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Redescription of Anastatus mantoidae Motschulsky, the type species of Anastatus Motschulsky 1859, and Anastatus echidna (Motschulsky), the type species of Cacotropia Motschulsky 1863, with respect to taxonomy of Anastatus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae: Eupelminae)

Gibson GAP

Zootaxa, 2020 Mar 09;4748(3):zootaxa.4748.3.5.
PMID: 32230064 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4748.3.5

Both sexes of Anastatus mantoidae Motschulsky, the type species of Anastatus Motschulsky, 1859, and females of Anastatus echidna (Motschulsky), the type species of Cacotropia Motschulsky, 1863, the oldest junior synonym of Anastatus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae: Eupelminae), are redescribed and illustrated based on original type material and compared to more recently collected material. Anastatus mantoidae, previously known only from Sri Lanka, is newly reported from Indonesia (Java and Sumatra) and Thailand, and a very similar species, A. motschulskyi n. sp., is newly described based on both sexes from Malaysia (Sabah) and Thailand and compared to A. mantoidae. Anastatus echidna, also originally known only from Sri Lanka, is newly reported from India, Pakistan and Thailand, and potential synonymy of one or both of Anastatus amarus (Subba Rao, 1957) and Anastatus acherontiae Narayanan, Subba Rao Ramachandra Rao, 1960, under A. echidna is discussed.
Fulltext Conception of Saviour Siblings: Religious Views in Malaysia

Kuek CY, A/P Gurmukh Singh SK

Asian Bioeth Rev, 2022 Oct;14(4):363-377.
PMID: 36203711 DOI: 10.1007/s41649-022-00216-3

The advancement of human reproductive technology has made it possible for parents with a child affected by a haematological disorder to select and bring into being, a prospective child who can act as a matched stem cell donor. This can be done through the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) coupled with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing (PGD-HLA typing), or HLA tying as a standalone procedure, where a healthy embryo, which is an HLA match to the existing sick sibling, is chosen for implantation. The creation of such a sibling (saviour sibling) is normally taken as a last resort when there is no related or unrelated matched donor. While the conception of a saviour sibling may serve as a reliable and realistic treatment option for the ailing child, it also poses new moral questions that challenge a religiously pluralistic society such as Malaysia. The use of PGD-HLA typing may be controversial as it involves creating a life to save a life, selection of compatible human embryos and destruction of the unselected embryos. At present, there is no legal framework regulating the conception of saviour siblings. The development of ethically sound and appropriate local laws and policies should consider the views of religious communities, especially when it involves a controversial subject such as the conception of saviour siblings. This article seeks to explore the perceptions of religious scholars and representatives of the major religions professed and practised in Malaysia, namely Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism, through qualitative interviews.
Fulltext The changes of meibomian glands, tear films, crystalline lens among early stage diabetes mellitus

Shanisha Rubiny A/P Vardi Veloo, Subhadeep Das

Journal of Optometry, Eye and Health Research, 2020;2(1):57-61.
MyJurnal

Diabetes mellitus is a condition of increase glucose concentration in blood plasma. Complication of diabetes mellitus are progressive and leads to several changes on ocular surface. Lack of data focusing on changes in ocular surface among early detect diabetes. Therefore, the aim of the study is to focus on the prevalence of changes in Meibomian glands, tear films and crystalline lens among early detect diabetes type 2. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted to assess the grading of Meibomian glands, number of expressible glands, Tear-break up time (TBUT), schirmer’s test I , and crystalline lens in 100 eyes of 50 patients who has type 2 diabetes less than 5 years. Demographic information , medical and ocular history was recorded. Data was entered on SPSS version 25- descriptive analysis. The mean ± standard deviation for age was 51.08 ± 8.708 and the years of diabetes was 3.14 ± 1.498. The results stated, more people has MGD grade 1 with percentage of 39% . Besides, TBUT test has mean ± SD of 4.74 ± 1.404 and tear production with mean of 15.1± 8.650. There were 54% more patients has no changes on crystalline lens. Approximately, high prevalence in changes of Meibomian gland, and tear film while low prevalence on changes of crystalline lens among shorter duration diabetic patients.
Fulltext IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT POLICY ON DIRECT DRIVERS OF DEFORESTRATION IN MALAYSIA

