Displaying publications 601 - 620 of 1243 in total

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  1. Production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and its copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) by Erwinia sp. USMI-20
    Majid MI, Akmal DH, Few LL, Agustien A, Toh MS, Samian MR, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 1999 Jun-Jul;25(1-3):95-104.
    PMID: 10416655
    A locally isolated soil microorganism identified as Erwinia sp. USMI-20 has been found to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), from either palm oil or glucose and its copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), P(3HB-co-3HV), from a combination of palm oil and a second carbon source of either one of the following compounds: propionic acid, n-propanol, valeric acid and n-pentanol. It was found that Erwinia sp. USMI-20 could produce P(3HB) up to 69 wt.% polymer content with a dry cell weight of 4.4 g/l from an initial amount of 14.5 g/l of glucose followed by a feeding rate of glucose at 0.48 g/h glucose. On the other hand, the bacteria can achieve 46 wt.% of P(3HB) and a dry cell weight of 3.6 g/l from a batch fermentation in a 10-l fermentor from an initial concentration of 4.6 g/l of palm oil. Further characterisation of the polymer production was also carried out by using different types of palm oil. Among the different palm oils that were used, crude palm oil was the best lipid source for P(3HB) production as compared to palm olein and palm kernel oil. In the production of the copolymer, P(3HB-co-3HV), the highest mole fraction of 3-HV units could be as high as 47 mol% from a single feeding of valeric acid upon initial growth on palm oil.
  2. Acute respiratory infection in Malaysian children
    Lye MS, Deavi U, Lai KP, Kaur H, Nair RC, Choo KE
    J Trop Pediatr, 1994 Dec;40(6):334-40.
    PMID: 7853437
    A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children below 7 years of age and to obtain baseline information for an intervention programme. A total of 6190 households comprising 38,632 persons with 12,273 children (32 per cent) below 7 years of age were surveyed. Information on socio-demographic variables, environmental sanitation, occurrence of ARI and diarrhoea, treatment seeking behaviour during episodes of those illnesses and immunizations among children were obtained. Thirty per cent of children had experienced ARI in the 2-week period prior to the interview, and 94 per cent had mild ARI, 1 per cent had moderate and 5 per cent had severe ARI. There was lack of concurrence between mother's perception of severity and that of the investigators' (Kappa coefficient = 0.083 (95 per cent CI = 0.017-0.149). Twenty-four and 39 per cent of severe and moderate ARI, respectively, were reported by mothers to be mild. There is cause for concern as these children may not receive timely and appropriate treatment. The findings from this study contribute to identification of target populations and priority areas for health education of the population. The survey has provided useful baseline data for the implementation of an intervention programme for the control of ARI in children.
  3. Amino acid sequence similarity of Hev b 3 to two previously reported 27- and 23-kDa latex proteins allergenic to spina bifida patients
    Yeang HY, Ward MA, Zamri AS, Dennis MS, Light DR
    Allergy, 1998 May;53(5):513-9.
    PMID: 9636811
    Separate studies have reported spina bifida patients to be especially allergic to proteins of 27 and 23 kDa found in the serum of centrifuged natural rubber latex. An insoluble latex protein located on the surface of small rubber particles, Hev b 3, has similarly been found to be allergenic to spina bifida patients. In this study, internal amino acid sequences of Hev b 3 showed similarity to the published sequences for the 27- and 23-kDa latex proteins. The latter allergens are hence identified as Hev b 3. Determination of the molecular weight of Hev b 3 revealed various species of 22-23 kDa. The consistent gaps of about 266 Da observed between various forms of the intact protein suggest that the protein undergoes post-translational modification. To determine whether Hev b 3 also occurs in a soluble form in the latex serum, its presence in molecular-filtered serum was checked by ELISA and Western blot. The results showed Hev b 3 to be largely absent in the C-serum from fresh latex. The protein is therefore insoluble in its native state. However, a small amount of the solubilized protein was detected in ammonia-stabilized latex (commonly used in the manufacture of latex products).
