Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 100 in total

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  1. Abd Rahman AN, Tett SE, Staatz CE
    Clin Pharmacokinet, 2014 Mar;53(3):227-245.
    PMID: 24327238 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-013-0124-z
    Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is a potent immunosuppressant agent, which is increasingly being used in the treatment of patients with various autoimmune diseases. Dosing to achieve a specific target MPA area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 12 h post-dose (AUC12) is likely to lead to better treatment outcomes in patients with autoimmune disease than a standard fixed-dose strategy. This review summarizes the available published data around concentration monitoring strategies for MPA in patients with autoimmune disease and examines the accuracy and precision of methods reported to date using limited concentration-time points to estimate MPA AUC12. A total of 13 studies were identified that assessed the correlation between single time points and MPA AUC12 and/or examined the predictive performance of limited sampling strategies in estimating MPA AUC12. The majority of studies investigated mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) rather than the enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) formulation of MPA. Correlations between MPA trough concentrations and MPA AUC12 estimated by full concentration-time profiling ranged from 0.13 to 0.94 across ten studies, with the highest associations (r (2) = 0.90-0.94) observed in lupus nephritis patients. Correlations were generally higher in autoimmune disease patients compared with renal allograft recipients and higher after MMF compared with EC-MPS intake. Four studies investigated use of a limited sampling strategy to predict MPA AUC12 determined by full concentration-time profiling. Three studies used a limited sampling strategy consisting of a maximum combination of three sampling time points with the latest sample drawn 3-6 h after MMF intake, whereas the remaining study tested all combinations of sampling times. MPA AUC12 was best predicted when three samples were taken at pre-dose and at 1 and 3 h post-dose with a mean bias and imprecision of 0.8 and 22.6 % for multiple linear regression analysis and of -5.5 and 23.0 % for maximum a posteriori (MAP) Bayesian analysis. Although mean bias was less when data were analysed using multiple linear regression, MAP Bayesian analysis is preferable because of its flexibility with respect to sample timing. Estimation of MPA AUC12 following EC-MPS administration using a limited sampling strategy with samples drawn within 3 h post-dose resulted in biased and imprecise results, likely due to a longer time to reach a peak MPA concentration (t max) with this formulation and more variable pharmacokinetic profiles. Inclusion of later sampling time points that capture enterohepatic recirculation and t max improved the predictive performance of strategies to predict EC-MPS exposure. Given the considerable pharmacokinetic variability associated with mycophenolate therapy, limited sampling strategies may potentially help in individualizing patient dosing. However, a compromise needs to be made between the predictive performance of the strategy and its clinical feasibility. An opportunity exists to combine research efforts globally to create an open-source database for MPA (AUC, concentrations and outcomes) that can be used and prospectively evaluated for AUC target-controlled dosing of MPA in autoimmune diseases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  2. Kavitha R, Tan TC, Lee HL, Nazni WA, Sofian AM
    Trop Biomed, 2013 Jun;30(2):211-9.
    PMID: 23959486 MyJurnal
    DNA identification of blow fly species can be a very useful tool in forensic entomology. One of the potential benefits that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has offered in the field of forensic entomology is species determination. Conventional identification methods have limitations for sibling and closely related species of blow fly and stage and quality of the specimen used. This could be overcome by DNA-based identification methods using mitochondrial DNA which does not demand intact or undamaged specimens. Mitochondrial DNA is usually isolated from whole blow fly and legs. Alternate sources for mitochondrial DNA isolation namely, egg, larva, puparium and empty puparium were explored in this study. The sequence of DNA obtained for each sample for every life cycle stage was 100% identical for a particular species, indicating that the egg, 1st instar, 2nd instar, 3rd instar, pupa, empty puparium and adult from the same species and obtained from same generation will exhibit similar DNA sequences. The present study also highlighted the usefulness of collecting all life cycle stages of blow fly during crime scene investigation with proper preservation and subsequent molecular analysis. Molecular identification provides a strong basis for species identification and will prove an invaluable contribution to forensic entomology as an investigative tool in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling/methods
  3. Cox-Singh J, Mahayet S, Abdullah MS, Singh B
    Int J Parasitol, 1997 Dec;27(12):1575-7.
    PMID: 9467744
    Malaria remains a disease of underdeveloped and remote regions of the world. The application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to malaria epidemiology has the potential for increasing our knowledge and understanding of this disease. In order to study malaria in all geographical locations it is important that specimen collection and DNA extraction for PCR be kept simple. Here we report a method for extracting DNA from dried blood spots on filter paper which is capable of detecting one Plasmodium falciparum and two Plasmodium vivax parasites/microliter of whole blood by nested PCR without compromising the simplicity of specimen collection or DNA extraction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  4. Ho HC, Smith DG, Mccosker JE, Hibino Y, Loh KH, Tighe KA, et al.
    Zootaxa, 2015;4060:140-89.
    PMID: 26701598 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4060.1.16
    An annotated checklist of eels, orders Anguilliformes and Saccopharyngiformes, occurring in Taiwanese waters is presented. The checklist is the result of a series of systematic studies conducted by the authors in the past few years. The eel fauna of Taiwan is one of the richest in the world with a total of 206 species in 74 genera and 13 families in Anguilliformes and a single species in Saccopharyngiformes. The most species-rich families are the Muraenidae with 71 species, followed by the Ophichthidae with 60 species, the Congridae with 29 species, and the Synaphobranchidae with 17 species. Moreover, three genera and 42 species have been described based on at least one type specimen collected from Taiwan. Of these, 36 species are recognized as valid and 23 species are known only from Taiwanese waters at present. Historical records of all Taiwanese eel species are reviewed by examining the original descriptions and figures, vouchers, as well as the recently collected specimens, where available. This represents the first detailed checklist of eels from Taiwanese waters.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  5. Tey HY, See HH
