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  1. Dietary patterns in childhood and their effect on gut microbiota-an Asian perspective on atopy risk
    Ismail IH, Lay C, H A Majid N, Lee WS, Lee BW, Abdul Latiff AH, et al.
    J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2020 11;146(5):1005-1007.
    PMID: 32860819 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.05.057
  2. The interaction between energy intake, physical activity and UCP2 -866G/A gene variation on weight gain and changes in adiposity: an Indonesian Nutrigenetic Cohort (INDOGENIC)
    Muhammad HFL, Sulistyoningrum DC, Huriyati E, Lee YY, Muda WAMW
    Br J Nutr, 2021 03 28;125(6):611-617.
    PMID: 32746947 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114520003104
    The present study aimed to investigate an interaction between energy intake, physical activity and UCP2 gene variation on weight gain and adiposity changes in Indonesian adults. This is a prospective cohort study conducted in 323 healthy adults living in the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Energy intake, physical activity, body weight, BMI, percentage body fat and waist:hip ratio (WHR) were measured at baseline and after 2 years while UCP2 -866G/A gene variation was determined at baseline. We reported that after 2 years subjects had a significant increment in body weight, BMI, body fat and reduction in WHR (all P < 0·05). In all subjects, total energy intake was significantly correlated with changes in body weight (β = 0·128, P = 0·023) and body fat (β = 0·123, P = 0·030). Among subjects with the GG genotype, changes in energy intake were positively correlated with changes in body weight (β = 0·232, P = 0·016) and body fat (β = 0·201, P = 0·034). These correlations were insignificant among those with AA + GA genotypes (all P > 0·05). In summary, we show that UCP2 gene variation might influence the adiposity response towards changes in energy intake. Subjects with the GG genotype of UCP2 -866G/A gene were more responsive to energy intake, thus more prone to weight gain due to overeating.
  3. Fulltext Helicobacter pylori infection among Aborigines (the Orang Asli) in the northeastern region of Peninsular Malaysia
    Rahim AA, Lee YY, Majid NA, Choo KE, Raj SM, Derakhshan MH, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2010 Nov;83(5):1119-22.
    PMID: 21036849 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0226
    Whether the exceptionally low prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection reported among Malays is also present among aborigines (the Orang Asli) living in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia is unknown. We studied asymptomatic Orang Asli from settlements situated 210 km from the city of Kota Bharu. The HP infection status was confirmed by a validated serology test. Nineteen percent of 480 Orang Asli tested positive for HP infection. The prevalence was 40.6% in the birth cohort of the 1940s and declined steadily in later cohorts to under 10% among 12-30 year olds. This may be related to the phases of relocation from the jungles into resettlement camps and ultimately into designated villages near rivers. The low prevalence pattern after the 1970s was probably partly a result of improvement in sanitation and hygiene practice in these villages but other unidentified factors may also be operating.
  4. Fulltext Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection: Results of the Prospective Controlled Multinational GI-COVID-19 Study
    Marasco G, Cremon C, Barbaro MR, Salvi D, Cacciari G, Kagramanova A, et al.
    Am J Gastroenterol, 2022 Jan 01;117(1):147-157.
    PMID: 34751672 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001541
    INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) have been reported with great variability and without standardization. In hospitalized patients, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of GI symptoms, factors associated with their occurrence, and variation at 1 month.

    METHODS: The GI-COVID-19 is a prospective, multicenter, controlled study. Patients with and without COVID-19 diagnosis were recruited at hospital admission and asked for GI symptoms at admission and after 1 month, using the validated Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale questionnaire.

    RESULTS: The study included 2036 hospitalized patients. A total of 871 patients (575 COVID+ and 296 COVID-) were included for the primary analysis. GI symptoms occurred more frequently in patients with COVID-19 (59.7%; 343/575 patients) than in the control group (43.2%; 128/296 patients) (P < 0.001). Patients with COVID-19 complained of higher presence or intensity of nausea, diarrhea, loose stools, and urgency as compared with controls. At a 1-month follow-up, a reduction in the presence or intensity of GI symptoms was found in COVID-19 patients with GI symptoms at hospital admission. Nausea remained increased over controls. Factors significantly associated with nausea persistence in COVID-19 were female sex, high body mass index, the presence of dyspnea, and increased C-reactive protein levels.

    DISCUSSION: The prevalence of GI symptoms in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is higher than previously reported. Systemic and respiratory symptoms are often associated with GI complaints. Nausea may persist after the resolution of COVID-19 infection.

