Displaying publications 661 - 680 of 1010 in total

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  1. Size-related assessment on viability and insulin secretion of caprine islets in vitro
    Vakhshiteh F, Allaudin ZN, Mohd Lila MA, Hani H
    Xenotransplantation, 2013 02 14;20(2):82-8.
    PMID: 23406308 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12023
    BACKGROUND: The successful isolation, purification, and culture of caprine islets has recently been reported. The present study shows arange of size distribution in caprine islet diameter from 50 to 250 μm, in which 80% of the total islet yield was comprised of small islets.

    METHODS: Caprine islets were isolated and purified. Islets were handpicked and the diameter of the islets was recorded using light microscopy. Viablility of the islets was analyzed by confocal microscopy. Insulin secretion assay was carried out and analyzed by ELISA.

    RESULTS: When tested at 48 h after isolation, these small islets were 29.3% more viable compared to the large-sized islets. Large islets showed a high ratio (P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Organ Culture Techniques
  2. An Asian perspective on relationship and marriage education
    Huang WJ
    Fam Process, 2005 Jun;44(2):161-73.
    PMID: 16013743
    The goal of this article is to provide couple therapists and relationship educators with information to enhance the cultural relevance of their work with Asian populations. Because of the rapid social, economic, cultural, and gender role changes, the various Asian interpretations of the institution of marriage are undergoing major transformation. This article describes the general trends in marriage in several Asian nations, with a focus on the swiftly rising divorce rates and changing cultural attitudes to marriage, and discusses current relationship education initiatives in these nations. Finally, based on my experiences working with Asian populations, I present a few humble insights regarding adaptation of marriage education to render it more culturally appropriate for Asians.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
  3. Why Cancer Patients Seek Islamic Healing
    Suhami N, Muhamad MB, Krauss SE
    J Relig Health, 2016 Oct;55(5):1507-18.
    PMID: 26391242 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-015-0114-6
    Islamic healing is frequently referred to as the treatment of choice by many Muslim cancer patients in Malaysia. Despite its widespread use, there is limited information relating to patients' healing preferences. With rising cancer rates in the country, this issue has become a concern to public health policy makers. The purpose of this study was to understand why cancer patients seek Islamic healing. This qualitative study utilized in-depth interviews with 18 cancer patients. The findings indicate three main reasons: (1) recommendations from family, friends and doctors; (2) belief in Islamic healing and (3) the perceived ineffectiveness and dissatisfaction with conventional treatments. Islamic healing will likely continue to be popular complementary cancer treatment in Malaysia as it is grounded in strong cultural and religious beliefs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
  4. Private troubles to public issue: empowering communities to reduce alcohol-related harm in Sabah, Malaysia
    Lasimbang HB, Shoesmith W, Mohd Daud MN, Kaur N, Jin MC, Singh J, et al.
    Health Promot Int, 2017 02 01;32(1):122-129.
    PMID: 28180267 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/dav090
    Summary: Alcohol is the number three contributor to the burden of disease worldwide so must remain a priority health promotion issue internationally. Malaysia is a Muslim country and alcohol-related harm was not seen as a priority until recently, because it only affects a minority of the population. Sabah has more than 30 different ethnic groups, and alcohol has a traditional role in the cultural practices of many of these groups. In 2009, the Intervention Group for Alcohol Misuse (IGAM) was formed, under the umbrella of Mercy Malaysia by a group of healthcare workers, academics, members of the Clergy and people who were previously alcohol-dependent concerned about the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption. IGAM in collaboration with other bodies have organized public seminars, visited villages and schools, encouraged the formation of a support group and trained healthcare professionals in health promotion intervention. The focus later changed to empowering communities to find solutions to alcohol-related harm in their community in a way which is sensitive to their culture. A standard tool-kit was developed using WHO materials as a guide. Village committees were formed and adapted the toolkit according to their needs. This strategy has been shown to be effective, in that 90% of the 20 committees formed are actively and successfully involved in health promotion to reduce alcohol-related harm in their communities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
  5. An evaluation of novel real-time technology as a tool for measurement of radiobiological and radiation-induced bystander effects
    Ibahim MJ, Crosbie JC, Paiva P, Yang Y, Zaitseva M, Rogers PA
    Radiat Environ Biophys, 2016 May;55(2):185-94.
    PMID: 26994995 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-016-0641-x
