Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 124 in total

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  1. Male circumcision and penis enhancement in Southeast Asia: matters of pain and pleasure
    Hull TH, Budiharsana M
    Reprod Health Matters, 2001 Nov;9(18):60-7.
    PMID: 11765401
    This paper reviews some uniquely male sexual health concerns in Southeast Asia, with particular attention to Indonesia. These include various forms of male circumcision, different types of 'penis enhancement' carried out across the region and the use of dry sex by women. These practices appear to be motivated by specific notions of sexual pleasure, based on indigenous gender constructs. Although they may or may not pose a serious public health problem, as markers of misguided or exploitative gender relations they do reveal important aspects of social psychology related to sexuality and sexual health. Male circumcision provides an ideal opportunity to consider male reproductive health needs and risks in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Practices that involve cutting the male genitals need to be addressed in ways that stress the importance of sexual relationships based on mutual respect and open communication. Penis implants and inserts and other penis augmentation devices, as well as dry sex practices, are potentially dangerous to both men and women, and of questionable value in bringing pleasure to either, and should be discouraged.
    Matched MeSH terms: Vagina/secretion
  2. Fulltext Response of ovary in young women experiencing laparoscopy under general anaesthesia
    Chow WP, Loganath A, Peh KL, Chew PC, Gunasegaram R, Ratnam SS
    Med J Malaysia, 1993 Mar;48(1):56-63.
    PMID: 8341173
    This study investigated whether changes in circulating levels of immunoreactive oestradiol-17 beta (E2), progesterone (P) and testosterone (T) occur in women at follicular (n = 18, age 25 to 39 years) and luteal (n = 17, 25 to 39 years) phases of the normal menstrual cycles, experiencing laparoscopy after intravenous sedation with general anaesthesia. The pre- and intra-operative follicular phase plasma steroid hormone concentrations were 153.5 +/- 84.3 vs 297.4 +/- 220.8 pg/ml for E2, 2.0 +/- 3.2 vs 3.3 +/- 3.8 ng/ml for P and 746.6 +/- 415.9 vs 1325.8 +/- 535.1 pg/ml for T, respectively. The corresponding luteal phase steroid levels were 259.7 +/- 120.2 vs 382.7 +/- 188.7 pg/ml, 7.0 +/- 4.8 vs 9.9 +/- 6.1 ng/ml and 819.4 +/- 355.7 vs 1703.5 +/- 1058.1 pg/ml. Using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, intra-operative hormone levels with the exception of P in the luteal phase were found to be significantly elevated (p < 0.05). The results suggest that laparoscopy under general anaesthesia evokes increased secretion of ovarian hormones, possibly via the activation of hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ovary/secretion*
  3. Fulltext A microbiological study of vaginal discharge in women attending a Malaysian gynaecological clinic
    Cheong YM, Ng YP, Chin CS, Thambu J
    Med J Malaysia, 1992 Mar;47(1):44-50.
    PMID: 1387449
    Vaginal discharge is a common complaint of women attending gynaecological clinics. The purpose of this study was to compare the occurrence of commonly implicated microorganisms in vaginal discharge amongst women with or without the complaint, attending a gynaecological and family planning clinic. The association of Gardnerella vaginalis with bacterial vaginosis was also studied. It was found that there were no significant differences between the cases and controls in the isolation rate of Gardnerella vaginalis, Torulopsis glabrata, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma ssp and Group B streptococcus (p greater than 0.05). Only the isolation rate of Candida albicans was significantly higher in the cases than controls (p less than 0.01). However, there was a significant association of G. vaginalis with bacterial vaginosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Vagina/secretion
  4. Effects of prebiotics on immune system and cytokine expression
    Shokryazdan P, Faseleh Jahromi M, Navidshad B, Liang JB
    Med Microbiol Immunol, 2017 Feb;206(1):1-9.
    PMID: 27704207 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-016-0481-y
    Nowadays, use of prebiotics as feed and food additives has received increasing interest because of the beneficial effects of prebiotics on the health of animals and humans. One of the beneficial effects of prebiotics is stimulation of immune system, which can be direct or indirect through increasing population of beneficial microbes or probiotics, especially lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria, in the gut. An important mechanism of action of probiotics and prebiotics, by which they can affect the immune system, is changing the expression of cytokines. The present review tried to summarize the findings of studies that investigated the effects of prebiotics on immune system with focusing on their effects on cytokine expression. Generally, most of reviewed studies indicated beneficial effects for prebiotics in terms of improving immune system, by increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, while reducing the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines. However, most of studies mainly considered the indirect effects of prebiotics on the immune system (through changing the composition and population of gut microbiota), and their direct effects still need to be further studied using prebiotics with different degree of polymerization in different hosts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cytokines/secretion*
  5. Emergence of ST119 Acinetobacter pittii co-harbouring NDM-1 and OXA-58 in Malaysia
    Ang GY, Yu CY, Cheong YM, Yin WF, Chan KG
    Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2016 Feb;47(2):168-9.