  5. Relationship between ABCB1 polymorphisms and serum methadone concentration in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy (MMT)
    Zahari Z, Lee CS, Ibrahim MA, Musa N, Mohd Yasin MA, Lee YY, et al.
    Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse, 2016 09;42(5):587-596.
    PMID: 27284701 DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2016.1172078
    BACKGROUND: Methadone is a substrate of the permeability glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter, which is encoded by the ABCB1 (MDR1) gene. Large interindividual variability in serum methadone levels for therapeutic response has been reported. Genetic variations in ABCB1 gene may be responsible for the variability in observed methadone concentrations.
    OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the associations of ABCB1 polymorphisms and serum methadone concentration over the 24-hour dosing interval in opioid-dependent patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT).
    METHODS: One hundred and forty-eight male opioid-dependent patients receiving MMT were recruited. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from whole blood and genotyped for ABCB1 polymorphisms [i.e. 1236C>T (dbSNP rs1128503), 2677G>T/A (dbSNP rs2032582), and 3435C>T (dbSNP rs1045642)] using the allelic discrimination real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after the dose. Serum methadone concentrations were measured using the Methadone ELISA Kit.
    RESULTS: Our results revealed an association of CGC/TTT diplotype (1236C>T, 2677G>T/A, and 3435C>T) with dose-adjusted serum methadone concentration over the 24-hour dosing interval. Patients with CGC/TTT diplotype had 32.9% higher dose-adjusted serum methadone concentration over the 24-hour dosing interval when compared with those without the diplotype [mean (SD) = 8.12 (0.84) and 6.11 (0.41) ng ml-1mg-1, respectively; p = 0.033].
    CONCLUSION: There was an association between the CGC/TTT diplotype of ABCB1 polymorphisms and serum methadone concentration over the 24-hour dosing interval among patients on MMT. Genotyping of ABCB1 among opioid-dependent patients on MMT may help individualize and optimize methadone substitution treatment.
    Study site: Psychiatric Clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), and other MMT clinics in Kelantan,
    Malaysia
  6. Fulltext Thrombolytic failure with streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction using electrocardiogram criteria
    Lee YY, Tee MH, Zurkurnai Y, Than W, Sapawi M, Suhairi I
    Singapore Med J, 2008 Apr;49(4):304-10.
    PMID: 18418522
    This study was primarily aimed to determine the failure rate of thrombolysis with streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction using electrocardiogram criteria and its association between various independent variables and outcome parameters.
  7. Fulltext Author Correction: A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness and Adherence of Modified Alternate-day Calorie Restriction in Improving Activity of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
    Johari MI, Yusoff K, Haron J, Nadarajan C, Ibrahim KN, Wong MS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 Jun 25;10(1):10599.
    PMID: 32587371 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67806-9
    An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
  8. Fulltext A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness and Adherence of Modified Alternate-day Calorie Restriction in Improving Activity of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
    Johari MI, Yusoff K, Haron J, Nadarajan C, Ibrahim KN, Wong MS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 08 02;9(1):11232.
    PMID: 31375753 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47763-8
    Currently, there is no effective therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), although intensive calorie restriction is typically recommended but dietary adherence is an issue. The current study aimed to determine the effectiveness and adherence of eight weeks of modified alternate-day calorie restriction (MACR) in the control of NAFLD activity. This was a randomized controlled trial with MACR as the intervention and normal habitual diet as control. The outcome measures were body mass index (BMI), blood lipids, fasting blood sugar (FBS), liver enzymes (ALT and AST), and ultrasonographic measurements of liver steatosis and shear wave elastography (SWE). Per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis were performed within and between-groups with P  0.22). Both liver steatosis grades and fibrosis (SWE) scores were reduced in between-group analyses of MACR vs. controls (PP and ITT, all P 
  9. Fulltext Gut microbiome of pre-adolescent children of two ethnicities residing in three distant cities
    Khine WWT, Zhang Y, Goie GJY, Wong MS, Liong M, Lee YY, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 05 24;9(1):7831.
    PMID: 31127186 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44369-y
