Displaying publications 4281 - 4300 of 5566 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. The effect of high lactose-isomaltulose on cognitive performance of young children. A double blind cross-over design study
    Taib MN, Shariff ZM, Wesnes KA, Saad HA, Sariman S
    Appetite, 2012 Feb;58(1):81-7.
    PMID: 21986189 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2011.09.004
    Changes in blood glucose are hypothesized to influence cognitive performance and these changes can be affected by certain nutrients. This double-blind 4-period cross-over study evaluated the effects of a slow-release modified sucrose (isomaltulose) in combination with a high concentration of lactose on cognitive performance of 5-6 year old children. Thirty children received a standard growing upmilk (Std GUM), reformulated growing up milk (Reform GUM), standard growing up milk with lactose-isomaltulose (Iso GUM), and a standard glucose drink (Glucose). The CDR System, a computerised cognitive assessment system, was used to assess various measures of attention and memory of the children at baseline (T=0), 60 (T=1), 120 (T=2), and 180 (T=3) minutes following the intake of test products. Overall, there was a decline in performance over the morning on almost every cognitive task. Children showed better attention following consumption of Iso GUM compared to Std GUM but attention was not significantly different than Reform GUM and glucose. Also, Iso GUM conferred a beneficial effect over both Reform GUM and glucose on sensitivity index of numeric working memory with no difference observed between Iso GUM and Std GUM. Surprisingly, glucose group showed lowest decline in the sensitivity index of spatial working memory and highest speed in picture recognition, although the latter was significantly better than Reform GUM only. For speed of spatial working memory, Reform GUM had the lowest decline but was significantly different only with Std GUM. There was, however, no significant difference among conditions for continuity of attention, speed of numeric working memory and picture recognition sensitivity. Despite the small sample size, the findings are intriguing as carbohydrate composition seems to influence some aspects of cognitive performance such as attention and memory. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose/analysis*
  2. A comparison of neurotoxicity in cerebellum produced by dermal application of chlorpyrifos in young and adult mice
    Krishnan K, Mitra NK, Yee LS, Yang HM
    J Neural Transm (Vienna), 2012 Mar;119(3):345-52.
    PMID: 21922192 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-011-0715-5
    Chlorpyrifos (CPF), an organophosphate pesticide inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and causes neuromuscular incoordination among children and elderly. The objectives of the present study were to compare the neurotoxic effects of dermal application of CPF on the cerebellum in the parameters of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in young and adult mice and to correlate with the changes in acetylcholinesterase levels. Male Balb/c mice, 150 days old (adult) and 18 days old (young) were dermally applied with ½ LD(50) of CPF over the tails for 14 days. Serum AChE concentration was estimated and GFAP immunostaining was performed on sagittal paraffin sections through the vermis of cerebellum. Although reduced in both age-groups exposed to CPF, percentage of reduction in serum AChE was more in adult compared to the young. Under GFAP immunostaining, brown colour fibres and glial cells were observed in cerebellar cortex and medulla in both the experimental groups. The mean GFAP-positive glial cell count in cerebellar medulla per mm(2) of section was significantly (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Acetylcholinesterase/blood
  3. Rubella-related intermediate uveitis in pregnancy--a rare presentation
    Thirupathy A, Tajunisah I
    Ocul Immunol Inflamm, 2011 Jun;19(3):156-7.
    PMID: 21595530 DOI: 10.3109/09273948.2011.555593
    To report a rare case of intermediate uveitis following rubella infection in pregnancy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Immunoglobulin G/blood
  4. Antibody response to influenza vaccine in pediatric liver transplant recipients
    Hojsak I, Avitzur Y, Mor E, Shamir R, Haimi-Cohen Y, Zakay-Rones Z, et al.
    Pediatr Infect Dis J, 2011 Jun;30(6):491-4.
    PMID: 21248658 DOI: 10.1097/INF.0b013e31820b7c22
    Data on the immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine in children after liver transplantation are sparse. Our study aims to evaluate the response of such patients to the trivalent influenza vaccine, administered by different protocols in 2 influenza seasons.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Viral/blood*
  5. Evaluation of hypoglycemic activity and toxicity profiles of the leaves of Ficus deltoidea in rodents
    Ilyanie Y, Wong TW, Choo CY
    J Complement Integr Med, 2011 Jan;8.