  4. Usefulness of stable microbubble test of tracheal aspirate for the diagnosis of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
    Boo NY, Cheong KB, Cheong SK, Lye MS, Zulfiqar MA
    J Paediatr Child Health, 1997 Aug;33(4):329-34.
    PMID: 9323622
    OBJECTIVES: To compare the overall accuracy of the stable microbubble test (SM test) with measurement of level of surfactant protein A (SP-A) of tracheal aspirate for the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

    METHODOLOGY: Tracheal aspirates were obtained from neonates on ventilatory support. The SM test was carried out on specimens of tracheal aspirate immediately after collection. Levels of SP-A in tracheal aspirates were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The results of the SM test and SP-A level of the tracheal aspirates were compared against the clinical diagnosis of RDS based on clinical, radiological and bacteriological findings.

    RESULTS: Both the median microbubble counts (6 microbubbles/mm2, range = 0-90) and median SP-A levels (100 micrograms/L, range = 0-67447) of infants with RDS were significantly lower than those of infants with no obvious lung pathology (P < 0.0001), and pneumonia (P < 0.0001). The SM test of tracheal aspirates had higher overall accuracy for the diagnosis of RDS than measurement of SP-A levels (94.6% vs 82.4%). When the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of both tests for RDS were compared, the area under the ROC curve of the SM test was larger (0.9689) than that of the SP-A method (0.8965).

    CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the SM test of tracheal aspirate was a useful bedside diagnostic test for RDS. It could be carried out at any time after birth on infants requiring ventilatory support.

  5. Usefulness and limitations of an in-house direct radioimmunoassay for 17-hydroxyprogesterone in serum
    Lo MS, Ng ML, Wu LL, Azmy BS, Khalid BA
    Malays J Pathol, 1996 Jun;18(1):43-52.
    PMID: 10879224
    Since conventional radioimmunoassays (RIA) for measurement of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in serum samples require a laborious solvent extraction step, a direct and rapid in-house RIA was developed for early diagnosis and management of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). In-house rabbit anti-17-OHP antiserum, tritium labelled 17-OHP and dextran-coated charcoal were used in assay buffer with low pH 5.1 and preheated serum samples. Both inter- and intra-assay CVs were < 10% and the sensitivity was 1.2 nmol/l or 12 fmol/tube. Results from the direct assay correlated well with values from an extraction assay, r = 0.88 in samples from CAH patients, r = 0.85 in adults and children, 0.69 and 0.40 in term and preterm neonates respectively, 0.66 and 0.63 in luteal phase and third trimester pregnancy; p < 0.001 in all groups except p < 0.05 in preterm neonates. However, results from the direct assay were two to three times higher in serum samples from CAH patients, normal adults and children, but were five to seven times higher in pregnancy and term neonates and thirty times higher in preterm neonates. The markedly elevated levels measured by the direct assay are probably due to cross-reactivities with water-soluble steroid metabolites such as 17-hydroxypregnenolone sulphate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). Although the direct assay is only useful as a screening test for preterm babies, it can be used for both diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of CAH in all other age groups.
  6. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysian Chinese: salted fish and other dietary exposures
    Armstrong RW, Imrey PB, Lye MS, Armstrong MJ, Yu MC, Sani S
    Int J Cancer, 1998 Jul 17;77(2):228-35.
    PMID: 9650558 DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0215(19980717)77:2<228::AID-IJC
    We interviewed 282 histologically confirmed cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Chinese residents of Selangor and the Federal Territory, Malaysia, and an equal number of Chinese age-, sex-, and length-of-residence-matched controls sampled from the general population. Consumption of 55 dietary items during childhood, and 5 years pre-diagnosis of NPC, was analyzed by univariate and multivariate methods. Four salted preserved foods (fish, leafy vegetables, egg and root), fresh pork/beef organ meats and beer and liquor consumption exhibited strong positive associations, and 4 vegetable/fruit combinations strong negative associations with NPC. Factor analysis and multivariable modeling using estimated factor scores strongly supported separate effects on NPC of vegetables/fruits, salted preserved foods, pork/beef organ meats and beer/liquor consumption. Multivariable modeling associated NPC most clearly with high consumption of salted fish, salted eggs, pork/beef liver and beer and low consumption of Chinese flowering cabbage, oranges/tangerines and shrimp. A strong residual association of social class with NPC remained after adjustment for diet, which is consistent with a substantial role for non-dietary environmental factors.
