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Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 54 in total

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Microtetraspora malaysiensis sp. nov., isolated from Malaysian primary dipterocarp forest soil

Nakajima Y, Ho CC, Kudo T

J Gen Appl Microbiol, 2003 Jun;49(3):181-9.
PMID: 12949699

The taxonomic position of three actinomycete strains isolated from Malaysian soil was established by using a polyphasic approach. The isolates formed chains composed of four spores on the tip of sporophores branching from the aerial mycelium, and their chemotaxonomic properties were common to those of members of the family Streptosporangiaceae. These phenotypic properties as well as a phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that they should be classified in the genus Microtetraspora. The three isolates showed a unique pattern of cultural, physiological and biochemical properties that distinguished them from previously described species of the genus Microtetraspora. The isolates showed more than 72% DNA relatedness to each other, but only 58% or less relatedness to any previously described species. On the basis of the data presented, a new species of the genus Microtetraspora, Microtetraspora malaysiensis, is proposed. The type strain of the new species is strain H47-7(T) (=JCM 11278(T)=DSM 44579(T)).
Nurses compliance to hand hygiene practice and knowledge at Klang Valley hospital

Ho SE, Ho CC, Hng SH, Liu CY, Jaafar MZ, Lim B

Clin Ter, 2013;164(5):407-11.
PMID: 24217826 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2013.1604

Hand hygiene is the most important measure in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HCAI). Adherence to hand hygiene protocols in hospital by nurses enables in prevention and control the HCAI. The main aim of the present study was to assess nurses' compliance to hand hygiene practice and knowledge in a hospital.
Geospatial Analytics in Retail Site Selection and Sales Prediction

Ting CY, Ho CC, Yee HJ, Matsah WR

Big Data, 2018 03;6(1):42-52.
PMID: 29570414 DOI: 10.1089/big.2017.0085

Studies have shown that certain features from geography, demography, trade area, and environment can play a vital role in retail site selection, largely due to the impact they asserted on retail performance. Although the relevant features could be elicited by domain experts, determining the optimal feature set can be intractable and labor-intensive exercise. The challenges center around (1) how to determine features that are important to a particular retail business and (2) how to estimate retail sales performance given a new location? The challenges become apparent when the features vary across time. In this light, this study proposed a nonintervening approach by employing feature selection algorithms and subsequently sales prediction through similarity-based methods. The results of prediction were validated by domain experts. In this study, data sets from different sources were transformed and aggregated before an analytics data set that is ready for analysis purpose could be obtained. The data sets included data about feature location, population count, property type, education status, and monthly sales from 96 branches of a telecommunication company in Malaysia. The finding suggested that (1) optimal retail performance can only be achieved through fulfillment of specific location features together with the surrounding trade area characteristics and (2) similarity-based method can provide solution to retail sales prediction.
Fulltext Outcomes and Safety of Retrograde Intra-Renal Surgery for Renal Stones Less Than 2 cm in Size

Ho CC, Hee TG, Hong GE, Singam P, Bahadzor B, Md Zainuddin Z

Nephrourol Mon, 2012;4(2):454-7.
PMID: 23573465 DOI: 10.5812/numonthly.2211

Retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRS) has been used to remove stones of less than 2 cm in the kidney. However, its role is not well defined.
Fulltext Alum irrigation for the treatment of intractable haematuria

Ho CC, Md Zainuddin Z

Malays J Med Sci, 2009 Oct;16(4):66-8.
PMID: 22135514 MyJurnal

Managing intractable haematuria is a daunting task. One cause of this condition is radiationinduced haemorrhagic cystitis. Several treatments for the condition have been proposed and one non-invasive option is alum irrigation. Here, we report on a 65-year-old woman with intractable haematuria secondary to radiation cystitis who was successfully treated with alum irrigation. Alum irrigation is safe, well tolerated and relatively cheap. A review of the literature and a comprehensive discussion on alum irrigation as treatment for haematuria is discussed here to create an awareness regarding this treatment option.
Fulltext SNP array technology: an array of hope in breast cancer research

