MyMedR

Fulltext Harvesting the maximum length of sciatic nerve from adult mice: a step-by-step approach

Bala U, Tan KL, Ling KH, Cheah PS

BMC Res Notes, 2014;7:714.

PMID: 25304607 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-714

Over the past several decades, many studies concerning peripheral nerve damage or regeneration have been performed. Mice have been widely used for many of these studies, with the sciatic nerve being the most targeted and preferred nerve. Therefore, techniques for harvesting mouse sciatic nerves of a maximum length that is sufficient for different analyses will be highly valuable. Here we describe a simple step-by-step guide for harvesting the maximum length of mouse sciatic nerve and compare the length of the harvested nerves gathered with the proposed method with nerves obtained using a conventional mid-thigh incision approach.

Fulltext Mental health state and quality of life questionnaire in low vision assessment: a case report

Omar R, Rahman MH, Knight VF, Mustaphal M, Mohammed Z

BMC Res Notes, 2014;7:667.

PMID: 25245590 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-667

BACKGROUND: Vision impairment associated with diabetic retinopathy, is well known and low vision rehabilitation is always recommended. In this report, the importance of objective measure of mental health and quality of life screening in diabetic retinopathy low-vision assessment is discussed.
CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a 43-year-old Asian female who has mild vision impairment due to tractional retinal detachment secondary to diabetic retinopathy and how mental health screening and quality of life screening during low vision rehabilitation can improve in the management of this patient.
CONCLUSION: Although vision impairment was mild, the psychological impact was enormous and affected her quality of life substantially. This case report illustrates that recognition of the mental health and quality of life impact on visual impairment is critical to the rehabilitation management of low vision patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Fulltext First report on the molecular epidemiology of Malaysian Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from a university teaching hospital

Sani NA, Sapri HF, Neoh HM, Hussin S

BMC Res Notes, 2014;7:597.

PMID: 25186825 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-597

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a pathogen associated with nosocomial infections whose medical importance has increased due to progressively invasive medical procedures. In this study, we characterized the molecular epidemiology of S. epidermidis strains circulating in our university hospital situated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Fulltext Development of chloroplast simple sequence repeats (cpSSRs) for the intraspecific study of Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) from different populations

Song SL, Lim PE, Phang SM, Lee WW, Hong DD, Prathep A

BMC Res Notes, 2014;7:77.

PMID: 24490797 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-77

Gracilaria tenuistipitata is an agarophyte with substantial economic potential because of its high growth rate and tolerance to a wide range of environment factors. This red seaweed is intensively cultured in China for the production of agar and fodder for abalone. Microsatellite markers were developed from the chloroplast genome of G. tenuistipitata var. liui to differentiate G. tenuistipitata obtained from six different localities: four from Peninsular Malaysia, one from Thailand and one from Vietnam. Eighty G. tenuistipitata specimens were analyzed using eight simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer-pairs that we developed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification.

Fulltext Nutrient intake and nutritional status of newly diagnosed patients with cancer from the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Menon K, Razak SA, Ismail KA, Krishna BV

BMC Res Notes, 2014;7:680.

PMID: 25270226 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-680

Cancer therapy in Malaysia primarily focuses on the clinical management of patients with cancer and malnutrition continues to be one of the major causes of death in these patients. There is a dearth of information on the nutrient intake and status of newly diagnosed patients with cancer prior to the initiation of treatment. The present study aims to assess the nutrient intake and status of newly diagnosed patients with cancer from the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Fulltext A novel screening tool (Karanth's test) for vitamin B12 deficiency: a pilot study

Karanth VK, Karanth L, Karanth TK, Karanth SK, Bekur R

BMC Res Notes, 2015;8:778.

PMID: 26652288 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1744-1

No practical tests are currently available for screening vitamin B12 deficiency because the available techniques are invasive, expensive, and require a particular level of infrastructure and service that is not available in all places such as rural areas. Thus, we have examined the efficacy of a novel method (Karanth's test) for identifying people with vitamin B12 deficiency as part of a pilot study.

Fulltext Efficient extraction of small and large RNAs in bacteria for excellent total RNA sequencing and comprehensive transcriptome analysis

Heera R, Sivachandran P, Chinni SV, Mason J, Croft L, Ravichandran M, et al.

BMC Res Notes, 2015;8(1):754.

PMID: 26645211 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1726-3

Next-generation transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) has become the standard practice for studying gene splicing, mutations and changes in gene expression to obtain valuable, accurate biological conclusions. However, obtaining good sequencing coverage and depth to study these is impeded by the difficulties of obtaining high quality total RNA with minimal genomic DNA contamination. With this in mind, we evaluated the performance of Phenol-free total RNA purification kit (Amresco) in comparison with TRI Reagent (MRC) and RNeasy Mini (Qiagen) for the extraction of total RNA of Pseudomonas aeruginosa which was grown in glucose-supplemented (control) and polyethylene-supplemented (growth-limiting condition) minimal medium. All three extraction methods were coupled with an in-house DNase I treatment before the yield, integrity and size distribution of the purified RNA were assessed. RNA samples extracted with the best extraction kit were then sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform.