  7. Fulltext Bacteraemic infections in a neonatal intensive care unit--a nine-month survey
    Lim NL, Wong YH, Boo NY, Kasim MS, Chor CY
    Med J Malaysia, 1995 Mar;50(1):59-63.
    PMID: 7752978
    A survey was conducted to determine the rate, outcome, and culture and sensitivity patterns of bacteraemic infections in a large Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Over a nine-month period, 136 episodes of infection occurred in 132 (6.9%) out of 1926 admissions. Early onset infection accounted for 35 episodes (25.7%) and was associated with a higher mortality rate compared to late onset infection (45.7% vs 23.8%, p < 0.02). Very low birthweight (VLBW) infants had significantly higher rates of infection (19.4% vs 5.3%, p < 0.001) and mortality (45.2% vs 23.3%, p < 0.02) compared to bigger babies. Gram negative bacilli accounted for 25 early and 90 late isolates while gram positive organisms accounted for 10 early and 16 late isolates. The two main organisms (Acinetobacter and Klebsiella) showed a 69.0 to 85.3% resistance to aminoglycosides and 3rd generation cephalosporins. Ten of 13 isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis and 3 of 4 Staphylococcus aureus were methicillin resistant. Multiply resistant infections were a major problem in this NICU and efforts to eradicate them needed to be intensified.
  8. Relationship between head growth and neurodevelopmental outcome of Malaysian very low birthweight infants during the 1st year of life
    Ong LC, Boo NY, Chandran V, Zamratol SM, Allison L, Teoh SL, et al.
    Ann Trop Paediatr, 1997 Sep;17(3):209-16.
    PMID: 9425375
    A prospective study was carried out to (i) compare head growth patterns of 103 very low birthweight (VLBW, < 1500 g) Malaysian infants and 98 normal birthweight (NBW, 2500- < 4500 g) controls during the 1st year of life; and (ii) examine the relationship between neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year of age and occipito-frontal head circumferences (OFC) at birth and at 1 year of age in VLBW babies. When compared with those of NBW infants at birth, mid-infancy and 1 year of age, the mean OFC ratios (observed/expected OFC at 50th percentile) of VLBW infants were significantly lower (p < 0.001). Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) VLBW babies had significantly lower mean OFC ratios than their appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) VLBW counterparts at birth (p < 0.001), but this difference was no longer seen at mid-infancy or at 1 year of age. Logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal late neonatal cranial ultrasound findings (odds ratio 8.5, 95% confidence interval 4.12-22.07; p < 0.001) and each additional day of oxygen therapy (odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.00-4.45; p = 0.045) were significant risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental disability at 1 year of age, while mean OFC ratios at birth or at 1 year of age were not. Poor postnatal head growth per se did not predict disability, but probably reflected the consequences of "brain injury" as evidenced by abnormal brain scans.
  9. Duration of oxygen therapy and exchange transfusion as risk factors associated with retinopathy of prematurity in very low birthweight infants
    Teoh SL, Boo NY, Ong LC, Nyein MK, Lye MS, Au MK
    Eye (Lond), 1995;9 ( Pt 6):733-7.
    PMID: 8849541
    One hundred and thirteen consecutive infants with a very low birthweight of less than 1500 g were followed prospectively for 6 months to determine the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and associated risk factors. Of this group, 36 (31.9%) infants developed ROP (13 infants had stage 1 ROP, nine had stage 2, six had stage 3, six had stage 4, and two had cicatricial stage ROP). Stepwise logistic regression analysis of various potential risk factors (birthweight, gestation, duration of oxygen therapy, duration of ventilation, highest documented PaO2 and exchange transfusion) showed that only two risk factors were significantly associated with the development of ROP. These risk factors were: the duration of oxygen therapy (p = 0.0005) and exchange transfusion during the neonatal period (odds ratio 5.754, 95% confidence interval 1.002 to 32.997, p = 0.049). The equation of the regression model is: log (odds of developing ROP) = -0.8395 + 0.1447 (OXY)- 0.8750 (ET), where OXY is the duration of oxygen therapy in days, ET = -1 when there was a history of exchange transfusion, and ET = 1 when there was no history of exchange transfusion.