    PMID: 22754938 DOI: 10.2202/1553-3840.1469
    Ficus deltoidea Jack (Moraceae) leaf extract is used as an antidiabetic in traditional medicine. Its widespread usage is reflected by the available preparations in the present commercial market. The efficacy of other Ficus species has not been entirely satisfactory and many antidiabetic herbs have demonstrated poor safety profiles. This study examined hypoglycemic and toxicity profiles of F. deltoidea leaf extract in rodent models. Extracts of dried powdered leaves were obtained using methanol solution, n-hexane, chloroform, and n-butanol. These extracts were orally administered to rodents. Their blood glucose and insulin levels, acute and subchronic toxicity, biochemical and histological profiles of liver and kidney were determined. Methanol extract exhibited blood glucose lowering activity in mildly insulin resistant diabetic rats as well as in normoglycemic mice unlike hydrophilic butanol subextract which only expressed its activity in normoglycemic mice. Methanol extract could contain both insulin receptor sensitization and secretagogue constituents. Different from toxic chloroform and hexane subextracts, hydrophilic methanol extract gave zero percent mortality up to 6400 mg/kg in 14 days. It did not induce liver and kidney toxicity upon four-week consumption at 200 mg/kg. The methanol extract possessed mixed antidiabetic actions and exhibited a low level of oral toxicity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Glucose/drug effects
  6. Fulltext Molybdenum cofactor deficiency in a Malaysian child
    Ngu LH, Afroze B, Chen BC, Affandi O, Zabedah MY
    Singapore Med J, 2009 Oct;50(10):e365-7.
    PMID: 19907877
    Molybdenum cofactor deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with devastating neurological manifestations, characterised by neonatal-onset encephalopathy mimicking hypoxic-ischaemic insult, intractable seizure, and feeding and respiratory difficulties. It is often fatal in the early life. We report an affected 8-year-old boy, who presented with severe neurological manifestations since birth, but without clinically-significant seizure. Molybdenum cofactor deficiency must be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with unexplained encephalopathy in the newborn period, and whose neuroimaging findings are consistent with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. The classic laboratory hallmark of this disorder is low serum uric acid, positive urine sulphite dipstick test, and elevated urinary S-sulphocysteine, hypoxanthine and xanthine.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cysteine/blood
  7. Fulltext "Fishing for lines": removal of endovascular catheters from the cardiovascular system
    Wong AR, Suhaimi H, Ridzuan MA, Rizal MM, Saedah A
    Singapore Med J, 2009 Oct;50(10):e358-61.
    PMID: 19907875
    We present two infants whose endovascular lines were accidentally cut or fractured, and had to be retrieved via transcatheter means in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. The first case was a two-month-old infant with transposition of the great arteries, requiring an emergency balloon atrial septostomy. An indwelling vascular catheter that was placed in the right femoral vein was accidentally cut and had migrated into the inferior vena cava, before being retrieved. The second case was a one-week-old neonate who presented with pneumonia at birth, and had a long intravenous catheter placed in the left saphenous vein, which became fractured, and subsequently migrated into the heart. This case presented as a pulmonary embolus with haemodynamic instability, as the catheter had partially obstructed the right ventricular outflow tract. This was later retrieved via transcatheter means.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cardiovascular Diseases/blood*
  8. Knowledge of blood-borne infectious diseases and the practice of universal precautions amongst health-care workers in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia
    Hamid MZ, Aziz NA, Anita AR, Norlijah O
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2010 Sep;41(5):1192-9.
    PMID: 21073041
    This study aimed to assess the knowledge of blood-borne diseases transmitted through needle stick injuries amongst health-care workers in a tertiary teaching hospital. We also aimed to assess the practices of universal precautions amongst these workers and its correlation with the facts. We carried out a cross-sectional study from January to July 2008 involving various levels of health-care workers in Serdang Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire assessing knowledge of blood-borne diseases and universal precautions, and actual practice of universal precautions was used. Two hundred fifteen respondents participated in this study; 63.3% were staff nurses. The mean knowledge score was 31.84 (SD 4.30) and the mean universal practice score was 9.0 (SD 2.1). There was a small, positive correlation between knowledge and actual practice of universal precautions (r = 0.300, n = 206, p < 0.001) amongst the cohort studied. Factors such as age and years of experience did not contribute towards acquisition of knowledge about blood-borne illnesses or the practice of universal precautions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood-Borne Pathogens*
  9. Fulltext Neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD) in three Malay children
    Ngu HL, Zabedah MY, Kobayashi K
    Malays J Pathol, 2010 Jun;32(1):53-7.