    PMID: 26742728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2015.11.008
    Matched MeSH terms: beta-Lactamases/secretion*
  6. Stem cells conditioned medium: a new approach to skin wound healing management
    Jayaraman P, Nathan P, Vasanthan P, Musa S, Govindasamy V
    Cell Biol Int, 2013 Oct;37(10):1122-8.
    PMID: 23716460 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10138
    Stem cell biology has gained remarkable interest in recent years, driven by the hope of finding cures for numerous diseases including skin wound healing through transplantation medicine. Initially upon transplantation, these cells home to and differentiate within the injured tissue into specialised cells. Contrariwise, it now appears that only a small percentage of transplanted cells integrate and survive in host tissues. Thus, the foremost mechanism by which stem cells participate in tissue repair seems to be related to their trophic factors. Indeed, stem cells provide the microenvironment with a wide range of growth factors, cytokines and chemokines, which can broadly defined as the stem cells secretome. In in vitro condition, these molecules can be traced from the conditioned medium or spent media harvested from cultured cells. Conditioned medium now serves as a new treatment modality in regenerative medicine and has shown a successful outcome in some diseases. With the emergence of this approach, we described the possibility of using stem cells conditioned medium as a novel and promising alternative to skin wound healing treatment. Numerous pre-clinical data have shown the possibility and efficacy of this treatment. Despite this, significant challenges need to be addressed before translating this technology to the bedside.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cytokines/secretion
  7. Fulltext Bile Sensing: The Activation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Virulence
    Letchumanan V, Chan KG, Khan TM, Bukhari SI, Ab Mutalib NS, Goh BH, et al.
    Front Microbiol, 2017;8:728.
    PMID: 28484445 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00728
    Bacteria must develop resistance to various inhospitable conditions in order to survive in the human gastrointestinal tract. Bile, which is secreted by the liver, and plays an important role in food digestion also has antimicrobial properties and is able to disrupt cellular homeostasis. Paradoxically, although bile is one of the guts defenses, many studies have reported that bacteria such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus can sense bile and use its presence as an environmental cue to upregulate virulence genes during infection. This article aims to discuss how bile is detected by V. parahaemolyticus and its role in regulating type III secretion system 2 leading to human infection. This bile-bacteria interaction pathway gives us a clearer understanding of the biochemical and structural analysis of the bacterial receptors involved in mediating a response to bile salts which appear to be a significant environmental cue during initiation of an infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Type II Secretion Systems; Type III Secretion Systems
  8. Inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone in chronic obstructive airways disease with chest infection and respiratory failure
    Dhanwant SG, Tija J, Poh SC
    Med J Malaysia, 1975 Sep;30(1):55-58.
    PMID: 1207534
    Matched MeSH terms: Vasopressins/secretion*
  9. Genetically modified mesenchymal stem/stromal cells transfected with adiponectin gene can stably secrete adiponectin
    Hossain MM, Murali MR, Kamarul T
    Life Sci, 2017 Aug 01;182:50-56.
    PMID: 28606849 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.06.007
    AIMS: Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) hold promises for the treatment of diverse diseases and regeneration of injured tissues. Genetic modification of MSCs through gene delivery might enhance their therapeutic potential. Adiponectin has been appeared as a potential biomarker for predicting various diseases. Plasma adiponectin levels are negatively correlated with various metabolic and vascular diseases and supplementation of exogenous adiponectin ameliorates the diseases. This study aims to develop adiponectin secreting genetically modified MSCs (GM-MSCs) as a potent strategic tool to complement endogenous adiponectin for the treatment of adiponectin deficiency diseases.

    MAIN METHODS: Human bone marrow derived MSCs were isolated, expanded in vitro and transfected with adiponectin gene containing plasmid vector. Total RNA was extracted and cDNA was prepared by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of adiponectin gene and protein in GM-MSCs was analyzed by PCR and Western blotting respectively. The secretion of adiponectin protein from GM-MSCs was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

    KEY FINDINGS: The expression of adiponectin gene and plasmid DNA was detected in GM-MSCs but not in control group of MSCs. Adiponectin gene expression was detected in GM-MSCs at 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28days after transfection. Western blotting analysis revealed the expression of adiponectin protein only in GM-MSCs. The GM-MSCs stably secreted adiponectin protein into culture media at least for 4weeks.