  10. Detection of malaria in Malaysia by nested polymerase chain reaction amplification of dried blood spots on filter papers
    Singh B, Cox-Singh J, Miller AO, Abdullah MS, Snounou G, Rahman HA
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1996 9 1;90(5):519-21.
    PMID: 8944260
    A modified nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detection of Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax and P. malariae was combined with a simple blood collection and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction method and evaluated in Malaysia. Finger-prick blood samples from 46 hospital patients and 120 individuals living in malaria endemic areas were spotted on filter papers and dried. The simple Chelex method was used to prepare DNA templates for the nested PCR assay. Higher malaria prevalence rates for both clinical (78.2%) and field samples (30.8%) were obtained with the nested PCR method than by microscopy (76.1% and 27.5%, respectively). Nested PCR was more sensitive than microscopy in detecting mixed P. falciparum and P. vivax infections, detected 5 more malaria samples than microscopy on the first round of microscopical examination, and detected malaria in 3 microscopically negative samples. Nested PCR failed to detect parasite DNA in 2 microscopically positive samples, an overall sensitivity of 97.4% compared to microscopy. The nested PCR method, when coupled with simple dried blood spot sampling, is a useful tool for collecting accurate malaria epidemiological data, particularly in remote regions of the world.
  11. Fulltext Descriptive terms used by Malay patients for exertional angina pectoris
    Khalid Y, Malina O, Rofiah A, Latinah M, Thahirahtul AZ, Zaridah MS, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 1994 Sep;49(3):209-11.
    PMID: 7845267
    Description of the chest pain of angina pectoris by patients is commonly used in the diagnosis, evaluation and monitoring of ischaemic heart disease. Whilst certain descriptive terms have been identified as describing angina and not other causes of chest pain, these terms have not been systematically evaluated among local Malaysian patients. Reliance on a translation of the description used by Western patients may not be totally correct in the local context. Seventy-one Malay patients with documented ischaemic heart disease were asked, by questionnaire and by interview, to identify the descriptive terms they used for their angina pectoris. Common terms used by these patients were sempit (constrictive) [56.3%], mencuck (pricking) [54.9%], berat (heavy) [53.5%], panas (burning) [50.7%], menekan (pressing) [46.4%], and pedih (smarting) [43.7%]. Other less common descriptions used were tajam (sharp), mencengkam (strangulating), hempap (compressive), ngilu, hiris (knife-like), lengoh (aching). Two-thirds of the patients used more than three terms to describe their angina pectoris. Direct translation of the description of angina may not only be inaccurate but could also be misleading. It is suggested that the actual words used by the patients in Bahasa Malaysia be recorded in the patient's notes rather than a translation of these. More studies are required to determine whether the terms used by the patients in this study are related to local dialect (in this case Terengganu) or are actually common in Malaysia. Further, similar studies among Chinese and Indian patients are also required.
  12. Comparison of morbidities in very low birthweight and normal birthweight infants during the first year of life in a developing country
    Boo NY, Ong LC, Lye MS, Chandran V, Teoh SL, Zamratol S, et al.
    J Paediatr Child Health, 1996 Oct;32(5):439-44.
    PMID: 8933407
    OBJECTIVE: To compare the morbidities in the very low birthweight (VLBW; < 1500 g) and normal birthweight (NBW; > or = 2500 g) Malaysian infants during the first year of life.

    METHODOLOGY: Prospective observational cohort study of consecutive surviving VLBW infants and randomly sampled NBW infants born in the Kuala Lumpur Maternity Hospital between 1 December 1989 and 31 December 1992. Infants were followed up regularly during the first year of life, after correction for prematurity.

