MyMedR

Fulltext SNP array technology: an array of hope in breast cancer research

Ho CC, Mun KS, Naidu R

Malays J Pathol, 2013 Jun;35(1):33-43.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. The incidence of breast cancer in Malaysia is lower compared to international statistics, with peak occurrence in the age group between 50 to 59 years of age and mortality rates of 18.6%. Despite current diagnostic and prognostic methods, the outcome for individual subjects remain poor. This is in part due to breast cancers' wide genetic heterogeneity. Various platforms for genetics studies are now employed to determine the identity of these genetic abnormalities, including microarray methods like high density single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) oligonucleotide arrays which combine the power of chromosomal comparative genomic hybridization (cCGH) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the offering of higher-resolution mappings. These platforms and their applications in highlighting the genomic alteration frameworks manifested in breast carcinoma will be discussed.

Screening and characterization of microbial inhibitors against eukaryotic protein phosphatases (PP1 and PP2A)

Ong SM, Voo LY, Lai NS, Stark MJ, Ho CC

J Appl Microbiol, 2007 Mar;102(3):680-92.

PMID: 17309617

To identify novel microbial inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1).

Scrotal lump: do not forget tuberculosis!

Ho CC, Rusdi AR

Clin Ter, 2014;165(2):107-9.

PMID: 24770814 DOI: 10.7471/CT.2014.1686

Scrotal tuberculosis (TB) is rare. Lack of awareness may lead to a misdiagnosis and/or delayed diagnosis of scrotal TB. Clinicians should have a high suspicion index for scrotal TB when facing a patient with a chronic scrotal lump. Since scrotal TB can be medically cured, biopsy of the scrotal lump for pathology study and/or urine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for M. tuberculosis should be performed first for rapid diagnostic purposes, and therefore unnecessary surgery may thereby be circumvented.

Scrotal mass: a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Ho CC, Jamaludin WJ, Goh EH, Singam P, Zainuddin ZM

Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove), 2011;54(2):81-2.

PMID: 21842723

Ventriculoperitoneal shunts are associated with multiple complications. Among them are disconnection and migration of the tubing into the peritoneal cavity. Here we describe a case of a fractured ventriculoperitoneal shunt which migrated and coiled in the scrotum, masquerading as a scrotal swelling. Removal of the shunt via a scrotal incision was performed concomitantly with repair of the hernia sac.

Fulltext Serum sex hormone levels in pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer patients

Ho CC, Rohaizak M, Zulkifli SZ, Siti-Aishah MA, Nor-Aini U, Sharifah-Noor-Akmal SH

Singapore Med J, 2009 May;50(5):513-8.

PMID: 19495523

This study was conducted to determine the association between serum sex hormone levels and breast cancer.

Testicular mass: do not forget filariasis

Ho CC, Ideris N

Infection, 2013 Aug;41(4):893-6.

PMID: 23471824 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-013-0443-x

Parasite infestation of the testicular tunica and spermatic cord by filariae are rarely reported and may present with few clinical signs, depending upon the stage. Occasionally, it may mimic a testicular tumor. We present a case of a 29-year-old man who presented with left testicular swelling and discomfort for 4 months. Clinical examination and imaging suggested an intrascrotal cystic lesion with a normal left testis. However, the intraoperative findings revealed a tumor-like mass; hence, a left orchidectomy was performed. However, histopathology reported a diagnosis of a cystic testicular tunica and spermatic cord with parasite infection. Here, we review the literature of scrotal and testicular parasite disease and discuss the course of the appropriate management involved.

The Burden of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreatic Diseases: The Global Scenario

Das S, Mahakkanukrauh P, Ho CC

Gastroenterology, 2016 Apr;150(4):1045-6.

PMID: 26930015 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.01.036

Fulltext The Interplay of Protein Hydrolysis and Ammonia in the Stability of Hevea Rubber Latex during Storage

Payungwong N, Sakdapipanich J, Wu J, Ho CC

Polymers (Basel), 2023 Dec 07;15(24).