    The xCELLigence real-time cell impedance system uses a non-invasive and label-free method to create a cell index that is a composite measure of cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate xCELLigence against clonogenic assay (gold standard) for measuring radiobiological effects and radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBE). A radiobiological study was conducted by irradiating EMT6.5, 4T1.2 and NMUMG cell lines with different radiation doses, while a RIBE study was done using transfer of conditioned media (CM) harvested from donor to the same type of recipient cell (EMT6.5, 4T1.2, NMUMG, HACAT and SW48). CM was harvested using two protocols which differed in the dose chosen and the exposure to the recipient cells. Results showed that xCELLigence measured a radiobiological effect which correlated with the clonogenic assay. For the RIBE study, no statistically significant differences were observed between xCELLigence or clonogenic survival in control or recipient cells incubated with CM in protocol one. However, there was a significant increase in cell index slope using CM from EMT-6.5 cells irradiated at 7.5 Gy compared with the control group under the second protocol. No other evidence of RIBE was detected by either xCELLigence or clonogenic assay. In conclusion, xCELLigence methods can measure radiobiological effects and the results correlate with clonogenic assay. We observed a lack of RIBE in all tested cell lines with the clonogenic assay; however, we observed a RIBE effect in EMT6.5 cells under one particular protocol that showed RIBE is cell type dependent, is not universally observed and can be detected in different assays.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media, Conditioned
  6. Fulltext Characterization of Nipah virus infection in a model of human airway epithelial cells cultured at an air-liquid interface
    Escaffre O, Borisevich V, Vergara LA, Wen JW, Long D, Rockx B
    J Gen Virol, 2016 05;97(5):1077-1086.
    PMID: 26932515 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000441
    Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging paramyxovirus that can cause lethal respiratory illness in humans. No vaccine/therapeutic is currently licensed for humans. Human-to-human transmission was previously reported during outbreaks and NiV could be isolated from respiratory secretions, but the proportion of cases in Malaysia exhibiting respiratory symptoms was significantly lower than that in Bangladesh. Previously, we showed that primary human basal respiratory epithelial cells are susceptible to both NiV-Malaysia (M) and -Bangladesh (B) strains causing robust pro-inflammatory responses. However, the cells of the human respiratory epithelium that NiV targets are unknown and their role in NiV transmission and NiV-related lung pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Here, we characterized NiV infection of the human respiratory epithelium using a model of the human tracheal/bronchial (B-ALI) and small airway (S-ALI) epithelium cultured at an air-liquid interface. We show that NiV-M and NiV-B infect ciliated and secretory cells in B/S-ALI, and that infection of S-ALI, but not B-ALI, results in disruption of the epithelium integrity and host responses recruiting human immune cells. Interestingly, NiV-B replicated more efficiently in B-ALI than did NiV-M. These results suggest that the human tracheal/bronchial epithelium is favourable to NiV replication and shedding, while inducing a limited host response. Our data suggest that the small airways epithelium is prone to inflammation and lesions as well as constituting a point of virus entry into the pulmonary vasculature. The use of relevant models of the human respiratory tract, such as B/S-ALI, is critical for understanding NiV-related lung pathogenesis and identifying the underlying mechanisms allowing human-to-human transmission.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cell Culture Techniques
  7. Tissue-Engineered Skin Substitute Enhances Wound Healing after Radiation Therapy
    Busra MF, Chowdhury SR, bin Ismail F, bin Saim A, Idrus RB
    Adv Skin Wound Care, 2016 Mar;29(3):120-9.
    PMID: 26866868 DOI: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000480556.78111.e4
    OBJECTIVE: When given in conjunction with surgery for treating cancer, radiation therapy may result in impaired wound healing, which, in turn, could cause skin ulcers. In this study, bilayer and monolayer autologous skin substitutes were used to treat an irradiated wound.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single dose of 30 Gy of linear electron beam radiation was applied to the hind limb of nude mice before creating the skin lesion (area of 78.6 mm). Monolayer tissue-engineered skin substitutes (MTESSs) were prepared by entrapping cultured keratinocytes in fibrin matrix, and bilayer tissue-engineered skin substitutes (BTESSs) were prepared by entrapping keratinocytes and fibroblasts in separate layers. Bilayer tissue-engineered skin substitute and MTESS were implanted to the wound area. Gross appearance and wound area were analyzed to evaluate wound healing efficiency. Skin regeneration and morphological appearance were observed via histological and electron microscopy. Protein expressions of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in skin regeneration were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

    RESULTS: Macroscopic observation revealed that at day 13, treatments with BTESS completely healed the irradiated wound, whereas wound sizes of 1.1 ± 0.05 and 6.8 ± 0.14 mm were measured in the MTESS-treated and untreated control groups, respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) analysis showed formation of compact and organized epidermal and dermal layers in the BTESS-treated group, as compared with MTESS-treated and untreated control groups. Ultrastructural analysis indicates maturation of skin in BTESS-treated wound evidenced by formation of intermediate filament bundles in the dermal layer and low intercellular space in the epidermal layer. Expressions of TGF-β1, PDGF-BB, and VEGF were also higher in BTESS-treated wounds, compared with MTESS-treated wounds.

    CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that BTESS is the preferred treatment for irradiated wound ulcers.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cell Culture Techniques
  8. The formation of human auricular cartilage from microtic tissue: An in vivo study
    Ishak MF, See GB, Hui CK, Abdullah Ab, Saim Lb, Saim Ab, et al.
    Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 2015 Oct;79(10):1634-9.
    PMID: 26250439 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2015.06.034
    This study aimed to isolate, culture-expand and characterize the chondrocytes isolated from microtic cartilage and evaluate its potential as a cell source for ear cartilage reconstruction. Specific attention was to construct the auricular cartilage tissue by using fibrin as scaffold.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cell Culture Techniques
  9. Fulltext Effect of Growth Factor Supplementation on the Hair Cell Specific Markers of Cells Harvested from Basilar Membrane
    Ubaidah MA, Chua KH, Ami M, Zainal A, Saim A, Saim L, et al.
    J Int Adv Otol, 2015 Apr;11(1):23-9.
    PMID: 26223713 DOI: 10.5152/iao.2015.539
    Loss of auditory hair cells is a major cause of deafness. The presence of auditory progenitor cells in the inner ear raises the hope for mammalian inner ear cell regeneration. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of growth factor supplementations, namely a combination of epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and beta (β)-fibroblast growth factor (βFGF), on the expression of hair cell-specific markers by cells harvested from the cochlear membrane. This would provide an insight into the capability of these cells to differentiate into hair cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media
  10. Coaggregation of Candida albicans, Actinomyces naeslundii and Streptococcus mutans is Candida albicans strain dependent
    Arzmi MH, Dashper S, Catmull D, Cirillo N, Reynolds EC, McCullough M
    FEMS Yeast Res., 2015 Aug;15(5):fov038.
    PMID: 26054855 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fov038
    Microbial interactions are necessarily associated with the development of polymicrobial oral biofilms. The objective of this study was to determine the coaggregation of eight strains of Candida albicans with Actinomyces naeslundii and Streptococcus mutans. In autoaggregation assays, C. albicans strains were grown in RPMI-1640 and artificial saliva medium (ASM) whereas bacteria were grown in heart infusion broth. C. albicans, A. naeslundii and S. mutans were suspended to give 10(6), 10(7) and 10(8) cells mL(-1) respectively, in coaggregation buffer followed by a 1 h incubation. The absorbance difference at 620 nm (ΔAbs) between 0 h and 1 h was recorded. To study coaggregation, the same protocol was used, except combinations of microorganisms were incubated together. The mean ΔAbs% of autoaggregation of the majority of RPMI-1640-grown C. albicans was higher than in ASM grown. Coaggregation of C. albicans with A. naeslundii and/or S. mutans was variable among C. albicans strains. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that A. naeslundii and S. mutans coaggregated with C. albicans in dual- and triculture. In conclusion, the coaggregation of C. albicans, A. naeslundii and S. mutans is C. albicans strain dependent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media
  11. Fulltext In Vitro Study of Surface Modified Poly(ethylene glycol)-Impregnated Sintered Bovine Bone Scaffolds on Human Fibroblast Cells
    Pramanik S, Ataollahi F, Pingguan-Murphy B, Oshkour AA, Osman NAA
    Sci Rep, 2015 May 07;5:9806.
    PMID: 25950377 DOI: 10.1038/srep09806
    Scaffold design from xenogeneic bone has the potential for tissue engineering (TE). However, major difficulties impede this potential, such as the wide range of properties in natural bone. In this study, sintered cortical bones from different parts of a bovine-femur impregnated with biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) binder by liquid phase adsorption were investigated. Flexural mechanical properties of the PEG-treated scaffolds showed that the scaffold is stiffer and stronger at a sintering condition of 1000°C compared with 900°C. In vitro cytotoxicity of the scaffolds evaluated by Alamar Blue assay and microscopic tests on human fibroblast cells is better at 1000°C compared with that at 900°C. Furthermore, in vitro biocompatibility and flexural property of scaffolds derived from different parts of a femur depend on morphology and heat-treatment condition. Therefore, the fabricated scaffolds from the distal and proximal parts at 1000°C are potential candidates for hard and soft TE applications, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cell Culture Techniques
  12. Fulltext Cross-cultural adaptation of the Spence children's anxiety scale in Malaysia
    Ahmadi A, Mustaffa MS, Haghdoost A, Khan A, Latif AA
    Trends Psychiatry Psychother, 2015 4 11;37(1):37-41.
    PMID: 25860565 DOI: 10.1590/2237-6089-2014-0038
    INTRODUCTION: Anxiety among children has increased in recent years. Culturally adapted questionnaires developed to measure the level of anxiety are the best screening instruments for the general population. This study describes the scientific translation and adaptation of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) into the Malay language.