    RESULTS: Compared with NBW infants (n = 106), VLBW infants (n = 127) had significantly higher risk of failure to thrive (odds ratio [OR] = 8.0, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.1 to 354.3), wheezing (OR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.6 to 9.3), rehospitalization (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1 to 5.0), cerebral palsy (OR = 8.6, 95% CI: 2.0 to 77.6), neurosensory hearing loss (OR = 12.0, 95% CI: 1.7 to 513.6) and visual loss (7.9 vs 0%, P = 0.002). The mean mental developmental index (MDI) and mean psychomotor developmental index (PDI) at 1 year of age were significantly lower among VLBW infants (MDI 99 [SD = 28], PDI 89 [SD = 25]) than NBW infants (MDI 106 [SD = 18], PDI 101 [SD = 18]) (95% CI for difference between means being MDI: -14.1 to -1.7; and PDI: -17.6 to -6.0). Logistic regression analysis showed that among VLBW infants: (i) male sex, Malay ethnicity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were significant risk factors associated with wheezing; (ii) longer duration of oxygen therapy during the neonatal period, seizures after the post-neonatal period and wheezing were significant risk factors associated with rehospitalization; and (iii) longer duration of oxygen therapy during the neonatal period was a significant risk factor associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcome during the first year of life.

    CONCLUSIONS: Compared with NBW infants, VLBW Malaysian infants had significantly higher risks of physical and neuro-developmental morbidities.

  13. Fulltext Disease and risk factor perception among patients with coronary artery disease in Kuala Terengganu
    Khalid Y, Malina O, Rofiah A, Latinah M, Thahirahtul AZ, Zaridah MS, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 1994 Sep;49(3):205-8.
    PMID: 7845266
    One hundred consecutive patients with coronary heart disease attending the Physician Clinic, Kuala Terengganu General Hospital self-completed a questionnaire on their awareness of the coronary risk factors and their perception of their disease. Seventy-one subjects were males. Twenty-seven subjects had never had formal education and only 6 had completed tertiary education. Whilst 52% considered themselves as having less than 25% knowledge about their disease, many were aware of hypercholesterolaemia, emotional stress, inadequate exercise and smoking as risk factors for coronary heart disease. Diabetes and family history were less known as coronary risk factors. Despite their awareness of the risk factors, though, the subjects failed to control these. For example, smoking was prevalent and their awareness of the harmful effects of smoking did not seem to deter them from this habit. Further, formal education did not seem to influence positive health behaviour. In terms of disease perception, the subjects tended to believe that their illness could be cured. Eighty subjects expected a cure from their doctors. Sixty-three subjects wanted more explanation of their illness from their doctors. These findings suggest that efforts should be made to translate patients' awareness of their illness to appropriate health behaviour, and perhaps doctors could achieve this by spending more time explaining to the patients, and educating them.
  14. Fulltext Child abuse and neglect as seen in General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur--a two year study
    Kassim MS, George R, Kassim K, Begum M, Cherian MP, Tajudin AK, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 1989 Jun;44(2):111-21.
    PMID: 2626119
    Eighty-six children diagnosed as child abuse and/or neglect were admitted to the Paediatric wards of the General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur during 1985 and 1986. Of these cases, 62 were of physical abuse, six of sexual abuse, one case of both physical and sexual abuse and 17 of neglect. There were 25 boys and 61 girls. Thirty-four of these children were Malays, 16 Chinese, 26 Indians, three mixed and seven illegal immigrants. Twenty-one were below the age of one year, 24 from one to four years, 25 from five to nine years and 16 were ten years and above. The abusers were mainly close members of the family. Of these children, 24 were sent back to their parents and 11 to their relatives home. Twenty-seven were taken into care by the Ministry of Social Welfare and the remaining seven children who were illegal immigrants, were deported with their parents. Only one child was successfully fostered. Eleven children were taken away from the hospital by their parents or guardians without the knowledge of the health staff. There were five deaths in the series.
  15. Maternal age-specific incidence of Down's syndrome in Malaysian neonates
    Boo NY, Hoe TS, Lye MS, Poon PK, Mahani MC
    J Singapore Paediatr Soc, 1989;31(3-4):138-42.