Fulltext Computational identification and binding analysis of orphan human cytochrome P450 4X1 enzyme with substrates

Kumar S

BMC Res Notes, 2015;8:9.

PMID: 25595103 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-0976-4

Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are important heme-containing proteins, well known for their monooxygenase reaction. The human cytochrome P450 4X1 (CYP4X1) is categorized as "orphan" CYP because of its unknown function. In recent studies it is found that this enzyme is expressed in neurovascular functions of the brain. Also, various studies have found the expression and activity of orphan human cytochrome P450 4X1 in cancer. It is found to be a potential drug target for cancer therapy. However, three-dimensional structure, the active site topology and substrate specificity of CYP4X1 remain unclear.

Fulltext Antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibition activity of the fertile fronds and rhizomes of three different Drynaria species

Tan JB, Lim YY

BMC Res Notes, 2015;8:468.

PMID: 26395256 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1414-3

For generations, the rhizomes of Drynaria ferns have been used as traditional medicine in Asia. Despite this, the bioactivities of Drynaria rhizomes and leaves have rarely been studied scientifically.

Fulltext Development of repeatable arrays of proteins using immobilized DNA microplate (RAPID-M) technology

Ashaari NS, Ramarad S, Khairuddin D, Akhir NA, Hara Y, Mahadi NM, et al.

BMC Res Notes, 2015;8:669.

PMID: 26563904 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1637-3

Protein microarrays have enormous potential as in vitro diagnostic tools stemming from the ability to miniaturize whilst generating maximum evaluation of diagnostically relevant information from minute amounts of sample. In this report, we present a method known as repeatable arrays of proteins using immobilized DNA microplates (RAPID-M) for high-throughput in situ protein microarray fabrication. The RAPID-M technology comprises of cell-free expression using immobilized DNA templates and in situ protein purification onto standard microarray slides.

Fulltext Systemic and coronary levels of CRP, MPO, sCD40L and PlGF in patients with coronary artery disease

Fong SW, Few LL, See Too WC, Khoo BY, Nik Ibrahim NN, Yahaya SA, et al.

BMC Res Notes, 2015;8:679.

PMID: 26576922 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1677-8

Biomarkers play a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of patients with acute coronary syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the differences in level of several biomarkers, i.e. C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, soluble CD40 ligand and placental growth factor, between acute coronary syndrome and chronic stable angina patients. The relationship between these biomarkers in the coronary circulation and systemic circulation was also investigated.

Fulltext Neonatal preintubation sedation: a national survey in Malaysia

Hss AS, Linus-Lojikip S, Ismail Z, Ishahar NH, Yusof SS

BMC Res Notes, 2015;8:660.

PMID: 26553069 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1653-3

There is a shift of practice towards administering sedation in neonates around the world. At the present moment, there is no available data or literature on the practice of sedation before intubation of neonates in Malaysia thus, evaluation of these practice was not possible. This study was conducted to evaluate neonatal preintubation sedation practice and the availability of neonatal preintubation sedation policy in government, university and private Malaysian Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in 2007.

Fulltext Prevalence of stress among medical students: a comparative study between public and private medical schools in Bangladesh

Eva EO, Islam MZ, Mosaddek AS, Rahman MF, Rozario RJ, Iftekhar AF, et al.

BMC Res Notes, 2015;8:327.

PMID: 26223786 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1295-5

Throughout the world all health professionals face stress because of time-pressures, workload, multiple roles and emotional issues. Stress does not only exist among the health professionals but also in medical students. Bangladesh has currently 77 medical colleges 54 of which are private. This study was designed to collect baseline data of stress-level among Bangladeshi students, which we believe will form the basis for further in depth studies.

Fulltext The first Malay database toward the ethnic-specific target molecular variation

Halim-Fikri H, Etemad A, Abdul Latif AZ, Merican AF, Baig AA, Annuar AA, et al.

BMC Res Notes, 2015;8:176.

PMID: 25925844 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1123-y

The Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project (MyHVP) is one of the eighteen official Human Variome Project (HVP) country-specific nodes. Since its inception in 9(th) October 2010, MyHVP has attracted the significant number of Malaysian clinicians and researchers to participate and contribute their data to this project. MyHVP also act as the center of coordination for genotypic and phenotypic variation studies of the Malaysian population. A specialized database was developed to store and manage the data based on genetic variations which also associated with health and disease of Malaysian ethnic groups. This ethnic-specific database is called the Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project database (MyHVPDb).

Fulltext Are medical students confident in taking a sexual history? An assessment on attitude and skills from an upper middle income country

Ariffin F, Chin KL, Ng C, Miskan M, Lee VK, Isa MR

BMC Res Notes, 2015;8:248.