    J Chromatogr A, 2021 Jan 04;1635:461731.
    PMID: 33285415 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461731
    Conventional sampling of biological fluids often involves a bulk quantity of samples that are tedious to collect, deliver and process. Miniaturized sampling approaches have emerged as promising tools for sample collection due to numerous advantages such as minute sample size, patient friendliness and ease of shipment. This article reviews the applications and advances of microsampling techniques in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), covering the period January 2015 - August 2020. As whole blood is the gold standard sampling matrix for TDM, this article comprehensively highlights the most historical microsampling technique, the dried blood spot (DBS), and its development. Advanced developments of DBS, ranging from various automation DBS, paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS), 3D dried blood spheroids and volumetric absorptive paper disc (VAPD) and mini-disc (VAPDmini) are discussed. The volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) approach, which overcomes the hematocrit effect associated with the DBS sample, has been employed in recent TDM. The sample collection and sample preparation details in DBS and VAMS are outlined and summarized. This review also delineates the involvement of other biological fluids (plasma, urine, breast milk and saliva) and their miniaturized dried matrix forms in TDM. Specific features and challenges of each microsampling technique are identified and comparison studies are reviewed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  6. Liew TS, Vermeulen JJ, Marzuki ME, Schilthuizen M
    Zookeys, 2014.
    PMID: 24715783 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.393.6717
    Plectostoma is a micro land snail restricted to limestone outcrops in Southeast Asia. Plectostoma was previously classified as a subgenus of Opisthostoma because of the deviation from regular coiling in many species in both taxa. This paper is the first of a two-part revision of the genus Plectostoma, and includes all non-Borneo species. In the present paper, we examined 214 collection samples of 31 species, and obtained 62 references, 290 pictures, and 155 3D-models of 29 Plectostoma species and 51 COI sequences of 19 species. To work with such a variety of taxonomic data, and then to represent it in an integrated, scaleable and accessible manner, we adopted up-to-date cybertaxonomic tools. All the taxonomic information, such as references, classification, species descriptions, specimen images, genetic data, and distribution data, were tagged and linked with cyber tools and web servers (e.g. Lifedesks, Google Earth, and Barcoding of Life Database). We elevated Plectostoma from subgenus to genus level based on morphological, ecological and genetic evidence. We revised the existing 21 Plectostoma species and described 10 new species, namely, P. dindingensis sp. n., P. mengaburensis sp. n., P. whitteni sp. n., P. kayiani sp. n., P. davisoni sp. n., P. relauensis sp. n., P. kubuensis sp. n., P. tohchinyawi sp. n., P. tenggekensis sp. n., and P. ikanensis sp. n. All the synthesised, semantic-tagged, and linked taxonomic information is made freely and publicly available online.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  7. Scharpf C
    Zootaxa, 2015;3986(4):499-500.
    PMID: 26250205 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3986.4.10
    In a meristic, morphometric and distributional study of Neolissochilus from Peninsular Malaysia, Khaironizam et al. (2015) subsumed Lissochilus tweediei Herre in Herre & Myers 1937 and a taxon they called "Tor soro Bishop 1973" into the synonymy of N. soroides (Duncker 1904) based on data collected from museum specimens. However, "Bishop 1973" is not the correct author citation for Tor soro. Instead, Tor (now placed in Neolissochilus) soro was originally described as Barbus soro by Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes (1842:191). Since "Tor soro Bishop 1973" is not a valid name/author combination, Neolissochilus soro, as treated by Khaironizam et al. (2015), cannot be considered a junior synonym of N. soroides.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  8. Tan EL, Peh SC, Sam CK
    J Med Virol, 2003 Feb;69(2):251-7.
    PMID: 12683415
    Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a malignancy associated closely with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is prevalent among Chinese of Southern China origin. Epidemiological studies indicate a high prevalence of EBV in Asia with viral isolates having typical characteristics of the putative viral oncogene, latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1), such as the loss of the Xho1 restriction site in Exon 1 and the 30-bp deletion in Exon 3. The EBV LMP-1 gene from throat washings of 120 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and 14 healthy individuals were analyzed. Similar analyses were also carried out on 30 and 12 postnasal space biopsies from nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and healthy individuals, respectively. The 30-bp deletion was detected in 20% of nasopharyngeal carcinoma throat washes and in 100% of nasopharyngeal carcinoma postnasal space biopsies. Interestingly, 16% of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma biopsies possessed both the deleted and the undeleted variants, suggestive of dual infections. The notion of dual infections in nasopharyngeal carcinoma was further supported by the coexistence of both "F" and "f" (BamH1F region) EBV variants in 11% of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma biopsies. All of the throat washes and biopsies from the healthy controls showed the undeleted variant. The loss of the Xho1 restriction site was found with higher frequency both in throat washes and biopsies from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The discrepancy in the frequency of the 30-bp deletion between throat washes (20%) and postnasal space biopsies (100%) was an indication that this deletion is specific for viral isolates from primary tumour sites.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling/methods
  9. Partap U, Young EH, Allotey P, Sandhu MS, Reidpath DD
    PMID: 30263138 DOI: 10.1017/gheg.2018.13
    Background: Integration of biomarker data with information on health and lifestyle provides a powerful tool to enhance the scientific value of health research. Existing health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSSs) present an opportunity to create novel biodata resources for this purpose, but data and biological sample collection often presents challenges. We outline some of the challenges in developing these resources and present the outcomes of a biomarker feasibility study embedded within the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) HDSS.