    PMID: 2534718
    Over an 18 month period, 34,495 livebirths were delivered in the Kuala Lumpur Maternity Hospital. 36 neonates (1.044 per 1000 livebirths) had Down's syndrome. The observed rates of Down's syndrome per 1000 livebirths by single year intervals of maternal age were calculated. By using the discontinuous slope model, our study showed that the incidence of Down's syndrome among the Malaysian liveborns increased markedly when the maternal age exceeded 35 years. This study also suggested that the Malay mothers had increased risk of producing babies with Down's syndrome at a later age than the Chinese and the Indians. However, a larger number of babies in each racial group needs to be studied to confirm this.
  16. Anopheles flavirostris incriminated as a vector of malaria and Bancroftian filariasis in Banggi Island, Sabah, Malaysia
    Hii JL, Kan S, Vun YS, Chin KF, Lye MS, Mak JW, et al.
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1985;79(5):677-80.
    PMID: 3913069
    Seven villages in Banggi Island, Sabah, Malaysia, were surveyed four times to evaluate the roles of local mosquitoes as vectors of malaria and Bancroftian filariasis. 11 species of Anopheles were found biting man. 53.9% of the anophelines caught were An. flavirostris, 27.1% An. balabacensis, 6% An. donaldi and 4.2% An. subpictus. Infective malaria sporozoites, probably of human origin, were found in two of 336 An. flavirostris and 12 of 308 An. balabacensis. Sporozoites, probably of a non-human Plasmodium, were found in An. umbrosus. Nine of 1001 An. flavirostris and four of 365 An. balabacensis harboured L2 or L3 filarial larvae identified as those of Wuchereria bancrofti. This is the first record of An. flavirostris as a natural vector of malaria and W. bancrofti in Sabah.
  17. Differential microRNA expression and identification of putative miRNA targets and pathways in head and neck cancers
    Nurul-Syakima AM, Yoke-Kqueen C, Sabariah AR, Shiran MS, Singh A, Learn-Han L
    Int J Mol Med, 2011 Sep;28(3):327-36.
    PMID: 21637912 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2011.714
    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that involved in various cancer-related cellular processes. Diverse studies on expression profiling of miRNAs have been performed and the data showed that some miRNAs are up-regulated or down-regulated in cancer. Until now, there are no data published on the miRNA expression in head and neck cancers from Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to investigate potentially crucial miRNAs in head and neck cancer patients from Malaysian populations. A global miRNA profiling was performed on 12 samples of head and neck cancer tissue using microarray analysis followed by validation using real-time RT-PCR. Microarray analysis identified 10 miRNAs that could distinguish malignant head and neck cancer lesions from normal tissues; 7 miRNAs (hsa-miR-181a-2*, hsa-miR-29b-1*, hsa-miR-181a, hsa-miR-181b, hsa-miR-744, hsa-miR-1271 and hsa-miR-221*) were up-regulated while 3 miRNAs (hsa-miR-141, hsa-miR-95 and hsa-miR-101) were down-regulated. These miRNAs may contribute in a simple profiling strategy to identify individuals at higher risk of developing head and neck cancers, thus helping in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in head and neck cancer pathogenesis.
  18. Fulltext Dataset on applying HPMC polymer to improve encapsulation efficiency and stability of the fish oil: In vitro evaluation
    Zaidul ISM, Fahim TK, Sahena F, Azad AK, Rashid MA, Hossain MS
    Data Brief, 2020 Oct;32:106111.
    PMID: 32904423 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.106111
    Data examines the effect of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) HPMC15 cP, and HPMC 5 cP polymer composition on the physicochemical traits of encapsulated oil made using lab scale spray drying (180 °C). The data found showed that the properties of the reconstituted fish oil powder are significantly affected by the polymer's composition and ratio (p < 0.05). In this experiment, powder with the particle sizes below 60 μm was produced and it was observed that HPMC is a good emulsifier for all formulations and the encapsulation efficiency is high with 75.21% for AF1 formulation. It was also observed that the process of fish oil encapsulation employed by HPMC 5 cP produce a more volatile oil powder, while encapsulation with HPMC 15 cP produced a more stable fish oil powder. These finding shows that the utilisation of HPMC as a polymer to encapsulate fish oil can produce a more efficient and stable compound.