    SIGNIFICANCE: GM-MSCs express and secret adiponectin protein. Therefore, these adiponectin secreting GM-MSCs could be instrumental for the supplementation of adiponectin in the treatment of adiponectin deficiency related diseases.

    Matched MeSH terms: Adiponectin/secretion
  10. Fulltext Clinical applications of salivary cortisol measurements
    Lo MS, Ng ML, Azmy BS, Khalid BA
    Singapore Med J, 1992 Apr;33(2):170-3.
    PMID: 1621122
    The clinical applications of salivary cortisol measurements were evaluated by radioimmunoassay of time-matched saliva and plasma samples. Salivary cortisol levels of normal subjects exhibited a significant (p less than 0.001) diurnal variation with a mean (+/- SD) concentration of 8.7 +/- 4.8 nmol/L at 0800-1000 h and 2.4 +/- 1.1 nmol/l at 1500-1700 h. After an overnight dexamethasone suppression test, morning salivary cortisol levels decrease to 2.7 +/- 0.7 nmol/L (p less than 0.001 vs normal). An excellent correlation (r = 0.805) of cortisol measurements with time-matched saliva and plasma samples was obtained (y = 0.03x + 0.88, p less than 0.001, n = 91). Hypercortisolism was confirmed by raised salivary cortisols in only half of patients with elevated total plasma levels, thereby indicating that salivary cortisol measurements is a better index of adrenal status.
    Matched MeSH terms: Salivary Glands/secretion
  11. Evidence of natural hybridization between two sympatric sibling species of Bactrocera dorsalis complex based on pheromone analysis
    Wee SL, Tan KH
    J Chem Ecol, 2005 Apr;31(4):845-58.
    PMID: 16124255 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-005-3548-6
    Bactrocera carambolae and B. papayae are major fruit fly pests and sympatric sibling species of the B. dorsalis complex. They possess distinct differences in male pheromonal components. In the 1990's, wild Bactrocera fruit flies with morphological traits intermediate between those of B. carambolae and B. papayae were often captured in traps baited with methyl eugenol (ME). Chemical analyses of rectal glands of ME-fed males revealed that the laboratory Fl, F2, and backcross hybrids possessed ME-derived sex pheromonal components ranging from that typical of B. papayae to that of B. carambolae without any specific trend, which included a combination of pheromonal components from both parental species within an individual hybrid. ME-fed hybrids without any ME-derived pheromonal components were also detected. Further chemical analysis of rectal glands from wild Bactrocera males, after ME feeding in the laboratory, showed a combination of pheromonal components similar to that found in the ME-fed, laboratory-bred hybrids. These findings present circumstantial evidence for the occurrence of a natural hybrid of the two Bactrocera species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Salt Gland/secretion*
  12. Interspecific variation in defense secretions of Malaysian termites from the genus Bulbitermes
    Chuah CH
    J Chem Ecol, 2005 Apr;31(4):819-27.
    PMID: 16124253
    The chemicals of the defense secretions of Malaysian Bulbitermes, B. singaporensis, B. germanus, B. sarawakensis, and Bulbitermes sp. B, show that B. singaporensis is distinct from the other species, which are themselves closely related; the genetic distance between B. singaporensis and B. germanus is 0.71. B. singaporensis contains tetracyclic kempane, and B. germanus and B. sarawakensis contain tricyclic trinervitene; Bulbitermes sp. B contains a mixture of kempane and trinervitene. The mono- and diterpenoid compositions are species-specific.
    Matched MeSH terms: Exocrine Glands/secretion*
  13. Fulltext Immunomodulatory effects of recombinant BCG expressing MSP-1C of Plasmodium falciparum on LPS- or LPS+IFN-γ-stimulated J774A.1 cells
    Mohamad D, Suppian R, Mohd Nor N
    Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2014;10(7):1880-6.