Ho CC, Mun KS, Naidu R

Malays J Pathol, 2013 Jun;35(1):33-43.
PMID: 23817393 MyJurnal

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. The incidence of breast cancer in Malaysia is lower compared to international statistics, with peak occurrence in the age group between 50 to 59 years of age and mortality rates of 18.6%. Despite current diagnostic and prognostic methods, the outcome for individual subjects remain poor. This is in part due to breast cancers' wide genetic heterogeneity. Various platforms for genetics studies are now employed to determine the identity of these genetic abnormalities, including microarray methods like high density single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) oligonucleotide arrays which combine the power of chromosomal comparative genomic hybridization (cCGH) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the offering of higher-resolution mappings. These platforms and their applications in highlighting the genomic alteration frameworks manifested in breast carcinoma will be discussed.
Fulltext Men's Health Index: a pragmatic approach to stratifying and optimizing men's health

Tan HM, Tan WP, Wong JH, Ho CC, Teo CH, Ng CJ

Korean J Urol, 2014 Nov;55(11):710-7.
PMID: 25405012 DOI: 10.4111/kju.2014.55.11.710

PURPOSE: The proposed Men's Health Index (MHI) aims to provide a practical and systematic framework for comprehensively assessing and stratifying older men with the intention of optimising their health and functional status.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed from 1980 to 2012. We specifically looked for instruments which: assess men's health, frailty and fitness; predict life expectancy, mortality and morbidities. The instruments were assessed by the researchers who then agreed on the tools to be included in the MHI. When there was disagreements, the researchers discussed and reached a consensus guided by the principle that the MHI could be used in the primary care setting targetting men aged 55-65 years.
RESULTS: The instruments chosen include the Charlson's Combined Comorbidity-Age Index; the International Index of Erectile Function-5; the International Prostate Symptom Score; the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male; the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe Frailty Instrument; the Sitting-Rising Test; the Senior Fitness Test; the Fitness Assessment Score; and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. A pilot test on eight men was carried out and showed that the men's health index is viable.
CONCLUSIONS: The concept of assessing, stratifying, and optimizing men's health should be incorporated into routine health care, and this can be implemented by using the MHI. This index is particularly useful to primary care physicians who are in a strategic position to engage men at the peri-retirement age in a conversation about their life goals based on their current and predicted health status.
KEYWORDS: Health status indicators; Men; Physical fitness; Retirement
Commentary on Nyman MH, Johansson JE, Persson K & Gustafsson M (2011) A prospective study of nosocomial urinary tract infection in hip fracture patients. Journal Clinical Nursing 20, 2531-2539

Ho CC, Nor A'tikah T

J Clin Nurs, 2012 Feb;21(3-4):597.
PMID: 22221276 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03978.x
Retrospective study of predictors of bone metastasis in prostate cancer cases

Ho CC, Seong PK, Zainuddin ZM, Abdul Manaf MR, Parameswaran M, Razack AH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(5):3289-92.
PMID: 23803117

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to identify clinical profiles of patients with low risk of having bone metastases, for which bone scanning could be safely eliminated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cross sectional study looked at prostate cancer patients seen in the Urology Departments in 2 tertiary centres over the 11 year period starting from January 2000 to May 2011. Patient demographic data, levels of PSA at diagnosis, Gleason score for the biopsy core, T-staging as well as the lymph node status were recorded and analysed.
RESULTS: 258 men were included. The mean age of those 90 men (34.9%) with bone metastasis was 69.2 ± 7.3 years. Logistic regression found that PSA level (P=0.000) at diagnosis and patient's nodal-stage (P=0.02) were the only two independent variables able to predict the probability of bone metastasis among the newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients. Among those with a low PSA level less than 20 ng/ml, and less than 10 ng/ml, bone metastasis were detected in 10.3% (12 out of 117) and 9.7% (7 out of 72), respectively. However, by combining PSA level of 10 ng/ml or lower, and nodal negative as the two criteria to predict negative bone scan, a relatively high negative predictive value of 93.8% was obtained. The probability of bone metastasis in prostate cancer can be calculated with this formula: -1.069+0.007(PSA value, ng/ml) +1.021(Nodal status, 0 or 1)=x Probability of bone metastasis=2.718 x/1+2.718 x.
CONCLUSION: Newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients with a PSA level of 10 ng/ml or lower and negative nodes have a very low risk of bone metastasis (negative predictive value 93.8%) and therefore bone scans may not be necessary.
Scrotal lump: do not forget tuberculosis!