PMID: 38139887 DOI: 10.3390/polym15244636

Natural rubber (NR) latex derived from Hevea brasiliensis is a complex colloid comprising mainly rubber hydrocarbons (latex particles) and a multitude of minor non-rubber constituents such as non-rubber particles, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and soluble organic and inorganic substances. NR latex is susceptible to enzymatic attack after it leaves the trees. It is usually preserved with ammonia and, to a lesser extent, with other preservatives to enhance its colloidal stability during storage. Despite numerous studies in the literature on the influence of rubber proteins on NR latex stability, issues regarding the effect of protein hydrolysis in the presence of ammonia on latex stability during storage are still far from resolved. The present work aims to elucidate the interplay between protein hydrolysis and ammoniation in NR latex stability. Both high- and low-ammonia (with a secondary preservative) NR latexes were used to monitor the changes in their protein compositions during storage. High-ammonia (FNR-A) latex preserved with 0.6% (v/v) ammonia, a low 0.1% ammonia/TMTD/ZnO (FNR-TZ) latex, and a deproteinized NR (PDNR) latex were labeled with fluorescence agents and observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy to determine their protein composition. Protein hydrolysis was confirmed via sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The results revealed that protein hydrolysis increased with the storage duration. The change in protein composition accompanying hydrolysis also allows the spatial distribution of allergenic proteins to be estimated in the latex. Concurrently, the latex stability increased with the storage duration, as measured by the latex's mechanical stability time (MST) and the zeta potential of the latex particles. As monitored by AFM, the surface roughness of the NR latex film increased markedly during extended storage compared with that of the DPNR latex, which remained smooth. These results underscore the pivotal role of ammonia in bolstering NR latex stability brought on by protein hydrolysis, which greatly impacts latex film's formation behavior. NR latex stability underpins the quality of latex-dipped goods during manufacturing, particularly those for medical gloves.

Fulltext The status of men's health in Asia

Ng CJ, Teo CH, Ho CC, Tan WP, Tan HM

Prev Med, 2014 Oct;67:295-302.

PMID: 25117523 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.08.007

This study aims to compare health status and its risk factors between men and women who are from countries of different income status in Asia.

Treatment of the Hypogonadal Infertile Male-A Review

Ho CC, Tan HM

Sex Med Rev, 2013 May;1(1):42-49.

PMID: 27784559 DOI: 10.1002/smrj.4

INTRODUCTION: Testosterone treatment for hypogonadism is detrimental for men in reproductive age as it impairs spermatogenesis, and therefore affects fertility. It is, therefore, not indicated in men with hypogonadism and infertility.

AIM: The aim of this review is to analyze current data regarding options of treatment for men with hypogonadism and infertility.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: A comprehensive review of the current literature on management of infertility among hypogonadal men.

METHODS: A literature search using PubMed from 1980 to 2012 was done on articles published in the English language. The following medical subject heading terms were used: "infertility," "infertile," "hypogonadism;" "testosterone deficiency" and "men" or "male;" and "treatment" or "management."

RESULTS: The options for hypogonadal testicular failure are limited. Hormonal treatment is by and large ineffective. For secondary hypogonadism (hypogonadotropic/normogonadotropic hypogonadism), the options include gonadotropin-releasing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and anti-estrogens and aromatase inhibitors. Dopamine antagonist is indicated for prolactinoma. Artificial reproductive technique is indicated for primary testicular failure and also when medical therapy fails.

CONCLUSION: The most suitable option with the current data available is hCG with or without hMG/FSH. Testosterone supplementation should be avoided, but if they are already on it, it is still possible for a return of normal sperm production within 1 year after discontinuing testosterone. Ho CCK and Tan HM. Treatment of the hypogonadal infertile male-A review. Sex Med Rev 2013;1:42-49.

