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Multi-wavelength laser generation with Bismuthbased Erbium-doped fiber

Ahmad H, Shahi S, Harun SW

Opt Express, 2009 Jan 05;17(1):203-7.
PMID: 19129889

A multi-wavelength laser comb is demonstrated using a nonlinear effect in a backward pumped Bismuth-based Erbium-doped fiber (Bi-EDF) for the first time. It uses a ring cavity resonator scheme containing a 215 cm long highly nonlinear Bi-EDF, optical isolators, polarisation controller and 10 dB output coupler. The laser generates more than 10 lines of optical comb with a line spacing of approximately 0.41 nm at 1615.5 nm region using 146 mW of 1480 nm pump power.

Matched MeSH terms: Fiber Optic Technology/methods*
Use of waste gypsum to replace natural gypsum as set retarders in portland cement

Chandara C, Azizli KA, Ahmad ZA, Sakai E

Waste Manag, 2009 May;29(5):1675-9.
PMID: 19131236 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2008.11.014

The present study is focused on clarifying the influence of waste gypsum (WG) in replacing natural gypsum (NG) in the production of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). WG taken from slip casting moulds in a ceramic factory was formed from the hydration of plaster of paris. Clinker and 3-5wt% of WG was ground in a laboratory ball mill to produce cement waste gypsum (CMWG). The same procedure was repeated with NG to substitute WG to prepare cement natural gypsum (CMNG). The properties of NG and WG were investigated via X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)/thermogravimetric (TG) to evaluate the properties of CMNG and CMWG. The mechanical properties of cement were tested in terms of setting time, flexural and compressive strength. The XRD result of NG revealed the presence of dihydrate while WG contained dihydrate and hemihydrate. The content of dihydrate and hemihydrates were obtained via DSC/TG, and the results showed that WG and NG contained 12.45% and 1.61% of hemihydrate, respectively. Furthermore, CMWG was found to set faster than CMNG, an average of 15.29% and 13.67% faster for the initial and final setting times, respectively. This was due to the presence of hemihydrate in WG. However, the values obtained for flexural and compressive strength were relatively the same for CMNG and CMWG. Therefore, this result provides evidence that WG can be used as an alternative material to NG in the production of OPC.

Matched MeSH terms: Refuse Disposal/methods*
Quantitative RT PCR approach to evaluate the neurogenic and gliagenic gene expression of cultured human amniotic epithelial cells

Tan GC, Simat SF, Abdul Rahman H, Tan AE, Chua KH

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:51-2.
PMID: 19024979

The aim of the study is to determine the neuronal and glial gene expression of cultured human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) in serial passages. HAECs obtained from human term placentae were cultured in F12:DMEM (1:1) + 10% FBS +10ng/ml EGF in serial passages. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to assess the gene expression analysis. The results showed that the cultured HAECs expressed the neural stem cell genes (Nestin, NSE and Vimentin), mature neuronal genes (TH, MAP-2, beta-III-tubulin and NFM) and glial genes (CNPase, MBP and Olig). These neural stem cell genes increased with serial passages while the genes expression for mature neuronal and glial cells were downregulated. These results suggested that HAECs may promote or involve in neurogenesis and gliagenesis.

Matched MeSH terms: Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
Successful commercialisation of locally fabricated bioceramics for clinical applications

Fazan F, Besar I, Osman A, Samsudin AR, Khalid KA

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:49-50.
PMID: 19024978

This paper chronicled the development of a locally produced bone graft substitute based on calcium phosphate bioceramics called "GranuMaS--from concepts to clinics, and finally to its successful commercialization all within 5-year duration. It was a Prioritized Research (PR) collaborative project of 5 institutions namely SIRIM, ANM, USM, UKM and IIUM, funded by MOSTI to the amount of approximately RM2.5 millions under RM8. This paper also highlighted the requirements needed in terms of technical expertise/manpower, facilities and infrastructure, and government/institutional supports, as well as the challenge faced in developing and commercializing such product.