    Recent studies have realized the link between gut microbiota and human health and diseases. The question of diet, environment or gene is the determining factor for dominant microbiota and microbiota profile has not been fully resolved, for these comparative studies have been performed on populations of different ethnicities and in short-term intervention studies. Here, the Southern Chinese populations are compared, specifically the children of Guangzhou City (China), Penang City (west coast Malaysia) and Kelantan City (east coast Malaysia). These Chinese people have similar ancestry thus it would allow us to delineate the effect of diet and ethnicity on gut microbiota composition. For comparison, the Penang and Kelantan Malay children were also included. The results revealed that differences in microbiota genera within an ethnicity in different cities was due to differences in food type. Sharing the similar diet but different ethnicity in a city or different cities and living environment showed similar gut microbiota. The major gut microbiota (more than 1% total Operational Taxonomy Units, OTUs) of the children population are largely determined by diet but not ethnicity, environment, and lifestyle. Elucidating the link between diet and microbiota would facilitate the development of strategies to improve human health at a younger age.
  10. Fulltext Efficacy and safety of pre-gastroscopy commercial carbohydrate-rich whey protein beverage vs. plain water: a randomised controlled trial
    Lua BC, Md Hashim MN, Wong MS, Lee YY, Zakaria AD, Zakaria Z, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2022 Oct 17;12(1):17355.
    PMID: 36253448 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22363-1
    Clinical benefits and safety of carbohydrate loading pre-gastroscopy remain unclear. We aimed to determine the effects of a commercial carbohydrate-rich whey protein beverage versus plain water given pre-gastroscopy on gastric residual volume and well-being, and to determine adverse events. This was a single centre, single-blinded, parallel-group, sex-stratified randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized either to carbohydrate-rich whey protein beverage group (Resource®, Nestle Health Science) or control group (250 ml plain water) given pre-gastroscopy. Gastric contents were aspirated into a suction reservoir bottle to determine the gastric residual volume (GRV). Visual analogue scale (VAS) of well-being (anxiety, hunger, thirst, tiredness, and weakness) was compared before and after the intervention. Adverse events were also evaluated post-intervention. Of 369 screened, 78 participants (36 males, mean age 49 ± 14.3 years) were randomized. Compared with the control group, carbohydrate beverage was associated with significantly higher GRV (p 
  11. Fulltext Stochastic Computing Convolutional Neural Network Architecture Reinvented for Highly Efficient Artificial Intelligence Workload on Field-Programmable Gate Array
    Lee YY, Halim ZA, Wahab MNA, Almohamad TA
    Research (Wash D C), 2024;7:0307.
    PMID: 38439995 DOI: 10.34133/research.0307
    Stochastic computing (SC) has a substantial amount of study on application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design for artificial intelligence (AI) edge computing, especially the convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm. However, SC has little to no optimization on field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Scaling up the ASIC logic without FPGA-oriented designs is inefficient, while aggregating thousands of bitstreams is still challenging in the conventional SC. This research has reinvented several FPGA-efficient 8-bit SC CNN computing architectures, i.e., SC multiplexer multiply-accumulate, multiply-accumulate function generator, and binary rectified linear unit, and successfully scaled and implemented a fully parallel CNN model on Kintex7 FPGA. The proposed SC hardware only compromises 0.14% accuracy compared to binary computing on the handwriting Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology classification task and achieved at least 99.72% energy saving per image feedforward and 31× more data throughput than modern hardware. Unique to SC, early decision termination pushed the performance baseline exponentially with minimum accuracy loss, making SC CNN extremely lucrative for AI edge computing but limited to classification tasks. The SC's inherent noise heavily penalizes CNN regression performance, rendering SC unsuitable for regression tasks.
  12. Insight into the pilot-scale fed-batch fermentation for production of Enterococcus faecium CW3801 using molasses-based medium
    Tang HW, Abbasiliasi S, Ng ZJ, Lee YY, Tang TK, Tan JS
    Prep Biochem Biotechnol, 2021 Oct 14.
    PMID: 34647854 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2021.1986721