    Methods: We assessed study-related records to determine the pace of data collection, response from potential participants, and feedback following data and sample collection. Overall and stratified measures of data and sample availability were summarised. Crude prevalence of key risk factors was examined.

    Results: Approximately half (49.5%) of invited individuals consented to participate in this study, for a final sample size of 203 (161 adults and 42 children). Women were more likely to consent to participate compared with men, whereas children, young adults and individuals of Malay ethnicity were less likely to consent compared with older individuals or those of any other ethnicity. At least one biological sample (blood from all participants - finger-prick and venous [for serum, plasma and whole blood samples], hair or urine for adults only) was successfully collected from all participants, with blood test data available from over 90% of individuals. Among adults, urine samples were most commonly collected (97.5%), followed by any blood samples (91.9%) and hair samples (83.2%). Cardiometabolic risk factor burden was high (prevalence of elevated HbA1c among adults: 23.8%; of elevated triglycerides among adults: 38.1%; of elevated total cholesterol among children: 19.5%).

    Conclusions: In this study, we show that it is feasible to create biodata resources using existing HDSS frameworks, and identify a potentially high burden of cardiometabolic risk factors that requires further evaluation in this population.

    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  10. Yahaya ZS, Izzaudin NA, Razak AF
    Trop Life Sci Res, 2017 Jan;28(1):145-149.
    PMID: 28228922 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2017.28.1.10
    A study on the prevalence of a common endoparasite in the wild population of the American cockroach was conducted in Penang Island using a trapping method at several sampling sites on the island. Gregarine blattarum was found in the digestive tract in 5 out of 115, or 4.35%, of the wild American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana, that were sampled. This is the first report in Malaysia of Gregarine blattarum in local American cockroaches.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  11. FinNie O, Aye SA, Krishnappa P, Ravindran R
    Med J Malaysia, 2023 Mar;78(2):202-206.
    PMID: 36988531
    INTRODUCTION: The purpose of tissue processing is to fix the tissue in a solid medium toenable thin sections. Conventional method of tissue processing is the standardized method of tissue processing which has been used for more than 10 decades. However, the conventional method is time-consuming, and the overall turnaround time for the histopathology report is at least two days. The objective of this study is to identify the protocol for tissue processing procedure using domestic microwave oven. To determine the tissue processing time when using domestic microwave oven. To compare the morphological quality of tissue slides made by domestic microwave oven and conventional method using automated tissue processor.