Matched MeSH terms: Bone Transplantation/methods
Fulltext GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist in intracytoplasmic injection cycles

Rashid MR, Ong FB, Omar MH, Ng SP, Nurshaireen A, Sharifah-Teh NS, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jun;63(2):113-7.
PMID: 18942295 MyJurnal

The long agonistic protocol for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is effective and used most often, thus is considered the gold standard. Therefore any new regimen has to be compared in its results with those obtained with the long protocol. This report compares the efficacy of GnRH agonist and antagonist in a retrospective study of IVF/ICSI carried out in a tertiary teaching hospital from 2003 to 2006. Only the first COH cycle followed by IVF-ICSI from 200 couples (agonist = 120 and antagonist = 80) were analysed. The end points studied included the number of oocytes recovered, number of mature (MII) oocytes, fertilization, cleavage, morphology based embryo quality, pregnancy rate, quantity and cost of gonadotrophin. The average age of female subjects was 35.1 +/- 4.7 years with 50% being 35 years and above. Major infertility factors were tubal blockage, male factor and endometriosis altogether comprising 68%. GnRH agonist and antagonist cycle parameters were comparable except lesser amount of gonadotrophin was used with lower resultant costs (both p < 0.0005) in antagonistic regime. Antagonist regime produce somewhat more good quality embryos (p = 0.065), an insignificant difference. A clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer of 16.3% in agonist and 20.6% in antagonist regime was achieved respectively. In conclusion, GnRH antagonist protocol produced a COH response, embryonic development and pregnancy rates on par to GnRH agonist regime. Moreover GnRH antagonist protocol required a shorter stimulation period plus fewer complications. Hence GnRH antagonist regime provided means for a friendlier, convenient and cost effective protocol for patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Ovulation Induction/methods*
Newcastle diseases virus strain V4UPM displayed oncolytic ability against experimental human malignant glioma

Zulkifli MM, Ibrahim R, Ali AM, Aini I, Jaafar H, Hilda SS, et al.

Neurol Res, 2009 Feb;31(1):3-10.
PMID: 18937888 DOI: 10.1179/174313208X325218

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a virus of paramyxovirus family and lately has been studied for the treatment of cancer in human. In this study, we successfully determined the oncolysis potential of NDV vaccine, V4UPM tested on the human glioblastoma multiform cell line (DBTRG.05MG) and human glioblastoma astrocytoma cell line (U-87MG) in vitro and in vivo. The V4UPM strain is a modified V4 strain developed as thermostable feed pellet vaccine for poultry.

Matched MeSH terms: Oncolytic Virotherapy/methods*
Fulltext Peri-operative blood pressure changes in normotensive and hypertensive patients

Poh KS, Lim TA, Airini IN

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Jun;62(2):97-103.
PMID: 18705438

Controversy surrounds the acceptance of hypertension as an independent risk factor for anaesthesia. In an attempt to identify variables that are associated with increased haemodynamic instability during surgery, the blood pressure profiles of 128 patients were analysed. The two variables that contributed most to the instability were pre-operative control of blood pressure and anaesthetic technique. To reduce the fluctuation in blood pressure, it is advisable for patients to be given a regional anaesthetic. Current therapy for hypertension appears to exaggerate the depressant effects of anaesthetic drugs. Care must be taken not only to prevent hypertensive episodes during surgery, but also hypotension.

Matched MeSH terms: Anesthesia/methods
The use of an In House Scoring System Scale versus Glasgow Coma Scale in non-traumatic altered states of consciousness patients: can it be used for triaging patients in Southeast Asian developing countries?

Maheswaran M, Adnan WA, Ahmad R, Ab Rahman NH, Naing NN, Abdullah J

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2007 Nov;38(6):1126-40.
PMID: 18613557

Non-traumatic Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) are a non-specific consequence of various etiologies, and are normally monitored by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The GCS gives varriable results among untrained emergency medicine personel in developing countries where English is not the first language. An In House Scoring System (IHSS) scale was made by the first author for the purpose of triaging so as to quickly asses patients when seen by medical personel. This IHSS scale was compared to the GCS to determine it's specificity and sensitivity in the accident and emergency department (ED) of Hospital University Sains Malaysia (HUSM). All patients with non-traumatic ASC were selected by purposive sampling according to pre-determined criteria. Patients were evaluated by the two systems, IHSS and GCS, by emergency physicians who were on call. Patient demographics, clinical features, investigations, treatment given and outcomes were collected and followed for a period of 14 days. A total of 221 patients with non-traumatic ASC were studied, 54.3% were males. The mean age of the patients was 56 years old. The mean overall GCS score on presentation to the ED was 10.3. The mean duration of ASC was 11.6 hours. One hundred thirty patients (58.8%) experienced ASC secondary to general or focal cerebral disorders. The mortality rate was 40.3% 2 weeks after the ED visit. Fifty-four point three percent of the patients were awake and considered to have good outcomes while 45.7% of the patients had poor outcomes (comatose or dead) 2 weeks after the ED visit. The mean overall GCS score, verbal and motor subscores as well as the IHSS had significantly decreased (worsened) after treatment in the ED. A poor IHSS scale, hypertension, current smoking, abnormal pupillary reflexes and acidosis were associated with a worse 2-week outcome. The mean age and WBC count was lower and the mean overall GCS score and eye, verbal and motor subscores were higher as well as those having a lower IHSS scale for the good outcome category. Multivariate analysis revealed that smokers and hypertensives were at higher risk for a poor outcome. Higher eye scores on the GCS were associated fewer poor outcomes. There was significant agreement between the IHSS scale and GCS scores in the assessment of non-traumatic ASC. The sensitivity and specificity of the IHSS score versus GCS were 71.9% and 100.0%, respectively.