PMID: 26082003 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1220-y

BACKGROUND: Sexual history training during undergraduate education is essential for preparing future doctors to handle patients' sexual health concerns. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes and perceptions of final-year medical students in Malaysia toward sexual history taking and the training they receive from their medical schools.
METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional survey of 379 final-year medical students from three medical schools in Malaysia. Students were asked to rate their attitudes and perceptions regarding training on taking sexual histories using a newly developed questionnaire with good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73). Ethics approval was obtained from the relevant medical schools, and the statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, Version 20.0.
RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 23.58 ± 0.65 SD. Participants reported high interest in sexual health and felt it was important for doctors to know how to take a sexual history (95%). Among the participants, only half felt comfortable in taking sexual histories from patients. The participants identified cultural and religious differences between the doctor and the patient as a potential barrier for discussing sexual health. Participants were aware of their own practice and ability, as well as their limitations, in taking sexual histories. Less than half (46%) felt that the training they received adequately prepared them to take sexual histories.
CONCLUSIONS: This study identified gaps in sexual health training among medical schools in Malaysia. The delivery of sexual health education program should incorporate confidence building and to make students feel comfortable to take sexual histories from patients. The barrier caused by differences in culture or religion between a doctor and a patient may be overcome through cross cultural and cultural competency training. This is important for multi-faith, multi cultural societies such as Malaysia and other similar countries.

Fulltext A portable mnemonic to facilitate checking for cognitive errors

Chew KS, van Merriënboer J, Durning SJ

BMC Res Notes, 2016 Sep 17;9(1):445.

PMID: 27639851 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-016-2249-2

Although a clinician may have the intention of carrying out strategies to reduce cognitive errors, this intention may not be realized especially under heavy workload situations or following a period of interruptions. Implementing strategies to reduce cognitive errors in clinical setting may be facilitated by a portable mnemonic in the form of a checklist.

Fulltext Exploring the intentions of pharmacy students towards pharmacy ownership by using theory of planned behaviour

Khan MU, Ahmad A, Fayyaz M, Ashraf N, Bhagavathula A

BMC Res Notes, 2016;9(1):183.

PMID: 27005815 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-016-1996-4

The objective of this study was to assess the association of the constructs of theory of planned behaviour (behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs, control beliefs) and demographic variables with the intentions of pharmacy students to become pharmacy owner.

Fulltext Harmonizing the interpretation of genetic variants across the world: the Malaysian experience

Hassan NN, Plazzer JP, Smith TD, Halim-Fikri H, Macrae F, Zubaidi AA, et al.

BMC Res Notes, 2016;9:125.

PMID: 26915360 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1798-0

Databases for gene variants are very useful for sharing genetic data and to facilitate the understanding of the genetic basis of diseases. This report summarises the issues surrounding the development of the Malaysian Human Variome Project Country Node. The focus is on human germline variants. Somatic variants, mitochondrial variants and other types of genetic variation have corresponding databases which are not covered here, as they have specific issues that do not necessarily apply to germline variations.

Fulltext Phylogenetic inferences of Nepenthes species in Peninsular Malaysia revealed by chloroplast (trnL intron) and nuclear (ITS) DNA sequences

Bunawan H, Yen CC, Yaakop S, Noor NM

BMC Res Notes, 2017 Jan 26;10(1):67.

PMID: 28126013 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2379-1

The chloroplastic trnL intron and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were sequenced for 11 Nepenthes species recorded in Peninsular Malaysia to examine their phylogenetic relationship and to evaluate the usage of trnL intron and ITS sequences for phylogenetic reconstruction of this genus.

Fulltext Identification of potential Campylobacter jejuni genes involved in biofilm formation by EZ-Tn5 Transposome mutagenesis

Teh AHT, Lee SM, Dykes GA

BMC Res Notes, 2017 May 12;10(1):182.

PMID: 28499399 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2504-1

BACKGROUND: Biofilm formation has been suggested to play a role in the survival of Campylobacter jejuni in the environment and contribute to the high incidence of human campylobacteriosis. Molecular studies of biofilm formation by Campylobacter are sparse.

RESULTS: We attempted to identify genes that may be involved in biofilm formation in seven C. jejuni strains through construction of mutants using the EZ-Tn5 Transposome system. Only 14 mutants with reduced biofilm formation were obtained, all from one strain of C. jejuni. Three different genes of interest, namely CmeB (synthesis of multidrug efflux system transporter proteins), NusG (transcription termination and anti-termination protein) and a putative transmembrane protein (involved in membrane protein function) were identified. The efficiency of the EZ::TN5 transposon mutagenesis approach was strain dependent and was unable to generate any mutants from most of the strains used.

CONCLUSIONS: A diverse range of genes may be involved in biofilm formation by C. jejuni. The application of the EZ::TN5 system for construction of mutants in different Campylobacter strains is limited.

Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 83 in total