MyMedR

Fulltext Advancing Pharmacy Service using Big Data - Are We Fully Utilising the Big Data's Potential Yet?

See HQ, Chan JN, Ling SJ, Gan SC, Leong CO, Mai CW

J Pharm Pharm Sci, 2018;21(1):217-221.

Big data is anticipated to have large implications in clinical pharmacy, in view of its potential in enhancing precision medicine and to avoid medication error. However, it is equally debatable since such a powerful tool may also disrupt the need of pharmacist in healthcare industry. In this article, we commented the contribution of Big Data in various aspects of clinical pharmacy including advancing pharmaceutical care service, optimising drug supplies, managing clinical trials, and strengthening pharmacovigilance. The future direction of the usage of Big Data related to clinical pharmacy will be discussed. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

Local specific Immunoglobulin E among patients with nonallergic rhinitis: a systematic review

Hamizan AW, Rimmer J, Husain S, Alvarado R, Tatersall J, Sewell W, et al.

Rhinology, 2019 Feb 01;57(1):10-20.

PMID: 30219822 DOI: 10.4193/Rhin18.074

BACKGROUND: Allergen specific immunoglobulin can be present in the nasal mucosa of patients with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR). This condition is defined as local allergic rhinitis. However, the reported presence of nasal specific immunoglobulin E (nspIgE) among NAR is variable. The aim of this review was to summarize the studies which reported the presence of nspIgE among patients diagnosed as NAR.

METHODS: Embase (1947- ) and Medline (1946-) were searched until 6th June 2017. A search strategy was utilized to identify studies on nspIgE among patients with NAR. The target population was patients with symptoms of rhinitis, but negative systemic allergen sensitization. Studies with original data on detectable nspIgE among the NAR population were included. Meta-analysis of single proportions as a weighted probability %(95%CI) was performed. Heterogeneity was explored amongst studies.

RESULTS: A search strategy returned 2286 studies and 21 were included. These studies involved 648 participants with NAR. NspIgE was detected using either; 1. nasal secretions, 2. epithelial mucosa sampling, 3. tissue biopsies or 4. In-situ tests. Metaanalysis was performed on studies with nasal secretions. The weighted proportion of detectable nspIgE in nasal secretions within patients with NAR was 10.2 (7.4-13.4) %. Population definitions partly explained variability. Detection of nspIgE was lower in patients without a history suggestive of allergy compared to those with a positive allergic history (0 (0-3.1) % v 19.8 (14.5-25.6) %, p<0.01).

CONCLUSION: NAR with positive allergy history suggests presence of nspIgE. These patients warrant further allergology evaluation to confirm localized nasal allergy, as they benefit from allergy therapy such as immunotherapy.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

Fulltext A validation study of the Bahasa Malaysia version of the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale

Najma Kori, Wan Asyraf Wan Zaidi, Rabani Remli, Azman Ali Raymond, Norlinah Mohamed Ibrahim, Tan, Hui Jan, et al.

Neurology Asia, 2018;23(3):225-232.

MyJurnal

Background & Objectives: The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) provides a valid and quick assessment of stroke severity in hyperacute stroke management. Stroke patients who are eligible for reperfusion therapy require prompt assessment. There is no validated Bahasa Malaysia (BM) version of the NIHSS that allows easier assessment by BM-speaking health professionals. This study aimed to translate and validate a BM version of the NIHSS.
Methods: The English NIHSS was translated to BM, then back translated to ensure linguistic accuracy. We also adapted the language assessment of the NIHSS to be more culturally appropriate. Training and certification videos were downloaded from the NIH website and dubbed into BM. We determined intra-class correlation and unweighted kappa as the best measure of reliability. Median scores were used in the analysis for language items.
Results: One hundred and one raters participated in the test-retest reliability study. Agreement between the original NIHSS and our translated version of the BM-NIHSS was good (ICC = 0.738, 95% CI: 0.611 to 0.823). Fair to moderate agreement was found on item-by-item analysis (unweighted κ=0.20-0.50) despite high observed agreement. Fifty patients participated in the language assessment arm. Scores were better in BM for reading, naming objects and repetition (Mdn = 100, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the median scores for the description component.
Conclusions: The BM-NIHSS is a valid translation of the NIHSS, and may be used in clinical practice by BM-speaking healthcare professionals.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

The significance of non-communicable threats to travellers: time for a sea-change?

Sanford CA, Flaherty GT

J Travel Med, 2019 Jan 01;26(1).

PMID: 30476161 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tay103

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

Discovery of Dengue Virus Inhibitors

Abdullah AA, Lee YK, Chin SP, Lim SK, Lee VS, Othman R, et al.

Curr Med Chem, 2020;27(30):4945-5036.

PMID: 30514185 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666181204155336

To date, there is still no approved anti-dengue agent to treat dengue infection in the market. Although the only licensed dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia is available, its protective efficacy against serotypes 1 and 2 of dengue virus was reported to be lower than serotypes 3 and 4. Moreover, according to WHO, the risk of being hospitalized and having severe dengue increased in seronegative individuals after they received Dengvaxia vaccination. Nevertheless, various studies had been carried out in search of dengue virus inhibitors. These studies focused on the structural (C, prM, E) and non-structural proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B and NS5) of dengue virus as well as host factors as drug targets. Hence, this article provides an overall up-to-date review of the discovery of dengue virus inhibitors that are only targeting the structural and non-structural viral proteins as drug targets.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

A case of Cysticercus cellulosae of the brain

Tull JC, Subrahmanyam C

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1934;28:165-6.