    PMID: 20614727 MyJurnal
    Citrin deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutation in the SLC25AJ3 gene. It has two major phenotypes: adult-onset type II citrullinemia (CTLN2) and neonatal intrahepatic cholestatic caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD). NICCD is characterized by neonatal/infantile-onset cholestatic hepatitis syndrome associated with multiple amino acidemia and hypergalactosemia. NICCD is self-limiting in most patients. However, some patients may develop CTLN2 years later, which manifests as fatal hyperammonemia coma. We report three unrelated Malay children with genetically confirmed NICCD characterised by an insertion mutation IVS16ins3kb in SLC25A13 gene. All 3 patients presented with prolonged neonatal jaundice which resolved without specific treatment between 5 to 10 months. Of note was the manifestation of a peculiar dislike of sweet foods and drinks. Elevated plasma citrulline was an important biochemical marker. NICCD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cholestatic jaundice in Malaysian infants regardless of ethnic origin.
    Matched MeSH terms: Citrulline/blood
  10. Effect of blood pressure on the retinal vasculature in a multi-ethnic Asian population
    Jeganathan VS, Sabanayagam C, Tai ES, Lee J, Sun C, Kawasaki R, et al.
    Hypertens Res, 2009 Nov;32(11):975-82.
    PMID: 19713968 DOI: 10.1038/hr.2009.130
    Blood pressure has a significant effect on retinal arterioles. There are few data on whether this effect varies by race/ethnicity. We examined the relationship of blood pressure and retinal vascular caliber in a multi-ethnic Asian population. The study is population-based and cross sectional in design. A total of 3749 Chinese, Malay and Indian participants aged > or =24 years residing in Singapore were included in the study. Retinal vascular caliber was measured using a computer program from digital retinal photographs. The associations of retinal vascular caliber with blood pressure and hypertension in each racial/ethnic group were analyzed. The main outcome measures are retinal arteriolar caliber and venular caliber. The results show that retinal arterioles were narrower in persons with uncontrolled/untreated hypertension (140.0 microm) as compared with persons with controlled hypertension (142.1 microm, P=0.0001) and those with no hypertension (146.0 microm, P<0.0001). On controlling for age, gender, body mass index, lipids and smoking, each 10 mm Hg increase in mean arterial blood pressure was associated with a 3.1 microm decrease in arteriolar caliber (P<0.0001), with a similar magnitude seen in all three racial/ethnic groups: 3.1 microm in Chinese, 2.8 microm in Malays and 3.2 microm in Indians (P<0.0001 for all). Each 10 mm Hg increase in mean arterial blood pressure was associated with a 1.8 microm increase in venular caliber (P<0.0001); furthermore, the magnitude of this effect was similar across the three racial/ethnic groups. The effect of blood pressure on the retinal vasculature was similar across three major racial/ethnic groups in Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure/physiology*
  11. Interaction between renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems in a rat model of pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy
    Rathore HA, Munavvar AS, Abdullah NA, Khan AH, Fathihah B, NurJannah MH, et al.
    Auton Autacoid Pharmacol, 2009 Oct;29(4):171-80.
    PMID: 19740088 DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-8665.2009.00445.x
    1 A raised cardiac workload activates neurohormones which will increase muscle mass and shift contractility to the right along the Frank-Starling curve. 2 This study examined the interaction between the SNS and RAS in contributing to vascular responsiveness following the development of cardiac hypertrophy due to aortic banding. 3 Sprague Dawley rats (180-200 g) were assigned to one of six groups; Normal, Sham-operated, Aortic Banded (AB), Aortic Banded treated with losartan (ABLOS), Aortic Banded treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (ABSYMP) and Aortic banded treated with both losartan and 6-hydroxydopamine (ABSYMPLOS). A constricting band was placed around the supra renal aorta on day zero with drug treatment from day 37 to day 44. Vasopressor responses to noradrenaline, phenylephrine, methoxamine and angiotensin II were measured on day 45. 4 The magnitudes of the MAP responses to all vasoactive agents, expressed as percentage changes, were similar in Normal and Sham groups, but reduced in the AB group. ABLOS group showed attenuated response to ANGII whereas all responses were enhanced in the ABSYM group. 5 A positive interaction between the two systems was observed with alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors identified as a major component of SNS and AT(1) receptors of RAS to induce vasopressor effects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure/drug effects
  12. Fulltext Dietary and blood folate status of Malaysian women of childbearing age
    Khor GL, Duraisamy G, Loh SP, Green T
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2006;15(3):341-9.