    Enterococcus sp. has been used as starters in food fermentation due to their probiotic and antimicrobial properties in food biopreservation. The antimicrobial properties were mainly contributed by the bacteriocin called enterocin. Hence, the availability of a cost-effective pilot-scale cultivation conditions is a necessity for the production of probiotic bacteria. This study aims to investigate optimization of medium composition using sugarcane molasses as a carbon source using response surface methodology and the potential use of fed-batch cultivation for improvement of the cell viability of Enterococcus faecium CW3801 for the use as a probiotic starter culture. Two feeding strategies (ramp and constant) were applied in fed-batch cultivation for enhancement of the production of E. faecium in a 2-L stirred tank bioreactor using the optimized medium and scaled up to a 15-L bioreactor. Optimized fermentation medium which comprised of 10% (v/v) of molasses and 10 g/L of yeast extract at pH 7 yielded maximum cell viability of 29.4 × 1011 CFU/mL with 3900 AU/mL of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) activity. In the fed-batch, the cell viability (8.4 × 1013) and dry cell weight (6.34 g/L) reached the highest in optimized medium when the ramp (stepwise) feeding was applied. In scaling up to 15-L bioreactor, the growth of E. faecium was achieved at 2.3 × 1013 CFU/mL with the dry cell weight of 5.28 g/L under the same condition. The BLIS in 15-L bioreactor was 6% higher than the 2-L bioreactor. This study demonstrated that molasses and yeast extract are good feedstock for the growth of E. faecium. The E. faecium, a non-vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) was successfully produced by a fed-batch cultivation approach and scaled up to a 15-L bioreactor using a ramp feeding strategy. Results from this study revealed that the fed-batch cultivation using molasses-based medium has industrial potential for the production of probiotics.
  13. An unexpected cause of transient diarrhea
    Chuah YY, Lee YY, Tsai TJ
    Postgrad Med, 2017 May;129(4):488-490.
    PMID: 28335674 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2017.1311198
    Migration of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube to colon with gastro-colonic-cutaneous fistula formation is a rare complication of the procedure. Transient episodic diarrhea following each PEG tube feeding is typical of this complication. We present a 72-year-old man with cerebrovascular disease and scoliosis who encountered episodes of transient diarrhea after each PEG tube feeding. His diarrhea was refractory to medications. Colonoscopy demonstrated a mal-positioned PEG in the transverse colon. Computed tomogram (CT) of abdomen further confirmed the finding. After removal of the migrated PEG, his diarrhea had ceased completely. The gastro-colonic-cutaneous fistula was further managed with endoscopic clipping method with no complications encountered during follow up.
  14. Fulltext Kinetic study of lipase-catalyzed glycerolysis of palm olein using Lipozyme TLIM in solvent-free system
    Choong TSY, Yeoh CM, Phuah ET, Siew WL, Lee YY, Tang TK, et al.
    PLoS One, 2018;13(2):e0192375.
    PMID: 29401481 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192375
    Diacylglycerol (DAG) and monoacylglycerol (MAG) are two natural occurring minor components found in most edible fats and oils. These compounds have gained increasing market demand owing to their unique physicochemical properties. Enzymatic glycerolysis in solvent-free system might be a promising approach in producing DAG and MAG-enriched oil. Understanding on glycerolysis mechanism is therefore of great importance for process simulation and optimization. In this study, a commercial immobilized lipase (Lipozyme TL IM) was used to catalyze the glycerolysis reaction. The kinetics of enzymatic glycerolysis reaction between triacylglycerol (TAG) and glycerol (G) were modeled using rate equation with unsteady-state assumption. Ternary complex, ping-pong bi-bi and complex ping-pong bi-bi models were proposed and compared in this study. The reaction rate constants were determined using non-linear regression and sum of square errors (SSE) were minimized. Present work revealed satisfactory agreement between experimental data and the result generated by complex ping-pong bi-bi model as compared to other models. The proposed kinetic model would facilitate understanding on enzymatic glycerolysis for DAG and MAG production and design optimization of a pilot-scale reactor.
  15. Fulltext Association between well-being and compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures by healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional study
    Shah SU, Xiu Ling Loo E, En Chua C, Sen Kew G, Demutska A, Quek S, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(6):e0252835.
    PMID: 34097719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252835
    IMPORTANCE: Knowledge and attitude influence compliance and individuals' practices. The risk and protective factors associated with high compliance to these preventive measures are critical to enhancing pandemic preparedness.