DOI: 10.1016/S0035-9203(34)90138-3

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

Mass suppression with chloroquine: chloroquine and pentaquine, and neo-premaline

Wallace RB

Med J Malaya, 1950;4:190-204.

This work, carried out on a rubber estate in Malaya during 1949, was a Continuation of the trials begun in 1948 previously recorded [this Bulletin, 1949, v 46, 1116]. Full details concerning the terrain and the nature of the experiment were given in the previous publication. In 1949 the malaria rate in the area approached the rates which were customary in pre-war years, for the first time since the reoccupation of the country. The Indian population which was chosen for the experiment contains the survivors of the Japanese occupation; many had been in Siam and almost all had suffered from malaria. Treatment had been entirely lacking or very inadequate, with the result that the survivors had developed a high degree of immunity by the end of the war. These facts probably explain the low incidence of malaria in post-war years in spite of high prevalence of A. maculatus. No anti-larval measures have been carried out since 1941. Neo-premaline completely suppressed malaria in one group, the control group showing a high incidence. In other groups chloroquine, or chloroquine and pentaquine combined, given once a week, promptly brought to an end primary waves of malaria which were rising rapidly.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

Achalasia cardia: an atypical presentation in an uncommon disorder. [Abstract]

Ganesananthan S, Kew ST, Ngau YY, Ong J

Med J Malaysia, 2001;56 Suppl A:46-46.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

Larval trombiculid mites attacking man

Audy JR

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1952;46:459-460.

DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(52)90063-1

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

The treatment of malaria with atebrin in estate practice

Hoops AL

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1932;26:289-94.

DOI: 10.1016/S0035-9203(32)90212-0

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

Rice and beri-beri: preliminary report on an experiment conducted in the Kuala Lumpur Insane Asylum

Fletcher W

Lancet, 1907;169(4374):1776-9.

DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(01)37985-0

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

General Hospital, Lipis, Pahang, Federated Malay States. A case of acute septicaemia treated with anti-streptococcic serum

Gerrard PN

Lancet, 1902;160:871-872.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

Notes of three cases of quinine poisoning, two of which were fatal

Gimlette JD

Lancet, 1914;183:174.

DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(01)56519-8

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

Plague in Singapore—The settlement declared infected area

Campbell JW, McArthur S, O'Sullivan AW, Kynnersley CWS

Public Health Rep, 1901;16:860-861.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

The aboriginal tribes of Perak

Maxwell WE

Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1879.

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

[POLYMORPHISM OF THE BETA1- AND BETA2-ADRENORECEPTOR GENES AND BISOPROLOL EFFICIENCY IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE]

Pyvovar S, Rudyk I, Isayeva G, Lozyk T, Galchinskaya V, Bondar T

Georgian Med News, 2019 Oct.

PMID: 31804204

The work was aimed at studying the relationship between the efficiency of bisoprolol and the polymorphism of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors (β-AR) genes in patients with heart failure. The two-year study included 251 patients with heart failure (with myocardial infarction on the background of coronary heart disease). During hospitalization, a standardized examination and prescription of therapy was carried out, including β-adrenergic blocking agent (β1-AB) - bisoprolol. Afterward, 61 (24.4%) patients stopped taking β1-AB (bisoprolol) as a result of intolerance or violation of compliance; 190 patients took bisoprolol for 2 years. The frequency of rehospitalization (RH) due to decompensation of heart failure (HF) (or intravenous injection of loop diuretics), mortality, and the development of a composite endpoint (CE) for 2 years was taken into account. The control group consisted of 55 healthy individuals. Genotyping was performed using 3 polymorphisms (Gly389Arg of the β1-АR gene, Ser49Gly of the β1-АR gene, Gln27Glu of the β2-АR gene) using the polymerase chain reaction. Genetic and epidemiological analysis was carried out using the SNPStats program. The use of bisoprolol with HF reduces the risk of re-hospitalization (odds ratio (OR)=0.519 (0.278-0.967); p=0.037) and CE (OR=0.494 (0.271-0.900); p=0.030) for 2 years of treatment. Treatment of patients with bisoprolol in a dose of >5 mg leads to a decrease in the risk of CE with G/A polymorphism Ser49Gly (c.145A> G) of the β1-AR gene (OR=0.18 (0.04-0.84), with p=0.014). The use of this drug at this dose also leads to a decrease in the frequency of RH and CE with the homozygous genotype C (C/C) of the Gln27Glu polymorphism (c.79C>G) of the β2-AR gene (OR=0.09 (0.02-0.46), at p=0.018 and OR=0.14 (0.04-0.58), at p=0.006, respectively).

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

An inquiry concerning the etiology of beri-beri

Fraser H, Stanton AT

Lancet, 1909;173(4459):451-5.

DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(01)80493-1

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

A note on the treatment of cholera

Simon MF

Lancet, 1893;142:688.

DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(01)94885-8

Matched MeSH terms: Humans

The causes of death in beri-beri