MyMedR

Movement disorder in a patient with stroke

Tai ML, Tan CT, Ramli N, Begum RJ, Lim SY

J Clin Neurosci, 2011 Feb;18(2):263, 305.

Laparoscopic localization and microlaparotomy for focal isolated perforation in necrotizing enterocolitis: an alternative approach to a challenging problem

Nah SA, Tan HL, Tamba RP, Aziz DA, Azzam N

J Pediatr Surg, 2011 Feb;46(2):424-7.

PMID: 21292104 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010.11.045

Necrotizing enterocolitis has a wide clinical spectrum of manifestation. We report a novel method of managing focal isolated perforation in necrotizing enterocolitis by using diagnostic laparoscopy to localize the site of perforation and by making a microincision over the perforation to perform exteriorization or limited resection and primary anastomosis.

Andrographolide and 14-deoxy-11, 12-didehydroandrographolide inhibit cytochrome P450s in HepG2 hepatoma cells

Ooi JP, Kuroyanagi M, Sulaiman SF, Muhammad TS, Tan ML

Life Sci, 2011 Feb 28;88(9-10):447-54.

PMID: 21219911 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2010.12.019

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes have been implicated in a large number of preventable drug-herb interactions. Andrographis paniculata Nees, a tropical herb widely used for various health conditions contains two major diterpenoids, andrographolide and 14-Deoxy-11, 12-Didehydroandrographolide. These compounds were evaluated systematically for their effects on CYP1A2, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 expressions in HepG2 cells.

Scattering noise estimation of range-gated imaging system in turbid condition

Tan C, Seet G, Sluzek A, Wang X, Yuen CT, Fam CY, et al.

Opt Express, 2010 Sep 27;18(20):21147-54.

PMID: 20941011 DOI: 10.1364/OE.18.021147

The range-gated imaging systems are reliable underwater imaging system with the capability to minimize backscattering effect from turbid media. The tail-gating technique has been developed to fine tune the signal to backscattering ratio and hence improve the gated image quality. However, the tail-gating technique has limited image quality enhancement in high turbidity levels. In this paper, we developed a numerical model of range-gated underwater imaging system for near target in turbid medium. The simulation results matched the experimental work favorably. Further investigation using this numerical model shows that the multiple scattering components of the backscattering noise dominate for propagation length larger than 4.2 Attenuation Length (AL). This has limited the enhancement of tail-gating technique in high turbidity conditions.

Over-expression of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) delays serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in CHO-K1 cells

Liew JC, Tan WS, Alitheen NB, Chan ES, Tey BT

J Biosci Bioeng, 2010 Sep;110(3):338-44.

PMID: 20547346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2010.02.017

Serum deprivation inhibits cell growth and initiates apoptosis cell death in mammalian cell cultures. Since apoptosis is a genetically controlled cell death pathway, over-expression of anti-apoptotic proteins may provide a way to delay apoptosis. This study investigated the ability of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) to inhibit apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. Study includes evaluation of the ability of XIAP to prolong culture period and its effect on cell proliferation in serum-deprived media. The full length human XIAP was introduced into CHO-K1 cell lines and the effects of XIAP over-expression on the inhibition of apoptosis induced by serum-deprived conditions were examined. In batch cultures, cells over-expressing XIAP showed decreased levels of apoptosis and a higher number of viable cell under serum-deprived conditions compared to the control cell lines. The viability of control cells dropped to 40% after 2days of serum deprivation, the XIAP expressing cells still maintained at a viability higher than 90%. Further investigation revealed that the caspase-3 activity of the CHO-K1 cell line was inhibited as a result of XIAP expression.

Fulltext Diaqua-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κN,N,N,N)copper(II) bis-(4-methyl-benzoate) monohydrate

Ahmad Tajidi NS, Abdullah N, Arifin Z, Tan KW, Ng SW

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2010;66(Pt 8):m890.

