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Displaying publications 41 - 47 of 47 in total

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The use of freeze-dry bovine pericardium (FDBP) in diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy in dogs

Loqman MY, Wong CM, Hair-Bejo M, Zuki AB, Hafeez YM

Med J Malaysia, 2004 May;59 Suppl B:113-4.
PMID: 15468844

A study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of freeze-dried bovine pericardium (FDBP) as a biomaterial in diaphragmatic herniorrhapy in dogs. Eight adult dogs were randomly selected and divided into two equal groups. In FDBP group, a diaphragmatic defect was induced and repaired with an identical size of FDBP. In the control group, a diaphragmatic wall was incised at three-side border creating a flap and sutured. Grossly, only mild intrathoracic adhesion was observed for most of the animals, and no herniation occured. Microscopically, the biomaterial incorporated into the host's tissue by ingrowth of young muscle fiber and massive new blood vessel formation in between the fibrous tissue.
The systematic position of Hypsugo macrotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) and a new record from Peninsular Malaysia

Lim LS, Csorba G, Wong CM, Zubaid A, Rahman SP, Kumaran JV, et al.

Zootaxa, 2016 Sep 22;4170(1):169-177.
PMID: 27701281 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4170.1.10

The Southeast Asian species of Hypsugo are rare bats, except for H. cadornae and H. pulveratus, which are distributed throughout the Indomalayan region. Hypsugo macrotis is restricted to Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and adjacent islands, and is known only from a handful of specimens. Here we report a new locality record of the species from Seremban, Peninsular Malaysia, which also represents the first known building-dweller colony of any Hypsugo from the region. We discuss the taxonomic status of two morphologically similar species, H. macrotis and H. vordermanni, and provide the first COI and cyt b gene sequences for H. macrotis and reconstruct the species' phylogenetic relationships.
Characterisation of a cryptic plasmid from an Antarctic bacterium Pedobacter cryoconitis strain BG5

Wong CM, Tam HK, Ng WM, Boo SY, González M

Plasmid, 2013 Mar;69(2):186-93.
PMID: 23266397 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2012.12.002

A cryptic plasmid, pMWHK1 recovered from an Antarctic bacterium Pedobacter cryoconitis BG5 was sequenced and characterised. The plasmid is a circular 6206bp molecule with eight putative open reading frames designated as orf1, orf2, orf3, orf4, orf5, orf6, orf7 and orf8. All the putative open reading frames of pMWHK1 are found to be actively transcribed. Proteins encoded by orf2 and orf4 are predicted to be responsible for the mobilization and replication of the plasmid respectively. orf4 shares 55% and 61% identities with the theta-type Rep proteins from two strains of Riemerella anatipestifer. This suggests that pMWHK1 could be a member of the theta-type replicating plasmid. The origin of replication is located within the AT-rich region upstream of orf4. orf5 and orf6 encode bacterial toxin-antitoxin proteins predicted to maintain plasmid stability. orf3 encodes an entry exclusion protein that is hypothetically involved in reducing the frequency of DNA transfer through conjugation. orf1, orf7 and orf8 encode proteins with unknown functions. Plasmid, pMWHK1 is stably maintained in P. cryoconitis BG5 at 20°C.
Laparoscopic transgastric resection of gastroduodenal intussusception due to gastric leiomyoma

Siow SL, Wong CM, Febra S, Goh RET

Med J Malaysia, 2020 09;75(5):609-611.
PMID: 32918440

Gastric leiomyoma of the antrum intussuscepted into first part of the duodenum is a rare complication. We report here an 80-year-old woman who presented at the Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia with early satiety and epigastric fullness for 3 months. She had no prior medical or surgical history other than an uneventful open cholecystectomy. Upper endoscopy showed a large submucosal mass in the first part of duodenum with pyloric converging gastric folds. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a gastroduodenal intussusception with a 4x6cm mass at the junction between the first and second part of duodenum. Laparoscopic transgastric resection was performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen confirmed leiomyoma. She remained well at 43 months follow-up.
Fulltext Chemsex among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Singapore and the challenges ahead: A qualitative study

Tan RKJ, Wong CM, Chen MI, Chan YY, Bin Ibrahim MA, Lim OZ, et al.

