MyMedR

Phylogenetic relationships and description of a new upland species of Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827) of the C. sworderi complex from northeastern Peninsular Malaysia

Grismer LL, Anuar S, Muin MA, Quah ES, Wood PL

Zootaxa, 2013;3616:239-52.

PMID: 24758805 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3616.3.2

Molecular and morphological analyses indicate that a new upland species of the Cyrtodactylus sworderi complex, C. tebuensis sp. nov. from Gunung Tebu, Terengganu, Malaysia is most closely related to C. sworderi and together they form the sister lineage to C. quadrivirgatus. Cyrtodactylus tebuensis sp. nov. is differentiated from all other species of Sundaland Cyrtodactylus on the basis of having the unique combination of large, conical, keeled body tubercles; tubercles present on top of head, occiput, nape, and limbs, and extending posteriorly beyond base of tail; 43-51 ventral scales; no transversely enlarged, median subcaudal scales; proximal, subdigital lamellae transversely expanded; 17-21 subdigital lamellae on fourth toe; an abrupt transition between posterior and ventral femoral scales; enlarged femoral scales; no femoral or precloacal pores; no precloacal groove; body bearing four wide, bold, dark brown stripes (lateral stripe on each flank and a pair of paravertebral stripes); and a pairwise sequence divergence of 13.0% from its closest relative C. sworderi based on the mitochondrial gene ND2. Cyrtodactylus tebuensis sp. nov. is the first endemic upland species of gekkonid from northeastern Peninsular Malaysia and underscores the necessity for additional field work in all upland systems.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

A new species of Simulium (Simulium) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Langkawi Island, Peninsular Malaysia

Takaoka H, Sofian-Azirun M, Ya'cob Z

J Med Entomol, 2012 Nov;49(6):1198-205.

PMID: 23270147

Simulium (Simulium) kisapense sp. nov. is described on the basis of reared adult, pupal, and larval specimens collected from Langkawi Island, Peninsular Malaysia, and placed in the multi-striatum species-group in the subgenus Simulium. This new species is characterized by the bare basal section of the female radial vein, the male ventral plate with setae, the eight pupal gill filaments divergent at an angle of >90 degrees, and the shoe-shaped cocoon with small lateral window(s). Taxonomic notes are given to separate this new species from S. (S.) hirtinervis Edwards and S. (S.) malayense Takaoka and Davies, both from Peninsular Malaysia, and several other known species from Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Thailand.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Validity of a children's physical activity questionnaire (cPAQ) for the study of bone health

Nor Aini J, Poh BK, Chee WS

Pediatr Int, 2013 Apr;55(2):223-8.

PMID: 23253297 DOI: 10.1111/ped.12035

BACKGROUND: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the ability of a children's physical activity questionnaire (cPAQ) to assess physical activity levels and bone health status of school children.
METHODS: Subjects consisted of 90 pre-pubertal and early pubertal children aged 9-10 years. Components of physical activity were assessed using metabolic intensity (METPA) scores and mechanical bone strain (MECHPA) scores. An Actical accelerometer was used to validate METPA scores among a sub-sample of 57 children. Reliability was assessed by test-retesting all children after a 7 day interval. Whole body bone mineral content (BMC) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
RESULTS: The reliability of cPAQ for assessment of various categories of physical activity was moderate to high (r ranged from 0.55 to 0.68, P < 0.001). Agreement was fair for repeated use of the cPAQ (Cohen's kappa = 0.32, P < 0.001). Bland-Altman plots show cPAQ had fair agreement only for moderate activity (mean difference 35.4 min/week; 95% limits of agreement -434.0 to +504.9 min/week). Approximately 69.6% of children were correctly classified (into the same or adjacent quartiles) according to the quartiles of BMC for METPA score, and 58.7% were correctly classified according to MECHPA score. Only 10.9% and 12.0% of children were grossly misclassified as compared to METPA and MECHPA scores, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The cPAQ has reasonable validity in assessing moderate physical activity, and it demonstrates good ability to accurately classify children according to BMC. It fails, however, to assess other activity levels, suggesting that objective measurement is still a better method of assessment of physical activity among primary school children.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Measurement of bioelectric and acoustic profile of breast tissue using hybrid magnetoacoustic method for cancer detection

Salim MI, Supriyanto E, Haueisen J, Ariffin I, Ahmad AH, Rosidi B

Med Biol Eng Comput, 2013 Apr;51(4):459-66.