PMID: 21588135 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536810026012

The Cu(II) atom in the title salt, [Cu(C(10)H(24)N(4))(H(2)O)(2)](C(8)H(7)O(2))(2)·H(2)O, is chelated by the four N atoms of the 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane (cyclam) ligand and is coordinated by two water mol-ecules in a Jahn-Teller-type of tetra-gonally distorted octa-hedral geometry. The cations, anions and lattice water mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form a layer structure parallel to (001).

Fulltext Diaqua-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κN,N,N,N)copper(II) bis-(2,3,4,5,6-penta-fluoro-benzoate) dihydrate

Ahmad Tajidi NS, Abdullah N, Arifin Z, Tan KW, Ng SW

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2010;66(Pt 8):m889.

PMID: 21588134 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536810025705

The Cu(II) atom in the title salt, [Cu(C(10)H(24)N(4))(H(2)O)(2)](C(6)F(5)CO(2))(2)·2H(2)O, is chelated by the four N atoms of the 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane (cyclam) ligand and is coordinated by two water mol-ecules in a Jahn-Teller-type tetra-gonally distorted octa-hedral geometry. The Cu(II) atom lies on a center of inversion. The cations, anions and uncoordinated water mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a layer structure parallel to (001).

Fulltext Diaqua-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κN,N,N,N)copper(II) dideca-noate dihydrate

Ahmad Tajidi NS, Abdullah N, Arifin Z, Tan KW, Ng SW

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2010;66(Pt 8):m888.

PMID: 21588133 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536810025699

The Cu(II) atom in the title salt, [Cu(C(10)H(24)N(4))(H(2)O)(2)][CH(3)(CH(2))(8)CO(2)](2)·2H(2)O, is chelated by the four N atoms of the 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane (cyclam) ligand and is coordinated by two water mol-ecules in a Jahn-Teller-type tetra-gonally distorted octa-hedral geometry. The Cu(II) atom lies on a center of inversion. The cations, anions and uncoordinated water mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a layer structure parallel to (001).

Fulltext Diaqua-(1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κN,N,N,N)copper(II) dihepta-noate dihydrate

Ahmad Tajidi NS, Abdullah N, Arifin Z, Tan KW, Ng SW

Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online, 2010;66(Pt 8):m887.

PMID: 21588132 DOI: 10.1107/S1600536810025687

The Cu(II) atom in the title salt, [Cu(C(10)H(24)N(4))(H(2)O)(2)][CH(3)(CH(2))(5)CO(2)](2)·2H(2)O, is chelated by the four N atoms of the 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane (cyclam) ligand and is coordinated by two water mol-ecules in a tetra-gonally Jahn-Teller-distorted octa-hedral geometry. The Cu(II) atom lies on a center of inversion. The cations, anions and uncoordinated water mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a layer structure parallel to (100). The alkyl chain of the anion is disordered over two positions in a 0.82 (1):0.18 (1) ratio.

Safety and efficacy of an escalating dose regimen of pegylated interferon alpha-2b in the treatment of haemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C

Tan SS, Abu Hassan MR, Abdullah A, Ooi BP, Korompis T, Merican MI

J Viral Hepat, 2010 Jun;17(6):410-8.

PMID: 19758272 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2009.01191.x

Chronic hepatitis C is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in persons undergoing haemodialysis. This single-arm, open-label clinical trial investigated the safety and efficacy of an escalating dosage regimen of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alpha-2b in this patient population. Patients with chronic hepatitis C who were undergoing haemodialysis began treatment with PEG-IFN alpha-2b at a dose of 0.5 microg/kg/week, which was increased every 4 weeks to a maximum of 1 microg/kg/week. Treatment duration was 24 weeks for patients with genotype (G) 2 or 3 infection and 48 weeks for patients with G1 infection. The primary end point was sustained virological response (SVR). Of 46 patients screened, 34 (G1: 70.6%; G3: 29.4%) were treated and 23 (67.6%) completed treatment. Overall, 85.3% of patients experienced early virological response, 52.9% experienced end-of-treatment response, and 50% attained SVR, with a trend toward higher SVR rates in G3 compared with G1 patients (80%vs 37.5%; P = 0.06). Anaemia was the main reason for discontinuation of treatment. Patients with chronic hepatitis C who are undergoing haemodialysis can be successfully treated with an escalating dosage regimen of PEG-IFN alpha-2b monotherapy. G3-infected patients can attain high rates of SVR with only 24 weeks of therapy.