    MATRIALS AND METHODS: The conventional protocol and three microwave protocols of tissue processing were used in this study. A pilot study was done prior to the real run to determine the baseline timing for microwave protocol. The baseline timing was fixed at 2 minutes,30 minutes,5 minutes and 25 minutes. The processing time of the microwave protocol was adjusted from 62 minutes to 70 minutes to 77 minutes by increasing the dehydration and wax impregnation time while the time for tissue fixation and clearing remain the same throughout all the microwave protocols.

    RESULTS: The group 2 microwave protocol produced the sections that is closely comparable to group 1 conventional protocol. The morphological quality of histopathology slides is best observed when the processing time of microwave protocol is 62 minutes.

    CONCLUSION: The most appropriate microwave protocol for tissue processing is group 2 as the morphological quality of histopathology slides are more superior than that of group 1 with an overall percentage of 80% of satisfactory slides in group 2 and 76.68% in group 1.

    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling*
  12. Rashid Ali MR, Parameswaran U, William T, Bird E, Wilkes CS, Lee WK, et al.
    Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 2015 May;19(5):620-1.
    PMID: 25868033 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.14.0938
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling/methods
  13. Jamail M, Andrew K, Junaidi D, Krishnan AK, Faizal M, Rahmah N
    Trop Med Int Health, 2005 Jan;10(1):99-104.
    PMID: 15655019
    We conducted a field study of a rapid test (Brugia Rapid) for detection of Brugia malayi infection to validate its sensitivity and specificity under operational conditions. Seven districts in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia, which are endemic for brugian filariasis, were used to determine the test sensitivity. Determination of specificity was performed in another state in Malaysia (Bachok, Kelantan) which is non-endemic for filariasis but endemic for soil-transmitted helminths. In Sarawak both the rapid test and thick blood smear preparation were performed in the field. The rapid test was interpreted on site, whereas blood smears were taken to the district health centres for staining and microscopic examination. Sensitivity of Brugia Rapid dipstick as compared with microscopy of thick blood smears was 87% (20/23; 95% CI: 66.4-97.2) whereas the specificity was 100% (512/512). The lower sensitivity of the test in the field than in laboratory evaluations (> or =95%), was probably due to the small number of microfilaraemic individuals, in addition to difficulties in performing the test in remote villages by field personnel. The overall prevalence of brugian filariasis as determined by the dipstick is 9.4% (95% CI: 8.2-0.5) while that determined by microscopy is 0.90% (95% CI: 0.5-1.3) thus the dipstick detected about 10 times more cases than microscopy. Equal percentages of adults and children were found to be positive by the dipstick whereas microscopy showed that the number of infected children was seven times less than infected adults. The rapid dipstick test was useful as a diagnostic tool for mapping and certification phases of the lymphatic filariasis elimination programme in B. malayi-endemic areas.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling/methods
  14. Rahana AR, Ng SP, Leong CF, Rahimah MD
    Singapore Med J, 2011 Oct;52(10):734-7.
    PMID: 22009393
    INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the effect of human semen cryopreservation using an ultra-low temperature technique with a mechanical freezer at -85°C as an alternative method to the conventional liquid nitrogen technique at -196°C.
    METHODS: This was a prospective experimental study conducted in the Medically Assisted Conception unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, Malaysia from January 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007. All normozoospermic semen samples were included in the study. The concentration, motility and percentage of intact DNA of each semen sample were assessed before and after freezing and thawing on Days 7 and 30 post freezing.
    RESULTS: Sperm cryopreservation at -85°C was comparable to the conventional liquid nitrogen technique for a period of up to 30 days in a normozoospermic sample. There was no statistical difference in concentration (Day 7 p-value is 0.1, Day 30 p-value is 0.2), motility (Day 7 p-value is 0.9, Day 30 p-value is 0.5) and proportion of intact DNA (Day 7 p-value is 0.1, Day 30 p-value is 0.2) between the ultra-low temperature technique and conventional liquid nitrogen cryopreservation at Days 7 and 30 post thawing.
    CONCLUSION: This study clearly demonstrates that short-term storage of sperm at -85°C could be a viable alternative to conventional liquid nitrogen cryopreservation at -196°C due to their comparable post-thaw results.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  15. Rahim, Z.H.A.