Matched MeSH terms: Triage/methods*
Development of a capillary electrophoresis method for the enantioselective estimation of primaquine in pharmaceutical formulations

Elbashir AA, Saad B, Ali AS, Saleh MI

J AOAC Int, 2008 6 24;91(3):536-41.
PMID: 18567298

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method has been developed that allows the separation and estimation of primaquine enantiomers using hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin (HP-gamma -CD) as a chiral selector. The influence of chemical and instrumental parameters on the separation, such as type and concentration of CD, buffer concentration, buffer pH, applied voltage, capillary temperature, and injection time, were investigated. Good separation of the racemic mixture of primaquine was achieved using a fused-silica capillary (52.5 cm effective length x 50 microm id) and a background electrolyte composed of tris-phosphate buffer solution (50 mM, pH 2.5) containing 15 mM HP-gamma-CD as a chiral selector. The recommended applied voltage, capillary temperature, and injection time were 15 kV, 25 degrees C, and 6 s, respectively. Within-day and interday reproducibility of peak area and migration time gave relative standard deviation values ranging from 1.05-3.30%. Good recoveries (range of 96.8-104.9%) were obtained from the determination of placebos that were spiked with 0.25-1.00 mg/L primaquine. The proposed CE method was successfully applied to the assay of primaquine diphosphate in pharmaceutical formulations (tablets).

Matched MeSH terms: Electrophoresis, Capillary/methods*
Post-traumatic pericallosal artery aneurysm presenting with subdural haematoma without subarachnoid haemorrhage

Suhara S, Wong AS, Wong JO

Br J Neurosurg, 2008 Apr;22(2):295-7.
PMID: 18348031 DOI: 10.1080/02688690701687678

A 27-year-old patient presented with severe headache and seizures about a month after the initial head trauma. Computed tomography (CT) brain scan revealed acute subdural bleed continuous into the interhemispheric region, with no subarachnoid haemorrhage. This was due to rupture of a traumatic pericallosal artery aneurysm. This represents a rare case of traumatic pericallosal artery aneurysm presenting with subdural haematoma without subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Matched MeSH terms: Craniotomy/methods
Extraction and microencapsulation of khat: effects on sexual motivation and estradiol level in female rats

Aziz HA, Peh KK, Tan YT

J Sex Med, 2009 Mar;6(3):682-95.
PMID: 19143913 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.01157.x

Khat (Catha edulis) is an evergreen tree/shrub that is thought to affect sexual motivation or libido. Its positive effect on sexual desire is more frequently observed in females than in males and occurs when khat is chewed. Thus, khat's effects on sexual behavior may depend on the release mode of its active constituent.

Matched MeSH terms: Drug Compounding/methods*
Production of biodiesel using immobilized lipase--a critical review

Jegannathan KR, Abang S, Poncelet D, Chan ES, Ravindra P

Crit Rev Biotechnol, 2008;28(4):253-64.
PMID: 19051104 DOI: 10.1080/07388550802428392

Increase in volume of biodiesel production in the world scenario proves that biodiesel is accepted as an alternative to conventional fuel. Production of biodiesel using alkaline catalyst has been commercially implemented due to its high conversion and low production time. For the product and process development of biodiesel, enzymatic transesterification has been suggested to produce a high purity product with an economic, environment friendly process at mild reaction conditions. The enzyme cost being the main hurdle can be overcome by immobilization. Immobilized enzyme, which has been successfully used in various fields over the soluble counterpart, could be employed in biodiesel production with the aim of reducing the production cost by reusing the enzyme. This review attempts to provide an updated compilation of the studies reported on biodiesel production by using lipase immobilized through various techniques and the parameters, which affect their functionality.