MOE SHWE SIN, SHANGKARI A/P WASU DAVEN

UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(2):67-82.
MyJurnal

Deforestation is one of the incredible difficulties confronting mankind. The extraction of woods remains one of the main drivers of deforestation in Malaysia. Relatively, rising in timber values may lead to enlarge in the net advantages of clearing land. Thus, this study is written to assess the process and underlying causes of forest cover change in Malaysia from 1997 to 2016. After assessed the discusses it on the impact of direct drivers with different management scenarios on deforestation in Malaysia. The research design, data, and method also performed by using System Simulation Model. Model validation and sensitivity tests was carried out after the simulation model is implemented to check the correctness in line with the real system. The simulation analysis was carried out with three different simulation periods together with the impact of two main policies: (1) controlling threshold profit; (2) discounted rate. The result of the study indicates that the most suitable policy combination to manage the deforestation is scenario 2 (policy 2B) with the RM650 per/ha threshold profit coupled with interest rate r=4% within 50years period.
Pro-inflammatory properties of the kallikrein-kinin system: potential for new drug therapy

Sharma JN, Yusof AP

Inflammopharmacology, 1998;6(4):289-96.
PMID: 17657626

Components of the kallikrein-kinin system are activated in response to noxious stimuli (chemical, physical or bacterial), which may lead to excessive release of kinins in the synovial joints that may produce inflammatory joint disease. The inflammatory changes observed in synovial tissue may be due to activation of B(2) receptors. Kinins also stimulate the synthesis of other pro-inflammatory agents (PGs, LTs, histamine, EDRF, PGI(2) and PAF) in the inflamed joint. B(2)-receptor antagonists may provide valuable agents as new analgesic drugs. Furthermore, it is suggested that substances to reduce activation of the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) may provide a pharmacological basis for the synthesis of novel antirheumatic or anti-inflammatory drugs.
ANN modeling of the penetration across a polydimethylsiloxane membrane from theoretically derived molecular descriptors

Agatonovic-Kustrin S, Beresford R, Yusof AP

J Pharm Biomed Anal, 2001 Sep;26(2):241-54.
PMID: 11470201

A quantitative structure-permeability relationship was developed using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling to study penetration across a polydimethylsiloxane membrane. A set of 254 compounds and their experimentally derived maximum steady state flux values used in this study was gathered from the literature. A total of 42 molecular descriptors were calculated for each compound. A genetic algorithm was used to select important molecular descriptors and supervised ANN was used to correlate selected descriptors with the experimentally derived maximum steady-state flux through the polydimethylsiloxane membrane (log J). Calculated molecular descriptors were used as the ANN's inputs and log J as the output. Developed model indicates that molecular shape and size, inter-molecular interactions, hydrogen-bonding capacity of drugs, and conformational stability could be used to predict drug absorption through skin. A 12-descriptor nonlinear computational neural network model has been developed for the estimation of log J values for a data set of 254 drugs. Described model does not require experimental parameters and could potentially provide useful prediction of membrane penetration of new drugs and reduce the need for actual compound synthesis and flux measurements.
Theoretically-derived molecular descriptors important in human intestinal absorption