Fulltext The antibacterial properties of Malaysian tualang honey against wound and enteric microorganisms in comparison to manuka honey

Tan HT, Rahman RA, Gan SH, Halim AS, Hassan SA, Sulaiman SA, et al.

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2009;9:34.

PMID: 19754926 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-9-34

Antibiotic resistance of bacteria is on the rise, thus the discovery of alternative therapeutic agents is urgently needed. Honey possesses therapeutic potential, including wound healing properties and antimicrobial activity. Although the antimicrobial activity of honey has been effectively established against an extensive spectrum of microorganisms, it differs depending on the type of honey. To date, no extensive studies of the antibacterial properties of tualang (Koompassia excelsa) honey on wound and enteric microorganisms have been conducted. The objectives of this study were to conduct such studies and to compare the antibacterial activity of tualang honey with that of manuka honey.

Optimization of processing parameters for the preparation of phytosterol microemulsions by the solvent displacement method

Leong WF, Che Man YB, Lai OM, Long K, Misran M, Tan CP

J Agric Food Chem, 2009 Sep 23;57(18):8426-33.

PMID: 19694442 DOI: 10.1021/jf901853y

The purpose of this study was to optimize the parameters involved in the production of water-soluble phytosterol microemulsions for use in the food industry. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to model and optimize four of the processing parameters, namely, the number of cycles of high-pressure homogenization (1-9 cycles), the pressure used for high-pressure homogenization (100-500 bar), the evaporation temperature (30-70 degrees C), and the concentration ratio of microemulsions (1-5). All responses-particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), and percent ethanol residual (%ER)-were well fit by a reduced cubic model obtained by multiple regression after manual elimination. The coefficient of determination (R(2)) and absolute average deviation (AAD) value for PS, PDI, and %ER were 0.9628 and 0.5398%, 0.9953 and 0.7077%, and 0.9989 and 1.0457%, respectively. The optimized processing parameters were 4.88 (approximately 5) homogenization cycles, homogenization pressure of 400 bar, evaporation temperature of 44.5 degrees C, and concentration ratio of microemulsions of 2.34 cycles (approximately 2 cycles) of high-pressure homogenization. The corresponding responses for the optimized preparation condition were a minimal particle size of 328 nm, minimal polydispersity index of 0.159, and <0.1% of ethanol residual. The chi-square test verified the model, whereby the experimental values of PS, PDI, and %ER agreed with the predicted values at a 0.05 level of significance.

Fulltext Sex among Asian men and women: the Global Better Sex Survey in Asia

Tan HM, Marumo K, Yang DY, Hwang TI, Ong ML

Int J Urol, 2009 May;16(5):507-14; discussion 514-5.

PMID: 19467120 DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2042.2009.02283.x

OBJECTIVES:
To explore by a pooled subanalysis of the Global Better Sex Survey sexual aspirations and unmet needs of men and women from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

METHODS:
To qualify, respondents must have had sexual intercourse at least once in the past 12 months. Women must have had heterosexual intercourse. Data were weighted by population size between countries.