    METHOD: The process of scientific translation of this selfreport instrument followed the guidelines of the Task Force for Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR).

    RESULTS: The Malay version and its adaptation for a new cultural context are described.

    CONCLUSION: The Malay version achieved the aims of the original version and its conceptual and operational equivalence. It may be used as the first Malay instrument to measure anxiety among children in research and in clinical and community settings.

    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
  13. An analysis of vulnerability to HIV in Papua New Guinea
    Chen PC
    Pac Health Dialog, 2001 Mar;8(1):166-75.
    PMID: 12017819
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
  14. Mental health in Asia: social improvements and challenges
    Tseng WS, Ebata K, Kim KI, Krahl W, Kua EH, Lu Q, et al.
    Int J Soc Psychiatry, 2001;47(1):8-23.
    PMID: 11322408
    Remarkable improvements in economic conditions and a considerable upgrade in the quality of life have been observed in many parts of Asia during the past several decades. At the same time, many mental health challenges face the people of Asia. Various social mental health indexes are reviewed here, with available data from China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and other Asian societies. The data are compared with data from the United States, Australia in the Pacific Rim, and some other Western countries to examine patterns of similarity or difference between East and West in the process of modernization. Common trends in mental health issues associated with rapid sociocultural change observed in different Asian societies are discussed, as well as the relative shortage of mental health personnel available in many Asian societies. It is emphasized that, in addition to expanding psychiatric services, there is an even more urgent need to promote mental health knowledge and concern through education in the general population. Mental health needs to be cultivated and maintained by social forces and cultural strengths. It is stressed that there is a challenge for Asian people to advance mental health beyond economic development in the 21st century.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
  15. Parasuicide: a Singapore perspective
    Wai BH, Heok KE
    Ethn Health, 1998 Nov;3(4):255-63.
    PMID: 10403107
    This study was undertaken to determine whether there were ethnic and social variations in parasuicide in the population of Singapore.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
  16. 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.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media
  17. Malaysia: where big is still better. For Malays, large families are part of the plan
    Asiaweek, 1993 Nov 3.
    PMID: 12287219
    PIP: The benefits of various-sized families in Malaysia were discussed by several women and supplemented with official statements on family planning (FP). The Director of the National Population and Family Development, Dr. Raj Karim, advised that maternal health is jeopardized when women have more than five children. About 30% of reproductive age women in Malaysia have five or more children. A Federation of FP Associations spokesperson agreed that women should be advised of the dangers of bearing over five children, of the importance of spacing births two to four years apart, and of the ideal age of childbearing (21-39 years). The government lacks an official policy on family size. The government position is, however, compatible with Islamic teachings on spacing in order to protect the health of the mother and child. Islamic law does not permit sterilization or abortion. The "fatwas" of Islamic teaching may have been misconstrued by those not using any form of contraception. Dr. Karim, who has five children, reported that having a large family can be difficult for a woman with a job, a career, and a husband or when both parents work. Most Malays desire large families. The average Malay family size was 4.1 children in 1990; Malaysian Chinese have fertility of 2.3 children and Malaysian Indians have 2.6 children. People say that the benefits outweigh the hardships of a large family.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
  18. Fulltext Female genital mutilation in Britain
    Black JA, Debelle GD
    BMJ, 1995 Jun 17;310(6994):1590-2.
    PMID: 7787654
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
  19. From 'White Australia' to 'part of Asia': recent shifts in Australian immigration policy towards the region
    Jupp J
    Int Migr Rev, 1995;29(1):207-28.
    PMID: 12319613
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
  20. Urbanization and low-income housing in Malaysia: impact on the urban Malays
    Agus MR
    Warasan Prachakon Lae Sangkhom, 1990 Jan;2(2):205-21, 242-3.
    PMID: 12283536
    The focus of this study is on urbanization in Malaysia. "This paper is divided into three parts. The first part examines the trend of uneven urban development in West Malaysia. The second part discusses the change [in] ethnic composition of urban population between 1970 and 1980 intercensal period. The third part analyses the impact of the urbanization process on the Malays in the context of housing problems of the lower income groups." (SUMMARY IN THA)
    Matched MeSH terms: Culture
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