Agatonovic-Kustrin S, Beresford R, Yusof AP

J Pharm Biomed Anal, 2001 May;25(2):227-37.
PMID: 11275432

A quantitative structure-human intestinal absorption relationship was developed using artificial neural network (ANN) modeling. A set of 86 drug compounds and their experimentally-derived intestinal absorption values used in this study was gathered from the literature and a total of 57 global molecular descriptors, including constitutional, topological, chemical, geometrical and quantum chemical descriptors, calculated for each compound. A supervised network with radial basis transfer function was used to correlate calculated molecular descriptors with experimentally-derived measures of human intestinal absorption. A genetic algorithm was then used to select important molecular descriptors. Intestinal absorption values (IA%) were used as the ANN's output and calculated molecular descriptors as the inputs. The best genetic neural network (GNN) model with 15 input descriptors was chosen, and the significance of the selected descriptors for intestinal absorption examined. Results obtained with the model that was developed indicate that lipophilicity, conformational stability and inter-molecular interactions (polarity, and hydrogen bonding) have the largest impact on intestinal absorption.
Orthopantomographic survey of edentulous patients of different age groups in Malaysia

Dias AP, Jiffry MT

Aust Dent J, 1988 Feb;33(1):23-6.
PMID: 3165617
A rare case of paediatric meningioma masquerading as intra-axial lesion

Tan LY, Tan AP

Med J Malaysia, 2018 12;73(6):439-440.
PMID: 30647227

Meningiomas are neoplasm arising from meningoepithelial cells, most commonly in the fifth to sixth decade of life. Meningiomas are rare in paediatric population, accounting for 0.4-4.1% of all paediatric tumours and less than 3% of paediatric brain tumours. However, meningiomas represent the most common dural based tumours in children. We describe a rare case of paediatric fibroblastic meningioma within the left middle cranial fossa masquerading as an intra-axial mass lesion. Our discussion will be centred on atypical features of paediatric meningiomas and differential diagnosis of extra-axial mass lesion in the paediatric population.
Identification of a molecular marker for the Y chromosome of Brugia malayi

Underwood AP, Bianco AE

Mol Biochem Parasitol, 1999 Mar 15;99(1):1-10.
PMID: 10215019

Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to analyse genomic DNA from virgin females and males of Brugia malayi, with a view to identifying sex-specific differences predicted by an XX/XY system of chromosomal sex determination. A product of 2338 bp, amplified with the arbitrary primer 5' GTTGCGATCC 3', was obtained exclusively from males. Primers based on the sequence of this product amplified a DNA fragment of the expected size from each of two independent isolates of B. malayi (from Malaysia and Indonesia) by PCR. No reaction product was obtained from the closely related species Brugia pahangi. In a genetic cross between B. malayi males and B. pahangi females, F1 hybrid microfilariae were PCR-positive, indicating that the locus is paternally-inherited. Southern blotting demonstrated that the target sequence resides in the high molecular weight fraction of genomic DNA, confirming that it is of chromosomal, rather than mitochondrial, origin. Sequencing of the locus revealed significant similarity with members of a family of reverse transcriptase-like genes in Caenorhabditis elegans. In-frame stops indicate that the gene is non-functional, but multiple bands of hybridisation in Southern blots suggest that the RT sequence may be the relic of a transposable element. Multiple repeats of the dinucleotide AT occurred in another region of the sequence. These varied in number between the two isolates of B. malayi in the manner of a microsatellite, surprisingly the first to be described from the B. malayi genome. Because of its association with the Y chromosome, we have given the locus the acronym TOY (Tag On Y). Identification of this chromosome-specific marker confirms the XX/XY heterogametic karyotype in B. malayi and opens the way to elucidation of the role of Y in sex determination.
Fulltext Diabetes control - the legacy of a memory