Fulltext Ureteral stricture formation after ureteroscope treatment of impacted calculi: a prospective study

Fam XI, Singam P, Ho CC, Sridharan R, Hod R, Bahadzor B, et al.

Korean J Urol, 2015 Jan;56(1):63-7.

PMID: 25598938 DOI: 10.4111/kju.2015.56.1.63

Urinary calculi is a familiar disease. A well-known complication of endourological treatment for impacted ureteral stones is the formation of ureteral strictures, which has been reported to occur in 14.2% to 24% of cases.

Ureteric stone in the presence of existing backache: lessons to learn

Zulkifli MZ, Ho CC, Goh EH, Praveen S, Das S

Clin Ter, 2012;163(1):23-5.

PMID: 22362229

Incidence of urolithiasis is on the rise due to climatic changes especially global warming.The pain due to presence of ureteric stone is a well known identity but many times it may be asymptomatic or even masked by concurrent presence of backache. In the present article, we describe the case of a 43-year-old male who came to the clinic for treatment of backache persisting for more than two years. The patient complained of backache two years back for which he was treated with analgesics and physiotherapy which relieved his pain. No X-ray was taken earlier because the attending clinician thought the backache to be musculo-skeletal in origin. Recently, one day a sudden episode of backache in the midst of night compelled him to seek medical treatment. However, this time a X-ray was performed and it showed the presence of calculi in the right upper pelvis of ureter which measured 1.9 cm vertically. An ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with two episodes of shock wave therapy which failed to crush the stone. A Double-J stent was inserted under general anaesthesia. The stone was crushed using a ureteroscope guided laser. The present case report describes how backache in professionals cannot be lightly attended. Even the characteristic groin to loin pain may be absent. All cases of backache should be properly investigated with an X-ray to rule out renal or ureteric calculi.

Urinary bladder characteristics via ultrasound as predictors of acute urinary retention in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Ho CC, Ngoo KS, Hamzaini AH, Rizal AM, Zulkifli MZ

Clin Ter, 2014;165(2):75-81.

PMID: 24770808 DOI: 10.7471/CT.2014.1680

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical utility of urinary bladder and prostate characteristics measured by ultrasound scan in predicting acute urinary retention (AUR) for men with bladder outlet obstruction with an underlying benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive men aged ≥50 years presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or AUR were prospectively recruited in this cross-sectional study. International prostatic symptom score (IPSS) and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were recorded. High-resolution ultrasound was used to measure bladder detrusor thickness (DT, mm), prostatic volume (PV, cm3), intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP, mm), bladder wall thickness (BWT,mm), intravesical volume and bladder radius. The latter two parameters were used to estimate bladder weight (UEBW, g), assuming a spherical bladder.
RESULTS: Among selected patients, thirty had AUR while 32 men presented with LUTS only. There were significant differences between those with and without AUR in their age (70.5 vs 66.0, p=0.017), IPSS (24.0 vs 18.5, p=0.009), serum PSA (6.18 vs 1.77, p=0.002), PV (56.7 vs 32.4, p=0.006), BWT (5.0 vs 4.4, p=0.034) and UEBW (39.1 vs 25.0, p=0.0003). Multivariate analysis revealed high IPSS and UEBW to be predictors for AUR. UEBW was the strongest predictor of AUR: area under ROC curve was 0.767, with sensitivity and specificity of 63.3% and 87.5%, respectively, at cut-off point of 35 g. The likelihood ratio for AUR was also best with UEBW≥35 g.
CONCLUSIONS: Combined with IPSS, ultrasound determined bladder characteristic, particularly UEBW, is a useful tool in predicting AUR in men with BPH.

Fulltext Vienna nomogram-based prostate biopsy: can it be a much better diagnostic tool than other conventional prostate biopsies?

Ho CC, Ho SE, Das S

Korean J Urol, 2014 Sep;55(9):628.

PMID: 25237467 DOI: 10.4111/kju.2014.55.9.628

Displaying publications 41 - 54 of 54 in total