Matched MeSH terms: Biotechnology/methods*
Quality assessment of palm products upon prolonged heat treatment

Tarmizi AH, Lin SW

J Oleo Sci, 2008;57(12):639-48.
PMID: 19001776

Extending the frying-life of oils is of commercial and economic importance. Due to this fact, assessment on the thermal stability of frying oils could provide considerable savings to the food processors. In this study, the physico-chemical properties of five palm products mainly palm oil, single-fractionated palm olein, double-fractionated palm olein, red palm olein and palm-based shortening during 80 hours of heating at 180 degrees C were investigated. Heating properties of these products were then compared with that of high oleic sunflower oil, which was used as reference oil. The indices applied in evaluating the quality changes of oils were free fatty acid, smoke point, p-anisidine value, tocols, polar and polymer compounds. Three palm products i.e. palm oil, single-fractionated palm olein and double-fractionated palm olein were identified to be the most stable in terms of lower formation of free fatty acid, polar and polymer compounds as well as preserving higher smoke point and tocols content compared to the other three oils. The low intensity of hydrolytic and oxidative changes due to prolonged heating, suggests that these palm products are inherently suitable for frying purposes.

Matched MeSH terms: Food Technology/methods*
Minimum level of jumping exercise required to maintain exercise-induced bone gains in female rats

Ooi FK, Singh R, Singh HJ, Umemura Y

Osteoporos Int, 2009 Jun;20(6):963-72.
PMID: 18839049 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-008-0760-6

SUMMARY: This study determines the minimum level of exercise required to maintain 8 weeks of jumping exercise-induced bone gains in rats. It was found that the minimum level of exercise required for maintaining the different exercise-induced bone gains varied between 11% and 18% of the initial exercise intensity.
INTRODUCTION: This study ascertains the minimum level of follow-up exercise required to maintain bone gains induced by an 8-week jumping exercise in rats.
METHODS: Twelve groups of 12-week old rats (n = 10 rats per group) were given either no exercise for 8 (8S) or 32 weeks (32S), or received 8 weeks of standard training program (8STP) that consisted of 200 jumps per week, given at 40 jumps per day for 5 days per week, followed by 24 weeks of exercise at loads of either 40 or 20 or 10 jumps per day, for either 5, or 3, or 1 day/week. Bone mass, strength, and morphometric properties were measured in the right tibia. Data were analyzed using one-way analyses of variance.
RESULTS: Bone mass, strength, mid-shaft periosteal perimeter and cortical area were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the rats given 8STP than that in the 8S group. The minimal level of exercise required to maintain the bone gains was 31, 36, 25, and 21 jumps per week for mass, strength, periosteal perimeter and cortical area, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of jumping exercise-induced bone gains could be maintained for a period of 24 weeks with follow-up exercise consisting of 11% to 18% of the initial exercise load.

Matched MeSH terms: Physical Conditioning, Animal/methods*
Fulltext Determinations of a safe musculofascial plication in abdominoplasty

Al-Shaham AA

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Dec;62(5):380-2.
PMID: 18705470 MyJurnal

This study was conducted to determine a safe vertical musculo-fascial plication distance in abdominoplasty operation in order to avoid the risk of developing respiratory distress during the post operative period. Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess abdominal skin and fat (panneculectomy), and tightens lax anterior abdominal wall muscle; in which musculo-fascial plication is a major component of abdominoplasty in patient with significant divaricating of the recti muscles. Respiratory decompensation may occur as a result of undue plication which reduces the intra abdominal volume with diaphragmatic excursion leading to abdominal compartmental syndrome. Fifty six patients for abdominoplasty were selected prospectively, during the period from June 1998 to February 2004, male to female ratio 1:13, mean age 39.5, mean weight 95.2 kilogram. To determine a safe plication distance (PD). The difference between two pre-operative measurements of the abdominal circumference was measured, before (BB) and after (AB) application of abdominal binder. The safe plication distance (PD) in centimeters = (BB) - (AB). The mean plication distance is 13.5cm. The changes in the pulmonary functions test before and after surgery were clinically insignificant. Pre-operative determination of safe plication distance is simple and convenient method which reduces the risk of developing respiratory distress in patients undergoing abdominoplasty in the post-operative period.

Matched MeSH terms: Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/methods*
Fulltext Over-prescription of antibiotics: both doctors and patients need education

Norsa'adah B

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Jun;62(2):181.
PMID: 18705463

Principally, there are two problems in prescribing . They are prescribing decision and prescribing writing process, which contribute to 39% and 61% of prescription problems respectively. The first type of problem has more serious consequences and may even cause mortality. In that study, the issue is the appropriateness of prescribing antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Over-prescribing of antibiotics in primary health care, especially for respiratory tract diseases is a problem worldwide . There are concerns about the rising prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria, cost and the potentially harmful consequences of unnecessary prescription such as drug interaction and allergy.