Ho CC, Rusdi AR

Clin Ter, 2014;165(2):107-9.
PMID: 24770814 DOI: 10.7471/CT.2014.1686

Scrotal tuberculosis (TB) is rare. Lack of awareness may lead to a misdiagnosis and/or delayed diagnosis of scrotal TB. Clinicians should have a high suspicion index for scrotal TB when facing a patient with a chronic scrotal lump. Since scrotal TB can be medically cured, biopsy of the scrotal lump for pathology study and/or urine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for M. tuberculosis should be performed first for rapid diagnostic purposes, and therefore unnecessary surgery may thereby be circumvented.
Fulltext Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcome of Gastrointestinal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Praveen S, Ho CC, Fadilah S, Sagap I

Med J Malaysia, 2010 Jun;65(2):98-100.
PMID: 23756789

Primary gastrointestinal (GIT) lymphoma constitutes only 5 - 10% of all gastrointestinal tumours. The optimal therapy for these lymphomas is poorly defined and still controversial. We present our experience in the treatment and outcome of primary GIT lymphomas in UKM Medical Center, Malaysia. A retrospective review of all patients with primary GIT lymphoma from the year 2002 until 2007 was done. Our series has shown that primary GIT lymphoma is a rare disease as it comprises only 6.5% of all lymphomas treated in this institution. We had a female predominance of this disease with a large majority at an advanced stage of the disease. There was equal distribution involving stomach, small and large intestines. The incidence of primary GIT lymphomas was 6.5% with a female predominance. The majority had advanced diseases (stage III and IV) with equal distribution involving the stomach, small and large intestines. The most common histological variant was diffuse large B cell lymphoma (66%). Most (83%) patients with intestinal lymphoma had surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. All patients with gastric lymphomas had chemotherapy alone. The mortality rate was 22% predominantly in younger patients with aggressive histology subtypes and advanced disease.
Investigating the Mechanistic and Structural Role of Lipid Hydrolysis in the Stabilization of Ammonia-Preserved Hevea Rubber Latex

Kumarn S, Churinthorn N, Nimpaiboon A, Sriring M, Ho CC, Takahara A, et al.

Langmuir, 2018 10 30;34(43):12730-12738.
PMID: 30335388 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b02321

The stabilization mechanism of natural rubber (NR) latex from Hevea brasiliensis was studied to investigate the components involved in base-catalyzed ester hydrolysis, namely, hydrolyzable lipids, ammonia, and the products responsible for the desired phenomenon observed in ammonia-preserved NR latex. Latex stability is generally thought to come from a rubber particle (RP) dispersion in the serum, which is encouraged by negatively charged species distributed on the RP surface. The mechanical stability time (MST) and zeta potential were measured to monitor field latices preserved in high (FNR-HA) and low ammonia (FNR-LA) contents as well as that with the ester-containing components removed (saponified NR) at different storage times. Amounts of carboxylates of free fatty acids (FFAs), which were released by the transformation and also hypothesized to be responsible for the like-charge repulsion of RPs, were measured as the higher fatty acid (HFA) number and corroborated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) both qualitatively and quantitatively. The lipids and their FFA products interact differently with Nile red, which is a lipid-selective and polarity-sensitive fluorophore, and consequently re-emit characteristically. The results were confirmed by conventional ester content determination utilizing different solvent extraction systems to reveal that the lipids hydrolyzed to provide negatively charged fatty acid species were mainly the polar lipids (glycolipids and phospholipids) at the RP membrane but not those directly linked to the rubber molecule and, to a certain extent, those suspended in the serum. From new findings disclosed herein together with those already reported, a new model for the Hevea rubber particle in the latex form is proposed.
Inhibition of transforming growth factor-β via the activin receptor-like kinase-5 inhibitor attenuates pulmonary fibrosis

Koh RY, Lim CL, Uhal BD, Abdullah M, Vidyadaran S, Ho CC, et al.