    OBJECTIVE: This survey aims to assess differences in mental health, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of preventive measures for COVID-19 amongst healthcare professionals (HCP) and non-healthcare professionals.

    DESIGN: Multi-national cross-sectional study was carried out using electronic surveys between May-June 2020.

    SETTING: Multi-national survey was distributed across 36 countries through social media, word-of-mouth, and electronic mail.

    PARTICIPANTS: Participants ≥21 years working in healthcare and non-healthcare related professions.

    MAIN OUTCOME: Risk factors determining the difference in KAP towards personal hygiene and social distancing measures during COVID-19 amongst HCP and non-HCP.

    RESULTS: HCP were significantly more knowledgeable on personal hygiene (AdjOR 1.45, 95% CI -1.14 to 1.83) and social distancing (AdjOR 1.31, 95% CI -1.06 to 1.61) compared to non-HCP. They were more likely to have a positive attitude towards personal hygiene and 1.5 times more willing to participate in the contact tracing app. There was high compliance towards personal hygiene and social distancing measures amongst HCP. HCP with high compliance were 1.8 times more likely to flourish and more likely to have a high sense of emotional (AdjOR 1.94, 95% CI (1.44 to 2.61), social (AdjOR 2.07, 95% CI -1.55 to 2.78), and psychological (AdjOR 2.13, 95% CI (1.59-2.85) well-being.

    CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: While healthcare professionals were more knowledgeable, had more positive attitudes, their higher sense of total well-being was seen to be more critical to enhance compliance. Therefore, focusing on the well-being of the general population would help to enhance their compliance towards the preventive measures for COVID-19.

  16. The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Korean black ginseng
    Lee YY, Saba E, Irfan M, Kim M, Chan JY, Jeon BS, et al.
    Phytomedicine, 2019 Feb 15;54:169-181.
    PMID: 30668366 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.186
    BACKGROUND: Different processing conditions alter the ginseng bioactive compounds, promoting or reducing its anti-inflammatory effects. We compared black ginseng (BG) - that have been steamed 5 times - with red ginseng (RG).

    HYPOTHESIS/ PURPOSE: To compare the anti-inflammatory activities and the anti-nociceptive properties of RG and BG.

    METHODS: Nitric Oxide (NO) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay, quantitative Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot, xylene-induced ear edema, carrageenan-induced paw edema RESULTS: The ginsenoside contents were confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and has been altered through increased processing. The highest concentration of these extracts inhibited NO production to near-basal levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 without exhibiting cytotoxicity. Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression at the mRNA level was investigated using qRT-PCR. Comparatively, BG exhibited better inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators, iNOS and COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Protein expression was determined using western blot analysis and BG exhibited stronger inhibition. Xylene-induced ear edema model in mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats were carried out and tested with the effects of ginseng as well as dexamethasone and indomethacin - commonly used drugs. BG is a more potent anti-inflammatory agent, possesses anti-nociceptive properties, and has a strong potency comparable to the NSAIDs.

    CONCLUSION: BG has more potent anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects due to the change in ginsenoside component with increased processing.