    PMID: 16837426
    The protective role of folic acid taken during the periconceptual period in reducing the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTD) has been well documented by epidemiological evidence, randomized controlled trials and intervention studies. Much of the evidence is derived from western populations while similar data on Asian subjects is relatively nascent. Baseline data on folate status of Malaysian women is lacking, while NTD prevalence is estimated as 10 per 10,000 births. This study was conducted with the objective of determining the dietary and blood folate status of Malaysian women of childbearing age. A total of 399 women comprising 140 Malay, 131 Chinese and 128 Indian subjects were recruited from universities and worksites in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. Inclusion criteria were that the subjects were not pregnant or breastfeeding, not taking folic acid supplements, not habitual drinkers or smokers. Based on a 24-hour recall, the median intake level for folate was 66 microg (15.7-207.8 microg), which amounts to 16.5% of the Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intakes level. The median (5-95th percentiles) values for plasma and red cell folate (RBC) concentrations were 11 (4-33) nmol/L and 633 (303-1209) nmol/L respectively. Overall, nearly 15.1% showed plasma folate deficiency (< 6.8 nmol/L), with Indian subjects having the highest prevalence (21.5%). Overall prevalence of RBC folate deficiency (<363 nmol/L) was 9.3%, and an almost similar level prevailed for each ethnic group. Only 15.2% had RBC concentration exceeding 906 nmol/L, which is associated with a very low risk of NTD. The result of this study point to the need for intervention strategies to improve the blood folate status of women of childbearing age, so that they have adequate protection against the occurrence of NTD at birth.
    Matched MeSH terms: Folic Acid/blood*
  13. Recombinant Newcastle Disease virus capsids displaying enterovirus 71 VP1 fragment induce a strong immune response in rabbits
    Sivasamugham LA, Cardosa MJ, Tan WS, Yusoff K
    J Med Virol, 2006 Aug;78(8):1096-104.
    PMID: 16789020
    The complete VP1 protein of EV71 was truncated into six segments and fused to the C-terminal ends of full-length nucleocapsid protein (NPfl) and truncated NP (NPt; lacks 20% amino acid residues from its C-terminal end) of newcastle disease virus (NDV). Western blot analysis using anti-VP1 rabbit serum showed that the N-terminal region of the VP1 protein contains a major antigenic region. The recombinant proteins carrying the truncated VP1 protein, VP1(1-100), were expressed most efficiently in Escherichia coli as determined by Western blot analysis. Electron microscopic analysis of the purified recombinant protein, NPt-VP(1-100) revealed that it predominantly self-assembled into intact ring-like structures whereas NPfl-VP(1-100) recombinant proteins showed disrupted ring-like formations. Rabbits immunized with the purified NPt-VP(1-100) and NPfl-VP(1-100) exhibited a strong immune response against the complete VP1 protein. The antisera of these recombinant proteins also reacted positively with authentic enterovirus 71 and the closely related Coxsackievirus A16 when analyzed by an immunofluorescence assay suggesting their potential as immunological reagents for the detection of anti-enterovirus 71 antibodies in serum samples.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antibodies, Viral/blood
  14. Conformational properties of serum albumin binding sites in rats with different behaviour in the open field test
    Gryzunov YA, Koplik EV, Smolina NV, Kopaeva LB, Dobretsov GE, Sudakov KV
    Stress, 2006 Mar;9(1):53-60.