Mol Med Rep, 2015 May;11(5):3808-13.
PMID: 25585520 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3193

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic pulmonary disease that is characterized by formation of scar tissue in lungs. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is considered an important cytokine in the pathogenesis of this disease. Hence, the antifibrotic effect of an inhibitor of the TGF-β type I receptor, namely, SB 431542, was investigated in our study. SB 431542 was used to treat TGF-β-treated IMR-90 cells; the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was detected at the protein level by using an anti-α-SMA antibody, and at the gene level by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The effect of the inhibitor on cell proliferation was determined by a cell growth assay. The inhibitor was also administered into bleomycin-treated mice. Histopathological assessment and determination of total collagen levels were carried out to evaluate the severity of lung fibrosis in these mice. Our results demonstrated that treatment with SB 431542 inhibits TGF-β‑induced α-SMA expression in lung fibroblasts, at both the protein and the mRNA levels (P<0.05). However, the inhibitor did not significantly reduce lung fibroblast proliferation. In the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model, bleomycin treatment caused important morphological changes, accompanied by an increase in the collagen level of the lungs. Early treatment with SB 431542 prevented the manifestation of histopathological alterations, whereas delayed treatment significantly decreased the collagen level (P<0.05). These results suggest that inhibition of TGF-β signaling, via inhibition of the activin receptor-like kinase-5 (ALK-5) by SB 431542, may attenuate pulmonary fibrosis.
Anti-proliferative and anti-invasive properties of a purified fraction from Streptomyces sp. H7372

Yip WK, Cheenpracha S, Chang LC, Ho CC, Seow HF

Int J Oncol, 2010 Nov;37(5):1229-41.
PMID: 20878070

Secondary metabolites from actinomycetes especially the genus Streptomyces may be one of the most important sources for novel anticancer agents. A purified fraction from a novel actinomycete strain, Streptomyces sp. H7372, was elucidated in breast cancer cells. We have isolated three purified fractions from a novel strain, Streptomyces sp. H7372. One of the fractions, designated as 31-2, exhibited the strongest growth-inhibitory effect and thereby was selected for further studies. 31-2 exerted a growth-inhibitory effect on a panel of 15 human cancer and 2 non-malignant cell lines. In MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, 31-2 induced a cytostatic (anti-proliferative) effect without causing cytotoxicity (cell death). Our data suggest that the cytostasis resulted from cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase in MCF-7 cells and at the S phase in MDA-MB-231 cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated a modulation of phosphorylation of the Rb and CDC2 proteins and of CDK4, cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 in the 31-2-treated breast cancer cell lines. The protein levels of CDK2, CDK6, and PCNA were not affected by 31-2 treatment. 31-2 also exhibited an anti-invasive effect in MDA-MB-231 cells. However, this effect is not attributed to the modulation of proteolytic activity in MDA-MB-231 cells as the enzymatic degradation of type IV collagen was not affected by 31-2. The 31-2 is a potent cytostatic and anti-invasive agent and modulates the cell cycle pathway. Together, these results will have important implications in searching for novel approaches to treat cancer.
Fulltext Serum sex hormone levels in pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer patients

Ho CC, Rohaizak M, Zulkifli SZ, Siti-Aishah MA, Nor-Aini U, Sharifah-Noor-Akmal SH

Singapore Med J, 2009 May;50(5):513-8.
PMID: 19495523

This study was conducted to determine the association between serum sex hormone levels and breast cancer.
Fulltext Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy: our experience in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Ho CC, Zulkifli MZ, Nazri J, Sundram M

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Mar;63(1):41-3.
PMID: 18935731