PMID: 23238828 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-012-1014-5

This paper proposes a novel hybrid magnetoacoustic measurement (HMM) system aiming at breast cancer detection. HMM combines ultrasound and magnetism for the simultaneous assessment of bioelectric and acoustic profiles of breast tissue. HMM is demonstrated on breast tissue samples, which are exposed to 9.8 MHz ultrasound wave with the presence of a 0.25 Tesla static magnetic field. The interaction between the ultrasound wave and the magnetic field in the breast tissue results in Lorentz Force that produces a magnetoacoustic voltage output, proportional to breast tissue conductivity. Simultaneously, the ultrasound wave is sensed back by the ultrasound receiver for tissue acoustic evaluation. Experiments are performed on gel phantoms and real breast tissue samples harvested from laboratory mice. Ultrasound wave characterization results show that normal breast tissue experiences higher attenuation compared with cancerous tissue. The mean magnetoacoustic voltage results for normal tissue are lower than that for the cancerous tissue group. In conclusion, the combination of acoustic and bioelectric measurements is a promising approach for breast cancer diagnosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Spontaneous malignant glaucoma in a patient with patent peripheral iridotomy

Premsenthil M, Salowi MA, Siew CM, ak Gudom I, Kah T

BMC Ophthalmol, 2012;12:64.

PMID: 23241197 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2415-12-64

To report a case of spontaneous malignant glaucoma in an Asian female. To propose the term "positive vitreous pressure glaucoma" to reflect the pathophysiology, treatment and prognosis of the condition.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Calcified pseudomeningocele of the lumbar spine: a review

Narverud SF, Ramli NB, Chandran H, Ganesan D

Eur Spine J, 2013 May;22 Suppl 3:S443-9.

PMID: 23233216 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-012-2610-7

In this article, we review the English literature of calcified pseudomeningoceles in the lumbar region.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

The role of pharmaceutical marketing and other factors in prescribing decisions: the Yemeni experience

Al-Areefi MA, Hassali MA, Mohamed Ibrahim MI

Res Social Adm Pharm, 2013 Nov-Dec;9(6):981-8.

PMID: 23218551 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2012.10.006

Prescribing decisions are a complex phenomenon and influenced by many pharmacological and non-pharmacological factors. Little is known about the actual prescribing behaviors of physicians or the factors behind their prescribing decisions.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Pharmacogenetics of taxanes: impact of gene polymorphisms of drug transporters on pharmacokinetics and toxicity

Jabir RS, Naidu R, Annuar MA, Ho GF, Munisamy M, Stanslas J

Pharmacogenomics, 2012 Dec;13(16):1979-88.

PMID: 23215890 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.12.165

Interindividual variability in drug response and the emergence of adverse drug effects are the main causes of treatment failure in cancer therapy. Functional membrane drug transporters play important roles in altering pharmacokinetic profile, resistance to treatment, toxicity and patient survival. Pharmacogenetic studies of these transporters are expected to provide new approaches for optimizing therapy. Taxanes are approved for the treatment of various cancers. Circulating taxanes are taken up by SLCO1B3 into hepatocytes. The CYP450 enzymes CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP2C8 are responsible for the conversion of taxanes into their metabolites. Ultimately, ABCB1 and ABCC2 will dispose the metabolites into bile canaliculi. Polymorphisms of genes encoding for proteins involved in the transport and clearance of taxanes reduce excretion of the drugs, leading to development of toxicity in patients. This review addresses current knowledge on genetic variations of transporters affecting taxanes pharmacokinetics and toxicity, and provides insights into future direction for personalized medicine.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Dual thyroid ectopia with graves' disease: a case report and a review of the literature

Tan TH, Lee BN, Amir Hassan SZ, Ch'ng ES, Hussein Z

Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 2012 Dec;46(4):300-3.

PMID: 24900078 DOI: 10.1007/s13139-012-0160-x

Ectopic thyroid or thyroid ectopia is a rare developmental anomaly with the prevalence of 1 per 100,000-300,000 population. Even rarer, such an anomaly manifests as dual thyroid ectopia. To our best knowledge, only one case has been reported on dual thyroid ectopia with Graves' disease in the English literature. We present here a case of dual thyroid ectopia complicated by Graves' disease, whereby the diagnosis was rendered through judicious use of various diagnostic modalities coupled with a close clinical follow-up. In this case, therapeutic consideration should be personalized with proper informed consent of the patient.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Characteristics of seizure frequency among Malaysian children diagnosed with structural-metabolic epilepsy

Salih MR, Bahari MB, Hassali MA, Shafie AA, Al-Lela OQ, Abd AY, et al.

J Neurosci Rural Pract, 2012 Sep;3(3):244-50.

PMID: 23188969 DOI: 10.4103/0976-3147.102596

INTRODUCTION: Seizure-free patients or substantial reduction in seizure frequency are the most important outcome measures in the management of epilepsy. The study aimed to evaluate the patterns of seizure frequency and its relationship with demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Pediatric Neurology Clinic, Hospital Pulau Pinang. Over a period of 6 months, the required data were extracted from the medical records using a pre-designed data collection form.