Int J Drug Policy, 2018 11;61:31-37.
PMID: 30388567 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.10.002

BACKGROUND: Sexualised substance use, or 'chemsex' has been shown to be a major factor driving the syndemic of HIV/AIDS in communities of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) around the world. However, there is a paucity of research on chemsex among GBMSM in Singapore due to punitive drug laws and the criminalisation of sexual behaviour between men. This qualitative descriptive study is the first to explore perceptions towards, motivators to engaging in, and the barriers to addressing the harms associated with chemsex among GBMSM in Singapore.
METHODS: We conducted 30 semi-structured in-depth interviews with self-identifying GBMSM between the ages of 18-39 in Singapore following a purposive sampling strategy. Interview topics included participants' perceptions of drug use among GBMSM in Singapore, perceptions towards chemsex, reasons for drug use and chemsex, and recommendations to address the harms associated with chemsex in Singapore. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Participants reported that it was common to encounter chemsex among GBMSM in Singapore as it could be easily accessed or initiated using social networking phone apps. Enhancement and prolongation of sexual experiences, fear of rejection from sexual partners and peers, and its use as a means of coping with societal rejection were three main reasons cited for engaging in chemsex. The impact of punitive drug laws on disclosure and stigmatisation of GBMSM who use drugs were reported to be key barriers towards addressing chemsex. Participants suggested using gay-specific commercial venues as avenues for awareness and educational campaigns, and social media to reach out to younger GBMSM.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the complexities behind chemsex use among GBMSM in Singapore, and the range of individual to institutional factors to be addressed. We recommend that community-based organisations and policy-makers find ways to destigmatise discussion of chemsex and provide safe spaces to seek help for drug use.
Fulltext A Study of Dielectric Properties of Proteinuria between 0.2 GHz and 50 GHz

Mun PS, Ting HN, Ong TA, Wong CM, Ng KH, Chong YB

PLoS One, 2015;10(6):e0130011.
PMID: 26066351 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130011

This paper investigates the dielectric properties of urine in normal subjects and subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at microwave frequency of between 0.2 GHz and 50 GHz. The measurements were conducted using an open-ended coaxial probe at room temperature (25°C), at 30°C and at human body temperature (37°C). There were statistically significant differences in the dielectric properties of the CKD subjects compared to those of the normal subjects. Statistically significant differences in dielectric properties were observed across the temperatures for normal subjects and CKD subjects. Pearson correlation test showed the significant correlation between proteinuria and dielectric properties. The experimental data closely matched the single-pole Debye model. The relaxation dispersion and relaxation time increased with the proteinuria level, while decreasing with the temperature. As for static conductivity, it increased with proteinuria level and temperature.
Fulltext Seroprevalence of Zika Virus among Forest Fringe Communities in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah: General Population-Based Study

Khoo HY, Lee HY, Khor CS, Tan KK, Bin Hassan MR, Wong CM, et al.

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2022 Jul 25;107(3):560-8.
PMID: 35895331 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0988

Zika virus (ZIKV) has had a history in Malaysia since its first isolation in 1966. However, it is believed that the immunity status among forest fringe communities has been underreported. We conducted cross-sectional surveillance of forest fringe communities from 10 Orang Asli villages and their peripheral communities in Perak, Pahang, and Sabah in Malaysia. A total of 706 samples were collected from 2019 to 2020 and screened for ZIKV exposure using an anti-ZIKV IgG ELISA kit. A neutralization assay against ZIKV was used to confirm the reactive samples. The seroprevalence results reported from the study of this population in Malaysia were 21.0% (n = 148, 95% CI, 0.183-0.273) after confirmation with a foci reduction neutralization test. The presence of neutralizing antibodies provides evidence that the studied forest fringe communities in Malaysia have been exposed to ZIKV. Multivariate analysis showed that those older than 44 years and those with an education below the university level had been exposed significantly to ZIKV. In addition, higher seropositivity rates to ZIKV were also reported among secondary school students from Bentong (Pahang) and residents from Segaliud (Sabah). No associations were identified between Zika seropositivity and gender, household size, house radius to the jungle, and income level. The presence of neutralizing antibodies against ZIKV among the study population might indicate that the causative pathogen had already circulated widely in forest fringe regions. Intervention for vector control, protection from mosquito bites, and awareness improvement should be encouraged in this population.