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HAL-N) and nephroureterectomy (HAL-NU) were introduced to bridge the gap between open and laparoscopic surgery. This newer technique has the benefits of both laparoscopic and open surgical approaches but has a shorter learning curve and decreased operative time compared to laparoscopic surgery. A review of our 2-year experience showed that for the seventeen cases of HAL-N that was performed, the mean operative time was 187.8 minutes while the mean length of hospital stay was 4.1 days. For the two HAL-NU cases, the mean operative time was 415 minutes while the mean length of hospital stay was 5.5 days. Only one complication occurred and it was an incisional hernia at the hand-port site. There was no recurrence for the carcinoma cases. Our experience shows that this technique is feasible and safe.
A consensus on men's health status and policy in Asia: a Delphi survey

Teo CH, Ng CJ, Ho CC, Tan HM

Public Health, 2015 Jan;129(1):60-7.
PMID: 25542745 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2014.11.009

OBJECTIVE: There is currently no documentation on the availability and implementation of policies related to men's health in Asia. This Delphi study aimed to achieve an Asian consensus on men's health policy based on the opinions and recommendations from men's health key opinion leaders.
STUDY DESIGN: A two-phase Delphi online survey was used to gather information from men's health stakeholders across Asian countries.
METHODS: All stakeholders were invited to participate in the survey through men's health conferences, personal contacts, recommendations from international men's health organizations and snowballing method. Stakeholders were asked about their concerns on 17 men's health key issues as well as their opinion on the availability and recommendations on men's health policies and programmes in their countries.
RESULTS: There were a total of 128 stakeholders (policy makers, clinicians, researchers and consumers), from 28 Asian countries, who responded in the survey. Up to 85% of stakeholders were concerned about various men's health issues in Asia and in their respective country, particularly in smoking, ischaemic heart disease and high blood pressure. There is a lack of men's health policies and programmes in Asia (availability = 11.6-43.5%) and up to 92.9% of stakeholders recommended that these should be developed.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings call for policy change and development, and more importantly a concerted effort to elevate men's health status in Asia.
Fulltext The status of men's health in Asia

Ng CJ, Teo CH, Ho CC, Tan WP, Tan HM

Prev Med, 2014 Oct;67:295-302.
PMID: 25117523 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.08.007

This study aims to compare health status and its risk factors between men and women who are from countries of different income status in Asia.
Fluorescence-in-situ-hybridization in the surveillance of urothelial cancers: can use of cystoscopy or ureteroscopy be deferred?

Ho CC, Tan WP, Pathmanathan R, Tan WK, Tan HM

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2013;14(7):4057-9.
PMID: 23991952

BACKGROUND: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing may be useful to screen for bladder carcinoma or dysplasia by detecting aneuploidy chromosomes 3, 7, 17 and deletion of the chromosome 9p21 locus in urine specimens. This study aimed to assess the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of FISH in a multi-ethnic population in Asia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with haematuria and/or past history of urothelial cancer on follow-up had their voided urine tested with FISH. Patients then underwent cystoscopy/ ureteroscopy and any lesions seen were biopsied. The histopathological reports of the bladder or ureteroscopic mucosal biopsies were then compared with the FISH test results.
RESULTS: Two hundred sixty patients were recruited. The sensitivity and specificity of the FISH test was 89.2% and 83.4% respectively. The positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were 47.1% and 97.9%. By excluding patients who had positive deletion of chromosome 9, the overall results of the screening test improved: sensitivity 84.6%; specificity 96.4%; PPV 75.9% and NPV 97.9%.
CONCLUSIONS: UroVysion FISH has a high specificity of detecting urothelial cancer or dysplasia when deletion of chromosome 9 is excluded. Negative UroVysion FISH-tests may allow us to conserve health resources and minimize trauma by deferring cystoscopic or ureteroscopic examination.
Men's health issues in Asia

Ho CC, Tan HM

Aging Male, 2013 Sep;16(3):81-4.
PMID: 23822757 DOI: 10.3109/13685538.2013.809414

Men's health has gained prominence over the past few years but it is still not on par with the attention or funding that women and child health is getting. In Asia, this issue is even more conspicuous. With westernization of lifestyle, Asian men's problems emulate their Western counterparts but there are certain issues unique to Asian men due to cultural differences. This review will discuss the health issues affecting Asian men and suggest measures that can be taken to overcome them.

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