RESULTS: Seizure frequency showed no significant association with patient's demographics and clinical characteristic. However, significant reduction in seizure frequency from the baseline to the last follow-up visit was only seen in certain subgroups of patients including Malays, females, patients <4 years of age, patients with global developmental delay/intellectual disability, and patients with focal seizure. There was no significant association between seizure frequency and rate of adverse events. Polytherapy visits were associated with higher seizure frequency than monotherapy visits (27.97 ± 56.66, 10.94 ± 30.96 attack per month, respectively) (P < 0.001). There was a clear tendency to get antiepileptic drugs used at doses above the recommended range in polytherapy (8.4%) rather than in monotherapy (1.4%) visits (P < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between seizure frequency and number of visits per patient per year (r = 0.450, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Among children with structural-metabolic epilepsy, Malays, females, patients <4 years of age, patients with global developmental delay/intellectual disability and patients manifested with focal seizure are more responsive antiepileptic drug therapy than the other subgroups of patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Assessment of dental caries predictors in 6-year-old school children - results from 5-year retrospective cohort study

Masood M, Yusof N, Hassan MI, Jaafar N

BMC Public Health, 2012;12:989.

PMID: 23158416 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-989

This was a retrospective cohort study undertaken to assess the rate and pattern of dental caries development in 6-year-old school children followed-up for a period of 5 years, and to identify baseline risk factors that were associated with 5 years caries experience in Malaysian children.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Risk of colorectal adenomas in a multiethnic Asian patient population: race does not matter

Rajendra S, Ho JJ, Arokiasamy J

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2005 Jan;20(1):51-5.

PMID: 15610446

Ethnic differences have been reported for colorectal polyps and large bowel cancer; although the supporting data is weak and insufficient to draw firm conclusions.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Ergonomics improvements of the visual inspection process in a printed circuit assembly factory

Yeow PH, Sen RN

Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2004;10(4):369-85.

PMID: 15598361

An ergonomics improvement study was conducted on the visual inspection process of a printed circuit assembly (PCA) factory. The process was studied through subjective assessment and direct observation. Three problems were identified: operators' eye problems, insufficient time for inspection and ineffective visual inspection. These problems caused a huge yearly rejection cost of US 298,240 dollars, poor quality, customer dissatisfaction and poor occupational health and safety. Ergonomics interventions were made to rectify the problems: reduced usage of a magnifying glass, the use of less glaring inspection templates, inspection of only electrically non-tested components and introduction of a visual inspection sequence. The interventions produced savings in rejection cost, reduced operators' eye strain, headaches and watery eyes, lowered the defect percentage at customers' sites and increased the factory's productivity and customer satisfaction.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Reproductive behaviour of captive Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)

Zainal Zahari Z, Rosnina Y, Wahid H, Yap KC, Jainudeen MR

Anim. Reprod. Sci., 2005 Feb;85(3-4):327-35.

PMID: 15581515

The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is on the verge of extinction in Malaysia. At the Sumatran rhinoceros Conservation Centre in Sungai Dusun, the reproductive behaviour of two female and two male rhinoceroses were studied for 8-10 months during attempts to breed them in captivity. Due to the paucity of scientific information on the reproductive biology of the Sumatran rhinoceros, this study was conducted to obtain information on the reproductive behaviour of this species. The male rhino was introduced to a female rhino in the morning for 1-2 h daily in order to observe for behavioural oestrus. Observations were made on the signs of oestrus and mating behaviour. Oestrus was determined by receptivity towards the male and lasted about 24 h. Common signs of oestrus were an increase in frequency of urine spraying, tail raising or swinging, anogenital and other contacts. Although the males exhibited mounting, the inability of the male to achieve intromission was poor. The study demonstrated that the pattern of courtship and copulation of the captive Sumatran rhinos were comparable with those of other rhino species, reported previously by other scientists and flehmen reflex was also exhibited by the male Sumatran rhinos. In a captive breeding programme, it is recommended that only an oestral female is introduced into a male enclosure due to the male solitary behaviour and to avoid serious injuries inflicted onto the females.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Further delineation of Al-Gazali syndrome (multiple skeletal abnormalities with anterior segment anomalies of the eye and early lethality) in a Malaysian family

Chan LG, Ting HS

Clin. Dysmorphol., 2005 Jan;14(1):1-5.

PMID: 15602085

We present two siblings from a consanguineous Malaysian family with multiple skeletal abnormalities, anterior segment anomalies of the eye and early lethality. These features are consistent with a syndrome first described by Al-Gazali and we provide further delineation of the syndrome.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Ruptured ectopic pregnancy presenting as an irreducible inguinal hernia

Prasannan S, Jabar MF, Gul YA

Acta Chir. Belg., 2004 Oct;104(5):591-2.