RESULTS:
Of 3538 Asian respondents (1776 men and 1762 women), 52% were aged <40 years, 40% were aged 40-59 years, and 8% were aged >or=60 years. The majority were married or in a relationship. Men and women reported having sexual intercourse 5.1 and 4.0 times monthly, respectively. Attraction to partner, foreplay, intercourse, and achieving orgasm were important to most men and women. Two thirds were less than very satisfied with their sex life, and 36% of men were interested in improving sex. For a good sexual experience, the man's ability to get and maintain an erection and erection hardness were important to the majority of Asian men and women. Few respondents reported using a prescription erectile dysfunction medication, but many showed interest in using these medications to improve their sex lives. A comparison between individual countries suggests that attitudes about sex differ from country to country, and between men and women in each country.

CONCLUSIONS:
Sex is very important to Asian men and women, but many of them are not fully satisfied with their sex lives and want to improve them.

Bulbar signs in normal population

Lim KS, Hew YC, Lau HK, Lim TS, Tan CT

Can J Neurol Sci, 2009 Jan;36(1):60-4.

PMID: 19294890

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is lack of published data on bulbar signs among the healthy population. This study aims to determine the range of normality of bulbar signs particularly among the elderly.

METHODS: Systemic examination of bulbar signs was carried out according to a predetermined protocol on a cohort of young and elderly healthy subjects.

RESULTS: A total of 206 subjects were recruited in the study, 104 young adults with mean age of 20 years, and 102 elderly with mean age of 73 years. Uvula deviation was seen in 28 (26.9%) young subjects and 22 (21.6%) elderly. Irregular tongue border was seen in 17 subjects, unilateral in 4 subjects. Fourteen (6.8%) subjects had deviation on tongue protrusion. Occasional tremor of tongue on protrusion is common in both young and old. Persistent (severe) tongue tremor on protrusion was seen in 18.6% of the elderly, and 4.8% of the young. None of the subjects had tremor of tongue at rest. In gag reflex, absence of gagging response was common in elderly, seen in two thirds of the subjects on stimulation of the posterior pharyngeal wall. However, all the subjects had uvular movement. Habituation or suppression of gagging response was seen in close to 90% of young males.

CONCLUSION: There is wide range of normality in bulbar signs in normal population, particularly among the elderly.

Fulltext Experimental production of clinical-grade dendritic cell vaccine for acute myeloid leukemia

Tan YF, Sim GC, Habsah A, Leong CF, Cheong SK

Malays J Pathol, 2008 Dec;30(2):73-9.

PMID: 19291915 MyJurnal

Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen presenting cells of the immune system. Through the use of DC vaccines (DC after exposure to tumour antigens), cryopreserved in single-use aliquots, an attractive and novel immunotherapeutic strategy is available as an option for treatment. In this paper we describe an in vitro attempt to scale-up production of clinical-grade DC vaccines from leukemic cells. Blast cells of two relapsed AML patients were harvested for DC generation in serum-free culture medium containing clinical-grade cytokines GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-alpha. Cells from patient 1 were cultured in a bag and those from patient 2 were cultured in a flask. The numbers of seeding cells were 2.24 x 10(8) and 0.8 x 10(8), respectively. DC yields were 10 x 10(6) and 29.8 x 10(6) cells, giving a conversion rate of 4.7% and 37%, respectively. These DC vaccines were then cryopreserved in approximately one million cells per vial with 20% fresh frozen group AB plasma and 10% DMSO. At 12 months and 21 months post cryopreservation, these DC vaccines were thawed, and their sterility, viability, phenotype and functionality were studied. DC vaccines remained sterile up to 21 months of storage. Viability of the cryopreserved DC in the culture bag and flask was found to be 50% and 70% at 12 months post cryopreservation respectively; and 48% and 67% at 21 months post cryopreservation respectively. These DC vaccines exhibited mature DC surface phenotypic markers of CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR, and negative for haemopoietic markers. Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) study showed functional DC vaccines. These experiments demonstrated that it is possible to produce clinical-grade DC vaccines in vitro from blast cells of leukemic patients, which could be cryopreserved up to 21 months for use if repeated vaccinations are required in the course of therapy.