    PMID: 25424796 DOI: 10.4161/hv.28695
    Macrophage phagocytosis is the first line of defense of the innate immune system against malaria parasite infection. This study evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of BCG and recombinant BCG (rBCG) strains expressing the C-terminus of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1C) of Plasmodium falciparum on mouse macrophage cell line J774A.1 in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS + IFN-γ. The rBCG strain significantly enhanced phagocytic activity, production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, nitric oxide (NO), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as compared with parental BCG strain, and these activities increased in the presence of LPS and LPS+IFN-γ. Furthermore, the rBCG strain also significantly reduced the macrophage viability as well as the rBCG growth suggesting the involvement of macrophage apoptosis. Taken together, these data indicate that the rBCG strain has an immunomodulatory effect on macrophages, thus strengthen the rational use of rBCG to control malaria infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/secretion; Interleukin-1beta/secretion
  14. Fulltext Attenuation of influenza virus infectivity with herbal-marine compound (HESA-A): an in vitro study in MDCK cells
    Mehrbod P, Ideris A, Omar AR, Hair-Bejo M, Tan SW, Kheiri MT, et al.
    Virol J, 2012;9:44.
    PMID: 22340010 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-9-44
    The influenza virus is still one of the most important respiratory risks affecting humans which require effective treatments. In this case, traditional medications are of interest. HESA-A is an active natural biological compound from herbal-marine origin. Previous studies have reported that the therapeutic properties of HESA-A are able to treat psoriasis vulgaris and cancers. However, no antiviral properties have been reported.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/secretion; Interleukin-6/secretion
  15. Role of phIGFBP-1 and ultrasound cervical length in predicting pre-term labour
    Azlin MI, Bang HK, An LJ, Mohamad SN, Mansor NA, Yee BS, et al.
    J Obstet Gynaecol, 2010;30(5):456-9.
    PMID: 20604646 DOI: 10.3109/01443615.2010.489162
    This prospective observational study was to evaluate the efficacy of combining phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (phIGFBP-1) and transvaginal ultrasound cervical length (CL) compared with either indicator alone in predicting pre-term labour (PTL). Women with singleton pregnancy between 24 and 36 weeks' gestation with evidence of PTL were subjected to phIGFBP-1 and CL tests. Of the 51 women, five were tested positive (phIGFBP-1 positive and CL <2.5 cm) for combination of phIGFBP-1 and CL (four delivered within 1 week), whereas 46 tested negative, of which, only one delivered. A much higher negative predictivity (NP), positive predictivity (PP) and specificity (SP) in the combination test was seen compared with phIGFBP-1 or CL alone (NP: 97.8% vs 97.7% vs 97.1%; PP: 80.0% vs 51.1% and CL 23.5%; SP: 97.8% vs 93.5% vs 71.1%, respectively). The cervical os dilatation of 2 cm with combined positive test (p = 0.001) indicated a higher likelihood of PTL.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cervix Uteri/secretion; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1/secretion
  16. Identification of immunogenic proteins from Burkholderia cepacia secretome using proteomic analysis
    Mariappan V, Vellasamy KM, Thimma JS, Hashim OH, Vadivelu J
    Vaccine, 2010 Feb 3;28(5):1318-24.
    PMID: 19944788 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.11.027
    Burkholderia cepacia is an opportunistic human pathogen associated with lung infections. Secretory proteins of B. cepacia are known to be involved in virulence and may mediate important host-pathogen interactions. In the present study, secretory proteins isolated from B. cepacia culture supernatant were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, followed by Western blot analysis to identify the immunogenic proteins. Mice antibodies raised to B. cepacia inactivated whole bacteria, outer membrane protein and culture filtrate antigen detected 74, 104 and 32 immunogenic proteins, respectively. Eighteen of these immunogenic proteins which reacted with all three antibodies were identified and might be potential molecules as a diagnostic marker or a putative candidate vaccine against B. cepacia infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/secretion; Proteome/secretion
  17. Histamine induced decrease of lecithin levels in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid of rats is mediated by H2 receptor
    Rao GJ
    Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2000 Sep;18(3):169-71.
    PMID: 11270474
    Lecithin, a major surface active substance of the surfactant system of the lung, was estimated in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in four groups of healthy adult male albino rats. Rats from group I were not administered any drug and acted as controls. Group II were administered histamine diphosphate. Group III were given H1 blocker (pyrilamine maleate) followed by histamine diphosphate. Group IV received H2 blocker (ranitidine hydrochloride) followed by histamine diphosphate. Lecithin content of BAL fluid in the control group was compared with that in the other three groups. A significant decrease in lecithin content was observed in the rats that received either histamine diphosphate or H1 blocker followed by histamine diphosphate. However, compared to control rats no significant difference in lecithin content was seen in rats that received H2 blocker followed by histamine diphosphate. The results clearly indicate that the decrease in surface active lecithin content in BAL fluid following administration of histamine diphosphate was unaffected by prior administration of H1 blocker, but was blocked by prior administration of H2 blocker. It was concluded that histamine induced decrease in lecithin content of BAL fluid is mediated through H2 receptors. Since the predominant source of intra-alveolar lecithin are Type II cells of the alveolar epithelium, It is possible that Type II cells have H2 receptors, stimulation of which resulted in decreased intraalveolar lecithin.