  17. Fulltext Stochastic computing in convolutional neural network implementation: a review
    Lee YY, Abdul Halim Z
    PeerJ Comput Sci, 2020;6:e309.
    PMID: 33816960 DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.309
    Stochastic computing (SC) is an alternative computing domain for ubiquitous deterministic computing whereby a single logic gate can perform the arithmetic operation by exploiting the nature of probability math. SC was proposed in the 1960s when binary computing was expensive. However, presently, SC started to regain interest after the widespread of deep learning application, specifically the convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm due to its practicality in hardware implementation. Although not all computing functions can translate to the SC domain, several useful function blocks related to the CNN algorithm had been proposed and tested by researchers. An evolution of CNN, namely, binarised neural network, had also gained attention in the edge computing due to its compactness and computing efficiency. This study reviews various SC CNN hardware implementation methodologies. Firstly, we review the fundamental concepts of SC and the circuit structure and then compare the advantages and disadvantages amongst different SC methods. Finally, we conclude the overview of SC in CNN and make suggestions for widespread implementation.
  18. Fulltext Absence of Helicobacter pylori is not protective against peptic ulcer bleeding in elderly on offending agents: lessons from an exceptionally low prevalence population
    Lee YY, Noridah N, Syed Hassan SA, Menon J
    PeerJ, 2014;2:e257.
    PMID: 24688841 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.257
    Aim. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is exceptionally rare in population from the north-eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia. This provides us an opportunity to contemplate the future without H. pylori in acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Methods. All cases in the GI registry with GI bleeding between 2003 and 2006 were reviewed. Cases with confirmed non-variceal aetiology were analysed. Rockall score > 5 was considered high risk for bleeding and primary outcomes studied were in-hospital mortality, recurrent bleeding and need for surgery. Results. The incidence of non-variceal upper GI bleeding was 2.2/100,000 person-years. Peptic ulcer bleeding was the most common aetiology (1.8/100,000 person-years). In-hospital mortality (3.6%), recurrent bleeding (9.6%) and need for surgery (4.0%) were uncommon in this population with a largely low risk score (85.2% with score ≤5). Elderly were at greater risk for bleeding (mean 68.5 years, P = 0.01) especially in the presence of duodenal ulcers (P = 0.04) despite gastric ulcers being more common. NSAIDs, aspirin and co-morbidities were the main risk factors. Conclusions. The absence of H. pylori infection may not reduce the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in the presence of risk factors especially offending drugs in the elderly.
  19. Fulltext Palm-based diacylglycerol fat dry fractionation: effect of crystallisation temperature, cooling rate and agitation speed on physical and chemical properties of fractions
    Ab Latip R, Lee YY, Tang TK, Phuah ET, Lee CM, Tan CP, et al.
    PeerJ, 2013;1:e72.
    PMID: 23682348 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.72
    Fractionation which separates the olein (liquid) and stearin (solid) fractions of oil is used to modify the physicochemical properties of fats in order to extend its applications. Studies showed that the properties of fractionated end products can be affected by fractionation processing conditions. In the present study, dry fractionation of palm-based diacylglycerol (PDAG) was performed at different: cooling rates (0.05, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0°C/min), end-crystallisation temperatures (30, 35, 40, 45 and 50°C) and agitation speeds (30, 50, 70, 90 and 110 rpm) to determine the effect of these parameters on the properties and yield of the solid and liquid portions. To determine the physicochemical properties of olein and stearin fraction: Iodine value (IV), fatty acid composition (FAC), acylglycerol composition, slip melting point (SMP), solid fat content (SFC), thermal behaviour tests were carried out. Fractionation of PDAG fat changes the chemical composition of liquid and solid fractions. In terms of FAC, the major fatty acid in olein and stearin fractions were oleic (C18:1) and palmitic (C16:0) respectively. Acylglycerol composition showed that olein and stearin fractions is concentrated with TAG and DAG respectively. Crystallization temperature, cooling rate and agitation speed does not affect the IV, SFC, melting and cooling properties of the stearin fraction. The stearin fraction was only affected by cooling rate which changes its SMP. On the other hand, olein fraction was affected by crystallization temperature and cooling rate but not agitation speed which caused changes in IV, SMP, SFC, melting and crystallization behavior. Increase in both the crystallization temperature and cooling rate caused a reduction of IV, increment of the SFC, SMP, melting and crystallization behaviour of olein fraction and vice versa. The fractionated stearin part melted above 65°C while the olein melted at 40°C. SMP in olein fraction also reduced to a range of 26 to 44°C while SMP of stearin fractions increased to (60-62°C) compared to PDAG.
  20. Fulltext Relationship between cold pressor pain-sensitivity and sleep quality in opioid-dependent males on methadone treatment
    Zahari Z, Lee CS, Tan SC, Mohamad N, Lee YY, Ismail R
    PeerJ, 2015;3:e839.
    PMID: 25870765 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.839
    Aim. Poor sleep quality due to pain has been reported among opioid-dependent male patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) but objective pain data are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the rate of pain-sensitivity using cold pressor test (CPT) and the relationship between pain-sensitivity and sleep quality in this population.
    Methods. A total of 168 male participants were included into the study. Objective pain-tolerance was evaluated at 0 h and at 24 h after the first CPT. Malay version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the subjective opiate withdrawal scale (SOWS) questionnaires were administered to evaluate the quality of sleep and withdrawal symptoms, respectively.
    Results. The mean age of study participants was 37.22 (SD 6.20) years old. Mean daily methadone dose was 76.64 (SD 37.63) mg/day, mean global PSQI score was 5.47 (SD 2.74) and mean averaged SOWS score was 5.43 (SD 6.91). The averaged pain-tolerance time ranged from 7 to 300 s with a mean time of 32.16 (SE 2.72) s, slightly below the cut-off score of 37.53 s. More specifically, 78.6% (n = 132) of participants were identified as pain-sensitive (averaged pain-tolerance time ≤37.53 s), and 36 (21.4%) participants were pain-tolerant (averaged pain-tolerance time >37.53 s). The pain-sensitive group reported poorer sleep quality with mean (SD) PSQI of 5.78 (2.80) compared with the pain-tolerant group with mean (SD) PSQI of 4.31 (2.18) (p = 0.005). With analysis of covariance, pain-sensitive group was found to have higher global PSQI scores (adjusted mean 5.76, 95% CI 5.29; 6.22) than pain-tolerant participants (adjusted mean 4.42, 95% CI 3.52; 5.32) (p = 0.010).
    Conclusions. Majority of opioid-dependent male patients on methadone treatment are pain-sensitive with CPT. Poor sleep quality is associated with cold pressor pain-sensitivity. Pain and sleep complaints in this male population should not be overlooked.
    Study site: Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) and other MMT clinics (Kota Bharu, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh and Bachok), Kelantan, Malaysia
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