    Ann Dent, 1998;5(1):-.
    MyJurnal
    Saliva collection is non-invasive and less stressful when compared with blood collection. Extensive studies on saliva has been carried out and the use of saliva as a biological sample in clinical diagnosis and for monitoring hormones, drugs and pollutants and viruses has been recommended. The complexities associated with saliva such as proper collection device and strict standardisation of a number of factors which include time of collection, types of saliva and storage made it less favourable to blood.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  16. Liam CK, Pang YK, Poosparajah S
    Singapore Med J, 2007 Jul;48(7):625-31.
    PMID: 17609823
    This study aims to determine whether the diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy sampling procedures in patients with lung cancer was dependent on tumour location.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling
  17. Chik Z, Johnston A, Tucker AT, Burn RT, Perrett D
    Biomed Chromatogr, 2007 Aug;21(8):775-9.
    PMID: 17497758
    A fast and simple capillary zone electrophoresis method was developed and validated for the determination of lidocaine in skin using tape samples. Separation was performed in a 350 mm (265 mm to window) x 50 microm i.d. fused silica capillary using a background electrolyte of phosphoric acid-Tris pH 2.5. The extraction of lidocaine from tape samples was achieved using methanol, which was diluted to 50% with water before injection. Procaine was the internal standard. The migration times for procaine and lidocaine were 2.9 and 3.2 min, respectively. The limit of quantification for lidocaine was 50 microg, with signal to noise ratio greater than 10. The calibration curve was linear from 50 to 1000 microg with r(2) greater than 0.99. The CV for both within- and between-assay imprecision and the percentage of inaccuracy for the quality control samples including lower and upper limits of quantitation were 97%. The accuracy and selectivity of this method allowed the measurement of lidocaine in tape samples obtained from a skin tape stripping study of local anesthetics in healthy subjects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling/methods*
  18. Lopez JB, Peng CL
    Clin Chem Lab Med, 2003 Oct;41(10):1369-72.
    PMID: 14580168
    The concentration of homocysteine (Hcy) rises rapidly after the collection of blood. This feature requires blood to be collected into the anticoagulants EDTA or heparin and the plasma to then be immediately separated; alternatively, the blood may be kept on ice and centrifuged within 1 hour. The use of chemical preservatives has been proposed as a means of stabilising Hcy levels in whole blood after collection. The objective of this study was to determine whether the commonly available fluoride-oxalate (Fl-Ox) and sodium citrate (Na-Cit) containers could stabilise Hcy levels in blood. Our results showed that when blood was collected into potassium EDTA (K-EDTA) tubes, Hcy levels rose from initial levels, on standing at room temperature (approximately 25 degrees C), by an average of 21% after 3 hours and 32% after 5 hours. The initial Hcy levels of blood collected into Fl-Ox and Na-Cit containers, however, were lower, at averages of 89% and 91%, respectively, compared to that of the same samples when collected into K-EDTA tubes. Hcy in these samples subsequently rose on standing, and after 5 hours was, on the average, 10 and 13% higher, respectively, compared with the initial levels in K-EDTA tubes. We conclude that Fl-Ox and Na-Cit do not stabilise Hcy in blood after collection and should not be used as preservatives.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling*
  19. Othman N, Othman NH
    Malays J Pathol, 2012 Dec;34(2):115-21.
    PMID: 23424773 MyJurnal
    The aim of this study was to examine cells (split-sample) that were retained on sampling devices used to collect conventional Pap smears (primary smears) in order to evaluate specimen adequacy and cytological diagnosis of scrapings that are routinely discarded.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling/methods*
  20. Bahyah MK, Murad ZA, Ghazali I, Roszaman R, Noraziana AW, Mokhtar A, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2010 Mar;65(1):23-6.
    PMID: 21265243 MyJurnal
    A one year study was carried out to determine the outcome of the seminal fluid parameters collected via masturbation and coitus interruptus in 151 patients who were undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) and patients who came for seminal analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of volume, concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology from specimens collected via coitus interruptus compared to specimens collected via masturbation. Pregnancy outcomes were also comparable.
    Matched MeSH terms: Specimen Handling/methods*
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