Vijay AP, Chan SP

JUMMEC, 2009;12(2):47-56.
MyJurnal

Achieving and maintaining good glycaemic control remains an important goal in the management of this common and prevalent disorder. Recent evidence from important megatrials, ACCORD, ADVANCE, VADT, UKPDS-10 year follow-up as well as the STENO-2 follow-up study, have cleared doubts concerning the benefits of targeting good glycaemic control. For the first time, we have the reassurance that macrovascular benefits can be realised from good glycaemic control. The legacy effect of prior good glucose control from the UKPDS-10 year follow-up, reinforces the results seen from the DCCT-EDIC (for Type 1 diabetes). The Intervention Phase of the UKPDS revealed benefits for reduction of microvascular complications, while it was only at the end of the Post-Trial Monitoring Phase where significant improvements in both micro and macrovascular outcomes were seen. The other three Trials assessing the effect of glycaemic control on cardiovascular outcomes, although largely negative for CV benefit, give valuable insight towards appropriate patient characteristics for which aggressive glucose control can and should be instituted. Individualising glycaemic targets, which has been the approach that many clinicians have been practising, has received new impetus albeit with clearer details. Getting to glycaemic goal early in the course of T2DM and Doing to Safely (Avoiding hypoglycaemia)are the key ingredients to successful management. The legacy of the memory of initial good metabolic/glycaemic control is investment in good health with benefits of reductions in both micro and more importantly, macrovascular disease, years later. Multifactorial interventions that include blood pressure, lipid lowering in addition to glucose control in these individuals with the Metabolic Syndrome result in more immediate beneficial additive effects on cardiovascular outcomes.
Fulltext Blast injuries of the ear

Singh AP, Prasad U, Kumar N

Singapore Med J, 1983 Dec;24(6):367-73.
PMID: 6681493

Clinical synopsis and investigations on fourteen patients with blast injuries of the ear successfully treated at the ENT Unit of the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, revealed few interesting observations in addition to usual findings. The most outstanding one was the absence of sensorineural deafness, although it has been claimed as one of the most constant features. Conservative management alone was found to be of significant value.
Renal disease in Kuala Lumpur. A study of 100 patients with renal biopsy

Mukherjee AP, Yuen TK

Med J Aust, 1971 Jan 30;1(5):257-60.
PMID: 5545973
Fulltext Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma Associated With the Use of Low-dose Aspirin in Elderly Patient

Phang ZH, Chew JJ, A/P Thurairajasingam J, Ibrahim SB

J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev, 2018 Oct;2(10):e059.
PMID: 30656250 DOI: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-18-00059

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare condition defined by bleeding in the epidural space of the spine with no identifiable causes such as trauma, vascular malformation, or bleeding disorders. This is a case of a 79-year-old woman with a medical history of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypertension presented with the sudden onset of severe thoracolumbar back pain associated with weakness and numbness in her bilateral lower limb. Examination of the lower limb showed bilateral lower limb motor and sensory deficits. Laboratory investigations showed normal results. MRI showed posterior extradural intraspinal hematoma from T11 to L3 vertebrae. Patient underwent right hemilaminectomy and posterior decompression of T12 and L1 vertebrae to evacuate the hematoma. Postoperatively, her neurologic complications improved gradually. Decision was made not to restart aspirin. On follow-up at 1 year, the patient had complete recovery of neurologic complications of both lower limb and had no recurrence of bleeding. In short, this is a case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma associated with long-term use of low-dose aspirin in an elderly patient requiring surgical evacuation of hematoma with good functional outcome after the surgery. Therefore, aspirin should be prescribed cautiously especially to elderly patients.
More than a Bump on the Head

Ling C, Ng DCE, A/P Bag Amiya Kumar T

J Pediatr, 2021 Nov;238:331.
PMID: 34181984 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.06.052
Fulltext Relationships between parents' academic backgrounds and incomes and building students' healthy eating habits

Hoque KE, Hoque KF, A/P Thanabalan R

PeerJ, 2018;6:e4563.
PMID: 29736328 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4563

Background: Building healthy eating habit is essential for all people. School and family are the prime institutions to instill this habit during early age. This study is aimed at understanding the impact of family such as parents' educations and incomes on building students' healthy eating habits.
Methods: A survey on building students' eating habits was conducted among primary school students of grade 4 (11 years) and 5 (12 years) from Kulim district, Malaysia. Data from 318 respondents were analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to find the present scenario of their knowledge, attitude and practices towards their eating habits while one-way ANOVA and independent sample t-test were used to find the differences between their practices based on students' gender, parents' educations and incomes.
Results: The study finds that the students have a good knowledge of types of healthy food but yet their preferences are towards the unhealthy food. Though the students' gender and parents' educations are not found significantly related to students' knowledge, attitude and practices towards healthy eating habits, parents' incomes have significant influence on promoting the healthy eating habit.
Discussion: Findings of this study can be useful to guide parents in healthy food choices and suggest them to be models to their children in building healthy eating habits.
Genetic relationships among five varieties of Curcuma alismatifolia (Zingiberaceae) based on ISSR markers