Fulltext Immunohistochemical study of p16 INK4A and survivin expressions in cervical squamous neoplasm

Tan GC, Norlatiffah S, Sharifah NA, Razmin G, Shiran MS, Hatta AZ, et al.

Indian J Pathol Microbiol, 2010 Jan-Mar;53(1):1-6.

PMID: 20090212 DOI: 10.4103/0377-4929.59173

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Malaysian women. Despite the implementation of pap smear screening, many women are still diagnosed only in the advanced stage of cervical cancer. This could partly be due to failure of detection of its precursor lesions; hence the need to search for novel biomarkers to assist in the screening and diagnosis of cervical neoplasia. This study aims to determine the expression of p16INK4A and survivin as possible predictive biomarkers in cervical squamous neoplasm.

Fulltext Massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding attributable to heavy whipworm infection and Salmonella typhi co-infection: a case report

Nimir AR, Aziz MS, Tan GC, Shaker AR

Cases J, 2009;2:8285.

PMID: 19918413 DOI: 10.4076/1757-1626-2-8285

Massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to trichuriasis and/or typhoid fever is rarely reported. We reported a case of a 29-year-old male presented with per rectal bleeding, diarrhea, generalized abdominal pain and fever for two weeks. After diagnosis suspicion, emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed, where resection of the ulcerated part of the caecum and terminal ileum was performed. Microscopically analysis, diagnosed heavy infestation with Trichuris trichiura. It was complicated with Salmonella typhi infection confirmed later from the blood culture result.

Fulltext MTHFR C677T polymorphism as a risk factor of neural tube defects in Malay: a case control study

Hayati AR, Zainal AI, Tan GC, Ong LC, Khoo TB

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Dec;63(5):379-83.

PMID: 19803295 MyJurnal

Major congenital malformations occur in about 3% of newborn. Several studies have suggested that homozygosity for the C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) variant is a potential risk factor for neural tube defects (NTDs). It has been hypothesized that the maternal folic acid supplementation prevents NTDs by partially correcting reduced MTHFR activity associated with the variant form of the enzyme. This association has not been found in some ethnic groups. In this study, we attempted to assess the association between NTDs and MTHFR C677T in Malaysian Malay population. Results show that MTHFR 677TT genotype was absent in both patient and control groups.

Fulltext Molecular Detection of Legionella: Moving on From mip

Yong SF, Tan SH, Wee J, Tee JJ, Sansom FM, Newton HJ, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2010;1:123.

PMID: 21687766 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2010.00123

The detection of Legionella pneumophila in environmental and clinical samples is frequently performed by PCR amplification of the mip and/or 16S rRNA genes. Combined with DNA sequencing, these two genetic loci can be used to distinguish different species of Legionella and identify L. pneumophila. However, the recent Legionella genome sequences have opened up hundreds of possibilities for the development of new molecular targets for detection and diagnosis. Ongoing comparative genomics has the potential to fine tune the identification of Legionella species and serogroups by combining specific and general genetic targets. For example, the coincident detection of LPS biosynthesis genes and virulence genes may allow the differentiation of both pathogen and serogroup without the need for nucleotide sequencing. We tested this idea using data derived from a previous genomic subtractive hybridization we performed between L. pneumophila serogroup 1 and L. micdadei. Although not yet formally tested, these targets serve as an example of how comparative genomics has the potential to improve the scope and accuracy of Legionella molecular detection if embraced by laboratories undertaking Legionella surveillance.

The protective effect of Mucuna pruriens seeds against snake venom poisoning

Tan NH, Fung SY, Sim SM, Marinello E, Guerranti R, Aguiyi JC

J Ethnopharmacol, 2009 Jun 22;123(2):356-8.

PMID: 19429384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.03.025

The seed, leaf and root of Mucuna pruriens have been used in traditional medicine for treatments of various diseases. In Nigeria, the seed is used as oral prophylactics for snakebite.

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