    Matched MeSH terms: Phosphatidylcholines/secretion*; Pulmonary Alveoli/secretion*
  18. Keloids - the sebum hypothesis revisited
    Fong EP, Bay BH
    Med Hypotheses, 2002 Apr;58(4):264-9.
    PMID: 12027517
    The aetiology of the keloid scar has not been completely elucidated. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed in the past to explain the unusual characteristics of the keloid scar. While we do know that there is excessive and ongoing collagen-deposition, the exact triggering stimulus is a subject of conjecture. We present some of our photographic records of keloids and electron microscopic findings of keloid edges and reiterate the sebum hypothesis. We also attempt to explain the features of keloids in the light of the present knowledge of immunology and cell biology.
    Matched MeSH terms: Sebaceous Glands/secretion; Sebum/secretion
  19. Fulltext In vitro differentiation between oxytocin- and vasopressin-secreting magnocellular neurons requires more than one experimental criterion
    da Silva MP, Merino RM, Mecawi AS, Moraes DJ, Varanda WA
    Mol Cell Endocrinol, 2015 Jan 15;400:102-11.
    PMID: 25451978 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.11.004
    The phenotypic differentiation between oxytocin (OT)- and vasopressin (VP)-secreting magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) from the supraoptic nucleus is relevant to understanding how several physiological and pharmacological challenges affect their electrical activity. Although the firing patterns of OT and VP neurons, both in vivo and in vitro, may appear different from each other, much is assumed about their characteristics. These assumptions make it practically impossible to obtain a confident phenotypic differentiation based exclusively on the firing patterns. The presence of a sustained outward rectifying potassium current (SOR) and/or an inward rectifying hyperpolarization-activated current (IR), which are presumably present in OT neurons and absent in VP neurons, has been used to distinguish between the two types of MNCs in the past. In this study, we aimed to analyze the accuracy of the phenotypic discrimination of MNCs based on the presence of rectifying currents using comparisons with the molecular phenotype of the cells, as determined by single-cell RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrated that the phenotypes classified according to the electrophysiological protocol in brain slices do not match their molecular counterparts because vasopressinergic and intermediate neurons also exhibit both outward and inward rectifying currents. In addition, we also show that MNCs can change the relative proportion of each cell phenotype when the system is challenged by chronic hypertonicity (70% water restriction for 7 days). We conclude that for in vitro preparations, the combination of mRNA detection and immunohistochemistry seems to be preferable when trying to characterize a single MNC phenotype.
    Matched MeSH terms: Oxytocin/secretion*; Vasopressins/secretion*
  20. Fulltext The effects of aging on biosynthetic processes in the rat hypothalamic osmoregulatory neuroendocrine system
    Greenwood MP, Greenwood M, Romanova EV, Mecawi AS, Paterson A, Sarenac O, et al.
    Neurobiol Aging, 2018 05;65:178-191.
    PMID: 29494864 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.01.008
    Elderly people exhibit a diminished capacity to cope with osmotic challenges such as dehydration. We have undertaken a detailed molecular analysis of arginine vasopressin (AVP) biosynthetic processes in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus and secretory activity in the posterior pituitary of adult (3 months) and aged (18 months) rats, to provide a comprehensive analysis of age-associated changes to the AVP system. By matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis, we identified differences in pituitary peptides, including AVP, in adult and aged rats under both basal and dehydrated states. In the SON, increased Avp gene transcription, coincided with reduced Avp promoter methylation in aged rats. Based on transcriptome data, we have previously characterized a number of novel dehydration-induced regulatory factors involved in the response of the SON to osmotic cues. We found that some of these increase in expression with age, while dehydration-induced expression of these genes in the SON was attenuated in aged rats. In summary, we show that aging alters the rat AVP system at the genome, transcriptome, and peptidome levels. These alterations however did not affect circulating levels of AVP in basal or dehydrated states.
    Matched MeSH terms: Arginine Vasopressin/secretion; Pituitary Gland, Posterior/secretion
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