Taheri S, Abdullah TL, Abdullah NA, Ahmad Z

Genet. Mol. Res., 2012;11(3):3069-76.
PMID: 23007984

The genus Curcuma is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) that has recently become popular for use as flowering pot plants, both indoors and as patio and landscape plants. We used PCR-based molecular markers (ISSRs) to assess genetic variation and relationships between five varieties of curcuma (Curcuma alismatifolia) cultivated in Malaysia. Sixteen ISSR primers generated 139 amplified fragments, of which 77% had high polymorphism among these varieties. These markers were used to estimate genetic similarity among the varieties using Jaccard's similarity coefficient. The similarity matrix was used to construct a dendrogram, and a principal component plot was developed to examine genetic relationships among varieties. Similarity coefficient values ranged from 0.40 to 0.58 (with a mean of 0.5) among the five varieties. The mean value of number of observed alleles, number of effective alleles, mean Nei's gene diversity, and Shannon's information index were 8.69, 1.48, 0.29, and 0.43, respectively.
Conformational characteristics of single flexible polyelectrolyte chain

Jesudason CG, Lyubartsev AP, Laaksonen A

Eur Phys J E Soft Matter, 2009 Dec;30(4):341-50.
PMID: 19946724 DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2009-10532-5

The behaviour of a flexible anionic chain of 150 univalent and negatively charged beads connected by a harmonic-like potential with each other in the presence of an equal number of positive and free counterions, is studied in molecular dynamics simulations with Langevin thermostat in a wide range of temperatures. Simulations were carried out for several values of the bending parameter, corresponding to fully flexible polyion, moderately and strongly stiff polyion as well as for the case when bend conformation is preferable to the straight one. We have found that in all cases three regimes can be distinguished, which can be characterized as "random coil", observed at high temperatures; "extended conformation" observed at moderate temperatures (of the order of 1 in reduced units), and compact "globular conformation" attained at low temperatures. While the transition between high-temperature random and extended conformations is gradual, the transition from the extended coil to the globular state, taking place at a temperature of about 0.2 in reduced units, is of abrupt character resembling a phase transition.
The kinin antagonist hoe 140 reduces acute paw oedema in rats caused by carrageenan, bradykinin and kaolin

Sharma JN, Yusof AP, Wirth KJ

Inflammopharmacology, 1998;6(1):9-17.
PMID: 17638123

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Hoe 140, a BK receptor B(2) antagonist, on acute oedema induced by carrageenan, BK and kaolin in male Wistar Kyoto rats. Hoe 140 (0.2 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) given ip caused significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01) inhibition of carrageenan and BK-induced paw oedema. This suggests that BK is the prime inflammatory mediator of carrageenan oedema, and that it is also a specific blocker of oedema caused by BK. Furthermore, Hoe 140 was found to be less effective in reducing kaolin-induced oedema in rats. This might reflect that BK is not a prime inflammatory mediator of kaolin-induced oedema. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.
Fulltext Moulded cement-prosthesis for osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus

Pan KL, Ong GB, Potukuchi AP

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Dec;61 Suppl B:55-7.
PMID: 17600994

We report a case of an 11-year-old boy with osteosarcoma of the proximal humerus treated with wide excision and reconstruction with a cement spacer-prosthesis. After seven years of follow-up, the patient is now almost a young adult. We present his current physical and functional status, which seems to defray the initial doubts regarding long-term problems when we chose this method of reconstruction.

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