  19. Fulltext Socio-Economic Factors Related to Drinking Water Source and Sanitation in Malaysia
    Kong YL, Anis-Syakira J, Fun WH, Balqis-Ali NZ, Shakirah MS, Sararaks S
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 10 29;17(21).
    PMID: 33137998 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217933
    Access to improved water and sanitation is essential. We describe these practices in Malaysia using data from a nationwide community survey and used logistic regression to assess the determinants. Of the 7978 living quarters (LQs), 58.3% were in urban areas. About 2.4%, 0.5% and 27.4% of LQs had non-improved water sources, non-improved toilet types and improper domestic waste disposal, respectively. Open burning was practiced by 26.1%. Water source was a problem for long houses (10.5%), squatters (8.5%) and shared houses (4.0%). Non-improved toilet types were 11.9% for squatters and 4.8% for shared houses. Improper domestic waste disposal practices were higher for occupants of village houses (64.2%), long houses (54.4%), single houses (45.8%) and squatters (35.6%). An increase in education or income level was associated with a decrease in improper domestic waste disposal methods. House type significantly affected water and sanitation after adjusting for the effects of other variables. Lower household income was associated with non-improved toilet types and improper domestic waste disposal. Lower education and rural location influenced domestic waste disposal. The water and toilet facilities in Malaysia were generally good, while domestic waste management practices could be improved. There remain pockets of communities with environmental challenges for the nation.
  20. Fulltext The association between serum prolactin levels and interleukin-6 and systemic lupus erythematosus activity
    Wan Asyraf WA, Mohd Shahrir MS, Asrul W, Norasyikin AW, Hanita O, Kong WY, et al.
    Reumatismo, 2018 Dec 20;70(4):241-250.
    PMID: 30570242 DOI: 10.4081/reumatismo.2018.1075
    Based on the recent evidence of association between hyperprolactinemia and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity (SLEDAI), a study was conducted to analyze the association of hyperprolactinemia with lupus nephritis disease activity. In this cross-sectional study, the analysis was conducted on SLE patients who visited the University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) Nephrology Clinic from August 2015 till February 2016. The disease activity was measured using the SLEDAI score, with more than 4 indicating active lupus nephritis. Basal resting prolactin level was analyzed in 43 patients with lupus nephritis, in 27.9% of them had raised serum prolactin. The median of serum prolactin level at 0 minutes was 19.91 ng/mL (IQR: 15.95-22.65 ng/ mL) for active lupus nephritis, which was significantly higher compared to the median of serum prolactin level of 14.34 ng/mL (IQR: 11.09-18.70 ng/mL) for patients in remission (p=0.014). The serum prolactin level positively correlated with SLEDAI (rhos: 0.449, p=0.003) and the UPCI level in lupus nephritis patients (rhos: 0.241, p=0.032). The results were reproduced when the serum prolactin was repeated after 30 minutes. However, the serum prolactin levels at 0 minutes were higher than those taken after 30 minutes (p=0.001). An assessment of serum IL-6 levels found that the active lupus nephritis patients had a higher median level of 65.91 pg/ mL (IQR: 21.96-146.14 pg/mL) compared to the in-remission level of 15.84 pg/mL (IQR: 8.38-92.84 pg/mL), (p=0.039). Further correlation analysis revealed that there was no statistical correlation between the interleukin (IL)-6 levels with serum prolactin, SLEDAI and other lupus nephritis parameters. An ROC curve analysis of serum prolactin at 0 minutes and serum prolactin after 30 minutes and IL-6 levels for prediction of SLE disease activity provided the cutoff value of serum prolactin at 0 minutes, which was 14.63 ng/mL with a sensitivity of 91.7% and specificity of 58.1% and AUC of 0.74 (p=0.015). This study concurred with the previous findings that stated that hyperprolactinemia is prevalent in SLE patients and correlated with clinical disease activity and UPCI level. The baseline of the fasting serum prolactin level was found to be a sensitive biomarker for the evaluation of lupus nephritis disease activity.
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