 10.1097/HCM.0000000000000266

There is growing recognition of the importance of teamwork and integration of resources in the health care industry. This article studied the influence of organizational climate and managerial coaching skills on team perception of team resource management (TRM) and coaching techniques in selected hospitals in Taiwan. Structural survey method was used to measure the relationship between organizational climate, managerial coaching skills, and team perception of TRM. The participants of this research were 530 administrative staff from 12 hospitals in Taiwan. Cross-level relationship between organizational climate (group level), managerial coaching skills (individual level), and team perception of TRM (individual level) was examined. The results revealed that organizational climate had a significant influence on team perception of TRM. Second, recognition of managerial coaching skills shaped team perception during TRM implementation. Third, organizational climate had a moderating effect on the relationship between managerial coaching skills and team perception of TRM. The study concluded that positive organizational climate and good managerial coaching skills contribute to effective team management and development. Thus, it is important for health care organizations to understand the importance of coaching and mentoring and create a workplace that makes learning, growth, and adaptation possible across different departments and functional teams.

Matched MeSH terms: Organizational Culture*
Fulltext Culture and personal influences on cardiopulmonary resuscitation- results of international survey

Ozer J, Alon G, Leykin D, Varon J, Aharonson-Daniel L, Einav S

BMC Med Ethics, 2019 12 26;20(1):102.
PMID: 31878920 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-019-0439-x

BACKGROUND: The ethical principle of justice demands that resources be distributed equally and based on evidence. Guidelines regarding forgoing of CPR are unavailable and there is large variance in the reported rates of attempted CPR in in-hospital cardiac arrest. The main objective of this work was to study whether local culture and physician preferences may affect spur-of-the-moment decisions in unexpected in-hospital cardiac arrest.
METHODS: Cross sectional questionnaire survey conducted among a convenience sample of physicians that likely comprise code team members in their country (Indonesia, Israel and Mexico). The questionnaire included details regarding respondent demographics and training, personal value judgments and preferences as well as professional experience regarding CPR and forgoing of resuscitation.
RESULTS: Of the 675 questionnaires distributed, 617 (91.4%) were completed and returned. Country of practice and level of knowledge about resuscitation were strongly associated with avoiding CPR performance. Mexican physicians were almost twicemore likely to forgo CPR than their Israeli and Indonesian/Malaysian counterparts [OR1.84 (95% CI 1.03, 3.26), p = 0.038]. Mexican responders also placed greater emphasison personal and patient quality of life (p

Matched MeSH terms: Culture*

Filters

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

External Links