    PMID: 16753933
    In this study, the hypothesis was tested that behaviour of rats under the open field test condition and effects of subsequent acute stress relate to conformational properties of the main plasma carrier protein, albumin.To evaluate albumin properties, fluorescence intensity of a molecular probe CAPIDAN (N-carboxyphenylimide of dimethylaminonaphthalic acid) at N (at pH 7.4) and F (at pH 4.2) albumin conformations was measured and the N-F signal ratio was calculated. The data obtained showed that CAPIDAN fluoresces selectively from albumin in rat serum and its fluorescence is sensitive to binding of fatty acids and some other ligands to albumin. Behaviour of 78 Wistar male rats was characterized from the fraction of time taken for exploratory and ambulatory activity during the open field test. In rats not subjected to stress (n = 40), a negative correlation was revealed between open field activity and CAPIDAN N-to-F ratio for albumin (r = - 0.55, p < 0.0005). In the group of rats subjected to acute stress (immobilization plus stochastic electrocutaneous stimulation) the correlation between behavioural activity and the albumin conformational properties was significantly positive (r = 0.59, p < 0.0001): the CAPIDAN albumin fluorescence ratio increased in the highly active rats and decreased in the low-activity rats. The mechanisms of the observed effects may involve differences in nonesterified fatty acid production during stress.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/blood*
  15. Patients with congenital hypothyroidism demonstrate different altered expression of plasma fibrinogen and haptoglobin polypeptide chains
    Yong PH, Junit SM, Harun F, Hashim OH
    Clin Biochem, 2006 Feb;39(2):126-32.
    PMID: 16412408
    To compare the plasma protein profiles of treated and untreated congenital hypothyroidism (CH) patients with those of normal control infants.
    Matched MeSH terms: Congenital Hypothyroidism/blood*
  16. Bioassay-guided isolation of a vasorelaxant active compound from Kaempferia galanga L
    Othman R, Ibrahim H, Mohd MA, Mustafa MR, Awang K
    Phytomedicine, 2006 Jan;13(1-2):61-6.
    PMID: 16360934
    Bioassay-guided fractionation was performed on a crude dichloromethane extract of Kaempferia galanga L. using chromatography techniques. Screening of the extract for biological activity started with the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, followed by the study of its antihypertensive activity on anaesthetized rats, which involved monitoring of the extract's effect on mean arterial blood pressure. The components of the fractions obtained from the separation procedures were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC). The yield of the CH(2)Cl(2) extract was 0.29% of the crude plant extract. Analysis of the data for brine shrimp lethality test using the Finney computer program showed that this extract exhibited potent bioactivity with an ED(50) value of 7.92+/-0.13 microgml(-1). Intravenous administration of the extract induced a dose-related reduction of basal mean arterial pressure (MAP) (130+/-5 mmHg) in the anaesthetized rat, with maximal effects seen after 5-10 min of injection. The gas chromatogram showed that the common compound in the active fractions obtained from the bioassay-guided fractionation of the CH(2)Cl(2) extract was ethyl cinnamate. This vasorelaxant active compound, ethyl cinnamate, was isolated as a colorless oil. Ethyl p-methoxycinnamic acid was also isolated as white needles but did not exhibit any relaxant effect on the precontracted thoracic rat aorta.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure/drug effects
  17. Deep-vein thrombosis rates after major orthopedic surgery in Asia. An epidemiological study based on postoperative screening with centrally adjudicated bilateral venography
    Piovella F, Wang CJ, Lu H, Lee K, Lee LH, Lee WC, et al.
    J Thromb Haemost, 2005 Dec;3(12):2664-70.
    PMID: 16359505
    BACKGROUND: The incidence of postsurgical venous thromboembolism is thought to be low in Asian ethnic populations.

    OBJECTIVE: We studied the incidence of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in Asian patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery of the lower limbs.

    PATIENTS/METHODS: We performed a prospective epidemiological study in 19 centers across Asia (China, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand) in patients undergoing elective total hip replacement (THR), total knee replacement (TKR) or hip fracture surgery (HFS) without pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. The primary endpoint was the rate of DVT of the lower limbs documented objectively with bilateral ascending venography performed 6-10 days after surgery using a standardized technique and evaluated by a central adjudication committee unaware of local interpretation.

    RESULTS: Overall, of 837 Asian patients screened for this survey, 407 (48.6%, aged 20-99 years) undergoing THR (n = 175), TKR (n = 136) or HFS (n = 96) were recruited in 19 centers. DVT was diagnosed in 121 of 295 evaluable patients [41.0%, (95% confidence interval (CI): 35.4-46.7)]. Proximal DVT was found in 30 patients [10.2% (7.0-14.2)]. Total DVT and proximal DVT rates were highest in TKR patients (58.1% and 17.1%, respectively), followed by HFS patients (42.0% and 7.2%, respectively), then THR patients (25.6% and 5.8%, respectively). DVT was more frequent in female patients aged at least 65 years. Pulmonary embolism was clinically suspected in 10 of 407 patients (2.5%) and objectively confirmed in two (0.5%).