Matched MeSH terms: Education, Medical, Continuing/methods*
Chemoenzymatic and microbial dynamic kinetic resolutions

Kamaruddin AH, Uzir MH, Aboul-Enein HY, Halim HN

Chirality, 2009 Apr;21(4):449-67.
PMID: 18655180 DOI: 10.1002/chir.20619

This review tracks a decade of dynamic kinetic resolution developments with a biocatalytic inclination using enzymatic/microbial means for the resolution part followed by the racemization reactions either by means of enzymatic or chemocatalyst. These fast developments are due to the ability of the biocatalysts to significantly reduce the number of synthetic steps which are common for conventional synthesis. Future developments in novel reactions and products of dynamic kinetic resolutions should consider factors that are needed to be extracted at the early synthetic stage to avoid inhibition at scale-up stage have been highlighted.

Matched MeSH terms: Chemistry, Organic/methods*
Use of red blood cell indices for the identification of iron deficiency among blood donors

Nadarajan V, Sthaneshwar P, Eow GI

Transfus Med, 2008 Jun;18(3):184-9.
PMID: 18598281 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3148.2008.00862.x

The objective of this study was to identify haematological parameters useful in screening for iron deficiency among blood donors. Iron deficiency is a common complication of blood donation and often goes unrecognized until anaemia develops. Biochemical markers such as soluble transferrin receptor (TfR), ferritin and log(TfR/F) have been proposed as more valid indicators of body iron status. Red blood cell (RBC) parameters are, however, more easily measured and have also been proposed as indicators of iron depletion. We measured ferritin and TfR in 192 blood donors together with RBC analysis, performed on two haematology analysers. Thirteen donors had parameters suggestive of haemoglobinopathy and were excluded from further analysis. Overall, 10% (18/179) of the remaining donors had iron deficiency, as defined by log(TfR/F) exceeding the 95th percentile of the value in the population of first-time donors. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, the sensitivity of ferritin was 100%, with a specificity of 90% at a cut-off of 15 mug L(-1). The sensitivity and specificity of RBC-Y at a cut-off of 152 for detecting iron deficiency were 81 and 89%, respectively. Haemoglobin content of reticulocytes, meanwhile, showed sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 93% when a cut-off of 28 pg was used. Both measures compare favourably with haemoglobin which only showed a sensitivity of 50%, although specificity was 91% at a cut-off value of 125 g L(-1). The parameter RBC-Y can be useful as a screening measure for iron deficiency in blood donors.

Matched MeSH terms: Mass Screening/methods
Process optimization studies of lead (Pb(II)) biosorption onto immobilized cells of Pycnoporus sanguineus using response surface methodology

Yus Azila Y, Mashitah MD, Bhatia S

Bioresour Technol, 2008 Dec;99(18):8549-52.
PMID: 18599293 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.03.056

A central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimize the biosorption of Pb(II) ions onto immobilized cells of Pycnoporus sanguineus. The independent variables were initial Pb(II) concentration, pH and biomass loading. The combined effects of these variables were analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM) using quadratic model for predicting the optimum point. Under these conditions the model predicted a maximum of 97.7% of Pb(II) ions removal at pH 4, 200mg/L of initial Pb(II) concentration with 10g/L of biosorbent. The experimental values are in good agreement with predicted values within +0.10 to +0.81% error.

Matched MeSH terms: Environmental Restoration and Remediation/methods*
Fulltext Prognostic factors influencing pregnancy rate after stimulated intrauterine insemination

Tay PY, Raj VR, Kulenthran A, Sitizawiah O

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Oct;62(4):286-9.
PMID: 18551930 MyJurnal

To determine the prognostic factors such as age, diagnosis, number of cycle attempts and semen parameters on the pregnancy rate of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) /intrauterine insemination (IUI). Three hundred and seventeen women who underwent 507 consecutive COH/IUI cycles were recruited from 1st January 2002 to 31st December 2005 inclusively. This retrospective study was done in University Malaya Medical Centre, a tertiary care academic centre. The main outcome measure was pregnancy rate according to age, infertility diagnosis, duration of infertility, semen parameters, and the number of treatment cycles. The overall pregnancy rates were 16.9% per cycle and 25.9% per couple. Pregnancy rates decreased with advancing maternal age. Pregnancy rate was also significantly lower in patient with postwash total motile sperm count (TMSC) < or = 20 million/ml compared to those with TMSC >20 million/ml. The cumulative pregnancy rates varied greatly by diagnosis from 16% for patients with male factor infertility to 60% for patients with ovulatory disorder. Pregnancies among patients with male infertility, tubal factors infertility and endometriosis were achieved during the first three cycles. There is a clear age-related decline in fecundity associated with COH/IUI treatment. Women of > 40 years old, couple with postwash TMSC < or = 20 million/ml, severe endometriosis and tubal factors have a particularly poor prognosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Insemination, Artificial, Homologous/methods*

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