PMID: 15571031

An inguinal hernia that suddenly becomes irreducible may be secondary to a variety of other underlying conditions which can occasionally mislead the attending surgeon. Benign, inflammatory or neoplastic processes, as well as surgical emergencies such as intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal haemorrhage, have all been previously reported to mimic an inguinal hernia that suddenly becomes irreducible with or without clinical features of strangulation. We add an additional interesting presentation to this list in the form of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, which is the first such case reported in the literature. A swelling in the groin may be much more complicated than it seems on superficial consideration and good clinical acumen is constantly required in managing such cases if a satisfactory outcome without any morbidity is to be expected.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Prevertebral soft tissue measurements in thyroid enlargement: the value of lateral neck radiographs

Hisham AN, Sarojah A, Mastura T, Lim TO

Asian J Surg, 2004 Jul;27(3):172-5.

PMID: 15564155

Measurement of prevertebral soft tissue is commonly used to assess prevertebral abnormalities, such as retropharyngeal abscess or injury to the cervical spine. In the presence of goitres, the widened prevertebral tissue seen on plain lateral neck radiograph may be diagnostic of an enlarged tubercle of Zuckerkandl (ZT), which may be responsible for most pressure symptoms. The aim of this study was to substantiate the value of plain lateral neck radiographs in preoperative demonstration of enlarged ZT.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Thoracic endometriosis: a report of two cases

Ismail Y, Kamaruzzaman A

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Jun;59(2):279-80.

PMID: 15559180

We describe two patients with recurrent hemopneumothorax associated with pelvic endometriosis. The first patient a 37-year-old nulliparous lady with recurrent bilateral hemopneumothorax. She had a past history endometriosis years earlier. Laparoscopy and biopsy confirmed widespread endometriosis including in the omentum. Recurrence of the hemopneumothorax stopped after danazol therapy suggesting thoracic endometriosis as the cause of hemopneumothorax. The second lady is 47-years old with 2 children. She first presented with hemopneumothorax associated with menstrual period but ultrasound of pelvis did not reveal evidence of endometriosis. However, when she presented with a second episode of hemopneumothorax one year later, she was confirmed to have endometriosis and no further recurrence after treatment with Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Outcome of stapes surgery for otosclerosis

Mahfudz Z, Lokman S

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Jun;59(2):171-6.

PMID: 15559166 MyJurnal

Otosclerosis is an autosomal dominant disease affecting the otic capsule. It is believed to be rare in Asian countries including Malaysia. We analyzed the results of 29 patients (35 ears) who had undergone stapes surgery for suspected otosclerosis from January 1996 to June 2002. The demographic data was analyzed. The procedure most commonly performed was stapedotomy. The closure of air bone gap after surgery was good at 2 kHz and 4 kHz compared to frequency below 2 kHz. Closure of air bone gap to within 10 dB was achieved in 74.3%. About 7.5% of our patients did not gain in average air conduction. The outcome of the procedure is comparable to those reported by authors who used the same evaluation criteria. No serious complications occurred in our patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

Fulltext Biopsy-proven childhood glomerulonephritis in Johor

Khoo JJ, Pee S, Thevarajah B, Yap YC, Chin CK

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Jun;59(2):218-25.

PMID: 15559173 MyJurnal

Background: There has been no published study of biopsy proven childhood glomerulonephritis in Malaysia.
Objectives: To determine the pattern of childhood glomerulonephritis in Johor, Malaysia from a histopathological perspective and the various indications used for renal biopsy in children.
Materials and methods: Retrospective study was done of all renal biopsies from children under 16 years of age, received in Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor between 1994 and 2001. The histopathological findings were reviewed to determine the pattern of biopsy proven glomerulonephritis. The indications of biopsy, mode of therapy given after biopsy and the clinical outcome were studied.
Results: 123 adequate biopsies were received, 9 children had repeated biopsies. Of the 113 biopsies, minimal change disease formed the most common histopathological diagnosis (40.7%) while lupus nephritis formed the most common secondary glomerulonephritis (23.0%). The main indications for biopsy were nephrotic syndrome (50.8%), lupus nephritis (25.4%) and renal impairment (13.1%). The mode of therapy was changed in 59.8% of the children. Of 106 patients followed up, 84 children were found to have normal renal function in remission or on treatment. 4 patients developed chronic renal impairment and 16 reached end stage renal disease. Five of the 16 children with end stage disease had since died while 11 were on renal replacement therapy. another 2 patients died of other complications.
Conclusions: The pattern of childhood GN in our study tended to reflect the more severe renal parenchymal diseases in children and those requiring more aggressive treatment. This was because of our criteria of selection (indication) for renal biopsy. Renal biopsy where performed appropriately in selected children may not only be a useful investigative tool for histological diagnosis and prognosis but may help clinicians plan the optimal therapy for these children.

Matched MeSH terms: Female

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