    CONCLUSIONS: The rate of venographic thrombosis in the absence of thromboprophylaxis after major joint surgery in Asian patients is similar to that previously reported in patients in Western countries.

    Matched MeSH terms: Lower Extremity/blood supply
  18. A new adjuvant improves the immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in hemodialysis patients
    Kong NC, Beran J, Kee SA, Miguel JL, Sánchez C, Bayas JM, et al.
    Kidney Int, 2008 Apr;73(7):856-62.
    PMID: 18160963
    Prehemodialysis and hemodialysis patients are at an increased risk of hepatitis B infection and have an impaired immune response to hepatitis B vaccines. We evaluated the immune response to the new adjuvant of hepatitis B vaccine AS04 (HBV-AS04) in this population. We measured antibody persistence for up to 42 months, and the anamnestic response and safety of booster doses in patients who were no longer seroprotected. The primary vaccination study showed that HBV-AS04 elicited an earlier antibody response and higher antibody titers than four double doses of standard hepatitis B vaccine. Seroprotection rates were significantly higher in HBV-AS04 recipients throughout the study. The decline in seroprotection over time was significantly less in the HBV-AS04 group with significantly fewer primed patients requiring a booster dose over the follow-up period. Solicited/unsolicited adverse events were rare following booster administration. Fifty-seven patients experienced a serious adverse event during the follow-up; none of which was vaccine related. When HBV-AS04 was used as the priming immunogen, the need for a booster dose occurred at a longer time compared to double doses of standard hepatitis B vaccine. Hence, in this population, the HBV-AS04 was immunogenic, safe, and well-tolerated both as a booster dose after HBV-AS04 or standard hepatitis B vaccine priming.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood*
  19. Fulltext Prostate-specific antigen levels among Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore from a community-based study
    Chia SE, Lau WK, Cheng C, Chin CM, Tan J, Ho SH
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2007 Jul-Sep;8(3):375-8.
    PMID: 18159971
    The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution of prostate-specific antigen levels among Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore, taking the effect of age into consideration. The study was carried out as part of the Singapore Prostate Awareness Week from 23-26th February 2004. Men above 50 years old went to four government-restructured hospitals to participate in the study. Participants filled up a questionnaire and provided 5 ml of blood for measurement of PSA levels using the Abbott IMx Total PSA assay (Abbott Laboratories). 3,486 men responded to the study, comprising 92.8% Chinese, 3.0% Malays, 2.5% Indians and 1.8% Others. 92.7% of them had PSA levels of 4 microg/L or less. There were no significant differences (p<0.05) between the mean PSA levels of Chinese (1.60 microg/L), Malays (1.39 microg/L), Indians (1.23 microg/L) and Others (1.70 microg/L). PSA levels were significantly associated with age (Spearman's r= 0.27, p<0.01). PSA levels increased with each 10-year age group and these trends were significant (p<0.0001) across both PSA group levels and age groupings. In the 50-60 years age groups, the prevalence of PSA levels >4 mug/L were 1.1% and 3.7% respectively. This rose rapidly to 11.3% and 23.5% for age groups >60-70 and >80 years respectively. Our study shows that the median PSA levels in the Caucasian population in the USA are higher than those of Chinese, Malays and Indians in Singapore. PSA levels were positively associated with age. It may be more appropriate to offer PSA testing to men who are >60 years old rather than the current >50 years.
    Matched MeSH terms: Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood*
  20. Rapid detection of non-enterobacteriaceae directly from positive blood culture using fluorescent in situ hybridization
    Wong EH, Subramaniam G, Navaratnam P, Sekaran SD
    Indian J Med Microbiol, 2007 Oct;25(4):391-4.
    PMID: 18087092
    Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was carried out using two different oligonucleotide probes specific for Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. These probes were tested against different organisms and were found to be highly specific. Sensitivity testing showed that the probes were able to detect as low as 10 3 CFU/mL. In addition, FISH was carried out directly on positive blood culture samples and the detection of microorganisms took less than 2 h. We believe that FISH is a rapid method that can be used as a routine laboratory diagnostic technique for the detection of Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp. in clinical samples.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood/microbiology
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links